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“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” —Marian Wright Edelman, American activist
Photo: Morgan Chapman Media
Jennifer Cramer-Miller and Penny, page 16
On the Bright Side
Wayzata author spreads optimism in her memoir.
Brothers in Focus
Minnetonka High School grads— and identical twins—turn their passions for film and business into a thriving production studio.
One Texas family builds their dream summer home on Lake Minnetonka.
Creatives
from the EDITOR
Does any other month slip by as quickly as August? For those who either work in education or have school-age children, 31 days hardly offers up enough hours to eke out the waning moments of summertime and prepare for the upcoming academic year.
For students and their families, applications, health forms, permission slips and registrations arrive with must-adhereto due dates. Last-minute shopping trips for school supplies, sports equipment, locker décor (Why is this a thing?) and dorm/apartment items beg for time in the schedule. It’s all about getting ready—from preschool to college!
Incoming seniors in high school have been making preparations of their own as they embark on the next several months at the top of the K–12 heap. To mark this milestone, in this our education issue, we feature our annual Senior Spotlight article, which offers readers a sampling of exceedingly bright and capable local students. On page 24, meet and learn more about Avinash (Avi) Bandi (Wayzata High School); Jos Buffington (Minnetonka High School); Clara Lawrence (Delano High School); Chizoro Nwokocha (The Blake School); Stewart Royal (Orono High School); and Jagger Wittine (Mound Westonka High School).
While we extend our congratulations to these students and the other worthy nominees, let’s also give an appreciative nod to the entire Class of 2025. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” —C.S. Lewis
Until next month,
Renée Stewart-Hester renee@localmedia.co
On the Cover
See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!
Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag
Photo: Chris Emeott
Chizoro Nwokocha , Photo by Chris Emeott, page 24
VOL. 19 NO. 4 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 and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Laurel Famigletti
Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson
Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Raela Schoenherr
Lisa Stevens and Katie Tomasche
DIGITAL INTERN
Zoe Baden
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Brooke Beyer, Wayzata Area Chamber ; Laura Bray, Friends of the Excelsior Library ; Mary Cornelius, Minnetonka Schools ; David Decker, House Novel ; Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global ; Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer ; and Amanda Zielike, House Novel
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
Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson, Abbie Kinn and Kathie Smith
PRESIDENT
Pete Burgeson
THE DISH ON BACK TO SCHOOL
It’s about that time when home kitchens ramp up breakfast, “cold” lunch and afterschool snack repertoires as students get back into the learning curve.
Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com for the complete recipes.
Oat and Apple Muffins
These muffins are hearty and filling with good-for-you oats and applesauce and very little sugar, yet they taste like a special breakfast treat. There will be no twisting of arms to get kids to eat a substantial breakfast! Tip: The young at heart love them, too; they taste like a perfect combination of nostalgia and optimism.
Baked Berry Oatmeal
If you’re looking for a tasty, grab-and-go healthy breakfast, this recipe is the answer. Tip: Serve with yogurt and more fresh fruit.
Mini Loaded Club Sandwiches
We took a classic club sandwich, loaded it with good stuff and shrunk it down to an easy-to-eat size. In other words, we created the perfect lunchtime paradox: small sandwich, big flavor.
Baked Buffalo Chicken Pasta Skillet
Pick up a rotisserie chicken, and make this supremely satisfying pasta dinner. Save the leftovers for your lunch the next day. Tip: We like to pop it in a thermos.
Mini Pizzas
Talk about comfort food at its finest. The pizzas boast puffy, slightly sweet crusts, lots of sauce and cheese and ingredients for some punchy flavor and crunch. They come together fast, too, making them perfect for after-school snacks. Tip: Make a double batch. You’ll eat them all in a blink and wish you had more.
Air Fryer Taquitos
With the quintessential crunchy shell, just the right amount of heat and refreshing hints of pico de gallo and lime, these are everything you want in a taquito made incredibly easy. Tip: Make extra to freeze the taquitos for later, and pull them out when you need a quick snack.
Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Quick and easy, this recipe gives you that nice, snappy crunch on the outside with just the right amount of chewy subtleness on the inside. The cookies taste absolutely amazingly fresh out of the oven, but let’s be honest, there is no bad time to enjoy this deliciousness. Tip: Pack for lunch, but save some for after school nibbles.
Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Taste more at lundsandbyerlys.com.
Photo:
Fuel Rules for Young Athletes
It is important to fuel your young athlete’s body to optimize performance and support overall health and growth. Aim for balance that includes fiber-rich carbohydrates, moderate amounts of lean protein and healthy fats while limiting processed foods and sugars.
Consider this basic plan for your athlete in the hours leading up to, during and following athletic activity.
» Before: If it is less than three hours prior to activity, focus on easily digestible carbohydrates and protein while limiting healthy fats.
» During: Hydration is key, so make sure your child has a full water bottle and back-up if needed. If the activity is more than one hour, pack a light snack to stay energized.
» After: Eat within 30 minutes, focusing on carbohydrates to replenish lost energy stores and protein to support muscle growth and repair.
Use these fuel foods for great kick-starters for any day.
» Apples with nut or seed butter
» Beef sticks and whole grain crackers
» Carrots and cucumbers with hummus
» Cottage cheese and crackers
» Greek yogurt and berries
» Homemade protein bites
» Pita bread sliced with guacamole
» Scrambled eggs and turkey sausage
» String cheese and pretzels
» Whole grain toast with avocado
Young athletes need to hydrate during the day. Aim for one to two cups of water with meals and a full water bottle during the day.
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.
READ History Lesson
Angeline Boulley brings Warrior Girl Unearthed as teenager Perry Firekeeper-Birch plans to spend her summer doing nothing until her aunt makes her take on an internship with her tribe’s summer program.
Perry’s bad attitude changes once she learns about the Warrior Girl, an ancestor whose bones are being held at the local university’s museum rather than being returned to the tribe (according to federal law). As Perry makes it her mission to help bring Warrior Girl home, she is wrapped up in more danger than she could have anticipated, leaving her fate—and Warrior Girl’s—inexorably entwined.
Boulley’s outstanding writing, gripping plot and true-to-life characters make this young adult novel come alive while also opening readers’ eyes to the challenges Native Americans encounter as they reclaim their history.
Raela Schoenherr works in marketing at a publishing company and is a lifelong lover of books and reading.
DISCOVER
Head of the Class
Do you remember your favorite teacher?
While it’s been many years since Miss Ella M. Stratton led her classroom, the memory of her remains by way of Stratton Field behind today’s Excelsior Elementary School. The field was named in her honor in 1940. Born in St. Anthony in 1855, Stratton earned a teaching certificate when she was 16, taught in rural schools near Lake Minnetonka and began teaching for Excelsior in 1883. By 1904, she earned $57.50 a month. Stratton was a favorite teacher of multiple generations and remembered for penning poems as gift for students, tying each poem with a ribbon. She had students recite poems at Washington Day programs and offered her
own as gifts for guests, at reunions and at the Congregational Church of Excelsior where she was superintendent of the Sunday school and clerk for over 60 years.
After teaching in Excelsior in 34 years, Stratton reluctantly retired in 1917. She later wrote, “It is gratifying to know that my former pupils have pleasant memories concerning their long-ago school days. I have by no means forgotten them ...”
Kirsten Pardoe is a Lake Minnetonka Historical Society volunteer. Discover more (even information about a favorite teacher or school) at lakeminnetonkahistory.org.
Ella Stratton is photographed with her 1904 first grade class near Excelsior Public School, which still stands at 261 School Ave., Excelsior. (From the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society archives.)
LEARN
Delivering Important Information
The blush of new parenthood should paint those early days for growing families with excitement and joy. Yet, those first weeks after a birth can make any parent blanch with worry and uncertainty. There are plenty of classes that address labor and delivery or provide information for babies 6 weeks and older. There is, however, an important period of time between birth to 6 weeks that can leave parents feeling at a loss and, in some cases, quite alone.
“We send them home from the hospital to care for a tiny newborn with little more than a wave and a bouquet,” Beverly Gillen says, but the parent educator wants to be among those who fill that delta by offering The Stork School for Expectant Parents.
Gillen of Minnetonka launched the sixweek online course earlier this year. It examines 12 modules with over 40 teaching topics, including baby safety, baby soothing and feeding, early literacy, infant brain development, parent-child attachment, postpartum self-care, the unique role of fathers/partners and more. Gillen says she developed The Stork School “to provide parent education and postpartum wellness instruction before baby is born, so new parents are confident and capable of caring for their newborn and themselves.”
Emma and Christopher Knutson took the course ahead of their first child’s February birth. As a high school special education reading teacher and gymnastics coach, Emma needed the flexibility of an online course. “We were able to do it on our time and not feel pressured for attendance,” she says. She points to information about newborn safety as being particularly helpful and highlights another valuable section. “Bev did a really good section about relationship care,” she says. “I don’t know that that’s covered everywhere, and that’s important.” Emma says the class examined how to maintain a couple’s relationship while so much focus is aimed toward the new child. —Renée Stewart-Hester
Visit lakeminnetonkamag.com for the complete article.
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On the Bright Side
Wayzata author spreads optimism in her memoir.
By Mollee Francisco
TIME AND TIME AGAIN , life has lobbed lemons at Jennifer CramerMiller, but if there’s one thing she’s good at, it’s making “lemonade.” The Wayzata resident turned the lessons she’s learned from four kidney transplants into her memoir, Incurable Optimist: Living With Illness and
Chronic Hope. “I felt compelled to get it on paper,” Cramer-Miller says. “Life is such a mix of beauty and bummers.”
Cramer-Miller was just 22 years old, living on the West Coast and working in a career she loved, when illness rocked her world. “One day, out of the blue, I woke up with puffy eyes,”
she says, noting that she also experienced fatigue, pressure in her legs and swollen ankles. Tests revealed that Cramer-Miller’s kidneys were damaged. “Something was wrong with the filters in my kidneys,” she says.
The diagnosis: an autoimmune kidney disease. “They said it was progressive and incurable,” Cramer-Miller says. She was stunned. “I felt ripped from my rightful place. Everything was going well, until it wasn’t,” she says.
Cramer-Miller moved back to Minnesota to work alongside her father, Lawrence Cramer, at his company L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers. Within six months, she was in kidney failure and the search for a kidney donor
Photo: Morgan Chapman Media
Jennifer Cramer-Miller is a local author with a message of hope and joy.
began. “I waited one year and eight months for a kidney,” she says. But, after three days, she had a recurrence of her autoimmune disease. CramerMiller wondered how she could lead a meaningful life with kidney disease hanging over her head. “I didn’t want it to define me,” she says. “I wanted to pursue a life that felt normal.”
To do that, Cramer-Miller realized she would have to give up the life she had envisioned for herself. “There’s a quote from (author) Joseph Campbell, ‘We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.’” Letting go allowed her to move forward. Cramer-Miller received another kidney six years later and vowed that with that kidney, she would continue to live life to the fullest. “I owed it to the donor to do the best I could with that gift,” she says.
Cramer-Miller has since faced two more kidney transplants—one, a living donation from her mother, Elizabeth Cramer, and the second from her husband through a paired exchange pool. “I’ve had 15 family members and friends wanting to donate,” she says. “It’s a family love story.” Her current kidney has lasted more than 13 years. Through it all, she has developed an appreciation for everyday things. “I savor life so much,” she says. “Hope and joy permeate my days … I got to the point where I realized: I’m married. I have an amazing daughter, a great career and kidney disease can’t define me anymore. I’ve defined myself.”
