from the publishers
Welcome to the fall edition of Minnesota Moments
In this issue we are pleased to showcase an essay written by frequent contributor Bill Kraft. His essay is on the winning football tradition at St. John’s University, a tradition that he has been witnessing for decades, ever since he was a student there. Kraft has been a long-time fan of the SJU team and its legendary Coach John Gagliardi.
When told that his essay was not only running in Minnesota Moments, but was the cover story, Kraft was floored.
“That is such exciting news,” he said. “It’s like a dream come true. I read your message several times and then pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. To say I am elated is an understatement. I’ve literally been counting the days until the first Johnny practice in August. I’ve become a fixture in the stands at Clemens Stadium. The story and everything that goes with it will make this a season I will never forget.”
To illustrate Kraft’s submission, we turned to Lisa Webskowski, a colored-pencil artist from Alexandria, who has been providing illustrations for Minnesota Moments on a regular basis. Webskowski attended a St. John’s football game last fall, took photographs of Gagliardi and of the game, and worked months on creating a stunning portrait that is featured on the cover and the illustration that appears inside the magazine with Kraft’s story. Webskowski’s work turned out so well that we decided to reproduce it in a print and offer it for sale. See details inside the magazine on how to get your copy of the print that captures the essence of this legendary coach.
Gagliardi is an unassuming man who has had the most stellar of coaching careers. Gagliardi, or John as he likes to be called by his players, has amassed more wins than any coach at any time in any division of college football. He begins this season — his 58th as a head coach — with 432 career collegiate wins. Both numbers are unprecedented in the history of college football.
In mid-August, Gagliardi was inducted into College Football’s Hall of Fame.
Also in this issue we feature Lynette Jensen, who is to quilting what Gagliardi is to football. Jensen, of Hutchinson, is a small-town girl who grew up to create Thimbleberries, one of the most widely known and successful quilt design studios in the world. Headquartered above the Main Street Cotton Shop in a vintage building in downtown Hutchinson, Thimbleberries is where quilt patterns, fabric designs and even books originate.
And as you’re wrapped in your favorite quilt in the stands watching your favorite football team play on Friday night, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you’ll want to have a warm Thermos of soup along. Regular contributor Audrey Kletscher Helbling provides us with plenty of recipes that are sure to please even the most fussy of eaters.
So, sit back, relax and enjoy. The leaf-raking can wait for another day.
Mike Nistler and Diane Wimmer