Freepcast From The Free Press Media

The skateboard scene in Mankato goes back decades, but in no time was it more interesting — or fraught — than in the late 80s when the city enacted its skateboard ordinance. We sat down with three lifelong skateboarders to get their take on that, as well as skate culture in general, run-ins with police, and more.

Twenty years ago, Tim Tupy and his wife Tammy took a chance and started a business in Mankato called Liv Salon and Spa. A few years later, they started another: Mankato Brewery. On this episode of FreepCast, Tim talks about both businesses, the craft brewery trend, running a business during a pandemic and the perils of seeing Cougars during early morning runs.

Dana Sikkila is the director of the 410 Project, a grassroots, volunteer-run art gallery and creative space. Her name has been in the news in southern Minnesota for about a decade, mostly about shows coming up at the 410, or updates on her Project Bike trips to bike across the state gathering artworks. But on today's FreepCast, we go a little deeper with Dana to find out what motivates her.

On March 1, The Free Published a major reporting project anchored by the brilliant photography of Jackson Forderer. The project followed the painful and tortured life of Kris Bonander, including the death of his partner, Scott Radtke. In this episode of FreepCast, we talk about the story behind the story, and how Jackson was able to get the kind of access he needed to create such wonderful photos.

Like everything else, FreepCast is having to deal with this stupid virus. We'll be back when everything's hunky dory again, K?

On this episode of FreepCast we sit down for an hour deep conversation and MUSIC with Nate Leboutillier, AKA Nate Boots. Nate talks about his obsession with Weezer, making music with his kids and the love he has for North Mankato. Most importantly, Nate performs three gorgeous songs. You DO NOT want to miss this one, folks. Enjoy.

On this episode of FreepCast we have our first return guest. Fellow editor Shane Frederick joins us to talk hockey. We dig deep into how the current Maverick men's hockey campaign is going. We also spend some time — maybe a little too much time — on a little thought experiment I came up with. We comb over all the rosters going back 20 years and come up with who we think was the best player at each jersey number. It was FUN! I knew it would be. Follow Shane on Twitter @puckato. While you're at it, follow ME on Twitter @FreePressRobb.

On this episode of FreepCast we bring you Dustin Wilmes and Juston "Ton" Cline, the guys from "The Five Count" radio program on KMSU. Their show, which airs 9-11 p.m. Saturdays, features an eclectic mix of music and an impressive array of guests — so many big-name and high-profile guests that you'll wonder how they manage to book all these people on their show. In this episode, we learn a little bit about Dusty and Ton, learn all about their process and hear some war stories about their best and worst guests. Enjoy!

Megan Hoogland is the owner of Mecca Tattoo in Mankato. Her work is known around the world and she was nice enough to sit down with us at FreepCast to chat about her work, the Mecca tattoo ghost and the challenges of raising a teen.  Don't forget to rate us on iTunes! Please give us 5 STARS! We'd love it if you did!

Our guest this week on FreepCast is Ann Fee, the executive director of the Arts Center of St. Peter. Ann has had a lot of creative irons in the fire over the years. Among her most visible endeavors is her partnership with musician Joe Tougas. Their band, The Frye, is a favorite among Mankato tavern-goers, and the musical project the pair teamed up for called "Hank & Rita: A Barroom Operetta" was among the most beloved and original creations to hit southern Minnesota in years. On this episode of FreepCast, Ann talks about the music, she and Joe play a few tunes, we get all the details of the upcoming Rocky Horror/Bat out of Hell Pageant and Sing Along, and so much more. It was a joy to have Ann in the studio. 

In a first for FreepCast, we've got live music! Colin Scharf and Laura Schultz, the husband and wife team who head up Good Night Gold Dust, perform three tunes during their time on FreepCast, including a new song Laura wrote over the summer called "Wolf." They also perform "Headlights," which happens to be the FreepCast theme music, and "Waves," which is perhaps their most beloved song. We also get into their back stories and talk hockey in this hour of fantastic entertainment.

When Melissa Ketchum spoke to Mankato Magazine a year ago, I thought at the time that it'd be great to have her on a venue where we could go a little deeper on who she is and how she's come to this unique point in her life. Melissa is very candid about her sobriety and her mental health, and the way she's dealt with challenges on those fronts is inspiring. Don't forget to rate us on iTunes and Spotify and leave us some comments!  

You won't find a kinder man or more beloved educator anywhere in Mankato than Pete Bloedel. The Bethany Lutheran College theater professor has been teaching for 27 years and, in that time, has created a unique theater education experience for students. He's also created one of the most anticipated theater-going experiences each fall with his "Theater Physics," which kicks off this weekend. In this episode of FreepCast, we dive into Pete's theater background, his moonlighting as magician/juggler and his music career with his band, The Divers.

Few people in Mankato are as connected to the local music as Justin "Fuzzy" Fasnacht. A lifelong Mankato resident, he's a proud townie who is as big a Mankato booster and cheerleader as you'll find. He's also the founder of the Internet radio station Fuzztalk Radio. Fuzzy has had some health issues recently, and in this episode of FreepCast he gets very candid about his life, his life choices, and how difficult this summer has been for him. It's a great conversation in which we learn Fuzzy was a straight-A student at Mankato East, he was a band geek, and a Lancer. We also learn he's aiming to get in shape as soon as his leg heals. Good luck, Fuzzy.

Just a quick note to let you all know we haven't abandoned you — the host's voice has just been, well, on sick leave. But now we're back and ready to start FreepCast-ing again! Next week we'll be recording two episodes. First we'll sit down with Justin "Fuzzy" Fasnacht, the godfather of the local music scene. Then later, we'll have a chat with Pete Bloedel, theater guru at Bethany Lutheran College and creator of Theater Physics, one of the most inventive hours of live entertainment in this town every year.

Pay Ryan is one of those people in our community who has done it all when it comes to theater and performing. He's taught, produced, written, directed -- everything, really. And he's just a great guy and even better storyteller. On this episode of FreepCast, Pat talks about life with Parkinson's disease, overcoming alcoholism, goofing around with the governor, writing and directing plays and being a creative force in southern Minnesota.

It's been five years since Isaac Kolstad had the bar fight that would change his life in profound ways. After that fight — which left him in a coma, and had some doctors doubting his chances of recovery — Isaac's life became an epic struggle. He had to relearn to walk and talk, and come to terms with his future being vastly different than the one he envisioned. Today he's upbeat, continuing with chiropractic and speech therapy, and will soon have his driver's license; one more step on the journey to normalcy. He talks about it all on FreepCast, including how much the community's support meant to his recovery.

Taking a break to do, like, actual Free Press Media work ... and vacation ... and screw around. Check back next week!

Dinah Langsjoen was born and raised in Mankato ... but that's probably her similarities with 'Kato folks ends. Her family was part of a peaceful religious cult, her father passed away when she was 9 months old, she's a single mother struggling to maintain her artistic drive and identity and ... she just found out she has breast cancer. Dinah has been keeping people up to date on her health via her Caring Bridge page. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Eric Jones is the leading man on the team that brings you all the great shows at the Mankato Civic Center, the new Grand Hall, and the Vetter Stone Amphitheater. Eric and FreepCast host Robb Murray go way back, all the way back to their college days at MSU. In this episode, Eric talks about growing up in Lake Crystal, playing bass in a Mankato band that almost made it, and some crazy stories of the hundreds of bands who have performed in Mankato.