Plymouth - June 2024

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This isn’t just a peach. It’s a Lori Anne peach. Planted, grown and cared for in South Carolina and left on the branch longer to ensure it’s ultra-sweet and tender. Better in Every Sense

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HealthPartners is the largest multi-specialty care group in the Twin Cities. Our clinics, hospitals, care teams and virtual services are all connected to make your health care simple.

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JUNE/JULY 2024

“Admittedly, when I started this Editor’s Pick story, I had something a little different in mind. What started as a guide for spending a day around Plymouth was quickly subsumed by geocaching, both at Clifton E. French Regional Park and beyond. I’d caught the cache craze.” —Madeline Kopiecki

Brick and Bourbon’s Smoking Gun Maple Old Fashioned, page 38

Photo: Chris Emeott

from the EDITOR

Our June/July Best of Plymouth issue always strikes a festive feeling in me. Summer is the traditional time of barbecues, block parties and concert series. When I think summer, I think of backyard bonfires, art fairs around town and a sailboat trip or two.

This summer, I suspect I’ll engage in a new hobby, as well, after discovering geocaching over the spring. It combines two hobbies I already had: exploring new places and hiking. For my full story about geocaching, you can read my Editor’s Pick (page 32), but for now, I’ll extol a little on the virtues of the hunt that I discovered through the process.

I think we rarely look at the areas surrounding us with close interest. Whether we walk the paths at French Park regularly or visit the Community Center with family, how often are you invited to pay attention to the moment? How do you see a place differently when you’re looking for something in particular?

Searching for caches of trinkets hidden in nature reminded me of playing in the woods as a kid. The natural detritus around me was interesting, discarded or lost objects were artifacts from someone before me. Every new path promised new discoveries. Geocaching rewards curiosity and patience—I was in uncharted territory during my travels around Plymouth, but there was the sweet reward of finding something, without knowing exactly what it would be.

There’s plenty to discover around Plymouth, and our Best of Plymouth issue is a great place to look. There’s the Best of 2024 list, of course, filled with new and returning favorites (page 26).

There’s also our West Metro cocktail roundup, which explores some lesser-known menu contenders to acquaint yourself with (page 38). And, as always, we’re meeting new Plymouth residents, such as new Noteworthy style contributor Grant Whittaker (page 18) and young actress Anja Arora (page 22).

Cheers to new discoveries, and congratulations to our Best of Plymouth 2024 winners!

Madeline Kopiecki madeline@localmedia.co

On the Cover It’s a Party, and You’re Invited, Photo by Chris Emeott, page 26

See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

Photo: Chris Emeott

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Abbie Kinn Senior Account Executive

Q: What’s the best part of your job?

A: I love connecting with new people and seeing growth in the communities we publish in.

Q: How do you like to unwind?

A: My favorite thing to do to unwind is relaxing in the evening with my pets and husband. It ranges from watching a movie on our list to doing separate things (ex. reading or planning our weeks).

Q: What are you listening, reading or watching right now?

A: I listen to the podcast My Favorite Murder on Spotify and I’m currently reading The Unhoneymooners with Too Late up next. Any sort of reality TV has been my go-to lately!

VOL. 19 NO. 6 plymouthmag.com

PUBLISHER Susan Isay

EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Kelly Cochrane, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Douglas Broman, Emily Maxson, Amy Sundet, Katie Timcho

DIGITAL INTERN Zoe Baden

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Findlay Drabant, Grace Knapp

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

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

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.

sustainable living, experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

Woods

experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

the most of your retirement today.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved.

Take

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved.

Retirement isn’t a time to slow down and settle in. It’s a time to live it up and break free. Discover what you’ve always thought was possible — at Trillium Woods, the only true LifeCare® community in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

On our verdant 46-acre campus, focused on green, sustainable living, experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

Retirement isn’t a time to slow down and settle in. It’s a time to live it up and break free. Discover what you’ve always thought was possible — at Trillium Woods, the only true Life Care® community in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved.

Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

On our verdant 46-acre campus, focused on green, sustainable living, experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved. Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today. ELEVATE YOUR RETIREMENT WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

down and settle in. It’s a time to live it up and break free. Discover what you’ve always thought was possible — at Trillium Woods, the only true Life Care® community in Plymouth, Minnesota.

On our verdant 46-acre campus, focused on green, sustainable living, experience countless chances to make new memories, discover new passions, and add new friends to your life story — with even more opportunities to broaden your horizons coming with our brand-new expansion.

Take a closer look at Trillium Woods before our new expansion is fully reserved. Call 763.265.3474, scan the QR code, or visit TrilliumWoodsLCS.com to make the most of your retirement today.

BEST OF FAQS

Questions? We have answers for what you need to know about our annual Readers’ Choice Poll.

Each year, our Best of Plymouth Readers’ Choice Poll brings together our readers and social media followers who support and honor local businesses and service providers with their votes.

FAQs:

How are the categories chosen?

Each year, our editorial and management teams evaluate the categories to include topics our readers find most relevant and engaging. You’ll notice some new categories this year!

How does vote tallying work?

Once the poll closed and the votes were validated, tabulators determined which businesses were the top three vote-getters.

What’s a finalist vs. a winner?

Voting ran online during January with three simple rules*:

1.

One entry was allowed per person; each ballot needed to include an email address.

2.

Voters needed to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot was counted.

3.

Ballots must have been completed by 5 p.m. January 31, 2024.

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

The top three vote-getters in each category became finalists and were announced in the spring on our website. (Once votes were tabulated, our editorial team fact-checked the address and contact information for each finalist. If a finalist was no longer a valid selection due to a closed business, etc., the next highest vote-getter(s) moved up to become a finalist.) The top vote-getter is the winner and is announced in June in our magazine and on our website.

Can a business or organization be a finalist if it’s located outside of the magazine’s coverage area?

Good question! In order to qualify as a finalist, each business or organization must be located in the community and/ or provide services to local residents.

How can a business get on next year’s ballot?

Since this is a write-in ballot, encourage clients or customers to vote for your business in our next Readers’ Choice Poll, which goes live on our website in January 2025.

I’m a winner! How do I purchase a framed cover?

Winners can request a free digital copy of the Best of 2024 magazine cover design, which also indicates the winning category and the business’s or organization’s name. Winners can also purchase a framed award certificate, which is 14x17 inches and features a black, wood frame. The cost is $125 per item, including shipping and handling, and can be ordered at localmedia.co/awardcertificate. —Editorial Staff

A Dish for Dads

This is the perfect dish to prepare for dad on Father’s Day. The marinade is easy to make, tenderizes the beef and adds a great boost of flavor. Once grilled, it is important to slice the meat against the grain to avoid a chewy texture. When cut properly, the steak is just as tender as more expensive cuts of beef. My favorite way to serve it is with chimichurri, a flavorful herb and garlic sauce. It is simple to make and complements the steak very well.

Grilled Flank Steak

With Chimichurri

» 1/3 cup olive oil

» 4 cloves of garlic, minced

» 1 tsp. salt

» 1 tsp. black pepper

» 2 lemons, juiced

» 1 flank steak, about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds

Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon juice in a small bowl. Place the flank steak in a large baking dish. Pour the marinade over the steak, and flip to coat both sides. Cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. At 30 minutes before cooking, let the steak sit at room temperature. Turn the grill on and bring it up to medium-high heat. Wipe off excess marinade with a paper towel, and place the steak on the hot grill. Grill for 4–5 minutes, and flip. Grill for another 4–5 minutes or until medium rare. Remove the steak from the grill and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak across the grain into thin strips. Serve with Chimichurri Sauce, see recipe below.

Chimichurri Sauce

» 1 cup fresh cilantro

» 1 cup fresh flat leaf parsley

» 5 cloves of garlic, minced

» 1 Tbsp. cumin

» 1 tsp. salt

» 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

» 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

» 3/4 cup olive oil

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor; blend for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the food processor bowl. Blend again for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to three days. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature before serving.

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.

Photo: Belén Fleming of Belu Photography

Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri

Bad Summer People

by Emma Rosenblum

This soapy drama about uber rich New Yorkers at their summer homes is filled with cattiness, infidelity and lots of tennis— including a swoon-worthy tennis pro. The novel opens at the end of summer when a body is found on the beach before the narrative backtracks to the start of summer, enabling the reader to enjoy the unfolding drama leading up to catastrophe. The alternating points of voice keep the reader guessing at whose body is found and why, as nearly everyone secretly despises each other. This book comes in at 250 pages and is perfect for a breezy, fun read.

The Drowning Woman

by Robyn Harding

This twisty thriller that encompasses friendship, marriage and deception focuses on a homeless woman witnessing a supposed suicide and intervening. As the story unfolds, the reader understands the whats and whys of what was really happening during the assumed suicide and how everyone is in fact connected. You will not be able to put this book down.

Amy Sundet and Katie Timcho are local book reviewers. They can be found @overbookedmoms on Instagram.

On a very hot day, we love a glass of limeade. It has that juicy, sweet mid-tongue pucker that’s so refreshing and addictive. Here, we’ve combined it with GT’s Unity kombucha, which tastes like cherries and coconut. It gives the cocktail a punch-like flavor, a light fizz and a very pleasant acidic bite. (Not into coconut? Use any flavor of kombucha.)

The beverage is perfect for large, outdoor gatherings because you can make a pitcher, put it out and let folks help themselves. No shaker, no fetching drinks all evening long!

Tip: If you think you’ll go through several pitchers worth of drinks, you can make the boozy limeade ahead of time. Keep it in the fridge, and add the limes, ice and kombucha just before serving. If you don’t end up using it all, the leftovers can go in the freezer until the next party.

Byerlys

Photo: Lunds &

Limeade Kombucha Cocktail

Ingredients:

» 6 limes

» 1/2 cup sugar

» 1 quart cold water

» 2 cups ice

» 6 oz. vodka

» 16 oz. kombucha (We used GT’s Unity kombucha.)

Juice 5 of the limes into a pitcher. Slice the remaining lime into rounds; set it aside. Add the sugar and water, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Drop in the ice and lime slices. Add the vodka; stir. Add the kombucha, gently stir and serve immediately.

GYNECOLOGY | OBSTETRICS |

Whatever the reason for visiting, you can be assured that your provider will take the time to get to know you, answer any questions, and go over your options. Our goal is to build a lasting relationship with you.

We are a team of nine Physicians and four Nurse Practitioners providing the latest advances in women’s health care.

Katie Tomsche is the content manager for Lunds & Byerlys. Sip more at lundsandbyerlys.com.

Back: Emma Ashenmacher, NP / Allison West, MD / Jennifer Metherd, MD Christine Ellison, NP / Jennifer Ambur, MD / Linda Maag, MD / Jancy Eddy, NP

Front: Kristen Latta, DO / Sarah Schmitz-Burns, MD / Mary Dahling, MD

Elizabeth Elfstrand, MD / Meghan Stommes, NP / Hope Frisch, DO

STYLE

Inspired Fashion

Plymouth Magazine’s new Noteworthy contributor, Grant Whittaker, brings us seasonal picks and expert advice.

By Jennifer Pitterle

FOR GRANT WHITTAKER, fashion has always felt like home. “I think my original fashion spark was my mother,” Whittaker says. “She was a housewife and would spend the morning cleaning. But by the time noon came, she’d be done cleaning, and she would emerge from getting ready. She was this very fashionable glamazon of a woman.” He says she taught him that clothes and presentation matter and that shopping could be fun.

Whittaker grew up in Heidelberg, Germany—his mom is German, and his dad is American—and focused seriously on dance as a teenager and young man. “Then I moved into producing hair and fashion shows,” he says. “I started doing styling for wardrobe, hair and makeup.”

He decided to pursue fashion and to explore the United States. “Chicago was my roots,” Whittaker says. He first landed there and worked on shows for Chicago’s Marshall Field’s and Minneapolis’s Dayton’s before deciding to make the Twin Cities his home in 2001. In the past couple of decades, Whittaker has launched Grant Whittaker Creative, his fashion consulting and production company, and had a hand in almost every runway production in the Metro—from working with Art in Bloom and Fashionopolis to Target and the Galleria.

Soon, the suburbs beckoned. “My husband and I bought our home in Plymouth in October of 2020,” Whittaker says. “We were the second owners of this home, and we kind of took over and glammed it up.”

Grant Whittaker isn’t one to shy away from vivid colors or statement pieces.

Photo: Kyle Lieberman

SUMMER STYLING

We asked Grant Whittaker to share some of his favorite trends this season. Try one (or more) of his picks for a put-together summer look.

Large Handbags: “These bigger bags are coming back,” Whittaker says. “They should really coordinate with your look and be a practical statement. And for a lot of people, a good bag is an everlasting purchase, especially when we’re really looking at sustainability.”

Well-Tailored Pants: “I like the streamlined waist of a tailored trouser,” he says. “It can be hard to find a good tailored pant but so worth it. And pants are practical.”

Green Hues: “This season, there are pastel and metallic greens. The iciness and mossy-ness of these greens are just so beautiful,” he says. “They also combine well with gold—we’re seeing a lot of green and gold together. White can become monotonous, so I’m trying to pick something different as a staple.”

Whittaker had his eye on Plymouth as an “accessible, trendy” burg. “There’s such an influx of things that people are talking about in Plymouth right now,” he says, mentioning The Fox and Pantry and Abella Aesthetics as two favorite newer businesses that are attracting both locals and neighbors. “It’s really great,” Whittaker says. “I’ve tried to immerse myself in being in Plymouth, especially when we’re working remotely and trying to find new ways to get out and meet people.”

Grant Whittaker Creative; grantwhittakercreative.com

Grant Whittaker @grantwcreative

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Waste Not

A

new effort aims to reduce the amount of organic material and food waste thrown in the garbage.

By Emily Gedde

HAVE YOU EVER thrown watermelon rinds on a campfire? Probably not, because they likely wouldn’t burn very well. The same scenario holds true when rinds and other food waste go through an incinerator at landfills— it’s just not efficient.

But there is another option. The curbside organics collection service is a new effort for Plymouth residents to turn their food waste into nutrient-rich topsoil or compost.

To learn about the whats and the whys of the city-run program, we turned to Chris McKenzie, Plymouth

engineering services manager, as well as Plymouth resident Alison Cerier, to offer their insight on the program and somepractical advice for those who want to become involved.

How did the idea of this effort come to life?

Chris McKenzie (CM): It’s not unique to Plymouth and has been done in many other communities in the Twin Cities. Hennepin County has a mandate for all [households with curbside recycling services] to be offered the opportunity for curbside organics recycling. All

single family and multifamily households pay for organics recycling through their utility bill, like regular recycling.

Who is eligible for this program?

CM: The program is available to single family homes and multifamily units up to eight units.

When can people sign up?

CM: Folks can sign up anytime. There is no deadline. It’s whenever they want. When they sign up, they’ll be delivered a 35-gallon bin to start their service a few weeks after.

What can and cannot be included in the Curbside Organics Collection bins?

CM: Traditionally, organic materials include things like food scraps, food waste, banana peels, eggshells, that sort of thing. Because we process at a commercial facility, we can also take things like pizza boxes [and] meat and chicken bones.

How is odor controlled?

CM: This doesn’t smell any more than regular garbage. The curbside organics collection is weekly, so materials will be picked up in a timely manner to help prevent any issues with odor.

A First-Hand Perspective

Cerier shares her own insights as an early adopter of the service.

When did you sign up?

Alison Cerier (AC): We’d had [organics collection] previously, through our regular trash vendor. We started that two years ago, which is why I had some experience. I signed up when it started, March 1. It was very easy to sign up on the website.

Unlike single-sort recycling, curbside organics are collected weekly.

Where do you store the 35-gallon bin?

AC: We have a door from our kitchen into the garage, so we just tuck it next to the stairs that go into the garage. You also need something to collect scraps and organics as you’re living your life. At first, we were using a small bowl, but then we ordered a little bin with a lid that we keep on the kitchen countertop, since we’re always putting things into it. What I tell people is you figure out what works for you. I think people were concerned they’d have another big bin like their garbage bin, but this one is smaller.

Were there any items you found out could be included in the collection bins that you were surprised by?

AC: I was surprised that tissues, napkins and paper towels could be put in there. They’re not OK for backyard composting, but for this kind they are.

What do you see as the greatest benefit of the program?

AC: This feels good every day. I think everybody wants to do something for the environment, and this is an important way to make a difference—it’s like giving your food a new life. It’s exciting to me.

To find out more or sign up, visit plymouthmn.gov/organics.

Photo: City of Plymouth

Center Stage

A young actress gives us a glimpse behind the curtain.

By Madeline Kopiecki

Photo: Glen Stubbe Photography

PORTRAIT

THE SCENE at the Children’s Theatre Company is delightfully chaotic on this chilly evening. Kids and their guardians make their way to their seats. The student ensemble actors, sporting black and white stripes and mime makeup, mingle with the crowd and lead small pockets of kids in hearty renditions of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

There’s at least one pint-sized Alice in attendance, wearing the iconic blue dress. A young Red Queen, sporting a tiara headband, sits a few rows ahead of me. It’s the opening night of Alice in Wonderland, and somewhere backstage, Anja Arora is preparing for the evening debut of her first leading role.

“Ever since I was really little, I’ve always had this love for performing and for the arts,” says the Minnetonka High School freshman. “I always knew that I wanted to do some form of [acting]. I didn’t know whether or not that meant doing professional theater, but I always knew that one way or another, I was going to dip my toe into it because I just loved it.”

Alice in Wonderland is Anja’s fifth production with the Children’s Theatre Company. Her first was Annie, which hit the stage in 2021 after COVID-19 pushed back the production schedule.

“I was one of the orphan girls,” Anja says. “And it was super fun because actually, the girl that I am doubling the role of Alice with right now [Audrey Mojica], she played Annie in that, so I already knew her.”

Memorizing lines can be a tall order, especially for a role that spends nearly the entire show on stage, but Anja attributes her success in part to her mom, who runs lines with her. It also doesn’t hurt to have a friend sharing the role. “[Audrey and I] really support each other in those kinds of intense rehearsal processes,” Anja says, noting the rehearsal schedule for Alice in Wonderland started at five hours a day,

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Actress Anja Arora performs the titular role in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Alice in Wonderland

Photos: Glen Stubbe Photography

In this production of Alice in Wonderland, some characters such as the Caterpillar (top) and the Cheshire Cat (bottom), were played by an ensemble of actors, enhancing an already surreal performance.

four days a week, plus all-day rehearsals on Saturday.

“The Children’s Theatre is an incredible place to work and to be an actor at because they are so accommodating and so supportive of people just being people,” Anja says. Even as the production transitioned into longer tech rehearsals, Anja and the other student actors continued to juggle full time school and homework throughout.

“Curiouser and curiouser.”

