Lake Minnetonka - May 2024

Learning

THE ROPES

Wayzata Sailing proves it’s never too late to start a new adventure

Urgent Care

TCO Excelsior

Walk in 8 - 8

Ready to serve Excelsior and the surrounding community.

Set to be your first stop for sudden, unexpected injuries.

Go for more of what you need to keep your body moving.

No referral or appointment necessary.

Ready. Set. TCO.

You name the place, we’ll bring

the taste.

‘The Joy of Good Food’ truck.

Bring the taste of Kowalski’s to your next party or event. The Joy of Good Food Truck offers some of our best Signature recipes and exclusive products, like our Certified Akaushi Beef Burgers and Hot Dogs, specialty Street Tacos and Pulled Pork sandwiches made with our own Naturally Raised meats.

Call 651-313-6870 to book our truck for your next event!

Your health care, simplified.

The care you need, when you need it – it really should be that simple. HealthPartners is the largest multi-specialty care group in the Twin Cities, with care teams and services all connected to give you a streamlined experience. And every day we’re offering more ways to make it easier to get great care:

• 300+ clinics and hospitals across the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin

• System-wide health record so your care team is on the same page

• Virtual services including hybrid preventive care, video visits and Virtuwell

• Online scheduling and mobile check-in

• Save My Spot for Urgent Care

Learn more at healthpartners.com/care

OUR FAMILY PROUDLY SERVING MINNESOTA’S 10,000 LAKES

Since 1992 BOAT SALES | PRO SHOPS | STORAGE | SERVICE | FIBERGLASS REPAIR | BOAT TRANSPORTATION | MOBILE SERVICE

MAY 2024

“Let their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.”

—Daniel Webster, American statesman

Photo: Chris Emeott

Gary Marquardt, page 28

from the EDITOR

I find it fitting—in such a lovely, organic sense—that the themes of outdoor living and art join together to create this month’s issue.

In so many ways, nature serves as one of our first art teachers— presenting the sometimes vibrant, other times subtle, revolving colors and textures of the seasons and plant life; revealing the sometimes wild, other times docile, spirits of animal life; and on it goes with the breathtaking and inspiring galleries of all types of life.

As we turn to art, page 20 shares the story of Excelsior artist Annalisa Sawtell, who is inspired by the natural beauty around her. “And as simple as it sounds, I’m drawn to the things that look ordinary, but when you get closer, you see the beauty,” she says.

Outdoor living brings us to page 30 and some local members of the Hennepin County Master Gardener program. Dedicated, gifted and impressive—these descriptions only briefly illustrate these talented gardeners. And when it comes to other adults, who chart their own courses, discover on page 38 how some folks are finding new ways to set sail. “If you’re worried about not being strong enough or not fitting in, there is a type of boat or sailing community that fits you,” says Lucas Haarstad, a Wayzata Sailing instructor.

As the month marks Memorial Day, please read on page 28 about Gary Marquardt, who honors veterans and moves listeners’ hearts with his soulful and heart-filed rendition of taps, played at veterans’ funerals and during sunsets on Lake Minnetonka. I think you’ll join me in being inspired by his call to action.

Month after month, regardless of the issue’s themes, it’s always our mission and pleasure, dear readers, to highlight you and your family, friends and neighbors—all showing us the art of being human.

Until next time,

Renée Stewart-Hester renee@localmedia.co

CELEBRATING THE LAKE MINNETONKA AREA SINCE 2005.

On the Cover

Wayzata Sailing , Photo by Chris Emeott, page 38

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

Photo: Chris Emeott

Madeline Kopiecki digital editor

Q: How do you like to unwind?

A: I love finding new recipes to try, particularly homemade ingredients such as quick pickles, red pepper flakes and homegrown herb blends.

Q: What’s currently sparking your interest?

A: I’ve been experimenting with growing different herbs with my AeroGarden. I’m well versed with staples like basil and thyme, but currently I’m trying out chervil and marjoram. (Which, of course, also leads to new recipes to try.)

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay

EDITOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Hollie Blanchard, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson, Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Kirsten Pardoe, Aaron Person, Raela Schoenherr, Lisa Stevens, Katie Tomsche, Liz Vandam

DIGITAL INTERN

Zoe Baden

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Findlay Drabant, Grace Knapp

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Brooke Beyer, Wayzata Area Chamber ; Laura Bray, Friends of the Excelsior Library ; Mary Cornelius, Minnetonka Schools ; David Decker, House Novel ; Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global ; Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer ; Amanda Zielike, House Novel

SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR

Sarah Dovolos

ART DIRECTOR

Allison Nolden

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Jamie Klang

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Emeott

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Brittni Dye

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Lisa Stone

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Mimi Coz

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson, Abbie Kinn, Kathie Smith

PRESIDENT

Pete Burgeson

RAISE A GLASS

THERE’S SO MUCH to celebrate this month with bridal and baby showers in the offing, as well as Mother’s Day and the opening of the picnic season with Memorial Day. Lunds & Byerlys offers some seasonal sips that are ideal for any springtime gathering. To view the complete recipes, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.

Lillet Spritz

Lillet (pronounced lil-lay) is an aperitif wine made with Bordeaux grapes and citrus liqueurs, and if you haven’t tried it, you’re in for a treat. It’s mellow and smooth with hints of honey and herbs—perfect in a refreshing, low-ABV spritz.

Gin & Jam Cocktail

Pucker up, buttercup! This tart, boozy cocktail is so good, you’ll want to serve it for every gathering.

Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Sip more at lundsandbyerlys.com.

Gin & Jam Cocktail

Photos: Lunds & Byerlys

Lillet Spritz

Personal Perspective

In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, discover Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew

by Michael W. Twitty.

Food plays an important role in cultural traditions, social connections and the identity of a people. Author and James Beard Award-winning chef Twitty shares his thoughts on identity. This unique memoir centers on the intersection of the food traditions of the African-Atlantic and the Jewish diasporas. He details his exploration of identity. “Your place in the mishpocheh, the family, and how you navigate that place, not just with others but within yourself—this is the boot camp of identity, especially intersectional identity, and it’s where you find your special truth that only you can bring to the table,” he says.

