Features - Hastings Journal

Dakota County Historical Society President Steve Cook, alongside relatives and descendants of Fred Lawshe cut the ribbon on the newest permanent exhibit at the Lawshe Memorial Museum: The Curiosity Collection.

Lawshe Memorial Museum unveils The Curiosity Collection

The Lawshe Memorial Museum in South St. Paul opened its newest permanent exhibit The Curiosity Collection, an exhibit for children on the history of Dakota County on Saturday, June 14. From … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/17/25

Local businesses, nonprofits, and government officials came out alongside a craft fair at Levee Park during Hastings fifth annual Pride Festival.

Hastings celebrates fifth annual pride festival

Hastings celebrated its fifth annual pride festival on Saturday, June 14 at Levee Park. The event was organized by the nonprofit Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Alliance (IDEA) and featured … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/17/25

Black Dirt Theater sets sail with a local star-studded cast for "Anything Goes"

This summer, the local stage will light up with toe-tapping tunes, comedic chaos, and classic Broadway flair as Black Dirt Theater announces the cast for its 2025 summer production of Anything Goes. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 5/14/25

Attendees sang “This Little Light of Mine” and other hymns at the Hops and Hymns event.

10 Years of music and art: Hastings Arts Center celebrates 10 years

The Hastings Arts Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary with events ranging from open mic nights to concerts to masses in the old Guardian Angels Church. Founded in 2014 to better house the piano … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/16/25

At the First Responder Fundraiser held at Hastings Public House, a poster was made to help donors quantify the sheer volume of work that Hastings First Responders take yearly. Hastings Fire responded to 563 calls, EMS - 3,214, Hastings Police – 20,000, Dakota County 22,598.

Fundraiser for Hastings First Responders held at Hastings Public House

Sunday, April 6, was more than just a sunny spring afternoon at Hastings Public House, it was a day dedicated to showing real appreciation for Hastings’ first responders. The event was … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/16/25

Aaron Wickboldt of Hastings Hoops Factory spoke to the Hastings Area Rotary Club about the Hoops Factory program last Thursday. The program has grown from 15 kids the first year to nearly 100 this year.

Hoops and heart

On any given Sunday evening in Hastings, while most families are winding down their weekends, Aaron Wickboldt and a handful of volunteer coaches are just getting started. Armed with a whistle, a … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/1/25

This loom is currently being used at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for a special purpose, ‘Weaving a Community of Hope’. As the owner of the loom, Bronwyn Skov leads the assembly process, teaching would be weavers how the loom operates. It is much easier than it looks, which is great when a prayer requestor wishes to weave their own prayer into the project.

Weaving a Community of Hope at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Nestled in the heart of Hastings stands St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, a quiet but powerful beacon of love, faith, and acceptance. This historic congregation, incorporated in 1855 and meeting … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/1/25

College Lit seniors Sienna McCoy, Lauren Meyer, and Delania Kurtz pose with Kao Kalia Yang alongside her book The Song Poet.

Hastings Reads hosts Kao Kalia Yang

“Everything I write is a love letter to someone somewhere,” said Kao Kalia Yang at the Hastings Reads author visit on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Hastings Arts Center. Despite the frigid cold … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 2/25/25

Hastings Bierstube Celebrates 62 years

The Hastings Bierstube is kicking off its 62nd anniversary celebration with a week-long party, packed with exciting prizes, food specials and entertainment. The festivities begin Tuesday and run … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/12/24

Jan Rossing has all three of her books available at their store front at 405 Vermillion Street, the home of Rossing’s Art and Frame and Glass Etching Fever.

Local Author’s Journey from Childcare to Glass Etching and Children’s Books

Jan Rossing, a first-time author and former childcare provider, is quickly making a name for herself in the world of children's literature. Since beginning her book writing journey just this year, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/11/24

Hastings Flower Co., located at 3500 Cannon St. opened its doors several weeks ago and recently held their ribbon cutting ceremony with a packed house of Chamber Ambassadors, family and friends.

Hastings Welcomes New Flower Shop: Hastings Flower Co. Opens Its Doors

HASTINGS, MN — The floral scene in Hastings just got a little brighter. After 14 years of running a flower business from her farm south of town, Vickie Schweich has officially brought her … more

By Bruce Karnick | 12/11/24

This photo of my dad Rollie (R) and one of his best friends, Jerry Eastman (L), is one of those memories from the story that means a lot to me and the family. A picture like this reminds us of the shenanigans they used to create in the garage when they were working on my dad’s 54 Chevy. The memory behind the picture is an important piece to share as part of the pre-planning process. I do not remember who took the photo, but I remember all the times I heard these two laughing and goofing around in the garage.

Making difficult family discussions easier over the holidays

This is part two of a series of articles to help families have positive and constructive discussions around a difficult topic. Part 2: November 28, 2024 Part 1 can be found in our November 21, 2024, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 11/26/24

Hastings Arts Center opens new exhibition

The Hastings Arts Center opened a new showing in its gallery featuring the works of artists Mandy Madsen and Susan Solomon on Nov. 1. The showing will host a reception on Nov. 13 at the gallery and … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 11/5/24

The folks at Barks & Rec did a great job laying out their new space in Hastings. The setup inside both sets of garages is very similar. There are several fenced in play spaces inside and out with the indoor space being climate controlled when needed. The space outside has turf and inside has heated rubber flooring that covers the play space and the kennels.

Doggy Daycare comes to Hastings, introducing Barks & Rec

Barks & Rec is a doggy daycare and boarding service located just north of Hastings at 12260 Margo Ave. S., the same building as Rio Grooming School and Salon. Barks & Rec owners Kirk and … more

By Bruce Karnick | 10/16/24