So Many Blessings
In this season of giving thanks, we often find ourselves reflecting on the many blessings in our lives. The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is spending time with those that you love and encourages giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition and slaying goals can be very healthy, forgetting to place importance on being present, enjoying the ride and appreciating those around us that have helped us along in our journey, can leave us missing out on what truly matters. True contentment comes from within and from fulfilling who we were made to be.
This past summer, I took my first trip out of the country since 2012. Being immersed in other cultures with people from across the globe made me realize how lucky and blessed I am to be able to travel, to experience life with people from the other side of the world and remind myself how very similar we all are as human beings. More empathy in the world today would take us a long way. And, although the trip was amazing, I found myself missing home and all of the things that make life there special.
Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gathering, gratefulness and giving back to our community. Kelley Burnett truly puts time and effort into supporting Edina and its residents. We learned how the local non-profit &mamatoo got their start and how grateful Aaron & Christine are for the ability to help make health a priority for themselves along with the members of Fit Studio. We’ve also included some fun fall decor ideas and a gift guide.
Our team is so thankful for the residents and businesses in our community who support so many wonderful organizations and help make Edina the vibrant community that it is. We are also thankful for our partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you. This holiday season as we prepare to gather with our loved ones, let us set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful, and stop to reflect on those many blessings.
Wishing everyone a wonderful November and a Happy Thanksgiving,
ALEXANDRA PATTY, PUBLISHER
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Alexandra Patty | alexandra.patty@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sarah Knieff | sarah.knieff@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Susan Shannon | susan.shannon@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT COORDINATOR
Kassi Miranowski | kassi.miranowski@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue Baldani, Celena Cisco, Sarah Knieff, Leann Parker
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Bear Rose Photography, Lucy Hawthorne, Andrew Vick, Claire Murray, Leann Parker
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
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WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
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ROUNDUP OF
FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
Dexter's Is Now Open!
Daniel del Prado's newest venture is now open. Dexter's, described as a "refined dining experience for sports enthusiasts and food aficionados," is located at 3717 W 50th St. With its elevated bar experience atmosphere, the menu includes wings, cheese curds, oysters, burgers, sandwiches and a full kids section. Visit dextersmpls.com for more information.
Art Class is in Session
North Star Art Club on France Ave. is open and ready to help your creativity shine! Founded by licensed art teacher Richelle Norton, it's a safe place for kids (and adults!) age 8 and up to safely make a mess and hone their artistic skills. With the holidays, gift the artistic teens in your life the experience of seeing where their creativity can take them with Teen Open Studio on Sundays 4-7pm. Visit northstarartclub.com.
50th & France Tree Lighting Presented by Gateway Bank
We are excited to announce that this year’s 50th & France Tree Lighting, presented by Gateway Bank, will take place on Saturday, November 30th. Enjoy roaming carolers as you shop, as well as carriage rides, cookies and hot cocoa with Santa, and a performance by Kat Perkins leading up to the tree lighting at 5:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
We are proud to present a one of a kind, renovated condo with STUNNING lake view in highly desirable Brookside Condominiums in Edina....simply a must see! Enjoy morning coffee or evening beverages in your private, three season porch with fantastic views of Meadowbrook Lake. Truly Edina’s hidden gem! Amazing access to shopping, dining and entertainment, as well as award-winning Edina Schools.
Reach out to schedule a private showing!
ARTICLE
Inspiring, Protecting and Restoring Dreams
After 11 years of rising in the ranks at American Family Insurance, Kelley Burnett opened her own agency during 2017 in Edina. Since then, the award-winning Burnett & Associates has been successfully advising and educating its customers on the best ways to protect themselves, their families and their assets.
“American Family's mission and vision is to inspire, protect and restore dreams,” she says. Kelley’s grateful to be able to carry out this mission in the town in which she and her family live. “I love being a part of the community that my kids go to school in, that I live in, and engage in on a daily basis.”
People in Edina, she explains, are really passionate about supporting local businesses and the entire community. “I’m so appreciative that I landed in a place that values that. I'm also thankful to work for such a great organization like American Family. We're customer driven, and every decision we make is all about how it's going to impact our customers, which is very important to me.”
In addition to owning her own business in town, she’s involved with the Edina Rotary and the Edina Chamber of Commerce. “These organizations have been a great way to connect with community members and give back in a way that is bigger than oneself,” she says.
Kelley highly values the staff that helps her accomplish her goals on a daily basis. “I have the most amazing team and I couldn't do this without them,” she says. “We have fun and support one another on the daily, all while still serving our clients.”
Engaging with people on a daily basis, whether with her team or with her clients, is something she enjoys immensely. She’s also passionate about educating clients. “I think this really differentiates our agency,” says Kelley. “Some agencies bring on a client and then never speak to them again, and the policy just renews and renews. But, we are constantly and proactively engaging with our customers because needs change over time. We are there along the way to guide and educate them on coverage identifying what’s best for them now and in the future.”
To protect assets, Kelley advises that it's critical for clients to understand their policies and what's covered, and having an expert who can explain the differences is extremely helpful. “Every policy is different, so it's important to meet with an insurance agent to understand what type of tailored coverage you need for your specific needs and to also continually update it because life changes all the time.”
With her degree in risk management and insurance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, combined with her many years of experience in the industry, she is able to confidently share her knowledge with others, which she’s happy to be able to do.
KELLEY BURNETT
American Family Insurance
While Kelley works hard supporting her team and her clients, she is thankful for the support she gets from her family – husband Zach, 12-year-old daughter Elsa and 9-year-old son Jack. “I'm a small business owner, and so there are moments when I can’t be at everything and they give me grace.”
On the other side of the coin, being a business owner also has many benefits. “One of the greatest things about my career is being able to have flexibility to schedule things around my, my children’s and my husband’s needs,” she says.
Kelley is also able to take time off to participate in one of the family’s greatest joys. “One of our passions is to experience different cultures and places and we do that through travel,” she says. “We love to show our kids different parts of the world. We are also huge college football fans and enjoy attending as many games as we can.”
For all your insurance needs, contact Kelley Burnett or a member of her outstanding team at Burnett & Associates and
American Family Insurance. “I love that this is a very noble profession,” says Kelley. “We are here for our clients at their most devastating moments, whether it’s a house fire, a leak or an accident. We show up to make them whole again, and provide comfort that everything is going to be okay.”
7301 OHMS LN. STE 300 | 952-933-8495
AmFam.com/Agents/Minnesota/Edina/Kelley-Burnett
crown-bank.com
Crown Bank, rewards are not just monetary. We believe the relationships we forge with clients over time are just as rewarding. Because creating those relationships involves digging deep into their businesses to discover what’s possible, and then helping those possibilities come to life.
ARTICLE
A DASH OF LOVE
MOTHER-DAUGHTER TRIO SPREADS HEALING AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH CARE BASKETS
In the heart of Edina, Kathryn Wagner and her daughters, Juliana Wagner and Christina Laughlin, weave a tapestry of love, healing, and empowerment that extends far beyond the boundaries of their hometown.
Here is their story and how they combined their strengths to create &mamatoo, a postpartum care organization.
Kathryn, a dynamic woman who has embraced many roles, has always prioritized motherhood above all else. With an innate drive to provide the best for her family, she took the entrepreneurial plunge in 2019, creating safe, nurturing products that would lay the foundation for their family business.
Juliana, the youngest of the trio, recently embraced motherhood herself with the birth of her son this past June. With a rich background in Reiki, Ayurveda, and therapy and energy work, she embodies a holistic approach to wellness. Passionate about supporting women and their reproductive health, Juliana integrates her knowledge of herbs and minerals into therapeutic efforts.
