The first time around, a Community Dialogue hosted by Northern Great Plains of Fargo to discuss Wadena's present but also its future, much of the discussion centered around how well positioned Wadena is to care for retirees in the next 20-30 years.
But it was some background interviews with students at Wadena-Deer Creek High School that may remind participants to be careful about how they talk about being a retirement community.
Jerry Nagel, the director of the Fargo non-profit group facilitating the meetings, said in a report after the Feb. 5 dialogue that there may be a communication gap developing when adults talk about Wadena in terms of being geared for retirement and what our young people hear.
When Nagel and another staff member from NGP interviewed six high school juniors and seniors, they heard a different message when the idea of being a retirement community was raised.
When kids hear "retirement," they hear "old," Nagel explained.
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"It seems to us that there is a disconnect between what Wadena's young people think and what the 'adults' think," Nagel said. "Bridging these views is important to the future of Wadena."
Nagel said he thought at the dialogue itself Feb. 5, two groups were underrepresented: students and blue-collar workers. He said he's hoping that will be better at the next scheduled dialogue, from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at Minnesota State Community and Technical College--Wadena.
For instance, Nagel suggested a topic of conversation to get the group more focused on how young people view the community.
"What is 'it' that the current class of kindergarteners will praise us for when they are high school seniors for having dared to start in Wadena today?" Nagel posed.
NGP completed an extensive report about the attitudes and discussion topics at the first dialogue. Much of the discussion centered around sustainable agriculture, infrastructure needs, what makes the community special, and preserving a sense of community. The full report can be downloaded and read at www.wadenapj.com .
