Home Away From Home Rental company offers two Plymouth properties for small stays, big events and everything in between
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Your Local Coldwell Banker Realty luxury experts are ready to help you buy or sell. Experience the difference & get in touch now to prepare for the spring market.
Jon Arne
Janelle Billigmeier
Andrew Cullen
Stacey Davison
952.270.8390 Jon@cbrealty.com
763.350.0592 Janelle.Billigmeier@cbrealty.com
612.220.1610 AMCullen@cbburnet.com
612-267-7859 Stacey.Davison@cbrealty.com
Jenny Enos
Julie Green
Deb Greene
612.597.9235 JEenos@cbburnet.com
952-994-2609 JMGreen@cbrealty.com
612.247.0777 Ms.Wonderful.7@gmail.com
Mary Kenney & Peggy James Mary.Kenney@cbrealty.com
Kelly Mathisen
Patrick Morgan & Michelle Skott Morgan
Kitty & Jane Properties
Carolyn Olson
651-341-9845 Kelly.Mathisen@cbrealty.com
612.803.2339 MorganRealEstate@cbburnet.com
Kitty Oates: 952-220-1910 Jane Bryant: 612-483-8365 Homes@KittyAndJaneProperties.com
612.867.1700
952.270.5784 CHolson@cbburnet.com
Based on closed sales volume information from NorthstarMLS for in price range from $0 - $999999999 for property type(s) Single Family, Townhome, Condominium as reported on 12/8/2023 for the period of 01/01/2022 - 12/31/2022, calculated by multiplying the number of buyer and/or seller sides by sales price. Source data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
Vicki Peters
Karen Alton Danielson & Jody Peterson Lodge
Josie Krogness Phelps
Lisa Piazza
Karen: 612.508.7586 Jody: 612.386.8699 Info@TheRefreshTeamCBR.com
612.501.5241 Josie.Phelps@cbrealty.com
612.751.0976 Lisa.Piazza@cbrealty.com
Cindy Redmond
Vicky Sarahan
Kathy Sawicki
Mark Schill
612.850.7015 Cindy@CindyRedmond.com
952.412.7293 Vicky.Sarahan@cbburnet.com
612.270.1001 KSawicki@cbrealty.com
612.859.4507 Mark@MarkSchill.com
Jacqueline Nguyen-Shulstad
Celia Threlkeld
Catherine Wersal
The Yorks Real Estate Team
612.867.8244 Celia@cbrealty.com
612.597.6661 CRWersal@cbburnet.com
952.334.3333 | PYorks@cbrealty.com
763.443.9084 Vicki.Peters@cbrealty.com
612.418.0395 Jacquie@cbburnet.com
Patty Yorks
Angela Truelsen
312.513.3397 | Angela.Truelsen@cbrealty.com
COLDWELLBANKERLUXURY.COM
F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 4 “Volunteering with Letters of Love makes you part of something so much bigger than any one individual, and that higher sense of purpose is an inspiring feeling.” —Siena Tompkins, volunteer with Letters of Love
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D E PA RT M E N TS
14 Un-Hidden Gems Plymouth jeweler Stuart Adelman helps reimagine family heirlooms.
16 Spring’s Glowing Forecast Urban Eve owner shares top trends for spring hair, fashion and more.
F E AT U R E S
20 Home Away From Home Rental company offers up two Plymouth properties for small stays, big events and everything in between.
26 You’ve Got Mail Grace Berbig shepherds a global club, spreading love and support through letters.
TAST E M A K E R S
30 Love Language Cottage baker shares a sweet idea for Valentine’s Day.
IN E V E RY ISSU E Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Gallery Last Glance
Photo: Chris Emeott
6 11 34 38 40
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FROM THE EDITOR M ade l i n e Ko pi e cki — m a deline@loca lm edia .co
Photo: Chris Emeott
Since one of the themes of our February/March 2024 issue is travel, I took the liberty of planning a little staycation of my own this past fall. My brief sojourn at Roxy Rentals’ Garden Getaway (page 20) allowed me to experience something new in Plymouth while also connecting me with some of Plymouth Magazine’s past stories. For dinner, I revisited Ceviche Seafood House—featured in our August/ September 2023 issue—with my partner to try something new off the menu. We opted for a surf round of appetizers featuring pearly fresh-shucked oysters and slightly spicy yellowtail jalapeño sashimi. For entrées, we came back down to earth with two chicken dishes. He followed through on my recommendation of the ají de gallina, a creamy chicken stew served over potato rounds and white rice, while I tried the 1/2 pollo a la brasa, a perfectly seasoned rotisserie chicken served with a creamy cilantro sauce, tangy side salad and fries. (Read Ceviche Seafood House Makes a Splash at plymouthmag.com.) Back at the beautiful Garden Getaway, the bright blues, golds and whites of the interior helped combat the dark evening outside. We cozied up in the living room to watch something seasonally fitting (Renfield) before it was time to call it a night. The next morning, a visit to bustling The Fox and Pantry and sipping an Americano was at the top of the itinerary. The nimble coffee shop/event space/gift shop/classroom continues to grow its capabilities, recently realizing the expansion owner Kim Joles alluded to when I interviewed her for our April/May 2023 story. (Read Welcome to the Table at Fox and Pantry at plymouthmag.com.) Staycations are a great way to experience the familiar through a different lens. These close-to-home trips allow you to slow down and spend time on those bucketlist activities you’ve been putting off for next weekend, next month, next time. If you’re looking for a home away from home, you might just enjoy a stay with Roxy Rentals as much as we did. Until spring,
On the Cover JJ Hornig, photo by Chris Emeott, page 20 See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Plymouth Magazine @plymouth_mag @plymouthmag
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February/March 2024
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VOL. 19 NO. 4 plymouthmag.com
PUBLISHER Susan Isay EDITOR Madeline Kopiecki MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR Renée Stewart-Hester
New Location, Same Great Care!
