Category Archives: RCommunity

Oct20

Sustainability

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Michelle

I live in the world of community planning and development. Tourism can be viewed both negatively or positively-depending on who is at the table. Mass tourism, historic, medical, agri-tourism are only a few examples of the variety of experiences available to a traveler. The other side of this equation is the site itself and the impacts tourism has on that location and it’s people. I believe that by carefully examining the reason why an attraction is created-the intention, and monitoring its potential effects on the existing community as well as the geographic location can be powerful. To start this conversation, Sustaining Tourism has created a list of questions developers and community leaders should consider throughout the planning process to better navigate tourism development.

Image by Hospitality Times

Jun20

Passion + Action = Innovation

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Michelle

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In 2009, a resident of Hudson WI built a tribute to his mother-a former school teacher. Todd Bol created a miniature box filled with free books. His willingness to connect innovative ideas of others, create a shared space, and give back to his community became the cornerstone of the Little Free Library movement. In partnership with Rick Brooks, they created an enterprise model that has supported the installation of over 40,000 registered libraries in all 50 states and 70 counties around the world.

What developed out of Bol’s interests created a revolutionary way to support literacy, bring together neighbors and connect visitors/tourists to a community.

How have you made a positive mark on your community, region, state or the world?

Jun16

A little something unexpected…

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Michelle

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I love it when I visit a community and spot something unexpected in the shared spaces. In this instance it was a poetry embedding in a sidewalk at a local, community park.

May18

Shared Spaces

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Michelle

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Public spaces are shared by both residents and visitors alike. With the weather warming community streets are full of life. If your community looks vacant chances are it needs a space and reason to pull people out of their homes. For a small investment, a community can grow public interest. Consider pocket parks, and set aside a dedicated space for neighbors, students, retirees, tourists and passer-byes to stop, chat and/or relax.

Sep10

Free Access to Maps

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Michelle

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If you are investigating new locations, you might be interested in traveling to, check out Britannica online. They offer a free, interactive map on places (country, city, state, and/or providence) around the world. This resource provides the basic demographic information, including the flag, land area, people, etc., that you might find of interest.

Simply click to begin your search.

Tip: If you have a child, that is still in school, this might be the perfect start to his/her research paper.

Image by Dirkb86. Retrieved from Flickr and used under Creative Commons Licensing. Some rights reserved.

Aug30

Bon Voyage!

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Michelle

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Wikivoyage Logo

Wikipedia is adding “Wikivoyage” to their long list of free services. Following the traditional platform input is gathered from the audience which means it can be edited by all. I think of it as a public travel blog. Check out what another fellow blogger Jon Mitchell has said about this Wikivoyage in a recent post.

Aug7

Interpretive Writing Workshop Opportunity

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Michelle

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The Art of Interpretive Writing

Image provided by Alan Leftridge. Some rights reserved.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd East
Bloomington, Minnesota
Saturday, September 14, 2013
9 am to 4:30 pm
Write compelling interpretive messages! This workshop offers you the basics of interpretive writing that apply to signage, exhibit labels, brochures, websites, public service announcements, books, and magazines. You will understand how to create clear, dynamic, and concise interpretive texts, reveal meanings, and ways to excite visitors about your site, whether it is a museum, park, zoo, nature center, or aquarium.

Topics include: The Interpretive Writing Process · Concept Mapping · Universal Concepts · The Five Elements of Interpretive Writing · Meeting Your Audience’s Needs · Concise Wording · Keeping Your Reader’s Attention · The Importance of Fluency · Redundant Wording · Understanding Readability Indexes · Using a Human Interest Scale ·Capturing Your Reader’s Attention · What to Avoid · Connecting with a Narrative · The Editing Process · Evaluation

The fee is $295 and includes instruction, refreshments, handouts, and a copy of the Interpretive Writing textbook.
Contact Alan Leftridge, leftridge@blackfoot.net, 406.754.2940 to register.
Alan Leftridge, Ph.D., is the author of Interpretive Writing, and specializes in interpretive
training seminars across North America. Access leftridge.com for additional information.

Aug6

World Conference!

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Michelle

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Nature. Image by Moyan Brenn. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Ecotourism is considered an alternative form of tourism for travelers. These destinations provide an educational component, capture a larger portion of revenue locally, and strive to minimize the impact generated by the tourists/tourism. Often the main focus is on the natural environment and indigenous peoples and/or cultures.

To learn more about ecotourism you can visit the International Ecotourism Society.

If you are interested in attended the 2013 World Conference this September, click here for details.

Jul29

School Tour!

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Michelle

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Sauk Centre, MN. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

This past weekend I stumble upon an open house tour of a beautifully staged one-room schoolhouse.

These historic buildings are a piece of American history, signifying early settlements in rural communities across the United States. Before the construction of a more modern school building and the convenience of being driven to school in large orange buses. Children would walk or ride horse (sleigh and buggy) to a small schoolhouse that consisted of a singular room where multiple grades were taught by one teacher.

Many of these structures have been lost over the last century; burned, left to decay, torn down, salvaged for parts and even re-purposed as single family homes. However, some have been saved for special events, school field trips, history day classes and community museums-open to the public like the one my son and I visited in Sauk Centre, MN. We would like to thank the kind retired school teacher who talked about her years as a teacher and shared her story with us.

If you are interested in learning more about these iconic structures, the One-Room Schoolhouse Center website was created in 1998 and provides a host of information about early education in the United States. Tip: Click on the “Villages/Museum” link to find a site near you.

Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.

Jul24

Bucket List Expeditions?

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Michelle

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Bucket. Image by mil8. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.

The phase “bucket list” has become a part of pop-culture. It refers to a list of life-time, desired achievements. Over the last few years, the idea of creating a personal “bucket list” has become a growing trend. And, of course, often travel is at the epicenter. If you are in the process of creating a list, click here to include a Tour(s) of a Lifetime. Complied by National Geographic, it includes a list of 50 of the best guided expeditions in the world.

TIP: For additional ideas, consider perusing the BucketList.org for popular list items or recently completed tasks (upper right corner). If you choose to become a member (at no cost) you can compile, track and share your list with friends, family and other task masters.