Issuu

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

"They were IKEA

before IKEA"

How Jody Kingrey revolutionized retail

THE ROCHIES

Some of 2023’s strangest stories.

FINANCIAL

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CE R’ S N E I ER TE

EXP CHES

A ANU

02 4

,2 — 21

Special Menu. Special Price.

Presented By:

SPECIAL WEEK.

Embark on a culinary journey during Experience Rochester’s Restaurant Week, with more than 30 participating restaurants offering diverse menus to satisfy every taste and budget. Celebrate Rochester’s dynamic culinary scene. For a list of participating restaurants and more info, visit:

RochesterRestaurantWeek.com 6

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

CONTENTS

JANUARY 2024

34 66

Features

24 ‘They were IKEA before IKEA’

How Jody Kingrey—Rochesterite, World War II Red Cross officer-turned retail guru—helped drive the Scandinavian design craze and revolutionize retail.

34 The Rochies, 2023

City officials sent out a maintenance crew to destroy the “anatomically correct” male snowman. It’s The Rochies, our annual look back at the best (read: strangest) stories of the past year.

48 Your Financial Dos for 2024

Area experts pass along those can’t-miss financial tips.

60 Earl Wood, Part II

Two more quick stories from Life At High G-Force: The Quest of Mayo Clinic Researcher Dr. Earl H. Wood.

Junk Drawer

11 Shortcuts

It’s Rochester Restaurant Week (Special Menu. Special Price. Special Week.); Lonestar brings their ‘90s country to Treasure Island; The phone for “goodbyes”; Three Ways You Can Help ...; more.

12 Oddchester 13 Random Rochesterite

Adam Gehling, an advertising account manager for the Post Bulletin, talks about growing up on a farm, playing college football, and four-wheeling in the jungle.

23 Three Ways You Can Help One group doing good in Rochester. And how you can help.

58 The Walk Through

Inside one cool home you could own right now.

66 Ten (or so) questions

Abe Kamara talks about growing up in Liberia, escaping the Liberian Civil War, and his first day in the U.S., when they landed during a Minnesota winter (“We were like, ‘Who left the refrigerator open?’”).

On the cover: Jody Kingrey, photo courtesy Patrick Albergo. See our “They Were IKEA Before IKEA” story on page 24. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

Junk Drawer

Three things you didn’t know about this month’s issue. Until now. 1. We love supporting Rochester restaurants. And we love promoting area events. So, sponsoring Experience Rochester’s second annual Restaurant Week was a natural fit. Also, because we got to use a headline entitled “Save The Plate.” It’s a simple concept: During the week of January 15, participating restaurants set a special menu with a fixed price for Restaurant Week, generally including an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Special Menu. Special Price. Special Week. Here’s your chance to support those local restaurants, and it’s as easy as checking out the full list of participating restaurants and menus at: www.rochesterrestaurantweek.com. 2. We love supporting the Rochester Area Builders. And we love promoting area events. So, promoting the RAB’s 4th annual Home Show was a natural fit. Also, because we got to use a headline entitled “Home Show, Sweet Home Show.” (It’s not as good as “Save The Plate,” but still.) The 45th annual Home Show is set for Feb. 2-4 at Mayo Civic Center. More than 100 different area exhibitors across the home improvement industry will be on hand to answer questions, share information, or help plant the seed on the next home project. Check out www.rochesterareabuilders.com/home-show for info. 3. We love ... OK. That’s probably enough.

THE POST BULLETIN COMPANY Publisher FORUM COMMUNICATIONS CO. Editor STEVE LANGE 507-285-7770 slange@rochestermagazine.com Advertising Director TESSA OLIVE 507-281-7469 tolive@rochestermagazine.com Advertising ADAM GEHLING LOGAN ODELL LISA SCHELL advertising@rochestermagazine.com Graphic Designers MOLLIE BURLINGAME BETH KROHN Associate Editor JENNIFER HAUGEN KOSKI Contributing Writers ALEXA ANDERSON HADLEY LANGE ELLIOT MANN THOMAS WEBER E. ANDREW WOOD Photo Supervisor JOE AHLQUIST Contributing Photographers KEN KLOTZBACH OLIVE JUICE STUDIOS

GET HOME DELIVERY!

For $29.95, you’ll get a year’s subscription to Rochester Magazine. Or $50 for two years. $65 for three years. Just call 507-285-7676.

Volume twenty-five I Number one Rochester Magazine is produced monthly by the Rochester Post Bulletin, and distributed throughout Rochester, MN. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. Editor, Rochester Magazine, 1700 Greenview Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 or SLange@rochestermagazine.com. Call 507-285-7676 for home delivery ($29.95 for 11 issues).

JANUARY 2024

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90s+Country=Lonestar BY HADLEY LANGE

Lonestar–the country music group from Nashville, one of the defining Country radio artists of the 90s–has been a musical staple for more than 30 years, and they have the album sales (10 million and counting) to prove it.

The last country song to achieve that feat before them? “Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983.

2.5 MILLION: Monthly Spotify listeners. Spotify recommends the band for fans of Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, and Trisha Yearwood.

their top hits re-recorded with new vocals by Drew Womack (after the departure of former lead vocalist Richie McDonald).

1992: Michael Britt, Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater,

9: Singles that reached number 1 on the Hot Country

TEN TO 1: The band’s newest album, featuring 10 of

Richie McDonald, and John Rich formed the band. Three of the original members (Britt, Sams, and Rainwater) are still playing with Lonestar today.

Songs chart: “No News,” “Come Cryin’ to Me,” “Amazed,” “Smile,” “What About Now,” “Tell Her,” “I’m Already There,” “My Front Porch Looking In,” and “Mr. Mom.”

2000: The year that Lonestar’s song “Amazed,” from the album of the same name, hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs Chart.

Lonestar, joined by special guest Thompson Square, is playing at Treasure Island on Friday, February 9 at 8pm. Tickets start at $29; ticasino.com, 800-222-7077.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

oddchester

‘Tell me three things.’ BY STEVE LANGE

One, I got everything moved into my new apartment. Two, my new apartment only has a mini fridge. Three, my new apartment does not have a stove.” Daughter Emma, 16, is four months into a year of living in Belgium, where she is spending her junior year of high school as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

A number of years ago, wife Lindy, probably after one of our kids gave her a one-word answer to some important question, started using the phrase “Tell me three things.” Tell me three things that happened at school today. Tell me three things you did on your field trip. Tell me three things that you saw at ski club. I say “probably after one of our kids gave her a one-word answer,” above. But there’s a good chance that her “three things" phrase started after I came back from my first weeklong motorcycle trip nearly 20 years ago. Because, after rarely hearing from me for that week, Lindy and I sat down to dinner and she asked how the trip—to Colorado then New Mexico and back—went. I said something like “good. ” And then we both sat there in silence, with Lindy staring at me in disbelief, and me oblivious, chewing away. I only remember that story so well because Lindy repeats it on a regular basis. "Tell me three things” has been so persistent, so ubiquitous, that the kids have been conditioned to answer before being prompted. “We had a Halloween party at our house and then went out last night,” daughter Hadley, 25, was telling Lindy and me on a recent call. “Three things ... hmmmm. Four of us dressed up as Webkinz. We had to wait in line for two hours to get into the club. Then Maddie lost her phone and we had to go back and find it.” When we called son Henry, then 20, for the first time after he had just moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, he answered the phone and simply said, “I’m walking into a job interview. 12

JANUARY 2024

Last week, she Zoomed us from atop the Eiffel Tower during a trip to Paris. “I got 24,000 steps today!" she told us, and without even waiting for the question, said, “Three things we did? One. We climbed the Arc de Triomphe! Two. We tried the most amazing macarons, those little colorful cookies! Three. We ate at a French Burger King! And I’ve never even eaten at an American Burger King!” Emma is our youngest child, and was our only kid still at home. Lindy and I spent a lot of time with Emma. Our 16-year-old daughter actually wanted to do stuff with us. So, with her gone for the year, Lindy and I have tried to fill in those gaps as new, and unexpected, empty nesters. We drove to LaCrosse and took a horsedrawn carriage ride through their Christmas light display. We went to “Catan Night” at LTS Brewing. Lindy has threatened to buy us snowshoes. We bought a refillable popcorn bucket for Wehrenberg Theatres. Lindy ordered “stargazing chairs.” In December, we drove to St. Paul to see Rick Steves—live!—at the Fitzgerald Theater. Rick Steves is the travel guy from PBS.

With just Lindy and me left at the house, more and more of the “Tell me three things” focus has fallen on me. Tell me three things about tonight's chess club. Tell me three things about skiing at Steeplechase. Tell me three things you liked best about seeing Rick Steves—live!—at the Fitzgerald Theater. It’s been effective. I now find myself walking into the house and automatically and subconsciously saying things like “Back from my hike. Saw an eagle. Saw another eagle. Found an old rotary phone in the woods that said it was for calling dead people.” For quite a few years, for Christmas, Lindy has insisted that every one of us write a little note for the other family members with Three Things I Like About You. So, when we open our stockings, we each have four notes with three sentences or so each. A dozen things people in your family like about you. I still have a few stashed in my wallet from through the years. I’ll pull them out every so often, just to read, from then-8year-old Hadley: “One thing I like about you is that you let me style your hair.” And from then-12-year-old Henry: “I like that you are the only real threat to beat me when we play family card games.” And from Emma, when she was 6: “I like you because you’re my dad and I have to.”

"Tell me three things” has been so persistent, so ubiquitous, that the kids have been conditioned to answer before being prompted. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

shortcuts

RandomRochesterite One resident, numerous anecdotes |

By JENNIFER KOSKI Photo by MAYA GIRON

Name: Adam Gehling Age: 25 Occupation: Advertising account manager for the Post Bulletin Where we found him: Sitting at his desk Are you originally from Rochester? I am from Stewartville. Graduated high school in 2016, and then I went to Upper Iowa University. It’s a Division II school in Fayette, Iowa. I played football there. What position? I was a linebacker in college. In high school, I was on the offensive and defensive line. We made it to the semi-finals my junior and senior years in high school, and played the same team, Becker, both years. Pretty sure they won it both years, too. It was a lot of fun, though. What was your college mascot? The peacock. I think we were one of only two colleges in the country that have peacocks as their mascot. What’s the highlight from your football career? I would probably say the camaraderie we all had. We had 30-some seniors playing in high school, and the way our class stuck together—it was a lot of fun. A lot of my best friends today were part of that football team. What might I be surprised to learn about you? I am one of nine. I’m the ninth kid in my family. I have five older brothers and three sisters. From oldest to youngest, we’re 18 years apart. What are your family get-togethers like? We do all get together for holidays, or at least everyone who can make it. When we get the total family together, with aunts and uncles, we usually have to rent a space. But even just all of us in my immediate family, it’s a lot! I have 18 nephews and nieces already and No. 19 and 20 are on the way.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

What are four things you love? Family and friends. I love sports. And I love food. What’s your favorite professional sport to watch? I’d have to say football. I’m a huge Vikings fan. And for baseball, it’s the Twins. I’m an all-Minnesota fan. Favorite food? That’s tough. I’d probably have to say anything pasta related. If I’m cooking myself, I usually keep it simple with spaghetti and Texas toast. My mom always made pizza hotdish, and I don’t even know what’s all in it—but it’s noodles and meat and then you cover it in mozzarella cheese and put it back in the oven and bake it. And then you scoop it out and the cheese is hanging off the spoon. It was always super good. Yeah, that sounds amazing. If I was talking to 5-year-old Adam, who would he say his hero is? My mom and dad. When I was a kid, I always said I was never going to move out. I said I was going to live at home forever. My parents had and raised nine kids, and did so much for my family. Who do you consider a hero now? My siblings. Being the ninth in my family, they were my role models as I was growing up. They laid the foundation for how to be a good person—how to work hard and go about day-to-day life. I always looked up to all my siblings, so I’d say they’re all the heroes in my life.

