April 16, 2024

H ME&Garden Edition

Close to family:

Uhlenhakes keep their priorities straight in Ossian home construction

Earth Day Festival April 20

Join Winneshiek County Conservation and community partners for a morning of earth-friendly activities, vendors, snacks and more during the 2024 Earth Day Festival.

The event will be held Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Community Building and Danan Lansing Building at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds in Decorah.

During the event, explore the

latest in recycling, composting, solar power, electric vehicles, native planting, wildlife habitat, conservation practices and more.

The free, all-ages open-house event will feature hands-on activities, interactive displays and educational exhibits provided by local conservation and sustainability organizations. For more information, visit winneshiekwild.com.

Barefoot in the Park event celebrates the Earth April 20

With spring upon us, residents in the Driftless are starting to feel that energy – that feeling of renewal.

home, including their cabinetmaker, electricians, their painter and their builder Justin Bohr, son of Randy Bohr of Bohr Builders of Ossian. Josh and Samantha said their new home, on Bravo Drive in Ossian, was Randy’s final construction before he passed away in 2023 after multiple bouts with cancer. Randy’s son Justin has since taken over the business.

“When we started thinking about building in Ossian, our first call was to friend and former classmate, Dave Moellers, owner of Ossian Lumber,” Samantha said.

Both Josh and Samantha are South Winneshiek graduates — as were many of the contractors that helped construct their

“Bohr Builders was absolutely amazing,” said Samantha. “They were very patient and helpful. They also built my parents’ house, and they built my sister’s house. So, it was nice having them do ours as well.”

Driftless Multimedia LLC is coordinating a free community event at Dunning’s Spring in Decorah in honor of this long-awaited greening and growing creeping across the region, and in celebration of Earth Day.

Barefoot in the Park will be held Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., and all are welcome to join in with other free spirits in bringing positivity and energetic healing to Mother Earth and all its participants.

provided by all in attendance led by Catherine Meinecke of Emerging Whole Wellness. Impromptu music and drums will follow, sharing kind vibrations deep into nature and the soul led by Nick Zielinski of Improvisor’s Orchestra and Indicative of Drumming. Lastly, reveal natural beauty with an art sculpture made with found objects from nature, led by Nina Smock of Resonant Heart Yoga and Sound Healing, to honor the energy brought forth and bring beauty to the healing process. All practitioners, inquisitive

Uhlenhake home continued on page 6 Earth event continued on page 4

The event will begin with a group collective healing of Reiki energy work to heal the Earth

Bus Driver salute …

with some of his young passengers at St. Theresa of Calcutta in Spillville. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis) Read more about this dedicated driver in the upcoming Salute to Bus Drivers edition in the April 18 Decorah Public Opinion Newspaper.

The Uhlenhake family is pictured, l-r- Josh, Brayden (seated) Nolan, Morgan, Samantha and Jordyn Uhlenhake with Dexter, the family’s petite golden doodle, in front of the fireplace in their newly constructed home on Bravo Drive, Ossian. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Zach Jensen)

Samantha stands inside the home’s pantry, just off the kitchen, while Morgan peaks from the corner. The pantry contains all items normally found on countertops of most homes, but because they’re in a separate room, its contents can be kept out of sight when family and friends visit. The light in the pantry is also motion-activated, so if someone enters with their arms full, they don’t need to worry about trying to turn the light on.

Northeast Iowa food pantries set records for amount of food provided

RSVP volunteers help keep pantries stocked needed by their clients. At all five food pantries, volunteers from the Northeast Iowa RSVP program made that job possible.

Food pantries in northeast Iowa set records in 2023 for the amount of food provided to those in need. The Decorah Community Food Pantry distributed 331,851 pounds of food for the year – an average of over 27,000 pounds of food each month. Just under 8,000 different individuals used the food pantry in Decorah 2023.

The Allamakee County Food Shelf in Waukon is open once a week (Thursday mornings) and distributed 46,147 pounds of food for the year.

The Postville Food Pantry, Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) and the Greater Area Pantry in Calmar also saw busy years (stats unavailable).

A lot of work needs to be done to have the food pantries’ shelves stocked with the food

Dubuque man charged in Clermont assaults

Decorah Community Food Pantry Director Matt Tapscott praised the work of the nearly 100 RSVP volunteers. “They take their responsibilities incredibly seriously,” he said.

Tapscott said the RSVP volunteers are willing to handle almost any job, including stocking the shelves with new arrivals of food and even mopping the floors.

The RSVP volunteers at the Decorah Food Pantry have a somewhat-flexible schedule; the first volunteers show up at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays to help unbox food shipments and put packages and cans on the shelves.

The Waukon food pantry has around 20 RSVP members working at food distribution from 9 a.m. until noon Thursday mornings at the Allamakee County Food Shelf’s building on the west edge of town.

Food Shelf Volunteer Monica Roderick said the food pantry operates on deliveries from the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo, donations from Quillin’s, Dollar Fresh and Kwik Star in Waukon, as well as do-

Veterans History Project features U.S. Army Veteran

Marvin ‘Bud’ Strike

April 20

nations from the public.

Food pantry leaders remind the public no donation is too small when it comes to assisting local food-insecure families. Contact a local pantry for details.

For information on RSVP, contact 563-277-5181 or e-mail rsvp@decorahlibrary.org.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present a program from its Veterans History Project Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m.

Terry Joseph Choi

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a sexual assault on a minor victim at a gas station in Clermont, March 31. An investigation was conducted, and it was found through multiple interviews that there were multiple victims sexually assaulted at this gas station by this individual while working.

On April 5, at approximately 12:45 p.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office arrested Terry Joseph Choi, age 34, of Dubuque, for five counts of sex abuse in the 3rd degree all C felonies.

If convicted, Choi could face up to 50 years in prison. This case is still under investigation and more charges could be pending.

Choi is being held on a $50,000 bond as well as a no bond hold parole violation from previous charges.

Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher is concerned that there may be other victims. He stated that if anyone has any information or you feel you were a victim, contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 563422-3234.

Strike joined the U.S. Army in 1953 during the Korean Conflict, serving 16 months in Korea until returning to the U.S. in 1955 to complete his obligation. In Korea, he was assigned to the 2nd Combat En-

gineer Battalion, clearing land mines and repairing roads and bridges. While in Korea, he was promoted to Sergeant and was reassigned to company clerk.

After discharge, he returned to college in Cedar Falls at ISTC and completed his degree with a major in mathematics. In 1957 he began teaching math in Waukon and retired from reaching after 35 years with the Allamakee Community School District.

The public is invited to attend this free event. The facility is handicapped accessible and located at 105 Allamakee Street, Waukon.

