The Kids & Pets Issue
This issue is always one of my favorites. I guess it’s because I love kids and our furry friends.
Kids are our future; they are the foundation upon which our society stands. Their curiosity and potential have the power to shape our world in ways we can only imagine. Kids represent our hardest work, greatest investment, and challenge. What a tremendous role we can play in supporting their interests and shaping them as best as we can into healthy and happy young adults.
Secondarily, who could forget pets? This special kind of companionship can be a transformative experience for children and adults alike. Pets provide us with unconditional love and the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop essential life skills in a nurturing environment. And who could ignore the bond between kids and their furry friends and the life lessons that it brings?
I have so many wonderful memories of the pets I had growing up and certainly of the three dogs I have now, from Winnie’s loving personality to Shelby’s howling serenades and Godzilla (Zilla) and her mighty determination. One of my favorite dogs, though, was Bella, my German Shepard. Her command of the English language, hunting prowess, and athleticism were the stuff of legend, but my favorite skill she had was as a cornerback guarding my son Chad when he was going out for a pass. She not only was a ballhawk and defended like Deion Sanders, but she tackled like Ronnie Lott.
I may have dated myself there a little bit with the Ronnie Lott reference.
I’m so excited to bring you some great stories in this month’s issue! Jen writes of Garages and Grad parties. We also get great advice from Crown College on how to set up those grads for success as they head off to college. Dr. Jessica Radtke Maltez from Victoria Veterinary Hospital shares tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy during summer’s hottest days. We sit down with Waconia native and playwright Autumn Ness to learn more about her play Babble Lab at the Children’s Theatre Company. Plus, we share a cool recipe for the kids, the perfect patio hangouts for you and your pup, and so much more!
Enjoy this Kids & Pets August issue as we enjoy the best summer has to offer!
DAVE ROBERTSON, PUBLISHER
August 2024
PUBLISHER
Dave Robertson | dave.robertson@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT MANAGER
Amy Janzen | amy.janzen@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Lauren Beaubaire | lauren.beaubaire@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Kristin Schuette | kristin.schuette@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emily McKeever, Lutie Ronglien, Alison Lee, Lisa Moyer, and Jen Fortner
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Graham Payne Miller, Janie Jones
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
business monthly
Crown College’s Latest Renovation is Complete
Thanks to two generous anonymous donations, Crown College is making some changes! The newest project, updating their East Wing classrooms, is complete and adds to the already nearly $18 million invested into the facility (including a new residence hall and renovations to their welcome center, weight room, and more.) The East Wing project changes the layout of the classrooms, adding a lounge area, new HVAC, and hyflex furniture just to name a few. Congratulations!
Scan to read more
The Relay For Life of Carver County is September 21st!
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Carver County is quickly approaching and there are numerous ways to get involved. You can help with research and resources for patients and their families, join or create a fundraising team, and if you own a business or belong to an organization, you can donate merchandise or gift cards. This is such a fun and inspirational day! For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/carvercountymn
Summer Fun Made Healthier With The Healing Path
Sun + heat + August = beach time and The Healing Path has you covered with an SPF 50 mineral sunscreen that’s non-greasy and easy to apply. With this popular product, you can focus on all the fun you’re having instead of worrying about sunburn! You can also focus on you this summer with a wide variety of Wellness Programs. Live your healthiest life with Body Mind Balance, Unveiling the True You, and many more. Scan to read more
Photography by Crown College
Photography by Relay For Life
Grad party season has come and gone. I love grad party season. No better way to catch up with 300 people you’ve been trying to have coffee with for a year.
Some were elaborate affairs with food trucks and event centers and multiple photo collages. Some had guest books and commemorative frames to sign and school color-themed balloon arches. Others were in homes or in driveways with tents and homemade treats and clever designated spots to take pictures with the graduate. And a couple of them were in garages. Garage grad parties are primarily a midwestern phenomenon the
Life Minded
internet tells me. I saw a post about it this summer, and comments from people who lived elsewhere couldn’t believe we Minnesotans hosted parties in garages. We do.
