LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE
Mi ni a t u r i st crea tes th e h o m es of he r i ma gina tiv e d rea m s
OCTOBER 2021
MA G N U M OP U S LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
The Sign of Success on Lake Minnetonka. Edina Realty Wayzata, Lake Minnetonka - (952) 475-2411 Edina Realty Minnetonka - (952) 938-1900 Edina Realty Chanhassen - (952) 934-5000
WEST ARM BAY!
Turnkey main level living where every room has a dramatic view! 100 feet south facing shoreline. Stunning 2018 remodel by Denali Custom Homes delivers all the exceptional finishes & amenities desired by today’s buyers.
INCREDIBLE PRIVACY
Fabulous property with 19 acres on Majestic Ox Yoke Lake with endless opportunities for all sports and hobbyist. Close to the Luce Line. Incredible soft contemporary updated home that can fit anyone’s needs. Steel pole building too.
CHANHASSEN END-UNIT TOWNHOME
Beautifully updated and maintained two bed, two bath one-level living townhome with inviting sun room and private views. Great location minutes from everyday amenities in downtown Chanhassen.
Candi & Scott Stabeck | 612-747-5863
Mimi Ryerse | 612-280-8284
The Hermann Group | 952-475-4912
SOUTH PLYMOUTH
WYNDEMERE – PLYMOUTH
WILD MEADOWS MEDINA
SOUTH Plymouth location on a pond and be able to walk your kids to Birchview Elementary, Central Middle School. This exceptional one-owner custom-built Pillar home sits on a private ½ acre wooded lot. 440 Upland Lane N. Pended $729,000
Wooded 1+ acre end of cul-de-sac location. Walk to Wayzata High School or Kimberly Lane. Custom floor plan with huge open kitchen, great room with stone fireplace, office. 4405 Jewel Ct. Pended $819,000
Premier conservation community in Wayzata Schools. Encompassing 345 acres & 150 homes w/200+ acres of open land w/trails, woods, wetlands & prairies. 115 Sunrise Court. Listed at $1,119,000 and Sold for $1,200,000.
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
FOXBERRY MEDINA
FOXBERRY MEDINA
FOXBERRY MEDINA
Amazing neighborhood in Wayzayta Schools. Heavily wooded lots. Tennis courts. Pickle ball. Explore a new neighborhood park.4587 Medina Lake Drive. Listed at $1,050,000 and Sold for $1,125,000
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
Another Foxberry Farms two-story in Medina. Sapcious walkout lower level. Main floor entertaining great room. Junior suite, Jack n’ Jill baths. 4235 Foxberry Court. Listed at $775,000 and Sold for $823,000
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
Another Foxberry Farms gem! Sold first day. Many homes here have pools. This one was extra special. Call Two-Story Pete. 875 Foxberry Farms Rd. Listed at $850,000 and Sold for $927,500
Pete Ice | 612-865-8533
Inspiration Begins in Our Dign Showr L E T ’ S C R E AT E Y O U R D R E A M S T O D AY
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O C TO B E R 2 02 1 “Make beauty a necessity, and that which is necessary, make beautiful.” –Helen Johnson, grandmother of Dureen Ruff
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DEPARTMENTS 16 — Family Business Keeps Rolling Youngstedts celebrates 50 years of automotive service.
18 — Things, People and Places YouTube channel focuses on the Lake Minnetonka community.
20 — Uncover, Discover and Explore Minnesota travel writer shares autumn day trip ideas.
24 — Flip Your Script How one woman’s drive for change inspires others to do the same.
FEATURES 29 — A Ghoulish Good Time Party planning ideas sure to make your monster mash a smash.
36 — Magnum Opus Miniaturist creates the homes of her imaginative dreams.
TASTEMAKERS 50 — Taste and Tango Argentinian restaurant expands to provide cultural experiences.
IN EVERY ISSUE 8 — Editor’s Letter 11 — Noteworthy 43 — On the Town 48 — Gallery 56 — Last Glance
PHOTOS: ZACH SUMNERS; CHRIS EMEOTT
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R.F. MOELLER Jeweler
Family owned & operated in the Twin Cities since 1951. 50th & France
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Highland Park
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RFMoeller.com LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
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A 70+ Year Legacy of Cra�smanship Remodel | New Build
3435 County Rd. 101 | Minnetonka | (952) 475-2097 | boyerbuilding.com
FALL into Fun
WEEKDAYS at 3PM co-host
Steve
Patterson
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OCTOBER 2021
co-host
Elizabeth
Ries
Celebrate the Joy and Wonder of the Season! Christmas Lighting designed & installed by Roof-to-Deck Decoration
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On the Cover Dureen Ruff, photo by Chris Emeott
PHOTO: TATE CARLSON
I saw a sign that read ‘20 Minutes 2x per week’ and thought of that were true, it would be perfect. I don’t have any more time than that. I started two years ago and the efficiency is as advertised!
esop is said to have stated, “Good things come in small packages.” As for great things—I think they sometimes arrive in bespoke miniature proportions. When Anne Marie Ruff Grewal of Wayzata reached out to me about an article idea for the magazine, her suggestion resonated with me a personal level. Let me explain. As the youngest of five girls, most of my toys lived a few lives before arriving in my toy chest. Understanding the downfalls of being “the last,” my Mom, also the youngest of five siblings, took special care to make some of my toys “new” or unique to me. In the weeks leading up to one Christmas, her sewing machine, crochet needles and acrylic paints came to life once I was in bed for the night. My gift that year was a refurbished dollhouse, complete with handmade curtains, hand-crocheted rugs, hand-painted wall art and wallpapered rooms. Tootsie Toy furniture replaced plastic dollhouse furniture, and a new “family” moved into the dollhouse. It was even decorated for Christmas with a lit tree festooned with tiny berries and properlywrapped gifts around its skirt. To complete the tableau, a cotton plume of “smoke” curled its way out of the faux brick chimney. It was a labor of her love. I loved it then, but I treasure the memory of it now. As a parent, who orchestrates Christmas in our house, I can’t image how my Mom found the bandwidth to add the dollhouse renovation to her holiday to-do list. This brings me to Dureen Ruff, Grewal’s mother. Ruff holds an interesting place in the world of miniatures. She created an unbelievable series of birdcages turned into miniature homes. They are magical and wonderful and the work of a woman who introduced her imagination to her lifelong artistic talent to come up with The Cage Series, which her children wrote about in a book as a tribute to their mother. Read about Ruff on page 36, and be prepared to be amazed and, hopefully, inspired to create your magnum opus. Until next time,
ESTABLISHED 1980
VOL. 17 NO. 5 lakeminnetonkamag.com
publisher SUSAN ISAY
editor RENÉE STEWART-HESTER
managing editor ANGELA JOHNSON
associate editor HAILEY ALMSTED
copy editor KELLIE DOHERTY
staff writers AVA DIAZ, MADELINE KOPIECKI, SAMANTHA DELEON
editorial interns JOHN DEIGNAN, HILARY KAUFMAN, KIRA SCHUKAR
editorial advisory board Jacqueline Getty, Minnetonka Public Schools Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Hennepin County Library-Excelsior 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 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
You’ll love your new look!
chief financial officer BILL NELSON
Lake Minnetonka Magazine 9877 AIRPORT ROAD N.E. 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. 2021. All rights reserved.
