Mankato Magazine - Oct. 2020

COMMUNITY HEROES

Also in this issue: Meet IV Play member JEREMY POLAND Get a burger or curry at KATO BURGER PIT Learn where to volunteer and GET INVOLVED

The Free Press MEDIA

Mary Mertesdorf OCTOBER 2020

$2.95

5th Edition

Deep Valley Virtual Book Festival October 3 & 4, 2020 Keynote interview at 3 p.m. Saturday

uthor Headline A

an m d l o G t t a M

New York Times bestselling author Matt Goldman is a playwright and Emmy Award-winning television writer for Seinfeld, Ellen, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency.

He brings his signature storytelling abilities and light touch to the Nils Shapiro series, which started with his debut novel Gone to Dust. Goldman has been nominated for the Shamus and Nero Wolfe Awards and is a Lariat Award Winner. He lives in Minnesota with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and whichever children happen to be around.

Where readers and authors

meet

Besides Goldman’s keynote interview at 3 p.m. Saturday, viewers can attend any number of panel discussions plus live Q&A with authors on both days.

See the full two-day schedule:

www.deepvalleybookfestival.com

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Medical School Matt Goldman transitions from comedy writing to novels

By Rachael Hanel

M

att Goldman’s one and only creative writing class took place during his high school years in St. Louis Park in the early 1980s. Still, he’s managed a successful career as a television comedy writer and more recently, has achieved success with a series of detective novels.

Goldman will speak about his varied writing career as the featured author at this year’s Deep Valley Book Festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival will shift to an online format over the weekend of Oct. 3 and 4. Goldman’s talk will air at 3 p.m. (Central) Saturday, Oct. 3.

Goldman’s initial plan in college was to get into medical school. But he started performing stand-up comedy and his plans changed. In 1986, he had a fateful encounter with Jerry Seinfeld, opening for the comedian for 10 shows in one week in Minneapolis.

The two hit it off, and when Goldman moved to Los Angeles at the age of 24, they stayed in touch. Seinfeld invited Goldman to be on the team of writers for the hit sitcom “Seinfeld.”

For 25 years, Goldman continued to write for comedy series, such as “Ellen,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” and “Love and War.” But he always wanted to write something a bit darker. His first novel, “Gone to Dust,” was published in 2017. In this book, readers are introduced to Minneapolis private investigator Nils Shapiro. Readers familiar with Minnesota and the Twin

Cities metro area will find plenty of recognizable landmarks and highways, with frequent references to places such as Minnehaha Creek and Lake Nokomis as well as I-35 and I-94. “Gone to Dust” takes place in winter, and Shapiro has to contend with snowstorms, parkas, and thick ice that accumulates on windshields.

Goldman has been productive since that first book, writing three more featuring Shapiro. The second and third books also take place in Minneapolis, while in the fourth book, Goldman sends Shapiro to Los Angeles.

Because Goldman has been flexing his writing chops for more than 25 years, switching to novels wasn’t that difficult.

“It’s not the monumental shift one would think,” he says. He’s always been a writer and is accustomed to the discipline the work requires.

He says the biggest difference is process. For television, many people are contributing to the script.

It’s a true team effort.

And achieving writing success isn’t just about luck, Goldman says. It’s about placing yourself in the right environment and doing the work.

Goldman says he writes every day, early in the morning. He doesn’t outline his books; rather, he gets a feel for where the story is going. He completes a draft in three to four months. After that, he takes time to revise.

Even though Goldman has been prolific the past few years, writing doesn’t always come easy. His biggest piece of advice for writers: “Accept that it’s hard.”

Goldman still spends time in Los Angeles and continues to work in television, but he calls Minneapolis home for at least part of the year. He has a good perspective on Minnesota’s literary community, having spent quite a bit of time outside of it so he has something to compare it to.

“I think it’s top-notch,” he says.

The schedule can be found at

www.deepvalleybookfestival.com.

Most programming can be viewed on YouTube, but the live Q&A sessions each afternoon will require the Zoom application.

An easy “How to Zoom” video will be provided.

The festival organizers seek “festival friend” sponsors to help keep the festival free this year and in the future. This $25 sponsorship will enter you into a drawing for a DVBF Friendship Bag of books from festival authors, a $150 value. It also lets you into an exclusive Q&A/live talk with Goldman at 7 p.m. Saturday. To find out more about becoming a festival friend, go to https://www.deepvalleybookfestival.com/2020-sponsors.

Celebrating Authors and Books

Deep Valley Virtual Book Festival October 3, 2020

October 4, 2020 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

deepvalleybookfestival.com

New York Times bestselling author Matt Goldman is a playwright and Emmy Award-winning television writer for Seinfeld, Ellen, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. thor

Keynote Au

Matt Goldman

FREE Virtual Event!

• “Meet” Authors & Illustrators • Panel discussions, Live Q&A’s and Children’s Programs • Book Sales & Signings • Young Writer & Artist Competition Awards New to Zoom? Easy How To Video available!

Become a Festival Friend for more perks! Details on website.

Where readers and authors

meet

activity is made possible the of voters of Minnesota a grant from the Prairie LakesArt Regional ThisThis activity is made possible by the by voters Minnesota through athrough grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Council,Art thanks Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund SPONSORED BY:

SUPPORTED BY:

The Free Press MEDIA

For more information www.deepvalleybookfestival.com

2 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

FEATURES OCTOBER 2020 Volume 15, Issue 10

22

Community heroes Meet the volunteers in the area that make Mankato a better place

16

28

Preserving Culture

Get Involved!

Furthering education helps preserve history and culture

Highlighting a few nonprofits in the area that need volunteers

ABOUT THE COVER Mary Mertesdorf volunteers at VINE Adult Community Center with Caring Connections and also delivers for Meals on Wheels. Volunteers make a community better and this month we feature one of the many in our community.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 3

DEPARTMENTS

9

6

From the Editor

8

This Day in History

9

Avant Guardians Passion of music: Jessica Landsteiner

10 Beyond the Margin

Silver linings and distancing from bad news

12 Familiar Faces Jeremy Poland

14 Day Trip Destinations ‘Agritainment’ — Sever’s Fall Festival

32 Let’s Eat!

10

Kato Burger Pit

34 Community Draws

Mankato walking trails

35 Beer

Socially distant dabbling

36 Country Minutes

The Dogs of Oshawa Township Part 9

12

14

38 Garden Chat

Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize and no blooms

40 From This Valley Winds of Madness

Coming in November

32 4 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

38

HOLIDAY: Everyone celebrates the holiday season a little differently. This month we’ll take a look at those unique traditions.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 5

FROM THE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

By Diana Rojo-Garcia OCTOBER 2020 • VOLUME 15, ISSUE 10 PUBLISHER Steve Jameson EDITOR Joe Spear ASSOCIATE Diana Rojo-Garcia EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Bert Mattson Dan Greenwood Jean Lundquist Kat Baumann Leticia Gonzalez Nicole Helget Pete Steiner Katie Leibel

PHOTOGRAPHERS Pat Christman PAGE DESIGNER Christina Sankey ADVERTISING Danny Creel SALES Jordan Greer-Friesz Josh Zimmerman Marianne Carlson Theresa Haefner 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.

6 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

“For it is in giving that we receive”

I

t was bleak and rainy on that October school day.

But Mr. Baumgartner, my third grade teacher, announced to the class we’d have a special treat at midday.

Maybe a movie? Extra drawing time or recess?

Nah, even better. One of our classmate’s grandmas — who would frequent the school for various activities — was coming in to read.

I’m not sure why, but whenever she would come to our class over the years from kindergarten up until third grade before my family moved, it seemed like a warm presence. That gray October day almost seemed sunny in my memory.

This visit was even more special, as she dressed up as a witch to read us a seasonal book.

She even removed her dentures for her witch costume — I was almost convinced it was truly a different witch. She even brought this salty and sweet pastry she’d made — I don’t remember what it was but I remember the taste.

And I, unfortunately, don’t recall her name — I mean, this was 17 years ago — but I remember her distinctively on this day. More importantly, I remember her and how as a class we felt special.

Classroom Grandma was always one of our favorites.

Looking back now, Classroom Grandma is the essence of all volunteers. They give their time, their talent, themselves to make the community better. They make a bleak day, year or month seem brighter.

In this month’s issue, meet a few of the hundreds of volunteers in the Mankato area. These individuals have taken their time before and during the pandemic delivering food for the BackPack Program and Meals on Wheels, meeting with their Caring Connection

friends and serving up breakfast at Holy Grounds.

Though each one volunteers in their own way, they all came to the same conclusion: Volunteering is their passion because people are their passion.

Also in this issue: • Get involved, too! Check out the different organizations in the community to volunteer. There’s something for everyone from animal shelters to educating young and aspiring entrepreneurs. Best thing to do is to search for a need in your community. In Mankato and the surrounding areas, go to mankatounitedway.org/volunteer to begin looking.

• Kat Baumann’s comic this month features the great walking trails in the Mankato area, plus all the reasons to check them out!

(Hint: No bloodsuckers.)

• Head up to Shakopee this month to Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival! This year, they celebrate their 22nd year and are open through Nov. 1.

• Check out Dan Greenwood’s feature on Kato Burger Pit. The campus-area restaurant’s initial focus was on American comfort food — Juicy Lucys, milkshakes and all. But since May, the burger joint introduced an additional menu: Indian dishes.

Diana Rojo-Garcia is associate editor of Mankato Magazine.

Contact her at drojogarcia@ mankatofreepress.com

GREENER DAYS AHEAD Great golf happens on great courses. And courses don’t get better than the ones on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. With 11 locations, 26 courses and more than 400 championship holes, the toughest challenge may be deciding which one to play first.

