Plymouth - October 2025 by Local.

Explore how dark focal points can accentuate your space

Photo: The JUX Collective

Oodles of Noodles, page 32

from the EDITOR

When I walk around my neighborhood, especially around the lakes, I often find myself speculating about the history of the homes I pass. Was that home’s architect a Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast or was it the original homeowner? Is that a seamless later addition or the original facade? I’m not the only one with these types of idle questions, but now there’s a resource I can consult for some of my more nagging queries.

HouseNovel was founded by area residents David Decker and Amanda Zielike. The husband-wife team came up with the idea for a crowdsourced house history website after a walk very similar to my own. It turns out the October/November issue was a fitting time to feature the business, since its number one question from clients is, perhaps unsurprisingly, “Is my house haunted?”

Although we didn’t explore anything on the spectral side of home histories, HouseNovel did solve a longstanding house mystery that has been haunting the Plymouth Historical Society (page 12).

We keep the spooky atmosphere of the season going with The STEM Lab of Minnesota (page 10), an educational party company that specializes in leaving kids spellbound by science. Billie Pace-Graczyk-Melson serves as our mad scientist, whipping up science wizardry and sharing an experiment that’s frightfully fun.

Turning our attention to Thanksgiving, who better to consult about food and hosting than a chef? Beth Wells has honed her culinary skills at well-known Twin Cities restaurants, but she’s learned to keep things simple when bringing sides to the Thanksgiving table. “My biggest hits have just been really good stuffing, sweet potatoes, something classic,” Wells says. But for those looking to expand their culinary repertoires—whether for hosting or for fun—Wells hosts monthly handmade pasta classes at The Fox and Pantry and shares her recipe for restaurant-grade pasta that you can make at home (page 32).

Until next time,

Madeline Kopiecki madeline@localmedia.co

Photo: Chris Emeott

VOL. 21 NO. 2 October/November 2025

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay

EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Jennifer Pitterle and Paige Udermann

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ryan Barland, Douglas Broman, Emily Maxson, Ashley Meyers, Amy Sundet and Grant Whittaker

DIGITAL INTERN

Claire Krieger

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Ellie Heyerdahl, Diane Meyer, Emma Souza and Avery Vrieze

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 ; and 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

Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre and Sara Johnson

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann

PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Did you know that Plymouth was home to the last turkey farm in Hennepin County?

The 160-acre McCormick family farm was located off Chankahda Trail near Lake Camelot. From 1936 until the late 1960s, George McCormick raised thousands of turkeys. He raised as many as 6,000 turkeys at a time and would sell most by Thanksgiving. (A Plymouth resident in 1967 could go to the McCormick farm and buy a locally-raised bird for 32 cents per pound.)

Turkey farming was gradually phased out in the 1960s when land prices were becoming more valuable than meat prices.

Ryan Barland is the historic site coordinator for the City of Plymouth. Discover more at history.plymouthmn.gov.

Top: Turkeys from the McCormick Farm, undated.

Bottom: 1/2 section map showing the McCormick Farm, 1956.

Real (Good) Food

After a Crohn’s disease diagnosis and years of unsuccessful pharmaceutical treatments, Emily Maxson landed upon a solution that brought her back to the kitchen: the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. The Medina cookbook author developed recipes in keeping with the grain-free, low-lactose and low-sugar diet that restored her gut health and started her on her healing journey.

Now, her new cookbook picks up where Emily’s Fresh Kitchen left off, with 134 easy-to-follow recipes made with whole foods, this time with an emphasis on fiber. To this end, most of the main dishes in Real Food. Every Day. cover two different methods to make them: animal-based or plant-based. Examples include Greek Lamb or White Bean Quinoa Meatballs, Pork or Jackfruit Carnitas and Chicken or Mushroom Lettuce Wraps.

Real Food. Every Day. comes out on October 21 and can be found at The Fox and Pantry, Five Swans in Wayzata, GRAY Home + Lifestyle in Excelsior and online at emilysfreshkitchen.com or amazon. com. Learn more about Real Food. Every Day. and read Maxson’s Noteworthy columns at plymouthmag.com.

—Madeline Kopiecki

(These statements are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health care provider before making changes to your diet or nutrition routine.)

Emily’s Fresh Kitchen emilysfreshkitchen.com @emilysfreshkitchen

Campfire Cuisine

These poppers are great for a group sitting around the campfire because they’re easy and fun to assemble, and they don’t require silverware to eat!

Campfire Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

» toothpicks (Soak in water if using wooden toothpicks.)

» 4 oz. cream cheese

» ½ cup cheese, shredded (I use American, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.)

