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SEPTEMBER 2017 - southernminnSCENE.com

Southern minn

Scene FOOD ISSUE

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Behind the counter at the State Fair We take a look at the

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new foods and the people making them.

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E N E C S

Voting ends Sept. 4th!

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The Sweet Side of SoMinn A look at a niche food-making industry.

The Joy of Ice Cream

Tour some Southern Minnesota Ice Cream Shops.

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SOUTHERN Minn

SCENE Hurry!

Voting ends

September 4th

go to The Best of SoMinn 2017 at

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CONTENT SEPTEMBER 2017 / VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 9

4 So It Goes In SoMinn

15 Food trucks put the pedal

7 SoMinn SOUND

How food trucks are expanding in

Southern Minnesota.

What is a ‘foodie’

Goldfinger - The Knife.

8 Deep Fried on a Stick

A look at some of the most common and most popular items at county fairs around southern Minnesota

10 Behind the Counter

at the State Fair

New foods and the people making them for 2017.

14 The Sweet Side of

Southern Minnesota

to the metal

18 From their Farm to your Table

A look at local farmer’s markets.

20 Taste of the Trail

Gives a taste of Southern Minnesota.

We took a look at a couple of the

Bed and Breakfasts in the region.

24 Joy of Ice Cream

A tour of Southern Minnesota Ice Cream Shops.

A look at a niche food-making industry.

Southern minn

Scene

Seven reasons why everyone should watch GLOW.

28 Phil’in Up On Films Fall Film Preview.

29 Confessions of a State Fair Hater Why I have no desire to attend, ever.

22 Bed and Breakfasts in SoMinn

26 Woldrum TV

32 The TimeLine

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

38 TRIVIA 40 Get Fit In SoMinn

CrossFit Games & WODs.

42 Mollywood BLVD

44 The Bookworm Sez:

• ‘Dirt’ by Denise Gosliner Orenstein.

• ‘It Won’t Be Easy’ by Tom Rademacher, foreword by Dave Eggers.

• ‘Making Midcentury Modern’

by Christopher Kennedy, foreword by Barclay Butera.

• ‘On This Date: Discovering America One Day at a Time’ by Carl Cannon.

48 CD Reviews:

• Imagine Dragons - Evolve.

jobs!

46 SouthernMinn

What did you see this summer?

ABOUT

Have a story idea?

Editor Philip Weyhe - 507-333-3132 editor@southernminnSCENE.com

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So it goes in SoMinn

AUTUMN VAN RAVENhorst Autumn Van Ravenhorst is a staff writer and columnist for SouthernMinn Scene. If you live in the Owatonna area, she’d also be happy to sell you an ad in this wonderful magazine. Drop her a line at AVanRavenhorst@ owatonna.com

foodie

/’foode/ noun

a person with a prticular interest in food; a gourmet.

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he term “foodie” is not a new one. It has its roots, and a couple of years ago it hit us hard. We try to forget about it, but it reveals its bizarre self in stints.

Some view it as a person who simply enjoys the preparation and presentation of food.

Others are hobbyists, some who tried to quickly hop on a trend or others who associate food with art. Either way, it is all about food — and photos. I typically try to not look at any pictures of food; largely because I know my food will never resemble them. Not to mention, when I do find something that looks delicious, I save it. Then that link sits with the other 4,723 links, videos, memes, destinations and blogs that will never be reopened.

This is why one of the very few social media food communities I engage in is the “Foodie Fails” – the real people out there creating disastrous dishes, the ones who make a beautiful meal that the family won’t eat or those that are left with the most dubious looking pile of Dr. Seuss shloppity-shlop.

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But the industry is changing. It isn’t just about pretty food anymore. It’s about where it comes from. We’ve seen a rise in the demand of locally-sourced food and requests for healthier choices. Then there is the surge in food trucks, hydroponics, organic farms and community gardens galore.

This is something I can get behind. Not all of the time, though. I still need a Zebra Cake after a long day.

I would definitely say I am a conscious consumer in most cases. I love to prepare real food when given the time. The times I do not check the ingredient label or stop by my local farmers market is because I need to save a little green that week (because yes, it costs more), or I think back to my 90s kid days where we ate fromthe-boot-of-a-farmer chili paired with a cinnamon roll at school for lunch, and then came home to Planters Cheeze Balls.

Let’s be real. I don’t care how much of a nostalgic 90s kid you are, our food was bad. I mean, it was so good. But so, so bad.

Props to whoever got rid of Hi-C Ecto Cooler, Heinz EZ Squirt funky-colored ketchup and Billy Bear ham, but “damn you” to whoever assisted in the discontinuation of Rice Krispies Treats cereal. I will never forget the day I searched the aisles for that purple box of candy and it was

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nowhere to be found. I stood there for at least 10 minutes in total disbelief.

I don’t really know what kids these days eat, but we try to keep it clean at our house. Of course, there are bags of pizza rolls and an emergency box of Cheez-Its. But as it stands, my preschool aged children are going to live much longer than I. I am incredibly thankful for the uptick in food quality, specifically here in southern Minnesota. Sorry guys, you’re a little late to the party. But you’re catching on quickly and it is marvelous to watch, which is why this issue is about food and everything happening in the southern Minnesota foodscape.

Across the region there are initiatives striving to connect people to local food, like the Feast! Local Foods Market Festival in Rochester that happens in December, Slow Money Minnesota, Minnesota Valley Action Council Food Hub, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Grow a Farmer Fund, schools and grocery stores connecting with local suppliers and so on.

Pay attention to it. It is truly a revolution, and you’ll want to be part of it.

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S.O. Minn SOUND

ANDY SUNDWALL Andy Sundwall, a.k.a the Punk Rock Warlord, can be reached at andysundwall@gmail.com or by following him on Twitter @ TheAndySundwall.

Goldfinger - The Knife

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love Goldfinger.

I have since the first time I played Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and heard their single “Superman” on the soundtrack. I would always restart the game over and over until their song came on again because it was the best one on the game. I immediately started buying all the music they had out at the time.

They quickly became one of my all time favorite bands. So you can imagine how nervous I was when I heard they were finally releasing their first album in NINE FREAKING YEARS and wouldn’t have their classic band lineup of John Feldmann on guitar/vocals, Minnesota native Kelly LeMeuix on Bass, Charlie Paulson on guitar, and Dangerous Darrin Pfeiffer on drums. Instead, replacing them with an all-star lineup of bassist Mike Herrera of MxPx, guitarist Phil Sneed of Story Of The Year, and drummer Travis Barker of Blink 182.

As it would turn out, I didn’t have much to worry so much. The album is absolutely incredible and stacked full of all the ska and pop punk tunes anyone could ask for.

In their somewhat self deprecating single “Am I Deaf” you find Feldmann wondering if his music could still be relevant, and reminiscing about what music meant to him growing up.

“You’ve been fighting with yourself again, It’s time to give up. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, what’s left of it. Write a song, see a show, stay relevant. Sing along to The Jam feel young again.”

And… “Music used to make me free, The Who, Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s. Does anyone have something left to say?”

Another song sure to be a fan favorite is “Get What I Need” written with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones guitarist Nate Albert. It’s the first ska song on the album and is heavily driven by a horn section provided by musicians Matt Appleton, Billy Kottage, and John Christianson.

Two other songs that stood out to me were “Orthodontist Girl,” which doesn’t fit in with most other Goldfinger music, and is kind of weird, honestly, unless you’re in love with your dental hygienist.

“Your hand in my mouth, holding that tiny vacuum thingy. I hope my tongue doesn’t accidentally touch your finger, cause that would be weird.”

Yes, John, that would be weird.

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The final song on The Knife is one that was written for Feldmann’s daughter Milla.

Again, not the kind of song you’d expect to hear from the band. But I get it. His life is different than it was when the last few Goldfinger records came out. He’s a father now, and it’s sweet of him to write it for her and see to it that it made it to the record.

And even if she’s too young to get it now, one day, she’ll love it even more.

Like a lot of musicians, Feldmann has several musical influences coming across in each song – a sort of reggae influenced “Tijuana Sunrise,” punk rock anthem “Put The Knife Away” and some of my favorites, classic horn-driven ska tunes like “Who’s Laughing Now.” The album also features guest song writing partners and vocals from several of the bands Feldman has produced in recent years – Blink 182 front man Mark Hoppus added his talents in the song “See you Around” (a personal favorite since they give a slight shout out to The Replacements song “Bastards Of Young”). Feldman also teamed up with 311’s Nick Hexum, Nate Albert of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, 5 Seconds Of Summer’s Luke Hemmings, and Taka of Japanese punk band ONE OK ROCK. At the very least, Feldmann has plenty to say across” The Knife.” So Yes John, you’re still pretty relevant, and people will still listen to whatever you work on. You’ve only produced and wrote songs on some of the biggest releases of the last ten plus years.

It’s an album that anyone could get into, whether you’ve grown up listening to Goldfinger like I have, or would just be hearing them for the first time. So go find a copy of “The Knife” and pick it up, pick it up, pick it up... (That’s a ska joke in case you don’t get it.)

“The Knife” 1. A Million Miles 2. Get What I Need 3. Am I Deaf 4. Tijuana Sunrise 5. Put The Knife Away 6. Don’t Let Me Go - Feat. Taka 7. Beacon 8. Who’s Laughing Now 9. Say It Out Loud 10. Orthodontist Girl 11. See You Around - Feat. Mark Hoppus 12. Lift Off 13. Milla Recommended listening: Get What I Need, Am I Deaf, Who’s Laughing Now, See You Around

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By WESLEY JOHNSON editor@southernminnscene.com

othing provides a stronger sense of nostalgia than the days leading up to the fair.

In my town, this was the last big deal before going back to school. My friends and I lived up every moment. Bright flashing lights, race cars, “free stuff” booths and carnival games, but if you are like me, then this fantasy isn’t complete without greasy overpriced delights, and that is exactly where every bit of my summer time savings went.

One could argue that a fair would survive without the business sponsors, and recently we have seen fairs prosper while their rides are shut down and booths closed, but would there really be any hope without the food? I doubt anyone wants to find out. Especially not the Minnesota State Fair, which pulls in a minimum of $50 million in food sales alone per year.

Food is key for fairs.

Tradition is the driving force. Nothing says “American” like greasy food, and this tradition dates back farther than you would think.

The World Fair, started in St. Louis Missouri, is credited with being the first major event in America to incorporate food vendors as a regular parts of their business. Furthermore, in 1904, this event was the spark that ignited the invention of some

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of our most common fast food and summer treat picks, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, club sandwiches and even the ice cream cone.

There are various sources that claim this information is a tad farfetched. However, one thing they do not argue is just how popular these every day food items have become, all because of the fair. It’s safe to say that the concept of “fair food” is not new, and throughout time, fair vendors have found ways to keep reinventing new ideas to keep us interested. This is especially true for our very own Minnesota State Fair.

Every year the MSF releases a list of all their newest intricate and artistically crafted goodies, so people can set themselves up for new experiences and challenges. This reminds me of waiting for a music festival to reveal their line up so I can decide which bands I am most excited about. This has gone beyond just consumption, but has become an art form.

The Minnesota State Fair has always set the bar when it comes to creative foods to the point where even if it sounds terrible, people are eager to stand in line for hours and spend wads of cash just to say they did it. One example of this year’s reveal is deep fried avocados and sweet corn – blue berry eclairs.

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The beauty of being a “fair food maven,” in my opinion, is the fact that there are endless options. Imagine going to a restaurant that had virtually every type of food in every variation, and this particular restaurant was only open one or two weeks out of the year.

So what impact does this have on county fairs? It forces them to take bigger steps. It creates a higher and more diverse demand for goods and services, and pushes vendors to try unique things.

Cynthia Travis of Owatonna has been working hard for the past 25 years to raise the bar when it comes to food. Day-to-day, she helps her mother run a Mexican restaurant, “Grace’s,” which has always been a popular spot among locals. One week out of the year, during the Steele County Free Fair, she and her two daughters, Kendall and Jordan, run their food stand, “Cindy Nachos.”

Most Owatonna fair-goers would tell you that Cindy Nachos is an absolute must when looking for something delicious and unique.

The idea came to Cindy as a child when her mother would make her a batch of nachos and she simply requested that ground beef be added.

As she got older she realized that this fairly simple combination had the taste and quality to stand on its own, and she pushed her mother to allow her to branch out. Her mother had been

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bringing “Grace’s” to the Steele County Fair since the late 70s and has always had a good level of success.

“It took me close to 5 years,” Cindy said, to convince her mother to let her set up a separate stand for “Cindy Nachos.” Now, 25 years later, she is still very proud of the success and popularity that has come from it.

“I still love to tease my mom,” Cindy said.

“We are very proud to be different.”

Cindy realized that raising the bar wasn’t too difficult when all people wanted was something they couldn’t get at any old every day fair. Of course, there is the long hours and hard work, 7 a.m. to midnight six days a week to be exact, but that doesn’t stop her or her two daughters.

“We love the challenge,” she said. “They also make an effort to bring in help from current employees of the restaurant and even, at times, past employees.”

Depending on the time of year, and which fair you choose to frequent, just know that there are many other family businesses who, just like Cindy, aim to bring a sense of uniqueness to their county fair. One favorite of my wife’s is the “Strawberries and Cream” booth at the Waseca County Fair. If you are me, you might be more partial to a good Reuben at the Elk’s booth.

The possibilities are endless. When it comes to hunting for oddities on a stick, or just a good old fashion meal, there will always SMS be something for everyone.

Wesley Johnson can be reached at editor@ southern-

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2017 FIVE NEW VENDORS The Donut Family serves cinnamon sugared mini donuts in bags and buckets, plus a variety of mini donuts covered in gourmet toppings and vanilla bean whipped cream.

The Hideaway Speakeasy serves appetizers, breakfast ciabattas and panini sandwiches Miller’s Flavored Cheese Curds serves three flavored varieties – ranch, garlic and jalapeño Que Viet serves bubble tea in mango and strawberry flavors, giant egg rolls on-a-stick, garlic cream cheese wontons and cold-brewed Vietnamese iced coffee (all items except the wontons are gluten-free) Waffle Cones serves soft serve ice cream, dipped cones, floats, sundaes and specialty shakes and malts

By Nancy Iglesias editor@southernminnscene.com crumptious, luscious, sophisticated, tantalizing, hearty, playful, tasty… there just aren’t enough adjectives to adequately describe the symphony of tasty treats that could be yours at the Minnesota State Fair this year or as we call it -- the Great Minnesota Get Together!

Currently, there are about 300 concession vendors with over 500 foods. (Check out the amazing Food Finder on the MN State Fair website.)

Maybe you are a traditionalist and can’t wait for a bucket of Sweet Martha’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and a cold glass of Minnesota milk! Or maybe you have a more adventurous spirit and are looking forward to trying something totally new and over-the-top!

To get a little closer, look at some of the new foods. We went directly to the source and spoke with several vendors whose innovative creations made the 2017 list of rookie concoctions.

the fair.

Pat’s father opened Mancini’s Char House in 1968. Mancini’s has long been regarded as one of the top Steak houses in the Twin Cities. Five years ago, they decided to take their brand to the Minnesota State Fair.

In 2013, Mancini’s Al Fresco took over a building that had been occupied by another vendor for 40 years previous.

“We went into the fair with our Mancini brand, which is known for great food,” Pat said. “We didn’t want to mess that part up. However, we learned that the fair is not the restaurant business. A lot of the fair-goers want the exotic or unusual food concoction, so we adjusted some menu items to add more flare.”

Mancini’s is excited about their newest creation. Pat’s son, Nick, also a chef, wanted to create an Italian style Cubano sandwich. They are calling it the Italian Bomba. They say it “will make your taste buds do the Bomba!”

Pat speaks about the fair with passion and with nostalgia.

“The fair has signified the end of summer for me ever since I was a kid,” he said. “I love the fact that it celebrates the best of Minnesota, from 4-H farm kids to well-known eateries and the best in Minnesota music.”

When asked about how their menu has changed over the years, Mike says they are always thinking about new food items made with high-quality ingredients. They try hard to create menu items that will have staying power versus a “one-year wonder.”

Both the fish taco and the Northwoods BBQ taco have been hits since introduced. The whole crew at San Felippe Tacos was thrilled to be named the 2015 Best Food at the Fair. Not every good idea has turned out to be a winner, however. Mike quipped, “the fried ice cream, not so much. We’ve replaced it with a fabulous deep-fried cheesecake.”

Mike had been wanting to create a steak taco for quite some time. As a teen, he cooked at the Iowa State Fair using a beer marinade and remembered getting good reviews. But he knew that no ordinary beer marinade would do. So he teamed up with the folks at Modist Brewing.

“I was talking with their head brewer, Keigan Knee,” he said.

“Keigan is very thoughtful on flavor profiles and how to think about the end experience... The flavors within Deviation 004 have Mexican Dark Chocolate, vanilla bean with cinnamon and red chili smolder.”

Just to take it over the top they are wrapping the whole thing in warmed Naan bread. And that is the story of the Deviation Stout Steak Taco.

Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

SAN FELIPPE TACO Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

MANCINI’S AL FRESCO

As a young boy, whose family visited the Minnesota State Fair every year, Pat Mancini never dreamed that someday, he and his son would end up with an item on the 2017 list of new foods at

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This will be the tenth year, Michael and Sarah Wentzien and their crew at San Felippe Taco will be serving up some of the most creative and upscale tacos around.

Fair-goers will soon be lining up again to get their fill of all things taco – from the fish tacos they introduced their first year as vendors to the Northwoods BBQ taco and this year’s culinary delight—the Deviation Stout Steak Taco Naan.

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Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

SNACK HOUSE and WINE & SPUDS

The big hit from Lancer Catering last year was a unique one: Spam Sushi. And staff may have wondered how it would top that this time around.

Lancer owner Mark Kramer thinks he’s found just the trick: Memphis totchos will be served at Snack House and Swine & A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Spuds will be served at the vendor of the same name. Both Snack House and Swine & Spuds will be located in the Warner Coliseum.

By January, staff’s ideas were taking shape and being tested and tweaked for this year’s fair. They knew they wanted to do a totcho (think tater tot and nacho) with bacon and a little inspiration from Elvis. In the end, peanut butter and banana came together with bacon and tater tots for the Memphis totcho.

But the team didn’t stop there.

Operating out of the Warner Coliseum, near many of the livestock barns, their minds went to a hearty meat and potatoes kind of dish. They settled on Swine & Spuds: bacon-wrapped pork belly and mashed potato croquettes, all served on a stick with a choice of homestyle gravy, Korean Buglogi barbecue sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Lancer’s Mark loves the excitement of getting ready for the fair.

Listening to his description of the two weeks leading up to opening day was almost like a seeing a time-lapsed video with the addition of more and more vendors, workers, food, energy and creativity

2017 New Foods at the State Fair Here’s a handy list of this year’s new foods at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, which runs Thursday, Aug. 24 to Monday, Sept. 4 at the state fairgrounds in St. Paul Minnesota. See everything offered at this year’s fair at www.mnstatefair.org.

ITS ALL ABOUT THE BACON!

Bacon Fluffernutter: Grilled cinnamon bun sandwich with a bacon, peanut butter and marshmallow cream filling.

The Sandwich Photo credit: mnstatefair.org Stop, west side of Clough Street between Carnes & Judson avenues.

Bacon Up Pup: A Belgian waffle served on a stick with bacon in the batter, dipped in chocolate, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org drizzled with maple syrup, and topped with whipped cream and bacon. Granny’s Kitchen Fudge Puppies, east side of Underwood Street between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues, outside the Food Building.

Duck Bacon Wontons: Duck bacon, grilled sweet corn and cream cheese combined inside deep-fried crescent-shaped wontons and served with dipping sauce. Giggles’ Campfire Grill, at the southeast corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street at The North Woods.

Memphis Totchos: Sliced bananas and sautéed bacon over tater tots, topped with peanut sauce. Snack House, in the Warner Coliseum, south concourse.

Triple Truffle Trotters: Sliced peppers and bacon with black diamond truffle oil mayo on top of waffle fries. The Blue Barn, at West End Market, south of the History and Heritage Center.

being layered in each day. He even used the word “magical” in describing the build up to the fair. His passion for the meticulous preparation that goes into making sure everything is ready, plus reconnecting with other vendors and then customers was undeniable.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

None of these brand new fair foods would be possible without the people bringing it all together.

Dennis Larson, Concessions Food Manager, but affectionately known by his staff at the fair as “the food guy” explained that written proposals for new food items start coming in by March. Almost all of the proposals come from incumbent vendors.

The proposals include a description of the menu item, ingredients, photographs, price and sometimes even a sample. From the 85-90 entries, a committee of five narrows it down to the best of the best, considering both the individual item and the overall

Swine & Spuds: Bacon-wrapped pork belly and mashed potato croquettes served on a skewer and topped with a choice of home-style gravy, Korean bulgogi barbeque sauce or sweet chili sauce. Swine & Spuds, Warner Coliseum, northeast corner

HOW SWEET IT IS!

Bowl O’ Dough: Four different flavors of raw cookie dough (no worries, its safe to eat)-- Brownie Batter Swirl, ChocoPhoto credit: mnstatefair.org late Chip Cookie Dough (gluten-free), European Cookie Butter and Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake with Blueberries, served with a side of sea salt-flavored ice milk. Blue Moon Dine in Theater, northeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chambers Street.

Cherry Bombs: Red licorice dipped in batter, deepfried and dusted with powdered sugar. Vegie Fries, north Photo credit: mnstatefair.org side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets.

Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

product mix of new foods.

The number of new foods varies each year. In a very competitive process, five new vendors were selected from a field of about 375 applicants.

“We are looking for people who have a proven track record. The State Fair is not the place to practice,“ Larson said.

Dennis sees a trend to include healthier options, including vegetarian items, gluten free options (spicy Thai noodles) and a resurgence of breakfast items.

While their foods might be as varied as the customers walking through the fair gates on opening day, the vendors all share an amazing passion for their food, their customers and the total fair experience.

So as you sample all the latest and greatest new foods and maybe even go back to some of your perennial favorites, take a moment to speak with the people behind the counter. SMS Nancy Iglesias can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

Chocolate Popover with Peanut Butter Spread: Hot out-of-the-oven chocolate popover with a side of peanut butter spread. LuLu’s Public House, West End Market, south of the Schilling Amphitheater.

Mini Sconuts: Buttermilk scone holes filled with chocolate, marshmallow and Nutella, deep-fried and topped Photo credit: mnstatefair.org with a dusting of powdered sugar. (gluten-free). French Meadow Bakery & Cafe, north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Maple Cream Nitro Cold Press Coffee: Locally sourced heavy cream and maple syrup in a cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen. Farmers Union Coffee Shop, on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets.

Honey Puffs (Loukamades): Deep-fried dough balls, crispy outside Photo credit: mnstatefair.org and sweet inside, tossed in a sweet syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Dino’s Gyros, north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.

Sweet Corn Blueberry Éclair: Kernza® flour éclair filled with sweet corn pastry cream and topped with blueberry Photo credit: mnstatefair.org glaze. At Farm-

ers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Cooper & Cosgrove streets.

Sweet’s Churros: Sweet potato, cinnamon and nutmeg kneaded into a traditional churro dough, deepfried and Photo credit: mnstatefair.org served with a side of chocolate or maple brown sugar sauce or whipped cream. Potato Man and Sweety, west side of Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson avenues.

Pie’n the Sky Malt & Sundae: A sweet and tart mix of crunchy, spiced “airplane” cookies and lemon curd, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org topped with dark chocolate drizzle and served vanilla ice cream as a sundae or malt. Dairy Goodness Bar, Dairy Building, south wall.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER (AND WE DON’T MEAN IOWA!)

Cheesy Nacho Corn on the Cob: Roasted corn on the cob lightly coated with crushed Doritos corn chips and nacho cheese. Texas Steak Out, west side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues.

Photo credit: mnstatefair.org Deviation Stout Steak Taco Naan: Steak marinated in Modist Deviation 004- Mexican Dark Chocolate Stout beer, grilled and topped with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, queso fresco, cilantro lime and jalapeño ranch sauces, and warmed naan flatbread.

San Felipe Tacos, Food Building, east wall.

Sonoran Sausage: ONE.BAD.DOG: TexMex sausage stuffed with pepper jack cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and served on a cornmeal-dusted bun with fresh corn salsa and a drizzle of avocado ranch sauce. Sausage Sister & Me, Food Building, east wall.

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Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

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FOR BIG AND LITTLE PORKERS

Double Dose of Pork Belly: 100 percent ground pork belly burger topped with crisp smoked pork belly, pepper jack cheese, cole- Photo credit: mnstatefair.org slaw and pickled onions, served on a toasted bun.

RC’s BBQ, north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets.

Italian Bomba Sandwich: Beer-braised pork shoulder with prosciutto cotto ham, fontina cheese, giardiniera (Italian relish) and aioli on a grilled ciabatta roll. Mancini’s al Fresco, on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets.

SlowRoasted Pork Mole Tamale: Fresh corn tamale with slow-roasted pork, mole coloradito sauce and Photo credit: mnstatefair.org black bean and pineapple relish. Tejas Express, in mole coloradito sauce and black bean and pineapple relish.

Tejas Express, in the Garden, north wall.

RISE AND SHINE

Fall Guy Breakfast Panini: Capicola and scrambled egg topped with white cheddar on ciabatta. The Hideaway Speakeasy, in Photo credit: mnstatefair.org the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section.

Breakfast Buddy Bowl: Waffle bowl filled with hash browns, maple syrup, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese Photo credit: mnstatefair.org and bacon, and topped with a biscuit, country sausage gravy and green onions. LuLu’s Public House, West End Market, south of the Schilling Amphitheater.

Wild Bill’s Breakfast Bake: Scrambled eggs, roasted chicken and chorizo sausage baked and topped with salsa Photo credit: mnstatefair.org and a mix of lettuce, pickled red onions and cilantro. The Blue Barn, West End Market, south of the History & Heritage

SMILE AND SAY CHEESE!

Mobster’s Caviar: Cream cheese dip with crab meat, green onions, fresh red pepper and water chestnuts, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org served with whole wheat flatbread crackers. At The Hideaway Speakeasy, located in the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, northwest section.

Pizzarito: Flour tortilla filled with pepperoni, Italian sausage, risotto, mozzarella and marinara, coated with garlic butter, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org parmesan and Italian spices, baked and served with a side of marinara. Green Mill, east side of Cooper Street between Randall and Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park.

Brown Ale and Onion-Gouda Tipsy Pie: Onions caramelized in Lift Bridge Brewery’s Chestnut Hill Brown Ale with smoked Gouda cheese, baked in a pie crust, topped with an onion sugar and drizzled with a sweet beer glaze. Sara’s Tipsy Pies, Food Building, south wall.

Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

dill on pumpernickel, served with sliced lemon garnish. The Hideaway Speakeasy, the Veranda, Grandstand upper level, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org northwest section.

Spicy Thai Noodles: Rice noodles and red curry with coconut milk served with kaffir lime, basil leaves, Photo credit: mnstatefair.org bell peppers, galangal, onions and tomatoes. (Gluten free.)

Oodles of Noodles, Food Building, east wall.

Cranberry Wild Rice Meatballs: Swedish-style meatballs with cranberries and wild rice blend covered with lingonberry Photo credit: mnstatefair.org sauce. Hamline Church Dining Hall, north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets.

IN A CLASS ALL THEIR OWN!

Deep-Fried Avocado: Avocado slices dipped in a lightly seasoned batter, deep fried and served with chipotle ranch dipping sauce. O’Gara’s at the Fair, at the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street.

Swing Dancer: Honey smoked salmon, cucumbers, capers and cream cheese with fresh

While the new list of trendy and unique foods create a great deal of interest each year, the top five revenue producers each year are about traditional as it gets: 1. Sweet Martha’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (gross revenue of over $3 million) 2. All You Can Drink Milk booth and the all you can drink milk booth (over $1 million) 3. Mouth Trap Cheese Curds ($896,840), 4. Fresh French Fries (2 locations) ($782,850) 5. Roasted Corn ($685,000).

1. About 300 food concessions serve nearly 500 different foods at the fair.

2. There are approximately 80 different foods on a stick at the fair. Everything from deep-fried candy bars to hot dish on a stick, key lime pie, walleye, pork chops and pronto pups—all on a stick!

3. It takes about 85-90 pounds of butter to carve the Princess Kay of the Milky Way likeness. Carving is done in a cooler kept at 40 degrees. The first Princess Kay was crowned in 1954.

4. Many people would credit the invention of the corn dog (not to be confused with the very popular Pronto Pups) to the Minnesota State Fair. Last year approximately 500,000 corn dogs were consumed.

5. In 1920 Reverend J.M. Batugers debuted the Automatic Eater, an all you can eat buffet served on a rotating conveyor belt. All you could eat for 50 cents.

6. If all the foot-long hot dogs that were eaten at last year’s fair were lined up end to end, they would stretch approximately 35 miles.

7. In addition to all the food consumed by hungry fair-goers, the by-product of all these concoctions has to go somewhere. Nearly 68 tons of organic waste was hauled away (e.g. corn cobs, lemon peels, banana peels) during last year’s fair.

8. 70 tons of grease are recycled and turned into biodiesel fuel during a typical state fair.

Photo credit: mnstatefair.org

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| SEPTEMBER 2017

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’ z z u B ’

By Justine Krueger editor@southernminnscene.com

is the word around southern Minnesota.

With the growing amount of honey producers, and the growing demand for local honey, the availability and desire for the sticky sweet product is surging year-over-year. According to the USDA Honey Report release in March 2017, United States honey production was up 3 percent from 2015 to 2016.

Local honey is not just desired bottled and on a shelf, restaurants are also incorporating local honey into their recipes. For example, honey from The Bee Shed in Oronoco is used in some treats found at Café Steam in Rochester.

Honey has many benefits – soothing a sore throat brought about by the harsh Minnesota winter, as well as aiding in natural allergy relief. Honey is also a great moisturizer and is often used in lotions and soaps, giving them a nurturing texture and sweet scent.

Whether you’re looking for a natural sweetener, or a delicious topping for your favorite dessert, there are many choices for local southern Minnesota honey. Buying local honey has more than just health benefits, it also puts your dollars directly back into the local economy.

Most small honey producers are in the business as ‘sideliners’, meaning they have a different source of primary income, and beekeeping is an ‘after hours’ gig. According to the National Honey Board, “the vast majority of [beekeepers] are hobbyists with less than 25 hives”.

On the flip-side, many commercial beekeeping operations are handed down from generation to generation.

I spent the afternoon with the Tom Owens of Johnston Honey talking about the challenges and highlights of the bee business, and taking a tour of some of the hives. Based out of Rochester, Johnston Honey has hives placed in multiple locations, all surrounded by prairie wildflowers, to give the bees the best chance at thriving and producing delicious honey.

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While the business has been around for many years, Tom and his family are new to the game. As a colleague of Dr. Don Johnston at the Mayo Clinic, Tom had assisted in harvesting the honey until an opportunity to take over the business presented itself almost two years ago.

Johnston Honey’s bees are largely wildflower fed, giving the honey a rich and floral taste. When asked his favorite part of the bee business, Tom simply replied “giving the bees the best opportunity to produce honey”.

From his knowledge of “planting” the queen bee each spring, to harvesting honey in fall, you would never guess that Tom had been in the business for any less than a decade. Most of the business has stayed steady through the transition from Dr. Johnston to the Owens family, including the production of high quality lotions, soaps, and candles.

From start to finish, Johnston Honey is a family run, labor of love, southern Minnesota treasure. For a full list of where to find Johnston Honey products and to order them online, visit www.johnstonhoney. com.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at the art of beekeeping?

Check out The Bee Shed! Armed with their own produced honey and knowledge of the industry, The Bee Shed also has a supply store and holds beekeeping classes. Another cornerstone of The Bee Shed is their passion for pursuing and spreading the knowledge of sustainable production of honey and beekeeping.

Chris Schad and John Shonyo, the owners of The Bee Shed have been active in changing the attitude of landscaping in

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public places to accommodate bees and other wildlife. They are committed to continue to not only educate themselves, but also the public, about sustainable and natural beekeeping and honey production.

Chris mentioned that The Bee Shed is actively pursuing the “changing attitude towards landscape of public places to accommodate bees and other pollinators”.

If you’re interested in learning more about bee activism, or checking out one of the beekeeping classes offered, be sure to pay a visit to www. thebeeshed.com.

When it comes down to it, there is so much more to the black and yellow pollinators than just their sweet nectar. Bees and other pollinators are instrumental in the growth and sustenance of the southern Minnesota landscape.

If you’re looking for more information on bees in Minnesota, pay a virtual visit to www.beelab.umn. edu. The University of Minnesota Bee Lab is a wealth of information for beekeepers and the public alike, and, if you’re feeling brave, they even offer videos on “Bee Beards”.

If you’re looking to help the cause, the Bee Lab also offers tips for the general public, such as filling green space with native wildflowers that are pollinator friendly and providing bees with the nutrients they need to produce quality honey that we know and love.

For a full list of honey producing operations, as well as some fun facts and uses for honey, check out the Minnesota Grown website at www.minnesotagrown.com/product/honey. SMS Justine Krueger can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

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Twisted Wood Fired Pizza owner Derrick Chapman, right. (Submitted photo)

Food trucks put the pedal to the metal

By Anna Vangsness editor@southernminnscene.com

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ith a surge in popularity over the past handful of years, access to food trucks has increased in nearly every major metropolitan area and beyond.

It’s a boom that hasn’t gone unnoticed in southern Minnesota cities like Rochester and Mankato, where city councils have passed ordinances to allow food truck hubs into the heart of their cities.

“A food truck is the most innovative, entrepreneurial way to extend your business,” real estate developer and business owner Dain Fisher said. “What I’m seeing is a lot of people already have smaller restaurants in more rural communities, so this is a secondary option for them. It’s business 101 – it’s innovation and commitment to being an entrepreneur.”

Fisher has been a pivotal part of helping to bring a food truck hub to Mankato’s Old Town neighborhood and said the concept was born to help drive foot traffic into the area.

“I’ve seen really good food come out of trucks,” he said. “It’s strange, but it’s true.

People aren’t afraid to try something new.”

When Mankato’s food truck hub opens in September 2017, it will have four-tofive regular food trucks and a group of about 10 that will circulate in and out. With everything from a Cuban truck, to tacos and American flair, Fisher hopes to have

CONTINUED page 16 Twisted Wood Fired Pizza food truck is located on Second Avenue in Rochester 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(Submitted photo)

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Lola American Bistro owner Lacey Lueth (Photo by Anna Vangsness)

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American Bistro food truck can be found in Old Town Mankato on Wednesdays ridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Photo by Anna Vangsness)

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seven-to-nine trucks in the downtown spot five days a week.

“I strongly believe that the overall mix of vendors and more choices in the area will help draw a crowd,” he said. “It will bring a vitality to bring in newer concepts that we wouldn’t normally see in Mankato, like specialty shops. It’s very difficult, but this may be one way to make it work. For instance, if you go to Sioux Falls or Rochester, with markets similar to ours, you’ll see a knife or leather shop.

Those don’t exist here. We’re looking to create that niche approach to a culture that comes back to local businesses.”

Lacey Lueth is co-owner of Lola American Bistro in New Ulm and has been bringing the brick and mortar restaurant’s food truck to Mankato since late 2015 and will be one of the more regular trucks to inhabit Old Town’s food truck hub.

“Over the years we’ve learned so much about the truck,” she said. “You have to figure out how to get food out of the truck fast but still have food that represents us.”

With dishes like tacos with an Asian twist, cheese curds or a hot mess, which is the truck’s take on poutine, Lola’s food stands out among the food truck crowd, which Lueth feels helps set it apart.

“I get bored a lot, so we end up changing the menu often,” she said. “I think people are always looking forward to seeing what kind of offerings we have.”

When Lueth drive’s Lola’s food truck into Mankato, she often finds herself excitedly wondering which spot in town will be the next to expand to a restaurant on four wheels.

“People’s wheels are turning,” she said. “If you’re someone who likes the restaurant industry, but still wants to get into it, it’s lower risk to do a food truck. As long as you can get through licensing, you have a mobile kitchen on wheels.”

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Not many would agree more with Lueth than Derrick Chapman, owner of Twisted Barrel Wood Fired Pizza food truck in Rochester. He opened his business in September of 2015 as a weekend gig, but found he had enough success to quit his full-time job and bring his food truck on the road.

“I wanted to do something no one else was doing,” he said. “That’s what they tell you – find a niche and fill it.”

Chapman parks his food truck, which is equipped with a full-fledged kitchen and wood burning pizza oven, on Second Avenue in Rochester near other food trucks. His, however, is the only one the can produce a high-quality pizza in 110 seconds.

“It’s not good fast food, it’s good food fast,” he said. “If you only have 30 minutes, you can still get a really good, quality lunch for a good price.”

When it comes to food trucks, no one cares more about the food than the owners themselves, Chapman said.

“We’re make it or break it,” he said. “One bad experience could mess up our business for a month.

A lot of bigger businesses can absorb more loss than we can. Food trucks aren’t the 1970s roach coaches that you think of. If you see a food truck, don’t be afraid to try it. I’m doing it so I can pay for my daughter’s dance lessons and so I can wake up every day and be happy. I don’t do it to be rich; I do it because I love it.”

Chapman’s hope, like many other food truck owners, is to transfer to a brick and mortar restaurant, but he said it depends on local support. He advises other entrepreneurs to hone in on their love of cooking and just go for it.

“You have to keep pushing and find what works for your food style,” he said. “Whether it’s working late night outside of a bar, at festivals or corporate catering, you have to find the perfect fit for you and your business and do whatever it takes to build it.” SMS Anna Vangsness can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

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By Justine Krueger editor@southernminnscene.com

is a phrase with ever-increasing popularity.

With a focus moving from large growers to local edibles, the need and presence of small farms has increased. There are many ways to procure locally grown products, including CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), farmers markets, and even your local super market. Let’s dive into how you can bring fresh produce from their farm, to your table.

According to the 2012 Agriculture Census, there are 74,542 farms in Minnesota, covering 26,035,838 acres in total, but the number of farms is down 8 percent from the 2007 census.

Almost half of principal farmers have a primary occupation other than farming, which is generally the reason that small farmers keep their operations small.

Small farm is a broad term, but according to the USDA definition, a small farmer is defined as one that grows and sells between $1,000 and $250,000 per year in agricultural products.

As the census is taken every five years, the next census is currently underway. Be sure to check out www.agcensus.usda.org for the 2017 report. Though the number of total farms is down, the need and desire for fresh and local

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produce, and lots of it, continues to grow.

One of the perks of our beautiful Minnesota summers is the abundance of farmers markets.

If you have trouble keeping anything green alive (or away from the tiny hands of the greedy neighborhood squirrels), you need easy access to fresh produce and goods.

Farmers markets allow small local farmers to offer their products to their neighbors. (Farmers market tip: get there early for the best selection and coolest weather.)

They’re not just for summer, either. Many markets also offer an indoor winter variation during the cooler months. If you’re not sure what to make with your farmers market finds, or if you’re just looking for inspiration, many farmers market information booths offer recipe cards.

CSAs are also a great way to get your fill of local products and share in the farming experience. Farms such as Featherstone Farm, of Rushford, allow members to participate in a weekly share of in-season produce (and sometimes meats). Many farms across Minnesota offer CSA programs which provide members with 12-18 weeks of in-season produce, and usually offer

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multiple drop-off locations for you to pick up your weekly haul.

As CSA shares are usually purchased at the beginning of the season, CSAs are a great way for farmers to receive an influx of capital to plan and begin their season, as well as make necessary repairs around the farm. CSA memberships usually include enough vegetables or meat for 3-4 people (some farms offer half shares if you’re looking for a smaller supplement). If you

are interested in a CSA membership, check out the Minnesota Grown website for a list of farms that offer one. Be sure to sign up early, as many CSA membership lists fill up quickly.

Many small farmers face adversity with the unpredictable weather conditions of the Midwest, as well as a struggle to make a living wage that is proportionate to the amount of work put in. For many, the farms remain a side-hustle, instead of a full-time source of income.

Rochester Farmers Market Sign.

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Some hesitate to expand operations, due to the struggle in cutting down profits to pay for labor and benefits for the workers required to keep up with production.

That said, Jake Overgaard from the University of Minnesota Extension service believes the trend of consuming locally produced goods will continue to increase, as producers are finding they are becoming more popular and, by extension, more lucrative.

“Many small farms in southern Minnesota are organic, due to the practicality of producing on a small scale,” he said.

Kelly, of Prosper Valley Farm,

knows all too well of the hardships of a small operation, as the farm run by her and her husband Don was affected by a tornado in July.

The tornado ripped off tarping on one of their buildings, but overall left their produce intact.

Prosper Valley Farms is a small operation that offers mostly produce and canned goods, but also has a booming egg business. Kelly sells most of her produce at the Rochester

Farmers Market and also creates the most beautiful birdhouses made from dried gourds.

“Eggs and pickles are our most popular products,” Kelly said. “We even send four cases a week to Eagle Bluff.”

Even with the hardships and physically difficult labor, farmers of southern Minnesota continue their work because of the passion that drives them. Many small farms are passed down from generation to generation, keeping up that family tradition (albeit a different tradition than noted in the Hank Williams Jr. song).

If you’re interested in some locally created farm goods, Minnesota Grown al-

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lows you to search and filter by product, as well as location. If farming has always been a dream, The U of MN Extension service also offers great resources for new and existing farmers, such as building your small farm and forming a sustainable business plan.

Whether you are interested in starting up your own operation or just looking for a way to incorporate some local treasures into your weekly meal plan, there are many ways to share in the fresh local goodness. SMS Justine Krueger can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

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gives a

Taste of Southeast Minnesota

By Elizabeth D. Lippman editor@southernminnscene.com

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nterwoven with the bluff land and waters that course along southeast Minnesota’s Root River Trail are the foods, stories and songs that comprise the Driftless region’s unique and colorful cultural expression. In September, area communities are inviting hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts to help celebrate a sense of place grounded in a heritage that spans continents.

The Taste of the Trail is a multi-day event set for September 9, 16, and 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities launched in 2011 with the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley trails, and they were such a success town representatives decided to turn them into an annual event.

“I think one of the core reasons that the Root River Trail towns started and got together is to help show people that we are a multi-day destination,” said Jen Hengel, chair of the Taste of the Trail planning committee. “There is so much to do in the whole trail system and all of our different towns.

