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theinspiredmedia.com
magazine
No. 21 JUNE/JULY 2010
inspire(d) inspire.
• NO RAIN ON THIS PARADE: A MUSEUM PRIMER • THE GREAT DE-URBANIZATION • CITY PLANNING • ARTIST RICHARD VANGENDEREN • SUMMER FUN • RACE: ARE WE SO DIFFERENT?
JUNE & JULY contents
page 28
READABLES RACE: ARE WE SO DIFFERENT?
10 16
CHEF ON THE BLOCK: ANDY BONNET
20
NO RAIN ON THIS PARADE: MUSEUMS
24 28
WHAT’S THE PLAN?
page 16
CRESCO ARTIST RICHARD VAN GENDEREN REMOTE CONTROL BOOK DOCTRESS: SERENA THE DOWNLOA(D) MISSISSIPPI MIRTH: FATHER’S DAY PROBIT: ANNA IVERSON
page 24
inspire
...and more!
the inspire(d) media 1
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
(d)
32 38 40 44 48
Center Stage Series
2010–11
Time to Subscribe!
Save 10–20 percent, get premier seating, and enjoy these extraordinary artists as a subscriber! Subscriptions only available until August 27!
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Danzón! with Luna Negra Dance Theatre and Turtle Island Quartet
September 11, 2010
American Brass Quintet
September 24, 2010
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
October 5, 2010
The Diary of Anne Frank
October 22, 2010
Professor Kubinek Meets the Symphony
November 6, 2010
Kenny Barron Trio with David Sanchez
November 11, 2010
Carrie Newcomer
February 11, 2011
Nnenna Freelon: Dreaming of the Duke
February 17, 2011
Cantus
March 11, 2011
Church Basement Ladies: A Second Helping
April 2, 2011
For subscription information, visit http://centerstage.luther.edu, pick up a brochure, or contact us at 563-387-1357 or boxoffice@luther.edu. Generous sponsorships are provided by Decorah Bank and Trust, Gundersen Lutheran–Decorah Clinic, and Luther College Diversity Council; media support provided by Inspire(d) Media, Decorah Newspapers, KDEC 100.5, and KVIK 104.7.
a bit about the editor
(d) inspire
I
t’s summer in the Midwest, and we’re ready. Not only have we outlined fairs and festivals for you, we’ve even provided you with alternatives on rainy days, or – let’s face it – when it’s simply TOO hot to be enjoyable. What should you do? Head to a museum! They’ve generally got air conditioning, and they’re always interesting. Just ask our cover model, G-Gnome. Yes – he’s back – and that very sailboat, the Trade Wind, is housed in Vesterheim Museum in Downtown Decorah. There are great museums in the Driftless Region ranging from kids to clocks to fine art. Go check them out. It’ll be fun. On your way, you should take time to read Benji’s piece, “What’s the Plan?”. He’s been on the planning and zoning commission here in Decorah for the past couple of years – he’s really passionate about smart planning and development. I’ve learned so much from him, and now is you chance to do the same! It’s incredibly important to formulate a good plan for your community, county, and region, and now is the time – the “Perfect Storm,” as Benji says, for Decorah to rework their comprehensive plan. Get involved – you might love it as much as Benji does and I do now. I had the pleasure of interviewing an awesome handful of guys and gal who make their living working remotely in the region. The Internet has changed the face of business forever – see how these people have prioritized things in their lives – putting family and love and life first and work second. It’s a feel-good, educational Inspire(d), folks. Read Lauren Kraus’ amazing interview with Cresco artist Richard Van Genderen (what a story!) and about Sam Wiles’ visit to the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit in Rochester. Try to take this summer to put you first. Better yourself. Relax. Have fun. I mean, really. Does anything else honestly matter?
th in m
Co-founders: Aryn Henning Nichols / editor & designer Benji Nichols / writer & advertising sales (& husband, support team, dinner-maker)
We couldn’t do it without: Lauren Kraus/ contributor Sam Wiles/ Inspire(d) Intern Jim McCaffrey / Mississippi Mirth
Amy Weldon / Book Doctress (reviewer) Jason Stonerook/ the Downloa(d) Amy Webber/ contributor
Inspire(d) Magazine is published bi-monthly by Inspire(d) Media, LLC, 412 Oak Street, Decorah, Iowa, 52101. This issue is dated June/July, 2010, issue 21, volume 3, Copyright 2010 by Inspire(d) Magazine.
support inspire(d) Although Inspire(d) is free on the newsstands, you can have it sent to your door for only $25/year. Email aryn@theinspiredmedia.com for a membership or visit theinspiremedia.com for more info.
Looking forward,
Write inspire(d) Want to make a comment about something you read in the magazine? Email aryn@theinspiredmedia.com.
Aryn
Interested in advertising? Contact Benji at benji@theinspiredmedia.com or call 563-387-6290.
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Inspire(d) is printed with soy-based ink on partially recycled paper
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
CELEBRATION IOWA SINGERS AND JAZZ BAND ANNOUNCE 2010 TOUR The Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band, an elite ensemble of Iowa high school musicians, is pleased to announce their 2010 Summer Tour. Now in its 28th season, Celebration Iowa showcases the quality of Iowa high school music programs through its educational and service-oriented summer performance program. Together with a talented staff of teachers and professionals, students in Celebration Iowa present an actionpacked production that includes song, dance and jazz band favorites for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Celebration Iowa’s 2010 show will open with a memorable tribute to American songwriters George and Ira Gershwin entitled, “The Brothers Gershwin”. The second act, entitled “Legacy: Elvis 75!” is a rock and roll tribute to Elvis Presley who would be 75 this year. The show will conclude with a set arranged by Kevin Brown specifically for Celebration Iowa. “Ritmo Caliente” is a celebration of Latin influence on American pop music featuring hit tunes from the 1950s to current. The Celebration Iowa Jazz Band will once again perform an eclectic repertoire of jazz material from many styles and eras. The group performs classic swing charts, as well as more modern big band charts. They also perform original songs and arrangements from some of today’s newest composers written just for the group. Celebration Iowa cast members are offered the opportunity to perform over 30 shows in all corners of the state and beyond while learning from some of Iowa’s finest teachers. Every year cast members agree that their experience with Celebration Iowa is truly “the summer of a lifetime.” 2010 staff include Kevin Brown (band director, arranger), Jason Rausch (choral director), Lisa Roberson (creative consultant), Erin Taylor (choreographer), David Decker (choreographer), Kristin Olson (costumer), and Michelle & Duane Philgreen (choreography, arranging), amongst others. The ensemble rehearses on the Luther College campus June 6-25 and will tour statewide June 26- August 7. More information regarding Celebration Iowa can be found at www.luther.edu/celebrationiowa, or by calling 563-387-1009.
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June 25, Dress Rehearsal - Luther College, Decorah 5pm June 26 - Oelwein - Williams Center for the Arts June 27 - Parkersburg - AplingtonParkersburg HS June 28 - Newton - Community Heights Alliance Church June 29 - Orange City - O.C. Arts Council, Windmill Park June 30 - Manchester - Hanson Auditiorium, West Delaware High School July 1 - Eldora- South Hardin High School July 2, 7 pm - Sheldon - Village Northwest Campus July 3 - West Bend July 4,1:30pm - Storm Lake - Star Spangled Spectacular, Bandshell July 9, 7 pm - Jesup Park Pavillion July 10 - Fairfield Arts & Convention Center July 12 - Winterset July 13 - Windsor Heights, Colby Park Thursday, July 15 - Wapello July 16 - Atlantic July 17 - Glenwood July 18 - Council Bluffs July 19 - Knoxville - Celebrate Church July 20- Waukon, Waukon High School Gymnasium July 23, 1 & 3 pm - Decorah High School Auditorium (Nordic Fest) July 24, 1 & 5 pm - Decorah High School Auditorium (Nordic Fest) July 25, 6:30 pm - Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens July 30 - Villisca July 31 - Vinton August 1 - Clear Lake - City Park Bandshell August 2 - Spirit Lake - Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts August 3, 7:00 pm - Fort Dodge - IA Central Comm. College August 4 - Minneapolis, MN - Lake Harriet Band Shell August 5 - Oskaloosa Downtown Square August 6 - Independence August 7, 7 pm - Marshalltown High School - FINALE
TALES TO TAILS PROGRAM UNVEILED AT DECORAH LIBRARY Come to Decorah Public Library Thursday June 10 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. to find out why reading is going to the dogs. Children ages 6-10 and their parents or caregivers are invited to come and learn about a brand new program called “DPL Tales to Tails” that will be starting at the library this summer. Decorah Public Library Administrative Coordinator Kristin Torresdal will give a short presentation about “DPL Tales to Tails,” a program that will allow children in grades 1-5 to come to the library on special days to read aloud to a dog! She will introduce her three-year-old great dane, Magni, who is a nationally certified therapy dog that has undergone extensive training and testing to prepare him for this program. Torresdal has also participated training to prepare for “Tales to Tails.” As a team, Torresdal and Magni will visit the library
45 minutes for $45
Facials
On-site & Work massage treatments available.
arances
Heavenly Foot Treatment
at set times during the summer and throughout the school year. Pre-registered children will be able to select a book and read aloud to Magni for 15-20 minute time slots. Research has shown that reading aloud to dogs is beneficial to children because the presence of a dog creates an environment that is relaxed, comfortable, nonjudgmental, and fun. A recent University of California, Davis study revealed that reading to dogs helped children improve their fluency by up to thirty percent. After the study, 75 percent of parents reported that their child was now reading aloud more frequently and with more confidence. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and to interact with Magni after the presentation. Take-home information will be available for anyone interested (or for those who are unable to attend the program: just inquire at the front desk after June 10). Contact Torresdal at 563-382-3717 or ktorresdal@decorah.lib. ia.us for more information.
Body Scrubs 45 minutes for $35 70 minutes for $60
Universal Contour Body Wrap
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301 W. Water St. Decorah, Iowa 563-382-2610 Matt’s available 7 days a week.
Whiplash Herniated disc Sciatica Carpal Tunnel
Massage can heal. Call me. I’d like to help.
Chair massages at the Oneota Co-op: Tues & Sat, 12 - 2 pm Friday, 5-6:30 pm
Matthew Johanningmeier, LMT Carlson College of Massage Therapy Graduate 563-880-8886
Featuring fresh-roasted organic/fair trade coffee for all our coffee beverages
& CINNAMON ROLLS THAT’LL MAKE YOUR DAY.
Java John’s • 400 W. Water, Decorah • 563-382-5690
Home-baked bread & treats! 100% fruit juice smoothies & homemade light fare Travel mugs, coffee beans & gift certificates! a Need ea? id gift Free wireless Internet! Mon.-Sat. 6:30am-5:30pm • Sun. 7:30am-12pm
LANESBORO ARTS CENTER Lanesboro, 30TH ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK FATHER’S DAY FESTIVAL Minnesota
Sunday, June 20 10 am - 5 pm • Sylvan Park, Lanesboro Live music: Twin Cities Hot Club • Art & Food booths plus kids activities & “Make a Tie for Dad”
UPCOMING EXHIBIT AT THE GALLERIES:
“The Magic Hours”
Oil & Pastel Lanscapes by Sara Lubinski
June 5 – August 8 Artist Reception: Sat, June 5, 6-8 pm Free to the public! 103 Parkway Ave N.
103 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, Minn. More info on upcoming events: 507-467-2446 • www.lanesboroarts.org
NMP PRESENTS “STATE FAIR” The New Minowa Players proudly present their 35th annual Summer Musical production – Rogers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair”. The show will be presented June 25-27 in the Decorah High School Auditorium with 7:30pm performances on June 25 and 26, and a 2:00 pm matinee on June 27. “State Fair” was first told on the movie screen in 1933, and remade twice, but the essence has remained virtually unchanged. It is the story of the Frake Family: Abel, Melissa, their two children Margy and Wayne, and their adventures at the Iowa State Fair. Abel hopes to win a prize for his pet pig Blue Boy and Melissa has the same goal for her pickles and mincemeat. Meanwhile, Margy feels doomed to a dull marriage with Harry, and Wayne finds out after a fast affair with an older woman that he will be better off back home with his girlfriend Eleanor. Featuring lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rodgers, the song list includes “It Might As Well Be Spring”, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and “All I Owe Ioway”. The cast is headed by Dean Beckman, Cindy Schissel, Sarah Brandt, Steve Larson, Greg Tjossem, and Elea Uhl, with many other local actors filling out the supporting parts and chorus. Ticket prices are $10 for Adults and $5 for Children (12 and under) and will go on sale June 16 at the NMP Building, 906 S. Mill. Box Office Hours will be 3-6pm week days. Contact the New Minowa Players by phone at (563) 382-5174. The 2010 Winneshiek County Fair will be a sponsor for the June production of STATE FAIR. The Fair Board has made available Fair Buttons, valued at $15 each, for NMP to sell, and the proceeds will be used to pay for the royalties. For the first 40 buttons sold, NMP will be allowed to keep 100% of the proceeds. For each button sold after the first 40, we will earn $5 per button. Help us have a successful show, and buy a button to attend ALL 5 nights of grandstand entertainment at the 2010 Winneshiek County Fair. Please mail a check for $15 for each Fair Button you are requesting to NMP, PO Box 321, Decorah IA 52101 and designate “Fair Button” on your envelope. Other STATE FAIR sponsors include Drs. Meehan & Schwartz Family Eye Care and Bank of the West.