Cramer-Miller continues to define herself, adding chair of the board of advisors for the Minnesota branch of the National Kidney Foundation and published author to her resume. She says that she hopes her book helps her reach more people affected by chronic illness. “The book tells them to hang on, savor the good things,” she says.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t bad days. There are, but Cramer-Miller has learned how to manage them. “I honor the feelings I have, let them in, feel them and let them dissipate,” she says. “Then I take stock of my lucky list and recenter my mind. I choose optimism because it’s good for my health.”
jennifercramermiller.com
Jennifer Cramer Miller @jennifercramermiller @JenCramerMiller
PORTRAIT
Brothers in Focus
Minnetonka High School grads—and identical twins—turn their passions for film and business into a thriving production studio.
By Jennifer Pitterle
WHEN DUAL STUDIOS’ video producers—and identical twins—Ben and Sam Brodsky graduated from Minnetonka High School (MHS) in 2013, they didn’t know exactly what careers they wanted to pursue. It turned out that their interests and activities had been providing some clues all along.
Ben says his early interest in photography, including classes at MHS, ignited what would become an allconsuming passion for film. And both brothers played tennis with Minnetonka Tennis Club and made a run at a state championship, something that would hone both their individual strengths and their combined power as a team of two.
The Brodskys attended the University of Kansas, where Ben was initially an engineering major, and Sam studied marketing and entrepreneurship. But engineering, for Ben, was not meant to be. “I was too passionate about my hobby, which was photo and video,” he says. “So I just dropped engineering, and thank God there was a film school,” he says with a laugh. In addition to taking classes, he worked in multimedia for school’s online newspaper and magazine, the University Daily Kansan, and experimented with early GoPro cameras, sports photography and other technology.
Meanwhile, Sam’s entrepreneurship classes dovetailed with Ben’s video projects. “Look at all these creatives running around and charging no money,” Sam remembers thinking. “How can I organize them?” He realized
Photos: Dual Studios
Top: Sam and Ben Brodsky
Bottom: Ben Brodsky capturing the perfect shot, using Dual Studios’ XR wall.
quickly that providing marketing and business support to Ben’s productions was a perfect fit.
Upon graduation in 2017, the Brodskys moved back home and set up their video production business “in our parents’ basement,” they’re fond of saying. Dual Studios (arriving in 2023 as a rebranding of Brodsky Studios)—the name a nod to both their twinship and their complementary personalities—was born. Within six months, business was solid enough to move to an office/apartment in St. Paul, and they opened their dedicated studio space in spring 2023.
Now, with more than seven years of experience on their CVs, Sam and Ben have worked on documentaries, short films, video advertisements and other projects for an impressive book of client brands and celebrities, from Breitling luxury watches to Justin Bieber to Coca-Cola. “We love working with people, and that’s what makes us tick,” Sam says. “Whether we work with an international brand or small mom-and-pop shop, it’s the creativity of those companies that excites us.”
The rise of Dual Studios hasn’t been without setbacks. Sam says COVID-19 cut their business in half overnight, and then the brothers faced something truly terrifying: A 2022 car accident that landed Ben in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury, plus months of rehabilitation and recovery in the aftermath.
“Now, we’re getting back on our feet, and it’s full speed ahead,” Sam says.
The resilience that’s seen the Brodskys through challenges is the resilience they encourage all young people to find. To current high schoolers and recent grads, Sam recommends they just keep at it. “If you have something you enjoy doing, put 120 percent of your energy into it,” he says. “Just start creating.” For aspiring filmmakers, specifically, he says, “Grab a camera or even a smartphone. The best way to understand yourself and how to operate in the industry is to learn by doing—and by mistake.”
Dual Studios, 360 Toronto St., St. Paul; 612.388.3596; dualstudios.co
Dual Studios @dualstudios.co
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Written by Jennifer Pitterle — Photos by Spacecrafting
Bird’s-Eye Lake View
One Texas family builds their dream summer home on Lake Minnetonka.
Cory Martilla grew up enjoying quintessential Minnesota summers: boating, fishing and finding life’s slower pace on the lake. Though he and his wife, Denae, have lived in Texas since 2006, they wanted to offer their kids (ages 6, 7 and 11) an opportunity for lake life. Cory says, “Our kids are in every sport. I work constantly. We have to force ourselves to slow life down. Our goal was to create a Minnesota summer experience with more balance.”
Figuring that the two-hour flight from Dallas to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport was a reasonable commute, the Martillas purchased a property on Lake Minnetonka’s St. Albans Bay in 2017 and worked with an architect to design their dream summer home. In 2021, the large-scale renovation project—led by Minnetonka’s Boyer Building Corporation—was underway. The resulting luxury home, featuring a showstopping deck cantilevered over the yard, makes the most of height for unique lake views.
The home’s living room features floorto-ceiling windows and sliding Marvin doors (up to 16 feet wide) that allow the Martillas to open two sides of the room to the deck, bringing the outdoors in. Tom Henjum, president of Boyer Building, says, “You’re perched high above the water on the deck. It’s like you become part of the lake.” An 8-foot fireplace adds coziness during cold weather and features a timber mantel that echoes the beams and paneling throughout the house.
In the kitchen, the countertop is made from a piece of butterflied quartzite, sliced in half and installed in a mirrored pattern. Two slabs of 150-year-old hackberry wood are mounted with brackets above the counter, offering another nod to the outdoors.
Brazilian walnut flooring runs seamlessly through the living room and out to the deck. In fact, Boyer’s carpentry crew hand-cut each decking board down in width to perfectly match the interior floorboards.
ALL THE LAURELS
The Martilla family’s unique lakeside home (which, as John Boyer says, “defies gravity” with its stunning deck) garnered several design awards during the 2023 season, including Contractor of the Year for residential addition and residential exterior from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry; and a Remodeler of Merit award for residential exterior from Housing First Minnesota.
The project team was able to retain the footprint of the home’s original staircase at the far end of the living room, designing a new switchback landing that offers continuous views of the lake. Henjum says it was a challenge to fit the parallel bars of the railing to the tapered posts along the way. “It was complicated from an execution standpoint,” he says.
The home’s pièce de résistance is the deck, which flows seamlessly from the living room and makes visitors feel like they’re floating over Lake Minnetonka. A commercialgrade steel structure angles up from the ground, through the deck and meets the roof, creating the cantilevered expanse of the deck without a need for bulky posts—and maintaining those unobstructed lake views. Under the deck is a walkout patio that leads from the guest suite.
Brazilian walnut—like the kind used for the home’s flooring and decking—was milled by the Boyer carpenters into a shiplap profile to create the home’s rustic and durable siding. They also created an integrated wooden bench and warm lighting next to the front walkway, where guests can see one last view of the lake before catching a ride to their next destination.
Because the steel structure supporting the home’s deck is so precisely engineered, there was no need for a support post at one corner of the living room. The project team worked with Marvin to design sliding doors that, when opened, create an entirely open corner, where the Martilla family and their guests can move seamlessly from indoors to out.
Boyer Building Corporation
3435 County Road 101, Minnetonka; 952.475.2097; boyerbuilding.com
Boyer Building Corporation @boyerbuildingcorporation
Architect: William H Madden Jr
AIA LEED AP
Remodeler: Boyer Building
Audio Visual: Lelch
SHINE
ON
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS BRIGHTEN UP THEIR COMMUNITIES.
Life for many seniors in high school can equate to experiencing a milestone equinox— they stand with one part of their lives setting in the west and the other part rising in the east. Change is afoot, and a new day is dawning.
As the sun over students’ academic endeavors in the local school districts begins to lower, Lake Minnetonka Magazine, as its done each year, highlights senior students from local high schools as a way to underscore the breadth and scope of amazing students who walk through the halls of our high schools.
Earlier this year, we reached out to schools for student nominations that point to graduating seniors, who will leave a unique imprint on their school or this community after graduation. After reviewing the nominations (and making difficult choices), we are pleased to introduce you to this year’s student selections.
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
JOS BUFFINGTON
Minnetonka High School (MHS)
“Jos Buffington is an exceptionally bright and hard-working student who exudes curiosity and kindness. When talking with Jos, it does not take long to recognize their passion for learning and insatiable curiosity about the world. Jos’s dedication to learning is evident in the wide variety of courses they have pursued and excelled at while at [MHS]. Jos fully immerses in what they are learning and seeks to understand topics from different perspectives. It’s always fun engaging in conversation with Jos, and they have a way of sparking curiosity in others. Jos’s love for learning shines through in their involvement outside of the classroom, as well. Jos is always seeking out new experiences that will lead to personal growth and will make a positive impact on their surroundings. In addition to Jos’s dedication to their education, Jos exudes kindness. Jos is a positive and well-respected leader in their class who knows how to make everyone feel included. The sky is the limit for Jos, and it is clear their skills will not only contribute to their success but to the success of those around them.”
—Sarah Seldon, MHS counselor
IN JOS’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“I have always admired my mom, but throughout the difficulties in our experience moving states, I’ve grown to look up to her even more. I hope that when I find myself really struggling, I can demonstrate even a fraction of her tenacity and care for others.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“After high school, I’m planning to attend a four-year college to study earth science and (maybe) public policy. I’m looking forward to exploring and volunteering in whatever community I find myself in next.”
STEWART ROYAL
Orono High School (OHS)
“When I think of academic excellence in the [OHS] Class of 2025, Stewart Royal immediately comes to mind. He was named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Distinction following his sophomore year ... He continues to reach higher with a full course load of AP classes. In addition to his academic pursuits, Stewart is a year-round competitive swimmer. He has been a member of the [OHS] team since 7th grade and earned a varsity letter freshman year. He has qualified for state competition multiple years and has earned All-State honors. He trained in Suzuki violin for 13 years and participated in Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony for five years. He is an active member of many OHS clubs, including German Club, Quiz Bowl and National Honor Society. Stewart is an award-winning photographer and is now expanding his skills through drone photography. He is a quiet leader of integrity, trusted by his peers to make good decisions and anticipate next steps in any situation. He is a good listener with a compassionate heart to help those around him. Stewart has been a volunteer at Trinity Lutheran Church since 5th grade, helping teach summer Vacation Bible School; he ushers on Sunday mornings throughout the year. During the annual Minnesota State Fair run, he works at the volunteer-operated Salem Dining Hall ... We are so proud of Stewart— he represents Orono well in all ways!” —Brandy Randall, OHS gifted/ talented specialist
IN STEWART’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“I was born 22 months after my older brother, allowing my brother to be a natural answer to this question. We often finish each other’s thoughts, share many inside jokes and he always challenges me. Sometimes, he acts like an older brother, so the light is not always bright, but generally the light is shining to help me be a better person.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“I plan to apply to a four-year school ...”
