Lake Minnetonka Magazine - February 2023

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FEBRUARY 2023

This month escorts in our travel and fashion issue. As we well know, sometimes local travel brings us outdoors and into the warm depths of layered outerwear. Discover in our pages some icy and chilly spots to celebrate winter.

DEPARTMENTS

14 — The Root of the Matter Minnetonka native develops travel skin care line.

16 — Smart Travel Mind your cyber business.

18 — Love at First Bite Chocolate shop heads to downtown Excelsior.

20 — Blooming Business Flower farm offers fresh take on Valentine’s Day gifts.

FEATURES

24 — Hodophile Wayzata graduate charts his own course. 28 — Ready to Wear and Travel Commandeer your callof-the-wild with a less-isbetter suitcase situation.

TASTEMAKERS

42 — Sweet Dreams St. Boni baker began her career as a child growing up in Dayton.

Photo: Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

FROM THE EDITOR

RENÉE STEWART-HESTER — RENEE@LOCALMEDIA.CO

Ihave a confession to make. And I’m thinking most of you reading this share my affliction— if we want to call it that. I over pack. A lot. It’s a real problem. The situation is this: I consider almost every scenario that might occur on my trip, and I feel I must be prepared in terms of outfits. (Jewelry packing is a whole other issue.) Let me use a micro trip as an example. When I pack for a weekend at the lake, first to go in the bag are jammies, personal items and swimsuits. Plural on the water wear because putting on a wet swimsuit is not my idea of comfort. Who’s with me?

Next, I pack clothes for: warm weather, stifling temps (The cabin’s air conditioning systems are not ideal.), rain, wind (The north wind off the lake can drop temperatures quickly.), bonfire nights (One must guard against mosquitoes.), trips to town to shop (I kinda want to look cute.), cocktails at the neighbors (The family on one side of us is from Dallas and always snazz it up Texas style for social time!), outdoor tasks (There are always jobs to do.) and cozy clothes to curl up with a book or my favorite community lifestyle magazine (wink). That’s just for three days. The situation is exponentially worse when I’m up there for two weeks. And we haven’t even covered what happens when I go on a real trip.

When I read Kristie Smith’s article on page 28 about intentional packing, I knew I had found cure for what ails my packing troubles. I tried the capsule approach, to some degree, on a trip to New York City. While I still included way too much in my suitcase, I kept my outfits’ color stories to black, white and beige, and I found it so much easier to swap items in and out to create far more outfits than even I had anticipated. Tips from Deephaven’s Paige Epsky of Same Paige Styling encourage me to take my packing to the next level—actually, down a notch.

What travel packing secrets do you have to share?

Happy Trails,

On the Cover

Same Paige Styling, photo by Chris Emeott, page 28

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

Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag

Emeott

Photo: Chris

VOL. 18 NO. 9

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publisher

Susan Isay editor

Renée Stewart-Hester managing creative director

Renée Stewart-Hester managing editor

Hailey Almsted digital editor

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Kellie Doherty

Sherri Hildebrandt staff writers

Zoe Deal Mollee Franscisco Emily Gedde

Susie Hopper Daniel Huss Hanna McDaniels

Malena Larsen Josie Smith Kristie Smith

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

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SWEET HISTORY

WHILE STUDYING ABROAD in Venezuela, I, along with other students, would take overnight buses to the coast. It was there where I discovered cacao trees, which give us chocolate and is found growing as an understory tree.

Its fruit clings strangely to its trunk. One tree will have fruit pods of different colors, which contain sweet, white pulp wrapped around each bean. Its scientific name is Theobroma cacao, Greek for “food of God.”

Kakaw is the name of the tree in a variety of Mayan languages and was originally domesticated in the upper Amazon some 5,000 years ago. Mayan mythology says the cacao tree was a gift to the people from the Plumed Serpent God, Quetzalcoatl.

For thousands of years, it’s been used as a ritualist beverage, and the beans were even traded as currency.

Ceremonies utilizing it are still practiced today, and participants can experience an overall sense of well-being, aided by the many mood boosting chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine. The Mayo Clinic weighs in, noting that chocolate has “many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, preventing blood clots, improving memory, lowering cholesterol and even preventing some types of cancer.”

While it might not feel romantic, these are all great reasons to gift a box of chocolate this Valentine’s Day.

Alison Feik of Excelsior has a degree in landscape architecture and holds a wealth of knowledge about local plants and gardening. Grow more at beingstronginnature.com.

PETS

Functional Fashion

Some dog jackets parallel the best haute couture has to offer. Are they being worn for fashion or function?

Some dogs have a natural warm winter coat made for our northern climate while others need a little help keeping comfortable and cozy when venturing out in Minnesota’s weather. We want dogs to exercise all year long. Knowing what type

of hair or coat your dog has will help determine the need to add an extra layer of warmth or wind protection for your canine fashionista. A silky, smooth, shorthaired or hairless dog would benefit from a doggie jacket, whereas a dog with long hair or a double coat might not.

How do you protect dogs’ paws? Try booties, which are not just an accessory, but a

functional piece of clothing that protects their pads from salt and sand. Some dogs won’t tolerate booties. In that case, use an emollient salve on the feet, which can help protect their paw pads.

It can be fun dressing up your dog with fashionable and practical winter clothing. As a veterinarian, I see dogs put on extra weight during the winter,

however with available winter gear, taking your pooch for a walk can be very enjoyable.

Jackie Piepkorn, DVM, co-owns Westonka Animal Hospital and the Lake Minnetonka Pet Wellness Center. Learn more at westonka.vet.

TASTE THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Chocolate gets a lot of attention this month because of Valentine’s Day. While real dark chocolate does provide some nutritional value, most of the chocolate from the stores is loaded with sugar and some not-so-great ingredients.

One of our favorite chocolate treats is our homemade pudding. Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it is loaded with antioxidants, healthy fats and a deliciously creamy chocolate flavor. Plus, the coconut oil and raw honey provide medicinal benefits and immune support. Just make sure not to give the raw honey to infants who are less than 1 year old.

Choco-avo Pudding

» 2 ripe avocados

» 1 banana

» 1/2 cup raw honey

» 1/4 cup cacao powder

» 2 Tbsp. coconut oil

» pinch of sea salt

Blend ingredients in a food processor, serve immediately, or pour into popsicle molds for a delicious frozen treat. This is also a wonderful fruit dip and makes a nice presentation when served up with fresh, sliced strawberries.

Kate Doubler of Deephaven is a mom of five children, a nurse and online health influencer. Taste more at realfoodrn.com.

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SIP

Simply Delicious

Champagne over Chambord

» 1 oz. Chambord raspberry liqueur (Chambord is sweet and doesn’t need additional sugars.)

» 5–6 oz. Champagne (I would recommend a brut or brut rosé.)

» raspberries for garnish

Add Chambord to a Champagne flute. Pour Champagne over Chambord, and add a few raspberries to the glass to garnish.

Dan Keegan owns Glenlake Wine and Spirits in Minnetonka. Find more at glenlakews.com.

READ MEET-CUTE

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for a romantic read in the spirit of all the best New York rom-coms, check out In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer.

This novel’s heroine, Franny, is having the worst day ever when a stranger on the subway (Hayes) steps in to help. Little did they know, someone caught their interaction on camera, and it’s gone viral. While their meet-cute is making Internet waves, it turns

out Franny and Hayes are total opposites. They expect to go their own separate ways, but New York City has other ideas.

It’s rewarding to see Hayes and Franny growing as people individually in the midst of their opposites-attract romance, and the cast of supportive side characters add further appeal.

If you want a happily ever after with a side of witty banter and New York City appreciation, this is the February read for you.

Raela Schoenherr works in marketing at a publishing company and is a lifelong lover of books and reading.

DISCOVER

THE BEGINNING OF LONE LAKE PARK

Bohemians arrived in America in two great waves in the 19th century. In 1848, they emigrated due to political persecution, and in the 1880s, they did so to find inexpensive land available in the central U.S.

Many of these immigrants ended up in the Hopkins/Minnetonka area. In 1888, John (Jan) Dvorak purchased some property just south of Shady Oak Lake, which already had a cabin on it. Dvorak grew berries, raised dairy cows and had a large family there. The 1900 census records indicated that he and his wife, Mary, had nine children living in the house, which looked like many other older homes in the area at the time. It had a white lap siding, a couple of porches and an attached two-car garage.

What you couldn’t see was that, beneath the siding and behind the porches and other additions, there was the original log cabin. The cabin was unusual because the logs used to build it weren’t round but were rectangular and varied in size and were felled and shaped using rudimentary hand tools. The cabin was also unusual because it was a full two stories, unlike most of the cabins built during that time.

The ownership of the farm remained with the family until the City of Minnetonka purchased it in 1973 to create a park. The house remained standing in the park until 1989. Today, Lone Lake Park offers a variety of amenities, including a system of trails that connect to Bryant Lake Regional Park.

Jan Cook serves as president of the City of Minnetonka Historical Society. Discover more at minnetonka-history.org.

Photo: City of Minnetonka Historical Society

The Root of the Matter

Minnetonka native develops travel skincare line.

By Susie Eaton Hopper

THIS COMMUNITY has an amazing way of nurturing its residents through education and opportunity, and it’s interesting to discover how the area has specifically influenced current and former residents.

Lake Minnetonka area native Daphne Chapman took inspiration from growing up in this area with her to San Antonio, Texas, where she’s developed a private aesthetician practice and skin care line that combines her passions for travel and self-care. She developed Airø, a traveldriven, plant-based botanical line that works to hydrate skin to keep it healthy, so travelers (on airplanes or in the sun and water) can keep their “glow on the go,” Chapman says. Products includes cleaners, hydrating mist, lip treatment, masks, oil, serums, travel kits and much more.

But how did she get there from here? Chapman’s parents and grandparents lived near Lake Minnetonka, and she graduated from Minnetonka High School in 1983. “For those of us who got to experience the area then, it really was an honor,” Chapman says. “I’ve lived in Europe and on both coasts, but Minnesota will always be home.”

One early experience ended up being a part of her essence and life’s work.

Chapman’s mother took her to Horst and Friends salon in Deephaven in the ’70s. “There were so many cool people there,” she says, noting one person there included Horst Rechelbacher, known to most simply as Horst, “who changed the face of beauty in Minnesota and globally,” she says. He founded Aveda Corporation

Daphne Chapman

MEMORY BOX:

and Intelligent Nutrients. Little did she realize then that he would be a guiding force in her life.

Chapman eventually lived on the grounds of Horst’s home in Osceola, Wisconsin, where she worked at his spa and would talk at length with him about healing and therapy. She was inspired by him to learn massage therapy and practice in Los Angeles. She returned to Minneapolis to attend Horst’s Aveda Institute. “He turned energy into action into an empire,” Chapman says. She became at esthetician and considered it to be calling.

Like Horst, Chapman developed her own line of products from the ground up. After working for others for decades, she runs her own line, which is sold online. New opportunities have developed, includ ing a partnership with a five-star hotel, Thompson San Antonio, which offers her products and signature facials. “It’s a very expensive line to produce,” she says because of its purity and small production. “These days, people buy skin care from celebrities ... and there is no brand loyalty,” she says. It’s a challenge to educate clients, who are bombarded with products that they don’t understand. “Most are full of fillers and just sit on top of the skin,” she says.

“I have a passion for travel and skin care,” Chapman says, but autonomy and integrity are most important to her as the line grows. “It’s all evolving organically,” she says, just as it did for her mentor, Horst.

Even in uncertain times, growth isn’t something you hope for, it’s something you plan for. And the best growth plans are based on what’s possible - to anticipate, to create, to achieve.

At Crown Bank we specialize in partnering for what’s possible.

Photos: Chris Emeott; Airø

airoskincare.com; @airoskincare

“I love to return to my roots and enjoy the new Excelsior and Wayzata, but I also miss the simpler days when I could walk through the back door of the Excelo Bakery and order a fresh glazed [donut] or purchase a crisp new pair of Levi’s at the Foursome.”

—Daphne Chapman

What can we make possible for your business?

Smart Travel

Mind your cyber business.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

TRAVELERS HAVE BEEN ITCHING itching to get back out on the road, into the skies or over the seas to locales near and far. While scratching the travel itch can be satisfying, there are some hiccups that are worth avoiding.

When it comes to cyber security, we checked in with Jim Bendt, owner  of Pique Travel Design in Excelsior, for some practical tips.

How do travelers ensure that they are on an official airport network?

Public Wi-Fi in places like airports, unfortunately, have become prime hacking spots, and it’s really important to have your guard up. The best protection is to avoid any public Wi-Fi and simply use your hotspot on your phone ... I gladly invest in adding international coverage

when I travel abroad because it gives me peace of mind …

If you don’t want to use your personal hotspot, then make sure the Wi-Fi network is legit and not someone posing as a legit source. Hackers might use the name of an airport restaurant or lounge area. Listen to your Spidey senses. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t use it. You should also make sure the network is HTTPS and not HTTP.  Think of the extra “S” as extra “security.”

Many web browsers, like [Google] Chrome, [Microsoft] Edge and Safari, have a padlock icon in the address bar when a site is secure. If a website doesn’t have this icon, then you are at risk and should visit that site when you know you are on a secure network.

Don’t use sites where you accessing

sensitive information that could do you harm … Keep your browsing to low-risk content viewing.

Be aware that mobile apps typically don’t have anything visible to know if it’s secure, so maybe wait until you are on a secure network to use them.

Should travelers alter their device settings to avoid automatically connecting to nearby networks?

Definitely. And make sure your personal hotspot has a secure password ... and that you need to approve anyone that wants to join. Limit access to people you trust.

Thoughts on connecting to power outlets and USB chargers?

Nowadays, cellphones and laptops typically support the full range of

voltages used throughout the world, and many airports, planes, hotels, etc. have outlets that accept many different plug types. If you happen to run into a situation where multipurpose outlets are not available, any hotel or airport convenience store will have local adapters available for you.

Let's talk about letting others borrowing devices. Much like you wouldn’t let somebody else pack your bags, you shouldn’t let others borrow your devices—unless it’s that waiter or tour guide you ask to take a picture of you while traveling and you see what they are doing with your phone.

How should one guard against travel-related email scams?

My advice is if you get an email to alter travel plans or renew TSA Precheck, don’t click the links in the email. Treat it as a nice reminder, and go to the website directly to log into your account. You know it’s secure, and you’ll get accurate info about whether updates are truly needed or it was a scam.

Are there steps to take to protect financial accounts while traveling?

I make sure that any sensitive information, like banking, is done before I go on the trip. [I let] my bank know I’m traveling or make sure I have enough space on my card to make purchases. The more you can minimize these interactions while traveling, the better you will be protecting your account. If you do need to make changes, calling [your bank] will be your best option.

Over-the-shoulder information stealing is a real issue. Ideas? If you are working on sensitive information that you are concerned someone might lean in to see, pick your spot carefully. Maybe find a chair or table far away from others, or [sit with] your back to the wall. And if anyone is in your personal space bubble, make eye contact, so they know you are onto them. Once they know they are busted, they will move on.

Pique Travel Design, 306 Water St., Excelsior; 612.801.1005; piquetravel.com

Pique Travel Design @piquetravel piquetravel

THE MENU

Love

at

First Bite Chocolate shop heads to downtown Excelsior.

By Mollee Francisco

IN A BUILDING that looks plucked straight out of the pages of Hansel and Gretel, Truffle Hill Chocolates has been crafting artisan chocolate treats for the last 28 years. But now, a new chapter is about to begin as the chocolatier makes the 1.1 mile move from Tonka Bay (Excelsior) to downtown Excelsior. “We’ve always aspired to be in downtown Excelsior,” says owner Marshall Morehead. “Now, we have an opportunity with this building on Water Street.”

Morehead says he hopes to move Truffle Hill Chocolates to 345 Water Street by the end of the first quarter of 2023. At press time, renovations were underway for the historic space to create both a production area and a retail space. “We’ll be going from about 200 square feet of retail to about 2,000 square feet,” Morehead says. “It’s a lot of space to fill up with chocolate.”

Morehead says core products, including those indulgent truffles, turtles and flavored popcorns, will continue to be offered, but the new space will allow for the expansion of offerings. “We’ll be adding products and services,” Morehead says. Ultimately, he envisions a true candy store with “unique candy and things that you can’t find anywhere else.”

The idea is to grow the customer base by attracting younger people while still providing its signature high quality, detail-oriented products.

“We need to challenge ourselves to grow,” Morehead says. He believes the increased foot traffic of Water Street will be the key to the store’s growth. “We don’t get much foot traffic at our current

Photos: Truffle Hill Chocolates

location,” he says. “We hope the move will introduce us to new customers.”

Morehead says loyal customers have been supportive about the move to downtown Excelsior, but he understands their strong emotions surrounding the existing space. “It’s a nostalgic, unique building that has served the business well for the last 28 years,” he says. Truffle Hill Chocolates first opened its doors on Smithtown Road in Tonka Bay in 1995. It offered small batch artisan chocolate and quickly became a popular destination for the Lake Minnetonka community. Morehead purchased the business in 2016, trading the indulgent world of wine for the indulgent world of chocolate.

Morehead says his favorite Truffle Hill products are the signature truffles, chocolate caramel corn with almonds and peanut butter meltaways.

For those new to Truffle Hill, Morehead suggests starting with its milk chocolate or dark chocolate truffles. More adventurous types will want to try one of the liqueur flavored truffles infused with Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlúa and more. And if heat is what you crave, Morehead recommends the Mexican truffle. “It has pepper flakes, so there’s a little spice to it,” he says.

The best-selling product is the variety box. Morehead says a lot of those go out the door in the two weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. He understands why people turn to the confections to show their love. “Chocolate has so much emotion tied to it,” he says.

And when it comes to chocolate, Morehead cannot help but tout Truffle Hill’s prowess. “The quality, the attention to detail—we know we do it well,” he says.

Truffle Hill Chocolates, 24320 Smithtown Road (for now!), Tonka Bay (Excelsior); 952.470.1996; trufflehillchocolates.com

Truffle Hill Chocolates @trufflehillchocolates

Flowers don't always lose their beauty once they no longer take sips of water.

Photos: Melissa Jopp Photography

Blooming Business Flower farm offers fresh take on Valentine’s Day gifts.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

COMING UP WITH FRESH IDEAS

for Valentine’s Day gifts can become, dare we say, frustrating. Perhaps, it’s time to turn a new leaf and freshen up the 14th’s gift repertoire.

Consider: For 2020’s Valentine’s Day, according to balancingeverything.com, Americans spent $2.3 billion on flowers and plants. Don’t get us wrong. Flowers are a wonderful gift—anytime of the year. And we don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, but we can certainly put a new spin on it. Flowers and Fuzzy Butts has some ideas.

The New Germany-based 1/4-acre flower farm is owned and operated by Melissa Jopp, who gets a fair share of help from her husband, Grady, and children Kylie, 12, and Jayce, 10. The farm is home to mostly field-grown annual and perennial flowers, including amaranth, celosia, daffodils, dahlias, lisianthus, native flowers, peonies, snapdragons, strawflowers, sunflowers, tulips, zinnias and much more.

If a bouquet is a great gift idea, wouldn’t several bouquets be an even better one? Jopp thinks so. Flower subscriptions are a personal favorite of hers, and she offers two types. One option includes receiving a wrapped bouquet once a week for six weeks, or sign up for three biweekly bouquets for the same duration. Subscriptions are offered in spring, summer and fall. The mixed bouquets are teeming with flowers from the season. “My customers look forward to seeing what each bouquet offers,” Jopp says, explaining customers are surprised

Melissa Jopp cultivates her crops to ensure a more stable growing climate.

Dried florals bring summer and spring vibes into the colder months of the year.

INSPIRED GROWING

As a sustainable grower, Jopp eschews chemicals and even organic pesticides. “I am very passionate about helping out our quickly-fading population of pollinators, which in turn helps out the whole ecosystem,” she says. Her passion extended to naming her business, Flowers and Fuzzy Butts. Flowers speaks for itself. “Fuzzy Butts are what I call bumblebees,” Jopp says. “I just adore bumblebees and want to help these guys out while growing all these flowers. It’s important to me that I am not only growing flowers to create bouquets for people, but also helping out our amazing hardworking pollinators.”

Jopp’s passion for her business was also spurred by a surprising statistic. “When I heard that the majority of flowers in the United States were imported and I mean a large percent—more than 80 percent, I wanted to help provide local flowers to the community around me. I find supporting local businesses to be so important—and the bonus is that the flowers will last longer because they're fresh cut versus three to four days of transportation from wherever they are coming from.”

to discover the color and variety of flowers in the delivery.

Other gift ideas include mini dried flower arrangements and pressed flower frames, both available through Jopp. “I think most of us would agree that fresh cut flowers can’t be beat, but during the seasons that are just too cold to grow flowers in Minnesota, dried flowers are a fun and an everlasting option,” she says. “They really have a beautiful, unique look to them, and you don’t have to worry about keeping them watered.”

flowersandfuzzybutts.com

Flowers and Fuzzy Butts @flowersandfuzzybutts

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HODOPHILE

Photos: Mavrik Joos

WAYZATA GRADUATE CHARTS HIS OWN COURSE.

A 2014 Wayzata High School graduate’s career as a social media influencer began when he was around 11 years old making dolphin noises on YouTube. The adolescent’s silly video turned viral with more than 60,000 views. Once he was around 24 years old, his platform took off. Now, at 26, Mavrik Joos, a Plymouth native, has millions of followers on various social media platforms and travels the world doing what he loves to do—entertain. “I’ve always been an entertainer at heart,” Joos says. “I like to entertain friends or people I’m hanging out around.”

Joos, or Mav, as he’s commonly called, took time out of his busy travel schedule to catch up with people from his hometown and offer insight into some of his adventures. His most recent excursion was driving the Alaskan Highway, which was a 3,200-mile trip from Duluth. (The highway was built during World War II to connect the contiguous U.S. to Alaska across Canada.)

How exactly does a person go from making dolphin noises to becoming an influencer who travels the world? During the early days of surfing the web, Mav recalls stumbling across a fingerboarding commercial shot in Europe. Intrigued by the potential of doing tricks on a fingerboard, which is a small-scale working replica of a skateboard, Mav joined a YouTube group of people who made fingerboarding videos. “That’s what sparked me to realize YouTube could be a career,” he says, adding he’s won several fingerboarding contests and hosted his own well-attended events.

As his YouTube footprint started to grow, Mav began educating himself on how to monetize his channel. “I was pushed to learn more about cameras, storytelling and keeping people entertained,” Mav says. But it wasn’t until a trip during his early years in college that got Mav thinking outside the box.

Growing up, Mav took several vacations with this family, which he has fond memories of, but he realized they followed a traditional travel pattern.

On a trip to California with his college roommate, Mav stayed on a sailboat and spent the days surfing. “It was my first vacation that felt like it was different,” he says. “The guy we stayed on the sailboat with would camp out of his truck and stay anywhere he wanted. He really opened my eyes to unconventional ways of traveling and living.”

Mav’s videos range from short clips of him camping out of a truck in bitterly cold weather to 20–30-minute documentaries of fishing in

a new lake or making new friends. Regardless, he says he believes his audience enjoys accompanying him on his adventures. “Not everyone is into camping, fishing, cooking or the other things I do, but they find something in the content to grasp onto,” he says. “In some of my videos, I’m inadvertently telling stories of pushing through doing something people say you can’t do … I’m doing it.”

Bringing his viewers along for his journeys serves as encouragement to live out their dreams, no matter how wild they may be. Knowing he has people watching his travels unfold helps keep him company on the road.

“There are just as many moments of feeling lonely, [being] crammed [into] spaces and having a sore back as there are [experiencing] beautiful landscapes or an awesome meal,” Mav says. “It’s worth it, but you have to be willing to endure some sort of discomfort to experience those things.”

While most of Mav’s travels are highlighted in his social media videos, there are a few situations that have stood out over the years, one of which he shared exclusively in this interview. During a 2021 trip to Mexico, Mav stopped in the small town of Punta Cabras to purchase firewood from a local resident. Though he admits his Spanish-speaking skills aren’t the best, Mav was able to drum up a conversation with the homeowner, who offered him Wi-Fi access.

“There I was sitting in the driveway using the Wi-Fi, and all of a sudden there was a knock on my window,” Mav says. He looked up to see a teenage girl, grinning from ear to ear. The next thing he knew, the young stranger was pointing to the screen on her cellphone, which had Mav’s Instagram pulled up. “She was asking if it was me and motioned to take a picture with me,” he says. “That was one of the craziest moments to me. This town was so small, and she knew who I was.”

In addition to traveling, Mav also has a selftitled merchandise line. Prior to a YouTube career, he ran an e-commerce website for a fishing store (Thorne Bros Custom Rod & Tackle in Blaine) giving him some knowledge of how clothing retail works. “I like online sales and entrepreneurship stuff,” he says. Mav was able to translate that experience into developing his merchandise line, Mav, featuring outerwear. He notes that he’s building a team to develop custom products. “We’re getting our first samples of outdoor jackets, base layers and outdoor pants,” he says.

With his in-the-field experience, Mav doubles as a product tester. “It’s nice to be the field tester and also the business owner,” Mav says. “I’m a product junkie. I’ll submit to anybody’s great marketing. If the product looks like it’ll make my life easier, I will 100 percent

buy it. That’s my goal with this line … I have a great team of designers, and I’m the lucky one to get my name on it. It’s really cool.”

When discussing goals, Mav says his current focus is doing whatever makes him happy. “When I focus too much on what I want later on in life, it puts pressure on what I’m doing right now,” he says. “To be honest, I’d rather enjoy my life, and whatever happens, happens. I’m doing this for as long as it’s enjoyable and fulfilling for me.”

When Mav looks back on how much he’s accomplished in the past three years, he says he knows the young teenage YouTuber he once was would be proud of him. “I feel very fortunate to build what I have,” he says. “I’m the person I used to watch and dream about being one day.”

So, what message does he have for people watching him? “Find something you’re passionate about, and follow it,” he says. “Try not to care so much about what other people are doing or thinking. If you believe in something and have a want to do it, explore it.”

mavmadeit.com

Mav

@mavrikjoos

@mav.outdoors (clothing brand)

READY TO WEAR AND TRAVEL

Pack your bags. Travel is back in a big way in 2023. Whether you’re jumping on the ecotourism trend or planning to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary, a great big trip doesn’t have to mean a great big, bulky bag to carry those Instagram-worthy outfits.

Personal stylist Paige Epsky of Same Paige Styling says pioneering your closet should be the first step in starting your travel adventures. “Suitcase-smart planning not only results in lighter luggage and fewer baggage fees, but saves you time, so your adventure is focused on vacationing rather than what not to wear,” says the Deephaven resident.

Capsule wardrobes are ideal for

travel, according to fashion designers like Donna Karan, whose Seven Easy Pieces collection in 1985 struck a chord with shoppers and travelers alike. The easy, on-to-go concept has continued to evolve for adventure warriors, as well as classic-style-about-towners, with a roadtested closet of timeless, versatile pieces to mix and match. The concept is the Garanimal approach for adult dressing that combines elegance with a vacationready or day-to-day fashion sense.

Let’s get organized. “Before you start to pack, there are some important things to think about, including themes, agendas and the goals of your trip,” Epsky says. Is it a bachelorette

written by KRISTIE SMITH

Photos by CHRIS EMEOTT

party in Nashville, Tennessee, or an over-the-pond visit to the grass courts of Wimbledon?

Next, Epsky says it’s important to break down any trip to consider ways to maximize a wardrobe and reduce extra, unnecessary items in luggage. She suggests a quick and easy prepacking plan. “Lay out the clothes you think you’ll need, and create outfits. Consider how one skirt might work with a casual T-shirt one day and under a breezy sweater and jacket for a more formal event later that night,” she says.

“Then, take a picture of each outfit on your cell phone to make dressing easier and quicker when you’re settled into your glamping tent or luxury hotel room,” Epsky says. Once outfits are documented, return extra items to the closet, she advises, to resist the urge to overpack. (Traveling light also leaves room in your luggage for that must-have memento or gifts for family and friends.)

Eliminate packing too many heavy items, such as multiple jean shorts, heavy wedges, etc. Mix and match between tops, and add accessories to diversify from day to day.

Don’t be afraid to mix colors (color blocking) and/or prints for more versatility.

A dress can take you from the pool to dinner reservations. Lay the dress flat (one fold) to avoid wrinkling and allowing for more pieces to fit.

PRO TIPS

THERE ARE TRICKS TO THE TRADE WHEN IT COMES TO CULLING TRAVEL WEAR FOR WHATEVER ADVENTURE AWAITS. TO START, EPSKY RECOMMENDS USING AN OVERSIZED

DUFFLE BAG, RATHER THAN A HARD-SIDED SUITCASE. A DUFFLE CAN MAKE IT EASIER TO ADD IN EXTRA ITEMS AND COMPRESS INTO AN AIRPLANE’S OVERHEAD BIN.

• Travel light with a capsule wardrobe, including a great white shirt, a couple of pairs of shorts (linen or jean), a skirt/dress to pair with a jean jacket. (Wear the heavier items, like a jacket, on the plane or in the car to reduce the extra space required in your travel pack.)

• Remember that neutrals, like black, white and khaki colors, are interchangeable. Add accessories, which can take a basic black skirt from unnoticeable to a true reflection of your unique style. Think: a cute, floppy sun hat or a big pair of gold hoops.

• Opt for a cute pair of sneakers rather than heels and cheap, sole-crushing, flip-flops.

• For a cold-climate getaway, opt for a hybrid boot (Sorel). Make sure

they’re waterproof, comfortable and functional. Pair them with flattering leggings and a turtleneck, layered under a jacket for an ideal outfit on the plane or elsewhere.

• Bring a comfy loungewear set for in between the pool and the next event or after dinner/before bed.

• Pick one crossbody bag, and stick with it.

• To save packing space, call ahead to see what items will be provided by your accommodations (hairdryer, robe or slippers).

• Pack an empty pillowcase for items you’ve worn on your trip and don’t intend to use again during the trip. (This makes unpacking in the laundry room even easier when you get home.)

Road to Style

In a busy world, a classic style can take you from brunch to power lunch to a swanky, late-night jazz club simply with the shift of a scarf or a quick change of shoes. But first, you need a classic style. Cue Epsky, who’s shifted her career into high gear since the pandemic began to slow down. “It’s been so much fun,” she says of helping people create their own personal wardrobe styles.

“Preparing for an event or recognizing how our bodies change can make the right look feel a lot harder than it is,” Epsky says about creating a style that matches who you are. It goes without saying, most of us have changed since the pandemic started, both physically and mentally.

Epsky says helping someone create a “capsule wardrobe,” a collection of timeless, must-have basics, is her goal. “For me, it’s taking out the guesswork for a client, more than anything. It’s all about helping people feel their best.”

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

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

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

“My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from sales to scheduling, the experience was very good. The installers are highly skilled professionals and I would recommend Renewal by Andersen to all my contacts.”

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things

RACE READY

Excelsior’s Water Street transforms for annual klondike race.

THE ANNUAL KLONDIKE DOG DERBY is set for February 3 and 4 as racers charge down the Water Street, race 40 miles on frozen Lake Minnetonka and finish back in downtown Excelsior.

The first day of the event will include canine athletes receiving their veterinary check-ups, Hug-a-Husky and Meet-the-Mushers events downtown. Sled dog rides will be offered in the Excelsior Commons. On February 4, the opening ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Water Street, and the race commences at 10 a.m. The awards ceremony will be

at 5 p.m., and don’t miss the wrap party at Excelsior Brewing Co. with live music.

The Klondike Dog Derby is 100 percent volunteer run and supported by sponsors and fundraisers. One of its fundraisers this year was the annual Raise the Woof event at Unmapped Brewing Co. in November. Five-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey was on hand for two presentations and to meet visitors. A silent auction was also part of the event with proceeds aimed to cover the cost of producing the race. Learn more at klondikedogderby.com. —Megan Hegenbarth

Photo: Josh Hway/Dynamic Photowerks

GET WARM WITH THE CHILLY

Two-day celebration gears up in Wayzata.

The Wayzata Chilly Open’s main events are set for February 11, beginning at 9 a.m. with yoga on the ice. Admission is free, and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat. The annual golf tournament rounds will commence at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. for three nine-hole courses right on the ice. Tickets are $45 to $90. Don’t miss out on the Chili CookOff, which also serves up live music starting at 11 a.m. Snowkite races and other activities are in the works. Learn more (including information about what to wear!) by visiting chillyopen.wayzatachamber.com. —Megan Hegenbarth

LOCAL EVENTS

Snowball Open 2023

02/04

Get ready for the 36th Annual Snowball Open by the Orono Lions Club. There will be free drinks and food, ice golf, raffle tickets to win over $1,400, live music and more. All ages. Online $25, door $35. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Birch’s on the Lake Brewhouse

& Supperclub, 1310 Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake; 952.473.7373; birchsonthelake.com

Pond Hockey Championship 02/09–02/12

Participate in the annual charity fundraiser for Play for Patrick and ALS Association-MN/ND/SD Chapter. There will be the grand pond hockey tournament and other fun winter activities, including an outdoor bean

bag tournament and three live concerts. Ages 21 and over. Tickets online $50. 7–10 p.m. Maynards, 685 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior; pondhockeylakeminnetonka.com

Matilda the Musical Jr. 02/09–02/19

Get ready for Matilda at the Blue Water Theatre Company. Watch as she uses her powers defeat her crude principal and fight back against her parents.

Compiled by Nicole Berglund and Megan Hegenbarth

Photo: Wayzata Chilly Open

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The Excelsior branch of the Hennepin County Library will present a themed display of comic books and graphic novels, featuring Black characters. The titles are aimed at teen and adult readers, cover a variety of topics and include a host of authors. Visit lakeminnetonkamag.org for a list of some of the available titles. To learn more, visit hclib.org, or check them out at the library, 337 Water St., Excelsior.

Pizzeria, 2069 W. Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake; 612.314.3232; nwareajaycees.org

Merchants of Soul 02/24

Join Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge for a night of beautiful music. Live music from Merchants of Soul will be playing, so sit back, relax and enjoy the view of the lake. All ages. 7–10 p.m. Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge, 3746 Sunset Drive, Spring Park; 952.471.8513; lordfletchers.com

AREA EVENTS

St. Paul Winter Carnival 02/01–02/05

Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 651.224.4222; ordway.org

The Little Prince Through 02/05

Based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this play follows a young boy as he tells a stranded pilot about his intergalactic adventures. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; 612.377.2224; guthrietheater.org

A Soldier’s Play 02/08–02/12

All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Blue Water Theatre Company, 605 Rice St. E., Wayzata; bluewatertheatre.com

Designer Purse Bingo 02/23

Try your luck at the designer purse bingo at Carbone’s Pizzeria. There will be purses from Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Coach, plus cash prizes. Ages 18 and over. Free. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Carbone’s

Bundle up, and have fun at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. There will be scavenger hunts, an ice fishing tournament, snow and ice sculptures and parades. All ages. Free. Times vary. Rice Park, 109 W. Fourth St., St. Paul; 651.223.7400; wintercarnival.com

Daughter of the Regiment 02/04–02/12

Get ready for this incredible opera at the Ordway Center. Watch as aristocratic Marie falls for a villager and goes through obstacles in this romantic comedy. All ages. Starting from $106. Times vary.

Prepare for a gripping thriller at the Fitzgerald Theater. It follows a murder and a series of interrogations that will question what sacrifice, service and identity mean in America. Ages 13 and over. Starting from $42.65. Times vary. The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; 651.224.4222; ordway.org

To Kill a Mockingbird 02/19

Based on the book by Harper Lee, this classic tale is performed live on stage. Ages 12 and over recommended. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

Shen Yun 02/24–02/26

This vibrant display of classic Chinese culture returns to Minnesota. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

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 business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

North American Pond Hockey Championship

Chriskindlsmarkt in Excelsior

The Excelsior festival started in Lyman Park (now the Excelsior Library) and grew to its current location in the East Municipal Parking Lot. The volunteer-driven event features live entertainment, special seasonal guests, German fare, including desserts, candies and gluehwein (mulled wine). The market also features stalls filled with traditional gifts, handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, nutcrackers, vintage pieces, Alpaca sweaters and mittens, leather goods, original art, German pottery and lanterns.

To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co.

in

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Sweet Dreams

St. Boni baker began her career as a child growing up in Dayton.

ALETTA SCHAEFER has been dreaming up recipes since she was only 3 years old. Growing up in Dayton, Minnesota, her mother ran a daycare business out of their home. Oftentimes, Schaefer could be found eagerly whipping up baked goods for all the kids.

Early on, Schaefer quickly became known for her banana bread. It was, of course, no ordinary recipe.

It contained a special ingredient— cherries. She says her banana bread became so popular in the neighborhood that people even tried to steal the recipe from her.

Fast forward, and more people started to take notice of Schaefer’s prowess around the kitchen. Her best friend, a wedding planner, had been urging her to pursue her childhood passion. Other friends began chiming

Written by Josie Smith

Photos by Chris Emeott

in, too, insisting it was something she had to do. It was then that she decided to make her move from working in customer service and the restaurant industry to becoming a small business owner.

Since May 2021, you’ll find Schaefer in her St. Bonifacius home creating delectable desserts for her business, Lake Minnetonka Bakehouse LLC. Everything is made from scratch, and delivery is free for those living within 30 minutes of St. Bonifacius.

Take a peek inside Schaefer’s fridge, and you’ll find at least 100 eggs on the shelves at any given time. Although she makes cookies (She

says she’s often told that her cookies are better than people’s grandmothers’ baked goodies.), cakes, pies, truffles and more, cupcakes are her top seller. And because of that, she’s offering a special menu for Valentine’s Day, including Cupcake Grams. Choose from red velvet, Oreo, sea salt caramel, chocolate and vanilla bean cupcakes.

While making custom cakes is her forte, Schaefer says designing birthday cakes is her most rewarding work. She loves creating something meaningful and memorable for someone’s big day, especially when that special someone is a child.

Schaefer aims to use the best

Gourmet Gifts

Six cupcakes, $35

Six cupcakes and a dozen roses, $65

A dozen cupcakes with a dozen roses, $95

An assortment of gourmet truffles with a dozen roses, $95

All orders come with free delivery (to the Lake Minnetonka area) and a Valentine’s Day card.

Home Goods

The Schaefers have lived in St. Bonifacius for about four years. (Her husband has lived there for more than 17 years.) Schaefer describes the Lake Minnetonka area as “relaxation at your fingertips” and loves that there’s overwhelming support for small businesses in the community.

ingredients, too. She makes her own vanilla extract and works with local farmers to purchase quality goods. The eggs she uses come from Love Our Farm in St. Bonifacius, and she procures honey from Horner’s Honey in Independence.

If you ask her family about their favorite treats, Schaefer’s husband, Jason, raves about her chocolate chip cookies and her 3-year-old daughter, Betty, can’t resist the cake pops. And even though she says she’s still tweaking her carrot cake recipe, Schaefer’s father-in-law keeps telling her, “Don’t change a thing!”

lakeminnetonkabakehouse.com Lakeminnetonkabakehouse @lakeminnetonkabakehouse

SECOND PLACE: PETS

Lens on Lake Minnetonka

Photogenic felines capture second place.

“WHILE YOU CAN MAKE DOGS SIT and stay for a photo and try to pose them, you cannot do that with cats,” says Minnetonka’s Sarah Happe. “That’s why I love this photo. It seems as if they were posing for the camera. I love the intent look into the camera and that they posed like statues.”

The domestic shorthairs Millie (left) and George (right) are around 4 years old. “While they are siblings, they have very distinctive personalities,” Happe says.

Photographer: Sarah Happe Title: Siblings Equipment: Apple iPhone with Afterlight editing Location: Minnetonka

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