Edina - June 2026

THE BERSTEN FAMILY HAS ROOTS IN EDINA AND ON TV

DANCING WITH OUR STARS

GOLDEN VALLEY, EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNETONKA, PRIOR LAKE AND PLYMOUTH

Unique solutions for living.

FROM THE EDITOR

It was my family who first introduced me to Strictly Come Dancing. In 2004, while I was in graduate school in London, bouts of homesickness often sent me to the Middlesex home of my mom’s cousin, Nergish (Nergish Auntie to me), for weekends filled with comfort food and companionship. Nergish Auntie’s high-school aged daughter, Renisa, kept me up to date on all things pop culture. “What do you mean you haven’t seen Strictly Come Dancing? You have to watch it with me,” she insisted one evening.

With judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli trading witty remarks, I was instantly hooked. We eagerly voted for our favorite dancers—me on my trusty Nokia 3310, Renisa using not one but two cell phones.

When the show crossed the Atlantic in 2005 as Dancing With the Stars, complete with Goodman and Tonioli, I remained a devoted fan. I was delighted when I learned that pro dancer Alan Bersten has ties to Edina. His brother, Gene Bersten, and sister-in-law, Elena Bersten, own Dance With Us America, a studio tucked inside Southdale Center. Over the years, countless locals have passed by its doors—perhaps without realizing that inside, dancers of all ages were finding confidence, discipline and joy. This talented family has quietly shaped generations in our community. We’re fortunate to have them here and honored to share their family’s story in our annual family issue (page 16).

I’m also excited to share with you the story of Tori Haines, who moved here to be closer to her grandchildren. The bungalow she bought wasn’t suited for aging in place, so she turned to Edina Magazine’s Best of Edina issue in search of help. That’s where she discovered Kelly Vickers of Zimmer Design, who transformed her home into a space that is both beautiful and thoughtfully designed to support her for years to come (page 26).

Have a wonderful June and summer solstice.

Join us as we follow Edina Magazine’s editor, Feroza Mehta, as she prepares for the Mrs. International Pageant, taking place July 23–24 in Skokie, Illinois. Visit mrsinternational.com to learn more about her platform and vote for the People’s Choice Award.

On the Cover: Elena and Gene Bersten, page 16

Photo by: Chris Emeott

Feroza Mehta feroza@localmedia.co

June

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay

EDITOR

Feroza Mehta

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

and Alexandra

Sarah Davis, Emily Deutschman, Taylor Ellingson, Daniel Green, Gregory Rich,

Twila Singh, Kelly Smith, Maureen Millea Smith and Laura Westlund

DIGITAL INTERN

Danielle Gallus

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Abigail Larson and Kate Thompson

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Daphne Edwards, Edina Public Schools ; Greg Hoyt, Gather Venture Group ; Shelly Loberg, Edina Chamber of Commerce ; Nicole Meehan, Edina Education Fund ; Rebecca Sorensen, 50th & France Business Association ; Kelly Vickers, Zimmer Design ; and Annette Wildenauer, Design Mode Studios

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

Best Steak

Grilling season is here, and Kowalski’s is your local butcher with all the best cuts. We offer the freshest, highest-quality meats possible by sourcing naturally raised product from sustainable family farms, along with knowledgeable, friendly customer service. Kowalski’s is one of the few grocers that still cuts 90% of the meat sold in the service case, allowing us to create custom and specialty cuts at any time for our customers. Stop by and see us today!

Golf, but Make it Modern Vintage

Eagle-eyed golfers may have noticed their favorite course’s logos popping up around town. It’s Heritage Gear’s latest foray into the world of luxury accessories. “Golf wasn’t so much an expansion for us as it was a natural alignment,” says vice president of sales for the Edina-based company Ty Munneke. “Our product line … already resonated with customers who value craftsmanship, tradition and understated quality. That same mindset is deeply rooted in the golf community.”

The collection includes backpacks, leather bag tags, shoe bags, valuables pouches, weekender bags and other leather goods. Most items are customordered by clubs and branded with their logos. Each piece is handcrafted in the United States, using sustainably sourced wool and leather. “Because most clubs are private, our products are usually reserved for members and their guests,” Munneke says. Locally, items are available at Interlachan and Edina country clubs. For more information, go to heritagegear.com. —Feroza Mehta

A Brunch Classic

With Father’s Day on June 21, we got to thinking: Mothers aren’t the only ones who deserve a decadent breakfast in bed or a lovely brunch served at home. While egg bakes have long been a recipe staple, this Mediterranean Egg Bake offers an elevated take on a classic and combines sheet pan roasted veggies with buttery layers of dough and custard. Feta and goat cheeses enter the mix, creating a crowd-pleasing dish—perfect for leisurely weekend mornings and special celebrations! For the complete recipe, visit edinamag.com.

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

From Kid Startup to Storefront Success

What began as a passion project by five 10-year-old girls has grown into a thriving local business. Luca & the Five Girls opened its first store and commercial kitchen last July at the intersection of Cahill Road and West 70th Street. “We worked with so many amazing expert technicians, advisors and bakers last summer to help us set up the bakery. We were learning along the way,” says co-founder Lauren Seim.

Founded in 2017 by Seim, Emery Engelsma, twin sisters Elli and Kate Johnson, and Rylie Nelson, and with guidance from the Johnsons’ aunt, Susan, the founders continue to expand their vision of organic and healthy dog treats. Luca & the Five Girls treats and other items can be purchased at the store. “When the orange “We Are Open” sign is on our sidewalk, stop in for treats, samples, unique toys and leashes … and free tennis balls,” Engelsma says.

Luca & the Five Girls products can also be found at Lunds & Byerlys, local co-ops, online at lucaandthefivegirls.com and Amazon.

Read more about the company and its founders in our June 2024 cover story at edinamag.com. —Feroza Mehta

You’re Cordially Invited …

This beautiful time of year brings coral bells and wedding bells! And, as you know, every wedding celebration starts with a special announcement. We are pleased to announce that plans for our stunning, annual wedding issue are currently underway.

We’re ready to showcase your extraordinary nuptials in our special wedding issue, which will be published in February 2027. Your celebration could be featured alongside articles highlighting other premier wedding industry members and details important to other couples planning their upcoming ceremonies and receptions. Our pages brim with artfully and intentionally curated

weddings that stand out and inspire.

Was your wedding (or one you coordinated, hosted or photographed!) an elegant celebration? Were guests treated to a black-tie affair, a lavish destination event or a curated soirée? Bespoke décor. Breathtaking venues. Couture fashion. One-of-a-kind touches. We’re interested in all of it!

To be considered, wedding gallery submissions are accepted from June 1 through September 1, 2026, for weddings that took place from September 1, 2025, onward.

Visit edinamag.com to learn more about how you can submit wedding galleries for consideration. —Editorial Staff

Buzz Off, Social Media

Parents spark a growing movement, urging families to delay kids’ online access.

By Mollee Francisco

Fitz Ochs swivels back and forth in a desk chair in front of a computer. “Hey, do you want to come over and go skating after this?” the 10-year-old asks. Lars Ellingson and Decklan Melander smile and nod.

It’s a simple exchange, but to Fitz’s mother, Alissa Ochs, it’s music to her ears—her fourth grader is making plans to go outside and play with friends. It’s also the reason the Ochs family signed the Buzz Off Social pledge, committing to delay social media use until at least age 16.

Concerned about the effects of social media on children’s mental health and development, a group of Edina parents launched an initiative to encourage families to hold off on allowing their kids access to social media. Buzz Off Social is an online pledge families can make to commit to keeping kids under the age of 16 off social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. Since launching in November, more than 315 local families have already taken the

pledge. “It’s another form of safety,” Lindsay Melander, Decklan’s mother, says. “Our job as parents is to put those boundaries in place.”

Last year, Lindsay teamed up with Alissa, Taylor Ellingson and Tim O’Neill to launch the initiative. They had read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and were concerned about how social media could affect their children’s development. In the book, Haidt writes that social media is “replacing play-based childhood with a phone-based childhood, leading to sleep deprivation, social isolation and addiction.”

The group realized that many parents had the same worries for their children being exposed to social media at too young an age. The solution: strength in numbers. The more families they could get to commit to keeping their kids off social media, the better. “We’re hoping it’s positive peer pressure,” O’Neill says.

The idea behind Buzz Off Social is to get the conversation started. “This is just a steppingstone for your family,” Lindsay says. The pledge suggests talking with children about the reasons for delaying social media use by “emphasizing mental health, brain development, healthy digital habits and etiquette.”

Decklan gets it, at least as much as a 10-year-old can. “Social media, it can cause emotions and fights,” he says. But even understanding the reasons doesn’t always diminish the allure completely. “I just don’t know why I can’t watch YouTube,” Fitz says, triggering nods from Lars and Decklan.

“Sometimes, it’s tough love,” O’Neill says. “You don’t give Lamborghini keys to a new driver.”

So far, the Buzz Off Social initiative has been launched within the Edina Public Schools and shared through PTOs. As a result, families from across the district have made the pledge. “Overall, it was very welcomed,” Lindsay says. The group isn’t content to just stay within the confines of Edina, and are trying to spread the movement across the Metro and the state.

