Arts and crafts have always been a big part of my life. Ever since I was little, all I would do is create, create, create. Something I picked up very quickly and have kept up with until now is crocheting. If you don’t know what crocheting is, it is merely working yarn together using a hook.
I absolutely love crocheting because you can be as creative as you want to be while working up something in your hands. Crocheting is often stigmatized as a “grandma hobby”, but it is on the rise for many Gen Z such as myself. My grandma taught me how to crochet when I was about 7. At the time, I didn’t like it that much because I wasn’t as good as she was. Now that I’m older I realize that learning how to crochet takes patience and time.
I started out learning how to make little squares, and eventually moved on to making things like hats and scarves. Once I was good at crocheting, I could learn how to make shirts and skirts and how to follow alpha patterns to make graphic designs. This process took me many years, because I would be turned on and off the hobby for a while at a time, but for many people nowadays it can be a streamlined process.
I think that crochet is an awfully rewarding hobby because you can use the things you make immediately afterwards. Here is a list of some of the things you can make to use around the household:
Dishrags
Hand towels
Potholders
Wash cloths
Table runners
Blankets
Pillows
Coasters
And more
There are so many more things that you can do, and all the patterns are accessible through the internet. Here are some more things you can make:
Shirts
Skirts
Shorts
Pants
Headbands
Bags
Gloves
Socks
Sweaters/cardigans
Hats
Steering wheel covers
Small decorations
And more
The possibilities are literally endless! You can also make toys and stuffed animals, baby blankets, baby clothes, and anything else you can think of. I have even seen someone make a couch for their cat!
Another thing I appreciate about crocheting is that you can use material that you already have. Do you have any extra T-shirts that you don’t use? You can cut them up and make a rug or a bag out of the T-shirt yarn you have just created! You can also cut up plastic bags and create mats that you can give out to the homeless so that they have something to sleep on. And if there’s a project that you’ve already done but you don’t like how it turned out, you can unravel the yarn and use it for a different project.
Crocheting is so versatile, and I love all the things I can create with it. If you let your creativity take control, there is absolutely no end to what you can create. And that’s why I think you should crochet. Let loose, and let your creativity run wild.
Prince was one of the most accomplished artists to come out of Minnesota, becoming an international star through his beautiful voice and wacky style. Born in Minneapolis to his parents John Lewis Nelson and Mattie Della Shaw in 1958, Prince grew up surrounded by music and creativity. His father, who played in a band called the Prince Rogers Trio, had always been a big inspiration and intimidation for Prince.
Unfortunately, his parents ended up divorcing, and he moved in with his neighbors. He grew close with his neighbor’s son, André Cymone, and together they created a band called Grand Central. The band was a big success locally, and André would go on to be Prince’s bassist for the early years of his fame.
Prince was a notoriously private person, when he wasn’t out performing his music. He was also a noted perfectionist, often rerecording and rewriting things until he was completely happy with them.
“Anything Prince did, he did it 110%… He wanted it perfect, he wanted it right. He was a consummate workaholic, always trying to raise the bar for himself and for us.” – Morris Hayes, a longtime ‘sideman’ of Prince.
In 1993, Prince decided to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol, causing him to be known as “the artist formerly known as Prince”, a gimmick lasting 3 years. He had done so in protest of the way that the Warner Bros were releasing his music.
After two unsuccessful marriages and unfortunate circumstances surrounding his children, Prince stayed single for the rest of his life. He died on April 21, 2016, due to an overdose of Vicodin laced with Fentanyl.
While the star is not with us any longer, his house is! His Paisley Park estate is only 20 minutes from Minneapolis, in Chanhassen MN, and open for tours through September 4th! The Paisley Park Estate offers fun, interactive tours that lead you through the life of Prince and lets you peer into the mind of the eclectic man. Go, have fun, and learn more about our local superstar!
The answer is: yes! It may sound crazy, but recent news has broken that cantaloupe-linked salmonella has killed 8 people and caused over 400 illnesses in the US and Canada.
In a food safety alert posted in January, the CDC recalled pre-cut cantaloupes from
U.S. brands such as Crown Jewels, TruFresh, and Canadian brands such as Rudy and Malichita. Before you start to worry, the outbreak has ended, and cantaloupe is safe to eat again, for now. Unfortunately, cantaloupe-induced illness is not uncommon. But here is the question: How did salmonella get on the cantaloupes in the first place?
Cantaloupe is very susceptible to being contaminated. In this case, one of the bigger possibilities is through the soil. Salmonella is found in animal intestines, and therefore can be found in feces, which is commonly used as a fertilizer for crops. The salmonella may have contaminated the soil in which the cantaloupe was growing, which left the virus on the fruit’s rind, later to seep into the fruit itself.
Another reason cantaloupe is easy to contaminate is because its textured skin can trap bacteria easily, so if you don’t clean the rind very well before cutting into it, any bacteria that is found on the outside of the melon will infect the inside. A way to prevent this is to properly store and handle the melon until you are ready to eat it, and then make sure to clean the outside as well as possible.
While many organizations are looking for a surefire way to prevent these kinds of illnesses from infecting fruits, nothing concrete has been found yet. The best bet for a clean melon is to make sure that the environment that it grows in is clean, but even then, there are uncontrollable factors.
In conclusion, be careful when picking what fruits to eat and be sure to know what to do to properly prepare them. Keep your eyes open for recall alerts. You never know when the CDC is going to recall your lunch!
References
Affairs, O. of R. (2023). 2023 Recalls of Food Products Associated with Cantaloupes due to the Potential Risk of Salmonella. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/safety/major-product-recalls/2023-recalls-food-products-associated-cantaloupes-due-potential-risk-salmonella
BOWEN, A., FRY, A., RICHARDS, G., & BEAUCHAT, L. (2005). Infections associated with cantaloupe consumption: a public health concern. Epidemiology and Infection, 134(4), 675–685. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268805005480
This article covers the story of the Glensheen murders that happened in 1977. An old heiress, her adopted daughter and son-in-law, and an evil plan full of greed. What really happened during that time, and why?
If you have never heard of the Glensheen Mansion, it is a beautiful historical house up on the North Shore of Minnesota that is home to one of Minnesota’s most famous murders. The Glensheen mansion was built between the years of 1905 and 1907 as a home for Chester and Clara Congdon, an affluent family at the time. Due to the opening of their iron mining business in the area, and the several charitable endeavors they supported, the Congdons became one of the most influential families in Duluth. It took a little over 3 years to build Glensheen and cost the family $854,000 in total, according to the Glensheen’s official website. The house has a whopping 39 rooms and over 27,000 square feet of living space. There, the family of 8 lived a busy life together.
Years later, after Chester and Clara passed on (Chester in 1916 and Clara in 1950), their daughter Elisabeth inherited the estate. Elisabeth was a hard-working woman. While attending school, she excelled in all areas. Unfortunately, her father died while she was away at school, and she decided to drop out and move home to help her mother. While living in the mansion she helped with many organization boards and charities. She was also the first president of the Women’s Junior League, volunteered at St. Luke’s hospital rolling bandages, and started a women’s clinic with her friend, Elizabeth Bagley. She lived well into her older years, dying at the ripe old age of 83.
Unfortunately for her, the cause of death was anything but natural. Elisabeth was murdered in her sleep…by her own family! While she never married or had children herself, she had adopted two girls earlier in her life, Jennifer and Marjorie. Jennifer had moved to Wisconsin after marrying, and Marjorie to Minneapolis. Marjorie’s husband divorced her after 20 years of marriage and she ended up moving to Colorado, where she met her second husband Rodger Caldwell. Marjorie was a lavish girl, spending loads of money to attain a wealthy lifestyle. The catch is this: she wasn’t rich. Her mother was. She was completely reliant on her mother to pay every check and bill that she racked up, and to Elisabeth’s credit, she did. Elisabeth was a very wealthy woman, one of the wealthiest in Minnesota history.