» 8–10 jalapeños

» 4–5 slices of bacon, halved

Mix the cream cheese and cheese. Remove the tops of the jalapeños, cut them in half lengthwise and discard the seeds, using a spoon. Spoon the filling into the jalapeño halves, trying not to overfill them. Wrap

a half of a slice of bacon around the filled jalapeño, and secure with a toothpick. Place the jalapeño halves, cheese side down, on the grill grate for 7 minutes; flip them over for another 7 minutes or until the bacon is crispy to your liking.

Brittni Dye is our resident camper, outdoor living enthusiast and production director.

Photo: Chris Emeott

Firefly Sisterhood is set to light up the night on October 8 at its annual fundraising gala at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. The Plymouthbased nonprofit is dedicated to supporting women impacted by breast cancer through its peer mentor guide program, which connects women with a guide who has had similar life and breast cancer experiences.

IllumiNight Gala attendees can look forward to an evening of connection, hope and support during National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Join Firefly Sisterhood for cocktails, games, live music, a silent auction and an inspiring dinner program. Visit fireflysisterhood. com for details, including ticket information. —Madeline Kopiecki

Fast, expert dermatology—

Photo:

IllumiNight Gala

The IllumiNight Gala raises vital funds to help ensure no one faces breast cancer alone.

Mary Meighan, MD

Brian Zelickson, MD

Jennifer Biglow, MD

David W. Groth, MD

Kyle Rudningen, MD

Party Tricks

An educator brings chemistry and physics to local budding scientists.

By Jennifer Pitterle

Billie Pace-Graczyk-Melson’s passion for science has truly been lifelong. “Thanks to my mom, who was a science teacher, my sisters and I spent our summers turning the backyard into a mad scientist lab,” Billie says. She studied biochemistry and cellular biology at Drake University in Iowa and eventually got her master’s degree in education from Augsburg University. “I thought I should mix my science nerdiness with this love for teaching,” says Billie, who lives in Orono with her husband, Taj Melson, and their kids, Rylen, Rhett and Remi.

She landed in Robbinsdale Area Schools, teaching science at Armstrong High School, FAIR School Crystal and Sanburg Middle School. But like many families, Billie and her husband were overwhelmed by childcare costs, and she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. “I loved being home with my pint-sized tornadoes, but I missed the thrill of the classroom and the utter delight of teaching science,” she says.

When a friend asked if Billie would host a science-themed birthday party for her son, she hesitated—briefly. “Her faith in my science wizardry convinced me to give it a whirl,” she says. “It was a blast.” Word spread quickly, and Billie was soon being asked by neighbors and friends to host science parties and workshops for kids all over town. The STEM Lab of Minnesota was born.

Now, Billie (and a few part-time helpers) host summer camps, science classes and private parties that incorporate fun experiments. “Kids’ ability to question, problem-solve and learn is inspiring,” she says. “You have to provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation that don’t involve a screen.”

Photos: Chris Emeott

Stop by The STEM Lab of Minnesota’s Family STEM Morning event from 10 a.m.–noon November 8 at the Plymouth Community Center.

Billie Pace-Graczyk-Melson

GHOST CANDLE

This spooky season, try one of Billie PaceGraczyk-Melson’s favorite at-home projects with your little ones. Recommended for ages 4 and up with adult supervision. The flame can range from the height of a teabag to up to 6 feet, so plan your experiment accordingly.

You’ll need:

» a candle

» matches or a lighter

» a disposable plastic water bottle

» white vinegar

» baking soda

Place the candle on a fire-safe plate and light it. Fill up the water bottle about a quarter of the way with white vinegar. (If you have a funnel, this can help minimize mess.) Add 3 Tbsp. of baking soda. As the vinegar and baking soda mix, they form carbon dioxide gas. Let the reaction settle for just a moment, and then tip the water bottle over the candle, so you’re pouring the gas onto the flame. (Be careful not to pour any of the leftover vinegar liquid out onto the candle.) The flame should extinguish. “Carbon dioxide is denser than the surrounding air,” Billie says. “When you pour it, it sinks and displaces the oxygen around the flame. Since fire needs oxygen to burn, the flame goes out.”

The STEM Lab of Minnesota’s birthday parties are mobile—the team travels to the guest of honor’s home or party venue and offers themes from Crazy Chemistry and Super Science to Dinosaur Dig and Sparkle Science. “Kids are spellbound,” Billie says. “Meanwhile, we handle all of the setup and cleanup, so parents can sip their coffee and enjoy their child’s big day.”

Find more information and register for camps, classes or parties at thestemlabmn.com.

The STEM Lab Minnesota thestemlabmn.com @thestemlabmn

Address Unknown

Uncover the history behind a vintage home photograph.

By Madeline Kopiecki

The mystery started with an email from Plymouth’s Historical Site coordinator Ryan Barland. “[This photograph] is a house mystery,” he wrote. “Of the 3,000 property photos, there are about 15 that we can’t pinpoint a current address to.”

The Plymouth History Center’s clues were sparse: Perhaps it was torn down for Highway 169; Maybe it was in the Plymouth Gardens neighborhood. That information and a single photograph were the starting point for Amanda Zielike, cofounder of HouseNovel, and her team.

This photograph yields more information than you might initially expect. There’s the date it was taken on the lefthand corner, July 5, 1960, and Zielike suspects the numbers on the righthand corner correspond to the county

assessor’s records. But of even more significance are the location of the utility pole, the storybook cottage-style chimney and a cluster of trees in the background.

“A lot of those indicators can help you look at the aerial photographs,” Zielike says, which is exactly how research assistant Catherine Taylor narrowed in on the house. Tracking down the address was a different story.

HouseNovel is a house history database that grew out of the same impulse that fueled the search for this specific mystery house: curiosity (or, being a bit of a nosy neighbor). Zielike says she and her husband, David Decker, founded HouseNovel as a centerpoint to save, preserve and organize home histories.

“We originally were just a platform

to connect people to crowdsource,” the Minnetonka resident says. “There’s a lot of tools and resources that we can provide to do it, but we learned that people wanted help researching home history.”

This Plymouth-based mystery served as a try-out for a researcher role to assist in three new research services on HouseNovel: stories related to a home’s address; a deep-dive into past owners of a home; and a detailed timeline of a home sourced from census records, city directories, newspaper clips and more.

“We needed people to understand what the job [of research assistant] is and what it entails,” Zielike says. “That actually helped us narrow down our top candidates for home history researchers and allowed us to show the crowdsourcing capability of

Photos: Plymouth History Center; Caitlin Abrams

different people working together using those clues to build it up and solve that mystery.” Taylor, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a major in history, was the candidate who was able to pinpoint the exact address of the home, but the process wasn’t without its twists, turns and—like any classic mystery— a red herring.

Find a detailed account of Taylor’s research process by searching the address 2250 Mendelssohn Ave. W. on housenovel.com, and visit plymouthmag. com for Zielike’s steps for starting your own house history search.

HouseNovel

housenovel.com @housenovel

Left: There are 15 property photos that the Plymouth Historical Society can’t pinpoint an address to—but this is no longer one of them.

Right: Amanda Zielike and David Decker, founders of HouseNovel.

paint it BLACK

In a design world awash in white, it can be daunting to introduce hues from the darker side of the color spectrum. But Medina’s Carbon 6 Interiors is well versed in marrying light and dark into a cohesive coupling.

Designer and creative director Lindsey Swanson lays out her formula for successful interior design as cohesiveness, consistency and layers of texture. Her equation can be seen in action throughout Carbon 6’s recent projects in Plymouth’s Hollydale neighborhood, which are connected by a thread of high-contrast pairings of blonde wood, white walls and dark accents.

“There’s just a lot of visual interest, and it’s not boring,” Swanson says in regard to Carbon 6’s transitional modern style for its model homes. “We have a lot of out-of-state clients that come in looking for a home that’s ready to move in to or close to ready to move in to. [They] see our work, and they’re like, ‘Oh, I’ve never really seen that done before.’”

Moody shades don’t have to overrun a space— although there are some instances where darkly drenched walls can work to your advantage. Swanson breaks down some of the wheres and whys high-contrast design works throughout different areas of your home.

LOUNGE

Dark shades have a reputation of visually shrinking a space, especially when employed on accent walls. Swanson says a full color drench lends itself to restful lounge spaces or a moody home office.

Not all contrasts need to be man-made, and sometimes nature supplies its own striking counterpart: natural light. “We tend to go darker in sunrooms and porches because usually the walls are mostly windows,” Swanson says. “It just makes it feel cozier and a little bit more private.”

A lightly stained ceiling can offset the closeness of dark walls. Carbon 6 used Barnwood Whitewashed pine from Distress City Millwork for this sunroom painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black.

Explore how dark focal points can accentuate your space.

Written by Madeline Kopiecki

Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

ENTERTAIN

For gathering spaces, dark colors serve as a way to direct attention to an architectural focal point in the room. Think about how you want to ground your space and where guests tend to gather. Do you want to draw them to the fireplace or encourage them to gravitate toward the kitchen island?

Dark hues don’t automatically mean one-note. To play with both color and texture, Carbon 6 uses the dappled effect of Roman Clay, a modern counterpart to Venetian plaster. “We are really loving the darker Roman Clays right now and the darker lime washes versus just painting a fireplace black or putting a black large-format tile on it,” Swanson says.

Texture also comes into play in backsplashes. Carbon 6 often uses a slab of the countertop stone in backsplashes for a seamless and easy-to-clean finish.

