People Stories

Of all the amazing things that make up our region, the most amazing of all are the people! Of all the things we want to write about, our highest priority is to write about the folks doing creative things. Let us introduce you to just a few of your neighbors in these Greater Mankato Area people stories!

Photo by Don Lipps – Emy Frentz Arts Guild - Mankato, MN

A New Day for the Emy Frentz Arts Guild

Emy Frentz Arts Guild in Mankato is in the process of redefining itself under the leadership of new Executive Director Amanda Wirig
Photo by Don Lipps - Assorted tea cups at Curiosi-Tea House, North Mankato

Teatime – Curiosi-Tea in North Mankato

Curiosi-Tea in North Mankato offers hundreds of varieties of tea and are glad to and are welcoming to tea afficianados and novices alike.
Some of the offerings at new Mankato restaurant, Shawarmania.

From Palestine to Mankato – New Restaurant, Shawarmania

New Mankato restaurant, Shawarmania, will host its Grand Opening on June 28, 2019 with a goal of a making a really great shawarma!
Stacy K Cheap Thrills - Mankato, MN

New Single, ‘Cheap Thrills’ by Stacy K

On Friday, May 31st, MankatoLIFE friend and contributor, Stacy K, is releasing her new single and video for the song Cheap Thrills. “It was one...
Music Mankato

Adventures in Sound – Joy in Music

Jill Niebuhr takes you along on her journey as she explores both music and the artists behind it in her column Adventures in Sound.
Photo by Stacy K - View from restaurant in St. Georges

The Weekend Spin with Stacy K – Thinking Warm Thoughts

Stacy K helps us think warm thoughts by letting us tag along on her recent trip to Bermuda.
The hands of poet & musician, Jill Niebuhr, aka, Jammin, The Warrior from St. Peter, MN

Adventures in Sound – The Power of Music

Jill Niebuhr takes you along on her journey as she explores both music and the artists behind it in her column Adventures in Sound.
Old Opera House

Florence Macbeth, Minnesota’s Nightingale

Florence Macbeth, born in Mankato in 1889, became a world-renowned opera singer and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato.
Andy Beltz and Ryan Rutjes of Modest Music in Mankato tell their story to Ocho

MankatoSPEAKS with Ocho – Modest Music

Join Ocho as he interviews Andy Beltz and Ryan Rutjes of Modest Music, an up-and-coming music label started right here in Mankato!
Mississippi Headwaters - Lake Itasca, MM

Dan on the Water – ‘SUP Mississippi?

Mankato Area native, Dan Lee, talks about his adventures on a stand up paddle board down the entire length of the Mississippi River.