February 2020

February is a time to celebrate love and luxury. In this issue, find indulgent foodie picks, recipes, sparkly gift ideas and more. 

In October, Tonkadale Greenhouse hosted its popular houseplant runway show, where visitors could “find the right plants for the right places, showcased down o

 
Two Swans in the water during winter at Gray's Bay.

Each month, we feature one of the winning photos from our 2019 Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest.

 
King crab served in white spoons from The Caterers in Hopkins

The Caterers is a commercial kitchen, catering facility, event venue and part-time restaurant.

 
A model shows off earrings and rings from Patrick Mohs Jewelry

For years, the creative couple behind Patrick Mohs Jewelry sold their jewelry at other stores, shows and events. Now they've got a space of their own.

 
Love letters written by John Leslie and Jean Savage.

Martha Long couldn’t believe her eyes as she read the tender words from her stoic grandfather to her vivacious grandmother.

 
A spread of cheese, chocolate, fruit and nuts.

Local cheesemongers and wine experts share their recommendations for a perfect Valentine’s Day spread.

 
C. Ray Frigard

For decades, Mound resident C. Ray Frigard has made a living as a largely self-taught designer and inventor and, more recently, an author.

 
An illustration by Rich Stromwall shows a man standing on the porch of his cabin, which floats on a lake.

When it came to creating an anti-drug messaging campaign for Minnetonka Schools, designer Rich Stromwall and creative consultant Jonathan Bing found themselves working with an interesting theme—penguins.

 
An independent living quarters for an adult with special needs designed by Denali Custom Homes

How one Wayzata builder is customizing spaces for kids and families with special needs.

 
Mike Bestgen, one of the mushers in the Klondike Dog Derby, and two of his sled dogs.

Watch the first local dog sled race in over 85 years.

 
4 Community Theatre performs "Anything Goes"

Local theater company bridges generations and builds bonds.

 
A martini made from Gray Duck Vodka.

Retired Viking Chad Greenway creates a hit spirits line.

 
A teenage girl reads a YA novel on her couch.

Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a young adult fantasy novel that has risen to the top of a saturated category and gained appreciation from both YA fans and others.

 
A bottle of Aska red wine from Banfi.

For Valentine’s Day, sip on an Italian blend from Banfi.

 
A group of friends enjoy glasses of wine while on vacation.

Take a wine-focused vacation that bucks the clichés.

 
Lichen on a dead tree branch

In February, precious little seems to be growing in the woods. Except lichen.

 
Paper hearts on a pink background.

Local media maven Natalie Webster muses on Valentine’s Day.

 
Members of the Hoang Anh dance group celebrate Vietnamese New Year.

Celebrate Vietnamese New Year at the Excelsior Library.

 
Nicole Lovald, owner of Spirit of the Lake Yoga and Wellness Center, meditates

Mindfulness is all over the place these days. But you might still be wondering, “What, exactly, is mindfulness?"

 
Workers harvest ice from Lake Minnetonka, lifting it onto a horse-drawn wagon.

The ice harvest was an important time on Lake Minnetonka in the early 1900s.