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NOTEWORTHY local tips, tidbits & insights
ARBORETUM HOSTS WORLD OF PUMPKINS. A P UMP KIN IS A P UM P KIN IS A P UM PK IN —well, not really. Discover why during the month
of October as the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presents the World of Pumpkins Display at the Oswald Visitor Center. The displays will include popular, heirloom, unusual and international pumpkins and squash (both ornamental and edible categories) in colors ranging from white to purple, orange to green and more. This year’s event will welcome, Carrie, Freddie, Igor, Thor, Scarface, Cronus, Hermes, Diablo and El Toro. White pumpkins, including Blanco, Shiver, Moonshine and Valenciano will be on hand. Grizzly Bear makes a
BY RENÉE STEWART-HESTER
return, and a series of fire-themed pumpkins, Fireball, Blaze, Flame and Spark, will be on deck, too. Jenny and John Thull (the arboretum’s pumpkin growers) planted about 290 varieties (pumpkins, squash and gourds) in arboretum fields. While they’ll be on display at the visitor center, some will be for sale at the AppleHouse in October.
For up-to-date reservation information, visit arb.umn.edu. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu
PHOTO BY SUSIE HOPPER
LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
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NOTEWORTHY
TAST E
Don’t skip a good, healthy breakfast. For many of us, some form of cereal is a staple in the morning meal rotation. Boxed cold cereals and precooked grains are convenient and can be particularly nutritious when done just right. The darling of the Internet, overnight oats, makes oatmeal easier than ever. It’s a simple, versatile and healthful recipe that’s portable, too. Another make-ahead idea for oatmeal-on-the-go is granola. Chocolate granola combines bittersweet chocolate, flax seeds and honey and is customizable with your choice of dried fruits and nuts. On its own or with a bit of yogurt or splash of milk, it’s a delicious and decadent way to start your day. But oatmeal isn’t the only grain worthy of breakfast status. Amaranth, barley, quinoa, bulgur, buckwheat and sorghum each offer unique textures and flavors, as well as special health benefits. They can be cooked ahead of time and allow for a lot of variety in breakfast bowls. A good ol’ box of cereal is not to be discounted. This fast breakfast-on-the-fly can get a health boost in a number of ways: • Add flavor, texture and boost nutrition with a few toss-ins, like fresh or dried fruit and nuts or seeds. • Mix flakes with granola or biscuit-like cereals, Os with bran buds or puffed grains with checkered grain squares. • Make a cereal smoothie by blending 1 cup each cereal, frozen fruit and dairy or non-dairy milk or yogurt. Find Perron’s recipes for overnight oats and chocolate granola on our website at lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.
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NATURE PROVIDES ITS OWN STORYLINE.
of pieces of life. These two stones are a reflection of how we carry the story of the Earth’s diversity in our cells, our body and our hearts.”
This mixed media painting had me thinking back to family excursions to the North Shore, where endless hours were spent searching for coveted agates along Lake Superior. Road maps, playing the alphabet game and breathtaking autumn leaves [were] bookmarked by the brilliant blue skies … Artist Colee Recke says, “We are not separate from nature. Each stone we see is a collection of stories, of places,
Artist: Colee Recke Title: Pieces and Pair Scale: 30x30 Medium: original mixed media (alcohol ink, acrylic ink/paint) on Yupo paper, mounted on wood panel and sealed with resin
Contributed by Hollie Blanchard; artgirlsmpls.com @art_girls_mpls Art Girls Minneapolis
PHOTO: KOWALSKI’S MARKET
VIE W
TOP PRODUCER LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
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FOLLOW THE WORK AND LOVE LIVES OF THREE BRITISH WOMEN.
Fans of WWII historical fiction, take note—The Rose Code by Kate Quinn is set on the British home front during WWII and follows three young women, who work at the highly-classified Bletchley Park. Osla, Mab and Beth are codebreakers, working to unravel the codes used by the Axis powers to help the Allied war effort, and, while they are each very different, they form a strong friendship as they balance the stress of their high-stakes work and the new personal and romantic relationships that form in their years at Bletchley Park. Quinn fluidly alternates between wartime and post-war storylines to keep readers guessing about what led to the betrayals that tore apart the women’s bond and provide resolution to a nicelywoven mystery. This is a great title for readers, who enjoy surprising real history that is balanced out with engaging characters and plot lines.
Raela Schoenherr is an editor at a Minnesota publishing company. Find her on Twitter at @raelaschoenherr.
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NOTEWORTHY
SIP
Shake or stir your way to a great cocktail.
Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Transportation, Training www.TopDogCountryClub.com (952)353-2600
Pour liquids into a cocktail shaker. Shake, and pour. Or add ingredients to a pitcher, stir and pour. Add orange peel for garnish.
Kevin Castellano, general manager at Wayzata Wine and Spirits, is a lake area wine and liquor expert. wayzatawineandspirits.com
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OCTOBER 2021
PHOTO: CHRIS EMEOTT
Located 20 minutes West of Lake Minnetonka
It’s time to prep for Halloween and Day of the Dead. This hearty cocktail pairs with colder weather, and it’s also great for entertaining. Shaken or stirred, here we go: Blood and Sand Cocktail »» ¾ oz. Scotch (Use a blended Scotch for lower proofs and smoother cocktails. There’s no need to break out the single malts.) »» ¾ oz. sweet vermouth »» ¾ oz. cherry Heering liqueur »» ¾ oz. freshly-squeezed orange juice »» orange, peel for garnish
ORGANI ZE
TACKLE THE TOP THREE “PROBLEM” AREAS TO ORGANIZE.