Christina, fueled by her lifelong dream of motherhood, has journeyed through life wearing many hats. “From the very moment Juliana was born I knew I was meant to be a mom and I spent my entire life waiting for that to become a reality," she says. In the meantime, my siblings became my world and I gave them every ounce of love I had.”
As an American Sign Language interpreter and the program director for Edina Football Association's youth flag football program, she showcases her diverse skills while nurturing her passions.
Christina’s heart truly came alive when she welcomed her son, Jett, in 2020, and even more so when her second son, Dashel, was born in October 2023.
And so, through the women’s own experiences, both joyous and challenging, the first seeds of their organization, &mamatoo, were sown.
CONTINUED >
&mamatoo took shape after a heartwarming yet challenging event in the trios’ lives: the birth of their cousin and nephew, a micro-preemie. It was then (in 2019) that Kathryn began crafting the aforementioned baby products, starting with a diaper rash cream that evolved into a multi-purpose salve lovingly dubbed “magic cream.” Fueled by this, Christina led the expansion of their product line, creating postpartum care baskets — because mothers also deserve to be celebrated and pampered.
Thus, &mamatoo was official: a campaign to uplift mothers by creating the concept that alongside presents for the newborn, loved ones should also bring something special for the mothers. With heartfelt care baskets dedicated to moms, the trio have made it their mission to ensure new mothers experience the love and support they deserve in the postpartum phase.
In the beginning, this was the sole mission of &mamatoo. However, this journey took a critical turn with Dashel's birth. With an undiagnosed heart defect called Coarctation of the Aorta, Dashel faced immediate health challenges that turned the family’s world upside down.
The emergency room became a familiar place as he received urgent care after a critical situation on the fourth day of his life. His journey through two open heart surgeries and the support from the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit was the turning point that fueled the trios’ passion for also helping families in the NICU.
“Being postpartum in the NICU and heart unit is unimaginable,” Christina says. “And honestly, my needs felt so irrelevant and so neglected, but my body, I truly believe, only kept going thanks to those care products my mom made.”
This experience inspired the launch of &mamatoo’s “A Dash of Love” NICU Care Baskets, a heartfelt initiative to support NICU families during their toughest times. Through these care baskets, they provide essentials and comforts to families navigating the uncertain waters of having a child in critical care.
“After coming home with Dashel from months in the hospital, I had a heavy heart,” Christina says. “Being able to create the NICU baskets slowly lifted that weight off my chest because I was able to help other women and families that were going through a similar situation.”
The NICU baskets were launched this past spring, and so far the trio has received only positive feedback.
“These baskets, just like our postpartum ones, can be donated by a loved one, friend work colleague, businesses and even strangers with a heart of gold,” Christina says. “We then work with the hospitals' social work team to drop off each basket. &mamatoo is fully funded by generous donors, and through the purchase of our care products and handmade breast milk jewelry, which is our most recent product launch.”
Through the jewelry process, mothers can turn their breast milk into a lifelong keepsake and all proceeds go directly back into the organization.
“It’s a special way to honor your experience,” Christina says. “We make necklaces, bracelets, prayer beads and more.”
Christina continues, “The NICU baskets and jewelry are just the start of our ideas for the new products and programs. We are excited for what’s to come.”
And just like that, the mother-daughter trio demonstrates that out of adversity can come tremendous strength and community. By merging their talents and experiences, they have created a legacy that empowers mothers, spreads love, and ignites hope in the face of challenges. As they embark on this journey together, they are not just a family — they are a beacon of compassion and resilience, reminding us all that love, healing, and transformative support can change lives. andmamatoo.squarespace.com
Preparing for Their Future Starts Today.
Math knowledge builds upon itself. That’s why the Mathnasium Method™ addresses learning gaps early on, so your child develops a rock-solid foundation. Our fun, dynamic approach delivers results and builds confidence in math that stays with them throughout their lives.
Give the gift of math this year!
