The Home & Design Issue
There's No Place Like Home
The best thing about your home is that it’s yours and uniquely reflects you. All the items gathered over time, the blending of old and new creates a signature look and feel of home that is one of a kind. How you decorate each room, and the memories you make within those walls are uniquely yours. If I’ve learned anything in my time as a homeowner, it’s that there is no place like home, but it’s also OK to make it just a little bit better.
Maybe you’re in the market for a new home and are ready to build new memories. Check out our real estate partners. This month, we feature The Stickney Real Estate Team, established and well-versed in everything on the market in Lake Minnetonka. We visit Lakeshore Interiors and see how changing up the look of your windows can make a whole room feel different. We explore the rarest of landscapes and the possibilities of reimagining your outdoor space. We also introduce you to a business that watches your home for you when you aren’t there to ensure it is exactly how you left it when you return. Plus, we learn how to get the kids involved in helping with household chores at every age. Finally, laugh along with Jen as she admits to her limitations when it comes to gardening. No matter what, I hope some of the stories we share inspire you to think about your home anew!
I always welcome any feedback or interest you may have in the magazine. Reach out to me personally and share your story. Perhaps you will be featured in an upcoming issue of Lake Minnetonka Lifestyle!
Happy March, Lake Minnetonka. Enjoy the blessing of your Home!
DAVE ROBERTSON, PUBLISHER @LAKEMINNETONKALIFESTYLE
March 2025
PUBLISHER
Dave Robertson | dave.robertson@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Lauren Beaubaire | lauren.beaubaire@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jen Fortner, Kendra Johnson, Sara Hoeman, Kimberly Blaker, Rebecca A. Hahn
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Rebecca A. Hahn, Nicole Engstrom of Little Mac Design, Anna Ko Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn
1-7: SkyBrothers Paragliding took eager participants Ice Sailing across Lake Minnetonka for a thrilling, adrenaline-infused ride. Check them out at @skybrothersparagliding on Instagram and sign up for your own ride at https://www.skybrothersparagliding.com/iceboat
business monthly
Destiny Homes at the 2025 Minneapolis Home + Garden Show
Stop by Destiny Homes' booth #1305 at the 2025 Minneapolis Home + Garden Show, March 5-9 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Meet their expert team and discuss your home remodeling projects, new builds, kitchen updates, basement finishing, or whole-home renovations. Get inspired with fresh ideas and see how they can transform your space. Book your spring remodeling or new build project now before their schedule fills up—they're ready to bring your dream home to life this season! Scan
Get Ready for Summer with Lakeside Decking
Spring is in the air, and after a long winter, we're ready to pull out the deck furniture and start enjoying patio season. Lakeside Decking is ready to help you get the most out of the season, designing stunning decks with the same four pillars: design, precision, strength, and beauty. And soon to come in their deck arsenal is the new Pelican Deck! A two-story stunner complete with a screened-in porch, integrated lights, drink rail, and more. Stay tuned!
Photography by Destiny Homes
Photography by Lakeside Decking
Bay to Bay Boat Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Congratulations to Bay to Bay Boat Club on 25 incredible years! Known as the “country club of boating,” they’ve spent over two decades delivering exceptional experiences on the water. And their commitment to excellence has earned them the Minnesota Best Gold award for the fourth year in a row. Ready to elevate your boating adventures this summer? Explore their exclusive membership options and get ready for an unforgettable time on the water: https://baytobayboatclub.com/boat-club-membership/
Photography by Anna Ko Photography
As winter sputters to a final close, I love planning for spring. Spring cleaning, in my case, is just throwing away everything I meant to throw away all winter. Switching from my daily uniform of jeans and a sweater to wildly different cropped jeans and a sweatshirt.
SEEDS OF DOUBT
Putting away the cumbersome coats and opening up the windows for the freshest of air. Getting the yard ready to spend every nice moment outside after spending so many months inside.
However, I am a terrible gardener. I’m not exaggerating or being self-deprecating or trying to be cute. I’m truly the worst gardener. I kill plants that are tagged “easy care” and “low maintenance.” I should
Life Minded
work for the growers as a quality control agent because I think they’d be surprised by my talents at killing even the hardiest varietals. And my talent knows no limits. I can kill outdoor and indoor plants. I’m very versatile.
As a fresh-faced 26-year-old homeowner, my mother-in-law once gave me the following gardening tip. If it is painful to yank out, it’s likely a weed. If it pulls easily and almost accidentally, that’s a plant you wanted to preserve. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter in my situation. I have a special gift for turning perennials into annuals and everything into garbage.
A close friend of mine is a master gardener. For real. She has things started from seed right now with special lights and pristine labels, and everything organized into neat rows like tiny soldiers. When it is temperature-safe to transplant them, her garden will be lush with healthy plants, and my friends and I will visit her garden AS AN OUTING and marvel at her diligent work and impressive yield.
I, on the other hand, will use my typical method of going to my local garden center filled with hope and
inexplicable self-confidence and spend hundreds of dollars choosing plants based on whims. I like orange. A lot. I like pretty things. I love fresh herbs. I’ll grab a few full-sun plants and plant them in partial sun. Every spring, I’m on some bewildering plant shopping spree that I have no business going on. Then I’ll spend two days turning the soil over and wiping my brow and carefully placing annuals and perennials at random and mixing up fertilizer and staking tender shoots. I’ll be wearing a hat, and from a distance, I will look like THE Martha Stewart if Martha wore fifteen-yearold t-shirts to plant things. I’ll take many stunning photos of all of my efforts and post them on Instagram.
And then, I will host a slow ninety-day funeral for the very same plants, saying goodbye to one after the other. I will not post that on Instagram.
By the second week of August, my neighbor, also a very talented gardener, will tell me I can’t “give up yet” because it is only August. But I can. And I will. Because it’s my yard and my tradition. By August, I just want to sip iced tea and enjoy the sun on my face
with a book in my hand. I will have adopted a “just let nature be nature” stance except for mosquitoes, which I will swat with enthusiasm. My spring gardening energy will be a distant memory, and I will conveniently forget the cost of all the plants and mentally file the expense under the “entertainment budget.”
Lately I really have loved to read about people who are growing their own food in urban settings. These people inspire me when they talk about growing large amounts of vegetables and fruits and living farm-to-table with skyscrapers in the background. They will eat abundantly all summer and then can things to enjoy all winter. I’m beyond impressed. It’s not going to happen in my yard. We would starve and starve quickly. So, I settle on a few cherry tomato plants and fresh herbs. And if they grow, it’s because they thrive on neglect, and my neighbor not so secretly watering them.
But as I wait for the thaw…it’s all possibilities now. I ordered seed catalogs because I am, if nothing else, an optimist. I look forward to selecting all of the special things I will kill.
Minded
BY JEN FORTNER
Jen Fortner is a freelance writer who enjoys asking friends and strangers far too many questions. She spends her spare time sitting in inclement weather watching youth sports, traveling, cooking, and searching for the very best baked goods. She lives in Shorewood with her husband, three children and the most spoiled dog.
COLUMN
of Stickney MEET THE MEN REAL ESTATE
How George Stickney and his sons turned real estate into a family tradition
ARTICLE BY JEN FORTNER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE
ENGSTROM,
When I sat down with the team behind Stickney Real Estate, there was a comfortable energy in the room. The banter is professional but fun-loving, so it felt less like a conference room and more like a family room. And this makes perfect sense because they are a family.
George Stickney celebrates forty years in real estate this year and has achieved the very rarest of admirable accomplishments. He works cheerfully alongside all three of his sons.
George got his start selling homes in 1985. He had always enjoyed looking at houses, and it was his wife, Joan, who originally encouraged him to pursue a career in real estate. Their sons, David, Kevin, and Jacob, watched as the family business grew in multiple directions over the decades. They confess none of them anticipated this would be their future vocation until after their college years.
David began his professional career in financial planning with an economics and business management degree. Kevin was a business management major with sales experience and entrepreneurial interests, and Jacob was a real estate major but had considered working in commercial real estate initially. Their distinct backgrounds brought even more depth and breadth to a complex business that is much more than simply selling houses.