I am often contacted for help with three “problem” areas that are easily filled due to over-owning, forgetfulness or procrastination. Let’s get organized. Closets: Try the KonMari method, popularized by organizing expert Marie Kondo. Take items out of your closet (dressers, too), and put everything on top of your bed. Review each piece, and set aside items that do not fit or “spark joy” or are older than 10 years. Bag up the unwanted items, and deliver them to a local charity. Consider cutting up worn items to use as rags. Put the remaining items back in your closet, grouping by color. Pantries: Toss out expired items. Identify products that you have in abundance or do not plan to use, and drop them off at a food bank. Group the remaining items by category (i.e. soups with soup, pasta with pasta). Place grouped items in storage bins, labeling for easy identification. I recommend putting flour, sugar, rice and beans in airtight containers. Garage: Back out your car(s), and mark off three sections on the floor or driveway, using painter’s tape. Label the sections “donate,” “ keep” and “junk haulers.” Start on one end of the garage, and work your way around. Don’t forget items stored in the rafters or attic. After you donate items and have the junk hauled away, assess what type of storage system and bins you need.
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OFFERED AT $1,050,000 5 BED, 5 BATH, APPROX. 6,100 FSF*
PRICE UPON REQUEST 5 BED, 5 BATH, APPROX. 5,990 FSF
Custom-built in 2013. Welcoming oversized front porch, fabulous floorplan, inviting entry, two main floor offices, and tons of storage throughout. 4 bedrooms up, sport court, and community association pool & clubhouse.
Exclusive family compound. Soaring vaults and 27’ bi-fold doors that effortlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces. Bonus detached matching 4-car garage with the ability to hold eight cars with lift.
*Sport court included in square footage.
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OFFERED AT $1,850,000 4 BED, 6 BATH, APPROX. 4,600 FSF
OFFERED AT $2,695,000 4 BED, 6 BATH, APPROX. 5,400 FSF*
Jyland custom-built cedar shake cottage in Cottagewood USA! Private main floor master suite, executive office, gorgeous chef style kitchen, soaring stone fireplace. Lower level rec room that walks out to the pool and spa, and much more!
Entertainers dream home on Lake Minnetonka. Approximately 100ft of lakeshore, an indoor pool, spa, sauna, exercise room, and home theatre; this is the complete package! *Pool room not included in square footage.
TRUSTED REAL ESTATE EXPERT 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
Take 15 minutes a day to accomplish your goal. You will be amazed by how much you can get done. Put on a timer, and get started!
Kira Vanderlan operates a decluttering, organizing, staging and design company. zestfuldesign.com kira@zestfuldesign.com
Search for homes on our mobile app: Lake Minnetonka Homes
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THEN AND NOW
Family Business Keeps Rolling Youngstedts celebrates 50 years of automotive service.
“WOULDN’T TRUST MY FAMILY’S VEHICLES TO ANYONE ELSE,” says
a customer of 27 years with Youngstedts, according to a Google review—one out of hundreds that are left by returning and new customers who trust Youngstedts with their vehicles. The family is celebrating 50 years of being in business. Going back to 1967 when Larry Youngstedt worked for Standard Oil as a sales representative, he was presented with an opportunity to purchase a Bloomington Standard Oil in 1970 with a partner and began running his own station. In 1971, Larry sold his share in the Bloomington station and
bought a Hopkins station to be closer to his Minnetonka home and later opened his first tire and auto repair center in Hopkins in 1975. Almost two decades later, Larry’s son, Steve Youngstedt, took over as CEO in 1991 and is now celebrating 50 years of being in business with 14 locations (including Excelsior, Minnetonka and Wayzata) in the western Metro of the Twin Cities and two locations in Eau Claire, Wisc. “I’m proud of my dad, who started this company in 1971. That has afforded so many opportunities for my family and our employees over the past 50 years,” Steve says. With a family of his own BY SAMANTHA DELEON
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OCTOBER 2021
(sons Ian and Alex and daughter, Emma), there’s opportunity for a third generation of Youngstedts to take its turn behind the company’s steering wheel. As the business continues to grow, Steve says he looks forward to watching his kids develop and carry on their core value of taking care of the families that support the business. Jenny Mattiacci, who does marketing for all Youngstedts locations, says Youngstedts’ employees are valued by the business and the family. “In those 50 years, we have employees who are celebrating 20 to 30 years with the company,” she says. She says Larry, who is
PHOTOS: ZACH SUMNERS; YOUNGSTEDTS
A special visit from the Goodyear Blimp to celebrate Youngstedts’ 50 years in business: Larry Youngstedt coming off the Goodyear Blimp.
First Service Station: Larry Youngstedt in front of his first service station in Hopkins.
now in his 80s, makes a point to come in and personally sign and deliver employee paychecks. Steve says he remembers his dad always saying, “Happy employees make happy customers.” One of those employees, Brian Try, has been with the company for 20 years. He started out changing oil and tires. During his tenure, he learned more about the trade and moved his way up to general manager for Youngstedts. “It’s like working for your family,” he says. Try says the company’s leadership values hard work and knows how to treat its employees. “They have allowed me to grow to this level,” he says, “I have so much appreciation for that.” To mark the golden anniversary, Mattiacci says there will be celebratory activities at each location. For complete information, visit youngstedts.com.
OR
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Youngstedts @youngstedts @youngstedts
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FACES
Things, People and Places YouTube channel focuses on the Lake Minnetonka community.
MIKE POLIS CONSIDERS HIMSELF TO BE A SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR.
From owning a marketing business and a screen print shop to now working as a real estate agent in the Wayzata area, Polis has amassed a Rolodex of fellow entrepreneurs over the years. “I was self-employed for 12 years, and I’ve [come] across some really cool people with some really cool brands,” says Polis, Lake Minnetonka Magazine Advisory Board member. As he became familiar with the stories behind area brands and businesses, like Sota Clothing Co and Gray Duck Vodka, Polis began wanting to share these stories. When Polis initially launched his YouTube channel, Things|People|Places, he had 15 shoots
lined up with Twin Cities businesses. Two weeks later, Minnesota’s stay-athome order started. “I had set up all the stuff I needed ... I had my channel all established, the announcement of my first video, and, all of a sudden, we get the stay at home,” he says. Without knowing how long the order would last, Polis had to pivot his channel or put things on pause. “I started to do a few things just revolving around my life, my interests with diving out on Lake Minnetonka,” he says. From treasure diving and snorkeling to wintertime snowmobile rides, Polis documented the broad scope of outdoor activities Minnesota and the Lake Minnetonka area have to offer. While the reception to these new videos was positive, Polis decided he needed BY MADELINE KOPIECKI
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OCTOBER 2021
to rebrand his Things|People|Places channel to reflect the shift in focus. The mikeypolis channel revolves around Polis and his life in vlog-style content, but Polis kept the entrepreneurial focus with a Things|People|Places segment within the mikeypolis channel. “The whole point of the daily vlog is trying to get people to go outside and try new things,” Polis says. He’s documented himself doing a number of new things from noodling around on a longboard to finally trying ice fishing for the first time after years of wanting to get out on a frozen lake. Polis says the message he’s trying to convey with the vlogs is that you don’t have to be a lifelong skateboarder to try picking it up; you don’t have to be an
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expert golfer with a two handicap to get out on the links and take a few swings. “I’m trying as many new things as I can,” Polis says, adding, “It’s just getting out there and trying it.” With COVID restrictions lifted, Polis has resumed filming his Things|People|Places segment. “I have 22 businesses and entrepreneurs lined up,” he says, noting that it’s going to be a busy next couple of months. “There’s a lot of really unique businesses in our own backyard; those are the stories I want to tell.”
