North Kato Winter 2022

Hopefully, this issue of North Kato Magazine will be a cheerful and helpful resource this holiday season. From recipes to gift ideas we’ve got you covered! In these pages, there is a little something for everyone.

As our neighborhoods continue to diversify, this holiday season takes on different meanings to different cultures. Please check out the story on page 38 to help you better understand how and why your neighbors may be celebrating differently than you do. In the true holiday spirit, there is room for all in North Kato!

And you might want to stick pages 16 and 17 on your refrigerator as a month-to-month guide to getting out and enjoying this awesome community we call home. We give you ideas each month to get you started, simple things you probably haven’t even thought of or maybe took for granted. This list just scratches the surface of what North Mankato offers. Maybe this will spark your own ideas! Let me know, I’d love to hear what YOUR favorite activities are in the city.

No matter how you celebrate, Happy Holidays to all of you. “Talk” to you next year!

Lisa Cownie

HERE TO WRITE?

BY CHRISTINE NESSLER

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Ever wondered where all those games come from at your favorite bars and restaurants? The claw machines that kept your kids busy, the Buck Hunter or Golden Tee Golf that entertained you in college, or the pool tables and dart boards that started comradery or competition between friends or strangers?

It’s likely C&N Sales, a coin-operated entertainment company in North Mankato, is behind all of those forms of entertainment you’ve previously and currently appreciated.

“If you walk into any establishment; restaurants, bars (and some convenience stores) and you see something you put a quarter in - it’s probably ours,” said Chris Phinney, Office and Retail Manager of C&N Sales.

What started in 1928 with nickel cigarette machines developed into an employee-owned, three-tiered business covering southern Minnesota and northern Iowa with three locations and 24 staff members.

C&N Sales is the umbrella company for C&N Entertainment, which specializes in coin-operated machines; C&N Leagues, which manages the pool and dart leagues in our area and C&N Games, which houses the Game Room Outlet. Locations of C&N Sales are in North Mankato and Marshall, Minnesota as well as Okoboji, Iowa.

In Minnesota and Iowa, C&N Sales provides coin-operated machines for over 700 establishments. The partnerships are a result of the establishments providing space for the C&N Sales coin-operated machines for a split of the profits. This, of course, includes pool tables and dart boards.

C&N Leagues has also been another solid partnership between C&N Sales and local bars and restaurants. Pool and dart leagues traditionally compete on Mondays, Tuesdays

and Wednesdays. Those are the slower nights for bar owners, so having leagues to fill their equipment makes it even more enticing to rent out space for multiple pool tables, dart boards and games.

“We started the leagues and bar owners love it,” Phinney said. “We’re putting people in the seats. They’re buying booze, they’re buying food and they’re putting money in our machines.”

To generate business, bar staff or owners will often approach players at their establishments to encourage them to join leagues. According to Craig Dumdei, C&N Leagues Manager, in the Mankato proper alone there are roughly thirteen pool leagues and fifteen dart leagues accounting for nearly one thousand people.

Anyone is welcome to join a pool or dart league. The leagues range from elite master players all the way down to beginner leagues.

C&N Sales also hosts annual tournaments for both pool and dart leagues. Held at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato, the dart tournament holds 139 dart boards for an average of 1,200 people while the pool tournament has 89 tables set up for more than 1,500 people. This year the dart tournament is on the weekend of March 24. The pool tournament is on the weekend of April 14. Only league members are allowed in the tournaments because spot darts or handicaps are determined to keep the tournaments fair.

Their retail store, Game Room Outlet, started in an effort to cater to the needs of their pool and dart league players. “We wanted to make sure they had everything they needed to play the leagues,” Phinney said. 

C&N Sales is a hometown haven for game lovers of all types.

Craig Dumdei, Leagues Manager & Chris Phinney, Office and Retail Manager.

custom

This store that specializes in high-end darts, cues, and other various supplies is a unique service provided by C&N Sales. Along with the product, customers can also appreciate a knowledgeable staff that caters to their pool and dart needs.

“You’d have to go way up to the cities to find anything else like that,” Dumdei said.

You don’t have to play in a league to appreciate the inventory of the Game Room Outlet though. Aside from high-end dart and pool supplies, anyone else just looking to fill their game room will find a vast assortment of entertainment options.

The showroom is filled with pool tables, dartboards, shuffleboards, ping pong tables, air hockey, foosball, bar tables, poker tables, pub tables, barstools and so much more. These are all high-quality items, many of which can be customized to the client’s specifications.

“All the pool tables, bar tables, and barstools can be customized,” Phinney said. “They can all be special ordered to what you want or how it fits into your house.” Phinney always has floor models available for example or purchase.

One of the most unique special orders was a gunmetal pool table.

“It’s very heavy,” laughed Phinney. “You need two guys to carry a leg!”

With the holidays approaching, anyone wanting custom items should plan ahead and allow time for production, but Phinney has been ramping up her in-store inventory in preparation for

the busy holiday season. The showroom even includes smaller items like family games.

“We have everything from games to puzzles to things you can hang on your wall,” Phinney said.

According to Phinney, the hottest holiday items are pinball machines, Pac-Man games, shuffleboards and of course, pool tables.

