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Articles by Bill Scheller
Baker's Ribs Baker's Ribs · Eden Prairie, MN
Back in 1993, a little bit of Texas landed in Eden Prairie. The Lone Star State came to Minnesota when native Al Killion brought his barbecue expertise to a new outpost of Baker’s Ribs, the small Texas chain where he learned the pitmaster’s trade. Since then, a loyal local clientele has come to love the Texan take on St. Louis-style pork ribs, beef brisket, pork butt, chicken, and turkey, all smoked to perfection by Al and his crew.
January/February 2026
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Cruise Planners
Where to head on a cruise? There’s a vast realm of possibilities. Where to go for advice and planning for your voyage, and for the latest information on cruise lines, ship options, and ports of call? In the greater Twin Cities area, cruise-minded folks have long relied on travel agents Helen and Mark Rigby, founders and managers of the local Cruise Planners franchise. “The cruise industry continues to grow,” says Mark.
Bill's Toggery
The year was 1931. The Empire State Building reached a world record height. “The Star-Spangled Banner” became America’s national anthem. And in Shakopee, Bill Wermerskirchen defied the Great Depression to launch a men’s apparel emporium, Bill’s Toggery, that’s still thriving 95 years later. “My grandfather went into business with just a few hundred dollars,” says Billy Wermerskirchen, third-generation owner of Bill’s Toggery.
How to Staycation: Family-Friendly Summer Attractions in New England
If gas prices have left your vacation plans feeling pinched, relax: Summer travel’s greatest pleasures can also be its simplest. Sink a putt. Grab a cone. Ride the carousel. Maybe even stay out past your bedtime. Across New England, the opportunities to turn a quick outing into a lasting memory are as varied as the destinations themselves.
Guys and Dolls
When you see a guy reach for stars in the sky… …chances are you’re at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, where the current production of Guys and Dolls brings those guys, their dolls, and a madcap, mythical Manhattan vividly to life.
31 Best Spring Things to Do in New England | 2026 Travel Guide
Discover the best spring things to do in New England with our updated 2026 guide — from flower festivals and outdoor adventures to seasonal events across all six states. Plan your perfect spring getaway! Back in 1973, New Haven’s parks department planted 72 Japanese flowering cherry trees in Wooster Square Park.
24 New England Farm Stays
The farm life is alive and well at inns and B&Bs across New England, and at many places, the door is wide open for guests to get a taste of country life over the course of a picture-perfect weekend. Pet a rabbit. Milk a cow. Take a cooking class. Explore local history. Maybe even get your hands a little dirty. The opportunities to turn your next getaway into something truly special are as varied as the farms themselves.
Bill's Toggery
The turn of the season is approaching, and along with it comes the turn of the men's wardrobe year – time to take a good look at the clothes we put away last fall, when we brought out the woolens, and start thinking about an update to our spring sartorial lineup.
30 Best Winter Activities in New England
Winter is often seen as a hunker-down season, but in truth, there may be even more to do in this region when the ice and snow hit. Skiers and skaters rejoice in this time of year; so do fat-tire riders, tubers, hikers, snowshoers, and … well, the list just keeps going. Why hunker down when you and your family can climb a peak or test your mettle at an adventure park? The thrills await, as does the scenic, sparse beauty that defines the season.
Three Cities of Spain Cheesecake
Want to start a publication? Learn More Article by Bill Scheller Originally published in Eden Prairie Lifestyle No, cheesecake wasn’t invented in New York. That’s a common belief, with menus everywhere offering “New York Cheesecake,” and Big Apple delis serving skyscraper slabs of the stuff. Cheesecake dates back to the ancient Greeks, who made it with honey and yeast. By the 1700s, European bakers were using eggs, but it still wasn’t the cheesecake we know and love.
The Hearth
When Tim Huinker built an outdoor kitchen in his back yard, he was thinking pizza – but had no idea he’d also be cooking up a new career. “I built an all masonry oven from a kit,” says Tim, a landscape designer and builder. “Brick and mortar, wood fired.” Early in its second season, Tim’s new oven had a big job to handle – a party of two hundred, for his daughter Ashley’s high school graduation. Ashley wanted pizza, and Tim obliged, turning out eighty-five pies.