MANAGING EDITOR Hailey Almsted DIGITAL EDITOR Madeline Kopiecki COPY EDITORS Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt STAFF WRITERS Jody Carey, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith, Kristie Smith CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Douglas Broman, Alea Lester Fite, Emily Maxson, Amy Sundet, Katie Timcho EDITORIAL INTERNS Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Kelley Giancola, Interfaith Outreach; Meghan Milovich, blogger and fundraiser for Children’s Hospitals; Zach Nelson, Wayzata School District; Mark Poppendeck, Beez ‘N Treez Foundation; Brian Rosemeyer, City of Plymouth; LuAnn Svendsen, Plymouth Reads chair and community volunteer
NOW OPEN! 10150 Niagara Lane N, Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369 As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer treatment provider, we know that treating cancer calls for more than compassion. It means giving our patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person. Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards
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, Kathie Smith
one common goal – fighting cancer.
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson To subscribe to Plymouth 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.
mnoncology.com 8
February/March 2024
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Making a House a Home PROVIDING INNOVATIVE AND LIFE-ENRICHING SERVICES TO CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS & ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. ••• Homeward Bound currently operates 22 Residential Homes for persons with severe disabilities. We provide services to individuals who through no fault of their own find themselves waking up each day to extraordinary challenges. We strive to exceed the expectations of the people we serve and their families by finding better ways of delivering care, housing and programmatic services.
For more information or to make a donation, contact:
Homeward Bound, Inc.
12805 Hwy 55, Suite #400, Plymouth, MN. 55441 Lori Merriam, Director of Development Cell: 612-419-4549 or lmerriam@hbimn.org
Each person is encouraged and empowered to develop skills and capabilities needed to increase self-reliance and enhance quality of life. We are asking for your support with donations for new homes, community activities, staff training and recruitment, necessary medical equipment and transportation. Individuals can sometimes be forgotten, please choose to help and show the community everyone is important. Thank you for your kind consideration.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH A’BULAE, ST. PAUL
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lo c al tip s, tidb its & insi ght s
N OT E WO RT H Y
HEAL
GOOD NUTRITION = GOOD SKIN
Skin is the largest organ in the body, and it’s also the most noticeable. Many of us strive to get healthier skin every day, and we can do this through the food that we eat. » Vitamin C is an important vitamin found in the skin that helps protect against damage and supports the production of collagen. Found in: citrus fruits, potatoes, tomatoes and more. » Zinc is a nutrient that plays an important part in wound healing.
READ
A Local Author is Featured for Plymouth READS 2024
Found in: dairy products, eggs, nuts, seafood and seeds. » Omega 3s are healthy fatty acids that help control inflammation. Found in: avocados, nuts and seafood. » Selenium is a mineral that helps
Photo: Chris Emeott
WE’RE EXCITED to announce
that The Book Haters’ Book Club by Gretchen Anthony is the book selection for Plymouth READS 2024. “It’s going to be a big deal,” says Plymouth READS chair LuAnn Svendsen. “She doesn’t just live in Minnesota. She lives here,” Svendsen says. Anthony, a Maple Grove resident by technicality (her house is two houses down on the border between Maple Grove and Plymouth), considers herself a Plymouth person. “Plymouth Library is her library,” Svendsen says. Suffice to say, we’ll extend her honorary residency. Since 2010, Plymouth READS has hosted a community read event in April that celebrates a Minnesota author. “We’re trying to find a book that has appeal but also has some meat to it,” Svendsen says. The Book Hater’s Book Club tells the story of a local bookshop in crisis.
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When beloved co-owner Elliot passes away suddenly, his grief-stricken business partner, Irma, needs to reckon with the grim prospect of selling Over the Rainbow Bookshop to developers. Luckily, family and friends rally around the shop to preserve Elliot’s legacy any way they can, be it snooping, gossiping or engaging in something a bit more extreme. Plymouth READS will provide 100 copies of the novel, which can be found at the Plymouth Library, to the community. “People can swing by and pick up a copy, and then the idea is that they read it and pass it on to a neighbor, a friend, a family member,” Svendsen says. There will also be a few large print copies circulated around local senior living communities. —Madeline Kopiecki Visit plymouthreads.org to learn more.
protect the skin against UV rays, and a deficiency in this mineral has even been linked to an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Found in: animal proteins, Brazil nuts and seafood. While this list will help you get started, these nutrients are not the only ones that play a role in keeping your skin healthy. The best way to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs is to eat balanced meals throughout the day that contain protein, whole grains and a variety of produce.
