March 28, 2023 Driftless Journal

Volga City Opera House

Northeast Iowa’s newest hidden gem

By Brian Gibbs

Making the journey to Volga City feels like stepping inside of a Grant Wood painting. The landscape is decorated with rolling hills of oak, dotted with small farms and old red barns. The Volga River meanders through the heart of this quiet valley, curving its way through limestone bluffs and under white pine forests, with waters home to bald eagles, river otters, smallmouth bass, even the occasional trout.

Like many rural communities in the Driftless region, Volga relies on its scenic backdrop to help draw in seasonal pulses of tourism. The community has faced its fair share of hard times, including the decimating 1999 flood. These days, however, the biggest rush of excitement coming out of town originates from inside the walls of the historic Volga City Opera House.

History

Opera house attendees were treated to a sit-down Irish dinner with music by “The Lilies of the Midwest.” (submitted photo)

Completed in 1914, the opera house was designed as a luxurious event center to meet the needs of a bustling rural community of nearly 500 people. Over the course of its 109-year history, the space has been home to many events: a traveling theatre, dances, weddings, graduations and live music. In the past several years, the venue has gone through a complete rehabilitation under

Volga City Opera House

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Kayakers enjoy the tranquil water and scenic views at Lake Meyer Park during a public kayaking program with Winneshiek County Conservation staff. (submitted photo)

Celebrating generations of quality conservation in Winneshiek County

This year the Winneshiek County Conservation Board will celebrate its 65th anniversary. The mission of the Winneshiek County Conservation Board (WCCB) is to provide the public with wide-ranging opportunities for quality outdoor recreation while wisely managing natural resources and encouraging land stewardship through natural history and environmental education programming.

WCCB has met Winneshiek County residents’ significant desire and support for access to greenspace and outdoor recreation by connecting people

to the outdoors and keeping the outdoors worth connecting to over the past 65 years. WCCB is an effective organization that will continue its legacy of support for natural resources, recreation, tourism and education in the county for future generations.

Legacy of conservation achievement

The projects and community partnerships fostered by Winneshiek County Conservation during the past 65 years had a clear, positive impact on the economy, quality of natural resource management, outdoor recreation and environmental education in Winneshiek County. The Winneshiek County park system started in 1958 with plans for two undeveloped areas that

WCCB anniversary

continued on page 3

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a big hit Sunday, March 19, in Waukon. While the temperature dipped low, spirits were high and attendees celebrated their proud Irish heritage. There were dignitaries, businesses and a bit o’ the blarney in the parade that kicked off an afternoon and evening of celebration throughout the town. There were beads and candy to vie for, as well as sights to see, including raucous shenanigans of free-wheeling avian tricksters and a heartfelt “wish you were here” tribute to one near and dear to the parade for years, Matt Sweeney.

‘Twas a blessing for those who attended, and a sorrow for those who missed, but every grand St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to get… to Waukon!

Tom and Bethany Klingman

Organizers display some of the “swag bags” available from local retailers for Women’s Weekend Out, supported by Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. (submitted photo)

Women’s Weekend Out March 31-April 2

Now in its 21st year, Decorah’s Women’s Weekend Out event showcases the best in small business collaboration and spring retail. The large downtown event takes place Friday, March 31, Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, and includes more than 40 participating shopping locations and a dozen special events.

Gail Bolson Magnuson helped found the event in 2002. She said, “We created this event to highlight our fabulous retail and restaurant businesses. It’s a perfect way to escape March’s cabin fever and enjoy the best that instore shopping has to offer.”

Event organizers said in addition to a diverse and walkable retail experience, traditional and nontraditional events round out the weekend. T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill will host Comedy Night; J. Tupy’s on Water Street will host a Style Show Brunch in the Steyer Opera House; Impact Coffee will host a Drag Show; Driftless Yoga Center will offer Happy Hour Yoga & Mocktails; and Convergence Ciderworks will bring in Ladies Line Dancing.

There is something for everyone – even Roomba Racing at Agora Arts.

Attendees will enjoy visiting their favorite shops and can also check out new and expanded businesses.

Double Windsor Clothing Company will be launching their spring lines including new sport coats, shoes and 988 pairs of fun socks.

Magic Morpho will have new fossils, rocks, and gems out in addition to offering private readings with an Oracle Reader.

Just north of town, Market 52 has expanded their space to include twice the home goods merchandise.

The Women’s Weekend Out event is supported by the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. For individual store hours or specific event tickets, contact businesses directly.

To purchase an WWO event swag bag with unique gifts from retailers ($5 each, 250 Available), see the list of participating locations/event map, or learn more about the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce visit www.decorahareachamber.com.

Bowers wins two CIPA EVVY awards

The Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) recently announced the winners of its 2022 EVVY™ Awards, with Decorah author Beverly Bowers’ “How to Dress a Naked Portfolio” the recipient of two awards. Bowers’ book was awarded both the bronze award in the “Business” category and the silver award in the “SelfHelp” category.

The CIPA EVVYs™ recognize achievement across a diverse range of genres and technical categories and receive

entries from all over the world, including England, Belgium, South Africa, Russia and Dubai. With a growing number of entries in the nearly 50 categories, the CIPA EVVYs™ continue to provide a way for independent authors to gain recognition. This year, there were 26 gold awards issued, 32 silver awards issued and 36 bronze awards issued to authors and applicants across the country.

Bowers of Decorah is a retired financial planner and founder of Sister Courage Publishing. She wrote a guidebook that helps women learn how to take charge of their financial life. The book, released in 2021, was written in Decorah.

For more information, visit bevbowers.com. Bowers donates part of book sale proceeds to non-profit efforts that focus on financial literacy for women.

would later become Kendallville Campground and Lake Meyer Park. Original WCCB members Paul Henzler, Dan Meyer, Floyd Pearson, Loren Rue and Walter Witt accepted the task to expand natural resource management and environmental education in Winneshiek County, spurred on by legislation from the Code of Iowa, Chapter 350, that created conservation boards in every county in Iowa and authorized them to form conservation areas to benefit the public.

Winneshiek County Conservation now manages over 20 parks, trails and wildlife areas that are available for public use and enjoyment. WCCB is part of Iowa’s county park system – a system that is nationally recognized for its impacts on tourism and outdoor recreation.

Board Chair Bill Ohde shared, “County parks offer an important middle-ground between small municipal parks, undeveloped state wildlife areas and the scattered state park system. In Winneshiek County, the county park system offers one of the few public lakes in the Driftless Region with Lake Meyer, recreational trails connecting small communities with Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, and opportunities for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking and many other recreational activities for people that don’t have an easy alternative, or can’t afford other recreational options.”

Environmental education leader WCCB employs one of the top naturalists in the state, Larry Reis, who has won numerous awards for his work and dedication to conserving natural resources in Iowa throughout his lifetime. Over the course of his 40-year career with WCCB, Reis has given an estimated 8,000 programs reaching over 200,000 people (the entire population of Winneshiek County 10 times over), ranging in age from preschoolers through the elderly.

An avid outdoorsman, Reis specializes in many outdoor skills from hunting and fishing to birdwatching and wildlife photography. Reis has been instrumental in the development of the environmental education program as well as the

restoration of Lake Meyer and other Winneshiek County parks to shining examples of diverse ecosystems.

Reis said, “It has been very rewarding to work for the Winneshiek County Conservation Board where we’ve been able to protect some of the county’s most valuable natural resources, including prairies, cold-water trout streams and pristine woodlands. County residents and visitors can now enjoy these natural treasures for all time. We also have a wonderful environmental education program that gives school children and adults many opportunities to learn about and enjoy nature here in Winneshiek County.”

WCCB’s environmental education program started 50 years ago with the construction of the Lake Meyer Nature Center in 1973. Since then, WCCB staff have developed and implemented innovative programming to help children throughout the county learn about fishing, kayaking, biking, cross-country skiing, archery, natural sciences and more. The Fit Environment program has been picked up by other educators throughout the state and become a model for how to help kids lead healthy

lives by teaching them outdoor recreation skills. In recent years, WCCB has even added programming to promote recycling, composting and waste reduction in the county in partnership with the county’s recycling center and sanitary landfill. WCCB’s staff provides programming through collaboration with local schools, nursing homes, daycares, libraries and civic organizations.

South Winneshiek Schools

Superintendent Kris Einck shares, “WCCB provides youth programming that is invaluable to our teachers and rural students and their families. They inspire our kids to enjoy active lifestyles and to want to live in Winneshiek County when they grow up.”

Upcoming events and opportunities

Winneshiek County Conservation hosts several public events annually including the Lake Meyer Ice Fishing Derby in February, the Stan Shevik Memorial Family Fishing Clinic in June, activities at the Winneshiek County Fair in July and the Lake Meyer Campground Trunk or Treat in October. In April, WCCB will also be

Writer explores belonging and othering through poetry as artist in residence

Lanesboro Arts presents Twin Cities-based poet Su Hwang as the Lanesboro Arts Artist in Residence from April 7 to May 5, 2023.

During her residency, Hwang will explore themes of place, belonging, othering and the interconnectedness to one another and the natural world. Through informal, one-on-one interviews, broad-stroke lessons on the foundations of poetry, solo discovery walks and community engagement to bridge personal and cultural divides through the power of poetry, participants will co-create a living chapbook anthology by writing a personal portrait exploring these themes and the people who call Lanesboro home.

The general public can participate throughout the residency in a variety of ways. Through participating in various Lanesboro events, Hwang will interact and meet the community in a variety of locations and opportunities around town. Additionally, she will offer weekly poetry workshops culminating in a public reading featuring community members at St. Mane Theatre. All are welcome and all events are free.

Residency events

All events at St. Mane The-

Su Hwang atre

• Tuesday, April 11, 5-6 p.m.

Welcome Potluck Dinner

• Thursday, April 13, 5-6 p.m.

Poetry Workshop: Finding Poet-

ry Everywhere

• Thursday, April 20, 5-6 p.m.

Poetry Workshop: Basic Foundations of Poetry, Part 1

• Monday, April 24, 6-7 p.m.

Poetry Workshop: Basic Foundations of Poetry, Part 2

• Monday, May 1, 6-7 p.m.

Poetry Workshop: Discuss the art of revision, and dress rehearsal for public reading

• Friday, May 5, 7 p.m. Public

Reading

About Su Hwang

Su Hwang (she/her) is a poet, activist, stargazer, and the author of “Bodega” (Milkweed Editions), which received the

continued from front page

working with community partners to promote and celebrate Earth Day.

All year long, WCCB plans to continue their legacy of bringing people to nature with guided hikes, birdhouse building, kayaking and more. Anyone can celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Winneshiek County Conservation Board by participating or volunteering at any of these events.

Find more information at www.winneshiekwild.com.

2020 Minnesota Book Award in poetry and was named a finalist for the 2021 Kate Tufts Discovery Award.

Born in Seoul, Korea, she was raised in New York then called the Bay Area home before transplanting to the Midwest.

A recipient of the inaugural Jerome Hill Fellowship in Literature, she is a teaching artist with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and is the cofounder, with poet Sun Yung Shin, of Poetry Asylum. Hwang currently lives in Minneapolis.

About the Lanesboro

Artist Residency Program

Supported through 2024 by the Jerome Foundation, the Lanesboro Artist Residency Program awards two to three residencies per year to emerging artists with projects that activate the people & places of Lanesboro while instigating positive change. The program’s placebased and community-engaged focus is geared toward emerging artists that are driven to explore ways in which their work can be applied to the community and how Lanesboro’s rural community can inform their work.

For more information, visit lanesboroarts.org or call 507467-2446.

DECORAH

Students learn about local geography and geology on a field trip with Winneshiek County Conservation staff. (submitted photo)

Shark Tank event at Decorah Middle School

Engaging way to display learning

why it mattered in real life.

• They gained genuine experience in personal and professional communication.

• They were involved in real/ live discussions about data, using science terms and vocabulary, listening and responding in real time to questions and being very genuine in the process.

• They were engaged actively in communicating like real-life scientists.

• Students learned about the real-world impacts of scientific concepts, especially thermal energy transfer. Many of them developed and communicated a deep level of understanding of the science involved in working to slow the transfer of energy between molecules in cup systems designed to keep liquids warm or cold.

• They showed a great deal of creativity and design by using engineering principles and their imaginations.

to learn about thermal energy. When we started creating our cups, we had to think about why this would make our cup better, or why is this keeping it cold/ hot? The sharks got to ask questions when we finished, which I thought was cool because we got to work on social skills, speaking skills, what we were learning in science to answer the questions, and why that answer was right and support it with evidence.”

“My expectation for the ‘Shark’ part of this project was to not be too intimidating,” Boylen remarked, “but to ask the students to do some level of explaining and thinking around the science behind what they had done.”

Local vegetables all year long

After guiding his sixth-grade students to explore thermal energy and the transfer of energy on the molecular level, Decorah Middle School science teacher Scott Boylen created an engaging way for them to display their learning: they would create a cup system designed

to keep liquids cold or warm and present their prototypes to a panel of adults – Shark Tank style. The benefits for students engaged in this project are numerous:

• Students authentically communicated their learning and

• Students overcame any fears they had about public speaking and presented to a group of adults, including parents and their peers, in a semi-formal setting. They created and presented information in ways that were engaging and informative.

DMS student Charly Courtney shared, “I thought that the Shark Tank activity was super fun and was a great way

The presentations revealed the students’ understanding of the concepts Boylen taught; the students were well prepared for the questions the panel asked, demonstrating their knowledge of science concepts in their answers.

Boylen added, “I was pleased that the ‘Sharks’ asked questions that offered my students the chance to do some thinking on their feet and to learn from that experience. They also learned some self-confidence and that they are awesome curious beings with a world full of wonders in front of them.”

Submitted by Hannah

Breckbill

Humble Hands Harvest

Grant recipients gathered for the Winneshiek County Community Foundation’s 2023 grant awards celebration on March 23 at Luther College’s Dahl Centennial Union where $156,840.14 in grant funding was awarded to 23 projects of organizations serving Winneshiek County.

WCCF awards over $156,000 in 2023 grants

The Winneshiek County Community Foundation (WCCF) held its grant awards celebration at Luther College’s Dahl Centennial Union Thursday, March 23, highlighting the impacts of WCCF’s 2022 grant awards and announcing the distribution of $156,840.14 to 23 projects of organizations serving Winneshiek County through its 2023 grant cycle.

“It’s an honor for the Winneshiek County Community Foundation to support these local nonprofits in their work to strengthen our communities and make them great places for all to live, work and play,” said WCCF Committee Chair Joe Skretta.

The 2023 grant recipient organizations, project the grant will fund and grant amount is listed below by funding area.

Arts & Culture

• ArtHaus, Outdoor Spaces

Renovation, $5,500

• Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Impact Crater Marker & Placebased Science, $5,000

• Winneshiek County Agricultural Association, Handicap and Safety Improvements, $20,000

Community Betterment

• City of Calmar, Basketball Hoops, $4,400

• City of Decorah, Parks Department - Swimming Pool Diving Board, $5,000

• City of Spillville, LibraryTechnology Upgrade, $1,800

• Decorah Volunteer Fire Dept Association, Drone Dropping Support, $4,149

• Fort Atkinson Firefighter’s Association, 2023 Fire Station Standby Generator, $9,500

• Protivin Community Fire District, In-Floor Heating, $3,000

• Winneshiek County – Auditor, Emergency Management –MegaGo, $4,000

• Winneshiek Energy District, Bringing Electric Vehicle Charging to Winneshiek County, $19,997

Education & Youth Development

• Helping Services for Youth & Families, Youth Mentoring at Helping Services, $5,000

• Toys Go ‘Round Toy Lending Library, We’ve Got the Toys, $5,772

• Winneshiek County 4-H Foundation – Pinebluff 4-H Camp, Pine Bluff Kitchen Appliance Replacement, $4,500

Environment & Animal Welfare

• Humane Society of Northeast Iowa, Outdoor Yard Renovations for Safer Work En-

vironment and Increased Law Enforcement Support, $6,000

• Iowa Driftless of Trout Unlimited, Casey Springs Creek, $6,000

• Seed Savers Exchange, Trail Wayfinding Signage, $5,000

Health

• Aase Haugen Senior Services, Equipment to Serve the Needs of Seniors, $6,380

• Calmar Senior Club, Calmar Senior Center Rejuvenation, $4,610

• Winneshiek Medical Center Foundation, Patient Satisfaction - Vein Finder, $10,258

Human Service

• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Winneshiek County Congregate and Home Delivered Meals FY24, $7,474.14

• Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Feeding Families, $6,000

• Riverview Center, Winneshiek County Sexual Assault Crisis Response Program, $7,500

Decisions on grant awards are determined by a local committee consisting of volunteers from Winneshiek County.

Committee members include:

Dianne Ameling, Jeannie Boyer, Tracy Dostal, Nate Ersig, Terry Haindfield, Lilly Jensen, Chelsey Kephart, Mark Kuhn, Marcia McKelvey, Emily Min-

eart, Keith Newhouse, Jana Olson and Joe Skretta (chair).

Grants are awarded through WCCF’s competitive grant process to projects in the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, health and human service. Grant applicants must be a 501(c) (3) designated organization or government entity serving Winneshiek County in order to be considered for funding. More information about the WCCF can be found at www.winneshiekccf.org.

The Winneshiek County Community Foundation is a local foundation making grants to organizations creating stronger, more vibrant communities in Winneshiek County and helps people establish funds to support the causes they care about. The Winneshiek County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, a nonprofit committed to creating long-term impacts in 20 counties in Iowa.

For more information, contact 319-287-9106 or visit www.cfneia.org.

CFNEIA is confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

Hannah Breckbill

March is a potent time here in northeast Iowa. As I write, trees are being tapped, dripping their sap for syrup making. With this beginning of consistent thaw, longer and stronger amounts of sunshine, and hints of green on the ground amid the mud, comes the knowledge that spring is near. Soon, farmers will be back at work in the fields, creating conditions that are just right for the seeds that they sow to grow with gusto.

I’m one of the co-farmers at Humble Hands Harvest and this late-winter stirring is welcome, even if it means my time for rest is coming to an end. The greenhouse is starting, and seeds are germinating! The onions, peppers and cabbages — among other things — that will be producing this summer are already starting their lives. In the high tunnel (a greenhouse-type structure) on our farm, the spinach is growing like mad, thriving in the frosty nights and longer days.

It’s a pleasure to dream and scheme about what the growing season will bring each year. Our farm plans to provide vegetables for our community all year round, but of course the largest portion of our crops mature and need to be eaten or processed in the summer and fall. We sell most of them at the Decorah Farmers Market, but there’s another way that some of our customers access our food: through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

A CSA is a pre-paid vegetable subscription for eaters who want to be part of the cycle of our farm from the beginning of the season to the end. Now is

the time that people sign up to be CSA members and pay for their produce for the season— our farm offers a full share of a box of vegetables every week from July through October, or a half share for an every-other-week box. Some people, who know that they want to eat local food all season but who might be on vacation for big chunks of the summer, choose to get a “market share” instead, where their advance payment gives them credit at a farmers market stand that they can use any time they come to market, for anything that’s there. Many local vegetable farms have similar offerings.

I highly recommend joining a farm in celebrating the abundance of the growing season. And in the meantime, enjoy the last of the winter storage vegetables from your local growers–this beet salad, for example.

Sesame Ginger Beet Salad

I had the pleasure of eating this salad at a conference this winter, and beets, the main ingredient, are one vegetable that you can access here in the driftless all year long. This salad is simple and so, so tasty!

Ingredients

2 pounds beets

2-3 tsp fresh ginger, grated ¼ cup sesame seeds (yes, this is a lot! Use a little less if it feels extreme)

Salt

Toasted sesame oil

Vinegar (apple cider or rice)

Instructions

Boil the beets whole until fork tender. Peel them and slice into ½ inch cubes. Finely grate the ginger, and combine with beets, sesame seeds, and the salt, oil and vinegar to taste. This is a salad that is great to make ahead of time, so the flavors can blend together in the fridge.

Historic database now available

Winneshiek County officials report they are going live with a new Historic Records Database.

This database includes images of historic records as early as the 1850’s. Records include Board of Supervisors minutes, real estate transfers

and deeds, and other miscellaneous recorded documents and Indexes.

The database can be accessed at: https://gov.arcasearch.com/usiawin/. More details in the upcoming Public Opinion.

Pictured (l-r): Dahlynne Borsheim and Addison Birdsell look over a cup design. (submitted photo)

90th birthday

Tony Larson will celebrate his 90th birthday on Thursday, March 30. Birthday greetings may be sent to him at 502 East Broadway #3, Decorah, IA 52101. Much love and best wishes from Marilyn and all the family.

Wild foraging at Lake Meyer April 20

Forage for wild edible plants with Winneshiek County Conservation Thursday, April 20, at 5:30 p.m., at Lake Meyer Park and Campground near Calmar.

The foraging hike will depart from the campground shelter to explore the trails around Lake Meyer. After the hike, hikers will bring their finds back to the shelter to cook and tastetest.

The event is free and open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. The trails at Lake Meyer are unpaved and may be slippery, so participants should wear clothes and shoes appropriate for a muddy trail.

Registration is required. Call the Winneshiek County Conservation office at 563-5347145 to register.

In case of poor weather conditions, this event will be postponed to Thursday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. Watch the Winneshiek County Conservation website or Facebook page for any changes in plans due to weather.

For more information, visit www.winneshiekwild.com or call 563-534-7145.

2008 Ford F150, Quad cab Lariat. Excellent condition. Leather. New tires. Bed liner. 5K just done in repairs. 160K miles. $9,950. 319530-7293. 10-4-J-pd-4

For Rent: 3-bedroom, 2 bath ranch house in country along the Turkey River. Spillville. NP/NS. 563-4194131. 12-tf-J-pd-9

For Rent: Downtown commercial space, approximately 20’x53’. Currently set up as office space. 105 Court Street. Call 563-380-2194 or 563-382-9354. 12-tf-PJ-x-9

NOW HIRING IN DECORAH

TOOLROOM SUPERVISOR POSITION

First Shift 6:30 am – 3:30 pm

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Plan and direct the manufacture of heading and secondary tooling to meet quality requirements and production schedule. Plan and direct tooling production and Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) operations to meet manufacturing start dates.

• Coordinates all training of personnel in tooling and EDM departments.

• Demonstrates appropriate leadership and supervisory skills. Utilizes team concepts in all areas, ensuring the interest and welfare of employees is preserved and protected and high morale attained. Schedules overtime in tool room and EDM area as needed to meet customer expectations. Participates in the daily new part planning meeting.

• Analyze tooling failures and implement methods of improvements to reduce or eliminate further failures. Initiate Engineering Changes and Tool Change Requests when needed. Utilize Industry 4.0 elements to improve tooling processes and productivity Actively drives productivity improvements and submits annual Protrak savings. Work directly with Manufacturing Supervisors on daily tooling needs. Requisitions and expedites tooling from outside vendors and

EDM area to meet production schedules and

Former Elgin city clerk charged following State Auditor’s report

A former Elgin city clerk was officially charged March 22 with first degree theft following the release of an investigation by State Auditor Rob Sand’s office earlier this month.

According to court filings in Fayette County, a criminal complaint was made last week against Rhonda Faye Dales, 62, of Clermont.

The Auditor’s Office revealed in early March that Dales is responsible for nearly $140,000 of improper and unsupported payments, including checks issued to herself and purchases made using a city debit card for personal items.

In the March report, it was noted that city officials in Elgin requested an investigation by Sand due to concerns over financial transactions processed by the former clerk from October 2017 through June 2021.

In a report from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officials complet-

DECORAH SALES

ed an investigation March 7 which had been turned over by the Fayette County Attorney’s Office from a report conducted by the State Auditor upon the request of the city of Elgin in which Dales was terminated. Dales was subsequently was charged with theft in the first degree, a class “C” felony. Dales will make a court appearance on the charges at a later date.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Office of Auditor for the State of Iowa and the Fayette County Attorney’s Office. More details will be published as the court filings are reported.

Iowa town hall meetings on digital services

BEEF

‘Afterlife: A Ghost Story’ March 30-April 2

New Minowa Players will present “Afterlife: A Ghost Story,” Thursday, March 30, through Saturday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 2, at 1:30 p.m., at New Minowa Players Theatre located at 906 South Mill Street in Decorah.

A ghost story in the most

Notice of Annual Meeting

The members of the Mabel Cooperative Telephone Company will meet

Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Mabel Community Center in Mabel, MN. (Snow date April 18, 2023)

Nominations for directors for a three-year term are:

Paul Vitse

Andrew Brown or David Sacquitne

Kenneth Carolan or Karissa Smith Lunch will be served. We hope to see you there!

- Kevin Manning, Secretary

The Department of Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer announced more than 50 public town hall-style meetings to hear feedback from Iowans on digital services, including broadband, in their area.

Attendees will hear a short presentation on digital services followed by a discussion with the audience on the barriers and potential solutions for full participation in the digital aspects of society. All meetings will start at 6 p.m. at the designated locations and are anticipated to last about 90 minutes.

The department stated, “We want to hear from Iowans of all walks of life on how they use the internet and digital services in general. If you ever felt like the digital world is passing you by, for whatever reason, this is your chance to speak up and help Iowa identify ways to help you and your community.”

For more information, email broadband@iowa.gov or visit https://ocio.iowa.gov/broadband/ digital-equity.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Maria Guevara at maria.guevara@ iowa.gov at least seven days before the event to attend.

Meeting dates and locations are as follows:

• May 17, Cresco Public Library, 320 N. Elm St., Cresco

• May 18, Decorah Public Library, 202 Winnebago St., Decorah

• May 23, Robey Memorial Library, 401 1st Ave. NW, Waukon

literal sense, “Afterlife” by Steven Christopher Yockey follows married couple Connor and Danielle as they prepare their beachfront home for an impending storm.

But, when the storm rolls in faster than expected, it may be too late for them to escape the

haunting world of unsent letters, unexpected snow, unfinished sandcastles, unrelenting birds, and unforgettable loss that threaten to swallow the pair forever.

The production is geared to an adult audience.

Parkinson’s Disease education in Fayette

If you have ever watched the Iowa State Cyclone football team play at Jack Trice Stadium, hopefully you have also had the opportunity to sing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

Did you know in 2018 at the age of 77, Neil Diamond announced he would no longer tour and revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease? Diamond is one of more than 10 million people

worldwide living with Parkinson’s Disease, and despite his retirement, he continues to be active and occasionally sings in public performances.

Parkinson’s Disease is a type of movement disorder that can affect the ability to perform common daily activities. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness and difficulty with balance, walking, and coordinated movement.

Learn more about causes,

symptoms, diagnosis and treatments (including singing) by attending “A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease” offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For in-person and virtual class information, visit www. extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/parkinsons. Fayette County will be offering this class on April 3, 10, and 17 in their office at 218 S Main St., Fayette.

NE Iowa Quilters meeting highlights quilt panels from Forest Mills

The Northeast Iowa Quilters’ Guild will meet Tuesday, April 4, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the Community Room of the Luana Savings Bank.

Sisters Carolyn Clark and Dianne Rissman of the Forest Mills Quilt Shop (located between Waukon and Luana) will speak about the history of preprinted panels and their evolution to the amazing products we have today.

Special events and honors are often commemorated with a quilt. Fabric panels have made this practice much less time-consuming. Carolyn and Dianne will have many samples from the 1970s-present and will set up a mini-boutique with panels and patterns for sale.

For more information, contact Mike Ellingsen at 507-6020322, Nancy Sojka at 563-4191828, visit www.neiqg.com of follow NorthEast Iowa Quilters’ Guild on Facebook.

The NorthEast Iowa Quilters’ Guild is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that meets on the first Tuesday of the month,

Dianne Rissman and Carolyn Clark of Forest Mills Quilt Shop (submitted photo)

with meetings at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. A short business meeting is followed by announcements, show-and-tell, and a program

or presentation by a quilting expert. New members are always welcome.

Dragonfly Books to host mystery author

Dragonfly Books will host Kathleen Ernst, author of the Chloe Ellefson traditional mystery series, for a meet-and-greet and book signing on Friday, April 14, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Ernst is a Wisconsin-based award-winning and bestselling author, educator and social historian. She has published over 30 novels and two nonfiction books, including “Heritage of Darkness,” set at Vesterheim in Decorah. Her books for young readers include the Caroline Abbott series for American Girl. Honors for her children’s

mysteries include Edgar and Agatha Award nominations.

Ernst worked as an interpreter and curator of Interpretation and Collections at Old World Wisconsin, and her time at the historic site served as inspiration for the Chloe Ellefson mysteries. “The Heirloom Murders” won the Anne Powers Fiction Book Award from the Council of Wisconsin Writers, and “The Light Keeper’s Legacy” won the Lovey Award for Best Traditional Mystery from Love is Murder. She also served as a project director/scriptwriter for

several instructional television series, one of which earned her an Emmy Award.

All are invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation in collaboration with Dragonfly Books. Norwegian delicacies will also be served.

To learn more about this event and other events at Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com, or call 563382-4275. Dragonfly Books is located at 112 W. Water Street in Decorah.

Tension is on the faces of cast members Adam Lenehen and Aleesa Baakko as they return to the beach house where a tragedy occurred in a scene from “Afterlife: A Ghost Story.” (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)

Join the team at Heritage Farm!

GREENHOUSE COORDINATOR

Full-time, $18/hr

The greenhouse coordinator will utilize their knowledge and experience in vegetable crop production and greenhouse operation to grow high-quality transplants from over 40 different crop types each year. This position also performs seed starting, field work, and seed production activities.

VISIT SEEDSAVERS.ORG/JOBS FOR MORE DETAILS AND OPEN POSITIONS!

To apply, please email a cover letter, résumé, and the contact information for three references to jobs@seedsavers.org

Please include the name of the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. You may also contact Peggy Miller at 563.387.5653. Seed Savers Exchange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOW HIRING

Farmers Win Coop is currently seeking applicants for this position:

TRAVELING BOOKKEEPER

Candidates will travel as needed to locations to assist with Bookkeeper duties. The Bookkeeper’s responsibilities involve recordkeeping, communications, clerical tasks, and operating the grain scale and ticketing system.

Benefits include: Health Insurance, Matching 401K, Retirement Plan, Vacation & Profit Sharing.

To be considered for these positions, contact Courtney Hageman, Human Resources: 563-237-5324 chageman@farmerswin.com

Summer Tour Guides

Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum, Burr Oak Hours available May through October and June through August. Flexible schedule, 20-30 hours per week. Will train. For more information or to apply, contact museum@lauraingallswilder.us

Vesterheim seeks a Marketing Manager who will use vision and strategic thinking to lead the organization’s marketing efforts. A key emphasis of these efforts will focus on how the museum can successfully reach out to new audiences while still serving its traditional base of support. The Marketing Manager will work within the Communications & Marketing Team and will provide guidance to all museum departments by collecting institutional analytics, evaluating and developing marketing strategies, planning and coordinating marketing efforts, communicating the marketing plans to those involved, and building awareness and positioning for the organization’s brand. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or business with high competency in marketing plans, analytics, research, and strategies and at least 1-3 years of experience in leading, managing, and analyzing marketing campaigns and developing annual marketing plans within a financial plan. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Marketing, this full-time, onsite position will have the possibility of working remotely part of the time. Salary range: $52,000-$57,000. For the complete job description https://vesterheim.org/job/marketing-manager/. To apply email a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references to tcarolan@ vesterheim.org. Vesterheim is an EOE/AA.

13-6-JP-12

Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Luther College is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Assistant Director of Annual Giving. The Assistant Director of Annual and Leadership Giving for Current Gifts serves as an active member of the Annual and Leadership Giving team responsible for raising annual unrestricted and semi-restricted gifts to the College through solicitation of alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends. The primary objective is to advance the mission of the College by increasing annual giving revenue and participation, broadening the base of support, and coordinating student engagement. The position manages the Phonathon program A bachelor’s degree is required, preferably from a liberal arts college. Also required is at least one-year experience in annual giving, development, advancement services, or related field and knowledge of principles and practices associated with fundraising in higher education. This position may be required to travel regionally and work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to support Alumni/Development events and programming.

Luther College offers an excellent benefit package including competitive health insurance premiums, generous retirement contribution, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and tuition benefits for employee, spouse and dependents. Additionally, Luther College offers an outstanding PTO program. New full-time employees can earn up to 30 days of PTO per year, in addition to time off for holidays which includes a full week of holiday pay between Christmas and New Years’ Day.

SIGN-ON

BONUS

when you join Winneshiek Medical Center as a Clinic Assistant.

13-1-J-12

IMMEDIATE OPENING

Farmers Win Coop is currently seeking applicants for this position:

Full-time Grain Attendant Mabel, MN location

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• To inspect and deliver grain and related products.

•Maintain equipment on a regular schedule, maintain quality of grain above standards.

• Take customer grain samples.

•Receive grain inventory, store it, and keep it saleable.

Benefits include health insurance, matching 401k, retirement plan, vacation and profit sharing!

To be considered for these positions, contact Courtney Hageman, Human Resources: 563-237-5324 chageman@farmerswin.com

Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. We value the input of multiple viewpoints and perspectives to create an academic community rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity. Candidates are encouraged to identify their strengths or experiences that will contribute to this goal. To view the complete job description and apply for this position and all current openings, please go to the employment website at www.luther.edu/offices/hr/careers

NOW HIRING

Farmers Win Coop is currently seeking applicants for these positions:

Custom Applicator

Burr Oak location

This position will operate a commercial sprayer or floater to apply chemicals and fertilizer to producers’ fields. Agronomy operations, equipment maintenance, outstanding customer service and being a team player are also required. Class A CDL required.

Are you an LPN or EMT looking for a new and exciting opportunity?

Consider joining Winneshiek Medical Center in our Wound Care Center as a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Technician. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment where air pressure is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather much more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. Conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections or wounds that may not heal because of diabetes or radiation therapy. The Hyperbaric Technician will administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients under the supervision of the Hyperbaric Providers and Wound Center nurses. The technician is responsible for the safe and effective operation of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems, as well as for the safe delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the patient.

Qualifications:

•Current healthcare professional that is actively certified or licensed in the one of the following vocations: LPN, EMT, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, or RN.

•BLS certification required.

•Two years’ experience in a provider practice or clinic setting with prior experience in wound or critical care preferred

•Ability to take part in training, education, and testing to become a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) within six (6) months of hire.

NOW HIRING Internships are Available

Warehouse Delivery Driver/ Tender Truck Driver

13-1-J-12

at Fredericksburg, Burr Oak & also Spring Grove, MN & Mabel, MN

At Farmers Win Cooperative, Crop Scout Interns are given an opportunity to connect classroom agronomic knowledge to the field first-hand. Throughout the season, you will learn to identify weeds, diseases, and insects affecting crop growth and development. You will gain experience testing soil and plant nutrients and analyze reports used to make crop input recommendations with an experienced Agronomist.

13-1-J-12

To be considered for these positions, contact Courtney Hageman, Human Resources: 563-237-5324 chageman@farmerswin.com

Burr Oak location

The Warehouse Delivery Driver position will be responsible for loading shipments from location to customer. Class A CDL required.

Winneshiek Medical Center offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, IPERS Pension, and Generous PTO accrual. Please visit https://www.winmedical.org/careers/ for additional information, and to apply. Pre-employment drug screen and background screen required. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine required upon hire. 13-2-J-12

Are you an LPN or EMT looking for a new and exciting opportunity?

Consider joining Winneshiek Medical Center in our Wound Care Center as a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Technician. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment where air pressure is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather much more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. Conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy include serious infections or wounds that may not heal because of diabetes or radiation therapy.

sell, and deliver feed and related products in a manner that will optimize the cooperative’s market share and savings, improve the cooperative’s efficiency, help achieve the cooperative’s mission and goals, and result in outstanding customer service. Responsibilities involve operations, deliveries and pick-ups, sales and service, safety and maintenance, and other duties as assigned by management. The feed mill attendant will maintain a positive attitude that promotes team work within the cooperative and a favorable image of the cooperative.

Hyperbaric Technician

Winneshiek Medical Center is seeking to hire a Hyperbaric Technician. The Hyperbaric Technician will administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients under the supervision of the Hyperbaric Providers and Wound Center nurses. This technician is responsible for the safe and effective operation of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems, as well as for the safe delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the patient.

Benefits include health insurance, matching 401k, retirement plan, vacation and profit sharing!

