Lake Minnetonka Magazine - January 2023

EMBRACING

THE

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FROM THE EDITOR

RENÉE STEWART-HESTER — RENEE@LOCALMEDIA.CO

Forget the month of March. I think, if we do it right, January comes in like a lion.

Rather than limping into the new year with holiday fatigue or a general case of winter weather ennui, let’s embrace 2023 with enough joie de vivre that it’ll propel us through the year—or at least the season. To do so, fueling our perspectives can take effort and some intentional decision making. This issue focuses on themes of Education and Wellness, which can help fortify those spirits.

I appreciate learning about people like Heidi Mueller (Find more on page 24.), who made the decision to take a left turn into a new career when all signs pointed to another direction. Her story is a lesson in opening up our selves to new experiences and opportunities.

It’s important to encourage and support curiosity in younger people, and another avenue for hands-on learning will reach the shores of Lake Minnetonka with the 2024 opening of a learning center for children. The center is part of the Panoway on Wayzata Bay’s $30 million-, multi-phase project. (Learn more on page 16.)

Speaking of learning, Shorewood’s Bryce Alexander gave us all a chance to brush up on history with the construction of two Little Free Libraries in Excelsior that he created as part of his Eagle Scout project. The libraries will focus on history, and their designs give a nod two local historic sites. (Read more on page 20.)

Find items related to physical and emotional wellness in our Noteworthy section on page 12 with a contribution about 2023’s top four wellness trends, thanks to Laurel Famigletti. And how can florals heal? We have in inspiring feature on page 28 that explains how The Daphne Floral Project supports an important cause. Turn to page 36 to find out how you can heat up your well ness routine by cooling down.

Readers, who or what is inspiring your first steps into 2023?

From all of us at Lake Minnetonka Magazine, cheers to your best year yet.

On the Cover

Brian Mahoney, photo by Chris Emeott, page 36

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

Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag

Photo: Chris Emeott

lakeminnetonkamag.com

publisher

Susan Isay editor

Renée Stewart-Hester managing creative director

Renée Stewart-Hester managing editor

Hailey Almsted digital editor

Madeline Kopiecki copy editors

Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt staff writers

Zoe Deal Emily Gedde Mollee Francisco

Susie Eaton Hopper Daniel Huss Hanna McDaniels

contributing writers

Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Kate Doubler, John Farrell, III, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson , Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Kirsten Pardoe, Jackie Piepkorn, DVM, Rachael Perron, Aaron Person, Raela Schoenherr, Liz Vandam, Kira Vanderlan editorial interns

Nicole Berglund Megan Hegenbarth

editorial advisory board

Laura Bray , board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library Brooke Beyer , director of community events and marketing, Wayzata Area Chamber

Jenny Bodurka , Minnetonka Community Education Mary Cornelius , Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools

Michele Phillips , blogger, writer, photographer Natalie Webster , chief creator at Webster Effect

senior managing art director

Sarah Dovolos art director Allison Nolden junior designer Jamie Klang lead staff photographer Chris Emeott production director Brittni Dye production manager Lisa Stone production coordinator Mimi Coz senior account executives Brooke Beise Cynthia Hamre Sara Johnson Kathie Smith president

Pete Burgeson

WE HAVE AN IDEA …

… LET’S STEP INTO 2023 with the spirit of gratitude and support for our Lake Minnetonka com munity and its local businesses that have served us all so well over the previous year.

What’s the best way to say, “Thank you,” to your favorite dining spots, service spaces, shopping venues and more? Vote for your favorite local businesses and community venues in our annual Readers’ Poll— this year’s Best of Lake Minnetonka 2023.

Our contest is live throughout January at lakeminnetonkamag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a growing number of categories.

While some of your favorite categories return for another year, our editorial team has included a few more sections that further embrace our retail and business communities. Curious? Go online to vote!

Here’s what you need to know: Voting is live with three simple rules*:

1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address.

2. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m. January 31, 2023.

3. Voters need to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot is counted.

4. The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1, 2023.

5. Watch for our much-anticipated Best of Lake Minnetonka in the July issue, where the winners and runners up will be revealed—along with Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights.

*Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

GROW

Find Your Path

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has a lot to offer, even in winter.

The area’s 1,200 acres are busy with 8 miles of cross-country ski trails and 8 miles of snow shoe trails. But by far the most popular trail, year-round, is the Three-Mile Walk. (Check trail conditions at arb.umn.edu/winter.)

Taking a stroll on the Three-Mile Walk in win ter is a way to see the arboretum in an entirely different light. Far less tree cover and a blanket of fresh snow makes it possible to see more wildlife. There’s also an otherworldly softness of sound when the world of insects, running water and leafy plants have gone to sleep.

Jean Larson, manager of the Nature-Based Therapeutic Services Program at the arboretum, says walking outdoors with mindfulness of your surroundings can lead to improvements in both physical health and emotional wellness.

Larson recommends awe walking, using tips from the Greater Good in Action (ggia.berkeley. edu/practice/awe_walk). “Awe is a positive emotion triggered by awareness of something vastly larger than the self and not immediately understandable, such as nature,” she says. “Experiencing awe can contribute to a host of benefits, including an expanded sense of time and enhanced feelings of generosity, well-being and humility.”

Sarah Jackson is a media specialist at the arbore tum. She lives and gardens in Minnetonka. Learn more at arb.umn.edu.

READ

A New Start

Starting at a new high school can be concerning for any teenager. In True Biz, headmistress February Waters knows that, for 15-year-old Charlie, coming to River Valley School will be a challenge, but it will also be an opportunity unlike any Charlie’s had.

Charlie is deaf. But that’s not why she’s struggled in school. At the insistence of medical professionals toting the efficacy of the cochlear implant Charlie’s had since she was 3, Charlie never learned American

Sign Language (ASL)—or gained flu ency in any language for that matter.

By contrast, Austin, the golden boy at River Valley School for the Deaf, has been fully immersed in ASL. Austin and Charlie’s worlds col lide at a time when seismic change is happening at their school and in their personal lives.

In a story told alternately through the perspectives of the headmis tress, Charlie and Austin, author Sara Nović weaves together aspects of

deaf culture and history, reveals the harm inflicted by audism and tenderly, yet passionately, demon strates how social justice, awareness and advocacy can bring change.

True Biz is a beautiful, revelatory novel and a must-read for hearing allies to the deaf community.

Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola is a patron experience supervisor for the Hennepin County Library–Excelsior. Find more to read at hclib.org.

Photo: Aldo Abelleira

MOVE TOP FOUR WELLNESS TRENDS IN 2023

The wearable technology industry continues to boom, valued at over $16 billion. While fitness trackers continue to be the standard, we will see more devices aimed at monitor ing nutrition. Glucose monitors for nondiabetic individuals analyze in real-time how blood glucose levels respond to certain foods, exercise, stress and sleep.

With orthobiologics, we find the process of using the body’s own cells to repair injuries and reduce inflam mation is gaining significant traction within the health care space. It is a noninvasive approach that takes stem cells and platelet-rich plasma from the body to formulate them into higher concentrations where they are injected into the damaged area to illicit faster healing.

The quest for the perfect night of sleep will continue to be a focus. Sleep deprivation is rampant among adults with 35 percent not getting the advised eight hours. Consistent lack of sleep or sleep disorders contribute to chronic disease (diabetes and obe sity). The concept of sleep hygiene puts the focus on daily sleep habits. Sleep solutions will be on the rise via apps and wearable technology.

Post pandemic, mental health is front and center with 19 percent of the population living with a mental health condition. Resources are plen tiful and easy to access via digital platforms. Several trends include social media boundaries, expansion of telehealth, blood tests to help diag nose mental health conditions and virtual reality to help cope with pain.

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

DISCOVER

WAYZATA’S SCHOOLHOUSE HILL

The first school to sit atop the hill at Rice Street and Broadway Avenue in Wayzata was built circa 1890. It was replaced at least once before an unusual Pueblo Revival building was constructed in 1921. Originally named Wayzata Consolidated School, it housed grades kindergarten through 12.

The building featured a gymnasium with clerestory windows, a regula tion-size basketball court, as well as indoor showers and a community room with fireplace. Classrooms were purportedly filled with natural light and boasted views of Wayzata Bay and the town below.

When a new high school was built in 1953, the building was renamed Widsten Elementary School in memory of the late principal Halvor Widsten. It continued to serve as an elementary school until Wayzata Public Schools sold it to a developer in 1989. The building was ultimately razed in 1992, and today the site is occupied by townhomes.

Aaron Person serves as the president of the Wayzata Historical Society. Discover more at wayzatahistoricalsociety.org.

Photo: Wayzata Historical Society

TASTE

Simply Delicious

It’s only fitting to have a warm and easy meal when we get back inside from shoveling out from the inevi table snowstorm.

Consider a warm pork chop, surrounded by tender vegetables. A simple cast iron meal is always my go-to in the winter months; it’s easy to make and fun to experiment with various flavor combinations. From the warmth of brown sugar and honey to the sweetness of pears and rustic potatoes, arrange the ingredi ents on a pan in the oven, and you’ll have a delicious meal in no time.

Putting vegetables on the bottom of the pan allows every drip of fat from the pork chop to automatically baste the rest of your ingredients. The carrots, parsnips and everything else being cooked from the oven’s heat are also being cooked from the juices.

Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com for the complete recipe.

Spencer Olson, who is from the area, con tinues to expand his cooking repertoire. Taste more at thewoodenspoonchefs.com.

SIP

A Fresh Start

Consider taking part in Dry January by not taking part of beverages made with spirits, wine or beer. There are some really good nonal coholic spirits that can be used with traditional mixers. Seedlip (British), for example, is a great substitute for a gin or vodka. Spiritless (developed by three women) mimics whiskey and offers other beverages in the lineup.

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

lakeminnetonkamag.com

By Emily Gedde

Photo: Chris Emeott

At left: Sue Sorrentino (Wayzata Historical Society), Matthew Thompson (Wayzata Sailing), Peter Hitch (The Wayzata Conservancy), Rebecca Muchow (Cushing Terrell) and Kit Swanson (YMCA of the North) are just a few of the individuals who have been a part of the planning project.

HANDS-ON LEARNING is making its way to the shores of Lake Minnetonka with the renovation of a former home for railroad foremen and their fami lies into a lakefront learning center as part of the Panoway on Wayzata Bay’s $30 million-, multi-phase project.

