WXOW, channel 19 from LaCrosse, WI visited us for both a written and broadcasted piece exploring the Winona beyond the Super Bowl Ad that recently garnered national and international attention for the island city.
Writer Allante Walker reports, “Just by looking up Winona online, you might see it referred to as “The Island City” or “The Stained Glass Capital of America,” but the 27,000 people who live there have a broader perspective of the city. That is why some residents are taking issue with how Winona was portrayed in the commercial. Winona Mayor Mark Peterson said that it may not have been the Winona that people know and love, but the advertisement did bring publicity to the town.”
Conducted an interview with retired Winona State Professor, Vivian Fusillo. In the clip, Fusillo states, “It’s so easy to meet people and go from place to place. There are hundreds of things going on that you can go to. I’m always writing everything in my calendar.” Walker writes, “She enjoys the quaintness of Winona and the ongoing activities that are offered in the city… and said the people and places of the city truly make it a great place to be.”
Walker quotes Visit Winona’s executive director Pat Mutter as saying, “Winona is certainly so beautiful. It is so scenic here located between the bluffs and the Mississippi River and as a town there is so much. It’s affordable, it’s accessible, people are very caring and they’re very passionate about the community.”
You can watch the video clip and read the full article here