TR Main Street Top 10

I'm working on the Stumpjack Scat end-of-year newsletter and the annual Top 10 list. It occurred to me that the Two Rivers Main Street program (TRMS), of which I am a part, also has a viable Top 10 list for this year of 2010. Of course, this list of Top 10 noteworthy items is entirely my opinion. Others associated with the program may have different opinions on what such a list might consist of. But as I was the President for the majority of the year and was deeper in the mix of things than most I think I can fairly lay claim to identifying a valid Top 10 list of accomplishments for the program.

Here you go. The Two Rivers Main Street Top 10 of 2010:

10. June 24-25, 2011 Two Rivers will play host to what I understand is the biggest Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rally in the state each year, the 2011 WI State H.O.G. Rally. Credit for securing this event in TR goes to a number of people, in particular City Manager and TRMS board member Greg Buckley who, by several accounts, made a masterful presentation to the judging panel (I understand that videographer Mark Matthews' video of the community, which was shown as part of Greg's presentation, was also most impressive). There were, of course, several individuals who worked to make this happen, including TRMS Main Street Executive Director Tammy Schinker, who played an important role and whose presence at the presentation in Fond Du Lac was surely a factor in the success of the bid. TRMS will play an important role in the success of this event in 2011.

9. 2011. It might seem odd to include 2011 in a list of accomplishments for 2010, but this is the first year since I've been a part of TRMS that I am aware that the four principle Main Street committees (Design; Economic Restructuring; Organization; Promotion) created detailed work plans for the forthcoming year. This kind of planning and attention to detail is what will help ensure successful events and projects, and, by extension, a successful realization of the program's goals to reinvigorate the downtown community.

8. Losses of key people. With the exception of an Executive Director, Main Street functions as a volunteer group. A board of directors makes decisions concerning projects and events and, along with other non-board volunteers, jumps in to do a lot of the heavy lifting that makes good things happen. Board members serve terms of one or two years (and often quite a few more). The point is that the board is, or should be, in a fairly constant state of transition as terms expire and new people join. But it is always challenging, with any such board of directors, to replace people who are positive forces in the success of the program. 2010 saw the departure of one such person in Bobbi Schuetze, who left the board and the city for a more peaceful & balanced existence in northern Wisconsin. Bobbi was/is one of those people of seemingly tireless energy who made things happen. I wish she was still here and still a part of TRMS.

7. Flowers. Oftentimes it's the "little things" that make a big difference. This year that little thing was the TRMS downtown flowers project. Lead by board member Theresa Schroeder this project placed several dozen large pots of flowers up and down Washington Street and not only added an element of beauty and vibrancy to the downtown but was, I think, very important for a program that was in the process of finding its feet again. We needed a project like this, that was a non-festival type event, to get the pump primed and get the blood flowing again, so to speak. It was fun, it was worthwhile (we'll be doing it again in 2011), and it showed the community that Main Street was active and recharged.

Theresa Schroeder & Carol Schwantes place flowers downtown.

6. Progress Visit. In November the State of Wisconsin Main Street Program made what is supposed to be their semi-regular Progress Visit, wherein they evaluate the condition of a community's Main Street program. Two Rivers had not had a Progress Visit for many years, and considering the status of the TRMS program earlier in the year there was some doubt as to whether such a visit would even take place, and if it did, what unpleasant things might they see.

BUT...the results of the state's Progress Visit was really quite the opposite. They were quite impressed with how far the program had come and the positive progress that had been made in such a relatively short period of time. While the program was not yet firing on all cylinders, we had managed to overcome and correct some major obstacles and were on our way to creating a vibrant and influential program once again. In their final report they offered some great observations and sound advice that, if heeded, will no doubt help propel the program to an even more successful 2011.

5. Theresa Schroeder. It's my list and I can single out individuals if I wish! One of the more pleasant surprises to me personally has been watching the growth and blossoming of board member Theresa Schroeder. My initial impression of Theresa was that she was a thoughtful and sweet woman (which she certainly is) but that she was also too "quiet" and willing to stand on the sidelines. I didn't think she was someone who had leadership qualities. Turned out that while my initial impressions were probably fair at the time (I think she would also affirm that it took her a little while to get comfortable) I was shown to be very wrong in the end. She is not only a thoughtful and intelligent individual who possesses an enviable ability to observe and analyze situations, but also has an energy and willingness to step forward when no-one else will. Her ideas are creative and sound, and she has earned the respect of every board member for her fair-mindedness and hard work (she also manages Schroeders Department Store in Two Rivers, successfully carrying on a family business that has been a fixture in the community for many decades). It's been a pleasure to come to know her as a friend as well.

When officer elections came up last month I resigned my position as President and quickly nominated Theresa, who had been the Vice-President until then. She was easily and unanimously approved. While officer elections are again slated to take place in, I believe, March of 2011 (they got postponed until November this year) I would hope and expect the board to reaffirm Theresa's position as board President for the entirety of 2011.

4. Ethnic Fest. Ethnic Fest is the biggest event every year. It draws the most people, is the most financially successful day for many downtown businesses, and is a helluva lot of fun with a ton of live music, food and vendors up and down Washington Street, which closes to auto traffic for the day. This was TRMS' new Executive Director Tammy Schinker's first big event as Exec. Dir., and she did a fantastic job. We had four headlining musical acts this year, a second entertainment stage at the north end of the street, and just more "stuff" all around. Pulling off a successful Ethnic Fest is very important for the program, and that goal was accomplished, in spades.

The Omo-Ana group at Ethnic Fest.

3. Full Board. It seems like it's been a good long while since TRMS has had a board of directors with every seat filled. It took no small amount of work and persistence but for the first time in over a year we have a full board. It was not uncommon at many meetings prior to today to have to take a moment to figure out if we even had a quorum at hand. Also, not only do we have a full board, but we have a full board of active and engaged members, people who are eager and motivated to make a positive difference. It's really quite nice to walk into a board meeting, like I did yesterday, and have to pull an empty seat up to the table and have people "scooch" in to make room. This is no small thing and bodes well for a successful 2011.

2. It's Alive! The first few months of 2010 were a very shaky time for TRMS. We had no Executive Director, a half-filled board of directors, no solid work-plan agenda for the year (other than to hire an Executive Director), committees that were meeting sporadically, and a fairly uncertain future. A few of us did double and triple duty to try to keep the ship afloat, and I think we did an admirable job in spite of often largely feeling like we were finding our way in the dark along with having full-time-plus regular jobs. We not only survived but we kept the fire burning while fending off assaults from some corners who seemed more interested in using the faltering program to enhance their own personal political agendas. It was a hairy, irritating and oftentimes discouraging time. But all's well that ends well.

1. TRMS Executive Director Tammy Schinker. The program's most urgent and important task this year was to find and hire a qualified and competent Executive Director. As I mentioned above, the first several months of the year the program functioned without this very vital component. A program like Main Street cannot function optimally or even "satisfactorily" without an effective Executive Director, someone who is able to wear several hats, deal effectively with all sorts of different personalities, and devote him- or herself to the myriad tasks that running a Main Street program demands. It is, I believe, the hardest and most under-appreciated job in the entire city.

After many weeks of placing announcements for the position out into cyberspace and via other media, interviewing and debating the merits of numerous candidates, and then doing it all over again, the board finally settled on someone whom I believe is going to help the Two Rivers Main Street program become a viable candidate for the Great American Main Street Award.

Tammy Schinker is proving to be a dynamic, fearless, thoughtful and effective leader for TRMS. She is the face of the program and is someone that both the program and the entire community can be very proud of. She has conducted herself with grace (very often under a good deal of pressure), intelligence and kindness. She was able to quickly organize a chaotic office and informational system, get the committees on track, effectively address various issues that had needed to be addressed, and is leading the way to what I believe will be a very impressive and successful series of projects and events in 2011. The final piece of the puzzle is in place with Tammy, and that's why it's number one on my TR Main Street Top 10 list.