Kam Talebi
Jeff Wessels
Owner, Brit’s Pub
President/COO, Crown Bank
“What is great about Crown is that I truly consider them a partner in my business.” —kam talebi
Owner, Brit’s pub, kaskaid hospitality
Two weeks after purchasing Brit’s Pub they were forced to shut down due to the pandemic. Through the difficult months that followed, Crown Bank was there, thinking outside the box to support their client and ensure they came back stronger than ever. If you have a business eager to grow, give us a call. See more stories like this at crown-bank.com.
@mikey.polis mikeypolis
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TRAVEL
Uncover, Discover and Explore MINNESOTA TRAVEL WRITER SHARES AUTUMN DAY TRIP IDEAS.
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OCTOBER 2021
BY SAMANTHA DELEON
FALL CREATES A PERFECT CHANCE to hit the road to enjoy stun-
ning seasonal changes. Kristen Glazer, a Minnesota-based travel writer who loves exploring the state, offers recommendations for discovering a few hidden gems, places that offer sightseeing through the lens of unique small town charm.
Montgomery
Just 45 miles south of Minneapolis, Montgomery is a small town nestled among some of the richest farmlands in the state. “I love Montgomery because I feel like it’s the definition of a hidden gem,” Glazer says. She recommends a visit to the Montgomery Orchard to pick homegrown apples, taste fresh apple cider made on-site and enjoy eats from a local food truck, and kids get their kicks at the kid-friendly corn maze. Don’t miss Franke’s Bakery, a traditional Czech bakery that has been around since 1914 and is run by a third generation brother and sister duo. The bakery features cookies, breads and doughnuts, but it’s best known for its kolacky—a Czech fruit-filled roll that comes in several flavor varieties. This treat takes center stage at the town’s annual Kolacky Days Festival, held annually during the last weekend of July. Glazer also recommends Pizzeria 201, known for its wood-fired pizzas. Thirsty? Montgomery Brewery is located downtown (near the bakery and pizzeria). Photo op tip: Take photos in front of the town’s painted mural (by Victor Garcia), which depicts the town in the late 1800s.
PHOTOS: KRISTEN GLAZER
Red Wing
Home to world-famous Red Wing Shoes, the city boasts historic sites and an abundance of outdoor activities. When you’re making plans to stay, Glazer recommends the historic St. James Hotel. The building was built in 1875. The lower level has several shops and restaurants, and a rooftop bar overlooks the Mississippi River. Glazer recommends hiking through Barn Bluff, along the Mississippi River. The bluff, she notes, is considered sacred by the Dakota tribe due to its many burial mounds. Hike to the top of the bluff, Glazer says, for an incredible view in every direction. In the fall, the river and changing colors of the leaves are a sight to behold. Also visit Levee Park
LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
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Franconia Sculpture Park
Red Wing
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OCTOBER 2021
Your Residential & Lakeshore Specialists
that offers a trail system, large trees, seating and spectacular views of the Mississippi River. “I recommend having a picnic up there; you can either bring your own food or grab something from in town,” Glazer says. Main street offers plenty of food options. Also consider the Red Wing Brewery, known for its pizzas and calzones. If you prefer wine, head to Falconer Vineyards, which is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. Given the popularity of Red Wing Pottery, it’s not surprising that the Pottery Museum of Red Wing has over 6,000 vintage pieces of artisan-crafted pottery with some pieces dating back to the 1800s. Bonus: Museum entry is free. Don’t leave town without a stop to the Uffda Shop, which sells authentic Scandinavian gifts and goodies.
Alex & Ben Dzurik Team@DzurikPropertyTwins.com
612-500-6929
Woodland - Lake Minnetonka
www.DzurikPropertyTwins.com
Lake lover’s dream home with a resort lifestyle. Updated open concept with vaulted ceilings.
Taylors Falls
Don’t let the 1,000 population fool you; there’s plenty to see and do. Glazer stayed at the Wannigan Point Cabins, located just outside downtown. Each unique cabin has an outdoor grill and deck. Ready to hit the road? Glazer recommends the Interstate State Park, sitting along the St. Croix River. Paths go deep into the woods and over to sandstone cliffs and is a popular place for rock climbers. “With the river moving fast through this area, it’s just really beautiful,” she says. Visitors can enjoy riverboat rides with Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tour that’s been serving sightseers since 1906. Glazer says there’s a whole lot of quirky in this town, including the seasonal Drive-In that has been around since 1956. The 1950s-style drive-in includes carhops, poodle skirts and nostalgic music. From burgers to root beer floats, enjoy dining right in your car. Consider Juneberry Café, which spotlights local, sustainable food with organic ingredients and is a great grab-and-go spot. (The state park is right across the street.) Franconia Sculpture Park is only 11 minutes away and has 43 acres of rotating outdoor art installations. Glazer says there are usually about 120 sculptures by well-known and emerging artists. “I love it because it’s weird, funky and free. So, it can’t get better than that combo,” she says. For more travel stories and resources, visit expeditionkristen.com.
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ENLIGHTEN
Flip Your Script How one woman’s drive for change inspires others to do the same.
LIFE’S TURNING POINTS ARE RARELY PLANNED nor expected.
