Building Community Connections

03/09/2024

The Westby Norse Market is fast approaching. If you're interested in being a vendor at this summer's Norse Markets in June and August please complete this online form.

5:00-8:00 PM, June 6 & August 8

10/11/2023

2024 Westby Area Kindness Initiative

Who can argue against spreading kindness? The purpose of this initiative is to have a community dialogue about showing kindness to one another. These conversations will take place at school, and hopefully in churches, businesses, and community organizations. Our hope is to have a culminating event in late spring/early summer of 2024 with a yard sign campaign asking one another to show kindness to everyone.

So what do we do?

In school, our elementary students will study the story/movie “Wonder.” The underlying theme of the story is how important the simple act of kindness was for the main character.

In the middle school, our students may read Augie and Me which is a sequel to the acclaimed book, Wonder. Again, the underlying theme is one of showing kindness to one another.

In the middle and high school, we are working with the author of Ryan’s Story, John Halligan, to possibly do a school presentation (and parent presentation) on su***de prevention as well as bullying prevention through the lens of showing kindness and offering support to those around you.

We will be asking clergy to incorporate the “Golden Rule” and other messages about kindness.

We will be asking community organizations to dedicate some time to talk about how kindness can be incorporated into their work.

Though we’re not asking for there to be “homework” for anyone, it would be great to share what we’ve done to talk about showing kindness at our Building Community Connections meetings.

Tentative Timeline for Building Community Connections Meetings

October 14, 2:00 Brief overview of the Kindness initiative (community lunch at 1:00, Westby C**n Prairie Lutheran Church)

February-Report back on early steps in having conversations about kindness-update on John Halligan presentation

April-Building Community Connections Meeting-More reports about what has been done in fostering conversations about kindness-distribute yard signs

May-Yard signs displayed

Finally, in May or June, we will celebrate our community’s focus on kindness through a simple yard sign campaign where interested folks would simply display a yard sign about showing kindness.

There are plenty of ways to take this in a different direction as appropriate for your organization…please feel free! Our hope is that in some way, our entire community (kids, businesses, churches, families, etc.) will have a dedicated conversation about kindness through this experience and that we can find unity through this work.

Steve Michaels and Lori Pedretti, members of the Building Community Connections group

[email protected]

[email protected]

09/05/2023

Tonight!! Thursday, September 7th is our final Norse Market for 2023. Please join us if you can for great food, vendors, music and entertainment for everyone.

07/05/2023

It's not too late to sign up as a vendor for our next Norse Market on July 13th. There's something for everyone, great food, crafts, sweets, meats, face painting, books, jewelry, music, drinks and more.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMebx5DDpLi2P0EqI2hQBHf_cubAW0gnrSNM2RbdVKjfb_bw/viewform?usp=sf_link

06/08/2023

Happening now, come join us at the Westby Norse Market!

06/08/2023

Join us tonight (Thurs, June 8th) from 5-8 for another fun night at Westby Norse Market. Lots of amazing food, vendors, great music, face painting, adult beverages and fun for all ages.

01/27/2023

Recommendations for customized, affordable yard signs, 18 x 74. I need A LOT!