Plymouth Magazine - August 2022

Meet a few of Plymouth’s academic A-listers

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A U G U S T/ S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 “Tonight I’ll dream, while I’m in bed. When silly thoughts go through my head. About the bugs and alphabet.

And when I wake tomorrow, I’ll bet. That you and I will walk together again. I can tell that we are going to be friends. Yes, I can tell that we are going to be friends.” —The White Stripes, We’re Going to Be Friends

DEPARTMENTS 10 — Fashion Forward Owner of Lily Foster shares the latest trends in fall fashion.

12 — Stories To Last a Lifetime One of Minnesota’s best-selling authors has quite the story to tell.

14 — Bark Break Brew Park Plymouth allows dogs and their owners to play, connect and unwind.

FEATURES 16 — Senior Spotlight A collection of local academic A-listers.

24 — Breaking (News) Dad Tom Pelissero covers football for NFL Network.

TASTEMAKERS 36 — Buzz Around Town Beekeeper shares his bee expertise.

PAGE 24

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 — Editor’s Letter 7 — Noteworthy 33 — On the Town 40 — Last Glance

plymouthmag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott

PAGE 36

R.F. MOELLER Jeweler

Family owned & operated in the Twin Cities since 1951.

50th & France

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F R O M T H E E D I TO R Madeline Kopiecki, madeline@localmedia.co

A

Our wide array of dining options, engaging programming, and caring staff make for a vibrant community where everyone can flourish.

s the summer starts to unwind and the days start to quicken, I can’t help but be reminded that this is my favorite time of year. Now, a September birthday may make me a bit biased, but there’s also something about the transition between August and September that represents a sweet sadness to me.

Summer will be over soon, and before you know it school will be back in session. Maybe it’s that gut-level sense of anticipation, of new beginnings that has stuck with me since school. It’s a return to rigor but also to friends and learning something new.

In 2022, I’m sure students of all ages felt some level of suspense but also relief.

Classes moved off-screen and back to the classroom. Sports, clubs and extracurriculars could resume. In 2021, our high school senior feature took a pause not because there weren’t deserving seniors, but because every student had to step up to the plate and prove themselves in new and unanticipated ways.

Now, it gives me great pleasure to welcome our Plymouth Senior Spotlight (page 16) back to our pages. Read more about our finalists and their accomplishments, from golfing the greens to designing surveillance systems that track their family’s cat.

This issue gives me a block party vibe—we’re learning a little something new about our neighbors. In Stories to Last a Lifetime (page 12), you’ll learn about a Plymouth nurse and author who penned one of the definitive textbooks in her field. In Breaking (News) Dad (page 24), you’ll meet an NFL broadcaster that goes live from his basement in Plymouth.

What stories do your neighbors have to share? It’s an excellent time to find out.

Until next time,

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On the Cover Joel and Jonah Mogeni, photo by Chris Emeott

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August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

CALL FOR A TOUR.

VOL. 19 NO. 3 plymouthmag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Madeline Kopiecki

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editor Kellie Doherty

staff writers Ava Diaz Daniel Huss Madeline Kopiecki Staci Perry Mergenthal Hillary Streitberger

contributing writers Hollie Blanchard John F. Farrell III Amy Sundet Katie Timcho Kira Vanderlan

editorial interns Emily Deutscher Hanna McDaniels

editorial advisory board Brian Rosemeyer, City of Plymouth Kelley Burfeind, Interfaith Outreach Mark Poppendeck, Beez ‘N Treez Foundation Meghan Milovich, blogger and fundraiser for Children’s Hospitals LuAnn Svendsen, Plymouth Reads chair and community volunteer Zach Nelson, Wayzata School District

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art directors Allison Nolden Emily Handy

lead staff photographer Chris Emeott

production director Brittni Dye

production manager Lisa Stone

production coordinator Mimi Coz

senior account executives Brooke Beise Katie Freemark Cynthia Hamre Sara Johnson

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president Pete Burgeson

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For subscription and customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co or call 612.208.6248. ©Local, LLC 2022.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

lo c a l tip s, tidb its & insights

READ

BACK TO SCHOOL: BOOK EDITION WIT H SUMMER’ S EN D FAST APP ROACHING, it is a great time to

focused on inner strength, with tangible

This is a great fiction novel about the strug-

examples of bravery, such as meeting a

gles of getting pulled in multiple directions.

stock up on kids’ books to get geared up

new person, sharing toys and trying a new

for school. Here are a variety of options for

food. And the author and illustrator are

The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz

children of all ages.

both from Minnesota.

juxtaposes the heavy challenge of moving

Toddler/ Early Elementary options:

It’s Not the Stork by Robie H. Harris is per-

old Tristan realizes his new town doesn’t sell

fect if your kids are at the age where they

donuts, he sets out to change that.

with the love of doughnuts. When 12-year-

High Five by Adam Rubin is an interactive

are asking, “Where do babies come from?”

book perfect for kids learning how to high

and you want to give them the real answer.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae

five. It tells the story of a high five competi-

This is a book about the human body and

Marks stars 12-year-old Zoe who has never

tion between you and different animals, so

should be vetted by parents, to ensure ap-

met her imprisoned dad. Zoe starts writing

be prepared for lots of high fives throughout

propriateness for your family.

letters to him both get to know him and to

the book. This one is a favorite in our house.

support her belief that he is innocent.

