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What’s Next? Cheesemonger offers details for serving an additional dinner course

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“Don’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of thanksgiving.” —Charmaine J. Forde, author

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D E PA RT M E N TS

16 Creative Outlet Local artists and crafters offer cornucopia of goods for sale.

18 Valet 101 Valet company offers trusted addition to holiday parties and special events.

20 The Pursuit of Understanding Painter finds inspiration in Lake Minnetonka as the subject of new series.

F E AT U R E S

25 Set the Table Curate an aesthetic that reads inviting and elevated.

30 Ready, Set, Host It’s all in the details and preplanning when it comes to the holidays.

TAST E M A K E R S

42 What’s Next? Cheesemonger offers details for serving an additional dinner course.

IN E V E RY ISSU E Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

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8 11 39 48

FROM THE EDITOR

New Location,

Renée Stewa rt-Hester — renee@loca lm edia .co

Same Great Care!

NOW OPEN! 10150 Niagara Lane N, Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369 As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer treatment provider, we know that treating cancer calls for more than compassion. It means giving our patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person.

Welcome, readers, to our November issue, featuring themes of food and entertaining. Speaking of which, did your childhood chore list ever include setting the family table for meals? Did it matter to your parents which side of the plate you placed the forks, knives and spoons? (Stay with me; I promise this line of inquiry will wrap around and make sense.) Growing up, setting the table was one of our nightly chores, and, yes, it did matter in our household where the utensils were placed. It left an impression—just ask my children. I still can’t resist doing a premeal drive by the table to straighten a fork here and there or move a drinking class to its proper post. Don’t bill me as fussy. I just like what I like! When it comes to a holiday table, I don’t set it—I build it. And construction begins days before guests arrive and dinner is served. The centerpiece is generally the first on the scene, followed by chargers, then plates and “the silver.” On it goes. For days. I tweak. I adjust. I add. I delete. And I love it. It’s fun for me. When I dropped into Wayzata’s Brick + Linen, I was instinctively drawn to its beautifully set table, replete with sky high brass candlesticks and colorful glassware. (I have a thing for glassware. Who doesn’t?) The table’s aesthetic was very different from a table I generally set, and yet I was taken in by its simplicity and gentle sophistication. Lisa Robbins, founder and principal designer, explains in wonderful detail on page 25 how to achieve the look. I’m inspired. Creating a refreshed, new dining tableaux is on this month’s menu in my home. “Guests at a table should feel pampered by the dining experience but not overwhelmed by décor,” Robbins says. Happy Thanksgiving, and cheers to dining in pampered style.

Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards

On the Cover An homage to fromage, photo by Chris Emeott, page 43 See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Lake Minnetonka Magazine @lakeminnetonkamag @lmtkmag

mnoncology.com 8

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Photo: Chris Emeott

one common goal – fighting cancer.

VOL. 18 NO. 7 lakeminnetonkamag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Renée Stewart-Hester

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Jody Carey Mollee Francisco Emily Gedde Daniel Huss Jennifer Pitterle Rachel Schuehle Josie Smith Kristie Smith Zoe Yates

contributing writers Hollie Blanchard, Jan Cook, Kate Doubler, Laurel Famigletti, Alison Feik, Tracy Hvezda-Lehtola, Sarah Jackson , Dan Keegan, Spencer Olson, Kirsten Pardoe, Jackie Piepkorn, DVM, Rachael Perron, Aaron Person, Raela Schoenherr, Liz Vandam

editorial interns Macy Berendsen Clare Greeman Lily Schlobohm

editorial advisory board Laura Bray, board member, Friends of the Excelsior Library Brooke Beyer, director of community events and marketing, Wayzata Area Chamber Mary Cornelius, Communications Specialist, Minnetonka Public Schools David Decker, House Novel Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global Michele Phillips, blogger, writer, photographer Amanda Zielike, House Novel

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

graphic designer Yaz Lo

junior designer Jamie Klang

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

“My smile has always been my biggest insecurity and now I can’t stop smiling. I’m a whole new confident me. Thank you for creating a beautiful smile while keeping me looking like myself!”

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N OT E WO RT H Y

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

Title: Ladies of the Canyon Part 1 Artist: Ky McDonald

VIEW

Scale: 30”x44”

Take a Seat

Medium: Oil on Canvas

This painting is inspired by the song Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell about the gifts that each lady provides. Artist Ky McDonald takes us into the scene of an open table with each chair to be filled. As you take your seat at the dining table, laugh, give thanks and remember what truly matters—the people at your table. Happy Thanksgiving.

Hollie Blanchard is a founder and art concierge with The Art Girls. View more at artgirlsmpls.com. Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

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N OT E WO RT H Y

TA S T E

Crostini: Three Ways Could little toasts with terrific toppings be a more perfect holiday appetizer? Crostini are easy to make, easy to customize and ohso easy to love. Choose from these options, or riff on them and make them your own. You can’t lose.

