Local Services

A Second Act for Elder Pups

How one foundation is giving senior dogs the ending every good story deserves. Article by Haley Asanovich On a chilly December day in 2001, animal control in Shorewood spotted a small, sick dog running loose. It took them six months to catch him. He was too weak to keep running.  No tags. No collar. No one came looking. The shelter guessed he was around eleven, and with age and a growing list of health problems, he was scheduled to be euthanized.  Then someone made a phone call.  "I have a...

Real Estate

A City Hall for the Ages

The City of Excelsior is paying homage to its past, honoring today and looking ahead to the future with City Hall’s new home. Article by Sara Hoeman | Photography by Emily John Photography Known for one of the most charming historic downtowns in the state, multiple listings on the National Register of Historic Places, beautiful lake views, and a community that honors its past, Excelsior can now add a historic city hall building to its list. The city was on the hunt for a permanent space since...

Life + Culture

Life Minded

Life Lessons Article by Jen Fortner My youngest child is a high school senior this year. I hear I’m supposed to be completely tragic about it. However, his childhood, like every youngest child, has seemingly lasted the longest. Moreover, he had a cheerful K-12 path and has exciting chapters ahead. I feel grateful. He has been lucky in life and therefore so have I. But it’s strange to think this is the last year I’ll be connected to his day-to-day. I have realized I will likely never meet...

Life + Culture

A Legacy of Joy

BeLikeTommy Project is turning one family’s loss into meaningful connections, unforgettable experiences, and moments of joy for local kids. Article by Lauren Beaubaire Where other nonprofits focus on providing essentials like food or clothing, BeLikeTommy Project focuses on something unique but equally important: joy. Creating joyful moments for kids who have experienced hardship is at the heart of what they do.  Kevin and Nicole Nash started the nonprofit after their 14-year-old son Tommy...

Home + Design

A Love Affair

How Union Place helped one couple stay in the home they’ve loved for more than 30 years. Article by Lauren Beaubaire | Photography by Emily John Photography It was a love affair with a home that stood out to Maud and Brian Duggan. As owners of Union Place Home Systems + Interior Design, Maud and Brian spend their days transforming homes into beautiful spaces, but this project was special from the start.  “I can’t recall another project like it,” Brian shares.  Originally designed in the...

Life + Culture

Polo, Patriots & Plenty of Heart

The annual Polo Classic celebrates community and a remarkable World War II veteran. Article and Photography by Rebecca Hahn Exactly 38 years ago, the Twin City Polo Club hosted its very first Annual Polo Classic, held in Maple Plain. The mission was, and remains, an event where 100% of the proceeds are donated to worthy organizations like this year’s recipient, This Old Horse in Hastings, which is always in need of donations. If you are not familiar with this organization, This Old Horse's...

Home Services

Before You Buy a Water Softener

Hard water can affect more than your dishes. Here's what to know before investing in a new water softener for your home.From stubborn soap scum and spotted glassware to mineral buildup in water-using appliances, hard water can create everyday frustrations. If you're considering replacing an aging water softener or installing one for the first time, choosing the right system can make a meaningful difference in your home's water quality and your long-term costs.But how do you compare systems when...

Life + Culture

Life Minded

Check Please Article by Jen Fortner There was a long stretch of time when my favorite activity was to go out to eat. A restaurant, especially a new one, with a hard-to-get table was my top choice for weekend plans. This was before every place offered takeout, and we could have anything and everything at home. Before food delivery and online ordering and curbside pickup.  This was also long before my favorite weekend plans became canceled weekend plans.  In our early 20’s, my husband was...

Home + Design

Where the Wood Speaks

How local woodworker Carl Ecker found a home at Five Swans and turned a Wayzata staple into the centerpiece of every gathering Article by Haley Asanovich There is a moment in Carl Ecker's woodworking process that he enjoys more than any other. The board comes to him roughly cut, unremarkable. Then it goes through the planer. That’s when the wood reveals itself. The grain surfaces. The character shows up. What was once just a piece of walnut becomes something no one else will ever own. “When...

Food + Beverage

Publisher’s Picks

We’re sitting down at three of our favorite local restaurants to share what makes them special, and the dishes that keep us coming back Article and Photography by There’s something about a great meal that brings us all together, doesn’t it? Food has a way of anchoring our best memories, whether it's sharing a cozy table with family or escaping for a much-needed date night with my wife. As we put together this issue’s culinary feature, I wanted to step out from behind the publisher’s desk and...