Lake Minnetonka Magazine - October 2022

Holger Dental Group takes great care

At Holger Dental Group, its mission encompasses a holistic commitment to overall health and wellness, which begins with good oral hygiene and comprehensive dental care. “The state of your oral environment and airway plays a crucial role in how your immune system responds to disease,” says Holger Meiser, DDS, MAGD.

The state-of-the-art Minnetonka clinic is led by Dr. Meiser, who has extensive training in implant dentistry, oral surgery, periodontal (gum) surgery and cosmetic dentistry. Rochelle Akradi, DMD, practices at the Minnetonka and Minneapolis locations and is well versed in the roles that cosmetic and surgical treatments have in overall health. She also has a strong interest in supporting sleep wellness.

How does that coincide with dental care? Dr. Akradi explains that 90 percent of women and 80 percent of men, who have moderate to severe sleep apnea, are undiagnosed.

“We see signs and symptoms of sleep disordered breathing in patients’ airways that can’t be ignored,” she says. “With advances in testing, we can monitor your sleep to ensure

your airway health is not contributing to the inflammatory burden on your body.”

Regardless of the scope of their dental needs, Holger Dental Group takes great care of its patient family and extends itself to the broader community through its program to assist military veterans. Last year, the group performed over $160,000 worth of dental work for veterans. Chewing abilities and quality of life were drastically restored for veterans with implant-supported dentures and full reconstructive dental work—all at no cost to them.

“We wanted to make a difference and felt that now—more than ever—we need to focus on all the opportunities we have and the people who protect them,” Dr. Meiser says.

Holger Dental Group is planning another day of giving back in honor of Veteran’s Day 2022. In an effort to help even more veterans, the team learned from last year’s event and hopes to gain even more support from the community.

RENÉE STEWART-HESTER — RENEE@LOCALMEDIA.CO

Welcome, readers, to our Homes issue.

In these pages, you’ll find that both of our features highlight ways in which homeowners are putting their personal and intentional touches on their homes. From tending to needs that come with multigenerational living to embracing hobbies and special interests with at-home spaces, we offer an inside view into some ideas that you might find of interest for your own home. Our fea tures begin on page 30.

We also take a look at how our outdoor spaces can affect our at-home experiences. We know that gardening and landscaping endeavors are of particular interest to you, and sometimes the best results come by way of a tabula rasa, of sorts—a clean slate when it comes to particularly troublesome vegetation. We have a local expert who provides a starting point. Turn to page 20.

Speaking of home—have you ever had a bout of homesickness, or did one of your kids come down with a case of it while away at camp or college? This time of year can be tricky and not just as Halloween comes knocking at our doors. For some college students, the proverbial bloom can be off the rose come October. The excitement of being away at college, meeting new people and experiencing new levels of freedom can run a little stale as the realities of coexisting with roommates, handling personal and financial situations, and keeping ahead of the academic curve can become a little haunting

This is when a little touch of home can go a long way in curing what ails your college student. In our Tastemakers section on page 50, we offer ideas for a Halloween-inspired care package (We’re never too old for tricks and treats!) that features local goodies and some recipes for homemade treats.

Don’t forget to add an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine into the box, so your far-from-home student can keep on top of what’s new and fun in this neck of the Metro.

Happy Halloween,

On the Cover

Dick Phillips and Debby Vanderheyden, photo by Chris Emeott, page 30

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

@lmtkmag

Chris Emeott

publisher

Susan Isay editor

Renée Stewart-Hester managing creative director

Renée Stewart-Hester managing editor

Hailey Almsted digital editor

Madeline Kopiecki copy editor

Kellie Doherty staff writers

Zoe Deal

Ava Diaz

Daniel Huss

Madeline Kopiecki

Staci Perry Mergenthal

Kira Schukar

Hillary Streitberger contributing writers

Hollie Blanchard

Laurel Famigletti

John Farrell III

Rachael Perron

Raela Schoenherr

Kira Vanderlan editorial interns

Hanna McDaniels

Paige Schuller

editorial advisory board

Mary Cornelius, Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools

Laura Bray, board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library

Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer

Jenny Bodurka, Minnetonka Community Education

Natalie Webster, chief creator at Webster Effect

Brooke Beyer, director of community events and marketing, Wayzata Area Chamber senior managing art director

Sarah Dovolos art director

Allison Nolden junior designer

Jamie Klang lead staff photographer

Chris Emeott production director

Brittni Dye production manager

Lisa Stone production coordinator

Mimi Coz senior account executives

Brooke Beise

Cynthia Hamre

Kathie Smith

Sara Johnson

BUCHANAN

MN 55413 president

Pete Burgeson

CREEPY COCKTAILS

HALLOWEEN isn’t just for the young er set. Prepare some spirited beverages for your over-21 guests at your own trick or treat celebration.