CHIZORO NWOKOCHA
The Blake School
“Chizoro, simply put, is a rock star! Her keen intellect is paired with a steadfast commitment to kindness and inclusion. Her teachers consistently marvel at the depth of her analysis, her curious attitude toward learning and the generosity she displays toward classmates. Chizo has excelled academically in the sciences, foreign language and humanities. She is a brilliant writer, astute reader, deep thinker and gifted problem-solver. Her achievements extend to athletics, as she has competed internationally and served as team captain in épée. But more importantly, Chizo’s calm and generous demeanor has endeared her to both her teachers and classmates here at Blake. Whether she is greeting someone in the hallway or helping a peer with homework, the value Chizo places on collaboration and community is evident in each interaction with others. She makes our community better and more compassionate. In truth, we couldn’t ask for a better example of Blake’s core values: respect, courage, integrity and love of learning. We are so lucky to have Chizo as part of our community.” —Maggie Molter, The Blake School advisor and Upper School science teacher
IN CHIZORO’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“My parents have been a guiding light for me. I’m awestruck at how they’ve accomplished so much and still look back to their home country to give back to their community. They’ve instilled a love of learning in me and have taught me how to live a life of kindness and generosity.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“After graduation, I will likely attend a four-year college and major in some kind of social or life science. I hope to continue fencing and building communities wherever life takes me.”
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AVINASH (AVI) BANDI
Wayzata High School (WHS)
“Avi has used his passion for computers to automate almost every aspect of any organization he joins. In his internship at the local Hindu temple, Avi noticed the tedious and inefficient method of preparing donation statements by hand to comply with IRS regulations for over 20,000 donors yearly at the temple. Using his passion for technology, he led a team of four IT interns to automate the creation, filtering and sending of donation statements that comply with strict IRS requirements. Additionally for the temple, he overhauled and made significant portions of the website, hsmn.org. In his leadership role as a chapter officer for Business Professionals of America [BPA], he increased club membership by 70 percent, bringing the club total to 250 members, but with more people comes more management. Using his programming skills, he automated the attendance of club meetings and the management of the BPA school store, saving the officer team hours every week. This exemplifies Avi’s commitment to efficiency. Avi has also made websites for many different nonprofits in the area, such as robotics teams, women in STEM organizations, etc.”
—Brad Olson, WHS school counselor
IN AVI’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“Jensen Huang, the founder of Nvidia, has been the biggest inspiration for me. He continuously seeks technological breakthroughs, and his work ethic, vision and skill are unparalleled in my view.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“Attend a four-year university and pursue a degree in computer science. After college, I aim to start my own military defense startup.”
CLARA LAWRENCE
“Clara Lawrence has been an outstanding student and leader at DHS ... She challenges herself with all of her course work. Clara is outgoing, kind and creative; she is highly respected by her peers and teachers ... She has been on the [DHS] Swim Team throughout high school ... [For 2024–25], she has been selected to be a team captain ... She has held several prominent roles in our school’s one acts and musicals ... She is also a member of our small a capella choir, Sound Revolution. Clara is a National Honor Society (NHS) member. She is on track to letter for NHS, which requires 100 hours of community service throughout the year. [She helps] direct youth drama in the community. She is also the president of the Gay Straight Alliance Club at DHS ... [she is busy planning community events to provide education and support] ... [She was part of the Minnesota State Legislature page program] ...” —Ryan Tool, DHS school counselor
IN CLARA’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“... My parents, both teachers, have raised me to be a woman who voiced her opinion and believed in the power of her voice. My mom taught me to love myself and others and to go after what I want— to always make room for myself at the table. Her kindness and tenacity never lingered throughout my childhood. My dad taught me to love language and learning, to listen to others’ opinions and to fight for what I believe in. He has filled my life with thoughtful discussions and constant learning. My parents filled my childhood with music, art, stories, discussions, acceptance, laughter, knowledge and so much love ...”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“... I would like to major in political science or global affairs. I would love to continue theater and music after high school, as well as continue supporting and advocating for others ... travel or work abroad after college as well as pursue further education, such as a master’s degree or a law degree.”
Delano High School (DHS)
JAGGER WITTINE
Mound Westonka High School (MWHS)
“Jagger stands out from his peers in terms of perseverance. He doesn’t shy away from things that are challenging, and he sticks with things that are important to him even when things get difficult. He’s a servant leader—someone who leads by doing the right thing even when it’s not the easy thing.”
—Gretch Chilson, MWHS band instructor
“Jagger demonstrates scholarship by discovering multiple ways to solve challenging problems.” —Sarah Morinville, MWHS science teacher
IN JAGGER’S WORDS:
WHO IS YOUR GUIDING LIGHT?
“My dad is my guiding light. He has inspired me through his career as an engineer. I have been inspired by him academically due to him being valedictorian of his high school class.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER GRADUATION?
“I plan on attending a four-year university to study engineering. I am leaning toward a Big 10 school.”
Lake Minnetonka Magazine extends its appreciate to the team at Blue Water Theatre for its use of the theater as a backdrop for our Senior Spotlight feature photo shoot. Blue Water Theatre, 605 Rice St. E., Wayzata; 952.855.9147; bluewatertheatre.com
Learn more about this year’s Senior Spotlight students by visiting lakeminnetonkamag.com.
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Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
Piece by Piece
CREATIVES PLANT THEIR ENTRIES AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.
Seeds give life—in a host of ways. If the exceedingly long lines to view the crop art entries at the Minnesota State Fair are any indication, seeds and plant parts (grown in the great state of Minnesota!), when creatively transformed, give life to artistry and a fair amount of appreciation and curiosity.
For the uninitiated, entries range from recognizable individuals to the
abstract. Popular culture and topics of the day are well represented. Find your favorite at this year’s fair, running August 22–September 2 at the state fairgrounds.
If you go, be sure to seek out some entries at the hands of Nicole Hart, Laura Minnihan and Nick Rindo. The Minnetonka residents are poised to compete again in this year’s state fair crop art competition.
Alifelong fair goer, Hart always admired crop art.
“As a nurse during [COVID19], I was looking for some new hobbies to destress and came across [cropart.com] that gives a tutorial,” she says. “I was a week too late to sign up for the fair when I started, so I spent over a year working on my first piece for the 2022 fair.”
Her patience paid off. At the 2023 state fair, Hart was awarded a category’s third place for an Albert Einstein portrait made entirely out of poppy seeds. She received sixth place in another category for a llama image made from blue spruce needles.
Hart’s entries this year include a wide breadth of ideas, including an adaption of the Minnesota state logo (painted seeds), a cartoon in the style of The Far Side comic strip (titled The Fair Side), a version of the fair’s giant slide (with a fun surprise!), a replica of a popular children’s book cover (made out of corn) and an item featuring the new Minnesota state flag. “I have ideas for a few others as well, but I think I will be lucky if I can finish these for this year,” she says.
“Work on my pieces have all taken at least a year to finish, but I work on multiple projects at a time to keep it interesting,” Hart says. “It’s nice to be able to switch to something else if I am getting frustrated with a piece, bored or not sure what I want to do with it.” For reference, the Einstein submission took about 300 hours to complete.
One rarely puts that amount of effort into anything unless there is some level of satisfaction or enjoyment. “I like the challenge,” Hart says. “For example, my first piece, I was frustrated by working with poppy seeds because they were so tiny.”
That challenge is driving Hart to attempt to enter crop art in each category. “The skill level of so many of the crop artists is incredible, and I always wondered how they did it. So now, I am trying to figure it out,” she says.
With a background in interior design, crop art is a creative outlet for Minnihan. “Submitting a crop art piece for the Minnesota State Fair has been on my bucket list for years,” she says. “This past spring, I saw a piece on the news about registration for state fair competitions, so I decided it was the year to make it happen.” She did so with cartoon viewers’ favorite
under-the-sea pineapple dweller— SpongeBob SquarePants
The creative likeness of Mr. SquarePants took Minnihan about 200 hours to finish. “Last year, I started finalizing an idea and gathering seeds in June, but I didn’t actually start working on my piece until the end of July,” she says. “I was teaching myself the art of crop art, and I was nervous to start.”
INSPIRED, TALENTED ARTIST
Nick Rindo submitted his first crop art in 2013. He had been doing freelance illustration on the side for fun, and a friend and crop artist showed him some of her submissions. “I was fascinated and immediately started planning my first piece,” he says.
That inaugural creation (a replica of Star Trek’s Captain Kirk) took many months of work due to time spent procuring seeds and figuring out the creative process. “My second piece, Robin Williams, took a week because he died right before the fair started,” Rindo says. “My illustration experience makes me pretty quick at the design and logistical aspects, which is most of the work.” His Prince submission took a bit of extra time due to sorting purple corn by hue and tone.
“I was working slowly on a Wednesday Addams last year, but just as I was finishing the design phase, Paul Reubens (aka: Pee Wee Herman) died, and I knew I had a little over a week to pay my respects,” Rindo says. “Unfortunately, this approach has led to a series of what I call ‘obituary art’ pieces.” (He received his first blue ribbon for the Pee Wee Herman-inspired submission, which is on display at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.)
If access to seeds and inspiration conspire, Rindo can complete a piece in a week or two worth of evenings. “I’m guessing that’s faster than most, so I don’t like admitting that,” he says. “I don’t want to diminish the amount of time and effort others put into it.”
Where does he harvest inspiration? “The pieces usually have to make me laugh,” Rindo says. “If they don’t make me laugh or smile, I have no chance of finishing.” He also has to have a connection to the work. “If I don’t have an idea that inspires me enough to take me to the finish line, I won’t get it done,” Rindo says. “I was planning out a Bob Dylan piece for his 80th birthday a few years back. It was dragging. A friend asked me, ‘Do you even like Bob Dylan?’ I shrugged. I think I was doing it because he’s from Minnesota,
The inaugural submission netted a nod from fair judges—a category merit award. “I was beyond thrilled that my first entry placed,” Minnihan says. “My piece also made the Star Tribune’s Top 10 crop artworks, which was so exciting and unexpected.” This year, Minnihan began working in January and plans to submit two pieces to this year’s state fair competition.
but I never glued a seed.”
Photos: Nick Rindo
Top left: Nicole Hart has plenty of ideas for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Be sure to get in line at the fair to see what she enters this year!
Bottom left: Nicole Hart works on her The Fair Side submission for this year’s competition.
Top right: Einstein at the fair! Nicole Hart’s submission, Einstein, won third place at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair.
Bottom right: Nick Rindo’s rendition of Pee Wee Herman is a blue ribbon winner.
As one with a creative background, it’s not surprising that Minnihan doesn’t find the artistic part of the process to be the most difficult. “Finding seeds that are the right color and size to work with the planned image and scale [is a challenge],” she says, noting she purchases seeds from co-ops and grocery stores.
Regardless, one suspects Minnihan will be a part of Minnesota’s Great Get-Together for years to come.
“I really enjoy all of the stages of making a piece; the creativity of coming up with an idea, the challenge of finding the appropriate seeds and the calming/meditative nature of putting the piece together,” she says.
In our March issue, we profiled Minnetonka bakers James Lind and Kim Narveson, who are also competing in this year’s state fair. Read more by visiting lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Left: This likeness of SpongeBob SquarePants received a category merit award in 2023 at the state fair. Materials used are shown on the crop art key.
Top: Laura Minnihan started a bit earlier this year on her submissions.
Bottom: A steady hand is valuable as Laura Minnihan works on one of her pieces she hopes to showcase this year.
FARM ROOTS
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.
The state fair’s crop art competition begin in 1965, and the creative outlet is thought to have originated on farms, “… where people had an abundance of seeds and were less busy in the winter, so they glued seeds on boards to make pictures,” according to the fair’s website. Learn more at mnstatefair.org. Learn more at
Party Punch List
All that pomp and circumstance doesn’t happen by itself.
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
LET’S BE HONEST. Graduation parties have—evolved. For the most part, the celebrations have become larger and more involved than the days when grad parties were primarily made up of the student of honor, the requisite family members, a few neighbors and a handful of teenagers all gathered at the honoree’s home/backyard/garage.
While that is still the case, and those celebrations are just as wonderful, other families are going in another direction with attendee numbers tipping into the hundreds, and the food fare and décor elements ramping up their games, too.
Since the second semester of senior year brims with plenty of deadlines (college and scholarship applications, housing contracts or gap year decisions) and milestones (the last spring break, prom and the ending of spring sports—cue the tears), it can be overwhelming. Add in planning a graduation party and—emotional chaos might ensue.
As this year’s seniors start their academic year, their graduation party planning should swing into gear. The first step is getting organized. To help, we put together a month-to-month plan to break down the to-do list into manageable sections. (This is a loose timeline because all parties are as individual as the honorees, but this can serve as a guide for your perfect party planning.)
Calendar of Events
August: Hold up! Take this month to relish the last days before the academic year pushes into gear. However, if you and the graduate have your hearts set
on a party venue, book it now. (Note: Some places require reservations several months or a year in advance.)
September: For the rest of you, have a discussion with your senior student. Is he/she interested in having a party, and what would that look like in terms of home vs. venue, solo vs. with friends or large vs. a smaller gathering?
October: If this is a combined event, reach out to the other families to make sure they are on the same page in terms of budget and planning. Finalize the party date. Be sure to take into consideration potential district/ regional/state appearances for extracurriculars in the spring.
November: If this is a group event, bring the students and families together to discuss tasks. Put people in charge of beverages, food, games, set-up/clean-up duties, venue rental, etc. Set up a timeline through the date of the party. Finalize the décor theme. Research food vendors. If not done already, it’s not a bad idea to get the venue locked in. When talking with venue representatives, ask about table/chair counts and if linens are included. If not, research other vendors for those items.
December: Take the month off to enjoy the holidays. January will be here sooner than you think.
January: Finalize catering or food truck vendors. Be sure to ask about deposits, pricing, set-up/clean-up options, staffing, dining ware availability and cancelation policies. If you haven’t done so already, move on booking this month; food vendors and venues fill up with other spring and summer events.
February: If making photo boards, go through albums (digital or otherwise) to identify photographs you want to feature. Gather award certificates, school memorabilia, trophies, sport uniforms, etc. to include for display tables. If using annual school pictures, organize them now. (If a year is missing, contact the school to see if it has a version from the yearbook archives.)
March: Meet with families to finalize décor. If decorating individual display tables, share with one another ideas, so each student feels equally represented. Using sports equipment can be a fun and easy way to decorate a space. (Place skis a few feet apart, string chord between them, and hang photos along the chords. Prop up
tennis rackets or hockey or lacrosse sticks. Fill large, clear vases or containers with baseballs/softballs, pucks, tennis balls, etc.) Create a fun backdrop that is Instagram-worthy for photo taking. If the student is attending college, order the school’s banner or a pennant to display.
April: Order or create party invitations for family, friends, neighbors and other guests. Drop those in the mail, so it’s one less thing to think about. Make sure students spread the party word via social media or on their high school’s party page. Ask a couple of friends or older teens to serve as party helpers, refilling food trays and beverage coolers, bussing tables and the like.
May or June: A few weeks ahead of the big day, check in with all the vendors to confirm final details and timelines. If doing a group party, have final check in with families. Once the party day arrives, enjoy it. Take time to celebrate your student and yourself . Let’s face it, K–12 isn’t a road traveled just by the students!
July: Handwritten thank you notes (not emails or texts) never go out of style, and they offer graduates a great opportunity to practice their cursive!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If the thought of making all the food yourself gives you pause, here’s a starting point for local catering options.
Bad Rooster: Add some heat to your party with hand-breaded chicken and scratch-made sauces. 11300 Minnetonka Mills Road, Minnetonka; 952.855.8282; badrooster.com
Ben & Jerry’s: You’re never too old for an ice cream party. 539 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.473.1705; benjerry.com
Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque: You’ll never throw a better smelling party. 8175 Highway 7, Minnetrista; 612.466.0340; buddyboybarbeque.com
Crave Catering & Events: Yes. The same Crave. If you like dining at the Wayzata venue, consider this as an option. 952.562.5620; cravecatering.com
DelSur Empanadas: Add some Argentinian flair to the festivities. 14725 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.303.6081; delsurempanadas.com
Kowalski’s Markets: Tried and true. Locations vary; 651.313.6870 (catering); kowalskis.com
L & L Catering: The food gallery photos hit big marks on the yum factor. 1721 Bluebird Lane, Mound; 612.281.5273; landlcaters.com
Localz Cafe: Three Minnetonka High School grads are driving their food truck business one stop at a time. 612.321.1297 and 612.616.3805; localzcafe.com
Lunds & Byerlys: Consider this party regular that never disappoints. Locations vary; 952.897.9800; catering.lundsandbyerlys.com
Pangea Full Service Catering: Choose from menu items, or create a custom menu. 8255 Turtle Creek Blvd., Minnetrista; 952.486.2546; pangeacateringmn.com
Tables Ready Catering: Just reading the menu options has us ready to RSVP. 234 Second St. N., Delano; 763.360.5288; tablesreadycatering.com
The Tavern Grill: What’s on the menu? A lot! 12653 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka; 612.406.8755; thetaverngrill.com
Village Meats & Deli: From small events up to large gatherings (think: pig roast), these are the folks to call. 832 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.473.4466; villagemeatswayzata.com
ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PARK
GET YOUR GROOVE on this month at Civic Center Park, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., where the Minnetonka Recreation Department hosts free outdoor concerts as part of its annual Entertainment in the Park series. The concerts will all be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
• August 6: Moonlight Serenaders Big Band, a swing jazz and pop group
• August 13: Backyard Band, rock and country music
• August 20: Pan-Handlers Steel Drum Band, rock, pop and Caribbean music
• August 27: Free and Easy Band, pop music from the ’70s to the present Starting at sunset on August 29, arrive for a viewing of Wonka at the Civic Center Amphitheater. —Findlay Drabant
Additional information is available at minnetonkamn.gov.
