Mankato Magazine

Spring things Outdoors: Fairy gardening and more Indoors: The chores of spring Made in Mankato Also in this issue: • Spring is serious business • History of Hardware • Stones Throw: Art, jewelry and more April 2012

$2.95

2 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 1

2 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

ANKATO M

FEATU RES April 2012 Volume 7, Issue 4

magazine

15

22

Labor days For some, spring cleaning is serious business that begins long before the equinox.

The chores of spring Time to clean, clear out and spruce up our homes.

20

Spring to life

28

Made in Mankato

Transform your yard with something magical, something new.

A look at a few home improvement products made right here.

Drummers Garden Center instructor Kris Hanson helped participants make their own fairy gardens during a February workshop.

Photo By John Cross

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 3

ANKATO M

DEPARTME NTS

magazine

6 From the Editor Home improvement is ingrained in

American culture

10

12

10 Familiar Faces Patty Conlin of Stones Throw Gallery 12 Artist Insight Joellen Preston 32 Places in the Past History of hardware 38 That’s Life Things I have learned ... and forgotten 40 From the kitchen Easy recipes for family Easter 41 Happy Hour Coming into port 42 Things to Do, Places to Go Events to check out in April 44 Garden Chat Time to get growing!

52 The Way It Is Desultory dude delivers dreck

Coming up in the May issue of Mankato Magazine ...

32

40

42

44

4 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

An homage to role models.

The mothers, the fathers, the mentors and caretakers who typify the character and kindness so abundant in this river valley we call home.

We’ll spend some time with foster moms and father-son duos. We’ll talk with a young man from a broken home and the woman who didn’t have to love him but did. We’ll remember some of the heroes of our past and some of the quiet caretakers whose deeds are often unnoticed.

In the spirit of Mother’s Day - and Father’s Day, too - we’ll spend some time honoring the folks who sacrifice, who give a piece of themselves for someone else. Join us, and we’ll say thanks together.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 5

MANKATO magazine

april 2012 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 PUBLISHER EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR

James P. Santori Joe Spear Tanner Kent

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rachael Hanel Tanner Kent Nell Musolf Pete Steiner Grace Webb Marie Wood

PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Cross Pat Christman

PAGE DESIGNER

Christina Sankey

ADVERTISING MANAGER

David Habrat

ADVERTISING SALES

Cheryl Olson

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Barb Wass

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Aaron Tish Seth Glaser Sue Hammar Tony Helget Christina Sankey

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Denise Zernechel

Mankato Magazine is published monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato, MN., 56001.

To subscribe, call 1-800-657-4662 or 507-625-4451. $19.95 for 12 issues.

For editorial inquiries, call Tanner Kent at 344-6354, or e-mail tkent@mankatofreepress.com.

For advertising, call Cheryl Olson at 344-6390, or e-mail mankatomag@mankatofreepress.com.

6 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

From The Editor

By Joe Spear

Home improvement is ingrained in American culture Home ownership has long been the American Dream, and home improvement has long been part of nurturing and building that dream.

So it made sense for us to dedicate the April Mankato Magazine to a phenomenon that is so deeply ingrained in our culture. It’s a study in modern anthropology.

Home improvement, on the surface, does not appear to fit well as a case study in anthropology. But we only need to consult the American Anthropological Association to see that home improvement is key to anthropologists understanding modern and not-somodern man.

From the website of the AAA: “Anthropology is the study of humans, past and present. To understand the full sweep and complexity of cultures across all of human history. ... A central concern of anthropologists is the application of knowledge to the solution of human problems.”

Therein lies our connection to home improvement ... “the application of knowledge to the solution of human problems.”

Many of these home improvement stores hire experts in the areas of “the solution of human problems,” especially when such problems include a broken float valve on a flush toilet, a worn out throttle spring on a lawnmower and electrical outlets with intermittent pulses of electricity.

You see man, and woman, cannot survive the modern world without “applying some knowledge” (and tools) to solve these very “human problems.”

So while this month’s issue may introduce you to the wizards, and indeed the artists, of home improvement, and their practical ways, it’s worth considering how home improvement has advanced us as a culture, as a people.

There is no better place to ponder how home improvement has advanced the culture than the modern-day home improvement store. At 100,000 to 200,000 square feet, counting garden centers, these stores are monuments to our culture, veritable Stonehenges at the intersections of main thoroughfares.

The beauty of these stores is that you can go in for a light bulb and come out

with a whole new perspective on modern anthropology - how the application of knowledge solves human problems.

In the lighting aisle alone, the culture becomes, shall we say, illuminated to the casual observer. There is no longer any dark space man need traverse. Motion sensing wall lights can be stuck, screwed, or Velcroed to a wall anywhere the sun doesn’t shine. Varieties range from $6 to $24.

And if you want to be notified when someone else is turning on a light or say, approaching your house, that’s no problem. With a remote sensor mounted on an eve of your garage, you can be alerted of an approaching person or car by your bedroom lamp automatically turning on.

Might be helpful to just double check if the kids’ tale of when they will be home relates at all to reality. Again, solving, with knowledge, key human problems of raising progeny.

Home improvement has long been considered by some the duty of men, but in more recent times women seem just as prevalent in the aisles of duct tape, caulk and spackle. In fact, the anthropologist might be enlightened to the cultural roles the male and female play by simple observation in the aisles of a home improvement store.

It’s almost like some kind of mating ritual. One never knows how in-depth discussions about the 100 varieties of caulk might help couples stick together, or, ah, seal their relationship.

Joe Spear is the editor of Mankato Magazine. Contact him at 344-6382 or jspear@mankatofreepress.com M

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 7

Twin Rivers Council for the Arts located in Emy Frentz Arts Guild 523 South Second Street Mankato, MN 56001 507-387-1008 info@twinriversarts.org SoutherMnArts.org

www.twinriversarts.org

TRCA is your hub for getting connected in arts and culture. We do our best for YOU.

Feel like changing it up a little?

So arts and culture thrive

April Almanac

This Day in History April 11, 1680: While exploring the Mississippi River by canoe, Louis Hennepin is captured by the Dakota and held captive. During his captivity, he is the first white man to see the Falls of St. Anthony, which he names for his patron saint.

April 14, 1861: Minnesota is the first state to respond following President Abraham Lincoln’s call for troops. The 1,000 Minnesota troops promised by Gov. Alexander Ramsey become the famous First Minnesota Regiment, revered for its tragic and heroic charge against advancing Confederate troops at Gettsyburg, helping to preserve Union victory. During the battle, the First Minnesota captures the flag of the 28th Virginia Regiment; in 2000, the state asked for its return. ThenGov. Jesse Ventura declined, stating: “Why? We won.”

April 14, 1901: A poker game in Granite Falls takes a murderous turn when a wellknown dentist loses - again - to a notorious gambler referred to as the “Irish Lord.”

Later, witnesses would testify that William Lenard, the “Irish Lord,” was playing with marked cards. S. Wintner was later found not guilty for fatally shooting Lenard.

April 25, 1892: Maud Hart Lovelace is born in Mankato to Tom Hart, a shoe-store owner, and wife Stella, living for a while in a home on Center Street. Lovelace would later write the Betsy-Tacy books; and in 1979, a children’s book award was named for her.

April 26, 1877: Gov. John S. Pillsbury appoints a day of prayer in hopes of relieving the state of the locust plagues that had demolished crops - particularly those in southwest Minnesota - for the previous four years. In August of 1877, the locusts disappeared.

April 28, 1871: A lake monster is supposedly seen swimming in Lake Pepin. The sighting is the first of many. To this day, a $50,000 reward remains for definitive proof that “Pepie” exists.

Click Here

A

t www.wackyuses.com, Joey Green offers a stunning variety of unconventional, and often downright bizarre, uses for everyday products. Among them:

ChapStick Lip Balm: Rub along hairline to prevent haircoloring products from dying the skin; also, ChapStick can be used to get a stuck ring off a finger and to shine leather shoes in a pinch.

Cheerios: Relieve itching from chicken pox, poison ivy and sunburn by blending two cups of Cheerios into a fine powder and pouring into a warm bath. Soak for 30 minutes.

Gold Medal Flour: Mix equal parts flour with Morton Salt and one teaspoon white vinegar to make a paste that cleans brass and copper; also, use flour to fill cracks where ants enter - they won’t pass through flour.

Listerine: Works as a disinfectant when poured on a wound; also, prevents dandruff if used to wash hair.

Tidy Cats Litter: Pour under a tire for emergency traction when stuck in ice and snow; also, fill the feet of pantyhose with litter and place into sneakers overnight to deodorize.

WD-40: Remove baked-on food from cookie pans and grime from barbecue grills by spraying on and wiping clean; also, use it remove chewing gum, tar and crayon from most surfaces. Additionally, many fishermen swear it attracts fish when sprayed onto lures.

Eating Healthy

E

ating more whole grains, the USDA says, can help reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Whole grains include barley, corn, oats, rice, rye and wheat (bulgur, farro and spelt are wheat grains). They contain the entire kernel with its nutritional parts: the bran (outer layer), endosperm (inner) and germ.