“People are like, ‘oh my gosh, I’ve got to have this Pac-Man machine!’” Phinney said.

Sometimes customers will find used games that are no longer at a bar or restaurant. C&N Sales will take the coin mechanisms out of the games, clean them up and sell them to an individual as a fun addition to their home.

C&N Sales also offers billiard services including cloth recovery, reconditioning, and repair as well as moving pool tables.

“There are moving companies that really don’t want much to do with moving pool tables because a broken piece of slate is very expensive to replace,” Phinney said.

Phinney’s team of service men and movers are the same, so customers can always be assured their purchases will be in the safest of hands.

With the holidays and winter coming, now is a great time to check out C&N Sales. Whether you are looking for an addition to your game room or would like to get involved in a league, C&N Sales has just what you need to keep yourself entertained during the cold Minnesota and Iowa months. 

BY CONNIE ROBINSON & JANINE TRAMP 5Cs PRESCHOOL

Gratitude is one of the most important things we can teach our children –practicing gratitude and being thankful sets our children up to be more appreciative, sensitive and empathetic toward others. It helps to build a positive

Teach manners – say THANK YOU. Manners show that we don’t believe we are entitled to anything and that we appreciate whatever comes our way. Teaching children to say “thank you” helps them be aware of kind things others do for them or give to them.

Say please and thank you using sign language for infants. At 5Cs we thank God each day for our snack - even 2s can say things they are thankful for – people and things.

By 4 they can understand it’s not only things and people, but acts of kindness and love.

Modeling – kids learn most by what we do and say. Tell them how grateful you are for them: their smile, laughter, ways they are kind to others.

Model a grateful attitude in your words and actions toward others, as you are out, thank the servers, cashiers, baristas, and teachers. Let your child hear you say thank you and help them be aware of kind things that others do for them.

Look for awe – inspiring moments, help your children appreciate the beauty in our world. Take time to notice and express gratitude for creation and all God has given us. It’s the perfect time of year to take a walk or, as you are driving, comment on the leaves changing colors, flowers or birds. Let them stay up late and see the beauty of a sunset or the starry sky and moon.

Build an attitude of gratitude by helping others and doing small acts of kindness. This is as simple as helping a neighbor, an elderly person, someone you know who is struggling. Donate old clothes and toys to a shelter or food to a food shelf to help others.

Send thank you notes. Have your child draw a picture of what they are thankful for or use video or FaceTiming as your child opens a gift and give them the chance to say “thank you”.

Start a practice of taking turns sharing something you are thankful for each day. At 5Cs during Thanksgiving, the children take turns telling us all the things they are thankful for and we post it on our walls. They take magazines and cut out what they are thankful for.

At home, during suppertime or bedtime each family member can share one thing they are thankful for. Then start a gratitude journal –this is an amazing activity.

Make a list each day of what each one shares. There is always something you can be thankful for and sometimes it’s really simple things but as you continue to fill the journal it’s a tangible list that you as a family can look back on and remember there’s always something for which we can be thankful.

Overflowing with items designed with comfort, wellness and strength in mind. Unique merchandise and holistic items to live a healthier lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for healthy products for yourself or searching for inspiration to gift someone special, come see what we have in store for you.

cold pressed

Each of our raw, organic juices is created using an industrial-grade, hydraulic cold press juicer. Praised as the most efficient type of juicer on the market, a cold press does not introduce heat or oxygen, producing the purest, most nutrient-dense juice that you can get your hands on.

Get a dose of nutrients with our fast-acting wellness shots loaded with cold-pressed superfoods to flush toxins, fight inflammation, support immune system or improve overall well-being.

Carli Jordan

Gari Jo Jordan

Floating has become the best-kept secret to safely and naturally relieve stress and anxiety. A float tank (ours are more of a float room) provides a weightless environment that when combined with pitch darkness and silence, creates sensory reduction. With the sensations of the outside world removed, your body and mind are allowed to completely relax and unplug.

A 2001 study in the Journal of the Canadian Pain Society found that spending time in a floatation tank effectively decreased anxiety and depression and increased optimism. In summary, floating takes you to your happy place.

Have a picnic at Spring Lake Park

Check out the zipline at Benson Park

Blues on Belgrade Walk the hidden bridge between Spring Lake and Hiniker Pond

Shop at one of our many local stores

Bike on one of our many bike trails

Go to a game at Caswell

Get a beer at Mankato Brewery

Go to one of our Movies in the Park

Sledding at Spring Lake Park Bells on Belgrade

FOR BUILDING

THE PERFECT CHARCUTERIE

Decide whether charcuterie will be an appetizer or main dish. For appetizers, toned down flavors to complement the main dish. If charcuterie will be your main dish, you can go all out with spicy, sweet, and even dessert options.

Determine how much food you will need. Appetizer: serve 1-2 ounces of meat and cheese per person. Main dish: serve 3-4 ounces of meat and cheese per person.

Choose your flavor profiles. Go with contrasting flavors for instant excitement, such as sweet and savory; peppery and sweet; fat and brine. Your meat and cheese expert can help you choose the best combinations and give you ideas for seasonal ingredients.

Have plenty of bread. Stock up on a variety of chewy bread, high-crunch crackers, and crispy crackers. Each serves a different purpose and can be a great way to extend your budget. Crusty, bakery-fresh bread is a filling choice for larger parties.

Add sweetness.

Jams and jellies pair surprisingly well with meat and cheese. You can’t go wrong with fig jam and red pepper jelly—they both complement a variety of meats and cheeses. Manchego and fig jam is always a crowd favorite.

RIVERFRONT 410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107

HILLTOP 2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070

KARL PAGEL

Certified Cheese Expert 507-625-9070

Use food accents that double as decoration. Olives, nuts, and fruit are a great way to add a pop of color and texture. Cantaloupe and prosciutto are an especially tasty pair.

Arrange your board. A well-arranged charcuterie board offers surprises at every turn. Separate like elements to create visual interest and encourage guests to try new combinations. Take colors and textures into consideration and group foods that go well together.

Don’t forget utensils! You’ll need small spoons for dips and spreads and small tongs for meats and cheeses. Be sure to include cheese knives to cut blocks of cheese.

Infinity from Marvin created Ultrex®, a superior fiberglass material. Replacing your windows is a decision you only want to make once. The strength, finish and durability of Infinity’s Ultrex® fiberglass will maximize your investment.

BY ASHLEY HANLEY

“Iron sharpens iron,” as the Proverb states, so one man sharpens another. That has been the culture of The Creative Company for the past nine decades. A family lifting each other up and chasing dreams along the way.

George Peterson, Sr. founded The Creative Company in 1932. Ninety years later, the company is going strong and is still in the Peterson family, with George’s grandson, Tom, as the current owner and president. The company, he said, was started with a simple thing: a dream.

“The Creative Company, then Creative Educational Society, was created from a dream by two dreamers - my grandfather and his best friend, Jim Mackin. And while I am sure there was a sense of contributing to the education of young students, it was equally important to both men to have the freedom to succeed or fail on their own merits, rather than the structured curriculum book sales backgrounds they came from as corporate employees,” Peterson said.

Today, The Creative Company publishes children’s books which are sold mainly in North America, but copies of Creative books can be found on six of the seven continents of the world and are published in more than 30 languages. But before these stories travel the world, they get their humble beginnings in our area’s backyard. Located in North Mankato on Howard Drive, Peterson said the North Mankato area has been a part of the company’s success from the very beginning.

“North Mankato specifically, and the Mankato area in general, has been home to the Peterson family for five generations dating back to 1900, when my great-grandfather moved to Mankato. He was one of the very first dentists in town. Since then, the generations have come and gone but the Mankato area has remained a constant thread of the Peterson family fabric - for nearly 125 years now,” Peterson said.

The company currently has books being read and enjoyed on six different continents. Like the company’s beginning, Tom’s training and the unpredictable ride to ownership, also started with a dream, even if it wasn’t necessarily his own.

“My training to get to this point was mostly by fire. My dad, George Peterson, Jr., took a unique approach with me. He locked the doors from the outside of the office, with me inside, and wished me luck. In all honesty, my father was the best of all teachers,” Peterson reflected. “He trusted me enough to learn from experiences, correct my mistakes, of which I made many, and believe all the while in me and my talents – which frequently I couldn’t even see in myself. I’m forever grateful.”

This North Mankato, family-owned business, has a worldwide footprint.

The company’s building in upper North reflects the forward-thinking approach to publishing.

Visuals are given as much attention as the words in all the works published by The Creative Company.

Peterson said he hopes to keep the family tradition alive by passing down the company to his daughter, Samantha, who has worked in the family business for five years now. “My only expectation is that she successfully navigates the one continent her forefathers were unable to – Antarctica. Read closely, Samantha, and keep a close eye on the locks!” Peterson jokes.

Alongside the Peterson family, The Creative Company has been graced with a talented staff for the past nine decades. Currently with 60 employees, Peterson said, the family business would not exist without their significant sacrifices and contributions.

“Certainly, the wonderful people I have met across the world, and most importantly, here in North Mankato have been tantamount to any of our successes. Without the care, concern and talents of those we’ve been blessed to meet and work with, The Creative Company would not be the company it is today. My entire family stands on the shoulders of others who have trusted our vision for them, our books and this company. We are forever blessed by that gift,”  Peterson said.

Like any business, Peterson said he has also faced some challenges throughout the years, but he looks to some age-old wisdom to overcome the difficulties of owning a business. “The pressures, the expectations, the disappointments of those closest to you are felt each and every day, there is no emotion that goes unexplored. Make no mistake, the challenge of that is also extremely rewarding and something I would rarely look to avoid.”

Beyond publishing books, the Petersons also own and operate a book fulfillment business - Creative Fulfillment Services - offering warehousing and fulfillment services for other companies in the book publishing industry.

Whether it be publishing books or fulfilling book orders, throughout the generations, the Peterson family has built a company with worldwide reach, rooted right here in North Mankato. With so many stories that have already been told, there’s even more yet to discover.

“So many interesting stories can be told of my 35 years in the publishing business, and more significantly, of my family’s 90 years in the field of education,” Peterson said. “So many people have contributed, so many businesses formed, as a result of Creative’s long-lasting success. Yet the best stories, the most important facts, are found in the books we have published. They carry the tales, the facts, the dreams, the hopes of the people that created them and the people who continue to read them.”

Throughout the generations and across the world, The Creative Company reaches those who may be just starting to read to the most avid bookworm, with a special family touch for all to enjoy.

Focus on building your

By partnering with

needs,

than

for

do what

Brent Busch, your local neighborhood mortgage lender.

Q: We are ready to buy a new home but don’t want to move all our stuff twice, or move everything in one day. How can we take our time to moving into our new home?

A: In many cases, you can purchase your new home and then sell your current home after you move. One question that frequently comes up in this situation is “what about my down payment”. We have a unique offering that allows you to apply the proceeds from the sale of your home towards your principle after you close and then recalculate your payment. In this scenario you could put the minimum amount down, 3%-5% on your new purchase. Once you sell your current home you simply apply the proceeds to the principal and we can recalculate your mortgage payment. This acts as a delayed down payment, and is a great solution to make your purchase and move as easy as possible.

Q: Headlines keep telling me mortgage rates are rising. How much different will my payment be?

A: This is certainly the headline in the news, and something to be aware of. The Federal Reserve has increased rates and tightened their policy now that we have exited the pandemic. Keep in mind mortgage rates are dependent on many different factors, not just the Federal Reserve. With that in mind rates are still comparable to the recent past. The rate changes and adjustments can affect your payment so its always best to have as much information as possible when home shopping. I recommend talking to your mortgage professional about each property you are interested in so you know what your payment will be. Having a complete payment estimate for the property will allow you to make the best offer on the home while staying within your budget. You may be surprised at how affordable purchasing a home can be compared to renting.

I am always available to answer any questions you may have. Call 507-389-8276 or email me at busch@primesourcefunding.com

One of the best things in the world is the anticipation leading up to a long-awaited date. Think about those days or weeks leading up to a long-awaited concert, a big ballgame, a vacation, a birthday, a graduation, a retirement, an anniversary, a holiday or sometimes just a random, made-up gathering. Just to have a date on the horizon often buoys our spirits. To talk about the upcoming date and the treasures it may hold—or even to simply and quietly keep the date in mind—can be that carrot at the end of the stick, that reason to keep hustling and bustling, that raison d’être or reason to be.

I’ll give you an example. A goodly number of years ago, one of my friends, T-Bone, was assigned his first doctorly post in Fargo, North Dakota. He had been studying to practice his profession for years and this was a long-awaited date for T-Bone. However, although living and working in Fargo was one of his three choices (he was reared in northeast South Dakota on the prairie-extreme and was therefore used to farflung places), it wasn’t his first choice of locale. Adding to the prospect of moving to Fargo was the development a recent breakup with his longtime girlfriend, a bonny lass whom many of his friends speculated he might marry. So, deep in debt and at his loneliest, T-Bone moved to the far reaches of Fargo and began his residency. And there he began to work... and work... and work.

After talking to T-Bone on the phone one evening it was clear that he needed something to look forward to. Talking to other friends led to a group decision: We would travel to Fargo and make merry! On the one weekend per month T-Bone was not scheduled for work or on call, we would get as many fellows together as possible, and we would eat and drink and josh and enliven the spirits of our sad and harried friend, T-Bone, thereby enlivening our own spirits. And we would do it in early November, possibly one of the bleakest times of the year when the Fall color is on the ground and faded to brown and all that is left on the windswept plain is to await, humbly, the true onset of Winter.

Sound a bit mad or depressing? It wasn’t.

Seven or eight of us drove the four or five or six hours— which may’ve been one of the best parts (anticipation)! We played touch football and watched it on TV. We played cards. We slept on T-Bone’s futons and floors. We cooked and ate and imbibed and got into discussions that were the deepest and funniest and most connective we’d had in years. And we

BY NATE BOOTS

had so much fun, we did it the next year and the next, and the next. I even wrote a song about our early November weekend in one of those first years, entitled, of course, “Fargo.”

Each fall we take leave of our families

And migrate northwest from the Twin Cities Out in the arctic air, where the truth abides And the bonds of brotherhood are true and tried And the grass is dying out, but we feel alive... In Fargoooooooooooo!

Why was “Fargo Weekend” so fun? It wasn’t necessarily Fargo itself, though to tell it true I do believe Fargo has its charms. My theory: It was the gathering, the friends, and the fact that we had somehow stolen a small chunk of time and made it our own tiny holiday. And it was the fact that we kept it up and began to look forward to it. To anticipate it.

After seven or eight years, T-Bone was well-established in Fargo... and eventually married to a wonderful mademoiselle of sharp wit and tolerance. I became un-married in that time and so we shifted the gathering to North Mankato. I have introduced the fellows to live music at the Circle Inn and The Legion, pizza from Dino’s, beers at Spinner’s and Mankato Brewery, and Bloody Mary breakfasts at NaKato. My friends have walked along the bend of the Minnesota River. They have rubbed shoulders with other ‘Katoans. Our “Fargo Weekend” in North Mankato has been going a good five years now.

