Note: The information below might not be updated at the time you read this. Please double check by contacting the information down below to see if it's current. Please e-mail (goodnewsmorris@yahoo.com) me these changes, so I (Sal, a UMM Alumn 99', born and raised in St. Paul) can keep this updated. Thank you very much!
Morris has a long rich history that all started with the railroads.
Ruralness?
Yes, Morris is a small rural city, but it's not no ordinary small rural city. Having a college campus makes it more diverse culturally than a typical midwestern rural community. Coming here as a college student in 1995, I was awe with the way of life here. For example, I remember looking out of my college residential hall wondering what the noise was during the winter. It was a farm tractor plowing the parking lot behind Clayton A. Gay Hall! Back in the cities, it would be just a typical 4x4 turck or dumptruck.
The Smell: Yes, the smell in the air is a lot different from the what I grew-up. The ethnol plant brings that smell of burning corn. When I came up early one summer my Sophomore Year, the manure smell from the cows were very strong. The various farms animals bring that diverse rural smell. I personally feel it's a lot worse going south on Hwy 9 to Wilmar, where there are many turkey farms with the Jennio plant!
The Culture: Depsite the diversity the college campus brings to this rural community, the culture here is majority "midwestern-like". What do I mean? Well, from my perspective, I notice the following:
-People love to snowmobile during the winter, which you can pin point them out with their black-neon Artic Cat jackets.
-A few wear their cowboy hats proudly around town
-the dominate station here plays country music
As a graduate of the Liberal Arts Human Services degree, I'm very fond of meeting people from different backgrounds-especially mulitculturally! The campus brings close to 2,000 students, which a handful come from various parts of the world. I love to meet international students, which being here in Morris since 95' (now 04') has been a growing cultural learning experience.
More later...(see Morris Personal Story)
Summer Storm 03'
Winter Freeze 05'
City-Data
UMM Campus Events Calender
Morris Chamber of Commerce, community events
Morris Public School (Community Ed, etc...)
Info Link
Morris Sun Tribune
Other Information
Other Suggestions:
FREEBIES!
SUMMER
-go jogging, camping, swimming, staring a bonfire at Pomme De Terre Park
WINTER
-rent a video or do some leisure reading at the Morris Public Library
-snowboard/sledding at the Water Tower (a.k.a. "Cougar/Tiger") Hill
-rent cross x-country skis at the RFC
ALL SEASON
-workout at the Regional Fitness Center or Physical Education Center
-volunteer opportunities/suggestions down below this page or here=> [Morris Happenings']
$$$$
-rent videos at Coburns and/or Red Box-McD's
-play Super Nintendo, rent DVD's, listen to used CD's, read comic books at John's Total Entertainment
-go bowling at Crystal Lanes
-watch t.v. at the Morris Laundromat
WINTER at Morris
-go sledding! [Directions: From Morris travel East to Cyrus and head NORTH on County Road 3. After 6 miles come to Kensington, continue North thru town (cross Hwy 55 and RR tracks). After 2 miles, turn right at the sign for Douglas County Park (Runestone). After 1 mile go left (another sign for the park), then follow the signs to the park.]
Towns nearby:
Carlos
-Carlos Creek Winery
Elbow Lake Chamber of Commerce, part of Alexandria web
Flekkefest, on August 6th-7th
-resorts, beaches, golf course along hwy 28
? Lake-one of the least busy, closest, beautiful lakes outside of Morris
Swift Falls Park-along Chippewa River
Attractions
Counties
Maps
Area Map: Agralite Electric
Minnesota State Department of Transportation, west central area
Radio
KCGN Praise FM 101.5/103.9 F.M.
Organizations
West Central Initiative, grassroots group from west central Minnesota was formed in 1985 to determine the needs of the region's residents (includes regional map)
Here is interesting-fun fact about the name "Morris":
Another on Morris' Area High School's Mascot Tigers:
Transportation
Greetings to you all -- You my recall my frequent requests for prayer during the "All-America City" application process. I was working on that from January - March for the City of Morris.
Got word this morning that we were listed as finalists in the competition. That means Morris will send a contingent of people to Georgia in June to make a presentation before a 12-person jury.
Following presentations, the jury will deliberate and annouce the 10 winners. Winning communities fly to Washington DC in the fall/winter and shake hands with the President at a ceremony honoring their achievements.
Good news for Morris and hopeful news for its people. Thanks for praying -- it had a major impact!! Now, please channel that faith into hearty prayers to win.
Of course.......we all know that just being nominated is reward enough. But, then there's the winning. ;-) -from Phil Drown of Phil Drown Incorporated, who helped draft the All American City Application
Visit Morris Sun Tribune Web Site and vote on their poll asking “Is Morris an All-America City”
-“All American City” Mayor Wilcox proclaimed every Friday through June 11 as “AAC Support Day”. Hopefully, we will see Morris come out in support by wearing a t-shirt every Friday. T-shirts are available at Coborns, John’s Total Entertainment, and Willies
DELEGATION GOING TO ATLANTA
Sydney Beyer
Laura Delehanty
Sue Dieter
Chandel Dietz
Philip Drown
David Fluegel
Kellie Hesse
Ed Larson
Shelly Lund
Sal Montegudo
Cindy Perkins
Dan Perkins
Carolyn Peterson
Mike Peterson
Sam Schuman
Carol Wilcox
Turn out for Fun and Food in Support of your Community!!
Morris, Minnesota, your very own community, placed as a finalist in the “2004 All-America City Award” competition. A jury of former Congressmen, Mayors, law enforcement officials, and others reviewed our 20-page application and considered it worthy of honor. Thursday’s picnic will help raise funds to send 15 Morris citizens to Atlanta, Georgia to make a final presentation before the jury and compete against 30 other communities from across the nation to win this prestigious award.
Your support is needed and appreciated!! See you at the Park. (Rain Site is the Regional Fitness Center).
Looking for Volunteers:
12-15 People willing to help at the Community Picnic (May 27) – One of 3 categories:
Set-up (4:00pm – 5:00pm )
Serving (5:00pm – 6:15pm )
Clean-up (6:30pm – 7:15pm )
...see Minnesota Tribute to Morris
Media Coverage
Weekly Bulletin for May 26, 2004 SUMMER EDITION
The University of Minnesota, Morris Weekly Bulletin is published by the Office of University Relations weekly August through May. Submissions accepted by noon on Wednesday each week. Send items electronically to Judy Riley, at rileyjk@mrs.umn.edu/. The next Summer Edition of the Weekly Bulletin will be June 16.
News
SEVERAL FOLKS WITH UMM TIES WILL BE AMONG THE DELEGATES WHO WILL REPRESENT THE CITY OF MORRIS IN ATLANTA JUNE 11-13 AT THE ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARDS. Morris was named one of 30 finalists on April 15 in its first application for the award. The city’s delegation includes Sydney Beyer, Laura Delehanty, Sue Dieter, Chandel Dietz, Philip Drown, David Fluegel, Kellie Hesse, Ed Larson, Shelly Lund, Sal Monteagudo, Cindy Perkins, Carolyn Peterson, Mike Peterson, Sam Schuman, and Carol Wilcox. Efforts are underway to show support and raise funds for the All America City competition in Atlanta. AAC T-shirts are on sale at Willie's, Coborn's, and John's Entertainment. Mayor Wilcox has declared Fridays to be "AAC Support Day." A public community picnic will be held on Thursday, May 27, at East Side Park. Roast beef sandwiches, beans, beverages and chips will be served between 5-6:30 p.m. Rain site is the Regional Fitness Center. A sneak preview of the Morris presentation will be unveiled around 6:15 p.m. A $5 donation is suggested.
THANK YOU!
-All the 40+ community members that helped with the application process
-local churches that contributed in various ways (e.g. Pastor Todd Matson-critique in skit)
-other critiques: Dave Johnson and others in the community present at the Picnic Fundraiser
-Picnic Fundraiser volunteers that served and contributed in many ways
-many others not mentioned
