THREE AREA PLAYERS
LIGHT UP THE ROSTER OF MINNESOTA’S PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM
Hometown HAT TRICK
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YJWhen you put as much food on as many tables as we do, you learn a thing or two about giving thanks.
Thanks to our customers for choosing us.
Thanks to our employees for sharing your talents with us.
Thanks to our partners for producing amazing products for us to sell.
Thanks to all for your friendship and loyalty. It is an honor to be your grocer at this time of year and all year long.
In all the ways that you make us part of your lives, thank you.
May your holiday season be full of happiness, kindness and, most of all, the joy of good food.
DECEMBER 2024
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire; it is the time for home.” —Edith Sitwell, British poet
Photo: Chris Emeott
Laura Lecy, page 32
16
You Better Not Pout … Santa and Mrs. Claus are holiday ready.
18
Maddie, Max and the Magic of Lake Minnetonka
Author’s debut novel is set in 1990s Excelsior.
20
Slice of Service
Shirley Buehler finds delicious ways to give back to her community at ICA Food Shelf.
FEATURES
22
Conquering His Everests
A Wayzata man climbed “the mother of all mountains” to spread awareness about addiction and mental health issues.
26
Hometown Hat Trick
Three area players light up the roster of Minnesota’s professional women’s hockey team.
32
Circling Back to a New Career
A Mound resident discovers that wreaths are for more than just the holidays. TASTEMAKERS
38
Sweet on the Holidays
Area bakers share what’s in their cookie jars.
from the EDITOR
I love the scent of December—frosty air filling the outdoors, fresh pine visiting the indoors and cookies baking in an over-worked oven, all of which awaken thoughts of holidays past and underscore the excitement for building another season of memories.
As I prepared this month’s Tastemakers article on page 38, which features two local bakers who graciously offer a few of their go-to holiday cookie recipes, I thought about the first cookie that I recall baking as a child. If you don’t count Pie Crust Cookies (If you know, you know.), it has to be Snickerdoodles, straight out of well-worn version of Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book. And I probably didn’t do much of the work when it came to baking those cinnamon-sugar meets tangy sweeties, since I was likely in the kitchen with a sister or two or three or four! I was likely relegated to rolling the dough balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Snickerdoodles were standard in our house, even more so than Chocolate Chip Cookies (rarely) or Frosted Sugar Cookies (Easter). But they retreated during December when my mom’s regular cookie lineup was called into action.
Not so long ago, I decided to bake a batch of Snickerdoodles, but I made a big mistake. Confession time—I messed with Betty’s recipe. I tweaked it, trying to replicate a Levain Bakery-inspired cookie. The bakery has popped up nationwide, but I first tried its cookies in New York City. They are big and decadent and delicious. I set about creating my own version of a Levain-leaning Chocolate Chip Cookie. I was blissfully successful, so I thought I could do the same for the Snickerdoodle—elevating it to new heights (literally). Sadly, my version went from the oven to the waste bin in quick order.
I learned a lesson: Use caution when altering traditions. Readers, you know that our family has gone through its happy evolution when it comes to the holidays, but as for those cookie recipes that hold so many fond memories our family—I think stick to the versions that came from those who had a hand in my early baking experiences— my grandma, my mom and, naturally, Betty!
From all of us at Local, happy and merry holidays,
Renée Stewart-Hester renee@localmedia.co
On the Cover
Liz Schepers , Photo by Chris Emeott, page 26
See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!
Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag
Photo: Chris Emeott
To Advertise
VOL. 19 NO. 8 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 and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson, Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Raela Schoenherr, Lisa Stevens and Katie Tomsche
DIGITAL INTERN
Alexandra Tostrud
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Tia Benson, Findlay Drabant, Amy Holmberg and Mikayla Vo
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Brooke Beyer, Wayzata Area Chamber ; Laura Bray, Friends of the Excelsior Library ; Mary Cornelius, Minnetonka Schools ; David Decker, House Novel ; Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global ; Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer ; and Amanda Zielike, House Novel
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR
Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson and Lauren Warner
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson
To subscribe to Lake Minnetonka Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2024. All rights reserved.
thomas.pink@rbc.com www.pinkwmg.com
IN THE MEANTIME …
While hosting friends and family for holiday dinners, home cooks often need a go-to nibble to keep hungry guests at bay until the meal is ready for its glorious entrance to the dining table. Especially this time of year, it’s tempting to go the “easier” route and offer unhealthy packaged snacks, so we asked Katie Tomsche from Lunds & Byerlys for some healthier options.
Cranberry-Pomegranate Crostini
This colorful appetizer is a wonderful way to kick off any holiday gathering, and it’s delicious when served with a cabernet sauvignon.
» 1 baguette
» ½ cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped
» ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
» 2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped
» 1 Tbsp. olive oil
» 1 ½ tsp. honey
» salt, to taste
» pepper, to taste
» 3 oz. goat cheese log
» orange zest, garnish
Cut the baguette into slices, and toast on a baking sheet in the oven. Mix together cranberries, pomegranate seeds, parsley, olive oil and honey. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread each baguette slice with goat cheese, and top with the cranberry-pomegranate mixture. Add orange zest over the top, and serve.
Visit lakeminnetonkamagazine.com for the following recipes:
Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Bruschetta
This is an ideal appetizer for your upcoming holiday spread. It’s quick and easy to make, looks beautiful on a plate and keeps in the fridge for a few days.
Delicata Squash Crostini
With creamy goat cheese, velvety squash and tart pomegranate seeds, this colorful appetizer features all your favorite cold-weather flavors.
Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Taste more at lundsandbyerlys.com.
Twists and Turns
With highly memorable characters, deep emotion and a story that stays with you, We Begin at the End tells the tale of several residents of a coastal California small town. Author Chris Whitaker writes of 13-year-old Duchess, who cares for her young brother and her troubled mother, and Walk, the chief of police who was forever changed by his best friend’s incarceration at 15. They are the eyes through which we see the novel’s surprising twists.