2025 Holiday Theater, Concert & Dance in New England |
From glittering ballet performances and timeless holiday plays to festive concerts and community sing-alongs, the season’s spirit shines bright across New England. Whether you’re planning a family outing to The Nutcracker, a date night at a holiday pops concert, or a nostalgic evening with A Christmas Carol, our 2025 guide to holiday performances highlights the best shows, concerts, and celebrations in every state.
Bill's Toggery
All those years, all those suits of mine. There was the charcoal number with natural shoulders and narrow lapels, for that Ivy League look (as close to the Ivy League as I ever got). That gave way to more daring corduroy and seersucker double-breasted styles. Next up, chalk stripes on a three-piece, pure Wall Street (never got there, either). And so on, down to my current favorite, a simple navy two-piece. Those suits marked the changes in my own closet.
Autumn on Vermont’s Route 100: A Journey Through the Heart of Foliage Season
I wanted to drive south through Vermont, the same direction the autumn colors were taking as they trickled down from Canada. Yes, they travel slower than I do; they take longer to get to the Massachusetts border. Still, it seemed the right way to take in the great chromatic event. And there’d be bright surprises here and there. Southbound color sends an advance guard, especially at higher elevations.
Things to Do on Route 100 in Vermont: Where to Eat, Stay & Play
The best-known nickname for Vermont’s Route 100 is the “Skiers’ Highway,” since it connects a dozen or so ski areas—Okemo, Killington, Mount Snow, etc.—as it runs north-south through the middle of the state. But Route 100 is also known as “Vermont’s Main Street,” passing as it does through the heart of many small towns.
34 Unique New England Roadside Attractions: One-Off Wonders for Your Next Road Trip
New England’s two shortest voyages take place on its longest river. Car and pedestrian ferries cross the Connecticut between Chester and Hadlyme, home of Gillette Castle State Park; and between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury. The latter is said to be America’s oldest continuously operating ferry, dating from a 1655 raft-and-pole operation, while the former employs one of the region’s most venerable working watercraft: the three-quarter-century-old Selden III.
Living Archives - New England
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D. Lasser Ceramics in Londonderry, Vermont
Blues like the deep sea, greens like the shallows. Dinner plates done in explosively imaginative designs you’d almost hate to hide with food. Vases prettier than the flowers they’re made for. The pottery at D. Lasser Ceramics in Londonderry, Vermont, ranges from functional to purely decorative, from a full line of tableware to outdoor sculptural ceramics and even glazed garden orbs that make glass glazing balls look staid and old-fashioned.
39 Best Candy Stores in New England
New England is a region where chocolate makers combine tradition with innovation, creating some of the finest confections you’ll ever taste. Whether you’re in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, the local chocolatiers are masters at turning simple ingredients into edible works of art. From artisanal truffles and creamy caramels to nostalgic candies and unique flavor combinations, these sweet spots offer a variety of treats that will satisfy any craving.
Baker's Ribs
It was a beautiful wedding. The music, the flowers, the pretty bride and the handsome groom, the happy families. The ribs. The brisket. The smoky baked beans. We all know that a good marriage starts with a proper feed. And this one was off to a stellar start, because the barbecue entrees and delicious sides were provided by Baker’s Ribs. “We cater quite a few weddings,” says Al Killion, proprietor and pitmaster of the Eden Prairie outpost of Dallas-based Baker’s.
40 New England Farmers’ Markets That Are Worth the Drive
Even as summer starts to wind down, farmers’ markets across New England remain a top draw for their last batches of fresh produce, along with the mainstay meats, seafood, eggs, cheeses, breads, baked goods, jams, syrups…the list goes on. If you’re out and about this fall (and of course, you will be), add these terrific New England farmers’ markets to your leaf-peeping itinerary.
Cruise Planners
“Picture yourself in a boat on a river,” the Beatles sang, and many clients of Eden Prairie’s Cruise Planners do just that. It might be the Rhine, with legendary castles along its banks, or the Mississippi, with its Civil War sites and echoes of Mark Twain’s steamboat era. Other folks take to the high seas. Either way, travel agents Mark and Helen Rigby, owners of our local Cruise Planners franchise, are happy to help navigate the details.
34 Cool New England Camping Spots
Tent or RV? Lakeside, oceanfront, or backwoods? Whatever your preference, discover your next great nature getaway with our curated selection of noteworthy New England camping spots. Maine’s northernmost state park nestles along the shore of Echo Lake, five miles south of Presque Isle.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Featured Article Now Playing Live at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Article by Bill Scheller Photography by Dan Norman Originally published in Eden Prairie Lifestyle More than two dozen of America’s best-loved popular songs – and the remarkable woman who wrote them – take the main stage at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Beautiful thrilled Broadway audiences for nearly six years, winning Tony and Grammy awards.
Summer Travel Reading
All great travel writing has one thing in common: it’s written by travelers, not by tourists. What’s the difference? Well, we’ve all been tourists, and there’s nothing wrong with that. We want what the resort ads and the inflight magazines call an “escape,” and sometimes an escape is just what we need. Travel, though, is something different – in fact, it’s the very opposite of escape. Travelers aren’t just getting away; they’re plunging in.
Choucroute Garnie
Featured Article A Cold Weather Favorite Article by Bill Scheller Originally published in Eden Prairie Lifestyle Choucroute Garnie French name, German flavors: Translating as “garnished sauerkraut,” this hearty dish comes from Alsace, the northeastern French province with a strong cross-border culinary influence.
Saturday Night Laundry
We didn’t have a washing machine. My mother did the laundry in the bathtub, using a washboard, and she hung the clothes on a line. We lived in an attic apartment, the top floor of a Queen Anne in what once had been the most fashionable quarter of Paterson, New Jersey, and which was still one of the nicer parts of town. The houses were mostly single-family, middle class, though the dentist on the corner had live-in help and a grand piano, and a man on the next block had a butler.
2024 Summer Weekend in the Vermont Shires | Travel Guide
Vermont’s southwestern corner was the state’s original tourism draw. In this region dubbed “the Shires,” superlative experiences abound along and around Route 7. Start on Route 11 just east of Manchester, though, with an invigorating ride down a Green Mountains slope. OUTDOOR RECREATION Bromley Mountain Alpine Slide, Peru It was too good a mountain to save just for winter.
Pedego Twin Cities
No more excuses. Too many hills, too long a ride, tough pedaling – all those excuses, familiar to so many cycling enthusiasts, vanish when you hop on an electric bicycle, or e-bike. “E-bikes eliminate all the things that keep people from getting out and enjoying a ride,” says Tony Gaffney, owner of Pedego Twin Cities. The Eden Prairie dealership carries the full line of e-bikes by Pedego, one of America’s leading brands. “Hills disappear, miles traveled aren’t a problem anymore.
Baker's Ribs
In Barbecue Miles, Dallas and Eden Prairie Are Neighbors Article by Bill Scheller Photography by Pete Rose Originally published in Eden Prairie Lifestyle Al Killion’s sign promising “Real Texas BBQ” isn’t a boast, it’s a fact. “Baker’s is a longtime star in the barbecue scene here in Dallas,” says a buddy of mine who hails from Big D. My friend says he’s surprised to hear Baker’s has a foothold in Minnesota – but Eden Prairie BBQ connoisseurs aren’t surprised at all.
The Most Haunted Places in New England
“New England is a finished place,” Bernard DeVoto once wrote. It seems that some of its residents, though, never finish residing here. From eerie cemeteries to old hotels to sites of brutal murders, Yankee spirits have found plenty of places to haunt. Here’s a ghost seeker’s guide to the most haunted places in New England.