For Twitty, that truth includes experiences of racism and bigotry but also the sweetness of finding community and connection in unexpected places. He relates feelings of rejection while at a family reunion. At another time, kinship was found while waiting for a bus that did not come. A car full of strangers pulled up and hollered, “Chaver! Get in!” and wished a warm Chag Sameach when they parted ways.

Discover recipes for Koshersoul Collards, Yam Kugel, Black-Eyed Pea Hummus, Louisiana-Style Latkes and more.

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

3 Bedroom

2,509 Finished Sq. Feet

$995,000.00

Introducing the epitome of farmhouse elegance nestled in the picturesque setting of Deephaven/Minnetonka. This newly renovated home is a masterpiece, blending timeless charm with contemporary trends to surpass expectations. The family room & kitchen exude warmth and coziness with an open floor plan and an inviting dining space. A wide plank white oak floor, Solid surface countertops, a farm sink, and stainless-steel appliances grace the kitchen. The amusement room features a custom-built bar and sets the stage for unforgettable moments, while o ering endless opportunities for hosting gatherings and relaxing in style. Another highlight is the custom 6-stall heated garage will a multitude of upgrades, boasting epoxy floors and ample storage space. The original barn provides additional storage & character.

• Awarded top producer and established expert in the Lake Minnetonka community

• In-depth understanding of today’s market and trends

• Experience and creativity for all real estate needs

• Unmatched service and results

Gift Alert: Consider LAGO for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, cabin warming or some self-gifting.

Who knew that a sunset boat ride around Lake Minnetonka, complete with Aperol Spritzes, would lead to a product launch— meet LAGO.

During a cruise on the water, Krista Panosian says she and her friend (later business cofounder) asked themselves, “Why isn’t there something to steady our stemmed glasses, giving us a chance to put them down, pace our sips and truly soak in the moment?”

“We wanted to enjoy our drinks without the worry of a spill or, worse, breaking a good glass,” Panosian says. “Sure, we could’ve used those insulated mugs, but

let’s be real—a drink just hits different in the right glass.”

LAGO features sand-filled “bags” made of marine fabric with a unique shape (sand dollar vibes), providing spaces for stemmed glasses to “park” and avoid spillage. “It’s perfect for ensuring your drinks stay put, whether you’re on a boat battling the waves, enjoying a windy picnic or relaxing at a beach barbecue,” Panosian says. “Its stability works wonders on uneven grounds or even soft surfaces. Believe it or not, one of our customers even took LAGO up in the air on their plane …” Take them indoors, too, to keep beverages safer on

soft furniture or during lively gatherings.

While they come in four standard colors, limited edition colors will be released throughout the year with themes around months of the year and occasions (Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.).

Find them for $50 each at passthelago. com. This might be the answer to: “What should we get mom for Mother’s Day?”

Keep a look out for more products from this emerging business.

Renée Stewart-Hester

passthelago.com

Pass the LAGO @passthelago

Photo: LAGO

TASTE Perfect Patty

Although there is some debate as to the origins of the beloved hamburger, can we all agree that there is no better time than Memorial Day weekend to load up the grill with burgers? This Garlic Chipotle Mayo Burger has a fantastic blend of beef, leading to a juicy burger with a punch of flavor. Everything from the mayonnaise to the caramelized onions helps to elevate the burger we have come to love.

GARLIC CHIPOTLE MAYO BURGER

Burger

» 1 lb. burger blend, 70 percent ground chuck, 20 percent ground beef short rib and 10 percent beef fat

» 1 egg

» 2 garlic cloves, minced

» 1/8 cup yellow onion, minced

» ½ tsp. salt

» 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

» 1/8 tsp. celery seed

» 1/8 tsp. chili powder

» ½ tsp. ground mustard seed

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until the ingredients are incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the meat, or you will be left with a tough burger mix. Shape into roughly five quarterpound patties. Cook burgers on a grill or in a cast iron pan to the desired doneness.

Garlic Chipotle Mayo

» 5 Tbsp. mayonnaise

» 1 garlic clove, minced

» 1 1/4 tsp. adobo sauce from chipotle peppers

» 1/8 tsp. salt

In a small bowl, combine the ingredients, and mix till combined. Adjust salt and adobo sauce for desired taste.

Caramelized Onions

» 2 yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced

» 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Heat a small saucepan over high heat with the olive oil. Add the onions; cook until caramelized to a deep golden color. (Stir occasionally; the onions need time to cook directly on the pan.)

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

Now You See It

Twin Cities artist, muralist and printmaker Adam Turman is coming to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum May 9 through July 14 with a solo show, Did You See That?

A working artist since 2003, Turman has been creating bold, colorful work, including large-scale murals around the state. You may recognize his work from his booth at the Minnesota State Fair and collaborative partnerships with Minnesota brands, such as Faribault Mill, Polaris, 3M and Children’s Hospitals. (Think: bold illustrations riff on Minnesota landscapes and culture, including Split Rock Lighthouse, the Stone Arch Bridge, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.)

The arboretum’s Reed Gallery will host more than two dozen of Turman’s works, including pieces depicting iconic scenes from the arboretum, all viewable as part of arboretum admission. A meet-and-greet

Photo: Adam Turman

Start your next project at hwconstruction.com

ARTS & CULTURE

Look to the Ordinary

Excelsior artist finds inspiration in the beauty that surrounds her.

By Kelly Cochrane

IT’S THE FLOWERS waving in the meadow, the emerging spring blooms and the welcoming gardens she walks by that provide her creative inspiration.

Annalisa Sawtell of Excelsior is an artist who uses natural beauty as her muse and is grateful to live and work in a community that places a high value on art and naturescapes.

“If you walk around the town, you will see so many variations of flowers. And as simple as it sounds, I’m drawn to the things that look ordinary, but when you get closer, you see the beauty,” Sawtell says.

Art has always been a lifelong love

Annalisa Sawtell

of Sawtell’s. As a self-taught artist, she uses her faith to lead her art as she explores the grace that surrounds her. She works primarily in naturally pigmented oil paints, using both brushes and knives to replicate on canvas the natural world, expressly florals and other organics, she discovers on regular walks around town or through photographs she takes to use as artistic reference points for her work.