In the meantime, they’ll continue to talk to their kids, evaluate their needs and work to prepare them for the inevitable moment that they can use social media. “At some point, they’re going to have to deal with it,” Taylor says. “We just want them to be ready.”

Buzz Off Social buzzoffsocial.org

Leading the Charge

A pediatric pulmonologist champions research into a rare disorder.

By Mollee Francisco

Jack Blemker was just a few hours old when he began to exhibit signs of respiratory distress. The newborn was rushed to the NICU where doctors would soon discover that his organs were reversed; he would be diagnosed with situs inversus (organ reversal) and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetic disorder where hair-like structures called cilia do not function correctly, causing chronic respiratory issues. “It was a huge shock to us,” says Jack’s father, Steve Blemker.

Luckily for Jack, he was born in the right place at the right time. The Twin

Cities has emerged as one of the leaders in PCD research and treatment. Children’s Minnesota is a recognized PCD center and Bloomington serves as the headquarters for the PCD Foundation.

Edina resident Anne Griffiths, M.D., is a pediatric pulmonologist at Children's Respiratory and Critical Care Services and works as the medical director for the organization's PCD program, in partnership with Children's Minnesota. Griffiths explains that there is believed to be one case in every 7,500 people in the world, but most are undiagnosed.

“We’re hopeful we can narrow that gap between the undiagnosed and the diagnosed.”

Anne Griffiths, M.D.

“We say it’s a rare lung disease, but it’s often undiagnosed,” she says. “There are 1,000 [documented] cases in North America, but we think the actual number is around 40,000.”

PCD, which affects the cilia’s ability to clear mucus from the airways, is characterized by a chronic runny nose, cough and congestion as well as recurrent ear infections. Because those symptoms are shared by the common cold, diagnosis can be a challenge, especially in children. “Most patients have seen a doctor 40 times before diagnosis,” Griffiths says, noting that the earlier patients are diagnosed, the better. Unmanaged PCD can result in chronic infections that may damage airways permanently, affect hearing and lead to severe heart disease.

Steve says that had it not been for his son’s diagnosis, he would have never considered that Jack’s older sister, Lily, might also have PCD. “I could have easily talked myself into her just being a kid prone to catching a cold,” the Linden Hills resident says. But when he was playing with Lily one night and stopped to feel her heart beating on the right side of her chest instead of the left, red flags went up. It turned out that Lily also has situs inversus and PCD. (Half of PCD patients have situs inversus, Griffiths says.)

Today, Jack and Lily are under the care of Griffiths. Their current treatment plan involves daily medication, nebulizers and clearance machines to shake up the mucus and clear their airways. Lily uses her inhaler every night, and both children undergo azithromycin maintenance therapy to reduce respiratory infections. “They’ve been rockstars,” Steve says.

There is currently no cure for PCD, Griffiths says, but doctors across North America are sharing cases to further research and improve treatment options. Last August, Griffiths helped organize an international conference for PCD experts as well as a fundraiser walk at Rosland Park in Edina. Families from across the state and into the Dakotas came together to raise awareness for PCD. “The goal was for people to think of PCD when the symptoms pop up. We’re hopeful we can narrow that gap between the undiagnosed and the diagnosed,” Griffiths says.

Steve and his wife, Molly Blemker, are among those thankful for Griffith’s efforts to make sure Jack and Lily lead a relatively normal life. “We see how much firepower we have here with Griffiths,” Steve says. “I can’t put into words how comforting that is.”

Written by Feroza Mehta and Zoe Yates

The Bersten family has roots in Edina and on TV.

DANCING WITH OUR STARS

We have stars in our midst. They’re tucked away inside the lower level of Southdale Center behind an unassuming studio marquee that reads, Dance With Us America This is where Gene and Elena Bersten train everyone from first-time dancers to elite competitors—some of whom travel across the country just for a lesson. And Gene’s little brother is Alan Bersten, a professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars, who guest teaches when he visits town. “Once you’re in this world, you’ll know us. You’ll go out of your way to find us,” Gene says. “We have students who fly in. People drive three hours, fly from other states. They want the best training.”

But Alan isn’t the only Bersten who has graced the big screen. Gene and Elena found each other on the international ballroom dancing show Burn The Floor. “I was there with my American partner, my old partner. [Elena] was there for Russia with her partner,” Gene says. Sparks flew, and the two ended up dating and getting married. After taking a break from dancing to raise their three children, they returned to competition five years ago and are national and international finalists and champions. Their children are all national finalists.

Long before TV fame, the Bersten family was building a dancing community here at home.

Gene, Alan and their sister, Melani, had a childhood defined by dance. “I grew up dancing my whole life, so literally, my memories all have to do with dance,” Alan says.

Their parents immigrated to the United States from Belarus. “My parents loved dancing,” Gene says. “They wanted to get their kids interested in it.” Gene and Alan grew up in Minnetonka and went to Hopkins High School. Like many young dancers, Gene struggled with confidence. “People who know me now will never believe it,” he says. “I was very shy. I had low self-esteem. Dancing changed everything. It made me more confident. More positive.”

Alan started dancing at age 7. By 13, he was traveling monthly for competitions and already imagining dance as his future. “From the very beginning, it’s just something that I loved and thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be my life,’” he says.

Their parents, neither of whom were dancers themselves, quickly realized their children’s passion required more than casual lessons. They brought elite instructors to Minnesota and helped build a competitive ballroom community from the ground up. “I think they realized that we loved it so much,” Alan says. “What’s interesting is I think they probably thought, ‘Oh, this is

a great little hobby for them.’ And then it quickly turned into us loving it. And so then they’re like, ‘OK, now we have to support them,’ you know, as opposed to just doing it for fun, it became like a sport—traveling monthly, getting trainers. It was a big financial commitment, and I think they didn’t care. It was more about just making us happy, which was really sweet,” he says.

Elena’s path began differently. Her mother, a dancer, first introduced her to ballroom dancing when she was 8. She didn’t like it at the time, but when her mother started teaching dance for free at her school when Elena was 13, something clicked. She liked how ballroom is intensely physical, requiring control over every muscle in the body. “You use everything,” Elena says. “Your fingers, stomach, legs, thighs, calves, feet. You stretch and move constantly, everything. You need to control every part of your body every second.”

Elena says the popularity of Dancing With the Stars has helped bring ballroom dancing into the mainstream, shifting perceptions of a new generation of dancers. “When I came 15 years ago to the United States, we had some kids … say, ‘Please don’t post because my friends can see me.’ They’d hide it,” Elena says. “Now it’s the opposite.” Alan says, “Now it’s cool. Now Dancing With the Stars is like the biggest show, and it’s amazing for me to be part of something like that, to see that and hopefully inspire other kids to dance and follow their dreams.”

To get people on the path to achieving those dreams, Gene and Elena opened Dance With Us America in 2011. The studio offers group classes, private lessons and professional-amateur partnerships.

The Berstens say at its core, ballroom dancing teaches essential life skills. “It teaches you how to talk to other people, how to behave with people, because with this dance style, you dance as a team,” Gene says. “I learned how to talk to girls because my partner was a beautiful girl. When you go dancing, you try and dress as nice as you can. It’s all about image at first. You have to dress the part.”

Gene says the studio has a strict dress code for kids when they start. “For the boys, they have to wear dress pants, a nice shirt. Part of that is etiquette. It’s very old fashioned in the sense you want to be very classy. Very respectful to your partner. This style of dancing teaches all these things,” he says. Elena agrees. “They learn how to communicate with each other, how to solve problems together,” she says.

Dance With Us America trains dancers of all ages. “The movements in ballroom are more natural to our body. It’s easy for anybody to pick up at any age,” Gene says. “It’s a lifelong skill. You go to a wedding, you’re not going to do a ballet routine. You’re going to do ballroom dances.”

That accessibility draws a wide range of students. Some want to prepare for a wedding. Others want to compete nationally. Many arrive with no experience at all. “We start with the basics,” Gene says. “One step at a time. When you put it together, you’re dancing.”

The Berstens co-own Snow Ball, an annual ballroom dancing competition that draws contestants from around the world. This year, it was at the Intercontinental Hotel. Besides

Snow Ball is a three-day competition for professionals, amateurs, PRO/AM teams (where a professional dances with an amateur), junior, preteen and youth categories. The Berstens own and host it every winter. Next year’s Snow Ball will be January 28–31, 2027. For more information, go to thesnowballcomp.com.

“If you saw it on Dancing With the Stars , we can do it here.”

Gene Bersten, Dance With Us America

hosting a competition, the Berstens’ careers have taken them around the world. Gene and Elena compete and travel every week. For Alan, he’s toured with productions like Burn the Floor, been on So You Think You Can Dance? and appeared on Dancing With the Stars, where he choreographs, performs and tours nationally each year. After each TV season, the cast embarks on a 97-city tour. “I don’t like to take a lot of time off … when you love what you do, you don’t burn out … it’s the biggest blessing,” Alan says.

It’s a demanding life, but one rooted in joy. “For me, performing fills my cup. Being active and dancing and moving, that’s what really makes me happy … Being able to do something that I love and that brings people joy, there’s nothing better,” Alan says.

That philosophy defines Dance With Us America. It’s not just about trophies or TV fame. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence and helping people discover something new about themselves.

“I just hope it inspires kids to not just dance, but if dancing is their passion, follow your passion,” Alan says. Gene adds, “The majority of people coming in for lessons have never danced before. So it’s not that everyone’s coming in like a dance superstar. Our studio goal is we try to make everybody the best dancer they can be. A lot of people come here because they want to be really good. If you saw it on Dancing With the Stars, we can do it here.”

Dance With Us America dancewithusamerica.com @dancewithusamerica_mn

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Sunlit Oasis

Zimmer Design transforms a classic bungalow into a vibrant home for aging in place.

When Tori Haines moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren, she rented and later purchased a small bungalow in Edina. After her daughter recommended Zimmer Design, found through Edina Magazine’s Best of Edina issue, Haines began working with Kelly Vickers to make it her own.

“The biggest deal for me was to get light into the house, open it up and also be fun and bright and cheery,” Haines says. She also hoped to preserve the character of her home, built in 1917.

Reworking Wall Space

To bring Haines’ vision to life, Zimmer Design redefined the perimeter of the kitchen. By converting the three-season porch into an all-year-round mudroom, Vickers was able to shift the basement access from the kitchen to the mudroom, allowing for much-needed custom cabinetry to sit side-by-side with an updated—though slimmer than average—refrigerator.

Having natural light was important to the homeowner. To avoid blocking any light from coming through the kitchen window, Zimmer Design added a cornice instead of curtains or shades.

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“Building around that smaller footprint fridge allowed me to gain more space for a microwave and a few little pantry items, as well as putting a range and hood vent on the south wall. The sink and dishwasher stayed in their original footprint, cutting some costs on not having to relocate plumbing,” Vickers says.

The wall separating the kitchen and dining spaces was removed to increase the counter space and create countertop seating. Vickers walled off a tiny window on the south wall and replaced it with one on the east wall. This created a portal to the backyard and made it easier to catch the morning light. “She wanted that natural light all the time. She likes to feel like she’s outside,” Vickers says.

In addition to the kitchen window swap from south to east, Vickers chose an opaque, frosted door for the entrance to the newly flipped mudroom to let in even more light, with a bold drop-and-go storage area. A rusted bronze color flows through the rest of the space, from the terracotta porcelain tiles to the burnished light and faucet fixtures. The standout color choice in the space is, of course, the cheery Aegean teal cabinets, which give the space an almost coastal feel opposite the rusty orange of the door and the floors. “Tori has this boho spirit about her, very open, very vibrant, positive, active. She loves color,” Vickers says.

Although Haines was hesitant about her kitchen being predominantly blue or green, teal turned out to be perfect. “I love it. The windows and the light, bright colors make

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my kitchen so inviting and such a happy place,” she says.

Another use of color also ties in the home’s roots. Though Haines and Vickers wanted to avoid blocking any of the light flowing into the kitchen with curtains or shades, Vickers proposed a cornice with a geometric Dalinar Brick pattern that nods to design trends from the early 20th century. Vickers also commissioned new wood floors for the kitchen to

match the existing flooring elsewhere in the home. Additionally, she crafted the shape of the peninsula counter to fit around the built-in cabinet in the dining space, which is original to the house.

To enable more significant parts of the project, like altering the overall layout or insulating the screen porch space, Vickers chose cost-effective options whenever possible. She selected heated floors to warm the

mudroom space and a slim style for the porcelain countertops.

“I always throw a little nod in my designs to European design, and one way I do that is through countertops, because it is a way for people to cut costs without sacrificing design,” Vickers says. She and Haines passed on the American style of mitered edges, which join two slabs at a 45-degree angle to create a thicker appearance. The sleeker countertops

left room in the budget for glazed ceramic backsplash along the south wall.

Haines hopes to enjoy her bungalow getaway for many years, and there are more projects to come. She worked with Zimmer Design to install a wood-burning stove in the living space, including the placement of stone on the wooden floors. She also hopes to have a custom dining table made and, in

the future, perhaps an outdoor patio space to enjoy her backyard.

“My daughter was just asking me, ‘Well, how are you liking your space?’ … It makes me happy every day.” Haines says.

Zimmer Design zimmer.design @zimmrdesign

Full Circle

Organizations help entrepreneurs find guidance, accountability and community.

Written by Mollee Francisco

Photos by Chris Emeott

For many an entrepreneurial woman trying to get her business off the ground or a female executive looking to improve her leadership skills, the Business Women’s Circle (BWC) has provided a welcoming space to exchange ideas, share experiences, celebrate successes and sympathize with setbacks. It’s a place many women have found much more than they ever expected. “We have a great women business community here,” Lani Basa says. “We talk about business, leadership and life.”

Basa is the co-founder and owner of BWC. After a long career guiding professional and strategic development for Marshall Field’s and Target Corporation, she launched BWC in 2009 with a mission to help support women in business with revenues under $1 million. Members in groups of 10–12 meet each month in curated circles that allow them to discuss their goals and challenges as well as take advantage of learning opportunities.

Basa personally curates the circles, sitting down with each new member to find her a group that will meet her needs (with no competing businesses sharing a circle). Circle meetings are held once a month (except July and December) and last three hours. Each meeting’s agenda includes time for reconnection, accountability and problem solving as well as a learning opportunity chosen by the circle’s members.

Hanna Vanderloo is still early in her membership with the BWC, but she has already felt the support of her circle as she builds her Edina-based gift concierge business, Prezzie Gift Co. “Entrepreneurship can feel isolating,”

she says. “And from day one, I’ve felt welcomed, supported and far less alone in the journey. The women in the community are generous, knowledgeable and encouraging.”

That’s exactly what Basa loves to see happening in each of the 20 circles that operate across the BWC. Though the BWC isn’t a networking group, Basa acknowledges that networking naturally happens while emphasizing that the groups are much more than just sources for new Rolodex entries. “I see lifelong friendships being formed,” she says. “It’s fascinating to see what happens.”

Basa launched the BWC’s sister organization, The Circle Community (TCC), in May 2024. The nonprofit offers scholarships to offset the cost of the annual membership to

the BWC as well as microgrants to its member businesses. “Women now more than ever need access to funding,” says Rachel Vassar, executive director of TCC.

In its first few grant cycles, TCC has been able to provide several scholarships to open the BWC doors to members that otherwise would not have been able to join. They have also been able to support their member businesses with grants for things like equipment to optimize food production and efficiency and website upgrades to enhance and improve the online sales process. Vassar says they are just getting started. “I would love to be able to give larger grants,” she says. “I would love to be able to give a grant to every applicant.”

Prezzie Gift Co.

Hanna Vanderloo launched her gift concierge business in Edina in November 2024, offering design-forward, curated gift options for individuals, businesses and events. (Read more about Prezzie Gift Co. at edinamag.com.)

How did you find out about the Business Women’s Circle (BWC)? I learned about BWC in spring 2025 after reaching out to local event planner Amy Zaroff. I had connected with her to introduce my business, Prezzie Gift Co., and explore potential partnership opportunities around client and event gifting. Even though we hadn’t met before, she was incredibly generous with her time and mentorship. During that conversation, she encouraged me to look into BWC and pointed me toward the community. That introduction ended up opening the door to a really meaningful network of women founders and business leaders.

How can female professionals and business owners benefit from BWC? Having a resource like this is incredibly important. The leadership from Lani Basa and Rachel [Vassar] is outstanding. It’s more than networking—it’s real support, real relationships and real momentum. I would highly recommend the organization to any woman in business or entrepreneurship who wants community, accountability and access to experienced voices who genuinely want to see each other succeed.

Prezzie Gift Co. prezziegiftco.com

The giving doesn’t just feel good, but it also has a ripple effect, Vassar says. She says according to WomenVenture’s Legislative Report of 2022, “Female small business owners reinvest up to 90 percent of their income back into their communities and local economies.”

“Strong communities are built with strong women,” Basa says.

Business Women’s Circle thebwc.org @thebwcorg

The Circle Community thecirclecommunitymn.org @circlecommunity

Written by Madeline Kopiecki

CRUSTACEAN SENSATION

A chef details how to make heads or tails of cooking lobster.

Lobster is a decadent ingredient that poses a quandary for some when it comes to preparing it at home. In the realm of seafood, the maxim is “fresh is best.” To this end, Edina’s Lunds & Byerlys delivers live lobsters via special order, while also supplying packaged tails for a less fussy but no less elevated dinner engagement.

Whichever way you want to crack it, Lunds & Byerlys executive chef of product research and development Anthony Leonhardi shares nearly three decades worth of culinary know-how just in time to help us celebrate National Lobster Day on June 15.

For live lobster, Leonhardi advises that the fiestier, the better. When taken out of the tank, “If they try and get their claws out and they’re arching a tail, and they’re moving around, 100 percent that’s a good sign,” he says. Packaged lobster tails, which are usually frozen after processing, pose a different set of criteria. “Any sign of freezer burn—yellowing or orangeish [discoloration]—would be a sign that you want to avoid it,” he says. In both cases, Leonhardi recommends avoiding cracked or punctured shells.

As far as how to store a live lobster, Leonhardi’s response is immediate. “In a bin,” he says. “They will escape. They will move around.” For the home cook, he recommends an open plastic container with layers of damp paper towels as a blanket, stored in the refrigerator. “The colder, the better,” Leonhardi says. “Just not frozen.” But the freezer can have a part to play in this culinary foray, especially for those who have trepidations about dispatching their lobster. “You can basically put [lobsters] to sleep by putting them in the freezer for a couple of hours ahead of time,” Leonhardi says.

The next step varies based on cooking method and personal preference. For a grilled or stuffed lobster, Leonhardi recommends using a chef knife to split it in half, starting with the head. For a boiled or steamed lobster, he recommends a dip in boiling water, “salty like the sea,” replete with desired aromatics, such as garlic, lemon, onion, peppercorn and seafood seasoning packets. “It should have depth of flavor,” Leonhardi says. “That will tremendously help because that’ll season your lobster as it cooks.”

Homecooks can avoid the notorious rubbery texture of overcooked lobster by using an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the tail. “I would target 145 [F],” Leonhardi says. “They don’t take that long.” Once the target temperature is achieved, Leonhardi says he starts breaking down the lobster while it’s still warm to avoid carry-over cooking.

Processing cooked lobster can take some finesse, but Leonhardi eschews dedicated seafood crackers in favor of his tried and true method: “The back end of a chef knife. It will do the job,” he says. “You have to be careful because it’s a chef knife, but you don’t need all the gimmicky tools.”

Most of the lobster meat will twist out and separate easily. If the tail is posing a problem, Leonhardi advises to roll it on its side and apply gentle pressure—you should hear a crack. Claws also take an extra bit of effort—get them started with the measured whack of a mallet or back end of a chef knife. And, if you’re looking to get the kids involved, Leonhardi recommends giving them a rolling pin to squeeze out the leg meat. “They get a giggle out of it,” he says. “Then they’re more apt to [eat] it because it was fun.”

Learn additional culinary techniques at edinamag.com.

Recipe courtesy of Katie Tomsche, content manager for Lunds & Byerlys.

• 1 ½ lbs. lobster

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1 tsp. dry mustard

• pinch cayenne pepper

• pinch nutmeg, freshly grated

• kosher salt, to taste

• black pepper, to taste

LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE

• 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

• ½ lb. macaroni or elbow pasta, uncooked

For the lobster: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a boil over high heat. Plunge the lobster into water; cover the pot. Cook for 8–10 minutes or until it’s bright red. Check the doneness by pulling an antenna; if it comes off without resistance, the lobster is done. Remove the lobster to a bowl; allow it to cool. Once cool, crack the lobster claws and tail over the bowl; remove the meat,

reserving all liquid that comes out of the lobster. Roughly chop the lobster meat; set aside. For the pasta and cheese: Heat the oven to 375 F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Use 1 Tbsp. of butter to grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a blender, purée the cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne and nutmeg; lightly season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl; add grated cheese and uncooked pasta. Stir well to combine. Pour into the prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake for

30 minutes. After 30 minutes, uncover the baking pan; gently stir in lobster meat and up to 2 Tbsps. of the reserved lobster juices. Dot with remaining tablespoon of butter. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered, until browned on top. Let cool for 15–20 minutes before serving.

Lunds & Byerlys

lundsandbyerlys.com @lundsandbyerlys

Soundtrack for Summer Nights

Free concert series brings live music and iconic tributes to Centennial Lakes Park.

The Grooves and Foods Music Series returns to Centennial Lakes Park with four weeks of free concerts, celebrating iconic artists and local talent. Presented by the Rotary Club of Edina and organized by Paul Peterson, the Tuesday evening series runs June 2–23 with a June 30 rain date. Featured artists include the Spinning Wheel Trilogy,

Classic American Rockers, The Good The Bad and the Funky, and From Barry: The Perfect Pop Songs of Barry Gibb and The Bee Gees. The show is free to attend for all ages, and the preshow radio hour begins at 5:30 p.m. Concerts follow at 7 p.m. For more information, go to edinarotary.org. —Feroza Mehta

06.04 Farmers Market

Celebrate the opening day of the beloved weekly farmers market. From 3–7 p.m., Centennial Lakes Park transforms into a vibrant outdoor bazaar full of local produce, flowers and more. edinamn.gov

06.05–06.07

Edina Art Fair

Attend Minnesota’s largest art fair. Discover unique local and national artists, food and talent at this annual event located at 50th & France. 50thandfrance.com

06.06

Goblin Craft Club

The Twin Cities Goblin Craft Club is hosting an adults-only craft gathering from 1–4 p.m. at the Edina Library. This event is for craft enthusiasts to meet and mingle. Everyone must bring their own tools and materials. hclib.org

06.18

Car Seat Check-ups

From 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Edina Fire Station 2 is welcoming families to come by with their booster or car seats for a free safety consultation. edinamn.gov

06.18

Book Club

Avid readers can enjoy a discussion about Sandwich by Catherine Newman. The book club meeting takes place from 6–7 p.m. at the Linden Hills Library; registration is required. hclib.org

06.19

Juneteenth Celebration

Celebrate community, culture and freedom at the Juneteenth Celebration from noon–4 p.m. at Centennial Lakes Park, hosted by the Edina Anti-Racism Collective in partnership with the City of Edina, City of Richfield and the Hennepin County Joint Community Policing Partnership. This free family-friendly event features community resources, live performances, local art and more. edinamn.gov

Compiled by Abigail Larson and KateThompson

To have your event considered: email edinamag@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.

STAY CONNECTED AND CELEBRATE EDINA @EDINAMAG

people, places and events.

All That Glitters

Bling It On was the brainchild of Twila Singh, the City of Edina’s organics recycling coordinator. The City of Edina invited residents to the Edina Senior Center on February 28 to donate jewelry and accessories such as handbags and scarves. Volunteers detangled necklaces and set up the event, which had everything from bangles and bracelets to earrings and necklaces beautifully displayed for free public “shopping.” It promoted reuse, accessibility and community connection. This is just one example of the city’s environmental initiatives. For more information, go to edinamn.gov. —Feroza Mehta

To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to edinamag@localmedia.co.

Never miss an issue of Edina 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 Edina Magazine articles with friends and family.

The Joy of Play

Stephanie Thomas is no stranger to this page. She has an uncanny talent for capturing fleeting moments and turning them into timeless treasures. This snapshot is no different. Thomas took her father, Gordy Lewis, to Dave & Buster’s at Southdale Center to celebrate his 97th birthday. Lewis has been an Edina resident since 1962. “The idea was to remind him of his childhood in St. Paul and how he would walk down the street to the fairgrounds from his home in St. Anthony Park,” Thomas says. “I was hoping that while at Dave & Buster’s, he would pretend he was a little kid again, playing games at the State Fair.” When she looks at this photo of her dad she says, “I like the energy in the photo. His expression, the colors, the lighting and the slight blur of his hand that indicates movement.”

—Feroza Mehta

Photographer: Stephanie Thomas Title: 97th Birthday at Dave & Busters

Equipment: Sony Mirrorless camera with a 50mm lens Category: Businesses Award: First Place

To view other Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.

The Cedar Roof Man

STRAIGHT TALK FROM STEVE KUHL

Let’s face it. Cedar roofs look great but owning one is a little scary. “Has it been damaged by hail?” “Will it blow off in a storm?” “I hear something chewing up there!” But despite what you may hear, your cedar roof is still one of the most beautiful and long-lasting products on the market. The only catch is you have take care of it.

That’s where I come in. My free, written estimate includes a thorough analysis of your roof. Bringing over 25 years of experience to the table, I will evaluate its’ condition to determine whether or not maintenance, repairs or replacement is the best option for you. Worst case scenario you get a free inspection from a true expert. Best case, we work our magic on your roof and add years to its lifespan.

In fact, Kuhl’s Contracting is looked to for the evaluation and restoration of cedar roofs by more insurance companies, home inspectors, realtors and architects than any other company in Minnesota. Not to brag, but we are pretty awesome. Don’t take my word for it. Check out our talents at www.kuhlscontracting.com. Or ask around. We have probably done work for someone you know.

I started this company in 1987. Since that time we have worked on thousands of homes around the Twin Cities. My approach to business has never wavered. Be honest, be reliable and do great work. As a result our list of happy clients grows daily.

Formed deep within the Earth billions of years ago, these finite and unique natural wonders are the oldest objects you will ever touch. Natural diamonds provide employment, education, and healthcare for local communities from the Northwest Territories of Canada to Botswana in Southern Africa and protect vulnerable ecosystems for the future.

Discover Our Natural Diamond Jewelry Collections