How would you describe yourself?
I’ve been called a Pollyanna. I do like to focus on the positive aspects of life. I am always empathetic to the underdog of any situation. Speaking of dogs, I am as loyal as one. For most of my life I’ve been self-employed. That must say something about me but not sure what. I’m in the happiest and most engaged part of my life ever. I’ve always felt lucky but I’m in absolute amazement of what my life looks like now. I guess I’m describing myself by my actions…hmm.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I’m very proud of the songs I’ve written and art, music I’ve made. (see robstealcheat.com and buddygoodfellow.com) What my wife Judy Anderson and I have built though, Local World Gallery, must now be my biggest accomplishment.
Have you read any good books?
I’m a slow reader but the one I’m nearly finished with now is called “The $64 Tomato“. I like it because it is essentially about all the effort we are willing to put into the things we are passionate about, things that are personal to us.
Who is your personal hero?
My parents lead exemplary lives. I am so fortunate to have had them as parents. They were impeccable, yet humble.
Do you have a life philosophy that you live by?
Stay flexible. The unexpected is inevitable.
What do you like most about yourself?
I like my positive attitude. I like that I can play multiple instruments. (not at the same time, though. haha)
If you could change the world, what would you change?
I would discard the desire some humans have to rule over and exploit their fellow humans and replace it with empathy.
What do you think is the meaning of life?
Well that’s easy. It’s all meaningless. Or wait a minute. Is it? I don’t know, I mean it’s our brains going around trying to give meaning to everything…I think… right? …though, er shoot, I mean everything seems incredibly meaningful though, doesn’t it? Yea, I guess it’s a real dichotomy of a conundrum. There! Put that one to rest! Glad we got that straight!
Do you prefer working alone, or do you like working with others?
I’m a team player- Me, Myself and I. When I have to work with others I’m generally cheerful and amiable but I often feel they’re slowing me down. I definitely prefer working alone.
What’s something that no one would guess about you?
For a short while when I got out of the Air Force, (some people may not know that I was in the AF, I guess either) about age 23, I passed the Realtors license test and was with a Brokerage House in Tacoma, WA. I was making cold calls and learning how to amortize and use various functions on the fancy 1980’s calculator… which I cant remember now. That career didn’t last too long.
What is your deepest belief about life?
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
Right where I probably will wake up- At home with my wife, Judy Anderson in our new-to-us residence, a 1920 brick farm house nestled in the amazing Driftless area on a bluff overlooking the Buffalo River near Alma, WI.
If you could be doing anything, anywhere right now, what and where would it be?
I guess the first thing that pops in my mind though have never really thought about before, I think I’d like to be riding a camel across the Sahara desert…at least until I change my mind.
What’s the one thing you wish you could have a do-over for?
I have more than one and they always have to do with hurting someone or letting them down.
How do you work on yourself?
One favorite thing I do for myself these days is eating loads of fruit. I have a banana or two and bunches of grapes and a few tangerines every morning and it feels very nourishing. Another thing I do that brings me so much enjoyment is playing piano and guitar almost every morning. I’m a song-writer and my newest song is absolutely inspired by the Driftless.
What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Drinking! Through my twenties and most of my thirties I drank as much as I could. The first years were wild fun- like living at a non-stop keg party. The latter years became progressively soul-sucking. I lost my pride and so much more. I put myself in treatment at age thirty eight and by that time I had dragged on the bottom of life for so long it felt like a “get straight or perish” choice. They said they’d never seen anyone happier to be in detox.
How do you handle being in a bad mood?
I’m honestly not in a bad mood very often. I swear! No, really, Judy will back me up on this. However, when I’m able, not always but if I can, I laugh at myself, make fun of myself. I’ve used this to pull out of a funk. To mock myself till I’m laughing.
Who is the most important person in your life?
Judy! Judy! Judy! We’ve been together fifteen years and this is absolutely the best part of my life. She is a wonderful person…and a great potter. So much so, that my new career is based on selling her pottery (and other artists). Local World Gallery is absolutely a collaborative effort not possible without the combination of the two of us. We work well together. I love Judy to the moon.
What question do you always want people to ask you about yourself?
Please ask about my names. My given name is Rob Trussell -not funny or clever at all. When I was about twenty two I was singing up to play an open mic. Besides “name?”, one of the columns on the sign-up sheet was “name of act?” I thought for a minute. Rob …Steal…Cheat, Rob Steal Cheat, Rob Stealcheat. From then on I easily convinced my friends to start calling me that. My mom however, said, “Oh son, you don’t want to call yourself a name that will make people not like you” Off the top of her head she said “You want a name that will make people LIKE you, for instance… Buddy Goodfellow”. Buddy Goodfellow became Rob Stealcheat’s alter ego. He’s responsible for the children’s music and the album I made with my dad…but that’s a different story.
What is your favorite music and/or your all time favorite song?
The instrumental by Santo and Johnny called Sleepwalk has been a lifelong favorite song. There’s no way I could ever hear it too many times.
If you weren’t here running your business or doing the work you do, what would you be doing instead?
Puttering. I like projects and building sheds and fighting the burdock in our yard. not very exciting, I know.
How did the pandemic affect YOU or YOUR BUSINESS here in the Driftless?
The pandemic, or I should say, the government response to the pandemic was very good for us as a new business It provided financial support at a time when, as a new business, we might not have been setting the world on fire even without the pandemic.
What is another name you would give the Driftless?
It seems like a resort area that I wouldn’t be able to afford to live at…wouldn’t surprise me if it was called “Keep Out”. haha
What is your favorite season in the Driftless & why?
The changing colors in the fall is spectacular, however when the leaves are down and your’e able to see the terrain of the bluffs it is absolutely awesome. You can feel how old theses lands are. Very powerful!
Tell us of an experience /memory you had with Driftless lakes, rivers or waterways?
Judy and I had our first kiss at Merrick State Park. I’m not a “smooth guy” and I was very nervous and she was wondering why won’t this guy kiss me.
Is there any place in the world you have been that reminds you of, or is similar to the Driftless.
No! Absolutely not! A one-of-a-kind place.
What is your best childhood memory here in the Driftless?
I didn’t make it to the Driftless until my second childhood. Making my memories now.
What are some of your favorite places to go for fun here in the Driftless?
We Kayak down the Buffalo River and it is totally magical and beautiful and tranquil. We take motorcycle rides in any direction and are always blown away at the beauty all around us.
What are some of your favorite places to eat here in the Driftless?
The Pioneer Club South of Wabasha, MN is an absolute unspoiled gem. Right on the river. Also, within sight from our house on the bluff of the Buffalo River is the Tell Bar and Grill. Once again, they don’t seem to be looking for new customers. You either know about them or you are out of luck. They have the best burgers in the world and wonderful friendly family staff.
If you were to tell a friend to come and visit the Driftless Area, and they ask “Why” … What would you tell them?
There is nothing comparable to this amazing ancient gorgeous place.
Are you a Cat or Dog person?
Cat
Are you an Early Bird or Late Owl?
Neither, I’ll stick with Monkey
If given the opportunity, would you go to outerspace?
No
What color socks are you currently wearing?
White (ish)
What skill or instrument would you like to learn or play?
Oboe. I love the breathy, woody sound.
What 1 message would you put in a bottle?
You get 3 wishes…and you can’t wish for more wishes.
What was your very first job?
I worked at a Chicken Farm starting age 12 and for neighboring farmers putting up hay etc. I think I broke my back trying to show-off to a neighbor girl how heavy a rock I could lift picking rock out of the fields.
If any, what would be your dream job?
Guy who just does whatever he wants all the time, Job!
How / where did you meet your best friend?
Judy Anderson and I met through Craigslist Personals.
Tell us a short joke or punchline.
You play piano with great confidence
If you could learn another language, what would that be?
Spanish
I Would Rather …
Live on a small boat
So, what’s your story?
Judy and I have always gravitated like water to the Mississippi River. We got married about 15 years ago on the shore of the Mississippi in Crosby Park where the Minnesota river joins it. We left the wedding party that evening with the moon overhead in a 1958 Shell lake 14′ runabout. We went down river to St Paul where there is a Tugboat Bed and Breakfast. Over the years we wandered down river, exploring the Driftless area. We acquired a few friends and a small Lot in Alma, WI. Our Lot was so small we called it a Little. ( One-liner by Judy Anderson) We don’t own that property or that boat anymore. We still have the friends!
Tell us about what you do for work or your business, and how long have you been doing this?
I was in home remodeling in Minneapolis and was looking for a career change. Judy’s pottery, with her sgrafitto work, is so outstanding that I had the idea to open a store selling her pottery. (and curate other artists) We bought a building in Wabasha, MN about five years ago and opened Local World Gallery. Wabasha is a wonderful, progressive river town bracketed by the bluffs between Red Wing, MN and Winona, MN. It took a couple years to fully make the move from south Minneapolis but now we live near Alma, WI. Actually, Tell, WI. on the bluff of the Buffalo River. It is a peaceful and tranquil setting. The landscapes and vistas, with the ever-changing beauty of the seasons are always unbelievably marvelous. We have “discovered” some incredibly talented artists in the area. One extremely fortuitous example is our meeting of John Meyer. He was an area artist, living near Pepin, WI since 1970 and mostly painted from Pepin to Trempealeau, WI. Sadly he recently passed away. John was very prolific and well-versed in Oil, Watercolor and Oil Pastel. We had invested in some restoration work, matting and framing and we will continue to be the custodians of this collection.
Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career with your business.
Local World Gallery is absolutely my biggest accomplishment ever. It is our Pride and Joy. Please read our reviews on Tripadvisor and Google. Also visit our website localworlgallery.com or find us on FB and Instagram. Or better yet stop in. We are a brick and mortar store, open 7 days a week 10-4, in the days of online shopping. We do our best to be pleasing to the senses. We care about the IRL experience. The vintage stereo is warm sounding and reminds you how full and rich music should sound. There is the fragrances of the locally-made goat milk soap. It is reassuring as customers return, and bring their friends with them.
Tell us about a recent project or problem that you made better, faster, smarter, more efficient, or less expensive.
I have been focusing on the behind the scenes organization, supply, cleaning and storage areas over these winter months. When remodeling this building five years ago I added a mop-closet but just recently did I get to fully finishing it out with shelves and hangers etc. It’s good to have everything in it’s place and easily accessible, easy to see. Speaking of easy to see, the storage room, though I built in lots of shelving 5 years ago the lighting has always been minimal. Not anymore. There is now nice even, bright light throughout the room.
What do you wish other people knew about you or your business?
People constantly comment on the high level of quality of all of our art. Once someone has been in our store they know this, but not until then can they fully appreciate it. It is something that can’t be known until you visit Local World Gallery, Wabasha, MN.
By Rob Trussell
