Maple Grove - May 2024

CAPTURING AN ANIMAL’S SPIRIT MAPLE GROVE PHOTOGRAPHER CATCHES CUTE QUIRKS AND EXPRESSIONS

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Dive Right In!

Spring into your dream space — from bespoke homes to transformative renovations, lush landscapes to stunning exteriors, let’s create your personal oasis! Contact us to schedule a free consultation.

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Our new location will also feature the amazing Bean Co, who will be serving delicious coffee, ice cream, crepes, smoothies, and more.

7951 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369 2

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M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 4 “This is more than just a job to me. I grew up next door to this place. I watched my dad and my grandpa work here when I was a kid. All I ever wanted was to be like them. They always loved the greenhouse, and so did I.” —Derek Lynde of Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery (page 18)

DEPA RTMEN TS:

14 Off the Chain A high school project pivots into a successful outdoor dog gear company.

16 All Walks of Life This Mental Health Awareness Month, a new Maple Grove clinic offers counseling and support.

18 Replant and Rebuild Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery enters a new chapter.

FEATUR ES:

22 Capturing an Animal’s Spirit Maple Grove photographer catches cute quirks and expressions.

36 Now Boarding Travel planner uses vast experience to help couples plan the perfect getaway.

TASTEMA KER S:

40 Flaming Hot Taste the flavors of Mexico this Cinco de Mayo.

I N EVERY I SSUE Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery, page 18

6 11 44 48

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from the EDITOR

My friends and family have all heard me say it time and time again: In another lifetime, I am meant to be a flight attendant.

Second to reading/writing, traveling is one passion that I seemingly cannot get enough of. Although I am not as welltraveled as I would like, destinations are slowly being ticked off one by one—on the flip side, with the help of social media, my list is becoming longer each day.

Thankfully, I have the ability to travel quite a bit this year.

At the end of this month, I’ll visit Wisconsin’s Door County for the first time, and, at the end of June, my husband and I head to the other side of Wisconsin to kayak the Apostle Islands. This September, I plan to check off my sixth national park (the Grand Canyon) and hike through the beautiful red rocks in Sedona, Arizona. A few other trips may be on the docket as well.

Fasten your seat belts as we take off with our outdoor living, pets and travel issue. On page 36, travel planner Kendra Barber shares her tips to planning a romantic getaway—I may have utilized some of these suggestions myself as I plan our anniversary vacation this fall. And although there are still many more destinations on my bucket list, my taste buds are traveling to hotter destinations yet with help of our Tastemakers feature—flip to page 40 where writer Kelly Cochrane gives us a taste of Cinco de Mayo in Maple Grove.

What destinations do you plan to visit, readers? Share snaps with us on Instagram @maplegrovemag.

Happy travels,

Hailey Alms ted hailey@localmedia.co

O n t h e C o ver Capturing an Animal’s Spirit, Photo byDebra Bernard, page 22

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See w hat we’re do ing b ehind the scenes and aro und to wn!

Maple Grove Magazine

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@maplegrovemag

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Photo: Chris Emeott

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E M A P L E G R O V E A R E A S I N C E 2 0 0 5 .

SAVE THE DATE

Father’s Day Fly-In Breakfast at Crystal Airport JUNE 16

Find out more 7

Meet VOL. 18 NO. 5 maplegrovemag.com

PUBLISHER Susan Isay EDITOR Hailey Almsted MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR Renée Stewart-Hester MANAGING EDITOR Hailey Almsted DIGITAL EDITOR Madeline Kopiecki COPY EDITORS Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt STAFF WRITERS Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gabrielle Clark, Melissa Jaeger, Lise Spence-Parsons, Katie Tomsche, Kira Vanderlan DIGITAL INTERN Zoe Baden EDITORIAL INTERNS Findlay Drabant, Grace Knapp EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Anne Anderson, Experience Maple Grove; Tanya Bradehoft, Osseo Area Schools; Roee Hecht, City of Maple Grove; Heidi Nelson, City of Maple Grove

Jamie Klang associate art director

SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR Sarah Dovolos ART DIRECTOR Allison Nolden ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jamie Klang GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo

Q: What’s the best part of your job?

A: I love that I’m able to be creative and work with creative people. I’m always getting inspired and learning new things from my coworkers.

Q: What are you reading right now?

A: I’m currently reading Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology. It’s a collection of horror and mystery stories written by various Indigenous authors.

Q: What’s currently sparking your interest?

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 Maple Grove 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.

A: Because I spend so much time looking at a computer screen, I’m trying to express my creativity through other mediums like drawing, painting and knitting. I also want to get into pottery.

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join us!

July 10-14 • Parade • “ Super Mario Brothers” Kids Movie Night • Rollerskating at Central Park • Jolly Pops, Shane Martin, Nur-D + DJ and more!

• Cornhole Tournament • Beer Gardens and Food Trucks • Pickleball Tournament • Car Show • Fireworks

AND MUCH MORE! For a schedule of all events, please visit

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STAY CONNECTED AND CELEBRATE MAPLE GROVE @MAPLEGROVEMAG

showcase local people, places and events.

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

N OT E WO RT H Y

ORGANIZE

Organizing Your Pet’s Belongings Our furry friends bring us joy, comfort and companionship. Whether we are going on walks or cuddling on the couch, pets participate in our daily lives just like members of our family. Unlike other members of our family, we cannot rely on them to clean up after themselves, so keeping pet supplies in order and our homes clean is important.

Grooming is a necessary part of pet ownership. My general rule of thumb when organizing is to keep like with like. Keeping all pet grooming supplies in the same location is ideal.

I suggest a container that can be easily cleaned and tall enough to hold shampoo containers upright. Have fun with the bin label by adding your pet’s name and words like “Salon” or “Beauty Supplies.”

Loose hair, fur balls and other pet dander that fall on floors or furniture is challenging. Keep a basket near your couch that holds throw blankets and lint rollers to run across your couch when it gets too hairy. Store

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microfiber dust mops or wands in multiple closets around the home to

Photo: Chalkfest Maple Grove

CANVASING MAIN STREET DRAW ING ARTISTS from places like Mexico, Ukraine and Colombia is the ninth annual Chalkfest Maple Grove, held this year on June 8 and 9.

Close to 50 chalk professionals and amateurs, plus art enthusiasts, will turn Maple Grove’s Main Street into a walkable art gallery where visitors are welcome to snap selfies with larger-than-life mandalas, 3D pieces of art and more.

“It’s so fun to bring [the artists] in and see what their works are going to be,” says Kira Johnson, executive director of Chalkfest Maple Grove. “They’re all so unique, different and engaging.

I love that piece of Chalkfest, and it’s what everyone comes for.”

Chalkfest is expanding this year to

May/June 2024

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accommodate new additions, such as the Kidz Zone, live music sponsored by Experience Maple Grove (including a performance by Kat Perkins), food, the Omni Brewing Beer Garden and more.

“We’re extending it one block north of Arbor Lakes Parkway due to large crowds [and] interest,” Johnson says. “... We anticipate that we had well over 25,000 visitors last year, and we anticipate that will continue to grow this year.” —Hailey Almsted Visit Chalkfest Maple Grove from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. on June 8 and 9 on downtown Main Street (between Elm Creek Boulevard and one block north of Arbor Lakes Parkway).

Art will be open for viewing through June 10.

regularly clean up hard surfaces, such as floors, countertops and vents.

Toys can quickly scatter across rooms, so finding an appropriate basket is key. Bins without lids make it easy to toss the toys back in after playtime. Rotating toys is a simple way to prevent an overabundance throughout the house. Store these in an enclosed plastic bin on a higher shelf.

Keeping our four-legged friends organized is easy when we place like with like in functional containers and convenient locations. These simple tips will give you more time to play fetch or happily snuggle your fur baby.

Kira Vanderlan is the owner of Zestful Design, an award-winning home/ business organizing, design and staging company based in Maple Grove and serving the entire Metro area.

Find more at zestfuldesign.com.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

READ

The Sun Does Shine Alabama. 1985. Anthony Ray Hinton was arrested and charged with multiple murders. He had an alibi, but it didn’t matter—he was tried and found guilty.

Hinton’s book tells his story of an innocent man serving time on death row until his eventual exoneration and release in 2015.

He recounts his courtroom experience and how he faced rampant racism from the judge, prosecution and his defense attorney. The reality that many facts were never brought to light during his initial trial because he simply could not afford to pay for the tests that were required.

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row is a condemnation of the mass incarceration system in the U.S. but, maybe more importantly, a shining example about how one man’s belief in his own innocence

VIEW

and faith in justice can be the light in darkness.

Hennepin County Library’s Mary Ann Key Book Club is reading

A Harmonious Partnership

Hinton’s book for the 2024 season.

Gabrielle Clark is a librarian at Hennepin County Library–Maple Grove. Read more at hclib.org.

Pets have been a popular subject in art for

various ways. Paintings, sculptures, photog-

centuries, celebrated for their loyalty, com-

raphy and other forms of art celebrate them,

panionship and often endearing qualities.

reflecting the enduring appeal and impor-

Artists in ancient times frequently included

tance of animals in our lives.

pets in paintings and sculptures to symbol-

Local artist Suzann Beck (suzannbeck.com)

ize status or companionship. For example,

enjoys artistically capturing pets and runs

ancient Egyptian art frequently depicted

classes doing exactly that at the Maple Grove

cats, which were revered for their grace and

Arts Center.

hunting abilities. During the Renaissance, pets became more prominent in art, particu-

Title: Dexter

larly in portraits of nobility and their families.

Artist: Suzann Beck

Dogs were a common choice, symbolizing

Medium: 24x30 Oil on Belgian

loyalty and fidelity. During the 19th and 20th

Linen, Private Commission

centuries, pets became more integrated

Awards: Finalist, 2021 Portrait Society

into everyday life, and their portrayal in art

of America’s Member Competition;

reflected this shift. Artists like Pierre-Auguste

Fourth Place Winner, Artists Magazine

Renoir and Henriette Ronner-Knip painted

2022 First-ever Cover Competition

scenes of domestic life that often included pets, capturing the intimate bond between humans and animals.

Today, pets continue to inspire artists in

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Lise Spence-Parsons, a local artist and author, is the president and treasurer of Maple Grove Arts Center. Find more at maplegroveartscenter.org.

May/June 2024

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

TA S T E

Dietitian’s Top Four Nutrition Travel Hacks

Reservations are made, and it’s time to start packing your bags—but aside from the sunscreen, have you thought about how to pack when it comes to your nutrition? Let’s set you up for nutritional success for your next adventure.