Nobody Likes A Booger by Angela Hal-

Where’s the Dog? by Nosy Crow is a lift-

grimson (another Minnesota author) is a

Investigators by John Patrick Green is a

the-flap book with bright colored felt flaps,

cute picture book to deter kids from pick-

delightful series that follows an investigating

making it easy for babies to participate. If

ing their noses and instead use a tissue

duo of alligators. These goofy graphic novels

dogs are not your thing, this is a series, and

for their boogers.

follow the alligators through toilets and sew-

you can find a different animal, object or

ers as they deftly solve nefarious mysteries.

career that suits you.

Older Elementary/ Middle Grade options:

You are Brave by Todd Snow and illustrated

Blended by Sharon Draper follows 11-year-

by Melodee Strong. This board book is

old Izzy whose parents are getting divorced.

August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com

Local bookworms Katie Timcho and Amy Sundet run the book blog @overbookedmoms on Instagram.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

TASTE

A Sweet Treat Wondering how to incorporate superfood honey into your everyday diet? Beekeeper Mark Poppendeck shares a snack recipe worthy of a summer chock-full of activity.

No Bake Energy Bites “This is a great energy booster.

Kind of like a granola bar but easier to eat. I take them to the ski patrol shack when I patrol, and they’re eaten in no time at all!” » 1 cup old-fashioned oats » 2/3 cup toasted, unsweetened, shredded coconut » 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) » 1/2 cup ground flaxseed » 1/2 cup chopped 70 percent chocolate bar » 1/3 cup honey » 1 Tbsp. wheat germ » 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1. Stir everything together in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.

2. Cover the mixing bowl, and chill in refrigerator for two hours; this step helps the mixture stick together more easily.

3. Roll into walnut-size balls.

Freeze on cookie sheet.

Place in bags in freezer.

V I EW

Gone Fishing

Modification: I have quadrupled

There is nothing better than dropping

of over 20 compositions, which pay

this recipe. Substitute 1/2 cup of

a fishing line into a smooth-as-glass lake

homage to anglers and this great

70 percent chocolate with: 1/2 cup

on a beautiful day.

Minnesota pastime.

semi-sweet mini chocolate chips,

Touted as the Land of 10,000 Lakes,

1/2 cup mini peanut butter chips,

Minnesota now sits at 14,444, according

Artist: Michelle Plombon

1/2 cup mini butterscotch chips and

to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Title: Walter’s Gone Wild VII

1/2 cup mini white chocolate chips.

—Mark Poppendeck

Our lakes are filled with trout, perch, sunnies, walleye, musky and even

Scale: 48x36 Medium: Original acrylic on canvas

salmon in Lake Superior.

Looking for other buzzworthy

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I love the way Michelle Plombon

honey-infused dishes? Turn to our

utilizes layers of colors that provide

Tastemakers Buzz Around Town

depth, interest, texture and movement

(page 36) for more recipes.

throughout her piece. She has a series

Hollie Blanchard is a founder and art concierge with The Art Girls.

View more at artgirlsmpls.com.

Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

August/September 2022

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SIP

Sip and Learn YOU R DREAMS / O U R EXPERTISE / YOU R H O ME

Here’s the secret to wine education: Drink wine. It is that easy.

There are two rules to follow.

Drink what you like. Someone might tell you how special, elite, unique or expensive a wine is, but if you don’t like it, you don’t like it.

Try new things. Even if you say, “I don’t like chardonnay,” I bet you have not tried all of the thousands of types from around the world.

Chances are, you will find one you like. One of my favorite sayings is: “Travel the world of wine, and your corkscrew is your passport.”

Evaluate your wine education. Try some of these varieties: tempranillo from Spain (El Circo); rosé from Croatia (Korta Katarina rosé or plavac mali and zinfandel grapes); and white wines from the Rhône region of France, including Chapoutier blanc.

John F. Farrell III is vice president of sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People.

Find more at haskells.com.

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STYLE

Fashion Forward

Megan Ronning-Kodet turns to neutral tones each season.

Owner of Lily Foster shares the latest trends in fall fashion.

By Ava Diaz

WITH A TRUE PASSION FOR FASHION, Plymouth resident and

online boutique owner Megan RonningKodet uses her own business to fuel her creativity. Launching Lily Foster in October 2021, Ronning-Kodet says she always dreamed of being an entrepreneur in this industry.

Wanting to create a brand that could provide the items of “the in between,” what she describes as the kind of casual basics that work both at home, at work and on dates, Ronning-Kodet says that a majority of her collection features pieces that women can restyle in multiple ways for a variety of different occasions.

“Athleisure has been updated to being called ‘flex-leisure,’” Ronning-Kodet says. “It’s more multifunctional. You have more indoor and outdoor use.”

Flexibility is at the core of her considerations when adding items to her shop. “[What] I always think about before I buy it and incorporate it into the assortment is if I can I wear it in more than one way,” Ronning-Kodet says. “If you are spending money on something, it shouldn’t just be one and done.” This kind of “seasonless fashion” isn’t meant to be a fad, rather styles you can wear for many years, she adds.

Creating a one-stop-shop for all things apparel and accessories, Ronning-Kodet hopes that her clothing boutique can provide a place for busy women like her to feel their very best. “I think fashion promotes a sense of community among women,” she says.

SEE WHAT IS TRENDING:

We consulted Megan Ronning-Kodet for her fall picks.

Elevated Knits

You can’t go wrong with a classic vest.

Although this has always been a staple

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in most wardrobes, knit vests are the perfect way to stay warm during the inconsistent weather while still adhering to trending styles and colors.