Our golf courses and staff are ready to welcome you back to the legendary RTJ Golf Trail.

Summer and fall golf packages available. We are open and will be here waiting for you.

Visit rtjgolf.com.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 7

fall in love with our printing

THIS DAY IN HISTORY Compiled by Jean Lundquist

County panel nixes pipeline site plan Oct. 6, 1977 Dome Pipeline Company, a Canadian gas supplier, hired Mankato attorney Randall Berkland to represent its interests in building a propane distribution site south of Eagle Lake before the Blue Earth County Planning Commission.

When the proposal was turned down by a vote of 2- 1, Berkland told a Free Press reporter, “I guess the energy crunch hasn’t hit here yet. ... Out in Ohio, Dome proposed to build one of these plants and the county commissioners offered to build a road out to the site.” Neighbors of the site presented a petition opposing the plant citing traffic, noise and odor problems, plus the possibility of an explosion. The County Board would have the final say, and commissioners as a group wanted the facility in the county, saying it would generate between $25,000 and $30,000 a year in property taxes. They scheduled a public hearing on the matter.

Hunter numbers passing through ‘largest since the war’ Oct. 23, 1948 Every available police officer was on duty that Saturday morning, as bumper-to-bumper traffic clogged Mankato streets as hunters headed south and west to be ready for the noon opener of the pheasant season. The traffic jams started at 6 a.m. Construction on the Main Street Bridge between Mankato and North Mankato didn’t help matters. Police Desk Capt. Carl George estimated that “thousands of cars with red-capped hunters” flowed through the city. By 11 a.m. the traffic had thinned to the point that pedestrians could once again cross the streets.

Corporate Graphics

Treasure hunt Oct. 3, 1983 Piles of dirt were dumped by trucks in the Madison East Center parking lot, where several dozen treasure seekers were waiting, armed with various garden tools. Buried somewhere in those piles of dirt were 14 pill bottles, each containing a voucher for at least $142. One lucky hunter came up with the grand prize — a pill bottle worth $1,420. That lucky treasure hunter was Sue Loge, of Frost. It took 25 minutes for the prizes to be found. The “Big Dig” was a promotion sponsored by a local radio station.

Work starts on rodent campaign Oct. 14, 1935 Rats were taking over in the city of Mankato, and officials were tired of it.

They waged a war on the rodents starting at the city’s dumps. From there, the hunt spread to city buildings and alleys, river banks and then to residential areas. A Fort Dodge, Iowa, contractor was hired for the job, intending to rid the city of its estimated 140,000 rats. At the same time, Fire Chief Ben Bangerter announced an effort to enforce a new fire prevention ordinance. It was largely targeted at the storage of rubbish in the alleys in the downtown area. “A few businesses have been neglectful of their rubbish,” Bangerter said, “causing a severe fire hazard and a very untidy appearance.” Also, he noted, it provided a “nesting place for rats.”

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EACH OFFICE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

AVANT GUARDIANS

By Leticia Gonzales

Passion of Music F

Minnesota State University student switches paths from accounting to music

or Jessica Landsteiner, music has long been an intricate part of the 25-year-old trumpet player’s life.

“I have always loved music and was raised listening to great music from many genres,” said Landsteiner, of Mankato. “My grandparents love polka and the old country tunes from artists like Conway Twitty, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. My parents introduced me to classic rock with bands like AC/DC and Queen, and my aunt showed me how cool Prince was. I fell in love with traditional New Orleans jazz when I visited New Orleans for the first time while in high school. All of these artists are big inspirations for me.”

Landsteiner, who also works full time at The Music Mart, used her family’s musical influence to shape her training. Although she started off playing percussion

as a fifth grader in Mapleton, she decided to switch to trumpet in sixth grade, following in her brother’s footsteps. Having played through high school, Landsteiner studied trumpet through private lessons and also took music classes at Minnesota State University.

“Those consisted of theory, ensemble, private lessons, piano basics, music history, instrument repair, oral skills and music business classes,” she said. “I took most of these music classes while also taking classes for my accounting major. In my third year at MSU, I realized accounting wasn’t for me and that my true passion was in music.”

Her experience helped shape her music career, having performed in various ensembles and groups at MSU, as well as with the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps of St. Peter.

“The schooling and training that I have had is entirely the reason why I am the musician that I am today.

Without all of these learning and playing experiences, I would not have developed the skill or the love for playing music professionally. I have also made many crucial connections with fellow musicians that have resulted in new opportunities for me.”

She is a part of the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota River Valley Wind Ensemble, Schell’s Hobo Band, Machiko, The Bass Brand Brass Band, The Original New Ulm German Band and Mankato Area Community Band.

While most of her training is in wind band, Lansteiner also performs polka, jazz, contemporary, pep/marching music and classical genres.

“My favorite genre to play is a tie between traditional New Orleans jazz and polka. Both genres have great upbeat music as well as slower tunes.”

Her love for New Orleans helped earn a $1,000 grant from Prairie Lakes Regional Art Center in February to study traditional New Orleans jazz with mentor Catie Rogers.

“Catie is a professional trumpet player and band leader in New Orleans,” Lansteiner said. “I saw her perform at the Maison Bourbon when I was in New Orleans in 2018 and knew right then that I wanted to learn from a New Orleans musician themselves.”

She studied Catie Rogers via Skype lessons and was to perform a concert but had to cancel it due to the COVID19 pandemic.

“I am working on putting together a video or two composed of several videos of me and my fellow musicians playing some tunes,” she said. “I am very thankful to have been able to complete my lessons with Catie, as I learned a ton of new things from her.”

Jessica Landsteiner. Submitted photo MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 9

BEYOND THE MARGIN

By Joe Spear

Minneopa State Park bison mother watches over her recent baby. File photo

Silver linings and distancing from bad news T

he bison roaming at Minneopa State Park seem to be the only ones easily isolated from the coronavirus.

But they’re seeing a lot more visitors driving through the Minneopa preserve as people look to escape the isolation.

Imagine the bison backtalk. “What’s up with all the traffic this year? Gurummp! If those humans would just stick to their own species and business, we wouldn’t have all these zoonotic viruses. They wouldn’t be out 10 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

here gawking at us.”

What we do. Who we talk to. Where we go. All governed by the virus of 2020. Depressing.

But have no fear, the Mankato area Optimist Club is still meeting. And if they can still meet, journalists can find a silver lining under the cover of COVID-19. The Optimist Club of Minnesota Valley as recently as Aug. 10 invited people to their Zoom meeting.

And the club links to a story from Alive.com that poses the question on its Facebook page. Can

optimism be learned? (Hint: Definitely).

An essay sent to me by Darwin Anthony, of Trimont, got me thinking of all the cool, intriguing and historically significant places that dot the blue highways of the Mankato area map.

Anthony wrote about his 141-day COVID confinement on the farm in Trimont when he and his wife yearned to get out on the open road that took them to Mankato, where Darwin graduated from Minnesota State University in 1957.

The couple toured Minneopa, saw the bison, heard and felt the roar of the falls and thought about early settlers on a tour of Seppman Mill.

But there’s more than history. There are bike trails, lakes, rivers, ballfields, playgrounds and yes, amber waves of grain. There are places to walk, ride, sit and stare, and feel the wind and rain.

October’s climate and weather are the perfect backdrop for getting out from under COVID cover.

Autumn colors, cool nights and the sun’s angle illuminates the soybeans turning gold and the corn blowing crispy yellow against a slate blue sky.

Average Mankato temperatures in October range from lows of 46 to highs of 66 in the early part of the month and 34 to 51 degrees in the later part of the month. The chance of rain decreases in October from an average of 23 percent to 13 percent, according to weatherspark.com. And there are few mosquitoes.

In the spirit of the Optimist Club, I’ll direct and hopefully inspire you to do fun things and go fun places during this time of COVID, even as The Associated Press reports more people are depressed.

Many of these places you may know well, but don’t miss the chance if you’ve never gone. And if you have gone, go again. It will make you feel better.

Places to go: Minneopa State Park is recommended not only by readers but by many who go there. The waterfalls, the bison herd, the shady campground offer a week or weekend of respite.

A camper cabin with a screen porch looks cozy on the edge of the campground, where you can be lulled to sleep by the clickety-clack of the Union Pacific trains passing at the bottom of the bluff.

If you’ve got an extra couple of hours, it’s worth doing a round of golf at the Minneopa Golf Course, founded in 1929. The par 33, nine-hole course near the state park isn’t the easiest course you’ll play, as native rock croppings have been left in the fairways where your ball will sometimes benefit, sometimes not.

The course has some of the oldest and most majestic white oak trees in Mankato as well. There’s plenty of shade on the tee boxes and elsewhere. nnnn A close-up look at the new Silo mural on the Ardent Mills flour mill is also worth your time. Australian artist Guido van Stelten used a type of paint that will only fade over time but not flake off of the giant painting near the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The mural has not been named, but “Unity” might be a good fit as it depicts children of all races being led in a Native American dance. It was taken from photos of Mankato’s annual powwow.

Mankato’s silo mural is worth seeing up close. File photo nnnn For several years, Mankato has hosted the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour. Another local gem. A couple of dozen sculptures line an easy-to-walk tour through Mankato and North Mankato.

Many of the sculptures this year are by local artists. nnnn If you haven’t been to Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery, do it before the snow flies to enjoy an impressive outdoor setting.

Listed as the best winery in Minnesota by the Star Tribune, the winery recently remodeled and expanded its main building footprint to include a spirits room, and its outdoor patio is immense.

An equally impressive new event center hosts Wine Circle gatherings and bigger events and can hold up to 350 people. You can get into the Wine Circle by agreeing to buy two bottles of wine a month (not difficult for me!) and the Wine Circle offers free tastings anytime you’re there.

The grounds of the winery are just as impressive with picnic tables and lawn furniture scattered near the trail down to the rushing creek. Great for photos with people you know and love.

There’s an impressive 4-foot-wide fire pit made of Kasota stone and the winery offers s’mores in the evening around the fire. nnnn And if none of this works to cure you of the COVID blues, join the Optimist Club where they vowed in a recent Facebook post to “continue to imagine and strive to spread optimism in our region.”

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

Follow on Twitter @jfspear.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 11

Familiar Faces

MAN ON FIRE Before moving to Mankato, musician Jeremy Poland opened for Switchfoot

J Photos by Pat Christman

NAME:

Jeremy Poland OCCUPATION: Musician/sub slinger

HOMETOWN: Sylacauga, Alabama

GUILTY PLEASURE SONG? “I Have Nothing”

by Whitney Houston

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DISH?

Oh man. I’m always hungry so it’s hard to pick a favorite — burgers, wings and fries

12 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

eremy Poland — the man’s name is ubiquitous with excellent customer service, music and infectious positivity.

Poland moved to Mankato from Florida in 2012 — though originally from Alabama — and stuck around.

Many have come to see Poland at the Jersey Mike’s in Mankato. Not one customer can pass by him without a smile and “How ya’ doin’?” His passion lies in music, starting from an early age and discovering the love for his career through church.

Jeremy Poland averaged performing 170 stages last year with his band, The Jeremy Poland Band, and with premier band IV Play. The pandemic halted many of those shows, either causing them to be rescheduled or canceled.

But the musician kept on performing, even through virtual platforms. Because, after all, the show must go on.

MANKATO MAGAZINE: You joined Mankato’s premier band IV Play in 2013. What has that been like and what’s your favorite part about performing?

JEREMY POLAND: It’s been crazy, fun and knowledgeable.

My favorite part about performing... there’s just something about a beautiful summer night with lots of people singing back to you that I just can’t get enough of. Everyone’s looking for an escape for just a little while and music connects so many feelings and people — my escape becomes people’s escape and I’m so glad.

MM: Currently, you have two albums, “Timeless Soul” and “Southbound Heart.” Can you tell us a little bit more about each one?

JP: Definitely! “Southbound Heart” came out in 2015. A lot of my songs on this album are based on just living.

Things I’ve seen, things I’ve been through, love and breakups. “Southbound Heart” was a lot of songs that I had written living in Alabama, Florida and newly living in Minnesota. There are a couple of songs on the album my friend Lantz Dale wrote — “Antarctica” and “Falling From Grace” — that didn’t fit his style which I’m so glad he let me sing because they are wonderful songs. And a couple we wrote together.

Favorite song? Man, I don’t even know. I think my favorite part about all the songs are … I can listen

back (and) they take me to where I was when I wrote them. “Timeless Soul” is a completely different feel.

“Southbound” is a full band, driving album. “Timeless Soul is more of an acoustic feel album that Lantz and I wrote more together than we did for the first album. Some of the songs are about our family, one is about a car wreck I was in, and one is about how I was waiting for my girlfriend to get home on a Sunday afternoon so we could go hang out together.

But it’s so great how other people interpret the songs I’ve written.

MM: During the pandemic, shows have gone down significantly for The Jeremy Poland Band and IV Play. How did that affect you and your band members and what did you do during that time?

JP: Yeah it’s been a crazy year. It was nice to have some time off to go fishing, camping and what not, but for the band we took the time to learn new music and rehearse.

We didn’t know when things would open back up but we wanted to be ready when they did. Lantz and I also did a handful of virtual shows from different places to keep us playing and got us out of the house every once in a while too.

MM: What’s your favorite thing about performing?

JP: The energy you get from the crowd and the feeling you get when the night and the show is just right.

You can’t beat it.

MM: How and when did you initially start performing music?

JP: Well I grew up in Alabama, so it’s a strong Bible Belt. I started in church, actually. I started playing congas at the church we attended and gradually moved up to playing drums then leading worship with my voice and a guitar. After that I went solo and toured the southeast with some bands and just tried to play any and everywhere they would let me. When I moved to Minnesota, I played at some local bars and did all the open mics I could. Then I joined IV Play and it just exploded.

MM: In 2009 you won a radio contest and opened for Switchfoot.

How did you win and what was that experience like?

JP: You had to upload a YouTube video of an original song and the Top 5 with the most views got to go to Atlanta to play your song for the judges and whoever won opened that night. I didn’t even expect to win so when they called my name I was surprised. It was freaking awesome, though. My family was there so they were all crying and what not, and the feeling of hearing 20,000 people scream after you play a song you wrote and they enjoyed it — it was bananas and I could get used to it .

MM: What was the first instrument that you ever received?

JP: This is a great story. The first instrument I ever received was a ukulele. I was about 3 or 4 years old and when I got it, we were watching the “Wild Thing” music video, and at the end, all the band members smashed their guitars so right away I smashed my uke on the back of the kitchen table chairs. Sounds rock and roll, but I cried ‘till I got a new one.

MM: Over the years, you have volunteered your time and talents to perform at various charity shows.

Why is volunteering important to you?

JP: I just love being able to give back. I’m so lucky to be blessed with a talent to be able to share my gift whether I’m being paid or not.

This community has given so much to me. I’m lucky to be able to return the favor.

MM: If you could only show someone one of your songs, which song would you show them and why?

JP: Hmmm ... probably “Man on Fire.” It’s one of our most popular and it was the song I won that radio contest with.

MM: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

JP: If a door opens up, don’t be afraid to walk through it because your dreams could be on the other side and it’s not gonna come to you.

Go get it.

MM: If you had to pick just one musician to listen to for the rest of your life, who is it and why?

JP: Oh my goodness this is tough.

It is so hard to choose one person to listen to. I’d say maybe John Mayer because his music is so diverse.

Kinda get a few genres with one artist. Amazing guitar player and songwriter.

MM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

JP: I just wanna say thank you. To Mankato, to everyone who comes to shows and supports what we do.

It’s going on seven years of making a living playing music and I’m so grateful to everyone who continued to make this possible. You guys are the best. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Compiled by Diana Rojo-Garcia MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 13

DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS: ‘AGRITAINMENT’

By Katie Leibel

Sever’s Fall Festival released this year’s corn maze.

‘AGRITAINMENT’ Fall into autumn at Sever’s Fall Festival Photos courtesy Sever’s Fall Festival

A

pple orchards, hay rides, haunted houses.The possibilities are endless this autumn. Even COVID-19 can’t keep us from enjoying our fall season the way we hope to every year.

One tradition retained this year 14 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

is Sever’s Fall Festival in Shakopee.

This day trip will give you an opportunity to take in the beautiful fall colors on your way up for a day of fun.

The corn maze began in 1997 as an idea from an exchange student.

“We’ve been part of the U of MN

MAST program since the 1960s, and we had an English exchange student describing the labyrinth hedge mazes and the intricacies,” said organizer Nicola Peterson of Sever’s Fall Festival.

Sever and Sharon Peterson then decided that a maze of corn would

be a great idea. Their farm was established in the 1890s and has been growing corn for decades.

“It was a creative way to diversify while still crop farming,” Peterson said.

This maze was the first one created in the Midwest and the second in the country, the family said. Now there are hundreds of corn mazes across the U.S. “A unique characteristic of our corn maze is that it is still cut by hand. We create our maze design each year, plant the field and then cut it ourselves with hoes. We believe that this makes for the clearest design and the squarest corners,” Peterson said.

Their maze designs are different every year and generated at fun brainstorming sessions.

“We have a list of ongoing themes that we think would look cool but also be interesting as we put 26 fact signs throughout the maze design. We have also received great suggestions from our patrons over the years.”

Corn mazes have become such a big business that companies will now come out and cut it with GPS, but Sever’s prefers to stick with their original method.

The festival began as a maze but now — more than 20 years later — has become a huge event with various attractions outside of the giant maze.

“Guests can now spend the day on our jumping pillows, in the corn pits, seeing a magic show or pig race, riding the zip lines, running on the straw bale maze, trying the obstacle course, or blasting a pumpkin. In addition, we have a variety of food concessions, beer and wine, live music, Safari North exotic petting zoo, pony and camel rides, hay rides, a giant slide, face painting and wildlife shows,” Peterson said.

The list goes on as they add new attractions. And this year they are starting Sever’s Stories, Riddles and Rhymes — a play on storybook time — but with a drive-thru aspect to make it COVID-friendly.

(The farm follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.)

“Overall, our hope and plan is to create festival grounds that are based in agriculture — or as we say, ‘agritainment’ — and to expand into different events throughout the year,” Peterson said.

Sever’s Fall Festival takes place this year implementing social distancing and safety protocols due to COVID-19.

Children bounce on the jumping pillows at Sever’s Fall Festival 2019.

They also are adding a drivethru light show. “Last year, we established Sever’s Holiday Lights, a drive-thru model to festive music and lights; and this year we’re not only expanding the holiday portion of Sever’s Holiday Lights but also adding a fall light show that will be Halloween/fall themed.”

Peterson adds, “Due to transforming into a fall festival and the attractions added each year, we’ve noticed not only an increase in attendance, but also that many of our guests make it part of their fall tradition! We’re grateful that people that came as children are now coming with their own children.”

