Lake Minnetonka Magazine December 2021

LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021

R E N O VAT I O N R E C I P E

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DECEMBER 2021 “You don’t have to be a professional to make someone happy. You just have to earnestly try your best.” —Anwen Eslinger, volunteer with For Goodness Cakes

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FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

14 — Teed Up

23 — Baking a Difference

Kids’ clothing line creates connections and conversations.

Local nonprofit spreads love, joy and frosting.

16 — A Holiday Surprise

28 — Renovation Recipe

General Store of Minnetonka thinks outside the box.

Kitchen’s remodeling project has the right ingredients.

6 — Editor’s Letter 9 — Noteworthy 37 — On the Town 40 — Gallery 48 — Last Glance

18 — Peace of Mind Local business keeps tabs on your home while you’re away.

20 — Destination Dream Luxury travel expert helps people envision what’s possible.

Photo: Chris Emeott

DEPARTMENTS

TASTEMAKERS 42 — Wine: It’s What’s for Dessert Vann in Spring Park offers variety of dessert wines.

lakeminnetonkamag.com

LOVE Happy Holidays from

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FROM THE EDITOR Renée Stewart-Hester, lakeminntonkamag@tigeroak.com

U

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.

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

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On the Cover “Renovation Recipe” page 28, photo by Spacecrafting Photography

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December 2021

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Photo: Tate Carlson

in digital format!

nderstandably, we tend to find ourselves buttoned up come wintertime— ensconced in our homes, snuggled up near a fire, cozied up in a favorite chair or, if ambition strikes, engaged in indoorsy endeavors. Admittedly, we are good at getting out on the ski and sled hills, off to outdoor community events and the like, but how much contact are we having with our neighbors? In fact, how well do you know your neighbors or fellow residents?

One of the themes of this month’s issue is giving back, and I’d like to introduce you to some area residents, who have found a sweet way to celebrate others in need of some affirmation frosted in kindness.

Anwen Eslinger of Mound was new to the area around the time the pandemic hit. While seeking out ways to connect with the community, she discovered For Goodness Cakes, which unites nationwide chapters of volunteer bakers, who bake birthday cakes for foster children and at-risk youth.

“I want [my daughters] to learn that doing good for strangers in your community doesn’t have to come with a thank you or anything—that doing good just for the sake of good is a kind and worthy act,” Eslinger says.

The Uletts of Minnetonka also volunteer with For Goodness Cakes. “My daughter Reese is the baker,” says Lisa Ulett. “She likes to bake and wanted to help those in need celebrate their birthday.” The family has baked several cakes for the organization, which appreciates the time and effort volunteers mix into their altruistic endeavors.

Read more about the program and these volunteers on page 23.

Do you have a favorite birthday dessert? How does your family celebrate its annual milestones? Tell us!

Until next time,

VOL. 17 NO. 7 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 AVA DIAZ, MADELINE KOPIECKI, DAN AMUNDSON

editorial interns JOHN DEIGNAN, HILARY KAUFMAN, KIRA SCHUKAR

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 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

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.

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NOTEWORTHY local tips, tidbits & insights

Discover warmth within original art.

“I love the sunrises that occur in the winter months of our state,” says Hollie Blanchard of The Art Girls.

“There is nothing more energizing to the soul than bearing witness to the vivid shades of red, pink and purple to name only a few colors that light up the horizon. Emergence by Minneapolis artist Gena Cohen takes me to those mornings of color therapy. Cohen uses a mix of elements within her paintings, but the grand finale is the oil which achieves her signature vivid colors. As we enter a new season of colder temps, there is always original artwork to add warmth to your days.”

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

December 2021

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Artist: Gena Cohen Title: Emergence Scale: 30x24 Medium: Original Mixed Media and Oil on Canvas

@art_girls_mpls

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NOTEWORTHY

RE AD

Discover the untold story of an iconic sitcom.

In 2018, Andy Greene commemorated the 10th anniversary of one of The Office’s (TV series 2005–2013) most iconic episodes—Dinner Party—by publishing an oral history of the episode in Rolling Stone magazine. It was extremely popular, and Greene went on to give people more of what they wanted with this book, an oral history of the entire show.

Along with fans of The Office, anyone who’s interested in entertainment and pop culture or the behind-the-scenes of television will enjoy this entertaining look at how the show started, how it evolved, in-depth discussion of popular episodes and more.

Greene’s list of interviewees is exhaustive, shedding light on all the tidbits of information that have circulated around the Internet for years and offering the full story all in one place.

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

TAST E

The old adage and once popular book title Chicken Soup for the Soul is no joke. Turns out chicken broth truly is a restorative food. Dieticians claim that broth can help keep you hydrated, clear congestion and ease cold symptoms. Bone broth, commonly referred

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to as stock, may be even more beneficial for health conscious consumers, and area business Freak Flag Organics is making bone broths that are a tasty and convenient source of nutrition.

Basically, traditional broth is a thin liquid made from boiling meat and/

December 2021

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Photo: Chris Emeott

Take stock and punch up the protein in your favorite recipes.

or vegetables. Stock, or bone broth, is thicker because it’s made from boiling bones, and it contains a power punch of protein due to the collagen released from the bones during cooking. That’s why lots of people who follow high protein paleo, keto or intermittent fasting diets have gravitated toward drinking bone broth as a meal or snack. Amino acids and other vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium and vitamin D are also sometimes found in bone broth.

Fred Haberman is a founder of Freak Flag Organics. He says, “I have a passion for soups in the cold of winter, and I’m known in the family to make soups on Sundays.” A good bone broth is the base for many soup recipes, but Haberman says making stock takes a fair amount of time.