Top: Remember to bring a blanket or a chair for easy listening during the Entertainment in the Park series.
Bottom: There are plenty of danceinspiring bands at this year’s event.
Compiled by Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp
LOCAL EVENTS
Minnetonka Farmers Market 08/02–08/30
Farm-fresh produce, artisanal gifts and sunshine are all on the menu every Tuesday at the market. All ages. Free. 2–6 p.m. 10 Water St., Excelsior; 612.770.6730; lakeminnetonkaexcelsiorfarmersmarket.org
Tour de Tonka 08/03
Get in gear for this beloved annual community bike ride, where riders can choose between six different routes that range from 16 to 100 miles. All ages. $39–$95. 7 a.m. Locations vary; 952.401.6842; minnetonkaschools.org
Sunday Music in the Park 08/04–08/25
Bring your family and settle in on your picnic blanket for an evening of free music on Thursday evenings. All ages. Free. 4:30–6 p.m. The Great Lawn, 851 Lake St. E., Wayzata; 952.404.5300; wayzata.org
Golf Outing 08/12
Join the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce for a day of networking on the green that’s sure to be a great event. All ages. $175. Burl Oaks Golf Club, 5400 N. Arm Drive, Minnetrista; 952.686.6046; excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com
Story Time Trolley
08/15
Bring your little one along for a bedtime story and a trolley ride. All ages. $5. 5 and 6 p.m. Excelsior Library, 337 Water St., Excelsior; 952.922.1096; trolleyride.org
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AREA EVENTS
Historic Walking Tour
08/01 and 08/04
Experience this 90-minute 1.2-mile walking tour of historic St. Paul. Some locations that will be visited are the State Capitol, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Mickey’s Diner, Assumption Church, the History Theatre, the Green Lantern and the Celeste St. Paul Hotel. All ages. $26–$28. 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Hotel Celeste, 26 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; celestialtoursstpaul@gmail.com; visitsaintpaul.com
Culinary Olympics: Italy
08/02
Enjoy a menu of Italian Salad, Pasta and Bolognese Sauce, Flourless Chocolate Cake With Berries and Chantilly Cream during an Olympic-inspired cooking competition. Ages 21 and older. $99. 6–8:30 p.m. Bellecour, 210 N. First St., Mpls.; 612.223.8167; cooksbellecour.com
Powderhorn Art Fair
08/03–08/04
Art is abound at this 33rd-annual celebration, which will host over 150 artists and feature art from across 20 different
The Steadman Team is a team
mediums. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.722.4817; powderhornartfair.com
Minneapolis Street Art Fest 08/10–08/11
Browse the works of over 100 local artisans as they set up shop for a weekend in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; didstreetart@gmail.com; mplsstreetartfest.com
Minnesota State Fair 08/22–09/02
Celebrate the Great Minnesota GetTogether with food, carnival rides, music and more. All ages. $16–$18. 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651.288.4400; mnstatefair.org
To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
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Lens on Lake Minnetonka
Ride the wave to an action-focused image.
“My three boys all love to surf and are always asking me to take photos of them,” Laura Ferrara says. “This particular photo stands out to me because the blue color of the sky, life jacket, swim trunks and surfboard coordinate so well. It’s like we planned it, but that would never happen with my boys!” Lake Minnetonka is a draw to many around the area, including Ferrara. “We are a super-relaxed family that loves spending quality time with family and friends on the lake,” she says. —Renée Stewart-Hester
To view other Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Enter your photos in the Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest through August 31 at lakeminnetonkamag.com, and vote in the Readers’ Choice category September 15-30 on our website.
Photographer: Laura Ferrara
Title: Surf Style
Equipment: iPhone
Location: Lake Minnetonka’s West Arm
Category: People Award: Second Place
The Cedar Roof Man
STRAIGHT TALK FROM STEVE KUHL
Let’s face it. Cedar roofs look great but owning one is a little scary. “Has it been damaged by hail?” “Will it blow off in a storm?” “I hear something chewing up there!” But despite what you may hear, your cedar roof is still one of the most beautiful and long-lasting products on the market. The only catch is you have take care of it.
That’s where I come in. My free, written estimate includes a thorough analysis of your roof. Bringing over 25 years of experience to the table, I will evaluate its’ condition to determine whether or not maintenance, repairs or replacement is the best option for you. Worst case scenario you get a free inspection from a true expert. Best case, we work our magic on your roof and add years to its lifespan.
In fact, Kuhl’s Contracting is looked to for the evaluation and restoration of cedar roofs by more insurance companies, home inspectors, realtors and architects than any other company in Minnesota. Not to brag, but we are pretty awesome. Don’t take my word for it. Check out our talents at www.kuhlscontracting.com. Or ask around. We have probably done work for someone you know.
I started this company in 1987. Since that time we have worked on thousands of homes around the Twin Cities. My approach to business has never wavered. Be honest, be
and do great work. As a result our list of
Owner, Dad, Wood Roof Geek
