US POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT #6
driftless
POSTAL CUSTOMER
www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, May 9, 2023 | Vol. 5 Issue 19
Containing our enthusiasm
A search for an empty nest abode By Denise Lana When my Iowa native husband Scott retired from his federal air traffic control job in 2020, we wanted to move from our then-homestead in northern Virginia back to his homeland, the revered ‘Land of Where the Tall Corn Grows.’ After whittling down our city choice from a short list of Iowa municipalities, we knew Decorah was where we wanted to raise our schoolage children and weave ourselves into the town’s eclectic population. Being of a certain age, he and I often joked that our forever house would be the house we would die in, so when it came time for us to buy our Decorah home, we knew we had one chance to get it right.
Iowa began allowing containers to be used as building structures in 2017, and according to containerhub.com, a shipping container home in Iowa can run between $15K and $50K. (submitted)
The house we chose was perfect for our family. We have two boys who are both autistic, and we chose the best dwelling tailored for their unique personalities and limitations. We chose a residence in ‘the flats’ with no heavy traffic, located blocks from downtown so they could travel anywhere in town by foot. Their basic needs could be met with minimum effort. But what about us, their aging parents? Before the move, we chose our house with the plan that we would transform a downstairs room into a ‘parent wing’ when the time came. Since moving in, the room we had designated for our later-life abode has turned into a catch-all family
Container homes
continued on page 4
A line of containers await their second season of usefulness near Waukon, as news writer Denise Lana pursues her dream of having an empty nest abode for her and her husband. Discover the ins and outs of container homes as an alternative storage and housing option (think tiny homes) in the Lanas’ quest for a cost-effective place to call their own near their current home in Decorah. The design options allow creativity to flow, bounded only by one’s budget and imagination. Included in this article is a dive into the city codes and ordinances that can affect where and when a person can utilize this option, and how many more containers – and change – is on the horizon. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Denise Lana)
Gabby Lou’s F Kitchen dishing out the vittles in Harmony
“We were very pleased with the success of Estelle’s and when the Harmony House came up for auction, we decided to buy it as an investment,” Matt explained. “It was January 2021, at the height of COVID, and no one was buying restaurants. It was just down the street from our business. We could use the building for extra storage and the kitchen for our catering business.” It didn’t take long before Matt and Heidi started brainstorming about what to do with their new acquisition. Heidi was contemplating a career change. She had worked for eight years as a special education instructor at Fillmore Central Schools. Heidi, the daughter of Jim and Polly Harstad, grew up in Harmony and recalled what a valuable asset the Harmony House was for
the community. The Browns decided to open a second eating venue; this one with a similar flavor of the old main street café. They spent nearly two years remodeling the building. The eight-foot suspended ceiling was removed, exposing a 14-foot high tin ceiling that was in remarkably good shape. “The tin ceiling was pretty yellow, from years of cigarette smoke,” Matt said, glancing upward. “It took a number of coats of paint to cover it, but it really did turn out nice.” The Browns really didn’t have a timeline, so they took their time and made improvements where needed. They did keep some of
Matt Brown is pictured in Gabby Lou’s Kitchen, a café in downtown Harmony, Minn., that recently opened for business. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Charlie Warner)
or decades, the Harmony House Restaurant was a very popular locale for great breakfasts and noon specials. The down-home café, located on the west side of Main Street Harmony, was where folks throughout the area congregated for great food and lively conversation. Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic and staffing issues spelled the demise of the Harmony House several years ago. Enter Heidi and Matt Brown. The Browns opened up Estelle’s Eatery and Bar in Harmony in 2015. This business venture proved to be quite successful. Area residents, as well as the throngs of tourists passing through the Driftless Area, helped make Estelle’s one of the top dinning destinations in southeast Minnesota.
The Annual Spring Grove Syttende Mai celebration always includes the Grand Parade, scheduled this year at noon, Saturday, May 20. Leading the parade are best friends and long-time Spring Grove volunteers, Peggy Landsom and Deb Lesnar. Sitting in Landsom’s kitchen with a fresh plate of lemon bars, Lesnar noted, “What a surprise to be asked.” Landsom added, “I was so honored to be asked. I’ve walked in the parade for over 13 years, but this is the first time I’ll be riding in it!” The pair often are found working in tandem on volunteer projects all along the spectrum to benefit Spring Grove’s community, churches and especially the youth. Landsom added,
‘yes’.” To that end, it only makes sense that the two are honored together this year for their dedication and tireless volunteering. Kismet and kids brought them together. “When we first moved to Spring Grove 35 years ago from St. Peter nearby, Peggy came over to introduce Best friends and long-time Spring Grove volunteers, Deb Lesnar and Peggy Landsom are being honored as 2023 Syttende Mai Parade Grand Marshals. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Kate Klimesh)
herself and asked if we had children the same age. Peggy was my welcoming committee, she just walked over through the yards. We’ve been friends and accomplices ever since.” Landsom noted, “Shortly after Deb moved in, my husband broke his back and he and Deb hung out together over that summer while he recuperated. And we’ve played lots of pranks between us,” “Oh yes,” added Lesnar. “Flamingos and toilets and goats,” Landsom recollected. “Really, anything you can think of,” Lesnar chimed in. “Valborg Clauson is my idol and my downfall,” Landsom recalled, “She was very active in the community, and was recognized at the Minnesota State fair in 2010 with the Outstand-
ing Senior Volunteer Award. When we first moved here, we had one child at that time, and Valborg told me, you get involved with everything you can with those kids, because when you’re old like me, you’ll have all those wonderful memories.” And both ladies have been making memories ever since. The pair has been involved in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts for 13 years, their respective churches; providing Youth religious training for many years and even painting, helping to grow the volunteer library into a sanctioned library through the Southeast Library Cooperating 11-county group — with paid
By Charlie Warner
Gabby Lou’s
continued on page 14
Spring Grove Syttende Mai Grand Marshals honored “Deb’s always been my wingman, and I’ve always been hers.” Lesnar laughed, “I’ll be surprised if they can tell us apart in the parade, people are always getting us mixed up.” Syttende Mai committee member Morgan Buckland stated, “Peggy Landsom and Deb Lesnar were chosen for this recognition by a committee who has noticed and appreciates all of their years of volunteerism for our little town!” The pair has done a lot together over the years, with both agreeing, “When people asked for help, we’ve just said
LOTS OF ITEMS
IN STOCK TODAY! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
Grand marshals
continued on page 3
Extreme
Value Collections! 1305 W Bremer Ave
3552 LaFayette Road
307 Hwy 150 North
319.352.4888
319.235.9621
563.412.1113
WAVERLY EVANSDALE WEST UNION Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Sun 12pm-5pm
Shop online!
NeighborhoodHome.com