“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
– Alan Watts
As summer winds down, we find ourselves once again at the edge of a new season. Fall always seems to bring a flurry of change– the cooler mornings, earlier evenings, and the inevitable return of back-to-school routines. But with change comes opportunity, growth, and a fresh new perspective.
This issue of North Kato Magazine embraces the beauty and bravery of change.
We celebrate Duane Rader’s remarkable 30-year career and his retirement from the City of North Mankato. We hop on board Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus to discover how a bold decision turned into a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and business. We sit down with local musician Nate Boots as he takes a leap with his latest and most intensive musical album. And we reflect on the emotions, hopes, and possibilities that come with the start of a new school year.
Change isn’t always easy, but when we embrace it, we can discover something extraordinary! I hope the stories in this issue inspire you to take your own courageous leap into what’s next.
Priceless Indeed,
Holly
Holly Dodge, Editor
Glass Half Full
BY ASHLEY HANLEY
After three decades of early mornings, emergency calls, water samples, community events, and park revitalization efforts, Duane Rader is hanging up his hat.
This August, North Mankato will say farewell to its longstanding Water Superintendent and interim Parks Supervisor. Duane is an employee known for both his dedication and heart for the community.
“I started with North Mankato the Monday before Thanksgiving in 1994,” Duane says with a laugh. “Worked three days and then got a four-day vacation. It worked out pretty well for me.” While that timing was pure coincidence, the impact of his career has been anything but.
Duane’s career with North Mankato Public Works began at Mutch Hardware, a now-defunct store on Belgrade Avenue, where he frequently interacted with city staff. Through those casual connections, he learned of a job opening and threw his name in the ring.
It was a conversation about Boy Scouts—not pumps or pipes—that may have tipped the scales. “Bob Ringhofer was the city administrator at the time, and he and I were both Eagle Scouts,” Duane recalls. “He talked to me about scouting for the whole interview.”
The job was his. He recalls when he began working with the city, the city water tower on Carlson Drive by Benson Park was only accessible by a long gravel road. “When it was snowing, we’d have to park on Lookout Drive and walk the whole stretch to the tower. We had snow all the way up to our thighs! It was all wide open back then.” He reminisces. But the city was quickly growing, and so was Duane’s role.
By 2006, he earned the position of Water Superintendent. In 2015, he added another hat: interim Parks Superintendent. He worked in that position for nearly a decade.
Duane, ever humble and ready to share credit, reflects, “I’ve been so fortunate. I have such great staff in both departments, you know. I get a lot of credit for some of the
PHOTOS BY ANNA BROWN WITH CITY OF NORTH MANKATO
things that have been accomplished, but none of it would have happened without the staff I have.”
Water management isn’t glamorous. It requires constant maintenance, strict adherence to Minnesota Department of Health regulations, and a nose for problem-solving.
North Mankato’s system includes two water towers, two water plants, underground reservoirs, and 11 lift stations that pump wastewater to Mankato for treatment. Each one needs regular attention. During Duane’s 30-year tenure, the city of North Mankato has never had a water citation from the Minnesota Department of Health.
“A big part of the job is preventive maintenance,” Duane explains. “You’re doing rounds, making sure pumps are running evenly, collecting water samples, testing for chlorine, fluoride, phosphate... everything has to stay within regulation.”
He’s also been the guy who gets the call when a contractor runs out of parts. “I just had to meet someone at the water plant this morning,” he says. “It’s a team sport. You help where you can.”
That team-oriented mentality is what Duane considers the backbone of North Mankato’s success. “Every department has its own thing going on, but when something big happens, it’s all hands on deck. We just figure it out together.”
Duane’s leadership with the parks department added another dimension to his service. He spearheaded prairie restoration efforts at Benson Park, Bluff Park, and North Mankato City Hall and began a Sanctuary Garden at Spring Lake Park. “We host pollination days there now,” he says proudly. “It’s really coming along.”
He also remembers the simple joy of living near parks when his children Chessa and Ryan were young. “We lived on Sherman Street and could walk to Wheeler Park or Spring Lake Park. Back then, Wheeler even had a wading pool.”
Duane’s path into public service wasn’t linear. Born in Iowa, he moved with his family frequently before settling in Mankato in the sixth grade. He graduated from Mankato West and earned a two-year degree in computer programming from what was then called Mankato VoTech, now South Central College.
Duane Rader Retires
After 30 Years Serving North Mankato
“I realized pretty quickly that computers weren’t for me,” he says. “I took a management position at Perkins Restaurant for nine years before moving on to Mutch Hardware for another nine. The hours were retail, so a bit sporadic, and I had a young family, so it was hard. When the city job came up, it had stable hours and better benefits. It just made sense.”
He’s never looked back. “I’ve loved working here. But I couldn’t have done it without my staff,” he says, singling out his foreman, Rudy Kleist, and Parks Superintendent Jason Lobitz. “They’re irreplaceable. I got a lot of praise, but they did the work.”
Duane has always taken a people-first approach. Whether dedicating time as a Scoutmaster for Twin Valley Council Scout Troop 29 for 25 years or serving on the board of the nonprofit Lasting Imprint (supporting families with congenital heart defects), Duane has never separated public work from personal service.
