TIMELESS
Heirloom clocks and their collectors are keeping the past alive for future generations
DeckHalls Halls
Sophisticated Gifting
A signature service elevates corporate and personal presents into bespoke experiences.
14 Conveniently Delicious
Let’s Dish celebrates two decades and expands its ready-to-bake options.
16 Timeless
Heirloom clocks and their collectors are keeping the past alive for future generations.
22 Pass the Stuffing, S’il Vous Plaît
An annual Thanksgiving feast gives French interns a delicious taste of American culture.
30 Shining Bright
Local retreat gives young adults with autism a place and a purpose.
36
Some
What Should We Bring?, page 36
Photo: Chris Emeott
Excellent education with Edina Public Schools begins with our littlest Hornets. Our vision is for Each and Every Student to Discover their Possibilities and Thrive.
At the ELC we encourage creativity, foster curiosity, help develop critical thinking skills in a safe, and inclusive environment.
Registration for our birth to five programs is now open.
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Chris Emeott
from the EDITOR
Growing up in our 1980s twin home, our country-style kitchen was decked out in wallpaper with gold metallic accents. A square, 1-foot-wide golden Seiko wall clock held court. That clock became a fixture in my life. It was the one I checked each morning while eating breakfast, trying to decide if I had time to make another cup of tea before catching the bus to middle school. It was the clock I glanced at one last time as I left my childhood home to catch a plane to college. So when my parents told me it had stopped working and they replaced it with a new one, I immediately said, “Don’t get rid of it. I’ll get it fixed. Just bring it to Minneapolis the next time you visit.”
I went into research mode, determined to find the best repair shop in town. And along the way, I discovered I’m not the only one who has a beloved timepiece. I met people who own mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, even cuckoo clocks. Each one carries a story, a memory, a moment suspended in time. We all want these stories to live on. We want to pass on these clocks and the lives they’ve quietly witnessed from one generation to the next. I eventually found a local horologist, who shared expert tips on how to care for these treasured pieces and preserve them for many days to come, keeping our timepieces timeless (page 16).
That search made me realize something bigger: Every home holds its own treasures. As we approach Thanksgiving, it’s a good time to look around and notice what matters. Is there something, however small or overlooked, that holds meaning? A chipped teacup, a clock, a kitchen tool, a quilt? Pick it up. Remember its story. Share it with your family or friends over the holiday meal. Sometimes, honoring the objects we love is another way of honoring the people and moments we are grateful for.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Feroza Mehta feroza@localmedia.co
VOL. 21 NO. 4
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Feroza Mehta
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
Alison Perrier Briggs, Sarah Davis, Emily Deutschman, Taylor Ellingson, Daniel Green, Gregory Rich, Twila Singh, Kelly Smith, Maureen Millea Smith, Jasmine Brett Stringer and Laura Westlund
DIGITAL INTERN
Claire Krieger
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Alison Perrier Briggs, Edina Community Foundation ; Daphne Edwards, Edina Public Schools ; Greg Hoyt, Gather Venture Group ; Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce ; Rebecca Sorensen, 50th & France Business Association ; Jasmine Brett Stringer, Carpe Diem with Jasmine ; Kelly Vickers, Zimmer Design ; and Annette Wildenauer, Design Mode Studios
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
To subscribe to Edina Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2025. All rights reserved.
Brotherhood
Happy Indigenous Peoples Month! Celebrate by reading Saints of the Household by local Indigenous author Ari Tison. This debut young adult novel is one of my favorite books to come out in the past few years, and I definitely shed a tear or two while reading it, so be sure to have a box of tissues on hand.
This story follows two teenage boys of Bribri descent as they navigate their coming-of-age journeys in Minnesota. The Bribri are an Indigenous people from Costa Rica, and their heritage is woven thoughtfully throughout the novel. It is told in dual perspectives—Jay’s in beautiful vignettes and Max’s in verse. I loved the connection these two brothers had to not only each other but their family, community and especially their grandfather.
I was impressed by Tison’s writing. Saints of the Household won the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature in 2024.
Jess Fuentes is one of the co-owners of Wild Rumpus Books. Find this title and more at wildrumpusbooks.com
Socially Conscious Luxury
If you’re preparing for guests this Thanksgiving and want to indulge them in a chic hotel-like ambiance, Boll & Branch might be just the place to look. The luxury home textiles brand—known for its ethically made cotton bedding—opened its first Twin Cities location in August in the Galleria.
The brand is committed to sustainable practices and fair labor. “We’re so excited to raise the bar for what customers should expect from a luxury retail experience,” says Scott Tannen, founder and CEO. “From the feel of our fabrics to the service we deliver, this is where our values come to life.”
Located near Crave and across from Rothy’s, the store offers a personalized shopping experience with complimentary design consultations, private walkthroughs and custom styling. —Feroza Mehta
Photo: Boll & Branch
Skål for Norge !
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Norwegian immigration to the United States. When the ship Restauration left Stavanger, Norway, in 1825 with 52 passengers, it began a significant migration of more than 900,000 people to North America, where almost five million people today have Norwegian heritage.
Norwegian traditions remain strong in many Edina families. “Lefse is mandatory at holiday dinners,” declares longtime Edina resident Susan Brauer Mickelberg, whose grandmother immigrated to Minnesota from Stavanger. She even packs lefse when traveling out of state for family events.
Ingebretsen’s on Lake Street in Minneapolis keeps Scandinavians in the Twin Cities well stocked with everything they need to celebrate their ancestry.
Norway House hosts many activities to commemorate Norwegian history and culture, including a remarkable display over the holidays of handmade gingerbread houses.
For more on how others are marking this milestone anniversary, read Motherland Art Exchange Trascends Boarders and Behind the Canvas with Mary Catherine Solberg at edinamag.com.
Laura Westlund is an arts writer and editor.
Fast, expert dermatology— Right here in Minnesota
Bakers of all ages craft and decorate gingerbread houses at Norway House on community build days.
Mary Meighan, MD
Brian Zelickson, MD
Jennifer Biglow, MD
David W. Groth, MD
Kyle Rudningen, MD
She employs a design-forward method where color palettes are aligned and coordinated. “It transforms a gift from a nice gesture to unforgettable,” she says.
Beth Dahlien saw Vanderloo’s booth at the Morningside Holiday Market. “It instantly caught my eye,” Dahlien says. She talked to Vanderloo about choosing a gift for her preteen and teenage nieces. “I told her ages and interests, and she guided me to what she thought might work. Both girls received monogrammed makeup bags with Sephora products,” she says, adding that the gifts were a big hit.
Edina’s Meghan Taylor received a gift curated by Prezzie for her 40th birthday that was perfectly themed to her celebratory girls’ trip to Nashville, Tennessee.
“Every detail from the personalized initial bag to the clever, Nashville-themed gift tag was included in the thoughtful gift,” Taylor says. “It included ingredients for mixed cocktails and all the fixings for recovery the next morning. It matched me perfectly, including my favorite spirits and cocktail flavors.”
Taylor was impressed with Prezzie, so she took advantage of its premade gifts to get something for her husband’s boss. “I found an adorable winter-themed basket with pine scented hand soap, dish soap and lotion,” she says. “A perfect holidaythemed gift to give the host.”
When it comes to gift giving, Vanderloo says it’s all about paying attention. “It’s not just what they like but what would make them feel seen,” she says. “It might be an inside joke or a special memory.”
Vanderloo understands that not everyone has the time or ability to do the mental work that it takes to come up with a great gift. That’s why she started the service. “I can do the digging. I can do the searching,” she says.
And so far, her customers are singing her praises. “[Vanderloo] has a creative eye and a thoughtful heart,” Dahlien says. “She just has a knack for matching the gift with the person.”
Prezzie Gift Co.
prezziegiftco.com
@prezziegiftco
Conveniently Delicious
Let’s Dish celebrates two decades and expands its ready-to-bake options.
By Jennifer Pitterle
When the holiday season kicks into high gear, the heat is on—especially in the kitchen. Meal preparation can feel like it’s on a never-ending rotation. Cooking food for a celebration here or there is manageable, but when faced with the deluge of other holiday preparations, even making daily meals can be overwhelming.
Having extra help in the kitchen is invaluable. Let’s Dish launched in 2003 with a handful of meal-preparation locations. Co-founder and CEO Darcy Olson has seen two generations of families enjoy Let’s Dish. “People have said our meals have made it much easier for their kids to help out in the kitchen or for them to grow in their careers because making dinner is an equal partnership,” she says.
Over two decades later, Let’s Dish has adapted to families’ changing needs. Instead of assembling meals themselves, customers can shop in the stores or order online to pick up fully prepped kits (over 100 appetizers, mains and desserts), and many can go from “freezer to cooked in 30 minutes,” Olson says.
In addition to perennial favorites (like the beloved Cheese Curd Crusted Chicken Ranch Bake), Olson says popular items include Midwestern standbys like Swedish Meatballs With Egg Noodles and Skillet Pot Roast, and global dishes, featuring Burrito Bowls with barbacoa beef, shredded chicken or vegetables and Chicken and Vegetable Pad Thai.
Hosting duties also get a boost with easy-to-heat appetizers, including Baked Ham and Swiss Sliders, Bourbon-Glazed Wild Rice Meatballs, Pulled Pork Sliders and Shredded Beef Wellingtons.
“We want to offer a variety of classic comfort foods that you can make really easily,” Olson says. In addition to classic dinners (like Family Style Chicken Pot Pie), Let’s Dish offers breakfast and lunch options, featuring Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Icing, Sausage and Hashbrown Breakfast Bake and a variety of sandwiches and wraps.
Gift-giving is another significant part of Let’s Dish’s service, offering delivery across five states and free, handwritten gift messages. Olson says delivery boxes are a popular option for supporting parents with new babies, families dealing with illness or elderly individuals who struggle with cooking—something her own family knows well. “My mom isn’t able to cook anymore, so my dad, at 89, does all of their cooking,” Olson says. “Let’s Dish has been a big help with that.”
While Olson witnesses the importance of convenient meal preparation in her own family, she has spent her entire career in the food industry and loves
Top: Swedish Meatballs bring cozy flavors to the table.
Bottom: Darcy Olson, co-founder and CEO, and Katie Suttenberg, COO.
seeing the impact of wholesome, easyto-make food for busy families.
This summer, a new partnership between Target and Let’s Dish brought the company’s beloved meals to the freezer aisles of Metro Targets. When Target reached out about the collaboration, Olson and her team leapt at the opportunity to expand the reach. “It’s pretty surreal and has really meant a lot to the company,” she says.
As of this writing, nine of Let’s Dish’s popular three-serving-size meals are in 25 Target locations. “We’re really excited to continue to grow with Target,” Olson says. Find Let’s Dish at Target, 7000 York Ave. S., and more at target.com.
Let’s Dish letsdish.com
Let’s Dish!
TIMELESS
Heirloom clocks and their collectors are keeping the past alive for future generations.
Written by Feroza Mehta
by Chris Emeott
In an era ruled by digital smartphones with lockscreen time displays, the rhythmic and steady tick-tock of a mechanical clock can feel like a piece of nostalgia from decades past. These intricate timekeepers, whether a stately grandfather clock or a delicate mantelpiece chime, carry craftsmanship, sentimental value and stories that cannot be replaced by a smartphone screen. But as the art of clockmaking fades and repair costs climb, many families are tempted to let their old clocks fall silent. For a handful of Edina residents, these timepieces are more than a decoration, they are cherished family heirlooms that are works of art.
“Time is important to me,” says former longtime Edina resident Constance Fantin, who keeps at least one clock in every room of her home. Her favorite is a Howard Miller mantel clock from the 1990s, a birthday gift from her husband, Eric Fantin. “It’s a beautiful piece with inlaid wood and bead detailing. We
chose it because it winds by hand. It’s a ritual I love, winding it every Sunday.” Constance says.
The clock chimes Westminster-style every quarter hour, a sound Constance says she finds comforting, even at night. “It’s the sound of the house,” she says. “I don’t even hear it when I’m sleeping. But if I’m awake, I count the chimes to tell the time.” Her mantel clock holds sentimental weight. “I would never get rid of it, even if no one could repair it anymore. It’s part of our family,” she says.
Ken Gudorf’s enthusiasm for clocks began 60 years ago. “The first grandfather clock I bought was in Germany in the 1960s. That clock continues to run,” the Edina resident says. Gudorf has four grandfather clocks, six wall clocks and one carriage clock. “It was used by carriage drivers in the early 1600s and 1700s to tell the time when they were on the road. It’s in my home in Florida. All the clocks I have are all good timekeepers,” he says.
Photos
“I call them heirlooms. They can be passed down. My son’s already told me which one he wants.”
Ken Gudorf, clock collector
That is thanks to regular maintenance from Blackstone Manor Clock Repair in Hopkins. Owner Mark Purdy is one of the region’s few professional horologists. “Mechanical clocks need to be oiled about every four years,” Purdy says. “When they’re 25 years old or so, then they may need a complete overhaul or a new movement, depending on what it is in there. If it’s an antique, obviously they don’t make them anymore. So we take them apart and overhaul them, make them like new again.”
Purdy’s journey into the world of clocks wasn’t planned. After studying criminal justice, he moved to Minnesota and briefly sold security systems. But an older brother with a jewelry shop back in North Dakota sparked Purdy’s interest in clocks. “I started helping him out,” he says. “Then I begged my way into an old clock shop near the Old Log Theatre in Excelsior called Kuempel Chime Clocks.” That shop has since closed, but Purdy stayed in the trade and eventually opened Blackstone Manor.
Purdy’s seen how much these clocks mean to their owners. “People come in with stories. ‘This was Grandma’s clock,’ or, ‘I remember hearing this as a kid,’” he says. Sometimes the cost of repair is worth more than the clock itself. Purdy says he encourages people to keep the clocks even if the cost is too high for repair. “Hang onto them. The next generation might appreciate them more than you think,” he says.
Left: A French mantel clock stands elegantly in front of an antique table clock at Blackstone Manor Clock Repair.
Top right: Mark Purdy repairs the inner workings of a clock.
Bottom right: The intricate mechanical movement of a grandfather clock.
CHIME VS. STRIKE
“A lot of people don’t know the difference between chiming and striking,” says Mark Purdy of Blackstone Manor Clock Repair. “Chimes [are] when they play the song. The songs are Westminster, Whittington and St. Michael Chimes are what you hear every 15 minutes. Strike is the hour.”
Forever Furnace
One young person already has that appreciation. That is Sam Burns, Purdy’s 20-year-old assistant. “I was fascinated by clocks as a kid,” he says. “My family had a lot of them. When I had to think about what I wanted to do as an adult, this was it.” Burns studied at Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, one of the last remaining horology trade schools in the United States.
Burns now helps with oiling, inspections and restorations. Both Purdy and Burns make house calls for the more delicate clocks that cannot travel, such as grandfather clocks. Their work ranges from quick 30-minute tune ups to intricate full rebuilds of antique timepieces.
Constance says she’s grateful the tradition still exists. “It’s not just about keeping time. It’s about keeping memories,” she says. “There’s something comforting in hearing that chime, in knowing the clock is still ticking.”
For Gudorf, too, the clocks connect generations. “I call them heirlooms. They can be passed down. My son’s already told me which one he wants,” he says.
At a time when everything feels disposable, these clocks and the people who care for them, remind us that some things are worth preserving. In essence, the items that keep time are in themselves, timeless.
Blackstone Manor Clock Repair
blackstonemanorclockrepair.com
Blackstone Manor Clock Repair
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PASS THE STUFFING, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT
An annual Thanksgiving feast gives French interns a delicious taste of American culture.
Written by Feroza Mehta
Every November, the smell of roasting turkey fills Anne Jennen’s Edina home as 28 French interns roll up their sleeves for a uniquely American rite of passage: preparing and eating Thanksgiving dinner. The annual gathering, hosted by Jennen and supported by the Normandale Elementary and Extended French parent-teacher organizations, has become a cherished tradition that blends cultural exchange with heaping servings of mashed potatoes, stuffing and camaraderie.
The French immersion program brings college-aged teaching interns to Minnesota to assist in Edina Public Schools’ French immersion program. Twenty-one interns train at Normandale Elementary, three at Valley View Middle School and another three at Edina High School. They all stay in the community with host families.
Jennen first hosted the interns’ Thanksgiving more than a decade ago and is the third host. The tradition began in the 2000s at Brenda Vogel’s home before being moved to Kris Wetmore’s. Jennen volunteered to help, and she knew she wanted this to be a part of her world because of the joy it sparked and the curiosity it inspired. “Most interns were unfamiliar with our traditional foods. I had a wonderful time cooking with them. I even learned some new dishes,” Jennen says.
Jennen has a Thanksgiving menu that is followed each year. Getting those ingredients is a monumental task. She has a comprehensive and detailed food donation list that is sent out to parents and members of the Edina French Immersion community. They sign up to donate different
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items, which could be anything from potatoes to a thawed turkey. Jennen also has a precise cooking timetable. But she and the interns don’t prepare the entire meal by themselves. “Many of them have never prepared a turkey before … I also learned that the French do not eat a lot of turkey,” she says.
And to prepare that turkey, members of the community sign up to volunteer for a wide variety of shifts. “Having volunteers to help with the preparation of the food is essential. The interns need guidance with measurements and learning how to prepare the different dishes. There is a lot of work to begin preparing the food at
MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
The cultural exchange does not end with Thanksgiving.
Normandale’s intern committee hosts Crêpe Day in February where the school community learns to cook and taste sweet and savory crêpes.
“Many interns share French cultural traditions with their host and partner families,”
Anne Jennen says. “My children are particularly fond of raclette, macarons and crème brûlée. They also like French card games. One of my favorite things about the French immersion program is making new friends in France. My children and I keep in touch with several of the interns on an ongoing basis. Facebook and Instagram make it easy to stay in touch with many of the former interns. Several interns have come back to visit us in Edina.”
But Thanksgiving holds a special place in her heart.
“This is one of my favorite cultural events,” she says. “I hope it continues for many years.”
Anne Jennen
noon,” Jennen says. All 28 interns usually attend the event. Great care is taken to accommodate food allergies and preferences. “Personally, I have learned some great Thanksgiving squash, bean and tofu dishes,” she says.
Tables in her home are loaded with ingredients for the different dishes. Interns work in teams to cook the meal. Alexandre Belvire was an intern in a second grade classroom at Normandale Elementary during the 2023–24 school year. “Experiencing a truly American holiday, such as Thanksgiving, was really amazing for me. The fact that we got to live and participate in this celebration that we had been seeing on TV shows and movies for our entire lives was wonderful,” he says. For Judith Fouquet, who was an intern at Edina High School, that TV show was Friends. “I always wanted to experience [Thanksgiving] in the U.S. I’m a huge fan of Friends, and I wanted to see how it is to celebrate with friends and family at this time of year.”