That’s what inspired him and Freak Flag Organics chef Mary Jane Miller to create their brand of bone broths that are ready to heat and eat. The pair experimented a lot with flavors because plain chicken is just not that “freaky.”

“Lots of bone broth tastes medicinal to me,” says Haberman, who knew there must be a better way to create flavorful bone broth that is still organic. The flavors Freak Flag Organics came up with are coconut chicken, chicken tortilla and lemon pepper chicken. “We’re getting rave reviews for the coconut chicken,” Haberman says. “It tastes great sipped, and you can also make simple recipes by adding protein like chicken and a few other ingredients. You can have chicken noodle soup in five minutes, or use [bone broth] as a base for something more extravagant like enchiladas or a Thai food dish; adding things to ‘freak it up.’”

Freak Flag Organics Bone Broth is certified organic and can be found at Whole Foods. —ANGELA JOHNSON

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Adorning your home with seasonal colors, trimming the tree and wrapping gifts is certainly enjoyable, but putting it all away is another story.

Décor seems to accumulate year after year, so I recommend pairing it down while you are putting it up. Label a box “donate,” and fill it with items you rarely use or no longer enjoy. Repeat the process when you take the holiday items down after the season because a second pass is always helpful.

Wrapping paper-specific storage bins are recommended. They can either rest flat or upright. If space is limited, the flat bins can be stored under beds.

Another option includes storing paper between ceiling joists in an unfinished basement or garage by securing two dowels to support the paper above.

Plastic wreath storage bins are preferred over zippered wreath bags as they offer better protection.

Alternatively, cover the wreaths with a heavy-duty garbage bag and hang in a closet or on a garage wall.

Tame holiday lights by using storage reels, which can keep them tangle- and damage-free.

Protect delicate ornaments in a bin with dividers that are made specifically for ornaments. Use bins with clear windows, so you can easily see the contents.

Make your own ornament storage holder by hot gluing plastic cups or egg cartons to cardboard sheets and placing them inside a large bin.

These simple organizing hacks can make putting up and taking down holiday décor a bit easier. Happy Holidays from Zestful Design.

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

December 2021

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iStock.com/KovacsAlex

Wrap up seasonal décor.

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Consider sparkling wine alternatives.

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Bubbles are a must for the holidays, and there are so many great variations out there that I’d like to highlight an entire category, not just one producer.

Champagne commands a certain price, and while it is the benchmark, there are appellations all over France that make great sparklers, but they cannot call it Champagne as they are not produced in that region. In France, any sparkling wine not from the Champagne region is called crémant, which, typically, is still brut in style but made from grapes native to that region. Loire Valley makes wonderful crémant from sauvignon blanc or chenin blanc, among others. Burgundy makes great blanc de blanc, and so on.

I highly recommend Saint Hilaire, a great brut crémant for under $20.

Kevin Castellano, an area wine and liquor expert. wayzatawineandspirits.com

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Story by Madeline Kopiecki — Photos by Ambitious Kids

STYLE

Teed Up Kids’ clothing line creates connections and conversations.

“AMBITIOUS KIDS TEES TEND TO BE CONVERSATION STARTERS,”

says Kyle Hale, founder Ambitious Kids, a children’s T-shirt company. From cheeky faux travel tees for “Meltdown Island” to retro looks inspired by ‘80s and ‘90s culture, Hale says his toddler and youth T-shirts draw a lot of attention.

Scrolling through Ambitious Kids’ website is a stroll down memory lane for many parents. Tees like “Can I Get A Booyah” and “Kicking It Old School” were inspired

by Hale’s own experience growing up in the Lake Minnetonka area in the ’80s and ’90s, and he’s passed some of this slang down to his young son Sky (3).

“Booyah was something I taught Sky to say because I thought it would be funny, and then he just liked to say it,” Hale says.

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After turning this family inside joke into a kid’s T-shirt design, Hale says the verbiage has gotten Sky some public attention.

“The ‘Booyah’ shirt actually is Sky’s go-to travel shirt,” Hale says. When Sky walks through an airport, shouts of “Booyah!” often follow him through the terminal. “That’s kind of part of the brand,” Hale says. “I think there’s a gravity to it that kind of invites you to laugh and have some fun.”

Before venturing into his own brand of tees, Hale had worked in an entirely different lane. “I was a founding partner at Bite Squad and served as our COO there,” Hale says. After they sold the company, a restaurant delivery platform, to a competitor in 2019, Hale wanted to leverage his skills into a more creative pursuit.

Although he didn’t have any formal art or design training, Hale says the idea for a nostalgia-inspired kid’s T-shirt brand had been chirping within him for awhile.

“If you look at my childhood drawings, I’m not very good,” Hale says. “So, I was like, ‘Shoot, I need to learn how to draw.’”

Hale spent a year teaching himself to draw and developing the initial concept to prepare for his brand launch in December 2020. “It was really frustrating and hard, but, eventually, I was able to get the concept 90 percent of the way there, and then I work with a graphic designer just to polish it,” he says.

But building a clothing brand from scratch required other rarified skills and know-how, from understanding how ink interacts with fabric colors to how to

December 2021

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Tis the season for Gratitude!

Many thanks for another great year!

We appreciate your trust & support!

place designs, so that they are properly displayed while being worn. Hale chooses to use water-based inks, and many of his shirts are also tri-blend fabrics that include recycled plastic.

Along with connecting kids to the adults in their lives, Ambitious Kids has also given Hale the opportunity to connect with other parents. “They message me on Instagram and say, ‘Hey, these are really fun. Thanks for making these,’” Hale says. “Especially, this last year, we needed some fun and laughter in our household.”

ambitiouskids.com Ambitious Kids Shop @ambitiouskidsshop

Wishing comfort & Joy for you & your family this holiday season!