The Zombie Cocktail

• ½ oz. white rum

• 1 ½ oz. golden rum

• 1 oz. dark rum

• ½ oz. 151 rum, optional

• 1 oz. lime juice

• 1 tsp. pineapple juice

• 1 tsp. papaya juice

• 1 tsp. superfine sugar

Mix all ingredients (except the 151 rum). Shake well. Pour mixture over cracked ice. If using, float 151 rum on top of the mix ture. To float rum, slowly pour it over the backside of a spoon and into the glass. For added flair, carefully ignite layered 151 rum with a candle lighter. Garnish with mint, orange slice or other fruit.

(Smashed) Pumpkin Martini

• 1 Tbsp. sugar

• ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 3 Tbsp. vodka

• 2 Tbsp. half-and-half

• 1 Tbsp. canned pure pumpkin puree

• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup

• ¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Combine the sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice on a small plate. Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass in water, and dip in the sugar to coat. In a martini shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, half-andhalf, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice. Shake vigorously, and strain into the prepared glass.

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

For big batch

Photo:

For those looking for an engaging read for the month of Halloween, New York Times bestsell ing author Chris Bohjalian’s Hour of the Witch is a thriller set in 1660s Boston and centered on a Puritan community.

While it seems unlikely that this setting would lend itself to a courtroom drama, this story of a marriage gone wrong for a young Puritan woman is compelling and keeps readers deeply invest ed in her fate. The heroine of the novel, Mary Deerfield, is trying to divorce her violent husband, and, as the title implies, this is a dangerous time for a woman to draw attention to herself.

Bohjalian keeps readers guessing as to who’s to blame and what the final verdict for Deerfield will be.

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

Autumn at the Arb

Fall is one the most popular seasons at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Autumn col ors are popping everywhere—from the gardens near the Oswald Visitor Center to the many nat ural forests and meadows on the arboretum’s 1,200 acres. Minnesota-grown apples, pump kins, gourds and squash are in season, too.

Enjoy this sampling of events to celebrate the harvest, fall colors and local autumn flavors.

Pumpkin Display: Through October 31, see dis plays of pumpkins, gourds and squash, includ ing more than 300 varieties grown by staff at the Arboretum’s Horticultural Research Center. This year’s pumpkin tree will feature a spectrum of color, arranged to create a rainbow. Don’t forget to tour Scarecrows in the Gardens on the Dahlberg Terrace and Scarecrow Hill. (Free with admission or membership.)

Arboretum AppleHouse: Buy locally-grown pumpkins, gourds and squash, plus apples, apple pies, apple cider and gourmet food items from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. Tuesday–Sunday,

enjoy North Star Donuts, offering slushies, hot beverages and its signature apple cider mini donuts. (This destination is a mile west of the main arboretum entrance and doesn’t require admission, membership or reservations.)

Yoga in the Gardens: Join local yoga teachers at 10 a.m. October 2, 6 p.m. October 20 or noon October 30 for a class in the Sensory Garden. Sessions are for all levels and are included with admission or membership. (Bring a mat and water bottle.)

Fall Color Trail Run: Pick your course (1K, 5K or 10K), start time and ideal date to take in the fall colors on a trail run or hike. This event is spread over October 7–9 to prevent overcrowding of the trails. Race packets include a long-sleeve T-shirt and a Gift & Garden Store day-of-race discount coupon. (Registration is $30–$45.)

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

Photo: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Trick or Sweet

Avoiding the Sugar Scaries can be tricky in October with so many temptations.

On Halloween, the average child consumes up to three cups (675 grams) of sugar. (The American Heart Associa tion recommends limiting added sugar among children ages 2–18 years old to 25 grams per day.)

We can set kids up for success by preparing them for the big night. These “pre” trick or treating snacks are loaded with fiber and protein to help balance the elevation in glucose and keep their bellies full, making less room for excess treats.

No-Bake Monster Pita Pizza

• ¾ cup guacamole

• 4 6-inch whole wheat pitas

• 16 slices of cucumber, ¼ inch thick

• 4 sticks mozzarella string cheese, each cut into 12 rounds

• 1 Tbsp. cooked or canned black beans, halved

Spread 3 Tbsp. guacamole over each pita; top with four cucumber slices, 12 cheese slices and 12 bean halves, creating eyeballs by placing half a bean on each cheese slice and on cucumber slices. Cut into wedges, or serve whole.

Witchy Smoothie Bowl

• 1 cup frozen mango chunks

• 1 cup baby spinach

• ½ frozen banana, sliced

• ½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt

• ¼ cup reduced-fat milk

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 ½ tsp. chia seeds, divided

• 1 strawberry

Puree first six items and 1 tsp. chia seeds until smooth. Pour into a bowl, and create the witch face by trimming the strawberry to look like a mouth and forming squinting eyes with the remain ing ½ tsp. chia seeds.

