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GoodnewsUMM: Things to Do in and around Morris "Motown" Minnesota

(a.k.a. Morris, Minnesota)

(additional list for Morris)

Your information center on:
-things to do
-community volunteer opportunities
-transportation

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 History}

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

Multi-culturally Diverse

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)

Crazy Weather Pictures

Summer Storm 03'
Winter Freeze 05'

"things to see and do in Morris and the surrounding area"

City of Morris

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

  • Morris, MN Detailed Profile, from City Data
  • 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.]


    Here are the following surrounding cities/towns to checkout with their local newspapers that contain updated recreational-entertainment events:

    Alexandria


    (45 minutes NE Hwy 59 to Hwy 29)
    *see GoodnewsMinnesota: Douglas County-Alexandria
    Chamber of Commerce, of Alexandria
    Echo Press
  • KSAX-Hometown Happenings, around west-central area (channel 5)
    Praise FM, praise & worship related events in the west-central area
    -go horseback riding
    -check out the go carts, driving range behind Target or north od Little Dukes
    -go down hills skiing at Andes Tower Hills
    -go para sailing, fishing, waterskiing, jet skiing, or ice fishing in the many lakes around
    -go clubing at Buga Boo Bay (directions), D. Micahel B's, or Club One
    -go golfing at the several beautiful golf courses
    -ride a small plane and get a tour above the area
    -Ammusements, miscellaneous activities
    -go shopping (e.g. Viking Plaza, closest biggest mall around morris or checkout some discount stores (e.g. Ron's Warehouse or "Super" Walmart (a.k.a. Wally World!
    (515 50Th Avenue West
    Alexandria MN 56308
    (320) 762-8945
    -go to Douglas County Library
    -go eating at one of 3 Chinese Restaurants (most around Morris) or Doolittles Air Care, Culvers, (menu list A-Z of restaurants)
    -stay at Arrowwood Resort (Big Splash, indoor water park)
    -concerts, plays, etc...at the Lake Geneva Christian Center

    Towns nearby:
    Carlos
    -Carlos Creek Winery

    Benson


    (20 minutes SW on Hwy 9-map)

  • Benson's Culture & Commerce

  • -water park (opened summer of 2004)
    -Swift Falls Park

    Elbow Lake

    Elbow Lake Chamber of Commerce, part of Alexandria web
    Flekkefest, on August 6th-7th

    Fargo, ND


    (1 hr 45 minutes NW on Hwy 59 to I-94 or NW on Hwy 9 to Wahpeton & N on Hwy 75)
    Fargo's Official Website
    Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, list of community events
    Fargo's Vistor's Bureau
  • Dakota Clinic South University-Innovis Health
  • Fargo-Moorhead, calender of events

  • -Fargo Dome Events
    -Hotel Listings, and other yellow page stuff
    -Restaurants's styles and loations, from visitors bureau

    Fergus Falls


    (1 hour N on Hwy 59)
    Fergus Falls Journal
    Visit Fergus Falls

    Long Beach-Glenwood

    -resorts, beaches, golf course along hwy 28

    Glenwood-Starbuck


    (20-30 minutes east on hwy 28)
    *see GoodnewsMinnesota.info -Glenwood
    Glenwood-Starbuck, along Lake Minnewaska (Waterama Summer Event July 23-25th 2004)
  • Glacial Ridge Trail
  • Glenwood Chamber of Commerce
  • Minnewaska Kayaks $10
  • Trust Jesus Billboard Sign
  • Hancock


    (10 minutes SW on Hwy 9)

  • Annual July 4th Celebration
  • Herman


    (20 minutes NW o Hwy 9)

  • Herman USA, film based on this town's high bachelor population

  • *it was in the nation's spotlight for awhile, which got to be in the Oprah Wimphrey Show (article) one year

    Hoffman


    (? minutes NE; N on Hwy 59; E on Hwy 27)

    ? Lake-one of the least busy, closest, beautiful lakes outside of Morris

    Milbank, SD

    New London


    (1 hour 5 minutes SW); SW on Hwy 9 and E. Hwy 9 from Benson)

    Ortonville

    (45 hour SW; W on Hwy 28 and S on Hwy 75)

    Sauke Centre


    (1 hour E on Hwy 28 along I-94)
    Sauk Centre, city website
    -I-94 Speedway Race Track: Doors Open 5:30p;Race starts @6p (Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for those between the ages of 12 and 17. Children under 12 are admitted free.)
    -St. Clair Lewis (one of the American Historic Places: History Minneosta) Days (see chamber of commerce)

