three words and one answer.

Windom State Theatre. 

I know you are all wondering, how, why, and when. How being "How did we let it get this way?" Why being "Why didn't we do something sooner?" and When being "When is something going to be done about that eye sore?"  Folks, I may not know the answer to the first 2 questions, but I have an answer to the last one.  Finding Windom, along with the help of some very ambitious, talented young people (Windom--we should be very proud!) and you, of course, will be giving that theatre the time, attention and work it deserves! 

It will be a process and it will be hard work (that hasn't ever stopped us before), but we are going to be fixing that place up to look like something we can all be proud of.  Yes, this is some news from those lame past posts of mine that have just been scratching the surface of things we've been working on, but I couldn't quite tell you all about until some more details had been worked through. The suspense was killing you I'm sure.

Well, here it is, more good news for our community--we (meaning the whole community, not just Finding Windom) are going to be fixing up our Square's theatre!  I can't wait to get started, and we will soon be letting you know how you can lend a helping hand, so stay tuned. 

See, I told you good things were happening, Windom.

taking it in.

Tonight I did something I've been forgetting to do for quite some time now.  I often get wrapped up in dreaming about the future or get too busy to slow down.  But, tonight, after a long day a way from home being busy again, I just took in all I could of my baby boy, Henrik.  I studied his little movements, his half white smile, his innocent curiosities.  I absorbed his belly laugh and that deep connection between us in his eyes.  I took it all in as he was in the moment.  For the first time in a long time, I wasn't wondering about what kind of person he will become in the future, I wasn't trying to teach him something that I thought he would need to know for all his days to come.  Nope, not a single thought about the future...I just took him in--I enjoyed him as his one-year old self knowing that tomorrow he may be a little different.

E.B. White once said "I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day." I couldn't be torn more by anything else right now.  Just as I need to remember to take in Henrik as he is and to stop always planning my every move as a parent to be sure he grows into his own beautiful person, I need to remember to take in all the beauty of my community as it is today.  I have such high hopes and see such potential in Windom's future, but I also need to remember why I started this journey in the first place...because Windom is a beautiful place to be right now in this moment.

redundant.

I have been doing a lot of research and reading lately--all great material and examples of ways to develop communities--I will continue to share my findings via blogging.  Not only have I been reading some great material, but the amount of tangible resources I was begging and pleading for in my very first and second posts have come into light. Hallelujah.

I think I have stated numerous times in past posts about the amount of potential we have as a community to develop and progress--well, it is why I started this journey and continue along in my merry ways.  Time will not tell, time will show.

I'm looking forward to our summer months for things to spring forth as new. 

Next week, I'm attending a conference in Sioux Falls and rural progression will be the hot topic at the conference.  More ideas, more inspiration, more resources coming our way. I can't wait!

what do you think?

Answer the question "Why are small towns dying?" here:

http://mn2020.org/issues-that-matter/views/tuesday-talk-why-are-small-towns-dying

Rather interesting if you ask me...

dam proud.

The day finally arrived, and it only took 4 years.  So, yes, the title is definately pun intended. On March 15th, 2011, the Windom City Council made a historic decision for the future of Windom--they made the decision to take out the dam that has graced our part of the Des Moines River.  I wasn't rooting for a specific answer, but an answer was all I needed to be satisfied.  We all knew one way or the other, there would be disappointment, people upset, but a decision needed to be made.  We can finally move forward, and it is a great step for the Windom community.  Now what's next?  We need to keep making more decisions to continue progressing...

It's really wonderful to wake up in a city where every day you realize that today the city is a little bit better than yesterday.  -Jan Gehl, Danish Architect