March 19, 2024

Maple Syrup preparation

The fire is hot, and the fresh maple syrup and the signature maple candysugar is ready for the upcoming Maple Syrup Festival at Green’s Sugar Bush near Castalia.

The Green family has been harvesting sap from their maple trees and bottling syrup every year since 1851. Pictured are Jim Ludeking stoking the fire and Jeni (Green) Melcher bottling the fresh syrup.

This year’s Maple Festival dates are Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, April 7. Serving hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)

Veteran Flagpole Initiative seeks to honor northeast Iowa Vets

Local Vet Doug Smith to receive region’s first VFI flagpole June 15

By Zach Jensen

Arepresentative from Veteran Flagpole Initiative (VFI), which installs flagpoles for Veterans across Iowa at no cost in honor of their service to the United States, will make a presentation about the organization from Monday, March 25 from 6 to 6:30 p.m., at the All Vets Club located at 104 State Street in Decorah. The public – especially Veterans, their families and friends – are invited to attend.

According to the organization’s website, each 20-ft. telescopic flagpole is made of components strictly manufactured in the U.S., and both Iowa and the U.S. flags will be included. Atop each flagpole are small solar panels, which automatically power lights during the evening hours to illuminate the flags.

VFI supplies and installs all flagpole assemblies free of charge, and Decorah Navy Veteran Doug Smith, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1977 in Decorah, said he was “blown away” when he was notified that he’d be the first northeast Iowa Veteran to be honored with a VFI flagpole.

Smith said that in October 2023, his wife, Linda, saw something about VFI online, and out of curiosity, she clicked the link and completed a form, nominating her husband to be considered for the honor.

Doug, who served in the U.S. Navy for 28 years, said VFI requested additional information about his military career, and he submitted it. But, it wasn’t until Christmas Day 2023 that he heard back from VFI.

Doug and Linda were celebrating the holiday, when their phone rang. Linda answered and handed the phone to Doug. On the other end was Eric Dolash of VFI.

“I know it’s Christmas Day,” Dolash said, “but I thought this would be

Monitoring firm dismissed Lansing bridge movements until it was too late

Water taxi to help commuters cross Mississippi during repairs

By Samantha Ludeking

Sixty people were in attendance in person – in addition to many more who tuned in online – Thursday, March 14, at Lansing’s Meehan Memorial Library for the first monthly “Bridge Talk” since the Blackhawk Bridge was closed due to movement detected Feb. 25.

Iowa DOT Project Manager Clayton Burke discussed the movement on the over 90-yearold bridge, the repairs being done to allow the bridge to reopen and how the damage has affected the construction of the new bridge.

Closure

Local residents Mark and Fred Rethwisch alerted authorities of visual changes on the

Wisconsin side of the bridge deck on Sunday, Feb. 25.

“You could clearly see that there was a kink in the bridge,” said Burke, explaining what he saw upon arrival at the scene. “Something had obviously moved, and we didn’t know what condition the bridge was in, so we closed it to make sure that nothing additional happened.”

A structural inspection firm was called in and found that the bridge had, in fact, moved. The existing pier six of the bridge moved six inches from north to south and settled five inches down into the ground. Pier seven moved as well, the firm found.

“It was quite a bit of

Bridge continued on page 5

Bridge decks have been removed from the east side of the Black Hawk bridge to make repairs to the piers underneath. In this photo taken Thursday, March 14 the removed decks can be seen on the south side on the bridge. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Samantha Ludeking)

Driftless area Easter Egg Hunts

at Riverside Park. Hosted by the Calmar/Springfield Luther League.

Waukon

Saturday, March 30: Register at 10 a.m., hunt at 10:30 a.m. at Waukon City Park.

West Union

Saturday, March 23: 3 p.m. at Copper Creek Senior Living.

MINNESOTA

Harmony

a.m.

Lanesboro

Saturday, March 23: 9 a.m. at Sylvan Park. Activities to follow in the lunchroom at Lanesboro Schools. Hosted by Lanesboro ECFE.

Rushford

Saturday, March 30: 9:30-11 a.m. at the Harmony Community Center. Free movie at the JEM Theatre at 11 a.m. Hosted by Filmore Central ECFE.

Friday, March 29: 4 p.m. at Rushford Post 94 American Legion. Hosed by the Rushford Legion Auxiliary.

