Mankato Magazine

First Comes Love A Date in time Sweetheart serenade Original poems by regional poets Also in this Issue: ‘Will you marry me?’

• J. Longs: Suited pair • Carnegie celebrates 30 years •

FEBRUARY 2012

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MANKATO CLINIC 1-800-657-6944 • www.mankatoclinic.com

ANKATO M

FEATU RES FEBRUARY 2012 Volume 7, Issue 1

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A Date in time Love is timeless.

The elements of dating are not.

Sweetheart serenade The Mankato Riverblenders, Sweet Adelines say ‘I love you’ in song.

First Comes Love A Date in time Sweetheart serenade Original poems by regional poets

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For the love of poetry

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‘Will you marry me?’

Poetry is alive and well in Mankato.

Plus, poets from the Southern MN Poets Society share their work.

Readers share the romance - and surprise - of their bended-knee moments.

On the cover: Sam Courtright and Emily Markstrom take a cozy stroll through Rasmussen Woods.

Photo By John Cross

Also in this Issue: ‘Will you marry me?’

J. Longs: Suited pair • Carnegie celebrates 30 years • •

FEBRUARY 2012

$2.95

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6 From the Editor Romance surfaces in all the right places 10 Familiar Faces Aaron Jones and Matt Long of J. Longs 12 Artist Insight Lynn Callahan 30 Fashion Currents Expert beauty tips and tricks 32 Places in the Past Carnegie Art Center 34 That’s Life Wasn’t it romantic?

36 From the kitchen Have your cake and ice cream, too 37 Happy Hour Drinks to fall in love with 38 Get Out! Beware obstacles to winter fun 39 Things to Do, Places to Go Events to check out in February 46 The Way It Is A good place to be from

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

Though the snow was slow to come this season, the cold has set in. Time for us to turn to those things that keep us busy, make us new and bide our time until we’re outdoors again.

Some of us tinker with the radio, brush up on the banjo or take to a different kind of pool. Still others ditch the cold entirely and head for warmer climes.

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In our March issue, we’ll spend some time at play and travel - just to keep us sane until spring. Join us, and we’ll keep busy together.

MANKATO magazine

FEBRUARY 2012 • VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1 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

Tricia Gieseke

ADVERTISING MANAGER

David Habrat

ADVERTISING SALES

Cheryl Olson

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT

Barb Wass

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Seth Glaser Sue Hammar Tony Helget Liz Klukas 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.

From The Editor

By Joe Spear

Romance surfaces in all the right places An airport, a restaurant, a scrap-booking party, at home, after Midnight Mass.

These are the places marriage proposals were made. There are too many good stories in this “romance” issue of Mankato Magazine for me to reveal too many more details, but they’re worth your time.

The men and women making marriage proposals have enlisted the help of many a conniving friend or two. A really great proposal involves teamwork it seems.

As humble, quiet and unassuming Minnesotans, we’re surprised by romance, by another’s opening up on their feelings of love. So, when it hits us, we don’t know what else to say, and of course, being polite, we usually say yes.

It doesn’t really matter if we’re a little uncomfortable at first when we say it and agree to it. This whole romance, love, marriage thing: We’ll get used to it, we figure.

Our columnist and writer Nell Musolf explores this month the anthropology of dating. Turns out it’s not rocket science.

Dinner and a movie have long been the standard operating procedure for going on a date for, say, most of us over 30 or so.

But the younger generation has different ideas. A walk in the park, along a trail in the woods, or cruising the mall are just as suitable for “dating,” though many don’t even use that word anymore.

Asking someone out on a date is usually something more obscure like: “Do you want to hang out?”

At Minnesota State University, activities directors have adopted the speed dating model, a phenomenon that seemed like it surfaced in the 1990s sometime.

Seems appropriate for that decade.

People were on the move with careers and jobs and the economy was booming.

Bill Clinton was in office. A hurry up kind of romance seemed fitting.

Speed dating was not only efficient, but very business like. You spend a few minutes with up to 12 different people in one setting. And you have your checklist.

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If you wanted to get to know someone more, you put a check next to their name, and apparently turned this in to the dating “moderator.”

I can’t imagine the pain one must feel if their checklist came up blank: no one wanted to get to know more about them.

Ouch!

At least at a bar, you can pass rejection off in a somewhat more private way. You can rationalize it. Must be the alcohol. Of course, that can also work the other way.

You get paid attention to because you have more personality after someone’s had a few drinks. No checklists here.

There’s no shame, of course, in meeting your future spouse at a bar. Bars are places where people go to relax and have fun, and let their guard down a bit.

Never hurts.

Having the preacher say you met at Midnight Mass instead of a bar always sounds better to relatives at the wedding, but what the heck, it is what it is.

I remember talking to one longtime Mankato bar owner about how proud he was that many long-term relationships started at his “pickup” bar. I’m sure creative marketers could come up with some kind of branding strategy nowadays for such a place.

Such lore makes love and romance a hot topic. Our February issue offers a good start. M

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

February Almanac

This Day in History Feb. 5, 1924: The Milford Mine Disaster claimes the lives of 41 miners after an explosion prompts nearby Foley Pond to empty into an underground mine located north of Crosby on the Cuyuna Range. It remains the worst mining accident in Minnesota history.

Feb. 9, 1895: Hamline University hosts the world’s first intercollegiate basketball game, losing to the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture by a score of 9-3. The sport was introduced at Hamline by Athletic Director Ray Kaighn, who had played on James Naismith’s very first basketball team.

Feb. 14, 1852: Mankato is founded along the Minnesota River. The city is originally called Mahkato — after a Dakota word meaning “greenish-blue earth” — but an early spelling error was never corrected, and the city became Mankato.

Feb 21, 1855: The city of Henderson is incorporated. Joseph R. Brown settled there in 1852 and named the town after his aunt, Margaret Brown Henderson.

Feb. 27, 1857: Joseph Rolette, a fur trader and member of the territorial legislature, disappears with a bill that would have made St. Peter the state’s capital. As chairman of the legislature’s enrollment committee, all bills had to pass through Rolette. After seizing the bill, he hid out in a hotel until the session was over, thus paving the way for St. Paul to become the state’s capital.

Did you know?

While the majority of blogs, websites and online resources related to love and relationships seem focused on the single life and pursuit of a mate, there are plenty of resources available for married couples.

At SimpleMarriage.net, Corey Allan — a marriage therapist with a Ph.D in family therapy — writes regular blog entries about how to simplify your marriage into one that is happy and fulfilling. He offers a series of free, at-home marriage courses as well as more intensive counseling.

To learn more, call us at 800-729-7575

Corporate Graphics Your Printing Solutions Company 1750 Northway Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 www.corpgraph.com

orporate Graphics

At MarriageAdvice.com, there are a wide variety of resources — but the main draw is the catalogue of advice articles from a variety of contributors. One post urges couples to reclaim the “wow kiss” and the “I missed you” embrace while another entry discusses how spouses can merge their discipline styles for consistent parenting.

But for something a little less therapuetic, try TheNest.com. The site features resources on home decor, purchasing a home, money management and childrearing. There are recipes for family dinners and ideas for anniversaries — a little bit of everything for the nesting couple.

Eating healthy

By February, the regular rotation of vegetables available at the market might be making you weary. Cooking kohlrabi is one way to get out of the midwinter vegetable rut. Its mild flavor (less peppery than cabbage but with a similar sweetness) is pleasing to most palates, and it plays well with other ingredients. Kohlrabi is as at home when stuffed with ground beef, onions and caraway seeds as it is in an Indian curry.

Getting ready to cook kohlrabi is easy. Wash the bulbs right before cooking.

Small bulbs don’t have to be peeled. Larger ones will have a tough outer skin that you can remove with a sharp paring knife. Here is a recipe to get you started:

Kohlrabi with Lentils

3/4 cup brown lentils 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 tablespoon grainy mustard 1 small shallot, finely chopped Salt Ground black pepper One 1/4-inch-thick slice Black Forest Ham, cut into 1/4-inch dice 3 small kohlrabi bulbs, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add lentils. Cook until just tender, but not mushy, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

While lentils are cooking, make dressing: Whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, and shallot in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste. Pour dressing over hot lentils. Stir in ham, kohlrabi, apple, and dill. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day and let come to room temperature before serving.

Saying “I love you” Few expressions are as universal. Few emotions are as powerful. Perhaps there is no phrase humans utter that carries more importance.

Saying it, however, can be difficult — even for the most romantic among us.

For the tongue-tied and love-shy, here are some ways that other cultures communicate the three magical words: Chinese: “Wo ai ni.”

Dakota: “Techihhila.”

French: “Je t’aime.”

German: “Ich liebe dich.”

Hawaiian: “Aloha wau ia ‘oe.”

Irish Gaelic: “Ta gra agam ort.”

Norwegian: “Jeg elsker deg.”

Somalian: “Waan ku jeclahay.”

Spanish: “Te amo.”

Familiar Faces

By Tanner Kent • Photos By Pat Christman Matt Long (left) and Aaron Jones co-own J. Longs in Mankato.

Suited Pair J

. Longs opened its doors as Knight’s Chamber in the Madison East Shopping Center in 1985 by Jim and Judy Long. The store moved from Madison East to the River Hills Mall in 1991, calling a few different locations home. The store’s name was officially changed to J. Longs in 2006 when the store moved to its final location in the River Hills Mall. In late August of 2010, J. Longs moved across the street to the River Place Center (directly across the street from the mall) and added two new owners; Matt Long (son of Jim and Judy) and his longtime friend Aaron Jones. Since then, the born-and-raised Mankatoans have been steering the ship, working hard to keep the finest fashions and best suits you can find in southern Minnesota.

Mankato Magazine: Recently, J. Longs moved from its mall location to its current location on Adams Street. What precipitated the move, and how has it affected or improved business?

Matt Long: Like many other businesses during the recession, we came to the realization that it wasn’t necessary to have such a large location. After going through one of the slowest summers the store had ever seen, we decided it was time to make the move across the street in August of 2010.

Since the move, we have noticed that the majority of our customers like the new location Many have mentioned how easy it is to get in and out, noting that they don’t have to trudge through the mall anymore.

Aaron Jones: We have also noticed that the whole “feel” of the

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store is different. It’s a bit smaller than our last one, which gives a more personal experience. Our clients can pull right up to the front door over their lunch break and get all their shopping done in 15 minutes if they so desire — and that’s pretty cool.

MM: With many families cutting back on luxury items during the recession, has it been a challenge to keep the business moving forward?

AJ: We have had to make a few adjustments through the years.

What the recession did do for us was make us take a good, hard look at who we are now and where we want to take the store in terms of future growth. I think that one thing that we really learned during the tough times was that we have to be smart about how we run our business. It can be a rollercoaster at times and we need to be prepared for the ride.

MM: You both are fairly young as far as business owners go. Is it difficult to own and manage a business at such a young age?

ML: It has its ups and downs.

For the most part, it’s a blast. I wake up every morning excited to go to work and see what the day has in store for us. I will say that I didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into when we took over, but the lessons that we have learned along the way will only help us in the future.

AJ: I believe that age is a state of mind, if you want something, make it happen!

It’s different when you’re calling the shots versus just reacting

to someone else’s decisions. That took a little getting used to.

Overall though, it’s great! I love when our clients come in and tell us that they received compliments on their new wardrobe; it happens quite often and it makes us feel like we must be doing something right.

MM: What advice would you give to people shopping for suits and/or formal wear, especially those shopping for the first time?

ML: The best advice we can give you is to make sure that you buy something that will stand the test of time.

We highly recommend a 100 percent wool suit. It is really easy to go out and buy the cheapest suit that you can find, but what tends to happen is that they wear out much faster than a nicer suit. Not only will they not hold up as well, but they are usually less comfortable.

The reason for this is fabric content. Many lower-quality suits are made from polyester or poly rayon which tends to trap heat where a 100 percent wool suit does not. Now I know what your probably thinking: “Isn’t wool hot?”

It’s a bit of a misconception actually; wool will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer because it breathes.

AJ: The other piece of advice I would give you is to pick a color and style that complements you. We take into account your hair color, skin tone, eye color and other factors when putting together a whole ensemble for you.

There are a lot of different choices out there and they can be quite confusing without some expert help, so that is why we are here for you. We will help you pick out an entire outfit, from start to finish and then provide free tailoring on top of that! Buying a suit shouldn’t be a difficult or stressful process and if you agree with that, stop in and see how easy and painless we make it.

MM: What’s something that people may not know about J. Longs?

AJ: We’ve moved! About a year-and-a-half ago we moved out of the River Hills Mall and into our current location in the River Place Center strip mall. We have the privilege of being neighbors with all family owned and operated businesses such as our own.

Being next to Play It Again Sports, William’s Diamond Center, Tokyo Sushi & Hibachi, Liv Aveda and Pieces brings a nice mix of clients to our location.

ML: Another thing that many people may or may not know is that when it comes to formal occasions, such as a wedding or Prom, J. Longs offers suit packages (full suit, shirt and tie) to own for only $199 as well as our newest addition: tuxedo rental packages, starting at $99. For as long as I can remember, we were strictly quality suits and casual wear, so it’s nice to be able to accommodate any need when it comes to formalwear!

Matt Long How long lived in the area: Born and raised in Mankato and North Mankato, 25 years.

Education: Attended Mankato West High School and graduated from Minnesota State University with a degree in business management Work history: Has worked at J. Longs since 2005 Family: Currently planning his wedding in September with fiancée Kelsey. Has a daughter named Tenley.

Aaron Jones How long lived in the area: Born and raised in Mankato, 26 years (except for two in Duluth) Education: Attended Mankato West High School as well as the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Minnesota State University. Studied psychology and sociology Work history: Has worked at J. Longs since 2006

MM: What is the most fulfilling aspect(s) of your job?

ML: To me, the most fulfilling aspect of my job is helping people.

I love to see our clients out in public wearing that new outfit or suit that I sold them earlier. It’s very gratifying to help someone find that perfect tie to go with their new suit or helping them put together a great button-up shirt to go with their new designer pair of jeans.

AJ: I love the satisfaction that I get from being a part of a couple’s “big day.” We do many weddings at J. Longs and it is a growing business for us. But our clients are never a number — they are the reason we are in business. Whether it’s suits to own for that special occasion or rented tuxedos, I enjoy helping them find that perfect combination that makes everybody look great and they remember for years to come. M

J. Longs has a wide selection of casual wear in addition to suits and formal wear.

Artist Insight

By Nell Musolf • Photos By Pat Christman

Artistic educator N

orth Mankato artist Lynn Callahan recently retired from a 30-year career as an art teacher for Mankato Area Public Schools where she taught at every school in the district, with the exception of Bridges Elementary.

The winner of the 2010 Minnesota Art Educator of the Year never planned on becoming a teacher. She credits her husband, Mike, with suggesting that she go into education back when they were both students at Minnesota State University.

“I really had no idea of what I was going to do,” Callahan recalled. “I was taking a lot of art classes when one day Mike suggested that I get an art education degree.”

Callahan knew immediately that education was the right fit for her. Upon graduation, she was hired by Mankato schools and began her long teaching tenure. Along the way, Callahan had three children, Ryan, Maureen and Colleen. Youngest daughter Colleen has followed her mother’s creative footsteps and now works as an artistic director for Target.

Although Callahan worked with all ages of students, she especially enjoyed the middle-school kids.

“We did all kinds of things when I taught at Dakota Meadows and the students were so enthusiastic,” Callahan said. “We used to go and paint the windows for Taco Johns and that was a lot of fun. We also painted flip flops for a project I called “Walking in the Artist’s Shoes.”

As a teacher, Callahan had to seek ways to teach art

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Callahan keeps several projects lined up to keep her busy, from private art lessons to painting quotes on the walls of Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato.

Lynn Callahan, an award-winning retired art teacher in Mankato Area Public Schools, is making the transition from full-time teacher to full-time artist.

using materials that didn’t cost a lot of money, but that also gave her the opportunity to use a variety of different items in her art lessons while also emphasizing her belief that art can be found anywhere.

“That’s really what I tried to teach my students — that art is all around us and it just happens. Most of the kids really did love art.

They never knew what they were going to get when they came to my class.”

Callahan’s interest in art stretches back to her childhood. Callahan grew up in Le Sueur.

Her father was an architectural engineer and Callahan remembers watching him as he worked on his drawing board, a memory she

Working many years as an art teacher, Lynn Callahan has learned to work in a variety of mediums and with a variety of materials.

believes ties in with her lifelong affection for art.

“I was fascinated by my dad’s work,” Callahan said. “He always had something going on and I loved watching him at his drawing board.”

As she continues to make her way through her first full year of retirement, Callahan admitted that not getting up and going to the classroom every morning has been a big change.

“September was rough,” she admitted, “but it’s getting easier.”

To help her transition from full-time teacher to full-time artist, Callahan has several projects lined up that are sure to keep her busy, including private art lessons during the summer and spending time with her five grandchildren.

Another project is painting inspirational quotes on the walls of Dakota Meadows. Callahan had never painted quotes on walls before so she decided to practice on the walls of the family garage before tackling the halls of Dakota Meadows. As always, her husband Mike was supportive.

“I went out to the garage and started painting one day because I wanted to see what it would be like. When Mike got home, he asked me what I was doing and then said it was a good idea. The quote is still up in our garage,” Callahan said. “I’m lucky; Mike never cares about the mess I make.”

Nature has been a constant source of inspiration to Callahan. During the winter months, she works from the dining room at her home in North Mankato but throughout the warmer months, the back porch is her creative spot.

Callahan so enjoys the porch that she has taken the name Back Porch Originals for items such as greeting cards, bookmarks and ornaments that she makes for her friends.

“Most of the things I make, I give to my friends,” Callahan said. “I tend to give everything away.”

Callahan believes that her multi-tasking abilities were something that she was born with and then honed throughout her teaching career.

“You have to multi-task when you’re a teacher. I had so many grade levels and never did one thing the same way when I worked with the kids. Everything I make is one of a kind,” Callahan said.

One more project that Callahan is working on is an illustrated book with her sister, Kathie Cliff. The sisters plan to write and illustrate a children’s book together.

Callahan sees art as a stress reliever and something that everyone should try.

“I don’t think anyone should ever be afraid to pick up a paintbrush,” Callahan said. M

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 13

IN TIME

A Date

When it comes to dating, different generations have different styles

By Nell Musolf Photos By John Cross

A

h, the romance of a couple going out on a date. Wine, flowers, music and the seductive sensation of love in the air. Traditionally, the American definition of a date has been dinner followed by a movie, a pattern that has stayed in place throughout most of the past 50 years.

In fact, when asked, the majority of more mature Mankato couples cited dinner and a movie as their favorite way to spend an evening together while younger couples seem to have a different idea of what comprises a date.

Sharon Price has been married to her husband Art for 28 years. Before they married and started having the first of their eight children, the couple went on dates that Sharon recalls as either going to the movies or dances.

“The dances were really weddings — we went to a lot of weddings in those days and that’s where we danced,” Sharon says.

Peggy and Dean Pettis have been married for 41 years. Peggy also remembers going to movies when the couple was still dating but recalls attending a lot of concerts and plays. When the couple goes out these days, they prefer off-the-beatentrail places such as the Cottage Café in Amboy.

Another Mankato couple, Sandy and Mike Bach, considered Red Lobster as the ultimate dating spot before they married.

“We went to Red Lobster a lot back when we were dating,” Sandy says. “We thought of it as ‘our place.’”

Red Lobster, Barney’s Pizza, the old A&W on

Riverfront were all mentioned as hot dating spots a few decades ago. While married couples confess they don’t go out on dates nearly as often as they did before tying the knot, it is almost always dinner and a movie when they do have an evening out.

Younger people, however, seem to be breaking that mold. High schoolers Tyler Danberry and Hannah Halbmeier met when they were in middle school in St.Clair and have been dating each other for a few years.

“Tyler was a friend of my brother’s,” Hannah says. “We used to sit with each other on the bus and one day he told me I was pretty. He was the first boy ever to call me pretty.”

Dates for the young couple don’t have much in common with the kinds of dates their parents might have gone on. Hannah and Tyler prefer their nature walks to going to the mall or seeing the latest offering at the cinema.

“We don’t really go out on dates,” Hannah says.

“Instead we’d rather walk around town or out by the river on the Red Jacket Trail. Nature and good conversation are more fun to us than malls and restaurants.”

For students attending Minnesota State University, IMPACT — the student programming board of the Centennial Student Union — offers its own version of speed dating. Bill Tourville, assistant director of student activities, reports that speed dating was first introduced to the MSU community in 2010 and has been enthusiastically received by the students.

“We had speed dating initially as part of a late-

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 15

Sam Courtright and Emily Markstrom share a walk in the Rasmussen Woods in Mankato. Courtright and Markstrom, both students at Minnesota State University, have been dating for 14 months.

They held their first date over a study session: “I didn’t get much done,” Courtright said.

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night series,” Tourville says. “It was a big success. The students responded to it so well that when we offered it again we almost doubled our number of participants.”

During a speed-dating event, participants sit at a large table with another participant across from them.

For three minutes, they have a minichat with the person they are facing, meeting a total of 12 people in an hour. If they’d like to get to know him or her better, they put a check next to that person’s name on the list of names they are given. IMPACT’s speed dating is gender-neutral and Tourville says about an equal amount of people make friends at a speeddating event as make a romantic connection.

In addition to speed dating, IMPACT also offers movies that aren’t in theaters that are free for students.

“We’re always looking for new things for the students to do on dates,” Tourville says.

Jake’s Stadium Pizza, 330 Stadium Rd., has been the sight of many thousands of dates since opening in the 1970s. James Trauger has been a manager at Jake’s for the past 13 years. During his tenure, he’s seen all kinds of people come in on dates.

“We run the whole gamut, from the younger crowd to senior citizens,” Trauger says.

When asked if Saturday night is still Date Night, U.S.A, Trauger says that seems to hold true at Jake’s.

“We’re always busy on Saturdays,” says Trauger.

Another popular spot for couples in Mankato is the Coffee Hag, located at 329 N. Riverfront. Bethany Cox has worked at the Coffee Hag for two years and notes that while the stream of customers coming in and out of the shop is always steady, it’s often hard to tell who is on a date or not.

Cox, who is in her 20s, feels that for her generation the entire concept has changed. She sees people who hang out more as a group instead of going out as a couple.

“It’s more casual these days,” Cox says. “People my age just don’t seem to date that much.”

So while the dinner-and-a-movie concept seems to be fading away for younger generations, the fact remains: Spending time with a special someone, be it as a couple or with more friends along, is still an excellent way to spend a Saturday — or any other — night. M

Krystal Swoboda and Andre Lagrone have been dating for almost two years. Lagrone played football for Minnesota State University and graduates this year. “He’s the reason I stayed here,” said Swoboda, who moved to the area to be closer to family. Swoboda and Lagrone aren’t engaged — yet: “Her mom hints about it a lot,” Lagrone said.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 17

For the

LOVE

of poetry Southern Minnesota poets still find inspiration in love

By Marie Wood • Photos By Pat Christman

P

oetry is alive and well and being spoken, rapped, read, performed and published throughout the Mankato area. In local coffee houses, bars, art galleries and college campuses, poetry is created, expressed and enjoyed.

The Southern MN Poets Society meets monthly at the Emy Frentz Arts Guild in Mankato. Members and visitors, from teens to senior citizens, socialize and share poetry.

Many are published, award-winning poets.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our regional poets society discussed how poetry examines love and the emotions that accompany it – namely hate and lust – sometimes in the same poem.

For Jose Aguillon Jr., poetry comes from emotion. In 2009, he published a collection titled “Hate Love and Loneliness.”

“99.9 percent of the time I’m sad when I write my best things. The pain and hurt writes the best poems or songs,” said Aguillon of Mankato.

Aguillon has penned romantic poems for his girlfriend. He also wrote a poem for a friend who was getting married. After posting the poem, “Only Comes Once,” on his Facebook page, the bride asked him to read it in their wedding.

“As long as there’s emotion, there are poetic people to write poems,” said Aguillon.

Ocho, a singer, songwriter, rapper, and open mic organizer in Mankato, rapped a poem about friendship. Betty Harsma, a band mate and friend, played a bongo drum to give him a beat.

“You lifted me up when my spirit was crushed,” rapped Ocho, whose birth name is David O’Connell.

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During February, the Southern MN Poets Society has sometimes featured love poetry from, classics to original work, and the practice has been enlightening, said Jana Bouma, recording secretary for the society.

“It (poetry) can look at love from every angle: love as disappointment or love of a married couple of 40 years. It’s not necessarily about hearts and roses,” said Bouma of Madison Lake.

“The poet has to say it in a unique way. It’s the poet’s job to go beyond the hearts and roses and say something different about love,” added Susan Chambers of Good Thunder.

Poetic perspective

Poetry can offer a surprising view into our souls and our world.

John Rezmerski, Professor Emeritus of English from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, recalled a theory that poetry comes “out of ordinary life, but not a place you would ordinarily go.”

For Ocho, poetry is something that happens to him even when he’s trying to do other things.

“I don’t know if I’m writing it. It occurs to me. Stuff just falls into my head. It attacks me. I have to stop and honor the idea,” said Ocho. “It’s like I’m an antenna.”

Poetry is a way of looking at something through a microscope or telescope and moving the experience closer or further away. The poet plays with the different perspectives, explained Rezmerski.

Perhaps that’s why a poem can be deeply personal and uni-

versal at the same time.

“There’s a whole audience of people who need to get meaning on the first reading,” said Meredith Cook of Blue Earth.

Then there are those who say the poet isn’t working hard enough if readers intuit meaning the first time, said Cook with a laugh. Cook edits the League of Minnesota Poets literary magazine.

Poetic Community

Southern Minnesota is the home to the League of Minnesota Poets Poet Laureate – Shirley Ensrud of Blue Earth.

During the five-year term, Ensrud will promote both poetry and the poet league. Past Poet Laureates include Chambers and Rezmerski.

“A poem’s main responsibility is to evoke an emotion or memory in a reader,” said Ensrud.

Ensrud has published eight poetry books. Her first, “Buckwheat Cakes and Cornmeal Mush,” is about growing up in Minnesota in the 1930s. Her poems have been read on Minnesota Public Radio and National Public Radio.

“Poetry does great work in the community, because it creates a sense of place. It binds people together,” said Bouma.

Poets from across the state gather in Good Thunder for a winter weekend poetry retreat that’s hosted by Chambers in her home. She also hosts a summer poetry retreat at a cabin on Horseshoe Lake.

“My most prolific writing comes when I’m surrounded by other poets and immersed in a poetic atmosphere,” said Cook, a regular at the retreats.

The Southern MN Poets Society has found an audience for all forms of poetry: traditional, spoken word and rap.

There is also a vibrant scene for young poets; Ocho hosts the Mankato Hip Hop Showcase every month at Red Sky Lounge.

“In Mankato, there’s a community here that appreciates and enjoys the art of other local people,” said Bouma.

For upcoming poetry events, visit www.southernmnpoets.org.

Magic Valentine I have nothing up my sleeve.

Perhaps it is a heart.

Suddenly, I am holding a heart in my hand.

I hand it to you, press your fingers tight around it, say a magic word— perhaps it is your name.

When you open your hand, you are holding two hearts.

I take the two hearts, returning one to you, tell you to hold yours tight while I hold mine just as tight.

I tell you to repeat after me the magic phrase, “I love you.”

You open your hand and find two hearts.

I open my hand, and show you I have two, too.

—John Rezmerski

“love”

uncertainty of something that is so clear, fire you feel from just a thought, excitement that makes you nervous, longing for that last moment while anticipating the next, missing the present before it’s already over, living so passionately that you don’t want to think about time,

The Southern MN Poets Society members listen closely during a discussion about the poetic art form during their monthly meeting.

going through life wonderfully, realizing this is all reality but not understanding it.

­— Damon Weinandt MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 19

Gifts of Love

My birthday gift was a radio for my car; My car already had a radio.

Pomegranate Kisses Kisses are like snowflakes or crime scene thumbprints: Some melt away without a trace; others leave me feeling uneasy, as though a crime has been committed, but I’m not sure if I’m the victim or the perpetrator.

In predawn waking dreams, kisses float on the surface of my mind, like pond lilies.

I remember leathery kisses; sloppy, drooling, mud puddle kisses; razor-burn kisses that itched for days; beer-soaked kisses; kisses baited with compliments; borrowed kisses with a high interest rate — buy now, pay later.

Once as a child I tried to pick up a dragonfly — a purple, iridescent thing that I thought was dead— until the long body curved like a whip and bit my hand.

Some kisses sting like a thorn.

I thought it worked just fine, but the one he installed sounded better.

He gave me a telescope that same year, for Christmas.

I laughed at the strangeness of the gift; he said he KNEW I liked looking at stars, Because one evening the summer before, we drove into the country, threw a blanket down in my pick-up bed, snuggled together, pointed at the sky.

I haven’t used the telescope yet, but, we still snuggle together under the night sky, watching eclipses, meteor showers, dancing Northern Lights.

He brought me roses on opening night celebrated my performance in “Arsenic and Old Lace,” gave me roses, again, to honor the first year of our love.

I gave him a shoo-fly pie and grew my nails long to scratch his back.

— Janelle Hawkridge

The best kisses are smooth and deep, and burn without consuming: eye-watering, luscious kisses that lick up the spine like a flame.

Rich and ripe, they leave a taste like pomegranate on my tongue.

— Faye Mattison 20 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Thanks to the Southern MN Poets Society for poetry submissions.

Ashes to Ashes With her red hair and white tunic, she is disguised as an afternoon

FIRST PICNIC When he thinks of her it is clover and soft breasts, summer moonlight and garlic chives.

When she thinks of him it is tomatoes and cool hands, sun inside lakeshore waves and fresh sawdust.

They edge down by the water on a path cut by last night’s deluge.

The dark field loams up wet and spicy under the sun.

She notes inconstant swallows rainbowing around them.

He marks amorous turkey feathers proclaiming nest nearby.

They make a bed of lavender and peeled bark, with a blanket of pliant grapevines and bright purple scarves.

He wraps long sunshine arms around her, she pretzels tangy honey legs over him.

They come from different seasons and tastes, their maps as different as the river ambling towards noon.

He confesses he likes the first day maples shiver red from their sanctuary along the edge of his prairie.

She remembers her bliss when she sees the first oriole return to sun which lingers longer and longer.

They dream of possible homes together; how they might make rock or rush nests under towering cottonwoods.

He wants neat steps, well-defined planters with lush hostas and lilies.

She wants walls bumping off cliffs, a current drifting through bedrooms.

They gather marsh marigolds, hands touching almost casually; They pack their empty wine bottle, fold away the afternoon.

They kiss underneath the up and down gossip of goldfinches, sprinkle final crumbs onto the sandbar and plan their next trek.

Whenever she comes to visit, it is only time that has intervened After, he watches her brush her hair, the strokes of his world falling, falling with everything winged, yet fragrant He believes all that burns between them is in vain, is speechless She believes she is precious; yet she guarantees nothing but his ashes.

— Tim J. Brennan

Only Comes Once True love only comes once If you really believe in it It will come once Hold your partner Wipe away every tear Get through every fight That is love, that only comes once When you wake up in the morning You know the person laying next to you Is the most beautiful person in the world Knowing no one can take that away From both of you Is so powerful So on this day of marriage You can tell that true love only comes once ­— Jose Aguillon Jr.

— SUSAN STEVENS CHAMBERS MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 21

Reflections

By John Cross

Optimists are said to view their world through rose-colored glasses.

During February in Minnesota, we frequently view ours through the frostcovered kind.

Nevertheless, it is a month that holds reason for optimism. The average high and low temperature in Mankato during January are 24 and 5 degrees but in February, the averages climb to 30 and 10 degrees.

And from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28 — or Feb. 29 in this, a leap year — we gain nearly an hour of daylight.

Of course, averages are a composite of the extremes: The record high February temperature recorded in Mankato was a balmy 63 degrees.

But even rose-colored glasses can’t take the sting out of the record February low — a bone-chilling -35 degrees.

22 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 23

Sweetheart Serenade

24 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Mankato Riverblenders, Sweet Adelines say ‘I love you’ in song

By Grace Webb

T

he four men show up at the office around lunch hour.

They’re all wearing matching outfits: white and red striped vests over white dress shirts with bright red ties. They ignore the quizzical looks from the other office workers as they make their way to one woman’s cubicle.

They’re used to people’s stares.

When the quartet reaches its destination, they spread out into a semi-circle, surrounding a woman who is understandably confused. Her eyes dart from one man to the next as she tries to figure out what is going on. Her confusion melts into delight — mixed with a little bit of bashfulness — as the men begin to sing: “Let me call you sweetheart — I’m in love with you.

Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.

Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.

Let me call you sweetheart — I’m in love with you.”

Doug Peterson, interim director of the Mankato Riverblenders, steps forward and hands the woman a red rose.

He explains her husband bought her a Valentine-gram as a special surprise.

Something for everyone

The Mankato Riverblenders is one chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a singing association that has 373 chapters in 12 nations. The Mankato chapter was formed in 1973 and has placed well in both national and international contests over the years. But more importantly, the

Riverblenders value the opportunity to serve the community. Valentine-grams help achieve that goal.

“Every group that’s done it has oodles of stories of how it’s impacted them and others,” Peterson said.

The Riverblenders have been offering Valentine-grams for years and the singing specials are very popular. Peterson said the Riverblenders perform about 80-130 Valentinegrams every year, making the songs their second-biggest fundraiser.

Typically, a quartet of singers from the barbershop group will serenade the lucky recipient with either “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” or “Heart of My Heart.” The recipient will also receive a rose and a note card with a poem, in addition to a picture with the singers.

Peterson said the Riverblenders have serenaded people at work, at home, in factories, in nursing homes, in stores and even on a radio broadcast over a CV radio when a wife wanted to send a Valentine-gram to her trucker husband.

“We sing for people,” Peterson said. “We want to entertain them and we want to make it fun. And we want it to be fun not only for the audience but for the singers.”

“You get all sorts of reactions,” added Jeff Grimmer, marketing and public relations vice president and one of the founders of the Mankato chapter of singers.

The Mankato Riverblenders aren’t the only southern Minnesota group that offers Valentine-grams. The Minnesota Valley Sweet Adelines, the Riverblenders’ female coun-

The Riverblenders are pictured with Janece Lundquist, the recipient of a Valentine-gram.

Submitted Photo

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 25

Besides singing, the Sweet Adelines offer their Valentine-gram recipients a rose, a hand-crafted card (created by one of the group members), a picture and sometimes a bonus CD with tracks of the group’s barbershop-style songs.

Submitted Photo

terparts, also deliver these romantic musical messages.

A feminine touch

Mankato’s chapter of Sweet Adelines International has been performing since 1973. Like the Riverblenders, this all-female singing group offers Valentine-grams. In fact, the Sweet Adelines and Riverblenders will sometimes collaborate if one group can’t make an appointment or if the customer prefers a specific gender of singing group.

For the Sweet Adelines, Valentine-grams have been a staple of their group since the late 1970s or early ’80s. Public relations coordinator Ellen Gruhot estimated the group performs between 35-60 Valentine-grams a year.

Gruhot said the Sweet Adelines have performed at many unusual venues, from fast food restaurants to the Vetter Stone quarry (singers were required to wear safety goggles and hard hats), and even for a farmer as he milked cows in his dairy barn.

“It’s a good memory for them,” Gruhot said.

The women performing in the quartet wear matching outfits, usually red shirts and black dress pants, along with festive red lipstick. Besides singing, the Sweet Adelines offer their recipients a rose, a hand-crafted Valentine’s Day card (created by one of the group members), a picture and

The Riverblenders perform about 80-130 Valentine-grams every year, making the songs their second-biggest fundraiser.

Submitted Photo

26 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

sometimes a bonus CD with tracks of the group’s barbershop-style songs.

“Just about everybody in our chorus participates in some way,” Gruhot said, explaining that some of the women will sing, others will prepare the flowers and still others will drive.

In addition to Valentine-grams, Gruhot said the Sweet Adelines began offering Phone-grams last year to people who weren’t in the Southern Minnesota area. While they have had requests, Gruhot said personal Valentine-grams are still much more popular.

“Most people like having the [singers] come in person,” she said. M

Readers can purchase singing Valentines from the Riverblenders by calling 507-934-2371 or from the Sweet Adelines by calling 507-388-6148.

Heather & Mike

The surprise proposal happened when I was gone to a girl’s scrapbooking weekend.

Saturday morning, one of my friends headed into town to supposedly buy a toothbrush. She met with Mike, drove back to the cabin and snuck him in the back door.

Soon after we all finished breakfast, a friend that was a firsttime scrapbooker said she was ready for a lesson on the Cricut.

When I went to give her a lesson, she handed me a Cricut Cartridge called “Tie The Knot.” I opened it and inside was $7 and a cob of corn.

I was really confused and kept asking what this was about — until around the corner walked Mike with the ring in his hand.

Mike had said months ago that when corn prices hit $7 he would buy a ring. I was totally shocked and had the ring on my finger before he could even propose!

Turns out, Mike had planned the surprise proposal with my friends almost a month before. Hats off to these ladies they did an awesome job setting up the surprise with Mike. They also never, at any time, gave me any suspicion what he was up to as there were many opportunities. Mike made sure every detail was in place to make this the best surprise of my life!

To make it even sweeter, he proposed when I was doing something I love.

— Heather Magers

The Pribyls

I was told I was in for a dinner at my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities.

When my now husband started to go in a direction opposite of the restaurant, I got a little worried. Instead we drove to an airport where I was ushered onto a helicopter.

As we flew over the Minneapolis skyline, my face plastered to the window in awe, my husband mentioned over his headset that he “doesn’t have much room back here.”

I interrupted, saying “yeah, but nothing beats the view” as I continued to gawk out the window.

He then said, “Well, I meant I don’t have much room to get down on one knee.” I turned to look at him holding a ring.

Proposed to in the sky — and the night ended with dinner at my favorite restaurant with personalized congratulatory menus.

A night I will never forget.

Even better — can you believe he had the guts to propose on a Friday the 13th?

— Ricki Pribyl

Compiled By Tanner Kent

The Sorensons

I had made dinner plans at Olive’s, here in Mankato.

I wanted my proposal to be random. I told her we had not been out in a while, so let’s do something special. Well, all the sudden, I got a feeling she knew something was going on.

So, the day before we were going to go out, I left work early and bought flowers on the way home. I had a card in the flowers that said, “I lied. There is a reason we are going out tomorrow. It’s to celebrate.”

As she turned around with a confused look on her face, I was behind her on my knee holding her ring.

— Nick Sorenson

The magic of

Will

Readers share

Katie & Dave

We arrived in Duluth for a romantic Memorial Day weekend trip.

Shortly after arriving at the hotel, we decided to check out the Seven Bridges area. He suggested we bring a bottle of wine and some glasses. We parked at one end and hiked around until we got to a place where we could sit and admire the scenery.

We sat there for a little while and had a glass of wine. Dave suggested we check out another area. When we arrived at the next bridge over the stream, we were both in awe of the beauty that surrounded us. We were taking pictures of everything.

I turned around and he was on his knee fumbling with his pocket and pulled out a box. Immediately I had tears in my eyes before he had the chance to say: “Katie ... will you be my wife?” I instantly said “Yes!” We were doing our best to take pictures to commemorate getting engaged when a guy happened to show up, look at the stream, came over and offered to take a picture of us, and then disappeared. He was the only other person we saw the entire time we were in that area. It was a great way to start a long romantic weekend!

— Katie Cox

28 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Jeni & Marcus

The Atwoods

My good friend, Marcus Schmit, got engaged the day before Thanksgiving.

He met his fiancé, Jeni Iburg, at the end of April this year and they are head over heels in love. But Marcus describes their first date as a bit of a letdown. As he puts it, “I’ve never seen a girl get out of my car faster.”

Jeni chalked it up to stress from finals and reached out to Marcus for a second date. It was after that date that he knew she was the one, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They share a deep love of family and friends, a love for travel and have the same outlook on life.

Jeni was flying into the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport after a trip abroad, so Marcus bought a ticket to get through security. He approached the ticket agent at the gate Jeni was flying into and told him of his plan to propose.

The ticket agent, along with other employees from the airline, loved the idea and were ready to help. The airline made an announcement on the plane once it landed saying that Jeni needed to come to the desk for a very special message. Millions of horrible thoughts crossed Jeni’s mind as she filed off the plane. Was someone hurt?

Is she in trouble?

It was none of those things and actually quite the opposite. Marcus was waiting for her at the gate and immediately got down on one knee. She said yes.

My wife and I met on a cruise ship in the Bahamas back in 2008.

I was working as a production singer with Norwegian Cruise Lines and she was a passenger. We kept in touch after that week and began dating as soon as I returned back to Mankato.

Unfortunately, it was a long-distance relationship for almost 2 years as she lived in Milwaukee. We would travel to see each other almost every weekend and she would never miss one of my shows. She always loved hearing me sing and is my biggest fan.

I am a founding member of the Mankato-based a cappella group, Home Free, which tours the country and internationally. In 2010, we took first place and received the audience favorite award at the Harmony Sweepstakes competition in Chicago. The following year we were invited back to host the event.

I had convinced my girlfriend that I was going to go out in the audience and pick her grandmother (her entire family was there that night) to come up on stage with me. Little did she know I had already told her grandmother to refuse me when I asked her to come up.

So, I went out in the audience and I grabbed her instead.

I brought her up to the stage in front of more than 800 people, pretended I was going to do a magic trick but instead got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife.

— Andrea Fetherston, on behalf of Marcus Schmit

— Matt Atwood

you Marry Me?

the romance, surprise and elation of the big question

The Kuhls

I met my future husband in March of 1999.

We had both been married before, and he kept saying that he would never get married again. We were kind of like the Brady Bunch, me with 2 smaller kids and he with 4 older children.

On Christmas Eve of 1999, he and I went to the candlelight service at church by ourselves. After getting home about 11:30 p.m., he found a package with his name on it.

I had a blue-tipped rose, wrapped with a poem asking him to marry me. It was very emotional, but he did say yes.

We were married on Valentine’s Day 2000, and have been happily married ever since! Best thing I ever did in my life!

— Lisa Kuhl

MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 29

Fashion Currents

By Family Features

Expert Beauty Tips and Tricks mix a little bit of moisturizer in with your foundation when applying. This will keep your skin from drying out. Apply body lotion right after you get out of the shower for super soft and moisturized skin from the neck down. The steam will help the lotion seep into the skin.

Hair: Regularly styling your hair with a blow dryer, flat iron or curling wand will likely lead to some split ends. Mend those locks with a deep conditioner. “Apply to your hair and wrap in a warm towel while you apply your nightly moisturizer and brush your teeth. The warmth from the towel will help the conditioner penetrate your locks,” says George. “Do not be afraid to skip a day of washing your hair during the colder months. You can get away with it this time of year because your scalp is producing less oil.

Use a dry shampoo to refresh between washes.”

Eyes: Use cotton swabs for “softening bright colors, mixing eye shadows and precisely applying concealer,” George says. Cotton swabs and Q-Tips are a versatile home and beauty tool that are safe for use on the delicate skin around the eyes, including touching up eyeliner and removing any smeared mascara mid-day. Draw a thick line close to your lash line using eyeliner and smudge upwards with a cotton swab to achieve a quick smokey eye. “Define your brows by brushing on a shadow of the same shade with a cotton swab in quick, feathery strokes. This will help frame your face and provide the perfect finishing touch,” explains George.

No matter what the season or occasion, every woman likes to update their look. Beauty expert, Rebekah George has a few tips and tricks to help you spice up your look and easily and stylishly glam up for any occasion.

Skin: “The trick to good skin is hydration - and not just from your moisturizer. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water as well,” says George. During dry months, be sure to

30 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Lips: “Spice up your look by trying a new trend like a deep burgundy lip,” suggests George. Keep lip color from bleeding by using a cotton swab to apply loose translucent powder along the outer edge of the lips: “Smear clear gloss in the center of your mouth to help reflect light and brighten up your skin since we all tend to appear a bit duller this time of year.” M

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Places

in the

Past

By Grace Webb • Photos

by

Pat Christman

Carnegie Art Center celebrates 30 years of history

As the years passed, the library began offering activities such as Children’s Story Hour. In 1905, it was proud to announce the purchase of its first typewriter, and in 1911, it joined the American Library Association.

By 1912, the library was buying $200 worth of books a month, and it just kept growing.

Other groups began renting parts of the building. At the same time, the board experimented with displaying art created by local library members.

These shows included oil paintings, pencil sketches, and even famous national artwork loaned by the Washington Post.

The Carnegie Art Center in Mankato took its present form in 1979 when the During the Depression, the Mankato Area Arts Council received a grant to start a community art center. library struggled to make ends meet. After the 1930s, though, things started looking up. Local author Maud Hart Lovelace featured the building in one of her Modern meets vintage Betsy-Tacy books and Mankato hosted the Minnesota Library When visitors walk into the Carnegie Art Center, they push Association’s yearly meeting in 1950. In 1953, Lovelace was the past ornate wooden doors and an imposing stone front. The first author to be featured at a library book signing. building looks like something more at home on a Victorian postBig changes came in the 1960s. The library had grown so large, card, with its labored, sprawling elegance. it could no longer comfortably fit in its building. By 1976, the But when visitors step over the threshold, they’re suddenly library had moved to a newly constructed building. faced with a new world: echoing rooms with soaring ceilings, flawless white walls and piece after piece of modern art.

This year marks the art center’s 30th anniversary. However, the What came next Heritage Center hasn’t always existed as an art gallery. The buildAfter the public library left Carnegie’s building, the community ing’s history is much longer and richer. wasn’t sure what to do with the empty space. Eventually, one idea won out: an art center.

Sponsored by Andrew Carnegie

The Carnegie Art Center began as a public library. In the late 1800s, Mankato only had private library collections, nothing for the public. The Mankato City Council voted to form a library in 1894, but it was only one rented room in a building on South Front Street.

In 1901, the library board passed a resolution to accept $40,000 from Andrew Carnegie, the billionaire philanthropist famous for his efforts to create libraries.

By late June of 1903, the building was complete enough for the first librarian, Miss Minnie McGraw, to move in, although the floors weren’t complete and electricity had yet to be installed. The library opened with a collection of roughly 9,100 books and 2,200 members with library cards.

The building that houses the Carnegie Arts Center actually began as a public library. In 1901, it received a $40,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie, the billionaire philanthropist well-known for his efforts to create libraries.

32 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Interested Mankato residents joined together to create the Mankato Area Arts Council and write a grant proposal in 1979. With the $3,750 awarded, the council members created a board and started moving into the old library building.

The move was not without controversy. The MAAC had to buy the building from the city, but the city wasn’t excited to sell the building to a group of artists. After a campaign and hundreds of letters to the editor of The Free Press, the city finally broke down and offered to sell the whole building for $1 — as long as the arts council could bring it up to code within a reasonable time.

“Eventually, we were so persistent, we won out,” said Rosemary Froen, who has worked at the center almost since it began. “We had so many volunteers, we were able to do $50,000 in repairs the first two years to get it up to code.”

At first, MAAC leased out part of the building to other arts companies such as Suzuki Music and the Fire Guild Theater. However, over the years, MAAC transitioned to a visual arts-only space. They still lend out the basement, but only to artists for studio space.

“It’s a really good place to be able to leave your stuff out and be messy instead of cleaning up for dinner,” Froen explained.

Since MAAC created the arts center, it has survived through donations and grants, becoming the largest visual arts center in the ninecounty region. Rent from artists pay for utilities. But the work is never done.

“I just pick a project and put it on our wish list … and figure out how to do it,” she said.

Froen has worked at the center since she was a college intern. She’s worked on storm windows, woodwork, the front doors — pretty much every inch of the building.

“Everyone starts by volunteering [and then] gets sucked in,” she said.

“It’s kind of like our second home.

We’re kind of unique among the art groups in town — being an art center and preserving a historical building, and both of them equally important. There’s nothing else like it.” M

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That's Life

By Nell Musolf

“Wasn’t It Romantic?”

“Some day,” my new father-in-law, Frank, told my husband Mark and me, “you two will look back on this apartment fondly and say to each other, ‘Remember our first place and how wonderful it was and how happy we were?”

I didn’t say anything at the time, but I was pretty sure that my new father-in-law was nuts. I was only 20, far from knowledgeable in the ways of the world but I was still fairly certain that no one in their right mind would ever look back on our one-bedroom, one-bath, third-floor walk-up in a lessthan-glamorous neighborhood in Chicago “fondly.” We rented the apartment because the price was right (think dirt cheap) and because it was within walking distance to the college we were attending.

Personally, I couldn’t wait to move out of that first apartment and into something bigger, better and newer.

Something with new appliances in the kitchen and a bathroom that had been remodeled since the FDR administration was in office. Something with a little sophistication and a much better address. But Mark and I were college students at the time on a very fixed income. Extremely fixed. So fixed that a night out to us was sharing a Big Mac and wishing we had enough money for fries. Bigger, better and newer weren’t in our vocabulary yet — and wouldn’t be for several years.

So I just smiled sweetly at Frank and suggested that perhaps it was time to go out for dinner — his treat.

Twenty-plus years and nine addresses have come between my husband and me and that first apartment, along with three states and numerous zip codes. Over the course of our marriage thus far, we’ve lived in three more apartments and five different houses. While each move has been an improvement with bigger bathrooms, more conveniences and larger yards, lately I find myself thinking about our first home, that apartment in the lessthan-glamorous neighborhood in Chicago, the one my father-in-law predicted I’d one day remember fondly.

It was an old apartment in an old building with steam heat, high ceilings and closets in every room. The walls were thick with layers of paint, like calling cards from previous tenants. Whoever had lived in the apartment before us had an affinity for dark colors. After checking with our landlords, a frightening husband and wife team who terrorized us without much effort at all, we got their OK to paint the apartment — provided we bought the paint and did all the labor.

Did I mention that we weren’t too well-versed in tenant/landlord relationships in those days either?

After much discussion, we paid a visit to the neighborhood Sears and came home with several gallons of different colors of paint.

The living room went from a dark and depressing bottle green to a shade as close to the wet sand on the shore of Lake Michigan as we could find. The pink and cream dining room became a bright, cheerful yellow. We quickly papered the blood-red kitchen with wallpaper printed with a fresh tulip pattern (plucked from the discount bin at the same Sears). And the bedroom, the snug spot at

34 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

the back of the apartment was painted in a lovely shade called “Blue Heaven.”

Looking back, I realize that our first apartment would never have been chosen for a magazine article, not even one with the title: “Decorating with Flair with No Cash to Spare.” I also realize that it’s highly doubtful that I’d ever choose to live there again — not with two kids, four cats and at least a thousand more possessions than we had back in those days. That one-bedroom, one-bath, third-floor walk-up is too small to hold anything but our memories now.

Still, going back to visit those memories every so often is a sweet journey. It’s good to remember where we started and see how far we’ve come. If my father-in-law was still with us, I’d tell him that now I realize that he wasn’t nuts; he was right. I do remember those days fondly. Our first apartment was wonderful and we were happy.

Best of all, we still are. M Nell Musolf is a mom and a freelance writer from Mankato.

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From

the

Kitchen

By Family Features

Have your cake and ice cream, too Place ice cream balls on baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for at least 2 hours. In a medium-sized bowl, beat eggs and sugar with fork until well blended.

Place panko crumbs in another soup bowl or medium-sized bowl. Dip ice cream balls into egg mixture, then roll in panko bread crumbs, coating completely. Freeze 1 hour.

Heat oil in deep-fat fryer to 375-degrees. Fry ice cream balls, one at a time, until golden brown, or 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from oil and insert lollipop stick. Top with drizzle of butterscotch, chocolate or caramel sauce and dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Serve immediately.

Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae

3 tablespoons half-and-half cream 1 bar (3.5 ounces) high-quality white chocolate cut into small pieces 4 1/2 cup scoops chocolate (or other) ice cream 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided

T

he combination of cake and ice cream is a must-have for any special occasion. To have one without the other is a travesty — like leaving the cheese off macaroni or peanut butter without jelly.

While this perfect pairing is usually reserved for birthdays, anniversaries and other special events, this dynamic duo of desserts should be enjoyed no matter the occasion.

Simply open the freezer and enjoy! Ice cream and cake sticks are great for individual bite-sized desserts and the Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae is packed with flavor and fun. Try both recipes and determine for yourself which one takes the cake.

Ice Cream and Cake Sticks

Experiment with ice cream flavors and toppings and find the combination you enjoy most.

8 scoops (1/2 carton) ice cream 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup panko bread crumbs Vegetable oil 8 Lollipop sticks Butterscotch, chocolate or caramel sauce Whipped cream (optional)

36 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

In small microwave-safe bowl, combine half-and-half and white chocolate. Microwave on high, 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat an additional 10 seconds if not melted.

Cover and refrigerate until thickened to a medium sauce, about 50 minutes. Gently fold in 1/4 cup raspberries.

If sauce thickens too much during refrigeration, re-warm in microwave for 10 seconds. (Recipe tested in a 1250 watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.)

Place ice cream into 4 serving bowls. Top each with 2 tablespoons white chocolate-raspberry sauce and 4 fresh raspberries. M

Happy Hour

By Tanner Kent

Drinks to Fall in L ve With A tasty cocktail is a good addition to any romantic evening.

Of course, wine and bubbly are often the go-to libations of love. But these drink recipes — gleaned from the Mankato bartenders who make them — will take you beyond the traditional.

Consume at your own risk, however. Bartenders, like gravity, cannot be held responsible for people falling in love.

Red Mist (from Number 4 in Mankato)

Mix 1 1/2 ounces of cherry brandy and 1 ounce of cranberry juice in a martini glass. Top off with a splash of medium-dry champagne and stir lightly (over-stirring releases too much of the flavor). Finish by dropping a cherry in the bottom.

Bikini Martini (from Pub 500 in Mankato)

Combine equal parts gin, curacao and peach schnapps in a sugarrimmed martini glass. Add a splash of lime juice and serve with an orange slice.

French Kiss Martini (from Blue Bricks in Mankato)

Combine two parts fine vodka with one part raspberry liqueur and one part pineapple juice. This drink can also be made with an additional one part of peach schnapps, and orange juice can be substituted for pineapple. Serve straight up. M

Red Mist from Number 4 in Mankato

Get Out!

By Rachael Hanel

Beware obstacles to winter fun S

o far in these columns I’ve extolled the virtues of the outdoors. I’ve lauded the bite of winter cold, explained the allure of sports shoes, and recommended the

impossible for me, as I’m not a strong cyclist. There’s nothing worse than looking out at what appears to be a warm, sunny day but knowing the winds are blowing 40 mph. I’ve seen bikers pushed into ditches on days like that. What is saddest is the first warm day of spring, or a rare, relatively warm day in winter that is tarnished by wind advisories.

Unleashed dogs

best adventure books. I’m a generally positive person, so allow me this brief moment to vent about some obstacles outdoor enthusiasts face in the pursuit of fun and health. Here are my top four, in no particular order:

Wind

I believe it’s getting windier every year. I’ve never noticed the strong year-round breezes as much as I’ve noticed them in the past few years.

Of course, since I’m spending more time outdoors, I think I’m more attuned to adverse conditions. I know we don’t live with perfect weather here in Minnesota. The cold and snow doesn’t bother me. I’m not a fan of heat and humidity, but again, it’s all part of the deal in living here.

But the wind, in any season, is something I could do without. It seems that we’re getting more and more days where winds gust 25, 30, even 40 mph. Running in the wind is definitely a challenge. There have been days where I was literally blown backward by a strong headwind.

Biking in strong gusts is nearly

There seems to be a systematic repulsion, at least where I live, to keeping dogs on a leash.

This summer I had to run only one block before being chased by two dogs. I’ve cut short one of my favorite running routes because about two miles out, three big dogs that love to nip will chase me.

Turning the corner toward St. Clair on my bike, I brace myself for the jingling collar of the resident German shepherd. At another corner, I furiously pedal past the small, barking dog with short legs that has run at speeds up to 20 mph almost all the way to Highway 60 alongside me.

Perhaps I bristle more than most people. When I was little, I was deeply afraid of dogs. If we went to a house with a dog outside, my poor dad had to carry me when I was much too big to be comfortably carried. My intense fear faded over the years, to the point where I own a dog myself.

But that childhood fear will always be with me the moment I meet a new dog. I feel my stomach clench and my heart race. In my perfect world, all dogs are leashed and under control.

Ultra-competitors

I think I’m the least competitive person who does organized runs or bike rides or triathlons.

I like to do my best, and I like to set a personal record whenever possible,

38 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

but I could care less what the people around me are doing. If I’m not competing with others, I can better relax and enjoy myself. I have a hard time understanding the people who show up to casual events looking like they are ready to compete in the Olympics.

I dislike the person who charges furiously past me at the finish line, as if a grand prize awaits him or her for beating me.

Hey, if you think you can win the event or your age group, great — I’d pour on the competitive juice, too.

But if you’re anywhere near me in a race, there’s no reason to push yourself until you puke. Relax and have a little fun.

Jerks

Jerks are everywhere, including outside.

There’s always going to be the person who makes a snide comment, who looks down upon what you’re wearing or what you’re riding, or who makes passive-aggressive remarks about where you placed your bike in the transition area.

What upsets me the most about jerks is that they turn off people who are new to this. The gym, the road race, the triathlon are intimidating enough for any newbie, so leave the arrogance out of it.

A kind word, a little acceptance, and a lot of encouragement go a long ways. There’s room enough for all of us. Let’s all play nice and see where it takes us, shall we? M How about you? What are your pet peeves when you partake in the outdoors? Leave a comment on my blog: http://rachaelhanel.blogspot.com/ Rachael Hanel is an outdoor enthusiast who lives in Madison Lake.

Things

to do,

Places

to go

February 1-5 Minnesota State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents “I Hate Hamlet” 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 5 • Andreas Theatre of the Performing Arts Center • msutheatre.com

10-11, 12, 17-18 Merely Players Community Theatre presents “M is for the Million” 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 12 Lincoln Community Center • 110 Fulton St. $14 for adults, $8 for youth • 387-1008

3-5, 10-11 Bethany Lutheran College Choraliers present its annual mid-winter musical “Very Good Eddie,” by Jerome Kern 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 5 • Lee Theater of the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, Mankato $8 for adults and $5 for children, students K-college and seniors • 344-7374

12 Minnesota State University’s Department of Music presents the Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble 7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. • 389-5549

6 Minnesota State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents The Barley Jacks 7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. • 389-5549 9 Minnesota State University’s Department of Music presents Chiarina Piano Quartet 7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. • 389-5549

12 Gustavus Symphony Orchestra South Africa Home Concert 1:30 p.m. • Christ Chapel Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter 16-18, 23-26 Minnesota State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents “The Imaginary Invalid” 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 26 • Ted Paul Theatre of the Performing Arts Center • 320 Maywood Ave. $16 - general admission, $14 - discounted tickets, $11 for current MSU students • msutheatre.com

17 Martin Zellar and the Hardways 7:30 p.m. • Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato $40 includes signed CD and T-shirt, $25 includes signed CD, $15 • ticketmaster.com 17-18, 24-25, 19, 26 Gustavus Adolphus College’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Assassins” 8 p.m., 2 p.m. Feb. 19, Feb. 26 Anderson Theatre, St. Peter • 507-933-7590 19 Mankato Symphony Orchestra presents “Carmen” 3 p.m. • Mankato West High School Auditorium $25 for gold section for adults, $20 for silver section for adults, $15 for bronze section for adults, $5 for youth younger than 18 or with student ID 507-625-8880 20 Atmosphere, Welcome to MN Tour 6 p.m. • Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato $22 • ticketmaster.com 23 Kenny Loggins 7:30 p.m. • Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato $32 and $28 • ticketmaster.com 25 Jazzfest 2012 featuring Eric Marienthal 7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center 320 Maywood Ave. • 389-5549

Faces & Places

Photos By Sport Pix

1

1. Santa led off the fish house parade down 3rd Ave. in St. Peter.

2. There were 32 “floats” in this year’s St. Peter Fish House parade 3. This fish house owned by Mark Bollum is titled “Take a Kid Fishing.”

4. The Best Holiday Decorated Fish House this year went to this house sponsored by Willy’s Tavern and Dumb and Dumber Guide Services.

5. This fish house, sponsored by the Flame Bar and Grill, won the prize for Biggest Group.

6. The Govenaries Drum and Bugle Corp brought their “Govenaires Fish House” to the parade.

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st. peter fish house parade 4

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40 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

5

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301 South Fifth Street, Mankato, MN 56001

(507) 388-4200 www.oldmainvillage.com

Faces & Places

Photos By Sport Pix

1

2

3

4

5

mankato children’s chorus 1. Kristin Baty talks to her students before the performance.

2. Kids warmed up in each of their individual groups before heading to the church.

3. Director Leah Ries leads the choir to the front of the church at the beginning of the concert in Christ Chapel on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College.

4. The chorus warms up in the basement of Old Main at Gustavus Adolphus College.

5. The children’s choir performs a Christmas song at the beginning of the concert.

6. Parents and children alike sang in this year’s concert together.

42 • DECEMBER 2011 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

6

Faces & Places

Photos By Sport Pix

1

2

canadian pacific holiday train in janesville 1. The Holiday Train rolls into town with hundreds of spectators looking on.

2. Doug Boomgarden pours hot water into a cooler to make hot chocolate for the crowd.

3. Vicki West, Mike Finley and Joy Lynne Jahner wore Christmas glasses and lights to get into the holiday spirit.

4. Lead singer Sydney Grigg gets the crowd fired up as the train opened to reveal the band.

5. Carolers sang in the town park before the arrival of the Holiday Train.

6. Keith and Lauri Kuch get a photo taken with Santa Claus in Janesville’s city park.

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2012 • 43

The Way It Is

By Pete Steiner

A good place to be from You learn things walking through the local cemetery.

It was Christmas Eve day, far milder than normal this year. On a day when most focus on new beginnings, I was contemplating other things. What’s it all about, Alfie? Could I find that answer among the hundreds of headstones in Glenwood Cemetery? Probably not, although the size of their monument reaffirmed, the Hubbards were very important people. Over there’s General J. H. Baker’s grave, marked with a stentorian monument signifying that he mattered.

But how? Did I read in the newspaper that he was a Civil War hero? How come I never learned about him in history class?

The most famous person buried in Glenwood is writer Maud Hart Lovelace, author of the Betsy-Tacy books that tell stories about early 20th-century Mankato.

Disturbing the nuthatches and juncos and squirrels that normally frolic through the cemetery unbothered, I wandered past greater and lesser obelisks, supposedly indicating importance, though I did not recognize the names. Reaching Fred and Verna Rome’s headstone, I appreciated that it told their story about their family and how they made their living.

Without intending to be funny, I noted that all these people chose to stay here.

Like Maud, they may have left for a time, but they all came back.

I’ve come to think of Mankato as a place with “heavy gravity.” So many fascinating, talented people here elected not to leave. Like them, my wife and I, who probably could have been happy in New York or San Francisco or Munich, found Blue Earth County cozy and close to family and not far from a major metro with lots of culture. We enjoy the seasons and

the relative lack of traffic and the room to move.

With just one life, one must choose. So let me spend the rest of this space focusing on some locals who decided to take their talents elsewhere, to a warmer climate or a larger stage. They may not be ones you’ve heard of, like Dan Akerson, the CEO of General Motors, or Craig Dahl, who’s playing in the NFL. •••• My brother was looking out the window of our Dad’s office, down Jackson Street before it was malled off in the 70’s.

“Dad, what’s this?” he asked about the gaudy Cadillac with leather seats and a huge set of steer horns mounted on the fender. A guy in a cowboy hat was driving.

“Why, that’s Nudie!” my Dad replied.

How the legendary Nudie Cohn, tailor to the stars, who created Elvis’ gold lame suit and was immortalized in Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy,” came to spend time in Mankato is a fascinating story.

Born in Russia, he’d emigrated to the United States, and somehow in his wanderings, made his way to Mankato. He rented a room and fell in love with the landlord’s daughter. Helen Barbara “Bobbie” Kruger and Nudie did operate a tailor shop here in the ‘30’s, but eventually Bobbie followed her husband to L.A., where for half a century, Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors created the lavish rhinestone suits worn by Lou Rawls, Rick Nelson, Elton John, kd lang, Z Z Top and more. Even though he ended up on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, Nudie and Bobbie found time to come back to Mankato.

•••• Dave Kelley ends up in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal almost daily.

Turn the front page of either legendary paper, and your eyes will fall on an upper corner ad from Tiffany. That simple, elegant photograph of a stunning piece of jewelry is created every day in his midtown Manhattan studio by Kelley, who’s Senior Photographer for Tiffany and Company.

The 1968 West grad first came to New York City out of college in 1974. He worked freelance for twenty years. Very trim, with only a few wrinkles, he hardly

44 • FEBRUARY 2012 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

looks 62 — in fact, looks like he could be playing a part in “Mad Men.” But Madison Avenue is different now, and he and his beautiful wife Alex have been married for three decades.

•••• Dr. John Ryan died just a few months back at the age of 81.

He had traveled a long way from the day in 1947 when he and just 43 others graduated from Mankato Loyola. From Utah to Boston to Arizona to Indiana, Ryan chose a career in academic leadership. He eventually served 16 years as President of prestigious Indiana University.

He is still remembered for strengthening I-U’s regional campus system and his work giving university administrators a more active role in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He is also credited with efforts to beautify the campus.

A colleague called Ryan one of the most liked and admired college presidents of his era, and he ended his career with four years as Chancellor of the State University of New York.

•••• There are so many others — Steve Vee and Bruce Anderson from the Mankato High School Class of 1965. Bruce went to MIT following high school, and became an early solar energy pioneer in the ‘70’s with his landmark book, “The Solar Home Book.” He went on to become a fundraiser for MIT, and then a fundraiser for start-ups.

Steve just retired as men’s and women’s tennis coach at Rock Valley College in Illinois where he won four national junior college championships, was named National Coach of the Year three times, and elected to both the men’s and women’s Hall of Fame.

And to think, I was on the same tennis team with him and his twin brother, Stan.

All I can say is, you never wanted to face the Vees in doubles.

Maybe there’s something in the water here. Whether you stay and contribute your talents locally, or head off to places far and wide, this is a good place to be from. M Pete Steiner is a longtime radio announcer, newsman and news director for KTOE Radio.