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

Alex & Ben Dzurik

Pizza, Please

I think pizza is by far one of the best things you can make on an outdoor grill. Our bakery makes the best fresh pizza dough, which is the hardest part about homemade pizza. It’s one of those hid den gems that once customers find it, they can’t get enough of it. The dough is very soft and fairly sticky, and it’s coated in a generous layer of olive oil to give it great flavor. I love to leave mine out on the counter for several hours before I roll it, so that the gluten relaxes.

Use a fair amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking to your hands and your work surface, and work it gently. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with a thin, tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-theoutside crust that is so tasty you could probably eat it plain.

Make-your-own pizza is a crowd-pleas ing affair, with everyone able to pick their favorite toppings, but, for me, it’s also a somewhat self-serving choice. I probably have the most adventurous palate in my family, and pizza gives me a chance to enjoy the foods and flavors I love.

My pie is usually loaded with alterna tive sauces and “unpopular” veggies, and it’s almost always topped with olives and drizzled with something my kids think is “weird.” (Consider: baba gha noush, sweet, pickled peppers, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, chopped roasted and salted pistachios, fresh mint and spicy honey.)

As much as I love my oddball cre ations, I’m always game for a bite of good old sausage and pepperoni.

Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.

Perron’s basic technique for Grilled Pizza, topped your way, on our website at lakeminnetonkamag.com.

Vintage Vibes

October is filled with days of apple orchards, football, MEA travel and Halloween costume planning. In her art series, Pam Eader’s ladies speak to me with their vintage frocks of fashion trends from decades ago. Being a fellow thrifter of timeless threads, I didn’t have to search far for my Halloween costumes as I had the perfect garments in my closet showcasing looks from the ’30s, ’50s, ’60s and ’80s. Whatever costume you decide to don, embrace it with a childlike zeal. Be safe, and enjoy all that bite-size candy.

Artist: Pam Eader

Title: Brocade Vest

Scale: 40x30

Medium: Original Oil on Canvas

Hollie Blanchard is a founder and art concierge with The Art Girls. View more at artgirlsmpls.com. Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

Growing Pains

Get a handle on an invasive species and create beauty and biodiversity.

By Renée Stewart-Hester

IS THERE REALLY a gardening sea son? Any time of year is the right time to tend to gardening endeavors—whether it be planning, planting or pruning.

For those interested in addressing a particular troublesome interloper— buckthorn—now is the time to act. We asked Alison Feik, a professional garden er based out of Excelsior, for guidance.

“As Minnesotans, we love our forests and wild places ... Our consistent rains, deep, rich topsoil and long days of sun create [an abundance of growth],” she says. “All this life has been in relative

balance, functioning autonomously for thousands of years and is a pride of our region. Yet, like so many facets of modern life, human intervention and the advent of modern practices (such as transport ing plants to one bioregion to another) has created a problem, which now requires a concerted effort to reverse. The balance that we have enjoyed in the past is now threatened by an aggressive, noxious, invasive species.” AKA: buck thorn. “[It’s] our number one problem plant affecting the local, natural ecosys tems,” she says.

Feik says buckthorn is easy to identify, especially in the spring and fall. “It’s the first plant to produce leaves and last to lose them,” she says. It can be found among shrubs and trees and between adjacent properties that have been left wild for privacy or from lack of attention.

“Sometimes, it’s even been planted as a hedge. This is because the species was originally sold at nurseries,” she says.

Did you know that buckthorn is more than a bush? “Many people are surprised to learn that the 20-foot understory tree with a thick gray trunk is not a desirable

tree in their yard but rather a mature buckthorn,” Feik says. “The mature trees are the most damaging, as they produce huge amounts of berries, spreading seed throughout their property and neighbor ing communities.” If you need another reason to rid your property of buckthorn, consider this: The berries act as a laxa tive for birds and mice, making it easier to disseminate the seeds.

Buckthorn is also a sunlight hog, as it were. Feik says, “They block the sun from the saplings and herbaceous plants we desire, hogging the light and moisture they need to thrive. When buckthorn grows, it creates thick stands that are practically impossible to pass through. Native plants can’t compete, thereby reducing the habitat and food sources animals relay on, as well.”

What is the solution? “We need to elim inate the buckthorn on private property, as well as municipalities, removing it from our parks,” Feik says. “Removing these plants now will make it exponentially easier to protect those ecosystems than if we ignore it and address it in the future.”

Get at it with a saw and an herbicide, Feik recommends. After sawing down the trunk, sparingly use herbicide on the freshly-cut trunk to treat the stump, or cover the stump with a black plastic bag in lieu using the herbicide. “This will keep the plant from shooting up vigorous suckers, growing back from the ground, as the living root system isn’t killed through cutting down the plant alone,” she says. In some instances, the roots can be dug or pulled out of the ground.