Contact Us for a Free Trial Session (763) 269-6969
Lynnhurst • 5315 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls • mathnasium.com/lynnhurst SLP-Edina • 5610 W 36th St, St. Louis Park • mathnasium.com/slp-edina SW Edina • 7104 Amundson Ave, Edina • mathnasium.com/swedina
www.mathnasium.com
A FITNESS PLAN FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Sustainable and Enjoyable Programs for Living Your Best Life
When husband and wife Aaron and Christine Leventhal decided to share their knowledge and love of fitness with others, it was important to them to do it in a space where everyone would feel comfortable. In 2002, they founded FIT Studio in St. Louis Park.
“We just wanted to help people – that's really at the heart of what we do,” says Christine. “Fitness can be really intimidating, so we figured out a way to make it less uncomfortable and more enjoyable.”
They also want people to see results, and as two former athletes (he was a professional soccer player with the Minnesota Thunder and she was an NCAA Division I track and field player), they know what needs to be done and how to do it. Aaron also has a degree in health
and fitness and has acquired multiple fitness certifications over the years, as has Christine.
“We believe in three pillars of fitness, which create a sustainable practice,” says Aaron. “The first pillar is connection, and by that I mean you have to be excited about what you’re doing. You should look forward to it, whether it's going for a hike or going to the gym. You can create this connection in many different ways. One of them is with a good coach, another is a great community, and another may be competition and camaraderie.”
The second pillar, he explains, is to have people become critical thinkers and gain knowledge during their fitness journey. The third is progression.
ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUCY HAWTHORNE
“Especially as we age, we have to think about changing the way we train and move in order to continue to progress, because we're seeing such a decline in our hormone levels and losing muscle abundance.”
In order to instill these pillars, people have to have trust in the person coaching them. “In order to gain that trust, we really have to understand and care about what they want and what their fears are, and then let them know that we’ve probably seen it before and understand it entirely,” says Christine.
Adds Aaron, “The beauty of coaching is really understanding where somebody is and what drives them, and then we can help them gradually increase their intensity, but there has to be that trusting relationship.”
The number one goal for most of their clients is to lose weight, and of course the couple will help them do that. “But, we also want people to understand that there is more to health, wellness and fitness than just the way we look, especially as we age,” he says. “Instead, they need to ask themselves, ‘How does this practice affect my ability to live longer and have an active lifestyle?’ So we shift that focus from the more external ‘How do I look? How much do I weigh?’ to something that is more internal such as ‘How do I feel about myself? How does this practice affect my daily life?’”
Most new clients go through what they call a six-week transformation program. Their introduction to movement starts with a meeting and orientation with a coach, and then a nutrition meeting. After that, they’ll start training one-on-one or in a small group before progressing into a larger group. Doing it in steps, they say, allows clients to feel more comfortable and confident.
To get the best results, they recommend clients come in three times a week for a 45 to 60 minute session each time. “We give them four really distinct things that they need to hit their goals,” says Aaron. “One, they have to follow the nutrition plan we lay out for them. Two, they have to show up for their workouts. Three, they have to track their body weight weekly, and then four, they have to communicate. If they follow these four things, they will lose weight.”
FIT Studio also offers fitness challenges throughout the year, and the next one is the fall challenge happening in November. This challenge is set up to help people get through a really tough part of the year when it comes to sticking with fitness goals.
Aaron also recently wrote a book to inspire others to start or continue their health and fitness journey. “It’s coming out in January and it’s called ‘The New Fit: How to Own Your Fitness in Your 40s, 50s, and Beyond.’ It’s about how to engage with a meaningful movement practice as you age.”
The couple, who live in south Minneapolis and are thankful for both their business and family, have been married for 22 years and have four kids. “We met 25 years ago,” he says. “We were neighbors, but I didn’t know she was a twin, and I felt like I was seeing her everywhere. It took me a year to get up the guts to go up and introduce myself, and when I did, she was with her twin and they were dressed exactly the same. I was in shock.”
When asked how he chose Christine over her twin, Christine says she was the one who chose. “I kind of stepped right in front of my sister and said, ‘I got this.’”
4905 W 35th St. | 612- 284-1854 | FITStudio.com
IGNITE THE WELLNESS WITHIN
PRIVATE SUITES WITH IR SAUNAS + RED LIGHT THERAPY
BOOK YOUR FIRST SESSION FOR $20
L OCATED IN CENTENNIAL LAKES PLAZA (952) 230-2574
ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF
‘Tis the Season of Gifting
It’s that time of year again: the season of gifting. Don’t be caught without a present. Explore our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect little something for everyone on your list.
1. Cotelac Pleated Belt : Pleated belt in soft cowhide leather. Width 2.5 cm and brass buckle. $165. beanandro.com
4. Dark Chocolate Cherry Espresso: Nostalgic, bold, dark chocolate notes balanced with a tart, bright cherry acidity. Perfect for your home espresso machine, a batch of cold brew, or a nice crowd-pleasing batch of hot coffee. $18. Jones.coffee.
2. CozyChic Adult Robe: Named one of Oprah's Favorite Things, nothing compares to the soft and luxurious feeling of Barefoot Dream’s legendary robe designed for women and men. It's irresistibly cozy and the perfect way to start and end your day. $138. barefootdreams.com
5. Edina Tackle Twill Hat : Keep cool, stay dry and feel comfortable in the athletic hat. $37. rebelcitizencompany.com
3. Custom Charm Necklace: Personalize a charm necklace by choosing the perfect designs to match the wearer’s personality and style. $30+. shopjennyinthecity.com .
6. Gema Holiday Ornament : Inspired by the vibrant Gema family, this collection of radiant snowflake ornaments is presented in Swarovski brand colors with a nod to the holiday season. $199. swarovski.com .
7. Infrared Sauna Experience : Give the gift of wellness. An Infrared sauna experience from Perspire includes a private room with personalized treatments and entertainment. $20 for intro session. perspiresaunastudio.com
10. Mani Pedi: Classic manicure and natural pedicure with fresh sea salt exfoliate. $55+. francenailsandspa.com
8. IV Lifestyle Drip: DRIPBaR’s IV lifestyle drips provide vitamins and nutrients that are absorbed at a much higher percentage than when they are taken orally. They feed your cells and fuel a more balanced life. $149-$224. thedripbar.com/edina
11. Neutra Chronograph Brown Leather Watch: Meet Neutra, a mid-century-inspired chronograph. Sleek and minimalist, with a green sunray dial and rich brown leather strap. $160. fossil.com .
9. Legend Sweater Shirt: The most comfortable and versatile flannel you’ll ever wear. $178. fahertybrand.com
12. Oleavia EVOO with Garlic : Use the premium extra virgin olive oil mixture to complement salads or drizzle over veggies. $24. coccinellastore.com
13. Oscar Stripe Light Blue Dog Bandana: Brooke & Lou’s striped dog bandana is their most classic and loved pattern for your furry friend. $25. brookeandlou.com .
16. Signature Pumpkin Cocotte: Inspired by a timeless fairy tale design and the brilliant colors of autumn, the Signature Pumpkin Cocotte is a delightful seasonal addition to your kitchen and table. $368. lecreuset.com
14. Penobscot Cotton Blanket: As a customer favorite, this blanket is known for its luxuriously thick yet incredibly soft feel, simple and elegant herringbone design, and versatile and timeless colors. $295. faribaultmill.com
17. Sophie Giraffe Fanfan Fawn: Made with natural rubber from rubber tree latex and food-grade paint. It draws baby's gaze by way of the dark, highly contrasted spots all over its body and becomes a familiar, reassuring object that is easily recognized. $27. ohbabystyle.com
15. Rowan Super Soft Scarf : What’s cozier than a scarf? A Yak scarf of course! Super chunky and warm, made from recycled polyester. $37. lucyandyak.com/en-us .
