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…
Schools and colleges in west central Minnesota provide a multitude of learning opportunities. One of those is the “last classroom of the day”–organized sports. Researchers note that both playing and watching sports competitions provide opportunities for social interaction and help forge a sense of belonging, which, in turn, can mitigate loneliness and boost levels of…
This September, west central Minnesota was brimming with energy as communities came together to celebrate Welcoming Week. From Mexican Folk Dancers twirling vibrantly in Moorhead to an Aztec dance group sharing traditional rhythms in Elbow Lake—these events were just a glimpse of the cultural richness that unfolded across our region. These events and many more…
As rural communities in west central Minnesota look to prosper, one growth strategy is welcoming new residents to the community, especially those who have moved from other nations. What can rural communities do to welcome these newcomers? It’s an important question as community advocates understand that building the local social economy pays dividends for the…
Our lifestyles, ways of gathering, and communities are changing, and leaders in Alexandria, Minnesota, are working hard to keep up. On the second Tuesday of every month, the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission host events to help residents who work or attend college in town integrate into the…
Don Martin is living large. From Detroit to Fergus Falls, from playing college football to playing the piano to playing with paint, from working for others to starting his own business, Don is living large. His company says so: Big Boys Painting. Don learned to wield that paintbrush growing up in Detroit. “When I was a…
Haga clic aquí para español. Ana Cecilia Villela, the founder of the retail store Cielito Lindo, began her business in a corner of a room in her home. Quickly, the business took over that room and then more of the house, growing into her current location in Morris City Center Mall. Cielito Lindo sells clothes…
A Steady Start The first time Ashlie Seifert attended a yoga class at 180 Balance in Detroit Lakes, she wasn’t exactly sold on the process. “There were people in the front row upside down, people in binds,” she recounts. “I remember thinking I couldn’t do any of that. It was crazy.” The heat from the…
When it comes to making a living, Hannah Middleton believes, “If you can help people, it will just come naturally.” She’s a teacher, Early Childhood Learning Center Founder, adult foster care provider, and new owner of Heavenly Haven group homes in Detroit Lakes. A Passion for People Starts Early It all started when Hannah and…
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