This is a really beautiful part of the state with the bluffs and valleys that people might not get to see in other spots.”

Saturday, Sept. 9: Lanesboro, Peterson, Whalan Festivities kick off Sept. 9 in Lanesboro, Peterson, and Whalan.

Lanesboro visitors can shop downtown specials, enjoy local foods, visit the farmers market, and take in an art exhibit.

There will also be silent movies in the park, a barn dance, and live theater.

Peterson events will include a zucchini decorating contest.

Participants can bring their own, already-decorated zucchini or bring supplies to decorate one donated by Featherstone Farms. Prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. Cat and the Fiddle will provide music.

Other highlights will include tastes of pies, including those at Burdey’s Café, and ice cream. Metz Hart-Land Creamery, Honey and Dairy will offer curds and more. The Peterson

American Legion will provide beer samples and specials and free popcorn, and Friends of Peterson will sell brats and hot dogs. The Peterson State Fish Hatchery will offer demonstrations by the Department of Natural Resources. Attendees can also learn about the Bluebird Recovery Program and enjoy wagon rides with Percheron horses and a petting zoo.

Whalan will showcase the town’s Norwegian heritage with tastings of lefse and rommegrot and will also include pies by Aroma Pie Shoppe. Crepes will be made fresh, and Going Up will provide live music. Visitors can also stop in at the town’s museum and Ernie’s restored 1917 gas station.

“Our volunteers take great pride in the fact that we are frequently told that Whalan provides the best tasting on the trail,” said Wes Harding, Whalan’s representative to Root River Trail Towns. “The popularity of this event has provided an opportunity for our many volunteers to come together and showcase what a small town can accomplish.”

Saturday, Sept. 16: Fountain, Harmony, Preston More rommegrot is slated for the next Saturday in Fountain — along with live music and fresh popcorn.

Harmony will offer food samplings from restaurants and the local grocery store and movie theater. Kingsley Mercantile will head up activities for kids, and Harmony Telephone Company will provide a free photo booth. Root River Jam Band will play from 11:30 to 2:30.

“Our event in Harmony has a laid back, party kind of feel, and both locals and visitors to our area seem to appreciate it,” said Becky Hoff, Director of the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s always a fun day, and working with the other Trail Towns communities has made this event into much more than it would be if we were all planning something like this on our own. Taste of the Trail has turned into a real regional draw for the area.”

Preston highlights include music by Tom Schramm from 12:30 to 2:30, henna tattoos with Jagua Tattoo Art from 11:30 to 2, yard games for all ages, and caboose tours with the Preston Historical Society from 10 to 2. Preston Foods, Branding Iron Restaurant, B&B Bowl, Sweet Stop and Sandwich Shoppe, and other businesses will offer food samples.

The National Trout Center will provide smoked trout, as well as fly tying and fishing tips. The Driftless Fly Fishing Company will give casting and fly fishing lessons, and Preston Floral will have fresh flowers available.

“The Taste of the Trail is a great event to connect all of our trail towns and showcase the tastes of each town,” said Gabby Kinneberg, Preston tourism director. “And it isn’t just food tastes. We love to give people a taste of the business, talent, food, and music that our communities offer. It’s a fun event, and we love that it grows each year!”

Saturday, September 23: Houston, Rushford, R ushford Village Taste of the Trail 2017 will round out with events in Houston, Rushford, and Rushford Village.

This year’s event corresponds with Houston’s Root River Triathlon, which draws about 200 participants. Houston’s Taste of the Trail activities will also feature live music from The Bootleggers from 11 to 2. The Houston Public Library will host a StoryWalk. Pages from Nancy Carlson’s “Get Up and Go!” will be placed around Trailhead Park, and the librarian will lead children along the route, reading the story as they go.

Houston is also teaming up with Rushford and the Houston County Historical Society to offer a “historical bike ride” that will include historical photographs and stories that relay the history of the Root River corridor between Houston and Rushford. Signs will be placed along the Root River Bike Trail between Houston and Rushford.

And Houston businesses and groups—including Carlson Roasting Company, Cox True Value, the Houston Lions and Boy Scouts, JT’s Bar & Grill, Houston Hoedown, and the Root River Market—are slated to host booths and offer free food and drink samples and activities at the park.

“Each of our towns has a unique culture and heritage that we like to celebrate, and we do that through Taste of the Trail,” affirmed Taste of the Trail Chair Hengel. SMS Elizabeth D. Lippman can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

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Trying to decide between a hotel or B&B? Here’s what you should know.

1. Contrary to common expectations, a B&B isn’t necessarily more expensive than a hotel. – Tami Schluter, Hutchinson House

2. Breakfasts are often communal, so bed and breakfasts are ideal for people interested in getting to know their fellow guests. – Rich Grabow, Alexander Mansion

3. Bed and breakfasts owners are conscious of every aspect of their guests’ experience: expect a cozy, comfortable stay. – Lisa Buldoc, Contented Cottage

4. Bed and breakfasts may look quaint, but you shouldn’t expect outdated amenities.

Turning Waters’ rooms have central heat and air, along with incidentals and toiletries.

in Southern MN

By Isabelle Wattenberg editor@southernminnscene.com

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hile having the world’s information stored in our phones keeps us constantly connected, a somewhat contrary benefit is that it also helps us escape. Information about the peaceful evenings and generous, farm-fresh meals found at the bed and breakfasts dotting Southern Minnesota’s landscape are a few taps on an app or travel website away.

We talked to a few local owners to get a taste of the delights, both culinary and cultural, they offer.

“We do a communal breakfast,” Schluter said. “We build it based on the guest community.”

Served on the long table in the house’s gold-gilded dining room, guests start with a yogurt and fruit parfait. Next comes an egg course—variations include frittatas and egg sandwiches. Weekend guests get an added treat: a dessert course that rotates between indulgences such as seasonal bread pudding, cinnamon butter bread, and, if they’re lucky, Schluter’s award-winning scones.

– Brenda Pearson, Turning Waters

Turning Waters – Wabasha

Contented Cottage – Northfield Lisa and Steve Bolduc run the Contented Cottage, a B&B nestled into a woodland road that lies close to St. Olaf College in Northfield. It provides comfy accommodations for college-student parents, a getaway for couples, and even a piece of paradise for the owners themselves.

“With the summer flowers blooming on the hillside and the screened-in porch in the woods, the vision came to us to buy the house and create a relaxing place for visitors to stay,” Steve Bolduc said. “And so was born Contented Cottage.”

Guests can stroll through the farmers market by the Cannon River on Saturday mornings, tackle a bike trail or visit nearby Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. After they’ve breakfasted, of course—the Contented Cottage prepares a three-course meal that includes a fruit dish and muffin, a cheese, egg and spinach bake with sweet potato hash browns, and a seasonal dessert. This summer also featured ice cream with rhubarb sauce and granola.

“In the rooms we have extra little treats,” Lisa Buldoc said. “I make homemade chocolate truffles.”

The Contented Cottage also invites groups of up to 10 for luncheon and dessert teas, providing the multi-course spread without an overnight stay. Even the daytime meal gives visitors the chance to escape the everyday and enjoy the B&B experience.

“The atmosphere is more peaceful and warmer,” Lisa said. “It’s the extra details that go into it.”

Guests at Turning Waters Bed and Breakfast are treated to something they can’t get anywhere else—complimentary beer flights from the B&B’s fledgling brewery.

Come this September, Brenda and Ford Pearson will be the first in Minnesota to own a bed, breakfast and on-site brewery. The brewpub, six years in the making, will welcome both guests and Winona residents with made-on-premises beer, ice cream, pizza, and a selection of local spirits and wine.

Until the brewery is licensed, the Pearsons can only serve beer samples. Turning Waters guests will eventually have the opportunity to return to a fresh beer after a day hiking or kayaking along the Mississippi River. Brenda recommends guests take advantage of the nearby state parks, tour the National Eagle Center, or sit and sip at the area’s local wineries and breweries.

The Pearsons approach beer and their five-course, family style breakfast with a similar philosophy: seasonal, organic, and local. They source meat from a local farm, make dishes from scratch, and craft beer based on what’s in the garden—a recent brew combined strawberry and rhubarb they grew themselves.

“We’re big on farm-to-table and cooking from scratch,” Brenda Pearson said.

“I just started making my own granola; there’s no gluten-free granola that’s also nut free. We do a lot of research to make sure the food is tasty and we do the same with our beer.”

More info: Alexander Mansion Winona, MN 502-474-4224 alexandermansionbb.com

Alexander Mansion – Winona

Contented Cottage Northfield, MN 507-301-3787 contentedcottage.com Historic Hutchinson House B&B Faribault, MN 507-384-3291 historichutchhouse.com Turning Waters Bed, Breakfast & Adventure Wabasha, MN 651-564-1568 turningwatersbandb.com Explore more bed and breakfast options at www.minnesotabedand breakfasts.org.

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Hutchinson House – Faribault Despite the bright exterior of the Victorian-era Hutchinson House (its walls boast fuchsia and periwinkle), the vibe at the five-room B&B is one of calming, uncluttered comfort.

“I’m a minimalist, so everything is clean and sleek,” owner Tami Schluter said.

Now in their 10th summer, Hutchinson hosts everyone from honeymooners to parents of Shattuck-St. Mary ‘s students, often tempting Twin Cities dwellers to take the hour drive down to Faribault.

“We are close, but you feel like you’re worlds away from the pressures of citylife,” Schluter said.

Three-ring binders in every room inspire visitors to explore historic downtown Faribault and local wonders including the mill and cathedral. But the first order of the day, unquestionably, is Hutchinson’s breakfast, which changes daily.

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Alexander Mansion, Winona’s bed and breakfast, is open 365 days a year, but innkeeper Richard Grabow loves it most in winter.

“In winter we have three wood-burning fires every day,” he said. Guests can go cross-country skiing or just cozy up to read, sip wine (the B&B hosts a daily afternoon wine reception), and watch a classic film screened on location.

From bicyclists to guest lecturers visiting one of the town’s three universities, the mansion hosts a wide range of visitors, including those returning to reconnect with fellow former guests.

“You’re sitting at the same table,” Grabow said, “It really gives people a chance to meet and make new friends. I can’t tell you how many people have stayed in touch.”

Guests typically spend two hours at that table, Grabow said, sharing stories as they sup on a four-course meal.

The first course layers Watkins vanilla-infused cream with fruit, yogurt, and craisins. Homemade banana bread comes next, and then a baked egg dish—a recent variation included artichokes and mushrooms served alongside a Watkins spice-seasoned Mediterranean salad. Ice cream sundaes, a signature of the bed and breakfast, cap off the meal.

Grabow recommends guests explore Winona’s other edible delights, including the Hillside Fish House and Il Luigi in nearby Rushford, as well as local landmarks, notably the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Lake Winona, which rents out kayaks and canoes free of charge. SMS Isabelle Wattenberg can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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I

ce cream is always in season!

Let’s take a trip through Southern Minnesota and explore where you can get your frosty fix!

of A Tour of Southern Minnesota Ice Cream Shops

By Molly Penny editor@southernminnscene.com

Bridgeman’s Soda Fountain (Inside Yellow Mushroom Pizza): 1208 State St. S., Waseca Hours: vary throughout week – Indoor Seating

Janesville Dairy Queen 106 E. First St., Janesville Hours: Monday –Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Patio Seating Driving down Old Highway 14, right before you hit the crux of Downtown Janesville, you will find a special Dairy Queen Ice Cream stand. The classic neon marquee and window front are nostalgic.

The original structure hasn’t changed much since 1952.

The seasonal stand is an independently owned Dairy Queen franchise, family owned and operated by Steve and Sue Cowdin since the spring of 2012. Just about everyone in the family has a part to play, from the books and maintenance, to manning the booth or washing the patio.

The stand opens for the season on April 1st. If you are looking for that familiar feeling of an old fashioned Dairy Queen stand, it will not disappoint.

“Aside from Blizzards, that are the stand-by,” says the owners son-in-law Todd Adamek, who co-manages the Dairy Queen with his wife, “we also hand make our own dilly bars and buster bars, and they are very popular.”

While not a Grill and Chill, they do have some food items – from snack melts and Kansas City pulled pork, to the classic chili cheese dogs.

They try to stay open as late into the season as weather permits.

Mom & Pop’s 629 N. Riverfront Dr., Mankato Hours: Monday-Sunday 12-9 p.m.

Indoor and Patio Seating On the corner of Riverfront and Rock Street, a stone’s throw from Riverfront Park, is a little corner ice cream shop you don’t want to miss.

Mom & Pop’s offers 32 flavors of super-premium hard scoop “Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.” It’s from Wisconsin, so you know they aren’t messing around.

This is the kind of ice cream you find in those novelty ice cream shops when you are vacationing in the Dells or resorting up in Nisswa. But it’s right in old downtown Mankato.

Served in a waffle cone or dish, charming and delicious flavors like the trademarked “Exhausted Parent” (bourbon-spiked espresso ice cream with chunks of chocolate) and my personal favorite, “This Just Got Serious” (smooth salted caramel ice cream with sea-salt, fudge, and salted cashews) will keep you coming back.

They have rotating shipments, so you are sure to find a

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new favorite flavor every time you visit. With a variety of non-dairy, soy, Italian Ice, as well as no sugar added, there is something for everyone. Best of all, they have a compost bin and a special tip jar where proceeds are donated to the local humane society.

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Founded in 1883 in Duluth, Bridgeman’s Ice Cream has a long history in Minnesota, and the name Bridgeman’s conjures sweet memories for many.

The company is still family owned. While the Minneapolis location on Hiawatha Avenue near Minnehaha Falls recently closed its doors for good, it’s still available at historic Fitger’s in Duluth and a small amount of other shops throughout the state.

But it’s also available right here in Southern Minnesota. On the south end of Waseca in the unique yellow-roofed pizza joint, Yellow Mushroom Pizza, you will find Bridgeman’s Soda Fountain.

It is mostly hard scoop, but you can also order sundaes, malts and shakes.

Lines are almost always short. Superman is a popular flavor you may remember with its bright red, yellow, and blue color. Staff also features a flavor of the month.

Blast Softserve (The Blast) 206 W. Rose St., Owatonna Hours: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Patio and Bench Seating Blast Softserve, or, as locals call it, The Blast, is a seasonal ice cream stand located in the back of Black Sheep Burgers and Brews (formerly Rose Street Pizzeria).

If you have driven down Hoffman Drive or biked the trail system in Owatonna, you have likely seen it. The Blast sits below an old house turned restaurant facility on a hill, and is as quaint as a small town ice cream shop can get. The signs are done wonderfully in colored chalk.

Located right off of Kaplan trail, with a walking bridge over the Straight River and bountiful bike parking, it is a convenient and affordable stop for anyone looking to beat the heat or just enjoy some wonderful soft serve ice cream.

One of their most famous features is the “flavor blasts,” in which you can get a syrup flavor infused with your soft serve cone (try “Blue Goo”). They also have non-dairy options and even a special menu item for dogs!

COW Interrupted! Ice Cream Studio 408 Third St., Farmington Hours: Monday-Saturday 12-9 p.m. and Sunday: 12-7 p.m. – Indoor and Sidewalk Patio seating COW Interrupted! Ice Cream Studio is family owned and operated. They serve Super Premium ice cream, made in Wisconsin.

Remember that Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream we talked about at

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Mom & Pop’s in Mankato? Yup, this is the same stuff.

COW is not your run-of-the-mill hard scoop ice cream parlor. The menu touts shakes, malts, sundaes, ice cream pie and pint service, in addition to cones. The serving sizes are generous, and the ice cream is amazing. COW Interrupted! also has regular food items, from fresh made wraps, soups, salads and paninis, so it’s your full on lunch or dinner stop.

Flapdoodles Homemade Ice Cream Two in Rochester – 1710 S. Broadway and 3225 22nd Ave. NW Hours: Vary throughout week – Indoor Seating

Another Time Ice Cream Parlor and Chocolates 100 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro Hours: Sunday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. – Indoor and Bench seating

Scoops 105 E Main Street, Elysian Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Indoor and Patio Seating Family owned by Joe Meixl and his wife Nancy Meixl, Scoops is a seasonal ice cream shop right along the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail in the picturesque lake town of Elysian.

The shop itself is an adorable white house shaped building, symbolic of “small-town USA.” They offer both hand scooped and soft serve, as well as sundaes, malts, and a variety of specialty hot dogs.

“The most popular item,” owner Joe Meixl says, is their “hardscooped, hand-served waffle cones.”

If you are interested in exploring the Elysian Lakes area, you are in luck. Scoops offers bike and kayak rentals, and has recently teamed up with Bent River Outfitters to offer Cannon River Guided Eco tours!

Scoops opens for the season around Mother’s Day and stay open into early October as weather permits.

Popular for its many bed and breakfasts, Lanesboro is the perfect place for a charming ice cream and chocolate shop. Another Time Ice Cream Parlor and Chocolates will transport you to “another time.”

The storefront is bright pink with striped green and white awnings. The outward appearance will draw you in, but what’s inside is the true treat. They offer 30 flavors of Bridgeman’s Ice Cream.

Patrons recommend their Blueberry Sugar Cone and Lemon Cheescake ice cream. Aside from ice cream, they offer Caribou coffee, gourmet drinks, espresso bar, truffles, chocolates, mints, toffee and more.

They can also prepare special candy packages for your group, so call ahead.

Flapdoodles features homemade ice cream, and a lot of fun energy.

It is a local shop, and has a fun back story. Flapdoodles is named after the owner’s father’s first sailboat, Flapdoodle. And there is a nautical theme to the menu. You can find items like “The Shipwreck” and “The Capsizer.”

Or for those looking for three scoops of ice cream delight, try “The Flagship,” where three waffle cones sit atop the ice cream like sails.

Flapdoodles makes their ice cream and waffle cones and bowls in store. They also make homemade ice cream cakes and pies. SMS Molly Penny can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com

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WOLDUM TV

RACHEL WOLDUM Rachel Woldum is a former television snob who has embraced the medium as it has entered its Golden Age. Contact her at editor@southernminnscene.com

Seven reasons why everyone should watch

E1

arlier this summer, Netflix released ten episodes of a little show called GLOW. It’s about women’s professional wrestling, a topic that would (and should) have any sane person a little skeptical. But I’m here to convince you to put your skepticism aside, ladies and gentleman, because GLOW is one of the best new shows I’ve seen since I started writing this column. Here are seven reasons why you should drop everything and start watching ASAP.

Original Premise - I can’t think of another show

about wrestling, period, much less a show about women’s wrestling. (I can’t really think of any movies, either.)

Don’t we have enough programs about cops, lawyers, hospitals, and vampires?! GLOW is set in the 1980s and follows a group of women hired to create a promotional TV show about the women’s wrestling circuit: The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. If this doesn’t immediately whip you into a frenzied fit of

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curiosity, at least give the creators credit for originality. Which leads me to reason No. 2…

2

Jessica Jones, Jane the Virgin, Broad City, and Happy Valley, just to name a few of MY favorites.

Created by Women - Though these numbers are slowly increasing, still less than 18 percent of television shows are directed by women. (The numbers for movies are even more bleak—in 2016, less than 7 percent of the top 250 grossing films were made by women). If you don’t care about this for ethical reasons, you should at least care for selfish ones. Why miss out on half of the potential talent pool?!

It’s like willingly chopping off an arm just because you think one will suffice. The entertainment industry is first and foremost a business, and the only way we can convince the powers holding the purse strings to continue funding female-created projects are by watching the ones that already exist. GLOW was created

by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, who are also the women behind the mega-hit Orange is the New Black. Some other shows that wouldn’t exist if we didn’t give women a chance? 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, GIRLS, UnReal, The Path, New Girl, Gilmore Girls,

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Pitch Perfect Tone - Similarly to last year’s

Stranger Things, GLOW achieves the difficult feat of striking just the right tone. Tone is one of those tricky, difficult-to-articulate elements that renders a lot of potentially great art merely mediocre. Think of tone as the general attitude of a piece, the mood or feeling the creators want us to get when we experience it. GLOW is one of those rare shows that’s both comedic and heartfelt. It’s sidesplittingly funny, but also has scenes of such nuance and emotion that you might find yourself flicking away a tear or two. A lot of what I end up watching is chosen by what I’m in the mood for—I’m not always up for the bleakness of a True Detective or the slapstick of Broad City. Most times I want something that will challenge me but not leave me utterly depressed (TV is for entertainment, after all), and this is exactly what GLOW delivers.

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it’s between the two female leads: Ruth and Debbie. Ruth is a broke and aspiring actress who barely gets cast on the show; Betty is a semi-famous soap opera star brought in for audience appeal. The two are best friends, that is, until Ruth sleeps with Debbie’s husband. The creators’ handling of this relationship is perhaps the greatest feat of the show; they avoid cliches and finger-pointing and instead examine the complications of hating your best friend even while missing her. They also avoid using either of the male leads as romantic interests for any of the women. Sam (played by Marc Maron), the divorced, burned out director of the show, finds a unique artistic confidante in Ruth, and Bash (Chris Lowell), the rich party-boy producer, unexpectedly bonds with Carmen, herself the daughter of a famous wrestler who understands what it’s like to shoulder the intense pressure of living up to your parents’ expectations.

