Lake Minnetonka February 2022

L A K E M I N N E T O N K A M AGAZ I N E FEBRUARY 2022

T H E Y D IG I T: PO P CULT URE PR ESERVAT I ON SO CI ETY ST R IKE S A RETRO CHORD

FEBRUARY 2022

LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM

L A K E M I N N E TO N KA M AG .CO M

BE M Y GALE NTI N E

Embrace Valentine’s Day—with a twist

WONDERFULLY UPDATED CUSTOM HOME!

CHARMING SPLIT

Elegant upgrades and amenities throughout, main floor master suite & luxuriously refinished lower level, 5+brdm, art studio, private wooded lot and in a superb neighborhood just off Smithtown Bay, Mtka SchoolsMinnewashta Elem. 945 Iris Cir. $1,299,000

Welcoming split entry home with many updates throughout. Enjoy the outdoors in the season porch and private patio. Get cozy in the walkout lower level.

Tim Berg 612-250-2255

The Hermann Group 952-475-4912

COMING SOON IN ORONO SCHOOLS Newly remodeled custom built Pillar home sits on a prime, 3+ acre walkout lot with pool and privacy in Fieldstone Woods minutes from quaint Maple Plain, Lake Independence, Baker International golf course and Baker Park.

Pete Ice 612-865-8533

SOLD BEFORE PRINT MEDICINE This is the ultimate home and the ultimate location on Medicine Lake. West facing views.

Easy access to 169 and 394. Custom finishes throughout all three levels.

Call me for details and others.

Pete Ice 612-865-8533

Inspiration Begins in Our Dign Showr L E T ’ S C R E AT E Y O U R D R E A M S T O D AY

MN LIC. BC627402

EDINA DESIGN SHOWROOM 5009 FRANCE AV S | 952 999 • 7720 | ISPiRI. com

Same Team.

New Brand.

Enhanced Brokerage.

Honored to be Founding Members at Compass Minnesota.

We look forward to assisting with your real estate needs.

P O L O V I T Z G R O U P. C O M

POLOVIT Z GROUP IS A TE AM OF RE AL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPAS S, A LICENSED RE AL ESTATE BROKER AND ABIDES BY EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNIT Y L AWS.

FEBRUARY 2022 There’s a lot to celebrate this month, and this issue takes a closer look at travel, food and wine. Wherever you wander, whatever you offer at your table, cheers to February!

DEPARTMENTS 16 — A River Runs in the Family Duo achieves the world record for fastest paddle down the Mississippi River.

18 — In Plain Sight Wine cellars continue to move up to new heights.

20 — Gee! Haw! Mush!

Klondike dog derby returns to Excelsior.

22 — Honor Students Caring Youth award ceremony returns to live event.

FEATURES 24 — Cubism Travel takes shape with organized style.

30 — They Dig It Pop Culture Preservation Society strikes a retro chord.

TASTEMAKERS

PAG E 16

42 — Be My Galentine

IN EVERY ISSUE

PAGE 20

8 — Editor’s Letter 11 — Noteworthy 39 — On the Town 48 — Last Glance

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott, Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

Embrace Valentine’s Day—with a twist.

Family owned & operated in the Twin Cities since 1951.

50th & France

◆

Highland Park

◆

RFMoeller.com 7

F R O M T H E E D I TO R Renée Stewart-Hester, lakeminntonkamag@tigeroak.com

O

Never miss an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. You can zoom in on text or images as well as share your favorite Lake Minnetonka Magazine stories with friends and family.

Learn more at lakeminnetonkamag.com

See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM

LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE

@LAKEMINNETONKAMAG

@LMTKMAG

On the Cover Kristin Nilsen, photo by Chris Emeott

8

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

in digital format!

ur lovely February issue is devoted to travel, food and wine, and you’ll find articles and nuggets of information on these topics sprinkled throughout the magazine.

Right off the bat, our Noteworthy section includes sip tips for wine pairings, packing ideas and ways to maintain a fitness routine while traveling. Move deeper into the magazine, and you’ll find articles about a “record-worthy” travel endeavor, an anticipated “trip” down the center of Excelsior, new takes on wine cellars, stylish packing cubes and bags and even a way to celebrate Galentine’s Day with swoon-worthy entertaining, beverage and food ideas.

Being mindful of our health and wellness is important regardless of what activities we’re engaged in, our dining pursuits or beverages of choice. Beginning with this issue, our Noteworthy section will feature Move by Laurel Famigletti, an area resident and owner of EndorP.H.I.T, where she provides virtual group fitness classes, in-home personal training and virtual nutrition coaching.

Famigletti says, “I believe that anybody can be successful at building a healthy lifestyle if they’re willing to establish consistent daily habits [water intake, sleep habits and food diaries] are small things you can do that make a big impact ... While working out is an important and necessary component of good health, I believe that it is ultimately the choices you make the other 23 hours of the day that you’re away from the gym that will determine how successful you’ll be at achieving your goals.”

In her role with Lake Minnetonka Magazine, Famigletti will provide practical nutrition and fitness tips. “At home workouts, meal prepping and planning, seasonal eating advice and simple recipes are all topics that we will explore,” she says. “I am very passionate about all things health and wellness, and there is nothing I find more fulfilling than to watch people transform their lives by establishing better habits.”

Cheers to good health.

Until next time,

VOL. 17 NO. 9 lakeminnetonkamag.com

publisher SUSAN ISAY

editor RENÉE STEWART-HESTER

managing creative director RENÉE STEWART-HESTER

managing editor HAILEY ALMSTED

copy editor KELLIE DOHERTY

staff writers DAN AMUNDSEN AVA DIAZ MADELINE KOPIECKI STACI PERRY MERGENTHAL

editorial interns BRYCE HELMBRECHT-LOMMEL GRACE MASUDA

editorial advisory board Mary Cornelius, Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools Laura Bray, board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer Jenny Bodurka, Minnetonka Community Education Natalie Webster, chief creator at Webster Effect Mike Polis, Realtor and YouTuber Things|People|Places

senior managing art director

FOR

SALE

FOR

SALE

D E E P H AV E N

MINNEAPOLIS

OFFERED AT is $995,000 4 Bed, 5 Bath, Approx. 5,600 FSF

OFFERED AT $559,000 3 Bed, 2 Bath, Approx. 2,080 FSF

Set in coveted Amesbury North is this charming, architecturally significant, custom-built home.

Soaring ceilings, a light-filled great room, original millwork, hardwood and ceramic flooring, and a cedar wrapped sunroom. An easy walk to Cottagewood USA general store, parks, beaches, trails, dock, and Lake Minnetonka!

Complete luxury renovation with masterful workmanship and high-end finishes throughout.

Smart home technology provides security, comfort, and energy efficiency! Superb location steps to Minnehaha Parkway & Lake Nakomis.

SARAH DOVOLOS

art director ALLISON NOLDEN

lead staff photographer CHRIS EMEOTT

print production director BRITTNI DYE

digital production director DEIDRA ANDERSON

project coordinators ADRIANNA BLACK BULL, LISA STONE

senior account executives BROOKE BEISE KATIE FREEMARK CYNTHIA HAMRE SARA JOHNSON

circulation and marketing KATIE RINGHAND

credit manager APRIL MCCAULEY

chief operating officer SUSAN ISAY

FOR

SALE

PENDING

D E E P H AV E N

EDINA

OFFERED AT $1,297,000 5 Bed, 4 Bath, Approx. 4,500 FSF

OFFERED AT $995,000 5 Bed, 3 Bath, Approx. 4,300 FSF

Modern home design in a fantastic Deephaven location! Deeded boat slip on Carsons Bay, high-end kitchen, updates throughout, and multiple entertaining areas. Oversized 4 car garage, multiple decks, and a firepit are just some of the highlights this home has to offer!