Alea Lester Fite represents Hy-Vee as a nutrition expert, promoting healthy eating throughout the community. The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual information.
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N OT E WO RT H Y
Quality Thrift
open to ALL
Shop. Donate. Volunteer. Open Monday through Saturday 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth www.iocp.org/resale | 763-489-7549 Shop online at ResaleSelect.com Shop Resale Select for quality new and gently-used clothing, shoes, accessories, home décor, furniture, and more – at savings up to 90% off retail prices! Every item is handselected with care.
Sip S i & Shop op op Thursday, Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m.
TA S T E
Traveling Taste Buds When I was growing up, my family took a few vacations to the Gulf Coast of Florida. One of our favorite shrimp dishes there was a spicy Yucatán peel-and-eat version. In this recipe, I recreate the flavors of that dish but incorporate peeled shrimp to eliminate the mess when eating. The restaurant serves it with crusty bread to soak up the wonderful, spicy
Do Good. Look Good. Feel Good. Items sold at Resale Select come from our generous donors. Proceeds support IOCP programs and services to help our neighbors meet basic needs and achieve ongoing stability.
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sauce. I like to serve mine with cauliflower rice, which also absorbs all the great flavor.
Baked Yucatán Shrimp Serves 4–6 » ½ cup ghee » 2 Tbsp. garlic, minced
February/March 2024
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l o ca l t i p s , t i d bits & in sig h ts
bonfe.com 8,000+ Reviews
Leaky faucet? Bonfe can help keep your home safe and comfortable. We fix broken furnaces and boilers, busted air conditioners, fried electrical systems, clogged drains, collapsed sewers and a whole host of other home headaches. » 3–4 tsp. chili-garlic sauce » 2 tsp. salt » 1 tsp. black pepper » 4 large limes, juiced
We’ve got you covered.
» ¼ cup cilantro, chopped » 2 lbs. of 21-count shrimp, peeled and deveined Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Photo: Belén Fleming of Belu Photography
Arrange the shrimp in one layer in an ovenproof baking dish with only the tails
Better call
overlapping. Melt the ghee in a medium saucepan. Add garlic, chili paste, salt and
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pepper and simmer for one minute. Pour the seasoned ghee over the shrimp. Bake the shrimp for 12–15 minutes or until pink. Top the baked shrimp with the fresh lime juice and cilantro.
Emily Maxson is a Plymouth food blogger and author of Emily’s Fresh Kitchen Cookbook. For more recipes, visit emilysfreshkitchen.com, or follow her on Instagram @emilysfreshkitchen.
612-430-6112 PLUMBING | HEATING | cooling | ELECTRICAL | sewer 13
VENTURE
Un-Hidden Gems Plymouth jeweler Stuart Adelman helps reimagine family heirlooms. By Jennifer Pitterle
A flowing platinum band accentuates the pear-shaped diamond in Gay’s ring. Below: Stuart turns a classic emerald cut on its head with this modern, tilted setting.
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his hand at dentistry—but it wasn’t meant to be. “My father was a jeweler,” Stuart says. “I decided making jewelry was much more fun than going to dental school, and I became a jeweler full time.” He began his career in southern California but moved to Minnesota several decades ago with his young family. After several years spent running a wholesale business—where he made custom pieces for regional jewelry stores—Stuart decided to open his own studio, Artelle Designs. “We found a little place in Plymouth, and we’ve been here 22 years,” he says. Stuart is the jewelry expert, and his wife, Ellie, handles sales, curation and other facets of the business. “I might be the artist, but nothing happens without Ellie,” Stuart says. “She makes it all possible and approves (or disapproves) most designs.” The bread and butter of Artelle Designs is custom pieces. “We can take whatever a client has [out of ] grandma’s old diamond or any other family piece, and we’ll turn it into something new,” Stuart says. “It’s really gratifying to sit down with someone, make a design that they love and hand it to them personally to see their reaction.” Stuart is an excellent steward of his clients’ family heirlooms, whether he’s simply repairing them or fashioning old gems into a wearable piece for a younger family member. “To make something that affects someone’s emotions so much is really gratifying,” he says. “First, I look at what they have and what we might make. Do they want a ring, necklace or bracelet? Then I need to figure out what their style is.” He and the client
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Photos: Chris Emeott
LONGTIME PLYMOUTH JEWELRY DESIGNER Stuart Adelman once tried
O D TH 1- EL 4 U P OP R M E –S N U N
M
can flip through his portfolio of about 4,000 images to find inspiration. What really sets Artelle Designs apart is Stuart’s skill as a wax carver. Jewelry design starts with a drawing, whether on paper or in a computer program like CAD. Stuart uses CAD to create a rendered image of what the finished piece might look like. After that, he usually outputs the design to a wax milling machine, where he can make detailed tweaks to the design. Sometimes, he hand carves a wax design from scratch. Clients can try on the wax model before the design is finalized. “Most jewelry stores use a big factory, where they output the CAD [design] to a 3D print,” Stuart says. “It’s cast in metal, and there’s no tweaking, so the designs tend to be sterile. There’s no feeling to them.” Stuart is all about feeling, from the first design meeting with a client to the big day when he hands them the finished piece. One recent client, Gay, knew Stuart was the right person to help refashion her late mother’s diamonds. “I went to my lockbox and put on my mother’s rings,” Gay says. Then, something pivotal happened: She couldn’t get the rings off her finger. It got her thinking, “I’d had them where no one could see them. It was meant to be, so I took them to Stuart,” she says. Stuart created a new ring for Gay from her mother’s two smaller wedding diamonds and a larger pearshaped diamond, with eight small diamonds set into the band on either side. After adding the diamonds to the wax model so Gay could judge the overall effect, the pair revisited the question of metals. They had originally decided on white gold, before Gay asked a crucial question. “I asked if I could wear it in the pool. He said, ‘Not white gold, you can’t. It will start to disintegrate,’” Gay says. She decided on a sturdier platinum instead. “I loved it,” Gay says of the finished ring. “It means the world to me to finally get my mom’s rings made into a beautiful piece of art that I will wear for the rest of my life.”