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Story by Madeline Kopiecki

SCENE

A Holiday Surprise General Store of Minnetonka thinks outside the box.

This particular box was created for a mom who loves Christmas, puzzles, her cabin in northern Minnesota, coffee and sweet treats! But each surprise box is as unique as its recipient, and that's what makes them such an ideal personalized present.

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December 2021

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Photo: General Store of Minnetonka

THIS TIME OF YEAR, surprises can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including by way of a custom gift box from the General Store of Minnetonka.

And to think these specially-culled boxes got their start not from helping Kris Kringle, but from supporting his springtime counterpart—the Easter Bunny.

With Easter fast approaching in March 2020, the team at the General Store was at a loss. Between quarantine closures and Easter inventory arriving daily, staff had to get creative with how it could help the Easter Bunny. “The Easter Bunny needed to visit our store [but couldn’t],” says Jenny Putnam, co-owner.

“So, we decided that a way to bring Easter goods to our customers was to put together custom Easter baskets for kids.”

After adding the option to its e-commerce site and advertising it on Facebook, Putnam says she and her coworkers were blown away by the response. The store created hundreds of individual, custom Easter baskets.

Customers filled out forms that indicated to the team a bit about the baskets’ recipients, and employees worked their way through the store, crafting perfect Easter baskets.

Your Residential & Lakeshore Specialists

“[It] was a success, and it was fun, so we decided this was something we wanted to do for Mother’s Day,” Putnam says. Again, the team set to work crafting custom surprise boxes, this time for over 500 moms, wives, grandmas and others with basket prices that ranged from $50 to $200. “They were so touched by the gifts they were given, and we were thrilled,” Putnam says.

Based on the positive reception, the store extended the program after quarantine measures were lifted. It now offers surprise boxes that are ideal for a range of occasions, including holidays, birthdays, graduations, housewarmings and tokens of appreciation.

Inspiration for goodies to include run the gamut from age to hobbies; special interests to sweet cravings (“We have a lot of local sweets and candies that we like to include if someone has a sweet tooth,” Putnam says. “We like to include as much local as we can in these surprise boxes because it’s always a fun thing to get and know you’re supporting two local businesses.”); scents or lotions (“We have a lot of bath and body [items], so it’s good to know,” she says.); or favorite sports teams and pop icons are also a great way to go. (“That’s something that’s so trendy right now—[fandom items for TV shows] Friends, The Office [and] The Golden Girls,” Putnam says. “If they like things like that, we’ve got lots of cute little things to go in a surprise box.”)

For December holiday gift-giving, the boxes are well suited for delivery to inand out-of-town relatives and friends, as host/hostess gifts, for teacher and employee appreciation presents or as care packages for homesick loved ones.

Although the General Store has a whole host of holiday-themed gifts, Putnam says they usually don’t include these in the boxes unless specially requested. So, if you’re looking to add a little extra holiday cheer to your surprise box, be sure to let them know.

Explore the selection of surprise boxes at generalstoreofminnetonka.com.

Alex & Ben Dzurik Team@DzurikPropertyTwins.com

612-500-6929

Minnetonka

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Story by Dan Amundson

DWELLING

Peace of Mind ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SNOW BIRDS and winter travelers to chart

their courses due south for extended stays or quick vacations. Regardless of the excursion’s duration, one of the last things anyone wants to worry about while away is the well-being of his/her home—enter Michael Frey and Elite Home Professional.

Frey runs the business, which provides check up services on homes while the residents are away. He’ll walk through the home and look for any signs of damage along with doing some basic upkeep,

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like running water through the sinks and toilets to ensure there are no long-term problems, including the dreaded coldclimate hazard—frozen pipes. “We just want to give the homeowners peace of mind while they’re away,” he says.

This is Frey’s second winter running the company, and he got the idea while on a family road trip to Colorado. “We drove by these big vacation homes, and I wondered, ‘What the heck do they do with these when they’re away?’” he says. “That’s when it all clicked.”

Elite Home Professional services the

Lake Minnetonka area and its surrounding communities. Snowbirds are Frey’s biggest clientele, but he’ll also service vacation rental homes.

Currently, the business just includes Frey and his wife Ann. While the workload can be heavy, there are benefits to Frey not having a larger staff. “This is better than some big property management company because you never know who’s going through your home,” he says. “We have the ability to get to know the homeowner one-on-one, and they know it’s me who’s going through their house.” (Note:

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iStock.com/hikesterson

Local business keeps tabs on your home while you’re away.

´ FOR YOUR BUSINESS THANK YOU The business signage is magnetic on Elite’s vehicles and is removable for property inspection as to not draw attention that a property is temporarily vacant.)

If there is ever an issue in a home, such as a leaky pipe or a freezer that decided to quit working, Frey will assess the damage and then, if necessary, contract out the project to one of his preferred companies, ensuring the project get done in a timely manner without causing too much concern on the part of the homeowner.

Concierge services are offered, as well, including rides to and from the airport and stocking up on groceries before the homeowners return. (Who wants to arrive home with an empty stomach and an empty fridge?)

Elite Home Professional is part of the National Home Watch Association, which ensures all members have necessary licensing and are insured properly.

It’s been a pleasure serving you for the last 42 years

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PRO TIP S:

Frey notes that, before homeowners leave for an extended period of time, they should review their homeowners insurance policies to make sure they’ll be covered should anything happen to their home while they’re out of town.

