Lake Minnetonka Lifestyle

08/22/2026

What happens when a dad turns a career in real estate into a family business? 40 years, three sons, and a whole lot of relationships later, you get Stickney Real Estate.🏡

Stickney Real Estate - Coldwell Banker Realty has grown into a multigenerational business with sons David, Kevin, and Jacob all working alongside their father, George. And while the real estate industry has changed dramatically since George’s early days in the business, their approach has stayed the same: build relationships, communicate, and go above and beyond for their clients.

Get to know the family behind 40 years of Stickney Real Estate in our latest story. Read it with the link in our bio or at citylifestyle.com/articles/keeping-it-in-the-family-2

Photography by

How George Stickney's leap into real estate became a family legacy built on trust, communication, and putting clients first

08/20/2026

Students at Notre Dame Academy in Minnetonka Notre Dame Academy Minnetonka, MN took on an impressive project this year. Working alongside classmates from different grades, they spent two weeks building a full-sized canoe by hand, learning everything from boatbuilding and problem-solving to perseverance and teamwork along the way. 🛶

The project was created through CSCOE (Catholic Schools Center of Excellence) and the Urban Wilderness Program to help students build hands-on woodworking skills while developing important values like perseverance and responsibility.

And the finished canoe had a purpose beyond the project itself: It was auctioned off at the school’s Grand Beginnings fundraiser, bringing in $2,800 for the school!

👉Read the full story with the link in bio or at citylifestyle.com/articles/all-in-the-same-boat

When one is from a family of nine, hearing your mom say, “You kids have got to learn to work together,” was normal. It was more like a Plowman rule. Today, we all know that “successful teamwork,” whether on an NBA, NHL, WNBA, or NFL professional team, or community-based sports team, seems to...

08/20/2026

Middle school isn’t exactly a time many of us want to go back to, but sometimes it’s important to remember what that period in our lives was like — especially when it can go a long way towards helping our kids feel better in their own skin.

The acne, oil, and dry skin we remember all too well are a rite of passage for preteens, but it doesn’t have to define them. Developing a basic and healthy skincare routine is a great way to connect with your child and help their confidence bloom.

We sat down with Missi Davis, owner of Bella on The Bay in Excelsior, on how to help your kids start a simple skincare routine and avoid the TikTok trends that may not be the right product or skincare routine for your kids.

👉 Read the full story with the link in bio or at: citylifestyle.com/articles/helping-kids-love-the-skin-theyre-in

From TikTok trends to skincare routines, we ask the experts at Bella on the Bay what parents should know about helping kids care for their skin

08/03/2026

Our August “Kids & Pets” issue is here! Dedicated entirely to the two groups of family members who consume 90% of our energy, 100% of our couch space, and all of our hearts, check out all the great stories this month!

🏡Keeping it in the Family: How George Stickney’s leap into real estate became a family legacy built on trust, communication, and putting clients first. Stickney Real Estate - Coldwell Banker Realty

❤️Helping Kids Love the Skin They’re In: From TikTok trends to skincare routines, we ask the experts at Bella on The Bay what parents should know about helping kids care for their skin

🛶All in the Same Boat: A unique canoe-building project taught Notre Dame Academy Minnetonka, MN middle schoolers craftsmanship, collaboration, and giving back

🐾☀️It’s a Dog-Gone Good Summer! Top Dog Country Club brings out all the stops so your four-legged best friends can have the most paw-fect time in the sun

🎨The Art of Seeing: How artist Euladora Rose transforms thought into form, creating work that evolves with every person who experiences it

😄Trey Kennedy and his wife Katie on marriage, kids, and the comedy of real life.

🐶Life Minded: Dog Daze. Jen keeps it beautifully real in her latest column, sharing the immense joys and chaotic challenges of adopting a new pup into the family.

And, as always, we let you know about great events happening around the Lake, the latest local business news in our Business Monthly, and who was out around town with our City Scene!

👉 See all the stories inside and read the full issue with the link in bio or at: citylifestyle.com/lakeminnetonka/issues/2026-08

07/29/2026

Do you want careless and disengaged movers to haphazardly schlep your neat stuff across town – or cross country? Or do you want junk removal by people who don’t give a fig about recycling, and would enthusiastically chuck old refrigerators into Lake Minnetonka if they thought they could get away with it? Then you need College LUNKS! Leave them a message today if you would like there to theoretically be a chance that they’ll call you back.

…what’s that? You want the exact opposite of those things? Courteous professionals who’ll make your prized effects materialize wherever you want them with equal parts gingerness and punctuality? Or junk removal service that minimizes your contribution to the dump? Ah. Well, in that case, you need someone incomparably better. And real.

