SCENE OCTOBER 2024

YOUR GUIDE FOR PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO.

DAILYSPECIALS CATERING OPEN7DAYSAWEEK

Harmony’s Monster Bash Haunted House and more spooky delights in SoMinn this October

By ALAINA ADKINSON Guest Contributor

The city of Harmony, Minnesota is teeming with culture and a rich community, especially when Autumn rolls around and the Monster Bash Haunted House awakens from the dead.

Deep in the hills of Southern Minnesota, the Monster Bash Haunted House is the perfect Halloween experience for all people. Not only is it the only wheelchair

accessible haunted house in the state, but it has also won best haunted house in Minnesota for seven years.

Families travel far and wide to participate in the immersive experience of Monster Bash, many who even help build and create the set each year. Though this nonprofit is now a well known attraction, it started with humble beginnings, running its first scares out of the local elementary school.

Jay Masters, creative visionary of Monster Bash, along with his friends and colleagues who run the art, music, and theater depart-

ments at the school, found their passion in performance art and the process of creating a story, which they have made a reality for the public for the last 12 years.

Alongside the directors, the community of Harmony plays an equally important role in maintaining and managing the Monster Bash year by year. A team of excited volunteers gears up with props and costumes galore to adorn the mostly desolate building with artifacts and treasures that make the place ooze with spookiness.

When Masters was asked what keeps such

an extensive organization afloat, he reminded of the multitude of creators involved in the process.

“That’s what makes it work, a lot of great ideas from very creative, talented people,” he said.

Students and families from the local public schools work together to find materials to fit the theme of each year, this year being “The Master’s Mansion,” where you must make your way through Dracula’s mansion mazes, murder rooms, and mysterious master bedrooms to escape.

CONTINUED page 6

(Photos courtesy Monster Bash)

CONTINUED from page 5

Something that makes the Monster Bash haunted house different from other attractions is its consistently changing theme and set. Every year ,the setup of the Monster Bash changes, creating a new experience for people who are returning from previous years.

Some examples of past themes include a haunted hotel, castle, carnival, an old-timey ghost town and a road trip gone wrong. It may surprise you to find out that the Monster Bash takes more than a year to organize and the theme for the upcoming year is decided before the current year is finished.

This is a huge part of the reason that haunted attractions are few and far between in rural Minnesota; it’s a lot of work.

Running a haunted house that keeps the attention of people for extended periods of time takes passion, time, planning and quite a bit of labor. That’s why Harmony has been so good at maintaining this popular destination, their community comes together in a miraculous way to complete this project year by year without fail.

High school students and their families make up a big portion of the

volunteers, spending August and September building, painting and sewing sets and costumes. The proceeds from the haunt then go directly to the arts in the local community and school district creates a circle of art and performance in Harmony that you don’t often see.

The Master’s Mansion is a captivating series of dark hallways, tall bookcases, and coffins that may or may not be home to a sleeping vampire. You begin by making your way through a hedge maze into the greenroom where gargoyles and hidden gilly people are waiting to pounce.

As you make your way through the smoggy corridors, Dracula’s team of monsters make their appearances in the mansion’s many rooms, often seen stirring the pot of blood in the kitchen or hanging their latest victim to dry by the dining room table.

Books and bones lay scattered around the mansion, creating a sense of home and horror within. Collectibles like statue busts and baby doll heads help to further the storyline of Dracula and his background as one of the most famous cryptids in history.

Not only is Monster Bash a fun form of entertainment, it also represents a piece of human history that is fascinating, especially to those with an interest

in the unnatural and unknown. Masters and his team of makers and movers set out to create an exhilarating, scary experience that pushes the boundaries of art and expression through this mysterious world.

If you are able to make it through the many corridors and dead ends that the mansion has in store, you end up in the bedroom of the Master himself. His assistant, Igor, saves you from his fatal jaws, as he promised to get you out safe, but there are still a few more obstacles to defeat before you can escape.

A bloody baby doll and a fire breathing dragon protect the giant mansion from intruders, whether you’re trying to enter or exit, so beware of your surroundings at all time and make the most of the Master’s Mansion, as it will only be around for another month to haunt you.

Hours of Operation for October 2024:

Friday, Oct. 11, 7-10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 12, 6-10 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 18, 7-10 p.m.; Saturday Oct. 19, 6-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m.

Admission Costs: 2024 Admission was $13 per person (tickets are only available at the door). Under 5 years is free.

More Haunted attractions in the Southern Minn Scene region

Zumbrota Fright at the FarmAbandoned Circus and Haunted Cannabis Maze

47385 Hwy. 52, Zumbrota rochesterhorror.com

The Abandoned Circus will be in town during the Halloween season to offer its share of scary clowns, circus freaks and creatures as part of this year’s Fright at the Farm Haunted House attraction, which is located on Highway 52 in Zumbrota. The venue also features a haunted cannabis maze during the evening hours and a unique “canna-disc” frisbee disc golf course on the farm’s grounds during the daylight hours. Tickets can be purchased online in advance by visiting the attraction’s website at rochesterhorror.com.

300 S. Front St., Mill Pond Park, St. Peter Facebook: Mill Pond

Experience a haunted hayride through the eerie river bottom woods along the Minnesota River near St. Peter’s Mill Pond Park. The Mill Pond Haunted Hay Ride will be open on Oct. 18-19 and 25-26. Hours each day are from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate (cash or check only - no credit cards). For more information on this event, which is put on each year by the Nicollet County Trail Association, please visit its Facebook page at Mill Pond Haunted Hay Ride.

New Ulm Nightmares

Haunted House

Brown County Fairgrounds, New Ulm newulmnightmares.com

The eighth annual New Ulm Nightmares Haunted House will haunt the Brown County Fairgrounds Oct. 18-19 and 25-26 from 7-10 p.m., plus Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m. This year’s event will include two haunted houses: The Farm and The Crypt, which is features a blackout with no lights and only a lantern to make your way through the “crypt.” A special black light night in the Farm Haunted House will be held on Oct. 19 and 26 from 10-11 p.m. Groups going through this will be provided with one glow stick to help them navigate. On Halloween Day from 3-5 p.m., a “light on” non-scary haunted house will be offered for kids before the evening scary fun begins at 6 p.m. that night. Organizers also added scary escape rooms and pumpkin chuckin’ this year. For more information, visit newulmnightmares.com.

Rochester

Trolley and Tour Company

972 14th Avenue SW, Rochester rochestermntours.com

The Rochester Trolley and Tour Company offers two tours that delve into the haunted side of the Rochester area on selected dates in October. The tour includes visits into several of city’s locations with a haunted history including the Rochester Civic Theater, the State Hospital Cemetery and the noted Kahler Grand Hotel. Paranormal experts also offer their insight to highlight the tour. For more information on the tours and dates available, please visit www. rochestermntours.com

Albert Lea Oktoberween | Haunted House, Oktoberfest, Kids Carnival

1105 Bridge Ave, Albert Lea oktoberween.com

Oktoberween is an Oktoberfest celebration with live music, great cold brews, food trucks, and fun games in the beer gardens. It’s a kids carnival filled with bounce houses, pumpkin crafts, and outdoor movies. It’s even bringing back a haunted house. Holy smokes. It’ll be two weekends, Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27, full of fun for everyone, and a big Halloween night party.

St. Peter Mill Pond Haunted Hay Ride

Haunted Hay Ride

Profile of a MINN MUSICIAN

Emily Haavik

Duluth native Emily Haavik has always been a writer. As a child she would write stories that she fashioned into little books, stapled pieces of paper with titles like The Caring and Keeping of Labs. Words and stories continue to be her weapon of choice, both as a singer-songwriter and as a journalist.

A classically trained pianist and an informally trained guitarist since she was young, Emily grew up singing and playing music in church. Participating in school talent shows and open mics, eventually trying to start a band in high school.

She recalls the first time she tried writing a song, the final product a long winding poem in the style of a similar tune she loved by Iron & Wine. The song wasn’t great, but it showed her that she was capable of writing songs and so she forged on.

“That song didn’t go anywhere,” she said. “Once you do it, once you do anything creative. It’s like, ok this is cool. I wrote this song and it wasn’t there before. I can probably do that again.”

2015 brought her from Duluth to Minneapolis, a move that she says was every bit the cliche of small-town-girl-moves-to-the-big-cityto-pursue-her-dreams. Despite the challenges (living with roommates and dealing with a roach infestation), she relished being in the city and the skyline view outside her window. Working as a journalist for what is now American Public Media, Emily was able to hone her investigative and literary skills. Thus began her professional dual roles as musician and reporter.

Emily sees both of her roles as forms of public service, her job in part, to illuminate and

give clarity to things in the shadows, or to give voice to the voiceless. Her 2022 song, “Do You Think You Protect Me?” is an example of her unique ability to highlight injustices and outline them in a universal but specific way.

She made a tough and uncomfortable subject, a beautiful siren call for change and introspection. When asked why she chose to write a song about violence against women (she emphasizes that the song is for and about anyone who feels unsafe due their gender), Emily said it was something she wanted to do, because of her own experiences and how she felt in the world.

A ubiquitous subject in the post-Me too era, yet, a big challenge to tackle in a thoughtful way. For Emily, the vision of others standing behind her, supporting her efforts, helped her along.

“When I wrote it I pictured this recurring forest with a bunch of people singing, a bunch of women singing. I think that unlocked it for me. Where I felt like, I was writing it by myself but it made me feel not alone because I was writing it in this spirit of community and togetherness.”

Her vision became reality when it was time to create the award winning music video for the song. She enlisted the help of choreographer and friend, Brianna Hall-Nelson to create a dance for the song. In addition, with the support of grant funding, they collaborated with video producer Michelle Truax.

The result was a power ful visual representation of the song’s message. Throughout making the video and launching the song, the project snowballed, taking a year to complete.

Emily partnered with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Native Lives Matter Coalition to turn the release of the song into a fundraiser for both organizations, a true lesson in how to authentically show up for a cause. The video release coincided with two show releases, one in Duluth and one in the

recording engineer Zachary Hollander, all of the songs on “Wingspan” were products of a Facebook songwriting group that Emily, and many other local artists are part of. Emily credits the group for bringing her songwriting to the next level.

The concept of the group is, each week there is a new prompt and participants are asked to write a song based on the prompt, then record a video of the song to share with members. The crop of songs chosen for Wingspan are fiery and full of heart. Emily’s conviction for examining relationship and societal power dynamics continues on these tracks.

Familiar melodies laced with 90s countr y sensibility make for some instant earworms. It’s clear Emily’s ability for strong prose and song construction are top tier. Wisely uncovering symptoms of subtle harms and standing up against them, makes for an empowering message throughout.

Even when she examines love and the power of that relationship on the song “Magnificence,” there’s still tension at play, a fear of losing what you have and/ not having the ability to hold it all in your arms.

Now Emily loves motherhood. It turns out it didn’t ruin her life, as she once feared. Becoming a mom brought richness and love into her life, in unimaginable amounts. Emily was unprepared for the biological connection she feels toward her son and the difficulty she finds in being away from him.

It also opened her eyes to the enormous economic challenges some families face and the weight that mothers carry. For mothers, everything is a trade-off.

“I’ve described it as I’m always grieving. When I’m working, I’m grieving that I’m not with my kid, and when I’m with my kid, I’m grieving the career opportunities. It’s a dramatic way to say it. You’re always wrestling with it.”

Twin Cities. The song became a gateway to heavy conversations, one of which occurred live on air with a radio station DJ.

It underscores how much the song accomplished in terms of opening the doors to tough conversations and inspiring people to look inward, to reflect on their own actions. This is where being a musician intersects being a change agent, simply by illuminating and connecting people to things they didn’t see or were not willing to talk about before.

In 2022, Emily was confronted with the impending change of becoming a mom. Fear of what her capacity for music would be once her baby was born spurred her to get into the studio for a new album.

Recorded at The Pearl Recording Studio with

One trade off that she is comfortable making right now is touring less, so she can be home to spend time with her family. It’s this sentiment that she alludes to on the song Wingspan which is an ode to the age old question, what good is fame and fortune if you have no one to share it with?

You could say the album is first and foremost about love, love for yourself and the power you can gain from that and loving on others, giving them the space and respect they need and deserve.

You can find Wingspan wherever you consume music Oct. 3. Find Emily on social media @emilyhaavik on IG and Emily Haavik & The 35s on Facebook and on her website to see her tour schedule. 

Sarah Osterbauer is a die-hard music lover. When she does her budget each month, food comes after concert tickets. Find her on twitter

SarahOwrites.

SARAH OSTERBAUER

Rants & RAVES

Modern horror, a scarier proposition than ever

Back in the days of yore, you could be secure in your knowledge that the horror movie traditions were unwavering. For instance, zombies were slow and sludgy. Vampires couldn’t come into your house unless you invited them. And werewolves weren’t gonna be an issue, because they were chained up in the basement during certain times of the month.

Times have changed, people. You can’t just rely on your previous knowledge of the oldschool horror movie tropes. These days, vampires eat garlic and can wander around during the day. Werewolves now work in corporate. Being a virgin no longer guarantees you longterm safety.

It used to be, if you walked slowly and acted stupid, zombies would think you were one of them and ignore you. If you had a medical condition, they could smell it and would leave you alone. Nowadays, zombies are runners as well as proficient climbers and swimmers … skills they never used to have. The modern undead have a more discernible pallet, but they’ll still eat your brain just for lack of anything better to do.

I’m sure you all remember the basics like never saying, “I’ll be right back” as that ensures your immediate demise. And, if you have a lot of cleavage and happen to be a cheerleader with blonde hair, you know you should wear sensible shoes on all your camping adventures to prepare for a quick getaway.

You have to keep your eyes open for the little things in 2024. Like if your pregnant pal is keeping a dead raccoon in a baby bassinet, it’s time to expand your friend group. If you make a new acquaintance, and you’ve known them less than two weeks when they invite you to their ancestral home in Europe, it’s clear as day that they’re vampires … don’t bother looking for that passport.

Even modern dating has been impacted by the changes in the horror movie genre. I recently watched a film where the only way you

could get rid of the demon that had possessed you was to have “relations” and pass the evil spirit to your partner.

But let’s not forget the original standards. Like do we really still have to remind men that when you pick up a woman in a bar and she’s wearing a full-length lace dress and a choker necklace, you shouldn’t leave with her? No current fashion requires a woman to wear a velvet choker. And if you’re dumb enough to offer to drive her home and she lives in an enormous gothic castle, don’t walk her to the door. It’s time to call it a night. Have some self-respect/ dignity/street-smarts, we all know she’s gonna drain you in record time.

Timing is also important when navigating the spooky world. Like the minute you see your date has a room-sized acrylic cage in their basement or you glance at their old family photos and they haven’t aged since high school, you should know, it’s time to swipe left. “Carnal relations” in the back of van used to get you taken out immediately. Now, if you “do the deed” in an Airbnb (Air Bed and Breakfast) or a VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner), you’re still gonna die a gruesome death but at least it’s enhanced by an environment complete with a cool knife-edge pool or a spring-fed hot tub. I can’t believe how many people miss the loud flapping of the red flags. I thought it was pretty clear that if your friend dies but the Coroner isn’t sure what kind of animal actually tore them to shreds, that’s your sign to get out of there. You don’t need to spend any more time grieving or finding out if they’re REALLY dead. Just go!

Modern office environments have evolved in the scary genre as well. If a co-worker suddenly has a run of extreme good luck or if their immediate supervisor dies under suspicious circumstances, you should do a little digging. No one really jumps off the roof of their office building at the Christmas party. You gotta look for common elements, like is Dave in Accounting at the death scene before everyone else? Has Dave ever been in the office during a full moon?

For years now, I’ve taken the bullet for lots of

you by watching as many terrible scary movies as I can. So, I feel like it’s my responsibility to keep you updated on the trends/rules of the horror game. Not all heroes wear capes! I recently watched a movie where just taking your eyes off a department store mannequin resulted in being disemboweled. And now, I’m entrenched in a TV series where you have to keep the windows covered or demons who look just like your dead friends and family stand outside the glass and ask you to come out and play. The pretty lady who comes to your window every night and just wants to “come inside to kiss you for the first time” is for sure going to eat your face. FYI

So, here are a few more important updates to keep in mind:

If you’re invited to a birthday party for an old college friend and it’s located at a country estate with no lights on or visible cars out front, just turn around.

If you’re a loan officer at a bank, just approve everybody. Make your boss be the one to turn down candidates because you know the creepy, old woman dressed all in black is gonna put a serious curse on him!

Should your Mom get extensive plastic surgery and come home completely shrouded in bandages with nothing but her hands showing, you can be pretty much assured, it’s no longer your Mom.

Horror movies don’t usually mess with kids or pets, but if you do insist on trying to reanimate your dead dog, keep in mind Snoopy isn’t gonna want to snuggle anymore.

If you cut off a guy’s arm, it’s gonna grow right back. You didn’t really slow him down; you just made him wicked angry.

Consuming the organs of your victims continues to be a popular theme. You know, gaining strength by eating their heart and better vision for future business deals by devouring their eyes, that sorta thing. But you should find out what they did for a living before you killed them. Maybe check in with some of their old friends to see what kind of person they were. Swallowing body parts is gonna make you pick up their traits and that never really ends well if

you haven’t done your research. Charge your damn phone before you get lost on your way to the campsite for the weekend. And with all the technology these days, bring a solar-powered charger or a satellite phone that’ll work once you reach your friend’s Uncle’s cabin in the remote woods! You’re gonna need to call for help!

I’ve told you before, if you have a new neighbor and you don’t know anything about them, don’t invite them inside. Offer to meet them outdoors ‘cuz once you say it’s ok to come in, they can enter your house any time they want. Be warned, they’re gonna pick off your family one by one. It’s just standard vampire practice.

Even the real estate world isn’t immune to the changes that have occurred in the dark side of things. When house hunting, you should always pull up the rugs to check for satanic symbols etched into the hardwood. Take a subtle glance at the inside of the basement doors to see if there are any claw marks. Knock on the bookcases and listen for the hollow sound that confirms the hidden rooms. And, if the windows are covered with dead flies or you run the tap in the bathroom and blood comes out, this isn’t the house for you.

Similarly, if you find a house that’s super affordable, filled with built-in custom millwork, perfect manicured gardens, and room after room of vintage furniture left by the previous owner, there’s been a mass murder there. Never trust the realtor. They always say they didn’t know about the family that was butchered. Everyone in town is gonna give you the real story after you move in, and it’s never gonna sell once you realize it’s haunted. You don’t want to have to do the usual scenario where you throw the kids in the car in their pajamas and move out in the middle of the night leaving everything you own.

I do what I can to keep my readers safe! If you have any questions prior to signing a purchase agreement or heading out of town for a relaxing weekend at the cabin, just give me a call 

abound in SoMinn this Halloween season

By ASHLEY HANLEY

Guest Contributor

the fun.

As the fall leaves begin to change color and the pumpkin spice lattes return to the menus, communities, businesses and the like and busily preparing for another fall tradition in the Southern Minnesota area: Trunk or Treats.

Like the traditional Halloween idea of trickor-treating, the idea of a Trunk or Treat is for kids and families to gather the goodies all in one area, say, at a local business, church, park, or other venue. Some get so creative that they decorate their cars by theme; others stick to the orange and black of the season; still others might have you play a game to earn your treat. But whatever the case, it is the kids who benefit, as they can gather a lot of goods in a short amount of time.

But if you ask Kimi Compton, the Marketing and Communications Specialist of Apple Autos of Northfield, it isn’t just the kids who have all

“We Love our community. Giving Back is one of our core values at Apple Autos, as well as being active in our community. Trunk or Treat was birthed out of that value and vision,”

“It is hard to break down, but a full week or two worth of work is dedicated to planning, scheduling, and of course, our candy budget,” she said.

Compton said.

She’s been working at Apple Autos for six years. And for all those six years, they’ve done the Trunk or Treat.

“We host at all five of our locations and have hundreds of attendees every year,” Compton said.

“Each store has roughly 5-10 volunteers helping run the activity stations and pass out candy.”

They pass out candy mostly, but sometimes some small prizes. They also have balloon animals, temporary tattoos, and face painting (which they’ve renamed “Mortuary Makeover”).

While the date for this year’s Trunk or Treat in Northfield was yet to be determined at publish time, Compton said they usually start planning for the event a month in advance.

For Compton and her team, all the hard work and dedication is all worth the rewards that come with

it, especially, she said, the community engagement.

“I hear people say they look forward to it every year. It’s a lot of work to put on and takes all hands-on deck, but seeing kids come back year after year, you start to recognize them and build relationships. To me, my job is about so

much more than cars, and Trunk or Treat is just one example of the many community events we host. It’s a family-friendly, wholesome event, the perfect stepping stone for young kids who might not be ready for all the spookiness of trick or treating,” Compton said.

“Since we opened our doors in 1993, we’ve made it our mission to rewrite the script on car dealerships. It’s easy to say we care about the community, but we prove it, not just in the thousands we give back, but in simple community events our customers and locals look forward to! You don’t have to buy a car with us to know we care. As someone who is involved in the bulk of community events and charitable efforts throughout the year, I love to tell people Apple Autos “Walks the Walk” when it comes to community. Our values aren’t just letters on a wall, they’re woven into our DNA as a company. Without our community and people, we don’t exist!

Other Trunk or Treats in the

Southern Minnesota Scene area

include:

These are just a handful of the many trunk or treat events happening across the Scene region this Halloween season.

Waseca, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 24, downtown: The past years have been amazing. Businesses are excited to offer a great event for the community, especially our children. Business- es get creative with the way they hand out treats, too, so be ready for the fun. Organizers will once again mark the sidewalks with one-way arrows to help make a smoother process for our princesses and ghosts to get their treats.

Lake Crystal, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 25, Area Recreation Center: Come to the LCARC to celebrate Halloween with an evening full of

entertainment and treats. Visit area business booths or trunks to pick up a treat. Then stay to play free “Spooktacular” games in the LCARC gym and win prizes.

Owatonna, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 26, downtown: Head to downtown Owatonna with your trick-or-treat bags ready to fill.

Medford, 12-3 p.m., Oct. 26, Medford Public School: All kinds of trunks to choose your treats from.

Waterville, 4-6 p.m. Oct. 26, Main Street: Prize basket for best decorated trunk. Free to sign up.

Mankato, 2-7 p.m., Oct. 29, Snell Motors: Along with several other local businesses, Snell will be hosting its third annual free family Halloween Event in its 70-car indoor showroom. Bring your little goblins and ghouls for a safe and warm evening of trunk-or-treating, activities, candy and more.

Faribault, 4-6 p.m., Oct. 31, Bethlehem Academy: All kinds of trunks to choose your treats from.

Kenyon, TBD, Depot Park: Gather your little ghouls and goblins and head over for a hauntingly good time. Organizers will also have hot dogs and chips available for purchase in an effort for fundraising for the Depot Park building.

Le Sueur, TBD, Main Street: Downtown businesses band together to give trick-or-treaters a variety of trunks and other candy containers to choose from.

St. Peter, TBD, John Ireland Catholic School: All kinds of trunks to choose your treats from.

Kenyon, 3-5 p.m. Oct. 27, Depot Park: Gather your little ghouls and goblins and head over for a hauntingly good time. Organizers will also have hot dogs and chips available for purchase in an effort for fundraising for the Depot Park building. 

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.

Faribault

FESTIVAL

SATURDAY OCTOBER 5TH 2024 THE FARIBAULT FALL FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF AUTUMNAL FUN.

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE POPULAR KID'S COSTUME PARADE, CHILI COOK-OFF, AND A VARIETY OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS. ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD, SHOP FOR UNIQUE GIFTS, AND IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE VIBRANT COLORS OF THE SEASON. AND

Mollywood BLVD MOLLY

Hot Halloween costumes for 2024

It’s “spooky szn” and Halloween is a great American pastime. Pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and costumes make it a holiday that’s just as fun for the adults as the kids! Just like every year, pop culture is the leading inspiration for this year’s hottest costumes. Google trends data predicts what we are likely to see this Halloween, and while some of them may offend you, most of them won’t surprise you.

Mar vel almost always has a new movie out and this year is no exception: Deadpool & Wolverine will be inspiring many to dress as either Deadpool, Wolverine, or Channing Tatum’s Gambit, who, by the way, lives rent free in my head since seeing the movie. If you want the true cosplay experience, you will be looking to spend upwards of around $200 for a good Deadpool suit, but Spirit Halloween has a less embellished version for $39.99.

The new Beetlejuice just dropped on Sept. 6, and data shows that many will be suited up in costumes from the new movie as well as the original, but they won’t just be the main characters. Stores are coming out with

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.

Obviously, it is a presidential election year, so we are sure to see political figures walking the streets on Halloween. Expect most to be either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, as those are the masks being scooped up. In 2008, we had a split household between Obama and McCain, so we bought masks for each candidate and had the scarecrow Obama and McCain hanging on our front porch. The Obama mask was stolen twice… I would expect some offensive costumes to come out of this strange political

side characters as well, like “Miss Dead Receptionist” or one of the “Shrinkers.” You can also get creative and DIY some costume ideas for less elaborate characters like Astrid Deetz who simply wears dark dresses and a long, deep purple dress coat and lace up black boots. The Ghostbusters franchise released a new installment earlier this year so we are

breakdancer, Raygun. Not only should you expect to see partygoers dressed as Raygun, but they will certainly be busting moves. The Turkish pistol sharpshooter, Yusuf Dikec who went viral for performing his shot with his hand casually in one pocket would be a super easy costume idea—think outside the box! We already saw a ton of them last year, but for once, Taylor Swift has managed to keep a relationship for more than a few months. That’s right, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift will be a go-to couples costume this year. For Kelce, it is simple, you just need one of his Chief’s jerseys and some eye black. As for Taylor, you have eras of styles to choose from, just don’t skip on the red lipstick.

Jenna Ortega revived a beloved television and movie character: Wednesday Addams. Netflix’s Wednesday series will make for a lot of Wednesdays walking around with braids and white collars on All Hallow’s Eve. For those dressing as Wednesday Addams, I urge you to be as dry and deadpan as the actual character and remain in character all day. The costume itself is easy to come by and quite classic and obvious, you really can’t go wrong with a black, white collared dress and braids. Maybe throw a little dance in for good measure.

Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa is another popular costume choice this year. Jojo’s style incorporates rainbow tutus, glitter, and oversized bows in her hair. A JoJo costume would be easy to do yourself, but tons of costumers are providing premade JoJo Siwa costumes this year, and they can be found at Target, Walmart and Amazon, just to name a few. Siwa is a style icon in her own right, just make sure you have a high side pony or people might think you are trying to be Rainbow Brite.

sure to see some Ghostbusters, which is great, because there is sure to be something strange in my neighborhood, and I will know exactly who to call. The latest Ghostbusters movie, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire introduced a few new characters like Melody and Phoebe Spengler, so there are more choices than ever before. But seriously there isn’t anything cuter than putting an infant in a Stay Puff Marshmallow Man costume.

climate as well, like perhaps the infamous bear/bicycle RFK apparently left in Central Park could be a great couples costume, I also expect people donning ear patches, “hidden speaker” earrings or simply people going as, “Tampon Tim.” It’s gonna happen. The Paris Olympics proved fodder for pop culture memes and now costumes as well. There were quite a few standout Olympians during the Paris Games this summer. One crowd favorite was the Australian Olympic

If you aren’t stuck at home handing out candy and need a costume idea in a pinch, there are always the headbands with some variety of animal ears, wearing a sports team t-shirt or jersey and going as a “fan,” dressing as your boss or a coworker, or recycling an old costume. I’ll fill

you in on what my son and I did in 2013: He couldn’t decide what he wanted to be, so he wore the same costume as the previous year (which was Iron Man.) We threw some zombie makeup on him and pretended he was a zombie trick-or-treater who was hit by a car the previous Halloween! It was the kid’s idea, too! Morbid but, dare I say, brilliant! 

Happy Halloween!

Talking paranormal with an academic

‘ghost-gatherer’

By JANE TURPIN MOORE Guest Contributor

There’s nothing obviously ghoulish about Chad Lewis, starting with his fairly basic name.

Add to that a friendly demeanor, whip-smart commentary and conversational ease and Lewis strikes you as someone you’d enjoy hanging out with at a cocktail party.

But this is a native Wisconsinite who doesn’t drink beer, and that’s one simple tipoff: Lewis is not your average guy.

Specifically, he’s a nationally renowned researcher, author and lecturer who spe-

cializes in the paranormal.

In other words, if you’ve ever seen or experienced something you can’t quite explain—something that’s left goosebumps on your arms or raised the hair on the back of your neck—Lewis wants to know about it.

For over 30 years, Lewis, 50, has been researching and gathering stories about UFOs, ghosts, hauntings, superstitions and all manner of things that “go bump in the night.”

In between roughly 200 annual speaking engagements and writing (his 35th book was published in September), the Eau Claire, Wis., resident prioritizes his

family and ponders the human condition, wondering why people are reliably fascinated by mysterious phenomena and sixth sense perceptions.

Even before he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Lewis’s journey into the creepy had begun.

“I blame my interest in the weird on Wisconsin,” said Lewis, mentioning that not one but three Wisconsin cities — Belleville, Dundee and Elmwood — lay claim to being the state’s UFO capital.

“All three of them have UFO festivals every year.”

The summer before becoming a college

freshman, Lewis launched his paranormal research by visiting that trio of towns.

“I began asking, what is it about human perception or belief systems that lead some people to believe in all that stuff, and some not at all?” mused Lewis.

Fortunately for southern Minnesotans, Lewis’s research isn’t limited to Wisconsin. He’s spent plenty of time gathering stories and researching sites on the west side of the Mississippi, too. Read on to hear what Lewis has to say about the ghosts that surround us:

CONTINUED from page 13

Q: Is it hard to earn a living as a paranormal researcher and lecturer?

A: (Laughs.) Not many people do—unless you have a TV show. I worked as a grant writer for a non-profit after grad school while still doing research, writing and lecturing. When my first book came out in 2003 [about Wisconsin hauntings], it drew so much publicity and resulted in so many speaking engagements that I had to do one thing or the other. But I didn’t grow up thinking this was what I would do.

Q: What, then?

A: Oh, maybe get a Ph.D. and become a practicing psychologist. I debated about going on for a Ph.D. following my master’s but after I wrote my first book, life gave me a detour, I guess.

Q: Were you always interested in the mysterious and weird?

A: As a kid, I wouldn’t say I had any more or less enthusiasm about the paranormal than anyone else. I enjoyed a great story and tales of the Loch Ness monster, but I wasn’t a diehard detective or mystery fan—just a run-of-the-mill kid. I didn’t have a close family member who told me of something very bizarre that really piqued my interest.

Q: Tell me about some of the places you’ve researched and written about in southern Minnesota.

A: Owatonna is a great one, because of the old orphanage [The Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children, operational from 1886 to 1945] there. It’s been converted into office space, and there’s an orphanage museum. Many people who work there report seeing ghostly children walking into walls and vanishing before their eyes. They believe it’s because of the deaths and suffering that may have taken place there.

In Rochester, the Kahler Grand Hotel is thought to be haunted by the heiress [Helen Brach] to the Brach’s Candy fortune. In 1977, she checked in but never checked out, and she was never seen again. People still swear they see her walking into a wall and disappearing. So that’s an answer to the number one question: where to spend a night in a haunted place.

People want to go to those places, and in Minnesota there are all sorts of haunted lodging options.

Q: Like the Calumet Inn in Pipestone?

A: I love staying there! I’ve been to the Calumet Inn at least a half dozen times, and it’s always like walking through history. The main stories involve a woman

Peter Follmann rest. By all accounts, Dr. Follmann was an upstanding community member—not a serial killer or child abuser or anything—and he died of natural causes at an old age in May 1911. But as soon as Dr. Follmann’s mausoleum was completed, people claimed it was haunted, saying they saw weird disembodied balls of light floating around it, or that they heard people talking but no one was there. As more and more people went to see it, a dare sprang up; if you were brave—or foolish—enough to knock on the mausoleum’s door, you’d hear knocking, as if in reply, coming from the inside. The knocking acted as a supernatural doorbell that released the spirit of the doctor, and kids claimed they’d see the doctor appear in demented form to chase them out of the cemetery.

One of the things I love to do is sort fact from fiction, using old newspaper stories, research from historical societies and talking to old timers and people who’d had experiences out there. The majority of them are logical, rational, intelligent people who don’t even believe in this stuff but then have experiences they can’t explain.

dressed like a flapper from the Prohibition Era—a lady of the night, from when it was something of a brothel—and others say they’ve seen a man who died in one of the numerous fires that plagued the hotel. They thought he was a tour guide dressed in period costume, and then he vanished into thin air.

The Pipestone National Monument itself is thought to be one of the most haunted places in the state, due to the gnomes and “little people” living there. The stone carvers from the cultures who quarry there for catlinite to make ceremonial pipes believe the place is inhabited by “wee folk” and they bring tobacco, candy or shiny rocks as offerings. They have tales of pipes rattling in a locked back room, and unexplained hair tugs.

And the former Archer House in Northfield was said to be haunted, especially the basement. [A devastating fire in November 2020 damaged the Archer House irreparably; to date, nothing has been rebuilt on the site.]

Q: You also collect stories of spooky dares and rituals. Is there anything like that nearby?

A: My absolute favorite place is in Mankato, at Calvary Cemetery [200 Goodyear Ave.]. The focus is a [large and Gothic] mausoleum where the remains of Dr.

Dr. Follmann got the reputation after his death of having been a sinister doctor of sorts, so if it is his spirit at work, perhaps his legacy is not quite the one he wanted. The mausoleum itself is really cool and has a creepy vibe to it.

Q: How about Crazy Jane? (And that’s not a self-reference!)

A: In Janesville, there was a creepy doll in the attic window of a house on Main Street, and some old-timers went out of their way to not pass that house because the doll was “watching” them and might “come to life.” Teenagers went by on purpose to try to see the doll.

The story’s ending is [appropriately] weird: The house’s owner died and the doll went missing for a bit. Certain residents were afraid the doll would show up in their bedrooms at night. When it was located, “Crazy Jane” was donated to the public library and placed in the front window. Librarians were amazed that tourists came from out of town to see it— but none of the local kids would visit the library because Crazy Jane was there, so they gave it back to the guy who bought the owner’s estate. He wants to put it on display, but it hasn’t appeared in public yet.

Q: Have you encountered any vampire stories in Minnesota?

A: My ultimate favorite legend in Minnesota is the vampire haunted spirit of Winona. In the early 1920s, a young woman

named Frances Block died. Soon after her death, one of her brothers died. The family lived in a superstitious neighborhood on the east end of Winona. Frances’ father was distraught, and neighbors suggested Frances had been a vampire, or death siren, who was returning to entice her siblings to follow her in death. When they told him he could break the curse by digging up her body [in St. Mary’s Cemetery], chopping off her head and burying it separately, he dug up her remains. But her body appeared to be at peace—just a skeleton—so he didn’t molest the body. Another son died, and the vampire suggestion followed so that son was dug up. Same thing. Mr. Block lost five or six sons, plus Frances, and he dug up all their graves. There were two surviving daughters. Mr. Block was a former police officer so should have known better than to dig up graves in 1922.

