You can certainly eat here– and the buffet includes both grown-up delicacies and kids’ favorites — but a trip to Edina’s Pinstripes also gives you the option of getting in some family bowling and bocce, or just a chance to hang out at the year-round outdoor patio and fire pit. Elsie’s will also be open that afternoon for family bowling.

If you’re looking for a more artistic or thought-provoking outing, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts’ visiting exhibition, More Real, could spark some fun discussions. (Note: it’s a great exhibit, but not always appropriate for younger children.) You could also stop in at the Walker Art Center and explore inside or out, as the Sculpture Garden is scheduled to open May 4. Like your art in smaller doses? The Museum of Russian Art has a wonderful collection, and an amazing gift shop as well.

Celebrating with small kids? Keeping them entertained—and tiring them out—is possible at any of these kid-friendly venues: Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota Children’s Museum, Water Park of America, The Minnesota Zoo (which has an animal mothers exhibit that day), and the Mall of America, which has Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe, the LEGO store, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, and the Amazing Mirror Maze.

Maybe you’d rather spend some time in nature (assuming the winter weather finally leaves). Eastman Nature Center offers a very family friendly event: Animal Mothers. Learn how the Center’s resident live animals are cared for by their own mothers.

You can’t go wrong with a visit to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minnehaha Park (bonus: Sea Salt Eatery is now open for the season!), or the Dodge Nature Center

Maybe you’d like to check out some shadier parts of Twin Cities history. The Wabasha Street Caves will have a Historic Cave Tour on Sunday morning. Learn about mobsters and murder while touring the mined caves.

Or if you’re in a day trip sort of mood and want to explore Minnesota State Parks, there are several events on Mother’s Day. Great River Bluffs State Park in Winona, Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, and Wild River State Park in Center City all have Mother’s Day wildflower walks (presuming the wildflowers have bloomed by then); Sibley State Park in New London has a kids’ animal-track-making event; and Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul celebrates the other big event of the weekend with Fishing for Fun.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

The Sunken Garden is host to this annual extravaganza of perennial blooms. It’s definitely a wonderful retreat from the snow that’s been piling up this week.

Soak in the bright colors of the beautiful tulips and hyacinths, and you’ll feel much more kindly toward current conditions.

How can you possibly resist the gorgeous snapdragons?

Note that the display changes periodically, as some blooms fade and others just begin. Throughout the display there are bulbs that have not quite fully arrived, as in this group of Asiatic lilies.

You might be lucky enough to find some of the “recycled” bulbs for sale at the gift shop.

Who wouldn’t want to take home bulbs that produce these beautiful calla and Asiatic lilies?

Or these vivid tulips and pansies:

Or these gentle freesia:

The Spring Flower Show will be on display through April 28, followed by the Summer Flower Show. But you know you need some spring now. Bonus: the brand-new Bonsai Collection is now open at the Conservatory as well.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

One of the primary sources of a fish fry is, not surprisingly, local churches. Possibly the best known for its memorable and tasty fish is Church of St. Albert the Great in south Minneapolis. They offer their fish fried or baked, but really—it’s a fish fry.

In Robbinsdale, Sacred Heart offers weekly fish fries as well. Holy Family Maronite Church in Mendota Heights has a fish fry with a Lebanese theme, while Church of the Holy Cross in northeast Minneapolis ups the kid-friendly factor by offering mac ‘n’ cheese.

For more possibilities within the Catholic Church/Knights of Columbus communities in the Twin Cities, check out The Catholic Spirit.

Another good resource for the Friday fish fry (sometimes just for Lent, sometimes year-round) are veteran’s organizations. American Legion Clubs that offer a fish fry include Posts in Excelsior, Chanhassen, and Wayzata. For a full list of Posts in the state along with contact information, check the American Legions of Minnesota.

Beyond those stalwarts, there are almost limitless possibilities for fish, whether you like traditional fried fish or want to see how local chefs mix it up. For the traditionalists, Obbs Bar & Grill in St. Paul. This is comfort food fried fish.

It’s hard to beat the charming ambiance at the Lake Elmo Inn, and the Inn goes all out for Lent—why just have a fish fry when you can have a seafood buffet extravaganza? If you want the fish fry, it’s there at lunch time on Fridays.

Ambiance is lacking at Mac’s Fish and Chips, but that’s OK—when the fish is wonderfully battered and fried hot and crispy, you won’t really care about the surroundings.

You can’t beat the fish and chips at Northeast Minneapolis’ The Anchor Fish and Chips, which has some of the best fish and chips in the Twin Cities, as testified by the wait that’s usually required to get a seat.

If you’re ready to try something different, check out the Red Stag Supperclub, which gives diners a choice of fish as well as changing specialties such as of king crab linguini or smelt fries.

Finally, newcomer on the block Parka in Minneapolis offers its take on a fish fry daily, accompanied by pineapple, dill, and cucumber aioli.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

On Feb. 12, the Science Museum teams with Amsterdam Bar and Hall for the monthly edition of Beaker and Brush, a series exploring the intersection of science and art. The apropos topic for Valentine’s week? High Heat, a discussion with jewelry fabricator Betty Jäger and Director of the High Temperature and Plasma Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, Steven Girschick.

Head over to St. Paul on Valentine’s Eve for the annual Victorian Poetry Slam, taking place Wednesday night at the James J. Hill House. Costumed actors will be on hand to recite poems by Poe, Dickinson, and Browning. There will be refreshments and a house tour as well (worth the visit all by itself).

Out at the Mall of America,the Ice Castles display could arguably be a very romantic spot, especially at night, when the castle’s walls are lit up with multicolored lights.

Three Rivers Park District has several Valentine’s-themed events next week. On Valentine’s Day, Gale Woods Farm has a special dinner (catered by local company Common Roots Catering) and sleigh rides. Richardson Nature Center offers Candlelight & Chocolate, with options including snowshoeing by candlelight, enjoying chocolates and live music by campfire, or take a ride on a kicksled. Hot coffee, tea, and cider will be provided; if you’re over 21, feel free to bring wine or beer. The Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement has a romantic catered dinner in its log cabin lodge. After dinner, take a candlelit snowshoe hike to a campfire. Bring your own wine if you like.

In Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts has Institute of Hearts. Share your love not just for another human, but for a work of art.

Dine out—at the Como Park Conservatory, surrounded by the lush flowers while enjoying live music. Three nights, limited seating, call soon.

For a change of pace, check out the Mondo Juggling and Unicycle Festival, which starts on Feb. 15. You’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at either, or just enjoy watching the pros.

If that’s not enough of a change of pace, then maybe it’s time for a road trip. Valentine’s Day is also the kickoff day for Walker’s annual (and very popular) Eelpout Festival. Eelpout may be ugly (or beautiful to the right beholder), but you can also get in on fish fries, mechanical bull rides, watch auto racing on the lake, enjoy some dancing, and even try your hand at catching your own eelpout.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

This Twin Cities company has four locations (St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Fridley, and Crystal), and you just never know what you might find. For more than 50 years they’ve provided shoppers a unique experience every time they visit. Ax-Man is very much a surplus store, with the surplus coming from just about anywhere: factories that over-produced, businesses that are changing gears, people who are cleaning out Grandma’s attic. Because the inventory changes frequently, you could visit once, then go back a few months later and find a completely different inventory than you saw on your first visit.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Those who like stores to be tidy and boutique-like will probably not enjoy a visit here, but if you like exploring and poking through piles of things looking for the unexpected, you will have a blast. Besides, what if you find something you had no idea you really needed until you saw it?

(credit: Amy Rea)

Like woolen hats from Lithuania.

(credit: Amy Rea)

School and office supplies. Stock up!

(credit: Amy Rea)

Costumes. Very bright and cheerful costumes.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Old-style salon hair dryer.

Arguably the best part about exploring Ax-Man are the product signs, hand-written by the staff, and they’re often very cheeky.

(credit: Amy Rea)

If you haven’t watched Dexter, this may not tickle you. Or if you’re not old enough to remember Ally McBeal:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Suffice it to say, the quirky humor is wide-ranging (and not always kid-friendly).

But really, where else are you going to find one of these?

(credit: Amy Rea)

Ax-Man Surplus. Go for the entertainment, come home with treasures you had no idea you wanted.

(credit: Amy Rea)

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The History Theatre launches the world premiere of Nellie by renowned local playwright, Kim Hines.

Nellie is the story of Nellie Stone Johnson, who was born in Minnesota in 1905 and became one of the state’s leading African-American activists of the 20th century, as well an influential advocate on the national stage. Throughout her lengthy life, she was a tireless advocate for workers’ rights and was involved in the merger of the Minnesota Democrat Party and the Farmer-Labor Party into the Minnesota DFL. She was the first black person to be elected to a citywide office in Minnesota when she was elected to the library board in 1945. Among her many connections was Hubert Humphrey, whom she advised regarding civil rights issues.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Playwright Hines was approached by the History Theatre in 2003 and asked if she’d be interested in the opportunity to write about Johnson. “I jumped at the idea because I’d met her in 1996,” says Hines. “I was working on a play about Hubert Humphrey.” Hines found Johnson to be a fascinating woman who even knew some of Hines’ family members. “Her networking would rival Facebook,” Hines says, laughing.