One of my dear friends hosted her daughter’s grad party in the garage, and guests spilled out into the driveway and yard and deck, but the garage was the primary venue. While selecting a brownie, an acquaintance said to me, “My garage certainly doesn’t look like this.” To which I replied, “My house doesn’t look like this.” My friend has an impeccable eye for design and has transformed her garage into a swoon-worthy living space. This garage has painted cinder block and a comfortable couch and mood lighting and faux sheep shearlings thrown over leather butterfly chairs. This garage has a darling vintage refrigerator and a table for games or grabbing a bite to eat and a large TV. I would live in this garage.
Because…
Our garage looks like a sporting goods store. No. I take that back. Our garage looks like a sporting goods museum. Not a beautiful, opulent
museum where they could charge for admission. Our garage is like a museum time forgot in a one-horse town filled with vintage farm equipment. It’s a visual history of all the things we tried and loved or tried and abandoned. Our family of five just couldn’t pick a lane when it came to recreation. Everyone enjoys different things, and we’ve left no stone unturned. We have one runner. One hockey player. One dancer. Three fishermen. Two yogis. One skier. Two who golf. One snowboarder. One lacrosse player. All of us play badminton. Three who played soccer but no longer. And we have had all the things required for all the interests. Nets. Life jackets. Swim goggles. Beach toys. We have bats and balls and sticks and yard games and pool noodles and glow in the dark this and that. And at one point, we had so many cleats for various sports you’d think we were housing a complete team.
We can’t have a party in our garage because nobody wants to have appetizers sitting near the gas cans or the weed whipper. And I have to remind myself, I wanted this. Dreamt of it actually. When we moved to this
house we had enough things to fill two little shelves. Nothing else. We had an old Quik container filled with stray nails and screws. We still have it. We had WD-40 and ant killer. We had two bikes. We had two small cars with ample room between. We didn’t even need to “look for something in the garage” because everything we owned was readily visible.
But I yearned to have this family one day and fill this garage with the things families have. Large cars. Ceramic pots for the garden. Sporting goods. Marked bins filled with things in off-season storage. Stuff. And my dream came true. Titans of industry start businesses in their garages while we just grew our busyness.
Slowly but surely, the garage detritus does lessen. The ski boots are outgrown. We are officially giving up on tennis. I pawned off 50 pieces of sidewalk chalk to the darling neighbor kids. It’s a relief to clear things out, but it also feels odd. A new phase. We aren’t done with all of it quite yet… We’ve just graduated. To the next chapter. Perhaps we should host our very own garage party to celebrate.
Minded
COLUMN BY JEN FORTNER
Jen Fortner is a freelance writer who enjoys asking friends and strangers far too many questions. She spends her spare time sitting in inclement weather watching youth sports, traveling, cooking, and searching for the very best baked goods. She lives in the Southwest Metro with her husband, three children and the most spoiled dog.
IT’S NOT JUST BABBLING
Autumn Ness performing in her play Babble Lab
HOW WACONIA NATIVE AUTUMN NESS TRANSLATES TODDLER TALK INTO THEATER MAGIC
ARTICLE BY LUTIE RONGLIEN
Do you know a toddler? Have you tried to communicate with them? Then you know the meaning of the word “babble.” That incoherent, jumbled-together sound that resembles but isn’t quite a word. It’s amazing how somehow we learn to translate this foreign language after spending some time with them.
“Blippety-blue? Oh, you’re hungry.” “Meeepphhh? Ah, you want your blankie.” “Gippooomy? Yes, here’s your toy.”
Autumn Ness, a Waconia native, actor, and playwright, understands the importance of these early babblings. This spring, she authored and starred in Babble Lab at Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. The show - targeted to a preschool audience - is all about the power of one’s voice.