Fortunately, finding whole grains is easier than ever as more and more products contain 100 percent whole grains. And some very old grains are being reintroduced to new generations.

Grains such as amaranth, farro and quinoa are called ancient grains because the strains have been around for thousands of years.

Amaranth What it is: These tiny yellowish seeds were a staple of the Aztecs. Not a true grain, it has the nutritional profile of a cereal grain. Best nutritional aspect: Gluten-free, rich in vitamin B and a source of vitamin E, high in protein and a source of good fat.

To cook: For 1 cup amaranth use 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes until fluffy. Best uses: Pilafs, hot cereals, cold salads. Use amaranth flour in breads, cookies and pancakes.

Farro What it is: A whole- wheat grain originally cultivated in the Middle East, it is known as the grain consumed by the Roman Empire. It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture.

Best nutritional aspect: High in protein, vitamins and antioxidants. Twice the fiber of wheat. To cook: Farro is generally sold pearled, meaning some of the hull is removed so it cooks quicker. Soak unpearled farro overnight to soften the hull. For 1 cup farro, use 3 cups water. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Best uses: In cold salads or in side dishes mixed with roasted vegetables. Use like Arborio rice to make risotto or soups.

Quinoa What it is: A South America native, quinoa (KEEN-wah) consists of tiny, disc-shaped grains. It has the highest protein of any grain and a nutty flavor. Not a true grain, it has the nutritional profile of a cereal grain. You can buy quinoa in regular, red, black or mixed styles. Best nutrition aspect: Known as a complete grain because of its high protein, high calcium and high amino acids. A 1/2 cup serving has 5 grams of fiber. To cook: Rinse quinoa well in a fine strainer with cold water. Bring 1 cup quinoa to a boil in 2 cups of water. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender and liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. A half-cup serving has 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein. Best uses: Cold vegetable salads, including potato salads, and soups. In side dishes, add other vegetables, including roasted asparagus and squash.

Gotcha!

F

or the pranksters among us, April 1 is a much-anticipated annual event.

Throughout recent history, many people and organizations have tried their hand at pulling off the ultimate hoax - often with hilarious and surprising success. Here is a sample of some of the more notorious hoaxes of all time: Swiss Spaghetti Harvest: In 1957, the BBC reported that mild winter paired with the eradication of the spaghetti weevil had led to a huge Swiss spaghetti crop. A photo accompanied the story that depicted spaghetti farmers pulling noodles from trees. # Nixon’s Back: In 1992, National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation” announced that Nixon was again running for president with the slogan: “I didn’t do anything wrong, and I won’t do it again.” Listeners flooded the show with calls, many outraged by Nixon’s supposed return.

Gas Collapse: In 1933, the Madison Capital-Times reporter that the state capitol exploded due to “large quantities of gas, generated through many weeks of verbose debate.”

Comic Switch: In 1997, 46 comic strip artists conspired to draw each others’ comic strips for the day. For example, Dilbert’s Scott Adams took over Family Circus while Jim Davis of Garfield took over Blondie.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 9

Familiar Faces

By Tanner Kent • Photos By John Cross

Between a stone and an art place

Patty Conlin opened Stones Throw Gallery in St. Peter in 2006. The Gallery now features art from more than 120 regional artists.

MM: Tell me about the history of Stones Throw Gallery.

PC: Seven years ago, I was artist-in-residence at Harpies Bazaar in Mankato. When that wonderful place closed its doors, Gayle Daggett encouraged me to start my own business with a focus on the arts. A big blue house on Highway 169 came on the market in St. Peter (conveniently zoned residential and commercial). We moved in April 2006 and opened Stones Throw Gallery with a gala in August of the same year. We had the original artwork of 12 artists and a professional goldsmith studio. I wanted the Gallery to represent the best regional artists that I could find.

I also hoped that Stones Throw would serve as a community gathering place. I wanted to collaborate with the city, the arts center, the business community and the schools.

MM: What about the history of the Gault House, where Stones Throw is located?

PC: The Gallery is located in one of St. Peter’s historic homes. The beautiful Victorian house was built by Zuriel S. Gault for his bride Mary Lincoln Lampman in 1874. He was one of the founders of Nicollet County Bank, which is still operated here by the Gault family. It was significantly damaged by the 1998 tornado but was repaired and restored with its most charming 10 • april 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

features left intact.

MM: What kind of art do you have, and where do you find the artists?

PC: Over the past five-and-a-half years, another 120 artists have joined our group. The Gallery is packed full with wonderful pieces of original work. I am often part of regional, juried art shows and during my breaks, I often “shop” for artists that I think would be a good fit here.

I look for a balance of painters, photographers, potters, glass, fiber and wood artists. Oh, and of course, gold and silver jewelers. I try to gently push the public to learn about and develop a passion for all kinds of art. I want people to feel comfortable here. This is a place to touch, feel and purchase wonderful contemporary art.

MM: How did you become a goldsmith?

PC: I was a fine arts major in college in Denver, Colo., and I was planning on a career in graphic design. I thought that getting a teaching certificate would make a great plan B. Part of the program included student teaching at a high school nearby. I found out on my first day that teaching a class in jewelry making

was required - the very next day. I had never studied jewelry making. Because I had to learn one step ahead of my students, I played close attention. It was a bit nerve-racking but, in the midst of the process, I discovered a passion for working with silver and gemstones.

After I graduated, I abandoned my plans for teaching and shifted from silver to gold, a truly terrific metal. I also developed skill setting some of the more precious gemstones, from opals to diamonds. (I have acquired an amazing collection of unique gemstones. Call it an addiction, but it certainly is fun. Show-andtell is one of my favorite pastimes.) I spent around 10 years paying my dues in the jewelry industry. I worked around the country in a number of jewelry stores and trade shops. In 1983, I landed a job as a designer for a small custom design jewelry business in Rochester, N.Y. After another 15 years, I gained the courage to step out on my own while I was at Harpies. My business name was originally PB Jewelers, but I later changed it to The Goldsmith. When I moved to St. Peter, I became The Goldsmith @ Stones Throw Gallery. In this business, as in all businesses, I need to continue learning about my craft. So, I make sure I go to workshops or trade shows every year.

MM: As a jeweler, do you take apprentices?

PC: For the past 26 years, I have always had one or two apprentices working with me. I think it is very important to hand down the craft of jewelry making - not as a hobby, but as a career.

I give my apprentices an initial project of designing and creating a silver ring. They need to learn how to use a torch, a drill, files, pliers, etc. Some have learned quickly, others have struggled.

In return for their lessons, they help me around the Gallery and at art shows. I have no written agreement with any of them, but I make it clear that the more time and effort that they put in at the jeweler’s bench, the more they will get out of it. Over the years, five of my apprentices have gone on to start their own jewelry business. One also went on to get a degree in fine art with a metal emphasis.

ask for? Alright, it would be a tad more wonderful if even more people discovered the joy of owning and appreciating original art.

MM: Have you had any difficulties staying open during the recession with many people cutting back on such nonessential purchases as art?

PC: The gallery was still new and growing as the recession started. I think people were willing to come and check out the gallery even if they were not yet able to buy art. I had built up a following when I was in Mankato as a jeweler and folks were still buying custom jewelry. Expert jewelry repair on site was also a draw.

One interesting dilemma did occur right around the same time.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the city of St. Peter worked together to repair and rebuild Hwy. 169 in the downtown area. We had many elaborate detours that stressed the whole business community. We did pull together and most did survive. During the experience, MnDOT was even kind enough to put up portable bathrooms for the construction workers - one of them conveniently placed in my front yard. Now, though, as things in the economy are picking up a bit, I am seeing more enthusiasm for buying regionally created art. The prices are actually much more modest than those found in larger markets. I can also take advantage of very low overhead. My husband, Chris, and I live here. My commute is around 15 seconds.

MM: What is something that people may not know about Stones Throw?

PC: They won’t know until they get here what an amazing place this is. I am so proud of all our amazing artists. People come in every day and are blown away with what they see. I don’t know of a place with this quality of art that is so warm and welcoming.

M

MM: What do you enjoy most about owning Stones Throw?

PC: I think that my job at Stones Throw is the perfect combination of working with artists, working with people and doing my art as a jeweler. I get to work with all of the wonderful gemstones and gold. What more could I

Patty Conlin Hometown: Cleveland,Ohio Place of residence: St. Peter Family: husband, Chris Conlin, daughters Rebecca G. McNamara and Abigail G. Stephenson, son Daniel P. Conlin

Patty Conlin is also a veteran jeweler who specializes in gold and precious gemstones.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • april 2012 • 11

Artist Insight

By Nell Musolf • Photo By John Cross

Talking to herself

Preston also paints with acrylics as well as gouache, paints that are a cross between acrylic and watercolor and have a reflective quality.

Preston likes dramatic, intense color and tries to work in a variety of different shapes. She also uses scissors in a technique similar to oldfashioned paper dolls where one image is simultaneously cut out of several layers of paper.

“I’m very stubborn,” Preston said. “If I’m having trouble with something, I work at it until I can get it to do what I want it to do.”

Nature plays an important part in Preston’s work. One piece at her Carnegie show was inspired by a moth.