George uses a helium balloon analogy to describe how he has developed different aspects of the business, sending them up to carry them through both prosperous and more challenging seasons. “Of course, in the beginning, I was interested in making the most sales. But I was also curious about land. I took classes about land development. I learned about the relocation business and I also was a homebuilder for many years. It has been fun showing my sons every facet of this industry.”
And while all three sons have their individual strengths, is there any typical sibling competition that pops up at work? They all say no. Only in good fun. They all work in concert to serve the best interests of clients and can look to one another as a resource.
David shares they are all involved with new listings and assisting with buyer needs. They allow one another to weigh in with their opinions, and it is a collegial knowledge exchange that helps them to “Not just make the quick, easy sale. It is about maintaining clients for life.”
Kevin says from the very first interaction with a client to well beyond the sale, “We are focused on educating, advising, and serving our client’s interests at all times to build relationships of trust and confidence. It is how much we care that drives each of us.”
Jacob is thrilled by the joy his clients radiate. “When you see their reaction when they get the house they want. That energy. It’s incredible to make that phone call and tell them - you got it. You got the house you wanted.”
All of the Stickney men agree the best part of their business is the people. This is evident as nearly all of their clientele are either past clients or referrals. The fact they also enjoy each other… ‘most of the time’ they playfully add - only makes all of them more motivated. It sounds like there is rarely an idle moment. From first-time home buyers, working with sellers and buyers at all price points, to land sales, new construction and upper-bracket properties, this team can handle it all.
George has enjoyed watching the success of his colleagues just as much as attaining his own, if not more.
“It has been so fun to watch all of these young people grow. All the young people we have in this office. I get excited when they have a great year too.”
Working together day in and day out might not work for every family. The Stickneys have created something special, and George is aware. George beams and says, “They are all awesome. Truly. I’m a very proud Papa.”
Will there be a third generation of Stickney children joining the legacy? Time will tell. They need to get through elementary school first. For now, George and his sons will enjoy seeing their hard work grow the Stickney brand as they help others dream up big plans for their families.
https://stickneyrealestate.com/
The Stickney Team from left to right: Andi Kostiuk, Kevin Stickney, George Stickney, Jacob Stickney, and David Stickney
Jabin Krassin, M.D.
LET THE Light
IN
ARTICLE BY SARA HOEMAN
Selecting the right window treatments can make or break the ambiance in every room of your home. While picking the correct window treatments for every room in the house sounds like a heavy task, Denise Loehr, owner of Lakeshore Interiors, ensures that, really, all it comes down to is deciding what the space will ultimately be used for.
“Each treatment depends on the goals for the room. If you want to bring in natural light but still want UV protection, add in a blind or shade that has a sheer factor. Even sheer fabrics could have a UV rating to protect furniture from fading over time,” says Denise. Having the ability to control the lighting is key in a TV room or office, for example. “You might want some different room darkening options, and a roller would be a great choice,” says Denise. Thinking about types of fabrics is something else to be considered. “Some rollers can be made with vinyl fabrics, that would work well in a kitchen as they can easily be cleaned.”
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“EACH TREATMENT DEPENDS ON THE goals for the room. IF YOU WANT TO BRING IN natural light BUT STILL WANT UV protection, ADD IN A blind OR shade THAT HAS A sheer factor.”
In a bedroom or bathroom, privacy and darkness at certain times of the day might be important factors in selecting how to dress the windows. “In the bedroom or bathroom, you could select blinds with a top-down, bottom-up control. That way, the blinds can be all the way down, and the top can be adjusted to control privacy and light,” explains Denise. “Room darkening fabrics will really block the light. A lot of times with blinds, there may still be some light seepage. Drapey panels can also offer light blocking, and then texture can be incorporated as well. Natural fibers and woven woods have liners to adjust the lighting and darkness.”
Selecting how to open and close drapes and blinds is something to be considered. There are many options to choose from, such as manual cords or lifts, motorization, and even powered drapery. “If you are doing a home remodel or build, for example, this is something you can think ahead on and actually hardwire for blinds to have them motorized without the need for batteries. We’re seeing more of this as people make ‘smart homes,’” says Denise. “People that have ordered power blinds with batteries or hardwired haven’t regretted it! It is super convenient and can offer better security.”