Delicata Squash Crostini • 1 delicata squash • olive oil • salt • pepper • 1 baguette • ½ cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped • 3 oz. goat cheese log • pomegranate seeds • fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Pesto, Burrata and Roasted Tomato Crostini • 1 pint cherry tomatoes • olive oil • salt • pepper • 1 baguette • 1 container pesto • 1 container burrata

Cranberry Pomegranate Crostini • 1 baguette • ½ cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds • 2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped • 1 Tbsp. olive oil • 1 ½ tsp. honey • salt • pepper • orange zest, for garnish See full recipes at lakeminnetonka.com.

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

November 2023

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Photo: Lunds & Byerlys

• 3 oz. goat cheese log

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N OT E WO RT H Y

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T H E MIN N ESOTA LA N DSC A P E AR B ORETUM’ S Gift and Garden

Store is known for being a destination for gift givers on the hunt for something special, including gardeners, but also lovers of Minnesota-themed merch, books, puzzles, home decor, botanicalthemed art and body care products, too. But perhaps fewer folks have discovered the seasonal satellite store that is the arboretum’s Holiday Boutique. Curated by the same Gift and Garden Store staff, the boutique is just down the road from the arboretum in the AppleHouse at 7485 Rolling Acres Road,

Victoria. Unlike the Gift and Garden Store, visitors don’t need to pay admission to the arboretum to visit. This year the Holiday Boutique will be open November 6–December 20. Apples and squash are for sale for holiday baking, while supplies last, as well as a wide variety of locally made food items, frozen pies and strudels, along with books, puzzles, toys, holiday decorations, jewelry, clothing and more. Boutique manager Treacy Welch says she and staff carefully curate the store to include numerous local vendors and to distinguish the

The arboretum’s AppleHouse transforms into a seasonal Holiday Boutique, open November 6–December 20.

merchandise and holiday ornaments from local boutiques. “We promise, you’ll spot gifts you’ve never seen around the Twin Cities,” Welch says. Sarah Jackson is a media specialist at the arboretum. She lives and gardens in Minnetonka. Learn more at arb.umn.edu.

November 2023

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Photo: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

CULINARY AND CRAFTY FINDS

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GRIEGER GROUP WHEN SUCCESS MATTERS

BIG BOOK

Local historian Paul Maravelas is doing more than just writing a book based on Lake Minnetonka’s Big Island. He is opening his own press dedicated

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to publishing works about the history of Minnetonka. “I think I can make a contribution by offering a place that’s a center for publications of that subject,” Maravelas says. His book The History of Big Island is set to be the first book published (November 1) by Minnetonka Press. “I think Lake Minnetonka has a really rich history,” Maravelas says. “It includes the [arrival] of Anglo-American settlers and the displacement of the Dakota. There’s also a lost opportunity, I think, to preserve the lake in a more pristine state, and, instead, we kind of suburbanized it and made it into just a common more private resource.” Maravelas utilized diary manuscripts, newspaper archives, interviews with older residents and more to conduct his research. “There are some interesting, iconic things that happened on Big Island ...” he says, including an amusement park in the early 1900s, a game farm that was established on

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available at Excelsior Bay Books, 36 Water St., Excelsior, and minnetonkapress.com.

Geri Broome

A R T S & C U LT U R E

Creative Outlet Local artists and crafters offer cornucopia of goods for sale.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR QUALITY , locally handmade items for your

home or as a gift? The Landing Shop has carved out a niche as a one-stop shop for such items—all carefully made by local crafters, who are 55 years and older. Since its inception in 1975, growing from an informal group of seniors to a fully-operational store overseen by the City of Minnetonka, The Landing Shop’s message has remained the same: To provide a recreational outlet for

older adults by selling their quality crafts and handmade items. For Geri Broome, president of the store’s board and its display manager, it similarly began as a simple outlet. After retirement and looking to give away some of her knitwear and baby items, Broome began selling her fares in the store and became an active member. At the urging of the then board president, Broome soon began volunteering for the store and setting up displays. A decade later, The

Landing Shop and the people in it have become an integral part of her life. The shop thrives with the help of nearly 30 volunteers and 67 crafters just as much as patrons. More often than not, those same contributors and patrons are one in the same. “When I’m working at the shop, frequently, I’ll buy something, like as a gift. And whoever I’m working with, nine times out of 10, they’ll [purchase] something there, too,” Broome says. “We support each other.”

November 2023

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Photos: Chris Emeott

By Clare Greeman

It’s that sense community that keeps the shop running, and Broome appreciates the importance of supporting the work of her fellow crafters. “I get excited when a crafter’s items sells when I know something of theirs hasn’t sold in quite a while. And I don’t know if that’s because I’m the president, but just the success of the shop is so important to me,” she says. Supporting local crafters is just the half of it, as the shop sells one-of-a-kind items, which provide shoppers with a host of goods to choose from as they make their way around the shop. Some of its best-sellers are kitchen towels and ultra-durable scrubbies for kitchen dishes. In addition to kitchen pieces, the shop sells: baby items, doll clothes, greeting cards, home décor, jewelry, lawn ornaments, paintings, photographs, purses, seasonal items, winter accessory essentials and much, much more. (Tip: It’s never too early to begin holiday gift shopping for unique items.)

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WHERE TO SHOP • The Landing Shop is open from noon–5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at its location in Westridge Market, 11280 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka. • Goods are also available at the winter farmers market at the Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka. • Visit the summer farmers market, where The Landing Shop is on hand biweekly, Tuesdays June through September at Ridgedale Commons (south parking lot), 12590 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka. Before you go, confirm dates and locations at minnetonkamn.gov, 763.591.4868 (The Landing Shop) or 952.939.8200 (the City of Minnetonka).

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“Presentation is important. We come with all the necessary supplies to operate, including signs, podiums, tickets and all the insurance requirements.”

VENTURES

Valet 101 Valet company offers trusted addition to holiday parties and special events. By Emily Gedde

DURING THIS TIME of year, there are plenty of reasons to invite guests into your home. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or opening your house for a fundraising event, organizing gatherings can involve many moving parts. While you’re planning what goes on inside your home, there is a Twin Cities valet company that can take care of what’s happening outside. With more than 15 years of experience, Unparalleled Parking can assist hosts with elevating their guests’ arrival and departure experiences. Minnetonka’s Christopher Forest, founder of Unparalleled Parking, understands that the valet professional is the first and last impression a person has at a party or special event, and he’s confident the valet experiences his team provides will bring ease to party planning. “We want to be good partners to people we work with,” Forest says. “Presentation is important for valet. The team comes prepared knowing what to do, and they come out and execute well. The goal with valet is simple: You shouldn’t notice that we’re there. Its effortless, and you can focus on what’s going on at your event.” (The service also handles corporate and professional events of all scopes.) When booking with Unparalleled Parking, Forest says the process is simple. Clients are asked to provide event details, and a price estimate is provided at that point of contact. “People appreciate an answer of what this is going to cost right away,” he says. Once the group is hired, a team will visit the site and map out a parking plan. “Our team comes prepared,” Forest says, adding it’ll also factor in snow constraints during the winter months. Another consideration is the guestto-valet ratio. For residential parties with family and friends, guests often

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Photos: Unparalleled Parking

Christopher Forest

45 Gideon’s Point Rd, Tonka Bay, MN 55331

carpool to the event, which decreases the number of cars. However, if it is a corporate party, it’s likely guests will drive separately, which makes the guest count a little more relevant. Feeling confident in the people hired to park guests’ cars is also important. Forest says Unparalleled Parking has a significant vetting process during hiring. “They’re representing our brand,” he says. “From a private event standpoint, we send people out who are experienced because they’re going into a new setting … every single private residence is different.” Forest says that a good valet is someone who is willing to serve, punctual and values presentation. He says, “At the end of the day, we’re in hospitality, and if you’re not willing to serve, you’re not going to be good on our team … We’re very proud of what we’ve grown.”

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The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 2125C5-DC_MN_12/21

Kickliy

PORTRAIT

The Pursuit of Understanding Painter finds inspiration in Lake Minnetonka as the subject of new series. By Zoe Yates

shore of a small marsh in Tonka Bay, a weeping willow sways in the lake breeze. It may be one of thousands of such willows, here and elsewhere, but to Minneapolis artist Kickliy, the sight of this tree transports him to a familiar scene outside of Paris. Though he’s painted and sketched it many times before, the willow was Kickliy’s inspiration for a series of live oil paintings focused on the sights and surrounds of Lake Minnetonka, which he began early this summer. (Live painting includes an artist creating the piece “on the scene” rather than in a studio

November 2023

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Photos: Chris Emeott

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Skip worrying about ice and snow this winter and instead relax in comfort in the assisted living neighborhood of Friendship Village. It’s maintenance-free living with everything you need close at hand. and is similar to plein air painting.) “There’s beauty in things that people pass by,” Kickliy says. “That’s kind of the importance of doing paintings and things is to show people like, ‘Wait a minute, I always looked at that, but I never thought about it like that before.’ People stop and look.” This project is a natural progression of the former comic book artist’s decade-long foray into painting. After a 2013 car accident left him injured and unable to draw, he spent a few months, and then years intermittently, in France healing. Painting provided the first pain-free way to create art.

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MONET’S MOUSE A visit to Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France, around 2014–15, led Kickliy to some unimaginable experiences. While enjoying lunch in the gardens with his French host, Maria, a little mouse made an appearance, running around as onlookers screeched. “Maria was kind of getting nervous, and I was teasing, ‘Don’t worry. It’s just Monet’s mouse. He lives in his beard and watches how he paints,’” Kickliy says. Maria laughed, and Kickliy filed the story away. He later pitched an idea for a book to some European editors, and Musnet: The Mouse of Monet was born. The children’s comic book was released to critical acclaim in France and nominated for the prestigious Angoulême International Comics Festival Award, according to Kickliy. In the process of writing and illustrating the story, The Fondation Claude Monet took Kickliy under its wing. “They let me in and gave me carte blanche to the whole grounds … They let me in places that no one had ever been in before, like Monet’s second studio. The only other artist they let in there was [French artist Pierre-Auguste] Renoir,” Kickliy says. “Then, I was invited to Monet’s first house and got to sleep in his bed. That was crazy stuff.” Kickliy followed up Musnet with three sequels, with many scenes inspired by true stories from the grounds and the generational gardeners whose parents and grandparents worked for Monet.