With opening day drawing nearer, Anja says she’s most excited about inviting the audience on Alice’s journey with her. “I think she really represents the true nature of human curiosity and the human spirit,” Anja says. “I’m really excited for people to especially bring their kids, because I think it’s so important for youth to try to understand things and to be curious and to explore … you’re only in this world to enjoy it and to ask questions.”

Back in the theater on opening night, the organized chaos of people finding their seats is being mirrored backstage. “Behind the curtain, there’s a lot of things going on,” Anja says. “All that theater magic that makes it so special, there’s an incredible crew making all of that happen, and there’s a lot of effort that goes into making this show so special.”

And somewhere in that mix will be Anja as Alice, waiting for the curtains to go up. “I think on opening night, when the curtain goes up, I will be just purely happy and excited,” she says. “There’s so much work from all of us that goes into making this production. And whenever the curtain goes up on opening night, it all feels worth it and so magical.”

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.874.0400; childrenstheatre.org Children's Theatre Company @childrenstheatrecompany

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Photo: Chris Emeott

IT’S A PARTY, AND YOU’RE INVITED

A lot goes into a garden party. There are the caterers and the makers of sweet treats; the garden centers and lawn care experts who create a beautiful backdrop; the builders and interior designers who make entertaining a delight; the boutiques and stylists who have guests looking their best; the wellness and self-care providers who relieve some of the stress of hosting; pet groomers who make sure your four-legged family members put their best paw forward or pet boarders who house high-spirited pups.

If I were to imagine our community contest as a garden party, each and every restaurant, service provider and shop has contributed to the festivities. But what’s a party without guests? Plymouth Magazine readers turned out en masse to celebrate their community by voting in our annual Readers’ Choice Poll. It certainly wouldn’t be a party without you!

—Madeline Kopiecki

Three cheers to the winners of our Best of Plymouth 2024 Readers’ Choice Poll!

DINING

Best Bakery

1. The Fox and Pantry

2. Lunds & Byerlys

3. How Sweet It Is Desserts

Best Bar, Brewery or Distillery

1. Rock Elm Tavern

2. Luce Line Brewing Co.

3. Northern Taphouse

Best Breakfast or Brunch

1. Peg’s Countryside Cafe

2. The Fox and Pantry

3. The Original Pancake House

Best Burger

1. Rock Elm Tavern

2. Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill

3. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

Best Desserts or Ice Cream

1. Honey & Mackie’s

2. Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill

3. Culver’s of Plymouth

Best International Cuisine

1. Thai Table Restaurant

2. Plymouth Garden

3. Asian Duck

Best Outdoor Dining Space

1. Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill

2. Rock Elm Tavern

3. CōV

Best Pizza

1. ElMar’s NY Pizza

2. Latuff’s Pizzeria

3. Broadway Bar & Pizza

Best Plant-Based or Vegan Menu

1. Peoples Organic

2. Crisp & Green

3. Nautical Bowls

Best Restaurant

1. Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill

2. Rock Elm Tavern

3. OAK Eatery

ABODE

Best Carpet and Flooring Store

1. UB Hardwoods & Flooring

2. Floors of Distinction – FOD STUDIO

3. The Tile Shop

Best Custom Home Builder

1. J Brothers Design –Build – Remodel, Inc.

2. Tie: Gonyea Custom Homes; Hanson Builders

Best Garden Center

1. Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping

2. Bachman’s

3. Gregor Farm & Greenhouse

Best Home Decor or Furniture Store

1. HOM Furniture

2. Schneiderman’s Furniture

3. Abode & Co.

Best Interior Design Firm

1. J Brothers Design –Build – Remodel, Inc.

2. Studio M Kitchen & Bath

Best Landscape Design Service

1. MH3 Design Group

2. Custom One Landscaping

3. Heidi’s GrowHaus & Lifestyle Gardens

Best Remodeler

1. J Brothers Design –Build – Remodel, Inc.

2. Urban Refurbishment LLC

3. Tie: Aspen Building Contractors, Inc.; Custom One Renovation

Best Senior Living Residence

1. Trillium Woods

2. The Waters of Plymouth

3. Amira Choice Plymouth

SELF-CARE

Best Barbershop

1. Roosters Men’s Grooming Center

2. Tie: Nate’s Barber Shop; Oakwood Men’s Barbershop; Urban Eve

Best Boutique Fitness or Yoga Studio

1. Pilates MN

2. Orangetheory Fitness

3. CorePower Yoga

Best Hair Salon

1. Urban Eve

2. Simonson’s Salon & Spa

3. Hair District Collective

Best Manicure and Pedicure

1. Tie: Simonson’s Salon & Spa; Vick’s Nail Lounge

2. Zen Nails

Best Massage

1. Tree of Life Theraputic Massage & Spa

2. Buzzella Massage

3. Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Best Med Spa (must have licensed physician on site)

1. Abella Aesthetics

2. Zel Skin & Laser Specialists

Best Spa (for skin care and body and beauty treatments)

1. Woodhouse Spa

2. Simonson’s Salon & Spa

3. Tree of Life Theraputic Massage & Spa

WELLNESS

Best Chiropractic Practice

1. Northern Edge Chiropractic

2. Plymouth Spine and Health Center

3. Precision Chiropractic & Wellness

Best Dental Practice

1. Park Dental

2. Ostrem Dental

3. Bay Creek Dental

Best Dermatology Practice

1. Pinnacle Dermatology

2. Lakes Dermatology

3. Zel Skin & Laser Specialists

Best Eye Care Practice

1. Tie: Kennedy Vision Health Center; Plymouth Vision Center

2. Complete Eye Care of Medina

Best Family Medicine Practice

1. Park Nicollet Clinic Plymouth

2. Voyage Healthcare

3. Northwest Family Clinics

Best OB-GYN Practice

1. Oakdale ObGyn

2. Haugen OB/GYN

3. Voyage Healthcare

Best Orthodontic Practice

1. Kottemann Orthodontics

2. Smile Design Dentistry

3. Camp Smile

Best Pediatric Practice

1. Children’s Minnesota Partners in Pediatrics Primary Care Clinic

2. South Lake Pediatrics

3. Wayzata Children’s Clinic

LEARNING

Best Dance Studio

1. Summit Dance Shoppe

2. Just For Kix

3. Esteem Dance, Fitness & Tumbling

Best Language Immersion Program or School

1. Qué Tal Spanish Language Program

2. Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion

Best Learning or Tutoring Center

1. Kay Tutoring

2. Kumon

3. Code Ninjas Plymouth

Best Preschool Program

1. The Goddard School of Plymouth

2. Primrose School of West Plymouth

3. Wayzata Early Learning School

Best Swim School or Lessons

1. Foss Swim School

2. Life Time Swim

3. Goldfish Swim School

PET CARE

Best Dog-Friendly Business (Dining or Retail venue)