18. The Ultimate Art Scratcher : This cat scratcher seamlessly blends into your living space, providing an attractive and functional space for your cat to play, scratch, and rest, while enhancing your home's aesthetics. $75. furrther.com
19. Victrola Bluetooth Suitcase Record Player : Combining classic design with all-new vinyl streaming technology, any music buff will fall in love with this record player. $79.99. sergeandjane.com
22. Youth Fair Isle Print Sweater: Ideal for fall and winter, keeping your kiddos warm. $58. eastwestgirl.com
20. Wild Rice Pancake Mix : All natural. No preservatives. Contains 33% wild rice flour. $7.50. northlandvisions.com .
21. Yellowstone Geyser Cozy Socks: Keep it comfy while out and about in Parks Project’s nature-ready cozy socks. Proceeds go to the company’s goal of protecting and preserving parklands. $14. parksproject.us
23. 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noire Spray: A cult classic for those who love English Liquorice Allsorts. Notes include: White pepper, fresh ozone. spearmint, shiso leaf, bergamot, star anise, ginger, black liquorice, cocoa, allspice, patchouli, vanilla beans, vetiver, cedarwood and musk. $45. shopsenti.com .
LODGE
TWENTY FIVE
unwrap luxury, comfort, and effortless elegance
Galleria, Edina
ON Fall Fun STALKING up
Cornhusk Centerpiece
When life gives you lemons, or cornstalks as it seems, make something beautiful! The holidays can be stressful. Your table centerpiece doesn’t need to be.
To create this cornhusk centerpiece, simply remove the dried tops of the cornstalks, arrange them in a vintage soup bowl adding a few ears of corn to give more stability and visual interest. Add preserved pinecones for guests’ place settings and you have the perfect touches for your table. Pinecone instructions can be found at SilvertoothHome.com/blog/pinecones-leaves
LeAnn’s Cornhusk Styling
• White Dishes & Platters
• Gold Charger Plates
• Woven Placemats
• Rust-Orange Napkins
• Thanksgiving Crackers
• Cornhusk Centerpiece
• Pinecone Guest Cards
• Real Pumpkins
BY LEANN
LeAnn can’t wait to see what you create for your own fall table. Tag her on IG @SilvertoothHome and #SilvertoothHome so she can share.
events
OCTOBER 4TH - JANUARY 25TH
White Christmas
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
For the first time ever on the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage – it’s White Christmas! Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. chanhassendt.com
NOVEMBER 1ST - MARCH 30TH
Nordic Village
Four Seasons Hotel Downtown
In its third season, Nordic Village features a new addition in The Lodge – a cozy cocktail lounge with seating for up to 24 – as well as evolving Nordic-inspired menus, optional wine pairings, apparel and accessories. Reservations available now. fourseasons.com.
NOVEMBER 9TH - DECEMBER 29TH
A Christmas Carol
Guthrie Theater
A Christmas Carol, the Guthrie's cherished tradition, celebrates its 50th year and continues to delight audiences of all ages this holiday season. guthrietheater.org.
NOVEMBER 21ST - 24TH
Disney On Ice presents: Mickey’s Search Party
Xcel Energy Center
Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic. xcelenergycenter.com.
NOVEMBER 23RD - DECEMBER 29TH
I Am Betty
History Theatre
Betty Crocker has helped shape America’s homes, kitchens, and recipes for over a century. Surprising to many, she was not a real person! Enjoy last season’s runaway hit and experience this musical. You will be singing along and craving to bake with Betty as it examines the lives of women and society throughout the past 100 years. historytheatre.com.
NOVEMBER 30TH
Tree Lighting & Small Business Saturday
50th & France | 3:00 PM
Feel the magic of the season. Event includes roaming carolers, sleigh rides, cookies and hot cocoa with Santa and holiday retail windows. This year's lighting is sponsored by Gateway Bank. 50thandfrance.com/live-music.
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