Johnson was active and involved all her life. Hines notes that her interest in everything gave her the ability to see connections in ways others couldn’t. “She got you thinking,” Hines says. “She didn’t have a college degree, but she hung out at the U of M, took classes, met people. She was the most educated non-educated person I ever dealt with. She was self-made in every sense of the phrase.”

(credit: Amy Rea)

What’s more, Hines notes that several years before her death in 2002, Johnson predicted that there was financial instability coming, and problems for unions, predictions that look very timely today.

Interest in the production has been strong, and people interested in seeing the play are advised to purchase tickets soon. The History Theatre has several events in conjunction with the performance, including a discussion about labor unions with Macalester history professor Peter Rachleff, Labor Parties benefitting the Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship, and a Discussion of Women in Labor Leadership, led by president of UNITE Local 17 Nancy Goldman. For a full list of events, see the History Theatre’s events page.

(credit: Amy Rea)

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

The project, called Minnesota and the Civil War, will run into 2015 and include an exhibit that opens at the History Center in March, as well as a variety of live events, publications, and web content—including a very modern look at life during the Civil War, via Twitter.

(credit: MN Historical Society)

The MNHS is using Twitter to send out quotes from actual letters and documents of Minnesotans who were involved in the Civil War. There’s a general Minnesota Civil War Twitter account, and there are also specific participant pages, including Will Christie and his brother Tom Christie; Matthew Marvin, a clerk from Winona; Edward Walker, a machinist from Clearwater; and Isaac and Henry Taylor, brothers from Morrison County.

(credit: MN Historical Society)

But it’s not just the soldiers who will express their thoughts on Twitter. Jane Grey Swisshelm, editor of the St. Cloud Democrat, is on Twitter too. (As are many participants around the country—to get a full sense of the Civil War on a national stage, follow the primary Minnesota in the Civil War account, as it’s sharing tweets from other Civil War accounts around the U.S.)

(credit: MN Historical Society)

Several events have already been announced, including a forum on the “War Within War” — the Dakota Conflict that took place during the Civil War; discussions of the roles of women and African-Americans in Minnesota during the war (a video covering the topic of women in the war can be found here); an evening with Abraham Lincoln; and a Civil War Family Day.

(credit: MN Historical Society)

Be sure to keep an eye on the Minnesota in the Civil War events page for announcements of future programs.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

But you may not realize that the Fairgrounds are open year-round, and visiting in winter gives an entirely different perspective. There are events that take place year-round as well, including open skating, jogging/walking, and hockey at Warner Coliseum.

Yes, that’s the same street as the photo above—quite a change from the dog days of late summer.

Not that the upcoming State Fair has been forgotten about—the Grandstand already has the correct 2013 dates listed.

Of course this time of year there’s no all-you-can-drink milk. Or piles of Sweet Martha’s Cookies.

The Space Tower is at half-mast.

The International Bazaar has no sign of people clamoring for trinkets or lamb fries.

The Haunted House looks downright jolly and holiday-ish.

The Grandstand area looks it just needs a few wreaths and Christmas lights, and it’d be set for a holiday extravaganza.

Where the Midway usually is, now there’s a giant vacancy.

The WCCO-TV building is shut up tight for the season.

The Giant Slide looks more like a mild ski jump.

There is a little activity going on this time of year—if you decide to visit, you’ll see MN State Fair vehicles here and there, and the occasional curious stare from other visitors. But you’ll have much more room to roam than you will, say, starting next Aug. 22 for 12 days.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

This year’s display is large and merry, with giant statues made out of oats and seeds.

And many familiar holiday figures.

The centerpiece of the Great Hall is an enormous tree made out of poinsettia plants.

You can see how the tree was constructed via this time-lapse video.

The Arboretum Restaurant has been turned into a child’s fairyland, complete with a lollypop island.

The outdoor area has its share of lovely decorations as well.

Everything is on a grand scale, and fresh and cheering in appearance.

There are special events occurring this weekend, including a performance by the Minnesota Chorale on Dec. 22, pictures with Santa, a holiday story time and kids’ shop, and the annual holiday tea (call ahead for reservations).

It’s about the perfect place to go to get away from the craziness the holidays can bring.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Animals on Parade is a collection of antique wooden carousel animals and accessories, sponsored by the folks behind Cafesjian’s Carousel at Como Park. These animals are not the ones on the Cafesjian Carousel, but are a wonderful, colorful representation of this lost art.

(credit: Amy Rea)

This carved peacock was likely carved in the late 1800s in Europe, where carousels turned clockwise, unlike American carousels, which turn counter-clockwise.

(credit: Amy Rea)

This fierce lion is thought to have been carved in 1914 by the Dentzel Company, known for its muscular animals.

(credit: Amy Rea)

What’s unique about this zebra is it has no saddle, a remnant of a time when it was thought that showing the full striping of the animal was more important than providing a comfortable seat.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Who could resist this delightful pair of ostriches?

(credit: Amy Rea)

The Dentzel Company was also behind a series of cats in the early 1900s, all carved with different expressions on their faces, and each with something in their mouths, usually a bird or fish.

Animals on Parade will be on display through Sun., Jan. 6. Admission is free. Hours are:

Through Dec. 23:
Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Thurs.-Sun., 4-8 p.m.

Dec. 26-Jan. 6:
Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

The Plymouth Building
12 South 6th St, Ste 229

(credit: Amy Rea)

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: KNOCK)

The National Park Service, for the third year in a row, turned to local branding and design firm KNOCK. KNOCK in turn sought out Juxtaposition Arts, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that prepares kids for careers in the visual arts by giving them education, training and mentorship.

(credit: KNOCK)

KNOCK founder and president/CEO Lili Hall says working with Juxtaposition was a win-win for both groups, as KNOCK wanted the opportunity to collaborate with an organization that believes in the importance of giving kids the ability to explore creativity not just for creativity’s sake, but for their future. “We respect and admire the work Juxtaposition is doing for kids in our North Minneapolis community,” says Hall.

(credit: KNOCK)

The process of designing the ornaments mirrored the usual approach for a Juxtaposition project. Employees from KNOCK teamed up with kids who were interested in visual arts’ careers. Working collaboratively, they brainstormed, designed, refined and handcrafted the ornaments. Each ornament is then placed in a protective shell before being shipped to D.C.

(credit: KNOCK)

This project gave the kids the chance to personalize the ornaments, adding a little bit of themselves into the Minnesota mix, while at the same time expanding each artist’s confidence, skills and knowledge.

Best of all, they will spend their holiday season knowing that their hard work and creativity is on display for a very large audience. Kudos to KNOCK and Juxtaposition Arts for giving these artists reason for joy!

To see the ornaments in process, check out this video.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

In southeast Minnesota, the town of Plainview celebrates the 19th annual Old Fashioned Christmas, complete with horse-drawn carriage rides, a gingerbread house contest, live music and plenty of food.

Austin is already in the spirit with its annual Festival of Lights taking place Thurs-Sun from 5-10 p.m. through 12/30. Santa appears on Sunday night and will come right to your car.

The beautiful river town of Lanesboro, which calls itself the “Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota,” showcases those B&Bs decorated for the holidays in its annual Christmas Inn Tour on Dec. 2. You can make a day of it in Lanesboro by also visiting the Local Marketplace Holiday Open House and stopping by the Lanesboro Art Center for live jazz from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Visit the sumptuously decorated Historic LeDuc House in Hastings on Dec. 1-2 and Dec. 8-9. On Dec. 2, there will be a special dinner with music (reservations required).

Worthington is host to Christmas at Pioneer Village Dec. 7-8. Take a wagon ride to dinner at the Red Garter Saloon, then check out the live entertainment before Santa arrives.

Head to Grand Rapids on Dec. 8 for Christmas in the Logging Camp for a tour of the Forest History Center grounds, where you’ll find lumberjacks in action and horses pulling carriages before visiting the cook’s shack.

Scandia’s Gammelsgården Museum offers Annie’s Swedish Coffee Parties on Dec. 8 and 22. Take a tour of the historic buildings, learn about Swedish culture, and enjoy some traditional treats (and, of course, coffee).

There are plenty of women’s nights out, but Spicer takes a different approach with its Men’s Night Out on Dec. 17. Guys—need help with your holiday shopping? This is the place to be.

Duluth’s Glensheen Mansion is decorated for the holidays and offering Holiday Brunches on Dec. 8-9 and 15-16. The brunch begins with a tour of the historic mansion. Reservations strongly recommended. The Mansion also offers ”Dolly and Me” holiday teas on Dec. 8 and 15.

Near Duluth, Spirit Mountain will celebrate the Winter Solstice in fine outdoor style on Dec. 21, the same day the tubing hill is scheduled to open. On 12/22, Santa will visit the Spirit Mountain slopes.