Versatile Colors

This season (actually, every season) calls for neutrals, says Ronning-Kodet. “This is another thing, too, where I think women are looking less for fads. Instead of having the trendy color now, it’s ‘What’s going to live in my wardrobe for years to come?’” she says. For select statement pieces, she notes that fall is a great time for rich and deep hues, from dark purple to navy blue and emerald green.

Crop Tops

Although Ronning-Kodet isn’t the biggest fan of crop tops, she’s come up with an elegant solution that yields a more flattering result. “I have a few crop tops that launched in April, and they’re lit-

August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com

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Flattering Volume

People are playing with volume, from balloon sleeves and shoulder pads to oversized jackets. “One of the trends in that lowkey, flattering volume category is romantic button ups or blouses,” Ronning-Kodet says. On the flip side, she’s also seeing a rise in straight legged, slightly oversized trousers.

Don’t overdose on the volume though.

Ronning-Kodet recommends picking a voluminous top or pant and then pairing with a tighter-fitting counterpart. Think oversized blazers with skinny jeans or straight-legged trousers with a crop top.

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ENLIGHTEN

Stories to Last a Lifetime One of Minnesota's best-selling authors has quite the story to tell.

FROM NURSE TO TEACHER to best-

selling author, Caroline Bunker Rosdahl has no shortage of stories to tell. Originally from Sauk Centre and now residing in Plymouth, Rosdahl knew she wanted to be a nurse since the first time she saw one in action. Her mother, a teacher, wanted Rosdahl to follow her footsteps; instead of choosing one over the other, Rosdahl figured out a way to incorporate both interests throughout her life.

Rosdahl’s nursing career led her down a path rich with opportunities. Not only did she work as a school nurse, general hospital nurse and public health nurse at various points throughout her life, but she also served as the executive director of the Lions Gift of Sight at the University of Minnesota and worked as a vocational teacher.

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For all these other accolades, nursing also led her to be chosen to start the Anoka Technical College nursing program from scratch. She spent 25 years at the program before deciding to call it quits, but her hiatus didn’t last long. “I left the college for a year and got bored,” Rosdahl says. “I decided to work at the Hennepin County Medical Center for one year and spent the next 26 there.”

Over the course of Rosdahl’s career, she’s seen incredible changes in the medical field, particularly surgery. In her time, Rosdahl worked with medical practitioners, who were developing the early stages of heart surgery. Nowadays, people have work done on aortic valves and go home the next day. “When people would get cataract surgery, they’d have to stay in bed for a week with bags on their eyes,” Rosdahl

says. “Things were just beginning.”

Rosdahl has an entire chapter of her new book, The Naked City, devoted to the medical advancements she’s seen. The rest of the book details the assorted stories and anecdotes Rosdahl has collected throughout her life.

While the stories are entertaining, there is a bigger purpose behind the book. “I wrote the book for two reasons,” Rosdahl says. “One is to tell nurses they won’t just be passing bedpans around their whole career, and the other is so people know once you’re a nurse, you’re always a nurse.”

The Naked City captures a side of nursing the general public doesn’t get to see, with splashes of comedy that add color to the accounts. In one such story, Rosdahl describes how she went to check

August/September 2022

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Photos: Keith Bunker Rosdahl; Chris Emeott

By Dan Amundson

Y O U R N E I G H B O R H O O D R E A LT O R Plymouth Paul’s Promise Honesty, Open Communication and Results PAUL GILLIAM 612-322-2257 PAUL@HOMEGUYSMN.COM “Paul is a realtor who makes it a point to meet your desired outcome.” -Sam F. Minneapolis

on one of the schools she was responsible for. There, she found the teacher tied to a tree out back, so the students could leave early. “I never did see her again,” Rosdahl says. “You just can’t make this stuff up.”

While The Naked City is Rosdahl’s most recent book, it’s by no means her first. Rosdahl’s first foray into authorship occurred when she was asked to write a chapter in a home economics textbook.

“Once you write one thing, they’re always after you,” Rosdahl says. She’s been writing ever since.

After the textbook chapter, Rosdahl went on to write a myriad of articles as well as edit a number of publications, but her writing cumulated in her best-known work, the Textbook of Basic Nursing. This cornerstone of nursing curriculum, currently in its 12th edition, is still found in medical classrooms today.

Interested readers can order The Naked City on Amazon and, if you want to learn more about what Rosdahl is up to these days, you can visit her at her website carolinerosdahl.com.

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TA S T E

Bark Break Brew Park Plymouth allows dogs and their owners to play, connect and unwind.

By Ava Diaz

apparent to Angie Woodward that it was time to expand her veterinary hospital. Woodward, owner of Vet Partners Plymouth and a practicing veterinarian for over 16 years, looked for a space that exceeded her 1,800-square-foot hospital.

The pickings were slim to none.

Instead of letting this deter her, Woodward saw the setback as an opportunity to realize a longtime dream. She took on a new 22,000 square-foot space with the goal of meeting all her clients’ needs under one roof.

Brew Park Plymouth is a one-stop pet shop that’s home to not only a pet hospital, doggie daycare and grooming services, but also a 5,000 square-foot indoor dog park and bakery space. “We think it will bring a place to congregate and socialize, a place where [customers] can safely bring their pet in the community,” Woodward says. “Dogs need to get out as much as people do.”

The indoor park features a microbead turf (a material typically used in outdoor spaces) and drainage system to ensure a clean and mud-free experience for all visitors—dog or human. In addition to sanitary safety, the park will also have trained park rangers to oversee positive play.