Before the Mounds: Paleontology at Effigy Mounds

Effigy Mounds National Monument will host National Park Service Paleontologist Justin Tweet for a lecture, Friday, April 19, at 2 p.m., in the auditorium at the visitor center. Tweet will discuss paleontological resources found within Effigy Mounds. All are welcome to attend.

Effigy Mounds National

Monument preserves prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds, including some in the shape of animals. The monument, located in Allamakee County on Highway 76, is one of over 425 national park sites.

For more information, call 563-873-3491 ext. 123 or visit www.nps.gov/effigymounds.

Church at 1111 Montgomery Street in Decorah. For an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Decorah”.

Front row (l-r): Bill Courtney, Charlie Smock and Steve Perry. Back row: Peggy Ross, Dick Dovenberg and Marcy Skretta. (submitted photo)

Earth event continued from front

souls and community members are welcome. Come and explore the energy that builds as we come together in peace, collaborate in a message to heal the earth, connect with others seeking to promote positivity with their neighbors, learn from others on the journey and celebrate Earth Day in nature.

Meet Nick Zielinski

By Samantha Ludeking

I’ve known of Nick Zielinski for a while, living just out of earshot of the drummer, improvisor and instrument builder in the hills of Decorah. Of course I’ve heard his music on the local “Rhymes with Decorah” podcast and I was aware of the Improvisor’s Orchestra at ArtHaus in which Zielinski leads collaborations with guest artists the second Sunday of every month.

Meeting the man and experiencing the musical DIY’er in action was a treat. To be in any space where music is being made is special, even for one as un-musical as myself.

Feeling the sounds coming at you in the intimate setting of the ArtHaus’ Doyle G Heyveld Gallery is a musical experience unlike any other in the Driftless.

During April’s session of Improvisor’s Orchestra, Zielinski was joined by Jon Ailbouni on trumpet for an hour concert, followed by a workshop where audience members participated in creating spontaneous music.

Participant Jack Kates described the performance as “a dream sequence or montage.”

The final two chances to hear for yourself, as Zielinski leads the Improvisor’s Orchestra, will be May 12, with guest artist Adam Patterson, and June 9, with guest artist Ryan Young, the fiddle player from Trampled by Turtles. All ages, instruments and musical styles are welcome at

ArtHaus in Decorah from 2-4 p.m. on those dates. Percussion instruments will be available for those without their own.

Zielinski also performs in the region as “Indicative of Drumming” and in several bands. I am nowhere near good enough at this writing thing to describe Zielinski’s music, so I’ll let some of the cool people do that … “...psychedelic circus music — one imagines clowns riding around on trikes and tents filled with high-wire acts and other feats of defiance,” said Andrea Cantor of Jazz Police. “...it’s drummer Nick Zielinski who makes the thing groove. His small flourishes and uncluttered approach make the music here dance, hover, float and flit about,” added Thom Jurek of AllMusic.com.

Another opportunity to check out our Driftless neighbor in action will be at the Barefoot in the Park Earth Day event Saturday, April 20, at Dunnings’ Spring in Decorah. When asked what we should expect, Zielinski said, “Drumming, singing and general fun... I think we’ll start with a traditional Ghanaian song called ‘Kpatsa’. And from there we’ll try our hand at some improvisation.” I highly suggesting visiting www.indicativeofdrumming.

ki counts the skills as a hobby,

“I’m still quite a novice but I like to experiment a lot with what materials, shapes, etc. sound cool. I do also make a lot of other kinds of stuff too; it comes in handy around Christmas time.”

What do you like most about living in the Driftless: The scenery, cool people, turkey vultures Favorite Driftless location: Arthaus Favorite Book: Among the Thugs by Bill Buford Favorite scent: Palo Santo Favorite ice cream flavor: Vegan Phish Food Favorite human: a tie between Laura Zielinski and Frances Zielinski

What do you want to be when you grow up: An eccentric billionaire Hidden talent: I can find things amidst clutter

ABOVE- Nick Zielinski utilized a drum set, synthesizer, a whisk and a banjo tentatively named “Bill” among other items to produced his unique sounds as he led the Improvisor’s Orchestra at ArtHaus Sunday, April 14. LEFT- Zielinski gave musical cues via playing cards during the participation portion of the session Sunday. Look for more photos from the session in the Decorah Public Opinion Newspaper. (Drifltess Multimedia photos by Samantha Ludeking) There are so many incredible people in the Driftless! Do you know someone more people should know about? Submit your “Know Your Driftless Neighbor” to: samantha.ludeking@ driftlessjournal.com.

Wild foraging hike at Lake Meyer April 25

free and

The

to all ages. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. The trails at Lake Meyer are unpaved and may be slippery, so participants should wear clothes and shoes appropriate for a muddy trail. Registration is required by calling 563-534-7145. In case of inclement weather, watch www.winneshiekwild.com for announcements.

Canton Legion holds Pancake Breakfast

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on April 8 during the

at the

The breakfast was served from 7 a.m. until noon and featured

Livestock lost in fire near Decorah

The Decorah Fire Department was called to 2592 Grouse Valley Road, northeast of Decorah, in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 11.

The homeowners found a livestock building completely engulfed. There was a report of livestock in the building. The homeowners were able to save some of the animals. However, several sheep and other animals perished in the blaze. The building was a complete loss. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fourteen firefighters were on the scene for two hours, using foam and 3,500 gallons of water in controlling the fire.

The Decorah Fire Department was assisted by Winneshiek Dispatch and Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Highway 52 project public meetings set

The public is invited to attend a meeting to learn more about a project that will repair culverts on Highway 52 and resurface the roadway from Chatfield to Fountain, Minn., for construction anticipated in 2027. Two identical meetings will be held Tuesday, April 23, at the Chatfield Center for the Arts, and Wednesday, April 24, at the Fountain Community Center, both from 5 to 7 p.m.

The meeting is come-and-go format, no formal presentation is planned and attendees can visit and leave at their convenience. Those unable to attend can find information from the meeting on the project website.

For any reasonable accommodation or questions, e-mail Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@ state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720 or 1-800-6573774.

Business & Professional Bulletin

J&A Red Angus

338 joins American Angus Association

J&A Red Angus 338 of Decorah, is a new member of the American Angus Association®, reported Mark McCully, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo.

The American Angus Association, with more than 22,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on over 20 million registered Angus. For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www. angus.org.

Ducks Unlimited and Plantpeddler honored at Ag Leaders Dinner

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Mike Naig recently recognized two organizations and one Iowa business that have made exceptional contributions to the state’s agriculture community.

Ag Leader Awards were presented to the Iowa Barn Foundation for Leadership in Community, Ducks Unlimited for Leadership in Conservation and Plantpeddler for Leadership in Agriculture Education.

The honorees received their awards during the 12th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on March 19 in Ankeny. The event was held on National Ag Day and was part of the state’s weeklong Iowa Ag Week celebration.

“Hundreds of Iowans from across the state gather every year for the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner to recognize outstanding organizations and inspiring individuals who are making a tremendous impact,” said

Secretary Naig. “This year’s awardees - the Iowa Barn Foundation, Ducks Unlimited and Plantpeddler - have all made significant and positive impacts on our state. They are deserving of recognition for their leadership in conservation, agriculture education and community betterment.”

Plantpeddler is a wholesale greenhouse business located in Cresco that grows and distributes plants and horticulture products throughout the United States. In August of 2023, Plantpeddler held its first “Educate the Educator” horticulture workshop, which brought dozens of ag educators to Northeast Iowa. This one-of-a-kind event provided teachers with new ideas, resources and information, and inspired them to teach about horticulture. Plantpeddler’s passion and out-of-thebox thinking created a unique experience for ag educators, therefore preparing and challenging them to educate and encourage their students – the ag leaders of tomorrow.

RHSHC

Wound Clinic earns Center of Excellence Award

Regional Health Services announced that the Wound Clinic is a recipient of RestorixHealth’s highest achievement, the Wound Center of Excellence Award. Recipients of this prestigious award meet or exceed national wound care quality benchmarks over a set period of time.

The Wound Center of Excellence Award recognizes wound centers that have demonstrated exceptional success by meeting or exceeding clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction benchmarks.

The Wound Clinic is dedicated to optimizing outcomes and preventing lower limb

Ossian farmer named state winner of National Corn Yield Contest

America’s corn farmers once again proved they are resilient, innovative and competitive in the 59th annual Corn Yield Contest from the National Corn Growers Association. Through the adoption of new practices and technology, America’s corn farmers showcased their drive to continue pushing yields to a new limit. Kevin Lansing of Ossian placed first in Iowa in the B: Conventional Non-Irrigated Class with a yield of 336.0351

loss in patients with non-healing wounds. The approach to wound care is aggressive and comprehensive, coordinating traditional and advanced therapies and techniques that are proven to reduce healing time and improve healing rates.

The center is staffed with clinicians with advanced training in wound care. Integrating a team of wound care professionals optimizes patient care while offering the most advanced healing options.

The Wound Clinic is located at 235 8th Ave W. in Cresco, and is open Tuesday and Friday. For more information, call 877-295-2273.

Family physician earns Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Kevin Locke

The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) awarded the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award to Kevin Locke, M.D. of Decorah in November. Locke attended medical school at the University of Iowa, and he completed his residency at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. Locke practiced in Decorah for 33 years and is currently serving as Medical Examiner, is a member of Midwest-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team through National Disaster Medical System and is the Hospice Medical Director.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is unique in that all awardees are nominated by another member of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians. A committee made up of physicians selects the awardees.

than 300 people enjoyed

delicious pancake breakfast

Canton American Legion’s annual pancake breakfast held

Canton Town Hall.

pancakes, sausages, coffee, milk and juice. All of the proceeds went to various Canton area organizations and the Mabel-Canton District. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Charlie Warner) Canton American Legion members were at the Canton Town Hall bright and early preparing for the annual breakfast. Serving started at 7 a.m. Pictured are Butch Helgeson and Nick Prestby.

two-story we’d built, when we lived in Waukee,” said Samantha. “It was a three-bedroom house, so the boys were sharing a bedroom. Jordyn was only six months old, but the girls would have shared also. We outgrew that house. A friend of ours finished our basement in that house, and right before COVID, I had him come back and told him we’ve outgrown, and we need an addition. And, he said ‘You’re not going to get what you want. Just find land and build the house that you actually want.’ So, we that’s what we did.”

has a tax abatement of up to 10 years, which also helped make the build more affordable.

“We looked at existing houses up here,” said Josh, “but for the size of our family, that’s really not an option.”

JenniferMarsdenPainting

Josh, a mortgage loan officer with Luana Savings Bank’s (LSB) Clive branch at the time, was eventually able to transfer to the bank’s Ossian branch, which prompted the family to consider moving back to the area. Josh said LSB also offered additional financing incentives, such as lower-than-market interest rates for new construction.

Additionally, the City of Ossian

“And, I’m picky,” added Samantha, Vice President of Finance for Diligent Development of Des Moines. “So, with the development happening right back here behind my parents’ house, we decided to build. This land used to be a cornfield. We used to have fires in my parents’ back yard, looking out at the cornfield, never imagining that this would be our house someday.”

The Uhlenhakes decided on a plot in the Military Trail Estates addition on Ossian’s southwest side. Although they’d already built one house together, they might not have been ready for the overwhelming number of choices they were about to have in the construction of their Ossian home.

“We went through the build process before, with our Waukee house, and with that specific builder, we didn’t have limitless options,” Samantha said. “The Waukee house had a custom package, so there were a lot less decisions to make. Then, when we built this one, we had to make a decision on everything.”

Josh admitted that he didn’t have a lot of say in how the house was designed, built or furnished.

Entertaining family and friends is important to the Uhlenhakes, which required them to design their kitchen in a way that everything not in use can be easily hidden, and all surfaces can be easily cleaned. Additionally, their microwave oven, topright, can double as an oven, and both the oven and the fridge are connected through an app on Samantha’s phone. Samantha said that when she’s away from home, she knows when Josh is home for his lunch break, because the app will let her know the oven is in use. The magnetic-induction cooktop boils water in less than 90 seconds and cools off quickly.

new house in Ossian, Josh and Samantha would continue living in Waukee – 200 miles away. This meant they wouldn’t be onhand to answer questions and oversee the building process.

“We were living in Waukee, while this house was being built,” Josh said. “So, the builder would call us and ask us ‘Where do you want this?’ And, we were like ‘I don’t know. We’re not there to make that decision.’”

“We use the air fryer all the time, but it’s hidden, so when we’re done with it, we just close it up, and it’s gone,” Josh said.

Because the neighborhood’s covenants require property owners to not have sheds in their yards, a good compromise is a rear overhead garage door, which makes accessing lawn mowers and the family’s golf cart even easier. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Zach Jensen)

“He didn’t want a say in it,” Samantha quipped. “I spent dozens of hours pouring over the house plans, and anytime I asked him what he thought, he’d stay out of it … until it was done and built, and then it’s like, ‘Man, I wish I could have a golf simulator’ or ‘Man, I wish it would have a card room,’ and I’m like ‘Too late now.’ We didn’t argue a whole lot. He pretty much let me do what I wanted, because he knew I’d get my way eventually anyhow.”

But, before the couple could break ground on their new construction, they first had to agree to the terms of the new neighborhood’s covenant — a set of rules that govern the use of real property.

“That was the biggest challenge about being in Waukee, when the house was being built,” Samantha added. “We couldn’t just stop by and talk with the contractors.”

All challenges aside however, Samantha had a clear understanding of her priorities for the design of her new house: comfort and convenience.

These two priorities are what guided her to choose a design that favors built-in and often-hidden cabinets (courtesy of Reed Backes Woodworking), closets and storage areas — as well as built-in modular closet systems in all the kids’ bedrooms to help make it easier to keep the rooms clean, while keeping their closets well-organized.

parts of the house is our pantry,” Samantha said. “People thought I was crazy for wanting this, and I had to argue to get it. We put in a grocery door so when I park my car in the garage, I can slide the groceries right on in here. It was a bit of a battle. Everyone thought I was nuts.”

“It was hard finding the door, too,” Josh added, “it has to be fire-rated, because it leads out to the garage. A lot of the large show houses in Des Moines had them, and that’s where we got the idea.”

where family put on or take off their outerwear, hang keys, store their homework, charge their devices and more.

“This was a Pinterest idea,” she said. “I don’t like a lot of storage, but I like hidden storage. So, we have the cupboards that flip up and the drawers where all the shoes go and the baskets for all the papers that come home from school, so it doesn’t look so cluttered.”

“Where we came from, it’s not a big deal to see covenants in a development,” Josh said about Waukee and the Des Moines area. “It’s pretty standard.”

However, Samantha admitted she did make one mistake while designing the basement.

“I was very adamant in that I didn’t want all kinds of storage,” she remembered. “They kept saying, ‘Finish underneath the porch. Put storage under there. You’ll never regret it.’ They finally talked me into it, but it was after the initial plan.”

“These are about the least-restrictive covenants I’ve ever seen,” added Samantha. The covenants require a minimum square-footage of living space, a basement (finished or not) and a stone exterior, and requires that no storage buildings or gardening sheds be placed on the property.

“Covenants protect the value of the homeowners house,” said Samantha, “so that when other people build around us, they’re set to the same standards. It’s just a different concept up here.”

With the covenants signed, it was time to get busy building –with just one caveat: throughout the entire construction of their

The result was the creation of a separate laundry room and an adjacent bathroom with the entrance to the below-the-porch storage room in between; whereas, if the plans were changed to accommodate the new storage area, the entrance to the storage room would have been through the laundry room, which would have created more space for all three rooms.

“If I would have listened to the builder and my dad from the start,” Samantha said, “the layout would have worked better.”

The Uhlenhakes’ pantry is one-stop for non-refrigerated food items and contains a mix of deep counters, a deep-freeze, extensive drawers and shelves, a coffee bar and place for small appliances. “So, instead of having a toaster and all that stuff on the counter in the kitchen, it’s all in here,” Josh said, “and all we have to do to not see it is close the door.”

Since Samantha is able to work remotely, she has a home office tailor-fit to her needs and specifications.

The master bath also features built-in cabinets by Reed Backes, which contain outlets and charging stations for personal hygiene tools, like electric toothbrushes, which would otherwise be stored on chargers next to the sink.

Unlike the rest of the house, the master bathroom is also the only room that isn’t painted gray. Instead, it’s a dark shade of blue. Samantha said, “I was so tired of making decisions. I did not want to decide any more paint colors than I had to.”

Josh said, “We loved the gray tile color, but there would have been way too much gray in here, so we decided to do a different color in the bathroom.” G&R Tiling of Ossian installed the Uhlenhake’s tile and hard surface flooring.

Construction on the Uhlenhakes’ new home began in May 2021.

“After COVID, prices fluctuated a lot, and the supply chain was out of whack,” Samantha said. “It also limited some of our selection. ”

But, for the most part, Samantha feels the rest of the house is almost perfect. The flooring in the basement and garage also have in-floor heat in the basement and garage, installed by Marv Smith Electric, who also completed the plumbing and complete HVAC. Instead of the heating coils of decades ago, the Uhlenhakes’ floors have heated water that runs through tubing under the floor in the basement and garage. “When we finished the basement of house in Waukee, it was cold down there,” Josh said. “So, we figured, hey, if our kids are going to be sleeping down there, we need a decent heat source down there.

In-floor heat is worth it. There are thermostats in the basement and garage, so you can set your temperature, and then warm water circulates under the floors.” “Another one of our favorite

“I didn’t know that I was going to be able to work remotely when we put the plans together,” she said. “Had I known that I would have made my office bigger, but it works. I wanted the office in the front of the house. I wanted to be able to look out the window,” Samantha continued. “I see when UPS comes and when people walk or drive by. Out the window, I can see the park, so the kids can ride their bikes to the park, and I can still see them.”

Samantha and Josh also decided to have an electric fireplace, from Hearthside Fireplaces & More of Decorah, installed in Samantha’s office, so she didn’t need to rely on the home’s gas heat during the colder seasons.

“We built our house in 2021, in that insanely-cold winter, and this room is the furthest from our furnace, so it’s the coldest room, which I realized very quickly when I started working from my home office in January before the construction was even complete,” Samantha said. “So, we added the electric fireplace. And, we added acoustic panels, because with hard-surface floors, there’s a lot of echoes, which can make Zoom calls difficult.” Samantha also added an interior storage area just inside the door to the garage, off the kitchen. This area is a staging area

“We ran into the same supply chain issues with appliances on back-order for more than a year and other items were also hard to get like garage doors.”

On Dec. 30, 2021, the Uhlenhakes moved to Ossian, but their new house wasn’t quite ready. So, for two weeks, the family lived with Samantha’s parents, Mark and Cathy Brincks, who live on the other side of Josh and Samantha’s backyard.

“We lived with my parents for two weeks, and we love my parents, and they love us, but that was a lot for everybody,” Samantha said with a laugh. “Even when we moved in, it was still a work in progress. Our downstairs shower was working, but the tile wasn’t done in the shower upstairs, so we all had to shower downstairs for a couple

Uhlenhake home

Properly planting trees

wildlife and so much more. Trees are an integral part of home landscapes, neighborhoods and countryside. For those looking to plant a tree for the upcoming Arbor Day or anytime this year, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The most common mistake when planting trees today is planting too deep. Many trees purchased have the root flare buried in the root ball or pot. If this excess soil is not removed, the root flare “suffocates” from excess soil resulting in a disruption of water and nutrient uptake, starting a downward spiral for the tree. It can also result in the tree roots wrapping around the trunk and eventually girdling the tree. The root flare is the area where the roots meet the trunk commonly identified by a flaring of the trunk. To ensure the tree is not planted too deep, do not follow

the common recommendation of planting the tree at the same soil level that it currently has; instead remove the soil until the flare is found. Six to nine inches of the soil may need to be removed. Then, make sure the bottom of the collar is above ground level.

When digging the hole for the tree, dig the hole only as deep as the root ball, after finding the root flare, and no deeper so the soil under the root ball is undisturbed. This will prevent the tree from settling. Dig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball. This will allow roots to grow more easily outwards. Do not add soil amendments. Old recommendations for adding soil amendments such as peat moss have been discarded. Simply use the soil removed from the hole as backfill.

Watering a newly planted tree is extremely important to ensure that it establishes and stays healthy for years to come.

Plant Zone Hardiness Map updated

A newly-updated version of the Plant Zone Hardiness Map, a key resource that informs the planting decisions of gardeners and growers across the country, was released in January by the United States Department of Agriculture. The new map provides a more precise picture of the average annual minimum temperature conditions across the state thanks to GIS technology.

According to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, it shows an average temperature shift of about one-quarter zone (about 2.5 F), placing more of the state in zone 5.

2023 update

Using data from thousands of monitoring stations across the United States, the map is put together as a standard reference for a plant’s cold tolerance. The map uses data from the past 30 years, which has been reviewed by horticultural, botanical and climatological experts to reflect average coldest winter temperatures and smooth out year-toyear fluctuations.

“The map indicates the average lowest temperature for a particular region, which is really helpful in selecting the right kind of plant for your garden,” explained Steil. “It’s been around for many years and is updated on a regular basis as things change over time.”

While much of Iowa remains in zone 5, some areas of the state did see a shift in classification between 2012 and 2023.

“Previous to the 2023 release, there were still large chunks of the state in northwest and northeast Iowa that were zone 4B. Now, essentially the bulk of the state is either zone 5A or 5B, with only small pockets of northeast and northwest Iowa in zone 4B. In addition, three or four counties in southeast and southwest Iowa are now in zone 6A, which is definitely a change,” Steil said.

Uhlenhake home

Driftless Plant Hardiness Zones: 4b -25 to -20°F (Dark Gray)

According to the USDA, another big change in the 2023 version is that the updated map includes more precise data, which can better account for complicating factors, such as elevation and large bodies of water, which can influence temperature.

While the USDA’s Plant Zone Hardiness Map is a reliable and research-backed resource, Steil reminds gardeners that the temperature ranges it lists serve as an average lowest temperature, and it is still possible for temperatures below those listed to occur, especially in more extreme years.

“The map simply tells you what the average lowest temperature for a given area is,” explained Steil. “That doesn’t mean it can’t get below a certain temperature; it just means that in a typical year it won’t.”

2012 update

The

first major update to the map occurred in 2012, following feedback from researchers, horticulturists and representatives from the nursery industry. Mark Widrlechner, affiliate associate professor of horticulture at Iowa State, was instrumental in the development of the 2012 map, and assisted with the 2023

continued from page 6 weeks. We ate all of our meals at my parents’ house, because our appliances hadn’t arrived yet, and we didn’t have kitchen countertops or a kitchen sink with running water.”

• 5a -20 to -15°F (Light Gray)

update.

Having published papers on what he was observing with climate, he was known within the USDA Agriculture Research Services as a person who was studying the relationship between climate and tree and shrub performance.

“When it was decided that the 1990 map needed to be updated, I was approached by the USDA administration to chair a national technical review team,” he said.

In addition to assisting with the 2012 map, Widrlechner also served as a resource in the development of the 2023 map.

To access the USDA Plant Zone Hardiness Map, visit the USDA website. For more information, visit http://tinyurl. com/3enbxv6z.

The tree may need watering for longer than one may realize. Newly-planted trees need to be watered daily for the first two weeks, three days a week for next 12 weeks and once a week until the roots are established.

Figure out how long it will take for the roots to establish and how much water the tree needs at each watering by measuring the trunk caliper. For a tree with a caliper less than four inches, take the measurement at six inches above the ground. For a tree whose trunk caliper is greater than four inches measure at 12 inches above the ground. For each inch of trunk caliper the tree will take 1.5 years to establish and 1.5 gallons of water at each water-

ing. One may want to add some wood chips or other mulch around the base of the tree to make mowing easier. Mulch should not contact the trunk; meaning that it should not look like a volcano at the bottom of the tree. Mulch helps to conserve soil moisture and eliminates competition from turf.

However, if it is mounded up and in contact with the trunk it will ultimately cause more issues than it fixes. Avoid using rock, landscape block and landscape fabric around the tree.

Do not wrap trees during the growing season. Wrap can hold moisture next to the trunk and serve as a home for insects.

Some wraps can also cause sun damage to the trunk of the tree

which is harmful. Wraps can be used in the winter to protect from deer and other wildlife damage.

Finally, be sure to consider the tree’s mature height and breadth when choosing its planting location. One would hate to need to remove the tree in a few years because it is planted too close to the house or growing into a power line. Properly planted and cared for trees can last a lifetime.

With questions about this or any other agriculture or horticulture topic, reach out to alocal Extension Educator. Fillmore and Houston County residents can call 507-7653896 or 507-725-5807.

“One of the bigger selling points of moving back here was being close to our families,” Josh said. “Her parents live next door, and my parents live in Calmar. Having grandparents around for their grandkids was very important to us.”

“I do miss the Des Moines metro but I still travel back there for work at least once or twice a month for a few days and having family close by to be involved with the kids’ has been amazing,” Samantha added. “Josh’s parents help out so much, especially when I’m traveling for work. My parents get lots of babysitting opportunities as well. The one thing in life we will never regret is having an opportunity to give our kids more time with family.”

But, in the end, the family couldn’t be happier with their new home — not only because of its features and amenities but because of its location as well. Living in Ossian means the Uhlenhake children will grow up in the close-knit South Winneshiek Community School District in which they will enjoy smaller class sizes and more opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities. And, more importantly, they’re close to Samantha’s and Josh’s parents. “My parents live right on the other side of this lot,” Samantha said. “That’s a big reason we picked this specific lot in this development. The kids can run back and forth from our house to theirs and not have to worry about running through anyone else’s yard.”

Existing Bridge on track to reopen by the end of April

“It’s on track to definitely be operational by the end of the month,” said Clayton Burke, IDOT project manager on the Lansing bridge project.

At the monthly Bridge Talk held at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, April 11, Burke addressed the bridge repairs and confirmed that the existing bridge will be open again by the end of April.

“Even with the repair they’re still pretty close to schedule on keeping the new bridge moving,” continued Burke. The new bridge is intended to be open by the end of 2026. Project updates and a live bridge cam can be found at https://iowadot.gov/lansingbridge.

Woodland owners can improve planning with new assessment tools

Woodland owners who want to know the value or how to improve their forest oftentimes just need to know where to begin. The goal of two new forest resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will help owners do just that.

“Planning for Wooded Acreages and Woodlands” is a resource-filled article available on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Natural Resource Stewardship website, and the “Woodland Assessment Worksheet” is a three-page publication available on the Extension Store.

Both resources help woodland owners with the first steps of forest assessment, including taking an inventory of the types of trees and other plants on the property, growth stages, goals for future use, and mapping of property lines and special features.

“The ‘Planning for Wooded Acreages and Woodlands’ web resource provides a breakdown of the planning process, while the ‘Woodland Assessment Worksheet’ identifies opportunities, threats and vulnerabilities within woodlands – information critical to effective planning,”

said Billy Beck, extension forestry specialist at Iowa State. The web article walks woodland owners through goals and objectives, special features of the woodlands, management plans, aesthetics and wildlife and alternative forest products. The assessment tool uses photographic depictions of different conditions and species commonly found in Iowa’s woodlands and asks the forest owner to record whether each item is rare, present or abundant.

Both publications encourage woodland owners to form a close relationship with a professional forester. The woodland assessment worksheet can help guide conversations with professional foresters, according to Beck, so that realistic goals can be set.

“These resources are intended to assist stewards in the goal-setting and planning processes, and set them up to have effective initial conversations with forestry professionals,” said Beck. “Forest stewardship can take many routes on an individual property, and your goals will determine which route you take.”

In addition to pictures and a checklist, the worksheet also

provides a basic set of forest management definitions, covering terms like understory, midstory and overstory, woodland stewardship plans and more.

The following are some tips and suggestions shared in both publications:

• Identify the property boundaries and clearly mark them with posts, fencing, natural barriers such as bluffs, rivers and streams.

• Identify accesses and easements.

• Identify the trees and other plant species that exist in the woodlot by completing a resource inventory. Look for invasive plants such as multiflora rose, buckthorn, honeysuckle and garlic mustard.

• Look at the land characteristics and features and think about how they may influence the usability of the site.

• Evaluate riparian (streamside) areas as well as factors that may impact water quality (e.g., gully erosion).

• Look at the historical and current land uses.

For more information, Beck can be reached at wjbeck@ iastate.edu or 515-294-8837.

The Decorah boys’ golf team finished fifth at its own nineteam tournament Thursday at Oneota Golf Course with a score of 338, led by Ben Bockman and Caden Hubka with 83s. Holy Family won the 18-hole event with 300. Friday the Vikes were back on the course taking on North Fayette Valley and Waukon at the Waukon Golf and Country Club. A week later than scheduled, Decorah and North Fayette Valley boys’ golf teams joined Waukon on the course Friday in Waukon. The Vikings won the triangular with a 165, with NFV coming through with a 171, edging the host Indians’ 173. Medalist of the day was Decorah’s Jackson Pipho who carded a 39.

Hosting a meet for the second time in a week, the Decorah girls’ track and field team ran away with the team title, tallying 183.5 points. South Winn was also on the Viking oval, earning 63 points to finish fourth. Winning titles for Decorah were Audrey Essa in the 100-meter dash, Stella Pole in the 200-meter dash, Grace Blikre in the 1500-meter run, Brinlee Courtney in the 3000-meter run, Renae Wilson in the discus and 100-meter hurdles, the 4x100 relay, the 4x400 relay, the distance medley relay and shuttle hurdle relay. Abby Wagner had the best finishes for South Winn, earning runner-up in the high jump and long jump

Thursday the Viking girls’ golf team endured early rains at New Hampton that delayed the start of the meet that the Chickasaws won 170 to 209. New Hampton’s Kinsli Dahl was the medalist with a 37 while exchange student Maria Riveros led Decorah with a 43.

Competing at West Delaware, the Decorah boys’ track and field team finished second, five points behind Waverly-Shell Rock’s 200. Winners for the Vikings including Josh Adam in the 100-meter dash, Mitchell Stemper in the 800-meter run, Kaiden Quandahl in the long jump, William Hahn in the shot put, Luke Franzen in the discus. Four relays also claimed gold including the 4x100, 4x200, sprint medley and distant medley relays.

Outdone by an experienced Mason City squad, the Decorah girls’ soccer team fell to the Riverhawks 8-1 Thursday on the road. The Vikes lone score came with Nora Lesmeister scoring a consolation goal from a corner kick.

Hosting Charles City Friday, the Decorah boys’ soccer team defeated the Comets 10-1 to move to a 5-2 record.

Seth Bolson won their doubles matches. In a golf triangular in Guttenberg, the South Winn golf teams were locked in battles. A tie at 235, sent the girls looking at the fifth golfer giving the Warriors the win over Clayton Ridge. Firing a 55 to lead the Lady Warriors was Annie Ondrashek. Waukon finished the day not far behind with a 241. In boys’ action it was Waukon edging South Winn with a 168. The Warriors fashioned a 172, while Clayton Ridge finished with a 188. Firing a 41s, Waukon’s Dylan Hogan and Trevor Pfeiffer were co-medalists, while Warrior Cale Kleppe came through with a 42 to be the runner-up medalist. The South Winn boys’ golf team traveled to Dike Saturday for an 18-hole tournament hosted by Dike-New Hartford and returned home with a title. The Warriors came through with a 331 over Jesup who carded a 336 for second. The host D-NH was third with a 341, followed by West Fork, 348; North Fayette Valley 357; and Crestwood, 383.

MFL MarMac hosted a coed meet Thursday with several Driftless area teams on the oval. The MFL MarMac boys took second with 116 points behind Crestwood’s 121, while South Winn finished third with 112. Kee also competed and garnered 21 points to finish eighth.

Winning gold for MFL MarMac boys were Brandon Christofferson in the 400-meter dash, the 4x100 relay of Wyatt Powell, Carver Blietz-Bentien, Kashton Decker and Anthony Bunting, the 4x400 relay of Christofferson, Jaxon Millage, Eli Hanson and Jacob Schellhorn and the shuttle hurdle relay of Carter Stoddard, Rylee Kugel, Izayah Streicher and Tucker Ruff. South Winn had several win gold as well including Abe Conway in the 1600-meter run, Lukas Weiss in the 110-meter hurdles, the 4x800 relay of Brennan Franzen, Conway, Brad Dahl and Brody Tieskoetter, Kaden Barton-Franzen in the high jump and Parker Timp in the shot put.

Kee sophomore Justin Wagner had the Hawks’ best finish as he was second in the 3200-meter run.

Mettille bested the discus field.

The MFL MarMac girls soccer team dropped its Friday match 8-0 to Prairie du Chien.

On the course Thursday, the MFL MarMac golf teams traveled to the Pleasant Valley Sports Club to compete against North Fayette Valley in a conference dual. Both the Bulldog girls’ and boys’ team came out on top. In girls’ action, MFL MarMac won 214 to 224. Devon Meyer was the medalist for the Bulldogs with a 50, with teammate Morgan Jacobsen was the runner-up, carding a 53. Ben Krambeer was the best of the boys’ field with a 36 for MFL MarMac, while teammate Nick Krambeer was runner-up, firing a 40.

The Turkey Valley golf teams notched a pair of season-opening wins on Thursday, at Big Rock Country club versus West Central, coming out on top in both boys and girls action. The Trojan boys downed the Blue Devils 179 to 202, while the girls won 230 to 246. Earning medalist and runner-up honors for the boys were TV freshmen Nicholas Bernhard (43) and Brady Blong (44). Junior Morgan Vsetecka shot a career low 51 to lead the girls and earn medalist honors.

Playing a veteran Aplington-Parkersburg squad, the Decorah boys’ tennis team earned a 7-2 victory at home Friday. Recording singles wins for the Vikes were Caden Branum, Liam Chamberlain, Aiden Nalean-Carlson, Keaton Nalean-Carlson and Gabe Hiner. Branum and K. Nalean-Carlson as well as Tristan Hunter and

In the girls’ section of the MFL MarMac meet Thursday, the Bulldogs were fourth with 80 points, while the Kee Hawks ended the night in seventh with 39 points. While MFL MarMac didn’t have any winners they had several events earn silver. Among those finishing runner-up were Emme Wikner in the 200-meter dash, Evelyn Ruff in the 800-meter run, Brooke Donlon in the 1500-meter run, the 4x400 relay of Lauryn Sandstrom, Addyson Heins, E. Ruff and Skylar Fisk and the shuttle hurdle relay of Samantha Ruff, Bayleigh Wood, Emma Driscoll and Fisk. Two events won gold for Kee as Addison Winters took the long jump title and Isabelle

Thursday, the Waukon and Turkey Valley track and field teams were on the track at New Hampton for a co-ed meet. For the boys, Waukon came out on top of the seven-team field with 164 points, while Turkey Valley finished the night with 22 points. Waukon won seven golds including Wyatt Gulla in the 200-meter dash, Jack O’Neil in the 400-meter dash, Brandon Leppert in the 800-meter run, Skyler Dugan in the 1600-meter run, Issac Reisinger in the 3200-meter run, Ethan Gibbs in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x800 relay. The best TV finish was fourth with Hugo Busta in the high jump and JD Kruse in the 100-meter dash. For the girls, Waukon finished third with 101 points behind Crestwood (136) and New Hampton (120). Turkey Valley earned 23 points and finished seventh in the team standings. Waukon’s Cameron Johnson won two events – the high jump and 100-meter hurdles, while Kloe Hemmersbach won the discus and the shuttle hurdle relay broke the tape. Layni Schuchhardt had the Trojan’s best performances in the 400-meter dash, finishing third.

The Caledonia-Spring Grove track teams were on the oval at the Plainview-Elgin-Millville meet. The boys’ team finished fourth, while the girls took home sixth. Winning for the boys was Josh Beardmore in the 100-meter dash, Fischer Wait in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes, as well as the 4x200 relay. The Spring Grove softball team fell to Rushford-Peterson, 12-8, Friday at home. Saturday morning, the Spring Grove baseball team defeated Triton on the road, 13-2.

5K, 10K, half-marathon planned for May 10-11

All funds raised are invested back into the forest and campgrounds

Friends of Yellow River State Forest will be holding their annual 5K and 10K trail run/walk and half-marathon on Saturday, May 11, in the state forest starting at 8 a.m. Again, this year there will be an additional 5K on Friday night, May 10.

Online registration is available now until Wednesday, May 8, at www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org/2024-annual-trail-run.html Walk-ins are also welcome. Participants must register by Sunday, April 21, to receive a shirt.

On Friday, May 10, check-in for the 5k starts at 5:30 p.m. with the event at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, May 11, check-in for the half-marathon is 6:30 a.m., and the event is at 7 a.m. Check-in for the 10k is at 7 a.m., and it starts at 8 a.m. Check-in for the 5k starts at 7 a.m., with the event at 8:10 a.m.

New this year, all Saturday races will be officially timed. There is also a special offer once again, the “Dirty Double,” combining any one of the Satur-

day events with the Friday night run. Participants in the Dirty Double received a limited-edition ceramic mug.

Everyone who enters the 2024 Friends of Yellow River State Forest Trail Run is automatically entered to win this Traeger Pro 22 pellet grill valued at $600.

All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The Friday night 5K is a family-friendly event, and well-behaved leashed dogs are allowed.

Check-in will take place at 737 State Forest Road near Harpers Ferry. To learn more about Friends of Yellow River State Forest or any of their upcoming events, visit www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org or follow them on Facebook.

Yellow River State Forest is located 15 miles from Prairie du Chien, WI and 16 miles from Waukon, Iowa.

Clayton Burke is pictured holding some of the nearly one hundred year old timber pile that workers pulled from the site of the existing piers during the repair of the existing bridge. “And it looks like it did the day they put it in because it’s been under water the whole time,” explained Burke.

Bandmates, Brothers and Friends return for second annual fundraising event

Special guests

The Toe Tappers feature 50th anniversary performance Lideen, longtime band members over the years.

and Friends will reunite in Waukon for a night of musical entertainment. This event will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Toe Tappers as they join the musical line-up. The event will be held the Friday evening of Mother’s Day Weekend, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. This year the event will be held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.

“Joe Sweeney was at our event last year, and we ended up talking in the parking lot out back after the benefit. That’s where the idea of doing something together in 2024 was born. I’ll never forget it,” said Bill Withers Jr., Event Coordinator. “There were many nights The Toe Tappers were playing in town the same time our guys were playing somewhere else in town, and it never occurred to us to try something together ... until now.”

ed, we didn’t know what to call ourselves. Cora explained that whenever she looked around, everyone was tapping their toes, so she suggested we should be called, ‘The Toe Tappers’ and it stuck for all these years.”

The Toe Tappers will take the stage first, at 6 p.m., followed by two different sets of the 11 musicians who are again reuniting for the night, forming Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF). These musicians come from the four past local bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.

Last year marked 45 years that many of BBF’s original band members had first played in a band together. The event was overwhelmingly-successful so this second event has been planned.

Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers, John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson. They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey

The Toe Tappers have been together for over 50 years, but due to COVID, never had the opportunity to celebrate that milestone, but will at this event.

“I started playing with Luigi and the Troubadours in 1965, which included Luigi Meyer and Lloyd Weber. A few years later, Cora Ostrander (piano) and Lloyd Weber (saxophone) and I started the Toe Tappers,” said Joe Sweeney. “When we first start-

The Toe Tappers have had several members in the past 50+ years. “A few years after forming our band, Cora Ostrander moved to La Crosse so Howard Sorenson (guitar) from Waterville joined the band for 10 years. Gordy Tangen (guitar) was the next member who joined, playing with us for 35 years,” explained Sweeney. “Then in 1992, Lloyd Weber and his wife, Elaine, lost their lives in an airplane crash. Lyle Hanson also lost his brother, Carmen, who he had played with in the Carmen Hanson Band for 35 years. So we asked Lyle to join us, playing his saxophone and guitar, and he is still with us today!”

Attendees will enjoy waltzs, polkas, Scottishs, 40s music, as well as old and new country songs thanks to the Toe Tappers, and songs from the 50s through the 90s, both country and rock, thanks to Bandmates, Brothers and Friends.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

built now, and if they were only graveled what a transformation it would be! Debate continues!

AGO: Peter Johnson and Sons, Inc., have provided a modern Milwaukee “Fresh from the Well” air power water system for installation at the County Farm. The system delivers the water direct from the well to the faucet – which means that every drop of water used is absolutely fresh! No water is stored, and consequently no stagnant or dead water is used for any purpose. The Board of Supervisors approved the purchase last week.

…The Decorah High basketball squad has made a big record this past season, winning 15 games and only losing 4. It is a record to be proud of, and the boys have demonstrated they know how to play the game. Much credit goes to their efficient coach, R.P. Kelton.

…The news from Spillville comes from A.A. Novik, who was in town last Friday doing business and informed us that Spillville was going to start their preparations for another big Fourth of July celebration again this year!

…A motion picture film of the Iowa-Yale football game and the Iowa-Illinois game, both in 1922, were shown to the large audience at the high school auditorium last Friday evening. An enjoyable time was had by all.

…Times have changed! The four barber shops of Decorah are no longer open on Sunday mornings.

NINETY YEARS AGO: This is the biggest news in a long time in these parts. U.S. Highway 55, the modern paved road which has brought so much auto traffic to and through Decorah, will shortly have its number changed to U.S. 52. The length of the highway is to be greatly increased, extending from the Canadian border to the Atlantic coast.

…About 40 folks have agreed to join in the purchase of Silver Crest Golf Course, situated about a mile and a half northwest of Decorah on Highway No. 55.

…Easter dinner is served at the Commercial Hotel. Price: 15 cents for generous helpings of roast pork, roast beef, mashed potatoes, fancy shrimp and crackers. Real hamburgers, fried in butter, also will be available for 10 cents.

…Decorah’s Civilian Conservation Camp – CCC – is continuing for another six months. This is welcome news that the camp here will continue.

…The Winneshiek County Supervisors approved beer permits for Burr Oak and Frankville.

…Decorah School’s Superintendent Thomas R. Roberts has been re-elected to his position. His salary will be $3,240 per year – which is about the average salary paid to superintendents of Iowa school systems the size of Decorah.

…The impassable roads leading to Decorah from Harmony, Minn., forced two residents of that Minnesota town to take the train to Decorah, coming down via McGregor to Calmar, and then continuing on the rails to Decorah – making a trip of 160 miles for them. The trip was for them to have some dental work done. The actual miles from Harmony to Decorah are about 30. The more we hear about these awful road conditions, the more we wonder why people stand for it.

…Hotel Winneshiek’s Easter Sunday dinner is 50 cents this year. Cream of tomato soup, fruit cocktail, chilled juice, crip celery, garden radishes, prime ribs of beef, fried chicken, roast leg of lamb, breaded veal chops, creamed peas, snowflake potatoes, buttered cauliflower, princess salad and desserts galore!

Eva Schmitt, Gunnar Wadsworth and Wayde Whalen.

6th Grade Special Honor Roll: Gannon Ohrt. A Honor Roll: Tate Balik, Raelyn Massman, Avery Peters and Bennett Smith. B Honor Roll: Jolee Brummond, Joe Bullerman, Brayden Christoffer, Penn Fish, Keagan Franzen, Kinley Huinker, Brooke Jevne, Sullivan Nelson, Luke Oyloe, Blake Timp, Brady Timp and Ryder Uhlenhake.

7th Grade A Honor Roll: Kaylie Bruess, Natalie Burington, Hattie Conway, Payton Cox, Gabriel Creek, Caden Meyer, Evelynn Moonen, Derek Sabelka and Remington Wadsworth. B Honor Roll: Louis Andera, Landon Bullerman, Jenna Dahl, Addison Elsbernd, Jackson

Huinker, Linlee Huinker, Helen Maldonado, Asher Merrill, Kenzie Monroe, Evan Oyloe, Johnathan Phillips, Linkon Scholbrock, Tayla Teff, Hayden Tieskoetter, Parker Willoughby and Augie Wiltgen.

8th Grade Special Honor Roll: Hugh Conway. A Honor Roll: Camden Bullerman, Amira Frana, Maya Lensing, Brinley Linderbaum, Mackenzi Maxwell and Odessa Oyloe. B Honor Roll: Vanessa Bullerman, Levi Feickert, Alexis Johanningmeier, Rachel Johnson, Luke Kruckman, Brady Leibold-Doughan, Jena Peters, Brendon Riehle, Trevor Sbiral, Hayden Steffens, Iliana Thomas Uribe and Caden Tieskoetter.

POSITIVITY FOR THE EARTH AND ITS INHABITANTS

SATURDAY APRIL 20

1-3:30P

Dunnings Spring Decorah

1 p.m. Introduction & welcome Creating a safe space for the event’s positivity.

1:10 p.m. – CGO group prayer & meditation

Open your heart in preparation for using this collective energy to heal.

1:30 p.m. Earth Day Energy Healing

Group Reiki calling to

EXPERIENCE FROM AFAR, OR HEAL WITH EACH OTHER! Vendor/ connection space available!

Ask questions, network learn about the resources available and explore!

Questions? Call 563-382-4221