Construction of the Sandbold Lakeside Learning Center is set to begin in April with the goal of opening by September 2023, but construction schedules can impact that time frame.

Peter Hitch is the executive director of the Wayzata Conservancy, the non profit group behind the project. As part of the founding committee behind the Minnesota Children’s Museum, Hitch has a passion for providing opportunities for youth. “The learning center will pro vide hands-on learning for children,” he says. “It’s going to be wonderful.”

Panoway on Wayzata Bay, a decadelong project, was born as a municipal utility project in 2012 and gathered citi zen input to flourish into the vision it has become. The intention of the effort is to restore, protect and enhance Wayzata’s downtown lakefront. The learning center will complete phase two of three phases, according to Hitch.

The learning center will offer science, technology, engineering and mathemat ics (STEM) education with a hands-on learning focus to help children develop a variety of skills. Elementary- and middleschool aged youth will have opportunities to learn about ecology, sailing education and more. “Any way you can imagine hav ing that type of STEM learning [will be available],” Hitch says. “Our vision also includes classes on ice ... It’s the general concept of hands-on and being outdoors.”

Hitch says the project was selected to receive a $200,000 award from the Legislative-Citizen Commission

Renderings provide a sneak peek into what the learning center is slated to become, an opporunity to bring education and hands-on learning to the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata.

Renderings: The Wayzata Conservancy

HISTORY LESSON

Wayzata’s section foreman house is home to a rich history and has been designated on the National Register of Historic Places, Hitch says of the house built by the Great Northern Railroad in 1902. Section foreman houses were built approximately every 30 miles to the West Coast for the foremen and their families. Hitch says the Wayzata structure is one of six remaining in the country.

While there will be some changes to the home, Hitch says something will remain the same. “The outside of it is going to look just like it did, down to the color of the paint,” he says.

on Minnesota Resources in early September will “top off” funding needed for this portion of the overall project. “There’s really a legacy push to this,” he says. “This stuff has been here. It’s not new. We want to bring it back, so people can enjoy their history.”

As a public, private partnership with the City of Wayzata, Panoway is funded through state, local and private dollars. “We’ve raised about $850,000 privately for this project,” Hitch says. “The goal is to raise another $9 million privately to get us all the way through phase three.”

Phase three of the project includes a $3.5 million creation of an Eco Park (complementary to the learning cen ter) and the $3 million expansion and remodel of the Depot Park surrounding the historic Wayzata Depot. Both are slated to begin in 2024. “It’ll be a big part of the learning,” Hitch says of the parks. “The learning center will bring kids out side to the Eco Park to play in the dirt.”

With a long way to go, Hitch speaks highly of the progress made and the excitement for the future. “What we’re trying to do is make Wayzata a better place for its residents and people coming to see us,” he says. “This is a chance to make Wayzata better for our kids.”

ARCHIVES

History in the Making

Eagle Scout creates Little Free Libraries in Excelsior.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

SHOREWOOD’S BRYCE

ALEXANDER , 18, gave himself a his tory assignment. When deciding what to do for his Eagle Scout project, the Minnetonka High School senior landed on building not one, but two Little Free Libraries, which host historical titles in their tiny abodes in Excelsior.

“For my project, I had a goal to leave a mark on my home community that would remain for many years to come,” Bryce says. “I also wanted to have an intellec tual impact on my community that would grow a stronger connection between resi dents and their home. Finally, I wanted to expand my interests in engineering.”

Bryce heard about the ExcelsiorLake Minnetonka Historical Society’s (ELMHS) interest in having a Little Free

Library (or two) located in Excelsior. Before moving forward with the project, he made presentations to the Excelsior Heritage Preservation Commission and Excelsior City Council, according to Mark Read, ELMHS president.

Bryce knew his idea would have last ing impact. “Not only would the struc tures stand out as structurally unique and add to the historical significance of the city, but [they provide] a connection to the land where each library stands,” he says. “The Excelsior Depot library is located a few feet from the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, which rep resents the location of the railroad sys tem that connected Minneapolis with Excelsior. The Blue Line Café library represents a café and boat rental that

Photos: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

Left: Bryce Alexander with the Blue Line Café Little Free Library that is located near the Port of Excelsior in Excelsior.

Right: This historical image of the actual Blue Line in 1912 provides a reference point for the newly-constructed Little Free Library.

Top left: Piece by piece the Little Free Libraries come together.

Top right: A few of the senior Boy Scouts: Brendan Fiedler, Michael Klos and Gavin Fitch stand next to the Little Free Library by the ELMHS Museum on Water Street.

Bottom: Berry boxes gather near the Excelsior Depot circa 1929.

BOOK MARK

Like so many things in life, a teacher inspired a movement. The first Little Free Library, created in Hudson, Wisconsin, was inspired in 2009 by the late Todd Bol’s mother, a teacher and lifelong reader.

In 2012, Bol and Rick Brooks co-founded the Little Free Library nonprofit organization (St. Paul). Its mission and vision, according to the website, are: To be a catalyst for building community, inspir ing readers and expanding book access for all through a global net work of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries. Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a per sonally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space or privilege.

The “take a book, share a book” program clearly resonates with so many people around the globe. It now has 150,000 little libraries in more than 100 countries with about 70 billion shared books annually. Imagine!

operated down the road from the [former] Excelsior Amusement Park. It is located in the Port of Excelsior across Water Street from where the original location of the café stood.”