Pack a reusable water bottle. Whether you are driving or flying, having a reusable water bottle on hand is an excellent way to save money and help you stay hydrated.

Dehydration is common while traveling, leading to irritability, a lack of the ability to concentrate, fatigue, muscle cramps, digestive distress and more. Consider packing electrolytes, such as powdered electrolyte supplements to mix with water to ensure that you’ll get a dose of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to support your health while traveling.

Pack balanced snacks. Skip getting “hangry,” and avoid expensive snack purchases while traveling. Pack snacks that contain protein and fiber to help keep you full longer. This could include protein bars, fruit or veggies, nuts or seeds, nut butter packets, dried edamame or chickpeas, crackers and cheese and more.

Dining out and trying new foods is often part of travel, but different preparation methods and eating at abnormal times can lead to gastrointestinal distress or simply throw off your meal routine. Enjoy dining out by first focusing on incorporating the food groups—fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy. Fruits, vegetables and grains will help provide fiber, while protein and dairy can help further enhance satiety.

Second, split entrees when dining out to maintain portion control. Or if you’re staying in a hotel or residence with a kitchen, cook some of your meals to save money, and use ingredients you would normally incorporate into meals at home.

Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD is a Hy-Vee registered dietitian. You can find out more information about Hy-Vee dietitian services at hy-vee.com. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

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PETS

Off the Chain A high school project pivots into a successful outdoor dog gear company.

By Rachel Schuehle

ENTREPRENEURSHIP, a course

offered at Plymouth’s Wayzata High School, focuses on teaching students the necessary steps to launch a business and operate it successfully. Students are encouraged to approach the project through the lens of solving a current problem in the market. Cole Seyfert, a senior at the time, stepped into the class in 2019 with an idea that soon became a family endeavor.

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Coming from a family of avid campers and hunters, Cole wanted to address an issue central to outdoor living.

Drawing from his subpar experiences with traditional hammocks, he set out to design a breathable and versatile alternative. Cole’s hammock featured layers targeted at different uses, including a mesh layer to allow airflow and a parachute layer to create a wind block.

Armed with a unique and promising

product, Cole and his family, who live in Maple Grove, filed to create ROCT Outdoor LLC, named after the four sons in the family: Ryan, Owen, Cole and Tommy. But then COVID-19 hit, causing massive shipping delays, manufacturer issues and construction mistakes, which put the company on the precipice of failure. “The first shipment we received was at the end of July, so we had already passed the season to sell

May/June 2024

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Photo: Debra Bernard Photography

Josie, the Seyfert's Hungarian viszla

bonfe.com hammocks,” mother Deb Seyfert says.

It was critical that the family business make a hard pivot.

After reaching out to the manufacturer that ROCT Outdoor enlisted for its initial endeavor, Deb learned it also produced dog collars and leashes. Over the next few weeks, she set to work designing dog gear. She continues to sketch fabric designs for dog collars, leashes and toys before working with graphic designers to apply her prints to fabric. “You really have to keep things fresh on a seasonal or annual basis,” Deb says.

In 2023, the company launched 30 new products, including natural rubber dog toys and unstuffed dog toys filled with crinkle paper. By October 2023, ROCT Outdoor already started on this year’s development phase with updated shapes, colors and materials as well as plans to introduce dog beds and waterproof “bumper” float toys to the collection.

“Product development is never ending,” Deb says. “We are constantly assessing the market, assessing what dogs like and putting together products that are beneficial to the dog and the owner.” And who better to test what dogs like than the Seyfert family’s dog, a Hungarian vizsla by the name of Josie.

In terms of the boys’ involvement, all four of them continue to have a hand in the company, whether it’s interning alongside Deb, contributing physical labor in the warehouse or learning to fulfill website sales. ROCT Outdoor continues to be the ultimate group project.

Deb and Cole return to Wayzata High School annually to speak at the entrepreneurship class, taught by David Chvojicek. It’s important to them that they highlight the reality of the product that was born from that class and to show that plans don’t always go accordingly. “There’s more to be learned through failure, sometimes, than success,” Deb says.

Find ROCT Outdoor online and in retailers across the country, including Ace Hardware and Scheels.

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Today’s homes can harbor a surprising range of airborne irritants. Thankfully, there are indoor air quality solutions that can be installed with your existing HVAC system to help filter out these unwelcome irritants. They tackle the unseen, filtering out allergens, dust, and even mold and bacteria for a fresher, cleaner home.

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WELLNESS

All Walks of Life This Mental Health Awareness Month, a new Maple Grove clinic offers counseling and support.

By Jennifer Pitterle

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BY THE TIME PSYCHOLOGIST

Andrea Hutchinson finished her doctoral program, she’d completed rotations at a variety of practice sites: large health systems, nonprofits and private practices. The differences were vast. Large health systems are typically designed for physical, not mental, health. Nonprofit counseling organizations are passionate about patients but can’t usually offer competitive salaries or benefits to providers. And private practice requires an immense amount of overhead and administrative work to keep things afloat. “What if we took the best of each of those worlds and put them together to create a professional practice?” Hutchinson thought.

CARE Counseling was born. The network of counseling clinics, which Hutchinson co-owns with her husband, John, opened its Maple Grove location—its ninth—last October. “We’re so excited to be in Maple Grove,” Hutchinson says. “There’s a great need here for mental health care. We’re at the intersection of lots of highways and accessible to lots of people.”