While drapery and blinds are not a new concept, most people are focused on a cleaner look with their window treatments, utilizing one pleat instead of multiple, a more traditional look, and a simple, nice roll. “Drapes can be so pretty and can really bring the whole room together,” says Denise.
For those who want assistance from beginning to end with selecting blinds or drapes for their home, Lakeshore Interiors is here to help. “We come in and give the consult and provide thoughts on recommending different product options based on what is going to work for the home, style, and goals of the room,” shares Denise. “We will also do the installation, and we can work on creating customized drapes and blinds. For example, we did a pretty roller from a fabric that a customer chose from our fabric room. We can customize most anything to fit whatever color, texture, and style you want in your home.”
To schedule a consult with Lakeshore Interiors or to get more information on the options available, visit lakeshoreinteriorswindowtreatments.com, or visit their shop in Wayzata.
For
DESIGNING A RARE SPACE
How Rare Landscapes creates luxury landscaping that’s anything but ordinary
ARTICLE BY KENDRA JOHNSON
I think many homeowners would agree that by the time March rolls around, we’re all dreaming of warm weather and sunshine, specifically hosting summer barbecues, swimming in the pool, reading beneath the shade of a big tree, or hearing the bees buzz near the flowers.
That dream — to help homeowners and businesses rediscover the potential of their own land — is one Rare Landscapes specializes in. Based in Mound and serving the Lake Minnetonka area, Rare Landscapes is a full-service luxury landscaping company with a focus on hardscaping and softscaping installations.
From sprawling outdoor living spaces to easily maintainable features, the Rare Landscapes team can help design and execute the exact landscape of your dreams — no matter how unique.
“I’ve been doing landscaping for so long that I want to challenge myself to do projects that are unequaled, and so that’s why I named my company ‘Rare’ because we want to be one-of-a-kind,” says Bill Archuleta, owner of Rare Landscapes.
If you’re wondering where to begin, understanding the types of installations — hardscaping and softscaping — and knowing all the possibilities is a good place to start.
Hardscaping includes all of the “hard” man-made elements. These features include everything from patios and decks to driveways, retaining walls, and pools. Softscaping, on the other hand, comprises all the living elements of a landscape: trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and other plants.
Hardscaping elements often take more time to develop but require less maintenance once finished, whereas softscaping elements, because they are living, require more upkeep but are an easier way to transform your landscape.
According to Bill, the most common installations include spaces that allow for entertaining. “The typical patio for the backyard with a fire feature, swimming pools, and maintenance-free decks, so anything entertaining-related is a very common feature that everyone needs and wants,” he says.
“I WANT TO CHALLENGE MYSELF TO DO PROJECTS THAT ARE UNEQUALED, AND SO THAT’S WHY I NAMED MY COMPANY ‘RARE’ BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ONE-OF-A-KIND.”
If you’re considering a new patio, brick and stone pavers are a beautiful, low-maintenance way to enhance your space. The patios can also be made to incorporate walkways as well as cooking or firepit areas.
Decks, similar to patios, are great spaces for entertaining and, as an added bonus, will increase the value of your home. Rare Landscapes specializes in high-quality composite decks that are easy to care for and well worth the investment.
If you’re looking for a major landscape renovation, adding an in-ground pool to your space is a surefire way to get the most enjoyment out of your backyard. Rare Landscapes’ pools are available in a plethora
of sizes and shapes and can be customized to fit any design concept. A growing trend of smaller pools, or spools, are a lower-maintenance version for those concerned about size requirements or upkeep.
Incorporating hardscaping elements will increase the usability of your space, but if you’re going for a more aesthetic, natural upgrade, a new lawn, some mulch, and a variety of trees, plants, and flowers can go a long way.
However, deciding on the right plants and placement for your property is a more complex process than you might think. Your specific soil composition, access to sunlight and time of year are all factors that go into choosing the proper plants for your landscape.
But the best part about designing your dream landscape is that you can have it all because Rare Landscapes has done it all.
One memorable project they completed recently involved updating an entire property that was plagued with water drainage issues. The update included composite decks, retaining walls, a dry river bed, two patios with fire features, and a ton of lighting elements and plants. “It was a monster project,” Bill recalls.
While challenges can arise when designing and constructing your landscape — available space, budget constraints, city ordinance restrictions, etc. — Rare Landscapes is prepared to handle it all.
“We handle everything from A to Z, from start to finish, so we know that the customer doesn’t have to worry about all the nuances. They’ll have to answer questions along the way, but for the most part, we’re putting out the fires if they’re needed,” Bill says.
And according to Bill, the best time to begin planning for a renovation is way before you’ll need it. So, with spring right around the corner and that warm weather and sunshine dream within reach, ask yourself, “Is my landscape living up to its potential?”
https://www.rarelandscapesmn.com/
Top & Bottom: 3D Model Rendering design for one of Rare Landscapes’ clients.
ARTICLE BY KIMBERLY BLAKER
Teaching Kids Household Responsibility
HOW TAKING ON HOUSEHOLD CHORES CAN SHAPE YOUR KID’S FUTURE SUCCESS
According to H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelsen in Raising SelfReliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World, “A belief in one’s personal capabilities is an essential building block for successful adulthood.” One of the best ways for kids to achieve this sense of capability is to take on household responsibilities. Offering such opportunities makes kids feel essential to the family unit. It teaches them the necessary skills, acceptance of responsibility, and self-discipline. Ultimately, it builds their self-esteem and increases their chances for a successful, fulfilling life.
“One of the best ways for kids to achieve this sense of capability is to take on household responsibilities.”
Reward
Whether to compensate and reward kids for their work is a difficult question. Conflicting opinions are held by child specialists, which doesn’t help. But one thing is sure. Experiencing self-satisfaction from work is essential. Even adults receive compensation for their work. In turn, they reward themselves in many ways, from mini shopping sprees and eating out to buying recreational toys and taking vacations.
So, your best bet is to take a middle-of-the-road approach. Assign your kids some responsibilities without reward, such as cleaning their rooms and taking care of personal belongings. This can provide self-satisfaction.
But also offer an allowance or rewards for additional tasks. Kids learn valuable lessons from earning, as well. They learn to budget and handle money and understand that hard work pays off, just as it does in the adult world. Whether your child receives a reward for a particular task or not, always praise the efforts. This helps to reinforce the intrinsic value of completing a task.
When selecting prizes, choose something your child wouldn’t receive otherwise. If you go to the park several times a week, an extra trip to the park won’t seem much of a reward. But if you usually go only once a week, an additional visit will be more enticing.
For toddlers and preschoolers, immediate rewards are essential. Offer to go to the ice cream store or park, play a favorite game together, invite a friend over, or give them a fun sticker or favorite treat. You can also buy prizes that come in a set, such as markers. Then, offer one piece of the set for each completed task until your child has earned the complete set.
Elementary kids can save for bigger rewards. Use a chart and offer prizes for accumulated stars. But don’t make your child wait more than a week or so for an award. Otherwise, the reward will lose its motivational value. Rewards for elementary-age children might include additional TV or computer time, a trip to the zoo or museum, baking together, having a friend overnight, or a new magazine or matchbox car.
Older kids can accumulate points for more extended periods and begin to look toward longterm rewards. Teens might want to collect points for several weeks to earn a concert ticket, amusement park trip, new outfit, or special privileges like staying out later or additional phone time.
