North Kato Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

H E R E T O S TAY

RENEWING CONFIDENCE

LINDSEY LAWTON

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BELGRADE IS

BOOMING

NEW HEIGHTS

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LETTER FROM

Find this issue of North Kato Magazine on Facebook

THE EDITOR Spring brings with it such lovely reminders of how beautiful change can be. It’s a season that seems to breathe new life into all it touches: a replenishing, reawakening, one might even call it a renewing! That is the focus of this issue of North Kato Magazine.

We introduce you to three women who are embracing the changes in their lives and renewing their confidence at the same time. Take a trip down Belgrade Avenue this Spring and you will certainly see change. For more on that check out our “Renewing Belgrade” article. We have tips on renewing your body and your mind. We even have some ideas for you on renewing tired leftovers and how you can begin a new hobby renewing old clothes: become a Thrift Flipper.

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This issue also features stories from your neighbors on why they love living here, and one who has taken her passion for flying to new heights, by helping the younger generation follow in her footsteps.

Lisa Cownie

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CONTENTS FEB MAR APR

8 RENEWING CONFIDENCE 14 SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS 18 BELGRADE IS BOOMING 24 LEARNING, LIVING AND LOVING 28 IN TUNE WITH EACH OTHER 32 LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT 34 RENEW TIRED LEFTOVERS 38 STITCHING TOGETHER MEMORIES 40 RENEWING NORTH MANKATO 42 WHY WE LOVE LIVING IN NORTH KATO 46 THRIFT FLIP 48 GREATER MANKATO GROWTH

H E R E TO WR I T E ?

PUBLISHER LUXE QUARTERLIES MARKETING NATASHA WEIS KAREN TOFT

Writers are the voice of North Kato Magazine and we are proud to have a blend of seasoned writers and fresh new voices. If you would like to join our team of freelance writers contact us at info@luxequarterlies.com

EDITOR LISA COWNIE DESIGN EXPOSURE CREATIVE HIM & HER DESIGN COVER PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTER CORPORATE GRAPHICS COMMERCIAL

PLEASE DIRECT ALL EDITORIAL SUGGESTIONS & ADVERTISING INQUIRIES TO INFO@LUXEQUARTERLIES.COM

North Kato magazine is published and mailed quarterly by Luxe Quarterlies. The content used in this magazine is copyright 2022. The opinions or points of view expressed within are those of our authors.

SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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HOW STRONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT SOUTH CENTRAL COLLEGE ARE HITTING THEIR STRIDE

BY NATE BOOTS PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Look around you, 'Katoans young and old. At every winter's conclusion there begins a renewal. From the greening of all things growing to the revving of all things revitalized, the coming of the Vernal Equinox puts a spring into every stepper's stride and a spritz into every sprite's spirit.

An especially vibrant faction of female students at Upper North Mankato's South Central College (SCC) is riding a wave of renewed confidence in various—and sometimes surprising—fields of study. And in a society where gender-equity consciousness is gaining longsought and well-deserved steam, this is a welcome development indeed.

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

Lindsey Lawton, a graduate of Mankato East high, is in her second year of study at SCC, where she has been working on getting her welding certificate. She first became familiar with welding at East when she took an elective course in welding, something not every highschooler gets to try. Playing off earlier interests in hands-on artmaking, Lawton's fire was soon well-lit by the blowtorch and the to-themillimeter-exactitudes of welding.

"To me, it’s a very stimulating full body practice," says Lawton. "I don’t become disinterested for hours, and I love working towards perfecting the many elements of precision that go into a good weld."

South Central College, with its strong welding program and talented and approachable instructors, then, became a target for Lawton as a post-high school option.

"I appreciated the teachers quite a bit," says Lawton of SCC's instructors. "They were all incredibly kind and willing to get to know the students and helped encourage particular talents." Lawton, whose parents are both educators and whose older brother also welds, was also given the chance to do demonstrations at SCC for her classmates, something she appreciates. Teachers facilitated this because not only is she highly capable, she has an inclination toward possibly becoming a teacher herself. She also lauds SCC doing "a great job at allowing students to practice numerous varieties of welding and on diverse metal."

Lawton seems so comfortable in her chosen field that it seems almost an afterthought to ask if she has ever been intimidated or worried to have chosen a field where her gender is in the extreme minority.

"Gendered opinions have definitely changed," says Lawton. "Most everyone, especially those familiar with the trade, that I’ve interacted with are interested in my journey, and multiple people have shown interest to the point of helping me network. To help some of my anxieties subside, I reassure myself that my determination doesn’t go unnoticed. If I work for it and ask for help, I’ll be able to achieve just about anything."

Lawton, who is exceptionally curious and hungry for straight-up knowledge, explains that asking questions and having a strong work ethic are also advantages. She says, "I show up on time, ready to work hard and well. When I’m not sure what to do, I ask so I prevent any accidents."

If there's a piece of advice out there to give other young women who might want to follow a similar path, she says that it's to "be prepared to learn and to ask questions. There are so many masters out there who have really good content to share if you just ask. Most people are going to be excited for you to be a part of a trade field, and there are tons of resources to help you."  SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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Desiring a change, Reyes moved north to Minnesota to stay with an aunt on her mother's side of the family who had a farm near Nicollet. There, she eventually found stability, but not necessarily intellectual fulfillment. "Having children during and after high school was the biggest obstacle for me," says Reyes. "I knew I wanted to further my education, but the thought kept getting pushed to the back of my mind because I stayed focused on my children and distracted by my busy life."

Photo courtesy of Nate Boots



Growing up in the South Texas town of Mission, Gloria Reyes was an inquisitive child.

One of the most memorable questions she had growing up was aimed at her mother when she came home one day to find her mother in a state of panic, announcing that her husband, Gloria's father, had been sent to prison.

Young Gloria's question was, "Why?" It seems that her father had been involved in drug trafficking, and his imprisonment sent the family into a spiral. Reyes admits that as a young teen she explored her rebellious side and became pregnant at fifteen.

Recently, Reyes finally decided that with her girls—Elora, age 13, and Clarissa, age 10—now old enough to not need constant care, college might be the route to take to sate her inquisitive nature. Another inspiration was her older brother, Ruben, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in anthropology at an institution in the South. Also driving Reyes was the feeling that if she didn't try now, she might second-guess herself down the road. Reyes maintains that "going out of your comfort zone can go a long way. I’m doing this for me and being the best role model I can for my daughters."

Reyes chose SCC as the place to make things happen. "I couldn’t have picked a better community college," Reyes says. "South Central College is the place.

It’s affordable. The instructors are very open and are more than willing to help with any questions you might have, and they are very understanding."

She also enjoys the pleasant atmosphere that North Mankato provides. "North Mankato always has cheerful events, especially during warm times," she says.

"It's always filled with friendly faces, and it's very diverse. The North Mankato community welcomes everyone."

Motivated, in part, by her father's struggles and their effect on her family, Reyes has whittled down her intended fields of study to either law enforcement or social work. She could see herself as an officer on a police force or one in family services. She wants to give guidance to people who, like her, might find themselves faced with needing to get their lives back on track. Setting a good example for her own daughters might be her prime motivation.

Reyes says, "I’ve gone this far, and I can see the finish line from where I stand.

My daughters will see and learn that no matter the obstacles or what life throws at you, you can dust it off and continue."

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

Unfortunately, Dewar soon realized that she didn't have the required passion for studying. After another failed attempt a few years later, Dewar dropped out of college again and began, in earnest, to work jobs that featured customer service, including joining the staff at NaKato in 2014. She also found a passion in becoming a mother to two daughters of her own, Lucy, now 10 years old, and Olive, age 3.

Photo courtesy of Nate Boots

Jessica Dewar's electric personality is topped off by a bright and cheery face—even when masked up, as has often been the case during the recent COVID pandemic. That face is one that might look familiar to many North Mankatoans because, for the brunt of the past decade, Dewar has worked as a bartender and server at the NaKato Bar & Grill in the business district in Lower North on Belgrade Avenue.

After graduating from Mankato West High, Dewar thought she'd follow in the footsteps of her mother, Chris, a nurse whom she credits for passing down her personable personality.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Dewar decided to go back to school with a renewed sense of poise. This time around, Dewar not only takes classes at South Central, but she is also involved in TRIO Student Support Services, a program that helps students who are first-generation, income-eligible, or have a disability. Dewar seems to be flourishing with TRIO by working with this office as a student liaison. "This time around, I have a much bigger and better support system," she explains. "The professors, the [academic] advisors, and the advisors I have in Trio are such great supporters and cheerleaders, and they want you to be the best you can be. They prioritize family and school above everything and are willing to help you get all the supplies and resources you could ever need, which makes being here enjoyable. It feels like the SCC community is a family that looks out for you in every way."

Dewar's future plans include attending MSU-Mankato to round out a four-year degree in social work, getting a master's, and aiming for a counseling job for those in need of the kind of services she has come to appreciate. "I think I am trying to instill that anyone can do anything they want to do at any age," Dewar says. "I love giving support and encouragement to students, allowing them to go to school and get the degree they want."

In this way, Dewar can see herself doing something familiar, but in a new way: serving others. 

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SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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Plasschaert poses by her favorite mode of transportation.

BY CATHERINE PLASSCHAERT MARCH IS "WOMEN IN AVIATION" MONTH

I have the most amazing job in the entire world! That is what I tell people when they ask me about my career. I am an airline pilot and get to fly state-of-the-art, high-tech aircraft, and travel all over the world. I have the best seat on the airplane with the best view!

I started flying when I was 15 years old, but my love for it started even earlier than that.

Growing up in Mankato, I had the opportunity to join the Mankato Squadron Civil Air Patrol at age 13. Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the US Air Force. This is a volunteer group for young adults ages 12 to 21 and they have an adult program for adults 18 and older. The Civil Air Patrol offers each youth member five free flights in a powered airplane and five free flights in a glider. After my first orientation flight, I was hooked. I immediately fell in love with being airborne and the great views from the sky. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue as a career. And after 35 years of flying, I still really enjoy flying.

Currently, I am a Captain for Delta Air Lines, flying the Boeing 757 and 767. My normal routes have changed due to COVID, but I fly both domestic and international flights. I enjoy traveling all over the world, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. I love that each day is so different. It’s so fun waking up in New York and then going to bed in Paris.

I loved flying so much, I started my flight lessons and obtained my private pilot certificate while in high school at Loyola High School. After graduating from Loyola, I attended Mankato State University, as it

was called then, in their aviation program. I completed all my flight training and was a flight instructor during college. After college, I went to my first airline as a pilot for Great Lakes Airlines/United Express, flying the Beech 1900, based in Spencer, IA, Worthington, MN, and Terre Haute, IN. After Great Lakes, I was hired by Airborne Express Airlines flying overnight freight. While I enjoyed both airlines, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fly for my home state airline and when Northwest Airlines offered me a job, I leaped at the opportunity. I began flying at Northwest in 1996 flying the 747 based in Anchorage, AK. Eventually, I made it back to Minneapolis flying the 747 and was based in Minnesota after that and for most of my career. Recently, I celebrated my 25th year as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. During that time, I have flown the 747, 737, DC9, DC10, A330, 757, and 767 aircraft.

Being based in Minnesota, allowed me to live and raise my family in North Mankato.

Another fun part of my career is mentoring new aviation enthusiasts who are interested in an aviation career. I mentor many young high school and college students interested in aviation. As the coach of the Minnesota State University (MNSU) Flight Team, I get to meet many college flight students pursuing a career in aviation. This is a collegiate team that competes against other universities in ground and flying events. I also give FAA flight tests to pilot applicants for the FAA as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and also volunteer as a flight instructor with the Mankato Civil Air Patrol teaching high school students how to fly. 

SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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Plasschaert in the cockpit, leading other women to take the driver’s seat.



When students ask me how they can get involved in aviation, I tell them they should go on a discovery flight to see if they enjoy flying. Civil Air Patrol is a great way to get involved. Also, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has annual Young Eagles flights for youth ages 8 to 17 to experience the joy of flying. Also, many airports have flight schools that offer discovery flights for a small fee.

Delta Air Lines sponsors an annual flight to introduce young women to aviation. It is called WINGS – Women Inspiring the Next Generation. It is offered at different airports across the country. I helped with the Minneapolis flight a few years ago when we flew an aircraft full of young ladies, including 17 from the Mankato area, to Seattle, WA for the day. They got to tour the Boeing Museum, meet many women in aviation, including airline pilots, astronauts, engineers, air traffic controllers, and many more. It was enjoyable sharing the love of this career with an aircraft full of future aviators.

Plasschaert loves having the best view while working!

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

The number of women in aviation is growing, but still a low percentage. Currently, there are only 6-7 % women airline pilots. I feel it is important for young ladies to see others like themselves in this career to help mentor and guide them along the path to being a pilot. Once they realize how much fun this career is, they might want to do more research and determine if it is for them. With the current and upcoming pilot shortage, it is estimated there will be a shortage of 3550,000 pilots in the US in the next 5 years. This is a great time for young pilots to get into this amazing career! 

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There is an irresistible, nostalgic charm to Belgrade Avenue in lower North Mankato. Belgrade serves as the welcome mat to a growing city deliberate about retaining its small-town feel. This welcoming vibe has attracted three inspiring area businesswomen and led to an expansion of goods and services.

BY CHRISTINE NESSLER

Heidi Hermel moves The Skin Clinic Med Spa to Belgrade Avenue.

The newest addition to Belgrade Avenue is Heidi Hermel of The Skin Clinic Med Spa. Doors plan to open at the new location on April 1, 2022.

For nearly 12 years, she has been a Certified Nurse Practitioner in the Mankato area. In 2020 Hermel, who had always been interested in dermatology, decided to start her own business.

“There is such a stigma with aesthetics,” said Hermel.

“I wanted to normalize it and make women feel comfortable coming in and doing something for themselves.” Hermel points out that as women, self-care can be neglected because we prioritize care for others first. She is striving for a comfortable and welcoming environment where her clients feel secure coming in for treatments whether they have extensive knowledge about aesthetics or need guidance on where to start.

“Having women feel empowered and comfortable to walk in the door and say, ‘I want to do something for myself’ is what makes me want to go to work each day,” said Hermel.

Her philosophy is to start with the skin when it comes to aesthetics. Then add injectables to help clients age gracefully. According to Hermel that is how you get natural-looking results because “the best injectable is undetectable.”

The Skin Clinic Med Spa offers a variety of options for their clients including injectables, facial and laser services, vaginal rejuvenation, fat reduction, and body contouring as well as skincare products and cosmetics.

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

Just two months after she opened her doors, COVID-19 struck. Through persistence, hard work, and determination, Hermel was able to stay afloat during those first uncertain months. What came next was worth the wait.

“I really feel like it was the self-care revolution,” said Hermel. “There was a mindset shift.” According to Hermel, COVID made people realize the importance of self-care because all the ways we were previously caring for ourselves like massages, exercise, and travel, were taken away.

Business flourished. She quickly began to outgrow her location on Riverfront Drive in Mankato.

“When I was looking for a new space I said, ‘I wish we could find a really cute space in Lower North Mankato,’” said Hermel. “I like the small community feel of North Mankato.” Her wish came true with an opportunity for new construction at 235 Belgrade Avenue.

Having raised her family and started her career in North Mankato, Hermel felt right at home with the idea of the move. The new location allows The Skin Clinic Med Spa to grow from one treatment room to five treatment rooms. Hermel will also be able to add more staff to her team.

“It’s a growing area and has such a good feeling,” said Hermel who expressed excitement to be a part of a community of well-regarded businesses such as the Circle Inn and Neutral Groundz. More than just the vibe, Hermel anticipates the potential relationships she will build with other owners along

Belgrade to be a big benefit of the new location.

“Surrounding yourself with positive people who have been successful is the key to success,” said Hermel. She knows firsthand that starting a business can feel lonely and isolating, but she attributes some of her success to the business mentors she has connected with along the way.

Hermel is also looking forward to being active in the community.

“I feel like being part of that area allows me to be so much more connected to the community,” said Hermel. “There is always so much going on.”

adding a coffee shop to her boutique, something citizens of North Mankato had been wanting for years.

“No great rewards come from not taking risks,” said Morin, who knew nothing about coffee, but was willing to revise her plan from boutique to “coffee-fueled shopping.” She partnered with local company, Beans Coffee, and learned everything she could about coffee from Beans co-owner Clay Sharkey.

Neutral Groundz opened in August of 2017. It offers delicious coffee shop favorites and food, home decor from around the world, a baby boutique, gourmet foods, bar accessories, and charcuterie supplies.

Part of the appeal of Neutral Groundz is the ever-changing beautiful displays of products.

Deb Morin anxious to expand Neutral Groundz in lower North.

Morin appreciates when customers come in and enjoy the displays she and her staff have created. She is inspired by everyday beauty and colors and she brings her visions to life with each display change and product addition.

“We rework it to give them a vision,” she said. Morin understands people love design, but they don’t always know how to get there. She says her knack for design is a God-given talent, but that’s not her only strength.

Her success doesn’t just come from the visions that dance in her head like little sugar plums of design magic, it also comes from hard work and listening to her customers.

For Deb Morin, owner of Neutral Groundz, the appeal of starting her business on Belgrade Avenue was all about the people.

“I grew up in a small town and I feel like I’m home when I’m here,” said Morin. “North Mankato has charm beyond charm to me.”

Since Morin was a little girl, she loved to decorate.

Even though she came from humble means, she would get creative and use things she already had to enhance the beauty of her home. She can’t explain where it came from, but she can walk into a room and have a complete vision of its potential.

That’s just what happened to her when she found 229 Belgrade Avenue. For three years she had been looking for just the right space for her home decor boutique. She assured her realtor she would know it when she saw it. When she walked into the space, she immediately fell in love with it and saw nothing but potential. Her vision was a charming space that kept the beauty of the historical features while adding in a creative new touch of her own.

When it was time to get a loan, the president of the bank asked her if she had ever considered

“I talk to my customers and ask them what they want and why they come here,” said Morin. She feels it is so important to listen to the customers so she can buy for the store what they want to purchase for their home. With her experience in imports and exports, she can bring in products from around the country and world to inspire her patrons. She offers products at various price points so there is something for everyone.

The combination of coffee, inspiration through beauty, and personalized, unique products has been a hit. Morin is now in the process of expanding Neutral Groundz into a second building right next door on Belgrade. The second space will have the same charm of old mixed with new.

With the expansion will come more seating for the coffee shop, a larger area for the baby boutique, and a separate space altogether for her various other home, decor, bar, and gourmet items. With the expansion, she will have more room to host one-of-a-kind evening events and parties at Neutral Groundz. When it came to the inevitable expansion, she patiently waited for the space next door to become open because she wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving Belgrade Avenue.

“The people of North Mankato are loyal, genuine and kind,” said Morin.

“They come in here and they are like family.” In addition to the welcoming people of North Mankato, Morin said starting and growing a business here has been a great experience because of the attentiveness of the city staff and administration. The people of North Mankato and loving what she does makes her want to keep growing.

“If you love what you do, you’re going to be good at it,” said Morin. She runs her business with heart, hard work, and business savvy. She is a big supporter of fellow women business owners and encourages them to follow their hearts as well. Morin is excited about the expanding business and services on Belgrade and hopes to see the trend continue.  SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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 When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there was

uncertainty for all businesses, especially those in hospitality. For Jeni Bobholz, owner of the Circle Inn, a lifeline came to her aid during the shutdown of 2020 in the form of a wholesale restaurant food distributor.

Sysco approached Bobholz about selling restaurantquality frozen foods. Bobholz tapped into the Circle’s social media following and began taking prepaid orders.

She was soon overwhelmed with massive orders from loyal patrons and other North Mankato residents.

“It truly just took over everything,” said Bobholz, “I remember one time literally breaking down because over 100 cases of product were dropped off and I was trying to play Tetris with boxes to figure out where to put them.” To keep up with the demand, she added seven freezers to the backroom of the Circle.

The uncertainty of the COVID-19 shutdown didn’t slow Bobholz down but rather pushed her to expand her entrepreneurial range. Because she was already using the backroom for storage of the frozen foods, Bobholz decided to add a general store as well to help local vendors sell their products.

Jeni Bobholz opens The Beast Food Boutique.

Once the Circle reopened, Bobholz needed the back room of the bar for patrons. She attempted to back off on the sale of frozen goods, but the demand was too great. Customers even started asking for large-scale orders for events such as graduations.

Seeing another need to fill and having access to quality foods, Bobholz started The Pelican food truck. During a time when people weren’t allowed to gather together indoors, the new fad of mobile restaurants provided more opportunities to bring the restaurant experience directly to customers in a safer, outdoor setting. Bobholz carried the fun and friendly feeling of the Circle Inn to the food truck and offered customizable food truck menus for any event at various price points.

With her frozen sales booming, her food truck gaining momentum, and her local vendors eager to sell, it became apparent she needed more space. At the same time, Bobholz kept hearing about the need for a grocery store.

“With The Beast, we can fill that niche without being a full-blown grocery store,” said Bobholz. Just down the road from the Circle, at 422 Belgrade Avenue, Bobholz found a way to fill yet another community need while allowing her other ventures space to grow. The multipurpose space houses a prep kitchen for The Pelican, storage space for all the frozen food, and a storefront to sell her frozen products along with local goods.

The Beast Food Boutique, named for the frozen food beast that took over her world, opened in December 2021. In addition to frozen foods, The Beast offers various dips, spreads, and everything you need for a delicious charcuterie board. They already have homemade soups and meals from Private Chef Renee Retzlaff and very soon will also be offering grab-and-take meals.

Customers can also pre-order frozen products on The Beast's website.

Extending beyond food, the boutique offers various other products.

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

The Beast features locally-made products.

“We pride ourselves on carrying all Minnesotamade products,” said Beth Fasnacht, store manager.

Bobholz and her team of Fasnacht and retail coordinator Jody Quinton are committed to filling the space with specialty and seasonal products solely from the state of Minnesota, making it unique from other boutiques.