The festival opens Sept.11 and

goes through Nov. 1. They’re open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as MEA, which is Oct.15-16.

Organizers expressed their appreciation that this festival takes place outside and they are able to open this year despite the pandemic.

“We’ve always been an event that gets people outdoors and back to the agricultural roots so many Minnesotans share; but this season, we’re also glad to be a distraction, if only for a day.”

For more information on tickets, pricing, hours and more, visit https://www.seversfallfestival. com/.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 15

Native dancers dressed in regalia, including Ariella Leith (second from left) from the Lower Sioux tribe, dance in Schellberg gymnasium during the grand entry at the inaugural powwow held at Minnesota State on April 18, 2019. The powwow, or wacipi in Dakota, was organized by students in an Indigenous leadership class.

Preserving culture Indigenous People’s Day committee and community members preserve Native culture, history

By Diana Rojo-Garcia | File Photos

M

egan Schnitcker’s childhood summers were spent in South Dakota at her grandparents’ house with her cousins. Her first exposure to traditional plant medicine was from her uncle Neil. Playing outside with her cousins, her uncle would frequently show them the purpose of different plants, like using one to treat bug bites or nibbling on lamb bells, which would taste like lemons (and is also called wood sorrel).

16 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

The mother of six, owner of Lakota Made, and Native American history/culture educator said this was her first exposure to traditional medicine.

“We always ate those for snacks,” she said.

Schnitcker expanded her knowledge of plant medicines from her great-grandmother whom she first met when she was 8 years old.

“It was a hot summer day and her house didn’t have air conditioning, and she was sitting on her

Panelist Steve Tamayo speaks about the role of Indigenous People’s Day at MSU last year. He was joined by Megan Schnitker (left), of Mankato, Vanessa Goodthunder, of the Lower Sioux Community, and Elizabeth Skye, of Vermillion, South Dakota. bed,” she recalled. Her great-grandmother kept asking her for her medicine, though Schnitcker said a huge language barrier existed because English was not her great-grandmother’s first language and Lakota wasn’t Schnitker’s first language.

“I was trying to understand her, and we made through her broken English enough for me to understand what she was saying.”

Her chest hurt, Schnitcker recalled her saying. And she needed her medicine and she wanted her to go find it and asked if it was in the bathroom.

“She showed me and dug around in her box that was next to her bed and showed me this plant,” she said. Her great-grandmother took her outside to find the same one and brought it back.

“That was my first teaching,” she said. “That one has a special place in my heart.”

For years, before her great-grandmother died when Schnitker was 16, she would teach her a little bit more and tell her stories. “After she passed away, I kind of lost my teacher.”

But Schnitcker later dove back into her culture. “I realized that the plant medicine part of our culture wasn’t there when I listened to our elders tell stories about our culture.”

She began research to find stories and history about this part of Lakota culture. “I had to do a lot of research on my own, asking every elder I could and gathering all of those stories and trying to teach it,” she said. “Because it’s not being taught and we’re losing elders every day, we’re losing huge stories, and it’s really important to me that we preserve them.”

She strives to do that daily starting at home.

T

his year’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration is to be online. It is open to the public to further the education and conversation about Native culture and history. This year’s panel is Oct. 12 and features Steve Tamayo of Bluebird Cultural Initiative, Robert Blake of Native Sun Solar and Chance Renville and Kimberly Pelkofsky of Thunder Valley. Other events, starting Oct. 1 and all online, include Indigenous People’s Day Community Read and IPD Film Watch Party.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 17

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Schnitker’s heart broke when her daughter, a kindergartener at the time, came home crying after the day’s Thanksgiving lesson.

She was upset, Schnitker said, because her friends didn’t believe that Lakota people were real.

“The way they teach about Indigenous people is that we’re past tense, we don’t exist anymore,” Schnitker said.

This encounter prompted Schnitker to create Mahkato Revitalization Project, which “strives to provide space programming that promotes and practices well-being through ingenious arts, culture and education.”

“I teach Lakota, Dakota history and culture, I teach traditional plant medicine, and I am a huge advocate for Indgenious people and Indigenous history in the area,” Schnitker said.

She has done educational programs in the area for about 15 years, including at the Mankato Powwow, and is currently involved in a variety of projects such as serving on the board for Twin Rivers Art Council and YWCA, as vice chair of the Mankato Powwow, chair of the Indigenous People’s Day committee, vice chair of the River Valley Makers and also running her for-profit business, Lakota Made.

She believes education in Indgenious people’s history and culture is vital.

“We have lost a lot of our languages, but we have preserved it. So by me teaching anyone and everyone, I am preserving our history and our culture.”

She also educates because the way current history is written, she said, is in “the eyes of the victors.”

The narrative doesn’t tell a full story and is one-sided. She adds that most education only adds snippets or small paragraphs about Indigenous peoples.

“Indigenous history is American history, and so all of it needs to be taught.”

At home, she makes sure her children get all the history of the culture. “We’re doing our best to save our culture through education.”

And it continues through the area. Two years ago, the city of Mankato agreed to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, a victory in the

community, Schnitcker said.

“To have the community accept the change was a big deal.”

Changing that annual observance in Mankato was yet another step in the community of reconciliation, said Megan Heutmaker, director of Native American Indian Affairs at Minnesota State University and vice chair of Indigenous People’s Day committee.

“For me, it really showed the recommitment to show and honor Native people,” she said. It’s an effort that has been ongoing for more than 40 years, beginning with the first Mankato powwow that took place at YMCA in 1965.

The powwow has been an annual event since 1972, although this year was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic..

The official change to Indigenous People’s Day also deepened the educational opportunity, said Chelsea Mead, MSU’s associate professor of anthropology and American Indigenous studies. The name change not only allows the door to open for more education in Mankato, but everywhere.

“That was one of the things we were really excited about,” she said. The ultimate vote also meant a great deal to the students who were in part of the effort to change the name.

“It wasn’t a unanimous vote and support — our students noticed that,” Mead said. “The vote ultimately did pass and that gives our students and community hope. ... More people are becoming aware how to be inclusive.”

Native American culture isn’t just important through the observance in October or during the celebrations of powwows. “It’s important all the time,” Mead said.

Furthering that education and providing that path to conversation increases the visibility of indigenous history and colonization and gets people more involved, so the effort grows to preserve the culture.

But it needs to begin earlier.

“The more we do it now, the less work we will have to do later,” Heutmaker said. “Talking to these students, young students, we want to change the narrative.”

By the time students go to college, they should have a basic level of understanding of Native

Megan Schnitker breaks open a stem of a jewel weed plant, which is a natural antidote to poison ivy, in her garden outside of her house. Schnitker, who makes salves, soaps, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, medicinal teas and lotion bars, said everything she makes come from her garden or the Mankato area. history and it will be a natural progression to keep learning, the educators say.

Mead, who has taught about indigenous culture and history in the area from kindergarten to high school ages for the last couple of decades, has had children ask her if Native people still live in teepees. Even in her university-level classes, Mead’s students are shocked at how sanitized the history was as they were growing up.

“The image that they get so early is a very stereotypical image,” Mead said.

Heutmaker adds that for many the image of Native people is “just as historical figures.” “And that’s just not true,” Heutmaker said.

Throughout the years, there have been events that bring light and attention to Native people in the U.S., such as the pipeline protest and the name change of the Washington NFL team.

“That personally gives us energy to keep pushing and do what we’re doing. Bit by bit makes changes,” Heutmaker said.

MM MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 19

REFLECTIONS

By Pat Christman

T

he change of seasons marches on in Minnesota whether or not there is a pandemic. One of the few certainties in an uncertain 2020 is that summer will transition to fall.

The leaves will turn from green to reds, oranges and yellows whether COVID-19 is around or not.

Fall may be one of the few live shows we can safely go to during the pandemic. There’s plenty of space for social distancing, there’s virtually no chance of a cancellations and Minnesota trees always put on a good show. MM

20 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 21

Mary Mertesdorf and her Caring Connection friend, Paula, delivers food for Meals on Wheels to Vi in North Mankato.

Community Heroes

Needs are ever growing in a community, especially in a pandemic; volunteers help fill those needs Diana Rojo-Garcia | Photos by John Cross, Pat Christman and Casey Ek

T

hey’re the people who take their time and talents to make a community better: volunteers.

Mankato has hundreds of volunteers and organizations that need to continue lifting spirits and communities up. Drivers, stockers and donors of produce at ECHO Food Shelf. Dog walkers, foster families and cleaners at BENCHS. Packers and deliverers at Feeding Our Community Partners.

The list goes on and on (check out getconnected. mankatounitedway.org for more volunteer opportunities). Volunteers help keep the mission of organizations alive and continue to make a difference in the community.

Here are just a few of the thousands of extraordinary community members who have gone above and beyond to do just that.

22 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

‘It’s just a piece of who I am’

It started off simple enough — babysitting for her friend’s kids when they couldn’t find a sitter, coaching the Peppers, taking time at church and helping out at vacation Bible school.

But Sara Stow, of North Mankato, hadn’t really ever thought of it as volunteering.

“I just love to help people,” she said. It’s been a piece of her life as long as she can remember beginning by watching her parents help out at the local church as much as possible. Watching them, she dedicated a lot of her time in church and other parts of the community.

“I just like to be that person that builds them up as much as I can,” she said. “I think that’s why I became a teacher — help kids be the best they can be, whatever that looks like.”

Stow, a global studies teacher for 17 years at Dakota Meadows, has helped further the success of students

through her dedication at Feeding Our Community Partners’ BackPack Food Program.