CONTINUED >
Age-appropriate chores
Toddlers and preschoolers are more capable than we realize. In these early years, children should take on household tasks. But, their attention span is short at this age. So keep chores brief when assigning them to little ones unless the chores are especially fun. Your preschooler can:
• Make juice
• Frost cakes and cookies
• Set the table
• Rinse dishes
• Empty wastebaskets
• Vacuum (with a small vacuum)
• Dust
• Sort out dirty clothes
• Put clothes in drawers
• Pick up toys
• Stack books
• Answer the phone
• Get the mail
• Water flowers
Elementary-age kids are more coordinated and capable of performing better-quality work. In addition to the previous items, your elementary-age child can:
• Fix their breakfast
• Prepare microwave foods
• Bake
• Help pack lunches
• Warm soup
• Clean off the dinner table
• Load the dishwasher
• Wash windows
• Clean bathroom sinks
• Fold laundry
• Run their own bath
• Pack their suitcase
• Care for younger siblings (with an adult at home)
• Feed and walk pets
• Vacuum the car
• Take out trash cans
Kids in middle school and beyond can learn nearly any task. During the teen years, introduce new tasks periodically so your adolescent can master all skills. Your teen can:
• Clean tubs and toilets
• Organize the garage, basement, and closets
• Set up a garage sale
• Clean the kitchen, refrigerator, and oven
• Fix dinner
• Make a grocery list
• Grocery shop
• Pump gas
• Do laundry and ironing
• Mow the lawn
• Do minor household repairs
It’s never too late
If your child is beyond preschool or elementary age, and you haven’t offered many household responsibilities in the past, don’t despair. While it’s better to start when kids are young, it may be more difficult, but it’s not too late. Make a plan today to set your child or adolescent on a path toward self-reliance. You’ll both be glad you did as you watch your child reap the benefits of growing into an independent, successful young adult.
“Ultimately, it builds their self-esteem and increases their chances for a successful, fulfilling life.”
Is There a Doctor in the House?
True North Home Watch prescribes peace of mind while you’re on vacation
There just might be a doctor in your house if you’ve hired Mike Gottsacker from True North Home Watch, who ensures your home stays safe and sound while you’re on vacation.
Years ago, doctors really did make house calls to their patients who didn’t live in the city. They owned acres of land just outside of town, so the doctor would grab his little black bag and head on out to his patients’ homestead.
Although we typically don’t think of our homes as patients, they are exactly that to Mike Gottsacker. Every day, Mike grabs his bag of essential tools and drives from one client’s home to the next, prepared to handle any problem he might encounter. While at each home, he pays attention to a variety of things and, just like a doctor, makes a record of each of them. Mike records things like the temperature in the house and whether water might be dripping from a nozzle or a pipe. He will even water your plants if asked to do so. Windows are checked to make sure they are locked and not broken into. Newspapers,
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
flyers, and packages are removed from the entries, and the area is swept if necessary. Mike also checks to ensure all lights inside and outside the home are working. If requested, he will even alter the timers for many of the indoor lights. Should a horrific storm blow into town, he will check for damages to the home and landscaping and then send you a report immediately. After every visit, Mike sends you a report with photos included.
Before leaving town, each client receives a prepared list to let Mike know exactly what they expect him to look for. In many ways, it’s like telling your family doctor “where it hurts” so that your doctor better understands how to take care of you!
Getting your home on this doctor’s rounds before your next vacation could be good medicine for your mind. You will sleep better knowing that True North Home Watch is taking good care of your home. truenorthhomewatch.com
VACATION CHECKLIST:
If you are not hiring someone to check up on your property, here are some easy things to remember to do prior to departure.
1. Make sure all of your windows are closed and locked, especially sliding glass doors.
2. Let your neighbors on each side of your house know when you are leaving and returning in the event of a break-in.
3. Check both indoor and outdoor faucets for leakage.
4. If your vacation is in the winter, make sure your driveway is plowed should it snow.
5. If your vacation is in the summer, make sure your lawn is mowed.
6. Unplug your coffee maker if you usually have it set to automatically brew first thing in the morning.
7. Do NOT shut down your heat more than a few degrees. You don’t want to risk freezing your pipes.
8. Place a few timers for lights around your home that are set to go off in different rooms at different times.
9. Have a member of your family or your neighbor bring in your mail.
True North Home Watch has a list that is three times longer, which is another reason Mike’s clients want to work with him. Every customer receives this list initially and makes their own determination on how many of these topics they would like Mike to check on.
Mike Gottsacker, owner of True North Home Watch. Photography by Rebecca A. Hahn
Ask Susan
Susan Stiles CFP, CHFC, AIF, CPFA, MBA Founder / CEO Stiles Financial Services, Inc.
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING
Dear Susan: As recent empty nesters, we’re thinking about downsizing. What issues should we be considering?
