Rochester Women's Magazine September/October 2020 issue by Rochester Women Magazine

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 COMPLIMENTARY

LOCAL ELECTIONS

Women in office, part 2: general election candidates

NASHAUNA LENOIR

A ‘Journie’ to empower at-risk kids

KOREAN CULTURE CAMP

A do-it-yourself experience

WOMEN IN FARMING

d e t n e d e c e r p n U n FIRST TERM A

A growing profession

MAYOR KIM NORTON ON LEADING DURING A TUMULTUOUS TIME RWmagazine.com RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

25 ON THE COVER 20 AN UNPRECEDENTED FIRST TERM Mayor Kim Norton

on leading during a tumultuous time.

10 WOMEN IN FARMING A growing profession.

12 NASHAUNA LENOIR

A ‘Journie’ to empower at-risk kids.

15 KOREAN CULTURE CAMP A do-it-yourself experience.

22 LOCAL ELECTIONS

Women in office, part 2: general election candidates.

ENTERTAINMENT & EDUCATION 9 LOCAL READS A regional

38 A IS FOR APPLE

31 IN SEARCH OF ROCHESTER’S RACIAL ROOTS A walk through a

Bringing awareness.

round-up of women authors.

complex history.

36 NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Looking backward and

Orchard season in Minnesota.

WELLNESS 19 ALZHEIMER’S IN AMERICA 34 STRESS AND RESILIENCY Embracing the lessons of current events.

forward, but with stronger racial intelligence.

HOME & COMMUNITY 25 MEET ME IN ZUMBROTA Looking to travel? Think local.

28 MUDROOMS Keeping the dirt out in style. Sponsored content.

IN EVERY ISSUE 7 From the Editor 37 Advertisers Index

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Happy September! It’s hard to believe that fall is here. What a year this has been. A t-shirt I saw advertised on Facebook rated the year with one star out of five and said, “2020: Would not recommend.” I concur. However, there is much to be learned from challenges, and this year has provided many educational opportunities. I have been coming to terms with my relationship with racism and understanding that I am much happier when working toward important causes, even when I am unpaid. I realize how much I enjoy a slower paced life. I continue to learn about my strengths and weaknesses in personal and professional situations, and I recognize that I really am not cut out to be a teacher (thank you, distance learning). In these pages, you can meet a woman who learned that she’s happiest when teaching teenagers important life skills so that they can avoid making the mistakes she herself made (p. 12). Meet four women farmers who are happily improving the world through the food they grow and raise (p. 36). For some local fun, check out a recent girls’ trip to Zumbrota (p. 25). Learn about National Hispanic Heritage Month (p. 10), walk through the complex history of race in Rochester (p. 31) and drop in on a conversation with Rochester’s first female mayor (p. 20). I have to tell you that our last issue inspired some pretty ugly responses. Multiple people let me know that they thought it was too political. One man emailed me to let me know that he didn’t appreciate getting the magazine in his mailbox because he was vehemently against my “political and sociological beliefs.” Let’s be clear: Telling the story of strong young women who are working for equal rights is not political. Imagine that one of those young women on the cover was your daughter, sister or granddaughter. How would you feel if it inspired such negative feedback? Hurtful though it was, however, it was another learning opportunity. Getting a glimpse into being on the receiving end of racism (though my experience is nowhere near what others experience in a much more frequent and personal way) only magnifies the urgency to use my privilege to amplify voices that have been muted in this community. Please join me: Thank the advertisers in these pages for their support, read about white privilege, donate time or money to organizations that fight for equality. Most of all, try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Learning about others’ experiences is a valuable way to make positive change and spread kindness wherever we go.

I was recently invited to participate in a Barbershop Talk South Minnesota episode along with LaSonya Natividad and Misha Johnson about The Syringa Tree, a recent play at the Rochester Civic Theatre. Thanks to Andre and Donavan for also encouraging a discussion about our Black Lives Matter article in the August issue!

PLUS

IN THIS ISSUE... Orchard season in Minnesota Embracing the lessons of current events Alzheimer’s awareness

She/Her

ONLINE SURPRISES... Get a sneak peek of the current exhibits at the Rochester Art Center.

Research candida tes and get up-to-d ate information abou t upcoming electi ons.

Learn more about the history of Indian Heights Park and the significance of the land.

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MEET THE CREW We asked our team "If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?" Here is what they had to say:

ISSUE 115, VOLUME 20, NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Emily Watkins

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jen Jacobson

Tiffany Alexandria

Alexandra Petrova

ASSISTANT EDITOR

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER

PHOTOGRAPHER

Swan's Island, a tiny island off the coast of Acadia National Park in Maine. We happened upon a cozy rental there a few years back and fell in love with the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean in our backyard, the local seafood and art, and the night sky packed with stars.

Under the sea in South America, Tahiti or Sri Lanka. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d feel safest back home- Taiwan. With zero community transmitted covid cases, it would be the only place where I could be free to enjoy everything I miss right now: the ocean, mountains, friendly people and good food, not to mention surfing, diving and other bounties.

Paris. We were supposed to go in March, but our trip got canceled. My husband and I met in Paris, and we try to go there as frequently as we can to see friends.

Amy Krause

WRITER/ PHOTOGRAPHER

If the pandemic was not an issue, it would definitely be Hawaii. I've never been and have always wanted to visit. Otherwise, I would probably plan an alternative trip to a nice remote cabin on a lake with my family where we could enjoy some quality time together.

Kate Brue Tessa Slisz

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Jen Jacobson

COPY EDITOR

Erin Gibbons

PHOTOGRAPHY

AB-Photography.us CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW | Tiffany Alexandria A. Krause Studio SOCIAL MEDIA

Rosei Skipper ASSISTANT

Thank you to this issue's contributing writers:

Karine Marsac

Rochester Women is published six times per year by 507 communications LLC, P.O. Box 5986, Rochester, MN 55903 Maka Boeve,

owner of WakeMaker Consulting, LLC is a freelance writer and educator based in Rochester.

Nicole NfonoyimHara is a

Rochester-based writer and anthropologist committed to community building, advocacy, and storytelling toward social justice. She is creator of the Rochester Racial Justice Toolkit.

Amy Krause is the artist behind A. Krause Studio. Her work explores self-care advocacy, mental health awareness, social justice work, diversity and inclusion. Find her on Etsy (akrausestudio) and at various local venues and fundraisers.

Grace Menchaca

is a recently graduated freelance writer with racial roots in Mexico and Peru.

Samantha Erickson

is a pro organizer and interior designer with Rescued Room, the life-simplifying business serving Rochester and beyond. Catch her behind the scenes on social media as @theeverydaymae.

Dr. Rosei Skipper is

an Oregon-born creative, a Mayo-trained child psychiatrist and a joyful promoter of art and music in Rochester. She is a host and producer at the Rochester Posse.

Subscriptions available for $24 per year (six issues). Send check to the address stated above. All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Rochester Women assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. ÂŠ2020 507 communications, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Rochester Women magazine does not necessarily endorse the claims or contents of advertising or editorial materials. Printed in the U.S.A.

Gina Dewink

is an author and magazine editor living in Rochester with her husband and two children. Her books are available by order in local bookstores or on Amazon.

Brittney Marschall is a

freelance writer and Rochester resident.

Elizabeth Harris is from

Rochester and works full time for the American Cancer Society. She also teaches dance and does wedding coordination, in addition to freelance writing.

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Sara Dingmann is

a Rochester native, and is currently entering her senior year at the University of Missouri where she studies journalism. She has written for the PostBulletin, Columbia Missourian and PolitiFact Missouri.

Trish Amundson is

a Rochester-area freelance writer and farm wife with minor experience in picking rocks, baling hay and driving tractors.

Emily Watkins is a Rochester writer and editor and is honored to be continuing the legacy of Rochester Women Magazine.

For more information or to advertise: 507-250-4593 emily@rwmagazine.com RWmagazine.com

LOCALREADS LOCAL READS

A REGIONAL ROUND-UP OF WOMEN AUTHORS BY GINA DEWINK

Price of a Bounty Keira Maddock lives in a dark future in which the Elite have everything, and everyone else suffers. She is a survivor. Out of necessity, she has become a skilled seductress, thief and bounty hunter—a Freelancer. When a typical job goes awry, it changes everything. Alliances are formed, long-kept secrets are revealed and lives are forever changed. In book one of the “Reliance on Citizens” trilogy, S.L. Wallace introduces a world divided in which not everyone is who he seems to be.

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AUTHOR: S.L. Wallace (slwallace.com) Best thing about being an area author: The opportunities! Rochester has so much to offer, yet has a small town feel with a highly diverse population. I really couldn't ask for a better place to live.

Don't Fall In this modern-day retelling of “Rapunzel,” Anya has her books, her photography and her daydreams. She doesn’t think she needs anything else. She lives in a house on the edge of town with her adopted mother who goes to extreme measures to keep her daughter safe. One day, Anya takes a picture of a boy. Before long, she’s lying to her mother and sneaking out to meet Zander. But Zander wants more than a secret romance. If Anya wants to be with the boy of her dreams, she will have to risk her relationship with the only other person she’s ever cared about. AUTHOR: Rachel Schieffelbein (facebook.com/RMSchieffelbein) Best thing about being an area author: The community! I’ve met so many wonderful writers here.

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WOMEN in FARMING A GROWING PROFESSION BY TRISH AMUNDSON

AREA WOMEN ARE PART OF AN EXPANDING DEMOGRAPHIC IN AGRICULTURE, PROVING IT’S POSSIBLE TO SUCCEED IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD WHEN YOU HAVE HARD-WORKING STAMINA AND A CAN-DO ATTITUDE. The U.S. has more female producers than

farming full-time at age 31. “After getting a business degree in college, I realized I would never be happy sitting in an office every day.” Beougher has separate living quarters on her family’s multi-generation farm. “I’ve been farming with my dad for the past five years,” she says. “The ultimate goal is to take over the farm myself—I would love to keep it in the family.” “My son inspires me to keep the farm going. It’s such a privilege to raise him here and a joy to watch him learn where his food comes from and see him want to help out with chores,” she says. Beougher takes satisfaction in raising a good product to help feed communities, staying physically active and working outside.

ever, accounting for approximately 36% of all producers in the nation. Women are becoming more active and better recognized for their contributions in agriculture throughout the country. Here, four Southeastern Minnesota women share information about their unique journeys. Together, they play an integral role in changing the culture of farming for generations to come.

Kelly Davidson A LIFESTYLE CHANGE

Kelly Davidson didn’t grow up on a farm but was ready to “take the leap” at age 41. She and her husband, Don, moved to the Wykoff countryside 17 years ago. Her background comprised a few horticulture classes, a degree in office administration and a love for growing perennials. Davidson became a farmer, grower and owner of Prosper Valley Farm, which specializes in eggs, beef, perennials, baked and canned goods, birdhouse gourds, produce, fruit, herbs and cut flowers. Each day, she takes care of chickens and eggs and then works in the vegetable and perennial gardens. Time is spent on paperwork, ordering supplies, baking, canning and shopping too. “There’s never a dull moment,” she says. “My customers keep me going.” “I love growing big, beautiful flowers and delicious, healthy food,” continues Davidson. “And I love being outdoors with my animals every day and being my own boss. We eat well and never go hungry here on the farm.”

A DREAM AND DETERMINATION

Emily Beougher A FAMILY TRADITION

“I was raised and work on our family’s pig farm, and we also have beef cattle,” says Emily Beougher of rural Zumbrota, who began

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Cindy Wolf is co-owner of O’Neill Family Farm in Rushford. Her career path could easily have changed on her first day of college, when an advisor told her that girls don’t go to vet school and that she should decide on a back-up plan. However, those words and lack of support drove her to work even harder to become a large animal veterinarian. She and her husband have a grass-based farm, where they prioritize soil health and raise sheep and Angus cattle. “We lamb multiple times a year in order to have lambs ready to harvest throughout the year, and we calve in May,” she says. “Our motivation is to preserve our finite resources by being responsible, proactive resource stewards; we center our work around soil health and regeneration, as well as animal welfare and quality of life.”

Cindy Wolf Wolf enjoys watching her farm animals change as they grow, and she is humbled to play a part in ecosystem healing through improved water cycling and reduced water runoff and soil erosion. “I hope that setting a good example can help other women producers and future generations tackle the challenges that women face in agriculture and meat production,” she says, while expressing excitement about the passionate engagement of younger consumers and producers, as well as engagement with customers—one of the most gratifying aspects of her work.

A GENERATION THING

Pa Xiong

Pa Xiong was born in Michigan to parents from Laos who had farmed extensively before coming to the U.S. When the family arrived in Rochester, they could not afford farmland, but they were able to rent a plot to garden. Xiong gardens now with her parents, siblings and her own children and says that there is a special bond that her family shares through their common work. She says, “It is very soulful, therapeutic, peaceful and mindful.” She laughs about how happy her children are when working with her and enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. She explains that gardening is part of the legacy of her family. Now that her parents are aging, they are slowing down their work and reflecting back on their lives. She says, “My parents mean so much to me.”

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, FORGING CONNECTIONS

Minnesota winters are a clear challenge in farming, in addition to long and unpredictable work hours. Davidson and Wolf agree it can be difficult to keep up as the years go by. “Food production and land stewardship are hard work,” says Wolf. “The smaller moments, like children’s delight at bottling lambs, collaborating with other producers and the memories we have created over the years motivate us on the coldest, darkest and busiest days.” Beougher connects with others through ag groups on social media and attends pork trade shows. “I volunteer for Common Ground MN and help to promote women in ag and showcase how different farms operate,” she says. “As a single mother, I hope to inspire other women farmers by showing them it’s possible to run operations on your own.” Davidson shares her knowledge by quizzing the grandkids on plants, vegetables, bugs and weeds. She is a board member of the Rochester Farmers Markets and member of Minnesota Grown and takes part in online webinars and networking. She is recognized with the Nursery Stock Grower Certificate and as a Cottage Food Producer. Davidson encourages others to never give up on their gardens and to “learn by doing.”

Through speaking engagements and leadership roles, Wolf meets with women in agriculture and the veterinary profession. “I am motivated to improve representation of women in agriculture so that younger generations have support and resource networks to lean on as they continue the work we will eventually leave behind,” she says. “I hope to continue contributing to these relationships and spaces to sustain and increase gender diversity and equity in agriculture.” Xiong loves to share what she grows, especially with other moms, and she loves to help teach others how to use and enjoy what she gives them. She says, “I love building that relationship and connection, especially with the lower-income community and the immigrant community.” She loves to listen to their stories about food and gardening in their native countries. She gives food to Channel One and Community Food Response. Sharing food with others humbles her, and she hopes she’s setting a good example for her kids. All four women bring renewed spirit to the field of agriculture as they generate food to help feed millions of people. Their voices are being heard, and their work is valued. With a tremendous sense of strength and gratitude, women in farming are not only growing—they are flourishing. “There can be a lot of long, stressful days,” says Beougher. “But in the end, it’s worth it to make an honest living feeding the world.” ◆

HIGHLIGHTS:

Female Producers

• Of the nation’s 3.4 million producers, 1.2 million are female. • Female producers are slightly younger and more likely to be a beginning farmer than are male producers. • At least 56% of farms in the country have at least one female producer; 38% have a female primary producer, who makes primary farming decisions. • Female producers account for $148 billion in agriculture sales, with $73 billion in crop sales and $75 billion in sales of livestock and livestock products. • The number of female producers increased 27% from 2012 to 2017; the total number of U.S. producers increased 7%. • Of all farms, 9% are run entirely by women.

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

Nashauna Lenoir A 'JOURNIE' TO EMPOWER AT-RISK KIDS BY EMILY WATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY AB-PHOTOGRAPHY.US

NASHAUNA LENOIR HAS AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME, FROM HOSTING HER OWN RADIO SHOW TO ACTING, WRITING, TEACHING, SINGING AND DANCING. SHE IS ALSO A HAIRDRESSER. Whatever she

does, she goes all-in, and one of her strongest skills is organizing. She organized a Juneteenth event this year, bringing in food, a DJ and dance performances, all despite the limitations that the pandemic presented. But Lenoir’s true love is working with teenagers. She says, “I grew up as a troubled kid in foster care. I was given opportunities that changed my life, and I’m just paying it forward.”

AN ACTIVIST WAS BORN

Lenoir was (and still is) very passionate and outspoken. She ran away from foster families that didn’t treat her well. She joined Hands Without Guns, an activist group, and was the youngest in the group to speak at the schools they would visit. She remembers one year when her foster mother took her to an awards dinner where foster parents were recognized for their work. Her foster mother showed her the award that she got during the ceremony, and Lenoir was outraged because this woman had locked Lenoir and her sister in the basement and out of the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.

JASMINE

NAVEAH YANEES

A CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD

Born on the south side of Chicago to a mother on drugs and an alcoholic father, Lenoir and her siblings were raised for a time by their aunt. In her care, the siblings endured verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and they eventually landed in foster care. They lived in many different foster homes while growing up, often apart. The foster care agency provided weekly therapy for Lenoir. One therapist gave her a journal and encouraged her to use it to process her feelings. “Eventually I just started writing every day,” she remembers.

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

MOHAW

NENE

Lenoir decided an award was needed for youth who were doing amazing things. She was told “no” over and over, but she kept asking until someone said “yes.” The awards ceremony that she organized just celebrated its 20th anniversary and now raises over $1 million a year and sends five students to college on full scholarships per year. Along the way, Lenoir gained two mentors—a fashion editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and a writer for Ebony and Jet magazines—who “showed me a different level of life that I had never seen before.” She began writing for the Chicago Defender and was the youngest writer there.

FROM GOOD TO BAD

When she was 15, one of her mentors invited her to go to Fashion Week in New York City, but her foster agency wouldn’t let her go because there wasn’t enough time to do a background check on the woman she’d be traveling with. She was devastated and sought out her best friend who was a “wild child.” That night she tried alcohol and pot for the first time, lost her virginity and became pregnant. She gave birth to her daughter at age 15 and ended up dropping out of school and quitting the Defender. She says she “went from good to bad, quick.” Fast-forward through a number of hard experiences—getting her GED, spending six years in an abusive relationship, hiding with her kids in a women’s shelter, working as a security guard overnight to feed her kids, barely making ends meet and living in a dangerous part of the city with no one to help her—when eventually, Lenoir decided to move to Rochester to join family here.

AN UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY

After being pulled over for speeding and getting a $600 ticket, a lawyer friend told her to ask the judge if she could work off the ticket at a nonprofit agency. So she asked the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester if she could work for them for free. There, on her lunch breaks, she noticed kids that weren’t participating in activities and were getting into trouble. One day she asked if they wanted to jump rope. They said they didn’t know how, but once she taught them, more kids gravitated toward them. Then they started opening up to her. Someone on staff noticed her talent for working with kids and offered her a job, telling her that kids didn’t often gravitate toward adults like they did with her.

A NEW JOURNIE

A therapist once told Lenoir, “It sounds like working with teens keeps you active and excited. You have to find a way to do what makes you happy.” So that’s what she did, laying the foundation for Journie, a youth organization that focuses on life skills. With Journie, Lenoir wanted to continue what she started in Chicago with the youth leadership award. “I know that my life had a downward spiral because of bad choices. I always wanted to let youth know that the decisions you make when you’re young affect your entire life. There’s no do-overs.” So she put together a program called “8 Steps to Promotion,” which aims to support kids to feel comfortable with who they are and to communicate that to others. The first session is the getting-to-know-me workshop, including a game where the kids write down 50 facts about themselves, and the first person to complete it wins. Lenoir emphasizes that it’s important to know who you are, so they have a discussion about their facts, including what the kids are interested in pursuing as a career. She then has them write a letter to imaginary mentors in their dream career, using their facts to tell as much about themselves as possible.

MARIAH

ANGAR MAKAYLA

Other session topics include respect and responsibility, coping skills, law and legal rights, money management and the importance of education. Lenoir teams up with a professional for each workshop. She talks frankly with the kids during each session about why that particular topic is important to her and how she could have made better choices for her life. Then the professional that she brings in adds his or her experience and expertise. Through each subject, she presents three tiers of relevance: home, school and leisure. She uses games to allow the kids to experience things in a first-hand way. In the money session, they play a version of Monopoly where the kids start with pretend money, a car, an apartment and a job. They then have to “spend” their money on fixed expenses such as utilities and a cell phone. Then they have the choice to spend their money on fun things like the mall, restaurants and movies. Afterward they check in, talking about their choices and discussing what mistakes they made and how they would change them. They also cover money management, savings and investing. During the law and legal rights session, they visit the police station with the goal of building relationships between the kids and the police. She also invites a lawyer to talk about the legal system.

GOING BEYOND TO EMPOWER YOUTH

At the end of the sessions is a graduation ceremony. During the program, Lenoir finds mentors for each participant, and those mentors present the kids with their life skills certificate. She gives the mentors the letters written in the first session, which helps to start conversations between the mentor and the kids about who they are and what they’re interested in.

MARKAYLA NANCY

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

The certificate is important because, Lenoir says, “When I had my first job at McDonalds, I didn’t have any job experience or awards. That can bother a kid.” Over this past summer, Lenoir arranged for the kids to work at Cold Stone Creamery. She says, “They allowed us to come in so the girls who had never had a job got to experience working. They were paid $10 an hour and were then able to put it down as work experience and use the manager as a reference.” They can also use Lenoir as a reference.

GIVING AND GIVING

Lenoir spends much of her time and her money on Journie participants. “I had to give one girl a bra,” she says. “You’d be surprised at the things these kids need.

Some of them don’t have tampons or pads or shorts when it’s hot. I’ve got to feed them. These are my kids; think of all the things you need to provide for kids over the course of a few hours.” She and her husband frequently pick the kids up and sometimes even have to go inside their houses to help them get ready because there is no one at home. Lenoir does this work because she knows how it feels. “It hurts my heart when kids see other kids benefiting from something when they can’t. I want to be able to help more kids. Sometimes they need that escape. If we all just gave a little, we could help so many.” ◆

WHAT YOU CAN DO A few ways to support Journie: • Buy Lenoir’s book, “8 Steps to Promotion: A Life Skills Guide for Teen Youth.” It’s $15 on Amazon or $20 for an autographed copy. • Donate. Lenoir buys gift cards for prizes, food for meals and snacks and other things as the kids need them. In addition, she’s in need of a bigger vehicle to help transport kids. She’d also love a secretary and some office space! Journie is “open to all kids, all shapes and colors.” Go to journieproject.weebly.com for more information.

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KOREAN

Culture

Camp

A DO-IT-YOURSELF EXPERIENCE

BY AMY KRAUSE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY A. KRAUSE STUDIO

GROWING UP IN THE MIDWEST AS A KOREAN ADOPTEE IN A TRANSRACIAL FAMILY, IT WAS ALWAYS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE I COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT MY KOREAN HERITAGE.

One of these opportunities was a summer camp in Minneapolis that was dedicated to celebrating Korean culture. Korean adoptees and their families came from all over the United States to experience this magical week filled with traditional Korean dance lessons, taekwondo demonstrations, music class, language lessons, delicious food and more.

I have fond memories of returning to the camp for many summers and then transitioning to a teen-focused camp, which included classes that discussed topics of race and building self-esteem. As I grew older, these experiences helped me to appreciate my heritage and helped to shape my identity as an Asian American.

LEGACY BUILDING

When I became a mother, I began teaching my own children about their Korean heritage. From an early age, they were eating Korean food, helping me cook Korean food and attending events that celebrated our heritage. After we moved to Rochester, we found a local Korean culture camp for them to continue to learn more. We were even fortunate enough to

take a family trip to Seoul, South Korea, in the summer of 2016. It was a great learning experience, and we made so many wonderful memories during that trip.

A DIY SUMMER

In March, things started looking much different all around us due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As things progressed, summer plans and camps started to be canceled. As a do-ityourself (DIY) enthusiast, I resolved to create our own family camps this year in hopes of keeping the spirit of summer camp alive. One of the camps I wanted to recreate was our own version of Korean culture camp. After a bit of Pinterest perusing, craft room ransacking and a quick trip to the Asian Food Store, I was all set for an epic week of celebrating our heritage.

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

FIVE DAYS OF FOOD AND FUN

The first day of our camp adventures began with a cooking lesson. It’s important to note that my love for cooking Korean food was born out of a desire to connect more with my heritage and also a lack of Korean restaurants in our area. Living in Rochester, the nearest Korean dining experience is an hour and a half drive to the Twin Cities area. Over the course of several years and a lot of practice, I learned how to replicate my favorite Korean dishes, so we can have them any time without needing to drive for miles. One of the dishes I love to make is called gimbap or kimbap. This is a rolled rice dish that uses toasted sheets of seaweed (gim), cooked and seasoned rice (bap) and various fillings. At first glance, someone may say it looks like Japanese sushi, but it is quite different in taste and fillings. Some common fillings are spinach, carrots, egg, beef, spicy Korean cabbage (kimchi) and Korean pickled radish (danmuji). We started the gimbap cooking lesson by discussing each ingredient while my kids helped prepare by washing, slicing, mixing and cooking. We arranged all of the ingredients, and then they each practiced rolling their creations with a bamboo mat. It was a delicious first day of camp. Day two of our camp consisted of more tantalizing treats. This time we discussed Korean refrigerator and pantry staples. We discovered which foods come from different regions in South Korea. I taught the kids how to make two types of Korean side dishes called banchan. Typically, these are placed in several small bowls around the main course and are shared community style. We made a spinach salad (sigeumchi namul) and a bean

sprout salad (sookjuk namul). After our salads were marinating, we moved on to prepping ingredients for bibimbap, a mixed vegetable and rice dish that often is served with beef. To make bibimbap you start with a bowl of rice and then add various toppings. Our bibimbap included zucchini, carrots, green onions, seaweed, egg, spinach salad, bean sprout salad, kimchi and marinated beef (bulgogi). As a visual person, laying out all of the toppings in an aesthetically pleasing way is very satisfying. Once the dish has been assembled, we mix everything around to get the perfect bite of delicious ingredients. The following days consisted of—you guessed it—more cooking lessons. We made Korean sweet pancakes (hotteok) and Korean dumplings (mandu). We also enjoyed beef bulgogi and a type of street food called tteo, which includes spicy fried chicken and rice cakes.

In addition to all of the delicious food, we had a lesson about traditional symbols and patterns in Korean culture, which the kids used to create their own symbolic paintings with bamboo brushes and ink. We also learned about the historical significance of Korean masks (tal). You can find several videos of traditional mask dances on YouTube that demonstrate how the masks are used in the arts and theater. Using plaster casts on

balloons and paint, the kids created their own dragon and lion masks. We rounded out our camp experience with another history lesson that included the origin of traditional Korean clothing called hanbok and how it has subtly changed over the years. I passed down my childhood hanbok to my daughter, and I was able to have a new hanbok custom-made for myself during our most recent trip to Seoul. They are both treasured pieces of our heritage that we proudly wear on special occasions.

FULL STOMACHS, FULL HEARTS

At the end of the week, our stomachs were filled to the brim ,and our hearts were full of pride for our Korean heritage. We continued our tradition of cooking together and learned some new things along the way. It is my hope that my children will always have hearts that honor this beautiful side of themselves and celebrate their Asian American identities. If you are interested in learning more, there are several Korean culture camps in the Midwest that I highly suggest. In fact, there is even one here in Rochester, called Camp Moon Hwa, that is open to all. YouTube has a plethora of informational videos and travel vlogs that can help you experience Korea virtually. If you would like to try some of the recipes in this article, check out some books from the local public library or your favorite bookstore. Just as my family has bonded over our appreciation for cooking and eating Korean food, you may also enjoy this experience as a simple step toward learning more about Korean culture. ◆

Pictured clockwise from left: banchan, bibimbap, making masks and mandu.

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

GIMBAP

(Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls)

INGREDIENTS:

7-8 sheets dried seaweed (gim) 4 cups freshly cooked short grain white rice • 1 large carrot, julienned • 1 package yellow pickled radish (danmuji), cut into thin strips • 1 cup spinach, washed • ½ cup Korean fermented cabbage (kimchi), drained and chopped (optional) • 3 eggs • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil • 1 Tbsp. water • salt • toasted sesame oil • toasted sesame seeds • •

Makes 7-8 rolls

Notes: To make this dish vegan, omit the eggs. For a variation, you can add cooked beef, ham, fish cakes, tuna, crab or your other favorite protein. Feel free to add cucumber, cooked baby kale, sauteed peppers or whatever vegetables you have on hand.

DIRECTIONS:

1 Season the cooked white rice with ½ tsp. salt, 1 Tbsp. sesame oil and a dash of sesame seeds. Mix well and set aside in a small bowl. 2 Blanch the spinach in a large pot of boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain the water and set the spinach aside until cooled to the touch. Once cooled, squeeze out excess water and season it with a dash of salt and ½ tsp. sesame oil. Set aside in a small bowl. 3 Saute the carrots in ½ tsp. sesame oil and season with a dash of salt. Once the carrots are cooked, set aside in a small bowl.

4 Whisk the eggs with 1 Tbsp. water and a dash of salt. Heat vegetable oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Add half of the egg mixture to the pan spread out into a thin circular layer. Once the bottom of the egg mixture starts to set, flip and cook the other side until cooked through. Set egg aside and repeat with remaining egg mixture. Cut the egg omelets into thin strips and set aside in a small bowl. 5 Set out all of the cooked ingredients with the kimchi, danmuji strips and toasted sesame seeds. 6 Lay one sheet of seaweed (rough side up and shiny side down) on a bamboo rolling mat. Place approximately ½ cup rice onto the lower half of the sheet and spread out into a thin layer. Then place a layer of each ingredient on top of the rice in a horizontal pattern. Add a sprinkle of the toasted sesame seeds. Carefully gather the lower edge of the bamboo mat with the seaweed and slowly fold over to the top portion of the rice. Start to roll the mat with the seaweed and press down with both hands to form a tight log of the seaweed with all of the ingredients wrapped inside. This may take some practice to create a fully enclosed roll.

7 Lightly brush the roll with sesame oil and cut into 8-10 pieces with a sharp knife. Serve right away and store leftovers in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

JES PETERSON

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Small Business Development Banker at Minnwest Bank

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es Peterson is a lifelong resident of Rochester and takes pride in the strength of her community. She has a degree in business management and is a small business development banker, utilizing her strengths to help entrepreneurs in the community grow, thrive and connect. Working for Minnwest Bank allows her the opportunity to foster her knowledge of business and entrepreneurship to be a valuable resource for local businesses. Jes currently serves on the community board of the Rochester YMCA and is a 2019 Leadership Greater Rochester graduate. She also has a strong connection to the nonproﬁt organization Out of the Darkness, which focuses on saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Hardworking and creative, she is an artist that values the innovative ideas and spirit in her clients. Jes has a deep love of cats, live music, hugs and polka dots.

Committed to Relationships First At Minnwest Bank, we build relationships with doers —the people who start with a dream and are committed to turning it into reality. We know relationships don’t come easy. We believe they start with handshakes, continue with conversations and take a shared commitment to withstand the test of time. We believe they develop between people—like you and us— who are receptive and responsive and have shared values.

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September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

Construction is underway in downtown Rochester at 324 1st Ave. SW.

ALZHEIMER’S

IN AMERICA BRINGING AWARENESS BY ELIZABETH HARRIS

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE OVER 5 MILLION AMERICANS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. Chances are that you know

someone or are someone that is directly impacted by this cognitive illness. While there is still no cure, the good news is that there are medications that can treat symptoms and potentially slow the progression of the disease. Doctors all over the world are working to find more treatments and, someday, a cure. There are also steps that you can take in your daily life that might help lower your risk.

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases. Typically, symptoms appear slowly and progress over time, sometimes more quickly than others. The first symptom is often forgetting new information. This is because Alzheimer’s impacts the learning part of the brain first. It is difficult to determine how long people will live after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but some people have lived up to 20 years. With more treatments and prevention methods being discovered, this number could increase even more. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, warning signs of Alzheimer’s to watch for are: • Memory loss that disrupts daily life • Challenges in planning or solving problems • Difficulty completing familiar tasks • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships • New problems with words in speaking or writing • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps • Decreased or poor judgement • Withdrawal from work or social activities • Changes in mood or personality The best thing to do if you or someone you know is experiencing these changes is to contact your doctor for an assessment and testing.

PREVENTION

Even though there is not an effective cure for Alzheimer’s at this time, there are some possible changes that could help to ward off the disease. Mayo Clinic suggests that following the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) or Mediterranean diet could be a way to help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These diets are heavy in vegetables— especially the green leafy kinds, whole grains, fish, beans, nuts and more. It is suggested to cut back on butter, cheese and alcohol, which can be difficult living in the Midwest. Fortunately, even the study participants that changed just a couple of aspects of their diets significantly cut their risk.

CAREGIVING

It is important to recognize that Alzheimer’s doesn’t affect only the person that is diagnosed with the disease. It’s estimated that 16 million people across the country are providing unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s.

Caregiving can look different for everyone, but at times it can be very labor intensive and exhausting. Most people with Alzheimer’s reach a point where they need help with all of their daily tasks. This can take a tremendous toll on caregivers and ultimately negatively impact their mental and physical health. Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association provide resources, such as support groups, for caregivers so they can stay well and continue to help their loved one.

WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY

September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. On this day, people and organizations all over the globe focus on raising awareness around Alzheimer’s disease. Because there is still so much work to be done with dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s the perfect time to help fight back against this disease. There are many ways to get involved. You can become an advocate and talk to lawmakers about increasing funding for research and support. You can volunteer to be a part of a clinical trial to help advance research. You can make a donation to a trusted organization or join a committee to help plan fundraising events. There is a long way to go before a cure is found, but someday there will be the first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease, and that will be a great day! For more information on getting involved with the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease, go to alz.org. ◆

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

An Unprecedented FIRST TERM MAYOR KIM NORTON ON LEADING DURING A TUMULTUOUS TIME BY SARA DINGMANN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AB-PHOTOGRAPHY.US

Rochester Women Magazine sat down with Mayor Kim Norton the only way we can during a pandemic—over Zoom—and asked her about the significance of being Rochester’s first female mayor and her leadership in a chaotic time. What is your history in Rochester? I moved here in 1990 and got very involved right away, volunteering with arts in the schools, and that eventually turned into a stipend position. I was the coordinator of that program for four years. It was my way of acclimating to our new town and being involved in my kids’ education as well. I was trying to be at home with my kids as much as I could as a young mom. That was one way I could do that. Then I ran for school board. I had chaired one campaign and worked on another person’s campaign and finally asked myself, “Why am I helping everyone else? I should do it myself.” I eventually ran for the legislature because I knew that we needed to increase funding for schools. I served in the legislature 10 years but wanted to come back to Rochester and get out of partisan politics. I wanted to invest my time and energy here.

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

It was either private sector or nonprofit work. Ardell Brede was ready to retire so that was kind of where I settled. It really is just about service to the community and making this the best place it can be for the people who live here.

What does it mean to you to be Rochester’s first female mayor? When I first ran, I honestly didn't even think about it. I was running because I thought I had something to offer: years of experience. I really understood DMC (Destination Medical Center) and thought I could be a good person to make sure that stayed on the right track. But it became clear very quickly that other people saw it differently. After I got elected, parents wanted their children to meet me because I was the first woman mayor. It meant something to people. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a role model for young girls. While it wasn’t the motivation, it does carry with it maybe a little heavier responsibility to make sure I do a good job. And now here I am leading in this really controversial time. It’s like, well, I’m doing the best I can, and I hope when history writes its blip about Rochester’s first woman mayor, they will see that I did my best.

How do you overcome new challenges, such as COVID-19? My first year was all dealing with homelessness, something I did not expect to be dealing with. I thought I’d be focusing on creating a healthy community and sustainability. At the start of the second year, I thought we could focus on that, but no, COVID was here, and we had to focus on that. As mayor, I’m trying to lead at a time of total uncertainty. There’s no roadmap for this at all. We just have to say today’s information is telling us this or that. And I stay on top of the information. I’m not sure people understand that. We have the Emergency Operation Center, and because I’m a Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative cohort member, I’m speaking with experts at Johns Hopkins University every

I HOPE WHEN HISTORY WRITES ITS BLIP ABOUT ROCHESTER’S FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, THEY WILL SEE THAT I DID MY BEST TO UNITE THE COMMUNITY DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

other week. We’re getting the national picture—Dr. Fauci is on those calls. I'm getting information from the best sources around the world and around the country. And yet, people are like, “Oh, you’re just making arbitrary decisions.” They’re not. They’re educated decisions from expert information with the goal of protecting my community and its members the best I can.

Do you feel that being Rochester’s first female mayor has made leading during COVID-19 more difficult? I am of two minds about this one. The people that have trolled me the most, and the people that are the most vicious, have been men. They are relentless, and a lot of it is misogynistic. They are on every social media comment I make. And it feels to me as though it is because I’m a woman. On the other hand, the other part of me says if I had been a man doing the same things, the criticism would be similar because of politics. People have been unable to let go of the fact that I have a partisan term of 10 years in the House. They don’t know me. They don’t really understand my politics. They only see a D or an R, and they think that’s all they need to know. It doesn’t make any difference that I didn’t vote with my party all the time.

How has the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement affected your decisions? I wouldn’t say it’s just Black Lives Matter – there are many groups. They’re one organization, and they’ve gotten national recognition. But it really is more about systemic racism and lack of equity and justice that has been clear to me for many years. We are not a fair and just society like we want and claim to be and like our Constitution says we should be. It’s a movement I've been supportive of and have tried to work within the current framework on those issues in small and subtle ways. It is those advocacy groups who are going to keep the issues in the forefront. I want them to hold us accountable to making changes. But changes don’t happen overnight, and they do take time. And I know there’s an impatience, but we do need them to stay the course, keep the pressure, so that we can do the right thing. This is a moment in time where we can make a huge difference in how this country treats all of its people. So it’s exciting.

Do you have any advice for other women who are interested in running for public office? I think people should just do it. If you look at the history of women running, they need to be asked seven or eight times before they consider it. Women need to be told they’re leadership material and that they can do the job. And we need to get past waiting for someone to tell us that we’re the right person to run for office. And I would say there’s a lot of really great women out there, but, you know, there’s also a lot to learn to be a good leader. It’s important to get yourself out there and take that first step and say, "I want to do this. I want to do something and I’m going to learn. I’ve got what it takes. And I’m going to be that person and just do it and not wait for somebody to ask." Men have been doing it for a bazillion years. We’re going to do it too. Why not? ◆

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

Local Elections 2020

WOMEN IN OFFICE, PART 2: GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

BY BRITTNEY MARSCHALL

WOMEN HAVE TACKLED MILESTONES IN POLITICS, FROM THE FIRST WOMEN'S RIGHTS CONVENTION IN 1848 TO MINNIE BUCKINGHAM HARPER, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1928 TO NANCY PELOSI, WHO IN 2007 BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. And now the Democratic nominee for vice president is

Kamala Harris, the first Black and Asian American woman to be in the race. In Minnesota, women serve in various positions across the state. In fact, 2018 was called the “Year of the Woman” with many historic firsts. Maria Regan Gonzalez became the first Latina Mayor in Minnesota; Peggy Flanagan became the first indigenous woman to hold office as Lieutenant Governor, and Angie Craig became the first LGBTQ member of Congress to represent Minnesota. More gains need to be made to see truly diverse representation at all levels of government, but the good news is that in this 2020 election, we have numerous women candidates running at the city and county level.

“THE TIME IS RIGHT” Barbara Jordan, officer with the Rochester branch of NAACP, says she is thrilled to see the increased number of women running. “The time is right,” says Jordan. “I think that our communities and our country cannot deny that women have more than demonstrated their competence and power as elected leaders. Additionally, I think recent incidents have demonstrated the strength of women leaders as women serving on city councils, county boards and school boards, and as mayors, governors, state and federal legislators. They have been at the forefront of responding to and leading during the COVID-19 pandemic and on policing reform matters. I am encouraged and hopeful for Rochester and the nation.” CANDIDATE PROFILES In our August issue, we ran a feature on women running for Rochester city and county offices who were facing an August primary. Of those candidates, Brooke Carlson and Kathleen Harrington will move on to the general election for City Council Member-at-Large, Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick and Katrina Pulham will appear on the ballot for Rochester City Council, Ward 4, Molly Dennis will move on for Rochester City Council, Ward 6, and Regina Mustafa will move on for Olmsted County Board, District 5. In this issue, we feature the other women who will be on the ballot for local offices in November. For further research, a full list of candidates can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

Olmsted County Board, District 1

Stephanie Podulke

STEPHANIE PODULKE Why are you running? Almost every job in my long working career prepared me to make policy at the county level. I have seen enough courage, love, pain, disappointment, despair and resilience to understand our community and what is important. I have always believed in the possibilities of human potential and social change and trust that my decisions in the past 10 years as county commissioner have helped make Olmsted County a better place to live. The seven board members and our dedicated staff lead, encourage, innovate and support all members of our community to lead lives of dignity and respect. What are you hoping to achieve? Our county initiated several innovative social services programs just before COVID-19 hit us. I want to stay on the board to get those programs back on track after the crisis is over. By making difficult decisions on spending ever diminishing funds, we can maximize equity in health care, housing, employment and education while providing even more services. The board needs experienced commissioners working on these challenging decisions.

podulke2020.com

Rochester School Board, Position 3 DEBORAH SEELINGER Why are you running? I am seeking a third term on the Rochester School Board because I believe that my skills, experience and perspective are important. The global pandemic and increased awareness of racial, health and economic inequities land on the doorsteps our school buildings and need to be addressed with compassion and systems thinking.

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Deborah Seelinger

What are you hoping to achieve? I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on reviewing and designing our policies with an equity lens. We have worked hard over the last year to put systems and protocols in place to strengthen our board work and make it more efficient. I would like to see the board have a stronger role in advocacy and continue to hone our skills in engaging our stakeholders.

community needs. The district creates a welcoming environment, but there is still work to do related to education equity, opportunity gaps and discipline disparities. I served as an attorney in the local juvenile court system for 15 years and will bring a different perspective to these important and difficult issues. I believe it is important for the district to engage students and families and acknowledge their current realities. Students deserve engaging learning environments where the lives and circumstances of all students are reflected in the curriculum and classroom conversations.

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Melissa Adams-Goihl

Rochester School Board, Position 7

CO N TA CT MEL I S S A T O DAY 507-990-1090 melissa.adamsgoihl@kw.com

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IN STUDIO

Jessica Garcia

and

JESSICA GARCIA

Karen MacLaughlin

KAREN MACLAUGHLIN Why are you running? I am running for Rochester School Board because I will bring a fresh perspective to board decisions. This pandemic is impacting families, teachers, staff and our community. The district faces tough issues requiring thoughtful and creative solutions, broad community input, collaboration, and clear communication. I'll listen, do my homework and ask tough questions. What are you hoping to achieve? Our growing community means changing facility and

AT HOME

Why are you running? I have worked so long at the confinement end of the school-to-prison pipeline. I realized at some point, perhaps I’m working at the wrong end. So many of my patients could have used help much earlier in life. I was also one of those kids who could have been headed for confinement or incarceration just given my history. I was fortunate enough to have school be my safe haven. I want to ensure that is possible for others.

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What are you hoping to achieve? I am hoping to leave the district better than I found it—more culturally competent and secure in its multicultural climate. I want to make sure policies and budgets we create are equitable across the board.

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Meet me in

ZUMBROTA LOOKING TO TRAVEL? THINK LOCAL.

BY SAMANTHA ERICKSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AB-PHOTOGRAPHY.US

TRAVEL PLANS ARE LOOKING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THESE DAYS—MAYBE EVEN NONEXISTENT—BUT OUR CURRENT SITUATION DOESN’T HAVE TO COMPLETELY DEPRIVE YOU OF THAT RELAXED VACATION FEELING. DISCOVER A LOCAL SLICE OF PARADISE WITH A DAY TRIP!

There are plenty of smaller towns surrounding Rochester that feel worlds away but are just a quick and easy drive. One of these hidden gems is Zumbrota. Fun things to do there are abundant year-round, but especially during the fall season. In addition to the vibrant boutique shopping scene, there are restaurants, parks, outdoor markets and art spaces perfectly fitting people of all ages and interests.

A friend and I were lucky to slip away on a weekday when the weather was absolutely beautiful, so we took full advantage of the great outdoors! Have no fear of inclement weather, though. The local shops and restaurants in Zumbrota are doing a great job with their COVID-19 response, keeping indoor spaces safe and comfortable with plexiglass shields, distanced seating and strategically placed sanitizing stations. Most even offer disposable masks at their entrances.

Erickson and her friend Sara Lohse enjoy a picnic at Covered Bridge Park and find lots of treasures at Wild Ginger and Dwell Local.

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

Shopping and enjoying lunch outside: a fun and quick get away for friends!

customers feel safe and valued by offering personal shopping experiences! You can schedule a time to have the store all to yourself by calling Wild Ginger. No outfit is complete without a great pair of shoes! Luya Shoes and Other Fine Things offers handcrafted, well-made, artistically designed shoes along with gifting items for everyone on your holiday list (yes, I went there. It WILL creep up on you). Though owner Connie Hawley is normally just winding down from wedding season by now, she has shifted her inventory focus to the more casual climate that is fashion these days. I know I’ll be back soon for a “consciously cute” pair of Fortress of Inca boots, which are handmade in Peru using responsible production methods. Our final shopping destination for the day was Dwell Local. You may already recognize the name, as the original Rochester store was a home decor staple for six years before closing in April. Finding your favorite locally made and fair-trade goods in a more spacious setting isn’t the only reason to shop “small.” Owner Paul Bennett says that there is a special sense of community among business owners here in Zumbrota that sets itself apart from bigger cities. With the warm welcome from all throughout our day, we could certainly feel it.

CAFFEINE AND WINDOW SHOPPING

If you’re traveling from Rochester via US-52 N, a quick exit onto MN-58 will land you directly on Main Street Zumbrota. Here you will find ample street parking and a handful of public parking lots within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Bridget’s Café makes the perfect starting point for your adventure. Grab a hot beverage and pastry from the bakery case to fuel up for some shopping. We made ours a to-go order so that we could stroll Main Street and take in the small-town charm.

RETAIL THERAPY

There are several boutiques right along Main Street that will have you ready to freshen up your fall wardrobe with unique finds. Shop hours vary and can be limited, so be sure to do your research ahead of time so that you can squeeze everything in. Sara and I started at Wild Ginger, which specializes in women’s apparel that one can only describe as “wearable art.” Amongst these eye-catching pieces, we also discovered great basics such as the JAG Jeans brand denim and a great selection of blouses that will layer beautifully as the weather turns cooler. Owner Roxanne Bartsch has gone the extra mile to make her

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

PICNIC FOR TWO

All that shopping works up quite the appetite, so we rounded out our day with a picnic. Finding a meal fit for dining al fresco was actually really easy! We popped into Coffee Mill Café, also right on Main Street, which offers a variety of salads, wraps and sandwiches with much appreciated gluten-free bread options. Our server noted that Coffee Mill is also well known for pie, of which several flavors on the daily menu tempted me to no end. Just across the street at the Guilty Goose, we were able to choose from an impressive off-sale selection of local wine and ciders that were already chilled for added convenience. With our food and beverages in tow, we set up under a shade tree at the historic Covered Bridge Park. Of course, you could eat straight from the containers, but cute picnic sets are way

more fun! I picked up mine from Rochester local Chris Armstrong, who curates beautiful new and used wares for her themed sets. Covered Bridge Park is a great site for outdoor dining and a number of recreational activities. Walk off lunch on one of the many trails, play a couple rounds of disc golf or let the kiddos burn some energy on the Kid’s Kingdom playground. For those looking to get some biking in, the park also serves a trailhead to the regional Pioneer Trail which connects to neighboring cities Goodhue and Red Wing. As you can see, it’s easy to spend a few hours or even a whole day exploring the local treasure that is Zumbrota. We barely even scratched the surface, so I’m excited to get back for more art and entertainment! For a full list of fun things to do and points of interest, visit the ci.zumbrota.mn.us website. You will find a local events calendar, recreation sites, a full list of restaurants and more! Facebook is another great resource for the most up-to-date information on these small businesses including changes to hours of operation, store policies regarding COVID-19 and current specials. ◆

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Planning for Function and Style Like all projects that Stier Construction does, the process begins by discussing the clients’ needs and gathering information about how they start and end their days as well as how many people will depend on the space for storage and what elements will be stored. Functionality is the first rule of a mudroom, so it’s important to think about how best to use the space. Typically, the space found for a mudroom is pretty small. Determining the way space is used is of the utmost importance for maximum efficiency. Once the ideas are on the table and lifestyle habits are determined, it’s time to plan. Christina Jorgensen, another interior designer at Stier construction makes sure she includes every interior cabinet organization possible that fits the clients’ budget. “Cabinetry is key! It’s important to make sure the cabinetry works to fit the clients’ routine. The amount of function the interior space in a cabinet can provide if well thought out is immeasurable.” When working with the style of the new mudroom, the client’s personalities and the rest of the home is important to take into consideration. “When adding a mudroom we don’t want it to seem like an afterthought. We want to make sure it looks as if it was always a part of your home,” says Weisz.

Getting Creative Don’t think you have room to add a mudroom? You probably do. Finding space for a mudroom can be a challenge if there isn’t one already designated in the home, but “We have carved out space in existing garages or storage spaces such as closets to gain the square footage needed to add a mudroom for our clients,” says Stier. A powder room is a great addition to a mudroom if possible. “Sometimes even just a sink for handwashing can add functionality to the space,” says Jorgensen. Stier Construction also added shoe cubbies, a bench with open storage, and cabinet doors above the bench that flip open for easy access. All this plus beautiful woodwork and cushions make this space feel stylish as well as extremely functional.

Efficient Storage This back entry remodel shows how cabinetry can enhance the function of the space. Roll-outs inside the tall cabinets provide the perfect spot for shoes, hats and mittens. The bench also has drawers underneath for extra storage. Hooks along the back become a quick and easy way to store everyday coats and backpacks.

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IN SEARCH OF ROCHESTER’S

RACIAL ROOTS A WALK THROUGH A COMPLEX HISTORY BY NICOLE NFONOYIM-HARA

IN 2016, THE SUMMER PHILANDO CASTILE WAS KILLED IN FALCON HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, I HAD BEEN IN ROCHESTER BARELY A YEAR. I often think back to that

summer as we live through this unsettling pandemic and the labor pains of reckoning and nascent revolution. Racism has deep and intractable roots coursing through the American story. It is all too familiar, even as some deny it. History is full of the silence of this denial. And it is the silences I am often listening for. Today, cities across the country and the world are reflecting on their own racial pasts with fiery debates about monuments and public spaces. And so I went in search of Rochester’s racial roots, wondering what we might pull up when we dig our hands deep into the city beneath our feet. Rochester’s history is intertwined with that of the Mayo Clinic. Rochester is a community with a powerful master narrative—a story of origins and identity so rooted in the development of its world-class hospital that it can unwittingly obscure the vibrant patchwork of other stories carried by all who call this place home. So I scoured archives from old city papers and publications looking for clues that might point to the early existence of people of color in the area. What follows just skims the surface. For generations, the city’s population was over 90% white. Today, that figure is edging closer to 78%. There remains, however, a myth that there has never been racial and ethnic diversity in Rochester, and it is not easy to put together a clear and comprehensive history of race in the city. But confronting the myth of racial homogeneity is valuable. Rethinking our

In 1862, thirty-eight Dakota prisoners were executed in Mankato.

collective histories helps to combat ideas of diversity as a new phenomenon and a uniquely modern “challenge.” Diversity is a core part of our past and our future.

NATIVE NARRATIVES

The myth writes people of color out of the narrative. Perhaps the starkest silence is about Native people in Rochester. This area was a crossroads for many Native tribes in the region throughout history. For hundreds of years, it was home to the Dakota (Sioux Wahpeton). Reclamation of the history and recognition of Dakota presence in the area can be seen by the work done in Indian Heights Park. The Mayo Clinic has its own complex history with local Native communities. In December 1862, a month before President

Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, he ordered what remains the largest mass execution in our nation’s history to date. Thirty-eight Dakota men, captured prisoners in the Dakota War of 1862, were killed in Mankato. Among the executed was Mahpiya Akan Naži (Stands on Clouds). Dr. William Worrall Mayo received the body of Mahpiya Akan Naži as part of a practice of offering cadavers to local physicians. Dr. Mayo dissected the body and later had the skeleton prepared for display. As part of the Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Mayo Clinic returned these remains to the Dakota tribe for reburial in 2015.

BLACK LIVES IN PRINT

One of the first stories I came across about a Black person in the city looked as if it

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The Avalon Hotel was a safe haven for Black travelers to Rochester. Notable guests included Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

had been ripped from the headlines of a more recent paper: “Negro Shot by Police: Rochester Man in Lively Battle with Police.” The article, from 1906, went on to describe “a negro on a rampage” who was shot and “subdued” by two police officers after he pulled out a gun. I was struck most by the description of the man as a “Rochester man.” This man, Charles Johnson, called Rochester home. He was not a drifter or a person passing through. Did he have a family? What had brought him to Rochester? What was his life like before he was immortalized in a few lines of newsprint? A Rochester Post and Record article recounting the shooting offered up some answers citing that he was once employed by the city engineer and had made a living selling junk and doing odd jobs in the community. Next came the story of a white teen, Henry Stevens, who shot and killed a young Black barber, James Willis, after a dispute in 1871. Willis was an apprentice to H.W. Gray, who was described as a local “mulatto barber.” The story was deemed notable enough that it was retold in the 1910 publication the “History of Olmsted County, Minnesota: Together with Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers, Citizens, Families, and Institutions.” Today, local Black barbers serve a diverse clientele. Who were these early barbers’ clients? Once again, the questions swirled. Finally, I was haunted by the story of Taylor Combs, a Black patient and inmate at Rochester State Hospital and Asylum serving a 30-year sentence. In April 1889, two white hospital attendants beat him to death. Combs’ breastbone and ribs were broken in the altercation, and the “History of Olmsted County” notes that the injuries were likely due to one of the attendants falling or jumping on Combs. The attendants covered up the homicide as an accident, and the coroner pursued no further action. However, two months later, the coroner had Combs’ body exhumed and found that the injuries were far more extensive. A trial ensued which attracted great media attention from Twin Cities’ papers. The attendants were sent to prison for four years.

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REDLINING AND RACISM

These three stories involve violence, crime and murder, but I wonder about the less salacious stories that never made it to print. Archives about Olmsted County and the city dating as far back as the 1870s make passing mention of “Indians,” “negroes” and “mulattoes”—dated language we no longer use, but which signal real people that made up a part of the city’s populace at the time. A 1946 edition of “The Negro and His Home in Minnesota” refers to six Black families living in Rochester and to the many “distinguished” African Americans who traveled to Rochester to be seen at the Mayo Clinic, where they faced discrimination in the city’s hotels. These practices prompted Verne Manning to found the downtown Avalon Hotel in 1944. Manning bought the building, previously owned by a Jewish family who had served Jewish clientele facing discrimination, after local hotels denied him lodging while his wife was at the Clinic. The hotel became a safe haven for Black travelers to Rochester. Notable guests included Duke Ellington and Count Basie. It was listed in the iconic “Green Book” guide for Black travelers in 1948. From the 1940s to 1960s, the “Green Book” also listed De Luxe Cabins, Samaritan, Gatewood and the YWCA in Rochester as safe and hospitable for Black travelers. Interestingly, the majority of these sites deemed safe were located in areas redlined in 1940 and considered “declining” or “hazardous.” The areas were mostly in southeastern and central Rochester,

where lower property value assessments fostered inequalities in loan granting, home ownership and wealth accumulation. Today, 76% of Black households rent, and the city’s population of color is most concentrated in areas where renting is prevalent. Redlining maps and discriminatory practices in hospitality and housing point to a local culture that facilitated segregation and systemic inequality. And these problems persist today. Rochester was also no stranger to outright racist events in the first half of the 20th century. Rochester was considered a central hub for SE Minnesota Ku Klux Klan members. On July 4, 1926, the KKK held a parade in downtown Rochester. In August of 1963, a burning cross was found in front of the Avalon Hotel, the same day an interracial group of community members marched through downtown in support of the Civil Rights movement.