The program has helped hundreds of children in the community by ensuring they have food during the weekends. Bags of nutritious food are given to teachers who can then discretely place them into the students’ backpacks on Fridays. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program then delivered boxes of food to the children’s homes monthly, something Stow took part in.

She became passionate about the program after having spent an evening with the teachers association and volunteering after school three years ago.

“The people that work there are super passionate,” Stow said.

And they know that for kids to succeed in school, they have to be fed. At the frontlines, Stow has personally seen the difference in kids’ performance. If kids are hungry, Stow said, they can’t focus on learning.

In addition, she believes the program gives them a sense of being cared for.

“I think giving kids any tool to be successful is great,” she said. “And this is a big one.”

Stow takes up any and all opportunities to help at the facility. Most recently she helped pack boxes for the latest Beer, Brats and Bourbon. Throughout the year, she can be seen at packing sessions. One year, she celebrated her birthday by hosting a packing session.

Instead of gifts, Stow said, she asked her friends and party-goers to donate to the program. She was hopeful they could see the impact and importance of the program and maybe, she said, develop a passion for it, too.

Spreading that passion is also what she does with her kids every year while she coordinates a team for Climb 2 Feed Kids stair-climbing fundraising event. “(Students) are able to participate in something fun and also doing community service,” she said. “I think one of the biggest pieces for me is to watch other people learn how easy it is to give and how fun it is to give.”

One of her students even continued volunteering at Climb 2 Feed Kids throughout high school and made her own team. “That was really cool,” she said.

Stow has continued to volunteer at BackPack through the pandemic. “I am healthy, and I was able to.

It’s just that important.”

Kids are still hungry and they’re at home, Stow said.“I think it was my way to feel a part of their life.”

Volunteering — or just helping others — is Stow’s essence.

“It’s just a piece of who I am. I just know that I have the time and the means to help,” she said. “I think my faith is a big part of why I volunteer. We’re supposed to love one another, and this is a really easy way to love one another.”

Community involvement

Barb Goelz, of North Mankato, had worked at Midwest Electric Products for 33 years. And for many of those years, Goelz had read The Free Press, especially one of the sections that lists volunteer opportunities.

“I saw that, and thought, if I ever retire, I want to do something like that,” Goelz said. “And then, in one of those columns, the hospital jumped out at me.”

In 2008, Goelz retired and soon after began

Sara Stow (far right) with a few friends during Beer, Brats, Bourbon. Stow often volunteers at BBB along with packaging at the BackPack Food Program. Submitted photo

Barbara Goelz has volunteered at the BackPack Program delivering foods to schools. During the pandemic, she has delivered food to students’ homes. volunteering at the hospital. “I’ve been doing that ever since.”

With COVID, the hospital hasn’t called on their volunteers to ensure the safety of everyone. Every Tuesday afternoon since 2009, Goelz could be found escorting patients or running errands for those at the hospital. The volunteering opportunity, she said, was a way to keep her busy.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 23

“It was something that made me get up and leave the house,” she said. “Instead of just sitting there and doing nothing.”

Since the pandemic, she’s missed her Tuesday afternoons at the hospital.

“I miss going in there and seeing the familiar faces or escorting the new family out of the hospital and seeing the new babies,” she said.

However, Goelz has remained busy at the BackPack Program where she has volunteered for seven years. She has done weekly distributions at three different schools — most recently at Roosevelt. Every Thursday, Goelz would go to the schools to bring the packages to teachers. Her weekly visits, seeing the kids’ reactions, is one of Goelz’s favorite moments.

“You get into the school and realize you’re seeing all these kids excited when you walk by,” she said.

Even during winter, and the ongoing pandemic, she has continued to do deliveries for students once a month.

“I’ve been enjoying that, just driving around and roping off the

Siding

Windows

boxes. Then ringing the doorbell and seeing kids come to the door.”

The time commitments aren’t much, Goelz said. Maybe an hour in the afternoon at the hospital or a couple of hours a week at BackPack — those hours, and smiles, add up.

And for Goelz, having worked at a factory for more than 30 years, she didn’t always feel appreciated.

Walking through the hospital, there’d be families or nurses and doctors that would thank her.

“I felt needed and I felt appreciated,” she said. “People were thanking me for doing something that I was enjoying.”

Volunteering at BackPack, she said, everyone is appreciative of all of the volunteers’ work.

Giving her time has another perk, Goelz said: finding herself to be a little more outgoing than she originally thought.

“My whole adult life in work, I was always the behind-the-scenes person,” she said. But now? She directs traffic, helps do training or just talks to other volunteers. “I always thought I was more of a shy person and all of a sudden, I’m realizing, ‘Oh, I don’t think I am that.’”

Volunteering is a big part of who Goelz is and, of course, it’s important because there’s always a need in the community.

“I don’t do it because I’m going to get paid or anything,” she said.

“It’s that part of me that I needed — I needed to go out in the community and do things like that.”

She suggests that anyone interested in volunteering to just do it.

“Don’t be afraid to try it because sometimes it’s not a very big commitment to do something.”

Mary Mertesdorf grabs food to be delivered for Meals on Wheels.

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Busy bee

Mary Mertesdorf is a natural caregiver — she was a teacher at Headstart for years and later in life a caregiver for her husband who died in December 2016.

It was around this time that Mertesdorf began to visit the VINE Adult Community Center. Initially, it was to go to the fitness center.

“I just found out there were so many things,” she said. One of the first things she decided to do was join VINE’s choir — Divine Singers.

“I have always enjoyed singing, especially in choir.”

The choir would practice every Monday and would then perform at different nursing homes in the area.

“I really enjoyed going out to the people that we went to see, just to enjoy their happiness,” she said.

“We all miss it a great deal.”

Throughout COVID-19, the choir hasn’t been practicing or heading to nursing homes; however, Mertesdorf has continued to meet with her VINE Caring Connections friend, Paula. The program sets up volunteers with an elder in the community to meet up at least once a month for one-on-one visits.

Mertesdorf had been in a grief support group, led by Sister Joyce Kolbet. She asked Mertesdorf if she’d be interested in joining the Caring Connections. Now, a couple of years later, Mertesdorf and Paula have become good friends. They get lunch together, they’ve thrift shopped together, gone to the bookstore or just sit together for a chat and a cup of coffee. And before the pandemic, they’d do chair yoga together.

“We check on each other to see how we’re doing,” Mertesdorf said.

She and Paula had even gone together to deliver meals for Meals on Wheels, another program Mertesdorf volunteers at. She actually began volunteering for the meal-delivery program when she decided to ride along with her friend just for the company.

“I said, ‘You know, I think I enjoy doing this,’” she said. And now she does, every other Friday. She’s enjoyed meeting (at a distance during the pandemic) those she delivers to.

“They’ll be sitting right there waiting for us to come by, and they enjoy having somebody come and ask how their day is going,” Mertesdorf said.

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Left: Kevin Bigbee, a volunteer cook for the Holy Grounds program prepares to put a breakfast pizza in the oven. Middle” Holy Grounds volunteers Brad Noy and Audrey Gatchell package breakfast meals to be distributed to clients of the program. Right: Holy Grounds volunteers Nora Henry (left) and Julie Linn prepare servings of breakfast for distribution at the Centenary United Methodist Church.

However, it’s not just a meal drop-off — though, of course, that’s part of it.

“It’s also a safety check for them,” she said. For example, if someone doesn’t answer their phone or the door, they can call on somebody to go and check on them.

Mertesdorf, while starting at Meals on Wheels, also found another program she wanted to support, a literacy class for elders whose first language is not English.

Having a background in teaching, Mertesdorf took that up, too.

During the pandemic, the classes have stopped for now. However, she remembers her students from all over the world — France, Germany, Somalia, Latin America.

Eventually, the students became friends despite the language barrier.

“There is a Hispanic lady and a Somali lady, and they were trying to teach other their languages,” she said. Other students would come in before classes to have coffee together. “That would make my morning,” she said.

Mertesdorf said the most challenging aspect of volunteering for her is trying to not overextend herself. She honestly just wants to do as much as she can because everything — especially at VINE — is interesting.

“When I first started this, my mother was still living, and she said, ‘You know, you’ve got to be very busy,’” Mertsedorf said. And all she could think of when her mother said that was “that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

Mertsedorf’s mom volunteered at Meals on Wheels and helped at MRCI, where she was the treasurer on the board just a few years 26 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

before she died. She was 91.

“I remember my mother volunteering like this. I think I grew up watching her volunteer,” she said. “It’s just giving to other people, getting outside of yourself and doing for others is so important.”

Community builders

It’s a hustle and bustle atmosphere every morning at Holy Grounds as they open up its doors.

The smell of coffee wafting through the air, chattering among breakfast-goers and volunteers, dishes clinking — a community.

The ministry’s origins are simple: a gathering to get to know Centenary Methodist Church’s immediate neighbors, the website said. Since then, the ministry has grown over the years to serve full breakfast six to seven days.

Though Holy Grounds had to close throughout the pandemic, it’s back with safety protocols in place to keep breakfast-goers and volunteers safe. Food is packaged in the kitchen as other volunteers run out the food and drinks.

Currently Holy Grounds serves breakfast from 9-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays and thrives with its dedicated volunteers.

Kevin Bigbee, head chef at Holy Grounds, comes in every day they’re open to cook. He’s been volunteering for three years. Over the years, Bigbee said, he’d feel the liveliness when breakfast-goers would be inside the church for breakfast.

“When we were inside here you get to talk to people more,” he said.

But now everyone’s outside, though the community still builds.

And all the jobs — putting food

on the tray, moving it back and forth from the kitchen or setting up beverages — are isolated as all volunteers wear their masks.

“It’s very simple,” said Mary Beth Nygaard, another longtime volunteer. “It’s different now because people can’t come in here — and it’s not a community together — but it’s absolutely worth it.”

It comes down to the bottom line: human rights. “Everyone has to be able to eat,” Nygaard said.

It’s an adjustment for everyone, Audrey Gatchell said. She usually washes the dishes and began volunteering after hearing her pastor talk about the program.

“I’ve been coming ever since,

basically one day a week or more,” she said. “People are nice. I like the people. It was hard when we weren’t coming in for a while.”

Mankato East High School senior Julie Lin began volunteering at Holy Grounds in July. She’s there every morning Holy Grounds is open to package food. Volunteering is something she had begun a passion for in seventh grade. Lin also volunteers at the ECHO Food Shelf, the Children’s Museum (the museum closed due to COVID-19) and Meals on Wheels.

Holy Grounds had been one of the organizations that opened up again and Lin decided to try it out.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to find another place that I can build with the community,” she said. Volunteering in general is important, Lin said, but especially those around her age.

“You get a different perspective in the community,” she said. “I think it’s good to think about how the world doesn’t revolve around one thing.”

Nora Henry does a little bit of everything at Holy Grounds in the last year and a half. Henry said that

Holy Grounds is a place where the community builds. She had to take a small break amid pandemic, but since Holy Grounds had set a routine, she has been a regular ever since.

“Initially I was doing this because I know I have been blessed — I’ve been privileged in my life,” she said. “And you know, it’s a good thing to give back to people that had never had as much as I did, but the truth is, I get as much out of this as anybody else.”

Her personal philosophy, she said, is that as humans we’re all here to try to make life better for one another much like volunteering at Holy Grounds. And during the pandemic, it has been even more important.

“For those who can (volunteer), it is our duty to step up and make sure that our vulnerable population is looked after,” she said. In a time when it’s scary and unknown, the tendency might be to withdraw into your own and I think we have to be very careful not to do that — not let the fear overcome us.” MM

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 27

Benji is one of the many animals that need help at BENCHS. Submitted photo

Get involved!

Check out these nonprofits that need help (and many others at unitedway.org/volunteer) By: Katie Leibel

L

ately it seems like all we get is bad news — the pandemic, the economy, politics. It’s tough not to feel hopeless at times, but at least there is still something we can do.

Though we may not all have extra money, many of us have the time and ability to help our community and make a positive difference.

Use your time and talents — it can help the community you’re passionate about. Here’s a sampling of places that could use your help.

Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society

This animal shelter has not only helped many animals find homes but also provides an opportunity for volunteers to care for the animals before adoption.

“BENCHS is here to take in animals who have been found within the community and from people who are looking for a safe place for their animal when things change in their lives. We take in stray animals from the community and surrendered animals as well,” said Andrew Burk, executive director of BENCHS. They work to take in as many cats and dogs as possible. The first two weeks of August, they took in 65 animals alone.

This means they could use volunteers to help.

Right now BENCHS is limiting the number of volunteers in the shelter and they are required to wear a mask and wash/sanitize their hands regularly. In addition, volunteers are asked to maintain a 6-foot distance between one another.

28 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

“We want everyone to stay safe and also provide a safe environment to volunteer in,” Burk said.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of BENCHS, he said.

“We have them help with our laundry, sorting donations, cleaning cat condos, walking dogs, cleaning dog kennels, socializing with our cats and dogs, dishes, cleaning windows, mopping etc. There is so much they do that is vital to our success, and I cannot thank them enough for what they do.” .

More information on other areas to help can be found on www.benchs.org under the volunteer tab.

“Volunteering, if it is for BENCHS or somewhere else, can help that organization in more ways than you think. Being able to give back one hour of time lets the staff have more time with our cats and dogs. We learn more about them each day they are here and that information can help us find them the perfect home.”

Holy Grounds

Centenary United Methodist Church’s Holy Grounds is a way for those in need to stop by for food and find a sense of community in downtown Mankato.

“It started as a way to get to know our neighbors and to offer people experiencing homelessness a safe respite and some warm food and coffee during winter mornings,” said Rev. Michelle Hargrave, a senior pastor at the church at Cherry and Second streets.

“It has become a resource for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, a place to get good food most mornings and has developed into a community that looks out for one another.”

Holy Grounds offers a welcoming environment for people who need community, a solid breakfast and resources.

“It is a place where people know your name — I find that is a powerful part of this ministry. I also have noticed that folks who have just arrived in town, have been evicted, or just out of jail often come to Holy Grounds first.

We can give them a fresh change of clothes and a jacket, numbers to call for help. Stabilizing people in these critical transition moments is good for the community,” Hargrave said.

Volunteers cook and serve the meal, wash dishes and visit with the community.

They are operating a bit differently now with the pandemic as volunteers must practice social distancing. They also serve a to-go breakfast from the door.

If interested in getting involved with Holy Grounds or if a group would like to sponsor a meal or cook a lunch, contact Rev. Erica Koser at 507-225-6370, via erica@ mankatocentenary.org, or through the Holy Grounds Facebook page..

Prospective volunteers can find more information at mankatocentenary.org.

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest is looking for volunteers throughout Greater Mankato for the 2020-21 school year to help implement JA financial literacy programs for local K-12 students.

This group serves students in Mankato, North Mankato, Eagle Lake, St. Clair, St. Peter, Maple River, Lake Crystal and Cleveland.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about college and career readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential programs. And you can help out kids of all ages.

The elementary school program consists of five lessons running 30-45 minutes each. These lessons can be delivered weekly. The middle and high school programs run six to 12 weeks, depending on the curriculum.

“Our mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. We raise funds each year to bring JA curriculum to our local schools,” said District Manager Katie Mons.

Erica Koser, director of the Holy Grounds program and associate pastor at Centenary United Methodist Church embraces a client. Photo by John Cross Volunteers work with teachers on the best times during the year to do JA. “As we gear up for the ‘20-’21 school year, we will have many options for educators to utilize.

During this difficult economic time, JA is more important than ever to educate our students on financial planning and money management,” Mons said.

The 2019-2020 school year program impacted over 8,300 Greater Mankato students in 28 schools. JA quickly pivoted during the pandemic to make virtual curriculum available to teachers, students and parents for free, which may be vital this year given how uncertain the future is with schools.

“We will be looking for volunteers to help implement JA programs virtually or through video messages. Together, we will prosper and continue to impact our youth with financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship,” Mons said.

Community members interested in volunteering do not need any experience as they will go through training. Those interested can contact Katie at katie@jaum.org.

VINE Faith in Action

Mankato has been referred to as one of the best places to retire in Minnesota, and for good reason.

With amazing resources such as VINE Faith in Action to help aging adults remain independent and in their own homes, this nonprofit benefits the whole community.

“Our mission is as follows: VINE Faith in Action promotes quality of life and a culture of caring, sustained by volunteerism, community engagement, and support for neighbors in need,” said Adam Massman, assistant to the director at VINE Faith in Action.

With all of the services that VINE offers and its huge mission, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers.

“Volunteers provide transportation, deliver meals on wheels, serve as friendly visitors, provide chore services, assist in our adult day respite center, answer phones, assist in the fitness center and pool, teach classes, help at the VINE Thrift Store and more,” Massman said.

Each year VINE serves more than 3,000 people through numerous programs.

Prospective volunteers attend an hourlong orientation and must pass a background check before allowed to volunteer. For one-time events, such as big Rake the Town, an orientation is not required.

“VINE’s story is being written by each and every person who believes in the importance of neighbors helping neighbors. Our mission is fulfilled by each community member who has benefited from VINE’s services and each volunteer who has graciously provided help to others,” Massman said.

Programs especially needing volunteers right now include transportation, the friendly visitor MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 29

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Individuals interested in finding out more about VINE can call 507387-1666 or visit its website at vinevolunteers.com.

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30 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Greater Mankato Area United Way’s mission is to unite the community to secure and invest resources to improve people’s lives.

“We support 56 essential programs within 36 agencies to keep the region strong and balanced through basic needs, health and education,” said Barb Kaus, CEO of Greater Mankato Area United Way. “Our programs serve more than 51,000 people annually in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet and Waseca counties. All programs that apply for funding are reviewed and vetted annually

by more than 80 community volunteers.”

They also bring people and organizations together to meet community needs, which they refer to as “convening the community.”

“Some of our recent convenings have addressed emergency housing, social isolation in older adults, youth development and literacy. A few examples of initiatives developed from Greater Mankato Area United Way’s convening include the Connecting Kids program, Mankato Youth Place and Success by Six,” Kaus said.

United Way has more than 1,000 volunteers annually who contribute over 9,000 hours of service and are involved in every aspect. They serve on the community impact teams that review and vet agencies receiving funding each year, serve as board members, event

committee members, corporate callers, rally speakers and much more. Volunteers also take part in initiatives such as the annual Week of Action service projects.

“With the support of volunteers, givers, sponsors and in-kind donors, Greater Mankato Area United Way is able to accomplish big things. Five years ago, we reinvented our organization with a renewed focus on creating community engagement and fundraising opportunities to ensure the sustainability of our programs.

Over the past five years, our annual campaigns have raised more than $10 million to improve lives in our four-county area,” Kaus said.

Those interested can find more information at GetConnected.

MankatoUnitedWay.org or on their Facebook @GMAUW. “This year’s campaign will be the most important yet,” Kaus said.

“With the escalating needs, we encourage everyone to come together to ensure these essential nonprofit programs can carry out their work to keep our region strong and balanced through basic needs, health and education.” MM

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 31

Food & Beer

LET'S EAT!

By Dan Greenwood

southern mn style An employee at Kato Burger Pit scoops up fresh fries to a burger basket. Kato Burger Pit has expanded its menu to offer Indian curries.

Burgers and Curry Kato Burger Pit offers American classic comfort foods, along with traditional Indian curries

By Dan Greenwood | Photos by Pat Christman

P

retpal Mand had plenty of experience working at his family’s restaurant, India Palace in Mankato, so it wasn’t a stretch when he and his business partner decided to add several Indian dishes to the menu in May at their new restaurant, Kato Burger Pit, which initially opened with a focus on American comfort food.

“We thought we’d try out some burgers,” said Mand, who opened the business with his older brother earlier this year. “It seemed like a good idea since there was a 32 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

drive-thru. Later, we thought, why not bring in some Indian and other international food items in because we have lots of ethnicities at MSU with all those international students.”

The Kato Burger Pit, in the former Massad’s location near Minnesota State University, is known for its burgers too, like the Juicy Lucy, suggested by a friend.

It’s a beef patty stuffed with melted cheese made popular at a couple of establishments in Minneapolis, including Matt’s Bar on the city’s

south side.

“We also have a mushroom and swiss burger,” Mand said.

“Our rodeo pit burger has onions, pickles, barbecue sauce, bacon, cheese and lettuce, and we have a Texas toast burger and a spicy jalapeno burger.”

Mand’s personal favorites are the vegan options on the menu, like the marsala burger – a vegan patty with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles – and a vegan kabob that is accompanied with onions, jalapenos and ginger ground with

other Indian spices and cooked in a large clay oven.

While Indian cuisine is often associated with extreme heat and spice, Mand said Kato Burger Pit’s dishes, such as biriyani, curries and chicken tikka masala, are mild — although they are happy to spice it up on request.

The chicken tikka masala has a tomato cream-based sauce, Mand said. “We cook it and cool it, then we mix it in with cream and then we add onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and then we add spices.

Everything is made from scratch.”

The chicken biriyani is marinated in yogurt and spices, and the chicken curry is complemented with a homemade gravy cooked with onions, bell peppers and rice.

Mand said the curries can vary wildly based on different recipes found throughout India, a country of well over a billion people with 22 official languages.

“Curries can be very different between northern and southern (India),” Mand said. “Some people make it different than others, but most people add ginger and garlic, grind that up and cook it with onion.”

The Indian dishes at Kato Burger Pit are often accompanied with naan, an Indian flat bread used to

An employee preps a burger for a customer. Kato Burger Pit offers burgers, fries, milkshakes and Indian dishes. scoop up the sauces and meat. It’s prepared from scratch using the Kato Burger Pit’s tandoori oven.

“It’s a big clay oven,” Mand said.

“It’s open from the top and is a big bowl pretty much.”

Mand said the Indian dishes have been a hit since the Kato Burger Pit began offering them, and he encourages customers to give those dishes a taste if they haven’t tried them. He said one recent customer wasn’t so sure about ordering one of the Indian dishes but decided to go for it, and he wasn’t disappointed.

“He said, ‘I’ll be back,’” Mand said.

Kato Burger Pit’s rodeo pit burger: The burger is topped with onions, pickles, barbecue, bacon, cheese and lettuce.

What:

Kato Burger Pit

Where:

1633 Monks Ave., No. 150, Mankato

What they’re known for:

A variety of hamburgers and Indian dishes, such as curry, marsala, kebabs, biryani and naan, an Indian flatbread

Hours

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 33

COMMUNITY DRAWS

By Kat Baumann

34 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

BEER

By Bert Mattson

Socially distant dabbling A

ristotle said man is by nature a social animal.

For perspective, consider the creativity social drinkers show in their commitment. Years back, a trend surfaced in our neighborhood in various guises, one being the Booze Fairy. The gist was that a gift basket arrived anonymously at your doorstep, and you were obliged to pay it forward. The specifics are hazy, except for a polite turnaround time.

Aristotle goes on to opine about “unsocial” people in a way that could be construed as unflattering. It’s possible that besides being “beneath our notice,” these sorts are busy marveling at the playful ways extroverts amuse themselves. At any rate, I enjoyed how Booze Fairying prompted participants to acquire old-timey manners of awareness of friends’ and neighbors’ preferences in drink. Further, it encouraged these ambushers to know their audience and practice stoop security. Contrary to first impressions, it wasn’t completely frivolous — point extroverts.

Still, I had a false idea of the depth of social drinkers’ creativity until the advent of COVID-19. Happy hour has little attraction for me. That’s probably evidence that I’m one of Aristotle’s invisible duds. I certainly didn’t miss happy hour during quarantine. I did, however, sit in awe of the small talkster invention of Quarantini Time — videoconference software as happy hour life support. It struck me as, alternately, a sort of boozy “Brady Bunch” montage, tipsy “Muppet Show” outro, or, at its most masterful, how I imagined “Hollywood Squares” at commercial break. Occasionally, an unwitting cameo — making a sandwich or something in frame over my wife’s

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shoulder — would earn me video jibes or catcalls.

Aristotle had no idea.

In the digital shade, I reconsidered the bottle share — a sort of friendship scale beer fest.

In my thoughts, these trends converged and contrasted with the increasing (socially distant) use of online ordering to secure lockdown re-supply.

The third party services that in some cities allow for ordering a meal and liquor drop in concert, seem to lag in our region (with the exception of loosened rules regarding restaurant off-sale). Further, Minnesota law does not allow shipping of beer from outside her borders. Limiting shipping to within borders, combined with the high cost of shipping, renders monthly beer clubs a somewhat unattractive option.

Shipping may be palatable if a big box in another city stocks something appealing yet locally unavailable.

Third-party delivery services do exist, but building a basket is awkward and, as with restaurants, stores are better served by using their delivery service, if that is offered.

As I explored the potential for getting a beer gift basket delivered in another city by Haskell’s, for a $20 surcharge for anything under $100, it occurred to me that Rush Smokes & Liquor allows customers to build a six-pack, also sells select stogies, and delivers to one’s door for a paltry five bucks.

The simplest pairing approach is to match beer darkness to that of the cigar wrap. October, maduro, and porter: Booze Fairies behold.

Bert Mattson is a chef and writer based in St. Paul.

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 35

COUNTRY MINUTES

By Nicole Helget

The Dogs of Oshawa Township Part 9

T

he grass is too green for September and the mosquitoes too numerous.

The rain keeps coming too hard.

The humidity hangs on too long.

Like a lot of things this year, the weather just seems off.

We’re amateur mushroom hunters. It’s been a great year for fungus. I can spend hours out in the woods with my eyes scanning the ground, downed trees, and high-up branches for oysters, elm caps, chicken of the woods and hen of the woods. I keep trying to train the dogs to sniff them out for me, but so far, no luck. Pony and Polar Bear seem bent on digging up mole tunnels and raccoon scat.

We discovered chanterelle and lobster mushrooms for the first time in our mushroom hunting history in the area. Maybe they’ve always been there, but I thought the discovery was strange. They were so orange bright and abundant, that I spied them out the car window as my husband was driving.

“Pull over!” I said. Before he put the car in park, I was unlocked from my seat belt and out the door. First, I smelled the air. If you really try, you can smell mushrooms. Then, I crouched over and admired the forest floor.

My lungs filled and my heartbeat in my fingertips. Chanterelles, these flower-shape beauties, were everywhere underfoot. As we picked our favorites (it’s good practice to harvest with restraint and reservation; take only half of what you see), I said, “This is so weird. They don’t grow here.”

The lobster we discovered about another five minutes into a walk. “No way. No way!” He 36 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

pointed to it. I knelt down and admired its weird little curls, its density, and especially its rust color. The lobster is a very, very distinctive mushroom. My husband kept his eyes to the ground and discovered one after another, mushrooms of varied stems, gills, caps, and colors.

Mushroom hunting is like treasure hunting. Every fungus is a specimen to be admired and studied and researched and photographed and shared all over social media. The best fun is learning which ones are edible and which ones can give you stomachache. You can pinch off the stems, take the caps, place them gill or pore side down on white or black paper and wait.

The cap will drop its spores into a distinctive pattern and color, enough evidence to hazard a reliable guess as to what it is with the help of a good guide book.

The afternoon is still one of my favorite memories of summer, even though the insects soon homed in on us and chased us back to the safety of the car.

“God,” I said. “They’re awful.”

I shook my hair out, which loosened a few of the buzzers. I clapped my hands and smashed one. “Relentless.”

My dogs love when the dragonflies come. The dragonflies show up after the waves of gnats and mosquitoes and feast on them. Around this house, when we are feeling under attack by gnats or mosquitoes, the kids will say, “Where are the dragonflies?!?”

That’s because I used to teach them that nature balances itself out. I used to teach them there

was a relationship between cause and effect, food source and predator. So, the dragonflies would save us from suffering bites. Usually, the dragonflies hang on until the food source dries up. They’re still here, and Pony and Polar Bear find it very fun to chase them down into the ravine. Dragonflies seem to have a sense of humor. As in, they’ll flit close to the nuzzles of my dogs and then flight off in hilarity.

Pony darted off into the ravine after a dragonfly. When she returned, small burs covered her fur. Thick. Green. Tiny. Hundreds of them.

I let her into the kitchen.

“Jesus, Pony,” I said. I began the assessment. These burs weren’t like ordinary cockleburs, big, identifiable star shaped seeds, annoying but easy enough to pull. These burrs were little, kind of like hundreds of tiny ticks. I began pulling off the ones on her face, around her eyes. “What did you get into?” Her chocolate eyes appealed to me for help.

“Sit. Sit down.”

Polar Bear paced and moaned around in the kitchen. He was clearly nervous about what was happening. For thirty minutes, I sat there, pinching off one burr after another and setting it carefully on a paper towel. When I realized I’d be there until the pandemic was over or the end of the world, whichever came first, I decided to try to comb them out. While I searched for the comb, Polar Bear comforted Pony with a lick and a sneeze.

I dragged the comb across her back, picking up some burs along the way. Pony didn’t like

the yanking and pulling and tried to move away from me and hide behind Polar Bear.

So, I remembered what mom used to do when we had gum in our hair: grease. I slathered some bacon grease on her fur and started removing them again. I’d swipe the comb through her fur, wipe it off on a paper towel, and go back again.

This worked slightly better and I kept at it until one side of her was pretty clear and until she couldn’t tolerate the unwanted attention anymore. “Fine. We’ll work on it some more later.”

The next morning, I came downstairs to the kitchen and found the two dogs cozily snuggled up together. I noticed that nearly every bur was gone.

“What the…” Polar Bear licked Pony’s ear and a spark alighted in my brain. “Polar Bear, did you…”

He wagged his tail like he was proud of himself.

“Good dog,” I said.

Later that day, I went out to check a hen of the woods spot near a dying oak. I was so busy swatting at mosquitoes and carefully stepping around the prickly currant brambles, that I didn’t notice the long, stringy, sticky leaves full of the same burrs that Pony had. Although I barely brushed the plant, it was like it reached out to grab for me. When I got back to the house, I looked at the bacon grease and looked at Polar Bear, then thought better of it. I threw the pants in the garbage.

Nicole Helget is a multi-genre author. Her most recent book, THE END OF THE WILD, is a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, a Parents' Choice Award Winner, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, a New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, a Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Book, an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students, a Best STEM Trade Books for Students K-12, a Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee, and the Minnesota Book Awards Middle Grade Winner. She works as a teacher, manuscript guide, editor, and ghostwriter. She lives in rural St. Peter with her family and dogs. You can follow the Dogs of Oshawa Township at @TheOshawa on Twitter.

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 37

GARDEN CHAT

By Jean Lundquist

Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize and no blooms

I

haven’t yet learned all I was taught during the 2020 growing season, but I’ve learned enough to get me started on this year’s journey.

Last summer I decided to plant morning glories around a dead Canada red cherry tree in the yard. While alive, it had the most beautiful scent of any plant I have ever inhaled. Better than lilacs, better than lilies of the valley, and right up there with tomato plants.

After it died, it still carried sentimental value in my heart, so I decided to use it as a trellis. Bring in the morning glory seeds. I planted them. They grew, and with coaxing, wound around the trunk and into the branches of the Canada red cherry tree.

No blooms. So I fertilized. Still no blooms. So I fertilized some more. Though morning glories are famous for reseeding for the next year, with no blooms, and therefore, no seeds, I had no hope of any new plants this spring.

Bring in a new packet of seeds, nick the hulls, soak them overnight and sprinkle them at the base of my Canada red cherry tree. This year I hoped for a blooming column of color out my kitchen window. A few blossoms appeared, then no more. So once again I fertilized. And fertilized. No blossoms at all.

Now, I’ve always claimed I know nothing about flowers. This proves it.

I don’t know how I’ll amend the soil now that I’ve learned that morning glories hate to be fed. The more 38 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

nitrogen, the less they bloom. The foliage goes nuts but no blooms.

At the top of this 20-foot tree skeleton, the vines are waving at the sky looking for more limbs to grow on.

But no blossoms.

What kind of a plant hates to be fertilized?

I still have high hopes of seeing a tower of morning glories of all colors surrounding the trunk of this Canada red cherry before it falls over. It might take a few years, though, as I was quite liberal with the fertilizer.

I have consoled myself with the idea that I had hoped for a column of color, and I got it. The color is green.

Speaking of green, my first season of using my greenhouse held a few surprises and provided a learning curve.

I spread out the rug we had purchased when we bought our camper. Turns out those rugs kill grass in campgrounds, and therefore, are not allowed in most.

Since the problem in campgrounds is grass killing, I thought it would be a good weed barrier in my greenhouse, and just about the right size, too. I thought I was pretty smart to have thought of it.

During one of our torrential rains last summer, my greenhouse flooded. The rug got wet. The plants got moldy.

Mostly just the fruits of the tomatoes molded, not the foliage. That cleanup job is a disgusting one. The rug came out as soon as I could get it out. It was not moldy.

I guess it’s treated with something that I probably didn’t want in my greenhouse, anyway.

I did have a few grass seeds germinate in the greenhouse that were easily pulled out. The only other volunteer I had growing in there was something that, after I pulled out, I realized was a beautiful celosia plant — also known as cockscomb.

The very second I saw it, I grabbed it and yanked it out. After, as I looked at it and realized what it was, I felt almost immediate regret. The plant and its flower are beautiful.

Still, I didn’t want it growing in the ground in my greenhouse.

I have no idea where that seed came from. I haven’t grown celosia for years, so I haven’t had any known source of seeds.

Because it was so pretty, I’m inspired to grow some on purpose next year. I’ll need to do some research to see if they like fertilizer before I do.

Jean Lundquist is a Master Gardener who lives near Good Thunder. gardenchatkato@gmail.com

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MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 39

FROM THIS VALLEY

By Pete Steiner

Winds of Madness F

ormer Blue Earth County Administrator Dave Twa liked to quote the Old English saying, “May you live in interesting times.” Interesting times, for sure, these days in which we are living. This year’s dramatic events and tribulations have prompted some to ask, how does 2020 stack up against that last nearly apocalyptic year, 1968? Since I survived one and have lived through three-quarters of the other, let me offer some observations.

Of course, the obvious caution here is that 2020 still has three potentially turbulent months to go. As I was writing this in late August, an expected brutal, scorched-earth political campaign had not yet really kicked in. A worst-case scenario, given the present disarray, uncertainty and political polarization, could end up forcing us instead to compare 2020 to 1941, when Pearl Harbor set up the four-year ordeal of World War II – or even to 1861. nnnn 1968 was front-loaded. With the North Vietnamese Tet military offensive in January (which proved not a military victory but a political one), grave flaws were revealed in U.S. strategy, which led to a broad-based reassessment of our involvement in faraway Southeast Asia. More and more college campuses erupted with anti-war protests. Waning support for the war led to a stunning announcement in late March: Lyndon Baines Johnson, who had won the presidency in a landslide in 1964, announced he would not run again. Less than a week later, civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, and riots, more widespread than those of 2020, erupted in multiple cities.Two months after King’s murder, rising 40 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE

Democratic presidential hopeful Bobby Kennedy was gunned down in Los Angeles. More anguish — and the year was not half over. nnnn 2020 has been a back-loaded year. We seemed to be cruising along until the unseen enemy, COVID-19 slammed us in March, severely disrupting daily life, tanking the economy, and so far killing more than three times the number of Americans that we lost in Vietnam. Subsequently the shocking killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis as well as the unjust killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and other African Americans, led to widespread peaceful protests, some of which did devolve into destructive violence, especially in Minneapolis, Portland, and Kenosha, Wisconsin. And again, 2020 is far from over. nnnn The 1968 political campaign was fierce, with Minnesotan Hubert Humphrey finally winning the Democratic nomination.

Handicapped by his ties to LBJ, Humphrey’s uphill battle fell just short against Republican Richard Nixon, who promised a weary nation he’d uphold law and order.

He also gave us five more years of the Vietnam War before resigning as a result of the Watergate scandal. nnnn It’s interesting to note that 2020 is the first time since World War II that virtually all Americans have been asked to sacrifice. In the Vietnam era, it was primarily the 2.7 million soldiers who ultimately served there who were asked, along with their families, to sacrifice. (Of course, the threat

of the military draft in the face of an unpopular war drove a lot of protests.) In 2020 our “sacrifice” is to wear a face covering in public and to maintain “social distancing.” And too, millions have suffered the involuntary sacrifice of job loss. nnnn Almost exactly 20 years ago, Nobel Peace Prize winner and bestselling author Elie Wiesel spoke to a huge crowd at Minnesota State University’s Taylor Center. (In his devastating tale “Night,” Wiesel describes surviving Auschwitz and Buchenwald.) As a radio reporter, I covered his speech that night. Combing through my journals recently, I found these notes, quoting what Wiesel said: “The winds of madness can blow through history … (but) we can overcome our destiny: The choice is ours. … It is not God, it is we (humans) who will destroy the world….” Referencing a key figure in the Nazis’ genocidal “final solution,” he asked rhetorically, “Is there an Eichmann within each of us? ... Each of us is responsible for the other … (but) hatred is contagious…. ” Rereading those words, I thought, how appropriate for our times. Will we “overcome our destiny”? nnnn If 1968 offers us a glimmer of encouragement, it’s this: the Republic, although battered, did survive. We made it through.

Given that, I am hoping 1968 retains its place as the most cataclysmic year of my life, and that the Republic can survive 2020.

Longtime radio guy Pete Steiner is now a free lance writer in Mankato.

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.

MANKATO MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020 • 41

CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT.

During this time of uncertainty, Mayo Clinic Health System remains committed to providing the care you and your family need. Whether it’s through a virtual or an in-person appointment, we offer convenient and safe options to receive care, when you need it.

For more information, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.

42 • OCTOBER 2020 • MANKATO MAGAZINE