MADE IN MANKATO Our charming town has a lot to offer worldwide
Also in this issue: Meet Bellissimo Paint and Coating’s JUSTIN EK Get your head bang on with heavy metal BELLY DANCING Put on your boots and visit some HOBBY FARMS
The Free Press MEDIA
MAY 2021
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1 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
FEATURE S MAY 2021 Volume 16, Issue 5
14
Made in Mankato Meet the companies who distribute their world- and nationrenowned products from Mankato.
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24
Hobby farms
Mom/Teacher 24/7
We feature Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, Ruby Red Ranch and the Fishers
The Schwichtenberg family
ABOUT THE COVER Dotson Iron Casting employee pours into a mold. Dotson Iron Casting is one of the many companies in Mankato that provides services and products nation and worldwide. MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 1
DEPARTMENTS
7
4
From the Editor
6
This Day in History
7
Avant Guardians
8
Beyond the Margin
Running to the arts — Tyler Willmore Listen to the monuments
10 Familiar Faces Justin Ek
12 Day Trip Destinations
Charming trip to Red Wing
28 Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging®
8
36 Let’s Eat! TNT Eats
39 Beer
Grate companions
40 Ann’s Fashion Fortunes Lashes, brows, letdowns. All things eye.
42 Lit Du Nord: Minnesota Books and Authors Novelist’s debut takes flight
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36
38 Garden Chat
Some things are worth the wait
44 From This Valley
They paved paradise
45 Community Draws
Heavy metal belly dancing
Coming in June
42 2 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
44
People who brave the wildest of weather — storm chasers
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FROM THE ASSOCIATE EDITOR By Diana Rojo-Garcia MAY 2021 • VOLUME 16, ISSUE 5 PUBLISHER Steve Jameson EDITOR Joe Spear ASSOCIATE Diana Rojo-Garcia EDITOR COPY EDITOR Kathy Vos CONTRIBUTORS Bert Mattson Dan Greenwood Jean Lundquist Kat Baumann Leticia Gonzalez Ann Rosenquist Fee Pete Steiner Nell Musolf PHOTOGRAPHERS Pat Christman John Cross PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey ADVERTISING Danny Creel SALES Jordan Greer-Friesz Josh Zimmerman Theresa Haefner Tim Keech ADVERTISING Barb Wass ASSISTANT ADVERTISING Christina Sankey DESIGNERS CIRCULATION Justin Niles DIRECTOR
Mankato Magazine is published by The Free Press Media monthly at 418 South Second St., Mankato MN 56001. To subscribe, call 1-800-657-4662 or 507-625-4451. $35.40 for 12 issues. For all editorial inquiries, call Diana Rojo-Garcia 507-344-6305, or email drojogarcia@mankatofreepress.com. For advertising, call 344-6364, or e-mail advertising@mankatofreepress.com.
4 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
MANKATO VIBIN’ T
he best inspiration I find day to day is usually from people right here in this community — there’s nothing quite like the folk from Mankato. Recently, as we geared up and put this issue together, one quote I thought particularly resonated was in reporter Dan Greenwood’s Let’s Eat! story: “My grandmother told me that if you do a job you love, then you will never work a day in your life,” said the owner of TNT Eats, Greg Taylor. And, man, was Taylor’s grandmother correct. I think that most of Mankato’s residents and business owners take this advice to heart. There are so many thriving aspects to Mankato, and yes, we may be a little biased in thinking so (after all, this is Mankato Magazine). Yet, just look around. During the pandemic, Mankato stuck together. Neighbors offered to go shopping for those who couldn’t or preferred not to go out early on during shutdowns; local restaurants offered free meals to those scraping by; and, for the most part, people masked up to keep each other safe. But before the pandemic, Mankato thrived and prospered in many aspects. The first year I moved here, shortly after graduating high school, showed me the community at its best. More specifically, the welcoming and smiling strangers were abundant. A vast difference from what I was accustomed to. More specifically, as I moved to Mankato, I noticed the energy the community has, especially in its businesses. Tune Town, now in Old Town, was my first introduction to this captivating vibe — I bought my first record from this business when it was at River Hills Mall. The Coffee Hag introduced me to a welcoming environment and a delicious caffeine buzz. These businesses, and many more, embody Taylor’s grandmother’s
advice; step into any establishment and you will witness that these business owners share their passion for service and products. The energy keeps on giving in this town — Big Ideas, right? Area businesses we showcased in this month’s issue are those whose products are used throughout the nation and world. Though we can’t feature every single business that fits this bill — there are a lot — we are pretty sure many others follow that same motto: If you do a job you love, then you’ll never work a day in your life. In this month’s cover story, we spoke with Vetter Stone, Dotson Iron Castings and Linder Enterprises to share their history and passion, and give readers a taste of what makes Mankato proud. Also in this issue: n Hobby farms are in. Check out Jean Lundquist’s feature on local hobby farms. There are plenty of goat pictures. Plus, get a family date in the books at Ruby Ranch near Pemberton or satiate a pizza craving at Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm in rural Waseca. n Let’s Eat! Talks with Greg Taylor from TNT Eats. The food truck quickly became a Mankato favorite featuring all kinds of wonderfully slow-cooked meats. Taylor’s food really warms up any soul, and he loves what he does. Keep a lookout — TNT Eats plans on opening a restaurant in Old Town Mankato. n Meet another person who loves his job — Justin Ek from Bellissimo Paints and Coatings in this month’s Familiar Faces. Diana Rojo-Garcia is associate editor of Mankato Magazine. Contact her at drojogarcia@ mankatofreepress.com
Local experts connecting customers to YOUR business.
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jzimmerman@mankatofreepress.com MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 5
THIS DAY IN HISTORY Compiled by Jean Lundquist
Auction deals are a steal
May 8, 2000 On a Saturday morning in early May, Blue Earth County and the city of Mankato held an auction. Up for grabs were items including cars, car stereos, tools, duck decoys, flashlights, tennis rackets, water skis, truck parts and lots of bicycles. Most of the items were turned in by someone who found them or confiscated as part of a criminal investigation. Some people walked away with a vehicle for which they paid $25. The city and county also auctioned excess office equipment such as chairs and computers. The auction in 2000 was held at the Blue Earth County Highway Department building on Map Drive. The auctions still exist but are now online.
Wind blows many anglers off lakes
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May 11, 1992 The fishing opener in 1992 featured exceptionally mild temperatures with afternoon highs in the 80s. But Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday experienced winds in excess of 30 mph. While anglers usually look for a spot on the water where they think fish will be biting, they instead sought places for their boats out of the wind. One lodge owner on German Lake said all he saw from his window Sunday afternoon were whitecaps. Not a boat was in sight. For the weekend, the largest walleye weighed in at the Bobber Shop bait and tackle store in Mankato was a 6.67-pounder taken from Madison Lake.
Michael Johnson, Hoopsnakes headline People’s Fair
May 14, 1992 For its 22nd year raising money for the Eclipse crisis intervention program, singer-songwriter Michael Johnson called event organizers to offer his services. His hit “Bluer than Blue” reached the charts in 1976. The Hoopsnakes, featuring several former members of the Lamont Cranston Band, was making its second appearance at the festival. The two-day musical line up also included Blue Max, the Dust Bowl Blues Band and City Mouse. Advance tickets cost $7, day of event tickets cost was $8. In addition to the People’s Fair Committee, Mankato Area Jaycees were also sponsors. Made possible with the labor of over a thousand volunteers every year, the last People’s Fair was in 2000. Until then, it had been a rite of spring, held the weekend before Memorial Day each year.
Hottinger helps sway Senate tobacco vote
May 20, 1997 State Sen. John Hottinger, of Mankato, took to the Senate floor, giving a speech credited with putting the controversial bill curbing kids’ access to tobacco products into law. In the process, Hottinger called smoking “yucky.” Though unusual, the “yucky” comment defied tobacco company lobbyists who were against the bill. Some of the effects to curb kids’ access included prohibiting cigarette-vending machines accessible to minors, fining stores caught selling tobacco to minors, requiring sting operations at all stores and placing products behind counters where they were not accessible to shoplifting.
Mulling over the sale of Sunday liquor
1750 Northway Drive North Mankato, MN 56003 800-729-7575 www.corpgraph.com
May 3, 1969 The issue of selling liquor on a Sunday was a hot topic in 1969. Not off-sale liquor in a liquor store, but selling drinks at restaurants that sold alcohol six days a week already. The request to put the issue on a special election ballot came from Michael’s, the Inn Town Central Motel and Cubs. The issue finally made it through the state Legislature in 1967, when it was decreed that liquor could be sold only at restaurants that seat 50 people or more and only at tables, not at a bar. Minneapolis, St. Paul and Winona had already given the issue a green light. The local Ministerial Association was against the idea by a 2-to-1 margin. It believed the sales would further secularize the Sabbath. Others in the association said it was an “irrelevant” issue compared to the moral issue of war.