“They will be there so owners don’t have to supervise their dogs or others.

They can recognize and try to avoid any adverse events and they can also be there to help the dogs engage in any play,” Woodward says. “It is kind of like a no-barrier place where people can go to bring their dog and don’t have to worry about their dog.”

Providing an all-encompassing experi-

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Photos: iStock.com/LeonardoGonçalves-LeofotoArt; Brew Park Plymouth

THE INFLUX OF FOUR-LEGGED CLIENTS over COVID-19 made it

Enriching your life together ence, Brew Park Plymouth is a place where visitors and pups alike can build trust through relationships with other owners and licensed professionals. A place where your pets are known, Woodward says.

The Barkery

As the playground for humans, this section of the facility will feature a variety of sweet and savory treats for dog owners. With coffee, food, beer and wine, Woodward says this is the perfect place to catch up on work or socialize at happy hour while your dog plays in the adjacent park. “We think it will ease stress, provide convenience and fun to the community,” she says.

Although the animals are not allowed in this section of the facility (for sanitation purposes) the owners are free to come and go between rooms as they please—or they can watch their pups folic through the connecting lookout window.

For food, the Barkery features, “An outside-of-the-box culinary experience,” Woodward says. The menu consists of a variety of charcuterie, flatbread pizzas, baguette sandwiches and specialty items, such as chicken and waffles with arugula.

It also offers a variety of deserts and pastries that will be available to order at the counter or via QR code.

With an opening date set for early August, look forward to enjoying the last dog days of summer with Brew Park Plymouth.

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S E N I O R S P OT L I G H T Wr itten by Madeline Kopiecki — Photos by Chris Em eott

A collection of local academic A-listers.

Many annual events and daily routines took a pause during the pandemic, and one of them was our Plymouth senior student feature. Other things, like school, continued on despite the challenges. This year, we’re pleased to include the class of 2022 as well as 2023 in this special Senior Spotlight.

We called on local high school administrators to nominate a group of outstanding high school students, who will leave a positive imprint on their schools and communities after graduation. And, it was tough to decide who to spotlight this year. But careful decisions were made, and we got to learn even more from the students themselves. Now, we’re pleased to present a few of Plymouth’s many outstanding high school students.

VAID PARAKKUT H, 18 Wayzata High School

“Vaid is a top student who thrives in some of our most rigorous course offerings. [He] enrolled in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program to meet his academic needs, where he completed Calculus Two and Linear Algebra. In addition to completing

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college-level math courses, Vaid completed Intro to Economics and Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business at the Harvard Secondary School during the summer of his junior year. He continually seeks opportunities that will fuel his passion for learning.

“Vaid has made many positive contributions to not only our school but on a global level. He has been volunteering for the ASHA for Education MN Chapter since he was a sophomore.

ASHA for Education is a nonprofit organization that has a mission to catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged youth. Vaid led the public relations efforts for the Minnesota chapter. He also initiated a successful GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for this chapter. He truly has a passion for making this world a better place and hopes to use his business skills to make a positive change.” —Neeley Kauffman, school counselor IN VAID’S WORDS:

What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?

I would have to say my parents. They’ve always been there for me and pushed me to become a better version of myself.

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bright, fulfilling and exciting

Vaid

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Joel

impassioned,

inspirational and tireless

What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?

Outside of school, I love to read. I’ve always felt that reading so much has helped me become a much better writer and communicator. Other than that, I enjoy swimming, playing video games and hanging out with my friends.

JOEL AND JONAH MOGENI, 17 Providence Academy (PA)

“Twins Joel and Jonah Mogeni have been terrific, problem-solving students at Providence Academy since their entry in

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middle school. As individuals, they have each contributed much to our community during their tenure and have developed into charismatic leaders who thrive academically. What their strong GPAs do not convey is their curiosity and enjoyment in pursuit of knowledge; how they love problem-solving in math, tackling tough concepts in science, talking about ideas in English class and how they become visibly excited about learning.

“Jonah and Joel bring a similar enthusiasm to their extracurricular endeavors.

They have both been committed to our soccer, hockey and baseball programs, activities that Jonah says have led him to grow and given him ‘a brotherhood

that would not be found anywhere else.’

Joel shares his brother’s relatability to peers and was chosen as one of a handful of Providence juniors chosen to lead a House this year.

“Both Joel and Jonah are respected at Providence Academy, inside and outside of the classroom due in part to their hardworking, ‘can do’ attitude and upbeat, friendly personalities. Both multi-sport athletes, Jonah and Joel find time to participate in extracurricular activities through PA student organizations, including investment club, Pacman club, chess club and multicultural club. Both brothers have also served as food shelf volunteers through their church and maintained

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Jonah

determined,

meaningful and innovative

part-time jobs assisting with administrative tasks for a home health care company.”

—Sarah Hogan, director of college counseling and alumni engagement IN JOEL’S WORDS:

What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?

One thing that has truly shaped me today is my family. My parents have worked relentlessly to provide me with a great education at Providence Academy and the ability to participate in so many different extracurricular activities. My siblings motivate me to be a better student and bring out the best in me. If it were not for my family, I would not be the ‘Joel’ I am today.

What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?

A hobby that I am passionate about is fitness. I enjoy fitness because I am able to not only able improve my physical health, but also have meaningful and positive experiences. One of my favorite pastimes was playing soccer with my friends, not for sport or competition, but for just “plain, old” fun.

IN JONAH’S WORDS:

What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?

One thing that has shaped who I am today is my faith. It grounds and sustains me in all aspects of my life. My faith is not just

19

Grace

limitless, exciting and adventurous

20

August/September 2022

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7000 E. Fish Lake Rd . vcamaplegrove.com . 763.420.7958 about having a relationship with God, but extending the same love God gives me to others in my life through action.

What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?

A hobby that I am passionate about is exploring. I really enjoy learning about other people and their communities.

It is the best way to learn about myself and my surroundings.

GRACE PET ZOLD, 18 Providence Academy

“Grace Petzold is on an academic roll, like a golfer on a hot streak. Never satisfied with par, she has the ability to excel in many areas, putting herself consistently on our Headmaster’s List of Academic Excellence.

Grace has excelled in our incredibly challenging college preparatory curriculum, and her greatest strengths lie in a keen ability to problem-solve in honors science courses, while pursuing an interest in psychology and criminology. Like a golfer moving up on the leaderboard, Grace is moving toward a fine college career, a fine future.

“Grace, a three-sport athlete (varsity golf, tennis and hockey), has honed many skills, especially in preparation for competitions. Grace is a true blend of the quantitative, athletic and artistic. She has a musical component to her core gifts and has enjoyed playing the alto sax with our Pep and Concert Bands. From where we sit in ‘the gallery,’ we expect that her future holds the equivalent of eagles and albatrosses (holes-in-one are not out of the question either!) and not bogeys; in other words, we recommend her with distinct pleasure and high expectation.”

—Sarah Hogan, director of college counseling and alumni engagement IN GRACE’S WORDS:

What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?

When I was younger, my family moved around a bit, and I feel like getting to go to several different schools and live in different states has been something that has shaped who I am today. I think that because of this, I have grown to really love traveling and want to see and experience new things and places.

What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?

When I’m not in school, I spend a lot of time on the golf course or hanging out

21

Gray

unconventional but intentional 22

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plymouthmag.com

with my friends. My dad and I are both big golfers, and he’s the reason why I started playing the game several years ago. I spend a lot of time playing with him here in Minnesota, and we love to play new courses on all our family vacations.

Julian Lilia Flower Boutique

GRAY PAULSEN, 18 Wayzata High School (WHS)

“Gray is a bright, quiet achiever who gives his absolute best in all that he takes on. He exhibits incredible patience, imagination and mechanical skills. When interacting with others, Gray is kind and compassionate, and he can draw people in and bring out their best.

“Gray is passionate about computer science and coding. Gray’s interests sparked when he was exposed to Lego Mindstorms as a child. He was able to use his imagination to create simple coding programs. In middle school, Gray coded a program with Raspberry Pi to set up a ‘cat cam’ to monitor his family cat. His curiosity continued to grow as he entered high school. Gray has completed many computer science programming courses through Wayzata High School and immersed his learning further through the InSpirit AI summer program.

“Gray has also used his strengths to help others. As an active member of Youth Extending Services, WHS Academic Mentors, and Center for Excellence Wayzata Community Education, Gray has helped numerous peers and youth by providing tutoring and mentoring sessions in computer science. He is such a well-rounded and bright student who will accomplish great things in life!” —Neeley Kauffman, school counselor

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IN GRAY’S WORDS:

What is the one thing that has shaped who you are today?

I give my love of reading a lot of credit for shaping me into the person I am today.

Books, both fiction and nonfiction, can teach us important lessons about our world and help us relate to others.

What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork?

Art, specifically graphic design, fills much of my time. Chances are, if I have a free moment during the day, I’ll be pulling out my laptop to work on anything from a cartoony celestial frog sticker to a custom dust cover for one of my favorite books.

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Tom Pelissero

24

BREAKING (NEWS) DAD Plymouth-based Tom Pelissero covers football for NFL Network.

Written by Daniel Huss — Photos by Chris Emeott

A question was posed on a display board at Tom Pelissero’s youngest daughter’s daycare: What do my parents do at work? The most common answer was computers. To a 4- or 5-year-old, this makes sense. The pandemic moved many a mommy and daddy from the office to home where they worked on laptops, oftentimes at the kitchen table.

Computers? Yep, mommy and/or daddy work computers.

What did the youngest Pelissero think her dad does for work? “She said I do football,” says Tom Pelissero.

She wasn’t wrong.

Plymouth’s Pelissero covers the National Football League (NFL) for the NFL Network. He reports, writes, tweets and breaks stories from his professionally-constructed home studio.

Note: The studio itself arrived in a collection of boxes, shipped from NFL Network headquarters in California.

“It came with everything,” says Pelissero’s wife, Sara. “After the boxes arrived, they had people come out and set it up. This happened before the pandemic, before everyone was working from home.”

The door to the studio, closed when the elder Pelissero is delivering a report to a national audience, is topped with a red on-air light.

“The second that light goes off, the girls are in there,” says Sara, cancer survivor and mom to two young girls.

“My wife is a rock star,” says

August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com

Pelissero. “She takes on so much. She understands breaking news and really helps. She’s why we can do what we do.”

S C R E E N PA S S

Pelissero’s first job out of college (Boston College) was as a content writer for KFAN, one of the top sports radio stations in the country.

“I worked there for two years but very part-time,” says Pelissero.

He left KFAN to write for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. While in Eau Claire, he broke a story that caught the attention of the Green Bay PressGazette, which led to an assistant sports editor position with the publication. After Green Bay, he covered the Minnesota Vikings as a senior editor for 1500espn.com and 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Prior to the NFL Network, he covered the NFL nationally for USA Today.

