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Southern Minn women who do art

By JANE TURPIN MOORE

Guest Contributor

Not everyone stuffed their crayons and creativity in the closet after third grade.

Plenty of people are exercising their inner Picassos on a regular basis, though painting is far from the only way to participate in the visual arts.

With an abundance of art galleries, county museums and seasonal pop-up markets in the region, artists from a wide variety of mediums not only enjoy making and exhibiting their

work but many also sell the results of their artistic output.

Two women who have been successful at finding appropriate niches for their work are Kip O’Krongly, a nationally known ceramic artist based in Northfield, and Le Center’s Jessica Peters, who’s generating joy and income with her polymer clay sculptures and personal care products.

Find inspiration in the paths of these reflective artists, each of whom is thoughtfully following her respective inner calling to create.

Jessica Peters of Le Center

When visiting with Jessica Peters, expect to hear the words “fun” and “fearless” a lot.

Because, after taking a giant leap of faith from a steady but predictable day job to assume the life of an artist and cottage producer, Peters is having a blast doing exactly what she likes.

“It’s a lot of hard work—harder than anything I’ve ever done—but I’m happier than I’ve ever been,” said Peters, 40.

Peters, a 2002 graduate of St. Peter High School, has lived in Le Center for the past decade with her husband, Wes Bjorklund.

But it’s only been since 2020 that she’s pursued the creative arts on a full-time basis.

“I didn’t know I could do this…until I did it,” said Peters, her upbeat spirit shining through.

“And I sure didn’t start off making things at the level I’m making them now.

“It’s like with everything else: the more you do it, the better you get and the more you figure out ways to do it.”

Peters is now the proud proprietor of Guileless Green, a business name she chose to emphasize the transparency and wholesomeness she brings to everything she makes.

“‘Guileless’ means devoid of deceit; what you see is what you get,” said Peters. “And ‘green’ is because my products are made with organic, minimal ingredients and essential oils.”

Besides the adorable polymer clay charms, keychains and jewelry Peters forms and customizes (she calls them “cuties”), Peters produces lotions, soaps and lip balms. She sells those alongside her art at area farmers markets,

art shows (she’s exhibited at the juried Twin Rivers GSR Fine Art Festival in Mankato and the St. Cloud Lemonade Art Fair, among others) and regional festivals, like the Ambassadors’ Blues Fest in St. Peter.

Her own sensitive skin was one motivator for her line of personal care products.

“I’ve been making those for myself for a really long time,” said Peters. “Making things has been a big part of my life.”

Peters’ products—including aromatherapy rollers and moisturizing, anti-acne and antiinflammatory balms—are well suited for people with allergies and other skin sensitivities.

“All my soaps are high-lather and can be also used as shampoo and full-body bars, so they’re good for travelers, campers and minimalists,” she said.

A best-selling scent is one Peters dubbed “Drifter,” involving an unlikely blend of lavender, tea tree, peppermint, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli.

“It’s a sweet, minty, woodsy blend, and I can’t believe the [positive] reaction when people smell it,” she said. “I have people who track me down to get their ‘Drifter’ lotion or roller.”

On the opposite end is “Sunburst,” whose lemon and sweet orange fragrance is “like a lemon sunburst or a warm summer’s day.”

“Another scent people have been enjoying is a clove, cinnamon and ginger mixture I call ‘Minnesota Spice,’” she said.

Peters’ journey to becoming a full-time artist and creative hasn’t been a straightforward one.

“I’ve always kind of had a rebellious spirit,” the largely self-taught Peters joked.

After high school, she spent one year as an intended psychology major at University of Minnesota, Morris.

“But I realized it wasn’t for me so I stopped going to school and started working,” said Peters.

When she became pregnant with her daughter Claire, now 20, Peters knew she had to buckle down.

child, I couldn’t do art events every weekend,” she said.

Peters reconnected with Bjorklund, who was her kindergarten classmate, before her own child started kindergarten—and they’ve been together ever since.

“Wes is wonderful and has been incredibly supportive through all of this,” said Peters. “I’m so appreciative of him every day.”

Peters’ responsible side led her to 16 years of employment at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, where she was a security counselor for 13 years and a management analyst in the Community Preparation Services program for three years.

During the covid pandemic, with her teenaged daughter attending school remotely, Peters took a leave.

“I did a lot of thinking,” she said, “and asked myself if I was going to stick with a steady and reliable job or if I was going to pursue my dreams.

“I decided I needed to be brave and stop making excuses for myself.”

That bold decision led to an initially lean time that was admittedly a bit scary while Peters developed her art and a system for more uniformly and efficiently making personal care products.

Using her own ideas, plus inspiration from Bjorklund and her daughter, Peters made the appealing “cuties,” or charms—about the size of an average grape—in the form of lemons, marshmallows, mini apple pies, cats, Christmas trees, snowmen, pumpkins, candy corn, foxes, bees and more.

“I brought the charms with me to the first farmers markets and they just grew and grew,” Peters said, mentioning they’re affordable fun— priced between $10-$20 and sold as earrings, keychains, bookmarks or necklaces.

“People really like them; I was somewhat surprised at the really positive reactions from customers.”

Peters has parlayed her art into teaching opportunities in several locations, including at Mankato Makerspace (where she often instructs kids’ classes on Saturday mornings), area libraries, community education programs and birthday parties.

visions, happily letting students either follow her example or exercise their own creative juices.

Generating income as an artist and creator hasn’t been easy, but since Peters went full-time in 2020 she’s slowly built her business. It helps that she and Bjorklund live a simple and fairly non-materialistic life, she says.

“Yes, it is very difficult to make a living as an artist,” she confirmed. “I rely on multiple streams of income, and I work non-stop.

“But this is gratifying; this is soul-satisfying. I would never say this lifestyle is for everyone— because it isn’t. It’s working for me though, and I’m so appreciative of every single person who’s supported me over the years.”

Find Jessica Peters and her Guileless Green products and art on Facebook, at makerfairmn. com/guileless-green/, at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s May Markets (May 17-18), and at other area festivals in the coming season. Email: guilelessgreen@outlook.com.

Kip O’Krongly of Northfield

She lives on a quiet residential street in the historic two-college town along the Cannon River, but Kip O’Krongly has made some noise on the national scene as a ceramic artist.

Within the unassuming home O’Krongly shares with her husband Aaron Swoboda, a Carleton College environmental studies and economics professor, and their friendly dog Gertie, lies a ceramics studio where O’Krongly turns out unique, meaningful and in-demand work, one hours-long shift at a time.

“My ideal time in the studio is four hours, and it’s often more than that in the winter months,” said O’Krongly.

O’Krongly, 46, is a 2001 graduate of Carleton, where she majored in studio art and economics—both of which have proven useful courses of study for a self-employed artist.

But O’Krongly’s path to her present, as a successful ceramicist who, among other notable nods, has been featured on the cover of two prominent national ceramics publications—Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated—was somewhat circuitous and serendipitous.

“I put some of my creative things on the back burner because as a single mother with a small

“It’s fun to see the things they come up with,” said Peters, who respects others’ creative

CONTINUED page 8

“I’ve found my own artistic voice,” said O’Krongly, the recipient of a 2014 McKnight Artist Fellowship who makes “functional ceramics dealing with food, energy and climate change,” as her Instagram profile describes.

“At one point, a shift happened when my past with drawing and printmaking infiltrated my art and I started focusing more on my ceramic work,” O’Krongly continued.

“I’ve always loved the fact you can use functional pots, create a three-dimensional story and make something people can eat and drink with.”

While O’Krongly is now firmly rooted in Minnesota, the artist hasn’t always been a North Star State resident; indeed, she began her life even further north.

“I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska,” she said, adding that her somewhat unconventional first name, Kip, is a tribute to a close friend of her parents who died shortly after O’Krongly’s birth.

That location proved pivotal in O’Krongly’s life, as she became an avowed environmentalist at a young age after taking an elementary school field trip to the site of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound and seeing the carnage of oil-slicked animals on the beach.

Environmental themes have appeared in O’Krongly’s work throughout her career, often subtly depicted.

“There are a lot of clouds on my pipes, referencing methane, and there are cooling towers on some of my coffee cups,” she said.

“There’s definitely something there, if people look more broadly at my work.”

O’Krongly credits her parents for their unfailing support of her creative pursuits, from childhood to the present.

“I loved anything crafty,” said O’Krongly, “and when friendship bracelets were a thing, I took them to an extreme, making 20-strand bracelets rather than four-strand ones.

“I wove beads for a long time, made woven

pouches and started a business hand-painting furniture when I was a high schooler.”

But O’Krongly had never done ceramics until alighting at Carleton—and even there, ceramics

wasn’t her first art experience.

“The ceramics classes were hard to get into, so I took observational drawing and painting as a freshman and got into my first clay class as a sophomore,” she related, mentioning Tim Lloyd as a significant mentor.

