by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Featured
While tucking in for a chat with a cabin neighbor, I noticed a plaque hanging in her kitchen, just outside of dining room guests’ view: “Be like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like crazy underneath.” The quote, often attributed to actor Michael Caine,...
by Jennifer Pitterle | Nov 1, 2025 | Featured, Local Makers
Let’s Dish celebrates two decades and expands its ready-to-bake options. When the holiday season kicks into high gear, the heat is on—especially in the kitchen. Meal preparation can feel like it’s on a never-ending rotation. Cooking food for a celebration here or...
by Raela Schoenherr | Nov 1, 2025 | Book Club, Noteworthy
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal might just be the ideal novel to read during this holiday season as it’s filled with familial ties. Set in Minnesota, the novel features characters that could feel like your relative, neighbor or the people you grew up...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Arts, Noteworthy, Shops
Artist Rich Sladek is set to feature his work November 29 to December 7 at the 31st annual holiday boutique at the Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd., Mound. (Visit gillespiecenter.org for details.) The Orono resident will include greeting cards, posters, stone...
by Feroza Mehta and Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Entertain, Featured, Recipes
Some recipes know how to behave while traveling for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re driving a couple of hours, heading across the Metro or just stepping down the street, traveling with a dish to share for a Thanksgiving gathering can cause some travel troubles. Spillage...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Entertain, Featured, Interior Design, Shops
From holiday celebrations to weekday dining, tableware brings timeless elegance. Preparing a dining table or buffet for life’s special occasions, including Thanksgiving, requires a creative balance that begins with a foundation—setting a lovely and inviting table that...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
Gundula Behbahani captured the striking saffron and blue-gray sky over Lake Minnetonka during a spontaneous moment on her way home from work when she decided to stop and enjoy the sunset. “Afterglow captures the beautiful sunsets we experience on Lake Minnetonka—the...
by Emily Gedde and Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Entertain, Featured, Restaurants
Invite delicious take-out options from local markets and restaurants to Thanksgiving dinner. As long as the regulars or interesting fresh takes make the menu list, does it matter where the turkey was basted and roasted or where the potatoes were mashed and cooked? We...
by Feroza Mehta | Nov 1, 2025 | Entertain, Recipes
My son has celiac disease, and it’s been a culinary adventure to find gluten-free recipes that taste like their wheat-filled counterparts. After trial and error, this is his favorite meatball recipe. If you can find certified gluten-free barbecue sauce, feel free to...
by Diane Meyer | Nov 1, 2025 | Entertain, Outdoors
Light Up the Lake, Wayzata’s annual holiday spectacular, welcomes the community. Connect with neighbors and celebrate the beginning of the holiday season as lights shine and sleigh bells ring once again on Lake Street. The City of Wayzata will host its annual Light Up...
by Spencer Olson | Nov 1, 2025 | Noteworthy, Recipes
With such focus on holiday main menus, don’t forget about breakfast, and these homemade English muffins might become a year-round staple. Whether coated with butter, jam or jelly, a warm English muffin is a great addition to any breakfast. After making this recipe, be...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Giving Back
Part 5 in our series: Rotary—Service Above Self Every Rotarian has a story to share about what led them to become a member. For Jim Backlund, his begins after a 32 year career in computer engineering and a move with his wife, Theresa Backlund, to the Lake Minnetonka...
by Lisa Stevens | Nov 1, 2025 | History, Noteworthy
Today, you might think that the flocks of turkeys roaming your neighborhood or the frozen beauties in the local market harken back to the first Lake Minnetonka Thanksgiving. Think again. That first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1853—five years before Minnesota became...
by Hollie Blanchard | Nov 1, 2025 | Arts, Noteworthy
It’s November, and family/friends are eagerly awaiting to gather around our tables. Original artwork within our abodes add curiosity, and as we break bread together, conversations can be had regarding what is seen or felt through art. In this case, the artist starts...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Oct 1, 2025 | Featured
When beauty and fashion come together, as they do in this issue, creative self-expression can take center stage. Readers, how do you blend the two elements in your lives? When it comes to personal fashion, it’s an evolving notion for me. I recall, not so many years...
