A Brief Look Back, while this blog remained quiet… The last two years have been different, to say the least. Ortonville businesses have gone through some tough times – and our economic development focus combined resources & time to post all information on MNbump so that there was a one-stop resource of information and assistance. It has been amazing to see how our residents strived to support local – which was amazingly evident when the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber created the “COVID-19 Business Support Campaign” and kicked it off with a live telethon hosted by KDIO 1350 AM and on a Facebook Live to take orders for gift certificates in any amount for local businesses – encouraging people to use the cards later as businesses were bouncing back (and some chose to never use the cards, creating a donation). The Chamber had raised over $20,000 before the telethon had started – $80,000 during the telethon – and ended the efforts by raising $107,275 for local businesses – with 2,074 gift certificates and cards – …

Looking at the past 10 years… listing the businesses that have made major capital investments (investing in the permanent structures & securing our brick and motor tax base in the City of Ortonville for years yet to come).  Investing in our town.  I personally have found this list to be impressive!  Let’s take a few minutes to reflect and celebrate these awesome investments in our community!  – and if you see that I missed someone, give me a shout by using the contact form on this website.  (you’ll see a photo and then a very brief description – click on each of their links to see more about each business) Bluestem Dental – or newest business and building in town which just recently opened.  The lots were cleared and construction began… what a conversation piece as we anxiously awaited the completion!  Located on First Street and houses 10 jobs.   Lingonberry Lodge a beautiful lodging option overlooking Main Street and right next door to Lingonberry’s Pastry and Coffee Shop which opened earlier but within this …

Such joy! — and busy.  Christmas time in Ortonville. Last night’s vocal concert at the Ortonville High School  – the combination of generational inclusion  – painted a beautiful picture of who we are as a community. The annual Hymn Sing at Abiding Faith Free Lutheran Church (open to congregations to join in) was just beautiful! A Short Clip from the Christmas Carolers on Santa Day And, to top off Santa Day, the annual Lighted Parade in Ortonville!  

Oh so beautifully done!  I took a tour of the new Lingonberry’s Lodge on Main Street yesterday afternoon – wow!  I had a real urge to relax in a comfortable chair and look out the nicely tinted windows overlooking Main Street… and just stay awhile. Khadija will be listing all of the local businesses that contributed to this project soon in the Ortonville Independent – it is quite a list of local talent. You can see from the photos below, you can step out the front door for your breakfast (or lunch if you get up a little later!) at Lingonberry’s Pastry & Coffeeshop or the back door to step onto the Coffeeshop’s patio and enter from there. (breakfast or lunch will be included for each room) Lingonberry’s Lodge opens to its first guests today!  What a wonderful addition to Ortonville. And speaking of awesome new lodging in Ortonville, Idle Spurs Inn is coming along wonderfully too!  They do still have four rooms to complete – but the rooms that are ready are full for …

The first Wednesday of the month is here again! Mark your calendars… every first Monday of the Month EXCEPT for July – our summer break month.  🙂 Wednesday, June 5, 2019Time:  Noon Location:   442nd Street NW, Ortonville (Lower Level of the Community Center) Topics: Connect & Promote – tying in with Local Events Posts Discussion on last month’s Google My Business topic (see link & info below) Reminder:  These are informal lunch meetings where everyone brings their own lunch and drink – and joins in conversation after the initial agenda.  Of course, there will be discussions throughout the hour! Thank you to Patrick Buttke & Chance Haugen of “Famous in a Small Town” for providing an overview, some tips, and stressing the importance – of “Google My Business”.  I’ve provided a video of the meeting below… this is not a formal presentation video – just the raw discussion of our informal Social Media Lunch meetings!  I knew a couple of regulars were unable to make this meeting so I videotaped the meeting on this very important topic!  We …

A few updates this week! Kathleen Marihart stopped in the office for a few minutes (I love my new location downtown where people can easily stop in!) and I asked her how the opening was coming between the two buildings – I am behind the times!  The door is in!  So, I stopped down this afternoon to take a couple of pictures.  Kathleen owns The Smallest Art Gallery in downtown Ortonville and recently purchased the building next door so that she could expand her space.  She plans to use the new portion for her personal gallery and classes and the original portion of her business for Artist Receptions, Exhibits, and Classes.  You can see from the photos that she is preparing for a class and also, her sister and local artist, Edie Barrett, is preparing for a project day with a group of regional friends – they get together about every seven weeks or so and this gathering is in Ortonville.  To Ortonville’s benefit, these two sisters have settled, invested and provided new opportunities for residents …