1. Brew Park Plymouth

2. Chuck & Don’s

3. Luce Line Brewing Co.

Best Dog Park

1. Brew Park Plymouth

2. Plymouth Dog Park

3. Fish Lake Dog Off-leash Area

Best Pet Boarding or Daycare Service

1. Camp Bow Wow

2. Pet Retreat Plymouth

3. Red Barn Pet Retreat

Best Pet Grooming Service

1. Pet Retreat Plymouth

2. Red Barn Pet Retreat

3. Premier Pet Salon

Best Veterinarian Practice

1. Rockford Road Animal Hospital

2. Vet Partners Plymouth

3. Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital

SHOPS

Best Apparel Boutique

1. Urban Eve

2. Abode & Co.

3. The Foursome Fine Menswear

Best Florist

1. Bachman’s

2. The Wild Orchid

3. Candlelight Florist, Gifts & Flower Delivery

Best Gift Shop

1. Tie: Abode & Co.; Art 2 Heart

2. Curated Boutique

Best Jewelry Store

1. Artelle Designs

2. Continental Diamond

3. Art 2 Heart

Best Specialty Food or Kitchen Store

1. Lunds & Byerlys

2. The Fox and Pantry

3. Williams Sonoma

LEISURE

Best Beach, Open Space or Park

1. Clifton E. French Regional Park

2. Parkers Lake

3. East Medicine Lake Park

Best Date Night Spot

1. 6Smith

2. Rock Elm Tavern

3. CōV

Best Outdoor Spot for Graduation Photos

1. Millennium Garden

2. Clifton E. French Regional Park

3. Parkers Lake

Best Place for Family Activities

1. Tie: Clifton E. French Regional Park; Plymouth Community Center

2. Tie: Fractional Toys; Urban Air Adventure Park

Best Venue to Watch

Fourth of July Fireworks

1. Hilde Performance Center

2. Plymouth Community Center

3. Tie: Medina Golf & Country Club; Plymouth Creek Park

BEST OF THE WEST METRO

Best Alpine Hill or Nordic Ski Trail

1. Clifton E. French Regional Park

2. Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek

3. Hyland Hills Ski Area

Best Biking or Hiking Trail

1. Luce Line Regional Trail

2. Clifton E. French Regional Park

3. Dakota Rail Regional Trail

Best Family Photographer

1. Tie: Kevin White Photography; Lisa Willey Photography; Pixel Dust Photography LLC

Best Financial Services (financial planners, wealth management, estate planning, etc.)

1. Berger Financial Group

2. Tie: Encore Financial; Fidelity Investments; UnderDog Wealth Management, LLC

Best Golf Course

1. Baker National Golf Course

2. Rush Creek Golf Club

3. Eagle Lake Golf Course

Best Law Practice

1. Tie: AND Law Offices; Brutlag, Trucke & Doherty, P.A.

2. Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd.

Best Music School

1. Medina School of Music

2. School of Rock

3. Bach to Rock

Best Outdoor Skating Rink

1. Central Park Ice Skate Loop, Maple Grove

2. Klapprich Park & Field

3. Plymouth Creek Park

Best Private School

1. Providence Academy

2. Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School

3. Heritage Christian Academy

Best Professional Theatre

1. Plymouth Playhouse

2. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Best Staycation Hotel

1. Hotel Landing

2. Great Wolf Lodge

3. The St. Paul Hotel

Best Summer Camp

1. Medina School of Music

2. Crème de la Crème

3. Camp Ihduhapi

Best Wedding Photographer or Videographer

1. Tie: Eric Vest Photography; Jessica Hegland Photography

Best Wedding Venue

1. Tie: The Hutton House; Rush Creek Golf Club

2. Millennium Garden

Best Winery

1. Tie: Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery; Sovereign Estate

We extend our appreciation to those businesses and individuals who contributed to Local’s Best Of 2024 celebration photoshoot.

Bakery Items

» Brittni Dye

» Wuollet Bakery, wuollet.com

Florals and Arrangements

» Bachmans, bachmans.com

Jewelry

» General Store of Minnetonka, generalstoreofminnetonka.com

Serveware and Decor

» General Store of Minnetonka, generalstoreofminnetonka.com

» Owned by Local’s Art Department

» Patina, patinastores.com

Encore Financial uses its knowledge and experience to support clients’ financial well-being.

Managing finances can be intimidating — but Encore Financial has a breadth of experience assisting clients to ensure they are fiscally secure today and in the future. “We have a team of talented people with various areas of expertise and experience. We are confident we have an advisor that will match your needs and personality,” says Melissa Machlitt, co-owner.

Encore offers a wide range of services: education savings, estate planning, investment management, retirement planning, tax preparation and other financial services. Its mission is built to address clients’ needs at any point on their financial journey. “Whether we are planning for the long term or pivoting for a short-term event, clients can count on our team to be there,” Machlitt says. “We strive to be the best in the industry at providing personalized service. From the moment a client walks in the door, we want them to feel welcome and appreciated, and that carries through to everything we do.”

There are often misconceptions around working with a financial advisor. “We simplify the process, clearly outline any costs and work with anyone who is committed to their financial future, which includes those with modest income and assets,” Machlitt says. “We have a very hands-on approach and do the heavy lifting whenever possible.”

With the added value of having in-house investment managers, Encore builds portfolios from the ground up. “It’s unique for a boutique firm like ours to have that level of expertise in house,” Machlitt says. It also has in-house tax professionals, who offer another level of service.

The Encore team understands that the business of life can get in the way of financial matters. “Our job is to make sure you stay on track,” Machlitt says. “Whether it’s helping identify goals that are most important to you, running projections or coordinating your 401K plan, we’re right there for our clients.”

ENCORE FINANCIAL

4425 US-169 Suite 100, Plymouth 763.568.7800 • encorefa.com

Stephanie Johnson, Dan Erdmann (seated left), Peter Haagenson, Melissa Machlitt, Jed Lund (seated right), Tyler Armstrong. Advisors not pictured: Steve Haagenson, Jake Fleming and Krystine Berens

GOOD CACHE Discover a hidden world in Plymouth.

WRITTEN BY MADELINE KOPIECKI

There’s a treasure hunt happening 24/7,* 365 days a year. Geocaching is a global phenomenon where people just like you or I squirrel away containers and mark their locations via GPS. These caches of small trinkets and toys are hidden throughout parks and public spaces.

Geocachers use GPS devices or apps to locate the cache but then must search the area carefully to actually discover the container, which can be hidden in any number of clever ways. Once found, geocachers sign their name to the ledger in the cache and can trade one trinket of their own with something in the container of equal or lesser value.

Admittedly, when I started this Editor’s Pick story, I had something a little different in mind. What started as a guide for spending a day around Plymouth was quickly subsumed by geocaching, both at Clifton E. French Regional Park and beyond. I’d caught the cache craze.

Before I set out on my first treasure hunting expedition, I sat down with Heather Gordon, a recreation program specialist for the outdoor recreation school at Three Rivers Park District, to figure out how to get started.

“There are two ways that you can do it,” Gordon says. “Number one, you can come to French Park, and you can geocache using an app on your phone. The most popular one is the Geocaching app, which is the main overarching organization that oversees geocaching.”

Through the app, geocachers hide caches (that can vary in size between a film canister

and a lunch box) throughout the park after receiving a permit from Three Rivers Park District. “You open up the app, and it’ll show you a map of where you are, and it will show you where there are geocaches listed,” Gordon says.

Around half of the caches listed for the park are freely accessible through the app, but the more advanced half require upgrading to premium. “But even if you have the free version of the app here in French Park, there’s eight geocaches that you can find,” Gordon says.

The second method for geocaching at Clifton E. French Regional Park is to sign up for a program. “Instructors from our department will provide handheld GPS devices, and we make our own sort of course where there are things hidden,” Gordon says.

Often these programs correspond to holiday themes. Leprechauns hide caches in March, and the Gobble Gobble Geocaching event happens the weekend after Thanksgiving. “Just by the nature of their theme, they’re kind of silly,” Gordon says. “So [participants are] usually families with kids,” she says, noting the age range is inclusive, from toddlers all the way up to tweens.

Since the next Three Rivers Park District geocaching event at Clifton E. French Regional Park isn’t until around Halloween, I downloaded the Geocaching app and, equipped with a plastic bag of small treasures to trade, I set off.

*Geocaching must abide by posted public hours for parks and public facilities.

10 a.m.

First, it was time to fuel up. I made my way to the Original Pancake House (OPH) for a breakfast that’s worth the wait. OPH’s Dutch Baby pancake has been an obsession of mine since my first visit as a kid. A fluffy cross between tender crêpe and eggy popover, this oven-baked pancake requires a heroic appetite along with patience. My strategy was to place my order as we were ordering drinks, which made up for the long cook time. 1415 County Road 101; 952.475.9151; ophmn.com

Noon

I arrived at Clifton E. French Regional Park full and with some trepidation. Newly downloaded app in hand, I set off for the closest public cache, Accessible 4 All #1, which

Gordon says is one in a series of accessible caches she and her team placed in the park. The app works like Google Maps, pointing me in the right direction and outlining my route but, ultimately, the search itself was up to me. I found the cleverly disguised cache and counted it as the first test passed.

My confidence boosted and my bearings found, I set out on the trails for my next cache, Trusty Rusty … and became a bit flummoxed. I knew I was in the right place, and I knew the cache could only be 25 feet from the center of the trail per Three Rivers Park District rules, but I was coming up empty— and feeling a bit foolish in the process.

The section on the app for hints was equally empty, but the activity log showed someone found it earlier that day. Scrolling further, I found a

A Third Way

Starting this summer, visitors will have a third option for geocaching at Clifton E. French Regional Park. “Folks will be able to check out handheld GPS at units, and those units will be programmed with some of the public geocaches in the park,” says Heather Gordon.

Clifton E. French Regional Park

log entry that read, “Spent a couple of minutes looking then my focus settled right on the cache.” And like a stroke of inspiration, so did mine.

Without giving too much away, I discovered a moderately sized canister filled with trinkets, stickers and a log. I left my first offering and, absolutely giddy, I set out again.

Although the logs for the next two caches—Dog cache and Locktopus Octopus—promised ease, I was still a bit humbled by how long it took me. It was helpful to keep in mind that caches can’t be buried and that finding them

cannot harm or otherwise disrupt their natural settings. 12605 Rockford Road; 763.694.7750; threeriversparks.org

2 p.m.

Although I hadn’t fully burned off the Dutch Baby, I still became a bit peckish. Luckily, Sunshine Factory Bar & Grill was a hop, skip and jump away with plenty of shareable appetizers and an admirable patio. I invited my partner to join me for a lunch of deliciously blistered Szechuan green beans and housemade pork potstickers. Recharged and joined by my partner in crime, I was

ready to tackle the next adventure. 4100 Vinewood Lane N.; 763.535.7000; esunshinefactory.com

4 p.m.

In the Geocaching app, I noticed another hotspot for caches that starts off at the edge of Millennium Garden before heading north through the walking paths at Plymouth Creek Playfield. The name of the first cache, Rest at the Millennium, made it pretty clear where we should start our search.

But no dice.

The activity log shared varying

Photo: City of Plymouth

Millennium Garden features four separate gardens (rose, butterfly, water and native shrub) along with a portion dedicated to woodland restoration.

reports, ranging from equally stumped searchers to triumphant finders. After a determined 20-minute search spent squinting between floor boards, eyeing metal guardrails and closely inspecting the space between nearby rocks, we ended up feeling a bit conspicuous to other passersby. But even though there’s something inherently a little frustrating in the search, there’s something meditative, as well.

Usually, if I’m meticulously searching the ground, something has gone awry—a missing earring or errant shards from a dropped glass. But as I

At Crown Bank, every client relationship comes with our commitment to understand the client’s needs, their goals, and their concerns. That unwavering commitment serves as the foundation for the journey toward success that we take together. Because from there anything is possible. What can we make possible for your business?

Photos: Rock Elm Tavern, Mann Theatres

was inspecting the area for the microcache, I found myself studying nature and my surroundings with a degree of scrutiny far beyond the average. Even when we admitted defeat and set off for the second cache, Cache of the Millennium, I found myself inspecting my surroundings with new interest. Our route took us past the Fieldhouse, over Plymouth Creek and through the disc golf course. Both Cache of the Millennium and A Dream of Sunshine proved more fruitful, and a competitive spirit definitely sparked between my boyfriend and me. Our hunt complete, we leisurely made our way back to the Community Center parking lot.