The projects began in January 2022 and ended in August 2022. (Plywood was donated by Lyman Lumber and Home Depot.) Bryce notes that the projects yielded 150 collective building hours and another 50 hours for commu nication. He says, “For an Eagle Scout project, the scout running the project must plan, develop and give leader ship to others in a service project.”

Therefore, some other scouts lent their hands to the project, as well.

littlefreelibrary.org

Little Free Library

@littlefreelibrary

@LtlFreeLibrary

elmhs.org

Photos: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society; Sharon Alexander

VENTURES

Pouring Her Heart Out

Candle maker creates products that smell good while doing good.

By Mollee Francisco

THE POWER OF A SCENT is undeniable. It can single-handedly evoke memories and emotions. Heidi Mueller understands that and aims to create scents with her hand-poured soy candles that are both irresistible and unforgettable.

Mueller is the founder of Excelsior Candle Co., a business that started as a hobby in her basement in Excelsior in 2014 and has since turned into a fulltime venture. Her candles start at $14 for a 4 oz. tin and can be purchased via her website as well as at Northern Drift on Water Street in Excelsior.

Each candle is sold in a reusable container, and a portion of the proceeds benefit Emerge Mothers Academy. (See sidebar for details.)

Before Mueller ventured into candle making, the then-single mom of three children worked in accounting and appeased her creative impulses by making jewelry and tackling upholstery projects in her free time. “I was taking over the house,” Mueller says. Eventually, her kids grew frustrated and asked if she could pick just one hobby. She says, “I said, ‘OK, I’ll pick candle making.’”

Though candle making wasn’t among Mueller’s list of hobbies at the time, it was something she had always been interested in trying. She loves the warmth of candles and the way certain scents can trigger specific memories. Mueller says she taught herself to how to make candles. As she began selling her product, Mueller called her business The Vintage Pyro (before changing its name to Excelsior Candle in 2016) distinguishing herself in the vast candle market by using unique vessels, including tea cups, Mason jars and assorted bar ware. She also gave her candles cheeky names like Grandma’s Knickers, which Mueller explains features a clean cotton scent.

“After about six months, it took off,” she says. Mueller got her candles in stores and landed a booth at Junk Bonanza, a three-day vintage shopping event at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. “Then I hit a wall and decided to rebrand,” she says. In 2016, Mueller transitioned from The Vintage Pyro to Excelsior Candle Co., paying homage to her early basement beginnings. Her new logo was clean and unfussy. She chose simple tin containers that could be recycled or refilled and started the Bottomless Candle Exchange Program, giving customers the opportunity to bring back their empty candle containers for a 50 percent discount off a new

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Photos: Chris Emeott

PROCEEDS WITH PURPOSE

Mueller donates a portion of her candle proceeds to Emerge Mothers Academy, a multi-service nonprofit located in Minneapolis that offers intervention and resources to help single mothers thrive. Among the services that Emerge provides are work-preparation, social support, finan cial literacy education, parenting classes, mentoring and a micro-loan grant initiative. Mueller says the cause is near and dear to her heart after having twins at 19. “I know how hard it is to raise kids, go to school and work,” she says. To learn more, visit emergetwincities.org.

candle. Mueller also began offering private-label products, making candles for other companies.

By 2017, Mueller quit her day job and moved to candle making full time. “This is all I do now,” she says. These days, Mueller rents a studio in the Northrup King Building in Minneapolis. There, she uses natural essential oils and fragrance blends to pour out bestsellers like Lemon Fizz, Amaretto Rhubarb Bar, Chocolate Drizzle, Santal 74 and Dapper Man.

Mueller aims to add a couple new scents each season. She currently has three collections—Gem, Signature and Holiday—and is readying to launch a new collection called Pour Decisions, inspired by classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned and the Sidecar. Mueller says the newest collection is a result of being surrounded by breweries and distilleries.

But while the artistic energy of north east Minneapolis can be inspiring, it can also be draining. “I smudge constantly,” Mueller says. With Blackfoot ancestry on her mother’s side, Mueller uses tradi tional methods of burning sacred herbs to clear negative energy after a long day at the studio. “I’m always clearing, cleansing,” she says. Mueller says the practice makes for better candles and a happier candle maker. “I literally pour myself into these,” she says.

Excelsior Candle Co., 1500 Jackson St. NE Studio 206, Mpls. excelsiorcandleco.com

Excelsior Candle Company

@excelsior_candle

ExcelsiorCandle

@ExcelsiorCandle

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WRITTEN BY ZOE DEAL — PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

Petals for Purpose branches into wearable floral creations.

NATURAL STYLE

Pain. Waiting. Rising. For floral artisan Dawn Schelle, who grew up in Wayzata, these stages represent everything. From the ashes of a broken marriage and a resulting crisis of identity and purpose, Schelle grieved, then bloomed. “There is a rising. There’s always a rising,” she says.

Starting in 2019, Schelle left tradi tional work, raised children and par ticipated in entrepreneurial concepts before embracing her longtime passion for floristry and in the years since has cultivated a thriving business founded on philanthropy, connection and com munity. At Petals for Purpose, Schelle and co-creator Molly Molitor are spreading a bold mission through flow ers. They’ve handed out fresh blooms at the Wayzata Art Experience to pro mote local businesses, transformed front porches and corporate patios and appeared at local fashion events with wearable floral creations.