At the heart of Sawtell’s work are commissioned pieces, which give her the greatest amount of artistic joy. Clients share their vision and meaning behind the commission, and she

Photos: Chris Emeott

The Beauty of Walking with Jesus

Spring cleaning tackles dust bunnies, but what about unseen air pollutants? Dust, pet dander, bacteria, mold…

Today’s homes can harbor a surprising range of airborne irritants. Thankfully, there are indoor air quality solutions that can be installed with your existing HVAC system to help filter out these unwelcome irritants. They tackle the unseen, filtering out allergens, dust, and even mold and bacteria for a fresher, cleaner home.

Breathe easy, we’ve got you covered.

appreciates this part of the creative process, allowing her, in many cases, to provide encouragement through her art. “It’s the symbolism that speaks to someone’s life story,” she says. Each commissioned piece comes with a written note, which Sawtell pens to capture not only the client’s story, but the grace within the painting.

Whether clients purchase a commissioned piece, other paintings or a set of stationery, Sawtell hopes clients find her work both colorful and calming. “I used to think I had to choose one or the other, but like so many beloved elements of this world from gardens to wide open fields, things can be both docile and upliftingly colorful,” she says.

Photo: Chris Emeott

A MOTHER ’ S GIFT

Annalisa Sawtell features a birth month series of paintings, which was created with a specific celebration in mind— Mother’s Day. “… I thought it would be just the sweetest gift for each of a mother’s children,” she says. The series consists of 12 flowers, one for each month of the year, meant to serve as a representation of each child in the family. Since she began offering the series, the paintings have become popular with customers well beyond Mother’s Day and are being used to mark many of life’s important moments.

651.210.9971; annalisavsawtell.com

@annalisavsawtell

(prints: $15–$45; oil paintings: $125–$1,250)

Early Autumn Sunflower

Bee Aware

Get tips for cultivating a naturally impactful lawn.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

RAISE YOUR GREEN THUMBS

if you’ve heard or read about bee lawns. We were curious about the concept, so Wayzata’s Brian Bade, a master gardener, educated us in on the ins and outs of developing a bee lawn and cleared up some notions about No Mow May.

Bade explains that bee lawns feature flowering plants (commonly Dutch white clover, creeping thyme or selfheal) as well as turf grasses, with several benefits to bees and pollinators. Those benefits include: floral beauty; increased resilience to extreme seasonal temperatures and drought; less fertilizing, mowing and watering; and natural diversity of forage for pollinators.

Bade installed a bee lawn a few years ago. “I was curious to see how it was going to establish and look in a few years,” he says. As a master gardener, he wanted to have an example of a bee lawn for the Hennepin County Learning Garden Tour. [Read more on page 30.] Perhaps most importantly, Bade wanted to benefit pollinators. “A bee lawn provides them with supplemental nectar and pollen sources in the spring and summer months,” he says.

For people considering establishing a bee lawn, note that one doesn’t typically devote an entire lawn to it. “A bee lawn holds up to some light foot traffic, but it isn’t going to hold up well as a recreational planting,” Bade says. “What I mean by that is, if a space is needed to play baseball, football, soccer, etc., a yard made up entirely of bee lawn probably isn’t the best choice. However, if turf grass isn’t going to be used for recreation, or the turf in some areas of a property isn’t used as heavily as others, a bee lawn may be worth exploring. It all depends on the needs of the homeowner.”

Why Say Yes to No

There is a fair amount of confusion when it comes to No Mow May. “There

“The University of Minnesota Extension, Bee Lab and Turfgrass Science Program are all great resources to research how to establish and maintain a bee lawn,” Brian Bade says.

For additional information, visit extension.umn.edu, beelab. umn.edu and turf.umn.edu.

is a misconception that having a bee lawn is taking the concept of No Mow May literally and not maintaining your turf grass for an extended period of time,” Bade says. “That is not the purpose of No Mow May, and not maintaining your turfgrass for a month has some drawbacks.”

“The basic idea of No Mow May is to increase the availability of flowers in spring as bees emerge,” Bade says. “For example, if a homeowner gives dandelions a chance to bloom but mows before they go to seed, it can provide resources for pollinators while not increasing the spread of the dandelion.”

What should one consider before joining the No Mow May bandwagon?

“Removing more than one third of the length of turfgrass at a time can drastically reduce its health,” Bade says. “Letting grass grow for a month before mowing could result in grass that is 10–12 inches long, and not many residential mowers have a setting to properly cut at a 6- to 8-inch height.”

In addition, stressing lawns can result in the need to increase water and fertilizer to bring it back to health and lead to increased weed development. To note: Flowering lawn species in May tend to be dandelions and Creeping Charlie, which are not high quality forages and can become a management issue.

“Instead of No Mow May, Mowing Correctly or Mowing Less are probably better slogans,” Bade says. “Mowing at a higher height requires less frequent mowing and water requirements. Four inches and above is recommended during the summer months, and don’t cut more than one third of the grass blade length at a time. Finally, consider tolerating some traditional weeds like clover and dandelions.”

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minnetonka

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5 BED, 4 BATH, APPROX. 4,344 FSF

This handsome home is immaculate, and pride of ownership is everywhere. Deephaven Elementary. Ideal location close to elementary, middle, and high schools, Lake Minnetonka, Carson Bay boat launch, swimming beaches, Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, shopping, restaurants, and more!

Minnetonka

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4 BED, 3 BATH, APPROX. 3,258 FSF

Located in the coveted Highgate/Sparrow Road neighborhood, this charming ranchstyle home has three main floor bedrooms and sits on .61 acres. Convenience and tranquility coexist in this location which is private, but close to the elementary, middle, and highschool, shopping, and downtown Excelsior and Wayzata.

deephaven

OFFERED AT $1,295,000

4 BED, 4 BATH, APPROX. 3,524 FSF Set two blocks from Lake Minnetonka and two blocks to Deephaven’s flagship Thorpe Park this charming home was designed, crafted, and lovely cared for by the current owners. Huge windows flood the space with natural light; a perfect blend of luxury, convenience, and natural beauty. Just a short distance to downtown Excelsior and Wayzata!

612.382.4952

DESTINATIONS

Home Away From Home

Wayzata couple offers properties for small stays, big events and everything in between.