“As a student, I did not understand the scope of the clay world in Minnesota.”

Another significant experience was an offcampus study program led by Fred Hagstrom that took her to the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australia. While there, she learned something about book-binding.

During her husband’s graduate school years at Berkeley, O’Krongly worked as a dental assistant.

“The dentist made a hard pitch for me to go to dental school,” laughed O’Krongly

Instead, she applied for an apprenticeship as a clay artist at Whitefish Pottery in Montana,

nearly missing the opportunity when her phone message, left on an old-school answering machine, was lost due to a power outage.

“That was a great experience,” O’Krongly said of her time in Whitefish.

“I learned so much about running a production studio, the art fair circuit and having a gallery space, and it was a chance to further develop my skills. I tried a lot of different techniques.”

After spending a few years in Pittsburgh, Pa., where Swoboda taught at the university, the couple relocated to Minnesota, initially living for four years in the Twin Cities before settling in Northfield.

“I applied for a clay tech position at Northern Clay Center [in Minneapolis] but I didn’t get the job,” said O’Krongly, who nevertheless showed up to take classes and volunteer, resulting in her being hired there some months later.

Several years of employment and artmaking at Northern Clay Center followed, but O’Krongly eventually shifted to her own studio.

“It was a tough transition because I was used to the hustle and bustle and feedback there, but Northfield has a great clay community so I still get that benefit even though I’m not directly with other artists in my space daily,” she said.

During the winter months, O’Krongly busily prepares up to 500 pieces for the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour (May 9-11). She will be teaching an online workshop with Pocosin Arts (March 13 and 20) and has an online show

opening March 18 with the Charlie Cummings Gallery.

“The challenging thing about ceramics is they’re so broadly available; demonstrating the value of a handmade object can be a hard sell for some people,” said O’Krongly

“But having a creative practice in my life is a gift, and the things I find most fulfilling are making pieces that have meaning for someone else. I just finished a dog portrait for a friend—I do a lot of pet portraits, too—and being able to customize things for friends and family is one of the most magical parts of being a creative person.

“I feel really fortunate to have been able to do this for so long.”

For more information about Kip O’Krongly’s art, biography and upcoming workshops, visit kipokrongly.com. 

Freelance writer/collaborative pianist Jane Turpin Moore grew up in the Mankato area and is now based in Northfield. She blogs at timeformoore566445504.wordpress.com and fields emails at jturpinmoore@gmail.com

Mollywood BLVD MOLLY

PENNY

Molly Penny is a local radio personality and MNSU alum. It was her love of pop culture that got her interested in doing a morning show for KOWZ 100.9 in 2011 where she is now brand manager for the three-cluster radio station, as well as music director for Q102 FM out of Willmar & on-air personality on Mankato’s Hot 96.7. She enjoys volunteering, time with her kids/family and cat Salem. Catch her on Twitter at @mollyhoodUSA.

A new kind of congresswoman in a new kind of culture

Delawarean Sarah McBride made history in November becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

She started her public life as a Delaware state senator, elected in 2020 as a Democrat at the age of 30. She entered the public sphere when she spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, making history as the first openly trans convention speaker from either party. What is a transgender woman, some of you may be wondering? A trans woman simply describes a woman who was born biologically male and has transitioned or is transitioning to what they identify to be their true gender, female. Her win was a landmark moment in visibility and respect for the trans community.

In a time when the trans community appears to be front and center in heated political discourse and, in many cases, a marginalized faction, McBride says, “We have to reclaim the narrative and the humanity in the public’s mind of trans people.”

Sarah McBride has been politically active her whole adult life, taking an interest in political science at a young age, but she is not an activist per se.

McBride grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from Cab Calloway School of the Arts. Her early career included staffing on several campaigns including Gov. Jack Markell in 2008 and Beau Biden’s attorney general run in 2010. Prior to public ser vice life, she was the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, which is a leader in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, but she does not center any of her positions around her sexual identity and serves as a representative of her district the same as any cisgendered

woman would. Again, for those who are unfamiliar- the term “cisgender” simply means a female who identifies with the female sex assigned at birth.

President Trump, on day one of his second term, made an executive order, “Defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.”

This order requires all government language to use only your sex assigned at birth, so binary: male or female. This sent a message to trans and non-binary people that their identities are essentially un-American and won’t be recognized.

Transgenderism is not a new thing, but it is under the microscope like never before with the current administration. Trump later signed an EO to bar transgender people from serving in the military and another blocking anyone under 19 from receiving gender-affirming care, which includes but is not limited to hormone therapies. Additionally, he signed an order to protect “women in sports” by barring transgender females from competing in women’s sports.

McBride takes what can be seen as attacks in stride and remains focused on the concerns of her constituents. Recently, on the House floor, a Republican Congresswoman misgendered her asking the “Gentleman” from Delaware” to take the podium.

McBride did not skip a beat. She did not acknowledge the misgendering or even correct it. She took to the floor and stayed focused on the issues at hand. McBride was the target of the House banning trans women from using the women’s bathrooms on Capitol Hill.

On the bathroom issue, McBride stated, “It is an attempt to distract.” She went on to say, “Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on the cost of living for our constituents.”

So, what is McBride’s focus as a Congresswoman for Delaware’s at-large congressional district? The people. All people. As a state senator, McBride passed a landmark act called Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave for workers in the first state of our union. It passed with bipartisan support.

She also passed legislation requiring mental health and media literacy education in public schools. In her final term, she passed the largest ongoing investment since the ACA, the Protect Medicaid act of 2024. She did so again with unanimous and bipartisan support. She has a track record of working across the aisle, and I suspect from what we have seen of her so far, she will continue to bridge the divide in the House.

She is part of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Science Space and technology, navigating working on Capitol Hill among some colleagues who don’t recognize her for who she is and won’t let her share the women’s bathroom. She remains unphased.

She says to her LGBTQ+ counterparts that, in the wake of these attacks, they need to fight “smarter” not “harder.” One part of her ethos of looking the other way when misgendered is about being what Sarah calls a “full human being, to not be siloed and reduced to only one part of who I am, as proud as I am of that part.”

She plans to focus on her own priorities and the needs of her constituents, despite what can certainly be argued an anti-trans agenda. “I didn’t run for the United States House of Representatives to talk about what bathroom I use. I didn’t run to talk about myself. I ran to deliver for Delawareans.”

If you would like to learn more about McBride, she penned a 2018 memoir “Tomorrow Will Be Different” with a foreword from former President Joe Biden. 

Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Del., center, leaves a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

SoMINN FASHION

Styling vs. Dressing:

Ever feel like everyone else looks effortlessly stylish while you just look... dressed? You’re not alone! The difference isn’t in the clothes — it’s in the details. That polished, put-together look comes from the extras — the small styling choices that transform an outfit from basic to brilliant.

The good news? Mastering the art of styling is easier than you think.

When investing in the extras, think about all the ways they can work in your wardrobe. Accessories, layering pieces, and small styling tweaks can stretch your outfit options,

making the most of what you already own. A great example? Always buy the matching belt when you invest in a great pair of shoes. If they’re a style you’ll wear often, go a step further and get two different belt styles—one classic and one statement—to keep your looks fresh and versatile. Scar ves are another secret weapon. They’re not just for bundling up in winter! A well-chosen scarf can be used as a belt, a chic wrap, a necktie, a bow, or even tied onto a purse for a splash of color. You can even wear one as a headband or a hair tie for a fun twist. The versatility of scarves makes them a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their look effortlessly. Jewelr y isn’t just for accessorizing in the traditional sense.

Think outside the box—earrings can double as decorative pins for blazers or hats, and necklace chains can be wrapped around a belt loop or wrist for a unique accent. When it comes to styling, creativity is key!

Not sure where to start? Ask for help at your favorite boutique. Boutique associates often have multiple ways to wear an item and can show you styling hacks that you might not have considered. It’s like having your own personal stylist right in the store.

Layering is another game-changer. Blazers, moto jackets, and cardigans aren’t just outerwear—they’re outfit makers. A structured blazer adds polish, a moto jacket brings an edge, and a cardigan offers softness while still looking chic. Play around with proportions, too. A front tuck can define your waist, cuffing sleeves adds polish, and rolling pant hems can highlight your footwear.

Speaking of footwear, a smart approach is to invest more in shoes that will be worn all day, ensuring comfort and quality. Meanwhile, fun statement shoes for occasions like brunch or dinner can be more budget-friendly since they won’t see daily wear. This balance keeps your wardrobe both stylish and practical.

Another essential styling trick? Mixing textures and fabrics. Combining structured pieces with flowy fabrics creates balance

and depth in an outfit. Leather with lace, denim with silk, or a chunky knit paired with a sleek slip dress can turn a simple ensemble into something truly special.

So, what are the must-have items that will take your look from simply dressed to effortlessly styled? A classic blazer is a wardrobe hero, instantly pulling an outfit together. A collection of unique belts offers variety and polish. Your handbag isn’t just for carrying essentials—it’s a statement piece, so don’t be afraid to mix up styles. A good selection of scarves in your color palette will always come in handy, whether for warmth or style. Layering jewelry is a simple way to elevate any look, and a solid footwear strategy ensures you’re always stepping out in confidence.

Finally, let’s talk fit. Small adjustments can make a big impact. Rolling up sleeves can slim arms, while tucking in a shirt defines the waist. Adding a belt to a loose dress creates shape, and choosing the right neckline can elongate the torso or highlight the collarbone. High-waisted pants make legs look longer, and hemming or cuffing jeans ensures they hit at just the right spot. And when in doubt, a good tailor can make any piece feel like it was made just for you.

So next time you’re getting dressed, take a moment to add those finishing touches. A little styling effort goes a long way—and soon, you won’t just be dressed, you’ll be effortlessly styled. 

Rants & RAVES

Frustrating Customer Service

Idon’t know if you’re all old enough to remember a thing called “customer service.” It was a pretty big deal back in the day, but seems to be nothing but a fading memory as of late.

Take for example, my local take & bake pizza spot. I called to place an order and the phone rang and rang and rang. I called back at different times. I called from different phones. Then, I jumped in the car and drove over to see if they were still in business. The lights were on so I stumbled in and was greeted by a young pizza designer/artist/maker. I inquired why they hadn’t answered the phone and was told they don’t ever answer it. “We don’t have enough staff, so we were told not to answer any calls.” I questioned how they were able to get orders if they don’t answer the phone. “People will do it online or come in if they really want us.” Ah, a unique approach to sales. Ok, here’s a thought, if you want customers to order your product, you should make it as easy for them as possible. Asking people to drive over and beg you to take their money seems a bit odd to me. But hey, I’m old fashioned. I still believe in opening the door for the people behind me and saying “Thank You” when someone waits on me.

Heaven have mercy on your soul if you’re brave enough to call the worst customer service offenders on the planet: your cable company. Their motto is, you can call us, but it doesn’t mean we’ll answer or provide any information or offer any resolution, but rest assured, it’s gonna be seriously expensive. Any problem with the service is clearly on the homeowner’s end. The fact that they sent you the wrong equipment that they quit using in 1985 is not their fault. Or, the tiny detail that they installed your new neighbors hi-speed internet at your house by mistake is just part of their unique customer service.

Back in the “days of yore”, you’d bring your car in for any service and they’d return it washed and vacuumed. Rumor has it, doctors used to come to your home and milk was delivered to your porch. Those must be “the good ol’ days” people are always talking about. When I was little, our local grocery store not only bagged our groceries, they put them in your car. And, if they forgot a bag, they drove to your house and delivered it. Our small-

town stores even had a list of house accounts. I could get a tank of gas that someone else pumped for me and just charge it to my Dad. I miss that privilege the most!

My sister is still talking about the time she attempted to deposit a check into my Mom’s bank account and was told they couldn’t take it. She reminded them that she was putting the money in, not taking it out. They seemed puzzled, but said the check wasn’t written to her and they couldn’t accept it. Hmmm… was this the first time in the history of banking that someone deposited a check for another human? Add to that the fact that my Mom had been a customer there for over two decades. Puzzling, no?

having my food magically appear.

Argh!

Service has changed. Gift wrapping is a thing of the past. Returns without receipts are an adventure. Ordering via human being is a luxury. Even a trip for fast-food results in having to use a computer to get a burger. I don’t wanna work that hard, so I’m just gonna go up to the line of humans standing behind the counter who are staring at me and actually speak to them. When they refer me back to a free-standing computer screen in the lobby, I refuse. Just push the buttons with the pictures of the food I want and take my money. How hard can it be?!

Last time my pals and I went out for appetizers to a local chain restaurant, there was a mini screen on the table for ordering. After about 20-minutes when no actual server surfaced, we figured out what we wanted and attempted ordering via the tabletop computer. We realized that the items we desired were not available on this machine. A passing waiter said, “Don’t bother, those things never work.” I miss the days of just ordering with an actual human and

A recent favorite of mine are the new hand-held credit card machines to pay your bill. I was out for drinks with some older pals and we were each presented with this tiny bit of technology “May I please just have a paper copy of my bill and I’ll sign it,” I said. “No, you just put a tip on and pay and we print out a copy of the bill afterward,” said our waiter. Of course, he failed to mention that he already put a group gratuity on each of our bills, so we double-tipped which is why we couldn’t figure out why everything was so expensive.

Another classic service example was experienced at a Mexican chain restaurant during a busy lunch service. You order each of your ingredients and your food is pushed to the next person until you finally arrive at the cashier. She recited my order which included chips and guacamole and I gave her my debit card. She then mentioned that they were out of chips and guacamole (their most popular menu item). I said that was fine and she could just refund me. She stated that she couldn’t do that and I’d have to call an 800-number and explain the situation to them. I said, “You just charged me for an item you knew you didn’t have and you can’t refund me or cancel the transaction?!” Clearly the chain puts a real

priority on customer service. It’s time to get back to the basics. I want you to bring me a couple different sizes when I’m already in the changing room. When I get home and realize the fruit I just bought is rotten, I want you to say I’m sorry and we’d be happy to refund you. What about hearing, you’ve been a customer with us for 14 years, of course we’ll erase that late fee. Or the holy grail, we made a mistake on your account, we’ll research the problem and call you back so you don’t have to waste any more time on the phone. Nirvana! Suffice to say, when you receive great customer service, mention it. Spread the word! Shop small stores where your loyalty is appreciated. Remember the Golden Rule. Let’s just get back to having pride in our work and attempting to do the little extras that make life smoother. Let’s see if we can soften this cranky world a tad bit … one pizza order at a time!

Southern Minn’s

Wendt Sisters dig the gig

By ASHLEY HANLEY Guest Contributor

The Wendt Sisters are a prolific Southern Minnesota music acting consisting of sisters Brenda and Lynda. They grew up on a dairy and crop farm north of Elysian with a family that loves music, ever apparent in how they love to sing and dance.

“We were often singing in the barn whilst milking cows and also in church on Sunday mornings,” Brenda said. “It translated to being musical in school and in the community. We have been singing together since we were kids such as in church, school, talent shows and

even just in the home with family. We began the Wendt Sisters after COVID struck in 2021 when establishments were looking to reopen and book smaller groups such as duos like us.”

Brenda learned to play guitar and saxophone. Lynda learned to play trumpet, guitar and later the ukulele. They started their first band called Incoming when Brenda was 21 and Lynda was 17. That band was busy gigging multiple times per week for about three years.

Later on, in 2002 until present, they’ve been with Powerhouse out of Mankato, a 10-piece band. They also have a smaller six-person band named Gold Star which has been together since 2014.

“We also do fill-in work with other area artists and bands as well as perform in the Mankato Opry Jamboree each year in Novem-

ber at the Kato Ballroom. Our favorite part of performing is utilizing harmonies in our vocals as we have that “sibling blend” that you can’t often find with other vocalists,” Brenda added. The sisters perform in many venues including clubs & bars, wineries, breweries, for events,

Wendt Sisters

2025 schedule:

March 8 (Saturday): Indian Island Winery, Janesville, 5:30-8:30pm

May 17 (Saturday): Indian Island Winery, Janesville, 5:30-8:30pm

May 24 (Saturday): 9 Mile Corner Vineyard & Winery, Eagle Lake, 3-6pm

May 25 (Sunday): Westwood Marina Bar & Grill by Lake Washington, Kasota 4-7pm

June 11 (Wednesday): Toy Box Saloon, Kilkenny, 5-8pm, Classic Car Roll-in

June 12 (Thursday): Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna 12:301:30pm (private)

good time to relax and rejuvenate.

“Shows will generally pick up as we go through February. When spring, summer, and fall roll around, we are usually busy playing shows numerous times per week. During the past 10 years, we have devoted much of our October and November to being part of the Mankato Opry Jamboree and helping to create that production. Then in December we’ll have a few more shows to finish the year. This past year, our band Powerhouse played at St. Peter’s town 4th of July Celebration and Gold Star played for the Kato Ballroom’s New Years Eve party,” Brenda said. “We love playing at all our venues. Favorites include and range from wineries during a laid back and beautiful summer afternoon to at a bar where people are dancing and loving the music.

They said the best part of the job is getting to do what they love: making people happy, and meeting and making new friends everywhere they play.