He doesn’t know what comes next, but he thoroughly enjoys what he’s doing, despite its 24/7 nature.

Why does a nationally-known sports reporter live in Plymouth?

“It’s a great place to live and a fantastic place to raise a family,” says Pelissero.

And? “I’m in the middle of the country and can get to just about anywhere in four hours,” he says.

As much as Pelissero networks and sources in person, he does much of the legwork on his phone.

25

Pelissero’s studio, as seen in the top right, is donned in artwork (and conversation notes) created and passed under the door by his two daughters.

26

That’s how one of his biggest stories played out.

“News of Jon Gruden resigning was played across the entire news sphere.

I received the initial text 15 minutes before we went live. Minutes before that, I was lying in bed with my girls reading a story,” says Pelissero.

When Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians announced that he was stepping away from coaching, Pelissero quickly grabbed a shirt and put on a tie. He called Los Angeles, where a producer pushed a button and he appeared on thousands of TVs across the country.

“I was at a girls’-night-out and saw [Pelissero] on every TV in the restaurant,” says Sara. “That was the first I had heard of it. My immediate reaction was to call home and see if everything was OK.” Translation: Were the girls in the studio helping daddy?

“They slip a lot of notes under the door, but they kind of get it,” says Pelissero. “They’ll talk to [Amazon] Alexa like they’re on the radio. They’re definitely performers.”

The Pelissero girls are also wise beyond their years. “After hearing me do an interview, my 7-year-old came up

August/September 2022

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with an interesting follow-up question.

It was something I had never considered,” says Pelissero.

RE ADY FO R SOME F OOTBALL?

Professional football used to consist of 32 training camps followed by 16 Sundays.

It doesn’t look like that anymore.

“It comes in waves,” says Pelissero.

“Free agency used to be five days. This year, it was all of March. Then we’ve got the lead up to the draft and the follow up to the draft. Training camps are 16 hours of live TV per day, but they’re fairly relaxed. The regular season still builds up to Sundays, but there’s Mondays, Thursdays and Sunday nights.

There is a wildcard weekend, divisional playoffs, conference championships and the Super Bowl, which is followed by the Senior Bowl, which is followed by owners’ meetings.

Sara describes the process as a neverending chaos. “I was always interested in sports journalism,” says the former KARE 11 producer. “But I’m starting to begrudge the start of the season and football is my favorite sport.”

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Tom Pelissero with his family.

Network reporters communicate on their own chat chain. “We have a lot in common and share a lot of stories,” says Sara.

While Sara isn’t breaking football stories herself, she does her part. “It gets to where [Pelissero] is almost afraid to go to sleep. He doesn’t want to miss anything,” says Sara.

When he does succumb to sleep, which might only last for three hours, Sara instinctively watches Pelissero’s phone. “It might ring or light up while he’s out,” she says. “Certain people only call when something big is about to happen. When they call, I wake him up.”

And no, she didn’t name names.

But Pelissero did drop one.

“I was covering the Super Bowl in Miami,” he says. “When I was on the sideline, I had a chance to meet Paul Rudd, one of my favorite actors. I met him through a friend, and as I was about to introduce myself, he stopped me and said he knew who I was.”

Does Paul Rudd knowing Pelissero mean Pelissero has arrived? “I never feel like I’ve arrived, ever,” he says. “The moment I do that, I’ll get complacent.”

HOME AGAIN

During the pandemic and when locker rooms were either closed to media or had limited access, Pelissero worked mostly from home. His wife liked that—so did his girls and their dog, too.

“There are times when this job became less intrapersonal,” says Pelissero. “When that happens, you return lots of texts.”

Who’s texting and why? “You’re chasing a tip and chasing a scoop,” he said. “God willing, you’ll break the next big story.”

Having worn almost every media hat one can wear, sans helmet, does Pelissero have a favorite?

“I like the unscripted nature of TV,” he says. “I like it when you’re in the middle of an interview and you can hear a phone ding. I even like the train wrecks.”

Mostly, he likes breaking big stories.

“The biggest story is always the next one,” he says.

With news of said story, Pelissero will be at the ready. He’ll be in his home studio. He’ll have a shirt and tie on the top and maybe jammies on the bottom.

Breaking (news) dad in action. @tompelissero

28

August/September 2022

@TomPelissero

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

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Constantine Dance Classes

Offering in-home, customizable, private partner dance lessons for couples and parties. Be wedding ready in as little as one lesson!

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O N T H E TOW N

th in g s to se e a n d do in and aro und Ply m o uth

KEEPING IT FRESH

Compiled by Emily Deutscher and Hanna McDaniels

Visit a local spot for fresh veggies and fruit, and it’s open longer than you might think. and that first chill of autumn, the Plymouth Farmers Market is still going strong. It may feel late in the season, but this August and September (and even the first week of October), you can stock your fridge with fresh produce grown locally.

Every Wednesday from 2:30–6:30 p.m., the booths at Parkers Lake Playfield offer fruits, vegetables and an assortment of prepared foods from breads to olive oil. Grab a cup of coffee or a bright bouquet, and meet some of your local farmers at this fun evening market.

Not quite sure what to make of some of the produce hitting the stalls this time of year (or any time of year for that matter)? Farmers markets are a great opportunity to get educated, whether you’re wondering what something is called or what it can be used for. Ask a farmer to find out, and in the process get a few new ideas for your at-home menu this fall. ­—Madeline Kopiecki­

iStock.com/nortonrsx

BE TW E E N T H E D O G DAYS O F S U M M E R

LOCAL EVENTS

Plymouth Sings Auditions 08/03 Sing your heart out at the Plymouth Sings auditions. The Plymouth Sings competition is held this August and is separated into age groups of 13 to 20-years-old and adults over the age of 21. All ages. Free.

Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

Kids Fest

Learn more about the Plymouth Farmers Market at plymouthmn.gov.

08/04

All ages. Free. Wednesdays, 2:30–6:30 p.m. Parkers Lake Playfield,

Kids Fest returns this year for a fun-filled

15500 County Road 6; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

end-of-summer celebration. Enjoy the

August/September 2022

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33

O N T H E TOW N

OTTEN BROS. LANDSCAPING IS A FULL-SERVICE DESIGN/BUILD FIRM

PLYMOUTH ON PARADE

Creating distinctive landscapes is our pride and passion

September 17 This year, the City of Plymouth is celebrating 24 years of Plymouth on Parade. Come take part in the celebration at the Plymouth City Center, where you can expect to find fun family activities. The parade itself will march on Plymouth Boulevard.

All ages. Free. Plymouth City Center, Plymouth Blvd.; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

summer carnival, environmental fair and

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more at this years festival. All ages. Free.

Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

HopeFest 2022 08/21 The newest Twin Cities music festival is

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coming to Plymouth—from country and jazz to pop and rock, enjoy all types of music, a keynote speaker, food trucks and more. All ages. Ticket prices vary.

Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.; 612.466.2716; wingsforwidows.org

Plymouth Firefighter 5K

Disc herniations Disc degeneration Chronic back pain Sciatica

09/23 Join the Plymouth Public Safety Department in the 18th annual Plymouth Firefighter 5K, a run/walk that raises funds for the Plymouth Crime & Fire Prevention Fund. Registration includes a free T-shirt, and kids receive a gift upon crossing the finish line. All ages.

Ticket prices vary. Location TBA. 612.516.3143; plymouthcrimefire.org

AREA EVENTS

18

Drinks for Dogs 08/04

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

34

952.473.9637 • TheBrostClinic.com

This unleashed, fenced event is for dogs and pups alike to socialize with other pooches and have a day out on the town with their owners. All

August/September 2022

Heherritage Christian Academy 1981-2021

Accepting Applications for the 2022-23 School Year!

food and beverage sales go to Grey Face Rescue & Retirement to support dogs. All ages. Prices vary.

4–8 p.m. Unleashed Hounds and Hops, 200 E. Lyndale Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.439.5060; unleashedhoundsandhops.com “...but everyone, after he has been completely trained, will be like his teacher.”

Uptown Art Fair 08/05–08/07 Since 1964, the Uptown Art Fair has given an opportunity for artists and browsers alike to connect while emphasizing the importance of art in the community. Funds produced

EDUCATION for the whole child Grades Pre-K through 12th.

EDUCATION grounded in Truth: Immersed in the Biblical Worldview.

by this event go directly back to the

EDUCATION provided by teachers

community and its projects. All ages.

who love and serve God.

Free. 2815 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.823.4581; uptownminneapolis.com

St. Paul Food Truck Festival 08/06 Sample a variety of over 45 delicious

Equipping Minds • Engaging Hearts Encountering Jesus Christ • PreK - 12th Grade Schedule a tour at: admissions@myhca.org or call: 763-463-2223 www.heritageweb.org Maple Grove

local food vendors—from crispy pork belly to delicious gourmet donuts. Craft beer will also be offered, and there will be live music all day long. All ages. Free.

11 a.m.–9 p.m. Union Depot Lot C, 392 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 763.220.2380; uptownfoodtruckfestival.com

Minneapolis Mile Car Show 08/20 At this annual celebration, weave your way

PREFERRED SBA LENDER.

through a selection of foreign, customized and muscle cars—there will also be a showcase of motorcycles and other automobiles. All ages. $15. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; info@themncec.com; minneapolismile.com

To have your event considered: email plymouthmag@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.

plymouthmag.com

35

TA S T E M A K E R S

Buzz Around Town Beekeeper shares his bee expertise.

BY MADELINE KOPIECKI PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

36

“ W I TH B E E K E E P I N G , if you ask 10 beekeepers how to do something, you’ll get 15 different answers,” says local Mark Poppendeck. “Everybody knows what works for them and the bees, but no matter how long you’ve been beekeeping, the bees will do something and you’ll think, ‘Now, why did they do that?’

It’s just one of those things.”

Poppendeck has spent the last decade learning both the science and art behind beekeeping, which he describes as a trialand-error process that, much like farming, is largely weather reliant. “If you get too wrapped up in how much you’re spending and if you’ll lose the bees and stuff, you’ll quit,” Poppendeck says. “As my wife used to say, ‘It’s the most expensive honey on

August/September 2022

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Love Plymouth Magazine? the planet.’ And it kind of is.”

Perseverance is key to keeping bees, but Poppendeck says there’s always another beekeeper out there to direct your questions to. “Beekeepers always like talking about what they do and what they don’t do, ‘Try this, try that,’” Poppendeck says. “It’s a very tight-knit community of people.”

Poppendeck was first introduced to this community in 2010 when he met a man with a plexiglass demonstration hive at the farmers market downtown. The two got to talking, and the beekeeper told Poppendeck that the University of Minnesota offers beginner beekeeping classes. “He said it’s the best deal in the world. It’s 50 bucks,”

Poppendeck says. “And I thought ‘Shoot, I can do that.’ So I did, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

What started as a two-hive experiment in his yard in Plymouth quickly evolved into a full-fledge operation of 24 hives spread between a friend’s property near the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and a 33-acre bee yard in Medina.

