Wayzata.com

James J Hill Days Schedule 2023

September 7th, 2023

Since 1975 the weekend following Labor Day in Wayzata has been dedicated to honoring James J. Hill, Minnesota historic figure and once owner of the Great Northern Railroad Company.

Hill, builder of the present train depot in 1906, contributed significantly to transform Wayzata into the beautiful tourist location and friendly community we know today.

James J. Hill Days is Lake Minnetonka’s favorite community tradition, as highlighted by the “Best Of” Lake Minnetonka award. For the last 49 years this annual festival has brought the community together to celebrate Wayzata, while enjoying food, fun & family festivities!

Don’t miss the Wayzata Beach Bash; also Minnetonka travels to Wayzata High School for the best rivalry in high school football in the state, the Battle for the Bay Bell!

If you are thinking about buying or selling in the area, please plan to stop at 126 Benton Ave. in Wayzata from 1-5 on Saturday and 11-3 on Sunday to visit with myself and Elisha.

126 Benton Ave in Wayzata

This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to view our next (under construction) new construction project with Custom One Homes & David Charlez Design. We would also be interested to discuss any real estate plans you may have.

Go Wayzata football, beat Tonka for the Bay Bell!

Dan, Elisha, Nikki, Jenny, & Katie

wayzata-press-9-5-JAMES-J-HILL-DAYS-SCHEDULE-2 Download

	Friday September 8, 2023
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Rails & Ales Craft Beer Festival	Wayzata Depot
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm	Lake Minnetonka Carnival	Lake Street Wayzata
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Friday Night Street Market	Lake Street Wayzata
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm	Food + Drink	Lake Street Wayzata
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Logrolling	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Zip Line	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm	Jack Brass Band	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm	Free Live Music – Alex Rossi Band	Sandvold Stage
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm	Brad Paisley – Wayzata Beach Bash	Wayzata Beach
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm	Wayzata Football vs Minnetonka	Wayzata High School
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm	Zootopia – Movie on the Lawn	Great Lawn
	Saturday September 9, 2023
10:00 am 11:30 am	Live Music – Gas Station Turkeys	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 2:00 pm	Dachshund Races & Dog Activities	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Pony Rides	Wayzata Depot
10:00 am – 10:00 pm	Food + Drink	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 7:00 pm	Street Market*	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 7:00 pm	Logrolling	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 10:00 pm	Zip Line	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 10:00 pm	Lake Minnetonka Carnival	Lake Street Wayzata
11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Guided Historical Walking Tour	Wayzata Depot
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm	Live Music – Sam Graber	Lake Street Wayzata
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Llama Llovin’ Experience	Wayzata Depot
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm	Daniel Gustafson – Open House	126 Benton Ave Wayzata
2:15 pm – 5:15 pm	Live Music – Powertap	Lake Street Wayzata
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm	Live Music – High & Mighty	Lake Street Wayzata
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm	Cody Jinks – Wayzata Beach Bash	Wayzata Beach
8:45 pm – 9:00 pm	Fireworks*	Wayzata Bay
	Sunday September 10, 2023
10:00 am – 2:00 pm	Love your neighbor: Multi-faith perspective	Sandvold Stage
10:00 am – 3:00 pm	Doggy Olympics	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Food + Drink	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Street Market	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Zip Line	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Logrolling	Panoway on Wayzata Bay
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Lake Minnetonka Carnival*	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Vikings Season Opener Watch Party	Lake Street Wayzata
10:00 am – 4:00 pm	Pony Rides	Wayzata Depot
11:00 am – 12:00 pm	Guided Historical Walking Tour	Wayzata Depot
11:15 am – 1:00 pm	Wayzata Symphony Orchestra	Sandvold Stage
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm	Esteam-Dance, Fitness & Tumbling	Sandvold Stage
11:00 pm – 3:00 pm	Elisha Gustafson – Open House*	126 Benton Ave Wayzata
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm	T-6 Thunder Airshow	Lake Street Wayzata
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm	Parade*	Lake Street Wayzata

We kick off the weekend with FREE LIVE MUSIC & STREET DANCE featuring Alex Rossi + Band from 6–10 p.m. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes, grab a beverage from the Beer + Wine Tent and tell your friends to meet you at the Sandvold Stage off of Minnetonka/Lake Street! Our live music line-up is one to celebrate.

For the craft beer lovers, get your tickets to RAILS & ALES CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL. This year’s line-up is stacked! Enjoy unlimited samples from 20+ breweries, live entertainment by John Whitekar and DJ Souzo, delicious food from Soul to Soul BBQ, and some games to wind down from the week (5-9 PM). Tickets available at JamesJHillDays.com
Step right up! The Lake Minnetonka CARNIVAL (5-10 p.m) will be in full force with ride after ride offering fun for all ages. Purchase presale discounted tickets at Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata and also available at the gate.

Get ready for big name headliners to take the stage for WAYZATA BEACH BASH (6-11 p.m). Country Star, Brad Paisley, comes to town Friday with special guest Tenille Arts. The fun doesn’t stop there! Cody Jinks takes the stage Saturday with special guests The Steel Woods. Tickets available at WayzataBeachBash.com

New this year! Don’t miss a pop-up performance by the feel-good, New Orleans style sounds from JACK BRASS BAND (5:30-7 p.m) at Panoway on Wayzata Bay.

Shop local vendors (5-9 PM) at the outdoor NIGHT MARKET, enjoy 20+ food trucks along Lake Street under the twinkling lights. Bring the kids to the Great Lawn to catch a MOVIE ON THE LAWN (7:30 p.m) hosted by Wayzata Sailing. Enjoy the hilarious adventure of Disney’s Zootopia with the family. A perfect end to summer.

Find that special something as you SHOP 175 VENDORS (10 a.m–7 p.m) at the open-air street market. Sip and stroll from 21 food trucks, beer + wine tents or grab a fresh lemonade as the CARNIVAL continues all day Saturday (10 a.m–10 p.m).

Attention dog lovers, this one’s for you! Grab a hot dog and watch wiener dogs race, jump hurdles and dress up in costume at the ever-popular DACHSHUND RACES (12 p.m). Bring your pup and get ready for your close-up as you pose for pictures in the DOGGY KISSING BOOTH (10 a.m). Create a great memory with your furry friend with our PET CARICATURE ARTIST. Enjoy pupperific treats and register to win prizes (10 a.m–2 p.m). If cute animals are your thing, make sure to stop by Depot Park to take selfies with the LLAMA SQUAD and enjoy PONY RIDES (12– 4 p.m).

New this year! Take your weekend to new heights with the ZIP LINE (10 a.m – 10 p.m). We are excited to partner with Holiday Glow Festival and have the Mobile Fly Wire zipline tower over our grand festival and offer incredible thrills to attendees. Soar and enjoy the view of beautiful Lake Minnetonka all weekend long!

Take a break from all the activities and enjoy incredible FREE LIVE MUSIC, dancing and fireworks! The Sandvold Stage will feature local band favorites including – High & Mighty, Powertap, Sam Graber, and Gas Station Turkeys (10 a.m-10 p.m). Stick around for the WAYZATA BAY FIREWORKS (8:45 p.m) bursting over Wayzata Bay in celebration of all the fun.

Several of the weekend’s activities stretch into Sunday, including logrolling, open air street market, pony rides, carnival, food trucks, beer + wine tents and James J. Hill Days Dog Park activities.

New this year! SKOL Vikings fans! Get ready to cheer on the Vikings lakeside at the VIKINGS SEASON OPENER WATCH PARTY Sunday, September 10 at James J. Hill Days. Drop the kids off at the carnival, grab some food from the food trucks, a cold one from the beer tent, and head on over to see our guys in purple take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the Xfinity BIG screen in the Depot parking lot.

If you haven’t noticed, it’s all about the dogs in Wayzata. So, you and your pup are challenged to join the DOGGY OLYMPICS! Bring your pup and participate in a series of engaging games that will show off your pup’s skills and earn the winners pup-tastic prizes (12–2 p.m). Get some quality time with Officer Gehrman and view impressive skills during DEMOS WITH WAYZATA PD K9 TEAM (12 pm).

Learn about the history of Wayzata and the many changes it has seen over the past 150+ years during the GUIDED HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR (11 a.m–12 p.m). See historic sites such as the Wayzata Depot and Great Northern Section House. The Wayzata Depot Museum will be open to the public during James J. Hill Days from 10 a.m – 4 p.m. Model Train Railroad will run both days from 1–4 p.m.

Other activities special to Sunday, include the T-6 THUNDER AIRSHOW a fascinating display of WWII planes swiftly flying over Lake Street and Wayzata Bay (2:45 p.m). The same afternoon features the hometown PARADE (3 p.m). Special thanks to all the sponsors who keep this event on the tracks. We will see you at James J. Hill Days!

MAJOR SPONSORS: Sandvold Financial Group, Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata, 6Smith, Youngstedts, THN Enterprises, Your Boat Club, Presbyterian Homes & Services Folkestone, Ulrich Real Estate | Regency Homes, Union Home Mortgage, RE/MAX Results

SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Colonial Square/Regency Centers, Next Move Twin Cities | Keller Williams Realty, The International School of MN, Erickson Outdoor Lighting, Mediacom, Renewal by Andersen, Trails of Orono, New Spaces, All Energy Solar, BNSF, Elite Spine Chiropractic, The Brost Clinic, Wings Financial Credit Union, Lakeside Decking Co., Wings for Widows, Coldwell Banker Realty, Xfinity, Face Foundrie, Abra Kadabra Environmental Pest & Wildlife, idc-Automatic, Realia by Jen, MN Inboard Water Sports, Monarch Wealth Advisors, Kraus-Anderson, Petsuites Plymouth, Old National Bank, UPS Store Wayzata, Lake Minnetonka Magazine, Ben & Jerry’s

Wayzata Swim & Dive Working Together to Stay Near the Top Of Class AA

September 7th, 2023

The Wayzata swimming and diving team lost sixteen seniors from a team that finished third in state in Class AA last year, but the Trojans are working hard again this Fall to stay near the top.

Wayzata returns back a few state-contributors from last year in Geneva Fackler, Linnea Kallebo, Lucy Troyak, Emily Alberts, and Ashley Mouyenga. The Trojans host Eden Prairie in a dual meet Thursday in Plymouth.
Experienced and Balanced Wayzata Football Team Looks to Make State Run

August 23rd, 2023

“The Wayzata football team finished 5-5 in 2022, but all four of the Trojans’ regular season losses were by one score. The team is optimistic that they can make a deep postseason run in 2023 led by their returning starting quarterback Cole Heilbrun and their five starting offensive linemen who all return with some experience at the varsity level. The Trojans open the season at Lakeville South on September 1st.” From CCX Media.
Wayzata Boys Soccer Shoots for Repeat

August 23rd, 2023

“The Wayzata boys soccer team is hoping to stay at the top after winning the state class AAA title last season, the fourth championship in program history. The Trojans have to replace standout scorers Mike Orlov and Joe Highfield and others lost to graduation, but they do return five starters. Midfield will be a position of strength for Wayzata, with most of that crew returning from the championship team.” From CCX Media.
2023 Wayzata Beach Bash lineup to feature Brad Paisley & Cody Jinks

August 8th, 2023

The excitement is building as the countdown begins for the highly anticipated “Wayzata Beach Bash,” a two-day extravaganza of music, community, and pure entertainment held during Wayzata’s largest festival of the year, James J. Hill Days.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Wayzata Beach, this event is all set to showcase performances by two country music powerhouses – Brad Paisley on Friday, September 8th, and Cody Jinks on Saturday, September 9th.

The “Wayzata Beach Bash” has become a renowned annual tradition, drawing music enthusiasts from all over for an unforgettable weekend of live performances.

With the spotlight on two of the biggest names in country music, this year’s event promises an exceptional experience for fans of all ages.

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley is set to take the stage on the opening night of the “Wayzata Beach Bash.” With a career spanning over two decades, Paisley’s journey in country music has been nothing short of remarkable.

Known for his virtuoso guitar skills, soulful vocals, and a knack for storytelling, Paisley has solidified his status as a country music icon.Paisley’s string of hits over the years has left an indelible mark on the genre. Some of his most notable songs include:

“Whiskey Lullaby” – A haunting duet with Alison Krauss that explores themes of heartbreak and sorrow:

“Ticks” – A playful and catchy track that showcases Paisley’s trademark humor:

“Remind Me” – A captivating duet with Carrie Underwood, highlighting their undeniable chemistry:

“She’s Everything” – A heartfelt ballad that captures the essence of love and admiration.

“Mud on the Tires” – An upbeat anthem evoking the joy of carefree road trips.

“Today” – A sentimental song that urges listeners to cherish the present moment.

Cody Jinks

On Saturday, September 9th, the spotlight will shift to Cody Jinks, an artist known for his raw and authentic approach to country music.

Jinks’ career has been marked by his ability to connect with listeners through his relatable lyrics and gritty sound.Jinks’ career highlights include:

“Loud and Heavy” – A soul-stirring anthem that captures the essence of life’s struggles and triumphs.

“Hippies and Cowboys” – A fan-favorite showcasing Jinks’ rebellious spirit and distinctive voice.

“Cast No Stones” – A poignant ballad that resonates with its introspective lyrics and emotive delivery.

“Must Be the Whiskey” – A hit that explores the emotional impact of heartbreak and regret.

“David” – A moving tribute to Jinks’ late friend that tugs at the heartstrings.

The “Wayzata Beach Bash” promises a weekend of musical excellence and shared experiences. With Brad Paisley and Cody Jinks headlining the event, attendees can expect a captivating showcase of talent, emotion, and the unifying power of country music. As the sun sets over the picturesque Wayzata Beach, memories of this extraordinary musical journey will undoubtedly linger for years to come.

Tickets are available at: WayzataBeachBash.com
Aerial video of Lakewalk construction

August 8th, 2023

Kraus Anderson, Wayzata’s general contractor on the Lakewalk project currently underway shared a interesting video that provides a bird’s-eye view of the ongoing construction project.

The intriguing aspect of this visual presentation is that it was filmed from the vantage point of a cutting-edge drone, offering viewers an expansive perspective of the development in progress.

Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more information.
Minnesota Veterans’ Event Aims to Set Two Guinness World Records on Lake Minnetonka

August 5th, 2023

Join “Project Got Your Back” for the Largest Parade of Boats and Simultaneous Pool Noodle Floating Attempt

“Project Got Your Back” (PGYB), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, is set to make a splash on Lake Minnetonka with an official attempt at breaking not one but two Guinness World Records titles.

Largest Parade of Boats Guiness World Record Attempt

The event promises an unforgettable day of fun, community spirit, and a chance to honor the brave men and women who served the nation. Scheduled for the afternoon of August 1, the event’s highlight will be the “Largest Parade of Boats” record attempt.

Participants are invited to gather at Big Island on Lake Minnetonka at 2:00 PM to kick off the festivities and generate excitement for the forthcoming record-breaking efforts.

At 3:00 PM, the lead boat will depart from the north side of Big Island, signaling the commencement of the epic boat parade. Boat enthusiasts from all corners of Minnesota are encouraged to join the flotilla as they cruise through the scenic waters, showcasing their boats and sharing their love for the state’s stunning lakes.

The journey will culminate in Browns Bay at 4:00 PM, where attendees can enjoy music and entertainment until 6:30 PM, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.

Most people floating on pool noodles record attempt

However, the fun doesn’t stop there. After the boat parade, participants will be invited to take part in the second Guinness World Records attempt of the day: “The Most People Floating on Pool Noodles Simultaneously.”

The record-breaking endeavor will further add to the day’s excitement and provide an opportunity for attendees to be a part of history.

“PT” Paul Thomas, a renowned live emcee, will be the master of ceremonies, adding his infectious energy to keep the crowd engaged and motivated throughout the event.

Registration is required

Participation in both record attempts requires registration, and interested individuals can sign up at pgyb.org. By registering, attendees will not only secure their place in the record books but also contribute to the noble cause of supporting Minnesota veterans.

“Project Got Your Back” is spearheading this initiative to raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and to provide much-needed support and resources. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the organization’s programs aimed at assisting veterans in their transition to civilian life.
Benton neighbors call for short term rental regulations

August 3rd, 2023

On July 18, 2023, a significant number of residents from Benton Avenue participated in the City Council Meeting. Among them, Cory Johnson and Todd Buchanan expressed common concerns on behalf of the neighborhood regarding short-term rentals during the public comments portion of the meeting.

Benton neighbors listen to the City Council. City of Wayzata Youtube Channel.

Mr. Johnson indicated that currently, there is no existing short-term licensing program in place. Additionally, he indicated there are issues regarding the density of short-term rentals, specifically the clustering of numerous short-term rentals in a single neighborhood or area.

Finally Mr. Johnson stated there are discrepancies between the 2040 Comprehensive plan, which emphasizes the significance of single-family homes, and the commercial utilization of a group of homes within the neighborhood for short-term rental purposes.

During the City Council Meeting, Mr. Buchanan, a resident of Benton for the past 19 years, shared his perspective. He expressed the widespread concerns among the neighborhood residents about the growing concentration of short-term rentals at the end of Benton. These rentals have emerged in recent years and have brought along several associated problems such as increased traffic, weekend events, and parties.

“Concentrated clusters of short term rentals disrupt the sense of community, and permanence that is essential for fostering a strong neighborhood. The indiscriminate conversion of single family owner occupied homes into transient accommodations not only detracts from the long term stability but also detracts from the affordable housing options available,” stated Buchanan. He listed a number of municipalities that have put into place STR regulations in recent years.

Mayor Johanna Mouton responded, “We have a strategic planning session coming up, and we will consider as a council if the short term rental piece is going to be something that we focus on in the short term. We have considered as a council years ago and in fact I was the one who had brought it up to consider having some type of licensing or regulation in place. The majority of the Council did not agree that it was time or place to put something like that in motion. That was probably close to eight years ago, times and circumstances change, so we will discuss collectively as a group if the majority of the council feels that this is something that we need to address and frankly want to invest your money because it will be a long and expensive process to enact if that’s the way we want to go.”

Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for more information on this story.
Lake West Development sues City of Wayzata for denial at TCF site

August 1st, 2023

Curt Fretham of Lake West Development has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Wayzata.

The lawsuit was started after the most recent denial by the Wayzata City Council for the redevelopment of 200 East Lake Street in Downtown Wayzata.

The City was served with the complaint and summons on or about July 20th.

1989 Planned Unit Development contract terminated?

According to the lawsuit, both parties have the authority to terminate the TCF building PUD and its more restrictive land use regulations compared to the underlying C-4 zoning district.

Lake West claims that it has served notice and insists that the City is obliged to “revoke the PUD” within 30 days. Afterward, the property will be governed by the regulations applicable in the district where it is located, specifically C-4 or related variations as per the Central Business District in the 2040 Comprehensive plan.

Arbitrary and capricious decision making?

The lawsuit includes another allegation stating that the Wayzata City Council and Planning Commission based their decisions on personal preferences rather than adhering to the City Code and Comprehensive Plan.

These alleged unwritten standards have not been enforced for other businesses and developments within the same zoning districts, particularly concerning parking, parking structures, loading, deliveries, and truck turnaround areas.

Furthermore, it is claimed that other developments in the community were not obligated to provide truck turnarounds within their properties.

Lake West claims it submitted a fully compliant application

Applications for development become intriguing because if an application fully complies with the code, the zoning authority is left with no choice but to approve it.

In addition, Lake West claims that the Staff Report provided evidence that the project aligns with all relevant standards.

Massing Break Ordinance an Unconstitutional Taking?

City Code 909.07(A)(2) requires “for every 150 feet of facade” a building is now required to include “a publicly accessible midblock pedestrian connection or street through the building with a minimum clear width of 25 feet” in order to provide views of Lake Minnetonka and allow for potential future access to the lake.”

Lake West alleges that the City is taking one sixth of the property, and demanding that the rights of way be elevated over the raised railroad berm with elevator access provided.

60 / 120 day time deadline missed?

Lake West is also claiming that the application was denied 130 days after after it was submitted, and that statute requires an approval or a denial by a municipality within 60 days.

Work Session requests denied

During a telephone conversation with Fretham, he mentioned that he has requested meetings with City Officials and Staff on several occasions during City Council Work Sessions, and those requests have been denied.

Work session meetings are less formal, and no decisions are final, but they provide an opportunity for attendees, including elected officials and City staff to freely exchange ideas.

As of now, City Manager Jeff Dahl has not commented on the lawsuit.

You can read the full summons and complaint by clicking this link.

This is a developing story, stay tuned for more information.
Jennifer Zhi-Roth dontates $500,000 to Panoway Lakewalk in honor of her late husband Gunther Roth

July 31st, 2023

A second major donor to the Panoway Lakewalk has been identified in recently by Wayzata Conservancy director Peter Hitch: Wayzata resdient Jennifer Zhi-Roth.

Zhi-Roth desired to honor her late husband Gunther Roth through the major gift towards the Lakewalk as recognition of the time they spent living in Wayzata on Ferndale Road and in Harrington House.

The gift was the second major donation to the City of Wayzata via the Wayzata Conservancy to help fund the construction and maintanance of the Lakewalk. The first major gift received earlier this year was from the Carisch Family.

Jennifer submitted the following letter commemorating the life of Guether:

Guenther was born and raised in the beautiful State of Bavaria in Germany. He studied classical music since the age of 12; earned his master’s degree in musical conducting; and became a professional musician and conductor.

Guenther immigrated in 1954 to Minnesota, a state he was proud to call home for more than 65 years. He began his career as a musician/conductor; expanded into the world of business
and entrepreneurship; and then found further joy and fulfillment as a philanthropist.

He purchased a classic Frank Lloyd Wright-style home on Ferndale Road West in the early 1990s, spending more than two years to restore it. Many in his Wayzata neighborhood considered the result to be one of the most beautiful homes – his for 20 years — in the area.

In more recent years, we wanted both to remain in Wayzata and to find safe and convenient one-floor living. The penthouse in Harrington House provided the perfect answer, overlooking Wayzata Bay and the beautiful lakefront. We quickly fell in love with the home – for its wonderful neighbors and its panoramic view of the City we both loved!

Guenther’s Wayzata neighbors knew well his practice of power walking through the neighborhood seven days a week – sometimes twice a day! – with me at his side. While some did not know our names, they knew us by sight for our everyday ritual on Ferndale Road West and on Lake Street.

Guenther was also well known in the surrounding area as the endearing, gifted, classically trained musician. He entertained the neighbors with the joyful spirit of his piano-playing. At Christmastime, we hosted parties at our home where Guenther played the piano so beautifully
that he inspired the neighborhood guests to sing enthusiastically.

Everyone joined in at the top of their voices to sing some 20 Christmas songs. When a piano was not nearby, Guenther turned to another passion – motorcycling!

He especially enjoyed riding his BMW motorcycle. He spent countless hours riding through the Alps when in Europe, and of course back home in Minnesota, he came to know virtually every street and avenue in the Twin Cities metro area.

Guenther quietly created a private charitable foundation focused on serving the needs of single-parent minority families’ children. For many years the foundation has helped fund educational opportunities for these children in the hope of building more productive and fulfilling futures.

Guenther R. Roth’s story is a true American story. He worked hard as a new immigrant to use his intelligence and skill to be the best he could be in all the pursuits to which he devoted himself. He encouraged others to pursue their own dreams too, rallying them to “go for it!”

And when he personally succeeded, his kind and loving nature prompted him to give back to the country that had been so good to him, his wife and his family. I am pleased to help honor my dear, elegant, generous husband with this lasting gift to the The Wayzata Conservancy for the City of Wayzata.

Sincerely, Jennifer Zhi-Roth