The COVID-19 shutdown was hard on Bobholz in many ways, but she persevered and made the most of a challenging situation. She credits her new business ventures largely to her Circle patrons and friends.

“It all goes back to the Circle,” said Bobholz. Those who know her best see through her humble attitude and know her success comes from hard work and dedication.

“Anything Jeni does is going to succeed,” said Fasnacht.

SUPPORTING

EACH

OTHER

Bobholz and Morin both agree that what is really special about Belgrade is that the businesses support each other and encourage each other.

Their products and services compliment each other rather than compete with each other.

“Everyone supports everyone,” said Bobholz.

“It really does feel like a small town in the middle of a big town.”

For each of the women, that small-town feel drew them to Belgrade and inspired them to carry on the nostalgia and charm that makes Belgrade so special.

“Great things happen when you support local business,” said Morin. 

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MESSAGE US on Facebook EMAIL US jenibobholz@gmail.com

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CHECK FACEBOOK FOR FOOD TRUCK LOCATIONS SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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Brent Busch, your local neighborhood mortgage lender.

Q: We are ready to buy a new home but don’t want to move all our stuff twice, or move everything in one day. How can we take our time to moving into our new home?

A: In many cases, you can purchase your new home and then sell your current home after you move. One question that frequently comes up in this situation is “what about my down payment”.

We have a unique offering that allows you to apply the proceeds from the sale of your home towards your principle after you close and then recalculate your payment.

In this scenario you could put the minimum amount down, 3%-5% on your new purchase. Once you sell your current home you simply apply the proceeds to the principal and we can recalculate your mortgage payment. This acts as a delayed down payment, and is a great solution to make your purchase and move as easy as possible.

Q: I keep seeing in the news that mortgage rates are rising.

How will this affect my new home purchase?

A: This is certainly the headline in the news, and something to be aware of. The Federal Reserve is indicating they will tighten their policy over the next year and possibly raise rates as we exit the pandemic.

Keep in mind mortgage rates are dependent on many different factors, not just the Federal Reserve. With that in mind rates are still excellent when compared to the recent past. The rate changes and adjustments can affect your payment so its always best to have as much information as possible when home shopping. I recommend talking to your mortgage professional about each property you are interested in so you know what your payment will be.

Having a complete payment estimate for the property you are looking at will allow you to make the best offer on the home and be sure to stay withing your budget. You may be surprised at how affordable purchasing a home can be compared to renting.

I am always available to answer any questions you may have.

Call 507-389-8276 or email me at busch@primesourcefunding.com

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and

BY DARLA MAKELA

What do you feel is the key to a happy marriage?

We make it a priority to be intentional about connecting and communicating.

What is one thing you make sure you do consistently?

We are very intentional in making sure that we have dates and time together outside of our home, with no distractions. We take that time to be refreshed together and to talk about our life plans. When we are missing this, we can tell and we recognize that reminder to step outside.

Part of our intentionality is making sure that we are honest about our feelings. And to notice the “side effects” of conflict and address them right away. Oftentimes this is part of our getting outside of our home for time together.

How do you love through conflict?

You must learn to compromise. Always love the person more than the problem.

What piece of advice would you like to share with other young couples just starting out in their journey together?

Be slow to speak and eager to listen. Be humble. Accept that you will cause pain to your spouse at some point (probably many times) but know that working through things is worth it when you are with the right person.

Marriage is so beautiful and so worth it!

Also, make sure that you have consistent date nights! And know that the pros will outweigh the cons and the cons will refine you.

Zach and Lauren, August 30, 2019

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

What do you feel is the key to a happy marriage?

It is so important to have flexibility and a heart and mindset of understanding through each season of life.

We know that change is inevitable and we must be able to understand each other through those changes. For example, we are recently empty nesters after raising 6 very busy children. Now we are enjoying relearning each other.

BUT HAVE FUN! It is so important to take the time to have fun just with each other! We recently took a trip to Branson and went zip lining! We learned a lot about each other doing that!

We remind ourselves that this is not just about me, it’s about US. It’s not just about now, this is about investing in our future. It’s about leaving a legacy.

Some of the tools that have been critical in helping us love through conflict are these: • When conflict arises and we cannot address it immediately, we set a date for the very near future that will be dedicated to this situation. This provides us time to reflect and maybe even calm down a little but gives us the assurance that we will resolve this soon.

One thing you make sure you do consistently?

A non-negotiable for us is to be sure that we are resolving conflict in a timely manner. It might not be immediately but we always make sure to have a path that brings us back to oneness. Keeping our faith as our core value is critical in making this happen.

• An exercise called mirroring. ”I hear you saying…”

Letting each other know that they are being heard allows us to be less defensive and more open to loving through that conflict.

We have those ways to silently remind each other of our love and commitment to each other if we have not had the opportunity to fully resolve our conflict. A silent reminder like a hand squeeze 3 times or a sweet and quick embrace keeps us connected.

Final piece of advice for younger couples?

Continue to learn, read, listen, get a marriage mentor and always be seeking knowledge about how you can have a healthier marriage.

How do you love through conflict?

I tend to need some time to resolve conflict while Tyra is eager to attack it right away. We know that conflict is inevitable so we are always looking for tools to help us through those times. Through the years we have developed a tool box to help us navigate and love each other at all times.

• Practice gratitude with each other. Appreciate them.

Laugh together and do fun things together. Most importantly: TALK!

Dave and Tyra, January 6, 1990

Authors note: What a privilege to spend time with these two sweet and amazing couples! It was evident that Dave & Tyra have passed down a legacy of wisdom and commitment to their children.

As I visited with Zach and Lauren I could only wish that I would have had that wisdom and understanding at their age!

As Dave & Tyra talked about creating a culture of honor in their home it all made sense how Zach and Lauren view and treat their marriage. They have seen it modeled and a great legacy of faith has been instilled in them. 

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WITH EACH OTHER

BY LISA COWNIE

However, in two weeks the drum heads were broken, the cymbals were split and that was it. No money, no drums.

s ends hour Magen sp t en m in her base ng her studio honi . g in rit w song

Doug and M agen a clos s e rela tionsh hare ip.

One evening, in the middle of the first wave of COVID shutdowns, the Northridge neighborhood was all abuzz about an impromptu music concert.

The Dittbenner family, a family full of musical talent, pulled their keyboards, drum set, microphones, and guitars out to the driveway. An invitation for their neighbors to pull out lawn chairs and blankets and line the street. Socially distanced, of course. The Dittbenners are no strangers to the power of music and how it can bring people together.

The father of the house, Doug, can often be found singing the National Anthem at area events. His daughter, Magen, earning her own reputation as a talented singer/songwriter. They inspire each other.

And our community is the benefactor.

What sparked your musical interests?

Doug: Starting in 2nd grade, I took piano lessons from Sister Rosylin at the Catholic church just a short walk through my backyard. I got my fingers slapped with a stick and was asked to sit up straight no less than a thousand times. But in the end, it started the baseline of music (and counting) which later in life would pay off, I guess! I stopped piano lessons in 7th grade because my interest changed to the drums! I will never forget saving my money and buying my first drum set. I went home every night after school and drove my folks crazy learning to play “When the Walls Come Crumbling Down” and “Little Pink Houses” by John Cougar.

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

It wasn’t until 17 years later that my wife, Beth, got me a little drum pad to practice on. That soon got turned back in for a real kit! I was back! Long story short, I started playing again and asked some buddies to come over to jam. That led to us starting a band we called 30 Below. We played some local gigs and even recorded a CD called “Thanks” at Two Fish Studios in Mankato. We ended up being on Touch Tunes Jukeboxes for a couple of years with songs like “394 Sucks” “Chicago Drive” “My First Job” and “Tin Man Tap”. It was great!

Besides the drums I play guitar. In college at Gustavus, I needed a pass-fail class during J-term, so I took Guitar 101. I remember buying a guitar for like 10 bucks in Mexico on spring break and that was the guitar I used in my class. I played every day at my work-study just moving from chord to chord for muscle memory.

Thank goodness I passed! I still cannot play any type of lead, nor do I want to. I will stick to drums where notes don’t really matter.

I do love to write songs about everyday life and things that I have experienced. I got into Garage Band for a while but with kids, sports, and work, time was an issue to lay down tracks mix. Someday I will get back into it!

Magen: My mom and dad have always been so musical, so I don’t really remember a time when music wasn’t a part of my life. I remember my mom always singing to me before I went to bed when I was little and wanting to one day sing like her. I also always had my dad drumming and singing in the basement and at church.

My songwriting definitely sparked once I was in English class and we had to write poems. I remember being so excited to write them. I would be so proud to share my poems. I would then go home and put those poems into a melody. I also thought it was so cool that my dad and his old band wrote their own songs. I knew I wanted to do that one day.

I started piano lessons pretty young, probably around second grade. I think I stayed in piano lessons until about middle school. By this time, I could read music okay and knew how to make chords. Piano lessons have definitely helped me to keep teaching myself piano to go along with my songs.

I also sing and have been singing since the day I can remember. I think the first time I truly knew how much I loved singing was when I started to watch Hannah Montana. I loved singing to all of her songs. I have been taking voice lessons at Minnesota State University since I was 15 so that has really improved my voice and certain techniques.

I also play the ukulele. I am not the greatest at it because I am self -taught but I try my best. I just know some chords to sing along to. It’s such an easy instrument to play and is so fun to sing to and write music to.

Doug, how has watching Magen pursue her talents impacted you?

She has made me a proud Dad and given me some validation of pushing the music as a way of expression and fun. She has taught me that nervous energy when put to good use, makes that performance much better because you have practiced and practiced to be confident in your abilities. I have never seen her miss a beat while on stage. Always so professional and very impressive to watch perform. I will never know how she memorizes songs and lyrics so well. It amazes me.

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It has been so fun to see her progression and talent continue to improve every year. When she started out, she had a pretty good voice but was just a singer of other people’s songs and did not have much passion when she sang. Now she has written many of her own songs and performs them with passion and movement. The lyrics are so mature and the melodies so strong.

Sometimes when she is singing in our basement on our homemade Karaoke system, I feel like I am listening to the radio and some new up-andcoming artist. Her biggest compliment I think was when her music teacher at MSU told her not to perform one of her songs at the big concert in fear that someone would steal it and call it their own. Oh how nice if that would happen right!??

She is pursuing a Music Industry Major at MSU and is a sophomore this year. The cool thing about that is if she comes out from behind the studio or production tent, she could fill in for the talent as well!

Magen, how did your dad influence you?

My dad is definitely my number one fan. He had a bunch of microphones and headphones and speakers. He would let me sing 

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SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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Doug g to pla ot y wit h Gear D pictu addies, red h ere Bass ist N ick Ciola .

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Hannah Montana through the microphone and I thought it was so cool. He would give me pointers on how to improve myself. Every compliment he gave me pushed me harder and harder to work on my singing and never stop.

Watching him perform at church or with his band when I was little inspired me so much. It made me want to one day be up there on stage doing the same thing one day. 

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

5 SIMPLE

Main Dish

Gateway Market Fish Tacos

INGREDIENTS

WAYS TO ADD

CHIPOTLE SLAW

SEAFOOD

2 c.

1 3 1

TO YOUR PLATE

START WITH SEAFOOD.

½

Jump start your day with seafood for breakfast.

This can be as easy as adding your favorite fish or shellfish to your scrambled eggs or topping off your bagel with smoked salmon. Try a Smoked Salmon Omelet, Salmon Potato Hash, or Shrimp and Spinach Omelet.

½ tsp. ½ tsp. ¼ c. ½ 1 tsp.

1 tsp.

SWAP OUT THAT PROTEIN.

green cabbage, shredded medium carrot, shredded green onions, sliced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped garlic, minced Hy-Vee sour cream Hy-Vee mayonnaise lime, juiced Hy-Vee salt Hy-Vee ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Jazz up your favorite recipes by swapping meat for fish and shellfish. Seafood is naturally low in saturated fats and high in key nutrients, making it a healthy and tasty protein alternative. Try Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo, Pollock Gyro, or Seafood Pizza.

1

REACH FOR A CAN.

2

Canned seafood is versatile, convenient, and budget friendly.

Keep canned options like tuna, sardines, salmon, and crab on hand to make quick meals rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Try a Tuna Melt, Crab Salad or Spicy Sardine Linguine.

GO BEYOND FISH & SHELLFISH.

Whether you prefer not to eat animal products or are just looking for variety, seaweeds offer a lot of the same health benefits as other seafood. In fact, they are some of the only plant-based foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids. Try Ginger Chicken Kelp Soup, Bull Kelp Salad, or Shrimp, Cucumber, and Seaweed Salad.

FISH TACOS

6 ¼ c.

2T 6

(2-to-3-oz. each) tilapia fillets, or salmon fillets Gerorge’s blackened spice Gustare Vita olive oil Hy-Vee fajita size corn or flour tortillas Tomato, chopped, for garnish Avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced for garnish Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish

Make Chipotle Slaw: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrot, green onion, serrano and chipotle peppers and garlic. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Make Fish Tacos: Season fish fillets with blackening spice; set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the seasoned fillets to the skillet. Cook fillets in batches about 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, turning once halfway through. Remove cooked fillets from skillet and repeat with remaining portions. Wipe skillet clean.

3

Add tortillas to skillet and cook 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side or until warmed through.

4

Divide slaw among warmed tortillas. Add one piece of cooked fish to each tortilla and top with chopped tomatoes, avocados, and green onions, if desired.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 250 calories, 17g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 40mg cholesterol, 900mg sodium, 13g total carbohydrate, 1g dietary fiber, 4g sugars, 0 added sugars, 14g protein. Daily values: 6% iron, 4% calcium, 10% vitamin D, 6% potasium.

COOK ONCE, EAT TWICE.

With a little planning, you can stretch your favorite seafood products into two delicious dishes. Simply cook the fish or shellfish all at once, immediately set some aside in the refrigerator, and use that extra portion for a new dish the next day. Try Lobster Mac and Cheese, Fish Tacos with Avocado Salsa, or Fish Sandwich with Chili-Lime Mayo.

346

April Graff, MS, RD, LD Hilltop Dietitian 507.625.9070 AGraff@hy-vee.com

Scan this QR code to find your Hy-Vee dietitian

RIVERFRONT 410 S. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 507-625-1107

HILLTOP 2010 Adams St. Mankato, MN 507-625-9070

BY MAURA MCBREEN, MS, LMFT

Owner of Wounded Haven Counseling, LLC When asked to write this article, as an advocate for mental health, I was ecstatic. I love talking with people about ways they can improve their lives and process their struggles so they don’t have to be stuck. As a therapist working directly with trauma, attachment, relational concerns and, my personal favorite, empowering women, I have learned so much about what can work when practiced consistently.

The pandemic has increased anxiety, depression, substance use and relationship conflict to name a few. There is not one person who hasn’t been impacted by the state of the world. In writing this article, my hope would be to give you some resources and guidance for kickstarting the year and finding health for your body, mind and soul.

Coping skills and self-care (insert eye roll) are absolutely necessary. When people hear these terms, I feel it sends a wave of annoyance because these skills are preached to us often.

Instead of coping skills and self-care, we could also refer to these skills as “Ways to Love Yourself.” There are internal and external ways loving yourself can be practiced. This can include hobbies, healthy boundaries with self and others and taking moments of pause and resting when needed. Busy is not a status symbol that leads to health. Finding time to move your

body, no matter how long, and eating healthy, are great ways to help you be more present and feel better both physically and emotionally. You can answer self-talk with grace and kindness. You are allowed to make mistakes, and again, answer that with kindness. Growth and shame live on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Additional ways to love yourself include finding a great therapist. A person who shows you unconditional positive regard, supports, challenges and is the right fit for you on your mental health journey. At times, medication management is also helpful when consistently struggling, and seeking consultation with a medical provider could be beneficial.

Surrounding yourself with people who love you, build you up and want to see you do well is another imperative factor in living a quality life. Let this year be a year you trim unhelpful or toxic things from your life. You deserve to live healthy and happy. The biggest goal I have for my career is to change how people think of attending therapy and to normalize the human connection that is possible when sitting in a therapeutic setting. Therapy is for everyone. Let me repeat, therapy is for EVERYONE. We are all trying to survive in this world. Here’s to reviving your mental health and living the life you choose. You got this!

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334

Each of us has our own version of a busy week. It is not realistic to cook and prepare three meals and two snacks every single day. Knowing how to jazz up those leftover meals and ingredients is a unique skill that can save you time and money. Plus, transforming leftovers into something new helps reduce food waste.

After a meal, pack up the leftovers and get them into the fridge. Label, then store them in a place in the fridge where you won’t forget about them.

Here are a few ideas on how to give your leftovers new life.

Make them tomorrow’s lunch. Saving leftovers is a quick way to pack an easy lunch. Just pop them into your travel container and you’re ready to go! If there is not enough food for a full meal, add a salad, snack or a side to go along.

Reinvent them as a casserole. We are Minnesotans, Hot Dish is in our DNA. Freeze them. Freeze in portion sizes or family dinner sizes to consume later. You’ll thank yourself when you have a busy schedule and no time to make a meal.

Just be sure to label your container so you don’t have a frozen mystery to solve.

Marmalade Martini

A fancy way to use up that last spoonful of marmalade in the jar. Pour 50ml gin into a nearly empty jar of marmalade.

Put the lid back on and shake the jar well to combine.

Add 2 tbsp orange liqueur (I used Cointreau), then juice 1/2 lemon and the juice 1 clementine.

Shake well, strain into 2 chilled Martini glasses and serve.

Yum!

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

Charcuterie is definitely all the rage right now. Most people associate the term with a platter of cold, cured meats, and different savory foods such as nuts, dried fruit, cheese, and olives. Make a simple white sauce and stir in your cheeseboard leftovers – try a mix of grated hard cheese, the last crumbles of the blue cheese, or any others you might have. Season, then add ground nutmeg and a touch of Dijon mustard for a rich, delicious sauce for cooked pasta or cauliflower.

34

4 T butter, divided

1/4 medium onion, peeled

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1 bay leaf

3 c. whole milk, warm but not hot, divided

2 oz. grated Gruyère cheese or (cheeseboard leftover)

2 to 3 whole cloves

2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese or (cheeseboard leftover)

Gather your ingredients. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat.

Stir in the flour to form a roux. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, which also allows the raw flour taste to cook away.

Slowly add 2 1/2 cups of the warm milk while whisking or stirring constantly so that the liquid is incorporated into the roux without forming lumps. Stick the cloves into the onion

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

and add to the sauce along with the bay leaf. Simmer for about 10 minutes (sauce will thicken) stirring often. Remove the bay leaf and the onion. Make sure you retrieve all of the cloves. Add the cheeses and stir until it has melted.

Remove from heat, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and adjust the consistency with some or all of the remaining 1/2 cup milk if necessary. Serve right away with pasta, chicken, or fish. Enjoy!

To use up the extra few dried fruits, nuts & olives that were on the charcuterie board lets make a quick-cooking couscous.

1 3/4 c. low sodium chicken or vegetable broth (or water) 1/2 tsp. salt 1 T butter 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 c. (10 oz) couscous

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

Gather all the leftover dried fruit and nuts, cut into small pieces. slice any olives as well, but keep those separate until the end. You can serve this side dish hot or room temperature.

In a medium saucepan, bring the water (or broth), salt, butter, and oil to a boil. Add fruit and nuts if desired. Cover and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the couscous, cover tightly with a lid, and remove from heat. Let the couscous steam for 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff the couscous and break up any clumps. Add sliced olives if using. Serve warm.

1 lb. ground beef (or crumbled burgers) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 c. packed brown sugar 1/4 c. reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tsp. sesame oil DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

Veggie or meat burgers are great recipes for batch cooking, but sometimes you don’t want to have them the same old way in buns again. Instead, try serving leftover burgers like this- its a simple version of Korean Bulgogi. It’s really just beef cooked with soy and ginger. Serve it with the leftover rice in the refrigerator.

1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 2/3 c. hot cooked brown rice 3 green onions, thinly sliced

In a large skillet, cook beef and garlic over medium until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, oil and seasonings.

Stir sauce into beef; heat through. Serve with rice. Sprinkle with green onions.

The best way to make leftovers more enjoyable is by cooking meals you enjoy in the first place. This comes with practice! Even as a seasoned chef, I still make foods I don’t really like once in a while. When we don’t grow as cooks, we can fall into a pattern of food boredom. For instance adding smashed lemongrass and cardamom pods to a classic rice pudding to give it an aromatic flavor.

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So I encourage you to slowly, expand your cooking skills. It is important to note that there are no real rules here, explore new flavors.

Keep it simple but dare to be different.

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319

BY ASHLEY HANLEY

Julie Drill has been helping women for their most memorable moments.

From their dance costumes to their prom dresses to the day they walk down the aisle, Julie has helped to sew those unforgettable moments together. She’s just one of the many examples of the hard-working, creative people that call North Mankato home.

It all started about 40 years ago.

She says, “I had a friend who opened up an alteration business who needed me to work part-time for her. But she had so much work to do that she had me go full-time. And then I was able to open my own business.”

Julie’s business rings to the tune of “there’s no place like home.” Drill operates her business and does her alteration work out of her home on Sherman Street in North Mankato.

She doesn’t need fancy signs or advertisements to let people know of her many talents. Word of mouth is the way her business spreads. A simple, yet successful business plan that fits Julie perfectly. With that strong testimony, her clients have spanned from generation to generation.

“I love it when I’ve done a dress for a gal and then she brings her girls in to get their dress fitted. Or when someone brings in their grandmother’s wedding dress and they want it to be altered or fitted for them. Just like each person, each dress is so unique, which makes every job special and challenging.”

Julie’s recipe for success is creating those special moments, sewn with love and care.

On average, she does about 2-3 weddings a month: from the bride-to-be to the bridal party, to the mother of the bride. And it’s not just weddings that she does alterations for. For the Jobs winter formal, she does around 30 dresses each year, all within the short formal dance season in the Mankato area.

While the work can be exhausting and timeconsuming to find the perfect fit, Julie says her biggest joy comes from a finished product.

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

“The best part is when they come in with a wedding dress that doesn’t fit them and then they come back for their final fitting and it fits them just perfectly. And to see their expression and their excitement is just amazing.”

Other perks come with the job, too. Julie says the flexibility of working from home allows her to travel and stay semi-retired.

She says she can create her own schedule, which helps her still spend time with her husband.

With no signs of slowing down or stopping, Julie says she also stays busy by doing other projects from her basement, or even her kitchen table as well.

“I do a lot of different things. I do upholstery and window treatments. There’s nothing that I won’t try to do.”

Letting her creativity and passion help others with a skill-set that others may not have.

Like with any job, there come some challenges. But for Julie, the challenges are also a blessing when she sees the countless women and girls come to her with their perfect dresses.

Sometimes she says she wants to do so much and help every one for every occasion, but there’s simply just not enough time in the day.

“Especially when it is an emergency, a short time-frame for a client that I’ve helped in the past and I want to help them. It is hard to say no. Most of my customers are regulars or have done it for generations and I don’t want to turn them away even when I’m really, really busy.”

That busyness, though, has led to the pure joy that keeps Julie going and going for more than four decades.

One of her most memorable experiences was when a woman with special needs came to her with a wedding dress that was just too big for her.

America’s #1 car and home insurance company.

Julie helped this special bride transform her mother's wedding dress to wear on her own special day.

“She put it on and it just fell off her. We finally got it to fit her. And she got married. But the sad part was that just three months later she died. She was just a sweetheart. And to be a part of that special moment was something I will never forget.”

Just as Julie will never forget the special moments she helped create, the special events and dresses will never be forgotten through the memories of the countless clients as they carry on from generation to generation.

To contact Julie, you can find her at Alterations by Julie at 835 Sherman Street in North Mankato. Her phone number is 507-340-4065. 

Mankato | Mapleton Lake Crystal

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SPRINGTIME

North Kato

BY ANNA BROWN

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS STARTING SPRING 2022

• Lor Ray Drive Improvement Project – Completion Fall '22 CASWELL BONDING IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED IN 2022 AT CASWELL PARK

• McKinley Avenue Improvement Project – Completing in Summer '22

• Replace field lighting, fencing, PA system, knee wall & backstop netting

NEW BUSINESSES COMING SPRING 2022

• Caribou Coffee 1661 Commerce Dr.

• Upgrade concessions, restrooms, scoreboards and seating • New gateway signage & entryway monuments More info at caswellsports.com /bondingrequest

• New sculpture at Water Plant #1 • Paving of Mary Lane Trails

• The Skin Clinic MedSpa 235 Belgrade Ave.

• Clearing of trees & new picnic areas at Bluff Park

• Neutral Groundz Expansion 231 Belgrade Ave.

• New sculpture at Benson Park parking lot – Summer of 2022

LIVE MUSIC DAILY MEAT RAFFLE

• Plantings at Benson Park

EVERY THURS

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

• New Adult Men’s Volleyball leagues – Monday nights at Caswell Park • New Mini Tikes Football – starting fall of 2022 (registration opens this spring) More info at caswellsports.com

EVERY WEEKEND

DRINK SPECIALS

Enjoy live music & drink specials. Open Tue-Sun Check Facebook for our daily activities.

Circle Inn, Stagger Out.

SUNDAY BINGO STARTING IN FEBRUARY

507.625.9667

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NEW CASWELL YOUTH & ADULT RECREATION SPORTS COMING IN 2022

232 Belgrade Ave., North Mankato

A Mankato Tradition - Quality Products and Exceptional Service from your local, hometown lumber yard and rental company.

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“Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. ©2022 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved.

Your Hometown Lumber Yard and Rental Center Over 74 years of Quality and Service Locally Owned and Operated Lloyd Lumber...

Your #1 Building and Rental Center!

Buy what you want. Rent what you need.

507-625-4500

1860 Commerce Dr., North Mankato • HOURS: Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Building Friends on Commerce Drive

WHY LIVING

WE

IN

NORTH MANKATO

BY LAURIE PALESOTTI

The Fun Days parade has been a tradition since we moved here. We started out saving our spot days before, and have been fortunate enough to be a part of it for the last several years. Our kids love seeing friends and throwing out candy!

Lower North has become one of our favorite places to go.

Between the pop up shops and specials at the Circle Inn, Neutral Groundz and other businesses, we always find something fun.

The trails! My husband can— and has—mapped every length run you can think of just around North Mankato.

When he was training for his first marathon, the kids were pretty young. He decided to do a long run at Bluff Park—which meant going in circles for a LONG time. The kids and I packed a picnic and some sidewalk chalk and spent the afternoon cheering him on and writing inspirational messages on the path.

The Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament and the awesome skating facilities and warming house at Spring Lake Park. Our kids have played and refereed at various tournaments—and we have bundled up and spent many days at this amazing event.

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Family bike rides to Culver’s. When the kids were young, we could con them into a longer bike ride if they knew it would end with ice cream.

The brewery!

We have been fans since it opened and love the hometown feel. We have even been known to walk.

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

As a kid, I moved around a lot and never felt like I had a community that I knew. Although I had the opportunity to meet many people—I knew I didn’t want that for my kids. When we found ourselves in North Mankato as a young married couple, I knew we were home.

Our kids, now 18 and 14, have never known anything else. They have grown up watching this awesome little town grow and change.

Here are some of the reasons that we LOVE North Mankato.

Halloween in the neighborhood. Friends and family from the country and neighbor kids would gather at our house for pizza before walking the streets— the parents freezing and the kids oblivious to the cold. They knew early on which houses had the full size candy bars!

The sand bottomed pool. Don’t get me wrong—the new facility is amazing, but it was always fun to bring our sand toys to the pool!

Blues on Belgrade has become a yearly tradition for our family. It’s a great time to see friends and enjoy great local music.

Dino’s birthday club! Both kids have birthdays in February, so this was one of our favorite meals of the year because my husband and I could order the pizza WE wanted (Foghorn Leghorn) since they had their own. Also, how do you beat the make your own sundaes?

But overall, and more than anything, we love North Mankato because it's

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Heidi

HERMEL

BOTOX & JEUVEAU

DERMAL FILLERS

Quick 10-minute treatments that work beneath the surface and temporarily reduce the underlying muscle activity that causes moderate to severe crow’s feet, frown and forehead lines.

Versa® injectable hyaluronic acid gel fillers can be used to correct age-related volume loss and moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It can also be injected into the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of the fines lines around the mouth.

EVOKE NECK & FACE

EVOLVE

Evoke is a facial remodeling platform that is revolutionizing non-invasive anti-aging treatments.

Evoke offers a first-in-class proprietary technology that delivers structural reorganization of the facial tissues to produce dramatic skin tightening results.

With Evoke, patients with concerns about sagging or loose facial skin can remodel the cheeks, jowls, neck and jawline with no recovery time!

Evolve is the next generation in skin remodeling that maximizes skin tightening and body contouring results! It harnesses the power of RF energy to remodel skin and improve its appearance. With Evolve, you can get both skin contraction and adipose tissue reduction with a single treatment.

SKIN WAVE The Skinwave combines an aqua-delivery system, skin revitalizing solutions and Hydrogen therapy for a multi-dimensional skincare treatment.

VI PEEL The VI Peel is a skin-resurfacing chemical peel that stimulates collagen and increases cellular turnover to reveal smoother and more radiant skin.

MORPHEUS 8 The Morpheus8 combines the power of micro-needling and RF (radio frequency) to penetrate deeper into the skin than any other microneedling device allowing it to stimulate collagen production to truly contour and transform different parts of the body. The result – a smoother and sleeker appearance.

LASER TATTOO Unwanted tattoos can be truly difficult.

During a tattoo removal session, a pulse of intense light emitted by the laser targets the pigment in the skin. Tattoo removal session vary based on color and size. Schedule a consultation.

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MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30AM - 5PM SAT - SUN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

BOOK ONLINE mankatomed.com

1603 N Riverfront Drive Mankato | 651-226-3704

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windows that inspire

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SchmidtMankato.com 507.625.6412

Soon you’ll be saying, “I love our new windows.”

Renewal by Andersen of Mankato is the leading name for quality windows.

SPRING 2022 NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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BY VIOLETTE BOOTS

Erin Healy is a local thrift flip-veteran who grew up in the Mankato area and now attends the University of MinnesotaDuluth. Her interest in thrift flipping resides in her passion for fashion.

Since thrifting is more sustainable and affordable than traditional retail shopping options, she developed a taste for thrifting early on. “What appeals most when thrifting," says Healy, "is exploring your own tastes and developing your own style. You aren’t buying something you found on social media that a thousand other people have."

The term thrift flipping comes from the term house flipping, which is used by real estate agents to describe the process of buying, rehabilitating, and then selling a house again. A common denominator among thrift flip enthusiasts is that they especially enjoy the level of personalization that they can achieve.

Simple mass-produced items can’t compare to the individualization that can be accomplished by fixing up old items and making them original and unique.

Although Healy has had many experiences, she does look back at one with extra affection. “The most memorable thrift flip that I have done was a corset-type top I made out of 'thrifted' fabric," says Healy. "It was the first project I made that I was really proud of and enjoyed. I loved that I was able to make a piece that was one of a kind.”

Although the term “thrift flipping” may be trending due to social media— specifically, TikTok—the principle of altering clothes has been around for a long time. Due to the rise of recent climate concerns, online shopping, and "fast fashion" (clothing that is massproduced to keep up with consumer trends), the need for sustainability has never been higher. Each year, Americans generate 25 billion pounds of textiles and only 15 percent are recycled or donated.

Thrift flipping was born when artistic people found a way to explore creativity and personal style while shopping more sustainably.

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Thrift flipping has exploded recently due to its trending on TikTok and possibly as a result of the COVID pandemic. With the rise of thrifting, some concerns have been raised.

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

Over-consumption, gentrification, and markups are the main focal points of the controversies. Some worry that thrift stores will be left threadbare and that clothes will be pricier due to middle or upper-class bulk buying, then reselling for an over-inflated price. Thrift store gentrification occurs when people who rely on thrift stores are pushed out due to overpricing. These are major issues on any thoughtful thrift flipper's mind.

So what to do?

The proprieties of fashion—and American consumerism in general—encourage mass consumption. But thrifters can always be more conscious. They can refrain from buying necessary items like winter coats, hats, gloves, and work boots when they don’t need them. They can stay away from bulk buying and mass consumption.

They can remember that re-selling clothing is fine— especially when fixing up an item that has gone into disuse—but always be aware of the impact that it could have on the stores and working-class communities in their area.

The region has many thrift stores, including two in the North Mankato area: Neighborhood Thrift Store along Highway 169 and New 2 You Family Thrift in Upper North Mankato. These stores have many items with thrift flip potential, and they are waiting to be recognized by shoppers' creative visions. "You can be creative by keeping an open mind when shopping," says Healy. "The process of finding pieces that have potential and being able to create something you love is just such a fun process to me.”

PEOPLE CARING FOR PEOPLE PHYSICAL THERAPY/ OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 359

IMAGING

LAB WORK

THE WAY YOU ARE TREATED is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the TREATMENT YOU RECEIVE.

At River’s Edge Hospital, you are more than a patient. Every person who receives care is treated with compassion and respect. 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.

ORTHOEDGE

HOSPITAL

SURGERY

1900 North Sunrise Drive

(507) 931-2200

www.REHC.org River’s Edge Hospital is an equal opportuniy employer and provider.

URGENT CARE AT RIVER’S EDGE HOSPITAL

H E R E TO G R OW

“As a mental health agency, our goal is to build relationships and transform lives to create a healthy mental health community in each of our serving areas through skills development and therapy services. We have felt such a warm welcome from the Greater Mankato area and we are looking forward to being a strong advocate for mental health and the well-being of those in this community. Our North Mankato office gives our staff and our clients a home base to do this work.”

FERNBROOK FAMILY CENTER – NEW LOCATION 342 BELGRADE AVENUE

- Liz Jones, Administrative Director – Waseca & Blue Earthy County, Fernbrook Family Center

"The community of North Mankato is so supportive, I wouldn't have thought of opening another business anywhere else. I'm excited to bring another shopping experience to North Mankato that offers Minnesota made products."

- Jeni Bobholz, The Beast Food Boutique THE BEAST FOOD BOUTIQUE – NEW BUSINESS 422 BELGRADE AVENUE

MENARI BODY WORKS – AMBASSADOR VISIT 237 BELGRADE AVENUE

"The Menari logo represents an ever growing vine. In 2014 Menari started out at 229 Belgrade, nestled inside of what was then Natural Pathways Wellness Center. When it was closing the owner asked us to take over the space, but unfortunately we were not busy enough to take on the whole building. Instead we moved around South Front Street for several years; growing in staff and clientele and in 2019 we came back to Belgrade to 237. We hope to keep growing, providing our unique offerings to more of the community and continue to add spa amenities to our tranquil and serene space " - Olivia, Menari Body Works

WORKFLOW DESIGN FOR TODAY’S OFFICE

Beth Fasnacht, NCIDQ Interior Designer, Owner

CREATING THE OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTIONALITY CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR BUSINESS.

timelessinteriorsmn.com | 507.351.5214

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RESTAURANT QUALITY FOOD

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The Beast Food Boutique has Restaurant Quality Food Including Air Fryer Items, Soups, Wings and Meat. We also carry over 60 Minnesota products and vendors.

There is something for everyone.

SHOP LOCAL & ENJOY QUALITY FOOD

Over 60 Local Vendors

WED-FRI 11AM - 7PM | SAT 10AM - 4PM

422 BELGRADE AVE STE 103 • LOWER NORTH MANKATO

THEBEASTFOODS.COM

THE BEAST

FOOD BOUTIQUE

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THE POWER

TO RESTORE DAMAGED BONES & JOINTS WITHOUT SURGERY. Ortho-Biologic Injections | Knee Arthritis Degenerative Disc Disease Prolo Therapy | TMJ Pain | Sexual Wellness

FEEL BETTER. CALL NOW.

636.778.2805 Dr. David Crane, MD A Leader in Regenerative Medicine Dr. Crane is a Leader in Regenerative Medicine and Ortho Biologics. Dr. Crane provides these therapies in Mankato, MN, Green Bay, WI, Rogers, AR and Chesterfield, MO. PRP works! The power of healing is in the blood! PRP and Ortho-biologics can help restore your quality of life.

bluetailmedicalgroup.com PRP THERAPY THE POWER TO HEAL IS IN YOUR BLOOD. 341