Winona’s Healthy Habits Featuring Joe Tadie!
Winona’s Healthy Habits highlights Winonans who have adopted healthy habits that are helping them (and others) to lead a better life. If you (or someone you know) would like to be featured, please email info@livewellwinona.org.
Q) What do you want our readers to know about you?
I am a student at Saint Mary’s University, where I am studying Music Production, and I am working as a Fellow for Lead for America. I am serving a fellowship with Startup Winona and other local community organizations on projects based around equity, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. I love cooking and Prince is one of my favorite artists.
Q) What path leads you to your current role with the AmeriCorps/Startup?
I found lead for America very serendipitously, I was waiting tables at a local restaurant and made a connection for coffee the next day. Little did I know that connection was the beginning of a wonderful opportunity thanks to Benya Kraus and Lead for America. Additionally my host, “Startup Winona” and Will Kitchen have been the perfect partnership.
Q) What is Startup doing with small businesses in the Winona Community?
At Startup Winona we are working on connecting students and small businesses in the area for mutually advantageous partnership and internship connections. We are calling this “The Connection Project”, which thanks to the hard work of filmmaker Brynn Artley, will be the title of a film highlighting this project and its goals, coming soon to film festivals this winter. Our program is ever expanding and we are looking forward to making more impactful and creative connections, and solutions in order to tackle the challenges ahead.
Q) How do you like to stay active outdoors during the winter months?
My favorite winter activity is snowboarding, I love hiking up into the bluffs and riding down on my board! Also I really enjoy cross country skiing on the beautiful trails around winona and Ice climbing at the local Ice Wall.
Q) What is your favorite part about Winona, MN?
My favorite part of winona is without a doubt the backwaters of the Mississippi River, many of my best memories have been out on the water up and down the Winona section of the river. I love watching the wildlife and paddling through the green canopies of the backwaters, also I love the smell of the river in the summer.