Best concert you’ve been to? I’ve been to quite a few shows—I go to Country Fest, a lot of shows like that. It’s hard to choose, but I did go to one at the Gopher’s stadium in high school. Luke Bryan was the headliner, and then it was Thomas Rhett and Lee Brice and more. First kiss? Middle school in between the lockers at the end of the day. Classic awkward moment. Biggest adventure? As far as a literal vacation, four friends and I went on a Caribbean cruise two years ago. That was a blast. We went four-wheeling in the jungle in Roatan Bay, and it was downpouring. And that’s perfect for four-wheeling in the jungle. We were on a dirt path and it was all muddy, so we were able to go around corners fast and whip shitties. If it didn’t rain, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun! Then, on top of that, we left out of New Orleans, so we got to spend one night on Bourbon Street before we left. That was quite the place. I mean, just the things you see. Advice you live by? I grew up on a farm, so there was a lot of rock picking and work. And something we always said was, “Work hard, play hard.” That’s something that sticks with me. I’m definitely a hard worker and I’m motivated—and then I like to enjoy the reasons I work, too. To live and have fun and enjoy yourself, to go on vacation and do the things you want to do. I definitely feel like I live that way.

JANUARY 2024

JANUARY

SUNDAY

7 LET YOUR GEEK FLAG FLY. The Rochester Comic & Toy

MONDAY

QUEEN’S GAMBIT… THE GAME! You don’t need to be a

your year off right with a guided hike at Whitewater State Park. Lots of snow? They’ll switch to snowshoes instead. There’s also a Christmas Bird Count with treats, a fire, and (hopefully) lots of birds to be counted. dnr.state.mn.us, 651-296-6157

A LOOK THROUGH PB HISTORY. The Post Bulletin

Show, hosted by Quad Con, is at the Apache Mall. Get Funko Pops, comic books, and original art for your favorite franchises and meet other superfans. quadcitycon.com

When Soldiers Field freezes over, it turns into a super cool (heh) wintertime attraction for Rochesterites. Might as well take advantage!

has lasted this long—this is year 70— because of its nonstop, topnotch talent including singers, dance troupes, bands and more. Watch the 20 straight hours of action (and fundraising) live at Mayo Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday. eaglescancertelethon.org

Day with the annual We Have a Dream Celebration at the Mayo Civic Center. This event, in partnership with the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, commemorates the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. business.rochestermnchamber. com, 507-288-1122

BIO TERRAINS. The Rochester Art Center hosts Bio Terrains, a multimedia art gallery by Minneapolisbased artist Jane Powers. Powers uses this space to explore destruction and creation through topics like war and stem-cell advancements. rochesterartcenter.org

A TALENT SHOW FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The Eagles Cancer Telethon

28 CHRONIC CONNECTION.

JANUARY 2024

chess expert like Beth Harmon (or Gary Kasparov) to join the Rochester Chess Club. Come to the Harwick Building today (or any Tuesday) for a game or two and maybe some pointers from one of Rochester’s finest players. rochesterchess.com

presents Photos from the PB: Then and Now (with Photo Editor Joe Ahlquist). See some of the city’s most important moments captured through the (almost) 100 years of the Post Bulletin. Free and open to the public. (But you must register at 125livemn.org).

at Dunn Brothers North for one of Rochester Running Club’s OSS off season runs (happening most Sundays at various locations in Rochester). These runs range from 6-10 miles, with running groups of various speeds, and end with a breakfast back at Dunn Bros.! rochesterrunningclub.org

FIRST DAY, FIRST HIKE. Start

WE HAVE A DREAM CELEBRATION. Celebrate MLK

TAKE A POLAR RUN. Meet

2024

TUESDAY

Morgan Fitzgerald, a neuroscience PhD student with chronic pain, hosts “Artful Healing: Navigating Chronic Pain through Creative Expression” at the Rochester Art Center. rochesterartcenter.org

GO OLD-SCHOOL SNOW TUBING.

STRAP ON SOME SKATES.

POND HOCKEY SLED DIVISION. It’s the last day of

The snow tubing at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch (in Stewartville) feels like something we would have done as kids in the late ‘70s (JK I’m 24). Which is exactly why we love it. ironwoodsprings.com, 507-533-4315

the 19th annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in Minneapolis. While there are the traditional men’s and women’s divisions there are also opportunities for hockey late bloomers (benders) and a sled division. uspondhockey.com

30 SNOW MUCH FUN! Travel

BRINGING FAIRYTALES TO LIFE. Previous Ice Castles have

featured bridges, tunnels, a slide, and plenty of cool lighting. This year’s, in Maple Grove, promises the same. icecastles.com, 888-407-4054

dangerously fast on a thin piece of plastic. The city lists two official sledding hills, Judd Park (3812 Third St. NW) and Schmidt Park (622 24th Ave. NW). Judd can get a little crazy. Schmidt seems a bit milder. This is oldschool sledding, just how we like it.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

WEDNESDAY

LITERACY FOR LITTLES!

Join the Rochester Public Library for preschool storytime. Your little one can learn and make friends in this song-singing, story-reading, rhyme-timing bi-monthly event. rplmn.org, 507-328-2300

THE WRITERS ROOM.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

POLAR BEAR 5K. The Rochester

NEW SKILL FOR A NEW YEAR.

GO TO KELLOGG. FOR A LARK.

Glance through the display cases, which feature a collection of 25,000 antique and vintage toys, check out the fun-house mirrors and ride the hand-carved carousel creatures before shopping for classic, old-school toys. larktoys.com, 507-767-3387

Running Club’s Polar Bear 5k Prediction Run, which starts (and ends) at Forager Brewery, isn’t (just) about speed. The race starts at 9am and runners aim to be one of the first 10 participants to pass the finish line after 10am. The catch? No clocks allowed! Rochesterrunningclub.org

The Whittling Shack hosts open carving every Thursday for carvers no matter their skill level! While you’re there you can stop by the art gallery for handcrafted wood carvings or a kit to make a wood carving yourself. whittlingshack.com, 507-339-0336

LET THE ROADIES TAKE THE STAGE. Chanhassen Dinner

ALL THE COUNTRY YOU CAN HANDLE. The Hit Men of Country

Whether you’re new to writing or a published author, the Rochester Writers Group is for you. Critique writing from fellow members and get constructive feedback on your own work at the Rochester Public Library. rplmn.org, 507-328-2300

Theatres presents Running on Empty: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. This show includes performers (like Mary Jane Alm, Brian Peters, and Jeff Engholm) singing many of Browne’s hits (“Doctor My Eyes,” “Runnin’ On Empty,” “Somebody’s Baby”). chanhassendt.com, 952-934-1525

are at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing. This five-man band performs your favorite country hits, from Travis Tritt’s “Troubler” to Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA.” sheldontheatre.org, 651-388-8700

BLADES OF GLORY. Hockey is in full force as the boys Century Panthers take on the Mayo Spartans at Graham Arena. Or watch the Century/JM girls team take on Winona at the Rochester Rec Center.

PATIENT ZERO? Typhoid Mary

BLAST FROM THE PAST. Steve

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW.

(On a two-horse open sleigh.) Ironwood Springs offers sleigh rides—book for your group or check out their schedule for individual dates—along the Root River. ironwoodsprings.com, 507-533-4315

24 CUES AND DARTS. The Minnesota Operators of Music and Amusements hosts their Annual State Pool Tournament (in its 43nd year) and their Annual State Dart Tournament (in its 38th year) at Canterbury Park. Watch the best of the best! momapoolanddarts. com, 952-221-7986

was a real person—an Irish cook named Mary Mallon. Typhoid Mary the play follows a symptomless Mary who denies having the disease and fights against imprisonment and accusations. See how this “gripping drama” ends at the Rochester Repertory Theatre. rochesterrep.org, 507-289-1737

Augeri (former lead singer of Journey) and ASIA Featuring John Payne will be at Treasure Island playing songs from Augeri’s solo project (“Remember Me”), Journey (“Don’t Stop Believing,” “Open Arms”), and ASIA Featuring John Payne (“Heat of the Moment,” “Go”). ticasino.com, 800-222-7077

VIOLIN AND PIANO. The Avita

Duo, featuring Katya Moeller on violin and Ksenia Nosikova on piano, will be performing works by Mozart, Strauss, Bach, and Gershwin at Christ United Methodist Church. rochesterchambermusic.org

afternoon at the Gift of Life Transplant House answering the phones, acting as a tour guide, or planning fun events (like jewelry making and bingo). Help this organization, committed to providing a supportive housing option to transplant patients, in their mission to do good! gift-of-life.org, 507-288-7470

BACH AND FRIENDS. Hear music from Bach and some of his contemporaries (and friends) including Graupner, Graun, and Janitsch. The Lyra Baroque Orchestra, under the direction of Jacques Ogg, will be playing these and more at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. lyrabaroque.org

YEAR-ROUND FARMERS. Stock up on winter produce (parsnips, squash, cranberries, and more) at the Rochester farmer’s market. This indoor winter market is held at Graham Park. rochfarmmkt.org, 507-273-8232

VOLUNTEER LOCAL. Spend an

31 Sponsored by

SHOW OFF THAT BIG BRAIN. Little Thistle hosts trivia every Wednesday night... but the last Wednesday of the month has a new twist. At half-time, play a miniround of Rochester trivia written and sponsored by the Post Bulletin. littlethistlebeer.com, 507-226-8014

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

minnesotasrochester.com

JANUARY 2024

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Save the plate! >>>IT’S ROCHESTER RESTAURANT WEEK, 2.0!

As Sammi Loo put the finishing touches on Bebap, her Koreaninspired eatery, a friend asked: Why open another restaurant? Why go through the sacrifices of rarely having a day off, always grinding on the next dish, making sure each restaurant is up to the proper standard? “Why do this again? Maybe because I’m crazy?” Loo laughs. “No, when you open a restaurant, when you love cooking, when you make food and a customer orders it, and loves it, it’s that big smile, that support. That validation is what makes me want to keep on 16

JANUARY 2024

doing what I’m doing.” And Experience Rochester wants more and more people to validate local restaurants. Experience Rochester (with Rochester Magazine as a presenting sponsor) kicks off its second Restaurant Week on Jan. 15, with dozens of local restaurants offering special lunch and dinner menus, including two or three course prix fixe meals going through Jan. 21. The aim is both for locals (to check out a new eatery, or sample one of their old favorites) and visitors (to give them a way to experience a taste of Rochester’s restaurant scene).

BY ELLIOT M ANN

It’s an easy concept: Participating restaurants set a special menu with a fixed price for Restaurant Week, generally including an appetizer, entree, and dessert. As the event tagline reads: Special Menu. Special Price. Special Week.

For Loo, who also owns Mezza 9 and Ootori Sushi, she suggests starting at Bebap with Korean dumplings with beef or vegetables, or possibly gimmari—noodle rolls wrapped in seaweed and deep fried in tempura batter.

Your part? Go online to the Rochester Restaurant Week website, pick out some favorites, as well as some new spots, and go eat.

The entree will be their bulgogi, “of course,” she says.

Chefs say there is an art to selecting the menu, with balancing some traditional favorites with some newer bites that maybe a new customer has yet to try.

The balance is delivering something known, and another dish that offers new customers something new. At Forager Brewing, the woodfired pizzas are always popular, but owner Annie Henderson ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

recommends checking out the beef dishes. The burgers. The beef stroganoff. All of them. Known first obviously for their beer, the scratch kitchen holds its own just the same, she says.

is more to sushi. There’s a veggie option. It is so much more than ‘raw fish.’ You should come in and try it.”

The January month is traditionally slower in the hospitality industry, says Bill Von Bank, Experience Rochester Cannon Valley Ranch, a local vice president of marketing and registered Black Angus cattle communications, farm, supplies so Restaurant all of Forager’s “WE HAVE Week provides beef, while the restaurant and AN AMAZING a great time for diners to check brewery has CULINARY out someplace worked with SCENE ALL new. Restaurant more than 50 Week gives local farmers to AROUND a chance source its menu. ROCHESTER.” diners to discover —Bill Von Bank new restaurants Restaurant Week in a relaxed gives Forager an environment, compared to a opportunity to let the kitchen packed Saturday night rush. flex its muscles a bit, too. “You can taste the difference. You can really taste the quality,” Henderson says. “We like to show people that we’re not just a ‘bar food’ place. We like to change people’s perspective.” The first focus is always delivering a meal to be remembered, the restaurant owners say, but another part of crafting the Rochester Restaurant Week menu is getting diners to wade into the deep end of their culinary palate. At Ootori Sushi, Loo is thinking of offering one or two familiar items like teriyaki chicken, maybe a fried rice or tempura fried option, while also trying to offer some sushi to first timers. There are vegetarian and vegan sushi options—they are invited to the party, too. “I want to change the perspective—sushi is not all about fresh fish,” Loo says. “There

y l a t I e l t t i L ! e c a l p t e k r Ma Shop Pasquale’s quality Italian ingredients! FROZEN MEALS, AMAZING SAUCES SCRATCH MADE, PASTAS AND FARM TO TABLE OLIVE OIL!

“We have an amazing culinary scene all around Rochester,” Von Bank says. “There have been some inspiring opportunities coming online.” Several new restaurants have opened their doors in the past year or so, specifically 507 Public House, Marrow, Latitude 44, Boxcar Hippie, Loo’s Bebap Korean Eats, and Our Paladar. Last year, 35 restaurants participated in Rochester Restaurant Week. Last year’s Restaurant Week was a needed boost, Loo says. “Every single person supporting us is very appreciated,” she says. “You can’t stay in the business without the support.” And here’s your chance to support those local restaurants, and it’s as easy as checking out the full list of participating restaurants and menus at: www. rochesterrestaurantweek.com.

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130 5th St. SW | 507.424.7800 | PNPIZZA.COM ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

the local table {where we eat} Proud Sponsor of Local Table— Supporting local restaurants.

Locally Owned. Locally Managed. Local Decisions. Rochester Main 507.280.0621 Stewartville 507.504.1060

Your Community Bank bankonONB.com

507.635.2331 502 N Main St Mantorville hubbellhouserestaurant.com The Hubbell House has been Rochester Magazine’s Best Restaurant within 30 minutes for the past thirteen years. Our extensive menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, choice steaks, prime rib every day, chops, & seafood. Just a short drive from Rochester, whether you’re looking for a formal experience in one of our dining rooms, or a more relaxed setting like the Stagecoach Bar, the Hubbell House is the place for you.

507.282.6572 1203 2nd St SW

507.536.4748 212 1st Ave SW Rochester creativecuisineco.com

Across from St Marys Hospital

Rochester

Voted Rochester’s Best Deli and Sandwiches. A bustling, urban deli set in the heart of downtown Rochester, featuring big New York style sandwiches, filled with large portions of fresh sliced meats, gourmet cheeses, crisp vegetables, and one-of-a-kind spreads on bakery-fresh breads. Signature salads and soups, a terrific coffee bar, with quicke and easy delivery service. Catering as well as box lunch delivery.

507.361.7910 217 14th Ave SW Rochester redcowmn.com/rochester Family owned and locally operated since 2013, Red Cow provides a sophisticated twist on the classic neighborhood tavern. We celebrate finely crafted eats and drinks with a focus on gourmet burgers, craft beers and fine wine. #Followtheherd to Red Cow!

JANUARY 2024

For over 30 years, the Powers family and the Canadian Honker Restaurant have taken great pride in serving fresh, home-cooked meals to you and your family. Whether you enjoy our award winning Eggs Benedict, Walleye Sandwich, or Filet Mignon, one thing is for sure, you will not leave hungry! Stop by today, and don't forget to order a piece of our world famous Bunnie Cake.

507.424.7800 130 5th St SW Rochester pnpizza.com Little Italy Marketplace. Shop Pasquale’s quality Italian Ingredients direct from Italy. Everything from frozen meals, amazing sauces, scratch-made pasta, and our farm-to-table Olive Oil. Our products are available at Pasquale’s or Hyvee Stores.

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the local table {where we eat}

244 Soldiers Field Dr SW 507.516.1050

towniesubs.com Best Philly in Rochester! Stop in for our signature Grill’d Philly, a Grill’d Bowl or one of our delicious Smash’d Burgers. There is something for everyone to enjoy. We are open year-round at Soldiers Field Golf Course. Dine in or carry out. Voted Best Sandwich Place and Best New Restaurant.

507.361.5144 3708 N Broadway Ave Rochester creativecuisineco.com Chef inspired Casual American restaurant that is family friendly. Some menu features include our Rotisserie Chicken, Kranz Smash Burger, Sheet Ton Chicken Nachos, or Chipotle Salmon Rice Bowl. Dine next to our 16 foot fireplace, or on our patio during the summer that includes fire pits, an outdoor bar, kid play area, and yard games. We also feature plenty of screens inside and out to catch your favorite games!

Ristorante & W ine Bar

507.281.2978, 300 1st Ave NW Rochester creativecuisineco.com

507.280.6232 7 1st Ave SW Rochester victoriasmn.com

Rustic comfort food, hand-crafted cocktails, and an intimate, romantic ambiance define this hidden gem of a restaurant. Live local music every night makes this a top-notch date night spot for any day of the week. Make the Redwood Room your new go-to! Voted Most Romantic Ambiance and finalist for Best Fine Dining.

507.346.7300 78757 State Highway 16 Spring Valley fourdaughtersvineyard.com Visit Four Daughters Winery, Loon Juice Cider, and The Traditionalist Bourbon Distillery in one spot! Wine, cider and bourbon flights available 7 days a week, plus wines by the glass/bottle, a full cocktail bar, and a restaurant. Spend time inside the spacious tasting room or outside on the large patio bordering the vineyard at the largest winery and cidery in Minnesota. Rated as the #2 Winery Restaurant in the country by USA Today!

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Locally owned for 25 years. Specializing in traditional Italian. All sauces are scratch made. Victoria’s has four private dining rooms for all your events. Looking for a quick lunch? Victoria’s Express (Grab and Go) is adjacent to the restaurant and is open Mon through Fri from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Join us Wednesdays for Bottomless Wine.

507.258.4550 1635 Highway 52 N Rochester PappysPlaceRochester.com Locally owned by the Pappas family; same family as former owners of Michaels and Hubbel House. Whether it’s our salad bar, onion ring appetizer, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, steaks ribs, seafood, cocktails or craft beers there’s something for everyone. Daily lunch and dinner specials on Facebook or PappysPlaceRochester.com. Now serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm.

JANUARY 2024

the local table {where we eat}

507.285.2516 120 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester blueplatedinermn.com Day-Brightening Eats, Smooth Brew. Serving fresh, locally sourced comfort food favorites, quesadillas, sandwiches, soups, salads, and all-day breakfast. Dine-in, order online, and delivery available through Waiters Express. Visit blueplatedinermn.com to order online.

507.258.4663 14 Fourth Street SW Rochester bleuduckkitchen.com Host your daytime breakfast or lunch meetings with us. Our private event space is a great place for business meeting, presentations, team-building events, and more. Use our AV equipment at no extra charge to really get your audience engaged.

507.258.9064 808 Broadway Ave S Rochester TacoJed.com

507-322-5041 161 13th Ave SW Rochester Saintson2nd.com We are located in the Courtyard by Marriott across from Saint Marys Hospital. Whether you are a visitor or a lifelong resident of the city, we hope to embody everything that Rochester has to offer. Enjoy our “Minnesota Nice” hospitality while eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Chef Lela Tweed has crafted a menu sure to please – try our legendary sticky chicken sandwich!

507.424.1227 247 Woodlake Drive SE Rochester whistlebinkiespub.com Whistle Binkies on the Lake is situated in a business district on a small lake with beautiful patio views, two private dining spaces, a large dining room, an extensive menu with something for everyone and a beer list to impress. Call to book your holiday party, sports gathering or family outing in one of our 2 spacious private dining rooms.

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Voted Best Taco 2020 & 2021. Live Music Friday & Saturdays. Great Brunch Sat & Sun 11-2. We believe that good food and friendly faces bring a community together. We are locally-owned and love living in Rochester! Hours: Wed & Thur 11am–1:30pm & 5–7:30pm; Fri 11am–1:30pm & 5–9pm; Sat 11am–9pm; Sun 11am–7:30pm; Closed Mon and Tues.

507.361.3636 300 1st Ave NW Rochester TildasPizzeria.com Tilda’s Pizzeria is a locally owned one-of-a-kind wood-fired pizza restaurant in Downtown Rochester. Unique flavors, and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone! We offer dine-in, online ordering, and delivery. Mon-Sun 4 pm - 9 pm.

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the local table {where we eat} Green-n-Fresh 507-512-3419 20 1st St SW (Peace Plaza) Rochester

507.288.0206 401 6th St SW Rochester twigstavernandgrille.com

Discover the diverse menu at Green-n-Fresh, located in Rochester, MN Peace Plaza. We specialize in salads but also offer delectable fried southern chicken. Our chicken and waffles dish is a must-try, with its perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. Enjoy it with our fluffy signature waffles and choose from refreshing beverages like fresh fruit smoothies or Greek yogurt parfaits. If you prefer lighter options, our salads are made with only the freshest ingredients, including classic Caesar salads and seasonal creations. Whether you need a quick bite, a healthy meal, or a satisfying indulgence, Green-n-Fresh is ready to serve you. Experience our fresh and delicious cuisine today.

507.361.1208 10 East Center St Rochester skyway level benedictsrochester.com Benedict’s is the place for warm, approachable food with new takes on familiar dishes and killer morning cocktails (it’s never too early). Great food and hospitality shouldn’t be relegated to dinnertime, and at Benedict’s, we are ready to champion the morning. Bring your family, become a part of ours. Open 6:00am - 3:00pm daily.

507.226.8146 4 third St SW Rochester thaipopmn.com Lunch + Dinner + Happy Hour + Event Space. Voted Minnesota’s Best Thai Restaurant 2023, Rochester Magazine’s Best Ethnic Restaurant 2023 + Best New Restaurant 2022. We serve unique cocktails and cuisine on historic 3rd Street in downtown Rochester. Open Monday - Saturday.

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After many months and many trials and errors, we finally mastered our Gluten-Free Chicken & Waffles recipe! I’ll bet you can’t even tell that it’s gluten-free! In addition, come try our Waffles & an Omelet, Waffle Sandwiches, and Melts. WE GET IT. BECAUSE WE LIVE IT. Rochester’s only restaurant with a separate dedicated GLUTEN-FREE kitchen. Seasonal Cocktails & Desserts | Small Plates | Bowls.