YOU NEED COLLEGE HUNKS! Eden Prairie’s premier moving, junk removal, and general labor service is here to help Numero Uno (i.e. you) navigate perplexing challenges sans turmoil!

We sat down with College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving owner Ryan Spille to learn how his team is redefining the moving industry through exceptional service, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to helping people during life’s biggest transitions.

👉Read the full story with the link in bio or at citylifestyle.com/articles/college-hunks-hauling-junk-and-moving-4

Do you want careless and disengaged movers to haphazardly schlep your neat stuff across town – or cross country? Or do you want junk removal by people who don’t give a fig about recycling, and would enthusiastically chuck old refrigerators into Lake Minnetonka if they thought they could get away...

07/28/2026

🍦Some of the sweetest summer memories start with a trip to your favorite local ice cream shop.

For generations, Licks Unlimited has been part of family traditions around Lake Minnetonka, serving up homemade ice cream after long days on the lake. Now, they’re making celebrations even sweeter with their new customizable ice cream cakes!🎂

Choose your favorite ice cream flavors, toppings, and syrups to create a one-of-a-kind dessert that’s perfect for birthdays, graduations, family gatherings, or any excuse to celebrate.

👉Read our latest story to learn more about the family behind Licks Unlimited, their newest sweet addition, and why this local favorite has been creating memories for more than 35 years.🍨💙 Click the link in bio or at citylifestyle.com/articles/everyone-screams-for-ice-cream-cake

Licks Unlimited, a cornerstone in the Excelsior community for more than 40 years, is dipping its cone into the world of ice cream cakes.

07/22/2026

So much fun at this past weekend’s The Lake Minnetonka Wakesurf Open during the Spirit of the Lakes Festival!

07/19/2026

How much of your summer is spent on the water?☀️🚤 In Minnesota, every lake day counts. That’s why protecting your boat — and making it easier to get out on the water — is just as important as the boat itself.

We sit down with Tyler Kramer, owner of CrossPoint Marine Co. to learn how they’re helping Lake Minnetonka boaters spend less time worrying about maintenance and more time making memories with family and friends.

“I’ve been around the lake my whole life,” says Tyler. “We saw a real need in the boating community to provide a better boat lift and a higher quality product that stands the test of time and helps boaters truly get the most out of the short lake season. So, that’s what we set out to do. Those special moments with family and friends creating memories out on the water are so fleeting. We want to make sure we can help you take full advantage and make the most of those summer days on the lake.”

👉Read the full story with the link: citylifestyle.com/articles/a-boat-lift-built-for-better-lake-days

Designed on Lake Minnetonka, CrossPoint Marine Co.’s heavy-duty hydraulic lifts are redefining convenience, protection, and peace of mind for boat owners.

07/14/2026

Some places are about more than what’s on the shelves. At The Snug Chanhassen, every piece has a story, every purchase gives back, and every visit feels like catching up with an old friend. From vintage treasures and handmade goods to cozy corners where neighbors gather and chat, it’s the kind of place that’s hard to leave after “just stopping in.”

And as a nonprofit, every donated item sold helps support local charities, making every find part of something bigger.

👉Read the full story and discover why The Snug is becoming one of the community’s favorite places to shop, connect, and give back with the link in bio or at citylifestyle.com/articles/welcome-to-the-snug

Photography by Kate Ann Photography

Stepping into The Snug, you’ll notice how easy it feels to stay awhile. Sunlight spills across vintage furniture and collected décor, handmade goods, and shelves riddled with stories from decades past. One room leads naturally into the next, each thoughtfully styled with its own personality and c...

07/06/2026

Summer in Minnesota is too short to spend inside. So we sat down with the team at Highmark Builders Inc. about creating outdoor spaces that fit the way you live and really allow you to make the most of the summer season in your own backyard.😎

Whether you’re dreaming of hosting neighborhood cookouts, family dinners on the patio, or simply enjoying a quiet Tuesday evening outdoors, Highmark lets us in on the biggest outdoor living trends, smart design ideas, and how to create a space that fits your lifestyle, no matter the size of your yard.

👉Read the full story at citylifestyle.com/articles/a-backyard-built-for-gathering

Living in Minnesota, it’s essential to get outside in the summer and socialize with friends and family. Meeting up at a local restaurant or boating out on the lake are go-tos, but what if you could host gatherings in your own backyard? Wouldn’t barbecues, pool parties, and family dinners be much...