Kickliy, who at the time of the accident went by another name, was inspired by the work of French painter Claude Monet and spent the period of convalescence visiting Monet’s gardens outside Paris and various art museums while teaching himself how to paint with oils. When, after many months, Kickliy painted a piece he felt was worthy of signing, he realized he didn’t want to use his given name. So, he decided to take back a lost family name, Kickliy, to symbolize the end of his life as an award-winning illustrator and the start of a new era in his creative journey. “The life that I cut off and left behind, it’s done,” Kickliy says. A decade on, Kickliy has found his way as an artist once more and pursues a diverse assortment of subjects and styles, from live painting sports and documenting scenes of the Minnesota State Fair (In 2021, he completed 80 live paintings in 12 days.) to a series

of autumnal bird paintings inspired by time with his family Up North and even a stint painting goings-on at Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge. Nowadays, Kickliy doesn’t take reference photos. He will either sketch a scene to be painted later or live paint then and there. Each genre he pursues is unique and insightful. To watch him paint is to be unaware of the subject until the very last stroke, when everything suddenly comes together. “If you look at my work, the piece that I do tomorrow is going to be different than the piece that I do today. And the piece that I did today is different from the piece that I did yesterday. You can see growth—then you know I’m on the right path. My fear is doing the same painting over and over again and me not growing,” Kickliy says. The challenge of learning and creating is what encourages Kickliy’s work—to see further and do more. And also, to be just

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To Advertise

sara johnson 952.250.1859 | sara@localmedia.co

While having his photograph taken for this article, Kickliy painted this scene at the Tonka Bay Marina. His appreciation for this area runs deep and inspires his work.

as inspired by his homeland as he was while living in France. Through his time in Minnetonka—pulling up to Fletcher’s via pontoon at twilight, establishing an art and book printing business A4MN with a friend in Crystal Bay and fishing the lake with his dad as a child—he’s found that. “It’s a beautiful place,” he says. “... my eyes have shifted from just looking at things [to] looking to see Minnesota as something worth painting.” He calls it “the pursuit of understanding.” Following the conclusion of this series, Kickliy hopes to showcase his art at a gallery. To see more of his recent work, visit his Instagram page @yilkcik.

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Presenting, “Luxury Real Estate Market Report. Bridging Elegance and Innovation: The New Era of Upscale Properties.”

Written by Renée Stewart-Hester Photos by Chris Emeott

S E T T H E TA B L E Curate an aesth etic that reads inviting and elevated.

November 2023

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Simple Elegance • Brick + Linen’s storefronts offer home décor elements that read elevated, curated and tailored. Featured lines include CR Laine, Palecek and Woodbridge, as well as many boutique lines of accessories and elements that enhance daily living. “We carry handmade products, such as essential oil soap and linens from France,” Robbins says. “All of our candles are soy based and nontoxic. We believe in designing a life you love.” • In addition, Brick + Linen offers design services for new builds and renovation projects that include, but aren’t limited to, cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, furnishings, tile and more. “Our aesthetic is elevated organic,” Robbins says. “It is simple elegance achieved by harmonious balance of nature and art. We love a neutral palette as a base layer. Color is added in sparingly and meaningfully.”

There are different schools of thought when it comes to setting a table—be it for formal affairs, holiday gatherings or special guests. We embrace any lines of thinking when it comes to creating an ambiance of choice. Some hosts employ the more-is-more attitude and embrace layering, starting with table linens, chargers, every piece from grandmother’s china set, including serving pieces galore. And we’re here for it. All of it—right down to the fish forks and soup tureen. Other hosts prefer to dial back when it comes to place settings and other table extras, allowing the food to savor the spotlight. Let’s create a dining table

November 2023

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setting that doesn’t take over the dinner conversation—rather, it enhances it. There is an art to the less-is-more approach. Making a quiet statement requires forethought and purposeful editing. To achieve the look, Lisa Robbins, founder and principal interior designer with Brick + Linen in Wayzata and Stillwater, offers suggestions. “Guests at a table should feel pampered by the dining experience but not overwhelmed by décor,” she says. “Save room for serving and for guests to be able to place things around them for a comfortable experience. Having white space is visually appealing. Keep in mind that décor can also be functional.

Napkins, serving bowls, cutting boards are ways to add functional décor.” Planning around a color palette is a good foundation, but remember: The food is the star of the show. “Match the accent color around the occasion or holiday,” Robbins says. “Keep in mind, traditional colors do not always need to be the answer. The mood of what you’re creating for the meal should inform the palette.” Once the color story is set, it can be introduced by way of various methods. “Emphasis can come in many ways,” she says. “[Decide] what will be the star of the table and accent that element … let everything else play a subtle, yet

Special Attention Tableware should feel special, Robbins says. And that can come by way of tending to its upkeep. “Notice when plates and bowls get scratches, and use Bar Keepers Friend cleanser to maintain their look,” she says. “Having things clean, polished and ready for guests is not only appetizing, but relaxes your guests. For table linens, choose fabrics that clean easily. For items with troublesome stains, repurpose them for other home uses.”