South- 1201 S Broadway North- 5231 E Frontage Rd NW Express- Downtown Skyway 15610 English Ave, Apple Valley creativecuisineco.com

A local tradition since 1980, is the only place for great burgers and cold beer. Hand pattied fresh burgers, grilled to perfection, piles of nachos, tasty sandwiches, loaded bloody mary’s and much more!

507.258.4184 332 Broadway Ave S Rochester marrowmn.com Marrow offers a seasonal, ingredient and chef-driven menu - utilizing classic French technique, with a touch of humor and fun. Stop by to enjoy a quick bite and a drink or stay longer to visit with friends and family over dinner and wine. Scan the QR Code to make a reservation or just come on through. Walk-ins are always welcome! We are open Tuesday - Saturday from 5 - 10 pm. Happy Hour at the Bar Tuesday - Friday from 4 - 6 pm.

JANUARY 2024

the local table {where we eat}

507.226.8885 2280 Superior Dr NW 507.206.6799 4576 Maine Ave SE Rochester roostersbarngrill.com Swing by Rooster’s for a delicious breakfast 7 days a week starting at 7am. Try our daily lunch specials or order off our great menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, wraps, broasted chicken and so much more. Weekday happy hour 11 am to 6 pm. We’re home of the GOLIATH 34 oz. draft beer mug on special every weekend.

2043 Superior Dr NW Rochester 507.288.5283 zenfusionmn.com

507.206.3019 1625 South Broadway Ave Rochester crookedpint.com/rochester Crooked Pint Ale House is a nouveau urban pub with the feel of a local neighborhood restaurant. The menu includes classic pub fare with nearly 60 choices for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch as well as kids’ menu selections. We feature the best Lucys in town and you will be back again and again for our Pub Pot Pies, Pub Tacos, and our Jumbo Tator Tots. At Crooked Pint, we are known for our beer list, but we don’t forget about the wine and spirits! Open Monday - Sunday!

JANUARY 2024

Cousins Nadia Victoria and Jordan Victoria are excited to introduce you to: Sorellina’s Italian by Victoria’s. The latest Italian kitchen next to Apache Mall. You will find classic Victoria’s Italian dishes, as well as a few modern takes. Scratch pizzas, our famous sauces, cheesecakes and craft cocktails. Enjoy dining on the pizza counter side, the enclosed four-season patio, the swanky dining room, or sit at the bar and enjoy the view!

2023

Zen presents a globally accented American, Mexican, Asian, and Sushi menu that draws upon the vibrancy and culinary genius of all of its chefs, creating a menu as culturally diverse as Rochester itself. Our live Hibachii chefs give the flare to any meal, creating a fun, entertaining dining experience for everyone. WE CATER in-house or out, let Zen make your holidays special! Buy a $50 gift card and receive $10 free or a $100 gift card and receive $25 free. The deal ends 1/31.

1155 16th St SW, Rochester 507.516.0641 Sorellinasmn.com Open Mon-Sat at 11AM Open Sunday at 10:30AM

507.424.7800 130 5th St SW Rochester pnpizza.com

Chef Pasquale Presa is serving the food he grew up with....authentic NY style pizza along with simple, traditional Italian food including fresh salads and amazing desserts. Daily lunch and dinner specials. Dine-in or carry out. To place orders call 507.424.7800. Voted Best Pizza Place 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Rochester Magazine readers.

507.252.8800 1643 Broadway Ave N Rochester Glynnerspub.com

“Greatest staff in the business! Small batch, made from scratch, cooking! Cold beer and great specials with live music and other entertainment!”

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3 Ways

You Can Help

Bolder Options BY ALEXA ANDERSON

Founded in 1993, Bolder Options focuses on making mentoring fun and easy. The organization provides wellness-based mentoring for middle-school-aged youth, with a special focus on four core values: lifelong learning, healthy living, emotional development, and community connectivity. Bolder Options believes in holistic personal development through weekly, meaningful activities between each youth-mentor pair. Then, at the end of their year together, Bolder Options holds a graduation to celebrate the pair’s accomplishments. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP BOLDER OPTIONS: JOIN THE MENTORING PROGRAM. Bolder Options is looking for mentors from all walks of life who are interested in sharing their interests with a new friend. All you have to do is apply and dedicate time to a weekly hangout for one year. The organization’s coordinators take care of matching each mentor with a youth, so becoming friends is the easy part. SPREAD THE WORD. There may be someone in your life who would be interested in becoming a mentor—Bolder Options would love to have them! All youth must be referred by a professional such as a teacher, doctor, or social worker. However, if you have a youth (ages 10-14) in mind for the program, you can speak to their doctor or teacher to see if Bolder Options would be a good fit. DONATE. Bolder Options depends upon monetary support from kind donors so they can make a difference in the lives of their mentees. Without your support and generosity, the organization could not offer access to community events, 5Ks, and bike rides—or host events focused on cooking, financial literacy, and game nights. Bolder Options accepts one-time, recurring, and mail-in donations. Visit bolderoptions.org for more information. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Anyone interested in supporting Bolder Options in any of the ways listed above can find more info at bolderoptions.org.

3 WAYS YOU C AN HELP IS SPONSORED BY: At ONB Bank, we’re proud to give back to our community. As a locally owned and managed bank, it is so important to us to support our local non-profit organizations through sponsorships and hundreds of volunteer hours through our employee volunteers.

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The phone for “goodbyes.” In the woods. Maybe the most underrated park in the area, Root River Park— take County Road 1 south to 80th Street SE then turn left—offers access to the Root River, limestone bluffs, and the remnants of a bridge from the Dubuque Trail, the stagecoach route that linked St. Paul to Dubuque, Iowa in 1854. And—I found out when I accidentally took a wrong turn down a dead-end trail—it also offers access to this old rotary phone, attached to a tree. The sign is titled: A Telephone Message ‘Through The Wind.’ Underneath, it reads: “This ‘phone’ is for ANYONE who has lost a loved one. The phone is an outlet to share with their friends and family who have passed. It’s a phone for MEMORIES and saying the GOODBYES you never got to say.” I did pick it up, but what–if anything–I said stays with me. —Steve Lange JANUARY 2024

“THEY WERE IKEA BEFORE IKEA” How Jody Kingrey—Rochesterite, World War II Red Cross officerturned retail guru—helped drive the Scandinavian design craze. By Thomas Weber (and Steve Lange)

Jody Kingrey, in her late 20s, stands outside a ski resort “somewhere in the Alps” in roughly 1946—right after finishing her service with the American Red Cross in Hawaii during World War II. (Photo courtesy Patrick Albergo.)

LEFT: Baldwin Kingrey was “one of the first stores in America to sell furniture and objects designed by architects,” according to the Chicago Tribune. This in-store display, from circa 1950, shows their design influence. (Photo from the Kingrey Collection.)

veteran. Now, the woman who had once worked in the interior design department of the C.F. Massey Company in Rochester was offering something fresh and exciting to shoppers in America’s second-largest city. The store was founded by Kingrey, her friend Kitty Baldwin Weese, and Kitty’s husband, architect Harry Weese. Kingrey had, according to her son Patrick Albergo Jr., “bounced around a bit” after the war, working first in Minneapolis and then Chicago. But at a party in Chicago, she met the Weeses, who invited her to join them in establishing a new kind of interior design firm. Kingrey was the only member of the trio with retail experience. Harry Weese, however, had an important contact: He was acquainted with Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, and was able to secure the exclusive rights to sell Aalto’s furniture designs in the Midwest.

Seventy-five years ago, Rochester native Jody Kingrey was at the forefront of a revolution in interior design in Middle America. Kingrey, who was known as Joanne at Rochester High School in the 1930s, was co-founder of Baldwin Kingrey, a highly influential home furnishing store in downtown Chicago in the ‘40s and ‘50s. The store specialized in imported Nordic design and decor. It was, in some ways, a precursor of IKEA before that Swedish retail giant arrived on these shores. “That’s exactly it,” says Kingrey’s son, John Albergo. “Baldwin Kingrey started the whole Scandinavian design craze in this country. They were IKEA before IKEA.” According to the Chicago Tribune, Baldwin Kingrey was “one of the first 26

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With that ace in hand, the three partners borrowed money from their parents—$3,000 each—and opened the Baldwin Kingrey store on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue in 1947. Kingrey was just 29 years old. They immediately placed orders for imported furniture, much of which arrived in pieces and had to be assembled in the store.

Kitty Baldwin Weese, left, and Jody Kingrey Albergo at Jody’s wedding in 1952. (Photo from the Kingrey Collection.)

stores in America to sell furniture and objects designed by architects. Baldwin Kingrey championed the notion that good design could be had at prices that anyone, particularly returning veterans and their new brides, could afford.” Kingrey herself fit that description of the typical customer. She had served with the American Red Cross in Hawaii during World War II, and was married to a Navy

Before long, the store was stocking furnishings, objects, and artwork from some of Europe’s major design houses, as well as from Chicago’s Institute of Design. The store also hosted gallery exhibitions. It became a hangout for Chicago’s design-conscious cognoscenti. “It was like a salon,” says John Albergo. “People would stop by with brown-bag lunches and sit in the store and talk about design.” From the start, the store was a financial success. Customers arrived to view and purchase pieces not previously available to local shoppers, at prices that were considered to be reasonable. “It was available ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

BELOW: Harry Weese created this original drawing for Baldwin Kingrey’s first ad, which ran in June 1947. RIGHT: Baldwin Kingrey ads from the late 1940s. (Photo from the Kingrey Collection.)

to everybody,” Kitty Weese later said. “That was a part of our real cause.” “The gallery served as an informal meeting place for students and faculty from the Institute of Design (ID), Chicago architects, and interior designers,” wrote Marcia Weese, the daughter of Kitty and Harry. “The inventory included furniture by leading modernist designers such as Alvar Aalto, Bruno Mathsson, Charles Eames, and Eero Saarinen [who would later design the St. Louis Gateway Arch and, in 1956, Rochester’s ‘Big Blue’ IBM facility].” Furniture from Baldwin Kingrey decorated everything from celebrity living rooms to modernist landmarks like the Edith Farnsworth House, the “1,500-square-foot structure that is widely recognized as an exemplar of International Style of architecture.” For Kingrey, who had reportedly been disappointed with her previous job at another Chicago design store, the success of Baldwin Kingrey was a long time in the making. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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‘An unstoppable formula.’ “Chicago’s Baldwin Kingrey department store offered modern design at a reasonable price, an unstoppable formula for sales as well as the beginning of trend-setting salon for the titans of mid-century modern,” according to the book "Baldwin Kingrey: Midcentury Modern in Chicago, 1947-1957." This 1952 photo shows a night view of the window display at the Baldwin Kingrey store in downtown Chicago. (Photo from the Kingrey Collection.)

The Meet Cute (again) Fast forward to 1951 and a scene fit for a romantic comedy: Albergo, back home in Chicago, was walking down the street and noticed the large sign on the Baldwin Kingrey store. “He saw the name and wondered if that was her,” John Albergo says. “He went in and there she was.” Jody serves coffee to Myron Watney, a Marine from Albert Lea, at the American Red Cross Enlisted Men’s Center, Fort Shafter, Hawaii during World War II. (Photo courtesy History Center of Olmsted County.)

Born into retail Mary Joanne “Jody” Kingrey was born July 26, 1918 in Rochester, the first child of Ray and Frances Kingrey. Her father owned a popular clothing store, Kingrey’s Men’s Wear, and was a noted Rochester civic leader. During World War II, Ray served as head of the city’s salvage committee during a city-wide scrap metal drive. The Kingreys, who lived at 221 Seventh Ave. SW, went on to have four more children, all boys--Jack, William, Connall, and Kevin. The children were well known in Rochester-they served as everything from captain of the Lourdes High School basketball team to the president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and worked at Kingrey’s Men’s Wear. Joanne attended St. John’s grade school, and then Rochester High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and one of the school’s top swimmers and divers. She 30

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graduated in 1936, and went on to the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.

The loss of a brother, the start of a new career By the time Joanne graduated from college, World War II was on the horizon, and it would not be long before the war touched the Kingrey family in the most tragic way. On Dec. 17, 1942, 2nd Lt. John “Jack” Kingrey, Joanne’s brother, was killed in the crash of a military plane near Everett, Wash. He was 22 years old. Kingrey, reported to be the first person from Rochester to die in World War II, was one of the nation’s first P-38 pilots. Three months later, on March 4, 1943, the following notice appeared in the military news column of the Post-Bulletin: “Miss Joanne Kingrey left last night for Chicago where she will enter six weeks training in an army school for aviation traffic control.”

Kingrey completed the course, and according to a later report in the Post-Bulletin, she worked as an air traffic controller at airports in Detroit and Columbus, Ohio. Then, on May 1, 1944, Kingrey was appointed as an American Red Cross officer in Hawaii. She was assigned to Fort Shafter, on the island of Oahu, where she managed the enlisted men’s center. A photo of Kingrey on the job there, distributed to the media by the military, refers to her by her nickname of “Jody.”

The Kingrey-Albergo engagement was announced at a cocktail party at the Rochester Golf & Country Club. The marriage took place on Oct. 25, 1952, at St. Clement Catholic Church in Chicago. Through the mid-1950s, the Baldwin Kingrey store was hugely successful. But the co-owners were soon raising young children, and in 1957 they decided to sell the business. The store was making too many demands on the time they wanted to devote to parenting.

“She built a recreation center at Fort Shafter,” says John Albergo. “She was given a quonset hut but no furniture.” So Kingrey salvaged tables and chairs from other bases, and before long was hosting shows and dances. For one dance, she booked a young musician in the Navy, Lt. Patrick Albergo of Chicago, to play in a combo. Albergo and Kingrey dated a few times, but eventually lost touch when he was transferred to Okinawa. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Jody Kingrey, far right, with her mother, Frances, and brothers Jack and Bill. (Photo courtesy John Albergo.)

‘A One Women Shop’

Jody (far right), with her brothers.

Jody had three children—Lisa, Patrick Jr., and John—in the 1950s. “She was a one-woman shop, but she still made sure we were taken care of,” her youngest son John would tell the Chicago Tribune. “She quietly went about and did her work. Later on, she would talk about these big jobs she had gotten, but she would never brag about it.” “Jody was very efficient and had a wonderful sense of humor that carried through everything we did,” Kitty Weese later remembered. “We never had an argument.” ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

Jody Kingrey in her Red Cross uniform, circa 1945. LEFT: Written by John Brunetti and Tom Fredrickson, “Baldwin Kingrey: Midcentury Modern Design in Chicago 1947-1957” was published in 2004.

Midcentury Modern Design in Chicago 1947-1957” was published in 2004. “Chicago’s Baldwin Kingrey department store offered modern design at a reasonable price, an unstoppable formula for sales as well as the beginning of trend-setting salon for the titans of mid-century modern,” reads the book’s dust jacket. “With wares by Aalto, Bertoia and Eames, the store quickly acquired status as a laboratory for talent.”

Jody Kingrey Inc. After selling the store, Kingrey launched her own design firm, Jody Kingrey Inc., which she operated for 45 years. She and Albergo divorced in 1966. Through her design company, Kingrey had several prominent clients in Chicago. “You could look at the Chicago skyline and count the buildings where she did work,” says son John. “She did it while raising three kids,” says Lisa Albergo, Kingrey’s daughter. And Kingrey, always independent, did it largely on her own. “I worked for her for a time,” Lisa says. “I helped her with bookkeeping, paying vendor bills. Oftentimes, she’d still be in her bathrobe talking to customers on the phone.” Word-of-mouth helped Kingrey gain more

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customers. “There were a lot of spinoffs,” says Patrick Albergo Jr. Her expertise extended beyond furniture to include fabrics, wallpaper and color schemes. “She really knew her textiles,” he says. She also loved tending to her garden, listening to classical music and attending theater and symphony performances, according to a Chicago Tribune story. By the early 2000s, Kingrey was ill with cancer. Right around that time, Kingrey and Baldwin were interviewed for a soon-to-bepublished book focusing on the historical importance of the Baldwin Kingrey store. “They had a great time sitting around and chatting,” recalls Patrick.

By that time, with the soon-to-be published book and a related exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, the legacy of Baldwin Kingrey was firmly established. “She was well aware of it” before her death, John Albergo says. Jody Kingrey died at age 84 in 2003. She is buried in a family plot in Rochester’s Calvary Cemetery. Baldwin and Kingrey would probably be gratified to know that their instincts about design have been validated by the current popularity of mid-century modern styling in furnishings and homes. Meanwhile, IKEA opened its first store in the Midwest in 1998 in suburban Chicago—50 years after Baldwin Kingrey pioneered the idea of Scandinavian design for American living.

Written by John Brunetti and Tom Fredrickson “Baldwin Kingrey:

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THE ROCHIES BY STE VE L ANGE

d v is e “ I w o u ld n’t a e s e t t o [r ju s t a n y b o d y d p a t e ll a t h e d is lo c a t e d e e r].” o f a n in ju r e d u r Lo o n s M in n e s o t a : O it h W C a n Kil l Yo u y e s. Th e ir La s e r E sent C it y o f f ic ia ls c e nan o u t a m a in t e oy crew t o destr ic a ll y t h e “a n a t o m c o r r e c t ” m a le snowman.

JANUARY 2024

2023 It’s The Rochies, our annual look back at the best (read: strangest) stories of the past year.

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T h e y a l w a y s s a y, because of our high percentage of medical professionals, you ’re far les s likely to die of a hear t at tack in Rochester than elsewhere. Also, the deer here are far les s likely to face untreated patella injur ies. In February, a car hit a deer in the neighborhood near Eastwood Golf Course in southeast Rochester. Michael Sparacino, a retired Olmsted Medical Center doctor with 36 years of family medicine experience, happened to see the accident from his front porch. “I approached it slowly, and it was stunned so it didn’t really know that I was there but I could tell that the patella, the knee cap, was dislocated,” Sparacino told the Post Bulletin. “In people, what you do is you just straighten out the leg and the patella just pops right back in, and that’s what happened with the deer.” The deer got up and walked away shortly after, and Sparacino said the deer is doing well.

A l s o , t h i s d i s c l a i m e r. . .

Just to be clear, Sparacino stressed that he’s not a veterinarian. “I wouldn’t advise just anybody to [reset the dislocated patella of an injured deer],” he said, “unless they know what they’re doing or call someone if they have the least bit of hesitancy.”

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“A l s o , nothing is happening when I click them together three times and say ‘ There’s no place like home.’”

In October, a 76-yearold man pled guilty to breaking into the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn. and stealing a pair of ruby slippers that Garland wore in the “The Wizard of Oz.” The slippers went missing in 2005 and had been recovered by the FBI in 2018. The man told authorities he said he used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers because he thought they had real rubies and hoped to sell the gems. But when he realized the “rubies” were glass, he got rid of the slippers.

JANUARY 2024

“ W h y, I j u s t h e a r d t h e doggie door flap open! I’m going to go check on M r. F i f i F l u f f l e s a n d s e e if he did his business in the back yard and A A A A A A A AHHHHHH!” In August, Porkchop, a 4-foot long Argentine Tegu—basically a giant lizard—escaped from his backyard “summer enclosure” in the Silver Lake Park area. He was found, happy and healthy, near Oakwood Cemetery, five days later.

“ W h y, I j u s t h e a r d t h e s l i d i n g door open! I’m going to go check on L arr y and see if he’s back from his walk in E ssex Park and A A A A A A A AHHHHHH!” Throughout the month of May, numerous in-person sightings—and doorbell surveillance footage—showed a black bear walking though northwest Rochester’s Essex Park neighborhoods.

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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Hey, you got your s tolen tr uck in my AT M! On Feb. 25, a Rochester car dealership reported that a 2001 Ford F350—which they use to plow snow from their parking lot—had been stolen from the lot.

Hey, you got your s tolen AT M in my tr uck ! On Feb. 26, a Rochester credit union reported that their outdoor ATM machine—the entire machine—had been stolen from their business.

Hey, it ’s t wo great things that go great together ! On Feb. 27, Rochester Police responded to a “suspicious circumstances call” on East River Road Northeast. There, they found the stolen Ford truck sitting in the middle of the roadway with a “busted up” ATM machine— still attached to a tow strap used to pull it out of the ground—behind it.

JANUARY 2024

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TASTE 4. (tast)To appreciate or enjoy.

How can you not enjoy the taste of salmon, french fries and broccoli in one dish? Don’t knock it ‘til you try it! French fries are vegetables too!

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JANUARY 2024

Inser t your own inappropr iate joke here. In March, someone made—and we’re quoting here—an “anatomically correct male snowman” on a very visible sports field in Winona. After numerous complaints, city officials sent out a maintenance crew to destroy the snowman.

And, on a hopefully unrelated note ... A family in Buffalo, Minn. (just northwest of the Twin Cities), spent “40 hours and used all of the snow in the neighborhood” to create a 30-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide snowman in their front yard, and topped him off with a 75-pound hat.

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

T he se plow name s are “ s alt ”ainly “pun”-ishing to our (g)ear s. Do you get our “dr if t ”? In January, the Minnesota Department of Transportation opened up the voting in its (now hopefully annual) Name a Snowplow Contest for the eight MnDOT districts (including ours!) in need of a new plow. More than 64,000 people voted, and the top seven included: Yer a Blizzard, Harry. Blizzo. Clearopathtra. Better Call Salt. Han Snowlo. Blader Tot Hotdish. Sleetwood Mac.

And the winning entr y for Dis tr ic t 6 (S outhea s t Minne sot a)? S c oop! T here It Is . We c an ’ t believe the se plow name s c an get any wor se. It ’ s like “ scr aping ” your f inger nails on a black(top) boar d. Other MnDOT snowplow name entries included: Taylor Drift. It’s a Squall World After All. Aaron Brrrr, Sir. Ain’t My First Snowdeo. Hippoplowtamus. SKOL Plow. Harmon Chillebrew.

Why, it’s “snow joke”: I’m going to have a “meltdown” if I have to “snow and tell” you more plow names, even just for “cold times’ sake.” But “Icy” that you aren’t at the “point of snow return,” so here I “snow” ... Even more MnDOT snowplow name entries included: Bobsled Dylan. Bohemian Rhapsnowdy. Alice Scooper. Clark Blizzwald. Orange You Glad to See Me. Beyonsleigh. Mary Tyler More Snow.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

Minnesota: The state that eat s spot ted T- s h i r t s . (Loons with laser eyes! Minnesota: L and of L incoln) In October, the newly created Minnesota State Emblem Redesign Commission encouraged Minnesotans to submit their designs, through a website, for a new Minnesota state flag. In just one month, SERC received 2,600 entries, which were narrowed down (by the commission) to six finalists.

Here are a dozen or so that, for whatever reason, did not make the cut.

