always good ideas at the bottom of a coffee cup.

Today, River City Eatery hosted "Coffee with the Council," and I can't tell you how wonderful it is that the city council is offering the public a neutral space and time to sit down over coffee and have discussions about the important things facing our community.  This is a step in the right direction, folks.  I believe city politics should be transparent.  I believe city politicians should be approachable, and we should be able to have positive discussions about issues that will directly reflect the quality of life in our city.  I believe in an opportunity to be heard and understood. I believe the tough decisions we trust our city leaders to make should be guided by the voices and concerns of the people who live in our community.  Through Coffee with the Council, our city council members are now giving us, the people of this community, the perfect opportunity to be heard in a non formal, intimidation-free environment, and I encourage all community members to attend Coffee with the Council.  Below is a list of places and times for the upcoming year.

                                                              Coffee with Council

2016 Schedule

January 9                             Hy-Vee                                               Cooley & Johnson

February 13                         River City Eatery                               Jones & Joyce

               

March 12                             Hardee’s                                             Ray & Cooley

April 9                                 McDonalds                                         Johnson & Jones

May 14                                Hy-Vee                                               Joyce & Ray

June 11                                River City Eatery                               Cooley & Johnson

July 9                                  Hardee’s                                              Jones & Joyce

August 13                           Windom Country Club                       Ray & Cooley

September 10                      Hy-Vee                                               Johnson & Jones

October 8                            River City Eatery                               Joyce & Ray

November 12                      Hardee’s                                             Cooley & Johnson

December 10                      McDonalds                                         Jones & Joyce

updates.

Where to start? Thank you to those who have requested more posts from me.  It is humbling to know I have listeners.  I'm truly passionate about Finding Windom, my community, the place I call home, and I need to remember to keep tracking my journey.  I know, my posts have been, well, absent.  Yes, River City Eatery is keeping me quite busy, family keeps me busy, and well, Finding Windom keeps me busy.  But let's get to the point...I haven't gone anywhere, I'm still working on making my community a better place, so let me start again to fill you in on what we've been up to during the void of my2cents.blogspot.com...

Finding Windom continues to work on keeping the appearance of our city a clean one. We adopted Highway 60/71 going through our city limits, which is the first group in the state of Minnesota to adopt within city limits.  How exciting!  I'm proud to see our "Adopt a Highway" signs on the edge of town.  In the fall of 2015, Finding Windom introduced "It's Hip to be Square" downtown revitalization initiative.  Since the inception of Finding Windom in 2010, one of our missions has been to revitalize our beautiful downtown Square, and we are finally on our way into making a big impact through small changes right now (watch for future posts on more details of our initiative).  Finding Windom continues to meet the first Monday of each month at River City Eatery and our downtown revitalization initiative meets every month as well.  Our next meeting is Monday, February 15th at 7pm at River City Eatery.

The first kick off event of "Its Hip to be Square" was the "Downtown Christmas by Candlelight."  Let me tell you, folks, this event was awesome! I was so impressed by amount of support and participation from our local businesses and organizations that I can't help but be optimistic about where this initiative is headed.  Holy cow!  On the cold, windy winter night of December 17th, our retailers and local businesses stayed open, along with several organizations such as the Historical Society, the public library, BARC, the Cottonwood County Courthouse, and the Windom State Theatre, until 7pm by candlelight.  Live reindeer, horse and wagon rides featuring a nightwatchmen who pointed out historical architecture around our Square.  Christmas carolers and greetings of "Merry Christmas" were plenty.  It was a storybook setting, a Gilmore Girls scene, it was a community coming together to gather and celebrate where the founders of Windom intended their community members to gather, around that beautiful courthouse, around the Square.  I think this event was the beginning of something wonderful, and I promise to keep you updated...

"bin" doing some work.

It's no secret my posts have become few and far between, but I assure you, Finding Windom hasn't stopped working to improve our community with our ideas and most importantly our hands.  I can't tell you enough how good it feels to be a part of something so amazing.  I have to say there are many minds and hands at work here, and they should be recognized for being such positive, active members of our community.  Finding Windom is currently working on a number of projects right now (stayed tuned), but here is an update of the latest project Finding Windom has completed written by a Finding Windom member (THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!):

 

"Finding Windom and the new Riverfest Fireworks aluminum can bin

Sometime during the Summer of 2014 at a Finding Windom meeting, the group was working on a list of projects to make Windom a cleaner and more attractive place to live and work.  Along with the Adopt-A-Highway and a variety of other projects, someone suggested the aluminum can collection bin that is used to generate  funds for Fireworks for RiverFest was not in the best of shape and should be replaced.

Dave Vaupel and Howie Davis offered to head up that project.  With input and information from Buckwheat Johnson, the first step was to locate a replacement corn crib that some farmer would donate.  The request went out on Swap Line KDOM and within a day or two we had offers of 4 or 5 bins that were ours for the taking.  After taking a look at all the choices we decided to accept a bin,  located near String Lakes and owned by Jerry Haberman.

 The choice was made on the basis of several factors:  How sturdy it appeared; How far from Windom it was; How accessible was the bin to being loaded on a trailer; How tall the bin was (because of low hanging wires over roads that would have to be traveled).

The bin from Mr. Haberman fit our needs best in every major area.  It was in good shape, the bottom ring of 3 could be removed and have a 12 foot high bin with a sound roof.  We could get to the bin with a trailer so it was fairly easy to load, and very, very important there was only one wire across the path that might give a 15 foot bin (including roof) on a 22 inch high trailer trouble.  The only problem at the time was that we started the project too late in the season and had to delay the move until spring of 2015.

We had wonderful cooperation from a number of people and agencies as well as information and input that was invaluable.

Miller-Sellner Equipment in Bingham Lake donated the use of a trailer, which we absolutely had to have to move the bin.

The Windom Street Department agreed to have one of their staff lift a wire over 16th Street or disconnect that wire located across the path of the bin if the bin did not fit underneath (it did fit underneath).

