What kind of state are we leaving future generations?

What are our hopes and dreams for Minnesota's future? What legacies are Minnesotans leaving their children and children's children?

The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is hosting a series of statewide forums to ask these questions and more. Called Plan for Our Future: Many Voices-One Minnesota, the community gatherings provide a snapshot of Minnesotans’ ideas for the future at the crossroads of the state's 150th year.

"[The Sesquicentennial]is an opportunity to take stock of where we are as a state and set goals for ourselves to prepare for a demanding future," said Sesquicentennial Executive Director Jane Leonard.

Several Plan for Our Future forums are scheduled throughout west central Minnesota. Forums have already been held in Moorhead and Elbow Lake.

Visit WCI's online events calendar for locations, dates and time.

Detroit Lakes chosen as a "capital for a day"

Detroit Lakes is one of five rural Minnesota communities that was chosen as"capital for a day" to celebrate the state's sesquicentennial in 2008.

DL, along with Bemidji, New Ulm, Thief River Falls and Winona, will be recognized during Minnesota’s Statehood Week, May 11th – 18th, 2008. Communities will work with the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission to plan activities and help raise awareness for that area. Activities could include any number of events; visits by Sesquicentennial Commission members, tours of the town, picnics, recognizing Sesquicentennial grant winners, or hosting civic engagement roundtable discussions.

Will state's capital move to west central Minnesota?

Minnesota communities will vie for the honorary title of "Capital for a Day" in May 2008 as part of Minnesota's 150th celebration.

Residents will nominate and vote via the Sesquicentennial Web site for the five cities that will represent Minnesota's five geographical areas. West central Minnesota is in the prairie grasslands and deciduous forest zones of the state.

To vote for your favorite west central Minnesota town, county, region, reservation or township, visit http://www.mn150years.org/.

Get ready to celebrate 150 years of statehood!

The State of Minnesota is gearing up for a grand celebration in 2008 to commemorate its Sesquicentennial. The actual date of the 150th anniversary is May 11, 2008. In the meantime, the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission is eager to get people involved, including providing grant opportunities for state organizations.

Keep looking back for more information about the Sesquicentennial, and West Central Initiative's involvement.