Nerd Nite Winona

What is a makerspace, and what goes on there? Join us on Wednesday, October 22 starting at 7:30pm at No Name Bar to learn about makers in the region and the efforts to create Winona Creators Collective.

Speaker bios to follow – please check back!

We’ll have a vinyl talk! We’ll have a cider talk! We’ll have a highway talk! We’ll have three nerdy talks!
We’ll sing the songs that remind us of the good times! We’ll sing the songs that remind us of the best times!

Join us on Wednesday, September 24 starting at 7:30pm at No Name Bar for our next Nerd Nite Winona

TALK #1: “A Slice of Environmental Advocacy” by Lonna Simanovski

Advocating for the environment can take many paths. The talk will provide a little history of the environmental movement, some ideas on what can be done, and a lot of info about a favorite way to help: Adopting a Highway.

Lonna is not a person who does public speaking, but she is passionate about the environment, has big ideas, and when she jokingly said this would make a great topic, she was encouraged to do this by her most enthusiastic friends. She has been the leader of a group for 5 years.

TALK #2: “Vinyl Revival: Why Records Are Back and Vinyl Collecting Will Never Die” by Jim Cottrill

Since 2022, vinyl records – once thought to be a dead format – have surpassed CDs to become the highest-selling physical medium for music, building on an upward trend that has began in 2007 that shows no signs of abating. I explore the enduring appeal of record collecting and why so many people continue to love the format despite, as New Yorker cartoonist Alex Gregory notes, “the expense and the inconvenience” of it.

Jim Cottrill is a Professor of Political Science at Winona State University whose first record purchase was Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume 1 way back in 1978. Jim’s other nerdy pursuits include trivia, board games, and occasionally writing and recording songs with Saint Wry.

TALK #3: “Cider Making or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Pomme” by Josh Datta

Rack and cloth, bitter apples, spontaneous fermentation, Johnny Appleseed, petillant natural and exploding bottles – is it a cold war spy thriller or the US’s alcoholic beverage choice for most of the 19th century? Join me as we pull back the curtain on cider making and hopefully give you the confidence to try making this deceptively simple libation.

Josh Datta has been figuring out ways to turn sugar into alcohol in the most delicious way possible since 2011 when he fermented his first batch of cider in a recycled water jug. More recently he worked for Hoch Orchard as a field hand and currently works for Featherstone Farm (which took over management of Hoch Orchard).

We are back after our summer break. Join us on August 27th at 7:30p at No Name Bar as we kick off our fall set of Nerd Nite with talks about hiking, volleyball, and Tolkien & DND.

Talk #1: “Dungeons, Dragons, and Tolkien: The Influence Behind the Classic TTRPG” by Tim Galvin

This talk will go over the history of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and how it influenced the popular Tabletop Roleplaying Game, Dungeons and Dragons. Topics will include: the Tolkien estate lawsuit against Wizards of the Coast, the inspiration behind the different races of Faerun and many more..

Tim is a student at Winona State University who was captivated by Middle-Earth at a young age. Outside of getting lost in a good book or MMO, you can find him at Zaza’s, on campus, or hanging out on the town.

Talk #2: “A brief history of volleyball in Winona” by Andy Ferstl

When did volleyball first start in Winona, what are changes that happened since then, and what is the current state of the sport in town? Come find out the answers in this talk.

Andy has been playing competitive volleyball in the upper Midwest for the past 35 years, moving to Winona in 2000 and quickly joining the local volleyball scene. Andy is a professor of physics in their other job.

Talk #3: “Grand Canyon Backcountry Hiking (A Line on a Map)” by Ned Bryant

Lots of pretty pictures sandwiched between a discussion of different challenges, with solutions, related to off trail hiking in the remote backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park.

Ned am a polymer engineer at RTP specializing in the electrical modification of plastic materials who has been hiking in the Grand Canyon for 33 years.

The last Winona Nerd Nite for the Spring is coming up on Wednesday May 28 at No Name Bar, starting at 7:30pm! Our speakers are:

TALK #1: “Bias! We All Have It. Yes, even you” by Vanessa Perry

Even if we don’t want it to be true, we all have biases that affect our behavior and decision making. We will learn why we have bias, visit some “favorite” biases, and understand what we can do about bias.

Vanessa Perry works at the intersection of science and people. She cares deeply about helping people make smart decisions, even if she doesn’t always make smart decisions herself.

TALK #2: “10 Things I Learned While Coordinating a Homeless Shelter” by Amarissa Swenson-Ruiz

Street smarts, book smarts, and things in between. Are people actually homeless in Winona? Come learn about a local shelter’s record breaking season, the ongoing housing crisis, and how to bounce back.