Q: Do you think what people report is true?

A: I’m certainly left with more questions than answers. I believe something is happening and that people aren’t just hallucinating, embellishing and making things up—but I’m no closer to the truth now than I was 30 years ago. Back then I thought, “This will be easy; I’ll figure out what’s going on, visit these places and see what happens.”

I shifted from disproving the claims to collecting them and discussing how they affect and change us. If I go to a place and nothing happens, I’m not discouraged; I love hitting the back roads, seeing roadside attractions and hearing the stories. Whether or not the stories are true, they

exist because we exist, and people are experiencing these things as their truths; they are true for someone.

Q: Do you believe in ghosts?

A: It depends on the day you ask me. Today? Definitely. I’ve talked to too many logical, rational people who’d had these experiences. I’d bet the farm that people who say they’ve had these experiences actually had them.

Q: Your first book, “The Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations,” was published in 2003, and your most recent, “Back Roads Lore 3: Weird, Wild West” was published in September 2024. Where can people buy your books or hear you speak?

A: You can find my books anywhere books are sold but yes, on my website, which also notes my upcoming presentation schedule. [Lewis is set to speak Oct. 3 in Owatonna and West Concord and Oct.15 at Paranormal Minnesota in Mankato, among other upcoming engagements.]

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: This is the time of year when people believe the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. It’s our chance to peek into somewhere else—but also a chance for “somewhere else” to peek at us. The darkening season is the time of spirits, so be on the lookout—and if you do see or hear something, contact me right away. 

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.

Through a SOMINN LENS

Channeling fun & fear in

Anything that potentially frightens prevails during October. Skeletons literally come out of the closet. Zombies and witches and monsters emerge. Ghosts appear. Black cats cross paths.

Gigantic spiders spin over-sized webs across yards. Menacing clowns pop up.

Fears once suppressed suddenly resur face,

triggered by scenes, music, movies, books, events, experiences. There’s nothing like an Alfred Hitchcock movie — ”The Birds,” “Vertigo,” “Psycho” — to ignite the imagination. There’s nothing like Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart,” to get the heart racing. There’s nothing like a Stephen King horror novel to terrorize, although I wouldn’t know firsthand. I’ve only ever read King’s “On Writing — A Memoir of the Craft” — the best book I’ve read about writing.

But horror lingers. I can still visualize the

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.

decapitated horse head dropped onto a bed during a scene from “The Godfather” movie. That was 52 years ago. Such gore scares me. Cemeteries do not.

Fueling fear is a given in October. From decorated ghoulish front yards to haunted houses to parties, scary stuff themes place and events. Scary is amplified, showcased as Halloween approaches and costumed characters take center stage in bars, at house parties and elsewhere with unscripted lines.

Parents fear too much sugar as kids go trick-or-treating. Law enforcement officers

CONTINUED pages 17 & 18

horrific

Found in an Oronoco antique shop, now closed.

This horse head spotted at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines spring show triggered horrific memories of a scene from “The Godfather” movie.

A band plays at a Halloween wedding, the theme for the Coy family’s 2023 yard display.

Scary masks pack stores long before Halloween.

This gigantic bug, found on the campus of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in

was enough to give me the creeps.

fear too much drinking and driving. Both are legitimate concerns. Mostly, though, we channel fun into the fear. Or fear into the fun. We embrace the frightening, understanding that a little bit of fear is OK. It’s alright to fear bats and spiders and skeletons and all those swooping birds of Alfred Hitchcock notoriety. It’s OK to consider the cawing chorus of crows as disconcerting. It’s OK to view a vintage doll as creepy.

They do in Rochester, where the History Center of Olmsted County hosts an annual Creepy Doll Contest. During October, visitors can view and vote for the creepiest of eight dolls pulled from the center’s artifact collection. On October 19, the dolls will temporarily leave for the Historic Chateau Theatre and a “Circus after Dark” event that includes dinner, a costume contest, DJ and circus performers (including clowns). For more information and advance tickets (required), visit olmstedhistory.com.

October beckons with a little bit of creepy and a whole lot of scar y fun as Halloween approaches here in southern Minnesota. 

Frankenstein and friends greet visitors arriving at 4 Third Avenue SW in Faribault during a past Halloween.

Dundas artist Carol Van Sickle painted these Halloween pumpkins.

A wax doll for sale in Audre’s Attic, Lonsdale.

Faribault,

Ghoulish art spotted at Something for All Consignment/ Thrift Shop, Lonsdale.

Witches stir up brew for guests at Coy and Kathy Lane’s 2023 wedding themed Halloween display.

The Angel of Death hovers at 234 First Ave. SW, Faribault, in a past Halloween display.

Part of the 2022 Halloween display at 234 First Ave SW, Faribault.

A gearhead skull adorns a rat rod.

Francis Animal & Pest Control featured ants and skeletons in a 2023 Halloween display at their business along busy Lyndale Avenue North in Faribault.

LEFT CIRCLE: A black cat crossed my path around Halloween in Hayfield.

A creepy clown hangs out on a limb at the home of Coy and Kathy Lane, 234 First Ave. SW, Faribault. The Coys go all out for Halloween with a themed scene. The 2022 theme was “Clown Daycare.”

This doll, part of the Coy family’s 2023 Halloween display, really creeped me out.

Spotted at the wedding of Stella Live & Noah Pulse in the yard of Coy and Kathy Lane.

TOP CIRCLE: A Halloweenthemed rock found on the campus of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, Faribault.

Hy-Vee Grocery sold Halloween-themed pumpkins painted by Cindy in 2023.

A warning posted in a residential neighborhood along Wells Lake, rural Faribault.

Faribault-based Francis Animal & Pest Control crawled with skeleton riding ants in a 2023 Halloween display at the Lyndale Avenue North business.

A line of skulls were part of Coy and Kathy Lane’s 2022 Halloween display.

An unnerving (to me) mask created by Dexk, a then senior at the Faribault Area Learning Center, for a past student art show at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault.

What to WATCH

10 years later,

‘Gone Girl’ remains David Fincher’s masterpiece

Fade in. We see a young wife –actress Rosamund Pike – looking into the eyes of her husband, frigidly and unknowably. We hear the husband – movie star Ben Affleck – in voiceover, inauspiciously asking, “What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other?”

Thus begins Gone Girl, David Fincher’s 2014 film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 literary crime novel.

Affleck plays Nick Dunne – failed writer, community college professor, and co-owner (with his twin sister, Margo, portrayed by Carrie Coon) of a watering hole aptly named “The Bar.” Pike plays Amy Dunne – Nick’s cosmopolitan wife, muse for her parents’ successful “Amazing Amy” children’s book series, and also a failed writer.

When economic recession hits, Nick and Amy are forced to give up their Brooklyn brownstone and move to Nick’s backwater hometown, the fictional North Carthage, Missouri. Their initial courtship was hot and heavy, but their marriage is toxic. Then Amy disappears, all signs point to murder, Nick becomes the prime suspect, and a kooky mystery unspools.

That simple plot summar y makes Flynn’s story sound like just another soapy airport novel that will later be made into a ten-episode miniseries starring Nicole Kidman. It’s not. Her novel is both serious literature and gripping genre entertainment.

Book critic Laura Miller even contended that Gone Girl should have been considered for prestigious awards like the Pulitzer or the National Book Award. In an October 2012 piece for Salon, Miller wrote: “Flynn’s book is inventive, shrewd, mercilessly observant and stylishly written — qualities that are very

welcome and likely to be celebrated in a literary novel. Her theme, the dissolution of a marriage in recession-era America, is substantive. Her technique…is sophisticated.”

It was also a phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies, spawning countless (lesser) imitators, and even inspiring pop songs by the likes of Tove Lo and SZA.

A film adaptation of this cynical and dreadsoaked literar y blockbuster was inevitable. Movie star and media mogul Reese Witherspoon (initially interested in playing Amy) served as one of the producers and shepherded the project to the big screen, bringing together Flynn (who wrote the screenplay herself) and David Fincher – one of America’s foremost auteur filmmakers, the poet laureate of cinematic cynicism and dread.

Aside from his debut feature, the flawed Alien 3 in 1992 (a film he has since disowned), Fincher never misses. Se7en (1995), The Game (1997), Fight Club (1999), Panic Room (2002), Zodiac (2007), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), The Social Network (2010), The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011), Gone Girl (2014), Mank (2020), The Killer (2023) – a monumental (perhaps even unmatched) run of eleven masterfully-crafted, razor-sharp, eminently-rewatchable, darkhearted gems.

between pulpy fun and serious social criticism. Obviously, Gone Girl is a bruising dissection of marriage, but it’s also a gothic take on smalltown life; a lampoon of the Midwest; an arch eyeroll at the pretentiousness of intellectual East Coast elites; a savage takedown of the sensationalistic, blood thirsty cable news media; and a condemnation of our insatiable thirst for titillating, exploitative true-crime drama. In many ways, the film is also the Great

All of Fincher’s movies are good, some are great. Se7en and Zodiac and The Social Network are perfect, five-star classics. But, Gone Girl is his masterpiece — the apex of his career, both artistically and commercially (it remains his highest-grossing movie, raking in over $370 million worldwide).

For any student of the Fincher filmography, Gone Girl could serve as the master class. It’s got the Jeff Cronenweth cinematography and the Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross score (just like The Social Network). It’s got the obsessive unraveling of a convoluted mystery (just like Zodiac). It’s got bursts of grotesquery (just like Se7en). And it’s got hyper-literate monologuing, in voiceover (just like The Killer).

Fincher (a notoriously obsessive filmmaker) also consistently pries out career-best performances from his actors. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in Se7en, Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Jake Gyllenhaal in Zodiac.

In the case of Gone Girl, Pike plays Amy with piercing exactitude – icy, cunning, and impenetrable. Affleck, meanwhile, uses Nick as meta-commentary on his own celebrity persona – the tabloid fixture entangled in precarious romantic exploits, the handsome and charming yet slick and untrustworthy everyman.

At the 87th Academy Awards, Pike was rightfully nominated for Best Actress, but Affleck was snubbed (as was Fincher for Best Director and Flynn for Best Adapted Screenplay). Eddie Redmayne won Best Actor for imitating Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, an Oscar-baity borefest nobody has thought about in a decade. And Benedict Cumberbatch was nominated for his equally-forgettable turn in The Imitation Game. Certainly, there was plenty of room in that category to honor Affleck – one of America’s great movie stars – with his first acting nod.

In the ten years since its release, Gone Girl the film has remained one of the most entertaining, quotable, rewatchable thrillers ever made because it does the same thing Gone Girl the novel does so well: straddles the line

“Great Recession” Movie. The Dunne’s reside in a suburban wasteland of McMansions – those soulless, cookie-cutter abodes of the nouveau riche; ground zero for the subprime mortgage crisis that toppled the economy. The local mall, once the lifeblood of North Carthage, has shuttered and been overrun by vagrants. Main Street is dead. Nick and Amy’s desperate times lead to desperate measures.

Gone Girl ends on a cynical, Fincherian note. The world is a bleak and often absurd place. We seek refuge in those we love, but even they are ultimately unknowable. Thus, we are left asking the questions that stormcloud over every marriage or friendship or familial bond: “What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other? … What will we do?” Fade to black.

Where to watch David Fincher’s filmography:

Alien 3: Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on all major platforms

Se7en: Streaming on Philo, available to rent on all major platforms

The Game: Available to rent on all major platforms

Fight Club: Streaming on Hulu, available to rent on all major platforms

Panic Room (2002): Streaming on Max, available to rent on all major platforms

Zodiac: Streaming on PlutoTV, available to rent on all major platforms

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Streaming on PlutoTV, available to rent on all major platforms

The Social Network: Streaming on Max, available to rent on all major platforms

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Streaming on Max, available to rent on all major platforms

Gone Girl: Available to rent on all major platforms

Mank: Streaming on Netflix

The Killer: Streaming on Netflix 

Kyle Hoffman is a writer,

Mankato.

SOUTHERN MINN

THURSDAY, SEP 26

WAC GalleryWaseca-- 12-5

p.m., Waseca Art Center, 200 N. State St. Charlie Putnam’s “For the Birds” bird cage installation will be on show in the Harguth Gallery. The bird cage collection at the base of the installation was provided by Police Chief Penny Vought. The Wednesday Art Appreciation group at the WAC contributed. Putnam’s “Full Circle” features prints, ceramics and original paintings in the Beckmann Gallery.

The Garms Family - Le Sueur-- 6 p.m., First Lutheran Church, 116 Inner Dr., Le Sueur. The Garms Family is from Arkansaw, Wisconsin. It comes together to love on people with live music, honest stories, and God’s Word. While the concert is free, donations to the Garms Family are appreciated.

Taiyon J.

Coleman

Author Talk - Northfield-- 7 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northfield. Coleman’s book, “Traveling Without Moving” is a stunning lyrical commentary on the constructions of race, gender, and class in the fraught nexus of a Black woman’s personal experience and cultural history.

Gao Hong and Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde - Faribault-7:30 p.m., Shattuck St. Mary’s, Faribault. Chinese pipa virtuoso Gao Hong and flamenco guitarist Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde met for the first time three days before they were scheduled to record their album, Alondra, at Abbey Road Studios in London. Taking on the bold and blithe freedom of the skylark, they flew together from ancient Asian dynasties, through the Thar desert to Andalusia, harmoniously combining cultures as the East meets West.

FRIDAY, SEP 27

Mike Poot - Le Center-7-10 p.m., Le Center Municipal Liquors, 20 N Waterville Ave. Join me for some live acoustic tunes.

La Grande Bande - St. Peter-- 7:309:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church of Saint Peter, 1114 W. Traverse Rd. An explosion of fiery passions, virtuosity, & inspiration featuring Italian Baroque music for violins. La Grande Bande opens the 24/25 season, and its cel-

Barnyard Treasures

Fall Festi-

val - New Richland-- 10

Minne-

sota Quilt

SATURDAY,

Project - Le Sueur-- 10

a.m., Le Sueur Public Library, 118 Ferry St.

String Trio by Candlelight - Waseca-- 8-10:30 p.m., Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, 41142 160th St, Waseca. The ambiance is warm, serene, and often romantic, with flickering candlelight casting shadows and creating a magical atmosphere around the musicians and audience. The combination of beautiful music and candlelight creates an unforgettable evening that appeals to all the senses Tickets online.

SEP 28

ebration of George Frideric Handel’s 340th birthday, with a program of virtuosic music from early Italy. The presentation will be a combination of a performance, lecture, Q&A, and instrument petting zoo. Tickets online.

Fall FestivalHenderson-- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. Wagon rides through the changing leaves; making your own apple cider to try; crafts, including corn husk dolls; games that are fun for all ages; solving a 2-acre prairie maze. Free for all.

Ward House

Whiskey Whiskers - Owatonna-- 6:308:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. A Southern Minnesota band playing music you love.

Severio Mancieri - Owatonna-- 7-9 p.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W. Broadway St, Owatonna. Severio Mancieri is a traveling troubadour from Duluth, Minnesota. Currently traveling the country in a minivan. Hailed as a guitar virtuoso with a resonant voice.

Farmers Markets - SoMinn Scene Region-- 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Southern Minn Scene Region. The Owatonna Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from May 4 to Oct. 26.The Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Bridge Square from May 18 to Oct. 26.The Northfield Farmers Market takes place 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, plus 9-11 a.m. Saturdays at Riverside Park from May 7 to Oct. 30.The Waseca County Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Waseca County Fairgrounds from June through October.The Le Sueur Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on N. Second Street from June through October.The St. Peter Farmers Market runs 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Co-op parking lot from June through October.The Faribault Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from June through October, plus 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays from July-September.The Kenyon Farmers Market runs 4-7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month in the First Lutheran Church parking lot from June through October.

a.m.-4 p.m., Barnyard Treasures, 8623 SW 108th St., New Richland. Second annual fall festival. Quite a few more vendors and a food truck this year: Brooke’s Bakery and Sweets; Twin Arrow - spices, pickles and jams; Polly’s Pantry Treats food truck; Keck’s Sweets & Treats; Headbands by Sheesh; The Candle Beesness; Pixel Prints 3D; Tim’s Custom Engraving; Emerson Lane Boutique; Kaylee Stenzel’s Twisties. There will also be assorted pumpkins from Farm Girl Grown.

Members of the Minnesota Quilt Project will speak about the preservation of quilts, identifying the makers of quilts, the history of quiltmaking techniques and fabrics, and how to document your own quilts. They will partner with Kindred Kwilters, a Le Sueur quilting group, to hold a quilt trunk show.

Did we miss something?

Let us know! We may still be able to get an important event on one of our weekly pages that run in the newspapers.

Oktoberfest - Waseca-- 1210 p.m., Ward House Brewery, 308 S. State St., Waseca. Runs noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28. Live music both days. Pretzel, brats and, of course, beer.

Oktoberfest - St. Peter-12-11 p.m., Nicolett County Fairgrounds, 400 Union St., St. Peter. Runs 4-11 p.m. Friday and 12-11 p.m. Saturday. Performing on Friday are the Bockfest Boys, Rough House and headliner IV Play. The Kidtoberfest Parade takes place 1 p.m. Saturday. Music includes the Schell’s Hobo Band, Wendinger Band, The Concord Singers, Rock of Ages and The Hype. Tickets online.

Comedy Under the BridgeFaribault-- 7-10 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. Drew Hehir Returns with more of the best of Minneapolis’ comedy scene. This month’s features are Tido Maldonado and Lily Meyer. Headlining is Benny Quash. Tickets online.

Ettlin’s Oktoberfest - Webster-- 1-5 p.m., Ettlin’s Ranchero Supper Club, 4452 40th St. W., Webster. Featuring music from the Charlie Sticha Band playing. Various craft vendors available for shopping. Food selections from the Ranchero available.

JugsluggersDundas-- 4-6 p.m., Chapel Brewing, 15 Hester St, Dundas. String-band trio playing a variety of music — bluegrass, country, Appalachian fiddle tunes, rockabilly & jazz standards — on guitar, fiddle, banjo & mandolin, with vocals no less. They charm us every time with their banter and their wellseasoned picking and strumming.

Hog Roast - Kenyon-- 4 p.m., Kenyon Country Club, 45986 Hwy 56, Kenyon. A delicious hog roast to support area clubs. Includes live music, prizes, games, silent auction and face painting.

The Space Force - Waseca-- 5-8 p.m., Half Pint Brewing, 10099 150th St., Waseca. The Space Force is a buncha dudes playing songs that were overplayed way before they were born.

Magic Show - St. Peter-- 7 p.m., 2nd Story Comedy, 303 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Michael Callahan will offer a closeup magic show. Tickets online.

Bourbon Street Duo - Kasota-- 8-11 p.m., Prairie Saloon & Grill, 140 N. Webster St., Kasota. Husband and wife acoustic duo with a vast music variety.

SUNDAY, SEP 29

Chad Johnson & Jeenti - Kilkenny-- 2 p.m., Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, 8950 Dodd Rd., Kilkenny. Playing a unique blend of Americana and country-rock sound for original music and crowd favorite covers.

The Everett Smithson Band - St. Peter-- 3-5 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Always a local favorite bringing their hot movin’ music from up and down the Mississippi River. Zydeco (swamp rock), blues and funky roots of all kinds. This band has soulful creole flavor that will bring a party atmosphere to any show they play.

The Quantum Mechanics - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St.,

apparitions located in your own backyard, no place in Minnesota is without its own hauntings.

A Set of Stories Album Release Show - Northfield-- 5-9 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., Northfield. Show begins at 6 p.m. with comedian T McKinley followed by Andy Ulseth. Then Tim and full band will take the stage to play songs and tell stories of the new album. Tickets online.

MONDAY, SEP 30

Name That Town with Doug Ohman - Owatonna-- 6:30 p.m., Owatonna Public Library, 105 N. Elm St, Owatonna. Journey throughout the state of Minnesota with photographer and storyteller Doug Ohman, as he explores towns and villages. This program focuses on the rich history of various locations and cities with fun and interesting stories relating to the town names.

TUESDAY, OCT 01

Nobel Conference - St. Peter-- 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Ave, St. Peter. Takes place Oct. 1 and 2. The theme for 2024 is Sleep, Unraveled. Sleep is a universal human experience and yet its importance is often overlooked. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 20% of Americans don’t get enough sleep and the CDC has reported that 70 million Americans suffer from some form of chronic sleep disorder that inhibits restful sleep. Register online.

THURSDAY, OCT 03

Girls Day Out - St. Peter--

10 a.m., Downtown St. Peter. An opportunity to shop your heart out and a chance to win prizes in doing so. Visit up to 38 participating businesses. Check stpeterchamber.com/2024-girlsday-out for more.

Beer and Brats

Night - Waseca--

3:30-7:30 p.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca.

Mariah Jo Daniel making her solo debut. Wiste’s brats, including regular, bacon cheddar, and mac n’ cheese, plus hot dogs. Deals on beer.

Bats: Echoes in the NightFaribault-- 6 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. Interpretive Naturalist Andrew Wendt from the Minnesota State Parks system, will be presenting a program about bats in Minnesota. Wendt has presented several programs at the library in recent years, including Owl About Owls, Woodpecker Wonders, and Wild About Wildflowers. Suitable for adults and families.

Chad Lewis - Owatonna-- 6:30 p.m., Owatonna Public Library, 105 N. Elm St, Owatonna. A ghostly journey to some of the most haunted places in the state. From wandering ghosts in the North Woods to a haunted B&B in Wabasha to graveyard

each month in the First Lutheran Church parking lot from June through October.

Ashley Shelby Author TalkNorthfield-- 7 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northfield. Shelby’s book, “Honeymoons in Temporary Locations,” is an eclectic, experimental, and wildly imaginative climate fictions from a familiar world hauntingly transformed.

FRIDAY, OCT 04

Lukas Graff - St. Peter-6-9 p.m., Flame Bar and Grill, 225 Nassau St., St. Peter. Some acoustic tunes to enjoy.

Fall FestivalFaribault-- 10 a.m., Downtown Faribault, Central Ave. Family friendly activities including the popular kids costume parade, chili cook-off, gift shopping, and the vibrant colors of the season.

Steve Boyken - Owatonna-- 6-8 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Special solo performance by Steve Boyken, half of Ron & Steve Unplugged. Enjoy acoustic pop and rock classics from the 70s and 80s.

The Amy Manette Band - St. Peter-- 6-9 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Jazz & blues singer with a voice powerful and pure, Amy Manette reaches deep and sings with a passion that will stir your soul. Amy’s voice is reminiscent of Etta James and Beth Hart.

Studio ARTourFaribault, Dundas, Northfield-- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Takes place 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Showcases individual visual artists in their working studios. Eligible artists both conceptualize original work and are primary makers of the work. studioartour.com.

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

Shadows at the Crossing - St. Peter-- 6-8 p.m., Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Ave, St. Peter. An immersive outdoor lantern-lit tour that brings the history of Minnesota Territory to life. On this unique walking tour, you’ll encounter the spirits of those who lived during this pivotal era. Hear their stories of courage, resilience, conflict, and cooperation, and gain a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s heritage. Tickets online.

Todd Uptadel - Owatonna-7 p.m., Medford Muni, 203 N. Main St. Uptadel performs some tunes, as he raises money for cancer research and prevention.

An Evening with Monroe Crossing - Faribault-- 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. Monroe Crossing performs an electrifying blend of traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, original bluegrass and some surprising selections from outside the genre. Tickets online or at the box office.

Family FunFest Fall Festival - Janesville-10 a.m., Autumn Acres Farm, 35482 W. County Line Rd., Janesville. Live music all day from Family Tradition and In a Bind, caricatures, face painting, logging camp, pet and feed goats, kids scavenger hunt, food vendors, wagon rides, corn pits, corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins, games and activities, photo-ops.

Foremost Oktoberfest - Owatonna-- 11 a.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W Broadway St, Owatonna. Joe Tutewohl plays music from 1-3 p.m. Contests throughout the day. Food and festivities for all ages.

Beers N BratsWaseca-- 6 p.m., Bardens Bar & Liquor Store, 110 State St. N., Waseca. Featuring Diane’s sauerkraut, drink specials and music from Los T Band.

SATURDAY, OCT 05

Farmers Markets - SoMinn Scene Region-- 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Southern Minn Scene Region. The Owatonna Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from May 4 to Oct. 26.The Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Bridge Square from May 18 to Oct. 26.The Northfield Farmers Market takes place 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, plus 9-11 a.m. Saturdays at Riverside Park from May 7 to Oct. 30.The Waseca County Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Waseca County Fairgrounds from June through October.The Le Sueur Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on N. Second Street from June through October.The St. Peter Farmers Market runs 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Co-op parking lot from June through October.The Faribault Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from June through October, plus 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays from July-September.The Kenyon Farmers Market runs 4-7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of

Oktoberfest - Le Sueur-- 11 a.m., Le Sueur Country Club, 36195 311th Ave., Le Sueur. Takes place Oct. 4 and 5. A lively Oktoberfest celebration. Savor classic German dishes like savory schnitzel with mushroom gravy, traditional potato salad, tangy red cabbage and apples, and hearty sausage with kraut. You can also enjoy a curated selection of seasonal craft beers, specially chosen to complement the rich flavors of our festive menu.

Family Weekend Fall Festival - St. Peter-- 1-5 p.m., The Arboretum at Gustavus, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter. The Arboretum will be filled with fun activities and treats throughout the afternoon, so stop by to check out the beautiful space and stay for what is sure to be a good time.

Minneapolis Jazz Guitar DuoDundas-- 4-7 p.m., Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas. Minneapolis Jazz Guitar Duo (MJGD) consists of David Martin and Serdar G. The duo plays their interpretations of jazz standards.

Flavors of Fall FestivalWaseca-- 6 p.m., Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, 41142 160th St, Waseca. Runs 4-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-7 p.m. Sunday. Pork carnitas on homemade verde sauce, made with tomatillos from the garden, pickled red onions, cilantro and Cannonbelles cheese. Both days include live music, fall flavored beers and wines, face painting, wagon rides and an apple cider bar

Dowser - Faribault-- 7-10 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. Band led by John Kurtis Dehn. With influences like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Paul Simon and Damien Rice, Dehn’s music is melodic, passionate, and introspective, and his performances are personal and captivating. Ruth MoodyNorthfield-- 7:309:30 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., Northfield. Ruth Moody is an awardwinning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her otherworldly soprano voice and her inspired songwriting have gained the admiration of the hearts, minds, and ears of millions of listeners. Tickets online.

MONDAY, OCT 07

Arch AlliesNorthfield-- 5-8 p.m., Flaherty’s Northfield Lanes, 1700 Highway 3 S. Featuring the music of Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, REO Speedwagon, Boston and more. Outdoor show. Tickets online.

Jack Backbone and TJ Brown - Janesville-- 5:308:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Enjoy live music this evening by Jack Backbone and TJ Brown playing acoustic Americana blues, rock, and country.

Angie Hong Author TalkLe Center-- 6-7 p.m., Le Center Public Library. During this fun and educational talk, Angie Hong (aka. MN Nature Awesomeness) will talk about the history of the St. Croix River and unique places to explore in the surrounding watershed. She’ll also share select passages from her book, “Exploring the St. Croix River Valley: Adventures on and off the Water.”

TUESDAY, OCT 08

Goat Trophy TalkNorthfield-- 1:30-2:30 p.m., FiftyNorth, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield. Longtime Carleton College football coach Bob Sullivan joins local history author Susan Hvistendahl at FiftyNorth to talk about the football rivalry between St. Olaf and Carleton colleges

Angel Val

ahead of the upcoming game. The talk will focus on the “Goat Trophy,” which has been awarded to the winning team since 1931. The event takes place in Room 103.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 09

Singing Cowgirl sings John DenverSt. Peter-- 2-4 p.m., St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. Fifth St., St. peter. Part of the fall music series from St. Peter Recreation & Leisure.

Pageant & Singalong Nation - St. Peter-- 7-9 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter.

Singers at all levels, from expert to timid, are welcome to join in the fun, as the group spends the fall and winter getting acquainted with the music, appointing soloists, and experiencing all the benefits that come with making music in community. No auditions, but a commitment to attend most rehearsals is necessary. The one-night-only performance is April 27. Oct. 9 listening session; Oct. 16 singalong session; Oct. 23 planning session; Oct. 30 singalong session.

THURSDAY, OCT 10

Tell Me A Story - St. Peter-- 7:309:30 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter.

We’ve all found ourselves in sticky situations — moments when things didn’t go as planned or when our choices led us somewhere unexpected. Maybe you bit off more than you could chew, took a risk you shouldn’t have, or got caught up in something you didn’t see coming. Come share your story of getting into trouble, or just listen.

FRIDAY, OCT 11

Paradise Gallery Opening - Faribault-- 5-7 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. In the Carlander Gallery, Shelley Caldwell; in the Vranesh Gallery, Halloween group show; in the K&M Gallery, creative aging classes taught by Julie Fakler; in the Creger Gallery, Angelina Dornquast. Show runs Oct. 7-Nov. 16.

- Janesville-6-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Angel grew up listening to her mom sing in an 80s rock band. She has a strong background and love for rock music and has grown to love country as well. She took her two favorite genres and mixed them into a more rock country style. She began playing guitar in Jr High where she found her passion for writing.

Guild Members Showcase Reception - Northfield-6-8 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St. S., Northfield.

An open house gallery experience. The exhibit started Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 11. Features work be over 40 members of the Guild.

a.m. Saturdays at Riverside Park from May 7 to Oct. 30.The Waseca County Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Waseca County Fairgrounds from June through October.The Le Sueur Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on N. Second Street from June through October.The St. Peter Farmers Market runs 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Co-op parking lot from June through October.The Faribault Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from June through October, plus 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays from July-September.The Kenyon Farmers Market runs 4-7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month in the First Lutheran Church parking lot from June through October.

Maker Fair

MinnesotaSt. Peter-- 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Nicollet County Fairgrounds, 400 Union St., St. Peter. One of Southern Minnesota’s largest celebrations of handmade goods. There are no mass produced items sold. Every item sold by vendors is made by hand and is one of a kind. The event also features local food trucks, goodie bags, and activities for kids.

colors and sights of the Minnesota River Valley. Those who pre-register will be prioritized for space on the wagon and notified in case of changes. Tickets for non-members online.

Corn Maze NightWaseca-6-9 p.m., Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca. Run through our corn maze under the stars. Food trucks, yard games, and entertainment. Every Saturday night in October. Tickets for non-members online.

Date Night on the Farm - Waseca-- 6 p.m., Autumn Acres Farm, 35482 W. County Line Rd., Janesville. Geared toward couples and will allow you to experience the farm differently. A lighted hayride, community bonfires, music, and ambient lighting, pulled pork sandwiches with sides and one free hot cider or cocoa per person, s’more roasting, two pumpkins from the pick-your-own patch, two logo mason jars, and the opportunity to take some beautiful photos at sunset. Tickets online.

Family TraditionWaseca-7:30-11:30 p.m., Waseca American Legion, 700 S. State St. Performing old and new hit country music.

SATURDAY, OCT 12

Farmers Markets - SoMinn Scene Region-- 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Southern Minn Scene Region. The Owatonna Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from May 4 to Oct. 26.The Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Bridge Square from May 18 to Oct. 26.The Northfield Farmers Market takes place 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, plus 9-11

Bloody Fest - Faribault-- 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. Celebrating a Faribault collaboration that produced a darn good Bloody Mary. Games and music from The Beavers and Last Chance for Love. Pizzeria 201 and Underdog providing food. Free to attend.

Pumpkin PatchNorthfield-11 a.m.-6 p.m., Bridgewater Farm, 4706 W. Lonsdale Blvd., Northfield.

A pick-yourown pumpkin patch, a giant 6-acre corn maze, yard games, corn box, hay rides and more. They can also accommodate larger groups and field trips. The patch is open Saturdays and Sundays in October from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Downtown Fall FestivalKenyon-- 1-4 p.m., Downtown Kenyon. Stop into local businesses for fun family activities.

Fall Wagon Ride - Henderson-- 2-3 p.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. Hop on the people mover wagon for a tour around the park to see the fall

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

Flavors of Fall Festival - Waseca-- 6 p.m., Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm, 41142 160th St, Waseca. Runs 4-8 p.m. Saturday and 1-7 p.m. Sunday. Weekly food collaboration with Hilltop Garden Olive Oil. Both days include live music, fall flavored beers and wines, face painting, wagon rides and an apple cider bar.

Luke Smith - Owatonna-6:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Luke Smith is a singer-songwriter and producer from Faribault. In 2017 he was nominated for “Best Solo Performer” by Southern Minn. Scene.

Pub & Grub Comedy Tour - Waseca-- 8-9:30 p.m., Starfire Event Center, 206 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. Join for a night of laughs. Call for tickets at 507-461-1387.

SUNDAY, OCT 13

Free RangerDundas-- 2-4 p.m., Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas. Fresh, unique sound forged in blues & rock on harmonica and a variety of guitars and world percussion instruments. Never boring with a mix of blues, swing, rock covers and originals. Steve Boyken - St. Peter-- 2-5 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Steve plays a unique blend of 70s classic guitar rock and

80s MTV hits like you’ve never heard before. Journey to Led Zep, Bryan Adams to Bon Jovi, and everything in between.

Blue Ox TrioNorthfield-- 5 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. A talented trio of St. Olaf grads now in the cities. This is part of the Jazz Sundays series, featuring rotating talent.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 16

Arne Fogel Singing Bing Crosby - St. Peter-- 2-4 p.m., St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. Fifth St., St. peter. Part of the fall music series from St. Peter Recreation & Leisure.

THURSDAY, OCT 17

Native Pride Dancers

- St. Peter-- 10:30 a.m., Gorman Park, St. Peter. A performance of Indigenous drumming and dancing. The performance will celebrate various animals, crops, the sun, and the wind in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

Abby Jimenez Author

Talk - Le Sueur-- 6 p.m., Le Sueur-Henderson High School, 901 E. Ferry St., Le Sueur. A conversation with Abby Jimenez, the author of the romantic comedies

“Just for the Summer”, “Life’s Too Short”, and “Yours Truly”. After the talk, Abby will be available to sign books. This event is free and open to the public. Option to purchase a book online.

FRIDAY, OCT 18

The Donner Party - St.

Peter-- 6-9 p.m., Flame Bar and Grill, 225 Nassau St., St. Peter. Playing the roots of classic country.

Another Time Around - St. Peter-- 6-9 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Duo playing classic rock songs.

SATURDAY, OCT 19

Farmers Markets - SoMinn Scene Region-- 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Southern Minn Scene Region.

The Owatonna Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from May 4 to Oct. 26.The Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Bridge Square from May 18 to Oct. 26.The Northfield Farmers Market takes place 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, plus 9-11 a.m. Saturdays at Riverside Park from May 7 to Oct. 30.The Waseca County Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Waseca County Fairgrounds from June through October.The Le Sueur Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on N. Second Street from June through October.The St. Peter Farmers Market runs 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Co-op parking lot from June through October.The Faribault Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from June through October, plus 1:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays from July-September.The Kenyon Farmers Market runs 4-7 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month in the First Lutheran Church parking lot from June through October.

Fall Wagon Ride

- Henderson-- 2-3 p.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. Hop on the people mover wagon for a tour around the park to see the fall colors and sights of the Minnesota River Valley. Those who pre-register will be prioritized for space on the wagon and notified in case of changes. Tickets for non-members online.

TractorheadDundas-- 4-7 p.m., Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas. Bluegrass, country-western and folk tunes. A local favorite.

Family TraditionJanesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Performing old and new hit country music.

Angel ValOwatonna-- 6-8

p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Angel grew up listening to her mom sing in an 80s rock band. She has a strong background and love for rock music and has grown to love country as well. She took her two favorite genres and mixed them into a more rock country style. She began playing guitar in Jr High where she found her passion for writing.

Oake & Paine

Heart & SocialKasota-- 6:30-10 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Hosted by Miss Minnesota Emily Schumacher, a heart health advocate and longtime partner of the AHA, this event promises an evening filled with energy and inspiration. Enjoy an electrifying performance by Neon Live, as people come together to support the American Heart Association’s crucial work. Tickets online.

Mill Pond

Haunted Hayride - St. Peter-- 7-11

p.m., Mill Pond, 194 E. Nassau St., St. Peter. Takes place 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Take a ride and catch a fright on this family friendly and spooky ride. Tickets info online.

- Northfield-- 6 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. Oake & Paine are an incredible guitar-and-vocals duo who spin off from Twin Cities band The Wreck and we are thrilled to have them back.

Comedy Under the Bridge - Faribault-7-10 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. A night of comedy. Tickets online.

Comedy Show - St. Peter-7 p.m., 2nd Story Comedy, 303 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Nate Abshire started performing comedy in 2009 to spite a girl who wouldn’t return his calls. The following year, he finished runner-up in the “Funniest Person in the

Twin Cities” contest. Audiences love his sardonic wit, keen writing, and playful stage presence. The girl; still won’t return his calls. Tickets online.

Charlotte’s Web

- Faribault-- 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. Shows 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 19 and 25, plus 2 p.m. Oct. 20, 26 and 27. A family story about kindness, empathy, and the extraordinary lengths we can go for the people (or pigs) we love. The Children’s Literature Association named Charlotte’s Web “the best American children’s book of the past two hundred years,” and playwright Joseph Robinette, working with the advice of the book’s author E.B. Tickets online or at the box office.

Emmylou Harris - New Ulm-- 7:30 p.m., State Street Theater Co., 1 N. State St., New Ulm. Classic country artist

Emmylou Harris is coming to Southern Minnesota in support of The Grand Center for Arts & Culture. Tickets online.

Rough HouseOwatonna-- 8 p.m.12 a.m., Reggie’s Brewhouse, 220 N. Cedar Ave., Owatonna. Rough House is a classic rock/80s rock/ modern rock/country rock band. Aerosmith to Zeppelin.

SUNDAY, OCT 20

THURSDAY, OCT 24

Fall Clothing Swap - St. Peter-- 1-5 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. The swap is open to the public. All genders welcome and encouraged. Even if you don’t have items to bring, you can still enjoy the swap and take what speaks to you. On the contrary, organizers discourage dropping off items and not participating in the ‘swap’ portion of the event. Admission details online.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 23

Family

Center, 435 E. Derrynane St., Le Center. Geared toward expecting parents and young families.

Ben Morelock with GospelSt. Peter-2-4 p.m., St. Peter Library. Part of the fall music series from St. Peter Recreation & Leisure.

Murder Mystery Challenge - Le Sueur-- 6 p.m., Le Sueur Public Library, 118 Ferry St. Put your sleuthing skills to the test in the ultimate competition of wits and teamwork. Register your team of four and race against other teams to solve a thrilling murder mystery. Compete for glory, bragging rights, and a prize while enjoying an evening of intrigue and fun. Register by calling the library.

FRIDAY, OCT 25

100 Year of Pickin’ - St. Peter-- 6-9 p.m., Flame Bar and Grill, 225 Nassau St., St. Peter. Guitar pickin and playin.

In A Bind - Janesville-6-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Playing a variety of hit music.

almost here, so why not celebrate with the party of the year. Scary good drink specials, a cash prize costume contest, and a great time with friends. Contact the venue for tickets.

SATURDAY, OCT 26

Drama After Dark - Owatonna-- 6 p.m., Little Theatre of Owatonna, 560 Dunnell Dr # A, Owatonna. The show, “Murder at the Pie Auction,” involves: After years of trying unsuccessfully, a small town finally lands the famous Mother Mabel’s Pie Baking Competition — but it was all due to a typo. The contest looks to be a disaster with no media or publicity. To add to the tension, one of the contestants is writing a tell-all book about the seamy side of competitive pie baking. Making matters even worse, just hours before the competition begins, the pie judge goes missing. Ticket includes a Lasagna Dinner served family style with all of the fixings. Tickets online.

Guild Art Gallery Reception - Northfield-- 6-8 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St. S., Northfield. Wendell Arneson will be featured at The Guild from Oct. 15-Nov. 8.

Mill Pond

Haunted Hayride

- St. Peter-7-11 p.m., Mill Pond, 194 E. Nassau St., St. Peter. Takes place 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Take a ride and catch a fright on this family friendly and spooky ride. Tickets info online.

Chris Bertrand

- St. Peter-7-9 p.m., Paddlefish Brewing, 108 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. Chris is a seasoned singer/songwriter from Southern Minnesota who dedicates his life to music. Deeply rooted in folk and unafraid to stomp and howl.

Halloween Bash - Waseca-- 8 p.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. Spooky season is

Farmers Markets - SoMinn Scene Region-- 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Southern Minn Scene Region. The Owatonna Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in Central Park from May 4 to Oct. 26.The Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in Bridge Square from May 18 to Oct. 26.The Northfield Farmers Market takes place 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, plus 9-11 a.m. Saturdays at Riverside Park from May 7 to Oct. 30.The Waseca County Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Waseca County Fairgrounds from June through October.The Le Sueur Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays on N. Second Street from June through October.The St. Peter Farmers Market runs 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in the Co-op parking lot from June through October.The Faribault Farmers Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays in

Lutheran Church parking lot from June through October.

Halloween Fun Run - St. Peter-- 8:30-11 a.m., St. Peter High School, 100 Lincoln Drive. Southern Minnesota’s longest and fastest parade of costumes, with prizes for the fastest runners in age and gender categories, along with included race shirts, finisher medals, chip timing and refreshments. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Register online.

Fall Craft & Vendor Show - St. Peter-10 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Peter American Legion. The Legion Auxiliary will host its annual fall craft and vendor show. Trick or treating will also be available.

Trick-Or-Treat

Downtown - Owatonna-11 a.m.-1 p.m., Head to downtown Owatonna with your trick-ortreat bags ready to fill. The last few years has produced thousands of trick-or-treaters.

Apple Fest - Dundas-12-8 p.m., Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas. Friday 4-9 p.m, Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-6 p.m. There will be rare varieties of apples to taste and buy, as well as familiar varieties.

Trunk & Treat - Medford-- 12-3 p.m., Medford Public School, 750 2nd Ave SE, Medford. Family friendly tiny tot play area, fall photos, shoot some hoops on the gravity wagon, creep your way through the haunted bus, get a ride on the barrel trains, dig on in the corn pit, and trail of trunks.

Charlotte’s WebFaribault-- 2 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault.

Shows 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, plus 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27. A family story about kindness, empathy, and the extraordinary lengths we can go for the people (or pigs) we love. The Children’s Literature Association named Charlotte’s Web “the best American children’s book of the past two hundred years,” and playwright Joseph Robinette, working with the advice of the book’s author E.B. Tickets online or at the box office.

Trunk or Treat - Waterville-4-6 p.m., Waterville Chamber of Commerce, 247 Main St. E. Businesses will be open for trick or treaters. Prize basket for best decorated trunk.

Flashlight Fright Night - Owatonna-- 4:30-7:30 p.m., Village of Yesteryear, 1431 Austin Rd, Owatonna. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight as they stroll the grounds and tour the hauntingly beautiful buildings. LTO actors will share scary and paranormal stories from Steele County and Southern Minnesota history.

Fred the BearNorthfield-- 6-9 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. Performing original songs and classic rock/country rock/ alternative rock covers.

Halloween Celebration

- Le Sueur County-- 6-9 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. While you sip and socialize, you can take a candle-lit walk through the dark and creeping vines. Dinner will be served at 7pm, with scary stories of murder and mayhem to follow. Prepare yourself for goosebumps and shivers. Costumes (think dark and sinister) are encouraged, but not required. Tickets online.

Great Fall Together - Waseca--

6-9 p.m., Waseca Art Center, 200 N. State St. Mingling, appetizers, full bar and music by Waseca High School jazz band. Also include live and silent auctions, games and door prizes, and a photo booth. Costumes encouraged. Contact the WAC for tickets.

Jeff ReinartzOwatonna-6:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owa-

tonna. Jeff Reinartz is a singer/songwriter from Austin, Minnesota. He’s been performing live for over 30 years and is a veteran of several bands. He is now a solo acoustic performer and has released two EPs that were produced by Scotty Rohr at Zension Studio in Austin.

Steve & SteveFaribault-- 7-10

p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. Some rock music to enjoy with your drinks.

HickTown Mafia - Kasota-- 9 p.m.1 a.m., The Blue Moon Bar & Grill, 300 S. Webster St., Kasota. A 5-piece, Southern Minnesotabased, country and rock party band that averages over 70 shows a year. Playing classic and current country hits and classic 70s, 80s, and 90s rock, HickTown Mafia’s members boast a combined 100-plus years of stage experience.

SUNDAY, OCT 27

Hallowine TrailKilkenny-12-5 p.m., Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, 8950 Dodd Rd., Kilkenny. An adult version of trick-or-treating. Put your costumes on and hike along a walking/hiking trail while sampling six selected wines. Tickets online.

Trunk or Treat - Kenyon-- 3-5 p.m., Depot Park, 416 1st St., Kenyon. A spooktacular afternoon of family fun.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 30

Minnesota Ghost Stories with Charlie Maguire - St. Peter-- 2-4 p.m., St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. Fifth St., St. peter. Part of the fall entertainment program from St. Peter Recreation & Leisure.

THURSDAY, OCT 31

Trunk or Treat - Faribault-- 4-6 p.m., Bethlehem Academy, 105 3rd Ave. SW, Faribault. Decorated trunks and

Friday10-5

Friday 10 - 5

Saturday 10 - 3

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

SoMinn THE BOOKWORM SEZ

‘Spirit Crossing’, ‘What to Wear and Why’ and more book reviews

Spirit Crossing

by William Kent Krueger

c.2024, Atria

$28.99 336 pages

Your usual chair at the table is unoccupied. Down the hall, your bed’s still made; the blankets, straight. The noises you make, the scent of you, it’s all gone, missing from the places you should be. Will you return soon? Only you can be sure but, as in the new novel “Spirit Crossing” by William Kent Krueger, there are people hoping you will.

Annie O’Connor hadn’t wanted to come back home for anything but the family wedding that was a month away. She hadn’t wanted to leave Guatemala, though she spoke to her partner, Maria, about home in many warm ways. She wasn’t afraid that she’d encounter problems for being what the Anishinaabe called “Two-Spirits,” because her family was open and loving. No, Annie had another secret, and she didn’t know if she’d have time to tell it.

Like a lot of seven-year-olds, Corcoran O’Connor’s grandson, Waaboo (Ojibwenowin for “Little Rabbit”) was curious, active, and smart. Unlike his contemporaries, however, Little Rabbit knew the spirit world, and so when he seemed to speak to spirits in the woods one afternoon, his grandfather paid attention – and Cork made a grisly discovery.

Daniel English, O’Connor’s son-in-law and Waboo’s father, worked as a tribal police officer and he’d been talking angrily about the large number of Native American girls who’d gone missing in northern Minnesota, and how the local police did little about it.

Case in point: the young woman who lay in a shallow grave in a blueberry patch.

Daniel believed – hoped – she was one of the Lakota girls he’d been searching for.

But Waboo said there were two girls whose spirits were lost. Was the other spirit that of Olivia Hamilton, a white girl whose father had money, and who the police were trying hard to find? Why were young women disappearing without a trace in northern Minnesota? And, as the county and tribal police got closer to a killer, why would someone want to murder a little boy who saw people that others could not see?

It’s been a long summer, and you’ve missed Cork O’Connor, haven’t you? Yep, so you’re good and ready for another installment, and “Spirit Crossing” will make you very happy.

As you’ve come to expect, author William Kent Krueger pulls readers into this novel in his O’Connor series quick and easy, with characters you can’t help but get involved with – including some of Krueger fans’ old favorites, some recent favorites in new plotlines, and new folks you’ll really want to get to know. It’s like attending your home-town’s small-town festival and running into new friends and people you’ve known for years but haven’t seen in awhile. You’re happy to have a cold one with some of them. Others, big jerks and troublemakers, not so much. If this is your first Cork O’Connor novel, reach back a few – at least three or four novels – to get your bearings. If you’re already a fan, get “Spirit Crossing” and put the phone on silent. You won’t answer it anyhow; you’ll be occupied.

What to Wear and Why:

Your Guilt-Free Guide to Sustainable Fashion

by Tiffanie Darke

c.2024, Broadleaf Books $27.99 262 pages

You don’t have a thing to wear.

Although, Fact One: your closet is bulging. Fact Two: your dresser drawers are so full, you can barely shut them. Fact Three: you obviously won’t go nekkid but your wardrobe needs a boost. First, though, read the new book “What to Wear and Why” by Tiffanie Darke and stop before you shop.

So what are you wearing? Right now, take a good look, and then think about where you got it. How long have you had it? Where was it made? Those are important things to know, says Darke, because fashion has gotten out of hand.

The average closet has “around 150 items” in it, and most of those shirts, skirts, pants, and shorts will be worn just seven to ten times before they’re thrown away. “Americans,” she says, “buy an average fifty-two items of clothes a year...” and most are inexpensive and inexpensively made. This is bad for the consumer, it’s bad for workers in other countries, and it’s bad for the environment.

In times past, clothing was made of organic materials, mostly linen, flax, and silk for the wealthy and wool for everyone else. “The Industrial Revolution changed everything” by allowing cheaper manufacturing and in the 1940s, everything changed again when synthetic fabric became available. Problem is, synthetic textiles leach plastics into the air, earth, and water, and there’s no safe way to recycle them – which means that tons of discarded clothing ends up in landfills, “secondhand markets,” or in a pile in a desert overseas.

So what can you do about this issue?

Shop your own closet before you buy, and keep only a small number of basic essentials. Don’t purchase more than five new items of clothing per year – and when you do, buy quality items or thrift what you need and resell what you don’t want anymore. Consider renting. Learn the art of repair, and forget about “fashion.”

Instead, “Take inspiration from what is around” and “... develop your own style.”

You’re looking nice today, maybe because you put a lot of thought to what goes on your body. Now read “What to Wear and Why” and think about what goes in your closet.

Wanting to do better won’t be difficult after you’ve read some of the frightening statistics author Tiffanie Darke offers – stats that will resonate, and all but the most indifferent person will ask themselves if they really need four black tees. It helps that this is an easy book to understand and embrace, especially if you’re concerned with the environment and your wallet. The hard part will be actually following through with so much advice. Still, what Darke advocates is empowering and, let’s admit it, a fun challenge that will make you feel better about how you look and what you grab each morning. Fashionistas will find something to think about in this book. The financially-challenged and new style-makers will find the right track here. “What to Wear and Why” is a book you’ll want to button up.

Who Could Ever Love You

by Mary L. Trump

c.2024, St. Martin’s Press $29.00

275 pages

Three shirts, extra pants, undies, and a toothbrush. There’s just no sense in paying for a suitcase when a backpack is enough. Nope, you’re packing light from here on in. You want to be nimble, to move easier. As in the new book “Who Could Ever Love You” by Mary L. Trump, you don’t need extra baggage.

How do you explain who you are?

That’s a question Mary L. Trump wrestled with all her life.

She was the younger child of a father who was prone to depression and alcoholism, and a mother who, Trump says, had little-to-no support system and suffered from “futility.” Trump was also the granddaughter of one of New York City’s most-prominent landlords. And she is the niece of Donald Trump.

For years, that didn’t matter.

For Trump, childhoods were spent on her father’s boat, swimming in the ocean, or playing with kids in her neighborhood. Sundays were spent at “the House,” a mansion her grandparents lived in, where dinners were awkward because Trump’s grandmother disliked Trump’s mother, and Trump’s grandfather showed little but disdain for his oldest son, Trump’s father. In the midst of this was Uncle Donald, who seemed to enjoy “bullying” his gentle elder brother.

Trump indicates that. as a child, she could clearly see the family turmoil, though she didn’t understand it. She adored her handsome, intelligent father but after her parents divorced and her father began to drink more and more, she began to avoid him – and her mother, too.

She began to realize that she was a lesbian. She sought solace at a private summer camp, where counselors took her under their wings. She reached for therapy before and after her father’s death, in part because of the family’s dysfunction and her feelings of “self-loathing.”

After awhile, “I was finally becoming conscious of something I’d known,” she says, “at least on some level, all along – there was no way for me to fit into this family.”

So here’s the surprise: “Who Could Ever Love You” doesn’t contain much about politics, and not as much about the GOP Presidential candidate as you might expect, especially if you’ve read author Mary L. Trump’s previous books.

He’s in here. He’s just not the focus.

Instead, you’ll read about one woman’s life inside a family that’s famously chaotic, and how it left her with “trauma” that took decades to untangle and understand – and which may be hard for readers to follow sometimes, too. Trump recalls unbelievable “damage” that she avers was perpetrated by her older relatives, and it’s gutpunch hard to read. Estrangements within the family and complications made worse by lawsuits that Trump calls “my family’s love language” just add to the despair that begs for a happy ending.

You’ll need to read this book to see if you get that, but doing so will be emotionally wrought. Surely, there’s one side of the political fence that will enjoy this book more than the other, but either way, “Who Could Ever Love You” packs a punch.

Grizzly Confidential:

by An Astounding Journey into the Secret Life of North America’s Most Fearsome Predator c.2024, Harper Horizon $29.99 288 pages

You never went anywhere without him. Your teddy bear was both cuddler and comforter, he dried your tears, slept with you, had his own place at the table and through the years, he put up with being dragged, thrown, slobbered on, and scapegoated. He was your constant companion and you loved him literally to tatters, so read “Grizzly Confidential” by Kevin Grange. The Ursus arctos horribilis inside it ain’t your childhood best friend.

As a boy, Kevin Grange loved the outdoors.

In addition to being a young, avid Field & Stream reader, one of his best-loved gifts back then was a book on tracking animals, and he spent much of his spare time in the woods near his home, book in hand. He was particularly interested in studying the information about bear tracks, the curve of their claws, and the shapes of their toes.

That fascination grew to a healthy respect and a lingering fear of bears that Grange carried with him to his job as a paramedic in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Yosemite parks. In his work, a bear encounter could happen at any time. What would he do?

He was a writer, right? So he’d write a book about it, that’s what. And in the meantime, he’d face his fears about bears, particularly the fiercest bear, the one with the worst, most dangerous reputation.

The first thing he learned was that there are many myths about grizzlies that aren’t true.

They’re not all killers; in fact, experts say grizzlies are not even the most dangerous bears on earth. Their sense of smell is hundreds of times better than yours. If you know what to look for, a bear will tell you what it’s thinking and feeling. Grizzlies are curious, highly intelligent, trainable, and wildlife biologists love studying them – and hunting them, as Grange discovered, can be a good thing, if it’s done legally and correctly, management-wise. And though they’re known to be fierce and sometimes dangerous, the one thing a half-ton grizzly fears is about two feet tall and weighs sixty pounds...

Fat Bear Week is coming, and you’re not quite prepared. You’ve checked out the competition, you know your favorite, all you need now is “Grizzly Confidential.”

Never mind that its subject has scared you in the movies, charmed you on TV, and made you super-alert on your hiking forays – author Kevin Grange goes even deeper as he takes readers on a journey of discovery with wildlife experts and managers, scientists, outdoorsmen, and folks who live and deal with bears near their homes. This can be thrilling, but it’s also cautionary if you’ve been thinking about a fall-leaf-viewing hike – which means that this book can be lifesaving and awe-inspiring, too.

Readers with a respect for bears will appreciate Grange’s fear and his willingness to explore it; readers who don’t know much about grizzlies except what Hollywood has taught them are about to have their eyes opened wide by an enthusiastic, inquisitive, easy-to-enjoy read. “Grizzly Confidential” is a great book to cuddle up with.

Conne ct. Experience. Create.

Paradise Center

for the

Paradise Center for the rtsA

rtsA

For more information & tickets:

IMPROVISATIONAL STITCHING WITH SUZ KLUMB:

Thursdays, October 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 10 AM - 12 PM.

www.paradisecenterforthearts.org • 507.332.7372

For more information & tickets: www.paradisecenterforthearts.org • 507.332.7372

321 Central Avenue North, Faribault, MN

For more information & tickets: www.paradisecenterforthearts.org

This class will take place at the “tiny” shop across the street from the Paradise! (318 Central Ave.) Suz is over the moon with thread and stitching art! It is a simple, freeform running embroidery stitch. We will use a variety of embroidery floss thread and a simple sketch. This class is for all levels--beginners are more than welcome! Bring your scissors & your smile with giggles!

507.332.7372

321 Central Avenue North, Faribault, MN

321 Central Avenue North, Faribault, MN

GALLERY OPENING RECEPTION

OCTOBER

11 5 PM - 7 PM

Carlander Gallery – Shelley Caldwell

Lois Vranesh Gallery – Halloween group show K&M Gallery – Creative Aging classes

Corey Lyn Creger Memorial Gallery - Angelina Dornquast

Exhibition Dates: October 7 – November 16.

Sponsored by Southern Heights Dental Group.

AN EVENING WITH MONROE CROSSING

Monroe Crossing performs an electrifying blend of traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, original bluegrass, and some surprising selections from outside the genre. For nearly 25 years, Monroe Crossing’s superb musicianship and on-stage rapport have entertained audiences throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Friday, October 4 at 7:30 PM

Sponsored by Faribault Ace Hardware Member: $20 / Non-Member: $25 / Students: $15

Tuition: Member - $80, Non-Member - $96. Supply Fee - $35.

PARADISE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: CHARLOTTE’S WEB

Improv 101: Intro to Improv with Buddy

(Ages 16+)

Improv 101:

By Joseph Robinette Director: Sam Temple

SATURDAYS THRU JUNE 22, 12:30-2PM

Member: $70 / Non-Member: $80

Intro to Improv with Buddy Ricker (Ages 16+)

This is a family story about kindness, empathy, and the extraordinary lengths we can go for the people (or pigs) we love.

SATURDAYS THRU JUNE 22, 12:30-2PM

Member: $70 / Non-Member: $80

This course will focus on the fundamentals of improv acting with an emphasis on improv comedy. Through “hands on” exercises and laughter, we will bring out the creative improvyour family and friends with a course ending show that showcases the improv artist

October 18, 19, and 25 at 7:30 PM October 20, 26, and 27 at 2:00 PM

SAVE THE DATE

GALLERY

Sponsored by Reliance Bank PCT Season Sponsors: The Bahl Foundation & Quality Appliance Member: $16 / Non-Member: $18 / Student: $12

Fari “BOO” bar crawl and costume contest, November 1st.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from

Vranesh Gallery

Members Show

K&M Gallery Summer Pop Up Shop Creger Gallery Warsame Rashid

Doug Clement

Dan Crombie

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks