My 605: Katrina Lehr-McKinney

This week’s My 605 is Katrina Lehr-McKinney, media strategist at Fresh Produce and owner of pigeon Belinda.

My home in the 605 is: My family and I live in the All Saints neighborhood, which is located directly south of downtown between 14th and about 20th streets. We celebrated 17 years in our house earlier this summer and have seen so many great changes in the neighborhood and downtown in that time.

The biggest reason I live in the 605 is: Twenty-one years ago, I decided I didn’t need to leave South Dakota in search of a “cooler” place to live and I would do whatever I could to make this place all that I want and need.

Also: the sunsets.

After home, I spend the most time here: Predictably, at my office, Fresh Produce. But I really can’t complain about my surroundings!  Every day, I am surrounded by smart, funny, compassionate, interesting people, with the added bonus of an active art gallery, which enriches my life greatly.

When I need to get away, you’ll find me: In my garden during warm months. Throughout the year, outside hiking or walking with my dogs and kids. This year, I am treating myself to a South Dakota Symphony subscription so I can escape regularly to some beautiful music at the Great Hall – the symphony is celebrating their centennial anniversary this year!

The best meal I ever ate in the 605 was at: Yikes, this is a hard one! Fancy stuff is fine, but I am a big fan of simple – my favorite cookbook is “The Art of Simple Food” by Alice Waters. Some of my favorites are fresh tabbouli and a falafel fatayer from Sanna’s, the Cauliflower Curry from Bread & Circus, the margherita pizza from Look’s, the lamb korma from Shahi Palace, a savory crepe at M.B. Haskett or a spicy tuna hand roll from Sushi Masa.

My go-to coffee shop is:  The Breaks is closest to my house, The Source is closest to my office, and Queen City Bakery is closest to my heart since Mitch and Kristine are neighbors and you can’t beat one of their quiches or chocolate chip cookies.

My favorite place to grab an adult beverage in the 605 is: My refrigerator. I’m lucky enough to have a brewer for a husband, so our fridge is always stocked with Look’s Beer Co.

When I need to experience the great outdoors, you’ll find me: Hiking or snowshoeing – depending on the time of year – with my kids and dogs at Great Bear or Good Earth and at least once a year in the Black Hills.

The spot I’d recommend for a date is: Tucking into a booth at Sushi Masa is a lovely way to spend some time.

The best pizza in the 605 is: Look’s! The sourdough crust is my favorite!

When my friends and I get together, you’ll probably find us: In my backyard, on the bike or hiking trails, or grabbing a drink downtown.

The place you never can go wrong taking kids is: The Levitt or the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls. And if you are able, I highly recommend taking a drive up to Brookings to visit the Children’s Museum of South Dakota and South Dakota Art Museum.

When I want to meet new people in the 605 I go: I am always meeting new people through volunteer activities I am involved in, whether it is fundraising for the Sioux Falls Skatepark Association, working within the All Saints Neighborhood Association or through an early morning, ladies-only bike club that I joined this year.

My best memory in the 605 is: Pre-children, three things come to mind:

1. All of the sunsets I got to watch sitting in a field close to my parents’ Beadle County farm in college.
2. Sweaty and dancing to Spooncat at 330 Main Avenue Blues Club – now Wileys.
3. Standing backstage at JazzFest during Medeski Martin & Wood or Mavis Staples.

Post-children, my best memories consist of laughing, snuggling and exploring with my kids. Sitting on the hill at Great Bear with them watching the bald eagles is pretty darn great.

The one thing I’m least crazy about in the 605 is: How dirty our lakes and waterways are and that we can’t seem to figure out our mass transit system or better ways to protect pedestrians/cyclists in Sioux Falls.

And finally, life in pictures. Here are the top three photos that most sum up My 605: