Community Builders
Jeff Abbas
It was mid-2015, and the contentious race for President of the United States had stirred up the emotions (and proverbial pens) of people of all…
Community Builders
A community is defined as a unified body of individuals. You can build community in a neighborhood, city, region, state, nation… world, at any level. It doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact. Building community is one of the most important things we can do on this planet. Connecting with others helps us connect with our humanity, and realize we’re all in this together. We interview different Community Builders around the region to share their stories, and to inspire you to build community as well!
Community Builders
Colleen Foehrenbacher
Six miles outside the town of Lanesboro, nestled snugly into the beautiful woods and river valleys of Southeast Minnesota, you find a unique community at…
Community Builders
Norb Kelly
Community builders use many tools. Creative ideas. Cheery optimism. Contagious enthusiasm. Norb Kelly of Lanesboro, Minnesota, uses tools that are more traditional, though: A saw,…
Community Builders
John Sutton
Westby, Wisconsin is a small town big on Norwegian culture and heritage. Syttende Mai is celebrated every May, the annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament attracts…
Community Builders
Jane Kemp
Decorah’s Jane Kemp smiles easily and often. Yet beneath that kind smile and unassuming demeanor lies a fierce advocate for community causes, and a strong…
Community Builders
Marnie Hofmeister-Pooley & Let’s Shine Coffee
“I believe that each of us as humans shine in our own way,” says Marnie Hofmeister-Pooley, owner of Let’s Shine Coffee in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. “We…
Community Builders
Shaundel Spivey & BLACK
Like many others, Shaundel Spivey landed in La Crosse to go to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He set forth to earn a Bachelor’s degree…
Community Builders
Diane Knight
Quick. Think of an artist. Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh might come to mind. If it’s music, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart certainly qualify. Maybe you think of…
Community Builders
Nancy Sojka & Northeast Iowa Quilters Guild
Nancy Sojka loves to go fast. Those who’ve seen her zip by on Decorah’s Trout Run Trail in her red, white, and blue bicycling jersey…
Community Builders
Jane Peck & History Alive Lanesboro
Jane Peck’s love of long ago is making a difference – today – in Lanesboro, Minnesota. “When I was a little girl my grandfather –…
Community Builders
Sarah Johnson & The Joy Labs
“The magic of community engaged art is the community engagement,” says Sarah Johnson, owner and operator of The Joy Labs in Winona, Minnesota. “It is…
Community Builders
The Wrobel Family & the Historic Fortney
The Hotel Fortney, built in 1899, is one of the longest-standing buildings in downtown Viroqua, Wisconsin. It’s a striking city landmark, with its three-story Queen…
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