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CONTENTS JANUARY 2026 / VOLUME 14 / ISSUE 1
FEATURES: 8 WINTER FUN
Events across the SoMinn SCENE region.
COLUMNS: 6 Mollywood BLVD
2025, a year that felt like a season finale.
10 Top LOCAL ALBUMS
Top local albums of Minnesota in 2025.
16 Rants & RAVES
Advice for 2026? Go in like a man!
17 SoMinn STYLE
2025 in Review: Dressing Through Transition.
18 What 2 WATCH
‘Jay Kelly’ is one of Noah Baumbach’s best.
20 Through a SoMinn LENS
Reflecting on my favorite people photos of 2025.
27 SoMinn THE BOOKWORM SEZ
WINTER
- Barn Gothic - Night People - Morbidly Curious - The Grave Robber - Books about Critters and Varmints
CALENDAR: 23 SCENE MONTHLY EVENTS
PLACES TO GO and THINGS TO DO
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Mollywood BLVD
MOLLY PENNY
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Molly Penny is a local radio personality and MNSU alum. It was her love of pop culture that got her interested in doing a morning show for KOWZ 100.9 in 2011 where she is now brand manager for the three-cluster radio station, as well as music director for Q102 FM out of Willmar & on-air personality on Mankato’s Hot 96.7. She enjoys volunteering, time with her kids/family and cat Salem. Catch her on Twitter at @mollyhoodUSA.
a year that felt like a season finale 2028 Presidential run. Trump sent the National Guard to LA early in the year to protect ICE facilities, a move criticized by Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass. By the end of the year, National Guard presence was in 19 states to assist US Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE).
I
f 2025 were a Netflix show, it would be stuck in perpetual cliffhanger mode. Or maybe you got through the first two episodes and tuned out? Hurricanes, floods, huge falls from grace from the likes of P. Diddy and Prince Andrew, culture wars on ‘X’, celebrity passings that felt too heavy for a calendar year, and slang that, arguably, took us to new lows. Buckle up friends, it is time for my annual Year-In-Review, and if you recall, the last ‘first year’ of a Trump presidency had my column titled: “2017 grabbed us by the p*#@$%.” Here’s to a close second.
Mother nature was not messing around. The California Palisades fires blazed through the beginning of the year setting the pace for what would become a climate anxiety fever dream. Some of the before and after photos of the fire seemed dystopian. From devastating floods in Texas, to the severe flooding that is currently happening in the Pacific Northwest, weather patterns remained extreme in 2025. Hurricane season 2025 was near-normal, but many areas
The ICE raids are taking place everywhere, but the President’s targeting of criminal activity by “illegals” has mostly targeted Democrat-run cities. On July 1, the Trump administration opened a detention center in the Florida Everglades called “Alligator Alcatraz.” MAGA supporters posed in front of the signs as a tourist attraction but in August, a federal judge issued an injunction halting its expansion. Detainees are still in the process of being moved out.
affected by the previous year’s hurricane season are still recovering. Trump’s second term continued in 2025 with the same blend of online rants and shocking announcements. He remains the most divisive figure in American politics, or just in general. Supporters are doing mental gymnastics, excusing why he’s done almost nothing he promised on the campaign trail, while his opposers staged the two largest protests ever against a sitting President with their “No Kings” events in June and October respectively.
Most notable of his online activity is his “X wars” with California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is rumored to be planning a
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On a lighter note, the pop culture icon known as the “Portland Frog” was born out of the chaos, becoming one of the most ‘memeable’ moments of the year; An activist in an inflatable frog costume standing off against federal agents in peaceful protest. Between the drama surrounding the release of the “Epstein” files, and controversy over bombing of a cartel ship, it was nice to have some levity. Trump survived an assassination attempt on the campaign trail, but an unfortunate theme of 2025 was political violence. In July, a Minnesota representative and former Speaker of the House, Melissa Hortman, and her husband were shot to death in their home. Podcaster and influencer Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The fatal shot occurred on live streams, in real time, and was basically broadcast on social media. In both cases, it seems the assassinations were politically motivated. These tragic, tumultuous moments really shone the light on how volatile our political
tension is. Very few in leadership positions made a call to tone down the rhetoric, but interestingly several politicians announced early retirement or not seeking reelection as the year progressed. Politics aside, fans were super excited for a new Taylor Swift album and the second installment of “Wicked.” Many football fans were not so excited about the announcement of the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer, Bad Bunny. Kendrick Lamar performed at Super Bowl LIX to mixed reviews, but his album and streaming sales skyrocketed from it.
Best Picture went to Anora, which took home five total statues. Sports saw the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England/ Wales, and Qatar hosted a “U-17” World Cup in November which was not a main event, but they did manage to present Trump with the first ever “FIFA Peace Prize,” the Vikes continued to take their mediocre performance across the pond, and tons of big NFL free agency moves and women’s sports continuing its uptick in popularity. Youtube Sports had a banner year. 2025 was a hard one for fans of film, music, and just big personalities. We said goodbye to many iconic figures. Val Kilmer passed away, best known as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun, at the age of 65 from pneumonia following years of health challenges. Diane Keaton, Oscarwinning and utterly unforgettable, also passed away prematurely at the age of 79 from pneumonia. In a confusing discovery, both Gene Hackman and his wife were found dead in their home, along with one of their dogs. No foul play is suspected. The actor was 95. Robert Redford, one of the all-American leading men died at 89. He is best known for
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many signs already that 2026 may be more of the same. Oh, and three judges just blocked the release of the Epstein files.
his role as the Sundance Kid in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as well as founding the Sundance Film Festival. Late in the year, came the shocking news of the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer. Reiner was known for his writing and directing over the course of multiple decades, including directing “The Princess Bride,” “Stand By Me,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A Few Good Men” and “Misery.”
Finally, a true legend of Metal, the Godfather of Metal, Ozzy Osbourne passed away at 76 from a heart attack, just weeks after his final tour wrapped. Speaking of wrapping, it was hilarious to see the amount of people sharing their “Spotify Age” this year. The app aged you based on your music listening habits. This new generation of kids, “Gen Alpha” certainly brought us some head-scratching
slang and gimmicks in 2025. If the phrase “67” doesn’t follow us into 2026 I think we will all be happier for it. Do not bother trying to understand that one. As we end the year, we have Grinch Adult Happy Meals from McDonalds, a “Diddy” documentary produced by rapper 50 Cent which just dropped on Netflix, and Pantone is choosing an un-precedented off-white shade, “Cloud Dream” as it’s color of the year… so
Can we go back to before we switched timelines, because my Year in Reviews since 2020 have been abysmal. That being said, at least we finally got season 5 of “Stranger Things.”
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Events across SoMinn SCENE region offer
WINTER FUN
By ASHLEY HANLEY Guest Contributor
T
he Sleigh and Cutter Festival in Waseca welcomes visitors from all around the region as they embrace the winter season. Organizers can even boast that they offer the longest-running sleigh and cutter festival in the nation, as 2026 marks the 76th anniversary of S&C in Waseca. Jennifer Burt has been involved, along with several other committee members, for the past 10 years. She said there is something for everyone to enjoy at the festival, especially since it runs over two months, with events spread out from January until March. The main festival weekend this year, which features a dinner, a dance and the Frosty reveal, is Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Fev. 28. Another highlight is the parade on Saturday, Feb. 2. There will also be fireworks, ice sculptures, a kite show and more. “The parade is always a hit. The kite show is newer but always a fan favorite. And then there’s the fireworks in February,” Burt said. All ages are welcome to all events, and most events are free of charge.
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“People come from all over. Many units in the parade come from several hours away. Any chance to get their horses out in the winter,” Burt said. For more information visit sleighandcutterfestival.org. Another regional event with strong traditions is St. Peter’s Winterfest. Ed Lee is the St. Peter Chamber director. He said the records show Winterfest started in 2005. “Winterfest was originally designed, and still does, sooth us through the doldrums of the final weeks of arguably every year’s worst days. The lowest low temperatures on average chill Minnesota on and around Jan. 19. Windchills make it worse. But, by the last Friday in January at least the daily average temperatures are ever-so-reliably inching upward, and days are getting lighter longer,” Lee said. Lee said Winterfest celebrates outdoor get-togethers like bonfires, searching for a medallion between hot chocolate breaks, and leaping through holes cut into a pond’s ice. But there are also indoor gatherings like a pancake breakfast, poker walk and a jammies party to watch a movie. Lee said the event also draws in many people from the surrounding communities. “Winterfest gives St. Peter and visitors the opportunity to embrace, and even enjoy, our winter climate. Winterfest is an umbrella event
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that promotes the happenings that it attracts. It’s a great chance for non-profits to host fundraisers and for other organizations to unite peeps to help raise a little bit of awareness. Our hospital has hosted several winter walks in the past, complete with cookies, warm drinks and even a tour or two,” Lee said. Winterfest always starts on the last Friday of January with the free opening ceremony that includes a bonfire, s’mores, search for Joe Rolette’s paperwork that would have made St. Peter the state capital and reading of the first medallion hunt clue. It ends on the second Sunday in February. “We encourage businesses and organizations to host events within that time window, and we help get the word out that they are happening,” Lee said. “The best part about Winterfest is that it’s come-one, come-all. Not everyone wants to hunt for the medallion, but thousands of peeps are telling each other they think they know where it is. They love to talk about the Polar Plunge, even if they don’t subject themselves to the icy waters. They love
Other winter festivals and events around the Southern Minnesota Scene area: Bold & Cold – Owatonna Sculpture Building Contest; Medallion Hunt; Bold and Cold Deals; Steele County Historical Society’s Souper Sweet Dinner; Winter Walk with Beverages, Bites, and Brrr-ingo; Winter Weekend Out; Family Open Swim and Pool Bingo; Snowshoeing; Rock on Ice/ Glow Skate; Open Outdoor Ice Skating; Local Brews and Igloo Experiences; Snowmobiling. Visit owatonna.org/visit/events/annual-events/boldandcold for more information.
Big Turn Music Fest – Red Wing
Music, music and more music. Across the city of Red Wing, dozens of bands play to audiences in a variety of venues, including bars, churches, a theater and a hotel. Enjoy some beverages and fight the cold to see an awesome variety of bands and musical acts. Visit bigturnmusicfest.com for more information.
Bockfest – New Ulm Beckon warmer weather at Bockfest with a mug full of Bock beer, live music, hot brats and bonfires. Seven Bocks of Winter are hiding around the Schell’s Brewery grounds, waiting to
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that their grandkids, parents or grandparents are getting out and about rather than hibernating. Winterfest generates a buzz on scenes local, regional and statewide.” For each event, there are volunteers to make it happen, and when you add participants, Winterfest activities involve thousands. “We hope everyone comes to Winterfest events for the immediate laughs and lifelong memories,” Lee said.
be found. Human St. Bernards, with kegs of beer on their backs, are ready to assist weary hunters. Visit schellsbrewery.com/events/bock-fest for more info.
Grumpy Old Men Festival – Wabasha
Ice fishing contest, lighted SXS parade, ice bar, live music, Ragetti’s Spaghetti Feed, horse drawn wagon rides, s’mores & hot chocolate, chili feed, cribbage tournament, bingo, hotdish luncheon, luminary trail, Grumpy Plunge and more.
See the full listing of events at stpeterchamber.com/event/2025-winterfest. Ashley Hanley is a wife and mom of three kids under the age of 6 in North Mankato. When she’s not handing out
snacks or kissing boo-boos, you can find her cheering on her favorite Minnesota sports teams and is a firm believer they will win a championship in her lifetime.
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Visit wabashamn.org/grumpyoldmenfest for more info.
Ice Fest – Winona A Winona Ice Park original, learn how to ice climb with Winona Ice Fest’s professional climbers and climbing clinics beginning late January. Visit bigriverclimbingguides.com/winona-ice-fest for more info and registration.
Social-Ice – Rochester Downtown Rochester transforms into an icy oasis for Social-ICE! Unique themed bars — each with its own signature drink—and full-scale ice sculptures illuminated with vibrant hues light up the winter-drab night. Keep your blood pumping with nightly live DJ entertainment. This oh-so-nICE, cold-weather event is open to the public.
Sign up for free and be in the know. Visit SouthernMinn.com/Alerts Subscription may be required to read full article.
Visit downtownrochestermn.com/whatto-do/social-ice for more info.
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SARAH OSTERBAUER
Top LOCAL ALBUMS
Sarah Osterbauer is a die-hard music lover. When she does her budget each month, food comes after concert tickets. Find her on twitter @ SarahOwrites.
Top local albums of Minnesota in 2025
I
n the face of AI-generated music and an industry that increasingly devalues musicians’ work, the folks behind this year’s best local albums persisted with their craft to give us home spun strands of connection and catharsis. Many of this year’s favorites are a testament to taking chances, trusting oneself and not letting fear stand in the way of change. Whether that’s starting a band when you’ve never touched a drum set before, reinventing your sound after finding success with other projects or simply recognizing how fleeting life is and saying, “Why not me? Why not now?”. These local artists broke fresh ground, both from delving within and looking outward. In no particular order, these are the albums that moved me in 2025, a selection that only scratches the surface of what was a bumper crop of great local music.
band’s namesake and then some. Kiss the Tiger continues to blend elements of 60s and 70s rock and roll, expertly playing with rhythm and face-melting guitar, all highlighting Meghan’s fearless instrument as she illustrates the trials of long term relationships. “Infinite Love” is punchy and cool, a shimmy shake in the kitchen you can’t resist.
ing blended family dynamics, the awkwardness of running into an ex, all set to ear-friendly melodies dressed in familiar guitar rhythms and emotive horns and a top notch falsetto. No matter your poison of choice, Laamar is serving it in style here. Stand out track “Gasoline” featuring Clare Doyle would absolutely be at home on any country radio station and it’s followed by the jazzy lounge groove “Heaven”, all blending seamlessly by Laamar’s smooth comfy vocals.
into live performances, they were able to keep his place in the band and move forward with the album’s release. Coupled with Channy Leaneagh’s signature haunting delivery, “Dreams Go” is a rumination, a eulogy for dreams unrealized. It is all at once layered, sparse, expansive and resonant. Emotions are held, echoed and refracted off each synthy corner. Unlike the crunchy techno of their last couple albums, “Dreams Go” is more delicate, tender, whispering veiled secrets under a strobe light.
Sarah Morris — “Say Yes” Nona Invie — “Self-soothing” Nona Invie, of Dark Dark Dark and Anonymous Choir, came out with her solo project, “Self-soothing” earlier this year. A sonic departure from either band, ‘Self-soothing’ opens with the celestial “Forget My Name”, a devastating plea for the final cut of a relationship. Nona’s vocals quiver subtly and yet sturdily express questions of reflection and sorrow. Solemn piano, tearful horns and wide stretching synths outline the songs and give them depth. It is a meditation on love, what keeps it whole and how to part from it without losing one’s self. It’s a slow burn whose introspectiveness is wholly relatable and equally devastating.
Kiss the Tiger — “Infinite Love” Arguably one of the Twin Cities’ best rock bands, Kiss the Tiger released their fourth album, “Infinite Love” in September. The album comes out swinging with the high octane “We Don’t Fight Anymore”. Lead singer Meghan Kreidler is incendiary as usual, singing with the fierceness of the
On “Say Yes”, Sarah examines life’s glimmers and gloom with her signature wonder for nature and distinct ability to paint the human experience with precision and grace. Her clarion vocals sweetly dress up the angrier moments on the album which are some of the best. Tunes like “Hard On a Heart” and “The One I Choose” are lessons on how to expertly capture feminine ire and discontent. In the classic country tradition of making poetry from everyday observations, Sarah’s lyricism will inspire you to take a second look at an especially gorgeous wood grain or fallen leaf. Say yes to that pull and certainly say yes to many spins of this masterful work.
Laamar — “In the Light” What genre is Laamar? Is it R&B? Is it folk? Indie rock? Pop? Country? A combination of them all, it seems. For his debut album, a highly anticipated follow up to his 2023 EP, “Flowers”, Laamar delivers on all fronts. The singer, songwriter/composer and instrumentalist builds on his exploration of the complexities of the human experience, outlin-
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Your Smith — “The Rub” With her first full length album since 2013’s “Half About Being a Woman”, (released under the moniker Caroline Smith), the reinvented Your Smith stopped taking herself and career seriously and ended up producing some of the most fun, carefree music of her career. Invoking 70s style grooves and a breeziness that recalls Sheryl Crow, Your Smith gives us a collection of songs that speak to the doldrums of midlife set to a beat made for swinging hips, clapping hands and bobbing heads, her voice as stellar as it ever was.
Gully Boys — “Gully Boys” Gully Boys burst onto the scene in a big way in 2018 and haven’t hit pause since. Taking cues from 90s alternative and pop punk, it’s easy to see the throughline from Hole to Garbage and straight to Gully Boys. Screaming guitars, no holds barred lyricism and drums on 11 are the ingredients for a solid Gully tune. Intrepid snarls, fed up growls and soulful laments make up their vocal style. Commentary on the femme/non-binary condition rolls easily off the tongue and lands square in your face. It’s blunt, assertive, perhaps bellicose at times, but a refreshing take on modern punk nonetheless. When you’re in a mood, this is a no skips album.
Polica — “Dreams Go” On their sixth album, one they weren’t certain would see the light of day following the glioblastoma diagnosis of bass player Chris Bierden, Polica found a return to form. By incorporating Bierden’s bass lines, recorded from sessions at Pachyderm studio in 2023
Porch Light — “Navy Blue” Gaining traction on YouTube before they had released any music, Porch Light (2025 Picked to Click winners and one of First Avenue’s Best
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Crescent Moon and Andrew Broder — “Eulogy”
With 22K subscribers (and counting?) on YouTube, and some videos with over 1M views, it makes sense that they put out two stellar EPs this year. Truthfully, either one could’ve made this list. With their undeniable 90s alt sound, songs like “Upside” will make you long for a see through landline phone and tape deck car stereo. Lead singer Jackie Uhas invokes bands like The Cranberries, Belly and The Sundays to create a sound all her own. “Navy Blue” explores the messy feelings of being young and navigating relationships. Electric guitars drip so millennials can drown in nostalgia.
No stranger to socially conscious rap, Alexei Casselle teams up with experimental producer Andrew Broder on the powerful “Eulogy”. Much like his previous work with Kill the Vultures, Alexei uses personal experiences to underscore commentary on society at large. Heavy footed beats and bass provide a suitable backdrop for the equally leaden subject matter. Broder, who also had a hand in one of the best albums last year, Unbound by Bizhiki, showcases here his adeptness for creating a sound that has intentional jagged edges and is not afraid of open space, a perfect partner to Alexei’s wide open emotions and raw storytelling. This work is not only impressive as art but important as a time stamp, a piece of what will be our shared history.
New Bands in 2024) saw a speedy rise to success.
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WINTER
• Debunking Health Myths • Staying on Schedule • Help With Your Health Goals • Are You Vitamin Deficient?
YOUR HEALTH | TECHNOLOGY
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YOUR HEALTH | BE IN THE KNOW
Debunking Health Myths
Debunking Health Myths
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Now more than ever, we’re surrounded by misleading or completely false information.
Blame, in some cases, goes to the internet. But many health myths go back much further, as stories handed down from generation to generation. Here’s a look at several very common — but completely wrong — health myths. change their pillowcases.
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day, you asimply findof it facBeing healthylong involves variety too exhausting to dry your tors, with your hair body weight after taking representing a shower. to bed with damp only one aspect.Heading Doctors report that it’s hair will almost certainlywho are not unusual to encounter patients result in messy hair in the thin and have lots of health morning — but itproblems. won’t lead toThe a cold. Experts say the tem- of reverse, of course, is also true. Plenty perature or moisture of your overweight people are perfectly healthy. body doesn’t have anything to Body mass index does viruses not indicate do alone with catching like good health. the common cold. There is
alking tain numCATCHING A COLD u stay Perhaps you got caught in the rain. Or one worry when it comes to maybe, llow youafter a long day, you simply find it going to bed with wet hair: © ADOBE STOCK too exhausting to dry your hair after takWet pillows are more likely to ng ing if you’ve SUN EXPOSURE encourage weight loss and boost metabrisk of developing skin cancer and can would protect the skin from developing skin cancer and encourage weight loss an harbor bacteria so doctors say thin and have lots of health a shower. Heading to bed with damp sunburn. Some people would can accelerate skin aging. problems. The reverse, of boost metabolism those who are prone to acne olism is through exercise. There’s a tools directis thro accelerate skin aging. he hair datawill almosthealth goals. managing a chronic condition or seekexercises. By incorporating these For years, people believed that getting a certainly result in messy even frequent tanning salons correlation between inactivity course, is also true. Plenty of exercise. a direct should frequently change andThere’s negative so-called “base their tan”pillowcases. before a beach outing hair in the morning but it won’t lead to r insights By—providing real-time feedback, ing advice for a minor intoBut your routine, you can improve for this specific purpose. overweight peopleissue, are per- virtual relation between inactivi FAT-BURNING health outcomes like heart disease. Diets would protect the skin from sunburn. fectlyFAT-BURNING skin requires much more than healthy. Body mass and negative health outc ALTERNATIVES a cold. Expertsthese say the apps temperature make help or you make better foodWEIGHT visits can help on top of your andoptions reduce thatyour to be protected. Expertsmental indexyou alonestay does not indicate WATCHERS Therewell-being are of supplelike heartor disease. focusing onplenty limited food even Diets f Some people would even frequent tanning moisture of your body doesn’t have anysay these kinds of tans may Being healthy involves a good ALTERNATIVES health. ments and foods currently ing on limited food a single item risk depriving your body of optio ur thing health. choices and stick to your nutritional health goals without the hassle of stress. salons for this specific to do with catching viruses like provide a sun protection facvariety of purpose. factors, withBut yourskin being promoted as fat-burning even a single item risk de essential nutrients. Being physically much more thanscheduling that to beonly pro-in-person SUN EXPOSURE of only 1 to 4. The body weight representing options. These claims have ing your body of essentia There are plenty oftor supplements and the common cold. There is oneallow worry you torequires plan. Many scan barcodes appointments. Forfoods years, people believed minimum recommended SPF active one aspect. Doctors report typically notstrengthens been evaluated ournutrients. Being physical also social connectected. Experts say these kinds of tans may currently being promoted as when it comes to going to bed with wet EALGOAL-SETTING PLATFORMS or search databases for provide accurate food In addition video calls, many thatto getting a so-called “base is 30. teleAny form of tanning that it’s not unusual to by actual doctors. The only active also strengthens o tions. a sun protection factorwho of are only 1 tan” before fat-burning options. These claims have hair: Wet pillows are more likely to a beach outing heightens the risk of encounter patients way to burn fat, connections. Many reliable fitness and wellnesssocial apps making it easier track health platforms offer secure S harbor bacteriainformation, to 4. Theto minimum recommended SPF typically not been evaluated by actual docso doctors say those is 30. Any form of tanning heightens thewithtors. The only reliable way to burn fat, come with built-in communities and et is key eating. messaging health care providers, who areto prone what to acneyou’re should frequently goal-setting features that allow users to weight making it easy to ask questions or get connect with others who share similar wellness. TELEHEALTH SERVICES prescription refills without delay. 12like J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6 | W W W. S O U T H E R N M I N N SCENE. C O M YOUR GUIDE FOR PLACES TO GO Platforms AND THINGS TO DO. objectives. like Strava, for apps Gone are the days when you had to
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eal-plans make it or and r you’re ve your here are ess techbjectives.
Staying on Schedule
Winter Wellness
Staying on Schedule
Unfortunately, some tend to think of a doctor’s visit only in terms of sickness or injury.
RS HESUnfortunately, some tend to think of a
doctor’s visit only in terms of sickness or watches injury. new tools. While it’s important to seek prompt itor everymedical attention in those cases, regular well visitstoand health screenings play an burned essential role in sustaining overall health. Some modDon’t underestimate the importance of stress theseand periodic checkups. Schedule at least
one appointment each year, regardless of how healthy you feel. Many insurance alking plans cover these visits, and Medicare tain numoften provides them at no charge
While it’s important to seek prompt medical attention in those cases, regular well visits and health screenings play an essential role in sustaining overall health. Don’t underesthe importance of ment, you’ll have timate established vital health these periodic checkups. benchmarks. They’ll be referenced and Schedule at least one appointregularly monitored minimize your of menttoeach year, regardless healthy youcomplicafeel. Many risks of illness or how other future insurancethings plans cover tions. Visits may include likethese mamvisits, and Medicare often mograms, mentalprovides health them evaluations and at no charge.
checks for colorectal cancer. Doctors PREVENTION or AND then make key recommendations preEARLY DETECTION scribe medication as needed. Well visits help doctors spot
concerning health trends and diagnose unseen problems. Both are key to averting health issues down the road. In addition to illness prevention and During these sessions, healthtreatment, well visits help with patients’ care professionals perform overall health. Your provider testshealthcare that offer a detailed overview of your current sta© ADOBE STOCK will talk about better lifestyle practices The consultation typically during your visit,tus. including exercise, stress that fits your individual involves reviewing your medi- evaluations and checks for your specific h visit, including exercise,health stress guidance behaviors and improves your management, nutrition andasmental health. colorectal cancer. Doctors situation. During discuss cal history, well as physical be encou management, nutrition and quality of life.follow-up visits,You’ll Establishing and maintaining a straightassessments and routine that then make key recommendaany questions o mental health. These visits These visits may include vaccinations any changes you have experienced since forward, honest relationship your tions or prescribe medication screenings. By your the end of the WHAT TO TALK ABOUT Your doctor wi maywith include vaccinations that are meant to protect you and comthe last appointment. Your medical appointment, you’ll have ashealthcare needed. Establishing and maintainalized health g are meant to protect you and provider is vitally important. munity from preventable illnesses. As recommendations may change established vital health fitstime your indivi ing a straightforward, honest over your community from preThe end result of these regular well visits needed, you couldbenchmarks. receive advice They’llon be referrelationship with therapies your health-and During OVERALL WELL-BEING ventable illnesses. As needed, with age-appropriate tests.followshould be a complete picture of your encedsmoking and regularly care provider is vitally cuss any chang In addition to illness preyou could receive advice on weight management, cessation healthand and lifestylewell with action based smoking important. The end result of experienced si monitored to minimize your vention treatment, weight items management, or other tailored recommendations. In risks of illness or other future visits these regular well visits appointment. Y help with patients’ over-needs. cessation or other on your specific health You’ll be tailored the end, you’ll have a customized complications. Visitsplan may recommendati all health. Your healthcare recommendations. In the end, should be a complete picture encouraged to voice any questions or conthat encourages healthier behaviors and include things like mammoof your health and lifestyle change over tim provider will talk about better you’ll have a customized plan cerns. Your doctor will offer personalized grams,of mental with action items based on propriate thera lifestyle practices during your that encourages healthier improves your quality life. health
OVERALL WELL-BEING
u stay llow you PREVENTION AND ng EARLY if you’veDETECTION he data health goals. Well visits help doctors spot concerning health trends and diagnose unseen r insights By providing real-time feedback, problems. Boththese are keyapps to averting make helphealth you make better food issues down the road. During these sesur sions, health. choices and perform stick to your nutritional healthcare professionals plan. Many allow you to scan barcodes tests that offer a detailed overview of your current status. The consultation typically EALor search databases for accurate food involves reviewing your medical history, information, making S as well as physical assessments and routine it easier to track et is key to what you’re eating. screenings. By the end of the appointweight wellness. TELEHEALTH SERVICES Gone are the days when you had to apps like oom allow visit a doctor’s office for every health concern. Telehealth services have revok calorie lutionized the way we access cronutrihealthcare, allowing anyone to consult with medical professionals from the grocery comfort of their home. Whether you’re nces and
WHAT TO TALK ABOUT managing a chronic condition or seeking advice for a minor issue, virtual visits can help you stay on top of your health goals without the hassle of scheduling in-person appointments. In addition to video calls, many telehealth platforms offer secure messaging with health care providers, making it easy to ask questions or get prescription refills without delay.
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GOAL-SETTING PLATFORMS
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Help With Your Health Goals Winter Wellness
r you’re ve your here are ess techbjectives.
RS HES
Help With Your Health Goals
Technology has touched every facet of our lives — including wellness.
Recent innovations like cellphone apps, smart watches and fitness trackers have made it easier than ever to establish and reach individual health objectives. Whether your goal is to stay fit, lose weight or enhance your general well-being, there’s breakthrough technology to help you get there. Nowadays, we can even schedule and conduct some doctor visits online.
watches new tools. itor everyburned to Some modstress and
Technology has touched every
NUTRITION AND
programs even generate customized meal MEAL-PLANNING APPS
alking A balanced diet playsto anindifacet of our lives — including wellness. plans and shopping lists catering essential role in any orachieving restrictions. tain Recent num-innovations like cellphone apps, vidual dietary preferences health objective, whether you smart watches and fitness trackers have want to build muscle, lose u stay weight or simply promote made it easier than ever to establish and ANDwellness. Applications llow you reach individual health objectives. Wheth- TRACKERS overall © ADOBE STOCK now help users record their SMARTWATCHES goal is to stay fit, lose weight or ng er if your you’ve meals, record macronutrient TELEHEALTH SERVICES MENTAL HEALTH APPS levels and keep up with caloAmong the newest and most sought-afhe enhance data your general healthwell-being, goals. there’s managing a chronic condition or seekexercises. By incorporating these tools rie consumption. Some of The era of obligatory doctor visits for all Health applications can assist with menbreakthrough technology to help you get ter tools are fitness trackers and smartprograms even generate r insights providing real-time feedback, these ing advice for a rate minor issue, virtual into your routine, you can improve is now behind Telehealth talmany health, addressing with anxiety, there. Nowadays, By we can even schedule customized meal planson andthe hearthealth andissues sleep patterns. mindfulness practices an visits forus. all health issues is telehealth platforms issues watches. These devices are worn shopping lists catering to indiSome measure additional inditherapy sessions. M now behind us. Telehealth provide secure messaging services have transformed healthcare acstress and other challenges. Some fitness make these apps help you make better visits your mental well-being andeven reduce and conduct some doctor visits online. body, where food they keep tabs on a can rangehelp of you stay on top of your vidual dietary preferences or catorscessibility, such as oxygen incorporate goal-setting services have transformed options that allow for enabling patients to connect and wellness platforms provide guided metrics, including calories burned,goals steps saturation. ur health. choices and stick to your nutritional health without hassle of stress. on-the-go questions or pre- and community features restrictions. Youthe can set daily healthcare accessibility, with healthcare professionals from the mindfulness practices and with oth targets like taking 10,000 steps let users engage enabling patients to connect meditation, scription refills. taken, heart rate and sleep patterns. plan. Many allow you to scan barcodes TRACKERS scheduling in-person appointments. NUTRITION AND AND such or burning a specified num- Whether who have similar objecti with healthcare professionals comfort of home. you need guid- even therapy sessions. Many incorporate Some measure additional indicators MENTAL HEALTH APPS berto ofance calories, maintain You can log workouts wh from the comfort home. SMARTWATCHES MEAL-PLANNING EALGOAL-SETTING PLATFORMS or searchAPPS databases for as accurate foodAmong Inset addition video many teleon then acalls, minor issue or are dealingofwith goal-setting tools and community features oxygen saturation. You daily the can newest and most your own accountability with Health applications can interacting with others, f Whether you need guidance a chronic condition, online consultations that let users engage with others who sought-after tools assist with mental Manysecure trackers a sense of have camarader on a minor issue or areMany dealplays an essential role it easier targets like 10,000health stepsareorfitness burningtechnology. information, making to taking track platforms offer fitness andhealth, wellnessingapps S A balanced diet trackers and smartwatches. offer reminders to move after addressing issues with anxiand friendly competition ing with a chronic condition, can help without the inconvenience of similar objectives. You can log workouts in achieving any health objective, whether a specified number of calories, then mainet is key to what you’re eating. messaging health caretown. providers, built-in communities These devices are worn on the with prolonged inactivity. ety, stress and other Take partand in challenges, online consultations can helpwith traveling across In addition tocome virtuwhile interacting with others, fostering a you want to build muscle, lose weight or tain your own accountability withtabs on body, where they keep challenges. Some fitness and vate new friends and trac without the inconvenience of weight making it easy to ask questions or get goal-setting features that allow users al consultations, many telehealth platforms sense of camaraderie and friendly coma range of metrics, your progress in to the spir simply promote overall wellness. Applicatechnology. Many trackers offerincluding remindersTELEHEALTH SERVICES traveling across town. In addi- wellness platforms provide calories burned, steps taken, guided meditation, inspiration and accounta Theprovide era of obligatory tion tooptions virtual consultations, securedoctor messaging that Take partwho in challenges, motivate wellness. TELEHEALTH SERVICES prescription refills without delay. connectpetition. with others share similar tions now help users record their meals, to move after prolonged inactivity. allow for on-the-go questions or prescrip- new friends and track your progress in the record macronutrient levels keep up when you had to apps like Gone areand the days objectives. for tion refills. spiritPlatforms of inspirationlike and Strava, accountability. with calorie consumption. Some of these oom allow visit a doctor’s office for every health example, let users track their workouts MENTAL HEALTH APPS k calorie concern. Telehealth services have revowhile interacting with others, creating Numerous apps can help manage cronutrilutionized the way we access stress, anxiety and other mental health a sense of community and competition. healthcare, allowing anyone to consult concerns. Apps like Calm, Headspace You can join challenges, share progress grocery with medical professionals from the and Talkspace offer guided meditation, and encourage others, fostering motinces and comfort of their home. Whether you’re therapy sessions and mindfulness vation and accountability.
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Dermatology & Cosmetic Care Clinic Wendy Bongers, M.D.
At One Bread One Body MD, we do more than treat skin – we care for the whole person. Our practice blends expert medical dermatology, advanced cosmetic treatments, and holistic wellness coaching to restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit. Led by Wendy Bongers, M.D. our clinic is rooted in the belief that healing happens best when joy, restoration, and compassion are part of the journey. Whether you’re coming in for a skin check, aesthetic care, or a moment of peace in our dedicated wellness room, you’ll find a space that uplifts, encourages, and treats you like family.
Offering: Aesthetic and cosmetic services designed to help you look and feel your best - Botox - Go & Glow Peel - Benign Lesion Removal - Skin Tags - Wisdom Spots - Cherry Spots - Small Blood Vessel - Calluses - Other skin concerns
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Schedule your skin check today YOUR GUIDE FOR PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO.
You Vitamin Deficient? Winter Wellness
Are You Vitamin Deficient?
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We are People Caring for People
hronic condition or seekexercises. By incorporating these tools that plays a crucialinto role in your the bones. Foods richyou in calcium when exposedissue, to sun- virtual 80% of those older than 71 do rkin a minor routine, can improve include fish with bones, dairy not consume adequate magnegrowth and preservation of ght. In the United States, products and dark green andsium 42%stay of the population levels. Low magnesium pound you on top ofbones. your your mental well-being reduce Additionally, it functions as vegetables. ay experience a deficiency, intake is linked to type 2 diawithout the hassle ofsignaling molecule, stress. a ensuring noted by Healthline. Lackbetes, metabolic syndrome, the heart, muscles and nerves g sufficient vitamin D can heart disorders and osteopoMAGNESIUM n-person appointments. operate properly. Fewer than ad to muscle weakness, Magnesium is an essential rosis. Severe magnesium 15% of teenage girls, under one deterioration and a many mineral necessary for maindeficiency symptoms can GOAL-SETTING PLATFORMS to video calls, tele10% of women aged over 50, eater risk of fractures. Key taining healthy bones and include irregular heart and less than 22% of teenage ources of vitaminsecure D include teeth. It participates in over rhythms, rms offer Many fitness and wellness appsmuscle cramps, restod liver oil, fatty fish and egg boys and men older than 50 300 enzymatic reactions less leg syndrome, fatigue and ith comecal-with built-in and achieve the recommended olks. health care providers, within the body. communities migraines. Whole grains, nuts, cium intake levels. A Healthline reports that dark chocolate and dark green y to ask questions deficiency or get in calcium goal-setting that allow users to may CALCIUM nearly features 70% of Americans vegetables are excellent Calcium iswithout a vital mineral lead to softer, moreconnect brittle younger 71 and who about share sourcessimilar of magnesium. refills delay. with than others objectives. Platforms like Strava, for example, let users track their workouts AL HEALTH APPS fractures. Keywith sources of vitamin D inA well-balanced diet is crucial for while interacting others, creating apps can help manage clude cod liver oil, fatty fish and egg obtaining most of the nutrients necessary of community and competition. y and other mental health a sense yolks. for good health. You can join challenges, share progress ps like Calm, Headspace Many people, however, suffer from deficiencies in vitamins and minerals largely others, fostering motie offer guided meditation, and encourage CALCIUM due to a Western diet rich in processed vation and accountability. ons and mindfulness Calcium is a vital mineral that plays a foods. Below are some frequently encountered nutrient deficiencies.
IRON
Iron is vital for red blood cells, as it aids in oxygen transport. There are two forms of dietary iron: heme iron, predominantly found in red meat, and non-heme iron, which is available in both plant-based foods and meat. According to Healthline, iron deficiencies are widespread, affecting over 25% of individuals. Anemia, characterized by a reduced number of red blood cells, is the most prevalent result of insufficient iron levels. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, compromised immunity, and cognitive impairments. Foods rich in iron encompass red meat, organ meats, shellfish, canned sardines, beans, seeds and dark leafy greens.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D acts similarly to a steroid hormone, circulating in the bloodstream and instructing cells on regulating gene expression. It is synthesized from cholesterol in the skin when exposed to sunlight. In the United States, around 42% of the population may experience a deficiency, as noted by Healthline. Lacking sufficient vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness, bone deterioration and a greater risk of
crucial role in the growth and preservation of bones. Additionally, it functions as a signaling molecule, ensuring the heart, muscles and nerves operate properly. Fewer than 15% of teenage girls, under 10% of women aged over 50, and less than 22% of teenage boys and men older than 50 achieve the recommended calcium intake levels. A deficiency in calcium may lead to softer, more brittle bones. Foods rich in calcium include fish with bones, dairy products and dark green vegetables.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is an essential mineral necessary for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It participates in over 300 enzymatic reactions within the body. Healthline reports that nearly 70% of Americans younger than 71 and about 80% of those older than 71 do not consume adequate magnesium levels. Low magnesium intake is linked to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disorders and osteoporosis. Severe magnesium deficiency symptoms can include irregular heart rhythms, muscle cramps, restless leg syndrome, fatigue and migraines. Whole grains, nuts, dark chocolate and dark green vegetables are excellent sources of magnesium.
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At River’s Edge Hospital, you’re treated with compassion and respect—never just as a patient. From routine care to surgery and rehabilitation, your well-being is our top priority, with personalized attention that exceeds expectations. Services at River’s Edge Hospital Urgent Care Emergency Department Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Cardiac Rehab Lab Services Direct Access Lab Outpatient Infectious Disease Clinic Imaging Services Mammograms Live Well Fitness Center Outpatient Infusion Therapy Surgery Inpatient Hospital
1900 North Sunrise Drive | 507-931-2200 www.REHC.org River’s Edge Hospital is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
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MARY CLOSNER
Rants & RAVES
Mary Closner lives in Northfield, making bad decisions so you don’t have to. Reach her at 1964minx@gmail.com.
Advice for 2026? Go in like a man!
W
hy are women so bad at taking compliments? I don’t want to name names (Connie R.), but when someone compliments her cooking, she always responds with what she did wrong or what could have been improved on the recipe. “Well, it’s a little dry, and I should have used almond flour instead of white flour” or “I should have left it in the refridge overnight and added more garlic.” Never once does she answer like a man. “Hell yes, this is the best damn chili you’ve ever had, isn’t it?! I make it every year. I could win contests with my skills!” So, maybe 2026 is the year to go in like a man! When people ask, “How are you?” I’m gonna go with my favorite response, “Perfec-
tion, thank you!” I’m going to use my ego just like a guy. I see this approach working in a number of settings. Especially when hunting for a job. If I go on an interview and the head honcho asks me where I see myself in five years, I’m gonna say, “I think we both know I would be the best thing that ever happened to this firm. Obviously, I see myself taking over your position. I don’t think that’ll take five years … I could probably crush this baby in about two years tops.” I’ll apply this to dating as well. I remember being in Hawaii years ago and saw an elderly bald man in a Speedo who had clearly embraced the tanning game for the last 40 or 50 years. He looked a bit like a rotisserie chicken, yet he hit on every 20-year-old woman on the beach. No shame, no hesitation. Nothing but pride as he strutted around trying all his best pick-up lines. You gotta admire that RIZZ (as the kids say)! In 2026, I’ll start flirting with guys with many six-packs. When a buff, gym rat type says
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“Hello,” I’ll just go with, “Yeah, you want a piece of this! I’ve aged like a fine wine and not everybody has the palate to appreciate this. You’re a lucky man to get a chance with me!” If I’m out in public and a guy stops and asks me what time it is, I’ll just say, “No need to be shy. We both know you want my phone number. Of course I’ll let you buy me an expensive dinner! Pick me up at 7 p.m. and wear decent cologne.” This male attitude thing could really liven up the new year. When my mechanic tells me, “Those new back brakes, the tire rotation, and the oil change total will be $1,280.” I’ll respond with, “No way I’m paying that. I’ll give you $750 and I want it completely detailed by the time I pick it up. We’re done here.” When my take-out sandwich order is missing the Ranch dressing, I’ll call the place and say, “Get over here with that sauce in the next 10 minutes or someone is gonna have a very bad day!” Wrong toppings on my pizza, my next three orders better be free.
Think of the freedom this ego/male attitude could bring! You’d never have to worry about the merge lane again. You just keep driving around the miles of folks stuck waiting for their turn and jump right in front of everyone at the last minute. No guilt, you’re you. You deserve to have the quickest drive home. Long line at the grocery store, you’re not waiting. Just go up to the Express Checkout and tell the bored high-school kid you only have 45 items more than they normally allow in that line, but you’re a busy guy. I wonder what I’m going to do with all this extra time in the new year? Now that I’m acting like a guy, clearly, I won’t have to do any grooming any more. I’ll just wear my clothes from college and get a haircut once a year. Between that time saver and passing everyone in my giant V-8 truck on icy roads at super unsafe speeds, I’ve opened up whole new possibilities. Call me. I’ve got lots of time!
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119 W Bridge St,| 507-214-3131 Owatonna | 507-214-3131 119 W Bridge St, Owatonna | www.mizukifusion.com YOUR GUIDE FOR PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO.
LISA EIDE
SoMINN STYLE
Lisa Eide is the owner of Her Happy Place in St. Peter, a style curator and lover of all things beautiful.
2025 in Review: Dressing
T
Through Transition
hroughout 2025, one of the most noticeable shifts in women’s fashion had less to do with trends and more to do with timing. Women weren’t waiting for life to settle before getting dressed. They were dressing while things were still changing. Much of this year’s national conversation centered on health — physical, mental, and emotional. For many women, that focus resulted in visible change. For others, it created a mindset shift. Either way, wardrobes were affected. Clothes that once fit comfortably no longer felt right. Favorites needed adjustment. Shopping became less about reinvention and more about support — finding pieces that worked with a body and life in motion. “What I’ve seen this year is women refusing
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to put their lives on pause while they’re in transition. They’re dressing for who they are today — healthy, evolving, and still showing up for themselves, even in the most ordinary moments.” That perspective echoed what fashion publications reported nationwide: a rise in transitional dressing. Softer structure. Flexible silhouettes. Clothing designed to move through more than one phase without losing its sense of style. At the same time, another shift became clear. Women weren’t dressing only for events anymore. They were dressing for themselves. Running errands became an occasion. Workdays mattered again. Everyday outfits were intentional—not flashy, but thoughtful. Alongside this came a quieter but telling change—one that isn’t getting much attention in the broader fashion conversation. Over and over again, women expressed fatigue with the rapid, relentless pace of trends pushed through
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social media. The constant cycle of “musthaves,” micro-trends, and algorithm-driven advice began to feel disconnected from real life. There was a growing appreciation for style advice grounded in real conversations and lived experience, rather than the fast-moving trends of social media. Rather than scrolling for answers, women started seeking something unhurried and more personal. They wanted conversation. Context. Someone to help them think through what works for their life. Many asked for in-person style guidance, then returned again—not to chase trends, but to restyle as their days, roles, and needs evolved. This marked a shift away from one-time fixes toward ongoing refinement. Style became less about keeping up and more about checking in. Less about being told what to wear and more about understanding why something works. From a fashion perspective, this required a
new approach. Instead of building wardrobes around fast cycles, the focus moved toward longevity and relevance. Outfits needed to adapt without asking women to sacrifice identity or confidence along the way. What stood out most in 2025 wasn’t a single look, but a consistent choice: women stayed visible. They didn’t wait until transformation was complete. They didn’t shrink their presence. They continued to get dressed, step out, and participate in their lives as they were unfolding. As the year comes to a close, the lesson feels clear. Fashion works best when it meets women where they are—not when it pressures them to become someone else first. The most meaningful style choices of 2025 weren’t about transformation. They were about continuity. Showing up. Staying connected to yourself. And getting dressed for the moment you’re in.
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What 2 WATCH
KYLE HOFFMAN Kyle Hoffman is a writer, communications and marketing professional, and lifelong movie lover from Mankato. Follow him on Letterboxd: kylejhoffman.
‘Jay Kelly’ is one of Noah Baumbach’s best
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he final novel I read in 2025 was “Like Mother, Like Mother” by Susan Rieger. It’s an intergenerational family saga that centers around Lila Pereira, the career-focused editor of The Washington Globe, and the three neglected daughters who live in her shadow. Rieger writes, “Lila’s style of mothering when the girls were young was nonchalant and intermittent, nothing like her spiky and seductive Globe personality.” I was struck by this sentence on page nine of my muchunderlined paperback copy. It’s the novel’s thesis statement, and it’s a theme that, coincidentally, recurs in one of the final films I watched in 2025 – “Jay Kelly” (streaming on Netflix). Writer/director Noah Baumbach is the
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bard of family dysfunction and generational trauma. “The Squid and the Whale,” “The Meyerowitz Stories,” “Margot At The Wedding,” “Marriage Story” — time and again, Baumbach exposes us to the rigors of divorce, the messiness of sibling rivalry, and the fallout from mid-life crisis. He revisits the well to great effect with his latest film. An aging movie star, Jay Kelly – much like the actor who portrays him, George Clooney – oozes swaggering charisma and often “plays himself.” He’s rich, he’s famous, he’s handsome, he’s beloved by the masses — and he’s alone. Sure, he’s always surrounded by his entourage led by longtime manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), and publicist, Liz (Laura Dern). But, as the film points out several times, true friends don’t take 15 percent of your income. Jay’s estranged older daughter, Jessica (Riley Keough), believes he’s an “empty vessel.” His younger daughter, Daisy (Grace Edwards), is embarking on trip through Europe before leaving for college. His movie career is in the “Lifetime Achievement Award” phase. And his mentor, an acclaimed film director, has just passed away. Cue the mid-life crisis! In an effort to connect with Daisy, Jay crashes her European getaway (with his staff in tow), while making his way to Italy to accept a film festival’s prestigious tribute award. The journey becomes a reckoning with his past, present, and future. During an emotional phone call with Jessica, Jay reflecting on his life and career — says, “It’s got to have meant something.” Jessica’s response: “What if it didn’t?” The film beautifully grapples with this push and pull. It’s not coincidental that a film preoccupied with legacy and the shadow cast by famous relatives is so densely populated with “nepo babies.” George Clooney is the nephew of Rosemary Clooney. Laura Dern is the daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. Riley Keough is the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, and the former step-daughter of Michael Jackson. Adam Sandler’s on-screen daughter is also his off-screen daughter, Sadie Sandler. And even Bono’s daughter, Eve Hewson, appears in a short but pivotal flashback scene. Every creative choice Baumbach makes is intentional and exacting. He’s a master screenwriter who has established himself as the preeminent director of “they don’t make ‘em like they used to” adult dramas. “Jay Kelly,” in particular, shares much DNA with talky, character-driven 90s classics like “Jerry Maguire.” Historically, adult dramedies have been vessels for sublime acting performances, and “Jay Kelly” is no exception. Everybody, across the board, is exceptional. Clooney may be “playing himself” yet again, but he does it
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with brilliant shades of melancholy. And the supporting players, from Dern to Greta Gerwig (the acclaimed writer/director/actress and Baumbach’s real-life wife), are snappy and sympathetic. But it’s Sandler who shines brightest. The iconic comedic actor has tackled impressive dramatic parts before (see: “Uncut Gems”), but he’s rarely this sensitive and beleaguered and complex. He deserves to honored with an overdue Oscar nomination. It remains to be seen whether “Jay Kelly” will be an awards contender, but it’s smartly scripted, gorgeously shot, and thematically
deep. It was one of the finest films of 2025 and stands among Baumbach’s best works. Ultimately, Jay is just like Lila in “Like Mother, Like Mother.” His style of parenting was also “nonchalant and intermittent,” nothing like his charming and lovable screen personality. He wanted to succeed. But what about the kids? He sought to build something meaningful. But at what cost? For many of us, this balancing of career and family is the central plot tension in the movie of life itself. And at the end, some of us — like Jay — may be asking, “Can we go again?”
MORE TO WATCH After you watch “Jay Kelly,” check out: “Ordinary People” – Streaming on MGM+, available to rent “Marriage Story” – Streaming on Netflix “Jerry Maguire” – Streaming on PlutoTV and Philo “Kramer vs. Kramer” – Streaming on The Roku Channel, available to rent
Write, paint, crochet, sing, and sew with us this winter. Register at artscentersp.org/classes.
ADVANCED WRITING WORKSHOP WITH NICOLE HELGET: RURAL VOICES AND LANDSCAPES For experienced writers seeking to deepen their craft through the lens of rural life and landscapes. Mondays 6-8 p.m., starts Jan. 12, 8 class meetings. $280. THE ARTIST'S WAY WITH LAURA SONNEK For writers, performers, and visual artists seeking to build creative muscle. Mondays 6-7 p.m., starts Jan. 26, 12 class meetings. $60. USING CREATIVE MAPS TO REVISE WORK WITH HEIDI NEWBAUER Create three maps and one new piece of writing, and learn new resources and exercises to keep the writing fire lit. Tuesdays 2-4 p.m., starts Feb. 3; Tuesdays 6-8 p.m., starts March 17, 4 class meetings. $80. WATERCOLOR PAINTING WITH MICHAEL CALLAHAN Discover the joy and versatility of watercolor painting. Tuesdays 6-8 p.m., starts Feb. 17, 8 class meetings. $160. PAGEANT & SINGALONG NATION REHEARSALS FOR PUNKS, POETS & PROTEST No auditions, just show up for this community music event. Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. For dates and details, join the public Facebook group Pageant & Singalong Nation. Free. INTRODUCTION TO CROCHET & AMIGURUMI WITH LINDSAY SWEENEY Learn the basics of crochet and of amigurumi, the art of crocheting toys and 3D stuffed objects. Mondays 6-8 p.m., starts February 2, 5 class meetings. $95. BASIC MACHINE SEWING WITH WHITNEY DIRKS Own a sewing machine but afraid to use it? Haven't touched one since high school? This 6-session course will familiarize you with all the machine basics. Wednesdays 5-7 p.m., starts March 11, 6 class meetings. $120. SPRAY GLAZE TECHNIQUES FOR POTTERS WITH AJ ABURTO Learn basic techniques and best practices for creating stunning effects with sprayed-on glaze. Sundays 2-4 p.m., starts April 4, 2 class meetings. $60. These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cutural Heritage Fund.
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Through a SOMINN LENS
AUDREY KLETSCHER HELBLING Audrey Kletscher Helbling of Faribault captures people, places and events via her detail-rich writing and photography. Find more of her work at mnprairieroots.com. She also writes award-winning poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction.
Tying a ribbon on a dancer’s costume at Montgomery’s Czech May Day.
Ron passes the time doing puzzles in his eclectic shop across the street from the hardware store he once owned in Waterville. Margot, 4, shows off a butterfly she made at Faribault Farmers’ Market Family Day while also helping at the Girl Scouts booth.
Reflecting on my favorite people photos of 2025
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s a photographer, I shoot thousands of photos throughout the year while out and about in southern Minnesota. From community events to celebrations, from markets to Main Streets, I find endless scenes to document. That includes people. My photos capture moments in time. And if I get it just right, my images also snapshot human interaction, connections or individualtiy, something that reveals a feeling, an emotion. Perhaps it’s joy, admiration, love, pride, anticipation. Sometimes, though, my people photos are simply slices
of everyday life. A walk in a park. Waiting in a barbershop. Picking a pumpkin from a roadside stand. Nothing extraordinary. Yet, still worth documenting with my camera because this is life in southern Minnesota. Sometimes my people photos are posed, but most often not. Sometimes I show faces, sometimes not. Sometimes less truly is more. Here I present some of my favorite people photos taken in southern Minnesota in 2025. See the slant of humanity in each. See how each image tells a story. See how the subjects of each photo represent life in our region. The everyday, the celebratory, the ordinary. These photos define us as individuals and as community. They are us.
MIDDLE LEFT: Royalty relax and enjoy the entertainment at Montgomery’s Czech May Day. LOWER LEFT: Admiring a car during a Faribault Car Cruise Night.
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A member of the Faribault Color Guard participates in the Memorial Day program.
A somber moment during the 9/11 anniversary ceremony at the Faribault fire station.
A horse-drawn wagon ferries people to the Cannon City Cemetery for a Memorial Day program.
Watching the Faribault Memorial Day program with American pride.
My husband, Randy, has a little fun with antlers found at The Barn Sale in Cannon City.
Vendor Amelia has some fun promoting vegetables at the Faribault Farmers’ Market Family Day.
LEFT: Admiration shows in this photo taken at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines tractor parade, rural Dundas. MIDDLE: Not quite tall enough, but still in the thick of it, a boy gets right in there with dancers at Oktoberfest in Dundas. RIGHT: Teaching and learning to play marbles at the Valley Grove Country Social, rural Nerstrand.
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A young girl waits in the Baby’s Indian Frybread tent at the Riverside Rendezvous & History Festival, Faribault. Attendees cover their ears as an aged cannon fires at the Riverside Rendezvous & History Festival in Faribault.
A customer considers choices at Hanisch Bakery in Red Wing.
Heading toward Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in autumn.
Waiting in a barbershop in Red Wing. I snapped this photo from the passenger side Working together to shell corn at the Rice County Steam & Gas Engines Show, rural of the van while passing by. Dundas.
LEFT: Choosing a pumpkin at a roadside stand in Stanton. Faribault Car Cruise Night, just as a band starts playing.
MIDDLE: At a fall craft sale in Lonsdale, a man waits...with a pumpkin.
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RIGHT: Happy to see one another at a
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SEE MORE @ SouthernMinnSCENE.com Calendar events compiled by Philip Weyhe.
Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. A bash with live music from the Zillionaires. Grab that sweet item that you love from the back of your closet but “never have a place to wear it” and use the night as an excuse to put it on and show it off.
THURSDAY, DEC 25 Gary West Kilkenny-- 12 p.m., Toy Box Saloon, 216 Kilkenny Rd., Kilkenny. Gary has rocked the Grand Ole Opry with legends like Little Jimmy Dickens and Del Reeves and now brings his high energy outlaw country around Southern Minnesota.
FRIDAY, DEC 26 Joe Tutewohl Owatonna-- 6-8 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Joe Tutewohl has a love for folk, alternative/indie rock and lo fi pop. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Elliott Smith, Radiohead, Bright Eyes, Jeff Buckley, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens and so many more! Joe likes to play an eclectic mix of originals and covers! Matt McAllister - Kasota-- 6-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A skilled guitar player and singer.
SATURDAY, DEC 27 Jared Graff - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. Country covers and originals from a talented local musician. Steve & Steve Co. Kilkenny-- 2-5 p.m., Vintage Escapes Winery & Vineyard, 8950 Dodd Rd., Kilkenny. Fun, crowd-favorite energy and all the classic rock hits you love. Generation Gap Janesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Enjoy all the classics from this young and old duo.
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Songwriters in the Round Holiday Show Northfield-- 7 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., Northfield. Featuring some of the area’s most talented artists — established voices, rising young performers, and the storytellers who shape the sound of the Northfield community. Iris Harmelink, Wendy Smith, Anna Graves, Ray Coudret, Sam Nelson, Sam Ryden, Eric Radtke, Ari & Mark Ross.
SUNDAY, DEC 28 Jack Backbone & TJ Brown - St. Peter-4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Americana, blues and country duo.
WEDNESDAY, DEC 31
Noon Year’s Eve - Owatonna-- 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Owatonna Public Library, 105 N. Elm St, Owatonna. Kids and their families are invited to ring in 2026 a little early. Enjoy New Year’s activities and a balloon drop right at noon. Noon Year’s Eve Family Dance Party - Faribault-- 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. Countdown to noon at the Noon Year’s Eve dance party for toddlers and preschoolers and their adult caregivers. Older siblings and friends welcome. NYE at Flaherty’s - Northfield-11:30 a.m., Flaherty’s Northfield Lanes, 1700 Highway 3 S. Rock and bowl with lively music, cosmic lights, and excellent food and beverages. Tickets online. NYE ‘Nowhere to Wear It’ Bash - Northfield-4-10 p.m., Imminent
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New Year’s Eve Dinner Blooming Prairie-- 6 p.m., Some Soulfire music, prime rib, shrimp and chicken kiev (as well as our regular menu). Champagne toasts at 9 p.m. and midnight. Garret Steinberg on NYE - Kasota-6-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Acoustic favorites, a few festive holiday tunes and the perfect vibes to toast to the new year. New Year’s Eve Bingo Le Sueur County-- 6:30 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Ring in the New Year with laughs, good luck, and great wine at this New Year’s Eve Bingo night. Masquerade Ball Wanamingo-- 7 p.m., JB’s Tavern, 112 Main St., Wanamingo. Filled with music, dancing, and midnight magic. Dress up, show up, and step into the New Year in true style. Music from DJ Stevie B. 21+ event.
NYE with AZBY - Waseca-- 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca. Jump, jam, and jive to your favorite songs, as you ring in the new year. Russ Franek and The Biscuits on NYE Dundas-- 9 p.m.1 a.m., Dawn’s Corner Bar, Dundas. Kick butt cover band that’s got something for everyone.
FRIDAY, JAN 02 Clark Matchemes Henderson-- 7 p.m., River Bottom Tavern & Brewhouse, 510 Main St., Henderson. Offering a unique combination of folk, blues, roots rock and Americana styles, Clark’s band Traveled Ground’s music crosses the spectrum of the roots music scene. Hailing out of Waconia, Minnesota, this group has been keeping a busy schedule playing local, regional and national stages for over 30 years.
SATURDAY, JAN 03 Winter Farmers Market - Waseca-- 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca. Browse a variety of locally grown and handmade goods, from fresh produce and baked treats to artisan crafts and unique gifts. Support local growers, makers, and businesses all season long. Razz Acoustic - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. Born and raised in northern Minnesota, Razz is a singer/ songwriter/rock and roll acoustic troubadour. Other than his time in the United States Army, overseas fighting the Cold War, he has lived his entire life in Minnesota. And it shows in his fun and relatable original material. Raised in a land without FM radio, he relied on his older brother’s record collection to develop an eclectic taste in music and plays a wide range of artists that you might expect, and maybe a few you didn’t.. Trent Shaw Kasota-- 2-5 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A professional musician who has toured around Minnesota for over 20 years. He attended Normandale and Augsburg college with a degree in Music Education. He’s taught guitar, piano, bass and drums with Chaska Music Studios since 1997.
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CONTINUED from page 23 Steve Huber Dundas-- 7-10 p.m., L&M Bar & Grill & Patio, 224 Railway St. N, Dundas. A specialist on the guitar.
Bourbon Street Duo Kasota-- 7-10 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A talented husband-and-wife acoustic duo known for their wide musical variety and smooth, engaging performance style. With experience across pubs, patios, wineries, receptions, and private events, they bring a relaxed yet polished sound perfect for an evening out.
The Slack - Waterville-- 7-10 p.m., Rock & roll band based out of St. Paul covering top 40 songs from the last five decades that ignite the dance floor.
TUESDAY, JAN 06 Beginner Line Dancing - Le Sueur County-- 6 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. An evening designed especially for beginners with instructor Jane Breeggemann. Whether you’ve never line danced before or just want a relaxed refresher, this is the perfect place to start. Jane says, “Line dancing brings joy to my entire body, mind, and soul. Over the past 10 years, I have found immense happiness in sharing my passion and teaching line dancing to beginners of all ages.” Tickets online. Bruce Bernhart - Owatonna-- 6:307:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Bruce Bernhart has played in several bluegrass bands at the Steele County Fair over the past 35+ years, plus various other county fairs across south central Minnesota. Prior to the mandolin, Bruce had been strumming the banjo and bass. Since then, Bruce has mastered the lost art of flatpicking old time fiddle tunes on the guitar with no amplifier and no microphone.
WEDNESDAY, JAN 07
SUNDAY, JAN 04
Ice Sculpture - Waseca-- 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Waseca County Courthouse, 307 N. State St. Marvel at the frosty artistry of the Sakatah carvers. Their stunning ice sculpture will be on display on the courthouse lawn in front of the veterans memorial January and February, a shimmering centerpiece of this year’s Waseca Sleigh & Cutter Festival. Pete Matejcek & Dave Begalka - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Smart pickin’, smart talkin’, and easy listenin’.
Maria Jette with Dan Chouinard - Northfield-7 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street West. A music series hosted by Chounard with new special guests each month. Maria Jette has appeared with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. She’ll sing her musical theater favorites. Tickets online.
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known classic rock and pop performed with strong vocals, skilled guitar work, and a polished solo sound. Steve brings decades of experience to the stage and is known for engaging performances across Southern Minnesota venues. Joyann Parker - Henderson-7 p.m., River Bottom Tavern & Brewhouse, 510 Main St., Henderson. An electrifying and versatile musician whose soulful voice, captivating performances, and impeccable songwriting have taken the music scene by storm. Born and raised in a small Wisconsin town, Joyann’s deep-rooted passion for music began at a young age, drawing inspiration from the blues, gospel, jazz, and rock genres. Little Fish Improv Faribault-7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. A local group of actors and comedians looking to bring improv comedy to Southern Minnesota. Family friendly for all ages. Tickets online.
SATURDAY, JAN 10
Rice County Volunteer Fair - Faribault-- 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Buckham West, 19 W. Division St., Faribault. Connect with 15+ local organizations looking for volunteers. Find a volunteer position which fits your schedule, skills, and wants. All are welcome at this event. Find out how you can get involved in your community in ways that work for you.
FRIDAY, JAN 09 Homegrown Art - Faribault-- 5 p.m., Rice County Historical Society, 1814 NW 2nd Ave., Faribault. Explore local art and artists from the collection of the Historical Society at the Paradise this winter. From a fantastical creature made of tin to bright, creative pottery, and beautiful paintings, this galley highlights items normally tucked away in storage and spotlights the talents of the Rice County community. Rock of Ages - St. Peter-- 6-9 p.m., Flame Bar and Grill, 225 Nassau St., St. Peter. Very experienced band. Rock and blues oriented. Steve Boyken Kasota-- 7-10 p.m., Prairie Saloon & Grill, 140 N. Webster St., Kasota. Delivering an evening of well-
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Winter Adult Book Fair - Le Sueur County-1-4 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Step back into the nostalgia of school book fairs — only this time with wine in hand. Stroll through curated tables of new and used books, discover local authors, snag cozy reading accessories, and treat yourself to exclusive book-fair-only deals. Emma Josephine Kasota-- 2-5 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. A voice that echoes generations of singer/songwriters with resonant stories and an acoustic guitar. Her lyrics are brought to life with the melodies of an old soul and the nostalgia of growing up. Saint Suburbia Owatonna-- 6-9 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. An indie rock band based in Minneapolis/ St. Paul. They bring energy to their version of Americana rock that’s inspired by The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo, The Gear Daddies, and The Gin Blossoms. Come to one of their shows to hear some of your favorite covers along with songs from their first release, The Road to Nowthen. Tremendous Vaudeville - St. Peter-- 7 p.m., Tremendous Brewing Co., 228 W. Mulberry St., St. Peter.
A night of wonders, winks, and wild talent. Live music, dancing, acrobatics, magic, comedy. A night full of entertainment awaits. Admission for this amazing event is free; come early for the best seats. Mark Joseph - St. Peter-- 8-11 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. American Soul is a fitting brand for Mark Joseph; since his 2017 album by that name, he has charted a relentless and soulful course through America, and Americana, from blues to country to psychedelic rock and everything in between. Legacy of the Loud - Owatonna-- 8:30 p.m., Reggie’s Brewhouse, 220 N. Cedar Ave., Owatonna. Playing all your favorite rock hits medley style.
SUNDAY, JAN 11 Bill Litzau - Le Sueur County-- 2-5 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. Outlaw country music.
Mike Poot - Dundas-- 3-6 p.m., Dawn’s Corner Bar, Dundas. Live acoustic tunes. Jorge Banuelos Northfield-5-7 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. Repertoire draws from the sonic traditions of jazz, r&b, hip-hop, soul, funk, and latin music.
TUESDAY, JAN 13 David Brooks Author Talk St. Peter-1 p.m., St. Peter Library. Prominent cultural writer and bestselling author David Brooks on his book, “How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply,” in which he helps us pose essential questions: If you want to know a person, what kind of attention should you cast on them? What kind of conversations should you have? This is a virtual talk. Register online.
THURSDAY, JAN 15 David Huckfelt - Owatonna-- 7-10 p.m., Mineral
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Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. A singer, lyricist, activist and founding frontman of Minneapolis indie-folk cult favorite The Pines. Huckfelt’s grassroots following has grown from small-town opera houses, Midwestern barn concerts to national tours and festival stages such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Edmonton and Calgary Folk Fests, and the legendary First Avenue Mainroom. Dougie Padilla Unending Poetry - Northfield-7-8:30 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northfield. A reading from “40 Feet Down” and other works. After an absence from writing of 40-plus years, Padilla returned to writing poetry when he moved his art studio to the Mississippi River valley and its natural beauty and winter isolation. Then, in just 10 years, he created and published 3 full length books of poetry, four chapbooks, and one art catalog. Additionally, over the last three years, he has done 30 plus poetry readings in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
FRIDAY, JAN 16
Triksy Duo Kasota-- 7-11 p.m., Prairie Saloon & Grill, 140 N. Webster St., Kasota. A wellknown acoustic pair recognized for their stripped-down covers, smooth harmonies, and engaging live performances. Their set features a mix of popular hits, classic favorites, and acoustic renditions that create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
IV Play - Nicollet-- 8:30 p.m., Nicollet American Legion, 715 3rd St. IV Play introduced themselves in 1999. This popular regional band will have you on the dance floor in no time, playing anythin from Motley Crue to Lady Gaga. Based out of Mankato.
SATURDAY, JAN 17
Puzzle Competition - Janesville-- 1-3:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. A 500-piece puzzle to complete and keep. Four drink tickets to use during the event. A chance to win bragging rights and other prizes. Teams of up to four. Tickets online. Bob Pexa - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. Just some old fashioned music.
Raise A Toast - Waseca-- 6-8:30 p.m., Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca. Celebrate the season, and the women who make it special. Treat yourself or someone you love to a beautifully curated farm-tofork dinner experience, merriment, and plenty of time to connect. Together, we’ll raise a toast to the inspiring women in our community. Tickets online. Adult Spelling Bee Kasota-6:30-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Prove your spelling prowess. Sign up online.
On The Cover - St. Peter-- 7 p.m., Tremendous Brewing Co., 228 W. Mulberry St., St. Peter. Harrison and Jone are just a couple of buds who love to cover great music together. Upbeat, family friendly, and excited to play. They lit up the taproom the last time they were here, and are certainly bound to entertain again.
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Historic Pottery Workshop - Faribault-- 1 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. Starting with a short presentation on historic pottery, get the chance to make something of your own to take home. Led by Diane Lockerby, an expert pottery instructor for the Paradise, this is a great way to explore local history and local art. Tickets online. Lions 50th Anniversary - Le Center-3-11 p.m., Le Center American Legion. Social time to start from 3-6, with food avilable to purchase, casino games prizes from 6-9 and live music from 8-11. End of night raffle.
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Reverse Craft Sale - Faribault-- 5-6 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. Looking for crafting supplies? Craft vendors on hand to sell and swap their excess crafting supplies. CCL Trio Elko New Market-- 8 p.m.-12 a.m., The Doublewide, 421 Saint Joseph St., Elko New Market. CCL is a rock duo that draws inspiration from the 90s/80s, alternative, and grunge influences with occasional, true, by-golly country tunes to fill the void. Instrumentation touts guitar, vocals, bass guitar, kick drum, harmonica, and tambourine, all between just a two-piece. Chad Molva joins on drums. Category 5 - Waseca-8:30 p.m.12:30 a.m., Boxcar Bar, 202 W. Elm Ave, Waseca. A variety of music favorites. Rough House Owatonna-9 p.m.-1 a.m., Reggie’s Brewhouse, 220 N. Cedar Ave., Owatonna. Classic rock, 80s rock, 90s rock, modern rock, funk, metal, old country,modern country, something for everyone.
antlers? Since the beginning of time, people have told stories to explain our world. Hear stories about Minnesota’s Amazing Animals (wolves, bears, foxes, mice, frogs, and other creatures). Between the stories you’ll also hear what science tells us about these incredible creatures and their amazing powers. Strauss is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
FRIDAY, JAN 23 Clark Matchemes - Kasota-- 6-9 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. From blues to ballads, rock to waltzes, from bluegrass to soul, Machtemes a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and frontman of Traveled Ground brings his Americana music to the stage as a solo show.
Storytelling with Thadra Sheridan - Northfield-- 6-9:30 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., Northfield. a night of stories straight out of your own community. Whether you’re a Moth style storyteller, a slam poet, a musician, or a puppeteer, bring your work to this open mic, where the only requirement is that you tell a story. Or you can just watch and listen. Hoste by essayist Sheridan.
SUNDAY, JAN 18 Trainwreck - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Acoustic piano duo featuring Trent Shaw on guitar and Tim Schommer on piano.
Country Line Dancing - Le Sueur County-- 7 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Turning the Barrel Room into a honky-tonk dance floor for a night of country music, cocktails, and line dancing fun. Learn three-four line dances from choreographer Kerry Maus. Then a free dance hour. Tickets online.
TUESDAY, JAN 20 Julia Hotz Author Talk - St. Peter-- 1 p.m., St. Peter Library. “The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging” combines diligent science reporting, moving patient success stories, and surprising self-discovery to help us discover the lasting and life-changing power of social prescribing. This is a virtual event. Register online.
THURSDAY, JAN 22 Amazing Animal Tales - Faribault-10-10:45 a.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. Ever wonder why bear had a short tail or why deer have
Severio Mancieri St. Peter-7 p.m., Tremendous Brewing Co., 228 W. Mulberry St., St. Peter. A traveling troubadour from Duluth. Currently traveling the country in a minivan. Born three months early and only two pounds at birth, he’s been playing piano since 6 and guitar since 10 — 175 shows a year. He’s released an EP, “Can I,” a music video to accompany it, and a full length album, “A Thousand Feet From The Sun.” Hailed as a guitar virtuoso with a resonant voice, this is an artist you won’t want to miss. Chris Bertrand - Kasota-- 7-10 p.m., Prairie Saloon & Grill, 140 N. Webster St., Kasota. An acoustic singer-songwriter known for his smooth
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depth of talent, blend of musical influences, and the ability to tie it all together.
WEDNESDAY, JAN 28
SATURDAY, JAN 24 Bold & Cold - Owatonna-10 a.m.-9 p.m., Downtown Owatonna. Activities take place Jan. 2125. Sculpture building from Jan. 21-24 at Central Park. Bold & Cold deals around town Jan. 22-25. Pool Bingo Jan. 23. Winter Walk with beverages, bites and Brrr-ingo Jan. 23. Pickleball tournament, curling and adult broomball Jan. 24. Jigsaw puzzle competition Jan. 25. Other weekend activities include family swim, snowshoeing, rock on ice glow skate, luminary hike, ice fishing, snowmobiling. See more at visitowatonna. org/boldandcold. Winter Blues Craft & Vendor Show St. Peter-- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. Fifth St., St. peter. Vendors, baked good, crafters, direct sales. Enjoy some post-holiday shopping. The Fradenburghs - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. They play 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s classics. Can You feel My Heart Beat Norhtfield-2-3 p.m., Northfield Depot, Linden St. S., Northfield. Join Martha Larson and friends for an exploration of rhythmic accompaniment techniques for the cello. Featuring Brian Johnson (guitar), Laurie Melting-Stegner (violin), Mikey Marget (cello), and Dave Schmalenberger (percussion).
Barefoot Winos - Owatonna-- 6-8 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. Their own distinctive brand of blues. There energetic, soulful, live performances has captivated their audiences all over the Midwest. It’s blues with an attitude. What makes the band so unique is their
Everett Smithson Band - Kasota-- 7-11 p.m., The Blue Moon Bar & Grill, 300 S. Webster St., Kasota. Always a local favorite bringing their hot movin’ music from up and down the Mississippi River. Zydeco (swamp rock), blues and funky roots of all kinds. This band has soulful Creole flavor that will bring a party atmosphere to any show they play.
Liz Moore Author Talk - St. Peter-- 6 p.m., St. Peter Library. Discussing her latest work, “The God of the Woods,” an instant New York Times bestseller and one of NPR’s 2024 “Books We Love” highlights. Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers Barbara Van Laar has gone missing. Barbara is the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds.
against the clock — and each other — as you work to complete both sets as quickly and carefully as possible. Tickets online. Dolly’s Book Bash - Faribault-- 6:30 p.m., Faribault American Legion, 112 5th St. NE. An event worthy of a legend. Celebrate her 80th birthday and raise funds to provide free books to local children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Enjoy live music, play Dolly-inspired games, sip on adult beverages, savor tasty bites, and bid on fantastic auction items.
SATURDAY, JAN 31
THURSDAY, JAN 29
Another Time Around - St. Peter-- 7-10 p.m., Shoreland Country Club, 43779 Golf Course Rd., St. Peter. Duo playing classic rock songs.
SUNDAY, JAN 25
KillinTime - Le Sueur-- 1-4 p.m., Caribou Gun Club, 30649 380th St., Le Sueur. Anne and Randy are celebrating their years together with some music and fun. Josiah Hesse Author Talk - Northfield-2-3:30 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northfield. A reading and discussion of his book “On Fire for God: Fear, Shame, Poverty and the Making of a Christian Right.” The book explores the ways evangelical Christianity has preyed upon its followers while galvanizing them into the political force known today as the Christian right.
The Super Bastards - St. Peter-- 4-7 p.m., Patrick’s on Third, 125 S. Third St., St. Peter. Bringing their unique blend of folk, rock, and banter. Come enjoy some fine original music and brews.
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Little Fish Improv - Owatonna-7-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 210 N. Oak Ave., Suite 1, Owatonna. A group of local actors and comedians that bring Improv to life. No two shows are the same; please join us as this troupe brings comedy to life through the art of improv. Ralph Brauer Author Talk - Northfield-7-8:30 p.m., Content Bookstore, 314 Division St. S, Northfield. A reading and discussion of his book “The Age of Discontent: How Workers and Farmers Reinvented American Democracy.” This revisionist view of late-nineteenth-century history credits Main Street, not Wall Street, with laying the foundations of modern America.
FRIDAY, JAN 30 Winterfest Opening Ceremony - St. Peter-- 5 p.m., St. Peter Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 S. Front St. A bonfire, hot chocolate, s’mores, a search for Joe Rolette’s missing paperwork that would have made St. Peter the capital, and a reading of the first Medallion Hunt clue. Free and open to the public. A kid friendly event.
LEGO Competition - Kasota-- 6:30 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Each team of two will receive two 3-in-1 LEGO sets to build throughout the challenge. Race
Winter Farmers Market - Waseca-- 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Browse a variety of locally grown and handmade goods, from fresh produce and baked treats to artisan crafts and unique gifts. Support local growers, makers, and businesses all season long. Mike Fugazzi Harmonica - Le Sueur County-- 1-4 p.m., Union Trail Brewing, 23436 Union Trail, Belle Plaine. Supernatural rock hymns from the void. Harmonica heresy, blues blasphemy. Razz Acoustic - Kasota-7-10 p.m., Prairie Saloon & Grill, 140 N. Webster St., Kasota. A seasoned solo troubadour known for his authentic, nofrills approach to live music. With just his guitar, voice, and a strong acoustic presence — no tracks, no loops, no drum machines — Razz delivers a pure, engaging performance featuring classic favorites and well-known hits. Little Wars Northfield-7:30 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street West. Join Agatha Christie, Gertrude Stein, Dorothy Parker, Alice B. Toklas, and Lillian Hellman for the dinner party of your dreams. Someone has a secret. All of them have confessions. Drama by Steven Carl McCasland. Directed by Susan Dunhaupt. Shows Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 6-7 at 7:30 p.m., plus Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets online.
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SoMinn THE BOOKWORM SEZ
TERRI SCHILCHENMEYER Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer based just across the river from SoMinn in LaCrosse, WI. She can be contacted at bookwormsez@gmail.com
‘Barn Gothic,’ ‘Night People,’ ‘Morbidly Curious’ and more Barn Gothic:
Three Generations and the Death of the Family Dairy Farm by Ryan Dennis c.2025, Island Press $30.00 264 pages It’s hard to ignore a polka-dot hill on a sunny day. Imagine it: a black cow here, a brown one there, a black-and-white one there and there and there against impossibly green grass with a vivid blue sky. If you can see it in your minds’ eye, well, you know. And you also know there’s more to a cow than it’s color, and in “Barn Gothic” by Ryan Dennis, there’s more to a farmer than his cows. He was meant to be a fourth-generation farmer. When he was ten, Ryan Dennis woke up before the sun, to follow his father to the barn, to milk their cows, help with chores, and spend some time with his dad. He understands now that those mornings were as important to his father as they were to him, that his dad really had no interest in many of the things they discussed then, but he learned about them because Dennis was interested in them. Their mornings together were also meant to teach: the hope was that one day, Dennis would take over his grandfather’s farm right next door on a hill in upstate New York. But then one quick event changed the course of their lives: Dennis’s grandfather was working in the milk parlor and fell to the concrete floor, hitting his head, sustaining a quiet brain injury. A stoic, financially daring man before the fall, his behavior worsened. He began spending money he didn’t have. The family noticed but they thought everything was fine. Rollercoaster milk prices, predatory lending, and government policies had always meant that the Dennis men struggled and adjusted. But getting loans for equipment started to become impossible; planting crops, difficult. Dennis went away to college and his father worried that he’d never return to the farm. The worries escalated when Dennis’s father sustained a life-threatening skidder injury, and nearly died. But that pain was nothing, compared to the hurt that was to come... Anybody who’s ever been stepped on by a cow knows how it feels: not fun. But trust this: what you’ll read inside “Barn Gothic” will stomp your heart just as flat. Here’s a hard, hard story to read, wrapped inside tales that are joyful and awe-struck. Author Ryan Dennis shares the spotlight here with his father, grandfather, neighbors, the land they loved, and the act of farming itself. Readers in the know will recognize the unique pleasures he writes about - tending the fields, harvesting them, and knowing the cows - but they’ll also gulp hard at what ultimately happens here. It’s an ending that might be altogether too familiar. It will pull you up hard, and make you think deeply about the things we do to survive and how we manage to forgive. “Barn Gothic” is a good heartfelt read for anyone who thinks about our nation’s farmers today, or who eats, drinks milk, or derives pleasure from a good farmscape along the road. If you’re a family farmer now or once upon a time, you’ll find it spot-on.