But soon, Elisabeth had a bad stroke and had to be watched daily, so the Congdon trustees told Marjorie and Caldwell that no more money would come their way. Enraged and unable to accept this, the couple tried to live the same way that they had been living but by 1977, they were completely broke and in desperate need of money.
Marjorie was set to inherit over $8.2 million USD once Elisabeth passed, so the couple hatched a devious plan. Caldwell booked a flight to Minneapolis and drove up to Duluth on June 27, 1977. He hid in the neighboring cemetery until nightfall, then continued with his evil intentions. He snuck into the house once the lights went out, first heading to deal with the night nurse, Velma Pietila, that watched over his mother-in-law while she was sleeping. Unfortunately for this nurse, she wasn’t even supposed to be there that night. She was filling in last minute, but was close with the old heiress, so she didn’t mind.
She was found beaten to death with a candlestick the next morning by the day nurse, Mildred Garvue, who later found Elisabeth smothered to death in her bed by a satin pillow. She also found the bedroom to be disheveled, with things strewn about and some items missing. After murdering Elisabeth, Caldwell stole some expensive jewelry from her room and took a diamond ring off of her hand. Then, he washed himself up in a bathroom, stole Velma’s car keys, and drove her car back to Minneapolis.
The police labeled it as a botched robbery at first, but after taking a closer look at the case, they decided to investigate the family. Many of the family members pointed to Marjorie and Rodger, explaining their financial situation. Rodger was eventually convicted of both murders and put into jail. Marjorie was soon accused of planning the murders on the account that Caldwell didn’t know Duluth and the mansion like she did. She was found not guilty, and Rodger’s lawyers soon appealed his case. After a lot of back and forth, a plea deal was agreed upon. A guilty plea and no more jail time.
While he was free from jail, he was not living a great life. He only received $186 a month and lived in a small apartment above a bar. He was an alcoholic most of his life and now he was also morbidly obese. In 1988, Rodger killed himself. Marjorie ended up remarrying with a man that she was friends with in her earlier years, when their kids competed in ice-skating together. She had many run-ins with the law, due to her committing arson multiple times in multiple places, as well as allegedly killing her new husband’s wife and later her husband. She died on June 8, 2020.
The Congdon family was a pillar in Duluth’s community back in the day, helping it become the great city we know today. There are many tributes to the affluent family, including Congdon Park and Congdon Park Elementary School. The Glensheen is open to the public for tours and a more in-depth history of the family and the exquisite building. I highly encourage you to take a weekend trip up to Duluth and learn a little more about one of Minnesota’s most affluent and unfortunate families. If you can’t make it up North, the History Theater in St. Paul is performing a play on the Glensheen Mansion from June 20 – July 14!
After what many sources described as a “chaotic” end to the 2023-24 Minnesota Legislative Session, a lot of new law from cannabis regulation, to housing, taxes, and more have been passed. In a late night vote on May 19th, just before the midnight deadline, the DFL controlled House of Representatives and Senate moved forward a 1,430 page omnibus bill after days of Republican filibusters. The bill passed 70-50 in the House and 34-14 in the Senate. The drama caused House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) to file an ethics complaint against House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). The republican legislators claim that the speaker “violated the norms of House behavior, betrayed the public trust, and brought the House into dishonor and disrepute.” The motion is unlikely to be brought up since the DFL maintains the majority in the House of Representatives.
All of this is on the heels of state Sen. Nicole Michell’s arrest on April 22nd on one count of first-degree burglary for allegedly breaking and entering into the home of her stepmother over a family dispute about her late father’s ashes. Republicans immediately moved to disqualify Michell from voting. Many Democrats such as state Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) urged to allow the legal process to play out during session. Now that session is over, state Sen. Nicole Michell is facing calls from leaders of her own party to step down. Amid ongoing ethics complaint proceedings, the embattled state senator says she has no plans to step down.
This clearly puts the stakes of 2024 into stark relief. We will see if the Republicans can capitalize on Sen. Michell’s seat by arguing that her felony charge disqualifies her from office considering that the presumed Republican nominee for president of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is now a convicted felon. We will also see if the DFL can maintain its majorities in the face of local and national political headwinds. One thing is for sure: the drama isn’t over yet.
