The Whistle Stop: Planning an old fashioned Christmas

By Joanne Kellner
DPA

This week the Depot Preservation Alliance members and volunteers are resting up a bit following our wonderful celebration of the Grand Re-Opening of the Baudette Depot. Although the Depot is not technically “open” since some final construction work remains to be completed, our goal was to celebrate with the community the 99% completion while the weather was cooperative. The contractors took a week off to rest up a bit as well. They should return soon with a major push to finish all of the construction activities by the end of November. Thank you to all who worked so hard and to all who came.
In the meantime, we are moving ahead with our planned “Old Fashioned Christmas at the Depot” on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The day will feature area artisans displaying and selling their fine works, entertainment, food, and activities for children. More details will be forthcoming soon.
Applications are available for the business rental space (approx.. 600 sq. ft.), the apartment (approx.. 600 sq. ft.), and the facility rental space of the general lobby and freight rooms. Inquiries may be sent to the: DPA; P.O. Box 1238; Baudette, MN 56623. We anticipate that the apartment and business rental spaces will both be available by late December or January 1, 2013.
The Depot Restoration Project is a great example of a community based initiative to connect people, share credible tools, knowledge, and resources while solving community problems. Working together, listening, co-creating – the lessons learned provide new opportunities for all to shape the community and make a lasting difference in the region. Each person can help to change a community, to make a difference. Just as a pebble tossed into a pond creates a widening ripple, each dollar donated toward this dream of a restored Baudette Depot reaches far beyond its initial impact.
We thank all of the people who have worked so hard since the original dream to save the Baudette Depot from an imminent date with a wrecking ball back in 1996-97. Your collective efforts have demonstrated what is possible when people join together in a common goal for the community.
David Grabitske from the Minnesota Historical Society shared with the DPA Board during the Grand Re-Opening that the Baudette Depot Project is one of only three projects in the entire State of Minnesota that has successfully combined the Federal Transportation History Network Grant Program with Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants Program to complete a project! Much hard work by many willing workers does make a difference – you are invited to join us. Meetings – first Wednesday of the month at 4:30. November meeting will be at the LOW County Highway Office.
If you missed the Grand Re-Opening and would like a copy of the special supplement produced by the Northern Light, the event program, the “artists’ statement brochure, and the Discover the Depot brochure,” please send name, address, and payment of five dollars to the above address.

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