Discover the hometown story behind Marisa Coughlan’s Blue Eyed Girl
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Best Steak
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MN
Dubai Dupe, page 24
Photo: Chris Emeott
FROM THE EDITOR
Truth time: I know more of my neighborhood’s dogs than I do the people who live throughout our little nook of our city. To be fair, when our kids were school age and carpooling and playdates were part of our regular schedule, we developed great connections with several neighborhood families. Thankfully, a handful of those neighbors remain, and impromptu driveway bonfires with longtime neighbors and new families have picked up, so we maintain neighborly relationships, which we treasure.
But I have to say, my (weather-permitting) daily walks or bike rides through the neighborhood allow me to become more familiar with the personalities and quirky habits of some of our four-legged residents. We have the window watchers, the chain pullers, the side-eye givers, the property line chasers and the friendly barkers. And I get a giggle when people greet my dog (not me!) by her first name. “Hi, Pippa!” No offense taken here. Pets can be a great entreé into meeting new friends and neighbors.
I grew up with dogs, and they were an important part of my childhood, serving as stand-in babies in my doll carriage, providing loyal companionship during times of struggle and happily welcoming me home from college. Today, I love having a family pet whose small-dog energy antics and photos (too many) often make the family group chat.
This issue features family as a theme, and we include pets in that category because we know how much our readers appreciate their own pets. The team at Lake Minnetonka Magazine also recognizes the role pets play in our lives—at home and at work. (Lemon, our art director Allison Nolden’s beloved dog, can be found sitting in on a few office meetings from time to time!) In addition, our annual photo contest, Lens on Lake Minnetonka, includes a pets category. Be sure to include your best photos of your pets or any of the other categories when our contest goes live July 1 at lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Until next month,
Renée Stewart-Hester renee@localmedia.co
On the Cover: Marisa Coughlan, page 18
Photo by: Chris Emeott
Photo: Chris Emeott
VOL. 21 NO. 2 June 2026
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Kassondra Burtis, Ashley Cardona, Findlay Drabant, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde and Alexandra Tostrud
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Andrew Akhaphong, Hollie Blanchard, Emily Carriveau, Alison Feik, Stephanie Herrick, Jessica Hilde, Lynette Kalsnes, Emily Maxson, Spencer Olson, Rima Parikh, Molly Rivard, Raela Schoenherr, Lisa Stevens, Katie Tomsche and Mariah Wise
DIGITAL INTERN
Danielle Gallus
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Abigail Larson, Diane Meyer and Kate Thompson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Mary Cornelius, Minnetonka Schools ; David Decker, House Novel ; Sue Gartner, Crown Warehouse & Delivery Service ; Kelly Olsen, Olsen Global ; Michele Phillips, blogger, writer and photographer ; Anna Skemp, Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce ; and Amanda Zielike, House Novel
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 will 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 lakeminnetonkamag.com to learn more about how you can submit wedding galleries for consideration. —Editorial Staff
Imbued in Hope
I fell in love instantly with Zaire. Art can sweep you away and leave you with a subjective story that lingers. Zaire’s subject is confident, hopeful, kind, noticed when she enters a room in a captivating a style that is uniquely hers and free to speak her truth. Juneteenth invites us to reflect on freedom as a shared human right—something to be protected, expanded and lived fully by all.
Title: Zaire
Artist: Richard Merchán
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Hollie Blanchard is a founder and art concierge with Art Girls. View more at artgirlsmpls.com.
Anna Ko Photography
Photo:
If stunning lakeside access and views, excellent dining and enviable shopping excursions aren’t enough to draw you to Wayzata’s Lake Street, consider attending the 22nd annual Wayzata Art Experience 10 a.m.–6 p.m. June 27 and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. June 28 and experience a celebration of art, food, fun and music for all ages. Lake Minnetonka Magazine is proud to be a media sponsor of the event.
“Committed to the highest standards of artistic excellence, the Wayzata Art Experience offers a welcoming and supportive environment for fine artists,” says Anna Skemp, the Wayzata West Metro Chamber’s communications and member events manager. “The Wayzata West Metro Chamber is honored to host more than 150 exceptional artists from across the state and the country.”
About 20,000 attendees are expected at this year’s event, which will include food artisans and food trucks. “If you’re looking to add something truly special to your space, we invite you to experience and appreciate the remarkable work of these juried artists,” Skemp says.
For additional information, including parking details, visit artexperience.wayzatawest metrochamber.com. —Renée Stewart-Hester
Art With a View Photo:
Let Go and Love Again
Singer-songwriter releases her second album, conveying hope for the future.
By Diane Meyer
Twenty years ago, Minnetonka-based singersongwriter Carey Marshall had no idea she could sing. It must have been kismet when, at 30, she picked up a guitar and discovered her passion. Now, at 50, she celebrates the release of her second album, Year of the Locust, grounded in rediscovery and resilience.
As she began to write songs in her early 30s, Marshall’s newfound creativity became a solace as she navigated divorce and became a single mom to four boys. “In the beginning, I used [songwriting] as a diary,” she says. “It became really cathartic
… sometimes, I would pick up a guitar, and a song would just pour out of me.”
Encouraged by friends, Marshall performed her first show at a local coffee shop in 2006. It netted positive reinforcement from audience members and started to lift her confidence. “I didn’t know if anyone would ever want to listen to me, so getting feedback was really encouraging,” she says.
A chance encounter further pushed Marshall to believe in her talent. While working at a chiropractic office, a patient asked for recordings of her music. She was shocked to
Carey Marshall continues to develop as a singer-songwriter while becoming more and more confident in herself. “It is an accomplishment to take nothing and make something,” she says.
hear back from him a few days later. “He gave me a check for thousands of dollars … All he wanted [in return] was a copy of my first album,” Marshall says. His faith propelled her. “I had always wanted to make an album, but it’s super expensive. It wasn’t even on my radar,” she says. Marshall’s first EP, Distant Lands, was made possible in 2015.
Marshall began investing in her dream, forming her band Fawn & the Flame that same year. Over the next decade, she performed on larger stages and in front of larger crowds. “I struggled with stage fright so badly,” Marshall says. “So the more I played, the more comfortable I got, and I just kept writing and writing and writing.”
Ten years later, in September 2025, Marshall’s second album was released. It reflects her process of learning to let go and love again, fulfilling a full-circle journey of survival and freedom through ethereal pop and tender acoustic melodies. Every song was written 13 years ago, and Marshall says that while they reflect a period of pain as she left her marriage, the album also conveys hope.
One of her favorite album-related memories includes listening to it with one of her sons right before its release: “We sat outside on the porch and were immersed in every song … [watching] him understand what went into it and understanding the stories was a really cool moment,” she says.
Believing in herself is a skill Marshall had to hone while also fine-tuning singing and songwriting. Now, in a new marriage and working as a life coach and a worship pastor, Marshall has found herself in the bright future she hoped for. “It is an accomplishment to take nothing and make something,” Marshall says. While the sentiment references her songwriting, it also applies to overcoming a dark period in her life—bringing forward “a lot of hope for the future.”
Listen to Year of the Locust on Spotify or Apple Music, or visit fawnandtheflame.com.
Fawn & the Flame
fawnandtheflame.com
Fawn & the Flame
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Spot On
National service offers local dog owners extended outing options.
By Renée Stewart-Hester
Keeping dogs entertained can expand beyond running zoomies around the kitchen table or taking leashed loops around the neighborhood. Sniffspot is to dogs what Airbnb is to people—but for playtime not sleeptime.
Similar to other online marketplaces, connecting property owners with guests in search of long- or short-term stays, Sniffspot links hosts with dog owners who are searching for spaces for playing and running; trails suited for hiking; private lakes, ponds or pools ideal for swimming; and indoor venues for agility or general exercise.
Sniffspot, founded by David Adams in 2018 while he was living in Seattle, was inspired by his dogs Soba (black labrador and pit bull mix) and Toshii (basenji, husky, Pomeranian and Rhodesian ridgeback mix). “It was really difficult to get my dogs the exercise they needed,” says Adams, who was living in a high-rise at the time.
Other dog owners can sympathize; it’s not always easy to get dogs the exercise and sensory experiences they require. Sniffspot, available via its website and a mobile app, allows dog owners to search for and reserve desired sites. Interested parties on either end of the arrangement should note that prices are set by the hosts. “We’re basically a marketing platform for our hosts,” says Adams, noting that Sniffspot does establish some boundaries. Locations can’t be parts of shared or public property and must be void of hazards. “If you have a pond full of alligators, not allowed. If you have an open well, not allowed. It’s basic stuff,” he says.
Today, Sniffspot has marked its territory in every state in the nation, Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa.
Dogs deserve spaces to stretch their legs, move their muscles and engage their senses. If a home yard isn’t an option, finding a suitable space to exercise dogs just got easier with Sniffspot, which has plenty of local locations.
Photos: Sniffspot
GUEST GUIDE
One should always be a good guest even when paying for the experience through a rental. Sniffspot’s founder and CEO David Adams reminds pet owners:
• Review and abide by the property owner’s rules.
• Arrive and depart within the agreed upon booking time.
• Be sure the area is clear of people or other domestic animals before entering.
• Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting a rental space.
• Pick up after the dog at the end of the stay.
• Unless specified, restrooms won’t be available on site.
“It’s grown organically,” Adams says, noting that 90 percent of the business is in the United States. At the time this article was written, of the 30,000 host spots, 665 are in Minnesota, including the Lake Minnetonka area and the Metro. “It’s still not enough coverage,” says Adams of the Minnesota market. “We are focused on expanding our current network.” As the business grows, he’s resolute in maintaining Sniffspot’s original mission: make the world a more dog-friendly place. To that end, pet owners and their canine charges certainly benefit from rented spaces, the hosts are also on the receiving end of positive outcomes. Adams notes that acting as a Sniffspot host offers passive income. (Some make as much as $3,000 a month.) Unlike running an Airbnb, Sniffspot doesn’t require washing bedding or cleaning out the fridge. Hosts have some basic obligations to prepare the venue, but it’s a decidedly light lift. Earning income is certainly an incentive, but Adams is most impressed by another motivation held by many of the hosts; they are simply “dog lovers helping other dog lovers,” he says.
Sniffspot sniffspot.com @sniffspots
Excelsior’s
The
But … does romance enter the picture? No plot spoiler here!
Marisa Coughlan revisits
Lobby where some scenes were filmed for Blue Eyed Girl, a comedydrama about a woman returning to her hometown to tend to family obligations.
Written by Kassondra Burtis
Discover the hometown story behind Marisa Coughlan’s Blue Eyed Girl
From Minnesota Roots to Hollywood Storytelling
After falling in love with movies as a child, all Minnesota native Marisa Coughlan ever dreamed about was being an actress. Fast forward to today and she’s not only an actress but a successful writer and producer as well— with her most meaningful production paying homage to the state where she grew up.
Blue Eyed Girl, written by Coughlan over the course of a few years after her move back to the Wayzata area after 20 years in Los Angeles, is partially a love letter to her home state. “I spent a lot of time in Wayzata as a teenager and used to go to Willow Creek Movie Theater to watch movies and
fantasize about someday being in them,” she says. “Moving back home triggered a lot of memories growing up, and I really had a new appreciation for Minnesota.”
Coughlan wrote, starred in and produced the film, which shares a story she sees as an often-untold common narrative. “I like to categorize it as a coming-of-age film for people in their 40s,” she says. “In some ways, almost like a female midlife crisis movie, because I sort of felt, as a woman post40, there’s not a ton of content that really addresses women at that age and what they’re going through.”
The film is also partially a love letter to her late father, who passed away in 2004. Moving home brought back childhood memories, especially those with her father. “It’s inspired by our dynamic, in a way, and a little bit of nostalgia for those days when I was younger,” Coughlan says. “When my dad was around and I could talk about life’s issues with him— that’s one of the things I miss.”
The story’s messaging is so relatable that people reach out to Coughlan on social media or share in person how it resonates with them. It’s the dichotomy of looking at one’s life from the lens of where a person is versus where they thought they’d be in life. “What my intention was, in a way, is to reflect upon the fact that sometimes the grass isn’t necessarily greener,” she says. “The grass is actually fairly green under your own feet if you just take the time to notice.”
The movie, which was released in November 2025 and can be found on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Paramount Plus, was entirely shot in Wayzata and Excelsior—an area Coughlan was more than excited to show off to her costars when they filmed at the height of Minnesota’s beautiful fall season.
Coughlan was appreciative of the collective community’s willingness to help throughout the process. “I was just blown away by our community and how much people got behind us,” she says. “We had people show up and work in the background of scenes. We had people give us locations for free. We had so much goodwill, and it was such a wonderful, positive experience … I’m super grateful to have had that experience and to have the community that we have that leans in to help each other.”
Top: Directed by J. Mills Goodloe, some scenes from Blue Eyed Girl (top and bottom) were filmed at McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant in Wayzata.
Middle: In the film, written and starring Marisa Coughlan, Beau Bridges (center) co-stars as Jack, the ailing father of Jane (played by Coughlan).
Bottom: Marisa Coughlan is joined by Eliza Coupe (left) and Bridey Elliot (right), who portray Coughlan’s onscreen sisters.
OPENING CREDITS
Marisa Coughlan’s story starts with a St. Paul upbringing, but she quickly became familiar with the West Metro as she attended Breck School. Following her graduation, she moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California and pursue her childhood dream of acting.
Her introduction to the industry wasn’t easy. After two years of booking small guest star roles, Coughlan began to wonder if she would make it in the industry. Then, in 1999, she caught her big break alongside Helen Mirren and Katie Holmes in Teaching Mrs. Tingle—a role she almost didn’t stick around to get. “I was really, truly questioning whether I was going to stay in the business,” Coughlan says. “It was a little guest star here, a guest star there … You’re at that point in life where you have to figure out a way to sustain yourself and have a real career. Then, as I was very close to hanging it up, I booked Teaching Mrs. Tingle out of nowhere.”
Photos: Chris Emeott; Marisa Coughlan
Top: Marisa Coughlan takes in all the local vibes at the Excelsior Bay docks.
Bottom: Behind the scenes on Super Troopers 3, actress Marisa Coughlan is in her acting element.
Two years after that breakthrough, Coughlan landed a role in Super Troopers, which she reprised in the second and upcoming third adaptations. She also secured a recurring role in TV’s Boston Legal as well as the starring role in Lifetime series Side Order of Life
After around 10 years in the industry, Coughlan got the itch to start writing. It came from experiences on shows where she didn’t feel a strong sense of agency and where she brought ideas to directors that were immediately shut down. A TV development connection paid her to produce a pilot she wrote. Although the pilot episode was never picked up, the experience established her credibility as a writer.
Coughlan says each role she’s played in the production of a show provides a different kind of creative outlet. For the pilot she wrote, she enjoyed hiring her team, including actors, set creators and wardrobe department members. While she loves writing, the self-proclaimed extrovert finds the solitude during the writing process to be isolating. Even so, writing satisfies that sense of agency she doesn’t get when she’s acting. “The writing taps into part of my frustration as an actress where you’re always telling someone else’s story,” Coughlan says. “It is nice, as a writer, to be able to tap into the things that are actually weighing on you … to reflect on those and the human experience as you see it.”
After over 20 years in Los Angeles, Coughlan, her husband, Stephen Wallack, and four children moved to the Lake Minnetonka area, despite Coughlan still being involved in the acting scene in Los Angeles. The couple wanted their children to have a similar upbringing they did, including enjoying the proximity to family, experiencing the four seasons and being part of a close-knit community.
Looking ahead, find Coughlan on the big screen this August as she reprises her role of Ursula Hansen in the upcoming Super Troopers 3. She also recently shot an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. And don’t think this is the last of her writing. She has other scripts in the works and is eyeing another possible movie in Minnesota.
Marisa Coughlan
@marisa.coughlan
DUBAI DUPE
Read along, and learn how to make a decadent fad-worthy dessert.
Written by Renée Stewart-Hester — Photos by Chris Emeott
When chocolate wraps itself around a mixture of pistachio cream, tahini and kataifi pastry, the sweet tooth crowd goes wild. For months, checkout lanes, end caps, grocery shelves and even social media platforms have offered precious real estate to Dubai chocolate bars, candies and all sorts of confections.
The lifecycle of most food trends includes a make-at-home version. Tonka Bay’s Spencer Olson, a regular recipe contributor to our Noteworthy section, offers a recipe for Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake. “By the nature of it being a cheesecake, the texture will naturally be creamier than your typical Dubai chocolate bar,” Olson says of the recipe. “However, with a bite, including the filling, chocolate and crust, [the cheesecake mimics] the crunch and creaminess of a Dubai chocolate bar.”
Some of the ingredients for Spencer Olson’s Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake are readily available at local grocery stores. However, some items might take a different level of sourcing. Find his purchasing recommendations on page 29.
DUBAI CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
CRUST
• 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 stick and 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, straight from the fridge
• ⅓ cup pistachios, finely chopped
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour and salt. Cube the butter into ¼-inch cubes. Using a pastry knife or fingers, cut or rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse meal. Mix in the pistachios and brown sugar. Press this mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, ensuring that the crust reaches approximately halfway up the side of the pan. Bake at 325 F for 15 minutes. Set the crust aside; cool completely. Note: The crust can be made in a food processor by pulsing the pistachios until chopped, adding the remaining ingredients and pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
PISTACHIO KATAIFI
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups kataifi, shredded
• ¼ cup and 2 Tbsp. pistachio cream
• pinch of salt
In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the kataifi, stir continuously, toasting until golden brown. Take off the heat; mix in the pistachio cream and salt. Spread and gently pat down this mixture over the previously baked crust.
PISTACHIO CHEESECAKE FILLING
• 32 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ⅔ cup sour cream, room temperature
• ¾ cup pistachio cream
• 2 Tbsp. tahini
• ¼ tsp. almond extract
• 2 tsp. vanilla paste
• ½ tsp. salt
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer for 3–4 minutes until it is creamy. Beat in the sugar until well combined. Beat in the sour cream, pistachio cream and tahini until well combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in the almond extract, vanilla and salt until combined.
C. 612.309.8332 kdweinstock@cbrealty.com weinstockgroup.com
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Note: Don’t overbeat the mixture after the eggs are added. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Wrap the bottom of a springform pan in tin foil. Pour the pistachio cheesecake filling into the springform pan and over the crust. Place the springform pan into a deep roasting or sauté pan. Place the pans in the oven; pour boiling water into the deep pan until it reaches halfway up the springform pan. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the top looks dry but the middle wiggles slightly like gelatine. The edges should be fairly firm. The best method to ensure doneness is to use an instant-read thermometer. The center should read 150 F. Turn off the oven; open the oven door 1 inch. Let the cheesecake cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and water bath. Unwrap the foil; place the pan on a cooling rack. Run a thin knife or offset spatula around the edge. Once completely cool, place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 5 hours.
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• pistachios, chopped (optional)
In a medium mixing bowl, add the chocolate. In a small pan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream until just before it begins to boil. (Small bubbles at the edge of the pan will appear; this is a sign that the cream is ready.) Pour the cream over the chocolate; let it stand for 4 minutes. Cover the top of the bowl with a sheet pan to help retain the heat. Using a spatula, mix the chocolate until it is fully melted. (Using a whisk will introduce too much air.) Remove the cheesecake from the refrigerator; carefully remove the springform pan. Pour the ganache over the cheesecake. If needed, spread the ganache over the cheesecake, using an offset spatula. Let the cheesecake stand until the ganache is set. Decorate using chopped pistachios if desired. Note: To achieve a drip effect on the edges of the cake, let the ganache cool slightly before pouring it over the cake. Test the ganache by holding a sheet pan vertically and putting a 1 Tbsp. of the ganache at the top. If it drips down too quickly, let the ganache cool further.
For additional baking tips, visit lakeminnetonkamag.com.
Spencer Olson shares some tips for making his version of Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake:
The Dubai chocolate bar ingredients are unusually difficult to find in stores. Both the kataifi and pistachio cream can be sourced online, Olson notes. Amazon is a good option, but many other stores, such as Target, will deliver it. Kataifi is also sold under the name kadayif. For reference, Olson used Dolce Calma Pistachio Cream Spread and Eastanbul dried and shredded kadayif.
Pistachio cream is different from pistachio butter. While pistachio butter is largely ground-up pistachios with the potential additions of salt and a neutral oil, pistachio cream is made for desserts and combines pistachios with sugar and oils. Pistachio butter is not suited for this recipe, according to Olson.
“Kataifi is related to filo pastry (alternately spelled phyllo) in that they share the same basic ingredients,” Olson says. “The method of making it is, however, different. Filo pastry is notoriously hard to make, as the baker rolls the pastry very thin. Kataifi is easier to make and is spun into fine threads by piping thin lines of batter and cooking it. However, making this pastry is beyond the scope of the recipe.” Olson recommends purchasing the pastry.
“Milk chocolate is too light in color for the ganache, and dark chocolate has a higher content of cocoa powder, which means it is trickier to make a smooth ganache,” Olson says. “Can a ganache be made with milk or dark chocolate, yes, but a good quality semisweet chocolate will give great flavor, great color and will be easy to get the smooth texture we are looking for.”
The most important tip is making sure the cheesecake is baked properly. The best tool for this is an instant read thermometer. “It’s a small price to pay, compared to the ingredients in this cake, and can be used in ensuring doneness of cakes, bread, meat, etc.,” Olson says.
INCLUSION REVOLUTION
Written by Ashley Cardona
Jenna Perkins reflects on her role with the Special Olympics USA Games.
“This isn’t just a bunch of games and sports we are playing. This is a movement. This is about inclusion. It’s the Inclusion Revolution,” says Jenna Perkins, honorary co-chair of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Her energy is infectious and genuine. It’s no wonder she was selected for the role, which she carries with pride. “I was so honored to be asked,” says the 2022 graduate of Orono High School.
Since 2022, when it was announced that Minnesota would host this year’s Special Olympics USA Games, Perkins has served as an ambassador and spokesperson for the event, meeting with business leaders and sponsors to coordinate logistics and to build excitement across the state. “Jenna was a natural choice for honorary co-chair,” says Mary Horwath, chief marketing officer for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. “She brings an authentic, powerful athlete voice that grounds every decision we make.”
It’s clear that Perkins’ leadership has been instrumental in the planning process. She is both an athlete and a leader, championing the importance of inclusion and visibility wherever she goes. Her experience as a Special Olympics athlete for more than 10 years has provided her with an important foundation that continues to carry her forward. Perkins’ sports resume includes basketball, bocce, bowling, football, snowshoeing, soccer and track.
Qualification for the USA Games represents years of commitment, discipline and growth. Athletes and their families invest time and energy for this chance to compete at the highest national level. Coaches mentor and support athletic skills and work on building confidence and resilience. This event validates and celebrates that work on a national platform. “These Games are so important for the athletes,” Perkins says. “It’s a huge way to show the world just how awesome the Special Olympics can be.”
Top left: Jenna Perkins participates at the Spring Partner Forum in April 2025 during the Special Olympics USA Games.
Top right: Perkins competes in many Special Olympic competitions, including basketball …
Bottom left: … and bocce ball!
Bottom right: Jenna Perkins speaks to corporate sponsors for the Special Olympics USA Games as part of her honorary co-chair role.
Photos:
“I BELIEVE MINNESOTA WILL DO A GREAT JOB SHOWING THE REST OF THE WORLD HOW IMPORTANT INCLUSION IS.”
Jenna Perkins
The mission of the Games is to celebrate ability, deliver the highest quality to all stakeholders and leave a lasting legacy of positive change in Minnesota, which is something that Perkins cares about deeply, noting that serving in this role has been an honor, and hopes to continue competing with Special Olympics Minnesota. “I would love to stay involved with leadership and help any way I can to support the organization,” says Perkins, who attended Bethel University in St. Paul through its BUILD program.
For Perkins and for the millions of Americans who live with disabilities, what makes the Games extraordinary isn’t just the scale of it but what it represents. The revolution she refers to is rooted in a belief that is simple and powerful: Athletes of all abilities belong on the court, the track, the field and the national stage. Beyond sports, this commitment to inclusion extends the spirit of belonging to all spheres of the community. “I believe Minnesota will do a great job showing the rest of the world how important inclusion is,” Perkins says.
The Games proudly relies on some 10,000 volunteers to assist with operational logistics, supporting athletes and their families, welcoming spectators to the Fan Zone and officiating events, inviting the community to participate not only as spectators but as partners in building a more inclusive future. “You’re going to love it,” Perkins says.
Special Olympics Minnesota specialolympicsminnesota.org @sominnesota
Special Olympics USA Games 2026specialolympicsusagames.org @specialolympicsusagames
WHAT TO KNOW
The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is set for June 20 and will bring the Inclusion Revolution to the Twin Cities. For six days, nearly 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states will attend the Games, shining a light on the importance of inclusion and belonging—not to mention great athletic competition.
The lineup of events features a host of sports, including basketball, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming and more. Competitions for 10 sports will be featured and will be held at the University of Minnesota, the official host venue, and competitions for six other sports will be held at the National Sports Center in Blaine.
For fans who can’t attend, portions of the Games will be broadcast on ESPN, allowing the athletes’ stories of determination and achievement to reach an ever wider audience. When the torch is lit on June 20, the Flame of Hope will signal that inclusion is not an abstract idea, but rather, as Jenna Perkins sees it, a meaningful revolution.
Full Circle
Organizations help entrepreneurs find guidance, accountability and community.
Written by Mollee Francisco
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 and 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, 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 new members to find them a group that will meet their 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.
Lani Basa (left) connects with entrepreneurs as she leads a Business Women’s Circle meeting.
Photo: Chris Emeott
The Human Side of Artifical Intelligence
In her 15 years at Target, Melissa Murphy built a career helping employees adopt emerging technologies and use them to work more effectively. Now as the co-founder of Itasca Innovation, she helps companies develop artificial intelligence (AI) strategies and train their teams to use AI in practical and responsible ways. She focuses on helping people feel confident in integrating AI into their daily work by specializing in the human side of AI adoption. She guides leadership teams through strategy, training and real-world implementation so AI can streamline routine tasks in order to free up employees to focus on higher-value, creative and client-focused work.
How did you find out about the Business Women’s Circle (BWC)? Through my friend, Jennifer Mahlik of Millie. When I left my corporate job, Jenn said I might want to reach out and get connected. I feel like her thought process was that she herself had gotten out of corporate, and she knew it’s important to be connected to women to balance ideas off and be so supportive. I needed to rely on a community that can help me as I figured out all my firsts as a business owner.
How did the BWC annual forum scholarship ticket help your business? It was a great experience. I went shortly after I left my corporate role. It was my first time representing myself and my small business … Everybody’s willingness to help and also have empathy that I was newer and just getting started was helpful. The vibe was, “We’ve all been there, and whatever we can do to help you, we will.” They’re amazing in offering up support. Nobody sees each other as competition. It’s a community of helpers.
How important is it to have a resource like the BWC/The Circle Community? It’s a fast track to an incredibly resourceful and helpful community without having to do the one on one networking to build that vast network.
Itasca Innovation itascainnovation.ai
Melissa Murphy has already felt the support of her circle as she builds her artificial intelligence enablement business, Itasca Innovation. “I’m spending a lot of time networking with people who do similar things from me, and different, so I can learn. My network is invaluable to me,” the Excelsior resident says.
That’s exactly what Basa loves to see happening in each of the 20 circles that currently operate across the BWC. Though the BWC isn’t primarily a networking group, Basa acknowledges that networking naturally happens while emphasizing that the groups are much more than just a source for new Rolodex entries. “I see lifelong friendships being formed,” she says. “It’s fascinating to see what happens.”
The BWC is the organization’s for-profit arm. The Circle Community (TCC) is its nonprofit division. Basa launched the sister organization in May 2024 out of a desire to do more. TCC offers scholarships to offset the cost of $1,800 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 their first few grant cycles, TCC has been able to provide several scholarships to open BWC doors to members that otherwise would not have been able to join. It has also supported its 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.”
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
Minnetonka Animal Hospital
The important role pets play in our lives can’t be overstated. Their health and well-being should be a priority, including finding the right care to suit a pet’s needs for a long and healthy life.
Minnetonka Animal Hospital was founded on the principle of providing calm, collaborative and personalized care. This boutique practice’s extended appointment times allow the team to take a deeper look into pets’ health, listen to their family’s concerns and build a partnership based on trust. “We create individualized therapeutic plans because we know pets are unique, and we are committed to being fully present for every step of their health journey,” says owner Angie Jung, DVM. She initially served as the practice’s medical director before purchasing it last year with her husband, Mike.
A full suite of veterinary services is offered, including cryotherapy, dentistry, disease management, advanced imaging (ultrasound and X-ray), laser therapy, surgery and wellness care. Additionally, Dr. Jung provides integrative care, including acupuncture, food therapy and herbal medicine. The clinic also cares for small mammals, including rabbits and guinea pigs.
“Integrative medicine isn’t about choosing one approach over another; it’s about creating a more comprehensive toolkit for a pet’s health,” Dr. Jung says. “We use Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine alongside modern diagnostics and treatments to address the root cause of illness—not just the symptoms. This approach is particularly effective for chronic conditions, pain management and enhancing quality of life.”
Dr. Jung was drawn to food therapy and plant medicine after almost losing her cat, Oliver. When surgery wasn’t an option, she took it upon herself to learn about natural, at-home remedies to care for him when he was ill. With a lot of time, energy and love, she nursed Oliver back to health, and he lived another nine years. “This inspired me to think outside the box and motivated me to understand the benefits of conventional medicine and the wisdom of ancient remedies,” Dr. Jung says. The approach is resonating with pet owners. “Not only are all staff members polite, professional, friendly and helpful, they’re extremely thorough and good at what they do!,” says one client. Another pet owner notes, “The vets really care about your animals!”
RockBridge Treatment & Recovery
Taking time out of life to care for personal well-being can be challenging. RockBridge Treatment is the only one of its kind in the state to offer professional-friendly recovery at its addiction treatment center. It’s ideal for clients who need help balancing work, life and family while focusing on recovery.
“We combine clinical best practices, outstanding personal care and voluntary opportunities for spiritual growth, offering a truly unique and proven path to find freedom from drug and alcohol addiction,” says Jeff Jensen, regional director.
Whether clients seek a faith-based approach or simply need a place to heal, RockBridge tailors individual programs to meet clients’ needs and goals. One of its innovative techniques features neurofeedback, which includes collecting brainwave readings to better understand emotions and mental states; promoting healthy brainwave activity; improving
neural pathways; and setting benchmarks and actionable goals for recovering, for example.
“RockBridge combines neurofeedback with comfortable detox, medical support, education groups, physical wellness and spiritual guidance to help you change your life for good,” Jensen says. “Beyond addiction recovery, patients find incredible results including improved focus, calmness and neural health.”
Through RockBridge’s program, clients achieve successful and longterm recovery. “I left each session feeling better educated and with a stronger set of tools to succeed and understand myself and the world around me,” a client says.
8150 20th St. SE, Buffalo 844.815.7625
rockbridgetreatment.org
Trusting a treatment program and feeling supported is paramount to lasting recovery. “Everyone is great, personable and loving,” another client says. “You can really tell they want you to be healthy and happy. It makes a world of difference.”
Lake Country Builders
When Pete and Sue Jacobson founded Lake Country Builders, Pete brought the carpentry and construction knowledge, and Sue brought design insight and a sensitivity to what clients needed. Together, they created a company built on trust, collaboration and integrity.
Fifty years later, those values remain at the heart of the company with Patrick Jacobson, Renee Aldecocea and Rob Aldecocea carrying forward those principles and guiding the future.
Clients are taking notice. “From start to finish, Lake Country Builders handled our main floor remodel with professionalism and care. The team is comprised of talented and knowledgeable professionals, who guided our vision into reality,” say Kari and Ryan P. “They truly made our dreams come true, and we had such a positive experience with everyone involved,” Jen F. says.
Lake Country Builders partners with homeowners from the first spark of an idea through design, construction and the long-term care of their home. “Our strength is guiding clients through each stage, knowing one team is coordinating the details and looking out for their interests,” Patrick says.
339 Second St., Excelsior 952.474.7121
lakecountrybuilders.com
Lake Country Builders serves homeowners throughout the Metro and greater Minnesota and Wisconsin lake communities. “We’ve expanded our reach into areas like Rush City and Bemidji, which feels like a natural step as we follow our clients to the places they want to be,” Renee says. As Lake Country Builders marks 50 years in business, the mission remains unchanged: thoughtful design, steady guidance and homes built to serve families for the long term.
yardscapes
Lakeside Evenings
Live music returns this summer to the Excelsior Commons.
Many of us relish any reason to gather outdoors in the summertime, especially along Lake Minnetonka. The Excelsior Morning Rotary offers another reason, bringing community, food and music to Excelsior Commons since 2018. This summer is no different. Concerts in the Commons bring together people of all ages in a fun way that also helps raise money to support Community for the Commons, working to improve the park. Half of the proceeds also support chari-
table causes throughout the community. Starting at 5 p.m., food trucks and beer/wine/seltzers will be available to event goers. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. on seven Wednesday evenings from June 3 to August 26. The free concerts end at 8:30 p.m.
This year’s lineup includes: Pandora’s Other Box with the Basement Kings; Fabulous Armadillos Party Band, featuring Chris Hawkey; Rival 5; The Good, The Bad & The Funky; St. Paul & The
Minneapolis Funk All Stars (with big connections from the “purple” heyday of electro funk-rock in the Twin Cities); The Suburbs; and Rumours & Dreams (Fleetwood Mac tribute band).
Free shuttle buses from designated parking locations are available to event goers. Watch for more details about shuttle buses, sponsors, vendors and more on the event’s Facebook page (Excelsior Concerts in The Commons). —Abigail Larson
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06.02
Farmers Market
Don’t miss the first farmers market of the season. Running from 2–6 p.m. Tuesdays through September at The Marsh, the market will brim with fresh produce and more. minnetonkamn.gov
06.03
Book Club
Discuss The Great Gatsby along with other interesting reads from 2–3 p.m. at Minnetonka Library. Feel free to bring suggestions for future book club reads. hclib.bibliocommons.com
06.13–06.14
Art on the Lake
Explore more than 100 artists and their work from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sunday in downtown Excelsior. The weekend is filled with creativity, crafts, live music and beautiful works of art. excelsiorlakeminnetonkachamber.com
06.13
Sculpture & Blues Fest
Experience the magic of sculpture art and live music starting at 10 a.m. at the Delano Sculpture Park. delanomnarts.org
06.27
Summer Fest
Celebrate summer from 4–10:30 p.m. on the Minnetonka Civic Center campus. Activities will be held around the city throughout the day, including a pickleball tournament and fireworks to end the night. minnetonkamn.gov
Compiled by Abigail Larson and KateThompson
To have your event considered: email lakeminnetonkamag@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.
Common Ground
Helen Canning and her grandson, Bergen, 4, frequently walk around Mound’s Langdon Lake along the Dakota Rail Regional Trail. “The path around Langdon Lake is our personal playground, and we feel very fortunate it’s in our front yard,” she says.
On this day, the duo paused to enjoy a spot along the trail that spoke to each of them—in different ways. “Initially, I was looking up, enjoying the puffy, white clouds while my grandson had his eyes focused on the ground, looking for worms,” Canning says. “I loved that I could look into the puddle’s reflection and see both up and down and my grandson—all at the same time.”
—Renée Stewart-Hester
LENS ON LAKE MINNETONKA
Photographer: Helen Canning
Title: Looking for Worms Equipment: iPhone X
Location: Langdon Lake in Mound Category: Seasons Award: Second Place
To view other Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest winners, visit lakeminnetonkamag.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.
LEADERS IN CARE. EXPERTS IN MOTION.
At Summit Orthopedics, we’re proud to be Minnesota’s only top-ranked orthopedic and spine outpatient surgery center as recognized by U.S. News & World Report. And while our expertise sets us apart, it’s how we care for people that defines us. Even after thousands of procedures, we treat each patient like the only one.
