Tiny but artsy Lanesboro, about 30 miles southeast of Rochester, is on Mother Earth News magazine's 2009 list of "11 Great Places You've (Maybe) Never Heard Of."

The magazine calls it "perhaps the most vibrant small town in America."

With fewer than 800 residents, it supports a thriving arts community, and it's on the popular Root River Bicycle Trail.

Says the magazine:

When a small town packs in so many attractions, it runs the risk of being entirely overrun by tourists. With its population routinely outnumbered by visitors, Lanesboro sometimes suffers from this syndrome. Still, its base of seasonal and year-round residents, combined with a strong celebration of its history and natural environment, preserve the town’s identity in spite of its popularity.

In the stats section, it notes:

Weather: Relatively extreme, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Average annual snowfall is 39 inches.
What Makes it Great: A bike trail, energetic theater, active arts center and local food combine for high-quality living in this tiny town.

Other towns on this year's list are:

• Bonners Ferry, Idaho
• Rock Port, Mo.
• Silver City, N.M.
• Cornwall, Conn.
• Sylva, N.C.
• Oakland, Calif.
• Walla Walla, Wash.
• Carbondale, Ill.
• Mountain View, Ark.
• Norman, Okla.

Do they really think we might not have heard of Oakland?