Rochester Magazine | August 2024 by Rochester Post Bulletin

TRACKING OUR TRASH

We follow one bag of garbage, from curb to crane to combustion to Kalmar.

OUR GUIDE TO HIGHER ED 6 BEST STEAK PLACES + +

Aprilis YouthMonth!

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22 Tracking your trash

One day in Olmsted County. One million pounds of solid waste. And one Waste To Energy Facility that has staved off the need for four additional landfills, generates the steam to heat 20-plus buildings, generates enough electricity to power thousands of homes, and, well, still generates controversy.

42 Six of the city’s best steak places

You voted. Then we found perfectly seasoned steaks, perfectly aged steaks, the best cocktail to pair with a ribeye, and more.

The Professional Bull Riders kicks and bucks its way into Mayo Civic Center; Niagara Cave’s 100th anniversary, in four facts; Yay, us (Rochester Magazine takes home four awards from the Society of Professional Journalists); Three

Our Guide To Higher Ed

Local college kids answer your “What do we really need to know about college?” questions. Plus, your cheatsheet to area higher education.

Random Rochesterite

Lynn Pottebaum, a dental hygienist, talks about her biggest adventure, the story behind her “skeleton cowboy” tattoo, and the best advice she’s been given (“Know your worth.”).

Three Ways You Can Help

One group doing good in Rochester. And how you can make a difference for them.

52 The Walk Through

Inside a $1.75M Biwabik home.

72 Rochester, Retro

The Transparent Man.

74 Ten (or so) questions

Kent Pekel, Rochester Public Schools superintendent, talks about his time in the CIA, his love of family, and his first concert (“It is pretty bad. ... I’ve never divulged that.”).

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

MELISSA CHERRY

ADAM GEHLING LISA SCHELL advertising@rochestermagazine.com

Graphic Designers

MOLLIE BURLINGAME BETH KROHN

Contributing Writers

ALEXA ANDERSON

JENNIFER HAUGEN KOSKI

HADLEY LANGE ELLIOT MANN

Photo Supervisor JOE AHLQUIST

Contributing Photographers LILY DOZIER MAYA GIRON 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 eight

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).

Junk Drawer

Four awards. In four things.

Two ones, two twos!

Rochester Magazine took home four awards—including two firsts—at the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists Page One Awards, held June 18 at The Lowlands in St. Paul.

1. Rochester Magazine Editor Steve Lange took home first place in the Best Columns category, for a collection of Oddchester columns: “4,208 miles Away. For One Year” (on his daughter Emma’s departure for the Rotary Youth Exchange in Belgium); “49 Hours, 227 Nautical Miles, 7 People I Trust My Life With” (on the Bayview-to-Mackinac Island sailboat race); and “25 Years Of Rochester’s Best Restaurants; 10 Stories.”

2. The magazine also took home the top award in the Best Cover category, for Rochester Magazine’s December 2023 issue. The artwork, depicting the Plummer Building’s Christmas tree lighting, was created by artist Troy Becker. Rochester Magazine’s Graphic Designer Mollie Burlingame oversaw the cover project.

“The image on the cover is special to me for a very personal reason,” says Troy. “In December of 2016, I had a brain tumor removed at Mayo. Whether it was at the clinic, hotels, restaurants or various businesses—all the people of Rochester made me feel comfortable.”

3. Lange also took home a pair of second place awards. “We Hope We Never Find What We’re Trained To Find,” a profile of Rochester Police Department’s K-9 Bomb Detection Unit, finished second in the Feature Reporting category. Lange’s 10 (or so) Questions column took second in the Best Interviews category, and featured Q&As with Armin Budimlic, Jessalyn Finch, and Jon Kittleson.

4. Yay, us.

Ridin’ Dirty

THE PBR MAKES ITS SECOND-EVER ROCHESTER STOP

BY HADLEY LANGE

During the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenge Series, riders from around the world compete for a spot at Unleash The Beast and, ultimately, the chance to be named PBR World Champion and take home the $1 million grand prize. And you can watch it all at the Mayo Civic Center this month.

8 SECONDS.

The minimum amount of time a rider needs to stay on a bull to earn a score. The rider’s score is based on the difficulty of the bull—direction changes, kicks, body rolls— and the control of the rider, including fluidity and style.

94%.

The top bull in the league, Man Hater, lives up to his name with a 94% buck off percentage. Just 6% of riders make it the necessary 8 seconds to score points. Man Hater is currently the Number 1 bull in the league, having been crowned the 2024 PBR YETI World Champion Bucking Bull.

1200 TO 2000 LBS.

The average weight of each bull, approximately 10x the weight of their rider. Each bull eats around 25 lbs of food per day.

20 BULL RIDERS.

In 1992, 20 riders came together with $1,000 each to form the Professional Bull Riders. Now more than 3 million fans attend live events each year.

1 HAND.

As if bull riding wasn’t hard enough, riders can only use one hand to hold onto the bull. If the rider touches the bull, the ground, or any part of their own body, their time stops.

The Professional Bull Riders Challenge Series will buck into the Mayo Civic Center on Friday, August 23 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 24 at 7 p.m. Two-day tickets start at $30; mayociviccenter.com, 507-361-5040.

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Backpacking the Black Hills. As a trio.

BY STEVE LANGE

When hiking partner Ken Klotzbach and I were planning our annual backpacking trip this year, we decided—jointly, for the first time—to invite a third person.

I made a point of saying “jointly,” above, to clarify that Ken did not want to add a third person because he was sick of hiking with just me.

And, secondarily, I guess, to clarify that I’m not sick of hiking with just Ken.

That’s not to say we don’t regularly annoy each other on the multi-day trips.

Last year, during one stretch on the Superior Hiking Trail, Ken sang the Monday Night Football theme song for 20 straight minutes.

When bugs were swarming during a hike in the Porcupine Mountains, I confessed the following:

“My whole life, everyone has told me how long and lush my eyelashes are, and I’ve always been a bit embarrassed by that,” I said, opening up. “But today, my full and beautiful eyelashes are really coming in handy in keeping the mosquitoes out of my eyes.”

Anyway, we both figured bringing a new person might give us a boost, like adding an adorable kid to save a stale sitcom.

We just needed to find someone with a sideways baseball hat and deep dimples and a cute catchphrase.

We found Joey Keillor.

Joey is a well-known distance runner who has coached the Century Girls Cross Country Team for 10 years. He once ran 100 miles in 52 hours on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Ken and I, meanwhile, annually find ourselves ill-conditioned for 10-mile days carrying 30-pound backpacks.

Day One: For the drive, I have printed out A Windshield Tour of I-90, which is filled

with trivia and historical anecdotes that I read aloud when I’m not driving.

Like this one, as we pass mile marker 260: “Hey, guys! This is the point where, in 1804, Lewis and Clark killed their first antelope!”

I decide to nap, and give the sheets to Ken. When I wake up, I ask him if he read the entries. He says yes, but when I quiz them about how Medicine Butte got its name (mile marker 248) or where the scenes from “Dances with Wolves” were shot (mile marker 183). I don’t find their answers convincing.

We drive through the South Dakota Badlands and hike Notch Trail. Visit Roberts Prairie Dog Town. Stop at Wall Drug for lunch.

Night One: We set up our tents at the edge of the Black Elk Wilderness Area.

Day Two, Mile 1: Joey’s hiking pace is far faster than ours. By mile two, he is taking his own little side loops. Also, he’s wearing what looks like a dress shirt and dress shorts. Ken and I, to catch our breath, are regularly pretending that we need to stop and tie our boots.

Day Two, Mile 2: We climb the 2-mile loop to the top of Black Elk Peak, the highest U.S. mountain (at 7,242 feet) east of the Rockies. We hide our backpacks in the woods to pick up on the way back. Why, what could happen?

Day Two, Mile 4: Return from the awesome view of Black Elk Peak. Find our backpacks and eat lunch. Joey pulls out his homemade trail mix, and it leaks out of a chewed hole in the bottom of the plastic bag. A chipmunk, apparently, got into his food stash when we left the backpacks. And—and this seems personal—pooped on his apple.

Day Two, Mile 8: With no designated camping spots, Joey good-naturedly hikes ahead and scouts out a beautiful site. We set up our tents on an overlook surrounded by soaring outcroppings. We’re all asleep by 8:31.

Day Three, Morning: We wake up to a bird singing, and I make the mistake of asking what kind of bird that is. This serves as an opening for Ken, who has apparently been waiting his entire life for this very question. He immediately pulls out his phone and opens an app—it’s called the Merlin Bird ID—that “listens” to bird sounds and tells you what species it is. The bird I was hearing is a robin.

Day Three, Mile 2: The trail, here, splits into two. Joey asks us if we mind if he takes off on his own, for an extra 6-mile loop that will meet up with us down the trail. Ken and I find it cool that he feels comfortable enough to ask. And we’re both relieved he doesn’t want us to go with him.

Day Three, Mile 2.1: We watch Joey jog out of sight, and wonder when he started planning a solo trip. It was probably, we realize, when he saw us pretending to tie our boots on Mile 1 of Day 1. It’s just Ken and me, just like the old days. His app, he announces, just heard a yellow rumped warbler.

Day Three, Mile 8 (for us): We are, after a hot uphill hike, exhausted. The trails are desolate. We’ve only seen a dozen other people, and most of them were on horseback. My baseball hat is soaked through with sweat. Ken has insisted we stop numerous times so he can soak his feet in streams.

We can’t imagine what Joey must feel like, trying to hike those extra six miles. We laugh about how tired he must be, and the regrets he must have. We wonder if he’ll even catch us before nightfall!

Day Three, Mile 8.1: We see Joey jogging— jogging!—toward us. He looks dry and fresh in his dress shirt and dress shorts.

We boil water for dinners, watch an amazing sunset, vow to stay awake until 9 p.m. Ken’s app hears what he says is two robins, though it may be the same one.

So it goes for the next few awesome days. On the drive back, I stay awake to read all of the remaining Windshied Tour facts, and we—the three of us—try to decide if we should ask a fourth for next year’s hike.

RandomRochesterite

One resident, numerous anecdotes |

Name: Lynn Pottebaum

Age: 27

Occupation: Dental hygienist

Where we found her: Cleaning our teeth

How long have you been a hygienist at Lakeside Dental? A year. I graduated from the dental hygienist program at RCTC last May—but I had been a dental assistant when I lived in Pennsylvania.

Best part of your job? I like meeting people, and I like smiles in general! I like it when people are happy to smile.

Are you originally from Rochester? No, I’m originally from just outside Columbus, Ohio. I was born there and we lived in Columbus until I was in fifth grade, then we moved to Rochester. My dad worked at McNeilus as a sales manager. Then, in 10th grade, we moved to Pennsylvania.

How did you land back in Rochester? My dad had a job offer back in Ohio and my parents wanted to move back there. I’m the oldest of three daughters, and for two of us, it was time for us to branch off, to leave home. My sister left for Baltimore. And by that time I had reconnected with Kyle, my now husband, who lived in Rochester. So I moved back here to be with him.

How did you first meet Kyle? We met in middle school in orchestra class. I played the viola and he played the cello. We had to sit next to each other and he kept talking my ear off.

And the rest was history? We became friends in middle school, and we ended up going to our freshman homecoming dance together. And we’d hang out. And then, towards the end of high school, when my family was living in Pennsylvania, I really wanted to come back here and say goodbye to all my friends before everyone left for college. So Kyle asked me to go to senior prom with him. So me and my mom came out here and I went to senior prom in Rochester. Then we were finally like, “Maybe we’ll try dating. We’ve been

By JENNIFER KOSKI Photo by LILY DOZIER

friends for this long!” We were long distance for two years. We would travel when we had breaks in school to see each other.

When did you get married? I came back in 2017, and we got married last October. It was finally time to do it! Our son, Henry, was born April of last year—so right when I was finishing school. I had to take three of my four board exams nine months pregnant, and one when I was three weeks postpartum. It was hard, but I got through it. I’m very proud of myself. And now we’re having a little girl in August.

Five things you love?

baking (I really enjoy baking), my cats (I have two, Odin and Mindy), and I do love my job.

Specialty in baking?

cinnamon rolls. The first job I had was working at a Cinnabon, and I just loved it. I’ve found the perfect recipe now.

Biggest surprise about being a parent? it is. Everyone talks about how hard it is—Henry’s almost 15 months, so he’s starting the toddler tantrums, which is hard—but he’s also just cuddling a lot more and just learning so much and it’s so fun to watch him.

Biggest adventure?

Two summers ago, Kyle and I and my family went to Panama for a week. That was a really big adventure. We did a treetop tour—one of those tours where you’re on a big hiking trail and

you keep hiking up the mountain and there are all these platforms in the trees you climb onto and see the treetops and the waterfalls. And we got to see the Panama Canal. We stayed in a couple of different places, in Panama City and Boquete.

Is travel important to you? Right now, where we’re at in life, we haven’t been able to travel. But we definitely would like to venture out more when we can, even weekend trips. We’d like to go along the Mississippi and explore.

When did you get your first tattoo?

moved back here, because I was out of the house and I just wanted to! I got a little flower on my ribs. And now I have six. On my shoulder, I have two have a cat because we had a cat that passed away. On my arm, I have a knife

like and the knife could be for baking! And the other one is a skeleton

What’s the story

skeleton cowboy?

The tattoo artist

Autonomy, was set” fundraiser for veterans, so I did you’ve been given?

that you’re smarter than you realize. Or when it comes to negotiating in a job interview, if you know your capabilities,

AUGUST

STEEL GUITAR SOUNDS. Nat Myers is a Korean-American singer, songwriter, and poet who released Yellow Peril, his first full-length album in 2023. Now he brings his “raspy singing voice and steel guitar” to Mayo Park for the Riverside Music Series. Molly Brandt opens. downtownrochestermn. com, 507-328-2200

SHOUT OUT! It’s 2024’s last Riverside Music Series show at Mayo Park. Max Weinberg’s Jukebox puts the setlist in the crowd’s hands … literally. Yell out songs from Led Zeppelin to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Weinberg was the drummer) may just play them. The Orange Goodness opens. downtownrochestermn. com 507-328-2200

BLUEGRASS, BLUEGRASS, AND EVEN MORE BLUEGRASS! The 32nd annual Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association’s Bluegrass Festival features performances by Bluegrass Express, The Finley River Boys, and Cedar Valley—and that’s just today! The rest of the weekend (Aug. 15-18) offers even more. Bring your instrument! semba.tv, 507-251-1884

IT’S GREEK TO ME. Get your fill of Greek food from gyros and dolmathes to spanakopita and Greek fries at The Original Rochester Greek Fest. This event, which has been in Rochester since 1963, is hosted at Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas and Damianos Orthodox Church. greekfestrochester.com

minnesotasrochester.com

LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS. On Feb. 7, 1867, Laura Ingalls Wilder was born just a few miles north of Pepin, Wis. Pepin’s Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum displays that history (with a reconstruction of the Little House, a cemetery with recognizable names, and more). lauraingallspepin.com, 715-513-9115

SEE STEVE-O. Stunt performer, actor, and TV personality Steve-O, known for his time on the MTV show “Jackass,” brings his daring stunts, stand-up comedy, and outrageous personality to the Mayo Civic Center. mayociviccenter.com, 507-361-5050

NEWLEY ELECTED. Ned Newley has been running the city from behind the scenes for years. When the governor resigns, Ned is the obvious choice to replace him ... but will his fear of public speaking and being in the spotlight derail his chances? , put on by Commonweal Theatre, is a “non-partisan laugh-fest” for all. commonwealtheatre.org, 800-657-7025

4 11 18 25 6 13 20 27 5 12 19 26

FAST CAR. It’s a deadly race to find the killer in Give the Devil His Due, this month’s Rochester Public Library Mystery Book Club book. Sulari Gentill’s novel follows Rowland Sinclair, an amateur sleuth, as he takes to Maroubra Speedway to race his car and solve a few murders along the way. rplmn.org, 507-328-2300

3 Ways YOU CAN HELP

NAMI of Southeast Minnesota

BY ALEXA ANDERSON

Since 1986, NAMI of Southeast Minnesota has grown from a few individuals to the non-profit known today, focused on improving mental wellness through listening, advocating, informing, and leading.

The organization envisions a future where mental illness will no longer thwart one’s fulfillment of their potential. NAMI hopes to see a day when prevention or a cure is found. Until that day, the organization continues building a compassionate community, supporting mental wellness, and demonstrating that people are not alone.

“The first step is to develop awareness that something might be wrong,” says Lee Formella, Director of Education Programs. “And then the next step is understanding that it’s okay to go out and get help and where to find the support you need, whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one.”

At NAMI, the staff are motivated to help by their empathy and care for those in need as well as their own experiences as people living with mental illness.

Here’s how you, too, can help NAMI:

VISIT AND LEARN. While awareness of mental health and mental illness is growing, the organization realizes that it’s still common for people to be unaware of the accessible resources until they’re faced with a crisis. Everyone has the potential for mental illness. NAMI urges you to take a moment, during periods of stability, to familiarize yourself with the programs and resources they have available to be better prepared. It’s likely that mental illness will touch you or someone you love. Talking about mental health and sharing what you learn will show people that you are approachable and able to help when they need it most.

GIVE SUPPORT. Many of NAMI’s programs–including support groups, one-on-one peer support, and many classes and workshops–are available free of charge. That’s only possible through the generous support of volunteers and donors. Services are available to anyone, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

TAKE A MOMENT. The organization encourages destigmatizing mental health by normalizing the practice of taking moments to prioritize mental health care without guilt or shame. Small steps—a quick walk outside, a call to a friend, taking a few minutes to sit quietly and breathe when you’re stressed, seeking help when you need it – lead to big growth towards the goal of mental health. With this goal in mind, NAMI invites you to practice being truly present with yourself and others.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Anyone interested in supporting NAMI, in any of the ways listed above, can find more information at namisemn.org.

3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP IS SPONSORED BY:

Underground swell

Four facts to celebrate Niagara Cave’s 100th anniversary of its discovery.

In 1924, three of farmer Phil Todd’s pigs disappeared into a sinkhole near Harmony, Minn. When a few young neighbor boys lowered themselves 60 feet into the hole to retrieve the pigs, they discovered just hints of “an underground world of wonderment.” The pigs were alive; the cave’s legend was born.

In its 1930s and 40s heyday, Niagara Cave boasted 150 billboards within a 150-mile radius of Harmony. 1,500 tourists (at 50 cents each) visited Niagara Cave on Labor Day of 1940.

The cave’s stalactites (the ones from the ceiling down) “grow” one inch every 300 or so years. Thirty feet underground, the cave temperature reaches a constant 48 degrees. An underground stream tumbles down Niagara Cave’s awesome centerpiece and namesake—a 60-foot waterfall framed by a 130-foot-high ceiling.

At Eagle Rock Bank, formerly 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.

More than 400 marriages have been performed in the Wedding Chapel, a chamber deep in the cave with a limestone ceiling reminiscent of a cathedral dome. The Wedding Chapel (furnished with white, stone pews and a white pulpit) hosts “four or five weddings per year,” according to Mark Bishop, who has owned the cave since 1995.

Check out niagaracave.com for tour info.

Tracking ourtrash

One bag’s journey from curb to crane to combustion to Kalmar.

by Steve Lange

photos by Joe Ahlquist

One day in Olmsted County. One million pounds of solid waste. And one Waste To Energy Facility that has staved off the need for four more landfills, generates the steam to heat 20 buildings, generates enough electricity to power thousands of homes and, well, still generates controversy.

Trash is burned—at 1600 degrees— to produce energy at the Olmsted County Waste To Energy facility.

It’s 1:31 on a Monday afternoon, and our home’s plastic curbside garbage container—just one of the 8,000 or so residential containers picked up every day in Olmsted County—is mechanically lifted up and dumped into one of the 150 or so total garbage trucks (from one of the five active haulers) that serve the county.

And, just like that, our 24 pounds— of the county’s 600,000 pounds of daily trash—is gone.

Just, it seems, like most every other city in the country.

Except our garbage—mostly caulk containers and a broken caulk gun and a broken screwdriver and a pair of flip-flops my wife has apparently decided I no longer need—will, like the rest of Olmsted County’s—be trucked to the Olmsted County Waste To Energy Facility (OWEF), one of just 75 or so such facilities in the U.S. that burn trash to generate steam and electricity.

Olmsted’s plant—located next to the Olmsted County Recycling Center Plus and just east of the Federal Medical Center near RCTC—burns roughly 600,000 pounds of garbage per day (the other 400,000 pounds of the county’s daily waste is recycled). The heat from that garbage powers three boilers that generate enough steam to heat 20 county buildings and enough electricity to power thousands of area homes.

The Olmsted Waste To Energy Facility (OWEF) has, in its 37 years, processed nearly 3 million tons of garbage and eliminated the need for what would have been four additional landfills. Those landfills, as depicted by a poster in the OWEF lobby, would have covered a 25-square-block area of Rochester’s downtown, with trash stacked three times as high as Broadway Plaza.

The landfills wouldn’t have actually been sited on that location, but still.

“OUR

WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

IS PAID FOR PRIMARILY

THROUGH DISPOSAL FEES, AND COSTS ZERO DOLLARS IN PROPERTY TAXES.”

– Anthony Wittmer, communications specialist for Olmsted County Environmental Resources

“Our waste management system is paid for primarily through disposal fees, and costs zero dollars in property taxes,” says Anthony Wittmer, communications specialist for Olmsted County Environmental Resources. “And we’re always working to get better. We constantly promote reducing waste, reusing waste, recycling, composting, and recovery.”

But Wittmer also deals with the pointed questions from critics. One of those questions centers around the fees that the county bills the garbage haulers, fees that pay for OWEF, and that are passed along to consumers.

“The residents of Olmsted County have supported this system for decades,” says Wittmer. “It’s no secret that operating a waste-toenergy facility is more expensive than bulldozing our garbage into a hole in the ground. But our karst geology limits our ability to site new landfills, and the additional cost should be seen as an investment to preserve our environment for future generations.”

A ‘NEWFANGLED APPROACH TO TRASH.’

In the 1980s, garbage disposal was a hot topic in Olmsted County.

In 1984, the county’s landfill— the 52-acre Olmsted County Sanitary Landfill in Oronoco— was deemed a Superfund Site, an Environmental Protection Agency designation for the nation’s one thousand or so contaminated sites (including 25 in Minnesota) where hazardous wastes were being improperly managed.

Olmsted’s landfill, according to the EPA study, was contaminating the area groundwater with heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, and lead.

And Olmsted County sits on what’s called a karst region, where the ground’s ever-dissolving limestone creates underground fractures, fissures, and sinkholes that serve as a direct conduit to our water aquifers.

A Waste Management trash hauler dumps trash into “the pit” at the Olmsted County Waste To Energy facility.

Our groundwater is more susceptible to contamination than most other counties across the U.S.

So the city and county leaders needed a new solution to our waste disposal problem. They looked at simply building bigger and better landfills. They looked at shipping our waste to other counties or states.

And they decided on what they called an “integrated solid waste management system.” They would build (or upgrade) a recycling center, a separate hazardous waste facility,

and a yard waste composting site. They would build a Waste To Energy Facility, one of just a few dozen in the country (and one of just a few in the state) at the time.

There were plenty of detractors. Plenty of heated public input sessions.

There weren’t, though, plenty of other viable options.

When the $27 million facility was dedicated in December of 1986, more

than 200 public officials and dignitaries attended the event, with speakers praising the “newfangled technology” and the “garbage disposal method of the future.”

‘I’VE BEEN PICKING UP YOUR GARBAGE EVERY WEEK FOR YEARS’ When my trash is picked up (by Waste Management—we’ve used them since they bought out GarbageMan in late 2017), WM’s driver, Ed Bowman, is on his 546th stop of the day. He has 250 more to go.

That’s a pretty typical route for WM’s three dozen drivers, who normally work Monday through Friday. Each of the city’s four quadrants corresponds to a specific pick-up day (ours is Monday, like the rest of southeast Rochester). Bowman spends his Thursdays picking up Byron trash.

Bowman, a 1986 Byron High School grad, worked for GarbageMan before the buyout. WM—that’s what they want to be called now—kept him on, and he basically kept driving the same route.

“I’ve been picking up your garbage every week for years,” he says.

Which, when he says it, suddenly feels like a personal relationship. I consider asking him about our trash, but I’m a little afraid of what he’ll say. I’m trying to think back on some of the weird things we have thrown away over the years.

“I used to have to get out of the truck like 600 times a day,” Bowman says. Now he uses a camera to guide him as he maneuvers a joystick to grab my bin with hydraulic fingers and lift it with hydraulic arms. Through another camera in the truck cab, he can watch the garbage spill into the truck.

An estimated 3 percent of the population hauls their own waste to the Olmsted County Recycling Center (at $5 per 30 gallons of garbage).

Our kids, when they were little, would run out to watch the garbage truck, and give the driver popsicles on August days.

“People love the truck,” he says. “We’re a hit at the Transportation Fair.”

Andy Crom, a supervising system operator with Olmsted County, uses the joystick to control what looks like the world’s largest Skil Crane game. Except he’s grabbing loads up to 5,400 pounds to feed into the hopper.

Also at our house for today’s garbage pickup are Robert Jones (WM’s route manager) and Taryn Nance (WM’s Area Communications Manager). This is not a typical garbage stop.

Today, my black garbage bag is spray painted orange. It is covered in long strips of orange duct tape.

Today, knowing that our garbage would be tracked through the Waste To Energy process, Lindy and I were probably more conscientious about recycling than normal, and we’re normally conscientious.

Back when the kids were still young enough to give the garbage truck drivers popsicles, we used to crush our own aluminum cans in the garage to turn in to recycling for cash (for the kids) or the Ronald McDonald House can collection day. That kind of thing.

Olmsted County’s daily recycling—roughly 400,000 daily pounds—falls on the responsibility of the city’s five active, licensed haulers, the top three of which ship the recycling to facilities in Minneapolis (WM) or La Crosse (Harter’s) or Inver Grove Heights (LRS).

This week’s Lange garbage consists mostly of empty caulk containers and a broken caulk gun, since this was the week of the incessant June downpours and I spent the weekend caulking every crack along our foundation. An empty orange spray paint can. An empty roll of orange duct tape. A broken screwdriver. Those flip flops.

“When it comes to the question of whether to put items in the curbside garbage or curbside recycling cart, the answer might be ‘neither,’” says Wittmer. “For instance, paint, pesticides, and rechargeable batteries should be brought to the Hazardous Waste Facility, while old laptops and DVD players should be recycled at the Recycling Center Plus.”

Other ‘neithers’ include plastic bags, full aerosol cans, and “tanglers” (hoses, cords, wires, rope).

If residents have any questions, says Wittmer, they can call the recycling center. The Olmsted County website hosts something called the Waste Wizard, in which you can search for specific items.

Bowman has already delivered the first load of the day—a full truck at 16,000 pounds of garbage—to the Waste To Energy plant. So my garbage bag, theoretically at least, will be covered by the trash from those 250 more stops (at an average of 27 pounds per bin).

I say theoretically because Robert Jones (WM’s route manager) climbs into the truck to remove my orange-taped bag so we can drive it directly to the waste to energy plant.

“THE

TRASH ENTERS

A BOILER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT BURNS IT AS EFFICIENTLY AND CLEANLY AS POSSIBLE.”

– Chris Stepp, OWEF Facility Lead

Three hours and those 250 stops later, Bowman drives his Peterbilt 520 (an alternative fuel vehicle running on compressed natural gas) onto the OWEF’s scale—the same scale on which basically every Rochester grade schooler has stood on at some point to be collectively weighed during group tours given by Quarry Hill Nature Center.

Inside the small scalehouse, Eileen Wilde stands behind a computer and between two sliding windows so she can talk to the incoming and outgoing drivers as she monitors their weigh ins and outs.

The WM truck weighs in at 48,000 pounds. It will weigh out at 32,000 pounds. It is carrying another 16,000 pounds (8 tons) of trash. The tipping fee—the amount WM pays for dropping off this load—will be $672 (at $84 per ton).

After taking his weigh-in ticket, Bowman drives into the OWEF facility and backs up to the tipping floor to

Andy Crom maneuvers the giant claw and deftly picks up Steve Lange’s single, orange-taped garbage bag. By the neck.

dump the trash into the giant pit, 50 feet wide by 100 feet long by 79 feet high.

One of the OWEF employees, to simulate my garbage being dumped out of the truck, throws my orange ducttaped bag into the pile.

‘WE’RE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY SKIL CRANE GAMES ANYMORE’

Here, in the glass-windowed control room overlooking (and, well, oversmelling) the pit, the four operators sit surrounded by long rows of buttons and switches and monitors showing CCTV images of trash sitting in the hopper or trash moving through the gravity-fed chute toward the combustion chambers or trash burning in the combustion chambers.

The various computer systems—the Data Acquisition System (DAS) and the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)—rely on more than 2,000 remote devices combined to monitor everything from carbon monoxide levels in the combustion chamber to flue gas samples from the particulate filter system.

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“A lot of people think we’re just coming in here and throwing some trash in a boiler, burning it, and the smoke’s going up to the atmosphere,” says Chris Stepp, the OWEF Facility Lead. “That’s not the case. We’re putting that trash into the incinerator by a trained crane operator who’s sorting it out, trying to find things that we can remove so it doesn’t cause as much pollution. The trash enters a boiler management system that burns it as efficiently and cleanly as possible.”

That trained crane operator—right now it’s Andy Crom—is working the joystick controls of what looks like the world’s largest Skil Crane game. Except he’s not grabbing stuffed animals.

The crane work accomplishes three main tasks: it picks up and drops—”fluffs”—the garbage to create a more homogenous mix for more efficient burning (mixing the wet and the dry, the heavy and the light); it looks for things like drywall sheets and water heaters and propane tanks to take them out of the burn stream; and it feeds the hopper by lifting trash into the container at the top of the pit to start its journey to combustion.

While he could grab up to three cubic yards and 5,400 pounds of trash in a single load, Crom maneuvers the giant claw and deftly picks up my single, orange-taped garbage bag. By the neck.

Crom then gently raises that bag the 50 or so feet from the pit floor and elegantly drops it into the feed hopper.

“We’re not allowed to play Skil Crane games anymore,” says Logan Boyd, a systems operator who’s been on the job for five years.

Tony Griffin was hired in at OWEF in 1987, on “day one of the plant,” he says.

“When we first started, we wanted to be incognito,” says Griffin, a 1980 Mayo High School grad. “Out of sight, out of mind. Then we realized we needed to educate people, to bring in tours. Now we’ve had thousands of people come through here. We’ve got a 20-some year relationship with Quarry Hill Nature Center where they bring every grade schooler from the Rochester Public School District through this facility. They see the recycling center and they see how it all works together. It makes garbage real for a lot of people.”

Rochester Magazine Editor Steve Lange’s orange-marked trash bag sits in the OWEF pit.

Griffin and the other plant operators spend their days in two-hour shifts: two hours running that crane, then two hours walking the 77,000-square-foot plant looking for any issues, then two hours of paperwork, then two more hours back at the crane.

If trash gets jammed up in the hopper, one or more of the operators have to free it up using long hooks to pull out stuck items. If something too big (like that water heater) makes its way near the combustion chambers, one or more of the operators have to don the aluminized fire suits and pull it out.

From the hopper, my bag moves through a series of “burn zones.” The first zone dries and ignites the garbage. The second starts the full 1600-degree burn process. The Burnout Zone completes the process, and then moves that unburned material— the “bottom ash”—into a water bath.

The heat generated by that burning garbage, by those 600,000 pounds combusted every day in the three furnaces, fuels the three attached boilers. Those boilers use steam to turn three turbine generators, which can create a total of nearly 10 megawatts per hour.

That electricity powers the facility itself, as well as the Recycling Center, the Hazardous Waste Facility, the Crisis Center, another dozen buildings, thousands of area homes. That steam is piped over to heat the Federal Medical Center, RCTC’s Heintz Center, and two dozen other buildings.

The process of burning my garbage takes about two hours from hopper to bath.

For every 10 cubic yards of waste that goes through the combustion process, 1 cubic yard of ash remains. My 24 pounds of garbage is probably, estimates Chris, “a pound or two of ash.”

The metal caulk gun and the screwdriver may not have burned up completely. But my flip flops are gone for good.

THE ‘TATTLETALE ROOM’

Much of the OWEF plant looks like any manufacturing facility, especially one that is using garbage to create electricity, steam, and, as an end product, ash.

In a small room in the center of the facility, 21-year employee Walt Stenberg sits in front of monitors in what he calls the “nerve center for our pollution control monitoring system.”

Though everyone else, apparently, calls it the “tattletale room.”

“My job,” says Walt, “is to determine, if they see a problem in the control room, whether or not what they’re seeing is an actual problem that they need to deal with before they make any major changes.”

All of the plant’s monitoring devices—from garbage flow to burn temps to boiler pressure to pollution control—are themselves monitored through the tattletale room.

“We don’t want to have any system outside of the norm,” says Walt. “If we can control an issue, we would rather shut ourselves down than continue to push pollution through the system. But we try our very best to maintain the system runs 24/7, 365. These boilers are always online. If you come down here on New Year’s Eve, somebody will be here. If you show up Christmas day, somebody will be here.”

One heavily-monitored area of the plant centers on the Air Pollution Control System, where things like “dry scrubbers” and “fabric filters” capture and collect the particulates—those fine particles created through the burning process. In 2003, the OWEF invested $11 million in a major upgrade to the air pollution control system.

“We sample the flue gas before our pollution control system and after our pollution control system to see what we’re putting into the atmosphere,” says Chris. “Those samples are reported to the state 24/7. A lot of folks don’t understand how heavily monitored and regulated we are.”

After graduating from Century High School in 2020, Thomas Schad signed up for the Facility and Service Technology Program (FAST) at RCTC. He graduated from the program in fall of 2023, and took a four-month internship (“Like a long-term job interview,” says Chris Stepp) at OWEF.

When the internship ended, Thomas got hired full time as a maintenance mechanic. Opted for four 10-hour days and takes Wednesdays and weekends off.

Ed Bowman, a driver with Waste Management, makes his way through his route after picking up Steve Lange’s orangemarked trash bag.

from RCTC’s FAST program,

for

Travis Lovelace, Kalmar Landfill crew leader, stands near a pile of ready-to-befiltered ash.

Thomas Schad, a maintenance mechanic who recently graduated

works on a safety cover

a gear box.

“FAST is a very broad program,” Thomas says. “First semester is boilers, plumbing, industrial maintenance. Second semester is all electrical. And third and fourth are refrigeration and HVAC. It really prepared me for this work.”

Right now, he’s fabricating a protective safety guard for some machine—grinding down a piece of bent and rounded metal, sparks flying.

‘ASH WEDNESDAYS’

In the ash room—just past the end of those last-ditch steps in the burning process— everything is covered in a gray film.

Once a week, the plant operators—the same team that runs the crane and walks the plant—clean this room. They call it Ash Wednesdays.

Here, that last 10 percent or so of my garbage—the last 60,000 or so pounds of the 600,000 pounds brought to the OWEF every single day—is moved down a conveyer and onto containers waiting to be shipped to the Kalmar Landfill.

When the container is filled with 28,000 pounds of ash, it is loaded onto a truck and is driven the 10 miles west, just past Leashes and Leads, to the only active landfill in Olmsted County.

‘PEOPLE THROW TOO MUCH STUFF IN THE GARBAGE THAT THEY SHOULDN’T’

Today, because of all of the recent rain, the pile of yet-to-be-filtered ash at the Kalmar Landfill stands higher than normal—maybe 30 feet high.

The ash pile is filled with melted versions of cupcake tins, aerosol cans, what look like bed springs.

That filtering process begins with running a giant electromagnet over the recently dumped loads. A frontloader operator—with a giant electromagnet welded to the bottom of the bucket—spends most of eight hours a day sweeping the ash to separate out the ferrous metals, which Kalmar collects and sells to a recycler.

The remaining ash is then dumped into a trommel, a giant cylinder with a metal screen that rotates and filters out progressively smaller pieces of debris.

Chris Stepp, facility lead, points to one of the numerous monitors in the 77,000-squarefoot OWEF plant.

Walt Stenberg, an instrument and control technician, works with the Continuous Emission Monitoring System in the “tattletale room.”

OWEF’s turbine room can produce up to 10 megawatts of electricity per hour.

“OLMSTED COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE MOST

COMPREHENSIVE SOLID WASTE SYSTEMS

IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.” – Anthony Wittmer

electromagnet

Any clumps of ash larger than an inch and a quarter are dumped in a pile at the end of the trommel. From there, the frontloader returns with the magnet to remove the rest of the iron.

My broken screwdriver shaft will probably be swept up at some point.

In addition to the basics like pots and nails, they find a lot of, for some reason, brake rotors. In the last month, they have picked out maybe 200 brake rotors that people have thrown in their garbage.

“People throw too much stuff in the garbage that they shouldn’t,” says Travis Lovelace, Kalmar Landfill crew leader. “It’s so easy to recycle this stuff. You can go down to a recycling center, and

they’ll take your iron for free. You can go to Watson Recycling, take your iron in there, possibly get paid for it. But people throw it in the garbage.”

Kalmar sends out two 20-ton loads of iron to the recycler every week. They bring in anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000 per year from recycling.

That ash, the final compressed powder, will be added to one of the seven engineered storage cells (with a foundation of two plastic liners over five feet of compacted clay) on Kalmar’s 160 acres.

“There’s always iron to magnet,” says Lovelace. “There’s always ash to run. There’s always iron to trommel. The garbage keeps coming in, day after day.”

They are looking at various ways to reuse that ash, eventually. The base of the road leading to the ash dump site is made of an ash and concrete mixture.

At this pace, it will take decades to run out of ash storage space at the Kalmar facility, according to the EPA, which promotes the positive environmental impacts of waste to energy versus landfills.

“Olmsted County has one of the most comprehensive solid waste systems in the state of Minnesota,” says Wittmer. “It’s uncommon to have a yard waste compost site located across the street from a recycling center and hazardous waste facility, which are receiving power from a waste-to-energy facility a couple hundred yards down the road.”

removes ferrous metal from ash at the Kalmar Landfill.

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three stories THREE HAULERS,

Harter’s Disposal of MN

507-910-8053; hartersdisposal.com LRS

WHEN DID HARTER’S START IN ROCHESTER?

“Harter’s Disposal of MN has over 50 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry,” says Kellsie Harter, Digital Communications Coordinator. “We started in Rochester in May of 2023. Harter’s originated in La Crosse, Wis., in 1955 with first-generation hauler Frank Harter, who began providing trash service to residents using a flat bed truck and 55 gallon barrels. That business has passed down to Frank’s grandson and current owner, Gary Harter, whose son, Matt Harter (fourth generation), launched Harter’s Disposal of MN in early 2023.”

WHY WOULD I CHOOSE YOUR BUSINESS?

We are a family-owned business that offers residential customers weekly pick up for both garbage and recycling. Weekly recycling is included in our pricing and gives customers the convenience of having both garbage and recycling emptied on the same day every single week. We use dual-compartment trucks to haul materials, so we only need to come by once. We like to say “one pass in, one pass out” for quieter neighborhoods and safer streets! You can also sign up for service completely and easily online at our website: hartersdisposal.com. You can pay monthly, quarterly, or a year in advance. If you have any questions, you can reach us at anytime by sending us a direct message on Facebook or by calling our office Monday-Friday 7am-5pm to speak to a real person. We look forward to hearing from you!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

We won’t sell out! Harter’s Disposal is eager to grow and will continue to provide the residents and businesses in the Rochester area with honest pricing and excellent disposal services for generations to come.

507-281-5850; lrsrecycles.com WM

WHEN DID LRS START IN ROCHESTER?

“ We began our operations in Rochester in the 1980s,” says David Meyer, Area General Manager. “Over the years, we’ve undergone several name changes, evolving and growing with the community.”

WHAT SEPARATES YOU AS A HAULER?

Our team’s deep-rooted understanding of the Rochester area, cultivated over 15 years, sets us apart. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service with a local touch. Our team, including six customer service representatives based right here in Rochester, is dedicated to addressing the unique needs of our clients. Whether handling small or largescale jobs, we focus on every detail to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF YOUR BUSINESS.

LRS’s journey is marked by strategic acquisitions and mergers, which have enriched our capabilities and talent pool. These integrations have allowed us to adopt and share the best practices from each acquired company, enhancing our service offerings and maintaining our commitment to quality.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

At LRS, we are deeply committed to our community. We strive to make Rochester cleaner and more vibrant. Our involvement extends beyond our services; we actively participate in community initiatives, including volunteering with Channel One and Habitat for Humanity. We also support various local charities and organizations through monetary donations, reflecting our dedication to giving back to the communities we serve.

507-282-2420; wm.com

WHEN DID WM START IN ROCHESTER?

“ WM has been serving communities across Minnesota for more than 50 years and hauling in the Rochester area since the early 90s,” says Taryn Nance, Area Communications Manager.

WHAT SEPARATES YOU AS A HAULER?

WM is working toward a more sustainable tomorrow. Our sustainability vision focuses on three ambitions: materials are repurposed, energy is renewable, and communities are thriving. To achieve these ambitions: We’re evolving waste and recycling solutions to expand the reuse of materials, giving new life to things we no longer use, and lessening our collective footprint. We’re making investments in innovative technologies that turn waste into new forms of energy, which can be used to power our trucks and your homes while reducing our climate impact. For example—for over a decade, we have been transitioning our fleet to use alternative fuels and have reduced emissions over 40% since 2010 across the company. We’ve also invested in an upgraded hauling facility right here in Rochester with a brand-new shop and compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling infrastructure. This has enabled transition of our fleet to alternative fuel vehicles, reducing fleet emissions in the community. More than 50% of our trucks in Rochester are currently CNG, with plans for a 100% CNG fleet by the end of 2024.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

In addition to our new CNG Hauling Facility in Rochester, WM is making investments in the state to enable a more sustainable future. Earlier this year, WM announced plans to make significant upgrades in state-of-the-art technology at the company’s recycling facility in Minneapolis. This investment in innovative recycling solutions aims to create more recycling volume capacity and, in turn, help fuel a circular economy.

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Minnesota surf and turf, Canadian Honker Restaurant.

6 CITY’S BEST OF THE

STEAK PLACES

by Elliot Mann

YOU VOTED.

Then we found perfectly seasoned steaks, perfectly aged steaks, the best cocktail to pair with a ribeye, and more.

contributed photos and Post Bulletin archives

Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse

10 E. Center St.

507-361-2560

pittsburghbluesteak.com

1. LIKE YOUR STEAK?

Thank a John Marshall High School teacher. Pittsburgh Blue Executive Chef Adam Bangert is classically trained from the former Le Cordon Bleu, but the Rochester native originally sparked his culinary interests in the high school classroom of Cindy Laude more than 20 years ago. “She really pushed me to pursue this,” Bangert recalls of his former teacher. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have gone to culinary school.”

2. SADDLE UP.

Wondering what to order? Bangert recommends the “Cowboy Ribeye,” a center-cut, hand-selected, well-aged, bone-in ribeye. It’s going to give you the proper meat to marbling to fat ratio, the chef says, and the meat stays juicier and more tender as it sits on the bone.

3. ‘THAT ‘RATATOUILLE’ MOMENT.’

If Bangert hears a customer ask for salt and pepper, his heart sinks. His job is to offer a perfectly seasoned steak, he says, especially with Pittsburgh Blue’s own proprietary seasoning, created in-house by the steakhouse group’s chefs. “The best thing is hearing silverware clanking on a plate, seeing customers with a big smile, that ‘Ratatouille’ moment,” he says.

Chester’s Kitchen & Bar

111 Broadway Ave. S.

507-424-1211

chesterskb.com

1. 28 DAYS LATER.

The steaks at Chester’s are all aged 28 days, making sure the tissue of the meat breaks down, allowing the tenderness and flavor to break through. It makes all the difference, says Derek Jensen, general manager and executive chef of Chester’s Kitchen and Bar. “I’ve been a chef for 30 years in the Upper Midwest. Something that I’ve learned over the years is when you taste a steak, you know the difference,” he says.

2. AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE.

Whereas traditionalists reach for a glass of red wine with their steak, the younger generation has moved toward pairing their meat with a cocktail instead. Chester’s Nova Old Fashioned, anchored with a blend of Tattersall rye with J. Carver brickyard bourbon, is the move here.

3. ‘HEART OF THE CITY.’

A guest recently told Jensen that Chester’s is “the heart of the city” and “the new Michael’s,” in terms of offering an elevated, consistent dining experience in the middle of downtown. Jensen says Chester’s is always trying to update and reinvent itself, but one menu item that lives on from the beginning is the Banana Cream Pie, which is a former winner of Rochester Magazine’s Best Desserts.

Zen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge

2043 Superior Dr. N.W.

507-288-5283

zenfusionmn.com

1. THREE-RING CIRCUS.

While everyone loves the smoke of Mount Fuji, the whistle of the train, and the juggling knives, it all falls apart if the meal isn’t cooked to perfection, says co-owner Tiffany Houser. Hibachi chefs train at special schools for roughly six months, but also need to learn how to grill several different kinds of meat, vegetables, and rice on the same grill at the same time, while tossing the salt shakers, spatulas, and knives up, down, and around. “There are a lot of knives and a lot of fire; my insurance policy is high,” Houser says with a laugh.

2. BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

Armed with heat nearing 500 degrees, it takes a hibachi chef about 20 minutes to cook for a table of eight people. Meanwhile, it takes just about that long for the staff in the back of the house to first prepare the rare meat, by properly slicing and weighing the items to the exact specifications.

3. MORE ART THAN SCIENCE.

Each chef brings their own personal style to the grill top. Some favor juggling–one chef could flip a bowl of rice four times and land it on a spatula–while some enjoy using props like rubber chickens. And yet other chefs introduce a musical element, bringing a rhythm to the fire and knives.

Pappy’s Place

1635 US-52

507-258-4550

pappysplacerochester.com

1. CUTTING HIS TEETH AS A CHEF.

Owner and executive chef Chris Pappas cut his teeth as a young chef in the meat room. Starting in 1983 at Michael’s, his family’s restaurant, he would often spend two to three hours at the start of his shift cutting large loin primals into perfect rib-eyes, filet mignon, t-bones, and strip steaks. It’s a skill he carries today to Pappy’s Place.

2. PRIME RIB IN PRIME TIME.

As Pappy’s Place has evolved, Pappas has added more of the dishes from Michael’s. Prime rib is offered on Saturdays only, and as Pappas notes, he goes through three loins every Saturday. “If you’re not here before 7, it’s gone.”

3. OPENED IN 2013, NAMED DECADES AGO.

As a young child, Chris Pappas struggled to say “Grandpa Pappas” when talking to his grandfather, Paul. Instead, “Grandpa Pappy” came out. When it came time to name the new restaurant in 2013, it was an obvious way to memorialize someone who played a huge part in his life. “We had six names on the list and as my wife and I read off the names, my sister Lisa said, ‘There’s only one that fits you and the place.’” Pappy’s Place was born.

Crave

220 Broadway Ave. S. 507-512-3800 craverochestermn.com

1. RAIN OR SHINE CELEBRATIONS.

Looking for a special place for a special day? The Crave atrium is always a great pick regardless of the season, providing cozy ambiance in the winter, while in the summer, the walls retract for a roof-top vibe. Looking for a table on a weekend? It’s best to get a reservation.

2. STEAK? MEDIUM RARE. SHRIMP? TEMPURA.

Crave offers several steak dishes, and along with the sushi menu, diners have several unique pairing options. Crave Rochester Executive Chef Chris Tonkin favors pairing the Grilled New York Strip with the No. 9–a sushi roll of shrimp tempura, salmon, avocado, sesame seeds, and sweet sauce. “It’s a good middle ground of beef flavor, with enough tenderness,” Tonkin says of the strip steak.

FROM THE QUEEN CITY TO PIKE PLACE. AND BACK.

Tonkin was born and raised in Rochester, but learned the business in restaurants in Portland and Seattle. One of his most notable jobs was picking out fish from the famed Pike Place Market every day. He returned to Rochester in 2014, and became Crave Rochester’s executive chef a year ago.

Canadian Honker Restaurant

1203 Second St. S.W.

507-282-6572

canadianhonker.com

1. MINNESOTA SURF AND TURF.

The Canadian Honker offers a 6 ounce filet mignon, a 7 ounce top sirloin, and on Saturdays, prime rib. The real value is pairing the filet with a 5 ounce walleye.

2. FROM KANSAS RANCH TO ROCHESTER TABLE.

While Honker employees concede that they are not in the traditional steakhouse market, and that the walleye is generally the most popular dish on the dinner menu, they still clear more than 400 steaks a week. The Honker features Braveheart Black Angus Beef out of Kansas.

3. THEN IT BECOMES ‘CHEERS.’

It’s fairly common for patients and their families going through treatment at St. Marys Hospital across the street to become regulars. Nick Powers, president of Powers Ventures, says the employees end up getting to know the customers at a deeper level, sometimes seeing each other multiple times, every day for weeks. “At that point it turns into ‘Cheers,’ and ‘Hey? There’s Charlie!’ and everyone runs over. We’re not just serving food. There is way more to this,” Powers says. “The sole reason we have made it 40 years is because our employees care.”

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OUR GUIDE TO HIGHER ED

(PART I)

Three area college students offer their “been there, done that, wish I’d done that instead” advice for high school grads and other prospective college students. Plus, our cheat sheet to area colleges.

PHOTOS BY LILY DOZIER, MAYA GIRON, AND JOE AHLQUIST

Tell us a little about your college background.

I am 17 years old, and I am expected to graduate in the spring of 2025 with a Practical Nursing diploma. I was born in Madison, Wis. but have lived in Rochester for about 5 years. Even though I’m technically still considered a high school student, I attend Rochester Community Technical College full-time.

Shabnam Qader, 17 Freshman(ish) at RCTC

Photo by Lily Dozier

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking at colleges right now?

For those who are looking at colleges right now, it is important to understand what type of environment the college has. Most students, including myself, only view the academic ranking of a college, but it is important to make sure that the college you commit to has an environment that you are comfortable with. This can range from seeing how diverse the college is to understanding the size of the college. The college a student commits to is going to be where the student spends the majority of their time, so being comfortable in that learning space is an important part of succeeding in college.

OK. What’s another piece of advice you’d give to someone looking at colleges right now?

Another tip for students looking at colleges is to understand the financial package each college can offer them. Many people have talked about limiting how much student loans you take, but I just want to reinforce this point. The best colleges usually cost much more than those slightly lower ranked, so thinking about the financial burden you’ll face is very important when deciding to commit to a college. At the end of the day, when you have worked in your career for some time, it won’t matter to anyone which college you go to, but the financial burden and student loans will stay with you for a much longer time.

“

Teachers and professors are resources as well, so build good relationships with them.

Shabnam Qader

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with academics?

College coursework can become stressful, so during the first few weeks of school; familiarize yourself with the resources that the college offers you. Many colleges offer tutoring and homework help resources, so it is good to know how to use these resources if you ever need help with classwork. Utilizing such resources (I’ve found) has been very helpful in understanding the material and finishing assignments promptly. Teachers and professors are resources as well, so build good relationships with them so you can easily ask questions when you have them. After all, teachers are the ones who understand the content the best, so they always steer you in the right direction when you ask questions.

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with their social life?

Starting college usually means restarting your social life. You probably won’t know many students at the college you are attending, but that is okay because most students are in the same boat. It is common to feel nervous when talking to a new group of people, but being open to talking to new people helps to build new friendships easily. One great way to find friends is to join clubs and activities that you are interested in. Clubs are great places to develop friendships with people who have common interests with you while having fun at the same time. I’ve made great, lasting friendships with people who I’ve met in various clubs and activities I’ve participated in, and the friendships I’ve developed in my first days of college have lasted for a long time.

Shabnam Qader “

...it is important to know what learning methods help you succeed and to limit the number of credits you take during the first semester of college until you become comfortable with the new education system.

What was one of your big college fears that you now realize was overblown?

My high school teachers used to tell me that the coursework in college would be much larger in quantity than in high school, and there is a bit of truth to that because coursework is more independent, but it is not as overwhelming as it seems. If you pay attention in class and don’t fall behind in your coursework, then gliding through the classes is fairly simple. I know that studies say that for each credit 2-3 hours of time needs to be spent studying outside of class, but I have never had to spend this much time outside of class working on coursework. That being said, it is important to know what learning methods help you succeed and to limit the number of credits you take during the first semester of college until you become comfortable with the new education system.

What’s something you appreciate about the college you chose?

I’ve attended Rochester Community and Technical College for a couple of years now, and I appreciate the support that the staff provides. Teachers are very understanding and openminded toward their students, which helps make the school year pass by quickly and easily. If you ever need extensions or help with coursework, the teachers are very accommodating and understanding of what different students have going on outside of school. The advisors are also very friendly and supportive in your college journey. They have helped me pick classes that are the best fit for my career path, and they believe that I’ll be successful. Overall, the staff at RCTC helps build a welcoming environment and is a big part of the reason I enjoy my time at RCTC very much.

Tell us a little about your college background.

I’m 29, I’m starting my second year of grad school, and I’m from Farmington, Minn. I’m a Counselor Education student at Winona State University.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking at colleges right now?

If you’re planning on going in person, make sure you visit the campus in person. It’s really helpful to go there and see what campus life is like and what the general atmosphere is on campus. You might be there for the next few years, so you want to be able to picture yourself there. Visiting the campus, and staying overnight if possible, lets you see the campus through the eyes of a student. You’ll go to the cafeteria and visit spots around campus, so you’ll get to see various parts of the campus that might be important to you. Does the campus offer food that fits your lifestyle and needs? If you’re really into going to the gym, make sure that’s something that will be available to you and that it is somewhere you’d want to work out. Check out any amenities or activities available on campus and find out how accessible they are for students. This is an opportunity to talk to current students and get honest opinions from people who are experiencing and living where you might be next year, so take advantage of the opportunity to get their views.

What’s another piece of advice you’d give to someone looking at colleges right now?

I’m sure they hear it a lot, but keep an eye on costs and the school and program’s fit for your life. Many people take out student loans and use financial aid, but there are

other ways to cut costs, too. For instance, if you can live at home and go to class online or attend a school that’s close enough to live at home, it can help a lot. It’s really easy to sign a loan and worry about it later, but once later catches up and you have to start paying back, it can be a lot harder. You also want to make sure the school offers programming that fits your lifestyle and how you want to do school. There are a lot of schools that offer online options and night classes to accommodate flexible schedules, but plenty of schools offer hybrid and in-person options as well.

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with academics? Look at your syllabus! It sounds silly, but as a grad student and adult learner, I

Elizabeth “Liz” Adams, 29 Grad student at Winona State University

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Relax and have fun! It’s hard work— no one is going to deny that. But try to enjoy yourself during it, too.

Elizabeth “Liz” Adams

by Maya

Photo

Giron

rely on my syllabus to set me up for a successful semester. The semester can get busy really fast, so having deadlines (and sometimes reminders) laid out ahead of time helps to keep track of everything, especially with multiple classes and other responsibilities in life. As an undergraduate student, I didn’t make use of my syllabi, but now I can clearly see and feel how much more organized and on top of things I am by utilizing them effectively. I’m a lot less stressed when I use my syllabus!

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with their social life?

Definitely check out any social events, clubs, or organizations. This is a great way to meet new people, make friends, and build a sense of community on campus. Participating in these types of things, or going to common areas to hang out or study, can help you feel connected and create opportunities to get to know others and make friends. Connect with your professors—they

have office hours for a reason. I’m still in contact with some of my professors from my undergraduate school. They’re a great resource and reference as you move out of school and to a more professional role, and they’re also usually full of stories and advice to share.

What was one of your big college fears that you now realize was overblown? Probably the importance of grades. As an undergraduate student, I felt an immense pressure to do my best in school—and to me, that meant all “A”s. It was unrealistic, stressful, and led to bad habits. And when I graduated, nobody really cared what my GPA was—they were more concerned over whether or not I had the degree. I realized after I graduated that while I worked hard for that piece of paper— that’s all it was and all people needed to see. As a grad student, I’ve had to learn the importance of being able to juggle responsibilities. For me, a big part of that is learning to shift my focus to my “why” for school—learning to prepare me for the role I want to fill, or what

I want to do, rather than just to get good grades.

What’s something you appreciate about the college you chose?

I really appreciated the sense of community on the campus. It sounds corny, but when I go back to visit my undergraduate school, it really does feel like going back home. The friendships and connections I’ve made there, and the ones I’m making at my graduate school, are some of the most important things I’m going to be taking with me from these experiences, and a large part of that is from the focus on community at these schools.

Any other piece of advice you want to add?

If your school offers professional development opportunities or workshops, take advantage of them! They’re a great way to network and boost your confidence. Relax and have fun! It’s hard work—no one is going to deny that. But try to enjoy yourself during it, too.

teams, and the vibrant community of Winona that will become your home away from home.

Tell us a little about your college background.

I am 20 years old, I will graduate in 2026, and I’m from Stewartville Minnesota. I go to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking at colleges right now?

I think you should be looking for a place where you can see yourself developing not only as a student, but as a person. College is a great place to discover what you value, and you should be looking for a place that practices the values you wish to pursue. If you make your selection based on that, oftentimes, you will select a place where you can find like minded people who you can make immediate connections with. At this time in my life, I am thankful that I made my decision using this process because I feel that I have developed and changed as a person for the better.

What’s another piece of advice?

Sometimes making uncommon decisions now can lead to uncommon success. In college, people do all sorts of things, and as much as you should try new things, sometimes saying no is in your best interest. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can be a very healthy thing that can help you discover who you are, but only if you know it is a safe kind of discomfort. College is a ton of fun and a transformative time, and you get to decide what you want to transform into.

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with academics? Create a specific plan for how you want to structure your day. When I first went

Eli Klavetter, 20 undergrad at Augustana University

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You should be looking for a place where you can see yourself developing ... as a person.

Eli Klavetter

Photo

Joe Ahlquist

to college, it was the first time in my life that I didn’t have a built-in structure to my day with a school or sports schedule. The first weeks of school are a great time to build new habits, and I think that if you are intentional with your time, you have a very high chance of succeeding. Of course, you may end up not liking some of these habits, but you can always change them. I think it is important to go in with a plan, and alter that plan as you learn more about what works well for you.

What’s something incoming students should be sure to do in their first few weeks of school to help with their social life? Don’t be afraid to participate in experiences you are unfamiliar with. In the first few weeks of school, most people are looking to make new friends and try new things. The worst thing that you can do is to sit in your room and not try anything

new or meet new people. I grew up in a small town, so it was difficult to put myself out there and introduce myself to new people. As scary as it was at the time, I am so glad I did it because I have made good friends that I otherwise would have never met.

What was one of your big college fears that you now realize was overblown? My biggest fear going into college was dealing with professors and faculty because I really didn’t know what to expect. If I was ever confused, I felt like I might be on my own to figure it out. In reality, the professors at my school are always willing to meet with a student and help in any way they can. They are there as a resource and if you can find time to visit them during office hours, I would highly recommend that. Sometimes people can feel alone in the learning process, and rightfully so. If you reach out and use the resources that are available to you, the education process can be tailored to you. In order for this to happen, you must be invested

in yourself and go out of your way to create the experience you want.

What’s something you really appreciate about the college you chose?

Augustana is a great school because it has a small college feel with the opportunities of a bigger city. Sioux Falls is a growing community with a ton of opportunities in many different fields of study. While it has the resources of a large growing community, it is a small enough school where you can really make connections with faculty. I also feel like I chose a place that has similar values to my own, and due to that I have met some similarly minded people. At Augustana, I have been challenged to be a better student and person, and I am so thankful that I made my decision to find a place with strong values and high expectations.

Anything else you want to add? College is a blast, so live it up!

SUCCESSINMEDICINE

Makeadifferenceinhealthcare. Pursueyour dreaminmedicine amongsomeoftheworld’sbest practitioners,researchersandhealthcareproviders.

UMRprovidesthefollowingresourcesforsuccess:

Smallclasssizeswithdedicatedfaculty whoensure studentstrulyunderstandimportantconcepts. AdedicatedStudentSuccessCoach that providesindividualizedsupporttostudents. Experientiallearningopportunities inmentorship, researchandhands-onpatientcareexperiences.

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 605-274-5516 | augie.edu

Why choose Augustana? Beyond the classroom, Augustana University students have the opportunity to be involved in more than 100 clubs and student organizations, 22 athletic programs and 20+ visual and performing arts ensembles. AU is located in the heart of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has a population of more than 200,000 people. Sioux Falls was named the most affordable city in the country by Reader’s Digest in 2023. Augustana is also affordable as 100% of full-time, undergraduate students receive scholarships, grants or both!

What makes your institution different? Augustana University is nationally recognized for academic excellence, student life, graduate outcomes and affordability. Ninety-eight percent of recent graduates achieved a positive career outcome. In addition, Augustana was ranked as a Top 5 Regional University in the Midwest in Best Value by U.S. News & World Report. As of Fall 2023, Augustana University’s Midco Arena is now the on-campus home for Augustana Hockey—the first Division I hockey program in South Dakota—Club Hockey and Club Figure Skating. Augustana also places an intentional focus on diversity and inclusion through its Diversity Advocate Certification and Journey Scholars programs.

Programs offered: With more than 100 majors, minors and preprofessional programs—along with graduate degree and continuing education programs—Augustana is committed to combining a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill, advanced study and career-ready graduates.

Enrollment: Augustana serves nearly 2,100 students from 37 states and 49 foreign countries. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.

Why choose Augustana (student’s perspective): “Augustana is a great school because it has a small college feel with the opportunities of a bigger city. Sioux Falls is a growing community with a ton of opportunities in many different fields of study.” —Eli Klavetter

MAYO CLINIC COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND SCIENCE

200 First St. SW, Rochester | 507-284-3745 college.mayo.edu | mccm@mayo.edu

At Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science you will discover a unique research training environment of academic inquiry and scientific discovery, combined with exceptional intellectual and technological resources designed to help you achieve your highest scientific and medical career goals. Our students learn from some of the most highly-recognized professionals in their fields and benefit from training with the most advanced technology and equipment, and practical hands-on patient care experience.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is a national medical school unified by a single, innovative curriculum and educational opportunities across three unique campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota. As an integral part of Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students learn from renowned medical experts providing specialty care to nearly 1.3 million patients per year.

Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education is recognized as the largest institution of its kind in the United States. With a diverse offering of over 300 residency and fellowship programs, it attracts physicians from across the nation and around the globe. Currently, nearly 1,700 trainees are enrolled in these programs. These trainees contribute significantly to the healthcare services provided at the Mayo Clinic, delivering extensive and high-quality care to patients.

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program offers eight specialty tracks with diverse research opportunities at our Rochester, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and Jacksonville campuses. Our students learn from scientists who are leaders in their field and our integrated within a top academic medical center.

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences provides education that goes far beyond traditional, with over 200 academic programs across 55 health sciences areas. Throughout your education, you’ll be a respected member of the health care team and make a difference before you even finish your program. A rewarding career at Mayo Clinic starts here.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

1340 Administration Ave, Fargo, ND 701-231-8011 | www.ndsu.edu

Why choose NDSU? North Dakota State University is a studentfocused institution that offers academically rigorous courses. Faculty at NDSU are experts in their fields and are committed to helping scholars graduate on time as competitive candidates in the national job market. Students are involved with world-class research at NDSU, which gives them an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. With about 300 student organizations on campus, it’s easy to have fun and get involved outside the classroom. Our students can participate in club sports, fashion shows, innovation competitions, performing arts, academic honor societies, volunteer groups and Greek life. There really is something at NDSU for everyone.

Programs offered: NDSU is a major research university with experts in areas such as nanotechnology, microelectronics, polymers, food safety, plant science, biotechnology, cybersecurity, robotics, and materials science.

Degree programs: 97 Majors = Disciplines offered at the Baccalaureate level; 146 Degree Programs = Major/Degree combinations at the Baccalaureate level; 92 Minors; 6 Certificate Programs

Enrollment for Fall 2023: 11,952

Average class size: 69% of classes have fewer than 40 students

Tuition for fall 2024: $10,426 (Minnesota resident base tuition)

Diversity and dynamism: Nearly 12,000 students from diverse backgrounds create a dynamic campus environment at North Dakota State University. Our faculty and staff are focused on student success, helping them grow socially, academically, and culturally, preparing them for the job market and real world. As a land-grant university, NDSU provides cultural and educational outreach to the residents of the state, region, and beyond. NDSU faculty, staff and students provide outreach in the community through teaching, public health initiatives, volunteer work, and business collaborations.

ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

851 30th Ave. SE, Rochester 507-285-7557 | rctc.edu

Why choose RCTC? Rochester Community and Technical College has been providing affordable, accessible, and exceptional higher education opportunities in Rochester for over 100 years. The college offers 90 credit-based programs with nearly 100 credential options and over 300 different online classes in liberal arts and sciences, healthcare, business, human services, transportation, STEM, fine arts, and technical and career pathways. Through RCTC’s Transfer Pathways, students can complete an associate degree at RCTC, then seamlessly transfer their credits to any Minnesota State university where they will be guaranteed junior status. The College has partnerships with more than 35 local organizations including Rochester Public Schools/CTECH/P-TECH535, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, plus many more. Activities and clubs include everything from student government to tabletop gaming.

Enrollment: 6,500

Degrees offered: Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Certificate, Diploma.

Programs offered: Liberal arts and sciences, aviation/pilot, cybersecurity, radiography and MRI, nursing, health information technology, business and accounting, cardiovascular invasive specialist, cancer registry management, clinical neurophysiology technology, dental hygiene, environmental science, histology technician, intensive care paramedic, surgical technology, veterinary technology, welding technology, and many more.

Over 100 years of student success: Founded in 1915 on a motion by Dr. Charles Mayo to the Rochester School Board, RCTC is Minnesota’s oldest public, two-year college and one of the nation’s oldest original community colleges. RCTC remains a top choice for Rochester Public School graduates, 25 percent of whom attend RCTC after graduation. The RCTC Foundation awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to 350 students in the 20232024 academic year.

Since 1858, Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, MN has pioneered innovative educational opportunities, enabling students to discover, explore, and develop their individual passions.

PB Trivia Night at Little Thistle!

Wednesday, August 28 (And the last Wednesday of every month) The Post Bulletin and Little Thistle have teamed up for PB Trivia Night!

Sure, Wednesdays already mean Trivia Mafia Night at Little Thistle. But now, as an added bonus, the usual halftime break for Trivia Mafia will be filled with questions Pulled From The Pages Of This Month’s Post Bulletin (which was our original title, but then we realized it’s way too long).

And the winning team gets all kinds of cool swag (well, we think it’s cool because some of it has the PB logo on it, but it also includes Little Thistle gift cards!).

As always, the Trivia Mafia Night at Little Thistle starts at 6:30 pm (though you really should get there early) and it’s all free. PB Trivia will start a little after 7 pm.

SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ROCHESTER CAMPUS

2900 19th St. NW (Rochester campus at Cascade Meadow) 877-768-4545 | rochester@smumn.edu | smumn.edu

Why choose Saint Mary’s? At Saint Mary’s, the people who get to know you—faculty, peers, staff—all become allies. It’s here, in an intense give-and-take setting, where each of us discovers just how much we can grow. You’ll find, in every one of our classrooms, both online and in-person, a relationship-driven, person-centered education. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to make an impact, to achieve beyond expectations, to be known.

Programs offered: Saint Mary’s offers more than 30 majors at our Winona undergraduate campus, as well as over 50 programs through our Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs in Rochester, the Twin Cities, and online.

Enrollment: 4,700 total undergraduate and graduate students.

When classes meet: Classes conveniently meet throughout the week, with graduate and bachelor completion classes usually meeting on weekday evenings. Blended and online classes have mixed schedules that allow students the convenience of learning on their own time.

Class size: There are an average of 16 students in undergraduate classes. Graduate and bachelor’s completion vary depending on the course and modality of the program.

Shared purpose: Whether you study in Minneapolis, Winona, Rochester, online, or at any of our centers throughout the world; whether you’re an adult wishing to improve your career or you’re fresh out of high school seeking your personal frontier; whether you’re with us for a short time as a student or working together here as faculty or staff, there’s a shared sense of purpose and respect across our entire institution.

Why choose Saint Mary’s University (student’s perspective): “I really appreciate the community that Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has. Their campus is beautiful and close knit which allows students to thrive..” —Anne Carmean

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ROCHESTER

111 South Broadway, Suite 300, Rochester 877-280-4699 | r.umn.edu

Why choose the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)? The University of Minnesota Rochester is the public undergraduate health sciences university that empowers students to solve the grand health challenges of the 21st century. UMR’s integrated curriculum provides students with a foundational undergraduate education that allows them to pursue a wide range of careers in the health sciences including medicine, nursing, physical therapy, research, public health, health care administration, and more.

Programs offered: B.S. in Health Sciences (BSHS), including early assurance/accelerated programs in Nursing, Respiratory Care, MRI, Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and Surgical First Assistant. B.S. in Health Professions (BSHP), an educational collaboration with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences offering career tracks in Echocardiography, Respiratory Care, Radiography and Sonography, Master’s and Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology

By the numbers: 21: Average class size; 81% from Minn.; 19% from out of state; 80% of classes have fewer than 30 students

2024 Graduates: 40% plan to pursue graduate or professional school; 37% plan on taking a bridge year prior to their next steps; 23% plan to enter the workforce. Approximately 2/3 of UMR’s students are “underrepresented,” which includes BIPOC, first-generation students, and/or low-income students. 100% of admitted students are considered for scholarships.

Why choose University of Minnesota Rochester (from a former grad): “I’m currently a family medicine physician practicing rural family medicine and obstetrics in the Brainerd Lakes Area. My educational experience at UMR far exceeded my expectations. The thing I value most is the professional development I received and the close interactions with UMR faculty that have allowed me to feel comfortable having difficult conversations with patients and their families. This professionalism stems from a solid foundation that was integrated throughout the UMR curriculum.”— Hannah, M.D., Alumna

VITERBO UNIVERSITY

900 Viterbo Dr., La Crosse, Wis. | 608-796-3010 admission@viterbo.edu | viterbo.edu

Why choose Viterbo University? Located in the picturesque city of La Crosse between scenic bluffs and the Mississippi River, Viterbo University’s beautiful campus offers over 40 academic programs, both traditional and online, designed to prepare you for a successful career in one of the top college towns in the U.S. Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, you’ll be taught by dedicated faculty members committed to your success. As a V-Hawk, you’ll be inspired to lead a purpose-driven life, embracing Viterbo’s core values that will guide you beyond your education, regardless of the career path you choose or the community you join around the world. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 16, you’ll be known by name and build strong connections within the campus community. Our programs emphasize real-world experience, featuring internships, study abroad opportunities, co-ops, service learning, and field research to enrich your education. Viterbo’s commitment to your individual success is evident in our outstanding placement rate, with 99% of graduates employed within 180 days of graduation. Viterbo offers a generous transfer-credit policy, accelerated bachelor’s degree completion programs, and comprehensive graduate degree options tailored for working professionals and aspiring leaders.

Degrees offered: Viterbo offers more than 40 academic programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees both on-campus and online. They also offer several Bachelor Completion programs, including Accounting, BSN Completion (RN to BSN), and Health Care Management.

Enrollment: 1,400 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students.

What I loved (a student’s perspective): “Viterbo has some amazing opportunities, such as study abroad experiences and unique supervised practice sites that would be difficult to find on our own, like the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Vikings.” —Mackenzie Wanta, Nutrition Science major.

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY-ROCHESTER

Build a Brighter Future with WSU-Rochester.

Are you ready to make a better future for yourself and your community? WSU-Rochester is ready for you! Come to WSURochester to continue your education and take the next step in your career path.

WSU-Rochester has had a long tradition of a high-quality, college presence in Rochester. Our flexible programs provide advanced opportunities for working professionals with courses available online, hybrid, and in-person. WSU-Rochester is deeply immersed in the communities that we serve.

Rochester campus staff assist with admissions, financial aid, advising, registration, career services, access services, veteran support, and more. Transfer scholarships, student employment, and graduate assistantships are just a few ways we help our students afford their college education. More than 1,500 students attend WSURochester each year through day, evening, weekend and online/ hybrid classes, and more than 8,000 WSU alumni currently live and work in a variety of professional careers in the Rochester area.

Programs include: Undergraduate degree completion programs in Business Administration online, Human Resource Management online, Individualized Studies, Computer Science, Elementary Education online, Early Childhood Education online, RN to BS online, Nursing, and Social Work hybrid. Graduate programs in Nursing, Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP), Social Work, Addictions Counseling, Education Leadership, Principal licensure, Superintendent licensure, and advanced licensures.

Enrollment (student population): Approximately 2,066.

New programs include: Accounting online!

We look forward to welcoming you to Winona State UniversityRochester! Connect with us today to start planning for tomorrow.

ROCHESTER RETRO

(ONE IMAGE, ONE MOMENT IN THE CITY’S HISTORY)

Go see the six-foot man with see-through skin.

Created in Dresden, Germany, in 1933, the six-foot Transparent Man centerpieced Mayo Clinic’s medical display for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair (as pictured here).

This was one of the earliest examples of life-sized, see-through people (in which various organs lit up to accompany a recorded scientific message) and, even today, one of the few transparent men still in existence. (Women, with their non-protruding reproductive organs and pregnancy subplot, were far

more popular. Though there are only a few dozen transparent women displayed in the United States.)

Today, you can see (through) the Transparent Man in Mayo Clinic’s Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center, in the subway level of the Siebens Building, where he greets visitors making their way into the center to reference medical books or magazines or self-test their blood pressure.

source: Mayo Clinic

MARKETPLACE a selection of shops & services

SPECIALTY STORES

Galleria. 111 Broadway S. Shoppers will find a range of unique gift items, home decor, housewares, men’s apparel, games, and fashions for all ages. Clothing stores include: Hers, Poppi, Counterpoint, The Nordic Shop, and others. Gift items and housewares can be found at The Nordic Shop, Counterpoint Home, and Games by James.

Garten Marketplatz. Located six miles SW of Rochester on Olmsted Co. 15, this Civil-War era farm has beautiful display gardens, a great selection of Minnesotagrown perennials and garden art. The vintage brick “Garten Haus” is filled with gifts and home decor that changes with the season. The European-inspired carriage house is ready to host your meeting or special event year-round. 5225 Co. Rd. 15 SW Byron. 507-365-8891. gartenmarketplatz.com

Tyrol Ski & Sports. 1923 Second St SW. Selling quality outdoor gear since 1965. Featuring patio furniture, kayaks, canoes, camping gear, outdoor apparel, footwear. Online at tyrolskishop.com. Open Mon & Thurs 10-8; Tues, Wed, Fri 10-6; Sat 9:30-5:30. 507-288-1683.

DELI & SANDWICH SHOPS

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches. The Kahler Inn & Suites, 9 Third Ave. NW; Marketplace Mall, 2986 41st St NW; Crossroads Plaza, 90 14th St SW. Jimmy John’s is unlike any sub shop in the industry; no games or gimmicks, just oldfashioned, homemade sandwiches made from fresh-baked bread, allnatural meats and vegetables that are sliced daily. Downtown hours: 10:30-8; 507-289-9900. NW hours: 10:30-10; 507-424-0100. SW hours: 10:30-10; 507-424-2000. Catering and delivery available. Order online at jimmyjohns.com. V, M, D, and AE accepted.

ENTERTAINMENT

Rochester Civic Theatre. 20 Civic Center Dr SE. Just off Broadway in downtown Rochester, the Civic Theatre delivers a year-round slate of musical, drama, comedy, and young people’s theater productions. For a schedule of events, go to rochestercivictheatre.org, or call the box office at 507-282-8481.

Treasure Island.

Just minutes north of Red Wing. Whether you’re looking for great food and drink, big cash drawings, a new car or free weekend entertainment—odds are you’ll find it at The Island. For more information call 800-222-7077. treasureislandcasino.com. The Island is calling! (See ad page 5)

BANKING

Home Federal Savings Bank. When it comes to your personal, everyday banking needs, Home Federal has you covered. Ask us about the great advantages of our personal checking accounts. Start saving smart with a savings account, IRA, CDs, and more. Finance any of the larger purchases in your life with a customized personal loan. Manage your accounts at any of the four convenient locations in Rochester or in the comfort of you own home via your smartphone or computer—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—with Home Federal’s mobile banking. All of the amenities of a national chain, along with the personalized, friendly service you expect from a community bank. Local bankers. Local service. Local decisions. Bring your banking home. Find out more at JustCallHome.com. Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.

Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union.

We are dedicated to helping members achieve their financial goals. 100% financing to qualified borrowers, first-time home buyer programs, fixed rate conventional mortgages, FHA and VA financing, competitive rates and fair fees, up to 100% home equity financing, residential loan program. Apply at mayocreditunion.org. 507-535-1460. (See ad page 39,67)

Eagle Rock Bank. Formerly ONB Bank. Where community banking means more than a new account; we build relationships! Offering a wide variety of banking products for both your personal and business needs. Two convenient locations with experienced bankers to assist you with your financial journey. Call us today at 507-280-0621! www.eaglerock.bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. (See ad page 16, 29)

WHERE TO WORSHIP

First Presbyterian Church.

512 Third St SW.

Sunday Summer Worship: 10 a.m.; Worship with Fellowship from 9-11 a.m. First Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community celebrating God with Energy, Intelligence, Imagination, and Love. Call 507-282-1618 or e-mail office@ fpcrochester.org for information. May the Peace of Christ be with you!

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.

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. Our 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.

Rochester Magazine: True or false: It’s really important for people to get to see or meet their school superintendent, Kent Pekel, in person.

Kent Pekel: True. I think ....

RM: And part two of the question: Because, that way, when I’m angry about snow day decisions or that I can’t remember my Skyward password, I can picture the face of the person I want to blame.

10 (or so) questions with ... Kent Pekel, Rochester Public Schools superintendent I always appreciate the input at the school board meetings.

KP: Yes. And you can stop me in the grocery store or on the street and tell me about it.

RM: How often does that happen?

KP: Daily. Someone says something to me daily. It’s usually positive. Yesterday, I was walking into the People’s Food Co-op and somebody said, “Do you ever not wear dress clothes?” But I appreciated it.

RM: Next question: Do you ever not wear dress clothes?

KP: I never wear dress clothes outside of work. A lot of the other Big Nine superintendents only have one high school. So the superintendent from Northfield, he has all kinds of Northfield gear. But if I wear Century, then I am in trouble with Mayo. If I wear Mayo, I’m in trouble with JM.

RM (trying to speak Chinese): Nĭ hăo ma? [How are you doing?]

KP: Wo hen hao! [I’m very well.]

RM: Are you fluent in Chinese?

KP: I used to be much, much stronger. But yeah, at one time. I mean, it’s been 20 years since I used it regularly.

RM: So tell me about your time in China. You were over there at a school, teaching English.

KP: I was in university for two years in a city that now is quite famous, Wuhan, where coronavirus originated.

RM: This was well before that.

KP: Well before. I’d studied the language starting at Central High School in St. Paul as a high school student. Then I studied it in college. I didn’t have money to travel before I graduated. There was a long-standing program at the college where I worked. I spent two years living there. It was right after the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

RM: Oh, wow. So why the early interest in China?

KP: I was an exchange student in Japan in high school. Then I came back, and my high school didn’t have Japanese, but it had Chinese. Chinese was one of those things where, after I had spent so many hours staring at the characters and trying to memorize it, I thought, “I’ve done too much to quit.”

RM: What does a CIA agent do when it’s time for bed?

KP: Generally, they go to bed.

RM: They go undercover. So can you tell me about your CIA work without killing me?

KP: No. I will have to kill you.

RM: Wow. OK. Well, go ahead and tell me first then.

KP: Oh, it was amazing. It was a time of huge change in the CIA because the Cold War was over. The director was John Deutch. John was a creative thinker. He knew about the White House Fellows program [in which Pekel served], and he wanted somebody completely unexpected to spend a year working with him. I fit the profile because I spoke really good Chinese and had degrees from Yale and Harvard. That was very much in the tradition of the of the CIA. It’s a year-long fellowship, and I ended up staying for five years.

RM: Quiz: What is your wife Katie’s title?

KP: She is the Executive Director of Educational Leadership [at the University of Minnesota].

RM: How did you two meet?

KP: In our doctoral program. I was lucky. She has two great kids, Thomas and Molly.

RM: You lost your first wife [Tanya] in 2006. Is that something you talk about?

KP: I talk about it.

RM: So how do you characterize that time period?

KP: It was hell. Tanya was diagnosed when our kids were 1, 3, and 7. She died when they were 3, 5, and 10. But we came through it, and I have incredible memories of Tanya. She was amazing. She had a daughter, Lauren, from a previous marriage. And we had Adam and Victoria.

RM: Recently, you had to choose between a Janet Jackson concert and attending a school board meeting. You chose the meeting, in which you faced belligerent public comments for the maximum allotted time. Do you regret that decision?

KP: I do not. I always appreciate the input at the school board meetings. Also, I can’t say I’m a gigantic Janet Jackson fan. If it had been Prince at the time, I would have seen Prince.

RM: First concert you ever saw?

KP: Oh, that’s embarrassing.

RM: I’ll guess REO Speedwagon.

KP: No. It’s much worse. It was Captain & Tennille at the Minnesota State Fair.

RM: Ouch. That’s pretty bad.

KP: It is pretty bad. I’ve never divulged that. I must have been 10 or so. I went with my dad. Obviously, I wanted to go.

RM: Yeah. Ten-year-old Kent was probably BEGGING his dad to let him hear “Muskrat Love” live.

KP: I hope not. My second concert was Supertramp.

RM: You may want to tell people that was your first.

KP: No. I didn’t want to lie to you. Remember that. I told you the truth, even when it was as embarrassing as that.