Cities South - August 2025 by Local.

RISING STARS

Meet four local high school students who shine bright

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“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Around the World in a Few Bites, page 26

Everyone’s Game

Prior Lake’s new Miracle League Field provides opportunities for all kids to play ball.

Natural Swing

Mountain golf is a challenging combination of the classic game and wild terrain.

Well-Aged Adventure Travel agent Cheryl Leitschuh helps clients plan meaningful, comfortable trips in their 60s, 70s and beyond. 20

Rising Stars Meet four local high school students who shine bright. TASTEMAKERS

Around the World in a Few Bites

Lakeville’s Sarah Lang introduces families to global flavors.

Photo: Jennifer Burks

from the EDITOR

“Focus on capabilities instead of limitations.” This sounds like a phrase that could grace a cheesy inspirational poster, but it’s actually a theme I noticed time and again as I put together this issue.

There’s the travel agent who’s helping people find the perfect vacation for any age and stage (page 16)—even with limited mobility, there’s a trip for you.

There’s the father who’s creating more opportunities for his daughter to get involved with sports by building a Miracle League Field in Prior Lake (page 12).

There’s the mother and chef who’s found a way to expand kids’ palates by appealing to their sense of curiosity and global adventure (page 26).

And then, of course, the four high school students featured in our senior spotlight (page 20). While these students have a range of interests, including computer programming, fine art, health care and inclusion, it’s clear they’ve spent the first part of their lives practicing and honing their natural abilities.

Each of these people has found success by focusing on their potential and not their parameters. So much about succeeding seems to be about finding the right conditions, and I have so much respect for the people who are astute enough to make their own conditions for success. Whatever your conditions for success look like, I hope you’re inspired to find them—or create them!

Liz Potasek liz@localmedia.co

On the Cover:

Shreya Sekar, page 20

Photo: Chris Emeott

Photo by: Chris Emeott

WONDER Diamonds of Diamonds

Available exclusively at

that Give Back

Every Diamond of Wonder is natural, ethical, and benefits the students at The Dow Academy in Mochudi, Botswana, serving children from daycare through secondary school.

VOL. 3 NO. 4 citiessouthmags.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 and Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Jennifer Pitterle and Paige Udermann

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Scarlett Larson, Casie Leigh Lukes and Katie Tomsche

DIGITAL INTERN

Taylor Hamilton

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Ellie Heyerdahl and Emma Souza

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Kati Bachmayer, City of Lakeville ; Jeffrey DeMars, City of Prior Lake ; Jeanne Hutter, Lakeville Chamber of Commerce ; Jenny Nagy, Prior Lake Savage Area Schools ; and Janet Swiecichowski, ISD 196 Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan

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 and Sara Johnson

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann

PRESIDENT

Pete Burgeson

this is Regions

We deliver greatness, joy, faith, and lots and lots of babies. We fight cancer, sadness, uncertainty and time. We heal hearts, wounds, minds and spirits.

Scan to learn more

Applewood Orchard in Lakeville offers a variety of apples, pumpkins and fun activities each fall.

RIPE TRADITION

From First Kiss to Snow Sweet, apples abound from late August through October at Applewood Orchard.

Since it opened to the public in 1999, the family-run orchard has offered apples and seasonal activities each fall, and last year, a new family took over the business.

“When our family discovered that the orchard was available for purchase, we recognized a unique opportunity to integrate into the community and give back,” Riley King says.

The King family bought the orchard in August 2024, and they’ve expanded orchard offerings, opening a greenhouse with flowers, vegetables and herbs in the spring and growing sweet corn in the summer.

Orchard attractions include apple picking, a corn pit, hayrides, a hedge maze and pumpkin picking with live music and food trucks typically available on the weekends. This year, the orchard is also offering a new corn maze, sunflower

field and jump pillow for a small fee. Additionally, the orchard store features a variety of apples, baked goods, beverages, jams, jellies, specialty pumpkins, salsas and snacks. —Emma Souza

Applewood Orchard, 22702 Hamburg Ave., Lakeville; applewoodorchard.net

Applewood Orchard

@applewood_orchard

Photos: Riley King; Kathy Dawson

DISCOVER

Sliding Into Prior Lake

In 1928, Tom Simpkins, the owner of Green Heights resort on Prior Lake, built a 35-foot by 116-foot wooden water slide. Small toboggans were used to slide down the ramp into the lake, and Bernice Lange was the first person to use it. However, the lake level began to drop soon after, falling 4 feet by 1930 and 6 feet by 1935, making it impossible to reach the water from the slide. As a result, the slide was torn down in 1931. Simpkins and his wife, “Big Helen,” operated Green Heights for 40 years until 1963, when it was sold to Ben and Marion Pahl. Over the years, the tavern and restaurant have changed hands and names, including Big Cully’s, Captain Jack’s, Freddie’s on the Lake and McWillie’s. It is now known as Charlie’s on Prior, the last remaining restaurant on Prior Lake.

Kathy Dawson is Prior Lake’s unofficial historian.

An independent pediatric practice with over 50 years of serving children and families in the Twin Cities.

Families appreciate the convenience of our evening and weekend hours and same-day appointment availability. Parents and kids love our pediatricians. We’re proud to grow by word-of-mouth recommendations and delight in watching babies grow into healthy young adults who return to Metro Peds with their own children.

Long before it was Charlie’s on Prior, there was a giant wooden water slide in Prior Lake near where the restaurant stands now.

READ

Books from Local Authors

Doorman Wanted by Glenn

R. Miller

Henry Franken inherits a fortune and a residential building on the Upper East Side of New York from his late father and feels torn about his desire to help people rather than wield the power that money brings. When he is mistaken for the building’s new doorman, it is the perfect opportunity to connect with the community in ways he never thought possible and create a family through kindness and humor. Local author Miller brings the charm, fun and laughs in his debut novel.

The French Winemaker’s Daughter by Loretta

Ellsworth

A rare bottle of wine stolen by the Nazis during WWII in France is the link connecting two women across time. For Martine, the bottle is her family’s legacy entrusted to her when her father is captured in 1942. For Charlotte, who discovers the bottle with a hidden note in 1990, it is the catalyst for a personal quest to heal the wounds of the past. Lakeville resident and author Ellsworth shines in this beautiful story that can make readers believe in the power of love and family.

Stacy Price is an adult services librarian at the Heritage branch of the Dakota County Library. Read more at dakotacounty.us.

VIEW

Critical Success

Lakeville North High School senior Fiona Hamer’s self-portrait earned an Honorable Mention at the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards last spring. “I worked on this piece over the course of a few months, starting with a sketch, then focusing on the eyes and filling out the other details from there,” Fiona writes in an artist statement. “I used charcoal, a blending pencil and an eraser to create highlights, then filled in the background to make the face more prominent. It was important to me to make the features as realistic as possible, and the large size meant I had to

frequently move further away to view it as a whole. I really enjoyed the challenge of a self-portrait of this size, though as the title implies, I always feel there is room for improvement.”

Title: The Critic

Artist: Fiona Hamer

Medium: charcoal drawing

Scale: 3x4 feet

Awards: Normandale Award of Excellence (Best in Show) at the South Suburban Conference Visual Arts Exhibit; Honorable Mention at the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards

Grace Olson is the director of communications and public relations at Lakeville Area Schools.

Photo: City of Lakeville

Celebration of Art

Set on the scenic grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center, the annual Lakeville Art Festival offers an intimate setting to shop unique works of art while enjoying live performances, artist demonstrations and a community art project. The festival in downtown Lakeville features over 100 juried artists, including 2024 best-inshow ceramicist Ron Netten. With food vendors and activities for all ages, the festival is a true celebration of creativity and community.

Lakeville Art Festival: September 20–21. 20965 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; lakevilleartscenterfriends.org

Scarlett Larson is the recreation program coordinator for the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Explore more at lakevilleareaartscenter.com.

The Lakeville Art Festival offers opportunities to make and appreciate art and also purchase work from local artists.

ACTIVE LIVING

Everyone’s Game

Prior Lake’s new Miracle League Field provides opportunities for all kids to play ball.

By Liz Potasek

The Koenigs could see the problem clearly in their own family: They had two kids, and one had an abundance of opportunities to pursue activities, hobbies and sports, and one didn’t. It was an issue of accessibility and inclusion. “There’s a lack of awareness,” Drew Koenig says. “People assume special needs kids have something to do.”

Once Drew saw the need in his own family, he began to see the need in the community. There were plenty of kids and adults who could be more involved with sports and activities if given the right opportunity.

Through his involvement with his son’s youth travel baseball team, he learned about the Miracle League and realized that Prior Lake could use its own Miracle League Field so that children and adults with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities that prevent them from playing in a traditional baseball league would have somewhere to play close by. “It’s never going to happen unless you do it,” Drew’s wife, Joanne Koenig, told him.

So he gathered a group of like-minded volunteers with the goal of raising $1 million for a field and a playground. They raised $500,000 and worked together with the Prior Lake Athletics for Youth (P.L.A.Y.) and the city to create a Miracle Field in Prior Lake. The group is continuing to raise funds to build an accessible playground.

They broke ground on the field last fall, and, if the field is completed on time, the first Miracle League games will take place on a new, cushioned, smooth-surfaced rubberized turf field this September in Thomas Ryan Memorial Park. The newly

Photos: Drew Koenig

Top: The Koenig family at the Prior Lake Miracle League Field groundbreaking event last fall.

Bottom: A Miracle League team poses with their buddy team at a game in King Park in Lakeville.

formed league operates through P.L.A.Y. “It’ll be a place where kids and families can celebrate their kids’ abilities,” Drew says. “It’s all about inclusion, acceptance and cheering. It’s making kids feel like rock stars for an hour.”

The new field in Prior Lake joins more than 350 fields throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and will be one of 14 fields in Minnesota, including the South Metro Miracle League Field at King Park in Lakeville.

What became the Miracle League started in the late 1990s when a youth baseball association coach in Georgia invited a 7-year-old in a wheelchair to join a team, and it became clear he wasn’t the only kid with disabilities who wanted to play. In April 2000, the first Miracle Field opened in Conyers, Georgia.

The Miracle Field at King Park in Lakeville opened in June 2011, and this summer the South Metro Miracle League offered games five days a week for 136 players age 3 through adult. Games start with each team lining up on the baseline for the national anthem and consist of two innings separated by a Take Me Out to the Ball Game sing-along. “It’s my favorite thing to do,” says Kari Schmitz, South Metro Miracle League director for the Lakeville Baseball Association.

Schmitz got involved with the league when her daughter started playing on a team in 2011. “It fills my cup to see kids out there playing,” she says. “It’s superduper fun. Everyone is happy to be there, and the buddy teams are so excited.”

The Miracle League uses a buddy system—an able-bodied buddy assists each player on the field but does not play for them—during games. Every player takes a turn at bat and circles the bases. The focus is on participation and sportsmanship—and creating a place to play ball for everyone. “A Miracle League Field should be in every community,” Drew says, noting that he hopes the field will represent opportunity, inclusion and acceptance for everyone.

P.L.A.Y. Miracle League; playinfo.org

PLAY Miracle League

South Metro Miracle League; lakevillebaseball.org

LBA’s South Metro Miracle League

Rd 21 & Cty Rd 42 in Prior Lake.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Natural Swing

Mountain golf is a challenging combination of the classic game and wild terrain.

By Mollee Francisco

For as long as Robert and David Linner can remember, mountain golf has been a part of their family get togethers. Now, the brothers are hoping to share their love of the game with a wider circle of friends. While Edina resident Robert has been working to perfect the equipment, Apple Valley resident David has been designing a pair of courses that will allow others to take a whack at the game. “It’s a fun outdoor game of skill,” Robert says. “It can endure for generations,” David says. “It has this tie that binds.”

Like golf, the object of mountain golf is to get the ball from the tee into the hole in the fewest number of strokes, but that’s where the similarities end. Rather than being meticulously groomed and maintained, a mountain golf course is fully dependent on the terrain with the natural characteristics of the land— from roots and rocks to trees and even the occasional wellhead—making each course unique. The mountain golf club is made of turned wood and resembles a croquet mallet with a teaspoon scoop

Left: Whitney Peyton, who owns a home within the Yellowstone Club, tees off at its 10-hole Mountain Golf course in Big Sky, Montana.

Below: Robert Linner, Whitney Peyton and David Linner. The Linner family founded Mountain Golf.

Photos: Mountain Golf

attached to one end (to rescue a ball from an unhittable spot), and the ball is like a dense, rubberized croquet ball. “You have to have enough weight to get over acorns and roots,” Robert says.

The Linner family first learned about mountain golf when their grandfather H.P. Linner built a course with his neighbor J.H. Mayhew at their cabin property on Lake Minnewashta. Mayhew had played the game during a trip to Scotland in the 1930s and thought their property on Red Cedar Point might provide the perfect location for a course. In 1938, the course was completed and the competition began. “Our father won the first championship,” Robert says. “He was 16.”

The boys grew up watching mountain golf tournaments on the shores of Lake Minnewashta, and they couldn’t wait to get their hands on a club and try the course. “The goal is to get your name on the trophy,” David says. (They both have succeeded.) In 1985, years after the Lake Minnewashta cabin was sold, a second course was designed and built at the family cabin on Sylvan Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area. A new generation of Linners began holding tournaments on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. The family eventually added a Fathers’ Weekend tournament for the dads and the kids while the moms were gifted with a weekend of peace and quiet. “It has strengthened our family and friendships,” Robert says. “It really does pull us together,” David says.

In 2023, the Linners partnered with the Yellowstone Club, a private residential club, in Big Sky, Montana, to open a 10-hole mountain golf course. Another course is currently in development in Park County, Montana, at Crazy Mountain Ranch. The Linners would love to see mountain golf become the next pickleball, a game accessible for all ages and abilities. “It’s designed to play at your cabin or in your yard,” Robert says. “It’s competitive and fun,” David says. As they work to spread the word and the fun of mountain golf, the Linners continue to keep the tradition alive in their family, playing every chance they get. “It keeps giving us an event, a reason to come together,” Robert says. “We’d love to see other families forge the same bond around the game,” David says.

Written by Jennifer Pitterle

WELL-AGED ADVENTURE

Travel agent Cheryl Leitschuh helps clients plan meaningful, comfortable trips in their 60s, 70s and beyond.

“Travel is like a puzzle,” says Cheryl Leitschuh, a local travel agent. “You want to have all of the pieces come together so that you can have as smooth an experience as possible.”

Leitschuh, who became a travel agent in 2018 after a long career as a business consultant, says she loves helping her clients—especially those in their golden years—create memorable adventures with minimal stress.

Over 55 herself, Leitschuh specializes in planning trips for seniors in what she calls the “slow-go” and “no-go” years when mobility and medical needs usually require some

adjustments. She takes care of all of the logistics folks might need (from wheelchairs to oxygen tanks) and helps them choose destinations, lodging and transportation that fit their needs. We asked Leitschuh to share her senior-friendly travel tips for those “slow-go” and “no-go” years.

SLOW-GO TRAVEL

Folks in this category are typically in their later 60s or 70s, Leitschuh says. “You’re still mobile and adventurous but may need to pace yourself a little bit.” Look for destinations that

Bottom

Patricia and Dennis Gerwing

offer a mild climate and rich cultural experiences without a lot of physical exertion. “European river cruises, Alaskan voyages or guided tours in places like Tuscany or the Canadian Rockies are great options,” Leitschuh says. She also notes that, these days, tours and trips designed specifically for older adults proliferate almost anywhere you’d want to go. They often prioritize shorter walking distances, built-in rest periods and accessible accommodations.

What to pack? “Include supportive walking shoes, a lightweight travel cane if you need one, compression socks for long flights and layered clothing,” Leitschuh says. Bring a small daypack that can hold medications, sunglasses, a water bottle and other necessities.

Lakeville resident Colleen Berg worked with Leitschuh to plan a trip to Portugal and Spain last spring; she and her partner chose a group tour. “We love having a variety of activities available to us ... and prefer the safety of a group,” Berg says. “This also lends itself to meeting new people from many places in the world.” Berg, who’s had recent knee and hip surgeries, says she always takes her mobility into account. “If [my group] can walk longer than I’m able, it is perfectly fine to order an Uber and meet them at our destination,” she says.

Before you go, “... Schedule a checkup with your doctor, and make sure you have enough prescription medication for the trip,” Leitschuh says. “Carry copies of your medical records and insurance info.” She recommends purchasing travel insurance, especially covering medical emergencies if you’re traveling abroad or on a cruise.

One last tip? Don’t forget to schedule in some downtime, Leitschuh says. “Being flexible and pacing yourself will help preserve your energy and enjoyment.”

NO-GO TRAVEL

The phrase “no-go” doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t travel at all—it means that, while at your destination, you want to minimize walking, exertion or excursions. Most “no-go” travelers are in their late 70s, 80s or even 90s, Leitschuh says, and can still find plenty of deeply fulfilling experiences.

Folks in this stage might want to explore destinations close to home, Leitschuh says. “A 10-hour flight overseas may be too exhausting, along with jet lag and time changes,” she says. U.S. river cruises can be a good fit.

Patricia and Dennis Gerwing of Lakeville, who are 86 and 84, traveled with their daughter, Jenny Nagy, on a New England cruise during the fall. Patricia uses a walker and

Left: An ornate room in the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Top right: A group of travelers from Lakeville resident Colleen Berg’s spring trip to Portugal and Spain navigate the streets of Madrid.

right:

of Lakeville on board Holland America’s MS Volendam during a fall cruise of New England.

wanted to limit stairs and long walks. Accessibility was the biggest challenge, the Gerwings say. They rented a wheelchair to use on the ship and on shore excursions. Leitschuh helped by making sure the Gerwings’ needs were accomadated at the airports, motels and ship throughout the booking process, they say.

Nagy adds, “My goal was to make the trip as enjoyable as possible for my parents.” Her highlight? “Spending uninterrupted time with them and knowing that I was making the trip more manageable for them. The scenery was beautiful too!”

If you feel strongly about traveling abroad, Leitschuh says, consider a destination with a reliable health care system and strong infrastructure should you need medical care. Her guidance for the “slow-goers” applies here too: Purchase travel insurance, check in with your physician and bring your prescriptions and records.

Cheryl Leitschuh offers travel consultations by appointment; 763.219.2070; lettraveladventuresbegin.com Cheryl Leitschuh - Cruise Planners @cherylleitschuh

Photo: Cheryl Leitschuh

FAMILY FUN

Although it can be rewarding to travel solo or with a partner, many seniors are also eager to plan trips with their children and grandchildren. “Multigenerational trips are sort of my specialty because there’s a wide range of needs,” Cheryl Leitschuh says.

Grandma and grandpa might need a destination with limited walking, while young grandkids might want to try new excursions. “I tend to think cruises are best for that variety,”

Leitschuh says. “They’re allinclusive. With my son and his family, we went on an Alaskan cruise. There were lots of hiking and cultural experiences that the 12- and 14-year-olds really enjoyed and time to relax on the ship for the rest of us.”

Leitschuh stresses the importance of researching the cruise before booking. “Different cruise lines provide differing options,” she says. “It’s important to choose the right cruise line to meet the needs of the variety of ages in your travel group.”

Cruises or all-inclusive resorts (on land) also typically offer kids’ and teens’ clubs, so younger family members can meet up with peers for supervised fun while parents and grandparents soak in the sun and some R and R.

Schedule an appointment today!

Left: Cheryl Leitschuh and her daughter Emily Campbell on a vacation together in the Bahamas.

RISING STARS

Meet

four local high school students who shine bright.

When we asked local high school administrators to nominate incoming high school seniors who are making a positive impact in their school community, they sure delivered. Our editorial team selected these four students to represent the creativity, intelligence and kindness demonstrated by our community’s next generation of leaders.

Compiled by Liz Potasek

Photos

Chris Emeott

SHREYA SEKAR

Lakeville North High School

What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of working with many of my peers on projects that help my community and school. When I was in ninth grade, I had the opportunity to be part of a video and a panel that selected students across the district to share their different viewpoints. This was an amazing opportunity and inspired me to seek out different ways to share my voice and ensure others’ voices are heard, as well. I was later selected for the Governor’s Minnesota Youth Council as a Congressional District 2 representative as a co-lead for data analysis, which allowed me to continue working toward getting youth voices into leadership. I would like to continue on this journey far into my college and working years.

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

My peers probably do not know about my passion for STEM. Exploring STEM is something I love to do, and I find that it is one of the best ways I can go about solving the world’s most pressing problems. A lot of my STEM activities are done outside of school in organizations like Technovation where I am a global

student ambassador, and I do a lot of science research, working on projects that help my community whether it be conservation analysis dedicated to Blanding’s turtles or multiple linear regression focused on detecting problematic internet use in adolescents. I have a lot of fun working with data, and I hope that my future includes data analysis and programming.

Extracurricular activities: Asian American Club, Math League, Minnesota Youth Council, National Honor Society, Science Research, Speech, Technovation, UNICEF

What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?

I would want Kevin Hart to speak at my graduation ceremony!

What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career? Let The Light In by Lana Del Rey

What is your favorite childhood book? The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

What is your favorite school lunch? Chicken Alfredo

Describe your future in three words. Exciting, Unknown, Hopeful

ALDON ROE

Eastview High School

What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?

My best achievement so far in high school was my school’s chapter of Best Buddies winning the Minnesota Chapter of the year in 2024. As co-president, I’ve done a lot of work to try and improve our chapter, such as trying to increase our membership and doing more to foster inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities outside of the club. Receiving that award was a nice validation of that work.

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

I’ve done karate for over 10 years. In that time, I’ve managed to get my black belt. I’ve always really enjoyed it, and it’s a good source of semi-consistent exercise. I was offered a job as an assistant instructor during my senior year, so I’m looking forward to that!

Extracurricular activities: Band, Best Buddies, Jazz Band, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society

What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?

Bob Dylan (I really like his music, and I think he could give a good speech. It also helps that he’s from Minnesota.)

What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career? Francesca by Hozier (No reason other than I like it.)

What is your favorite childhood book? Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

What is your favorite school lunch? I used to always get the Italian Dunkers in elementary school.

Describe your future in three words. Hopefully something good!

SARA SILKO

Prior Lake High School

What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?

My biggest accomplishment in high school was getting into the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAPS). MNCAPS is project-based learning, and I am in the health care pathway. MNCAPS has allowed me to be in college-level classes with the support of my instructors while learning how to become a professional. Through MNCAPS, I have found my passion for radiology. I will be doing PSEO through Rochester Community and Technical College in the hope of getting a head start in completing the prerequisite courses to take the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences radiography program.

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

Something people don’t know about me is that I am a second-generation child. My parents moved to America from Russia. I grew up speaking Russian in my house and was sent to kindergarten not knowing a word of English. It has been a growing process for me to learn and understand the English language.

Extracurricular activities: Trap shooting and horseback riding (I compete in dressage and hunter/jumper events.)

What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?

Amelia Earhart because of her strong perseverance in overcoming challenges and her great accomplishments.

What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career? 28 by Zach Bryan

What is your favorite childhood book? Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

What is your favorite school lunch? À la carte french fries

Describe your future in three words. Bright, Planned, Successful

ALICE YI

Lakeville South High School

What is an achievement or experience from your high school career that you are most proud of?

My proudest achievement to date is being elected [vice president] of Business and Industry for MN DECA for 2025–26, where I’ll serve on a seven-member statewide leadership team. This accomplishment marks the culmination of three years of dedication to DECA. As a freshman, I earned first place at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). The following year, I applied my skills by launching an artbased small business. I’m excited to represent and lead 6,000 DECA members across Minnesota!

What is something that your peers might not know about you?

While I was in middle school in England, I had a unique opportunity to test remote-synching music technology with renowned jazz pianist Jamie Cullen during [COVID-19]. As one of only four students in the workshop, I connected with him while he performed at the same primary school Ed Sheeran once attended!

Extracurricular Activities: Art (aliceyifineart.com), Asian Student Union, Debate, DECA, Journalism Club, Junior Class Officer, Link Crew, Piano, Math League, National Honor Society, Speech, volunteering

What person in history would you most like to speak at your graduation ceremony?

Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian woman to win an [Academy Award] for Best Actress.

What song should be used as the soundtrack to your high school career?

Non-Stop, from the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda

What is your favorite childhood book? Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland was my favorite! In particular. I loved the third book, The Hidden Kingdom.

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AROUND THE WORLD IN A FEW BITES

Lakeville’s Sarah Lang introduces families to global flavors.

Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Jennifer Burks

Sarah Lang never planned on becoming a professional chef. The Lakeville resident didn’t attend culinary school, nor did she grow up envisioning herself in a restaurant kitchen. Yet her love for food inspired a career that connects people with new flavors and ingredients.

“I started my own business as a personal chef back in 2013,” Lang says. “I was passionate about cooking and entertaining and everything that comes with food. And I saw a big need in the community—people wanted to eat well, eat with their family, eat around their own table. But nobody had time to plan, shop, cook, clean, especially when they were working and had kids.”

So, Lang filled that need. Her personal chef service, A Simple Kitchen, was twofold: Primarily, she would visit clients’ homes, cooking a week’s worth of meals in one session, tailored to their dietary needs and personal tastes. She also catered dinner parties, allowing families to entertain without the stress of preparation.

Then, Lang’s own life shifted. She had children (Josie, 10; Chester, 7; and Willow, who was born in April), began homeschooling, and, during COVID-19,

discovered Our Village School, a homeschool cooperative in Lakeville. After Lang’s children had started attending, Maria Stalsberg, the cooperative’s founder, reached out. “She’d actually hired me to do a dinner party before, and she asked if I’d be interested in teaching cooking classes,” Lang says. “That was something I had actually never done before, but I was so excited to do it.” That was two years ago, and Lang has expanded— and continues to expand—her foodfocused curriculum for both Our Village School and beyond.

As a “guide” at the cooperative, she recognized another need that she could help fill. “I saw a need, after having kids of my own, to get them eating foods that are different and interesting and not catering to picky tastes,” Lang says. “The best way to do that is as a group—everyone’s doing it together. They’re bought in, they’re

Sarah Lang teaches children how to make and appreciate new foods by introducing them to ingredients and showing them how to safely use real tools.

invested, they’re having fun and it’s the best kind of peer pressure.”

What would her hook be for encouraging adventurous eating? “If I can teach these kids anything, I want to [teach] about cooking. It’s going to be about food from around the world,” Lang says.

Global cultures and cuisines would be her entry points for the lessons. Each week, Lang selects a country, finds a children’s book about that culture’s food and builds a lesson around it. “We start by having a geography lesson, a culture lesson, some language—we say basic words in that language and listen to music,” she says. “Then we make a meal from that country.”

Lang’s passion for international cuisine stems from her own experiences. “When I was a kid, I was as picky as any other kid,” she says with a laugh. “But after studying abroad in Italy and living in New Orleans in my 20s—two really great food places— I realized, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is how food is supposed to taste.’ And I knew I had to learn how to make it myself.”

She immersed herself in cookbooks, religiously watched the Food Network and simply cooked—again and again until she mastered new flavors. “I just started,” Lang says. “I taught myself. And I made a commitment to myself and to my kids that we’re going to eat really interesting food. If you don’t like it, that’s

Lakeville chef Sarah Lang teaches children how to make food from cultures around the world, which inspired her to write The Passport to Cooking Cookbook

OK, but you’re going to try it.”

To other parents who are facing pickyeating challenges, Lang says exposure is the key. “We try it, and we learn how to politely decline if it’s not for you,” she says. “I try not to make my kids a separate meal—whatever we’re eating is what they’re eating. Our babies were eat ing sushi and curry—who knows if they actually liked it, but they were exposed.”

That hard-earned wisdom, plus her work at Our Village School, naturally evolved into another endeavor: a cook book. “I have about 100 kids a week in five different classes, ages 6 to 14,” Lang says. “I needed to narrow it down.”

She has turned her remarkable globalfoods school curriculum into a book that’s part recipe collection and part practical guide for parents and teachers.

The Passport to Cooking Cookbook was independently published last sum mer, serves as both a cultural primer and a hands-on manual.

“It’s about more than just food,” Lang says. “It’s about opening up kids’ palates and their minds to the world.

“Food connects us,” she says. “And if I can help families share a homemade meal or help kids experience a new cuisine, that’s what it’s all about.”

Since 1986, we have been serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. We offer a rigorous curriculum in a safe environment with no hidden agenda—building leaders with a heart to serve the world.

Christian Heritage Academy

7320 175th St. W., Lakeville 952.953.4155 chacademy.com

KID CRAFTED CREATIONS

Shop artwork and goods made by local youth.

The annual Youth Art and Craft Market is back for its 10th year on August 14. Hosted by Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) Community Education, the market features various goods created by local children and teens ages 5 to 17.

Customers can expect to see candles, crocheted items, greeting cards, jewelry, paintings and drawings, photography, soaps, wooden items, 3D printed items and more.

Additionally, several food vendors will provide snacks for shoppers while they browse.

“I love art, and I enjoy seeing youth get excited about the creations they’ve

made,” says Jenny Nagy, adult and community engagement coordinator for PLSAS Community Education.

Last year’s market had 58 vendors, and organizers hope for even more this August. Interested sellers can register for a slot online at priorlake-savage.ce.eleyo.com.

—Emma Souza

Youth Art and Craft Market:

4–6 p.m. August 14. All ages to attend, 5–17 to sell, registration required for a booth. Free to attend, $10 per booth. Twin Oaks Middle School, 15860 Fish Point Road SE, Prior Lake; priorlake-savage.ce.eleyo.com

Photo: Sarah Deppe

Mason Deppe’s booth at the Youth Art and Craft Market in 2024. He plans to return for this year’s sale.

Compiled by Ellie Heyerdahl and Emma Souza

LOCAL EVENTS

08.14

Taste of Lakeville

Sample food and beverages from the restaurants, vendors, breweries and stores that make the Lakeville culinary scene shine. Event funds will go to local causes. Ages 21 and older. $50 online, $60 at the gate. 5–9 p.m. Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952.985.4640; tasteoflakeville.org

09.06

“Who Done It?” Hike

Become a detective, and look for clues hidden throughout trails to gather information and crack the case created by South of the River Recreators. All ages. Free. Register 9:45–10 a.m., hike begins at 10 a.m. Ritter Farm Park, 19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville; 952.985.4600; lakevillemn.gov

09.07

See Me Neurodiverse Community Fest

Everyone is welcome to enjoy familyfriendly activities. The event is designed to showcase resources for neurodivergent individuals and families. All ages. Free. 3-6 p.m. Lakefront Park, 5000 KOP Parkway, Prior Lake; seemeneurodiverse.org

09.12–09.13

Chalk Fest

Experience a weekend of professional and amateur chalk art, interactive displays, food trucks, live music and more. All ages. Free. 4–8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Prior Lake, Main Avenue, Prior Lake; 952.447.9800; priorlakemn.gov

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.

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Telephotos and Trails

If there’s one similarity between photography and birding, it’s that patience is key. The green heron is one of Mark Dobbelmann’s favorite birds. When he spotted one on McDonough Lake, he took advantage of the opportunity. “I jumped on my bike and … waited patiently for 20 to 30 minutes, watching this single green heron,” he says. “It was very focused on this one spot attempting—and finally catching—this little fish.” Find more of Dobbelmann’s photos on the Biking Minnesota Facebook group.

—Emma Souza

Vote for the Reader’s Choice in the 2025 Focus on Cities South photo contest from August 15–31 at citiessouthmags.com.

To view other Focus on Cities South photo contest winners, visit citiessouthmags.com.