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BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Why Minneapolis is one of the world's happiest places
Minneapolis ranked among the world's happiest cities for 2025. Locals say the secret lies in its Nordic roots, creative energy and community spirit that bring all-season joy. When it comes to measuring the happiest places in the world, the Nordic countries often come out on top. That was certainly the case in this year's 2025 Happy Cities Index, conducted by the Institute for the Quality of Life, where Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden all had at least one city rank in the top-marked "Gold" category. So perhaps it's no surprise that Minneapolis – the only US city aside from New York City to earn a Gold happiest city designation – has its own ties back to Scandinavia. Home to the largest population of Norwegians, Finns and Swedes outside of Europe, Minnesota and its largest city Minneapolis still maintain strong ties to their early settlers who came to the United States in the mid-19th Century, fleeing religious persecution and famine. With its long, cold winters and abundant lakes, Minneapolis's climate and landscape certainly can resemble its Nordic counterparts. In the same vein, its residents have long learned to embrace the four seasons, and even say it contributes to their overall sense of happiness. "Although the winters do get cold and the summers can be hot and humid, we have a lot more sunny days than many metros," says Steven Rothberg, who moved here from Winnipeg in 1988. "People here embrace the outdoors. It is a rare day that is cloudy, gloomy or drizzling, which makes outdoor activities much easier to plan and enjoy, even if it is cold or hot." He notes that the city consistently ranks among the country's highest number of commuters who bike to work, with more than two thirds of the population reporting they often or sometimes ride a bike to go to school or run errands. The Midwest city has made continuous improvements to its cycling infrastructure, with the 51-mile loop Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway as its crown jewel, connecting the downtown riverfront with the Mississippi River and Chain of Lakes region to the north-east part of the city. In total, Minneapolis has 21 miles of on-street protected bike lanes and 106 miles of off-street sidewalk and trail miles – many which were converted from former railway lines. "The Rails-to-Trails paths converted abandoned former rail lines into bike and walking paths. If you look at a map of them, you can see how easy it is to get from almost anywhere in the Twin Cities to almost anywhere else without having to bike more than a mile on a city street," said Rothberg. "The beauty, serenity and safety of the trails is a massive benefit to living here, and one that I take advantage of almost every day, year-round." The Happy Cities Index gave Minneapolis particularly high marks in the environment category, measuring green spaces, pollution and overall sustainability – a factor that residents resoundingly agree with. Whether walking or cycling, the trails give residents easy access to the city's abundant park system, clocking in at 22 lakes and 180 parks. "The parks and lakes are incredible. Whether I'm shooting an engagement at Lake Harriet or a family session at Minnehaha Falls, I'm constantly reminded how much access we have to beautiful, natural spaces right in the city," said local wedding photographer Kristine Barron. "The city puts a lot into bike trails, public libraries and community centres, which shows how much they value wellness and connection." Minneapolis was also a standout in the economy category, ranking fourth of all measured cities in the index for its strong growth, reasonable cost of living, innovation and prioritisation of education. The index noted that nearly a quarter of residents hold a master's degree and one in five people speaks a second language. "The welcoming nature of the people and policies that mean anyone can come here or live here and feel at home," said Kristen Montag, senior public relations and communications manager at Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, who lives in nearby St Paul, Minneapolis' "Twin City", which makes up the large metro area. The cultural diversity is held together by a sense of community. "Culturally, people here are kind, community-focused and resilient," said Barron. The city has been under the spotlight again recently as it marks the five-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd. In honour, the city holds an annual Rise & Remember Festival to showcase the power of art and community activism to continue the healing process. More like this:• What it's like to live in the happiest country on Earth• The world's five happiest cities for 2025• Why people love living in Switzerland This creative energy reshapes the city from season to season. "Summertime means outdoor cafes, concerts and festivals that keep your calendar full, while wintertime brings a cosy embrace of sauna culture, outdoor recreation like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and more, and the coffee culture, dining next to fireplaces (indoor and outdoor!) and outdoor beer festivals like the Winter Beer Dabbler," said Montag. "Spring and fall are gorgeous seasons too." For first-time visitors, residents recommend visiting the Stone Arch Bridge, the National Civil Engineering Landmark that offers views of St Anthony Falls. "Start around sunset," recommends Barron. "You'll get skyline views, riverfront beauty and a true sense of the heart of Minneapolis. It's also one of my favourite photo spots, so bring a camera." Locals also raved about Native American restaurant Owamni, winner of the 2022 James Beard national best new restaurant award. The restaurant proudly serves a "decolonised dining experience", removing colonial ingredients such as wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy from its recipes. Instead, it prioritises Indigenous food producers for its signature seasonal dishes, like bison ribeye, huckleberry-cured salmon and stuffed poblanos. Montag also recommends