“It’s a show about language,” she says. “And the joys and struggles we have learning to express ourselves and communicate.”
For Autumn, it’s not a show made only to entertain kids. Babble Lab comes from her experience as a mother of two sons.
“This story is very personal,” she says. “Both my children struggled in their
development of spoken speech and then later with reading and writing. You start to see that children have a strict right and wrong put on them about how to use language and communication. The power of your words should be magical, musical, playful, and fearless. That’s what I want for preschoolers who see our play.”
Autumn notes that holding preschoolers’ attention requires a bit of effort, experience, and a healthy dose of patience.
“Preschoolers are a wild audience!” Autumn says. “We take great care to think about all the details that could make the theater scary or confusing. We check seating, lights, sound levels, the length of
the show, and the pace. Everything needs to be geared toward their developing brains and bodies.”
She adds that the plays for this young audience have a structure with moments where the children can go wild and then moments when they’re drawn into a small detail that requires more focus.
“It’s almost a zoom-in, zoom-out mentality,” she says. “The kids are so in the moment, so you, as the actor, need to be in the moment also.”
Autumn has been working in some capacity for family audiences for 25 seasons, so she knows a thing or two about entertaining kids.
“IT’S A SHOW ABOUT LANGUAGE. THE JOYS AND STRUGGLES WE HAVE LEARNING TO EXPRESS OURSELVES AND COMMUNICATE.”
“Children are the most rewarding audience,” she says. “Kids are so responsive. They have no qualms about yelling up to the stage to tell your character what to do next.”
She also says experiencing theater at a young age is important for kids.
“Theater is all about the empathy muscle and seeing something on stage that tugs at your heart,” she says. “Experiencing that at a young age changes you forever.”
At age nine, Autumn got her first taste of theater when she was cast with Children’s Theatre Company in Hansel and Gretel . She never looked back.
“I was completely hooked on telling a story to an audience,” she says.
Autumn has been in more than 75 different productions with Children’s Theatre Company, including roles as the stepmother in Cinderella, Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda, Fiona in Shrek the Musical, and as a solo performer in The Biggest Little House in the Forest. She’s also a youth theater instructor and received a fellowship and award to develop programming geared to children on the autism spectrum.
She’s currently performing Babble Lab in Atlanta for their preschoolers for the summer but is returning to Minneapolis to appear in upcoming productions at Children’s Theatre Company.
Visit childrenstheatrecompany.org for tickets and more information.
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Minnetonka • Chaska • Eden Prairie • Waconia
What’s New in Waconia
DISCOVER THE PERFECT PATIO HANGOUTS FOR YOU AND YOUR PUP
ARTICLE BY EMILY MCKEEVER
Your dog. The one who loves you most. The one who doesn’t care if your breath stinks, your clothes don’t match, or that you’re really, really crabby. Let’s be honest. Dogs aren’t just these soft beings who one day come to live with you. They’re part of the family. You sign your name on the line below “parent” at the veterinarian’s office, and you’d do just about anything for them. Besides securing the sunniest spot on the back porch and getting the top-shelf treats, on a beautiful Minnesota August day there’s another sweet way to show some extra puppy love. Treat your favorite sidekick to a patio-friendly outing at one of these dog-loving local businesses. And before you head out, we suggest calling to ask if there’s a maximum cuteness capacity… you wouldn’t want to violate any rules.
Enki Brewing – Your furry companion is welcome at Enki Brewing “all day, every day!” but they ask that she sticks to the lower lawn and patio. Grab a beer, pull up a patch of grass, and maybe do a little belly rubbing (the dog’s, not yours.)
Mocha Monkey – Life isn’t so ruff sitting outside Mocha Monkey’s downtown location. You and your loyal girl can watch the hustle and bustle on Olive Street while you sip an iced coffee, and she feels like the goodest of the good girls (cuz she is.)