Others that helped on the day of the move (Wednesday, April 8) were Tom Meyeraan and Jerome Robillard (each of whom ran their own skid steer),  Buckwheat Johnson, Per Nielsen, Dave Vaupel, and Howie Davis.  Giving much need assistance were Sheriff Jason Purrington and Windom Chief of Police Scott Peterson, as well as members of their staffs.

Bob Lindaman, owner of Windom Pallets (and the land on which the bin has been located for several years), gave us a great deal of help and is willing to take possession of the old bin."

 

Finding Windom together,

 

 

team windom.

Hello.  My name is Mari, and I am the founder of Finding Windom.  What is Finding Windom, you ask? Well, it all started right here at mari2cents.blogspot.com. It all kind of happened by accident, and let me tell you, I haven't done it alone.  Let me explain why I'm starting from the beginning. 

I very recently have been reading quite the discussion on one of my favorite places to get information, just like many, I'm sure.  Some information I enjoy reading, some I could do without, but none the less, it is the wonderful world of social media, and which I must admit has been quite the tool for some of my self proclaimed successes (when used positively of course) in my endeavors not only as an active member of my community, but as a local business owner as well.  This intriguing discussion can be found on the "What's Up in Windom" Facebook page.  A resource for community members to post information, to ask questions, and to be informed about all the wonderful things that happen in our wonderful community.  The discussion happens to be one of my favorite topics, bringing more businesses to our town, a topic that has been quite popular on my blog for the past 4 1/2 years.  Yes, you read that correctly, I have been writing in this blog for well over four years now, and I'd have to say I'm quite excited to see such discussions happening.  Now that there are over 120 some comments, the name Finding Windom seems to show up in many of these comments.  Wow.  Cool.  But there seems to be confusion as to what Finding Windom really is and if the "group" is still active and what it is Finding Windom does.

You see, I didn't intend for the Finding Windom as discussed on social media to happen. It all started with my love for writing, and my discovered passion for Windom. I would love for you to check out my very first blog posts, especially the very first post titled "poking inspiration with a stick."  This blog was intended to be my accountability, my art, and my commitment.  I thought the only person who would honestly read my blog, besides myself, was my mom.  But, nope, here we are folks.  20 seconds of insane courage and vulnerability has birthed what you know to be Finding Windom.  And the things that have happened with that courage.  That belief that I'm put here for some reason and why can't that be to take interest and pride in my community? To believe that I can make a difference by doing the things that I love in my community.  I mean, River City Eatery is my love and look what this small business does for our community, wouldn't it be great to have more!  I'm not saying everyone should go out and start a business, but I'm saying take all your ideas and opinions about what you're passionate about, what your opinions are regarding what we should have or what could be better, and do it.  Just talking has never changed anything.  you know, "breathe it all in, love it all out."

Which leads my to the "haven't done it alone part."  The others in the "group" Finding Windom are just normal people like me.  No superhuman powers, no extra hours in the day, no problems not as bad as others, just plain making the community a better place kinda human.  Thank you to those who possess the selfless, a quality that seems to disappointedly disappearing.   Thank you for your positive attitudes, your working hands, and willingness to change.  You should be celebrated for your actions.  Many hands make for a lighter load, and we must come together.  Together we have become Finding Windom and we are taking members daily.  Tell me, what team are you on?  I hope its team Windom.   

So here I am again, writing poetry, while regaining strength and positivity, remembering what it feels like to dream, to believe I alone can make a difference and what that would mean if we all believed it.  For "it is not the easy or convenient life for which I search, but rather live to the edge of all my possibility."  So tell me?  What "sucks" about that? 

coffee talk.

I think it is time to tell a little story, so here it goes, just a play by play.

Tuesday.  Its a normal Tuesday at River City Eatery.  I leave for about 2 hours after the lunch rush to get some work done, you know, all that small business paperwork, marketing, paying bills, mailing bills, emails, researching recipes, planning events, reaching out to potential catering opportunities, compare food and drink costs, work on web presence, etc.  I come back to then start prepping for round 2, meaning dinner.  Literally, the first thing I noticed after walking into the kitchen was the large McCafe cup laying right on top of the trash.  I'm thinking to myself, what is that doing here? Weird.  And this is when the story gets pretty interesting.  My staff begins to tell me that Mr. Collin Peterson came to eat with some city leaders while I was out.  Cool, right?  I was pretty thrilled to hear he came to River City!  And this is when the story gets even more interesting.  They continue to tell me he ordered a coffee and food with the group he was with and when the server told him it would be about 10 minutes before he could get his specialty coffee because the espresso machine/steamer needed time to regroup (it has been a busy machine since the weather has been cooler), Mr. Peterson and his staff person left the eatery and came back with McCafe in hand to finish his meal.  Wait...what?!

I'm a small businesses owner, nothing really surprises me anymore, I've witnessed a lot of people do some crazy things.  I thought this was worth sharing because I found it kind of funny coming from a politician, and in all honesty, it was a bit frustrating, so I took a picture of the cup and hit post.  I wanted people, not just Mr. Peterson, not just democrates or republicans (it is not about politics FOR ME), but everyone who sees the post to really think about it for a second, you know, what this picture says and means.  It wasn't about calling out a democratic politician to me, I saw it as an opportunity for people to think about not only small businesses, but manners and etiquette, and how the choices we make affect others, you know? 

Next day (Wednesday).  Yeah, wow, I really didn't expect anyone to really care until 15,000 and counting Facebook views later and a phone call in the early evening from Rep. Rod Hamilton asking if its okay if Torrey Westrom comes to buy a cup of coffee tomorrow around 4pm.   And then at 8pm, the phone rings at River City Eatery while I'm mopping the floor after another day at the eatery. 

"River City Eatery, this is Mari," I answer. 

"Yeah, Mari, this is Collin Peterson."

Pause. Pause. Pause. All I could think was, this is a joke, right?   Pause. Pause. Pause (for dramatic effect, the pause felt quite long)

"Yeah, Hi!"