The Hyperbaric Technician will administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy to patients under the supervision of the Hyperbaric Providers and Wound Center nurses. The technician is responsible for the safe and effective operation of the hyperbaric chamber(s) and related support systems, as well as for the safe delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the patient.

Qualifications:

•Current healthcare professional that is actively certified or licensed in the one of the following vocations: LPN, EMT, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapist, or RN.

•BLS certification required.

•Two years’ experience in a provider practice or clinic setting with prior experience in wound or critical care preferred

To be considered for these positions, contact Courtney Hageman, Human Resources: 563-237-5324 chageman@farmerswin.com

The Hyperbaric Technician prepares, educates and orients patients about the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This includes lifting or transferring patients, getting them ready for treatment administration and answering their questions. The technician administers the hyperbaric oxygen therapy as prescribed by the Hyperbaric Provider to the patient. This includes monitoring and controlling the performance of the hyperbaric chamber equipment, as well as monitoring the patient responses during the session and making proper adjustments to ensure the patient’s safety and the safe and effective use of the equipment.

AUCTION CALENDAR

Echoes of the Past By Roz Weis

TUESDAY, MARCH 28 - Sweeney Machinery Consignment Auction. Call to cosign. Sweeney Auction Service. www.sweeneyauctionservice.com Waukon, Ia 563-568-2464.

Two Guys A Fixin is now...

2 Toy AussieChihuahua Cross

$300 each

3 Jack Russell Cross tan & white, 1 male, 2 females. $150 each

1 black Bernedoodle Male. $250

2 Chihuahua-Poodle Cross females. Very cute. No blue merle.

4 Cockapoos

1 black female, 1 red female, 2 blue merle males

563-535-9455 or 563-380-3997 12-4-PJ-1 Roofing, Siding, Exterior, Remodeling and More!! Farley Construction LLC 563-380-2967 • Decorah, IA Licensed and Insured 13-2-JP-14 Send letter of application and resume to Supt. Tim Cronin, 510 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101. Position is open until filled.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Decorah Schools has the following position available for the 2023-2024 school year: 13-1-J-12

CARDS OF THANKS ESL Teacher (Middle School & High School)

SEMI DRIVER

To haul grain Monday - Friday. Call Larry Orvella 563-380-0322 or 563-382-9804

Historic post office

The stately post office in Decorah was once located where the Decorah Library now stands. The office was moved to a new “modern” building back in the early 1960s. This photo is from the Driftless Multimedia archives.

Hidden Bluffs Resort has the following positions open:

Store Manager

Front Desk

Housekeeping Maintenance Activities

For more information or to apply please email Josh at jbrumm@travelresorts.com

Hidden Bluffs Resort is located 22885 County Road 19 Spring Grove, MN 11-4-PJ-12

Communications Specialist

Luther College is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Communications Specialist. The Communications Specialist serves as an active and dynamic member of the Alumni Relations team, which is embedded as part of the Development Division at Luther. This position generates various reports in support of outreach operations; creates and coordinates digital and print communications for the Alumni Office; manages the Alumni Office webpages; handles all event registrations and assists with special events as needed; and prepares alumni updates for the Luther Alumni Magazine.

High School diploma and at least two years of post-high school education is required. Associate’s degree is preferred. Also required is at least one year of related work experience in managing database records and working with reporting tools. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Luther College offers an excellent benefit package including competitive health insurance premiums, generous retirement contribution, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and tuition benefits for employee, spouse and dependents. Additionally, Luther College offers an outstanding PTO program. New full-time employees can earn up to 30 days of PTO per year, in addition to time off for holidays which includes a full week of holiday pay between Christmas and New Years’ Day.

Luther College seeks to build a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. Luther College is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. We value the input of multiple viewpoints and perspectives to create an academic community rich with cultural, social, and intellectual diversity. Candidates are encouraged to identify their strengths or experiences that will contribute to this goal. To view the complete job description and apply for this position and all current openings, please go to the employment website at

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

AGO: In Iowa and in neighboring states, there has been news of “secret societies” cropping up. Although Decorah and the vicinity have had no unpleasant or unfortunate experiences with such organizations who take the law into their own hands, the local Post of the American Legion

…A rate

of 4% is now being

to help finish up the financial of the company. From what we hear, he is having wonderful success. Drilling was to have started March 20, but a storm has set the company back a little – that is the news from Mr. L.A. Jaegers of Independence.

Driftless Journal Thursday, January 2, 2020 A-13

…The largest shipment of Gold Seal Congoleum Rugs ever shipped here has been received at Decorah Furniture Company. Phone 90 for an appointment to take a look.

Company

State Bank. …An Independence man is here in town with the Decorah Pioneer Oil & Gas

5 PASSENGER SUVS 22 Ford Edge SEL, Magnetic Gray, AWD, 36k Miles Heated Leather, Tech Package 22 Hyundai Tuscan SE, Gray, AWD, Only 7500 Miles, Tech Package, Backup Camera 21 Chev Trailblazer LT, Black, AWD, 37k Miles, Heated Seats, Backup Camera 21 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Edition, Black, AWD, 31k Miles, Moonroof, Heated Seats 21 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Edition, Silver, AWD, Moonroof, Heated Seats 21 Ford Bronco Sport, Black, AWD, 9,400 Miles, Backup Camera, Blind Spot Monitoring 21 Toyota Rav4 XLE, Navy Pearl, AWD, 60k Miles, Power Seat, Backup Camera 20 Chev Equinox LT, Gray, AWD, Backup Camera, Remote Start, 33k Miles 20 Ford Edge SEL, Magnetic Gray, AWD, 48k Miles, Heated Leather, MyTouch Package 20 GMC Terrain SLT, Silver, AWD, 51k Miles, Heated Leather, Remote Start 20 GMC Terrain SLT, White, AWD, 57k Miles, Heated Leather, Remote Start 20 Toyota Rav4 Adventure, Black, AWD, 68k Miles, Leather, Tech Package 19 Chev Blazer LT, Red, AWD, V6, Black Pack, Heated Seats, 42k Miles 19 Chev Equinox LT+, Black, AWD, 32k Miles, Black Out Package, Heated Seats 19 Jeep Cherokee Latitude +, Black, AWD, 40k Miles, Cloth/Leather Combo, Backup Camera 19 Jeep Compass Latitude, Navy, AWD, 55k Miles, Heated Seats/Wheel 19 Nissan Rogue Sport SV, Nitro Lime, AWD, Moonroof, 28k Miles, Heated Seats/Wheel 19 Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium, White, AWD, 65k Miles, Tech Package, Heated Seats 18 Jeep Compass Limited, Gray, AWD, Heated Leather/Wheel, Backup Camera 18 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude, Black, AWD, V6, Black Pack, Heated Leather/Wheel 18 Nissan Rogue SV, Red, AWD, 27k Miles, Backup Camera, Heated Seats, Remote Start 18 Nissan Rogue SV, Blue, AWD, 27k Miles, Backup Camera, Heated Seats, Remote Start 18 Nissan Rogue SV, Gray, AWD, 42k Miles, Heated Seats/Wheel, Backup Camera 18 Nissan Rogue SV, White Pearl, AWD, Heated Seats/Wheel, Moonroof 17 Chev Equinox LT, Gray, AWD, 72k Miles, Heated Seats, Remote Start 17 Ford Escape SE, Red, AWD, 48k Miles, Heated Leather, Tech Package, Backup Camera 17 Jeep Cherokee Altitude, White, AWD, 75k Miles, Heated Leather/Wheel, Pano Moonroof 16 Ford Escape SE, Sunburst Orange, AWD, 56k Miles, Heated Seats, Remote Start 15 Chev Equinox LTZ, Diamond White, 104k Miles, Heated Leather, Remote Start 15 Ford Escape SE, Red, FWD, 57k Miles, Great Shape, Beautiful Color 15 Ford Escape Titanium, Lightning Blue, AWD, 59k Miles, EcoBoost, Pano Moonroof 15 Kia Soul +, Gray, 83k Miles, Upgraded Radio, Local Trade 12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, Black, 4x4, 85k Miles, 2xMoonroof, Heated Leather, V6 12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, Black, 4x4, V6, 137k Miles, Pano Moonroof, Heated/ Cooled Leather 12 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, Dozier Orange, 4x4, V6, Hardtop, 76k Miles VANS 21 Chrysler Voyager LXi, Silver, Stow&Go, 62k Miles, Leather, Power Liftgate, Remote Start 21 Chrysler Voyager LXi, White, Stow&Go, 44k Miles, Leather, Power Doors 21 Toyota Sienna LE Hybrid, White, 2nd Row Buckets, New Style, Tech Package 20 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, Black, Stow&Go, 57k Miles, Backup Camera 17 Toyota Sienna LE, Gray, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, 101k Miles, Nicely Equipped 13 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T, Silver, Stow&Go, Heated Leather/Wheel, Power Doors/Liftgate 3RD ROW SEAT SUVS 21 Toyota 4Runner SR5, Gray, AWD, Backup Camera, 47k Miles, V6 20 Chev Traverse LT, Gray, AWD, 2nd Row Buckets, Remote Start, JUST IN 20 Ford Explorer XLT, Black, AWD, Heated Leather/Wheel, Power Liftgate 19 Chev Traverse LT, Pepperdust, AWD, 2nd Row Buckets, 63k Miles, Heated Seats 18 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4Motion, Red, AWD, Heated Leather, Remote Start, Backup Camera 17 Dodge Durango GT, Silver, AWD, 101k Miles, Heated Leather/Wheel, Remote Start, Backup Camera 17 Nissan Pathfinder SL, White Pearl, AWD, Heated Leather, Moonroof, 58k Miles 16 Chev Traverse LT., Navy, AWD, 2nd Row Buckets, Heated Seats, Remote Start 16 Ford Explorer XLT, Black, AWD, Power Liftgate, Heated Leather, 63k Miles 15 Chev Traverse 2LT, Gray, AWD, 2nd Row Buckets, Heated Seats, New Tires 14 Chev Traverse LT, Gray, AWD, 84k Miles, Heated Seats, 8 Passenger CARS 19 Ford Mustang Eco Premium Convertible, Black, Heated/Cooled Leather, Remote Start 18 Ford Fusion SE HYBRID, White, 63k Miles, 42 MPG, Power Seat, Backup Camera 17 Ford Fusion SE Hybrid, Lightning Blue, 43 MPG, 2.0L Ecoboost Engine, 64k Miles 16 Chev Cruze LT RS, Red, 61k Miles, Moonroof, Spoiler, Heated Seats 16 Chrysler 200 LX Sedan, Gray, 100k Miles, Local Trade, Keyless, Bluetooth 16 Nissan Versa SV, Black, 41k Miles, Local Trade, Bluetooth, 40 MPG! 15 Chev Malibu LT, Red, 86k Miles, Cloth/ Leather, Backup Camera 15 Chev Camaro 2LS, White, V6, Black Rims/ Stripes, Backup Camera 14 Lincoln MKS, Silver, All Wheel Drive, 75k Miles, Pano Moonroof, Heated Leather TRUCKS 21 Chev Silverado LTZ CrewCab, Silver, 4x4, 3.0L S6 Duramax Diesel, Heated/Cooled Leather, 30 MPG 20 Ford F150 XLT SuperCab, Black, 4x4, 83k Miles, EcoBoost, 6 Passenger 20 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCrew, Silver, 4x4, 47k Miles, Tech Package, Heated Seats 19 Chev Silverado LT Z-71 CrewCab, Red Hot, 4x4, V8, Heated Seats/Wheel, Tonneau Cover 19 Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew, Velocity Blue, 4x4, 61k Miles, Heated/Cooled Leather, EcoBoost 19 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Black, 4x4, 50k Miles, Local Trade, Great Shape 19 Ford F150 XLT Sport SuperCrew, Abyss Gray, 4x4, 6.5Ft Box, 3.5L EcoBoost, Buckets 18 Ford F150 XLT Sport SuperCrew, Magnetic Gray, 81k Miles, Custom Rims, V8, Heated Buckets 17 Ford F150 XLT Sport SuperCrew, Lightning Blue, 4x4, EcoBoost, 20” Rims, Heated Buckets 16 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Silver w/ Black Rims, 4x4, 74k Miles, 6.5Ft Box, 3.5L EcoBoost 16 Ford F150 XLT Sport SuperCrew, White, 4x4, 75k Miles, EcoBoost, Heated Seats 16 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Black, 4x4, 59k Miles, 2.7L EcoBoost 15 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Blue Jeans w/ Gray Trim, 4x4, EcoBoost, 91k Miles, Short Box, Heated Seats 15 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Caribou Brown, 4x4, 91k Miles, EcoBoost, Heated Seats 12 Ford F150 XLT SuperCrew, Sterling Gray, 4x4, 107k Miles, 5.0L V8, Local Trade, Nice Shape NOW OFFERING BUMPER TO BUMPER NEW CAR WARRANTY ON USED CARS! NO REPAIR BILLS FOR 8 MORE YEARS! VEHICLES THAT WILL CATCH YOUR EYE! Cresco Motor Company Late Model Used Cars & Trucks 22382 Hwy 9, Cresco, IA Easy Financing Results in an Hour! www.crescomotorcompany.com 563-547-5336 Follow us on FACEBOOK & receive up to the minute inventory updates! 06 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Red, 4x4, V8, 131k Miles, VERY NICE $6,995 05 Pontiac Vibe Hatchback, Red, 186k Miles, GREAT SHAPE, New Tires, Local Trade $3,795 BACK ROW BEAUTIES! NOW ONLY $25,995 19 Ford Mustang Eco Premium Convertible Black, Heated/Cooled Leather, Remote Start, Red Leather Interior NOW ONLY $22,995 19 Subaru Crosstrek Premium White Pearl, AWD, Heated Seats, Tech Package NOW ONLY $26,995 21 Toyota Rav4 XLE AWD, Backup Camera, 33MPG

…FOR SALE: A modern Decorah home on two lots with a barn. Price tag: $3,000. Also for sale: 80 acres of good land. $9,200.

…Get a new Buick two-passenger touring sedan for $1,325 at Woldum Auto in Decorah.

…The town of West Union has purchased a new street cleaner that flushes the pavement with water and drives the dirt down into the storm sewers. Hopefully Decorah will follow.

…Calmar baseball fans have had a meeting to organize for the 1923 playing season. Manager is Frank Marron.

Calmar has produced some good ball teams and let it be said to their credit, they play local talent a great deal more exclusively than the general run of northeastern Iowa towns.

…Oneota Golf and Country Club members have voted on several improvements. A porch will be constructed on the east side of the clubhouse. It will be screened in with a full basement under it. A number of new bunkers and traps will be placed on the fairways. Opening day is May 17.

No “secret societies” for this area of Iowa 1923 1933

…Recent news tells the story of Adolf Hitler, leader of the National Socialist Party, being appointed chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg.

NINETY YEARS AGO: The coveted Purple Heart from the War Department has been presented to Bastian Torvik of this city. He is in the employ of the Iowa Highway Commission in the area and is a well-known World War veteran.

…Now playing at the Grand Theatre: “The Kid from Spain” starring Eddie Cantor. Coming soon – “Man from yesterday” starring Claudette Colbert. Admission: 15 cents.

…Herman Tavener, local Policeman, has been taking a forced vacation from his police duties since the other morning when he met with a distressing mishap. He was home doing some chores and while in the act of splitting some wood, his right hand caught in his sweater, and the ax came down on his left hand, cutting a deep gash into his thumb. He also broke two bones. Seven stiches were required too close the wound. He should be back on the job soon.

…The Decorah Track Team organized at the high school last week, with 51 candidates reporting with Coach L.W. Buckton.

…An attempted burglary on East Broadway the other

…The arrival of a trainload of coal has paused the fears of local dealers who were concerned about a coal shortage due to the recent cold weather.

…The FJ Rosenthal’s Sons pioneer grocery store is celebrating its 46th year in business with a big food sale.

Asparagus bunches are 10 cents and the finest Norwegian tiny sardines are 3 cans for 23 cents.

…Melvin O. Sattre of Decorah is the new secretary of the Credit Bureau to succeed the late B.J. McKay. Mr. Sattre has the energy, personality, training and general allaround ability to make a real success in that position.

…Mayor Marsh has been re-elected for a second term.

…A satisfactory ending to the banking emergency which has caused so much difficulty in Decorah and the surrounding territory during the month of March is now in sight. The course of action decided upon by the directors of the Decorah State Bank has been ratified by the State Department and an explanation will be given at two depositors’ meetings to be held this week at the Grand Theatre in Decorah. A representative of the State Banking Department will present the new law and give advice.

Yield estimates for Fillmore and Houston counties

By Katie Drewitz University of Minnesota Extension

National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) crop yield estimates for 2022 have been posted. Looking at this data is an opportunity to assess yield trends in the counties to better understand yield potential. This article focuses on corn and soybeans, but NASS also has estimated yields for a variety of other crops across several years.

Estimated corn and soybean yields from 2022 decreased slightly in Fillmore County while Houston County saw a

slight numerical increase.

Corn yields in Fillmore County were estimated at 198.5 bushels per acre with soybean yield estimates at 61.1 bushels per acre. Both values are down from 2021, but still up from 2002 yields.

For Houston County, corn yields were estimated at 203 bushels per acre, and soybean yields came in at 61.7 bushels per acre which is a slight increase from 2021.

The statewide estimated corn yield was 195 bushels per acre and 50 bushels per acre for soybeans in 2022. Both of these statewide values are up from the

191 bushels per acre corn yield and 47 bushel per acre soybean yields estimated in 2021. When looking at the yield data from the past 10 years, it is clear there is a lot of variation in yields from year to year for both crops. While weather is usually the most significant yield factor, the effect of best management practices cannot be excluded from this calculation. These practices include nutrient management, weed control, irrigation, improved drainage, tillage management and proper hybrid selection among others that help get the most out of improved crop genetics. It

is also important to remember that while higher yields usually mean greater returns, always keep yield expectations realistic.

All of the yield data can be found by doing an internet search for “Minnesota Ag Statistics County Estimates” and looking for the link to the NASS website. Reach out to your local Extension Educator with additional questions. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties may call 507-765-3896 (Fillmore) or 507-725-5807 (Houston).

Traffic pattern changes set for U.S. 18 near Floyd

Drivers on U.S. 18 near Floyd should be aware of roadwork that may slow down their trip beginning Friday, March 24, and continuing through the fall, weather permitting.

Construction crews need to remove the existing lanes for westbound U.S. 18 at the intersection with U.S. 218/ Floyd County Road T-44. Drivers will be placed in a head-to-head pattern on the newly constructed lanes of eastbound U.S. 18. Temporary

traffic signals will be in place at the intersection of the ramps and U.S. 218/Floyd County Road T-44. Drivers can take the westbound ramps to reach U.S. 18 or turn onto U.S. 218 or Floyd County Road T-44 at the temporary traffic signals. A speed limit of 25 miles-perhour will be in place. Lane restrictions will be in place. The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit the website: 511ia.org

Winneshiek Medical Center is proud to partner with a group of physicians who express their compassion and commitment to our patients and communities every day. We appreciate the difference you make, and are grateful for your guidance and dedication to Winneshiek Medical Center.

WMC’S WOUND CENTER NOW OPEN

Winneshiek Medical Center is pleased to share the new Wound Center is now open. The Wound Center is located in the North Building on the WMC campus in Decorah.

The Wound Center is a specialized outpatient service for patients with non-healing wounds due to common conditions such as: diabetes, burns, pressure ulcers, and other conditions. Patients have access to the latest techniques

and treatment modalities for the best chance for healing wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, coming this fall.

Bethany Stevens, ARNP, joined Winneshiek Medical Center in August 2021 to provide advanced wound care to patients. Bethany is a board certified wound specialist and has been providing wound care since 2015. She received her Bachelor of Science

in Nursing, and Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner from Allen College in Waterloo, IA.

Providing care alongside Bethany is Mayo Clinic Health System general surgeon Caroline Schwickerath, D.O., who is also a board certified wound specialist physician. Dr. Schwickerath achieved this certification through the American Board of Wound Management.

Bethany shares, “I’m looking forward to expanding this specialty service to our region. I have seen firsthand the stress and burden carried by those living with a chronic wound. And I have also witnessed the impact that wound healing brings. That’s why I chose this specialty -- to help patients heal and get back to living again.”

Ross Avant, M.D.

Warriors looking for right mix of experience

Finding a strong blend of senior experience and young enthusiasm will be what propels the South Winn boys track team this spring.

The Warriors return 10 letter winners and have a large host of newcomers to the program looking to find a place on the oval.

Putting together the squad is head coach Scott Conway, who has guided the Warriors for 21 seasons. He will be assisted by girls’ head coach Kevin Kearney as well as Jason Ohrt, Ethan Adams and Darcy Einck.

Headed to state

Much like this year, the Warriors of 2022 featured a nucleus of talented seniors mixed with strong underclassmen hoping to make their own mark.

The season progressed at a strong pace, leading up to the Upper Iowa Conference meet. For the second year in a row, South Winn captured the league title, edging North Fayette Valley by two points. The Warriors had three individuals with gold-medal performances with Kaden Barton-Franzen in the high jump, Sam Conway in the 200-meter dash and Isaiah Kruckman in the 800-meter run.

A week later at the state qualifying meet, the boys finished fifth, sending five events to state. On the Blue Oval, South Winn didn’t garner any points, but put up strong efforts with Kruckman finishing 11th in the 1600-meter run and 15th in the 3200-meter run. Ethan

Members of the South Winn boys track and field team for the 2023 season are (front, l-r) Brady Ohrt, Chandler Riehle, Bo Wagsnness, Brad Dahl, Casey Bohr, Noah Gullickson, Parker Timp, Nolan Sabelka; (middle row) Hunter Wagner, Carlos Macario, Lukas Weiss, Landen Schnuelle, Tristan Bodensteiner, Kyle Kuboushek, Eric Greve, Max Moonen, Logan Tieskoetter; (back row) Kaden Bullerman, Nathan Davis, Brennan Franzen, Irving Flores, Kaden Barton-Franzen, Abe Conway, Brody Tieskoetter and Kyle Hageman. Not pictured are Keagen Streeter and Omar Flores. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Timp finished 17th in the shot put, while S. Conway wrapped up his career in 19th place in the 100-meter dash. Also on the track was the 4x100 relay, which finished 18th

Following the conclusion of the season, the Warriors graduated Chance Adam, Evan Bushman, Sam Conway, Logan Hageman, Nick Holien, Trey Kriener, Isaiah Kruckman, Ethan Maldonado, Dayten Ondrashek, Lane Quandahl and Ethan Timp.

“We graduated a lot of guys that scored a lot of points for us at conference and districts last year. Plus, we had quite a few guys in that group with state competition experience in multiple sports,” said Coach Conway.

Talented squad

The Warriors of 2023 will feature nearly 30 athletes. At the top of the list are returning letter winners: seniors Keagen Streeter, Omar Flores, Hunter Wagner, Kyle Hageman, Kaden Bullerman; juniors Brady Ohrt, Abe Conway, Brody Tieskoetter and Bo Wangsness; and sophomores Kaden Barton-Franzen and Lukas Weiss.

They will be joined by fellow upperclassmen, seniors Nathan Davis and Carlos Macario; juniors Casey Bohr, Max Moonen, Chandler Riehle and Parker Timp; and sophomores Tristen Bodensteiner, Irving Flores, Brennan Franzen and Nolan Sabelka. Rounding out the squad are freshmen Brad Dahl, Eric Greve, Kyle Kuboushek, Landon Schnuelle, Logan Tieskoetter and Noah Gullickson.

“We have a good mix of sprinters, distance runners and field events. Furthermore, we’ve got a good group of experienced returners and new runners,” noted Coach Conway.

“We had some guys that were hurt during last season that would have been major contributors and are healthy this year.”

Looking ahead

Coming up in varsity sports

March 28 – SW/TV g/b tr at Sumner-Fredericksburg, 4:30 p.m.; Dec g soc at Waterloo Jamboree, 5 p.m.

March 30 – Dec g soc at Dubuque Hempstead, 4:15 p.m.; Dec b tr at Waukon, 4:30 p.m.

March 31 – Dec b ten vs. Winona Senior, 4:30 p.m.; TV g/b tr at North Fayette Valley, 4:30 p.m.

April 1 – Dec b soc at Hudson tnmt., 9 a.m.; Dec g tr at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 10 a.m.

team include (front, l-r) Hunter Wagner, Kaden Bullerman, Lukas Weiss, Bo Wangsness; (back) Brady Ohrt, Kaden BartonFranzen, Abe Conway, Brody Tieskoetter and Kyle Hageman. Not pictured are Keagen Streeter and Omar Flores. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

The Warriors will have to do some mixing and matching in order to find the right combination to fill out the team the best.

“We have a big group of newcomers, and throughout

the season we will be working to find out how to best utilize the guys we have,” saic Coach Conway.

In the conference race, Coach Conway believes North Fayette Valley, Clayton Ridge, MFL MarMac and Turkey Valley will again be strong. When it comes to the Warriors, the veteran coach expects to see them in the middle of the UIC.

“We don’t have the depth and flexibility to move people around like we have had in the past. We are going to need to take advantage of our opportunities to get these guys a diverse number of events to find out how to allow them to help us the most,” he added.

But he said it is always good to pick up some new upperclassmen as the Warriors have this year to go with those athletes returning from injuries and the improvements seen in others.

SW boys track and field schedule

March 28 at Sumner-Fred, 4:30 p.m.

April 3 at Decorah, 5 p.m.

April 6 at Postville, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Decorah, 5 p.m.

April 17 at Decorah, 5 p.m.

April 21 at North Fayette Valley, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 at Osage, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 at Crestwood, 4:30 p.m.

May 1 host invite, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at UIC (Guttenberg), 4:30 p.m.

Iowa’s spring turkey hunting seasons only a few weeks away

Thunderous calls from competing Toms trying to out-do one another for the attention from nearby hens rattles through Iowa’s timber each spring. This annual ritual is witnessed by hunters who attempt to mimic the call of a lonely hen to attract a frustrated Tom to come search her out.

Iowa’s spring turkey hunting begins Friday, April 7, with a youth only season, followed by four shorter individual gun/ bow seasons and one long archery-only season beginning Monday, April 10.

“Do your scouting before the season and be prepared for all types of weather. It doesn’t guarantee success, but you will be in much better position to bag a gobbler,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“Because turkey hunting is so intimate, it’s important for hunters to give each other space. If a hunter walks into another’s area, they should say in a loud, clear voice ‘Hey – turkey hunter over here,’ Coffey said.

Other safety tips include not wearing red, white or blue (colors on a male turkey head and waddle), avoiding tunnel vision and properly identifying the target and what’s behind it.

Hunters should also write out

SW trio to run in college

South Winn seniors (l-r) Billie Wagner, Anna Dietzenbach and Megan Hageman have committed to continue their running careers in college. Wagner plans to run at Winona State, while Dietzenbach will compete for Hawkeye Community College and Hageman will run for Clarke University. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Decorah bowlers receive postseason honors

their hunting plan that identifies the hunt location, who’s on the hunt and outlines their role, describes how the hunt will unfold and when the hunters are expected to return home. Hunters are encouraged to leave a copy of the plan with someone or somewhere easy to find, in the event of an emergency.

Hunters who bag a turkey are required to report their harvest on the DNR’s website at www. iowadnr.gov, by phone on the toll-free number listed on the tag, through a license vendor, by texting the registration number to 1-800-771-4692 or through the Go Iowa Outdoors app, then write the confirmation number on harvest report tag that is attached to the leg of the turkey.

Harvest must be reported by midnight on the day after it is tagged, or before taking it to a locker or taxidermist, or before processing it for consumption.

Hunters may purchase up to two tags for Iowa’s four spring turkey seasons as long as at least one of the tags is for the fourth season. Each year it all begins with the youth-only season.

The purpose of the youth season is for adults to mentor the youth without any competition from other hunting adults.

“Adults serve as a guide, make suggestions and keep the youth focused on the hunt,”

he said. “It’s an opportunity to pass along some woodsmanship skills as they youth build knowledge of the outdoors.”

Youth turkey licenses pur-

chased before the youth season closes that are not filled during the youth season may be used in any of the subsequent seasons until filled or the season ends.

Schrandt supports great-grandson at Wisconsin state wrestling

Edna Schrandt traveled to the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., at the end of Feb. to watch her great-grandson, Brady Lehnherr, compete in the Wisconsin State Wrestling Tournament. Brady pinned his way to the finals and ended up as the District 3 220-pound runner-up. Brady is a junior at Aquinas High School in LaCrosse, Wis. The Aquinas Bludgolds qualified a record nine wrestlers to the state tournament, 8 in the Boys Division and 1 in the Girls Division. Edna is a huge supporter of wrestling and Brady’s number one fan. Brady Lehnherr is also the great nephew of Vicky Hinsenbrock of Decorah. (submitted photo)

IF YOU ENJOY RECEIVING THE

WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE

A host of honors were handed out recently to the Decorah bowling teams. Among them were All-Conference, All-District and Academic All-State nods.

Nine Vikes received All-Conference honors. In the boys’ division, Grady Brauer, Will Marx and Easton Luzum were first team selections while Cade Averhoff and Daniel Skrade were second team selections. Brauer was a state-qualifier for Decorah who finished the 202223 season with a 201.28 game average, along with a 402.56 series average. Marx was second in game averages with 199.06 and posted a series average of 398.11 during his senior campaign. With 192.44 game and 384.89 series averages was Luzum, another senior with a stellar season. Averhoff was the Vikings’ second individual state qualifier and the junior finished the season with a game average of 186.25 with a series average of 372.50. Skrade, a senior member of the state runner-up Viking squad as well, posted a game average of 176.06 and a series average of 352.13.

Four girls received first team nods including Rebecca Bruening, Karlie Einck, Lily Iverson and Hannah Schnitzler. Bru-

ening capped off her career at state and led the Vikings with a 175.45 game average to go with a series high average of 350.90. Einck, a freshman, was a close second to Bruening with 175.28 game and 305.56 series averages. Iverson provided a game average of 158.28 and series average of 316.56, while Schnitzler had averages of 156.94 and 313.88.

Three of those also earned

Second Team nods — Brauer, Bruening and Einck. Receiving Academic AllState honors was Nathaniel Myers.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was published last week with a photo misidentified and is being re-run to at a request. The Driftless Journal sincerely apologized for the mistake.

Returning letter winners on the Warrior boys track

Volga City Opera House

the guidance of Volga resident Tom Klingman.

Klingman’s parents operated the opera house from the 1980s through 1994. Klingman spent much of his youth inside the opera house, including attending a Chicago Theatre production on his 12th birthday.

“The place was packed!” recalled Klingman. “My parents prepared a luxurious dinner of cornish game hen with wild rice. Since it was my birthday, they told me I had the night off. During intermission, the cast sang me happy birthday and the two female leads came up and kissed me on my cheeks.”

It’s memories like these that helped solidify Klingman’s decision to eventually become a leader in the renovation of the space.

Leap of faith

In 2010, several Volga residents decided to start a non-profit organization, VCTC Inc., and bought the opera house for $1 from a private individual. The state of disrepair of the opera house made for a low sale and high leap of faith. Volga resident and non-profit partner

Tom Lott helped wrangle volunteers to help fix the leaking roof of the opera house. This was a great start, but substantial repairs were still needed to fix and update the space to bring it to code.

Lacking the funds to support these repairs, the organization focused their energy on another Volga revitalization effort: the Volga City Truck Cruise (VCTC) and subsequent non-profit status. Lott had approached Klingman about partnering in the non-profit effort to save the opera house using the new Volga City Truck Cruise event as a fundraising supporter. The event was a roaring success and a few years into its tenure, it “reached its limit of where all participants could recreate safely,” said Kingman.

This disruption of having over 2,000 people from all over the country flood a community of 200 for a truck cruise created a new set of challenges, nearly forcing the end of VCTC.

In 2014, former Volga City Mayor Bill Crandall stepped into the scene and encouraged Klingman and Lott not to give up on the opera house just yet. Crandall called an old college classmate, and their conversation resulted in a $50,000 donation to support repairs to the opera house.

“This was a major transformation for VCTC; the gift allowed us to flip our focus from the truck cruise to repairing the opera house and pursuing more fundraising,” recalled Klingman.

Klingman has been successful at getting Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation (UMGC) grants to help with improvements.

“In the early days, our biggest problem at the opera house were the wild animals such as foxes, skunks and more coming in and out of the building. We had moss and plants growing in areas of the building too.

The windows and doors had to be sealed and thankfully the UMGC grant allowed us the funds to fix this,” Klingman

said. However, this wouldn’t be the only issue needing immediate attention. The opera house was about ready to give way in two corners.

“The foundation was so bad that you could see through the brick,” Klingman disclosed. Once again, UMGC grant funds were used to cover the cost of tuck-pointing the whole building.

Bill Crandall and others came back to help cover the cost of ongoing renovations and assist in the labor of rehabbing the bathrooms. Bill’s spouse, Judi, also helped paint the life-size

munity development. “Our infrastructure is crumbling all around us here, and without good infrastructure, it’s difficult to have adequate community development and community services.” Klingman said one of the most vested citizens to commit to building back the infrastructure of the opera house has been Volga City native George Duff.

A Vietnam Veteran, Duff is a retired plumber by trade but has been a jack of all trades for the opera house. He’s logged hundreds of volunteer hours through rewiring the building and updating sound equipment

the opera house. The nostalgic murals depict days gone by in Volga including scenes of a horse-drawn carriage, friends playing baseball and a couple rowing the Volga River.

With updates to the opera house coming together, Klingman took time to reflect on VCTC’s original cause to support community development in rural northeast Iowa. As acting CEO, Klingman decided to rebrand the non-profit, changing its name from Volga City Truck Cruise to Vested Citizens Taking Control.

A work in progress

Klingman said that having good infrastructure is one of

“George and his wife Ann have been incredible partners in helping bring this place back to life,” Klingman said. “We wouldn’t be here without their skills and resourceful presence.” Klingman’s newlywed partner, Bethany, who runs her own food business, Baked with Heart, has been instrumental in moving any projects forward as well.

“Without Bethany, we wouldn’t have the delicious food options at our shows, have a renovated balcony, new flooring throughout the building or many of the other recent upgrades throughout the building” said Klingman. While the opera house has already been completely transformed under VCTC’s guidance and care, it is still an ongoing work in progress. With the help of another recent UMGC grant, gorgeous maple floors were installed earlier this year. New tables, chairs, and dinner-

Empire Wild

ware also add to the versatility of what the opera house can offer to its guests. The organization just finished a gourmet Irish dinner show and is looking forward to hosting a concert with Decorah’s Slapdash Bluegrass and Wisconsin’s Joseph Huber on Friday, April 7.

When asked why he has put so much blood, sweat and tears into the opera house, Klingman said, “From the start, I thought that if I could somehow fix this building and save it from ever being torn down while also helping the community thrive; what a cool thing to say we did.”

More information about the Volga City Opera House and a list of upcoming events can be found at www.vctcinc.org.

Pictured above: A view from the restored Volga City Opera House balcony

Historic photos at left show the stage prior to renovation (top) and a leaking roof that once helped water plants and trees growing in the balcony of the opera house in 2010. (submitted photos)

Pheasants Forever Banquet is April 1

Winneshiek County Pheasants Forever celebrates 37 years of supporting wildlife in the county with their Saturday, April 1, banquet at Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins west of Decorah. This year’s banquet features a meal from U2 BBQ starting at 6:30 p.m., with social hour and games prior at 5 p.m. Silent and live auction

items will begin following the meal. This year, the auction items again include many unique pieces from local artists, guns, kayaks, furniture and more.

Funds raised at the event will go toward Winneshiek County Pheasants Forever habitat projects throughout the county. These projects, and the group’s dedication

915 Short St #107, Decorah

to conservation through habitat improvement, public awareness and education, as well as land management policies and programs, are possible in part due to the funds raised at its events.

Last year’s banquet was a record-breaking year for the group, which hopes to keep the momentum going and have another record this year.

These successes are the reason the group has been able to contribute over $2.5 million to local conservation and habitat projects in the county. To order tickets for the banquet and for the raffle, call Kent at 563-419-4433 or e-mail BCanglers@gmail. com.

This unique antler basket is one of the many items up for grabs at the April 1 Pheasants Forever banquet. (submitted photo)