By Madeline Kopiecki

WALKING INTO THE Garden

Getaway on Ninth Avenue in Plymouth, it’s easy to feel instantly at home. The rambler is furnished in a color scheme of blue, white and gold. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery, crockery and appliances. The bathroom offers up toiletries like toothpaste and body wash. There are vases with fresh flowers throughout the house, and the kitchen counter hosts a welcome gift with a card signed by the managing partner, JJ Hornig.

Roxy Rentals is the brainchild of Wayzata couple JJ and Hadley Hornig. A native New Yorker, JJ Hornig got her first taste of the business possibilities while renting out her New York City apartment near the United Nations. “I couldn’t even keep up with the inquiries because it was so new, and people would much rather stay in an apartment with additional amenities as opposed to a hotel,” she says. Hornig put a pin in that experience but would revisit it with her husband when the couple moved to Minnesota in 2019.

The Hornigs bought a property in northeast Minneapolis and set about remodeling. “I loved that process,” Hornig says. But, six months after the home was complete, the couple was ready to move to the suburbs. “And I was like, ‘Why don’t we explore one of these units as a short-term rental? Let’s just see what it is,” she says.

That thought process evolved into a full-fledged business with Chic Retreat on 12th Avenue in Plymouth, joined shortly after by Ninth Avenue’s Garden Getaway in October 2022. From there, Roxy Rentals flourished, expanding to seven mid-term and short-term rental properties across two states. (A new property in Minnetonka Beach is set to open in June.)

Roxy Rentals guests take up temporary residence for a variety of reasons—fun getaways and otherwise. Whether it’s an emergency renovation or carefully planned remodel, it’s hard to go an extended period without basic home amenities and comforts. “When families have to go to hotel rooms, it’s breaking up that family unit,” Hornig says. “So it’s really fun to be able to create that warm and safe environment where they feel like it’s literally

Photo: Chris Emeott

JJ Hornig

their home away from home.”

When local families aren’t taking up temporary residency, both the Chic Retreat and Garden Getaway play host to a wide variety of other guests. “We get a lot of people, especially for the summer, [who] want to visit their families, but they don’t necessarily want to stay with their family,” Hornig says. Wedding parties are in the mix, too.

With a background in experiential events and hospitality, Hornig is no stranger when it comes to building an experience. “We really punch up the decor vibe, especially with the Garden Getaway,” she says. “We hired a really awesome local landscaper to bring back those gardens and help us with that to really make it splashy for this coming spring and summer.”

As the Hornigs built up their small business, they found a way to build up local businesses, too, through a digital guide, which guests receive access to during check-in. “We really push supporting local and small businesses in the area,” Hornig says. The digital guide highlights places to eat, activities and attractions in the surrounding area, including the Wayzata community.

ROXY’S ROLODEX

New amenities roll out in 2024 with Roxy Rentals’ online marketplace. Curated toward all things eventplanning, the directory partners with local service providers for a long list of occasions. “If you want a private chef, we have that in our Rolodex. We can have them come to the house and cook you a meal,” JJ Hornig says. “Do you need a hair and makeup team for your special event? We have that.”

The new marketplace will be a comprehensive resource for things that visitors need, which they might otherwise have difficulty finding if they’re from out of state. “Those hospitality amenities will be added on,” Hornig says.

roxyrentals.co @roxyrentals

Active Duty

Mound man honors veterans—one note at a time.

For Memorial Day, Gary Marquardt will visit two cemeteries in Mound to play at veterans’ graves. “I’ll keep playing until I can’t anymore,” he says.

If you’ve ever been boating near Casco Point on Lake Minnetonka at sunset, chances are you’ve heard the mournful strains of taps drifting across the water. For years, Mound’s Gary Marquardt had taken to his waterfront deck each night with his bugle to play for those who have proudly served the country. It’s his small way of showing reverence and giving back. “I just love to play,” he says. “It’s not a burden.”

Marquardt’s father and his father-in-law both served in World War II and the South Dakota-born Marquardt fully expected to head to Vietnam after he graduated from college in 1969. Fate would have other plans. While waiting for the call to serve in Vietnam, Marquardt collapsed at work and was diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer, which disqualified him from military service.

Instead of beginning his military career, Marquardt pivoted toward business, starting as a salesman before launching his very successful construction document management business. “I am the freaking American dream,” he says.

Marquardt never took for granted his successes in business or life. He is well aware that, while he had the opportunity to get married and have children, others never got the chance to build a life back home after military service. “I keep thinking about the five guys I know on the [memorial] wall in Washington [D.C.],” he says. “I got the best of everything and didn’t have to do anything.”

Perhaps that is why when Marquardt attended the funeral for a friend’s father and saw a man standing behind a tree playing a recording of taps, he couldn’t help but be disappointed. “I thought, ‘Is this the best we can do?’” he says.

On the ride home from the funeral, Marquardt contacted Bugles Across America and offered his services. During the phone call, he acknowledged that he didn’t play the bugle and couldn’t read music. The response he got was, “I won’t tell you not to try.” Try, he did.

Marquardt headed to Minnetonka Music in Excelsior where he began lessons with owner Bob Bushnell. “It was very difficult,” he says. “It took me a year.” And while he had the technical aspects of taps down after a year, he still had one big hurdle to overcome: nerves. Marquardt knew that to play taps for military funerals, he couldn’t just play the song. He had to play it well, as if he was honoring one of his own family members. “The idea is to give them a heartbeat behind those 24 notes,” he says.

Marquardt started playing taps on his deck, and people started listening. “At first, it was terrible,” he says. “People called. One neighbor asked, ‘Why don’t you play something you know?’” Marquardt stayed focused, recalling his mother’s advice to never quit. “I played until people clapped,” he says.

When the applause came, Marquardt knew he was ready to audition for Bugles Across America. Today, not only is he one of more than 170 volunteer buglers in Minnesota, but he is also the state director for the organization, ensuring that any eligible request for a bugler at a military funeral gets fulfilled.

Since joining the organization almost a decade ago, Marquardt has played at hundreds of funerals across the state. “It’s the most rewarding thing,” he says. “People come up and hug you afterwards.” Finding an available bugler can sometimes be a challenge, which is when Marquardt usually steps in. “We’re always in need of more buglers,” he says. And the best advertisement for that is his nightly rendition of taps on Lake Minnetonka and the resulting attention that has garnered him in local and nationwide press and from the upwards of 150 boats carrying boaters, who gather just to hear Marquardt play. “It has taken on a life of its own,” he says. “What a wonderful ride.”

