All posts filed under: Blog

Music Wednesday – First Run Last Night at Lakeside Park in Ortonville

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  The Thursday Night Music on Main group brought their “get together” time down to Lakeside Park for the first (I hope there will be more) Music Wednesday in the Park last night!  It was a perfect evening by Big Stone Lake – and the music was so much fun!  There was a Facebook Live recording (link here) that ran through quite a few songs – at 18:45 – You’ll find Julie French of KDIO doing Harper Valley PTA (fun, fun to watch!)  There were people sitting in the shelters and on the grass enjoying the evening (some, I noticed brought a Subway dinner while others had coolers with their dinner) — It was, to me, a picture perfect evening here on the MNbump – people just enjoying people.   A few clips from the evening (that were not on the Facebook Live).  A few brave souls ventured up to the stage to join the group for a few songs.  It was an open mic and everyone was encouraged to share their talents. Thanks to …

July Events on the MNbump!

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July looks to be another busy month, here on the MNbump! Graceville’s Annual Toqua Days – June 30th & July 1st The Graceville Women’s Organization Facebook Page (Link!) is always a great place to watch for the latest information!   July 11th – 15th Big Stone County Fair! – Look who will be playing on the 12th at the Fair!! Link to the Big Stone County Fair Facebook Page! Our “Big Stone County Get Together” – this video taken from last year’s Fair gives a special spotlight on our AWESOME 4-H Youth – they ROCK! July 21st is Beardsley Day –  (Link) to their Facebook Page     Photo of the Course from last year’s Tournament

MNbump Wellness Challenge – Thank You & Wrap-Up!

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There were 22 teams (ranging from 9 to 11 people) with a total of 226 number of participants!! Total weight lost:  1,863 pounds (WOW!) Winning teams (I’m hoping they send in a group photo from each of their celebration gatherings!) were: 1st Place:  Main Street Industries – Main Street Muscle – with 7.3% weight loss Amanda Kuefler, Lisa Lindquist, Jeremy Tollakson, Joanne Vangness, Terri-Skog-Anderson, Arlene Athey, Karrie Findley, Lane Lindquist, Robin Olson, Roger Findley 2nd Place:  OAHS – Iron Maidens – 6.57% Weight loss Nicole Lovgren, Dr. Susan Andersen, Sandy Brown, Kristen Brobst, Melissa Davis, Sarah Velzke, Kendra Fryer, Missica Lowe, Corina Hanson, Natasha Haukos 3rd Place:  This just Thin – 6.18% Weight loss Brenda Zahrbock, Anita Longnecker, Rachel Zinski, Josh Zinski, Brent Zahrbock, Lindsey Lee, Alicia Lee, John Thomas, Jeannine Dashiell, Kelsie Thomas, Adam Dashiell With 1,863 pounds… I’d say all teams (and MNbump!) were winners!  However, this Ortonvillian must acknowledge the MNbump winning community was CLINTON!  🙂 If you’d like to watch the Facebook Live video from the weigh-in reveal – USE THIS LINK! …

MNbump – Upcoming Events!

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It is getting so busy, so here are reminder links gathered together for activities coming up and a few highlights from recent MNbump events.  #MNbumpLife Updated…. 6/17/2018   6/19:  Barrel Race tonight June 19th is going to be rescheduled due to the weather. I’ll post makeup date as soon as we make that decision (Flat Hills Arena, Inc. on FB)     Thursday, June 21 – “I’ll Be Me” Glenn Campbell’s journey with Alzheimer’s/Dementia 6:30 p.m. in the Orpheum in the Town Center at Fairway View Presented by The Big Stone County Memory Loss Connection  Info Link Saturday, June 23rd is the Jay Stock Golf Tournament in Ortonville check out the video from last year’s event! Check out this week’s dining recommendations for the new Downtown Diner in Clinton – FB Post Link:   MNbump Calendar Link! A HUGE shout out to the Big Stone Arts Council for a very successful Big Stone Lake Art Crawl last Saturday, June 9th!  Their site visitor counts ranged from 40 to 400 people from a large range of travelers …

Big Stone Lake Regional Art Crawl in Ortonville

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What a wonderful day!  I heard so many great comments while out on the art crawl today – hoping our artists make this an annual event (well, some thought it would be great every weekend!)  THANK YOU to all those that helped plan this event!! There were 24 artists representing a unique variety of arts and mediums with the artists available to discuss their works.  It will be interesting to see the art created during the children’s art activity.  This activity had to be moved to Main Street due to the off/on again morning rain. Check out a few highlights from the day –

Family Picnic in Ortonville at Lakeside Park

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It was a beautiful evening at Lakeside Park along Big Stone Lake for this year’s annual DREAM for Kids & Someplace Safe’s old-fashioned family picnic! This is their third year – and has been a hit with the kids from the first. Hills family brings their horses every year which is definitely a highlight for the kids! The Odessa Fire Department brought a water truck to show to the next generation of firefighters (thank you to Luke and Mike!) – the kids had fun testing their skills at holding and aiming that hose. Vicki from the Ortonville Public Library was giving away new books during the music game (music provided by Lee Kanten and Wanda Berry – awesome!), 4-H was providing activities during the event. A huge shout out to those that provided food & door prizes: GCC, S&D One Stop, the Moose, Lingonberries, Wade Sweezy, Gloria and Dwayne Larson, Hartman’s SuperValu, Pepsi Company — and to all the volunteers that helped with games, face painting & serving the food (I saw there was quite a …

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!  

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 …