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elegant part. Having a collection of candlesticks can be the bold, yet elegant statement. A vintage vase of flowers can also be a statement.” Are brass and gold still the way to go this fall? “Mixed metals continue to be a trend that I hope doesn’t go away,” Robbins says. “Pairing burnish brass with vintage silver is a good way to mix old and new. Iron and polished nickel can create a dramatic look.” “Don’t forget that nature is the best decorator,” she says, suggesting utilizing cut branches from the yard or garden to create a centerpiece. “Wood always warms up a table, either in a cutting board, bread bowl, individual salt cellars or wooden salad spoons,” she says. Discover the importance of napkin presentation. “So much creativity can happen in a napkin fold,” Robbins says. “Recently, I found the inspiration for [a napkin folded like an envelope] and thought it felt like a gift was at each setting. A loose napkin draped on the plate is also an expression—casual and informal.” Speaking of napkins, where do we stand when it comes to paper or cloth? It can be both, depending on the occasion. “… nothing compares to cloth for special occasions, but don’t save cloth for just the holidays. Surprise your family with a treat of cloth [napkins] from time to time,” she says. “You will be surprised by their reaction.” Brick + Linen, 401 Lake St. E. Suite 1, Wayzata; 952.444.6255; bricklinen.com Brick + Linen

@bricklinen

Brick + Linen

November 2023

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Ready, Set, Host IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS AND PREPLANNING WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOLIDAYS. Written by Renée Stewart-Hester Photos by Chris Emeott

REFRIGERATOR

This is ground zero when it comes to holiday baking, cooking and hosting, so let’s address it well before the oven and stove heat up. • Take everything out. Give the refrigerator a thorough wipe down using nontoxic cleaners. • While organizing tips for the fridge are overflowing on social media and the like, holidays are a different animal and call for a different technique. While bins for similar food items/ categories are great and make everything look downright pretty, this time of year, consider opting for another tactic. Devote an entire shelf to breakfast items. This goes a long way to direct returning kids and visiting guests help themselves in the morning while you’re “resting” in your room. • Similarly, make sure lunch items are available and in one section. Follow the Three S Plan: Sandwich, Soup and Salad fixings help you and guests whip up a quick, easy noontime nosh.

• Stay stocked with your baking needs, too (butter, cream cheese, eggs, half and half, whipping cream or whatever your recipes require).

EXTRA FRIDGE

Double duty is welcome. • If you have a second refrigerator, give that a cleanup, too. • Use the space for all the extras—appetizers, beverages and backstock items. • It’s also the ideal location to keep holiday meal prep items in one spot—and away from hungry mouths, who don’t realize what is and isn’t fair game. Let’s avoid asking (yelling), “Who ate the fill in the blank?”

MAJOR APPLIANCES

These are called to active duty, so they should be ready to tackle those extra tasks. • Clean the oven, stove, microwave and any appliance that will be invited out of the cupboard or pantry. • Give the dishwasher a good cleaning, making sure the drains are clear to avoid clogging (potential kitchen flood) and odors emanating from it. • I consider my KitchenAid mixer as a major appliances. It’s a workhorse. Clean it, and make sure you know where all your attachments are stored for a quick find. If you don’t have an extra mixing bowl, consider getting one to help keep the workflow moving on meal prep day.

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Photo: xxxxxxxxx

As much as we might not want to admit it, there’s a fair amount of chaos when it comes to the November/December vibe—the amounts vary like seasonal snowfalls, but there’s always assurances of even a dusting of bedlam this time of year. While there’s only so much preplanning that can be done, there are some steps to take when it comes to getting a handle on the unexpected—the unforeseen—and the downright accidental situations. We’ve gathered some suggestions—some of which are based on first-hand experience!—that should help keep everyone in the holiday spirit.

••• The Divine Living Space partnered with Lake Minnetonka Magazine to style this home. The Divine Living Space is a full-scale interior design service based in the Twin Cities. It specializes in custom home builds, renovations, custom window treatments and high-end furnishings—all to create “the space you’ve always dreamed of.” thedivinelivingspace.com The Divine Living Space @thedivinelivingspace The Divine Living Space

PANTRY

While we can’t eliminate last-minute trips to the grocery store, let’s reduce them. • Make sure staple items are fresh and in supply. Think: baking soda/powder; flour, salts and sugars (brown, powered and table)—the usual suspects. Don’t forget to check on frequently-used extracts (almond, mint and vanilla), coffee/tea/hot chocolate mix, oils and vinegars. • Load up on easy hosting snacks for unexpected arrivals. Dried fruit, mixed nuts and specialty crackers and jams can help fill the appetizer gap. (It’s not a bad idea to send yourself a specialty food basket. There are plenty of local makers who’d fill the bill.) • If you’re a “help yourself ” host, clean and organize your pantry—be it a walk-in variety or not—guests might be fishing around in there.

•••

Make sure you have the

essentials. 32

•••

S tock up

on specialty foods as a treat for your guests.

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showcase local people, places and events.