Last year, Marquardt and his wife sold their home on Casco Point and moved a few miles northwest to enjoy their retirement from a townhouse with views of Jennings Bay. Despite the move, each night at 6 p.m., Marquardt continues to play taps from his deck during the winter months (aside from when they vacation in Florida) and from the deck of The Shoreline Hotel during boating season. “No two performances are the same,” he says.

Each time he plays, Marquardt thinks of those who have served and the stories he’s heard from them and their family members. “You think about what they went through,” he says. To be able to play and give back, even in the smallest of ways, is an honor for Marquardt.

Taps On Casco Point, Lake Minnetonka

BUGLES ACROSS AMERICA

Bugles Across America was founded by Tom Day in 2000 to ensure military funerals included a live rendition of taps by a bugler. The organization currently has more than 4,000 volunteer buglers and covers all 50 states and some overseas locations. Buglers must pass a phone audition and be able to play taps in a manner that honors veterans. People of all ages are eligible to join. For more information, visit buglesacrossamerica.org, or search Bugles Across America on Facebook.

WRITTEN BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO PHOTO BY CHRIS EMEOTT

DIGGING IN

Master gardeners showcase their earthly endeavors.

Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott

Like many things in life, experiencing them firsthand often provides an elevated experience. For example, when visiting a garden, one can view how colors, shapes and textures are married with nature’s tender hand to reveal natural art in its purist form. Bees, butterflies, songbirds and tiny woodland animals all come to visit and—for the most part!—positively add to the natural vistas as they go about their inherent business.

When the Hennepin County Learning Garden Tour, launched in 2008, is held each season, it offers

attendees the opportunity to visit, appreciate and learn from the efforts of some of the areas master gardeners, who are University of Minnesotatrained volunteers, educating the public about a variety of horticulture topics.

“The tour features a wide variety of garden settings and inspirational opportunities,” says Allison Reese, chair of the Learning Garden Tour Committee. “The goal is to have attendees leave the garden tour inspired to start or continue work in their own backyards or small spaces, knowing they have information

backed by university research.”

Reese says, “Each garden offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest trends and techniques—with educational topics at each garden … The tour highlights one-of-a-kind gardens, showcasing a wide variety of designs, locations and styles.”

Most of the locations are private homes of master gardeners, but the tour could include school or community gardens where they serve as volunteers.

Additional information is available at hennepinmastergardeners.org.

MEET THE GARDENER BRIAN BADE, WAYZATA

“When I set out to spruce up the landscape, I didn’t really have an overarching plan,” Brian Bade says. “I focused on one area of the yard at a time and just planted what I liked … It took three or four years to chip away at the removal ... The gardens have evolved greatly over time [a small pond, a couple of fountains, two pergolas, plant and tree removal and additions and a vegetable garden] … Because I didn’t really have a master plan, the varieties and locations of many plants were placed by trial and error, division and subtraction.”

Bade says, “I would say the theme of the garden would be pollinator, with a heavy focus on natives as time has gone on. There is also a bit of a wild prairie vibe to it, as well. The garden is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat and has been certified as an Official Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch ... I planted a bee lawn in part of the turf in spring 2022 with hopes of showing people what a bee lawn should look like.” [Visit page 24 for more information.]

From April through September, Bade spends up to 14 hours per week working in the garden, but it fluctuates throughout the year. He became a master gardener in 2020. “I grew up on a dairy farm in Arlington, Minnesota, and I was always around plants and agriculture, so gardening has always been something I have been interested in,” he says.

Gardening has grown into a treasured hobby for Bade. “It gets you out in nature, lets you be creative and benefits your neighborhood,” he says. “I have a 12-year-old that sees me working in the garden for hours on end and helps from time to time. Kids spend so much time in front of screens; I want to try and influence a few to get outside and get their hands dirty.”

Brian Bade spends up to 14 hours a week (April through September) tending to his Wayzata home garden. He became a master gardener in 2020.

Proudest Gardening Endeavor: Restoring a cupola and its wind vain

“It reminds me of growing up on a family farm in rural Minnesota. So many of those farms are gone now. The cupola stands as the crown jewel of the pollinator garden.”

Favorite Plant: Agastache Blue Fortune (Blue Fortune Hummingbird Mint)

“It blooms from late August to frost and gives pollinators a late season nectar source … The second is Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis). A tall spiked perennial, growing single stalks 4 to 5 feet tall, which produce tufted purple blooms. It’s an absolute monarch magnet. It blooms in late fall and coincides

very closely with monarch migration. I have had 16 butterflies on a single plant. It really is amazing to see …”

Favorite Garden to Visit: Noerenberg Memorial Gardens, Wayzata, and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska

“The Minnesota Horticultural Society publishes a magazine called the Northern Gardener. While it isn’t a physical place, it is a great publication and resource for Minnesota gardeners.”

Is there such a thing as a complete garden? Never “I’m constantly moving things around, and will continue to do so.”

One could say a gardener’s work is never done. As Brian Bade attests, he continues to edit his garden and make adjustments. Inspiration for some of his ideas is likely from some of his favorite public spaces, including in Wayzata and Chaska.

Friday, MAy 31 12-7PM

Saturday, JUNE 1 10AM-7PM

SUNDAY, June 2 10AM-5PM

Presented by featured artwork by John Vogl

It’s safe to say that Meg Cowden could reclassify her home garden into a bounitful farmers market. Just the vegetable and annual flower varieties nearly equal 200. Keep counting. There’s more to be found at this Long Lake garden.

MEET THE GARDENER

MEG COWDEN, LONG LAKE

Meg Cowden’s food garden is between 1/8 and 1/4 acre with irregularly shaped raised beds and drip irrigation. It’s a good thing that the area is animal proofed because there’s a lot to choose from, including varieties of vegetables (156); annual flowers (37); apples (12); blueberries (10); strawberries (four); honeyberry (seven); pears (four); and apricot (one).

The time it takes to tend to Cowden’s gardens is no short order. “Early in the season in late April through June, we are working really long hours planting, managing early season fruit pests and then processing early season food—strawberry harvest is a big lift for us in June,” she says. “Probably working the equivalent of a full-time job … Later in summer, August, we spend probably as much time in the garden as we do in the kitchen, canning tomatoes and making pickles.”

In addition to gardening, Cowden creates gardening content on seedtofork.com, authored Plant Grow Harvest Repeat (Timber Press 2022), has a garden subscription focused on maximizing garden yield through succession planting called the Modern Garden Guild and regularly gives talks on gardening.

“Gardening is a multifaceted life-giving hobby,” Cowden says. “It provides you with the opportunity to slow down, observe [and] experience deep reverence daily, and it’s grounding. When it’s food you grow, add onto that the very best tasting, freshest and most valuable food you will ever eat in your life. It renews me daily every time I step into my garden … Even coping

Proudest Gardening Endeavor: Designing and building out her current garden

“This was a decades-long dream we finally actualized.”

Favorite Plant (to grow from seed): Onions

“It takes about five months (150 days!), but who doesn’t start every homecooked meal with an onion? They are so delicious and store really well deep into winter when cured properly.”

Favorite Garden to Visit: Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, Hanover

with the death of a parent was buoyed by the garden because it just holds you in this way that supports all aspects of your being.” kno ledge

“It’s filled with prairies and dotted with some beautiful woodlands, too, and every time we visit, there are new flowers in season, so it’s always changing. My favorite places to see plant life are probably the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Gaps created from fires now support lush huckleberries, and the high meadows teem with native flowers in late summer, not unlike the local prairies. Seeing the connection across different types of landscapes is what I’m always on the lookout for and understanding how ecosystems manage to maintain peak diversity throughout the season, as that’s something I’m constantly striving to do in my garden.”

Is there such a thing as a complete garden? Hardscaping, yes; plant combinations and interplanting, never “This is why I really love growing food and flowers, both annuals and perennials. Every year, I’m a novice in some, often many, ways. I try new plant combinations, trial new varieties and become a new student over and over again. It’s the best thing.”

At Crown Bank we are a team of knowledge seekers. Gaining deep knowledge into our clients’ businesses, plans, needs, and opportunities is what brings us to work every day. Because the more we know about our clients the more we'll know how to help them succeed. It's how we make the possible possible. What can we make possible for your business? sara johnson

Finding enough to do in her Long Lake garden isn’t difficult for Meg Cowden. She relishes the opportunity. “Gardening is a multifaceted lifegiving hobby,” she says. “It provides you with the opportunity to slow down, observe [and] experience deep reverence daily, and it’s grounding.”

TICKET TO TOUR

This year’s Learning Garden Tour is slated for July 13—rain or shine— and will include portions of Minneapolis and Edina, featuring up to 10 gardens. Single tickets are $15 in advance; $20 on the day of the tour.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Children under 12 get in free with a paying adult. All proceeds help to support the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer–Hennepin County community programs. “The activities of the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners benefit schools, community gardens, youth programs, environmental education programs, farmers markets and much more,” says Allison Reese, chair of the Learning Garden Tour Committee.

QUESTION?

Ask a Hennepin County master gardener. Hotline: 612.301.7590 extension.umn.edu

Wayzata Sailing proves it’s never too late to start a new adventure.

Lake Minnetonka serves as an outdoor classroom for those interested in sailing. On this day, adults take their turn learning the ropes, which can bring a lifetime of recreation and enjoyment.

LEARNING THE ROPES

Ask anyone involved in Wayzata Sailing, the longtime community sailing center on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, and they’ll be quick to mention something really, really important to them: Sailing should be accessible and affordable for anyone who wants to try it. “We’re about access, adventure, lifelong education and a primary pathway to sailing,” says executive director Matthew Thompson. “That’s a little different from a typical sailing school or yacht club. We’re much more ‘lens out’ toward the community.”

Windward Words

Looking to jumpstart your sailing education with some cool vocabulary? Here are some useful terms:

Boom: The horizontal spar extending back from the mast

Bow and Stern: The front and back, respectively, of the boat

Downwind: The direction of sail with the wind coming over the back of the boat

Helm: Where sailors steer the boat; usually a wheel or a tiller used to control the rudder

Jib: The sail forward of the mast, without a boom

Keel: The weighted vertical fin at the bottom of the boat, which reduces tipping and keeps the boat from sliding sideways

Lines: Ropes

Mainsail: The biggest sail, attached to the mast and the boom

Mast: The vertical post (or “spar”) in the middle of the boat, from which the sails are set

Tacking: Turning the bow of the boat from one direction to another (from a zig to a zag)

Upwind: The direction of sail close to where the wind is coming from (A boat can’t sail directly into the wind.)

Wayzata Sailing first grew, organically, as part of the Wayzata Yacht Club. (The two organizations still share their shoreline property.) To create a pipeline to help new sailors work up to racing with the yacht club, Wayzata Sailing started offering lessons and formal instruction. “A lot of people’s first experience with sailing is jumping on a boat and learning how to race,” Thompson says. “Our goal is to give people a base of understanding and empower them to sail themselves.”

Sailor Ann Vidoloff says Wayzata Sailing’s adult lessons are a hidden gem. She’d tried sailing more than 20

years ago and loved it, but then “life happened,” she says. A few years ago— in her 50s—she took the plunge with lessons and hasn’t looked back. “It’s a great way to meet other people interested in sailing and a great way to sail without the pressure of learning in the middle of a race,” Vidoloff says.

Wayzata Sailing offers small-group adult lessons based on U.S. Sailing’s keelboat curriculum. Level 1 focuses on basics, like rigging and steering; level 2 adds points of sail, departure and docking; and level 3 builds on anchoring, navigation and more. Students run the gamut from casual sailors, who just

want to spend time on the lake, to folks like Vidoloff, who completed keelboat certification and is working toward her keelboat instructor certification.

Around 150 adults signed up for programming last year, including lessons and special programs like the Girl Talk series. “On Tuesday nights throughout the summer, women get together and talk about sailing and go out on boats STAY

All knots are not created equal as evident with this wall of knots at the Wayzata Sailing Center. How many can you tie?

at your comfort level,” Vidoloff says. “I love that ... in this all-female environment, they feel empowered.” Girl Talk, like many other open-sail times at the organization, is $25 for three sessions. “Sailing here isn’t just physically accessible—it’s economically affordable,” she says. “You can come and practice in a dinghy or work on your knots. It really builds the community.”

