Lake Minnetonka - January 2025

EA

MI

N’

C E L EBRATING 20 YEA R S

R

D

CALI F

I N R O

A

CHE

FO

FFE RS

UP

HE

RG

REA

T EST

HITS IN

S P R I N G PA R K

NO ONE BUILDS LIKE NOR - SON Nor-SonCustomBuilders.com | MN LIC. #BC001969

Inspiration Begins in Our D

S

MN LIC. BC627402

EDINA DESIGN SHOWROOM

5009 FRANCE AV S | 952 999. 7720 | ISPiRI.com

D E S I G N B U I L D R E N O VAT E

®

JANUARY 2025

Photo: Drew Gray Photography

“In the new year, never forget to thank your past years because they enabled you to reach today.

Without the stairs of the past, you cannot arrive at the future!” —Mehmet Murat Ildan, playwright

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Consistent, Reliable, Exceptional: 50 Years of Building Success

Eminent Interior Design, page 24

Proven Quality. Proven Trust. Since 1975.

MINNETONKA, GOLDEN VALLEY AND PRIOR LAKE With a legacy of architectural and design accolades, our talented team is dedicated to surpassing your expectations.

Let’s bring your vision to life—contact us today!

info@ronclark.com • RonClark.com 952-974-3000 Prices subject to change without notice. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Contractor Lic # 1220

5

Klondike Dog Derby, page 44

DEPA RTMEN TS

18 Perfecting Pilates A Wayzata fitness studio finds a sweet spot with its combination of strength and cardio training.

20 Orono Rotary Club Education, veterans and the community are in focus.

22 The Sounds of Healing Program showcases music’s therapeutic power.

FEATUR ES

24 Dynamic Design Duo Orono home embraces a bold fusion of color and texture.

6

29 Weightless and Wonderful A Minnetonka float spa offers sensory deprivation therapy to support bodies and minds.

Located 20 minutes West of Lake Minnetonka

32

Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Transportation, Training

Photo: Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

Let’s Go Hammer Travel offers destinations—near and far.

TAST E M A K E R S

38 California Dreamin’ Chef offers up her greatest hits in Spring Park.

Top Dog Country Club app get it on Apple App

www.TopDogCountryClub.com (952)353-2600

Top Dog Country Club app get it on Google Play

I N E V E RY ISS U E

8 13 44 48

Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

7

from the EDITOR The holiday décor might be on its way back into storage, and the confetti has landed after New Year’s eve parties, but the festivities are far from over.

At Lake Minnetonka Magazine, we’re just getting the celebration started.

Join us as we begin our 20th year as your premiere community lifestyle magazine. (Our official anniversary is in May, but we’re all in for celebrating all year long.) When I joined the magazine as editor in 2020, I knew that I was taking the helm of a beautiful magazine that held a respected standing in the lake area for its ability to showcase fascinating residents, businesses rooted in the community, educational endeavors and caring health and wellness providers, and we can’t forget all the articles that beautifully highlight activities and programming in and around Lake Minnetonka and its communities.

I felt a bit of trepidation in the early days of my editorship. Could I uphold the quality of this magazine and continue its legacy as an important calling card of your community? Would the bar set by my amazing predecessors maintain its level (or inch higher)? My initial fears were quickly laid to rest—all because of you, Readers, and your continued engagement in our pages by offering article ideas, providing input and agreeing to share your inspiring stories with our writers. I continue to be humbled by your graciousness and commitment to all things local and your ongoing support of Lake Minnetonka Magazine.

What’s in store as we begin our third decade as regular visitors to your mailboxes? Beginning this month, meet new contributors to our Noteworthy section (pages 13) and incoming members of our Editorial Advisory Board (page 14). I’m delighted that you’ll continue to find some of your favorite contributors in our pages, and I’m grateful that some of our board members are returning for another term.

If I’ve learned anything during my editorship, it’s that this community is rooted in the generous spirits of its residents, and some of that is evident through the good work that comes by way of several local Rotary organizations. This year, we offer a series, devoted to highlighting the efforts of Rotarians. Discover the first installment on page 20.

While 2025 brings some fresh perspectives and ideas, rest assured, our entire Editorial, Art, Production and Sales team members remain committed to bringing you elevated, engaging and educational content.

Happy anniversary, Readers. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Renée Stewar t- Hes t e r renee@localmedia.co

O n t h e C o ver Vitalist by Sarah H, Photo

by Chris Emeott, page 38

8

See w hat w e’ re do ing b ehind the scenes and aro und to wn!

Lake Minnetonka Magazine

@lakeminnetonkamag

@lmtkmag

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E L A K E M I N N E T O N K A A R E A S I N C E 2 0 0 5 .

A 70+ Year Legacy of Craftsmanship 3435 County Rd. 101 | Minnetonka | (952) 475-2097 | boyerbuilding.com LIC# BC002988 9

VOL. 19 NO. 9 lakeminnetonkamag.com

PUBLISHER Susan Isay EDITOR Renée Stewart-Hester MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR Renée Stewart-Hester MANAGING EDITOR Hailey Almsted DIGITAL EDITOR Madeline Kopiecki

To Advertise

COPY EDITORS Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt STAFF WRITERS Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrew Akhaphong, Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Lynette Kalsnes, Spencer Olson, Rima Parikh, Molly Rivard, Raela Schoenherr, Lisa Stevens and Katie Tomsche DIGITAL INTERN Alexandra Tostrud EDITORIAL INTERNS Amy Holmberg, Findlay Drabant and Mikayla Vo EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Mary Cornelius, Minnetonka Schools; David Decker, House Novel; Sue Gartner, Crown Warehouse & Delivery Service; Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global; Michele Phillips, blogger, writer and photographer; Anna Skemp, Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce; and Amanda Zielike, House Novel SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR Sarah Dovolos ART DIRECTOR Allison Nolden ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jamie Klang GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Emeott PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Brittni Dye PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Stone

sara johnson

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mimi Coz SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson and Lauren Warner

952.250.1859 sara@localmedia.co

PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson To subscribe to Lake Minnetonka Magazine, please visit localmedia.co.

For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2025. All rights reserved.

10

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Expect more from your bank.

Does your bank work hard for you?

At CorTrust, we’re committed to providing the products and services you need to get the most out of everyday and every dollar. We work hard so you don’t have to.

Visit us today and raise your expectations of what banking should be.

Raise your expectations.

4625 County Rd 101 Minnetonka (952) 933-9550 CorTrustBank.com Member FDIC

11

SPONSORED CONTENT

Caption if needed xxx xxx

For more than a decade, POLOVITZ GROUP has served clients across the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes Area.

For POLOVITZ GROUP, family means everything.

Cousins Sarah Polovitz and Al Anderson bring their familial ties together to ensure clients find their perfect homes. As part of Compass, the country’s largest independent real estate brokerage, they are Founding Members of Compass Minnesota. “We are focused on providing a service-driven, personalized and responsive real estate experience,” Polovitz says.

With strong community connections, Polovitz and Anderson are also deeply connected Up North. “Our greatgrandparents planted their roots on Gull Lake in 1947,” Anderson says. “We have spent our entire lives going back and forth between the Twin Cities and the Brainerd Lakes Area—a place we hold close to our hearts.”

