A beloved piece of Fergus Falls history continues to shape the future of local children through the Early Childhood Education & Amenities – Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund, a Component Fund of West Central Initiative. Originally established in 1933, the Claire Ann Shover Nursery School created the community’s first formal early childhood education opportunity, grounded in…
Looking back on Welcoming Week 2025, numbers can help paint a picture. Communities held events in every county in West Central Initiative’s region. Hundreds gathered on farms, at street fairs, in libraries, community spaces, and schools. Events revolved around food sampling, exhibitions, art, meals, and demonstrations. Collaborators ranged from towns, schools, nonprofits, and private businesses….
Caliton Ntahompagaze loves eating the African eggplant varieties he remembers from his youth. So in 2007, when Caliton and his wife Honoree moved to Fargo, African eggplant would be on the menu. Or would it? Alas, fresh African eggplant was nowhere to be found. Not in farmers markets, not in the grocery produce aisle. Eventually,…
Productive Alternatives is on a mission to build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The organization, founded in 1959, is dedicated to promoting quality of life and personal growth for the people it serves and its employees. Through education, advocacy, and service, it hopes to promote rural prosperity, development, and belonging. Connecting,…
Pride is an important celebration. It celebrates individuals for who they are and honors the resiliency of the LGBTQIA+ community. The first Pride events were organized marches, held in June 1970 in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago to honor the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Since then, Pride has become a global movement….
For those who work from home, making meaningful connections in both the community and workplace might be challenging. Virtual connections just don’t work for everyone. In Alexandria, Danielle Thompson wanted to connect with her community. But as a remote worker for a national company, she missed the interactions of a local office. Think of hallway…
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, prayer, and community for Muslims. This year, Ramadan and Lent coincided. So, we took the opportunity to learn more about the Muslim faith and Ramadan through the experiences and words of our Muslim neighbors. In Moorhead, three community organizers welcomed our inquiries about Ramadan: Fowzia Adde, Executive Director…
Victoria McWane-Creek, founder and CEO of Organization 4 Full Participation, is the go-to consultant when it comes to teamwork, collaboration, and increasing effectiveness within organizations and businesses. McWane-Creek, an entrepreneur who calls Fergus Falls home, has worked with local, state, and regional companies like Essentia Health and Great Plains Food Bank to create workplace environments…
You’re invited to prepare a short “love letter” to your community/city/town. We want to hear what you love about your community and what makes your city great! Instructions Please fill out the form below to submit your love letter. The letter must be about a community in west central Minnesota and be no more than 500…
Kim Konikow was looking for a new home. In Bismarck, she truly enjoyed her job with the state arts council but was looking to semi-retire and wanted a new forever place, a change of scene. Minnesota was among the handful of states that offered that retirement intrigue. Kim had grown up in Detroit, and while…
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