“I think it’s still the case that you’re not allowed to keep bees in Plymouth,” Poppendeck says. But even aside from legality, Poppendeck made the move to wider pastures to keep his bees away from potentially curious neighborhood kids, although he says the bees themselves are safer than you think. “I do get stung but not very much,” he says. “You

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SUGAR SUBSTITUTES Who doesn’t love a more healthful alternative? Both honey and maple syrup can be substituted in recipes for sugar, and Poppendeck has done the math for us: Sugar to Honey / Maple Syrup Conversion

Sugar

Honey / Maple Syrup

1 Tbsp.

1 Tbsp.

1/4 Cup

2 Tbsp.

1/2 Cup

1/4 Cup

3/4 Cup

3/8 Cup

1 Cup

1/2 Cup

2 Cups

1 Cup

Pro Tips: • It’s easier to use crystallized honey verses liquid honey in baking.

• Honey that has been heated in processing (grocery store honey) will not readily crystallize.

• Local honey is generally not heated and will crystallize in a few short months.

can stand in front of a beehive 8 feet out, and you’ll be fine. They’re busy. They’re busy as bees. It’s when you get into the hive itself that they don’t care for it.”

After bee packets arrive in April, the queens do their thing (which in this case is laying around 2,000 eggs a day). What starts out as a hive of 10,000 grows to 80,000 by summer’s end, and all throughout the bees are producing honey.

“It’s a labor-intensive process to extract the honey,” Poppendeck says.

He, his wife and an extended family of in-laws conduct extraction parties in Poppendeck’s garage over the summer, producing gallons and gallons of honey.

Last year, they processed over 100 gallons of honey.

38

SPREADING THE LOVE

After a particularly prosperous 2021 honey season, Mark Poppendeck was chatting with his sister-in-law, who runs a hobby farm in Wisconsin that produces maple syrup. They had also had a productive season, which got the two talking about what they wanted to do with that money.

“I made the comment, ‘I almost wanna give it all away,’” Poppendeck says. “And she goes, ‘We kind of feel the same way.’”

One thing led to another, and the Beez N Treez Foundation was founded.

“What we want to do is see the direct benefit to the individual,” Poppendeck says. This benefit falls under two different categories. The first is working with The Minneapolis Foundation, who vets

nonprofit organizations throughout the state. “Outside the Metro, in a lot of places, they struggle,” Poppendeck says. “My wife and her family are from a rural area, and they want to be able to fund those organizations, ones that maybe don’t get as much press.”

The second branch of the Beez N Treez Foundation is education. “The other thing we’re going to do is endow scholarships,” Poppendeck says. “We’re looking at doing scholarships to a fouryear institution, a two-year institution and a trade school.”

Beez N Treez honey can be found at Rusted Nail, an antique store in Medina, Finders Keepers Gift in Monticello and online at beezntreez.org.

August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com

Totally you. Totally fun.

Be a Girl Scout!

Girl Scouts explore art in nature, design digital games, and change their communities.

They build forever friendships, take on new adventures, and tell their stories to the world.

Girl Scouts know how to dream big and have fun!

Join Girl Scouts.

RECIPE

HONEY GARLIC SALMON

To join, scan the QR code on a mobile device or visit us at GirlScoutsRV.org/Join.

“Our favorite salmon recipe, garlicky, sweet and sticky with simple ingredients, takes only 15 minutes to make salmon dinner,” says Poppendeck. » 12 oz. salmon, cut into © UNICEF/UN0546708/VERA

2–3 fillet strips » salt » black pepper » 1 pinch cayenne Sauce: » 2 Tbsp. honey » 1 Tbsp. warm water » 1 1/2 tsps. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice » 1 Tbsp. olive oil » 3 cloves garlic, minced » 1/2 lemon, sliced into wedges Season the surface of the salmon with salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Set aside. Mix together the honey, water, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and a pinch of salt. In a skillet on high, add olive oil. Pan fry salmon for approximately 1 minute, flip over and pan-fry the other side of salmon for approximately 1 minute.

Remove the skin. Add garlic into the pan, and sauté until slightly browned.

Add honey mixture, and reduce the sauce until it’s sticky. Broil the salmon in the oven for approximately 1–2 minutes until flaky. Do not over-broil.

Serve with lemon wedges.

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T A E S R E H E SAV EEP GIRLS HELP KOOL. H C S N I Over 11 million girls who left school due to COVID lockdowns may never return. Help now at unicefusa.org/LOCAL 39

LAST GLANCE

By Madeline Kopiecki

FIRST PLACE: ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Picture Plymouth Mirror reflection at Clifton E. French Regional Park. “ I WAS DR AW N to the blue and

yellow dinghies lined up on top of the dock and reflecting in the calm waters. And I then noticed how the clouds and reflecting water made an arrow pointing away from the docks to the center of the lake!

“This is one of my favorite views at the park with the lake opening up and stretching across to a skyline of office buildings in the distance.

And I’m always amazed by how the clouds are spectacular here in Minnesota.” —Catharina Milostan of Plymouth

Photographer: Catharina Milostan

Title: Clouds Pointing the Way for Sailors At Clifton E. French Regional Park In Plymouth, MN Equipment: Motorola Moto G7 Location: Clifton E. French Regional Park

To view other Picture Plymouth photo contest winners, visit plymouthmag.com.

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August/September 2022

plymouthmag.com