Almost over the night, the pandemic served as a critical turning point that changed not only many lives, but the world as we knew it. Despite its hardships, some people flipped the script on their careers. Kristi Piehl understands career transitions, as she went from working as an Emmy-winning journalist
to founder and CEO of Media Minefield, a public relations firm, and host of the podcast Flip Your Script. Using her turning point of being unexpectedly laid off in 2008, Piehl found herself at a crossroads. Along with courage and motivation, she created the podcast to help people find the inspiration to move forward and rewrite their stories. “It was about a passion project, to share
BY SAMANTHA DELEON
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OCTOBER 2021
stories and help other people,” Piehl says. By following her dream, she grew her business and podcast amid the pandemic. When news broke about the pandemic, Piehl had just arrived in Grenada for spring break. Immediately boarding the last flight back to the U.S., she jumped on conference calls with her leadership team and decided the number one priority for all their clients was to keep
PHOTO BY BRUCE SILCOX
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n our ever-automated world, it is still possible to get personalized, professional service. The staff at Minnesota Lakes Bank is more interested in relationships than transactions. Minnesota Lakes Bank is locally owned and locally managed, a premiere banking institution that can provide the same or better technology and products as any Wallstreet mega-bank but with the added benefit of localized, personal service. President and CEO Noah Wilcox is a fourth-generation community banker who was born and raised in this area and understands the community and how the lake contributes to the local culture and economy. “My family has been in banking for 100 years,” says Wilcox. “In our centennial year, Wilcox Bancshares, Inc. made the acquisition of Minnesota Lakes Bank to preserve local banking as an option for the people of the Lake Minnetonka area. We are committed to being an independent community bank that’s in it for the long haul. We hope to be around for another hundred years.” That community commitment is also evident in Minnesota Lakes Bank’s philanthropy, support of community events and countless hours of local volunteer service. A customer even once asked Wilcox why his team does so much for the community. His answer will always be, “Because community banking is our business model. We are different from the mega-banks and credit unions. Part of that difference is how we encourage our staff to give back in ways they feel benefit 28 OCTOBER 2021
the community. That mindset is also part of how we attract the best and brightest talent.” Minnesota Lakes Bank services most every banking need like financing boats, homes and cars. But their experts are especially good at small business lending because they understand that no two businesses are alike and that customized options are superior to forced cookie-cutter loans. “Our loan decisions are made locally and quickly,” says Wilcox. “Unlike big banks that are bogged down by bureaucracy, we are very nimble and able to move things along. At the end of the day, we are a small business just like our customers. So, we understand their needs and do our best to be a partner for them.”
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CONCEPTS, COCKTAILS AND DECOR COURTESY SERGE + JANE
We dissect a brain full of party planning ideas sure to make your monster mash a smashing success.
A Goulish Good Time PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT
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CONCEPT 1 T H E A L C H E M I S T/ M A D S C I E N T I S T G O W I T H A P OT H E C A RY T H E M E D D E CO R A N D A N A N AT O M I C A L G A R N I S H B A R .
30 OCTOBER 2021
CUSTOM COCKTA I LS:
SYRINGE-FILLED DIRTY SHIRLEY COCKTAIL (adult-version of the classic Shirley Temple mocktail) Ingredients • 2 shots top shelf vodka • Sprite or other lemon/lime carbonated pop, or substitute in ginger ale for less sweetness • syringe of local Jinx Tea ruby red punch (available in crawlers, growlers and more at Jinx Tea) • grenadine and bourbon cocktail cherries, optional Instructions: Pour two shots of vodka into a glass, and top with ice and pop of choice. Place syringe in a glass until ready to serve. Optional: Skeleton garnish board with cherries, olives, lemons, limes, orange peels and more
BLOODY RUM PUNCH (a take on the traditional sangria) Ingredients • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle light rum • 1/2 (750-milliliter) bottle red wine • 3/4 cup triple sec • 3/4 cup freshly-squeezed lime juice, (approx. 6 limes) • 3/4 cup simple syrup (We used Prohibition Reserve, sugar free.) • 2 limes, sliced into wheels • 2 red oranges, sliced into wheels (We included blackberries, raspberries and blueberries to create the crown.) Instructions: In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine all ingredients, including lime and orange slices. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving (overnight is better). Rim glassware with spooky, sugary cocktail rimmer. Optional: Serve with large skull ice mold.
32 OCTOBER 2021
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CONCEPT 3 ARACHNOPHOBIA 2 0 2 0 WA S T H E Y E A R O F T H E B AT S ; M A K E 2021 THE YEAR OF THE SPIDERS!
Contributors: Sugar skull charcuterie board by @grazelocalmn, grazelocalmn.com. Spider cake pops by local teen baker Maisy James of @_maisybakes, maisymade.com. Jinx tea punch @jinx.tea, jinxtea.com 34 OCTOBER 2021
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C USTO M CO C KTA IL:
ROCK CANDY CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
(Halloween version of a French 75 with a sidecar of a whisky ginger alcohol gummy) Instructions: Garnish Champagne flute with a gummy and stick of rock candy. Pour Champagne or prosecco into the flute, and watch what happens!! (Consider using Halloween colors for better results.)
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MAGNUM OPUS MINIATURIST CREATES THE HOMES OF HER IMAGINATIVE DREAMS.
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OCTOBER 2021
STORY BY RENÉE STEWART HESTER . PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT
At first blush, one would think their story began with a chance meeting in Oakland, Calif. She— a Parisian designer. He—an aspiring novelist from Normandy. Their histoire d’amour appears to travel to a private French island, a quaint village in Provence, Victorian San Francisco and the fjords of Norway. In reality, Renee and Philippe’s affaire de cœur began in the creative mind of Plymouth’s Dureen Ruff, an artisan of miniatures and creator of The Cage Series, a quintet of bird cages turned into miniature homes at the hands of Ruff’s impeccable research, attention to detail and artistic acumen. Every artist needs a muse, and the fictional lives of Renee and Philippe provided Ruff with the aspirational foundation for her bird cage series, created from 1999–2003. To understand the story of Ruff ’s creations, one must start nearly at the beginning. In the 1960s, Ruff, under the artist’s name of d. Anne, created small paintings and sculptures, which were sold at Marion Nellermoe’s Gift Shop in Wayzata and in Minneapolis’ Uptown area. Move a decade ahead, and she had a two-year exclusive deal with The Children’s Shop in Wayzata and White Bear Lake, where her handcrafted upholstered miniature furniture was sold. Dayton’s also sold the line, as did Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Her work was later sold at countrywide trade shows, to which she’d travel to as many as 8-10 shows a year. A global mail order business also carried Ruff ’s products, and some can still be found online through her Etsy site and other collectors. Ruff developed a number of processes for creating miniature elements, and she later offered kits that helped other miniaturists create items themselves. Ruff ’s Pretty Pleat Pleater, which aids in pleating fabric for miniature curtains, is still available for purchase. Wayzata offered Ruff another creative avenue in 1999 by way of an upscale furniture shop, where she spotted a $200, two-story wood and metal birdcage nesting alone on a top shelf. “I looked at it, and I thought I could create two rooms in that birdcage,” she says. Six weeks later La Cage de l’Ile was created and sold for thousands of dollars to a buyer from British Columbia during a miniatures trade show in Chicago. The next year, her Chateau La Cage Chambre d’Hote sold at a Philadelphia trade show to a buyer from Wheeling, W. Va.—for double the price of the first cage. Understand—these miniature homes are not your standard dollhouses. They are truly works of art, with Ruff meticulously researching the cages’ locales, including historical references and décor styles (color stories, furniture styles and the like). A third buyer queued up for La Cage Atelier even before Ruff began working on it. Now is where the story becomes a bit more personal. “By the time I had finished it, I felt, this is me … I sim-
ply couldn’t sell it,” Ruff says. Her husband, Rick, encouraged her to call the buyer, who graciously understood Ruff ’s reluctance and offered to purchase the next cage. But, that sale never came to pass. Ruff went on to create three more cages, all of which are now on display in her home. “There was so much of me in them that I just couldn’t part with them,” she says. “As I walk around and look at them, I remember all the decisions I made while decorating them.” While she’s traveled extensively, Ruff does live a bit vicariously through Renee and Philippe and their dreamy dwellings. “I look at the cages and think of my characters and how they relate,” she says. The idea of the couple was borne during the creation of the first cage. “As I was putting it together, I thought, ‘Who would live in this?’ I created that little story about them,” Ruff says. Since they once lived so deeply within her imagination and creative forces, does Ruff “miss” Renee and Philippe? “No,” she says. “They are still sort of sitting in my memory. Their stories are still with me in the cages that I have.” Artists, at times, suffer regret over creative decisions. As Ruff sees the fruits of her labors on a daily basis, does she, too, have some urges to “renovate” the birdcages? “No,” she says. “I can answer that very firmly. I like the way I did them.”