Both heartbreaking and redemptive and with villains, heroes and everything in between, Whitaker brings this book to life with strong writing and an unforgettable story.
Raela Schoenherr works in marketing at a publishing company and is a lifelong lover of books and reading.
SIP
Expert Recommendations
Wine can play different roles, especially during the holidays. The team members at Glen Lake Wine and Spirits suggest these wines as ones they regularly give as hostess gifts and keep on hand for company during the season.
For your consideration:
» Mumm Napa: American sparkling
» Willamette Valley Vineyards: pinot noir
» Pedroncelli Winery: cabernet (Dry Creek Valley)
» Ferrari-Carano Winery: chardonnay
Dan Keegan owns Glenlake Wine and Spirits in Minnetonka. Find more at glenlakews.com.
Enjoy the Little Things
While seasonal merriment and joy abound, there’s little doubt that the holidays can be stressful. However, Emily Brisse of Deephaven, an English teacher at Breck School, has a solution—and it also might help with What to Buy gift lists.
Brisse is the author of two guided, one-sentence-a-day journals. Dear You is a daily reflections and memory book for parents, and The Geography of Now is a daily reflections and observations book targeted toward individuals. In each journal, find 52 weeks’ worth of writing prompts, places to sketch, crossword puzzles and other activities that encourage presence, gratitude and reflection.
“The focus on both of them is creating an opportunity for people to write daily about their lives but in a really condensed way,” Brisse says. She believes writing in the journals encourages slowing down, setting aside stress—holiday-related or otherwise—and bringing attention to the little things in daily life that can elicit joy. Not only do the journals serve as valuable tools for self-reflection, but once completed, they become treasured memory books.
Brisse’s journals can make perfect gifts for anyone, but she thinks teenagers and young adults will especially enjoy the quirkiness and light-hearted nature of The Geography of Now, as it provides motivation and structure to savor and reflect on the changes that come during this time of life. Brisse recommends Dear You for mothers, especially those who feel they don’t have time for journaling. With the onesentence-a-day structure, they do!
For those new to journaling, there’s no need to be intimidated. “Don’t feel like you have to write beautiful sentences or have monumental insights,” Brisse says. “Just focus on the small stuff.” Findlay Drabant
The journals are available at The General Store in Minnetonka, Chapter One in Victoria, Valley Bookseller in Stillwater and online where books are sold.
deephaven
OFFERED AT $3,795,000
6 BED, 6 BATH, 5,953 FSF
Welcome to upscale casual living in the heart of Cottagewood USA! This custom farmhouse was thoughtfully designed by Ben Nelson and crafted by Konen Homes. No detail is left out, with high-end Marvin Ultimate Line windows, shiplap walls, vintage-stained oak flooring, rolling barn doors, ceiling millwork, and more. Blocks from one of five Deephaven city beaches, this residence offers unmatched convenience to the LRT trail, tennis, pickleball, parks, and boating!
shorewood
OFFERED AT $2,595,000 5 BED, 7 BATH, 6,677 FSF
Your chance to own one of the crown jewels in the Minnetonka Country Club Neighborhood! This handsome home is set on a premium halfacre lot within a cul-de-sac and was crafted by Gonyea Custom Homes. Custom touches everywhere you turn, including the kitchen and dining areas with a dramatic cathedral ceiling featuring a Juliet balcony, the great room with an oversized wood-burning fireplace, arched entryways, and high-end cabinetry.
OFFERED AT $758,000
4 BED, 3 BATH, 3,289 FSF
The residence offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience and is just minutes from Wayzata Bay/Lake Minnetonka. Spacious and designed for easy living and entertaining, the warm and inviting atmosphere is ideal for cozy nights in, or memorable gatherings with family and friends. An ideal floor plan with three bedrooms on the main level including a luxurious master suite featuring a private en suite bathroom; a peaceful retreat after a long day.
SOLD OFFERED AT $4,650,000 4 BED, 5 BATH, 5,659 FSF
This striking home on approximately 1.1 acres with roughly 150 feet of lakeshore is perfect for refined entertaining, family lakeside fun, and everything in between. Thoughtfully designed featuring a cross gable roof with exposed rafter tails and strategic metal accents. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the largest lakeside lots in treasured Minnetonka Beach.
From 1895 to 1953, in Wayzata’s Ferndale neighborhood, stood a
ily,
Beginning in about 1935 through 1942, a Christmas Eve tradition was offered in appreciation to Lucia Heffelfinger (Peavey’s daughter) for her generosity and kindness, especially to the estate worker families’ children. The tradition began as
a program, portraying the Nativity story. In 1938, the program was replaced with the play Why the Chimes Rang. The celebration hosted the families who worked at Highcroft with the children playing different roles in the play, graduating to “bigger” parts as they grew older.
The celebration began with the children descending the large staircase into the living room, singing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. After the play, everyone enjoyed dinner, and the Yule log was lit. The end of the evening included a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived with gifts for all the children.
Joanie Holst is a member of the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, which tells the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history. Discover more at lakeminnetonkahistory.org.
Frasier Fir
Felt Trees
Advent Calendar
Pop Culture Ornaments
Christopher Radko
Personalized Ornaments
Personalized Free!
You
Better Not Pout …
Santa and Mrs. Claus are holiday ready.
By Renée Stewart-Hester
Photo: Chris Emeott PORTRAIT
This jolly couple (LynDelle and Brett Vasey) find joy in sharing the holidays with the community.
IN CASE you weren’t aware, logic comes into play when explaining why (this) Santa Claus says, “Ho, ho, ho,” with a British accent—after all, a lot of things are different at the North Pole.
It all started when Brett Vasey moved to the United States. “When I immigrated from Bedford, England, I left my family behind,” he says. “I missed the large family gatherings and the joy of being together at Christmas.” Brett and his wife, LynDelle Vasey, had a friend who ran an entertainment company and enlisted them in bringing a little holiday magic to people of all ages around the Metro. This was the holiday tonic Brett needed.
For the last 20 years, the Mound couple have taken on the roles as Santa and Mrs. Claus. “One of our signature services are private family home visits on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day,” Brett says. “We make a quick stop to deliver presents and pose for photos. Then we’re off again to visit other boys and girls. We have been blessed to have the opportunity to share the spirit of Christmas with many families. It’s very heartwarming to see multigenerational, extended families celebrating the holidays together.” The couple also appears at corporate events, daycare centers, parades, restaurants, senior care facilities and tree lighting ceremonies.
With more than two decades under his Santa belt, Brett has seen (and heard) some changes, including getting requests for more expensive electronic devices. “A wonderful new tradition has been matching pajamas or Christmas sweaters,” he says. “It’s so fun seeing everyone dressed alike for family photographs, making lasting memories.”
Brett gains treasured memories, too. “One of my favorite moments was of a young girl who was in a wheelchair. She was most concerned with her other family members having presents,” he says. “She only asked for herself if she could have some glittery shoes. The next year, we saw her, and she was so proud to show Santa her beautiful sequined shoes.”
For bookings and information, call 763.528.1012, or email santabrettclaus@gmail.com.
112th Avenue N
Road 301 Sunnyvale Lane 8831 Lake Susan Court 6965 Lake Harrison Circle 3616 Woodcroft Drive 745 Crossroads Court 333 Wise Avenue 4712 Foxglove Drive 156 Lake Street 4159 Hillcrest Road 6613 Brenden Court 18905 Lake Avenue 2340 Lake Lucy Road 221 Monroe Avenue 210 George Street 5616 32nd Avenue S 1460 Lakeway Court 280 Cardinal Circle 1491 Camden Ridge Drive 17640 Breconwood Road 24885 Glen Road 6110 Chestnut Terrace 16001 Tonkawood Court 15780 56th Street NE 22150 Bracketts Road 6348 Aster Trail 6965 Lake Harrison Circle 6199 Cascade Pass 10447 Fawns Way 7657 Woodview Court 3925 Hillcrest Way 122 Chevy Chase Drive 18508 Excelsior Boulevard 45 Gideons Point Road 2166 Shadywood Road 2610 Garfield Avenue #301 156 Lake Street 6050 Galpin Lake Road 18225 Hermitage Way 5885 Christmas Lake Road
ARTS & CULTURE
Maddie, Max and the Magic of Lake Minnetonka
Author’s debut novel is set in 1990s Excelsior.
By Mollee Francisco
“Dream tethers souls
While circumstance conspires to part
And the universe waits patiently
While memory plays with the heart”
Maddie + Max
ROMANCE READERS searching for a story that feels like home are in luck. Mound’s Megan Effertz’s debut novel, Maddie + Max, released in April, is set in Excelsior during the 1990s. It’s a time and a place that the 1994 Minnetonka High School graduate knows well. “I’m old enough to remember the [Excelsior] Pizza Hut and the phone booth,” Effertz says. “I grew up by Bennett Field, so we’d hop on our bikes and be back home by dark.”
Maddie + Max is the story of a pair of teenagers who meet and fall in love but
decide to keep their relationship under wraps. Their connection is eventually destroyed by a secret Max has been keeping. Though they move on, Maddie cannot forget Max, and when they cross paths years later, the chance encounter leaves Maddie with a secret of her own.
“It’s not your typical romance or love story,” the author says. “Their households have different lifestyles, which makes things both fun and frustrating.”
Effertz, who has made a career out of transforming businesses through sales and marketing and launch product services, says Maddie + Max came about by accident. “I did not set out to do this,” she says. “I sat down to write a leadership book, but I kept getting stuck.” Turns out, the block was Maddie + Max. “I had this story bouncing around in my head,” she says. “I started writing, and it spilled onto the page.”
A year later, Effertz had her story along with a sneaking suspicion that it would resonate with locals who grew up in the Lake Minnetonka area. Maddie + Max is peppered with recognizable landmarks, including Excelsior Commons, Haskell’s Port of Excelsior, Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge (Spring Park), Maynards (Excelsior) and the now-closed Dock Cinema (Excelsior).
Effertz’s story is also overflowing with classic 1990s elements, from fashion (Girbaud jeans, Nautica shirts and Oakley sunglasses) to everyday life (minivans and payphones). Effertz says the 1990s was the perfect era for Maddie + Max to begin. “The Cold War had ended; the internet just started,” she says. “It was a fun, innocent time.” Effertz loves hearing from readers who grew up in the area at the same time and recognize the story’s authenticity. “It’s Dawson’s Creek meets Minnesota hockey,” Effertz says.
Though Effertz doesn’t plan to quit her day job and become a full-time
Photo: Megan Effertz
author, she isn’t quite ready to shelve the story of Maddie and Max. “I’ve had so many messages from readers, asking what happens next,” she says. “There are some spin-off possibilities.”
While Effertz considers authoring another book, she also dreams of seeing Maddie + Max make the leap off the page. “I’m currently trying to figure out how to turn it into a Netflix series,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to write a Netflix series.” Readers, keep your eyes peeled for a taste of love and Lake Minnetonka on the small screen!
Maddie + Max can be ordered through your local bookseller or purchased on amazon.com.
Maddie + Max; maddieplusmax.com
Maddie + Max @maddieplusmax
PHILANTHROPY
Slice of Service
Shirley Buehler finds delicious ways to give back to her community at ICA Food Shelf.
