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Go Antiquing Local Antique shops to check out

Bockfest

Head to New Ulm to partake in the 34th Annual event

MARCH 2020

southernminnSCENE.com

Local St. Patrickâ€™s Day celebrations

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CONTENT MARCH 2020 / VOLUME 8 / ISSUE 2

Features:

6 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day here in Southern Minnesota.

9 Best Books of 2019

Check out these favorite reads.

12 Let’s go Antiquing

A sample of some Southern Minnesota antique shops.

1 6 Bockfest: An Annual Blast

Venture to New Ulm to partake in the 34th Annual Bock Fest.

Thank You For Voting Us Best Bagel Shop!

18 Winter Farmers Markets

Some of the area’s Winter Farmers Markets.

2 0 The Daniel G. Moir 2019 Music Awards THE

A look back at the weird, wild funny and exciting music scene.

2 4

SoMinn’s most comprehensive calendar of things to be SCENE.

2 8 Get Crafty

Some of the area’s local stops for crafting supplies.

COLUMNS:

4 Mollywood BLVD

King of the Monster Movies

10 Through a SoMinn Lens

Day trip to Montgomery - Kolacky Capital of the World

14 The Bookworm Sez:

• Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthadox Rabbi to Transgender Woman • Beneath the Surface: A Teen’s Guide to Reaching Out When You or Your Friend is in Crisis • The Broken Road: George Wallace and a Daughter’s Journey to Reconciliation

• Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different • If You Lived Here You’d Be home by Now • Medieval Bodies: Life and Death in the Middle Ages • The Wonders: The Extraordinary Performers Who Transformed the Victorian Age • You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington

• Bagels to go • Sandwiches • Catering • Homemade Cream Cheese • Soups • Coffee • Sweet Treats

Open for Breakfast and Lunch! (507) 451-3193 • 211 N. Cedar Ave, Owatonna Order online NOW! www.oldtownbagels.com The Merlin Players presents

These Shining Lives

22 Photographing SoMInn

Find Serenity at Lebanon Hills Regional Park

27 SoMInn FOOD & DINING Review

Bayside Tap & Steakhouse

Written by Marcia Marnich

February 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 - 7:30PM Sunday February 23 - 2:00PM

Southern minn

Scene

Directed by Julianna Skluzacek

This story is based on real life events and inspired by the actions of women in the 1920’s. It’s the story of the “Radium Girls.” Catherine Donohue and her coworkers paint glow in the dark dials on watches with radium. Later they are diagnosed with severe radiation poisoning. This ultimately triumphant story is a celebration of the grit and determination of these women as they take on a corporation who is trying to desert them.

APRIL issue deadline is MARCH 6

The Ensemble Amber Chesney, Kim Clausen, Caroline Drenth, Amber Holven, Dean Lamp, Elin Odegaard, Larry Tolle, Caleb Wagner

Have a story idea?

Editor Philip Weyhe - 507-931-8579 editor@southernminnSCENE.com

Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault

HAVE A CALENDAR EVENT?

Call 507-332-7372 during box office hours. Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat.: noon-5PM; Thurs.: noon-8PM and 1 hour before performances Or purchase at paradisecenterforthearts.org

WANT TO Advertise?

Come opening night and enjoy a wine & appetizers reception. Sponsored by Olma Life Coaching and Donahue’s Greenhouse

editor@southernminnSCENE.com

Mark Nelson - Call 507-333-3106 or email mnelson@faribault.com

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Mollywood Blvd

MOLLY PENNY Molly Penny is a local radio personality and MSU Mankato alum. It was her love of pop culture that got her interested in doing a morning show gig for KOWZ 100.9. She is now Music and Promotions Director at KOWZ & KRUE Radio in Owatonna and can be heard on various airwaves in Southern Minnesota, including Hot 96.7 in Mankato. She resides in Mankato with her movie buff husband and YouTube obsessed children. Need to contact her? Shoot her an e-mail mollyp@kowzonline.com or catch her on Twitter at @mollyhoodUSA.

KING OF THE

MONSTER MOVIES “History shows again and again How nature points out the folly of man.” -“Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult (1977)

he new movie Godzilla Vs. Kong, directed by Adam Wingard, hits theatres this month and I decided it was an ample time to give all of my readers a rundown of the essential movies to catch before heading to the theatre. I had to dig a little to find out exactly how many full feature Godzilla movies have been made because I knew there were a lot. Between Japanese and American made films I counted 32, starting in 1954. Compare that to King Kong films of which there are a total of 8. Of course to really enjoy the new movie you need to be up to speed with the last 3 movies in these respective franchises; Godzilla (2014) Written by Max Borenstein and directed by Gareth Edwards, Kong: Skull Island (2017) written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connoly and directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) co-written by Director Michael Dougherty and Zack Shields from a story by Max Borenstein, Dougherty and Shields. Audience scores for the most recent film (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) were lukewarm, but overall the reception to this new wave of monster movies have been favorable and box office numbers have met expectations. Here are a few classic movies that will help put the newer installments to the franchises into focus:

Godzilla (1954 Japan) Ishiro Honda Director You cannot simply go off the sewer dwelling

medium.com

New York Godzilla from the Matthew Broderick 90’s installment to get a frame of reference for what kind of monster Godzilla is intended to be. You must start from the beginning. This black and white film kick started literally everything that we have come to know and love about the franchise. To put it into perspective, this movie was filmed in the early 50’s, the “atomic age” and was really an allegory for the power of that energy. While his origins are not always specific this film introduces a prehistoric creature awakened by nuclear testing in the 1950’s. As for the creature itself, enter the debut of the “suitmation” technique. Yes, you read that right. Haruo Nakajima donned a suit to portray the larger than life creature, meaning everything else had to be scaled down to make Godzilla appear huge. You’ll also notice in the 2019 film Godzilla: King of the Monsters, that there is music associated with each monster. This theme started with the original and is being revived in the latest edition of the franchise to the delight of Godzilla aficionados worldwide.

Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster (1964 Japan) Ishiro Honda Director In the latest American Godzilla movie, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, fans got a revival of some of the titans of Godzilla lore including Ghidorah, Rodan and Mothra. Mothra first appeared in the 1961 film Mothra, produced and distributed by Toho Studios. After the success of Mothra vs Godzilla, also released in 1964, where monsters partnered up, Honda decided to take it a step further and have four featured monsters or “kaiju.” The more the merrier, right? This film marks

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the debut of both Rodan and King Ghidor in the Godzilla franchise. Ghidora is the three headed beast famously dubbed Monster Zero and the ultimate nemesis to Godzilla who in this 1964 classic in unleashed upon Tokyo after a meteorite crashes onto the earth. In this film we see Mothra and Rodan teaming up with Godzilla to battle the extraterrestrial beast. The viewer finds themselves cheering on this trio of unlikely allies making this one a must see for anyone getting their Godzilla indoctrination.

King Kong (1933 United States) Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsak Directors This black and white classic is a must see to appreciate the evolution of Kong. Actress Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) and director Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) travel to the Indian Ocean to do a location shoot for a new movie. As you could predict Ann is taken hostage by natives when they arrive to the mysterious island and used as a sacrifice to the enormous ape Kong who rules over the island. Whoever vetted this location better have been fired. Ann is rescued, Kong is captured, and then all hell breaks loose. Shackled in chains, Kong is taken to New York City and presented to a Broadway theatre audience as “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World.” Bring on the flash of cameras as Ann and Carl take the stage and Kong breaks loose from the chains. Ann is whisked away to a nearby hotel room but can’t seem to catch a break. Kong finds her and breaks through the window, snatches her and rampages through the city, scales the Empire State building and is eventually taken down by gunfire from four airplanes. As he falls to his death

he gazes at the starlet one last time… wait, did he love her? I don’t know, but that gaze was “human” enough to make audiences fall in love with Kong! Really cool to see this famous stop motion mostly set in 1930’s New York City, not to mention a classic score by Max Steiner.

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962 Japan) Ishiro Honda Director The third film in the Godzilla franchise and the first of two Toho-produced films featuring King Kong was released in 1962 after a 7 year hiatus in Godzilla films. This film remains the most attended Godzilla film to date which could be good news for the producers of the latest installment. International versions of the Toho Studios were released in the 70’s with English dubbed over the original Japanese dialogue with sometimes imperfect translations that add to the cult appeal of the franchise. Before this, most US distributors would commission their own English dubs. Like the original King Kong, the plot to King Kong vs. Godzilla involves a producer filming a television show and traveling to shoot at Faro Island where he learned that a giant monster dwelled. Anything for ratings… Of course things go awry as the mysterious Faro monster revealed to be King Kong breaks free from a raft and arrives inland on the Japanese countryside which is being terrorized by Godzilla. The final battle between the two monsters takes place at the summit of Mount Fiji making for some classic imagery. These films will help you appreciate the new installment and marvel at how far special effects have come since the dawn of monster movies. Happy viewing.

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RELAXED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE & CONSULTATIVE SALES PROCESS Our sales team isn’t paid on how much we make, but rather on ﬁnding the right vehicle for you and your satisfaction. So it doesn’t matter what vehicle you choose or how much you spend. What matters to us is that you have a relaxing experience, assured that you’re making the best and wisest decision for you.

REAL CASH VALUE FOR YOUR TRADE We believe the value of the car you trade in is based on the current market value, not the vehicle you want to buy. That’s why we have an interactive trade evaluation process designed to ensure you get every penny you deserve on a trade-in vehicle. No unfair negotiation, just truthful documentation. We sell a lot of used vehicles, and we’ll purchase yours even if you don’t purchase ours!

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OWATONNA MOTOR COMPANY PHILOSOPHY The Owatonna Motor Company Philosophy is based on ﬁve areas that we believe are critical to business success. Those areas are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Customer Enthusiasm Employee Satisfaction Financial Performance Market Effectiveness Ongoing Improvement

Our philosophy holds that all are of equal importance. However, in any planning or decision making process, CUSTOMER ENTHUSIASM will always carry the most weight.

OUR VISION IS:

Having limitless vehicle options is the standard we set to achieve. Various levels of reconditioning are performed on each vehicle according to its need, and that information is always accessible to you! So shop with ease, knowing our best marked price is fair and transparent.

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You don’t have to worry about your credit history changing the price of the vehicle, because our ﬁnancial service process was designed to generate the highest value for the customer today and in the future.

YOU CAN’T BUY THE WRONG VEHICLE FROM US Circumstances change, and sometimes we don’t like things as much as we thought we would. That’s why we have a 7-day money back guarantee on new and pre-owned as well as a 30-day exchange on most pre-owned vehicles. Which means that all you have to do is bring it back in the same condition it was in when purchased and get a full refund or money towards your exchange. We won’t ask any questions, or beg you to reconsider. 3 months, 3000 miles drive train warranty on most pre-owned vehicles.

DEPENDABLE SERVICE TO MEET YOUR SCHEDULE We know that efﬁciency and convenience are essential elements in providing great customer service. Our professional technicians are here to help you with full maintenance and repair services when you need them–that includes Saturday’s! We have extended service hours on nights and weekends. Get an oil change at our no-appointment-necessary Quick Lane, or experience top-notch repair at our Collision & Glass Center.

OUR GOAL IS: OUR MISSION: • Our goal is to be an industry leader to providing unmatched quality automotive products and services. • We will constantly strive to meet the changing needs of our customers. • Our aim is to provide an atmosphere that encourages employee teamwork, integrity and excellence. • Together we will set and continually improve sales, service, and operational standards • It is our mission to exceed our customers’ and employees’ expectations and maintain their loyalty for a lifetime.

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Story by AUDREY KLETSCHER Contributing Writer

rom churches to pubs, Main Streets to arts venues, Irish and wannabe Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a big way here in Southern Minnesota. We’ve compiled a sampling of events to embrace your inner leprechaun. Whether you’re seeking a family-oriented celebration or something that involves drinking green beer, you can find a way to experience Irish culture and heritage. So grab your green and join the fun.

52nd Annual Irish Celebration, Waseca

“It’s a big deal to celebrate our Irish heritage,” says Anne Clayton, member of the Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota, sponsor of Waseca’s Saturday, March 14, St. Patrick’s Day celebration. “We want to pass that along to our kids.” And so the club does in a family-oriented event that begins with an Irish Choir-

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directed sing-along at 10am at Church of the Sacred Heart, 111 Fourth St. NW. Expect popular songs like “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “Danny Boy,” not bar tunes, Clayton says. Mass, led by Bishop John Michael Quinn (yes, he’s Irish), and crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle follow at 10:30. Says Sacred Heart’s Father Gregory Leif of German, not Irish, ancestry, “The Irish-American heritage gives them pride in both God and country and helps them to celebrate family traditions and genealogy.” Come noon, those Irish families (known as “clans”) parade from the church to The Mill event center, 310 Second Ave. SW., for Mulligan Stew. A rally—a time of Irish singing, storytelling and more—follows at 2pm. Clayton advises wearing green or risk getting pinched. Irish lore has it that leprechauns pinch those not dressed in green. Shops vending Irish items, baked goods and other merchandise will be open at The Mill. Kids can enjoy face painting and coloring. And BINGO starts at 4pm. The evening is devoted to the crowning of Miss St. Patrick and Miss Irish Rose, starting with a 7pm talent competition. An Irish jig contest and a dance close out the festivities in Waseca.

The next morning at 11am on March 14, the celebration continues with a St. Patrick’s Day Mass at the Church of St. Mary, 165 N. Waterville Ave. Three hours later, Irish clans gather in the church parking lot for the 2pm parade to the Legion and more merriment. The band IV Play performs at 9pm. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ lcstpats/

blocks to the VFW, according to Karen Mathias, co-owner of The Olde Triangle Pub and “a little bit of Irish.” But her eatery is through-and-through Irish from name to décor to the daily main course offerings of Irish Stew, Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the pub adds a specialty, Corned Beef & Cabbage, available the evening of March 14 and all day on March 17. Want green beer? That, too, will be served upon request. Enhancing the dining, or drinking, experience on March 14 is live music throughout the afternoon and evening at this Irish pub, 219 Main St. W., in downtown Wabasha. For more information, visit http://www.theoldetrianglepub.com/

For more information, visit https://irishclubmn.weebly. com/

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, New Ulm Although a decidedly German city, New Ulm is home to the Irish Cultural Society of New Ulm, organizer of Minnesota’s oldest consecutive running Irish parade. This year’s 54th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade begins at 5pm Tuesday, March 17, in the historic downtown. It features clans, bagpipers and more. After the parade, join the Gathering of the Clans Banquet for Irish fare and music at Don’s Pub, aka Veigel’s Kaiserhoff, 221 N. Main St. And, yes, that would be a German restaurant known for its German food and BBQ ribs. But Irish for a day. For more information, visit https://www.newulm.com/ visitors-community/things-to-do/festivals/st-patricks-dayparade/

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, St. Peter Initiated in the 1970s, St. Peter’s St. Patrick’s Day parade features Irish clans and musical groups that follow a several-block route starting at the corner of Broadway and South Third Street. The parade begins at 5:30pm on Tuesday, March 17, and is sponsored by the St. Peter Ambassadors. Bars and restaurants in St. Peter offer food and drink specials beginning at 3pm.

At Minnesota’s second oldest Irish Catholic parish, The Church of St. Patrick founded in 1856 in Shieldsville, St. Patrick’s Day holds special importance. “It’s a tradition to honor our patron saint,” says church trustee Elgin Trcka, also a life-long parishioner and coordinator of this year’s event. The celebration is set for Sunday, March 15, beginning with a 10am Mass followed by Mulligan Stew served at 11am until gone. Cost is a free-will offering. Czech, not Irish, musicians provide an afternoon of entertainment. From noon until 2pm, the Czech Area Concertina Club from Montgomery performs. And from 2-2:30pm club member Jake Minar Bastyr plays a concertina he crafted. Ken Pomije follows on his button accordion until 3pm. Drawings for cash prizes end the celebration. All Irish and wannabe Irish must be present to claim their cash/pots of gold during the event at 7525 Dodd Road, Shieldville (northwest of Faribault). For more information, visit http://www.spshieldsville.org/

Luck of the Irish Festival with Fish Fry, St. Mary’s Parish of Winona

For more information, visit http://www.stpeterambassadors.com/

St. Patrick’s Celebration, Parade & Rally, Le Center Le Center’s St. Patrick’s Day observance begins at 7pm Friday, March 13, with the queen coronation program and crowning of Irish royalty at the American Legion, 97 S. Park Ave.

The Church of St. Patrick Celebration, Shieldsville

Food and fun center the Luck of the Irish Festival from 5-9pm Friday, March 20, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1303 Broadway, Winona. The menu features broiled/batter-fried fish, baked potatoes/ french fries, coleslaw, desserts and assorted beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Activities include a silent auction, casino style gambling (for fun), and $6,000 in Pot of Gold cash prizes. Raffle tickets are $10 with a limited number of tickets sold.

St. Patrick’s Grand Parade & More, Wabasha

For more information or to purchase meal or raffle tickets, call St. Mary’s at 507-452-5656. Or visit https://stmaryswinona.org/

Costumed local Irish clans gather at Wabasha’s Heritage Park (under the bridge) at noon on Saturday, March 14, to march several

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Over 73 Years of Pappas Family Ownership!

Restaurant of the Year

Superb Cuisine since 1854

Thank You For Voting Us

Best Fine Dining!

The Hubbell House first opened as a stagecoach stop in 1854. Paul Pappas laid his eyes on the old limestone structure in 1946 and knew he had found the location of his dream restaurant. Although times have changed, Early-American hospitality is still available in Mantorville.

CONTINUED from page 7

St. Patrick’s Day Event, Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault St. Patrick’s Day comes early to the Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave. N., Faribault, with an evening of Irish-themed entertainment beginning at 7:30 on Friday, March 13. Folk singer, Irish flute and whistle player Norah Rendell, who specializes in the dance and song traditions of Ireland and her native Canada, kicks off the entertainment. The Northerly Gales, a Celtic/Americana group from St. Paul, headlines the show which also includes costumed Irish step dancers. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 507-332-7372 or visit https://paradisecenterforthearts.org/

502 North Main Street, Mantorville, MN | 507.635.2331

(25 Miles East on HWY 14, to Kasson Exit, then 2 miles North on HWY 57)

Reservations Recommended | www.hubbellhouserestaurant.com

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts, Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault Kids ages kindergarten-fifth grade can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by crafting shamrocks, leprechauns and more from 3:30-5:30pm Tuesday, March 17, at the Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault. Kate Langlais leads the class, which costs $16 for members and $20 for non-members with a $5 supply fee. For more information or to register for this class, call 507-332-7372 or visit https:// paradisecenterforthearts.org/

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Trinity Irish Dance Company Performance, Sheldon Theatre, Red Wing The international, critically-acclaimed Trinity Irish Dance Company takes the stage at the Sheldon Theatre, 443 W. Third St., Red Wing, for a 7:30pm show on Friday, March 20. These dancers fuse Ireland’s traditional dance form with elements of American movement innovation to create a dazzling and fast-paced performance. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 651-388-8700 or visit https://www. sheldontheatre.org/event/trinity-irish-dance-company/ SMS As the new year launches, Faribault writer and photographer Audrey Kletscher Helbling is ready to document everyday life, community events, small towns and all that encompasses this place she calls home. This southern Minnesota. To view more of her work, visit her blog at https://mnprairieroots.com.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer editor@southernminnscene.com

o many books, so little time. That’s what they say, and in 2019, it was the truth. Here are the can’tmiss, shouldn’t-skip books of the past twelve months:

Fiction

If the subject of death can be taken lightly, there’s no better way than in “How Not to Die Alone” by Richard Roper. It’s the story of a man who works in London as a finder: when someone dies, the people in his office are tasked with locating the survivors of the deceased. That’s not the funny part; the humor comes in a blurted statement that literally takes on a life of its own, and the lengths the man goes to perpetuate it. Clever, witty, perfect. Lovers of Mark Twain’s adventure books will relish “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger, the story of two boys who run away from an Indian Training School in 1932, and they head down the Mississippi to escape the adults who want them back. Lush, exciting, and irresistible, this novel will fill a good evening or two. What can you say about a book that starts off with an attempted suicide? That’s “Talk to Me” by John Kenney, and that’s what happens after a TV newscaster insults a temporary worker and because of it, his life falls completely apart. Media folks will particularly enjoy this story, but if you’re a news junkie or a

hardline TV watcher, you’ll love it, too. If you’ve already seen the movie about Harriet Tubman, then you know the kind of treat you’re in for when you read “The Tubman Command” by Elizabeth Cobbs. Taking one small event from Tubman’s life, this novel blows it up big and makes it exciting, while reminding readers that Tubman was a woman, first and foremost. For readers who need a novel that means something, this is it. (Tip: get it in an audiobook, for the full effect). And, last but not least in the fiction category, “American Pop” by Snowden Wright is a sweeping, multigenerational novel about a family who’s patriarch creates a drink sensation. When he passes the business down to his scheming children, interesting – and heart-wrenching – things begin to happen...

NonFiction For political animals and those who are tired of politics as usual, “Palm Beach, Mar-ALago, and the Rise of America’s Xanadu” by Les Standiford is a book to read. It’s a biography of a place and the people who made it, and it’s also a history of us, our need to explore, our adventurous spirit, and our forever fascination with celebrities. Expect something a little different in “Toil & Trouble” by Augusten Burroughs, who reveals in this book that he’s a witch. Not the bubbling cauldron type, but one who knows things but can’t explain why, but who still has to work to find

of the book, or if the illustrations by Vashti Harrison are the better reason to have it. Either way, this beautiful book is about a little girl who learns to come to terms with the tone of her skin in a way that’s magical. Story or illustrations? Both. Kids ages 7-12 will love the slightly-creepy story of friendship in “The Afterwards” by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Emily Gravett. It’s the story of a girl who finds a garden in which things that are dead, aren’t quite dead. When she discovers her best friend in the garden, she must make a hard, hard decision. Bonus: borrow it back for a wonderful reminder of childhood friendships. And rounding out the Best of Children’s Books for 2019 is “Fraternity” by Alexandra Robbins, who takes a look at college fraternities and some young men who joined them. It’s an eye-opener for teens who are heading to college soon, and it’ll give parents something to think about and discuss.

love, home, and happiness just like the rest of us. This book is sweet and quirky and perfect. You don’t have to have visited Las Vegas, nor do you have to remember the Rat Pack to enjoy “Elvis in Vegas” by Richard Zoglin. Sure, it helps, but loving glitz, glamour, entertainers, and scandal is really all you need to want this book. It’s not cheating to put together “Bitten” by Kris Newby and “Mosquito” by Timothy C. Winegard in one Best Of list, because they really belong side-by-side on your shelf. Newby’s book is about all the things that can bite you and maybe kill you. Winegard’s book is about one thing that bites and kills more humans than any other creature. How can you resist books like those? And then there’s “The League of Wives” by Heath Hardage Lee, a book about the wives of the men who served in Vietnam and were captured, and what these brave women did for themselves, their husbands, and others to bring their men home. If you remember the war – or if you didn’t – you owe it to yourself to read this hidden history.

And now for the housekeeping…

Children’s Books It’s going to be hard to decide if the story in “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o is the better part

Some of these books are from earlier in the year, so they might be out in paperback soon. Check with your local librarian or bookseller. They’re the Rock Stars of the book world, and they won’t steer you wrong. Season’s Readings! SMS Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer based just across the river from SoMinn in LaCrosse, WI. She can be contacted at bookwormsez@gmail.com

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Through a SoMinn Lens:

Day trip to

Kolacky Days art.

Montgomery,

Kolacky Capital of the World Franke’s Bakery.

Kolacky and kolacky filling at Mackenthun’s Fine Foods.

Kolacky sign in Mackenthun’s Fine Foods bakery.

Photos and text by Audrey Kletscher Helbling www.mnprairieroots.com audrey@mnprairieroots.com

Montgomery Brewing interior.

Montgomery Brewing beer flight.

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f one word defines Montgomery, Minnesota, it would be kolacky. Drive or walk through the main business district of this primarily Czech-rooted community of some 3,000 and you’ll see evidence of this ethnic sweet treat everywhere. From storefronts to bakery shelves to signs, this pastry prevails in a town billing itself as The Kolacky Capital of the World. This is a small town proud of its heritage with annual celebrations like Kolacky Days and a Czech Mardi Gras celebration. Even those of us without a drop of Czech blood can appreciate the enthusiasm and pride of locals. I’ve visited Montgomery, only a 30-minute drive from my Faribault home, many times. The most recent day trip there, I had three destinations: third-generation family-owned Franke’s Bakery, Montgomery Brewing and the Montgomery Arts & Heritage Center. The arts center topped my list given the current exhibit of 60-plus early 1900s photos by noted American photographer Edward S. Curtis, who lived part of his childhood in Le Sueur County. “The North American Indian” collection features Native Americans living west of the Mississippi River. The grant-funded exhibit is open limited hours Thursdays-Saturdays until February 29 and is, in one word, impressive.

There’s so much to appreciate about Montgomery. Stepping inside Franke’s Bakery is like walking into yesteryear with wooden booths and shelving crafted by bakery founder Emil Franke and the type of small town friendliness that matches the sweetness of the baked goods. Buy your kolacky here or down the street at Mackenthun’s grocery, billed as “Fine Foods since 1917.” This is a farming community rich in history from photos of veterans gracing storefront windows to historic buildings and vintage signage. Montgomery Brewing, for example, is located in a 130-yearold building that originally housed a brewery. This taproom offers a wide variety of award-winning craft beers in a comfortable, friendly setting. I chatted it up with staff and other beer lovers and even went outside my IPA comfort zone to try two specialty/seasonal beers, a fruited sour, Triple Berry Bomb, and a smoked porter, Wendigo. Loved the sour, the smokey porter not so much. Comments from the beer pourers of “it’s interesting” and “not too bad” should have tipped me off. But that doesn’t mean you won’t like Wendigo. There’s so much to like, actually love, about Montgomery. On past visits, I’ve popped into Main Street Barber—to photograph an old style barbershop—Quilter’s Dream, Herrmann Drug (and gifts), Pizzeria 201

Hilltop Hall, floral shop, arts & heritage center exterior.

Pizzeria 201 exterior & Big Honza woodcarved statue.

(in the historic Westerman Lumber House), Posy Floral and Gifts, and an assortment of now-closed shops. I’ve yet to stop at any of the many bars or the meat market or bowling alley or… I’ve also attended theatrical performances in the historic Hilltop Hall and paused in my photo meandering to pet Buddy the dog, out for a walk with his owner. Because this is a small town, it’s best to check on business hours before visiting to assure places like The Rustic Farmer on Main—a relatively new venue specializing in special events—are open. SMS Faribault writer and photographer Audrey Kletscher Helbling loves to explore Minnesota’s small towns on day trips. She documents and writes about her discoveries on her popular Minnesota Prairie Roots blog. Visit https://mnprairieroots.com to see more of her work, including posts from Montgomery.

Monty Bar.

Grain elevator.

Palace Bar sign close-up.

Locker plant sign.

Edward S. Curtis Native American photo exhibit.

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W Story by PAT GARRY Contributing Writer

hen it comes to antiques shopping, most venues offer treasures that vary as widely as the goods inside, and each purchase comes with memories at no additional cost. Antiques can enrich lives, add to personal collections, offer the perfect one-of-a-kind souvenir for loved ones, and provide that perfect piece for homes or offices. From fine furnishings and European décor, to estate jewelry, distinctive glassware, rare books, vintage clothing and more, you can find anything you desire. Get ready to hunt for treasure, at the following dealers.

increase in value and make you rich. And If you like it, buy it now…it might not be here tomorrow.”