While Fouquet helped chop vegetables, Belvire’s duties that day were preparing the turkey. “I remember having to clean it, stuff it and butter it. It was a truly funny and bonding experience to prepare it. The funniest moment I have from that day is how weird and cold it felt the first time I had to put my whole arm in the turkey,” he says of removing the giblets. But the best part was the parent volunteer who walked them through the process. “It was great that she could share with us the different techniques she uses and also the memories she holds over preparing turkeys for Thanksgiving over the years,” he says.
Charlotte Taubel, intern coordinator and a former intern in 2009, says it’s those relationships with the community that make the day special. “This is my favorite part, this sharing of culture and getting to know more members from our community the whole day,” Taubel says.
But what Belvire loved the most was being together. “What really stuck with me is how bonding and fun that day was,” Belvire says. “The interns’ Thanksgiving was at the beginning of November. We didn’t all have the chance to bond, talk and connect that much before.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Taubel. “It is an event that fosters the practice of showing gratitude and appreciation and helps our group renew their cohesion at a pivotal moment in their internship. November is usually when things start
Photos: Anne Jennen; Alexandre Belvire; Judith Fouquet
Food, friendship and gratitude come together every November when 28 French interns prepare a full Thanksgiving meal at Anne Jennen’s Edina home. Community volunteers help the interns in cooking the entire meal. It’s a way to share culture, stories and build camaraderie. The tradition started in the 2000s.
“The
fact that we got to live and participate in this celebration that we had been seeing on TV shows and movies for our entire lives was wonderful.”
Alexandre Belvire, former French intern
becoming hard to adjust to the American ‘hustle culture,’ and this provides a great opportunity to regroup and feel joy together,” Taubel says.
Belvire’s joy came when he was asked to carve the turkey. “I remember feeling so happy when all the other interns chose me to be the person who [carves] the turkey. It felt like a full circle moment,” he says.
That full circle moment is thanks to the community, who help put it all together, Taubel says. “Thanksgiving is definitely something that interns have never experienced back home, and we are grateful for the generous donations from our community and the time and energy from our volunteers to provide such an enriching cultural experience for our group of interns,” she says.
That experience continues, Taubel says. “What moves me is to know that our group of interns from [last] year is planning a reunion in France over Thanksgiving [this] year. It truly emphasizes that this event is all about togetherness and a piece of their American life that they will carry with them back home,” she says. “Actually, back when I returned to France after my internship, my group of intern friends and I met up over Thanksgiving and cooked our bag of wild rice that we had brought back from Minnesota. It may have only been a wild rice soup, some failed popovers and an apple pie, but to us it felt like Thanksgiving!”
Normandale Elementary normandalepto.org
Trunk Show & Personal Appearance November 13–15
SHINING BRIGHT
Local retreat gives young adults with autism a place and a purpose.
Written by Mollee Francisco
From taking guests on hikes and trail rides to conducting roping tours and housekeeping, Brian Conroy has met people from around the world and greatly expanded his skill set during his eight seasons working at Erik’s Ranch & Retreats in Paradise Valley, Montana. “I’ve done pretty much everything,” Conroy says. “It’s helped me out a lot.”
The 28-year-old Edina resident has been a working member at Erik’s Ranch & Retreats for much of its 11-year existence. Not only has Conroy learned marketable skills, but with the live-work model it employs, he’s gotten comfortable being on his own, a point of pride for the autistic young man. Now, Conroy is looking at a bright future with so many possibilities. “This has broadened my opportunities,” he says. “I think I might like to work with cows.”
Conroy’s success story is just one of many to come out of Erik’s Ranch & Retreats, and it’s exactly what Kathryn Nordberg dreamed of when she founded the nonprofit organization more than a decade ago.
MOM ON A MISSION
Nordberg spent a lot of time thinking about her children’s future as they grew up. She wondered what they might do, who they might meet and what their life might be like. But when it came to her son Erik Nordberg, Kathryn’s thoughts were interlaced with a thread of concern. “He’s not very verbal,” she says. “When he was 15, there weren’t a lot of options for him
Photo:
Photos: Chris Emeott; Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
… I needed to figure out a place for him.”
Erik needed options, so Kathryn did what she could to create options for him. “He never wanted to do tabletop games or those sorts of things,” she says. What he did like were physical pursuits, such as hiking, biking, skiing, swimming and riding horses. “I thought, wouldn’t it be great if he could do all those things without relying on conversational language?” Kathryn says.