Paws Inn Pet Essentials – They don’t have a patio but what they do have is everything you and your canine companion need for a patio outing. What dog doesn’t need a summertime accessory like a tropical printed scarf or a colorful waste bag dispenser? Or heck, why not BYOT – that’s Bring Your Own Treats – to your favorite outdoor establishment? Paws Inn has you covered.
Ruby’s Roost Bakery and Coffee – Nestled in the heart of downtown Victoria, you’ll find patrons sipping
Americanos, nibbling on small-batch baked goods, and simply enjoying the weather and their favorites of both the human and canine variety.
Schram Haus Brewery – At this German-inspired brewery overlooking the city of Chaska, the expansive patio is where you and your shaggy pal can pick a spot and indulge. No nose booping or no-nos at this dog haus, just fun and maybe a few ear scratches.
Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery – Sniff out this picturesque escape, including sprawling vineyards and refreshing lake views, with your tail-wagging baby. Feeding off your happy energy, your buddy will be grinning from fuzzy ear to fuzzy ear, and he might even get to meet Woody, the Schram family English Cream Golden Retriever!
The Social Ice Cream Parlor – There’s nothing sweeter than summer’s favorite treat enjoyed with a quaint downtown as your backdrop and man’s best friend by your side. After you cool down with your frozen delight, take a walk down by Steiger Lake.
Sovereign Estate – Your pooch is always welcome in the lush grassy area of the picnic grove at this gorgeous family estate. The amount of foliage to investigate and shady spots to rest in are nothing to bark at, and for you, neither is the wine.
Vic’s Bar and Grill – Looking for some shade, lake views, and a cocktail or two? You’ve come to the right place. Both you and Fido will love the friendly and upbeat energy at this quintessential corner bar.
Waconia Brewing Company – Take a seat on this sunny parking lot-turned-patio with your four-legged bestie and then order a couple of cold ones. Sorry, no dog-safe brews, but there’s always a big communal bowl filled with ice-cold water to keep your good boi or girl hydrated and having fun.
Treat your favorite sidekick to a patio-friendly outing at one of these dog-loving local businesses. And why not BYOT – that’s Bring Your Own
Frozen Chocolate Banana Pops
STAY COOL AND HEALTHY THIS SUMMER WITH A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE TREAT
Kid Crafted Coolness
Cool. Fun. Easy. Unique. Fulfilling. Indulgent. Sweet. Refreshing. Memorable. A list of qualities that describe a wonderful summer and, coincidentally, a tasty summer treat. Once upon a time, we’d fill our popsicle ma-bob with sugary Kool-Aid, wait 6 to 8 hours, and out popped a frozen homemade sweet, and we were so proud! But then something strange began happening. People started adding yogurt to their from-scratch popsicles and juice
and coconut milk and gasp! Fruit?! We learned DIY frozen goodies could be delicious and, dare we say, healthy… and the options were endless. One such recipe found on this journey of acceptance boasts a list of ingredients that seems, shall we say, interesting at first glance. Yet, when combined, creates a smooth and refreshing escape from the summer sun. All you need is a popsicle ma-bob and an open mind.
INGREDIENTS
• 4 large bananas
• 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons of heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons of maple syrup
• ½ cup salted, roasted peanuts, finely chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. Break the bananas into chunks and puree in a food processor until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the cocoa powder, cream, and maple syrup, and puree until combined. Spoon the banana mixture into ice-pop molds and freeze until firm, 8 hours or overnight.
2. Spread the peanuts on a plate. Run hot water over the ice pops to help loosen them, then unmold, roll them in the peanuts, and serve (or keep them frozen on a parchment-lined baking sheet until ready to serve).
Recipe credit: Food Network
We learned DIY frozen goodies could be delicious and, dare we say, healthy.