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fun stuff to do
june Monday
Sunday
Tuesday
1
June 5: Sara Lubinski artist reception, Lanesboro Art Center, 6 pm
Great River Shakespeare Fest: Comedy of Errors, Othello, The Daly News, Titus Andronicus – Winona, various times and locations (grsf.org for details) Wednesday
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Thursday
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June 5: Trout Unlimited Fundraiser, Seed Savers, Decorah, 11 am Friday
Saturday
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5
Mike McAbee, Milty’s, First Friday at Vesterheim Free Through Sept 4: Thursdays, EVERY ArtHaus: Irene’s Lansing, 9 pm Minstrels, live RACE: Are we THURSDAY! Michelle Lynn, music, Decorah, The Haymarket, so different? Done Doin’ 8 pm Educational exhibit, Decorah, 9 pm Laundry, Lawn Rochester Public Chair Night, The Rhubarb Library Decorah, 7 pm Sisters, St. Mane, Decorah Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays 3-6 pm & Saturdays 7–11 am Lanesboro, 7:30pm
At the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro June 3,4,10,11: John Gabriel Borkman, 7:30 pm June 5, 6: Picasso at the Lapin Agile, 7:30pm June 6, 13: Picasso at the Lapin Agile, 1:30pm June 18,19, 24-26, 28: Enchanted April, 7:30pm June 20, 27: Enchanted April, 1:30 pm Sundays: Over the Back Fence, 7:30pm
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Tuesdays: Youth Wii Play Days, DPL, 3 pm
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9
Every Wednesday Spring Grove Music in the Park, 6:30 pm
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Family Fun Night, Tony Zobeck, Phelps, Decorah, 5:30 -7 pm
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12
Brewfest, Old Man River, McGregor
Joe & Vicki Price, Skating Sirens McCaffrey’s Dolce Derby, La Crosse Vita, 8 pm Tales to Tails: Center, 7 pm The Introducing June 9-12: Down on the Big Blue Sky Cave Concert, Mynabirds, Farm Iron Pour, Ron Ludeking Magni, DPL, The Natural Gait, McGregor The Mill, 10:30 am Farm, Rural Decorah June 11-13: Ridgeway Everett Kuntz Days Iowa City June 11-12: Bandit County Fair, Gunner’s Campground, De Soto, WI
Lanesboro Rhubarb Festival
13 Ridgeway Kuntz Days Parade, Mike McAbee following
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15
Flag Day!
June 13-14: Windemere Student Massage Clinics, Decorah
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Art in the Park Annual Father’s Day Festival, Sylvan Park, Lanesboro, 10 am-5 pm
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22
Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) Recital, Noble, Luther, 8 pm Hello, Summer.
Happy Father’s Day!
27
Open Stage Night, T-Bock’s, Decorah
Joe & Vicki Price, Riverside on the Root, L-boro 5 pm Bluegrass, Winn. Wildberry Winery, 1 pm
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Michelle Lynn, The Horseshoe, Calmar, 9 pm Celebration Iowa, Lawn Chair Night, 7 pm
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24
Switchback, McCaffrey’s Dolce Vita Celebration Iowa Dress Rehearsal, Storre Theater, Luther, 5 pm Joe & Vicki Price & Michelle Lynn, Ed’s No Name Bar, Winona, MN, 9 pm
23
LSM Recital, Center for Faith and Life, Luther, 8 pm
Paul Christian, Lawn Chair Night, Decorah, 7 pm
Musica Dulce, various locations, 6:30 pm
Michelle Lynn, Trempealeau Hotel, 7 pm
June 23-24: Mates of State, 400 Bar, Minneapolis
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The Britins, Beatles tribute June 19: Laura band, Elkader MacKenzie w/ Opera House, Gary Rue, live Kaiser Cartel, 2 & 7:30 pm music, St. Mane, Jeremy L-boro, 7:30 pm Waukon Fireman’s Messersmith, Street Dance w/ El The Mill, Iowa City Caminos, Goodfella’s June 17-20: Prairie du Chien Rendezvous Days parking lot, Waukon, 8 pm June 18-20: Decorah Dirt Burger Mountain bike event
Building a Wood-Strip Kayak, DPL, 6:30 pm
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June 27, 29 & 30: LSM Recital, Noble, Luther, 8 pm
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Grass Run Farm Party, Dorchester, 2 pm
Celebration Iowa, Williams PAC, Oelwein, 7 pm Foot-Notes dance, Highlandville, 8 pm
June 25-27: State Fair, New Minowa Players show, DHS, 7:30 pm (2 pm matinees June 25 & 26) June 26-27: Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, Burr Oak June 30-July 4: La Crosse River Fest, La Crosse, WI
June 27-30: Paddlers Camp, Eagle Bluff, Lanesboro
fun stuff to do
july Monday
Sunday
Great River Shakespeare Fest: Comedy of Errors, Othello, The Daly News, Titus Andronicus – Winona, various times and locations (grsf.org for details) Wednesday
Tuesday
At the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro, MN Thursdays & Saturdays, 7:30 pm & Sundays, 1:30 pm: Picasso at the Lapin Agile Mondays & Fridays, 7:30 pm & Saturdays, 1:30 pm: Enchanted April Sundays: Over the Back Fence, 7:30 pm
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5
LSM Recital, CFL, Luther, 8 pm Happy 4th of July!
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Night Ranger, Down by the Riverside Fest, Mayo Park, Rochester, MN
June 5, 6, 8, 9: LSM Recital, Noble, Luther, 8 pm
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LSM Festival of Hymns, CFL. Luther, 8 pm
Curt & Linda Gjere, Lawn Chair Night, Decorah, 7 pm
Decorah Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays 3-6 pm & Saturdays 7–11 am
Through Sept 4: RACE: Are we so different? Educational exhibit, Rochester Public Library Michelle Lynn, River on the Root, L-boro, 5 pm
Thursday
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1
Canada Day! Lanesboro Artist in Residency applications due
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7
Jeni Grouws Upper Iowa Every & Friends: Speedway Stock Wednesday “Live at the Car Races, Spring Grove Winneshiek Winn. Co. Music in the County Fair,” Fairgrounds, 7 pm Park, 6:30 pm Grandstand, 7 pm July 6-10: Winneshiek County Fair, Decorah
13 July 17: LSM Recital Day, Luther, 9a–7p
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26
27
July 18-23: Eagle Bluff’s Forkhorn Camp, Eagle Bluff, Lanesboro LSM Brass Concert, CFL, Luther, 8:30 am
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Open Stage Night, T-Bock’s, Decorah Bluegrass, Winn. Wildberry Winery, 1 pm Charlie Parr, Ed’s No Name Bar, Winona, MN
First Friday: Homebrew Contest & Michelle Lynn live, ArtHaus, Decorah 7 pm
2 June 30-July 4: La 3 Crosse River Fest, La Crosse, WI
2&3: LSM Recital, July 3-4: 80/35, Noble, Luther, 8 pm Des Moines
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Richard Van Genderen artist reception, The Perfect Edge, Decorah
July 9&10: PRCA Pro Rodeo, Winn. Co. Fairgrounds, 7 pm July 7-11: Allamakee County Fair, Waukon
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15
Joe & Vicki Price, Riverside on the Root, Lanesboro, 5 pm
Nordic Dancers, Lawn Chair Night, Decorah, 7 pm 15,16: LSM LSM Recital, Concerts, CFL, Noble, Luther, 8 pm Luther, 7 pm
July 11-12: Windemere Student LSM Bach Cantata Massage Clinics, Decorah Worship Service, CFL, Luther, 10 am; July 11-14: Eagle Bluff’s July 15-18: Kiss Me Kate, Ye Olde Gray Barn, Recital, Noble, 8 pm Night Camp Spring Grove, 6:30 pm dinner,8:30 pm show
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Saturday
Friday
July 25-28: Eagle Bluff’s State Park Excursion Camp, Eagle Bluff, Lanesboro
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Decorah Farmers’ Market: Wednesdays 3-6 pm & Saturdays 7–11 am
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Kristen Ford, music, ArtHaus, Decorah, 8 pm
10
Simon & Garfunkel, Elkader Opera House, 7:30 pm
Ramming Speed (Paul Homstad), McCaffrey’s July 9-10: St. John’s Block Party, Rochester
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Foot-Notes dance, Highlandville, 8 pm
June 17: Kel on Wheels: Kel Koenig benefit: Ride (Bike), 8:30 am; & Rock (Concert), Decorah Elk’s Lodge, 7 pm July 16-18: 1st Annual Yellow River Yak Fest, The Natural Gait, McGregor July 16-18: 30th Annual Conf. & Campout, Seed Savers, Decorah
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Folk-Art Banquet, Vesterheim, Decorah
July 24-25: Nordic Fest Kickapoo Opening County Fair, La Ceremonies, Farge, WI Sawtooth Bluegrass Courthouse, Band, The Natural Decorah, 7 pm Gait, McGregor 24-25: AAUW Art Fair on the Green, UW La Crosse JULY 22-24: NORDIC FEST!!!!! DECORAH Campus Lawn
Michelle Lynn, Lawn Chair Night, Decorah
July 27-31: Fayette County Fair, West Union
30 July 30-31: Midwest Music Fest, Winona, MN
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Bill Cosby, Treasure Island, Red Wing, MN
Aaron Tippin, Light Up The Bluff, Bluffton
July 30-31: Light Up the Bluff July 30-31: Prairie Dogs Blues Festival, Prairie du Chien, WI
KISS ME, KATE! Ye Olde Opera House (YOOH) in Spring Grove will present their summer musical, “Kiss me Kate,” by Cole Porter July 1518 at Gray’s Old Gray Barn just east of Spring Grove, MN. The musical, directed by Rachel Grippen and David Storlie, plays each evening at 8:30pm, with “dinner on the green” beginning at 6:30pm. Kiss Me, Kate is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. It is structured as a play within a play, where the interior play is a musical version of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Kiss Me, Kate was a comeback and a personal triumph for Cole Porter as a response to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and other integrated musicals, and it proved to be a hit! It won the first Tony Award presented for Best Musical, in 1949. YOOH’s Childrens Theater will also present “Alice In Wonderland” June 24-26 at 7pm, and June 27 at 2:30pm. Directed by Annie Galloway and Kaley Cross, the epic tale of a journey “down the rabbit’s hole” features a wonderful cast of local youth. For more information on YOOH and these performances, please visit www.yeoldeoperahouse.org.
KICKAPOO COUNTRY FAIR Now in its seventh year, the Kickapoo Country Fair comes to life July 24-25, 2010. The Midwest’s largest organic food and sustainability festival, the Fair is located in La Farge, Wisconsin, nestled among the ancient hills of the Kickapoo Valley. It serves up a generous dose entertainment for all in celebration of family, culture, and community, all the while looking toward a healthy, sustainable future. Held on the grounds of Organic Valley headquarters, Kickapoo Country Fair will bring together thousands of attendees for two fun-packed days of food, music, bike tours, farm tours, cooking demonstrations, theater, kids activities, dancing, author readings, and speakers – all offered at an affordable price for families. Featured at the Fair are authors Temple Grandin, and Micahel Perry, along with live music on two stages, featuring Miles Nielsen on Saturday evening and JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt Sunday. For more information visit www. organicvalley.coop/kickapoo
Busy Bodies Massage Tappi Hughes, LMT/Owner 210 1st Ave. West Cresco, IA 563-419-4084 tappi_hughes@yahoo.com Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm
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Professional Health Coach Renae McIntosh, Decorah www.got2bthin.tsfl.com or call 563-380-7764 Meetings (optional) on Tuesdays, 5:30 pm, Java John’s, Decorah
National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition July 17-24 Competition and sale of the best rosemaling, weaving, woodworking, and knifemaking by contemporary artists.
Sponsored by Kate Rattenborg of Decorah with additional support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Preserving a heritage. Connecting us all.
523 W. Water St., Decorah, Iowa • 563-382-9681 • vesterheim.org
Comprehensive Plan: A collection of information and materials designed to guide the future development of a city or county. The plan provides a firm foundation for policy and actions that allow efficient and effective function, and promote a more certain future.
What’s The Plan? By Benji Nichols
* The Plan
I
Plan-ning (adjective): The control of (urban) development by a local government authority, from which a license must be obtained in order to build a new property or change an existing one.
magine walking out your front door onto the wide, smooth sidewalk. As you stroll down the street, beautiful mature hardwood trees shade the grassy boulevard. A well-marked crosswalk allows you and your children to safely cross a busy intersection. In a few short blocks you part ways with your children in front of the school and still have time for the brief walk to work. Passing the playground, you admire the well-designed park where you often spend time with your family. By your favorite street bench in front of your office, you wave to the owner of a small café – your downstairs neighbor – and head upstairs to your office, one of a few on the second and third floors of the same building.
Benji’s Definition: Here’s the scoop – the Comprehensive Plan is what shapes how and why a city or county does what it does. In its simplest form it is the roadmap for how we want our City to look and work.
“Wooo hooo, I’m going to the dentist!” Okay…we know you’re probably not going to say that. But we do have cable TV in every room, local art throughout our state-of-the-art facilities, nice views, and, of course, free toothbrushes and floss. Now let’s hear a wooo hooo!
Dr. Jon R. Hart • Dr. Peter J. Blodgett • Dr. John E. Wilmes 108 Fifth Avenue, Decorah, Iowa • 563-382-3657 • Visit our website at: www.decorahdental.com
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inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
hat an observant morning walk you had! But what you didn’t notice were the miles of utility lines and pipes just below the street surface, or the infrastructure that helps drain storm water to the right places, keeping it off sidewalks and out of basements. Maybe (probably) you’ve never thought about WHY these things are the way they are – but for each affect there was effect – a plan. “Planning allows us to slow down and be intentional about how we want our community to grow,” says Carolyn Corbin, a regional freelance planning facilitator. “A plan allows us as a community to share a common vision for how our community should look.” Often the first opportunity the general public takes to familiarize themselves with planning matters and zoning codes is when a polarizing issue comes up like a development or a change in business. But Decorah and Winneshiek County are at an incredible crossroads in planning. A “perfect planning storm” as such has developed. Multiple local entities are involved on the ground level to create what has the potential to be one of the most forward-thinking comprehensive plans in the state. And as much as the general public typically does not pay attention to planning until it affects
personal quality of life, this is the time to get involved and pay attention. Your voice can and will be heard as this process continues to play out, and a formal comprehensive document is created for all to view and comment on. Now this may seem like a dry topic, but in truth planning goes into everything you do. How many people have set out to plant a garden or design a kitchen or even build a house? If you don’t have a plan for where things will go, grow, and flow, you will be unhappy with your final product almost immediately. A city’s comprehensive plan is the same – if you don’t think about the way you actually USE your town, you’ll be disappointed when it’s too late to change. “A Comprehensive Plan determines land use such as how and where residential or commercial property can be developed,” says Carolyn Corbin. “Careful policies will help us retain the cozy quality of our downtown and livability of our neighborhoods. With a strong plan we will continue to connect things like walking and biking paths through our communities and continue to increase livability.” Indeed, the comprehensive plan is the definitive reference for how a city or region should build, act, and re-act to development, land use, and use of resources. It also gives a future view of the region on a larger scale, ranging from 10 to 20 years. In short – it is THE driving force for all codes, rules, and ordinances. But wait – we can see your eyes starting to glaze over as you think, “Why would I care about any of this? How does this actually affect me?” Although it may not be the stuff of smoke and mirrors, comprehensive planning is possibly the most fundamental building block, the foundation if you will, of why and how each of our cities and counties looks the way it does. It not only determines appropriate developments and wellplanned streets, infrastructure, and utilities, but also to what extent a region embraces sustainability and gauges environmental impacts. Planning may actually be one of the most important aspects to how we not only live our lives as a society, but also shape our lifestyles – and at times without even knowing it. Decorah City Manager Jerry Freund summarizes, “In
other words, the Comprehensive Plan provides a “to do” list for improving the tools and methods by which planning is undertaken. It also offers a broader guidance by which both specific plans and general ideas can be approached.” Any way you stack it, the comprehensive plan is an incredibly valuable tool for our cities and counties to have and reference – and not just Decorah or Winneshiek County. “Collaboration is a key component for planning, which includes public participation within the community – and interaction with neighboring cities, counties and regions. The comprehensive plan provides the foundation for effective community operation and management,” says Larry Leliefield of the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. The “Perfect Planning Storm” For just over a year, the city of Decorah has been reviewing, updating, and slating changes to the Comprehensive Plan. These public, monthly meetings have been driven by the Decorah Planning and Zoning Commission, City Manager, City Engineer, City Attorney, Mayor, City Council Members, and Winneshiek County Supervisors, with facilitation from the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. Several members of the general public, regional institutions, and local businesses have also attended, giving valuable feedback to the process. Also during this time, planner Carolyn Corbin has launched Sustainable Decorah, an organization set up to further develop a sustainability plan for our region to be tied into the City of Decorah’s Comprehensive Plan. With the support of the City Council, Winneshiek County officials, and countless entities and individuals, this plan will help guide social, economic, and environmental sustainability in Decorah and the surrounding region. This process has also been greatly enhanced by the work of a team of graduate planning students from the
University of Iowa that used Decorah as their final project in the winter and spring of 2010. Their work culminated in a grand presentation to the Decorah City Council, as well as helping facilitate the first community wide Sustainable Decorah planning session in April of 2010. To further enhance these efforts, Decorah resident, educator, and conservationist Andy Johnson has launched the Winneshiek Energy District. This non-profit organization has secured significant funding to “promote stewardship and sustainability in Winneshiek County, Iowa, by focusing on all things energy,” and has already had significant involvement in the larger planning process through Sustainable Decorah. And to top it all off, our region is incredibly fortunate to have education and cultural institutions, conservation and agricultural organizations, and state-level participation that add invaluable layers to the process. It is also worth noting that although most incorporated towns and cities across the country are required to have basic plans, these circumstances are extraordinary for a town and region the size and location of Decorah and Winneshiek County. As thick in policy and bureaucracy as a process like this can be, we are fortunate to have so many committed citizens participating in this important and worthwhile work. What You Can Do! If you have made it to this portion of the article, then we commend you for your thorough reading skills and interest in our region! As noted, the planning process in place is one that is driven by public servants and even more importantly – the public – that’s YOU! Luckily, there will still be several opportunities to become involved.
Barbara Massman, Realtor® Selling Homes, Not Houses.
Barbara Massman
Licensed in Iowa Since 1993 563.380.8911 1510 Laurel Drive
■
Decorah, Iowa 52101
bbmassman@mchsi.com
www.barbaramassmanrealtor.com
First, Sustainable Decorah is hosting several in-depth roundtable workshops through the first half of June. These are small-scale meetings that allow all voices present to be heard on a specific topic such as local food systems, small businesses, major industries, recycling, and parks and trails. You can also become “virtually” involved with Sustainable Decorah through their website, and find out more about upcoming events and opportunities. Visit sustainabledecorah.ning.com for details. Next, at 7 pm every second Monday of the month the Decorah Planning and Zoning Commission meets at City Hall. Any agenda items are dealt with in an official session, and then group work is done on the comprehensive plan following the meeting. Anyone is welcome to participate in the work sessions and the public is highly encouraged to attend. These meetings are not for the easily bored, but are valuable work sessions, and open to the public. Finally, once the majority of the plan has been worked through, there will be a series of public information sessions to share the updates. This may be several months away, but you can keep an eye on any official business and announcements at www.decorahia.org.
Benji Nichols is headed into his third year on the Decorah Planning & Zoning commission and oddly enough, a total planning geek at heart. After splitting a decade away from Iowa on both coasts, he realized just how important local planning and zoning issues can be while living in Sonoma County, Ca. He encourages you to attend a public meeting in the near future.
The Winneshiek Energy District is a newly formed local public-benefits (non-profit) organization dedicated to promoting energy stewardship and sustainability in Winneshiek County. The purpose of the organization is to analyze how energy is used in the region and promote ways to keep more of the dollars spent on energy in the area. The Energy District hopes to develop broad programming including energy education and demonstration, an extensive volunteer “energy corps” to implement simple measures countywide, capability for numerous special projects and partnerships, and robust technical and financial assistance offerings for homeowners and businesses. This technical assistance model is reflected in the “District” portion of the organization name, which is an attempt to re-create - with local energy opportunities - what the soil and water conservation districts did with private lands conservation following the Dust Bowl. The most important project currently underway is the participatory development of a sustainability plan for Decorah. This collaborative project led by the City of Decorah and regional planning consultant Carolyn Corbin is a great opportunity for the public to be heard in terms of a long-range view of sustainability in our region. More about the sustainability plan can be found on the web site www.sustainabledecorah.ning.com. The next major upcoming project is the development of an energy efficiency cost-share program for home and business owners in Decorah. Significant funding is available for this program and applications are expected to be available by June 2010. A job position is also open with the Energy District as “Energy Conservationist.” Responsibilities may include assisting in the development and management of a community energy efficiency cost-share program, basic IT and program administration, training and supervising volunteers in a District-led “energy corps”, and working with the public on energy efficiency measures. More information on the position and the Energy District is available at energydistrict. com. For more information send your reflections or suggestions to engage@energydistrict.org.
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inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
ROUND TABLE MEETINGS – ALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SUSTAINABLEDECORAH.NING.COM Tuesday, June 1 – Energy Round Table 10am, Decorah City Hall Wednesday, June 2 – Major Industries Round Table 11:30am, The Oaks, Decorah Thursday, June 3 – Recycling Round Table 10am, Decorah City Hall Tuesday, June 8 – Parks & Trails Round Table, 10am, Decorah City Hall Wednesday, June 9 – Small Business Round Table, 11:30am, The Oaks, Decorah Tuesday, June 15 – Local Food System Round Table, 4pm, Decorah City Hall
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE ENERGY DISTRICT?
44TH ANNUAL NORDIC FEST JULY 22-24, DECORAH, IOWA Go “Trekkin’ with the Trolls” this July as the 44th annual Nordic Fest gets underway. Started in 1966 by a small committee of J.C.’s and community members, the event has been responsible for welcoming over 1.5 million visitors to Decorah in it’s 44 year history. Nordic Fest celebrates Decorah’s Norwegian Heritage with a plethora of activities, cuisine, sporting events, cultural displays, a grand parade, and community activities. For example, the festival kicks off this year with the Thursday night opening ceremonies featuring the Nordic Dancers, a pageantry of flags, Norwegian music, and more. Both Friday and Saturday nights will feature street dances, as well as live entertainment under the stars. The Grand Parade kicks off Saturday with countless entries from the tri-state region, and the day is capped off with a torchlight parade and fireworks. Featured again at this year’s festival will also be the Celebration Iowa Singers
and Jazz band, performing in the airconditioned comfort of the Decorah High School auditorium. Several sporting events are also offered as part of the festival, from Lutefisk eating, to a rock throw, Elveløpet 5K & 15K run, Kanoløpet canoe race, and a disc golf tournament. Street dances are also a popular attraction featuring Decorah’s own Foot-Notes Scandinavian dance band. In addition, The Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum presents several special events showcasing Scandinavian Artisans including demonstrations of rosemaling, wood carving, and more. Upstart Crow Theatreworks will also present the original children’s theatre production “The Secret Life of Trolls.” A complete schedule of entertainment is available two weeks prior to the Festival by calling (563) 382-FEST, and more details can be found on-line at www.nordicfest.com.
saturday, july 10, 9-6pm & sunday july 11, 10-5pm
Get away to your summer haus.
MOSAIC WORKSHOP with Mary Lawrence at Luther College CFA, Room 203, $100 tuition + $80 materials (includes all tools, materials, & a table to mosaic) Create a beautiful table to take home at the end of the weekend, along with an ability to mosaic anything in the future! Open to beginning or experienced participants.
thursday, july 15, 6:30–9:30 pm JEWELRY CLASS: Pendant-Making with Rachelle Branum, $35/person (includes materials for several pendants) Create unique pendants for gifts or yourself! We’ll have decorative papers, photographs & other fun materials for inspiration, or bring your own images to work with!
friday july 16, 8pm BAKER LONDON PRESENTS: Kristen Ford, $5 Multi-instrumentalist Indie rocker Kristen Ford glides between pop, rock & roots, & “sounds like she was born with a guitar in her hand.” This concert series, designed to support emerging artists, always delivers – don't miss it! BYOB.
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563.382.5
friday july 23 10am-6 pm & saturday july 24, 10 am–6 pm NORDIC FEST ART FAIR, FREE! Stop by our Nordic Fest Art Fair for a sampler of what the region’s thriving community of artists has to offer, such as one-of-a-kind jewelry, prints, ceramics, photography, fiber work & much more!
GET DOWN (ON THE FARM) AT THIS IRON POUR!
The annual “Down On The Farm” iron pour will take place near Decorah, Iowa June 9-12, 2010. Decorah native Kelly Ludeking is the driving artist behind the annual event which offers the rare chance to work with professional metal artists from across the country and also viewing of the iron pour and festivities. Workshops in pattern making and sand molding will be held June 9, 10, and 11, with the event JUNE 9-12, 2010 (POUR culminating on the STARTING JUNE 12 AT afternoon of Saturday, 5PM) RURAL DECORAH – June 12. Participants RON LUDEKING FARM pay a nominal fee of $20 to $100 (depending on size) to design and have their molds poured full of molten iron. Also featured on Saturday evening are “pyro-thunder boxes” which are wood and sand molds featuring built in whistles and ports which will be filled at dusk. All are welcome to come and make something or just hang out. No experience required. The site is located on the Ron Ludeking farm East of Decorah. For directions or more information contact Kelly Ludeking at (651) 4915935 or email krlmetals@yahoo.com.
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More info at digindecorah.com
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August 20-22, 201
date!
IN
Don’t ! miss it
Tour off-the-grid homes & sustainable farms, enjoy local foods, film screenings, energy-saving tips from experts, KDEC’s Green Expo, and more at the 2nd annual Decorah Iowa Green INitiative!
dig IN the decorah iowa green INitiative
Brought to you by the Winneshiek County Convention and visitors bureau
RACE: Are we so Different? By Sam Wiles
R
ace has always been a hot-button topic, but in this new era of the first African American President, the Arizona immigration law, and Henry Louis Gates, it is at the forefront of media more than in recent years – some good, some bad – and everyone wants to voice their opinion. This we know: there are obviously differences in the way people look, as each individual is a combination of their parents’, grandparents’ and family’s ancestry. Each person is destined for an existence different than any one else. Yet, how different are we? It is difficult to examine because it’s less tangible than we think; what is race to us, other than skin color?
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303 W. Water Street Decorah, Iowa 563.382.4941
RACE: Are We So Different? will be on display at the Rochester Public Library from May 17 through Sept. 4, 2010. FREE! 101 2nd Street SE Rochester, Minnesota 507.328.2300 Open daily, afternoon only on Sundays
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new exhibit at Minnesota’s Rochester Public Library, is attempting to answer these questions. “RACE: Are We So Different?” has numerous interactive and multimedia displays regarding the cultural, scientific, and financial history of race – all presented in a manner that doesn’t shy away from some of the most contentious issues in American history. RACE starts with scientific perspectives on race; one display argues that sickle cell anemia is geography based, not race based, as is the common cultural misconception. Another debunks the myth that different races have different skeletal structures, examining tooth features and density in graphic detail. Another display studies how racism tangibly affects human health, citing that heart disease and other stress induced illnesses affect people most in areas where discrimination is most evident, like apartheid South Africa.
The financial history portion shows the history of racism and discrimination within financial institutions, along with the subsequent fall-out because of it. It argues among other ideas, that the GI bill’s exclusive catering to white soldiers has created a pattern of poverty for African Americans. Multiple screens show documentaries and interviews on a loop with scholars and experts sharing information about race. The exhibit is, fittingly, quite colorful, with different sizes of photos, graphics, and texts. Juxtaposed to those vivid, multicolor displays are black and white photos capturing real moments in race, like the nearly life-size image of protesters holding a sign that says “We want white tenants in our community.” Creative displays – like documentaries playing on televisions shaped like old newspaper stands – help bring home the rich history behind this sensitive topic. RACE is meant to challenge. It’s meant to educate and make you think. “Race is a social or human construct,” says Susan Ahlquist, an administrator for community relations at the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Public Affairs, and a key player in bringing RACE to Rochester. “We’re so similar. Helping people understand that is very important.” Whether you’re uncomfortable or not contemplating race, the real life images and testimonials from actual human beings are impossible to ignore. A Native American
Medicap Pharmacy in Decorah is offering a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program to help patients achieve their healthcare related goals. This program offers patients a personal and private meeting with a pharmacist to help ensure patients are using their medications safely and effectively. Each meeting is confidential and tailored specifically to meet individual patient needs. The meeting consists of discussing and answering questions about their prescriptions, ways to save money on medications, and how to best meet their medication goals. Medicap Pharmacy also Your Medicap Pharmacists: Lori Rissman, Sue Burks and Mark Branum
provides specialty compounding services. We specialize in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Pain Management, Veterinary, and Dermatology. We work closely with physicians to prepare specific medications to meet the needs of their patients. We encourage patients to contact us to discuss any questions they may have regarding specialty medications.
