Lake Minnetonka - October 2023

BOATHOUSE DREAMS

Casco Point home is reimagined with Lake Minnetonka serving as its focal point

More urgent care ready to go.

Ready with more doctors. Set with more specialty services and orthopedic urgent care locations open 8 — 8 daily. Go for more of what you need to keep your body moving.

No referral or appointment necessary. TCOmn.com

DEPARTMENTS

18

Chasing 1,000 Pounds Minnetonka man has a hefty goal.

20

Sound Information

Advice for spotting hearing loss— and how treatment can help— from a Minnetonka audiologist.

22

Functional Living

More homeowners are planning for aging-in-place options.

FEATURES

27 Bringing Home the Bacon  Feathered Acres Learning Farm & Inn offers a chance to experience agricultural life.

30

Boathouse Dreams

Casco Point home is reimagined with Lake Minnetonka serving as its focal point.

TASTEMAKERS

43

It’s all in the Details

Kristi Wahlman switches her career, exchanging balance sheets for baking sheets.

IN EVERY ISSUE

10 Editor’s Letter

13

Noteworthy

37 On the Town

40 Gallery

48 Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

“October is the opal month of the year. It is the month of glory, of ripeness. It is the picture month.” —Henry Ward Beecher, minister and social reformer

New Location, Same Great Care!

FROM THE EDITOR

Renée Stewart-Hester — renee@localmedia.co

I always enjoy it when one of our issues focuses on homes, including this month. At first blush, one would think there is only one direction to go when it comes to identifying article themes for this issue. Much to my delight (and I hope yours, too), there are different trains of thought to follow when it comes to the topic. This month, we focus on a couple of ideas.

Aging in place: Now, here’s a subject that has grown in the conversation pool. While it’s always been a decision to make, where to call home during later stages of life is broadening as more people are considering remaining in their homes and making adjustments or purchasing dwellings that are equipped for physical situations that arise as we age. Elements to consider can take some extra thought, and Bjorn Freudenthal, vice president of business development for New Spaces, helps us on page 22 clarify what needs to be considered.

One of our features profiles a home by Harrison Custom Builder, which reimagined a lakeside home for its new owners.

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Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards one common goal –fighting cancer. mnoncology.com

I’m often inspired by what inspires builders, interior designers and homeowners. Nods to color stories, design notions, geographic locations, time periods and so much more can chart the course for a home’s direction. With Lake Minnetonka serving as an enviable backdrop, we feature a home on Casco Point that takes in all the lake views. Take a home tour on page 30.

In the spirit of the month, walk through our Noteworthy section, beginning on page 13, for a suspenseful read, a scary sip, a spirited sweet treat and more. Be sure to visit page 46 for Minnetonka’s Kristi Wahlman’s easy-to-create recipe for “creepy cookies.”

Until next month,

lakeminnetonkamag.com

publisher

Susan Isay

editor

Renée Stewart-Hester

managing creative director

Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor

Hailey Almsted

digital editor

Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors

Kellie Doherty

Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers

Jody Carey

Zoe Yates

Mollee Francisco

Emily Gedde

Daniel Huss

Jennifer Pitterle

Rachel Schuehle

Josie Smith

Kristie Smith

contributing writers

Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Kate Doubler, Laurel

Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson , Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Kirsten

Pardoe, Jackie Piepkorn, DVM, Rachael Perron, Aaron Person, Raela Schoenherr, Liz Vandam

editorial interns

Macy Berendsen

Lily Schlobohm

editorial advisory board

Laura Bray , board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library

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

Mary Cornelius , Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools

David Decker, House Novel

Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global

Michele Phillips , blogger, writer, photographer

Amanda Zielike, House Novel

senior managing art director

Sarah Dovolos

art director

Allison Nolden

graphic designer

Yaz Lo

junior designer

Jamie Klang

lead staff photographer

Chris Emeott

production director

Brittni Dye

production manager

Lisa Stone

production coordinator

Mimi Coz

senior account executives

Cynthia Hamre

Mary-Catherine Hartel

Sara Johnson

Abbie Kinn

Kathie Smith

president

Pete Burgeson

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©Local LLC 2023. All rights reserved.

SPOOKY SWEET

HALLOWEEN IS SUCH A FUN HOLIDAY, especially with trick-or-treating, but a lot of candy is loaded with artificial colors, flavors and even heavy metals. We like to make spooky, sweet treats that are made from healthier ingredients but still lend to the sweet fun of this month. One of our favorites  is Meringue Ghosts, which are very easy to make.

Meringue Ghosts

» 5 pastured egg whites

» 1 1/2 cups organic cane sugar

» ¼ tsp. sea salt

» semi-sweet chocolate mini chips  for painting the ghosts

Preheat the oven to 210 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, add salt to egg whites; beat with a hand

mixer until they start to foam. Slowly add sugar while continuing to mix on high speed. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Put the mixture into a plastic bag, and snip off the bottom corner, making a piping bag. Pipe meringue onto Silpat parchment-covered baking sheets. Bake for 40 minutes or until firm. Remove them from the oven; cool completely. Melt chocolate chips over low heat in a small pot, and add cream to thin if necessary. Using a small paintbrush (never used for actual paint) or a toothpick, paint faces on the meringues to resemble ghosts.