“We always say: We have 14,000 bosses in this city,” he says. “You’re never going to make everyone happy, but you try. You respond quickly. You show up for your community.”
That same ethic was especially evident during flooding events, including last year when the Minnesota River nearly swelled over Lookout Drive after the Rapidan Dam failure.
“Once the river hits 21 feet, we start 24-hour dike patrol,” Duane explains. “Street, parks, and water departments all take shifts walking the levee—just checking for issues. It was a great example of how we pull together as a team.”
With his August retirement fast approaching, Duane has a clear idea of what’s next, and water is still involved. “I’m going to get a boat,” he says. “My daughter and her wife have four boys– Rocky, who’s almost 10, and triplets who just turned 7. All boys. So, we’ll be on the water a lot.”
Duane and his wife Becca, who celebrate 45 years of marriage this year, still happily live in lower North Mankato.
Beyond time with family, Duane plans to ramp up his community service during his retirement. He volunteers cooking for Holy Grounds at Centenary Methodist and would like to dedicate time to Wooden Spoon’s food recovery efforts.
“There are a lot of great organizations here,” he says. “I want to keep giving back.”
From prairie paths to underground reservoirs, Duane Rader has left his mark on North Mankato consistently and wholeheartedly. He’s a reminder that leadership often looks like showing up early, saying yes, and caring about your neighbors even when they don’t know your name.
“I’ll miss the people the most,” Duane says. “But I’m not going far. They can call me anytime.”
In North Mankato, where community spirit is strong and local connections run deep, Jeff and Heidi Pengilly are redefining what it means to get from point A to point B. They’re doing it with music, lights, laughter, and a whole lot of heart.
Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus, their family-owned party bus business, is more than just transportation. It’s a celebration of second chances, community support, and building something together.
A Love Story on the Highway
Before the bus, there was the beginning. A story straight out of a romantic comedy.
“I grew up in Brainerd. Jeff’s from Le Sueur,” Heidi recalls. “I moved down here to go to college, and actually met him on the highway. No, he wasn’t on a corner,” she laughs. “We were both driving, cute girl, hot guy…he motioned for me to pull over, and he got my phone number. Four months later, we were engaged.”
Thirty-two years later, the Pengillys are still going strong. With two grown children and two grandchildren, they’ve made North Mankato home for the past 22 years. “We didn’t grow up in North Mankato, but it’s been a really great place to raise our kids,” Heidi says. “And now they love it here too, which means we get to have everyone close by.”
The Road to Sobriety
The idea for the bus business wasn’t born out of a business plan, but rather from a personal journey. Jeff made the courageous decision to quit drinking. It was a turning point that changed everything.
“It was really becoming a problem,” Heidi says candidly. “Our kids noticed, and they spoke up. Jeff was willing to get therapy and mental health help, and it completely changed our lives. We wouldn’t still be married if he hadn’t taken that step. He’s still in therapy, and he’s feeling better about himself than he has in years.”
Looking for a new purpose and something to fill the time previously occupied by drinking, Jeff began driving for Land to Air Express. “I drove nights to the airport, downtown Minneapolis. I’d sit at the bus station for a while, then come back,” Jeff says. “Eventually, I thought — I could do this on my own.”
So, he asked Heidi a bold question: “Can we start our own business?”
“I was like, what!?” Heidi laughs. “We both have full-time jobs. But then I thought, well, a lot of cars cost more than this bus. And worst case, we’ll use it as a camper.”
That leap of faith became Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus.
Rolling with Heart Pengilly's Cruiser Bus
BY HOLLY DODGE PHOTOS BY SARA JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
Building a Business and a Community
From the start, the Pengillys approached the bus business as more than just a job. It was a project filled with personal touches ranging from the LED lighting and Spotify playlists to the karaoke mic that Heidi breaks out to surprise passengers.
“We wanted it to be a complete party experience, but one that could also be versatile,” Heidi says. “We’ve done bar hops, weddings, corporate events, concerts, even a quinceañera on the Fourth of July. We’ve driven Mayo Clinic executives right onto the airport runway and helped families give their adult kids the perfect Christmas gift, which was a night out in the cities with no one having to drive.”
And it’s not just about the parties. For Jeff, the bus also represents a way to give back and to ensure others get home safely. “I’m happy to get people home,” he says simply. “It’s fun. I still get to be part of the party. I’m just not the one drunkenly shouting in the back anymore.”
One Year and Rolling
Although they’ve only been officially operating since May of last year, Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus already has a loyal following and a steady stream of repeat customers. Word of mouth has traveled fast, thanks in part to their thoughtful touches, including the custom wristbands they give out to riders with the company’s phone number on them.
“One of our friends came up with that idea,” Heidi says. “They’ve come in handy more than once.”
Their golden doodle, Maddie, even cruises with them on a few trips and has become part of the family brand. “She follows Jeff everywhere,” Heidi adds. “She’s kind of his support animal.”
