In the late 1980s, attending a journalism conference near Lake Calhoun, I walked to a bench next to the path around the lake.
“Is anyone sitting here?” a deep and distinctive voice asked.
“No, have a seat,” I said.
“I’m Fritz,” he said, holding out his hand. He needed no introduction.
Walter Mondale, the former vice president under Jimmy Carter, sat down and opened a brown paper bag to pull out his homemade sandwich.
When he learned I worked at The Free Press, he began reminiscing about his many visits to Mankato and to our newsroom. He knew many locals well, including the late Herb Mocol, who was mayor of Mankato and a major player in state DFL politics.
In my 42 years at The Free Press, the perks of meeting, interviewing and being able to visit with thousands of people from all backgrounds has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
Some, like Mondale, and President George W. Bush — who I covered when his Marine One helicopter landed in an alfalfa field outside of Le Sueur in 2004 to announce a conservation program — were celebrities and powerful.
But most of the memorable recollections are of all the local residents who for one reason or another were part of a hard news or feature story.
Like most any job, there is stress. In the case of journalists, it’s daily deadlines and the push to get news quickly and as accurately as possible. But there’s many times you feel a bit guilty that you get paid to go out and just talk to interesting people.
Going out to talk to the three Lindsay brothers, who were in their 80s, and watching them relish cutting logs into lumber at a rural property outside of North Mankato was the kind of experience that regularly made me realize what a good and fulfilling work I’ve had.
The late Joe Michel, a legendary local canoeist who had paddled long trips all over North America, was a treat to meet and talk with. A skilled storyteller, Joe gave me and my colleague John Cross information as we prepared for a canoe trip down the Minnesota River.
On that first trip, in 1998, we paddled the 325-mile length of the river from the South Dakota border to the Mississippi, documenting each of the 12 days with photos and stories that focused on the health of the river, the wildlife and the people who live and use the river. We did a follow-up trip 10 years later.
Reporters and photographers often get some comments from readers who appreciate what we do. But neither John nor I got as much feedback as we did after we did the river trips. People appreciated and enjoyed what we did and that was fulfilling for us.
I’ve been fortunate to work at a newspaper that always had a strong reputation for quality journalism, a tradition carried on by numerous journalists over the decades who have helped make my career something I can look back on with gratitude and a smile.
I’m not worried about being bored now that I’m retired. But I will miss writing this column and hearing your feedback.
It’s been a good ride.
Tim Krohn can be contacted at tkrohn@mankatofreepress.com or 507-720-1300.