ARTICLE BY EMILY MCKEEVER
ARTICLE BY EMILY MCKEEVER
The Dog Days of Summer
Welcome to the dog days of summer when the air’s a little thicker and the sun’s position, still proudly high in the sky, reminds us that it ain’t over ’til we accept the inevitable and finally turn on the heat. The kids are home full time, which means days have been overflowing with sunscreen and loud Mom voices yelling, “Stay on the curb, look both ways and drink your water!” These kids we speak of also include the fluffier, more drool-y versions – our loyal pets – so, of course, we have their health and safety top of mind as well. In every season of life, there’s something new to learn, and we’re fortunate to have a knowledgeable and caring teacher just down the road at Victoria Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Jessica Radtke Maltez and her team are brimming with tips and tricks to keep your four-legged friends cool while having fun during the home stretch of summer. Their days aren’t just full of educating pet parents and ensuring the well-being of their sweet patients – they’ve been busy with an exciting project, and we can’t wait to share the details!
“Pet issues this time of year all relate to more exposure in general, exposure to heat, play, and bugs,” Dr. Jessica explains. Within these categories, she adds that her team tends to see many injury-related issues. “With more running, swimming, and just being outside, we see pets with injuries from new or intense activity.” If your dog is more sedentary in the winter, she urges pet owners to remember that sudden, extreme activity may cause injuries, especially in older dogs.
One example of this is swimmer’s tail. Dogs who spend all day happily running in and out of the lake with their tail in the air can actually sprain it. Who knew? And while man’s best friend is doing his best impression of Michael Phelps, Dr. Jessica says that life jackets are a good idea, especially when on a boat, and especially for tiny dogs. “Make sure there’s always enough shade for your pet to cool down in, and rinse him or her off after being in the water, as ear and skin infections from lake playtime are other common problems pet owners face.”
Overheating is also a big problem in the warmer months, and Jessica says the simplest way to prevent heat exhaustion is to give your buddy regular breaks. “Cut down on your walking routine, and if you do head out for a little exercise, do it during the cooler hours of the day, early morning or late evening.” Signs of heatstroke pet owners should watch out for are constant panting, weakness, dry gums, and abnormal mentation, which is a deviation from normal behaviors. If you notice these symptoms in your best bud, Dr. Jessica says to apply cool water on his or her legs, get into air conditioning, and if severe, call your vet or the emergency vet. “The key is to watch the humidity. When it’s humid, dogs, especially ones who are brachycephalic – dogs who have a short and broad skull shape with flattened faces and shortened muzzles – like Bulldogs or Boston Terriers – can’t pant enough to cool themselves.”
Next up, bugs. We can’t live with them, and we can’t live with them. “Bug bites, fleas, and ticks are another big challenge for pets in the summer,” Jessica shares. “Be sure to keep up with your pet’s oral flea and tick prevention. I also suggest oral heartworm prevention year-round, as mosquitos are living longer with Minnesota winters becoming warmer and warmer.” Dr. Jessica also recommends keeping a first aid kit handy because animals can be allergic to bee stings, just like people. However, she cautions you to call your clinic or the emergency vet for dosing instructions before giving Benadryl.
You’d think that now would be the time to give your dog a little buzz cut, right? Wrong! “Shaving dogs with shedding coats doesn’t help with cooling and can make their coats grow back poorly.” Dr. Jessica says to trim mats and keep the hair around your pooch’s legs and rear short if needed. She suggests it might help to set up a few extra grooming appointments this time of year, especially if your dog is a breed that doesn’t shed. For dogs with a thick undercoat that do shed, brush out their coats more frequently.
Dr. Jessica proposes offering ice cubes, as well as small quantities of apples or blueberries (never grapes because they are extremely toxic to dogs!), and she encourages pet owners to make their own flavored ice cubes for a refreshing and delicious treat option to help dogs cool down when the heat rises. She warns pet owners to be cautious of any storebought doggie delights as they may not sit well with your dog’s digestive system. On behalf of dogs everywhere, “Arf!”
(Thank you!)
There you have it! We’ve covered a lot! Did you take notes? All you need to strive for is an A for effort and a happily frolicking pet… and if there’s a lolling tongue involved, consider that extra credit!