There are certain built-in dates to our annual calendars; Thanksgiving and Christmas are a couple of the biggest and boldest. Now I know that not everyone looks forward to these holidays—there have been years that I have counted myself in this group. But even those who don’t enjoy those holidays find themselves with a couple of free days on their hands. And what I’d like to say here is that the anticipation leading up to those free days—or the full-on holiday gatherings that make memories—is sometimes the best part.

Who among us in North Kato hasn’t enjoyed that Wednesday before Thanksgiving out and about at one of North Kato’s spots of local color? Who among us hasn’t stolen just a moment or two of time in merry anticipation and revelry? May you each find your own Fargo... in North Mankato.

Looking for a new holiday recipe to bring to this year's Thanksgiving holiday? I have you covered. Creamed Leeks are a staple at our Thanksgiving table. Traditionally creamed onions have had the place on many family menus but I find the delicate onion flavor of sautéed leeks are a step above. Now, you add cream and butter to the recipe and you have an over-the-top, yet pretty simple side dish.

Christmas is probably my favorite of all the holidays. I love that families have traditions that they celebrate both at home and with friends. One tradition that my mother began with me and my five brothers and sisters, is making cookie plates and delivering them to those that hold a place in our heart, and those we want to show appreciation to like our local firefighters, coworkers or favorite chiropractor.

Lace cookies get their name because as they bake, they spread and bubble and bubble and bubble and form little holes in the cookies. There are so many recipes for lace cookies, I hope you enjoy our family recipe.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Cut leeks in half lengthwise, then crosswise into roughly 1 1/2 inch pieces. You should have about 8 cups. Wash leeks. See below*. Melt 3 T butter in sauce pan. Add panko crumbs. Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Stir constantly until crisp and pale golden. Remove from pan. Set aside. Add remaining butter, leeks, salt and pepper to pan. Use moderately low heat, stirring occasionally until tender about 10 mins. Add heavy cream to leeks. taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Pour leeks and cream into a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with the panko crumbs on top. Bake until cream is bubbling and slightly thickened and crumbs are golden brown, about 15 mins.

*Cleaning leeks

Leeks are grown in the ground, so it’s important to wash them to get rid of any dirt that can cause a gritty texture. Once you have sliced your leeks, place them in a bowl of cold water. Swish, I use my hands, to loosen any dirt. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to let the dirt settle to the bottom and scoop out the leeks that have floated to the top. Let dry a bit.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

WINE & SPIRITS

January is the time of

New Year's

when everyone is

special diets, and

to

are all the rage. Whether your goal is weight loss or just living a

lifestyle, there are plenty of good reasons for taking on smart eating endeavors. Here is a recipe for eating smart.

can even adjust the “garnish” to your taste or mood.

Traditional

is made with bulgur wheat and has MUCH more greens in it than my recipe. I have adapted this to my own liking. Feel free to keep the dressing and grain and add what you like for herbs and vegetables. While this recipe is vegan and gluten free you can add roasted chicken to it or crispy tofu.

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Cool on cookie sheet. Wash all veggies and herbs. Chop to your liking. I like my veggies and herbs small. Mix the cooled quinoa and all of the vegetables and herbs together. Mix all of the vinaigrette ingredients together and pour over the salad. Quickly toss together to distribute the liquid. Enjoy now or refrigerate for a few days.

Melt Butter in medium saucepan; remove from heat. Stir in oats, sugar, flour, corn syrup, milk, vanilla and salt; mix well. Drop by level teaspoon about 3” apart onto foil-lined baking sheets. Spread thinly with rubber spatula.

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 6-8 mins. or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Peel from foil.

Melt chocolate in microwave at 70% power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave additional 10-20 seconds until smooth.

Now you can be creative. You can dip the cookies, drizzle chocolate, add sprinkles as you’d like, the options are endless. My family likes to make them a sandwich by spreading a small amount of chocolate to one flat side of one cookie and then adding a second cookie on top. Be careful not to add too much chocolate, you don't want to overwhelm the delicate lace cookie.

507-625-1107

TRACY KLOSTERMEYER Owner of TK Cuisine Hy-Vee Hilltop Chef

Find Chef Tracy and her delicious recipes at Hy-Vee

Check your battery – It takes more power to start your car in the winter, plus battery power decreases as the temperature drops. Experts recommend installing a battery at or above 600 CCA for optimal winter performance.

Cooling system – Experts say a ratio between 50/50 and 70/30 of antifreeze to water. Staying in this range should prevent against corrosion and potential freezing. Brakes – Slick, snowy conditions are not the time to find out your brakes need serviced!

Switch to Winter tires – When the temperature consistently hovers around or below freezing, the rubber compounds in non-winter tires harden, decreasing the tire’s ability to grip the road. Winter tires use special compounds engineered to resist hardening in cold temperatures, providing better traction in ice, snow, slush, and even dry pavement.

Maintain Tire Pressure – Every 10° change in ambient temperature could mean a gain or loss of 1 PSI. This means you should check pressure more regularly during winter and refill your tires as needed.

Install Winter Wipers – Yes! There is a difference. Winter wipers come equipped with rubber that keeps ice from collecting on the blades.

