LAKEVILLE PERMANENT
JEWELRY WELDERS
SHARE INSIGHT ON THE TREND
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
“Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.” —St. Augustine
A year ago at this time, I was putting together the very first issue of this magazine and nervously anticipating its arrival in your mailbox. I was so excited to have an opportunity to write about the communities I call home, and I really hoped this magazine would be a welcome addition to your home.
As I put together our first anniversary issue, I still nervously anticipate its arrival in your mailbox (That will probably always be the case—I’m a worrier!), but I have a lot more confidence that it’ll be met with appreciation. I know I speak for everyone who works on this magazine when I say: We’re deeply grateful for all of the support you’ve shown us this past year. Whether you’ve sent in a story idea, contributed a photo to our annual contest Focus on Cities South (see our Last Glance on page 32), agreed to an interview, bought an ad or browsed through our pages, you’ve helped us make this magazine a stronger, better reflection of this community.
I’m especially appreciative of our Editorial Advisory Board, a group of dedicated community members (find their names on page 6), who generously share story ideas and inspiration with me on a regular basis—and offered their support before we even had a tangible magazine to show them.
This magazine is just going to get better with age, especially with continued input from you. Send me a note anytime at liz@localmedia.co.
VOL. 2 NO. 1 citiessouthmags.com
We are a community of care – dedicated to you.
As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer treatment provider, we know that treating cancer calls for more than compassion. It means giving our patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person.
Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards one common goal –fighting cancer.
mnoncology.com
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Liz Potasek
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Jody Carey, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith, Kristie Smith
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Debbie Beck, Katie Tomsche
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Melissa Ferlaak, Valleyfair ; Sandi Fleck, Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce ; Stephanie Goldfarb, The Divine Living Space ; Eve Heeralall, City of Apple Valley ; Michelle Sharp, Meet the Minnesota Makers ; Tina Goodroad, City of Lakeville
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
South Metro Kitchen Design experts for over 23 years. Visit our website to schedule a FREE design consultation.
All applications FAST & SLOW release granular at the full rate?
Environmentally friendly (IPM) weed control during all 5 applications?
When you’re ready for the ULTIMATE lawn program! We put down the good stuff on every application. Both FAST & SLOW release premium GRANULAR fertilizer & fastacting environmentally friendly GUARANTEED weed control!
Double pre-emergent & post-emergent control of Crabgrass?
Locally owned & operated since 1996?
Do you have a lawn service or doing it yourself & your lawn is still not thick & Green?
Do you have more weeds than you think is normal?
Still getting Crabgrass every year?
We do what most top end Golf Courses & Sports Stadiums do with their turf. We proudly offer the very best materials, service & results.
If you water regularly during June, July & August then...
WE WANT YOU AS A CUSTOMER!
We offer a premium 5 Step Program that will make your lawn look & feel great! Call or request an estimate
LazarovLawnCare.com | 952-440-6900
BETTY BOLEY was volunteering at her son’s school when she noticed that some of the children could use some help with their hair. As the oldest child of seven siblings, Boley had styled and braided plenty of hair in her time, so her first thought was, “What can I do to help?” She says, “So many people have helped to get me to where I am. If I can do something for someone, I really enjoy it.”
Since taking good care of textured hair can be expensive and time-consuming, Boley wanted to find a way to help parents who were too overwhelmed or lacked the know-how. In 2014, she registered
Community Hair Braiding as a nonprofit dedicated to braiding hair and teaching one-on-one classes in hair braiding technique. She opened a storefront in Eagan about three years ago, and she offers free hair braiding services to those who need it. Boley, who is looking for volunteers to help her, says the work is worth it when she sees how happy her clients are with their new looks. “You see the pride in the kids,” she says. —Liz Potasek
Community Hair Braiding, 1287 Promenade Place Suite 124, Eagan; 952.303.2518; communityhairbraiding.org
Animal lovers with a keen sense of adventure can go on vacation with the Minnesota Zoo. The zoo offers “edventures” for adults and teens to locales near and far. Whether travelers are canoeing a local river or hiking Machu Picchu, the trips are designed to bring travelers closer to animals through exclusive, intimate experiences with nature, says Tyler Ahnemann, the zoo’s unique experiences specialist. While the trips are high energy, they’re also very low-stress because the itinerary and travel logistics are all planned in advance. A host from the Minnesota Zoo, along with local expert guides, handles all the details. —Liz Potasek
Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley; 952.431.9200; mnzoo.org
Upcoming trips: Minnesota Mussel Edventure, August 10
Are you searching for a simple recipe for a special occasion, including a springtime holiday event or bridal or baby shower?
Look no further.
This Berry Brûlée Galette comes together quickly with puff pastry and pantry staples. The crust is flaky, buttery and light as a feather, and the sweet-tart berries are bursting with bright flavor.
Less expected than an egg bake and far faster to make than a quiche, a savory Bacon Camembert Dutch Baby looks and tastes like a decadent treat while offering the same comforting flavors and hearty textures as a brunch staple. It pairs perfectly with leafy greens, bacon and fruit.
Berry Brûlée Galette 6–8 servings
» all-purpose flour, for dusting
» 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
» 1 egg
» 1 tsp. cool water
» ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
» ¼ cup heavy cream
» 3 Tbsp. plus 1 ½ tsp. granulated sugar, divided
» ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
» ½ tsp. lemon zest
» ground nutmeg
» 18 oz. mixed berries, rinsed and patted dry
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry just to smooth the creases. Trim the edges, transfer it to a sheet pan, and using a sharp knife, lightly score a square 1-inch in from the edges. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the dough. Bake the pastry for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Let cool; using the back of a fork,
press the inside rectangle down to flatten it, leaving the edges tall to form a crust. In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cream, 1 ½ tsp. sugar, vanilla, lemon zest and a pinch of nutmeg. Add the berries; stir until well coated. Transfer the berries to the cooked pastry shell; spread evenly. Sprinkle the berries with the remaining sugar. Place an oven rack 5 inches from the top; heat the oven to broil. Cover the galette crust with aluminum foil. Broil, watching carefully, until the sugar melts, browns and begins to harden, about five minutes. Transfer the galette to a cutting board; cool for five minutes. Slice; serve immediately.
To view recipe for Bacon Camembert Dutch Baby, visit citiessouthmags.com.
Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Taste more at lundsandbyerlys.com.
These two children’s books are perfect for celebrating Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March. The Free Book Buggie founder (and passionate reader) Debbie Beck picked both of these books because she feels a personal connection with them and the authors.
I heard Bernice King speak at a Juneteenth event, and I felt an immediate connection. I grew up in the South, and I was in fifth grade during desegregation. The book follows Amora, who encourages her friends to open their hearts and minds by allowing love to drive their words, actions and thoughts. When I read about Amora’s Beloved Community, “a place where each person finds what inspires them to make the world a better place,” it reminded me of starting The Free Book Buggie in 2018. It’s my vehicle for making the world a better place and giving everyone an opportunity to live and grow.
The book, based on the author’s own life, tells the story of a mother going back to school to become a teacher from the perspective of her four children. Noor, who lives in Minnesota, was kind enough to join us for an afternoon, interacting with young readers, on The Free Book Buggie. She’s an amazing woman. I was 50 when I went back to school to get my master’s degree in public and nonprofit administration, so I’ve been on the same journey as being a mom, raising children and going back to school.
Debbie Beck is the founder of The Free Book Buggie in Eagan. Read more at thefreebookbuggie.org.
WHEN GRACE BERBIG THINKS OF HER MOTHER, Amanda Berbig, she feels the sensation of warmth and sunshine. She recalls her laughter as they climbed apple trees in the backyard of their Maple Grove home. And she remembers the love notes that graced their lunch boxes each day.
So, in 2013 when her mother passed away from leukemia at just 31 years old, Berbig’s world came crashing down. “It broke my heart,” she says. “The most severe pain I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Berbig and her sisters credit their dad as their “catalyst for coping” following their mother’s death. “He told [my sisters and I] losing our mom could ruin our lives,” she says. “Our job was
to let our mother’s joy live through us.” Berbig became determined to honor her mother’s life.
Today, Berbig is the founder and president of Letters of Love, a nonprofit organization that distributes handmade letters, cards and pictures to children in hospitals around the world. In the five years since its inception, Letters of Love has tallied more than 180 clubs in 31 states and 18 countries, including a club at Prior Lake High School. Thus far, its members have created 200,000 cards and counting.
Berbig was just a fifth grader when she lost her mother. The loss inspired her to look for opportunities to be helpful, but it wasn’t until Berbig started
at Orono High School, that she had her light bulb moment: “I remembered the cards,” she says.
When her mother was in the hospital, Berbig and her sisters kept themselves busy drawing cards and pictures for her after school. “In every hospital room, she would plaster all of these drawings all over her room,” Berbig says.
So, Berbig invited her friends to join her in the art room to make cards after school one day. “I bought something like 15 donuts,” she says. “But we had 100 kids pile into the art room.”
By the end of the year, Letters of Love was the biggest club at Orono High School. Berbig started fielding calls from students at other schools interested in
Grace Berbig (below) has fostered the growth of more than 180 Letters of Love clubs around the world.
starting their own Letters of Love clubs, so she decided to make it a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019.
The Letters of Love Club at Prior Lake High School began in 2020 and has about 100 members, who gather in a classroom on Friday mornings before school. The club co-presidents Jenna Anderson, Chloe Magnuson and Gabi Adams bring donuts, and club members gather at tables, chatting and crafting cards with construction paper, white printer paper, stickers, markers and colored pencils. The club has fundraisers to purchase art supplies, and it also accepts donations from the community.
Letters of Love; lettersofloveglobal.com
Letters of Love @lettersofloveglobal
WHETHER YOU’RE CONSTRAINED BY TIME, work or family obligations, there are plenty of small ways to break up a long winter without airplanes, trains or seemingly endless car trips. Spend a weekend at an indoor waterpark; indulge in a massage and a fancy dinner; or enjoy a night of live music and maybe a little gambling—all without straying too far from home.
Bond With Family
Book a room for a couple of nights at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Lakeville, and you can easily entertain the family for a weekend. The hotel features a waterpark with a two-story water slide for bigger kids, zero-depth splash pads for toddlers and a 3 1/2-foot deep pool with basketball hoops, plus a 20-person hot tub for adults to rest their weary muscles.
Rudy’s Redeye Grill, the hotel’s onsite restaurant, offers a crowd-pleasing menu that’ll keep the entire crew fueled for a day spent splashing in the water.
Looking for family-friendly destinations nearby? Catch a movie at Emagine Lakeville (20653 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville; 952.985.5324; emagine-entertainment.com), indulge in a sweet treat at Cream of the Cakes (20655 Kenrick Ave., Lakeville; 952.469.2253; creamofthe cakes.com) or grab lunch or dinner at Baldy’s BBQ (11276 W. 210th St., Lakeville; 952.469.3343; baldysbbqmn.com)
Holiday Inn & Suites Lakeville, 20800 Kenrick Ave., Lakeville; 952.469.1134; hilakeville.com
Holiday Inn & Suites Minneapolis - Lakeville
Relax and Recharge
Plan a weekend with friends or a romantic couples retreat at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan. Enjoy the view with floor-to-ceiling windows in each of the hotel’s wellappointed 320 guest rooms and suites. The onsite Idlewild Spa
emphasizes thermotherapy, encouraging guests to cycle between hot and cold treatments, and offers Nordic and couples massages, facials and manicures and pedicures. Make reservations in advance, especially if you’re booking for a group.
Guests don’t need to travel far for fine dining. The hotel’s restaurant, Kindred, boasts a menu created by James Beard Award-winning chef Ann Kim. Those willing to venture out into Eagan won’t be disappointed by Hope Breakfast Bar (1012 Diffley Road, Eagan; 612.489.5793; hopebreakfast.com), Southern Social (1940 Rahncliff Court, Eagan; 651.478.7919; southernsocialmn.com) or Kitchen and Rail (3344 Promenade Ave., Eagan; 612.402.7380; kitchenandrail.com).
Need more pampering? Head on over to Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan, and browse through more than 85 shops, including Coach Outlet, Kate Spade New York and more.
Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, 2611 Nordic Way, Eagan; 651.689.9800; omnihotels.com
Make time for fun and games at Mystic Lake in Prior Lake. Book a guest room or suite in the hotel, and then schedule your day around entertainment, games and dining.
Catch a concert or show in the Mystic Showroom, which regularly features nationally touring bands, comedians and performing acts. Upcoming shows include the Dancing with the Stars: Live! 2024 Tour (February 9), Air Supply (February 24) and The Price is Right Live (March 7–10).
Guests can also try their luck on the slot machines, at the Blackjack tables, electronic game tables or by playing Bingo. Cosmic (think glowin-the-dark) Blackjack and Bingo are offered on weekends.