He continues to apologize, he says he didn't know what he was thinking, yada, yada, yada.  The food was really good, yada, yada, yada, the next time he is in town he would love to stop by and get a cup of coffee, yada, yada, yada.

"I really appreciate your apology. Thanks!"

I can respect anyone who has the ability to apologize, and I sure wasn't expecting that, so wow.

Today (Thursday).  Nervous as all get out trying to wrap my brain around what the heck just happened in the last 48 hours and anticipating a visit from Torrey Westrom.  We had a lovely chat, nice guy, small business owner, gets it, and bought some coffee.

And there you have it, a little bit of coffee talk.  The moral of the story...the choices you make, even the small ones, have a great impact on the world around you, choose wisely, my friends, choose wisely and don't forget to shop small and tip your servers.

please rsvp.

I wouldn't by lying if I told you the last couple of months have been quite difficult, and I'd like to tell you why.

The last couple of months for me have been a trial of understanding.  All summer I've been trying to understand the reason the City of Windom could possibly think the pallet patio behind River City Eatery is a nuisance.  Is anyone else having this problem of understanding?  You know, I've been doing a lot of thinking this summer, reflecting on what I could have done differently through the process, what I could have done different during my years of wearing my heart on my sleeve when it comes to Windom, what the City could have done differently to prevent such stress on a local business owner.  I've been reflecting on the decision I made almost effortlessly a little less than 10 years ago to return to my hometown of Windom to open my own business, especially a business many have told me are "impossible to start," "very difficult" and "when pigs fly" I would own and operate my own eatery in Windom.  Never in all those years of trying to imagine all the different kinds of things I would have to deal with that would make this dream of mine "impossible" and "very difficult," did I think dealing with a Nuisance Violation from the City of Windom would be one of them. 

Of course, the support I received from the community was indeed humbling.  I was overwhelmed by support from the community and patrons of the pallet patio and River City Eatery alike.  Although the summer was difficult because I often contemplated starting over in a little city that was more accepting of creativity, art, reusing and repurposing, and a city that was supportive of small business, especially a business that for the last 3 years has defied the odds of remaining open despite the negativity surrounding such a crazy endeavor. As I have made clear since the inception of this blog, I love Windom, so for me to seriuosly question why I decided to start my family and my business here was quite scary and stressful.  You must know, community of Windom and patrons of River City Eatery, you are in fact the reason I would never leave my hometown, even when our city decision makers send me to the doghouse for trying to be a forward thinking business owner. For that, I THANK YOU!!!   

In fact, because of you, I'm not going away.  I will continue to raise my voice, to take pride in my community, to remain optimistic, to be active, and most importantly to be creative and resourceful because this is who I am. I have surrounded myself with people like Rachel Wilson.  It is people like Rachel who help me realize why I chose to live in Windom and remain in Windom, and I would like to introduce you to her if you haven't already had the pleasure.  Community of Windom, this is my dear friend, Rachel Wilson.  She is the next generation, our possible legitimate rural future. She speaks wisely and with intention, and we must listen to understand her.  Our future is giving us hints, and it is louder than a whisper.  For a wise man plants a tree whose shade he knows he will never sit under. We must start planting trees of creativity because creativity can drive our economy, increase our quality of life, and maintain a legitimate rural existence. 

Below is the Windom I love, the creative, full of possibility, young, vibrant and ready to keep our roots alive and well, but only if we are willing to accept the challenge to create the kind of community that is forward thinking, creative and progressive.  This is also the kind of Windom that many folks of all ages are seeking, so when will we start to send out the invitations?  Wouldn't it be nice to have more young folk like Rachel moving into our community, opening businesses, getting involved in our community, raising families, helping to create all the things that make our community wonderful?

Rachel Wilson

8/20/14

           " My favorite time of every year is late May when the warmer weather starts to show its face, flowers begin to bloom, and the anticipation for summer is nearly palpable.

            Raised in Windom, I now attend a private college in the Twin Cities where I am studying journalism, rhetorical communication, and graphic design.  Spending nine months out of the year in the Twin Cities, I attempt to take full advantage of what the metro has to offer, attending concerts, frequenting museums and farmers markets, and scouring vintage and thrift stores regularly.   

            It goes without saying that the Twin Cities has much to offer young, middle-aged, and older people alike.  Internship, job, and entertainment possibilities at my fingertips, and still, I find myself craving my small-town roots. 

            Because of this, I’ve spent all of my college summers thus far at my parent’s home in Windom.  In fact, I denied all work-related and internship opportunities in the Twin Cities this past summer to return to work and live in Windom.  Though some coined it crazy, I knew a few months at home is exactly what I needed. 

            You see, I love Windom.  I love talking about Windom.  I love dreaming about Windom.  I enjoy small town life.  I enjoy seeing cars on the town-square and windows lit up with lights and smiling faces.  I believe in small business.  I believe in community pride.  I adore my friends here in Windom—a group of creative, progressive, intelligent folk who embrace rural life.  I adore the quaintness and closeness small-town life allows.  And though society may contend that small towns are dying out, I think it’s the perfect time to grow our roots deeper, spread our wings farther, and cultivate a community that defies all the odds.         

            I write this as an encouragement to the community of Windom to cling to their small-town roots while allowing space for growth.  Allow space for people to be creative.  Allow space for people and things to entertain ideas and evolve.  Allow space for people to dream aloud.  Allow space for people to be vulnerable.  Allow space for people to see the beauty of small-town life. Most importantly, allow space for people to realize that there is such a thing as a legitimate rural existence, and it is a beautiful thing. 

            Not all rural lives look the same.  We need farmers, teachers, bankers, machinists, small-business owners, artists and so many more.  But we all play a role in contributing our little, but significant piece to the community of Windom.  I challenge you to continue to take pride in your small town.  I challenge you to take ownership of this community and cling to the small-town roots that make Windom unique, while reaching beyond.  I challenge you to dream alongside your neighbor and be the positive change in this community.