“I was working at a coffee shop and saw a moth that had obviously been squished,” Preston said. “There was something about the shape of the moth that made me want to include it in a drawing.”

Fellow artist Becky Carmody jokingly commented that she sees B-movies in Preston’s drawings, complete with giant moths chasing a hapless victim.

“I’m a huge fan of B-movies,” Carmody added. “Everyone sees something different and tells themselves a different story when they look at a painting,” Preston said.

When Preston starts a new project, most require five to eight hours to complete. But she added that her projects are never truly finished.

“I’m constantly redrawing things I’ve done before,” Preston said.

Joellen Preston recently wrapped up an exhibit of her work at the Carnegie Art Center.

Preston has noticed that the majority of her works are about the size of a book, something he title of Joellen Preston’s recent show at the Carnegie the prolific reader has found to be significant.

Art Center was “Telling Myself Stories.” The title was She likes that her drawings completely fill the book-sized field of natural for the Mankato artist since that is precisely what vision. she does while working on one of her creations: she talks to While many of Preston’s works are smaller, she has larger ones herself about the piece and what is happening in it. She has what made out of tree branches that have been brightly painted and she terms a “fairly intense inner dialogue” as she works. Preston adorned with birds and other items. doesn’t write down her own stories, preferring that observers of “When I heard I had this big space to fill I was a little worried,” her work come up with their own scenario and background.

Preston said, referring to the Carnegie Art Center. “Some of my “Drawing is very absorbing and I really like to immerse myself,” friends asked how I would do it since my pieces do tend to be Preston noted. “People have told me that my work has a narrative small. But the branches helped. I do consider all the space to be feel to it - like it’s telling a story.” part of a composition though.”

Preston uses many different elements in her art work - colored Preston describes herself as a part-time artist, a part-time pencil, paper cut-outs and thread, to name a few. By using the educator through Mankato’s Community Education and a partdifferent materials, her work has a collage element to it that time framer. She teaches at Lifeworks, the local non-profit draws the eye to a wide variety of details in even the smallest organization that serves people with disabilities. Her teaching pieces. experience at Lifeworks has been extremely rewarding.

T

12 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

“It’s just wonderful going to work there,” Preston said.

Preston graduated from Mankatos East High School in 1998 and received a B.A. in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Since graduating from college, she has spent her time in River Falls, St. Paul or Mankato.

“The three cities are like a triangle for me,” Preston observed. “I always seem to be living in one of them.”

Preston is a member of WARM, a group that helps professional women artists connect and promote their work, increasing their exposure in the world of art. Preston appreciates the opportunity to take part in a group like WARM. “Minnesota has many opportunities for artists to improve their artistic skills and business senses.” Preston said.

She would like to go back to school for a master’s in fine arts eventually but for now has nothing but praise for the artistic community that she is part of in Mankato. She has always enjoyed doing her art work in coffee shops and finds the Coffee Hag a very receptive place to sit and work while listening to an Open Mic night

or simply enjoying a cup of joe.

“I’m so thankful to be in Mankato right now. Everyone I’ve met has been extremely supportive,” Preston said.

Nature plays an important role in Preston’s work.

Preston said: “People have told me that my work has a narrative feel to it - like it’s telling a story.”

The majority of Preston’s works are about the size of a book.

Submitted photo • Preston works with a variety of elements, from colored pencils and paints to tree branches adorned with birds and other items.

MANKATO MAGAZINE• •MARCH April 2012 • 13 MANKATO MAGAZINE

14 • March 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Labor days: For these folks, spring is serious business

By Tanner Kent

Photos By John Cross & Pat Christman

W

ith the reawakening of spring, we get busy.

We set ourselves about our nests, purging ourselves of the layers and left-behinds of winter. We return to our lawns, our patios, our garages and gardens. We renew our selves as well as our to-do lists.

And when we stride out our front doors, sleeves rolled to the elbows and chests puffed with intent, these are the folks who greet us with a hearty, “Where ya been?”

For some, spring cleaning is serious business that begins long before the equinox.

And for those, there is little time to contemplate such cliched seasonal metaphors. They’ve got tools in hand and tasks to complete. And they’ve got long days ahead if they are to get all the work done.

Gustavus landscape specialist Bill Larsen saves whatever he can from the previous season in his greenhouse. Many of the plants on campus are tropical varieties, including banana plants and tropical ferns.

Bill Larsen has little time to waste once the ground thaws. He landscapes and maintains all 340 acres of Gustavus’ hilltop campus in St. Peter.

Gustavus green

I

nside Bill Larsen’s greenhouse, it’s near-tropical, a steady 80 degrees at least, with enough humidity to nourish the flora bursting into the narrow walkways wedged between ferns and banana trees and an impressive large-leafed plant called “farfugium japonicum giganteum.”

Outside, it’s still winter. And though the sun-drenched breeze and mid-40s temperature fail to give a true impression of a typical mid-February day in south-central Minnesota, it’s still too early for Larsen to start planting.

And so Gustavus Adolphus College’s self-taught horticulturist whiles his time between an office strewn with hand-hewn landscaping blueprints and his greenhouse, preparing his bounty for the ground to thaw.

“It’s a constant cycle,” he said. “There’s never a shortage of things to do.”

Larsen is responsible for plotting, growing and manicuring all 340 acres of Gustavus’ pictaresque, hilltop campus.

Any who have walked the grounds - especially late summer or early fall - have probably admired his work: the intricately choreographed softscapes, the polished lawns, the bubbling, ebullient floral arrangements.

Larsen hears the compliments from visitors; he’s keenly aware 16 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

that Gustavus has a reputation for one of the Minnesota River valley’s most scenic vantage points. Yet, he feels no pressure only a certain commune with the work itself, a passion for imbuing the campus with life.

“It’s just fun,” he said. “It’s what I do.”

As winter nears each year, Larsen saves whatever plants he can for storage in the greenhouse. During the ensuing months, he designs the landscaping for the next year by hand.

His plans are incredibly detailed - down to the inch, in fact - and incorporate dozens of plant varieties. He takes pictures and keeps handwritten notes for each season in three-ring binders in his office, though one gets the impression his memory serves just well.

Once the ground thaws, Larsen must be prepared. He has only a short window to get thousands of plants in the soil and so he grooms his greenhouse inhabitants, purchases new plants and revises blueprints in order to meet the changing season head on.

Spring, he said, is time to work.

“Once I get everything planted,” he said, “then, I can sit back and watch it all grow.”

In 2009, Josh Vanderberg and wife Becca (pictured with 9-month-old daughter Emma) reinvigorated the family cleaning business first established in the 1970s by his grandparents, Larry and Sharon Bomsta.

Clean legacy

I

n downtown Mankato, a third-generation owner of a small cleaning business is still a few months away from busy season. But then again, it’s always busy season for Josh Vanderberg and Vanderberg Clean.

Josh, wife Becca and a small team of 25-35 employees (more during the warmer months) are behind some of the most spotless buildings in town, from medical clinics to manufacturing facilities to car dealerships. Specializing in janitorial and carpet cleaning services, Vanderberg touts an only-one-of-its-kind, systematic approach to cleaning that he’s developed over a lifetime spent in the industry.

He was still in his carseat when he began tagging along with his grandmother Sharon Bomsta, who established Sharon’s Cleaning Service in Mankato in the 1970s. And he was only six weeks into a career as an insurance salesman when he gave it up, deciding instead to reinvigorate the family business his parents had retired in 2001.

“I realized I was meant to work with my hands,” Vanderberg said. “I’m a blue-collar kind of guy.”

At the time, he said going into business for himself felt like “the scariest thing I’ve ever done.” But when the doors opened, business quickly followed.

Now, Vanderberg Clean handles a large volume of both commercial and residential clients with a variety of needs. The janitorial crews alone service 25 businesses a week.

In addition to clean-up operations for small fires and more intensive residential jobs (such as hoarder’s homes), Vanderberg also cleans about 250 rental units each year.

Though busy is a year-long state of mind for Vanderberg, the work intensifies during spring when businesses and homeowners begin to spruce up. (Ask about the spring special: carpet cleaning in three rooms and a hallway for $135.)

But for the business owner who said he’s pleased to preserve his grandparents’ legacy, it’s a cheerful work he approaches with pride.

“At the end of the day, you can do your job and actually tell that you did it,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the transition we can make for our customers.”

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 17

May is the busiest time of year for most cemeteries, Dale VanThuyne said. That means spring preparations begin when winter is still in the air. Pictured is VanThuyne plotting a burial site.

D

Grave matters

ale VanThuyne never imagined he’d dig graves for a living.

He was a self-employed carpenter when Glenwood Cemetery “took a chance on a 24-year-old kid,” as he puts it.

Since then, he’s dug thousands of graves for 24 cemeteries throughout the region and meticulously cared for the grounds at Glenwood, Minneopa and Mount Olivet cemeteries.

Though his is a somber toil, VanThuyne approaches his work earnestly and with reverence. He’s deeply aware of the expectations people have when visiting the resting places of loved ones within the gates, and his attention to detail necessarily keeps him working sunrise to sundown when the weather begins to allow.

The months preceeding spring are vigilant ones for the cemetery caretaker. He’ll re-blacktop the roads, trim the trees, start planting flowers and finish detailing the winter burials with black soil and some grass seed.