By Jennifer Pitterle
FOR MORE THAN 24 years, Shirley Buehler has been something of a heartbeat at ICA Food Shelf, the nonprofit organization that provides food, jobs and housing services to families in need in Excelsior, Hopkins, Minnetonka and the surrounding communities. When Buehler, in her 80s, retired from a local equipment company in 2000, her pastor asked if she would jump in and help at ICA. She was originally hired as an assistant to the then-director—and the rest is history.
“I went to visit ICA, and I got hooked,” Buehler says with a smile. Over the last two decades-plus, she’s done pretty much everything from doing case management and hauling onions to meeting with local partners and organizing food drives.
Scott Searl, ICA’s director of philanthropy, says Buehler embodies the “outreach” part of the organization’s mission. “Everyone in our community knows Shirley,” Searl says. “Her impact on ICA is immeasurable. And if you didn’t already know, she makes the best pie around.”
Pie, you say? What started as a fun baking competition among ICA staff members many years ago bloomed into a significant fundraising effort. “I had this recipe for Rhubarb Custard Pie, and we decided to have a little contest. It was so fun, and everyone got involved,” Buehler says. “Then I thought, ‘Why not offer pies at our silent auction?’ So I did.”
Buehler’s pies were so popular at the silent auction that they were promoted to the live auction at ICA’s annual The
Shirley Buehler ’s homeade pies are a hot commodity at The Great Taste, a fundraising gala for the ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka.
Photo: Anna Kostochko
HELPING HANDS
This holiday season, director of philanthropy Scott Searl says, neighbors can support ICA by donating funds or hosting a food drive. “We purchase onethird of the food we share, and with food prices up 25 percent since 2019, financial gifts are as important as ever,” he says. Another third of ICA’s food is donated, which provides important variety (versus staples that are bought at cost). “Hosting a food drive ... also helps raise awareness that more than 1,000 families each month need our help,” Searl says. Finally, ICA relies on more than 35 volunteers daily to keep operations running smoothly.
Great Taste fundraiser. Last year, a custom monthly pie delivery fetched $3,500 at the live auction. Buehler asks winners to order their favorite flavors, bakes them up once a month and handdelivers them—herself—to their front door. Her most popular flavor? “Banana Cream, hands down,” Buehler says. “I use real whipped cream on the top, and I think that’s what sells it.”
Buehler knows that community connection, service and food are deeply linked. “Feeding people is a wonderful cause,” she says. “We’re not just filling their tummies at ICA; we’re feeding their souls, too.” Her advice for others— at any age—wanting to help their communities is to find an organization like ICA that focuses on nonjudgemental, come-as-you-are service. “If you come to us, if you need food or help paying your rent, we’re here. We’re your community,” Buehler says. “It’s incredible to be committed to something for this long and still feel good about it.”
ICA Food Shelf, 11588 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka; 952.938.0729; icafoodshelf.org
ICA Food Shelf @icafoodshelf
Written by Emily Gedde
Conquering His Everests
Photos: Ryan Rivard
Ryan Rivard
Wayzata man climbed “the mother of all mountains” to spread awareness about addiction and mental health issues.
Ryan Rivard has conquered a lot of challenges in his life. He’s maintained 22 years of sobriety, started a nonprofit to support mental health issues for those in recovery and reached the summit of Mount Everest. From nearly succumbing to a drug overdose when he was 19 to reaching the summit of Everest earlier this year, Rivard says he’s determined to use the hard lessons he’s learned to help others.
The Wayzata man’s outlook on life is nothing short of inspiring, leaving many of those with whom he comes into contact feeling motivated to conquer or achieve their goals—maybe even summitting a mountain of their own.
Rivard may be one of the few Minnesotans who have crossed reaching the top of the tallest point on Earth off his list, and his reason for doing so is unique to his life experience. He notes that no matter what challenge a person is facing, there is a community out there to offer support. “The whole reason that I did this was not just about climbing Mount Everest, which is remarkable in itself, but to inspire people who are dealing with their own ‘Everest,’” Rivard says. “It doesn’t have to be the mountain; everybody is struggling with something whether
it’s getting the job they want or dealing with their mental health issues. Everybody will face adversity at some point in their life.”
To help others conquer their “Everests,” Rivard founded Let’s Fuel Growth, a nonprofit that aims to create tangible change. It utilizes the power of community events to ignite hope, inspire action and teach life skills and leadership lessons to people in recovery. “For a lot of people, once they get sober, they have to change their friend groups and relearn a lot of things,” Rivard says. “They feel like they don’t have fun and there’s not a community around them. Oftentimes, they start to isolate and potentially go back to using drugs or alcohol.”
The goal is to host events that will bring community elements together to highlight validation and support. “We want to take down some of the barriers and stigmas that are around struggling with mental health and addiction,” he says. Another important byproduct of the events is to show people the importance of being supportive and understanding to those in need of encouragement.
Plan to Peak
When Rivard began working on creating the nonprofit, he knew that he needed other organizations to support his mission. While he had climbed Nepal’s Mount Ama Dablam and Lobuche East, those climbs didn’t come with the cache of an Everest climb. Without the notoriety, he wasn’t getting the attention and traction he needed to shine the spotlight on his cause.
“I noticed it was challenging getting corporate sponsors because nobody heard of the mountains I was climbing,” Rivard says. While the climbs were assisting in raising some funds, he recalls knowing what he had to do to punctuate the fundraising efforts. He laughs, saying his wife knew it, too. “When I climbed the other mountains, I said to my wife, Kristin, ‘If these are successful, you know what I’m going to want to do,’” he says. “She knew it was Everest, and she knew I’d be successful because of what I’m meant to do in life.”
After a grueling climb, Rivard and others in his group reached the summit
Photos: Ryan Rivard
Top: Ryan Rivard checks his gear before embarking on another climb.
