Outdoors - Hastings Journal

The scuffs, stains and creases in this Wilson George Brett A2124 are not imperfections that need to be erased. They are reminders of summers spent playing baseball, of a glove shaped with my dad when I was a kid, and of a life that has happened in the decades since. At 52, neither the glove nor its owner needs to look new again, we just need to take care of what needs taking care of, accept the wear we've earned, and see what we've still got

"I ain't dead yet." That was Dad's way of saying yes before he passed September 10. 2024. It wasn't morbid. Quite the opposite. It meant, let's go. Let's have some fun. Let's do something. We're here today and there is no guarantee about tomorrow, so why would we sit around waiting for life to happen? more

By Bruce Karnick | 9/10/26

Ev Rhyner, Kert Boie, Bob Arimura, and LeRoy Wellman.

Golf Fun League Week 16

With the temperature in the 60-70s, the sky partly cloudy and just a slight breeze, 14 eager golfers showed up at Meadowview Golf Course for the weekly Tuesday Golf Fun League. The course as always … more

By Dennis Kieser | 9/6/26

Celebrate a century of Mississippi River recovery at the Minnesota State Fair

The Mississippi River exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair will offer an immersive underwater experience. A century ago, the Mississippi River was in crisis. In 1926, the first comprehensive water … more

8/16/26

Hastings High School Pathways students, wearing orange safety vests, gather with project partners in front of the Cycling Without Age storage and maintenance shed while it was under construction. The student-built project created a permanent home for the Hastings Area Rotary Club’s seven trishaws.

Rotary celebrates collaboration behind Cycling Without Age shed

The Hastings Area Rotary Club recently recognized five community partners whose work helped transform an idea into a permanent home for the club’s Cycling Without Age program. Chris Moore, Eric … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/7/26

Dakota County Fair prepares for seven days of summer fun

The Dakota County Fair is ready to pack seven days of animals, music, carnival rides, friendly competition and grandstand action into one of the biggest celebrations of summer in the county. The … more

By Bruce Karnick | 8/7/26

Sharing stories at this year’s Dakota County Fair

The Dakota County Library will be featured in the Government Building’s Sharing Stories exhibit at the 2026 Dakota County Fair, which runs Aug. 10–16 at the county fairgrounds in Farmington. … more

8/7/26

The new 56-acre Hastings Public Schools Nature Preserve was made possible by the work of the donors, district staff and members of Hastings Environmental Protectors pictured here, along with the generosity of the late Tecla R. Karpen, whose estate provided funding to purchase the land.

Hastings Public Schools celebrates new 56-acre nature preserve

A piece of land once challenged by flooding and difficult farming conditions has been given a new purpose, one that Hastings Public Schools officials hope will benefit students, wildlife and the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/24/26

Two vintage military vehicles were showcased during the July Fourth Parade. Seeing the reaction of younger people witnessing historic vehicles is always fun for the older crowd.

Warm weather greets Hastings parade before rain arrives

The Hastings Fourth of July parade had sunshine, warm weather and just about the right amount of parade. Before rain moved into the area later in the evening, the parade enjoyed the best part of the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/26

The City of Hastings reminds residents where e-bikes, scooters and mopeds can be used

Electric bikes, electric scooters and moto-bikes, also known as mopeds are becoming more common on streets, trails and around town, but the City of Hastings is reminding riders that not all motorized … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/1/26

Free youth football camp planned for late June

The Hastings Youth Football Camp will give younger players a chance to learn the game, sharpen their skills and spend a few summer evenings on the field with Hastings High School football coaches and … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/26/26

Campfire Programs begin at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park at the end of May

Join area naturalists at outdoor park amphitheaters at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park for a variety of nature programs this summer. Campfire Programs begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and run … more

6/3/26

Volunteer anglers sought for Take a Kid Fishing

Dakota County is seeking volunteer anglers to support the popular Take a Kid Fishing event on Sunday, June 7, from noon–3 p.m. Take A Kid Fishing allows youth to enjoy a popular Minnesota pastime … more

5/20/26

Jim Forrest, regional team leader for Trail Life USA’s North Plains region, speaks to members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club about the organization’s Christ centered outdoor program for boys and the growth of local Troop 1812. During his presentation, Forrest highlighted the group’s focus on service, leadership development, and strengthening relationships between fathers and sons through camping, mentoring, and community involvement across the Hastings area.

Trail Life USA leader shares mission and local impact with Hastings Rotarians

Members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club recently welcomed guest speaker Jim Forrest, regional team leader for Trail Life USA, who shared how the Christ centered outdoor program is working to shape … more

By Bruce Karnick | 4/29/26

Enjoy spring in Minnesota with free entrance to state parks and recreation areas, Saturday, April 25

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will waive vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 25. This Free Park Day is one of four days each year when … more

4/22/26

At least three local volunteer organizations make massive upgrades to their online presence

The challenges facing businesses, clubs, networking groups and a plethora of other entities around the world is a list far too great to put into one story, but for local organizations, membership and … more

Op/Ed by Bruce Karnick bruce@hastingsjournal.news | 3/25/26

The Hastings Hawks and the City of Hastings added 20 feet of space to the concessions stand at the baseball field at Veterans Park. Part of that expansion included a complete rebuilding of the awnings and natural ventilation of the roof on both the concessions stand and utility shed as well as replacing the shingles on the 26-year-old buildings.

Veterans Park baseball concessions stand upgrade nearly complete

During the 2024-25 offseason, the Hastings Hawks board decided to check another big item off their capital improvement plan for Veterans Park, a much-needed concessions stand expansion. Months of … more

By John McLoone | 3/24/26

Dakota County commissioners hear annual mosquito control update

The Dakota County Board of Commissioners received its annual update on mosquito and tick activity March 3, hearing a detailed report from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) outlining … more

By John McLoone | 3/19/26

The tools used for snow removal when these big storms hit sure have improved over the years. Many still use shovels, but snowblowers have become more powerful and the emergence of plows on the front of 4-wheelers has become a widely popular way to clear driveways in town. They are more suitable for the smaller residential spaces than the pickups with a plow and much more affordable. Some residents even have small tractors or skid loaders at their disposal.

Blizzard conditions hit most of Minnesota Saturday night into Sunday

The talk of the state last week was about the potential for a massive winter storm to hit the majority of Minnesota over a two-day span. The storm was expected to roll into Hastings late afternoon on … more

By Bruce Karnick | 3/19/26

County Road 42 corridor improvements advance in Hastings

In a lengthy presentation and discussion at the Feb. 17 Hastings City Council meeting, city officials and county partners updated residents and council members on the planned improvements along … more

By John McLoone | 2/25/26

Nordic Ski sends three to State meet

The Hastings Raiders Nordic ski team delivered an impressive showing at the Section championships, with several athletes earning trips to state and both teams turning in strong overall performances … more

By Bruce Karnick | 2/11/26