Leaning on her background in education and her time in corporate America, as well as her connections in the assisted living community, Kathryn spent years developing a live-work-socialize model to assist young adults with autism. In 2012, Kathryn started a horse riding and membership program. Then in 2014, she opened Erik’s Ranch & Retreats to give young adults with autism both a place and a purpose.
BUILDING SKILLS
Erik’s Ranch & Retreats consists of an eight-room, boutique-style hotel in the heart of Edina and a sprawling ranch with a handful of cabins and guest houses in the picturesque Absaroka Mountain Range near Livingston, Montana.
“Pictures don’t do it justice,” Conroy says.
Each location offers members the chance to live independently while showcasing their skills in the hospitality and tourism industries. “We’re looking to provide opportunities for them to show their strengths but also move forward,” Kathryn says.
For members like Erik, that has meant assisting with the guest trail rides or leading guests on electric scooter tours around nearby lakes in Minnesota. For other members, it might be checking guests in, or taking guests on a sailing
Top left: Kathryn Nordberg created and named Erik’s Ranch & Retreats for her son, Erik Nordberg.
Top right: Brian Conroy pauses for a moment with one of the ranch’s horses.
Bottom: A scenic horseback riding excursion at Erik’s Ranch in Montana offers guests sweeping scenic views.
adventure on Lake Bde Maka Ska. “We have to restructure what we do within to take advantage of the skills people bring to the table,” Kathryn says.
To date, more than 1,000 young adults with autism have applied to join the organization. “We still get at least one application a week,” Kathryn says.
For those who are accepted, Kathryn says there is a team in place to support members as much as they need. “The team helps with goal setting and life plans,” Kathryn says. And when those goals or life plans change, the team is there to help members make the most of those changes. “We have to like what we’re doing,” she says.
“GOOD SPOT TO BE”
Sam Fischer says the support he’s received at Erik’s Ranch & Retreats has been “awesome and amazing.” “You can always talk to them if an issue or a problem comes up,” he says. Fischer’s parents learned about Erik’s Ranch after doing some research to find a place the 31-yearold could be on his own. Since joining, Fischer has led hikes and river rafting tours, done gardening and housekeeping, and served as a concierge. “I get to help people, which I love in general,” he says.
Fischer has also enjoyed talking to people from around the world. “Without this job, I would not know so much about other cultures,” he says. Now, with a degree in history and earning a degree in computer technology from Normandale Community College, Fischer is hoping to go into IT work, all thanks to the structure and support he’s received. “I like the fact that I’m independent,” he says. “I have my own apartment [and] a support network, and each day, I wake up and have a job. This is a good spot to be.”
Photos: Chris Emeott; Erik’s Ranch & Retreats
Top and bottom: Erik’s Retreat is in the former Roybet building, a retirement home built in 1970 by Wayne Field and named after Renaissance painter Ferdinand Roybet. Field embedded into the design his belief that life is precious and should be surrounded by beauty, care, kindness and respect. Kathryn Nordberg says it perfectly aligns with her philosophy.
AN INCLUSIVE WORLD
Though Erik’s Ranch has faced its fair share of challenges over the last decade— including curveballs COVID-19 threw at them—Kathryn says the model is working for their members. “They’re gaining lots of confidence and self-esteem,” she says. There is a sense of ownership and pride from members at each of their proper ties. Kathryn says she can see it when one of their members takes the initiative to add something new to a tour or suggest a new activity. It makes Erik’s Ranch a special place to visit. So much so that it was featured on Netflix’s The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals during the Season 2 episode entitled “Give Back Getaways” where the hosts loved the panoramic mountain views in Montana but were even more inspired by the organization’s mission.
Seeing members follow their passions is a key aspect of any stay. “We want guests to understand how much our folks have to offer,” Kathryn says. “There’s so many of them looking for meaningful employment.” One of the best reactions guests can have is one where they go home and ask, “What else can we do to make this world inclusive?” she says. In the meantime, Kathryn is working on the nonprofit’s next evolution. While details were still under wraps when this magazine went to print, Erik’s Ranch’s mission remains the same: to provide a place and a purpose for young adults with autism. “We’ve seen so much growth and maturity among our members,” Kathryn says. “But there are still so many others looking for these kinds of opportunities.”
Erik’s Ranch & Retreats eriksranch.org @eriksranchandretreats
HOLIDAY ORZO SALAD
What Should We Bring?
Written by Feroza Mehta and Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
Some recipes know how to behave while traveling for Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re driving a couple of hours, heading across the Metro or just stepping down the street, traveling with a dish to share for a Thanksgiving gathering can cause some travel troubles. Spillage and temperature fails are just the start.
If it’s for Thanksgiving at your family’s, Friendsgiving or an our-family-lives-too-far-away holiday meal with the neighbors, we’ve gathered some special dishes that easily pass the test when it comes to their ability to go from your kitchen to someone else’s house. Afterall, any mealtime potluck begins with, “What should we bring?”
