The Minnesota Goodbye

Our Neighborhood Storyteller closes out her final column with a traditionally (or not so traditionally?) Midwestern send-off.

Top StoryKarla TheilenDecember 13, 2022neighborhood storyteller 2 Comments

Finding the Pulse of My Hometown

Our Neighborhood Storyteller visits her hometown to both mourn and celebrate the changes that have happened there over the years.

Top StoryKarla TheilenDecember 4, 2022small towns, local business, restaurants, minnesota Be the First to Comment

The Squeeze of Time

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller connects with people in her community while working under pressure.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenNovember 27, 2022neighborhood storyteller Be the First to Comment

Mere's Magic Universe and Tea

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller connects with a new community and its residents through exploring downtown and some local businesses.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenNovember 13, 2022neighborhood storyteller, downtown, local business, community, localism, montana Be the First to Comment

Fortunes and Found Things

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller reflects on the joy of finding pleasant surprises in unexpected places—including in one’s community.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenNovember 6, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community Be the First to Comment

Holler if You Need Anything

Our Neighborhood Storyteller returns from her hiatus to share a tribute to her father, who has played a central role in several of her past stories.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenOctober 30, 2022neighborhood storyteller 2 Comments

Want To See the World’s Best Library of 2022? Look No Further!

Public spaces are an important investment, and as an example of a public space done right, look no further than Missoula, MT, which is home to the world’s best public library of 2022.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenOctober 9, 2022neighborhood storyteller, libraries, public space, children Be the First to Comment

Planes, Trains, and Buses

Stranded with a dying phone and no car, our Neighborhood Storyteller relies this week on public transit and the kindness of strangers to get where she needs to go.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenOctober 2, 2022neighborhood storyteller, bus, buses, public transportation, transportation, transit 1 Comment

Talking to Strangers

Our Neighborhood Storyteller reflects on beating social isolation—even in isolated places.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenSeptember 18, 2022neighborhood storyteller Be the First to Comment

The Block Party

This Sunday, a Strong Towns member invites our Neighborhood Storyteller to see how his neighborhood alliance is building community…with a block party!

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenSeptember 11, 2022neighborhood storyteller, montana, neighborhood association, community, community development, community engagement, neighborhoods Be the First to Comment

Show, Don't Tell

This Sunday, our Neighborhood Storyteller reflects on the craft of…well, storytelling!

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenAugust 28, 2022neighborhood storyteller Be the First to Comment

An Ode to the Early Morning Workers

This Sunday, our Neighborhood Storyteller gets up before the crack of dawn—and reflects on the sights and the people in our communities who normally go unseen by those who work a nine-to-five.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenAugust 21, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community Be the First to Comment

“I Can’t Remember the Name of That Place, but I’ll Never Forget the View”

On this Neighborhood Storyteller Sunday, Karla’s dentist—a local hero of sorts—gives her unexpected pause for reflection.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenAugust 14, 2022neighborhood storyteller Be the First to Comment

The Truth Will Come Through

Our Neighborhood Storyteller is now coming to you on Sundays, and this week we’ve got a story about building connections with others!

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenAugust 7, 2022neighborhood storyteller, radio Be the First to Comment

Burned Into Memory: Community Building in a Remote Fire Tower?

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller gets an unexpected—and delighted—visitor at her fire lookout tower.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenJuly 26, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, children, montana Be the First to Comment

Keeping Tabs on the Community Bulletin Board

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller reflects on ways she stays connected—at least in spirit—with her community, even when she’s physically far away.