    Spicer


    (1 hour and 10 minutes SW; SW on Hwy. 9 & E on Hwy 9 from Benson)
    *see GoodnewsMinnesota: Kandiyohi County-Spicer

  • Fourth of July, fireworks by Green Lake
  • Melvins on the Lake, restaurant
  • Starbuck


    (20 miles east on Hwy. 28)
    *see GoodnewsMinnesota Pope County-Starbuck

  • BusinBusinesses
  • Starbuck Times
  • St. Cloud


    (1 1/2 hour SE; E on Hwy 28 to SE on I-94))
    Spirit 93, positive hits
    St. Cloud Times -check out the indoor water park
    -go clubing
    -restaurants:
    TGI Fridays
    3945 W. DIVISION STREET
    ST. CLOUD, MN 56301
    Tel (320) 251-2400
    Fax (320) 251-7432
    [Division Street and Highway 15 at Crossroads Center! or between Park Ave. S & Hwy 15 ]
    -shopping centers
    Best Shopping Centers, from 10 best.com
    Crossroads Center
    St. Cloud Dowtown

    Swift Falls


    (35 minutes SW; SW on Hwy 9; E on Hwy ?; N on Hwy 29; E on Hwy ?)

    Swift Falls Park-along Chippewa River

  • Starbuck's Heritage Days
  • Terrace City


  • Terrace Mill, one of the scenic attractions listed in vikingland

  • Other Sites: (official)

    Wahpeton, ND


    (1 hour NW on Hwy 9/75-going to Fargo)
    Chahinkapa Zoo
    *closest zoo to Morris

    Wheaton

    Willmar


    (1 hour SE on Hwy 9)
    *see Goodnews Minnesota: Kandiyohi-Willmar
    West Central Tribune
    Willmar, other city website
    Willmar City Guide
    Wilmar Area Lakes Chamber of Commerce
    See You in Willmar, list of entertainment (e.g. night life)
    Z Wire
    -go rollerskaing/rollerblading at their music entertainment rink center (close)
    -Wilmar Lakes Area, includes Winter Fest (starts in January)
    -shop at Kandi Mall
    -check out the various concerts at the Wilmar Civic Center throughout the area (especially Soneshine Festival!)

    West Central Area

    as a whole

    Attractions

  • Explore Minnesota: West Central Minnesota, Where Art Circles the Lakes
  • Glaical Ridge Trail Scenic Byways
  • Counties

  • Big Stone County Fair (Clinton, Graceville, Ortonville, etc...), from June 18th-20th 2004
  • Douglas County , in Alexandria

  • *the biggest county fair around the Morris area!
  • Grant County- Herald-newspaper (Elbow Lake,)
  • Pope County, (Glenwood, Starbuck, Long Lake,
  • Stevens County (Alberta, Cyrus, Donnely, Hancock, Morris, etc..)
  • 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)

  • West Central Minnesota Communities Action Helping People - Changing Lives - Improving Communities

  • "Morris" Name?

    Here is interesting-fun fact about the name "Morris":

  • Real Jim Morris, who never gave-up on his dream to play baseball (Disney Movie: "Rookie" was inspired by his biography)
  • Another on Morris' Area High School's Mascot Tigers:

  • The Homcoming, by World Wide Pictures

  • has similar relation to Morris...


    Community Services

    Local Morris (christian opportunities)-Stevens County Area

    "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
    -Jeremiah 29:7

    Churches

    [Assumption Catholic Church] [Faith Lutheran] [Federated Church of UM] [First Baptist in yahoo search] [First Lutheran Church] [Hossana Worship Center of AG] [Morris Community Church] [Morris Evangelical Free Church] [St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran] [Zion Lutheran Church]...more or church angel directory


    Directory

  • Morris Area Guide
  • Morris Yellow-White Pages
  • Transportation

  • Minnesota Road Traveler Info-511

  • 651-296-3000 metro area
    800-657-3774 toll free
    511 for regional traffic advisory

    Thank you for visiting GoodnewsUMM! Please feel free to e-mail me (Sal) at goodnews_usa@yahoo.com on any comments, suggestions (e.g. any new websites),complaints, or anytype of feedback to improve this website.


    Return to Good News UMM

    This page is dedicated to:

    Morris Nomiated As A Finalist to All-American City!

    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

    *Special Announcements

    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!!

    Come to a picnic

    Thursday, May 27th, 2004 from 5:00pm – 6:30pm at East Side Park in Morris and help raise funds to make Morris an “All-America City!

    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).

    Come to Picnic Ad

    Menu
    BBQ beef, beans, chips, soda, etc.

    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.

    What Happened in Atlanta?

    (Sal's Morris: All American City Finalist 04' Report)

    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

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