East Grand Forks will see out 2012 at its annual Celebrate the Night on New Year’s Eve. This is a family friendly event with live entertainment, food, ice sculptures, and midnight fireworks.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

The Minnesota History Center has its own take on Black Friday this year. Doors open at 6 a.m., and while you can certainly shop (the History Center’s stores are jam-packed with all things Minnesota), the History Center will be giving visitors a few things too, including free memberships, free knit caps for kids, free gift bags, and the all-important donuts and coffee.

Holidazzle kicks off Friday night in Minneapolis and will run Thursday-Sunday through 12/23. The parade starts at 6:30, but come early for a good spot to watch, and stay after for dinner.

There are a number of other communities across the state that host parades of lights this Friday night, among them: Bemidji’s City of Lights Parade; Melrose has its Mini-Dazzle Parade, followed by fireworks; Little Falls has its Santa Parade; New Ulm has its Parade of Lights; and International Falls hosts the Twas the Lights Before Christmas Parade

On Friday in Aitkin, there’s a different kind of parade: the annual Fish House Parade. This is your best—and likely only—opportunity to stand in one spot and see a huge contingent of decorated fish houses float by.

In Rochester, the historic Mayowood Mansion is decorated for the holidays and open for tours. This was the home of Dr. Charles Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic.

Saturday marks the opening of the annual Wells Fargo WinterSkate at Rice Park in St. Paul. A grand opening celebration starts at 4:30 p.m. Bring your own skates, or rent them for $2.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum kicks off its annual holiday extravaganza with Making Spirits Bright, a lavish display in the Great Hall and the nearby grounds. The exhibit opens 11/23, and the weekend features a number of special events and live music. The holiday teas kick off on 11/24—these are very popular, so call for reservations (612-626-3951).

The Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield has a Turkey Trot Fitness Hike on 11/25. This brisk guided tour will not only burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories, but teach you about the flora and fauna around Wood Lake.

On Saturday, the Charles Lindbergh Home in Little Falls will host a 1918 Christmas with the Lindberghs. Costumed guides will give tours of the home and provide information about the famous family.

If you’re in Duluth, take a ride on the Polar Express. The brightly lit train will take you down the lakewalk to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum for a reading of The Polar Express and a visit with Santa before returning to Fitgers for hot cocoa and a campfire. The Polar Express runs Friday-Sunday through 12/16.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

The Minnesota Historical Society has just opened a new exhibit at the James J. Hill House in St. Paul: Ded Uŋk’uŋpi—We Are Here.

Off the Reservation (Or Minnesota Nice) by Jim Denomie (credit: MNHS)

The exhibit showcases the work of 20 contemporary Native American artists. The name refers to the words spoken by the Native Americans as they were hanged, when they would call out their names and add, “I am here.”

The exhibit is comprised of a variety of media, from painting to beadwork to photography, even this horse mask:

1862 by James Star Comes Out (credit: MNHS)

If you’re wondering about Hill’s involvement in the U.S. Dakota War, in 1862 he was 24 years old and still working for other people, long before he became known as the Empire Builder. While it might seem odd to place these paintings in the home of a man who successfully urged President Grover Cleveland to overturn a veto that prevented Hill from running his railroad across Native American land, it might also be seen symbolically as a coming together of those disparate parts of history.

If you haven’t been to the James J. Hill House in St. Paul, consider combining a visit to the exhibition with a tour of the home. The building is impressively ornate, and the art gallery itself (available at a reduced admission price for those who only want to see the art) is a lovely space previously used by Hill to exhibit his own collection of artwork.

For Every Great Man, There is a Great Woman by Avis Charley (credit: MNHS)

The exhibit is open for visitors through Jan. 13, 2013. The art gallery is open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sun., 1-4 p.m. Closed all major holidays.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Fall is arriving with great speed—like the photo above, you can see green leaves in some places, with others already blazing yellow and red. And if it’s fall, it must be time for Oktoberfest at the Black Forest Inn. The folks at the Black Forest have come up with a week’s worth of events and a special menu—a menu that includes 6 kinds of Oktoberfest beers.

(credit: Amy Rea)

How can you celebrate Oktoberfest at the Black Forest? Well, if you head over there tonight, it’s Vier Factor Night—all kinds of sausages and condiments, a brat bar, and quite possibly some spontaneous tuba playing. Oct. 2 is Kino Abend Night, or movie (silent) night. Oct. 3 is Wagner night, complete with a glass shattering contest. Oct. 4 is Reunification Day, and 20% of the proceeds will go to the German Immersion Preschool at the Germanic-American Institute in St. Paul. Oct. 5 is Berliner Night, Oct. 6 is Freudian Slip Night, and the final night, Oct. 7, is Drain the Keg Night, during which the price of kegged beer will start dropping every hour from 2 p.m. on.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Of course there’s food (and how can you not love the menu cover, which is the design by the winner of the Oktoberfest 2012 menu cover contest, 10-year-old Sophie?). Besides the regular menu of German specialties, the Black Forest has a special Oktoberfest foods, including Hample Pie:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Although served all day, this could easily be a breakfast entrée: an apple pie with ham and cheese, served with a tangy red cabbage slaw. Delicious, no matter what time of day you order it.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Weisswurst, a traditional German sausage following the recipe created by the Black Forest’s founder, Erich Christ.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Meatball skewers, with savory meatballs and the ever-popular ham and sauerkraut balls.

(credit: Amy Rea)

If you just want to try some Oktoberfest ales with friends, order the Big Pretzel—truly, it’s as big as your head, and would make a fine happy hour accompaniment.

Owner Erica Christ says that the menu is designed to be “food that’s easy to hold while drinking a beer.” Sounds perfect for Oktoberfest. Time to celebrate your German heritage—and if you don’t have any, it’s OK. You can fake it this week.

My thanks to the Black Forest Inn for inviting me to sample the Oktoberfest goodies!

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Ryan McGinnis)

Tornado Alley is the latest Omnitheater film, and it follows the adventures of Storm Chasers star Sean Casey and his researchers as they do just that: chase storms. But there’s a purpose to their madness: to advance their learning about the science behind the origins and evolution of tornadoes.

(credit: Ryan McGinnis)

The film follows the crew as they travel throughout what’s known as Tornado Alley: Oklahoma, Kansas, the Texas Panhandle, Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, and eastern Colorado. All together, they traveled 26,000 miles with their camera, their highly sophisticated weather measurement instruments, and the pièce de résistance: the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), which you may have seen recently at the State Fair.

(credit: Ryan McGinnis)

The TIV was built by Sean Casey to allow him to get up close and personal with a tornado and still survive. As he says, “There’s a huge difference between filming a tornado from a couple of miles away with a telephoto lens, and filming a tornado that’s on top of you with a wide-angle lens.”

It’s an impressive piece of machinery, weighing 14,500 pounds, standing 8-feet tall, and 26-feet long. It can travel over 100 mph, has bullet-resistant windows, and has two stabilizing spears that can pierce the group at a depth of 42 inches and take only 23 seconds to fully deploy. Even Batman would be impressed.

The TIV is currently on display at the Science Museum, but on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, Sean Casey will be at the Museum to talk about both the TIV and Tornado Alley, from noon to 2 p.m. each day.

Why are tornadoes so fascinating? In part, because they’re unpredictable in behavior, and because of their extreme yet selective power. Tornadoes have been known to destroy houses, but leave light objects like plates, glasses, lamps, and even paper undisturbed on tables. Yet they can also carry those lighter items, like paper, up to 200 miles. They can even pluck the feathers from a chicken. They’re also frighteningly quick: current tornado warnings have a 13-minute average lead time—not a lot of escape time — and yet they also have a 70 percent false alarm rate, which can lead people to ignore the warnings if they occur often.

Here’s a better idea: take a trip to the Science Museum to witness (safely, in the Omnitheater) the sheer power of tornadoes, so even if that next alarm turns out to be false, you’ll be better prepared to take it seriously.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

The State Capitol is home this fall to a most unique display: the State Capitol built in LEGOS. It’s on display daily through 12/29. Bring your inner LEGO enthusiast to see the more than 75,000 bricks it took to construct the capitol.

Saturday and Sunday on Summit Avenue in St. Paul are the F. Scott Fitzgerald Walking Tours. These 75-minute guided tours will visit places Fitzgerald lived and wrote and will discuss his literary legacy. Reservations required.

Like wild rice? Learn how it’s processed at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum on 9/22 and 9/29. Visitors will be able to watch the entire process of getting wild rice from raw to finished.

Another food-themed event involves learning how prairie sugar is made at the Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Elk River, 9/29-30 and 10/6-7. “Prairie sugar” is also known as sorghum molasses. This is a hands-on event, allowing participants the chance to strip down the sorghum canes. But don’t worry—your labor will be rewarded with molasses-sweetened treats.

Historic Forestville in southern Minnesota takes a look at 19th-century farming and harvesting techniques on Harvest Day on 10/6.There will be hands-on components here too, and visitors will learn about cider pressing, corn shelling, grain fanning, and best of all, apple pie baking.

Halloween brings out some additional programming creativity. An adults-only event is the History Happy Hour at the Alexander Ramsey House in St. Paul on 10/25. The theme for this happy hour is Vintage Photography: Tintypes and Hidden Mothers. Spooky! Registration required.

Not far from the Ramsey House, the James J. Hill House tips its hat to Halloween with Victorian Ghost Stories, which features costumed actors reading ghost stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Edith Wharton, and the Brothers Grimm, among others. Reservations recommended; not recommended for children under 8.

The North West Company Fur Post in Pine City hosts Nancy Drew and the Secret at the Old Post on 10/26. Nancy Drew will be on hand and needing help from participants as she tries to figure out what strange things are behind the events scaring away visitors. Reservations recommended.

And, as it happens every year on 11/10, Split Rock Lighthouse will have the Annual Beacon Lighting Commemorating the Edmund Fitzgerald. This is the only time of year that visitors can climb to the top of the tower and see the beacon lit and revolving.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

This is a group of people that have been coming to the Fair for four years with an extra purpose: to make art. Led by Roz Stendahl, every year a group of sketchers and painters bring their art materials with them and spend the day roving the fairgrounds, looking for fun things to sketch. Of course, there’s plenty of material.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Such as this panorama by Suzanne Hughes, who also creates her own books.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Or these lovely pieces by Lisa-Marie Greenly, along with the palette used to create them.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Roz herself is fond of the farm animals.

You can follow Roz’s blog for information on next year’s Sketch-Out, as well as other events (I’ve participated in her International Fake Journal Month, which is huge fun).

One way to explore the Fair with an eye for sketching would be to take the Fair’s self-guided history tour. There are 12 stops on this tour, which you can find with a brochure produced by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation, which offers the option of using your cell phone to have a narrated tour as well.

Along the way, you’ll see things like:

(credit: Amy Rea)

The 4-H Building, opened in 1939 and built by the Works Progress Administration.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The antique machinery on Machinery Hill (in existence since at least 1905, although it’s possible it was created earlier than that) would make a fun study of color.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The Mighty Midway itself was officially created in 1933, when rides that were scattered across the fairgrounds were consolidated into one central area. But rides themselves had appeared at the Fair by the late 1800s.

(credit: Amy Rea)

What would the Fair be without animals?? The Horse Barn was also built by the Works Progress Administration, in 1937.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The J.V. Bailey House, near the Space Tower and the International Bazaar, was once home to the Fair greenhouse superintendents and groundskeepers, which housed them from 1916-2004.

There are several other stops on the history tour. Visit any of the places mentioned here to pick up the brochure and map. Don’t forget your sketchbook.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Kylee)

Game Face is the result of a collaborative project of Free Arts Minnesota, photographer Wing Young Huie and the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts. Together, these partners provided arts education to more than 75 students for nearly two months during the summer.

(credit: Malik)

The arts intensive was centered around the Art Institute’s exhibit The Sports Show: Minnesota. Students in the program had the opportunity to be guided through the artistic experience, learning how photography and other media can raise sports to high levels of mass participation.

(credit: Delaine)

This is just one example of many wonderful projects involving Free Arts Minnesota, which works with abused, neglected, and at-risk kids and their families, and gives these kids the chance to explore the world of art with guidance and encouragement, not only to help them explore personal interest in the subject, but to expose them to the intangible benefits of art: a source of healing and power, and a connection to a larger world. Game Face also gave these artists the opportunity to view sports as a larger metaphor for life—specifically, their lives.

(credit: Jade)

The exhibit will be unveiled on Aug. 12 with a special event from 11 a.m.-noon. Visitors will have the chance then to meet the artists. The exhibit itself will be on display through Aug. 19.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

I attended a performance of The Cherry Orchard, originally by Anton Chekhov, in this case adapted by Sarah Myers. This production was a segment of the Cherry Orchard Project, which involves professional actors from the Twin Cities (from theaters like the Jungle Theater, the Guthrie, and the former Theater de la Jeune Lune) taking the play on the road to various small towns around the southern half of the state.

Servants and family prepare for the long-awaited return of their mother. (credit: Amy Rea)

This project was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The mission behind the project is to bring quality theater to communities outside of the Twin Cities.

Matriarch Lyubov Ranevskaya joyfully returns home. (credit: Amy Rea)

It’s an interesting choice of a play in that The Cherry Orchard is about a Russian estate that has fallen on financial hard times and is facing auction and the likelihood of the property being divided and sold into small residential lots—sound familiar?

Lyubov and brother Leonid learn the devastating news. (credit: Amy Rea)

Taking the play into historic buildings gives both the play and the buildings added importance. In Taylors Falls, the production was at the Folsom House, at the edge of the Angel Hill District and former home of lumber baron and six-term state senator W.H.C. Folsom.

On the eve of the auction, servants and family alike seem oblivious. (credit: Amy Rea)

Other sites around the state include previous productions at the Historic Gunderson House in Kenyon and the Historic Musser Mansion in Little Falls.

Lyubov’s adopted daughter tries to entertain guests at a party. (credit: Amy Rea)

Upcoming productions are Aug. 1-5 at the Historic Dayton House in Worthington and the Historic Wakefield House in Blue Earth. As of this writing, tickets were still available for some performances.

The cast greets the audience at the end of the play. (credit: Amy Rea)

I would highly recommend taking this in if you have the chance. The performers gave heartfelt, and often very funny, performances, and seeing this in a historic home, up close and personal (during the final party scene, the audience doubled as party guests and were offered olives as an appetizer, and several times I was within inches of the actors) really heightens the experience. Besides, it’s the perfect excuse to visit these beautiful pieces of Minnesota’s history.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Now, to wrap up this series, here are glimpses of a few of the other sites around the Range worth visiting.

Downtown Hibbing is full of beautiful old buildings, including the former Androy Hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently used as a residence for seniors.

(credit: Amy Rea)

A different style of architecture is found in Biwabik, close to the ski resort of Giant’s Ridge. Playing off the “mountain” next door, they’ve gone with an Alpen theme.

(credit: Amy Rea)

If you’re going to Biwabik, have breakfast at Aldens. You’ll be happy. I promise.

Just outside of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth is the world’s largest hockey stick.

(credit: Amy Rea)

For the record, that hockey stick is 107 feet long and weighs more than three tons. Insert any “Paul Bunyan as hockey player” joke you like at this point.

In Hibbing, this quiet residential street gets more than the average traffic due to this home.

(credit: Amy Rea)

That’s the childhood home of Bob Dylan. Anyone know if it was originally painted blue, or was that done as an homage to his famous song?

I’m pretty sure the street itself didn’t always have this name.

(credit: Amy Rea)

You can find a ton of Dylan memorabilia here:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Zimmy’s Restaurant in Hibbing. All Dylan, all the time. Even Dylan’s Christmas cd in May.

I was lucky enough to drive past this place on my last day, and it was open.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Sunrise Bakery, home of some absolutely delicious potica, an eastern European delicacy (which, by the way, you can order online, and may I suggest thick-slicing some of it and using it in French toast?).

All in all, a wonderful trip. My sincerest thanks to the fine folks at the Iron Range Tourist Board for their invitation and assistance. I’ll be back!

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Just outside of Chisholm, the Discovery Center originally opened as the Iron Range Interpretive Center in 1977 and later became known as Ironworld. In 2009, citing public confusion over the name, it became the Minnesota Discovery Center.

Whatever the name, it’s a large and lively repository for all things Iron Range. The recreated immigrant home, above, is part of the gorgeous Heritage Park (home to many weddings in the summer), as is a newer 18-hole mini golf course. There’s an active research center, and the museum itself is full of different aspects of the Range’s history, through interpretive exhibits and artifacts.

(credit: Amy Rea)

(credit: Amy Rea)

There are living history areas, where old-time crafts and equipment are being used today.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There are exhibits detailing the science behind mining, and the history of the people involved in the early days of mining. Many of these have hands-on activities, which make them family friendly and, while I was there, the kids that were visiting were having a great time.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There’s artwork, both mining-related and not. While I was there, some of the temporary exhibits included photography exhibit by a local group of students and a professional photographer, and a collection of hand-made quilts, and the depth and sophistication of both were wonderful to see.

(credit: Amy Rea)

(credit: Amy Rea)

(credit: Amy Rea)

It was pouring rain the day I was there, which kept me from fully exploring the grounds. But I know from a previous visit that they’re beautiful. During the summer, there’s also the option to take a trolley car through the grounds and to an open pit mine, and there are tours to the mine as well. Thursday nights there’s live music to listen to while exploring the grounds.

This is really the place to start when you visit the Range.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

It looks like what you might expect from many of the state’s beautiful parks: forest, water. But the preservation of this park is not for casual recreation, but to commemorate a specific part of Minnesota history: open pit mining on the Range.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The Hill Annex Mine (named for James J. Hill) was originally optioned for exploration in 1892, although actual mining didn’t begin until 1913 and continued for 65 years. When the high-grade ore was exhausted, the mine was sold to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for the reasonable price of $1. The IRRRB developed it as a tourist site, and in the late 1980s the state made it a state park.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Today, the park offers tours on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There are two tours: a 90-minute mine tour and a fossil hunt. The latter has had participants who found some rare items, including shark’s teeth. The mine tour takes visitors through the mine, guided by a specialist with a mining background. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and had some great mining anecdotes to share.

It’s clear that once the mining operation left, nature started moving back in.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Trees have been planted, but they’ve also sprung up on their own. Lakes have formed, and wildlife has returned, including deer, grouse, eagles, and coyotes. It’s so peaceful today that it’s hard to imagine what it was like 40 years ago. There are a few reminders.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Machinery is available for exploration.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Occasionally, across the sky you can see another piece of machinery still in place.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The tour took us to the top of the hill, and the view was amazing.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The visitor center was formerly the lodging house for some of the miners. Today it holds a gift shop and a well-thought-out display detailing the history of the Hill Annex Mine. Including the building off the back of the center that used to be a single lane bowling alley.

(credit: Amy Rea)

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Just outside of downtown Hibbing (and right on the way to another excellent spot to visit, the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine, is this cheerful building with a wealth of information about the humble beginning of what came to be a North American icon.

(credit: Amy Rea)

It started as the Hupmobile in 1914. A Swedish immigrant opened a dealership in Hibbing, but found they weren’t selling. But there was another kind of need in his market, and he used his last Hupmobile to fill it: giving ore miners transportation from Hibbing to Alice (a saloon hub of the day) for 15 cents.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The next year, the single-route service merged with a similar company offering drives to Duluth. It was a pattern that continued over the following decade, and in 1926 the expanded transit line came to be known as Greyhound. (Or, as many snuff-chewing miners called it, the “Snoose Line”—they had only to tap on the snooze box to let the driver know they wanted to be picked up.)

(credit: Amy Rea)

By the next year, Greyhound had developed a national bus system. Although it seemed like Greyhound was competing with the ever-growing railroad, in reality, the two found ways to collaborate, with Greyhound providing services too small for the railways to consider.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The company continuously reinvented its vehicles, experimenting with size and for a while offering double-deckers. The photo above shows one such bus being explained to then-star Eddie Cantor, and the one below shows one iteration of a double-decker.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The museum has an extensive collection of Greyhound memorabilia, and a well-thought-out narrative to go along with it. Greyhound’s role on the Iron Range is covered, as well as its national presence and its service during WWII, when one of its primary missions was transporting soldiers.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There are extensive collections of driver uniforms and replica toys, which give a surprisingly comprehensive view of the growth and development of Greyhound. There’s also a chuckle-providing wall of stories told by former drivers. Apparently difficult passengers are not just a modern-day phenomenon.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There’s a large collection of vintage buses to visit as well. Visitors are welcome to step on board, but are asked not to touch anything. Still, just being able to peer inside one of the older incarnations gives one a better sense of the history of this company, founded on necessity.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Finns made their way to the Iron Range in search of many things: land, religious freedom, chance at a better life, or to avoid being conscripted into the Russian army. For just about 20 years, the first settlers built homes the way they’d learned in Finland, with impeccably constructed log homes using dovetail joints and joints slanting away from the building, so water and snow would slide off. The logs were carefully fitted together so tightly that in most cases, chinking wasn’t needed to have a snug home.

This is a short period in the state’s history, because as more immigrants settled and lumber mills began operation, people didn’t want log homes—it was a sign of being poor. Instead, they wanted traditional stick-frame homes, and even those who built log homes covered the logs with boards. In fact, a bed and breakfast in Embarrass, Northern Comfort, was built as a log building in 1901 and then covered with boards.

Fortunately, there are several of these Finnish log buildings still in existence, a century later, and a group in Embarrass is actively seeking out grants and funding to maintain and restore them. Several are on the National Register of Historic Places. And what gems they are.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The log building here was originally the only building, housing a farm’s chickens. It’s not just the log construction that’s of interest here, but the ingenious method the farmer created to drain the chicken’s blood:

(credit: Amy Rea)

(credit: Amy Rea)

Not that all the buildings were constructed to be airtight. Some were deliberately left with gaps, for use as barns for large animals that would benefit from the breezes coming through.

A rarity in America is this historic piece known as a house barn.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The house is on the far left; the middle section held horses; and the section on the right was for livestock, complete with a floor drains for the cow’s urine and a subfloor that was filled with leftover sawdust and matter that would absorb the urine. Each year, the farmer would lift up the log floor and shovel the sawdust into a compost pile that was eventually used in the garden. No waste.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The above is an example of a home that was built as log construction, but then covered in boards to look more upscale. (In another clever note, the home had a garage added later, but rather than being by the house, it’s next to the road, down a long driveway—because it was easier to shovel a walkway than a driveway.)

(credit: Amy Rea)

Of course, one of the most important structures built by the Finnish was the sauna (pronounced SOW-na). We think of saunas as luxury spa items today, but a century ago, they were usually the first building erected on a homestead. The family could live in the sauna building (after all, it had a stove) while the main home was being constructed. Then it was used for women giving birth, for houseguests, as a summer kitchen during the hot months, even to lay out the bodies of the dead.

The tours are offered during the summer on Thurs.-Sat. afternoons or by appointment. Generally three hours in length, you can request a shortened version—but trust me, you’ll want the full tour. The buildings—and the stories of the people who lived in them—are much too interesting to skip any.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

First, though, let’s talk lodging. The Tourist Board made arrangements for me to stay, gratis, at the Lodge at Giant’s Ridge, a golf and ski resort just east of Biwabik. Giant’s Ridge is an all-seasons resort, with two 18-hole golf courses, hiking, and mountain biking in the warmer months, and downhill and cross-country skiing in the snowy season.

The resort offers both ownership and short-term rental accommodations ranging from 1-4 bedroom condos to 2- or 4-bedroom lakeside villas. I had a one-bedroom condo overlooking the beginning ski hill:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Even in the rainy, misty weather, it was a beautiful view. As well as a beautiful lodging.

(credit: Amy Rea)

With full kitchen and living area.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Cozy with its northwoods décor, and very peaceful.

(credit: Amy Rea)

In the winter, Giant’s Ridge offers 34 downhill runs, two snowboard terrain parks, and the latest addition: a tubing hill. It’s also ground zero for many national cross-country ski events, with 60 km of groomed trails running through Superior National Forest.

In the summer, those hills don’t go to waste; hikers and mountain bikers get to enjoy the view.

The Mesabi Trail, a paved biking trail that starts in Grand Rapids and will eventually end 132 miles to the northeast in Ely, runs through the property. The latest addition is this beautiful bridge, spanning the narrows between Wynne and Sabin Lakes.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There’s also golf. Giant’s Ridge has two courses, the Legend:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Which is a more traditionally designed course. Then there’s the Quarry:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Which is the newer of the two courses. What’s unique about the Quarry is that it’s built on reclaimed mine land. The architect designed it around the existing geography, and barely any land was moved. Golf Digest named it the #1 golf course in Minnesota and #20 in the U.S. in 2009-2010. The final hole overlooks a “pit lake”—a lake developed from a former pit mine.

(credit: Amy Rea)

The lakes along the property offer boating, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities. In other words—you’ll never get bored. Oh, and the restaurant and bar are pretty attractive too. And did I mention there’s a spa?

My thanks to Giant’s Ridge for having me as their guest.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Yes! Minneapolis’s long-time (since 1965) German restaurant, the Black Forest Inn, kicks off its annual tribute to one of spring’s finest vegetables this weekend with Spargelfest. Given that the Black Forest has one of the Twin Cities’ best outdoor spaces, the time is right to enjoy the warmer weather along with your feast.

And yes, the restaurant may be German, but it buys its asparagus from the Southeast Minnesota Food Network. It’s a connection the restaurant’s owners made through a caterer who contracts use of the Black Forest kitchen (which, by the way, thanks to its huge size, is also used by the likes of Saucy Burt’s and A Fork in the Road food trucks, when they need more kitchen space than their trucks allow).

(credit: Amy Rea)

What can you expect at this year’s Spargelfest? Among the items offered is an appetizer of ham-wrapped asparagus, which is then wrapped in puff pastry and fried, and served with sauce. Delicious.

(credit: Amy Rea)

This salad, composed of asparagus with fennel, radish, mushrooms, brown rice, barley, and mixed greens, and served with a lemon dressing, is fresh and bright.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Grilled ham and asparagus, served with hollandaise sauce. Other menu offerings this season include asparagus with veal, asparagus with venison, and asparagus with salmon. Also:

(credit: Amy Rea)

Spargel perogi. Seriously, this might be my favorite, although it’s a tough call, especially with the appetizer and salad. Handmade perogi stuffed with asparagus and cheese, served on a warm asparagus mousse and drizzled with a butter-hazelnut sauce. Slightly sweet, lovely and rich.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Dessert with—yes—asparagus: asparagus and rhubarb strudel with whipped cream. As flavorful as asparagus is, the rhubarb holds its own.

There are other options too: spargel flan, cream of spargel soup, spargel dumplings, and three spargel-based cocktails.

Given the Black Forest’s work with food trucks, I asked the owner if she had ever considered starting her own. She said it’s not in the plans at the moment, but what she would like to do in the future is open something like a sidewalk space, where people could walk up to a window at the restaurant and order something to enjoy on the go, or to sit on at a streetside table for a quick break. I love that idea. Imagine a beer and brat as a quick lunch…

Go. Sit on the patio. Enjoy the weather, and the fresh and local asparagus.

My thanks to the Black Forest Inn for having me as their guest.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

It’s a considerable bounty, with about 600 around the state. I’m guessing you’re at least passingly familiar with the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the Walker Art Museum, the Weisman, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the History Center in St. Paul. But there are so many other museums to explore, in the Twin Cities and around the state. Here are just a few to consider visiting this month.

The Museum of Russian Art is a small gem just off 35W in Minneapolis. It’s the only North American museum to focus exclusively on Russian artwork, and it offers a frequently changing set of exhibitions and traveling exhibits. The gift shop is beautiful.

The Foshay Museum is tiny, but it’s packed full of details about the life and times of the Foshay Tower. Bonus: access to the observation deck.

Or you can travel south to Austin and take in the SPAM Museum. Trust me, there’s much about SPAM you might not know. Also? Plenty of humor and things for kids to do.

(credit: Amy Rea)

There’s an architectural oddity out in Belle Plaine, at the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House. It’s packed with a variety of antiques and period pieces, but is perhaps best known for its two-story outhouse. Yes, really.

The Iron Range is home to the Greyhound Bus Museum. Not only is a Minnesota company, but it played an important role in WWII.

History is on display all over the place, and featuring all different aspects of the state’s past. The Hinckley Fire Museum covers the horrific firestorm that in just a few short hours devastated the area around Hinckley.

(credit: Amy Rea)

History meets the outdoors at Roseau’s Polaris ATV Experience Center. Snowmobiles and ATVs abound, as well as discussions of their uses and evolutions.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Art is available around the state too, especially in the scenic town of Winona. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is a lovely collection that’s much more diverse than you might guess from the name, and includes pieces by O’Keeffe, Picasso, and Van Gogh.

One of Minnesota’s crabbiest residents is cheerfully feted in Sauk Centre. The Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home gives visitors a glimpse into the early life of the Nobel Prize-winning author who memorialized the town in his searing Main Street.

(credit: Amy Rea)

It doesn’t get much more Minnesotan—in a cheerful capacity—than the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely. Molter was the last person to actually live in the Boundary Waters. After her death, her cabin was carefully dismantled, labeled, and brought to Ely and rebuilt, then filled with her belongings. She was known as the Root Beer Lady because she home-brewed root beer for visitors to her remote home. Yes, you can buy root beer at the gift shop. Yes, it’s worth it.

Finding Minnesota
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It’s almost here — one of the most popular restaurant days of the year. Have you made your Mother’s Day dining plans yet? If not, hop to. The last thing you want to have to do come May 8 is explain to Mom that you waited too long.

If she’s not a vegetarian, a great spot would be Fogo de Chao, which has a special Mother’s Day lunch planned as well as dinner service. It’s hard to beat the fun of servers flying about with sizzling hot meat on a stick.

If you’re looking for something a little less hectic and a little more formal, make a call to the Nicollet Island Inn. This year’s 5-course champagne brunch offers choices of duck confit and sweet potato hash, crème brulee French toast and butter-poached lobster gnocchi.

Who knows? Maybe the weather would be nice enough to enjoy brunch on the lovely patio at W.A. Frost in St. Paul. Even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, it won’t matter once you’ve gotten your plate of omelette or Benedict.

If Mom likes to keep it casual, not to mention hearty, it might be time to visit Victor’s 1959 Cafe for a sweet plantain omelette or Cuban hash. On the other side of the river, you can get your Caribbean groove on by brunching at Caribe Bistro and enjoy sweet potato pancakes or tortilla Española.

Black Forest Inn will offer live music and specials like veggie strudel and German chocolate cake. Bonus — if the weather’s good, Black Forest has one of the Twin Cities’ best outdoor patios.

You can also enjoy live music with your meal at the Dakota Jazz Club, with musicians Jeanne Arland and Patty Peterson, and a decadent menu of maple and cracked pepper pork belly, three cheese and mushroom crepe —and green eggs and ham.

St. Paul’s Pazzaluna will be open for brunch with, of course, Italian-themed options.

If your Mom is into a good beer list, you can’t go wrong with a brunch trip to The Happy Gnome, which has an extensive and exemplary list of beers, local and international. Also: crab cake Benedict and stuffed French toast.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

If you’re a camping enthusiast, you are probably already aware of the multitude of camping opportunities the parks offer, but did you know there are other types of lodging available as well?

At Upper Sioux Agency State Park outside of Granite Falls, you have the option of bypassing your tent for a tipi instead. There are two available for reservation in the Yellow Medicine River Campground, each with its own fire ring, picnic table, and parking spur. Note: neither fires nor pets are allowed inside the tipi.

If you’re looking for something more like a cabin, you have several options across the state. Over the last couple of years, the Minnesota DNR has been adding camper cabins that can accommodate up to six people (or five, in the handicapped-accessible cabins) in cozy log surroundings. The cabins have bunk beds (bring your own bedding). Many of the cabins have screen porches, indoor and outdoor picnic tables, and fire rings. The camper cabins are not equipped to cook inside, nor do they have running water or indoor bathrooms (but they’re located close to public facilities).

Some of the parks offering the camper cabins include:
Banning State Park outside of Sandstone
Bear Head Lake State Park near Ely
Big Bog State Park near Waskish
Glacial Lakes State Park near Starbuck
Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton
Lake Maria State Park near Monticello
Myre-Big Island State Park near Albert Lea
Wild River State Park near Center City
Sibley State Park near Willmar

If you’re looking for something more substantial, there are still more offerings. At Bear Head Lake State Park near Tower, you can reserve a guesthouse that holds 10 people, and has a two-car garage, deck, and canoe or boat rental included in the rates.

Itasca State Park near Park Rapids, home to the Mississippi Headwaters, offers several lodging opportunities, from overnight hostels to cabins to a lodge with suites to a 75-person group center.

St. Croix State Park near Hinckley has five two-person cabins and two guesthouses, one accommodating 12 and the other 15.

Tettegouche State Park near Silver Bay has four cabins, three of which sleep six and one that holds two, as well as a (very popular) six-person guesthouse overlooking Illgen Falls.

This isn’t all our state parks have to offer. Be sure to check out the Minnesota DNR website for full details.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Schools around the metro are taking that week-long (more or less) holiday known as spring break, now through mid April. Whether going out of town isn’t in your financial picture right now, or you’d just rather stay home, here are some ideas to keep your family from going stir-crazy.

The classic kid-venture spots never fail to entertain: the Science Museum of Minnesota (especially with the Pirates exhibit going on right now), The Works, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, and the Bakken Museum are all popular with families, and for good reason.

The Minnesota Zoo will have its Farm Babies event in the Wells Fargo Family Farm area from 3/31-4/30. On 4/7, Peter Rabbit will make an appearance, and there will be kids’ activities. Over in St. Paul, the Como Zoo is open daily year-round, but will start having later hours on April 1.

Longing for swimsuit weather? It can’t be guaranteed this time of year, but you can visit an indoor waterpark without having to drive all the way to the Dells. The Waterpark at the Depot in Minneapolis is open only Friday-Sunday in March and April. The Waterpark of America, by the Mall of America, will be open daily from now through 4/15. Note: this waterpark is attached to a hotel, so you might want to go early in the day, or call ahead—the Waterpark of America can restrict access to hotel guests only during busy periods.

The Firefighter’s Hall and Museum is open only on Saturdays, but if you’ve got a budding firefighter in your family, this is the place to go. They’ll even have a chance to slide down a fireman’s pole. Starting in April, visitors can get a ride on a fire truck too. Note: if you have a group of 10 or more, you can make an appointment to visit during the week.

If you’ve got a train enthusiast in your family, this one’s for you. The Jackson Street Roundhouse, part of the Minnesota Transportation Museum system, is open Wednesdays and Saturdays gives kids a hands-on view of the golden days of railroad, including caboose rides on Saturdays.

Get a different perspective on the city of Minneapolis by visiting the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck, open daily at noon. Call ahead if weather is bad to see if they’re open (612-215-3783).

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Whether or not you like a parade, how can you resist an Irish pub? Fortunately, there are several to choose from across the Twin Cities, and many have special events planned for March 17. Pick one, enjoy some Irish pub food, and prepare to hoist a pint.

Minneapolis has several options. The Local gained notoriety for outshining its Irish counterparts in selling Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, having sold the most Jameson’s than any other bar in the world for the fourth year in a row. No doubt they’ve fully stocked for St. Patty’s.

Even if they don’t sell the most Jameson’s, Kieran’s has plenty of holiday spirit. In fact, they’re having a “St. Practice” day this coming Saturday for those of you who need some St. Patrick’s Day training. The pub kicks off its St. Patrick’s celebrations on the 16th, which is Kieran’s 18th anniversary, with live music inside and out (in a heated tent).

Keegan’s likes St. Patrick’s Day so much they celebrate its “half day” on Sept. 17. Expect nonstop live Irish music Fri.-Sat., including the Minnesota Police Pipe Band and lively local Irish group Erin Rogue. Sunday you can recover while attending a “learn by ear” Irish music workshop.

O’Donovan’s has an enormous tent party planned, complete with an Irish pipe band, and you can also take in the Ireland vs. England rugby game at 11 a.m.

Of course, St. Paul has a bit of the Irish too. The Liffey, across the street from the Xcel Center, doesn’t have special events planned—perhaps because every day is St. Patrick’s Day at The Liffey.

O’Gara’s opens at 8 a.m. on the 17th for a full day of revelry. Live music kicks off in the afternoon, as well as O’Gara’s own version of a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Out in the ‘burbs, St. Louis Park’s Kip’s will kick off the weekend on Friday, including celebrating the arrival of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland at 6 p.m., and will feature live music, Irish dancers, and the ubiquitous green beer.

Up in Maple Grove, Claddagh has a full schedule starting at 8 a.m. with Kegs and Eggs, the broadcast of 6 rugby matches, Irish dancers, and a U2 tribute band.

Jake O’Connor’s in Excelsior will have live music, including bagpipes, and a traditional Irish breakfast.

Woodbury’s O’Malley’s is celebrating all next week with various promotions; Friday night is the big kick-off with a fish fry, while Saturday involves live music and a tent party. Sunday is a kiddie St. Patrick’s Day, with face painting and family friendly activities.

And while toasting the blessed Saint is a fun way to celebrate, be sure to keep someone in your party as a designated driver—or take advantage of the free fares on St. Patrick’s Day from
Metro Transit, along with partner Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. Free rides start at 6 p.m.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Spring may not have made a commitment to Minnesota just yet, but regardless of the weather, it’s that time of year again: Lent. Looking for fish on Fridays? Check out one of the perks of the season: the Friday Night Fish Fry. Always a tradition during Lent, and available several places, some family friendly, some not so much. In many cases, it’s all you can eat, but even when it’s not, you’re assured a heaping plate of food that won’t leave you hungry. Call ahead for hours and types of fish served.

One of the primary sources of a fish fry is, not surprisingly, local churches. Possibly the best known for its memorable and tasty fish is Church of St. Albert the Great in south Minneapolis. They offer their fish fried or baked, but really — it’s a fish fry.

For more possibilities within the Catholic Church/Knights of Columbus communities in the Twin Cities, check out The Catholic Spirit.

Two more good resources for the Friday fish fry (sometimes just for Lent, sometimes year-round) are veteran’s organizations. American Legion Clubs that offer a fish fry include Posts in Excelsior, Chanhassen, New Brighton, and Wayzata. For a full list of Posts in the state along with contact information, check the American Legions of Minnesota. The second organization that can provide info on club fish fries is the VFW.

Beyond those stalwarts, there are almost limitless possibilities for fish, whether you like traditional fried fish or want to see how local chefs mix it up. For the traditionalists, Obbs Bar & Grill in St. Paul. This is comfort food fried fish, as is the fish found at Liberty’s in Red Wing.

It’s hard to beat the charming ambiance at the Lake Elmo Inn, and the Inn goes all out for Lent — why just have a fish fry when you can have a seafood buffet extravaganza?

Ambiance is lacking at Mac’s Fish and Chips, but that’s OK — when the fish is wonderfully battered and fried hot and crispy, you won’t really care about the surroundings.

You can’t beat the fish and chips at Northeast Minneapolis’ The Anchor Fish and Chips, which has some of the best fish and chips in the Twin Cities, as testified by the wait that’s usually required to get a seat.

If you’re ready to try something different, check out the Red Stag Supperclub, which uses a wider variety of fish as well as changing specialties such as of king crab linguini or smelt fries.

In a rush? This may surprise you, but the seasonal walleye dinner or sandwich at Culvers can be a quick, tasty, and cheap way to get your fried-fish jones satisfied — at least until you can get to any of the above.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Last weekend I happened to be going through Walker and realized it was the weekend of the Eelpout Festival. This year marked 33 years of all things eelpout, and Walker was ready to celebrate.

(credit: Amy Rea)

While there were plenty of ice houses out on Leech Lake, the warm spells caused some restrictions to be placed: buses, RVs, and motorhomes were prohibited, and other vehicles were requested to stagger parking at least 30 feet apart, all while noting that anyone who chose to go out on the ice chose to do so at their own risk.

(credit: Amy Rea)

It is a little odd to be in northern Minnesota in mid-February and find yourself walking on a sandy beach.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Nevertheless, there was plenty to do. Chase on the Lake was on hand for transportation.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Or you could take a spin behind a team of sled dogs.

(credit: Amy Rea)

You could shop for warmth-inducing goods.

(credit: Amy Rea)

Or you could hang out at the weighing station and check out the eelpout itself. Kind of an ugly beast, but I hear it makes a pretty good meal.

(credit: Amy Rea)

As I was watching people having their eelpout weighed, a young couple walked by me, the woman saying, “Well, the first Eelpout Festival after we get married, we’ll have to—“ and the gong sounded, leaving me in the dark as to what they’ll do for that special event.

There was food too, and a beer tent, and a polar plunge, live music, on-ice auto race, and even a Bikini Ice Fishing Team Fashion Show. Kudos to Walker for pulling this off in the most temperamental of Minnesota winters!

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Science Museum)

Saturday, Feb. 18 is the open date for the latest traveling exhibition at the Science Museum of Minnesota: Real Pirates: the Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship.

(credit: Science Museum)

This is not just a kid’s exhibit — although what kid wouldn’t be captivated by all things pirate? — but is an exhibition put together by National Geographic and Arts & Exhibitions International, the team that brought in the hugely popular King Tut exhibit last year. The Pirates exhibit is also a true story, the tale of the Whydah, which began its life as a slave ship in the early 1700s but eventually converted into a pirate ship, becoming one of the most successful pirate ships during that time period.

(credit: Science Museum)

The Whydah sank off Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago and disappeared until underwater explorer Barry Clifford discovered it in 1984. While the ship is still being excavated, the rich trove of items already discovered are available for viewing.

(credit: Science Museum)

Not just riches, though; the exhibit includes weapons, the ship’s bell, rigging and tools, navigational tools, jewelry, clothing, and a variety of multimedia presentations to provide context. Visitors can not only see a scale model of the ship:

(credit: Science Museum)

But will be able to walk through a re-created Whydah. They’ll also be able to try their hand at raising a pirate flag, tying sailor’s knots, and even touching some of the real pirate’s treasure.

The exhibit will also address some myths related to pirates, such as : “Walking the plank was a typical form of punishment by pirates.” True or false? Find out at the exhibit.

While you’re there, check out the newest Omnitheater film: Under the Sea.

(credit: Science Museum)

Under the Sea takes viewers to exotic locations in the South Pacific, exploring the beautiful and colorful sea life there, while also examining the effect of climate change on the oceans.

There are plenty of special ways to enjoy Real Pirates. Rather not attend with lots of kids? Sign up for the Feb. 22 Social Science Night, a 21+ event that will be themed around Buccaneer’s Ball. Have a child who’d really love to celebrate a birthday in a pirate sort of way? Pirate birthday parties can be arranged for those ages 4-12. Interested in a more thorough historical, cultural and sociological view of pirates? Check out the six Thursday night lectures in the Real Pirates discussions with eminent guest speakers. Finally, the first and third Tuesdays of each month are Senior Tuesdays, with special discounts for senior citizens.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Gallery: Real Pirates At Science Museum

Check out the slideshow!

For more photos of the season, visit my other blog, where I’m running a new photo each day through New Year’s.

Wander Minnesota will be back in January. In the meantime, I hope whatever holidays you celebrate are wonderful, and here’s to a ripping good 2012 for all of us!

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Of course I have to mention my own book, Backroads & Byways of Minnesota, available at several local book shops. I know someone who gave a copy of one of my books to a family member paired with a gift certificate from the Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Association. There’s the perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for person, especially if they deserve a getaway.

Books are always a great gift, and this year there’s been a bumper crop of excellent choices from local writers and publishers. For anyone who appreciates historic architecture of days gone by, check out the Minnesota Historical Society Press’s Once There Were Castles. The bird lovers in your life would appreciate receiving Birds in Our Backyard or Twelve Owls, published by the Minnesota Historical Society and University of Minnesota Presses respectively, both with lavish illustrations to entertain both the young and the more mature reader. Check out the state’s lunch offerings, particularly in the form of sandwiches (and really, you’d be surprised how diverse and comprehensive the selection can be around Minnesota) by reading through Minnesota Lunch by the Heavy Table’s James Norton.

Speaking of food, there are so many choices locally. You can’t go wrong with a gift of locally produced honey and organic maple syrup from Mora’s Sapsucker Farms. The filled bottles are a pretty gift all by themselves.

Or take a visit to Minneapolis’ Local D’Lish, home to locally grown produce, dairy and meat products, as well as sweets, breads, pastas, condiments and gifts. Across the river, The Golden Fig has a drool-worthy selection of foods and spices, with an especially strong sweets section.

How about some lovely Minnesota calendars, with various themes available like the North Shore, Minnesota Barns, and Minnesota recipes, available from Minnesota’s Own Calendars?

Is there a handbag-obsessed person on your gift list? Look no further than Post-, your source for locally designed and constructed handbags that are gorgeous.

Don’t forget about those well-loved pets. Keep dogs safe from winter’s chill with a gift from Duluth-based Dog Booties. If your pet of choice is feline, check out Purrrniture (note: purchases are “Catisfaction Guaranteed”).

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

“Please feel free to bring a friend, but not any hostess gifts. Instead, please consider bringing a manual can opener. Need an explanation? It’s hard to open the can of green beans you got at the food shelf if you don’t have a can opener, and equally hard to use your electric can opener if your power’s been turned off.”

The invitation came from a volunteer at Eden Prairie’s PROP Food Shelf and PROP Shop. Although I’ve donated to food shelves before, it never occurred to me that something like a manual can opener could be valued at a food shelf. I Twittered about that need and heard back from a friend in Chicago, whose local food shelf is requesting “kitchenless” food items: foods that don’t need refrigeration and can be eaten without cooking, such as pop-top cans of tuna.

It made me wonder what else was most needed, so I did a little digging around. Here’s what I learned from a random sampling of local food shelves. All accept food and cash donations.

Second Harvest Heartland says there’s no specific item they’re in greatest need of, but instead, need some of everything. A cash donation of $5 provides 18 meals.

The Emergency Food Shelf asks for nutritious, healthy donated food items. If you click on that link, they have examples in each food group.

St. Paul’s Neighborhood House has a wide variety of cultural and ethnic needs, including curry paste, jack fruit, and bean thread and rice sticks. Click the link to see the full list.

The ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka has a list of current needs on its site, including both food and non-food items.

CEAP, which serves people in all of Anoka County and parts of Hennepin County, also has a wish list on its website. CEAP also has a food shelf specifically for homeless youth ages 12-21.

Keystone Community Services in St. Paul has a PDF listing its most-needed items.

This is only a sampling of the many organizations around the Twin Cities—and the state—providing these services for people in need. You can find a more extensive list of Minnesota food shelf organizations at Hunger Solutions MN.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

(credit: Amy C. Rea)

Available at many of the fine bookstores around the Cities.

Also available at fine bookstores everywhere is this book:

(credit: The Splendid Table)

“How to Eat Weekends” by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift, of American Public Radio’s highly regarded “The Splendid Table” radio program. This is a follow-up to the duo’s earlier book, “How to Eat Supper”, which handily disproved the theory that it’s impossible to cook a decent meal after a busy day of work.

“How to Eat Weekends” is a companion book that says, “Now, when you do have time to spare, here’s what you can do to really raise the stakes.”

More than that, it brushes aside the notion that you have to be an advanced chef to make gorgeous and delicious meals for yourself and for guests. Kasper and Swift take readers by the hand and walk them carefully through each step, right down to how to find some of the less common ingredients at specialty markets.

Kasper recently spoke with me about the book and why it’s valuable for today’s cooks and eaters.

“It’s a book for the time of the week when you have more time,” she says. “We’re at a time when people are cooking at home more now, but maybe people are missing the point—there’s pleasure to be had here. The cooking is as pleasurable as the eating.”

Not that the weekend cooking has to be difficult. Some of the recipes require more time than effort, while others are more hands-on.

“Cooking can engage you on so many levels,” says Kasper. “You could really call this a therapy book. You can lose yourself in it.”

It’s also a great tool for newer cooks who would like host friends and family, but are uncertain how to put together a menu. Kasper and Swift put together several wide-ranging menus, from a Mexican comida to an Italian Renaissance supper to a Chinese celebration to a vegan Thanksgiving. More experienced cooks can peruse the dozens of additional recipes to create their own meal. All will benefit from the wine pairing suggestions.

“The Mexican meal is perfect for someone who’s never cooked before,” Kasper says. “It’s so simple it’s ridiculous. There’s nothing you have to do — it cooks itself.”

She also notes that the growth of the Twin Cities’ ethnic food sources has made life a lot easier for cooks who want to expand their range.

“We’re lucky to be part of a community where the accoutrements are all here,” she says.

And for the person who doesn’t necessarily like to cook, but likes to read about food, this book is packed with vignettes and stories that are much like having—well, a good dinner with good friends.

To listen to the Splendid Table, find your closest radio station here.

Cider-Glazed Chicken
reprinted by permission, copyright Minnesota Public Radio

Serves 4; to double, use 2 pans
30 minutes prep time; 2 hours rest time; 1 hour stove time
This holds well 3 days in the refrigerator

Cook to Cook: A 12-inch straight-sided sauté pan is essential to this recipe’s success because the chicken pieces must be spread out to glaze the way you want them. Use two smaller pans if necessary. To ensure a good glaze, don’t cover the chicken at any point while cooking, and keep basting it with the pan juices.

3- to 3 ½-pound chicken (organic if possible), cut into 8 pieces, wing tips cut off
15 large fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup apple cider
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons good-tasting extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup minced onion
3 large garlic cloves, minced
½ large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 ½-inch-long thin sticks

Garnish
Good-tasting extra-virgin olive oil
20 large fresh sage leaves
Salt

1. If possible, about 2 hours before cooking, rub the chicken with the sage leaves. Sprinkle all sides of the chicken with the salt and pepper and pile it all on a platter, tucking in the sage leaves here and there. Cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to cook, remove the sage leaves, but keep them handy. Pat the chicken dry. In a small bowl combine the cider and cider vinegar and set aside.

2. In a 12-inch straight-sided sauté pan (not nonstick), heat the oil over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the pan, skin side down, so the pieces don’t touch. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, or until it is a rich golden brown on one side. To keep the chicken from sticking during browning, slip a metal spatula under each piece to loosen.

3. Turn the chicken pieces and brown the other side. Move the breast pieces to the pan’s edge to slow their cooking. Remove the pan from the heat and spoon off all but 1 tablespoon fat.

4. These final steps should take about 25 minutes. Set the pan over medium heat, sprinkle the chicken with the onion, and add one third of the cider mixture to the pan. Cook slowly, uncovered, scraping up the brown glaze, and turning the chicken pieces occasionally. The idea is to keep coating the chicken with the pan juices until all of the liquid has cooked away. Keep the cider mixture simmering gently, taking care not to scorch it.

5. Repeat, slowly reducing and coating the chicken with another third of the cider mixture. Finally, add the remaining cider mixture along with the reserved sage leaves and the garlic. Spoon the pan juices over the chicken and scrape up the sticky glaze, turning the pieces to keep them moistened. Blend in ½ cup water and the apple and cook down the liquid about halfway.

6. The chicken is cooked when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the breast reads 165˚F. The sauce should be syrupy and rich tasting. If not, lift out the chicken to a platter to keep warm and cook down the sauce. Scrape the sauce over the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes.

7. Meanwhile, wipe out the pan, coat it with a thin film of oil, and set it over medium-high heat. Fry the 20 sage leaves for 3 minutes, or until crisp. Salt the leaves, lift them out with a slotted spoon, and scatter them over the chicken. Serve hot.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

Check out a movie. Most movie theaters will be open Thursday, many running their weekend schedules. Others, like the Riverview Theater, will open later in the afternoon. (Because by then, you might be getting hungry again, and the Riverview has some excellent popcorn.)

The Parkway Theater will have evenings showings too, but note: while the theater is connected to Pepito’s, the latter won’t be serving its usual menu on Thursday, but providing a traditional Thanksgiving menu instead.

There won’t be any live shows at Bryant-Lake Bowl; however, the bowling lanes open at 5 p.m. that day. In St. Louis Park, Park Tavern will be open for bowling on Thanksgiving, but note that attendees of the Tavern’s Thanksgiving Day brunch will be given an hour of bowling with their meal, meaning the hours during and just after the brunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) may be pretty crowded.

Or you can wander out to Apple Valley and visit Bogart’s Place Bowl, which has as its bonus feature the Double Dittys Dueling Pianos Party.

Feel like you could stand to be a bit more active? The Waterpark of America will be open most of the day,

Maybe skating sounds more fun. Fortunately, The Depot opens for the season this Wednesday and will be open all day Thursday.

Believe it or not, ski season is upon us too. Afton Alps will be open all day, while in Taylors Falls, Wild Mountain will be open just until 3 p.m.

Since it’s possible that the weather might actually be nice on Thanksgiving this year, remember: all Minnesota State Parks are open 365 days a year. What better way to feel thankful than by exploring one of these beautiful places?

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.