Welcome to this sprawling walkout rambler in the coveted Parkwood Knolls neighborhood. Knoll Drive is lined with handsome homes set well off the street and where pride of ownership is obvious.

Turnkey condition with several interior and exterior updates. Perfect as it is, this home also offers endless customized possibilities for enhancement.

chief financial officer BILL NELSON

Lake Minnetonka Magazine 9877 AIRPORT ROAD NE BLAINE, MN 55449 612.548.3180 SUBSCRIPTIONS: Lake Minnetonka Magazine is published 12 times a year. Rates $18 for 12 issues.

Back issues $5.95.

For subscription and customer service inquiries, please contact customerservice@tigeroak.com or call 1.800.637.0334. ©Tiger Oak Media Inc. 2022.

All rights reserved.

T R U S T E D R E A L E S TAT E E X P E R T

612.382.4952 M A R KG R I E G E R @ C B B U R N E T.C O M G R I E G E R G R O U P. C O M

Search for homes on our mobile app: Lake Minnetonka Homes

9

Congratulations!

Claire / Eagan

Kelsey / Grand

Gabby / Excelsior

Liz / Woodbury

to our

acs certified cheese professionals We’re proud of you!

The American Cheese Society’s ACS CCP® exam “...measures candidates’ mastery of cheese knowledge and best practices, and evaluates candidates’ understanding of core competencies common to the majority of cheese industry jobs.”

Kowalski’s is committed to supporting our stakeholders’ personal and professional growth.

11 Twin Cities Locations

10

kowalskis.com

N OT E WO RT H Y

lo c a l tip s, tidb its & insights

Get in step with travel packing.

SMOOTH T R AV EL S BEG I N W IT H organized lug-

space), pack efficiently by using compressible packing

gage. Saving space, packing efficiently and preparing in

sacks. Small, compartmentalized pouches are handy for

advance can provide the freedom to enjoy much-deserved

a variety of items when traveling. [Visit page 24 for ad-

time off—wherever travels lead.

ditional ideas for packing cubes and sacks.]

Pro Tip: Tuck the smaller pouches inside shoes as a

Whether your destination is a sandy beach, woodsy camp-

space-saving measure.

iStock.com/Kostikova

ing grounds or destinations abroad, many trips require a pair of good shoes. I recommend packing footwear in travel

Disconnecting from work and school during vacation is

shoe bags, which will help prevent other clothing items and

desirable, but let’s be honest, leaving electronics at home

necessities from getting soiled or absorbing odors.

just isn’t realistic. Don’t forget to pack charging cables

Pro Tip: Place bags near the top of the suitcase, so they

and cords. Soft-sided travel organizers with a reasonable

can be easily removed from the luggage should the case

amount of pockets, slings and holders are ideal.

weigh over the allotted 50 pounds at airline check ins.

Pro Tip: If flying, keep these items in your carry-on luggage.

Traveling can be costly, especially when flying, and bag-

Kira Vanderlan operates a decluttering, organizing, staging and design company. Find more at zestfuldesign.com.

gage fees can add to the cost. To save on expenses (and

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

11

N OT E WO RT H Y

TASTE

Buddha bowls offer easier way to pack mealtime nutrition.

(SMART): to appreciably up

across a 2017 Centers for

the number of “green” foods

chockful of healthy choices, are

Disease Control and Preven-

I consume daily.

now a recurring dinnertime play-

At home, Buddha bowls,

tion colorful, way to benefit my whole household.

er. Not only are they nutritious

Find Perron’s recipe for

only one in 10 adults meets the

guide, I began keeping fresh

and tasty, but the components

Easy Buddha Bowls and

federal guidelines of one-and-

snacks on my desk all day

are also easy to make in advance

additional tips at

a-half to two cups of fruit and

(mangoes, grapes, bell peppers,

(great for weekly meal prep-

lakeminnetonkamag.com.

two to three cups of vegeta-

etc.), whatever looked good at

pers!) and simple to customize.

bles per day. Considering how

the time. I naturally found that

I load up on mushrooms, pep-

I typically eat, that didn’t come

one of the great things about

pers, onions and sweet potatoes.

as a shock to me. I decided

adding more produce to my

My son prefers broccoli but no

to start eating more fruits

diet is that I find myself organi-

tomatoes. My husband started

and vegetables. My goal was

cally eating less processed food,

eating beets. I love that what

specific, measurable, achiev-

sweet treats and meat. And I’m

started as a personal goal has

able, relevant and time-based

okay with that.

become a delicious, not to men-

tion (CDC) report stating that

12

Using my appetite as my

Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.

Find more at kowalskis.com.

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

iStock.com/Foxys_forest_manufacture

A few months ago, I happened

MOV E

Pack up fitness on the go.

Travel is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, and the benefits go well beyond taking a break from our lives. It opens us to new environments, cultures, cuisines and experiences.

Staying active should be an important

Better Together

part of any vacation as it helps elicit dopamine, the feel-good hormone, to drive up our energy levels and keep us motivated.

It can also help keep you accountable and make it easier to transition back into your daily regimen post vacation.

Here are my top five healthy tips for your next vacation: 1. Pack workout gear. Set aside room in your suitcase for sneakers and two sets of workout clothes. If you pack it, your workout gear will be staring at you every day, making it hard to say, “no.”

2. Check out the hotel gyms. Go online before you go, so that you know if there are gym options. Take into consideration the hours, rules, equipment and if any classes are offered.

3. Track your steps. Wear a fitness tracker, and set a daily goal. Aim for 12,000 steps per day. This will push you to get out and explore.

4. Bring a band. Mini resistance bands will not put your suitcase over the weight

INTRODUCING

Vively Body Science Combination Treatments Combination treatments have been shown to have up to 30% more improvement than treatments that are performed alone

limit. They pack a big punch and offer similar resistance to weights.

5. Explore the area. Being somewhere new brings on a sense of adventure. Check out a new workout that you have always wanted to try, or find out what is popular in the area and give it a go.

Keep in mind that vacation workouts do

Introductory offer in February

Additional 10% off with mention of this ad

not need to be as intense as your workouts at home. Give yourself permission to have fun, and aim for 40–50 percent of your normal intensity level. Let’s be honest, you need to save energy for pool, beach or mountain time!

Laurel Famigletti is an area resident and owner of EndorP.H.I.T, where she provides virtual group fitness classes, in-home personal training and virtual nutrition coaching.

(952) 388-3113 | INFO@LIVEVIVELY.COM

www.livevively.com 1133 WAYZATA BLVD E, WAYZATA, MN 55391 VIVELYBODYSCIENCE DOWNLOAD OUR APP

13

N OT E WO RT H Y

VIEW

See all sides of beauty. “[The artist’s] original work captures a calm vibe as the subject seems to be in a blissful state surrounded by the healthy cherubs protecting her as she goes deep in her thoughts,” says Hollie Blanchard of the Art Girls. “Meditation is a practice to use mindfulness to train your awareness and achieve a mentally clear state. Beauty is inner and external, but when you feel grounded in your thoughts and who you are, there really isn’t anything more beautiful.“ Title: Day Dream III Artist: Mary Catherine Solberg Medium: Original Mixed Media on Canvas Scale: 30x30

Contributed by The Art Girls; artgirlsmpls.com Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

S IP

February is the month for pairings.

Once in a while, moons align,

steak. The deep fruit of a Château

and sea salt chocolate caramels—

and the right wine matches with

d’Aigueville Côtes du Rhône (around

decadent, and sometimes you

great food.

$14) with beef and veggies off the

deserve this.

I hope you enjoy some of my favorites for food and wine pairings.

Côtes du Rhône and the grill:

grill is—awesome.

Chocolate and red wine: Is there anything better? I did a tasting and

Consider any food with a char or

accidently came across this combo—

sear marks—grilled veggies to a big

Vina Robles cabernet (around $20)

14

John F. Farrell III is vice president; sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People. Find more at haskells.com.

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

REA D

Love and fame create a page-turner.

FOR SALE

MINNETRISTA

PENDING

EXCELSIOR

3770 Woodland Cove Pkwy

7110 Rolling Acres Road

PENDING

SOLD

CHANHASSEN 6474 Murray Hill

CHANHASSEN 2585 Highcrest Cir

Fans of stories that have a “behind the scenes” of Hollywood feel, especially fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid novels (Daisy Jones & The Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Malibu Rising) will find it hard to put down The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella

SOLD

MINNETONKA 11414 Oakvale Rd

SOLD

DEEPHAVEN 19105 Ramsey Rd

Clements and Onjuli Datta.

This page-turning novel follows the on again-off again relationship of Hollywood starlet Win and charming man-about-town Leo, alternating between their present day reunion in southern France and events over the course of the preceding decade.

On the surface, it seems like a frothy read, but it also resonates on deeper levels, exploring the price of notoriety in today’s culture. If you want a bingeable read that you’ll immediately want to discuss with a friend, this is the book for you.

•In depth understanding of today’s market and trends •Experience and creativity for all of your real estate needs •Unmatched service and results •Awarded Top Producer & established Expert in the Lake Minnetonka Community

Raela Schoenherr is an editor at a Minnesota publishing company. Find her on Twitter at @raelaschoenherr.

612-309-8332 | KDWEINSTOCK@CBREALTY.COM | WEINSTOCKGROUP.COM 15

FRESH AIR

A River Runs in the Family Duo achieves the world record for fastest paddle down the Mississippi River.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. The Father of Waters. Old Man River. Whatever name it goes by, the mighty river holds a unique place in this nation’s history.

Today, by some, it’s seen as a pathway for cargo ships and commercial fishing vessels. While others view it as a playground for boaters and sportsmen.

For KJ Millhone of Wayzata and his daughter Casey Millhone, who attends school in Colorado, it’s seen as a record waiting to be broken.

In 1980, KJ and his friend Steve Eckelkamp set the Guinness World Record for fastest time canoeing the entire length of the Mississippi River, completing the run in 35 days and 11.5 hours. Eckelkamp passed away in 2017, and his nephew decided he wanted to try to break the record and asked KJ to be a part of the team. While they didn’t break it at that time, KJ realized his body was still in good enough shape to make

The original wooden paddle used

by KJ Millhone in 1980 is notably heavier than the modern paddles that were used during his last trip.

16

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott

By Dan Amundson

the trek down the river again. It also intrigued Casey. “When they got back, I told him, ‘If you ever decide to do this again, I want to be on the team,'” she says.

The next few years were spent preparing Casey for the trip. On April 22, 2021, KJ and Casey, along with fellow team members Rod Price and Bobby Johnson, set off from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in an attempt to break the then-current record, and 17 days, 19 hours and 46 minutes later, the team reached the end of the river, breaking that record by nearly nine hours.

A trip like this doesn’t happen without complications. Tornadoes, blizzards and sleet squalls are just a few of the weather-related challenges the team faced on its journey. At one lock and dam, the team members had to persuade the lockmaster to let them through despite the 40 mile-per-hour winds during a thunderstorm on the other side. “I told him I’d write him an email releasing him of any liability if anything happened to us,” KJ says. “If he didn’t let us through, we were done.”

The team had to paddle nonstop in order to break the record. Three members paddled at a time while the other rested. This strenuously pushes a body to the limit, making it unable to replenish all of the calories it burned. “Your body literally starts eating your muscles, and hallucinations set in,” KJ says. “We found out when I hallucinate, I see small animals and talk to dead presidents.”

Despite the challenges, the team beat the record, and it was verified by Guinness through GPS tracking and a 470-page application. Along with the record, KJ and Casey have a lifetime of memories from completing the journey together. “It was a relief and a little anticlimactic when we finished,” Casey says.

“Maybe I’m still waiting for it to set in that we beat the record.”

17

In Plain Sight Wine cellars continue to move up to new heights.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

18

WINE CELLARS continue to move their ways up from homes’ lower levels and onto main floors and into spotlighted sightlines. Over the years, Jeff Hagen has witnessed the change in how wine lovers store and present their collections. “The primary difference has been the advent of the ‘showcase’ cellar, a cellar whose primarily reason for existence is the look, rather than the proper storage of wine,” he says.

Interest in building personal wine cellars has increased over the last two decades. “Twenty years ago, it was exclusively for serious wine collectors, which is a tiny percentage of the population,”

says Hagen, owner of VinGrotto, which opened more than 15 years ago.

The Minnetrista business offers a niche service. “I started VinGrotto to build wine cellars and do custom wine racking,” he says. “A person could buy component racks and hire a contractor to build out the room, but no contractor truly knew how to build a proper wine cellar.”

What about just using wine cooling systems? “A wine fridge is for shortterm storage,” Hagen says. “A wine cellar is for aging. A person can age wine in a wine fridge, but it is definitely not ideal. You have to be very diligent about keeping the little sponge moist [used

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: VinGrotto

TA S T E

Your Residential & Lakeshore Specialists PRO SIP TIP “[There are] lots of truly great wines from every corner of the world … but to most of us, anything from one of the First Growth (French) chateaux’s can’t be beat, and each makes several wines. There are 100 point wines from all over the world, and they truly are fantastic. Anybody who likes wine, would love any one of them, but there’s still something about First Growth that hits a person.”

—Jeff Hagen, VinGrotto

to keep the inside of the wine fridge at a higher humidity], and any vibration from the condenser is not going to do your wine any favors.”

Having an expansive or expensive home isn’t a prerequisite for adding a wine cellar. “My first home had one, as did several of my friends at the time,” Hagen says. “They were very modest homes.” There is, however, the other end of the spectrum, and Hagen has worked on wine cellars that cost north—very far north—of $100,000. For that kind of money there must be some unusual or high-end elements. “Depends what you mean by unusual,” he says. “Unusual and wine cellar don’t really go together ... People have introduced some unusual decorative features that can be expensive. And, of course, a true/real wine cellar is literally a cave, and they can be expensive to dig. I know a guy who lived on the side of Camelback Mountain in Arizona. He dug into the side of it for his wine cellar. It was brilliant.”

One can assume that Hagen has toured his fair share of wine cellars. Favorites?

“Caves,” he says. “You can’t beat France, but my favorite is Pride Mountain Vineyards in [California’s Napa Valley], where the winery is built into the side of the mountain. You walk through a maze of aisles stacked with barrels and bottles [and] then all of sudden, you come to a big door. It opens to a tasting room/conference room with a big table reaching out to a terrace that looks out over one of their vineyards. Magical.”

VinGrotto, 1015 W. Cove Lane, Minnetrista; 612.501.2193; vingrotto.com

Alex & Ben Dzurik Team@DzurikPropertyTwins.com

612-500-6929

www.DzurikPropertyTwins.com

Orono

Views of Lake Minnetonka! Close to the Dakota Trail. Highly rated Orono Schools!

“With help from Crown Bank during COVID-19 we are a decade ahead of where we’d be from a technology standpoint.”

John puckett,

co-founder, punch pizza

Crown Bank secured Punch Pizza’s PPP loan in just five days, making it possible for them to innovate during the shutdown.

Investments in updated apps, customized ordering, and improved inventory flow made it possible to grow their digital business from 2% to 80% during the pandemic.

Watch the whole story at crown-bank.com/news What can we make possible for your business?

@vingrotto MEMBER FDIC

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

19

FRESH AIR

Gee! Haw! Mush!

Klondike dog derby returns to Excelsior.

WATER STREET IN EXCELSIOR will have drivers of a different sort when it welcomes back to town The Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby, set for February 4 (vet checks, Hug a Husky and Meet the Musher events) and February 5 (race day).

The event also hosts the Klondike Village, located near Water and Lake streets. It will be open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

February 5 and will include a beverage garden, food trucks, s'mores station, fire pits, family-friendly games and official Klondike merchandise.

The race route will be finalized a few weeks prior to the race (which is after this issue goes to press). Planners are considering running the race closer to downtown Wayzata, opening additional

20

viewing opportunities near Wayzata Bay. It will launch from Excelsior, and the Excelsior Commons will provide a great vantagepoint to watch 35 mushers begin racing, according to Dale Kurschner, event board member (communications) and Excelsior City Council member.

While the race takes only a few hours (The 2020 winning musher finished the course in two hours, 41 minutes and 52 seconds. Last place came in at five hours, 11 minutes, 15 seconds.), Kurschner says it will take about 100 hours to prepare the trail on the frozen lake. “This includes charting the course; working with others internally and public safety officials; ordering, leasing and shipping special equipment; and nearly a dozen rounds of

packing the snow and creating the trail, so that it is both hard packed and easily recognizable for the dogs on the flat, open lake,” he says.

In addition to the organizing committee, the event comes to life thanks to more than 400 volunteers. Kurschner notes that most of volunteers come from the Twin Cities, northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2020, some hailed from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia.

And the mushers travel a distance, too.

This year’s event includes mushers from around the U.S. and Canada, including the Northwest Territories. “Many of our 2022 mushers have won races previously,” Kurschner says. “Our 2020 champion, Dave

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

By Renée Stewart-Hester

9 5 2 . 4 2 6 . 0 5 5 9 | s t u d i o 6 w e l l n e s s . c o m | 6 - 6 t h Av e N - H o p k i n s

PILATES | GYROTONIC METHOD® YOGA | TRX® | MAT FUSION Let us help you find your Strength, Length, and a whole new YOU!

CANINE ATHLETES

Offering classes and lessons –both private & semi-private– for all ages, abilities, and experience levels.

Great care is taken to ensure the health and safety of the racing dogs. Veterinarian Jackie Piepkorn, DVM, co-owner and operator of the Lake Minnetonka Pet Wellness Center, is the chief veterinarian for the Klondike Dog Derby.

For more than 20 years, Piepkorn has served as veterinarian for many sled dog races in the Lower 48 states, Alaska and Canada, according to Kurschner.

“In her role, [Piepkorn] assembles a vet team for the prerace vet check of the dogs in the race,” he says.

“This consists of about 20 veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who are experienced with racing sled dogs, including Shane Smith, DVM, an associate veterinarian, who also works at Lake Minnetonka Pet Wellness Center.”

The vet team is also available during the race in the event any dog needs care. “Everything we do is focused on providing the best care possible for these incredible canine athletes,” Piepkorn says.

Photo: Klondike Dog Derby

Hochman, will be returning. We will also be hosting mushers, who have competed in the John Beargrease [Sled Dog] marathon and mid-distance races multiple times, as well many other Midwest races.”

What are the mushers racing toward? Victory, bragging rights and a $40,000 purse.

Parking is available at Minnetonka High School and Minnetonka Middle School West, and a free shuttle service to the event is offered between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. February 5. For event times, race route and other information, visit klondikedogderby.com.

Lake Mtka Klondike Dog Derby @klondikederby

21

ENLIGHTEN

Honor Students Caring Youth award ceremony returns to live event.

THE NOMINATIONS ARE IN, and

soon the recipients of the 2022 Caring Youth Awards will be announced by the Hopkins and Lake Minnetonka school districts.

“The event has been going on many years,” says Jen Kopischke, Hopkins Community Education’s Enrichment

22

supervisor. “It’s a way to recognize students that have been doing great work in our communities, specifically high school students.”

To be considered a Caring Youth, student nominees in grades seven through 12 must first identify a need within their community and volunteer to help address

It is the hope that the awards ceremony for this year's Caring Youth Awards can be held in person, as it was in 2018 as highlighted here.

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: ElizabethH ayward

By Madeline Kopiecki

that need. But rather than calling it a day at that point, this is where a Caring Youth is just getting started.

As part of the guidelines, nominees’ passion for their service or volunteer project should push them to go above and beyond. Over the years, students’ interests have led them to volunteer across Hopkins, the Lake Minnetonka area and Golden Valley with projects that run the gambit from beautifying local parks with cleanup efforts to volunteering time with the ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka.

“People in the community nominate students they know either through volunteering with them, being a part of their project or for the good work that they’ve been doing with them,” Kopischke says.

As part of the event’s stipulations, students must be nominated by a member of the organization at which they volunteered or someone closely involved with the student’s volunteer project. (And although you may be a proud parent of a local kid doing good, you cannot nominate your own family members.)

Once all the forms have been collected, a committee—including Kopischke and Jaleeza Smith-Breedlove, Hopkins Community Education’s Youth Programs coordinator—reviews the nominations.

“They’ll be selected by the committee based on their personal commitment and their positive impact on the community,” Smith-Breedlove says, noting that there’s no set number of winners that the committee can decide to honor.

After the recipients are announced, it’s time to celebrate. This year’s award ceremony will be held February 24, and after 2021’s virtual event, Kopischke says that they are looking forward to an in person award ceremony at the Minnetonka Community Center.

“We’re expecting somewhere around 100 to 150 [guests],” Kopischke says.

The crowd is made up of student nominees, their parents and the community members who nominated them. “There’s usually city council representatives, staff from schools and organization members who have students who were nominated,” Smith-Breedlove says.

Stay Connected & Celebrate Lake Minnetonka FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

where we daily showcase local people and places @LAKEMINNETONK AMAG

FURNITURE IN STOCK!

DELIVERY AVAILABLE WITHIN 7 DAYS! Schedule a free consult today! We offer interior design, home staging services, and have a retail showroom in Wayzata!

Learn more about the nomination process at minnetonkaschools.org.

For a list of this year’s winners, check our Instagram @lakeminnetonkamag after the award’s ceremony.

(952) 935-0300 info@ChazinInteriors.com

WWW.CHAZININTERIORS.CO 1250 E Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata MN 55391

23

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

24

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

STORY BY RENÉE STEWART-HESTER

PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

Trav e l take s s h a p e wi t h o rg a n i z e d s t y l e .

CUBISM

W

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

inter has gone weary in the minds of some eager travelers, who are ready for destination warm with opportunities to shed winter fashions in favor of sporty togs and snazzy resort wear.

Others, who embrace the season’s snow show, are pointing their skis and snowboards due north and west for more elevated endeavors.