6 4

Costumes - The 80s are a highly divisive time period

for fashion. Either you love them or you hate them.

I’ve always been in the latter camp, but that’s largely because a lot of the fashion from this decade depicted on screen has been reduced to a caricature (or based solely on Madonna). GLOW not only gets the subtlety of daily fashion down, but also has a lot of fun showing the different iterations of the women’s wrestling costumes. The success of their show depends largely on the success of their wrestling personas, and their costumes are a huge part of this character development.

It’s a delight to watch them slowly construct wrestling identities, ranging from a Soviet spy to a wolf to a duo of elderly women.

For me, there was also an element of nostalgia—many of the women’s clothes looked just like outfits I’ve seen in photographs of my mother when she was pregnant with me in 1987.

5

Accurate Depiction of Friendship - We’ve

seen romantic relationships depicted every which way on TV shows As a result, friendships often get pushed to the side, and used merely as a utility; “the friend” character exists solely as a sounding board for the lead to discuss her romantic pursuits. But GLOW is all about platonic relationships, both those between women, and between women and men. In fact, if there’s any “will they or won’t they” in GLOW,

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Performances - It’s insane that I’ve gotten to the

bottom of my list without mentioning the incredible cast. GLOW is an ensemble piece through and through, and thus wouldn’t succeed if there were any weak links.

(There aren’t). Alison Brie has a career-making performance as Ruth, who is naive, melodramatic, and frustratingly likable.

Have you ever met someone who messes up big-time but expects to remain a darling in the eyes of everyone? That’s Ruth.

It’s not that she doesn’t realize she screwed up, it’s that she has trouble realizing that an “oopsie” for her is a life-changing devastation for her best friend. Betty Gilpin, as Debbie, plays her character with a ferocious mix of Miss American charm, the frustration of a housewife, the fury of a woman scorned, and the ego of a diva. Watching her in action had me wondering “WHO IS THIS ACTRESS?” and “WHY ISN’T SHE FAMOUS YET?!” And Marc Maron, known to most as a stand-up comedian, takes a character that could’ve been a misogynist asshole and plays him so vulnerably that we love him in spite of his (many) shortcomings. And those are just the leads! I’m praying for a Season 2, not just because I want more of all of these actors, but because I want them together.

7

Accessibility - Last but not least, you should watch GLOW because it’s available—right now—all ten episodes—on Netflix. If you don’t have Netflix, I guarantee 90 percent of the people in your life do; ask for a password and get on it. The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are not only gorgeous, but honest, hilarious, and wholly original. SMS

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| SEPTEMBER 2017

27

PHIL’IN Up on FILMS

C

an you see that? The leaves hinting at a change in color. Can you feel that? The warmth of the hot August sun beginning to evaporate. Can you hear that? The cries of Minnesotans at the familiar realization that summer is ALREADY over.

But as the temperatures drop and the autumn apologists start claiming “this is really the best season, anyway,” rest assured, there’s more to look forward to then just your 70s-themed fondue-filled Halloween parties (that’s what everyone’s doing, right?)

This year’s final third has some promising films in store, and you don’t need to go far into the fall to find them.

PHILIP WEYHE Philip is a reporter for APG and editor for Southern Minn Scene. Need to contact him? Shoot him an e-mail pweyhe@northfieldnews.com or catch him on Twitter at @nfnphilweyhe.

Judging by how uncomfortable I felt just watching the trailer and seeing Skarsgard’s unpleasant makeup-covered clown face on a giant movie screen, I’m going to guess the former.

“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” – Sept. 29

“It” – Sept. 8, 2017 The Warner Brothers thriller and horror spectacle, “It,” is based off perhaps the most famous book from world famous novelist Stephen King, released in 1986.

And if you look like creepy clowns you’re in for a treat. Nobody likes creepy clowns, though, so I guess we’ll have to come up with some better reasons to give this latest remake a try.

The most recent Hollywood attempt at “It” came in 1990 when Tim Curry played the terrorizing clown, Pennywise. A cast of children – the recipients of terror – included Seth Green, Emily Perkins, Jonathan Brandis and Adam Faraizl. Reviews were mixed, and at the end of the day, it was a somewhat scary, not that memorable made-for-TV affair.

The new “It” has a bigger budget, bigger costumes, but not really bigger names. Bill Skarsgard – not to be confused with brother, Alexander Skarsgard – will play Pennywise. The cast of kids won’t knock your socks off with big names either. Even the director – Andy Muschietti – has only one other major film credit to his name: Mama, a horror film starring Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj CosterWaldau.

It’s clear Warner Brothers feels the legend of “It” has enough clout to draw in audiences on its own.

This could prove fruitful – focusing on crafting a genuinely good, genuinely scary horror flick, rather than star power. It could also be lame – failing to draw out any kind of excitement from its audience.

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If you haven’t seen “Kingsman: The Secret Service” – well, that’s your problem, not mine.

It received a nice but not great 75 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but that’s an undersell. “Secret Service” was a goldmine. I had no idea what to expect going in, and what I found was a film that terrifically satirized decades of James Bond films, while also delivering no-thinking-necessary entertainment that Bond films revel in.

And the sequel, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” could be even better. Samuel L. Jackson played the bad news bad guy in the first film, and he did it with utter hilarity. This time, Julianne Moore is the heel – and, not that you care, I’m into it. She’ll be joined by other newcomers to the Kingsman cast in Jeff Bridges, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Elton John and Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones’ Oberyn).

Colin Firth, who died in the first movie, is somehow returning as Harry Hart, and Taron Egerton returns in his breakout role as Eggsy – the newest of the Kingsman secret service operatives. The second movie is about the Kingsman headquarters being destroyed and the world held hostage, forcing the Kingsman to team up with an ally spy organization in the U.S. to defeat the common enemy.

But the plot is hardly relevant, here. This is all about sharp wit and enthralling action. If Director Matthew Vaughn can deliver again, this one will be worth a couple hours at the movies.

“Blade Runner 2049” – Oct. 6 My level of excitement for “Blade Runner 2049” – the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic – is borderline embarrassing. It will be especially embarrassing if the movie turns out crap, but I have bounds of confidence in the team behind this one.

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First of all, the director: Denis Villeneuve. He’s my personal favorite director on the scene right now. First, he surprised me with the focused, brutal, unpredictable “Prisoners,” starring Hugh Jackman and Paul Dano in 2013. He then twisted and turned me with the part-thriller, part-puzzler “Sicario,” starring Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro in 2015. And he absolutely knocked my socks off with 2016 best picture contender “Arrival,” starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. (See some of his excellent Spanish films from 2011 and earlier, if you really want to dive into his catalogue).

With that resume heading in, I’m confident Villeneuve won’t insult the groundbreaking, visually influential “Blade Runner” from decades ago. In fact, he might break some barriers of his own.

Outside of the director’s chair, a capable cast will show on screen. Ryan Gosling – who should not be famous for “The Notebook,” but instead “Drive” and “La La Land” – will lead the way.

Harrison Ford will return as a 30-year-later version of Rick Deckard – a part he played with aplomb in the first film. Jared Leto joins the team, and while his DC Universe Joker was so-so, his turn in “Dallas Buyers Club” is enough to convince me. Proven commodities Robin Wright and Lennie James also join the cast.

And if you’re wondering where in this fictional world is Ridley Scott, have no fear, he’s returning as executive producer. So nothing’s going on-screen without the original visionary’s approval.

I’ll just say it – “Blade Runner 2049” is going to be great.

Other films (possibly) worth seeing in September and October: “Mother” – Sept. 15: horror film with Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem “The Lego Ninjago Movie” – Sept. 22: Animated comedy with Jackie Chan and a host of others “The Mountain Between Us” – Oct. 6: Romantic drama with Idris Elba and Kate Winslet “The God Particle” – Oct. 27: Mystery and suspense with David Oyelowo and Gugu Mbatha-Raw SMS

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RACHEL WOLDUM

I

Rachel Woldum is a former television snob who has embraced the medium as it has entered its Golden Age. Contact her at editor@southernminnscene.com

have never been to the Minnesota State Fair. And what’s more, until very recently, I had absolutely no desire to attend, ever.

Most people hear this and think that, at best, I hate fun, and at worst, that I’m a disloyal Minnesotan. After all, the event is one of our state’s claims to fame, considering that it’s is the largest fair in the country (based on daily attendance) and has been happening ever since 1859 (read: before the American Civil War).

The reason I’ve always given is that “It’s just not my thing,” which inevitably leads people to ask (with much indignation) “What do you mean it isn’t your ‘thing?’”

Well, for starters, I prefer to experience my entertainment sitting down (read: movies). Follow that with the fact that I dislike crowds, I’m not into animals, I think rides are boring, and since I didn’t grow up attending, there’s zero nostalgia attached to the experience. But the universal response I’ve gotten to these excuses is always the same: “Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. You don’t go for all of that stuff. You go for the food.”

The ensuing stories of mac-n-cheese on a stick or deep fried gator nuggets were intriguing, but not enough to inspire me to make the trip and pay the $10 admission price. So when I saw a list online excitedly announcing “New Foods for 2017!” I didn’t expect to be moved to excitement. But after browsing for only a few seconds, I started to realize what people have been going on about — the variety and creativity of the entries, and the commitment to innovation of the vendors was truly impressive.

And so I decided to contact some of the sellers whose products I was most intrigued by. My findings didn’t disappoint…not only did I hear the stories behind some of the fair’s most exciting new items, but I also learned the history of some of the individuals who brought them to life.

plates made with fresh and local ingredients.

For starters, there’s The Fall Guy, a breakfast panini with capicola and scrambled eggs, topped with white cheddar and served on ciabatta. Or, if you’re looking for a light snack, try the Mobster’s Caviar, a light cream cheese dip with crab meat, green onions, fresh red pepper and water chestnuts, served with whole wheat flatbread crackers. It’s perfect to share (if you can bear to!). If that’s still not enough, try one of their Swing Dancer Sandwiches, featuring honey smoked salmon, cucumbers, capers and cream cheese, with fresh dill on pumpernickel and a sliced lemon garnish.

The Hideaway team writes, “We knew we wanted to offer all fresh and some healthy options…deep-fried, break-from-your-diet State Fair food is part of the tradition, but we thought we could bring some healthier options to the table.”

It certainly seems they’ve succeeded.

3. Cherry Bombs, Vegie Fries Whether you’re a licorice lover like I am, or just up for trying something new, you’ll have to check out Vegie Fries’ newest offering—the Cherry Bomb! A vast departure from their other products (mostly fried veggies on a stick), the Cherry Bombs “are like mini jelly donuts, but with that licorice taste and feel to it.”

They’re “soft but not oozing,” so they’re extremely easy to eat on the go. So how did a veggie vendor decide to start selling sweets? Their inventor, Mike Rosenthal, writes, “Cherry Bombs came to me one day driving into the fair. I was looking for a way to offer another product that wouldn’t compete with my existing offerings. I’d heard a commercial for KLN Gourmet Australian Style licorice, and thought ‘I could do that.’ So I stopped a the grocery store, picked up some product to test, and after a few tries came up with a unique dessert that no one is offering.”

A true testament to the idea that inspiration can strike at any time. And at just $5 for eight Cherry Bombs, these are one of the most affordable fair snacks. Joan Jett would certainly approve.

4. Sweet Corn Blueberry Eclair, Birchwood Cafe and Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop If Marie Antoinette and Laura Ingalls Wilder got together to create the perfect dessert, they’d probably come up with something like the Sweet Corn Blueberry Eclair. It has all the elegance and sophistication of a delicacy from the French courts, but the wholesome, Midwestern ingredients of rural Minnesota.

“We really wanted to offer a sweet + savory offering… combining two of our favorite local summer ingredients: sweet corn + blueberries,” write its creators.

And so the chefs at the Birchwood Cafe got to work and came up with this one-of-a-kind delight. But no needs to feel guilty as you consume this luxurious pastry… this eclair also features kernza, a “perennial grain that is being developed by The Land Institute and the University of Minnesota. This awesome grain has roots that go way deeper than traditional wheat, thus aiding soil health, water retention and carbon sequestration.”

So whether you’re imagining yourself in silk or calico as you stroll around the fair with this dessert, nibble with a clear conscience, knowing that you’re not only supporting Minnesota agriculture, but the environment itself.

It’s never easy to admit when you’re wrong, especially when you have to do so publicly. But here I am, humbled, about to do just that. After almost over twenty years of being a State Fair hater, for the first time, I’m willing to confess that I think I finally “get it.” SMS Rachel Woldum can be reached at editor@ southernminnscene.com

Confessions of a

1. The Bacon Up Pup, Granny’s Kitchen Fudge Puppies For Pat Braun, the founder of Granny’s Kitchen Fudge Puppies, becoming a vendor at the Minnesota State Fair was always her dream.

“I knew you had to be novel,” she said.

So when she discovered a unique waffle-making machine that used no grease, she decided to start experimenting. Pat spent five years on the road perfecting her product, and is now famous for her Fudge Puppies, a rolled Belgian waffle that’s “crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.”

Pat has been in business for over thirty years, and 2017 marks her twenty-first year as a state fair vendor.

“I LOVE watching people take their first bite,” she said. “Their knees buckle and their eyes bulge.”

Pat and her team develop new flavors every year (sometimes with the help of her “super fans,” who can suggest ideas), and this year’s special is the Bacon Up Pup. “Actually, my manager Carla came up with the idea,” Pat said. “I was skeptical at first.”

The Bacon Up Pup uses bacon in the waffle batter itself and is covered in hardened chocolate and topped with maple syrup and—of course— more bacon. It’s the perfect decadent snack for lovers of both the sweet and the savory.

“I’ve dedicated my life to this,” Pat says, and it shows—the newest Fudge Puppy sounds like it’s truly one of a kind.

State Fair

Hater

2. Fall Guy Breakfast Panini, Mobster’s Caviar, & Swing Dancer Sandwich, The Hideaway Speakeasy Inspired by the mood and aesthetic of the 1920s, the Hideaway Speakeasy is modeled after real prohibition-era speakeasies. The creative team behind its inception imagined the following setting: “It’s State Fair time. Everybody loves the fair... even the bad guys.

Tucked up in the underbelly of the Grandstand, hidden away from the crowds and police, is a secret spot — The Hideaway.”

It’s more than just a food stand — it’s a full-scale restaurant and bar, complete with craft beer, local wine, breakfast options, and a patio view. They’re also committed to creating healthy, shareable

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| SEPTEMBER 2017

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usiness B

el rade g BHistoric&Unique on

Association Beautiful Lower North Mankato, MN

A 501(c) 4 Non-Profit Corporation A 501(c) 4 Non-Profit Corporation

Presents the Upcoming Community Events

Oktoberfest BOOKIN’ ON BELGRADE

Presents the Upcoming Community Events

Bier on Belgrade

NEARLY 5K FAMILY FUN RUN (AND WALK)

JuneSeptember 3rd, 2017 | bookinonbelgrade.wordpress.com 23rd, 2017 | www.businessbelgrade.org September 23rd, 2017 | www.businessonbelgrade.org

Bookin’ on Belgrade: This event is a nearly 5K family Fun Bier on Belgrade: (Oktoberfest) Business on Belgrade present Bier on“walk” Belgrade: Business Run and brought to(Oktoberfest) you by The Business on Belgradeon Belgrade present our miniature version of German our miniature version of German heritage and fun. Join us for heritage and Join us for ourClinic 5thPA; Annual Association, Thefun.

Orthopaedic & Fracture and theBier on Belgrade located in the Central Business District our 5th Annual Bier on Belgrade located in the Central Business ofMayo Historic Unique, Beautiful Lower Health and Systems.

Our mission is to promote publicNorth health Mankato. We will have a fun filled day of activities, District of Historic and Unique, Beautiful Lower North Mankato. food vendors, music, Bier and 18 beers on tap from local and world renown brewery’s. and well being oflive our community.

Theresampling will be a small charge We will have a fun filled day of activities, food vendors, live for this event. Iffirst you beer need financial assistance and would Ceremonial with city officials, beanlike bag toss, and keg bowling. Wear your Lederhosen or St. music, Bier sampling and 18 beers on tap from local and world to participate pleaseand contact the North Mankato Paulie Girl outfit receive and extraTaylor free Library. beverage ticket with $10.00 admission. Must be 21 years of renown brewery’s. Ceremonial first beer with city officials, bean 507-345-5120 age to attend. 6th Annual bean bag toss, keg bowling andand Wiener DogWear Races $15.00 admission bag toss, keg bowling. your Lederhosen or St. Paulie that includes 16oz Collector Mug. Girl outfit and receive and extra free beverage ticket with $10.00

Bells on Belgrade admission. Must be 21 years of age to attend.

Blues On Belgrade

December 2nd, 2017 | www.businessbelgrade.org

Bells on Belgrade: “Holiday fun event for the entire family”. Trolley Rides along Belgrade Ave., Medallion Hunt, Santa & Elves, Local Caroling Groups, Winter Wonderland Parade and more Join us on Belgrade 2nd,3 p.m.

2017 to| 6www.businessonbelgrade.org Ave. In Beautiful Lower North on Saturday, DecemberDecember 2, 2017 from p.m. The Winter Wonderland July 22nd, 2017 | www.businessonbelgrade.org Parade is set for 6:30 p.m. on Belgrade Ave. This event ison forBelgrade: THE CHILDREN andfor brought you, FREE Bells “Holiday fun event the entiretofamily”.

Blues on Belgrade: Concert began in 2009 as the Belgrade of charge by the Business on Belgrade Association, andRides Thealong CityBelgrade of North Please Trolley Ave., Mankato.

Medallion Hunt, Santa &visit the Ave. Blues and Jazz Festival on a small gravel parking lot just Belgrade Ave. Local merchants for Holiday specials.Elves, MERRY CHRISTMAS Local Caroling Groups, Winter Wonderland Parade and off of the 200 block of Belgrade Ave. In 2010 the concert was Business on Belgrade Association’s mission is to promote, enhance and preserve Lower MankatoLower as a North diverse more.

Join usBeautiful on Belgrade Ave.North In Beautiful onbusiness, moved to the East end of Belgrade Ave. and in 2011, the stage cultural and residential destination for the benefit of the entire community. If anyone would like to volunteer for the events please contact us at: Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Winter Web: • Email: businessonbelgrade@gmail.com wasbusinessonbelgrade.org located at the intersection of Range St. and Belgrade Ave. Wonderland Parade is set for 6:30 p.m. on Belgrade Ave. This In 2012 the Belgrade Ave. Blues and Jazz Festival became A d d y o u rand e v entbrought for FREE to e T I M EFREE L I N E c aof l encharge d ar . G O T O event is for THE CHILDREN tot hyou, Follow us on 30 Sthe E P T Blues E M B E R on 2 0 1Belgrade 7 | w w w.Concert. s o u t h er N m I NBusiness n SCENE. c o mBelgrade w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent The on

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go to The Best of SoMinn 2017 at

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WOMEN’S EXPO

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FEATURING:

Special guest speaker will be former KARE news anchor, HGTV host and now author and inspirational speaker

Joan Steffend.

ShOppiNg | gOODieS | giRl TiMe! Come enjoy a girls day out and hear what Joan is up to now while you enjoy over 40 local vendors and some delicious appetizers.

SUNDAY, OCT. 15

Holiday Inn & Suites - OWATONNA Doors open at 11am | Joan Steffend speaks at 2:30pm A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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| SEPTEMBER 2017

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THE Flo Rida Mankato – September 13 Flo Rida is coming to town. He’s performing at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater in Mankato Sept. 13, 2017. He’s bringing his My Endless Summer Tour 2017 (summer does technically end Sept. 22, to be fair).

I have my doubts that Flo Rida is at the top of many people’s all-time favorite artist chart, but he most definitely brings a list of well-known hits to the table. Those include “Low,” “Right Round,” “Wild Ones,” “Whistle,” “Good Feeling,” “My House,” and most recently “Cake.”

And for fans of Minnesota music, Lizzo will be the special guest. The soul/pop/ hip-hop/R&B/rock singer knows how to entertain. Give her track, “Good As Hell,” a listen on YouTube if you want to get a taste.

Tickets are available at the Verizon Center box office in Mankato and through ticketmaster.com. Day of show tickets can be purchased at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater ticket tent.

A d d y o u r e v ent f o r FREE to the TIMELINE c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ern minn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Fri Aug 25, 2017 What’s in Your Future 1:00 pm | $75 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Change is inevitable in life. Yet, for

many of us, it is very uncomfortable.

We might even feel lost or stuck.

Come and learn about a simple yet powerful tool to help you manage change in your life, and to set a course for what you want to do. Presentation sponsored by LuAnn Buechler, Transformational Trainer & Life Coach.

Please register by 8/18 for the 8/25 class and 9/22 for the 9/29 class. Free to members/ Non-members $75.

The Original Rochester Greek Fest - Since 1963 4:00 pm | Free Holy Anargyroi Church Grounds 703 West Center Street

Rochester, MN, MN 55902 A summer tradition since 1963 that gets better with age. This year marks the 54th year of the Original Rochester Greek Fest, held on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Church. Join us for great food, fresh pastries, Hellenic culture, music & dancing, church tours, and our awesome new late night taverna! Free admission Free parking Holy Anargyroi Church Grounds 703 West Center Street Rochester, MN greekfestrochester.com The Art and Science of Pairing Wine with Food 5:00 pm | $25-$30. Members

$25/Non-members $30 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Learn about grape varieties in wine, tricky ingredients in food that can overpower a wine, cooking methods which can enhance food flavor, and the right wine to use with creative dishes. It’s all about texture, flavor, and taste. Look forward to sampling Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon paired with natural and basic foods. Please register

by August 18th.

the excitement on Fri., Aug. 25, 8pm, at the Zumbrota State Theatre. The evening will feature classics such as Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Stuck On You, Good Luck Charm, Return To Sender, Suspicious Minds, Burning Love...and many, many more. And behind the music is a story.

Justin Ploof and The Throwbacks bring you vintage footage and brief narration to accompany it. Not only will you rock out to the music, but you will have a number of I didnt know that moments throughout the evening a complete blast from the past concert experience.

Rochester Community Band “Movie Under the Stars” Concert 7:00 pm | Free History Center of Olmsted County 1195 W. Circle Drive Rochester, MN 55902 Admission: Concert is free. Movie: Adults $5.00 and seniors and children under 12 are free Bring your lawn chair and/or blanket to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Come for the Concert and stay for the Movie Captain America: Civil War. This is a great concert for kids. Our music selections include Captain America March, Pixar Movie Magic, Music from Jurassic Park and Highlights from Frozen. Concessions with popcorn, pop, and candy are available. Call (507) 285-9915 for more information.

Sat Aug 26, 2017

Comedy Improv Aug 25, 26, 2017 7:00 pm | $10-$15 Olde Pine Theatre 113 2nd St SW Pine Island, MN 55963 Join us in support of three local thespians. Two night engagement August 25 & 26 full of comedy improvisation provided by Greg Miller, Jerry Casper, and Nick Mezacapa.

This is a PG-13 event. Cost of tickets are $15 for adullts and $10 for *students/seniors. Tickets on sale now! oldepinetheatre.ticketleap.com/ comedy-improv/ Olde Pine Theatre 133 2nd St SW Pine Island, MN 55963 507-491-2639 OldePineTheatre. com *Students 18 years and younger *Seniors aged 60 and above Justin Ploof and The Throwbacks: Stuck on You! We Remember Elvis - 8:00 pm | $24-$28. $24 in advance, $28 at the door State Theater 96 E 4th St Zumbrota, MN 55992 It has been 40 years since Elvis left the building Join Justin Ploof and The Throwbacks for one very special night of remembering the King of Rock n’ Roll - Elvis Presley! Be part of

Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog 5K & 10K - 7:00 am | $18 Minneapolis Saturday, August 26th, 2017 is National Dog Day! To help celebrate, we are hosting a Day of the Dog: Run, Walk or Jog 5K & 10K! We invite you to complete a 5K or 10K anytime in August, for, or with, your favorite four legged friend. 15% of every registration will be donated to Freedom Service Dogs of America.

Happy Birthday to Me 2017 It’s My Birthday and I’ll RUN if I Want To - 7:00 am | $17 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN 55403 We’ve had lots of people asking us to host a BIRTHDAY race, so you can go out and celebrate your own birthday this year with a run, or a walk, and get an awesome birthday cake medal, with glittery candles on it! We will be donating at least 15% of every registration to Make a Wish Foundation, so blow out those candles and make a wish! *THIS IS A VIRTUAL RUN! Hosanna’s Pantry Aug 26, 26, 2017 9:00 am | Free Hosanna Lutheran Church 2815 57th St NW Rochester, MN 55901 Hosannas Pantry is a satellite food shelf of Channel One in Rochester.

Its open from 9:00 11:30 am on the 4th Saturday of each month to individuals/families who qualify for food assistance through Channel One. An ID is required. Coffee and treats are served while people wait to shop.

For more information you may call 507-285-0092, Mon Fri from 9:00 am 4:00 pm or email secretary@ hosannalutheran.org.

The Summer Spectacular - 9:00 am | $0-$5. Kids 12 and under free with paid adult. Proceeds go

to charities.

Dakota County Fairgrounds 4008 220th St. W. Farmington , MN 55024 29th Annual The Summer Spectacular.

Car Show is from 9-3 and the Shopping Expo runs from 9-2. There is a $5 admission and kids 12 and under free with paid adult - this fee will be donated to charities. The Shopping Expo will fill 2 barns with craftsman, upcyclers, direct sales, photographers, sweet treats and so much more! The first 50 shoppers will receive a FREE shopping bag and 8 of those bags contain a mystery prize tag. We will have music playing in one of the barns and the DJ loves to play stump the DJ! Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers in Rochester 9:00 am | Free RCTC-UCR Regional Sports Center 851 30th Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904 Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against this disease!

Take the first step by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you’ll have access to a wide range of tools and support through your customized Participant Center. Join us and lead the way to Alzheimer’s first survivor.

Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease!

Camp Companion Adoption Event - 10:00 am | Free Petco 3430 55th St NW Rochester, MN 55901 Come out and meet Camp Companion’s adoptable animals.

Available dogs are out from 10:00 to 12:00 and available cats are out from 10:00 to 4:00.

Austin ArtWorks Festival 10:00 am | Free Downtown Austin Main Street and around Austin, MN 55912 The ArtWorks Festival offers a broad selection of experiences in the arts-visual, performing, literary, culinary, and more--in one celebratory weekend, much of it interactive, including family activities and demonstrations (e.g. glassblowing, wheel throwing, & metalwork). For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Church of St. Michael Fall Festival - 10:00 am | Free Church of St. Michael 451 5th St. SW Pine Island, MN 55963 The Church of St. Michael, Pine island, MN is hosting their annual Fall Festival on Saturday-Sunday, August 26-27, 2017. On Saturday, there will be Tractor Pull at 10am-3pm, Arts & Crafts Vendors, Farmers Market, Raffle and Concession available. On Sunday, a delicious Roast Beef Dinner will be served from 11:00am 1:00pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door: adults $11; students (6-12) $5, and age 5 and under eat free. There will also be a Tractor Show starts at 10am, Arts & Crafts Vendors, Farmers Market, Raffle, Kids Outdoor Games, and Kids Pedal tractor. We hope to see you at our Fall Festival!

The Original Rochester Greek Fest - Since 1963 Aug 26, 27, 2017 11:00 am | Free Holy Anargyroi Church Grounds 703 West Center Street Rochester, MN, MN 55902 A summer tradition since 1963 that gets better with age. This year marks the 54th year of the Original Rochester Greek Fest, held on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Church. Join us for great food, fresh pastries, Hellenic culture, music & dancing, church tours, and our awesome new late night taverna! Free admission Free parking Holy Anargyroi Church Grounds 703 West Center Street Rochester, MN greekfestrochester.com Music and a Movie in Slatterly Park - 3:00 pm | Free Slatterly Park Pavilion 10th Street & 11 Avenue Southeast Rochster, MN 55901 Join us for Music and a Movie in Slatterly Park on August 26, 2017. Free admission. Concessions 5 - 9pm The outdoor movie this year is Disney’s Moana - to be shown at dusk. Lively music provided by the Lamb-Smith duo 6- 8 pm Family activities all day starting at 3 pm: Disc golf with local experts to teach, watercolors for kids, kickball, croquet, boat races, sidewalk art, and more. Night time disc golf game starting at dusk. For more information, go to our website. http:// slatterlypark.org/archives/2037 Daniels Restaurant 40th Anniversary - 4:00 pm | Free Daniel’s Restaurant 504 South Mantorville Ave Kasson, MN 55944 Help I celebrate the 40th anniversary

Saturday, September 2nd

7:30pm Marion Ross Performing Arts Center 147 N Broadway Ave, Albert Lea, MN Tickets Available by phone: 507-377-4371 or 1-877-730-3144 (toll-free) Or online at www.runlikehell.band/upcoming-shows

Saturday, September 9th 8:00pm State Theater

96 E 4th St. Zumbrota, MN Tickets Available at www.runlikehell.band/upcoming-shows 32

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A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

of Danielle’s restaurant. There will be food and drinks galore. Bean bag tournament. And live music by RHINO

Sun Aug 27, 2017

Dick Schindler Celebration Concert - 7:00 pm | Information to follow.

The Historic Paramount Theatre 125 4th Ave NE Austin, MN 55912 The 6th Annual Austin ArtWorks Festival presents Artrageous, an interactive art and music speedpainting. Tickets go on sale July 13, and will be available at the Austin ArtWorks Center and online at www. austinareaarts.org. The Dick Schindler Celebration Concert is hosted by the Austin Area Commission for the Arts with support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Mayo Clinic Health System Albert Lea Austin. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

2017 MN High School State Mountain Bike Competition 7:00 am | Free SPAM Trail County Rd 16 across from Todd Park Austin, MN 55912 The MN High School Cycling League works to establish and maintain safe, quality high school and middle school mountain bike programs. Get set for speed on this fast, 3 mile track, featuring the perfect mix of woods and prairie land! Check out the Austin Race Course at Race Map Link: www. myatlascms.com/map/?id=994/. RACE DESCRIPTION: This exciting race is known for being uniquely flat and very fast. Dont let the lack of climbing fool you, this expanded 3.75 mile course will provide fantastic views of the 600 acre park preserve with lots of turns!

Waitress - 7:00 pm | $30 Pantages Theatre 710 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to see one of the quirkiest and most imaginative new musicals of the last decade! This August, Pantages Theatre is proud to bring you Waitress.

Inspired by the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress tells the tale of a modest womans quest to escape an unhappy married existence by using her baking skills to their best effect.

Challenging stereotypes of typical musical theatre content and featuring an incredible score by Sara Bareilles, prepare for an experience as fresh as it is delectable! Book early to get the best seats.

St. Theodore Mass in the Park and Ice Cream Social 10:00 am | Free Edgewater Park Open Pavilion Edgewater and Lakeview Albert Lea, MN 56007 St. Theodore Catholic Parish in Albert Lea is having MASS IN THE PARK on Sunday, August 27, 2017 followed by a potluck, games and an ice cream social. Bring a lawnchair! Will be held in the Edgewater Park Bandshell. (If raining, Mass will be at St. Theodore Church with the potluck, games and Ice Cream Social in Marian Hall). All are welcome to share Sunday Mass in the park and enjoy fellowship and celebration of community. St. Theodore Catholic Parish, Albert Lea, Mn. 507-373-0603

Hank & Rita 7:30 pm | $12-$22. Member: $17/ Non Member: $22/ Student: $12 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Since its debut in May 2015, this theatrical music show has been performed around the Midwest, frequently selling out and garnering critical acclaim for the script, performance, and the original soundtrack. ‘Funny, sad, smart and really original,’ says music writer Jim Walsh. An amazing evening of country music, theater, and storytelling. Easily the most original piece of theater Ive ever seen in Southern Minnesota. Rich Larson, editor SouthernMinnScene Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B in Faribault and receive two free tickets to the show! (a $44 value)

Austin ArtWorks Festival 11:00 am | Free Downtown Austin Main Street and around Austin, MN 55912 The ArtWorks Festival offers a broad selection of experiences in the arts-visual, performing, literary, culinary, and more--in one celebratory weekend, much of it interactive, including family activities and demonstrations (e.g. glassblowing, wheel throwing, & metalwork). For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Jenny Zigrino 8:00 pm | $20 Royal Comedy Theatre 809 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN 55343 With the sweetness of the Midwest and the iron balls of the East Coast, Jenny Zigrino is a comedian that packs a punch of truly original humor. ALL ATTENDEES must be 21+ with IDs DOORS OPEN 1/2 hour before showtime ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES prior to showtime On Thursday August 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm (ends Saturday August 26, 2017 at 9:30 pm) Category: Arts - Performing Arts - Comedy Price: General Admission: USD 20.00

Eden Prairie Back 2 School Ice Cream Social - 1:00 pm | Free Staring Lake Park 14800 Pioneer Trail Eden Prairie, MN 55344 With the new school year right around the corner, School of Rock Eden Prairie and Project 52 Dance Company have joined together to host a free Back 2 School Ice Cream Social for the Eden Prairie community. School of Rock students will be rockin the Staring Lake Amphitheater and P52 Dance Company will be teaching everyone how to do the latest dance moves that will be all the rage at school dances this year.

Mon Aug 28, 2017 Community Grief Support Groups 12:00 am | Free Mayo Clinic Hospice 200 1st St SW Rochester, MN 55905 Mayo Clinic Hospice - Community Grief Support Groups Fall 2017 If you are grieving the loss of a significant person in your life through death,

please come and participate in one of the upcoming grief groups. These groups provide an opportunity to connect with others who are grieving and offer a safe place to be understood and share needs, concerns, and feelings of losing someone to death.

Eight consecutive Monday meetings will be held from September 11 October 30, 2017.

Fall into Perfect Skin 1:00 pm | $8 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Could you be speeding up your aging process? What simple mistakes could be aging your skin faster? Come learn how to slow down and even reverse the signs of aging. Presented

by Alexis Simmons of Roden+ Fields Dermatologists. Please register by 8/25. For ages 50+. Non-members $8.

Tue Aug 29, 2017 Fall into Perfect Skin 9:30 am | $8 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Could you be speeding up your aging process? What simple mistakes could be aging your skin faster? Come learn how to slow down and even reverse the signs of aging. Presented

by Alexis Simmons of Roden+ Fields Dermatologists. Please register by 8/25. For ages 50+. Non-members $8.

Plant-based Diet Meal Preperation - 4:00 pm | $15-$20.

Members $15/Non-members $20 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Plant-based eating has been shown to reduce the risk of many diseases including heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes. In this hands-on, interactive class you will learn just how delicious, affordable,and easy it can be to prepare plant-based meals. You will leave with new healthy recipes to try at home. Come hungry, as we will be making and sampling several recipes.

Presented by a Hy-Vee dietitian. Please register by August 22nd Back to Class Open House 5:30 pm | Free Allegro School of Dance and Music 2342 Superior Drive SW Rochester, MN 55901 Rochester, MN 55901 Join us at Allegro for our 2017-2018 Back to Class Open House. We’ll give you a tour of the studio, introduce you to our faculty and help you register for fall dance and music classes. We can’t wait to meet you!

Wed Aug 30, 2017 Berne Wood Fired Pizza & Summer Concert Series 5:00 pm | Free Zwingli United Church of Christ 23148 Cty Hwy 24 West Concord, MN 55985 Free summer concert in beautiful rural setting. Wood-fired pizza served from 5:00 to 8:00. Think picnic, bring lawn chairs and adult beverages if preferred.

Pop, water and ice cream sold on grounds. All ages welcome! Google Berne Wood Fired Pizza for listing of

bands. Opening bands play at 5:15 Headliners at 6:30 pm.

Austin Outdoor Yoga - 7:30 pm | Free East Side Lake Park 8th Ave and Oakland Pl NE Austin, MN 55912 Urban Yoga is offering free one-hour courses open to all ages. The courses are for beginners, thus no experience is necessary. Participants should bring their own yoga mats, but it can be done on the ground. This year’s program alongside East Side Lake brings in an added element of Nature to compliment the exercise with water and sunsets.

Thu Aug 31, 2017 Thursdays on First & 3rd 11:00 am | Free Downtown Rochester Corner of 2nd St & 1st Ave SW Rochester, MN 55902 Thursdays on First & 3rd Summer Market & Music Festival is a weekly outdoor market of over 100 art, craft and food vendors and live entertainment every Thursday throughout the summer. Thursdays on First & 3rd begins on June 1st and runs until August 31st. Thursdays on First & 3rd is an event that unites the Rochester community and provides a free option to simply enjoy life, feel a sense of place, and interact with others! Dogs are welcome at Thursdays but must be on a leash. Sit back and relax with friends and family as musical talent is featured from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Stick around for the Music Festival performances at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on two stages!

Thursdays on First & 3rd 11:00 am | Free Peace Plaza 1st Ave SW Rochester, MN 55906 Thursdays on First & 3rd Summer Market & Music Festival is a weekly outdoor market of over 100 art, craft and food vendors and live entertainment every Thursday throughout the summer. Thursdays on First & 3rd begins on June 1st and runs until August 31st. Thursdays on First & 3rd is an event that unites the Rochester community and provides a free option to simply enjoy life, feel a sense of place, and interact with others! Dogs are welcome at Thursdays but must be on a leash. Sit back and relax with friends and family as musical talent is featured from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Stick around for the Music Festival performances at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on two stages!

Thursdays on First & 3rd 11:00 am | Free Peace Plaza 1st Ave SW Rochester, MN 55906 Thursdays on First & 3rd Summer Market & Music Festival is a weekly outdoor market of over 100 art, craft and food vendors and live entertainment every Thursday throughout the summer. Thursdays on First & 3rd is an event that unites the Rochester community and provides a free option to simply enjoy life, feel a sense of place, and interact with others! Dogs are welcome at Thursdays but must be on a leash. Sit back and relax with friends and family as musical talent is featured from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Stick around for the

Mayowood Mansion Tours Rochester – September According to the History Center of Olmsted County, Dr. Charles H. Mayo, cofounder of the Mayo Clinic, built the Mayowood Mansion in 1911. He lived there until 1939. The estate features gardens and Dr. Mayo’s decorative arts collection. Over 40 rooms are furnished in French, English, Spanish, German and American antiques.

You will spend about 50 minutes with an educated tour guide as they escort you through the home and paint you a picture of life in the mansion for the Mayo family.

Rochester Trolley has added these stops to their tour route. www.olmstedhistory.com/mayowood-mansion Music Festival performances at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on two stages!

Fri Sep 1, 2017 The Whitesidewalls Rock the Hall! - 8:00 pm | $24-$27 State Theater 96 E 4th St Zumbrota, MN 55992 Tickets are $24 in advance, $27 day of show. To reserve tickets, visit www.crossingsatcarnegie.com, call 507-732-7616 or stop in to Crossings at 320 East Avenue in Zumbrota.

Crossings brings the Whitesidewalls, a band dedicated to the golden age of rock and roll and doo-wop music, to the Zumbrota State Theatre on Friday, September 1, 8:00 p.m.

Goodsell Observatory Open House - 9:00 pm | Free Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College 1 North College Street Northfield, MN 55057 If the skies are clear, join Carleton’s resident astronomers to view the moon, stars, planets, and nebulas. The event will be cancelled at the last minute if cloudy. Dress for the weather, since you’ll either use a telescope outside or in the domes, which are not heated.

Goodsell Observatory is located at 93 09’ 07.9’ W and 44 27’ 42.4’ N, altitude 290 m, on the campus of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

The building, built in the late 1890s, houses three historic telescopes. In the

AMERICAN

ETHNIC

Restaurants in Austin, MN are known for their award winning BBQ sauces, food challenges, French onion soup, raspberry French toast, super spuds, bloody Mary’s and caramel bars. Plus SPAMTM is served at 17 restaurants.

We invite you to come and sample for yourself “only in Austin” eateries.

Austin, MN: The Unassuming Town In Minnesota That Has The Best Mexican Food Ever, according to Only In Your State, July 2017. Plus MORE!

Barley’s 1207 N. Main Street

Hoot and Ole’s 105 11th St SE

Alicia’s 1017 2nd Ave. NE

1910 Fresh Mexican 507 1st St NW

The Tendermaid 217 4th Ave NE

Torge’s Live Sports Pub & Grill 1701 4th St NW

El Mariachi Mexican 227 N Main St

Top Noodle 501 1st Ave NW

PIZZA

The Old Mill 54446 244th St

Twister Lounge 1600 10th Dr SE

El Patron 1906 8th St NW

China Star 1906 8th St NW

George’s Pizza 209 N Main St

B&J Bar & Grill 112 4th Ave NE

The Windrift Lounge 2511 11th St NE

Maya Taqueria 501 W Oakland Ave

Japan Panda 100 14th St SW

Steve’s Pizza 421 N Main St

Dusty’s Bar 422 N Main St

Grinders Deli 604 3rd Ave NW

Tienda Guerrero 301 4th Ave NE

Johnny’s Skillet 107 11th Ave NE Kenny’s Oak Grill 307 W Oakland Ave Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que 323 North Main Sterling Café 1426 1st Ave SW Suite 3

Coffee House on Main 329 N Main St

A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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larger dome there is a 16.2-inch John Brashear refractor, and in the smaller dome there is an 8 -inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor.

Sat Sep 2, 2017 Smile Run (or Walk) 5K & 10K 7:00 am | $17 Minneapolis Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN 55403 In an effort to help raise awareness for Suicide Prevention, we are hosting our third annual Smile Run. This year it is dedicated to Diane E. Chitty, who passed away September 3, 2011. You can read more of her story below. A portion of the proceeds from this run will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which is dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education , and advocacy. *THIS IS A VIRTUAL RUN! Ruby’s Pantry - 9:30 am | $20 Albert Lea Assembly of God 1540 S Shore Drive Albert Lea, MN 56007 Doors open at 9:30am, Distribution 10-11:30am. Our Mission: To procure and distribute corporate surplus food and goods to help fight poverty, hunger and disease in rural communities in the United States for those with low resources and in crisis through churches, food shelves, and other local civic organizations. To develop the ‘Blessing Box’ concept to activate people in being alert to the needs

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of others and to be proactive in encouraging, showing friendship, and meeting tangible needs of struggling neighbors, friends, and strangers regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. $20/share Camp Companion Adoption Event 10:00 am | Free Petsmart North 3845 Marketplace Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Come out and meet Camp Companion’s adoptable animals.

Available dogs are out from 10:00 to 12:00 and available cats are out from 10:00 to 4:00.

Sun Sep 3, 2017 Dashing Divas 5K & 10K 7:00 am | $17 Minneapolis September 27, 2017 is National Womens Health and Fitness Day. We want to celebrate with a Dashing Divas 5K& 10K! Lets get out there and get moving ladies! Release your inner diva and lets sparkle! We will also be donating at least 15% of each registration to GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services), whos mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 1224, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. *THIS IS A VIRTUAL RUN!

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333 Apache Mall Rochester, MN 55902 Cirque Italia is a unique show in every sense. After five years of consolidation, a rigorous casting selection, and over 1,000 performances nationwide; this spectacular production has become the greatest version of a traveling circus. Cirque Italia is proud to have developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the most innovative shows to be staged in the US. Tickets can be purchased now starting at $10.00$50.00 depending on availability.

Cirque Italia offers one free child admission with every full priced paying adult ticket in levels 2 or 3. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or deals. Please call 941-704-8572 to find out the promo code for this location.

own Life’s Too Short and Forager as guest craft brewers. There will be fall craft beers, cider beers, liqueurs and a surprise or two from Northwest. The RAC will cater a very nice selection of appetizers and along with this there will be a raffle with prizes that will appeal to both men and women. Tickets are $30 and are available to buy at the shelter and at the RAC the night of the event.

All proceeds will benefit the animals in our care.

Fri Sep 8, 2017

Defeat of Jesse James Days Northfield – September 6-10 When you think of the quaint, liberal arts college-town that is Northfield, Minnesota, bank robberies, horse shoe hunts, and tractor pulls aren’t really the first things that come to mind. And yet, the Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration, which features all those activities, is the town’s biggest annual event.

Tens of thousands travel into Northfield each year to see the re-enactment of the Sept. 7, 1876 attempted robbery of First National Bank, in which members of the James-Younger Gang were thwarted. After fleeing the Northfield scene, the three Younger brothers were captured and arrested in Madelia.

Defeat of Jesse James Days features a long line of events, including the reenactments, a rodeo, a hog roast, a golf tournament, horse races, food stands, a carnival, a parade, craft shoes and more. The city’s centerpiece downtown is heavily featured throughout the festivities. www.djjd.org/complete-event-schedule-by-day-text-only

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Pints For Paws Craft Beer Tasting for PCHS - 6:00 pm | $30 Rochester Athletic Club 3100 19th St NW Rochester, MN 55901 Northwest Liquors will host this fund raising event along with Rochester’s

Sat Sep 9, 2017

Rochester MN Walk to Defeat ALS - 8:30 am | Online fundraising registration East Silver Lake Shelter 705 E Silver Lake Drive NE Rochester, MN 55906 More than just a few-mile trek, the Walk to Defeat ALS is an opportunity to bring hope to people living with ALS, to raise money for a cure, and to come together for something you care about.

The Walk to Defeat ALS is The ALS Associations biggest annual event, which raises funds that allow our local chapters to sustain care services and support research for much of the next FIF year. Walk registration TH is now open!

Visit http://web.alsa.org/rochestermn to register.

Choose Your Own Adventure 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 - 7:00 am | $17 Minneapolis, Minnesota S. Washington Ave. & S. 3rd Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55401 Did you know that National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6th? This year we want to celebrate with an old classic from our childhood, the Choose Your Own Adventure series. So go out The Energy Fair Sep 9, 10, 2017 and choose your own adventure and 9:00 am | $0-$25. complete a 5K, 10K, 13.1 or 26.2 mile www.theenergyfair.org/ticketrun (or walk) and then go and read pricing/#mn-tickets a book! Plus, at least 15% of every Harriet Island Park registration will go to Books for Africa.

200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd Saint A simple name for an organization with Paul, MN 55102 a simple mission. We collect, sort, Celebrate clean energy and sustainable ship, and distribute books to students SOUTHERN MINN living in St. Paul! The Energy Fair of all ages in Africa. Our goal: to end features interactive workshops, the book famine in Africa. exhibitors, live music, inspiring Alzheimer’s Association Walk to

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Defeat of Jesse James Days Sep 6, 10, 2017 9:00 am | Free Northfield, MN Northfield, MN 55057 5K and 15K Runs/ 5K Non-Competitive Walk (SUN) Ambassador/James Gang School Visits (FRI) Antique Tractor and Truck Pull (SUN) Bank Raid Re-Enactments (Fri-Sun) Bingo

Fine Arts Fair Festival (DAILY) Raider Derby Race (SAT) Square Dance (FRI) NAG Theater (Daily) Thursday Night Thunder (THURS) Vintage Base Ball and the Northfield Silver Stars (SAT) VFW Breakfast (SUN) Youth Hockey Tournament (Daily) Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B in neighboring Faribault, Minnesota and receive free transportation to and from the event!

Cirque Italia Sep 7, 8, 2017 7:30 pm | $0-$50 Apache Mall

Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot Sep 9, 10, 2017 8:00 am | Call 507-438-7519 for more information.

Cedar River Archery Club 570th Ave Austin, MN 55912 Safe, fun and family oriented opportunity for people to come and shoot with others who share their passion. For more information, call 507-438-7619.

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Wed Sep 6, 2017

on Bridge Square (Daily) Carnival (Daily) Central Park Craft Show (Daily) Classic Car Show | Sundowner Car Club (SAT) Entertainment Center (Daily) Family Entertainment on Division (SAT) Giddy Up Horsey Races (THURS) Grand Slam Craft Show (Fri-Sun) Golf Tournament (THURS) Grand Day Parade (SUN) Jesse James Bike Tour (SAT) Kiddie Parade (SAT) Northfield Fire and Rescue River Duck Race (SUN) Parade (SUN) P.R.C.A. Professional Rodeo (Fri and Sat) Pedal Tractor Pull (THURS) Riverfront

The Energy Fair - Solar Professional Day - 9:00 am | $0$25. https://www.theenergyfair. org/ticket-pricing/#mn-tickets Harriet Island Park 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd Saint Paul, MN 55102 Celebrate clean energy and sustainable living in St. Paul! The Energy Fair features interactive workshops, exhibitors, live music, inspiring keynotes, family fun, great local food, and more. Come together to learn new skills, build community, and take action towards a more sustainable future. Organized by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, The Energy Fair started out in Central Wisconsin and is coming to Minnesota for the first time. Friday, September 8th is a pre-Fair Solar Professional Day. Come for the atmosphere, and stay for the fun! Workshops and exhibits are FREE and open to the public. Allaccess and event information at: http:// TheEnergyFair.org. Join us Friday, September 8 for a Solar Professional Pre-Fair Day, featuring continuing education workshops and solar training courses. Solar professional can choose from a variety of workshops and earn Solar PV and Solar Heating continuing education credits recognized by NABCEP. Network with industry professionals and learn about the latest solar products, trends, and technology!

The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein Sep 8, 14, 16, 2017 7:30 pm | $11-$17.

Member $15/ Non-Member $17/ Student $11 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film starring Gene Wilder, will leave you in stitches. It parodies the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein. Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s.

Of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Fun, fright and musical comedy take center stage. Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B in Faribault and receive two free tickets to the show! (a $34 value)

keynotes, family fun, great local food, and more. Come together to learn new skills, build community, and take action towards a more sustainable future. Organized by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, The Energy Fair started out in Central Wisconsin and is coming to Minnesota for the first time. Friday, September 8th is a pre-Fair Solar Professional Day. Come for the atmosphere, and stay for the fun!Workshops and exhibits are FREE and open to the public. Allaccess and event information at: http:// TheEnergyFair.org.

End Alzheimers Twin Cities 7:30 am | Free Target Field 1 Twins Way Minneapolis, MN 55403 Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against this disease!

Take the first step by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your customized Participant Center. Join us and lead the way to Alzheimer’s first survivor.

Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease!

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimers Mankato 9:00 am | Free Sibley Park - Red Barn 900 Park Lane Mankato, MN 56001 Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the worlds largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against this disease!

Take the first step by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your customized Participant Center. Join us and lead the way to Alzheimer’s first survivor.

Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease!

Camp Companion Adoption Ay 10:00 am | Free Rochester Pet and Country Store South 5 11-1/2th St SE Rochester, MN 55901 Come out and meet Camp Companion’s adoptable dogs and cats at our weekly adoption event. Available dogs are out from 10:00-12:00 and available cats are out from 12:00 4:00.

Bretts Family Concert 7:00 pm | $20-$25 Alden-Conger High School Gymnasium 215 N. Broadway Alden, MN 56009 Family entertainment from Branson.

Singing, dancing and variety show.

Reserved seats available by contacting Eunice Newman @ 507/874-2725 The event is sponsored by the Alden Lions.

Vocalist and Instrumentalist Claudia Schmidt Returns to

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Crossings 7:30 pm | $18-$21 Crossings 320 East Ave Zumbrota, MN 55992 Claudia Schmidt is a powerful vocalist and adventurous artist, who combines lively folk, jazz and blues with rich poetry and playful humor.

With an infectious energy and joy, she continues to delight audiences with her spectacular vocals and instrumental prowess. Schmidt has been perfecting her craft of performing for almost four decades. Tickets are $18 in advance and $21 day of show, available through Crossings. To reserve tickets, visit 94th High Forest Old Settlers All Day | $4 High Forest Square 12142 Shervin Ave SW Stewartville, MN 55976 FAMILY FUN ALL DAY 7-10amFishing Contest 9-10am-Yoga 11am-Kids Pedal Pull 12noon-Bean Bag Tournament 2-6pm-Horse drawn wagon rides, food and fun for all ages.

4pm-Parade Happy Trucker DJ playing throughout the day. 8pm-Feature Band of the night-Greg Hall and the Wrecking Ball Bonfire at Dusk

Sun Sep 10, 2017 5th Annual Seize The Day -- Cure Blood Cancers Fundraiser 12:00 pm | $10 American Legion 1100 Second Ave NW Stewartville, MN 55976 5th Annual Event to support those affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS. Includes 2-mile Walk through beautiful Florence/Bear Cave Park, heads/tails game, live auction, silent auction, head shave. Please join us or donate to this important cause.

We will celebrate with survivors, offer support to those fighting and remember those who lost their battle. seizethedaywalk.myevent.com to register or donate. also on facebook seize the day walk to cure blood cancers The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein Sep 10, 17, 2017 2:00 pm | $11-$17.

Member $15/ Non-Member $17/ Student $11 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film starring Gene Wilder, will leave you in stitches. It parodies the horror film

genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein. Frederick Frankenstein inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s.

Of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Fun, fright and musical comedy take center stage. Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B in Faribault and receive two free tickets to the show! (a $34 value)

Wed Sep 13, 2017 Fore The Kids Golf Tournament 1:00 pm | $100 Eastwood Golf Course 3505 Eastwood Road Southeast Rochester, MN 55901 The 6th Annual FORE THE KIDS Golf Tournament provides entertainment for golfers of all abilities who come together to support the Rochester Area Family YMCA. All proceeds from this event benefit the Y’s Open Doors Scholarship program. REGISTRATION FEES: EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (through August 31): $100 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and dinner.

AFTER AUGUST 31: $125 per golfer.

Thu Sep 14, 2017 Southeastern Minnesota Beekeepers Association (SEMBA) Meeting - 6:30 pm | $20 Assisi Heights Spirituality Center 1001 14th. ST NW. Rochester, MN 55901 Come and join ‘The Buzz’ -- an informal opportunity to discuss any topic related to beekeeping. At 7pm, we have our regular meeting -- always an informational presentation on beekeeping and the honey bee.

SEMBAs mission is to be informational *and* good sticky fun for the whole family. Our meetings are held the second Thursday every month February through October as guest of the Sisters of Saint Francis at Assisi Heights, Rochester. Usually in the Spirituality Center, basement level.

Come in the front (south) door and ask for directions at reception, if necessary.

See http://www.semnbeekeeping.org/ for a description of our next meeting.

To join SEMBA is a one time fee of $20 per family; per year.

Morgan Heritage 8:00 pm | $20 Skyway Theatre 711 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55402 In the wake of their historical GRAMMY win for Best Reggae Album as the Producer and Artist for Strictly Roots, which was released under their own independent label CTBC Music Group, the Iconic GRAMMY Award-Winning cultured driven band has managed yet again to deliver another classic album.

They achieved this by staying true to their formula of authentic Reggae with an effusively eclectic mix. In their latest quest to keep Reggae music relevant in a continuously evolving world of music, Morgan Heritage presents Avrakedabra.

Fri Sep 15, 2017 Beers of the World 6:00 pm | $40 Mayo Civic Center, Exhibit Hall 30 Civic Center Dr SE Rochester, MN 55904 This event features more than 40 vendor tables with more than 150 beers! Each attendee gets a ‘Beers of the World’ glass that is yours to keep! There will be some raffles with fabulous prizes and live entertainment as well!! Attendees must be 21 years of age to enter, and photo IDs will be checked by security personnel at the event. More info can be found at: http://bearcreekservices.org/news/ beers-of-the-world.php Aladdin - 7:00 pm | $30 Orpheum Theatre 910 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Are you ready to see one of your all-time favorite Disney films spring to life? Get ready for Aladdin the magical musical theatre comedy that will leave you WISHING for more! Bringing such a visual film featuring remote and dangerous locations and fast-paced action sequences, not to mention MAGIC! to the stage is no mean feat, but the directors of Aladdin have done so magnificently. The production features jaw-droppingly complex and beautiful sets, over 350 costumes, fantastic live musicians and of course, a truly incredible cast.

Rodney Carrington - 7:00 pm | $44.75-$179.75 Paramount Theatre 125 4th Avenue Northeast Austin, MN 55912 Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost twenty

years with his unique brand of stand-up comedy. The country singer-songwriter has recorded eight major label comedy albums which have sold more than two million copies two of which have been certified Gold. According to Pollstar, Rodney has been one of the top ten highest grossing touring comedians for the last 10 years, and among the top 4 or 5 the last several years. His popularity derives in large part, from his connection to his audience both at his live shows, as well as social media.

By the looks of his schedule in 2017, he shows no signs of slowing down! ***Mature Audiences Only*** The Good Doctor by Neil Simon Sep 15, 21, 22, 2017 7:30 pm | $22 Rochester Repertory Theatre 103 Seventh Street NE Rochester, MN 55906 Simon has concocted a laughterfilled event of short plays inspired by the writings ofAnton Chekhov. The activity bounces from the rantings of a harridan upbraiding the bank manager for his gout and his lack of money, to a father determined to introduce his son to the mysteries of becoming a man, to the classic tale of the man who offers to drown himself for three rubles.

The stories are droll, the portraits affectionate, the humor infectious, and the fun unending. After all, it is Neil Simon! The Doctor is in, at the Rep!

Sat Sep 16, 2017 Women and Spirituality Conference Sep 16, 17, 2017 8:00 am | $45-$85. Maker’s Space, La Mese delle Donne exhibit and show and Exhibitorsfree and open to the public Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall 20 Civic Center Drive SE Rochester, MN 55904 Sept 16-17, 2017 The Women and Spirituality Conference provides a supportive and nurturing setting for a dialogue of caring and mutual respect between and among women and men from many spiritual and religious traditions. You are invited to join us for the first time in Rochester, MN. This event includes: The Women and Spirituality Conference La Mesa delle Donne (A Month of Women) art exhibit and show Maker’s Space The Women and Spirituality Conference is a ticketed event including a keynote and 6 workshops with 72 concurrent offerings. There will also be an exhibit hall featuring 80 vendors that is

open to the public. In addition, Lilac Wellness Center will be hosting a Wellness Retreat Room for also open to the public with both appointment and walk-in services. A variety of healing modalities will be offered by experienced therapists for a fee.

Free Wellness Consultations will be available. For more information and to register, visit http://www. womenandspirituality.org.

2017 Park Nicollet Apple of the Lake 5k and Kids 1 mile Fun Run - 8:00 am | $10-$45 Excelsior, Minnesota 10 Water Street Excelsior, MN 55331 The 5th Annual Apple of the Lake 5K Fun Run will be held on the beautiful streets of downtown Excelsior, through the streets of Shorewood, and on the LRT, Saturday, September 16, 2017.

You will enjoy the scenic route along the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Finish up with a Fall celebration at our annual Apple Day Festival! This year we are excited to have our 3rd annual Kids 1 mile Fun Run which will be held on the LRT! The Apple of the Lake Kids 1 mile fun run starting time is 8 a.m. and the Apple of the Lake 5K fun run starting time is 8:30 a.m.

Fallin Into Fall Craft Vendor Event 9:00 am | Free Hastings Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Boulevard Hastings, MN 55033 Fallin Into Fall Craft & Vendor Event Saturday, September 16 at 9 AM - 3 PM Hastings Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Boulevard, Hastings, Minnesota 55033 https://www.facebook.com/ events/185395395228559 Fallin Into Fall Craft & Vendor Event **Join us on September 16 2017 at the Hastings Civic Ice Arena for a Craft and Vendor event with up to 110 vendors. Yep 110 of us. ***Enjoy FREE ADMISSION and once inside you will find us in the largest part of the arena, You will find many talented artists as well as many Direct Sales Representatives to choose from. So bring your friends, bring your family.

Camp Companion Adoption Event 10:00 am | Free Rochester Pet & Country Store 5 11 1/2 Street SE Rochester, MN 55904 Come out and meet Camp Companion’s adoptable animals.

Available dogs are out from 10:00 to 12:00 and available cats are out from 10:00 to 4:00.

HermannFest Northfield – September 9 Join a celebration at Hermann the German! The party is held at Hermann Heights Park (14 Monument St.) in the shadow of the 102-foot monument, and below in Harman Park (101 North Garden St.).

Dance to live German music throughout the day, snack on some German and American food, and refresh with New UIm’s own Schell’s Beer and 1919 Root beer – on tap all day!

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Be sure to check out the event highlights: Thunder in the Valley by the New Ulm Battery and New Ulm Municipal Band.

Cannon shoot with 11 guns at 6 p.m. and the fantastic fireworks over the Hermann Monument at 8:30 pm.

Music continues into the night business.newulm.com/events/details/ hermannfest-25844

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Celebrating Abilities 2017 - 12:30 pm | $7-$25. Free Admission. Film ScreeningAdults $10, Seniors & Students $7, After-party $25 Century High School 2525 Viola Rd NE Rochester, MN 55906 Event Schedule - Join us for any or all activities! Family Activities: Noon - 4:00 PM -Silent auction (final bids begin closing @ 3:30PM) -Raffle basket drawings throughout the day -Food & Beverages -Kids activities (face painting, henna, driving challenge, and more) -Display tables featuring ABC partner businesses & organizations -Photo Booth -Police K-9 demonstration (1:00-3:00 PM) Activities in Auditorium: 4:00 AM 6:00 PM -A Celebration of Abilities -Introductions -Films screening of ‘Learning to Drive’ -A & A with director and lead actor -Announcement of auction winners Post Film Activities: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM -Auction items pick-up -Memorabilia Sales -Afterparty with director, actor and guests in private dining area Even more events to be added in the coming days!

Boats and Bluegrass Festival Winona – September 20-24 If you are looking for a laid-back festival with none of the large-fest hassles, this is your place. With camping just 50 yards from the festival grounds, it does not get any easier.

Boats and Bluegrass is a family-friendly festival held on the Mississippi River in Winona, Minnesota. Event organizers pride themselves on providing a fun, safe, and friendly festival environment.

This year’s celebration is headlined by Dead Man Winter and Horeshoes and Hand Grenades. Joining the headliners are Pert Near Sandstone, My Bubba, The Lil Smokies, Shook Twins, Jacob Joliff Band, Mandolin Orange, The Haunted Windchimes and many, many more. So far, there are 37 performers lined up.

Tickets on sale now: www.boatsandbluegrass.com

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more info and a map to all the venues. www.Zaac.org/art-2/art_splash.

City Hall, Artify Collective or Crossings at Carnegie.

Zumbro River Art Splash 10:00 am | Free Zumbro River Art Splash 100 west Ave Zumbrota, MN 55992 Take Hwy 52 to scenic Zumbrota Minnesota and explore our many art tour venues and meet the artists who create these special artworks.

Things to see and do that the whole family will enjoy. A new addition this year is the Squash Blossom Farm in rural Oronoco Minnesota not far from Rochester. Check out the website for

Zumbro River Art Splash 10:00 am | Free Zumbrota Zumbrota, MN 55992 Art Studio Tour Mark your calendars now for the 12th Annual Zumbro River Art Splash. Discover our area’s rich art and history on a self-guided tour of artist studios in the Zumbro River Valley. Admission to all studios is free. Visit each unique location and talk with the artists who have created one-of-a-kind show pieces. To obtain a map, visit our website or pick one up at the Zumbrota Public Library, Zumbrota

Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Community Walk 11:00 am | Free Silver Lake - East Pavilion 7th St NE and West Silver Lake Drive NE Rochester, MN 55906 Registration for the event starts at 9:00 am. Feel free to go online at afsp.donordrive.com and search for the Rochester MN Community Out of the Darkness Walk to start or join a team. No cost to walk in event - at will donations appreciated. For more information please feel to contact Terry at tllund@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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Festive Mixology - A Signature Cocktail Experience - 5:30 pm | $30-$35. Advance pricing will be available until 8 a.m. on 9/16/17.

Peace Plaza 1st Ave SW Rochester, MN 55906 MIXOLOGY & MUSICOLOGY JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY! Great cause, delectable custom cocktails and mocktails, delicious appetizers, AND live music from local singers! Sounds like a great time, doesn’t it? Join us for the 5th annual Festive Mixology benefiting Hiawatha Homes! A special thanks to our generous major sponsors: Presenting - Home Federal Cuisine - Powers Ventures Designated Drive - Yellow Cab Media - Townsquare Media Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Get the scoop at www. hiawathahomes.org.

Powderfinger Presents Neil Young 72nd Birthday Bash 7:30 pm | $24-$28. $24 in advance, $28 day of show State Theater 96 E 4th St Zumbrota, MN 55992 Minnesotas premier Neil Young tribute band celebrates his 72nd birthday with a tribute to the folk and rock performers music. Sponsored by Crossings, Powderfinger performs

Sat., Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre. Powderfinger has been performing their tribute show for more than a decade. Consisting of Mark Hazzy Hasbrouck (guitar,vocals) D.B. Curtis (guitar,vocals) Jim Bjorklun (bass,vocals) and Brian Heying (drums), they play all the hits and deeper album cuts that are the favorites of every Young fan.

Seemingly effortlessly, they create the Neil Young and Crazy Horse sound everyone loves. Audiences can expect some long jams and passion fueled guitar playing on classics like Down by the River, Cowgirl in the Sand, and Rockin in the Free World. Powderfinger also plays not-to-be-missed hits like Heart of Gold, Old Man, and Harvest Moon. Listeners are treated to a truly great experience for any fan of Youngs music.

Sun Sep 17, 2017 Back to Church Sunday 10:30 am | Free South Troy Wesleyan Church 56817 Hwy 63 Zumbro Falls, MN 55991 It’s time to get ‘back to Church’ at South Troy Church. Great worship begins at 10:30 with our guests, MN Adult/Teen Challenge Choir. After worship you are invited to join us for a cook-out, and there will be a ministry fair, along with games, and an inflatable for the kids. Come and be our Guests-- South Troy Church, September 17, 10:30 AM Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 4:00 pm | $35 Cottage Grove Middle School 9775 Indian Blvd Cottage Grove, MN 55016 The Healthy Kids Running Series is a five week running program in the spring and fall for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Each Race Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dash, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the one mile run. Kids compete each week of the Series for a chance to earn points and at the end of the Series the top boy and girl with ...the most points in their respective age division receive a trophy. It doesnt matter how fast or slow you run because all participants receive a medal and gift bag for their achievements courtesy of our sponsors! Join us as we encourage kids to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, help increase their selfesteem, and make new friends!

Healthy Kids Running Series 4:00 pm | $35 Cottage Grove Middle School 9775 Indian Blvd Cottage Grove, MN 55016 The Healthy Kids Running Series is a five week running program in the spring and fall for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Each Race Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 yard dash, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the one mile run. Kids compete each week of the Series for a chance to earn points and at the end of the Series the top boy and girl with ...the most points in their respective age division receive a trophy. It doesnt matter how fast or slow you run because all participants receive a medal and gift bag for their achievements courtesy of our sponsors! Join us as we encourage kids to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, help increase their selfesteem, and make new friends!

Kids n Kinship Annual Gala Celebrating 45 Years Of Service To Youth - 4:30 pm | $45 Bracketts Crossing 17976 Judicial Road Lakeville, MN 55044 Join us for a wonderful evening celebrating youth. Investing in youth mentoring is a meaningful and effective way to build character and competence in youth and sets them on a path for success in school, relationships, and on the job.Funds raised at the gala go toward matching trained volunteer mentors with youth who need support! - From the terrace to the ballroom, Brackett’s Crossing offers a perfect first-class evening for all to enjoy. - Experience mouth-watering cuisine prepared by an award winning chef. - Participate in Our Silent Auction - a variety of attractive, fun, and useful items. - Just in time for the holidays, pick up some great deals at our very popular Wine Cork Pull or Craft Beer Pull. - The highlight of the evening listen to Kids n Kinship testimonials that will touch your heart. $45 per ticket, or eight tickets for the price of seven. Purchase tickets at www.2017kidsnkinshipgala.eventbrite. com.

Thu Sep 21, 2017 History Bits & BItes 12:00 pm | $0-$5. $5 - AdultsFree for BECHS Members and children 5-17 Blue Earth County Historical Society History Center 424 Warren Street

Mankato, MN 56001 Bring your lunch and learn a bit of history! The Minnesota Welsh Association will be at BECHS to discuss their annual Welsh Hymn Festival held the Sunday after this presentation. Learn more about the tradition of music with the Welsh during this great presentation.

Fri Sep 22, 2017 Hobbit Day 5K - 7:00 am | $17 The Saloon - Minneapolis 830 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Did you know that September 22 is Hobbit Day? Its the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins! We are celebrating with our second annual Hobbit Day 5K!September is also Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, so we will be donating at least 15% of every registraton to Be The Match, for the thousands of people diagnosed every year with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, a cure exists. Over the past 25 years Be The Match , operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), has managed the largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world. We work every day to save lives through transplant.

Sawtooth Brothers - 7:30 pm | $10-$20. Member: $15 | Non Member $20 | Student: $10 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 This band, with family connections to Monroe Crossing, redefines what bluegrass can be...their music is difficult to categorize; it transcends tradition. The songs are full of complex instrumental arrangements, meticulous harmonies, and sophisticated lyrics. Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B in Faribault and receive two free tickets to the show!

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Sept. 29 • 7pm-midnight Starfire Event Center $8 in advance, $12 at the door

Music on the Patio Thursdays • 6pm - 9pm 204 2nd Street SW, Waseca, MN

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Thursday, August 24th Thursday, September 14th Bruce Burniece Tully & Allen Thursday, August 31st Thursday, September 21st Angel Val Anhalt Hootenanny Annies Thursday, September 7th Thursday, September 28th Pete Klug Barefoot Winos

Call for information & Reservations: 507.835.1146 After 4pm: 507.837.9848

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EVENT

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Art & Ale Aug 26

bReaKFast & lunch dailY specials

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Until the late 1800s, the city of Roanoke, Virginia, was known as Big Lick.

M-Th 8:00 – 10:00 AM M-F 3:30 – 6:30 PM

7 - 10:30 pm

Dolphins’ heads lack an olfactory system. That means that, though they have impressive noses, they have no ability to detect scent.

See Art, Hear Art, Make Art, Drink Art!

satuRdaYs

GALLERY

Your nose produces about two liters of mucus each day.

The deepest hole scientists have managed to dig through the earth is found in

sundaYs

build YouR own buRGeRs noon - 8pM

A pop-up exhibition of mugs made by 20 local and regional artists

2016-17 Gallery Season Sponsor: First National Bank of Northfield

MondaYs

GALLERY Annual Members’ Show Featuring 60+ Arts Guild Members

Sept 1 - 23

Photography

Textiles

2017-18 Gallery Season Sponsor: First National Bank of Northfield

6.50

Your average Number Two pencil can write a line some 35 miles long.

tuesdaY tacos $

6 7

Dendrochronology is the science of dating a tree by its rings.

2 tacos 3.99 decKeRs $4.99 taco salad $5.50 5/$12 bucKets

Exhibition Sponsor:

By All Means Graphics

5 $ 95 $ 95 $ 95 7 5 4 $ 00 3 MondaY

2017 Fall Classes for Adults and Youth

5

cheddaR buRGeR with FRies & doMestic tap beeR

Immediately following our Annual Members Meeting at 6 pm

CLASSES

Russia. Alas, it’s only just over 40,000 feet deep.

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Harry S Truman’s parents couldn’t decide on “Shippe” or “Solomon” for a middle name.

Instead, they left it as “S.”

Sept 9 & 10

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Minnesota has a State Grain. It’s wild rice. Milk is its official state drink.

Some twelve million crayons per day are manufactured by the Crayola company. The mostused Crayon color is blue.

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Crocodiles lose teeth quite easily, and may lose and replace some 8,000 teeth in its lifetime.

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Before paper clips were invented, documents were held together by tying a string

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JOYCE’S NORTH GROVE STAGE NOON - Open Stage 1:15 - Harmonica Lessons 2:00 - Ilika/Ward Duo 3:00 - The Frye 4:00 - Minnesota Barking Ducks Schedule subject to change.

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rockbend.org The 2017 Rock Bend Folk Festival is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. A grant from the Saint Peter Area Tourism and Visitors Bureau. A grant from the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation. Donations from local contributors.

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Get fit in SoMinn

NICOLE SWEENEY Nicole Sweeney is a fitness freak who loves nothing more than coffee, laughter & sharing a good workout with anyone and everyone. If you think of any crazy fitness fads you think she should try hit her up on her Instagram account @sisufit or Twitter @APGnsweeney

CrossFit Games &WODs

A

s some of you may know, the CrossFit Games just wrapped up on Aug. 6, taking place in Madison, Wisconsin for the first time ever.

This worldwide competition encourages athletes to compete in the sport of CrossFit to earn the title of “Fittest on Earth”. With news of the two-time reigning champ defending his title and a brand-new women’s champ flooding the world of fitness, I thought it seemed like the perfect time to try something new and at the same time revisit something that is somewhat familiar to me.

Now, I’ve been to a handful of boxes (CrossFit gyms) and survived quite a few WODs (Workout of the Day), but I want to make sure I’m trying new things and

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giving you guys an honest overview of them – my personal opinion as someone who is new to whatever adventure I’m embarking on at that time. So, when I first heard about this Extreme Fitness class in Faribault, I knew I had to check it out.

I mean c’mon, I have an Extreme Fitness column… that’s just too good to pass up.

Now, I have never been to an Extreme Fitness class, but the more gyms I come across, the more I’m seeing classes like this pop up. These gyms have been pulling bits and pieces from CrossFit style training, as well as other types of training, and creating their own class of intense, functional training.

That’s essentially my own style of training. I find little things that I like and incorporate them into my programs, I think that’s why I find it so interesting.

I was invited along to attend this class by a friend, Allen, who also ended up being my partner for the workout. When

I first stepped foot into Fitness in Motion in Faribault, I noticed the old jerseys framed up on the walls of the gym, new TVs in the cardio room, old school lifting equipment mixed in right next to the brand-new rig. It was the perfect mixture of classic and cutting edge – a throwback to things that people would see as more traditional styles of fitness and exercise.

The atmosphere is similar to what I found in this Extreme Fitness class – a lot of traditional movements mixed in with a variety of exercises that are a little fresher.

Mike Swanson, the owner of Fitness in Motion, has been a fitness fanatic his whole life. As a freshman in high school, he decided to dive deep into the world of fitness and never looked back.

“It’s all I have ever done and it’s all I know… Doesn’t matter if you are an elite athlete, a person just trying to improve the quality of life or someone who needs to lose 80 pounds… we are here to help,”

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What I liked: How welcoming everyone was – it’s always nerve-wracking walking into a new class. This class ranged from 18-74 years old, there was a wide range of abilities, but there was always a way to adapt something so that everyone could do a variation.

The support amongst the group makes everyone feel welcome too. It really is a team/family environment!

What I learned: Having a partner to workout with definitely pushes you to a new level. Unfortunately, with my crazy schedule, I work out at crazy times of the day so this isn’t always realistic. But, it was a very nice change of pace.

he said.

Mike says that the reason they are not a “CrossFit” gym is because it “is a much narrower brush and requires a franchise membership to use that name and their specific CrossFit training. We offer a wider range of fitness equipment.”

Anything from treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, octanes and other functional style cardio

equipment. You will find dumbbells, rigs and platforms with rubber plates, LifeFitness & Cybex fitness equipment.

Now, how do these all fit into an Extreme Fitness class?

Mike and a few other trainers at the gym carefully craft workouts for the week, which look a little bit different every single day and every single week. Obviously, you want a

good mix and variety so that it’s still fun and interesting but challenging at the same time.

Mike explained that although each week is different, they will typically have days that are reserved for strength training, with the use of weights with some endurance movements mixed throughout, and these workouts will usually be separated by some cardio days – which could involve multiple different circuits using various pieces of cardio equipment.

Our class was a partner-based workout, both indoor and outdoor. We did some of the classic movements like sprints, squats, and push-ups but we also incorporated some of the newer pieces of equipment like the push sleds, slam balls, GHD sit-ups and Ski Erg. We focused on getting as many reps as possible in a certain amount of time before resting for 90 seconds and moving onto the next one. During that rest period, we would record our total number of reps on a whiteboard before moving on to the next.

Man, did that hour go quick! And little did I know that they were going to tack on another giant set of squats at the end in the parking lot (thanks for that Allen) – this group is a riot! SMS

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What I did not like: Running. The class I attended had a tiny bit of running in it. Everyone stayed together as a group which made it more likeable – if that’s possible. There was constant bantering and jokes being thrown around… which leads me to believe that I wasn’t the only one who needed a distraction from this part.

My advice: Go in to work out and try the gym out, get a feel for it and see if you can set up a time to talk to Mike. While the Extreme Fitness class really is for all ages and ability levels, I totally get that it might not be right for you when you first walk in, but it’s something that you will absolutely work up to.

Fitness in Motion: 200 8th Ave NW Ste 5 Faribault, MN 55021

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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.

WHAT DID YOU GO SEE THIS SUMMER?

I

’d like to reflect on my summer at the movies with my first – sort-of — movie review piece.

Super hero movies rule Hollywood right now, for better or worse. And while I will blindly admit that the Marvel Universe far exceeds DC in both quality and quantity, I won’t pretend that I am a super-hero movie buff.

The only film in this genre that did draw me in this summer was Logan. Logan was the final installment of XMen and Wolverine movies starring Hugh Jackman which span 17 years.

I would argue that Logan was a tour de force. We had seen Jackman’s character, James “Logan” Howlett, aka The Wolverine, progress and change through the years, even becoming embittered. Or maybe he has always had that disposition. One of my favorite examples of this classic “Logan” attitude is found in a scene from X-Men: First Class (2011) in which a young Xavier (James McAvoy) is recruiting mutants and approaches him at a bar only to be vulgarly eschewed.

The evolution of Logan’s relationship with Professor X is portrayed throughout the many films with the twilight of their relationship depicted in this film. Xavier is mentally ill, and Logan is a caretaker to him. Without complete congruency to the most recent X-Men films, the audience is brought to the year 2029, where mutants are at the brink of extinction.

The cinematography is remarkable. It is both gory and action filled, and surprisingly emotional. A new character and plot line is introduced, in which Logan becomes guardian to an 11-year-old girl named Laura (Gabriela Lopez) with a similar mutation (and temperament).

He risks his life, and the life of his beloved professor, to bring her to safety. Not going to lie, the climax of this film brought me to tears. Anytime a movie, especially a super hero movie, can make me cry, I consider it a success. So I left this one satisfied.

The next notable summer blockbuster I was dying to see was War for the Planet of the Apes. Andy Sirkis deserves an Oscar for

his portrayal of Cesar in this series. Or at the very least, an MTV Movie Award for Best Actor.

This was the third, and perhaps final, installment of the latest reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise. I liked it, I didn’t love it, and here’s why: I wanted it to be the best of the trilogy, and for me, it just wasn’t. The first Planet of the Apes, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (starring James Franco and John Lithgow) was, in my opinion, a modern classic. It was set almost entirely in one place, yet had so

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and it is probably the most seamless of the three, visually. Woody Harrelson plays a Colonel and main antagonist, and is one of the film’s highlights. They tried to add some comic relief to a pretty tense storyline by introducing “Bad Ape” (yeah, that was his name). He was kind of the Jar Jar Binks that killed it for me. It still got 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, so it is “certified fresh” but only 7.5/10 on IMBD, which I agree with.

The next two films I saw this summer deserve an entire article to themselves. But I will do my best to summarize. Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy), is a war masterpiece. However, it is really more a survival movie than a war movie. It was refreshing to see a Hollywood World War II film that does not focus on U.S. involvement, because the evacuation of Dunkirk took place before the U.S. entered the conflict. Hans Zimmer does the score, and it’s part of what keeps the entire movie feeling quite suspenseful. Nolan has used “ticking” in scores for quite a few of his films, including 2014’s Interstellar.

It is even more prevalent here.

Overall, I found Dunkirk breathtaking. And, as he is famous for, Nolan brings it to an emotional crescendo that leaves you saying, ‘wow.’ I saw it in Mankato opening night, and the entire theatre

much character and plot build up that you were on the edge of your seat. And it is in the first movie where Cesar speaks.

Particularly memorable in movie two – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – is the closing scene, where the camera zooms in on Cesar’s fierce eyes and then fades to black. With a stunning ending like that, a two-year wait for the third installment felt unbearable. Unfortunately, I spent those two years building up high expectations.

War for the Planet of the Apes is a good movie, don’t get me wrong. Just not the battle I was hoping for, personally. It is a war between the apes and humans, fighting for the survival of their respective species. But there aren’t any real “war-like” battle scenes. And, dare I say, Cesar speaks too much in this one?

I mean, the most exciting part of Rise was when he uttered the word “No!” for the first time. But now, I kind of wanted him to shut up and be more chimp-like. And he is just way too humane, unlike the brutal Cesar we remember from the old Charlton Heston movies. You grow to love him for his grace in the series, but at this point I was like “Come on, man, humans are ruthless! This is war! Quit turning the other cheek!”

Still, the countless hours spent on CGI alone are impressive,

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started clapping and cheering at the end. That sums it up for me.

In my debut article for Scene, I mentioned that Baby Driver, written and directed by Edgar Wright, was on my list to see. Well, I saw it, and I loved it! It is entertaining from start to finish – fast, action packed, hilarious, heartfelt, and centered around an amazing soundtrack. You will hear tunes as diverse as Queen’s ”Brighton Rock”, 70’s Brit punk band The Damned’s “Neat Neat Neat,” Run the Jewels “Chase Me,” to songs from the Commodores and Martha and the Vandellas. The movie itself was inspired by a music video Wright directed a decade ago for the band Mint Royale.

It stars Ansel Elgort as Baby. Even after the Divergent series and Fault in Our Stars, Ansel Elgort is not yet a household name and there was something endearing about him as the main character. I will be watching for more from him. As a child, it is explained, Baby falls into some trouble while stealing cars, and is indebted to a mob boss played by Kevin Spacey. He spends years as Spacey’s “driver” for various heists, and because of tinnitus caused by the car accident which tragically claimed the life of his mother, Baby wears headphones and carries his iPod everywhere he goes, hence the soundtrack that drives the movie. SMS

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BOOK REVIEWS The Bookworm Sez:

“Dirt”

by Denise Gosliner Orenstein

The Bookworm Sez:

“It Won’t Be Easy”

by Tom Rademacher, foreword by Dave Eggers

The Bookworm Sez:

“Making Midcentury Modern”

by Christopher Kennedy, foreword

by Barclay Butera

The Bookworm Sez:

“On This Date: Discovering America One Day at a Time”

by Carl Cannon

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By Terri Schlichenmeyer Thanks! You’re a lifesaver!

A friend gives you a lift, loans you her notes, shares his jacket with you, and you can’t appreciate it enough.

Or maybe you’re the lifesaver, the one who’s always lending a hand or doing the right thing. Thanks! Just remember, though, as in the new book “Dirt” by Denise Gosliner Orenstein, the life you save may save yours.

Ever since her mother died and her father had taken to drinking his special cider all night, eleven-year-old Yonder hadn’t said one word. Why bother? Nobody listened anyway. Nah, she’d just be invisible and that was mostly okay.

It was not okay when bullies like Heywood Prune tormented her, though, which was often. Teachers at Robert Frost Middle School were never around when that happened, except when Yonder tried to defend

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.

Those were the basics you were supposed to have learned at school: how to make sense of groups of letters, how to make those same letters legible, and how to add and subtract numbers.

That was how you spent your school days eons ago, but in “It Won’t Be Easy” by Tom Rademacher, oh, how things have changed.

Seven hours a day. And about nine-and-a-half months.

Give or take, that’s roughly how long your local teachers have to teach. In that time, they have “standards” to follow, they have (and know that parents have) expectations, and they must also “give [kids] something useful to understand and remember.”

Inside that ponderously messy assignment, says Tom Rademacher, many people forget that school is “unfair” and “unimportant,” and that teaching is “completely

By Terri Schlichenmeyer You’ll never forget the feeling of key in hand.

Imagine – you. A homeowner, finally, after saving, planning, and a ceiling-high pile of paperwork.

Starting today, you can go home (home!), shut the door, and know that it’s all yours.

So how do you reflect your style in this home you love?

Begin with “Making Midcentury Modern” by Christopher Kennedy.

When he was a young lad, Kennedy’s parents taught him the proper ways to a well-mannered life: his mother made him write thank-you notes, and she taught him how to “make a good first impression,” while his father advised him to “live each day to the fullest.” Those lessons were learned in “simpler, more gracious times.”

Kennedy insists it’s not nostalgia that makes him love interior design from that period. Instead, he just likes the trend, and he doesn’t see it “slowing down any time soon.” In this book, he shows how you can include

By Terri Schlichenmeyer It’s going to be a great day.

You woke up this morning (always a good thing) and you’ve got big plans, which is exciting.

There’s food in the fridge, gas in the tank, and a roof over your head. Today’s going to be a great day – which could often be said throughout history, as you’ll see in the new book “On This Date”

by Carl Cannon.

As the editor of the RealClearPolitics newsletter, Carl Cannon knows that “not taking sides in the great national argument” is important in a world overcome with politics. Everyone has opinions but we also must remember that, as a nation, “we have usually prevailed.

When we didn’t prevail, we muddled through. Often… we learned something along the way.”

This book, in 366 chapters, proves our national perseverance.

On January 1, 1915, for instance, the most

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7 | w w w. s o u t h er N m I N n SCENE. c o m

herself. That was what got her expelled the afternoon she met Dirt.

She’d been sent home from school that day, and was sitting on the crooked steps of the shack she called home when the filthy, one-eyed pony walked up to her.

He smelled bad and he was fat. Yonder knew exactly who he belonged to: old Miss Enid, who treated the animal badly, which was probably why the pony hung around Yonder’s house. It took two days for Yonder to befriend him, and to name him for the very thing he seemed to love.

Oh, but Dirt loved Yonder, too. More than her father, more than her teachers, more than the social workers who came around when she didn’t go to school. He seemed to understand what she was thinking. He was her only friend, so when she found out that Enid was trying to sell Dirt for horsemeat, Yonder knew she had to act fast. She hid him in the only place she knew he’d be safe: her house.

But you can’t hide a 300-pound pony in a house forever, especially when the school is looking for you, and when Social Services wants to talk to your dad.

And especially when the pony’s real owner wants her pony back…

Let’s start here: your horse-crazy 8-to-14-year-old

wants this book. She might not know it now, but she does. And “Dirt” will gallop right into her heart.

Truly, the only thing to say about a pony that chooses his girl is that its every horse-wanting child’s dream. Dirt does that, and though he’s the comic relief in this book, he’s not a caricature; author Denise Gosliner Orenstein makes him authentic enough.

Then, despite a lack of voice and a bit of naïveté, Yonder is a wonderful coming-of-age heroine. Nothing escapes her; she’s sharp-minded about the grownups around her, teachers she has, and friends she doesn’t. And on that note, this book about friendship, responsibility, devotion, and love is thrilling, gutwrenching (but not too much), and perfect for horsey girls.

But don’t let that stop you. Yes, you can enjoy this book, too – in fact, read it, laugh and cry, then share “Dirt” with your horse lover. It’s a book you’ll both savor.

Dirt by Denise Gosliner Orenstein c.2017, Scholastic $16.99 / $22.99 in Canada 224 pages

full of humans.”

His book is for the older humans: the talented, passionate ones who try to mesh with their peers to give kids the best education they’ll ever get. And it’s for those abrasive jerks who are detrimental to students.

Use it, he says, as a handbook or a “book-club book for teachers.” Let it serve as a good reminder, in the first year of teaching “and probably every year after that… [to] swear to yourself to do no harm.”

Then, know that that’s a vow you’ll break.

Another vow: don’t get caught up in drama – whether it’s student-driven or that “of the adults around you.”

It’s an easy trap to fall into, but one you’ll be glad to avoid. Never yell at students or anyone; although you probably will, it’s unnecessary. Use compassion in your classroom and with your fellow teachers, and work hard for those administrators who show you the same.

“Read with your kids,” to validate their interests and build trust. Never say “because we’re supposed to”; everybody knows that’s a lame answer and it won’t work with kids today. Finally, know that “Teaching is just really hard” and though “You asked for this… you’re not alone.”

Here’s a book every parent of every school-age child should read.

Here’s a book every teacher in every school should

read.

In both cases, “It Won’t Be Easy” offers another side of the education-coin. For parents, this behindthe-scenes gives you a peek at what may go on in the faculty lounge at your child’s school. It’s not for the faint of heart; Rademacher is profane and provocative, but you’ll end up hoping your child’s teacher is more like him.

Rademacher, however, will resonate most with his fellow teachers.

He writes of clashing personalities, finding the best co-workers, and failing the kids. He mentions irritations and what fixed them, he writes of good ideas and bad, and he pokes holes in “standards” and new-teacher training. He’s funny, and he’s eye-opening.

In his introduction, Rademacher says his tales may give teachers “yet another excuse to drink.” He also gives parents an understanding of why they might. And that’s why both will want this book: because “It Won’t Be Easy” altogether adds up right.

It Won’t Be Easy by Tom Rademacher, foreword

by Dave Eggers c.2017, University of Minnesota Press $17.95 / higher in Canada 191 pages

midcentury modern in your home, even if it was built last month.

You can start in the entrance.

Those first impressions matter when it comes to a home, says Kennedy. Paint your front door in a midcentury modern color to welcome guests warmly.

On the topic of colors, midcentury modern isn’t shy.

Orange is the “caffeine of the color wheel,” and it really pops. Think pink (Mamie Eisenhower’s favorite color), turquoise, white, red, or any shade of blue. Don’t just color walls, though; be bold with furniture, rugs, and accessories. Pillows in out-there colors are inexpensive ways to dip your toe into the design.

Know the “secret to a beautiful and easy-to-make bed” – and for guest rooms, consider twin beds. Go ahead and mix metals, bring childhood treasures out for display, and recall Mom’s kitchen or bathroom for ideas. Take your indoors, outdoors, weather permitting.

Pare down; Midcentury Modern isn’t cluttered (so on that note, hide your TV). And finally, have fun.

“Above all,” Kennedy says, “never take your home… too seriously.”

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel indecision or paralysis, when it comes to décor. What if you make a mistake?

What if you have “Making Midcentury Modern”?

With 100 easy-to-use (and surprisingly budget-

friendly) tips, author Christopher Kennedy gives readers the inspirational boost they need to make a home dazzle. You’ll see how simple color will transform a house’s entire look, and where cherished possessions can become unusual displays. Kennedy fully admits that many of his favorite pieces were discovered online or at thrift stores, an idea that’s somehow very delicious. And pillows? Pile ‘em on!

The one criticism I have with this book isn’t with the information – it’s with getting that information: the font color against color can be very difficult to read. White print on a yellow background, for example, is nearly hidden.

It’s a design flaw in a design book. Go figure.

That’s not insurmountable, though: there are photos enough to make this coffee-table book a can’t-miss full of fun. If you need your house to feel groovier no matter when it was constructed, “Making Midcentury Modern” may be key.

Making Midcentury Modern by Christopher Kennedy, foreword by Barclay Butera c.2017, Gibbs Smith $35.00 / $50.00 in Canada 198 pages

scandalous thing happened: a New York City taxi driver was hired to drive a “group of men” just a few blocks.

They didn’t need to go far; they just wanted to “have the first ride” in a cab driven by a (gasp!) female taxi driver.

World War I veteran, Dodgers pitcher, and future baseball hall of famer Leon Cadore battled Boston Braves pitcher Joe Oeschger for 26 innings on May 1, 1920. Each man, says Cannon, threw “well more than 300 pitches” before the game ended in a 1-1 tie, called due to darkness.

Without a doubt, The Beatles had a stronghold on music back in 1964. Hit after hit after hit moved up the charts and it seemed like nothing could stop their time at the top – until it did. On May 9, 1964, an aging horn player claimed Billboard’s No. 1 spot for one week, just long enough to make history.

And in the age of cell phones and instant access, check this out: On October 24, 1861, the first telegraph message was sent from San Francisco to Washington D.C. It had taken months to stretch telegraph wires coast to coast; exactly 134 years later “to the day,” the Federal Networking Council formally defined the word “internet.”

Did you ever wonder about the things you don’t know? Where did this come from, when did that start?

Questions like those get answered in “On This Date.”

Starting with the tantalizing premise of “telling America’s story,” author Carl Cannon unearths a whole series of tiny (but significant) tales meant to entertain as much as to inform: subjects here are wide-reaching, from sports to politics to biographies, as far back as 1620 and the eerie sight that met disembarking Mayflower passengers. There’s no need for bookmarks when chapter lengths range from a few paragraphs to a full page; some tales are uplifting, while others are not.

You’ll also find argument-enders inside this book – and a lot of fun reading.

History-lovers who need an airport read or a browsable bedside distraction will want “On This Date” nearby, and trivia fans will go wild over it. One quick flip-through, and you’ll know it’s going to be a great book.

On This Date: Discovering America One Day at a Time by Carl Cannon c.2017, Twelve $28.00 / $36.50 in Canada 448 pages

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

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

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

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

A d d y o u r e v ent f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l en d ar . G O T O w w w. s o u t h ernminn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

CD REVIEWS

By Daniel G. Moir editor@southernminnscene.com

I

Imagine Dragons - Evolve

magine Dragons grow up to arrive as a band with a future legacy on their powerful third album.

Album Grade: B “Believer” is the most important song Imagine Dragons have yet to release. Let me say that again so the message is 100 percent clear – “Believer” is THE most important song Imagine Dragons have yet to release. Now, let’s clarify the reasons behind that statement.

Typically, by their third album, as is the case with “Evolve,” an act will work to establish long-term viability both as a creative and commercial entity. From a ‘hitmaking’ point of view, there is a long-standing tendency for musicians to not survive past the third release for a variety of reasons.

A commonplace scenario involves the artist having a wildly successful debut album (like Imagine Dragon’s engaging “Night Visions” album in 2012) and a number of successful hit songs that capture a national audience.

Said artist is then prone to alter the formula on the second release to show variety and avoid the much dreaded “pigeonhole” effect that might define them forever. This album may have a lead-off single that does well, but not quite to the level of their initial “hits.” No other singles from this second album will chart at all.

This is what happened with Imagine Dragons’ 2015 “Smoke + Mirrors” and the initial single “I Bet My Life.”

At this point, it becomes very tricky. The band can either return to the initial sound that first brought them success, or they can continue a more “artistic” pursuit. Either way it’s a risky venture that has ended many promising careers. More often than not, the third album is released with a resounding thud and the act will vanish with few, if any, survivors. See: ‘Til Tuesday, Toni Childs, The Dream Academy, Audioslave, etc. (Aimee Mann made a decent post-‘Til Tuesday career of it, but I’m pretty sure the keyboard player now works at Guitar Center.)

So, this is where Imagine Dragons find themselves. After their single “Levitate” from the movie Passengers failed to ignite, Dragons wisely jettisoned the song to iTunes non-album purgatory, moved on, and released “Believer” as the proper leadoff to Evolve.

Not only did the track reach No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sell nearly a million copies, but Minnesota Twins designated hitter Robbie Grossman selected it as his walk-up music, guaranteeing a summer-long play at Target Field throughout the 2017 season. Continued commercial viability? Check. (Thanks, Robbie!)

More importantly is what the song means. Upon album release, Dragons leader Dan Reynolds revealed a long history of clinical depression that he addresses forcefully throughout “Evolve.” “Believer” is much more than just a powerful, high charting hit, it was a call to arms for both Reynolds and the other three members of the band. It is also a strong, meaningful message of hope to, and for, their fans.

“Evolve” is neither a marked step forward into uncharted waters, nor a complete re-trenching of previous sounds. It is a solid, if occasionally thudding, rock record with insightful lyrics that are honest and raw.

“Walking The Wire” serves as a solid example. It begins with a gentle musical bed that focuses on the lyric before exploding into an uplifting power-chorus that gains energy throughout. It is a reflective rumination on triumphing over adversity that explores Reynolds’ and the band’s evolution over the depression and anxiety that occupied their previous work to arrive in a new and more stable environment.

It works as both a summation and a positive look to the future.

A number of unexpected, quirky musical left turns are scattered throughout the album. “Rise Up” is a melodic tour de force that switches to a delightful off-kilter vocal passage in the bridge as Reynolds deftly switches from his usual shouting voice to a more subtle, slight-falsetto tone. His voice lightly flutters over the melody before returning to deliver the knock-out guttural ending. An unexpected twist that works.

What makes Imagine Dragons most interesting is their willingness to take calculated risks. “Yesterday” has a strange cabaret feel, while “I’ll Make It Up To You” pulses with the pure-pop energy of a mid-80s Phil Collins hit single. Mixing this diversity over an efficient 39 minutes shows an adventurously planned future. Here’s to hoping that they continue this evolution as artists.

Bottom Line: Imagine Dragons evolve and make the leap towards solidifying their long-term prospects with a strong third album.

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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SEPTEMBER 2017

apps, social media, database management, and even website maintenance. Long gone are the days when filing papers and keeping up on company correspondence filled the bulk of an admin’s day.

The following are some skills administrative professionals may need to advance their careers. · Excellent written and verbal communication: Being bilingual is an added feather in one’s cap. · Industry experience: Knowledge regarding how a specific industry and/or business works can help admin professionals. · Customer service skills: A friendly but effective demeanor can benefit admins. · Filing/billing: An ability to file and/or create financial reports coupled with knowledge regarding how to process invoices can help admins. · Flexibility: Admins who can wear many hats are especially attractive candidates to many businesses, as admins may have to fill in for the duties of an office manger or bookkeeper.

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· Thirst for knowledge: A desire to continue one’s education, including involving oneself in various seminars or training sessions particular to the industry, can help admins. Credentials are sought-after and include certification in certain industry standard courses.

BYOD trends also are rising among administrative professionals. This means workers are able to bring their own computers or other digital devices to work. Admins may be tasked with establishing protocol for security and maintenance of such devices.

Thanks to evolving roles for administrative professionals, outdated job titles are changing and salaries are increasing. According to Salary Guide, the average starting salary across the administrative field increased by 3.4 percent in 2015 and continues to grow. Current administrative professionals can continue to grow their skill sets and keep current on the training or technologies that can help them advance their careers.

Multi-Media Marketing Professional RE LOOKING FOR YOU

elEmployment Ink is seekingopportunities highly-motivated sales professionals. Must be from Southern esthe driven, team Minnesota players whoregion can establish partnerships with new Multi-Media Marketing Professional xisting clients by showing them the value of utilizing our Workplace trends ti-media products to grow their businesses. el Ink is seeking highly-motivated sales professionals. Must be affecting administrative sponsibilities include: es driven, team players who can establish partnerships with new CONNECTING professionals existing clients by&showing them the value utilizing our that Develop creative proven marketing plansoffor customers PEOPLEthe & WORK and improve their career opportunities who occupy corner ofti-media toahead their businesses. cangrow hone their skills and keep abreast ofdemonstrates the fices solid tend toproducts get much of the glory on iver axecutives return investment & of Stop in today or call tobreadth see changing trends. for a company’s success. But many professionals know the progressinclude: and A survey sponsored by OfficeTeam and sponsibilities our open positions! ss platform products sustainability of a business tends to the International Association of Administralie within the daily services offered by its front tive Professionals zeroed in on what hiring

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Develop creative & proven marketing plans for334-4099 customers that Office (507) line of employees. A number of these seasoned managers said they consider are key motivaand dedicated workers fall within the category www.PeopleReady.com tors for hiring admins. The survey found that iver a solid return on investment demonstrates the breadth of of administrative professionals. organizational skills, initiative and& attention to rovide consultative services by extending & defining 403 support Central Administrative professionals have seen detail are some of the most important qualiAvenue N., their roles evolve in the changing face of office ties for support professionals to possess. They ss platform products Faribault, MN marketing strategies employment. While some of the more conalso need to have advanced technical skills, as ventional duties that have long been a part of admins’ jobs remain, many now find their roles expanding. Admins who want to stay a step

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rovide consultative services by extending support & defining stablish strong relationships with existing & potential customers marketing strategies Responsibilities include:

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• Develop creative methods and proven marketing plans for rospect secure new accounts needs analysis stablish & strong relationships withusing existing & potential customers customers that deliver a solid return on investment and demonstrates the breadth of cross platform products needs analysis methods

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Collaborate with colleagues across the organization needs analysis methods Multi-Media Marketing Professional Multi-Media Marketing Professional Multi-Media Professional Collaborate with Marketing colleagues across the organization • Up-sell and maintain current multi-media programs Pixel highly-motivated sales professionals. bebe Ink isseeking seeking highly-motivated salesMustMust Pixel Ink is seeking highly-motivated sales professionals.

PixelInk Inkis isseeking highly-motivated sales professionals. beMust nPixel compensation that is directly influenced by your strong sales sales players whosales can establish partnerships new salesteam driven, team be players who can establish partnerships with new • Meet or exceed revenue and sales goals professionals. driven, team players salesdriven, driven, teamMust players who can establish partnerships with with new nwho that is directly influenced by your strong sales &compensation existing by showing them value of utilizing & clients existing clients by showing them the ofaggressive utilizing our & existing clients by showing them thethe value ofvalue utilizing our formance.Benefits include an pay structure, health, can establish partnerships with new & our existing • Educate customers on the value and benefits multi-media products to grow their businesses. multi-media products to grow their businesses. multi-media products to grow their businesses. formance.Benefits include anutilizing aggressive pay health, clients by showing them the value of our of our structure, Media products Responsibilities include: ntal, vision & 401k.

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compensation this isinvestment directly infl uenced by your deliver a adeliver solid return on &demonstrates demonstrates the breadth of of a solid return on investment & demonstrates the breadth deliver solid return on investment & the breadth ofexcel his is a position you feel you would sales performance. cross products hisstrong is platform aplatform position you feel you would excel cross platform products cross products

at, please send a cover at, please send a If this is a position you feel cover you would excel er and resume to: lhernandez@wyomingnews.com at, please send a cover letter and resume to: • and Provide consultative services extending support &health, defining ts•include anservices aggressive pay structure, erBenefi resume to: services lhernandez@wyomingnews.com Provide consultative by extending support & defining • Provide consultative bybyextending support & defining gbergerson@owatonna.com

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P: P: 507-444-2386 307.633.3192 contact@pixelinkgroup.com contact@pixelinkgroup.com gbergerson@owatonna.com

Shattuck-St.Mary’s Faribault, MN

Shattuck-St. Mary’s announces the 2017-2018 Acoustic Roots Music Series Season

*Thursday, September 14, 2017 The New Standards The three core members of The New Standards all come from illustrious Twin Cities bands - Chan Poling (The Suburbs) on piano, bassist John Munson (Trip Shakespeare, Semisonic) and Steve Roehm (Billygoat, Electropolis) on vibraphone.

They get together and play and sing their favorite songs – from every era. Adults $20, Students $12 www.thenewstandards.com Thursday, September 28, 2017 Ten Strings and a Goat Skin Ten Strings And A Goat Skin is a bilingual folk/fusion trio from Prince Edward Island who present traditional and original music inspired by their Atlantic Canadian histories and roots, and infused with pop and world rhythms. Adults $18, Students $11. www.tenstringsandagoatskin.com

Get

Thursday, February 15, 2018 Malamanya Malamanya is a Twin Cities-based band known for their vintage Afro-Latin music with a respect and enthusiasm for traditional rhythms and melodies from Cuba and Latin America. Adults $18, Students $11. www.malamanya.com Thursday, March 15, 2018 – Ring of Kerry Ring of Kerry is a bursting-with-energy Irish music group that captures the hearts of listeners. For this special show, Ring of Kerry is joined by a pair of Irish dancers. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Adults $20, Students $12. www.ringofkerry.us Shattuck-St. Mary’s announces the 2017-2018 Fesler-Lampert Performing Arts Series Season

*Thursday, October 12, 2017 History Theatre presents “Sweet Land the musical” Faribault native, Ann Michels, stars in the role of Inge as she journeys to America to marry a bachelor farmer, sight unseen. A lyrical celebration of hard-won independence and a reflection of generations past, Sweet Land, the musical reminds us of who we are - and where we came from. Adults $20, Students $12

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Thursday, November 16, 2017 Vienna Boys Choir The most famous boys choir in the world is coming to Faribault!

Audiences and critics worldwide have praised the talented singers of the Vienna Boys Choir for their celestial voices, pure tone, irresistible charm, and above all a wide-ranging repertoire spanning centuries. Adults $30, Students $18 *Tuesday, December 12, 2017 All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 presented by Theater Latte’ Da Back by popular demand! The Western Front, Christmas, 1914.

“All is Calm—a theatrical concert—feeds our need for heroes, gives space to our dreams for human nobility, allows us to approach the enigma of Christmas and puzzle over the miracle that has stopped enemies from killing each other for one day.”

– Minneapolis Star Tribune Adults $20, Students $12

Let us design your cards for no extra charge!

Thursday, January 11, 2018 Buckets and Tap Shoes Buckets and Tap Shoes are a super-charged blend of music, dance and drumming who started as performers on the streets of Minneapolis.

“Utterly brilliant… they are virtuoso percussive players on, yes, buckets, and extraordinary tap dancers, as capable of channeling hip-hop as Astaire-like suavity.” -- New York Times Adults $18, Students $11

When you buy that’s a $ 20

*Thursday, January 18, 2018 – In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater presents The Story of Crow Boy An imaginative, theatrical piece that combines puppetry, actors, music, projections, shadowplay and other devices to explore the intriguing life story of Japanese artist and author Taro Yashima. Adults $18, Students $11 PACKAGE DISCOUNTS: Pick 4 or more shows (from either series) & save 10%!

Call for Group Rates.

FESLER-LAMPERT season ticket package $95 Adult • $55 Students Acoustic roots season ticket package $65 Adult • $39 Students

On-line tickets now available!

Order online at www.s-sm.org/FeslerLampert.

*“This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.”

All Performances at 7:30pm in Historic Newhall Auditorium unless noted.

SSM Box Office: 507-333-1620 | www.s-sm.org • feslerlampert@s-sm.org A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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