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Mah Jongg Mania PLAYERS ARE EMBRACING THE CENTURIES-OLD GAME FOR ITS MIX OF STRATEGY, FRIENDSHIP AND FUN

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CONTENTS 12 Where Flowers and Hospitality Bloom An artist transforms floral arranging into a vibrant social experience.

Pedal to the Medals, page 36

Turning Isolation Into Belonging Students create an app that connects infusion patients in real time.

16 Mah Jongg Mania Players are embracing the centuries-old game for its mix of strategy, friendship and fun.

26 Down by the Water A 1930s home is lovingly remodeled to take full advantage of its view of Nine Mile Creek.

36 Pedal to the Medals A mountain bike team powers ahead as one of the state’s premier programs.

43 Curiouser and Curiouser The Mad Hatter Bakery & Café brings whimsy and classic British fare. Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

8 10 46 48

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F R O M T H E E D I TO R

Fero z a Meh ta feroza@localmedia.co

Photo: Brittany Link Photography

The click-clack of mahjong tiles takes me back to the basement of my best friend Phyllis’ childhood home. Her family had a table set up there, and whenever I visited, I could hear her mom and aunt playing with friends—the rhythmic clatter of tiles mixed with laughter and conversation. They played with this beautiful tile set from Hong Kong, and even then, the game felt less about competition and more about connection and community at home. I never learned the game myself, so when I recently had the chance to pick up American mah jongg—which differs from Chinese mahjong—I enlisted my colleague, Lake Minnetonka Magazine editor Renée Stewart-Hester, and together we had a great time learning the basics. That’s when I realized mah jongg is having a major moment. It’s not just about the game. It’s a new way to gather. Across Edina, people are transforming dining rooms, kitchens and lower levels into welcoming spaces for weekly mah jongg nights and meaningful connection. In this issue, we explore the growing mah jongg scene in town and meet some of the people bringing this tradition home (page 16). Speaking of home, we have a beautiful one for you to tour. The May’s home near Edina Country Club rests beside Nine Mile Creek. When they moved in, the 1930s home and its 1950s addition were at war with each other. They enlisted Bizal Built and created a modern home that pays homage to the 1930s while also taking full advantage of the breathtaking views of the water. It’s a blend of beautiful architecture with the warmth and livability that make a house truly feel like home (page 26). How fitting for our design issue. Have a wonderful September and a happy back-to-school season.

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E E D I N A A R E A S I N C E 2 0 0 4 .

On th e Cove r: Mah Jongg Mania, page 16 Ph oto by : Chris Emeott

Find us o nline: Edina Magazine @edinamag @edinamag

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VOL. 22 NO. 2 September 2026

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 Kassondra Burtis, Ashley Cardona, Findlay Drabant, Emily Gedde, Maura Keller and Alexandra Tostrud CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sarah Davis, Emily Deutschman, Taylor Ellingson, Daniel Green, Gregory Rich, Twila Singh, Kelly Smith, Maureen Millea Smith and Laura Westlund DIGITAL INTERN Danielle Gallus and Kate Overend EDITORIAL INTERNS Catherine Chapman, Isabella Kunc, Abigail Larson and Kate Thompson

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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

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PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson To subscribe to Edina Magazine, please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2026. All rights reserved.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

Make the Most of MEA The MEA weekend comes at a time when many families are ready for a pause. School routines are back, activities are underway and family calendars already feel full. This year, instead of starting MEA travel planning with “Where should we go?,” start with “What do we need this weekend to feel like?” For some families, that means country air, early nights and golden hours outside. For others, it means city energy, good meals and museums. For another, it’s a family-friendly resort with the right balance of kid and parent freedom. The key is matching the experience to a family’s actual season of life. For a restorative MEA Break, keep three things in mind: 1. What feeling do you want to walk away with? 2. Pick one “anchor” experience, and plan around it. 3. Build in intentional breathing room. The best long weekends are not the busiest ones. They are the ones that give families just what they need in their current season.

Emily Deutschman is the founder of Puffin Nest Travel Co. Learn more at puffinnesttravelco.com.

The start of the school year not only comes with a schedule of new classes, but at Edina High School (EHS), this is an excellent time to add something fresh and different to the routine. With more than 50 student-led clubs and activities, Hornets can experiment with creative writing or science projects; learn how to direct films or enjoy watching them together; relax in groups focused

on arts, books, games or sports; contribute to the community or the EHS campus; become familiar with international cultures; and explore careers in architecture, aviation, criminal justice, health care and medicine, interior design and much more. An Activities Fair in September introduces EHS students to many of these free student-led organizations—and if there isn’t

a club for a particular interest, students can start one! Energize and enhance the 2026– 27 school year by encouraging your student to get involved with what they like or want to learn more about. Information about EHS activity clubs is at hornets.edinaschools.org.

Laura Westlund is an arts writer and editor in the Twin Cities.

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Where Interests Take Shape

Throw in the Towel When getting back home after walking the dog, most pet parents keep a towel by the door to scrub off their four-legged friend’s paws. Or, if the puppy is coated in muck, it’s off to the tub. But what if we could skip the muddy towels and

Photo: Taylor Ellingson

the tracking of dirt through the house on the way to the bath? That was what was going through Elizabeth Gain’s mind in spring 2022. The Edina resident and her family were living with her parents while building their new home. Gain and her parents adopted sheepadoodle puppies together. “That spring with new puppies was muddy,” Gain says. So muddy that she thought there must be an easier solution: What if she could have a dog wash station in her garage? Gain asked her builder, Great Neighborhood Homes, to rough out an area of the garage for a faucet and drainage. The Gains installed the dog wash station themselves. “It has been incredible. It is so easy to wash her feet and belly off after muddy walks or dog park adventures,” she says. “We also save money in between grooming with washing her in the dog wash. We like that it’s in our garage because the dog shake after the bath gets everywhere.” —Feroza Mehta

A Hug in a Bowl Warm, comforting and irresistibly hearty, Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup is the kind of recipe that can turn an ordinary evening into something special. Savory Italian sausage, tender cheesefilled tortellini and a rich, velvety broth come together in a way that feels both indulgent and familiar. Hints of garlic and herbs add depth, while a splash of cream transforms the soup into a cozy, restaurant-worthy bowl of comfort. Perfect for chilly nights or casual gatherings, this soup is easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough to share—proof that simple ingredients can create truly memorable flavor.

» » » » » » » » » » »

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup Prep: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4–6

Find the full recipe online at edinamag.com.

» » » »

1 lb. mild Italian sausage 2 Tbsp. butter 1 onion, diced 3 carrots, peeled and diced 3 celery stalks, peeled and diced 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. Italian seasoning 6 cups chicken broth 20 oz. cheese tortellini (refrigerated, not frozen) 2 cups spinach, chopped 1 cup heavy cream 3 Tbsp. flour ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Taylor Ellingson’s blog, Greens & Chocolate, can be found at greensnchocolate.com.

Where Flowers and Hospitality Bloom An artist transforms floral arranging into a vibrant social experience. By Maura Keller

David Kisan has had a lifelong connection to flowers. “I’m a third-generation florist,” says Kisan, owner of Sip N Bloom in the Galleria. “I grew up in a really creative household. My mom ran a direct-to-consumer flower business, so flowers were always part of my life.” Kisan launched Sip N Bloom in 2019 after relocating to the Twin Cities from Seattle with his husband, Danny Currier. Inspired by the popularity of paint-and-sip events, he envisioned a more personal and lasting creative experience. “I thought to myself, ‘Everyone loves flowers. What’s another project people would actually want to display afterward?’ That’s when Sip N Bloom came about,” he says. Unlike traditional floral workshops tucked away in private studios, Sip N Bloom 12

was intentionally designed to feel social, approachable and community-driven. What began as small pop-up events at local breweries has expanded into workshops hosted throughout the Twin Cities at breweries, hotels, private homes and restaurants for everything from birthdays and date nights to bridal showers and corporate gatherings. Now, after years of growing a loyal following, Sip N Bloom has planted roots inside the Galleria following the Fleur de Villes flower show in April. “I realized I was going to be spending so much time there during the flower show that I reached out to the Galleria about creating a more semipermanent space,” Kisan says. That semipermanent space is far more than a floral workshop. It is an experience rooted in community, creativity and

hospitality. Inside the bright, flower-filled studio, guests are guided through a step-bystep floral arranging experience while sipping cocktails, mocktails or wine. Participants select from a lush assortment of seasonal blooms before learning the principles of floral design, from scale and structure to focal points and texture. “We really try to push guests creatively,” Kisan says. “We teach the principles of design so people leave feeling like they understand how to create an arrangement with intention.” That blend of creativity, education and hospitality is what keeps guests returning. Shannon Horsager first experienced Sip N Bloom after purchasing a floral party package Kisan donated to a fundraiser for M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s edinamag.com

Left: Sip N Bloom’s new Galleria location offers flower arranging classes. Middle: Founder David Kisan comes from a family of florists. Right: Seasonal flowers are the star of each flower arranging class.

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Hospital. Horsager later attended additional public workshops and hired him for a professional design event. “What makes David’s events so unique is that he brings everything needed—the florals, vessels, expertise and energy,” she says. “Each arrangement becomes completely unique, and guests leave not only with a beautiful creation, but also with a memorable and interactive experience.” For Kisan, creating that sense of connection remains the heart of Sip N Bloom. “It’s that warm bit of hospitality that makes you feel like you’re part of something,” he says.