The business has also benefited from local resources, including help from the Small Business Development Center in Mankato. “We had no idea what went into things like interstate registration or federal motor carrier requirements,” Heidi says. “They were a huge help.”
Joyrides and Community Pride
What keeps the Pengillys going isn’t just the bookings or the business success– it’s the joy they get from doing it together.
“We were young when we had our kids. I was 22,” Heidi says. “We always wondered what we would do when they were grown and gone? Now we have something of our own. Something to talk about, plan for, and enjoy together.”
They’ve also used the bus to support local organizations, like One Bright Star and the Mankato Clinic Foundation. Their Cupid’s Cruise in February brought folks together for smalltown bar hopping, and they’re already dreaming up more themed events for the future.
“I think the most rewarding part is getting to spend time together and meet amazing people,” Jeff says. “Especially on the bar-hopping nights, you really get to know folks. You’re not just a driver. You’re part of the experience.”
North Kato Love
The Pengillys are quick to credit their North Mankato community for helping their success.
“It’s just such a clean, supportive, connected town,” Jeff says. “When they do festivals or events, people really come out. Everyone supports each other.”
Heidi agrees: “We know so many people through work and through the community. My sister says, ‘You know everyone in North Mankato!’ And it’s kind of true. That sense of connection is what makes this place feel like home.”
And now, thanks to Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus, they’re sharing that sense of community one ride at a time, all while singing, laughing, and rolling forward together.
To book your next party or plan a custom cruise with Pengilly’s Cruiser Bus, visit pengillyscruiserbus.com
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, visit samhsa.gov or reach out to your primary medical provider.
Meal Prep Magic: School Days Made Simple
Honestly, I’ve never been a big “meal prep” person. So, it surprises even me that, as a dietitian and personal chef, meal prep has become one of my areas of expertise. Back when I was counseling clients, nearly everyone would express the same struggles—not enough time or energy or feeling completely lost when it came to feeding themselves. I always knew I’d eventually create a service to help people like them make mealtime a little less stressful.
Cooking has always come naturally to me. I’m a scrappy chef—I don’t have perfect technique, but I know how to put flavors together and make something delicious. And truthfully, I’ve never resonated with most conventional meal prep tips. I don’t want to eat the same big casserole all week. But for a long time, I didn’t have a system I could explain to clients that felt realistic, flexible, or enjoyable. That changed when I started Care Doula. Over time, I developed a practical, intuitive approach to meal prep that works—and more importantly, one that can be passed down to others. It’s not about perfection. It’s about getting food on the table with a little less stress and a little more joy.
BY KELSEY BIGBEE
five tips for meal prepping and making mealtime easier.
Tip #1: Stop Reinventing the Wheel
There’s so much pressure to make something new every night. A quick scroll on Pinterest turns up thousands of recipes and meal plans, each with a different dish every evening. But the truth? Cooking a brand new meal every night is exhausting. Instead, stick with what you know. Prep meals and recipes you feel confident making. If you’re newer to cooking, focus on mastering one recipe you enjoy— something that makes you feel proud and capable. Your meal plan doesn’t need to be revolutionary—it just needs to work for you.
Tip #2: Separate Your Shopping Days and Cooking Days
Grocery shopping takes a surprising amount of energy. By the time you get home and unload the bags, the thought of prepping or cooking on top of that can feel like too much. One strategy I’ve used both personally and in my business is simple: don’t do both on the same day. Shop one day, cook the next. It spreads out the work and makes both parts more manageable—and more likely to actually happen.
Here are my top
PHOTOS BY LAURA SMITH AT EVERGREEN & INK.
Tip #3: Create Online Shopping Lists
I’m a big fan of online grocery shopping—it saves time, brainpower, and stress. One of the best features? You can create and save shopping lists. Start by building lists for your go-to weekly items or for specific recipes you make often. Yes, it takes some upfront work. But once those lists are set, you’ll cut way down on planning time—your future self will thank you.
Tip #4: Prep Your Fruits and Vegetables
A whole head of broccoli or a bag of unwashed carrots can sit in the fridge for days untouched. But if your produce is already washed, chopped, and stored in a sealed container? You’re way more likely to eat it. Prepping fruits and vegetables makes it easier to toss them into a salad, blend them into a smoothie, or just snack on something fresh. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage your little ones to grab a fruit or vegetable from the refrigerator as a snack.
Tip #5: Try Mix-n-Match Meals
This has become one of my favorite ways to simplify meal prep. Instead of cooking full meals, prep a few proteins, grains, and veggies that can be mixed and matched throughout the week. Think: grilled chicken, garlic butter shrimp, roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice, steamed asparagus, roasted broccoli. You can throw those together in endless combinations—bowls, wraps, salads, or as-is. It gives you variety without the need for a brand-new recipe every night.
If you are looking for more meal prep tips or interested in learning about Care Doula services, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Bite Sized, on our website caredoulamn.com
About the author:
Kelsey Bigbee is a registered dietitian and personal chef. She is the owner of Care Doula, a personalized meal service for individuals and families, and catering service in the Greater Mankato area. She also leads the International Supper Club, where she shares global flavors through thoughtfully prepared monthly meals. When she’s not cooking, Kelsey loves to travel, is a voracious reader, and lifelong learner.
BEAT THE HEAT
NO-COOK MEAL IDEA FOR HOT DAYS
Let’s face it, when the August sun is blazing and the humidity feels like a warm hug you didn’t ask for, the last thing anyone wants to do is turn on the oven. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or nutrition! Keep your cool with a family-favorite, no-cook meal idea that is refreshing, satisfying, and easy to throw together. Whether you’re feeding the family or just trying to survive the heatwave, this meal will help you stay nourished without breaking a sweat.
BUILD-YOUR-OWN SALAD BOARDS
Think of it as the charcuterie board’s healthier cousin. Lay out:
• Pre-washed greens
• Canned beans (rinsed and drained)
• Pre-cooked proteins (like rotisserie chicken or tuna packets)
• Chopped veggies
• Nuts, seeds, and dressings
Let everyone build their own bowl, no stove required! Switch up your veggies, sauce, or proteins for flavor and nutrient variety.
No-cook meals are more than just a summer survival strategy; they’re a delicious way to simplify your routine and stay healthy when the temps rise. Skip the stove, grab some fresh ingredients, and enjoy the chill vibes.
Silence Is Lonely
By Roy Bain
When at first our hearing begins to fade; Though the signs are foretelling, we may choose to evade. We tell others they don’t speak clearly, they mumble a lot; My concentration is elsewhere, that’s why I ask what. Please talk a bit louder; your voice is so weak; I could hear you OK, if you would look at me as you speak. I can hear you just fine, when you’re close at hand. If you would learn to enunciate, I could understand. Being with family is one of life’s greatest joys; But, don’t expect me to hear with all of that noise. It’s easy to blame others, though it’s not really fair; It’s your hearing problem, solve it, show others you care. He who said ‘Silence is Golden’ spoke for himself only; For the hearing impaired, “Silence is Lonely”.
A Stretch of Wing, A Leap NATE BOOTS
North Kato’s own Nate LeBoutillier has, in his own words, been making music for over twenty years now. With the release of his latest album—A Stretch of Wing, A Leap—he turns his voice towards the place he’s called home for just as long. Double the length, double the music, and dare I say it, double the heart.
Jake Demers: Obligatory questions out of the way first: why music? That is, what is it about music that appeals to you instead of, for example, sculpting?
Nate LeBoutillier: I’ve always been in tune with music. Though I didn’t really perform it as a youngster, it was all around me, and I was absorbing it. My father was a high school coach, and some of my first bold music memories are of sitting in a gym in the bleachers eating Skittles and Starburst and listening to a brassy pep band blast through “Knock On Wood” or “Land of 10,000 Dances.” At the same time, I was regularly being hauled to church, where hymns and Sunday School songs abounded. And I remember two of my older cousins poring over lyrics from Styx’s “Mr. Roboto” and trying to decipher every last meaning. As I grew up and continued to listen to music, I was very interested in the words to songs. When I finally started playing music seriously in my 30s, I was all about writing story songs and
BY JAKE DEMERS
BY JAKE DEMERS
being infatuated with lyrics. Music is a porthole to good writing for me, and I suppose it goes vice-versa, too.
JD: Do you consider yourself a Mankato artist?
NB: I’m definitely a Kato artist. I came to the Kato area in 2001 to study Creative Writing at MSU in the grad program, and I moved into North Mankato on Page Avenue and really liked the Wheeler Park neighborhood. Except for one year where I moved across the bridge to Fourth Street in Mankato proper, I’ve lived in North Mankato—I’m back in LoNo, now—for 20-plus years. I’ve been part of the excellent writing community here in Kato for that long, and I’ve been playing music almost that long. I ran the open mic at McGoff’s Pub in the mid-2000s, and that was a sort of music education for me as well. There’s Kato in my songs and Kato in my blood.
JD: Listening to A Stretch of Wing, A Leap, there is a real emotional depth to some of these songs (“Manifest Destiny Blues” comes to mind) and no easy realizations or answers. Are you conscious of that at all while writing/recording (for want of a better term, ‘here’s an emotion, let’s sit in it’)?
NB: I think most wise people know that there are no easy realizations or answers to the most complex questions or situations in the world. I’m skeptical of Easy. As that idea relates to my song “Manifest Destiny Blues,” I’m also saying that maybe I’m not the one to comment on an event such as the fallout and legacy of the US-Dakota War of 1862 as it pertains to Mankato—but I do acknowledge it and its ramifications, I do daydream. I mean, the title “Manifest Destiny Blues” is, I guess, a comment. But that’s more a comment on a wayward belief system than on historical events or historical tragedy.
JD: To that end, there are quite a few songs grounded in place or an image, to paraphrase my old poetry professor. How much of that is a deliberate starting point and how much just emerges as part of the process?
NB: Image comes from sight, the most common sense we rely on. One of my old poetry professors, Rick Robbins, said, “To go somewhere, you need to start somewhere.” That’s advice I’ve remembered for half of my life, now, and I have passed it on many a time myself in my own vocation as a writing teacher. I might say that it doesn’t even necessarily have to be a certain place or image, but any of the five senses. You know how a certain smell can time-travel you right back into grandma’s kitchen forty years ago? It’s like that. The best stories, poems, and lyrics are ones that evoke strong sensory.
JD: Do any songs stand out to you (any you are particularly proud of or that turned out differently from how you originally envisioned)?
NB: I’ve mentioned how much the song “Make It Go” has changed over the ten years or so I’ve been performing it with different people. But maybe, for a change, I could talk about “Minneapolis, You’re Making Me Nervous” for a sec. That was the most recently-written one on the album, and it’s probably the one I like to play the best at the moment. Maybe, as is often the case, it’s because it’s new. But I wrote it as a sort of tribute-slash-admonishment to the city of my birth, Minneapolis, which I personify in the song. I did this to mark the 50-year anniversary of that event, and it was interesting to me how it came out half-playful, half-wistful. I also did it very quickly—the whole song was finished in less than a week whereas some songs take me years to polish off. Ryan Rader, who plays drums on the recording, gives a great percussive performance. John Wingert, who played bass, brought his own creativity. And I like how the guitar and my voice sound on the track— which is lucky for me in this case, because those two elements are very elementally “me.” Even simpler, I just like the word Minneapolis. What a great word. I love back-to-back vowel sounds. The E and the A are slippery. The M and N and P and L and S are nice. It’s five syllables, but you can say it in one. It’s like a little almost-tongue twister. Eventually, I’d like to make a little home music video to go along with the song, complete with footage from Minneapolis then and now.
JD: What’s a personal highlight for you making this album? What do you hope listeners take away from it, if anything?
NB: A personal highlight in making this album was seeing the work I have methodically put in stack up into something significant—a double album with 22 tracks. I printed out the lyrics and some of my comments and a few pictures from the making of this album into a little booklet, and the thing ended up to be 48 pages. I really enjoyed working with the musicians who helped me out, all local. I think that people who listen and like an intriguing lyric or two will be attracted. I think people who live in Kato and pay attention to life here will recognize a thing or two.
You can find Nate Boots on all streaming music services
SCHOOL YEAR YOUTH HUNGER ASSISTANCE
Many local youth rely on school meals as a consistent food source, but what happens over weekends and school breaks? Feeding Our Communities Partners steps in and provides free and nutritious meals to over 1,200 local students.
LEARN ABOUT FOCP’S SCHOOL YEAR FEEDING
K-12 youth at 30+ area schools in Mankato, North Mankato, St. Clair, LCWM, Nicollet, Maple River, and JWP. WHO?
WHERE?
K-8 food packs are placed in student lockers and 9-12 cinch sacks are handed out by school social workers before each weekend or extended break.
Food packs (K-8) or cinch sacks (9-12) containing breakfast, lunch, and snacks, for weekends and extended school breaks. WHAT?
FREE ENROLLMENT
Sign your K-12 child(ren) up to receive weekly food. Scan the QR code or go to www.focpmn.org.
1 IN 5 HOUSEHOLDS IN MN EXPERIENCE FOOD-INSECURITY. Reliable food leads to happier, healthier students who are ready to learn on Monday mornings.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
VOLUNTEER
Pack sessions are a fun and engaging way to get involved! Contact Cliff, cliff@focpmn.org to learn more about pack session opportunities or visit, www.focpmn.org.
GIVE
FOCP food services are made possible by donations from community members. Visit www.focpmn.org to learn about ways to support FOCP’s youth hunger relief efforts.
STAY IN TOUCH
Connect with us! Stay up to date on our events, programs, and opportunities to engage.
TAP, JAZZ, BALLET, HIP HOP, LYRICAL dancin kids
TAP, JAZZ, BALLET, HIP HOP, LYRICAL dancin kids
TAP, JAZZ, BALLET, HIP HOP, LYRICAL dancin kids
TAP, JAZZ, LYRICAL accelerated rec
Did you know that DXP has a performance group for every age group?
Did you know that DXP has a performance group for every age group?
Did you know that DXP has a performance group for every age group?
TAP, JAZZ, BALLET, HIP HOP, LYRICAL dancin kids
TAP, JAZZ, LYRICAL accelerated rec
TAP, JAZZ, LYRICAL accelerated rec
TAP, JAZZ, LYRICAL accelerated rec
INTERMEDIATE/
INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED tumbling
INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED tumbling
INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED tumbling
INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED tumbling
Did you know that DXP has a performance group for every age group?
SCHOOL SPIRIT SMELLS LIKE
BY DINAH LANGSJOEN
There’s a particular smell in the late summer that pairs well with the echoes of cicadas and the blinks of lightning bugs — a sensory symphony that hints at the end of nostalgia. It rises up like a thick blanket: fresh-cut grass, sunbaked skin, and the subtle whiff of new school supplies still sealed in their packaging, waiting patiently for their grand debut. It’s the smell of school spirit sneaking up!
You can practically hear the buzz of fluorescent lights flickering on in classrooms that have sat dark and slightly ghostly since June. Blank walls stand ready for “This Summer I…” masterpieces to bring them back to life. For
kids, this time of year is a confusing concoction of dread and excitement. For adults, it’s either chaos or deep relief — often both.
For everyone, it’s a mounting reminder that we live in cycles, and this is the turn, turn, turning that brings us full circle…back to school. Not that summer doesn’t have its wonders, of course.
When I was growing up here in the Midwest, circa the 1990s, Back to School meant flip-flops slapping against department store tiles as I hunted for the holy grail of Lisa Frank folders. If you know, you know. It meant
begging my mom for all the cool mechanical pencils and art supplies — this was my Mecca. And for the now 38-yearold artist and painter, it was my favorite time of the year, a chance for me to try what everyone else was using! Spoiler, back to school is not about the ribbons, bows, nor the art supplies you beg for in the end. It’s so much more. The ritual continued with the strange thrill of seeing who landed in your classroom, who your locker buddy would be, and wondering if the bus route had mysteriously changed overnight. Even now, years out of the classroom, that seasonal shift still stirs something in us — not just memory, but a collective restart button we keep pressing every August, whether we adults want to or not.
So I asked around — the teachers, the parents, and even a few of the behind-the-scenes heroes who keep the lights on and the coffee flowing — about what they remember and how they’re feeling as the clock winds down and what anxieties are winding up! Their answers? A mix of funny, sweet, and unexpectedly profound. It turns out that everyone has a “back-to-school” story. And whether it involves tears, Trapper Keepers, or the annual quest to reunite socks separated by summer’s chaos, it’s all part of the beautiful, ridiculous ritual we repeat every year.
THAT FIRST DAY FEELING
Back-to-school time brings a wave of emotions — excitement, nerves, anticipation — and, of course, the sacred ritual of selecting a first-day outfit. For many, it’s the thrill of starting fresh that sticks with them the most.
Jen Rath, Roosevelt substitute teacher, remembers it well: “I can remember back-to-school shopping and always wanting to save a special first day of school outfit.”
Alysha Smook, first grade teacher now at Jefferson Elementary and eager leader of the new Outdoor Focus school, agrees: “Meeting new people — and buying new school clothes — was always such a big part of it.”
Dana Sikkila, Art Educator at MNSU, says what a lot of us still feel: “Just starting new. The energy!”
THE PEOPLE YOU MISSED
Shannon Sinning, ISD77 Board Chair and parent, still gets swept up in the excitement: “I love to see the enthusiasm each year at the district kickoff event — both from the students that are part of the program and from all the teachers.”
And for Sharon Dinsmore, Mankato East Life SkillsSpecial Education teacher, it’s all about the senses: “I loved the cooler, crisp air, the smell of new school clothes, and we always got to eat strawberry Pop-Tarts for breakfast!”
There’s something deeply comforting about being reunited with familiar faces after a long summer apart — whether it’s your colleagues, your classmates, or your favorite lunch lady.
Janna Hammes, kindergarten teacher at Monroe and mother goose to her classroom mascot, Ryan Goosling, puts it simply: “Seeing all our returning students and their excitement to be back at school with their friends. It’s amazing how much they grow over the summer.”
Marcy Koch, now-retired counselor at Roosevelt Elementary, shares: “Reuniting with colleagues who have become ‘work family’ and catching up on life since we last saw each other.”
Kara Morness, kitchen manager (aka Lunch Lady) at Monroe, might say it best: “Back-to-school time is my favorite because everyone is so happy to be there, and I love seeing all the faces I missed so much!”
And the students miss her too! When I volunteer as a Lunch and Playground Supervisor, Miss Kara knows every student by name and is often wearing more school spirit than anyone else in the room.
A new school year isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s a reset, a restart, and for some, a new opportunity to feel safe, welcomed, and seen.
Mollie Meyer, incoming principal at Monroe Elementary, says it with grace: “You are welcome, you belong, and we cannot wait to start the year with you. Keep being yourself, connect with others, and remember each day is a new day.”
For Mollie, this may be more than just a message to students. Having served at Hoover Elementary, she’ll be starting fresh herself this year — and we at Monroe are eager to see her rocking her new Mustang swag!
NEW YEAR, NEW HOPES FOR THE ONES FEELING NERVOUS… YOU’RE
Kayla Koble, second grade teacher at Roosevelt — and one of my own favorite teachers when I was a Raccoon in the early 1990s — sees it as a chance for growth: “Going back to school means new beginnings, setting goals, and connecting — or reconnecting — with students and their families.”
Mary Krueger, Monroe Elementary secretary and office extraordinaire, echoes the sentiment from both sides of the front desk: “As a student and as an educator, each fall was uniquely special. It’s such a hopeful time.”
NOT ALONE
Not every student races back through the school doors with joy. For some, it’s a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, and maybe even a little heartbreak over leaving summer behind. But the grown-ups want you to know: we see you.
Janna Hammes offers this gentle advice: “Find the people who feel like sunshine. Former teachers, lunch ladies, playground staff… find that one person you can be excited to see each day.”
Angie Eccles, third-grade teacher at Monroe, wants students to remember: “We are all nervous — even your teachers.”
Marcy Koch encourages: “You’re not alone! Trust the adults who are there for you…they really do have your best interest at heart.”
Mary Krueger adds a dash of wisdom: “Don’t take what the other kids do or say too seriously. Enjoy, have fun, make friends, and learn at least one new thing every day. You got this!!!”
Back-to-school means a thousand things to a thousand people. But if these voices have anything in common, it’s this: whether you're buying your pencils or sharpening them, returning to a job or just hoping to survive 8th grade, there’s always someone waiting to welcome you back!
And in the closing words of Mollie Meyer:
“You are welcome, you belong, and we cannot wait to start the year with you at [your] school! Keep being yourself, connect with others, and remember each day is a new day.”
Dinah Langsjoen is a Proud Monroe Elementary 3rd Grader Parent, PTO Secretary, and Playground Supervisor. Formerly a Roosevelt Raccoon and Mankato West 2005 Alumni and Class President!
Fall is a busy time. Here are four make-ahead family meal ideas to help ease the stress and keep you fed!
Make-Ahead Everything
Bagel Casserole
Everyone's going to love everything about this bagel casserole—especially the everything bagel seasoning! Make this breakfast casserole the night before so you can easily toss it in the oven the next morning.
Spray a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray; set aside. Whisk together eggs and milk in a large bowl; stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Add bagel pieces; toss until well coated. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, pat ham steak dry with paper towels. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Transfer bagel pieces to prepared baking dish; reserve egg mixture in bowl. Top bagel pieces with ham, cream cheese dollops, remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese, and reserved egg mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
To bake casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove foil; bake for 15 to 17 minutes more or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Garnish with everything bagel seasoning and green onions, if desired. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Sausage-Egg Burritos
A short ingredient list and already-cooked sausage make this burrito come together in just 15 minutes. Plus, you can wrap each burrito in plastic wrap and throw in the freezer. When ready to eat, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave at 30-second intervals until heated through (165 degrees).
INGREDIENTS
6 Hy-Vee large eggs
¼ c. Hy-Vee 2% reduced-fat milk
Hy-Vee salt
Hy-Vee ground black pepper
1 T Hy-Vee salted butter
1 c. refrigerated fully cooked pork sausage crumbles
4 (9-inch) Hy-Vee flour tortillas
½ c. Hy-Vee shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 avocado ½ c. tomato Hy-Vee salsa
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
Heat butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add egg mixture. As eggs begin to set, gently pull eggs across the pan with a spatula, forming large soft curds. Continue cooking, lifting and folding eggs until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Remove from heat. Transfer egg to a plate. Add sausage crumbles to skillet; heat through.
To assemble, spoon egg mixture into center of each tortilla, dividing evenly. Top each with 1/2 cup sausage crumbles, 2 tablespoons cheese, avocado slices, and 2 tablespoons tomato. Fold in sides of tortillas, then roll up burrito-style. Serve with salsa.
Make-Ahead Chicken Fajitas
1 Hy-Vee Short Cuts fajita vegetables
1 ½ tbsp. Hy-Vee canola oil
1 Sheet-Pan Seasoned Chicken
8 Hy-Vee fajita-size flour tortillas
Desired toppings
Preheat broiler on HIGH. Toss vegetables with oil; spread in an even layer in a large rimmed baking pan. Broil 4-inches from heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Reheat 4 servings of Sheet-Pan Seasoned Chicken, covered, in the microwave at 50% power until hot (165 degrees).
Serve with vegetables in tortillas with desired toppings.
Make-Ahead Meat-Lovers' Lasagna Roll-Ups
Make a large batch of these meaty and cheesy lasagna rolls, and freeze them to help make quick dinners on busy days.
INGREDIENTS
16 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 lbs. lean (at least 80%) ground beef
½ lbs. Jimmy Dean Original Premium Pork Sausage
½ c. Hy-Vee chopped white onion
DIRECTIONS
4 ½ c. Hy-Vee Tomato Sauce
2 ricotta cheese
1 (9-oz.) box Green Giant frozen spinach
2 tsp. Hy-Vee dried basil leaves
1 Hy-Vee large egg
2 c. Hy-Vee shredded mozzarella cheese
In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Drain; rinse with hot water. Drain well.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, cook beef, sausage and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
In small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, spinach, basil and egg. Spread about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture over each cooked lasagna noodle to within 1 inch of one short end. Spoon about 1/4 cup meat mixture over ricotta mixture on each. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end. Line 15x10x1inch pan with foil. Place roll-ups, seam side down, on pan; cover loosely with foil. Freeze about 30 minutes or until firm.
Freeze: Place frozen rolls in airtight freezer container; label. Freeze up to 3 months.
HILLTOP LOCATION
HILLTOP LOCATION
2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070
2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070
RIVERFRONT LOCATION
RIVERFRONT LOCATION
410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107
410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107
WINE & SPIRITS
WINE & SPIRITS
2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-3055
2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-3055
The only thing better than chicken fajitas is a recipe you can make ahead!
Get to Know...
What is your position with the City?
I work in both the Finance Department and the Community Development Department. My main duties are permits and rental licensing.
What do you love most about North Mankato?
I grew up in Northridge, so I have a lot of fond memories of North Mankato. My dad (and stepmom) still live here, so I would have to say I love them the most…ok… that was cheesy! But it is the truth.
Do you have a favorite spot in North Mankato?
Caswell North Soccer Complex would easily be my favorite spot/park. A good friend of mine coaches for West Soccer, so I’ve become a pretty big fan of both West Soccer programs. Hard to beat a cool night under the lights at Caswell, watching your hometown team!
What are some fun facts about you?
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time watching or going to sporting events. I am a big soccer fan; my brother and I try to get to as many Loons and Aurora games that we can during the summer. And as any “true” Minnesotan, I also follow the Twins and the Vikings…even though they are pretty good at breaking your heart…it builds character! I’m also a big music nerd; I love being introduced to new music! A lot of my very good friends are in bands and I really enjoy going to see them play whenever I can!
Megan Vossen Megan Vossen
North Mankato Account Technician - Permits 3½
What is your background prior to the City?
Prior to working with the City I worked as a Feed Specialist for four years providing feed for local farmers. I also served as an active duty member for the United States Marine Corps as a Tactical Vehicle Operator and a rifle range coach teaching other Marines how to shoot.
What do you love most about North Mankato?
I love the communityeverybody is friendly and cares. The town is very clean and feels like a very safe place to be. I’m looking forward to purchasing my first home here in North Mankato.
Are you involved in other organizations?
I spend some of my time volunteering for my church in Lake Crystal with the IT Department, ensuring that everything works as should.
Do you have a favorite spot in North Mankato?
My kids and I love Fallenstein Park with its endless options of activities, especially the splash pad in the summer.
What are some fun facts about you?
One of my favorite hobbies is taking my 2017 Mustang GT on cruises to car shows with my kids. I love going up north to Ely for vacations to get away from everything. As a side hobby I do computer repair and customize and build computers.
Eben Van Rooyen Eben Van Rooyen
North Mankato Water Tech 1 2½ YEARS OF SERVICE
GROW YOUR BUSINESS.
THE POWER OF PRINT
In the United States, there were 222.2 million magazine readers who were 18 years of age or older in 2021, which was 300,000 more readers than the previous year.*
Magazine advertising continues to provide a return on investment. Averaging a $3.94 return on every dollar invested in advertising, magazines offer the highest ROI across all media, which is 50% more than all other categories combined.
REAL SURPASSES VIRTUAL
Many people spend a lot of time online, trying to record their everyday lives on Twitter or posting the newest selfie on Instagram. However, most readers only scan a website for 15 seconds before moving on. The physical experience of reading a magazine outperforms the virtual one and has the potential to establish a mind share.
A LONGER SHELF LIFE
Digital adverts come and go. Companies sometimes need to continue to pay to ensure that their advertising is wellplaced on websites and is repeated daily.
Magazines, on the other hand, are often published weekly or monthly. They have a longer “shelf life” since they sit in physicians’ waiting rooms, magazine racks, shops, malls, and supermarkets.
BRAND RECOGNITION AND CREDIBILITY
Many magazines are well-respected among their target audience; therefore, a magazine for advertising allows individuals to become acquainted with your brand and builds trust.
This identification is then reinforced when they encounter you in person, whether at your place of business or a local trade exhibition or charity event.
PASS-ON READERSHIP
One advantage of magazine advertising is that many people give magazines to their friends and relatives. This raises the likelihood that your marketing will reach more prospective buyers.
AFFORDABLE
Magazine advertising costs may begin as little as $300. This is less expensive than certain newspaper advertisements, phone book advertisements, and even radio or television advertisements.
MULTIPLE DESIGN OPTIONS
Advertisements in magazines can be put on the inner front cover or buried in the back pages. It might be a branding ad or discount code incorporated in a QR Code, a survey, or even a little mini-article that appears to have been produced for a magazine.
INCREASED TRAFFIC AND LEADS
Another advantage is that magazine advertising can help your business get more traffic and leads. You can increase interest in your product or service and persuade potential buyers to take action by targeting the correct audience.
WAY YOU ARE TREATED is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the TREATMENT YOU RECEIVE.
is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the TREATMENT YOU RECEIVE.
is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the TREATMENT YOU RECEIVE.
At River’s Edge Hospital, you are more than a patient.
From the most basic health services to surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, River’s Edge Hospital makes your well-being a priority. You’ll receive a level of attention that goes well b eyond y our expectations.
At River’s Edge Hospital, you are more than a patient. From the most basic health services to surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, River’s Edge Hospital makes your well-being a priority. You’ll receive a level of attention that goes well beyond your expectations.
At River’s Edge Hospital, you are more than a patient. From the most basic health services to surgery, recovery and rehabilitation, River’s Edge Hospital makes your well-being a priority. You’ll receive a level of attention that goes well b eyond y our expectations.
