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www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 14
Peace Corps celebrates 63rd anniversary
Ottes reflect on experiences as Peace Corps volunteers student of international relations. That was the smartest thing I’ve ever done, besides marrying my wife and having kids.” Just one month after his college graduation, at 23 years old, Otte traveled to Albuquerque, N.M., where he and his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV’s) underwent intense Spanish language training in which he and his peers studied Spanish for six hours every day for three months straight. After his training, he flew down to Colombia, where, from 1965-67, he was based in San Lorenzo and worked
in community development. One of his larger projects during When longtime Decorah resident his first two years was teaching Lyle Otte graduated from St. Olaf Colpeople how to organize farmers lege in May 1965, he had two options. to build a two-kilometer aqueHe could either enter management duct from a natural spring to the training for Sears, Roebuck and Co., center of Santa Rosa. because he’d worked for the company “I was teaching Colombian throughout high school, or he could local community leaders how join the Peace Corps and travel to a to organize their community to While in Colombia, Lyle Otte taught community third-world community in Colombia resolve physical projects and leaders how to organize labore rs to improve their and attempt to help the locals improve infrastructure,” Otte said. “I communities, like constructing an aq ueduct from a their quality of life. wasn’t really aiming at build- fresh-water spring to a small vill age. Otte chose the Peace Corps, and ing more bridges. I was teachhe’s always been glad he did. ing how to organize to get Founded in March 1961, the Peace those projects done, and year to help the people in SibunCorps is self deI’ve been doing it ever doy. After a year there, he returned scribed as “an indesince. home in April 1968 and wondered “There was some cul- what he would do then. At first, Otte pendent agency and ture shock,” he contin- said he flew to New York City and inprogram of the Unitued. “I was stumbling terviewed with The World Bank and ed States governLyle Otte ment that trains and around in Spanish and international development companies. deploys volunteers to trying to understand But, relying on his experience in Coprovide international how I would be able to lombia, he decided, instead, to earn high school, Kristina went to St. Olaf development assisdo my job, first because his teaching certificate from Mankato College for two years before transfertance.” The organizaof language and sec- State University. ring to the University of Iowa, from tion is celebrated its ond, because I was liv“I learned a huge amount about Cowhich she earned her bachelor’s de63rd anniversary in ing in a community in lombia, rural poverty, and I learned a gree in early elementary education in the mountains of Co- huge amount about myself — how I March. 1994. lombia, where every- could work in a completely unstruc“I was faced with “My interest in the Peace Corps the two different body’s a farmer, and I tured job and get something done,” he probably started with my dad’s slide worlds: Peace Corps or had to show them that explained. “And, I’ve advocated for shows,” Kristina said. “Growing up, business,” said Otte, a I wasn’t a CIA spy. It Peace Corps experience ever since I was difficult.” retired Postville High came back.” e us After his second School social studies That advocacy rubbed off on his ho ing orway of her sleep teacher. “I chose Peace Kristina “Tina” Otte sits in the do year, Otte volundaughter, Kristina, known locally as i. continued on page 3 r her stay in Kiribat teered for one more Tina, a 1989 Decorah graduate. After Corps, because I was a during the Peace Corps training fo By Zach Jensen
Peace Corps
Renovations underway at historic fort
Indigo Fish, at left, and Julia Wharton, rehearse a scene for the musical “Fun Home” presented by the New Minowa Players April 4-7. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
“Fun Home” musical to be presented in Decorah this weekend The musical “Fun Home” is the upcoming New Minowa Players spring show. Dates are April 4-7 at the NMP Building, 906 South Mill Street. Show times are at 7 p.m. April 4-6; and at 2 p.m. (matinee) April 6-7. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her
unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Directors call the show “A refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eye”. Directors said audience discretion is advised due to subjects of sex, drugs, and suicide.
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Detra Dettmann, at left, and Austin Lette, representing the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), show the drawings and specifications for the repairs for the historic structures at the Fort Atkinson preserve at an open house in Fort Atkinson March 22. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis) By Roz Weis The historic fort at Fort Atkinson, including the grounds and museum, will be closed temporarily as much-needed repairs started this month. A public open house was held March 22 to outline the project, which includes tuckpointing, structural repairs and extensive masonry work.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently manages the historic site, which includes a barracks, gunpowder house, and more significant artifacts. The ongoing repairs are being funded, in part, through a grant from the National Park Service Save America’s Treasures program and from Friends of Fort Atkinson.
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Kenneth Howe, an engineer with the DNR, and Detra Dettmann, NE District Supervisor for the DNR, were on hand to explain the repairs underway for the historic structures at the preserve and answer questions from those
Fort
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