The beauty, strength and vibrancy of her flowers is now a language to Schelle. “I don’t know how to make 26 letters of the alphabet communicate my soul …” she says. “The only way I know how to do that is with flowers.”

Decked out in colorful hand-painted overalls, Schelle and Molitor have trav eled near and far to share their art with the world. But, for now, it’s the issues close to home that are the heart of Petals for Purpose. Each branch of the busi ness fuels another mission, The Daphne Floral Project brings support—both monetary and floral—to causes close to Schelle’s heart, including mental health and Sojourner Project, a domestic vio lence nonprofit and shelter serving the state that has primarily served the west Metro area for more than 40 years.

“There’s a lot of women who dimin ish themselves … and intentionally were diminished, who had no voice and are

Left: Schelle with the inspired dress that started it all.

Above: Molitor makes final adjustments on one of the stunning creations. In both photos, the women wear their hand-painted, signature overalls.

trying to rebuild their lives and under stand how they can communicate,” Schelle says. “And I think it’s really hard if you don’t have a way to creatively express.”

Since founding Petals for Purpose, Schelle has often donated fresh-cut flowers in canning jars to bring light to Sojourner’s shelter bedrooms and common areas. And in 2021, Schelle spearheaded a fundraising campaign for Sojourner in tandem with Jewelweed, a Wayzata health and beauty shop, that would go on to become The Daphne Floral Project.

“It’s really a heart calling for her …” says Jewelweed owner Jodi McKee. “It’s not about anything external. It’s just that she really cares about people and about women and really wants to give and be of service in the world.”

With encouragement and input from the Jewelweed staff, Schelle crafted the project’s mascot—a mannequin adorned with a bespoke faux floral outfit—to be displayed in Jewelweed’s front window. “It drew lots of people in because it was just so beautiful and so fun to look at,” McKee says.

As Schelle and McKee celebrated the power, beauty and strength the

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FRONT PORCH REFRESH

Schelle’s passion for making a statement isn’t confined to event florals or WeAREables. Alongside Molitor— an interior design and landscaping afficiona do—Schelle also brings her creative genius to Front Porch Refresh and Design (part of a Petals for Purpose), which brings color and personality to spaces with planters, wreaths and décor.

“I know what [the flowers] represent, and when it’s sitting on a WeAREable or at an event or on your front porch, there’s the message. It’s powerful. It’s strong. It’s beautiful. It’s bold and bloom ing,” Schelle says.

The service involves a consultation, bud geting, plant and care recommendations and installation. It’s avail able to individuals and corporations. Schelle says she especially loves that the refresh “gives people the confidence to have amazing flowers on their front porch.” The team designs to the personality of each home and the season, and Schelle shares that she is already excited about upcom ing spring refreshes.

Photo: Belén Fleming of Belu Photography

completed mannequin evoked, they decided she needed a name.

One of the women who works in the store suggested Daphne. Schelle says, “When I looked into that name, it’s a Greek name, and it represents strength … and I was like, ‘OK. This is a movement. This is a thing, Daphne’s going to have a lot of sisters in this town,’ and that is where the wearables came into play … How do we create the movement?”

Jewelweed displayed the mannequin for six weeks, alongside information and resources from Sojourner. Patrons were given the opportunity to contribute funds to the cause, and the final amount was matched by Jewelweed and donated to Sojourner.

“[Schelle] brings a lot of really great energy and intentionality around what she’s doing,” says Becca Welna, Sojourner community outreach and education coordinator. “She’s very passionate about the issue, and, for us, domestic violence, despite lots of strides in awareness and services and support, still remains a pretty stigmatized and secretive issue for victims and survivors, and so anytime somebody wants to shine light on the issue … that’s one of the most powerful things that a community member can do.”

Now, Schelle is looking to promote a mission of bold expression for all women through commissionable floral designs— to bring a voice and a platform to those who need it most. Each WeAREable will be a faux or fresh floral creation, made for the wearer or business to make an impact. And it doesn’t have to be a floral dress. Anything that can be worn—hats, bags, jewelry, skirts—can be made into a

blooming statement piece.

“I want to … give [clients] a space to express. It’s kind of like when you wear a costume … it gives you the opportunity to just be something. It’s very intentional …” Schelle says. “To help people show up and feel confident about it.”

But Schelle sees her WeAREables as more than a costume. “People want to connect with nature, and they want to connect with people, and so to me, that makes the WeAREables perfect,” she says.

It’s been nearly four years since

Schelle forged a new path, taking a leap into the unknown to pursue a passion and build a better world for her chil dren and community. And she’s just getting started. “It wasn’t on accident. Everything about a flower is everything about me. It represents strength, courage, community [and] empowerment, and they never compete. They just bloom. They just do their thing, and they always perform in authenticity …” Schelle says, holding back tears. “I credit flowers for saving me and saving my soul.”

EMBRACING THE NORTH

Cold therapy brings opportunities for community, wellness.

As cold winds roll in, freezing the lakes of Minnesota, a beloved tradition returns— the polar plunge. And while some of us shiver at the notion, there are others in our community who embrace the cold, so much so that it’s become a lifestyle.

You can count Deephaven native Brian Mahoney among those ranks. Since mov ing back to Minnesota from New York during COVID-19, Mahoney has taken to visiting ice baths and saunas up to five or seven times a week. “I like the contrast of the hot and cold. You sort of go from one extreme to another, and for me, men tally, if you can conquer that … you feel like you can conquer anything,” he says.

Throughout the year, Mahoney is a member at Embrace North, a sauna and cold therapy company that is spreading this wellness trend across the Metro. Founded by Ironman triathlete and per sonal trainer Luis Leonardo, Embrace North has garnered nearly 500 mem bers since its launch in Linden Hills in June 2021. Its mission to make people feel more alive has resonated with area residents looking to push the limits of their bodies and minds in a safe and friendly environment.

“There’s this mental resilience side, and then there’s the physical recovery side, and we’re pairing both of these two things together to make humans more optimal and recover faster, heal better and just live a better overall lifestyle,” says Harrison Klein, Embrace North’s co-partner and breathing specialist.

On a wellness level, the initial shock of entering the water is just the tip of the iceberg. Regular ice bathers report improved heart health and mental fitness alongside better overall happiness and energy. It’s about longevity and breath ing, practice and ritual. Proponents of this modality stand by it wholeheartedly, and some skeptics will find themselves hooked after their first experience.

“There’s not one person that doesn’t come back here,” Klein says about Embrace North. “The best part is every body leaves here with a smile. I’ve never seen anybody leave here not happy.”

The Science

When Mahoney attended his first Embrace North meetup at Cedar Lake in Minneapolis in February 2020, he realized the depth of his companions’ passion for the ice. “They were in there for like 20 minutes, and I was in there,

Photos: Chris Emeott; Brian Mahoney

too. I didn’t want to be the first one to get out,” he says. “That was my first exposure into it.”

Cold therapy is a wellness trend that has garnered a large interest in the fields of research and media, and for good reason. When one dips into an ice bath, there is a plethora of systems impacted, including the brain and sym pathetic nervous system. As the fightor-flight response is triggered by the cold water, so too is the brain’s alert ness and ability to concentrate, Klein explains, especially as one engages in breathing protocols and works against instincts to slow the heart rate. “You’re trying to stay calm in that response with your breath and your mindset,” he says, adding that this controlled situa tion can eventually help to rewire how the brain handles stressful situations.

“A lot of us in society today are very stressed out, so we’re putting ourselves into these intentional controlled stress ful situations to adapt to it and become

more resilient,” Klein says. “… When stress hits us outside of this environ ment [the cold or the heat], we react to it differently and, you know, we respond to it with better decision making.”

For Mahoney, cold therapy is a way for him to slow down and tune into his body. “Time sort of stops in the ice bath … I tend to kind of live a faster lifestyle, so having that outlet is a really nice sort of contrast for me, and it gives me time to reflect,” he says.

To reap the most benefits from cold-water immersion, the goal is to be submerged for three to five minutes in 40-degree (or cooler) water. And while some extremists may stay in for 10 minutes or longer, it’s at the threeminute mark when Klein says one fully experiences the benefits of cold ther mogenesis, a bodily response to cold exposure. Thermogenesis is the natu ral way our bodies regulate core tem perature, but the process is amplified in cold temperatures and results in a

Take it Slow

Interested in taking a dip into cold therapy? Klein suggests ending your morning shower with cold water for boosted energy and mood. “At home, the first thing you can do is the cold shower for sure,” he says.

While your first instinct may be otherwise, introducing an inten tional nasal breathing protocol can help to maximize results. “For first timers and for simplicity, it’s really just slow, deep breathing … see if you can do five slow, deep breaths at the end of your shower just for 15 to 30 seconds, and then each day, you just build on that.”

A cold shower is a great entry point to cold therapy. If you get hooked this winter, step up your showers by introducing cycles of 30 seconds of cold water between hot water, or bring a friend out to a local lake for cold therapy company.

Photo: Brian Mahoney

rapid release of hormones, increased metabolism and cardiovascular circulation. “The beauty is that it takes about three minutes in the cold water, and that is going to be the hardest three minutes of your day,” Klein says.

Community

Eighteen months after its launch, the Embrace North team has created the very community it sought. “Being in the controlled stressor in a social setting allows you to kind of go an extra mile or push yourself a little bit farther,” Klein says. “Then after it, you’re full of dopamine or noradrenaline, and you’re smiling and laughing and hi-fiving and that’s where the bond happens.”

Convincing people to join in hasn’t been difficult. Embrace North offers members access to saunas, ice baths, winter retreats and a gym with focused classes and trainers. But it’s selling more than that—it’s a growing subculture based on inclusivity and personal growth. “A lot of us aren’t as connected with ourselves right now. We get

distracted by technology and what other people are thinking about us, but when you’re doing these kind of things … I mean cold therapy, you don’t care about what other people are thinking at all,” Klein says. “It’s just a way to disconnect from society, reconnect with yourself and feel a little bit more human and a little bit more alive.”

Embrace North isn’t the only local spot to try cold therapy. Across the Metro, individuals and businesses are using new and old methods to welcome the cold— in very different ways, large and small. Halo Cryotherapy in Minnetonka offers whole body and local cryotherapy and cryofacials. The Face Foundrié has a Cryo Queen facial that uses cryotherapy to tighten, firm and lift the skin.

Getting the benefits of cold therapy can be as simple as a cold shower or taking a dip in a nearby lake. Though Mahoney spends much of his time traveling, he hopes to keep his Lake Minnetonka ice pool open all winter long. “I would miss it,” he says. “It’s that magical of an experience.”

Embrace North, 4420 Drew Ave. S, Mpls.; embracenorth.com

Embrace North Experience @embracenorth

Halo Cryotherapy, 11353 MN-7, Minnetonka; 612.787.2796; haylocryotherapy.com

The Face Foundrié, 643 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.479.7151; facefoundrie.com

Face Foundrié @facefoundrie @facefoundrie

Photos: Embrace North

Comfort Keepers® is here to help seniors thrive safely while living independently at home. Our empathetic caregivers are specially trained to provide uplifting care and support. We’re here to help!

Comfort Keepers 5798 Lincoln Drive 763.273.4207 comfortkeepers.com

Experiencing pain or health problems that won’t go away? Dr. Lee uses acupuncture and herbs to reduce pain and optimize your health. Book your appointment today to start your natural and holistic journey to a healthier, pain free life.

Dr. Lee Acupuncture Clinic 1907 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 170, Wayzata 763.691.9570 aculee.us

Villaume-Driscoll Gallery

Exceptional People Extraordinary Care

• Memory Care

• Assisted Living

• Home Health Care

• Care Consulting

• Care Management

English Rose 952.983.0412 englishrosesuites.com

Lounge has got you covered. Book your appointment online or stop in for quality products.

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

New contemporary fine art gallery owned by Minnesota artist Michèle Villaume-Driscoll. All original art. Friendly, warm in the winter, cool in the summer. Love to see you.

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

Wayzata Bay Car Wash is locally owned and operated in the heart of downtown Wayzata. We strive to lead the industry in top-of-the-line equipment and exemplary customer service.

Wayzata Bay Car Wash 143 Lake St. E. 952.473.4033 wayzatabaycarwash.com

things to see and do around Lake Minnetonka

HONK & HOLLER

Minnetonka Theatre presents one-act play.

WHILE THIS ONE-ACT PLAY is set in 1972, its story is timeless and is brought to the community by way of Minnetonka High School’s Minnetonka Theatre, one of the premier high school programs in the Midwest.

Based on an original podcast by Radiolab/WNYC Studios and directed by Lauren Bartelt and Trent Boyum, Honk & Holler portrays the story of Carolyn Whitener, owner of a drive-up dive bar in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Whitener becomes the reluctant plaintiff in a historic Supreme Court case argued by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, then a young lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, who convinces an all-male Supreme Court to bring a discrimi nation case against young men who frequent Whitener’s establishment.

Audiences will view a story of two very different women and how, together, they changed the world. The performance is part of the Minnesota State High School League’s one-act competition. —Renée Stewart-Hester

Times to be determined, January 28 at Arts Center on 7; 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka; 952.401.5898; minnetonkatheatre.com

Compiled by Nicole Berglund and Megan Hegenbarth

LOCAL EVENTS

Art with Live Models

01/03–01/31

Sketch live models during this artists class. Ages 18 and over. $15. 6–8:30 p.m. Arts Museum & Gallery, 5424 Shoreline Drive, Mound; tockify.com/artsmound

Yoga and a Beer 01/07

Get ready to downward dog at Excelsior Brewing Company. The yoga class is cre ated by Annie Hayes Wellness to promote wellness. Enjoy a pint of beer after the class. Ages 18 and over. $20. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Excelsior Brewing Company, 421 Third St., Excelsior; 952.474.7837; excelsiorbrew.com

Maybe 1/13–1/29

Based on the book What Do You Do With an Idea?, Maybe is a dance-inspired musical about everything that makes us special. All ages. Starting at $17. Times vary. Stages Theatre Company, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins; 952.979.1111; stagestheatre.org

Polar Plunge 01/28

The Polar Plunge returns in Lake Minnetonka. The goal this year is to raise $60,000 to support Special Olympics Minnesota. All ages. Free, reg ister online for a timeslot. Noon. Surfside Park Depot, 2670 Commerce Blvd., Mound; 763.270.7119; plungemn.org

AREA EVENTS

Taylor Tomlinson

01/19–01/20

This stand-up comedian with two Netflix specials comes to the Orpheum for her Have it All tour. Ages 18 and up recom mended. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

Photo: Minnetonka Theatre

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

It’s time to start thinking about next year’s school year. The Minnetonka Community Education Center is hosting a Preschool Open House from 9–11 a.m. January 28 at the center, located at 4584 Vine Hill Road, Excelsior. The event will feature information about 2023–2024 preschool options, family activities and opportunities to meet teach ers. Learn more by calling 952.401.6800 or visiting minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com.

Minneapolis Boat Show 01/19–01/22

Explore the latest boats and marine products from the industry’s top brands, in addition to unique displays. All ages. $14 for ages 13 and older, free for kids under 12. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.332.1811; minneapolisboatshow.com

St. Paul Winter Carnival 01/26–02/05

Join the community in scavengers hunts, sledding, parades and more. All ages. Free. Times vary. Locations include Rice Park, Vulcan Snow Park, the Landmark Center and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds; 651.223.7400; wintercarnival.com

To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co 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 busi ness operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

14401 Highway 7 in Minnetonka www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com

Après-Ski

Let the fun begin after a day on the slopes … or wherever else.

Written by Renée Stewart-Hester Photos by Chris Emeott

Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail

THERE IS SOMETHING

DELIGHTFUL to be had when oppo sites meet and wonderfulness ensues. Can we say the same when chilly meets toasty? How about when coldto-the-core seeks a warming rescue?

Whether you’re making your way down a local slope or flying out to more elevated climes, the end of a ski day is not complete without an appre ciative nod to après-ski, the welcome notion of enjoying social time post time on the hill or mountain. The same could be said, in our minds, for any outdoor winter activity— be it a Nordic ski through well-groomed trails or parts unknown, a toboggan slide down a snow-frosted hill or grace ful turns around the ice rink.

Whatever your wintry endeavor, extend the experience with warm ing sips and toasts to time well spent. We’ve gathered recipes to prepare at home, or tuck them away for a special request at your favorite ski lounge.

Aperol Hot Toddy

Courtesy of Harbor Wine and Spirits, Mound

• 2 1/3 oz. whiskey

• 2 oz. Aperol

• 2 tsp. honey

• orange slice

• cinnamon stick

• 10 oz. water, boiled

Combine Aperol, whiskey and honey in a heatproof container. Pour in fresh boiled water, and stir. Divide among four glasses or mugs. Add an orange slice and a cinnamon stick. Serve hot.

Empress Hot Toddy

Courtesy of Delano Wine and Spirits

• 1 1/2 oz. Empress 1908 Gin

• 4 oz. hot hibiscus and elderberry tea

• dash of peach bitters

• honey, to taste

• lemon slice or twist

Use one teabag for two cups of boil ing water, and lightly steep (two-three minutes) with two or three lemon slices. In a glass, add the tea, gin, lemon slice and a dash of bitters. Stir to com bine. Add honey to taste.

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• 4 cups whole milk

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla paste

• pinch of salt

• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

• 2 tsp. cocoa powder

• 7 oz. bittersweet chocolate

• crushed peppermint candy, garnish

• whipped cream, garnish

Pour milk into a small saucepan with a cinnamon stick, vanilla paste, salt and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, turn to the lowest heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the cocoa powder, and stir until combined. Remove the cinnamon stick, and strain through a cheesecloth or very fine mesh strainer

into a clean saucepan. Add the choco late. Stir until its melted and combined.

Tuaca Apple Pie Cocktail Courtesy of Harbor Wine and Spirits, Mound

• 1/2 oz. Tuaca*

• 1 oz. brandy

• 5 oz. hot apple cider

• whipped cream

• cinnamon, freshly grated

• cinnamon stick

Pour liquids into a heatproof mug. Top with whipped cream and grated cinna mon. Add a cinnamon stick for stirring.

* Tuaca is blend of Italian brandy, Mediterranean citrus and vanilla spice. Its recipe has remained nearly the same since the Italian Renaissance. It can also be enjoyed neat—by a roaring fire!

FOR MORE …

Consider visiting Five Swans in Wayzata to find Winter Drinks (Ryland Peters & Small) $14.95

Discover Cinnamon and Clementine Hot Chocolate, Chai Tea Latte, Spiced Winter Tea and more. For sassy sips, it includes Mulled Wine or the Penicillin (Scotch, lemon, honey and ginger). Five Swans, 315 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.473.4685; fiveswans.com

LOOKS MATTER … when it comes to your warm beverage sipping vessel.

Consider a set of double-wall glass mugs with extra insulation for hot beverages. The mug wear is made with borosilicate glass. $28/mug.

For an artistic flair, A MANO offers painted mugs, depicting impressionist ski tableaus and miniature landscapes. $38 and up. The Golden Rule, 350 Water St., Excelsior; 612.598.2098; shopgoldenrule.com

Le Chocolat Chaud Courtesy of Spencer Olson of thewoodenspoonchefs.com

“Believe me, when I say it, this drink will change how you drink hot chocolate for the rest of your life. If you like a sweeter drink, you can always add more sugar, but whatever path you take with it, it is a chocolate lover’s dream.” — SPENCER OLSON

Le Chocolate Chaud

Boyd Wealth Management Group

Christina Boyd, CRPC®

Managing Director Senior Financial Advisor 952.476.5613

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

315 Lake Street East Suite 200 Wayzata, MN 55391 fa.ml.com/boydgroup

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC InsuredAre Not Bank GuaranteedMay Lose Value

The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. owns the service marks Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo, and the certification marks Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo.

©2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. MAP4264790 | AD-11-22-0182 | 470965PM-0322 | 11/2022

SECOND PLACE: PEOPLE & FAMILIES

Lens on Lake Minnetonka

A familial scene captures a happy memory.

“THIS GENTLEMAN IS ACTUALLY MY DAD,” Ann Beadle-Reinitz says. “I took the photo because I don’t have a lot of photos of my dad, and he looked really nice that day.” The photo was taken just before the Spirit of the Lakes parade in Mound. “The image says to me that he was happy that day as it was cool and not as humid, and he was happy to be spend ing time with his daughter and son-in-law,” she says.

Photographer: Ann Beadle-Reinitz

Title: Navy Dad

Equipment: Nikon D850

Location: Near the Gillespie Center in Mound

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