AVANT GUARDIANS By Leticia Gonzales
Runnin’ to the Arts Art helps artist ease anxiety
L
ike many artists, Tyler Willmore has grappled with the fear that a job in the creative field would not provide an adequate income for his family. Despite spending 15 years immersed in various art programs and schooling while in his youth, Willmore put his art pursuits on hold. “I put it aside and tried to chase a degree in business at one time but it just was not working out for me,” Willmore said. “My real love is and has always been art.” He eventually earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in drawing and painting from the University of Utah in 2014. Five years ago, he moved to Mankato and has been working as a production supervisor in a local manufacturing plant. “The more and more I work in a corporate environment, the stronger the pull to run to the arts. I think this is not new to any artist. There is a balance that we all try to find.” At 40, Willmore will graduate in May with his Master of Arts in Studio from Minnesota State University. He credits his mother for encouraging his creative abilities. “She is a great cartoonist, and to this day, cartoons and animation has always interested me. She was and has been my biggest supporter over the years.” Willmore’s skills started with drawing and painting, which soon became a part of his personal identity. As he progressed, he had the opportunity to learn a variety of mediums and styles. “I dabble in all 2D art mediums, but my focus over the last decade has really been in oil painting.” He also describes himself as a colorist, a label given to him by a professor that he has learned to embrace. “I have told myself for years that I am a moody tonalist, but every time I sit down to create a piece, I end up seduced by the amount of color I can create and put into my pieces. My landscapes are full of color.” His work is largely inspired by the American West of Utah, where he grew up. “I have had many significant experiences in nature and exploring wild places that have inspired my work,” he stated. “My pieces reflect not only the beauty and necessity of these wild spaces but help me assert control over my anxieties and work out my problems on canvas. National parks are special places for me and they are my go-to escape for vacations. I like to share those experiences I have on that day in these spaces.” Two years of Willmore’s work was recently displayed
at MSU’s Conkling Gallery in March as part of his Capstone Thesis Exhibition for his degree and as part of a graduate research grant. His show, “Novaturient,” featured 15 oil paintings and four prismacolor pieces. “My work has evolved into being more expressive. It is less literal and more about the exploration of shape, color, and lines and how they work together to create a landscape. They explore not only the physical and visual aspects of a landscape but try to incorporate the emotional and mental state I am in,” he said. “With years of suffering through anxiety and depersonalization symptoms, I have used art as a means of therapy to work through my anxiety and hash out my inner demons. I think the spiritual aspect of creating art has really come to the forefront in my work and it allows me the space to work out my faith.” Willmore is available for art commissions, group exhibitions, and projects on his website, www. tylerwillmore.com, or on Instagram at #tylerwillmore.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 7
BEYOND THE MARGIN By Joe Spear
Listen to the monuments How we face events in history can leave a community with an identity to embrace and inspiration to shape a better future. History informs but also can be motivating. It can also be dangerous. We know, as Irish statesman Edmund Burke said, those who don’t know history are “destined to repeat it.” Mankato history has plenty of fodder to offer lessons and chances to “not repeat it.” The U.S.-Dakota War that culminated in the hanging of 38 Dakota in Mankato on Dec. 26, 1862, stands as Mankato’s most significant historical event. History has judged it the largest mass execution in U.S. history. And the reconciliation effort that started nearly a hundred years later in the 1970s with longtime Mankato businessman Bud Lawrence and tribal leader Amos Owen is remarkable if not legendary. That the events of 1862 could somehow bring people together in the place of the occurrence is nothing short of amazing. We should be grateful we have such a poignant example of the reckoning and forgiveness around one of the most horrific moments in U.S. and Minnesota history. And even today, people can discuss the implications. Couch-occupying historians have raised arguments and issues from time to time on who suffered the most through loss of life and the severity of suffering. Hundreds of white settlers died, those historians argue, comparing it to “only” 38 Dakota. But 1,200 Dakota elders, women and children were marched to an internment camp at Fort Snelling in the winter of 1862-63. Many died along the way in horrific conditions. We can put those stories to rest with the words inscribed on a stone bench at the Dakota memorial on Main Street and Riverfront Drive that says: “Forgive everyone everything.” That epithet is a small example of the community not repeating history. A stone marker that lauded the hanging site as a monument to justice in 1912 was quietly removed in the decades after and sat in a Mankato warehouse until former Mayor Stan Christ removed it and took it to a place he said he will never reveal. Christ makes the list of Mankato’s most interesting people. He resigned the office of mayor in 1999 and quietly left town under the cover of darkness saying only he didn’t like the way the city was being run. Christ, an undefeated three-time state champion 8 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
wrestler, made perhaps his biggest contribution shaping the peace in Mankato by his stalwart commitment to it and his ability to move a severalhundred pound stone to a dark place. But Mankato offered another history lesson in the 1860s. Just six months after the end of the Dakota War, Minnesota soldiers were fighting the Civil War in the bloody Battle of Gettysburg. The 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment was the first unit of all the states to volunteer to fight in the Civil War after the Confederacy attacked Fort Sumter. The unit was not only the first but also deemed the key to the Union winning the Battle of Gettysburg. Minnesota’s young men took to the charge to advance, double time, to an oncoming Confederate unit that far outnumbered it and would have made a significant break in the Union lines. Only 47 of the 262-person 1st Minnesota Regiment survived the day. Today the 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment that now has its base in Mankato ties its history to the 1st Minnesota. Both remarkable events have been memorialized with appropriate monuments. Local sculptor Tom Miller created the Kasota stone buffalo statue in Reconciliation Park. A few decades later, a memorial to the Dakota who were hanged was erected in a scroll monument with a teepee-like structure. On one side is a list of those hanged. On the other there is a poem by local poet Katharine Hughes and a prayer by Dakota Elder Eli Taylor. Local and state Civil War veterans are honored by The Boy in Blue statue in historic Lincoln Park. It was resurrected from a former statue that fell into decay decades ago and occupies a majestic place surrounded by a fountain in the Lincoln Park neighborhood where the original once stood. About 680 soldiers from Blue Earth County served in the Civil War. Both monuments offer an identity of the place Mankato became and helped shape the place it is. Both represent a remarkable reconciliation, an admirable effort at peace. Reconciliation and peace are in short supply these days. We can learn from our history. Visit the monuments and consider the lessons. Joe Spear is editor of Mankato Magazine. Contact him at jspear@mankatofreepress.com or 344-6382. Follow on Twitter @jfspear.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 9
FAMILIAR FACES
PAINTER MAN Bellissimo Paint & Coating’s co-owner and project manager, Justin Ek, believes in strong community
T Photos by Pat Christman
NAME:
Justin Ek HOMETOWN: Mankato
FAVORITE SAYING?: Let’s go
FAMILY:
My wife and I have been together for 13 years, we have two sons
FAVORITE MUSEUM: Morikami Museum
he summer of 2018 in Mankato brought the community together — at least in Old Town at Bellissimo Paint and Coating. Hundreds of community members flocked to participate in painting a public mural — outlined mandalas on electric blue background on the side of Bellissimo’s building. Driving by the Riverfront Drive site, passersby were sure to be taking Instagram-worthy photos of the emerging project. The mandala mural was just the beginning in community building. Bellissimo’s vision aligns to help create not only a strong public art presence but also one that serves its hometown. Throughout the pandemic, Bellissimo’s team and co-owner Justin Ek has made sure the company has lifted community spirits through various projects and events. Last spring, Ek dressed up as a masked-up Easter bunny, visiting children around town. During the winter holidays, Bellissmo and local small businesses teamed up to host a scavenger hunt. And in the future, the team plans on shutting down Riverfront Drive for a streetwide festival during October. For Ek and the team, these ideas spring to life and, most importantly, serve to brighten up and connect the community. MANKATO MAGAZINE: It’s been a long pandemic so far. Tell us what you have been doing to keep yourself busy during this time. JUSTIN EK: My boys keep me on my toes, my old home keeps me busy. Our painting business is a never-ending journey, and our community work is ever-present. One thing I have been focusing hard on is my personal studio work painting and learning. MM: Bellissimo created many community events, such as the community mural in Old Town and the Easter bunny visits. How were these events created and what did you see in the community as an
10 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
outcome to these events? JE: We are always brainstorming ideas. Our ideas often take shape in the moment. We commit to a good idea and trust our hard work and creativity to blow wind to the sails. We always meet people during these events and activities. One thing I can genuinely say has been an outcome is meeting amazing people in our community and experiencing so much growth personally. MM: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and why? J E : My parents have been through so much. My dad moved here, alone, at 11 years old. I’ve yet to meet anyone with more tenacity than my parents. MM: Tell us a little bit more about some of the public murals people can see around the area that you’ve done. JE: I recognize that as a painting company Bellissimo can help augment myself as an artist and other artists’ projects. We have created and prepared surfaces for other artists in Mankato. Our building is the location of our new dream catcher mural. Down the street you can see
the Seeds of Old Town mural, at Cultivate Mankato you can view our cityscape mural. Cross the bridge to North Mankato to catch my LONO STRONG heart pop. In the alley at Wooden Spoon see Lovie my chicken mural or take a drive to St. Peter on Highway 22 to see our recently completed silo mural. MM: What is something you’d say is the highlight of your career? JE: Picking up a brush. I am a house painter. I own a housepainting company today but 15+ years ago I was a helper. Years of studying “salty” old painters, thousands of hours of labor and countless, and I do mean countless, hours of research gained me the confidence to pick up a brush and become a painter. MM: What is something that people might find surprising about you? JE: I was once in nursing school. M M : You’ve painted some beautiful eccentric, colorful paintings. Can you tell us a little bit about your process in making these paintings and what inspiration some of these came
from? JE: I am a bold risk-taking person. I do not assign permanence to my art and am willing to do/undo/ redo anything at any time. In this way, I have freedom to make mistakes or take risks in color. I draw color from my spirits well and fuse it with the client that I am working with. When I first start working with a client, we have a color consultation and I learn that person’s “colors” are. MM: Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken? JE: If you can help, then you must. MM: If you could only teach one thing to your kids, what would that be? JE: Never hold yourself back, and that if you want something, it is your personal responsibility to ensure it happens. MM: Anything else you’d like to add? JE: I love our community and look forward to my future here.
Compiled by Diana Rojo-Garcia MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 11
DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS: HISTORIC RED WING By Nell Musolf
Cannon Valley Trail extends 20 miles. | Explore Minnesota
Charming Visit Hike, shop, eat and learn in historic Red Wing
T
he town of Red Wing is on the upper Mississippi River on the eastern edge of Minnesota. Founded by settlers in the mid 1800s, Red Wing has grown from a frontier town into a small city (population 16,000). The home of one of the first ski clubs in North America, Red Wing is chock-full of scenic vistas, bluffs, trails, unique stores and, for people who like to try their luck, Treasure Island Casino. A two-hour drive from Mankato, Red Wing offers a wide variety of activities to tackle during a day trip.
The Cannon Valley Trail
If you like to hike, bike or skate, the Cannon Valley Trail should be on your to-do list. Built on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad
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line, the Cannon Valley trail connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing. Almost 20 miles long, the trail is paved for biking and hiking and runs along the Cannon River. The trail is open year-round for bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding, walking, hiking and, during the winter months, cross-country skiing.
Treasure Island Casino
Located along the Mississippi River, Treasure Island Casino is always ready to entertain. The resort has a golf course, a marina, a 100-passenger cruise ship and an RV park. The casino has a gaming floor featuring slots and table games, and if all that activity gives you an appetite, the casino has numerous eating options including restaurants and bars and lounges
Treasure Island Resort & Casino offers a fun weekend day trip. | Treasure Island Resort & Casino (with seating restrictions). Tradewinds Buffet, however, is currently closed. Open 24 hours a day, the casino caters to people who like to bet a few dollars to high rollers. For people who opt to turn the day trip into an overnighter, there is a hotel attached to the casino. Face coverings are required upon entering the casino and smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
Downtown
Historic downtown Red Wing offers a mix of locally owned businesses and nationally known stores, including the well-known Red Wing Shoes flagship store where you can get a pair of Red Wings custom fitted. If thrifting is your thing, be sure to check out the following resale shops: Wise Penny Thrift Store, 206 Bush St., Annadee’s Closet, 321 Potter St., and the Salvation Army Family Store, 509 Plum St. For the antiquers, Red Wing has a large selection of stores to browse, including Pottery Place Antiques, 2000 Old W. Main St., Hill Street Antiques, 212 Hill St., In the Finish, 912 Tile Drive, and The Pottery Place Historic Center, 2000 Old W. Main St.
Red Wing’s downtown is charming and a good place to shop antiques or a fresh pair of Red Wing boots. | Wikipedia
Museums
There are six museums in Red Wing, including the Aliveo Military Museum, 317 Bush St., the Red Wing Marine Museum, 935 Levee Road, the Goodhue County Historical Society, 1166 Oak St., and the Red Wing Museum, 315 Main St., a museum dedicated to Red Wing shoes and featuring the world’s largest boot, size 638 1/2. The Pottery Museum, 240 Harrison St., has more than 6,000 pieces of vintage stoneware, pottery and dinnerware on display.
Restaurants
When hunger strikes, the restaurants in Red Wing are ready. With more than 20 different eateries in town, there is bound to be something to please every palate. After your meal, you might want to visit Red Wing Confectionary, 323 Main St. Try a handmade handdipped chocolate with a unique coffee drink or a root-beer float and you’ll end your day trip on a sweet note.
FOR MORE SELF-GUIDED TOURS AROUND THE STATE, VISIT EXPLOREMINNESOTA.COM. MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 13
Linder Enterprises employees prepare a curved staircase for a customer.
