April 2, 2024

driftless

Peace Corps celebrates 63rd anniversary Ottes reflect on experiences as Peace Corps volunteers

By Zach Jensen

When longtime Decorah resident Lyle Otte graduated from St. Olaf College in May 1965, he had two options. He could either enter management training for Sears, Roebuck and Co., because he’d worked for the company throughout high school, or he could join the Peace Corps and travel to a third-world community in Colombia and attempt to help the locals improve their quality of life.

Otte chose the Peace Corps, and he’s always been glad he did.

Founded in March 1961, the Peace Corps is self described as “an independent agency and program of the United States government that trains and deploys volunteers to provide international development assistance.” The organization is celebrated its 63rd anniversary in March.

“I was faced with the two different worlds: Peace Corps or business,” said Otte, a retired Postville High School social studies teacher. “I chose Peace Corps, because I was a

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

“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.

in community development. One of his larger projects during his first two years was teaching people how to organize farmers to build a two-kilometer aqueduct from a natural spring to the center of Santa Rosa.

“I was teaching Colombian local community leaders how to organize their community to resolve physical projects and infrastructure,” Otte said. “I wasn’t really aiming at building more bridges. I was teaching how to organize to get those projects done, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

“There was some culture shock,” he continued. “I was stumbling around in Spanish and trying to understand how I would be able to do my job, first because of language and second, because I was living in a community in the mountains of Colombia, where everybody’s a farmer, and I had to show them that I wasn’t a CIA spy. It was difficult.” After his second year, Otte volunteered for one more

year to help the people in Sibundoy. After a year there, he returned home in April 1968 and wondered what he would do then. At first, Otte said he flew to New York City and interviewed with The World Bank and international development companies. But, relying on his experience in Colombia, he decided, instead, to earn his teaching certificate from Mankato State University. “I learned a huge amount about Colombia, rural poverty, and I learned a huge amount about myself — how I could work in a completely unstructured job and get something done,” he explained. “And, I’ve advocated for Peace Corps experience ever since I came back.” That advocacy rubbed off on his daughter, Kristina, known locally as Tina, a 1989 Decorah graduate. After

high school, Kristina went to St. Olaf College for two years before transferring to the University of Iowa, from which she earned her bachelor’s degree in early elementary education in 1994.

“My interest in the Peace Corps probably started with my dad’s slide shows,” Kristina said. “Growing up,

Peace Corps continued on page 3

Renovations underway at historic fort

open

Directors said audience discretion is advised due to subjects of sex, drugs,

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”.

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.

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

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

house in Fort Atkinson March 22. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)

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)

Lyle Otte

While in Colombia, Lyle Otte taught community leaders how to organize laborers to improve their communities, like constructing an aqueduct from a fresh-water spring to a small village.

Kristina “Tina” Otte sits in the doorway of her sleeping house during the Peace Corps training for her stay in Kiribati.

Jones sentenced to 27 months for felony theft as separate criminal trial begins for arson and animal abuse

After a medical emergency, a forged doctor’s note, and a rescheduled hearing postponed three previous sentencing appearances, Mindy Jones’ fourth court appearance Friday, March 29, finally found purchase, as she was sentenced for her December 2023 conviction of eight counts of felony theft.

In a packed Fillmore County, Minn, courtroom, Presiding Judge Jeremy Clinefelter handed down the sentence of 27 months in prison, with a mini-

mum of 18 months to be served and the remaining nine months to be supervised release.

Running consecutively with the sentencing hearing was a pretrial settlement conference regarding a separate criminal trial originally scheduled to begin March 18, in which Jones is charged with committing 33 counts of theft and forgery in 2021. Citing concerns regarding ten of the counts, lawyers debated those issues Friday

The State requested a contin-

uance to ensure all evidence to be presented is thoroughly vetted. Judge Clinefelter approved the continuance, with the court reconvening via video conference Monday, April 29 at 10 a.m.

Additionally, Jones was set to appear for a review hearing Monday, April 1, at Iowa’s Allamakee County Court, on charges of First Degree Arson and Animal Abuse related to her former business in Waukon. The building for her business

was destroyed by a fire in 2022, with charges filed against Jones following the results of a full investigation by the Iowa Fire Marshall’s Special Investigators and Allamakee County Fire Department and law officials. As of press time, the results of that hearing were pending. Look to driftlessjournal.com for updates as they become available.

Annual 4-H Omelet Breakfast turns out ‘egg-celent’

Winneshiek County 4-H held its annual 4-H Omelet Breakfast and Silent Auction on Sunday, March 3. Information from the organization said the event was a great success, which would not be possible without community support. Funds raised will be used to offset direct expenses and to support the 4-H Youth Development County Extension Program. Pictured (l-r): Braunwyn Darrington, Henry Schmitt, Grace Baker, Addison Bentley, Kendric Langreck, Derek Tieskoetter, Kolton Werges, Elizabeth Pritchard, Brynn Storhoff, Jeramiah Rediske, Katrina Hageman, Karlie Einck, Rylee Averhoff, Lyla Lovstuen, Ruby Timp, Caylie Adam, Eden Scheidel and Karmyn Bakken. (submitted)

Solar eclipse watch party April 8 in Decorah

Boutique Station will celebrate fourth anniversary with fashion show and party

The Boutique Station of Peterson, Minn., is celebrating its fourth anniversary this spring.

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https://westside.dental

ISU Extension and Outreach and Winneshiek County Conservation invite all to join for a solar eclipse watch party on Monday, April 8. Attendees will meet in the grass area north of the Decorah Pool, at 1 p.m., to learn about the solar eclipse and will then put on viewing glasses to watch the eclipse begin around 1:30 p.m.

Viewing glasses will be provided for the first 50 attendees. In the case of inclement or cloudy weather, the event will be cancelled. Event updates can be found at https://fb.me/e/ 4jAaAC3o0.

In recognition of their milestone, owner Amy Engelhart and boutique staff are hosting a fashion show and party Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m., at the boutique.

Engelhart said her women’s clothing store couldn’t open until spring 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But since the day her business opened, she’s made it a priority to carry “sizes for real women of every size.”

Engelhart said she started off at the boutique on her own. But now, four years later, she has her dream team consisting of seven employees who agree it’s important for women to support each other.

“We believe in women lifting each other up,” she said. “Life isn’t a competition. We have

an unmatched kind of personal customer service that I’m so proud of. We have grown from a clothing boutique into a place where you can stop in and shop, but it’s also a safe place for women to come and share things and speak from the heart.”

To help create that atmosphere, Engelhart said Boutique Station carries brands that “give back”. For example, the

store carries a line of purses that donates proceeds to cancer awareness – as well as a line of cosmetic products that benefits sexual abuse awareness.

To RSVP to the boutique fashion show or for more information, call 507-875-2693. Visit the Boutique Station at 41178 Highway 16, Peterson, follow them on Facebook or visit www.boutiquestation.net to stay connected.

Peace Corps

about once a year, my dad did slide shows from his time in the Peace Corps, and the interest in traveling overseas was always huge for me since I was a little kid. So, after college, I knew I didn’t want to immediately start teaching or get my master’s. I just wanted to go overseas someplace and help however I could, because I was raised by do-gooder parents, so I always felt like I needed to make a difference.

“I saw that as part of growing up,” she continued. “When you become a young adult, you go and experience life someplace else. And, I couldn’t wait to get out of Decorah, where everything is Norwegian and Lutheran, to see the world and have new experiences. I just always felt the need to go where I was needed.”

Kristina said that after graduating from the University of Iowa, the Peace Corps offered her a position in Kiribati, pronounced “Kirahbis”, an island country in the Micronesia subregion of Oceania, comprised of 32 atolls, in the central Pacific Ocean.

Kristina’s training and preparation for Kiribati took place in San Francisco, and from there, she flew to Hawaii, where her trip was almost cut short.

“We had a layover in Hawaii, and I lost my plane ticket,” said Kristina, laughing. “So, we had to lie and say that I was married to one of the other Peace Corps volunteers.”

With that little lie successfully executed, Kristina flew to Fiji and then on to the capital of Kiribati, Tarawa, where she had additional training for several months. Once her training was completed, she hopped on a single-prop plane to fly to the island of Maiana, which was her home for the next two years.

“It’s such a tiny strip of land,” Kristina said. “When you’re landing, you don’t even see land until you’re right upon it, because it’s so tiny. It feels like you’re landing in the water. Each island is a strip of sand; very narrow with a bay in the middle. And, all the atolls are completely flat — covered with coconut trees and beaches on both sides.

“It was also crazy hot,” she continued, “and I have psoriasis, so as soon as I got off the plane in Kiribati, it felt like I was walking into lotion, because it was so hot and humid, and my skin loved it. The climate is great for psoriasis.”

Kristina described Kiribati as a developing third-world country.

“The outer islands, where I lived, there was no electricity, no running water and everything was very simple compared to what we have here,” she said. “I lived in a little coconut-rib house, which they built for me, with coconut rope and a leaf-and-grass roof. I got my own water from the well, and I washed my own clothes with well water and cooked my own food over a fire. It was the quintessential Peace Corps experience, and it was amazing.

So amazing.”

Kristina said her first year on the island was very challenging, because she didn’t know the language, and it felt very difficult for her to settle into the routine of living in Kiribati for a number of reasons.

“I came home to Decorah after that first year to have a little break, and my mom just helped

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me work through it,” Kristina recalled. “She was wonderful. So, I went back after three weeks in Decorah, and I had the most amazing second year. It was like my brain just flipped a switch, and I became fluent, and I would even dream in the Kiribati language. I knew how to interact with people better, and I could pick up on all the little nonverbal cues. I became a Kiribati woman, and it was wonderful. It sounds so obvious, but that’s when I learned we’re all human. We all share the same characteristics, and we all have the same needs.”

In addition to being a co-teacher for kindergarten through eighth-grade children in Maiana, Kristina’s Peace Corps role was training Kiribati teachers. But, that role might have left a lot to be desired, because the then-23-year-old Decorah native was charged with training Kiribati teachers who’d already been teaching their own way for years.

“For the first year, that was really challenging, because I had the mentality of the American girl who’s going to teach all these people, because they don’t know what they’re doing,” she said. “After I learned how to be more collaborative with them, the second year was much better.”

“There was a lot of abuse of women, so I saw that, and it was very jarring for me to figure out how to live with that,” continued Kristina. “Domestic abuse was a cultural thing. It was beginning to be viewed as incorrect, but it was still very common. There was a lot of yelling and beating that was really hard for me to witness, and I was completely isolated from the other volunteers, so it was dangerous for me. Women were raped, and it was really scary for me sometimes. My next door neighbor’s kids slept in my house to protect me, because I was ‘the foreigner’, and there was a mystique about that kind of thing.”

But, the risks and potential dangers were far outweighed by the benefits of the Kristina’s Peace Corps experience, which, she said, included amazing food and communal living at its finest.

“Our school compound, where we lived, was right next to the ocean,” she said. “So, I would have students who’d bring me lobsters for lunch. It was very basic food, but we would have papayas, free-range chickens, lobsters and crabs. We had wonderful communal eating. Like, on the weekends, all us teachers would hunt land crabs and lobsters at night, with lanterns, and the next day, we’d have a huge party in the central compound of the school and eat rice and lobster and papaya. It was just delicious.”

“We would all hang out and take care of each other, and we wouldn’t worry” she said. “We’d stay up late at night, play cards and sing songs, and we all played ‘Sorry!’ The communal living was really beautiful.”

After two years in Kiribati, Kristina came back to the United States but soon left again to teach in Puerto Rico for two years, which was followed by six years of teaching in Chicago. Today, Kristina is a kindergarten teacher in a town north of Chicago, where she’s been the last 10 years.

“I would totally encourage anyone to volunteer for the

Paul Hexom on the Peace Corps

Among the multiple area residents who have joined the Peace Corps since its inception, Paul Hexom wrote this about his experience in India from 1964 to 1966:

“Several farmers I worked with thought we should sell eggs that were hard boiled. So, we did. One of my farmers owned a store that was empty. He let us use it for free. Two reasons for hard boiled eggs: One, they don’t break, and another, they can be eaten while walking to or from work. It worked well.

“Many Indian people don’t eat eggs, because they think there is life in the egg. We sold our eggs as vegetarian, because we told our customers there was no rooster with the hens. It was hard to convince some people of that fact. Many people today may not know what makes a hen lay eggs.

“Chickens need light to lay eggs. Chickens in the dark lay few eggs. Light goes to the pituitary gland, and it starts the process. This why farmers have lights that turn on early in the morning in the winter.”

Following is a list of other past Peace Corps volunteers from the northeast Iowa area:

Dan Bellrichard

Becky Bowman

Joann and George Hagen

Jack and Ann Herold

Paul Hexom

Ingrid Neste

Andy Johnson

Pat Johnson

Meredith Joy

Carlton Kjos

Margaret Lyngholm

Dennis Magnuson

Ketel Paulsen

Katie Prochaska

Janis Rockabrand

Leigh Rekow

David Sliwa

Don Stromseth

Jac Storkamp

Margaret Suhr

Mark Webb

Peace Corps — to go overseas and experience different cultures. Not only are you helping other people, but they’re also teaching you. It’s so valuable. As long as you go into it with the mindset of ‘I’m there to learn’ your experience will be fantastic. I totally recommend it. It’s a wonderful experience.”

22nd annual WOMEN’S WEEKEND OUT

April 5-7 in Decorah

Friday through Sunday, April 5-7. The three-day event is a showcase for Decorah’s small retail and restaurant businesses with added entertainment and in-store experiences.

The weekend includes a variety of special events, such as a comedy show at T-Bock’s Sports Bar & Grill, the style show and brunch at the Hotel Winneshiek, a cocktail class with Traveling Tapster at Rendered Unique (registration required), a Driftless Jazz performance and Bingo both at Impact Coffee and musician Steve Schroeder at Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Pulpit Rock Brewing will also host live music. All weekend long, Convergence CiderWorks will host a special tasting collaboration with Water Street Deli.

Secrets of the Cellar, A showcase of the winery‘s vintage bottles, will take place at Empty Nest Winery.

“Autumn on the Marsh” by Kat Nottingham (submitted)

Lanesboro Arts celebrates ‘Moments of Magic’

Landscape paintings exhibit opens April 6 paintings sprung from time spent sailing on Lake Pepin, biking state pathways and hiking along the North Shore. She is also inspired by the beauty and energy of nighttime cityscapes.

Lanesboro Arts will present “Moments of Magic,” an exhibition of landscape oil paintings by artist Kat Nottingham running from April 6 to June 2. An opening reception will be held Saturday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lanesboro Arts Gallery in Lanesboro, Minn. Attendees can enjoy conversation with the artist, light refreshments and live music by Paul Schmidt.

Nottingham is best known for her waterscape paintings, which depict Minnesota’s marshlands, lakes and rivers.

She said, “There’s something peaceful and contemplative about water, but it can also be powerful and full of energy.”

Enjoy homemade lefse at KL Designs. Market 52 will be serving up donuts & muffins from Gabby Lou’s, of Harmony, Minn, while local author Sue Lienau will be onsite for a special book signing. More than 30 vendors will be on hand at the Danan Lansing Building, Winneshiek County Fairgrounds.

As an impressionist landscape oil painter, Nottingham is inspired by the beauty of the natural world and the fleeting moments of light and color that illuminate it. Her paintings shine with reverential representations of ephemeral light, from the soft-spreading glow of a sunset to the luminescent pool of a streetlamp.

As she paints, Nottingham compounds this energy through her depictions of reflected and refracted light, which add further dimensions of movement and color to her plein air and studio paintings.

For a complete list of special events and a WWO schedule visit www.decorahareachamber.com/event/womens-weekend-out/

For dates and times for all the events listed above and more scan this QR code!

Each painting in “Moments of Magic” presents an enchanting view of our natural and built world. Nottingham’s work draws inspiration from her experiences as an active Minnesota outdoor enthusiast, with

Always free and open to the public, the Lanesboro Arts Exhibition Gallery is open Wednesday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is handicap accessible and is located at 103 Parkway Ave N., Lanesboro. For more information, visit www. lanesboroarts.org.

Submissions sought for Iowa Artists Regional Art Show

The Iowa Artists organization is looking for artists to submit their original design and handcrafted artwork for the Iowa Artists Regional Area 3 Art Show. Iowa Artists is a statewide, non-profit organization that works to encourage and

artists around the state. This year the show will be held Saturday, April 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Plum Creek Art Center/Connie Mohr Gallery in Fredericksburg. The show will be judged by David Kamm, retired Art Professor/ Chair, Luther College. Blue ribbon winners will go onto the state show in May.

To enter the show, artists must be 18 years or older and members of the Iowa Artists, Region 3, which includes Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek counties. Both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works will

Susan E. Kuennen, Elgin, at the Iowa State Artists show, 2023, receiving the overall 3-D winner, the Hilda DeBruyne 3D Award. “Fibber”, the antler basket also received “Best of Show” in August 2023 at the Iowa State Fair. (submitted)

be accepted. 2-D works include paintings, pastel, watercolor, ink, pencil, charcoal or collage. 3-D works include ceramics, sculpture, fiber, basketry, textile, wood and jewelry. All works must be original and completed within the last two years. No copies, kits, or crafts will be accepted for judging. The maximum measurement allowed for painting/drawings is four feet including the frame.

All paintings must be ready to hang using wire. Deadline for entry into the show is Saturday, April 6.

For more information about Iowa Artists, visit www.iowaartists.us. Membership forms, rules and entry forms can be obtained from the show coordinators, Sue Kuennen at susan. kuennen@yahoo.com and 414380-6904, or Becky Schoenfeld at schoenfeldbecky@gmail. com and 641-330-5831.

Veterans Memorial Hospital honors National Public Health Week

environmental hazards, promoting healthy behaviors and teaching everyone how to prepare for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies.

Public health plays an important role in Iowa’s high standard of living. The goal of public health is helping to create an environment where people can live in good health. Public health helps make good health happen in Iowa’s homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplace.

Public health is more than just state and local government agencies. The public health community works together to fight disease and promote healthy lifestyles through the use of nutrition education, physical activity, immunization clinics, disease surveillance and home nursing and home care aide visits.

Pictured (l-r): VMH Community and Home Care Public Health Supervisors Sheryl Darling-Mooney, Lisa Moos and Cindy Johnson. All are registered nurses. (submitted)

Besides the Iowa Department of Public Health, there are local health personnel in every one of Iowa’s counties. Those local workers may be home-care aides who visit the homes of clients and allow them to live in the comfort and familiar surroundings of home. That local health worker may be a public health nurse who also visits people in their homes and helps them remain as independent as possible in their own home. Veterans Memorial Hospital began managing the Allama-

kee Public Health department in 1995. The nurses, home care aides and receptionists at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care do offer these in-home services listed above, plus many public health services to the communities each month.

For more information, call Allamakee County Public Health at Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care at 563-568-5660.

Sports Editor: Becky Walz, becky.walz@driftlessjournal.com

Decorah track

The

Trout Unlimited public meeting to highlight hazardous Upper Iowa River dams

Join Trout Unlimited Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m., at T-Bock’s Sports Bar & Grill for a presentation on the Upper Iowa River dams at Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s monthly meeting. The public is welcome to attend in-person or online.

er and these dam reaches of the river in terms of fish diversity, paddling, invasive species and overall river health. He wants to let you know your input and thoughts are welcome as you

take in more information to provide informed thoughts.”

The meeting and presentation can be viewed online at https:// meet.google.com/ukb-rnvrmpm.

Coming up in driftless area sports

(W)

April 2 – Dec g golf vs. NFV/ Waukon (Silvercrest), 4 p.m.; Dec b golf at Waukon/NFV (Waukon), 4 p.m.; Dec g ten vs. Oelwein, 4 p.m.; Dec b ten at Independence, 4 p.m.; Dec g tr at Dubuque Senior, 4 p.m.; SW g tr at Jesup, 4:30 p.m.; TV/W/ Kee/MFL g tr at Postville, 4:30 p.m.; TV/Kee/MFL b tr at Ed-Co, 4:30 p.m.; M-C bb vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.; M-C sb vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m.; SG bb vs. Glenville-Emmons/ Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.; SG sb vs. Glenville-Emmons/Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m.; Dec b soc vs. WaverlyShell Rock, 6:30 p.m.

April 4 – SW/TV/W/Kee/MFL b tr at Postville, 4:30 p.m.; MFL g tr at Starmont, 4:30 p.m.; Dec g soc vs. North Fayette Valley, 5 p.m.;

Dec/SW/TV/W/Kee g tr at Decorah, 5 p.m.; Dec b tr at Waverly-Shell Rock, 5 p.m.; Dec b soc at Dubuque Senior, 7:15 p.m.

April 5 – M-C g/b tr at PEM, 4 p.m.; SG bb at GMLOL, 4:30 p.m.; SG sb at GMLOK, 4:30 p.m.

April

April 8 – MFL g golf at Clayton Ridge, 1 p.m.; Dec b golf vs. New Hampton (Silvercrest), 4 p.m.; W g golf vs. Crestwood, 4 p.m.; W b golf at Crestwood, 4 p.m.; SG sb vs. Rushford-Peterson, 4:30 p.m.; Dec b soc at Independence, 5 p.m.; Dec/ SW/W/Kee/MFL b tr at Decorah, 5 p.m.; MFL g/b soc at North Fayette Valley, 5 p.m.; Dec g soc at Independence, 7 p.m.

April 9 – SW g/b golf vs. Clayton Ridge/NFV (Fayette), 1 p.m.; Dec g golf at Independence, 4 p.m.; Dec g ten at Charles City, 4 p.m.; Dec g tr at Hudson/Waukon, 4:30 p.m.; Dec b soc vs. Postville, 6:30 p.m.

Full

Heather Benzing)

Nora Lesmeister sends a pass to Gabbi Dixon during Decorah’s opening game. The first game of the season brought Class 3A No. 13th Dubuque Hempstead (2-0) to Decorah (01) to face a revamped Decorah girls’ soccer team who graduated eight starters from a year ago, falling 5-0, Thursday at home. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Heiselman signs to play soccer at NIACC

Decorah High School senior Parker Heiselman signed his NJCAA letter of intent Thursday to participate in soccer at North Iowa Area Community College. As Heiselman enters his final year of soccer for the Vikings, he has been a three-year letter winner while helping the team to 23 total wins during his sophomore and junior years. Both of those seasons resulted in top-10 team rankings and substate final appearances. Parker is the son of Cara Heiselman. (submitted photo)

Nate Hoogeveen, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director of River Programs, will present information on the effects and future of the two Upper Iowa River dams. Each dam presents hazards to the public. They also block movement for fish, mudpuppies (a larger kind of salamander) and mussels that need to hitch rides on both of them to propagate themselves upstream. Neither dam has a serious remaining infrastructure purpose other than the fact that both are decent fishing spots.

“That benefit could be reproduced in other ways, while allowing for fish pathways that haven’t been utilized within this incredible river system and its spring branches for more than a century,” said a Trout Unlimited press release. “Consider spring runs of sturgeon. Think about native South Pine Creek strain brook trout moving up to Coldwater Creek. Iowa DNR is exploring options at these dams, in terms of fish passage and safety improvements, as well as leaving each area improved for public recreation. Nate’s hope is we can have some good discussion about the future of the Upper Iowa Riv-

Viking goalie Caleb Meyer dives for a save Thursday as Noah Milburn comes to assist in clearing the goal area. The Decorah boys’ soccer team (0-1) was on the road, playing Cedar Falls (1-0-1) Thursday, dropping the match 3-0. (Photo courtesy of

Road work ahead

US 18, Iowa 51

Drivers on U.S. 18 and Iowa 51 should be aware of a asphalt paving and resurfacing project in Postville that may impact their trip.

The project began April 1, and will last until mid-November, weather permitting. Crews will need to shift traffic in a head-to-head traffic pattern on one side of the road in some sections of the work zone.

Flaggers will assist drivers through the work area.

“Part of this project includes updating sidewalks to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said a press release from the Iowa Department of Transportation. “To get this work done, we’ll need to close some of the side roads in the area from time to time.”

Iowa 76

Drivers on Iowa 76 heading toward McGregor should be aware of the closure of Iowa 76 from Buell Avenue to River Road from now through mid-October, weather permitting, according to the Iowa DOT’s New Hampton construction office.

Crews will resume reconstruction work on Iowa 76 for this two-year project. Drivers will follow detour signs on U.S. 18 and Iowa 76 to reach McGregor. Trail blazing signs will be installed throughout McGregor to direct drivers to businesses and parking.

Iowa 150

Drivers on Iowa 150 from West Union to the Fayette/Winneshiek County line need to be aware of an upcoming asphalt resurfacing project that may impact a trip. Beginning on Monday, April 15, until early July, weather permitting, crews will need to intermittently close one lane so resurfacing work can take place. Flaggers and pilot cars will assist.

Visit 511ia.org call 511 (within Iowa) for information.

Locals shine at Young Farmer Conference

The Grow Your Future competition helps young farmers, ages 18-35, amplify their niche market, unique ag service or specialty business.

Ashley Wenke of Pleasant Grove Homestead near Montezuma was named Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s “Grow Your Future” Award first-place winner at the organization’s Young Farmer Conference. Wenke, along with her husband, Zachary, grow more than 40 different crops in addition to meat birds and laying hens.

Carly Zierke of Sweet Season Farm in Winneshiek County earned second place and was awarded $5,000. Zierke and her husband, Ethan, sell produce via subscriptions and collaborate with another local farm to diversify their offerings.

Bobbi Jo Berg of Recipes from French Creek in Allamakee County took third place and a $2,500 prize. Berg creates freezer meals with locally-sourced ingredients, including eggs from her own farm. To learn more about the Grow Your Future Award, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/ GrowYourFuture.

us a

This sturgeon, caught by Sheldon Menninger, was 58x21” girth and weighed about 105 lbs. It took him one hour and nine minutes to land and was likely 100+ years old. Released, of course. (submitted photos)

No cowboy can ride herd on the Immortal River

By Capn. Ted Peck

Even an instant iPhone photo post with a fat fish flopping in a landing net can’t predict walleye behavior an hour later on the enigmatic and immortal Mississippi River.

In the year or so I’ve been penning a monthly column in the Driftless Journal, fishing predictions and speculation have been geared toward probability of hunches based on more than 50 years of serious study of fish behavior under seasonal and overall river stage conditions.

The February column predicting winter weather by mid-March was eerily spot on. Last week’s column on an imminent walleye spawn over a 72 hour period should have referenced the previous observation.

Fishing rivers is far more challenging than realizing consistent success on virtually any lake. This observation is true—in spades—on the Father of Waters; the mighty Mississippi.

These words are being penned with walleye eggs on my face failing to hide a sheepish grin that the Big River euchred me once again. Climate change is constant. Always has been. Always will be. Seasonal patterns of fish behavior over decades is almost as reliable, given the outlier of El Niño.

Over the past five years walleyes on Pool 9 experienced peak spawn within 72 hours of April 12 four of those years. The exception was 2019—the year of perpetual flood. This five year trend has been about a week earlier than the 25 year trend of walleyes dumping their eggs April 15-20.

If you still have my January column lining the bottom of a bird cage, dig it out and read about muskrat predictions. Take note of Arla Wagner’s prediction about moon phase and the first trackable snow. This prediction, based on Native American lore, has been spot on for al-

most 50 years

We only need 26 more snows for Wagner’s prediction to hit the bullseye in 2024. Regardless, her prognostication has far greater accuracy than any poll on the outcome of this November’s presidential election.

Many perch on the upper Mississippi spawned by early March. Walleyes were getting ready to go by last week, as predicted. Some fish spawned. Others feeling “10 months pregnant” are dropping their eggs now, even though water temps are 10 degrees below the optimum.

As of this minute it looks like the next few days will offer productive fishing results, with the soft parade winding down April 12-15.

The biggest factor in finding consistent success in sport fishing is time on the water. Even being out there at least four days a week during the open water period it takes me at least an hour to figure out a productive pattern—every single day.

Weekly newspapers have never been a guide for taking immediate action. The tactile nature of this media lends itself to introspection and casual interpretation. Take time to savor every word in the Driftless Journal. Your brain deserves a break from this crazy full-tilt bozo world.

Plantpeddler hosts Attorney General for tour and discussion

On Thursday, March 21, Plantpeddler hosted Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird for a greenhouse facility tour and discussion with the Plantpeddler team. Bird joins a lengthy list of elected officials and dignitaries serving in Des Moines and Washington, D.C., who have made the trek to northeast Iowa. During the tour of both Plantpeddler production sites, discussion covered a variety of topics, including horticulture’s

role in value-added agriculture, the opportunities to diversify and grow production within the state and risk management for growers. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the industry and topics important to the health of horticulture — both within the state and beyond. The venue provided Bird with a view into the investment; from breeding through production to the consumers who drive

our industry.

Plantpeddler is a major producer of Young Plants and “Retail-Ready” finished products founded in 1980 by Mike and Rachel Gooder. With their dedicated team, the company partners with the global community of leading breeders to deliver premium products to growers, retailers, and consumers throughout North America. For more information, e-mail info@plantpeddler.com.

Successful benefit for former news editor

A cancer benefit was held Saturday, March 23, at Nordic Lanes in Rushford, Minn., for former Driftless Multimedia Editor Scott Bestul as he continues his battle with cancer. The benefit saw hundreds in attendance, bidding on silent and live auction items and making other generous donations. Hot ticket auction items included several hunting excursion packages, local handcrafted items and even homemade pies from Burdey’s Café in Peterson, Minn. Pictured above is Bestul and former classmate and friend of 50 years, David Ocar. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Kathy Simpson)

Effigy Mounds total solar eclipse activities

A total solar eclipse will occur Monday, April 8, and will make its way across the United States from Texas to Maine. Eclipse activities will be held at Effigy Mounds National Monument from 12 to 4 p.m. While the monument isn’t within the path of totality, it is still possible to see approximately 85 percent of the moon covering the sun.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own solar eclipse viewing glasses. The park will also have a limited supply of solar eclipse viewing glasses and will offer supplies for making a cardboard viewer.

A viewing location will be at the northern prairie and will require a hike up the North Unit Trail. The first 3/4 mile of the trail involves ascending a 350ft. bluff via a series of switchbacks, so appropriate clothing and foot gear should be worn as ground conditions may be soft or wet.

For those needing an accessible alternative, a viewing location will be at the grass lawn just east of the visitor’s center. Many of the same activities will be conducted at both locations. Additionally, those interested in earning a special Solar Eclipse Jr. Ranger badge will have the opportunity to come to the park and participate in fun eclipse-related activities both Saturday, April 6, and Sunday,

April 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds, including some in the shape of animals. The monument is located three miles north of Marquette, and 22 miles south of Waukon, on Highway 76. For more information call 563-873-3491 ext. 123 or visit www.nps.gov/effigymounds.

Trey Kegebein holds up two pike he caught. The bigger pike was 38.5” and its belly contained 21 small sheepshead.