He’ll do everything he can to get prepared for the longer days of spring. After all, there are only so many before May, the busy season for cemeteries.

“That’s when you’re really under the microscope,” he said. “It’s like caring for your yard at home but multiplied 100 times Ñ and with a lot of obstacles.”

The gravedigging fraternity in southern Minnesota is tight18 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

knit, with only a handful of professionals who frequently fill in for each other when one is on vacation or out of town.

VanThuyne said he’s also exceedingly careful about hiring help, as the business affairs of a cemetery are, as one might expect, quite sensitive.

That means that VanThuyne often works alone, with little company but the deer who are regular visitors to Glenwood.

“There is a self-satisfaction,” VanThuyne said. “There’s not many people to pat you on the back. Most people don’t want to see the gravedigger. But you feel like you’ve given your service to someone.” M

Dale VanThuyne digs graves and cares for the grounds at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato, among others.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 19

Springing to life:

Transform your yard with something magical

By Grace Webb | Photos by John Cross When making a miniature garden, be sure not to forget the fairy.

S

Pat Wanzek and Kim Smith look for inspiration for their fairy gardens.

20 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

unlight hits the tiny garden, making the trail of fairy dust sparkle. Neat gravel paths run along streams and between emerald green ferns. A small watering can is tucked into one corner, and a frog is settled onto a rock nearby. Next to the frog is a fairy.

No, she’s not real. And this “garden” is actually tucked inside a shallow bowl, resting on the living room windowsill of Michelle Westre’s home. She created this fairy garden in February when Drummers Garden Center & Floral offered a free make-your-own event.

“I love gardening, and I thought it would be kind of fun to do something kind of whimsical,” Westre said.

Westre’s garden tells the story of a fairy who went wandering one night and lost her gardening tools. It’s her first fairy garden, but Westre said she’s interested in expanding the concept and creating another garden outside.

And, as the weather gets warmer, she’s not the only one thinking about a little landscaping.

Working with what you have Many people think it’s difficult to come up with a landscaping plan, but Joel Wolf of Wolf Landscaping says he helps homeowners every step of the way. And he can, since his company offers about any landscaping service imaginable: creating landscape plans, planting trees and flower gardens, installing fountains and waterfalls, rigging up lights and even dabbling in carpentry. But Wolf says patios are the popular ticket these days.

“What’s changed the most since I started - is people want more outdoor living,” he explained. “Patios are really popular (and) one of the best investments they can make.”

Wolf completes up to 40 jobs a year, with more than a thousand under his belt.

Sometimes, when customers want to save money, he will leave the rock-pouring and mulch-planting to the homeowner, which can knock off hundreds of dollars from the original estimate. Though, Wolf cautions that customers should realize what they’re getting into when they decide to take on the strenuous tasks.

Participants in Drummers Garden Center’s make-your-own fairy garden event get creative during the February event. Pictured are (from left): Kim Smith, Michelle Westre and Wiolet Yahnke.

“If you’re going to do some of it yourself, at least have someone who knows what they’re doing and has drawn out a plan for you,” he said.

Instead, if customers are concerned about a pricey landscaping job, Wolf has some other suggestions for saving money.

He says plants are a cheap way to transform a yard. Wolf often works with the existing plants in a homeowner’s yard, moving trees and shrubs around to create a new look.

“It makes (the yard) look substantially different,” he said.

Giving your yard a makeover Instead of re-organizing a front yard or radically planting more trees and shrubs, Cram Concrete has another solution: decorative concrete. “(We can) dress it up and make it look brand new,” said co-owner Nate Cram.

Cram Concrete, owned by Waterville brothers Nate and Nick Cram, offers many different services, but the most popular is probably decorative concrete. This concrete is used for driveways, steps, patios and fire pits, among other uses.

Customers can order concrete in any color imaginable, or have images stenciled into their concrete. One customer even had his pool deck colored purple and yellow in honor of the Vikings.

“The colors and the patterns and textures are whatever you come up with,”

Nate said. “If you can find stuff anywhere across the country, we can do it.”

Many customers choose to make concrete look like something else: brick, granite, etc. Colored walkways that look like cobblestones or patios that look like tile help homeowners save money without sacrificing appearances.

The cheapest way to get a new look, the brothers say, is to take a surface already in the yard or house and either overlay it or stain it. To overlay old concrete is to pour new concrete on top of it. This new concrete can be colored, stenciled or stamped to resemble whatever the customer wants.

“It’s a night-and-day difference,” Nate said. “To take what you already have and give it a new look is very inexpensive.”

Other ways customers can save money is to stain surfaces themselves. The brothers suggest doing regular surface maintenance, about every five years, such as applying sealer to concrete to protect it from premature aging and cracking.

A magical retreat Whether completely designing a home layout

or simply rearranging the yard, landscaping doesn’t have to cause headaches. But for people still wary about calling a company to plant new trees or build a restraining wall, perhaps fairy gardens are the easiest way to bring a little new life to a yard.

“We just started finding objects that we like and things that kind of spoke to us,” Westre said. “[We] combined them with the plants and used them to make a little story in our own little garden.”

Just don’t forget to include the fairy. M

Diane Kontack and granddaughter Delaney get a closer look at their creation.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 21

The chores of spring

By Nell Musolf | Photo By John Cross

DePoppe suggests people have designated places for their belongings: “The problem many people have ... is that the houses are poorly prepared to handle good organization.”

A

lthough this past winter wasn’t extreme by any hardy Minnesotan’s standards, with spring in the air it is still the time for most people to start thinking about cleaning, clearing out and sprucing up their homes.

Professional home organizers Lon and Darci DePoppe own Orderly Quarters, a business that is geared toward helping homeowners makes their houses less cluttered and more efficient.

According to DePoppe, one of the biggest keys to home 22 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

organization is having the right tools.

“If you don’t have the tools to be organized, you’ll likely fail,” DePoppe said.

DePoppe suggests that people have designated places for their belongings. He points out that in kitchens, items such as teaspoons and water glasses are easily accessible because kitchens are naturally designed to store things effectively.

“The problem many people have in the rest of their houses is

that the houses are poorly prepared to handle good organization,” DePoppe said.

For example, DePoppe points out that closets in homes built 50 years ago are seldom large enough to contain the amount of items people own today. He suggests that people use the space they have wisely and to “harness the power” of what he calls prime zones; areas that hold items that are used frequently.

Organizing is an art that is constantly evolving. Basic homes built in the 1800s often didn’t have closets and people stored their belongings in wardrobes and dressers. As people became more economically solvent, they collected more things and the need for extra storage grew. Many new homes today have walk-in closets, rendering bedroom dressers obsolete.

“The two big tips I can give are: make your storage space work for you rather than against you, and toss or donate things you no longer use to make space for the items you do use,” DePoppe suggested.

When it comes to cleaning all that freshly organized space, Laurie Putze has a few ideas.

Putze is a direct sales representative for Norwex, a company that makes organic cleaning products. The Mankato mom first became interested in using organic cleaning products after her daughter was diagnosed with cancer 24 years ago.

“We learned about how chemicals impact health at the Rochester Mayo Clinic,” Putze said. “As a new mother, I wanted to not only provide organic foods for my family but also a safe place to live.”

A favorite cleaning item of Putze’s is a micro-fiber cleaning cloth with silver agents embedded in the micro fibers. Putze explained that silver is a natural anti-microbial element that has been used to protect people from disease for centuries. Putze also uses a citrus-based organic cleaning paste on her sinks, showers and stove top.

Organic products might initially seem to cost more than conventional cleaning products but Putze believes in the long run, organic products are priced comparably to non-organic, especially since the products she sells last for such a long time.

“Once you invest in a cleaning cloth, it lasts a couple of years,” Putze said. “I’ve been using my two cleaning and polishing cloths for four years.”

Once your home is clean, it’s time to decorate. Continuing with the green theme, Lori Williamson sells accessories for Organic Products, makers of eco-friendly items such as picture frames, journals and photo albums. Williamson said that the items she sells are reasonably priced as well as attractive.

“I wanted to go green,” Williamson said. She reports that business has been good as other environmentally conscious consumers in the region seek green accessories too.

Moving beyond accessories, larger-scale decorating plans might include new paint and updated color schemes. Staci Flemming, an interior designer with Paulson Architects, says that when it comes to color, earth tones are here to stay for at

least a little while longer.

“Earth tones don’t seem to be going anywhere,” Flemming said, “although they do seem to be heading toward the deeper and richer jewel tones.”

Flemming suggests that if a house is older and is short on closets and other storage spaces, furniture such as armoires and dressers can help, as well as add decorative flair.

“It’s a way to get storage into a room and they can look good, too,” Flemming said.

For families with infants and small children, Flemming thinks it’s a good idea to purchase multi-purpose furniture that can grow with a child. Safety comes first for nursery furniture, but it’s possible to buy quality furniture for an infant that can be used as the child gets older.

One final question for the professional decorator: What room is the most difficult to decorate?

Flemming’s response is unhesitating: “The bathroom.” M

T

T

“The problem many people have in the rest of their houses is that the houses are poorly prepared to handle good organization,” DePoppe said.

TT

MANKATO MAGAZINE• •MARCH April 2012 • 23 MANKATO MAGAZINE

Get organixed with 20-minute projects

By Terri Sapienza The Washington Post.

I

f you’ve b e e n

ignoring the need to get your home in order, this is an easy way to get Organize incoming and outgoing y o u r s e l f motivated. mail with file-folder system.

Set aside just 20 minutes for these household projects and they will leave you feeling a little more organized come spring.

Office: Create a system for incoming mail and papers • Get five file folders.

• Find something, such as a cabinet, box or accordion file, to hold the folders that will allow you to see the tabs at the top.

• Create labels for each folder: Action (papers that need immediate attention, such as a bill or parking ticket or an invitation that requires a response). To Do (papers that require action, but not immediately, such as getting tickets for a show or reviewing a contractor’s proposal).

To Read (for magazine clippings or catalogues you want to save).

To File (anything you need to hold on to, such as a tax donation receipt or paid bills). Reserve the final folder for another category you have a lot of papers for, such as your child’s school.

Stick to five folders or fewer; it will make your filing more manageable.

• Pick up a pile of paper and start sorting until your 20 minutes is up.

• If setting up the system and filing takes less than 20 minutes, use the remaining time to tackle something in your Action file.

Tip: Make it a rule to touch a piece of paper no more than two times.

Opening the mail counts as the first time. Next, act on it, file it or throw it away. As difficult as this rule sounds, it’s really worth adhering to.

24 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Reflections

Photo By John Cross

Averages are, by definition, the middle ground found between the extremes.

And in an average year, the ice goes out on lakes in south-central Minnesota sometime during the first week of April.

A compilation of ice-out dates on Lake Washington, arguably one of the most popular recreation lakes in the area, has been kept since 1950 by the Lake Washington Improvement Association.

The earliest recorded ice-out date was March 8, in 1987 and again in 2000.

The latest ice-out occurred April 27, 1965. Average ice-out date is April 4. This year, the lake officially was declared ice free on March 16, 2012.

Probably too soon for a few die-hard winter enthusiasts, but not nearly early enough for those itching to launch new boats, wet a line, or to play fetch with a water-loving Labrador retriever.

26 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE April 2012 • 27 MANKATO MAGAZINE •• april

Made in Mankato

By Marie Wood

Photo By: Pat Christman Jerry Dehn (front) is the innovator and Jamie Meister is the builder of Containment Mat, a rubberized mat that can be placed under motor vehicles to catch oil drips, winter slush, sand, etc. The pair has also found a niche in the classic car business, where afficionados use the mats to prevent ground moisture from rusting the bottom of the car. Also pictured is a 1957 Cadillac courtesy of Unique Specialty and Classic Cars in Mankato.

28 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Photo By: Pat Christman Jamie Meister finishes fabricating a Containment Mat in his downtown Mankato shop.

The Containment Mat

A

nyone who lives in a northern climate has dealt with the mess of snow, slush and dirty ice chunks that melt off the vehicle onto the garage floor.

Jerry Dehn of Mankato solved the problem. His wife runs a daycare and the kids tracked the road dirt from the garage into the house and vehicle. So Dehn designed The Containment Mat, which won two awards at the Minnesota Inventors Congress in 2001.

“It’s almost a ‘see it on TV’ product before people understand,” said Dehn.

The Containment Mat is a thick rubber mat with a raised edge that protects your garage floor by catching and containing slush, water, dirt, mud, salt and engine drips. A full-size truck, SUV or mini-van can be parked on the large mat, which holds more than 40 gallons of water.

The smaller-sized mat is ideal for compact cars, four-wheelers and riding mowers. Larger mats are designed for snow blowers and lawnmowers but special orders of any size can be made by Jamie Meister in his Mankato shop. The Containment Mat has also found a niche in the classic car business where owners and sellers can use the mat to prevent ground moisture from rusting out the bottom of the car.

Over the years, Dehn has been producing and selling The Containment Mat sporadically. It has been well received in Minnesota, Alaska, Canada and Colorado.

“We get calls all winter long,” said Dehn.

Dehn has rejuvenated the business under the name Handi Products. His son, Matthew Dehn, took on marketing and his wife, Karen Dehn, assists in customer service and shipping. Dehn is considering a retail outlet for the product.

Photo By: Pat Christman Curt Krohn, owner of Krohn’s Woodshop, designs, manufactures and installs entire homes of cabinetry, as well as custom pieces such as media centers without buying “anything from anybody.”

Krohn’s Woodshop

T

ucked away in a workshop off Riverfront Avenue North in Mankato, Curt Krohn and a small crew are designing and building custom cabinets for new and remodeled homes in southern Minnesota.

“We don’t buy anything from anybody. We make doors. We make everything,” said Krohn of North Mankato.

The only exception is cabinet hardware such as hinges and pulls. Krohn designs, manufactures and installs entire homes of cabinetry, as well as custom pieces such as media centers.

“The thing that sets us apart is we do not use particle board,” said Krohn.

In addition to kitchens and baths, Krohn is known for offices, bookcases, laundry rooms and closets. In mud rooms, Krohn builds custom cubicles where cell phones, laptops and gadgets can be charged.

“Nobody makes cabinets like we do,” said Krohn.

Krohn also builds bars that are fashioned after antique bars. He often insets racks for wine bottles and glasses. His own basement bar has become a comfortable hangout for friends and family alike.

This home-grown business started in Krohn’s small home workshop in 1999 and he expanded to his current locale in 2004.

To see more of Krohn’s Woodshop, visit www.krohnswoodshop.com.

To learn more, visit www.thecontainmentmat.com.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 29

Submitted photo Cambria’s new Waterstone Collection is inspired by the movement of water over stone. This is the collection’s Torquay design with a custom backsplash.

Submitted photo Kasota stone cut from Vetter’s quarries lends a rustic style to an arched wine cellar.

Cambria

Vetter Stone Company

ambria, made and headquartered in Le Sueur, has become an industry leader for quartz counters in new homes and remodels.

Owned by the Davis family, founders of Davisco Foods International, Cambria is the only familyheld American manufacturer of quartz surfaces.

In 1999, the Davis family entered a new field when they purchased quartz processing equipment.

The Cambria retail brand was launched in 2003 with 33 designs. Today there are nearly 100 designs.

“Cambria is a stain-resistant, non-porous, natural quartz surface that is harder, stronger, safer and easier to care for than other stone surfaces,” said Greta Baker, marketing coordinator for Cambria.

All of the quartz is mined in North America.

Made from 93 percent quartz and only 7 percent resin and pigments, Cambria surfaces are a natural product. In the lobby of the Le Sueur plant, there are four tubes of quartz from powder form to chunks of rock.

“We blend everything from the smallest to the biggest and use everything to make a solid, nonporous product,” said Baker.

Cambria is available through a North American network of independent stone fabricators, installers and retail partners.

or 100 years, the Vetter family has been mining limestone from its Kasota quarries for use in homes, buildings and monuments.

While it’s known here as Kasota stone, the highstrength dolomitic limestone is known to Vetter Stone Company’s worldwide customers as Minnesota Stone.

“It’s a warm-toned, tight-grain stone. That’s why it’s popular in America and around the world,” said Donn Vetter of Mankato.

In our region, our local stone graces buildings and homes, new and old. Used in the facing of homes, Kasota stone can be as economical as traditional brick work. However, the stone has other decorative and functional uses in homes.

“We’ve always done stone in homes from frontfacing to floors, fireplaces and patios,” said Vetter.

Stone arches and columns add style and drama to distinctive homes inside and out. Like paneling, the versatile stone can also be used in interior design to lend an old world or modern look.

Vetter Stone has supplied the Kasota stone for the Blue Earth County Library, the Buffalo Statue, and U.S. Post Office in downtown Mankato. Wells Fargo Tower and Target Field in Minneapolis sport Kasota stone from Vetter Stone Company too.

Vetter also has mined and shipped stone around the world for buildings in Tokyo and Singapore and the U.S. Embassies in Moscow and Oman.

You can show off our world-famous limestone with cool stone accents in your home and yard.

Vetter Stone also makes wine racks and benches.

C

To find a local dealer and see more of Cambria quartz surfaces, visit www.cambriausa.com.

F

To learn more, visit Vetter Stone Company at www.vetterstone.com.

30 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Missing Something?

Contact Cheryl Olson for solutions to your advertising puzzle.

507-344-6390

mankatomag@mankatofreepress.com

YOUR ROOFING HEROES. From simple asphalt shingles to complex metal decorative shingles, Schwickert’s is proud to be able to offer the most diverse and comprehensive roofing solutions in the region.

Call Schwickert’s today or visit our showroom on Poplar Street in Mankato.

507-387-3101 schwickerts.com | 330 Poplar Street, Mankato, MN

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 31

Places

in the

Past

By Grace Webb

History of hardware Mutch Hardware photos by John Cross Historical photos from Blue Earth County Historical Society

T

he front door bangs when customers walk into Mutch Hardware. It has the distinct smell of a hardware store, musty and a little mechanical. Dave Mutch is standing behind the counter, next to the old but steadfast 1919 cash register he uses to ring up every sale. Sandy Mutch is upstairs, working on the books. She doesn’t have a computer; the Mutches never switched to electronics. She doesn’t even have air conditioning; she sits in front of a fan to keep cool.

