A month ago, I wrote about the Heritage Initiative‘s first Heritage Discovery Workshop, in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. The workshops being held around the region are a chance for residents of the St. Croix River region to share the stories that they feel make this place special.
You don’t have to go to a workshop to participate, though. The Initiative’s website has a special interactive tool to submit stories, places, and traditions that define the region. By sharing a story, you’ll help the effort identify the common themes and the existing resources which might be someday leveraged as part of a National Heritage Area. (The website is a key part of my work with the Heritage Initiative as a communications consultant.)
Start Your Stories
It’s easy to submit a story, and you can provide as much or as little information as you want. Click here to get started.
I’ve already shared a couple: the Sandrock Cliffs near Grantsburg, Afton’s annual Fourth of July parade, and the Arcola High Bridge north of Stillwater. There are some other interesting stories on the site already, which you can browse here.
Stories don’t need to be limited to the St. Croix River, but are open to anywhere in the region defined by the river, including along tributaries like the Namekagon, Kettle, Snake, Apple and Kinnickinnic Rivers.
Upcoming Workshops
Of course, you can still attend a workshop, too. They are a great chance to interact with your neighbors, learn about the Initiative, and share and hear lots of stories. Check out my article about the first workshop for a full report. Several are scheduled between now and May:
- Pine County, MN – March 24, 2012, 9 a.m. – noon
Sandstone, MN (today, 3/20 is the last day to register!) - Burnett County, WI – April 15, 2012, 5 to 8 p.m.
Danbury, WI - Washburn County, WI – April 18, 2012, 4 to 7 p.m.
Spooner, WI - Bayfield and Sawyer Counties – April 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Seeley, WI - Douglas County, WI – May 12, 2012, 9 a.m. to noon.
Solon Springs, WI - Washington County, MN
Date and location to be announced soon!
Click here to R.S.V.P. for a workshop.