This kitchen’s range hood and built-in cabinetry are painted in Cheating Heart by Benjamin Moore. “I love how the corners of the hood tie in with the arches of the island where the seating is,” Lindsey Swanson says.

This 6-inch recessed ceiling is painted in Roman Clay’s Fade to Black. “It allows the space to be more defined and gives it some interest without totally taking over because it’s a higher ceiling,” Lindsey Swanson says.

The backsplash of this lower level bar uses the same granite as the countertops. “It’s got a very faint, warm beige veining that goes throughout,” Lindsey Swanson says. The black monopoint lights above the island contain small openings that diffuse light. “It adds texture in a way that’s a little bit different,” Swanson says.

WORK

There’s an added practicality to darker cabinetry in working spaces, including mudrooms and laundry rooms. Put simply, “It hides dirt better to go dark,” Swanson says.

Carbon 6 also favors stained white oak for working spaces due to its hardiness. “With white oak being stained, if anything ever dents it or chips it, you can’t really tell,” Swanson says.

Carbon 6 Interiors: carbon6interiors.com @carbon6interiors

This 8-inch radius cornered fireplace is painted in Roman Clay’s Fade to Black. “We had never fully painted a fireplace in this Roman Clay brand or this color before,” Lindsey Swanson says. The high contrast grounds the space while adding an interesting focal point to the living room.

Written by Hailey Almsted

Homemade Happiness

Let’s Dish! brings the ease of cooking back to your table— so you can enjoy the moments that truly matter.

Welcome to Let’s Dish!, where your love for home-cooked meals meets the convenience of ready-to-cook perfection.

With over 20 years of Minnesota roots, co-founder and CEO Darcy Olson says that Let’s Dish! has evolved from its origin—which welcomed customers to participate in sessions to assemble their meals—into what it is today. With five locations across the Twin Cities—and now available at select Target locations—Let’s Dish! offers a wide selection of simple-to-cook meals made with fresh ingredients that can be easily stored in the freezer and prepared when you’re ready.

Kelly Kiwus, Plymouth resident, started using Let’s Dish! when it first opened. Now, as an empty-nester, Kiwus says Let’s

Dish is still an integral part of her and her husband, Dave Kiwus’, mealtime. “Since it’s just my husband and I now, we shifted from 6 to 3 serving size, but still keep a few meals on hand for easy, low-key dinners,” Kelly Kiwus says. “Last year, when both our daughters-in-law were expecting, we gifted them Let’s Dish! gift cards. Our grandbabies (a girl and a boy) were born eight days apart! The Let’s Dish! gift cards were well received and a huge help when the babies came.”

That’s what Olson and the team like to hear. “For all the unpredictable things that happen in the world, it’s great to make dinner a sure thing,” Olson says. Plus, with a variety of options, including gluten- and dairy-free, vegetarian, low

sodium and under 400 calories, there’s something for just about everyone.

“It’s ready to cook and ready when you are,” says Katie Suttenberg, chief operating officer. “Dinner happens 365 days a year, and our meals make your life so much easier so you can enjoy other things. You don’t have to have the stress and mental load every day of, ‘What’s for dinner tonight?’”

Whether you’re a professional, a parent on the go or simply someone who values quality meals, Let’s Dish! makes it easy to create delicious meals in the comfort of your kitchen. Favorites, such as Barbacoa Beef Burrito Bowls, Bourbon-Glazed Meatballs & Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Curd Crusted

Chicken Ranch Bake, Crunchy Chicken

Queso Bake, Indian Butter Chicken with Rice and Skillet Pot Roast, are available year-round. At the same time, seasonal items are added throughout the year. All options are available in serving sizes of three ($20) or six ($35).

Let’s Dish! prioritizes a successful shopping experience by inviting customers to shop online or in-store at any one of its welcoming locations, including Apple Valley, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Prior Lake and Woodbury. Additionally, the aforementioned favorites in serving size of three are available to shop at 25 Target locations. “We’re excited to bring a small selection of our quality family meals to the aisles of these select Target stores” Olson says. “These are meals made by our team, just like the wide selection of meals in our Let’s Dish! stores.”

For Olson, it’s all about providing that homemade happiness. “Life is so busy. We’re running around and doing so many things,” Olson says. “Sometimes that happiness and joy that we’re chasing is right there at home, and we like to make it easy to enjoy that.”

Kiwus shares that sentiment. “Life was hectic between working and kid activities,” Kiwus says about when she first started using Let’s Dish!. “I was able to have emergency dinners on hand that took little prep and did not have preservatives.” Now, she’s passing that down to the next generation. She adds, “My sons’ families still use Let’s Dish! a few times every month to help with their busy schedules.”

Let’s Dish!

@letsdishmn

Learn more at letsdish.com and visit Let’s Dish! at the following locations:

15052 Gleason Path #103A, Apple Valley; 952.997.2380

16364 Wagner Way, Eden Prairie; 952.208.2163

12187 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove; 763.425.9383

6880 Boudin Street NE, Prior Lake; 952.226.3663

10150 Hudson Road Suite 110, Woodbury; 651.730.6600

J Brothers took over an additional bedroom to create a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom that check all the boxes.

Written by Meredith Heneghan

Getting Ready in Luxury

J Brothers creates a sleek sanctuary in a Plymouth primary suite.

Luxury is not always flashy—sometimes, it’s hidden in functional details, intentional lighting and simple elegance.

When it came time to undergo a multifloor remodel, a Plymouth couple had particular goals for their walk-in closet and en suite bathroom. “We wanted the space to be luxurious and inviting,” the homeowner says. “Usually, closets are places where you just dump stuff, but we wanted it to be another true space in the home, one that is both functional and looks good.”

The homeowners initially thought they didn’t have enough space to check all their boxes, but the design team at J Brothers Design | Build | Remodel helped expand the vision. J Brothers took over an additional bedroom and moved the bathroom to an entirely new area that could accommodate the wish list features.

“Working with J Brothers was just wonderful; they came with so many ideas for how we could best utilize and specialize the space we have,” the homeowner says.

“The primary goals were a really big closet, a good-sized bathroom and having it feel super private,” says Carrie Johnson, designer and co-owner of J Brothers. “You walk through the closet to get to the bathroom. It’s super calm, serene and somewhere to go at the end of the day to shut all the doors and get away.”

With a crisp, elegant vision, the mostly-white walk-in closet draws on texture, layered lighting and creative use of space to deliver a hidden oasis just beyond the custommade reeded glass door. “You already know you’re entering something special when you walk in,” Johnson says.

Creating a sanctuary out of an everyday room means adding elements that keep the space feeling beautiful, clean and functional. In the closet, a delicate gold chandelier offers dimmable lighting. The floors are heated, adding to the layers of warmth and serenity. “It’s very calming.

Photos by Jeremy Jordan Photography

There’s no sense of hurry; you can take your time,” the homeowner says.

Glass-front closet doors enhance the clean, elegant look. “When you open those doors, everything lights up,” Johnson says. “It’s the different levels of lighting, the different layers that bring the luxury to this space. It’s calm; it’s warm.”

The quartz countertop of the peninsula is a favorite feature of the homeowner. “There’s space to lay down colors together and see what you want to put together, as opposed to just looking in the closet,” she says.

The homeowners reach the en suite bathroom through a pocket door that is fitted with a full-sized mirror. Upon entering, one of the most striking features of the bathroom is the freestanding soaking tub situated inside a closed-off shower space. “The cool part of having the tub inside of the shower is that you don’t have to worry about splashing when you’re getting out, and you only steam up the shower,” Johnson says.

The shower also features quartz wainscoting, both to match the quartz countertop in the closet as well as add textural interest to the mostly monochromatic space. Two arched niches in the shower offer functionality and depth. “We wanted to find ways to keep the colors calm and serene but add different textures,” Johnson says.

This project is a crash course in additive simplicity, proving that creating a luxury space does not always mean maximum flair. Johnson has some advice about bringing this sanctuary-like feel to your home without a full overhaul.

“The instant way to make a space more luxurious is to have dimmable layers of light,” she says. A lamp on your vanity, for example, instead of always flipping on the overhead light. “Step two is to have a cohesive color palette—if you can keep things narrowed down, that’s instantly calming,” she says. Finally, add a few lovely accessories, such as a wall sconce, to take things up a notch.

Left: The

most striking features.

Bottom: Double vanities make getting ready a breeze.

Family Legacy

J Brothers is a full service remodeler and design firm, offering comprehensive design services to Metro residents desir ing any level of upgrade, from a small bathroom project to full home remodel. Carrie Johnson and her husband, Mitch Johnson, are second-generation owners, who took over the business from Mitch’s parents in 2022.

J Brothers Design | Build | Remodel jbrothershi.com @jbrothers_design_build_remodel

HOME & GARDEN COLLECTION

Crystal Kitchen + Bath

For over 50 years, discerning homeowners in Minneapolis and its surrounding communities have trusted Crystal Kitchen + Bath for high-end, custom home renovations. From kitchens and baths to mudrooms, laundry rooms and lower levels, our award-winning team delivers exceptional design, craftsmanship and personalized service. With a legacy of luxury remodels in neighborhoods across the Twin Cities, we bring vision and precision to every detail—custom cabinetry, curated finishes and start-to-finish project management. Visit our expansive showroom or schedule a consultation to experience how Crystal Kitchen + Bath can create a new vision for your home.

Shelly’s Interior Concepts

At Shelly’s Interior Concepts, we bring the design studio to you! Our experienced team of designers offers in-home consultations, helping you choose the perfect custom window fashions from Hunter Douglas, Silhouette sheers, PowerView blinds and shades, and beautiful textiles from Carole Fabrics. We bring samples right to your home, making the design process effortless and inspiring. Together, we work with you one-on-one to design beautiful functional spaces that reflect your personal style. Whether you’re looking for elegant drapes, smart shades or a full-room refresh, our expanded design team is here to help you every step of the way. Women-owned and proudly serving the Twin Cities area. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation.

763.439.8568

shellysinteriorconcepts.net

Shelly’s Interior Concepts @shellysinteriorconcepts1

Laurel Builders

Laurel Builders is a nationally recognized, award-winning, full-service design/build/remodel firm, specializing in additions, large-scale remodels and custom homes. With over 19 years in business and a combined 45+ years of experience between the owners, we offer the personalized service of a small team backed by the capabilities of a larger company. From initial design to final details, our owners are hands-on throughout the process—carefully managing your budget, timeline and vision with honesty and precision. Our mission is simple: deliver lasting top quality work and personalized customer service. It’s this commitment that turns clients into lifelong partners.

1758 Chateau Ave., Shakopee 952.200.3934

laurelbuilders.com

Laurel Builders @laurelbuildersmn

Owner Shelly Reilly with designer Kelly Mattson

Built in collaboration with one of our premier builders, both of these residences showcase the transformative power of JZ Electric’s expertise. From ambient layers to bold statement fixtures, every lighting element was thoughtfully designed to elevate these spaces. Behind the scenes we used seamless electrical solutions, including a backup generator for uninterrupted peace of mind. For over 20 years, JZ Electric has quietly set the standard for precision, craftsmanship, and unwavering attention to detail.

Your Local Home Expert

Grady Stephens President

What are the three most important questions homeowners should ask a roofer when considering a roof replacement?

1. Start by asking your contractor about the different roofing materials available. Options such as asphalt, cedar, slate or synthetic materials vary in lifespan, cost and maintenance requirements. Understanding these factors will help you make a decision that aligns with your needs and budget.

2. Since a roof is a significant investment, choose one that you’ll love for years to come. Take the time to explore various styles and materials that interest you, and discuss their pros and cons with your roofing expert.

3. Be sure to review the product warranty carefully. A strong warranty offers long-term protection, ensuring that you’re covered in case any issues arise after installation.

Allstar Construction

5145 Industrial St. Suite 103, Maple Plain allstartoday.com

Allstar Construction

For more than 45 years, builders, remodelers and homeowners have counted on Allstar Construction for all their exterior construction needs. We specialize in:

• New Construction: Single & Multifamily

• Remodel: Exterior Renovations & Additions

• Storm Damage & Insurance Claims Management

It’s our mission to set the industry standard in terms of outstanding value, uncompromising quality, continuous innovation and exceptional client experience. We want to provide you with the right service at the right price at the right time—every time.

5145 Industrial St. Suite 103, Maple Plain 952.592.7826

allstartoday.com

All Star Exterior

J Brothers Design Build Remodel

At J Brothers, we don’t just build spaces—we create homes you’ll love for years to come. With over 40 years of expertise in custom building and remodeling, our collaborative process makes the journey as enjoyable as the result. Our crews treat your home with care, keeping it clean, protected and comfortable during construction. You’ll partner with an in-house interior designer to select finishes that fit your style and budget, supported by 3D renderings to bring your vision to life. From the first meeting to the final walkthrough, your satisfaction is our promise.

10025 County Road 116, Corcoran 763.732.8731

jbrothersremodel.com

J Brothers Design- Build- Remodel, Inc. @jbrothers_design_build_remodel

OODLES of NOODLES

Beth Wells shares her passion for pasta at The Fox and Pantry.

Written by Madeline Kopiecki

Photos: The JUX Collective

When Beth Wells prepares for her inlaws’ Thanksgiving potluck, she likes to stick to the basics. “In some years, I have tried to go out of left field and do something that you don’t typically see—pasta dishes, beet salads or try to get everybody into fennel,” Wells says. “My biggest hits have just been really good stuffing, sweet potatoes, something classic.”

But with over a decade of experience in the Twin Cities culinary scene, including stints at Alma and Spoon and

Stable, Wells’ experience has been anything but basic. She got her start at Cooks of Crocus Hill as a kitchen assistant in 2013, which is where she met Sardinian chef and instructor Antonio Cecconi.

“When I met him, he had been teaching classes for quite a while, and on the side he would go to people’s homes and teach pasta classes,” Wells says. She eventually became his assistant for the home pasta classes. “I learned a lot from his experience,” she says.

Through trial and error, Beth Wells has discovered how to create restaurant-grade pasta dough outside of the professional kitchen, and she shares the secret to her success in her classes.

Left: Beth Wells’ pasta classes at The Fox and Pantry always end on a delicious note.

Right:

Wells translated this burgeoning passion for pasta into a role at Spoon and Stable as its pasta production chef. “I would come in early in the mornings and I would mix all the doughs, roll all the pasta out, and then I would shape, fill the shapes,” she says. And, after dinner service, “I would start all over from scratch,” she says.

Coming out of her culinary career, Wells wasn’t sure there was a way to make restaurant-grade pasta at home without the specialized kitchen equipment restaurants have access to. But through trial, error and copious recipe testing, “I am now able to replicate really good, professional-looking pasta just in my own home kitchen and in my classes,” Wells says.

Wells shares her knowledge through her monthly pasta classes at Plymouth’s The Fox and Pantry and at-home events and classes through her company, Twin Cities Pasta Club. “When I start my classes, I say, ‘I’m gonna tell you way more about pasta than you wanna know,’” Wells says. “There’s a level I could teach that’s just acceptable enough for people who don’t know pasta, and then there’s an advanced part of that technique that is harder and takes more explaining.”

Wells first approached The Fox and Pantry owner Kym Joles in late 2023 with her idea for pasta classes. “I knew my career was turning toward the food science side, but I really wanted that creative outlet,” she says. “I was really inspired by [Joles]. I like her space; I like her style. It was a more warm and welcoming environment.”

Wells hosts monthly rotating classes including a general handcrafted pasta class as well as ravioli and gnocchi intensives. But aside from gathering for the love of pasta, Wells says she appreciates how the attendees come together as a community over the course of the evening. “All our participants sit together, get to know each other and make pasta together,” she says. By the end of class, new acquaintances tend to stay after to chat, drink wine and top off their evening with a slice of cake.

Top: In the ravioli class, students learn how to make a versatile Spinach Ricotta Filling.

Bottom: Pasta class attendees are invited to roll up their sleeves and put in some elbow grease when crafting handmade pasta.

WALNUT DOUGH MEZZELUNE WITH SWEET POTATO AND RICOTTA FILLING IN HERBED BUTTER SAUCE

“In my classes, I talk about how we make a basic dough, and my recipe is to use more egg yolks than you would see traditionally in recipes online or in other classes. That’s because I like a fattier, richer dough. This walnut dough is kind of the same idea. It’s still using a higher concentration of egg yolks, but then the walnuts are super fine. I don’t toast them beforehand, so they lend more fat to the dough. The bite is a little more delicate, which is why I’ve chosen that specific shape of the mezzelune.” —Beth Wells

Walnut Dough

» 3 ¾ cups 00 flour (also known as pizza flour)

» ¼ cup walnuts, finely ground

» 4 whole, large eggs

» 4 egg yolks

» 1 tsp. salt

Visit plymouthmag.com for the Walnut Dough instructions plus the Sweet Potato and Ricotta Filling, and Brown Butter recipes.

The Fox and Pantry thefoxandpantry.com @thefoxandpantry

Twin Cities Pasta Club twincitiespastaclub.com

plymouthmag.com

LATIN FLAVOR

Plymouth Concert Band commences its 2025–26 season.

Wayzata High School is the place to be at 4 p.m. October 26 as an ensemble of more than 60 Metro musicians raise their instruments in celebration of another year of music in Plymouth. “You can expect a little bit of a kind of a Latin flavor to this concert’s theme,” says Jesse Ng, marketing and communications chair and a member of the Plymouth Concert Band since 2018. “It’ll be something that’s kind of different from what we’ve done in the past,” he says.

Since 1998, the Plymouth Concert Band has been a home to those who wished to continue playing music throughout their lives. Ng, who played saxophone throughout college, says his instrument sat untouched for a number of years before he joined the band.

“Since joining several years ago, what I really enjoy most is coming to rehearsal every week, seeing my fellow musicians and connecting with them,” he says. “It was a great creative outlet for me in terms of separating myself from some of my day-to-day routines.”

Plymouth Concert Band is an auditioned ensemble that announces openings throughout the year. Those interested in joining can learn about openings by following Plymouth Concert Band on Facebook. For concert details, visit plymouthconcertband.org. —Madeline Kopiecki

The Plymouth Concert Band has weekly rehearsals for about two months leading up to each concert.

Photos: Jill Dolge-Butzer

Bundl Home offers exceptional one-stop home cleaning services.

Our homes are a major investment—financially and emotionally—so keeping them in prime condition is essential. As our schedules brim with family, career and social commitments, finding time to properly care for our homes can be challenging. There is a local solution!

Veteran-owned Bundl Home has been proudly serving the community for over two decades. What started as a small, local cleaning business has expanded to better meet the growing need for reliable, high-quality home cleaning services. While they are known for weekly, biweekly and monthly residential cleaning, the service menu also includes one-time deep cleaning and specialty cleaning for windows, hard-to-reach areas, gutters, power washing and more. “Our clients count on us for a consistently high standard of cleaning,” says owner Jay Sachetti. “We take pride in providing a professional, seamless experience for homeowners who expect the best.”

Clients value the ease, quality and reliability that the Bundl Home team provides. “… I’m so impressed by the Bundl crew and how clean they made our house—never seen it so clean,” a satisfied customer says. Another neighbor had the team out to clean interior and exterior windows of their two-story home and raves, “I was blown away at how clear the windows and screens were. The two gentlemen were courteous and meticulous.”

With over 150 years of combined tenure on the team, Bundl Home’s professional crews specialize in servicing homes in some of the area’s most exclusive neighborhoods, including pristine properties on Lake Minnetonka, Bearpath Golf & Country Club in Eden Prairie and Edina’s Rolling Green and Sunny Slope neighborhoods, along with many more.

Bundl Home is also committed to its team, providing industryleading benefits for over 30 technicians. “Our employees are the foundation of our success,” Sachetti says. “We invest in their training and well-being, ensuring they are motivated to deliver exceptional service for every client.”

Bundl Home puts out the welcome mat for new customers with a $200 bonus when they sign up for recurring services.

(COUPON: WELCOME200)

NOVEMBER 15

BOOK SALE

A dental care experience that prioritizes you. Relax with luxurious amenities.

Preventative Care | Implants Dentures | Braces and Invisalign Oral Surgeries | Teeth Whitening Crowns and Veneers

Reflections Dental Studio 872 Highway 55 Suite 100 763.363.1006 reflectionsdentalstudio.com

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

License # BC807459

TruBlue Home Service Ally Plymouth & Maple Grove

763.400.3748 trublueally.com/plymouth-maple-grove

Shop for bargains on used books at the Plymouth Library’s Friends of the Library book sale. All proceeds of book sales will benefit the Hennepin County Library system. supporthclib.org

10.01

Hands on History

Volunteers are welcome to the Plymouth Old Town Hall to learn how to measure, describe and enter data about historic photographs into spreadsheets. Bring a laptop or iPad if able. plymouthmn.gov

10.16

Baile Latino Para Niños (Latin Dance for Kids)

Learn Latin dances, including salsa and more, at the Plymouth Library during this collaboration with Nela Dance Academy, located in St. Paul. The program is taught in English and Spanish. hclib.org

10.24

Halloween at the Lake

All ages are welcome to celebrate Halloween on Parkers Lake with exciting attractions like food trucks, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, treat stations and more, while supplies last. Costumes are encouraged. plymouthmn.gov

11.06

Veterans Day Event

Stop by the Plymouth Veterans Memorial for a special drive-thru breakfast, free for veterans and a $12 option for a nonveteran guest. Participants must register in advance to receive a meal of a breakfast sandwich, fruit, Caribou Coffee or tea, as well as a small gift. plymouthmn.gov

11.22

Plymouth Artisan Market

Support local artisans during this community showcase, featuring vendors specializing in candles, clothing, fine art, handmade soaps, pottery and more, at the Plymouth Community Center. plymouthmn.gov

Pain relief without addictive drugs!

Compiled by Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze

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 may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

Shawn Sailer D.C., Caroline Brost-Sailer D.C., Ryan Elton D.C., Barbro Brost D.C., Tyler Knutson D.C., Aarti Goyal D.C.

Autumn Outing

Scott Mohn says he was inspired to take this photo due to the vibrant autumn colors, plus “the extra luck of having the dog walking across, it added some extra life to the shot,” he says. Mohn enjoys capturing the beauty of nature through his photography. For this particular photo, he says the activity on the bridge, which is also reflected in the water, makes the image stand out to him. “This is a favorite shot for many, so I hoped the small things would set it apart,” Mohn says. —Madeline Kopiecki

To view other Picture Plymouth photo contest winners, visit plymouthmag.com.

PICTURE PLYMOUTH

Photographer: Scott Mohn

Title: Walkies

Equipment: Sony a6600 mirrorless camera with a 150–600mm lens (225mm)

Location: Three Ponds Park

Category: Seasons Award: First Place

Award-Winning Smiles for 45 Years

Fi nd Everything Your Smile Needs

Boger Dental, the top office in Plymouth, is here to h elp you feel confident in your smile. We care for every kind of dental need, including cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry.

Our award-winning team is committed to enhancing your lives and helping you to have the best smiles in our community!