M E D I N A
DESIGNED TO MAKE THE EVERYDAY EXTRAORDINARY. Hom e Pa cka ges S t ar t in g at $1.15M + Learn More at: MarshPointePreser ve.com
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Artelle Designs, 3555 Plymouth Blvd. Suite 216; 763.559.0044; artelledesigns.com Artelle Designs Fine Jewelry & Custom Design
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DE VELOPMENT, PLE A SE CONTAC T GEORGE S TICKNE Y AND KE VIN S TICKNE Y 9 52 . 2 5 0. 201 5 | K WS TICKNE Y@ CBRE ALT Y.COM
@artelledesigns and @jewelrydood
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STYLE
Spring’s Glowing Forecast Urban Eve owner shares top trends for spring hair, fashion and more. By Jody Carey
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February/March 2024
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AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, it’s natural
to start craving some warmth. While daylight savings time springs our clocks forward an hour on March 10 this year, there’s an easy way to infuse your life with some extra sun-inspired brightness even earlier than that. Urban Eve owner Katie Salsbery says all signs point toward warmth this spring, from hairstyles to fashion choices. Think sun-kissed; think coastal. We sat down with Salsbery to learn more.
Photo: Chris Emeott
Get Golden As the weather heats up, so do hair colors. “Everybody’s really embracing the warm colors,” Salsbery says. She recommends trying lived-in color with radiant blondes and browns or a rich, lustrous shade of copper. “Copper is here to stay, and you’ll see a lot of variations of copper this spring,” Salsbery says. With warm hues on demand, so too are natural textures. “I love the warmth we are seeing and the lived-in, effortless hair looks,” Salsbery says. It’s not just about straight hair anymore; it’s about embracing the smoothness, whatever hair texture you’re working with. To extend the salon magic after your appointment, invest in the right styling tools. Professional tools aren’t reserved for just the stylists. Salsbery says that one major feature that differentiates them is their adjustable heat settings. And here’s the thing—stylists love to share their knowledge. “It’s important to have [your] stylist [recommend] the right heat settings specific to [your] hair type,” Salsbery says. Salsbery recommends talking to your personal stylist because everyone’s hair is different. “Stylists always want your hair to be easy to recreate at home. If something challenges you at home for styling, your stylist is there to help give you tips and tricks,” Salsbery says. With the right products, including a reliable heat protectant, a versatile styling aid, a round brush, a curling iron and a controlled-setting blow dryer, you can maintain the freshfrom-the-salon look at home. Let’s Talk Layers Fashion is taking a serene turn this spring with calming shades of coastal blues, white and a soft pop of yellow, which will be reflected in Urban Eve’s clothes boutique. Salsbery attended the COTERIE
We hope you will join us for
GALA 2 0 2 4
Promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
6:00 pm Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel • The Depot The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner and program, live auction, Fund-a-Need, delectable desserts and dancing.
For more information about sponsorships or to
purchase tickets, please visit: arcminnesota.org/gala2024
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HAIR COLOR HIGHLIGHTS Two styling techniques are on the rise for sunny, natural hair. Highlights have long been a salon staple, but stylists have added a few longer-lasting looks to their repertoires. Balayage: Balayage is French for “sweeping” or “painting.” This technique involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and more natural, beachy look. A plus of this technique is the regrowth is less noticeable. Lived-In Look: The lived-in look is a hair coloring technique that creates an effortless appearance. Starting with a base color close to your natural hair color, subtle highlights or lowlights are added to achieve a low-maintenance effect. Less frequent touch-ups make it a
Photos: Chris Emeott
popular choice.
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CHANGE BEAUTY FOREVER Getting safer products into the hands of everyone.
ANGELA KAUCH Brand Advocate
612.327.8342 ang88@comcast.net @angelakauch
cleanbeautymatters.com New clients who make a purchase will recieve a FREE product of their choice.
