Opinion | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Midway Chamber Board members and staff gather at the Neighborhood Development Center in June to set the organization’s priorities. (Photo submitted)

The Midway Chamber Board of Directors recently held its annual retreat. This is common practice for nonprofits and a great way to focus on priorities and the strategies to implement work for the … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 7/10/24

Elise Washington shared her advocacy journey as a mom of a special needs child through her book, “Tika Speaks.” (Photo submitted)

Read together, lead together

I interviewed Elise Washington to gain new insights into how families can inspire children to learn, grow, and lead. Elise Washington is known as Wonder Teacher Washington because for years she has … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 7/10/24

Cultivating cooperation, community, and change

“The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class – it is the cause of human kind, the very birthright of humanity.” Anna Julia Cooper … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 7/10/24

Staying cool this summer? Thank a tree. Nature lover Gita Ghei shows us how. (Photo by Frogtown Green)

Can the heat, keep cool this summer

Do you remember how hot it was last summer? So far this year we have been enjoying cooler temperatures, but due to climate change, extreme heat events are on the rise. And very hot weather can … more

By Rennie Gaither | 7/10/24

Midway Chamber joins forces (and office space) with our district councils

Since the ‘90s, the Midway Chamber of Commerce has had an office at the Spruce Tree Centre. Anyone who spends time in the Midway knows it as the “big green tile building at the corner of … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 6/12/24

Finding Moses Dickson: The untold story of Minnesota and the Underground Railroad

I am sharing exciting news about Karen Sieber, historian, educator, and leader in public humanities this month. She has discovered a missing chapter in Minnesota’s history about our … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 6/12/24

28th Community Peace Celebration June 21

Happy beautiful June! This has been an exciting leap year, and it feels like we keep leaping through a Winkle in Time of historic and enchanting events, as well as sad and tragic events. For … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 6/12/24

From a mother who lost a child

FROM PRINCESS TITUS I feared writing about this topic, but I wanted us to be seen, heard and cared for without judgment. The truth that I face every day gets hard around holidays, but … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 5/8/24

Planting People Growing Justice book awards promote literacy and diversity in books

Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI) is committed to building inclusive communities. This is a daily journey that begins with growing futures – one child at a time and … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 5/8/24

TMC Publications CO is a small, family-run business. Here is owner Tesha M. Christensen with her two kiddos.

Bill will hurt small newspapers like us

A proposal to create a statewide recycling program financed by paper and packaging producers is included in the House & Senate Environment Omnibus bills ( HF 3911 / SF 3887 ). However, unless … more

5/7/24

Using the annual directory as a guide

With the April issue of the Monitor, many of you will also receive the annual Midway Chamber directory. At a minimum, I hope you will at least look through it to see what we want to emphasize from … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 4/10/24

Engaging the next generation of news consumers

Social media and the internet have fundamentally disrupted how news is consumed and how that news is monetized. News consumers are increasingly reading their news on social sites, enabling social … more

By Chuck Peters, Ambit founder | 4/10/24

Celebrating Rondo royalty: reflections on history and values

On March 9, 2024, history came alive as our community united to commemorate the release of “Rondo: History and Values” at the Rondo Community Library. The collaboration between local … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 4/10/24

A tough message from a Jewish man

“Mistakes are a fact of life. It’s the response to the error that counts.” Nikki Giovanni “Undoubtedly, we become what we envisage.” Claude Bristol … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 4/10/24

Women’s History Month: Celebrating local educator and civil rights leader Dr. Josie Johnson

March blooms with the essence of Women’s History Month, a time to honor the fearless trailblazers who have planted seeds of social change. As we reap a bountiful harvest of justice and freedom, … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 3/13/24

Letters

NEWSPAPERS ARE IMPORTANT I received my Midway Como Frogtown Monitor delivered to my door today. I just read your column, so I’m writing to tell you that I got my paper. Thanks for your … more

3/13/24

Meet potter of Front Avenue Pottery & Tile

Drawing inspiration from Como Park wild life and her Wadena childhood lake country, Mary Jo Schmith creates unique, stoneware dinner, serving ware and commissioned tile installations at Front Avenue … more

By Sonjie Johnson | 3/13/24

Our 2024 awards

On March 2, 2024, the Midway Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Celebration. This is our biggest event every year and one of the highlights of the evening is honoring members with awards. Our five … more

By Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, chad@midwaychamber.com | 3/13/24

Try a morning ritual for well-being

“Nobody’s free until everyone’s free.” Fannie Lou Hamer Hello Monitor readers, How was your February Leap Month and day? How was your Black … more

By Melvin Giles, peacebubbles@q.com | 3/13/24

Getting the paper to your front door just got a little harder

Being a small business owner has its good and bad days. In late December 2023, we got some tough news. Independent Delivery Service (IDS), a staple in the Twin Cities for 50 years, was shutting down … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 2/7/24