Some insurance policies won’t cover damages if they aren’t reported within a certain timeframe. This could stick homeowners with the full cost of extensive damages, which is another reason to have someone keep an eye on empty homes.

Lock once; check twice. Frey also reminds people to double check all of the locks on their exterior doors before they leave for vacation, as doors are often accidentally left unlocked.

First Avenue team opens up the first show

elitehomeprofessional.com Elite Home Professional

Photo: MIchael Frey

@elitehomeprofessional

After 476 days, First Avenue reopened with suds, smiles, and The Suburbs.

When the pandemic forced First Avenue to shut down on March 13, 2020, CFO Mike Killeen immediately reached out to Ashley Dolphin, Crown Bank’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending, to troubleshoot how to get through the impending crisis.

Fast forward to today and the live music is back.

To watch the whole story, search news at crown-bank.com.

Michael and Ann Frey with their children.

What can we make possible for your business?

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Story by Angela Johnson

T R AV E L

Destination Dream SARA DUFFY IS A TRAVEL ENTHUSIAST and owner of SRD

International, a luxury travel concierge business with offices in Minnesota and California. Most of her work in Los Angeles involves celebrities and CEOs, people she says tend to take travel for granted, whereas her Minnesota clients, including those in the Lake Minnetonka area, have a greater appreciation for travel.

That appreciation resonates with

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Duffy, who says, “Travel has been a savior in my life, knowing there is always something more out there.”

Duffy hopes to provide that feeling to a broader audience through a new television show called Trip of a Lifetime.

Duffy’s appetite for travel began in St. Cloud, Minn., when she traveled to Europe to perform in a high school choral concert. “I was amazed at how others lived their lives ... That’s when

travel became my passion and later, my profession,” she says.

This sense of adventure sparked Duffy’s move to California, where she became a receptionist for a Los Angeles travel agency and gained advanced training in Dallas and at a Beverly Hills agency, which led her to a role in executive travel for Paramount Studios. She launched her own travel business in 1995 that would later include a concierge service to accom-

December 2021

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Photos: Sara Duffy

Luxury travel expert helps people envision what’s possible.

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Sara Duffy's travels have reached far and wide, including Monaco, the Monte Carlo Historic Grand Prix and now a TV show set.

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modate unique requests like arranging advance visits to shops that were closed to the public or helicoptering people to wineries, etc. Her work led to a Bravo TV reality-based show called First Class All the Way, which aired in 2008, but only for one season. A financial crisis paired with the network’s desire for Duffy to behave more like a celebrity housewife made the show a turnoff for viewers, as well as Duffy.

She continued to work in entertainment, coordinating publicity travel and studio press junkets and says, “It was fun but exhausting,” so she returned to individual travel because she still appreciates the joy it gives to people. Post-COVID, Duffy hopes to help ease the reluctance some would-be travelers might have about getting back out there. She’s also excited to make another television show, one more suited to her vision.

“I had this idea 10 years ago,” Duffy says.

“So, when a producer friend called and asked if I wanted to do another TV show, I said, ‘no tone deaf lifestyle of the rich and famous.’ There is only one show I want to do, mine, called Trip of a Lifetime.” Duffy’s long dreamed of show that would focus on people who’ve experienced challenges in life (frontline workers, teachers, a couple who’ve missed out on a honeymoon or families longing to reunite) and send them on a five-star vacation. At the conclusion, the traveler will be ask how travel helped them or improved their quality of life.

The show is set to air online on JUL-TV, and Duffy says there have been discussions with the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime.

“Travel brought me joy when I didn’t have a lot of joy in my life,” Duffy says.

“I know there are a lot people hurting out there, people who’ve been isolated and without joy. Mental health is tied to our experiences, and travel is just part destination; it’s also part psychology, looking for a feeling or emotion. I want to give people that, which is why most of my clients have been with me for so long because I try to get to the heart of what they’re looking for.”

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#BC325555

Story by Angela Johnson Photos by Chris Emeott

BA K I N G A DIFFERENCE Local nonprofit spreads love, joy and frosting.

C

an a cake make a difference?

Can a concoction of batter meets frosting cure what ails? At times, the answer is “yes.” The Hope House in Excelsior is a short-term emergency shelter for youth ages 14–19. It’s a port in the storm for youth, who are either at risk to be or are homeless, and it has partnered with For Goodness Cakes, which originated in California and unites nationwide chap-

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ters of volunteer bakers, who bake and deliver birthday cakes to foster children and at-risk youth.

“We have received four or five cakes from For Goodness cake since collaborating with them,” says ChantraLee Jackson, youth advocate. “The residents here absolutely love when we order them a cake for their birthday.

They enjoy the whole process of picking out the flavor and style of the cake

they want. I think For Goodness Cakes is a very valuable organization. It brings joy to children’s birthdays when there isn’t much otherwise.”

Allison Sundquist of Edina discovered For Goodness Cakes in late 2019 while researching ways to combine her passions for baking and volunteering.

Its mission so excited Sundquist that she couldn’t help but share what she’d learned with Edina’s Kim Sabow, who

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had recently launched her youngest child off to university and considered the timing perfect to partner with Sundquist and start a Twin Cities chapter of For Goodness Cakes.

Within four weeks, the duo was on an airplane bound for a For Goodness Cakes chapter summit.

They’d been undeterred by an early rebuff from the organization. “We were told they’d already brought in enough agencies,” Sabow says. “But I called the person in charge and said, ‘You want us on your team. You have no idea how good we’ll be.’”

She was not wrong. An initial and immediate requirement was for the women to raise $4,000 in startup costs (licensing fees and funding for volunteer management software).

