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There were the tears, the smiles. There were handshakes and hugs. But mostly, there were neighbors — folks coming together on common ground to celebrate the threads that connect us.
The day began and ended at Lake Park. A sunrise ceremony welcomed the daylight, and fireworks lit up the night sky. In between, the governor came to town. American Indians reminded us of a deeper legacy. And, of course, we had a party.
Our pride
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty reflected on the state’s rich history when he kicked off the day’s events with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.
He said that Winona is a great example of that rich tradition, noting the river’s role and the lush agriculture of the river valley.
“It’s one of the prettiest parts of the state,” the governor said.
Pawlenty also remarked that Minnesota leads the nation on many counts, such as education, giving to charity and volunteerism.
“We sometimes joke about Minnesota nice,” he said. “That’s not just a slogan, it’s true. We don’t measure Minnesota by what we do. ... We also measure Minnesota by how we live.”
The Minnesota Sesquicentennial postal stamp — an aerial photograph of the Upper Mississippi River Valley taken in Winona — was also unveiled at the morning ceremony.
The original poster-sized 41-cent stamp will be given to the Winona County Historical Society, the governor announced.
Pawlenty was joined by other state leaders, including Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes and Rep. Gene Pelowski, who led a student model legislature at City Hall.
Later, Winonans breakfasting at Timbers restaurant had a surprise visit from Pawlenty, who broadcasted his weekly radio show live from the downtown diner.
His weekly radio show, “Good Morning, Minnesota,” is aired on 16 stations around the state, including Winona’s KWNO.
Winona Radio owner Jerry Papenfuss was welcomed on air by the governor to share some of Winona’s history with listeners. He spoke of the town’s journey from its roots in the lumber industry to a worldwide center for composite engineering.
“We’re Winonans who love our community,” Papenfuss said, “and are willing to invest our time and talents into the community.”
Our history
For Ramona Kitto, Winona’s Capital for a Day celebration ran a bit deeper than 150 years.
Kitto, a Dakota woman from St. Paul, came to town to share her history and that of the Dakota Nation during a Truth and Reconciliation Circle, one of the sesquicentennial events held at Lake Park. About 40 people gathered to listen to native people share their heritage.
“Minnesotans are celebrating their connection to this place, and, of course, it’s beautiful,” said Kitto, whose Dakota name Iupseyusewin means “the woman who holds the reigns.” “But we can’t celebrate 150 years when our people have been around for thousands.“
The role of American Indians in Minnesota’s birthday celebrations has sprung statewide concern. A gathering at the state Capitol earlier this week brought protests from American Indians and supporters who wanted a larger role in the sesquicentennial observance.
Janice Bad Moccasin (Cetauskauwacinwin in Dakota) spoke of her childhood on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation, where many Dakota people were exiled after the Sioux Uprising of 1862.
She said her family had been broken up by alcoholism, and many necessary services had been cut from the reservation.
“We need funding for healing programs,” she said. She also asked the community for prayers.
Both native people and descendents of later settlers learned of past and present struggles faced by American Indian tribes.
“We’ve learned truth this morning,” Joe Morse of Winona Unified said. “The reconciliation is action.”
Pawlenty acknowledged this history in his morning speech. “The sesquicentennial by itself is just a birthday, a marking on the calendar,” he said. “It didn’t just begin with statehood. Native people were here before our state.”
Our town, our future
At an afternoon community forum, residents and local government leaders agreed that the quality of life in and around Winona is strong but could be better.
This discussion, which has been held in communities around the state, shifted the day’s focus from Winona’s 150-year-plus history to its future.
The small group said they were proud of Winona’s culture and its longstanding legacy in education and business.
Winona Mayor Jerry Miller said it’s important to sustain Winona’s attractiveness for raising families and creating good jobs.
For Pat Denzer and her friend, Rosie, who have been neighbors for more than 30 years, it’s the closeness of being an “island city” that defines Winona.
The friends walked around Lake Winona and planned to watch the fireworks show.
“You got that protection (between the river and bluffs),” Denzer said. “It’s safe here.”
About 10,000 people cast votes to name honorary Capital for a Day cities during Minnesota Statehood Week. Winona represents the Driftless Region of southeastern Minnesota, the only area of the state not affected by glaciers. It was chosen because of its history and natural beauty, as a pioneer town and because of its strong American Indian presence, said planning committee members.
In the afternoon, families gathered near the lake to picnic, enjoy sunny skies and stake out the best spot to watch the fireworks display. Neighbors chatted with neighbors. Friends waved hello from across the park.
Perhaps a T-shirt worn by committee members summed up the day best: “We’re not driftless. We know exactly where we are. Winona.”