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It’s interesting to consider where one’s creative force originates. “I’ve been interested in drawing and doing creative things ever since I was a little girl,” Ruff says. “It’s just who I am. We are all given certain talents or interests, and that one has been with me since I was young.” Given her successful career in the world of miniatures, one is curious to know if Ruff had a dollhouse growing up in Grand Forks, N.D. Surprisingly, she didn’t. “I used boxes [butter boxes and other food containers] and created the little rooms as a child,” she says. “My grandmother [Helen Johnson] taught me how to sew, so fabrics were always part of my life.” Ruff adds, “I came into this world with a particular creativity pattern, so I enjoyed … anything I could make with my hands.”
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M INI AT URE M AST ERP I EC E S To celebrate Ruff’s 90th birthday last February, her children Sue Wellman, Kris Ruff, Steve Ruff and Anne Marie Ruff Grewal wrote Miniature Masterpieces: The Cage Series (Open Door Press), a tribute to their mother’s artistic magnum opus. “… as we started to look more closely at the cages and the photographs, we realized that we had never looked at them in such detail,” Grewal says. “We were really glad to have the opportunity to see our mother’s work a bit more objectively and really appreciate what remarkable works of art she had made.” “We gained a new respect for her talents,” Kris Ruff says, also noting that, “Her creativity was definitely a big influence on all of us.” “Having this book is just thrilling to me,” Ruff says. “It’s a beautiful book.” While it certainly is a treasured family keepsake, miniature enthusiasts might find it to be a wonderful addition to their collections. ($49.95 on esty.com) The book not only visually highlights The Cage Series, it also provides a closer look at each structure and shines a brighter light on Renee and Philippe’s life together. While that section reads much like a treatment for a miniseries or feature film, Ruff prefers that Renee and Philippe live not on the silver screen, but tucked away in her imagination.
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“I’ve been interested in drawing and doing creative things ever since I was a little girl. It’s just who I am. We are all given certain talents or interests, and that one has been with me since I was young.” Dureen Ruff
La Cage de l’Ile— Island retreat On their honeymoon, Renee and Philippe purchase a rundown two-story structure on a private French island. They turn it into a retreat, where Philippe writes, and Renee taps into her creativity. The décor includes Chippendalestyle upholstered furniture to reflect Renee’s French background, and a bamboostyle armoire holds Philippe’s collection of rare first-edition books. Note: The upholstered second-story dome replicates a treatment Ruff used on the walls of her own master bedroom, and the sitting room’s architectural books and magazines are reproductions of actual reference materials she used for the project.
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Chateau La Cage Chambre d’Hote–Bed and breakfast Philippe’s Aunt Sophie converted her chateau in Provence into a bed and breakfast, and she asked the couple to create a cage-style structure for her garden. It is used as a bridal cottage for couples renting Sophie’s chateau for weddings. Guests will find ceramic roosters and chickens from Sophie’s collection. Note: The top of the dresser features a painted faux marble finish, which is a tribute to Ruff’s grandfather, who used the technique in public buildings that he was commissioned to paint in North Dakota.
La Cage Atelier– Renee’s design studio Renee had a dream of starting her own design firm. Once the sales of Philippe’s novels took off, they were well able to afford such an endeavor, and she left the employ of the House of Fortuny, the venerable Italian fabric house. The venue had been a pastry shop, and renovation revealed that the original ceilings had been elaborately painted by a local artist in 1763. Note: This piece reflects some of Ruff’s passions, including the second story’s blue and white porcelain objets d’art. She also loves fabrics, bolts of which are placed in a second-story room.
La Cage Victoriana– San Francisco pied-à-terre Renee’s former colleague and her husband commissioned Renee to renovate a gardener’s cottage behind a Victorian home, which is now a growing architectural firm. Renee employs deep red and soft cream colors. The structure’s interior is inspired by American writer Edith Wharton. Note: The crossword puzzle book and dictionary at the small bedroom table are a wink to Ruff’s daily crossword puzzle habit.
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La Cage Norge– Norwegian stabbur Renee and Philippe visit Renee’s mother, Monique, who lives on her new husband’s farm in Norway. The couple stays in a traditional stabbur, which has been converted into a guest cabin. Plot twist: Renee and Philippe announce the impending arrival of their baby. The stabbur features traditional Norwegian color schemes, décor and alcove box beds. Note: The framed photograph on the shelf in one of the alcoves is Ruff’s grandmother Helen Johnson. The Singer sewing machine is much like the one Johnson used to sew Ruff’s clothing.
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Former Owners of 45 years Lowell and Phyllis Schaper and current Owners Esther & Frank Weigel
Fall Season 2021 September 4 - October 31 Weekend Attractions:
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• • • • • •
Animal Barn Apple Launcher Face Painting Kids Scavenger Hunt Apple Express Train October Halloween Activities • Pumpkin Patch (in Oct.)
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OCTOBER 2021
ON THE TOWN things to see and do around Lake Minnetonka
HIGHTAIL IT TO HALLOWEEN Wayzata hosts the annual Boo Bash Dash. BY KIRA SCHUKAR
PHOTOS: GREATER WAYZATA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
G R A B YO U R S N E A K E RS,
and start training for the Wayzata Boo Bash Dash. Added to the Wayzata Boo Bash itinerary in 2018, the annual run will return from a year-long hiatus on October 30. Events include the Family Fun Run, Competitive Lake Street Mile, 5K Start and 10K Shotgun Start. Beginning at 9 a.m., races will kick off from the great lawn in front of The Hotel Landing. Families, spectators and runners can enjoy food catered from a local restaurant, available near the start and finish line. Street parking will be available near the great lawn, as well as in the Mill Street ramp. Starting at 11 a.m., local businesses will open their doors for trick-or-treaters. Don’t forget the costume contest and pumpkin derby. Register online or day-of; visit boobashdash.wayzatachamber. com for updates and complete event information.
