LA CRESCENT, Minn. — The peaceful rhythms of the Mississippi River are just one part of the beauty at a La Crescent home artfully created with modern amenities.

“When I first opened that door, I think, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. It is just incredible,” said Realtor Michelle Kalina. “My head just kept turning everywhere (to see the features). There’s just so much to look at.”

After several spins through the home, she noted some of her favorite aspects: the glass fireplace, European-style bedrooms and automated room darkening shades. She said the home’s exterior design of concrete and COR-TEN steel are set apart features for Minnesota too. The contemporary-style home designed by the Minneapolis-based CityDeskStudio includes six bedrooms and four bathrooms.

With a sunken living room and additional seating area, the Mpls. St. Paul Magazine calls the area the “warehouse wing,” which prominently displays a plywood staircase. The staircase includes “laser-cut plywood” and “blackened steel railings.” The magazine awarded the staircase project

first place for design detail in its 2023 RAVE Awards.

“(The homeowners) were inspired to fill the house with architectural and artistic elements to … constantly provoke themselves and then inspire others to be creative, artistic and innovative in everything they do,” Kalina said of the home at 422 Shore Road Acres in La Crescent. “Everything in the house, there’s just art everywhere you look. And then of course when you look out the huge door in the back, it’s all glass, you see this incredible Zen garden and dock.”

The Shore Acres, or River Rock, home has floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room and a glass wall in the master bedroom to showcase the river’s views. Kalina said the sunken living room with a fireplace is a “warm and welcoming and cozy” space to enjoy the views in the winter. The home is listed for $3.3 million.

Art pieces and thoughtful design choices are tucked throughout the home. A built-in hammock on the deck sways with the rhythmic river. A game area, originally built for hockey, has outdoor lights. Kalina said a Zen garden in the backyard includes a glass river and custom stepping stones.

“It’s just so peaceful. Everywhere you turn it will ignite your senses,” Kalina said.

She hopes to share the delight of Minnesota’s summers and the artistic home on the American Dream TV show. Kalina joined as one of the show’s hosts in spring 2024. She will feature properties in Southeast Minnesota and central Arizona.

“(I love the) architectural beauty about it, the uniqueness, a lot of them have advanced technology. Kitchens, I love kitchens, I love to cook. When I walk into a spacious kitchen, it really excites me and then I like the new features of having a prep kitchen,” Kalina said about her enjoyment of luxury homes. She

introduced the Sotheby’s International Realty brand

to Rochester in 2021. “Then of course, location and views, they’re quite often situated in prime locations.”

At the home in La Crescent, Kalina said, “it’s just a jaw-dropping house. They didn’t miss anything, no stone was unturned in building this house.”

CLEVELAND, Miss. (WLBT) – Lauren Gross says she’s been waiting months to play in the golf tournament with her dad.

Yet 24-hours before she and her father were set to tee-off for a practice round at the Cleveland Country Club, she claims her father received a call saying she could not play because she is a female.

Gross is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she was denied competing in the game because of her gender.

Gross says it’s a tournament her family has participated in for many years.

Because her father’s regular partner couldn’t make the tournament this year due to a wedding, he asked her to fill in. But after signing up, her name stood out to those over the registration process.

“My dad gets a call, and the pro asked him, like, ‘Hey, is your daughter’s name Lauren? Is that a girl?’” Gross claims. “He said ‘yes’ and they were like, ‘We are not going to allow her to play because she is a girl.”

That’s when Gross says she reached back out to those at the golf course to get more clarity on the situation.

Gross says the explanation given to her went along the lines of, “Well, we didn’t brand it as a man’s tournament, but for the forty-plus years we have been putting this on, it’s been that way, so we are just going to keep it that way.”

Gross says during the registration process, there weren’t any rules made noticeable to her that women couldn’t play in the tournament.

Without anything in writing backing up the club’s decision to not allow Gross to play in the tournament, she took the issue to social media.

“One thing that I want to be known is that I’m ok that I didn’t get to play in the golf tournament,” Gross says. “It’s not the end of the world for me. I just think the principle of the situation and speaking up is more so to try and keep these things from happening in the future for women.”

3 On Your Side reached out to the Cleveland Country Club Sunday morning for a comment or interview, but have yet to hear back. We also tried to call a member who sits on the board there, but couldn’t get him on the phone.

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“I dreamed this when I was six, I knew it was possible when I was 12 and I made it happen when I was 22”

The Vicksburg Daily News sat down with Miss Mississippi, Becky Williams, the morning after winning the Miss Mississippi Crown at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“It’s not real yet. Maybe when I’m sitting on the couch and the crown is there next to me,” said an exuberant Becky Williams hours after winning the title of Miss Mississippi.

The grueling Miss Mississippi program is designed to test the mettle of the competitor and their ability to do well and thrive under pressure. They are expected to be the best of the best in all areas including mental, physical and social awareness. 39 contestants vied for the title in the weeklong competition with the final 11 contestants announced at Saturday night’s finale. Those 11 then competed in fitness, talent and and evening gown competition that included a question on current events.

As women in society have evolved, so has the Miss Mississippi Program and Miss America. Today, the organization empowers young women across the country to be the best they can be through leadership, talent, communication skills and intelligence. ​Miss America is more than a title, it’s a movement of empowering young women everywhere to dream big, to insist that their voices be heard and to inspire change in the world around them.

The Vicksburg Daily News spent a few minutes talking with Miss Mississippi Becky Williams about her efforts, achievements so far and her plans for the upcoming year:

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