“We play a variety of music from 50s & 60s music to today, country and gospel depending on the venue and crowd. In the Wendt Sisters, Brenda plays guitar and we also use percussion. In Powerhouse and Gold Star, we are the lead singers of both bands,” Lynda said. “Our parents’ love of music helped inspire us to learn to sing, harmonize and play instruments. Our biggest celebrity influences growing up were The Beatles and the Everly Brothers to name a few. Those bands were also favorites of our parents and really taught us how to become natural harmonizers.”

Along with their talent and skills, there can also be some obstacles along the way. But for the Wendt sisters, they’ve turned it into something beautiful.

town festivals, weddings, fundraisers, and assisted living communities. Most of their shows are in Southern Minnesota with a few that may be in the cities or out of state.

The Wendt Sisters are busy all year long. They say January is usually a month that is slow and a

“The music industry is definitely a maledominated industry. This can be a challenge, but we like to use it as an advantage in that our show provides a uniqueness that we have as two women doing a musical duo and it gives people something they wouldn’t expect to usually see when they go to a venue for entertainment. We have encountered times when our ideas were more likely to be dismissed, especially when we were younger in the business.Experience and maturity have helped us be more confident and forward with our ideas,

June 14 (Saturday): 9 Mile Corner Vineyard & Winery, Eagle Lake, 3-6pm

June 20 (Friday): Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, Kilkenny, 5-8pm

June 21 (Saturday): WOW Zone, Mankato, 7-10pm

June 29 (Sunday): Corner Bar Patio, Waterville, 9:30am-12:30pm

July 5 (Saturday): 9 Mile Corner Vineyard & Winery, Eagle Lake, 3-6pm

July 11 (Friday): Corner Bar Patio (Event Center if raining), Waterville, 6:30-9:30pm

July 19 (Saturday): Indian Island Winery, Janesville, 5:30-8:30pm

July 26 (Saturday): 9 Mile Corner Vineyard & Winery, Eagle Lake, 3-6pm

July 27 (Sunday): Westwood Marina Bar & Grill by Lake Washington, Kasota 4-7pm

Aug. 10 (Sunday): Corner Bar Patio Waterville, 9:30am -12:30pm

Aug. 23 (Saturday): 9 Mile Corner Vineyard & Winery, Eagle Lake, 3-6pm

Sept. 6 (Saturday): Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, Kilkenny, 2-5pm

Sept. 26 (Friday): Indian Island Winery, Janesville, 6-8:30pm

Nov. 28, 29 & 30 – MANKATO

OPRY JAMBOREE @ The Kato Ballroom

Dec. 18 (Thursday): LeCenter, Village 55, 2-4pm (private event)

Dec. 20 (Saturday): Indian Island Winery, Janesville, 5:30-8:30pm

which can be true for anyone. Finally, there’s also the challenge that women are sometimes more likely to be judged by looks instead of talent. We are fortunate enough to have each other to lean on and two voices are harder to ignore than one. We love what we do and work hard at it. When we perform, we make it a priority to connect with our audience and the people that hire us,” Lynda said.

But through it all, they’ve stayed together, through a bond of love and connection.

“Performing means we get to do what we love, which is making music. We also love making people happy, spreading the joy of music, and meeting and making new friends everywhere we play. Music can also be a form of self-expression and outlet for emotions,” Brenda said. “Even after a full day of work at our regular jobs, music and performing can bring out a new energy you never knew you had. Sharing that with your band-mates and others can be uplifting as well.”

Their full schedule for all of their bands continues to be updated on the Wendt Sisters Facebook page at facebook.com/wendtsisters. 

Ashley Hanley is a wife and mom of three kids under the age of 6 in North Mankato. When she’s not handing out snacks or kissing boo-boos, you can find her cheering on her favorite Minnesota sports teams and is a firm believer they will win a championship in her lifetime.

Gold Star Band

April 5 (Saturday): Classics Pub, 8-11pm

May 30 (Friday): The Landing in Madison Lake 6:30-9:30pm

June 8 (Sunday): Bullhead Days, Waterville 12-4pm

Aug. 30 (Saturday): Kiesler’s Campground, Waseca 7-10pm (campers only)

Aug. 31 (Sunday): The Landing in Madison Lake 3-6pm

Dec. 13 (Saturday): The Eagles Club, Mankato, 8-11pm

Powerhouse Band

July 4 (Friday): Minnesota Square Park, St. Peter, 11:30am-3:30pm (4th of July Parade and Celebration)

July 25 (Friday): The Landing in Madison Lake (Paddlefish Days) 6:30-9:30pm

Aug. 15 (Friday): Kamp Dels, Waterville, 6:30-10pm (Campers Only)

Aug. 16 (Saturday) – Private Party

Aug. 17 (Sunday): New Richland City Park,3:30-5pm

Aug. 29 (Friday): The Landing in Madison Lake 6:30-9:30pm

Nov. 1 (Saturday): The Golden Bubble Ballroom, Wells 7-10pm (Alden Lion’s Club Event)

Through a SOMINN LENS

AUDREY KLETSCHER HELBLING

Audrey Kletscher Helbling of Faribault captures people, places and events via her detail-rich writing and photography. Find more of her work at mnprairieroots.com. She also writes award-winning poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction.

ABOVE: A 1950s street scene along Central Avenue is among the many historic-based murals scattered throughout the heart of downtown Faribault.

Outside the Montgomery Arts and Heritage Center, wing art that is part of the Montgomery Wings Mural Walk. The arts center, Montgomery Area Foundation and Tri City United Art Team have worked together to create the Wings Walk.

Community storytelling through

outdoor murals

As a writer and photographer, I care deeply about the literary and visual arts. I’m especially drawn to outdoor murals, which often tell a story of place, minus the words.

You needn’t look far to find murals painted onto or attached to building exteriors throughout southern Minnesota. From Faribault, to Henderson, Kenyon, Mantorville, Montgomery, Nerstrand, New Prague, Northfield, Owatonna, Wabasso and Waterville, I’ve photographed outdoor murals during the past year, continuing my documentation of this art form. Selected murals from those communities are featured here.

Those 11 towns have, some more than others, embraced murals as

a way to share history, beauty and, simply, art. I appreciate the visual storytelling, the creativity, the splashes of color and interest which this art infuses into communities. Whenever I see a mural, I pause to admire the work of the creatives and the art itself.

I encourage you to take a leisurely day trip to a southern Minnesota community. Ditch your vehicle and meander through the heart of a downtown. Then look, really look. Yes, this requires time and intentional focus. But you will discover what I’ve found—the essence of a place. Sometimes you will find that in murals.

As you view outdoor public art and walk by (and into) businesses, libraries, arts centers and more, you will begin to connect, to understand, to appreciate the uniqueness of a community Communities are simple, yet complex. Murals only begin to tell their stories. 

TOP LEFT: This shows a section of the Northfield Library book-themed mural that climbs the steps to the library. Kathy Ness and Kate Woodstrup painted the step mural. BOTTOM LEFT: Celebrating Kolacky Days, Montgomery’s summer celebration of its Czech heritage, with up close details on a wing mural.

RIGHT: A faded patriotic mural on the Corner Bar, Waterville.

Fading Main Street and Schoolhouse Murals, including this one titled “The Little Red Schoolhouse Mural,” can be found in Pocket Park in downtown Owatonna. This shows kindergartners in the children’s rhythm band.

Original signage for the Fox Garage, a Kenyon fixture from 1916-1958, was replicated by Mike Meyer of Meyer Signs, Mazeppa.

Along the Cannon River in Northfield, Maya Kenney and Raquel Santamaria painted “Lady Cannon,” a water goddess.

A beautiful floral mural is painted on the side of WildWood, an event and rental space in Nerstrand.

FAR LEFT: At the Roadhouse Bar & Grill in the southwestern Minnesota small town of Wabasso, a mural promotes the Wabasso Roll In of motorcycles, classic and muscle cars every Tuesday during the summer, drawing upwards of 5,000 people.

No longer a drug store, this signage identifies the building’s past history in New Prague.

Murals and a photo collage grace the side of the Mantorville Art Guild.

LEFT: Merchants thank shoppers with a vintage mural in Henderson.

Anglers fish the Cannon River in Northfield against the backdrop of the “River Light” mural by Andrew Wykes.

In downtown Henderson, a tribute to Wagar’s Grocery Store and its association with the once popular Red Owl franchise.

This vivid mural stretches along the back of the Make It Waterville building in the heart of downtown Waterville.

Signage encourages locals to get involved with upcoming mural projects in Waterville.

Princess Owatonna, after whom Owatonna is named, graces the side of Owatonna Shoe Company.

Among the wings in Montgomery’s Wings Mural Walk, one focusing on Kolacky Days.

Signage at the Pocket Park murals in Owatonna explains the history behind the art.

Celebrating Prince on a mural in Henderson, where a scene from “Purple Rain” was filmed.

Look closely at the Make It Waterville building mural and you will notice details that highlight the community, like fishing, hiking, canoeing, farming and natural beauty.

What to WATCH

Demi Moore should win the Oscar for Best Actress

Twenty years ago, a biopic changed the way I listen to music.

I was thirteen. It was the year of Green Day’s American Idiot, Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi, and Kanye West’s Late Registration (three albums I still love to this day). And I was being dragged to the theater by my grandmother and great-grandmother to watch what I thought would be a stuffy, boring movie about a musician with whom I had virtually no relationship.

The movie was Walk The Line (streaming on Hulu), and the musician was Johnny Cash. I left the theater a little awestruck. While the movie itself was great, I was shaken by the music of “The Man In Black.”

I had never known songwriting to be an exercise in autobiography, a tool for reflection and self-discovery. Prior to hearing Johnny Cash, I didn’t know songs (and by extension, albums) could be deep, literary works of art.

Now, instead of just seeking out the sugar rush of hooky pop melodies, I was more focused on the mechanics of lyrical storytelling. Instead of just grooving to R&B synths, I was moved by the intimacy of acoustic guitar. And instead of being a purist for pitch-perfect vocals, I was equally intrigued by the rough-hewn voice of lived experience.

November 2005, director James Mangold brought together Joaquin Phoenix (as Cash) and Reese Witherspoon (as Cash’s countrysinging, mistress-turned-wife, June Carter) to tell one of the entertainment industry’s great love stories. It’s superbly paced, by turns meditative and exhilarating; and features two of the greatest acting performances of this century (Witherspoon rightfully won the Oscar for Best Actress).

What Phoenix and Witherspoon accomplish is nothing short of remarkable. They revive Johnny and June, body and soul. They even do their own singing, convincingly and beautifully.

So many music biopics are merely good (Ray, Selena) or downright mediocre (Bohemian Rhapsody, Bob Marley: One Love). Bad lip-syncing, cartoonish imitations, and cliched scripts still largely plague the genre. But Walk The Line ranks among the greats like What’s Love Got To Do With It and Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Johnny Cash led me to Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and the artist of my life, Bruce Springsteen. Contemporary troubadours like Tyler Childers, Jason Isbell, Zach Bryan, and Chris Stapleton continue to populate the upper-reaches of my Spotify Wrapped.

As a movie, Walk The Line is still my favorite music biopic by a country mile. Released in

Mangold has broken the music biopic mold again with A Complete Unknown (currently in theaters).

Loosely based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night

That Split the Sixties, the film begins with a young Bob Dylan (Timothee Chalamet) arriving in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1961 and follows his four-year evolution from a guitar-strumming folkster at The Gaslight Café to a world-conquering, innovative superstar. It culminates at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, when Dylan infamously breaks with the folk scene by playing electric instruments and embracing a more rock-n-roll-forward sound.

Like Phoenix in Walk The Line, Chalamet does his own singing and fully embodies his

real-life character. He will almost certainly be nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars this year, and would be a deserving winner. Monica Barbaro also stuns as Joan Baez.

Once again, Mangold gets the period details just right. Though the film is about four years in the life of Dylan, it’s also about

experimental I’m Not There (streaming on Amazon Prime), and far less daunting than Martin Scorsese’s 208-minute documentary, No Direction Home (streaming on PBS).

And while Inside Llewyn Davis (streaming on PlutoTV) may better capture the ‘60s Greenwich Village folk scene and the early days of the Dylan phenomenon, it’s still a cerebral Joel and Ethan Coen movie that’s not explicitly about Bob.

What the Dylan diehards

four years in the life of a rapidlychanging America. We feel the fear of the Cuban Missile Crises, we feel the sadness of the JFK assassination, and we feel the liberation of breaking free from the strictures of the old-fashioned folk establishment.

The common critique from Dylan diehards seems to be that A Complete Unknown is too conventional, that it does not properly wrestle with the mystique of a shape-shifting musical genius. I would argue they’re taking it all a little too seriously. While Dylan is indisputably one of the greatest songwriters ever, he’s also just a gangly kid from northern Minnesota with a bad attitude and a serious cigarette addiction who’s constantly trying to outrun his past.

No, A Complete Unknown

should also not discount is the potential for A Complete Unknown to be a portal for a younger generation to discover Dylan’s genius, just as 13-year-old Kyle discovered Cash twenty years ago in Walk The Line. The star power of Chalamet will inevitably lure in Gen Z fans and expose them to Dylan for the very first time. Perhaps the film will inspire them to seek out songs that are longer than a Tik Tok and deeper than that “me-

Kyle Hoffman is a writer, communications and

movie lover from Mankato. Follow him on Letterboxd: kylejhoffman.

SOUTHERN MINN

THURSDAY, FEB 27

End of Winter Multi-Family Sale - Waseca-12-6 p.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. A massive multi-family sale with items from multiple households across the community- perfect for families and bargain hunters. Find everything from kitchenware to electronics, clothes for all ages, home decor, and more. Sale runs noon-6 p.m. Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 1.

Matthew Aitch - St. Peter-- 5-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Singersongwriter whose music explores the themes of love found, love lost, and the beauty of the world around us. With a diverse musical background, his performances offer a blend of heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies.

Name That Tune 90s Pop - Le Sueur County-6 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Test your knowledge of all things 90s pop and see if you can identify the hits that de ned a decade. Whether you’re a Spice Girls superfan or know every Backstreet Boys lyric, this fun, free-toplay game is the perfect way to relive the music of your youth.

Songwriters in the Round - North eld-- 7 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., North eld. A variety of local artists showcasing their original work, and sharing stories of how those songs came to be. Free and for all ages.

of two novels — “The Comedown” (Henry Holt, 2018) and “Con dence” (Simon and Schuster, 2023), and a short story collection, “Bugsy” (Simon and Schuster, 2024). “Con dence” was named a New York Times Editor’s Pick and one of The Washington Post’s 50 Notable Works of Fiction.

FRIDAY, FEB 28

Kölsch Night - St. Peter-- 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Tremendous Brewing Co., 228 W. Mulberry St., St. Peter. Featuring traditional Kölsch service. Polka all day, featuring local polka expert Katie Jo from KMSU’s Katie’s Polka Party. She’ll take over the DJ duties from 5-8 p.m. Wear a dirndl or lederhosen and get your rst Kölsch free.

Tiki Night with Ray CoudretNorth eld-- 5-8 p.m., Armory Square Event Center, 519 Division St., Northeld. A special tiki bar in the Armory Square basement, featuring music from Ray Coudret.

Comedian Tommy Ryman - Faribault-- 7 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. Tommy Ryman, a semi nalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, is an acclaimed comedian. His oddly-adorable stand-up landed him No. 1 on iTunes comedy charts for his album Party Troll. He grew up in Minnesota. Tickets online.

Mrs. Moxie’s Game Night - North eld-- 7-9 p.m., North eld’s very own Drag Queen Mrs. Moxie hosts a

game night.

SATURDAY, MAR 01

-- 12 p.m.,

Two Orchard Wassail walks at 2 and 6 p.m. Bring noisemakers, wear costumes, be creative as we go into the orchard to wake up

the trees, feed the good spirits and scare away the bad, toast the upcoming season and sing songs. Morris dancing. Hot drinks. The usual Keepsake menu of locally sourced food will be available.

Children’s Dreamcatcher FundraiserWaseca-- 12 p.m., Star re Event Center, 206 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. Part of the Sleigh and Cutter festival, this fundraiser includes an auction, meat raf es and Bingo. Under 18 can play Bingo with an adult. See more online.

James Dahl - Kasota-2-5 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Singer/guitarist performing easy listening vocal and acoustic guitar music.

Flannel Formal - Faribault-- 5-10 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. The most Minnesotan event in Minnesota, you betcha. The event features live music, lumberjack games, annel fashion and hotdish contests, a photo booth and more. Tickets online.

Fred The Bear - Owatonna-- 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Fred the Bear is a classic rock/alternative band known for their rich harmonies, emotive dynamics and original songs. FTB’s music re ects on life’s promises and disappointments through personal crafted lyrics and driving rhythms. Mixed within their originals is a blend of music from other Midwest artists, currently touring groups and classic bands.

Comedy Night with Frank Roche - Janesville-6:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Born and raised in Detroit, this national headliner is one of the most high energy acts on

comedy circuit today. Fusing rapid- re antics, improv and dead-on celebrity impressions have made Frank a crowd favorite coast to coast. Tickets online.

Todd JindraLe Center-- 7-10 p.m., Le Center Municipal Liquors, 20 N Waterville Ave. Some acoustic guitar music.

TUESDAY, MAR 04

Student Art Exhibition Opening - Owatonna-- 4-7 p.m., K-12 student art exhibition from the Owatonna Public Schools Art Department. Gallery runs through March 30.

THURSDAY, MAR 06

Allen Eskens Author Talk - North eld-- 7 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northeld. A reading from his latest novel, “The Quiet Librarian.” After the murder of her best friend, a librarian’s search for answers leads back to her own dark secrets in this sweeping novel about a woman transformed by war, family, vengeance, and love. Allen Eskens is the USA Today bestselling author of “The Life We Bury,” which has been published in 26 languages, and eight other novels.

FRIDAY, MAR 07

Line Dancing - Le Sueur County-- 6-9 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Learn three to four dances from award winning choreographer Kerry Maus. Songs will be a mix of pop and country music. Sign up online.

Company

Dance Spring Concert - Northeld-7:30 p.m., Kelsey Theater, St. Olaf

Rafael Frumkin Author Talk - North eld-- 7 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northeld. Rafael Frumkin (Carleton ‘12) is the author

fabulous

Wassail - Dundas

Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas.

College. Featuring physically compelling, visually captivating, aurally stirring, and thought-provoking choreography by dance faculty members, guest artists, and current St. Olaf students. Shows at 7:30 p.m. March 6-8. Tickets online.

Bad Bad Hats - Faribault-- 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. The Minnesota band consists of Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge. Named after the trouble-making character from the Madeline children’s books, Bad Bad Hats is defined by a balance of sweet and sour. Their music honors classic pop songwriting, with nods to nineties rock simplicity and pop-punk frivolity. Tickets online.

SATURDAY, MAR 08

All School Art Show Reception - Northfield-10 a.m.-2 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St. S., Northfield. Celebrating the creative works of art students in the community. The gallery runs through March 15.

Candidate Talent Show - Le Center-- 3 p.m., Le

Center American Legion. The Le Sueur County St. Patrick’s Day Celebration queen candidates show off their very best skills. Admission at the door with a button purchase.

The Wendt Sisters - Janesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Playing a wide variety of music from the 50s to the 90s, country and gospel.

A Billy Joel State of Mind - Kasota-- 6-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A dynamic tribute led by Mick Sterling. Featuring a stellar horn section, full percussion, dual keyboards led by Peter Guertin, and two

violins, this performance is a showstopper. Relive iconic hits like Piano Man, New York State of Mind, Tell Her About It, and Big Shot, alongside deeper tracks. Tickets online.

Leer Brothers - Owatonna-- 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Some live acoustic guitar and vocals to enjoy with your drinks.

Ice Jam Party - Owatonna-- 7-9 p.m., Four Seasons Centre, 1525 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna. Ice skating with a live DJ. Concession stands will be open.

Smokescreen - Kasota-- 9 p.m., The Blue Moon Bar & Grill, 300 S. Webster St., Kasota. Playing a variety of rock and country music.

80s Hair Band Bowling Night - Owatonna-- 9 p.m.-12 a.m., Spare Time Entertainment, 333 18th St SE, Owatonna. Featuring hose Rockin Sammii. The party includes three hours of bowling and hits from your favorite hair bands. Mirror me photo booth. Team trivia. Rockstar costume contest. Prizes.

SUNDAY, MAR 09

Bridal Show - Waseca-- 11 a.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. The sixth annual free event for couples and their family to attend. Vendors from all around the Southern Minnesota area. Swag bags will be given to the first 25 brides through the door. Five door prize drawings and a grand prize drawing (RSVP on Facebook event page to be entered).

Legacy Celtic Music - St. Peter-- 2-5 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. CONTINUED page 20

Photo courtesy of Jon Smithers

An afternoon filled with traditional Irish tunes and lively energy, as Legacy Celtic Music brings their passion for Irish folk. With a love for penny whistles, fiddles, mandolins, and Irish heritage, this talented group keeps the spirit of Celtic music alive with every note.

The Donner Party - St. Peter-- 4-7

p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Playing the roots of classic country.

Imminent Standards

TrioNorthfield-5-7 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. Featuring local trombonist JC Sanford, joined by Anthony Cox on bass and Phil Hey on drums. World class jazz.

THURSDAY, MAR 13

Puzzling and Pets - St. Peter-- 6-9 p.m., The Capitol Room, 419 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Form a team of four people to put together a 500-piece puzzle. Tickets comes with two bottles of wine and a charcuterie board. Prizes available. Proceeds donated to Mending Spirits Rescue.

Mill City String Quartet with Benjamin Downs - Faribault-- 7:30 p.m., Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Faribault. The quartet is dedicated to promoting underrepresented composers and celebrating classical music, and has been MCSQ has been selected six times as Minnesota Public Radio Class Notes artists. Pianist Benjamin Downs, a prizewinning musician with performances across the U.S. and Europe, will join MCSQ.

FRIDAY, MAR 14

Murder Mystery Dinner - Le Sueur County-6-9:30 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Welcome aboard the European Belle, where the sound of train whistles, clinking china, and screams can be heard on the tracks. This

interactive dinner show will have you analyzing clues and digging into the details to find out whodunnit. Or you can simply watch the crime scene unfold as you sip a delicious beverage. Recommended Attire: 1930’s Fancy-pants attire. Think fake fur coats, fake pipes, etc. Tickets online.

Gary WestFaribault-- 7 p.m., Boxers Grill & Bar, 429 Central Ave. N, Faribault. Gary has rocked the Grand Ole Opry with legends like Little Jimmy Dickens and Del Reeves and now brings his high energy outlaw country around Southern Minnesota.

St. Olaf Philharmonia & NHS OrchestraNorthfield-- 7:30-9 p.m., Skoglund Center, 1634 Campus Drive, Northfield. St. Olaf Philharmonia, conducted by Chung Park, and the Northfield High School orchestra, conducted by Thomas O’Keefe, will present a joint and collaborative concert.

SATURDAY, MAR 15

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration - Waesca-- 10 a.m.-11 p.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. Activities kick off with Irish music at Sacred Heart Church. Irish mass at 10:30 a.m. The Parade of Clans heads to The Mill at noon, followed by the Irish rally from 12:30-2 p.m. Mulligan Stew and corned beef & cabbage served by Blake’s Food Truck immediately following mass until gone. Irish music and live entertainment including Crista Bohlmann and Muriah Miller. Irish activities, crafts and treats for sale. Irish auction at 2 p.m. Irish Bingo at 4 p.m. Miss St. Patrick & Miss Irish Rose Pageant at 7 p.m. Dance to music by Jim “Kozy” Kozan.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration - Le Center-- 11 a.m., Le Center. The St. Patrick’s Day queen coronation takes place 7 p.m. March 14 at the Le Center Legion; the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place at 2 p.m. March 15 in the downtown, while the Legion serves Mulligan stew from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; IV Play caps the night at the Legion from 9 p.m.

Wind Symphony and Jazz Lab Concert - St. Peter-- 1:30-3 p.m., Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Ave, St. Peter. A concert open to the public on the college campus.

Senior Moment - Owatonna-- 4-6 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Bruce Bernhart has played in several bluegrass bands over the past 25+ years. Having mastered the lost art of flatpicking old time fiddle tunes on the guitar, combined with no amplifiers and no microphones, Bruce and his friend Tim (who plays back up rhythm guitar and who has played folk and bluegrass for as long as Bruce has) are the duo Senior Moment.

Frost and the Heatseekers - Janesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Performing seven decades of music.

The Zillionaires - Northfield-- 6-9 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. This self-styled alt-variety band performs compelling original songs by Wendy Smith and covers from a diverse catalogue of Americana, country, roots, rock, and blues. Entertaining music lovers with their skilled musicianship and well-honed sense of fun.

McAllister -

-- 6-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A skilled guitar player and singer.

Do you want to submit an event to this calendar? Send details to editor@ southernminnscene.com

Mike Brody Comedy Show - St. Peter-- 7 p.m., 2nd Story Comedy, 303 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Starting comedy on a whim at an open mic in the year 2000, Mike Brody has since devoted his life to perfecting the delivery of his high energy act.

St. Patrick’s Day with The Northerly GalesFaribault-- 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. With soaring melodies and driving rhythms, The Northerly Gales put their own high-energy spin on Celtic Folk and Americana. Innovating and original in their own ways, while respecting the traditions. They compose, they arrange, and they put on a rocking show. Tickets online.

SUNDAY, MAR 16

Johnny

Matt

Kasota

Beer Choir - St. Peter-- 7-8:30 p.m., Tremendous Brewing Co., 228 W. Mulberry St., St. Peter. All about singing and drinking beer together.

Russ Franek & The Biscuits - Northfield-- 7-10 p.m., Flaherty’s Northfield Lanes, 1700 Highway 3 S. Kick butt cover band that’s got something for everyone.

Chris Holm - Kilkenny-- 1-4 p.m., Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, 8950 Dodd Rd., Kilkenny.

An acoustic folk blues & country musician based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A fingerstyle guitar picker and harmonica player, Chris channels the highspirited liveliness of Charley Patton, thumping on his suitcase drum, attacking his guitar strings with abandon, and shouting along in a gravelly howl, later to channel the lonesome sounds of a weeping slide guitar and a blue yodel.