Amarissa Swenson-Ruiz, former Winona Community Warming Center coordinator, continued advocate, and wave-maker. She has been a lifelong sociology nerd with a focus on social and humanitarian crises.

TALK #3: “Unlocking Truth Through Data Visualization” by Kristina Melnichenko

Data visualization allows us to transform raw numbers into compelling visuals, uncovering patterns and trends to better understand our world. In this talk, we will explore a use case that highlights how free and open source tools empower everyone to better understand our world.

Kristina is a Ukrainian-American data scientist with over ten years of experience helping organizations leverage the power of data and technology. Inspired by the pivotal role of technology in Ukraine’s defense against Russia and the historic role of knowledge in the pursuit of freedom, this talk illustrates the accessibility and power of data visualization, encouraging people to explore and dig into the data that matters most to them.

What better way to welcome Spring than to sit inside and learn some nerdy things? It’s time for another Winona Nerd Nite, this time on Wednesday April 23 at No Name Bar, starting at 7:30pm! Our speakers for Nerd Nite #45 are…

TALK #1: “The Trail Provides: Understanding The Unique Culture of Long-Distance Hikers” by Alexa Shapiro

Step into the weirdly wonderful world of backpacking, where everyone smells bad, shares snacks, and makes the wilderness feel like home. It’s not just hiking—it’s a temporary society built on trust, laughter, and really strong calves.

Alexa Shapiro (she/her) is an outdoor enthusiast and forest bathing guide, living in Winona. She works as the Trail Director for the Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail.

TALK #2: “Using Machine Learning to Save Eagles from Wind Turbines” by Silas Bergen

The expansion of wind energy brings with it risk of collision for eagles native to the wind farm landscape. Are there types of land features that wind developers should avoid when planning new developments? In this talk I will describe how I applied machine learning methods to millions of data points collected from GPS telemetry devices worn by bald eagles in Iowa. These methods were used to classify the eagle behavior at any point in time, and to understand how underlying land features predicted those behaviors.

Silas Bergen is professor of statistics and data science at Winona State University. Along with teaching undergraduates, he enjoys backpacking, fishing, camping, hunting, sportsing, canoeing, foraging, and other outdoor adventures. He’s excited to share this research that synthesizes his professional and personal interests.

TALK #3: “The Art and Science of Insect Pinning” by Ellen Titus

Did you find a cool, dead bug on the sidewalk during your daily mental health walk? Keep it! You can pin, frame, and proudly display it! I’ll show you how and also tell you why artists and scientists pin insects.

Ellen works for a major nature non-profit. She really, really likes bugs and has been pinning them as a hobby for several years.

We’re marching to another Winona Nerd Nite on Wednesday March 26 at No Name Bar, starting at 7:30pm! This month is a special Nerd Nite in partnership with the 4th Annual Winona Artshow! Our speakers all have art on the walls of No Name Bar for the month of March. Our speakers for Nerd Nite #44 are…

Talk #1: “All the Rumors are True – A Crash Course on Polyamory” by Elizabeth Brown

Bring your curiosity and questions to this quick and dirty introduction to polyamory – a relationship style focused on building unique bonds, personal responsibility and the exponential potential of love.

Elizabeth Brown (she/her/they/them) is a life-long midwesterner, full-time parent and part-time contrarian. She lives with her polycule in Fountain City, WI.

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Talk #2: “Power to the People: American Sign Language and Student Activism” by Jess Weiss

Learn about the history of radical student activism that sparked change and conversation for campuses such as Gallaudet University, Columbia University, and Deaf President Now.

I am a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and a recent WSU graduate with a bachelor’s in Public Relations, Individualized Studies and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. My personal is political and I look forward to sharing more!
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Talk #3: “The History the Red Light District of Winona” by Lacy Korb

Learn about the colorful history of Winona’s Red Light District and the prostitutes that made it possible. Some ghosts stories might be sprinkled in too!

Lacy is a local tour guide who has always enjoyed shocking people with history.

It’s time for another Winona Nerd Nite, this time on Wednesday February 26 at No Name Bar, starting at 7:30pm! Our speakers for Nerd Nite #43 are…

TALK #1: “An Englishmen in War Torn Spain” by Todd Nuss

In his memoir, Eric Blair tells the comedic and tragic story of his time serving in a Republican militia during the Spanish Civil war. Not only will this talk summarize the events of his book, but also discuss how his experiences affected his later fictional stories.

Todd Nuss is hobbiest history buff from Dodge County Minnesota. He is currently earning a bachelors of radiography at Winona state university.

TALK #2: “Music in Films: A Personal View – THE SEQUEL” by Paul Goltz

Back by popular demand, Paul is continuing his look at some of the composers and the art of music in films.

Paul has been a fan of film music since he was 7 years old and has been collecting it ever since.

TALK #3: “Brewing Beer: Because Science is More Fun with a Buzz” by John Bradberg

Do you like beer? Ever thought about making it yourself? Homebrewing takes the same ingredients and process as the breweries you know and scales it down to something you can do at home. Whether you want to keep it simple or dive deep into the details, I’ll cover the basics of brewing and how it compares to the pros.

John likes beer and loves learning everything I can about it. He’s been homebrewing for over a decade, with around 70 batches under his belt — most of them ending up on tap in his homemade keezer in his basement bar. He’s brewed everything from crisp lagers to full-blown bourbon barrel-aged stouts, with plenty of experiments along the way.

It’s 2025, and time to start another season of Nerd Nite Winona! Join us on Wednesday, January 22nd @ 7:30p at No Name Bar to hear three nerdy talks!

Talk #1: “Winona County Dive Rescue: Not Just for Divers” by Sydney Bockelman

The Winona County Dive Rescue team was founded in 1983, and has served in many notable recoveries and water-related public safety actions over the years. This little-known, all-volunteer team will discuss who we are & what we do–hoping to provide some appreciation for the art of low-visibility aquatic searching and positive team dynamics, where we find a place for everyone to give back to their community with each unique set of skills they bring to the team.

Sydney has been a member of the Winona County Dive Rescue Team for a year & a half, and among her many roles with the team – her favorite is that of unofficial “team historian”…meaning she clips newspaper articles involving the team to save for posterity.

Talk #2: “Road Tripping – Measuring moments, not mile markers!” by Vanessa Butenhoff

A brief summary of the evolution of the American Road Trip and how to make it uniquely yours.

Vanessa is a former Electrical Engineer who has been an active volunteer, tutor, and mentor in our Winona schools while her kids were growing up. She now subbing middle school and high school, with math and science being her favorite classes to sub.

Talk #3: “The Hays Code: Queering Your Bad Guys” by Katt Flesch

Ever watch a movie or show and wonder why the villain is a walking negative LGBT stereotype? There’s a reason for that.

Katt is a mental health counselor working with sex offenders who will take any opportunity to talk about their job–note: this is a threat for a future Nerd Nite. Their nerdery takes the form of tabletop gaming, cosplay, and enjoying animated media.

Did you pick up a new hobby or interest over the holiday? Nerd Nite is looking for speakers for Spring ’25 – come share your passion through a 15 minute talk with fellow Winona nerds!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMzQ8TvSZqUkWRncylHez6yk6HGpa6GoHV__Ovc8_MApe4Ew/viewform

It’s our last Nerd Nite before our winter hiatus (Don’t worry – we will be back on the 4th Wednesday in January). Join us on Wednesday, November 20th at No Name Bar starting at 7:30 to hear three nerdy talks!

Talk #1: “Music in Films. A Personal View” by Paul Goltz

A brief history of some of the composers and the art of music in films.

Paul has been a fan of film music since he was 7 years old and has been collecting it ever since.

Talk #2: “Flying Your Head Down the Death Star Trench: Virtual Reality, Drones, and Garvin Heights” by Patrick Lichty

For about twenty years, Patrick has been flying drones, and with the coming of first person drones, some of his footage of Winona has been breathtaking. But with the ability to process video with AI he is creating moving aerial paintings with his footage. David Lynch would be proud!

Patrick Lichty is an internationally acclaimed artist working at the edge of art and technology. He is an Assistant Professor in Mass Communication at Winona State University, and runs the WSU Drone Lab.

Talk #3: “The Physics of Musical Instruments: A scientific discussion of why electric guitars are the coolest” by Sarah Phan-Budd

Physicists dream of showing that all the phenomena in our universe are merely facets of a few simple ideas, or ideally just one big idea. The electric guitar is a fascinating practical application of one of these kinds of unification theories. I will discuss why this makes the electric guitar deeply deeply cool. I will also touch on how physics shows that my instrument of choice, the viola, is pretty much the uncoolest.

Sarah Phan-Budd is a professor and chair of the physics department at Winona State University, where she teaches a course on the science of music. She is also a violist and loves listening to classical music. She tends to think rock and roll is a little bit too loud.