In 1962, the KKK held a parade in downtown Rochester.

George Gibbs, left, helped to found the NAACP in Rochester. Newspaper clippings from 1963 (left) and 1868 (right) help tell the story of race relations in Rochester.

THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MAKE UP A COMMUNITY

One can imagine the exchange of ideas and news that occurred through such transit to and through our city. One of many notable visitors was African-American leader and abolitionist Frederick Douglass who gave a lecture in Rochester in February 1868. The event was advertised as part of the Library Association’s lecture series and listed Dr. W.W. Mayo as one of the organizing committee members. Black suffrage was a hotly debated topic in Minnesota and across the country at the time of Douglass’ visit.

A RICH TAPESTRY

Rochester's Committee for Equal Opportunity reported that as of the 1960 census there were “49 Black residents, 26 Japanese, 50 Chinese and 77 Filipinos, out of a total population of 40,663.” IBM attracted a handful of African-American professionals and families beginning in the early 1960s. Among these families were George and Joyce Gibbs. George Gibbs was a community leader and civil rights activist, and in 1965, he helped found the Rochester chapter of the NAACP. A year later, Virginia Mendenhall became the city’s first Black teacher, while her husband, Rodney, served as the first Black instructor at Rochester Community College. In 1979, Mayo Clinic hired its first Black physician, Dr. Franklyn Prendergast. Also in 1979, Charles “Chuck” Hazama, a Native Hawaiian, became mayor of Rochester. The presence of migrant Mexican laborers in Olmsted County and greater Southeast Minnesota

also weaves itself into the timeline beginning in the 1960s. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Rochester’s racial and ethnic diversity continued to grow as immigration increased and Minnesota became a refugee resettlement site. The first wave of Hmong came to Rochester between 1975 and 1985. Somalis began settling in the city as early as the late 1980s, while Africans from Sudan and Ethiopia began to migrate here in the 1990s, along with refugees from Bosnia. And of course, Mayo Clinic and IBM both attracted many professionals from across the country and the world. When we take a closer look at the trajectory of Rochester’s history we see a rich and diverse tapestry that is not fully captured in sterile census reports. The myth of homogeneity also isolates Rochester, a city at the intersection of connections between the region, state, nation and world as the home of the Mayo Clinic. It ignores the many visitors, patients, educators, medical professionals and students who traveled to Rochester. A small handful of letters from pioneering Black physicians make passing mention of holiday visits to the Mayo Clinic or hosting one of the Drs. Mayo at their own practices or affiliated universities.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Rochester Post and Record often covered brutal lynching, race riots, shootings, trials and racial unrest in the country with a heavy dose of sensationalism and racism. While newspapers contain flaws as sources of historical information, they do signal some of the interests, politics and tastes of the times. Local newspapers from the 19th and early 20th centuries voice opinions on issues like war, partisan politics, Black suffrage, women’s suffrage and Chinese immigration. Ultimately, as our community grows, so too does our history. What will history say about our city 100 years from now? My hope is that it recognizes the great diversity and contributions of everyday people that make up the fabric of this community. I hope myths of homogeneity are debunked and replaced with real stories of diversity among the people that call this place home. ◆

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

and

STRESS

Resiliency

EMBRACING THE LESSONS OF CURRENT EVENTS BY ROSEI SKIPPER BY ROSEI SKIPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AB-PHOTOGRAPHY.US

FOR MANY AMERICANS THE PAST FIVE MONTHS HAVE BEEN THE MOST STRESSFUL OF OUR LIVES. From fighting the

COVID-19 pandemic to witnessing racial violence and social unrest to enduring financial hardships to caring for children while working from home to worrying about the upcoming election, our nation has collectively experienced mass trauma this year, and there is currently no end in sight. Worse, many of our most important coping measures are off-limits. This may be the first time many of us have appreciated how vital our close relationships, traveling, going to the gym and gathering to worship are to our wellness.

Dr. Anjali Bhagra is an expert in the study of stress and resiliency. Photo submitted.

STRESS EFFECTS

What is stress exactly, and how does it manifest in our bodies? While the answer is unique for each human, certain bodily changes are universal. Dr. Anjali Bhagra, associate professor of medicine and the chair of diversity and inclusion at Mayo Clinic, is an expert in the study of stress

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

and resiliency. She is the co-developer and co-director of the Resilience and Leadership in Medicine conference GRIT (Growth, Resilience, Inspiration, Tenacity) for Women in Medicine, and she is particularly passionate about how women have been affected by the current pandemic. “Our bodies are highly evolved to respond to stress, and it’s very good that acute stress triggers the fight or flight response,” says Bhagra. Powerful chemicals flood the body, allowing us to run faster, think quicker and save ourselves and others from threats. “The problem is if that system gets triggered continuously,” she adds. “The amygdala, our brain’s fear center, grows stronger. Our prefrontal lobes, the rational area of the brain, are bypassed, and we get stuck in a feedback loop.” Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, a weaker immune system and higher blood sugar levels, among other health consequences. It also tends to feel terrible. The past few months have been particularly challenging because we have so little control over what is happening, and no clear sense of when that will change. Data from a current study shows that women are disproportionately affected by the current pandemic, and Bhagra notes that women are underrepresented in positions of power to make policy responding to the crisis. “It’s clear that women and people of color are more negatively impacted by the current pandemic,” says Bhagra. “These groups hold more caregiving positions, are often juggling child care responsibilities with work and have less access to health care and

other resources.” Intimate partner violence tends to escalate during times of stress, and Bhagra notes that the combination of COVID-19 and George Floyd’s death have made health disparities much more visible.

WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY

Bhagra describes what she calls “The Three Fs” of resiliency: faith (which looks different for everyone), family (work and chosen families included!) and fitness. Her conceptualization of fitness is more inclusive than most—she includes mental, emotional and spiritual health in her definition. According to Bhagra, thinking about doing something isn’t enough. “It’s important to move beyond a zone of concern into a zone of action.” But that doesn’t have to mean stopping life to work on wellness. Bhagra practices what she calls “four minutes of micro-meditation” a day. She starts her day with gratitude and ends with acceptance. In between she “sprinkles kindness,” with simple acts like dropping off a meal for a quarantined friend or buying coffee for the cars behind her at Dunn Brothers. “Don’t underestimate the power of small gestures,” she says.

Shah Noor Shafqat finds healing through her art.

“They can have a powerful impact on our own and others’ wellbeing.” Family educator Nicole Andrews, who is the school readiness supervisor for Rochester Public Schools Preschool, emphasizes the importance of the village mentality—where humans are interconnected , and we do our best when we help each other. “When you do village work, it is for the collective—the whole—and if one of us isn’t succeeding then all of us aren’t succeeding,” says Andrews. “All of us need to be well.” Andrews believes that wellness and resiliency look different for each person. She encourages her clients to define their own needs and to celebrate their unique strengths and abilities. For herself, that looks like practicing her faith, embracing her family and close relationships and continuing to work for social justice. She says that all of us, herself included, “need to have a well of people, experiences and strength to draw from.”

Andrews draws strength from her relationships with friends and family. Here she hugs her son, Patrick Modo.

ACTION AND GROWTH

Regarding experiences and strength, many of us are confronting systemic racism and internalized prejudice for the first time in our lives. We may be finally acknowledging the

HEALING THROUGH CREATION

tremendous suffering and rage of our Black and brown brothers and sisters, and many feel ashamed for not doing so previously. Combining all this with a pandemic makes it an unusually difficult time in our lives. But it’s one ripe for action and growth as well. For Andrews, a lifelong social justice advocate, change looks like collective action, increased communication and ongoing equity work. She points out that our BIPOC and immigrant populations have many things to teach us, and that Americans often ignore the tremendous benefits of diversity. She also stresses the importance of getting honest about the hardships that nonwhite Americans experience, both historically and now. “Real change first starts with acknowledging the truth of our history, no matter how painful,” says Andrews. She emphasizes that we must also invest financially to create real change, saying, "If we ask Black women to educate us about race in America, we need to compensate them in the same way that we pay experts in every other field."

Local artist Shah Noor Shafqat’s work has been essential for moving through the many tough moments of motherhood, particularly during the pandemic. Her most recent project “Innocent Predators,” featured at the Rochester Art Center, explores the power that babies exert over their caregivers. “My work is mostly based on my experience as a mother,” says Shafqat. “Motherhood is more than a full-time job, and art has been a source of healing for me during my journey. Creating leaves me feeling less overwhelmed and less stressed.” Her intricate silk paintings and textile work are beautiful from a distance, and increasingly complex as one draws closer. Her newest exhibit is humorous and honest about the realities of motherhood; adorable babies are depicted with evil features and vampire-like teeth. “It’s okay for us to be truthful about how hard parenthood is and to find the laughter in that pain.” Although Shafqat has degrees in various artistic mediums, she emphasizes that formal education isn’t a prerequisite to creating. “Art is about problem-solving,” she says. “I feel every woman is capable of doing it. All it takes is practice and exposure.”