Join us as we have our own Friendsgiving with one of our sister publications, Lake Minnetonka Magazine, as editor Renée Stewart-Hester also offers some recipe inspiration.
For complete recipes, visit edinamag.com.
APPETIZERS
ARTICHOKE WONTON WRAPS
Notes: Continuing with my obsession with artichokes, this recipe wins when it comes to ease of transport, and they are easy for diners to grab, eat and continue circulating. —RSH
• 14 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2–3 dashes garlic salt
• 3 Tbsp. green onions, sliced
• wonton wrappers
Dipping Sauce
• ½ cup orange marmalade
• ¼ cup honey (I use hot honey.)
• ¼ cup or less Dijon mustard
• red pepper flakes, optional if you use regular honey
CRANBERRY MEATBALLS
Notes: It isn’t a true potluck without a crockpot full of some sort of meatball concoction. This is an easy recipe to make during the busy holiday season because it’s ideal for when you are in a time crunch. When I have a little extra time, I make the gluten-free version, which you can find at edinamag.com. —FM
• 14 oz. whole berry cranberry sauce (The regular jellied or juiced versions tend to make the sauce too thin and runny; the whole cranberries provide the ideal thickness and texture.)
• 2 ¼ cups barbecue sauce
• 28 oz. frozen meatballs
SIDE DISHES
HOLIDAY ORZO SALAD
Notes: For balance, I try to serve a cool or room temperature side dish—along with a warm option—for larger gatherings. This dish presents sweet, salty and savory profiles in one delicious scoop. Bonuses: The pasta gives vegetarian guests a little oomph to their plates, and this is an easy traveler. The recipe is inspired by Diane Morrisey, a newcomer to the cookbook scene. —RSH
• kosher salt
• 1 lb. orzo
• 1 cup almonds, sliced
• 3 oz. baby arugula
• 1 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds, roasted and unsalted
• 1 cup dried cherries, cranberries or golden raisins
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped (Use the remaining parsley for garnish.)
• ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped (I opt out.)
• zest of 1 orange, finely grated
• ½ cup Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette (Recipe is below.)*
• black pepper, freshly ground
Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• zest of an orange, finely grated
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
*Rather than make this vinaigrette, I’ve purchased Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette, and it works great, especially when time is an issue. If I use the purchased dressing, I substitute chopped walnuts, lightly toasted in a pan, for the toasted almonds.
SPACE IS GRACE BUTTERNUT SQUASH
SPACE IS GRACE BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Notes: My brother brought this for Thanksgiving in 2009, and it’s been a family favorite ever since. The maple syrup caramelizes, transforming this often-overlooked side dish vegetable into something rich, sweet and almost dessert-worthy. —FM
• 3 lbs. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt (or 3/4 tsp. table salt)
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
• 1 ½ Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
CRANBERRY MEATBALLS
DESSERTS
MINI FRUIT PIES
Notes: If ever a holiday calls for pie, it’s Thanksgiving. But we like to mix it up a bit and ramp up the fun factor for the kids at the gathering. And we know Minnesotans appreciate almost anything served on a stick. (Make mini hand pies by omitting the craft sticks. Save this recipe for the Fourth of July, baking blueberry, cherry and strawberry pies to celebrate!) —RSH
• 1 cup blueberries (Apples or strawberries, diced very small, also work, as do canned cherries.)
• 3 Tbsp. sugar (I use monk fruit sweetener.)
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 14.1 oz. refrigerated pie crust (You can make your own crust, but …)
• 16 wooden craft sticks
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp. water
• finishing sugar, optional
NANAIMO BARS
Notes: If these rich, layered treats appear on the dessert table, they are always the first thing on my plate. With a coconut crumb base, a rich custard cream filling and a smooth chocolate ganache on top, this no-bake classic never fails to impress. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. —FM
• 1 cup butter, softened, divided
• 5 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 3/4 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• ½ cup almonds, finely sliced, optional
• 3 Tbsp. heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp. custard powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 1 oz. squares semisweet baking chocolate
• 2 tsp. butter
MINI FRUIT PIES
1. 4.86 Total Carats of Cushion Cut Blue Sapphire Studs with 1.54 carats of halo diamonds set in 18k white gold $59,900 R.F. Moeller, 5020 France Ave.
2. Green Velvet Dr. Barbara Sturm Advent Calendar $560, Charloette Tilbury Pillow Talk Icons On the Go Kit $55, Slip Pure Silk Skinny Scrunchie Ornament $29 Cos Bar Edina, 3905 W. 50th St.
3. Louis Vuitton 2022 Sarah Vivian Christmas Animation Wallet of Vivienne Doudou in NYC by Sun Yitian $750 June, 5027 France Ave.
4. Brochu Walker plaid coat $578, Minnie Rose Wool baseball hat $97, Le Bon Shoppe socks $14–$16, Jenny Bird Bangle $300 Equation, 5045 France Ave.
5. Legend Sweater Shirts $178 each Crafted through a 64-step manufacturing process to create the softest custom blend. Faherty, 3922 W. 50th St.
6. Noam Hazan hand crocheted leather handbag $196, W. cashmere short sleeve sweater $328, Moussy denim
Boutique, 3909 W. 50th St.
3929 Market St.
7. Air Jordan 4 Retro in Cave Stone Ultimate Sneaker Book $60
$220,
8. No 21 gold sequin jacket $1,135, Lana Bilzerian leopard cashmere knit $575, Eleh vegan trouser $230, Comme des Garçons handbag $631
Grethen House, 4930 France Ave.
Bluebird
Studiiyo,
5
6. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Performance Gift Cards Available Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen chanhassendt.com FOR THE HOME
1. Marquise Frame Earrings with Green Tourmaline and Diamond Center $8,855 JB Hudson, 3555 Galleria Edina; jbhudson.com
2. enewton Gold and Silver Stackable Bracelets $20–$48 Serge + Jane, 4532 France Ave. S.; sergeandjane.com
3. Eyewear by Face à Face InVision Distinctive Eyewear, 3340 Galleria Edina; invision-optical.com
4. Festa Reed Diffuser , the scent that makes every home feel festive $67 Alora Ambiance aloraambiance.com
5. The Northfield Plaid Throw $195 Faribault Mill, 1500 Second Ave. NW, Faribault; faribaultmill.com
A GROOVY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
The Southdale YMCA is celebrating 50 years in Edina by hosting a whole week of events that culminates with a retro-themed party called From 1975 to Forever; Southdale’s Story in Motion from 4 to 6 p.m. November 7 in the YMCA’s gymnasium.
Guests are encouraged to dress in ’70s style and enjoy a nonalcoholic happy hour with light snacks, live music, a photo booth, trivia and more. A special program will highlight past, present and future leaders.
Top left: Tug of War Night brought together more than 600 area church youth in March 1986.
Top right: A preschool swim class from 1986.
Bottom: A scanned rendering of the Southdale YMCA from 1975.
“We are excited to feature past leadership from when the Southdale Y first opened and feature current leadership,” says Catherine Quinlivan, senior operations director of the Southdale YMCA. “We will also put a focus on our youth who will be leading the YMCA in the future.”
For more information about the YMCA’s 50th anniversary celebrations, go to ymcanorth.org or email Nick Hanks at nick.hanks@ymcamn.org. —Feroza Mehta
Photos: Southdale YMCA
11.01
Dance Team Clinic
All ages are welcome to learn dance techniques and a full routine, play games and make crafts with the Edina Dance Team. The event also includes a dance show at the end of the clinic. No dance skills necessary. edinadanceteam.com
11.01
Pumpkin Smash & Bash
Bring your Halloween pumpkins to the sixth annual Smash & Bash at Countryside Park. Each pumpkin you bring is composted through the organics recycling program. edinamn.gov
11.07
Pop Star Party
Dress up as your favorite pop star, and spend an evening singing, dancing, making bracelets and eating a delicious meal with a parent. edinamn.gov
11.07–11.09
Mean Girls High School Version
Revisit the 2004 movie Mean Girls in musical form at Edina High School. This award-winning musical was nominated for 12 Tony Awards. ehsthespians.com
11.25
Printmaking: Holiday Cards
The holidays are right around the corner, so learn how to make a special holiday card for your loved ones and friends. Make prints using soft-cut blocks at the Edina Art Center. edinamn.gov
Compiled
by
Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze
To have your event considered: email edinamag@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.
Dreamers
While helping lace up skates and getting her daughter’s team ready to take the ice at Braemar Arena, Laura Heinmiller paused to take in a quiet moment. “The Edina High School girls team has a mite team or two do a scrimmage during intermission,” Heinmiller says. “We were waiting for the period to end. I looked up and thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, look at them standing there watching the game and dreaming,’” she says. “It represented the purity of being a little kid and playing hockey with your friends … It captured what is beautiful about sports [and] what it is to be a young athlete.” —Feroza Mehta
IMAGES OF EDINA
Photographer: Laura Heinmiller
Title: Dream Big Dreams
Equipment: iPhone 14 Pro
Category: Activities and Events Award: First Place
To view other Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.
This holiday, give kids the greatest gift: a chance at a
lifetime.
Imagine a world where no child dies of cancer. This holiday, help St. Jude give families hope and children the greatest gift: the chance to live life and celebrate every moment. Donate Now
St. Jude patient Sully pictured with her mom
50th & France ◆ Highland Park ◆ RFMoeller.com