New York fashion event where all signs pointed to a return of more tailored looks. The annual fashion trade show showcased striking blazers that fit close to the body, paired with the wide or straight-leg pants of last fall. This spring, you’ll find neutral shades of lightweight linen, layered with whispers of floral prints. Salsbery notes that you can’t go wrong with timeless and classic denim in medium to light washes. Fits with a peek of ankle and additional flare will also be a go-to essential, she says. And the hems? Those raw hems with a touch of ruggedness are back by popular demand. For the final touch, look for layered jewelry in dainty gold. Trends continue to feature permanent, welded bracelets, anklets and necklaces, which Urban Eve offers through popup events with local vendors. But trends are also starting to add a nostalgic note to the mix with shareable bracelets. Urban Eve stocks ’90s-inspired Little Words Project friendship bracelets in their boutique. “You wear it until you find the perfect person that needs it, and you pass it on,” Salsbery says. Urban Eve, 190 Westfalen Trail #300, Medina; 763.478.8100; myurbanevemn.com Urban Eve Medina @urbanevemedina
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Photo: xxxxxxxxx
HOME away from HOME Rental company offers up two Plymouth properties for small stays, big events and everything in between. Written by Madeline Kopiecki — Photos by Chris Emeott
Photo: xxxxxxxxx
Walking into the Garden Getaway on Ninth Avenue in Plymouth, it’s easy to feel instantly at home. The rambler is furnished in a color scheme of blue, white and gold. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery, crockery and appliances. The bathroom offers up toiletries, including toothpaste and body wash. There are vases with fresh flowers throughout the house and, on the kitchen counter, is a welcome gift with a card signed by the managing partner, JJ Hornig. Roxy Rentals is the brainchild of Wayzata couple JJ and Hadley Hornig. A native New Yorker, JJ Hornig got her first taste of the business possibilities while renting out her downtown New York City apartment near the United Nations Headquarters. “I couldn’t even keep up with the inquiries because it was so new, and people would much rather stay in an apartment with additional amenities as opposed to a hotel,” she says. Hornig put a pin in that experience but would revisit it with her husband when the couple moved to Minnesota at the tail end of 2019. The Hornigs bought a property in northeast Minneapolis and set about remodeling. “I loved that process,” Hornig says. But, six months after the
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home was complete, the couple was ready to move to the suburbs. “And I was like, ‘Why don’t we explore one of these units as a short-term rental? Let’s just see what it is,” Hornig says. Thus started a pattern that evolved into a full-fledged business, with the first Plymouth home on 12th Avenue, the Chic Retreat, joined shortly after
JJ Hornig
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During my stay at the Garden Getaway, I enjoyed a well-stocked bookcase, wall art that enhances the overall aesthetic and cozy entertainment setups throughout the house with easy access to streaming services.
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by Ninth Avenue’s Garden Getaway in October 2022. From there, Roxy Rentals flourished, expanding to seven mid-term and short-term rental properties across two states. STAY AWHILE Roxy Rentals guests take up temporary residence for a variety of reasons. “In Plymouth, a lot of people do [home] rehabs, so they need to stay within the school district,” Hornig says. “Or, they’re in between houses.” Whether it’s an emergency renovation or carefully planned remodel, it’s hard to go an extended period without basic home amenities, including stocked kitchens and laundry rooms. “When families have to go to hotel rooms, it’s breaking up that family unit, so it’s really fun to be able to create that warm and safe environment where they feel like it’s literally their home away from home,” Hornig says. With a background in experiential events and hospitality, Hornig is no stranger when it comes to building an experience. “We really punch up the decor vibe, especially with the Garden Getaway,” Hornig says, noting that the prior homeowner was known for her green thumb. “We hired a really awesome local landscaper to bring back those gardens and help us to really make it splashy for this coming spring and summer,” she says. Aesthetics aside, both Plymouth properties also include family-friendly features, such as highchairs and kid cutlery. When local families aren’t taking up temporary residency, both the Chic
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Retreat and Garden Getaway play host to a wide variety of other guests. “We get a lot of people, especially for the summer, that want to visit their families, but they don’t necessarily want to stay with their family,” Hornig says. “Obviously, we host a lot of wedding parties, too.” As the Hornigs built up their small business, they found a way to build up local businesses too through a digital guide, which guests receive access to during check-in. “We really push supporting local and small businesses in the area,” Hornig says. The digital guide highlights places to eat, activities and attractions in the surrounding area, including Wayzata, which is easily accessible from the home. ROXY’S ROLODEX New amenities will roll out this year with Roxy Rentals’ online marketplace. Curated toward all things event-planning, the directory partners with local service providers for a long list of occasions. “If you want a private chef, we have that in our Rolodex. We can have them come to the house and cook you a meal,” Hornig says. “Do you need a hair and makeup team for your special event? We have that.” The new marketplace will be a comprehensive resource for things that visitors need that they might otherwise have difficulty finding if they’re from out of town or state. “Those hospitality amenities will be added on,” Hornig says. ROXY RENTALS ROXYRENTALS.CO @ROXYRENTALS
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To Advertise
Abbie Kinn 763.355.4955 | abbie@localmedia.co
The Chic Retreat offers options for work and play. A bold color palette energizes the home office space (above) while a stocked bar makes it easy to entertain (below).
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Photo: Chris xxxxxxxxx Emeott
YOU’VE GOT MAIL
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Written by Mollee Francisco
Grace Berbig shepherds a global club, spreading love and support through letters.