BAR SERVICE

If cocktails or wine are being offered, check the inventory. • Unless you have a fully functioning home bar, just make sure you have the essentials: gin, tequila, vodka, whisky (bourbon), etc. • A few reds and whites should cover it for basic wine offerings. Pop in a few bubbly varieties, too. Think beyond Champagne, as there are plenty of lovely crémants and proseccos that fill a flute with flavor. • For beer, serve what you enjoy, and include a low-carb option along with a locally brewed brand to give guests some local flavor. • Keep soda, tonic and pop on hand for mixers. • Don’t forget lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, olives (stuffed), oranges and the like. • Consider offering a signature cocktail to add to the festivities. • Be sure to feature a fun mocktail or have plenty of nonalcoholic options on hand.

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•••

Provide FAMILY ROOM

Any gathering space in your home needs extra preparation for visitors. • Let’s start from the floor up: Throw rugs, while adding an extra décor touch, can be a hazard, especially for mobility challenged people and young children. Rethink them. • Extra pillows and throws are ideal for cozying up for movie nights or watching the bowl games, but edit them down when it’s party time. They can take up too much physical and visual space. • Be sure there’s plenty of space on your coffee table and side tables for guests to set a beverage (provide

coasters!) or their appetizer plate. • Be mindful of extension cord placement (tripping). This goes for all areas of the house.

personal care items for convenience.

GUEST ROOM/ BATHROOM

Making guests feel relaxed is all in the details. • Cozy up the beds with holiday- or winter-themed sheets, and set out extra blankets and pillows. • Provide the latest best-seller and copies of Lake Minnetonka Magazine for lovely bedtime reading.

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• For convenience, fill a basket or decorative bin with antacids, cotton swabs, deodorant, ibuprofen, lint brush, makeup remover towelettes (Your bedding will thank you.), personal care items, phone charger, tissue, toothbrushes, toothpaste, water bottles and more. • Provide plenty of bath towels, body lotion (winter skin), shampoo/conditioner, body wash (Some guests prefer not to use bar soap.) and toilet tissue.

GARAGE

This area gets ignored in terms of preholiday glow ups, but it’s often called upon for urgent snow/ice removal, extra storage and hiding whatever needs to be out of view for a bit. • If outdoor temps remain above freezing, carve out some space to store extra beverages that won’t fit in the refrigerator or in your home bar. • Clean out coolers for extra food storage if needed or for self-serve beverage containers on the deck or porch. (Pull them inside overnight if temperatures dip too low.) • If there’s an empty parking stall, make sure it’s ready and open to receive an overnight guest’s car, or older visitors and guests with young children might appreciate getting into a warmer car at the end of the evening. • Make sure there are plenty of shovels and sand/salt on hand. At this point of the year, the snowblower should have received a working test, and make sure you have plenty of gasoline and oil on hand for it. • Waste removal services tend to be off a day or two over the holidays, so make sure you have extra space designated to handle the overflow.

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PETS

It’s their holiday season, too! • Make sure your pet is properly groomed for guests—they’ll thank you for having your pet’s nails and other sensitive areas tended to! If you can’t get an appointment with your regular groomer, an at-home tubby a day before guests arrive will do in a pinch. • If your pet isn’t used to wearing a cable knit sweater, bow tie/fur bow

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or pleated dress, don’t start now. • Make sure the food and treat bins are properly stocked, so you’re not forced to deviate from your pet’s regular diet (and cause irregular tummies). • If your pet uses the front lawn for its regular potty stop, tidy up the area before guests arrive. White snow provides a high-contrast color for … you get the picture.

OUTFITS

Preplanning is key to making sure everyone in the household is party/ picture ready. • Plan everything—main outfits, shoes, socks/hosiery, underlayers, jewelry, hair accessories, etc. Using perfume? Figure it out now. • What about dress outwear? Does everyone have the proper coats or jackets to wear to religious services or to more formal holiday parties? If you’re fine with the family topping

their finest wear with a puffer coat, we’re OK with that, too. If you think otherwise, now is the time to address dressier options. • Once you have items secured: Try. Them. On. This goes for everyone in the house. Just because it fit last year, last month, last week, doesn’t mean it fits now. And children can be sensitive to textures: Throw clothes on, so no one throws a fit the day of the event. (Shoes, too!) This also goes a long way in avoiding last-minute dashes to the clothing store or the tailor for quick fixes.

fatigue. (Don’t keep gift wrap or extra presents in your room. This is a place of rest, not a craft room.) • Stock up on must-have makeup, hair care, skin care and bath supplies, so you don’t run out and have to run out to get more. • Don’t forget to decorate your room for the holidays, too. Adding in some festive cheer with greenery, soft lights, faux candles, pine-scented diffusers and the like offer a gentle reminder of the joy of the season. • Treat yourself to some luxury sleepwear that envelops you in comfort. You deserve it!