Guide to the Vermont Northeast Kingdom: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play
Spanning 2,000 square miles, the northeast corner of Vermont is home to some of the state’s most beautiful scenery – especially during New England’s annual fall foliage. With Canada to the north and New Hampshire to the east, the region earned its “Northeast Kingdom” nickname in a 1949 speech by Vermont governor George D. Aiken. It’s an apt description.
34 Best New England Beaches
New England From the mountains to the ocean, these 34 New England beaches offer the perfect place to relax on a hot summer day. Wingaersheek Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts Connecticut Beaches Delivered Daily: The Latest in Travel, Food, and Living in New England duBois Beach, Stonington. Poking into Fishers Island Sound at the tip of Stonington Point, duBois has been called a “secret beach,” though it’s received plenty of attention from the beach-ranking media.
Jersey Boys
The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons – Now Playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres It was a sound that came from the streets of the big Eastern cities. It defined rock and roll before there was a British Invasion, before Dylan went electric, before lyrics took a psychedelic turn. And some of its biggest hits were minted by a group out of Newark: The Four Seasons.
Scenic Summer Drive in Southern Vermont
Vermont A scenic drive through the Green Mountain State, with rivers and streams for company. Bustling with bookstores, ethnic restaurants, and galleries spotlighting the work of local artisans, the lively town of Brattleboro anchors this 100-mile loop that takes in some of southern Vermont’s loveliest villages. It’s a drive that begins with a vivid reminder of why Vermont roadways meander the way they do—it’s because they follow rivers and streams, the way the state’s earliest settlers did.
Cruise Planners
Thinking about a cruise? There are so many ships, so many cruising styles, so many itineraries and destinations, that making your plans should be a snap … right? Not necessarily. In fact, it’s that ocean of possibilities that can make picking the right cruise difficult. And no matter how good a swimmer you are, you can’t change your mind once you’re on board. Enter Eden Prairie travel agent Mark Rigby, who with his wife, Helen, is co-owner of the Eden Prairie Cruise Planners franchise.
40 Cozy Fireside Experiences in New England
Wild Moments with Vermont Nature Photographer Roger Irwin When he was 11, Roger Irwin’s parents opened their Vermont home to a pair of working photographers from New York City who were on assignment for Vermont Life. The visit was just two days long, but for Irwin it was life-changing. Fascinated, he soon started crafting his own stories, but it took decades (and semi-retirement) for Irwin to pick up a camera again.
40 Cozy Fireside Experiences in New England
Few things are as cozy and inviting as a crackling fire on a cold New England winter night. Looking to add a fireside to your next dining or getaway experience? These forty spots will spark your interest. Edgewood Manor,Cranston. Just south of Providence and blocks from Edgewood Lake and its surrounding park, Edgewood Manor and its adjacent Newhall House are a B&B alternative to staying in the busy capital.
24 Magical New England Holiday Shopping Towns
Your loved ones worked hard to earn their “nice” list status this year, so don’t entrust their perfect presents to warehouse elves and delivery-truck drivers. Make this the season you take back holiday shopping—back to the good old days when businesses were local, and magical retail displays buoyed the spirits of young and old.
How Boston Got Its Christmas Tree
By the time I saw the Tree again, two weeks and more than 700 miles distant from where I first made its acquaintance, I felt as though I knew it better than almost anyone else in the crowd gathered here on Boston Common to greet it.
Hidden Gold | Best Little-Known Vermont Foliage Spots
There’s no need to get in line to see Vermont’s fall colors. You don’t have to hop onto one of the state’s main thoroughfares—Vermont’s “foliage highways”—and string together an itinerary that links one night’s lodging with the next. Nor is it necessary to book a weekend in one of the two or three top-tier destination towns and leaf-peep with the crowd.
Manifold Destiny
About The Book Giving new meaning to the term "fast food" Rest-stop grade F meat patty? Nah. Nuggets of reconstituted poultry bits? Pass. Deep-fried fish discus? No, really, thanks all the same. It's time to bid farewell to the roadside meal as you know it. Nearly twenty years ago, Chris Maynard and Bill Scheller opened the world's eyes to the beautym of car-engine gastronomy in the original Manifold Destiny.
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