When Grace Berbig thinks of her mother, Amanda Berbig, she feels the sensation of warmth and sunshine. She sees a young woman donning poofy dresses with flowers in her hair and a smile that radiated from the inside out. She recalls her laughter as they climbed apple trees in the backyard of their Maple Grove home. And she remembers the love notes that graced their lunch boxes each day. “She really was the best mom,” Berbig says. So, in 2013 when her mother passed away from leukemia at just 31 years old, Berbig’s world came crashing down. “It broke my heart,” she says. “The most severe pain I’ve ever felt in my life.” Berbig and her sisters, Bella and Sophie, credit their dad as their “catalyst for coping” following their mother’s death. “He told us losing our mom could ruin our lives” she says. “Our job was to let our mother’s joy live through us.” Berbig became determined to honor her mother’s life. “I didn’t want her to be forgotten.” Today, Berbig is the founder and president of Letters of Love, a nonprofit organization that distributes handmade letters, cards and pictures to children in hospitals around the world. In the five years since its inception, Letters of Love has tallied more than 180 clubs in 31 states and 18 countries. Thus far, its members have created 200,000 cards and counting.
looking for opportunities to be helpful, but it wasn’t until the family moved from Maple Grove to Orono, and Berbig started at Orono High School, that she had her light bulb moment. “I remembered the cards,” she says. When her mother was in the hospital, the Berbig sisters kept themselves busy drawing cards and pictures for her after school. “She would go through every one,” Berbig says. “In every hospital room, she would plaster all of these drawings all over her room.” Berbig knew how much those drawings had meant to her mom, and she wanted to share that feeling with others in the hospital. So, Berbig took to her Instagram to invite her friends to join her in the art room to make cards after school one day. “I bought something like 15 donuts,” she says. “But we had 100 kids pile into the art room. It was completely packed. We made so many cards that day.” School staff recognized that the idea was a hit and encouraged Berbig to continue. “They said, ‘Grace, you have to keep this going,’” she says. By the end of
the year, Letters of Love was the biggest club at Orono High School. Berbig started fielding calls from students at other schools interested in starting their own Letters of Love clubs and she soon realized that the club could be bigger than her and bigger than Orono High School. She decided to make it a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019. “It was such a huge accomplishment,” she says. HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS
These days, Berbig says they are constantly adding new clubs to the organization. Several high schools in the Twin Cities area have started their own clubs, including Plymouth, Maple Grove, Minnetonka and Edina. Providence Academy launched its Letters of Love club in 2020. “Letters of Love is really aimed at spreading positivity and encouragement to those who need it,” says Anika Austvold, president of the club. “The organization as a whole really focuses on kids in hospitals to lift their spirits, but at Providence, we also incorporate people in our community who need it.”
Photo: Grace Berbig
SPREADING HAPPINESS
Berbig was just a fifth grader when she lost her mother. And though no one would have blamed her for remaining in her sorrow, Berbig chose otherwise. “I believe happiness is a choice we have to make every day,” Berbig says. Not only did Berbig choose to be happy, she chose to be helpful. “I wanted to help people in similar situations [to my mother’s],” she says. “I felt it was my responsibility.” In junior high, at age 16, Berbig got involved in raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but that felt like it wasn’t enough. She kept
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A young Grace poses with her mom, Amanda Berbig.
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Grace Berbig
The club has a little over 150 members and is the largest club at Providence Academy. “I’ve definitely met a lot of new people and interacted with people that I probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been in Letters of Love,” Anika says. “It really pushed me to start talking to freshmen and sophomores as a senior, and I also just think it’s a great opportunity to interact.” Five years after it was founded, the original Letters of Love club at Orono High School is still going strong with anywhere from 75–100 students in all grades attending monthly meetings. “Making cards with encouraging words for children, who are struggling with illness, is really a simple idea, but the impact benefits everyone involved,” says Kristin Frey, who served as the school’s club advisor for Letters of Love last year.
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CREATING CONNECTION
Siena Tompkins was once the recipient of Letters of Love, and she never forgot how that mail made her feel. “Receiving a card from Letters of Love gave me a connection to the outside world when I was confined to the four walls of my hospital room,” Tompkins says. “It really struck me, in that moment, that somewhere out there a stranger had decided to put [colored] pencil to paper with the sole intention of bringing a smile to someone else’s face even though they wouldn’t be there to see it. To me, it meant that I was seen by a community outside of my own, who didn’t even need to meet me to support me.” Tompkins was so touched by the experience that she ended up becoming a volunteer with Letters of Love. “Volunteering with Letters of Love makes you part of something so much
bigger than any one individual, and that higher sense of purpose is an inspiring feeling,” she says. Tompkins also jumped at the chance to work alongside Berbig. “Grace’s confidence and enthusiasm when receiving me into the [Letters of Love] family was what I needed to remind myself that to the right people, you will always be whole, always be good enough.” “She is the human embodiment of a ray of sunshine,” Tompkins says. “There is no one better suited for this mission than her.” HEALING ART
Berbig still vets every card before sending them on to the partner hospitals. She loves to see the variety of art, from little kid scribbles and “I love yous” to the sweet side of college football players. There are connect-the-dots cards, jokes
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Photos: Chris Emeott; Providence Academy
Members of Providence Academy’s Letters of Love club create seasonal Halloween and Thanksgiving cards.