MOVING FORWARD

All three women emphasized the importance of taking concrete steps to manage stress right now. For Bhagra, acceptance is an important first step towards action. “In the beginning, many of us were in denial about the pandemic. Many people still are. But the energy we spend denying reality is wasted.” Acceptance allows us to start moving forward, with large steps or small. For me, that looks like taking a few deep breaths, stretching my body and planning a walk with a friend. Life is different this summer, and it may never be the same. But there are new things to appreciate as well and new ways for us to grow. Be well, friends. ◆

RWmagazine.com September/October 2020

SEPTEMBER 15 - OCTOBER 15, 2020 LOOKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD, BUT WITH STRONGER RACIAL INTELLIGENCE BY GRACE MENCHACA

CULTURAL RECOGNITION DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS ARE LIKE DOORS. Visitors are welcome to turn the knob and enter a culture of food, dance, history and tradition. But when we leave, what do we take with us? That is a question to ask ourselves as National Hispanic Heritage Month comes during a time of unrest.

THE HISTORY National Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of histories and cultures of the American citizens who have ancestry in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The month starts on September 15, the independence anniversary of many Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Within the 30 days of celebration and recognition, important dates like the Mexican and Chilean independence days (September 16 and 17) and Día de la Raza (October 12) add important historical context. In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed Hispanic Heritage Week into law, which expanded to a month-long observation in 1988 under Ronald Regan’s presidency. The official website states, “The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.” October 15 officially

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

marks the last day of recognition but is far from the end of celebrating how Hispanics impact the United States.

THE INVOLVEMENT According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2018, Hispanics make up 18.3% of the United States’ total population, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest racial minority. “Our culture is so rich and colorful and so alive. We have nothing to envy any other culture for,” says Eva Cruz Peña, a proud Puerto Rican and expert on emotional intelligence surrounding diversity and inclusion. “They’re there,” she notes about the Rochester Hispanic community. “When it comes to agriculture and manufacturing, or even in the restaurant industry, we see it’s full of Latinx.” Mayo Clinic’s world position and health care innovation have made Rochester an epicenter for international discussion and migration of Hispanic people. “It’s really beautiful,” she continues, “but at the same time, there’s a piece that’s sad because I know there’s a lot of invisibility, and it’s intentional.” The Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans (ACHLA) is a local nonprofit that addresses the same issue of representation and equity in Rochester and the surrounding regions. According to the official website, ACHLA aims to create a better quality of life by offering educational opportunities, civic engagement, community partnerships and collaborations, cultural exchange and building capacity within the communities. Currently, the ACHLA is focusing on awareness of the 2020 Census and COVID-19 resources.

But of course, there is still room for improvement. “I feel Rochester has a huge opportunity to bridge the gap," says Cruz Peña. There is a big pocket of the Latinx community, and the contributions are there—to the economy, but also the social life of Rochester.”

THE TALK So how can community members—particularly non-Hispanic ones—support and learn more? The simple answer: Show up! Because of COVID-19’s swift and halting presence, many community engagement events in Rochester are canceled or are subject to change. Visit ACHLA-MN.com and ExperienceRochesterMN.com for more information on local events and engagements. Readers can also visit HispanicHeritageMonth.gov to learn more and to access resources. The more difficult answer: Have intentional conversations. Quarantine may cause stir-crazy Rochester residents to go out and celebrate, but what are the core reasons behind participating? “It’s a firm intention of having the desire to connect with somebody,” Cruz Peña notes. “It starts with a conversation with people about who they are and being curious about their history and heritage.” She adds, “We need all the voices in this conversation.”

THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION Cruz Peña is a certified life coach with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and two master’s degrees in theology and mental health counseling. Her passion

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to help women reprogram their brains to welcome the topic of race and inclusivity inspired her Sacred Inclusion Master Class. “The George Floyd and Breonna Taylor incidents highlighted how ill-equipped women, especially white women, are in managing their own emotions when it comes to collectively being called out. It causes either reaction, defensiveness, or it causes them to shut down and not speak at all.” Cruz Peña helps women develop their ability to have uncomfortable conversations about topics like privilege and fragility, which is important when deciding to have intentional conversations. Cruz Peña finds this difficult for others to do during a particular Mexican celebration. “I get very protective and cautious when I see Cinco de Mayo,” she says. “It’s one of the holidays that drives me a little bonkers. I feel people really

don’t understand the meaning behind the day. It’s just an excuse to party.” When asked about the difference between appreciation and appropriation, Cruz Peña explains that appropriation is taking elements from a culture that’s not your own for personal or profitable gain. Food and fashion industries commonly walk a fine line, even if it’s unintentional. The most basic step to distinguishing both and building racial awareness is having the conversation. “I have found that Latinx people, and people all across the board, are very hospitable, welcoming and generous,” she says. “But if you’re invested in creating change or opening some dialogue, then get really clear about what the intention is, but also examine yourself and your emotional capacity.” In the end, awareness is key, but opening the door is entirely up to the individual. ◆

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ORCHARD SEASON IN MINNESOTA BY MAKA BOEVE

FROM EVE’S TEMPTATION IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO SNOW WHITE’S POISON FRUIT, APPLES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PART OF COMMON FOLKLORE. Apples are mentioned in

nursery rhymes. They are symbolic of teachers and back-to-school. They were used in science to prove gravity, and now people are talking into Apple phones. Apples are everywhere! As the air gets cooler, a fun fall family activity is visiting one of Southeastern Minnesota’s numerous apple orchards. What is more romantic than a picnic under a beautiful apple tree? What is more enjoyable than the quiet solitude of a visit to nature’s fruit stand? Plus enjoying the homemade applesauce or caramel apples is a delicious reward. SO MANY VARIETIES Johnny Appleseed reportedly flicked all different types from

Cortlands to Braeburns to Crispins. Pink Ladies and McIntoshes also are known to make a few Cameos. Some like Fuji are super sweet, while others like Goldens can be a little mushy. Sometimes Granny Smith’s tart bite is just the thing to counter all that sappy Ambrosia. Then again, a salad of Jazz and Gala slices can be quite a party. What is it about apples that turn everyone all saucy? According to the U.S. Apple Association, “More than 100 apple varieties are grown commercially in the United States, but a total of 15 popular varieties account for almost 90% of production.” Red Delicious are the most popular and are found in lunchboxes and briefcases every day. The BIG Apple of New York must be bursting with Empires. Around these parts, it is those smart University of Minnesota college-educated Honeycrisps that are all the rage. AN APPLE A DAY Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Most apples have around 100 calories. They are full of fiber to help the GI tract but also beneficial with normalizing blood sugars and impacting lipids. However, a little-known fact is that apple seeds are actually poisonous. They contain cyanogenic glycosides, although according to healthline.com, “About 200 seeds or 20 cores” would need to be consumed to be fatal. Baking recipes can be rather specific regarding the type of apples to use for flavor and consistency. Some tips for keeping apples fresh are storing them in the refrigerator crisper or wrapping them individually in unprinted newspaper and placing them in a cool cellar or garage. Boiling apples in lemon water also keeps slices from turning brown. Remember to check for bruises often and watch out for those rotten apples! Whether made into a tart, popover, muffin or sweet bread, apples have wormed their way into being America’s number-one fruit. Plus, for a slice of classic Americana, apple pie takes the cake. So how do you like them apples?! ◆

September/October 2020 RWmagazine.com

LOCAL APPLE ORCHARDS Blossom Hill Orchard & Farm 645 Highway 52 Preston, Minnesota 507-765-4486 facebook.com/ blossomhillorchardandfarm Pepin Heights Orchard 1753 South Highway 61 Lake City, Minnesota 800-652-3779 pepinheights.com Hoch Orchard and Gardens 32553 Forster Road LaCrescent, Minnesota 507-643-6329 hochorchard.com Northwoods Apple Orchard 8018 75th Avenue NW Oronoco, Minnesota 507-280-059 facebook.com/ northwoodsappleorchard Sekapp Orchard 3415 College View Road East Rochester, Minnesota 507-282-4544 sekapporchard.com Southwind Orchards 45440 County Road 12 Dakota, Minnesota 507-643-6255 southwindorchards.com Trumps Orchard 1020 Saint Paul Avenue Faribault, Minnesota 507-334-5157 trumpsorchard.com Turkey Hill Orchard 9912 County Road 5 NW Pine Island, Minnesota 507-356-4067 facebook.com/ turkeyhillorchard Wescott Orchards 28085 County Road 25 Elgin, Minnesota 507-876-2891 wescottorchard.com

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OUR 95th YEAR!

During COVID-19, we encourage you to make an appointment. Please call 507-268-4363. We practice social distancing to make sure your shopping experience is comfortable and safe. Masks, gloves and sanitizer will be available. STORE HOURS: Monday thru Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday Noon–4pm. Evenings by appointment.

100 Main Street Fountain, MN 507-268-4363

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November & December F E AT U R E D TO P I C S : LEARN ABOUT HOLIDAYS ACROSS CULTURES MEET A YOUNG SEAMSTRESS CREATE A COZY BEDROOM PLUS! MENTAL HEALTH OVER THE HOLIDAYS PRIVILEGE 101 FOOD & WINE

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