At the Maple Grove practice, a team of licensed therapists provides relational and emotional counseling to adults and children. “We do exclusively outpatient mental health services,” which looks like what you might picture as traditional hour-long talk therapy sessions,” says Hutchinson.

She emphasizes that mental health care should be available and judgmentfree for anyone who needs it. “We see a lot of people who, at work or school, appear to be fine,” she says. “Maybe they’re trying to cope on their own, but under the surface, they’re struggling with anxiety, depression or grief and loss.” There’s no minimum bar a person must meet to seek counseling, she explains. “Even if a symptom might be ‘normal’ or ‘common,’ it doesn’t mean therapy doesn’t help,” she says.

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Photo: Angela Divine Photography

Andrea Hutchinson, co-owner of CARE Counseling.

CARE Counseling’s email and phone lines are staffed by professional administrative staff, so new patients can hop online or call and speak to a real person to get the scheduling process started.

New patients can choose between an in-person visit or telehealth visit to get to know their provider. “We can usually get people in the same week, often within 48 hours,” says Hutchinson, a stunningly quick care timeline in a time when wait-lists at traditional mental health centers can be months long.

To help push back against lingering stereotypes or stigmas, each provider spends time with new patients, discussing the existing assumptions or judgments they might bring to their visits, so they can help shift how they perceive the experience.

And one of the reasons CARE has been so successful at building its team of clinicians is the focus Hutchinson places on caring for the clinicians themselves. Under her model, providers are paid well, have great benefits and adaptable schedules and are supported every step of the way—helping them avoid burnout and turnover.

“We have 260-plus clinicians, and it’s a great model,” she says. “It speaks to a need in the field.” She uses the oxygen-mask analogy: On an airplane in crisis, passengers are instructed to get their own oxygen masks on before they help others. The same is true for mental health providers, Hutchinson says. “If we’re hiring the very best providers in the area, we’re selective, and we provide the best training, they’ll stay and provide the best care to the community,” she says.

In addition to one-on-one counseling sessions, CARE providers speak at substance use conferences, give schoolbased talks for parents and teachers and provide social-emotional education for teachers with Minndependent, a network for independent and private schools in Minnesota.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate support, dial 988.

CARE Counseling, 11671 Fountains Drive; 612.223.8898; care-clinics.com CARE Counseling

@care.counseling

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Derek Lynde

OUTDOOR LIVING Photo: Chris Emeott

Replant and Rebuild Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery enters a new chapter.

By Emily Gedde and Hailey Almsted

18

May/June 2024

maplegrovemag.com

IT IS DIFFICULT TO START and build a business. It is even harder to rebuild it more than 100 years later.

But that’s what the owner of Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery had to do.

A fire, confirmed to be ignited by arson, claimed the beloved Maple Grove greenhouse in the early morning hours in October 2022. While the blaze destroyed a space containing five generations of memories, it didn’t burn the support behind it.

Owner Derek Lynde says greenhouse employees and the Maple Grove community were by his side instantly to offer care, concern and a lending hand.

While the loss was devastating, the support stood as a driving force to rebuild and overcome.

“It really is a family business,” Lynde says. “It would have been hard for me to not continue. When everyone showed up with concern for the place they work, I felt like I owed it to them.”

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Early Days

Dating back to the horse-and-buggy days, Lynde Greenhouse carries quite a history. The business, now in its fifth generation, started as a Golden Valley vegetable farm in the late 1800s. It relocated to Maple Grove in 1970 and was built by Lynde’s father, Edward Lynde, and grandfather, Charles Lynde. Lynde expressed admiration for the work ethic the two men taught him, noting he was never made to feel like he was expected to take over the family business. With the new location—and the family living next door—the greenhouse became the world’s best playground for Lynde while he was growing up.

“In high school, all my friends worked with me, and it’s always been such a sense of accomplishment type atmosphere,” Lynde says. “Every day, a blank slate is made to be something new and beautiful. So much is accomplished every day. I’ve always found it to be an incredibly rewarding industry.”

Support to Rebuild

The call that the greenhouse was on fire came in the early morning hours of October 2, 2022. As Lynde left his

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house located about 4 miles away, he was greeted by an orange glow in the sky. “Right away, I knew it was terrible,” he says. Standing in front of the greenhouse in soggy shoes, watching a lifetime of memories disappear before his eyes, Lynde recalls feeling helpless.

“I’ve lost a lot of family members, and now I lost this space with the memories of all these important people,” he says, sharing that his sister died in a car accident when he was in his early 20s; 10 years later his mom died; and his dad has been gone since 2019. “That’s the hardest part of this. These buildings were put up by my dad and grandfather.

When I say I have a lifetime of memories in these buildings, I have known them since the moment I was born to ... when they burned down.”

Fortunately, support in all forms is helping Lynde pick up and replant— whether that’s the 300 volunteers who showed up to rehouse 20,000 poinsettias two days after the fire or anyone who has stopped in since and bought a small hanging basket. “As difficult and as terrible as the past 16 months have been, and as many times as I have thought that it would be easier to just quit and give up, I feel I owe a debt to everyone that showed up that day to

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Photo: Chris Emeott

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lend a hand,” Lynde says.

While there is still a lot to be done, and a lot of challenges creeping up along the way, Lynde looks toward the future and plans to continue the family legacy. “This process gives me a greater appreciation for what was built before I took it over,” he says. “I hope my dad and grandfather would be proud.”