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and even homemade word puzzles. “It’s so beautiful to see the art of the human letter,” Berbig says. “As a math teacher, it always impresses me how creative and artistic students are,” Frey says. “That is something I don’t always see on homework!” Frey knows the kids are making a difference with their creations. She recalled a story of talking about the club with one of her neighbors, who is a nurse at a local hospital. “She has seen our cards in the rooms of children at the hospital and shared the impact that they make,” Frey says. “Children were excited to read them and see them on their walls.” Tompkins still remembers how beautiful the cards were that she received. “Every single one felt genuine,” she says. “I could tell that the people who made those cards cared for and were excited about what they were doing. The simplicity of writing a card is what I find so beautiful about the mission of Letters of Love.”
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LONG-TERM GOALS
Although Letters of Love has already exceeded Berbig’s wildest expectations, she continues to set new goals for the organization, including a club in every state, the first letter from space (“We call NASA every week,” she says.) and more corporate sponsors to help offset their costs. Berbig remains determined to keep the clubs free for participants, including materials but says that comes at a cost of roughly $200 a month per club. “I’d love to partner with Hallmark on Letters of Love greeting cards,” Berbig says. “And Crayola on supplies.” Berbig would also love to make Letters of Love her full-time job. “I feel so lucky to have found my passion so early in life.” She notes that working with Letters of Love makes her feel closer to her late mom. “I think she would be really happy about it,” she says, adding, “The whole organization is built on her happiness, her love.” LETTERS OF LOVE lettersofloveglobal.com Letters of Love
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TA S T E M A K E R S
Love Language Cottage baker shares a sweet idea for Valentine’s Day. Written by Kristie Smith — Photos by Chris Emeott
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Shop Online. Same Day Delivery or Pickup. C R E AT E Y O U R L I S T A N D S H O P T H O U S A N D S O F I T E M S S H O P. L U N D S A N D B Y E R LY S . C O M
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F R OM THE FLUTT ER IN G of a fan to the twirling of a parasol, Victorian society reveled in ways of expression that went far beyond words. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, flowers were also employed as a way to convey sentiments that couldn’t be spoken out loud. In the Victorian language of flowers, daisies represent a declaration of loyal love with ivy representing affection and friendship. Delving even deeper, flowers, such as roses, cover a range of emotions,
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from the “I love you” of red to the “happiness” of pink. In Medina, the floral cupcakes from cottage bakery Zhinus Delights speak volumes. “Baking was something my mom and I always found was our way to connect,” baker Zhinus Vafai says. “But when I had my son, the definition of baking changed for me. His multiple food allergies meant I had to create cupcakes with substitutes for wheat flour, dairy and eggs.” Vafai started creating her baked treats for neighbors and friends who needed something similar for their own celebrations. And that’s how she became a cottage baker, starting Zhinus Delights in March 2022 and becoming a local sensation thanks to allergy sensitive cupcakes adorned by her floral frosting creations. Vafai says her mission is, “To spread the joy of delicious indulgence without limits.” She started by creating her allergy-sensitive cupcakes through trial and error, substituting ingredients while maintaining a delicious flavor. Next, she turned her attention to the frosting. “Floral frosting has to be firmer than traditional frosting,” Vafai says. For an allergy-sensitive option, it’s best to make it yourself. “American buttercream [recipes] don’t have eggs like many grocery store frostings,” she says. From frosting, Vafai moved on to refining the techniques that enable her to create daisies, roses, hydrangeas and carnations, just to name a few of the frosted flowers her cupcakes are famous for. She recommends using tutorials on social media sites, like she did, for some helpful know-how.
Zhinus Vafai
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You can find pastry tips and pastry bags at Michael’s or other local hobby shops. Vafai suggests rosette or hydrangea designs for beginners.
AN EDIBLE ARRANGEMENT This February, Vafai is creating cupcake bouquets along with individual cupcakes, something she says can be personalized based on floral design and ingredients lists. She’s also not afraid to share some of her secrets, because it is all about the love, after all. For do-it-yourselfers, she has the following tips to create a floral cupcake basket for the special people in your life: 1. Start with a round, 8-inch basket with a height of no more than 4 inches as the base. 2. Place seven 6-oz. paper cups around the perimeter of the basket, ensuring they form a circular shape. 3. Fill the bottom of the basket with tissue paper to provide a stable foundation for your cupcake arrangement. 4. Attach the seven cups together securely, maintaining the circular arrangement. 5. Once the cups are arranged inside the basket, fill the gaps between the cups with tissue paper to enhance the visual appeal. 6. Give your floral cupcake bouquet an elegant touch by adding a decorative bow to the front of the basket. 7. Upon completing cupcake decoration, wrap each cupcake in highquality tissue paper. Place them in the cups, starting from the outer edge and gradually working towards the center for a balanced presentation. If creating isn’t your thing, Vafai can create a basket for you featuring one of two seasonal flavors.
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O N T H E TOW N
HOWDY, NEIGHBOR T H E C IT Y O F P LYM O U TH is hosting its third
annual Discover Plymouth event on March 23. The free community showcase highlights local businesses, community organizations, nonprofits and more all gathered together under one roof at the Plymouth Community Center’s fieldhouse dome. City staff will also be in attendance. “Discover Plymouth provides an opportunity for the community to meet and connect with the Plymouth City Council members,” says recreation supervisor Jessie Koch. “There are opportunities for questions and casual conversations.” Another highlight of Discover Plymouth is
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the marketplace. “[It’s] a section of the event reserved for local makers, farmers and artisans to sell goods,” Koch says. Once you’re done visiting vendors (if not before), expend some youthful energy at the family-friendly gathering. “In addition to vendor booths, the event features a touch-a-truck area, which is filled with emergency vehicles, dump trucks, tractors and more as well as inflatables and a craft,” Koch says. —Madeline Kopiecki All ages. Free. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N.; 763.509.5280; plymouthmn.go
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Photos: City of Plymouth
Discover new ways to learn, play and get involved in Plymouth.
l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o
Compiled by Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl and Hailey Almsted
PILATES CLASSES PRIVATE TRAINING PHYSICAL THERAPY
LOCAL EVENTS
STRENGTH TRAINING MASSAGE AND MORE!
Hamel Lions Freeze Your Buns Off 02/04 Get ready to run or walk this frozen 5K in support of the Hamel Lions Club. The event also features a pancake breakfast. All ages.
$40 race fee, $35 early bird admission. 8 a.m.– noon. 3200 Mill St., Hamel; hamellions.org
Archival Adventures Volunteer Open House 02/08
$99 FIRST MONTH SPECIAL ALL THE CLASSES YOU CAN TAKE STARTING WITH PILATES PRINCIPLES.
Take a peek into the Old Town Hall before it reopens to the public, along with learning how to handle historical documents and artifacts and discovering volunteer opportunities.
2355 Polaris Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55447 952.476.0304 | contactpilatesmn@gmail.com
All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–noon. Plymouth Old Town Hall, 3605 Fernbrook Lane N.; 763.509.5230; plymouthmn.gov
Winter Bluegrass Weekend 03/01–03/03 Bluegrass fans are coming together once again in celebration. Musicians and music aficionados alike can expect a weekend of jam sessions, concerts and more. All
ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, 3131 Campus Drive; 601.651.3694; minnesotabluegrass.org
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Pie Day 03/14 The Plymouth Senior Center Pie Day fundraiser is back with pie and ice cream to go around. Single slices and full pies will be available at the event, with no preorders accepted. All ages. $6 per slice
with ice cream. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 14800 34th Ave. N.; 763.509.5200; plymouthmn.gov
AREA EVENTS
Luminary Loppet 02/03 Traverse the frozen Lake of the Isles, accompanied by candlelit walkways and
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O N T H E TOW N
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952.473.9637 • TheBrostClinic.com cross country ski trails in support of the Loppet Foundation. After your journey across the ice, join in for the luminary party back at the start. All ages. Prices vary. 6–10 p.m. Locations vary around Lake of the Isles, Mpls.; 612.604.5330; loppet.org
Mamma Mia! 02/6–02/11 The beloved musical Mamma Mia! is visiting Minneapolis this February. Run time is 2 hours 40 minutes with one intermission.
Ages 10 and older. $39–$149. Times vary. Orpheum Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatertrust.org
Disney on Ice Presents Magic in the Stars 02/09–02/11 Join Mickey, Minnie, Anna, Elsa and more for a stunning show of dreams
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14401 Highway 7 in Minnetonka www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com 36
unfolding live on ice. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. 600 First Ave. N., Mpls.; 612.673.0900; targetcenter.com
Loppet Cup 02/17–02/19 For the first time in 20 years, the world cross-country skiing cup will be held in the United States at Theodore Wirth
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l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o Pie Day
Park. There will be various sprint and distance races where the best skiers in the world compete for the cup. All ages.
Prices vary. Start times vary. Theodore Wirth Park, 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway Mpls.; info@loppetcup.com; loppetcup.com
Minneapolis Home and Garden Show 02/21–02/25 For 90 years, the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show has been bringing some warmth to the cold winter. Visit exhibitors, watch guest speakers and get inspired for your home. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave., Mpls.; 612.335.6000; homeandgardenshow.com
iStock.com/LauriPatterson
New Location - New Look To have your event considered: email plymouthmag@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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Plymouth Welcomes New Facility In October 2023, Twin Cities Orthopedics marked the grand opening of its world-class clinic and sports performance facility in Plymouth. The event was a success, drawing over 500 members of the community. A line of attendees wrapped around the building, eager to check out the new facility and meet special guests, including Minnesota Vikings hall of famer John Randle, paralympic gold medalist Mallory Weggemann and Team USA gymnast Lexi Zeiss.
To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to plymouthmag@localmedia.co.
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Now accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year! Please call 763-463-2223 to schedule your private visit!
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LAST GLANCE
Photographer: Janet
Grover-Manthey
Title: Working in a Winter
Wonderland
Equipment: Samsung
Picture Plymouth A sneaky shot creates a new memory.
Galaxy S22
Location: The Grover-
Mantheys’ front yard.
Category: People
Award: First Place
“Ever since I had kids, I learned very quickly that I have very little control over their willingness to participate in my photography shenanigans. I’ve had to practice being in the right place at the right time. This photo is an example of that. My son was far too interested in his snow raking to put up with my desire to capture the perfect image. But I was patient, and eventually, I was rewarded with a smile that was definitely not intended to be for a photo but was instead a genuine reflection of his happiness at that moment.” —Janet Grover-Manthey
To view other Picture Plymouth photo contest winners, visit plymouthmag.com.
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