🍨 Debates, donuts, and decluttering

Good day, Wayzata. This is Wayzata Scoop, bringing you news that's as delightful as checking off that last item on your to-do list..

In today’s Scoop:

• The Thirsty Whale Bakery is ready to satisfy that sweet tooth 🍩

• The true voice of Wayzata officially signing off 🎤

• Plymouth is offering free paper shredding & bicycle recycling 🚲

• Wayzata mayoral candidates debate 👏

Let’s get this party started.

— Dustin Hart

SPONSORED BT THE MULLIN VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE

Andrew Mullin is a candidate for the Mayor of Wayzata this November. “As your potential Mayor, I plan to engage our citizens and LISTEN. I’m committed to being a visible and accessible mayor, engaging with residents and businesses directly to address their concerns and feedback. We need leadership that listens and responds directly to the needs of the community. No one person has all the answers and our PEOPLE know best. We need to make our local government less opaque and give people a voice again.”

Visit andrewmullin.com to learn more about Andrew’s campaign platform and get updates, news items, and more.

*Message paid for by the Mullin Volunteer Committee

📢 TALK OF THE TOWN

Sweet news: The Thirsty Whale Bakery makes a splash in downtown Wayzata

Wayzata’s sugar game just got a major upgrade. Enter The Thirsty Whale Bakery, serving up a colorful mix of donuts, cookies, cupcakes, and their signature jaw-dropping custom cakes.

The Whale is owned by Alise and Luke McGregor and this spot is already making waves among the locals.

Taking over the former Penny’s Coffee space (RIP, November 2022), The Thirsty Whale is aiming to fill the bakery void left by Wuollet Bakery’s departure and bring some much-needed baked goods back to the downtown area.

When you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a rainbow display of fresh doughnuts, a cookie wall, and a pastry case loaded with cupcakes, bars, and cakes that look too good to eat.

The McGregors, longtime residents of the Plymouth/Wayzata area, are no rookies when it comes to the bakery biz. They also own YoYo Donuts in Minnetonka and decided to bring their baking magic to downtown Wayzata with an even bigger lineup of treats.

“We’re a custom bakery, so if you can dream it, we can build it,” the McGregors said. Translation: whatever crazy cake idea you have, they’ll make it happen.

For anyone looking to level up their sugar fix, The Thirsty Whale Bakery is now open and ready to serve. Give them a call at (952) 209-2086 to bring your custom cake dreams to life.

📍750 Lake Street E, Wayzata, MN 55391

Mic drop: Wayzata’s voice of 33 years, Joe Komarek, passes the torch

After 33 years of calling the shots—literally—Joe Komarek has officially retired as the voice behind Wayzata High School athletics. Known for his rich baritone, perfectly timed zingers, and making every high school game feel like a Super Bowl, Komarek wrapped up his public address duties earlier this year.

A Plymouth native and Armstrong High grad, Komarek became an icon in Wayzata sports, calling football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more since 1991. His tenure wasn’t just about announcing scores—he mastered the art of blending humor and heart, earning him a 2008 Star Tribune award for “Best Football Announcer” and the hearts of thousands of fans. Not to mention his signature move of reporting “unofficial” crowd sizes—shoutout to that “52,871” attendance for a high school game.

But it wasn’t just fun and games. Komarek’s commitment to his community ran deep. Beyond the mic, he was a math teacher, coach, and Wayzata Fire Department chaplain, helping his neighbors both in and out of the stadium. His faith played a big role in his life too, guiding his service through groups like Wayzata Bay Fellowship and nonprofits like E210 Ventures.

After a packed 33-year run, Komarek and his wife, Jennifer, have relocated to Florida (insert "retired golf life" meme here). But don’t worry—he’s not stepping away from the mic completely. He’s already signed on to be the voice of the Tocoi Creek High School Toros. New town, same game.

Wayzata will miss Joe’s legendary one-liners and community spirit, but his legacy lives on in every stadium cheer and scoreboard click. Happy retirement, Joe!

Shred it or pedal it: Plymouth’s free paper shredding & recycling event

Got papers to shred or an old bike gathering dust? Plymouth’s got you covered. The city is hosting a free paper shredding and bicycle recycling event for residents on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 3-6 p.m. at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility (14900 23rd Ave. N).

Here’s the deal: You stay in your car, and they’ll do the rest—paper gets shredded on-site and recycled, and bikes or bike parts get a second life.

What’s allowed?

• Paper: Staples and paper clips are cool, but leave those three-ring binders at home.

• Bicycles: Full bikes or bike parts—bring ‘em on.

Pro tip: You can recycle cardboard boxes and paper bags, but you’ll need to take non-recyclable containers back with you. And heads up, you’ll need to show proof of residency, so have that ID ready.

To keep things smooth, all vehicles should enter the facility via 23rd Avenue from Fernbrook Lane (FYI, you can get there from Highway 55).

Wayzata mayoral showdown: Debate set for September 19

Mark your calendars, Wayzata: The race for mayor is heating up, and you won’t want to miss the key debate featuring candidates Jeff Buchanan, Andrew Mullin, and Barry Petit. The faceoff is happening Thursday, September 19, at 6:30 PM at Wayzata City Hall (600 Rice Street), brought to you by the League of Women Voters Wayzata-Plymouth Area (LWVWPA).

In true League fashion, the debate will be nonpartisan and moderated to ensure fairness. Expect the candidates to tackle vetted questions on their backgrounds, motivations, and plans if they snag the mayor’s seat. Want to watch from home? No worries—the event will be livestreamed, with recordings available at lwvwpa.org.

Got burning questions for the candidates? Submit them ahead of time via email ([email protected]) or on the spot using note cards. A committee will sift through the questions to focus on the big issues, avoiding anything too personal or hostile.

The League of Women Voters has been doing this for over 100 years, and LWVWPA President Rebecca Hawthorne is all about making sure the debates stay informative and fair: “We invite candidates multiple times, and we keep the process as neutral as possible. Our goal is to inform, not influence.”

Other key debates on deck:

• Plymouth City Council (Wards 1, 3, and At-Large): Monday, September 16, 7 PM

• MN House Districts 42A and 42B: Monday, September 23, 7 PM

• Hennepin County Commissioner District 7: Monday, September 23, 7:45 PM

Get informed, get involved, and be sure to check out Vote411.org for all things election-related.

📖 QOTW (QUOTE OF THE WEEK)

"Real pleasure comes from overcoming challenges, feeling confidence in your abilities, gaining fluency in skills, and experiencing the power this brings.” — Robert Greene

🌪️ WEATHER WATCH

Fall seems to be slowly settling in 🍁

Wed 18 85°/67° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧6%

Thu 19 81°/58° PM Thunderstorms ⛈️ | 💧36%

Fri 20 81°/62° Sunny ☀️ | 💧6%

Sat 21 77°/52° Showers 🌧️ | 💧37%

Sun 22 69°/48° Showers 🌧️ | 💧39%

Mon 23 68°/51° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧19%

Tue 24 69°/51° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧24%

🍟 RESTAURANT FEATURE OF THE WEEK: 6Smith

Where craft meets culinary on Lake Minnetonka

If you’re looking for lakeside dining that delivers on both flavor and flair, 6Smith in Wayzata is the place to be. With a menu as expansive as their outdoor seating, it’s no wonder they snagged a spot as one of the best outdoor dining spots on Lake Minnetonka.

At 6Smith, the culinary and mixology teams don’t mess around. These food and drink pros source heritage ingredients from people who prioritize sustainability and quality, making every dish a standout. Whether you’re in the mood for a flatiron steak or a filet mignon, seafood (hello, lobster!), or a juicy burger, you’ll find something to savor.

Craftsmanship, quality, and one seriously stunning lakeside view—it’s a winning combo.

📍 294 Grove Lane E, Wayzata, MN 55391

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