            Surely, it was important that I go away (I’d recommend to almost anyone), but it may be even more important that I return someday.  And I’m not alone.  Countless young folk like me have an aching desire to return to small town America, but these communities cannot remain stagnant and expect to persist as a legitimate option for a younger population.   I’m proud to call Windom home, and I care deeply about Windom’s success.  It is a collective, community effort.  Believe in your small-town and believe you alone are the difference. "

i'm a nuisance.

Well, where to start? It has taken me a few days to reflect on everything that has happened in the past couple of weeks, not only just as the owner of a small business (River City Eatery has been wonderfully busy!), but as an active member of my community trying to convince city leaders and decision makers of our community who have the power to grasp the controversy of the pallet patio in a positive way to move the community forward. In all honesty, I’m exhausted, but energized at the same time because all of my passions, personal and professional, collided last week, and I have no doubt in my mind I could write an entire book on River City Eatery’s Pallet Patio story, and I’m not kidding either. So, maybe that’s just what I’ll have to do because it was all so exciting, so energizing and proved to be an eye opener for not only myself, but should prove to be a little bit of an eye opener for the community of Windom, and that is pretty cool.



Chapter 1: The Facts



Chapter 2: The Spirit of Community and Its Energy



Chapter 3: Setting a Precedence and Its Effect on Local Economy and Community



Chapter 4: Making Decisions and Not Making Decisions: Fear of the Unknown



Chapter 5: Promoting Positive Change through Action and Reaction



Chapter 6: Embracing Controversy to Progress and Move Forward



Chapter 7…well, you get the idea…



I’ve had my blogspot.com “New Post”open for 5 days now. Typing, deleting, leaving it for another time, coming back to the blank page, typing, deleting again. Why has this been one of the toughest posts to write and complete? I’m overwhelmed with thoughts, ideas, frustrations, excitements, and so much to reflect on. This isn’t about a Pallet Patio anymore—it’s so much more. Where do I even start?



So, now I’ve finally decided that the very first post to write regarding the Pallet Patio must be to thank everyone who has shown their support because you are the heroes in this story that I will tell in print someday. Wow. I’m grateful, blessed, humbled, excited and feel like the luckiest woman in the world to have such wonderful people both living in my community and not living in my community who are willing to stand up and say, “SAVE THE PALLET PATIO!” because you are the ones who see what I see in Windom-a freakin’ awesome place to live, work and play.



The energy from your support last week, the week before, even this week so far, heck since I opened River City Eatery, has been what gave me the courage to challenge the silly precedence the City of Windom was trying to set because River City Eatery is more than just a small business to me-it is my life, my dream, my passion, and that is worth fighting for.

I have given up time with my precious and patient son, my dedicated husband whose integrity is inspiring and gives our son a true role model of a decent man, my amazing mom who has been battling stage IV cancer, yet she still shows up at River City Eatery with her chemo attached at her waist to help however she can, thank you for your understanding and patience when I couldn’t give you what you needed from me because my priority has been chasing this crazy dream that I have to continue to struggle for. Thank you to my dad who continues to take pride in the work we have done to fix and endlessly maintain the brick and mortar of my dreams, my brother and sister-in-law, my friends who have been by my side encouraging me and helping any way they could to see this dream come to fruition, and my staff, my other family, you all play a vital role at River City Eatery and you all probably know more about me than you care to, and for that I thank you. You mean the world to me, each and every one of you.



I put every chip I had into the kitty, over 12 years in the making, in order to open River City Eatery because I believe with all my heart this is what I was put on this Earth to do. And holy cow, the foundation of my dream, River City Eatery, is strong with the support of not only my family and friends, but my community and the patrons of River City Eatery and that makes the 16-18 hour days, swollen feet, and sleepless nights worth it. To all of you who believe in River City Eatery, patronize River City Eatery, I cannot thank you enough for making my dream possible every single day. I’m astonished at how much support I had during this difficult time, Just on Facebook alone, the Save the Pallet Patio Event has reached over 4,000 people-that is what I call a strength in numbers! It is all these things that make River City Eatery such an amazing place, a place to be proud of community of Windom because you helped create it! This is what love, patience, hard work, dedication, and support from family, friends and a community can do, what power we all have to do good things!!



At the end of the Nuisance Board meeting, I may have lost a little bit of control of my emotions, the tears came unannounced. It was not because the Pallet Patio was officially considered a nuisance by the City of Windom, but because I was absolutely overwhelmed by support, and I really wish I could tell you just how much that means to me. You should be proud.



An African Proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I hate to say it folks, but the work mustn’t end here, we must continue to move forward, to stand up for what we believe in, to challenge silly presendences that hold our community back from creative and wonderful things that not only supply a positive community gathering place, but stimulates our rural economy. We can move this community forward together, but we must continue to be willing to listen to understand, engage in our community, and voice our legitimate concerns to our city leaders and decision makers because we are the experts in our community, and we should be heard.



This is where my story of my ceaseless passion and a City who has labeled it a nuisance begins, may the continuing chapters of my story remain positive, no matter who tries to cut me off at the knees.



Long live River City Eatery and the Pallet Patio!



Happy times,











“To seek, to thirst, to yearn, to meander…is, by nature, human. So, darlings, let’s journey forth, choosing contentment through the seeking and the finding, measuring any weariness on our shoulder against the greater truth that says we have it in us. Let us discover a strength, a certain resolve to have eyes to see beauty where we are told it can’t be found, and a bravery to reach deep into that pure, rich water of our soul and find the courage to let it spill out onto a world in need.”



-Sarah Dubbeldam, Editor-in-Chief, Darling Magazine

concerned citizens.

As you all know, the City of Windom has sent River City Eatery a City Code Violation regarding our beloved pallet patio (please refer to past post containing the violation letter).  On Thursday, June 19th, I must meet in front of the Windom Nuisance Board, and they will determine the fate of my patio.  I have created an event on Facebook asking for the community's support in order to save the pallet patio.  I have received so much support it makes me believe good will prevail!  Of course, as you all know, I will remain professional and poised in order to do all I can do as an active member of this community and to protect its reputation.  For the last almost 4 years since the inception of Finding Windom and my blog, I have tried to remain positive and use positivity to promote progression in our community in order for Windom to have a legitimate rural existence in today's world.  Since I have not heard much from city leaders, I thought it would be appropriate to express my concerns about the action taken against River City Eatery's patio:

 

Dear City Council and City Administrator,

It’s me again, your biggest cheerleader, Mari Harries. As someone who genuinely cares for her hometown and its reputation, I want to express my concerns with what is going on in the Building and Zoning Department. As elected officials of the great City of Windom, I hope you have been informed of my recent letter sent by Mr. Kartes, the Building and Zoning official for the City of Windom. I have attached it for your information. I’m hoping you will take the time to read it and take the time to fully understand what this City Code Violation letter means. I appreciate the updated nuisance abatement procedure; however, I ask you to research this violation letter sent to me by the Building and Zoning official by not just asking Mr. Kartes what the ordinances may be, but by also talking to your fellow community members and myself. I’d love for you to research it by physically stepping into my business, heck, stay all day because I’d love for you to meet the wonderful people I get to meet every day who come to River City Eatery and are craving not only my menu items, but craving a Windom experience that gives each of them endless reasons to come back. And, I’d love for you to personally enjoy my pallet patio. I ask you, after reading for yourselves the City’s Codes and Ordinances to see if this pallet patio is truly a public nuisance because if it is against City Code, you have made a very big mistake, I’m afraid. I’m asking you to start holding yourselves accountable to truly knowing the community you live in and the people hired to keep it up to the standards we all deserve. I’m asking you to take a stance on the can of worms this man, who works for our great city, has opened. I’m simply trying to prepare you for what may happen by targeting River City Eatery's Pallet Patio instead of focusing on legitimate, ongoing Nuisance Abatement issues within our community. The nuisance issues that truly affect public health and safety.

You see, as a small business owner who uses social media as a vital, necessary marketing tool, I’ve made this City Code Violation public by using social media because I have never been so disappointed in my home and feel the public, and you, deserve better than the archaic principles of this hypothetical code violation. I’ve also shared this Code Violation Letter because my customers and guests deserve to know the potential fate of the beloved Pallet Patio, a positive community gathering place. I’ve made this letter available for the world to see on the world-wide-web, so please, pretty please, act wisely because the last thing you and I want is for Windom to have a negative reputation, especially a negative reputation of City government. We also don’t want the kind of reputation that negatively influences the infinite possibilities of future small businesses in our community.

I’m not trying to sway you one way or the other, I just want you to know the weight of the action taken by sending this City Code Violation regarding River City Eatery’s Pallet Patio may prove to be heavy as many people are just as disappointed as myself regarding this violation. Many people will be showing support at this Nuisance Board meeting on Thursday, June 19^th at 7pm at the City Council Chambers. So please take the time to get to know this case as I’m sure there will be many people there with questions. I value your reputation as a City Council-I hope you are aware of the power you all have to do wonderful things! And also have the power to do not so wonderful things, but those not so wonderful things don’t give people what they are craving, which is a delightful reason to return, stay, live, work and play in beautiful downtown Windom.

As the founder of Finding Windom, a small business owner, an advocate for community pride, a steward for a legitimate rural existence, and now after seeing the countless comments and concerns regarding the fate of River City Eatery’s Pallet Patio on social media, I urge you to challenge yourself to find the right answer or at least do something to move our community forward in a positive way so we can all have a legitimate rural existence in today’s progressive and ever-changing world. This has always been and will continue to be my mission for our community, and I hope you agree.

I’m sharing my concerns with you because I genuinely want Windom to be all it can be, and you have the power to help, both as a city council member and as a member of this community, like myself. I wish you could see what I see in Windom-it’s a great place, just like River City Eatery.

I would appreciate your time, your concerns, your discussion, and your questions because these are things that move our community forward in a positive way. My door is always open and always welcoming. Communication is always important.

Will always continue to remain your cheerleader and remain an active member in the community who has shaped the person I am today,

KDOM kalidescope.

The following was played on the radio last week, Thursday, May 1st, and I wanted to share for those of you who missed it or cannot get KDOM in your area.  Finding Windom thought it was appropriate to utilize KDOM's Kalidescope to promote the annual city wide junk pick up day (one of my favorite times of the year because I appreciate the opportunity to do my own "spring cleaning" free of charge).

A BIG thank you to KDOM radio for letting a few Finding Windom representatives discuss the 5 reasons why we should take pride in our community by keeping it clean and also to promote the city wide junk pick up, and of course to show our support in any clean up efforts that take place within the community.  We will continue to respectfully and actively support all efforts in making our city a better place because Windom deserves to be a desirable place to live, work and play!

my response.

May 7^th, 2014

Re: City Code Violation- 344 10^th Street, Windom

Dear Mr. Kartes,

I received your letter regarding my pallet “fence” behind River City Eatery; however, this “fence” you speak of is actually pallet seating.

 

I would greatly appreciate exercising my right to request a meeting in front of the Windom Nuisance Board.  Please respond with a time and place for the meeting as I would like to meet in front of the board.

Thank you for your concerns,

Mari Harries

Mari Harries

Owner, River City Eatery

city code violation.

something to ponder, if you have time...

Once again, I sit here in front of one of my happy places (my Finding Windom blog), ashamed it has taken me months to get here again.  Believe me when I tell you I have written a million posts in my mind while chopping onions to make the Soup of the Day or finishing up the last of the day's dishes in the kitchen of River City Eatery after a busy day. It is still a constant in my mind, this place I contently call home, all the possible evolution that is waiting to be surfaced around that beautiful "castle," as my son calls it.  The grandeur of history stands tall in the center of all the hubub of a day.  There is no doubt you can feel the pride of our ancestors work marking Windom as the county seat of Cottonwood County by building such an astonishing courthouse in our downtown.  Even my toddler can appreciate its beauty as he, and his cousins, ride their bikes up and down the sidewalks pretending it really is their castle.  The truth is, it really is everyone's castle. 

 

I recently read this article (below), and I couldn't stop thinking about it.  I finally understand why it stuck with me for so long-I think it can relate to Windom (and other rural communities) and what I've been trying to explain through all these crazy posts since the inception of my Finding Windom blog. 

 

Please read: 

 

"A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went... through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

 

Interesting story, right? 

 

Now apply it to Windom.  How many times have we dismissed talent in Windom?  How many times have we dismissed what a local business can offer to go straight for the big town, big box store who is offering the same product?  How many times have we sent our talented, educated young men and women away to a big cities because "there is nothing here for you?"  How many times have we accepted the garbage blowing across the street, crumbling brick and mortar, chipped paint, meth houses/buildings because it is just "good enough?"  How many times have we sought the help and ideas of companies from big cities to tell us what our city needs to do to "survive?"  How many times have we dismissed the beauty of our courthouse and our unique downtown?"

 

We are perfectly capable, as community members, to respect ourselves and to protect our quality of life.  How do we perceive ourselves as a rural community or what most would think of as "unexpected content" for success, talent, even creativity?  We need to start giving ourselves some credit, by respecting the work of our ancestors, by giving our community a thriving future, by evolving into a place where we celebrate what we have to offer and take pride in what we have to offer.  After all, we are the little city that would, so we should not continue to be the little city that could.  Just think about it for a second, the answer is within ourselves, you know, as a community, how we want to be perceived by others. 

the show must go on...

I'm sitting at Table 1 at River City Eatery after a crazy Friday night rush (blessings!), music of the 40s is coming from the speakers that I can finally hear after all the hubub of the evening, and I keep catching myself looking out the window and admiring hope in downtown Windom--the Windom State Theater's fresh, modern but classic, perfectly lit marquee is the center of attention here in downtown Windom, and I couldn't be more excited.  I have goosebumps, no really, I have goosebumps and have had them since 6:45 tonight when they lit the restored marquee tonight.  What was once an eyesore in downtown Windom, is no longer--it' beautiful, it is perfect, it is a gem, it is a Windom icon that we must continue to support as so many small town theaters often don't get the satisfaction they deserve and are forced to close doors. Did I also mention the amount of hope I feel after tonight that more amazing updates can happen in downtown Windom? We should be proud to have a plethora of community members that believe in something so much to make something this awesome happen in our small town.  A huge thank you to everyone who was a part of the Windom State Theater, Inc, for your dedication, for your passion, for your hours of hard work to make our community an even better place to be.  Windom, we have a wonderful, working theater, holy cow!  Thank you, thank you, the show will go on!

And speaking of exciting things happeninging in Windom, I also have to thank our city's EDA Executive Director, Mr. Aaron Backman, for pushing progression in our rural community.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate a city employee willing to push our city forward, utilizing all the potential he sees and Finding Windom sees for us to be a desirable community to live, work and play.  I have the utmost respect for Mr. Backman for the things he has pushed for and made happen, like our new directional/point of interests signs along the highway to only name one.  A small, but big addition within our city limits.  Windom is incredibly lucky to have this man working for us.  Really, people, he is good things for Windom, believe me...

there's no crying...

I can't help but write about my day today.  It was a day I will never forget..it was the day I dropped my son, Henrik, off at Busy Bee Preschool for the first time. Of course everyone asked me if I was going to cry today after dropping him off.  A fair question, I guess.  Maybe I would cry because time has passed all too soon.  After all, my baby boy was only 5 months old when I started telling you my Finding Windom story right here on blogspot.  There is no question that time has passed all too soon, but what is new, right?  Time is just something we must accept as there is no way to change it.  Maybe I would cry because he is my baby boy and all too soon would no longer fit in my lap or accept my public displays of affection?  In all honesty, I don't know why I was suppose to cry today other than most parents might find it hard to send their babies off to school for the first time.

But I do know that what I saw in that boy today was the most breathtaking thing I have witnessed as a mother so far, besides cradling him in my arms shortly after the crazy ride we both took together the day he was born.  I saw my baby boy so proud to start this new journey.  I saw his excitement for learning, trying something new, discovery, exploring and independence. He was ready to take on the world today without hesitation and without needing me by his side, but knowing that I would be there to pick him up, ready to hear all about it.  And I'm okay with his independence, I mean, he is not mine to possess and selfishly keep for myself.  This is the beginning of his own journey which comes from something much greater than me and for him to graciously accept this new journey
 at such a young age with wide open arms made me so proud to be his mother. It was the most beautiful thing, my friends, to see my son so happy today at Busy Bee Preschool.

He really is the most wonderful thing.  So what was there to cry about?

 

happy times,

energy.

You know when you have those moments of complete inspiration, when you can hardly stay in your skin because there is this energy inside of you that you just have to get out and share?  Well, when I do, I wish I could figure out how to keep those feelings forever-never letting it go, never letting the doubt or craziness of the energetic idea get scared back into the shadows it appeared from.  I suppose life continues with its own twists and turns and neccessaries it must in order for it to continue on its habitual course, I guess we have to sleep sometimes.  I mean, it might be an awful feeling to feel like you are coming out of your skin constantly, right? 

Well, I must share with you an energy I wish would never leave Windom, and it comes from the young women who work with me.  Some of them have recently taken on their own projects and are writing about it in their own blogs.  I'm so proud of them for putting their beautiful souls out in the world of blogging for all to see, especially Windom. 

These young women will soon be leaving me at the Eatery to resume getting their education, resume finding their perfect balance of confidence and humbleness, and resume finding their way in this complicated world, knowing full well they have something wonderful to offer it.  But what a gift they have been to me, the Eatery and to Windom.

You know how for the past 3 years I've been talking about all the potential Windom has, all the little things that are here that make Windom exciting, different, fun and energetic, well they feel it too.  No, I take that back-they are it.

If only I could figure out how to make them stay, just like all of those moments of inspiration...yeah, a girl can dream, heck, a girl can always dream right here in Windom...and I hope I've encouraged them to do so again someday just like me.

You can read about their adventures in their own blogs and I encourage you to do so. Two blogs full of energy, fun and all the inbetweens.

www.missmorganlee.blogspot.com
www.adashofgingerblog.blogspot.com

lets plan on not planning.

I have always appreciated the quote, "we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Growing up in Windom, I was always dreaming of places beyond the fields of corn and beans. The open horizon of Southwest Minnesota was the doorway leading to the  big world out there, and I was going to experience as much of it as I could.  Windom was going to be the dust in my trails.  I was going to someday have stories upon stories of the places I had seen and the people I had met, the memories I had made. I got a taste for travel at a young age with my dad's family living in Denmark, I made my first trip over seas when I was 8.  I continued to travel throughout high school. I couldn't wait to graduate and burst through that metaphorical doorway tempting me in that beautiful horizon. The irony in this short story is that my life has become the exact opposite of what I had planned, it is better.  

The past few weeks, well, years, since River City Eatery has opened, I have come to the realization that one can dream, have aspirations, plans, whatever it may be that gives us a purpose to  greet each day with ambition, but to also remember these things are not rules to live by.  These past few weeks I have realized that I may not be the one traveling like I thought I would be, I'm here in Windom.  I'm at River City Eatery everyday watching others create memories together inside a place I had once only dreamed of.  

I love watching friendships evolve among my employees, although I hate to call them employees, because they all have become my friends, who am I kidding, they have become family, and also have a genuine love for the Eatery which I appreciate beyond words. I will miss some of them as they continue on their own personal journeys.

My parents just recently took a trip to Denmark to visit family and friends.  It was unbelievable to hear from my parents after their return that Finding Windom and River City Eatery have an audience in Denmark who are dedicated to reading these posts, as few and far between as they are.  To my Danish audience, your support and genuine interest in Windom and River City Eatery is incredibly inspiring and only makes me want keep my head held high and any of my doubts far away beyond the horizon I once thought was waiting for me.  Thank you.  You must also know Denmark is flowing through my veins that lead straight to my heart, just like Windom.  

This past weekend one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Tom Begich, played at the Eatery. One of many amazing artists that have left their melodies and inspirational lyrics in the walls of the Eatery.  More memories made and stories shared around a table of good food, good drinks, good friends and good conversation.  But now he is traveling on the wide open road, disappearing down the roads surrounded by fields and farms, which will soon change into a less familiar landscape for me, just like a lot of our talented musicians who play at the Eatery.  All while my surroundings will remain the same walls again the next day.

Today, a man proposed to a woman he loved in River City Eatery.  They went on their first date at River City Eatery.  And tonight, months after their first date, he knelt down on those old orange and white tiles with a diamond ring in front of the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with at River City Eatery. Their new journey will begin tonight, and it started in downtown Windom at River City Eatery.  I never imagined how much this place would change my life and the ones who share it with me.

These are only a couple of the stories that make me smile while I sit among my very comfortable home that I'm blessed to come home to every night with my husband and son.  You see, what I have realized is that I may not be the one traveling right now like I thought I would be, I'm not the one meeting the locals or exploring new things beyond the dust of gravel roads, but River City Eatery is becoming the memories and stories for other travelers.  This is the life I never imagined, but I'm so glad its happened and that I have opened my eyes and heart to understanding it, accepting it, and loving it for what it is. 

Happy times,

judging books by covers.

Finding Windom has doubled in size in the last month with a group of community members seeking answers and resolutions to an ongoing problem in Windom-the appearance of many of our neighborhoods, including the downtown area.  To be honest, the cleanliness, or lack there of, is one of the main reasons I started this blog in the first place.  Just maintaining a clean environment, maintains a thriving, successful environment, which umbrellas all things within a community.  Seems like common knowledge, right?

As frustration excalated among these community members from lack of support from city officials, these frustrated community members gathered together in effort to find a solution--sounds like a job for Finding Windom (this is in our mission statement after all!) and it was decided help from the city officials and leaders was not only wanted, but needed to fix the problem.  After all, the city has ordinances against trash, junk, delapidated housing/buildings, etc, and if they were properly enforced, a chunk of the problem would be taken care of. 

We decided to get on the agenda at the next council meeting in hopes they would listen.  We  were hoping to not just point out the problem, but offer resources to help clean up our city and enforce ordinances to maintain a clean, safe environment.  And so we were on the agenda for tonights city council meeting.

As a speaking member of the group, along with another gentleman, who is also very passionate about beautifying our wonderful community, we sat in front of our city leaders to voice our concerns, solutions and resources.  We had a handful of other community members watching as well.  It felt good to have a crowd!

So you are wondering about the outcome I'm sure.  I was happy to hear the city officials were interested in fixing the problem and that they understand its not just about eye sores, but safety as well.  Did you know that cleanliness and crime go hand in hand?  It's true, there are studies that show by maintaining a clean environment is just as effective as having more police on the streets or bars on windows.  Just take this for an example, methaphetamine drugs were being produced in a building in downtown Windom. Just 2 blocks from my house, across the street from my very own small business, a block from the very place we pay our city bills and gathered to talk about the future of Windom with city officials--drugs literally in our back yard, people.  We have invited this into our community--our downtown, without a head being turned at the root of the problem...cleanliness--the lack of expectations for a superb quality of life or simply put, ordinances set in place to maintain clean safe environments are not being enforced. 

Along with crime, which I feel is the most important reason ordinances for cleanliness need to be enforced, our appearance reflects our character and success as a community.  We want to show visitors what a wonderful community we are, we want to show our pride.  We want more visitors, more businesses, more residents.  We want more families in affordable quality homes and more students in our schools, we want to grow our tax base so we can maintain our ammentities.  All of these things are an effect of a clean environment.  We all judge books by covers and we buy magazines because of what is on the cover, it is the same concept here.  We have to sell Windom to more businesses, more residents, more visitors, and thats easier to do when it just plain looks better.

So with all of this said and with the acceptance of the problem and an agreement that there needs to be a solution by the city council, I'm disappointed to say I don't feel any better after this meeting.  I don't feel reassured the city leaders are prioritizing the issue as they have numerously recorded.  We were so politely brushed off to another "commission" who rarely, if ever, meet to discuss the future of our community.  We were so nicely told there simply isn't funding to take action. But there is always funding if you make it a priority.  It seemed that no one behind the etched name tags behind our city logo seemed to want to dig in first hand to fix the problem or even questioned why things haven't been enforced in the past. I don't know what else to do at this point-I feel hopeless and I hope I'm wrong by feeling so discouraged after this city council meeting.

Did you hear us tonight when we told you that over 150 violations of ordinances have been reported to the city office in the last year? Why is this going unnoticed, unquestioned? In fact, shortly after we spoke, the council was advised by a department head that "people have rights to their things and the city should consult an attorney before enforcing these ordinances," just goes to show the attitude our city portrays to our community's concern, and it is quickly dividing, or maybe already has divided the community and the City of Windom. We have elected you to listen, to plan, to question, to research, and most importantly, to take action. I hope, I pray, something will be done.  There are a group of community members reaching out to help, and I hope the city council reaches right back. 

But, I guess if this is an issue of people's rights as stated by a department head, I have rights too.  I have a right to live in a clean, safe community.  I have a right to raise my child in a community that has high standards for quality of life.  I've dedicated my life to this community, I've built my life in this community, built my business, my family, my faith, and I have a right to protect it, along with all those community members with me tonight.  Thank you to these concerned community members brave enough to protect your quality of life, we need more of you and more importantly, we need an active City to help us protect it. 

more happy times are soon to come I hope,

getting sweeter...

I'm ashamed to look at how long its been since I've posted anything.  I really am sorry for not keeping you updated like I should.  Don't think nothing has been going on in this neck of the woods because let me tell you--thats why you haven't heard much from me.  I know, you're probably wondering how that makes any sense.  Well, let me start by just pointing out a few things that may be a little different around town.  For example, new WELCOME TO WINDOM signs have officially been put up and look mighty fine if you ask me--a long time coming on that one.  Finding Windom is also giving our input to the EDA regarding some new directional signs that will be going up thanks to the help of the Remick Foundation (what would we do without the Remick foundation? Yay!) for both the highway and downtown area-very exciting. O'Reilly Auto Parts has done an amazing job on the former HyVee store building and Big Game has out done themselves with the facelift of the former Lewis Family Drug building.  Fast Sprayers is also going to be building/expanding in Windom's north industrial park--also good news for the city of Windom.  So many exciting changes, and I'm sure I missed some. I've always been a believer that when I write things down, those things are more likely to happen.  But also, when I'm not writing, its usually because things are happening.  And boy, are things happening!

And even more exciting, yours truly is an official member of the Chamber Board of Directors and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of such an influencial board in this community!  And did I also mention I'm having so much fun at River City Eatery that I decided to also share the love with Mountain Lake?  Yup, you heard it here first, folks,  River City Eatery and Sweetfields of Mountain Lake will both be owned and operated by...me.  Whoa, call me crazy, but it just feels right.  Its a good feeling to know I've found what I love to do and get to do it for a living, you know?  My mom always told me to share, so I think its a nice thing to share the love, cupcakes, sin pie, sandwiches, wraps, salads, homemade soups, specialty coffees, and ice cream with more of rural southwest Minnesota,don't you?  Things are just getting sweeter all around Windom...

happy times,

30 is the new happy.

Yup, I made it...I'm officially 30 years old.  To most it's probably no big deal-lots of people turn 30, nothing special, just another year, but I'm hear to tell you that it feels good to be another year older and another year wiser.  I spent my birthday at River City Eatery among friends and family, good food, good drinks and good music.  What else can a girl ask for?   Oh wait, I know, good business. 

Tonight, I had the pleasure of making Lorie Line and her Fab 5 dinner right here at River City Eatery (Check out www.lorieline.com).  What an honor!  Our Business, Arts and Recreation Center here in Windom is nothing short of amazing to bring acts like Lorie Line to our community.  What a gift and asset to Windom--our BARC has brought River City Eatery so much wonderful business by hosting such wonderful talents, so, really, what else can a girl ask for for her 30th?  Thank you, BARC, you are a blessing for not only me and River City Eatery, but to our whole community and area.  Check out all the wonderful things BARC has to offer at www.barcwindom.com and don't be afraid to make a generous donation to see this asset thrive in our community.

Happy times,

reality tv

I'll admit it, I indulge in reality tv.  It's the only thing that literally shuts my mind off for awhile in the wee hours of the night when my head isn't ready to hit the pillow-like right now.  It's a guilty pleasure I guess, but unfortunately its becoming a little to trendy and where does the "reality" actually fit in to what they call reality tv? I often wonder if the good 'ol days of television will ever come back, like TGIF.  Remember TGIFridays?  I lived for Friday nights, after a long week of middle school. Heck, there wasn't anything better in 6th grade than staying over night at your best friends house waiting for the run of Boy Meets World, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Family Matters to come on.  Ahh, just some good, clean television. 

Anyway, here is what I would define as real reality tv, it's yours truly doing a video interview for a project  filmed by Peter Shea. I was one of a few interviews Mr. Shea did in Southwestern Minnesota.  In Peter Shea's words to define the purpose of the interviews, he says, "these [interviews] have been telecast in the metro area on the "Bat of Minerva," prepared for local telecast on community cable stations in Southwest Minnesota under the title “Meet the Neighbors,” and posted on the Institute for Advanced Study website at the Univeristy of Minnesota-Twin Cities, as part of a cluster of interviews on rural communities and food issues."
It was an awesome experience to sit down with someone and really think and openly talk about the path of my life, the birth of River City Eatery, and the reality of my ultimate dream coming true (which is River City Eatery).  Thank you, Peter Shea, for taking the time and for finding me, for lack of a better word, interesting enough to "document," which I'm still trying to figure out to this day...

Pop some popcorn and enjoy, it's the new TGIFriday!


http://ias.umn.edu/2012/07/11/harries-mari/