Susan:
There are several considerations for you to think about. First, is this a financial decision or a lifestyle change? Financially, downsizing can often result in upsizing but with less square footage. You need to assess all the costs of selling your home, then buying and moving into your new home. A cost/ benefit analysis is a critical task to undertake before you make a move. If space and layout are driving factors, then this may be the right path for you. If you want a more updated home, again you’ll need to analyze the cost of renovating versus selling and buying new. Another consideration is selling and renting, which has become a popular choice of many empty nesters. Click the QR code for my video and a deeper discussion on this topic.
Susan Stiles is the Founder / CEO of Stiles Financial Services; an independent, fee-based, private wealth management financial advisory firm, specializing in families that have complex portfolio, wealth management and estate planning needs. We also advise companies on their retirement benefit plans and corporate cash management. Send “AskSusan” questions to: AskSusan@stilesfinancial.com.
www.stilesfinancial.com
MARCH 1ST "Call and Response" Exhibit at Hopkins Center for the Arts
Hopkins Center for the Arts | 9:00 AM
The exhibit "Call and Response" is on display now through March 25th. Mixed media sculptor Layl McDill uses the sensation of stories to help make sense of the world. In sculptures crafted from found objects and polymer clay, she probes how art and science can intersect to learn more about human interactions with the environment to make positive change. https://www.hopkinsartscenter. com/223/Exhibitions
MARCH 1ST
Spring Flower Show
Landscape Arboretum | 9:00 AM
Escape the cold and immerse yourself in a celebration of vibrant color, rich textures, enchanting fragrance, and lush, green floral vignettes at the Arboretum's Spring Flower Show through March 16! Enjoy special events like After Hours with the Flowers and a Tea Party with a selection of traditional teas and tea sandwiches, soup, pastries, and other delightful treats. Learn more: https://arb.umn.edu/
MARCH 5TH
Minneapolis Home + Garden Show
Minneapolis Convention Center 9:00 AM
Get ready for everything spring at this year's Home + Garden Show starting on Wednesday, March 5 through Sunday, March 9. Come shop for home-related products and services, experience stunning displays to help inspire your next home project, connect with industry experts, and enjoy great presentations from renowned local and international home professionals. Learn more and get your tickets: https://www.home andgardenshow.com/
LAKE MINNETONKA’S
FAVORITE VACATION RENTAL
guest book entries
“Awesome place! I will be back soon!”
- David Love III (American Professional Golfer)
“Our family loved staying in the Banker’s Suite! So close to walk to restaurants & shopping.”
- The Early’s from Sour Lake, Texas
“This space provided a cozy & beautiful backdrop to an amazing memory we will share for years to come.”
- Guests from Bozeman, St. Louis Park, Roseville, & Fort Lauderdale
AVAILABILITY: by
Enjoy a stay in the Banker’s Suite by Hotel Excelsior featuring 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in over 1,300 sf overlooking historic downtown Excelsior, just one block from Port of Excelsior.
SCAN TO CHECK
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MARCH 15TH
Luck O' the Lake Run
Excelsior Brewing Co. | 7:30 AM
Embrace the Irish spirit at this year's Luck O' the Lake! Don't miss this community-favorite St. Patty's Day event as participants race along the scenic shores of Lake Minnetonka in a 5k and 1-mile run. Don't miss the postrace party at Excelsior Brewing Company and enjoy a locally brewed beer while watching a magician and Rince na Griene Irish Dancers. https://www. excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber. com/luck-o-the-lake/
MARCH 17TH
World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Downtown Hopkins | 1:00 PM
Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day. So get decked out in green and show some Irish spirit at the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Hopkins. Every year on March 17, the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade briefly takes place, traveling only four blocks starting at Elks Lodge at 30 8th Avenue S and ending at American Legion at 10 12th Avenue S. Anyone can join!
MARCH 22ND
Free Fitness Class at Crisp & Green
Crisp & Green in Hopkins | 9:00 AM
Head to Crisp & Green and join instructor Taylor Herdman for a FREE 45-minute indoor fitness class! From 9:1510am, Taylor will bring you through a bodyweight workout that will help you build strength and feel good physically, boost self-confidence and feel good mentally, create lasting habits, and have fun throughout the process. Be sure to bring your own mat!
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