6 p.m.

When dinnertime rolled around, my partner and I made our way to nearby Rock Elm Tavern, maker of some of the best burgers in town. My Vat 17 Burger featured the titular Deer Creek Vat 17 white cheddar cheese, hearty strips of candied bacon and savory roasted garlic aioli. His Dry Heat Burger had a healthy crunch thanks to the Chili Cheese Fritos and a little kick thanks to a slice of ghost pepper cheese and pickled jalapeños.

Pro tip: I like to see what seasonal beer from Plymouth’s Luce Line Brewing Co. is on tap any time I visit. 16605 County Road 24; 763.208.4451; rockelmtavern.com

8 p.m.

Our adventuresome day made it difficult to bid Plymouth adieu. Before our action-packed expedition came to a close, we paid a visit to Plymouth Grand 15 for a late-night movie. The seats: abundantly comfy. The popcorn: perfectly salted. And even if none of the summer blockbusters suit your taste, the local theater does a great job of bringing past releases back to the big screen. 3400 Vicksburg Lane N. #13; 763.551.0000; manntheatres.com

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Bottom: Plymouth Grand 15 offers an excellent mix of new releases and popular past ones.

FiftyShades of Pink

TASTEMAKERS

Cocktail Party

We’ve gathered a group of striking cocktails from across the West Metro.

Written by Editorial Staff — Photos by Chris Emeott

THESE COCKTAILS AREN’T WALL FLOWERS, they’re conversation starters—the kind of drinks that garner a glance at the menu or spark the question, “Which one is that?” as they travel across the restaurant. Here’s to the summer specials and marvelous mainstays that leave us in high spirits.

PLYMOUTH

Fifty Shades of Pink delivers on the name. The freshly squeezed blood orange juice in this tequilabased cocktail results in an endless variation of hues. Rounded out with a mellowing swirl of coconut cream and a hint of lime, this cocktail is the perfect sipper for a summer out and about. The Fox and Pantry, 15725 37th Ave. N. #7; 763.553.7938; thefoxandpantry.com

Tantalize your taste buds with a Lychee Martini. Dry vermouth makes its classic appearance in this vodka martini, but citrusy triple sec and sweet lychee juice lend a fruity finish to the drink. Topped off with a fresh piece of lychee, this delicate cocktail is a standout. Kobe Japanese Restaurant, 15555 34th Ave. N.; 763.559.9999; kobeplymouth.com

Bubbly Champagne meets herbaceous gin to create the Violet French 75. Butterfly pea flower

tea-infused gin is a mouthful, but it’s also what creates the striking purple hue. A dash of black lemon bitters adds another twist to the classic French 75, introducing an earthier note than the traditional tart zip of lemon juice. Northern Taphouse, 220 Carlson Parkway N.; 763.476.1011; northerntaphouse.com

LAKE MINNETONKA

Cedar Wood Old Fashioned is made with whiskey, aged aquavit, piloncillo and cedar wood. Granted, aquavit can be an acquired taste, but is there a better way to give the spicy spirit an inaugural ride over your taste buds than with this spin on an Old Fashioned? Layline, 301 Water St., Excelsior; 952.856.8003; laylinerestaurant.com

A cousin to the Negroni, the Minnetonka Boulevardier arrives with rye, Aperol and sweet vermouth. Aperol, an Italian apéritif, has been having a moment in the spritz world, so give it a spin with this Skipper sipper. Spasso, 17523 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.224.9555; spassomn.com

Saffron Margarita features saffroninfused tequila, black cardamom, clementine juice and lava salt. The margarita ranks right up there with the Martini for most recipe

variations. Try this version—can you ever go wrong with saffron on the ingredient list? Macanda, 294 Grove Lane E., Wayzata; 952.679.1222; macandawayzata.com

MAPLE GROVE

Martinis are all the rage, and this Lemon Basil Martini is a perfect summer sip. Made with Tanqueray, a smooth London dry gin, lemon juice, honey, simple syrup and basil leaves—what’s not to love? Paulie’s, 15641 Grove Circle N.; 763.205.9784; mypaulies.com

Sip on the Smoking Gun Maple Old Fashioned, featuring Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon freshly smoked with oak. The kicker? This bourbon cocktail is topped with a house-made golden malt waffle and bacon. Brick & Bourbon, 7887 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.208.9477; brickandbourbon.com

Summer arrives by the bucketful at Lookout Bar & Grill, which welcomes back its seasonal Summer Bucket Cocktails. Among this year’s lineup is the Tiki bar-inspired Falkor’s Day Off, featuring a tropical mix of Dragonberry Bacardí, Malibu Black, cranberry and pineapple juice. Lookout Bar & Grill, 8672 Pineview Lane N; 763.424.4365; lookoutbarandgrill.com

Paloma

EDINA

The mind-bendingly creative Makhani Martini is inspired by the Indian dish butter chicken. Clarified tikka masala sauce is added to a blend of Smirnoff vodka, lime and simple syrup, which yields a delightful melange of smoky, sweet and sour. Raag Progressive Indian Cuisine, 3812 W. 50th St., Mpls.; 952.405.8367; raagindiancuisine.com

The Hurricane is delicious both in taste and in the eye candy department. Playing off the classic 1940s concoction originating in New Orleans, this version combines a mix of passion fruit, pineapple and mango juice balanced out by Chinola,

a passion fruit liqueur from the Dominican Republic. The drink is garnished with a storm-torn umbrella and a “bling cherry,” aka a maraschino cherry bathed in glitter. Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, 3917 Market St.; 612.259.8614; mrpaulssupperclub.com

The bright citrus notes of a Paloma is perfect for enhancing a vibrant patio atmosphere. This summer’s rendition has a tropical twist thanks to a hibiscus and grapefruit-infused blanco tequila, making it the perfect accompaniment for balmy summer evenings. Pajarito, 3910 W. 50th St.; 612.268.4770; pajaritorestaurant.com

ENCORE!

Live at the Hilde celebrates its 10-year anniversary with two concert dates.

GRAB YOUR PICNIC BLANKETS, and prepare for two evenings of fun. The annual outdoor concert Live at the Hilde returns to the Hilde Performance Center this June with twice as much music.

First up on June 7 is Michael Franti & Spearhead and Stephen Marley on their Togetherness Tour. “It’s our 10-year anniversary for Live at the Hilde, and we wanted a special message,” says Patricia McLean, CEO of Sue McLean & Associates (SMA). “Both Michael Franti and Stephen Marley have a great message of love and peace and unity, and we thought it’d be a great fit.”