COUNTRY SIDE ANTIQUE MALL

A-Z COLLECTIBLES A - Z Collectibles, 152 Main St., Winona, is owned by Neil Hunt, who has been in the same building since 1993. “I sell some unusual items that might be harder to find other places,” he commented. A prime example of this are Neil’s neckties. He holds a selection of at least 300, ranging from the 40s and 50s, including skinny ties and squared-off knit ties. He has sports-theme ties, Christmas ties, cartoon character ties, and yes, just nice dress ties of various colors. Among Hunt’s vast inventory are pop bottles, which he displays in a wide variety of local and national brands. Neil stocks local, Winona items: mugs, records, paper items, postcards, and most anything that has the name Winona on it. The venue features a wide variety of items: vintage kitchen tools, bowls, granite-ware, cast iron items, tablecloths, glass and pottery dishes, diecast toy cars, tractors, vinyl records, pre-read books; children’s, military as in WWII, Civil War, most any war the USA has been involved in, classics, history, nature, railroad. Also on display are cookie jars, vintage lighting, vintage Christmas, flower pot and wall pockets of various potteries, and colored glassware. Hunt has two, unique items in the store; a grave rubbing from the 1600’s England; and a House of Representatives gift shop item marked, Member of the House of Representatives. Neil has one philosophy: “Buy it because you like it and want to own it, not because you think it will

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Sylvia and Steve Bauer first opened 29 years ago, after remodeling the building which was once known as Windy Acres (the first truck stop in Minnesota in the 40s-50s). “We have a great selection of primitives, furniture, and Red Wing pottery; as well as an abundance of other types of pottery. We also carry a nice selection of jewelry. With 12,000 sq. ft. and 60 dealers, we’re a must stop-and-shop antique mall,” Sylvia Bauer explained. The Bauers deal primarily in furniture, but they also provide a wide variety of other items such as lighting, pictures, primitives, and an overall general line of antiques. Two unique items currently for sale include an early 1900’s Dayton General Store Cheese Cutter, a hand-carved folk-art carousel with a hand crank (circa 1900), and unique Weller vases. “Country Side Antique Mall has (two) store-wide sales each year, when we offer 20% off and more. Our spring sale is held in April and the holiday sale runs in November,” commented Sylvia. A thought: The item you saw today, and want to think about tonight; will be sold later today to someone who saw it yesterday, and thought about it last night. Country Side Mall is closed just three days a year; Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Open Monday- Saturday 9:30-5:30, Sunday 11-5:30. (Hwy. 52 on the frontage road in Cannon Falls).

JOHN KRUESEL’S GENERAL MERCHANDISE & AUCTION COMPANY John Kruesel’s General Merchandise & Auction Company has been a going concern for 42 years, at its original site in the 1874 Williams Building on Historic Third Street Southwest in downtown Rochester. Vintage and antique lighting is Kruesel’s specialty, and he feels antique lighting has a place in any home, in any

TREASURES UNDER SUGAR LOAF room. John is passionate about locating period-and-style-appropriate pieces for restoration projects, where the original lighting is missing. “It’s very rewarding helping people realize what they have – the historical importance, provenance and value of an item,” said John. Kruesel deals with a full range of antiques – jewelry and time pieces, glassware and china, historic documents and photographs, silver, toys, books, works of art and decorative accessories of all periods. Collecting fads come and go, but gold jewelry such as rings, lockets and necklaces, and sterling silver accessories such as cigarette cases, baby cups and candlesticks, are timeless gift choices for many clients. Kruesel currently has for sale a 19th century cigar store Indian, carved from a single log and polychrome painted. It is a piece from the estate of a collector who acquired it from the original store in the Pennsylvania Poconos. Kruesel speaks of his unique business. “We love history. When photography in the 1860s suddenly allowed the European world to see how the Sphinx and pyramids and ancient statuary actually looked, the result was a flood of Egyptian designs, real and imagined, in jewelry, furniture, china, even picture frames. Fifty years later, the widely-publicized discovery of King Tut’s tomb, led to a second craze for Egyptian and Middle Eastern themes and included Rudolph Valentino’s Sheikh movies.”

Brenda Jannsen and husband, Doug, are owners of Treasures Under Sugar Loaf, and they have been in business for five years. “We carry Sugar Loaf Scent candles, which are the best soy candles on the market. They are crafted locally, have a long burn time, have awesome scent throws, and catchy names, like Lick Me All Over, Monkey Farts, Lube Job and Mowing the Lawn. Candles make homes cozy and are terrific gifts for any occasion!” Brenda exclaimed. The Jannsens carry coins, knives, lamps, household items, small furniture, pictures, local history, glassware, and more. Treasures is also proud to carry hand-crafted creations from the local community. A general hot-selling category is primitives, including wood rolling pins, wood boxes and crates, wood utensils, metal tools, and cast-iron pans. “We have a large, jade pagoda, that is very detailed, right down to the hanging bells on each point. It stands majestically on a lacquered wood base; we have some intriguing weaponry, which always catches customers’ eyes. And what I personally find most intriguing are items from Bub’s Brewery. Bub’s Beer was brewed for over 100 years, right here in our current building,” explained Brenda. Treasures displays a combined inventory of antiques, collectibles, home décor and crafts, all intermingled attractively throughout the building. (1023 Sugar Loaf Road, Winona; 507-474-7030)

years ago they took a leap of faith, and opened their Rochester location; then relocated to Stewartville three years ago. “We have 25-plus dealers in our mall and they all have different, unique items. We do not specialize in any specific type of antiquities. We have items ranging from newer collectibles to items dating back to the 1800s” explained Chris. The Kujaths host a bi-annual flea market in the spring and fall, with indoor and outdoor spaces at the two-day event. ORVSM is open seven days a week. The store itself used to be a lumber yard, and most of the retail space was kept intact. They utilize the lumber storage area as their “barn”; where rustic and larger pieces are housed (currently the space features a horse-drawn sleigh). Old River Valley Antique Mall displays a diverse group of vendors with a wide variety of vintage items, collectibles, primitives, and antiques, in 7,000 square feet of retail space. 507533-0094; 204 South Main Street (Highway 63 South); Stewartville, MN; Monday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Sunday: 12 noon - 5:30 p.m. Labor Day.

MANTORVILLE SQUARE (antiques and collectibles) MS, MAC’S ANTIQUES Susie McConville’s Ms. Mac’s Antiques store, opened in Janesville in 2001. Some of her “must have” items include architectural elements – corbels, old doors/windows/pillars/spindles; drawer cabinets – anything with drawers for storage/crafters; old harvest/ farm tables; primitive/country cupboards with original paint. Susie has always preferred decorating her home with antique and vintage items, and her dream was to eventually own an antique store. “Only an antique dealer can truly appreciate the amount of time, energy, dedication and passion that it takes to be successful in this business,” remarked Susie. Ms. Mac’s style has evolved over the years – beginning with refinished oak/pine furniture, wicker pieces, old toys, tin items and enamel-ware; and transitioning to a focus on primitives – old, painted country cupboards, early quilts, garden accessories and vintage signs. Popular pieces include: early, old washtubs/stands; pails for flower pots, old scoops, etc. “We do offer some new gift-ware – i.e. candles, pillows, and holiday gift items for customers who may not necessarily be interested in antiques – but this is a minimal part of our inventory. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation in the antique community, for our integrity, honesty and quality of merchandise. The majority of our customer base comes from all over the state in addition to South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa,” explained McConville. (open most Thursdays thru Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; available by appointment for days/times outside of regular hours by calling (507) 317-2457 or messaging thru Facebook). Ms. Mac’s Antiques, 100 North Main Street, Janesville.

Ed and Barb Kuhlman are part owners of Mantorville Square (antiques and collectibles) in historic Mantorville. The Kuhlmans boast oodles of items, including sterling silver, estate jewelry, Red Wing crocks & jugs, Caprice, Fostoria, depression & carnival glass, furniture & primitives, Shaker “great wheel” spinning wheel, vintage clothing, paper ephemera, Ertl & other collectible farm machinery/ vehicles, original art, vintage books, sets of china, Pyrex, Corning ware, art glass, kitchen primitives, advertising collectibles, Shirley Temple, cast iron banks, and much more. “This wasn’t our first encounter in the antique business. We got into the business because we loved going to auctions and we love old things,” Barb Kuhlman explained. Mantorville Square carries a wide range of antiques and collectibles, as well as milk house candles, and seasonal/garden decor. The Square is open year-round, and it often features vendor discounts, especially during events sponsored by the Mantorville Restoration Association and the Mantorville Chamber of Commerce. The big event of the year is the two-day Marigold Days, which is always the weekend after Labor Day.

OLD RIVER VALLEY ANTIQUE MALL Chris and Erik Kujath own and operate the highly successful, BEST OF award-winning antique mall, located in Stewartville. The Kujaths carry a wide variety of antique, holiday-décor for every occasion; like ceramic Christmas trees, papier-Mache pumpkins, vintage blow molds, valentines, and plastic candy bunnies, which are always popular. Cast iron sells at a variety of price points and comes in many styles. There is Griswold, Lodge, Wagner, and other unmarked pieces throughout the store. Chris and Erik started off as dealers in other shops and participated in flea markets. Ten

WATER STREET ANTIQUES Kathy Lapic, owner of Water Street Antiques, 240 Water St. in Jordan, MN, took over the business nearly four years ago, but it has been an antique store for over 25 years. “Besides the financial rewards, I am most pleased that our store is a recycling center, a museum, a trip down memory lane for older people, and an education center for the young folks, who are learning how the old ways worked,” explained Lapic. There are thirteen dealers within the entire venue. One dealer has a large collection of pocket watches and key-wind clocks, and there are two mid-century dealers. Another dealer specializes in early 1900’s antiques. “And I look for the odd and unusual pieces to bring to the store. Since about 60% of our customers are men, we try to stock a lot of hunting, fishing, tools, automotive, knives and beer memorabilia,” Lapic suggested. The store has a “Want Book” – where people can provide their names and phone numbers and their desired items. That provides the store dealers the opportunity to try and fulfill the customers’ requests. A couple of unique antiques in Kathy’s store are a firebrigade bucket from 1885 and a California Sheriff’s Riot Helmet from the 1960s. Water Street Antiques is a true antique store. Open seven days a week, it boasts an unusual mix of items. The premises are housed with very affable dealers who try to be competitive in the antique market, both in pricing and in inventory. SMS

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THE BOOKWORM SEZ By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer based just across the river from SoMinn in LaCrosse, WI. She can be contacted at bookwormsez@gmail.com

Becoming Eve: My Journey from

Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman

by Abby Chava Stein Who are you? There are many possibilities. You can answer with ethnicity, gender, social strata, or surname, mention your species, family origins, religion, or hobbies. So many things and yet, as in the new book “Becoming Eve” by Abby Chava Stein, only one answer really matters. Yisroel Avrom Ben Menachem Mendel was born on the 24th of Tishrei in the year 5752 – or, for those who are not UltraOrthodox Jews, the first of October, 1991. The sixth

child and firstborn son, Yisroel’s birth was the cause of great jubilation: one main forebear was Baal Shem Tov, a holy leader and the founder of Hasidism. In their Brooklyn community, that made Yisroel a member of royalty. Almost from the moment of birth, the future was set: Yisroel would follow the same path laid out for the males of the family, starting with ritual circumcision and religious observances, then yeshiva to study the Torah and Jewish law, marriage at age 18, and hope for sons to continue the line. There was no alternative. The entire family lived like this, like “eighteenth-century Eastern Europeans,” and had done so for centuries. The exception came when then-four-year-old Yisroel insisted on having always been a girl.

Beneath the Surface: A Teen’s Guide to

Reaching Out When You or Your Friend is in Crisis

by Kristi Hugstad Three hundred sixty-five days. That’s the amount of time we all had last year: 52 weeks of 24/7, but your friend had a 2019 that seemed to last forever. He is, in fact, still struggling and you want to help but how? What can you say or do to get him through? Start by reading “Beneath the Surface” by Kristi Hugstad and tackle today first. “I was a teenager once, too!” No doubt you’ve heard that from at least one adult in your lifetime and you can’t

argue with it. What you can say, though, is that things are different. Being a teen today is hard: with social media, smart phones, and inescapable peer pressure around, you and your friends might encounter problems that are too overwhelming to deal with alone and it might seem like nobody’s listening, which is scary. That’s when serious help might be needed – help from “the right person” – to make things better. First, though, know this: what’s happening isn’t anybody’s fault. A depressed person didn’t ask to be like that, someone who’s bulimic didn’t look for it, nobody who’s addicted wants to be addicted – furthermore, bad things can happen to anyone at any time. And if you believe you’re depressed/addicted/bulimic because your brain doesn’t work right, well, it’s a fact that areas

The Broken Road: George Wallace and a

Daughter’s Journey to Reconciliation

by Peggy Wallace Kennedy with Justice H. Mark Kennedy The path your parents first set you on is not the path you ended up taking. Somewhere along the way, you veered to the left or stepped to the right. You found your own groove, made your own decisions, and made adjustments while you learned where you were going. And as in the new book “The Broken Road” by Peggy Wallace Kennedy (with Justice H. Mark Kennedy), it was essential to know where you came from.

She never doubted that her Daddy loved her. Still, when Peggy Wallace Kennedy was growing up, her father was absent more than he was present, even when he was in the room: George Wallace’s political promise to himself as a young man consumed him until campaigning became an obsession. He was away for much of Kennedy’s early life, meeting prospective constituents and asking for votes. After he lost the 1958 Alabama Governor’s seat to an opponent who was “racist to the heart,” the obsession grew and festered. Before then, says Kennedy, when her father was a judge, he was known for fairness and equality in the courtroom but when Wallace lost that election, something changed in his mind. He started telling

Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different

by Chuck Palahniuk

You’ve got a tale to tell. Everybody does, but people believe that yours would sell. Write a book, they say, your story is interesting/funny/exciting. And so you start to imagine the crowds at your book signing. You think about the money you’ll make. You picture the life of a writer. You should read “Consider This” by Chuck Palahniuk before you go any further. Long before he was an author of novels, Chuck Palahniuk was a truck assembly line

worker with a journalism degree, struggling to be a better writer through a series of expensive, ineffective workshops. Then he met Tom Spanbauer, who offered “less a class than a dialogue.” That, says Palahniuk, is what he hopes this book will be. “If you’re dedicated to becoming an author, nothing I can say here will stop you,” Palahniuk cautions. “But if you’re not, nothing I can say will make you one.” If you were Palahniuk’s student, though, he would tell you to pay attention to the “textures” in your characters’ conversations. Use textures as you would in normal conversation; they’ll help your readers know who said what, they’ll bridge conversational gaps, and they help indicate time passed.

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Later, though other childish things were forgotten, those thoughts never were. They were constant, remembered, boxed up, ignored, or excused. Even when theological questions roared, when religious texts seemed to confirm Yisroel’s suspicions of girlhood, when sex – a subject no Ultra-Orthodox Jew was supposed to know about until days before marriage – made an all-boy yeshiva more bearable, questions of gender were suppressed. At 18, “matched” with and married to a woman who was nearly a stranger, Yisroel burned with envy that wearing a bridal gown would forever be denied. Naming their firstborn son was devastating. “Oh, and gender?” says author Abby Chava Stein today. “It started punching me in the face.” Without a doubt, “Becoming Eve” may be one of the most fascinating books you’ll read this winter. Certainly, it’ll be one of the most unusual. Set in a community that is meant only for adherents, author Stein’s story is told in rich detail that lets readers imagine everyday life with restrictions that most of

us would chafe under, and without the internet, blue jeans, fast food, or English. These day-to-day details are relayed in a matter-of-fact tone that makes the severity of the “laws” seem even more astounding because of the seeming scarcity of emotion associated in their telling. Stein’s lifelong question of gender almost seems secondary to those astonishments, but as the tale progresses, her demand for answers grows quietly in a way you almost won’t notice until it pounces on you. Whoosh, it’s a relief you never knew you were waiting for. And yet, relief is fleeting: Stein leaves readers hanging by not including an up-to-date which could be frustrating in any other story, but this unusual book’s end still feels just right. For that, “Becoming Eve” is a most satisfyingly unsatisfying book, and you’ll love it no matter who you are.

of the human brain mature at different times. The second thing to know is that you are not alone. If bullying or cyberbullying is an issue, say something! If you’re cutting, show someone. If it seems like the pain won’t ever stop, ask for help and don’t stop speaking or asking until you find that “right person.” Learn to recognize stress and know that even just a little anxiety can grow until you can’t deal anymore. Watch for addictive behavior, including addiction to electronics. Become educated about the mythology of teen suicide, know who’s at particular risk, self-assess now and then, and recognize the warning signs that scream for a professional. Finally, remember: there is absolutely zero shame in accepting therapy or help. As illustrated by the story of her husband’s suicide, author Kristi Hugstad shows how easy it is to miss a crisis brewing. So how can we best arm our teens and make them equipped to handle such unimaginable things?

“Beneath the Surface” could be a good start. Beginning with honesty and careful words about that which can seem insurmountable, and always keeping one finger on suicide as the hub, Hugstad lists possible warning signs related to the most common, most dangerous actions. That info’s backed up by short, bullet-pointed chapters that are easily browsed but packed tight with takeaways, which is a good thing for busy teens. Another value: the advice on advocating for self or friends is straightforward and unembellished. This is one of those books you hope you never need. It’s good to have around in these tumultuous times, though, and it’s sure to be a conversation starter. For teens, families, teachers, and allies, “Beneath the Surface” could be just the thing this year.

people that he was a segregationist, he began using words that were shocking, and his behavior attracted voters to his side. He all but abandoned his wife and family, and focused only on winning the next time. Kennedy says that once the Wallaces were ensconced in the Governor’s Mansion in 1962, she thought everything was fine until she learned of the violence happening throughout their state and, though she was just a child and somewhat shielded from her father’s actions by her strong, tenderhearted mother, she couldn’t believe her Daddy would allow that. After her mother’s death, however, when Wallace renewed his decision to run for President, Kennedy’s eyes were opened and she wished she could stand for racial equality by standing up to him. But by “the fall of 1968,” she says, “I was neither white nor black. The color of my skin was Wallace.” Absolutely, “The Broken Road” is a book of a thousand emotions. Anger, disgust, outrage – of course, you may remember those. Keep going: deep sadness rings this tale, but a

sense of satisfaction may be found, too, as pieces of a 50-plus-year-old puzzle fall into place. Also in author Peggy Wallace’s hands, the story of her mother is told with steely inspiration, while other passages hold a tinge of droll Well-Bless-Your-Heart zingers that are delightfully tucked in. Mostly, though, this book seems to be about teasing apart the years, trying to understand why and how what happened, happened, and reconciling what was with what is. It’s a child’s-eye view of history with an adult’s careful perspective, finalized as Kennedy writes of spiritual generosity and the forgiveness her father received toward the end of his life, and the tender friendships she has with those he hurt. Love, politics, the tumultuous ‘60s, current events, it’s all in this can’t-miss biography. “The Broken Road” is paved with grace.

“Establish… authority” to make your characters relatable. Offer real-world context; never, ever ignore fine details; and don’t worry about making people likable. Some of literature’s best-loved characters were despicable. If you were Palahniuk’s student, he’d tell you to “plant a gun” and an object that quietly returns again and again. He’d instruct you to surprise your readers and raise tension, both correctly, and to avoid ping-pong conversations. You’d start to listen to other people’s stories because that’s where your novel lies. You’d know how to rescue a boring character and how to write dialogue that sounds authentic. And if Palahniuk were your teacher, you’d learn this: “Don’t overthink your creative process.” Great writers are not born that way. They are molded from a mixture of sweat, rejection, odd hours, tiny pieces of notepaper, antacids, and books like “Consider This.” Your readers have a short list of things they hate in a novel, and author Chuck Palahniuk shows you how not to do those things when writing your future bestseller.

Replacing bad behavior with good is part of this book, including advice that makes so much sense that you wonder why you never thought of it before. (Hint: you didn’t because you’re not his student). On that note, Palahniuk will delight you as he instructs, by subtly using his own advice scattered throughout this book amid stories of his struggle to become a novelist and tales of booksignings that were held on his behalf. There are shout-outs to other authors that serve as a kind of reading list for prospective writers, and yes, you’ll find a few headscratchers that may not make sense until you’re there. Writers who are readers will enjoy this book for its anecdotes. Readers who are writers will love it for the chance to watch a master in action. If you are both, “Consider This” tells the tale.

Becoming Eve: My Journey from UltraOrthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman by Abby Chava Stein, c.2019, Seal Press, $28.00 / $35.00 in

Beneath the Surface: A Teen’s Guide to Reaching Out When You or Your Friend is in Crisis by Kristi Hugstad, c.2019, New World Library, $19.95 / $23.95 in Canada, 184 pages.

The Broken Road: George Wallace and a Daughter’s Journey to Reconciliation by Peggy Wallace Kennedy with Justice H. Mark Kennedy, c.2019, Bloomsbury, $28.00 / $38.00 in Canada, 292 pages.

Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different by Chuck Palahniuk, c.2020, Grand Central Publishing, $27.00 / $34.00 in Canada, 256 pages.

THE BOOKWORM SEZ By Terri Schlichenmeyer

If You Lived Here You’d Be Home by Now by Christopher Ingraham Moving stinks. You pack your stuff in boxes and old newspaper, then you haul it to the next place, and spend a year opening boxes and putting things away. If you’re smart, you keep the boxes because, statistically, you’ll move again soon; if you’re lucky, as in the “If You Lived Here You’d Be Home by Now” by Christopher Ingraham, you’ll love where you land. In his job as a data reporter for the Washington Post, Christopher Ingraham mined the

internet for statistics, then he wrote columns about what he found. It was fun work that allowed him to play with words in his Washington D.C. office, so when he discovered a livability ranking for each of the thousands of counties around the country, he poked a little fun at Red Lake County, Minnesota, way up in the states’ northwest corner. The list placed Red Lake County dead last. Column done, column posted, and fun poked, it wasn’t ten minutes before Ingraham’s inbox was flooded with protest. Red Lake County citizens were Minnesota-nicely upset; Minnesotans as a whole were aghast that he would say something callous without a visit. And so, Ingraham checked with his bosses, booked a plane to nearby South Dakota, rented a car,

Medieval Bodies: Life and Death

in the Middle Ages by Jack Hartnell

Your poor old bones have just about had it. Every day brings another ache. Every sun’s ray and snowflake feels like an assault. You ain’t getting any younger and your poor old bones know that well. What’s worse, as you’ll see in the new book “Medieval Bodies” by Jack Hartnell, your poor old ancestor’s poor old bones might have had it better than yours. Think of what it must’ve been like to live during Medieval times, and you might very well wrinkle your nose. Weren’t Medieval people

uneducated, dirty, stinky louts with bad teeth and body odor? You might believe that. And you’d be wrong. Says Hartnell, there are really three parts to the Medieval Ages: It started at the end of the Roman Empire, and then it split into Byzantium, “western and central Europe,” and into the Arabian Desert with the Muslims. Though each of these highly-different cultures saw things dissimilarly, they all knew a surprising lot about how the human body works. They had a basic concept of the dangers of bad bacteria, for instance, and a rudimentary idea of how food was digested and injuries could be healed. They knew that the brain was the holder of memory and thought and they were aware of nerves in the head. Because sugar was dear and vegetables cheap, they

The Wonders: The Extraordinary Performers Who Transformed the Victorian Age

by John Woolf Mirrors never lie. They show in great detail every wrinkle and blemish and stray hair. You can clearly spot a smudge. Every pound is on display, every ill-fitting garment there for your notice. You can peer into a mirror and see how you really look – and in the new book “The Wonders” by John Woolf, there may be more than meets the eye. General Tom Thumb could not have been more charming.

Twenty-four-year-old Queen Victoria was quite taken with him; at 25 inches in height, the General was not much smaller than Victoria herself, who measured less than five feet tall. No, Thumb was a witty “’man in miniature’” and she liked him instantly, enough that she made him a “pet” of the court and a sensation, world-wide. It was 1844 and Thumb was the latest in a short line of well-known “freaks,” as dwarfs and their brethren were called by Victorian-era handlers and gawkers (more on this later). Dwarfs had been known at courts for centuries – 18-inch-tall Jeffrey Hudson was a steady, pampered companion to Queen Henrietta Maria in the mid-1600s – yet most weren’t so lucky: they lived at the

You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe Absolutely, yes, you’ll vote this year. Maybe your mind’s not fully made up, maybe it is; either way, you’ll cast your ballot if they have to carry you in on a stretcher to do it. Taking part in the process is a right you’re proud to have, so you never miss an election but no matter how many you participate in, says Alexis Coe, “You Never Forget Your First.” Some time after she began writing this book, Coe

noticed one thing: all the biographies about George Washington were “authored by men.” Everything most of us know about our first President came from a man’s perspective and much of it, she says, was outright fib, half-truth, or not-quite-told. Take, for example, Washington’s teeth: they weren’t wooden because wood degrades when wet. The reality was that some of his chompers came from ivory and others came from the mouths of slaves he inherited from his father when George was just eleven years old. Young Washington was also willed a sizable farm then, but he wanted to be a soldier instead. History shows that he got his wish but it wasn’t without issues: at fourteen, he hoped to join the British Royal

Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer based just across the river from SoMinn in LaCrosse, WI. She can be contacted at bookwormsez@gmail.com

and visited Red Lake County, where he was warmly embraced. Weeks later, after a conversation with family about the future, Ingraham and his wife, Briana, realized that they couldn’t tolerate life in a 953-square-foot Maryland house with twin toddlers anymore. He couldn’t withstand his three-to-four hour daily commute. They longed for a yard and a wider-open place than Baltimore to raise their kids. Red Lake County started looking better and better. And so they packed up kids, pets, and belongings and moved to the corner of Minnesota, where housing cost two-thirds less than in Maryland, everybody knew everybody else, and winter is no joke. It was culture shock, done with love, lutefisk, lefse, and ice-fishing lessons... but with four-star restaurants and major medical facilities hours away, was Minnesota really so nice? No doubt, you can answer that already; these fishout-of-water, Green Acres-type tales always (spoiler alert!) turn out happy. “If You Lived Here You’d Be

Home by Now” is no exception, but it doesn’t entirely unfold as you’d expect. Author Christopher Ingraham gives balance to this memoir, which is both a good thing, and a bad one. Seeing two sides of the proverbial coin, he writes of things he loves about the upper Midwest, kindness, elbow room, and great neighbors; and he writes of things he dislikes, Minnesota cuisine, and lack of convenient amenities. Balance is good, but it has its limits: constant comparisons to a place halfway across the country doesn’t always seem fair and it comes to be relentless. Fortunately, abundant humor rescues this book, making it both a love song to a new hometown and something middle-country residents can ship to eithercoast relatives. “If You Lived Here You’d Be Home by Now” is an easy read and if you love your small town, it might almost be moving.

probably ate better than you do. And yet, they were off quite a bit on other medical beliefs. Medieval physicians were sure that “humors” governed the body and that small hairs on the skin were formed by evaporated humors. On that, skin was a way to hold one’s innards in and Medieval physicians were truly loathe to cut through it – although there is on record a gruesome tale of experimentation on a scamp destined to hang. As for the heart, it was obviously important but more as a “governing force of the soul.” The heart, they believed was “a proxy originator of action and understanding,” and that included love… Give “Medieval Bodies” a quick page-through, and you might think it’s too scholarly to be a fun read. It’s filled with reproductions of medieval art and tapestries and stories that nudge the high schooler in you, the one who snoozed in History class. Look again. Author Jack Hartnell indeed tells a story that’s

somewhat on the dry side, but between dates and names peeks sneaky humor that’ll catch you by surprise. There are copious accounts of work done by early physicians and scientists, but they’re told with a sense of promise that a snicker is on its way. Hartnell shows that what happened fourteen- or fifteen-hundred years ago was important and, in many ways, it laid a foundation for the knowledge that came after it… but he also seems to recognize that sometimes, it was pretty silly, too. Absolutely, “Medieval Bodies” is perfect for historians and medical sorts, but it should also appeal to the curious, and to anyone who wants something truly different. Look for this book. Your poor old bones just might have to have it.

mercy of the people who had likely purchased them. Born in spring 1770, Daniel Lambert was another unfortunate “freak” who made his way by exhibiting himself. Lambert was said to have been of normal size through most of his life and didn’t possess a particularly large appetite, but he gained so much weight as an adult that charging visitors a few shillings to see him was the only way he could survive, which “must have been humiliating.” “Lambert’s display,” says Woolf, “was no freak show, but Chang and Eng’s was.” Chang and Eng, the famous “Siamese Twins,” took control of their own exhibition, which smoothed the way for men like P.T. Barnum, and the freaks with which Barnum made his fortune – freaks like General Tom Thumb who, when he met Queen Victoria in 1844, was just six years old… In his introduction, author John Woolf is careful to explain his verbiage, which is not at all PC by modern standards, but was used as normal “terminology of the time...” Specifically, his use of different definitions of

the word “freak” in “The Wonders” is time-sensitivelycorrect, given that the mid-1800s weren’t exactly too enlightened; and the word’s presence lends an air of 19th-century Victoriana to his stories, along with a touch of melodrama. The tone set and the time framed, readers can expect to be astounded by tales of the Bunkers, John Merrick, Dolly Dimples, and their contemporaries and yes, there are surprises. The tender ages of the subjects is one, as are the ruses used to wrench children from their parents. Another is the lack of humanity extended to these people; still another lies in the audacity possessed by those who could find it in themselves. Absolutely, this is a circusphile’s dreambook, but it’s also for anyone wanting a good bite of Victorian biography. For you, “The Wonders” is a great reflection of our past.

Navy, but his mother wouldn’t allow it. Later, when his elder half-brother died of smallpox in Bermuda, Washington seized his chance and “wasted neither time nor opportunity, immediately setting his sights on Lawrence’s now vacant position in the Virginia militia.” In war, Coe says, Washington “was well aware of his own limitations” and while he didn’t always win the battles he engaged in, he was quite beloved by troops and by average citizens. At wars’ end, in fact, he’d become “America’s first real celebrity,” but reluctantly so; the war had aged him, he was exhausted and ready to retire. Martha, his wife, was ready to have him home. But then came the request to attend a meeting in Philadelphia, and a near-unanimous vote for a new American president… At first look, “You Never Forget Your First” doesn’t seem to add a whole lot to the other volumes author Alexis Coe mentions in her early pages. Look again, though, and you’ll find a newer, updated George here –

one that’s seen through modern eyes. For one, Coe examines Washington-as-slaveowner more than most. That that information lacks heroism should come as no surprise, in fact, it’s pretty outrageous but there’s a good twist to the story of how slavery ended at Mount Vernon and that matches nicely with the second well-done aspect here: more so than with those other books, Coe tells Washington’s story partially through peripheral tales of the women and slaves in his life. This gives readers a sense of the man rather than the statesman, making our “first” more flawed-human than unapproachable deity. This book is a no-brainer for a historian but anyone who fell asleep in high school classes will also like it for its fresh take on the subject. Snag a look at “You Never Forget Your First,” and you’ll give it the nod.

If You Lived Here You’d Be Home by Now by Christopher Ingraham, c.2019, Harper, $24.99 / $31.00 in Canada, 288 pages.

Medieval Bodies: Life and Death in the Middle Ages by Jack Hartnell, c.2018, W.W. Norton, $29.95 / $39.95 in Canada, 346 pages.

The Wonders: The Extraordinary Performers Who Transformed the Victorian Age by John Woolf, c.2019, Pegasus Books, $27.95 / Higher in Canada, 376 pages.

You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe, c.2020, Viking, $27.00 / $36.00 in Canada, 261 pages.

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AN ANNUAL BLAST IN NEW ULM

Story by PAT GARRY Contributing Writer

he Marti Family and Schell’s Brewery present the 34th annual Bock Fest, Saturday, March 7, 2020. “ This is a legendary, outdoor festival in the middle of winter, where about 7,000 of our closest friends turn-out to listen to music, drink beer, and get their Bock poked,” said Marketing Manager Leigh Wendinger. Traditionally, Bock beer is consumed at the festival by many thirsty people. They drink about 1/3 of their glasses and then venture to one of the fire pits, where fire tenders take a hot poker from the fire and stick it in their beer to caramelize it. The result is a delicious tasting beer to warm up on a cold day. There is polka music in one area and a DJ in another, to help keep the party going. For the hunters of the group, there are Seven Bocks of Winter, hidden in the woods; and the Huntmaster has prepared a list of worthless clues to help the hunters find them. Human Saint Bernards walk through the woods with kegs on their backs, to come to the aid of thirsty hunters, and give them a beer. For those lucky enough to find one of the Seven Bocks of Winter, a cash prize is awarded them. Legend has it, if all seven Bocks are found, Mother Nature will release her icy grip on winter. Here’s to hoping! There are refreshments available (mostly beer). Of course, there is Bock; along with the traditional Deer Brand and Schell’s Light products; in addition to an assortment of others that are changed-up each year. “We also serve 1919 Root beer and water. We do have food available as well because we all need a little food in

our stomachs when we’ve spent the day drinking beer,” Wendinger said. Visit the website at www. schellsbrewery.com for more information. (Sip Some Bock And Pray For Spring!) While the beer doesn’t always speed the arrival of Spring, it will at least keep you warm. Come beckon warmer weather with a mug full of Bock, music, and food. Seven Bocks of Winter are hiding around the brewery and in Flandrau State Park, waiting for brave festers to venture out and capture them. Armed with completely useless clues and Bock beer, hunters will comb the park in search of these elusive bocks. Two human St. Bernards, with kegs of Bock beer strapped to their backs, are ready to be dispatched at a moment’s notice of the first signs of thirst. Oft-repeated tales depict their heroic exploits, finding festers roaming the woods at wits end, searching for another glass of Schell’s Bock beer. Once they receive nourishment, they find the strength to go forth and continue their search for the stealthy bocks. Legend has it if all Seven Bocks of Winter are captured and brought back to the brewery, winter will release its icy grip on Minnesota, and bring an early spring. (This has never been scientifically proven and is widely disputed among scholars to this day). For those not hearty enough to leave the Schell’s Brewery fest grounds, feel no shame. Schell’s beer, brats, live music and warm fire await you. Grab yourself a Schell’s Bock and brag to your friends of how you braved the Minnesota forest “last year” and found all seven bocks yourself. Your friends will be so impressed with your exploits, you probably won’t have to buy another beer the entire time you’re here. Head over to the fire and have your beer “poked” by the fire tenders, giving your Bock beer some nice caramel flavors. And when the final bock has been wrangled, the last Ring of Fire sung, the last keg tapped and last mug hoisted,

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it’s time to close the books on another Bock Fest… unless you want to stick around and help with the cleanup. But the party doesn’t stop there. Festers flock to downtown New Ulm for a fun-filled night of friendship. And when the night has run its course and it’s time to call it quits, please be sure to call for a ride home. Be safe out there! Location: August Schell Brewing Company; 1860 Schell Road, New Ulm, MN; Admission: Ticket cost $10; 21 plus event. IDs required Tickets will also be available at the gate on the day of the event for $10. Limit of 10 per purchase. Limited number of tickets will be sold in advance. Gift shop will open its doors at 10 a.m. on the day of advanced ticket sales and will sell tickets as long as they are available. Online sales will begin at 10 a.m. on February 4th and last as long as tickets are available. Can’t make it to the brewery to get your tickets? No problem, we’re selling them online as well! Sorry, no refunds on advanced tickets. Schedule: Saturday, March 7, 2020: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the brewery; 10:30 – Gates open for advanced ticket holders only! 11:00 –

Gates open for cash purchase; 11:00 – The first keg is tapped and the music begins; 4:30 – Gates close. What to Know Before You Attend: 21 plus event. IDs required; No pets are allowed on the fest grounds the day of Bock Fest; Backpacks will be searched; Plan on taking a bus to Bock Fest? Check out this link to ensure your bus meets all inspection requirements from the Minnesota State Patrol; It is illegal to drink on the streets of New Ulm so we ask that if you are coming early to get in line, refrain from drinking on the streets. Festers refusing to abide by this may be cited by local authorities. No outside food or beverages will be allowed inside the gates; Have an awesome time again this year. Bock Fest is a great event where people come from all over the United States (and even the world) to enjoy a joyous day out in the Minnesota elements. Prost! Additional Resources: Check out the other events happening around town during Bock Fest. There will also be a free shuttle. SMS

ringing intangible concepts to visual life is the primary focus of a designer. This includes both abstract and concrete ideas. Creating visual aids to excite the customer about their project also excites the designer and proves to both parties that the design can, indeed, become a reality. Establishing trust with the client is one of the most important aspects of custom home design. Tailoring finishes and furnishings to someone’s specific tastes requires extensive communication between the client and designer. Overtime, a relationship of ideas develops and establishes this trust as the project progresses. One maSPONSORED BY jor reason to hire a designer is that they can The Design Element fully realize an image in their minds from 1711 Premier Drive using samples, textures, photos, colors, Mankato, MN etc. – before the space has become reality. 507.345.8708 But, the challenge still lies in conveying this mental image to the customer - which is where drawings, renderings, floor plans, and product documents come into play. At The Design Element we have a multitude of resources to accomplish this goal. We start with our existing samples of the actual products and, depending on the scale of the job, we may order in other options to assist the client in making final decisions. It’s not uncommon for drafters to add in details to plans when necessary using the selections specified by our designers. Oftentimes, a collaboration amongst multiple individuals is necessary to create accurate illustrations and truly bring a vision to life. Knowledge of building products, standards, codes, room functions, space planning, and current design trends all come into play. On the job experience is what allows a designer to create in real-time and bring form and function together for each project. The internet can also be a helpful source of information but is both a blessing and a curse. This statement could apply to a variety of situations in life, but it’s especially true for the design industry. In many ways it helps our jobs as designers. Our clients can see images of the latest interiors in every style and color imaginable. Bringing these images to your designer can be helpful to determine your likes and dislikes faster than ever before. On the negative side, many room designs are not feasible for your actual space or can be beyond the budget allowed. This is where someone with experience can assist in adapting your favorite images to the place you live. Applying personal taste to an interior can be a therapeutic process – often determining subconscious likes and dislikes as your designer dissects your pinned, tagged, dropped, emailed, texted, or linked digital photographs. Connecting similarities between seemingly disparate room scenes is not always a simple task and is time-consuming. Each client’s project is a puzzle that takes both an analytical and empathetic eye – deriving assumed function and meaning from your preferred visual style. As I mentioned above, establishing a good, open working relationship between a client and designer is the most important design tool. It is the nature of the business that you will be sharing some private and sometimes intimate information about your life with your designer. He or she needs to know how you live and what you love in order to make your house your home. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and to be honest. An experienced designer has undoubtedly heard it all before. It is also important to be flexible and open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. It is safe to assume that if you are undergoing a remodel or building a new home that you are not wanting a carbon copy of your existing dwelling. Sometimes change can be hard, but it can also be exciting and an improvement to your life. Keep in mind that your designer has gone through this process many times with different personalities. They may have ideas that have never occurred to you before. Being open to suggestion and putting some trust in your designer can allow for an outcome you never thought possible. Chances are that vision and experience are the tools you are looking for in a designer. Every project is a group effort. Each member of the team must work together in order to organize all the moving parts that is construction. Open communication and putting some trust in each other, homeowners and professionals, is the best way for everyone to reach the common goal of a beautifully built and designed home.

From thought to

Ian Laird

Megan Rolloff

Ian is a Lighting Specialist and designer at The Design Element, located in the Mankato Design Center. He can help you with all your lighting and design needs from planning to product selection.

Megan is a designer at The Design Element in the Mankato Design Center. She can help you with all your design needs from planning to product selection.

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Story by PAT GARRY Contributing Writer

resh, local produce can seem scarce in the winter. Though many farmers markets close in the winter months, some markets will continue to operate even after the growing seasons have ended. Winter farmers markets not only bring fresh food to the communities they serve, but they also allow farmers to continue building rapport with their customers. Farmers markets are about people who love food, growers and eaters alike. If this seems broad, it should. Those abundant tables bearing fresh fruits and veggies are the bridge between farm and fork, and you should cross it whenever you can! {Big Lake Winter Farmers Market} The Big Lake Farmers Market has been running for 10 years and Recreation Coordinator Corrie Scott has organized the market since 2016. This year, the event is inside of Big Lake City Hall (160 Lake Street North). The winter market runs from November to April, on the third Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; with the exception of the March market, which will be in conjunction with the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Community Fair. The March market will take place at the Big Lake High School (501 Minnesota Ave East); from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and there will be a variety of free activities for all ages, including raffles and businesses handing out freebies in the gymnasium. The exact market dates are March 21 and April 18. Some of the vendors that have confirmed they will be attending in March and April are listed below. All of their farms and businesses are located in Minnesota: Cat Tail Farm; Grace’s Goodies; Jack’s Greens; Jewelry by Linda Lee; Katie’s Kitchen; LV Gardens; Marlys Baker; Matt’s Mushrooms and More; Mavki Produce; Oak Park Farm; The Softer Side of Bees; All products sold at the market are home-grown and hand-made in Minnesota. There are a variety of items at the winter market, including a selection of produce, microgreens, beef, chicken, eggs, baked goods, salsa, pickled goods, spaghetti sauce, jelly, jam, maple syrup, mushrooms, beeswax products, jewelry, hand carved wooden crafts, and crocheted items. Parking and admission are always free. “We feature live, acoustic musicians and free kids’ activities. And if you forgot to bring enough

cash, stop by the information booth where debit/ credit cards are accepted,” said Scott. www.biglakemn.org/432/Winter-Farmers-Market {Faribault Winter Farmers Market} Tiffany Tripp is the market organizer and a vendor (owner of Graise Farm). The market is located at 321 N. Central Ave, Faribault (located inside the Paradise Center for the Arts in historic downtown Faribault); Saturday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; March 14 and April 11. Farmers’ Market vendors for March and April: The Rardin’s (Faribault) - canned goods, fruit butters, house plants, succulents; CannonBelles Cheese (Cannon Falls) - cheese curds, cheddar, gouda cheeses; Cannon River Fiber Farm (Northfield) - Alpaca and mohair yarn, batt, roving, and felted products, wild flower honey; Cannon Valley Butcher’s Block (Cannon Falls) - pasture-raised

pork; Dresow Family Farm (Lonsdale) - Cormo sheep wool, roving, wool products; Eat Me Bakery (Minneapolis) - baked goods; Get Bentz Farm (Northfield) - Icelandic wool yarn, raw wool fiber, bedding, lamb skulls, and lamb meat; Graise Farm (Faribault)- chicken eggs, duck

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eggs, pork products; Jirik Family Farms (Kilkenny) maple syrup, honey, beef cuts, beef sticks, frozen chicken, salmon fillets; Joseph Lee (Faribault) homemade barbecue sauce, pizza sauce, relishes, homemade caramels; Lois Gehrke (Waterville) canned vegetables, homemade jams, jellies; Lova Dora’s (New Prague) - Artisanal herb and spice

season. Facebook: Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market {Maple Grove Winter Farmers Market} Kirsten Bansen Weigle is the primary organizer of the Maple Grove Farmers’ Market, located at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road in Maple Grove.

blends, traditional jams; Medford Creek Natural Apiaries (Medford) - raw and infused honey, maple syrup, wax products; Ophelia’s Hope Alpacas (Faribault) - alpaca fiber yarn, hats, mittens; Peaceful Valley Pastures (Morristown) - 100% grass-fed beef; Rebecca’s Greek Kouzina (Faribault) - Greek-inspired baked goods; Regeneration Farms (Faribault) - Whole chickens and cut-up 8-piece chickens organically and pasture-raised; Santa Martha’s Cafe (Cannon Falls) - locally roasted fair trade coffee; The Greensted (Zumbrota) – microgreens; The Whole Oat (Lonsdale) - overnight oats, natural peanut butter; Whispering Creek Farm (Medford) - Goat milk bar soap, lotion, body cream, wash cloths, eggs; Ye Olde Farm (Cannon Falls) - canned goods and breads; The Faribault Winter Farmers’ Market creates a space for southern Minnesota residents to buy locally grown, homemade goods in the winter

The market is open indoors on Thursday, March 19, Thursday, April 2, and Thursday, April 16, 2020. Hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Review the indoor vendor list here for more information: https:// www.maplegrovefarmersmarket.com/meet-ourvendors. “We expect about 21 vendors on each indoor market date in the spring of 2020,” said Weigle. The indoor market features a full-line of farmstead meats (beef, pork, lamb, chicken) and eggs, plus wild-caught Alaska salmon. In the spring, our vendors offer seasonal produce including microgreens, greenhouse-grown lettuce and spring mix, and storage crops including root vegetables and winter squash. Farmstead products include raw honey, maple syrup, goat’s-milk soap, pickles, preserves, jams, jellies, sauces and salsa. Finally, the market features a number of local food-makers, who offer unique products, including pierogis, artisan breads, olive salsa, baked beans, frozen ready-to-bake strudels, and more. The winter market is a great way to increase the amount of local foods in a family’s diet, even dur-

THEATER

AUDITIONS EXHIBITION

ing the long, Northern winter. “We see that customers often learn more about our farmers’ production practices and products at the indoor market, continuing and strengthening the relationship between grower and eater,” added Weigle. Each market date features live music and a popular Frequent Shopper Rewards program. All vendors accept cash; some accept credit and debit. For the shoppers’ convenience, the market sells tokens, accepted by every vendor. Tokens may be purchased by using any major credit card or SNAP/EBT cards. EBT guests receive a dollar-for-dollar match; to $10, on each market date. {Monticello Winter Farmers Market} Sara Cahill is the organizer of the winter market, located at the Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street. The market is on March 14, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All vendors are from within a 25-mile radius of Monticello, most are within 10 miles: Schyma’s Pickles & Preserves; Gardner’s Garden; Pure Nature Honey; Barthel’s River Road Gold; Diamond City Bread; Matt’s Mushrooms & More; Katie’s Kitchen / Big Lake; Joyful Heart Creations & Design. Some products include jams, jellies, pickles, sauerkraut, sauces, baked goods, breads, honey, maple syrup, dried mushrooms & herbs, frozen chicken, hand-crafted cards & gifts. “The indoor market is a reflection of what customers can find outdoors during the regular season. All products are grown and produced by the vendors,” Cahill said. {Rochester Winter Farmers Market} Rochester Farmers’ Markets are organized by a vendor-owned association of about 100 small business owners who live and farm within 50 miles of Rochester.

“We are a non-profit corporation, managed by one fulltime Market Manager (Jess Joyce), four additional part-time staff, and numerous volunteers,” Joyce said. (located a 35 Fairgrounds Ave SE, Rochester). The market is open on Saturdays, March 7, March 21, April 4, and April 18. Indoor markets are open from 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 noon. As a growers’ market limited to a 50-mile radius, the organization represents a huge diversity in vendor membership. They include fourth-generation farm families, first-generation immigrants, new-farm entrepreneurs starting from zero, millennials who have committed to carrying on a legacy, retirees who grow food as a passion project, experts in biology and soil science, health care professionals, and more. The full vendor list is online. March and April markets will include 20-30 vendors primarily from the meat, baked good, and specialty categories: beef, pork, chicken, lamb, bison, turkey, elk, trout, eggs, milk, cheese curds, ice cream; hot-house tomatoes and greens, microgreens, carrots, onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, parsnips, radishes, popcorn, herbs, spices; baked treats, breads, jams, pickles, lefse, honey, maple syrup, salsa, soaps, coffee, tea, hot chocolate; locally-roasted coffee, global-fusion cuisine. www.rochfarmmkt.org/our-vendors SMS

Purple Door Youth Theater

MUSIC

OPEN ART

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The

Daniel G. Moir

20 19

BY DANIEL G. MOIR editor@southernminnscene.com

k, let’s get at this. 2019 saw a number of exciting, young new artists arrive on the scene that brought a breath of real fresh air into the world of music. Best of all, was the pervasive dominance of female artistry on all levels of the charts. Kacey Musgraves started things with her much well-deserved Grammy “Album of the Year” award for Golden Hour, and after that it was full speed ahead. Minnesota’s own Lizzo absolutely dominated with her wonderfully soulful Cuz I Love You and Lil Nas X took over the charts for nineteen consecutive weeks with “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. 2019 was a weird, wild, funny and exciting from start to finish. No doubt about that. So, buckle up kids. Here we go. The first “Danny” goes to…

Live). Ariana, PLEASE take some time off. With your expansive social media messaging, albums and performances, you’re making me tired just watching you.

The “Can I Get a Slice?” Award deadmau5 - The Cube V3 Tour I have been a fan of Canadian DJ Joel Zimmerman’s work as dead-

mau5 for quite a number of years. His recent December show at The Armory in Minneapolis became a “must see” for me when tickets went on sale. While standing in the middle of a significantly younger crowd by the front of the stage on a late Saturday night, I experi-

The “Please, Take A Rest” Award Ariana Grande After releasing Sweetener in August, 2018 and Thank You, Next a mere 6 months later in February 2019, the Pop ingénue then closed out 2019 with the late December live album K Bye for Now (SWT

The “Real Deal” Award Camila Cabello When the former Fifth Harmony vocalist released her debut

album, “Camila” in 2018, I was suitably impressed. This was a great collection of pop songs buoyed with the swagger of lead-off single, “Havana.” Towards the end of the year, the Cuban singer released the magnificent “Romance” album and verified that she IS someone who will be around for a long, long time. To turn out one collection of quality songs is impressive. To do a second one that is even better just 18 months later? Those are the artists that demand your attention.

The “Tommy’s Out of Money and Vince Hates Casinos” Award Mötley Crüe After famously signing their “Cessation of Touring” contract for

Creepiest Debut Album of the Year Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? When the then-17 year old artist from Los Angeles released WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP in late March, I was certainly intrigued. Sure, single “Bad Guy” was filled with a sinister vibe and heaping with innovative sonic textures with just enough “catchy, pop hooks” to reach No. 1 on the charts, but it really is the album as a whole that makes Eilish an artist to pay attention moving forward. Astonishingly, six different songs reached the top 40 over this past year. Incorporating 14 songs over less than 45 minutes of time, there is a graceful uneasiness to the collection. Lyrically self-aware with broader view of the outside world, Eilish is among the artists in her generation that actually gives me some hope for the planet. I guess 2019 was just a strange enough year where this album seemed to be just about the perfect soundtrack for it. As someone older, this album made me profoundly uncomfortable, which is half of the appeal. Her honest depiction of mental health issues on tracks like “xanny” will hopefully draw more attention and help spark greater conversation and connection. That is one of the roles of artists. It is grossly unfair to place the mantle of “voice of a generation” on ANY writer, but this is an artist whose voice and message should be properly heard. Mid-album ballad “when the party’s over” is devastating. If this is what she can do when she is 17, what will she do when she expands her artistic vision? My only surprise by her recent sweep at the Grammys was that the voters actually voted for her. I thought she would’ve totally creeped them out.

pretty sure that I probably saw all these same concert attendees back then as well. The irony of having a pizza stand out on the floor offering everyone slices of jalapeno pizza during the opening act was not lost on me. Well done, Mr. Zimmerman, well done. A truly great show all around that I highly recommend. Sorry, Chuck. Zimmerman’s music is better.

their “final” tour in 2015, the Crüe announced a new stadium tour with Def Leppard and Poison for 2020. Look, I suppose this was inevitable. The band has never cared much about anything, so the fact they would tear up their previous agreement and hit the road again should be a surprise to absolutely no one. Besides, their Netflix movie version of “The Dirt” was, well…,

enced a strange sense of deja vu seeing him. So, where had I seen all this before? Let’s see… Overamped young people? Check. Said crowd all out of their minds on “unusual” stimulants? Check. Loud, disorienting music? Most certainly, Check. A giant mouse overseeing the entire proceedings? Um, well. That’s it! I HAVE been here before. Back when my kids were younger, I was the EXACT same situation! It was called Chuck E. Cheese’s. The only difference was that instead of being hopped up on Hi-C and Mountain Dew, it was Poppers and X. Heck, I am

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released. With a subscription “streaming” service, it is nearly impossible to judge if it was “successful.” I mean, how many new Netflix subscriptions began as a result? I know that “The Mandalorian” got me into Disney+, but I digress … I think the stark reality of Vince Neil opening for Sammy Hagar’s “The Circle” out at Mystic Lake over the summer had more to do with it than anything else. It IS good to know where Mick Mars (who has a solo album coming out) will be at all times however…

The “Did We Really Need That?” Award Kanye West Ye released his Jesus Is Love gospel album in 2019. Let me say

that again. Kanye West released a GOSPEL album. I am entirely in favor of an artist, or anyone, having a moment of spiritual re-birth, but if you are gonna foist it out on the public, please incorporate it into a well-thought out piece of work. Otherwise it can come across as unfocused, disorganized and ultimately disingenuous. “Closed on Sunday” finds West incanting “Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A. You’re my number one with the lemonade.” Huh? Seriously? This is the audio equivalent of glitter. Once you open it up, it gets into everything and you never get completely rid of it. Not even slightly sure what to do with this at all.

WE GO? to be a thrillingly weird collection but got a kick out of the fact that while the album title was in all-caps, all the song titles remained entirely in lower case. This was one to likely send every English Lit. Major into apoplectic shock. As if the album wasn’t disturbing enough to begin with…

on a dedicated fan base and constant touring to financially sustain them, it is entirely another thing with an artist of Swift’s scale. Here, it feels exploitive. By the way, Swift was named by Forbes as the highest earning celebrity of 2019 thanks to $185 Million earned during the sold-out Reputation tour.

The “This Amp Goes to 11” Award HATEBEAK Surprisingly, there actually are a number of animal-fronted

death-metal bands out there. The two-pitbull led Caninus may actually pull their act off slightly better musically, but the parrot-led HATEBEAK is just slightly ahead thanks to a seemingly endless string of humor found in their work. Their Number of the Beak album flocks together a number of classic titles like “Roost in Peace”, “The Thing That Should Not Beak”, “Hellbent for Feathers” and “Molt Thrower.” Lead, err…, crower Waldo’s work on their recent single “Nested are the Sick” is certainly one to ruffle a few feathers provided someone can translate the words.

The “You Gotta Be Kidding Me” Award The Grammys It was incredibly funny to see Lil Nas X nominated for “Album of the Year” based on his 2019 release, 7. I know that we live in a time of collectively short attention spans, but really? It was called 7 because it only contained SEVEN tracks. Of these seven, two were “Old Town Road.” One with Billy Ray Cyrus, and one without. Overall, the entire “album” took just 18 minutes and 44 seconds to play from start to finish. When you can play the entire album twice during your morning commute, you might be putting this one in the wrong category. Still, Lil Nas X was really fun and refreshing delight this year. Here is hoping that he pops out with something just a wee bit longer next time.

The “6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon/Magic Algorithm” Award Todd Rundgren Like a number of people, I listen to a

pretty broad span of music and use streaming services to do it. Apple Music, in particular, has a “Favorites Mix” that updates weekly. What interests me most is how it can get from the EDM of DJ Snake to Metallica over 6 moves. Over many months, I discovered that Todd Rundgren is the gobetween link. He is somewhere in the middle of nearly every playlist Apple constructs for me. I am not a particularly huge Rundgren fan, but the dude’s musicality and diversity of genres over the past 50 years of work has made him indispensable for quick creation of playlists. Whether it’s the hard rock of “Crybaby” with his side band, Utopia, the soulful “Compassion” from 1981’s Healing, or the silly pop of “Bang The Drum All Day” released two years later, Rundgren covers all the bases and makes for the perfect bridge between genres. While he has yet to gain entry into the vaulted “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame”, his inclusion in these ignoble awards is a no-brainer. I have a feeling, he might prefer it this way.

The “Tour That Didn’t Happen” Award Haley Kiyoko I was really expecting a breakthrough year for the dreampop artist. A wonderful electro-pop sound with a positive LBGTQ+ focused message. Her “I’m Too Sensitive For This X” tour was shaping up to be her biggest ever with a stop scheduled for early 2020 at the soonto-be open Fillmore Minneapolis and a new album release as well. Sadly, just days before it was to start, Kiyoko pulled the plug and cancelled everything. I still hold out high hopes for her, but it might just be a while before she moves forward career-wise.

The “Best Gosh Dern Friend Country Music Ever Had” Award Ken Burns No, he isn’t a musician, but his exhaustive 16 ½ PBS documentary, Country Music was likely the best comprehensive take that the genre has ever had. He took all the brilliance of his 2001 series on Jazz and stepped it up considerably. Mesmerizing and complete, a tremendous piece of filmmaking for a true master in his prime. Cannot wait to see what he does next.

The “You Get In Trouble For That In English Class” Award Billie Eilish Now, I found her album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO

The “Very Best Album of the Year” Award Charli XCX Charli 2019 was filled with a variety of album releases that utterly

captivated my attention. I kept coming back to this one. Sure, it is a “Pop” collection and is filled with a rapid succession of catchy candy-like melodies and lilting electronica, but there was something much more to it that reached out to me. Music is a singular experience. What might be one person’s obsession might be passé to everyone else. This album in particular worked as a wonderful companion during 2019. Listening on headphones brought out a subtlety in background and displayed something incredibly rare in music; something that was futuristic and visionary as well as highly danceable. This shined with what IS possible in pop music. Her cheeky “I’m a Great Pop Star” attitude displayed at a late year show at First Avenue rang completely true. She IS the perfect pop star for the early 21st Century.

The “Other Best Albums of the Year” Bonus points go to Los Angeles native, Tyler, The Creator for his album IGOR, who was at least consistent in putting the title and all the songs in all-caps as well.

The “Hope For The Future” Award Lauv One of the albums I am anticipating in 2020 will be ~how i’m

feeling~, the full-length debut release by pop singer/songwriter Ari Staprans Leff, known professionally as Lauv. If the album’s initial single releases (“f&#k, I’m Lonely” and “Sims”) are any indication, this up & coming artist has a rare melodic gift for hooks and an interesting observational read on people. Scheduled for release on March 6, 2020, this is the one I’m looking forward to hear. Based in Los Angeles, Lauv also seems interested in the whole lower case/upper case dichotomy as fellow L.A. natives Tyler, The Creator, and Billie Eilish as well. Either there really IS something different in the water out there, or maybe the LA school system has some work to do.

The “All You Had To Do Was Pay” Award Taylor Swift If having no less than FOUR different Target-Exclusive Deluxe Ver-

sions of her 2019 Lover album available for purchase wasn’t enough, now T-Swift has announced plans to re-record all the albums in her back catalog. This all came about when her label, Big Machine Label Group, was purchased by music manager and mega-mogul Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings earlier this year for $300 Million. While I understand artists wanting to retain control of their master recordings, this might be a bit excessive. A couple of years ago, Carbon Leaf re-made their three major label albums for the exact same reason. That said, it is one thing for a small, working band that relies

Making a choice of “Very Best Album of the Year” was incredibly difficult due to Khalid and Bruce Springsteen’s earlier year album releases. Springsteen put out a masterful collection that was open to a variety of compelling interpretations. It was also the best album Glen Campbell never released. Khalid’s Free Spirit was just a masterwork of pop songcraft. While Billie Eilish may have won the Grammy for “Album of the Year,” I found it mesmerizing, but just didn’t connect with me in the same way that the other three did. Beyond these, there is no particular ranking order here. You cannot go wrong with any of them. Khalid Free Spirit Bruce Springsteen Western Stars Billie Eilish WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? The Japanese House Good At Falling Lizzo Cuz I Love You Deadmau5 Polar (Music from the Netflix Film) Camila Cabello Romance Post Malone Hollywood’s Bleeding Tove Lo Sunshine Kitty So, that’s the year as I see it. (Seriously, Mötley Crüe’s guitarist Mick Mars is putting out an album in early 2020?) SMS

“The nice thing about good songs is they stay written. Not only do they stay written, but they live. They live the years with you. They take the measure of the moment, at night when you play that song.” - Jackson Browne Daniel G. Moir has forgotten more about music than all the rest of us know combined. Reach him at editor@southernminnscene.com

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Photographing SoMinn:

Find Serenity

at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Photos and text by Elizabeth Nida Obert www.nidaphoto.com elizabeth@nidaphoto.com

n engagement photo session led me to an unfamiliar outdoor destination on a chilly Dec. afternoon. The groomto-be forgot his hat but was a good sport as he and his bride-to-be repeatedly posed in the fresh and pristine snow. The backdrops were ideal. We were at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. At almost 2,000 acres, it is the largest in Dakota County and is made up of marshes, wetlands, grasslands and forests. The Jensen Lake Trailhead was a natural draw. The snow-covered lake stretched below in the solitude. Red winter berries and a little dog in a bright coat gave me pause and a smile. Winter enthusiasts hiked and skied through the landscape and fresh powder. It was peaceful. Serene. Therapeutic. Winter equipment rental is available in the visitor center weekends through March 15 and includes kicksleds, snowshoes and cross-country ski packages. SMS

Freelance writer and photographer Elizabeth Nida Obert, a former newspaper staff photographer for 18 years, has degrees in both and is passionate about telling stories in words and pictures. She thrives on travel and adventure and is always looking forward to where the next open road â€“ or door â€“ will lead.

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TH Calendar Compiled By Anne Kopas editor@southernminnscene.com attendees, musicians and supporters raised an impressive $27,000 to feed hungry families. Last year’s performers included area favorites Fruit Cocktail, The Gogs, Turn the Page and Mile 5, spanning a range of genres and styles, and this year’s show is sure to deliver the same musical entertainment with a local flavor. Bring either a monetary donation or a non-perishable food item as your ticket. steelecountyfoodshelf.org

You’ll catch a rare creature if you visit Northfield in winter: the Yeti. Once a year, a few local businesses band together to get Minnesotans out of their warm living rooms and into the snow for fun like a fat tire bike ride, snow shoeing, skiing, sled races and more. Events also include live music, fireworks, Yeti-themed storytime and a “Snow Ball” prom, along with an ice bar, outdoor and indoor games, and no shortage of drinks to sample from Northfield’s own Imminent Brewing, Loon Liquors and Keepsake Cidery. If you think you’ve got what it takes, enter yourself in the Yeti lookalike contest. facebook.com/yetifestnfld

Grumpy Old Men Festival Feb. 26-March 1, Wabasha Embrace your inner grumpy old man at Wabasha’s annual winter festival. If you’re feeling hardy, take the Grumpy Plunge into the freezing Mississippi (the ranks of the brave Plungers raise money to support local nonprofits). If you’d rather stay warm and not jump into an ice-cold river—we won’t blame you—skip the plunge and check out a variety of food and live music at spots around Wabasha. Show off your Minnesotan skills with an ice fishing competition and grumpy costume contest, or enjoy a hotdish luncheon. Other activities include family story time around a bonfire, bingo, a spaghetti feed, cribbage and poker tournaments and a showing of the 1993 romantic comedy “Grumpy Old Men.” wabashamn.org/grumpyoldmenfest

Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”: A Rock Ballet Feb. 29-March 1 Lakeville South Theater, Lakeville “Rock ballet” isn’t a phrase you hear every day, but it’s exactly what the Twin Cities Ballet is bringing to Lakeville. For the third year running, the dance company is performing Pink Floyd’s iconic album “The Wall,” combining a rock classic with the timeless art of ballet. Watch dancers bring the 1979 rock opera, and its story of the isolated rock star Pink, to life in a way you’ve never seen before—a way that’s been such a hit with audiences that the show is back again by popular demand. Plus, ticket sales support the Lakeville Area Arts Center, so you’ll be helping raise funds for southern Minnesota arts programs while you’re enjoying the show. twincitiesballet.org/ballet/pink-floyds-the-wall-a-rockballet

Feb. 28-March 1, Little Theatre of Owatonna, Owatonna

11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 7 August Schell Brewery, New Ulm This annual festival celebrates the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the nation, and the largest Minnesota brewery, with plenty of locally brewed beer (or root beer). Festival-goers looking for an adventure can join the Bock Medallion Hunt, using clues to find the “Bocks” hiding around the brewery and in nearby Flandrau State Park. As the local legend goes, if all seven Bocks are found, winter will end early, bringing in an early spring. But, as Schell’s website reminds visitors, beer can’t make spring come faster (but it can certainly keep you warm in the meantime). Those who would rather stick around the festival grounds can still enjoy live music, food and a bonfire. This is a 21-plus event. schellsbrewery.com/events/bock-fest

Tommy Ryman 7:30 p.m. March 7, Pipestone Performing Arts Center, Pipestone

2020 Hometown Sampler March is Minnesota’s FoodShare Month, where food shelves throughout the state encourage donations and remind communities of the continued need for support. For more than 20 years, local musicians in Owatonna have shared their talents for a series of concerts benefiting the Steele County Food Shelf. In 2019, generous

Schell’s Bock Fest

Yeti Fest March 6-7, Northfield

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Since making his name as a semifinalist on the NBC show “Last Comic Standing,” Minnesota’s own stand-up comedian Tommy Ryman has left audiences laughing at clubs, college stages and festivals throughout the country. He got his start on the Minnesota comedy scene, earning the title “Best Local Standup Comedian” from City Pages in 2016. He’s been named “Best of the Midwest” in com-

edy and reached number two on the iTunes comedy charts for his album “Having the Time of My Life” in 2018. He describes his act as “absurdist and clever masked behind an endearing, innocent demeanor.” Through observational comedy and satire, Ryman finds something to laugh about in just about everything. pipestoneperformingartscenter.com

New Ulm Trade Fair and Living History Event March 14-15, 2020, Turner Hall, New Ulm Step back in time for a longstanding New Ulm tradition, featuring more than 70 vendors and a hundred table displays of oldfashioned arts and crafts (such as authentic fur clothing, handmade knives, décor, food, etc.). Enjoy demonstrations of fur trade-era skills by costumed performers, some of whom are full-time reenactors who keep history alive year-round. Learn how fur traders and frontier settlers survived back in the day — it’ll be educational for you and your family, and it’ll also help you appreciate the modern conveniences like plumbing and central heating that make our winters more bearable.

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” March 11-15, 18-20 Les Fields Hall, Rochester It’s the winter of 1934, and the Orient Express is on its way through Europe when a man is found dead on the train. Detective Hercule Poirot, en route to London, must investigate the murder. Each of Poriot’s fellow travelers, however, is suspicious, and he must find the killer before they strike again. Agatha Christie’s classic 1934 novel, one of the most famous and beloved murder mysteries of all time, has been adapted for radio, film, television and more since its release. Now, watch it come to life onstage in southern Minnesota in this community performance, directed by Suzie Hansen. absolutetheatre.org/seasonfour

Seven 7:30 p.m. March 13 Sheldon Theatre, Red Wing This groundbreaking documentary play, performed in the style of a classic radio drama, brings the true stories of seven women to life. The allwomen group of playwrights conducted personal interviews with women who overcame resistance, death threats, violence and social norms to bring change around the world: in Pakistan, Nigeria, Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Russia and Cambodia. Since its premiere in 2008, the play has been performed worldwide, translated into 27 languages and connecting with people everywhere. Each moving drama leaves the audiences thinking long after the show ends, making the statement that a single voice can change the lives of thousands, even in difficult times. sheldontheatre.org/event/seven

troupe’s history. For those familiar with the Merlin Players, it’s a trip down memory lane; for those new to the area or those who haven’t yet seen a show, it’s an introduction to southern Minnesota theater and a sampling of the talent and dedication community theater has to offer. paradisecenterforthearts.org/paradisecommunity-theater

newulmtradefair.com

Mankato Area St. Patrick’s Day March 17, Mankato and Saint Peter Get your green out and enjoy the luck o’ the Irish around Mankato and Saint Peter. Come to just one or two events, or make a whole day out of events around town. Local restaurants Flask, Pub 500, Dino’s, the Wow! Zone and Tav on the Ave will start serving Irish food, beer and other goodies starting right away in the morning, with a few spots open until late at night. Bring the kids just a few miles north to neighboring Saint Peter for the parade; expect lively entertainment, music and of course, plenty of green. In the evening, restaurants and bars will host live music by David and the Clan O’Connell, Warren Streets and others. Honor your Irish heritage, or just pretend to be Irish for a day to join in on the fun.

Rochester Thaw Music Festival 11 a.m.-10 p.m. March 21 The Castle, Rochester Rochester’s Thaw Music Festival is back for its second year, bringing warmth and excitement to melt what’s left of the snow and ice. This year’s lineup boasts 11 bands on two stages all day long for a variety of all-ages performances (kids 12 and under get in free). Get ready for local and regional bands spanning a range of genres, including Minneapolis rock ‘n’ rollers The Band Man, indie-folk singer Humbird, “nerd funk” group Porky’s Groove Machine and “tavern, renaissance and fantasy music” performers Loreweavers. Experience Rochester’s thriving arts, music and social community in the Castle, located in the historic downtown Armory building. castlecommunity.org/thaw

visitgreatermankato.com

Songs & Scenes: Celebrating 25 Years of the Merlin Players in Faribault 7:30 p.m. March 21 Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault Join the Merlin Players, the Faribault area’s community theater group, as they celebrate a quarter century of entertaining and delighting audiences in southern Minnesota. You’ll see a few of the group’s founding members, as well as newcomers, re-create a few of the best songs, scenes and other stories from throughout the theater

South Central Minnesota Pride Gayla 6-10 p.m. March 21 The Capitol Room, Saint Peter

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South Central Minnesota Pride, the region’s support organization for LGBTQ Minnesotans and allies, is hosting its first-ever fundraiser gala — or, as it’s been aptly named, Gayla. Enjoy a cash bar and free hors d’oeuvres, then get ready for a drag show hosted by Minnesota’s own Gosh Alice Jones. Silent auction items will also be available to raise additional funds for the organization. Head out to be part of this inaugural fundraiser and know that while you’re having a great time, you’re supporting a nonprofit that’s working to make south central Minnesota a more welcoming and inclusive place for all. This is a 21plus event. scmnpride.org

Driftless Dance Festival March 27-29 Page Theatre, Winona Spend a weekend immersing yourself in the art of storytelling through movement and music. Join dancers and dance enthusiasts from across the nation for this festival’s inaugural year with performances, master classes, workshops and a variety of events and opportunities to interact with the dance community. Public performances will feature SPEAK, a collaboration of Kathak (classical Indian dance) and tap dancers; the James Sewell Ballet as part of its 30th anniversary tour; and a showcase of Winona-area dancers to promote the region’s active dance scene. Participants can buy a weekend pass to enjoy all the festival has to offer, or simply buy tickets for individual performances. driftlessdance.org

Harlem Globetrotters: Pushing the Limits Welch Village Pond Skip March 21, Welch Village, Welch When the snow gets too melted for skiing or snowboarding, you improvise. That’s the idea behind Welch Village’s longstanding annual tradition of the Pond Skip, where costumed, daredevil skiers take to the slopes to make the jump over a massive makeshift pool — or make a splash directly into the water. Spots for skippers are limited, so the brave will want to sign up soon. Everyone else, of course, is welcome to cheer on the participants along with the judges. Either way, it’s unique, seasonal entertainment for the whole family. While you’re there, enjoy live music from rural hip-hop and rock group The Coxmen. Check the website for further details, since this event is heavily weather-dependent.

7 p.m. March 31 Mankato Civic Center, Mankato Feeling disappointed with Minnesota’s sports teams? Here’s your chance to see a world record made live, as the Harlem Globetrotters attempt to make (or break) a record at each show on the 280game tour. They already hold 22 world records, of course, but why not add more? Bring the whole family to see the team’s 94th consecutive year, featuring the Globetrotters’ long-beloved trick shots, antics, feats of athletics and all-around good times. New on this year’s tour, players will perform their ball handling warmups in the dark with a glow-in-the-dark basketball to add an extra level of thrills to an already-impressive show. You’ll also witness the four-point shot (30 feet from the basket) that you won’t see at an ordinary basketball game. mankatociviccenter.com

welchvillage.com/special-events.cfm

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SoMinn Food & Dining

pat garry

Review

JOURNALIST – COPYWRITER – EDITOR – FEATURE WRITER My experience spans 19-years, and I will apply my skills to help beef-up any lifeless copy within your website, brochure, press release, catalog, etc. - patgarry@charter.net

Bayside

TAP & STEAKHOUSE

ayside Tap and Steakhouse proprietors Glen and Christy Witham have been in the restaurant business together as a husband and wife team for over 30 years. “We have owned and operated six different, successful restaurants and now at the Bayside, along with our daughter, Jenny and son, Jacob, we’re starting our seventh year of business,” said Christy Witham. The facility had a long history of being more of a blue-collar bar, where factory workers would go to cash their checks and have a few beers with their friends. After taking over Bayside, the Withams remodeled and updated the facility. “We looked around the area, trying to come up with a format that was not the same as everyone else in town. We really didn’t want to be a hamburger and mini corn dog kind of bar. We landed on the steakhouse idea and moved forward with

that,” Christy said. They structured a menu that features steaks, chops and seafood. The steaks have been a success over the years, but the menu has expanded and evolved to meet their customer’s request. Currently, along with the Withams’ great steaks and seafood, they offer hamburgers, assorted sandwiches, salads, appetizers and more. “Steaks are still what we do. When you walk into Bayside, there is a large, blue, neon sign on the wall, that says “Meat”. That’s because we’re very proud and confident that we offer some of the best steaks you will find in southeastern Minnesota!” Christy exclaimed. Bayside has a full selection that includes different cuts of ribeyes, Kansas City strip, top sirloin, tenderloins and T-bones (all of the Bayside steaks are USDA choice or better). Certainly known for their awesome steaks, the Withams also feature many popular, choice items as well. House Soup; Glen and Christy offer creamy, potato-bacon that is available every day. It’s not

uncommon for a customer to order just a bowl of soup, especially on a cold winter day. Selection of Different Salads; the most popular by far is the Steak and Blue salad. It is a bed of romaine spring mix blend, a few tomatoes, cucumber/radish sides; then topped with steak bites, cooked to order; with fresh blue cheese crumbles on top. The salad also comes with Christy’s own home-made blue cheese dressing, that many folks claim to be the best they have ever had. Additional signature dishes include various fish entrees. “We offer a few different fish items, including the Minnesota favorite-walleye, but a very popular item we offer is our grilled Ahi Tuna, served rare with a ginger wasabi sauce that people can’t seem to get enough of,” said Christy. If it is a burger you crave, Bayside is the remedy. The burger is a half-pound “burger broiler” – cooked to order and served on a grilled brioche bun. Also included on the all-inclusive menu are a good selection of appetizers; from flat breads to

grilled chicken wings. The Bayside is open seven days week for lunch and dinner. In March, the establishment features Alligator Day; where a bunch of real alligator meat is prepared and given away for all to try. “Last year, in September, we had our first annual End of Summer Bash. It’s the weekend after Labor Day, and it was such a success, we decided to keep it on the books. We put up a large tent in front of the restaurant. We have a beer garden, a BBQ and music with dancing. Because we are so close to the marinas, it was a big hit with the boaters. Plans are to do a second annual this year and we are looking for an even bigger turnout,” said Christy. Along with great food, the Bayside boasts an exceptional bar, including a large selection of martinis, that range from a Cosmopolitan to the popular Carmel Apple. They offer a birthday cake martini and an after-dinner Andes mint martini. The Withams also offer a special martini monthly and are constantly coming up with new choices to add to the growing list; so whether it’s a flavored martini or a traditional James Bond shaken-notstirred concoction that you desire, Bayside has you covered. The bar is also equipped with twelve beers on tap, that are updated according to the season. The Bayside is located on Old West Main Street, aka the West End District. It overlooks the Mississippi River and Bay Point Park; with the best restaurant river view in town. The Withams also offer a full-menu service outside, so whether it’s sipping a martini or having a steak dinner, all are available on the roof top. Summers are great in Red Wing, but summers on the roof top deck at Bayside are even better. “We are a casual, dining restaurant that offers top quality food and service. Our customers come from all over, and they rave about our steaks,” said Christy. “We have served many VIPs, from local celebrities, politicians, and sports figures, to national names, including Jay Leno. We’re no longer the best kept secret in town.” SMS

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Story by PAT GARRY Contributing Writer

hether you’re a “fabric fashioner”, a “needle artist”, or a “scrapbooker,” you are part of the growing craze that is DIY customized designs and creations. Fortunately, there are many business establishments in the area that can aid in propelling your creative imaginations and offer professional tips, ideas, and products, in order to master your “crafty” interests.

CHERYL’S FABRIC GARDEN Cheryl’s Fabric Garden has been at 108 Coffee Street East, in Lanesboro, for five years. Cheryl Lamon’s store is unique in that it has a wide variety of finished products, as well as supplies for quilters. Finished goods include: quilts (baby & adult), art wall hangings, handbags, aprons, place mats and napkins, table runners and hats. For the quilter customers, there are fabrics, notions, patterns and quilt kits. Cheryl also does a lot of custom work for people, and she provides long-arming as well (sewing the top, back and batting together on a quilt).

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“My studio is large enough so that I can offer classes and quilt retreats. Usually, retreats occur on the weekends and my guests stay at Stone Mill Suites. In the summer, there are a lot of tourists that visit my store. Some are interested in purchasing products, but others just like to come in and enjoy all the quilts that I have displayed on the walls,” Lamon said. One of my greatest joys in life is working with color. I like bright and bold colors. I blend these colors to make things out of fabric and add different threads and decorative stitching to create motion and depth. Each piece is made with artistic energy and creativeness, whether it be a quilt or a wall hanging. I was raised on a farm and growing up, our mother taught us how to sew. There were three girls in our family and we each gravitated to a certain genre. My sister, Jane, liked to make clothing, especially from wool. Marcia spent her time quilting with traditional muted fabrics. I was looking for something bold and colorful. At that time I also made clothing. After college, I ended up in my chosen field of Medical Technology. My husband was in education so we moved around a lot until we landed in Lanesboro. I was in business for 30 years and now I can pursue my passion of working with fabrics and color — Cheryl Lamon, artist.

NORTHFIELD YARNS “Northfield Yarn has been at 314 Division Street since September 2011, but in June 2018, we moved from one space to another within the building. Our shop is now a beautiful, open space, with a classroom area in the back. It was a good move,” owner Cynthia Gilbertson said.

The very capable staff includes Laura, Jody, Michelle, Amanda, Brianna, and Devin. Diane teaches the Wednesday clinic and Jane teaches the clinic on Saturdays. Northfield Yarn goes beyond knitting and crocheting, to include table-top looms, spinning wheels and fibers (to a limited degree), and some supplies for crafts, sewing, felting, and embroidery. Perhaps the store’s niche is that it houses good sweater yarns, and a few traditional wools, used in stranded colorwork; such as Rauma’s wool from Norway, Jameison & Smith’s 2-ply Jumper Weight from Shetland, and Lett Lopi, which is Icelandic wool. In general, you are likely to find a better selection here if you are looking for a toothy tweed, rather than something with glitter in it (there is have some glitter available, but maybe just not as much). “We are all about bringing people together over a common love of fiber-crafts. As far as instruction goes, we offer a full class schedule, plus private lessons, and a drop-in clinic twice a week. To get people together for fun, we host open stitch times, knit-alongs, yarn tastings, finishing frenzies, and whatever else comes time mind,” explained Gilbertson. A jaunt to Northfield Yarn is well worth the trip. When you add to the mix the fact that Northfield is an adorable historic river town, with two colleges, lots of art, history, shopping, and great places to have lunch, it makes even more sense to pay them a visit. Keep in touch with NY on Instagram, Facebook, or visit the website: northfieldyarn. com.

double time as we also change out most of the shop samples at this same pace,” said Marcia. PNQS is the perfect place to come for inspiration, new projects, classes, events, and many on-going clubs; with something for everyone, from beginner to advanced. There are machines for every budget as well, from simple, sturdy entry-level all the way to the top of the line; with projection cameras, built-in software, unlimited stitch combinations for sewing quilting and embroidery. They are also leaders in the area for Bernina professional long-arm sales and service; for those that want to start their own business or just finish the stack of quilts ready to be quilted. They have state-of-the-art systems with stitch regulators, automated and hand driven systems. Rounding out the shop are plenty of threads, notions and general sewing supplies. Just about everyone that works in the shop are experts in sewing, or top-notch embroidery consultants that can help you with just about anything your heart desires. The gals have over 16 years’ experience and place a huge emphasis on education. While people can buy a machine elsewhere, they pride themselves on making sure all of their owners know what every button and touch screen function is for and how to use them. Mastery classes are included with any machine purchase, and they also offer more intermediate and advanced classes, including bringing in national sewing and embroidery celebrities to the shop at moderate prices throughout the year. On-going clubs and classes offer new tips and techniques with a touch of friendly socialization as well. “We are so looking forward to late spring/summer 2020, as we will be expanding to about twice the size. We will have a new and bigger classroom, a more spacious sales floor, and so much more to look forward to. PNQS is getting bigger and better with more to inspire,” Marcia said.

CREEK WATER MEMORIES Creek Water Memories, and Owner Mary McReynolds, have been nestled in downtown Jordan Minnesota since September of 2009. The staff includes Heather; advertising, sales, teaches classes and the like; and Kari, part-time salesperson. “Our store is a craft store. We have scrapbooking supplies, along with mixed media supplies. We cater to mostly card makers, scrapbookers and those that like to work with mixed media and the likes. We carry a wide verity of papers, stamps, dies, and inks,” said McReynolds. Creek Water provides a wide verity of cardmaking classes, scrapbooking classes, mixed media classes, a once a month Journal/planner class, as well as many more, depending on what is going on in the scrapbooking community. Mary also hosts several events a year. “We have what we call card blitz on black Friday, where folks make 35 cards. We also celebrate National Scrapbook Day with a weekendlong crop. We conduct two garage sales; one in the spring and one in the fall. We have weekly card club,” Mary added. CWM carries a wide verity of papers that are not available in local stores, like Walmart, Michaels, and Joanne’s. Mary orders-in the whole line so it’s easy to plan a project. The staff loves to answer questions and help where they can, assuring customers feel that they came to the right place. Hours of operations are Mon., Tue. and Thurs., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Wed. and Fri., 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Sat., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; phone: 952-406-8732.

PINE NEEDLES QUILT & SEW Owned by mother/daughter team Marcia Nagel & Suzie Nagel, Pine Needles Quilt & Sew has been a going concern since 2012. Long-time shop manager Joy Inglett is at the helm. Additionally, there are 15 other staff members, including two inshop technicians. PNQS is a full-service sewing, embroidery and quilt shop, featuring Bernina and Babylock machines. The Nagels curate the shop to have the newest selection of fabric collections from many popular vendors. It is the ladies’ mantra that nothing has a birthday in the shop, so they move fabrics in and out at a rapid pace, thus affording them the opportunity to always have new and fresh merchandise. “We have several new collections coming in each week, which makes it very exciting for customers and staff alike. Our machines do

GINNY’S FINE FABRICS Ginny’s Fine Fabrics is directed by owner Ginny Smith, a most personable and knowledgeable woman, who has spent 44 years in the business. Ginny is a firm believer in offering quality products. “Our fabrics are most suitable for fashion sewing, but they can also be used for home-décor and art quilting,” said Smith. A complete “full-service” fabric store, Ginny’s offers fabric and button sampling, bridal planning, style consultation, and private (one-on-one or group) classes. She is always looking for new fabrics and pays attention to what’s fresh on the scene. The shop is adorable, the fabrics are wonderful, the staff is friendly, and they cater to all ages and skilllevels. If you have been searching for just that right fabric, you WILL find it here or it isn’t possible. GFF has a full selection of woolens, including many in cashmere, alpaca, and mohair, both woven and knits. She also has the largest collection of pure, silk fabrics anywhere, in both solids and prints, many from US and European designers. “My linen collection is vast, as well, including solids in many weights and digital prints which are very artistic and unique. I stock a large collection of denims, washable knits and wovens,” Ginny added. Ginny’s “support group” mentality offers technical help and fitting assistance to even the most recent beginner. The store is an unpretentious milieu, but it is a seamstress’ fantasy. Ginny has it all, including good prices! Easily accessible at 12 South Broadway, Ginny’s is open 9:30 - 5:30, Tue. – Sat. and Mon. by appointment; (507) 285-9134; www.ginnysfinefabrics.com. SMS

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24628 Holland Ave. Morristown 507-685-4342 Cars • Trucks • Vans • Complete Auto & Tire Care • Tune-Ups • Brakes • Exhaust • A/C • Electrical • Tires • Computer Balancing • Alignment

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