Tip: Enjoy a bit of candy on Halloween, but save the rest to use while decorating gingerbread houses in December.

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

The perfect spooky read for the season, Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney is highly reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None

The book takes place on a cold, remote island setting in a Gothic mansion where an estranged family reunites for their grandmother’s 80th birthday. But when someone is found dead at midnight, it leaves them watching their backs until morning when the tide returns, and they can escape—if anyone is left alive.

This thriller delivers an edge-of-your-seat read as the sense of foreboding grows over the course of the night, and the family’s eerie history is slowly unveiled. Daisy, the narrator, is as in the dark as the reader, so the mystery unravels for her and for readers until the surprising ending.

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

Plant a Memory

Walking along Third Street in Excelsior, I saw a box of free items. Among the discarded treasures was an old, beat up boat propeller. I thought it would make a great flower garden sculpture. After I retrieved it, I saw the owner of the house, Tom Knowlton, come outside, so I meandered back to report I was taking the prop. “I saw that,” he said. “That was from a boat my friends and I made back in 1957.” Knowlton explained that he had written a story of that beloved boat, named Bachelors Delight. He asked for my address, so he could mail me a copy of the piece. A few days later, I received a manila envelope, containing the history of the watercraft. Four young men had built the boat on an empty lot at 166 Maple St. in Excelsior. It was made of 55-gallon drums, donated windows, car parts from the junkyard and some new lumber. From the pictures Knowlton included, it looked quite presentable.

My determination to make the propeller into a piece of garden art grew. On this

past Memorial Day, my father (a talented fabricator with a pole barn filled with tools) and I (the one with an artistic vision) collaborated on the sculpture. That afternoon, to Knowlton’s surprise, I delivered the completed, reimagined art piece, formerly known as a boat propeller, to his home.

Knowlton invited me to sit for a time on the porch with him and his wife, Carol. Through his words, he brought us back to 1957 Excelsior when he and pals Don Hermanson, Dallas DeGrote and John Fink gathered to build their treasured boat on Maple Street.

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

If you have local memories to share, email our editor at renee@localmedia.co.

Photo: Alison Feik

GROW

DISCOVER: MORE

Changing History

Lake Minnetonka Magazine respects the importance of local history, and each month offers Discover in this section. Contributors include the Minnetonka Historical Society, which has a column this month on page 17. Other contributors have included representatives from the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata and Westonka historical societies, but change is afoot for those entities. Along with the Museum of Lake Minnetonka (steamboat Minnehaha), they combined to become the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS).

LMHS will continue the mission of telling the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history, according to Lisa Stevens, LMHS board member. It will focus on Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Victoria, Wayzata and Woodland.

LMHS will have one of the largest archival and three-dimensional collections of Lake Minnetonka history available in-person and online, and the new organization plans to share the story of Lake Minnetonka in “new and innovative ways to new audiences,” Stevens says.

According to Stevens, other plans include “housing consolidated archives in one location to allow for best preservation practices and convenient public access; sharing the lake’s history through expanded public programs and experiences around the lake, as well as in their current museums in Excelsior, Mound and Wayzata; and returning the historic 1906 streetcar boat Minnehaha to active operation on Lake Minnetonka,” she says. —Renée Stewart-Hester

Spooky Spider Punch

» 1 1/2 parts Loonman rum

» 1 part orange curaçao

» 1/2 part grenadine

» 2 parts orange juice

» plastic spiders, garnish

» latex gloves, garnish

Add water to latex glove(s), and secure opening; freeze. Mix liquid ingredients in a punch bowl or big-batch beverage vessel; chill. Remove glove from ice hand; drop into punch. Float plastic spiders in punch, or add them to glasses as a garnish.

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

Moving Home

Twelve acres of rolling hills and forest along Oakland Avenue in Minnetonka became the site of the Birdwing house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. Plans were initiated in 1960 for Charles and Marjorie Pihl, a daughter of co-owner of the Holiday gas station chain.

Originally prepared for a location in Edina, it was determined that the site was too small and would not provide unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape, which was important to the design. In 1965, it was built in Minnetonka and purchased in 1976 by James Rupp, a past president of WCCO.

It is believed that Wright did not actually oversee the plan modifications or construction because Wright built his last house in 1963, thus reducing the home’s historical significance. The design of the home featured two wings with several of the rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling glass and overhanging soffits to control the light coming into the home, reminiscent of the prairie architecture style.

In 2019, the property was sold with plans to subdivide the acreage and demolish the home. However, Polymath Park, a Wright preservation organization, worked with the builder to deconstruct the home and move it to Pennsylvania, where it will be reconstructed and made available for tours.

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

5 Bedroom / 5 Bath

6,086 Finished Sq. Feet

$2,495,000.00

Rare opportunity to own on the clearest lake in the metro! A gorgeous .82 acre private lot exudes an “up north” vibe on a quiet no outlet street. Stunning design by Tom Ellison with renowned TEA2 Architects. The Nantucket style shake exterior transitions to a fresh modern interior with expansive views through the walls of glass. Flooded with natural light throughout, this beautifully flowing and open floorplan features elegant and unique spaces, soaring cathedral vaults, hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, main floor laundry, pocket o ce, in-law/ guest suite or Nanny’s quarters, and an electric car charging station. Experience lakeside living on the 112 feet of shoreline with wonderful views from the 3 decks and the private screened porch.

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Photo: City of Minnetonka HIstorical Society

PORTRAIT

Chasing 1,000 Pounds

Minnetonka man has a hefty goal.

By Daniel Huss

THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR offers up plenty of challenges—food sampling, game playing, ride taking, but Nick Decker of Minnetonka found one of his own. “We were looking at the winning pumpkins at the 2018 state fair,” he says. “When I saw that the eighth-place pumpkin weighed 84 pounds, I turned to my wife and said, ‘I can beat that.’”

Decker went home and researched giant pumpkins on every platform imaginable, Facebook and YouTube included. He joined Facebook groups and the St. Croix Growers Association and gleaned as much pumpkin information as he could, connected with a pumpkingrowing mentor in Plymouth, bought some giant pumpkin seeds and off he went. Note: The Atlantic Giant variety is considered the gold standard of giant pumpkin seeds.

With a goal of producing his own contest-worthy giant pumpkin in 2019, Decker planted eight seeds in individual one-gallon containers. He parked the containers under growing lights and kept them warm and watered in his basement. He planted the seeds in the middle of April. In late May, he’d choose the pick of his pumpkin-plant litter and place the growing gourd in the ground. Deciding factors included size, shape and color. “You want it the right color green [leaves], you want it hearty and you want it stout,” Decker says.

Decker’s garden, AKA pumpkin patch, isn’t as large as he’d like. “Ideally, I’d have a 1,000-square-foot patch, but 450 is all the space I have,” he says. “Some big timers dedicate 2,000 square feet per pumpkin.” The garden, located beside Decker’s Minnetonka home, includes one pumpkin plant and nothing else. The plant is strategically placed so that vines grow with little interference. “You train them as they grow,” he says.

Photo: Nick Decker

Nick Decker’s 657-pound pumpkin at the end of his driveway.

Decker monitors growth and picks weeds before and after work. He waters with a self-installed drip line irrigation system. His arch enemy is the squash vine borer. The moths lay their eggs at the base of leaf stalks. Larvae emerge from the eggs and feed inside the stalks, eventually killing the leaves. With fewer leaves, plants don’t produce as much energy, and pumpkins don’t grow as big. Rabbit and deer problems are deterred by a high fence surrounding the garden.

In a perfect world, Decker’s pumpkin plant would get eight to 12 hours of direct sun per day. In Decker’s world, his plant gets four to six. “I’m not chopping down trees,” he says.

Oddly, the pumpkin itself is kept out of the sun. “You don’t want your pumpkin to ever see the sun,” Decker says. “You don’t want anything to touch it. You don’t want anything to scratch it, and you don’t want anything to nick it.” To keep the supple pumpkin skin from damage, the pumpkin is placed on a sand-covered wooden surface during the growing season. The wood prevents rot, and the sand allows the pumpkin to expand in size without chaffing.

As a rule of thumb, a pumpkin is half its size at 35–40 days. Maturity is 120–150 days. The largest pumpkins— the North American record is 2,560 pounds—can grow 50 pounds per day.

Decker’s first attempt at growing a giant pumpkin resulted in 185 pounds and an eighth-place finish at the Minnesota State Fair. While a late season hailstorm slowed year two, it still resulted in Decker’s largest pumpkin, 657 pounds. “I took it to a contest in Altoona, Wisconsin, and almost finished dead last, 35th out of 36 pumpkins,” he says. “If it weren’t for the storm, I think we had a chance at 1,000 pounds.”

One thousand pounds is the goal. “I’m done once I hit that,” Decker says.

@deckersgrowapumpkin

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Minnetonka

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

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

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

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

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4 BED, 4 BATH, APPROX. 3,524 FSF

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

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Sound Information

By Jennifer

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL HEARING MONTH, so it’s a perfect time of year to talk with an expert about hearing loss— and the very real consequences of failing to treat it. Not only can hearing loss cause problems with mental health and socialization, but those factors can further lead to memory problems and dementia. Luckily, there are incredibly effective tools to help bridge the gap between our ears and our brains: hearing aids.

Amanda Bohn, audiologist at Associated Hearing Care in Minnetonka, says hearing aids can be an important tool against cognitive decline. “With untreated hearing loss, we are not keeping our brains as active and keeping those neural pathways stimulated,” Bohn says. “Humans rely on human interaction, and when you can’t hear, you aren’t getting all of the info. You might get cognitive overload. You reduce your social interactions, which can lead to anxiety and depression.”

Bohn, who joined Associated Hearing Care in 2020, is passionate about helping people of all ages hear better. “We’re really building our practice in Minnetonka,” she says of the clinic, which was founded in St. Paul 48 years ago and has expanded, under new owners, to several locations around the Metro.

Though there’s a perception that “older” folks are the main demographic for hearing aids, Bohn says she’s increasingly seeing patients as young as 40— many of whom noticed their diminished hearing for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. “People started

noticing it was harder for them to understand conversations without lip reading, while wearing masks or while working over the phone or computer,” Bohn says. Leaps in technology that have made hearing aids smaller, less noticeable and less expensive are also persuading more people to try them.

Even people with seemingly great hearing should start testing regularly around age 40. (Most insurance plans cover tests as preventive care.) “It’s good to get a baseline, just in case something happens later,” Bohn says, adding hearing tests should be as routine (and destigmatized) as eye exams or teeth cleanings. “We never force hearing aids

on someone,” she says. “We might recommend it if there’s a loss, but hearing aids alone might not be a fix all.”

So what are some signs you (or a loved one) might need a hearing test? “When someone’s speaking, and you’re doing a lot of, ‘What?’ or ‘Huh?’” Bohn says. “You might be asking people to repeat themselves or having trouble hearing in crowds or background noise.” Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear) is another red flag.

Hearing loss affects not just social interactions and cognitive health, but also emotional health. It can lead to mood swings and irritability, and researchers have even found links to

Advice for spotting hearing loss—and how treatment can help— from a Minnetonka audiologist.

Pitterle

diabetes and high blood pressure. People who start wearing hearing aids almost always notice an immediate improvement in their quality of life, according to Bohn, who says, “Their interactions improve, and their word retrieval and comprehension improve.”

For those who are reluctant to get tested, asking a friend or family member to also get tested could ease apprehension.

Associated Hearing Care, 15450 Highway 7, Minnetonka; 952.232.5499;

associated-hearing.com

Associated Hearing Care

Functional Living

More homeowners are planning for aging-in-place options.

By Mollee Francisco

AMY HAUGEN sits at the work desk in her newly remodeled kitchen, gazing outside at the tranquil patch of woods behind her house as one question comes to mind time and time again: Why didn’t I do this sooner?

After nearly three decades in her Minnetonka home, Haugen finally pulled the trigger on a remodel to bring the 1980s-era, two-story house into the modern age and give her a place in which to comfortably age. “This house is so functional now,” she says.

Haugen’s project included bringing to level a sunken living room and removing two major walls to create an open concept living/dining/kitchen space on the main floor. The Realtor enlisted the help of Edina-based remodeler New Spaces to bring her vision to life, and she couldn’t be happier with the result. “I don’t know if there’s anything I would change,” she says.

One of New Spaces’ specialties is employing aging-in-place strategies during remodels in order to extend the time a homeowner can live in his/her desired home. “We got on the bandwagon fairly early,” says Bjorn Freudenthal, vice president of business development for New Spaces. He says there is a significant demand for home modifications to help people age in place. Adjustments range from simple changes, like switching from door knobs to levered handles, to complex projects, including elevator additions and everything in between. “It’s all to make the most use of a home over time,” he says.

What should you think about when looking to remodel your home for the

Blending homeowners’ aging factors, lifestyles and design preferences are important for creating functional spaces.

Photos: Spacecrafting

future? It starts with evaluating existing conditions against your needs, wants and wishes, Freudenthal says. New Spaces takes a common-sense approach to each project, focusing on accessibility, mobility and visit-ability. “We look at what does this home need over time,” he says. In Haugen’s case, bringing the sunken living room to level and opening up the previously compartmentalized space improved both the home’s accessibility and mobility factors.

Freudenthal says they look at a homeowner’s list of those needs, wants and wishes and figure out how their home can answer, developing several plans in various degrees of complexity and cost. “We create three unique plans for each home,” he says. “Take it from mild to wild.”

The possibilities are endless. “It truly is a puzzle,” Freudenthal says. In some cases, they are designing for immediate needs, like increasing the amount of task lighting, adding grab bars or removing a tub and replacing it with a low-clearance shower. In other cases, projects have one eye on the present and one on the future, like creating a main level flex space that can transition over time from an office to a bedroom or adding a closet that can later serve as an elevator shaft. “We really do enjoy this,” Freudenthal says. “Every situation is unique.”

Haugen doesn’t know how long she’ll live in her Minnetonka home, but she says the new space gives her the confidence that she can live there at least another seven-10 years. “It makes a world of difference,” she says.

New Spaces, 200 Southdale Center, Edina; 952.715.6972; newspaces.com

New Spaces @newspaces_designbuild @new_spaces

Top: Open concept living, dining and kitchen spaces allow for easier sightlines and movement.

Bottom left: These built-in outlets transform this kitchen space into a work desk as needed.

Bottom right: A decorative light fixture adds style while illuminatating both levels.

Written by Mollee Francisco — Photos by Mataya Creations

BRINGING HOME THE BACON

Feathered Acres Learning Farm & Inn offers a chance to experience agricultural life.

Many Lake Minnetonka area families with school-age children look for ways to take a midsemester break, and the Minnesota Education Association (MEA) weekend (October 19–22) offers a chance to get away to destinations near and far. We discovered a Minnesota getaway that offers respite and a healthy serving of education—for MEA fun seekers and the rest of us, too.

As a little girl growing up on a dairy farm in Elrosa, Minnesota, Trisha Zachman created many fond childhood memories—from looking for kittens in the hay bales to racing her siblings to finish feeding the calves. It’s experiences like these she now aims to give visitors to Feather Acres Farm Learning Farm & Inn in Belgrade, Minnesota (north of Willmar in Stearns County).

Visitors, who may have never set foot on a farm before their visit, can walk away with hands-on farming experience along with a new understanding of what it takes to bring food from farm to table.

“I take these simple memories and show my guests the joy and fulfillment I got from them,” Zachman says. There’s a duality to the lesson. She says, “I show them how being a caretaker of the land and your animals can be very therapeutic and [also] stressful at times.”

Zachman and her husband, Nolan, run the inn. They acquired the 13-acre plot in 2020 (and rented an additional 13 acres) with plans to farm the land and raise a family. But it soon evolved into an opportunity to create something more once the barn was rented out for overnight stays and guests began to express interest about farming. “I had no intention of teaching people about farming,” Zachman says. “But people were very curious about where their food comes from. I loved that.”

The Zachmans, who both studied agronomy at North Dakota State University, are in the process of transforming the property into a fully regenerative farm. “Regenerative farming is a type of farming that focuses on soil

health,” Zachman says. “Nurturing the soil back to health leads to providing more nutrient-dense food. We nurture the whole ecosystem and strive to get it to get it all back in working order. Once our soil and plants are healthy, that leads to healthier animals, water preservation [and] organic food and helps fight climate change.”

“It’s kind of like the old way of farming,” Zachman says. “For me, it just feels so right.” It’s a notion that resonates with customers, as well. But achieving a regenerative farm can be a slow and arduous task. “Farms can’t just become regenerative,” she says. “It’s a five-year process. And the first years tend to be the hardest years.”

In those first years, Zachman took a hard look at the property’s old milking barn. “One part was renovated like a hunting shack,” she says. “So, I fixed it up and put it on Airbnb.” It wasn’t long before they had their first guests. Though she expected to just offer a unique type of lodging, Zachman soon

Nolan and Trisha Zachman and their children, Esther and Burke.

found that their guests wanted more. “We’d be doing chores, and they’d be following us around, asking questions,” Zachman says. “That’s when I started doing tours. People just really loved it.”

Now, Zachman offers visitors a “farm-to-table” education. “We provide a fun, hands-on farm tour to our guests, which helps explain what regenerative farming is,” she says. “They get to actually take part in some chores and see the why and how of what we do. We also teach them about the farm life that few people get the chance to experience—the precious opportunity to care for animals and the land with your family.” Zachman also says that the experiences adds a deeper understanding and appreciation for food

The farm also provides for-purchase food. “Feathered Acre Farms is a local favorite in our household,” Jonathan Farr says. The area resident is a regular customer of the farm’s bacon and sausages. “Feathered Acre Farms is the perfect example of a small business that

cares about their customers, their animals and the environment. We appreciate their commitment to providing top-notch products that are also environmentally conscious.”

Wayzata’s Kathy Halloran is also a regular customer of the farm’s pork chops, sausage and eggs. She appreciates the Zachmans’ vision. “I love knowing that the products come from healthy, well cared for animals, and I appreciate that Trisha and Nolan are creating a regenerative farm with educational classes offered to the public as well as vacation rentals where you can relax and wind down,” she says. “Feathered Acres Farm has a vision that I am happy and excited to support.”

That vision includes the eventual addition of sheep to the existing menagerie of pigs and chickens, a second rental and a future community space in the renovated barn, where Zachman hopes to hold larger classes. “I love how we’re starting to do something different on our farm,” she says.

FOUR

PRINCIPLES OF REGENERATIVE FARMING

Plant Diversity

Planting many native plants leads to healthier soil.

Soil Armor

Keeping soil covered at all times helps stave off weeds and protects it from the elements, including wind erosion.

Living Roots

Maintaining a constant presence of living roots through cover crops feeds the soil and takes carbon out of the air. This helps feed the billions of microbes in the soil and helps maintain moisture in the soil.

Integrate Livestock

Allow livestock to move from field to pasture, gleaning and grazing on a multitude of plants, which fertilize the land with their manure. Follow up with chickens, which eat what was left behind.

The farm tour remains the most popular offering, and composting and gardening classes are also offered.

In addition to a standard stay in their lodging, Feathered Acres Learning Farm & Inn offers packages for everything from birthday parties and celebrations of life to bachelorette weekends and a venue for family photos. Looking for something not offered on the website? Just ask, Zachman advises. “We’re trying our best for that perfect harmony,” she says.

Feathered Acres Learning Farm & Inn, 38975 County Road 32, Belgrade; 320.429.1913; featheredacresfarm.com

Feathered Acres Learning Farm & Inn featheredacres_farm_inn

Cozy accomodations lean into Feathered Acres’ ambiance.

