Rapp Strategies Rundown – February
Here’s what we did, read, watched and thought about this month.
Todd R.: We were fortunate to have the last eight days of February set aside for a vacation: a 30th anniversary bucket list trip to Aruba. Our resort was fantastic, and the island itself is remarkable in the simplicity of its beauty. Ocean, beach, palms and sun … not tricked up at all. Being a meteorologist here may be the easiest job ever, as it goes something like: “High of 85, Low of 77, east wind gusting to 15 mph and light cloud cover moving out by noon” every day of the week.
While down here, I read the two sequels to Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, with high marks especially to the most recent one, with Rusty as a 77-year-old with yet another murder trial in the family. I could hear the voice of Harrison Ford when I was reading his quotes. I also listened to an interview of Jack McCallum with Dan Barriero, and it got me to watch the new documentary We Beat The Dream Team on Max, which was a wonderful look at how even the greatest team ever could be unprepared for what should be an easy win. Following it up with McCallum’s book on the Dream Team, which is probably more interesting today than when it was first published in how it sets benchmarks for the current group of NBA stars. If only my children understood how remarkable the Magic vs Bird rivalry was.
Rich: February was filled with travel to warm locations. Kari started the month in the Dominican Republic on a women-only family trip. They stayed in a beautiful home, enjoyed great weather and learned about the island.
At the end of February, I went to the Naples, FL area for a long weekend golf trip hosted by my good friend, John Wood. As the golf trip ended Kari flew into Fort Lauderdale and I drove across “Alligator Alley” to join her. We spent a relaxing five nights there highlighted by dinner with Kari’s sister and her husband.
The ability to get out of the long Minnesota Winter really makes Winter more enjoyable. My only wish is to play better golf. I’ll be working on that.
Todd S.: I enjoyed catching two live music events at the Parkway Theater. First, my wife and I enjoyed our second time seeing the Led Zepplin tribute band, Zeppo, which offered faithful and energetic renditions of the best of Led Zepplin. While I respect the song, I greatly appreciated the band’s decision to leave Stairway to Heaven off the set list. I have heard that classic enough for two lifetimes. Just days later, I attended a tribute to George Harrison on his birthday, Feb. 25. The Dark Horse Revue offered a wide range of songs from Harrison’s catalogue – from his early cover of Roll over Beethoven to While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I was impressed that they snuck in Blow Away from Harrison’s late 70s work. That was a modest hit that I long forgot about it.
Jodi: Vegas, baby! I found myself in Las Vegas for a long weekend. To break away from the never-ending stimulation of sound, lights and people, I hiked Red Rock Canyon and explored thrift stores and coffee shops in the Arts District. The rest of the month was spent researching how to build a sauna, doing some long-overdue home organization and questioning why someone would remove Jeopardy from my streaming channels (and no, Celebrity Jeopardy does not count). I enjoyed the second season of The Diplomat but found the various series based on Harlan Coban novels on Netflix to be so-so. It seems like a love for hockey, sarmas and Bob Dylan comes with being an Iron Ranger. I am two out of three. I’ll be rooting for the Hibbing Bluejackets in the state hockey tournament while enjoying a sarma from the Iron Ranger and giving A Complete Unknown a chance to change my mind about Bob Dylan.
Sean: I’m thinking about writing a sequel to 1994’s Hugh Grant vehicle, Four Weddings and a Funeral based off my month of February 2025: “Five Funerals and a Wedding”. It was a somber second month of the year, as we said our final goodbyes to some of our dearest friends and family this month. While those of us left behind feel their physical loss, we know that their presence remains with us… most immediately on display in the mustache and Irish cap I was able to pull off for a few days in honor of my uncle Mike.
Just like the weather in February spanning the extremes of cold to warm, happy memories were made on top of the sad ones. The break in the freeze allowed us to stomp around with James in puddles, celebrate my mother’s birthday and gather with friends and family. I even got to start James down the path of what is sure to be a life-long passion for civic engagement with nightly readings of House Mouse, Senate Mouse. I’d like to think he won’t be foolish enough to take after his father’s passion for state and federal government affairs but if he does, we’ll want him to be prepared (assuming our republic is still functioning when he comes of age… otherwise this will act as a history lesson that he can pass on to the next generation).
Anna: The highlight of the month was a long-awaited getaway where Ike and I stayed in a charming tiny house in Mora. While in the area, we enjoyed chilly hikes around Banning State Park and Father Hennepin State Park. Banning exceeded my expectations with its beautiful sandstone and remains of an 1800s quarry, as well as lovely views of the Kettle River. Of course, we couldn't leave Mora without touring the brand-new Mora High School, built by Rapp Strategies partner and client ICS. It's even more impressive in person! On our way back, we caught a selfie with the Mora Dala Horse.
Meredith: This month we were able to take our first road trip to Illinois with Tasha where she met her Mitts cousins, aunts/uncles, and great-grandparents for the first time -- she has already met the grandparents. We were able to spend a few days with friends and family before everyone got sick. Highlights of the trip include Tasha and her twin cousins (five months older) interacting with each other, seeing Tasha receive new favorite toys, and learning that she does surprisingly well in the car! Also, we had a banana bread bake-off that my sister-in-law and I crushed, putting her husband back in his place because he thought he could do better than us!
Cullen: February was a constant cycle of travel between Minnesota and Wisconsin for both work and play. Lauren and I marked Valentine’s Day with dinner at Bar Cart and an incredible production of Hadestown at the Orpheum. In Madison, we celebrated the first of many PhD defenses from our close friends. On that topic, Lauren was recently accepted into the medical nutrition dietetics program at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital. After her thesis defense in June, we’ll officially be back to the Twin Cities. We can’t wait!
I have seen hardly any of the Oscar-nominated films, but I enjoyed Gladiator II more than expected. After finishing the Broken Earth trilogy (WOW!) I’m keeping the sci-fi train rolling with The Three Body Problem. Despite having already seen the Netflix series, it is still keeping me on my toes.
Julia: Minnesota’s germ-infested nightmare of a winter finally caught up to me this month. If someone you know has norovirus, RUN! I spent a good chunk of February feeling tired and unwell, so most of my time was spent resting, watching Project Runway and the White Lotus, and painting. I also started reading a book that had been waiting on my bedside table for months -- Kindred by Octavia Butler. I’m a big fan of Butler, and this book does not disappoint.
With the Oscars approaching, I have a few movies to catch up on. Of the contenders I’ve seen, I highly recommend Conclave, the Substance, and A Real Pain. I’m hoping I can watch Nickel Boys and Anora before the big event.
I’m kicking off March with a trip to San Diego to stay with my snowbird parents and visit my older sister, who lives in LA. While it won’t be as warm there as I’d hoped, some ocean air and time spent on restaurant patios is precisely what the doctor ordered.
Alida: As usual, the highlight of my February was going to the Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles - an annual cross country ski race followed by a candlelit celebration with 1,200 luminaries lighting up the trail, ice sculptures, live music and more. Thankfully, we had enough snow this year for it to truly feel like a winter wonderland. Otherwise, I spent lots of quality time with my cat this month and kept up with Severance on Apple TV. I also got to attend the MN Advertising Federation's annual party at the end of the month, an event for local agencies, students and other creatives. I got in because the event was hosted by the company my dear friend and roommate works for (Hanna April Inc.), and it was fantastic seeing the results of all her hard work. Onto March!
Jorrun: Despite a pretty quiet February, a highlight was attending a Valentine’s Day party complete with decorated boxes, candy, and cards. I also went to a Gustavus kick-off fundraising event at A Bar of Their Own—Minnesota’s first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. It was a great night to support Gustavus athletes and women in sport.
Otherwise, I spent lots of time by the fireplace reading, journaling, and chatting with friends and family as the weather was unfortunately no warmer than in January. It was a good excuse to pull out our classic games though, like Telestrations, Bananagrams, and cribbage. My new hobby this month was collecting, caring for, and learning about houseplants. I’m hoping to keep them alive despite the cold and lack of sun, but tropical plants clearly do not enjoy existing in Minnesota in winter. I can’t blame them.