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“It’s amazing how people came through to help us raise the money in only eight weeks,” she says.

The organization partners with about 20 local agencies that work with underserved and underprivileged youth. Partner agencies often work with children in foster care, young adults aging out of foster care or are adoption agencies, homeless shelters or agencies that aid young victims of sex trafficking. The partner agencies request cakes, and Sundquist and Sabow match those requests with volunteer bakers, using the software system funded by their startup and ongoing donations.

Volunteer bakers, dubbed the Sprinkle Squad, come from all over the Metro, even a few in Wisconsin,

and have varied baking backgrounds—from professional to home cooks. All are hungry to deliver joy to a child. (Volunteer bakers don’t typically get to meet the children they bake for; to ensure child safety, volunteers take their cakes to For Goodness Cakes’ partner agencies, which deliver the requested cakes to the children.)

For Goodness Cakes made its first cake delivery in October 2020.

Volunteers, numbering about 150, have since delivered over 120 birthday or graduation cakes with many more deliveries planned as the word gets out and partner agencies resume more services.

For Goodness Cakes is adamant about food safety. Volunteer bakers

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must be at least 18 years old (unless partnered with a parent), participate in orientation training and pass a food safety course. The organization cannot honor allergen-free cake requests as there is no method of ensuring allergen-free kitchens. Also, throughout the pandemic, volunteer bakers have been required to remain masked throughout any cake baking and delivery.

“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from agencies that are grateful for the collaboration,” Sundquist says. “One agency we work with is called Common Bond Communities.

It was through them [For Goodness Cakes] delivered its first graduation cake for a girl, who got her GED. She cried because the cake was so beautiful and because her name was spelled correctly. It has a unique spelling, and many don’t get it right. It’s just so cool for kids, some who have never received a personalized cake to celebrate them. I tell our volunteers to never underestimate the value of what they’re doing. They’re not just delivering a cake. They’re delivering a message to a child that someone cares about them in their community.”

Sundquist and Sabow aim for continued growth of their Twin Cities chapter by welcoming more partner agencies and volunteers. The duo is especially hoping for a corporate sponsorship or collaboration opportunity.

“Many of our volunteers use products

“… doing good just for the sake of good is a kind and worthy act.”

A NW EN ES L I N GER, VO LU NTEER sarahpolovitz.com | 612.743.6801 25

from local companies like General Mills, Nordic Ware and Land O’ Lakes,” Sundquist says. “Any help in partnering with corporate sponsors, companies like these, on a local or national level would be wonderful. We are definitely open to those conversations.”

Ongoing financial donations are needed to fund For Goodness Cakes’ Twin Cities operations. “We often tell people, ‘If you can’t bake, donate,’” Sundquist says. Any interested volunteers or donors can learn more by visiting forgoodnesscakes.org/ twincities-mn.

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SPRINKLE SQUAD Anwen Eslinger moved to Mound during the pandemic, and she sought out ways to connect with the community. Volunteering was a first stop. “I also think volunteering is important, and I want my daughters to learn that, as well,” she says.

“I want them to learn that doing good for strangers in your community doesn’t have to come with a thank you or anything—that doing good just for the sake of good is a kind and worthy act.”

Eslinger discovered For Goodness

Cakes, and “… it checked a lot of boxes,” she says.

“I grew up in the South, and in the South, you don’t just cook—you cook for someone. I think sometimes we measure love and care in calories,” she says. “… growing up, my family [made] birthdays a big deal. But, I have many friends, who did not grow up with that, so when I would bring them cakes or cupcakes, they would be overwhelmed with even the simplest homemade treat. It made them feel

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forgoodnesscakes.org/twincities-mn For Goodness Cakes @forgoodnesscakeshq @FGC_org

advertise with

LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE

@

special, and I think that is important for everyone.”

But her role as a foster parent might have been the main ingredient in her willingness to join the Sprinkle Squad.

“Kids, who might be away from the people they know, need to feel like they are still valued,” Eslinger says.

Just as the recipients of the cakes receive more than batter and frosting, Eslinger also received something in return for her efforts. “I think I have gained confidence and joy from doing this,” she says. “I was very nervous to do it because I am not a good decorator. I’m a scientist, not a baker. However, these cakes are special, so I really try to do something with the request ... Sometimes I fail, but in the end, I was pretty happy with how the cakes looked. It turns out the kids liked them, as well …

You don’t have to be a professional to make someone happy. You just have to earnestly try your best.”

Volunteering with For Goodness Cakes is a family affair. “I like the fun of doing it with my kids,” Eslinger says. “They see what happens when things fail and how we come up with a new approach. My daughter took it upon herself to be in charge of decorating the cake boxes, so they look like an intentional gift, so I love that she was able to get involved. It’s been a lot of fun.”

The Uletts of Minnetonka also found volunteering with the Sprinkle Squad to be a worthy family endeavor and joined during the pandemic. “My daughter Reese is the baker,” says Lisa Ulett. “She likes to bake and wanted to help those in need celebrate their birthday.”

The Uletts have created several cakes. “It makes [Reese] feel good to help people celebrate,” she says. “It is fun to create a cake that is exactly what the birthday girl/boy has asked for.”

—RENÉE STEWART-HESTER

Contact Katie Freemark

612.270.9339 katie.freemark@tigeroak.com

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renovation recipe

Kitchen’s remodeling project has the right ingredients.

Written by Madeline Kopiecki

As the heart of the home, kitchens often take on an even more important role as the lifeline for holiday entertaining, serving as the epicenter of planning, preparing and executing parties and celebrations of all sizes and flavors. Today’s continuing appeal of open-concept living urges them to maintain prime functionality while at the same time remaining visually on point.

