Lake Minnetonka - January 2024

Get Crackin’ Sisters run chicken egg delivery business while bracing for their future

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JANUARY 2024

Photo: Chris Emeott

Happy New Year, readers! In the words of author and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

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January 2024

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#BC727123

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Photo: Chris Emeott

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DE PA RT M E N TS

18 Natural Connections Minnetonka club provides students with community environmental conservation opportunities.

20 Get Crackin’ Sisters run chicken egg delivery business while bracing for their future.

24 Talk of the Town Website and podcast aim to be hubs for community information.

F E AT U R E S

29 Coaching Connections Rewriting home and work narratives can lead to a better life story.

34 Pure Hoppiness Nonprofit offers animal visits to promote wellness and reduce stress.

TAST E M A K E R S

44 MasterChef Junior Contestant Goes Global Ariana Feygin discovers her passion while living and cooking abroad.

I N E V E RY ISS U E

10 13 40 48

Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

9

FROM THE EDITOR

New Location,

Renée Stewa rt-Hester — renee@loca lm edia .co

Same Great Care!

NOW OPEN! 10150 Niagara Lane N, Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369 As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer treatment provider, we know that treating cancer calls for more than compassion.

It means giving our patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person.

Readers, are you ready to get started on 2024? I hope this issue provides you with some guidance and a dose of inspiration for creating a path to living in a way that offers you purpose and joy while appreciating how others in our community are making their own ways through life.

One of the best parts of editing Lake Minnetonka Magazine is that I always find helpful nuggets within these pages, thanks to community members sharing their stories through the skillful writing and art direction of our team. This month is no different. When I read Jody Carey’s feature on page 29 about Kindl Coaching, it got me thinking.

The article notes that Casie Kindl advises her clients to stop giving 110 percent. “Doing less is still good enough,” she says, guiding them to set realistic expectations. This notion seems so counterintuitive to the level that many of us strive to attain in our personal and professional lives. And how often have we told our children to give “everything” or “all you have” to academics or their extracurricular activities? On more than one occasion, I’ve heard myself on the stands, yelling, “Leave it all on the court/field!”

While those instructions might not equate to 110 percent, they do get me thinking about if we give it “our all,” how much is left for other parts of our lives? I don’t have an answer here, and I certainly still abide by the notion that one should always put forth an honest effort, and there’s no shame in striving for the top rung—wherever that leads. But I’ve found it concerning as I watch our adult children forge their career paths with unsustainable work hours with little space left for exploring other parts of life. I applaud their work ethic—to an extent—but I wonder about the ultimate value in it at the end of the day. Time will tell. Do you share similar thoughts?

In the meantime, when much of nature rests—the time is ripe for reevaluating the balance, direction and strength of our efforts.

Does your power structure of priorities need a reboot?

Cheers to a balanced path for us all,

Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards

On the Cover Kaitlyn and Sarah Bonnema, photo by Chris Emeott, page 20 See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag

mnoncology.com 10

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

one common goal – fighting cancer.

VOL. 18 NO. 9 lakeminnetonkamag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Renée Stewart-Hester

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Jody Carey Mollee Francisco Emily Gedde Meredith Heneghan Daniel Huss Jennifer Pitterle Rachel Schuehle Josie Smith Kristie Smith

contributing writers Hollie Blanchard, Kate Doubler, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson, Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Kirsten Pardoe, Rachael Perron, Aaron Person, Raela Schoenherr, Lisa Stevens, Katie Tomsche, Liz Vandam

editorial interns Macy Berendsen Elaina Mankowski Morgan McFadden Emma Mehl

editorial advisory board Laura Bray, board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library Brooke Beyer, director of community events and marketing, Wayzata Area Chamber Mary Cornelius, Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools David Decker, House Novel Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer Amanda Zielike, House Novel

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

graphic designer Yaz Lo

junior designer Jamie Klang

lead staff photographer Chris Emeott

production director Brittni Dye

production manager Lisa Stone

production coordinator Mimi Coz

senior account executives Cynthia Hamre Mary-Catherine Hartel Sara Johnson Abbie Kinn Kathie Smith

president Pete Burgeson

To subscribe to Lake Minnetonka Magazine, please visit localmedia.co.

For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2024. All rights reserved.

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— THE VERY BEST —

DAY OF WINTER (aside from the day it ends)

BRINGING A PIECE OF HISTORY BACK TO THE LAKE... AGAIN!

for details!

©2023 Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby

y Februar

2024

a LakeMtk

minn

lo c al tip s, tidb its & insi ght s

N OT E WO RT H Y

Vote

YOU’RE INVITED … … to a collective celebration for the Lake Minnetonka community and its local businesses and providers that continue to serve and support us in a host of categories.

What’s the best way to honor your favorite dining spots, hometown businesses, service providers, shopping haunts, community venues and more? Vote for your favorites in our annual Readers’ Poll—the Best of Lake Minnetonka 2024.

Our contest is live throughout January at lakeminnetonkamag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a growing number of categories.

While some of your favorite categories return for another year, we also bring back our special West Metro segment, which includes a broader selection of area businesses and services, which are frequented and appreciated by our readership area.

Want to view the categories?

Go online—and vote!

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Here’s what you need to know: 1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address.

2. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m.

January 31, 2024.

3. Voters need to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot is counted.

4. The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1, 2024.

5. Watch for our much-anticipated Best of Lake Minnetonka in the July issue, where the winners and runners up will be revealed—along with Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights.

*Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

SIP

Toast to You It’s Dry January, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a mocktail, courtesy of Lunds & Byerlys, all year. To note: Some of the ingredients in all the recipes include herbs and juices you might have on hand after the holidays.

Töst Mule (single serving) » 2 ½-inch slices ginger, peeled » 4 mint leaves » ½ oz. simple syrup » ¾ oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed

Töst Mule

» 4 oz. Töst sparkling nonalcoholic beverage » ice » lime slice, for garnish In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle ginger, mint and simple syrup. Add lime juice; fill the shaker halfway with ice. Shake until frosty, about 15 seconds. Fill a lowball glass with ice. Strain the ginger syrup over the ice. Top with 4 oz. of Töst, and garnish with a lime slice.

Visit lakeminntonkamag.com to find recipes for a Cranberry Green Tea Mocktail with cranberry, lemon and pomegranate juices; and a Sparkling Grapefruit Vanilla Mocktail, featuring grape-

Cranberry Green Tea Mocktail

fruit and lemon juices and rosemary-vanilla syrup.

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January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Lunds & Byerlys

Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys.

Sip more at lundsandbyerlys.com.

TOP WELLNESS TRENDS FOR 2024

M

MOVE

O D TH 1- EL 4 U P OP R M E –S N U N

l o ca l t i p s , t i d bits & in sig h ts

Strength training has always been a pillar of traditional exercise regimens, but it is gaining greater popularity due to the longevity benefits of building bone density, maintaining muscle mass and preserving a strong metabolic rate. Understanding that the body needs to rest and repair between sessions allows for greater muscle growth. Balance low impact exercise (walking or Pilates) in between two or three strength training sessions per week to remain active.

Sleep continues to be a focus as we struggle with our non stop work culture, length of screen time and generalized stress. While wearables will still be a popular tool to measure sleep cycles and improve habits, the shift this year will be toward remedies that have stood the test of time, including sauna, cold plunge and float therapies.

When it comes to temperature therapies, last year nearly 30 percent of Americans adopted unconventional ways to increase their physical performance and assist with recovery, including cold plunging, cryotherapy and hot/ cold combinations. The combination of sauna and cold plunge involves spending 15–20 minutes in a sauna and then taking a two- to three-minute dip in cold water two or three times a week.

(Timing and temperature depend on the person and their goals.) The benefits of this strategy include increased blood flow, release of endorphins, lymphatic

M E D I N A

drainage and reduced anxiety.

Community-based wellness has reemerged as fun way for people to connect with others around a common inter-

DESIGNED TO MAKE THE EVERYDAY EXTRAORDINARY.

est. We are more likely to try something out of our comfort zone when we are surrounded by supportive friends. Check out local wellness events, and you might be surprised by how many you will find that may change your health outlook for 2024.

Laurel Famigletti is an area resident and owner of EndorP.H.I.T, where she provides virtual group fitness classes, in-home personal training and virtual nutrition coaching.

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PLUMBING | HEATING | cooling | ELECTRICAL | sewer 16

January 2024

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l o ca l t i p s , t i d bits & in sig h ts

DISCOVER

Hospital History

AWARD-WINNING SMILES START AT

Change is inevitable. With history, it is no different. Today, health care now includes telemedicine, minute clinics, urgent care facilities, life flights and more to offer instant access to specialized medicine.

Imagine if none of this existed—that takes us back to 1932 and the Minnetonka Hospital, located along Lake Street in Wayzata in the former family home of James I. Tibbetts, M.D. The hospital was started and run by Wayzata’s Carl J. Martinson, M.D., and Mound’s Edward Mitchell, M.D. At that time, the house was an ideal facility. The hospital tended to broken bones, simple surgeries and the deliveries of 1,545 babies, some of whom still live in Wayzata.

Surgery and obstetrics were located on either side of the front door, and the central staircase, not an elevator, took patients up to the patients’ rooms, which once served as the family bedrooms. (The third floor of Photo: Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

the house served as living quarters for the nurses and staff.)

The hospital had charm. The rooms, some with a lake view, were wallpapered in

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gentle floral patterns, the beds were white wrought iron and the homecooked meals were said to be delicious.

The hospital stood at this location from 1932 to 1964 when it was razed to accommodate the next and latest change of the

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time—Wayzata’s first drive-thru bank.

Joanie Holst serves as a board member of the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.

Discover more at lakeminnetonkahistory.org.

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ENLIGHTEN

Natural Connections Minnetonka club provides students with community environmental conservation opportunities.

WHEN A MINNETONKA High School (MHS) student realized her passions for nature and giving back, she decided to connect her school with the community through the creation of the Minnetonka Natural Resources Club.

Sarah Johnsen, a 2023 MHS graduate, participated in bluebird data collection and buckthorn removal events organized by the City of Minnetonka during the summer of 2022. Inspired by the work, she helped create a club that aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the significance of sustainability and the environment.

There are more than 60 students involved in the club’s group meet chats.

“We wanted more students to have ways to connect with our community and volunteer opportunities,” Johnsen says of club she co-created. “We wanted to keep that relationship with the city going.”

And going it has. Students have worked collaboratively with city volunteer groups, acting as the city’s first youth stewards, says Christine Petersen, natural resources engagement coordinator for the City of Minnetonka.

“They’ve just done a broad bank of things,” she says. “They’re very impressive, motivated young people.”

A project both Johnsen and Petersen highlighted as a favorite was educating Minnetonka fifth-grade students about conservation practices related to pet waste removal. “We helped students draw pet waste signs that will be hung up in area parks,” Johnsen says. “It was fun to interact with them and get them excited about how this helps the environment.”

Top: Natural Resources Club members participate in Arbor Day planting.

Bottom: Members visit a local elementary school.

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Christine Petersen; City of Minnetonka

By Emily Gedde

G G

ARBOR ADVANTAGE Minnetonka Natural Resources Club Tree-Plenish, an effort to educate

GRIEGER GROUP

community members about the

WHEN SUCCESS MATTERS

members were also involved in

importance of native trees. Students hosted a table at a local farmers market to sell trees to homeowners for their yards, and more than 300 trees were distributed.

Petersen explains that while elementary students receive stormwater education, having club members help with the campaign was fulfilling for everyone involved. “Club members worked in small groups about how to do the messaging about picking up pet waste,” she says. “It was a lot of fun to see the club members’ leadership ability and poise.”

Future Leadership

Creating the club gave Johnsen a greater perspective on leadership and inspired her to become involved at the University of Vermont, where she’ll study environmental science. “… what we do with this club is hard work, but I feel we really make a difference,” she says. “This kind of work is a lot of fun, too.”

MHS’s Savanna Larson was poised to take the reins of club leadership during the 2023–24 school year and already has a lot of ideas. She discusses the desire to turn gray space (sidewalks and other concrete areas) into green space, which includes gardens and pollinatorfriendly areas.

“That project is more ambitious but something we want to do,” Savanna says.

“I’m passionate about conservation. I love interacting with other age groups and sharing admiration for nature through different generations.”

Petersen says she looks forward to a continued relationship with club members. “I’m really impressed by these young people taking that opportunity and doing meaning-making in their own lives,” she says. “We all can make a difference in our community. Hopefully, these students will be able to inspire the next group of young people to continue these conservation efforts.”

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Located in the coveted Highgate/Sparrow Road neighborhood, this charming ranchstyle home has three main floor bedrooms and sits on .61 acres. Convenience and tranquility coexist in this location which is private, but close to the elementary, middle, and highschool, shopping, and downtown Excelsior and Wayzata.

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This handsome home is immaculate, and pride of ownership is everywhere. Deephaven Elementary.

Ideal location close to elementary, middle, and high schools, Lake Minnetonka, Carson Bay boat launch, swimming beaches, Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail, shopping, restaurants, and more!

Set two blocks from Lake Minnetonka and two blocks to Deephaven’s flagship Thorpe Park this charming home was designed, crafted, and lovely cared for by the current owners. Huge windows flood the space with natural light; a perfect blend of luxury, convenience, and natural beauty. Just a short distance to downtown Excelsior and Wayzata!

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Kaitlyn and Sarah Bonnema

VENTURES

Get Crackin’ Sisters run chicken egg delivery business while bracing for their future.

By Macy Berendsen

20

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

5885 Christmas Lake Rd, Excelsior MN 55331

Photo: Chris Emeott

WHEN KAITLYN BONNEMA

got her braces off, she was devastated.

“I was really sad the day I got them off. I thought, ‘Oh, this is a stage of my life that’s completely over,’” Kaitlyn says.

Waconia’s Kaitlyn and her younger sister, Sarah Bonnema, both loved having braces, inspiring their interest in pursuing a career as orthodontists and opening a shared practice.

But their first business together is far from working with teeth. One Cluck at a Time is an egg delivery business run by Kaitlyn and Sarah. Started around nine years ago, the sisters now deliver more than 100 dozen eggs per week to clients in Chanhassen, Chaska, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka, Shorewood, St. Bonifacius and Victoria.

Kaitlyn and Sarah’s father bought the family farm after he graduated from the University of Minnesota, as he was inspired by his time spent on his grandparent’s farm. When Kaitlyn was in sixth grade and Sarah in fifth grade, they asked their parents for chickens. “We really wanted a farming experience. We didn’t have any farm animals at all except for stray cats,” Kaitlyn says. They requested netted chickens—a dozen—naturally.

Once the chickens starting producing, Kaitlyn and Sarah sold the extra chicken eggs to friends and family, and One Cluck at a Time grew out of that experience.

Kaitlyn and Sarah estimate they spend around five hours a day caring for the chickens, including twice-daily feedings and waterings. Collecting, packaging and delivering the eggs takes up a lot of time, too. Delivery to Minnetonka is set for Wednesdays, which takes around six hours. (Whole roasting chickens are also available for sale.) The sisters’ parents help with deliveries, and their grandparents step in to assist if the family is away on vacation.

Both sisters graduated from the University of Minnesota in December 2023 with degrees in biology. The

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KR I S T I W E I N S TO CK REALTOR® C. 612.309.8332 kdweinstock@cbburnet.com weinstockgroup.com 19400 Highway 7 Excelsior, MN 55331

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations.

Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 2125C5-DC_MN_12/21

21

SMALL BUT MIGHTY Eggs provide us with essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, a nutrient that helps keep the body’s blood and nerve cells healthy, and iodine, which helps make thyroid hormones that keep cells healthy, according to the American Egg Board.

Both high in protein and nutrients, eggs, it notes, also contain disease-fighting nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin.

22

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

MAIN MENU Eggs are one of the most versatile food items. Naturally, the duo has its favorite ways to add eggs into their meals.

Sarah goes for a classic egg breakfast burrito while Kaitlyn prefers an egg bake, which she and her family enjoy on a weekly basis. Need to refresh your egg bake game? Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott

for their family recipe.

money earned from their egg business goes toward financing dental school tuition, and they have their hopes set on attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

“It’s definitely a big part of our lives, and everyone that knows us, knows about our business, too,” Kaitlyn says. “[One] semester, one of our professors put us at the end of her presentation in class to tell everybody there’s eggs available if they want to buy any.”

One Cluck at a Time has given Kaitlyn and Sarah a foundation of what it’s like to run a business and work with each other. “On the business side of things, we know a lot about accounting and dealing with customers,” Kaitlyn says.

“We also like marketing and networking.

We reach out to a lot of other poultry professionals as we go to a chicken convention every year in Minneapolis, and so we meet a lot of people there.”

Kaitlyn and Sarah have plans to keep their egg business running while in dental school. Sarah says it would be difficult to let the business go, especially since they’ve dedicated so much of their lives to it at this point. “We’re super close, not just in age, but we get along really well,” Kaitlyn says. “We hang out all the time together. It’s nice to be able to run a business with somebody that I get along with and enjoy being with.”

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Natalie Webster

PORTRAIT

Talk of the Town Website and podcast aim to be hubs for community information.

By Mollee Francisco

24

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

IN AN AREA WHERE THE WATER SEPARATES PEOPLE , Natalie

Webster is working to bring them back together. Webster is the mastermind behind tonkatalk.com, a website and podcast, which can be found on all major streaming services and is recorded in Spring Park. Both are devoted to keeping tabs on all the wonderful events happening in the area and all the fascinating people that call this place home.

It’s Webster’s way of giving back to a community that long ago opened its arms to a stranger from Hawaii. “This community embraced us,” Webster says about her move to Minnesota. And for that, she will be forever grateful.

Webster realized just how fortunate she was when COVID-19 hit, and she found herself alone and bummed on Thanksgiving. The Realtor started thinking about all the connections she had made in the Lake Minnetonka community. She decided she wanted to give back, so she tapped into the relationships she had developed in the local area to put together surprise spa packages for frontline workers.

Those efforts continued for a while, but as the pandemic waned, Webster realized she wanted to continue fostering those relationships in the community. So, she transitioned to a website and later a podcast, focused on sharing positive news and events. She dubbed them Tonka Talk. “The goal was to be a hub for information,” Webster says.

Tonka Talk features a blog, videos and a calendar, along with the podcast, all focused on the Lake Minnetonka area. Webster says her aim is to add fresh content weekly to help people feel more connected to the people and events around them.

“Community and connection do exist,” Webster says. “The more we talk about it and share about it, the more it exists.”

Webster loves sharing stories from the community. She has covered everything from snow kiting to paragliding, goat cuddling to electric boats and fun runs to fundraisers. “I’m fascinated by how people make connections, their stories and where they come from,” she says. “I have an underlying passion to tell these stories.”

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Natalie Webster (left) and Kelly Olsen (right) discuss Olsen’s business developments around the lake.

“I BELIEVE WE DO GET WHAT WE FOCUS ON, AND I’M FOCUSED ON SPREADING POSITIVITY.” —Natalie Webster

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January 2024

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Among Webster’s favorite stories she has shared on Tonka Talk is that of Kelly Olsen and the restoration of an 1858 Victorian Italianate that become The Guest House in Excelsior. Webster says she was inspired by Olsen’s tale of wanting to create a place where people could “slow down and spend time with the people they care about.” (Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com to read about The Guest House in the May 2022 issue.)

Webster says she also loved profiling Gary Marquardt, known for playing “Taps” at sunset most nights at Casco Point on Spring Park Bay. He decided to take up the bugle after going to a veteran’s funeral and seeing someone hiding behind a tree, playing a taped recording of “Taps” because there was no one available to play it live. “We can all have such an impact,” Webster says. “Hearing these stories inspires me.”

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Coaching Connections

Casie Kindl

Rewriting home and work narratives can lead to a better life story.

Written by Jody Carey — Photos courtesy of Kindl Coaching

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

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W

ayzata resident Casie Kindl is telling people to stop giving 110 percent.

“Doing less is still good enough,” she says—because letting go is essential to preserve who we are.

Through Kindl Coaching, she guides clients to set realistic expectations. “The people I coach are juggling a lot. They’re accomplished at work, busy with kids and caring for elderly parents, but few have boundaries, and that leaves them exhausted,” she says.

Kindl understands what others are

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going through. She spent 20 years in the corporate grind that left her feeling empty. To find clarity and balance, she dedicated time to self-discovery and healing. “My personal growth journey allowed me to shift from black-and-white thinking—either I have to do an amazing job, or I’m going to get fired,” she says.

As a result, Kindl started to play more in the gray and do less, which resulted in a healthier balance.

What she’s learned is that there are creative ways to achieve balance, and the change doesn’t have to be drastic.

January 2024

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Kindl is a certified professional coach, accredited through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, specializing in leadership and well-being. She’s working toward the highest coach-

Subscribe to your community’s magazine or purchase additional copies at localmedia.co

ing accreditation through the International Coaching Federation as an associate certified coach.

Kindl Coaching provides one-on-one coaching to help clients define their strengths and discover clarity.

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Comradery in group settings can be an important element with Kindl Coaching.

“We expect too much of ourselves at work,” she says. “We show up with very high expectations that are unachievable.”

Crystal Chopp was at a crossroad when she heard about Kindl Coaching. She has a fulfilling career as a dentist and runs Ely Family Dental, but her role as a firsttime boss coincided with a messy divorce. Chopp wanted to reclaim joy in her life and signed up for six months of personal coaching sessions. Chopp says having a personal coach was the most enlightening and empowering experience she’s ever gone through. “Casie helped me dig deep, find that core person who I’ve always been, and let that

“Regardless of everyone’s scenario, we all have common things that we’re working on and can all relate to.”

Kristen Ainsworth

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part bloom and grow,” she says.

Kindl’s clients agree that her coaching style leads to self-reflection in ways they couldn’t have discovered alone. Dennis Gonzales, PhD., is a health care executive, who Kindl coached. He believes it’s important to give permission to invest in yourself. “We spend $10,000 on a mattress, $80,000 on a car or go out to dinner and blow $300,” Gonzales says.

He continues to say, “What we think the issue is, is only a symptom, and it’s really not the issue.” Working with a leadership coach can help clients dig deeper and find the heart of an issue.

Minnetonka Beach resident Kristen Ainsworth is a biotechnology executive, who recently left a fast-paced job. She wanted to refocus after a significant milestone birthday. “It’s one of those milestones that get you thinking about the second half of life, and my goal is to crush the second half,” she says.

During the 12-week group coaching session, Ainsworth said the Energy Leadership Index Assessment was a turning point for her. The assessment

January 2024

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To Advertise

kathie smith 952.465.9741 | kathie@localmedia.co

is fundamental to Kindl’s coaching program and a tool that shows how participants view and perceive their world.

Ainsworth learned that her dominant energy focus is concern for others. It’s a very selfless energy level that can lead to burnout and fatigue.

She enjoyed being part of a wonderfully supportive community of women.

“Regardless of everyone’s scenario, we all have common things that we’re working on and can all relate to,” she says.

Group coaching includes weekly individual activities and bimonthly group sessions. Ainsworth says that over the 12 weeks, she started to draw things out that she probably knew all along but didn’t necessarily realize.

For additional information, visit kindlcoaching.com.

Kindl Coaching @kindlcoaching Casie Kindl

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WRITTEN BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO

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—

PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

PURE HOPPINESS

NONPROFIT OFFERS ANIMAL VISITS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS AND REDUCE STRESS.

With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face.

I took her home on impulse.”

Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.”

Smith started taking Piper to agility classes, and it was there that she was introduced to a companion animal group. Before she knew it, Smith was toting Piper to her first skilled nursing facility to visit with residents. That was soon followed by a homeless shelter,

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Jennifer Smith

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“Jennifer is very genuine and cares deeply about this mission.

She loves her rabbits and sincerely wants to make a difference in the lives of people, who interact with the bunnies. She is knowledgeable and sensitive to both the rabbits and people.”

—Barb Short, The Orchards of Minnetonka

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where children were encouraged to practice their reading with the rabbit.

“It was such a great way to live in love and kindness,” Smith says of taking the rabbit on visits. It was also a great way to help people, who were facing challenges. Smith, who lived in a skilled nursing facility for a time while recuperating an from illness, says she knew, “It’s a hard place to be.” She vowed to make it better.

In 2012, Smith officially founded Bunny Besties, a Minnetonka-based, nonprofit dedicated to providing impactful animal-assisted interactions (by way of rescue rabbits) to support emotional wellness. “Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life transitions,” Smith says.

The nonprofit has 18 rescue rabbits, which undergo hundreds of hours of training over the course of a year before they interact with the public. Together with a 50-member volunteer crew, Smith has served more than 26,000 people in educational settings, shelters, hospices, libraries and senior living locations throughout the Twin Cities.

“I see the magic happening with kids and seniors,” she says.

Last July, Bunny Besties opened its first location on Highway 7 in Minnetonka. There, Smith hopes to add more therapeutic options, including meditation and journaling in addition to running a store to sell supplies with proceeds benefiting the organization.

She also hopes the new space will help them increase the number of volunteers. “The more people, the more we can do,” she says.

For visits, Bunny Besties charges service and transportation fees, which go toward animal care and program operations. “We call it ‘bunnies on a budget,’” Smith says. “We’re all run on volunteers’ blood, sweat and tears.”

Donations are needed, and Smith would love to see them increase, so Bunny Besties can continue to expand its offerings. She says, “We’re at the point where this could get bigger.

I’d love to see this get bigger.”

January 2024

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Gentle Visitors Barb Short, dimensions (memory care) manager at The Orchards of Minnetonka senior living community, has long witnessed the benefits of the animal program for older adults and welcomes Bunny Besties for monthly visits to The Orchards.

How did you get acquainted with Bunny Besties?

Barb Short

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I first became acquainted when I started working in this field in 2015.

The group came to York Gardens [Senior Living in Edina] when I was working as an activity assistant there.

I loved the idea of a pet therapy group that had rabbits instead of the typical pets. Residents loved them. Short later brought the nonprofit to Crestview [Senior Living in Columbia Heights], where she worked, and then to The Orchards of Minnetonka.

January 2024

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Providing MEMORY CARE with a LOVING KINDNESS

that respects the dignity of each resident.

Why did you think residents would benefit from the program? … [The rabbits] usually don’t produce allergies ... and give residents a chance to have a warm living thing on their laps that they can pet … talk to, sing to, etc. … Bunny Besties also has bunnies [that] are great at agility: climbing, running, jumping, etc. The agility course is very entertaining, and the bunnies, [that] are gifted with agility and trained, can really kick up their heels and go. As much of the research shows, the tactile nature of petting is very beneficial but so is the connection to another living thing, as well as [encouraging] the remembrance of having a pet or working with a farm animal. The responsibility and pleasant experience of it stimulates a reminiscing moment in time for residents, which lowers anxiety.

How do residents respond to the visits?

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[Residents] are so calm and relaxed when we are finished with the rabbits in the late afternoon. They go to supper with lingering smiles and a quiet, relaxed demeanor. We have family members, who come each month just to see the bunnies themselves and see their loved ones talking to the bunnies …

We usually have other staff, who come into memory care to see the bunnies and get a pet in or two while they are here ... It’s like a bunny kum ba yah.

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Learn more about enrollment at minnetonkaschools.org/shape24 39

O N T H E TOW N

ART IN UNEXPECTED SPACES Ridgedale Center: More than just a retail experience.

3

2

4

AF TE R L AST M O N T H ’ S H O LIDAY H U STLE AND BU STLE ,

trips to any shopping mall might not top anyone’s list. However, should you find yourself at Ridgedale Center, 12401 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, your visit can also be an art experience.

Partners in Art, curated and managed for Brookfield Properties by the Minnetonka Center for the Arts (MCFTA), places exhibits of visual art throughout the Minnetonka mall’s public spaces, offering millions of visitors each year the opportunity to view local artwork in a variety of mediums and styles.

“The accessibility and convenience of these displays creates a strong link between artists and the rest of the community,” says Bob Bowman, exhibits director. “Exhibitors are always telling me how frequently they hear from people who’ve seen their work at Ridgedale Center.” —Renée Stewart-Hester

5

1. Figurative vessels by ceramist Kathy Mommsen and tea set by MCFTA student/ member Sally Hauser.

2. Sculptural vessels by MCFTA artist/instructor Ernest Miller.

3. Figurative vessel by ceramist Kathy Mommsen.

4. Platter by MCFTA artist/ instructor Lee Persell.

5. Sculpture by Beth

For additional information or to purchase artwork, contact

Thompson.

Bowman at 952.473.7361 ext. 170, or visit minnetonkaarts.org.

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January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Robert Bowman

1

l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o

Car Accident Injury Specialists for over 35 years.

Back Pain • Neck Pain Headaches • Sciatica Knee Pain • Shoulder Pain

Compiled by Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl and Hailey Almsted

18 LOCAL EVENTS

20 French Cabaret Night

Mark Stillman bring the musical styl-

OF

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1421 East Wayzata Blvd. Wayzata, MN 55391

01/06 Musicians Francine Roche, Jim Price and

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952.473.9637 • TheBrostClinic.com

ings of the Parisian streets to Blue Water Theatre for one night only. All ages. Prices start at $15. 7 p.m. 605 Rice St. E., Wayzata; 952.855.9147; app.arts-people.com

Coffee with the Mayor 01/10 Residents of Orono are welcome to come by City Hall and discuss the new year with mayor Dennis Walsh. Coffee and treats will be provided. All ages.

Free. 9–10 a.m. 2780 Kelley Parkway, Orono; 952.249.4600; oronomn.gov

Charcuterie Board Make & Take 01/16 Learn from local hardware supplier Rockler on how to use tools to make your own charcuterie board. All necessary tools and materials will be provided. Ages 18 and older. $120. 4–6 p.m. 12995 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka; 1.800.279.4441; rockler.com

Minnetonka Fire Family Fun Day 01/20 Meet local firefighters and Sparky the Dog at this year’s Fire Family Fun Day, plus learn about fire safety, enjoy refreshments and let kids learn all there is to know about fire rescue. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–

1 p.m. Central Fire Station 14550 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka; minnetonkamn.gov

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O N T H E TOW N

Serving The Mpls Area In All Weather Conditions For Over 40 Years.

952.230.2502

Les Jones Roofing | 941 W 80th St, Bloomington, MN 55420 | 952-230-2502

Polar Plunge Lake Minnetonka-Mound 01/24 Fundraise and hop into the frozen water, with the community cheering you on while raising funds for Special Olympics Minnesota. All ages, participants

in digital format!

Never miss an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions.

Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Lake Minnetonka Magazine articles with friends and family.

under 18 must have a guardian present. $75 fundraising minimum per plunger.

11 a.m. Surfside Park Depot, 2670 Commerce Blvd., Mound; 763.270.7119; plungemn.org

AREA EVENTS

Ice Castles 01/01–01/31 (Closed on Tuesdays) Now in Maple Grove, the Ice Castles are coming back to Minnesota and feature all sorts of attractions from waterfalls and tunnels, to full structures.

Art and Dining After Dark 01/10 Experience the MIA like never before with this private dining experience, featuring a multicourse dinner by Jamie Malone and Paris Dining Club, rounded out with wine

Learn more at lakeminnetonkamag.com 42

January 2024

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Photo: Chris Emeott

All ages. Prices vary. Hours dependent on weather. 12500 82nd Ave. N., Maple Grove; 866.435.2850; icecastles.com

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Charcuterie Board Make & Take

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pairings. Curators will lead tours of the exhibition 1,000 Years of Spain, along with after hours in the galleries. Ages 21 and older.

Admission $475, valet included. 6–9:30 p.m.

Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.870.3000; tickets.artmia.org

Art Shanty Projects 01/20–02/11 (Weekends Only) The Art Shanty Projects are back on Lake Harriet (Bdé Umá ) to bring the arts outdoors during the coldest time of the year, all encapsulated inside of artisan and community-built structures.

All ages. Free admission, donations recommended. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake Harriet/Bdé Umá , 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; 612.567.6844; artshantyprojects.org

To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and

Room to Grow in

ORONO!

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even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print.

Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

952-449-8300 oronoschools.org/enroll

2023-2024

43

TA S T E M A K E R S

MasterChef Junior Contestant Goes Global Ariana Feygin discovers her passion while living and cooking abroad.

Written by Rachel Schuehle

IT ’S BEEN A BOUT 10 YEA R S

since Excelsior native Ariana Feygin auditioned for season six of MasterChef Junior (2018) and six years since competing on the show when she was 12 years old.

Although she placed in the top 10, Feygin has done anything but take a back seat to the kitchen. In fact, she keeps turning up the heat. Now 19 years old and living in Barcelona, Spain, Feygin continues to cook for an even wider audience than during her MasterChef Junior days.

Feygin started creating content for social media during the pandemic when she shared her love of cooking with her

44

then small following. Since that time, she’s made over 600 cooking videos, and her TikTok account has gained 2.6 million followers. “I absolutely love it. It’s enabled me to do so many things,” she says. “It’s my dream job.”

Each week, Feygin dreams up “fun, whimsical content” to share with her followers. From carnival-themed goodies to an elevated end-of-summer picnic, she is never short on original ideas.

“I have always loved to romanticize life and take my day-to-day life and make it really fun,” she says.

In Barcelona, she’s more than just

January 2024

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Photos: Arianna Feygin

Ariana Feygin

familiarized herself with local shops, especially the grocery store she frequents almost daily. “I’m friends with all the people there, and I’ve been able to cook with people here and learn a lot,” she says.

Feygin radiates joy and originality and credits the city as her muse. “Living in Barcelona is inspiring. There’s so much art and creativity, so many cultures … walking around and looking into the windows of shops, seeing color palettes and fashion. I love the artistic side of content creation,” she says.

When she’s not whipping up her latest inspired dish, Feygin indulges in the closest corner store’s guilty pleasure— junk food. “I’ve uncovered the perfect formula: something salty, something sweet or chocolate, a sour candy and a refreshing drink,” she says. “It’s the best and worst thing ever because they’re open all the time.”

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pleasure junk food than cooking competition shows? Feygin is hooked on Netflix’s Five Star Chef, which features seven professional chefs competing to become the executive chef at The Langham, London—a luxury hotel.

Next up for Feygin? She hopes to discover more of her personal and cooking styles before considering authoring a cookbook and is passionate about exploring more long-form content.

“I want to show more of life and the things I love and connect with the audience on a deeper level,” she says.

And although her days of competing might be over, despite her “fire of desire to compete,” Feygin would love to host a game show-style cooking program. “I love cooking shows that are more of a game show or contest, so you get to know the people,” she says. @arianafeygin

Take a look back at our August 2018 article on Ariana Feygin.

Read this piece and more by visiting lakeminnetonkamag.com.

@arianafeygin

@ariana_feygin

Carefully curated tablescapes showcase Ariana Feygin’s style.

In addition to Spain, Feygin has mastered the ease of traveling in Europe, with passport stamps from Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and Switzerland. “I’ve always loved to experience other cultures and cook food from other countries,” she says. “I’ve been able to learn from so many people.” She remembers her favorite meals in other countries as coming from restaurants that are “family owned gems” or somewhere the locals recommend.

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DINE AROUND MINNESOTA Although Feygin is living abroad, a part of her heart (and stomach) will always be in Minnesota.

She offers her top restaurant recommendations: • 6Smith (Wayzata) • Demi (Minneapolis) • Latt14 Asian Eatery (Golden Valley)

January 2024

lakeminnetonkamag.com

Photos: Ariana Feygin

DINE AROUND EUROPE

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LMSS offers excellent sailing instruction for sailors of all ages and abilities with recreational sailing programs, Learn to Race classes, Advanced Race Teams, and Middle/High School sailing.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or an amazing grooming experience, The Top Shave Lounge has got you covered. Book your appointment online or stop in for quality products.

Wayzata Bay Car Wash is locally owned and operated in the heart of downtown Wayzata. We strive to lead the industry in top-of-the-line equipment and exemplary customer service.

Lake Minnetonka Sailing School 19802 Minnetonka Blvd.

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47

LAST GLANCE

Lens on Lake Minnetonka Winning image finds active beauty in stillness.

“The winters can be long in Minnesota, but they can also be beautiful,” Cindy Perone says. “I enjoy capturing images of water on the lake and the reflection of light off the ice made for the ideal abstract photo.”

“Even ice can be interesting,” the Shorewood resident says. “Contours, reflections of light and proportions contributed to this photo coming together.”

Abstract photography can be challenging. “As a dentist, I often find the most abstract cosmetic work can be turned beautiful by redirecting light and changing colors of porcelain,”

48

Perone says. “In abstract photography, similar principles can be applied. Find something that inspires you, apply the right light and you will be surprised at what you can create.”

Life in and around water offers creative inspiration. “Definitely, Lake Minnetonka and the Gulf of Mexico are some of my favorites,” Perone says.

Photographer: Cindy Perone

Title: Winter Ice Lake Minnetonka Equipment: Canon camera

Location: Lake Minnetonka

(Excelsior)

Category: Abstract Place: First

—Renée Stewart-Hester

To view other Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.

January 2024

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