Now for the exciting news at Victoria Veterinary Hospital. After serving the community with her staff for 5 years, Dr. Jessica has recently broken ground on an expansion and remodel of an existing building at 1486 Stieger Lake Lane in downtown Victoria. Look for a move to this new building with more parking, expanded services, and the same small town, personal care and feel by the end of 2024. https://victoriavet.net/
“Bug bites, fleas, and ticks are another big challenge for pets in the summer,” Jessica shares.
Dr. Jessica breaking ground on their new location.
Photography by Graham Payne Miller
THE FRESHMAN FLIGHT
ARTICLE BY ALISON LEE
The days are long but the years are short. It’s an adage that speaks a giant truth. Eighteen years hardly feels like enough time before parents find themselves swapping out cribs and bottles for caps and gowns. For many, this end also marks a new beginning. Sending their beloved baby off to college for the first time. College is an exciting new adventure for the student. It’s a time to dream, discover, and do. So much growth as an individual is done during this phase of life.
The opportunity to gain a greater sense of independence while still having a lot of people look out for you is basically a golden gap between being a kid and being a “real” adult, and it’s one that you never get in life again. This freedom is an enriching experience that encourages personal development and helps a student broaden their perspectives. But this transition also comes with more responsibility, and that may include anxiety, worry, stress, and sadness. For both parent and student.
There are all sorts of books that coach you on how to survive pregnancy, delivery, post-partum, and those first few years of sleepless nights. But unfortunately, as a parent, there’s no manual that walks you through this passage of life. And there is no secret sauce that guarantees your child will find a desired field to study, be academically successful, and earn a degree. But there are certainly those who have come before you with a bit of a blueprint to help ease you through the adjustment. If you’re about to embark on this adventure for the first time, your game plan should include a conversation about communication, your child's campus involvement, academics, and time management.
Amanda McDonald, the Director of Student Success at Crown College, has found it important for students and their families to set clear, realistic expectations – academic, social, and financial. Having upfront, open, and honest conversations about these components will encourage the student to be actively engaged in their education. This is hardly a one-time conversation piece. Even though you may not be there to see them on a daily (or regular) basis like you have for the last eighteen years, it’s still important to remember that your support does not end at drop-off. Communication throughout the semester is still critical. Find ways in which your child responds best, and even if it’s outside your comfort zone, meet them where they are.
Three keys that will enhance your college student’s first-year experience
One of the most important things that will enhance a student’s college experience is their connection on campus. Getting involved in activities, clubs, sports, or faith groups carries a significant role in their mental health. Having a social group, people with shared interests, and trusted friends help all of us find our place. Feeling comfortable, safe, and secure are huge markers for success. They tend to create a space that allows your child to feel motivated, seen, heard, and supported.
“Understanding the social landscape of the institution is vital,” says Amanda. “Finding friends and groups is imperative to a sense of belonging.”
Good time management might not be something your child is very familiar with. They may not have had a
lot of autonomy in high school to create a routine that allowed them to have complete control of how they spent their time or how much they studied. When a student understands an assignment’s time commitment and identifies a consistent place to study, they are more likely to be successful. College coursework is more challenging, and this change can be overwhelming. Time management is especially important on the financial side of things if they need to keep up their grades to maintain a scholarship or balance a part-time job. Encourage your child to take advantage of their campus resources, faculty, advisors, teaching assistants, or tutors. These are people who want to contribute to their academic success. It’s why they’re there!
Focusing on these areas will pave a smoother path, and students can navigate the new transition more confidently, making the most of both the academic and social opportunities that come with this exciting chapter in their story. And as a parent who sent my oldest off to college last summer for the first time, I can assure you that this big change will also be a part of your story. Except you’ll likely be getting more sleep this time around!
crown.edu
AUGUST 3RD
1860s Vintage Baseball Game
Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead | 1:00 PM
Come out for a ballgame unlike any other. Dressed in historic-style uniforms and playing by mid-nineteenth century rules, watch the Quicksteps take the field for their annual 1860's Vintage Baseball Game. This year, the Carver County Historical Society will be selling staple baseball snacks alongside a food truck. The game is free, but bring your own chairs or blankets!
