Life + Culture

Life Minded

The Kids Are Alright Article by Jen Fortner There is a wide range of opinions on when a child is a child no longer. Some say eighteen years old. Some think twenty-one. Minnesota has selected twenty-six for insurance purposes. But I’ve watched mothers in their eighties with sons in their sixties fussing over if they are getting enough to eat and enough rest. So it’s hard to say when full adulthood sets in.  My eldest just moved out for real this past spring. She is an adult on paper but yet...

Home Services

The Hows and Whys of Finding a Family-Friendly Home

Lakes Area Realty’s Chris Dennis shares how to find the perfect family-friendly home Article by Graham Johnson | Photography by Kate Munson When seeking a home for a growing family, there are some basics that most are looking for. Buyers care about the school district, access to parks and trails, and often having multiple bedrooms on the same floor.  For Chris Dennis, a Broker with Lakes Area Realty, however, just as important as finding a house that matches a family’s specifications is...

Local Services

A Paw Above the Rest

Top Dog Country Club sets the gold standard in world-class boarding and customized training, ensuring your dog is living their best life Article by Sara Hoeman | Photography by Jean Stelten Beuning Located in Carver County, Top Dog Country Club was founded 25 years ago, creating the first-ever vacation club for dogs and forever changing an industry. Built on the idea of extending top-tier hospitality to both dogs and their owners, Top Dog’s ‘club med’ style vacation ensures your pets receive...

Travel

Ride the Last Waves of Summer

Soak up the final golden days of summer with Bay to Bay’s luxury pontoons Article by Jen Fortner | Photography by Anna Ko Photography The universe sometimes seems to conspire against Minnesotans by not allowing us to fully enjoy the entirety of our precious summer. School supplies are available in July. Back-to-school clothing sales flood our emails. Fall athletics are already ramping up. Before we know it, we will be staring down September.  Tom Jacob, owner of Bay to Bay Boat Club, has a...

Entertainment

Harvesting Fun for the Whole Family

How Apple Jack Orchards cracked the code on all-ages fun Article by Kendra Johnson | Photography by SavvyPhotage As a parent, it’s not often you find an event or attraction that appeals to both you and your children. And it’s even less likely if you have children of varying ages and abilities that you’ll find a place where they can all have fun, but Apple Jack Orchards has cracked the code.  Located in Delano, Apple Jack Orchards is a family-owned apple orchard that has grown into so much...

Education

SuperCoaches to the Rescue

How one Minnetonka mom created a game-changing platform connecting families with trusted tutors and coaches Article by Lauren Beaubaire Somehow, school is almost back in session. You’ve snagged the last-minute clothing sales, replaced that mysteriously vanished charger (again), and double-checked that the notebooks are, in fact, wide-ruled. But one of the most important items might be missing from your back-to-school list — SuperCoaches.  As a mom of three boys in Minnetonka, Jennifer Shawgo...

Professional Services

What Every Pet Parent Should Know

Ask the Experts: How to keep your pet healthy & happy with Westonka Animal Hospital Article by Hannah Harms For nearly 60 years, Westonka Animal Hospital has been a trusted name in pet care for the Mound, Minnesota community. Led by Dr. Jackie Piepkorn and her husband, Dr. Craig Piepkorn, and their dedicated team, the hospital provides comprehensive veterinary services, from advanced surgeries to dentistry, all under the high standards of AAHA accreditation, a distinction held by only 12-15%...

Auto + Marine

Ready, Set, Sail

Explore the Summer Cruise Offerings from Paradise Charter Cruises Article by Sarah Knieff Set sail this summer with Paradise Charter Cruises and embark on an unforgettable excursion with the whole family across two of Minnesota’s most beautiful waterways: the mighty Mississippi River and the scenic Lake Minnetonka. Whether you're chasing adventure with your little ones or kicking back with your college-age kids, these cruises offer something for everyone. Soak in the sun, enjoy the views, and...

Finance + Legal Services

Case Study: Distribution Planning (How it works)

Click HERE to watch the latest Financial Flash Report - an educational series that drops every Friday with a new short video. This week, John Stone, Sr. Private Wealth Manager takes you through the real-life scenario of a client to show you how we assess your current situation and create a personalized financial plan for you from the ground up that meets your unique and individual retirement goals. We do this by utilizing top-of-the-line tools, our decades of experience and high-touch care that...

Auto + Marine

Living the Lake Life Starts Here

How Erickson Marine is helping the next generation of boaters feel at home on the water Article by Kendra Johnson Have you ever been to the lake and seen friends fishing together, parents trying to flip their kids off a tube, or families cruising around the lake and thought, I wish that was me? Even if, much like me, you have little to no experience driving or maintaining a boat, a little guidance from a trusted source can go a long way to getting you there. In Minnesota, that trusted source...