Out & About

The snow certainly presents some challenges, at least for some, when it comes to driving while out and about. There was a post on social media recently that generated a few giggles. It said, “Don’t ask how the roads are. Some of you cannot drive when it is 75 and sunny.” While the elements can certainly create some tricky execution of keeping your vehicle on the road or in the lane, they also present some reminders of just how wonderful this time of year is. For example, if you are out and about checking out Christmas Light displays, the addition of snow amplifies the experience. It is impossible not to smile when you see kids racing down a snow packed hill on their sleds and even more impossible not to remember how fun it was when you were younger.

A reader reached out to say that we give a lot of love to Hastings, and specifically, to Downtown Hastings. This is true to a point. When out and about in the Hastings, Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport and even areas south, we try to find remarkable people, places, and things to feature here in “Out and About.” For example, recently a stop at The Park Café earned some ink as a simple stop for breakfast after church turned into a remarkable experience. The Park Café is not in Hastings and if not for the fact that the church service was attended at St. Rita’s in Cottage Grove, the trip there most likely would not have happened. One of the keys to this feature is that we want to experience the people, places, and things that we write about. Anyone can copy online reviews.

Another food oriented remarkable experience recently shared was of the Muddy Cow in Cottage Grove. What was remarkable wasn’t necessarily the food or service (although both were excellent). What really stuck out was a first, and a fantastic first at that. Cheese Balls. “What,” you may ask in a quite confused manner? Yes, cheese balls… warm ones. Tons of bar and grill type restaurants offer free popcorn. The Muddy Cow is unique as they have removed the kettles from the popcorn machines and load them up with cheese balls. This unique adaptation to a free offering of crunchy fun food fare is the outside of the box stuff that makes an out and about experience remarkable.

If you are a person who grew up in 1970’s or 1980’s going out to see live music on the weekends, you no doubt have noticed a huge decline in opportunity to do so. For example, on any given weekend in this area, including crossing the St. Croix into Prescott or Hudson, there were easily 10 to 12 different establishment with bands playing. The live music scene, like so many things has changed drastically over the years. Some venues still offer it but usually for a special occasion, fundraiser, or a solo, duo, or trio type performing on a Wednesday or Sunday during the summer months. Did you know there is a place where you can see live music on a weekly basis… on the weekends? If you have lived around here for any amount of time, you are aware of Treasure Island Resort and Casino. The Parlay Lounge at TI is host to some of the best regional bands and artists every weekend. A simple trip to their website will allow you to find bands playing in the genres that get your motor running. It is worth the trip to the website.

While the emails that provide constructive feedback certainly are appreciated, and at least prove a few folks are reading this, what we are really hoping for is some reader recommendations. What or who are the people, places, and things in our area that you find remarkable. It might be one of those community members, aka characters, that without them, the community would not be what it is. It could be that mom-and-pop business that has been serving the area for what seems to be forever, or that obscure business that sadly gets walked past, even though what they offer fits various categories such as “cute stuff,” or “neat, one-of-akind items,” or things that generate “where did you get that” inquiries. How can you help? Simply send some information about these remarkable people, places, and things to [email protected] and when we are out and about, we will check them out.