North Kato Winter 2021 by Luxe Quarterlies

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Message from North Mankato

Welcome back to another issue of the North Kato Magazine! In this winter edition we celebrate our Hometown Heroes: the North Mankato Volunteer Firefighter Association, a long-time member of our Police Reserves, and the legacy of Anthony Ford. The City is grateful to these heroes for their service and their impact on our community. We hope everyone enjoys learning more about our great City through North Kato Magazine. 193

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Council Member Billy Steiner Council Member Diane Norland Council Member James Whitlock Council Member Sandra Oachs Mayor Mark Dehen

billysteiner@northmankato.com dianenorland@northmankato.com jimwhitlock@northmankato.com sandraoachs@northmankato.com markdehen@northmankato.com

CITY SERVICES City Offices Police Department Taylor Library Building and Inspections Utility Billing Park Department Water Department Street Department Caswell Sports

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STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES County Commissioner Denny Kemp County Commissioner Jack Kolars Representative Jeff Brand Senator Nick A. Frentz

denny.kemp@co.nicollet.mn.us jack.kolars@co.nicollet.mn.us rep.jeff.brand@house.mn sen.nick.frentz@senate.mn

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Mankato School District (ISD 77)

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LET TER FROM THE EDITOR We are celebrating all we have to be thankful for as we enter 2021 with optimism! It all begins with our cover story on our Hometown Heroes. These are people not used to, and certainly not seeking out, the spotlight. But as a North Mankato resident, I sleep better at night knowing they have my back! In these pages you’ll also find date ideas right here in our hometown, no matter your age or marital status (12). We begin a neighborhood “tour” of North Mankato. Each issue we’ll highlight a neighborhood: we begin with Coventry Heights. Read how they stay connected and look out for each other (16). You’ll find tips for starting the new year off right both mentally and physically (26), perhaps you’ll even be in the frame of mind to try something new: winter camping (22). It’s not too early to start thinking about your spring garden (18) or perhaps a spring getaway (30). I hate to mention it, but tax time is just around the corner. We have some tips that may help you after a bizarre 2020 (36). If you are looking for a new recipe and a wine to go with it, check out our Perfect Pairings section (38).

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F E AT U R E PHOTO North Mankato Police Department November 2020 Trunk or Treat

Business Sign Cracked Faded, or Lights Out?

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From food to fun to firefighters, enjoy this issue of North Kato!

Lisa Cownie, Editor Luxe Quarterlies, LLC

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

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CONTENTS JA N F E B MA R 2 0 2 1

6 NORTH MANKATO FIRE DEPARTMENT 1 2 DATES ON THE TOWN 1 6 WON'T YOU MEET MY NEIGHBOR 18 GROW WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED 22 GO WINTER CAMPING 26 NEW YEAR NEW YOU 28 BOOK REPORT 30 THE GREAT ESCAPE 32 ANTHONY FORD 36 TAX TIME, QUICK TIPS 38 PERFECT PAIRING 40 CRAVE 42 HERE TO GROW

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North Kato magazine is published and mailed quarterly by Luxe Quarterlies. The content used in this magazine is copyright 2021. The opinions or points of view expressed within are those of our authors.

WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

North Mankato Firefighters Dan Giefer, Daryn Stoltenberg, Eric VanEps, Cory Sletten

BY LISA COWNIE PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

crazy, he just leaves and I wonder if it’s a big fire or maybe a wildfire. He does it a lot, but it’s really cool he does that for everybody.” Collin Sletten, 8, isn’t 100 percent sure where his dad goes when he leaves in the middle of the night, or the middle of his birthday party, but he knows he is going somewhere important. Ten-year-old Kylee VanEps can relate. “It’s sometimes weird because he leaves at random times. It makes me kind of scared for him because I don’t know what will happen.” Pride, mixed with fear are common sentiments for the children of our hometown heroes, the volunteers of the North Mankato Fire Department. “Being the best part of someone’s worst day is what brings me here,” explains Daryn Stoltenberg. “But it’s turned out to be so much more than that.” Stoltenberg’s ‘normal’ job is operations director at River Hills Mall, a job he enjoys and is thankful it allows him to pursue this passion. “I think my journey here is because I wanted to serve my community,” continues Stoltenberg. “I am not a board member type of person; I’ve been on plenty of those. I’m kind of a get-my-hands-dirty type of guy in terms of serving our community and this is just a perfect fit for me.” He is not alone. In total right now, there are

34 volunteers with the North Mankato Fire Department. While each has his own reason for being on the team, the reason they stay seems to be the same. “This is an extension of my family,” says Stoltenberg. “Everyone treats my kids like they are their own and I do the same. We refer to each other as brothers and sisters and there is more to it than just a phrase. It sounds cliché but it’s reality.” Also real? The impact they have on our community year in and year out. The North Mankato Fire Department averages 130 to 140 calls per year. Last year, they had just under 2,000 volunteer hours. Those hours include continuous training. Eric VanEps is a training officer and 13-year veteran of the fire department. “Thirty years ago, a fire department was just that, a fire department,” says VanEps. “They put out a lot of fires. But as things evolve and dollars have gotten tighter, really the fire department has evolved into pretty much whatever the current emergency may require. So, if something is going on and nobody knows what to do, they call the fire department. That is what makes it difficult in terms of training and knowing what to be trained on because we don’t know what could be coming at us. “An example from several years ago was the Anthrax threat,” he continues. “At that time, we didn’t have the training, but now we have gone through training on decontaminating 

WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

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people to remove chemical agents. Bottom line, if other agencies have questions on how to handle a situation, the North Mankato Fire Department gets called in whether we know what to do or not. It’s our motto to always find a way to figure it out.” And they do. Those who join the department have a rigorous training protocol. They are all certified firefighters just like firefighters in other cities. A distinction they are proud of but realize the people they serve may not be aware of it. “There is this interpretation of a volunteer firefighter versus a full-time firefighter but what people don’t realize is that the certification requirements are the same,” says Stoltenberg. “We have the same standards. Residents in North Mankato need to know that your community is investing in 34 people to be at their best at all times.” Thirty-four people respond when the pager goes off, no matter the situation. Cory Sletten has been with the team for 15 years. “I’ll never forget the sheer look of terror on my

wife’s face when there was a tornado coming through town and I had to leave on a fire call,” says Sletten. “Leaving when your family needs you is hard, but you know at that moment someone else might need you a little bit more.” Needs that range from fires, which they say there is not a lot of, to alarm calls, gas leaks, downed powerlines, storm emergencies, traffic incidents, and flooding streets where they operate as traffic control officers. Putting the needs of others first is part of the commitment expected when you volunteer to be on the North Mankato Fire Department. Stoltenberg says, “The family understands, it’s a pain point at times, but those decisions are easily understood. Maybe my most memorable is having a house full of people on Thanksgiving and being the one responsible for carving the turkey and turning that task over to someone else so I could run out the door.” Stories like this are common among the group. “I left my family 25 miles away once!” says Dan Giefer. “I kind of left them to fend for themselves to get home or knew I would have to go back and get them later. I 

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am not saying it is not a pain point, there is some frustration, but overall they understand when we get called to run out the door. “For me, the most memorable is Valentine’s Day roughly 17 years ago. There was a duplex fire on Orchid Drive. We were there for quite a few hours. It’s those events where you had something planned and then, guess what? It’s not going to happen.” Giefer is halfway through his two-year term as chief. He has served on the team for 18 years. “It has been a great adventure. My dad was a firefighter when I was a child so I always had it in the back of my mind but never really acted on it until a friend who is a firefighter stopped by our house and encouraged me to apply. I’m so glad I did. We have a great team of people. They always talk about the brotherhood within a fire department, I can tell you that is a true sentiment. I can call upon anybody in this group when help is needed.” Now the group is busy trying to shore up the brotherhood and recruit more men and women to join their team. “One area we do struggle with is finding new firefighters,” says Giefer. “There is a process to go through with the department. You have to apply and recognize that it is a commitment. The initial training is 140 hours so it’s two nights a week and Saturdays for several months. It is a big-time

commitment with standards you need to comply to.” On average, 21 of the 34 current firefighters respond to every call. “Everybody’s pager goes off,” explains Giefer. “We do have trucks at two stations, but it’s one fire department and we all respond until we are no longer needed.” “We always prepare for the worst,” continues VanEps. “Dan and our assistant chief go right to the scene while the rest of us go to the station. At the scene, they identify how many trucks will roll to a specific incident. We all respond to the station, but we may not all be needed at the scene. Everybody that can respond, does. We are all on call 24-7." A commitment that comes with a lot of community support and a lot of nontangible rewards. “One of the best rewards is when we get neat responses from children,” explains Giefer. “We speak to daycares, the preschools, and elementary schools as part of our mission. Then when you least expect it, walking through the mall and a kid runs up to you and remembers you from the training and you speak to them, and they start telling you what they remember from the lessons. That’s a cool part of the ‘job’.” Hometown heroes living in our neighborhoods, working at area businesses, and raising their families here in North Mankato: the volunteer firefighters of North Mankato. 

Brent Busch, your local neighborhood mortgage lender. Q: Our family needs a bigger home and we want to use the equity in our current home for the down payment. This seems like a difficult process and how can we do this without moving twice? A: That’s a great question and it comes up a lot. There are a couple of different options depending on how you would like to move forward, but don’t worry, both are very easy and I make it as stress free as possible. The first option would be to sell your current home and purchase your new home on the same day. We do this often and coordinate with your real estate agent to make sure everything goes smoothly and according to plan. Typically you will sell your current home and buy your new home in a matter of hours. We take care of scheduling, timing, and money transfers so you can focus on your new home. The second option is to purchase your new home first while still owning your current home. This can give you the time to move into the new home at your own pace, allow you to make necessary changes to your current home for the upcoming sale, or even upgrade your new home before you move in. This also allows you a stronger negotiating position for purchasing your new home. For the loan we do a minimal down payment, as low as 3%. Once your current home sells we apply the proceeds from the sale to your current loan and recalculate your payments based on the new balance. You could think of it as a delayed down payment. This process is very simple and is not a refinance of your loan.

Q: I already own a home but I want to take advantage of the historically low rates I have been hearing about. How do I refinance and what do I need to know? A: Refinancing has been extremely popular lately due to the rate market being very favorable. The process itself is very simple. We can have a 15 minute conversation over the phone to set up your file and fill out all of the required documents. At this point I would provide you with a complete breakdown of your options, what your savings would be, and what costs are applicable to your particular loan. After that we submit the file to underwriting and complete their requirements which generally can be completed in 21 days or less! You may not even need an appraisal for a refinance depending on the last time your property was appraised. It’s a very quick and simple process.

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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BY ERIC AND KELLY BOELTER

Eric and Kelly Boelter went on their first date 16 years ago. Now married with two kids, date time isn’t as easy to find as it once was. They feel lucky North Mankato has so much to offer, right close to their home! Kelly says, “Our date was action packed, much like our everyday life. It’s cliché, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are grateful to live in North Mankato, and these are just a few of its recreational and commercial amenities we enjoy.” 1 | Our Saturday morning “date” started with a quest for coffee and little pick me up to get the date started. We ventured to Neutral Groundz, located on Belgrade in lower North Mankato. It is a quaint shop with excellent coffee. While our beverages were brewed, we admired the variety of pastries behind the glass and browsed through the abundance of novelty gifts.

Masking up and caffeine-ing up for a day on the town!

2 | We both enjoy being active and being outdoors. One of our favorites locations in North Mankato is the hidden gem of Bluff Park. The park is well kept, spacious, dog friendly and the loop is an easy walk/bike for kids. There can also be an abundance of various wildlife which is unique for a park in the middle of town. We appreciate how the park has focused on restoring the local natural habitat. On this morning, we were able to enjoy our warm coffee, some quality conversation and a quiet walk reconnecting around the loop. Our favorite part is the new overlook. It is beautifully constructed and provides a gorgeous view of the bluff and river valley. We enjoyed looking out over the valley and taking in the warm sun before continuing on our way through the rest of the park.

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

Eric and Kelly take a break on the walk around Bluff Park to enjoy the view from the lookout!

The Boelters share a love of hockey!

Mattea and Walker ham it up as they start their trek around Bluff Park!

For North Mankato teen couple, Mattea Burmeister and Walker Britz it's all about the pizza and the dessert! BY MATTEA BURMEISTER & WALKER BRITZ

3 | Our first date 16 plus years ago, was spent ice skating at All Season’s Arena. Today, we put on our rollerblades and hit the concrete for some roller hockey at the

outdoor Spring Lake Park rink. The city has done a great job renovating Spring Lake Park, especially with the year-round hockey rinks and wonderful new warming house. We both are competitive in nature and it wasn’t long after our skates hit the cement that a friendly competition started. We won’t say who won.

