FEATURES

FEBRUARY 2023

Volume 18, Issue 2

The talented Mr. Berry

The Black experience, Mankato style

From a visit by Dr. Martin Luther King and racism to progress and perseverance, the black experience in Mankato mirrors the rest of America.

The right Path

The annual Pathfinder Awards have been a bright spot for highlighting individuals living out the spirit of MLK.

About The Cover

MAGAZINE EDITOR Robb Murray

DESIGNER Christina Sankey

PHOTOGRAPHER Pat Christman

COPY EDITOR Kathy Vos

CONTRIBUTORS Ann Rosenquist Fee

Dana Melius

Robb Murray

James Figy

Jean Lundquist

Leigh Pomeroy

Leticia Gonzalez

Pete Steiner

Nick Healy

Renee Berg

Jane Turpin Moore

Michael Lagerquist

ADVERTISING SALES Danny Creel

Jennifer Flowers

Jordan Greer-Friesz

Josh Zimmerman

Theresa Haefner

Tim Keech

From The Editor

By Robb Murray

This month in Mankato Magazine, we’re recognizing Black History Month.

To that end, we’re bringing you several stories that speak to Mankato’s past struggles with racial strife, an in-depth profile on Timothy Berry (a rising voice of diversity and artistic fortitude at Minnesota State University), and a look back at the history of the Pathfinder Awards.

For most of our nation’s history, small towns in the Midwest that aren’t large urban centers are going to be mostly, well, white.

A home-grown Minnesotan, Berry’s story is at once common and unique. Like many others, he attended high school in the Twin Cities and chose to pursue a degree at MSU.

But unlike most, he is a man who excelled on the football field, in the dance studio, in the writer’s room and in the realm of higher education administration. Writer Jane Turpin Moore captures his spirit and success beautifully. It is a must-read in this month’s issue.

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Christina Sankey

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Barb Wass CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Justin Niles

PUBLISHER Steve Jameson

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Joe Spear

In our deep dive this month by Michael Lagerquist, we go way back in The Free Press archives to find examples of times when the social climate wasn’t exactly welcoming or inviting to people of color. This piece also touches on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to Mankato, as well as the progress the community has made since those darker times in the mid- to late 1800s.

We’re not naive enough to think things are perfect. They are not. But we’d like to think our community is evolving and changing for the better. A look at the annual Pathfinder Awards, which honor individuals and groups working in the spirit of MLK, reveals an impressive list that crosses demographic lines.

And while certain social media interactions might lead us to believe there are still people whose intellects and hearts are firmly rooted in old, racist ways, the Pathfinder Awards and other initiatives in southern Minnesota show that, while we’re not there yet, we’re on our way to being the inclusive, diverse, harmonious community we’d all want our children to grow up in.

It’s also important to highlight leaders of color in our community, such as Berry.

Elsewhere in Mankato Magazine, we bring you the story of John O’Sullivan, the Mankato East High School alumnus who is making quite a name for himself on the TikTok social media platform. O’Sullivan (a former Free Press intern) is using his skills as a tour guide to produce one-minute videos focused on Minnesota history. Several have garnered hundreds of thousands of views. His style is engaging, upbeat and very Minnesotan.

Our restaurant feature focuses on a favorite New Ulm spot called Lola: An American Bistro. New Ulm brings a lot to the table when it comes to eating and drinking. Lola is a unique part of that culinary menagerie.

And in our book feature this month, writer Nick Healy explores the memoir of John Hassler, one of the all-time great Minnesota authors. (“North of Hope” is on my reading list for 2023.) Hassler, who died in 2008, had many fans. This latest book, while not another work of fiction, gives us a peek into the man’s life, told in his own voice, which Healy rightfully calls “a gift.”

Enjoy!