After a fair amount of time, any home kitchen might find itself as the main course of a home remodeling project.

The Lindsays knew it was time for a change after a decade of living in their home, where the kitchen witnessed the raising of their three children, all of whom either attend or graduated from Wayzata High School, and the hosting of many celebrations for family and friends. To that end, Marnie Lindsay wanted to elevate the space, which featured dark cabinetry and out-of-date granite, to a space awash in new, bright and cheerful elements.

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The next step included finding an interior team to take her vision and make it come to life. After following Martha O’Hara Interiors’ Instagram account and seeing some of the other projects its team had done, Lindsay says she knew she wanted to work with the design group for her own remodel. (The interior design firm designs and furnishes homes from its studios in St. Louis Park and Austin, Texas, and has done extensive work in the Lake Minnetonka area.)

“The renovation was a collaborative effort,” Lindsay says. “We worked closely with our designer, our builder and our cabinet maker.

They listened well and worked hard to create the design we wanted.”

One of the most important facets of the updated kitchen was its improved capacity for entertaining, and Lindsay says the accessibility of the new kitchen plan makes hosting people a delight. “The new kitchen has a place for everything,” she says. “It makes it a joy to entertain.”

Lindsay looks forward to having people over during the holidays, but first—there’s a tradition to tend to. “I enjoy baking during the holidays,” she says. “Our family enjoys decorating Christmas cookies together, so we have a cookie decorating party.” Let the mixing and fixing begin!

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ha rdw ar e —

beverage area —

wh ite- ton e p ain t —

th e r an ge —

“We did go back and forth between [polished nickel and gold], and we were just drawn to the gold,” says Elizabeth Darth, senior interior designer with Martha O’Hara Interiors. “We could have gone either way, but there’s a hint of gold in the range, and we just felt like we wanted to bring that in not only on the hardware, but on the lighting above the sink. We liked the warmth of adding a gold finish to the hardware.”

The area not only offers a secondary prep sink, but there’s a beverage fridge (to the right), which offers accessibility for guests to self-serve. A small cabinet (to the right) that touches the cabinet top has its own purpose. “We did that at a very specific height because [Lindsay] has a hot cocoa machine that she puts in there, so it’s kind of a drink area for entertaining,” Darth says.

“They did have some existing painted millwork in their house already,” Darth says.

“So, we basically matched it with a nice white with just a hint of warmth to it. There were some conversations in the beginning of, ‘Do we do a pop of color on the range? Do we do a contrast color on the island?,’ and the more we looked at [Lindsay’s] inspiration images, she just kept going back to all white, so that’s where we ended up.”

“That was one of the first things we started with,” Darth says. “[Lindsay] knew she wanted that [La Cornue] range … I really feel like we made the right decision in keeping it neutral [in color]. Just the detailing of that range is kind of a showstopper; it’s very unique.”

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It’s more than just a cookie... switching the is la n d or i en t at i on — “There was just a wide space between the island and the dinette, and the island was very short,” Darth says. “When we were at the cabinet meeting and started talking about space and how many stools can you get, I said, ‘You know, I really think we need to change the orientation of the island.’

It just kind of came to me after seeing the layout that it wasn’t working; you couldn’t get a very big island out of it the way that it was. Once we switched it, it all made sense and made quite a difference.”

cookiecart.org

co u n t er t op s a nd b ac k s p l as h — “It is quartz, so it’s very durable,” Darth says. “We kind of knew we wanted to do that small height. We again looked at different options and tile, and [Lindsay] was just very drawn to that full height countertop and backsplash carrying the countertop. We went and looked at different quartz options because she wanted the durability of the quartz verses marble.

She does a lot of baking, and she didn’t want to be afraid of the counters [getting damaged] …”

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Martha O’Hara Interiors, 9950 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park 952.908.3150 oharainteriors.com Martha O’Hara Interiors @ohara_interiors Interior design and photo styling by Martha O’Hara Interiors Remodel by Thompson Construction LLC Photography by Spacecrafting Photography

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gas, two- sid e fir ep lac e —

ligh t fix tu r es —

“On the one side, they have their casual dining with the TV above it because sometimes, if they’re cooking or in the kitchen, they want to have the ability to see the TV, or for entertaining if there’s a [sporting event] on,” says Darth. “We redid the face of [the pre-existing fireplace] and the millwork around it, which just adds to the ambiance and coziness.” The other side of the fireplace faces the main floor living room.

“When we went to the home initially, [the light fixtures] were fairly new, and we liked them,” Darth says. “We were all in agreement that there was no need to replace them.”

mix er stan d — “There is a pop-up stand for the mixer. [Lindsay] likes to bake, and she is a little bit shorter, as well, so we talked about that when we were doing cabinets,” Darth says. “… We thought it would be great to dedicate a space to it because they are so heavy to lift in and out of cabinets.”

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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.

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

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.

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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.

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From our Family to Yours

~

Wishing you a Magical Holiday Season & a New Year of Peace & Happiness!

Traci, Patti Jo & Brette 952-475-4912

36

ON THE TOWN things to see and do around Lake Minnetonka

FIRST STOP FOR THE HOLIDAYS Christkindlsmarkt arrives in the Excelsior Commons for two weekends.

THI S YEA R ’ S 1 6TH A N N UA L CHR I STKI N DLSMA R KT

is moving into the Excelsior Commons for two full weekends.

The festival runs November 26–28 and December 3–5, opening at 10 a.m. each day. For the first five days, the festival closes at 7 p.m., and on December 5, it closes at 3 p.m. An opening parade at 10 a.m. will mark the first day of the festival.

A traditional German Christmas market, Christkindlsmarkt features German-themed vendors, entertainment and beer, all centered on the yuletide holiday. The festival boasts activities for all ages, including live reindeer and a sled for Christmas photos, carolers and a magic show. A North Pole Trolley ride with Father Christmas runs from noon–5 p.m. Shopping includes handmade winter mittens and gloves, jewelry, glassware, woodwork and imported goods from Germany, Poland and Austria. Other activities include face painting, princesses from Frozen, KinderWorld, traditional German mask performers, alpacas and a baby camel.

Staffed by volunteers, Excelsior’s Christkindlsmarkt is expecting 30,000 guests and has expanded its venue to ensure safe social distancing practices.

Metered parking is available next to the Commons.

Public parking with shuttle rides to the festival is available at the east and west lots, as well as next to Excelsior Elementary School. —KIRA SCHUKAR

All ages. $5 for adults, free for children aged 12 and under.

Times vary. Excelsior Commons, 135 Lake St.; 952.292.8898 excelsiorchristmas.com

Compiled by Bryce Helmbrecht-Lommel and Grace Masuda

Christmas in Excelsior

Northern Express

12/4, 11, 18

12/3–5, 10–12, 17–19

You’re invited to experience the magic

Step into an immersive Christmas experi-

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

of Christmas in Excelsior each Saturday

ence at the Northern Express. This event

in December, featuring holiday events

is brimming with holiday spirit and even

Through 12/19

all month long. These events include

better, is investing in the community

The Minnetonka Theatre is hosting the

carolers, sleigh rides, tree-lighting and

through various beneficiaries includ-

production of Joseph and the Amazing

visits from Santa himself. Stop by local

ing the Masonic Children’s Hospital and

Technicolor Dreamcoat, a biblical fam-

shops and restaurants decorated for the

Homeward Animal Shelter. The event

ily musical, throughout the month of

holiday season. All ages. Free. All day.

includes a Christmas market with local

Photos: Christkindlsmarkt

LOCAL EVENTS

December. All ages. $15–$25. Times vary.

Minnetonka Theatre, 18285 Highway 7; 952.401.5898; minnetonkatheatre.com

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lakeminnetonkamag.com

Throughout Water Street; 952.474.6461; excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com

makers, scavenger hunts, holiday stories, tasty treats and visits with Santa. All ages. $15–$22. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tanadoona,

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ON THE TOWN

3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior; 952.474.8085; thenorthernexpress.org

Art of the Holidays Show and Sale

AREA EVENTS

Check out a curated collection of one-

12/18

of-a-kind craft items at the Minnetonka

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas

The Sheraton Minneapolis West is

Center for the Arts gallery. The exhibit

12/3

hosting the Perfectly Unique Craft

features work from almost 100 artists,

The Ordway Concert Hall hosts Grammy

& Gift Expo’s Christmastime show.

which is perfect for unique gift giving.

nominated songwriter and solo pianist

This event features vendors sell-

Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Saturday.

Minnetonka Center for the Arts, 2240 North Shore Drive, Wayzata; 952.473.7361; minnetonkaarts.org

Jim Brickman’s Christmas concert. Enjoy

ing beauty products, bakery items, woodwork, paintings and more. All

ages. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sheraton Minneapolis West, 12201 Ridgedale Drive; 651.444.9907; craftshowsmn.com

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a lively music experience that celebrates the spirit of the holidays. $33–$85.

7:30 p.m. Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 651.224.4222; ordway.org

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iStock.com/Olga_Bell

Through 12/23

Craft & Gift Expo

Holiday Open Haus 12/4–5 The Germanic American Institute is kicking off the holiday season with its annual two-day celebration. The event features authentic German food, local vendors and a variety of festive activities.

All ages. Free. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Germanic American Institute, 301 Summit Ave., St. Paul; 651.222.7027; gaimn.org

Reindeer Run 12/11 Looking for an active way to celebrate the upcoming holiday season? Spend your Saturday at the 34th annual

Enriching Curriculum.

Wholesome Food.

Warm Environment.

Fostering the Growth of the Whole Child.

Reindeer Run around Lake Harriet.

This festive event includes a 5K, a 10K, a 15K race and a 0.4-mile kid race.

The event follows all MN Department of Health guidelines, and a virtual option will also be available. All ages.

Ticket prices vary. First race at 9:30 a.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; info@mnrunseries.com; reindeerrun.com

Now enrolling at our new Minnetonka location.

Reserve your spot today!

(952) 544-6065 | tierraencantada.com/minnetonka 2000 Plymouth Rd, Minnetonka, MN 55305

Family Funday: Sleep, Flee, Freeze 12/12 Have you ever wondered where all the animals go during our cold Minnesota winters? Mississippi Regional Park is hosting an event to teach kids about hibernation and other ways animals are able to survive the wintertime.

There will even be live animals to meet at the park. Register online. Free.

1–3 p.m. Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, 4900 Mississippi Court, Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolisparks.org

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

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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GALLERY Photos by Jim Douglas

MHS Homecoming Parade

Minnetonka High School’s (MHS) Homecoming Parade moved along Excelsior’s Water Street, which was lined with parade goers. The event featured MHS cubs, sports teams, grades and members of the Homecoming Court. Greta Weeks serves as this year’s Homecoming Queen, and Connor Klaysmat was chosen as Homecoming King. It is believed that the first MHS Homecoming Parade was held in the 1950s.

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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December 2021

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 MINNESOTA WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Heidi Gusenius Minnetrista, MN Music Together Lakeside The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) would like to thank all of the 2021 Man & Woman of the Year participants. Because of their tireless efforts, LLS is able to continue advancing breakthrough cancer treatments and therapies.

For more information visit MWOY.org

See all that your community has to offer.

Check out our Community Directory!

All of the best resources at your fingertips. lakeminnetonkamag.com

41

TASTEMAKERS

Wine: It’s What’s for Dessert Vann in Spring Park offers a variety of dessert wines.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BAVAROIS ~ paired with ~ RAYMOND RAGNAUD, DESSERT WINE/COGNAC, PINEAU DES CHARENTES 42

December 2021

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WHEN IT COMES TO DINING,

oftentimes so much emphasis is placed on the main course that one of the best parts of a meal—dessert—is overlooked.

Resting on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, Vann Restaurant in Spring Park not only offers elevated fine dining entrées, but it serves tempting desserts, as well. To go along with the sweet confections, Vann showcases some dessert wines as fitting accoutrements.

(Note: The menu changes based on ingredient availability, so be sure to view the lineup on its website before arriving, or relish in the surprise and arrive unawares of what awaits! “There’s never an agenda when it comes to our menu at the beginning of the week,” says executive chef Erik Skaar.)

Skaar is intentional about securing wines that pair well with the dessert lineup, even if it means adding in some experimentation.

“At the beginning of the week, if we taste something new that we like, we’re going to roll with it,” he says.

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TASTEMAKERS

CHOCOLATE SEMIFREDDO ~ paired with ~ BROADBENT, MADEIRA, 5 YEAR

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December 2021

lakeminnetonkamag.com December 2021

“It’s an experiment sometimes, but it’s what we have.”

The desserts at Vann aren’t overly sweet, so a dessert wine can bring a nice balance to the sweetness and acidity of the pairing. Consider the white chocolate bavarois, which Skaar describes as “a custard-panna cotta hybrid.”

He further recommends Birichino muscat canelli to go along with the bavarois. “It has a higher alcohol content, which creates a higher viscosity,” Skaar says. “Custard is stickier and might cling to your tongue or mouth more, and that higher viscosity helps guide the custard down and really pairs well.”

Another dessert Vann offers is a strawberry chocolate rosé semifreddo. (This is a class of frozen desserts. Mostly, the main ingredients include egg yolks, sugar and cream. Think: the texture of frozen mousse.) Skaar recommends pairing this with Elk Cove ultima. This wine has a lower viscosity, which goes well with the frozen desserts. “The ultima also has a richer and earthier flavor,” Skaar says. “That flavor goes really well with the chocolate.”

While these wines pair well with the desserts, some wine can stand alone to anchor the endof-meal experience. “Take a guy like me, for example,” Skaar says.

“Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of desserts, so just a nice drink is a good way to cap off a meal.”

Looking at a list of desserts and wines and trying to figure out how to pair the two can be intimidating.

Skaar says darker wines typically

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46

December 2021

go well with chocolate, as they’ll have that earthier flavor like the ultima, whereas, a white wine won’t have those characteristics. Another item to remember is that higher viscosity wines pair well with a thicker dessert, and the lower viscosity wines marry with colder desserts, such as those with ice cream.

Skaar’s biggest tip when selecting a wine is to go with something you like. Just because a certain wine is (in theory) the perfect pairing for a dessert doesn’t mean you have to order it if you know it’s a wine you don’t typically favor.

“Gravitate toward what you would normally drink,” Skaar says. “We’re here to guide you and your decisions, not lead you just because it pairs well on paper.”

Shop with us!

In-Store or Online

14401 Highway 7 in Minnetonka (952) 935-7131

www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com

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LAST GLANCE

Story by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photo by Judy Voigt Englund

T H I R D P L A C E : W I L D L I F E & N AT U R E

Birch Bluff Beauty “It is so beautiful and so delicate and so ephemeral.” —Judy Voigt Englund FROSTY MORNI NG , which

placed third in the Wildlife and Nature category of our annual Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest, was taken along Birch Bluff Road (Tonka Bay) by Judy Voigt Englund of Excelsior.

“I was on my way to visit my mother and stopped right along the road to admire the rime ice. It had been a foggy morning,” she says. “I only had my cell phone with me, so I rolled down the window and

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took a couple of photos with my cell [Apple iPhone 8].”

“I love rime ice and hoar frost,” Voigt Englund says. “It is so beautiful and so delicate and so ephemeral. With the sun and breeze, you know it is quickly going to disappear. I especially love the play of white snow and trees against the brilliant blue sky.”

Photographing the area has long been a part of Voigt Englund’s life. “My family has lived and

played near the lake for almost 40 years,” she says. ”I love being on the water in the summer, stopping at public access points to see the sunrises and sunsets (and comets) and walking on the many trails, which pass by and over the lake (biking, hiking). I also love stopping by osprey nests to try and capture adults and chicks during the nesting season. And, of course, Excelsior makes a fun backdrop for my grandkids and their pets.”

December 2021

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being a good

neighborhood grocer starts by being

a grateful one

When you put as much food on as many holiday tables as we do, you learn a thing or two about giving thanks.

So we’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you – for shopping here, for working here, for growing and making great products and selling them here. Thank you.

Thank you for your time and dedication to quality and service. Thank you for your passion, knowledge and

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expertise. Thank you for your friendship and loyalty.

Thank you for every email and call, for every like and share. For each and every way you’ve been a part of Kowalski’s this year, we thank you most sincerely.

It is an honor to be your grocers at this time of year and all year long.

May your holiday season be full of happiness, kindness and, most of all, the joy of good food.

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Shoveling can be a real pain.

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Schedule an appointment online: summitortho.com/schedule

(651) 968-5201 summitortho.com/care