Marriage of Cultures A Prior Lake couple’s week of wedding festivities incorporates Christian, Hindu and Indian traditions
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CONTENTS 10 Two to Tango Dance workshops help couples perfect the dip and dazzle.
12 Ringing in the Good Times Navigate the first big decision of your life together.
14 Love in Full Color Vibrant hues play a key role at one local couple’s summer wedding.
20 Marriage of Cultures A Prior Lake couple’s week of festivities incorporates Christian, Hindu and Indian traditions.
28 One More Bite Host a post-wedding brunch with help from experts at Lighthouse Kitchen + Cafe. Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance
Photo: Jenna Swanson Photography
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Love in Full Color, page 14
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With three kids in elementary and middle school, an active dog and an overwhelming, ongoing DIY-kitchen remodel that’s spilling into every room of our house, it’s really hard to turn off my brain right now. In my moments of “me” time, I like to find activities that silence that constant scrolling to-do list that’s always on my mind. Knitting, reading and running usually do the trick by calming my brain into a flow state. But recently, I found a new activity to add to the list: calligraphy. I had the opportunity to try calligraphy at a Sip & Script class offered last summer by Allison Hague at Buck Hill, and even though my normal handwriting is nothing worth framing, I found the process of making calligraphy to be incredibly relaxing, and it was just engaging enough to turn off all the background noise in my brain. I thought Sip & Script (Art of Writing, page 16) would make an excellent addition to our second annual wedding issue because, as I recall, wedding planning can be a bit stressful. In addition to stress relief, a class might provide just enough confidence to knock out some beautifully scripted place cards or thank you notes too. Handwritten touches are just one of the ways to personalize a wedding. There are so many original ways that brides and grooms are making their day special, from choreographed wedding dances (Two to Tango, page 10) to adding unexpected pops of color (Love in Full Color, page 14) to writing vows (Multicultural Celebration, page 20). I’m so thankful to the local brides and grooms who shared stories and images of their big day—I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Liz Po tas e k liz@localmedia.co
Best of Cities South We moved! Welcome, Readers, to the annual Best of Cities South readers’ choice poll’s new February home! While the voting month has changed, we continue to celebrate life in and around your community. And isn’t the month of love the best way to show support and appreciation for local businesses, service providers and much more? Our contest is live now the entire month of February at citiessouthmags. com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a number of categories. Many of your favorite selections return for another year, and our Editorial Team has included a few more categories, including our special wedding section. Now’s your chance! We’ll meet you at citiessouthmags.com where you’ll find
On th e Cove r: Aarushi Sarkari, page 20 Ph oto by : Celisia Stanton Photography and Colette Ellerbroek
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Photo: Chris Emeott
additional voting details and view our updated, voter-friendly ballot.
Fin d u s on lin e: Cities South @citiessouthmag @CitiesSouthMag
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VOL. 4 NO. 1 February/March 2026
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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, Jennifer Pitterle, Alexandra Tostrud and Paige Udermann CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashley Christopherson, Kathy Dawson, Judy Diller, Scarlett Larson, Angie Lueschen and Katie Tomsche DIGITAL INTERN Claire Krieger EDITORIAL INTERNS Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Kati Bachmayer, City of Lakeville; Jeffrey DeMars, City of Prior Lake; Jeanne Hutter, Lakeville Chamber of Commerce; and Jenny Nagy, Prior Lake Savage Area Schools 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
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FEBRUARY 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
L A K E M I N N E T O N K A MAGAZ I N E
E D I N A MAGAZ I N E
A celebration of love honors the past, cherishes the present and sets up hope for a bright future
G AT H E R E D
T OGE T HE R With touches from the past and hearts directed to the future, couple recalls their Lake Minnetonka area wedding
A LWAY S BY MY SIDE
C E LEBRATING 2 0 YEARS
Wedded Bliss in the Woods Su rrou n d ed by toweri n g trees an d fam i l y m em ori es, a cou p l e says, “ I d o” at th e p l ace wh ere l ove feel s m ost l i ke h om e
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A photographer and wedding coordinator creates a verdant scene based on current trends
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W O O D B U R Y MAGAZ I N E
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
FEBRUARY 2025
Two Cultures, One Love A couple blends American and Indian traditions that honor family, heritage and romance
A Love to Last a Lifetime Meet Me in the Vineyard this classic wedding has it all Osceola High School graduates tie the knot at
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Featuring a trolley ride from the church to the reception—
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N OT E WO RT H Y
Happily Ever After? The protagonist in Lakeville author Loretta Ellsworth’s latest novel, The Jilted Countess, has a lot going on: She’s a Hungarian countess whose family lost everything in World War II; she just had her heart broken by the American man who promised to marry her; and she’s sorting through more than 1,700 offers of marriage in less than two weeks in a last-ditch attempt to find a happily ever after. Most surprising of all: This book was inspired by a true story. Ellsworth first read about the countess in an archived news story in 2015, and over the years, she tried to discover whatever happened to her. While Ellsworth’s research didn’t yield much, her imagination inspired an entire book. The story is fictional, but Ellsworth includes the newspaper articles that acted as inspiration for the story and set the book in Minnesota, incorporating local landmarks, like Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and The Lexington in St. Paul, into the plot. Ellsworth’s previous book, The French Winemaker’s Daughter, was a Minnesota Book Award Finalist. —Liz Potasek
Whether it’s on place cards or an invitation, calligraphy provides an extra flourish to make weddings feel extra special. Calligraphy instructor Allison Hague teaches calligraphy through Sip & Script, a company that offers calligraphy classes to hobbyists and professionals in cities throughout the country. Hague hosts her most popular class, Modern Calligraphy for Beginners, at venues throughout the Metro, including Prior Lake. She also books private parties. The beginner class introduces students to a few simple techniques and includes everything they’ll need to get started: an ink pot, a few nibs (metal tips that transfer the ink to
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the paper) and a basic straight pen holder, along with practice sheets and tracing paper. Students use the nibs to trace lines, circles and letters, learning to create swooping shapes and modern hand lettering techniques in the company of friends. “It allows this kind of creative outlet and this way for people to connect,” Hague says. By the end of class, students start dabbling in freehand lettering, developing their own unique style. With their newfound skills, students can continue their practice and begin transforming the mundane into something beautiful. Find upcoming classes at sipandscript.com. —Liz Potasek
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Photo: Sip & Script
Art of Writing
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Vintage Wedding
Photo: Judy Diller
John. F. Kehrer and Cecelia Rose Young were married on November 8, 1887, at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville. While the trend of wearing a white wedding dress, which started in Victorian England, grew in popularity during the 1800s, many brides in this era simply wore their best dress to their wedding. Young’s wedding dress was her best two-piece suit, embellished with beading to make it special. Kehrer’s parents emigrated from Germany in 1854, settled in Scott County and took up farming. Young’s parents emigrated from Luxembourg that same year and became early settlers in the Lakeville area. They were also farmers. Kehrer and Young were both born in the United States. They were married for 30 years and raised a daughter and three sons on a farm near Lakeville.
Judy Diller is a member of the Lakeville Area Historical Society. Discover more Lakeville history at mnlahs.org.
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Two to Tango Dance workshops help couples perfect the dip and dazzle.
If anyone knows their way around a dance floor, it’s Monica Mohn. “I’m a performer at heart,” she says. The three-time USA Dance National Champion for ballroom dance has been dancing since grade school, and after a storied career as a competitive ballroom dancer, Mohn is now dedicated to sharing her passion with others. “I want to take 10
everything I learned and give back,” she says. Mohn teaches dance classes through Lakeville Area Community Education (ce. isd194.org) and other community education programs throughout the Metro. “Watching people discover the joy of dance is amazing,” she says. “Hopefully, it will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
Dance instructor Monica Mohn offers a Wedding Dance Workshop and other dance classes through Lakeville Area Community Education.
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By Mollee Francisco
One of her most popular offerings is a twohour Wedding Dance Workshop for couples. Mohn says the theme is “It’s not too late to look great,” and the class is designed to build confidence. “We want to get them comfortable moving together as a couple,” she says. “I help them pick up a few moves, so it’s not just doing the swing-and-sway,” she says. “I teach them how to walk out on the floor, do a couple of moves and a dip. Nothing too complicated. No Dirty Dancing-style lifts. “If this is their first contact with a dance class, I want to give them the best experience they can have,” she says. “I want them to believe they can dance.” Mohn firmly believes that anyone can dance. “If you can walk, you can dance,” she says. Mohn competed in ballroom dance from the late 1980s into the early 2000s. After achieving her goals, including winning several national titles in nine different styles of dance, her favorite being the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers style of American Smooth, Mohn set her sights on the next generation of dancers. “I volunteered with USA Dance to promote social dancing and, watching the younger people, I realized I wanted to teach,” she says. For two decades, Mohn has offered social, couples and line dancing classes, covering fox trot, mambo, merengue, salsa, swing and tango.“Each dance has its own personality,” she says. “The waltz is romantic, Latin is sexy and jazz is flirty.” Mohn can help couples choose the dance style that will best compliment their first dance song and, in some cases, their wedding attire. “We want to make sure we choose what’s going to work for the dress,” she says. It’s all about being comfortable, Mohn says. “If I can get them comfortable, resistance goes away, and we can dance.” Some of that comfort comes from practicing open communication—a lesson that applies well beyond the dance floor. “A lot of times, in the end, they’re laughing together, and that’s great,” Mohn says. For those interested in trying out the workshop, Mohn’s advice is simple. “Come in with an open mind, and don’t be afraid,” she says. “Look at the first dance as a joyful experience. “There’s nothing like having the person you love in your arms and moving as one,” Mohn says. Monica E. Mohn monicamohn.com
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Ringing in the Good Times Navigate the first big decision of your life together. By Liz Potasek
Once you’ve found the perfect person, finding the perfect ring shouldn’t be that hard. And yet, it can be challenging to commit to a piece of jewelry that’s supposed to be worn ’til death do you part. Edessa Kerkinni is a second generation co-owner of Princess Jewelry in Lakeville, a full-service jewelry store that was started by her parents in 1985. She’s grown up around jewelry, so we picked her brain about the latest trends and important considerations for ring shopping. “The things that we're starting to see is more of the vintage feel, east-to-west engagement ring settings and Art Deco look,” Kerkinni says. “I think that might be a big trend in 2026.”
Stones
Top: A two stone diamond engagement ring highlights pear and emerald cut stones with a trending yellow gold band. Bottom: Men’s rings feature a mix of tantalum and gold in the Mardini line from Malo Bands.
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Photos: Stuller; Malo Bands
Even those with their heart set on a diamond have a decision to make: lab-grown vs. natural. “Now that lab-grown diamonds have entered the market, you're seeing a lot more couples buying larger diamonds,” Kerkinni says. While still not as popular as diamonds, Kerkinni is seeing some engaged couples
gravitate toward other stones, including agate, aquamarine, emerald and sapphire, she says. When looking at diamond alternatives, it’s important to consider the strength of the stone and how well it will wear. “It’s good to do if you want something really unique, but we always say it’s better to choose a harder stone that is going to last a long time and not chip,” Kerkinni says. Another thing to consider: stone placement. Kerkinni says she’s seen more women consider east to west stone placement when it comes to oval- and rectangular-shaped rings. “It also gives kind of more of an Art Deco look,” she says.
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Shapes
Once the stone is settled, it’s time to consider the shape. Ovals and emeralds have been very popular, and marquise cuts are also starting to gain some traction, Kerkinni says. Of course, the elongated cushion cut is also trending—thanks to Taylor Swift’s engagement ring from Travis Kelce. There are also ways to personalize a classic cut. “One thing we’ve done over the last year is a solitaire with hidden halo, like [a ring of ] diamonds right underneath the main stone,” Kerkinni says. “It’s just little details.”
Bands
Yellow gold is back for brides when it comes to the color of bands. “A lot of people love yellow gold,” Kerkinni says. “For the people that do like the white metal, they’re leaning toward platinum.” As far as the band design goes, simple, clean looks are popular for both brides and grooms. While yellow gold is seeing an uptick in men’s rings, too, there are also a variety of options, including wood inlay and alternative metals, like tantalum or titanium. Kerkinni says most men are opting for a simple gold or black tantalum or titanium ring. Princess Jewelry princessjewelry.com @princessjewelrymn
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Love in Full Color Vibrant hues played a key role at one local couple’s summer wedding. Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Jenna Swanson Photography
Last June at Chaska’s Woodland Glasshaus at Bavaria Downs, Prior Lake native Alayna Lotto and her husband, Christian Sorensen, celebrated their wedding with 175 guests and an elegant, colorful vibe that was all them. The couple first met thanks to Sorensen’s sister, who did some matchmaking during her own wedding in late 2023—where Lotto was a bridesmaid and Sorensen was a groomsman. That wedding took place in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sorensen’s hometown. “We got to spend pretty much that whole weekend together,” Sorensen says, and they hit it off. A year later, he proposed in the Lyndale Park Rose Gardens in Minneapolis with fresh snowfall as a backdrop. They dove right into wedding planning and created a major spreadsheet to keep track of the details. Even their “mini stops” on the big day, before they arrived at the Glasshaus, were meticulously planned. Before the ceremony, Lotto and her bridesmaids got ready at The Neu Neu in Minneapolis’ North Loop, a chic, urban venue featuring a convenient coffee shop on its ground floor. “That was really nice,” Lotto says. Meanwhile, Sorensen and his groomsmen rented a farmhouse Airbnb near the Glasshaus. Lotto’s wedding attire featured several meaningful details in addition to her classic gown. “The earrings I wore were earrings that my mom wore for her wedding,” Lotto says. “I was going for timeless and elegant; I wasn’t trying to do anything too trendy.” Pearls—her birthstone— appeared throughout her accessories and décor, including in the lush, colorful floral arrangements that highlighted lemons, limes, oranges, pears and other fruits. “We didn’t want to do only flowers,” Lotto says. Her florist incorporated
pears partly because of their handy homophone: “a perfect pair.” The couple’s wedding signage and cake table also featured pear motifs. The day’s color palette reflected Lotto’s lifelong love of color. She asked her bridesmaids to choose their own dresses—in any hue. “A lot of people decided to thrift or borrow a dress,” she says, and the group ended up with a sustainably sourced rainbow. The groomsmen wore deniminspired blue suits to serve as a neutral contrast to the bridesmaids’ colors. After the ceremony, cocktail hour featured “his, hers and ours” drinks: a Moscow Mule for Sorensen, an Aperol Spritz for Lotto and a French 75 as the shared beverage. For dinner, guests enjoyed two bright summer salads, HerbRoasted Farmhouse-Style Chicken, Sirloin Steak and Vegetarian Pappardelle Pasta. And dessert? White Chocolate Raspberry Cake, decorated in a traditional cream-colored frosting. Sorensen and Lotto added personal touches even to the day’s music selections. “Each groomsman-bridesmaid couple walked down the aisle to a different song,” Sorensen says. “Alayna and I each picked three songs that were meaningful or impactful to us.” During the reception, the couple showed off dance moves they’d practiced during a fun pre-wedding class with Lotto’s parents. Still, one of Sorensen’s most memorable moments came in the quiet. “After the ceremony, we just sat down and processed what had happened together,” he says. “That was my favorite part of the whole day.” And as the night ended, while guests gathered outside for a sparkler send-off, “We had one last dance, just us on the dance floor,” Lotto says.
Prior Lake native Alayna Lotto married Christian Sorensen at Woodland Glasshaus at Bavaria Downsin Chaska.
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Top: Alayna Lotto asked her bridesmaids to select whatever color they wanted for their dresses, and they carried bouquets customized to match their outfits. Many of their dresses were thrifted or borrowed. Bottom Left: The couple set the tone for their colorful wedding with their invitations. Bottom Right: The wedding cake was created by D’Amico & Sons, which also handled catering for the reception dinner. Page 17: The couple incorporated meaningful pieces aiming for an elegant, timeless wedding. Bride Alayna Lotto wore pearls, her birthstone, and incorporated them into some decor elements as well, and her earrings were the same ones that her mother had worn for her own wedding.
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Vendors Catering D’Amico and Sons, damicoandsons.com Florals Laurel’s Flower Farm and Floral Design, laurelsflowers.com Hair and Makeup Blush Beauty Room, blushbeautyroom.com Music James Wong, jameswongkl.com; DJ Chime, shaneidontknow Photography Jenna Swanson Photography, jennaswansonphotography.com Rentals Linen Effects, lineneffects.com Stationery Truly Engaging, trulyengaging.com Venue Woodland Glasshaus at Bavaria Downs, bavariadowns.com Wedding Wear Tommy Hilfiger, tommy.com; Wedding Shoppe, weddingshoppeinc.com
Page 18: Alayna Lotto opted for a classic wedding gown with a long scarf and long veil that incorporated her signature pearls. Top: The groom’s sister played matchmaker at her own wedding in 2023, where bride Alayna Lotto and groom Christian Sorensen first met. Bottom: Fruit, including limes and oranges, were incorporated into the tablescape to add extra color and dimension.
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Marriage of Cultures
A Prior Lake couple’s week of festivities incorporates Christian, Hindu and Indian traditions.
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Written by By Liz Potasek — Photos by Celisia Stanton Photography and Colette Ellerbroek
Aarushi Sarkari and Shane Will met as students at Prior Lake High School and married 12 years later in Minneapolis, marking the start of their life together with a multiday Hindu and Christian wedding filled with ceremonies and celebrations. The couple, who now live in Atlanta, started planning the event a little over a year and a half in advance, which provided them “a nice long runway,” says Sarkari, noting that it was important for her to establish relationships with vendors. “What we wanted citiessouthmags.com
to achieve was a highly personalized event,” Sarkari says. “We wanted both cultures to shine and have their own space.” The wedding week started on a Sunday with a Haldi at Will’s parents’ house in Prior Lake. Close friends and family gathered for a light lunch and a ceremony where turmeric paste was applied to Sarkari and Will’s skin to symbolize purification, blessings and the start of the wedding festivities. Everyone wore yellow. On Wednesday, the bridal party gathered
Page 20: Aarushi Sarkari and Shane Will married in a Hindu ceremony (pictured) and a Christian ceremony during their week-long wedding celebration. Above: The couple met as students at Prior Lake High School and married 12 years later in Minneapolis.
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Top: Aarushi Sarkari and Shane Will hit the dance floor at the grand reception following their Christian wedding ceremony. Bottom: The Jaimala, a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, at the Mosaic Venue in Minneapolis. Page 23: Shane Will makes a grand entrance on a white horse for the baraat. The streets outside the Mosaic Venue in Minneapolis were blocked off for the procession.
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for a ladies’ mehndi ceremony. A mehndi artist spent eight hours applying henna designs to the bride’s hands and feet and the guests’ hands for the wedding. On Thursday evening, about 150 people gathered for the Jungle Rave sangeet, a party featuring dancing and singing, along with performances from the bride and groom and their wedding parties, at the Lumber Exchange in Minneapolis. Sarkari wore a custom blue and purple lehenga that was made in India, and danced with Real Women Real Bhangra, a group she co-founded. citiessouthmags.com
Early the next morning, several police cars blocked off the streets to traffic outside of the Mosaic Venue in Minneapolis, for the baraat. Will made a grand entrance on a white horse, which was one of the more memorable moments of the wedding festivities for Sarkari. Guests arrived in a procession with the groom and then witnessed the Jaimala, a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. Both bride and groom wore custom outfits. Sarkari wore a lehenga in the traditional red with a baby blue veil to complement Will’s outfit. After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed a luncheon highlighting Indian food.
The party reconvened on Saturday for a Christian wedding ceremony and grand reception. The couple performed their vows on a circular stage, surrounded by their friends and family, which eliminated the need for a “groom’s side” or “bride’s side.” While the week was filled with personalized details that celebrated Sarkari and Will and their life together, Sarkari is especially glad they took the time to write their vows. “It was a really good decision to do our own vows at the Christian wedding ceremony,” Sarkari says. “It was nice to give guests insight into our relationship and dynamic.” 23
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Photography
Thursday: Custom outfits made in India; Friday: Nazranaa, nazranaanj.com; Saturday: Deji & Kola, dejiandkola.com; Indochino, indochino.com; My Darling Bridal, mydarlingbridalmn.com; Roop Saree Sadan, roopsareesadan.com; Sima Couture, simacouture.com; Taj Bridal Store, tajbridalstore.in
Celisia Stanton Photography, celisiastanton.com
Planner Jess Schoen/Ever Weddings & Events, everweddingsandevents.com
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WEDDING COLLECTION
Celebrate your forever at Bearpath Golf and Country Club. Offering breathtaking views and a private experience, Bearpath Golf and Country Club is where timeless elegance meets personalized service. From saying “yes” to the last dance, our team is dedicated to making your dream wedding a reality. 18100 Bearpath Trail, Eden Prairie 952.975.5252 bearpathgolf.com/weddings @bearpathweddings
Would you like to advertise your brand in Cities South Magazine’s 2027 Wedding Collection? Please contact hello@localmedia.co.
The Confluence Hotel offers a scenic Mississippi River backdrop, historic charm and indoor and outdoor spaces for up to 300 guests. Featuring on-site lodging, premium amenities and expert coordination, making it an ideal venue for the entire wedding weekend. 200 Second St. W., Hastings 651.432.0202 confluencehotel.com @theconfluencehotelmn
The Aisling is a premier wedding venue, offering a sophisticated blend of breathtaking natural views, modern comfort and timeless elegance. Designed to provide a seamless and luxurious wedding experience, The Aisling accommodates celebrations of all sizes with elevated service and exceptional amenities. 295 Lindsay Road, Hudson, Wisconsin 715.961.0302 theaisling.com @the.aisling
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Written by Jennifer Pitterle
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Host a post-wedding brunch with help from experts at Lighthouse Kitchen + Cafe. Weddings are so full of family, fun and love that it can be hard to see the party end. That’s why many families are opting to get together for one last meal the morning after the big day. (Some folks cheekily call it “the recovery brunch.”) Katherine Meier and her husband, chef Neal Meier, own Lighthouse Kitchen + Cafe with locations in Lakeville and Farmington, where they host community meals, offer private catering services and deliver prepared meals to a variety of customers, creating a sense of community around the table. In short, they’re brunch experts. “We want to keep meals focused on the people, rather than the production,” Katherine says. “There can be a lot of guilt where the host feels like they have to do it all—and at the end of the day, they miss out.” If you can, of course, hiring a caterer for your post-wedding gathering will help alleviate much of that stress. But if you’d like to set up a DIY brunch, the Meiers offer a few guidelines: Choose dishes that require minimal prep the day of, so you can spend as much time as possible visiting with guests. To hit the right notes for your smorgasbord, offer an egg dish; a protein; a starch (like the Blueberry French Toast Bake below); and a bread option, like muffins or pastries. Grazing tables—kind of like giant charcuterie boards—are an increasingly popular option. “Those really offer something for everyone, with cheese, fruit, veggies and so on,” Neal says. “It’s simple and easy.” One area where you’ll need to be particularly generous is the coffee station, Katherine says. “Everyone underestimates how much coffee people drink,” she says. “You end up needing more than you think.” With a commercial-sized urn that holds around five gallons, you’ll end up with 80 or 90 small servings. “You can make it special. Set out some flavored syrups, or even try cold brew with mix-ins,” Katherine says. We asked the Meiers to share two of their favorite brunch
recipes—ready to replenish guests’ energy, long after the last Champagne toast. Roasted Pear Brunch Salad
Lighten up brunch—a typically carb- and protein-heavy meal— with this springy salad, highlighting sweet fruit and creamy goat cheese. This recipe serves around 6 guests; you can scale it up for a larger crowd. • 4 pears • 2 Tbsp. butter • 6 cups spring mix • 1 cup dried cranberries • 5 oz. feta cheese or goat cheese crumbles • 1 cucumber, sliced • 1 cup granola • ½ cup olive oil • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar • juice from 1 lemon • salt and pepper to taste Slice the pears. Melt the butter in a pan, and add the pears, tossing to coat them in the butter. Roast the pears until softened, around 20 minutes, and allow them to cool. Layer the spring mix, cranberries, pears, goat cheese, cucumber slices and granola in a bowl or serving dish. Whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper to make a vinaigrette. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, and serve. Lighthouse Kitchen + Cafe lighthousekitchencafe.com @lighthousekitchencafe
iStock.com/ GMVozd
Blueberry French Toast Bake Instead of making fiddly French toast slices for each guest, whip up this quick casserole-style bake, so everyone sits down to a warm meal at once. (Pro Tip: Prepare the bake the day before your brunch, and refrigerate it overnight. The next morning, all you’ll have to do is pop it in the oven.)
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• • • • • • • •
1 loaf brioche bread 8 oz. full-fat cream cheese 1 pint blueberries 10 eggs ½ cup milk 1 orange, zested and juiced 1 Tbsp. cinnamon powdered sugar for dusting • maple syrup for serving
Dice the brioche bread, and place the cubes into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Cut the cream cheese into similar-sized cubes, and scatter them over the bread. Top with the blueberries. Next, make the custard: Whisk together the eggs, milk, orange zest, orange juice and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Cover the
pan with foil, and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour (or as long as overnight). When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F. Leave the foil on the pan and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the bread is nicely browned. Sprinkle it with powdered sugar, and serve with maple syrup.
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Children and adults enjoy a special night out at the Dance with Me Ball in Prior Lake.
Happy Feet Celebrate the 15th annual Dance with Me Ball. Children can invite their favorite adult to the Dance with Me Ball on February 28 at Prior Lake High School. The evening includes DJ music, family-friendly crafts, light refreshments and professional photos available for purchase. More than 20 high school students, dressed as princesses and princes, will be on hand for dancing and photo opportunities. Dress up in your best outfit—or your most comfortable attire—for this special evening. This year marks the 15th annual dance, which got its start as the Daddy Daughter Dance. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education at priorlake-savage.ce.eleyo.com. —Liz Potasek 30
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Photos: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education
showcase local people, places and events.
02.04
Dental care just down the street.
Cook the Book Visit the Prior Lake Library from 6 to 8 p.m. and bring a dish prepared from a recipe included in this month’s featured cookbook. scottlib.libcal.com 02.07
Tim Harmston
Flavors of February Sip and savor food and drinks from local vendors while enjoying live music from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Southlake Village Mall in Prior Lake. priorlakechamber.com 02.21
O P X E Y COMMUNIT
H LAKEVILLE
OME, L
9AM-3PM Lakeville North High School
Ritter Fest From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, Ritter Farm Park will offer family-friendly snowshoeing and snowmobiling activities, s’mores by the bonfire and food trucks. mnlakevilleweb.myvscloud.com
Free Screening Zone (all ages) Foot & Gait Analysis Body Composition A1C Diabetes Hearing (adults & kids) Vision (adults & kids) Learn your blood type
LAKEVILLE MAGAZINE: PLATINUM SPONSOR
150+ Exhibitors
FREE Admission
Screenings subject to change.
Teenagers will be selling products and services!
DAY LL o f f ee c e
fre A
Young Entrepreneur Section: YES!
10 : c
30-2
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s ions es
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03.21 Home, Landscape & Community Expo Get ready for spring with all the services you’ll need for your home and garden, and connect with businesses and organizations serving the community at the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce’s annual expo from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Make sure to stop by our table to share your story ideas! lakevillechamber.org
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02.13
26 MARCH 21A, N20DSCAPE
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lakevilleareaartscenter.com
Presenting Sponsor:
Let loose during standup comedy from Tim Harmston, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Tickets are required.
(18 and under, for space: Kim@LakevilleChamber.org)
YES! Sponsor: Coffee courtesy of Lakeville Lions.
Platinum Sponsors
Compiled by Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze 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 may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
P D R AR I Z E WIN
G
$500
TO T HE YOU VENDO R CH R OICE OF *
*No purchase necessary. No cash value. Must be 18 or older. Do not need to be present to win. One prize winner will be drawn at 3pm on March 21, 2026 at the show entrance. Restrictions apply. Winner can split the $500 gift card among up to three 2026 show vendors. Drawing slips and rules and regulations will be at the show entrance.
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LAST GLANCE
A Joyful Celebration
Photo: Type & Timber
Prior Lake native Anya (née Diehl) Dombek married Riley Dombek on August 23, 2025, at Urban Daisy Event Space in Minneapolis. “Our goal was a wedding that felt elevated but also true to us: beautiful details, lots of laughter and an atmosphere where everyone felt relaxed and joyful,” says Anya, who planned the event to be elegant, modern and playful. “The day really does go by so fast. So scheduling in intentional moments to pause and breathe and soak it all in is a must.” —Liz Potasek
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