Pengra & Arsenault - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Dave Pengra and Ron Arsenault, part of City Mouse, captivate and impress audiences with their feats of strength and wit all over Southern Minnesota and beyond.

Downstream Environmental Film Festival - Faribault, Northfield, Owatonna-- 6 p.m., Screenings 6 p.m. March 20 at Corks & Pints in Faribault, 6 p.m. March 25 at Imminent Brewing in Northfield, and 6 p.m. March 31 at Mineral Springs Brewery in Owatonna. An evening of creativity and awareness as we screen captivating films from talented local, national, and international filmmakers who dive deep into pressing environmental issues facing our planet. The event is free, but let us know you’re coming by registering on the website.

FRIDAY, MAR 21

Dan Chouinard with Thomasina PetrusNorthfield-- 7 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street West. The third in The Guild’s 411 Concert Series with Dan Chouinard. Each shows features a different special guest. Petrus is a professional jazz singer, songwriter and 30yr AEA actor. She has toured the country honoring Billie Holiday with productions of “Lady Day @ Emerson’s Bar & Grill” by Lanie Robertson.

MONDAY, MAR 17

Souper Bowl - St. Peter-- 3-6 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Buy one (or dozens of) artisan bowls hand-thrown by local potters, starting at $20. Specialty pottery will also be available for purchase. Bowl purchase includes a serving of soup & bread. Everything is first come, first serve.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade - St. Peter-- 5:30 p.m., “The best St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Southern Minnesota,” says local organizers. Parade, music and so much more.

THURSDAY, MAR 20

Ray & Curt - Northfield-- 6-9 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., Northfield. A night of music, featuring keys, guitar and vocals.

Rad Zoo - St. Peter-- 1:30 p.m., St. Peter Library. The Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo will visit the library again with more animals to explore. Come for this fun, engaging and interactive presentation while gaining a greater understanding of these fascinating creatures.

Pizza & Puzzles - Waseca-- 5:45-8:30 p.m., Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca. Gather your friends and family for this jigsaw puzzle contest. Each team (two to four people) will receive the same 500-piece puzzle. Your team will have up to 120 minutes to complete it. The top team will receive a cash prize.

Sweetheart Dance - Kenyon-- 6-7:30 p.m., Kenyon-Wanamingo High School, 400 Sixth St., Kenyon. Dancing, games and snacks. A family event.

SATURDAY, MAR 22

Maple Syrup: Sap to Sugar - Henderson-- 1011 a.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. This experience takes you through our syrup process to learn about traditional and modern maple syrup and sugaring methods, as well as the science behind it all. To conclude, indulge in a tasting session and see if you can guess which syrup is ours and which is store-bought. Tickets online.

CONTINUED page 22

Thursday10-7

Saturday 10 - 3

Tuesday 10 - 5 Wednesday 10 - 5 Thursday 10 - 5 Friday 10 - 5

Tim Cheesebrow - Kasota-- 2-5 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Tim’s music layers an eclectic mix of styles to create a sound with modern grooves, catchy melodies, and a sense of being grounded in deep roots. He’s known for his percussive guitar work, capo-wizardry, and an expressive voice big enough to fill any room.

HoldFast - Janesville--

5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Enjoy live music this evening by Waterville’s own HoldFast playing a variety of country, pop, bluegrass, folk, Indie, and 80s.

Comedy Under the Bridge - Faribault-- 7 p.m., Corks & Pints, 22 4th St. NE, Faribault. A comedy show to enjoy with your beverages.

Gary WestLe Center-7-10 p.m., Le Center Municipal Liquors, 20 N Waterville Ave. Gary has rocked the Grand Ole Opry with legends like Little Jimmy Dickens and Del Reeves and now brings his high energy outlaw country around Southern Minnesota.

SUNDAY, MAR 23

St., St. Peter. A special performance of Cat Stevens’ album “Tea For The Tillerman” in its entirety. American Soul is a fitting brand for Mark Joseph; since his 2017 album by that title, he has charted a relentless and soulful course through America, and Americana, from blues to country to psychedelic rock and everything in between.

Gary West - Kilkenny-- 7 p.m., Toy Box Saloon, 216 Kilkenny Rd., Kilkenny. Gary has rocked the Grand Ole Opry with legends like Little Jimmy Dickens and Del Reeves and now brings his high energy outlaw country around Southern Minnesota.

MONDAY, MAR 24

Shasta KingsOwatonna-- 6:308:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Scott Rogness (guitar/ lead vocals) and Bruce Watts (guitars/vocals) playing a wide variety of songs from classic rock to new country.

Do you want to submit an event to this calendar?

Send details to editor@southernminnscene.com

NEVER

Adult Book Fair - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Browse adult books and bookish treasures from a variety of vendors — it’s a novel idea for a Sunday afternoon. Whether you’re shopping for your next great read or plotting to stock up on literary goodies, this event is sure to be a page-turner.

Joseph Performs Cat Stevens - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third

Live Peregrine Falcon Presentation - Faribault-- 3-4 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. Come and learn more about the peregrine story, and what is being done right here in Minnesota to help the species and what we have discovered about them after 40 years of research.

TUESDAY, MAR 25

Pot Painting & Plant Swap - St. Peter-- 6-8 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. A terra cotta pot to paint and personalize. Access to all painting supplies. A chance to bring a plant, swap a plant with fellow plant lovers. Tickets online.

This month’s SCENE calendar runs through March 25th. View more

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Mark

SoMinn THE BOOKWORM SEZ

‘The Word of Dog,’ ‘The Lamb,’ and ‘Cleavage’

The Word of Dog:

What Our Canine Companions

Can Teach Us about Living a Good Life

by Mark Rowlands

c.2025, Liveright $26.99 256 pages

Your dog has it pretty good.

You feed him nutritious food tailored to his needs, and you’re generous with snacks. She has her own bed, but she prefers yours and you don’t mind. You open doors for him, play his favorite games, and you pick up his toys and his yard. Around your house, it’s absolutely a dog’s life but, philosophically speaking, asks Mark Rowlnds in “The Word of Dog,” which of you really has it better?

At a certain time of day, on certain days of the week, Mark Rowlands asks his German shepherd dog, Shadow, if he wants to ride along to fetch Rowlands’ son. This sends Shadow spinning happily, even though the ride is routine and always uneventful.

For years, he took Shadow on walks by the canals near their Miami home where Rowlands says Shadow took great delight in running, chasing and scattering iguanas and ducks. It was, he says, a Sisyphean task with no end but that seemed to be half the fun.

He often wonders why he can’t capture that kind of joy over something so simple, and he wonders about the meaning of it. It’s doubtful, Rowlands admits, that Shadow thinks similarly, but though Socrates (or maybe Plato) said that an unexamined life is not worth living, surely Shadow feels joy. Isn’t that the point of a life well-lived?

Immanuel Kant weighed in on self-reflection, which Rowlands says dogs practice, though obviously not as humans do. He disagrees with Sartre’s principles of freedom, vis à vis dogs, because a dog’s idea of freedom likely differs from ours. Philosopher Moritz Schlick said that the “meaning of life is play,” and dogs absolutely tick that box. Rowlands furthermore argues that dogs have morals, logic, and a certain doggy rationality, and though Christian philosopher William Lane Craig suggested that dogs’ lives lack meaning because they don’t believe in God, Rowlands disagrees. If you hope to truly understand life, he says, adopt a dog.

Once or twice at random inside this book, author Mark Rowlands says that the things he presents here are “hard,” and he’s absolutely correct. “The Word of Dog” is the kind of book that may make your brain hurt, but in a good way. Though dog owners may think that there’s no need to question the meaning of their fur-kid’s existence, Rowlands puts fun inside the difficult through stories of his own dogs, their habits, and how philosophers might consider their behavior. Even writing about Shadow’s aggression, which may be controversial for some trainers, Rowlands entertains and teaches readers to think about the nature of comparison between species, and if it’s possible or even valid. In this, he makes a good dog advocate, through logical arguments, theoretical hypotheses, and sensical observations that will make readers – especially strictly science-minded ones – hard-pressed to dissent.

Just bear in mind that this isn’t a book for everyone. It’s a thinking person’s book, and don’t rush your time with it. For the right kind of left-brained reader, “The Word of Dog” is pretty good.

Books for Valentine’s Day (Or Not)

by various authors

c.2024, Penguin Life

$29.00 304 pages

The chocolates have been in stores since December 26. You know it’s the season for love, but you’re just not feeling it. Or you are but, well, it’s complicated. So why not explore it all by felling in love with these great books…?

There’ll be no V-Day cards in your mail this week and that’s okay if you read “Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms” by Nicola Slawson (Penguin Life, $20).

Based on her newsletter, The Single Supplement, this book will open your eyes to the joys of being single, and you’ll find ways to cope with the hard parts. This is an empowering book for anyone who’s single, whether by choice or by circumstance. And on that note, “I (Think) I Want Out” by Becky Whetstone, PhD (HCI, $17.95) is the book you want when there’s a “marriage crisis” and your emotions are a mess. Step-by-step, this book helps you examine what happened and how, ways to take care of yourself at this time, and what to do next. Comfort is what you’ll find here, especially if you pair it with “What to Do When You Get Dumped” by Suzy Hopkins & Hallie Bateman (Bloomsbury, $24.99).a book that offers gentle ways to heal.

If you really, really, really don’t like this holiday for lovers, then you’ll want to find “The Scary Book of Valentine’s Day Lore” by Tim Rayborn (Cider Mill Press, $16.99). Yes, love can hurt – a lot. It can crash and burn and you want to be ready with a collection of gleefully dark stories of the end of romance and all it entails. Hint: it’s not just for lovers. This book is also for anyone who loves a good chiller. But wait. No, no, you love Valentine’s Day! Which is why you need these books…

How did you meet your beloved? It’s a story you’ll be asked throughout your lives together and “Matchmaker Matchmaker” by Aleeza Ben Shalom (Union Square, $28.99) helps make it more memorable. Written by a professional matchmaker and dating coach (not to mention the star of a Netflix show) this book features worksheets, tips, hints, and other ideas for meeting Mr. or Ms. Right Forever. Even if you’re not looking, this is a fun read.

What makes a great date? In “Falling in Love at the Movies” by Esther Zuckerman (Running Press, $24), you’ll read about romance in the movies, including some classics and a whole bunch of ideas for a great Valentine’s Day date and beyond.

And finally, what lasts longer than flowers or chocolates? “Love from Snoopy” (Simon Spotlight, $9.99) does! This quick-to-read, sweet little book is perfect for your new amour, but also for someone who needs a quick pick-up, a thank-you, a thinking-of-you, a get-well, or something for a kid, so they don’t feel left out.

And if these books aren’t enough, ask your librarian or bookseller for suggestions. No kidding, they’d LOVE to help you find the best anti-love book for this season, or the sweetest Valentine ever.

The Lamb: A Novel

by Lucy Rose

c.2025, Harper $27.99 329 pages

What’s for lunch?

You probably know at breakfast what you’re having a few hours later. Maybe breast of chicken, sauteed in tomato sauce. Barbecued ribs, perhaps? Leg of lamb, beef tongue, pickled pigs’ feet, liver and onions, the possibilities are just menus away. Or maybe, as in the new book, “The Lamb” by Lucy Rose, you’ll settle for a rump roast and a few lady fingers.

Margot was just four years old when she noticed the mold on the shower walls, and wondered what it might taste like. She also found fingers in the shower drain from the last “stray,” the nails painted purple, and she wondered why they hadn’t been nibbled, too. Cooked right, fingers and rumps were the best parts. Later, once Margot started school, Mama depended

on her to bring strays from the woods to their cottage, and Mama would give them wine and warm them up. She didn’t often leave the house unless it was to bury clothing and bones, but she sometimes welcomed a gardener who was allowed to leave. There was a difference, you see, between strays and others.

But Eden…. Margot couldn’t quite figure her out.

She actually liked Eden, who seemed like a stray but obviously wasn’t. Eden was pretty; she never yelled at Margot, although she did take Margot’s sleeping spot near Mama. Eden made Mama happy; Margot could hear them in the bedroom sometimes, making noises like Mama did when the gardener visited. Eden was a very good cook. She made Mama softer, and she made promises for better times. And yet, things never got better. Margot was not supposed to call attention to herself, but she wanted friends and a real life. If she was honest, she didn’t want to eat strays anymore, either, she was tired of the pressure to bring home dinner, and things began to unravel. Maybe Mama didn’t love Margot anymore. Maybe she loved Eden better or maybe Mama just ached from hunger.

Because you know what they say: two’s company, three’s a meal…

Not a book to read at lunch? No, probably not –although once you become immersed in “The Lamb,” it’ll be easy to swallow and hard to put down.

For sure, author Lucy Rose presents a somewhatcoming-of-age chiller with a gender-twisty plot line here, and while it’s occasionally a bit slow and definitely cringey, it’s also really quite compelling. Rose actually makes readers feel good about a character who indulges in something so entirely, repulsively taboo, which is a very surprising – but oddly satisfying – aspect of this unique tale. Readers, in fact, will be drawn to the character Margo’s innocence-turned-eyes-wide-open and it could make you grow a little protective of her as she matures over the pages. That feeling plays well inside the story and it makes the will-they-won’t-they ending positively shivery.

Bottom line, if you have a taste for the macabre with a side-order of sympathy, then “The Lamb” is your book and don’t miss it. Fans of horror stories, this is a novel you’ll eat right up.

Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us

by Jennifer Finney Boylan c.2025, Celadon Books $29.00 256 pages

When it came to friends and family, your cup used to runneth over.

You had plenty of both and then, well, life and politics wedged an oceansized chasm between you and it makes you sad. And yet – are you really all that far apart? As in the new memoir, “Cleavage” by Jennifer Finney Boylan, maybe you’re still two peas in a pod.

Once upon a time not so long ago, Jennifer Finney Boylan was one of “a group of twelveyear-old Visigoths” intent on mischief. They hung around, did normal boy stuff, setting off rockets, roughhousing, roaming, rambling, and bike-riding. The difference between Boylan and the other boys in her group was that Jim Boylan knew she was really a girl. Then, she vowed that it was a “secret no soul would ever know,” and James went to college, enjoyed a higher metabolism, dated, fell in love too easily, then married a woman and fathered two boys but there was still that tug. Boylan carried the child she once was in her heart – “How I loved the boy I’d been!” – but she was a woman “on the inside” and saying it aloud eventually became critical. Boylan had a hard talk with her wife, Deedie, knowing that it could be the end of their marriage. She’s eternally grateful now that it wasn’t.

She’s also grateful that she became a woman when she did, when politics had little to do with that personal decision. She worries about her children, one who is trans, both of who are good, successful people who make Boylan proud. She tries to help other trans women. And she thinks about the words her mother often said: “Love will prevail.”

“Our lives are not a thing to be ashamed of,” Boylan says, “or apologized for, or explained. Our lives are a thing of wildness, and tenderness, and joy.”

Judge “Cleavage” by its cover, and you might think you’ll get a primer on anatomy. Nope, author Jennifer Finney Boylan only has one chapter on the subject, among many. Instead, she leans heavily on her childhood and her transition rather late in life, her family, and her friends to continue where her other books left off, to update, correct, and to share her thoughts on that invisible division. In sum, she guesses that “a huge chunk of the population… still doesn’t understand this trans business at all...”

Let that gentle playfulness be a harbinger of what you’ll read: some humor about her journey, and many things that might make your heart hurt; self-inspection that seems confidential and a few oh-so-deliciously well-placed snarks; and memories that, well-told and satisfying, are both nostalgic and personal from “both the Before and the After.”

This book has the feel of having a cold one with a friend and Boylan fans will devour it. It’s also great for anyone who is trans-curious or just wants to read an enjoyable collection of work from a born storyteller. No matter what you want from it, what you’ll find in “Cleavage” is a treasure chest. 

Bad Bad Hats

Friday, March 7th at 7:30 PM

Member: $21.50

Non-Member: $26.50

Student: $16.50

(Includes a $1.50 Processing Fee)

Bad Bad Hats is an indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band consists of Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge. Named after the trouble-making character from the Madeline children’s books, Bad Bad Hats is defined by a balance of sweet and sour. Their music honors classic pop songwriting, with nods to nineties rock simplicity and pop-punk frivolity. Through it all, Alexander’s unflinchingly sincere lyrics cut to the emotional heart of things.

Sponsored by Artist Julie Fakler

Area Student Visual Arts Show

Opening reception March 7 5pm-7pm.

Exhibition dates: March 7 - April 12th.

Galleries

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with The Northerly Gales

Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 PM

Member: $21.50

Non-Member: $26.50

Student: $16.50

(Includes a $1.50 Processing Fee)

With soaring melodies and driving rhythms, The Northerly Gales put their own high-energy spin on Celtic Folk and Americana. Innovating and original in their own ways, while respecting the traditions. They compose, they arrange, and they put on a rocking show. The long and the short of it is that the Gales are always ready to rock. Whether you’re looking to tap your feet, forget your troubles, or just share a pint over some great tunes, look no further than The Northerly Gales.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Class will meet the 1st & 3rd Mondays, March 3rd through May 19th. 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Class is for students 16+.

This class is for artists of all experience levels, from beginner to professional. You may bring your own supplies or use what’s available. This class is grant funded and free to all participants!