Casco Point home is reimagined with Lake Minnetonka serving as its focal point.

Written By Jennifer Pitterle

BOATHOUSE DREAMS

A few years ago, Atrion and Lisa Faiola decided to take the plunge and make the Lake Minnetonka area their full-time home after living for 11 years in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park. “We’ve always had a boat on Lake Minnetonka, and our dream had been to live on the lake,” Lisa says.

When they decided to buy a Casco Point property that had been in Lisa’s family for many years, they had to decide what to keep and what to reimagine. “We couldn’t let that property go, but the house was in need of so much repair that it made sense to start from scratch,” Lisa says. “Our favorite part of the property was the existing boathouse, which we were able to rebuild.”

Photo: Landmark Photography

To bring their dream to fruition, they knew who to call. Harrison Custom Builders was founded by husband-andwife team David and Amber Eggert in June 2022. Atrion had worked with David in the past, and “When we heard he was starting his own company, we jumped at the chance to work with him,” Lisa says. “His communication is always on-point, so there have been no surprises. He brings so much experience about what’s worth investing in, what we can skip and where we can get creative with different solutions if needed.”

The boathouse would become the heart of the property, and David’s favorite element, too. “It’s a unique structure,” he says.

“It’s got rustic wood floors, stained pine ceilings and cool cabinetry.” The Harrison team added a vintage-style refrigerator and a bar in the space, which is just a few feet from the water. And with heat and air conditioning, it’s the perfect place to gather almost all year round.

Atrion and Lisa’s over 4,000-square-foot main home features a stunning kitchen

These rooms highlight the use of shared and open spaces of the home that also feature stunning outdoor and lake views, which were an important priority for the homeowners.

Photos: Chris Emeott

LUXURY LAKE LIVING

Harrison Custom Builders is right at home on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. David grew up in Plymouth and spent lots of time on the lake as a kid. The couple has lived in Greenwood for seven years, and they have past and current projects on Casco Point, near Enchanted Island, in Tonka Bay and in Cottagewood. “This is our neighborhood,” Amber says. “This is really our community, and it’s been so fun and exciting to be a part of that with our business.”

That closeness to Lake Minnetonka helps the Harrison team stay in tune with lakeside living and design. One perennial challenge? The desire for “every room to face the lake,” David says. “We’re looking at different arrangements, with as many windows as possible. Our clients often want us to open up the entire house to the lake.” He mentions another unique challenge of lake houses: “There are really two front yards. People are as concerned with what the house looks like from the lake side as from the ‘front’ side.”

For lakeside homeowners, who are thinking about a new build or remodel, David gets behind a few current trends. First, find ways to open up indoor spaces to nature as much as possible. “You don’t need a screened porch if your whole kitchen, family room and dining room is the screened porch,” he says. Use large windows and big sliding or bifold doors that can easily be opened to the outdoors. He also approves of a trend toward smaller home offices. Instead of one sizeable, grand office, opt for one or two “pocket” offices that can be used when more than one person is working from home and don’t eat up more square footage than they need.

Of course, most projects on Lake Minnetonka aren’t truly starting from the ground up. David calls it “restarting” a property when older buildings are significantly reimagined—or fully torn down—to make way for something new. “Sometimes, it feels like a shame to tear down an old home, but in so many places, we’re finding that we really get to change the outlook of the property,” David says. “People just don’t live or build like we used to. Clients want wide open spaces with wide open views that capture the property they bought.” He’s become adept at working with local ordinances to make old properties new again, bringing things up to code while preserving the charm of small lakeside neighborhoods.

Harrison Custom Builders; 612.208.6028; harrisoncustombuildersllc.com

(pass-through window to the deck, custom cabinetry, white oak floors and an expansive natural stone island), five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a dining room (accessible to the deck), an exercise room and sauna, a bunk room for kids and/or guests, a media room and other finishes and spaces that make it conducive to lakeside entertaining. “We feel we’ve really maximized the space within the house and designed the house to focus on the lake on every level,” Lisa says.

The project on Casco Point was featured in June’s Artisan Home Tour, which highlights one-of-a-kind homes

Elevated stone and wood elements mimic the outdoors with warm and modern decor features.

by local builders, remodelers and craftspeople. But accolades like the Home Tour aren’t what motivate David and Amber. “We love custom homes because the work is always different,” Amber says. “Ultimately, we’re building places where clients will make memories with their families and friends, and it’s exciting to be part of that kind of impact.”

That impact is felt by Atrion and Lisa, who share this now forever home with their two children. Lisa says they are building a legacy of lake living for their children and passing onto them the couple’s passion for lake life.

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Photos: Chris Emeott

ROTARY CLUB HOSTS ANNUAL BREW FESTIVAL

MINNETONKA’S PREMIERE craft brew celebration, Tonka Brew Fest, returns for its 10th year of beverages, eats and fun—courtesy of the Mound-Westonka Rotary Club, which brings 20 local breweries together to provide a sampling of some of Minnesota’s finest brews.