Mutch Hardware, located on Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, is the last mom-and-pop hardware store for miles. ItÕs been around since 1926, but the Mutch family bought it in 1970.

However, in times past, Mankato was full of family-owned hardware stores.

Zimmerman Hardware

Zimmerman Hardware, the oldest hardware store in Mankato, was formed around 1885 by German immigrant Sebastian Zimmerman. At first, he worked out of the ground floor of a building while his family lived upstairs, but the store was later expanded.

When Sebastian died, his son August took over running the store and changed its name to the A. A. Zimmerman Hardware Store. The rest of Sebastian’s sons went into the hardware business for themselves, opening up their own shops. August was also good friends with fellow hardware store manager John C. Hagen, who opened Hagen’s Hardware in 1916.

By the time August died, the store was well-known in Mankato. According to a 1966 Mankato Business article, “Because of the inventory built up over the years, (Zimmerman Hardware) came to be known as the place to find anything that couldn’t be found anywhere else.”

August died in e in or st e ar w 1946 and the store rd t ha are was the firs , some 13 years af ter dw ar H an m passed down to his er Zimm in 1898 ure was taken ct pi is Th . son, C. C. “Babe” to Manka . ed en op e Zimmerman.

He or the st managed the store until his death in 1966. Zimmerman Hardware was then auctioned off, the building selling for roughly $12,000.

Mahowald’s Hardware & Sporting Goods son August merman died, m Zi n ia st ba Se Hardware.

When owner A. Zimmerman A. to e m na e changed th

32 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Mahowald’s Hardware actually began as a bicycle shop. Bert Mahowald started the store in 1911 in Mankato, calling it Mahowald’s Cycle Company. After a while, he began adding sporting goods and finally hardware.

When Mahowald died in 1971, employees Doug Sharp and Ed Frost bought the store and continued managing it. During this

it appeared ld’s Cycle Company as The interior of Mahowa ’s opening. re four years after the sto

in 1915,

Mahowald’s opened in 1911 as Mahowald’s Cycle Company. This photo, circa 1933, shows the storefront after it added hardware and other supplies.

time, the store was thriving. But in March 1983, the owners had to deal with quite a mess when a driverless semi-truck crashed into the side of the store. The driver had parked the truck two blocks uphill from Mahowald’s, but the breaks failed and the truck rolled down the street. The semi smashed a hole into the store’s wall, but, despite the commotion, Mahowald’s opened for business that morning.

In 1987, employees Mike Howe and Ron Tostenson bought the store. They were the last to own and manage Mahowald’s, closing shop in 1991.

Mutch Hardware

business. Most of the customers come because of referrals or are repeat visitors.

“Hopefully, you stock what they need and, if they get the job done, they’re happy and they’ll come back,” Dave said.

Dave and

David Mutch didn’t really think he’d go into the hardware business, even though he’d been around it since he was 19. When his parents, Harold and Bernice, took over Mutch Hardware in 1970, Dave helped them around the store. Within two years, he’d bought half of it, and by 1979 he was the new owner.

“He’s always been a part of it,” said wife Sandy Mutch.

The building was constructed in 1926. It was always a hardware store, Mutch Hardware has been around changing hands twice before the since 1926 and is one of the few Mutches took it over. When Dave’s Dave Mutch and wife Sandy bought the store in 1970. mom-and-pop hardware stores parents wanted to retire, Dave and Sandy remaining in the region. took over owning and managing the store.

About two or three dozen customers visit the store every day. Sandy mostly manage the store by Dave said the store had more business in the 1970s, before big- themselves, though they do have one part-time employee. box building centers moved into the area. Still, Mutch Hardware Because the Mutches do most of their own work, the store is holds its own. In fact, customers often arrive at the store saying closed on Sundays. However, the couple manages to keep it they’d visited a building center and been told by employees to running almost every other day of the year, seldom finding time visit Mutch instead. for vacations.

“We had to realize we’re more about service,” Sandy explained.

The hard work is starting to take its toll, however, with the “If (customers) need it, and we can find a way to get it, we’ll get Mutches saying they don’t plan on keeping the store too much it.” longer. When they leave, one of the region’s last mom-and-pop Mutch Hardware often stocks less popular items, as in those hardware stores will leave with them. M that might sit on a shelf for a few months. The store is also known for its screen repair, which Dave said is probably the bulk of the MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 33

Vote for Us! Best of Mankato Complete Auto Repair Foreign & Domestic

Pickup & Delivery Available Emergency Road Service

Serving the Mankato Area Since 1975

257-3730

MEMBER

109 E. LERAY, EAGLE LAKE Located Just 5 Minutes From River Hills Mall

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 35

36 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 37

That’s Life

By Nell Musolf

Things I have learned ... and forgotten I don’t parallel park.

As a matter of fact, in all the years since that have passed since being taught how to parallel park by Miss Bradshaw, the physical education/driver’s ed teacher at my high school who alternated between terrorizing her students in the gym and behind the wheel with sadistic glee, I have parallel parked exactly once and that was only because it was a legitimate park-right-now-orsomeone-is-going-to-die emergency. Instead of parallel parking, I prefer to circle the block a few hundred times or find something several miles away and take a nice, healthy walk.

My stance on parallel parking made me think about all the other skills I’ve learned over the years and I have never utilized.

Like the mats my Brownie troop made one industrious afternoon. I think they were called something like Rainy Day Mats and consisted of several sections of newspaper ensconced in a thick vinyl wrapping - a little bit like a flat Christmas present only impossible to unwrap and with nothing good in it if you did manage to get the vinyl covering off. Our Brownie leader instructed us to keep our Rainy Day Mats always close at hand and if any of us happened to find ourselves out in the wilderness with a sudden urge to sit down, we could put the Rainy Day mat between us and the damp ground, thus keeping our Brownie uniforms dry. I dutifully made my Rainy Day mat, brought it home and stuck it in a closet, a spot where I am sure it is still lingering

having never seen the light of the wilderness since.

Then there’s algebra. After suffering through two painful years of Algebra in high school - and I’m talking the watered down version that took several weeks to explain to the befuddled class what an exponent was - I am still waiting for the day when I can apply my hard-earned knowledge. Not once has anyone ever posed a question to me in algebraic terms - at least not that I know of - although I do have a friend who claims that she uses algebra every single day of her life. I don’t quite trust this friend since she’s the same one who claimed that childbirth without pain medication - was a “piece of cake.” However, she was in the smarty pants advanced algebra class so it’s possible that she learned something extra and useful that we of the slow algebra class never got around to.

Sewing in zippers, changing flat tires and learning French were three more educational adventures that I’m still waiting to put into use. Of course, the entire zipper thing was a wash since the only reason I passed Home Economics in junior high was because the teacher was a friend of my mother’s and finished all my sewing projects for me. And as for flat tires, that’s what husbands and Triple AAA were invented for.

The French, I must admit, has come in handy on an occasion or two when I’ve been able to get a (very) fleeting thrill by showing off my vast foreign vocabulary and translate such phrases as “Viva la France” and “Frere Jacques.” Looking back, I do think it might have been wise of my French teacher to include more pertinent information in his lesson plans but then again there’s a good possibility that I wasn’t paying all that much attention at the time anyway.

Of course, the knowledge that some of the things we learn really and truly aren’t all that useful is one that is best kept a secret, especially from younger generations. I can’t imagine letting my kids in on the fact that they’ll most likely never have to use calculus or zoology in spite of the fact that they’ve been forced to sit through entire semesters on those topics. I can only imagine the indignant glares I would have to endure should either of them find out that, thanks to the computer, the only cursive they need to know is how to write their signatures.

No, some things are better learned “ and then forgotten” on your own. M

Nell Musolf is a mom and a freelance writer from Mankato.

38 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 39

From

the

Kitchen

By Family Features

Easy recipes for family Easter Easter is a time for honored family traditions. From Easter hats, egg hunts and meals shared with those you love, each celebration creates its own special memories.

Here are ways to bring some familiar flavors to the Easter table in a whole new way. These easy, delicious recipes can be made or prepared in advance, leaving more time to enjoy your family’s cherished traditions.

Berry Baked Brie Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Yield: 12 servings 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1/3 cup berry preserves 8 ounces round baby wheel brie cheese 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or pecans 1 large egg 1 tablespoon water Assorted crackers, pear slices and/or apple slices

Slow Cooker Marmalade Pork Tenderloin Cook Time: 4 hours Prep Time: 20 minutes Yield: 8 servings 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 pounds pork tenderloin 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 1 cup chicken broth 1 10-ounce jar sweet orange marmalade 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 cloves garlic 1 large onion, sliced 1 package fresh mushroom caps ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat.

Brown tenderloin on all sides. In blender, mix teriyaki sauce, chicken broth, orange marmalade, fresh ginger, brown sugar and garlic. Blend until a smooth sauce. Put browned tenderloin into slow cooker. Slice onion and add to slow cooker. Add mushrooms, pepper, salt and pepper flakes. Cover with the teriyaki sauce mixture. Cook on high for about 4 hours. Turn tenderloin a couple of times while cooking. When done, remove the tenderloin and let rest for about 10 minutes. To serve, slice diagonally and pour sauce, mushrooms and onions over top.

40 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Heat oven to 400°F. Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Roll gently to seal any cracks in pastry. Spoon preserves onto center of pastry. Place cheese on top of preserves. Sprinkle evenly with nuts. Fold pastry up over the cheese to cover. Trim excess pastry and press to seal seams.

Reserve pastry scraps. Whisk egg and water in small bowl.

Brush seams with egg mixture. Place seam-side down on baking sheet. Cut pastry scraps into decorative shapes and arrange on top, if desired. Brush with egg mixture. Bake 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 20 minutes before cutting. Serve with crackers and sliced fruit.

Strawberry Spring Salad Prep Time: 10 minutes Yield: 6 servings 1/2 cup strawberry syrup 2 tablespoons pure canola oil 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 5-ounce package spring salad greens or other salad greens mix 4 green onions, thinly sliced 1 tangerine or small orange, peeled, seeded, cut into bite-size pieces 12 strawberries, sliced vertically 1/4 cup sunflower kernels 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled Combine syrup, oil and vinegar to make vinaigrette. Whisk until blended. Place salad greens, green onion, orange pieces, strawberries and sunflower kernels in a large salad bowl.

Add vinaigrette. Toss lightly. Crumble blue cheese over top.

Serve immediately.

Happy Hour

By The Washington Post

Coming into Port T

here are a lot of theories on why port fell out of favor. Maybe it’s because port is seen as the kind of drink that an elderly British gentleman, dressed in tweed, might sip while smoking a pipe; not exactly a contemporary

image.

Before Prohibition, port played a big role in cocktails, as did so many other wines and spirits. The Port Sangaree, with port, soda water, sugar and grated nutmeg, is a cocktail as old as they come.

Port also was used interchangeably with other fortified wines in the old days.

Substitute port for vermouth in a martini, for instance, and you’d have the Coronet cocktail. If you added a dash of orange bitters to that, you’d have the Princeton cocktail.

As a cocktail ingredient, port mixes best with all kinds of brandies, generally either a cognac or an apple brandy like Calvados. Port also works well with spices and herbs, ginger beer and pears.

Philadelphia Scotchman Ingredients Ice cubes 3/4 ounce apple brandy 3/4 ounce port 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice 1 ounce chilled ginger beer

Steps Fill a rocks or old-fashioned glass with ice.

Add the apple brandy, port and orange juice.

Stir, then top with the chilled ginger beer.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 41

Things

to do,

Places

to go 24 • Bethany Lutheran Spring Semester Honors Recital 7 p.m. • Trinity Chapel Bethany Lutehran free • blc.edu

April 1 • Bethany Lutheran Student Piano Recital by Nichole Knutson, Peter Krause and Karen Wagner 2 p.m. Trinity Chapel • Mankato free • blc.edu

16 • Minnesota State University presents a Night of Chamber Music 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $12 general admission, $11 for MSU students • 389-5549

5-7, 12-14; 7, 14 • Minnesota State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents “The Phantom of the Opera” 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. • MSU Ted Paul Theatre of the Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. $22 general admission, $19 discounted and $15 for MSU students • msutheatre.com

17 • Minnesota State University Jazz Big Bands 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students • 389-5549

11 • CLIMB Theatre presents “A Deeper Look” 3 p.m. • South Central College Conference Center North Mankato free • climb.org

18 • Bethany Lutheran Spring Instrumental Festival 7 p.m. • Trinity Chapel Bethany Lutheran Mankato free • blc.edu 18-21 • Minnesota State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance Studio Season presents “True West” MSU Mankato • msutheatre.com

12 • “In Place: Works by Linda Gammell and Holly Swift,” opening reception 5:30 p.m. • Schaefer Gallery Gustavus Adolphus St. Peter free • gustavus.edu

19 • Minnesota State Univesity Concert Bands 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students • 389-5549

12, 17, 20, 21; 15 • Bethany Lutheran Department of Theater and Dance presents “The Tempest” 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. • Lee Theater of the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center $8 for adults, $5 for children, students and seniors • 344-7374

19 • Vettern College Choir on Jonkoping, Sweden 7 p.m. • Gustavus Christ Chapel St. Peter free • gustavus.edu

14 • Mankato “Riverblenders” Annual Show “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” featuring the “Humdingers” Quartet from Disney World, local quartets and River Bells Bell Choir 2 p.m. • Crossview Covenant Church 200 Howard Drive North Mankato $15 pre-purchase, $13 for seniors and $5 for students • 327-0682 14 • Gustavus Wind Orchestra Home Concert 1:30 p.m. • Gustavus Christ Chapel St. Peter free • gustavus.edu 14 • Gustavus Choir Home Concert 7:30 p.m. • Gustavus Christ Chapel St. Peter free •gustavus.edu 15 • Bethany Jazz Band Spring Concert 7 p.m. • Ron Younge Gym, Bethany Lutheran Mankato free • blc.edu

42 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

21 • Gustavus Jazz Lab Band and Adolphus Jazz Ensemble 7:30 p.m. • Gustavus Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall St. Peter free • gustavus.edu

24 • Minnesota State University Jazz Combos/Vocal Jazz 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students, students K-12 and children • 389-5549 26 • Minnesota State University’s Department of Music’s Performace Series presents Ray Bonneville 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $12 general admission, $11 for MSU students • 389-5549 26 • Bethany Lutheran Spring Student Art Show, Awards and Reception 7 p.m. • Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center Gallery Bethany Lutheran Mankato free • blc.edu 27; 28 • Minnesota State University Spring Dance Concert 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. • Ted Paul Theatre, Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. Mankato $10 general admission, $9 discounted, $8 for MSU students • msutheatre.com 27 • Minnesota State University University Orchestra 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students, students K-12 and children • 389-5549 28 • Amy Chin recital, pianist 3 p.m. • MSU Mankato free • 389-5549 28 • Youna Choi recital, pianist 7:30 p.m. • MSU Mankato free • 389-5549 28 • Musicorum Spring Choral Concert,” Songs of Hope and Freedom” 7:30 p.m. • Chapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel Mankato $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and $5 for students • 386-1380

22 • Elton John 8 p.m. • Verizon Wireless Center Mankato $139, $79, $39 • ticketmaster.com 22 • Minnesota State University Spring Choral Concert 4 p.m. • Saints Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church 105 N. Fifth St. $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students, students K-12 and children • 389-5549 22 • Bethany Lutheran Senior Piano Recital by Constance Bloedel 7 p.m. • Trinity Chapel Bethany Lutheran Mankato free • blc.edu

29 • Minnesota State University faculty recital by Lydia Miller, Joseph Rogers and David Viscoli 3 p.m. • MSU $9 general admission, $7 for MSU students, students K-12 and children • 389-5549 29 • Bethany Lutheran Student Piano Recital by Marta Krause and Elizabeth Urtel 2 p.m. • Trinity Chapel Bethany Lutheran free • blc.edu 29 • Gustavus Spring Percussion Concert 1:30 p.m. • Gustavus Jussi Bjorling Recital Hall St. Peter free • gustavus.edu

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 43

Garden Chat

By Jean Lundquist

Calling all seed starters: Time to get growing!

M

ost seeds need to be started six to eight weeks before being set in the garden. Some require 10 weeks. You’re running out of time if you plan to place your seedlings in the garden

by May 15, the average date of our last frost.

I will always start my seeds early, with or without a hoop house. But I have learned a couple of things by accident that challenge that necessity.

I think it all has to do with enjoyment and anticipation.

Between mid-March and early April, I have seeds in cups in the basement, beneath my makeshift green house/grow lights. The broccoli always comes up first.

Cabbage comes up next.

When my seed cups are fully populated, I have tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, peppers, and multitudes of other plants enjoying being

44 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

green. I love going downstairs and visiting them. Before the heat and humidity hit us in the summer, before the bugs and the beetles, they are beautiful, and so full of promise.

I water them, pet them, coo over them and just love this time of year. Hey - don’t snicker - everyone who starts plants coos at them. Though, few admit to it.

Now, for some things I’ve learned by accident: Most of the time, as autumn closes in (to quote from a Bob Seger song) I try to pick up all the tomatoes after the vines have been pulled out. However, I never get them all and in every new growing season there are “volunteer” tomatoes growing in unexpected places all over the garden. If the definition of a weed is something growing where it is unwanted, these tomatoes qualify as weeds.

But how can a lover of all things tomato pull up all tomatoes thus volunteering?

Often as not, I leave a couple of these plants. Because I plant heirlooms, I know they will grow true to the parent plant, whatever variety that may be.

When I do this, the fruit on these plants matures about the same time as the tomatoes I have worked so painstakingly to start in the little cup in the basement and set carefully into the gaden with just the right amount of fertilizer.

When the soil reaches the proper temperature, these seeds seem to “know” when to germinate for maximum success.

I’ve often toyed with the idea of just placing some tomato seeds directly into the soil in the garden, and wait to see what would happen. This year, I’m going to try it as an experiment. Of course, just to be sure, I’m going to start plenty in the basement. It’s important to note that all the seed packets tell you how many days to maturity for each variety. Those days to maturity start when the seedling is placed in the garden, NOT when the seed was

started in the little cup.

Another thing I’ve learned is that onion seeds placed directly into the garden have matured into plump, juicy onions.

When I have put it to a test, the plants and seeds do about the same in terms of success. Both did better than starting onions from sets.

Maybe they don’t like to start growing, then stop, then start growing again. So the year I decided to go with only onions from direct sown seeds, the conditions were such that I got nothing. Rather than the savory homemade onions coming up from the root cellar through the following May, we ate store-bought onions all winter and into spring.

If you have garden space to experiment with the idea of broccoli, cabbage and even tomatoes sown directly into the garden, let me know how you fared. I’ll be curious.

But, of course, just to be sure, start a few seeds, too. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Because I wasn’t able (willing?) to stay on top of the weed situation in the garden last year, I’m bracing for a lot of “volunteers” this summer. Some will be unknown tomatoes and some will be unknown worthless weeds.

And I know, many will be purslane.

Maybe this year I’ll find a way to fix and eat purslane, like it, and consider myself lucky to have such a healthy crop.

Even stinging nettle can be eaten when it’s young, I’m told. I haven’t tried that, but I have tried battered, deep fried purslane.

Give me a tomato or a green bean any day.

M

Jean Lundquist is a master gardener who lives near Good Thunder.

Pl a Ew nTs eEr vRi cSe since 1985

Get Green. (preseason discount available)

Create your own Custom Lawn Care Program From 1 application to a 6 step plan, we will help you create a plan that fits your needs!

fertilization • weed control core aeration • organic solutions lawn mowing • final grade & seed

Now providing irrigation system startup, shutdown and checkups!

388.3482

peterslawnservice.com

46 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Faces & Places

Photos By Sport Pix

1

Jump rope for heart 1. The gym was filled with nearly 200 students who participated.

2. Mitsy Roberts cheers on some of the Jefferson students.

3. A group of Jefferson Elementary students take a break from jump roping to get a photo taken.

4. Alison Brunmeir, a fourth-grader at Jefferson, takes her turn.

2

3

4

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 47

AY BREAKFAST D N U S & Y A D R pm SATU Served 10am - 1

These Best in Town $5.95 evening ts. . . . . . . . . . . .

MONDAY . . . . . .Burger Baske ea. ¢ .45 . . specials ..........

TUESDAY . . . . . .Wing Night. $9.95 are worth Pizza . . . . . . . . .

WEDNESDAY . . . .Two Topping $9.95 . . . . . sinking your Pizza . . . .

SUNDAY . . . . . . . .Two Topping m teeth into! ts. . . . . . . . . 3pm-6p M-F . . . . . . . . . . .1/2 Price Pin

OF 20VARIETIES BEER ON TAP 125 S. 3rd St., St. Peter

507-931-9051 Hours: 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.

wEDDING eXPO 1. Cupcakes made by Decadent Desserts were a crowd favorite at the Wedding Expo.

2. Allison Melson twirls in her flower girl dress with some assistance from Allison Urness, both modeling for Valerie’s Bridal.

3. Wedding Expo Models Michael Zibrowski

(left) and Devan Strowder have some fun

in a photo booth before modeling.

4. Lizzy Lelend models a modern wedding dress for The Silhouette during the Expo Fashion Show.

1

2

3

4

48 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Special Olympics Polar bear Plunge in ST. Peter

1

1. Employees from Angie’s Kettle Corn make the leap together.

2. Several members of the Winthrop High School Royalty wade out of

the pond together.

3. These “Angry Birds” took flight during St. Peter’s Polar Plunge.

4. Kristine Green of Oklahoma took a dive with her inflatable monkey to

help support autism awareness.

5. Four members of the North Mankato Fire Department took the plunge

with some assistance from their floaties.

2

4

3

baby & kids expo

5

1

2

1. Brody Moriarty of Mankato checks out one of the Hasse family’s goats.

2. Hundreds of families gathered at the Verizon Wireless Center for a fun-filled day with their children.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 49

Faces & Places

Photos By Sport Pix

Greater Mankato day at the capitol 1. The Greater Mankato group meets in the rotunda of the Capitol.

2. Sen. Mike Parry meets with his constituents.

3. (L) Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen meets with Mankato Mayor Eric Anderson.

4. Rep. Kathy Brynaert shakes the hand of Viktor the Viking.

5. The full group from Greater Mankato have a photo taken on the steps of the Capitol.

6. A small group of Mankato business people meet with Rep. Bob Gunther.

3

2

4

6

50 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

5

1

mankato symphony orchsetra concert

1

1. The Mankato Symphony Orchestra presented “Music from the Heart”.

2. Guest artist Rodolfo Nieto sings as the part of Escamillo in the orchestra’s lastest performance at Mankato West High School.

3. Members of the violin section concentrate

on their music during an intense performance.

2

3

BETTER SUMMER FIREWORKS MANKATO FAMILY YMCA CAMPS Traditions and memories for every age.

Discounted registration before April 30. mankatoymca.org 387-8255

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 51

The Way It Is

By Pete Steiner

Desultory dude delivers dreck You can see exactly what you’ve accomplished, and it’s one thing we do that delivers a tidy result, with no ragged edges or unclear boundaries. Compare that to politics or personal finance, or even your love life. Yes, lawn mowing stacks up pretty favorably.

••••

Desultory: random, digressing, lacking consistency.

I had remembered the word from an old Paul Simon tune, but had to look it up to refresh myself on its meaning. But for sure, it matched my mood on a spring day. Ah, the delicious spring of the year when, as if by divine grace, we are at last granted a few days of loveliness and light, we can shed our jackets. Not so much this past winter, but in most years, it seems, I wear my winter coat more than any other single piece of clothing I own.

Think about it, we choose to live in a place where one must adjust from 60-below windchills in January to 115-degree heat index readings in July.

Not many places on Earth have to make a 175-degree adjustment annually. But on this spring day, in the between-time, I’m gonna soak up the sun, just like Sheryl Crow sings it. I’ll listen to the birds and pluck the tops off a few dandelions, even though I secretly think they’re pretty.

Don’t tell my neighbors.

Maybe not this week, but pretty soon, I’ll start mowing the lawn. Early in the season, at least, it’s a pleasurable activity: it always gives a sense of closure, there’s a definite beginning and a definite end.

Back in February, when I was contemplating what to write for the April issue, we were going through a stretch of unusually mild days, days that seemed more spring-like than wintry. One of the mildest winters ever actually had me thinking that maybe when spring arrived, I wouldn’t appreciate the full wonder of the green returning. You know, I’ve lived here so long, been ridiculed by California friends, why the heck do you live there?

So this year, would I suffer guilt for not having paid enough winter penance to deserve spring? Nah. •••• But onward now to those desultory springtime thoughts: I imagined it would be fun to be engaged to a girl named Beyonce, just so you could introduce her to folks as “my fiance Beyonce.” And if Polly Wolly married Dipsy Doodle, she’d be Polly Wolly Doodle all the day. And one more thing, do you know anyone who actually knows who put the Bop in the Bop-shoo-bop? Do you watch “American Idol”? I do sometimes, mostly so I don’t feel left out. If you don’t watch, don’t feel left out: it’s just glorified karaoke, and if a really big crowd of 30 million watches, that means 270 million of us do NOT. Heck, you were in the majority if you did not watch the Super Bowl. A record crowd of 115 million did tune in, meaning 185 million instead chose to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos, or maybe go to the •••• When our daughters were little, they wanted us to make up stories at bedtime.

One of their favorites was “The Pigeon who Pooped on the Car.” It would always leave them giggling, and maybe even

52 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

wondering who had the upper hand, us or the pigeons. People diss pigeons and that vapid look in their eyes. But my opinion changed when we got one of those online deals where you stay at a four-star hotel for just 60 or 70 bucks.

Looking out the window, I wondered who gets to sit in the corner office on the 57th-floor of the tallest skyscraper in Minneapolis and look down on the rest of us? Lo and behold, I quickly learned to stop disparaging pigeons. A bunch of them had colonized the top ledge of a nearby skyscraper. Not only did they have an incomparable view, they were cooing contentedly on that ledge, probably smug about paying absolutely no rent at one of the priciest properties in town.

•••• Sobering thought: I’m at the age when I’m going to more and more funerals. The upside is, it makes you focus on all you’ve left undone.

Troubling thought: what does Alzheimer’s Disease imply for the soul?

I asked a good friend if existence from 30 years on is just a process of accumulating sorrows? He said that sounded like a question you’d hear in a bad country song. But Life is a Process, and too often we focus on goals, and then miss the Forest while looking at trees. Next up in the Process here: the lilacs bursting forth with spring’s most luscious bouquet, and not too long after that, cottonwood seeds will fill the air. I think it was the great pitcher Satchel Paige, who was still striking out major league batters in his 50s, who said, “Age is just a question of mind over matter: if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” M M Pete Steiner is a longtime radio announcer, newsman and news director for KTOE Radio.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • April 2012 • 53

54 • April 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE