Winona Chronicle

Your Window to the Bluffs Since 2026

Winona, Minnesota

Category: Community

  • Saint Mary’s University Launches New Environmental Science Center

    Saint Mary’s University has officially opened its new $22 million Environmental Science and Sustainability Center, a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility perched on the bluffs overlooking the Winona campus.

    The 35,000-square-foot building features water quality testing laboratories, a GIS mapping center, greenhouse research space, and a living green roof that serves as both an insulation system and an outdoor classroom. Large windows throughout the building frame views of the Mississippi River valley below.

    “Our location in the Driftless Region gives students access to one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the Upper Midwest,” said center director Dr. Maria Santos. “This building allows us to study it at a level that wasn’t possible before.”

    The center will partner with local organizations on community science projects, including water quality monitoring on the Mississippi and bluff prairie restoration research. Public lecture series begin in September.

  • Winona Farmers Market Opens Season with Record Vendor Count

    The Winona Farmers Market opens its 2026 season this Saturday on the Levee Park grounds with a record 62 vendors — the largest lineup in the market’s 35-year history.

    New vendors this year include a Hmong flower farm from the Stockton Valley, an artisan cheese maker from Whitewater Township, and a wood-fired pizza operation using locally milled flour. Returning favorites include Keenan Family Farm’s heritage tomatoes and Bluff Ridge Apiary’s wildflower honey.

    “The demand for local food in the river valley keeps growing,” said market manager Jean Schultz. “We had a waiting list of vendors this year for the first time ever.”

    The market operates every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon, May through October. Live music begins at 9 a.m., and a new kids’ garden activity area will offer planting workshops throughout the season.

  • Bluff Country Co-op Breaks Ground on Expanded Community Market

    Bluff Country Co-op celebrated its long-awaited expansion Saturday with a groundbreaking ceremony on Second Street, where the beloved community-owned grocery will nearly double its retail space over the next 14 months.

    The $4.2 million project will add 6,000 square feet to the existing store, including an expanded produce section featuring more locally grown fruits and vegetables, a full-service deli with indoor seating, and a dedicated bulk foods aisle. A rooftop solar array will provide 40% of the building’s electricity.

    “This expansion belongs to our 3,800 member-owners,” said general manager Ruth Halverson. “They invested in this vision, and now it’s becoming real.”

    The co-op will remain open during construction, with temporary adjustments to the store layout. The expanded market is expected to open in summer 2027 and will create 15 new full-time positions.

  • Sugar Loaf Bluff Trail Restoration Completed After Two-Year Effort

    The iconic Sugar Loaf Bluff trail system has officially reopened following a two-year, $1.8 million restoration effort that repaired erosion damage, improved safety features, and added new interpretive signage throughout the landmark’s network of hiking paths.

    The project, funded through a partnership between the City of Winona, the Minnesota DNR, and the Winona County Historical Society, addressed severe erosion on the north face trail and stabilized several sections with engineered stone steps and water management features.

    New additions include a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform at the 500-foot summit offering panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley, Latsch Island, and the Wisconsin bluffs beyond.

    “Sugar Loaf is Winona’s most recognizable landmark,” said Parks Director Tom Brogan. “This restoration ensures it will be here for future generations to enjoy.” The trails are open dawn to dusk year-round.

  • Great River Shakespeare Festival Announces Landmark 20th Season

    The Great River Shakespeare Festival has unveiled its 20th anniversary season lineup, featuring three productions running in repertory from June through August at Winona State University’s Performing Arts Center.

    This summer’s slate includes “The Tempest,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and a world premiere adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” set along the Mississippi River bluffs. The anniversary season will also feature special events including a gala celebration, talkback sessions with actors, and a free outdoor performance in Levee Park.

    Artistic director Claire Weissmann called the milestone season a testament to Winona’s cultural ambition. “Twenty years ago, a professional Shakespeare festival in a small Minnesota river town seemed like a dream. Today we’re one of the most respected regional Shakespeare companies in the country.”

    Season subscriptions are on sale now at grsf.org, with single tickets available starting May 1. Student rush tickets will be offered at every performance.