Month: March 2018

Creative Minnesota Report for Big Stone County

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Sheila Smith (Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and Chair, Creative Minnesota) presented the Big Stone County Report on March 22nd at the Ortonville Community Center. Creative Minnesota, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, Big Stone Arts Council, Big Stone Area Growth and the Ortonville EDA released a new study indicating that the arts have a large impact on Big Stone County!  “Nonprofit arts and culture organizations contribute to the vibrancy of Minnesota’s economy and quality of life and make our state a magnet for jobs and businesses.  Now we can quantify that in Big Stone County,”  said Sheila Smith “In addition to providing life-changing experiences, educational opportunities and accessibility to audiences of all ages in their stages and museums, arts and culture organizations are important employers and economic engines. $400,000 = Economic impact of art and culture organizations, audiences and artists in Big Stone County.  To note, the impacts of the arts in Big Stone County do not include the annual Meander Upper Minnesota River Art Crawl which brings a large number of people …

Music on Main (Ortonville)

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The Big Stone Arts Council “Music On Main” continues its twice-monthly jam sessions! Next session will be Tuesday, April 3rd at 6:30, in the lower level of the Community Center (on the corner of Third & Monroe in beautiful downtown Ortonville!)  They are also meeting on Thursday, April 19th at 6:30. Lee Kanten notes that “Musicians of all stripes and experiences gather and swap songs and stories for three hours and go home with silly smiles.”  Lee encourages everyone to bring an instrument, a voice, or an ear and join the fun!  

MNbump + Facebook – March Analytics

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It has been fun to watch the engagement rise on our MNbump Facebook page! I’m hoping that is an indication that you find our posts both helpful and enjoyable. Some might wonder ‘just how engaging is it’ and ‘how many people does this community Facebook page reach’ ?? I’ll just share the actual analytic screenshots for clean review – with one small narrative as a lead-in:  The first capture is the comparable – this is engagement over the last week and how MNbump compares to other sites that have a community or area focus with very similar ‘hopes’ to engage & provide information about their area – A couple notes… Otter Tail Lakes Country is pretty much always the #1 (and with greater numbers than reflected in today’s report) – Artie’s Bait – today’s number is the lowest I’ve seen it and that is likely because we are in between fishing seasons (hunting, etc.) – they are normally second or third on this report (between them and MNbump for the #2 & #3 spot!).  So …

Sports & Leisure Show Highlights

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It was an awesome weekend at the Sports & Leisure Show!  We’ve put together a few highlights from the show – starting with a quick video to see a few of the vendors as they were completing their set-up before the start of the Show.  Followed by videos of all of the Just for Kix dance groups (for family & friends that were unable to make this performance!), a Pickleball demonstration (very active league in Ortonville!),  highlights from the Tractor Pull and at the end you’ll find a number of songs from the Swing Time Band which is always a favorite!  (I separated the Swing Time band selections by song since there are some that people may want to share individually).  Enjoy (I know I did!) .. and the Chicken Dance!

MNbump Wellness Challenge

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Fun to see all of the interest!  We’ll post links & latest information on this page as we get teams organized and ready to start. Would you like to be connected with a team in your community?  Please complete this short form & we’ll match you up!  https://goo.gl/forms/ejDnG0arnk4iMeoB2 If you’ve put together a team of 10 (or almost 10 & you’re looking for more to complete your team), you can message on Facebook Sara Tollakson or Vicki Oakes or you can e-mail vicki@ortonvilleeda.com New!  The Rules have been posted – Contest Details V3.pub Our Facebook Group Page has been created!  All of the participants of the Challenge and all of the Business Sponsors will be members of the Group.  The Group page will be an encouragement (and fun!) connection for everyone.  It will provide wellness tips & Challenge updates.  If you’re not participating, you’re still encouraged to follow the page and take advantage of all of the healthy/wellness information that will be provided!  Link to Group Page:  2018 Wellness Challenge Facebook Group More information will be posted …

Two MNbump Area Authors have gone International!

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Sandy Hanson with her “A Camel’s Story Trilogy” and now Michael Larson’s “Easter Sparrows” have been translated in both Russian and Ukrainian and published in Ukraine!  They shared their story at a celebration hosted by Living Hope Fellowship Assembly of God in Ortonville and during Sunday service at New Life Community Baptist Church in Ortonville the following day.  You will find the video of the stories shared below. Bill Arvan of READ Ministries shared his passion for Ukraine.  READ’s motto is “Taking Truth to Tough Places”.  Bill is often referred to as ‘a bridge to Ukraine’. The first Camel Story was ‘born’ as a puppet play performed at Living Hope Fellowship in 2000 – The play and presentations were held in almost every church in the region over the years.  New Life Baptist has a passion for Ukraine – who knew it would spark a mission for our books to get there too?  So far 14, 350 of Sandy’s Camel stories have been distributed in Ukraine through READ Ministries.  Recently a pastor from southern Ukraine has …