The Loft in Lansing, Iowa Enjoy the beautiful & quaint village of Lansing, Iowa, nestled in between bluffs along the mighty Mississippi River. This stunning loft is beautifully decorated & immaculate. Lots of open space for entertaining & socializing with guests & family. Great for family reunions, birthday celebrations, weekend getaways or longer vacations. • Full Kitchen • Water View • Broadband/WIFI internet
• King Bed • Queen Bed (2) • Twin/Single Bed (2)
61 North 3rd Street, Lansing, IA, 52151 For more information & reservations call: 563.382.8546 or email: lansingiowaloft@gmail.com
descendent discusses how they feel about sports mascots, like the Washington Redskins or the Cleveland Indians – something many Americans give virtually no thought to – yes, it is difficult to ignore another human being telling you that they are not a mascot. A timeline of race as a cultural concept, from the 1500’s and ‘The Great Chain of Being’ (where the concept of race is believed to have begun) to slavery, to the civil rights movement, to present day stretched along one wall, and is both difficult to conceive the injustice and impossible to deny the hopefulness of progress. The RACE exhibit, which will be on display at the library from May 17 through Sept. 4, 2010, originated in 2007 thanks to a collaborative effort by the American Anthropological Association and the Science Museum of Minnesota. And it was the collaboration between the Rochester Public Library and Mayo Clinic that brought RACE to Rochester. “People from the Mayo clinic had seen the exhibit and were inspired to bring it to Rochester,” says Betcher. “It became an event we really got behind and said ‘how can we make this happen?’ We needed this to happen.” But making it happen was no easy task. It is, to say the least, large. “We had challenges to even get the exhibit physically in the building,” says Betcher. “We literally had to knock down walls; make doors wider, everything.” What is as impressive as the exhibit itself is the communal effort made outside of the library and the hospital to bring ‘RACE’ to Rochester. United Way of Olmstead County and Mayo’s own diversity council together have provided a huge helping hand in training and coordinating volunteers. “The community has really stepped up,” says Betcher. “Because of all of these pieces coming together, admission is free.” The library’s goal of promoting “life long learning” in the words of Betcher, extends beyond the physical exhibit. There is a play entitled “RACE to the Finish
The Lamp Post Inn www.innandgallery.com & Gallery
It’s more than a B&B. It really feels like home!
424 Main St., McGregor, Iowa • 563-873-1849 Great for groups up to 40 Baby or Wedding Showers Small receptions or Parties Weddings (garden available) Murder Mystery Dinners “Amazin’ Race” Games
Plan your stay or event today!
Movement for Health & Well-Being Sign up early for a spot! Contact Diane Sondrol for more information. 563.419.5420 or taichigrandmadi@msn.com Classes at Winneshiek Medical Center Conference Rm B Historical objects such as this – slave shackles from the early 1800s – provide a visceral reminder of the powerful and often devastating role that the idea of race has played throughout America. Line” for students. The Rochester Civic Center, near the library, is hosting a world music day and a diversity conference on August 19. The library will have different language days with translators speaking a variety of languages, from Spanish to Kurdish to Somali. There will also be a series of presentations in late July with speakers and forums. The goal is to really get people thinking. “Mayo’s primary values demand a commitment to diversity. It makes us smarter, and therefore it makes us healthier,” Ahlquist says. “We hope the display is a catalyst for real conversations. We need to have ongoing, intentional conversations about what race means in our community.”
Sam Wiles had a wonderful time writing for Inspired these last 6 months, and can be seen this summer on the Decorah river with a skin color display of his own entitled ‘Sam: Is he really that pale?’
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NE Iowa & SW Wisconsin
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All you need to know for food ‘n’ fun An online magazine featuring giveaways, the “food ‘n’ fun calendar” and special offers
Specializing in wood-fired pizza & International Cuisine!
Wednesday: Spaghetti & meatballs / kids pizzas Thursday: Prime Rib Dinner Evening Friday: Blackened Salmon Specials! Saturday: Steak of the Week Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, soups, appetizers, homemade cheesecake & more!
Savor the Sweet Life. Gift certificates available!
563.382.4723 SORRY - NO RESERVATIONS
2149 Twin Springs Road, Decorah, Iowa 4-9 pm Wed – Fri | 11 am - 9 pm Sat – Sun
CHEF
ON THE
R
BLOCK
ubaiyat Restaurant is located almost smack dab in the middle of Water Street in Downtown Decorah. A welcome revitalization to the Downtown façade, Rubaiyat brings not only good looks to our fair city, but good food too. Chef Andy Bonnet and his wife Kim know their stuff – the well-trained, friendly staff leads you through your evening’s choices, ranging from tasty matchstick fries for starters to delightful New Zealand Lamb Chops for a main. Entrees come with soup or salad, but you have to make the tough choice between what will undoubtedly be a delicious mixed-greens concoction or the over-the-top but out-of-this-world classic wedge salad with housemade bleu cheese, eggs, and bacon. There’s nothing salad about this salad (not even the ice burg lettuce, but it’s a delightful vehicle for the other stuff). Their local burger was nominated for best in Iowa – you can get that across the menus for lunch, dinner, or in the bar. Rubaiyat’s popular Wednesday (Spin and Win) and Thursday (Mystery Beer) beer specials are great weeknight fun too. Try it out in the lounge or the beautiful restaurant, complete with original tin ceilings, exposed brick, and cozy booths. But if you’re in town for a weekend, I recommend making a reservation for Sunday brunch. The Capon Breakfast Bowl is yummy, and the build-your-own Bloody Mary bar might be enough DIY that you’ll forget about those projects waiting at home.
Best selection in town on:
wine. beer. liquor. cigars. kegs.
Open Mon-Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat 10-10, closed Sun Ask us for a great wine
Jason Duranceau, owner
recommendation!
313 College Drive Decorah, Iowa • 563.382.8300
Name: Andy Bonnet Age: 36 Restaurant: Rubaiyat, 117 W. Water St., Decorah, Iowa Number of Years Cooking: 22 Formal training or live-and-learn? Live & Learn (Cheaper and a much better learning experience. What’s your earliest or most significant memory of cooking or being cooked for? My earliest memories were of my mom cooking me tuna and noodle casserole!
us ArtHrast Fi s! Friday
june 4: irene’s minstrels live in concert, 8 pm, arthaus “Dreamingly charming with compelling groove,” Irene Schroeder is one Iowa’s best clarinetists. The Minstrels blend jazz, folk & blues in original songs as well as covers by artists such as Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, & Greg Brown.
july 2: homebrew contest & michelle lynn live, 7 pm, arthaus
Enter your own home-brew or offer your tasting talents in the judging, headed by local brewery Toppling Goliath. As the evening’s sponsors, they’re even offering a sampling of their own brew! Then sit back & enjoy a tasty selection of local music by Michelle Lynn.
Details online!
www.arthausdecorah.org
Why did you decide to become a chef? It was a natural fit, I love to eat so it was simple to make my career something I love doing. I also love being a chef because I love to share my gift of culinary art on every plate that I serve.
I’m keen...
What’s the best thing you’ve ever made? My three favorite dishes are Iowa smoked pork tenderloin with a blood orange and blackberry marmalade, morel and lobster buckwheat pancakes with balsamic syrup, and Grilled New York strip with bacon-seared brussel sprouts.
Do you have any monumental food fails you’d like to share with us? Last week I was making flourless chocolate cake for a Bogle wine dinner at Rubaiyat and used 40 egg YOLKS instead of 40 WHOLE eggs. Turned out it could be one of our signature desserts! We call it “Not your grandma’s chocolate cake” with cappuccino gelato and boysenberry sauce! How about secret food indulgences you don’t normally talk about? Will you tell us? I love Jennie-O Turkey Roast with instant potatoes!! What’s your favorite: Ingredient – G-A-R-L-I-C!!!! Dish – anything with red meat and a big Napa Valley red wine!! Cookbook – “Boy Meets Grill” – Bobby Flay Random (or not so random) kitchen tool – Mandolin (tool used to slice and julienne) Vegetable - asparagus Fruit - peach
...on you. Stop in and fall in love with our Keen Newport H2 sandals & Targhee shoes!
130 West Water Street Decorah, IA 563.382.5761
Want to nominate a chef for this spot? Email aryn@ theinspiredmedia.com. The chef must work in the restaurant or catering world, and must work in the Tri-State Driftless Region.
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Monday - Friday 9-5 Thursday 9-8 Saturday 9-5
www.amundsonsclothing.com
Summer’s here! YAY!
Margaret’s Clothing
Fashion & Accessories from
FUN
Shorts Capris Tops Jackets Skirts Sundresses Sandles
to
FANCY
Satin Tops Palozzo Pants After 5 Dresses Evening Out Skirts Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Rhinestone Jewelry Evening Bags Dressy Heels
Make YELLOW
your favorite color!
YELLOW tags =
BIG SALES
Check out Margaret’s Boutique on Facebook for more summer details.
Margaret’s Clothing 210 W. Water St, Decorah 563-382-8208 Mon. to Sat. 9-5 Thurs. ‘til 8 p.m.
MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC By Amy Webber
The fourth annual Música Dulce returns to Decorah June 24. Literally meaning sweet music, the fundraiser for the First United Methodist Church’s Sister Parish in Guatemala and El Salvador is a kind of progressive fingerfood-fest in some of the area’s most alluring private yards and gardens. The event features local “sweet music” as guests move through three different venues, hearing new concerts and tasting new goodies at each locale. For more than 10 years, Decorah’s First United Methodist Church has been part of Sister Parish, Inc., sending and receiving delegates to and from Guatemala and El Salvador. One of Sister Parish’s main goals is the fostering of relationships between North American faith communities with those in Guatemala and El Salvador, but it’s not your usual mission trip full of building or clean-up service projects. A Sister Parish trip is sometimes likened to visiting friends or relatives anywhere – you sit on the porch, cook together, do a little sight-seeing, go for a swim, a picnic, a walk, play with the kids, enjoy some music, attend a church service and catch up on news, concerns and even politics. When delegates come north from Central America, they’re hosted by church members here and take part in similar activities. Through the course of these trips, relationships and understanding grow. Time and events change lives, but the connections remain. Decorah First United Methodist is partnered with Potrerillos, El Salvador, a community of about 350 families in the mountains near the Honduran border. Delegates learn about the difficult and violent recent history of El Salvador, and its effects on the community. They learn how current political and
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economic decisions by both governments play a part in the dynamics of both countries. These exchanges create many opportunities for personal growth and global awareness. But “not your usual mission trip” doesn’t mean ignoring the needs of brothers and sisters in Central America – there are many educational and community projects taken on,
all while assuring the relationships remains based on friendship and love, not charity and hand outs. As one Central American Sister Parish member reflects, “the difference is, you stay.” Friendships come first, and delegates visit nearly every year. Decorah FUMC maintains a philosophy that anyone who desires to visit Potrerillos can do so, regardless of their ability to pay. Fundraisers and donations create a pool for delegation expenses, including airfare, Sister Parish staff, and overhead costs in country. Música Dulce has become an important and fun way to help raise those funds. This year, Música Dulce will feature concerts by Done Doin’ Laundry, Erik Sessions and John Goodin, and Tony Guzman and Kate Haller, all performing in beautiful gardens across Decorah. Music begins at 6:30 and guests change venues every 40 minutes or so. Attendees should bring a lawn chair and sweater. In case of rain, the event will move to the First United Methodist Church on Broadway Street in Decorah. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased in Decorah at the First United Methodist Church office, 302 W. Broadway from 8 to 12:30, Monday through Friday
LAZY RIVER BEER AND WINE FESTIVAL! (563-382-3835) or at the law office of Andy Van Der Maaten, 212 Winnebago St. from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday (563-3822959). They can also be purchased at Luther College from Amy Webber in the Diversity Center, Dahl Centennial Union 7:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday (563-387-1431). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students (K – 12) and are color-coded to coordinate the venue switches. Groups should purchase the same color if they wish to stay together. Venues addresses are on the tickets, and maps are available. Email Amy E. Webber webberam@luther. edu for more information.
Tickets on sale through June 26 for the First Annual Lazy River Beer & Wine Festival The exciting first Annual Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival is June 26, on the river’s edge in Marquette, Iowa. Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival, a premier beer and wine tasting event, will feature locally crafted wine and beer from three Iowa wineries and three Iowa breweries. Along with a great sampling of Iowa brews and vino, attendees will enjoy live music by local musicians, a hog roast, cheese samples and great food offered by various local vendors. Event attendees will also receive discounts on riverboat rides and an opportunity to win prizes. Only 500 tickets are being sold and can be found at www.lazyriverfest.com, Eagles Landing Winery in Marquette, or Old Man River Brewery in McGregor. Each ticket holder will receive a souvenir sampling glass, a signature event wine bag and 20 samples of choice. For more information call the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce at 800896-0910.
T i me to dust off your bunad!
Decorah’s 44th Annual Nordic Fest
Trekkin' with the Trolls July 22, 23, & 24, 2010
n!
• Thursday night opening ceremonies, featuring the pageantry of flags, costumes, music, dancing, & more! • Street dances Friday & Saturday evening
Just some of t he f u
• Annual Nordic Fest Grand Parade Saturday at 10:30 am • Saturday night fireworks & torchlight parade • Live music & entertainment citywide • Antique show & craft show • Bunad show, featuring ethnic costumes from all regions of Norway
More information & registration online:
nordicfest.com
• Children's carnival & petting zoo
or at
800-382-FEST
• Sporting Events: Envelopet, Kanolopet, Nordic Rock Throw • Nordic Dancers performances. Visit www.nordicdancers.org for more information.
• Celebration Iowa Singers & Jazz Band performances: Thursday, July 22, 7 pm: Opening Ceremonies, Courthouse Square Friday, July 23, 1 & 3 pm & Saturday, July 24, 1& 5 pm: Decorah High School Auditorium
bunad (boo-nod): A traditional Norwegian folk costume. Designs are typically elaborate, with embroidery, scarves, shawls and hand-made silver or gold jewelry.
Compiled by Inspire(d)
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
S
ure, summer is all about festivals and swimming and canoeing and fairs, but what do you do when it’s raining? Or when it’s hot, humid, and sticky in a way that only the Midwest can be – like you’re trapped in a hot tub and there’s no time machine? Right? Right. So in all our infinite wisdom, we hatched a plan: let’s find out about some cultural, educational, fun, air conditioned museums in the Driftless Region. We asked each museum to submit a little entertaining information about what’s waiting within their walls for people like you and me. And boy did they deliver. Your kids can go rock climbing. You can see a clock someone once wanted to buy for $1 million dollars, a sailboat that actually crossed the Atlantic, and the place where the modern tractor was made. It’s all pretty cool. Literally and figuratively. Explore. If you’re a tourist, get the most of your stay. If you’re not – pretend you are!
Vesterheim Museum, 520 West Water Street, Decorah Hours: May – October open daily: 9 am – 5 pm, Thursdays ‘til 8 pm November – April: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm, Thursdays ‘til 8 pm Admission: $10/adult, $8/senior over 65, and $5/children age 7 –18 www.vesterheim.org • 563-382-9681 With 24,000 artifacts and 16 historic buildings, this national treasure uses the Norwegian-American experience as a lens to explore the diversity of an immigrant nation. Step inside to discover stories of courage and beauty. You’ll find a cabin made from a single tree, a sailboat that crossed the Atlantic Ocean, elaborate costumes, colorful painting, silver wedding crowns, woven tapestries, and even intricately carved butter molds. The lives of the people who settled our nation were often as colorful as their folk art, and their stories speak through the objects they left behind. Come and see what they have to say. “USA Today” named Vesterheim one of “10 great places in the nation to admire American folk art.” Vesterheim also preserves living traditions through classes in Norwegian culture and folk art, events, tours to Norway, and educational programs for children and adults. Preserving a heritage. Connecting us all.
no rain on this parade 24
TOO HOT? RAINY? VISIT ONE OF THESE GREAT MUSEUMS IN THE DRIFTLESS REGION!
The Porter House, 401 West Broadway St, Decorah Hours: June – August open daily: 10 am – 4 pm, and Sundays 1 pm – 4 pm. Admission: $5/adult, $4/seniors, $3/children age 6–16, Under 6: FREE! www.porterhousemuseum.com • 563-382-8465 Near the turn of the century, Grace Young fell in love with the “boy next door,” Adelbert (Bert) Field Porter, and married him in her parent’s music parlor in June 1904. They lived out their lives in the Italianate Villa that previously belonged to Grace’s parents – it now houses their personal furnishings, collections, artwork, photographs, and library. A.F. Porter’s collection of exotic butterflies, gathered over seven trips around the world, is the focal point of the museum, along with Grace’s piano in the music room, and her painted china collection. The museum grounds include a unique rock wall designed by Bert and built from his extensive collection of rocks and minerals. Fountains, birdbaths, planters, and a water garden enhance the gardens surrounding the house. In July of 1968, Bert conveyed the house and it’s contents for preservation as a public museum. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Burr Oak, Iowa, (Off Highway 52, 12 miles north of Decorah or three miles south of the Minnesota state line) Summer Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm, Sunday 12 – 4 pm Admission: $7/adult, $5/children age 6-17, Family Rate $25 www.lauraingallswilder.us • 563-735-5916 Question: Who has 10 eyes, no income and was forced from their previous life by an invasion? Answer: The Charles Ingalls family when they moved to Iowa in 1876 and Laura was nine years old. Laura’s family left the Banks of Plum River in Minnesota, fleeing the horrible grasshopper plague, to find a better livelihood. In Burr Oak, they helped run the Master’s Hotel and they moved twice more during their year in the small village. The building where they first lived opened as a museum, 100 years after their move, in 1976. The third site where they lived was the birthplace of their fourth daughter, Grace. Knowledgeable guides – familiar with Laura through Burr Oak history, her widely-read books, or the popular television series – help guests from around the globe understand the Ingalls’ Iowa life and times. Come explore the story of one of our country’s most beloved authors. Children’s Museum of La Crosse, 207 5th Avenue South, La Crosse, Wisconsin Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 am – 5 pm; Sundays 12 – 5 pm (closed Mondays and major holidays) Admission: $6/person (Sunday Savers: $1 off admission!) Infants and members FREE. www.funmuseum.org • 608-784-2652 Learning and fun…rolled into one, for the young and the young at heart! Spend some affordable, quality time with your kids at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse, where you’ll explore three floors of hands-on exhibits, a climbing wall, gift shop, and much more. Lots of new exhibits added in recent months, including the heart-pounding NEOS game, Whoosh, Toothy Tango, kid’s crane, and a two-story rescue center. Memberships include a full year of admission + other benefits, starting at only $50! The $120 Passport level membership includes admission to over 425 participating museums nationwide! Ask about birthday parties, field trips, summer camps and other programs: convenient and fun – and kids will even learn something!
Your headquarters for Brighton now carries handbags!
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Nestled in the heart of historic Decorah
Lunch
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The Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona, Minnesota Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am - 5 p, Sunday 11 am - 5 pm (Closed Mondays and Holidays) Admission: $6/adult, $3/students age 5 – college, 4 and under free, $20 Family Rate www.minnesotamarineart.org • 507-474-6626 The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is not what you expect, or where you expect to find it. Next to a working Mississippi river port in the beautiful “historic island city” of Winona, the Museum houses one of the best collections of art inspired by water in the United States. A place where everyone is welcome (no art degree required!), the Museum is a year-round destination that hosts ongoing events and programs for kids, families, and adults including our popular Toddler Tuesdays and Family Fest.
scones, tarts, desserts & entree, soup, salads, & sandwiches all made from scratch daily
Rochester Art Center, 40 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, Minnesota (on the Zumbro River) Hours: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm; Thursday: 10 am – 9 pm; Sunday: 12 – 5 pm Admission: $5/adult $3/senior (62 and over); Free to children, students, members & Olmsted County Residents www.rochesterartcenter.org • 507-282-8629
5 Take a moment for yourself.
Then: Founded in 1946, the Rochester Art Center presented local and regional art for nearly 30 years. For the next 30, RAC became a national focus for arts and crafts, particularly ceramics. Now: Today, RAC is a venerable organization in cool new digs. In 2004, we built an ultra-modern building, presenting contemporary art. We’re famous for Free Family Day (1st Saturday/month), Total Arts Day Camp; 3rd Floor Emerging Artists Series; national and international artists; FLUX (late evening music/art/performance for young-adults), and as a top 10 place in Minnesota for weddings and receptions… the view’s that beautiful.
We’ll do the rest.
5 Tues-Sat: 11 - 3 Store opens at 10
563-382-3795
hartsteaandtarts.com
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Why did Henry Ford in 1928, offer $1million for one of the Bily brothers clocks and why did they refuse the offer? Take a tour of the Bily clocks museum, located in the quaint village of Spillville, and you’ll find out! Experience for yourself this one-of-a-kind collection of 40 hand-carved clocks created by Frank and Joseph Bily (bee-lee), farmers by trade and carvers by night. And why did Antonin Dvorak, Czeck composer from Praque, find his way to Spillville? That answer is found on the second floor of the museum. You’ll just have to come to find out!
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113 W. Water St. Decorah,
Bily Clocks Museum/Antonin Dvorak Exhibit, 323 S. Main Street, Spillville, Iowa (12 miles south of Decorah) Hours: May – October: Monday-Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays, 12 – 4 pm April – November: weekends only Admission: $6/ adult, $5/senior 65 and over, $4/youth age 6-17, $16/Family www.bilyclocks.org • 563-562-3569
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The Froelich visitor experience includes an 1891 general store museum, an 1866 restored country school, a l903 dairy barn, a rebuilt railroad depot, a turn of the century blacksmith shop, and a mini-grain truck display (new in 2009). The highlight of the summer is the Froelich half-scale model tractor display and video of its historic development. In 1892, in this tiny village, John Froelich invented the first farm tractor powered by a gasoline engine that operated in forward and reverse. It became the Waterloo Boy and the current John Deere tractor division in Waterloo, Iowa. Historians credit Froelich, Iowa, as the birthplace of the modern farm tractor.
Villa Louis, 521 N. Villa Louis Rd, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Hours: Open May 1 – Oct 31: 9:30 am – 5 pm. Guided tours on the hour from 10 am to 4 pm Admission: $9/adults, $7.75/seniors, $4.50/youth 5-17, $24/family villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org • 608-326-2721 The Villa Louis, also known as Dousman Mansion, is located on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Today the site is restored to its late-19th century grandeur, when it was the estate of the prominent H. Louis Dousman family. At the center of the estate is the elegant Villa Louis mansion, designed by E. Townsend Mix and built in 1871. Earlier it had been home to Louis’s father Hercules L. Dousman, and before that the land was occupied by Fort Crawford. Prior to this, in 1814, the Siege of Prairie du Chien was fought at the site by American and British troops hoping to control Fort Shelby during the War of 1812. Still farther back, the site was of importance to American Indian tribes, especially the Mound Builders. Today the Villa Louis is the finest example of a British Arts and Crafts interior in a rural setting in the United States.
4 days. 525 tractors. lots of fun.
Decorah
photo by Denny Eilers Froelich Tractor Iowa John Deere Museum, 24397 Froelich Rd., Froelich, Iowa (4 miles east of Monona on U.S. Highway 18) Summer Hours: Open six days a week (closed Wednesdays): 11 am – 5 pm www.froelichtractor.com • 563-536-2841
June 13-16 WMT Tractorcade The daily “clover tour” begins & ends at the Winneshiek County fairgrounds. Monday, June 14, “Community Day”: Downtown stores open until 8pm! Catch live music on Washington Street by Done Doin’ Laundry, Northeast Iowa's favorite all-female acoustic band! (Weather permitting.) Don’t forget your lawnchairs! FREE! The entire WMT Radio gang will fill the streets to shop, dine & relax. And you’re invited too! Tuesday, June 15, “Shine Time”: Head to the Fairgrounds from 5-7:30 pm to see ALL the tractors & talk to their owners! Plus: Thunder Rode Drill Team performs at 6:30 pm Contact WCCVB’s Brenda Balk at 382-2023 for more details.
Breakfast on the farm Pancakes & Egg-ucation
June 19, 7-11 am the dairy center, Calmar, Iowa
Fun for the whole family! Come check out the Dairy Center & learn more about agriculture! Free riding tours of the 250-cow operation, plus a wholesome breakfast.
Interactive Learning, Great Food, Petting Zoo, & more!
$5/adult • $3/child All parking will be at NICC campus – free shuttles are provided to the Dairy Center. THE DAIRY FOUNDATION More information at iowadairycenter.com or by calling 563-534-9957
Bringing Bundoo Stateside
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
ARTIST RICHARD VAN GENDEREN SHARES THE JOURNEY THAT LED HIM TO NORTHEAST IOWA
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By Lauren Kraus
ichard Van Genderen only had one stipulation when he agreed to this interview. “Can we do this talk outside? You know, I work better out in nature,” he says. It’s true. It’s easily apparent that the Cresco artist relishes in the great outdoors – the beauty of the world flourishes in his work. An outside meeting seemed appropriate. So while soaking in the warm Iowa sun on a tranquil May afternoon, Richard Van Genderen shared his tales. Our conversation carried me to his upbringing in the wild African bush and then onto a chance meeting and soiree at Salvador Dali’s Spanish home. I even heard about Van Genderen’s creative efforts with NASA performing top secret research and implementing projects regarding the design of the first lunar lander. “Who is this guy,” I thought, “And how the heck did he land in Cresco, Iowa?” It’s a great story.
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self-proclaimed “Post-Surrealist,” Van Genderen’s sheets to find a Black Mamba had cozily coiled on his bed. art is often layered with vibrant colors and In the 1960s, at age 18, Van Genderen emigrated intentional messages as he mixes imagery into unique to America. He launched into college, rode the wave of compositions. His work embodies Surrealism, literally the 60s and loved the idea of being in the United States. meaning “beyond realism,” incorporating a magical Wanting to focus on his artwork but not finding the sense and an aura of mystery. With that, Van Genderen instruction he needed in college, he left to keep creating on proclaims, “nature is my his own. Van Genderen calling,” and he always believes “making art is a comes back to it. Much way to capture natural of his work exhibits a beauty and that beauty is connection to the natural our greatest consolation.” world, a kinship with In an industrialized the rhythms of nature, culture focused on as well as the inherent commercialism and influence of his African the breeding of fear, he roots. Van Genderen proclaims, “There is great explains, “When I am reassurance in beauty.” divorced of my ego, the Beauty can be found images end up creating even in technology. As themselves. I know I Van Genderen began am just there to do the to hone his skills as an digging.” artist, he was involved RICHARD VAN GENDEREN Intuitively, Van Genderen is a storyteller in numerous projects including the ARTIST RECEPTION & GALLERY and shares those stories through his stint with NASA as well as illustrating SHOW Bundoo artwork. He embraces the idea of the instructional book for the first Mac JULY 9, 2010 Bundoo, a slang word for “out in the wild” computer. He also designed the PC THE PERFECT EDGE used by fellow bush-folk, as it classifies the Magazine logo. Artists have to find 118 WASHINGTON STREET, feral, rugged, ruthless landscape he was balance to their production, he notes, DECORAH raised in. Born in 1948 in Johannesburg, mixing commercial work with personal South Africa, the Van Genderen family work. CRESCO ART SHOW moved to the plains of Rhodesia, Africa, Eventually, Van Genderen left the SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 OUTSIDE IN THE PARK NEXT TO now known as Zimbabwe, to raise their United States for Europe with the THE FAREWAY three children. This proved to be the good intention of expanding and exploring life for a young boy. his art on new levels. This experience CHECK OUT HIS WORK ONLINE: “It was like growing up in Eden,” he says culminated with the opportunity to WWW.WILDPLANTSART.COM with a South African accent, “although meet his boyhood hero, Salvador Dali, VANGENDERENSTUDIO.COM you were always on your toes, just like an in Spain. In Madrid for a bullfight, Van animal, very alert.” Genderen wanted to visit Dali’s home He learned early on the importance of before leaving the country. Not only did trust, the necessity of relying on each other, as well as he visit the home, he met Dali, and was given praise by the household rules instilled by his parents. Never pick up a surrealist master and invited to stay and study for a few rock before kicking at it first. Or, pull down your bed sheets weeks. before getting in. Once Van Genderen pulled down his “Dali was a wonderful host, a very likable fellow with a lot
Help re-brand YOUR arts council!
Hip names, Classy names. Clever names. We want them all.
artistsformerlyknownasdrac.com Visit the site. Enter your ideas. Winning name gets a fun prize! Details online. Contest open June 15 through August 15.
Fancy Pants Style Trends for Summer 2010
of fans,” says Van Genderen. “I was flattered to know Dali could “read” my drawings and give constructive counsel.” Back to the U.S., Van Genderen settled in California
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for several years and continued to create. He traveled to and lived in Mexico for some time and after running out of money ventured to Kansas City. He exhibited his work in art shows all over the Midwest, including Des Moines, Iowa. It was there that he met an artist from Cresco. It took just one visit for Van Genderen to fall in love with the natural beauty of Northeast Iowa as well as the small town atmosphere. He’s been a Cresco resident for the past few years. “The quiet of the Midwest is a good place to be an artist,” he says. “Everybody’s real here.” Richard Van Genderen is an inquisitive man with a heart full of passion to create and a love for sharing his countless stories. He is humble in his artistry. He is a journey man; in touch with the cultures he explores while tapping into the natural beauty through his artwork. And, YOU can be so lucky to meet this man! His work will be on display at the Perfect Edge Gallery and Frame shop in Decorah beginning July 9 and running through the end of the month. Make sure to stop in and learn a bit about Bundoo art. Lauren Kraus, Decorah resident, loves local art and looks forward to exploring more of Van Genderen’s Bundoo work at the Perfect Edge. Hopefully, a trip to Africa will be in the cards as well.
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DRAC NEEDS A NEW NAME!
Fun!
july 15: alexander valley Wine Dinner 6:30 pm
Written by Aryn Henning Nichols, DRAC member and advocate
For decades the art scene in the Decorah area has been represented by a group called the Decorah Regional Arts Council, aka DRAC. DRAC has gone through ups and downs, births and rebirths, but has always kept on keepin’ on and today has a diverse board of arts-driven people – some new to the area, some natives – who are excited to bring a fresh era of DRAC to the community. So it is with great excitement that the board announces a re-branding process that is powered by the people. The first step was a revised mission statement. The new and improved arts council will focus on community building, enabling its members to network, foster partnerships, and create stronger art-related events, cultural activities, and educational opportunities in the region. The second step is a new “brand” or image. That’s where you come in. Since the “artists formerly known as DRAC” want the arts council to be made of and for the people, they thought putting the new name in your hands would be a great start. And because everyone loves a little friendly competition, there’s going to be a contest. Starting June 15, anyone and everyone may go to artistsformerlyknownasdrac. com and enter their ideas for the new arts council’s name. The region the council represents is Decorah, of course, but also all of Northeast Iowa, and even across the borders a bit into Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Keep this in mind as you formulate your ideas. Be creative. Be eloquent. Be classic. They want it all. And while you’re at it, if you’d like to share a few ideas about what YOU want to see in your regional arts council, please do so at the site. You may enter as many ideas as you’d like up until August 15. The board will narrow down the best of the best then make a vote. Also head to artistsformerlyknownasdrac.com for extra details about the contest and possible prizes for the winning name. Suspenseful, right? Just go check it out. The next step in the re-branding process is a new logo, and a website (!) that will both connect arts council members with each other and also act as a virtual gallery of sorts until a physical location comes into the picture. This website will be THE place to learn about all the fabulous artists and creative folk in the area. The official unveiling of the new brand will be at the annual membership meeting scheduled for midSeptember. Details will be available online and in the next Inspire(d) Magazine. The infrastructure of the council will remain the same, and they will continue to maintain its non-profit status. But they are working hard on the re-brand this summer, thus have decided to take a one-year hiatus from ArtWalk on Water Street in Downtown Decorah. Don’t worry – it’ll be back. And it’ll be better than ever.
?
ArtistsFormerlyKnownAsDRAC.com –see you there!
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happy hour! wed-sat 5-6 pm $2 pints $4 wines by the glass
New Spring Menu April 7 try THE Burger, nominated for best burger in Iowa!
• dinner: wed-sat open at 5 • sunday brunch: 9-1 • lunch: wed-fri 11-1:30 bar menu also available reservations appreciated
563.382.WINE find us on facebook!
www.rubaiyatrestaurant.com 117 W. Water St • Decorah, IA
CJ Huber Decorah , 563-382-8714
Remote Control
Use owans I t s a e ) rth ul of No ir Lives Better f D n a H a he (Or How Make T o t t e n Inter By Aryn Henning Nichols
W
hen you’re young – heck, even when you’re old – the bigness of the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up,” is hard to fathom. Doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer, secretary, (gasp) artist – we think this is the only “job” pool we can dive into. We work from 9 am to 5 pm (8 am if you live in the Midwest) Monday through Friday and pack all our fun into two days starting with the letter S. Then we get back to work. But computers and the Internet have ripped social constructs to shreds, and we’re left to discover this new era of work (and life) possibilities. If the invention of the telephone opened up doors in the business world, the Internet has thrown all windows (pun intended) wide open. Many creative, out-of-the-cube sort of people are taking stock of what really matters. They’re looking at how they want to live…and they’re living. Some are even migrating out of cities and into smaller communities like Decorah to make it happen.
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David J. Wadsworth
563-419-0390 • wadsworthconstruction.com
I
nternet entrepreneur Jason Trout and his wife, Alicia, moved to Decorah in 2003. “We looked at places in Oregon and even Hawaii – we wanted something green, both in the literal and the ‘crunchy’ way. One day we were in Barnes and Noble and saw a Mother Earth News article by organic farmer Chris Blanchard about this place called Decorah. We had just heard about Seed Savers and sort of felt like something was telling us we had to check this place out. It had it all – a great co-op, CSAs, a thriving downtown with lots of progressive businesses…” he pauses, taking a breath. “A great farmers market, a river, trails, a sense of community. It was exactly what we were looking for.” Because Jason’s work is Internet-based, he and Alicia weren’t restricted in their choice. They could live, literally, anywhere. Although Decorah was new to them both, the Trouts are Iowa natives. Jason attended the University of Iowa, and it was there that he launched an Internet business called Planet-Save.com, an e-mail system that saves rainforest every time a user sends or receives an email. A portion of the ad sales funded the donations to a non-profit that was working to save the rainforest. And people got to feel good about doing something they do every day anyway. “It blew up,” he says. “Our first sponsor was Birkenstock. We had 50,000 people signed up in one year. It was pretty cool. I realized I could make a living from my desk – from my apartment.” To top it off, he entered Planet-
www.donlonpharmacy.com I’m back for a visit to my Nisse ancestors in Decorah! But, geez, those Norwegians still know how to party... I’ve got a a troll-sized headache!
At Donlon’s, we’ve got Hoeg Nisse, help for the headaches – wine to make ‘em & medicine to fix ‘em – AND you can print the night’s most embarrassing photos in minutes!
Jason (left) and Peter (right). Photos by Silver Moon Photography.
Save.com into a business plan competition his senior year at Iowa and won $5,000. “It was at that point that I decided to forgo getting a “real job” and just focus on web business,” he says. A year after graduation he sold Planet-Save.com to RedJellyfish.com, where he worked for several years. But currently he runs two online businesses: GreenBusiness.net, a networking tool for eco-entrepreneurs and professionals, and Blue Brain Consulting, a company that helps businesses market themselves through Google AdWords. It seems like a lot, but Jason has control over how much work he does, and always puts family first. “Things have gotten pretty cool in the last few years. I get the kids off to school with Alicia every morning, then walk downtown to my office and generally start work about 10:30,” he says. “If Alicia needs me to go pick up the kids some days, I can. We can go to the park and play. I’m there when
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Keepsake Nisse, wine, medicine, Kodak Photo Station, & more! Donlon’s: a must-stop summer spot.
201 West Water Street, Decorah, Iowa • 563-382-2626
J
eni Grouws dtys Fair! &WinFnreshiieekn Coun
live!
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Tuesday, July 6th 7:30pm !
In the Grandstand
they go to school and at night when they go to bed. How’s that for a perk?” The mobility is another perk. “People don’t always get it. I can work from anywhere. We’re going to the state of Washington for the month of June. We’re bringing the kids. As long as you have that computer, you can do it,” he says. “I hope I can be a good example to people. I live below my means, but I enjoy life. Work doesn’t define me.” Whether it’s by Jason’s example or not, others are following suit. In Decorah alone, the influx of new, young couples is astounding. “Decorah is becoming a magnet for cool people,” Jason says. “People want to live here just to be in Decorah.”
"I can even PaGe someone in the warehouse from my Back BeDroom. It's sPooky." - Eric Sovern
homeAn evening of live music & g people grown talent featuring youn ion. & adults from across the reg adio.com Details available at kdecr ds Live at the “Jeni Grouws & Frien ir.” Winneshiek County Fa
It’s almost time to digIN at the KDEC Green Expo! Do you have a sustainability-minded business? Don’t miss this opportunity for face-to-face time with an interested public at the KDEC Green Expo! Contact KDEC for details: kdec@kdecradio.com or 563-382-4251.
dig IN the decorah iowa green INitiative
120 Washington St., Decorah, Ia
CREATIVE MIDWEST FARE
• Fresh seasonal menus • Great wine & beer selection • Cocktails made with fresh squeezed juices RESERVATIONS • Housemade daily soups & desserts ACCEPTED
Serving lunch and dinner Mon - Sat • 563-382-3067
P
eople like graphic designer Nathan Dirks, whose new web design business has taken off like a bottle rocket on the Fourth of July. Driftless Design specializes in content management sites that allow clients to maintain them on their own. After working construction for the first year or so of living in Decorah, Nathan decided to get creative, literally, with his livelihood. Although the 2004 Luther grad’s degree is in philosophy and Spanish, his talent in design is apparent. And his web-know-how is entirely self-taught. Nathan and his wife, Rachel, simply wanted – as Jason said – to be in Decorah. “We decided to put our roots down permanently in Decorah because it’s a great town with such a vibrant community,” Nathan says. “It’s the perfect place to raise kids. And people seem to really support local businesses, which also makes it a good place to be an entrepreneur. The best part is it seems to be getting better all the time.”
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he story is pretty similar for Eric Sovern, sales manager for Surly Bikes – a small bicycle brand based in the Twin Cities. He and his partner, Shannon Horton, wanted their son to grow up in a real community and have a real connection with nature. “Decorah is full of pretty great people and has a lot of outside opportunities that you just won’t find in a city like Minneapolis. Great mountain biking trails, canoeing, fishing, hiking, camping – all of those things are important to us as parents,” he says. Northeast Iowa is also equidistant to both of their parents’ homes (Madison, Wisconsin and Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and to the Twin Cities when Eric has to go to Surly headquarters. He also enjoys volunteering at the Decorah Fire Department, where they let him “squirt water at burning things.” Eric’s able to work for Surly remotely – promoting products, answering emails, filling out “long interesting spread sheets with lots of numbers and secret codes” – as long as he’s got his computer and an Internet connection. “I also get to attend many meetings via the speakerphone,” he says. “My phone goes through the
Internet as well and is tied directly into the home office in the Twin Cities – I can even page someone in the warehouse from my back bedroom. It’s spooky.” Surprisingly, getting out of the office environment can equal more productivity. “There are no conversations about last night’s Lost episode, no “check out this You Tube video” moments, and no interruptions of that kind,” Eric says. That being said, “The lack of human contact can get a little weird. I find myself calling into work and saying, “So… did you see that episode of Lost last night?”
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hat’s entrepreneur Peter Awad’s main complaint about remote work as well. “Sometimes I don’t see another person all day,” he says. He and his wife, Melissa, moved to Decorah in 2007. The motive stays true for them as well – family, quality of life, lower cost of living – but he deals via the Internet with something very tangible: auto parts sales. Not just any auto parts though – highend, high performance sports car parts. “These are ‘Fast and Furious’ cars, seriously,” Peter says. “It’s such a niche market and a totally viral business.” Peter, like Jason Trout, started his business in college. He got a degree in mechanical engineering at University of Central Florida, but once word got out about Import Auto Performance, business took off and he never looked back. Nine years later, he’s learned so much about the business his own manufacturers call him for future production ideas. Peter’s also learned a lot about business in general, and has made some life-changing improvement to his. You see, Peter – up until just recently – was physically shipping the parts he sold. But now he has streamlined
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4-Hour Work Week is not literal – the title that is. No – the title is the result of Google marketing research. Using the ever-powerful Google to test your market is just one of the tips author Timothy Ferris includes in the 300-some page self-help meets tech meets howto guide book of sorts. Some of it is a little over the top, but it has a ton of good ideas and tips, and most importantly, it gets you to think about how you’re using your time – at work and in life. This is one of the biggest perks of working remotely. You are in control of your own time. It can also be one of the biggest pitfalls. You are in control of your own time.
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Import Auto Performance sales through fulfillment warehouses and “virtual assistants” (personal assistants who also work remotely, but in India). The process goes like this: orders are sent to a virtual assistant who enters them into QuickBooks. The orders then go to a fulfillment warehouse, which in turn sends the parts to the customer. Peter’s main duties are to answer specific technical questions and research and predict his market. Peter sites the book 4-Hour Work Week as inspiration for a lot of these changes. Jason, after reading the book as well, has also made some changes in his business.
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“I also like that I am doing work I love and I don’t have the stress of a boss or co-workers,” Shannon says. “Several people think being an artist/designer as a job is a dream, but it is doable.” Everyone agreed that independent work – whether you’re self-employed or simply working remotely – is a lot easier than people think. Jason and Peter have even developed a business around the idea, joining forces to help the masses create their very own Internet-based income. “So many people say, ‘I want to do what you do.’ Well we want to show them how,” Peter says. Stratus Web Group offers classes starting with the basic, “How to Start an Internet Business and ranging to Internet marketing, optimizing with Google, and how to use Cloud computing or eBay. Class details can be found at www.stratuswebgroup.com. “People look at me like I’m a genius or something,” Peter says. “I’m not a rocket scientist. Starting an Internet business isn’t rocket science at all. And I think there’s enough out there for everyone to have a piece.”
Aryn Henning Nichols can remember learning how to type in a classroom full of typewriters. She’s not old (really!) – technology just ages like dogs. Maybe faster.
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inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
ellow entrepreneurs Bryce and Shannon Durbin are inspired by a different author –Minnesota native, Barbara Winter. Winter runs a blog, JoyfullyJobless.com, that encourages readers to use their creative talents in as many ways as possible to make a living, while also LIVING. The Durbins have taken this concept to heart. They collectively own a design company called Art Punks from PoDunk, based out of charming Elkader, Iowa. But they also wear the hats of illustrator, photographer, spiritual director, and blogger. They were, in fact, on the road with their blog, AdventuresWithLincoln.com, for this interview. Adventures with Lincoln is a project inspired both by a personal goal of Shannon’s, and by their 9-month-old son, Lincoln. “I wanted to see all 50 states before I turned 30. We have 14 states to go and I turned 29 last week (late May). We started blogging about our adventures with our son, Lincoln. We needed a new vehicle so I got the idea of driving a Lincoln and visiting Abraham Lincoln sites in some of the states that were on our list. We are using the blog to share our travels but also to give advice on traveling with a baby, how to travel on a budget, and we review travel products and kid-friendly places.” she says. Cute Lincoln (who was not actually named after the President or the automobile, but after Link on Zelda) poses for all kinds of photos across the country. Shannon and Bryce both say being able to spend time with Link is one of the biggest perks.
BOOK REVIEW: SERENA BY RON RASH
YOU’LL BE EXHILERATED, CHALLENGED, AND SOBERED
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
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first read this fantastic novel about a pair of lumber barons in Depression-era North Carolina – featuring a villainess who puts Lady Macbeth to shame – just weeks after the BP oil-well spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As a society we’re still trying to wrap our minds around the scope of the devastation for which our energy habits loaded the gun and an accident pulled the trigger. Serena, a vivid portrait of the power and the results of human action, raises these issues again: was there a time when it all could have been different? If this sounds like too heavy a load for any novel, rest assured – Serena is a cracking good read, replete with gorgeous prose, striking images, haunting characters, and a plot that makes it literally unputdownable. I’ve been a fan of Ron Rash for a while. Here, he engages lightly and deftly with a complex literary inheritance – the shadows of Ayn Rand’s Nietzchean hero Howard Roark, Lady Macbeth, John Muir, Wendell Berry, and even Faulkner’s mysterious titan Thomas Sutpen stalk
these pages. But his first loyalty is to his mountain world and people; a native and resident of Western North Carolina, Rash sets his novel going with one question: when a pair of lumber barons and a government that wants a new national park fight over a million acres of virgin timber – as workers looking to feed their families during the Depression, a young mother and child, and an endangered way of life are caught in the middle – who will win? And why? Rash’s technique is an old and honored one: wrap the global issue in the local and the particular. Despite some clunky initial lines and some expository dialogue, the prose sings: “All the while the air grew thinner as the workers made their way up the steep incline toward tools hidden under leaves, hung on tree branches like the harps of the old Hebrews. Not just axes but eight-foot cross-cut saws and steel wedges and blocks and pike poles, the nine-pound hammers called go-devils and the six-pound hammers called grab skips. Some of these implements had initials burned in their handles, and some were given names as might be allowed a horse or rifle. All but the newest had their handles worn smooth by flesh much in the manner of stones rubbed by water.” Rash has an impeccable ear for speech, eye for gesture, and sense of his characters’ rootedness in old Scotland and the Old Testament. Names like Jacob, Absalom, Solomon, and Rachel, physical details like mud-chinked cabins and whirligig toys, and phrases like “feathered into” (attacked with a force like that which buries an arrow shaft-deep in an enemy’s chest), “writing spider” (yellow and black spider whose web can appear to have letters at the center), “scawmy” (rainy and cold) or the suffix “-some” (“a terriblesome thing,” a “darksome” hollow) bring this world to vivid and unsentimental life. Serena seamlessly blends not only the Appalachian but the classical and the Shakespearean, demonstrating the powerful lines of connection among all three. The novel’s eponymous villainess is a Lady-Macbeth-ish warrior queen, beautiful, powerful, and matter-of-factly evil, one of the most memorable characters in recent fiction. Classically educated, born mysteriously of a fire that left the rest of her family dead, she trains her imported Mongolian eagle to hunt rattlesnakes, and is trailed by a sinister one-handed henchman
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whose blind mother has “second sight.” Even the minor characters are finely sketched. Timber workers on break form a Greek chorus, with an easy flow of comic, dark chat: “I heard when that hand of his hit the ground it kept opening and closing like it was trying to strangle somebody. Kept on doing that for near five minutes.” On a preacher who’s just undergone electroshock therapy: “I was hoping we could fling him in the river and he’d shock us up a mess of catfish.” These are the voices among which Rash, and I, grew up – Southern working people caught in the middle of the struggle between the natural world and those who would rape it for wealth. “Used to be thick with trout, this here stream,” a timber-crew member observes somberly. “There was many a day you and me took our supper from it. Now you’d not catch a knottyhead… And I had my part in the doing of it.” You’ll put down this novel exhilarated, challenged, and sobered. “These mountains are like the finest ladies,” one timber baron tells another. “They won’t give you what you want until you spend a lot of time and money on them.” In each case – Rash does not need to spell out – the object is the same. In the novel’s world, the barons are competing with another suitor: the government, seeking to establish what we now know as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It could easily have gone another way. And still could.
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Amy Weldon, an Alabama native, teaches creative writing, literature, and Paideia at Luther College, as well as the occasional writing class for community members at Decorah’s ArtHaus – watch the calendar! To focus on her multitudes of projects (and her day job), the Book Doctress is taking a hiatus – look for her return in 2011!
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563-382-2700•105 Railroad Ave•Decorah, Iowa Gently used donations accepted at the back of the building
A simple act today can make a substantial difference tomorrow. Wouldn’t it be great to give a substantial gift to the organizations you care about most while staying true to your budget? With a gift of life insurance, you can. It can be an affordable, easy and flexible way to make a difference. For more information on planned charitable giving and the life insurance qualification requirements, call today.
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Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its respective associates and employees cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial representative in collaboration with your attorney and/or tax professional for complete details. 21822C R4-07 200702999 ©2010 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
the downloa(d) By Jason Stonerook
New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) by Erykah Badu Part One, (subtitled 4th World War and released in 2008,) was an eclectic blend of funk, hip-hop, and jazz that was one part political commentary and one part personal politics. Part Two is much more intimate and so warm I thought I could hear the hiss of vinyl. Sharing an orbit with Maggot Brain, I Want You, and Innervisions, its closest soul mate is actually Badu’s 1997 neo-soul debut Baduizm. “Window Seat” is the kind of slow jam we rarely hear today, while the slinky “Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)” is as irresistible as the song’s predatory groupie makes herself out to be. Sea of Cowards by the Dead Weather Ten months after their debut, Jack White and Alison Mosshart return as the new neighbors who have converted the split-level next door into the House of 1000 Corpses. Their creep show sludge rock reveres the sacrilegious blues metal of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. The theme this time around is matrimony, which they consecrate by digging the grave they’ll share. Both scheme to put their beloved there ahead of schedule, but it’s pretty clear whoever’s sent first will drag the other with. “When you’re close to me/ I can smell the gasoline” Mosshart wails, probably with lighter in hand. Congratulations by MGMT MGMT imagined life as decadent rock stars on their breakthrough 2008 hit “Time to Pretend,” a tune catchy enough to win over critics who weren’t sure if it was a facile commentary on fame or a dose of hipster irony from a couple Wesleyan grads. Their new album, a collection of songs drawing on abstruse references to 60s-era Pink Floyd and Donovan, renders the band irrelevant. Worried their new-found adulation will be interpreted as a sign they’re selling out, MGMT instead sell-in with a narcissistic record completely out of touch with the current moment, leading them into artistic oblivion.
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
Heaven is Whenever by the Hold Steady Unlike MGMT’s vapid irony, the barroom E Street rock of the Hold Steady is refreshingly sincere. Beginning with a hung-over Dobro and the admission that they only started the band out of boredom, Heaven is Whenever is a confession offered by broken souls pursuing a salvation that entails sin. With the Hold Steady, you sense that rock and roll isn’t a pose or a theory but a faith. It could actually matter. “In the end I bet no one learns a lesson” sings frontman Craig Finn. I think they do. It’s just hard to tell sometimes the morning after.
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CLASSIC REVIEW: The Great Twenty-Eight by Chuck Berry Accept no substitute for this compilation, which collects all the essential singles recorded by this quintessential rock and roll artist between 1955 and 1965. These songs – including “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “School Days,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and the anthemic “Johnny B. Goode” – sound more alive today than anything currently on pop radio. Berry’s fusion of country and western and the blues – the sound of youth, fun, freedom, and electricity – defined the sound of rock and roll and signaled a change in the nation as irresistible and irrepressible as a rocket red ‘57 Chevy bouncing down the freeway.
Jason Stonerook is the author of Rock ‘N’ Politics: A State of the Union Address. He gets knocked down. But he gets up again. No you’re never gonna keep him down.
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BONUS CLASSIC REVIEW: Rot & Roll by the Dogs (1977) Scattered like strays across the nation, the garage rock bands of the 1970s hoped to rescue rock and roll from the bloated musical and commercial glut of the era. One such band, the Dogs, formed in the basement of a philatelist in the rural hamlet of Decorah, Iowa, in the mid-70s. Their scruffy brand of MC5-style rock would have sounded just as feral blasting out of the backdoor of the Pub as it would have onstage at CBGBs. The bone-rattling rhythm section anchored by drummer Erik Berg sets the table for Jody Koenig, whose guitar solos will make your mouth drool. On the delectable “Teen Slime,” lead singer Ole Torvik yelps at the moon like that wanna-be dog Iggy Pop. You don’t want to mess with either the bark or bite of these punk pups. Although fame in the States eluded them, the Dogs attained a rabid cult following in Europe just as the Sex Pistols went into heat in 1977. Maybe they ain’t never caught a rabbit, but these canines sure sound fine.
July 6: Karaoke Finals, 5 pm;
Jeni Grouws & Friends “Live at The Winneshiek County Fair,” 7:30 pm
July 7: Kevin Morris, 7:30 pm July 8: Upper Iowa Speedway Featured Stock Car Races, Hot Laps 6 pm, Race 6:30 pm
July 9 & 10: PRCA Pro Rodeo, 7 pm
Brian Staple’s Animal Magic Show: Wed.-Sat. • Petting zoo & pony rides: Wed.-Sat., 10 am • Kids Fun Day: Thursday • Fair Queen coronation July 6, 4:30, Show barn • Youth livestock shows all week
(Editors note: See the Dogs live at the Decorah Elk’s Lodge July 17. They’re reuniting at a benefit for Jody Koenig’s brother, Kel. See next page for details.)
Check out toys, videos & games!
More than 1,400 toys watch for new additions!
Yearly Membership Fees: Grandparent: $20 Family, Schools, or Childcare Providers: $45 Mini Membership: $15/ 3 mo. www.toysgoround.org
202 Winnebago St Decorah Public Library Lower Level
563-382-3717, ext. 111
WANT TO HELP? Donate good, clean, used toys; volunteer; or offer a monetary donation. TGR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization Ad sponsored by Winneshiek County Community Foundation
Tues/Sat 10 am – 1 pm • Wed/Thurs 3 pm – 7 pm
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F U N Local foods samplings, farm tours, meat grilling demonstrations, & activities for kids! Map, mission, & party details online or at 563-492-3400.
KEL ON WHEELS
A FIGHT AGAINST CBD (CORTICOBASAL DEGENERATION) Kel Koenig comes from one dandy of a musical family in Decorah. His father once owned the local radio station, and he and his brothers have played music together their entire lives. But Kel is also now suffering from a neurodegenerative brain disease known as CBD (Corticobasal Degeneration). It is a rare disease that has no known cure or treatment. But as with any disease, there is a constant stream of research and development going on, and Kel continues to live his life. In light of all this, Kel’s friends, family, and neighbors have put together an event to not only help celebrate the life of a friend, but to also raise money both towards finding a cure for CBD, and helping Kel and his wife Karla defray medical expenses. “Kel On Wheels” will take place Saturday, July 17, 2010 in various locations around Decorah. A scenic 32-mile “Tour de Pole Line” bike ride is slated for the morning, starting at Wold Park (Winneshiek Avenue and 5th Street). Registration starts at 7 am, the ride at 8:30 am. In the evening, friends, family, and music lovers will gather in at the Decorah Elks Lodge, 402 West Main Street, to dance the night away. Music will include a reunion of the original 1970’s rock band The Dogs featuring Jody Koenig, Peter ‘Ole’ Ride & Rock to Fight CBD Torvik, Erik Berg, Marke Stumme, and special guests; Koenig and Sons featuring Verne, Kel, Gary, and Jody Koenig. Peter Oyloe and Jammin’ for Karma will also be on the bill, bringing a set of original folk rock songs to the party. Admission is by donation at the door for the concert and party, and registration for the bike ride is $20. (Until June 30). Additional volunteers are still being sought to help with logistics on the bike ride. For more information on the event, CBD, and Kel Koenig, please visit guitarz.com/kelonwheels TM
Kel on Wheels; Ride & Rock to fight CBD July 17, 2010, Decorah Elks Lodge, Various locations Benefit “Tour de Pole Line” bike ride (8:30am) & Concert (7pm) for Kel Koenig who is suffering from CBD, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Festival line up following ride at the Decorah Elks Lodge including The Dogs, Peter Oyloe & Jammin’ For Karma, Koenig and Sons, and more special guests. guitarz.com/kelonwheels
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FAIR TIME IS FUN TIME! One of the true signs of summer in the Midwest is Fairseason – and it is right around the corner! Grandstand shows, livestock judging, competitions, exhibits, demolition derbies, races, rides, auctions, dances, and the inevitable fair food – it’s enough to not only get the kids excited, but bring out the kid in adults too. Here in the tri-state area there are countless county fairs that offer up great family entertainment at affordable prices. Below we have an abbreviated list of some of the regional Fairs: Winneshiek County Fair – Decorah, IA - July 6-10 Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, Ia - August 12-22 Allamakee County Fair – Waukon, IA – July 7-11 Allamakee County Big Four Fair, Postville, IA – June 18-20 Clayton County Fair, National, IA – August 3-9 Fayette County Fair, West Union, IA – July 27 – July 31 Houston County Fair, Caledonia, MN – August 18-22 Mighty Howard County Fair, Cresco, IA – June 22-27 Mower County Fair, Austin, MN – August 10-15 Fillmore County Fair, Preston, MN – July 20-24 LaCrosse Interstate Fair, LaCrosse, WI – July 14-18 Olmsted County Fair, – Rochester, MN - August 2-August 8
parcels that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fair has provided a place through history that has educated, informed, and entertained people from every walk of life. It is also host to “one of the world’s largest livestock shows,” as well as the largest art show in the state. Entertainment is also high on the list at the Iowa State Fair with over $400,000 / year spent on bringing in top notch acts. This year’s grandstand line-up includes performances by Mercy Me & Newsboys, Keith Urban, Shinedown, Jeff Dunham, Darius Rucker, Boys Like Girls, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, Pat Benatar & REO Speekwagon, and of course the excitement of late model racing, the Grand Outlaw National tractor & truck pull, and the demolition derby. And as if that weren’t enough, don’t forget about the butter cow – hand crafted out of over 600lbs Want something of butter by Norwalk you don't have sculptor and expert cake to think about decorator Sarah Pratt. Not to mention the 50+ foods every day? available… on a stick. See you at the Fair! Try one of these options:
Don’t forget to make your plans to attend the Iowa State Fair August 12-22 in Des Moines! Since 1854 Iowans have enjoyed what has been rated one of the top summer attraction in the US by publications such as USA Weekend, Midwest Living, and the New York Times. Repairing guitars, banjos, The Iowa State mandolins, violin family Fairgrounds in Des Moines feature an instruments, & more incredible park-like Guitar lessons 400-acres (the Fair’s also available home since 1886) and also adjoin 160 acres 431 S. Main Street of Campgrounds – both
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Fatherhood, Father’s Day, and Fresh Off of the Grill By Jim McCaffrey
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
I
became a father by blood on September 7, 1980. Our son, Conor, was delivered by c-section after an epic 12-hour struggle to stop Brenda’s contractions. He was 45 days premature and weighed in at a whopping three pounds 14 ounces. Brenda came home after a week, but due to complications, Conor remained with the wonderful staff at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for six-plus weeks. He was a fighter. Twice we were called to the hospital because they didn’t think he was going to make it. They even had to place a shunt in his head to drain fluid that was placing pressure on his brain. But as soon as he came out of surgery our little tiger pulled the breathing tubes out of his nose and never looked back. When we finally were able to bring him home, he weighed just a little over five pounds. In an ironic twist of life, he grew to be one of the tallest in his class. Prior to Conor’s arrival, I was a father by virtue of marriage. Brenda’s other two children, Shanon and Fawn – through no fault of their of their own, – became destined to be raised by an Irish guy who didn’t have a clue about what being a father was all about. Poor kids. The lessons of fatherhood were thrust upon me like a bolt of summer lightning. I wisely decided early on that whatever Brenda told her children, I would back 100 percent. So when she grounded one of them for the rest of their life, I would agree and say, “Yep, you are grounded for the rest of your life.” A half an hour later, Brenda would relent and the rules would change. I would then ask if she thought this might confuse the children. It certainly was confusing me.
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I was raised that Dad’s word was final and no amount of cajoling would change it. My father grew up on a farm near the (Iowa) Twin Cities – Burr Oak and Bluffton. His mother died at an early age. His father liked to spend a few hours in the tavern after chores, so Dad and his father would hitch up their team of horses and head to town. (Er, village). Dad would usually hang out with the horses until it was time to go home. I think things were tough for him. He walked to a one-room country school a mile every day even in rain, snow, or freezing temperatures – “uphill both ways,” of course. During the Great Depression, he and his father burned field corn for heat because prices were so low they couldn’t afford to haul it to market. He picked potatoes in Idaho with a couple of his buddies one summer too. They would wrap potatoes in aluminum foil and drop them into the wide mouthed radiator of their tractor. It was about all they had to eat. So he grew up tough. He had to in order to survive. Thus it was with tough love that Dad raised his five children. He worked hard and put in long hours. He taught us the value of hard work, honesty and integrity. He taught us how to garden. When we had a bit of free time, he taught us how to fish. But he did not teach us how to hug or say “I love you.” I think that came from his single parent childhood. He was never awarded that type of affection. But he was a good father and all of the grandchildren – including Shanon and Fawn – loved him. I brought this tough love upbringing into my family. Brenda brought
Mississippi Mirth
Jim McCaffrey is a chef, author, and co-owner with his family of McCaffrey’s Dolce Vita restaurant and Twin Springs Bakery just outside Decorah. He is author of a humorous cookbook titled “Midwest Cornfusion.” He has been in the food industry in one way or another for 40 years.
GRILLED ROADSIDE CHICKEN (serves four) 1 3 lb chicken (cut into 8 pcs) 2 bunches green onions 1 ½ tsp ancho chile powder 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp cinnamon 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 T apple cider vinegar ¼ cup orange juice 1 tsp salt Wash chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place in a 9x13 baking dish. Trim green onions of any wilted leaves and roots. Set aside. Combine remaining ingredients to make a marinade. Coat all sides of the chicken with marinade. Let rest for 30 minutes. The chicken should be grilled over indirect heat. If using a gas grill, light the outside burners and leave the center one off. With a charcoal grill, push the grill ready coals to one side. You will have to add more coals about half way through. Place chicken on the non-heated portion of the grill. Cook without turning. Baste occasionally with remaining marinade. Chicken is ready when juices run clear. (about 45 minutes). About 10 minutes before chicken is ready brush green onions with vegetable or olive and place over direct heat until tender. Place chicken on cutting board for and cover with foil for 10 minutes. Serve two pieces per person with grilled onions on top.
Mississippi Mirth
GRILLED SWEET CORN WITH LIME BUTTER 4 Large ears sweet corn 1 stick butter 2 limes ¼ tsp cayenne pepper Salt and fresh ground black pepper Remove husks and silk from sweet corn. Bring grill up to high heat. Place corn on grill and turn frequently. When corn has a nice char all the way around it is good to go. Melt butter. Cut limes in half. Squeeze juice into melted butter. Add cayenne pepper and stir. Baste corn with lime butter. Salt and pepper to taste. Ole!!
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inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
the hugs and “I love yous”. Somehow everything meshed. I became a father with a different view of raising family than my father. We have become a very tight and close-knit family. We have to be. Brenda and I, Shanon, Fawn, and Conor are all owners and partners in our restaurant, McCaffrey’s Dolce Vita. We work together side-by-side every day, and as with any business, we don’t always see eye-to-eye. But there haven’t been any fistfights yet. Usually at the end of the day, we are still hugging and saying I love you. I guess that fatherhood thing panned out. We now have a couple more fathers in our growing family. Shanon is 6-yearold Kamran’s father. Craig, who is married to Fawn, is the father of their two children: 6-year-old August and 6-month-old Stella. Since we’re open for business on Father’s Day, I plan on inviting all the fathers and the rest of the family over the Monday after for a belated celebration. I shall do as nature intended a father to do: barbeque. I am going south of the border with the menu, making a little Mexican street vendor food. Accompanying the usual homemade salsa, guacamole, and chips, I’m grilling “roadside chicken” with green onions. The following method is an adaptation of a Rick Bayless recipe. And sweet corn should be in season! In Mexico, I found sweet corn grilled on the barbeque to be almost heaven. Grilling accomplished, I probably will crack open some ice-cold cervezas and propose a toast to Dad, fathers, and fatherhood. Then I think I’ll take a nap. Because that’s what being a father is all about.
digIN: The Decorah Iowa Green INitiative AUGUST 20-22, 2010
! k c a b s It’ HAVEN’T HEARD OF IT? CHECK IT OUT!
energy, composting toilets and ultra efficient appliances. Get up-close looks at small wind turbines and The Winneshiek County visit farms that produce food for Convention and Visitors’ Bureau our tables responsibly – without invites you to the second annual chemicals and with the environment DigIN Decorah festival (Decorah and land in mind – and profitably – Iowa Green Initiative). This making a sustainable life for their fun and educational event is families and tackling the local and August 20-22 and showcases regional marketing level. the Decorah area as leaders in Luther College will also welcome “green” initiatives. visitors to its campus to check Dig IN is a weekend-long out the electric vehicle fleet and festival set in idyllic Northeast learn more about its climate Iowa featuring off the grid commitment. Based on this homes and sustainable farm commitment Luther has set a goal tours, along with entertainment, to reduce its carbon emissions and an expert-filled green expo, is working on a plan to become seminars and forums, and local a carbon neutral campus. The foods all weekend. college is a local leader in bio Do you ever wonder what diesel and hybrids, and has it would be like to live without recently completed a LEED power lines stretching across certified science laboratory the land, into your house, and research center. (www. your outlet, and your coffee luther.edu) pot or lamp, ready to make And if you’d like to learn light at your fingertips or your more on a one-and-one basis, morning java? Do you imagine the decorah iowa green INitiative visit KDEC Radio’s Green Expo a dark life with few luxuries or on Sunday, August 22. Regional fun? experts will set up booths and be For off the grid families these days, this life is available to discuss efficient options neither dark nor dreary – it’s merely an adaptation of for your home, garden, cars and more. where to get energy and how. digindecorah.com Seminars and forums will be running Now let’s take it another step: what do you think of all day and there will be local food when you hear the word “sustainable,” “green,” “organic,” available. (www.kdecradio.com) or even “local”? How about when you add the word Local food will also be on hand throughout the entire farming? weekend. Also stop by Decorah’s Oneota Community Food In the Midwest, farming is a way of life. We’ve gotten Co-op to see one way farmers get their produce to the used to fields lining our roads and animals in our public or visit the great local farmers’ market Saturday pastures, and now we’re starting to get used to these morning. www.oneotacoop.com. “new” words – important to the quality and health of both Of course, Decorah always has great shops, hotels, our food and our land – that actually bring farming back canoeing, camping, hiking, biking and more. (www. to its roots of centuries ago. decoraharea.com) So make plans now to participate in this Dig IN will answer these questions and more. great summer festival. On August 21, traverse the region’s rolling hills and Register online at digindecorah.com to get full access picturesque bluffs to get a peek into off the grid homes to a program guide, a map for home and farm tours, and and sustainable farms as the owners open their doors more. for tours. Learn about solar, wind, and geothermal
inspire(d) magazine • june/july 2010
dig IN
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‘THE MAGIC HOUR’ IS UPON US... IN LANESBORO Lanesboro Arts Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota will present a new exhibit, “The Magic Hours” June 5 – August 8, 2010. Free to the public, the exhibit will feature oil and pastel landscapes by Sara Lubinski. The public is invited to meet the artist at an opening reception on Saturday, June 5, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lanesboro Arts Center galleries (103 Parkway Ave N.). With a background as an ecologist and botanist, Sara Lubinski has a heightened awareness of the natural world, contributing a great deal to her artistic perspectives. She believes there is a strong connection between interpreting the landscape artistically and understanding and respecting the environment. The artist works “en plein air” (outdoors), painting big pieces or small studies to be used for larger paintings. While at the easel, she aims toward the essential functions of art: exploring the mysteries of the world; searching for meaning; becoming enlightened, wise, and
whole; and in turn, sharing her sense of awe and place in the world with others. Sara Lubinski also sometimes paints in the manner of the late 19th century tonalist aesthetic: an older, quieter style of painting with an emphasis on the “Magic hours” of dusk, twilight, and dawn. This indirect method of painting requires a build-up of very thin layers of dark transparent colors, followed by opaque colors on portions of the painting. This layering method helps create depth, mood and a luminous quality to the surface of the painting. The artist lives in Brownsville, Minnesota. Lanesboro Arts Center has been providing year-round arts programming for more than twentyfive years. Its mission is to serve as a regional catalyst for artistic excellence and educational development in providing diverse art experiences for people of all ages. The gallery is open seven days a week: MonThurs 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information contact 507-4672446 or www.lanesboroarts.org.
IOWA STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND LINEUP 2010 PRESENTED BY Thursday, August 12
MERCYME AND NEWSBOYS 8 p.m., $28
Friday, August 13
KEITH URBAN
with special guest Kris Allen, 8 p.m., $47 Saturday, August 14
SHINEDOWN
with special guest Chevelle, 8 p.m., $28 Sunday, August 15
JEFF DUNHAM 8 p.m., $37
Monday, August 16
DEERY BROTHERS SUMMER SERIES FOR LATE MODELS 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11 Tuesday, August 17
PAT BENATAR AND REO SPEEDWAGON 8 p.m., $35
Wednesday, August 18
GRAND OUTLAW NATIONAL TRACTOR AND TRUCK PULL 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11 Thursday, August 19
DARIUS RUCKER
with special guest Candy Coburn, 8 p.m., $30 Friday, August 20
BOYS LIKE GIRLS
with special guest We the Kings, 8 p.m., $25 Saturday, August 21
DEMOLITION DERBY
11:30 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11 Saturday, August 21
SUGARLAND
with special guest Little Big Town, 8 p.m., $42
TICKETS ON SALE
NOW P
NON STO
Sunday, August 22
SHERYL CROW
with special guest Colbie Caillat, 8 p.m., $35
Tickets for all concerts and events on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. All concert seats are reserved. All track events are general admission. Convenience charges apply to all tickets. The Iowa State Fair Ticket Office will open July 12. Grandstand tickets do not include admission to the Fair. Fair admission must be purchased separately.
800.745.3000 IOWASTATEFAIR.ORG
Probituary: It’s a notice of life!
ANNA (ROHM) IVERSON - SMART, PRACTICAL, & ONE AMAZING HISTORIAN Interviewed by Dorothy (Alberts) Sunday – Foreword by Aryn Henning Nichols
Anna (Rohm) Iverson lived her whole life on Oak Street in Decorah, Iowa, up until her recent move to Wellington Place in nearby Freeport. Before her change of address, she was Inspire(d)’s across-thestreet neighbor. The 92-year-old is smart and practical and has a memory like a safety-deposit box. She can recall the name of every single family that has lived in each house on Oak, and loves to remember Sunday community concerts at Phelps Park, and and playing street games in the neighborhood. What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Mother gave us all good advice. She said we needed to learn how to take care of ourselves. We learned to work together. What did you want to be when you grew up? I thought I wanted to be a seamstress. I even made one woman a suit out of a man’s suit. My mother sewed as well. We had mother/ daughter bunads that even won honorable mention at a contest. Mother’s bunad is at Vesterheim now. What did you do? Well, my first job was at the Creamery. I did the butter slips, figuring how much it costs. Eventually I did bookkeeping. Next I worked at the hospital right after my daughter Lois was born. I worked 5-9 every night doing bookkeeping and answering the phone for emergencies. At that time a hospital room was only $10. Then I worked at Anthony’s Clothing Store downtown. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you? Bible, water, shade tree. Try to describe yourself in one sentence. I hope I’m friendly…I try to get along with others. (Dorothy’s note: I would say historian, very intelligent.) If you could eat anything every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? I don’t know if I could care for anything that long. (“Not even lefse?” Dorothy asks.) Not even lefse.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE YOU’D LIKE TO INTERVIEW FOR THIS PAGE? LET US KNOW! aryn@theinspiredmedia.com
Name one thing you could not live without. Water. Tell us about…your wedding day. Leonard and I met working at the Creamery together. He asked me out, of course, but I can’t seem to remember what we did on our first date. We got married May 16, 1947 out at Big Canoe Church. It was a cold spring day and a simple, small wedding. …your favorite memory. Arnold’s (her twin – there are two sets in her immediate family!) and my 90th birthday at Aase Haugen Home. It was just beautiful.
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5th Annual Kids Day! SOAR INTO OUR FRAME GALAXY! call today to schedule an appointment! Free Vision Screening for School Age Kids (K-12)!
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Tuesday, July 20th 8 am to 7 pm
Fun, Food & Prizes! protect your child’s eyes this summer, check out our kids sunglasses!
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(Located on the campus of Winneshiek Medical Center)
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Expanded Orthopedic Services We’ve expanded orthopedic services, including total and partial joint replacement, rotator cuff repair, arthroscopies, and state-of-the art sports medicine treatments. Glenn Johnson, M.D. has joined Bruce Wulfsberg, M.D. as an orthopedic surgeon at Winneshiek Medical Center. Contact us if you are suffering from joint pain or would like to learn more about options available locally.
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May 17 – September 4, 2010 at the Rochester Public Library A powerful, interactive exhibit exploring the science, history and impact of one of the most controversial topics in American culture today. Open to the public with no charge for admission
For information, hours and resources, visit www.mayoclinic.org/RACE National Presenting Sponsor:
Sponsored by:
RACE: Are We So Different? is produced by the American Anthropological Association, with assistance from the Science Museum of Minnesota. The exhibit was made possible by generous funding from the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation.