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!

Dog training

Tricks and Treats – True Connections Canine Academy

Patricia Linehan of True Connections Canine Academy is all about training not only dogs, but also people, so both of them can have more fun!
Vanilla ice cream on rustic background, top view

The Taste of Joy – MN Eis Ice Cream and Sweets Shoppe

MN Eis Ice Cream and Sweets Shoppe in New Ulm set out to add something a little special to everyday life
Escape Room - Mankato, MN

Escape Into Fun – Kato Escape

Kato Escape in Mankato offers challenging fun for all ages with its unique rooms filled with puzzles
Photo by Don Lipps - Fiction section in the Blue Earth County Library

Creative and Inclusive – Library Director Kelly McBride

Kelly McBride has a vision for the Blue Earth County Library system, which she's been directing since January 2019, focusing on creativity and diversity.
Photo by Mike Lagerquist - Arnie Lillo walks among the 46 pairs of animals created displayed 2-by-2 on his property. The ark he created from Colorado blue spruce will be placed under the rainbow.

Noah’s Helper – New Attraction, Arnie’s Ark

Arnie Lillo has been displaying large metal sculptures on his property near Good Thunder for quite some time. He's introducing a new display, a large scale model of Noah's Ark
Photo by Grace Brandt - Some of the wares at Cheap Chics in Nicollet

Sarcasm and Sales – Cheap Chics Designs

Amy Stearns and Kari Mulvihill, owners of Cheap Chics in Nicollet describe their boutique as cute, affordable, sarcastic, and real
Photo by Jason Smith Aerial Imagery Media - Vetter Stone Amphitheater in Riverfront Park during Ribfest

The View From Above – Aerial Imagery Media

Jason Smith of Aerial Imagery Media has a unique perspective on photographing the Greater Mankato Area. He uses a drone to take images that simply can't be captured any other way.
Dried Tea

Customer Service to a Tea – Karshe Tea

Sami Ismail has come a long way and invested a lot of himself with the help of his family to open Karshe Tea in Mankato
Photo by Grace Brandt - Birdie, the center of the mobile business, Blackbird LLC

Popping Up Everywhere – Blackbird LLC and the Birdie

Ali Woods had a unique vision for a mobile popup shop business, Blackbird LLC, anchored by her pink trailer, Birdie.
Photo by Molly Butler - Living Earth Center in Mankato

One Woman’s Zero-Waste Journey in the Greater Mankato Area

Molly Butler shares her journey towards zero-waste living and offers some steps that anyone can implement