There’s a variety of onsite dining options, including Mystic Steakhouse, featuring steak, seafood and fine wines, and the Minnehaha Cafe, which has a classic American menu.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake; 800.262.7799; mysticlake.com
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel @mysticlakecasino @mysticlake
it isn’t as final as it sounds. A chain is made into a bracelet, necklace or ring and welded together, eliminating the clasp. The process is painless and quick, only taking a few minutes.
We turned to two Lakeville women who started their own permanent jewelry businesses, to provide insight on the growing trend.
Dawn Sauber admits when she first heard about permanent jewelry, she pictured the worst, especially when the request to get a piece came from her teenage daughter and nine of her friends. “We were in New York City, and they asked if they could get permanent jewelry to remember the trip,” Sauber says, adding her initial response was, “Absolutely not.”
The group quickly addressed Sauber’s misconception, ultimately visiting Catbird, one of the first shops to introduce permanent jewelry in 2017.
The experience stuck in Sauber’s mind, and, last fall, she decided to turn the trend into a business, Sweet Sparrow. “It gives me something to keep me busy, and I love it,” she says. “It makes me feel really pretty.”
Sauber enjoys making others feel that way, too. Each piece is different, along with the reasons behind it. “People get them as groups or to commemorate something or someone,” says Sauber, who travels to parties and events based on request. “I love hearing the stories behind each piece.”
Sauber sells sterling silver, 14-karat gold and gold fill pieces. “I see a lot of people mixing metals and textures,” she
says, adding heart chains are her most popular chain. “It makes you feel pretty. We could all use a little bit more of that.”
Linked X Kelsie
Kelsie Freitag used family and friends for the trial-and-error process, finally able to seal confidence in her technique after a friend, who is a welder, gave her a few tips. “It’s been smooth sailing ever since,” she says of her business, Linked X Kelsie, which launched in September 2022.
Freitag says permanent jewelry offers a lot of benefits to those who wear it. It elevates any outfit and offers a boost in confidence, she says.
One of the top trends Freitag notices is layering of different
“It’s addicting. Once you get one piece, you’ll want more.”
Kelsie Freitag, Linked X Kelsie
pieces. “It’s addicting,” she says. “Once you get one piece, you’ll want more.” With spring break on the horizon, Freitag notes anklets are a must-have for upcoming vacations.
Freitag says most people tend to keep the jewelry for about a year before replacing it or adding to it. “It really depends on preferences,” she says. “Once the jewelry is on, it’s so lightweight, you forget it’s there.”
Sweet Sparrow Permanent Jewelry @sweetsparrowpj_mn
Linked X Kelsie @linkedxkelsie
Photo: Chris Emeott
Natalie Darwitz has spent a lifetime redefining hockey for women, and now she’s leading the new professional women’s hockey team in Minnesota.
Written by Meredith HeneghanWhen Natalie Darwitz first stepped on the ice to play hockey at the age of 5, it was a different world for female hockey players. Women’s hockey was nascent, and little girls still played on boys’ teams.
And yet she made a career out of a dream she couldn’t fully visualize as a kindergartner on ice skates. The Eagan-native grew up to win back-to-back national championships for the University of Minnesota Gophers, played on the U.S. National Team for 10 years and competed in three Olympics (earning two silver medals and a bronze). In 2008, Darwitz was named the best forward in the world by the International Ice Hockey Federation for her performance at the World Championship where she led the tournament in scoring. She’s also coached multiple high school and college teams in Minnesota.
Her latest venture as general manager of the Minnesota team in the newly formed Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) represents the next logical step in a career that continues to redefine hockey for women.
Hockey was very much a sport for boys when Darwitz was growing up, and she’s
encouraged by the generations of little girls and young women hockey players, who came up behind her. “Having a dream to be on our team, that’s important,” she says of young girls playing hockey today.
“Our generation grew up going to Gopher men’s games and picking out a male player [to admire or emulate].”
She wants the girls growing up today to look at her team and say, “‘I want to be that player that I look like,’” she says. “Hopefully, the league is bigger and better. Anybody who has a daughter, mother, sister: If you want the same opportunities for them, this has to be successful. We want our daughters to … have the same opportunities.”
Although the opportunities for girls playing hockey weren’t as abundant, Darwitz was enamored with hockey from a young age. The youngest of three children, Darwitz often tagged along with her dad while he was coaching her brother’s team, and she convinced her parents to let her play. “As a 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-year-old growing up, I fully thought I’d be playing in the NHL [National Hockey League],” she says. When she was in seventh grade, she joined a girls hockey team, because, at 5 foot 3 inches, it made
more sense to compete with players closer to her own size. She realized that the NHL wouldn’t happen, but hockey could still get her a college scholarship, and after women’s hockey was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1998, that became her new goal.
Darwitz has fond memories of growing up in Eagan, playing hockey with friends at Goat Hill Park and Bridle Ridge Park and roller hockey at the Eagan Civic Arena and in the parking lots of Eagan High School and Northview Elementary. She’s proud to be from Eagan and expresses how meaningful it is to have built her entire career from these roots. “When I’m on the roster and it says Eagan, Minnesota, that’s cool,” she says.
Darwitz, who lives in Prior Lake, has spent the past 15 years or so as a dedicated coach to many teams that have found success with her, including Lakeville South High School Girls Hockey and University of Minnesota Women’s Hockey. Coaching was on the table for the PWHL, but she had bigger dreams. “At the end of the day, I could
have the greatest impact on women’s hockey and women’s sports if my leadership grew,” Darwitz says. “Now, I get to expand my wings and my leadership and hopefully make a far greater difference.”
As the general manager she’s gotten a crash course in a lot of administrative work, and she’s responsible for overseeing the entire organization’s performance on the ice. She drafted the team and is in charge of trading players, hiring coaching staff and building the program.
Getting a professional sports team up and running from scratch is no easy task, especially in a few short months. The PWHL was announced on August 29, 2023, and teams were drafted in late September. Training camp started November 15, and its first season, which ends in May, is already underway at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. “Anybody who would get hired on a men’s team would be walking into an established organization, and we’re kind of building the plane as we’re flying it,” she says. “It would be a challenging job anyway, but in the long run, this is going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to enrich my heart and get
me waking up in the morning, hopefully making an impact.”
The PWHL’s website lays out its mission, stating: “We commit to taking risks that will drive our growth.” In considering the inaugural season, Darwitz is excited to take on this small and competitive league with exactly that mission in mind: Growth is the only option. “There’s only six teams, and there’s going to be fierce competition every time we drop the puck,” she says.
The success of Minnesota’s team requires a focus and determination that Darwitz is familiar with. “At the end of the day, we look at wins and losses, and that’s how our success gets categorized,” she says.
With a trendsetter like Darwitz at the helm, the Minnesota team is positioned for success. “I have a great amount of pride being from Minnesota and seeing where this sport has evolved,” she says.
Professional Women’s Hockey League; thepwhl.com
PWHL Minnesota @pwhl_minnesota
“Anybody who would get hired on a men’s team would be walking into an established organization, and we’re kind of building the plane as we’re flying it. It would be a challenging job anyway, but in the long run, this is going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to enrich my heart, and … hopefully make an impact.” —Natalie Darwitz
At age 22, Lakeville native Christopher Mosier was in great physical shape, training with body builders and competing in karate, yet he felt puffy and inflamed, and he couldn’t sleep. When he stumbled upon Minnesota’s first cryotherapy clinic in 2010, he felt immediate relief. “The first time I tried it, I was hooked,” he says. “As I got into healing, cold just became a part of it.”
About four years ago, he took his first polar dip, walking into Lake Marion in Lakeville on a late November day. “I came out, and I felt completely connected to nature, euphoric and relaxed,” he says.
Mosier isn’t alone. Many people extol the benefits of polar dipping, claiming that short intervals of cold water submersion can increase energy, reduce stress, regulate sleep, improve mood, decrease inflammation and more. The scientific research on the subject isn’t definitive, and as any Minnesotan knows, cold water can potentially be dangerous. A consultation with your doctor is recommended before taking a plunge.
(Mosier wears neoprene booties and gloves, as well as a hat. He also never submerges his head or chooses to submerge in water that’s deeper than his waist.)
Since that first dip, Mosier’s daily winter routine involves a polar dip in local lakes—Lake Marion, Crystal Lake in Burnsville and Alimagnet in Apple Valley are a few of his favorites—and he says the practice has changed his relationship with winter. “Winter doesn’t feel so daunting,” says Mosier, who has a day job as a Realtor.
Mosier was on one of his daily dips at Crystal Lake Beach last winter when Katie Dettmann and Kim Burggraaf, coaches from the Lakeville/Burnsville Moms on the Run, crossed paths with him and struck up a conversation. Mosier invited the group to join him on a dip and offered to coach anyone who was interested through the process.
Which is how I found myself in a swimsuit on a frozen lake in late March questioning my life choices.
Full disclosure: I am a newbie when it comes to doing things outside in winter. Last winter was my first time running with Moms on the Run, which offers classes and outdoor running meet-ups year-round. Getting up every morning and running 4 to 5 miles at 5:15 a.m. a couple of times a week totally changed my perspective on winter and definitely boosted my mood.
So when Burggraaf asked if I wanted to try a polar dip, I thought, “Why not?”
We gathered around 8 a.m. and used an axe to break through a layer of ice in a shallow section near the shoreline of Crystal Lake Beach, creating a hole large enough to fit the four of us. We peeled off our sweats (keeping our hats on, of course) and slid into the water, crouching to submerge ourselves up to our shoulders with our feet on the sandy lake bottom.
After an excruciating and exhilarating two minutes, I was slightly surprised by how much pain I didn’t feel. I was shivering, and the cold was intense—numbing in some areas, prickling in others—but the anticipation
While it might not have the same health benefits as a polar dip, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Minnesota will leave you refreshed—both from the cold water and the knowledge that you’re supporting a nonprofit dedicated to inclusion. “The inspiration behind the polar plunge is first and foremost to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota,” says Katie Howlett, director of marketing for the Special Olympics Minnesota.
The plunge started in 1998 at Como Lake in St. Paul, and since then, it has expanded to more than 20 locations, including Prior Lake and Burnsville. This year, the organization hopes to host more than 18,000 plungers and raise $5.3 million for Special Olympics Minnesota. “The plunge is Special Olympics Minnesota’s biggest fundraiser, and without it, we would not be able to provide life-changing programming to thousands of Minnesotans with intellectual disabilities,” Howlett says.
Plungers raise a minimum of $75 to participate and can even show up on the day of the event. Advance registration is encouraged. Find local Polar Plunges at citiessouthmags.com.
was worse than the reality.
Mosier advised us to focus on our breath, taking deep, slow inhales and exhales.
Afterward, once I was back in cozy sweats and a warm car, I did feel a rush of energy, and my muscles were very relaxed. I slept well that night.
If you’re looking to take your first plunge, fall and spring—when the ice is off the lake—provide some of the best opportunities, Mosier says. As long as the water temperature is still between 40–45 degrees F, it’s possible to get the benefits of a polar dip.
Mosier also advises acclimating to polar dipping by taking shorter dips and working your way up to a threeto five-minute dip, depending on temperature and weather conditions. “It’s a free, abundant resource that we all have access to,” he says.
Not ready to take the plunge? Read more about cold treatments at local wellness centers and med spas at citiessouthmags.com.
Apple Valley baker and Food Network alum Ann Alaboud faced her cancer diagnosis—in and out of the kitchen.
Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Chris Emeott APPLE VALLEY BAKER ANNALABOUD has a resumé full of accolades. Just in the past few years, she appeared on Food Network baking competition shows like The Big Bake and Cake Wars (which she won in 2016), and she makes regular appearances on best-of lists in the local and national wedding industry. “I’ve been baking since I was 8 years old and professionally since 2014,” says Alaboud, who grew up in Eagan. “I loved baking with my grandma, so it has always been a memorable activity for me. My first decorated cake was for my own baby shower, back in 2011.” Alaboud has degrees in arts and business but eventually decided to pursue culinary training in Europe, where she honed her chocolate-making and cake-decorating skills all over the continent.
Ultimately, she and her husband decided to leave their corporate jobs so Alaboud could follow her dream: to run her own bakeshop. She opened Sweet Treasures in Lakeville in 2015, offering cakes and cupcakes for everyday eating and grand occasions alike.
Things seemed to be on an upward trajectory for Alaboud and her bakeshop. But in early 2022—just as she was readying to move Sweet Treasures from Lakeville to its current space in Apple Valley—Alaboud received a diagnosis that would change her life. She found out she had stage 4 adenocarcinoma stomach cancer, which had begun to spread
to other parts of her body, and began treatment in April 2022. “Cancer has really given me that wake-up call,” says Alaboud, whose family and friends organized cupcake fundraisers and a GoFundMe campaign to help keep her—and her husband and kids—afloat financially while the bakeshop remained closed. “This has impacted my entire life,” she says, “as this business is our livelihood.”
Sweet Treasures has a few staff members who cashier and manage the front of the house, but Alaboud is still the heart of the baking and decorating operations. “If I have to get a procedure done, the shop just closes,” Alaboud says.
After the first part of Alaboud’s cancer treatment, Sweet Treasures reopened its Apple Valley location in summer 2022. It offers a rotation of a dozen signature cupcake flavors every day (from a total flavor portfolio of more than 279 seasonal flavors), including bestsellers like Raspberry Burst, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Lemonade and Peanut Butter Lava. There’s also a full-service coffee bar, plus macarons, muffins and more. Alaboud says the day-to-day interactions with customers help keep her spirits up. “A simple hello or a stop by for coffee brightens my day,” she says. “I look forward to every single order I make.”
When she’s been out for treatment, Alaboud has had to scale back the number
“I find my inspiration from my own favorite foods and from asking my family to try out new flavors. It’s definitely fun to make people happy.”
—ANN ALABOUD, OWNER OF SWEET TREASURES
Ann Alaboud
of large, detailed orders—like wedding and birthday cakes—she can take on. She’s missed the creative outlet. “I enjoy baking, and I absolutely enjoy decorating,” she says. “It almost feels therapeutic in a way.”
Her artistic designs and ability to stay cool under pressure certainly helped her take home the prize in experiences like
Cake Wars. “The most challenging part of competing on a show like Cake Wars is the limited time!” she says. “It’s one thing to design and create and another to execute. I’m used to having 20 to 40 hours for each cake project, but on the show, you’re only given five hours. There are a lot of moving parts to a decorated cake.”
Alaboud finds inspiration for flavors and designs almost everywhere, from
childhood memories of holiday gatherings to suggestions from customers. “I find my inspiration from my own favorite foods and from asking my family to try out new flavors,” she says. “It’s definitely fun to make people happy.”
She’s planning to do as much of that as she possibly can, even as she’s had to give her body time to recuperate. “I’ve learned that my health is the most important thing, that I should stop and take a vacation,” Alaboud says. “I’ve not had a single vacation in the past seven and a half years—I only take Thanksgiving and Christmas Day off.” Going forward, she plans to intentionally close up shop for a couple of weeks each year, “so I can appreciate life a little more,” she says.
She’s also continued to dream
about what the future holds for Sweet Treasures. “I hope one day we can open more branches across Minnesota,” says Alaboud. “Once I get back on my feet, I plan on finding the right people to run this one with me.” No matter how busy the business gets, there’s one element Alaboud won’t be delegating any time soon: “Of course, I’ll still make the wedding cakes and custom intricate cakes myself.”
Sweet Treasures, 15610 English Ave., Apple Valley; 952.683.1483; sweet-treasures.com
Sweet Treasures Cakes @stcakes @stcakesMN
Gather with the community at Apple Valley’s Mid-Winter Fest.
EMBRACE THE WINTER with Apple Valley’s MidWinter Fest. The event provides a warm togetherness to combat the cold weather by bringing together families and friends across Apple Valley.
Enjoy an afternoon at Johnny Cake Ridge Park West with a wide variety of activities for all ages, including snow shoeing, horse-drawn wagon rides, garden cart rides for kids, kite flying, ice skating and sledding. The kiddos can dance to tunes from a DJ before a live band and fireworks end the night.
Buy dinner or a snack from food trucks, serving warm meals, hot chocolate and adult beverages. Snap a picture with Klondike the Polar Bear, the Mid-Winter Fest mascot. Warm up near bonfires or a coach bus that will be onsite to give festivalgoers a break from the chill. —Emma
MehlAll ages. Free. 3–7:30 p.m. February 3.
Johnny Cake Ridge Park West, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley; ci.apple-valley.mn.us
Compiled by Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl and Hailey Almsted
02/02
The City of Lakeville welcomes you to make special memories with your children at this Paris-themed dance. There will be crafts, dancing and plenty of photo opportunities. All ages. $20 per person. 6–8 p.m. Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount; 952.985.4600; lakevillemn.gov
02/07, 02/14, 02/21, 02/28
Find your favorite local artisans at the Eagan Indoor Market Fest. Shop for bread, baked goods, body products and more all in one place. All ages. Free. 4–7 p.m. Oaks Banquet Rooms, Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan; 651.675.5550; cityofeagan.com
02/09
Enjoy Lebanon Hills Regional Park in a new way: by candlelight. A variety of cross country skiing, walking and snowshoe trails will be cleared with equipment available to rent on a first come, first served
basis. All ages. $8 per person, 5 and under free. 6–9 p.m. Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan; co.dakota.mn.us
See your favorite Dancing with the Stars competitors, such as Brandon Armstrong, Rylee Arnold, Alan Bersten, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater and Britt Stewart, perform live. Ages 18 and older, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. 8 p.m. Mystic Showroom, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake; 952.496.6563; mysticlake.com
02/17
Join Prior Lake in raising funds for the Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Plunge. The 2024 goal is $265,000. All ages. 10 a.m. Sand Point Beach, Prior Lake; plungemn.org
03/02
Join Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden for its last Winter Farmers Market of the season. Shop seasonal goods, enjoy music, food and beverage. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Bachman’s Floral, Gift & Garden, 7955 150th St. W., Apple Valley; 952.431.2242; bachmans.com
03/16
Families are invited to enjoy Easter activities, breakfast and a special egg hunt through downtown Lakeville businesses. All ages. 9–9:45 a.m. and 10–10:45 a.m. Lakeville Heritage Center, 20110 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952.985.4400; lakevillemn.gov
03/23
This sixth annual event includes many different vendors, such as upcyclers, handmade crafters, repurposers, artists, bakers, photographers and more. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Apple Valley High School Ice Arena, 14490 Hayes Road, Apple Valley; 651.444.9907; craftshowsmn.com
AREA EVENTS
Luminary Loppet
02/03
Traverse the frozen Lake of the Isles, accompanied by candlelit walkways and cross country ski trails, in support of the Loppet Foundation. After your journey across the ice, join in for the luminary party back at the start. All ages. Prices vary. 6–10 p.m. Locations vary around Lake of the Isles, Mpls.; 612.604.5330; loppet.org
Mamma Mia!
02/6–02/11
The beloved musical Mamma Mia! is visiting Minneapolis this February. Run time is 2 hours 40 minutes with one intermission.
local things to see and do
Ages 10 and older. $39–$149. Times vary. Orpheum Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatertrust.org
02/09–02/11
Join Mickey, Minnie, Anna, Elsa and more for a stunning show of dreams unfolding live on the ice. All ages. $20+. Times vary. 600 First Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.673.0900; targetcenter.com
02/17–02/19
For the first time in 20 years, the world cross-country skiing cup will be held in the United States at Theodore Wirth Park. There will be various sprint and distance races where the best skiers in the world compete for the cup. All ages. Prices vary. Start times vary. Theodore Wirth Park, 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway Mpls.; info@loppetcup.com; loppetcup.com
02/21–02/25
For 90 years, the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show has been bringing some warmth to the cold winter. Visit exhibitors, watch guest speakers and get inspired for your home. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave., Mpls.; 612.335.6000; homeandgardenshow.com
02/24
Head out to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to discover breweries, cideries and more, hailing from all over the country. Music, food and other attractions will also be available. Ages 21 and older. Prices vary. 2–6:30 p.m. 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul; beerdabbler.com
To have your event considered: email citiessouthmags@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.
Since 1986 we have been serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. We offer a rigorous curriculum in a safe environment with no hidden agenda, building leaders with a heart to serve their community.
Christian Heritage Academy
7320 175th St. W., Lakeville 952.953.4155
chacademy.com
A frost-covered tree takes home top honors in the Seasons category of our annual photo contest.
Kirsten Otting is a lifelong fan of photography. She took pictures when traveling as a hobby, but in 2020, during the pandemic, Otting started taking photos closer to home as a way to continue practicing photography. As a software developer, her photography hobby gets her outside and in nature, doing two things she loves at once.
To view other Focus on Cities South photo contest winners, visit citiessouthmags.com.
—Emma MehlPhotographer: Kirsten Otting
Title: Frosted Tree
Equipment: Sony A73
Location: Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville
Category: Seasons
Award: First Place
KOWALSKI’S EXCLUSIVE
Baked in a traditional stone oven by our in-house artisan bread makers.