“You may hear some teens say...there’s nothing to do! Well, we feel lucky that we never have to worry about that,” explains Mattea Burmeister. “We both live in North Mankato and with our busy schedules, we love that there is so much for kids our age to do, right near us. We are both active, so we enjoy hiking and being outdoors. And we’re teens...so of course we also love pizza!” 1 | We started the night by going for a walk in Bluff Park! The weather was beautiful and so was the scenery. You get a gorgeous view of lower North Mankato...that even us teens can appreciate! 2 | Our favorite date night place for pizza is always Dino’s! We love the atmosphere...and we love that we almost always see someone we know! Plus, if we split a pizza it is a little easier on a teen’s budget.

Dino’s, where everybody knows your name! Mattea and Walker are frequent visitors.

3 |We finished the night with dessert from Culver’s. Hey...we walked it off earlier in the night, remember? We both got cups of frozen custard. We never get tired of going here because there are so many options to choose from. It was delicious. 

So many choices, so little time! What a treat to stop at Culver’s!

BY CURT & HELEN CRANDALL

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2 | The Circle Inn is perfect these days for easy take out offerings, especially their packaged choices from Sysco. Recently after our Wednesday walk, we stopped in to purchase meatballs, pasta and sauce with a bottle of wine, one of Curt’s favorites. It’s a win-win, giving us a quick prep for dinner with candlelight and also supporting a local business. In fact, you should check out owner Jeni’s huge efforts to help others and herself keep afloat during this time. We feel so fortunate to have chosen North Mankato as our community! 

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1 | Since our date nights have turned into date days, we are thankful in retirement to have choices for walks. Our favorite places would have to be our neighborhood catching up with friends for a quick chat. But we also enjoy escaping into Bluff Park's mini forest on a windy day or Spring Lake Park filled with nature: the beautiful pond giving way to ducks, geese, birds, cattails and other walkers with their four-legged furry friends, just to mention a few.

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

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u o Y Thank 209

The City of North Mankato and the North Mankato Police Reserves send a special thank you to James Albright for his years of service providing safety and security to the community as a member of the police reserves. Jim started his community service in 1998 as a North Mankato Volunteer Fire Fighter. He proceeded to join the North Mankato Police Reserves in 2009 and was promoted to the position of Sergeant in 2016. Sergeant Albright was always available when called upon to work community events, assist in public safety matters, and trainings. Greeting everyone with a smile, Jim embodies the values of community service and commitment to the events our community loves. Thank you Jim for your years of service to North Mankato!

Officer Brad Schultz #708 Reserve Chief Dave Kruger #801 North Mankato Police Department

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BY SUSIE SCHMITT

I am so thankful to be a part of a neighborhood where people look out for each other. We have had people find small things like lost keys by the mailbox, or mittens and hats left in a yard. We look out for each other’s packages on porches and share video camera footage of animals or other interesting things caught on tape. We have had neighbors start meal trains for people that are going through a serious illness. We also share information to help others. We exchange numbers for services like lawn care and landscaping, Christmas light installers and window washers. We share names of neighbor kids who are looking to babysit and share lots of recipes from our gatherings! It is not unusual to see people bringing in garbage cans, mowing a yard or snow blowing a driveway for their neighbors because they are out of town. They say it takes a village and I love ours. Now more than ever we are spending more time at home. Which makes me feel so lucky to be a part of the Coventry Heights neighborhood and community. One of the things I love is that we have our own neighborhood Facebook page run by Lynn Schreiner. It is a great way for us all to stay connected especially during the winter months when we all go into hibernation. She has started posting pictures of our new neighbors there along with a little bit about them which allows us to say a quick hello until we get a chance to meet them in person. It also serves as a great way to invite and include everyone to our neighborhood events of which there are many! In October we had a “Lawn Games tournament” for the adults. Complete with ten lawn games and some fun prizes. It was a COVID-friendly all-outdoor event. It was a beautiful fall day spent meeting new neighbors and catching up with old ones. We ended October with a “Halloween Puppy Parade” for the kids. It was a very windy day, but that did not stop around thirty of our Coventry Heights furry friends from showing up that morning for some fun! The dogs were all in costumes and paraded down Coventry Lane as fellow neighbors lined the sidewalks to watch. One favorite tradition that was started by Jean Ann Hastings is our BUNCO nights. We have put these gatherings on hold now due to COVID but normally we rotate hosts and houses and meet once a month. It’s a ladies’ night full of dice, food, wine, prizes and lots of laughs. Many wonderful

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

friendships have been formed from these nights. Amy Olsen was the first to join in on the World of Hearts Movement and told our Facebook page about it. Soon our neighborhood was flooded with hearts in the windows! Shari Harold suggested putting teddy bears in the windows so the neighbor kids could go on a “bear hunt” while out for a bike ride. Before you knew it, big and little bears appeared peeking out of the windows. Shari also organized graduation gift bags for every Coventry Heights 2019 senior to show them love and support during these uncharted times. Other events include, “Night to Unite,” Labor Day weekend potlucks, last day of school celebrations, Halloween “BOO” treats on doorsteps and “Fall Fest” for kids. We’ve also had Easter egg hunts and neighborhood clean-up days organized by Roxi Lang. Our neighbor Matt Downs built a huge snow hill in his yard for all the neighborhood kids to play on. It was made from snow removed from the parking lots of local businesses. These are just a few examples of the great sense of community here. Hopefully, this might inspire others to create their own Facebook page or start some fun traditions to welcome and include all the people in their own neighborhood. It’s like having a huge extended family right outside your front door. 

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Know the characteristics of your garden soil.

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Understand which plants do well in shade or sunlight, and how much sun your garden gets.

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Read, research and record successes and failures.

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Don’t worry about failure.

Hepatica can be identified by the distinctive, mottled leaves which turn a crimson color in the fall. In late winter, the bright red color of last year's leaves are a good indication of where the new blooms will appear come spring.

Climatis is a wonderful, colorful addition to any garden.

Getting to the root of what you need for a successful spring garden BY MIKE LAGERQUIST

When starting a garden, it’s good to keep these bits of information in mind, said two area Master Gardeners: Darlene Schorn of North Mankato and Barb Maher of Mankato. As Master Gardeners – a designation overseen by the Minnesota Extension Service that requires taking initial classes and updating knowledge annually, plus volunteering and sharing your knowledge – they have accrued horticultural knowledge that can benefit others. “Master Gardeners come from all walks of life,” said Schorn, who in addition to having flowers at home grows vegetables in a sunny garden on her sister’s farm. “We share gardening best practices that promote healthy landscapes, healthy foods and healthy lives.” And, of course, practices that lead to successful gardens!

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

Maher reminds prospective gardeners that nothing is permanent: “Get your hands in the soil and just enjoy it. And just remember, one nice thing about gardening is you can always compost your mistakes.” Not only can learning from failures be used when planning next year’s garden, but they can, literally, help fuel the next shot at success. To prove her point, Maher said lightly that she has killed as many plants as she has saved. “Because my yard over the years became shaded with tall trees, my small vegetable garden no longer had at least six good hours of sunshine,” Schorn said of her home garden. That’s what prompted her to move to her sister’s garden to grow vegetables. “I have a small front yard flower garden. Walkers stop and comment on how nice it looks and how much work it must be for me. I always comment back, ‘I’m 

Native in central and southern Minnesota, Virginia Bluebells are a hardy wildflower, and a nice addition to shady garden sites.

North Mankato’s River Meadows Community Gardens, located at 2000 Howard Drive behind Crossview Covenant Church, is currently reserving plots for the 2021 growing season. The 10-by-15-foot plots, where the daily sunlight is ideal, allows people to grow their own vegetables and flowers. A $30 fee covers water and the use of tools in the local, Earth-friendly garden. It is open to all residents of Nicollet and Blue Earth counties and is sponsored by the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). This gives an ideal opportunity to feed your families and grow extra to donate to the local food shelves. The gardens were established in 2010 by a group of five retirees. Some people join because they have no yards or inadequate yards of their own, though some join because they like the communal feel. Interested gardeners can email Theresa Ryg, garden manager, about plots and for more information: rivermeadowscg@gmail.com

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not working, I’m playing in my garden,’ ” Schorn said.

The second need for a successful garden is moisture: One advantage to planting in woodland areas is that years and years of fallen leaves means the soil is rich from compost and will retain moisture. Maher prefers compost to mulch because mulch that is used for decoration can suck out moisture and add chemicals such as nitrogen that can deter growth. Schorn lives along a ravine, so she has wildflowers such as Maidenfair fern, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Hepatica. After consulting with Seed to Site LLC in St. Peter, she extended the wildflower bed in the yard and enhanced the wildflower varieties with Virginia Bluebells, wild Sarsparilla and Baneberry. It now includes more than 50 different Minnesota varieties. As spring turns to summer, of course, the welcome sight will be vegetables. That means a great variety for Schorn. “Together, we grow most all common vegetables,” Schorn said of her shared garden. “Canning is a craft that I value, coming from my growing interests. Each year I can jars of pickled cucumbers, pickled beets and stewed tomatoes, to name a few.” More fun comes through experimentation with less popular vegetable varieties, such as fennel, leeks and various herbs. Schorn dreams of the upcoming season beginning in February and March, when stores start having seed packets available, and seed and plant catalogs arrive in the mail. This is also when Maher intensifies her reading. Schorn likes to draw up a plan on paper for what she would like to grow, being creative. While many people will start seeds in indoor pots, sometimes using a grow light, Schorn does not.

“I tend to put my seeds and plants directly into the soil each spring, reading on the packets the dates when the soil is warm enough to plant them,” she said. But pots on the deck with planted flowers and a tomato plant can also bring great enjoyment. And each year she takes houseplants outside and places them in the shaded area of her deck and yard. Learning continues for each, both as gardeners and as Master Gardeners. To maintain active Extension Master Gardener volunteer status, Schorn said they must complete at least 25 hours of volunteering and continuing education of 5-12 hours, depending on county requirements. To meet her volunteer hours, she has been involved with several community projects: as a consultant at the River Meadows Community Gardens of North Mankato (see accompanying story), as an assistant for the summer ACES children’s program at Hoover Elementary School where she assisted with their raised flower and vegetable beds, and has designed and maintained the VINE gardens. As a volunteer for the City of North Mankato, she assists and advises in the design and ordering of flowers for various parks. Another way the Master Gardeners give back is through a program that has played on Mankato public access TV for more than 30 years, Maher said. She was in an October program on wildflowers. KTV can be found on Channel 7 on Consolidated Communications, or Channel 181 on Spectrum. A program on early wildflowers will be broadcast at 6 pm Tuesday, Feb. 2, and 7:30 am on Thursday, Feb. 4. Other programs can be found online at accessktv.org/master-gardeners/  For more information about the Master Gardener program, visit: extension.umn.edu/master-gardener/ about-master-gardener WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

WILL TRAVEL

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WINTER CAMPING

A friend of mine is known for saying: “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” So, when another friend asked if I wanted to go Winter Camping, I replied: “Absolutely!” After all, why wouldn’t I want to combine two of my favorite activities: camping and snowshoeing into one activity! It is easy to come up with a long list of reasons not to brave the cold. For a true ‘Minnesotan’ one can either choose to embrace or merely survive winter. Nothing says embracing winter like winter camping. Before you rule it out, winter camping can be as robust as sleeping in a snow cave or tent pitched in the snow, or as mild as renting a 'Camp in" cabin in one of Minnesota's state parks. I have done all three, and each experience can be fun and rewarding. One’s first thoughts on winter camping: are how will I stay warm? In addition to the obvious answer of bringing plenty of warm clothes, the first key is a good supply of

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

BY JAY ZIELSKE

firewood to build a campfire. Next on the list is a warm sleeping bag. And finally, bring a positive ‘can do’ attitude! One of the first lessons a winter camper learns is that the first five minutes in your sleeping bag can be downright frigid until your body heat finally warms up in the sleeping bag. A ‘hot tip’ I learned from a seasoned winter camper is to boil water over the camp stove or fire, then fill a ‘Nalgene’ type water bottle with hot water. After securely sealing the cap roll the bottle into your sleeping bag five minutes before bedtime. To keep your feet warm throughout the night leave the bottle at the bottom of the sleeping bag. After several tenting experiences in the mountains of Montana a friend suggested that we step up our winter camping game by building a snow cave. Although building a snow cave is additional work compared to simply pitching a tent, it is far warmer on a cold winter’s night than sleeping in a tent. Yes, that’s right, warmer

than a tent! On a frosty night the temperature inside the four walls of a tent are not much warmer than the outside temperature. Inside a snow cave it’s never much colder than a ‘cozy’ 32 degrees.

Perhaps winter camping doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a winter adventure of your own. Some favorites include…

Your winter camping experience need not be as robust as building a snow cave or pitching a tent in the snow. Many of Minnesota’s state parks have ‘Camp In’ cabins available to reserve online. The cabins come complete with beds, heat and electricity. Bring your favorite crockpot recipe for chili or stew, plug it in before you head out the door for a hike. Then enjoy a bowl of chili around the campfire when you return. Locally, Minneopa and Flandrau State Parks have Camp In cabins Thursday through Sunday throughout the winter. Camp In cabins are popular, you will need to book in advance call 866.857.2757 or visit mndnr.gov.reservations

•

Snowshoeing – The great thing about snowshoeing is that anyone can do it! If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Local favorites are Seven Mile Creek county park, and Rasmussen Woods. Any of the nearby state parks provide great snowshoeing. Within North Mankato Bluff Park provides a great opportunity for snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

•

Fat Bike Riding – There are numerous opportunities locally if you have a fat tire bike or know of someone who can lend you theirs’. Once again Seven Mile Creek is an excellent local choice.

•

Frozen Falls – Winter visits to see the falls at Minneopa have always been a family favorite. This isn’t a ‘one and done’. Comeback every week or two. It is a treat to watch nature’s frozen waterfall sculpture as it evolves over the winter.

•

Sled Hikes – Have young ones whose legs are too short for snowshoeing? Pack the kids and a couple tub sleds and head off to a local park and pull them along the trail. On a trail with hills hop in at the top of the hill and slide down and continue your hike.

•

Backyard Campfire – Most everyone has built a campfire in their backyard fire ring in the spring, summer or fall. Why not in the winter? Make your favorite ‘hot winter drink’, build fire and bring chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers to make smores over a winter campfire.

Winter camping experiences can be as exotic as traveling to the mountains, or the wilds of northern Minnesota. But, there are plenty of opportunities right in our own backyard... both literally or figuratively. Nervous about how it might go? Pitch a tent or build a snow cave in your backyard and give it a try.

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Perhaps this year it’s winter camping or another local winter adventure! 

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

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Our Hy-Vee pharmacists are certified immunizers and are happy to provide a free immunization screening upon request. Hy-Vee offers flu vaccine, shingles vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccines, again usually covered by insurances.

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186

ENDING 2020 WITH SOME FUN.

We look forward to 2021!

194

BY DARLA MAKELA & STACY JACKSON, BOTH OF NORTH MANKATO

EMOTIONAL

PHYSICAL

Darla Makela, Certified Life & Health Coach and Master Transformational Mindset Coach. Her mission in life is to equip the world to live ON purpose with confidence and intention.

Stacy Jackson, Personal Trainer, find her on Facebook!

6 TIPS FOR STAYING MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY STRONG IN 2021

1. PRACTICE GRATITUDE Gratitude allows us to change our thought pattern to support positive emotions. Our thoughts create our feelings. Our feelings create our actions. Our actions create our results. When we focus on gratitude our thoughts will ultimately create powerful results! 2. CONNECT WITH OTHERS Human connection is one of our basic needs. We were not meant to do life alone. Find a community that you can get involved in. Maybe it is a church, a gym, a book club, a support group, etc. If you are not able to meet in person, find a way to connect virtually. 3. CREATE A PRACTICE OF SILENCE THROUGH PRAYER/MEDITATION By silencing our mind we can find relief from anxiety, fear, anger, and so many other emotions. When we spend time in prayer/meditation we're able to receive and be filled back up. 4. MOVE YOUR BODY Physical movement is a great way to relieve stress and keep our minds clear and strong. Focus on finding a form of movement that you enjoy. 20-30 minutes a day will help support your health in so many ways! 5. SET BOUNDARIES You may need to say goodbye to some things in your life to stay emotionally and mentally strong. Recognize what is draining you (clutter) and what is bringing you joy and focus on clearing the clutter as needed. 6. BREATHE! Remember to breathe those intentional breathes often referred to as deep breathing from the belly. This type of breathing is associated with many health benefits, from reducing stress to lowering blood pressure.

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

5 WAYS TO STAY PHYSICALLY STRONG IN YOUR OWN HOME IN 2021

Exercises you can do at home without equipment: 1. SQUATS Feet should be a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Keep your chest up and your butt out. Bring your elbows down to your knees and stand back up again. Repeat 15 times X 3 rounds. 2. WALL SITS Sit with you rback flat against the wall. Come down like you are sitting in a chair. Hold for 30-45 seconds x 3 rounds. 3. PUSH-UPS Hands should be just below your shoulders and a little wider than your shoulders. You can do push-ups on your knees or toes. Lead with your chest to the mat, then exhale as you push your body off the floor. Keep your body flat, don’t let your butt pop up. Repeat 15 times x 3 rounds. 4. TRICEP DIPS Sit on a chair. Place hands on the chair next to your legs fingertips facing out toward your feet. Slide your butt just off the chair, and let it come down as your elbows go straight back. Push yourself back up (keep your butt back near the edge of the chair). The further your feet go away from you, the harder they will be. Repeat 15 times x 3 rounds. 5. PLANK On your forearms, place your elbows under your shoulders. Keep your body flat. You can be on your knees or your toes. Hold for 45 seconds to 1 min x 3 rounds.

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YOU'VE BEEN

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Read and Return the Books

The surprise items that come with the books are yours to keep!

HERE'S HOW TO SIGN UP

1. Visit northmankato.com/taylorlibrary 2. Go to the Books, Movies & More Tab 3. Select Children, Teen or Adult Services 4. Click the green "You've Been Booked" button

THE BOOK REPORT

NORTH MANKATO TAYLOR LIBRARY

W I N T E R AU T H O R S E R I E S

W I N E A N D WO R DS BOOKCLUB IS R E AD IN G THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA By J. Ryan Stradal

Traci Lambrecht

William Kent Krueger

Allen Eskens

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January 14th 6-7:30pm via Zoom

February 11th 6-7:30pm via Zoom

NEXT MEETING January 26th, 6pm Sign up to get our emails by calling the library 345.5120

DID YOU KNOW? We check out Hot Spots, free Wi-Fi. 28

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

March 11th 6-7:30pm Police Annex

March 25th 6-7:30pm Police Annex

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Beautiful white sand beaches, blue waters, unique stone of Amber and Larimar, and dense palm trees!

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High Quality Auto Repairs for 40+ Years

Founded in 1979, Austin’s Auto Repair Center, Inc. is family-owned and operated. Our team of ASE Certified Technicians serves customers from North Mankato, MN and surrounding communities. From our beginning, our team has been committed to providing caring, family-friendly services and quality results. We service every make and model of vehicle and are focused on providing you with the best possible auto repair at a reasonable price.

Austin’s Auto Repair Center

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WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

H E R E TO R E M E M B E R

A team takes a break during the Anthony Ford Hockey Tournament

BY ASHLEY HANLEY

ord F y n o h t An

mbere

reme always

in the State of Hockey, many kids might learn to skate shortly after they learn to walk. And for the hockey-loving families across the region and state, another tradition has been participation in the Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament. The story of the tournament’s beginning is an impactful one for many living in our area. Anthony Ford was nine-years-old when he lost his courageous battle with cancer. “When he got sick, the entire hockey community rallied around him. It was so wonderful to have that support. Truly, there is nothing like a hockey family. You can’t even really put into words how close this community is and their willingness to do anything for their hockey families,” explains Robin Ford, Anthony’s mother. Even build a rink to host the tournament? The city of North Mankato did just that a few years back, adding to the legacy (originally the tournament was held on Lake Washington). “We moved the tournament so it could be in town,” Robin says. “We were approached from North Mankato as they

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

wanted to partner with us to bring something fun to the community during the winter. Since we’ve moved, we have gotten many more teams and hundreds of more spectators. North Mankato helped bring Michael and my dreams to life. The rink and the warming house honors Anthony and his legacy. Our dreams came to fruition much quicker by moving the tournament to Spring Lake Park.” However, like most everything during the pandemic, this year’s event has been postponed. But that hasn’t stopped the organizers, players, and volunteers from continuing to honor Anthony’s legacy. “If you ever had a chance to meet him, you would never know that he was sick. He was so strong and always worried about other people,” reflects Ford. Anthony was bright, outgoing, and compassionate with a love for life. Throughout his 18-month battle, Anthony lived his life to the fullest, determined never to allow his disease to interfere with doing things that he loved. “Anthony was a tremendous hockey fan. He loved everything to do with hockey, the people, the game, and the excitement. In addition to playing knee hockey and PS2 hockey, he also played with the Mankato Hockey Association. We even had Maverick season tickets. He became really good friends with the Maverick hockey team, his life revolved around hockey.”

In the spirit of Anthony’s dream of playing hockey, friends and family founded the Anthony Ford Committee in 2007. Its goal is to establish a fund to help find a cure for childhood leukemia and help other young hockey players. The committee has since donated more than $400,000 to Pediatric Cancer Research and helping youth play hockey. “The Anthony Ford Fund also provides resources for youth scholarships for disadvantaged kids through United Way’s Connecting Kids program. We are also earmarking reserves for future hockey programs and equipment. Our long-term goal is to one day participate in building an ice arena for youth hockey in Anthony’s memory,” states their mission statement. Although the pain and grief never really go away for Anthony’s family, his mom, Robin, finds comfort in sharing the many wonderful stories and memories she and the community shared with dear Anthony. "There are times when it is difficult when it brings back all of those memories and all of those feelings. When you look back, this all started with MSU hockey player Matt Tyree, Larry Wild, and his wife Ellen. The three got together and suggested starting a hockey tournament to keep Anthony and his legacy alive. It was Matt that said, ‘Let's do a pond hockey tournament in his name’ and that's how it all started," said Ford. "It brings comfort to Michael and me to see kids and adults playing while learning about Anthony’s passion for life, community, and love of the game. Even though he was

sick, Anthony was always thinking of others. I remember one MSU hockey player told the Free Press that 'when we came to see him, we were supposed to make him feel better, but he made us feel better.'" His impact and short life have been remembered throughout the Mankato hockey community as well. A banner bearing his name hangs in the civic center during Maverick games to remind us of his courage, determination, and dream of playing in the NHL. Anthony dreamed of one day playing in the NHL as the “Next Great One.” Before his passing, Anthony had the opportunity to meet his mentor and hero, the original “Great One”, Wayne Gretzky. Anthony’s mom Robin never imagined how “great” the Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament and its benefactors would grow into what it is today. "It makes me so proud and pulls at my heartstrings to have a parent from MAHA approach me to say 'Thank you', or when a mom comes up to me in a restaurant and says, ‘Because of you my kids were able to play hockey, and now one of them plays college hockey’. This truly makes me so proud of the boy that Anthony was." 

The b attle o

n the

ice he a

ts up

The Kato Glass

WINTER 2021

each w

inter!

team never miss

es a year!

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

 The Anthony Ford Committee raises money for the

Anthony Ford Fund primarily through two events, the annual silent auction and the annual outdoor pond hockey classic. Funds raised at these events provide research resources to the Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia. “It is just wonderful to hear that the money is helping kids survive,” Ford said. For more than a decade, the Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Tournament has drawn thousands of players and fans to play in honor and memory of the world’s littlest, biggest hockey fan. In January 2009, the pond hockey tradition began on Lake Washington, about 10 miles outside of Mankato. The journey started by building rinks of snow and has since evolved into 12 new rinks with NiceRink boards. In 2016, the event moved to Spring Lake Park in beautiful lower North Mankato, which the group says has proven to be a wonderful setting for pond hockey. A lasting impact from an inspiring young man.

“Anthony is always coming up with ways for us to help others,” said Robin. Not even a pandemic can stop his love and passion for his community. You can still donate at their website anthonyford99.com. Ford says they are also looking at doing an online silent auction. Although players won’t be lacing up for the tournament this year, Anthony’s legacy continues to grow for a young man who certainly earned his name as the “Next Great One.” “I think with everything that’s going on with the pandemic Anthony would tell us to always be kind, give hugs, live life, and don’t be afraid to tell others that you love them,” said Ford. Words of wisdom through a young boy that was well beyond his years. “Keep doing the things you love and live life to the fullest. They may look different now but do them anyway.” 

Your hometown home & auto team When you go with State Farm®, you get neighborly service and a local agent — all for a surprisingly great rate. Give us a call and get a quote today. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Bristol Insurance Agency 870 Madison Ave. Mankato, MN 56001

507.345.3663 lonnie@lonniebristol.com 200

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

Struggling with relationship concerns? Experience with trauma past or present? Feeling isolated & alone due to COVID-19?

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*APR= Annual Percentage Rate. 2.99% variable APR for terms up to 180 months. 2.99% APR is in effect for first 12 months on new Home Equity Line of Credits with LTV < 70%. LTV 71%-80% = 3.49%, LTV 81%-90% = 4.24%, . After 12 months the normally indexed rate of 4.50% APR will apply. The rate is a variable rate and the maximum rate that may apply is 15.00% APR. Offer only applicable for new and refinanced Home Equity Lines of Credit. In most cases,000 MVFCU will pay closing costs up to $450 if standard conditions are met. Certain restrictions may apply. Appraisal fee not included in closing cost estimates. Early termination occurs when loan is satisfied. If early termination occurs, any closing costs paid by MVFCU must be repaid by borrower. Rate, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Loans are subject to creditworthiness. This offer is subject to normal credit qualifications. Some additional restrictions may apply. Speak with a loan officer for complete details.

GEAR UP FOR WINTER

183

WINTER GEAR FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

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NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

TAX TIME BY JILL KLOOSTER, KITCHENMASTER, KLOOSTER & BEGALKA, NORTH MANKATO

A look at how you can make the most of your money during this unusual tax season.

INDIVIDUALS Retirement Fund Withdrawals If you qualify for a coronavirus-related distribution (CRD) from your qualified retirement fund (certain employer retirement plans, such as section 401(k) and 403(b) plans, and IRAs) in 2020, it will not be subject to a 10% early-withdrawal penalty. The distribution will be taxable, but taxes can be spread over three years. You can also put the funds back into the plan within three years and it will be considered a rollover and nontaxable. If you qualify for the CRD, this may be a way to fill up lower tax brackets if you think tax rates may increase in the future. Required Minimum Distributions Required minimum distributions (RMDs) for IRAs and defined contribution plans, such as profit sharing and 401(k) plans, are waived for 2020. This includes your first RMD if you reached age 70½ during 2019. If you have already received an RMD in 2020, you may be able to “roll it” back into the plan within 60 days and not have to pay taxes on that amount. Tip: You may still want to take your RMD for 2020 if you think tax rate will increase in the future. Charitable Contributions For taxpayers who take the standard deduction, the CARES Act allows a $300 “above-the-line” deduction for cash contributions made to qualified charities. For those who itemize, the law lifts the 60% of adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation, on cash contributions. Individuals can elect to deduct donations up to 100% of their 2020 AGI Note: Donations to donor-advised funds and supporting organizations do not qualify. Stimulus Payments The $1,200 for individuals & $2,400 for married taxpayers stimulus payment, officially known as a “Recovery Rebate,” was an advance refundable tax credit on 2020 taxes. Since the stimulus payment was either based on your adjusted gross income (AGI) for 2018 or 2019, but

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

technically applies to your 2020 AGI, there may be some discrepancies that will be reconciled on your 2020 tax return. If it turns out you received too much, you can keep the overage. If it turns out you did not receive enough, you can claim the additional amount owed to you when you file your 2020 taxes in 2021! Minnesota Tip: MN puts a value on education. Keep track of your k-12 expenses for required classroom supplies, classroom fees/tuition/entrance fees on class field trips, and educational equipment like musical instruments and calculators. You may be eligible for a Minnesota tax credit or deduction.

BUSINESS RELATED PPP Loans – What you need to know before seeking forgiveness The CARES act established a loan program under the SBA called the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). The legislation indicated that if your PPP loan monies were spent on certain expenses within a certain time frame, the PPP loan would be forgiven and the forgiveness of the PPP loan would not be taxable income. IRS stepped in and took the position that while the PPP loan forgiveness would not be taxable income that would mean under their interpretation of the internal revenue code the expenses paid with such non-taxable income would then be non-deductible expenses. The IRS position in effect makes the PPP loan forgiveness taxable income in a back door approach. We are still waiting for guidance from Congress as to their true intent on whether PPP loan forgiveness was meant to be completely tax free. A bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to provide a fix to this issue and was sent to the Senate where the bill has not been taken up. In the meantime, the Senate was putting together their own fix to the issue. With the election taking place there has been no further action to date. With clarification from Congress being in limbo, do not rush to seek PPP loan forgiveness:

As it stands, if your PPP loan is not forgiven, you do not have to begin making payments on the loan until 10 months after your covered period ends. Your covered period is the time period you had to spend your PPP loan proceeds on appropriate expenses. The covered period was 8 weeks for PPP proceeds received prior to June 5, 2020 and 24 weeks for PPP proceeds received thereafter. On a worst case timeline with an 8 week covered period that would mean loan payments would not have to begin until around April 1, 2021. For example, if you received PPP loan proceeds on April 10, 2020 and had an eight week covered period until June 5 then adding ten months from June 5 would take you out until April 5, 2021 before you have to begin making loan payments if your loan has not been forgiven.

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This will give some time to see if Congress can get something passed to clarify the issue of non-taxable income/nondeductible expenses.

Call 507-345-6653

In the meantime, if your loan has not been forgiven in 2020, you should still be able to deduct the expenses paid with those loan proceeds in 2020 since you were not certain of loan forgiveness at that time. If your PPP loan is ultimately forgiven in 2021, and no action has been taken by Congress by that time, you would then have to consider recovering your deductible 2020 expenses in 2021. By not rushing to seek PPP loan forgiveness, you will create the potential flexibility in determining which year you would have to report the income if Congress doesn’t act. 206

WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

PERFECT

ROSE-BASIL-BUTTER STEAKS WITH ROASTED POTATOES TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS

From South Central College Culinary Arts Student: Sam Merritt

The flavors of the meat and potatoes need a complex red, medium body, and a good structure wine to create a balance of flavor in the mouth. The higher alcohol and tannins with the two following wines would be a perfect pairing.

6 Red Potatoes

Pinch of salt

2 T Mrs. Dash

Pinch of pepper

Olive oil

7 T butter, divided

4 beef tenderloin steaks to the size you like

2 c diced grape tomatoes

$ Cabernet Sauvignon from The Big Red Monster, AVA Paso Robles

2 tsp minced fresh basil

DIRECTIONS 1.

Cut steaks into clean hearts, note not the hearts from the human body, but the comical hearts found for love. Save the scraps, they can be used for breakfast or for topping of other smaller meals.

Cut the potatoes in to 6’s, such as you would a lemon, coat in the Mrs. Dash powder, ensure that the amount goes to all of them. Place on a tray coated in olive oil and place in a oven at 400F, sit and bake for 17-19 min.

Meanwhile, sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. In a cast-iron or other skillet of your choice, brown steaks in 2 tablespoons butter. Add tomatoes to skillet. Bake, uncovered, at 400F until meat reaches desired doneness, 20-23 minutes for average “well” ness.

In a small bowl, combine basil and remaining butter and pour that overtop the heart steaks. Serve with potatoes on the side. And do not forget the wine, have a good one ol' champ.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is made of three grapes: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 10% Petite Sirah. This dry red wine comes from a unique area in California where the extremes in daily temperature make the skin of the grapes develop a particular aroma which improves the fruitiness of the wine. Taste and Sensation: This is a nice complex Cabernet Sauvignon with a full ruby red color. The nose will pick up a variety of fruit and distinct flavors of blackberries and cherries. The balance of acidity and saltiness and the complex structure make it a perfect pairing with steak.

$$ Rosso Di Montalcino from Il Poggione, Toscana, Italia, DOC classification This wine is 100% Sangiovese grapes with 14% alcohol. Taste and Sensation: This is a perfect dry red wine with smooth tannins and a long and persistent finish in the mouth. Sangiovese clones in Montalcino are unique as they give the flavor of a nice dark-chocolate, fresh dark cherries, and blond tobacco. Aged in a French oak barrel for 12 months gives this wine a nice structure and is perfect for pairing with meats and mediumstrength cheeses.

+ P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D B Y

WINE & SPIRITS 38

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

To create a pleasing harmony of flavors in your mouth choose a sparkling drink with a fruity flavor to balance the fattiness of the custard.

BY JEN AND EDI CUCURULLO, SOMMELIER ITALIAN SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION

H E R E T O E AT

PAIRING

TRES LECHES FRENCH TOAST TOTAL TIME 30 MINUTES From South Central College Culinary Arts Student: Ana Garcia Castellanos INGREDIENTS 10–14 slices of your favorite bread

1 tsp vanilla extract

1–14 oz can condensed milk

3 eggs

1–12 oz can evaporated milk 1 cup whole milk

To Make: Squeeze ½ lime into a cocktail shaker with 6 ice cubes, mix in 1 ½ ounce vodka of choice, add ½ cup mixed berry juice and shake it up for 10 seconds. Pour the mixture into a tumbler with ice cubes, add prosecco to fill the glass, add two drops of angostura bitters, stir, garnish, and enjoy!

¼ tsp cinnamon Butter for frying

DIRECTIONS 1.

To make the custard, combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Dip the bread in the custard and coat both sides.

Fry bread slices until golden brown on both sides.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

$ Mixed Fruit Spritzer This drink will combine nicely with the Tres Leches French Toast because of the sparkling prosecco and the mixed berry fruit juice.

SERVES 4

$$ La Risata Rosé This Italian sparkling Rosé is made of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir.

VEGAN TRES LECHES CUSTARD

Taste and Sensation: This semi-dry wine has a nice perception of fresh strawberries and raspberries and gives a sweetness to the tongue. The persistent bubbles work to create a great sensation between the fried French toast and fruit filled freshness.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup almond milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup oat milk

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 cup of coconut milk

In the end, any plantbased milk that you like goes perfectly well.

1 Tsp of chia seeds ½ cup of sugar

DIRECTIONS Mix all the ingredients together in a pot and bring to boil. Let it simmer for 20 minutes. Let it cool down in your fridge before use. Then, follow the same instructions above to make the toast.

NOTES • Substitute butter for vegetable oil if you desire • Choose a GF bread to make this recipe gluten-free • Garnish with berries—the acidity in the berries and the toast's sweetness match just perfectly • This recipe is sweet enough, but you can add maple syrup and/or whipped cream at the end

S H O P L O C A L & S AV E LOCATED NEXT TO HILLTOP HY-VEE 2010 Adams Street, Mankato | 507-625-1107

WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

TAKEOUT

Local eateries & pubs need our help more than ever during these challenging times. To best support these businesses please consider ordering takeout, curbside pick up or delivery. For up-to-date information please visit participating Facebook pages.

Offering a wide variety of tap beers ranging from craft beers to classic domestics. Open 7 days a week for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Check us out on Facebook for updates.

Spinner's has been part of the North Mankato community for over 75 years and we're looking forward to serving you for another 75!

Big Dog Sports Cafe is located in upper North Mankato. Offering a full menu of delicious lunch and dinner items. Gift cards available, just give us a call.

thenakato.com

507.388.8999

507.386.8463

253 Belgrade Ave., North Mankato

1712 Commerce Dr., North Mankato

HEADQUARTERS

charcuterie

507.625.9751 301 Belgrade Ave., North Mankato

Shop our selection of boards, bread kits, beverage sugars, custom mixes and serving accessories. Great for Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Birthdays, Special Anniversaries and Small Company Celebrations.

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229 BELGRADE AVENUE NORTH MANKATO P 507.720.0321

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

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GET READY TO GEAR UP FOR 2021! JP Fitness is a premier Personal Training Studio, located on the beautiful hilltop of Mankato.

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BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS. FOCUSED ON PEOPLE. ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY. 507.387.6836 | APXCONSTRUCTIONGROUP.COM WINTER 2021

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE

H E R E TO G R OW

F RA NDS E N BANK P ROG RE SS

As can be seen, construction is well underway. We are excited to be able to complete construction of our new building with little to no interruption to our customers. Depending on weather, we are hoping to be in our new building by summer of 2021. Frandsen Bank is proud to continue to be part of the North Mankato community for many years to come. Our new building will make it easier, safer, and more efficient for our customers to make trips to the bank. Our motto is “Everything local and Everything Easier”, so our building was designed to do exactly that! NICK HINZ – PRESIDENT, FRANDSEN BANK & TRUST

So far we have exceeded expectations on progress of the project due to seasonally warm weather and great sub-contractors. It has been fun to see the new lower north Mankato skyline take shape. We are just beginning exterior framing to enclose the structural steel main frame. The building will really start to take shape at a rapid pace now. It's fun to check in on our time lapses featured on Facebook JOEY BARR – PROJECT MANAGER APX CONSTRUCTION GROUP

Designs That Withstand the Test of Time

Designed in collaboration with WiDSETH Architects, Mankato

Beth Fasnacht, NCIDQ Interior Designer, Owner

COLLABORATING WITH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS FOR OVER A DECADE

timelessinteriorsmn.com | 507.351.5214

NORTH KATO MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

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THE POWER

TO RESTORE DAMAGED BONES & JOINTS WITHOUT SURGERY.

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It is called stem cell therapy and it uses your OWN body’s blood and tissues to help treat your pain. The procedure has to be performed correctly, which few can do. But in the hands of an expert like Dr. David Crane stem cell therapy has the potential to change lives. It can reduce the effects of arthritis and help injuries to bones and joints heal. Stem cell therapy can replace pain with hope. It can return athletes to the playing field and grandparents back to the lives they want to live. To learn more please visit bluetailmedicalgroup.com or call Kathy Nelson at 507-385-4014.

Dr. David Crane, MD A Leader in Regenerative Medicine Dr. Crane is a leader in regenerative medicine, including stem cell and platelet rich plasma therapies and provides therapy locally at Mankato Clinic’s location in North Mankato.

bluetailmedicalgroup.com STEM CELL THERAPY THE POWER TO HEAL IS IN YOUR BLOOD.