Tonka Brew Fest is set for 3–6 p.m. November 4 at Gale Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110 W., Minnestrista. Event-goers will be treated

to music from the Abiders, freshly grilled brats, beer, a commemorative tasting cup and more. Over the past nine years, Tonka Brew Fest has raised more than $112,000, which has been earmarked for local charities, including the Eli Hart Foundation, WeCAN and the Westonka Food Shelf, for example. —Clare Greeman

To learn more, visit tonkabrewfest.com.

Illustration: Jamie Klang

LOCAL EVENTS

Allen Eskens Author Event

10/05

Join Excelsior Bay Books for a presentation and book signing by bestselling author Allen Eskens. Saving Emma is Esken’s new release—a thriller about a lawyer’s rush to turn a wrongful conviction and a dark murder in his own home. All ages. Free. 7–8 p.m. Excelsior Bay Books, 36 Water St., Excelsior, 952.401.0932; excelsiorbaybooks.indielite.org

Bank of America: Museums on Us

10/07

The Bank of America is offering free museum passes to credit and debit holders in museums throughout Minnesota, including the James J. Hill House, Historic Fort Snelling, Minnesota History Center and more. Learn something new at the many cultural museums in Minnesota. All ages. Free. Times vary. Addresses vary; 800.432.1000; about.bankofamerica.com

Witches Night Out

10/25

Get dressed up for Witches Night Out. Enjoy deals and promotions from local businesses along Water Street, and stop by Pique Travel for a spooky after party. All ages. Free. 5–10 p.m. Pique Travel, 306 Water St., Excelsior; 952.607.7658; excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com

Wayzata Boo Bash Dash

10/28

Run or walk in a one mile, 5K or 10K run throughout downtown Wayzata. Runners are encouraged to wear a costume. Pre- and post-race fun will include the Pumpkin Derby, pie eating competition, costume contest and more. All ages. Prices vary. 9:15 a.m. 360 Financial, 849 E. Lake St., Wayzata; 952.473.9595; boobashdash.wayzatachamber.com

Burwell Spooktacular

10/28

Celebrate Halloween with your best costume and a night full of fun at the historical Burwell House. Games, crafts, food vendors, live performances and more will all be part of this spooky event. All ages. Free. 5–8 p.m. Burwell House, 13209 E. McGinty Road, Minnetonka; 952.939.8219; minnetonkamn.gov

AREA EVENTS

Bloody Mary Festival

10/07

Celebrate the fifth annual Twin Cities Bloody Mary Festival. Tickets include unlimited Bloody Marys, plus food and beverage tests from local restaurants and companies. Ages 21 and older. $52.50 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E, St. Paul; thebloodymary fest@gmail.com; thebloodymaryfest.com

Sensory Friendly Sunday

10/08

Enjoy Walker Art Center’s monthly free event designed for children and adults with sensory disabilities, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities. Galleries are closed to the general public during this time. All ages. Free. 8–11 a.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Mpls.; 612.375.7600; walkerart.org

Mania: The ABBA Tribute 10/13—10/14

Jam out to beloved songs from the hit band ABBA. Revisit all the classics, including those from the hit musical Mamma Mia during the ABBA tribute performance by Mania. All ages. $27.50–$64.50. 8 p.m. 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.455.9500; hennepintheatretrust.org

Minneapolis Vintage Market

10/15

The October Minneapolis Vintage Market at Machine Shop includes two floors of vintage clothing, accessories, home decor and more, complete with food trucks, coffee and DJ. All ages. Free. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Machine Shop, 300 Second St. SE, Mpls.; 612.940.9647; mplsvintagemarket.com

WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN THE TWIN CITIES

At OBGYN West we are passionate about delivering high-quality women’s health care. No matter what stage of life you are in, our physicians are here to provide individualized, compassionate care. Our physicians and physician assistants provide a variety of services including adolescence care, pregnancy care, screening mammograms, infertility, menopause, urinary incontinence, sexual health, pelvic pain and genetic cancer screening.

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.

Whether it’s your teen’s first annual exam, a new baby’s on the way or you’re facing the special challenges of middle age, OBGYN West is with you ever step of the way.

Ourprovidersofferpersonalizedcompassionate careforallyourwomen’shealthcareneeds.This includesadolescentcare,infertility,obstetrics, gynecology,incontinenceissues,weightloss, ob/gynphysicaltherapy,andmenopause. Maintainingstrong,caringrelationshipswithour patientsisimportant.AtOBGYNWest,youwill findaproviderthatwillbewithyoueverystepof theway.

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Panoway Lakewalk

After more than 10 years of planning and community engagement, construction on the 1,200-foot Panoway Lakewalk began. In July, the city gathered with key stakeholders to celebrate this major milestone and took time to reflect on the time and commitment that drove the project. The Wayzata lakefront has long been a place to relax, refresh and connect. Panoway builds upon this legacy by strengthening the connection between downtown Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka, expanding access to the beloved area while investing in what makes it special.

For additional information, visit wayzata.org/panowaylakewalkconstruction.

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

Photos: City of Wayzata

Your Journey to a Healthier Life Begins at Holger Dental Group

A healthy body begins with a healthy mouth: At Holger Dental Group, this mission statement 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 cosmetic and implant dentistry, oral surgery and periodontal (gum) surgery. 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 sleep 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 $170,000 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 a leader in educating the community about the importance of complete health dentistry. Dr. Meiser says, “We are treating the whole patient, not just the mouth—all while creating beautiful smiles.”

It’s all in the Details

Kristi Wahlman switches her career, exchanging balance sheets for baking sheets.

Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL , especially these days, to take a left turn when it comes to careers, but it can be said that Kristi Wahlman took a U-turn.

For 15 years, the Minnetonka resident worked as an accountant in the tax department of two public accounting firms, specializing in estates and trusts. She now owns and is the pastry chef for The Beancounter’s Sweets.

Since Wahlman was a child, growing

up in St. Louis Park, she enjoyed baking—whether it was watching the women in her family whip up cookies, muffins, pies and different types of fruit crisps, tasting their confections or trying her hand around the mixing bowl. “My mom, grandma and aunts also liked to make special Scandinavian treats for Christmas—a tradition I’ve incorporated into my holiday offerings,” she says. As an adult, baking was the palate

cleanser, if you will, to Wahlman’s day job tending to balance sheets and the like. While accounting and baking seem to be different disciplines, they share figures as a cornerstone. Baking, like accounting, is precise, and one must pay attention to details.

Eventually, Wahlman decided to switch courses. “Life is too short to spend so much time doing something that doesn’t provide joy,” she says. “I’ve

Kristi Wahlman

Pecan Pie

always had a passion for baking and finally decided to follow my dream of running my own bakery business.” The practical side of this accountant realized that it would take more than a dream to make a business work, so she enrolled in Saint Paul College’s pastry and baking program once her youngest child was in school in fall 2019. She split the one-year program into two years.

The Beancounter’s Sweets opened in November 2019, as she started taking courses. “I was eager to get in the kitchen, so I offered decorate-yourown cookie kits for the 2019 holiday season,” she says.

Operating under the Minnesota cottage food license allows Wahlman to

sell baked goods from her Minnetonka home under specific parameters.

She has considered moving to a commercial kitchen, “… but, so far, I have not found the right fit. I enjoy the flexibility I currently have in offering different types of treats and experiences [cookie decorating classes, for example],” she says.

What has been a good fit is the switch away from financial figures toward baking measurements. “It provides a creative outlet that was not present in accounting work,” Wahlman says. “I also enjoy helping people celebrate their special moments. While I could be helpful as an accountant, no one really celebrates estate planning or Tax Day— except my fellow accountants.”

Rustic Apple Galette

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

my treats with others.”

Kristi Wahlman, Minnetonka

GET CRAWFTY

“As a mom, I know it’s helpful to have a fun and easy project on hand. My favorite hands-on activities connect kids’ current interests into the activity. For example, for kids who like creepy crawlies, here’s an easy, kid-approved treat to make,” Wahlman says.

Creepy Crawly Cookies

Ingredients

• black or red licorice

• sandwich cookies

• edible eyes (or a tube of icing)

Directions

Open the sandwich cookies. Cut licorice into 2- to 3-inch sections. Place icing around the cookie center. Place licorice ends into icing; replace cookie top. Attach edible eyes or use icing for eyes. Presto! You’ve made your own cookie spider.

SPECIAL ORDERS

The Beancounter’s Sweets offers a variety of baked items—and the list keeps growing. “I love getting creative with custom cakes for any occasion [and also] cupcakes, macarons, decorated sugar cookies, galettes and other pastries,” Wahlman says. To note: The baked goods come together courtesy of eggs by way of her backyard chickens.

Customers with a perpetual sweet tooth will be pleased to know that they can order monthly Bake Boxes. “I get to create different pastries and other bakery items, never repeating the same thing,” Wahlman says. “I enjoy surprises—something that we don’t get as adults enough.” The Bake Boxes deliver a mix of unexpected treats each month. Previous offerings have included hand pies, Swedish cardamom buns, tarts, a variety of cookies and bars.

One-off orders run the gamut. “I often get requests for custom cakes, cookies and cupcakes to help people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers. Decorated cookies for sports banquets and other gatherings are also popular,” Wahlman says.

She will have many goodies available for purchase and planned events from October through December.

Tip: Thanksgiving pie orders are due by November 15 with pick-up November 22. Dates are in the works for cookie decorating classes for Halloween, Hanukkah and Christmas.

thebeancounterssweets.com

The Beancounter’s Sweets @thebeancounterssweets

Lens on Lake Minnetonka

Elevated beauty illuminates photo.

Lake lovers are quite used to fixing their sites upon the beautiful vistas held in around Lake Minnetonka. As a full moon was rising above the water, Wayzata’s Emily Wolff took this photo from Grays Bay, providing another perspective of beauty that unfolds when the water meets the sky.

—Renée Stewart-Hester

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

Photographer: Emily Wolff

Title: Full Moon behind the Trees over Lake Minnetonka

Equipment: Lumix Gx85 Camera with a 100–300mm lens

Location: Grays Bay bridge

Category: Wildlife and Nature Award: Third Place

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