Wherever clients are looking to buy or sell, the team is ready to assist with building or finding their dream homes or moving up, right sizing or relocating. “Our team is built on honesty, integrity and proactive communication,” Polovitz says. “We take the time to understand our clients’ goals, so we can work efficiently to exceed expectations” Client satisfaction clearly stands at the forefront of POLOVITZ GROUP. Ninety percent of its business is referral 12

based, which is a strong testament to the business. “Sarah’s deep knowledge of the market, combined with her attention to detail and professionalism, make her a true standout,” Cassandra D. says. “Whether we were buying or selling properties at various price points in the Twin Cities or the Brainerd Lakes Area, she guided us through every step with expertise and care.”

POLOVITZ GROUP has been a pioneer in the way it markets its listings by use of video, drone fly-throughs, photography and social media. Follow Polovitz and Anderson on Instagram: @realtor.sarahpolovitz and @alanderson.re.

POLOVITZ GROUP supports Minnetonka Youth Hockey Association, Jack Jablonski Foundation, Gull Lake Sailing School, and a variety of local charities and fundraisers.

POLOVITZ GROUP | Compass 401 Lake St. E., Suite 200, Wayzata Sarah Polovitz | 612.743.6801 Al Anderson | 651.802.0271 polovitzgroup.com

lo c al tip s, tidb its & insi ght s

N OT E WO RT H Y

Vote MOVE

Take Five

LET’S START THE YEAR OFF RIGHT WITH OUR ANNUAL READERS’ CHOICE POLL

Embracing these winter suggestions might help you stave off attacks on your wellness.

Stay hydrated to boost your immune system and help fight viruses. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day.

Take a vitamin D supplement, and increase foods high in vitamin D, including mushrooms and salmon. Vitamin D may decrease in the winter months, which make you

W ELCOME, R EA D ER S , to 2025 and our annual Best of Lake Minnetonka

Readers’ Choice Poll, which celebrates life in and around the lake community. We don’t know of a better way to step into the year than by showing support and appreciation for local businesses, service providers and much more!

Our contest is live January 1–31 at lakeminnetonkamag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a number of categories. While some of your favorite selections return for another year, our Editorial Team has included a few more categories that highlight additional retail and business communities. Curious? Go online to vote!

more susceptible to illness.

Sleep is an important factor in staying healthy, so make it a priority and be consistent with seven to nine hours each night.

Stay active during the winter months even though it can be hard to be motivated with the

To have your vote successfully entered and counted, follow these rules*:

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

2. Voters need to vote in at least five categories.

3. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m. January 31.

The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1. Our July issue and website will reveal the Best of Lake Minnetonka winners and runners up—along with special features, including the Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights. —Editorial Staff

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

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

cold temperatures. Even 30 minutes per day can help you stay happy and healthy.

Eat seasonally to consume foods at their peak ripeness full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

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.

13

N OT E WO RT H Y

WELCOME

Board Members Join our Team There’s a lot to celebrate around here!

Not only is Lake Minnetonka Magazine marking its 20th anniversary (May makes it official!) as this area’s premiere community lifestyle magazine, we are welcoming new members to our Editorial Advisory Board.

Deephaven’s Sue Gartner of Crown Warehouse & Delivery Service, looks forward to sharing her depth of knowledge of the interior designbuild world. She also has a deep appreciation for local history and lake life living. “I have the privilege of living in a historic home built in 1890, and the beauty that surrounds lake living is pretty special,” she says.

(Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com to read about Gartner’s home in our November 2024 issue.)

“I'm honored to represent the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce on the advisory board,” says Anna Skemp, the chamber’s communications and member events coordinator. “I'm looking forward to sharing and supporting this great community in Lake Minnetonka Magazine. I appreciate the beautiful surroundings and the incredible business and community members that care deeply about the area. There's so much passion here, and it shows!”

Join me in thanking our current members: David Decker and Amanda Zielike of Minnetonka and House Novel; Mary Cornelius, communications specialist for Minnetonka Schools; Kelly Olsen of Mound and

SIP

Restart, Refresh

Minnetonka and blogger, writer and

This soothing drink is perfect for when

» 1 lemon, juiced and strained

photographer. They contribute valu-

you need a little TLC for inflammation or

» ½ lime, juice and strained

able input to our magazine, serving

if you just need a natural reboot to help

» ¼ tsp. turmeric

as true touchpoints to and support-

support your immune system during cold

» 2 tsp. fresh ginger, finely grated

ers of the area.

and flu season. It’s made with turmeric,

There are more members of the

which contains curcumin, known for its

Place ingredients in a mug. Stir, and let

advisory board—Readers! We con-

anti-inflammatory properties, unique fla-

steep for 5 minutes. Sip slowly in a quiet

tinue to appreciate your article ideas,

vor and golden color.

place to encourage peace and relaxation.

names pop up in my inbox! Reach

Anti-Inflammatory Reboot Drink

me at renee@localmedia.co.

» 2 cups hot water

—Renée Stewart-Hester

» 1–2 Tbsp. local honey

Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys.

Sip more at lundsandbyerlys.com.

and I look forward to seeing your

14

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Lunds & Byerlys

Olsen Global; and Michele Phillips of

l o ca l t i p s , t i d b its & in sig h ts

LISTEN

Create Healthy Habits That Last Going into a new year, many consider new ways to prioritize wellness, but learning where to begin can be overwhelming.

The Art of Living Well, co-hosted and co-created by Marnie Dachis Marmet, is a good starting point. “The main focus is to get people to really think about finding their own art of living well, which is different for everyone,” says the Minnetonka resident.

The podcast guides listeners to a healthier lifestyle with practical, powerful approaches. More than 230 episodes feature Marmet and co-host Stephanie May Potter with health and wellness experts.

Marmet says, “I think making yourself a priority is so important. I know it can be hard, but there are ways to break that down, so it’s very manageable and doable.”

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

deephaven

MINNEAPOLIS

OFFERED AT $3,795,000 6 BED, 6 BATH, 5,953 FSF

OFFERED AT $975,000 3 BED, 2 BATH, 2,801 FSF

Welcome to upscale casual living in the heart of Cottagewood USA! This custom farmhouse was thoughtfully designed by Ben Nelson and crafted by Konen Homes. No detail is left out, with high-end Marvin Ultimate Line windows, shiplap walls, vintage-stained oak flooring, rolling barn doors, ceiling millwork, and more. Blocks from one of five Deephaven city beaches, this residence offers unmatched convenience to the LRT trail, tennis, pickleball, parks, and boating!

Experience luxury and location in this Lynnhurst executive home, steps from Lake Harriet. The open main floor boasts vaulted ceilings, a chef’s kitchen with a Wolf range, and a solarium-style dining room overlooking beautiful professional landscaping.

The remodeled lower level features a spa-like bath, Finnish sauna, and new laundry room. Outdoors, enjoy Brazilian Walnut decking, a saltwater hot tub, and a private studio—perfect for refined urban living.

FOR SALE

SOLD

minnetonka

DEEPHAVEN

OFFERED AT $734,000 4 BED, 3 BATH, 3,289 FSF

OFFERED AT $2,00,000 5 BED, 4 BATH, 4,279 FSF

Marmet says, “Each episode offers a different technique or strategy. We like to end our episodes talking about different strategies that you can do that are free, at home and can be implemented immediately.”

In addition to being a podcaster, Marmet is an author, serial entrepreneur, boardcertified health coach and the founder of Zenful Life Coaching, dedicated to helping women and teens create healthier and happier lives. Her areas of expertise include longevity, mind-body-spirit holistic health, gut health, yoga, mindfulness and meditation. “You can really create a life you want to live and that you love,” she says.

Learn about Marmet's memoir, My Song, Unleashed, at lakeminnetonkamag.com.

—Emily Gedde theartoflivingwell.us; zenfullifecoaching.com Zenf Life - Coaching for Wellness

The residence offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience and is just minutes from Wayzata Bay/Lake Minnetonka. Spacious and designed for easy living and entertaining, the warm and inviting atmosphere is ideal for cozy nights in, or memorable gatherings with family and friends. An ideal floor plan with three bedrooms on the main level including a luxurious master suite featuring a private en suite bathroom; a peaceful retreat after a long day. Experience the tranquility and convenience of Lake Minnetonka area living.

*Buyer Representation Enjoy the best of Lake Minnetonka living in this stunning Deephaven home on over 1 acre with deeded lake access. Highlights include a luxurious owner’s suite, a white quartz kitchen, a Venetian fireplace, a family room with 9-foot ceilings, and a sunroom with wetland views— perfect for family, fun, and entertaining. The finished basement includes a large living area, game room, and private workout space!

Photo: Marnie Dachis Marmet

@zenfullifecoaching

TRUSTED REAL ESTATE EXPERT MARK GRIEGER 612.382.4952 M A R KG R I E G E R @ C B R E A LT Y . C O M G R I E G E R G R O U P. C O M

Marnie Dachis Marmet

15

N OT E WO RT H Y

READ

Time for a Reset

16120 Highwood Drive, Minnetonka $799,000.00

7217 Purple Parkway, Chanhassen $969,000.00

SOLD

SOLD

2771 Shadywood Rd, Orono $3,000,000.00

170 Wildhurst Rd, Tonka Bay $2.999,000.00

Join us in welcoming Molly Rivard to our pages as a regular contributor to this column.

•

Awarded top producer and established expert in the Lake Minnetonka community

January is traditionally a time when people

•

In-depth understanding of today’s market and trends

The Hennepin County Library system has

•

Experience and creativity for all real estate needs

many great resources to help patrons

•

Unmatched service and results

ing its staff-curated booklist Healthy Minds

reset, make goals and focus on their health.

achieve health and wellness goals, includand Bodies, found on the website.

KR I ST I W E I N S TO CK REALTOR® C. 612.309.8332 kdweinstock@cbburnet.com weinstockgroup.com 19400 Highway 7 Excelsior, MN 55331

I recommend Eating from Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites from Cultures Around the World by Maya Feller.

This cookbook offers delicious recipes for folks interested in expanding their healthy meals repertoire. It is available in the library’s collection of cookbooks.

For other cooking pursuits, library staff members are happy to assist patrons in discovering the vast collection of cookbooks, which meet a variety of tastes and dietary requirements.

For those who haven’t visited a local library in a while, why not make it a goal for the new year, and check us out?

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations.

Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 2125C5-DC_MN_12/21

16

Molly Rivard is a librarian, serving the Wayzata and Long Lake branches of the Hennepin County Library system.

Read more at hclib.org.

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

l o ca l t i p s , t i d b its & in sig h ts

TA S T E

Nourishing the Mind Say hello to incoming contributor Andrew Akhaphong. His mission is to bridge the gap between health care and community set-

AWARD-WINNING SMILES START AT

tings. “Registered dietitians in the groceryscape are valuable in guiding consumers in understanding how nutritional recommendations align with their purchasing decisions, lifestyle and family dynamics to support positive health outcomes,” he says.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of depression in Minnesotan adults increased from 15.1 percent in 2011 to 23.5 percent in 2022.

Doctors Mike Skramstad, Megan Pint, Brianna Hammer, and Mike Longlet

The impacts of nutrition on mental health are not often discussed but may be a key ingredient to support the management of mental health symptoms. (Check with your health care provider.) There are three key hormones that influence mental health: dopamine, GABA and serotonin.

Serotonin is responsible for mood regulation, including expressions of joy, sadness and anger. To produce serotonin, consider a diet high in the protein tryptophan, which highly available in chicken, pork and turkey.

Pairing a healthy carbohydrate, like brown rice, quinoa or a baked sweet potato, improves absorption of tryptophan.

As a child, did earning a ribbon bring joy and move you to work toward success?

Dopamine is involved in the reward and motivation system. The protein tyrosine, which is high in eggs, soy products and cow milk products, supports that system.

If relaxation is an issue, food providing the protein glutamate will sustain the hormone GABA needed for calmness.

Fermented foods, like kimchi or sauerkraut, soy products, cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes and monosodium glutamate are sources for glutamate.

Note: Try a meal of pork tenderloin medallions, rice and orzo pilaf, and garlic

Exceptional dentistry Industry-leading technology Same day treatment

Schedule Online oronodentalcare.com

butter mushrooms to receive the nutritional benefits for serotonin, dopamine and GABA.

Andrew Akhaphong, M.S., R.D., L.D., is a registered dietitian at Mackenthun’s Fine Foods. Taste more at mackenthuns.com.

2765 Kelley Pkwy #140, Orono 952-449-9494 17

WELLNESS

Perfecting Pilates A Wayzata fitness studio finds a sweet spot with its combination of strength and cardio training.

By Jennifer Pitterle

The reformer is a great low-impact and low-intensity way to move, lengthen and strengthen the body.

People with various fitness levels find it approachable and beneficial.

18

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Lens Media

ASHLYN MCDOWELL was four months postpartum—and a recent transplant to Wayzata from Texas— when she decided her workout routine needed a boost last summer. On a bit of a whim, she signed up for a session at Rêve Studios, a boutique fitness spot that combines cardio with training on Pilates reformers.

McDowell, a distance runner by hobby, says she had zero experience with reformers, the spring-based resistance machines used in traditional Pilates. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive that my core wasn’t strong enough for the workout,” she says. But her instructor immediately put her at ease, and she bought a membership the moment she got back to her car. “Rêve is exactly what you need. [Do] you want community? It’s there. [Do] you want to strengthen certain areas in a supportive environment? It’s there,” she says.

McDowell says the workouts, where participants rotate between incline walking on a treadmill (cardio) and reformer Pilates movements (strength), helped her increase her pace times and improve her endurance as she trained for a 10-mile race last fall. “Being able to get out of the house and be around other humans (in real life) for an hour was another appealing aspect of joining,” she says.

W AY Z AT A J E W E L E R S That sense of community was one of the most important factors in Rêve Studios’ founding. “Group classes are 50 minutes, and we don’t have specific classes for different experience levels because our instructors are really, really good at making sure everyone’s getting a quality workout,” says Rêve CEO Aspen King.

Rêve, which opened in early 2024, is the brainchild of King and co-founder Molly Hanten. They met when King was coaching at Alchemy, a Minneapolisbased fitness concept that Hanten founded many years ago. “People were having to get multiple memberships to combine cardio and reformer Pilates, so we wanted to bring that all together in one studio,” King says. At Rêve, clients can buy a variety of packages for a host of different class offerings.

The dual experience of King (in business and marketing) and Hanten (in coaching and personnel) has made Rêve a success from the get-go. Its membership is diverse in terms of gender, age, and fitness junkies and newcomers alike. “Rêve encompasses all aspects that you need in fitness,” Hanten says.

“You get the intensity of cardio on the treadmill, and then you get that lengthening, strength and endurance on the Pilates reformer.” A hallmark of Pilates is its ability to build strength quickly because the reformer requires fewer reps than, for example, free weights. “A trend in the fitness world is to go really hard with [high-intensity] workouts, but people are realizing that causes injury.

It’s hard to do that for the rest of your life,” Hanten says.

The team hopes to expand its footprint soon with at least one more location in the Lake Minnetonka area and future franchises around the state and country. “Our community is incredible,” King says. “I hear so often that people are able to be consistent with the workout because you don’t leave feeling depleted.”

Rêve member Libby Boxall echoes that sentiment; she’s been with the studio since it opened. “I’ve attended 100 classes, and I still look forward to every class I do,” Boxall says. “I feel stronger and have better balance, and most importantly, I enjoy working out again.”

Custom Design|Manufacture|Repair|Diamonds|Gemstones

1250 Wayzata Blvd E | 952.473.2131 wayzatajewelers.com

Rêve Studios, 775 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 612.354.6406; revestudios.co Rêve Studios

@therevestudios

19

PART 1 IN OUR SERIES: ROTARY—SERVICE ABOVE SELF

PHILANTHROPY

Orono Rotary Club Education, veterans and the community are in focus.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

“SMALL BUT MIGHTY” is how Mary

Bakken describes the Orono Rotary Club, which includes a dozen members and two corporate memberships.

Chartered in 2002, Kevin Krolczyk is its original remaining member.

Bakken, serving as co-president with Brandon Oslund, has been a Rotarian since 2008 and highlights the club’s efforts and service projects that it promotes and participates in for the benefit of the community. “Our main focus has been community engagement and service projects with the Orono schools, Community Park improvements and veterans (American Legion and VFW),” she says.

20

“Our service projects help keep our communities desirable to allow more use with the many projects we have established over the years,” Bakken says. “In our more recent years, we built a learning pavilion at the Orono Schools Nature Center … improved the Maple Plain Veterans Park with monuments representing the branches of the military, and [supported] many other improvements throughout the park.”

Additionally, the club assists veterans with Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, including upgrading equipment and supplies.

Education is an important focus, as well. Through the district’s Short-Term

Exchange program, the club sponsors local students for consideration for acceptance to a summer exchange program, which offers students the opportunity to stay with a family abroad for two weeks. Students return home accompanied by their host family’s similarly aged student, who has the opportunity to learn about customs and life in this part of the country.

The club also provides high schoolers with mentorship and scholarships for post-high school education through Strive and offers elementary and middle school students with mentorship via Sparks. All this, along with hosting a booth at the annual School Wellness

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Orono Rotary Club

Left: Volunteers assist with a Veteran's Day Service. Top right: Members help veterans, including tending to yard cleanups. Bottom right: Leadership members from the Orono Rotary Club gather, left to right: secretary Dave Shaughnessy, past president Julie Maas-Kusske, co-president Mary Bakken, co-president Brandon Oslund, treasurer John Fay and president-elect Paul Affeldt. (Correy Farniok, sergeant of arms, is missing from the photo.)

MEETING NOTES When: 7:15 a.m. Thursdays Where: Orono Police Station training room, 2730 Kelley Parkway

THE TEST

Subscribe to your community’s magazine or purchase additional copies at

The Four-Way Test, according to my.rotary.org, is “a nonpartisan and

localmedia.co

nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.” It has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings.

Of the things we think, say or do:

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Expo, highlight the group’s commitment to local youth.

But they’re not done, yet! Other examples of ongoing service projects include cleaning a section of Highway 12, participating in Rotary’s Hats and Mittens program, the Days for Girls project, Adopt-a-Family gift giving at Christmastime, ground cleanup at Camp Ihduhapi in Loretto and “too many more to mention,” Bakken says.

All these efforts come with a financial cost. The group’s main fundraising event is Party in the Park, an annual event held on the first Saturday evening in June (June 7 this year) at Veterans Memorial Park, 5190 Independence St. in Maple Plain. With the help of other sponsors, the community gathering features live music, food trucks and beverages.

Whether planning service opportunities or organizing a fundraiser, the Orono Rotary Club abides by Rotary’s Service Above Self mission. “[It] means serving others and making a difference in our communities,” Bakken says.

“There is a satisfaction in helping others in need and adhering to the Rotary Four-Way Test.”

Orono Rotary Club; oronorotary.com Orono Rotary Club Rotary; rotary.org

2

UN Avering At Crown Bank, every client relationship comes with our commitment to understand the client’s needs, their goals, and their concerns. That unwavering commitment serves as the foundation for the journey toward success that we take together.

Because from there anything is possible.

What can we make possible for your business?

Rotary International

@rotaryinternational

@rotary

21

ENLIGHTEN

The Sounds of Healing Program showcases music’s therapeutic power.

By Findlay Drabant

library are typically limited to the rustling of book pages, the sounds of children’s story time or the occasional whisper from a librarian. However, libraries across Hennepin County, including the Wayzata and Westonka libraries, were filled with the sounds of thumping drums, chanting voices and rhythmic song.

Music for Healing was a free, fourweek course, which was supported by Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage fund and coordinated by the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis.

MacPhail teaching artist Joey Clark conducted sessions at various libraries and presented research, demonstrating how music impacts the brain and nervous systems and taught attendees how to harness those effects for health benefits. “Other cultures have acknowledged [music’s capacity for healing] for thousands of years,” Clark says.

While the program was aimed primarily toward adults ages 55 and older, participants of all ages were welcome.

Clark discovered that even college students enjoyed the material. “Everybody said that they left on a cloud,” says Westonka librarian Frances Owens.

Participants could attend each session individually or all four, and Clark delved into different topics each week. The first session was dedicated to what Clark terms as musical interventions. “I play a song, and we talk about how that song affects your mood and how you’re feeling in your body at that moment,” he says.

The second session explored the impact of music on memory and mobility. Week three focused on music’s influence on the vagus nerve, a structure in the body that transmits signals among the brain, digestive system, the heart and the voice box (larynx). The fourth and final week centered on hands-on percussion, featuring the use of various types of drums.

22

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

iStock.com/Sheila Alonso

ON ANY normal day, the sounds in a

“[Music] is, in my opinion, more powerful than most [perscription] drugs,” Clark says, adding that music has been said to wean people off of pain medication.

The type of music that fosters healing on an individual level varies from person to person. “Choosing music is like choosing what drug you’re going to buy at CVS,” Clark says. “There is music that is really healing for some people that would not be healing for others.”

When searching for the music that works best for you, Clark says experimentation is key. Listen to your favorite playlists, and pay attention to how the music makes you feel. The songs that will build you up and boost your confidence will likely be completely different from the ones that calm you down and ease your nerves.

“Making the music is a much more profound and effective solution than just by being an active listener,” Clark says. But if making music isn’t your jam, Clark says, “Engaging in the music in some way, like by dancing around your apartment while you’re listening to something, is so much more powerful in the healing process than just sitting and listening. The more parts of your body that are involved, the more chemical responses that arise in your brain.”

As with any medical- or healthrelated topic, check with your health care provider if necessary.

Shop with us !

In-Store or Online

14401 Highway 7 in Minnetonka www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com

Quality & Craftsmanship You Can Count On Serving Minneapolis & St. Paul For 40+ Years

952.230.2502

To learn if the music program is offered at your library, call MacPhail Center for Music at 612.321.0100, or email contact@macphail.org.

Westonka Library, 2079 Commerce Blvd.; 612.543.6175; hclib.org Wayzata Library, 620 Rice St. E.; 612.543.6150; hclib.org Les Jones Roofing | 941 W 80th St, Bloomington | Minnesota 55420 | 952.230.2502

23

Dynamic Design Duo Written by Renée Stewart-Hester

Orono home embraces a bold fusion of color and texture.

Photo: Drew Gray Photography

A story is well told when a confluence of different, sometimes conflicting, elements come together to shape a compelling narrative. This also goes for interior design stories.

This Orono home is filled with color and texture and design elements that, on their own, might seem to be in conflict with each other.

But when intention meets creativity, great design can happen.

In general, the design space seems to be filling with more monochromatic, simplified décor themes, and those have their space, certainly.

But with homes such as this stunner, are we turning a design corner toward more vibrant, saturated colors and texture layers? “I hope we’re going to see more color and more pattern come back in design,” says Brandi Hagen, owner

and principal designer with Eminent Interior Design, who worked on the home.

Regardless of what is in vogue, Hagen says she focuses on creating environments for clients. “What I really enjoy doing is getting to know the homeowners and then creating a home that fits them,” she says. “If you knew this homeowner, you would know that this [home] fits their lifestyle, and they are colorful and full of life and vibrant ...”

There’s an art to mixing patterns, for example, with furniture, throws and pillows. Do it wrong, and the home’s story could read tragic, rather than compelling. Does Hagen have tips?

“Anytime there’s a rule, someone’s going to break it,” she says. In her experience, Hagen says when featuring several patterns in a room, she incorporates large and small scales, a stripe, a plaid—the emphasis on “a” rather than multiple components.

Speaking of multiples, bringing in coordinating colors with décor pieces, fabric, paint,

24

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Do you invite color and texture to take up residence in your home?

Brandi Hagen of Eminent Interior Design

etc., is not easy. And there’s a retail temptation out there that’s just a click away. Hagen warns against shopping online for these elements.

“Online is good for a lot of things, but color and texture are not one of them,” she says, cautioning to avoid purchasing items that can’t be returned. “You [should] have all of the fabrics and the rugs and the wallpaper in front of you, so that you’re dealing with the actual product and not pictures of the product.”

Hagen understands the importance of a cohesive presentation for clients. “When I present to homeowners, I don’t show one thing at a time. I present everything all the same time,” she says. “You can’t choose [elements one at a time] because then you’re not going to know what the end result is. That’s just like if an owner comes to me and says, ‘I really want blue.’ That’s great. We’re going to design the room because you can’t have blue walls, a blue sofa and a blue rug. You can have one of those things, maybe two, but we have to know what the whole room is going to be rather than one piece at a time, and especially when you’re dealing with lots of color or pattern … if you don’t [plan cohesively], it could look like a circus.”

In this home, the kitchen relied on a single color. While white-centric kitchens are arguably a classic look, how can we invite in warmth or open up their visual personality? In this case, the use of gold tones and the stools’ fabric help on that front. “Just because we’re doing white kitchens doesn’t mean it needs to be void of color,” Hagen says. These kitchen cabinets are original but were dressed in gold hardware. A blue valance was installed

26

Photos: Drew Gray Photography; Photo:Emeott xxxxxxxxx Chris

“I hope we’re going to see more color and more pattern come back in design,” says Brandi Hagen, owner and principal designer with Eminent Interior Design.

above the kitchen sink to infuse a shot of color. “The kitchen is still a nice background to pop all the color,” she says. “We could never do all that color if we painted the cabinets [a shade other than white].”

There’s several considerations that can go into interior design or décor decisions, including a space’s intended vibe and use, a homeowner’s aesthetic and lifestyle and the tenor of each room as it flows into the next space. In this home’s case, time played its part. Letting a home simmer for a bit can go a long way in understanding how form and function can meld in terms of décor and design. It was about seven years between the time when Hagen first assisted the owners with their home to the latest kitchen and living room project.

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

“I had designed other rooms in the house, so the advantage of doing this space is I already knew them, and we already had trust,” Hagen says. “Basically, their direction was, ‘We need to make this room look like the other spaces you did.’” That meant drawing in color and vibrance to play in concert with the established tenor of the home. “They didn’t give me a box,” she says. “They let me get creative with pattern and color.” When intention meets creativity, great design can happen.

Eminent Interior Design, 11140 Highway 55 Suite C, Plymouth; 612.767.1242; eminentinteriordesign.com Eminent Interior Design @eminentinteriordesign

27

SPONSORED CONTENT

Lake Minnetonka Sailing School teaches generations of sailors.

While the weather—might be saying one thing, the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School (LMSS) has its own narrative.

Think summer because registration for summertime programs opens the first week of January!

For over 50 years, the sailing school on Lighthouse Island has taught the ins and outs of traversing the lake. During the year, it has three full-time staffers, but numbers billow up to 35 seasonal staff. “Last year, more than 1,200 students, ages 5-75, sailed with LMSS,” says Clare Leeper, Director of Recreational Sailing and Administration.

Few communities have a body of water, such as Lake Minnetonka, in their backyards, and LMSS respects the unique opportunities this affords. “LMSS offers access to top-tier coaching, race experience, and support of one of the strongest Yacht Club/sailboat racing communities in the Midwest and across the country,” Leeper says. “Lake Minnetonka has been a sailboat racing hub for over a century and a half. (The Lake Minnetonka Yacht Club was founded in 1882, making it one of the oldest clubs in the country!) Being on a large lake, we can (almost always) find wind to sail, and plenty of adventures are available to us.”

Participants sail on Lower Lake, and, once a week, recreational sailors sail to Big Island for the day to play games, 28

eat lunch and go on a nature walk.

Sailors of all ages are embracing the opportunity. “… I don’t think I have ever seen anything cuter (or cooler) than 7-9 year olds sailing!,” posts a parent. “[The coach] got us right out on the water and is a fabulous teacher and so empowering,” according to a Women on the Water sailor.

“The freedom of being on the water, the strong sense of community connected with the sport and the ability to learn and develop in a sport/activity that is truly sustainable for a lifetime are just some of the aspects that make sailing such a special sport,” Leeper says.

19800 Park Ave., Wayzata 952.404.1645 • lmss.us

Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Chris Emeott

WEIGHTLESS AND WONDERFUL A Minnetonka float spa offers sensory deprivation therapy to support bodies and minds.

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

29

Call it what you want—float therapy, reduced environmental stimulation therapy or sensory deprivation—but floating in a warm pool of salty water can offer health benefits for almost anybody willing to take the (shallow) plunge. When Sanctuary Float Spa opened in Minnetonka in 2018, the team wanted to offer floats as a fresh alternative to traditional spa treatments (though you can also book a massage).

Abby Sather is the manager at Sanctuary and has been a dedicated “floater” for six years. “One of the main benefits is pain relief,” she says. Because the water in the float chamber is so full of Epsom salt, it’s extremely buoyant, meaning that there’s no impact on joints and muscles as you’re lifted by the water. “It’s also just a great way to decompress from the hustle and bustle of life,” Sather says. “You get to have a moment to yourself and turn everything off for an hour.”

Each of Sanctuary’s float suites includes a private changing area and shower; it’s important to rinse off before the float to avoid bringing contaminants into the water and afterward to eliminate salt from hair and skin. Once ready to begin, guests step into their private pool, which looks like a large shower/ tub enclosure and offers ample space for floaters.

There’s around 1 to 1-and-a-half feet of water in the pool, but don’t worry about sinking elbows or derrieres: “We have over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt in the water,” Sather says. “Everything floats easily.”

The water is set to an average human body temperature. Sather says, “It’s temperature neutral, so you don’t feel any difference between the water and air temperature.” Temperature change is one stimulus that float therapy removes; light and sound are others. “The ultimate goal is to do a full sensorydeprivation experience,” Sather says. Floaters, who aren’t quite ready, can opt to keep the soft lighting on or listen to Sanctuary’s soothing, ambient music.

Each pool also has an intercom system, so guests can get in touch with a staff member with the push of a button. At the end of the 60- or 90-minute session, the lights come up gradually to signal it’s time to step out. “Not only is the water very soothing, but you also get that transdermal intake of magnesium” from the Epsom salt, Sather says. “It helps reduce inflammation and improve circulation and cell function.”

Joe Hunziker is a longtime client at Sanctuary and leads an active life. (He does yoga, lifts weights, cycles and swims regularly.) “I firmly believe in the benefit of inhabiting one’s physical being,” Hunziker says. “As such, my body is quite receptive to the healing elements of weightless floating.” On a physical level, he says, floating encourages him to slow down, relax and stretch and adds, “I also enjoy the ability to dial down the sensory stimuli while in the float tank.”

“It’s a practice,” Sather adds. “For some people, it takes three or five floats to get the hang of it. But it can be very meditative, and some people have really spiritual experiences.”

30

Writer Jennifer Pitterle shares her firsthand and first time float spa experience.

Into the Pool I am weightless. I could be up near the moon or down in a womblike cave. It doesn’t really matter—I don’t feel, see or hear anything.

What I’m really doing, of course, is floating in a pool at Sanctuary Float Spa in Minnetonka. Manager Abby Sather walked me to my private room and showed me where to find the towels, shampoo and foam float pillows (if I want some extra support for my head or neck). “It’s actually totally safe to fall asleep in the pool,” Sather says. “That’s how buoyant the water is.”

Now that I’m in, I’ve turned off the lights and the music, so I can have the full sensory-deprivation experience. It’s odd at first. But after a while, my thoughts stop racing, and I let my mind wander. I experiment with lifting my hand out of the water to see if I feel that familiar “getting out of the pool” chill, but there’s no temperature change between the water and air.

I’d worried about feeling claustrophobic, but it’s not stuffy, and the ceiling of the float pool is plenty high.

The most fascinating part of the float is how quickly it goes by. I could have sworn I’d just spent 10 or 15 minutes in the pool, but when I stepped out and looked at my phone, more than half an hour had passed. That’s pretty common, float aficionado Joe Hunziker tells me later. “Some sessions drift by deliciously slowly. While other times, I’m surprised by the room being illuminated so ‘quickly’ at the conclusion,” he says.

“Some sessions drift by deliciously slowly. While other times, I’m surprised by the room being illuminated so ‘quickly’ at the conclusion.”

Joe Hunziker, float aficionado

Floating Through History

What’s Your Question?

Although float therapy has grown in popularity over the past several years, its history in the United States dates back to the 1950s when doctors at the National Institute of Mental Health started to research how the human brain would respond to an environment without any external sensory input: no sound, no light and no touches or temperature changes.

According to the Floatation Tank Association, a national nonprofit that guides industry best practices, St. Paul native John C. Lilly, M.D., built a floatation chamber in his lab in 1954 and asked his patients to give it a try. The results? People reported intense relaxation and calm—no scary comatose states, as the researchers had feared. Two of his subjects helped him refine the tank and started their own modern float center in California in 1979. Since then, centers have opened all over the country, featuring larger float chambers and compact “pods” that have made floating more affordable and accessible.

Here are some lightning-round answers:

This article is not meant to be a medical recommendation.

Check with your health care professional before attempting any health-related therapy.

Sanctuary Float Spa, 14525 Highway 7 Suite 180, Minnetonka;

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Yes, you should float in the nude. “Swimsuits can introduce sand or chlorine to the water,” manager Abby Sather says. “They’re also a distraction on your skin.”

Yes, you should hydrate before and after your float.

And yes, the salty water is kept very clean. “It’s always circulating,” Sather says. “It goes through a nontoxic UV light treatment, an ozone treatment and a hydrogen peroxide drip. It’s low-chemical but highly effective.”

952.405.6619; sanctuaryfloatspa.com Sanctuary Float Spa

@sanctuaryfloatspa

31

LET’S GO

Photo: Chris Emeott; Printed photos: Hammer Travel

Hammer Travel offers destinations—near and far.

32

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Written by Mollee Francisco Swimming with dolphins, taking in the view from the top of the Empire State Building or riding the London Eye—while many of us take traveling experiences for granted, the team at Hammer Travel knows there are people who need a little extra help to see the world, and its making sure they get it—one trip at a time.

Tom Ryan is the brainchild behind Hammer Travel in Wayzata. He developed the travel wing for the nonprofit disability service provider Hammer and NER 15 years ago. After successfully launching fishing trips for Hammer’s clients, Ryan wondered if they could take things a step further while also expanding the nonprofit’s mission to “enable people with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives.” Ryan dreamt of taking aspiring cowboys to Deadwood, South Dakota, and Mickey Mouse aficionados to Walt Disney World. He pictured beach days, baseball games and trolley rides along the streets of San Francisco.

Photo: Hammer Travel

Hammer travelers gather for good times at Universal Orlando Resort.

33

“We laugh together, play together, eat together. We really become a small family for a week, and it’s so great.”

Top: Las Vegas is a win-win for this group of travelers. Bottom: A visit to Alaska brought on stunning mountain views. Right: Spring training is where it all starts for baseball fans.

34

Photos: Hammer Travel

CINDI LAURENT, HAMMER TRAVEL VOLUNTEER

Car Accident Injury Specialists for over 35 years.

Back Pain • Neck Pain Headaches • Sciatica Knee Pain • Shoulder Pain

“I didn’t really believe in anything until I started working in group homes,” he says. “I realized my job is to make people’s lives better,” says Ryan, director of travel and community life.

Today, Hammer Travel offers all those adventures Ryan initially thought of and many more with up to 30 trips each year. All travel excursions include dedicated and qualified volunteers— many of them Hammer staff—in a 1-to-4 ratio to ensure travel runs smoothly, and that travelers feel and are safe and secure. (Travel expenses are covered for the volunteers.)

Each trip has a maximum of 12 participants, and many of the special outings quickly sell out after they are announced. Among the most popular trips are anything related to Walt Disney World or Minnesota sporting events.

Everything is included in the cost of the trips, except for souvenirs and transportation to the airport or pickup location. Hammer Travel strives to offer a variety of locations and is conscious of including driving trips for those who are averse to flying. “The destinations are important, but we learned what people enjoyed the most was being away from the norm,” Ryan says.

Through trial and error, staff has developed methods to ensure the trips run smoothly. “We get in as much as we can, but there has to be balance,” Ryan says. “There definitely needs to be down time, water breaks and time to sit and have a snack.”

The result is happy travelers—time and time again. “We get so many comments like, ‘Wow, I never thought I’d be able to do this,’” Ryan says. That’s music to his ears. “What’s going on now is exactly what we envisioned.”

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Voted Lake Minnetonka’s BEST Chiropracitc Clinic for 10 consecutive years!

1421 East Wayzata Blvd. Wayzata, MN 55391 Shawn Sailer D.C., Caroline Brost-Sailer D.C., Ryan Elton D.C., Barbro Brost D.C., Tyler Knutson D.C., Aarti Goyal D.C.

952.473.9637 • TheBrostClinic.com

35

Travel Ready

Ryan Russell of Plymouth estimates that he has been on 15 Hammer Travel trips, including five Disney cruises, two Alaskan cruises, a cruise to Mexico and a trip to London, which was Hammer Travel’s first foray across the pond.

“London was my dream trip,” he says, wistfully detailing the visit to Tower Bridge, the London Eye and a drive through the countryside.

Ryan’s first trip was to Los Angeles in 2013. “I love meeting new people, and I love the trip leaders,” he says. “I get so excited. It’s the best travel organization.”

Ryan’s mother, Diane Russell, says that they tried another travel group with “terrible” results, but the moment they met the Hammer staff, she knew her son would be in capable hands. “They are all so kind, so caring,” she says. “It makes me feel good.” Diane especially loves

36

seeing all the smiles on the travelers’ faces when she picks up Ryan from the airport after a Hammer Travel trip. “It’s so nice that he gets to travel with his own peers,” she says. “He loves it, loves all the adventure.”

“The group leaders are amazing,” says Pam Wright of Excelsior. “It’s been such a good experience.” Wright’s daughter Sarah Lundquist has been signing up for Hammer Travel trips since the very beginning. The 48-year-old goes on two to three trips a year. “She works at Trader Joe’s and saves her money for the trips,” Wright says.

Lundquist has visited Albuquerque, New Mexico; Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee; Sedona, Arizona; and the Wisconsin Dells. Her favorite trip was to the Minnesota Twins’ spring training in Fort Myers, Florida, where the travelers

have been known to get access to the field to meet the players. Wright, who admits she’s not a big traveler, says the trips have broadened her daughter’s horizons. “I can’t say enough wonderful things about Hammer Travel,” she says.

Craig Wencl has been on a number of trips with Hammer Travel, including California, Hawaii and Jamaica. He signed up to go to Iceland. Wencl says that the reasonable prices and the staff keep him coming back for more. “I like the tour leaders,” he says.

That’s just what Edina’s Cindi Laurent and Excelsior’s Diane Klimowicz love to hear. Laurent has volunteered for more than 20 trips over the last six years and loves “sharing in the joy of discovery” with clients. “It has been my joy and privilege to have this volunteer opportunity,” she says. “I love to travel with

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

5 ACRE LOT Left to right: Ryan Russel enjoys a Western Caribbean Cruise.

Craig Wencl takes in the sights in Iceland. Sarah Lundquist visits a Nashville, Tennessee, museum.

STUNNING DETAILS

GUEST HOUSE

621 FERNDALE ROAD WEST | WAYZATA Discover an unmatched sanctuary of luxury, privacy, and tranquility in the prestigious Wayzata school district. Set on a 5-acre lot near Lake Minnetonka, this estate was built by renowned builder Keith Waters.

Chef’s kitchen with top-of-the-line BRIAN SCATES appliances, custom cabinetry, and granite countertops.

612-877-2100 LEARN MORE

Room to Grow in

ORONO!

Photos: Hammer Travel

purpose. This gives me purpose.”

“It’s very gratifying,” says Klimowicz, a former staffer and now volunteer. She has served as both a tour leader and a volunteer for the trips and appreciates making a traveler’s day, even in the smallest ways. “There are people who have never stayed in a hotel before, people who have never seen the ocean before, and they’re so grateful to have the opportunity,” she says. “It’s such a positive experience.”

• One beautiful K-12 campus and Environmental Learning Center in Long Lake • Early childhood and preschool programs at the Discovery Center in Maple Plain

Hammer Travel, 1909 Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata; 952.277.2461; hammertravel.org Hammer Travel

• Every child is known! Focus on Scholarship, Character, and Connectedness • Small in size… BIG in achievement!

@hammertravel

Submit K-12 open-enrollment applications by January 15, 2025

952-449-8312 oronoschools.org/enroll 37

TA S T E M A K E R S

Mediterranean Taco

Written by Mollee Francisco — Photos by Chris Emeott

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ CHEF OFFERS UP HER GREATEST HITS IN SPRING PARK.

38

Sarah Ann Haugen

SARAH ANN HAUGEN has brought a flavorful feast to the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Last May, Haugen opened Vitalist by Sarah H on Shoreline Drive in Spring Park, delivering a menu packed with global goodies that reflect the best of her last 25 years as a chef. “This menu tells my story,” Haugen says. “It’s all my favorite meals and memories from around the world. This menu is an extraction of my life.”

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Haugen classifies her food as “very unique California cuisine” based on the Mediterranean diet. “It’s micronutrient rich, easy to digest, plant forward, low on the glycemic index, nutrient dense, high in enzymes [and] made from scratch with no seed oils, GMO ingredients or gluten,” she says.

“That is the core of Vitalist, and that is the core of who I am.”

After growing up in Minneapolis, Haugen traded the

39

Kombucha Squash Soup and Avocado S.Cookie

Midwest for the West Coast. There, she got into the raw vegan scene in Santa Monica, California. “I ended up on a vegan diet by default,” she says. “The food was terrible, but I thought there was value in the vegan idea.”

Haugen set her sights on educating herself on what her body needed and used that knowledge to develop dishes that delivered on fuel and flavor. “I became a master of nutrients,” she says. “I wanted to figure out how to deliver nutrients through food.”

Her expertise became highly coveted on the West Coast where Haugen worked as a private chef for celebrities in Los Angeles and CEOs in Silicon Valley. She also served as the wellness director for two California-based companies

40

and became a private consultant for high-profile individuals, who were interested in developing and maintaining healthy habits or managing weight while filming on set. Haugen opened restaurants in Bali, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and, in 2012, launched a 15-product line of superfoods called Wellness Avatar, which evolved to become Vitalist in 2017.

In 2021, Haugen said goodbye to California and returned to her home state to seek treatment for lymphoma at the Mayo Clinic. “I shut down our California businesses,” she says. Haugen was down but not for long. “I’m a survivor,” she says. “In health and in business.”

“I don’t get to not do this,” Haugen says. “This is my path.

The path demands I do it.”

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

“This menu tells my story. It’s all my favorite

meals and memories from around the world.

This menu is an extraction of my life,”

SAYS SA R A H A NN H AU GE N ABO U T TH E D E VELOPMEN T OF HER SPR IN G PA R K R ESTAUR A N T.

Unicorn Pie

Alaskan Halibut

Vitalist by Sarah H, 4016 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park; 612.819.3111; vitalistsuperfood.com

Japanese Salmon Bowl

Beet Salad

Vitalist Superfoods

@vitalistsuperfood

EDUCATING

THE PALATE After an exhaustive search of the Twin Cities, Sarah Ann Haugen found a space to launch Vitalist by Sarah H, a chef-driven restaurant, featuring her best dishes. “We want to elevate consciousness through food,” she says. “Each ingredient is educating the palate, helping you start to explore a new way to eat.”

There are straightforward items

The Best Gift You Can Give Your Child?

Curiosity.

on the menu, including bowls, salads and soups, as well as Haugen’s global favorites: an Asian fusion roll, raw pad Thai and shakshuka.

Then there are Haugen’s unique creations of zucchini noodle pastas, paleo cracker pizzas and the popular Egg S’wich, consisting of an egg patty on a savory scone cookie—a surprise favorite that came to the fore when Haugen realized locals expected to see a sandwich on the menu. “What

Early Childhood Education enrollment is now open for Summer 2025 and the 2025-2026 school year. stdavidscenter.org

we’ve done is taken some conventional items, like a hash or an egg sandwich or a burger, and run it through the Vitalist formula,” Haugen says.

The restaurant serves all day and includes a coffee bar and a cooler stocked with Vitalist Superfood to-go drinks, soups and snacks. In December, Vitalist pivoted from sitdown service with separate breakfast/lunch and dinner menus to realize Haugen’s ultimate dream of providing a fast-casual experience where customers can walk the line and customize their selections, including soups, salads and pastas.

“We love food,” Haugen says.

“What we do here is try to make food tasty and flavorful and a little unique.” Haugen is working to get her food out in a variety of other ways, including catering, a subscription box service and selling Vitalist products at French Meadow Bakery & Café, Kowalski’s Markets and Peoples Organic. “I believe I have something, and I think we can

Do Money Your Way. Take control of your finances and feel empowered about your future.

grow this,” she says.

The proof is on the plate. “I have really, really, really high standards,” Haugen says. “And I don’t compromise much. I always want to put the best possible thing out.”

Think Pink.

CCCU.COM Insured by NCUA.

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

43

O N T H E TOW N

LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE: LEAD DOG SPONSOR

KLONDIKE DOG DERBY SETS ITS RETURN COURSE Excelsior’s annual sled dog race returns after weather conditions caused last year’s pause in the action.

PRE PA R E TO be swept away by the

spirit of the North as the annual Klondike Dog Derby returns to Excelsior for another year of professional sled dog racing. This annual event celebrates the history, athleticism and sportsmanship of mushers and animals alike, bringing together

44

competitors, sled dogs and spectators.

Mark your calendars for this unforgettable experience on January 31 and February 1. January 31 kicks off the weekend with prerace activities, including a vet check where more than 250 dogs receive full physicals. The public is welcome to watch and ask

questions. At 4 p.m., be sure to stay for the chance to speak with the mushers and pet their dogs (who love kids!).

The race, which begins in Excelsior, is set for February 1 with the opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. and the race at 10 a.m. After racing 40 miles on Lake Minnetonka, mush-

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o

Photo: Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

Ready to find your new best friend?

ers begin returning to the finish line around 2 p.m., and the awards ceremony will be around 4:30 p.m.

With the start and finish lines in downtown Excelsior, there are plenty of vantage points from which spectators can watch the teams race through town and on frozen Lake Minnetonka. Parking doesn’t have to be a concern. Shuttles to and from the event will be provided.

This event is independently produced by volunteers and funded entirely by donations and sponsorships. Net proceeds support Can Do Canines, Adopt a Husky Minnesota and the ICA Food Shelf. —Mikayla Vo Visit klondikedogderby.com for more information.

45

O N T H E TOW N Compiled by Hailey Almsted

POLAR PLUNGE Take the plunge into the freezing Lake Minnetonka while raising funds for Special Olympics Minnesota. This year’s goal is $100,000. All ages. Registration fees vary. Noon. Surfside Park, 2670 Commerce Blvd., Mound; 763.270.7119; plungemn.org

LOCAL EVENTS

Tonka Chase–Winter Edition

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Camp

01/18

01/20

Arctic Fever

Teams of two—one adult and one

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, par-

01/17–01/19

child—will compete and race through

ticipate in various winter activities,

This annual event includes food, beverages,

a challenging scavenger hunt. Adults

such as crafts, fort building, nature les-

family activities, a coloring contest and more. All ages. Free. Times vary. Locations

vary. 952.960. 7900; shorewoodmn.gov

46

and children in grades 1–5. $35. 10–11 a.m.

Freeman Park, 6000 Eureka Road, Shorewood; 952.401.5000; minnetonkaschools.org

sons and more. Dress warm for the outdoor weather. Ages 5–12. $75. Camp

Fire Minnesota, 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior; 612.235.7284; campfiremn.org

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Mick Schulte

JANUARY 25

l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o

Lend Me a Tenor 01/30 Minnetonka Theatre presents its One Act performance available to the public. All

ages. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Minnetonka Theatre Main Stage, 18285 MN-7, Minnetonka; 952.401.5898; minnetonkatheatre.com

AREA EVENTS

Ice Castles Various dates throughout January Visit the towering sculptures and enjoy ice slides, caverns and archways, crawl tunnels and a polar pub. Opening day is TBA and weather-dependent.

All ages. Prices vary. Times vary.

Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Hoyt Ave. W., Falcon Heights; 866.435.2850; icecastles.com

Full Wolf Moon Snowshoe Hike 01/13 Enjoy January’s full moon—known as the Wolf Moon, as wolves are more likely to be heard howling this time

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

A restorative pain and orthopedic clinic taking a modern approach to pain treatment.

Applying the latest nonsurgical treatments for arthritis, migraines, tendonitis, sciatica, fibromyalgia and any pain you are living with. Focus on yourself and Let Pain Care be Self Care.

Moderni Spine 3454 County Road 101 651.440.0939 ModerniSpine.com

of year—at this snowshoe-after-dark event. All ages. $7.50 members, $27.59 non-

members. 5–8 p.m. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu

Minneapolis Boat Show 01/23–01/26 View a wide selection of brands and models, nautical attractions and more.

All ages. Ages 13 and older $13 online and $15 on site, ages 12 and under free.

Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.332.1811; minneapolisboatshow.com

To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these

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

We pride ourselves on our exceptional services; a pre-power wash, a soft-touch tunnel and a manual towel dry.

Become Unlimited starting at just $28 per month.

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

Wayzata Bay Car Wash 143 Lake St. E. 952.473.4033 wayzatabaycarwash.com47

pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

LAST GLANCE

Lens on Lake Minnetonka Abstract photo provides clear look into winter on the lake.

Lucas McGary, 12, starts off the year with his second-place photo, Lake Minnetonka Ice, which he took one day after school when going out on Lake Minnetonka to sail on his family’s Nite iceboat. “While we were rigging the iceboat, I took a picture of the ice, so the shadow of the iceboat prevented glare,” he says.

“The fractured texture was caused by recent melting and refreezing on the lake,” says the seventh grader at Minnetonka Middle School. “The top layer of ice froze, trapping a thin layer of water underneath. You could hear the ice creak and see the bubbles move each time you took a step.”

Age has its advantages, especially for this hobbyist photographer. “I like to look for agates or fossils, so I notice small details in nature,” Lucas says. “Also, I’m only 12, so I’m still pretty close to the ground!” —Renée Stewart-Hester To view other Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.

48

Photographer: Lucas McGary Title: Lake Minnetonka Ice Equipment: Cell phone

Location: Lake Minnetonka Category: Abstract

Award: Second Place

Learn more about Lucas McGary in Science Museum Helps Local Boy Identify Fossil at lakeminnetonkamag.com.

January 2025

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Builder: Hendel Homes • Architect: Eskuche Design Group • Photography: Landmark

SEAMLESS PERFECTION We create windows and doors t hat flawlessly unite wood , glass and met al capt ivat ing t he eye, elevat ing t he s pirit and bringing your world one step closer to per fect ion.

WINDOWS & DOORS

Phone: 952.224.2202 • Fax: 952.224.2203 •

7176 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 synergy-trt.com

life. at your summit.

At the core of our care lies the profound understanding that you are on a journey to reach

IMMEDIATE CARE AT OUR

your full potential, to realize your goals and

ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE

dreams, to reach your summit——no matter what

LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE METRO

that summit may be. It is this understanding that drives us to provide the highest standard of excellence through every injury or aching joint and muscle that may stand in your way.