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ON THE TOWN
Compiled by John Deignan, Hilary Kaufman and Kira Schukar
Fire Prevention Open House and Safety Fair
All participants will receive one free beer token, and guests can play to win giftcards for Unmapped Brewing. Register online before the event. All
ages. Free. 6:30–9 p.m. Unmapped Brewing Co., 14625 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.285.4444; mnfin.eventbrite.com
A R E A E V E N TS
1–2 Magic Unmasked Join The Southern Theater as Kristoff the Magician escorts his audience through a night of illusions and laughter. Known across the country for his parlor and stage magic, Kristoff proves that magic isn’t just for kids. All ages.
Ticket prices vary. 6:30 p.m. The Southern Theater, 1420 S. Washington Ave., Mpls.; 612.326.1811; southerntheater.org
1–31 Celebrating Trees
2 Get Out and Grow Fall Festival Have fun in the great outdoors at the St. David’s Center annual Get Out and Grow Fall Festival. Packed with activities for kids of all ages and abilities, the festival encourages families to enjoy the outdoors. This year, the festival will feature pumpkin bowling, inflatable mini golf, a petting zoo and free lunch for kids aged 10 and under.
All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. St. David’s Center, 3395 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka; 952.939.0396; stdavidcenter.org
3 Sunday Music in the Park: Westwind Swing Band Pull up a chair and enjoy the sound of the Westwind Swing Band. Specializing in the arrangements of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Artie Shaw, the Westwind Swing Band has been performing for Twin Cities audiences since 2015. All ages. Free. 4:30–
5:30 p.m. The Great Lawn in front of the Hotel Landing, 851 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.473.9595; wayzatachamber.com
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OCTOBER 2021
7 Fire Prevention Open House and Safety Fair Meet Excelsior’s firefighting team and tour the station at this year’s open house. From demonstrations and firetruck rides to fire extinguisher inspections, this event has activities and safety tips for all. All ages. Free.
5:30–8 p.m. Excelsior Fire Department Station No. 1, 24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood; 952.401.8801; excelsiorfire.org
Delight in nature-inspired art at the Andersen Horticultural Library’s fourth annual Flora & Fauna Illustrata Exhibit. This long-term project documents the hundreds of plant and animal species that live in the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum through scientifically accurate artwork. All ages. $15
entry fee for nonmembers. Times vary. Skyway Gallery, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.301.1239; arb.umn.edu
10 Sunday Music in the Park: Wailing Loons Join fellow music lovers for this year’s final Sunday Music in the Park. For its closing concert, Wayzata Parks and Trails has invited the Wailing Loons, a Minneapolisbased folk rock band featuring a banjo, an upright bass and a fiddle. All ages. Free. 4:30–5:30 p.m.
The Great Lawn in front of the Hotel Landing, 851 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.473.9595; waytatachamber.com
14 Minnesota Financial Resources Cribbage Series Enjoy free beer and cribbage at the MFR Cribbage Series, held at Unmapped Brewing Co. in Minnetonka.
Minnesota Financial Resources Cribbage Series
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ON THE TOWN
2 Salon du Livre Venez à Solon du Livre, hosted by the Alliance Française in Minneapolis. This celebration of French literature features Francophone authors, professors and librarians from the Twin Cities Metro area and beyond. Presenters will speak in both French and English.
All ages. Free. 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Alliance Française MSP, 227 Colfax Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.332.0436; afmsp.org
8–9 Twin Cities Oktoberfest Save the date for the eleventh Twin Cities Oktoberfest. The two-day festival celebrates German culture and community with performances of traditional German dance, music and food. Try potato pancakes or bratwurst while you explore the event. The festival will also feature beer and cider from four Minnesota breweries and cideries. All ages. Free to attend. Times
vary. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1621 Randall Ave., St. Paul; tcoktoberfest.com
Tails on the Trails
10 Minneapolis Vintage Market Join the Twin Cities community for a monthly marketplace that sells vintage treasures and clothes. The market features a rotating cast of vendors every month and is organized by the same team that runs the Minneapolis Craft Market. The market is mobile and changes venues each month. All ages. Free to
attend. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Machine Shop, 300 Second St. SE; mplsvintagemarket.com
10 Tails on the Trails Take your dog for a walk on the trails of Hansen Park while you visit nonprofit vendor booths and see special dog-related demonstrations. Pose with your dog in a photo-booth, enjoy a quick and fun “doga” (dog yoga!) workout and enter your dog into one of the dog-related competitions, such as “dog and owner look-alike.” Free. All
ages. 1–4 p.m. Hansen Park, 1555 Fifth St. N.W., New Brighton; mnbassetrescue.com
18 Acoustic Jam Session Utepils Brewery welcomes singers and songwriters to a relaxing acoustic jam session. Rather than performing on stage, musicians will gather in a circle and take turns leading a song of their choice in this collaborative musical space. All ages. Free. 6:30–9:30
p.m. Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.249.7800; utepilsbrewing.com
22 Heather Land: The Age Gap Tour Comedienne, author and singer Heather Land hits the road following her virtual comedy show, A Quarantine Christmas. Sharing stories about failed diets and raising teenagers in her blended household in Nashville, Tenn., Heather takes her frustrations and turns them into funny anecdotes.
All ages. Ticket prices vary. 8 p.m. The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.338.2674; thecedar.org
23 Pumpkin Night in the Park 2021 Bring the entire family out to experience enchanted trails, glowing pumpkins, exciting entertainment, delicious food and more. All ages. $10. 5–9 p.m.
Springbrook Nature Center, 100 85th Ave. N.W., Fridley; springbrooknaturecenter.org
23 Alloy Fall Market Fair Visit the Alloy Brewing Company’s second fall market. Enjoy a day of food and shopping to welcome the holiday season. There will be a variety of local crafters and artists for an amazing shopping experience.
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.
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All ages. Free. Noon–6 p.m. Alloy Brewing Company, 2700 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids; alloybrewingcompany.com
The story of a
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When we set out to create our Signature pasta sauce, we thought, “How hard can it be?” But from the moment we sipped the first taste from
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It needed to be as bright as the Mediterranean sun. It needed to bubble with the delicate depth of a Puccini opera – composed of only a few notes, yet performed with overwhelming beauty and power. It needed to sweep you off your feet, only to break your heart like a wave against the cliffs of Polignano a Mare. It needed to fill the air like the songs from the gondolas
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the kitchen have made our pasta sauce one of the most popular items in yours. Not all of our Signature items take three years to perfect. But no matter how long it takes, we work tirelessly to bring you the best, so that whenever you see the Kowalski’s name on it, you’ll know all of our food is made with the same level of care and craft.
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GALLERY PHOTOS BY THE FIREFLY SISTERHOOD
THE FIREFLY SISTERHOOD HOSTS LIVE LIKE IT’S SPRING EVENT
The Firefly Sisterhood’s first annual Live Like It’s Spring event was held on Mother’s Day in downtown Wayzata and featured information materials, a beverage stand and brunch to go for attendees. The fundraising event was held in support of the nonprofit organization, which connects women facing breast cancer with inspirational survivors. Call 612.412.7713 for additional information, or visit fireflysisterhood.org for details. To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos and contact information, and a brief description of the event, to lakeminnetonkamag@tigeroak.com.
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LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
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TASTEMAKERS
Taste and Tango Argentinian restaurant expands to provide cultural experiences. BY AVA DIAZ
50 OCTOBER 2021
PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT
KE EP IN G A BUSIN ESS OP EN
under the best of circumstances is challenging. Add in a pandemic, and you have a recipe for revenue reduction and even closure. For Minnetonka’s DelSur Empanadas, it tangoed its way into enlarging the restaurant and offering cultural experiences. After three years in operation, DelSur expanded its original location into the adjoining space to provide immersive experiences and accommodate more diners. Featuring a new dining area, a patio and a larger kitchen, DelSur offers space for customers to experience different aspects of Argentinian culture. “More than just making it a part of our business, we are just promoting aspects of our culture and introducing something else about Argentina to the community,” says Diego Montero, co-owner. “We are featuring more things of our culture from the music, the sports and having the space for people to gather. It is all super exciting and rewarding.” Launching the business online in 2014, fellow Argentine Nicolas Nikolov and Montero began selling empanadas and Argentinian comfort food to close friends and family. An appreciative following developed, so they upgraded in 2016 to a food truck that operated out of local breweries, which lead to the opening of the first brick-and-mortar location in Minnetonka in 2018. A second location opened this summer at The Market at Malcom Yards in Minneapolis. With the larger footprint, DelSur hopes to offer tango performances and dance classes, to be taught by professional instructors. As the soul of Argentinian culture and a common social activity, the tango at its root is a style of music that is typically accompanied by dance. If there is another Argentinian passion that rivals the tango, it might be football (soccer). In any culture, food brings people together, and sports can, as well. Fostering a sense of community, DelSur’s new event space is home to a variety of watch-party gatherings. In addition to viewing inseason matches for La Selección (also
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TASTEMAKERS
known as La Albiceleste), Argentina’s national team, DelSur also plans to host World Cup events (next is in 2022). For those who love one of the United States’ mostwatched sports, football (American), it also plans to host Super Bowl parties.
SAVOR THE FLAVOR
As a traditional Argentinian comfort food, the empanada is a tasty and convenient treat that is comparable to an Italian calzone. Translating to “wrapped in dough,” this South American staple consists of a pocket of baked or fried pastry that is stuffed
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with a variety of savory fillings, including meat and vegetables. Priding itself in sourcing fresh, authentic cuisine, DelSur bakes its empanadas to keep them light in texture and adhere to true homecooked flavor. “There are not many Argentinian places, so there is uniqueness not only for the food itself because it is not something that you find on every corner, but also we make everything from scratch and inhouse,” Montero says. Staying true to the traditional process of creating these tasty handhelds, Montero says that they like
“More than just making it a part of our business, we are just promoting aspects of our culture and introducing something else about Argentina to the community.” Diego Montero, at right
to get creative with the varieties of fillings for an elevated twist on classic Argentinian flavors. Regularly offering 15 (8-10 at a time) varieties, DelSur rotates in two features every other week (Fridays and Saturdays) as a way to experiment with trends in modern cuisine (such as the breakfast or BBQ chicken empanadas) and introduce new flavors that coincide with the seasons. The most popular (and traditional) order is a beef empanada, which is inspired by the flavors of the Argentinian province of Salta, located in the northwest of the country. Seasoned to perfection, this variation features hand-cut steak, onions, red peppers, potatoes, scallions and green olives. If meat isn’t for you, don’t fret! DelSur offers a plant-based beef option that is sourced from The Herbivorous Butcher, a family-owned vegan market in Minneapolis. Stuffed with vegan meat, onions, scallions, red peppers and potatoes, this alternative to traditional fillings still packs an authentic punch. In addition to empanadas, DelSur
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TASTEMAKERS
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offers a selection of Argentinianinspired sandwiches, salads and desserts. Consider the Choripan. Combining the Spanish words “chorizo,” meaning sausage, and “pan,” meaning bread, the Choripan is a show-stopping sandwich, which is common in Argentina. Using housemade sausage as its base, DelSur drizzles the sandwich with chimichurri sauce (comparable to a pesto made up of fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and chilis) and chimichurri mayo on top of freshly-baked bread. Craving beef? Order the Lomito. Translating to “little tenderloin,” the Lomito is a steak sandwich at its core. Served on fresh-baked bread, it features filet mignon, lettuce, tomatoes, ham, cheese, house-made chimichurri mayo and a fried egg, if desired.
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DelSur, 14725 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.303.6081; delsurempanadas.com DelSur Empanadas @delsurempanadas @delsurempanadasmn
4016 Shoreline Drive | Spring Park | vannrestaurant.com LAKEMINNETONKAMAG.COM
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LAST GLANCE THIRD PLACE People & Families
Day’s End Sunset puts on a spectacular light show. BY RENÉE STEWART-HESTER
PHOTO BY JUDY VOIGT ENGLUND
EXC E LSIOR’S JUDY VOI GT ENG LUN D OFTEN WA L KS
down to Crescent Beach on Lake Minnetonka in the summertime to watch the sunset. “This particular evening, I was enjoying the sun peeking in and out of the cloud bank and the rays of light emanating from the sun,” she says. On this occasion, she captured the visuals with her iPhone 8, resulting in Waiting for Sunset, which placed third in the People and Families category of
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our annual Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest. “I love the transition from the blue sky to the orange along the water,” Voigt Englund says. While nature provides the perfect subject, taking a good photograph isn’t always a given. “Sunsets can be tricky,” she says. “If you focus on the sun, it sometimes makes the sun too bright and rest of the image too dark. If you take enough photos at different settings, there’s usually one that’s pleasing to the eye.”
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