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!

The Zero Men

One + One + One = Zero! Passionate Promoter Introduces Band

The Zero Men from Sioux Falls are making their Mankato debut at The Square Deal on July 7th
Stacy K single release

Feels Good! Local Musician Releases New Single

Singer, songwriter, teacher, and first regular contributor to MankatoLIFE.com, Stacy K Berkner, is releasing a new single on Friday, June 22nd
Cheryl Hammond's consignment space at Pond Road.

Cheryl Hamond – Furniture Flipping for All The Right Reasons

Cheryl Hamond, veteran furniture flipper, is one of the new vendors at the monthly occasional sale at Pond Road Market south of Mankato on Highway 22.
Photo by Don Lipps - Pay What You Can Acting Class participants (from left to right) Isabella Owens, Cadence Smith, Jill Fischer, Michelle Parsneau, and Christi Smith join instructor Amanda Joy Hauman for a time of learning and fun!

Pay What You Can Drop-In Acting Class!

Pay What You Can Drop-In Acting classes are sponsored by The Intrepid Theater Project in Mankato and take place in the Twin Rivers Council for the Arts Emy Frentz building.
Michael Cimino - South Riverfront Mural

Michael Cimino And The Journey To Public Art

Artist Michael Cimino of St. Peter has been busy leaving his mark on Mankato public spaces with several high-profile murals as well as many other, less visible, works.
Tin Can Valley Printing Company - Lead Type

Craig Kotasek and Tin Can Valley Printing Company

Craig Kotasek of Tin Can Valley Printing in Le Sueur, Minnesota is a letterpress printer in the stream of the modern artisan revival
Noah Cope Photography

Question & Answer with Noah Cope Photography

Noah Cope Photography is one of the first partners of MankatoLIFE.com
Aunt Ruth's Baked Goods

Local Artisan Profile: Ruth Francour and Aunt Ruth’s Baked Goods

Aunt Ruth's Baked Goods is the home business of Ruth Francour, a North Mankato artisan baker, who creates all kinds of delectable goodies for sale.
Bookstore bookshelf

Local Author Traci DePree – A Labor of Love and Discipline

Local author Traci Depree relates her path to publication.
Buffalo Statue at Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN

Todd Papabear Finney and the 2017 Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride

Todd Finney is joining the 2017 Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride for the first time.