Bottom:
Climbing camps are often dwarfed by the size of the mountain targeted for a climb.
“It was one of the hardest mental and physical things I’ve ever done in my life outside of getting sober. It was also just remarkable.”
Ryan Rivard, regarding reaching Mount Everest’s summit
of Everest on May 20. He admits reality didn’t sink in until he was on his way home. The realization of that accomplishment still hits him from time to time in the months following the climb. “It was one of the hardest mental and physical things I’ve ever done in my life outside of getting sober,” Rivard says. “It was also just remarkable.”
As he shares his message about his life, Rivard hopes people who are struggling—especially younger generations— realize there is support out there. “Build a community around you based on what you value. That’s a huge game changer for people,” he says. “If you want to be successful, learn habits to make you and others around you successful.”
“I couldn’t climb the mountain by myself,” he says. “I needed a whole team. I need a whole team in my life. Everybody needs a team. Find the gaps, and fill them with the right people, right mentality and right resources. Everyone can do this. They can climb whatever that Everest is, and we’ll cheer them on.”
To read more about Ryan Rivard, discover our April article about his climbing endeavors at lakeminnetonkamag.com.
theryanrivard.com @theryanrivard
HOMETOWN
Three area players light up the roster of Minnesota’s professional women’s hockey team.
Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Chris Emeott
It’s not for nothing that Minnesota is often called the State of Hockey. So when the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) launched its first-ever season in 2023–24, it was no surprise that the Minnesota franchise team had not only a passel of native Minnesotans on its roster, but also three players from the area.
Kelly Pannek, Liz Schepers and Grace Zumwinkle all say that playing on a Minnesota pro team—after having grown up immersed in the state’s hockey culture—is a dream come true. “Pride is the word that comes to mind,” Zumwinkle says.
“We’re so appreciative of the fans, and it makes every game that much more special. Playing in front of the
State of Hockey is so special, especially with a lot of players having ties to the state.”
Professional women’s hockey has had an up-and-down history in the state, with various teams and leagues formed and disbanded over the years. The PWHL formerly launched in August 2023 with six franchises around the country, including Minnesota, and dropped the puck for the first game in January. PWHL Minnesota (now called Minnesota Frost) ended its inaugural season with a bang, winning the first-ever Walter Cup championship and, along with it, a whole bunch of new fans.
“The team provided some memorable games from the start,” says Glen
HAT TRICK
KELLY PANNEK
POSITION: Center
HOMETOWN: Plymouth
HIGH SCHOOL: Benilde–St. Margaret’s COLLEGE: University of Minnesota
IF I DIDN’T PLAY
HOCKEY, I’D PLAY:
“I was a big soccer player growing up, but I don’t know how my joints would handle it now. I’d say golf.”
SPORTS HEROES:
“Serena Williams and my own teammates.”
FAVE GAME DAY FOOD:
“Buttered noodles with a little bit of salt and pepper and chicken. I’m a creature of habit.”
FUTURE GOALS:
“I think I’ll always want to be part of hockey, whether that’s coaching or scouting or something else.”
WHAT TO KNOW:
Pannek played on the U.S. women’s national hockey team at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics and was involved with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, a nonprofit that was founded during a period of uncertainty in women’s pro hockey (after the dissolution of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League) and advocates for the sport and its players.
LIZ SCHEPERS
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Mound
HIGH SCHOOL: Mound Westonka High School
COLLEGE: The Ohio State University
SPORTS HEROES:
“Simone Biles is my favorite athlete. I look up to her, obviously, because of how dominant she is but also because of her advocacy for mental health and athlete well-being.”
FAVE GAME DAY FOOD:
“Usually, I go for Goldfish crackers, dried fruit and an electrolyte drink [as a snack].”
FUTURE GOALS:
“It’s hard to imagine my life without hockey, so I’ve considered careers in the sport. My plan in undergrad was to be a physical therapist, so that’s something I’m still very passionate about, too.”
WHAT TO KNOW:
Schepers says a highlight of her hockey career was playing in the state high school tournament as both an eighth-grader and a high school senior.
“It’s something every Minnesotan dreams of.”
“HOPEFULLY, WE’RE LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT THIS LEAGUE CAN BECOME AND WHAT FEMALE
HOCKEY PLAYERS CAN
ASPIRE TO BE.”
LIZ SCHEPERS
Andresen, PWHL Minnesota Frost director of business operations. “Our primary focus was making sure our players had the opportunity and environment to showcase their talents— and they certainly did that.”
Pannek had several years of postgrad hockey under her belt when she was signed as one of the team’s freeagent picks in summer 2023. (She made the national team in 2017 and was a part of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association upon graduating college in 2019. She was drafted for the National Women’s Hockey League in 2019 but never played in it.)
“It ended up working out where Minnesota was the right fit for me,” Pannek says. “I think we surpassed expectations last season with the quality of our play.” She notes how significant it’s been for the team to play at the Xcel Energy Center—home of the state’s NHL team, the Minnesota Wild. “We were the only [PWHL] team in year one have our full-time home at an NHL arena,” Pannek says. “When little girls show up to those games, they can say, ‘This is where professional women’s hockey players should be playing.’ It just feels natural.”
Like many women’s sports, pro hockey seems to be at a pivotal point for visibility and game attendance. In addition to the young girls—perhaps aspiring PWHL players—who show up in the stands in droves, decked out in enthusiasm, there are older women, too, who didn’t have the opportunity to pursue an athletic career and can now cheer on the next generations. “They come up to me and say it’s so awesome,” Pannek says. “It’s been so deserved for so long. They would have loved to be part of this.” She goes on to say, “We’re lucky enough to play at a time when I think the world is ready for it. It doesn’t go without acknowledging all the people who fought for the right for women to play whatever sport they wanted to.” Schepers and Zumwinkle were picked by PWHL Minnesota in the summer 2023 draft, and both say it’s been an honor to play on this trailblazing team. “Hopefully, we’re laying the foundation for what this league can become and what female hockey players can aspire to be,” Schepers says. They’re each finding their niches on the roster and in the locker room, too. “I push myself, so I can help my team be successful and be a player
my teammates can trust,” she says. Zumwinkle notes that the excitement for this upcoming season is palpable. “We’ve seen what’s attainable in the first season,” she says. “It makes you that much more hungry coming into the next season. I think trying to win another championship will obviously be a goal. At the end of the season, winning the final game is always a goal for everyone.”
And while winning is, ultimately, the end goal, a valuable lesson is to move on quickly from the losses, Pannek says, when asked about her advice for young hockey players. “The season is long,” she says. “If you get hung up on bad games, you’ll tumble into the next if you don’t move past it.”
As the team settles into its second season this winter, leadership is working to build connections with youth and high school programs around the state. “Those programs are the lifeblood of the sport here,” Andresen says. “Little girls in Minnetonka or Red Wing can look at a PWHL player and say, ‘She wore the same jersey when she was my age that I’m wearing now. And someday, I’m going to wear the same jersey she’s wearing now.’”
For more information and a 2025 season schedule, visit minnesota.thepwhl.com.
@pwhl_minnesota
@PWHL_Minnesota
Excelsior’s Grace Zumwinkle has her eyes set on Minnesota’s sophomore season with the Minnesota Frost.
GRACE ZUMWINKLE
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Excelsior
HIGH SCHOOL: Breck School
COLLEGE: University of Minnesota
IF I DIDN’T PLAY
HOCKEY, I’D PLAY: “Tennis, golf or pickleball.”
SPORTS HEROES:
“My parents and my sisters. They’ve instilled those values of family, hard work and resiliency.”
FAV GAME DAY FOOD:
“I try to stick with carbs, fruits and vegetables. I do have to have some Wiley Wallaby red licorice though before each game.”
FUTURE GOALS:
“I would love to play in the 2026 Olympics. Outside of hockey some day, I see myself working in corporate America like my mom and sister do. Sometimes, I do joke though that I should become a pro golfer.”
WHAT TO KNOW:
Zumwinkle grew up playing hockey with her sisters Anna and Emily. “Growing up being able to play with both of my sisters are some of my most cherished hockey memories. It’s very rare to be able to play with your siblings and something I will never take for granted. We come from a very competitive family, and no matter if its hockey, board games or pickleball, we all always want to win.”
to a new career C I RCL I N G BA C K
A Mound resident discovers that wreaths are for more than just the holidays.
Written by Kelly Cochrane
Little did Laura Lecy know that a COVID-19-induced craft exercise would result in a burgeoning business that is capturing the attention of locals, national customers and the U.S. military.
Like most of us, Lecy of Mound needed something to dig into and occupy her time during the pandemic. She started creating faux wreaths. “People started seeing what I was making and posting [on social media], and they started ordering,” Lecy says. Shortly thereafter, her husband, Tyler Lecy, looked at her and said, “‘I think you have something special here. I believe in you and think you can do this,’” Lecy says.
Laura Lecy
Photos: Chris Emeott
Front doors are the ideal space to make a seasonal statement. Make an impact by displaying a wreath garland.
Wreath displays have expanded their real estate. In addition to placing them on exterior and interior doors and windows, consider backs of dining chairs, banisters, fireplaces (clear of a heat source); kitchen island sides, mirrors, stove hoods and more.
That night, RoundWreath turned from being a hobby into operating as a full-fledged business. Today, three years later, Lecy’s family (and several friends) are involved in all aspects of the business. Her children Noah, 12, and Marshall, 7, help with assembly preparations and content photos, and Lecy’s mother, Jill Weirick, comes in town to offer an extra hand when needed. Friends pop by at a moment’s notice, and Tyler continues to offer his support every step of the way. Order by order and person by person is how so many homegrown businesses operate and grow into their success.
RoundWreath, based out of Mound, is garnering attention. “There are a lot of décor companies out there, but nobody is doing just wreaths,” Lecy says. Some of that traction hit with a call from a U.S. Navy representative, requesting 12 custom wreaths for the USS Alabama and its monthly landside parades. “I don’t shy away from a project. I lean into it,” Lecy says. And that is exactly what she did after she received the request. According to Lecy, the paperwork was the most challenging part of this dream project, which netted a wide array of themed wreaths, including ones featuring daffodils, peanuts, the ocean and, of course, the U.S. Navy.
As one can image, other customer design requests run the gamut. Lecy
has created wreaths highlighting childhood toys, hockey, Star Wars’ Yoda and much more. “You can make anything into a wreath,” she says. And using her talent to showcase a custom request is something Lecy enjoys doing. “These are my favorite to make because the wreaths I’ve made with these customers really mean something to them,” she says. “They are letting me be a part of their narrative and memories. I realize how special these wreaths can be and the joy they bring.”
Residential homes are the primary display spot for Lecy’s wreaths, but there is another type of residence that feature her work—senior living communities, many of which offer door décor competitions for residents. Enter RoundWreath for the win.
While the December holiday season means plenty of business for Lecy and her team, a fair number of customers order wreaths for holidays and special occasions throughout the year. “I am so excited. I just want to do more,” she says. “We have so many fun ideas for the future. I don’t think I’ve even topped what I can do.”
KEEP ON Giving
RoundWreath donates wreaths to infusion centers around the Twin Cities (Minnesota Oncology). “For the last eight years, I have personally gone to Minnesota Oncology to receive treatments for Crohn’s disease,” says Laura Lecy, owner.
“As I sat there, surrounded by cancer patients, I wanted to help,” she says. “What was I good at? Making wreaths! You’d be surprised at how much joy and hope a wreath can bring to someone in treatment.”
“Each wreath we donate has the word hope attached to it because we believe the patients need to be encouraged daily,” Lecy says. “We have been donating to a few locations for the last few years, but with customer support, were able to raise enough to provide wreaths for every Minnesota Oncology location!”
The message of hope is being received. “We have gotten such kind messages from patients and encouragement plus support from customers who believe in what we are doing,” Lecy says. “So far, we have focused on Minnesota but are hoping the mission spreads across the U.S.—wouldn’t that be cool?”
KEEP IT Clean
There are definite upsides to using a reusable wreath, but it must be kept clean in order to maximize its visual appeal and durability. The best way to get a wreath display ready is to:
• Set a hair dryer on low, and use the cool setting.
• Hold the wreath in one hand. Angle the hair dryer downward, so it goes with the grain of the wreath.
These easy steps will help remove dust and dirt and fluff up the wreath for its next post on a door, window or wherever a little celebration vibe or seasonal spruce up is needed.
Sweet on the Holidays
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
AREA BAKERS SHARE WHAT’S IN THEIR COOKIE JARS.
Get them out of storage, and get ready to fill those holiday-themed cookie jars that are hungry for some sweet (and sometimes savory) dough delights.
While recipe traditions rule this time of year, surprise the cookie eaters in your house with new recipes from two local bakers—who know a thing or two about sifting up a winning nibble.
Baking is about science—precise measurements of those critical ingredients add up to better results. Perhaps this is why former Shorewood resident Kylie White enjoys time in the kitchen around measuring vessels and baking compounds—she’s a sensory scientist at General Mills.
“Baking is 100 percent a science. It’s chemistry,” White says. “Cooking is more of an art, but with baking, you have to get the ratios of ingredients right, or you’ll end up with something very different from what you were aiming for. I once managed to make a Cheesecake from a Lemon Bars recipe while playing around with ingredients—delicious but definitely not what I thought would be coming out of the oven.”
Recipe testing extends beyond White’s kitchen. “In my current role, my team takes a day each December to make a bunch of different cookie recipes, and everyone gets to take home a box at the end of the day,” she says.
Now, what’s a cookie conversation without a bit of “controversy”? Cookie exchanges—yay or nay? “I like cookie exchange parties,” White says. “It’s fun to get together with my friends or family … Going home with a sense of accomplishment and a box of new cookies to try is one of the best parts of the holidays.”
“Baking should be fun. Play around, make a mess and share what you make with others.”
Kylie White
Ginger Bombs
Ginger Bombs
(Kylie White)
“I love chewy Gingersnaps … I love this recipe because it is soft and chewy and packed with flavor. Be warned—it has a kick to it,” White says. “The candied ginger in the cookie adds a nice dual texture element.”
Sesame Blossoms
(Kylie White)
“These cookies are best enjoyed with a strong cup of black tea or coffee,” White says. Her recipe includes coffee flour, produced from coffee bean husks. “It does not taste like coffee,” she says. “Instead, it has kind of a nice roasted floral flavor.”
Since Peanut Butter Blossoms are one of her favorite holiday cookies, White wanted to make a peanut-free version for larger gatherings. Knowing she needed an ingredient with a similar peanut butter texture, she incorporated tahini. “The tahini and cardamom together make this cookie stand out,” she says.
Long Lake’s Becky Brandt regular lineup of holiday cookies includes Shortbread, Snowballs, Sugar and Turtles, but there’s always room for more. “I always try out new cookies— whatever is highlighted in social media, the newspaper or online that catches my eye,” she says. “I have folders of saved recipes.” (We recommend checking out lakeminnetonkamag.com for its collection of recipes!)
Many bakers learned alongside a family member, and Brandt is no exception. “My mom loved to bake and had a huge collection of cut outs for decorated Sugar Cookies,” she says. “I always baked with her, and then later, she baked with my kids. We made a family cookbook before she passed away, and baking with her is definitely a favorite memory.”
Along with her own oven-baked bounty, “I love when other people
Sesame Blossoms
Becky Brandt
WHAT SHOULD WE KNOW?
There are some lessons Becky Brandt and Kylie White have learned over the years, and not measuring ingredients is a big misstep. “I’m totally guilty of this …” Brandt says. “I love to just guestimate ingredients or use my own order, and I have definitely ruined recipes. Baking is so much more of a science versus cooking!”
“Don’t keep your herbs and spices out in the light or around the oven,” White says. “Light and heat can destroy the chemical compounds that give spices and herbs their flavor, so a dark place away from the oven is best. If you want them to last a really long time, keep your spices in the freezer. I also recommend buying whole nutmeg and grating it yourself. It tastes better that way.”
WHERE SHOULD WE GO?
“I love the Wayzata Lunds [& Byerlys],” Brandt says. “I always hit up their baking sale in the fall.”
“[Abundant Kitchen in Excelsior] usually has what I need, and if they don’t, they will point me in the direction of somewhere that does. I also like pining over the Le Creuset displays in the window when I walk by,” White says.
WHAT SHOULD WE GIVE?
While bakers are busy placing their homemade treats around cookie platters, Brandt and White have some wishes of their own for around the Christmas tree. Their wish lists might inspire your gift-giving ideas for the bakers and cooks in your life!
“I always need better cookie sheets,” Brandt says. “I also wear out my cookie scoops—I use them for everything.”
White is hoping for a Le Creuset Dutch oven or bread oven in Caribbean blue. “The color just makes me happy,” she says. “I wouldn’t mind seeing the Handbook of Spices, Seasonings and Flavorings by Susheela Raghavan under the tree
The Flavor Thesaurus: More Flavors: Plant-Led Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for Cooks by Niki Segnit would be lovely as well.”
bake for me,” she says. “I know some really good, creative bakers.” As such, it’s no surprise that, like White, Brandt RSVPs “yes” to cookie exchange invites. “I love them,” she says. “I always love trying other people’s favorites.”
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
(Becky Brandt)
“These may not seem like a traditional holiday cookie, but I always crave something a little less sweet, and it has such a good citrus/herb flavor profile that it’s nice to have something a little different on the table,” she says. “I have experimented with a lot of different shortbreads, but this is my favorite combination, and the rosemary makes it so pretty. Shortbread is flexible. You can make shapes, frost or glaze them, but I prefer them just with a dusting of sugar.”
For complete recipes, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Becky Brandt and Kylie White are two of 95 bakers featured in Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson’s The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book (University of Minnesota Press), released last month and covers 20 years of winning recipes from The Minnesota Star Tribune’s (previously known as the Star Tribune) holiday cookie contest. It has 102 cookie recipes and features 11 additional cookie recipes that are favorites of the co-authors. Find it at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, star tribune.com and where books are sold.
Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Ready to find your new best friend?
HOLIDAY CHEER
Santa Claus Lane is bustling with festive activities.
VISIT SANTA CLAUS LANE , and enjoy a variety of festive activities, including a Santa Claus brunch. “[The brunch] is unlike any other in the area,” says Santa Claus Lane founder Paige Terwilliger.
The special brunch will be held from 10 a.m.–noon December 1, 8 (Lake Minnetonka Magazine sponsorship day), 15 and 22 at the recently renovated Camp Fire Minnesota, with tickets costing $20 for adults and $18 for children. Enjoy a meal catered by Kowalski’s Markets, live music, a magic show, shopping at the gift shop and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
After dining, be sure to explore Santa Claus Lane, which offers a Christmas Market with over 20 local vendors, Santa’s Workshop for cookie decorating and ornament making, art installations, face painting and more. (It opened November 29, running Fridays through December 22 until 6 p.m.)
Tickets for Santa Claus Lane are not included with brunch admission, though the tickets are the same price. “Guests come in and feel like they’re being transported to the North Pole,” Terwilliger says. —Findlay Drabant
Santa Claus Lane at Camp Fire Minnesota, 3300 Tanadoona Drive, Excelsior; 612.382.7889; paige@santaclaus-lane.com; santaclaus-lane.com
Compiled by Amy Holmberg and Mikayla Vo
LOCAL EVENTS
Holiday at the Farm 11/29–12/22
Share in the joy of the holiday season with hayrides, warm cocoa and freshcut Christmas trees—and a photo with Santa Claus. Watch out, the Grinch might make an appearance too, adding a mischievous twist to family photos. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Minnetonka Orchard, 6480 County Road 26, Minnetrista; 763.325.4024; minnetonkaorchardmn.com
Christmas in Excelsior 12/07, 12/14 and 12/21
Experience the magic of the holidays
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MR. DICKENS’ DILEMMA
Magic takes center stage at Blue Water Theatre.
KIDS IN grades three through eight will step into the spotlight for Blue Water Theatre’s musical adaptation of Magic Treehouse: A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr. by Mary Pope Osborne. Eddie Paul, the artistic director at Blue Water, is eager to bring this story to the stage.
Never miss an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Lake Minnetonka Magazine articles with friends and family.
The holiday show follows siblings Jack and Annie as they use their magic treehouse to travel back in time to Victorian London, where they meet a struggling Charles Dickens. The duo helps Dickens cure his writer’s block in a heartwarming adventure filled with twists and turns. “We’re really trying to connect with kids in a creative way,” Paul says.
Performances are set for 7 p.m. December 5–7 and 12–14; matinees are at 2 p.m. December 8 and 15. Tickets are $18 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Additionally, the theater will host a pay-what-you-can show on December 12. Findlay Drabant
Blue Water Theatre Company, 605 Rice St. E., Wayzata; info@bluewatertheatre.com; bluewatertheatre.com
Photo:
Characters Annie and Jack come to the aid of Charles Dickens.
GUEST HOUSE
LEARN MORE
with a month full of festive activities, including tree-lighting ceremonies, carolers, Santa and more. All ages. Free. Times vary. Excelsior; 952.686.6046; business.excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com
Winter Market
12/14
Check out locally made food, handmade gifts, soaps, crafts and more. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka; farmersmarket@minnetonkamn.gov; minnetonkamn.gov
Kids Free Movie
12/07
Enjoy fun morning at the movies and visits with Santa and Sparky the Fire Dog. Movie is TBA. All ages. Free. 9 a.m.–noon. Westwood Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen; kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org; excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com
AREA EVENTS
Guatemalan Holiday Market
12/01
Clothing, chocolate and food and art are featured. Browse a unique selection of handcrafted goods straight from artisans in Antigua, Guatemala. Every purchase supports Common Hope families and local artisans. All ages. Free. Noon–5 p.m. La Doña Cervecería, 241 Fremont Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.315.4613; dameladona.com
Princess Ball 12/15
Enjoy performances, photo opportunities and the chance to meet and greet favorite familiar characters. All ages. $20–$30, under 12 months free. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan; dreampartyforyou.com
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comfortkeepers.com
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To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
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Lens on Lake Minnetonka
A resident finds beauty in the depths of winter.
“I woke up to the most magnificent frost on a frigid January morning,” says Berit Francis of a not-so-unfamiliar experience for residents of the Bold North. “I was inspired by the intricate frost on the trees and berries and how the red color stood out against the black, gray and white background.”
While this image was taken from Francis’ home, the Orono resident also enjoys finding picture-worthy photos near Long Lake during the autumn. —Renée Stewart-Hester
To view other Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Photographer: Berit Francis
Title: Berry Nice Winter
Equipment: iPhone
Location: From her Orono home
Category: Seasons
Award: Honorable Mention
