On The Right Track

I was recently referred to as a great example of a Greater Mankato “boomerang!” I am indeed someone who spent time in Mankato many, many years ago…then returned to stay forever! (You’ve all heard that story!) But this week I experienced something that made me even more sure that I boomeranged back to the right spot.

I was a part of the Greater Mankato Growth Business Hall of Fame and Awards ceremony.

At just more than 400 attendees, it was a sold out crowd. And what a crowd it was! Dynamic yet humble, competitive yet encouraging of all those around them. Listening to the acceptance speeches that night, two themes stood out: they all said they took huge risks that ended up paying off, and they feel the greater Mankato area is, in their words, "ready to explode!" As prosperous as the community is now, I think the genuine feeling in the business community here is that this is just the beginning and we are on the cusp of something special here.

I also got a sense of respect and teamwork from all those in attendance. Two things that I think helped the community overcome obstacles that often pop up as any area tries to grow. Several of the recipients talked about partnerships they forged that helped with their success, and the need for collaboration between the city, the business community and the educational systems both Higher Ed and K through 12… to get the job done, and done well. Not all parties always agreeing, but coming together to problem solve and move on.

I am already looking forward to next year’s event! To once again reflect on the victories we will surely see in 2014, and review how we grew stronger from the road bumps that will also inevitably try to slow us down. But right now we are staying on track, a track that keeps us living The Good Life. 

Time is Fleeting: Embrace The Good Life

When I started this blogging journey, I was committed to writing a new one each week. And even through vacation, first week of school, new position at work…I’ve been able to maintain that. But this week I’ve hit a stumbling block otherwise known as writer’s block. Not a good thing when you do what I do for a living.

So, I have started at least four blogs for this week.

One was on the beauty of this region this time of year. I find there is nothing more calming than a drive down Belgrade Avenue in lower North Mankato in the fall. The tree lined streets abloom with rich reds, yellows and oranges. Trees framing a street with homes exuding so much character I just want to stop the car, get out and go meet the people residing in them. I love the scenery there so much, I take that route even if it is “the long way” home. I know in a couple of days those bright colors will be replaced with the gray of winter.

Then, I started a blog on the passing of Snickers this past weekend. Although he was a TINY Siberian Dwarf Hamster, Snickers was a BIG part of our family. Snickers taught my daughter Grace  a lot about responsibility and five days ago, he taught her a lot about death and losing a loved one. A lesson that was sadly put into perspective as her classmate’s father lost his battle with cancer Monday. My aching heart for the Schwartz family prevented me from going further on that blog.

Finally, I started a blog about karaoke. Despite years of peer pressure to just try it, I finally did for the first time Friday night, among a small group of good friends. Friends who did not care if I could carry a tune or keep a beat. So in my safe and secure environment of the Coop (my friend’s most awesome man cave!) I sang Red Hot Chili Peppers “Can’t Stop.” And indeed I couldn’t stop, singing the night away with my small audience of four. Isn’t it a great feeling to have friends that you are comfortable enough around to leap out of your comfort zone? I ended the night thinking, “why didn’t I try that sooner!”

I will not likely be karaoking again anytime soon, but for that one night I imagined myself as a backup singer for Rick Springfield. No, he doesn’t really have backup singers per se…but maybe that’s because he hasn’t heard me yet! Yes, it was getting to be a silly blog so I stopped.

So, I will have to wait until next week to get going…or should I say blogging…again. This week I just don’t have much to say. Oh wait. I just did.

If you look close, all three of these short stories have a theme: time is fleeting, go embrace The Good Life!

A Balanced Community: Business and Artistic Ventures Are Key

I think my lack of artistic ability was apparent at a pretty young age. I recall being around 5 or 6, when a simple first grade art project of painting a tree on a piece of legal size paper ended with me being put in a separate corner of the classroom with drop cloths all around. Sigh.
But it was two years later when an art teacher taught me, art can take many forms, and as long as it is done from the heart is always beautiful to someone. There is no right or wrong,she said,and unlike the grammar lessons I loved so much (seriously, I loved them, weird I know) art had no “rules.”
To be honest, though, that really never stuck and I ended up never understanding or even attempting many artistic ventures since then. But the older I get, and as I watch my children try different creative pursuits from music to sculpting, I am thinking, “why not pursue those things now if I want?” I'll tell you why not. It's still intimidating.
I would walk into an art studio and not be able to tell a pastel from an acrylic (I'm hoping those are actual art terms, I recall my 10-year-old telling me about them.) But, I should have known this community I love so much would come through for me. You see, we hear all about how our region is growing; manufacturing, professional business, population. Well, the arts community is growing right along with it.
And mixed in with the restaurants, bars, and office buildings downtown is a little place called the 410 Project. It is a non-profit, completely volunteer-run art gallery and "experimental station." (I’m told it’s the only one of its kind in Southern Minnesota.) I had the pleasure of meeting the volunteer director, Dana Sikkila, last week. She and her troop of dedicated volunteers open the space on weeknights and weekends, after working their full-time paying jobs. They give “amateur” artists a place to display their work and they offer classes. They have such a heart for it because they know for a community to truly thrive, you need to have a way for people to express and explore.
It was clear this is a place where even I, who can’t tell my Picasso’s from an 8-year-old’s painting (true story), could go to try something new. It’s totally open to everyone no matter age or ability. And the vision Dana has for it is incredible, she truly has a passion for bringing this community into full balance between artistic ventures and business ones.
The 410 Project, its volunteers and the community members who help support it are all part of what makes this “The Good Life.”

How Was Your Weekend?

“How was your weekend?” may be the most used phrase at the start of each workweek. A look back at this past weekend in the greater Mankato area is a good indication of what makes living here, well, great! The weekend kicked off Friday night with a sold out country concert. Florida-Georgia Line filled the Verizon Wireless Center with folks of all ages. And contributed to the thousands that flooded downtown Mankato restaurants and bars. Ah, camaraderie and country music. Saturday, I’ve heard from many of you, was time spent with family and friends. Many taking advantage of the waning summer days to have get-togethers with neighbors. Personally, I took part in a “Best Burger Cook off” hosted by Jason and Julia Pohlman. This was not just your regular, friendly cook off. It was highly competitive I found out, after I arrived. My simple bacon and cheddar burger (and by mine, I really mean Hy Vee’s…as many of you know I can’t cook), was not even close to being enough to top a fried egg burger on croissant, a tomato basil burger and a super yummy fried onion patty that was to die for. I didn’t walk away with a prize, but I did walk away with a few extra pounds! Not to worry though, I could work them all off Sunday morning on the Mankato River Ramble. I predict this to be an autumn destination for Minnesotans all across the state in a year or two. It features bike rides of various lengths along the beautiful river. It’s more than just a ride though. There’s plenty of scenery, entertainment and refreshment along the way…oh yeah, and more that community camaraderie I keep talking about! The weekend culminated with Division 1 hockey baby! The Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks held an exhibition game Sunday evening, again at the Verizon Wireless Center (think that thing gets used much? J) There’s already an air of excitement this year surrounding the Mavs, and they intensified that Sunday with a 7 – 1 victory over Lethbridge. So many of us hit Monday tired from the weekend. But it was a good weekend, part of what makes this The Good Life.

Embrace Each Season

The days are getting shorter, the mornings cooler...the smell in the air is even changing....as we head into a new season. For almost half a century now, I have experienced this change of seasons from summer to fall to winter to spring. I always feel a new season brings with it a sense of excitement, a new beginning. I was recently reminded that life has seasons, too. Times where we move from one stage in life to another, bringing a sense of excitement and a new beginning of sorts. Looking back on my life, my seasons changed with the move from high school to college, from college to professional life, and from being single to being married. My seasons also changed with the birth of each child. Each new little beginning of life also, of course, changed mine. Now as my children are growing I find it is time for me to grow as well. And I once again find my life entering into a new season. Change is often hard, that's not news. But I've learned, just as I embrace each new season– with swimsuits in the summer and snowboots in the winter– I must also embrace this new season in my life. So with the winds of change blowing my way, my role at KEYC will be changing in the coming weeks. I'll step out from behind the anchor desk to make room for someone else entering an exciting new season in their life. I have truly enjoyed my four years sharing stories important to Southern Minnesotans and Northern Iowans each day at noon. But I have found there is a new opportunity for me here at KEYC. It allows me to do what's best for my family, while still being a part of the KEYC family! And it's a chance for me to learn another side of the industry. So, although I will no longer be visible on the air, I will certainly continue to be visible in this community! Yes, the winds of change are blowing my way. Pushing me into the next season of my Good Life.

Ironmen and Women, With Hearts of Gold

As you all know, I am a BIG fan of the Greater Mankato Area. There are a number of things that truly making living here The Good Life. Those things, of course, differ from person to person. But here's what tops my list: we have Division I Hockey, a great school system where not only is the education outstanding, but they have activities to suit any student's interest. (I have four kids, with four different interests and they all find a place to fit in.) And, boy, the Kiwanis Holiday Lights display really demonstrates how cool this community is. The people though, are at the very tip top. People here never cease to amaze me in a variety of ways. Most recently, I've been following the journey of my friend Kate Cox's husband Chaun as he competed in the Wisconsin Ironman competition. Following her Facebook posts and pictures chronicling Chaun's journey really made me feel as though I was there cheering him on. When Chaun returned home, I asked him for a few comments on his experience. And in true "Minnesota Nice" form, he quickly mentioned several others from our region who competed alongside him. (I hate to start listing names here for fear I'll miss someone.) But I am amazed, although not all that surprised, that so many from our area could accomplish such a feat. For those of you not familiar with the Ironman, this is what it entails: a 2.4 mile swim, 112–mile bike ride...aaaaaaannd then, you run a marathon (26 miles). You have to do it in that order and without a break. On the go for 10 to 12 hours. Straight. I consider myself in pretty good shape. I run and workout regularly. But the Ironman/ woman is something I can't fathom doing. In fact, I can't even do one segment of the Ironman/woman. I could not swim 2.4 miles, or bike 112 miles, or run 26 miles. Let alone all of them combined! And Dr. Cox, like all the Ironmen and Women from our area, says he wouldn't be able to do it either without the support of his family and friends. Or without the support of our community. So, if you know Dr. Cox, or any of the other competitors from our area, you know even though they are Ironmen and women...they have hearts of gold. They are good ambassadors for all of us here who are so proud of them. Proud they are a part of Our Good Life.

Lessons Can Be Learned, Even on Summer Break

As the kiddos and I started preparing last night for this morning...the first day of school...I suddenly realized I didn't see them read a single book or do a single math problem the entire summer break. Now, before you shake your finger at me, I also realized last night all that they did learn over the summer. Let's begin at the top, my oldest son, now a week into college and away from Mankato. In those final couple of weeks before we moved him out, I think he learned how important his family is to him. He made it home in time for dinner a little more often. He stopped playing video games to play board games with his sisters. And he spent more time sitting on the couch with his dad and me, just talking. My next oldest, my 15– year–old son, got his driver's permit this summer (okay, so that learning curve will take more than a few months and will probably be the topic of more than one future blog.) So, let's move on. He did learn the value of hard work. With his eye on the soon–to–be–released PS 4 gaming system, he got up early for a month of summer days in a row to pollinate corn at Pioneer. Not easy work, but worth it he knows, because he got enough cash to buy the PS4 and even a few games besides. There is a bonus lesson here, because he did all that work, already spent the money, and still has to wait for the goods! Patience! My daughter, at age 12, loves to bake. She does not, however, like to clean up afterward. So we've been working on that with constant reminders to pick up after yourself and do it right and thoroughly the first time. This has been a long row to hoe with her. So, I almost fainted Sunday afternoon, when she had just finished baking her brother his favorite snack (a rare showing of sibling compassion) and before I could even open my mouth to utter a reminder, she grabbed a rag and wiped off the counters. But wait, there's more! She then got the broom...which was ALL THE WAY over in the pantry closet...and swept up! Then, there is my youngest daughter, who last year needed me to help make her lunch and organize her clothes and such for school. Last night before I could even ask what she wanted, she had her lunch made (PBJ sandwich, apple, string cheese, carrots (but no dip, she wasn't sure if that would keep) and a granola bar with chocolate chips.) Not too shabby. And not only did she have her outfit placed neatly over the chair in her room, she already had her shoes found (another issue at times last year as she raced to catch the bus) and placed them by the front door. So lessons were learned this summer. Important ones. But perhaps I learned the greatest lesson of all. That my kids are becoming more self sufficient. They are figuring things out on their own. I learned that it is time for me to let go...just a bit...as we all learn to live The Good Life.