On June 8, Minnesota’s own rich music scene will be well represented with a lineup including Chastity Brown and Kiss the Tiger, with Dessa as a special guest for headliner Lucinda Williams.

The thousands of expected concertgoers have the choice between three sections, a standing general

admissions pit in front of the stage, the general admission lawn—which welcomes blankets and chairs—and the Pond Party Deck, which has its own bar, bathroom and a number of first-come-first-served picnic tables in addition to standing room.

“I want to make mention of what great partners the City of Plymouth has been for 10 years since we started this partnership,” McLean says. “It’s been wonderful in all different departments, not just parks and rec, but police, fire. We just feel like we have such a great partnership in the City of Plymouth.”

Follow SMA on social media for additional information including food truck announcements and special anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available at suemclean.com. —Madeline Kopiecki

All ages. Prices vary. Doors open 5 p.m. Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.; suemclean.com

Photo: Davin Brandt

Compiled by Findlay Drabant and Grace Knapp

LOCAL EVENTS

Native Plant Garden Club 06/11

Volunteer to help maintain the native plant garden and urban orchard at Fazendin Park. Ages 14 and older. Free. 6–8 p.m. Fazendin Park, 17040 24th Ave.; 763.509.5230; plymouthmn.gov

Music in Millennium: Plymouth Concert Band 06/18

Enjoy a free outdoor concert with a local band. All ages. Free. 7–8 p.m. Millennium Garden, 14800 34th Ave.; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

Music in Plymouth 5K 06/29

Are you a music-loving runner?

Then this is the event for you. All ages. Prices vary. 8–10 a.m. Northwest Greenway Pavilion, 5250 Peony Lane; 763.509.5000; musicinplymouth.org

Farmers Market 07/03–07/31

Every Wednesday at Parkers Lake Playfield, sink your teeth into farm-fresh produce harvested locally. All ages. Free. 2:30–6:30 p.m. Parkers Lake Playfield, 15500 County Road 6; 763.509.5000; plymouthmn.gov

Music in Plymouth 07/10

Experience the 52nd annual celebration of this classic event where children’s activities, food trucks and performances by the Minnesota Orchestra are all on the itinerary. All ages. Free. 5:30–10:30 p.m. Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.; 763.509.5000; musicinplymouth.org

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AREA EVENTS

St. Anthony Park Arts Festival 06/01

Usher in summer at this communitywide celebration of art. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Como Ave., St. Paul; artsfest@stanthonyparkartsfestival.org; sapfest.org

Morning Wetland Hike 06/01

Take in a rich variety of plants, animals and ecosystems by hiking up to 2 miles through a trail of wetlands. Ages 16 and older. $24–$36. 8–10 a.m. Hilltop Classroom, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton; 651.436.5189; belwin.org

World Ballet Festival 06/07–06/09

At this first-of-its-kind festival, dancers will showcase titular scenes from classic productions including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and more. All ages. $55–$105. Times vary. Pantages Theater, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.373.5665; hennepintheatertrust.org

Golden Valley Pride Festival 06/08

Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, bouncy houses and games to celebrate this pride month where all are welcome. All ages. Free. Noon–6 p.m. Brookview park, 200 Brookview Parkway N., Golden Valley; info@golden valleypride.com; goldenvalleypride.com

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Farmers Market

Spotlight Showcase 2024

06/10–06/11

Over 1,600 talented students will perform in this showcase. All ages. $20–$100. 7:30 p.m. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.455.9500; hennepintheatretrust.org

Women Walking

06/15

Enjoy easy yogic exercises, walking meditations and refreshments around a fire. Ages 16 and older. $20–$50. 6–9 p.m. Savanna Center, 795 Indian Trail, Afton; 651.436.5189; belwin.org stonearchbridgefestival.com

Midsommar

06/15

Dance around the midsommar pole, make flower crowns and enjoy live music featuring a special festival menu with the American Swedish Institute on the longest day of the year. All ages. Prices vary. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls.; 612.871.4907; asimn.org

Stone Arch Bridge Festival

06/15–06/16

At this festival, which overlooks the Mississippi River, makers and lovers of food, art and music come together for a weekend of summer fun. All ages. Free. 10 a.m. Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Ave., Mpls.; 952.473.6422

East Lake Mystery Book Club 07/01

Join a spirited discussion of this month’s mystery novel: The Witch Elm by Tana French. All ages. Free. 6:30–7:30 p.m. East Lake Library, 2727 E. Lake St., Mpls.; 612.543.8425; hclib.bibliocommons.com

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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Year in Review

Looking back at this year’s issues, we are so grateful for this strong and vibrant Plymouth community. From local makers and party experts to outstanding students and thriving entrepreneurs, each piece has been a joy for our staff to write and produce. It will always be an honor to be trusted with your stories. —Madeline Kopiecki

Picture Plymouth

How do you (and your camera) view

local life?

Photographer: Bodhisatya Bhaduri

Title: Fireworks Over Hilde

Equipment: Canon EOS RP Mirrorless with EF 24–70MM

LII USM Lens at 45MM

Location: Hilde Performance Center Category: Places Award: Second Place

Each July and August, Plymouth Magazine invites readers to submit their favorite photos to our Picture Plymouth photo contest. From the novice to the hobbyist to the professional, photographers of all abilities and ages are encouraged to share their unique, creative perspectives.

Scroll down your digital files or flip through your film—whatever it takes. Submit photographs that capture the beauty, essence and spirit of this community.

Categories include: Abstract, People, Pets, Places, Seasons and Wildlife.

Judges reserve the right to recategorize submissions if they feel the photographs are better suited to a different category. —Editorial Staff

The Details:

• Submissions are accepted between July 1 and August 31, 2024, at plymouthmag.com.

• Entrants must live, work or attend school in the Plymouth area.

• Entrants may submit up to five photos, with no more than three in any category.

• Photos should be taken in the Plymouth area.

• Generally, photos should have been taken within a year of the submission date.

• Readers’ Choice voting is open September 15–30 on our website.

• Winning images could be featured in our magazine, website and social media platforms.

• The results of the contest will be posted on our website by October 1.

“Fireworks are one of the most interesting subjects for photography,” photographer Bodhisatya Bhaduri says. “I do this every year at our city’s fireworks show. I’m hoping to create a series when I have enough over the years!”