Have you ever wanted to learn a little bit more about the familiar faces that make up the Leasing Office team at Cedars of Edina?! Read on for a fun Q&A with Deann, Jessica, Kelsey, Brennan, Melissa and Amelia!
How long have you worked at Cedars?
Deann: 20 years
Jessica: 11 ½ years
Kelsey: 6 years
Brennan: 5 years
Melissa: 1 ½ years
Amelia: 6 months
What is the best part of your job?
Deann: The people who I get to work with. We have so much fun working together!
Jessica: My team, meeting residents, and seeing all the puppies in the office
Kelsey: Besides working with the amazing team every day, I love getting to know prospective renters – helping people find their perfect apartment is such a great feeling!
Brennan: The best part of my job is when residents stop by the office and share what’s going on in their lives – especially when it’s good news!
Melissa: My amazing colleagues, getting to know residents, meeting new people on tours, and giving biscuits to the dogs that visit the leasing office.
Amelia: Working with my neighbors!
What is your favorite thing about Cedars?
Deann: The grounds and the residents. There is never a dull moment!
Jessica: All the nature. Reminds me of home even though it’s right off of France Ave!
Kelsey: I love that we are a little oasis in the middle of a busy city – we truly have the best of both worlds.
Brennan: One of my favorite things is the beautiful green foliage on the pergolas in late spring through summer!
Melissa: Wildlife and nature, walking the grounds and hearing birdsong, walking to the grocery store and Centennial Lakes.
Amelia: I love our sense of community and all of our dogs 😊
Where are you from?
Deann: Born and raised in Wisconsin, but I’ve lived in MN for 24 years.
Jessica: Northern Minnesota.
Kelsey: Edina - I grew up 2 blocks away from Cedars and had no idea it existed! I love telling our younger residents that I went to Cornelia decades (?!) ago.
Melissa: Quebec, Canada (yes, I speak French!)
What was your first job?
Deann: I was hostess at a local restaurant when I was 14. Food service was not for me!
Jessica: Babysitter
Kelsey: I worked for Target for 7 ½ years – which is how I met our property manager, Jessica! We worked in Softlines (clothing) together.
Brennan: Lifeguard
Melissa: Picking strawberries on a strawberry farm in rural Ontario, Canada
Amelia: “Coal Girl” at a hookah lounge
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Deann: Traveling, skiing, reading, spending time with family, and finding new restaurants to try.
Jessica: Travel! I’ve been to all 50 states and 9 countries. Next stop: Greenland!
Kelsey: I love hanging out with my dog, Buster, and am currently learning Spanish.
Melissa: I love to write (spooky fiction), run 2 podcasts, and am a musician.
Amelia: Reading, writing, and indoor rock climbing.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Deann: I’m so sad the Edina Grill closed because their sweet potato fries are THE BEST. Luckily, their sister restaurants, The Lowry and Longfellow Grill, also serve them.
Jessica: Ciao Bella or Tamarind
Kelsey: Tamarind Grill
Brennan: Ciao Bella for food, Wooden Hill for drinks / atmosphere
Melissa: Tamarind, lovely flavors and a great vegetarian selection!
Amelia: Tamarind
Favorite film?
Deann: I can quote the entire Wizard of Oz movie, but the one I watch over and over again is Memento (2000) with Guy Pearce.
Jessica: Dumb & Dumber… I can recite it word for word
Kelsey: I don’t really have one – I’m more of a TV person! My favorite shows are Arrested Development and The Sopranos.
Melissa: The Neverending Story or Amelie
Amelia: Grey Gardens (the documentary)
Favorite Book?
Deann: None of This is True by Lisa Jewell – I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Kelsey: So many, but right now it’s either Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn or Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Melissa: The House on the Strand by Daphne DuMaurier
Amelia: The Fan Man by William Kotzwinkle
What is your go-to karaoke song?
Deann: Don’t Speak by No Doubt
Jessica: Bust a Move by Young MC
Kelsey: I’ve never done karaoke!
Brennan: Folsom Prison Blues or Ghost Riders by Johnny Cash / Fishin’ in the Dark if I feel like ruining Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for everyone in attendance
Melissa: Eternal Flame by The Bangles
Amelia: You Ain’t Woman Enough by Loretta Lynn
Most used emoji?
Deann: 
Jessica: 
Kelsey:
Melissa: 
Amelia: 😎
Rapid Fire Questions!
Coffee or tea?
Deann: Coffee
Jessica: Neither, give me a crisp Coke any day
Kelsey: Coffee
Brennan: Coffee
Melissa: Coffee in summer, Tea in winter
Amelia: Coffee
Deann: Both – movie popcorn with M&Ms is the ultimate snack
Jessica: Sweet
Kelsey: Sweet
Brennan: Sweet
Melissa: Sweet
Amelia: Sweet
Sunrise or sunset?
Deann: Sunset
Jessica: Sunset
Kelsey: Sunrise
Brennan: Depends – if I’ve got coffee in my hand, Sunrise; if there’s a fire to sit by, Sunset
Melissa: Sunset
Amelia: Sunset
Deann: Text – call me and I’ll think something is wrong
Jessica: Text. Calling me is just a one-way ticket to voicemail
Kelsey: Text
Brennan: Neither (give me that face to face interaction)
Melissa: Text
Amelia: Text
Deann: Dinner
Jessica: Snacking all day (AKA girl dinner)
Kelsey: Breakfast
Brennan: Dinner
Melissa: Breakfast
Amelia: Dinner
Winter or summer?
Deann: Both are too extreme – Autumn all the way
Jessica: Summer Forever! (Why do I live in MN??)
Kelsey: Summer
Brennan: Summer
Melissa: Summer
Amelia: Summer