heading to one of Minneapolis go-to burger joints and ordering a "Jucy Lucy" – a Minneapolis-invented cheeseburger where the cheese is stuffed in the middle of the burger instead of on top. While its exact origins are hotly debated, former speakeasy 5-8 Club Tavern & Grill and Matt's Bar both claim an early version. Although the famous Mall of America – the largest shopping mall in the country with more than 580 stores – is a popular tourist draw, residents warn that it's not too dramatically different from a mall you might have visited before. "Just larger and with a small amusement park in the centre," says local author Michael MacBride. Instead, the truly unique photo ops are at the free Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with its 60 creative and oversized sculptures, including the city's iconic pop art-inspired Spoonbridge & Cherry fountain. The nearby Walker Art Center also has free nights on Thursdays and showcases contemporary art, performances and films. "Minneapolis has strong creative energy," said Barron. "Lots of art, music and photography. "It's a city that appreciates the little things." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grand feature parade showcases spirit of the West Virginia Strawberry Festival
Buckhannon's 83rd Strawberry Festival BUCKHANNON, (WBOY) — As the 83rd West Virginia Strawberry Festival draws to a close, the past several days have showcased the joy and community spirit that the festival's parades bring to attendees. On Saturday afternoon, the Grand Feature Parade continued that tradition, delighting the many spectators who lined the streets of Buckhannon to experience what is widely regarded as the festival's highlight event. For many of the residents, the Grand Feature Parade has become a cherished tradition, drawing visitors back year after year. 'I enjoy being here, this is the 83rd, I'm not quite 83 yet, but I've been to a lot of them and each one of them brings some uniqueness, something special that you want to take home with you and remember,' Upshur County resident Ed McDaniels said. Buckhannon's 83rd Strawberry Festival honors first responders 'I love this antique car parade that's going to be coming, and the reason is I see some of the cars that are in there that I used to own that I wish I had now, but when I had them I was happy to have them, but when I let them go I was happy to let them go. But now, when I see them go by, I wish I had them again,' McDaniels said. Each year, the festival attracts an increasing number of participants, with marching bands and performance units traveling from across the United States and the world to take part in the celebration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canadian pride on display with 60 new flags in downtown Chatham
A patriotic display of red and white is turning heads in downtown Chatham with the installation of 60 new Canadian flags. The initiative, led by the Downtown Chatham BIA, aims to beautify the core and boost community spirit. Lucinda Harp, a BIA board member who brought the idea forward, said she was inspired by her hometown of Cobourg and the neighbouring town of Port Hope. 'Every year businesses and residents show their patriotism by putting out Canadian flags,' Harp said. 'I thought with everything happening in the world it would be a nice idea for our downtown to do something similar. When I brought the idea to the board, there was unanimous support.' Chatham flag installation Source: Downtown Chatham BIA. JP Contractors handled the installation work. 'We do a lot of different jobs, but this one is definitely near and dear to our hearts as a proud Canadian company,' said Martin Horneman of JP Contractors. Chatham-Kent councillor and BIA board member Conor Allin said finding financial support was a 'no brainer.' 'A project like this can really unite a downtown, and with the availability of the Hydro One grant funding, it was made possible,' Allin said. Andrew Thiel, co-chair of the Downtown Chatham BIA, called the flags 'just the beginning' of ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown. 'Retrofest is next weekend, we will be replacing the River Rock mural in June, and we have some amazing announcements coming up right up until the end of the year,' Thiel said. 'There is a fantastic board in place, with an incredibly enthusiastic executive director — the sky is the limit for the next few years.' A second round of flag installations is expected in late June or early July to include more businesses that were unable to participate initially. The BIA is encouraging interested business owners within the downtown core to reach out by email at downtownchathambia@ to secure a spot. Those requiring commercial installations outside the BIA area can contact JP Contractors via for assistance with the permit process.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Thousands flock to Smethwick park for Vaisakhi celebrations
Thousands of people gathered in a Black Country park for an event that has been described as the UK's largest Vaisakhi open-air event took place in Smethwick's Victoria Park on Sunday as part of a celebration of Sikh heritage and community a historic first, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the central holy scripture of Sikhism, was transported from Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick in a golden palki - a palanquin carried by devotees - marking a significant moment for the event.A host of children's activities were available, and a free vegetarian meal was offered to attendees. Gurinder Kaur Athwal, the organiser, said: "This is a very special day for the Sikh community all over the world, not just in the UK."We've got the weather for it, the people are amazing, there is food for everyone, we have the stalls out and everyone is having a fantastic time celebrating this day with us." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Bradford City fire: How 1985 blaze gave rise to pioneering burns unit
On 11 May 1985, Bradford City were hosting Lincoln City in a Third Division game at the Valley Parade game was supposed to be one of celebration, as the Bantams had secured promotion to the Second Division and 11,000 fans had gathered to watch the match. But five minutes before half time, a fire broke out in the stadium, killing 54 Bradford fans and two travelling Lincoln supporters, while more than 260 were fire led to the creation of a pioneering research unit in Bradford, which has developed ground-breaking treatments for burns and scars. Four decades later, the Bradford City stadium fire is still fresh in the city's Bradford City won promotion to League One on 3 May, fans remembered those killed in the disaster. Few people had a more significant part to play in responding to the disaster than Prof David Sharpe, who organised the response and conducted more than 20 operations in the first few hours after the same year, he founded the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit at the University of Bradford and has since been recognised with national and international Sharpe died in 2023 aged 77, but the burns unit he set up 40 years ago still stands tall. "It was unfortunate what had happened 40 years ago, but at the time the community spirit was so overwhelming," plastic surgery specialist Prof Ajay Mahajan tells the BBC from the burns unit."Obviously the plastic surgery unit came together to look after the patients and in return the community wanted to do something for the plastic surgery department."Given the motivation and support, the research unit was established by Prof David Sharpe."One key achievement of the burns unit - and of Prof Sharpe's legacy - is the "Bradford sling", a simple but vital invention that means an arm can be held vertically rather horizontally to aid Sharpe noticed while treating patients following the fire that many had injuries to their university says the Bradford sling has "revolutionised the management of hand injuries worldwide". Matthew Wildman managed to escape the fire just after he noticed his skin bubbling, and threw himself over an 8ft (2.4m) was 17 years old and suffered 50% skin burns. Mr Wildman says he owes his life to David Hustler, the man who caught him when he jumped from the wall - but also Prof Sharpe and the team who treated his burns."I was good friends with David from that day forward until he sadly passed away," he the work the burns unit does now, Mr Wildman, now 57, says: "It makes me feel proud."No one wants to be a guinea pig, but I had no choice in the matter and the fact that what was tried out on me was effective and made a difference - and still makes a difference to this day - I am so pleased for being part of that."Obviously you've got to reflect on the horrible circumstances by which they came about and the fact that people lost family and friends."There's not much you can do about it, but you have to remember and respect that when reflecting on what good came out of it."Still a season ticket holder at Bradford City, Mr Wildman watched his beloved Bantams get promoted with a last-minute winner on 3 the start of the game was marked with a minute's silence, something which he says "is always emotional"."You're standing with a lot of people that are all united with the same thoughts and feelings, and that is something to be proud of." Forty years on from the disaster, the burns unit continues to work on treatments to benefit burns victims around the world, Prof Mahajan says."Using the lab, we have conducted various scientific experiments for research projects that look to improve wound healing and as a result of that we can reduce scarring."It's not only a question of how the scars look but there's a strong functional component to it, because adverse scarring can have a physical impact."Since its opening in 1985, Prof Mahajan estimates that hundreds of thousands of pounds has been donated by members of the funds train the plastic surgeons of tomorrow, funding 30 fellowships that have seen plastic surgeons treat burns victims Mahajan says: "There is a significant community feeling in Bradford about what happened 40 years ago."It really did bring the community together and that sense of togetherness has prevailed over the years."In fact that has been what has kept us going over the years because collectively they raised funds for the unit and supported us and we're very grateful to them for that." Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman, an associate professor of the Centre for Skin Sciences, was six years old at the time of the fire, and remembers that her mum was due to have surgery - unrelated to the tragedy - which was cancelled due to the number of casualties. "She said the main thing she noted was the smell," Dr Riches-Suman recalls."You could smell burning people."As a proud Bradfordian, Dr Riches-Suman adds that it is the response to the tragedy that is almost as memorable as the event itself for those living in the city."The community spirit and the community support around it is pretty phenomenal," she says."I think because of the way that the world is nowadays, you don't see a lot of that community spirit and that charitable spirit around but in Bradford it has really prevailed."Dr Riches-Suman adds: "I think with Bradford there's always this thing with you get your head down and you get on with it."And I think as a community we get stuff done." 'Never, ever forget' That is a sentiment echoed by nurse Sylvia Coleman, who helped with the response to the Coleman was just 26 when she was treating the horrific injuries sustained by those at the particularly remembers a young boy wandering around the stadium looking for his grandma. "It's something you never, ever forget," she says."Everybody just helped each other."There was none of this 'it's not my job', everybody just mucked in and got on with things."Ms Coleman describes Prof Sharpe's Bradford sling as a "godsend".The burns unit continues to develop new Mahajan says one research fellow is looking at how artificial intelligence can help its work, while Dr Riches-Suman says other research is examining how Vitamin D can help wound Bradfordians still come together to remember those who died in 11:00 BST, the annual memorial service will take place at the Bradford City fire memorial sculpture in Centenary Square. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