Spring Valley

Sunday, March 24: 1:302:30 p.m. at Good Earth Village. Hosted by Spring Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteers erect the flagpole at the home of Vietnam Veteran Arvin Van Zee. (submitted)

$1M cash bond set, trial slated for May 15 in Kasemeier murder

By Denise Lana

Spring

and was arrested Jan. 23 in Larimer County Colo., for driving under the influence. He was then held in a Colorado jail when it was discovered he was a fugitive from Iowa. He was extradited back to Allamakee County Feb. 14 and has been behind bars since.

Regarding bond, Gericke addressed the group, saying, “The state looks at Mr. Kasemeier as not a potential flight risk, but an actual flight risk.” Gericke continued, “He was located 880 miles away, and we were able to locate him by tracking his phone to Colorado.”

Brandon Kasemeier appeared in a virtual Allamakee Courtroom today, Monday, March 11, for arraignment and bond determination in connection with the Jan. 21 death of his estranged wife Jami Kasemeier. He was represented by Waterloo Public Defender Aaron Hawbaker, and remained silent during the 15-minute videoconference, presided over by Allamakee Judge Alan Heavens and Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke appearing on behalf of the state of Iowa. Judge Heavens acknowledged the defense’s request for a speedy trial and set a pretrial conference for April 22 at 11 a.m., with trial scheduled to begin May 15 at 9 a.m.

Kasemeier fled the state before Jami’s body was discovered in his Waukon residence,

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) is taking applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 30.

All households applying for LIHEAP will need to provide the following:

Judge Heavens then set bond for Kasemeier at $1million cash and informed all parties that any other discussions would be reserved until the pretrial conference in April. Kasemeier remains behind bars at Allamakee County Jail.

• The social security number of each household member, regardless of age, must be provided for that household member to be eligible.

NEICAC energy assistance applications due April 30 calendar year. This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs. The program will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors. All low-income northeast Iowans are encouraged to apply, including senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Households burning wood or where heating is included as part of the rent may also be eligible for assistance.

• A copy of their most recent heating and electric bill.

• Documentation of gross income for everyone living in the home for the previous 30 calendar days, the most recent 12 months or for the previous

The Northeast Iowa Community Action Family Services Office is open by appointment. Visit www.neicac.org to schedule an appointment. For information, call 563-382-9608.

VFI

a perfect Christmas gift to call you and tell you that you will be receiving a flagpole from VFI.”

“I was just like, ‘Wow,’” Doug remembered.

Then, in February 2024, Dolash called Doug again to let him know his flagpole would be installed on June 15 — Father’s Day weekend. During their conversation, Dolash shared with Doug that the organization was having difficulty finding interested Veterans in northeast Iowa, including Winneshiek, Howard, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Chickasaw counties.

“I really need a point of contact in Winneshiek County,” Dolash told Doug; to which Doug replied, “I’m a member of VFW Post 1977 here, in Decorah, and you’re talking to your new point of contact in Winneshiek County. So, I can help you get the word out.”

Doug said VFI hopes to install flagpoles in the yards of every Iowa Veteran.

“VFI is comprised of a passionate, purpose-driven, and patriotic volunteer force spread across the state of Iowa and

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beyond,” reads information on VFI’s website. “Originally formed in 2021, VFI quickly and effectively established a core focus of providing Veterans with a permanent visual reminder of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice. A group of roughly 50 friends elected to combat the divisiveness and animosity in society today with actions as an example to our children that good still exists. With that, we began to create and improve the process of installing flagpoles for Veterans.”

Doug added that VFI has only installed 40 flagpoles, statewide, and none north of Waverly.

“It’s a handful of Veterans volunteering to install them,” he said. “My wife knows I’ve always wanted a flagpole. I’ve just never put one up. So, I was totally blown away, and now, I have no excuses. It’s definitely humbling.”

For additional information about VFI, or to nominate a Veteran to receive a flagpole, visit www.veteranflagpoles.org.

Various items will be available for the live and silent auctions as well as raffle prizes at the Winneshiek Pheasants Forever annual banquet will be held Saturday, April 6 . (submitted)

The event’s doors open at 5 p.m., with a social hour and games. Dinner, served by U-2 BBQ & Catering, begins at 6:30 p.m., with both a live and silent auction to follow. Many local art pieces, guns, kayaks, furniture and one-of-a-kind items will be given away as raffle prizes.

vation efforts in Winneshiek County,” said a press release from the organization. “We are dedicated to wildlife habitat improvement, public awareness and education related to conservation issues and land-management policies and programs.”

For ticket information, call Kent at 563-419-4433, visit the Winneshiek Pheasants Forever Facebook page or e-mail BCanglers@gmail.com. Tickets are limited.

Master sergeant (Ret.) Doug Mattson was the first Veteran flagpole recipient. Mattson served over 20 years in the Air Force, Seabees and Air National Guard before retiring. Mattson is a Vietnam Vet and one of eight Veterans in his family.

(photos courtesy of VFI)

Turkey Valley to present ‘Mean Girls’

The Turkey Valley drama department will present “Mean Girls” a high school version of the musical Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, in the multipurpose room at 7 p.m. Admission for kindergarten and above is $5, while PK and under are free. The musical is based on the 2004 film “Mean Girls” tells the story of Cady Heron, a

New grab bags share valuable community resource information

By Jennifer Bissell

Residents in Allamakee County have a new resource to learn more about agencies available.

The Allamakee Interagency group recently developed informational bags that feature things from recipes to child care resources to money management tips. These bags are available at various libraries across the county.

Lana Dahlstrom, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office Assistant with Allamakee said the bags are a design of the Allamakee Interagency Group hoping to develop more community partnerships while bringing awareness to services available.

Currently, the bags are available at the New Albin Public Library, Meehan Memorial Public Library in Lansing, Harpers Ferry Library, Postville Library and the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Allamakee County office in Waukon.

Dahlstrom explained the bags are a brainchild of the Allamakee Interagency Group, a collection of area agencies that meet for 90 minutes tri-monthly at the ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Waukon. They average about 15-20 agencies per meeting.

“As a group we are working on connecting the dots of area agencies to help our community partners grow and thrive,” said Dahlstrom.

During the February meeting, it was decided to develop informational grab bags, with the goal of reaching more residents, both new and old, to share information about the resources available in the communities.

“It was mentioned during a meeting I was attending about how to get information out to your community and different ideas were tossed around,” said Dahlstrom. “I took that idea that was shared during the meeting and shared it with the Interagency group. They loved it.”

From there, Dahlstrom and the other agencies worked to put together vital information for the bags. Items include brochures and other print pieces that explain more about the resources available, as well as pens and other items.

“Our goal is to get information out about these agencies and what they can help residents with,” she said.

At the libraries

The Interagency group decided the best location to have the bags would be various public libraries in the communities.

“Libraries get a lot of foot

traffic with youth after school,” said Dahlstrom. “With wanting to target families, that seemed like a good spot to start.”

Currently, the bags are available at several county libraries. More could potentially be added in the future.

The Postville Public Library currently has the bags, and Library Director Crystal Duffy said they have potential to have a big impact on those in her community.

“It’s great to get this information into town because something I’ve noticed is that frequently there are resources available to folks but they don’t know about them or they aren’t in our town. There is also a big technological gap in rural towns, so having flyers, etc. available helps folks who wouldn’t find that information on their own on the internet,” she said.

New Albin Library Director Brittany Wallace said she appreciates the variety of items in the bags.

“These bags are beneficial to our patrons because they share a plethora of services that are available locally that the public may not know exists. The bags contain information on how one can be involved in the community through RSVP or mentoring. They can help to answer questions one may have about parenting and childcare or other aspects of consumer science, including recipes and where a person can go to for help,” she said. “Whether you are new to the area or have lived here for decades, the bags have materials for everyone.”

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AllamakeeExtension or extension.iastate. edu/allamakee.

teenage girl who finds herself in a suburban Illinois public high school after years of being home-schooled on the African savanna. Confronted with the animalistic social

Little Bunny Breakfast March 30

The Landing Market is again hosting its Little Bunny Breakfast for families and those wanting to spring into Easter on Saturday, March 30, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Landing located at 211 College Drive in Decorah.

The event will include free activities for children, including crafts, balloon art and crafts. Attendees can also order the bunny face pancake special to celebrate Easter.

For more information, visit www.thelandingmarket.com.

‘Talkin’ about a Total Solar Eclipse’ at Waukon Library

As part of its Live & Learn: enriching lives through monthly learning series, Waukon’s Robey Memorial Library is offering the “Talkin’ About a Total Solar Eclipse” discussion featuring NICC’s Dr. Tim Folkerts Thursday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m., in the RML lower level Community Room. The event is free to the public.

Folkerts will delve into the realm of solar eclipses, exploring topics that include the positions of the sun, moon and earth during eclipses; historical, religious and cultural significance of eclipses; and the path, timing and methods for observing the April 8 solar eclipse.

Contact the RML front desk with questions at 563-568-4424 or robeymemorial@waukon. lib.us.

order of American teenagers, Cady devises a plan to topple the school’s queen bee Regina George and her cohorts: The Plastics.

The members of the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company will meet NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

Monday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center, 201 S. Main St., Mabel, MN. Please note the new day and time.

Nominations for directors for a three-year term are: Kevin Manning, Mitch Aasum, or Bob Erickson

Dave O’Connell • John Hove

Please watch your mail for important voting information!

McAllister’s will be providing a catered meal. We hope

see you there! - Kevin Manning, Secretary

Pictured is the cast of “Mean GIrls” front row (l-r): Annie Raymond, Kaitlyn Schroeder, Emma Brincks, Adysen Wurzer, Karstyn Lukes and Emersyn Hoffert. Middle row: Ella Drilling, Ava Kuennen, Haylee Hanson, Hazel Nieman, Addison Steinlage, Kinek Reicks and Bree Balk. Back row: Trae Keel, Drew Kray, Tucker Reicks, Parker Reicks, Ellaney Bodensteiner, Harley Quail and Karysn Reicks. Not pictured: Kanin Drilling. (submitted photo)

Luren Norwegian Singing Society celebrates golden anniversary

and honorary members of the singing group. Admission will be 75 cents per plate.

…The Symonds brothers from Decorah are branching out. They recently purchased another greenhouse, this one in nearby West Union. Symonds are the florists who know their business – having grown up in the floral business here in Decorah as proprietors of the Decorah Greenhouse. The brothers, Henry and W.T., are successors of their fa-

ther, the late W.T. Symonds.

…Dr. Hans Gerhard Stub, the well-known president of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, is celebrating his 75th birthday with a special celebration. Dr. Oscar Olson, Luther College President, is conferring the degree of Doctor of Laws of Luther College onto Stub in an upcoming ceremony.

…There will be at least 12 schools participating in the sectional basketball tournament here in Decorah. Among the schools participating are Decorah, Calmar, Charles City, Cresco, Fayette, Lawler, Luana, New Hampton, Postville, Waterville, Waukon, West Union and possibly Monona.

…J.C. Penney Co. has a sale on pure rubber baby bloomers, with or without ventilation.

…Last week the Women’s Relief Corps held a big thimble bee at the legion hall.

Conduct code from another era

The Decorah High School “code of conduct” from the 1950s is shared by an Echoes of the Past reader from New York. “Collars down, no cigarettes and orderly hairstyles” are just a few of the rules.

1934

NINETY YEARS AGO: A week-long shoe sale is being put on at Bromley’s in Decorah this week.

…Ossie Orwoll of Decorah has received a contract from the Des Moines Western League team to play baseball with that organization in the upcoming season.

…Winkie Grocery on Washington Street is celebrating its first year in business here with some anniversary specials.

…FRONT PAGE NEWS:

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hexom, who reside on East Main Street, are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. They are one of the city’s finest and most highly esteemed couples. Mrs. Hexom was the former Julia

Swenson. They were married Feb. 27, 1884. Mr. Hexom’s parents are natives of Norway and came to America in 1858.

…Trout season is set to open here on April 1, which is also Easter Sunday this year. This is the earliest opening date for trout season in the state in a good many years.

…Carl’s East End Bakery specials this week: one dozen Danish rolls for 15 cents. Cakes, 10 cents each. Cookies, 10 cents per dozen. Chocolate glazed donuts, 10 cents per dozen.

…Two more Ford V-8 tudors have been sold by Windle Motor Company of Decorah. These cars have been built for overall motoring satisfaction!

…The Ness Funeral Home’s ambulance service is answering calls day and night.

…Hog prices are holding steady at $4.95 per pound in the Chicago Market.

…Three area men have been jailed as bootleggers and have been given “hard labor” by Judge James Cooney. Fines of up to $400 also were assessed a few of the guilty gents. The others involved in the alleged house of ill fame case are awaiting prosecution.

…Mayor T.F. Schmitz of Ossian was in Decorah last week on official business.

…The only marriage license issued in Waukon last week was that of Fred Foltz of Decorah and Jennie Hulquist of Dorchester.

…The Woman’s Relief Corps had an afternoon meeting last week with a patriotic program.

The Camp Fire Girls offered some very pleasing entertainment. The girls were given some conundrums to solve, and one little girl won a prize for solving the largest number of them!

22nd annual Women’s Weekend Out April 5-7 in Decorah

The three-day event is a showcase for Decorah’s small retail and restaurant businesses with added entertainment and in-store experiences.

Bridge

movement,” said Burke. “We weren’t expecting that, and we started looking into it right away, what can we do to get this bridge back open because it wasn’t acceptable to have it closed.”

Repairs

The repairs are underway and involve a crane removing and setting aside the bridge decks while the piers are repaired. Therefore, the bridge cannot be open to even pedestrian traffic. Burke estimated the current “fiasco”, as it was referred to by several residents in the crowd, has a rough price tag of around $2.5 million and sets the bridge building project back by a couple weeks.

The governor’s proclamation activates the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Emergency Repair (ER) Program which authorizes emergency relief funding to cover the costs of repair or reconstruction of federal-aid routes that have suffered severe damage as a result of sudden structural failure.

“Unfortunately, we had an off-site company that provided the sensors and were monitoring the data,” Burke said. “And, the sensors they installed relied on solar power. So, over the winter, it’s been cloudy over half the days, and those sensors were losing power at regular intervals because the batteries they were connected to were running out of power.”

The GPS sensors would periodically go offline, and when they’d come back online, they showed readings of movement that the company thought was just the sensors malfunctioning, when the bridge was actually moving.

“They didn’t provide any notice or alerts to us,” he said. “The way that they are sup-

posed to function is that if the bridge moves a certain amount, we get an alert that tells us that something happened, and we didn’t get those alerts.”

“You are talking about an error that was made by this company, what’s their liability for the delay in the bridge construction and how that is affecting the city?” asked Eastern Allamakee Community School District Superintendent Dr. Sarah Murray.

“That’s a really complex discussion that we are having right now,” Burke replied. “It’s going to take a while to sort all those cards out.”

While vibration could be a contributing factor according to Burke, it’s really hard to know if there are other factors. “You can’t see into the ground and know exactly what happened. The only thing we can understand is how vibration impacts the bridge,” Burke said. “That’s why we did vibratory tests out near the other piers, to make sure if we vibrated something next to them, that vibration isn’t going to cause any movement. This is giving us confidence that continuing construction isn’t going to have an impact on the existing structure.”

Burke also said that while the public may be concerned about sensors on other piers, Burke’s office isn’t only relying on the sensors but optical surveying as well.

“So, we know those (other) piers did not move,” he said. “Going forward we are going to use those optical surveys during critical operation just to make sure that we are not relying on that GPS system.”

When concern was raised about semi traffic once the bridge reopens Burke assured the crowd, “The repairs we are working on are going to restore

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it to the full original condition.”

The contractor building the new bridge, Kraemer North America, had been using concrete from Croell’s Lansing location, but with the closure of the bridge, the concrete is now coming in from Viroqua, Wis.

Burke reassured concerned residents that the contractor would return to using “Lansing concrete” to build the Lansing bridge as soon as possible.

Water taxi

Since the nearest alternate bridges for vehicle traffic to cross the Mississippi River are at La Crescent, Minn./Lacrosse, Wis., or Marquette/Prairie du Chien, Wis., the DOT has arranged for a free water taxi across the river during the bridge closure. The water taxi is accessible to all riders and will shuttle between the Lansing Marina on the Iowa side and the Big Slough Landing on the Wisconsin side.

The service will be available seven days a week from 7 to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3-6 p.m. A one-way trip is estimated to take about 30 minutes. All riders must get off the water taxi at each stop.

On the Iowa side, parking and a shuttle is available at the Lansing City Hall and Middle/ Kee High School in Lansing.

Travelers on the Wisconsin side will need to park at the DeSoto Community Center and take a shuttle to the water taxi. Parking is not allowed at Big Slough Landing.

Burke reported that the DOT considered a vehicle ferry, but there isn’t a large enough access area at the Big Slough landing.

Bridge Talks will be held the second Thursday of each month at the Meehan Memorial Library in Lansing. The public is welcome to attend.

Nuisance insects appear in homes

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension

The warmer-than-usual temperatures this winter have led to a prolonged season of nuisance insects. These insects include cluster flies, boxelder bugs, sowbugs, multicolored Asian lady beetles and more. Fortunately, these insects are harmless, although annoying, especially when many of them are present.

Below are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with nuisance insects.

First, it is important to know that these insects are not reproducing indoors. Due to the emergence from their hiding places periodically throughout the winter and early spring, it appears they are laying eggs and their offspring are emerg-

Service Notice

MATTHEW MCLAUGHLIN JACKSON, 72, passed away Jan. 25, 2024, from a cerebral hemorrhage after a fall. A gathering will be held at T-Bocks in Decorah on Friday, April 12, at 2 p.m.

ing. In fact, all of the insects seen now entered the home last fall. They hibernate in balls or clusters in wall voids, attics, and similar areas. As the temperatures warm, the insects in the outer layers become active first and then emerge into the living quarters of the home, explaining why they do not all become active at the same time. This has been especially noticeable this winter. Since these insects are emerging from hidden sites, it is not practical to treat them to prevent their emergence. Once they are out in the open, the best way to deal with them is physical removal, such as vacuuming. Eventually, all these overwintering insects will become active and move away from their overwintering sites.

To minimize these kinds of problems in the future, it is im-

portant to treat these insects in the fall as they are first trying to enter the home.

This is a two-pronged approach. First it is important to inspect the outside of the home during summer and seal spaces and gaps that may be used by the insect to get inside. This can be followed up with an insecticide application in the fall, just as these insects are trying to get inside. This insecticide application is typically applied to the outer perimeter of the home. It is not possible to prevent all nuisance insects from entering into a home, but it can reduce the number, causing fewer headaches later during the winter and spring.

With questions, reach out to your local Extension Educator. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507765-3896 or 507-725-5807.

Joan Tupy is one of five Women’s Weekend Out event committee members that works with the Chamber on the popular spring event. She is the owner of J. Tupy’s on Water Street, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Tupy coordinates the Saturday Style Show each year and hosts special guests and pop-up product lines in her downtown women’s clothing store.

“This event is one of my favorites,” said Tupy. “Over the years it has become a tradition for groups of friends to gather here and enjoy a weekend together and for others it’s

the perfect introduction to our town. There is something for everyone and you can feel the fun in the air. I think that the small business owners have as much fun as the customers.”

The weekend includes a variety of special events, such as a comedy show Friday night at T-Bock’s Sports Bar & Grill, the style show and brunch at the Hotel Winneshiek, a cocktail class with Traveling Tapster at Rendered Unique (registration required), a Driftless Jazz

Seed Savers Exchange virtual Apple Grafting Workshop

Whether brand-new to apple grafting or seeking a refresher course, Seed Savers Exchange’s 2024 Virtual Apple Grafting Workshop, will be held Friday and Saturday April 5-6.

Over the course of two days, participants will learn through presentations and small-group sessions the techniques required to bench graft new apple trees successfully. Staff will walk participants through the process of splicing dormant scionwood and rootstocks, leaving plenty of time for questions.

Everything required (including scionwood, rootstock and tools) is available as add-ons through registration. Registration is limited.

In addition to the April dates, registration includes addi-

tional instruction and support throughout the year. For more information or to register, call 563-387-5690 or visit www.SeedSavers.org.

School Fundraiser Breakfast

performance at Impact Coffee and musician Steve Schroeder at Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. All weekend long, Convergence CiderWorks will host a special tasting collaboration with Water Street Deli. For more information, call the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce at 563-382-3990.

Iowa DOT Project Manager Clayton Burke and Lansing Library director Derva Burke (no relation) led a round of applause for several bridge workers in attendance. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Samantha Ludeking)

Planning underway for new Upper Iowa boat race

A first-ever day-long kayak and canoe race on the Upper Iowa River has been planned for this summer.

On Saturday, June 1, competitors will journey down the river in the first annual Driftless Paddle Battle. Two distances are planned: A long course of 34 miles starting in Kendallville, and a 16-mile short course launching from Bluffton. Both races finish at Pulpit Rock Campground, Decorah.

Event organizer Scott Timm suggested interested participants act fast. “We’re planning on limiting the size of the event to 50 or maybe 60 watercrafts for this pilot run. And our reserved space at the campground is limited,” he said.

In addition to the Saturday race, other events are also planned for the weekend. Teams will gather at the campground Friday evening for a safety meeting and bonfire. And live music and more are planned for after the race Saturday.

“This year is an informal pilot run so we can learn what works and what we can do better,” said organizer Steven Zittergruen. “With the help of boaters who volunteer to join this test race, we hope to see this event involve into a larger and official event in coming years.”

Paddlers of all abilities are welcome to participate in the Paddle Battle. For more information or to register, visit facebook.com/groups/paddlebattle.

‘Storybook

Sketchers’ after-school art class series

Dr. Michael Osterholm (submitted photo)

Osterholm receives Government Service Award from AMA

Dr. Michael Osterholm, Waukon native, was presented with the Outstanding Government Service Award from the American Medical Association in February. Osterholm, who serves on Luther College Board of Regents, is a world-renowned epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

worked with over the past 50 years,” Osterholm, now of Minneapolis, Minn. said. “My public health career began at Luther.”

He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations, and has served as the principal investigator and task force chair for the World Health Organization’s Research and Development Roadmap, for both influenza and the zika virus as part of his role on the council.

Osterholm, who published the New York Times bestseller

Decorah Public Library and ArtHaus have teamed up to host “Storybook Sketchers,” a six-week series of after-school art classes designed to inspire young minds through storytelling and artistic expression. Students are invited to explore the worlds of storybooks and create hands-on art projects inspired by the styles of renowned illustrators. Throughout this programming series, students will gather at ArtHaus after school where they will listen to a picture book, then work on craft projects that reflect the distinctive artistic styles of the featured illustrators. From painting and collaging to drawing, students will have the opportunity to experiment with various artistic mediums, gaining insight into how illustrators use art to bring stories to life.

Classes are free and will be held at ArtHaus from 3:154:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from March 26-April 30. Participants should be in grades 1-4. A walking school bus will be available from John Cline to ArtHaus, providing a convenient and safe transportation option for students.

Registration is required, as class size is limited to 16 participants; visit www.decorahlibrary.org to register.

Blooms and Beyond flower farmer online forum

The award is presented to elected and career public servants at the state, local and national levels, who use science and medicine to promote public health. Osterholm was selected in the category of “member of the executive branch serving by presidential appointment.” He was named to Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board in November 2020 and served as Minnesota’s state epidemiologist from 1984 to 1999.

“I’m very honored to have received this award, but I could not have achieved this award without the help of others I’ve

“Deadliest Enemy: Our War against Killer Germs in 2017,” is the McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health at the University of Minnesota and has published more than 300 academic papers and abstracts on epidemiology and infectious disease. For years, he has been warning that the U.S. was ill-prepared for a pandemic.

Turkey Valley grad selected for prestigious internship

The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting an online flower farmer forum to address key questions facing Minnesota’s flower growers and foster a stronger network within the community. Cut flowers, versatile and in demand for various decorative uses, offer opportunities for both small-scale and large-scale producers seeking to supplement their crops or compete locally against the international market.

Those considering commercial flower farming or those with questions are welcome to join experienced growers from Minnesota and Wisconsin starting March 20. Held online every Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. through April 24, attendees will gain insights into the business of flower farming through practical advice, success stories and ample Q&A time.

Register at tinyurl. com/325uuau9. Registration is free and required to receive all links, recordings and resources. For more information, contact Robin Trott, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, Douglas County, at 320-7623890.

The World Food Prize Foundation recently announced the selection of eight students for its distinguished George Washington Carver (GWC) Internship program this spring, including Raegan Kime – a graduate of Turkey Valley High School and junior at Iowa State University. Each academic semester and summer, highly-qualified students are selected for this unique opportunity. Kime assumed the role of International Dialogues intern, researching potential speakers and panel topics, outreaching to local and national partners, attending agricultural events and marketing the Iowa Hunger Summit and Directory.

“This semester I hope to grow my passion for food security and sustainability with the World Food Prize Foundation,” said Kime. “I am excited to work alongside and interact with others who are passionate about closing the food scarcity gap and gain insightful knowledge that I can carry into my career.”

Kime joins a team of interns from other local colleges who

are developing professional skills in areas like communications, awards and lectures, graphic design and youth programming.

Kime will be paired with a mentor from the World Food Prize Foundation who will manage her projects and guide her experience, providing expert knowledge when necessary. The internship is designed to focus on developing Kime’s professional and educational experience. Additionally, this internship provides her with numerous opportunities to make a tangible impact on the community and contribute to ending world hunger in alignment with the World Food Prize’s mission.

“This internship provides a unique insight into the organizational goals of the World Food Prize Foundation, while allowing students to develop professional skills in uncommon career areas,” said Mashal Husain, Chief Operating Officer, World Food Prize Foundation. “We believe in cultivating an environment where interns feel encouraged to reach higher levels of professional development and specialized capabilities.”

To learn more about the George Washington Carver Internship Program, visit www. worldfoodprize.org/gwcintern.

DNR to host public meeting on Fort Atkinson Preserve historic fort Friday

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host an open house on March 22, from 6-8 p.m., at Fort Atkinson State Preserve, 303 2nd St., Fort Atkinson, to discuss upcoming repairs to several of the historic structures at the preserve. A short presentation will be held and DNR staff will be on-site to answer questions. In the event of inclement weather, the open house will be moved to the Fort Atkinson Community Center, 303 3rd St. NW, Fort Atkinson. Fort Atkinson is a nationally-significant military post from

the 1840s, now managed by the Iowa DNR as a state preserve. The historic site includes several original buildings such as barracks and a gunpowder house, along with archaeologically significant artifacts. The upcoming repairs are funded in part through a grant from the National Park Service Save America’s Treasures program and donations from the Friends of Fort Atkinson.

For more information or with questions, contact Detra Dettmann at Detra.Dettmann@dnr. iowa.gov or 563-608-4597.

Raegan Kime

Front row (l-r): Lyla Lovstuen, Madelynn Dahl, Hadley Alexander, Brinlee Courtney and Andrew Carolan. Middle row (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Braunwyn Darrington, Eden Scheidel, Isabella Schnitzler, Mara Lovstuen, Aiden Helgerson, Kamryn Werges and Kiele Eberling. Back row (l-r): Rylee Averhoff, Jerikah Dodd, Annika Schmelzer, Travis Nordheim, Thea Zidlicky, Jackson Irwin, Creed Monroe and Gabe Monroe. (submitted)

Decorah FFA excels at sub-districts

Twenty-one Decorah FFA members participated at the Northwest Sub-District FFA Leadership Development Events on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at Crestwood High School. The chapter competed in nine leadership development events and one quiz contest.

rington, silver rating.

The chapter parliamentary procedure team received second place with a silver rating and also advanced to districts. Team members include Rylee Averhoff, Jerikah Dodd, Lyla Lovstuen, Annika Schmelzer and Thea Zidlicky.

The chapter also competed in the following leadership development events: Chapter Program, Travis Nordheim and Eden Scheidel, third place, silver rating, alternate to districts; Creed Speaking, Jackson Irwin, fourth place, gold rating, alternate to districts; and Public Speaking, Braunwyn Dar-

The chapter advanced in six contests, with five of those contests receiving first place and one contest receiving second place. Contests receiving first place with a gold rating and advancing to districts include Ag Broadcasting: Kiele Eberling; Ag Sales: Anders Lovstuen; Conduct of Meetings: Gabe Monroe, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Mara Lovstuen, Hadley Alexander and Aiden Helgerson; Extemporaneous Speaking: Kamryn Werges; and Job Interview: Creed Monroe.

SW FFA competes at districts

Kelsey Timp named Northeast FFA District Vice President

South Winneshiek FFA Members attended the Northeast District Convention March 9 in Waukon, where students competed in various events and were very successful.

Kelsey Timp was voted in as the Northwest Sub-District Vice President for the Northeast FFA District Officer Team. This is the first time in 84 years that South Winn has had a district officer.

Other notable results include Katrina Hageman advancing to State in the “Job Interview” category. The Program of Activities contest, which consisted of John Donavon, Cloey Zweibohmer and Haley Fisher, earned a Silver Rating. Jayden Timp earned a Gold Rating in the Greenhand quiz. Henry Schmitt and Grace Baker served as chapter voting delegates.

Decorah FFA had one member participate in the Greenhand Quiz, an FFA knowledge exam. Isabella Schnitzler received second place in the Greenhand Quiz contest.

The Decorah FFA competed at the District FFA Convention on Saturday, March 9, at Waukon High School. The convention will begin at 9 a.m., and the public is invited to attend.

Front row (l-r): John Donavon, Autumn Schmitt, Haley Fisher and Cloey Zweibohmer. Back row: Grace Baker, Henry Schmitt, Katrina Hageman, Kelsey Timp and Jayden Timp. (submitted)