18th annual Military Ball is Saturday in
Spring Grove
American Legion posts in Houston County, Minnesota, are preparing to host their 18th annual Military Ball Saturday, April 26 at the Fest Building in Spring Grove, Minnesota. Cocktails and photos will begin at 4:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m. The event is for all military service members and veterans as well as their spouses and families. The ball is also open to the public, and newcomers are encouraged and welcome to attend. The cost to attend evening’s event is $30 per person. Attendance will be by RSVP only.
The Military Ball will include dinner of roast beef or chicken, ceremony, displays, photo
portraits, dancing and more. Attire for the ball is Sunday best, semi-formal or formal, with many wearing their military uniform or the uniform of a veteran’s organization. Organizers request no casual street clothes. The night’s guest speaker will be retired Air Force Col. Jennifer J. Fuller. Following the program, Cheers Big Band from the La Crosse area will provide a variety of music for dancing and listening pleasure. This event is planned and carried out by a committee of volunteers from American Legion Posts in the local area. For more information, contact Gary Buxengard at 507-498-3461 or janleebuxengard@gmail.com.
DECORIDE to benefit free clinic
The DECORIDE Organizing Committee recently announced DECORIDE 2025, a biannual community cycling event dedicated to promoting sustainable transportation, active living and healthcare access, will take place along Trout Run Trail on Saturday, May 10 in Decorah. Proceeds from the event will directly support the Decorah Community Free Clinic by helping to fund essential services such as medications, laboratory fees, medical supplies and specialist referrals.
Staffed by volunteer healthcare professionals, the free clinic provides primary care to underinsured and uninsured individuals throughout the region. All healthcare services are free of charge provided by unpaid volunteers.
Robey Memorial Library to host Ultimate Puzzle Challenge
Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites puzzle enthusiasts to join the Ultimate Puzzle Challenge on from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 in the lower level Community Room as part of its monthly Live and Learn series. This event is free to attend. Ten teams of one to four participants will compete to be the first to complete a 400-piece jigsaw puzzle within a two-hour period. Participants are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to fuel their puzzle-solving skills. The winning team members will receive gift certificates to local businesses. Registration is required to participate. Secure a spot by contacting the library’s front desk at (563) 568-4424 or by visiting www. waukon.lib.ia.us
Checkin for the ride will begin at 9 a.m. at Luther College, and the ride will begin at 10 a.m. A post-ride gathering with live jazz music will be held at noon at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company in Decorah. Businesses, organizations and community leaders are invited to support DECORIDE through sponsorships, in-kind contributions and promotional partnerships. Top sponsors will be recognized following the event. For sponsorship information or to get involved, email sengso01@luther.edu
Climate Lobby group to host Earth Day event April
Broadway. Organizers said 55 percent of adult Iowans think Congress should do more to address global warming. This event will provide an opportunity to write to elected officials in DC, as well
as to discuss info about CCL in general. Postcards and other writing supplies will be provided, as well as guidance about topic ideas. Similar opportunities will be held in the Danan Lansing building during the upcoming Winneshiek County Earth Day Festival on Saturday morning, April 26. To learn more, visit cclusa. org or contact Leslie Sand of Decorah.
Extending our deepest gratitude to our WinnMed volunteers. Your commitment has truly made a significant impact. We couldn’t do it
Photo submitted
Embarrassment
One of the recent articles in this space, I entitled “Humiliation,” and it told of one of my most humiliating experiences. Today, to help you recall your embarrassing moments, I will tell you one of mine.
I had walked to our post office in the small town of Fortuna, California, to pick up the mail. As I was leaving, the priest of our local Catholic church was entering. I had seen him before, but we had never met, so I introduced myself as the new and only Lutheran pastor in town. After a short conversation, I thought it appropriate to tell him that he had a black smudge on his forehead. With a smile, he simply said that it was from the imposition of ashes.
I was aware it was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, but I blew it! If there had been a 20foot deep hole, I would have gratefully fallen into it and let the earth fall in behind me. Our particular synod of the Lutheran Church did not in 1957, offer the imposition of ashes as a rite of the church.
Northern Lights Women’s Chorus to present spring concert pieces. During intermission, a small group of chorus members will perform. A freewill offering will be taken at intermission, and a portion of the proceeds will be shared with a local nonprofit organization.
It never crossed my mind. The good father just smiled at my ignorance and after my sincere apology we parted as newfound friends. I gave away my naiveté when thinking I was doing a new friend a favor. Of course, when I shared this with my wife, she laughed…of course that was humiliating. O.K., now it is your turn. But you don’t have to put it in print as I have. Of course, we have all been embarrassed about things like an unzipped fly or some toilet paper trailing us. Or much worse. It is just difficult for us to know we have made a mistake. Our ego is bruised deeply. As I have aged, I am more aware of this ego buster, because we don’t want to embarrass our family as well as ourselves. When they come to visit, I make an extra tour of my apartment and reconsider my personal choice of clothing for the day — had I dribbled my breakfast on my shirt? Is there something good about being embarrassed? Maybe. It helps keep us humble.
The Northern Lights Women’s Chorus will present its spring concert at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 27 at Decorah Lutheran Church — 309 Winnebago St. in Decorah. The 49-member ensemble, composed of singers from Decorah and nine other communities, will perform a variety of beautiful choral music with the theme “Not Goodbye... Just a New Song.” Organizers said the concert’s start time was changed to 1 p.m. to avoid scheduling conflicts with a talk by Rick Steves at Luther College at 2:30 p.m. and the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra concert at 4:30 p.m.
The concert will be the last conducted by Rachael Buresh, who began directing the chorus in 2018. A new artistic director will be named this spring. The program will include some of Buresh’s favorite songs from past concerts as well as new
“For so many years, the Northern Lights Women’s Chorus has been more than just music — it has been love in harmony, commitment in every note and a community woven together by song,” Buresh said. “Through laughter and joy, we have shared moments that will echo in our hearts forever. This is not an end but a beautiful new melody — one that carries on with the everlasting friendship and music that binds us all.”
The chorus would like to thank The Depot Outlet for a major grant to support its 202425 season, as well as the many businesses and individuals that contributed to its fall fund drive.
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day on May 10, Winneshiek County Conservation will host two spring birding events. The public is invited to go birding for spring migrants with naturalist Larry Reis at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Walden Pond, a reservation-only park, is located at 1432 130th Ave. in Castalia. Attendees are asked to follow the driveway to the parking lot to meet the group for the start of the walk. Walden Pond is open to the public for special events only.
The public may join Larry again at Cardinal Marsh to search for shorebirds at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Cardinal Marsh is located west of Ridgeway. Attendees are asked to meet at the marsh’s south parking lot, located approximately 3.5 miles south of Highway 9 on Madison Road. Both birding events are free, and no registration is required. Participants may bring binoculars. For more information, call (563) 534-7145.
1000s of lots to be offered through a SERIES OF AUCTIONS throughout 2025/26. Each auction will include a variety of quality Antiques of nearly every collecting category.
Area residents are invited to forage for wild edible plants with Winneshiek County Conservation naturalists Tuesday, May 6 at Lake Meyer Park and Campground. The foraging hike will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m., departing from the campground shelter to explore the trails around Lake Meyer. After the hike, participants will bring their finds back to the shelter to cook and hold a taste-testing. The event is free and open to all ages. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. The trails at Lake Meyer are unpaved and may be slippery. Participants should wear clothes and shoes appropriate for muddy conditions. Registration is required. Please call the Winneshiek County Conservation office at (563) 534-7145 to register. Visit www.winneshiekwild.com for more information.
AUCTION #1 Bidding is available NOW! Bidding ENDS May 5, 2025: OVER 600 Lots. This first kick off auction includes select items from throughout the home with no specific category featured. This will give you an idea of what will be included in future auctions. Check it out.
AUCTION #2 May 2025: 300+ Lots. Feature Category will be Carnival Glass, Plus a variety of Antiques of all types. This one is still a work in progress. Stay tuned!
AUCTION #3 JUNE 2025: Additional dates will be forthcoming as
Subsequent auctions will be conducted throughout 2025 and undoubtedly into
TOP CONSIGNMENTS
health. Indeed, the publication of Carson’s book proved a pivotal step toward the eventual establishment of Earth Day in 1970, which EarthDay. org characterizes as the dawn of the modern environmental movement.
CUSB Mortgage Team (pictured l-r): Dan Ollendick, Cresco; Deb Novak, Cresco; Brian McConnell, Cresco; Diane Schick, Ridgeway; Adam Munkel, Lime Springs; Deanna Halbach, Osage; Curt Hallett, Charles City; Michele Johnson, Osage; Levi Meier, Shell Rock; Jamie Jordan, Waverly.
AUCTION CALENDAR
Cook
Join our team! Full time positions with varied shifts 5 a.m.—7 p.m. Weekend and holiday rotations required. Pay: $15.00—$21.53 hourly based on experience. $1,000 Retention Bonus available for .5 FTE
QUALIFICATIONS
Exemplary
excellent oral and written communication skills; a passion for working with children, young adults, and families; willingness to develop working knowledge of children’s and young adult literature and library materials for youth in various formats; the ability to form effective collaborative relationships with schools and other community organizations who serve children; the ability to quickly respond to and solve problems; a high degree of empathy, diplomacy, and patience; superior listening skills; a friendly, approachable style that children and teens gravitate to; and curiosity, creativity, and innovative thinking.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrated ability to relate to children individually and in groups
Organizers with the Winneshiek County Extension Office and Winneshiek County 4-H said dedicated and caring 4-H club leaders in Winneshiek County make a lasting impact on local youth. Pictured are (front
gela Linderbaum, Sara Vagts, Jackie Langreck, Jessica Hammell, Kathy Moen,
row,
Michelle Timp, Renate Hunter, Kathy Donovan, Lisa Bullerman, Brenda Broghamer, Carlena Gallagher,
right) Andy Darrington, Steven Darrington, Bridget Adam, Jennifer Bentley, Sara Schmitt, Chris Wicklund, Melissa Wicklund, Michelle Schwartzhoff, David Broghammer and Patrick Gallagher. (Photo submitted)
County extension office, 4-H to recognize volunteers
The Winneshiek County Extension Office along with Winneshiek County 4-H members will recognize youth and adult volunteers, alongside millions of other volunteers across the nation, during National Volunteer Week which will take place April 20-27.
In Iowa, it takes more than 6,000 volunteers to keep the 4-H program going each year,
Call for applicants: Juried Sales Gallery at Lanesboro Arts
according to local organizers. Officials said some volunteers work with youth as club leaders, guiding them during monthly meetings, while providing them with a safe meeting location, fun activities and opportunities for personal development. Others will work with youth as project leaders, who guide youth in a less formal setting during project-related workshops, clinics and training sessions. Still others volunteer during one-time special events, activities and adventures as well as the county and state fair.
4-H volunteers guide young people in developing essential skills like communication, civic engagement and leadership through various projects and community service activities. They create safe environments where youth can learn, thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
Lanesboro Arts is now accepting application entries for their Juried Sales Gallery. This juried opportunity connects regional visual artists with the vibrant arts community of Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Those interested in volunteering as a club leader, project leader, helper or during a onetime event are asked to contact the Winneshiek County Extension Office at 563-382-2949.
The Lanesboro Arts Juried Sales and Exhibition Galleries are a public gathering space where artists are uplifted and visitors are inspired. Artists featured in the Juried Sales Gallery are from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
Artists selected for the Juried Sales Gallery present a unique vision, original voice and quality craftsmanship. More than 80 artists are represented in the Juried Sales Gallery, many of whom have shown their artwork in the gallery for multiple years.
ages via Google Drive or Dropbox. Video application submissions will also be accepted and can be sent to gallery@lanesboroarts.org with the subject line “Gallery Application”. Application deadline is Monday, May 12. Applicants will be notified by Friday, May 30.
All visual arts media are eligible.
Artwork for sale in the Juried Sales Gallery is sold at a consignment rate of 60% of the retail price to the artist. Artwork in the Juried Sales Gallery is required to be for sale.
The Juried Sales Gallery also hosts engagement programs such as artist demonstrations, artist talks and gallery tours that create opportunities for artists to share their stories and inspirations in person or through the gallery team. The gallery also participates in local arts events, broadening the range of visitors and art buyers who encounter artists’ work.
Interested artists can apply online at lanesboroarts.org. To complete the application form, artists are asked to submit im-
Lanesboro Arts is a multi-disciplinary arts organization in the small town of Lanesboro (pop. 754), Minnesota that has become a national model in bringing innovative arts experiences to community members and visitors alike for over 40 years. Lanesboro is a rural hub of artistic and outdoor activity, nestled in the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota along the Root River. The Lanesboro Arts women and non-binary-led team is committed to empowering rural communities through the arts. Accessible and free to the public, the Lanesboro Arts Gallery is located at 103 Parkway Ave N. in Lanesboro, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.lanesboroarts.org.
row, left to right) Darcy Wemark, An-
(middle
left to right) Donella Darrington,
(back row, left to