No matter the itinerary, organization is a must-have travel companion. Currently, two of the oft spoken words in travel packing are “travel cubes.” While one can procure them just about anywhere, including from most discount retailers, not all are created equal.

For cube sets and individual packing bags, Julia Moss Designs offers lovely collections that make organizing easier and prettier. With black and white as their color story, these sporty-chic travel accessories wink with a Chanel vibe. Bon voyage!

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

25

TIP:

Julia Moss Designs offers a simplified equation for organizing travel outfits: one cube = one outfit. Pack one outfit and coordinating accessories for each day of your trip in one cube.

Packing is as easy as un, deux, trois. Order the

PACKING CUBE SET

in classic black or sporty

gingham. Made from 100 percent linen, the cubes come in small, medium and large. $55/set

MY VANITY CASE

includes an off-white bow and

a handle on the lid for an easy grab-and-go. $45 Avoid a bad hair day on vacation, thanks to the

HAIR STUFF CASE with a heat-resistant lining. $39 Save getting wet for the pool or an après-ski hot tub with the

WET STUFF BAG,

featuring a waterproof

interior lining. $42

MY LOTIONS & POTIONS CASE,

which comes

lined with a waterproof striped fabric, will keep mixes and quick fixes in place. $39 Don’t forget to use the

JEWELRY CASE TRIFOLD ,

which can be rolled up or unfolded, for your favorite accessory pieces. $39 The darling

BEAUTY BOX with an off-white bow is

an ideal size for those little extras that you just can’t leave at home. $39

MY MAKE-UP CASE is ideally suited to travel from your suitcase to a carry-on to a handbag. $31 Small whatnots need a spot, too. Try the SMALL LETTER BAGS with initials printed on the front. $14

PRIVATE STUFF

is ideal for keeping track of, well,

private stuff! $23

26

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

WISH LIST: For those in the market for a shoulder bag for day, evening or come what may during their travels, the Julia Moss Designs’ Vintage Vault carries this Chanel quilted lambskin medium Leo Bag. The classic bag features a pewter chain link shoulder strap threaded with leather and a Mademoiselle turn lock in the form of a lion with the ubiquitous Chanel CC. $2,500

JULIA MOSS DESIGNS 647 LAKE ST. E., WAYZATA 612.444.8682 JULIAMOSSDESIGNS.COM JULIA MOSS DESIGNS @JULIAMOSSDESIGNS @JULIAMOSSDESIGNS

28

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

CALEY PAVILLARD, MODEL FOR GUESS AND VICTORIA’S SECRET —Smile Design by Dr. Holger Meiser

COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY Dr. Holger Meiser, DDS MAGD • Dr. Rochelle Akradi, DMD Minnetonka: 17601 Highway 7, Suite 200, SW Corner Of Highway 7&101 • 952-217-5201 Downtown MPLS: 825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1427, Medical Arts Building • 612-333-8988 29 holgerdentalgroup.com

T H E Y D I G I T : P O P C U LT U R E P R E S E R V A T I O N SOCIETY STRIKES A RETRO CHORD.

Story by Renée Stewart-Hester Photos by Chris Emeott Hair by Sitha Kim Makeup by Makeup Savvy

30

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

If you played with Fisher-Price toys, watched The Brady Bunch on Friday nights or almost took out yourself or a sibling with a set of groovy Clackers, you could qualify to be a member of the Pop Culture Preservation Society (PCPS), dedicated to honoring, relishing and downright diggin’ all things from the ’70s.

As the founding members recall, the group’s formation was less of an idea and more of a compulsion. Michelle Newman (Medina), Carolyn Cochrane (Edina) and Kristin Nilsen (Minneapolis) are the hearts and souls behind PCPS and its weekly podcast (their “precious baby”), which covers ’70s music, TV shows, movies, crushes, toys and even the Sears Wish Book. Nearly 6,000 followers hit the Instagram account, where discussions circulate around anything from favorite Yacht Rock songs to gym class horror stories.

Numbers of followers aside. Amount of listeners be darned. We all know success is measured by whether or not you’re selling “merch.” And they are. “We had no idea people were going to react likes this,” Newman says, while noting that people asked for the group to sell themed merchandise. Popularity has its perks, and in less than a year after launching the podcast in December 2020, the trio began offering a membership platform (via Patreon) with special benefits and access to events.

“Our number one goal was to bring joy to people and share memories,” Newman says.

The women were all born in the ’60s, and certainly lived through the ’70s, but when did the devotion to the time period emerge? For Newman, it wasn’t until the last decade or so.

“I think when we are in our young adulthoods and busy being new wives and moms, we don’t care to be nostalgic as much … But as we age, we find comfort and joy in the memories of our past in everything from the music we listened to, to the shows we watched, to the toys we played with,” she says.

“I’ve always been drawn to the bright colors and fashion of the ’70s. Give me a fun floral Lilly Pulitzer shift dress any day,” Cochrane says. “Like [Newman], my love of the ’70s really blossomed over the last few years as I discovered kindred spirits, who fondly recalled plot lines from The Waltons and characters from Judy Blume books.

The joy of these shared nostalgic moments made me want to seek them out.”

“I’ve always had a strong ’70s vibe even though I wore a Mallory Keaton [Family Ties] costume for most of the ’80s,” Nilsen says. “I unleashed the vibe for the public when I found friends in college who knew all the words to Conjunction Junction, just like

Michelle Newman

Kristin Nilsen

Carolyn Cochrane 31

“The bright, bold colors and the feelings of optimism and possibility— I believed I could marry Shaun Cassidy or be the next Nadia Comaneci.

Revisiting those hope-filled memories can be such a balm during hard times.”

Edina’s Carolyn Cochrane explains her love of the ’70s

I did. And when Andy Gibb died, we all held on to each other and sort of claimed this mantle of ’70s Kids Unite! We used somebody’s mom’s credit card to order a set of ’70s soft rock cassette tapes off of a TV infomercial, and I never looked back” There has to be more than nostalgia that pulls the women back into the days of banana seat bikes and the push-pull fashion struggle between mini and maxi skirts.

Newman says, “The groovy clothes, the fun toys, the people we crushed on, the amazing music, the fabulous television, the inappropriate movies we watched—they all just bring back such feelings of joy. Even if we didn’t have totally stable childhoods, these artifacts, if you will, of this time in our lives were a constant and spark such fun and indelible memories.”

“The crush culture in our childhood was on fire—David Cassidy, The Monkees, Shaun Cassidy, Andy Gibb, Scott Baio, the Bee Gees, Leif Garrett. Remember the Shaun versus Leif debate of 1978?” Nilsen says. “I’m fascinated by our ability to feel real and true love at such a young age for people we had never even met, but that was how we learned about love, so those crushes, those magazines (Tiger Beat), those records, they all helped us grow up. And, yes, I totally dug the clothes. My husband once told me I looked like I was on my way to a Partridge Family concert; I said, ‘Thank you.’

He said, ‘It wasn’t a compliment.’”

Their interest in the era certainly mirrors their memories, but it also is a reflection of the times we live in—uncertain, tenuous and bit frightening at times. Nostalgia has long served as a comfort mechanism—a Linus blanket if you will. “We are seeing it everywhere—from the reboots of old TV shows to the retro toys and clothing on the shelves in Target,” Newman says. “People [don’t want] to go back in time per se. They are just finding such connection, fun and joy in the memories from their childhoods. It calls back a simpler, more innocent time, especially right now when not only are we in a very turbulent time, but when our generation is smack in the

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

33

34

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Given a Choice

MICHELLE NEWMAN

CAROLYN COCHRANE

KRISTIN NILSEN

TV show: Happy Days and Little

TV show: Eight is Enough

TV show: Dance Fever

House on the Prairie

Singer/group: Barry Manilow

Singer/group: Andy Gibb, Bee Gees

Singer/group: Donny and Marie

and Carpenters

and Donna Summer

Dinner item: Salisbury steak TV

Candy: Sugar Daddy

Dinner: Franco-American

Movie: Star Wars

spaghetti and Steak-umm

dinner with the little brownie

Candy: Marathon Bar

Candy: Bottle Caps

Clothing: Red half-zip

Movie: Ice Castles

ribbed turtleneck

Movie: Grease

Clothing: Hang Ten satin jacket

Toy: Barbies

Clothing: Ponchos and gauchos

Toy: Fisher-Price Play Family sets

middle of caring for aging parents, and our own kids are moving out.”

“We had so little to worry about when we were kids. When we’re burdened and overstressed and everything feels so unpredictable, we just want to revisit that space, when the biggest thing we worried about was who shot J.R. [Ewing],” Nilsen says. “Studies actually show that a full 50 percent of the population admitted to binging content from their childhood during the pandemic. If we can connect with our childhood selves and let go of our adult worries for just 22 minutes, life gets a little more manageable.”

“We’ve seen it firsthand with the messages and comments we receive from listeners and followers—people sharing the joy we are bringing to them simply by rekindling long forgotten memories,” Cochran says. “Nostalgia really seems to be a balm for so many.”

Speaking of joy, the women aren’t opposed to out-of-state field trips.

They’ve flown to Chicago for Shaun Cassidy’s concert, went to Palm Springs, Calif., to see Barry Manilow perform and hope to see a Donny Osmond show in Las Vegas sometime in 2022.

They can also be found in local vintage haunts. “I’ve been a record collector for a long time, and record stores are my primary place to connect to that very

Toy: Magic 8 Ball

Dinner for Six is Served In another universe and given the opportunity, Cochrane, Newman and Nilsen host the dinner party of their pop culture dreams.

Theme: A singer/songwriter-themed dinner party, so they can sing around the piano.

Guests: Barry Manilow, Karen Carpenter and John Denver

Menu: A catered meal (They don’t cook.) of fondue and a buffet of TV dinner selections (Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn, fried chicken, cobbler, brownies, etc.) Everyone gets a TV tray.

Background Music: Chuck Mangione, Henry Mancini, Sérgio Mendes and Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass

Post Dinner Entertainment: Barry Manilow will lead the group to the piano, where all will gather—arm in arm— for a sing-along of Mandy, Rainy Days and Mondays and Country Roads. After snacking on Hostess treats, dancing will commence to the tunes of The Jackson 5, Bee Gees, Bay City Rollers and P-Funk.

Evening Closure: Karen Carpenter serenades them with Goodbye to Love, and everyone enjoys a final snifter of brandy.

35

This or That The Pop Culture Preservation Society has some decisions to make.

ANDY GIBB or Rex Smith SHAUN CASSIDY

or David Cassidy Bobby Sherman

or DAVY JONES The Jackson 5

or THE OSMONDS

special time in my life,” Nilsen says. “I’ve replicated a good chunk of my childhood collection, but I also like to collect the records that dominated the shelves in the record department at Dayton’s—the ones I couldn’t buy but knew intimately because the album cover was everywhere, and the songs were transistor radio staples.” Cochrane dips into countless antique stores, looking for everything from K-Tel albums to ’70s Tiger Beat magazines to Holly Hobbie lunchboxes.

This illustrates that they not only have collective memories, the women also have collections! “I still have all of my FisherPrice Play Family sets and my Weebles sets from my childhood,” Newman says.

“I’m currently collecting vintage FisherPrice from the ’60s and am always on the lookout for pieces … I recently got into collecting vintage vinyl and am searching for complete collections of The Carpenters and Barry Manilow.”

36

“I still have a lot of my albums and books,” Nilsen says. “I’m going to be buried with my copy of Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume. And I recently found my clock radio, the one that introduced me to Casey Kasem, on eBay. I had to have it. It sits on my nightstand now, just like it did in 1977.”

Cochrane is devoted to her collection of books from Parents Magazine Press.

“These were the books I remember most from my childhood, and I want to have them all to share with my future grandchildren,” she says. That’s the thing about nostalgia—it never gets old.

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS or The Archies Carol Brady or SHIRLEY PARTRIDGE RHODA or PHYLLIS

(Apples and oranges! Cannot choose; they are too different!)

THAT GIRL or Alice Fisher-Price airport or FISHER-PRICE GARAGE LIP SMACKERS or Stick Pins

poppreservationists.com Podcast: Pop Culture Preservation Society Pop Culture Preservation Society

BEVERLY CLEARY

or JUDY BLUME (Oh, come ON! Ramona or

@popculturepreservationsociety

Margaret? Please don’t make

@PopCulturePres1

us choose!)

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

We build long-lasting relationships with our business and personal clients for tax, accounting, bookkeeping, bill pay, financial planning and additional family office needs.

Visit us for traditional Argentinian food such as empanadas, lomitos, desserts, or attend futbol matches, monthly tango and other special events in our beautiful community room. Call us to schedule your next gathering!

Established in 2003, Evergreen is your tested Minnesota restoration and remodeling expert.

Call today to schedule a visit at our Wayzata exteriors showroom.

Accounting Resource Group, Inc. 601 Carlson Parkway Suite 1120 952.593.1356 accountingresourcegrp.com

DelSur Empanadas 14725 Excelsior Blvd.

952.303.6081 delsurempanadas.com

Evergreen Construction Company, Inc. 2385 Shadywood Road, Wayzata 952.955.4363 mnevergreen.com

Find the perfect gift for your sweetheart at Flirt Boutique!

Peruse our award winning selection of elegant silk slips, lace bras and beautiful pajamas. Stop in for a complimentary bra fitting.

We carry bra sizes in A–F cups and 30–40 bands.

One Door West by Gianni’s is your premier event space and private dining destination in downtown Wayzata.

Contact Anneliese to start planning your next event.

Flirt Boutique 3927 Market St. 651.698.3692 flirt-boutique.com

One Door West by Gianni’s 633 Lake St. E. 952.404.1100 onedoorwest.com

Villaume-Driscoll Gallery

At InnerBeauty Med Spa & Laser, we offer a wide range of non-surgical cosmetic procedures and spa services performed by licensed Advanced Practice Estheticians and Certified Injectors. Call for a free consult at our Minnetonka or Blaine location.

InnerBeauty Med Spa & Laser 13911 Ridgedale Drive Suite 300 952.303.6981 ibmedspa.com

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or an amazing grooming experience, The Top Shave Lounge has got you covered. Book your appointment online or stop in for quality products.

New contemporary fine art gallery owned by Minnesota artist Michèle Villaume-Driscoll.

All original art. Friendly, warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

Love to see you.

The Top Shave Lounge 12993 Ridgedale Drive Suite 134 612.284.7227 thetopshavelounge.com

Villaume-Driscoll Gallery 4012 Shoreline Drive 612.719.9499 michelevillaume-driscoll.art

O N T H E TOW N

th in g s to se e a n d do aro und Lak e Minne to nk a

SNOW MUCH FUN Wayzata’s favorite winter event returns.

THE 37TH A N N UA L WAYZATA CHI LLY OPEN

returns in full force this year on February 11 and 12 on frozen Wayzata Bay. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce.

The Chilly Open is known for its frozen golf tournament, which has three nine-hole courses. Hundreds of people flock to the bay to compete in the event with golf clubs, hockey sticks, baseball bats or whatever else they can find to help them make an elusive hole in one.

If you aren’t a fan of golf, there are plenty of other funfilled and family-friendly activities to enjoy. Cinema & Skates features an ice-skating loop as well as a movie on the big screen. Snowga, or yoga out on the ice, is a great way to get active with family and friends. Local restaurants also compete in a chili cook-off, alongside live music entertainment.

How did this long-standing festival fun begin? Many years ago, a small group of business owners looked for a fun way to embrace winter. What started off as just one golf course and some chili and has grown immensely over the years. —GRACE MASUDA To purchase tickets or find more information about the event, visit wayzatachillyopen.com.

Compiled by Bryce Helmbrecht-Lommel and Grace Masuda

LOCAL EVENTS

Pond Hockey Championship

@wayzatachillyopen

02/10–02/13

Minnetonka Winter Farmers Market

Spend your weekend out on the ice

02/12

at the North American Pond Hockey

Explore vendors of all kinds at this

annual fundraiser for charity. Besides

event and enjoy the best local shops

the traditional pond hockey tourna-

that Minnetonka has to offer. You can

ment that takes place, you can expect

shop in-person or preorder from cer-

an outdoor bean bag tournament,

tain vendors for pickup. All ages. Free.

three live concerts and other win-

Photo: Wayzata Chilly Open

Wayzata Chilly Open

9 a.m.–1 p.m. Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.; 952.939.8301; minnetonkamn.gov

Kids’ Fest

ter games. Performing is The Rolling

02/06

Stoners, The Johnny Holm Band and

Get ready for a day full of winter activi-

Viva Knievel. Tickets for each con-

ties. The Minnetonka Community Center

cert are $25 and all proceeds go

Family Winter Adventure Day

is hosting the 26th Annual Kids’ Fest.

to the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter

02/19

The event features dog sledding rides,

of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

What’s better than a day of winter fun

ice sculptures, crafts, horse-drawn car-

and the ALS Association (MN/ND/

with your whole family? The Family

riage rides, s’mores and more. All ages.

SD Chapter). All ages. Prices vary.

Winter Adventure Day at Tanadoona

Free. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd.; 952.939.8390; minnetonkamn.gov

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Times vary. Maynards Restaurant, 685 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior; 612.747.3030; pondhockeylakeminnetonka.com

includes snow art, a snowshoe hike, winter games, shelter building, crafts and exploring the frozen Lake

39

O N T H E TOW N

Love Lake Minnetonka Magazine?

Get Connected & Find • Upcoming local events • Web exclusive articles • Editors’ and writers’ blogs • Submit story ideas to Lake Minnetonka Magazine

Minnewashta. Afterward, there will be hot cocoa and a bonfire to warm up after a long day. Dress in layers for this event. Recommended for children ages 5–14 and their families. $8. 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. Tanadoona, 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior; 952.474.8085; campfiremn.org

Clue Various Dates Everyone’s favorite murder mystery is coming to the Minnetonka Theatre.

The production of Clue, based on the classic whodunit board game, follows six guests who gather for a mysterious dinner party. The performance is thrilling, comical and will leave you at the edge of your seat. All ages. $15–$23. Times vary. Minnetonka Theatre, 18285 Highway 7; 952.401.5895; minnetonkatheatre.com magical event is a great way to get outAREA EVENTS

side and spend time with your family.

Afterward, there will be a bonfire with s’mores, hot chocolate and hot dogs.

Into the Woods Wednesdays–Sundays 02/02–02/20 With characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack, The Baker and

All ages, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $25. 6–9 p.m. Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale; 651.747.3860; ci.oakdale.mn.us

others, take a trip into the woods in search of magical items and friends.

Accordo

This musical is a great experience for the

02/14

whole family. All ages. $17–$49. Times

Accordo is a collective of present and

vary. Artistry, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington; 952.563.8575; artistrymn.org

former principal players of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra who enjoy playing chamber

lakeminnetonkamag.com

music together. Accordo has been per-

02/11–02/27

forming since 2008 to enthusiastic audi-

Embrace the cold this winter at Detroit

ences in packed venues. All ages. Prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 S. Marquette Ave., Mpls.; 651.292.3268; schubert.org

Lakes’ 10-day Polar Fest. The festival includes winter activities of all kinds, including a polar plunge, ice fishing, snow sports and vintage snowmobiles. The celebration also features a 5K run, crafts, fireworks and more.

All ages. Free. Times vary. Detroit Lakes City Beach, Washington Park, Detroit Lakes; 218.234.2501; polarfestdl.com

Cocoa Cuddles Craft and Gift Show 02/19 The Cocoa Cuddles Craft and Gift Show is back for the second year. Explore unique crafters and vendors from all around the

Family Moonlight Snowshoe

Midwest. Shop one-of-a-kind art, food,

02/12

clothing pieces and handmade gifts at

The Oakdale Discovery Center is hosting

this family-friendly event. Free admission.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Cottage Grove Armory, 8180 Belden Blvd., Cottage Grove; 651.444.9907

an educational snowshoe walk through a lit-up trail in the nature preserve. This

40

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Todd Bauer

Visit us online for even more about Lake Minnetonka.

Polar Fest

Globally Inspired Modern Cuisine

LUMINARY LOPPET

4016 Shoreline Drive | Spring Park | vannrestaurant.com

February 5 Make the most of the cold weather by spending your night at the magical outdoor Luminary Loppet. Participants can walk, ski or snowshoe down a candlelit path on Lake of the Isles. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. The event also includes unique ice sculptures, music, fire dancers, food trucks and a REI Luminary Party for guests 21 and older. Ticket costs for the event go to the Loppet Foundation. All ages. Ticket prices vary.

6 p.m. Lake of the Isles, 2500 Lake of the Isles Parkway E., Mpls.; 612.604.5330; loppet.org

To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@tigeroak.com by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

Shop with us!

In-Store or Online

14401 Highway 7 in Minnetonka (952) 935-7131

www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com 41

TA S T E M A K E R S

Be My Galentine Embrace Valentine’s Day— with a twist.

42

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

advertise with

BY AVA DIAZ PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE

@

Contact Katie Freemark

952.270.9339 katie.freemark@tigeroak.com

AM OUR, W HETHER YOU’R E S INGLE OR N OT, is worth celebrat-

ing. Since love is the cornerstone of more than just romantic relationships, why not take this time of year and celebrate Galentine’s Day? This unofficial holiday is truly as sweet as it sounds. Conceptualized by character Leslie Knope of the popular television show Parks and Recreation, the celebration is explained by Amy Poehler (aka Knope). “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style,” Knope says in the episode. “Ladies celebrating ladies.”

Whether you’re bonding over a spa night, gearing up to watch some rom coms or putting on a fantastic brunch like Knope and her crew, there is truly no wrong way to celebrate. Galentine’s Day is simply about gathering with your closest gal pals or female family members to embrace each other’s presence.

While we realize that the main ingredient in any successful gathering is the guests, we also know that success also rests in the decor and food options. We spoke with area lifestyle blogger Rana Monet about ways to plan a memorable Galentine’s Day celebration.

Food is the focal point for any occasion.

Start with a potluck-style spread that incorporates anything from charcuterie boards (sweet or savory) and dips to inspired salads and entrees. To ensure no two dishes are the same, Monet recommends creating a spreadsheet to keep track of what items are being brought to the event. Also, provide a resource for those with any dietary restrictions.

If potluck style isn’t for you, create a tea party-inspired spread, equipped with a variety of pastries and cupcakes from a local bakery and fresh seasonal fruits.

43

TA S T E M A K E R S

Top off the menu with a signature cocktail. Think: strawberry Bellini or cosmopolitan for a flirty, festive touch.

Decorations can embrace the classic heartfelt red and bubblegum pink shades, or take Galentine’s Day quite literally and opt for an utterly girly route with a gradient of pink tones. If Valentine’s Day really isn’t your thing, Monet suggests taking the anti-approach with Gothic elements and all black décor.

Once the color theme is decided, gathering décor and dining pieces is the next step. Considering the uniqueness of this event, Monet says the best way to approach décor is to find pieces that are multipurpose, so you don’t sacrifice too much from a cost perspective. She

44

also suggests looking for vintage pieces, including funky vases, lacy linens and festive dishware. Remember: Everything doesn’t have match to make it wonderful.

Just be sure items have a common thread (color, pattern, texture, etc.). “It makes it feel more special than your standard themed paper plates,” Monet says.

Tablescapes are a key factor in show-

casing your theme. “I focus on place settings and the decorations to set the tone for the event,” Monet says. When dressing the table, she utilizes a linen tablecloth, unique dishware, floral arrangements and candles to create a chic and inviting experience.

When considering candles, it’s worth noting that they are wonderful sources

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

S C H E D U L E Y O U R M A M M O G R A M T O D AY

Experience the CRL Women’s Imaging Difference

Expert radiologists specializing in women’s imaging providing the most innovative technology and procedures in a caring and compassionate environment.

Cedar Roof Restoration and Replacement Award-winning Allstar Construction specializes in damage free cedar roof cleaning. Our process is not only safe for your roof, but highly effective in removing and eradicating algae, moss, mold, and lichen that cause dark stains and streaking.

of ambient light, can add visual interest through various heights and can serve as an easy way to invite the color scheme to the table.

Activities can encourage individuals to interact with one another and create a festive vibe. Get crafty and create a photo booth backdrop, decorated with colorful streamers, balloons and garland. Include different props like boas, funky eyeglasses and snazzy hats to spice up the photos. Organize a card and gift exchange, similar to Secret Santa, where guests are randomly assigned one another to anonymously give a gift at the party. (You could even plan a Yankee Swap with silly, self-care or other gift themes.)

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION AND ESTIMATE

952.476.6249 Lorem ipsum

ALLSTAR

CONSTRUCTION INSTALLING THE LARGEST NUMBER OF CEDAR ROOFS IN MINNESOTA!

ROOFING SIDING WINDOWS GUTTERS

45

TA S T E M A K E R S

Sho p Lo c al Check out these vendors to source some of your Galentine’s Day items.

Sweet Treats • Wuollet Bakery, 795 E. Lake St., Wayzata; 952.473.8621; wuollet.com • yum! Kitchen and Bakery, 6001 Shady Oak Road, Minnetonka; 952.933.6001; yumkitchen.com

Decorations and Party Favors • Festivities, 10701 Red Circle Drive, Minnetonka; 763.682.4846; festivitiesmn.com • Party Safari, 1159 Wayzata Blvd.

E., Wayzata; 952.476.0176

Secondhand Treasures • The RAK (Random Acts of Kindness), 3610 Highway 101, Minnetonka; 612.594.0047; rakthrift.com • Wabi Sabi Shop, 3620 County Road 101 S., Wayzata; 763.404.8499; wabisabishop.com

C HEERS! Strawberry Bellini 8 oz. strawberries 2 tsp. sugar 6 oz. prosecco Blend the strawberries until they are smooth. Make sure that the strawberries are ripe but not overripe. This will give the best flavor. Strain the strawberries through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Divide the strawberry puree between two glasses, filling up to a little under halfway. Slowly top the glass with prosecco, and gently stir.

Tonka Bottle Shop, 17616 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.473.5469; tonkabottleshop.com

Lorrie’s Cosmo 4 oz. fresh lemon juice 4 oz. Grand Marnier 7 oz. vodka (I use Tito’s.)

7 oz. cranberry juice About 20 minutes before preparing, lightly rinse four glasses with water, and place them in the freezer. If you have a cocktail Photo: xxxxxxxxx

shaker, add ice, and shake the ingredients.

If using a pitcher, stir the ingredients for about one minute. Remove the glasses from the freezer, and pour in the mixture.

Haskell’s, 12900 Wayzata, Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.544.4456; haskells.com

46

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Quality That Lasts Expert Roof Inspection

Storm Damage

Ice Dam Removal

Expert Leak Repair

Custom Gutters

Special Financing

Beautiful Homes And Beautiful Roofs l e s j o n e s ro o f i n g . c o m | 9 5 2 . 2 3 0 . 2 5 0 2

A special thank you to the following people and businesses for supplying their time, expertise, supplies and location.

Rana Monet

ranamonet.com rana.monet A Family Affair Event Styling

afaeventstyling.com A Family Affair Event Styling afa.eventstyling

It’s more than just a cookie...

it’s preparing me for my future.

Brick + Linen

bricklinen.com bricklinen

Island Floral

island-floral.com island_floral

Fountain Hill Winery

fhwandvineyard.com Fountain Hill Winery & Vineyard fountainhillwinery

cookiecart.org 47

LAST GLANCE

S E C O N D P L A C E : P E O P L E & FA M I L I E S

Lens on Lake Minnetonka “I got lucky with the position of the sun’s reflection …” —Lisa Tomassen “A FA M I LY T R A D IT I ON of going on springtime ice breaking missions started when my kids were 2 and 4 years old.

We’d venture out in our canoe and chop away at the chunks of floating ice. It’s our way of ‘urging’ winter to release its grip on the lake. In this photo, my son (8 years old at the time) saw a fresh, thin sheet of ice had developed overnight one November morning, and he thought it was the perfect opportunity for some ice breaking before the lake froze over for good ... I love that it’s not immediately obvious that he is kayaking through a thin sheet of ice. It takes a moment to realize what the angled shapes floating in the water are. I got lucky with the position of the sun’s reflection, which provided a beautiful backdrop for my young adventurer.” —Lisa Tomassen of Excelsior

48

Lisa Tomassen Title: Ice Breaker Equipment: iPhone Location: Lake Minnetonka near Tonka Bay Photographer:

To view other Lens on the Lake photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.

February 2022

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Presenting Southwest Florida’s Finest Properties

I DEALLY POSI TI ONED AC ROSS THE STREET FROM TH E GU LF 81 GULF SHORE BLVD S | OLDE N A PLES $14 , 9 5 0,0 0 0

Experience the Naples Lifestyle

EXCLUSIVELY REPRESENTED BY

MELISSA PIERCE 2 3 9. 7 9 9. 5 3 0 0 | 9 5 4 . 9 9 5 . 2 74 7 MELISSA.PIERCE@ELLIMAN.COM ELLIMAN.COM

M I C H A E L L AW L E R 239.261.3939 I N F O @ M I C H A E L L AW L E R .C O M M I C H A E L L AW L E R .C O M

NAPLES • ASPEN • THE HAMPTONS • PALM SPRINGS • MALIBU • MANHATTAN • BEVERLY HILLS • LAGUNA BEACH • AND MORE 800 HARBOUR DRIVE, NAPLES, FLORIDA 34103 (239) 261-3939 © 2021 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.