PRIMARY BEDROOM/ BATHROOM

Your bedroom should be a calming space for relaxation (or refuge) during all times of year, but the holidays pose an extra need for peace and quiet. • Make sure your room is tidy and clean, reducing mental and visual

•••

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“At the end of the day, we want to be proud of any treatment we have provided and the relationships we have forged with our patients,” Dr. Schwartz says. “We value the relationships with our patients, not just procedures, and treat all patients with empathy and dignity.” The practice offers comprehensive cosmetic dental treatment; facial aesthetic treatments with neurotoxins and fillers; nontoxic fillings; dental implant surgery; and restoration. “We are dedicated to being at the forefront of dental technology, including implementation of digital CAD/CAM dentistry and same-day crowns,” Dr. Schwartz says. Even away from the dental office, the team supports patients’ health through educational tools on its website. “We feel that it is important for patients to understand the process of dental disease and how to prevent it on their own,” Dr. Schwartz says.

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lo c al things to se e an d do

O N T H E TOW N

MERRY ANNIVERSARY

Excelsior’s Christkindlsmarkt celebrates 20 years. THI S HOLI DAY SEASON

Photos: Skol Marketing

marks the 20th anniversary of the Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt, which is set for 10 a.m.–7 p.m. November 24, 25 and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. November 26 and is next to the Excelsior Brewery, 421 Third St. The grand opening parade starts at Lake and Water streets. Inspired by traditional open-air German markets, this year’s market features traditional activities and entertainment with exciting special guests. Making appearances will be Minnesota Vikings legends Chuck Foreman, Carl Eller, Stu Voigt and Tommy Kramer. The market will also host artists and a large number of food and drinks vendors. The Children’s Lantern Parade will be later on Saturday, a tradition held at many Christkindlmarkts in Europe, followed by a Christmas concert. Father Christmas will be in attendance, along with some special friends—Alaskan reindeer and alpacas. —Macy Berendsen For additional information, visit excelsiorchristmas.com.

November 2023

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O N T H E TOW N

Compiled by Macy Berendsen and Lily Schlobohm

LOCAL EVENTS

The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll 11/14 Learn about the emergence and history of Rock ‘n’ Roll music through a discussion led by Soli Hughes, an artist who has performed with Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and more. All ages.

Free. 6–7:30 p.m. 620 Rice St., Wayzata; 612.543.5669; hclib.bibliocommons.com

Snow White and the Seven Vikings 11/15 Starting November 15 through the end of December, enjoy Old Log Theatre’s adaptation of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. This version is set in the snowy landscape of Norway with gentle old Vikings. All ages. $14–$16. Times vary. 5185 Meadville St., Excelsior; 952.474.5952; oldlog.com

Light Up the Lake Celebration 11/24 The magical holiday celebration on Lake Street is back with a schedule packed full of horse-drawn carriage rides, candy cane hunts, live music, reindeer visits and, of course, the lighting ceremony.

All ages. Free. 4:30–7 p.m. Panoway, Lake St., Wayzata; 952.404.5300; wayzata.org

AREA EVENTS

Twin Cities Con NOVEMBER 4

3–6 P.M.

11/03–11/05 The returning Twin Cities Con is a celebration of comics, film, art and so much more.

TONKA BREW FEST

be present the whole weekend, including special guests, including Jason Lee from Almost Famous, Rachel Leigh Cook from

A ticket to the 10th annual Tonka Brew Fest includes unlimited beer sam-

She’s All That and Timothy Zahn from

ples from over 18 breweries, a fresh grilled brat meal and live music, plus a

Star Wars. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.335.6000; twincitiescon.com

Tonka Brew Fest tasting glass. Ages 21 and older. $50. 3–6 p.m. Gale Woods Farm,

7210 County Road 110 W., Minnetrista; 952.472.0567; tonkabrewfest.com

An extensive exhibitor and artist list will

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Festival de las Calaveras 11/04 The 11th annual Festival de las Calaveras celebrates Dia de los Muertos. The festival features music, dance, food trucks and more. All ages. $12–$20. 6–11 p.m. The

Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.338.2674; festivalcalaveras.com

A Roaring Twenties Party 11/04 Join a Gatbsy-style party with flappers and more at the Metropolitan Ballroom. The event includes a vintage vocal style singer Mia Door. Ages 21 and older. 7–11:45 p.m. Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley; courtney@beckworthgroup.com; dropitlikefscott.com

Les Jones Roofing | 941 W 80th St, Bloomington, MN 55420 | 952-230-2502

European Christmas Market 11/25–11/27 Walk through an authentic European Christmas shopping experience inspired by German Christkindl Markets. Enjoy handmade gifts and unique foods. All ages.

10 a.m.–8 p.m. Union Depot, 240 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; stpaulchristmasmarket.org

WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN THE TWIN CITIES

Holidazzle

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11/25–12/18

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The popular Fulton Beer Garden,

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including adolescence care, pregnancy care, screening mammograms, infertility, menopause, urinary incontinence, sexual health, pelvic pain and genetic cancer screening. Matthew T. Bigos, MD

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experienced in the current environment, 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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We offer convenient evening hours at all of our locations.

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TA S T E M A K E R S

What’s Next? Cheesemonger offers details for serving an additional dinner course. Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott

November 2023

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MUST W E BE IN T I M I DAT ED

by serving cheese at dinner? Some home cooks might experience a twitch of apprehension when the word cheese is followed by course. Formal dinners need only apply. (False) Elevated cuisine must proceed or follow it. (Untrue) Let’s turn those outdated notions on their collective heads, especially when we have Gabby Lasersmith,

certified cheese professional with Edina’s Lunds & Byerlys, providing her insight on serving a cheese course—regardless of the occasion, regardless of the rest of the menu. Slow down the dining experience, and provide guests a chance to savor the flavor of cheese away from the hors d’oeuvres table. As home cooks menu plan for Thanksgiving, should a cheese course be invited?

“Although cheese isn’t the first thing you think of when you hear Thanksgiving, it is a holiday that revolves around gathering at the table with family and friends, which is what cheese courses are all about,” Lasersmith says. A cheese course is traditionally served after the main course or before dessert and includes two to five cheese varieties on a plate

(one slice of each), accompanied by crusty bread or other offerings, according to Lasersmith. “Depending on the circumstances, a guest can choose which cheeses they would like, or the chef/host carefully chooses which cheeses to serve,” she says. “Some cheese courses are served with a bright salad or fresh fruit as a way to cut through the richness of the cheeses and cleanse the palate,” Lasersmith says. She also notes that wine is often served; the most common being port. “Accoutrements like honey, confits and jams are sometimes served with specific types of cheeses,” she says. While any type of cheese is fair game for a cheese course, it could be tempting to include too many options. “… it’s important to provide a variety of textures and flavors that stand apart from, yet complement,

one another,” Lasersmith says. “It’s traditional to serve one cheese each of a different milk type: cow, goat and sheep. Today, this doesn’t have to be the case. One rule to follow, however, is having at least one soft cheese and one hard cheese.” Consider serving cheeses that pair well together. She recommends: Camembert, Comté and Ossau-Iraty; a soft-ripened triple crème, a sharp cheddar and a tangy blue; and an herbed chèvre, a young Manchego and an aged Gouda. Food presentation is important to the experience, and a single platter or just individual plates can be used. (If using a platter, singleserve dishes are still needed.) “The dynamic of the group of people and the type of event should determine which way to present the cheese,” she says. “For instance, at a table of family or friends, a single platter

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in digital format! Never miss an issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Lake Minnetonka Magazine articles with friends and family.

Learn more at lakeminnetonkamag.com 45

“Buttery bries, tangy chèvres, aged Goudas, nutty cheddars and even blues make perfect pairings with classic dessert items, such as chocolate, fruit ﬁllings, honey, candied nuts, cookies and pastries.” Gabby Lasersmith

a very common part of everyday dinners in places like France and Italy,” Lasersmith says. “So, I would encourage more casual cheese courses to share after dinner. It’s a fun way to explore different flavors and combinations or to just bond over some delicious cheese.”

Lunds & Byerlys has locations throughout the Metro. lundsandbyerlys.com Lunds & Byerlys @lundsandbyerlys

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

would be a fun way to go, but at a less intimate event, individual plates could eliminate potential awkwardness between guests.” Regardless of what serveware is used, arrange the cheese in the order that it should be eaten— mild to strong. On the subject of utensils, there is some leeway. Lasersmith says only a fork and a knife are necessary for eating, but a cheese knife set for cutting and serving is useful. “If you do not have a cheese knife set, that’s perfectly OK,” she says, noting that a sharp kitchen knife will do the job. A cheese fork has two sharp metal prongs with a short handle and can be helpful for serving. “Cheese courses may seem fancy to us, but cheese courses are actually

Lunds & Byerlys @lundsandbyerlys Candles contributed by Wacks Company

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November 2023

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LAST GLANCE

Lens on Lake Minnetonka History strikes a reflective pose.

“The light and the stillness of the evening were the perfect backdrop for the Noerenberg Barn,” Gabrielle Watson says. “This little piece of Lake Minnetonka history seemed to be floating on the water, just beyond our reach.” —Renée Stewart-Hester

To view other Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.

Photographer: Gabrielle Watson Title: Noerenberg Barn

Equipment: Nikon D5100 with a 55–300mm lens Location: Maxwell Bay Category: City Landmarks Award: First Place

November 2023

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2. 0 4 AC R E S | $ 8 ,9 9 5 , 0 0 0

Nestled on two acres of privacy in Cottagewood U.S.A. with 134 feet of premium frontage. Co-listed with John C. Adams | Founding Executive REALTOR® | 612.269.9438 | jcadams@compass.com

57 9 6 H A R D S C R A B B L E C I R C L E I N M I N N E S T R I S TA O N L A K E M I N N E TO N K A

1 . 4 6 A C R E S | $ 7, 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

A design-build collaboration between Alexander Design Group and ADOR Bespoke Homes.

SAR AH P OLOVIT Z

AL ANDERSON

Founding Executive REALTOR®

612.743.6801

651.802.0271

sarah.polovitz@compass.com

al.anderson@compass.com

POLOVITZ GROUP is a team of real estate agents afﬁliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reﬂect actual property conditions.

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*month* 2023

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Lake Minnetonka - November 2023