Windom City Council met on Tuesday and began the meeting with three official proclamations, each read by council members. May 11–17 was declared National Hospital Week, recognizing the contributions of healthcare professionals under the theme “We Are Healthcare.” May 18–24 was designated as EMS Week, honoring emergency medical service providers with the theme “We Care, For Everyone.” Additionally, May 15 was proclaimed National Peace Officers Memorial Day, as part of National Police Week, which pays special tribute to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty while protecting and serving their communities. Windom Chamber Director Darci Jones and Chamber Board Member Cassandra Lustfield were present at the meeting to encourage a discussion with the City Council about Riverfest and the growing need for sustainable support and shared responsibility between the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and local stakeholders. According to Jones, Riverfest filled with music, food, sports, and family-friendly events, that has evolved over the years into a cherished tradition that reflects Windom’s civic pride and community spirit. While the Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in organizing the event in recent years, the organization has stated it can no longer bear the full financial and operational weight alone. “Riverfest isn’t just a Chamber event — it’s a celebration for the entire City of Windom,” Jones stated. “Preserving it long-term requires a unified approach, designated funding, and infrastructure support.” With hotels, restaurants, and other businesses seeing increased activity during Riverfest, the proposed model underscores how vital the celebration is to Windom’s cultural and economic vitality. The Council took no action but stated they would further discuss this collaborative approach and budgetary commitment in the coming months as Riverfest planning gears up for next year and new budgets are considered for 2026. The Windom City Council did vote to move forward with the 2025 Alley Improvement Project after holding a public hearing in which many of the affected store owners stood before the Council and voiced their questions and concerns and verified how and what costs would be expected. The approved resolution authorizes improvements to two key alleyways: one between 3rd Avenue and 11th Street, and another between 4th and 3rd Avenues. Construction will include pavement removal, curb and gutter replacement, storm sewer upgrades, subgrade preparation, and new asphalt or concrete pavement. Engineering services will be provided by DGR Engineering, based in Rock Rapids, Iowa. The total estimated construction cost is $392,000 for the 3rd Avenue/11th Street alley and $241,000 for the 4th Avenue/3rd Avenue alley. Roughly half of these costs—approximately $316,500—will be assessed to adjoining property owners, with individual assessments ranging from around $3,500 to over $30,000 depending on the parcel’s location and frontage. City Administrator Steve Nasby emphasized the importance of the project, noting that it addresses aging infrastructure and improves traffic safety and accessibility in the downtown area. The resolution passed with the required supermajority, and the City also signaled its intent to reimburse itself from future tax-exempt bond proceeds. Windom residents with questions about assessments or the project schedule are encouraged to contact City Hall at (507) 831-6129 or visit www.windom-mn.com.
——————————————-
Can you picture it? What is the BEST invention to entertain small children and even parents, grandparents and every age in between? YES!!! The ol’ Alphabet Magnets and today happens to be Alphabet Magnet Day! It is a lot of fun to create messages, take them off or put them on! Just what is it about those little magnets that just entertain and create a sense of accomplishment??? It is also Lost Sock Memorial Day, celebrated annually on May 9, which honors all the socks that are no longer with us. Where did they go? Who really knows? But what we do know is that losing one sock of a perfectly matched pair is a widespread phenomenon. So much so that we have a day on which to honor those socks we have loved and lost. I love this one too… Hurray for Buttons Day!!! I do love buttons! Big ones, little ones, funky ones and decorated ones… Yep, I have a box of buttons, and I inherited my mom’s button box. It is fun to just sit and inspect them and always know that if I happen to pop one off or lose one there are options available!
—————————————