Keep the gas tank at least half full –A full tank reduces condensation, which can prevent gas line freeze ups. Not only that, but if you’re ever stranded, your engine may be the only thing to keep you warm until help arrives.

Neutral Groundz is more than coffee and home goods, it's a lifestyle. We offer premium coffee, refreshing beverages, locally-made sweets and home decor for any type of nester. Our newly renovated space offers a comfortable atmosphere for coffee-fueled shopping. Now serving Sandwiches, Salads and Soups!

BY DARLA MAKELA

Gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving Day: How to be thankful all year long.

I could start this article off with a simple question ’what is gratitude?’ however, I think we all know what gratitude is and what it looks and sounds like, right?

What you may not know is how important it is for you, and even more importantly, how to develop a habit of gratitude. One way to establish this is with a gratitude journal.

Why is gratitude journaling important?

In Psychology Today we find seven benefits of practicing gratitude:

Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.

Gratitude improves physical health.

Gratitude improves psychological health.

Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. Grateful people sleep better. Gratitude improves self-esteem.

Over the past couple of decades, much research has shown that the practice of gratitude has significant benefits for most every area of our lives.

Gratitude increases mental strength.

Another study shares that the practice of gratitude improved people’s mental health over time.

I am not sure about you but I know that I am all for being healthier, more confident, and feeling stronger in all areas of my life!

Now you might be wondering how to get started if you are not already practicing gratitude. I hear you! I was there about five years ago.

I had a little funk going on in some areas of my life. Not horrible…just not feeling as fulfilled as I wanted to be. My coach at the time suggested I start a gratitude journal.

Now, at that time, all I knew was that it would mean I would write things I was grateful for. Pretty simple, right? I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for my friends. I am grateful for my house, things like that. That is how I started.

Soon I found myself going a little bit deeper with entries such as: “I am grateful for new opportunities that allow me to spend my days doing what I love.” “I am grateful for my friend who helped me realize that I am worthy of my dreams”.

I began to not only acknowledge WHAT I was grateful for but HOW it was impacting my life.

I am hoping by this time you are excited to get started on your own gratitude journaling adventure. Here is what I recommend:

• Find a time of day that you will be most likely to journal every day. I love to start my day off with gratitude as it sets a good tone for the rest of my day. Others love to end their day in gratitude. There is no right or wrong, just whatever you will do consistently.

Next, find a format that you will be excited to use every day.

If you want to just write each day without any prompts, purchase a journal that brings you joy when you look at it and start writing. You may be surprised at how much you have to say when you sit down to write!

If you feel that you do better with prompts. there are many journals that you can purchase. Journals can take you through a practice of identifying what you are grateful for, how that has impacted your life, something that you are proud of, something that made you smile and a space to document your affirmation or encouraging quote of the day.

If you want to stick to digital you can find many gratitude apps on your phone that you can use to express your gratitude.

I always say that the best way is the way that you will actually use it.

The practice of gratitude journaling changed my life and I hope it changes yours too!

Day Beef Stew for the Slow Cooker

BY HOLLY ELLISON, RD, LD

Care Center, Mankato

One of the best feelings is coming home after a long day and opening the door to the aroma of an already prepared dinner. Featuring tender root vegetables and beans, a generous portion of this classic slow cooker beef stew will provide you with an adequate source of protein, fats, carbs, and fiber making this a perfectly-balanced meal all in one bowl.

1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid

1 lb. stew meat

1 T olive oil, divided 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped 2 c. potatoes (yellow, red or russet), scrubbed clean and cut into ½ inch pieces (do not peel)

1 c. carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (about 2 large carrots)

2 c. parsnips, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (about 4 large parsnips)

1 can dark red kidney beans, no salt added, with their liquid

(15 oz) can tomato sauce

T brown sugar

T basil

T parsley 1 bay leaf

1 T minced garlic

2 c. green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (or 8 oz bag frozen)

Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste

* 3 T cornstarch, optional for thickening

Spray inside of 3 ½-4 qt. slow-cooker with non-stick spray or for easy clean up use a slow-cooker liner!

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the beef and cook until browned, 2-3 minutes, then flip and repeat until browned on all sides. Transfer meat to the slow cooker and repeat with remaining oil and beef.

To your slow cooker add the onion, celery, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, basil, parsley, bay leaf, and garlic. Stir, place lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 8 hours or HIGH heat for 4 hours. Stir in green beans during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking time and cook until they are tender (fresh will take longer than frozen). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Optional step to thicken stew if you prefer thicker beef stew liquid: Remove 1 cup of broth from the slow cooker and place it in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the broth to a slow simmer and whisk in the cornstarch until the liquid thickens (this typically happens within 20-30 seconds). Slowly drizzle and stir the hot cornstarch mixture into the stew in the crockpot. Cover and cook the stew for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

This is a versatile and forgiving stew recipe. You can add or substitute any vegetables that you like.

At River’s Edge Hospital, you are more than a patient. Every person who receives care is treated with compassion and respect. From the most basic health services to surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, River’s Edge Hospital makes your well-being a priority. You’ll receive a level of attention that goes well beyond your expectations.

JUST AS IMPORTANT as the TREATMENT YOU RECEIVE.

BY CHRISTINE NESSLER

ne of my favorite parts of being a North Mankato resident is the festive atmosphere during the various holidays. Whether it’s the flags flying along Belgrade Avenue during the Fourth of July or the holiday lights shining bright along Lee Boulevard and Lookout Drive, there is something special in the air in North Mankato.

Over the winter months, the people of North Mankato may have different reasons to celebrate, but we can all appreciate sharing in the festivity of the holiday season. Jewish families commemorate Hanukkah, Christians and the secular community at-large celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa highlights AfricanAmerican culture. Each celebration has its own unique elements and meaning but also shares in the commonality of fellowship.

The celebrations begin on December 18 with Hanukkah. This Festival of Lights runs for eight days until December 26. The Jewish festival reaffirms the beliefs of Judaism but also commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the second temple after the Jewish people rose against Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean revolt. Jews fought to defend their religious beliefs and prevailed. During these eight days of celebration, families observe several traditions such as: lighting the menorah, a symbol of the lamps used in the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem; playing the dreidel game, a child’s game used as a way to study the Torah or the first five books of the Hebrew Bible; eating gelt, a chocolate candy meant to teach kids about the importance of charity; cooking and baking traditional foods such as latkes, brisket, and kugel; and sharing in the joy of giving and receiving Hanukkah gifts.

Next on the calendar is Christmas. On December 25, Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth was a spiritual leader. His teachings form the basis of Christianity. Over the years, the holiday has been observed by both Christians and non-Christians alike.

Christians prepare for Christmas during Advent, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each week a candle is lit. The first candle represents the prophet who predicted the coming of Jesus Christ, the second represents the Bible, the third represents Mary, the mother of Jesus and the fourth represents John the Baptist, the man who told Israel to get ready for Jesus’ teaching. Christmas is celebrated with stories and lessons to be learned about Jesus, traditional foods which vary around the world, and gifts given to loved ones, representative of the gift of Jesus given to all people.

A nonsecular celebration of Christmas often includes the lighting and decorating of Christmas trees, baking Christmas cookies, gifts from Santa Claus and sharing a holiday feast with loved ones.

Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and ends on January 1. The weeklong celebration is not religious but rather cultural, based on African harvest festival traditions. The name is derived from a Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means first fruits.

Kwanzaa is a time to come together as a community and is centered upon seven principles: unity, selfdetermination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Every family celebrates Kwanzaa in their own way. Celebrations may include songs and dances, storytelling and feasts. It is a time to remember and honor ancestors and African roots while cementing community bonds and celebrating African and African-American culture.

What all these celebrations have in common is unity. Unity of family, friends, and people. In celebration, we share stories and food and gifts. We come together with traditions held dear to us.

Although we all have different reasons to celebrate this winter, we can appreciate the joy in each of the celebrations and wish each other Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa.

Winter MAIN EVENTS JOIN A BOOK CLUB

Stop by the Library to learn more and pick up a copy of our monthly book club selections.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB

• Girls grades 3-6 and a significant woman in their life.

• Meet every second Thursday of the month at 6pm

EVENING BOOK CLUB

• Book lovers of any age

• Meet every second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm

TEEN BOOK CLUB

• Teens & Tweens

• Meet monthly at Neutral Groundz

VERY HUNGRY BOOK CLUB

• Kids ages 8-12

• Pick out a food-related book from our front desk, read it, and then come enjoy some themed snacks. Check in to get more info on what books we're reading and who will be making the foodchanges monthly!

WINE & WORDS

• Adults 21+

• Meet at a different local establishment each month to enjoy an optional beverage (not provided) and discussion.

NOVEMBER AUTHOR SERIES

• Chris McCormick, 11/03 at 6pm

• Jen Loeb, 11/13 at 4pm

• William Durbin, 11/17 at 6pm

• Sara Biren, 12/01 at 6pm

BELLS ON BELGRADE ADULT SPELLING BEE

Join us in Beautiful Lower North Mankato for a fun holiday event for the entire family where there will be carolers, reindeer games, make and take crafts, and so much more! Will be held Saturday, December 3rd.

Be a part of our 5th annual Adult Spelling Bee. Have fun and get a chance to win great prizes! All members must be 21+ and groups must have 3-4 members to enter. Drink ticket included when you sign up. Will be held Friday, January 27th from 7-9pm. Stay tuned to our social media for more info on registration!

ANTHONY FORD POND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

The Anthony Ford Committee is committed to helping find a cure for childhood leukemia and to help young hockey players realize their own dreams. Tournament hosted at Spring Lake Park in late January.

Librarian Seasonal Favorites

BY JAY ZIELSKI

When winter arrives here in the North Mankato area you can either stay inside and merely survive, or embrace the season and step outside. Your imagination is the only limitation to the possibilities. Here are a few ideas to get you jump-started:

Bluff Park - Bluff Park is a nearby destination frequented by walkers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Some of the steep slopes on the east side of the park that are not navigable in the summer present a nice off-trail challenge for snowshoeing. For something different, you might even challenge yourself to a steep hike. There is a path tucked in the woods just off of Lake Street across from the Spring Lake Park volleyball courts. If you want to warm up after some time at the park there are ample opportunities along Commerce Drive with Caribou Coffee, Culver’s and for something stronger, there is Big Dog.

Sledding - What winter would be complete without a sliding/sledding adventure? For many, the thought of sledding down the steep hill at Sibley Park is daunting, let alone hiking back up the hill for another trip down. A favorite for families with young ones and older alike is the Webster Park hill along Lake Street in lower North. Steep enough for a thrilling ride yet easy enough to scale back up for another trip or two down the hill. A plus is that there is ample parking on Lake Street to accommodate sledders.

Mankato Brewery Tap Room - A cozy way to spend a relaxing evening after a day of outdoor adventures over a craft brew or two. Pack a board game or a deck of cards, order in a pizza from Dino’s or your favorite take-out establishment and you’re set.

Frozen Falls - Minneopa Falls is a treat year-round but a personal favorite of mine in the winter months. Watching the mound of ice beneath the falls evolve with each freeze and thaw makes this a frequent favorite weekend visit throughout the winter months. Just a ‘baby’ by comparison Minnemishinona Falls is in our own backyard, just off Rockford Road. The falls may be small but afford a scenic beauty of their own.

Seven Mile Creek - Just a short drive north on Highway 169, Seven Mile Creek is a favorite destination for local outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are winter favorites on or off the trail. Afterward, one can warm up around a campfire sharing stories and beverages. It might be wise to pack some kindling otherwise firewood can be found in the woodshed near the park entrance. Your imagination is the only limitation to winter recreation in and around North Mankato. This year, do more than merely survive. Step outside and embrace the ‘chill’.

22 YEARS OF SERVICE

What do you love most about North Mankato?

I love the friendliness of the people. Most everyone I meet has a warm smile and a great story to tell.

Outside of your role with the city, what is your most important role in life?

I would have to say my most important role in life is being a good daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I also participate in Feed and Read with the Mankato Area Backpack Food Program, the United Way Reading Festival, the Party on the Prairie Committee and I am the Trunk or Treat Event Coordinator.

What word would you use to describe yourself and why? I think the word I would use to describe myself would be playful. If I see someone down, I make it my goal to find a way to cheer them up.

What word would your coworkers use to describe you? They would call me giggly.

28 YEARS OF SERVICE

What do you love most about North Mankato?

I am both an employee and a citizen for the city of North Mankato and I like the hometown feel with opportunities close by to do so many things.

Outside of your role with the city, what is your most important role in life?

My family is the most important role, being the best husband, dad and Papa that I can be. I’ve been in the Boy Scout program for 25 years both on the troop and council level. I was on the board of Lasting Imprint for seven years and I continue to be a volunteer. I cook breakfast at Holy Grounds on Saturdays.

What word would you use to describe yourself and why? I would think accommodating would describe me, I tried to help whenever needed. I am not sure what my coworkers would say, I would hope that they would also say accommodating because we work as a team to try to address the concerns of the citizens as best we are able.

Children’s Librarian at North Mankato Taylor Library

North Mankato Water and Parks Superintendent

Melanie Marti Owner

MELANGE PAINT LINE

ZIBRA PAINT BRUSHES

the Season

SHOP FOR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND HOME DECOR

Our store has something for everyone on your list. New items always arriving. Check out the newly finished furniture pieces on display, available for purchase.

PRINTING REFRESHING COLOR

We are loving our new location in the heart of downtown North Mankato and are thrilled to be part of the North Mankato Community. Our Med Spa offers both non-invasive to minimally invasive Medical Aesthetic treatments and has the most advanced technology in Southern Minnesota. Our treatments focus on natural-looking results that help clients feel more confident.

HEIDI HERMEL The Skin Clinic Med Spa

Key City Insurance agency was started in the Mankato Area in 1948. It has been in its current location in lower North Mankato since 1978. Key City is an independent insurance agency that provides coverage for all your insurance needs including auto, home, commercial, health and Medicare. Key City Insurance prides itself on customer service and being local and family-owned. Bud Spenger started the agency which eventually passed down to his son Jim Spenger, as the wives of each of them kept the agency going with their passing, in 2022 the agency was sold to Brittany Linder. Although Brittany never worked side by side with Jim, he did help mentor her through her insurance carrier which started in 2008 with talks that started in 2017 that she would purchase the agency from him. Come stop on down and meet the family. Kristy, Deb, Dale Ann & Linda have each been with the agency for many years providing friendly, top-notch sales and service in the industry.

Welcome to our newly expanded space. Featuring kitchen items, home decor, bar accessories and much more! This is right next door to our coffee shop at 231 Belgrade Ave in lower North Mankato.

Drive • North

www.corpgraph.com

MN

Performances held at MSU TED PAUL THEATRE; tickets can be purchased ONLINE. Visit www.MankatoBallet.org for information. Ticket prices are: $25 Adult and $15 child (12 and under) Children 2 and under are free, but must sit on a lap. Online ticketing fee applies. Tickets are non-refundable, but may be exchanged to a different day or time by contacting the Box Office directly.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Community Arts Education Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.