Wellness

Your Sanctuary Awaits

Step into Awaken Aesthetics and Wellness for a boutique approach that’s all about you Article by Emily McKeever | Photography by Lexi Renae Studios You take a deep cleansing breath as your lungs fill with gentle air. You exhale and look around, letting the tranquility and inviting warmth sink in. You’re light, you’re refreshed, and perfectly balanced. This restorative experience could be of an idyllic summer day, curling up with a good book and soft music — or it could be a visit to Awaken...

Travel

Up North

Enjoy a weekend escape to Grand View Lodge, where history and rustic charm meets modern luxury Article by Lauren Beaubaire Pack your bags. We’re heading up north and spending the weekend at Grand View Lodge. This historic Minnesota resort on Gull Lake blends rustic charm with modern luxury and is just a car ride away. No passports. No airport. No stress.  “Guests step into a legacy of leisure at Grand View Lodge,” says Moe Beyer, Corporate Director of Communications. “The resort offers luxury...

Sports + Recreation

More Than Golf

Inside Prior Lake’s New Go-To Gathering Spot Article by Amanda Wagner | Photography by Blake Ziemer and Jake Miller When Nate Swenson talks about LaunchPad Golf, his excitement is immediate and contagious. After eight years with the Minnesota Vikings, including time working closely with the Mystic Lake account, Nate recently stepped into his role as general manager just as LaunchPad Golf opened its doors in Prior Lake this past fall. “It felt like the right move at the right time,” Nate says...

Life + Culture

Local Love

Your source for thoughtful Valentine’s Day finds with a hometown touch Article by Emily McKeever Valentine’s Day, Christmas’s sweet and sparkly little sister, is coming just around the strawberry nugget-filled bend — and we know you’re ready to shower your special someone with a little indulgence. If you’re feeling like your gift-giving creativity is running low, we’ve got you covered. This gift roundup of unique and memorable ideas from our local businesses is here to help! You focus on the...

Home + Design

Worry-Free Water

The life-changing impact of better water at home with Haferman Water Conditioning Article by Emily McKeever | Photography by Shea Jurgensen and Vick Photography Water. It’s one of the few things we simply can’t live without. The human body can only survive three days without it, and every cell in our system depends on it, which means it isn’t a luxury but a necessity. So, why would you gamble with the quality of something so essential to your everyday life? That’s where having the right...

Health + Wellness

A Heart of Health

At Shape It Up Fitness, you’ll get so much more than a great workout; you’ll discover a place that feels like home Article by Emily McKeever | Photography by Maria Claire Media There’s a modern yet quaint boutique fitness center nestled on picturesque Main Street in Waconia, where movement meets style and athleisure is basically the dress code. It’s where inspiration and energy buzz as guests focus on feeling their best in a judgment-free zone. At Shape It Up Fitness, you’re more than a...

Entertainment

The Beauty of Real Wellness

Heartfelt care and medical expertise at Something To Crow About Article by Emily McKeever If you find yourself feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, saying to yourself, “Gosh, I haven’t looked or felt this great in ages”, you might be fresh from a tropical getaway. Or you might be a client at Something To Crow About. This premier medspa, situated on Crow River in Hutchinson, offers evidence-based, affordable care with authenticity and a genuine love for the community it serves. Clinic owner Jenny...

Health + Wellness

Comfort for Your Pet. Peace of Mind for You

Zoomin Groomin delivers wellness-focused grooming right to your doorstep Article by Emily McKeever Our pets are so much more than an animal who wanders home now and then and rarely gets a table scrap; they’re our constant companions, our bonus — sometimes drooling — family members, and they fill every corner of our hearts. They deserve only the best, so when it’s time for a treat-your-pet kind of day (which is basically every day), the best is just what they’ll get with Zoomin Groomin. As the...

Shopping

Something for Everyone

Thoughtful gifts from local businesses for every vibe on your list Article by Emily McKeever Cabin Fever Sporting Goods If you have a hunter, fisherman, or archer in your circle, you’ve found their holy grail. From bait to ladder stands, you’ll find all the gear to make their holiday bright.  cabinfevermn.com   Carver Junk Company For someone whose skin is often exposed to the elements, their natural soaps are gentle, nourishing, and smell amazing.  carverjunkcompany.com Launchpad...

Sports + Recreation

Game On in Waconia

A look at boys’ and girls’ basketball and the passion and spirit that fuels every game Article by Emily McKeever | Photography by Trevor Jager Things are heating up this winter as the boys and girls basketball teams ignite the court. When you join the crowd, you’ll not only witness fast breaks, slick passes, and quick steals, but you’ll also feel the tight camaraderie and fierce drive that only Waconia High School and Southwest Christian High School teams embody. Learn a little more about...