Travel Midwest
Akron Iowa onsite visit update
Several years ago, I was in Akron, Iowa, population 1,558, for an onsite Idea Friendly visit for one week. They’ve been gathering their crowd, building connections, and taking small steps. Their former mayor, Sharon, sends updates periodically. The following is from her latest email update. We now have seven businesses serving food: Casey’s. Chubs is…
Read MoreSunday Update: Friends
I spent the weekend in Grand Marais, Minnesota with a group of friends who like to walk. They don’t care that I walk a little slower, they just slowed up their pace to match mine. They also didn’t mind it when I would say “turn around everyone, let me take your picture.” They just turned…
Read MoreHanging Out with the Pork Queen
Last night I got to hang out with the Pork Queen and the kids from the FFA. It’s just one of the many reasons I love living in a small town. For the cost of $5 here’s what I received: A pork burger with bacon, chips and a drink great conversation with local FFA boys…
Read MoreYou’re the Expert
I flew back to Iowa on Saturday. Seated next to me was a gentleman from Korea and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was an Executive Director for a local Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Jeong asked me what was a Chamber of Commerce. I explained I had the pleasure of…
Read MoreHistorical Road Trip
Most of us are tied down in the towns we live in. We work, play, eat and live in our own little acre of the world. A vacation is something you take all year to plan, and you go somewhere exotic (at least to you). You save for it, you read about it, you change…
Read MoreThe Enchanted Highway
Gary Greff because the process of building the world’s largest sculptures in 1989. He came home to Regent, ND to save his community. Gary had no idea how to do that but then thought “what if I create something that everyone will remember?” That’s what he did – built 7 sculptures made of scrap metal…
Read MoreSeating for 1000, 47 at a time
Last week I was in Sioux Falls for 3 days for the Midwest Area Chamber Executives Conference. It’s days of training, networking and hearing about what is working in other communities. This year we received a tour of downtown Sioux Falls as part of the training. Connie Larson from Millbank sat next to me and…
Read MoreCinco de Mayo!
Today Janet Toering, from All Cultures Equal in Webster City, is our guest blogger. Thanks Janet! It is Cinco de Mayo! Never ask anyone that speaks Spanish the question, “When is Cinco de Mayo?” because it translates to “May 5.” Why do people celebrate Cinco de Mayo, May 5? Many people erroneously think it is…
Read MoreRetire in Central Iowa
Webster City is listed as one of the best places to retire. Oh yes – you read that right! There are many reasons to retire in Webster City … lower cost of living affordable housing four seasons great people in town centrally located volunteer opportunities just to name a few. You can read more by…
Read MoreGiving Back
Last Monday I spent an hour out at Brandup’s Timber. Mike had some pumpkins he was donating to the Chamber if we came out and picked them. I also got to see the CRP ground (Conservation Reserve Program) and found broom corn, bittersweet, native grasses and more. The Brandup’s have given back to our community,…
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