It would seem the Oct. 7 attacks by the terrorist group known as Hamas, along with the subsequent invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces, have had a polarizing effect on college campuses nationwide. Hamas, for their part, raped women, burned anything they could get their hands on, and murdered over 1,163 innocent men, women, and children. In retaliation, Israel has launched an unceasing barrage of bombs and sent ground troops into Gaza, killing men, women, and children. As of March 28th, the Palestinian death toll was around 32,552; this according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. According to the Antidefamation League (ADL), antisemitic incidents rose a whopping 360% after the Oct. 7 violence in Israel. What’s more is that the Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the groups facilitating the demonstrations on various college campuses, called the Oct. 7 attacks a “historic win” for the “Palestinian resistance.”
Instead of sympathy for the Jews who were raped, tortured, and murdered, college campuses have rallied to the aid of Palestinians with little more than vitriol. On the surface the student protests appear to be reasonable. They see the death and destruction in Gaza, and they feel compelled to protest to make their voices heard and impart change in the world. It is the basic formula for nearly all protests, student led or otherwise. Where these most recent protests have strayed is in ideology and in their complete and total condemnation of, not just Israeli actions taken during their bombing campaigns, but in their existence in summa. The heavy label of “settler colonialists” has been coopted to great effect and believes Jews to be the occupiers in their own land. They claim Jews are Europeans who, with the help of the United Nations, stole the land of Israel from Palestinians in the War of 1948.
With these beliefs as a grounding and uniting theme, chants and slogans such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “by any means necessary” and “globalize the intifada,” common rallying cries calling for the destruction of Israel, can be heard on college campuses across our country. But what these slogans demonstrate is that what is being proposed by these protesters is the complete and total elimination of the State of Israel and in the same manner, Jews themselves.
Part of the problem are the professors on college campuses who exist in echo chambers of their own like-minded, short-sighted world view and the DEI programming they push on their students. At Stanford, Columbia, Yale, the University of Virginia, Albany Law School, and New York University, occasions where professors and faculty either shamed Jewish students, called for the destruction of Israel, or championed the cause of Hamas were common. A bit closer to home at the University of Minnesota, chants could be heard from demonstrators calling for the murder of Jewish people. Here at Metro State, I experienced a small portion of this antisemitic rapport between a professor and a student. The two shared remarks about how they were both been in attendance for a pro Palestine demonstration the night before, prior to, and in front of the class.
It is time for us to stand with our Jewish friends here at home. The current state of the war and the actions taken by Benjamin Netanyahu are deplorable and the innocent of Gaza do not deserve what has quickly turned into a war of attrition. But that doesn’t mean Jews should suffer antisemitism here, or anywhere else.
Haute Dish Arts and Literary Journal: Then and Now by Suzanne Nielsen
In 2004, I was introduced to Mr. Clint Weathers, a Metro State creative writing student. Clint had a passion for writing and the energy to rebirth a literary magazine that had made its genesis in the mid-1990s, but was laid to rest in 2000. Clint took his passion and ran with it. He and I worked together by gathering a group of students, also passionate to work as genre editors (prose, poetry, and art), and our first issue launched in spring of 2005. We received 32 submissions for that initial issue and published 25 of those. Almost 20 years later, I am honored to still be advising this journal, and I feel especially honored working with so many talented students. This is a result of good karma.
Each semester work is submitted for [blind] voting by avolunteer editorial staff, which consists of current Metro students working in the areas of prose, poetry and art. Students may apply to be a volunteer editor if they are experienced in these areas. Editors must commit to two semesters of service, and they are expected to make publication decisions and participate at in-person readings twice each year. As the faculty advisor I meet regularly with the editors, and works closely with managing editors, as well as with Student Life and Leadership Development.
Who Submits?
Metro State students are encouraged to submit their work for consideration during open submission periods listed on our web site. Our published writers and artists spread across variousdisciplines of study to include creative writing, psychology, history, education, nursing, business, studio arts, screenwriting, and social sciences. We also welcome submissions from graduate students and alumni. Currently our managing editor is a graduate student, and the managing editor before her was a soon to be graduate of our MLS program.
Why Submit?
Being published in Haute Dish is an accolade not available at many colleges and universities. Whether getting published or participating as an editor, the experience is valuable to employers as much as it is for you. Our writers and artists have found careers as editors, illustrators, writers, and design artists. Several of our authors/artists find themselves in graduate programs, teaching in the field of writing or publication, or is a lawyer in the Twin Cities. Published students have gone on to win The Carothers Distinguished Writers Award, The President’s Outstanding Student Award, The Loft Literary Center’s Mentorship Award, and many have long lists of ongoing publications.
How and Where to Submit?
Submissions are accepted two times a year for each printed issue. Submission information is available at https://hautedish.metrostate.
Printed magazines are available in the Student Education Center and throughout every Metro State building. If you cannot find an issue, contact us and we will get you a copy. Published students have the opportunity to participate in readings scheduled during Fall and Spring semesters. Our artists are encouraged to participate in the readings by sharing their process with the audience. Time is allowed at each reading for open mic participants that use our sign-in sheet. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Haute Dish editorial team, please contact me. We hope you think of us the next time you serve your favorite dish.
As the sun’s rays grow bolder and spring blossoms, skincare enthusiasts across the globe prepare their annual routine refresh. While self-care rituals are deeply personal, navigating the vast skincare landscape can be daunting.
This curated guide spotlights 5 trending Korean skincare products loved by both beauty influencers and everyday Koreans, offering a roadmap for both seasoned skincare veterans and curious newcomers.
Hydration Reigns Supreme: Korean skincare philosophies champion a plump, dewy complexion. Opt for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other moisture-rich ingredients to achieve that coveted glass skin look.
Layering – The Art of Optimization: Think of your skincare routine like a symphony. Koreans often layer thin, watery products first, followed by thicker, creamier ones for optimal absorption and benefit.
Sunscreen – Your Non-Negotiable Shield: Regardless of the season, sun protection is paramount. Invest in an SPF 30+ sunscreen with PA++++ for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
Now, Meet Your Starters:
1. Gentle Cleanse, Happy Skin:
Purito Deep Cleaning Foam: This vegan, fragrance-free cleanser removes impurities without stripping your skin. Green tea and centella asiatica extract soothe and calm, while tea tree oil combats bacteria and inflammation.
2. Balance with Toning Power:
Round Lab Dokdo Toner: Formulated with Dokdo seawater and hyaluronic acid, this toner balances skin pH and delivers moisture. Its refreshing and calming effect is highly loved.
3. Soothe and Repair with Serum:
Etude House Soon Jung Centella 100 Ampoule: Packed with 100% centella asiatica extract (Cica), this serum calms redness, soothes irritation, and strengthens your skin barrier. It’s perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive ones.
4. Lock in Moisture with the Right Cream:
Illiyoon Ato Concentrate Cream: Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, this moisturizer deeply hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier. It’s ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry ones.
5. Shield Your Glow with Sunscreen:
Missha Aqua Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++: This water-based sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, high water resistance, and a lightweight, non-greasy feel. It’s suitable for all skin types, including oily skin.
Remember:
Prioritize hydration for a radiant, healthy glow.
Embrace the layering technique for maximum benefit.
Make sunscreen your daily non-negotiable.
Embrace the Korean skincare philosophy and unlock your most radiant spring self!
By Leah Moe, Entertainment Editor | The Metropolitan
Reading the contemporary book Yellowface by award-winning author R.H. Khang is like watching a 20-something white woman set her own life on fire. The story begins with Juniper, an unreliable narrator, celebrating with Athena, a Chinese American girl who has it all. Athena has book deals, M.F.A. programs, and now a deal with Netflix. Juniper contemplates their friendship, jealous of Athena’s success after her debut novel flopped. After a pancake-eating competition results in her rival suddenly choking to death. Juniper makes the split decision to steal Athena’s manuscript off her desk.
The reader is left with an entire book of Juniper’s murky justification of the theft. At first, Juniper dabbles with the idea of publishing Athena’s novel The Last Front in her memory but in the next breath explains, “I work so damn hard on it. I write every day from dawn to midnight.” Juniper’s strenuous efforts therefore meant she had a claim over the novel telling the story of the Chinese Labor Corps involvement with World War I. Heavy duty justification is needed when her pen name is changed from “June Hayward” to “Juniper Song” and when taking author portraits of when she was “extra tan.” She wasn’t trying to seem culturally ambiguous! She was simply trying to rebrand. June brings us through the epic success of her “reward bait” book— but the excitement of talking on panels and accepting numerous awards quickly sours when the controversy of plagiarism begins.
R.H. Khang’s book is an original representation of micro racism in the publishing industry. Although sometimes I craved more deviance from the main character, that might have given an excuse for some to rationalize their racist tendencies because “at least they’re not as bad as Juniper Song.” The focus on social media was surprising but also proved necessary to show the fragility of Juniper’s character. Social media defined the character’s mood, when the praise flooded, she was generous and happy but when the criticism came, she was cemented to her bed unable to face the world. The use of social media in this book also shows how Juniper never cared about being racially insensitive, she only cared about others’ opinions.
An important piece of this book is who has a right to tell this story. Is it okay for a white woman to spread the history of the Chinese Labor Corps or should it be saved for the veterans that went through it? Either way, Juniper never had that permission. This book showed the great power of the publishing industry to produce “the book of the season” and how there is no stability at the top. Especially, for those who steal a dead woman’s manuscript.
Reading Time: 2minutesWe don’t own the rights to this image.
By Frances Ariole, Copy Editor | The Metropolitan
In this age of instant gratification, overconsumption, and willingness to sacrifice quality over quantity, subpar clothing has become the norm for the average consumer. The increased demand for the next hottest trend or outfit but at a cheaper price gave birth to places such as Zara, Shein, H&M, etc. It would be hypocritical for me to demonize these large corporations because I, too, have succumbed to their allure, especially when trying to maintain a certain image on a tight budget—it’s essential to confront the uncomfortable truths surrounding fast fashion.
I encountered numerous articles about sweatshops, underpaid workers, and less-than-optimal work environments associated with fast fashion brands. I was left with a sense of guilt surrounding these purchases that had a low closet life span and required repurchasing multiple times. I did the math already and investing in a quality piece always saves more money in the long run than repurchasing similar clothes every quarter. After the guilt passed, I found myself asking “Now what?”. I have been educated about these corporations so I can no longer blame blissful ignorance, but I am also not rich enough to hire a personal shopper or stylist to purchase pieces for me. After doing some homework, I was able to source some alternatives to these popular brands. These brands have timeless pieces and a longer closet life:
Lioness Fashion: This brand boasts unique and stylish pieces at a price point comparable to Zara.
Aritzia: Known for high-quality basics that last, Aritzia also offers a similar price range to Zara.
Abercrombie & Fitch: The brand’s recent rebranding has yielded impressive denim and accessories for individuals who want to elevate their basics.
The Frankie Shop: High-quality materials define this brand, making it a great choice for cozy sweaters, cardigans, and trench coats – perfect for Minnesota winters!
Source Unknown: This brand caters to those who crave a luxurious look and feel. Their sweaters and outerwear are highly recommended.
Nakd Clothing: A personal favorite, Nakd offers H&M-comparable prices, well-fitting bottoms, and stylish tops.
Oak & Fort: This brand carries trendy pieces with a curated selection. Reviews praise their accurate sizing.
Some tips to remember when shopping:
–Focus on timeless basics: Opt for classic pieces that won’t go out of style, avoiding the trap of an overflowing closet filled with unworn clothes.
–Resist social media pressure: You don’t need every trendy item you see online.
–Embrace delayed gratification: Save up for that perfect piece instead of impulse buying.
–Utilize wishlists: Add items to a wishlist and wait. You might be surprised how your feelings about a piece change over time.
By making these conscious choices, you can cultivate a stylish and sustainable wardrobe that reflects your values.
