🌱 Patch AM: Educator with Woodbury ties tackles Minnesota’s meat cutter shortage

Good morning Woodbury! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Educator with Woodbury ties tackles Minnesota’s meat cutter shortage
• How a Woodbury grandma shed 114 pounds and reclaimed her life
• Could Woodbury land the next AARP grant-funded community upgrade?

Also on today's calendar: Memory Cafe: Woodbury and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A little afternoon rain, with a high of 35 and low of 21 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, temps: high: 31, low: 22.
• Saturday: Colder with a bit of snow, with a high of 25 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Educator Works to Fill Meat Cutter Shortage (westconcordmn.net) — Woodbury gets a brief spotlight in the career journey of food scientist and educator Sue Gorman, who once worked at Land O’Lakes’ fluid milk facility in Woodbury. Now at Riverland Community College, she’s building a food science program and hopes to launch a meat cutting and processing track to ease worker shortages in the industry.
   

2. Grandma Who Struggled with Binge Eating After Her Husband Died Now Enjoys Dancing and Night Hikes: ‘He'd Be So Proud' (Exclusive) (people.com) — A 70-year-old Woodbury grandmother has lost 114 pounds and reversed prediabetes by following the Mayo Clinic Diet and reshaping her daily habits. Now she’s dancing to live music, taking night hikes, and traveling more confidently, all while focusing on long-term health over quick fixes. Her story may resonate with Woodbury neighbors seeking their own fresh start.
   

3. Grant Opportunity for Community Improvement Projects (aarp.org) — Woodbury is highlighted as a past AARP Community Challenge grantee, with accessible raised-bed gardens cited as a local success story. Now, AARP is again offering quick-action grants—ranging from microgrants to larger awards—for projects improving public spaces, transportation, housing, digital access, and more. Eligible Minnesota organizations, including those in Woodbury, can apply by March 4, 2026.
   

4. Will Arnett laughs through the pain in 'Is This Thing On?' (eplocalnews.org) — Woodbury readers may recognize local critic Hunter Friesen, who reviews Bradley Cooper’s new film “Is This Thing On?” while also serving as film critic for Woodbury News Net. The piece dives into how the movie contrasts with Cooper’s earlier work, highlighting Will Arnett’s performance and the grounded, relationship-focused storytelling ahead of its Jan. 9 Minnesota theatrical release.
   

📸 Around Woodbury

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Woodbury

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday January 9

• Live Music Every Friday at 3rd Act Brewery
  3rd Act Craft Brewery, 4120 Radio Dr, Woodbury
  5:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday January 8

• The King's Speakers Toastmasters Club
  King of Kings Lutheran Church , 1583 Radio Drive , Woodbury
  7:00 pm

Friday January 9

• R.H. Stafford Friday Morning Senior Book Club
  R.H. Stafford Conference Rooms Combined 1 2 R.H. Stafford Conference Rooms Combined 1 2, R.H. Stafford Library
  10:30 am
• Crab legs Friday--Only $29.99!
  CURRENT/Afton House Inn , 3291 S. St. Croix Trail , Afton
  4:00 pm

Saturday January 10

• Performance in the Park - Open Door Community Theater
  Woodbury, MN Calendar Woodbury, MN 55125
  2:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Winter Offer
  Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce , 700 Commerce Dr #245 , Woodbury

Tuesday January 13

• Memory Cafe: Woodbury
  R.H. Stafford Library , 8595 Central Park Pl , Woodbury
  1:00 pm
• Ribbon Cutting - Harmony Wheels Transportation
  Harmony Wheels Transportation , 724 Bielenberg Drive, Suite 28 , Woodbury
  3:00 pm

📣 Woodbury Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday January 8

• Storytime for Babies
  Farmington Library , Farmington Large Meeting Room , Farmington
  9:30 am
• Baby Storytime
  Park Grove Library , Park Grove Meeting Room , Cottage Grove
  9:45 am
• Storytime for Babies and Toddlers
  Wescott Library , Wescott Large Meeting Room , Inver Grove Heights
  10:00 am
• WinterWalk and Roll
  House of Hope Church , 797 Summit Ave , St. Paul
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Woodbury PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Woodbury Leadership Academy — (651) 571-2100
  Tuition-free, K-12 Public Charter School

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Does anyone know who to get in touch with at Xfinity regarding the green base that are in people's yards?
  I tried calling the 800 number, but without an account, they kept disconnecting me. Also cannot chat without an account. I also tried calling the… (Nextdoor Dancing Waters)

Ok Woodbury! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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