Although the greenhouse may look complete on the outside, Lynde says there is work to be done on the interior, and he hopes that customers will come back through the doors this spring.

To those dedicated customers, Lynde says, “Thank you. This is more than just a job to me. I grew up next door to this place. I watched my dad and my grandpa work here when I was a kid.

All I ever wanted was to be like them.

They always loved the greenhouse, and so did I. “Most importantly, to the team here at Lynde, I wouldn’t be here without you all,” he says. “The people that come here every day to earn a living have turned out to be every bit a part of this family.”

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Photo: xxxxxxxxx

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May/June 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Written by Josie Smith — Photos by Debra Bernard

CAPTURING AN A N I M A L’ S S P I R I T Professional Maple Grove photographer catches cute quirks and expressions.

Behind the lens of the popular @indy_puppy Instagram account is Nyla, the Bernards’ 3-year-old vizsla.

With a sleek, tawny coat and innocent olive-green eyes, 3-year-old Nyla is hardly camera shy. Whether she’s showing off a trendy floral scarf or staying cozy in a pretty-patterned crochet sweater, owner and professional photographer Debra Bernard keeps this vizsla pup in tip-top shape. Nyla’s fan base is ever-growing, too, with nearly 14,000 followers on her Instagram page @indy_puppy.

Bernard’s pet photography first took off in 2012, when she, her husband and their two children moved back to the United States after living abroad for four years.

When work brought Bernard’s husband to the Twin Cities, they settled on a home in Maple Grove. Being new to the community, she was a bit hesitant to restart her photography business. On a whim, she began by taking pictures of their dog, Indy, and sharing photos of him on social media.

“My daughter was entering her freshman year of high school. She really wanted a dog, and that’s when Instagram started [as an app],” Bernard says. “We didn’t really know what it was. That’s how @indy_puppy started.”

When Indy, the original pup behind the Instagram account, lost his battle with cancer during COVID-19, it took about a year before the family felt ready to welcome a new dog, Nyla, into their home.

“It’s a little crazy with her. She’s fun to photograph, I can tell you that,” Bernard says.

While Bernard’s carved out a niche for herself through her pet photography, she stays busy with senior portraits, family photos and lifestyle photography as well.

Setting up a photo shoot with pets, she says, is sometimes easier than it is with people, because there’s less prep involved.

“You just start photographing them.

You can catch all their quirkiness.

You can catch their great expressions.

They’re not self-conscious,” Bernard says. “They’re just beautiful creatures.

When you look into their eyes, you see their soul. I just love it.”

Often, Bernard brings a high-quality treat or a squeaky toy along to hold the dog’s attention. “I always want that focus on the eyes. Catch light from the eyes, it just makes for beautiful photos,” she says.

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It takes a lot of patience too. If you’re tense at all, Bernard says, the animal will pick up on it right away. “I think dogs know if you’re a dog lover. They sense this stuff,” she says.

She says, “Don’t get worked up; be on their level. If that dog is literally lying down, you gotta lie down with the dog.

You don’t want to overpower them.”

During the pandemic, some of her pet photo sessions, or poochtraits, as she calls them, were featured in the Wall Street Journal as part of the The Front Steps Project. At the time, hundreds of photographers around the world participated in taking photos of quarantined families.

“All of the families I was photographing, safely from a distance, had dogs, and I thought it would be cool to take a photo of just their dog on the front steps,” she says.

Her photography portfolio extends well beyond household pets. Bernard and her husband are originally from Washington, D.C., and were raising their son, Austin, and daughter, Alexis, nearby in Maryland when her husband received a job transfer to the Middle East.

“We moved to Dubai in 2008 before his company brought him to Minneapolis,” she says.

During Bernard’s time overseas, she provided photography for a company in the U.K. On one occasion, she traveled to a school in the Dhading District of Nepal to take student portraits. Living abroad also allowed her the opportunity to travel in nearly 30 different countries.

She says it was a surreal experience being out in the desert, capturing photos of exotic animals.

“The camels are just out walking.

Someone owns them, but the camels are just walking to you,” Bernard says. “And the best shot you can get, if you can, get super low. The camels are so tall and massive. Literally, they’re wild.”

Benard has been to Kenya twice on safari in the Maasai Mara as well. “I’ve photographed some crazy stuff on my

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safaris. Some of my favorite shots are probably camels,” she says.

Her photography has been featured locally in the book Secret Twin Cities by local author Julie Jo Severson. Another photo, taken during the aftermath of the Minneapolis riots, was published in the book The Year Time Stopped, displaying the global pandemic in photos.

She’s also the lead photographer for the Twin Cities-owned dog gear company, ROCT Outdoor. (Read more about ROCT Outdoor on page 14.) dbdigitalphoto.com Debra Bernard Photography @debrabernard and @indy_puppy

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4. Although architectural shingles cost more than standard 3-tab versions, they last longer, are more resistant to wind and harsh weather, increase curb appeal and may even boost property value.

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Kendra Barber at a cenote pool on her honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Travel planner uses vast experience to help couples plan the perfect getaway.

Written by Emily Gedde

36

Photo: Roundtrips and Romances

Now Boarding

Photo: Always Karlie Photography

A recently eloped couple celebrating at Twin Falls on the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii.

What’s better than honeymooning on a sandy beach surrounded by clear blue water with the hot sun beating down?

Not much—except if someone plans the trip for you and all you need to do is show up.

That’s where Kendra Barber comes in.

The wedding planner—turned travel coordinator—knows the ins and outs of planning the perfect getaway. And after all the stress that goes hand-inhand with planning a wedding, the last thing Barber wants for her clients is to feel overwhelmed by planning a honeymoon, too.

“I understand how much time and energy goes into planning your dream wedding. I’ve been there as a wedding

May/June 2024

maplegrovemag.com

planner but also a bride,” the Maple Grove resident says. “Often, the honeymoon gets left on the back burner or forgotten all together. Then, when it does come up, the stress multiplies.”

But not if she can help it.

From the initial travel questionnaire to providing dress codes and a map of the airport, Barber provides all the services that go into honeymoon planning, so that the newlyweds get the rest and relaxation they deserve.

• Taste of Travel •

Barber’s love of travel began while she was working on her degree in hospitality management and event management at Iowa State University in Ames,

Iowa. She studied for a semester abroad in the Virgin Islands, giving Barber her first dose of the Caribbean’s beautiful blue waters. “It set my heart on fire,” she says of the experience. “It was kind of my first adventure.”

After college, Barber spent two months in Vietnam, furthering her love of travel before she landed a job as a wedding planner with a company in Minneapolis. “It was my dream, my plan, it was all happening,” Barber says.

Being a fan of love and weddings, she thrived in the industry.

Until a new spark was lit.

Barber says one of the best parts of her job as a wedding planner was listening to the couple discuss their

37

upcoming honeymoon. When she saw a job posting for a travel agency in 2019, Barber says it served as a new calling.

“It was speaking to my soul,” she says.

Barber started working at the travel agency in January 2020. We all know what happened two months later.

When COVID-19 hit, the travel industry took a hit—a big one.

“I got all my training done and got really excited about the travel world,” she says. “When COVID hit, I got really good at understanding insurance policies, cancellation policies and being an advocate for our clients.”

Eventually, lack of work and the ongoing pandemic won, resulting in Barber being let go from the agency.

She recalls being left to wonder what was next. “I just couldn’t picture where I was going,” she says.

Still passionate about the travel world, Barber’s husband encouraged her to start her own business.

“Looking back, there were all these little things that got me to where I am today,” she says.

• Let the Planning Begin •

Roundtrips and Romances was established by Barber in spring 2021. She had the confidence and knowledge to be successful and plan memorable trips for her clients. Oftentimes, couples don’t know where to begin planning and would start clicking away online.

Sooner than later, the endless options can get overwhelming.

“This is one of the reasons I absolutely love my job,” Barber says. “I don’t want my clients to feel stressed or overwhelmed. They just need to partner with an expert.”

Working with Barber is more than just booking a vacation, she says. She offers a personalized experience from prebooking to post travel.

“I create the itinerary that fits your dream,” Barber says. “I know things aren’t cookie cutter. Every person has a dream, a vision and a budget. It’s about picking out those things that bring the vacation to life.”

• When and Where • A Punta Cana honeymoon includes a trip to La Hacienda, an adventure park.

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So, when is the best time to start

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Photos: Kelsey Hanscom; Roundtrips and Romances

Kelsey and Cole spent their honeymoon on a Vespa tour around Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Rome.

working with Barber and let the honeymoon planning commence?

She recommends about one year to 10 months before the wedding. This sweet spot of time allows couples to get the best deals on flights and places to stay.

“If you start two months in advance, that’s OK, too. We’ll just move quicker,” she says.

Before seeking out Barber’s services, she recommends that couples discuss budgets and timing. She says it’s helpful to establish a maximum amount to spend, and she’ll work within that expectation. “If I know what people have in mind as a budget, it helps me manage expectations before we even jump into the trip,” she says.

Another helpful tidbit? Have the location and date of the wedding picked out. Oftentimes, couples get married in locations that require some travel to the nearest airport—which is helpful to know, especially if the honeymoon kicks off the day after the wedding.

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Barber says there are so many wonderful places all over the world but finds most couples favor all-inclusive resorts on their honeymoon. She says removing the stress of having a bill at the end of a trip brings additional ease.

And, she says, don’t worry about getting bored. Barber hears couples express concern that there won’t be anything to keep them entertained at an all-inclusive resort. Challenge accepted, she says.

“I love planning excursions like riding an ATV through the jungle or a day sail to go snorkeling,” she says. “I promise you won’t get bored.”

The best part of Barber’s job is hearing about the honeymoon when couples return. “It sounds cliché, but it truly is my favorite part about what I do,” she says. “I absolutely love making dreams a reality and giving people this perfect, uninterrupted time together ...

I love love.”

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TA S T E M A K E R S

Flaming Hot Taste the flavors of Mexico this Cinco de Mayo.

Written by Kelly Cochrane — Photos by Chris Emeott

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Fajitas from Riviera Maya Cantina & Restaurant.

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Shelly’s Interior Concepts Windows • Walls • Flooring MANY A MERICA N S think that

the May 5 holiday Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, but alas, it’s actually a celebration of the 1862 victory of the Mexican army over the French invasion in Pueblo, Mexico. May 5 is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. The first Cinco de Mayo celebration in the U.S. was held in California in 1863, but it wasn’t until the 1940s when it really picked up when the Chicano Movement, also known as El Movimiento, was in full force. The movement encouraged Mexican-Americans to embrace their culture in the U.S. Today, the U.S. celebration is much larger than that in Mexico, and it’s a little known fact that the day is celebrated so widely in the U.S. that the consumption of beer alone rivals that of Super Bowl Sunday or St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s take some time and get to know the Maple Grove Cinco de Mayo scene and what it has to offer.

For a unique take on traditional Mexican food, head over to Rojo Mexican Grill—it’s the second location for the Rojo Mexican Grill, which opened at the end of April last year. “We chose Maple Grove because it is a place that is always thriving and the perfect place to put a second restaurant,” says Michael Bergman, general manager.

This restaurant prides itself on being a scratch kitchen where many ingredients are fresh and made in-house. Rojo uses proprietary blends of Mexican spices to create recipes that ultimately add a new twist on the traditional food we all know and love—instead of traditional Spanish rice, Rojo swaps in sweet rice. Each taco is also topped with an interesting slaw that you likely won’t find elsewhere. Don’t forget your sip—the Rojo Cadillac Margarita includes top shelf tequila, triple sec and a house margarita mix, served in a hand-blown glass from Mexico.

Rojo is hosting a Cinco de Mayo block party to celebrate in front of the restaurant. Not only will it serve margaritas and beer, there will also be cornhole matches and live music. If the weather doesn’t hold out, head inside to try one of the 122 tequilas!

For an authentic Mexican family atmosphere, visit El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant. This Mexican food

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Taco Plate from Rojo Mexican Grill.

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Burrito del Rodeo from El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant.

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May/June 2024

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SILVERCREEK ON MAIN LONGEST DAY ALZHEIMER’S FUNDRAISER! Come together with SilverCreek staff & residents to take a step to end Alzheimer’s! mainstay opened in Maple Grove in 2008 after an in-depth search of the entire state of Minnesota. “A friend told me that Maple Grove was the best city to open a Mexican restaurant because, at the time, there wasn’t a Mexican restaurant, and the city was going to grow up in the future,” says manager Jose Rojas. “My friend was right. This is the best city in Minnesota.”

Since its inception, the family-owned group prides itself on using and preparing only authentic Mexican recipes handed down within the family. They are known for the Burrito del Rodeo, which is filled with seasoned beef or chicken; covered with cheese and red salsa; and served with rice, beans, lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream.

Fajitas are also diners’ favorites. The restaurant has specials daily and nightly, vegetarian options and much more. For Cinco de Mayo, stop by for special 15 oz. margaritas.

Riviera Maya Cantina & Restaurant is known for its flaming fajitas—served on fire!—created with a combination of chicken, steak, onions, tomatoes and bell peppers, covered with shredded cheese and served flaming. As a fanfavorite menu item, it is often paired with the Ultimate Margarita, which is made with Herradura anejo tequila, Grand Marnier and Cointreau.

Heidi and Luis Ortiz opened this family-oriented restaurant in 2020 during the heart of COVID-19. “We chose Maple Grove because there was only one other Mexican restaurant in town,” Heidi Ortiz says. At Riviera Maya, the Ortiz family’s goal is to make customers feel like they’re on a relaxing vacation in Riviera Maya. From the food to the ambiance to the music, it’s an easy “trip” to the Caribbean coastline.

What might be the best “special” among all these restaurant owners is the shared feeling of community. “We are all friendly and visit each other’s restaurants,” Ortiz says.

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O N T H E TOW N

The 2023 Investment in Youth honorees.

The 26th annual Investment in Youth honors achievements.

DI STR IC T 279 is set to host its annual Investment in Youth program, which

celebrates more than 70 students, volunteers and staff for their achievements in Osseo Area Schools and the community.

“These individuals contribute to our community with confidence, courage and competence, and District 279 Foundation is honored to celebrate their achievements,” says Susan Wineland, District 279 Foundation development director. The event recognizes award recipients for their investment in the following categories: Their Own Learning; Betterment of Education; Helping the Community; Modeling for Youth; Overcoming Adversity; and Developing Their Own Talents.

“Each school and program in Osseo Area Schools nominates two individuals to be recognized,” Wineland says. Meet this year’s award recipients during the celebratory program on May 5. The public is welcome to attend the program, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Park Center Senior High School auditorium. —Hailey Almsted

Compiled by Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp

LOCAL EVENTS

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast 05/02 The 18th annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast includes keynote speaker Heidi Lee Anderson, an author, speaker and stayat-home mother, along with music, breakfast and socializing. Registration is required. Ages 18 and older. Individual seat

$35, 10-seat table sponsorship $350. 7:15 a.m.

Rush Creek Golf Club, 7801 County Road 101; 763.494.6014; mgprayerbreakfast.org

Maple Grove Nature Run 05/11 Pick between running a half marathon,

All ages. Free. 6–7:30 p.m. May 5. Park Center Senior High School,

10K or a 5K through Elm Creek Park and

7300 Brookyln Blvd., Brooklyn Park; district279foundation.org

Rice Lake for this 17th annual event. All

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Photo: District 279 Foundation

CELEBRATE OSSEO AREA SCHOOLS

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

ages. Prices vary. 6:30–11 a.m. Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Lane N.; 651.688.9143; maplegrovelions.org FINALIST

BEST

Matt & Laurel

OF

05/14

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Enjoy this Twin Cities acoustic band duo, featuring acoustic guitar, vocals and original music. Ages 21 and older. 6 p.m.

Omni Brewing Co., 9462 Deerwood Lane N.; 763.424.6664; mattandlaurelmusic.com

Tails & Ales 05/18 Put on by the Maple Grove Lions Club, this event will feature a vendor show, activities for pets and people, live music, food and beer. All ages. 2–7 p.m. Central Park of Maple Grove, 12000 Central Park Way; maplegrove lions@gmail.com; maplegrovelions.org

Gift of Sight Golf Classic 06/14 Play golf, win prizes, and enjoy a chicken and ribs award dinner with all proceeds

LIC: BC748228

Kitchens | Bathrooms | Basements | Mudrooms Find us

Huge-Improvements.com

going to charity. Ages 21 and older. Prices

vary. 1 p.m. Pheasant Acres Golf Course, 10705 County Road 116; maplegrovelions.org

Juneteenth Celebration 06/19 Celebrate Juneteenth by shopping at a Black-owned vendor fair with music and food at Town Green Maple Grove. All ages.

Free. 3–8 p.m. Town Green, 7991 Main St. N.; info@maplegrovemn.gov; maplegrovemn.gov

AREA EVENTS

Kathy Mattea 05/01 Watch Grammy Award-winning country artist Kathy Mattea perform at Dakota.

All ages. $30. 8:30 p.m. Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612.332.5299; exploreminnesota.com

Exhibition Opening 05/03 The Northern Clay Center will open

Subscribe to your community’s magazine or purchase additional copies at loc alm e dia .co

an exhibit to showcase students, educators and professional artists.

All ages. Free. 6–8 p.m. Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.; 612.339.8007; exploreminnesota.com

45

lo c al things to se e an d do

O N T H E TOW N

Yoga in the Gardens

Nicollet Island Spring Market

Sculpture Garden Art Fair

invites you to take a peek behind the

05/05

05/11–05/12

scenes at some of the most interesting,

Farm-fresh produce and artisanal gifts

Stop by the first annual Minneapolis

eye-catching and historic buildings the city

are all on the menu at this one-day spring

Sculpture Garden Art Fair to shop the

market on Nicollet Island. All ages. Free. 10

creations of over 150 artists. All ages. Free.

has to offer. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary.

a.m.–4 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolis.org

10 a.m. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 1600 S. Lyndale Ave., Mpls.; homespunevents.com

Model Railroad Museum Spring Hobby Show and Sale

Yoga in the Gardens

05/11

Yin Yoga & Sound Healing is a 60-

The Model Railroad Museum will host

minute yoga class led by local instruc-

its semiannual Model Railroad Show

tors in the Sensory Garden. All ages.

State Fairgrounds. All ages. $7 for ages

8 and older. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., Falcon Heights; 651.647.9628; exploreminnesota.com

46

05/16

$7.50–$22.50. 6 p.m. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200. exploreminnesota.com

To have your event considered: email maplegrovemag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business

Doors Open Minneapolis

operations may have changed since these

05/18–05/19

pages went to print. Please visit affiliated

For a weekend, Doors Open Minneapolis

websites for updates.

May/June 2024

maplegrovemag.com

iStock.com/SabrinaBracher

and Hobby Sale at the Minnesota

Locations vary. doorsopenminneapolis.org

DONATO’S FLORAL EST. 1988

Donato’s Floral is a family owned business. We have been a part of this community for over 35 wonderful years. We deliver daily joy with natural botanicals.

Donato’s Floral 10200 73rd Ave. N. Suite 102 763.416.0488 donatosfloral.com

Maple Grove Resident for 26+ Years 1,715+ thrilled clients Voted #1 Realtor in Maple Grove Scan QR code for latest offers!

Maranatha Christian Academy is an innovative PK-Grade 12 school that prepares your child for college, career and life.

Enroll today.

TruBlue is ready to help with any handyman or home modification services. We strive to be your most trusted, accessible home ally in protecting and maintaining your home.

License# BC807459

Jarrod Peterson Real Estate Group 7767 Elm Creek Blvd.

763.258.4400 askjarrodheknows.com

Maranatha Christian Academy 9201 75th Ave. N. 763.488.7900 mcamustangs.org

TruBlue Home Service Ally Plymouth & Maple Grove 763.400.3748 trublueally.com/plymouth-maple-grove 47

LAST GLANCE

Spring Blooms Welcome a new season with a winning photograph.

“When I see all the beautiful flowers blooming on trees, I know spring has finally arrived,” says Debra Bernard, lifestyle and portrait photographer. (Read more about Bernard on page 22.) “It’s actually hard for me to put my camera down every time I see a new bloom in our neighborhood!” —Hailey Almsted To view other Focus on Maple Grove photo contest winners, visit maplegrovemag.com.

48

Photographer: Debra Bernard Title: Petals

Equipment: Canon EOS R6

with a 50 mm lens at f/1.8

Location: Maple Grove

neighborhood Category: Seasons Award: First Place

May/June 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Thank You

To Our Charitable Sponsors

Maple Grove Lions extend their appreciation to our charitable partners, whose generous support assists us in building a stronger community.

Maple Grove Lions support: local police and fire, veterans, childhood cancer, scholarships, youth programs, vision screening, environmental projects, charitable causes and more

Pulltabs, E-Tabs, Bingo, Meat Raffle, Video Races and Sports Boards

www.maplegrovelions.org

life. at your summit.

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