not an ending, but a beginning.

Last post of the year--I can't believe it.  It's only natural on New Year's Eve to sit here and think about all the ups and downs of 2010, while starting to prepare myself for 2011. It never ceases to amaze me how fast one year can go, and yet life can change so dramatically in such a short time. The opportunities, blessings and obstacles of life are like clay, and I'm the artist trying to mold myself into the person I aspire to be using all the experience and knowledge each day brings.  Although there is plenty we can't control, it is incredible to think what power humanity has over the present and future.   As I sit in the same spot I almost always sit when writing these posts, I look outside the big picture window facing south and see the big elevator among the cold black and white earth bearing the simple word: Windom.  I knew this city had always played a role in shaping who I am today--you know, while growing up here and such, but I would have never imagined it would continue to change my life as it has these past few months.  What a glorious feeling.  So, as I reminisce, while counting my blessings and saying goodbye to 2010, just know that this is only the beginning, Windom.  I've got my 2011 resolutions all over you...

Finding Windom Forever.

it's the reel deal.

Jackson State Theatre was recently mentioned on the Minnesota 2020 website, which is a good thing for us.  The owner of the Jackson Theatre also owns the Windom State Theatre and for this to be mentioned on this website raises awareness of the trials rural American small businesses face.  It is good to raise awareness of these trials, especially at a state level--it can lead to good things.

Check out the story at: http://mn2020.org/issues-that-matter/economic-development/video-movies-on-main-street

Don't forget to "cheer" for Windom today at http://www.wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com/!

Remember, you are allowed 10 cheers a day, so use them today and tomorrow and the next, and the day after that...

If we get everyone to use them everyday until February 7th, we could give Windom a great financial opportunity. Tell them why we are great and tell them what we need--they are listening...

I'm casting my votes to help give the Windom State Theatre a face lift,

i voted. will you?

I normally don't do stuff like this, but it is easy and worth a try...Reader's Digest is offering an awesome opportunity for towns to receive monetaries to help better the community, and Windom needs your vote!  I've signed us up and now it is up to us to "cheer" us on!  The city with the most votes gets the pot! 

What a great blog post that would make if Windom, Minnesota won!!  You can make it happen!

Tell your friends and family!!

Follow the link below and type in Windom, MN or 56101 to vote or "cheer".

http://wehearyouamerica.readersdigest.com/

NO STRINGS ATTACHED! IT'S EASY!! I PROMISE!

Find Windom on a map of a million cities,

merry christmas.

It has been a while since my last post, I've missed it and apologize.  The past week has brought me such winter luck as I have been ill.  It isn't often I come down with such sickness, but all in due time I guess.  I'm glad I have finally started to feel like myself again for the holidays, especially because I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Enjoy each moment, believe in the impossible, laugh much, make right, savor each taste, count blessings and have yourself a very merry Christmas.

Continuing to Find Windom together...

honesty is the best policy.

Since the reason I started writing this blog was to track my journey of creating a more thriving and vibrant community in which to work and play, I don't think I should cheat anyone by not sharing everything.  While trying to remain very positive, as hard as it may be sometimes, I want to update you on some things I've been up to.  I want to start with my efforts to get Jim Austerman's original composition of "The Christmas Bells of Windom," which was written just for us and for our chimes and that I wrote about in a previous post titled "ring on", played on our beautiful courthouse bells.  After doing the research about who runs the bells and how to make this happen, I was unsuccessful for reasons beyond my control.  I cannot change the minds of those not willing to listen.  I knew I would have many hurdles in this journey, I knew I wouldn't be able to get everyone excited about the possibilities in Windom and to grasp its uniqueness. So after mulling it over in my mind and heart, I just have to move on from this project with my head held high knowing I tried and hope that someday this task will happen just as quickly as it was dismissed.  Just know, my friends, this task should have been as easy as the push of a button, I just couldn't get the finger to push it.  There is one thing you should know about me, I don't give up easy, nor do I easily accept the word "no" without a good, logical reason (and it is annoying at times-just ask my husband, I apologize), but I just had to let go of this task for the time being.

Second, I wanted to make a note that I so humbly applied for the EDA Executive position in town.  I was hoping this position would be a chance to really make a difference in the community by giving me an opportunity to use a WHOLE DAY to act upon my ideas for Windom's rural economic growth. Oh what a dream that would have been--for it to be acceptable for me to think about what I already think about day and night, which is ways to see this community flourish beyond its wildest imagination both economically and socially.  I was a little disappointed I wasn't notified by the Authority of their decision to rule me out or that they didn't give me an opportunity to interview as a sixth or third finalist, to share my assets and abilities, ideas and passions, but I will move forward knowing that everything happens for a reason.  There is a place for me to do my work of Finding Windom, I guess it just isn't in that office.

I am looking forward to meeting the gentleman they chose and pray he grasps the uniqueness and importance of our downtown Square by reaching out to prospective small businesses and exsisting business owners alike. I hope he takes into careful consideration where the EDA spends its money, by encouraging the Authority to invest money in reaching out to potential businesses and not in useless, expensive market research.  The community of Windom's voices should be the investment and the research--it's always free and always correct.  I hope he likes the idea of restoration along with new.  New is not always better, both concepts cost money, but only one makes our city more memorable, more distinguished and more desirable to potential tourists, families, and businesses than the next city--it is what sets us apart from the other million cities on the map. I'm am looking forward to meeting the new EDA Director--he will be an important asset to Finding Windom.