One passionate Wayzata Sailing instructor is Lucas Haarstad. He started sailing on a team in high school and quickly found Wayzata Sailing to be a great fit. He’s taught keelboat classes and kids’ camps. “I really like being able to share this sport that brings me so much joy,” Haarstad says. “To get people introduced to sailing in just a few lessons is much less intimidating than trying to learn with a friend who happens to have a boat.”

Haarstad especially enjoys teaching adult lessons. “They want to be there and are invested,” he says. “It’s a smaller group, so we can tailor the experience to what students are trying to get out of it.” Haarstad—whose degree is in physics and math—says he loves teaching newcomers how the boat actually works. “A lot of people have this intuitive understanding that the wind is what makes the boat move,” he says. “But what are the mechanisms of that? It’s fun to explain how that actually works.”

Whether you’re a sailing-physics expert like Haarstad or simply a lake lover, Thompson encourages adults of any age to try something new this summer. “If you’re worried about not being

strong enough or not fitting in, there is a type of boat or sailing community that fits you,” he says. “Wayzata Sailing is about a different way to enjoy the lake together. It’s something that’s really captured me.”

Registration for summer lessons is now open at wayzatasailing.org.

Wayzata Sailing

Mike Plant Community Boathouse, 456 Arlington Circle, Wayzata; 952.476.5875; wayzatasailing.org Wayzata Sailing @wayzatasailing

“Our goal is to give people a base of understanding and empower them to sail themselves,” says executive director Matthew Thompson.

in digital format!

Never miss an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Lake Minnetonka Magazine articles with friends and family.

Learn more at lakeminnetonkamag.com

S’more Sweet Eats

Former camp counselors know their way around a classic bonfire treat.

“We’re not just a food company,” Mike Nelson says. “We’re all about the experience.” That includes s’mores kits and The Travel Campfire, satisfying sweet tooths wherever they might find themselves.

Written by Meredith Heneghan

by

Photos

Chris Emeott

WHAT’S MORE FAMILIAR than a s’more in the summertime? The classic crunchy meets gooey fireside snack is the exclamation point on many a campout, canoe trip or cabin weekend. A sign of the good life.

What if a s’more recipe came around that made those moments even better? North Mallow, located in Long Lake and founded by camp counselors Mike and Christine Nelson—marshmallow experts if there ever were any—is out to do just that.

The North Mallow marshmallows are made without high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or preservatives. Many taste buds will find them more flavorful than the run-of-the-mill options, and they come in more varieties, too: Caramel Swirl, Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Bean.

From the get-go, Mike was interested in a more flavorful marshmallow. He noticed that typical marshmallows are made with a lot of unrecognizable and, to him, unnecessary ingredients and preservatives, many of which are responsible for the marshmallows charring. “Our marshmallows don’t puff up or get charcoal black, just melty and gooey and crisp. They’re always light and fluffy,” he says. North Mallow uses organic agave nectar and kosher gelatin in its recipes. “If we can’t do it 100 percent natural or up to our standards, we just don’t do it,” Mike says.

What’s the point of all this? “Better ingredients for a better s’more, and it tastes better because it’s better ingredients,” Mike says.

The commitment to clean ingredients extends beyond just the marshmallows. In 2020, North Mallow launched s’mores kits, which include single-origin organic chocolate and homemade graham crackers and its marshmallows. In 2023, after people kept requesting some way to make s’mores without needing a bonfire, the duo launched The Travel Campfire, made from 100 percent food-grade soy wax and fire starters. This mini campfire can be used almost anywhere and provides six to eight hours of safe flame for a fun and easy s’mores experience. “We’re not just a food company,” Mike says. “We’re all about the experience.”

Meet

Chris Emeott Lead Photographer

Q: How do you like to unwind?

A: I just became a sauna owner and I love being in it. It is a good way to unplug and relax. I am still working my way up to cold plunges, though.

Q: What are you listening, reading or watching right now?

A: I am listening to a podcast about the rugby team that crashed in The Andes Mountains, crazy stuff.

S’more Ideas

“A lot of people have been making the same exact s’more for decades,” Mike Nelson says. It’s time to switch it up! Here are a few North Mallow suggestions for creative, unique s’mores.

Shake up your chocolate. Adding peanut butter cups, peppermint patties or a more gourmet chocolate square, like Ghirardelli, on your s’more levels it up.

Rethink graham crackers. Using chocolate chip cookies as the outer layer of your s’more gives it a more decadent, sweet profile.

Add fruit.

Yes, add fruit. Mike suggests pretzel crisps, a slice of green apple and some caramel sauce with the North Mallow Caramel Swirl Marshmallow for a savory-sweet combo.

Get fancy with it.

Another fruity option includes adding a toasted marshmallow onto grilled peaches for a totally decadent summer cookout dessert that’s sure to impress.

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Shared Experience

The Nelsons feel that s’mores start with the outdoors. Like any dedicated camp counselors, the bonfire is their happy place. “It was so fun as a counselor to, with these kids who have never been outdoors, build a bonfire—to see their social, mental and physical development over the course of time they were at camp,” Mike Nelson says.

Because of their love for camp and knowing the impact that it can have on a person’s life, North Mallow donates to dif-

Christine and Mike Nelson with daughter, Annika, enjoy the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The couple parlayed their love of the outdoors into a business with a philanthropic heart.

ferent camps’ scholarship funds to ensure that more kids can have the same experiences they had without the financial barrier.

“Camp is expensive, but it’s something that every kid should be able to enjoy,” Mike says. “A lot of kids don’t have any nature around them to visit and enjoy. Assisting these camps in bringing more kids out for a week or even a few days is really important to us.”

For those interested in featuring a s’mores bar at their next event, set up a visit to North Mallow’s tasting room, 1870 W. Wayzata Blvd., Long Lake. Information is available at northmallow.com and 612.414.5640.

North Mallow @northmallow

Photo: Mike Nelson

Q: What is the best part of your job?

A: I love meeting new people and learning about their marketing plans. Seeing things in their perspective helps me see the world in a different way.

Q: What are you listening to or reading right now?

A: I am currently reading/listening to Adam Grant’s new book, Hidden Potential . I reread Think Again every year and this book is just as good.

Q: What’s currently sparking your interest?

A: Currently, I am building a small book nook. I love books and having a few mini book nook scenes on my shelf feels magical.

WHAT BEGINS WITH “B”?

How about prizeworthy games, tasty food and live music?

WE LOVE A GOOD ALLITERATION , especially when it includes Bingo and Burgers by the Bay, which is planned for May 4 at the corner of Water and Lake streets in Excelsior. The event is hosted by the Excelsior Morning Rotary Club.

Bingo games will run from 1–6 p.m. with more than $7,500 in prizes, and a live band is set to perform from 6–9 p.m. Burgers will come by way of Kowalski’s Markets, and the Excelsior American Legion is handling cold beverages.

The event raises funds to help support the

Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber’s 4th of July Fireworks Fund and local charities through the Excelsior Morning Rotary Club. Organizers hope to raise $25,000 to $30,000.

This is no small event with seating for 500 in the bingo tent, and there could be in excess of 2,000 attendees at the annual community gathering.

—Renée Stewart-Hester

LOCAL EVENTS

Tonka Trail Trot

05/02

Trot along this 1-mile cross country trail at the scenic campus of the Minnetonka Community Education Center and Deephaven Elementary. Grades K–5. $10–25. 6–7 p.m. Deephaven Elementary, 4452 Vine Hill Road, Wayzata; 952.401.5000; minnetonkaschools.org

Off to the Races

05/04

Join the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School at its annual fundraiser for an evening of betting, games, food, beverage and fun. All ages. Free. 4–10 p.m. Pique Travel, 306 Water St., Excelsior; 952.686.6046; excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com

Tonka Youth Triathlon

05/18

Children will swim, bike and run to the finish, and participants will receive a wicking T-shirt, refreshments, a swim cap and a finisher medal. Grades K–8. $69. 7:30 a.m. Minnetonka Middle School East, 17000 Lake St. Extension, Minnetonka; 952.401.6800; minnetonkaschools.org Compiled

AREA EVENTS

Kathy Mattea

05/01

Watch Grammy Award-winning country artist Kathy Mattea perform at Dakota. All ages. $30. 8:30 p.m. Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612.332.5299; exploreminnesota.com

Nicollet Island Spring Market

05/05

Farm-fresh produce, artisanal gifts and sunshine are all on the menu at this oneday spring market. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolis.org

Spring Hobby Show and Sale

05/11

The Model Railroad Museum hosts its semiannual Model Railroad Show and Hobby Sale. All ages. $7 for ages 8 and older. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., Falcon Heights; 651.647.9628; exploreminnesota.com

Sculpture Garden Art Fair

05/11–05/12

Visit Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair, featuring over 150 artists. All ages. Free. 10 a.m. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 1600 S. Lyndale Ave., Mpls.; homespunevents.com

Yoga in the Gardens

05/16

Yin Yoga & Sound Healing is a 60 minute yoga class led by local instructors in the Sensory Garden. All ages, $7.50–$22.50. 6 p.m., Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; exploreminnesota.com

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

GALLERY Dream Makers 2024

The Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation hosted its marquee fundraiser Dream Makers on February 3 at Equestria West (Bavaria Downs, Chaska). The 21st annual Dream Makers, emceed by KSTP’s Chris Egert, included an online and live auction, raising $305,365 for the Fund-A-Dream and Teacher Grant program.

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

Improve your water quality, restore water oriented activities and increase the value of your property by controlling aquatic nuisance weeds this year. Aquacide products will help manage your recreational lake or pond to make the most of your property’s potential.

Aquacide Company

Serving Minnesota Lakeshores

800.328.9350

killlakeweeds.com

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

LMSS offers excellent sailing instruction for sailors of all ages and abilities with recreational sailing programs, Learn to Race classes, Advanced Race Teams and Middle/High School sailing.

Lake Minnetonka Sailing School

19802 Minnetonka Blvd. office@lmss.us lmss.us

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.com

Photos: Minnetonka Public Schools Foundation

Lens on Lake Minnetonka

Family portrait comes to life on water.

“I absolutely love nature and being outside on this water,” Cindy Perone says. “This little family swam right next to me while I was out boating.

“Taking pictures of nature is so much fun,” the Shorewood resident says. “Just getting outside and taking photos of what you enjoy or what inspires you can open up a new window to how beautiful the world is.”

Perone enjoys taking water-focused images. “I love capturing images of the water, especially Lake Minnetonka,” she says. “I travel frequently to Destin, Florida, and also focus on photos of the gulf and sea life. One of my [inspirational] artists is Jonah Allen.” —Renée Stewart-Hester

Photographer: Cindy Perone

Title: Loon Family Photos

on Lake Minnetonka

Equipment: Canon camera

Location: Gideon Bay

Category: Wildlife

Award: First Place

View Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners at lakeminnetonkamag.com.

The Cedar Roof Man

STRAIGHT TALK FROM STEVE KUHL

Let’s face it. Cedar roofs look great but owning one is a little scary. “Has it been damaged by hail?” “Will it blow off in a storm?” “I hear something chewing up there!” But despite what you may hear, your cedar roof is still one of the most beautiful and long-lasting products on the market. The only catch is you have take care of it.

That’s where I come in. My free, written estimate includes a thorough analysis of your roof. Bringing over 25 years of experience to the table, I will evaluate its’ condition to determine whether or not maintenance, repairs or replacement is the best option for you. Worst case scenario you get a free inspection from a true expert. Best case, we work our magic on your roof and add years to its lifespan.

In fact, Kuhl’s Contracting is looked to for the evaluation and restoration of cedar roofs by more insurance companies, home inspectors, realtors and architects than any other company in Minnesota. Not to brag, but we are pretty awesome. Don’t take my word for it. Check out our talents at www.kuhlscontracting.com. Or ask around. We have probably done work for someone you know.

Five

I started this company in 1987. Since that time we have worked on thousands of homes around the Twin Cities. My approach to business has never wavered. Be honest, be reliable and do great work. As a result our list of happy clients grows daily. Call us today to schedule your free estimate: 952-935-9469 Before

signs your cedar roof may need some