Minnesota: Our loons will kill you with their laser eyes. (MNF15 , MNF674 & MNF 277)

JANUARY 2024

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Minnesota: The state that eats spotted T-shirts. (MNF1545)

Minnesota: Land of Lincoln. And Washington. And other things as well. (MNF183)

Minnesota: Where brontosauruses fight to the death. (MNF2057)

Warning: Do not put a tab of this flag under your tongue. (MNF2053)

Two words: Uff da. (MNF1304)

Our flag has 51 flags in one! (MNF1167)

Being from Michigan, I’m not sure how this represents the game that is rightfully called Duck, Duck, Goose. (MNF913)

The flag for do-it-yourselfers. (MNF2045)

We honestly wish we had a Minnesota Kid Flag (Note to the State Emblem Redesign.) We would be proud to fly either of these flags.(MNF1018 & MNF1361)

”Honey! You thought the technology was beyond me, but guess who just submitted their state flag entry?” (MNF41)

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

If the current appraised value of my 10,000 spor t s trading cards is any indication, the robber must have taken approximately 4 million cards. In February, a homeowner in northwest Rochester reported that his door had been kicked in and that someone had stolen $7,000 worth of sports trading cards from his home.

Oh, no, what if Rick Astley is never going to give up this lawsuit? In January, singer Rick Astley sued Rochester native-turned rapper Yung Gravy for sampling (sort of ) Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” in Gravy’s viral hit “Betty (Get Money).”

He gave it up. In September, Astley and Gravy officially confirmed that a settlement had been reached, though no details were provided.

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

People are talking about us. (And they could be talking about you, too.)

Sure, we have won our share of awards here at Rochester Magazine. But, it’s not just for our writing and photography and design. Contest judges often mention the effectiveness of our advertising as well.

This magazine does a better job of making their advertisers stand out than anyone else. They clearly care about their ads, and it shows. -Minnesota Newspaper Assoc.

The stories are compelling, the photography is top-notch, and the layout is clean and very professional. We’re just judging the editorial, but we also noticed how good the ads are. -Society of Professional Journalists

If I’m an advertiser, I know my ads are getting eyes, because the editorial certainly is. -Minnesota Magazine and Publications Assoc.

Want your business to get talked about, too? Contact Tessa Olive at tolive@rochestermagazine.com or (507) 281-7469

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Financial resolutions for 2024

Kick one costly habit. Create—and automate—your savings plan. Budget for mental wellbeing. Rochester’s top financial experts share their tips for ‘24.

SHOW, SWEET HOME SHOW >> HOME Ideas, meet Rochester Area Builders WALK-THROUGH >> THE Inside a custom Lake Vermilion home

ick one costly habit. Create—and automate—your savings plan Budget for mental wellbeing.

Rochester's top financial experts share their tips for 2024.

JANUARY 2024

THE EXPERT: KRISTINA KOVACEVIC, OFFICE MANAGER >THE BUSINESS: Altra Federal Credit Union >THE TIP: Create—and automate—your savings plan. “Life right now can be very expensive. From necessities like groceries and gas to planning for that vacation, home remodel, or even just trying to create that emergency fund, everything has gone up. Best practice is to have 3-6 months of your monthly expenses saved. Creating a savings plan is a key step toward your financial health. Automating savings from your direct deposit helps funnel dollars into a savings account without even seeing it. This forms a savings habit that creates a future nest egg. It doesn’t need to be a lot. Start small, like $25, and gradually increase the amount as you have a specific goal or expense you know is coming. Just remember: Don’t touch it. Set it up and forget it!”

>THE TIP: Enroll in a 401(k) or retirement plan. Right now. “Make sure to never leave free money on the table! Many employers offer a match or percentage if you participate in a 401(k) or retirement plan. Unlike other employer benefits, these types of benefits can often be added to any time during the year, but check with your employer to be sure of their rules. When participating, make sure to max out on these opportunities as early as possible. The earlier you can begin saving for retirement the better chance you have to grow your money over the long-term. If your employer doesn’t offer these benefits, you can open a traditional or Roth IRA as an alternative.”

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THE EXPERT: MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

>THE TIP: Five resolutions for 2024. 1

KICK ONE COSTLY HABIT. Figure out which costly habit is draining your account and robbing your peace of mind. It might be your penchant for impulse buying. It might be your habit of eating out. It might be driving back home every weekend from college. Or maybe you intend to treat yourself to a coffee and pastry from the local gas station on your way to or from work once a week, but you’re stopping 2-3 times per week or even every day. Or you signed up for a free month of a streaming service six months ago and have been paying for it for five.

INSURE YOURSELF. An emergency fund is a great first step to prepare for the unexpected. But making

certain that you’re properly insured can be just as important. Gain a basic understanding of the fundamental types of insurance—like life, homeowners, renters, auto, flood, and disability coverage. Shop around to make sure you’re not overpaying for what you and your family need, and work with accredited agents to get the appropriate coverage. If your will isn’t already in place and up to date, take time this year to meet with an experienced lawyer or estate planning attorney to prepare or update your will so you can make sure your loved ones are cared for no matter what.

INVEST IN FUTURE YOU. More than half of working

Americans feel that they’re not making enough progress toward saving for retirement. For the new year, check your retirement accounts and investments. If you aren’t already investing for your retirement, research options like opening an individual retirement account (IRA) or starting a 401(k) with your employer. If it’s available to you, taking full advantage of employer matching on your 401(k) can have a significant impact over time.

INCREASE YOUR INCOME. Whether you’re currently looking for a job, hoping to score a raise, or thinking about turning a hobby into an incomegenerating side hustle, increasing your take-home pay is another way to improve your financial confidence and well-being.

You can increase your income potential by developing your skills, seeking support services, and networking with a focus on professional relationships.

TEND TO YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming; if you haven’t been paying attention to your mental health, it may be time to start. Before and after the new year, take some time to rest and recharge. Talk to a therapist if one is available to you, or chat with a friend or family member you trust. Take a few minutes for your mental health each day— going for a walk, meditating, or sipping coffee or tea on your porch with no distractions can all be beneficial for the mind.

Your personal financial goals deserve a personal approach ... At Continuum Financial Group, we strive to ensure that you are on the right path for not only financial success, but also in your journey of life. So much of financial planning is rooted in your overall life goals, so our job is to build on that foundation with comprehensive financial planning to make g for a life of fulfillment. sure yyou are aligned

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JANUARY 2024

THE EXPERT:

DAVID FOCHS, CPA, PARTNER

ERIC FUNK, FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

>THE BUSINESS: Hawkins Ash

>THE BUSINESS: Emerald Financial Group-Thrivent, Rochester

>THE TIP: Get the most by matching money.

>THE TIP: Increase in salary? Increase your retirement savings.

“Raise your retirement contribution rate with your employer. At a bare minimum, be sure you are meeting the company match so that you are getting the most out of your money! If you don’t already max out your retirement each year, you should make it a goal to increase your percentage by a small amount each year so that you can inch closer and closer to that goal. Discuss with a CPA or financial advisor to determine if traditional or Roth makes the most sense for you and your situation.”

“Use your increases in your salary to place into your 401k or whatever retirement account you own. Get a 2% bump in pay, place 2% more into your IRA/401k or whatever retirement vehicle you have available. Always participate at least to the company match, but be aware it’s highly unlikely you will retire on the company match. Your contributions will be far greater over time than a match. Try to set up auto increases.”

>THE TIP: Monitor each month. “Put together a monthly budget and really analyze which expenses you can reduce or eliminate going forward. Monitoring each month will really help set yourself and your family up for a strong financial year in 2024 and will help you build that emergency fund. This will also help you review what recurring payments you may have signed up for that you no longer use/ need. We all know it isn’t fun to talk about finances, but once your budget is set up, you should only need to set aside 30-60 minutes a week to review and categorize your bank activity. There are many great and free apps that will assist you with this as well. Spending this time will make the rest of the week that much less stressful as you will take a lot of the guesswork out of what you can/can’t afford.”

JANUARY 2024

>THE TIP: Learn for yourself, then consult with the experts. “Learn about tax efficiency strategies. Consult with a CPA or your tax provider. This may be a discussion for after your taxes are done, but it’s worth it.”

"Put together a monthly budget and really analyze which expenses you can reduce or eliminate going forward." —David Fochs, CPA, Partner

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Emerald Financial Group

Invested in a meaningful journey At Thrivent, we believe money is a tool—not a goal. As a holistic financial services organization, and a membership-owned fraternal organization, providing financial advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs, we are committed to helping you achieve financial clarity. We are here to help provide the guidance you need to live the life you want.

Let’s connect Eric Funk, Financial Consultant Colin Aldis, Associate Andy Roberts, Associate

thrivent.com/emerald emeraldfinancialgroup@thrivent.com 507-289-1682 116 Elton Hills Ln. NW, Ste. 200 Rochester, MN 55901 5349667.1

THE EXPERT: CRYSTAL HUGHLEY, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT – PERSONAL & REAL ESTATE LENDING >THE BUSINESS: ONB Bank >THE TIP: Improve your credit score. “Aim to boost your credit score by paying bills on time, reducing credit card balances, and addressing any inaccuracies in your credit report. A higher credit score can lead to more favorable mortgage terms and lower interest rates. Prioritize paying off high-interest debts before applying for a mortgage. This can improve your debt-to-income ratio and make you a more attractive borrower.”

>THE TIP: Save for a down payment (and create that emergency fund). “Set a savings goal for a down payment on a home. The more you can put down up front, the better your mortgage terms are likely to be. Explore down payment assistance programs or gifts from family members to help reach your goal. Also, build or strengthen your emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This can provide a financial safety net during homeownership.”

>THE TIP: Get pre-approved (and “get” your budget). “Obtain a mortgage pre-approval to understand your borrowing capacity and strengthen your position when making an offer on a home. This can also help you identify and address any issues with your credit or financial profile. Also, evaluate your monthly budget to determine how much you can comfortably afford for mortgage payments. Just because you qualify for a certain dollar amount, doesn’t mean you will be comfortable making those monthly payments. Knowing your budget is important when you are looking to purchase a home. Consider all homeownership costs, including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.”

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

You have countless options.

We have one responsibility: To serve as your financial steward and help you use your wealth to accomplish your goals.

Visit carlsoncap.com/steward and we’ll take it from there. See Carlson Capital Management’s Form ADV Part 2A for a complete summary of services and a discussion of the limitations on services.

"In the nottoo-distant past, most of us accepted the fact that we couldn't earn much interest income on our cash. That's no longer the case, and, currently as we stand at the end of 2023, you can safely earn 3%-4% and possibly even 5% on your savings. " —Dan Edwards, CPA, Director of Estate Planning

JANUARY 2024

THE EXPERT: DAN EDWARDS, CPA, DIRECTOR OF ESTATE PLANNING >THE BUSINESS: Carlson Capital Management >THE TIP: When you give, give correctly. “Make sure you are giving your charitable donations in the most tax efficient manner. Due to the 2018 increase in the standard deduction, most taxpayers no longer itemize deductions and therefore aren’t getting tax benefits from their charitable giving. There are several strategies that can help. Stacking several years of charitable giving into a Donor Advised Fund is one method, and when combined with a donation of appreciated assets provides the additional benefit of not recognizing the gain on the appreciation. A Donor Advised Fund allows you to get an immediate tax deduction for several years of giving and then recommend grants to charities from the account annually. You’re able to give the same amounts to your favorite charities each year but obtain an upfront tax benefit. If you’re at least age 70.5, giving to charities from your IRA can also save tax. This is known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution and can count toward your required minimum distribution. Finally, charitable gift annuities are a way to obtain some tax benefit and receive an income stream for a period of years. A new option available in 2023 is the ability to fund a gift annuity with IRA assets.”

>THE TIP: Look at your cash in hand. Start that emergency fund. “Review the amount of your assets that are held in cash. If you don’t have an emergency fund, start contributing until you have 3 to 6 months of living expenses, possibly more. In the not-too-distant past, most of us accepted the fact that we couldn’t earn much interest income on our cash. That’s no longer the case, and, currently as we stand at the end of 2023, you can safely earn 3%-4% and possibly even 5% on your savings. Interestingly, some individuals have the opposite problem of having too much of their investable assets in interest-bearing investments. The Wall Street Journal recently estimated that in 2022, households held 17% of their financial assets in cash or cash-like investments such as money market funds or certificates of deposit. These higher interest rates may not last, so long-term investors will want to make sure they have a balanced stock/bond allocation that is appropriate to their individual situation. If you overemphasize safety by loading up too heavily on bonds, you may be giving up a degree of prosperity later since the stock market tends to outpace inflation over extended periods.”

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Our 25th Annual

Best

Home Lending Solutions Built for You!

RESTAURANTS Issue is coming in February!

(It’s the original. It’s the most respected. It’s almost here.)

magazine To advertise in this issue contact Tessa at tolive@rochestermagazine.com

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JANUARY 2024

HOME SHOW, Sweet Home Show TALK TO LOCAL E XPERTS AT THE 45TH ANNUAL R A B SHOWCA SE BY ELLIOT M ANN Your kitchen still has a trash compactor. When the kids close the cabinets, the echo booms throughout the entire home. And why does the furnace make that noise?

MAYBE IT’S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE. If HGTV has you dreaming visions of grandeur—or maybe just making some simple upgrades, but you don’t know where to start— the Rochester Area Builders Home Show has the answers. The 45th annual Home Show is set for Feb. 2-4 at Mayo Civic Center. More than 100 different area exhibitors across the home improvement industry will be on hand to answer questions, share information, or help plant the seed on the next home project. “You really get a chance to meet the person you might hire to do the work, and have that real conversation about a project that might be specific to you,” says Rochester Area Builders Executive Director Patrick Sexton.

NO PRESSURE

While anyone can scroll online for a contractor, part of the appeal of the Home Show is that interested homeowners can talk to business owners in person about their specific project. For Noah Lacina of Lacina Siding, it is a chance for homeowners and proprietors to meet in a relaxed, no pressure environment. When someone walks over to his booth, he first likes to give them a chance to check out Lacina Siding’s materials before chatting up the customer about their ideas, or project timelines. At the home show, customers and exhibitors can have a bit more of a substantive 56

JANUARY 2024

Photo courtesy Rochester Area Builders.

conversation, he says, with customers getting the chance to build a relationship with someone who stands behind their work.

FRIDAY NIGHT DATE NIGHT

The company completes window, siding, and roofing projects, as well as replacing gutters and doors. Noah’s parents started the company in 1996.

KITCHENS FOR A CAUSE

“My last name is behind everything I do,” Noah says. “If I mess up, that doesn’t just hurt the customer or myself, but also the entire company. It tarnishes the Lacina name.” It’s a similar conversation for Mickey Elias, over at the Elias Construction booth.

Celebrity Chef Shari Mukherjee will offer a cooking demonstration Friday night, with two-for-one admission. Kitchens for Kids will feature play kitchens designed by different companies in the community. On Sunday, the children’s kitchens will be raffled off to benefit the Jeremiah Program, a non-profit that aims to help single mothers and their children.

FAMILY FUN DAY

Bring the kids on Sunday, as the Home Show will have a station set up for kids to build a wooden souvenir, too.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

The Home Show is a great way for contractors to meet clients, he says, but also a place where the public can talk to someone to renovate a kitchen, replace some leaky gutters, learn about heat pump furnaces, or find the best solution for a new outdoor patio, all under one roof.

the high efficiency systems has doubled, if not tripled, in terms of the number Haley Comfort Systems has installed.

“It’s the only place you can go and talk to so many professionals in their industry, all in one spot, and go shopping, if you will,” Elias says.

“That really pushes our people to be the top educators in the market,” Haley says.

EYE ON THE FUTURE

The Home Show also highlights trends in the industry. The federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included several tax credits for homeowners looking to complete energy efficient projects. For Haley Comfort Systems, which specializes in heating, air conditioning, and fireplaces, that has meant an increase in heat pump heating and cooling systems. Within the last five years, the technology has greatly improved in terms of cold weather heat pumps that can work reliably in Minnesota, Haley Comfort Systems Marketing Manager Nicole Haley says. Interest in

Some customers have researched the new technology, but for other customers, the Home Show gives them a chance to find out more.

For example, customers at the Home Show can ask various questions about heat pumps, finding out specific information about the systems from the people who install them, with no obligations. “They can come talk to the experts,” Haley says. “It’s all about connecting with people.” For Elias Construction, clients lately are coming up with project ideas more uniquely tailored to their needs. Mickey Elias is also seeing more flair coming back into style in their kitchen renovations, be it with wallpapered accent walls or projects with painted black trim. The Home Show is a good place for clients to find out what all of the options are, Elias says.

Photos courtesy Rochester Area Builders.

If you go The 2024 Rochester Area Builders Home Show will have more than 100 different exhibitors across the home improvement spectrum.

WHEN: Friday Feb. 2 through Sunday Feb. 4 Friday, Feb. 2, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Dr. S.E., in Rochester. COST: $7, age 7 and up. Age 6 and under, free. INFO: rochesterareabuilders.com/home-show

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

The Walk-Through: INSIDE A $998K HOME ON LAKE Vermilion

fireplace and a dumbwaiter for wood from the basement. A cherry and granite Sub-Zero and Wolf kitchen open to the great room, dining room, and covered porch, all are lakeside. There is a main floor lakeside suite, office, and The info: A gorgeous custom Lake Vermilion log home on your own island in coveted Frazer Bay! This property is main floor laundry. Upstairs in the loft, there are 2 beds just a short boat ride across calm water from the mainland. and a glass door to a deck with water views. A Steffes off-peak furnace, central air, a newer septic, permanent The year-round home comes fully furnished and also includes a two-stall wet boathouse and wood-fired sauna. electricity, and back-up generator are among the wellThe vaulted great room features a massive wood-burning planned mechanical systems on the property. The home The home: 1,817 SF, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath 0.5 acres, 555 feet of lakeshore

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JANUARY 2024

EARL WOOD, PART II i n f o c o u r t e s y N e w Yo r k T i m e s a n d t h e b o o k L I F E AT H I G H G - F O R C E : T h e Q u e s t o f M a y o C l i n i c R e s e a r c h e r D r. E a r l H . W o o d ( b y E . A n d r e w W o o d ) . Mayo Clinic's Earl Wood led the team that helped perfect the G-suit, made heart catheterization a life-saving reality, and worked to perfect the heart-lung bypass machine. And helped win World War II. We excerpted a few of those stories last month, but didn't have room for these. So here's our timeline, and two more quick stories (from Life A t High G-Force: The Quest of Mayo Clinic Researcher Dr. Ear l H. Wood by E. Andrew Wood).

1912: Born in Mankato, Earl Howard

Wood is named after a young neighbor, Earl Osten, and sitting U.S. president William Howard Taft, who visited Mankato two months earlier.

1912: The Wood family, 1914: Inez, Wilbur (Abe), Delbert, Chester, Louise, Harland, Earl, and William.

1921: Earl grows up on a farm until

1921, when his parents move to Lake Washington, Minn..

1936: Earl marries Ada Peterson in 1936. They eventually have four children.

1941: An avid hunter and athlete, Earl shows a strong interest in science. He receives his medical degree and a doctorate in physiology from the University of Minnesota.

1942: Earl at 1G (without the centrifuge running); Earl at 7G.

1942: The Army Air Force reaches out

to Mayo Clinic with a problem: Allied fighter pilots in World War II, during the dangerous movements of air combat, often black out due to extreme G-forces. The Mayo Team recruits Earl and builds a centrifuge and a basket to carry a human test subject to test flight conditions.

1944: The Mayo team designs a flight

suit consisting of air bladders that inflate as G-forces increase. These bladders constrict blood flowing to the pilot’s calves, abdomen, and thighs and keep more blood flowing to the brain. The suits are issued to combat pilots in 1944, and suits based on this design are still standard today.

JANUARY 2024

1944: Earl as subject in the G-Whiz. Pilot Ken Bailey at the controls. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

1945: Jimmy Doolittle, the World War II hero and four-star general, makes several top-secret trips to Mayo Clinic during the testing of the flight suit. Doolittle, during a press conference in 1945, says this about the flight suit research: “It’s just incredible what was accomplished by the Mayo team. Their role in helping to win World War II was unequaled.”

1942: Earl Wood in the centrifuge.

1959: Cartoon from the December 5, 1959, Mayovox newsletter.

1950: Earl co-authors “Remarks

on the technic and diagnostic applications of cardiac catheterization,” a paper which helps move heart catheterization into a clinical reality.

1955: Earl receives a patent for an oximeter, a diagnostic tool used to measure oxygen levels in the bloodstream. He also helps develop a light-absorbing green dye, indocyanine, used in tracing the circulatory system and diagnosing heart defects. 1959: The centrifuge is returned 1955: Earl working in the hospital.

Earl and Ada, 1977.

to operation as the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funds Mayo Clinic’s Aero Medical Laboratory, directed by Dr. Wood, to study the effects of prolonged g-forces on the human body during blastoff and reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere from space.

1962-67:Earl serves as a Career

Investigator—a title given to those “performing high quality research”— for the American Heart Association.

1982: Earl retires from Mayo. He continues working, though, into his 90s. 1983: Earl the Aerospace Medical Association’s Lyster Award for “outstanding achievement in Aerospace medicine.”

1983: Loyal members of the lab. Back row: Julius Zarins, Ralph Sturm, Earl Wood, IJ Fox, Bill Sutterer. Front row: Don Hegland, Lucy Cronin, Jean Frank, Don Erdman, Irene Donovan.

1997: Earl publishes the last of his roughly 700 medical papers since his first publication in 1938. 2009: Earl Wood dies in Rochester

1997: Earl celebrates 90 years with a Cuban cigar and a shot of rum. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

at age 97.

JANUARY 2024

Charles Lindbergh, 40-years-old, serves as a test subject in the high altitude simulator at the Mayo Clinic, 1942. 62

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

THE TIME A MAYO CLINIC LAB TECH PROBABLY SAVED CHARLES LINDBERGH’S LIFE. ( f r o m t h e b o o k : L I F E AT H I G H G - F O R C E : T h e Q u e s t o f M a y o C l i n i c R e s e a r c h e r D r. E ar l H. Wood by E. Andrew Wood).

In September 1942, famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, who was working at the Ford Motor bomber plant in Dearborn, Mich., came to Mayo Clinic. He was there to experience the low-pressure chamber where researchers were studying the effects of decompression and also oxygen needs at various simulated altitudes. During one experiment, Lindbergh was in the chamber with technician Lucy Cronin. The air pressure and oxygen content simulated high-altitude flying at approximately 30,000 feet. Wanting to test the bailout bottle that had been developed for flight crews who needed to abandon their airplanes at high altitudes, Lindbergh removed his mask and passed out within seconds. Realizing the emergency, Cronin placed the mask over his mouth and nose and initiated a gradual emergency “descent.” He regained consciousness, and although slightly disoriented, he was all right. Cronin probably saved his life.

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE EARL WOOD’S SON E. Andrew Wood is the last of four children born to Earl Howard and Ada Catherine (Peterson) Wood in Rochester. He is a graduate of Hamline University and Mayo Clinic School of Health-Related Sciences and holds a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Andy spent more than 25 years at General Mills where he served as the Manager of Health Promotion and Ergonomics. He also was Director of Ergonomics and Corporate Solutions at Muve Inc., a joint venture with Mayo Clinic, where he was responsible for developing and implementing activity based ergonomic and wellness programs for corporate clients. In addition, he was a consultant for Ergonomics at Ferguson Risk Management, where he developed ergonomic and wellness strategies for corporations until his retirement in 2021. Andy has authored several articles on the development and assessment of ergonomic and health promotion programs in industry. As an individual with severe dyslexia, Andy is a graduate of the Rochester Reading Center and is a spokesperson for the Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota.

YOU CAN BUY LIFE AT HIGH G-FORCE: The Quest of Mayo Clinic Researcher Dr. Earl H. Wood by E. Andrew Wood through Mayo Clinic Press (mcpress.mayoclinic.org) and most anywhere books are sold.

JANUARY 2024

THE CLASSIC DESCRIPTION OF EARL AND ADA’S FIRST CAR. AND ITS DRAMATIC DEMISE. ( f r o m t h e b o o k : L I F E AT H I G H G - F O R C E : T h e Q u e s t o f M a y o C l i n i c R e s e a r c h e r D r. E a r l H . W o o d b y E . A n d r e w W o o d ) .

Letter to: Ada Peterson 223 West Sanborn St. Winona, MN May 5, 1935, a Sunday at 12 am My Dearest Ada, Potato” was Earl’s nickname for Well “Potato” we’re in it now! [note:“Ada Ada]. Model T coupe. Think I got a I bought the car this morning. $25.00! A 1926 t the one on the driver side. pretty good buy. All the windows are in, excep that old. It has a new license and The upholstery is in good condition for a car works but the battery is a that er five tires which are only fair. Has a start generator is working good. the and ever how little low. The battery looks good good floorboards so that if The motor runs good. It has a heater in it and it would start and be fairly it works okay we could run it next winter if needs a little patching but roof comfortable if we had a window put in. The will hold out most of the water! this summer should have her I won’t have any time to fix it up now but g the streetcar next weekend! I in tip top shape. Anyway, we won’t be ridin l you come up. hope not!! I plan on just leaving it sit unti scrape it up myself. I put in 5 I had to borrow $11 to pay for it. I couldn’t it from EJ and Don Wright. owed Borr gallons of gas and filled it with oil. ld pay them within a week. I Hope you’ve got that much dough as I shou h I get paid about five dollars guess they can wait till you come up thoug Tuesday so that will help out. over here and we had a picnic Got a lot of studying done last night. Al came until 11:45, really got a lot done. of buns and had a glass of beer. We studied . ... Going to try to go to town again this afternoon go on a picnic on Saturday night Can’t wait till next weekend darling. We’ll Gosh, won’t [it] be great to and maybe again Sunday afternoon if it’s nice. Time to go eat. to?! t wan we e have our own car so we can go wher All My Love, Earl

According to a letter written in June 1935, Ada wanted to name the car “Ours,” since they had both contributed cash to purchase it. Earl had driven the car over to Wallace Hall at Macalester College to visit his brother Abe, and everybody was laughing at how frequently Earl was getting flat tires on Ours. Ada eventually sent him some money to get the tires patched. Note that the tires were not to be replaced; they didn’t have enough cash for new tires. On one very memorable date, Earl and Ada drove Ours to a park overlooking the Mississippi River for a picnic. While setting up the picnic and bringing out the food, Earl noticed out of the corner of his eye Ours rolling through the grass. He had forgotten to set the parking brake! Unable to catch the car and stop it, despite his athletic speed and agility, Earl watched as Ours rolled over the cliff and met an untimely death below the bluffs of the Mississippi. Model T Coupe drawing by Randy Asplund (www.RandyAsplund.com).

JANUARY 2024

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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ENTERTAINMENT

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BANKING

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ADVERTISERS INDEX WHERE TO WORSHIP

First Presbyterian Church. 512 Third St SW. Worship Sunday: 10 a.m., 507-282-1618, fpcrochester.org. Please visit our website for up to date information.

Altra Federal Credit Union............... 46 Ama La Vita...................................... 33 Benedicts........................................ 21 Bleu Duck........................................ 20 Bloom Acai...................................... 33 Blue Plate........................................ 20

Grace Lutheran Church. LCMS 800 East Silver Lake Dr NE. Worship services: Wednesday 6 p.m.; Saturday 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible Class 10:30 a.m. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith...” Eph.2:8 NIV. We welcome you by God’s grace, will help you grow with God’s love, and prepare you to do His work. In addition to many mission projects in Rochester, Grace supports Lutheran Hour Ministries and is a member of Rochester Central Lutheran School Association. 507-289-7833, gracebythelake.org. Email: office@gracebythelake.org.

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Redeemer Lutheran Church. 869 7th Ave SE. Saturday: Worship 5:30 p.m. Sunday: Worship 8 and 10:40 a.m. Sunday School & Education Hour: 9:20 a.m. Welcome to Redeemer Lutheran Church where you’ll find a small neighborhood church atmosphere of friendship and fellowship. Redeemer’s members are dedicated to doing the Lord’s work. Our mission and purpose at Redeemer are to glorify God through the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to provide opportunities for spiritual growth. 507-289-5147, redeemer-rochester.com. Email: office@redeemer-rochester.com.

Janisch Realty............................58-59

Carlson Capital Management.......... 53 Carpet One Rochester....................... 2 City Market...................................... 18 Continuum Financial........................ 49 Creative Hardwood.......................... 59 Crooked Pint Ale House................... 22 Experience Rochester........................ 6 Four Daughters................................ 19 Glynner's Pub.................................. 22 Green-n-Fresh................................ 21 Hawkins Ash CPAs........................... 55 Home Instead.................................. 39 Hubbell House................................. 18 Huber Eyecare................................... 3 King Orthodontics............................ 39 Marrow............................................ 21 Mayo Federal Credit Union.............. 59 MBT Bank........................................ 10 Newt’s............................................. 21 Nita Khosla/Edina Realty................... 9 Olive Juice Studios............................. 4 ONB Bank............................. 18, 23, 55 Pappy's Place.................................. 19 Park Dental...................................... 37 Pasquale's............................ 17, 18, 22 Preserve at West Circle.................... 67 Purple Goat..................................... 19 Red Cow.....................................18, 33 Redwood Room............................... 19 Rooster's Barn & Grill...................... 22 RW Baird.......................................... 52 Saints on 2nd................................... 20 Shorewood Senior Campus............. 37 Sorellina's....................................... 22 Taco Jed.......................................... 20 Thai Pop.......................................... 21 Tilda's Pizzeria................................. 20 Townies Grill’d Philly Subs............... 19 Treasure Island Resort & Casino....... 5 Thrivent/Emerald Financial Group.... 51 Twigs Taverne & Grill...................... 21 Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar....19, 39 Visiting Angels................................. 37 Wightman Brock.............................. 68 Whistle Binkies on the Lake............. 20 Wildwood Sports Bar & Grill............ 39 Zen Fusion....................................... 22

ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2024

BY STEVE LANGE

10 (or so) questions with ... Abe Kamara, a chaplain for

first responders with Salt and Light Partners and Program Manager at Three Rivers Restorative Justice Rochester Magazine: Talk about your first day you arrived in the U.S. in 2004?

RM: Wow. So this was a big reunion.

AK: My mom used to run a big hospital in Liberia. She came here on a study/visa-type job, and then the war really escalated in Liberia, so she could not come back home. We did talk on the phone a lot, but I had not seen her in a long time. RM: And the last wave of the Liberian Civil War is what finally drove you and the rest of your family out?

AK: The last big wave of the war had started. We were lucky to leave. I have a lot of friends who didn’t that lost a lot of family members. We lost family, but not as bad. I have friends who were actually captured and forced to fight as child soldiers.

RM: Something like 300,000 people were lost in the Liberian Civil Wars. In a country of 3 million. Looking back at your 13 years in Liberia, did you see it as a war-torn country? AK: No. I mean, you don’t know anything different, right? It’s going to sound crazy. We had a house by the beach. So I was on the beach playing soccer all day long. If we’re not doing that, you’re hanging out with friends. You’ve got school. And then sometimes you’re in school and the war breaks out. Then you’re trying to find siblings and run to shelter. It was like, “Okay. It’s just another day.” We don’t think it’s that bad. But then, when you remove yourself from that situation, holy buckets, you realize that was really bad. RM: You attended Andersonville Seminary and Grace Ministries Bible College in your 20s.

AK: After I graduated high school, I realized what it is to be an immigrant in the U.S. So you get done with high school, right? All

JANUARY 2024

Photo from Post Bulletin archives

Abe Kamara: I was 13 years old. December 20th, 2004. We flew from my home in Liberia. We landed in Minneapolis. My mom was a nurse, and she was here prior to us arriving. The first night, we got out of the plane, we walked out to the baggage claim, we got our stuff, and then we stood by the door, and we were like, “Who left the refrigerator open?” We’d seen snow in movies. Never experienced it, because in Africa, it’s either hot or it’s raining. But it was like 10 degrees at the time. I had not seen my mom in close to five years.

We don’t think it’s that bad. But then, when you remove yourself from that situation, holy buckets, you realize that was really bad.

your buddies are going to college, and you try to go to college. You don’t have a Social Security number. You can’t get financial aid. That limits your options. I always wanted to be in youth ministry. That’s what led me to do the seminary. I’m a servant. That’s in my heart. First, it came from God, but second is because of who my dad was.

the time?

AK: From kindergarten to college, in Liberia, you pay for school. It’s not free, like you see here in the States. My dad would pay for the ones that lived around us who couldn’t afford it. When the war came, a lot of these kids were forced to fight. When we were trying to get through the checkpoints, where they were stopping and killing people, one of the guys recognized my dad. My last name is Kamara, so a Muslim last name. They were killing Muslim people. The guy recognized my dad, and that’s what saved us. He recognized him because my dad helped his little sister pay for her school fees.

RM: A parental.

RM: Who your dad was?

RM: Wow. Tell me about your family.

AK: My wife Vanessa is amazing. I have three beautiful kids. My oldest’s name is Kymoni, he lives in Florida with his mom. And then Vanessa and I have two kids together. Our son’s name is Jerusalem. Our daughter’s name is Judaea. RM: Why are rental cars so depressed all

AK: What? I don’t know. RM: Because they’re loaners. AK: Oh, wow. RM: What do you call a rental car from your parents? AK: I don’t know this one either. AK: All right. RM: Those are because you worked at Enterprise for quite a few years. AK: Yes. That was one of my very first big boy jobs, if you will, working at Minneapolis Airport. It was kind of a manager trainee. So that’s when I started making a little bit of money. I was in my early 20s. I worked there for almost 10 years. So many crazy stories. I can’t even tell you some of the things people would leave in their rentals. One guy left a bunch of drugs and guns. He returned and said, “Yeah, I left some stuff in the car.” I said, “Yeah, the police are outside looking for you.” RM: My foot was run over by a rental car. AK: Really? It was? RM: Still Hertz. AK: Oh boy. ROCHESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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