After Kait Wilcox began experiencing seizures last year, her mother, Val Pesta, made the difficult decision to quit her job and convert an unused grain bin into a boutique where the two could work from home while keeping an eye on Wilcox’s condition.

About a month ago I was in the drive-thru at Masaad’s waiting for the friendly part-timer to finish up my shawarma when I saw a curious sight: Isaac Kolstad. He was just walking through the parking lot.

Shawn Weigel didn’t have anything against the parking lot at Burger King. In fact, he says he only eats at the restaurant across the street from Mankato West High School maybe a couple of times a year.

I had a couple of questions from market shoppers this week to answer.

VINE offering volunteer orientation

Mankato residents Connie Davis and Alex Palmer didn’t know each other before taking a life-changing trip to Peru in June, but they and the 10 other people who hiked a 26-mile trek in the Andes Mountains formed a close, almost spiritual connection during their time there.

Emy Frentz Gallery — Juried exhibition “Flowers in Bloom” Friday through July 26 at 523 S. Second St. Reception 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 12. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sitting in the back room of The 410 Project where her brainchild was created, Dana Sikkila is looking back at the last four Project Bike tours as she prepares for the fifth … and final tour.

“Thank you for bearing with us while we have some technical difficulties,” Lillie West from Lala Lala said in her English accent. “Can we get a kick paddle, please?”

You’re probably used to seeing them at first from a distance, a mass of uniformed humanity rounding a corner a few blocks away, or coming down a hill in a picturesque small southern Minnesota town.

A trio of environmentally conscious artists will have their works on display at the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato this month.

I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Ondreya.

A vegan baking company started in a 400-square foot apartment at Minnesota State University recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and its owners announced it will be making some major changes to better fit their mission.

Be careful what you wish for when planting ground covers. Most will do exactly that — cover the ground!

(This modified version corrects the date for Thunder of Drums).

Blue Earth County Library, Mankato — Relay for Life display on view this month at 100 E. Main St. Exhibits may be viewed during library holiday hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Belle Plaine resident Chad Schroeder has been building and racing cars at Arlington Raceway since 2000, and he’s had his share of good seasons and tight victories.

Don’t take this the wrong way — but there’s not an awful lot that I like about myself.

First round of first garden clean-up is done. This time of year, you can be pruning off the spent flower heads of peonies, iris stalks and any spring blooming shrubs. As the plants fill in, some hand weeding is necessary where the shuffle hoe won’t fit and to pull the tricky weeds that are g…

At first glance, Edson Rosas’ artwork resembles a box of spilled crayons.

I recently attended the Society of Professional Journalists banquet. It’s a great night every year where the organization brings together its award winners for a night of drinks, good food and a celebration of good journalism.

First Congregational United Church of Christ — New Life Through Transitions Art Exhibit through July 25 at 150 Stadium Road. Works by Mary Gitter-Zehnder, Kay Herbst Helms, Virginia LaFrance, Terri Michels, Jim Muyres, Ann Obernolte, Doug Wood and Randy Wood.

Alt/Indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie has no connection to the Mankato Area. None of the band members went to school here. No family ties.

Only the best of the best high school musicians get accepted to Minnesota’s prestigious All-State music program. This year, four Mankato students, two from East High School and two from West High School, were accepted after months of rehearsing for tryouts.

Have you ever noticed in your neighborhood that mature trees have been “topped” and wondered why? Me too.

There she is, Miss ... Fun Days?

Today

A couple of years ago, I had the chance to sit down with Lauren Senden. You’ve probably heard her name. She’s been in the media a lot. Having a boatload of talent will do that to a kid.

No expertise required: with her new self-published magazine, Vagabond Village owner Natalie Pierson wants to give anyone with something to say an artistic place to say it.

Rob Jung was only in Mankato a year, but during his brief time as the Free Press’ sports editor, he made quite a few memories.

Musicians come together at What's Up? Lounge for Edgar Burn

Cloud Cult travels in their biodiesel tour van Thursday to perform on the lawn of the Linnaeus Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Hillstrom Museum of Art, Gustavus Adolphus College — window displays of oil paintings “Hudson Freighter” by Henry Varnum Poor and “Central Park, New York” by Leon Kroll through July 7 in the lower level of C. Charles Jackson Campus Center. (museum is closed, however, paintings may be viewed …

One of the things I’ve often wondered about over the past 24 years as a journalist is how cool it would be if, instead of readers just getting a glimpse of the most compelling conversations I’ve had with folks in southern Minnesota, they could actually hear the whole thing.

VINE Garage Band stays busy playing weekly gigs at Mankato assisted-living facilities

New Ulm singing group The Concord Singers have embarked on a trip to Neu Ulm, Germany — New Ulm’s European sister city — where they’ll perform a handful of concerts in several cities.

It’s been about 20 years since Matt Hopper read that line in Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road.” The line about “the mad ones”