AUGUST 6TH
Night to Unite Block Party
Victoria Neighborhoods | 5:00 PM
On August 6, from 5pm-8pm, neighborhoods all over Victoria will host Night to Unite Block Parties! It's an annual tradition on the first Tuesday of August, and this year, the City of Victoria is collecting donations for the non-profit Southern Valley Alliance, which supports victims of domestic violence. Give donations to a firefighter during the block party or at City Hall.
AUGUST 7TH
Carver County Fair
Carver County Fairgrounds | 8:00 AM
The five best days of summer are almost here! From August 7-11, the Carver County Fair returns with a kick-off concert featuring Confederate Railroad and opening act Shane Martin Band. Enjoy a beer garden and countless food vendors, hop on a ride at the Midway, check out the animals, and enjoy plenty of Grandstand events, including a demolition derby. https://www.carvercountyfair.com/
AUGUST 11TH
Sunday Tastings and Tunes at Schram Vineyards
Schram Vineyards | 11:00 AM
Sunday afternoons just got so much better. Come for Sunday Tastings and Tunes at Schram Vineyards on August 11th and 25th from 11am6pm. Walk-up tastings are held outdoors with live music in the tasting room or pavilion from 1pm-4pm. Enjoy wine and beer by the glass, bottle sales, and the kitchen and food truck are both open for tasty eats!
AUGUST 22ND
Paradise Beach Bash
Lake Waconia Regional Park | 3:00 PM
Rescheduled due to weather, the Paradise Beach Bash is back on! Celebrate the new Paradise Commons and enjoy a Kids' Dance with DJ, live music by Ragtown, yard games, and a bonfire with s'mores. While entrance is free, for $10, you can get an Activity Pass, allowing you access to the bounce house, 25-foot rock wall, face painting, and more!
Whether your pup has the obedience of a dog show finalist, or social behavior that makes you want to play dead around others, you can develop more owner confidence with help from this expert trainer.
ARTICLE BY LISA MOYER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES | STYLED BY ANGELA BROOCKERD
SOCIALIZING TIPS:
“Socializing your dog is beneficial for both dogs and their owners,” says Taryn Tyler, a certified dog trainer. “It creates confidence for both dogs and owners and displaces the anxiety we feel when our dogs aren’t behaving like we want them to.”
Taryn stresses that teaching a dog to sit or stay is less about tricks and more about the relationship that builds between animal and owner. “We all love our dogs, but they can be stressful when they can’t seem to click in our home environments.
• Socializing is more than taking your dog in public. A guy can dump a bunch of mulch in your driveway and spread it , but he’s not a landscaper until he’s following a plan. When the doorbell rings or a visitor comes into the house, what’s our expectation for the dog? When we’re in public and the dog’s attention is diverted, what’s our plan to refocus them? Socialization is 99 percent working on small steps as part of a larger plan.
• Socializing isn’t about our dogs being the center of attention in public. Everyone loves seeing a dog, but our best outcome for the dog is to go unnoticed. Sitting by our side, ignoring external stimuli, remaining calm—those are things we strive for when socializing a dog.
• When socializing dogs with other dogs, start small. Take a walk with another dog to get them to just exist in the same vicinity. Once they’re able to not be excited by the other dog, work on limited playing in controlled environments.
• If someone comes into your home, let them know what boundaries you’re working on with your dog. You can even suggest asking them to carry a few treats and work on some of the behaviors your dog is already comfortable with.
Your Boat Club:
We boating! are
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The average age of our fleet is 1.5 years old- meaning our members- and you- get to experience the newest boats in the market. Because our boats are in service, they are cared for better than the average boat.
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