In spite of its strong northern European toots, Appleton and the Fox Valley has become increasingly diverse over the years. If you knew Appleton 30 years ago, you might be surprised and proud of some of the changes the town has gone through. For example, we have a surprisingly large Hmong community that started coming here in the early to mid 1990s as refugees from genocide in Asia. Hmong soldiers fought bravely for the United States in the secrets wars in Laos during the Vietnam War, and families that sacrificed for the US were finally given a little help by being rescued from dismal situations in the camps of Thailand and brought here. Learn more about the Hmong people and the reasons they are here on my page, "The Tragedy of the Hmong." Asians make up about 5% of our community. This also includes small numbers of people from other parts of Asia such as China, India, and Japan. I've got wonderful neighbors from northern India, for example.

Appleton is near to the Oneida Indian Reservation, hosting the Oneida Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. I've got some good friends among the Oneida Indians and am proud to have them be part of our northeastern Wisconsin community.

Appleton has growing numbers of Hispanic immigrants. I find many in the family have family roots in Guanajuato, Mexico, but I also know people from Veracruz State, Guadalajara, and many other regions. We also have people from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and other Spanish speaking nations.

Appleton has a small number of Brasileiros, but not enough for my taste. We really need a Brazilian food store here. If you know of any place with Brazilian foods in the area, let me know - I'm in withdrawal after falling in love with the country a few weeks ago.

The African-American community is small, around 1%, but growing. My ties to that community are weaker, but some in it have told me that Appleton has been a relatively decent place to be. I think the community has made a lot of progress in terms of being an easy place for people of all races to live and hope that everyone feels welcome here.

A Serbian friend (actually from Montenegro) came here looking for a peaceful community for his family, and has been truly impressed with Appleton. Others from eastern Europe have shared similar positive experiences.

We're doing pretty well in terms of religious diversity also. Catholics and Protestants dominate (well, second to the Green Bay Packers, the unique local religion), but we have a good Jewish community and a variety of other traditions. We also have a small but thriving Muslim community. I know some of their people, have attended an open house with them, and am happy to report that the community has been kind to these friends who live their religion peacefully and make up valued parts of our community.

Our community is not without its problems and occasional acts of intolerance, but from my vantage point, it is a peaceful, tolerant, and kind community willing to give strangers a chance and to let good people from anywhere join us.

Looking for a great community? Come to Appleton--we still have openings!