Note: You might have to continue removing the saplings from the seed bank (Berries that have been dropped that can remain in the soil for several years before germinating.) for a year or two. “It does take time and effort, howev er, after your buckthorn is removed, you’ll find you have more of your property back. This gives you an opportunity to plant desirable species in place of the removed buckthorn, creating both beauty and bio diversity,” Feik says.

Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com to learn more about the importance of curb appeal.

Being Strong in Nature; beingstronginnature.com @alison.feik

Social House

Historic DeGroodt home enchants guests at intimate events.

By Staci Perry Mergenthal

Photos: Emily John Photography

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, Excelsior proprietors Jennifer and Tim Caron pur chased a beautifully-preserved circa 1899 house on George Street, just a short walk to The Commons, Port of Excelsior and the charming amenities of Water Street. Constructed by the distinguished Reuben DeGroodt family, the home sits in what is now the last remaining large green area in historic downtown.

In 2021, the Carons turned the DeGroodt House into a private indoor and outdoor event space for up to 150 guests outdoors, surrounded by a thoughtful mix of vintage, rustic, antique, modern and wooded style. The house is available to host intimate events, including chef-prepared dinners, social gatherings, holiday parties, mile stone celebrations, weddings, fundrais ers, meetings and luncheons.

Renting the DeGroodt House includes access to the house, grove and garage, with the exception of the suite, which you can only add to the rental.

The House

Vibe: It’s adorned with original light fixtures, windows, woodwork and floors. Natural light cascades from the gently-angled staircase for dreamy portrait photography.

Furnishings: Find handmade rustic cross back chairs and farm tables made with square head nails. It includes open customizable space and a catering kitchen.

Capacity: 40–45 guests standing for cocktails; 30 guests seated for dinner.

The Garage Bar

Vibe: The rustic, enchanting space is ideal for cocktail hour and toasting with greenery and Edison bulb lighting in the rafters. The casual vibe spills into the adjacent mingling area, which can fit a large tent.

Furnishings: An industrial wood and metal butcher block table

wheels serves as the bar and is the perfect setting for charcuterie boards, wine and dessert.

Capacity: 75–100 guests standing in mingling area.

The Grove

Vibe: Guests are treated to this wood land, dappled sunlight, forest floor, secret garden retreat with romantic nights under the lights.

Capacity: 150 guests standing; 75–100 guests organically seated among the circle of mature spruce trees.

The Suite

Vibe: Understatedly stylish, the space is personal and comfortable but not in a basic way. It’s accented with Minnesota and Lake Minnetonka touches like Faribault Mill blankets, area magazines and thoughtful pieces from Excelsior shops like Golden Rule Gallery.

Furnishings: Two main rooms, a deck, plus a kitchen, a private bedroom and a bathroom with porcelain cast iron clawfoot tub complete the space. Jennifer fur nished the suite with heirloom antiques, organic and modern pieces like a liveedge wood desk and an Herman Miller Aeron chair, completing the setting with custom upholstery window treatments from Union Place, DeGroodt House’s next door neighbor.

“When you drink your morning coffee outside sitting on the [upper] deck, you’re overlooking the grove, and you hear birds singing and it’s just a beautiful private space,” Jennifer says.

Capacity: Designed to sleep one or two.

The Carons are selective about events, being mindful of the wear on the 123-year-old historic DeGroodt House, land and trees. “We care very much about the property and preserving it, and we take that element of stewardship seri ously,” Jennifer says.

DeGroodt House, 369 George St., Excelsior; 612.812.3695; degroodthouse.com

@degroodthouse

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Set in coveted Amesbury North sits this architecturally significant, custom-built home. Some of the great amenities are a floorto-ceiling brick fireplace, a cedar-wrapped four-season sunroom, and a private home office space. An easy walk to Cottagewood USA and its general store, parks, beaches, trails, city docks, and Lake Minnetonka.

ARTS & CULTURE

World Premiere

Minnesota native pens music and lyrics for local production.

By Hillary Streitberger

Photo: Brandon Dahlquist

AN AMERICAN TALE THE MUSICAL , based on the 1986 animated film, makes its world premiere run April 25–June 18, 2023, at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis. The lyrics and book were written by Tony Awardwinning playwright Itamar Moses and Michael Mahler, originally from Minnetonka, and his musical partner, Alan Schmuckler, penned the music and lyrics for the stage production.

The story follows Fievel Mousekewitz, who escapes Russia by boat, to make his way to New York. While the odds appear to be stacked against him, he holds firm to his dreams of a better life and reunit ing with his family.

CTC and Mahler work together in perfect harmony, according to artistic director Peter C. Brosius. “[Mahler] is a dream to work with—smart, insight ful, funny and wonderfully creative,” Brosius says. The theater also recog nizes Schmuckler for contributing to the creative duo’s unity. “He and his partner, [Schmuckler], work together so bril liantly, respect each other so deeply and feed off each other so dynamically. It is a joy to have them here and to be able to create a new piece with them for the upcoming season,” Brosius says.

Mahler, along with Schmuckler, con tributed his talent as a composer and lyr icist to the theater’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which closed June 2022. (It was also on stage six years ago, and he was involved in that production, as well.)

Mahler, currently based with his fam ily in Chicago, got his start as a compos er in the Minnetonka area. “There were a lot of theater opportunities,” he says. “The theater scene was a place where friends turned into a family.” Those experiences provided him with some early inspiration.

Photos: Children's Theatre Company

DID YOU KNOW?

An American Tail was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Original Song for Somewhere out There . It lost both awards to Take My Breath Away from Top Gun

“I attended a lot of classes at Stages Theatre Company [STC] in Hopkins— a place geared toward each level and age,” Mahler says. In addition to CTC and STC, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) was also a favorite of his as a child.

In terms of performing, Mahler played Charlie Brown for STC at the former Camp Snoopy in the Mall of America and portrayed the young Phantom in Phantom at CDT. He attended BenildeSt. Margaret’s in St. Louis Park, where he played Tony in West Side Story during his senior year. He went on to study musical theater at Northwestern University in Evanston, just outside of Chicago.

While he now calls Chicago home, Mahler has high praise for Minneapolis’ theater scene, calling it “exciting.” He says, “There is a real drive toward diver sity, which is really refreshing. A lot of new voices are coming to the front and large. Commercial theaters are taking chances on work like ours.”

Tickets for An American Tale the Musical are available at childrenstheatre.org or at the theater’s box office.

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.874.0400; childrenstheatre.org

Children’s Theatre Company

@childrenstheatrecompany

@ChildrensTheatre

BUILDING SUITE

Inspiration for personalizing a home can run deeper than its interior décor ele ments or curb-appeal motifs. Building living areas that function on multigen erational levels or creating spaces that dovetail with a homeowner’s special hobbies or interests can resonate more than bending to whichever way the trend winds are blowing.

Events, whether they are personal or have taken place on a global stage, can

affect how we define home. Increasingly over the course of the last couple of years, homeowners have reassessed how they spend time at home—and with whom.

In today’s home building game, stronger cases are being made for the creation of in-law suites (or multigen erational living spaces). “Codes have become increasingly favorable to in-law suite additions across Minneapolis,” says Dan Vanderheyden, owner of Black

Written by Renée Stewart-Hester

Photo: Black Dog Homes

Dog Homes in Wayzata. “During the pandemic, the idea became even more attractive for families, who wanted to keep their loved ones close and safe during uncertain times.”

In-law spaces could only become more in demand as Minnesotans age and baby boomers start to retire, notes Grace Keliher, executive vice president and lobbyist with the Builders Association of Minnesota. She noted that builders across the state are receiving more asks for highly-finished suites, especially placed over garages, which can be uti lized by aging parents and guests alike.

Even prior to the pandemic, when Debby and Tom Vanderheyden (Dan’s sister-in-law and brother) purchased their 100-year-old home in Wayzata, the couple decided to remodel the his toric structure by adding to the garage and living space and creating an in-law suite for Debby’s father, Dick Phillips.

Photos: Black Dog Homes; Chris Emeott

“My dad was, at the time, in his mid80s, and we knew the time would come when he would need more help to keep his independence,” Debby says.

With the help of Black Dog Homes, a 1,000-square-foot living space was created above the home’s heated, three-car garage and features a fullyfunctioning kitchen, which is complete with stainless steel appliances; a living area that is awash in natural light; a full bathroom, including a shower with grab bars, a multi-function shower head and heated flooring; a spacious, largewindowed bedroom with easy access to the bathroom; and laundry space with a washer and dryer unit.

But special additions to the new space took the project to another level. The couple included an elevator, a private

deck that overlooks the backyard garden/ courtyard and a private entrance from the garage to the apartment. Debby says, “We wanted [Phillips] to feel he was still living independently with his own space, but we are just a few feet away if he needed anything.”

“If you ask my dad what his favorite part of the apartment is, he would say it’s the very large picture window look ing out the front of the house,” Debby says, noting he enjoys watching the comings and goings of the neighborhood and treetop views.

Another standout feature includes the suite’s entrance, which originates from the garage and onto an interior landing, from which Phillips can chose between using the aforementioned elevator or the stairway to access his apartment.

Elevators aren’t just for passengers. Phillips often sends his groceries up in the elevator and takes the stairs himself. Smart shopper!

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“We wanted him to be able to make the decision every day and every year about his own mobility and strength,” Debby says. “He’s 90 years old and still takes the stairs almost exclusively, but he really appreciates placing his groceries in the elevator and giving them the ride.”

The suite embraces the entire home’s modern farmhouse aesthetic and was featured in the Parade of Homes and selected as a Dream Home in the

Remodelers Showcase. The décor is clean, unincumbered and ideally suited to read comfort, rather than chaos.

Just outside, the courtyard is com prised of two U-shaped, raised garden beds and a gardening shed, which mir rors the home’s architectural features.

“We have enjoyed tending that garden with my dad,” Debby says of the space where they grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. Phillips has expanded his garden

ing know-how onto the rest of the lawn space. “My dad loves to do yardwork,” Debby says. “Our yard looks great!”

There are other, more important, dividends, too. “I was confident the space would eventually be helpful to my father,” Debby says of his living quarters and outdoor spaces. “The unexpected benefit is the quality of time that we have had with him over the last four years. We love having him around,

Written by Kira Schukar

Photos by Chris Emeott

SAUNA, SWIM AND SOOTHE

Lake Minnetonka

sauna draws on the tradition of Finnish bathing.

Last winter, Andrew Mahoney cut a hole in Lake Minnetonka. He placed a wooden board over the opening in the ice to keep it from refreezing and set up a ring of orange cones around the edges. He took the ladder from his dock and put it into the ice hole to make it easy to climb out of the frigid water.

By then, Mahoney had a daily ritual: Whenever he had a spare moment, he would turn on his new sauna—some times from his phone—wait until it had

heated to around 150 degrees F and walk the few feet between his house and the unattached building that houses the sauna. Inside, a spacious changing area greeted him, and a glass door led into the sauna. Once he felt hot enough, Mahoney would walk down the path that led from his sauna to the lake, stand over the ice hole—and jump in.

Plunging into 30-degree water, Mahoney muses, you’d expect to feel cold. “But after we get out of the ice

hole, we’ll find ourselves standing there in shorts and a towel in the middle of winter talking for five or 10 minutes, and we’re not cold,” he says.

A sauna and a swim, as the ritual is known to regular sauna bathers, can be euphoric and is just one of the many reasons Mahoney decided to have an existing structure refurbished into a sauna in 2021. At the beginning of the pandemic, Mahoney’s Austrian neighbors, unable to travel to the United States, let him and his family

Photo: Finnleo

use their outdoor sauna whenever they wanted. Mahoney has four adult children, all of whom came home to live with their parents in 2020. With a full house, the sauna became a relaxing refuge for the family. When his neighbors came back to their home, Mahoney says, “We were into the habit of using the sauna every day, and it was time to build our own.”

That’s when Mahoney contacted a Finnleo showroom, based out of Cokato, Minnesota. Known for its traditional Finnish saunas and infrared and steam baths, Finnleo designed and installed Mahoney’s sauna, which includes an electric heater, recessed LED lights and SaunaLogic, the control system that allows Mahoney to turn on the sauna remotely. Built from hemlock wood with

This latest addition to the Mahoney’s home sauna, an outdoor shower, allows sauna bathers to go out with a splash.

FINNISHING TOUCHES

The Mahoneys aren’t the only family who’ve updated their home in the last few years.

Since March of 2020, the entire home improvement industry has seen an uptick in homeowners wanting to customize their spaces, from building wine rooms to installing saunas, indoor archery ranges and more.

Grace Keliher, executive vice president and lobbyist with the Builders Association of Minnesota, chalks the trend up to the pandemic.

“We’ve been forced to be in our home so much that we want changes going for ward to make [our homes] personal to us,” Keliher says. Homeowners are looking for ways to relax in their own spaces without having to rely on a gym or hotel for their fun activities, such as sauna bathing.

But the pandemic only added to the popularity of at-home saunas, which rose a few years earlier, spurred by evidence of their health benefits for regular bath ers. A 2016 study from the University of Eastern Finland found that regular sauna bathing reduces risks for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Although the study didn’t find the biological mechanism behind these ben efits, the authors suggested

that a traditional sauna’s high temperatures increase blood flow to the skin, which lowers blood pressure.

Since the study was pub lished, Finnleo’s director of sales and marketing Mark Raisanen says, “The rest of the world [has] started to dis cover what we’ve known for decades”—that a daily trip to the sauna isn’t just relaxing, it’s good for overall health.

Although cultures around the world have practiced different forms of heat and bathing therapy—Roman steam baths, for instance— saunas were unique to Finland and Scandinavia. Saunas found another home in Minnesota when Finnish immigrants settled in the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s, bringing their unique bathing ritual with them. Now, Raisanen says, Minnesota has one of the largest sauna mar kets in the world.

Raisanen and Kristina Heinonen, Finnleo’s marketing specialist, have experienced saunas’ benefits for them selves: They both installed at-home saunas and use them “literally every night, some times a couple of times a day,” in Heinonen’s case. “I love it just for the final wind down of the day,” she says. “And then I sleep so deeply after.”

For Raisanen, the sauna

also has a social component. With his adult children now living on their own, he says the sauna gives them an excuse to spend time togeth er as a family whenever they’re all at home. “The main reason we use it is to relax and talk,” he says. “And for us, those health benefits are just a bonus that happened to come along with it.”

For Minnesota residents like Mahoney, a sauna can also extend the outdoor sea son, long after most people have closed their pools and stored their boats. In fact, a sauna and a swim in January can feel even more refreshing than one in August. Mahoney inaugurated his sauna on a chilly October day with his family and 10 of their friends. The group sat in the heat for about 20 minutes before taking a plunge into the chilly lake—the first of many sauna and swim ritu als. “It was everything we’d dreamed of,” he says.

Finnleo, 575 Cokato St. E., Cokato, Minnesota; 320.286.5584; finnleo.com Finnleo Sauna

@finneloasauna

@finnleosauna

@FinnleoSauna

enough room to seat up to 12 sauna bathers, the space is ideal for entertaining guests. Although Mahoney’s kids have moved out of his home, he says they use the sauna every day when they visit.

But Mahoney’s favorite part of the fully-customized sauna is its two westfacing windows that look over Lake Minnetonka. Set on either side of the heating element and a dark stone backsplash, the windows allow him to take full advantage of his home’s lake views, especially at sunset. “You see the lake, which is calming, and [in the evening], you see the sunset,” he says. “It’s really a pretty special place.”

Bottom photo: Finnleo

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things to see and do around Lake Minnetonka

HALLOWEEN FUN

Celebrate community and local businesses during special events.

The Wayzata Boo Blast is set for October 29. Make sure your Halloween costume vibes with your sneakers because the Boo Bash Dash kicks off the town’s festivities. The race begins at 9 a.m. and features 5K, 10K and onemile distance options that will take runners around Lake Street, the hub of Boo Bash activities. (Register online beforehand or in person the day of the event.) At 11 a.m., trick-or-treating begins. Enjoy music, Halloween activities and treats courtesy of local businesses. The event wraps up around 1 p.m. Run to boobashdash.wayzatachamber.com for more information.  —Paige Schuller

The City of Excelsior is also celebrating Halloween on October 29. The fun starts at 10 a.m. along Water Street. Show off your Halloween costume, and trick-or-treat at participating businesses. For additional information, visit excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com.

LOCAL EVENTS

Wayzata Public Safety Day 10/03

This event is not only the perfect oppor tunity to stay informed about safety in the community, but it’s also sure to be a blast. First responders and their vehicles will be doing demonstrations, and there will be hotdogs, face painting and more activities. Don’t miss the special appear

Photos:

Commerce

Compiled by Hanna McDaniels and Paige Schuller

ance by McGruff the Crime Dog. All ages. Free. 4:30–6:30 p.m. Wayzata Fire Station, 600 Rice St. E., Wayzata; 952.404.5300; wayzata.org

Fire Prevention Open House 10/06

Learn about fire safety with the Excelsior Fire District. Along with a free din ner, members of the community can strengthen their knowledge with demon strations, activities and fire extinguisher inspections, all led by the experts. The event also includes games and fire truck rides. All ages. Free. 5:30–8 p.m. Excelsior Fire District Station #1, 24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood; excelsiorfire.org

The Moors

10/06–10/08

The premiere of Jen Silverman’s The Moors premieres at Wayzata High School. This dark comedy blends Victorian Gothic tropes with contemporary social issues. All ages. Ticket prices vary. Wayzata High School Blackbox, 4955 Peony Lane N., Plymouth; 763.745.6600; whstheatre.com

Spooky Ghost Trolly

10/22

It’s the spookiest night of the year at Excelsior Trolly. Join in for a trolly ride,

Photo: Excelsior Fire Department

and enjoy frightfully fun activities, such as games, ghost stories and special appearances from ghosts, zombies and other creepy creatures. All ages. $4 per passenger. 6–9 p.m. Excelsior Trolley, 337 Water St., Excelsior; 952.922.1096; trolleyride. org/excelsior-streetcar

Fun at Minnetonka Orchards

Last two weekends of October Along with the apple picking, families can browse the pumpkin patch and even paint a pumpkin. Bring a costume to trick-or-treat throughout the orchard. All ages. $10 adults, $7 children 3–12 and seniors for weekend admission. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Minnetonka Orchards, 6480 County Road 26, Minnetrista; 763.325.4024; minnetonkaorchardmn.com

You have countless options.

To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

carlsoncap.com/steward and we’ll take it from there.

goals.

have one responsibility:

Give college-age students a boost with healthy(ish) snacks from local bakers and makers.

WRITTEN

CHRIS EMEOTT

Homesick or Treat

COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE GEARING UP for autumn around campuses—near and far. While the year might have started with excite ment and anticipation, this month can bring on bouts of homesickness as the reality of living away from home and the pressures of college life settle into reality.

Let’s lift some spirits with care packages full of Halloween-themed treats. This collection of readymade snacks, recipes and kitchen items is the perfect way to build a healthy(ish) care package—ideal for students or anyone who could use a little fall-time pick-me-up.

The General Store of Minnetonka has plenty of locally-sourced goodies from businesses across Minnesota and is the perfect place to start gathering treats. While you’re there or visiting online, find these packworthy items:

Brainstorm Bakery Granola: Made in Ely, Minnesota, the gluten-free granola comes in two varieties. The Original Crapola is a delicious mix of apples, organic grains, nuts and honey (for some sweetness!). For a nut-free cereal, try Number Two, the bakery’s cranberry-orange granola with chia seeds, oats, flax seeds and other super foods. ($6.95)

Patti’s Roasted Nuts: Made in Minneapolis, Patti started her business making small batches of granola and roasted nuts for her friends. Now sold in stores and farm ers markets across the Metro, her recipes keep her original homemade flavor. Try the rosemary or maple

cinnamon nuts. Both recipes include a hint of cayenne pepper and a blend of cashews, walnuts, almonds and pecans. ($9.95/$14.95)

Eden Apples Dried Apples: Made from Jordan’s Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard fruit, these are a perfectly-crispy treat for autumn. A simple mix of fresh fruit and cin namon, these sweets taste like apple pie in a bag. ($9.95)

Mike and Jen’s Cocoa Mix: A bal ance of rich and sweet chocolate, this mix (packaged in Duluth) is as simple as it is delicious. Just add water, and enjoy a cozy treat. For a twist, add the mix to a cup of coffee for a homemade mocha. ($12.95)

Shopping for an amateur chef?

Try these kitchen accessories and ready-to-make meals from Minnesota Makers in Excelsior:

The Secret Garden Soup Mixes: What started as a home garden is now a bustling kitchen in Park Rapids. The Secret Garden sells soup and bread mixes, as well as an array of preserves, salad dressings and home made spices. Try the Cream of Wild

Rice or Potato Chowder soup mixes at Minnesota Makers. Packages include all the necessary dry ingredients and an easy-to-follow recipe. ($6/Potato Chowder; $8 Cream of Wild Rice)

Cindy Lindgren’s Swedish Dish Cloths and Stickers: These are col orful and sustainable alternatives to kitchen sponges and paper towels and are ideal for dorm or apartment clean ups. Made from 70 percent

cotton and 30 percent wood pulp, these cloths are absorbent, reusable and fully biodegradable. The designs are inspired by Scandinavian imag ery, local landmarks, wildlife and a Craftsman Nouveau style. Check out the gnome, loon and Paul Bunyan designs. If your student loves deco rating his/her laptop or water bottle, also look for the designs on vinyl stickers through Minnesota Makers’ website. ($7/dish cloth; $3/sticker)

HOME SWEET HOMEMADE

Halloween just isn’t the same without some mini candy bars. Why not make your own con fections because who doesn’t love a little taste of home? These familiar treats will taste even sweeter coming from your kitchen. Find the complete reci pes at lakeminnetonkamag.com.

Peanut Butter Bars

These easy, no-bake bars are the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter— a marriage made in dessert heaven. This recipe makes 20–36 bars—plenty to send to your student with leftovers for you to sample because you have to make sure they taste good. Right?

Salty Nut Rolls

Since the originals are a Minnesota mainstay and favor ite, these little nuggets are a perfect nod to home. With a tasty blend of salt and sweet, these treats are ideal for study breaks and late-night cravings.

Vegan Three Musketeers Bars

For a nut-free and vegan option, try these yummy bars from namelymarly.com. The recipe makes 24 bite-sized bars that keep in the freezer for up to two months, but do we really think they’ll last that long?

Showcasing OBGYN West’s new Mammography Center (The Breast Center of Minnetonka)

When: October 18, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 pm

Where: 14001 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN

Event Highlights: Food Truck | PUB (Pop Up Bar)

Swag Bags (while supplies last) | Complimentary Bra Fittings by Soma

Come join us for a great night out and see our new Mammography Center Schedule your screening mammogram by calling 952-249-2000

We have 12 available appointments during the event.

Lens on Lake Minnetonka

Tonka Bay offers reflective backdrop.

“HAVING LIVED NEAR THE MARINA for a few years, we know how busy it is during the summer. Seeing the empty docks on this fall day was a poignant reminder that winter was around the corner. That said, it made for a great photo opportunity, and I love how my daughter’s bright pink hat and vest really pop against the calm gray-blue colors of the fall sky reflecting off the water.” —Lisa Tomassen, Tonka Bay

Photographer: Lisa Tomassen

Title: Tonka Bay Marina, Halloween 2020 Equipment: iPhone

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

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