Made in
Mankato
Mankato leaves its mark across nation, world By Diana Rojo-Garcia | Photos by Pat Christman
W
e’re a little biased, but Mankato’s a pretty great spot to be or visit in southern Minnesota. This town is full of nature trails and parks, rich in history and only a short hour trip to the Twin Cities if you crave the trappings of a big city. Mankato is the home that inspired authors such as Maud Hart Lovelace and Sinclair Lewis. Plus it’s the original Happy Chef headquarters. On top of all of that, the Mankato area houses an incredible list of successful businesses that contribute their products and services across the nation and world. The list is extensive, including EI Microcircuits,
14 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
whose electronic devices and components have been used in Bugatti Veyron sports cars; and Le Sueur’s Cambria makes the only American man-made quartz. Though the following list is not even remotely comprehensive, we’ve highlighted a few businesses that make the Mankato area proud.
Linder Enterprises
Sometimes clients from all over the country bring a sketched-out idea on a napkin to Linder Enterprises. The Mankato-based and family-owned company knows exactly how to bring that staircase to life to create a
Brothers Jody (left) and Jared Linder from Linder Enterprises. The company ships staircases nationwide to high-end residential and commercial clients. magnificent piece of architectural art for the customer’s home or building. Regardless of its difficulty, magnitude or material, Linder Enterprises is sure to take on the challenge. “If somebody else passes on it, we’ll do it for sure,” said CEO Jody Linder. “And we usually like the big stuff,” said brother and COO Jared Linder. “Bigger the better,” Jody said. And, yeah, they’re not kidding. In 2018, the company added onto their decades-old portfolio to include the world’s tallest freestanding staircase topping at 16 stories tall, located at Georgia State University. Just one year before, Linder Enterprises built the largest freestanding stairway in the world for the Smithsonian African
American Museum — a 40 feet tall and 42 wide staircase. Other million-dollar worth staircases include one for artist and musician Yoko Ono; more recently, a copper and marble staircase located at British Petroleum’s headquarters in Denver; and another staircase at the luxury hotel The Loren at Pink Beach hotel in Bermuda, which was listed in MSN’s “50 of the Most Beautiful Hotel Lobbies in the World.” The publication stated that the “real show-stopper” was the spiral staircase in the lobby. “That’s not bad, in the whole world?” Jody laughed. It’s these one-of-a-kind staircases that have set Linder Enterprises apart from competitors over the decades, which initially began at their farmhouse when they couldn’t find one that suited dad’s, John
Linder. “My dad tried to market stairs when we were young and sent a billion — I remember licking a lot of envelopes — trying to sell it,” Jody said. But 40 years ago, nobody bought anything. So John made a prototype staircase in the family’s barn “just for the heck of it.” Jody was working for a different company at the time and he went out to the barn, photographed the stairs and began to Photoshop the image. “And somebody bought one, to convince somebody — Duluth — to buy one,” Jody said. Linder Enterprises’ first site was the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2000. “We kind of got lucky where the jobs came at the right time for us to keep us moving,” Jared said. Then eventually the U.S. went through a recession where other staircase manufacturers went under, Jody said. “We had a couple of customers that kind of just kept us going through that entire time,” Jared said. “And by the time that ended, we didn’t have a huge amount of competition, so that’s when things really started to take off,” Jody said. Linder Enterprises now serves the entire U.S. with many clients based on both coasts. And beyond stairs, Linder Enterprises is expanding their offerings. “We’ll also do all glass guardrails in the building; we’re expanding into a miscellaneous metals package,” Jody said. Linder Enterprises has built stairs for ESPN Sports Center, TNT Basketball, and at high-end retail stores such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermes. More locally, the company also donated time and material to build the fort at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota in Mankato.
Dotson Iron Castings
Dotson Iron Castings — operating since 1876, making it the oldest manufacturing firm in Mankato — began as a blacksmith’s shop opened by German immigrant Laurence Mayer. And the company’s first site is where the Oleander Saloon is now located. In the near-century and a half, Dotson — which began as Mayer MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 15
Workers at Dotson Iron Casting pouring a casting.
Bros. Co. with Mayer’s three sons, Conrad, Louis and Lorenz — has been a leader in its field since the beginning. In 1895, Louis introduced the trip, or power, hammer. It replaced the steam hammer. The company built a car, the “Mayer Special” between 1903-07 — it had the world’s first V-8 engine, and during World War II, the company made tank covers for the military. To this day, Dotson Iron Castings supplies leading equipment manufacturers in agriculture, heavy track, industrial and construction market segments. Some big-name customers include John Deere, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Vermeer and Toro. Toro was the foundry’s first big commercial customer in 1948. “The reality is that we can be found on every continent,” said Vice President Liz Ulman. “Except Antarctica.” Locally, Mankatoans can experience the history of Dotson’s work throughout the city. The lion cage at Sibley Park, many door frames in the buildings in Old 16 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Town were cast at the foundry, and the plaque on the fountain in the library were all made by Dotson. Dotson ships its castings throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and some parts of Europe. And on the road? Look at those semi-trucks — about 70% of trucks have a Dotson Iron Casting on them. “They’re delivering goods to stores, businesses and residents throughout America,” Ulman said. Additionally, some of their bigger customers are in the utility business, so Dotson has a part on power poles that provide electricity. “We aren’t in the food business, but we provide parts that go on tractors that support the agricultural world,” Ulman said. “We have some miscellaneous parts that go on trains, landscaping, equipment, construction, oil and gas valves — pretty much any aspect that impacts our daily lives, Dotson is a part of that.” One of the only things Dotson hasn’t made a part for is airplanes. The successful and prospering business challenges itself to be the best in the industry.
“Part of what makes us who we are in our industry is our focus on being involved in the industry,” Ulman said. Dotson has served leadership roles in the American Foundry Society, company representatives speak at events, and they tour other foundries and manufacturing facilities. “You bring back ideas and things that can help us improve and challenge ourselves to be better, just right here in Mankato,” Ulman said. And professionals from around the world from different foundries, sales teams and technical organizations tour Dotson to learn about their technological advances and how they’ve approached their manufacturing environment. Dotson has industry-best lead times. “We can do rock castings in five days, which none of our competitors are close to,” Ulman said. Dotson also has an awardwinning design and engineering support. “That helps us make sure that we’re preparing the parts in a way and giving feedback during the design process to make sure that it’s going to be the most efficient when it goes through the casting or machining process.” And Dotson’s long-term stability has been in the reinvestment in its company. “We have been an early adapter of technology,” Ulman said. Dotson looks at doing a major capital investment every five years or so, with the last one in 2017 led by Vice President Eric Nelson. He led the efforts to install a sand reclamation system that reuses Dotson’s foundry sand. “These materials would typically be mined and disposed of in landfills, and now they’re being recycled and used throughout our casting process,” Ulman said. The state-of-the-art technology is just one of the many examples of how Dotson leads and remains distinct in the industry.
Vetter Stone
It’s the stone that adorns most of Mankato’s public spaces and businesses, from the Vetter Stone Amphitheater to the Vetter Stone Plaza River Wall in downtown Mankato. Vetter Stone since 1954 has added an inviting warmth to the looks of southern Minnesota and for years has been sharing the
Ron Vetter of Vetter Stone.
Vetter Stone limestone is popular all over the world.
beauty of limestone across the nation and world. The tone of the stone is what resonates with clients, CEO Ron Vetter said. “One thing we heard from our clients for decades is that it’s very warm and tactile,” Vetter said. The unmistakable stone from Vetter Stone is not shiny or glossy, or even glitzy, but more low key — understated and classy. There’s just something about the stone that attracts customers. It’s not uncommon during the process of a project to have various designers with different stones and mock-ups. “You almost always see, rarely with other things, people go up and touch (Vetter Stone’s limestone),” Vetter said.
It’s the calming effect of the limestone that many residential and commercial clients want. It’s no wonder that both Minnesota and Alabama limestone has been used on projects since the late 1800s. Works include the very notable Target Field in 2008, FBI headquarters in Minneapolis, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. “There are so many and you take them all so personally,” Vetter said when asked if he has a favorite. The smaller projects, though, are particularly fun. “You get to know the owners well,” he said. More recently Vetter Stone worked on its first residential
project in Japan and a variety of commercial projects in China. Vetter Stone also has been mainly focusing on increasing automation in both quarries in Minnesota and Alabama in the last two years. The increase in automation helped the companies become more energy efficient and more people friendly from a worker standpoint, Vetter said. But most importantly in more than half a century, Vetter Stone embodies customer satisfaction. “Every customer you work with is the most important, no matter how big or small,” Vetter said. ‘I hope that continues for generations and well into the future.” MM
FUN.com
Taylor Corporation
Angie’s Kettle Corn aka Boomchickapop
It began as FlapperCostumes. com in 2001 created by Tom Fallenstein, founder and CEO of FUN.com, during his college years. It was one costume available in three colors. After graduating in 2004 from Minnesota State University, Fallenstein switched gears to full-time costume selling. Since then, FUN.com sells thousands of costumes, but also … well, fun gifts. Their specially made items were created by FUN.com’s team of artists, designers and developers. Their latest Halloween sweaters caught the attention of many including People magazine, Cosmopolitan and Bustle.
Taylor Corporation in North Mankato employs more than 10,000 and serves more than 40,000 customers nationally and worldwide. Well-known local businessman Glen Taylor bought the company — Carlson Craft — from Bill Carlson in 1975. Within 10 years, Taylor doubled the size of the company. It is listed at No. 206 on Forbes America’s Largest Private Companies 2020. The company offers commercial printing, labeling, signs and graphics plus more.
It’s the official kettle corn of the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves (which Glen Taylor owns) and Lynx, and it was created right in our backyard. Angie’s Kettle Corn, which rebranded in 2010 as Boomchickapop, began in Angie and Dan Bastian’s North Mankato garage in 2001 and has expanded since then and is widely available. Angie’s popcorn is not only tasty with various flavors from caramel, cheese and traditional salted, but it’s also deemed Editor’s Pick in the 2011 Health Magazine. The popcorn company was bought by Chicago-based company Conagra in 2017.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 17
Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm’s co-owner, Emily Knudsen, grew up on a hobby farm. Now, she owns her own in rural Waseca.
Where the green grass grows Hobby farms in the area provide education, entertainment By Jean Lundquist | Photos by Pat Christman
P
eace. Quiet. Privacy. All are reasons people move to the country to live on a hobby farm. For others, it’s a chance to expand, live with excitement, earn an income and get a little closer to the land and self -sufficiency. Ashley and Nickolas Rehder had a plan when they bought their hobby farm of 9.5 acres at the Waseca County line near Pemberton. They wanted the joy of having a hobby farm, they wanted to raise their children there, and they wanted to provide a different kind of educational experience for young children and their parents. 18 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Ruby Ranch was born. It is now home to Ashley and Nickolas and their children, Anniston, 8, Amelia, 6 and Rosie, 15 months. Both Rehders are from South Dakota and moved to Mankato for school. Nickolas is an engineer; Ashley is a first-grade teacher in Mankato. As Ashley was working on her thesis, she came to realize there was no time incorporated in grade school curriculum for children to learn through play and exploration. “Nothing against the school system,” she said, “but outdoor play and learning is lacking. Education is so intense, there was no time to play, build and create.”
Both Rehders grew up in Sioux Falls. Ashley said she is a dreamer and Nickolas is a do-er. Together they found the balance that turned an overgrown property with a pond, a 100-year old house, 100year old barn and 100-year old silo into Ruby Ranch. (Named for their dog, Ruby) Doing the clearing, cleaning and renovation themselves, they opened Ruby Ranch the summer of 2018 as a sort of an outdoor learning center. By that time, they had chickens, ducks, goats, bunnies, bees, and in the spring, kittens. This past winter, they added four alpacas. When they first opened their doors, they offered three-day camps for children, allowing them to interact with the animals, spend creative time with crafts in the make-and-take studios and explore the woods. “When we realized how much people liked to go in the woods, we created more trails,” Ashley said. In addition to the camps, they hosted open hours for people to visit the farm and the creative studios. Crafts are available for both children and adults but are geared more to youth. There are signs to make, dinosaurs to paint and pottery to create. There are also “read-alouds.” For the Rehders and Ruby Ranch, 2018 and 2019 were learning years. Staffed by teachers from the Mankato Area School District, it all came screeching to a halt in 2020 with the pandemic. “Last year we were super excited. We had some traction going into the season. When the pandemic closed us down, we didn’t know what to do.” As it turned out, campers were allowed in one day a week and at 50% capacity outside. But the Rehders needed more to protect their investment and survive, so they put on their thinking caps and came up with “Escape the Farm.” Ashley describes it as an escape room but outdoors on the farm. Ashley created the clues in codes and poetry. Nick built the set. “It was really fun. People had to pick up a chicken to get a clue or find one on the collar of a goat. They had to get out and touch the animals and interact with them,” Ashley said. With a dozen chickens and four goats, they were in milk and eggs for the whole year and, of course,
Emily Knudsen feeds one of her goats at Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm. The farm was recently featured New York Time’s food section. there is a garden where the family’s vegetables are grown. Because of uncertainty about this summer, they chose not to breed the goats last year. That means no milk, this year, though Ashley and Nick are looking for a doe with kids (baby goats) to buy this year. “Kids (human kids) love to see the milking process,” she said. Their hope is that they will be able to hold camps and open hours this year. Whether or not “Escape the Farm” will still be featured, Ashley is unsure. “We don’t yet have the guidance for what will be allowed this year.” Ruby Ranch also houses three beehives, with a fourth one coming. “We have bee suits for kids so they can get close and see the bees, the honey and the combs when the hives are opened.” Before getting the youth suited up, the pandemic will need to substantially subside, she said. It’s important for children to see the bees up close, so they aren’t afraid of them and appreciate them. Whatever this summer holds for Ruby Ranch, one sure event is scheduled. Ashley calls it a “Silobration” and a grand reopening. The Rehders always have had a vision for their old silo. “We want to paint it crazy,” she said. The Silo-bration is scheduled for June 12, the grand reopening day of the 2021 season. A professional from Bellissimo Paint in Mankato will paint the top part of the silo, and children and their parents will
paint the lower part. Though there is not usually food available at Ruby Ranch, a food truck will be on site for the day. If all goes well this summer, depending on the pandemic, a fall celebration will close the season, which ends at Halloween.
Pizza farm
Emily Knudsen and Bill Bartz operate the Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm north of Waseca that is also home to their gardens and animals. At 55 acres, their hobby farm is larger than most. Knudsen grew up on a hobby farm and said she always hoped she would live on one as an adult. In fact, she said animals and food are her two favorite things, so she’s living her dream. She tends two gardens, a large one and a smaller one, and also MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 19
From left, Hazel, 12; Frieda, 1; Samson, 10; Stacy; Norah, 3 and Dain. takes care of the greenhouse. A few years ago, the horse barn on the property was converted into a restaurant for their pizza farm. A new paddock was built to house the animals that soon followed. After taking in a couple of donkeys in need of shelter while their home was revamped by friends, Knudsen fell in love with the animals. When the donkeys went home, her search for her own led her to a rescue site that offered her a miniature donkey, two goats and a couple of alpacas. She jumped at the chance, and they all came home with her. She had already adopted a couple of senior dogs, and most of her new animals were also senior. This set her on a new path to pursue on the hobby farm – a rescue for senior animals. “I vowed that as long as they were alive, they could stay here.” A couple of her original “misfit animals,” as she calls them, have died, but others have come in their place. One rescue animal that is not elderly is Kenny, a Boer goat. He was a 4-H project, and he was headed to slaughter. But his owners recognized his friendly personality and talkativeness and offered Kenny to Knudsen. 20 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
She said he’s a hit at the farm. Not only does he love to be around people, but he also loves the other animals. Their other Boer goat is a senior. They refer to her as the “old goat.” When the restaurant is open, the animals are kept in a pasture or fence. All other times, they free range. That, Knudsen said, keeps her busy cleaning up after them year-round. Other animals such as cows, sheep and pigs are under consideration, “but not too many cows need rescuing,” she said. Because of the restaurant, Knudsen said flies that are attracted to some animals are also a concern. Their Pizza Farm customers love the animals. While waiting for their pizzas, they pet the animals, take pictures with them and walk the trails through their Conservation Reserve Program land. “A lot of people come from bigger cities, so they don’t experience these animals,” Knudsen said. “There’s a lot of interaction.” How this summer will play out is uncertain because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reservations may be needed based on guidance from health officials, and they may be limited as to how many customers
they can take in at a time. The Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm season generally runs May through October. It’s not unusual to find the menu coincides with whatever is in season in the gardens. Weekly features in the fall often include squash on pizza, a true delicacy. Recently, Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm was featured in The New York Times food section. That was an exciting experience for Knudsen. It highlighted the farm as a whole and the source for most ingredients for items on the menu. Although Knudsen and Bartz love animals and the outdoor atmosphere may seem conducive to bringing pet dogs, Knudsen stresses that pets are not welcome. “The alpacas and donkey get stressed,” she said, adding that the stress transfers to the other animals. If people bring pets, “we give them a bowl of water and ask them to leave their pets in the car.”
Accidental farmers
For Stacy and Dain Fisher, their move to a hobby farm was almost accidental. “I was living in the Twin Cities when Dain asked me to move to Mankato,” said Stacy, a local singer-songwriter whose stage
name is Stacy K. “I agreed, but only if we lived in the country.” It wasn’t long before the house Dain grew up in came on the market, and the couple jumped to buy it and moved in during December 2019. “My sister lived here and raised her kids here. Then my best friend lived here and raised his kids here. Now I’m raising my kids here,” he said. His kids are Hazel, 12, Samson, 9, Norah, 3 and Frieda, 1. On 6.5 acres, the first animal they brought in was a wolf hybrid dog. That dog turned out to not be an asset on a hobby farm as they started to add more animals to the farm. Its instinct was to hunt. When daughter Hazel wanted chickens, they brought home some chickens. The wolf hybrid dog soon found another home, where she’s happy to this day. After chickens, the next logical step, the couple said, was goats. They chose angora goats. “We wanted eggs, but we didn’t want goats for milk and cheese because we didn’t want that much work,” Dain said. Stacy agreed, as her father operated a dairy farm, and she didn’t want to be tied to a milking schedule. With their increasing livestock, Stacy knew they needed a livestock dog. They went to pick up their Great Pyrenees puppy and came home with the dog plus two unplanned Nigerian dwarf goats, bringing the goat herd to seven. Then, this spring, one of their so-far-unshorn angora goats surprised them with a baby, increasing the goat herd to eight. “She was so fuzzy, we didn’t even know she was pregnant,” Stacy said. Dain and the kids were off to pick up more goats when they got a call that the people were unable to meet them due to an emergency. Searching for something else to do, Samson found a donkey farm in the vicinity using a cellphone. They went “just to look,” Dain said, but the result was two donkeys added to the growing menagerie. While the family was on vacation, a friend dropped off 20 ducks on their farm. Three remain. And still, the animal roster was not complete. Hazel, who has spearheaded most of the animal additions to the farm, desired horses. They went to pick up a horse when another was offered. “We had room…” Stacy said a little
Hazel leads one of her horses out for a brushing.
Samson, 10, leads goats out of the barn. sheepishly. It’s unknown what the future holds, but they envision being able to go completely “off grid.” “Seventy percent of our heat comes from wood. All the lumber in the fencing has been harvested from this land,” Dain said. With an eye to the future, he has purchased a sawmill so all his building plans can come from trees on his land. Lean-tos and more fencing are in his sights first. Solar panels on a rooftop will help generate electricity. Dain plans to fence three more acres of pastureland, then separate the animals. “Right now, we can’t feed the goats and horses together,” Stacy said. “Goats eat really fast, horses eat slower, so the horses don’t get to eat.”
Gardening has come a little slower than learning to care for the animals, but they fed themselves through last summer and into the fall. “In some ways, it feels like we’ve been here forever instead of just a little over a year,” Stacy said. A lot of things have changed in that year, not the least of which was the COVID-19 outbreak. “Having to stay home gave us time to really think about how we fit into all of these systems,” Dain said. “Do we really want to rely on these big systems for our energy and food where we have no control?” With their wood heat and 55 degree well water providing cooling for their house, they are on their way to their goal of being “off-grid.” MM MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 21
REFLECTIONS
By John Cross, special to The Free Press
M
ost holidays are dictated by the calendar. Thanksgiving is always on the fourth Thursday of November; Christmas Day on Dec. 25, New Year’s on Jan. 1; Independence Day on July 4. But Minnesotans annually enjoy their own special holiday that, depending on just where one lives, might be celebrated as early as the first week of March or as late as mid-May. Each spring we eagerly look forward to ice-out on our 10,000-plus lake and the opportunity after months of ice and snow, to finally wet a line or float a boat. MM
22 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 23
From left, Ava, 11; Asher, 9; and Aine, 15 are homeschooled by their mother, Megan Schwichtenberg.
Mom/Teacher
24/7
Homeschooling provides more time with family By Nell Musolf | Photos by Pat Christman
B
eing a mother automatically means wearing a wide variety of hats throughout each day. Those hats can include nurse, nutritionist, counselor, friend and teacher. While the teacher portion of being a mom has increased quite dramatically for most people over the past year, for moms who homeschool their children, the change hasn’t been noticeable.
24 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
“Our school day was not affected by the pandemic at all. Our extracurricular activities were canceled, but as far as our learning and school work, we had no changes,” said Megan Schwichtenberg, mom and homeschool teacher of three children, Aine, 15, Ava, 11, and Asher, 9. Schwichtenberg has been homeschooling since 2012,
Aine Schwichtenberg, 15, works on a drawing while waiting for her homework to be graded. which means she has been mom and teacher for nine years. For her, the decision to homeschool goes back to her own homeschooling experience. “I was homeschooled beginning in the second grade. I had a great experience being homeschool, and I wanted my kids to have the same experience.” Schwichtenberg noted that homeschooling hasn’t changed much since she was growing up, although more resources are available today as well as more groups that can get together and more curriculum options. “And more people are aware of what homeschool is so you don’t meet as many people who haven’t heard of homeschooling.” It was also important to Schwichtenberg and her husband, Chad, that their children be educated from a Christian worldview. A third consideration that helped them decide to homeschool their children had to do with time — and who would be spending the majority of it with their offspring. “When I thought about sending my kids to a public school, I realized that a teacher would have more time with my kids than I would, and I
didn’t want that,” she said. Homeschooling one child would be a challenge for most moms. Homeschooling three sounds like it would not only take up every waking moment of any given day but also get increasingly difficult with each passing grade. That hasn’t been what Schwichtenberg and her children have experienced at all. “When the kids are younger, their work is easier and it doesn’t take as long,” Schwichtenberg said. “I was able to work with each one without taking a long time. Once they got older, they were able to work independently on some subjects and then I spend time with each one on subjects they need more help on.” Schwichtenberg also pointed out that as a homeschooling mom, the ratio of student to teacher is 3 to 1. In a public or private school setting, the ratio is more along the line of 10 to 20 students to 1 teacher. “I am able to provide my kids with more one-on-one attention than any teacher in traditional schools would be able to provide.” Figuring out what to teach is as important as figuring out how to teach. When it comes to curriculum, Schwichtenberg relies on research and talking to other families that are
homeschooling. She has learned there are many sources for buying curriculum and typically gets what they need from multiple sources depending on the subject. Schwichtenberg said with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out what would work best for her students. “Being part of a homeschool group is very helpful for learning about different curriculums. Parents share what has worked for them and can give you advice.” The Schwichtenbergs are part of a co-op called Mankato Homeschool Connections. The group meets once a week for classes such as art, science, music and history. Parental involvement is required as it is not a drop-off type of group. The classes don’t replace the classes done at home but are supplemental. “In the state of Minnesota, it is not legal to teach a school-aged child that is not your child without a teaching license,” Schwichtenberg said. “You can be part of a co-op where parents teach other kids, but it is in addition to what you are doing at home and does not replace any of that education.” The co-op also participates in field trips to such places as MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 25
Asher Schwichtenberg , 9, works with his mother, Megan, on one of his lessons.
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FarmAmerica, Sea Life and Historyfest. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a hold on field trips for the past year, but the Schwichtenbergs hope they’ll be back soon. In addition to the co-op, there is a Facebook page for Mankato Area Homeschools where parents organize field trips and other activities and invite any family that would like to attend. When it comes to physical activity, all three children have taken taekwondo and they also get plenty of exercise taking care of the family’s German shepherd, Willow. Grading for homeschoolers is completed by the teacher/parent and is done according to either the curriculum’s grading scale or a scale similar to the one used in public schools. Parents can choose either the traditional letter grades or pass/ fail. For Schwichtenberg, being both mom and teacher hasn’t resulted in feeling as if she was playing multiple roles. “As a parent, we are our children’s first and primary teacher. For me it doesn’t end at age 5 when they start kindergarten.”
Schwichtenberg thinks homeschooling has been beneficial for both her children and herself. “On a personal level, my relationship with my kids has been the greatest advantage of homeschooling. On an academic level, the ability to make adjustments for any of my children and to be able to tailor their learning experience to their learning abilities have been the biggest advantages.” Tailoring a lesson might mean slowing the teaching down until a concept is mastered or, conversely, helping them work ahead in subjects they excel at. Homeschooling allows Schwichtenberg and her children to set their own pace, be it fast or slow. After being a homeschooling mom for nine years, Schwichtenberg can’t think of anything she’d change about the process. “Personally, I don’t have anything I would change. Any difficulties we have had have only helped us grow stronger and closer together.” So how does a woman who homeschools her children ever get any time to herself? “Grocery shopping!” Schwichtenberg said with a laugh. “Honestly, doing schoolwork doesn’t
take as long at home as it does in traditional school. It only takes us a few hours each day to complete all our schoolwork.” That leaves more time for family members to pursue their own interests and dreams. Being with your children 24/7 might not be every mom’s dream, but it has worked well for the Schwichtenberg family. When asked the two questions all adults ask school-age children, “What’s your favorite subject in school?” followed by “What do you want to be when you grow up?” all three Schwichtenbergs had ready answers. Aine’s favorite subject is sign language and she wants to be an author when she grows up. Ava’s favorite subject is history and she sees herself as an artist in her future. Asher likes math and hasn’t decided yet on what he wants to be once he’s grown up. The children agreed that having their mom as a teacher is a good thing and that when they’re done with school, the memories of the laughter all of them shared will last them a lifetime. MM
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UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES A Guide for Older Adults and Their Families
As the designated area agency on aging for 27 counties in southwest Minnesota, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, or MNRAAA, is a catalyst in building communities where older adults live with dignity, mutual respect and shared responsibilities across generations and cultures. Visit mnraaa.org to learn more. 28 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • MAY 2021 • Special Advertising Section
WHERE DO I START? There are many specialized services available to help older adults live independently and productively in their own homes and communities. If you would like to learn more about the services available to older adults and their families, this guide will provide you with helpful service information.
WHAT SERVICES CAN HELP ME STAY IN MY HOME? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services may be modified or restricted for health and safety reasons. For more information and to find the latest COVID-19 guidance go to the Stay Safe, Minnesota website at mn.gov/covid19. The choice of whether to stay in your home or to move somewhere else is an important, personal decision. The following services allow older adults to remain in their homes for longer and more satisfying periods of time.
Vision loss, due to conditions like macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other age-related eye conditions, can be a frustrating and difficult part of aging. The good news is that while it may require learning some new skills and making some adaptations, vision loss need not destroy quality of life, ability to live independently, or ability to be involved in the community. For more information, contact Minnesota State Services for the Blind at mnssb.org. Adult day services/centers are organized, supportive care provided in a group environment supervised by trained individuals. Services typically include meals, snacks, recreational activities, and medication reminders. Sometimes upon request, they will provide additional services such as bathing, grooming or transportation. Caregiver consultants/specialists offer professional services to help caregivers maintain their health and wellbeing. They advocate for caregivers, provide them emotional reassurance, and assist them with accessing information, support, and community services. Some caregiver consultants/ specialists are trained to provide Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH), an evidence-based intervention to support family members.
Caregiver education includes workshops and training to help families anticipate, plan for, and provide care that may be needed as family members grow older. Caregiver support groups provide opportunities for those who care for a loved one to get together with others experiencing similar situations, to share information and learn from each other. Case management involves case managers serving as a substitute family member when family cannot be there. Services vary per client need but may include transportation, coordination of services and appointments, assessments, advocacy, companionship, and emergency contact services. Chore services help with heavier housekeeping or routine home maintenance tasks, such as snow removal, lawn mowing, yard work, wall washing, changing storm windows and minor home repairs. Emergency response systems can be beneficial for older and disabled persons who need help during an emergency. The units transmit a signal that sets a response plan into action. Some systems are compatible with cell phones and can also use GPS to share the user’s location. Some systems monitor daily activities and deliver voice messages to users and caregivers. Energy Assistance Program can help pay for fuel or heating bills for eligible people. Eligibility is based on income, assets, and family size. Evidence-based programs include health promotion programs that are proven through research and real-world testing to produce positive outcomes. The following are some of the evidence-based programs provided in Minnesota: Living Well with Chronic Conditions, A Matter of Balance, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, Living Well with Diabetes, Living Well with Chronic Pain. Visit yourjuniper.org to learn more and find programs online and near you.
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• In-house & Out Patient Rehabilitation – P.T., O.T., and Speech Therapy • Respite Care • Hospice • Long-term Staff • Therapeutic Recreational Director • Local Physicians who make weekly rounds • 24-hour Skilled Nursing • Wound Care Management • Secure Care Safety Program • Medicare/Medicaid • Private and Semi-private Rooms • Recreational Outings • Ecumenical Services • In-house Beauty and Barber services • Special Care Suite and Family Room
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507-524-3315
“After paying for my Medicare costs, I had nothing left to do the things I love. Now I am saving thousands of dollars each year.” Call to see if you are eligible for help.
800-333-2433 30 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • MAY 2021 • Special Advertising Section
Faith in action programs are non-professional volunteer assistance through partnerships with local faith communities. Services may include transportation, shopping, friendly visiting, yard work, household chores, mail management, meal preparation, respite care, telephone reassurance, referral, etc. Generally, programs do not charge fees for their services but may provide a suggested fee schedule for a service and encourage participants and families to give a donation. Food shelves/Nutritional Assistance Program for Seniors offer food and other grocery
items to low-income people or those in an emergency or crisis. The Nutritional Assistance Program for Seniors is a federal food program designed to provide healthy and nutritious commodity food each month at no cost to eligible older adults over age 60.
Food Support (SNAP) is a county-run federal program that helps Minnesotans with low-income get the food they need for sound nutrition and well-balanced meals. SNAP benefits are available via a debit card that can help stretch a household’s food budget. People must meet income and asset guidelines to be eligible for this program. Friendly visiting refers to regular in-home visits to isolated or homebound older adults to provide companionship and socialization. Grocery delivery is available to those who have difficulty shopping for themselves. A delivery fee is usually charged. Health insurance counseling
helps older adults and their families understand their medical bills, Medicare, supplemental insurance policies and long-term care insurance. Trained counselors can help with tracking and/or appealing claims, completing application forms for government programs, and comparing health insurance options. They can also assist with Medicare Part D plan research/enrollment and identify other programs that may help with prescription drug costs. This free service is provided by the Senior LinkAge Line. For more information, call 800-333-2433.
Home health care includes a variety of services that help people to remain in their own homes. It can include personal care, such as bathing and grooming, personal care services, such as laundry, housekeeping and meal preparation, chore services, providing heavier housekeeping or routine home maintenance such as mowing, snow removal, yard work, wall washing, changing storm windows, or minor repairs, respite care, which provides short-term care to enable those caring for a loved one in their home to get a break or time away and other in-home services.
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340 Stadium Road, Mankato
625-KEGS
Homemaker services are help with general household activities, which may include light housekeeping, laundry, meal planning and preparation, assistance with money management, performing errands and shopping. Home delivered meals are nutritionally balanced meals delivered to homebound older adults who are unable to regularly or adequately prepare their own meals. Special diets are often available. There are also frozen meal options for people living in rural areas. Hospice is the coordination of care and services to help those who are terminally ill, as well as their loved ones. Hospice can be provided in one’s home, a hospital or nursing home or a freestanding hospice center. Living at Home/Block Nurse Program involves help to older adults
living within a defined geographic area to help them live independently and safely by providing affordable, in-home services and volunteer support. Inhome services may include homemaker/ home health aides, skilled nursing, post-hospital care, long-term illness management, medication management, nutrition, and exercise education. Volunteers provide friendly visiting, chore help, transportation, shopping assistance, managing mail, telephone reassurance, peer counseling and caregiver support.
EEO/AA MN ID#BC757938
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Loan locker/closet is the use of low-tech equipment such as toilet seat risers, shower seats, wheelchairs, and walkers to help people maintain their independence.
Special Advertising Section • MAY 2021 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • 31
Long-term care options counseling offers information and
Dial-a-ride Transportation for Blue Earth, Le Sueur & Nicollet Counties
assistance to consumers and their family members about available options to meet their long-term care needs. Consumers and family members receive help in setting goals, making choices, and planning for in-home services in keeping with their own individual strengths, needs and resources. To find out more, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433.
Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
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Comforts of Home
77 Stadium Road • Mankato, MN
511 W Blue Earth St. • Lake Crystal, MN 206 3rd AVE NE • Mapleton, MN 56065
222 S Murphy St., • Lake Crystal, MN
Rehabilitation
700 James Ave. • Mankato, MN
714 South Bend Ave. • Mankato, MN
201 Oaklawn Ave. • Mankato, MN
32 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • MAY 2021 • Special Advertising Section
website located at MinnesotaHelp.info that provides individuals, their families, and caregivers personalized assistance to find and access services.
MnCHOICES is an assessment done by local county staff to provide information about community services that match an individuals’ needs and preferences. A public health nurse and/ or social worker conducts an assessment to determine a person’s general health, ability to take care of routine daily activities, home environment, social needs, and family support. They make recommendations about service options that meet identified needs, how much they will cost and ways to pay for services. Palliative care is a medical specialty focused on the relief of pain and other symptoms of serious illness. The goal is to prevent and ease suffering and offer patients and their families the best possible quality of life. Palliative care is appropriate at any point in a serious or life-threatening illness. It is not dependent on prognosis. It can be provided at the same time as curative and life-prolonging treatment. Parish nursing services can vary from church to church, depending on the parishioners’ needs, the resources available and the nurse’s area of expertise. Examples of services include health counseling, health resource referral and health education. Peer counseling involves trained older adult volunteers who help and support other older adults coping with loss, grief, loneliness, isolation, depression and/or caregiving issues.
assisted living facilities with dementia care to ensure the health, safety, wellbeing, and appropriate treatment of residents.
Respite care is short-term care to
enable those caring for a loved one in their home to get a break for rest and relaxation or time away to do errands. Respite care may be provided in the home through a formal home care agency or an informal volunteer program, in a day care setting or via a short-term institutional placement.
Return to Community is an initiative of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging that helps people who are not on Medical Assistance who could benefit from support planning, regardless of their current setting. Staff are available to help people in nursing homes or in the community to return to or stay in the community setting of their choice. They help compare options available in the community, get those options set up, and follow up to ensure people have the help they need. To find out more, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433. Reverse mortgages allow older
homeowners 62 and over to borrow against the equity in their home without selling their home, giving up the title, or making a monthly payment. Cash advances from this federally regulated loan are considered “taxfree” income and do not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. Reverse mortgages provide older adults the personal and financial independence to live a more comfortable retirement in their own homes.
Senior dining/congregate dining offers nutritionally balanced
meals to older adults in a group setting. Special diets are available. Social and volunteer opportunities, as well as informational and educational programs, are often part of the senior dining program. Meals are usually subsidized with federal and state funds. People age 60+ and their spouses donate toward the cost of the meal.
Senior LinkAge Line is a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging. The Senior LinkAge Line helps older Minnesotans and caregivers find answers and connect to the services and support they need. For more information, call 800-333-2433 or visit mn.gov/senior-linkage-line.
Support groups offer mutual support and education for those dealing with common concerns and issues. Examples include grief, caregiver, and Alzheimer’s support groups. Telephone reassurance is regular phone contact to isolated homebound persons to ensure their well-being and provide social support. Transportation programs are van, bus or volunteer driver rides to various locations. Rides may be provided for medical appointments, personal business, shopping, visiting senior centers, congregate dining, etc. Some transportation programs also offer assistance or escort services for those who may need additional help.
WHAT KIND OF HOUSING OPTIONS DO I HAVE? If you need to move from your home, there are various housing options to choose from. Please note that the term “assisted living” is widely used and includes various residential alternatives.
Adult foster care is a home that provides sleeping accommodations and services for one to five adults and is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The rooms may be private or shared and the dining areas, bathrooms and other spaces are shared family-style. Adult foster care homes can offer a wide array of services. Assisted living usually refers to housing that has services available. Adult foster care, board and lodge, market rate and subsidized rentals may all offer services. Check with the property manager for details. Beginning August 1, 2021, assisted living licensure will go into effect and Minnesota’s Housing with Services designation will end. The law establishes regulatory standards governing the provision of housing and services in assisted living facilities and
Board and Lodge refer to licensed facilities that provide sleeping accommodations and meals to five or more adults for one week or more. They offer private or shared rooms with a private or attached bathroom, with common dining areas and other activities. They vary greatly in size; some resemble small homes and others are more like apartment buildings. A variety of supportive services (housekeeping or laundry) or home care services (assistance with bathing or medication administration) are offered to residents. Boarding Care refers to homes for persons needing minimal nursing care that are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. They provide personal or custodial care and related services for five or more adults or people with disabilities. They have private or shared rooms with a private or attached bathroom, there are common areas for dining and for other activities. Condominiums are residentowned real estate. Residents also have a share in and a right to use common areas within the structure. Most condominiums require a monthly payment to an association for expenses incurred in maintaining the common areas. Cooperatives are leased units or apartments. Residents of cooperatives do not own a specific unit in the building or development but own shares of a cooperative housing corporation that owns the building and all the units. Residents are shareholders in the whole building. They lease an apartment or unit from the corporation of which they are a shareholder. Visit coophousing.org for more information. Market rate rentals are housing establishments that have no government subsidy. The real estate market determines the rent level. Some marketrate rentals offer a broad range of services, including meals, housekeeping and transportation.
Special Advertising Section • MAY 2021 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • 33
Nursing homes are long-term care facilities that offer a full array of personal, dietary, therapeutic, social, spiritual, recreational, and nursing services to residents. Subsidized rentals are buildings that serve low-income individuals. They are established by Housing and Urban Development and vary with each county. They are owned by private or non-profit organizations and their construction and operations have been financed with federal and state resources. Visit hud.gov for more information.
HOW DO I PAY FOR SERVICES? When purchasing services, a combination of the following funding sources may be used.
Consumer cost-sharing is the financial contribution a consumer makes toward the cost of services. This may be in the form of a sliding fee scale, donation, or a set fee. Consumer-directed community supports give older adults and
their family caregivers greater control, flexibility, independence, and responsibility over the services they receive and who provides them. This helps to enable them to continue living at home.
County human services is the
access point for many county, state and federal programs like SNAP, Medicare Savings Programs, Medical Assistance, waivered programs, vulnerable adult reporting, and adult foster care. Many of these programs have income and asset limits that must be met to qualify.
Essential Community Supports (ECS) program includes community-
based services for people age 65 or older who do not meet nursing facility level of care criteria and are not eligible for Medical Assistance. You must meet Alternative Care financial eligibility criteria and need one or more ECS services. For more information, contact your local county human service office.
Housing Support (formally known as Group Residential Housing) uses funding available to supplement basic room and board costs for Homes Plus/ adult foster care or board and lodging facilities based on income eligibility. Long-term care insurance
are benefits for prescribed long-term care, which can include nursing home, assisted living and/or home health care services. Most policies have a variety of features and do not restrict coverage to nursing homes. Consumers should look for a policy that is tailored to their needs and individual situations.
Long-Term Care Partnership is a public/private arrangement between long-term care insurers and Minnesota’s Medical Assistance program. It enables Minnesota residents who purchase certain long-term care insurance policies to have more of their assets protected, if they later need the state to help pay for their long-term care. Learn more at mn.gov/dhs/long-term-carepartnership. Medical Assistance (MA) is a federal program that helps low-income individuals pay for medical, in-home, hospital and/or nursing home costs. Known as Medicaid in other states, MA has income and asset limits people must meet to qualify for the program. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and over and some people with disabilities. Part A is hospital insurance, Part B is medical insurance (doctor and clinic visits), and Part D is prescription drug insurance. The premiums for Medicare are typically deducted from Social Security payments. Deductibles and co-payments are the enrollee’s responsibility. There are Medicare Savings Programs for those who meet certain income and asset limitations. Medicare Advantage Plans are also available in many areas of the country. Medicare Savings Programs
include the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, the Service Limited Medicare Beneficiary program and the Qualified Individual program. These programs help people at various income levels to pay the cost of their Medicare Part B premium. People must meet income and asset limits to qualify for these programs.
34 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • MAY 2021 • Special Advertising Section
Medicare Supplemental Insurance is available to people who
are enrolled in Medicare. Supplemental policies are individually purchased from insurance companies on the open market as Basic, Extended Basic or SELECT plans or plans provided by employers for retirees sold through groups. Policies cover most or all the co-payment and deductibles associated with Medicare. Some companies offer additional plans with limited coverage (similar to plans F, K, L, M and N).
Medicare Advantage Plans are a type of Medicare health plan option. If you join one of these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan, which can also include prescription drug coverage. These plans may include extra benefits and have lower co-payments than Original Medicare. However, you may have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to receive services. Medicare Cost Plans are a type of Medicare health plan available to people in certain Minnesota counties. Cost plans allow beneficiaries to go to a non-network provider if they choose to. The services are covered under Original Medicare. Medicare Cost Plans are only available in certain Minnesota counties. For more information, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433. Private Pay refers to people who purchase services with their own funds. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program for
people over the age of 65, blind or disabled. Individuals eligible for SSI may also qualify for other programs, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medical Assistance.
Waivered Services, including Alternative Care and Elderly Waiver, provide community services to people at risk of nursing home placement and meet specific financial guidelines. For more information, contact your local county human service office.
HOW CAN I BE MORE INVOLVED IN MY COMMUNITY? There are many opportunities for you to become active in your community.
Active service includes work
groups, committees, and other assignments (most are time-limited), where individuals’ skills, experience and support will help shape services for older adults in the future.
Education includes opportunities for older adults to enhance their knowledge and is available throughout Minnesota in various settings. Foster Grandparent Program
is a volunteer program for people age 55 and over to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and youth. Foster grandparents positively influence children and youth in various settings, including elementary schools, preschools, shelters, childcare centers, and juvenile detention centers.
Road scholar is an educational opportunity for those 21 and older offered at many universities and colleges. Typically, professional educators teach weeklong courses, and the group of road scholars stay on campus. Senior centers and clubs offer
a variety of recreational, educational, and informational programming for older adults. Some senior centers also sponsor direct services such as congregate dining, volunteer programs and tax assistance.
Senior Companion Program
is a volunteer program that provides a stipend to volunteers who befriend older adults who need support when family members cannot be there and provide a regular presence to isolated people.
Volunteer opportunities are offered by many worthy organizations across the state. Programs may provide training, supervision and support to the volunteer who wants to lend a hand to others. Reimbursement for mileage, meals and other expenses may be provided.
WHAT HELPS ME PROTECT MY RIGHTS? In Minnesota, your rights are protected by the law. The following describes advocacy and legal means to assist you.
Durable power of attorney is written authorization for someone to handle property or financial matters for you that continues beyond your incapacity.
Minnesota Health Care Directive is a legal document that
allows an adult to state his/her wishes for health care in the event of incapacity and the inability to make decisions. Sometimes known as a living will, the health care directive does not need to be prepared by a lawyer. A proxy can be named to make decisions on one’s behalf. Copies of the completed document should be distributed to proxies and health care providers.
Ombudsman services provided by the Office of Ombudsman for LongTerm Care serve as an impartial third party who helps resolve complaints about nursing homes, long-term care residential facilities, home care agencies, and hospitals. Issues can include safety, health care quality, patient rights, government benefits and other disputes or concerns. Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms are signed medical
Conservatorship involves a courtappointed conservator responsible for ensuring that the financial needs and property matters of a vulnerable adult, who would otherwise be in danger of receiving inadequate care and/or supervision, are being met.
order forms that communicate a patient’s end-of-life health care wishes to health care providers during an emergency. The form serves as a tool by which providers can discuss endof-life treatment options with patients diagnosed with a serious illness.
Guardianship involves a courtappointed guardian responsible for handling the health care matters of a vulnerable adult, who would otherwise be in danger of receiving inadequate or unwanted care.
Power of attorney is written authorization for someone to handle property or financial matters for you.
Legal services include attorneys
and paralegals available to help resolve legal matters by providing legal education, information, and advice, making referrals, and representing the client in legal proceedings. Legal services are free to low-income older adults. Some of the issues addressed by legal services include public benefits, unemployment, tenant/landlord problems, discrimination, veteran benefits, consumer protection, etc.
Vulnerable Adult/Adult Protection Services involve
Minnesota law that protects adults who are vulnerable to maltreatment. Vulnerable Adult/Adult Protection Services investigate alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment. You can report suspected maltreatment by calling the Minnesota Adult Reporting Center (MAARC) at 844-8801574. If you are reporting an emergency that requires immediate attention, call 911 first, then call MAARC.
Senior employment programs
include training, counseling, and employment opportunities for older people with limited income and assets. Programs often provide job training and support with the goal of moving individuals into the regular job market. Special Advertising Section • MAY 2021 • RESOURCE GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES • 35
Food & Beer
LET'S EAT!
By Dan Greenwood
SOUTHERN MN STYLE Greg Taylor, owner and founder of TNT Eats, serves a customer one of his speciality pulled-pork sandwiches at Home Depot.
TNT EATS
Food truck owner plans to open restaurant Photos by Pat Christman
G
rowing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Greg Taylor had plenty of inspiration when it came to honing his barbecuing skills, learning through trial and error. After moving to Mankato five years ago, Taylor, who had been making a living as a truck driver for over a dozen years, recalled words of wisdom his grandmother instilled in him years ago. “My grandmother told me that if you do a job you love, then you will never work a day in your 36 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
life,” he said. “I had that in the back of my head for quite some time, and I found that statement to be very true.” Those words compelled Taylor to follow his dream and open his own food truck, TNT Eats, about three years ago. He’s been serving homemade authentic barbecue with a “Mankato twist” ever since. “I never feel like I’m working. I spend more time coming up with great tantalizing cuisines for the truck and making sure that we do something that you wouldn’t
normally find in the Midwest.” Along with catering private and public events, his food truck is a mainstay at the Food Hub in Mankato’s Old Town every Wednesday during the summer months. While TNT Eats food truck is out and about during all kinds of weather – Taylor recalls serving barbecue when it was minus 17 degrees below zero and people still flocked to the truck to get their barbecue fix – he has plans for a permanent restaurant in the future.
TNT Eats serves smoked pulled-pork sandwiches and a side of coleslaw. Pictured is TNT Eats famous white sauce that can be put on anything, but especially Taylor's smoked meats. The new restaurant location, just a few doors down from the Food Hub, is at 524 N. Riverfront Drive. His plan is to have that restaurant up and running before the end of the year. “We wanted to open a restaurant in that area due to the fact that that’s where TNT got its start,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be open in about six months.” From his food truck, Taylor serves everything from pulledpork sandwiches, wings, brisket and ribs to the Mac Attack, one of his best sellers. His son-inlaw came up with the name, and his daughter in-law suggested drizzling Taylor’s great white sauce on top of homemade macaroni and cheese covered with 17-hour smoked brisket.
“That is very popular here in Mankato and everywhere we go,” Taylor said. “We’re known for the Mac Attack. It took me three years to come up with my great white sauce. It can pretty much go on anything from meats to chips, salads, sandwiches and anything in between.” Barbecuing is a timeconsuming process, he said, from marinating the meats for 24 hours to smoking briskets for 17 hours and another 14 hours for pulled pork. That old school approach – smoking the meat with hardwoods such as maple, along with hickory and apple wood – gives his barbeque unique flavors. Another popular seller is the pork belly burnt ends, something
What:
TNT Eats Food Truck
Where:
Wednesdays at the Mankato Food Hub, 512 N. Riverfront Drive. (Future permanent location, 524 N. Riverfront Drive.) Other locations can be found at https://www.facebook.com/TNT-EATS-762478953952117/
What they’re known for:
Kansas City barbecue with a Mankato twist, pulled-pork sandwiches, ribs, brisket and burnt ends
customers have dubbed “meat candy” for its sweet flavor. “That’s where the bacon comes from off of the pig. We cut it into nice big chunks and put that on the grill with seasonings. It has a sweeter tone to it.” Customers have a big influence on what ends up on the menu, and Taylor encourages people to offer suggestions on his Facebook page. His personal favorite, the brisket nachos, were inspired by a 12-year-old kid who asked him if he had nachos. Taylor came back the next day with his barbecue-inspired version of the Mexican snack. It starts with nacho cheese chips, covered in Taylor’s brisket cooked for 17 hours, topped with queso, his signature white sauce and TNT’s homemade red barbecue sauce. “That kid said it was some of the best nachos he’s ever had, so it’s been on the menu ever since.” While some favorites have been on the menu since the beginning, Taylor said he's added some more recent additions, like his fall-offthe-bone pork spareribs. “Our spareribs are a lot different than anything else you’ll find in town,” he said. “It still has the rib tip and belly meat on it.”
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 37
GARDEN CHAT By Jean Lundquist
Some things are WORTH THE WAIT S
Remove blossoms, trim plants to maximize bloom production
o the last likely day of frost arrives in the middle of this month. I’ve been left in the dust before by friends who like to push the envelope and plant outdoors in April. But I’ll wait. Except for the fact that it’s often the fishing opener, I will plant and transplant on May 15 or shortly thereafter. I’ve had my entire garden freeze just as it was sprouting up, and it made me cry. I tend not to repeat things that make me cry, like shopping on Black Friday. The last time I went shopping on Black Friday, it made me cry, and that was decades ago. Now if I want something from Black Friday, I call my friend “Goober,” and she’ll get it for me. But that has nothing to do with gardening, so let’s get on with it. I’m always in search of something to do to improve my gardening experience, and this year I’ve found pepper topping. Years ago I was writing a story for which the late Larry Van Tol was my source. He told me all nursery growers try to have flowers blooming to attract the interest of buyers. But, he said, if those buyers want to maximize their bloom production of their flower plant, the wise thing to do is remove all the blossoms and trim a third of the plant back. I have tried that, and as hard as it is to remove the blossoms and trim the plant, it’s worth the wait. The big, bushy, showy plants make it appear that I have a green thumb for flowers. I don’t. Apparently, the same methods work for peppers of all sorts – hot, mild and in between. This is for pepper plants you purchase and for peppers you have sown and nurtured yourself. I have often tried to support tomatoes and peppers with those spindly wire cages and have never been successful. The plants always overpower the cages and topple. But by topping my peppers, those supports may be obsolete. 38 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Here’s how I’m going to do it: When the pepper is wellestablished with several side leaves and a good crown of green on the top, simply snip off the top leaves, at stem level, and discard. Then cut off a few of the lower leaves. The goal is to invigorate the plant stem and foliage growth at this point. If your plant has created any tiny peppers for you to “ooh and aah” over, remove them, too. I know it will be painful, but at this point we are nourishing the plant itself so we get greater pepper production later. Within a week, there should be new growth at the top as well as along the stem. This is when you take off all the old, large original leaves. We should be rewarded with a strong stem that needs no support and still will not fall over. And after the initial removal of tiny peppers, your plant should be rife with peppers that will amaze you. I am definitely going to do this but will keep a “control” batch of pepper plants that I have done nothing to as well, just to compare. A dear friend of mine had some homemade tomato cages she used for her garden. They were quite tall and wooden, not the weak wire cages I’ve used for my garden that so disappointed me. She used to train her tomatoes within the cages, and whenever any one grew above the top, she had her scissors ready and snipped them back. I wondered if she regretted doing that, as there had to be a loss of production. She always said she had more tomatoes than she could ever use. She’s retired to New Mexico now, and I have her wooden tomato cages. I’m going to put her method into practice, and I’ll see if tomato and pepper topping work. If you try it, let me know how it goes for you. Jean Lundquist is a Master Gardener who lives near Good Thunder. gardenchatkato@gmail.com
BEER
By Bert Mattson
Grate companions M
y friend most prone to host a bottle share is also an aspiring pit master. He’ll smoke meats most months but recently supposed that the real prime cooking weather is upon us. I’ve dabbled in the smoldering arts. Half the fun for me is in building the hardware, from a whole-hog roaster to an Argentine grill to a smoker with digital controls. When I abandon an experiment, often I offer him the best parts. He tends to trump my generosity by seizing such occasions as an excuse to put something over cinders. The confluence of a bottle share and outdoor cookery is a feast for the senses and a form of enforced relaxation. An array of craft beer and the opinion-laden process of cooking over coals inspire ample opportunity to plunge past small talk to the meat of matters. Pairing beer and barbecue (and grilled food) isn’t necessarily an automatic home run. Though the merger is a relatively safe one, the payoff is in the details. Large fatty cuts, suitable for long slow cooking over indirect heat, sister to beer styles differently than leaner slices slapped directly over white-hot coals. In the final products, there are divergences in texture, assimilation of smoke and usually seasoning ... all of which influence the marriage. Something streaked or capped with snowy fat, rendered lazily
over hours at low temperatures, generally imparts a richness that can bear, and even be elevated by, a beer with a degree of bitterness. The “bark” — a crunchy, sweet and salty crust that crackles when cut — that forms on larger cuts of meat ideally reveals steaming and succulent layers of marbled meat beyond. The bold flavors cultivated in a smoke chamber can stand a bold beer. To contrast or complement is the question, and the answer isn’t set in stone. Stout can echo some of the signature savory qualities in a brisket, and even the velvety mouthfeel. But should you add a degree of spice, it may clash, altering the calculus. Something with a glaze or rub (with salt and spice) might benefit from the contrast introduced by a beer with some residual sweetness. The same sort of meat trimmed of some fat, sliced thin and cooked quickly over high heat might even benefit from a beer with some acidity. With all these variables at play in the cooking process, and the nuances that modern brewers are building into beer, it begins to become a reality that a bottle share broadens the opportunity to find a winning combination. The spectrum stretches from
??a?yo?..?. in?c?o?d?e?M y2C p ? p 0 a H 0 ! 2 rs R e E e h MM CU atation! S et in PARTY-cip r 10 fe Here’s hoping fo
sizzlinghot grilled shrimp po’ boys paired with the likes of Deschutes’ special release citrusforward, bitterness-retrained Neon Daydream Hazy Ale to spicerubbed, smoked beef short ribs with a sampling of Minnesota-made Maibock to a platter of burnt ends and eggs with a breakfast brew like Oskar Blues’ Hotbox Coffee Porter in the lazy morning after a long brisket cook. Gather outside, share, be safe, and search for that home run. Seize the season for grate companionship.
Bert Mattson is a chef and writer based in St. Paul. He is the manager of the iconic Mickey’s Diner. bertsbackburner.com
MAKE GREAT MOMENTS
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MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 39
ANN’S FASHION FORTUNES By Ann Rosenquist Fee
Eye-opening Brows letdown DEAR ANN: When you get older — seriously older, like me moi — you don’t have the eyebrows you used to have. I’m pretty sure what I have now are vestiges of eyebrows, but I don’t see very well and so it’s really anyone’s guess. When I go to use an eyebrow pencil, I can’t, because it’s not a flat plane. The skin under the eyebrows used to be a taut canvas, and now it’s a series of vertical lines. Furrows, actually. What can I do? DEAR READER: The technique you need to study is trompe l’œil, tricking the viewer’s eye into perceiving a painted detail as a 3-D object. It comes down to understanding how light and shadow create the appearance of three-dimensionality, and then — in your case — basically reversing those to create the appearance of a flat plane. You’ll need the following: primer, light pigment, dark pigment, a straight-edge or stencil, an angled brush and sealant. If you’re thinking, whoa, this must be a list of oil paint supplies because this stuff can’t possibly exist in the eyebrow section of a makeup store, you would be wrong. I suggest masking up and visiting our local Ulta or Sephora, asking a sales associate to walk you through the highest-end brow products, and then pondering whether you wish to take this on as a personal art project/daily meditation practice or abandon cosmetics altogether in favor of embracing the furrows. “Seriously older” entitles you to either. DEAR ANN: Recently I gave in to an ad that was constantly showing up in my social media feed. You know the one, that makeup for women-of-acertain-age in three simple sticks (moisturizer, color, shimmer). I also bought their mascara, thinking there must be something special about that brand. It was all a big disappointment. I liked how the products felt on my skin, but I think any cream-based rouge would do the same. When I used the color stick on my eyelids, like the models did, I had a big smeary mess in an hour, and no mascara left on my lashes. I’m actually asking for a refund on the mascara because it doesn’t work with the main product. I can see using the sticks in the summer, on the run on a day out. A little shimmer, little color, but I still need a little powder on my chin and nose. Less powder is the big take-away for me. But overall, these were a letdown. The mascara might be fine without the creamy lids but I’m still going after the refund on principle. My question is, how can I ever trust again? 40 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Ronda Of-A-Certain-Age Redmond bought the sticks so we don’t have to. Thanks, Ronda! DEAR READER: First of all, congrats on seeking a refund, which I hope you’ll receive and use to buy a tube of the same drugstore-brand mascara you’ve been using for years. It has never let you down and it harbors no resentment that you fell for the fantasy of a makeup routine that somehow causes confidence, optimism and c’est la vie to beam from your eyeballs. You see that now, right, when you look back at those ads? You see that what hooked you wasn’t actually the makeup? Those models could be blending ash or glitter or whatever along their cheekbones, and they’d look just as amazing, because what they have in common is a facial expression that says, “This is my life and my face and my world, I am simultaneously bold and curious, I live my values yet don’t take myself too seriously, and the fact that I wear only these few unfussy products on my face — which I’m whimsically applying with my fingers, my FINGERS! — is proof of that.” You can’t really seek a refund on the sticks themselves, but that’s fine, because you’ve learned the kind of lesson we generally pay to learn. Close it out with this ritual: 1) Gather up your drugstore mascara, plus any other products you’d previously trusted but then flung aside for your tryst with the sticks. 2) Stand in front of a mirror. 3) Think about what makes you yourself feel that mix of bold/curious,
wise/open, seasoned/joyful and feel it all while you look in the mirror. 4) Dot, blend, dot, beam, blend. 5) Turn head side to side, looking pleased. Feeling pleased. Feeling wise. Lesson learned.
Use those inherited diamonds to make a
stunning ring that you’ll wear all of the time!
Got a question? Submit it at annrosenquistfee.com (click on Ann’s Fashion Fortunes). Ann Rosenquist Fee is executive director of the Arts Center of Saint Peter and host of Live from the Arts Center, a music and interview show Thursdays 1-2 p.m. on KMSU 89.7FM.
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MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 41
LIT DU NORD: MINNESOTA BOOKS AND AUTHORS By Nick Healy
Jackie Polzin. Photo by Travis Olson
Novelist’s debut takes flight ‘Brood’ by Jackie Polzin a worthwhile read
W
e live in heavy times, and lately we’re surrounded by stories that tangle with a variety of conflict and woe. Surely the many difficult stories in recent books and movies are important and valuable. Too many, though, present a mirthless world, one depleted of levity, and for at least some in the audience, that doesn’t feel right or true. St. Paul writer Jackie Polzin’s terrific debut novel, “Brood,” may seem an unlikely place to find relief from the struggle and despair. The book engages with some gloomy stuff. There’s even a chicken named Darkness. But Polzin’s narrator turns a wry eye on the world, and 42 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
her wit provides more than enough lift to give flight to the story. “Brood” is lean, coming in under 250 pages, and it’s delivered in short vignettes, meaning there’s a good deal of white space between its covers. The story is narrated by a woman muddling through the aftermath of a miscarriage, taking stock of her marriage and coming to terms with the fact she will probably not be a parent. “I don’t think I am like my mother, or her mother either, most of all because I am not one,” the narrator confides. “I am twenty years older than my mother was when she had me, twenty years estranged from the life she had.”
The narrator, whose name we never learn, and her husband live in Minneapolis and keep four chickens in a backyard coop. The story follows them all (people and poultry) through one year and t r a c k s t h e n a r r a t o r ’s efforts to keep the chickens alive through the coldest days of winter and hottest days of summer, all the while protecting them from hawks, raccoons and other threatening forces, including a neighbor child who gives chase with open arms. The chickens get a lot of attention in this book. If you’re into the whole urban chicken thing, Polzin has produced a literary gift for you. If you think chickens are noisy and kind of gross, her book might change your mind. Even if it doesn’t, the story is worth your time. Chickens aside, “Brood” is driven by the occasional appearances of other important characters, including the narrator’s husband, mother and close friend. T h e h u s b a n d , P e r c y, h a s interviewed for a position at a prestigious university in the West, and the narrator knows that if he gets the job, they will have to sell their house, find someone to take the chickens off their hands and leave behind the life she knows. Percy is confident an offer is forthcoming, but the narrator proceeds in a sort of low-grade suspense as they await an answer that is slow to arrive.
This may not seem like particularly gripping stuff in terms of propelling a plot, but it’s plenty in Polzin’s hands. Plot, to be sure, is a lesser element in this novel. What matters is how readers come to know the narrator and whether they come to care about her. And leaving aside the dullards and the hard of heart, most readers surely will care about her and find her interesting, if for no other reason than that endearing wit of hers. “Brood” is no comedy, but it is
funny — persistently so. Polzin’s narrator will make you smirk even in low moments and get you to smile at how even mundane snippets of urban living are described in surprising terms, such as when the narrator and her husband come upon a huge raccoon removing choice bits from an overturned trash bin. “The raccoon was unconcerned with our presence, could sense we were idiots or pacifists or, at the very least, unarmed,” Polzin writes. “His sleek coat shifted from side to side over his broad back as he lifted each piece of garbage to determine what brought him joy.” Polzin’s narrator seems to be mostly avoiding the difficult issues in her life — her lost hopes of maintaining a pregnancy, the state of her marriage, the potential move to a distant city, etc. Her thoughts are dominated by her work (as a house cleaner) and, of course, by her responsibilities with the chickens. She seems to be distracting herself and, as a result, holding back a lot — perhaps too much. But when the story might begin to try a reader’s patience, the tough stuff comes to the forefront. In the book’s moving final stretch, our questions about the narrator are mostly resolved. We come to know her more clearly, and we can imagine her future — a life that is unexpected, as many are, but not without hope, light and some laughs.
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 43
FROM THIS VALLEY By Pete Steiner
They paved paradise ... F ans of Joni Mitchell will, of course, be able to complete that line: “and put up a parking lot!” We could be speaking of countless beautiful spaces in innumerable places, some even here in Mankato. But this particular lament was prompted by a tweet from my friend, the writer and Minnesota State University professor Rachael Hanel, a month back. It was about the legendary old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, original home of the Twins and Vikings (and the site of the only appearance by The Beatles in Minnesota, in July of 1965.) You know what occupies that space now – the Mall of ‘Em All. Rachael says she’s too young to have ever gone to a game at the Met. Although I might only wish I were still that young, I can treasure some memories of the great Vikings’ Super Bowl years. Once when the Rams came to town for a playoff game in 1974, I was with a group of theater folks having cocktails at the old Thunderbird on the 494 strip. Fred Dryer and some of his ‘mates from that great Rams team came in for dinner, and we tried to “psych” them saying, “You guys are gonna freeze!” It was late December, the game would be outside in the snow, and everyone knows that Vikes coach Bud Grant did not allow sideline heaters. Man up! (The Vikings won the game.) The Twins played a great World Series at the Met in 1965. (I didn’t get to attend in person.) Unfortunately for the Twins, in game 7, we had to face the Dodgers’ incomparable Sandy Koufax. The Twins lost, 2-0. On June 3, 1967, legendary Twins slugger Harmon Killebrew launched a home run at the Met that traveled 522 feet – one of only two balls ever hit into the upper deck there. (Harmon hit the other!) That home run 44 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
remains one of only about a dozen that have ever been hit that far in major league baseball, and the seat where it landed was painted bright orange in commemoration. D e c a d e s l a t e r, a t t h e Metrodome downtown, I was a guest broadcaster on the Twins’ network, with my daughter Grace. We met announcer John Gordon, who took us to lunch, where we sat down with … Harmon Killebrew! Gushing, I asked him about that mammoth home run, and he nodded in acknowledgment but immediately shifted the conversation to Grace’s ballet. Anyone who ever met Harmon will confirm how gracious and self-effacing he was, something I have to think is unusual in an athlete of that stature. I was at the Met for the last Twins game played there (I have a certificate of proof!) in September 1981, before the move to the Metrodome. I went with a group of Mankato musicians; a photo I still treasure is displayed above my desk. The Twins were in one of their down cycles that year and, as a result, drew a smallish crowd. A light drizzle was not enough to delay the game, which was a good one. Clint Hurdle (most recently fired, then retired, as manager of the Pirates) was a former No. 1 draft pick, playing first base for the Kansas City Royals; it’s a good trivia question: Who hit the last home run at old Met Stadium? It was Hurdle, to give the Royals a lead. The Twins had a chance in the bottom of the ninth, with good-hitting shortstop Roy Smalley (now a Twins’ broadcast analyst) at the plate with two outs. But he popped up, and that was it. Many fans stormed the field at the conclusion, with some grabbing up souvenir chunks of turf. Our group went onto the
field but settled for the photo. You might recognize some of the musicians in the picture, although the two gents on the far right were photo-bombing us. It’s gratifying to express a few thoughts about a great old stadium as we are underway in a new baseball season. Of course, now we have a beautiful Target field in downtown Minneapolis. Hopefully, some of us will be able to attend a game or two there in person this year after missing all of last year due to COVID. ■ ■ ■■ Random thought: Interesting that as we began to emerge from winter and COVID caution, by mid-March, the standard Minnesota greeting had morphed from “Cold enough for ya?” to “Got yer shots yet?” Here’s to vaccines and a more sociable summer than last year’s!
Longtime radio guy Pete Steiner is now a free lance writer in Mankato.
COMMUNITY DRAWS By Kat Baumann
MANKATO MAGAZINE • MAY 2021 • 45
READY FOR YOUR ARRIVAL Gathering with loved ones means more than ever. Laugh, hug, play and relax. The eight hotels and resorts along Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail offer legendary locations to safely reconnect. From the shores of the Tennessee River to Mobile Bay, come experience world-class hospitality in picturesque settings. Plunge into resort pools. Relax in luxury spas. Play RTJ golf. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine. We are open and will be here waiting for you. Visit rtjresorts.com.
46 • MAY 2021 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