Photos: Sip N Bloom

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Entrepreneurs and Edina High School graduates Logan Bracken and Luke Wachowiak.

Turning Isolation Into Belonging Students create an app that connects infusion patients in real time.

TogetherIV co-founder Luke Wachowiak began receiving monthly, five-hour IV infusion treatments in 2022 for dermatomyositis, a rare, systemic autoimmune disease. It didn’t take long for him to realize how isolating the experience could feel. “From day one of my infusions, I knew it wasn’t an environment conducive to sustainability and happiness with the treatment,” Wachowiak says. “It was just lonely and not a positive time.” Where most teenagers might turn to existing forms of entertainment to get them through treatments, Wachowiak knew there 14

had to be a better solution. He enlisted the help of longtime classmate and fellow Edina High School (EHS) student Logan Bracken, and the two teamed up to create an app to provide patients an opportunity for connection. “At the time of my idea, there was nothing currently on the market appealing to people getting infusion treatments,” Wachowiak says. “The main goal of TogetherIV is to reduce isolation, which I had personally felt myself.” Wachowiak and Bracken, who both graduated from EHS this past spring, have known

each other since elementary school. Bracken got into coding during COVID-19, learning the skills necessary to understand the basics of app building. “I’d always sort of been interested in computers and technology and how everything works,” Bracken says. “So this just felt natural building this with him.” The app, which launched in last October, is designed to be used one-handed, avoiding the infusion limb, and acts as an online lobby where patients receiving infusions can log in and connect with others going through treatments at the same time. There’s edinamag.com

Photos: TogetherIV

By Kassondra Burtis

a message feature, which allows for individual or group chats, as well as one-on-one and group games. That feature also includes a forum where users can post tips and questions they have surrounding infusions. The final aspect of the app is a section with coping tools, including breathing exercises or distraction games. Wachowiak notes this feature is especially helpful to use while the infusion needle is being inserted, as he mentions that it can be the hardest part of the treatment. The teens’ goal in creating the app was to give infusion patients an opportunity for connection with others going through a similar experience. “We built this with the intention of creating something where we were able to connect people who otherwise felt like their voice wasn’t heard,” Bracken says. “I know from Luke’s experience, you might feel like you’re the only person in the world who’s going through these treatments.” Earlier this year, the duo was recognized as part of the City of Edina’s Hometown Heroes. While the accolades are an honor, Wachowiak says it’s the response he’s gotten from users of the app that has meant the most. “The coolest part is after seeing other patients relate to the problems that I’ve had, for them to join the app and be able to alleviate those problems,” he says. “Seeing the solution actually work in practice is the coolest part. It just makes it feel more real.” TogetherIV togetheriv.com @togetherivapp

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A peek at the TogetherIV mobile app.

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Written by Feroza Mehta — Photos by Chris Emeott

Mah Jongg Mania Players are embracing the centuries-old game for its mix of strategy, friendship and fun.

At first glance of the beautiful mah jongg titles, the sheer amount of rules and combinations of hands can feel overwhelming. But eclipsing that feeling is one of intrigue. There’s something about the game that keeps pulling people in. It’s seen in the unmistakable click-clack of mah jongg tiles around dining room tables, in the basement of a boutique shop and at community centers. Players are sitting down to learn the fast-growing tile game that is a unique blend of strategy, luck and socializing. Mah jongg is often compared to a mix of rummy and chess, and it challenges players to build winning hands while navigating an everchanging table of discarded tiles and split-second decisions. Behind the mah jongg movement are people who are teaching classes, hosting games and creating spaces where friendships form as quickly as the tiles shuffle.

Abbe Blacker of Minneapolis Mah Jongg Club.

ABBE BLACKER,

MINNEAPOLIS MAH JONGG CLUB

For Abbe Blacker, mah jongg is deeply personal. “I grew up in a house where the clicking of the tiles was the sound of my childhood. Even though my mother played mah jongg, I paid no attention,” says Blacker, the owner of the Minneapolis Mah Jongg Club. Her mother was an avid player, but Blacker wasn’t interested when she was a teenager. After her mother passed away at an early age, Blacker didn’t give mah jongg a second thought. That changed 10 years ago when a friend invited her to learn how to play. It was a full circle moment for her. “When I first started playing and pushing the tiles around, I felt like it was my mother’s hands doing it,” she says. Blacker says mah jongg gave her a new purpose, and teaching it gave her joy. After helping her friends and extended circle learn how to play, she started teaching community education classes in Edina, Hopkins and Minneapolis. In the last decade, she estimates she’s taught 1,000 people. “The Edina classes were filling more quickly than the other places, and it fed me a lot of my clientele,” she says. “I was so busy doing private lessons in and around this area.” Blacker was so busy that she decided to create a space where people can come to her. She opened the Minneapolis Mah Jongg Club at 50th & France in April. She sees today’s mah jongg explosion from the unique vantage point of someone who was teaching long before the craze hit. “Ten years ago, people didn’t know what it was. Now, everybody and their uncle wants to learn how to play,” she says. “Now, it’s like pickleball, [but] we’re exercising our brain. It’s not physical exercise. It’s exercising a social piece of our lives. It’s a way to build community and find others. It’s a bridge to so many good things.” Despite the trendiness, Blacker remains committed to teaching the game deeply and thoroughly, favoring a four-class instructional model over oneoff lessons. “I really do believe in a four-class model,” she says. “After four classes with me, you’re much more prepared.”

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“TEN YEARS AGO, PEOPLE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. NOW EVERYBODY AND THEIR UNCLE WANTS TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY.” ABBE BLACKER, MINNEAPOLIS MAH JONGG CLUB

SARA STROTHMAN, FOUR FLOWERS MAHJONG

One of the students in Blacker’s four-class model was Sara Strothman. The Edina resident first discovered the game in 2024 after her oldest child left for college and her youngest started driving. “I found myself being like, ‘Huh. Wow. I have some more space in my life, some more time in my life to do something,’” Strothman says. An Edina Community Education email advertising a mah jongg class caught her attention. She signed up for Blacker’s course and enlisted nine friends with her. “I didn’t want to go alone,” Strothman says. The group still plays every other week. “We rotate houses. Eight to 12 people show up,” she says. Strothman enjoyed this new social lifestyle so much that she found herself talking about mah jongg constantly, be it to a friend, hairstylist or neighbor. Eventually, people started asking her to teach them. “What ended up happening is they spread the word,” she says. “I ended up moving from teaching people I knew in their house to teaching in other people’s houses. I thought, ‘Well, OK, I can do this.’” Strothman created Four Flowers Mahjong, but instead of students signing up for multiple classes over a series of weeks, she intentionally developed a one-session introductory model. “I wanted to make the entry into mah jongg easier for people,” she says. Her beginner course handles the basics and is a hands-on approach. Students are then encouraged to sign up for a Beyond the Basics course. After that, they can start open play. Her approach reflects what she believes is drawing people to the game in the first place: connection. “I think it’s really sticky for people,” she says. “Once they start playing … it’s got that social component to it. It’s a way to spend time with others.”

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Sara Strothman

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Left: Serge + Jane hosts mah jongg lessons and games year round. This summer, the business started hosting games on its rooftop. The tables are always set up using tiles and other items from Edina-based business, Mahjong Montage. Right: Jamie Carl of Serge + Jane.

SERGE + JANE

As mah jongg’s popularity surged, the game naturally found its way into an Edina boutique: Serge + Jane. The idea began when Jackie Fischer, founder of Mahjong Montage, and Strothman approached Serge + Jane owner Jamie Carl about hosting lessons inside the boutique’s lower level. “I know it’s slow in January, and I thought we should try it,” Carl says. The response was immediate. The group began taking sign-ups in mid-December. Classes filled within weeks. Carl admits she was initially skeptical. “I don’t love games,” she says. “That first lesson, Sara is really clear and good at explaining it. She keeps it moving.” By the second lesson, Carl was hooked. “I felt the energy and the positivity of spending the two hours not being able to think about anything else and focus on the games and the tiles,” she says. “Everyone left in good spirits.” Today, the boutique has become something of a mah jongg gathering place—a welcoming community hub where newcomers can connect, learn and shop. “I love the idea of having a space and a place that people could come to, where they didn’t have to know someone or they could come with a friend and meet new friends,” Strothman says.

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JACKIE FISCHER:

MAHJONG MONTAGE, MAHJ WEAR AND MAHJIE

Some of the colorful mah jongg products sold at Serge + Jane come from Fischer, an entrepreneur whose growing collection of mah jongg-focused businesses includes Mahjong Montage, clothing line Mahj Wear and the Mahjie app. Fischer originally hoped to sell mah jongg accessories online, but suppliers required her to operate a brick-and-mortar store. “I thought, ‘Why don’t I start designing the tiles myself?’ It kind of got started from there,” the Edina resident says. Working with an illustrator, Fischer creates handdrawn tile collections. “I wanted to use my creative outlet and find a way to do them on my own,” she says. “I consider every tile a little piece of art.” Ironically, Fischer wasn’t even a serious player when she started designing products. “When I got started, I maybe had taken a couple of lessons,” she says. “I loved the look of the tables, the feel of the tiles.” As the business grew, so did her love for the game. “Now, we play as a family,” Fischer says. “My husband plays, my daughters play.” Fischer launched an app, Mahjie, in the summer. The national platform is designed to centralize the growing mah jongg ecosystem. The platform will also help players find games, teachers and tournaments through zip-code-based searches and automated tournament management. “It’s a fully robust platform,” she says. “If you’re a teacher, you’re a host of some kind, you will be able to sell your tickets, sell your spots for tables on Mahjie.” For Fischer, she hopes the app will help people searching for connection, creativity and community: something Edina’s mah jongg scene seems to have in spades. Or should we say bams? 22

Left: Jackie Fischer, who owns several mah jonggbased businesses. Right: Mah jongg tiles by Jackie Fischer’s business, Mahjong Montage.

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The Cedar Roof Man

Five signs your cedar roof may need some TLC

STRAIGHT TALK FROM STEVE KUHL

KUHLS CONTRACTING: 1515 SOUTH 5TH STREET, HOPKINS, MN • 952.935.9469

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Written by Feroza Mehta — Photos by Chris Emeott

DOWN BY THE WATER A 1930s home is lovingly remodeled to take full advantage of its view of Nine Mile Creek.

Sitting on the balcony of Renée and Rich May’s home is an otherworldly experience. After stepping through elegant French doors, one finds themselves as an audience member to a breathtaking view. Water gracefully winds down through the landscape below, tracing 100 feet of Nine Mile Creek as it moves quietly past the property, framed by majestic trees and glistening light. It feels so secluded and idyllic, that one wouldn’t guess the home sits near a main road. All that appears to the senses is a sense of calm that immediately sets the tone for the home itself: an homage to the 1930s that is classic and chic, yet comforting as it brings the outdoors in.

This balcony is Rich and Renée May’s piece of paradise. They often entertain here in the summer or play games. It is one of the major changes that Jim Bizal of Bizal Built made. Bizal knew the previous owners, and had done projects on the home for decades. Before, there was just an old, small door leading from a bedroom to the outside. The Mays converted the bedroom into an office, removed the old single door and replaced it with French doors. For the balcony, they placed a large outdoor rug, invested in robust outdoor patio furniture and set up a space that serves as an outdoor living room.

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Left: The Mays, along with Rebecca Ryan Design, decided to remove walls and create a great room to make a larger kitchen.

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Top: Replicas of vintage chandeliers and other fixtures were added. When Renée May gave her friends a tour, one said, “Oh, how nice you kept the original chandeliers.” May says she knew it was a remodel well done when she heard that. Bottom: The Mays knew the house had a rich history, and wanted to honor its roots in 1930s decor. They made sure the home’s baseboards, floors and other small details were as authentic as possible to the time period.

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Left: The exterior of the home benefited from a major facelift, including fresh paint, new shutters and updated lighting as well as a new door. Right: The Mays looked to Unlimited Outdoor Services to update the landscaping to modernize the home. However, the perennial gardens were left untouched. Renée May lovingly tends the garden and is including more plants suitable for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

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2026 MAPLE GROVE/OSSEO COMMUNITY RESOURCE & RESIDENTS’ GUIDE

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HOME + GARDEN Collection FALL 2026

SOUTHVIEW DESIGN

At Southview Design, we believe an outdoor space should embrace form and function. On a steeply sloped Forest Lake lot boxed in by retaining walls, our design-build team engineered a custom in-ground pool on helical footings, anchored by a stone water feature that recirculates and spills directly into the water—its auto-cover reversed to work around it. Built-in lounging ledges, a full outdoor kitchen, and a shaded bar turned a once-unsafe, unusable yard into the family’s favorite room, ideal for enjoying daily meals, lakeview sunsets and summer-long time with grandkids in the pool. That’s landscape design done right. Learn more at southviewdesign.com.

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COMING APRIL 2027

PEDAL TO THE MEDALS A mountain bike team powers ahead as one of the state’s premier programs.

Written by Feroza Mehta — Photos by Chris Emeott

On select evenings around Braemar Golf Course at the stretch called Braemar Park, you may encounter a group of cyclists in coordinating outfits. In fact, they may remind you of a pod of whales. And in one regard, you’re not wrong. “Groups of bikers are called pods,” says Robert Vose, alumni coach of the Edina Cycling Team. “Pods of orcas and pods of mountain bikers.” These pods are the Edina Cycling Team, which has 125 student athletes across middle school and high school, making it the largest single-school mountain bike team in Minnesota. The team is part of the Minnesota High School Cycling League, which started 13 years ago. The Edina team has been riding the trails for 12 seasons. Today, the program rivals some of the school district’s biggest athletic organizations in participation and community involvement. Unlike football, hockey and other traditional school sports, the Edina Cycling Team is entirely club-based and volunteerrun. “We have tons and tons of parent coaches,” Vose says. “Our team is a club team. This is not school paid for. We don’t have paid-for coaches. It’s a huge army of parents … that coach and a whole bunch of parents who are working behind the scenes on clothing, scheduling [and] team parties.”

Top: Corban Kass and Liam Kirvida of the Edina Cycling Team ride the trails at Braemar Park. Right: Edina Cycling Team 2025 coaches Mike Hartmann, Erik Hinkie and Robert Vose.

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“Drills can only take you so far. The best way to get better at mountain biking is to mountain bike.” Andrew Hartmann, 2025–26 co-captain of the Edina Cycling Team

That volunteer spirit is everywhere. Approximately 50 parent volunteers serve as coaches or assistant coaches on bikes during practices and races. Students are organized into groups called pods, based on experience, endurance and pace. “We keep pod sizes reasonable. Typically, it’s about eight athletes to two coaches. That’s why you see them in those groups,” alumni coach Mike Hartmann says. “We want to edinamag.com

keep kids together who want to ride far and fast,” Vose says. One of the biggest turning points for the team has been the development of the mountain bike trail system at Braemar Park. The trail opened three years ago to much acclaim. “Having the trail has been a big game changer for our team,” Vose says. “I think it helps our team emphasize the more intangible skills in mountain biking that come with

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Top: Back row: Cooper Austin, Liam Kirvida, Coleman Hinkie, Will Erlin, Bea Toftey and Addie Barmann. Front row: Patrick Vose, Andrew Hartmann, Benjamin Kinny-Robles and Ryan Sullivan. Below: Liam Kirvida and Ryan Sullivan navigate the mountain biking trails at Braemar Park.

just spending lots of time on the trails,” says Andrew Hartmann, Mike’s son and 2025–26 season co-captain. “Drills can only take you so far. The best way to get better at mountain biking is to mountain bike.” The Braemar trail system offers a wide variety of terrain and technical features that mirror what riders encounter in competition. From rock gardens and technical climbs to flowing curves and jump features, the trails provide an ideal training ground for athletes of all skill levels. The Hartmanns note that the benefits extend beyond official practice hours. Because league regulations limit the amount of coached practice time teams can hold, athletes often return to Braemar independently. “We see the kids out there on nonpractice days riding those trails for hours,” Mike says. “The kids get together on their own. They go down there outside of practice time, and that’s a huge benefit to their growth and the ability to stand out amongst the other teams across the state.” Vose adds that the team is proud to play a role in helping bring the trails to life. “Without reservation, the 40

mountain bike team was instrumental in being part of that plan and ultimately getting it built,” he says. The Edina Cycling Team captured the state championship in 2024 and 2025, and it hopes to repeat that next month. “We raced fantastically [last] season, and I’m most proud of our performance,” Andrew says. “Everybody worked super hard to achieve what we did.” The scoring system is one of the league’s most unique aspects. Boys and girls race separately, but all athletes contribute points toward the same overall team score. Riders compete across multiple categories, including freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels. “You could be a freshman girl and score points or a varsity boy and score points for the team,” Mike says. “It’s a really collaborative environment.” That collaborative culture is something both coaches say sets mountain biking apart. “It softens the edges around competitiveness,” Mike says. “It’s an incredibly healthy sportsmanship environment.” The cycling season officially begins in July, edinamag.com

with preseason registration and team communications rolling out earlier in the summer. Throughout the season, Edina competes in four major races before the state championship event. At meets across Minnesota, hundreds of student-athletes gather to race, cheer and support one another in what coaches describe as one of the most positive environments in youth sports. The team is also passionate about adding more girls to the sport. The statewide league launched a program called Girls Riding Together (GRiT), and Edina has built a strong legacy of successful female riders over the years. One of them is Mike’s daughter, Elin Hartmann, a two-time varsity champion who is now competing at the collegiate level. “This team has taught me to always support the people around you,” Andrew says. “Mountain biking has taught me to value the experience and not just the result. The time spent with friends will always be more valuable than a race result ever will be.”

The City of Edina applauds Western National Insurance Group for being a green business! Western National Insurance Group’s rooftop solar array was one of the largest corporate installations anywhere in the Twin Cities at the time it was installed. Its solar output curbs the building’s carbon emissions by several hundred tons – functionally equivalent to removing dozens of vehicles from the road. The company’s energy use and irrigation regimen are also held in check by automated controls systems. It also supports waste-reduction efforts though clear processes and ongoing employee awareness. The City of Edina is committed to reaching its Climate Action goals and wants to support and recognize businesses like Western National Insurance Group for doing their part. For more information on sustainability and climate action resources, visit EdinaMN.gov/Sustainability.

Edina Cycling Team edinacyclingteam.com @edina_cycling_team

You’re Invited!

FINALIST & WINNER SOCIAL

We’re excited to invite you to a special Networking Social and Pickleball Event hosted by Accredited Investors Wealth Management!

WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1ST 3:00PM - 5:00PM WHERE: ACCREDITED’S PATIO & COURTS 5200 WEST 73RD ST EDINA We’re bringing together all the incredible Edina Magazine Best of Finalists and Winners for a casual evening of connection, conversation, and optional pickleball fun! This is a chance to connect and mingle with fellow finalists, build new relationships, and celebrate the amazing community we’re all part of. Whether

you’re up for a friendly game or prefer to unwind and socialize, the evening is yours to enjoy. We’ll have light bites, drinks, and plenty of pickleball equipment on hand – feel free to bring your own paddle if you prefer. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

BEST OF

WINNER

Written by Feroza Mehta

Curiouser and Curiouser

Photos: Chris Emeott

The Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe brings whimsy and classic British fare.

Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland holds a special place in Jules Hill’s heart. “Growing up, I just had an affinity with Alice and wanted to be her going down the rabbit hole,” says Hill, the owner of Edina’s Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe, which opened in April. She fondly remembers discovering the classic children’s book as a child. “It was that fantasy escape. As a kid, I was always a bit of a loner, and I liked reading books and things. And the character of Alice edinamag.com

is that kind of character,” Hill says. “She had her little fantasy friends, and I envisioned myself as her falling down the rabbit hole and eating and drinking and getting bigger and smaller. It was just such a good book.” That imaginative spark inspired the café’s name and ambiance. “With the cakes and the afternoon tea, you’ve got the Mad Hatter’s tea party,” Hill says. Everywhere you look in the café, you will find Alice, the Cheshire Cat, The Mad Hatter, British flags and much

more. The café is the epitome of what Alice says in the book, “Curiouser and curiouser.” Hill, originally from Essex, England, lived in Maryland for 17 years before moving to Minnesota during COVID-19. “My husband lived downtown Minneapolis when I met him 27 years ago. His family is from Winona. We always said we would live in the Twin Cities,” she says. Remote work finally made the move possible, and the family has now been in the Metro for three years. 43

The business is a family affair. Hill bakes while her son, Ben Preston, who is a trained chef, oversees the savory side of the menu. Both sides of the menu reflect British roots. “Everything we sell is of a British theme,” Hill says. That includes towering celebration cakes, cupcakes, traditional English scones served with Hill’s housemade clotted cream. She also does custom cakes and has glutenfree and dairy-free options. Preston’s savory items are the pinnacle of British comfort food that is rarely found in Minnesota bakeries. There are Cornish pasties, sausage rolls and the café’s piece de resistance: meat pies. “They’re all made from scratch,” Hill says. “Nothing is out of a can or a packet. It’s fresh

Top left: Bangers and Mash Bottom left: The dining area is spacious and is set up for tea in the afternoons. Right: Jules Hill and her son Ben Preston are the culinary geniouses behind Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe. Hill handles all the baked goods while Preston is the savory savant.

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Photos: Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe; Chris Emeott

“This business I set up about 10 years ago for friends and family. It was just by word of mouth. It was more of a personal passion project,” Hill says. Her grandmother was an avid baker, and Hill inherited her penchant for baking from her. When Hill retired 18 months ago from her day job, she decided to turn Mad Hatter into a full-time business. “I’m never good at sitting around and doing nothing,” she says. Originally the Mad Hatter Cake Co., the company found its footing in Twin Cities’ farmers markets. Hill sold pastries and breakfast sandwiches alongside cakes and cupcakes. She says, “People were saying to us, ‘Have you got a storefront? You need a storefront. Where can we come and buy more?’”

MONDAY meat, fresh vegetables all thrown in together in a slow cooker and slow cooked for 12–24 hours before it even enters the pie crust.” That pie crust houses four flavors: Beef and Onion; Chicken, Bacon and Leek; Chicken and Mushroom; and Steak and Guinness. The Cornish pasties are traditional with a filling of black pepper, onion, potato, rutabaga and skirt beef. The cafe also serves a full British breakfast all day or what Hill calls a “full fry-out,” plus lunch. “So, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers and Mash, Pie and Mash,” she says. Hill recently renovated the kitchen and has revamped the menu to include British Fish and Chips which are hand-dipped in beer batter and fried. Starting in October, she will offer British Sunday Roasts with traditional and vegetarian options. And the Mad Hatter theme wouldn’t be complete without a tea party. Inside the café, customers will find tables are already set up for afternoon tea service, complete with tiered trays and teapots. Unlike many speciality tearooms, Mad Hatter offers the tea experience on a daily basis. Customers can stop in for a simple cream tea with scones and clotted cream or order the full spread of cakes, desserts, finger sandwiches, pastries and savory bites. Hill hopes the café becomes a community gathering place. “I’m very keen to get into bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties,” she says, adding that people can rent the space out. “I can dress it up however they want it with the full tablecloths.” The Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe is in many ways an ethereal dream brought to reality. It’s the physical version of Hill’s childhood dream: a place where cakes are central, tea is ceremonial and imagination is welcome at the table. Lewis Carroll wrote that Alice “began to think that very few things indeed were really impossible.” Hill is living proof that a story that began with a lonely girl reading in Essex has decades later filled an English tea room with pies, pastries and people willing to follow curiosity and deliciousness down the rabbit hole. Mad Hatter Bakery & Cafe madhattercakes.com @scorpio_jules

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ADMISSIONS EVENING OCTOBER 7, 6 P.M. VISITATION SCHOOL

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O N T H E TOW N

Hornets Homecoming The beloved autumn tradition is full of school spirit.

Get your Kelly green and Edina gear out of the closet for our community’s most anticipated fall event: Homecoming. Festivities kick off at 4:45 p.m. October 2 with the annual Homecoming Parade. The route begins at the Edina Country Club, heads south on Woodale Avenue and ends at the Edina Community Center and Kuhlman Stadium. But organizers say the route could be changed due to construction. Check edinaschools.org for the most upto-date information. Spectators can expect to see the Homecoming King and Queen as well as their court, the Edina Marching Band and the Hornettes, among others. The evening ends with the football game at 7 p.m. at Kuhlman Stadium. —Feroza Mehta

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09.04

Music in the Plaza All ages can enjoy local music and food while supporting the Edina Education Fund from 5:30–8 p.m. at the Plaza at Nolan Mains. 50thandfrance.com 09.12–09.13

Fall Into the Arts Festival Explore local artists, food vendors and sponsors at a festival supporting the city’s First Responders Fund from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Lakes Park. edinafallintothearts.com 09.18

Sunrise Edina Business Breakfast Network with other small- to mediumbusinesses from 7:30–9 a.m. at the Edina Country Club to connect and share business experiences. Registration required. edinachamber.com 09.19

HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer Run or walk to raise money for ovarian cancer programs, research and support in Rosland Park, with a Kids Fun Run. Registration required. mnovarian.org 09.20

Edina Car Show Drive by to see collector, luxury and vintage cars along with music and food between noon–4 p.m. at 50th & France organized by the Rotary Club of Edina. Award given for best in show. edinacarshow.com 09.26

Twin Cities Walk for Apraxia

Photos: Edina High School

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., raise money and walk to celebrate overcoming childhood apraxia of speech at Rosland Park. There will also be games and activities for families. Registration required. apraxia-kids.org

BUILDERS � DESIGNERS � ARCHITECTS � REALTORS � SUPPLIERS

Education & Relationship Building September 23, 2026 � Belle Kitchen Join the PowerHouse SMART® community at Belle Kitchen in IMS for an evening of education and connection with Interior Designer, Kaitlyn Stokes, and her Design Build partners. Scan to learn more.

Compiled by Catherine Chapman and Isabella Kunc 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.

LAST GLANCE

A Living Signature Juli Seeger had a plan. The Edina resident was sitting at the September 27, 2024, Edina High School (EHS) football game with a friend, perched at the top of the bleachers near the 50 yard line. “My son [Logan] was a sophomore in the [EHS] marching band and was playing the mellophone in his first Homecoming game. I was the only person from my family able to attend the game, so I was in charge of taking photos of the band,” Seeger says. “Having seen the routine a few times, I knew what to expect. As the band was getting into formation to spell ‘Edina,’ I stood up and had a clear opportunity to get the shot. Everything cooperated at just the right moment, including the sunset.” Seeger says her favorite part of the photo is that she captured a sense of tradition. “This could be any year on any Edina Homecoming game night in recent memory,” she says. “And that I was able to capture it fully surprised me, not only with the band, but with the Homecoming court and cheerleaders included.” —Feroza Mehta

IMAG ES OF EDINA Photographer: Juli Seeger Title: Edina, Marched in Cursive Equipment: iPhone 13 Location: Kuhlman Field Category: Activities and Events Award: Third Place To view other Images of Edina photo contest winners, visit edinamag.com.

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RE-THINK WHAT MAKES A SOUND INVESTMENT. Spend your Donor Advised Fund on arts education. With most funds, the return is a bigger balance—but with your Donor Advised Fund, the return is impact. Real, solid, drive-past-it-every-day impact. And with our local philanthropic advice, that could mean inspiring a child’s lifelong love for the arts.

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