Night People:
How to Be a DJ in ‘90s New York City by Mark Ronson c.2025, Grand Central $29.00 256 pages You just can’t hold still. The music starts and your hips shake, your shoulders bounce, your fingers tickle the sky to match a beat. Your air guitar is on-point, your head bops and your toes tap. You can’t help it. As in the new memoir, “Night People” by Mark Ronson, you just gotta dance. With a mother who swanned around with rock bands, a father who founded a music publishing company, and a stepfather who founded the band, Foreigner, it was natural that Mark Ronson would fall into a music career of some CHECK OUT THE
sort. He says he was only ten years old when he realized the awesome power of music. As a pre-teen, he liked to mix music in his stepfather’s studio. As a teenager, he formed a band with Sean Lennon that didn’t quite catch on. In the fall of his senior year of high school, Ronson began sneaking into Manhattan clubs to listen to music, dance, and find drugs. It was there that he noticed the alchemy that the DJs created and he searched for someone who’d teach him how to do that, too. He became obsessed. Finding a gig in a New York club, though, was not easy. Ronson worked a few semi-regular nights around New York City, and at various private parties to hone his skills. His mother purchased for him the electronic equipment he needed, turntables, and amps. He befriended guys who taught him where to get music demos and what to look for at distributor offices, and he glad-handed other DJs, club owners, and music artists. That, and the rush he got when the dance floor was packed, made the job glamorous. But sometimes, attendance was low, DJ booths were located in undesirable places, and that totally killed the vibe. Some people, he says, are mostly day people. For others, though, sunlight is something to be endured. Nighttime is when they when they feel most alive. Part esoteric hip-hop discography, part biography, part SNL’s Stefan, and part cultural history, “Night People” very likely has a very narrow audience. If you weren’t deep into clubbing back in the day, you can just stop here. If you were ages 15 to 30, thirty years ago, and you never missed club night then, keep reading. This is your book. Author Mark Ronson talks the talk, which can be good for anyone who knows the highs of a jampacked club and the thrill of being recognized for skills with a turntable. That can be fun, but it may also be too detailed: mixology is an extremely heavy subject here. Many of the tunes he names were hits only in the clubs and only briefly, and many of the people he name-drops are long gone. Readers may find themselves not particularly caring. Heavy sigh. This isn’t a bad book, but it’s absolutely not for everyone. If you weren’t into clubbing, pass and you won’t miss a thing. If you were a die-hard club kid back then, though, “Night People” will make your eyes dance.
Morbidly Curious:
A Scientist Explains Why We Can’t Look Away by Coltan Scrivner, PhD c.2025, Penguin Books $19.00 272 pages Slow down. You see flashing lights ahead, an accident, maybe, or a road closed. You reduce speed because you don’t want anyone to get hurt further, and you don’t want to be in the way. Take your time getting beyond this. And as in the new book, “Morbidly Curious” by Coltan Scrivner, PhD, look quick. You don’t want to miss anything. Because you just can’t not look. Pass by a disaster, and your eyes are drawn to the wreckage. Step into a theater and watch a city being destroyed. Blow up cars in a video game. You can’t help it – but why are we such morbid creatures? Morbid, says Scrivner, is all about “death or the things that lead to it,” while “morbid curiosity is a curiosity about things that are threatening or potentially dangerous.” The latter, he says, “motivates us to face fear, disgust, and the unknown,” compelling us to look at bad things to assess their immediate threat, thereby making them less personally menacing. Moreover, it moves us toward a “predisposition… called prepared learning,” in which our minds spot and remember dangers or possible threats. Many other mammals exhibit morbid curiosity – but not as strong as we do. We love action movies, true crime books, and violent video games because morbid curiosity allows us to “safely engage with” danger. It helps us stay alert but civil in a large crowd. It explains why you
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feel a sense of creepiness in a haunted house – even if you’re a skeptic. It helps us to process nightmares. Because we’re a society that generally has little intimate contact with death, he says, it helps us to know the difference between a living body and a dead one. It’s also possible, says Scrivner, that morbid curiosity acts as a psychological function that helps us process grief. Your bookshelves are full of stories of murder and bloodshed. Your lengthy To-Be-Watched list is pretty similar. And no, you’re not some sort of ghoul; read “Morbid Curiosity” and you can blame your interests on your brain. No doubt, you’re familiar with the concept of fight-or-flight. Author Coltan Scrivner takes it a step further to explain why we can’t look away from things that should terrify us or at least make us curl our lips, eeeeuuuw. He shows why we actually need to look at disaster in some form or another in order to survive and live in polite society, before taking his science to the theater to show that movies aren’t quite as violent as we think they are; then he turns his eye toward the nursery, to prove that even toddlers need a safe, gentle scare sometimes, too. This makes an interesting read, especially if you’ve ever wondered what level of consumption of danger is safe for you or your kids. “Morbidly Curious” can sometimes be deep but it nicely explains your guilty pleasures and your inability to ignore disasters. It’s great for true crime fans, and for anyone who just wants to grab a good science book and slow down.
The Grave Robber:
The Biggest Stolen Artifacts Case in FBI History and the Bureau’s Quest to Set Things Right by Tim Carpenter c.2025, Harper Horizon $29.99 299 pages You wouldn’t call yourself a perfectionist. Still, if something is amiss, you feel a need to make it right. Something’s broken, you fix it. If it’s off, you make it right. That goes for minor issues or, as in the new book “The Grave Robber” by Tim Carpenter, matters of grave importance. The tipsters were adamant. Don Carlin Miller had “Indian bones.” And so, on a cool, cloudy fall afternoon, FBI bomb tech coordinator and sometime art crime expert Tim Carpenter and one of his associates headed to a remote property near Indianapolis., in search of the truth. Miller was well-known to the FBI; years earlier, he’d bragged that he was involved in the Manhattan Project and had some uranium in his possession. A case was filed in 2008 and he gave up those souvenirs, but this was different: Carpenter, who was “eager for a good art crime case,” had gotten photographs of Native American remains on Miller’s property. A meeting was arranged and Carpenter was careful to stay above the law. Introduced as someone with interest in antiquities, he paid close attention as Miller showed him around, and he noticed items that gave him pause. Furthermore, Miller, then around 90 years old, loved to tell stories and some of his tales confirmed what Carpenter suspected. Over the course of decades, Miller had robbed Native American graves. Recovering them would take enormous effort. Miller ultimately gave up the remains and stolen items without a fight and so, over the course of several days, Carpenter waded through many months of bureaucracy and red tape before leading an FBI team of experts, students, and agents through Miller’s home and outbuildings. There, hidden in secret rooms, moldering closets, paper bags, and in plain sight, they found “hundreds of people’s bones” – most dug hastily and amateurishly, some in abysmal shape, most stored or displayed disrespectfully. Miller considered himself somewhat of an expert in the field, but that wasn’t the case at all. Says Carpenter, he “wasn’t just a bad digger, he was far worse – nothing more than an unabashed grave robber.” Wow. Be prepared to say it loud and say it often because “The Grave Robber”
is a stunning story on many levels. There’s the book’s raison d’etre: the sometimes-thrilling tale of horrifying plunder and wrongly assumed privilege, both set right like a skewed, often obscene treasure hunt in reverse. True crime fans and those who love a good FBI procedural will be excited to see how author Tim Carpenter explains his case, how it proceeded and how it ended, with just enough biography inside the tale to make it personal. And history buffs will absolutely relish the backstory and the reasons the case came about in the first place. If you’re a fan of all of the above genres, well, what are you waiting for? Though it contains what is often a confusing alphabet soup or FBI acronyms, “The Grave Robber” is a can’t-miss story that’ll have you glued to your chair. For nonfiction readers like you, it’s perfection.
Books about Critters and Varmints by various authors c.2025, various publishers $30.00$32.00 various page counts You don’t “do” varmints. You don’t want to see them, you don’t want to hear them, you don’t want to know they’re even around – but then again, you’re a little curious. Why are we so squeamish about some animals, and not others? Try these great books about the creatures that live on the edge and find out…. A couple months ago, bats were everywhere in stores, porches, and decorations large and small, but did you know that real-life bats actually come in sizes ranging from tiny to human-sized? That’s just a sampling of what you’ll read about in “The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of the Only Flying Mammal” by Yossi Yovel (St. Martin’s Press, $32). Why do bats make so many people shudder? You’ll wonder why, after you learn some truths, facts, and myth-settlers about this truly fascinating animal. If you love wildlife, missing this book might drive you batty. Maybe you love them. Maybe you think they’re annoying tree rodents. No matter how you see them, in “Squirrel: How a Backyard Forager Shapes Our World” by Nancy Castaldo (Island Press, $30) you’ll learn about one of America’s most familiar wild animals. They’re adorable, with their flicking little tails and their tiny paws – both of which they use to raid your bird feeder and ruin your garden. They’re social media darlings. They’re dinner, for some people. They’re ecological necessities for all of us: you can’t get rid of them, nor would you really want to. Most of all, Castaldo says, squirrels as a species are stressed and they need us, so read on. Roughly a third of humans in the world are afraid of the creatures that this third book is about. In “Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World” by Stephen S. Hall (Grand Central, $30), you’ll read about the snake in history, starting with the Garden of Eden. Was the Bible the reason snakes are feared and reviled? Is it because of their fangs and (possible) venom? Despite that many people are disgusted by them and monkeys are genetically terrified by them… why are snakes so fascinating? You’ll see why, as author Hall takes readers on the ground, through the forest and sands. Snakes, as he shows, feature in mythology, cultural beliefs, and many religions. You’ll find them in art and in ancient tales, in the lab and in the zoo. They can mean paralyzing fear or deep respect, life or death, protection or fertility, punishment or medical cure. This book will thrill anyone with a snake fascination, and it’ll enlighten those who are sssssssscared of snakes. And if these three books aren’t enough information or a deep-enough dive into those little-discussed, sometimes creepy critters, head to your favorite library or bookstore and ask for help. The staff there can help you find more on these creatures and other equally enthralling critters that crawl, walk, coil, or build webs. You might not like them now, but reading books about them and learning more is the smart thing to do.
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ARTS & NATURE MEMBERSHIP PROMO JAN 14 - MARCH 21, 2026
For more information & tickets: www.paradisecenterforthearts.org 507.332.7372 321 Central Avenue North, Faribault, MN
GALLERY OPENING RECEPTION JANUARY 9 5PM-7PM.
EXHIBITION DATES: JAN. 9 – FEB. -21, 2026
Membership Night Kick-off event at the Paradise Center for the Arts, January 15th, 5-7pm!
INTRO TO STAINED GLASS - COPPER FOIL METHOD: TUESDAYS, JANUARY 20TH & 27TH FROM 6:00 - 9:00 PM.
You can now make your own 5x8 inch panel and experience the art of making sunlight dance. You will learn to cut and break sheets of glass into the shape that fits your piece. Once each piece is cut you will add the copper foil and complete the piece by soldering it all together. You will go home with a zinc-framed piece. Class is held at Studio Underground, 318 Central Ave, basement level and taught by Sandra Sargent.
MEMBER $60/NON-MEMBER $72. (SUPPLY FEE $55)
BUDDY HOLLY: OH BOY! Carlander Family Gallery - Rice County Historical Society Lois Vranesh Gallery - Barbara Schwenk K&M Gallery - Leo Bird, PCA Pottery Department Corey Lyn Creger Gallery - Bethlehem Academy Students
IMPROV COMEDY SHOW PRESENTED BY LITTLE FISH COMEDY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH AT 7:30 PM
Little Fish Comedy is a local group of actors and comedians looking to bring improv comedy to Southern Minnesota while raising money for the Paradise Center for the Arts! Come join us for a night full of laughter where the actors make up the show as they go! They will be doing family-friendly improv for people of all ages!
MEMBER: $13.50 / NON-MEMBER: $17.50 / STUDENT: $11.50 (INCLUDES A $1.50 PROCESSING FEE) 28 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 6 | W W W. S O U T H E R N M I N N SCENE. C O M
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH AT 7:30 PM
“Buddy Holly: OH BOY!” takes you back to the original line-up of the 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY Tour. A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly, featuring original cast members (Nicholas Freeman, Blake Foster, and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEYaward- winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Produced and music directed by Gary Rue.
MEMBER: $26.50 / NON-MEMBER: $31.50 / STUDENT: $21.50 (INCLUDES A $1.50 PROCESSING FEE)
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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