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www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 20
Construction begins on Stateline bike trail
May 20 presentation features historical U.S. Veteran essays
The Harmony Economic Development Authority (EDA) held a golden-shovel groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction extending the Harmony-Preston Valley state bike trail. The event was held May 3 in Harmony, Minn. The new Stateline Trail will extend from Harmony’s southern city limits to the Iowa state line, with a spur to Niagara Cave in Minnesota’s southern Fillmore County. Construction will continue throughout the rest of 2024 and is anticipated to be finished in 2025. The project has received nearly $6 million in federal, state and local funding — including $5.5 million from the State of Minnesota, $235,000 from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and $15,000 from the Harmony Area Community Foundation. This trail will connect Niagara Cave, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Fillmore County, with Har-
Pictured (l-r) are Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Director Ann Pierce, local volunteer Vicky Tribon, Harmony Mayor Steve Donney and landowner Larry Peterson at the groundbreaking ceremony May 3 for the new Harmony Stateline Trail in Harmony. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Kathy Simpson) mony’s entertainment and tourism district, and be the first interstate trail to connect the state of Minnesota and Iowa. When Iowa finishes its connection to the Stateline Trail, users will be able to ride to Iowa destinations such as Cresco and Decorah,
Retired history teacher shares World War II stories Robles named Spring By Roz Weis A former Decorah teacher has donated a treasure-trove of historical essays for future generations. For many years, the essays penned by former students after interviewing Driftless area veterans lay undisturbed in a box in Mary Jorgensen’s home. Included were unique stories from the World War II era. A love for history and sharing stories of the past propelled Jorgensen, who taught U.S. History at Decorah High School from 1980 to 2000, to donate sample essays to the Decorah Genealogy Association. Those well-designed writing assignments prompted students to think more deeply and thoroughly about a different time in history. Jorgensen’s goal was deepening the students’ understanding of another era. The interviews also helped students understand the importance of showing veterans the respect and appreciation they so greatly deserve. The unvarnished truths shared by those veterans guided students in a valuable lesson about sacrifice and service. Some of those experiences had never before been shared by those veterans until the students reached out for the interviews. “One student told me his grandfather took him up to the attic, opened a trunk and shared stories he had never before shared with his own family,” Jorgensen said. Each year, her classes were instructed to contact an area World War II veteran, set up a one-on-one interview and write an essay. Questions for the veterans ranged from what the food
was like to how it felt to be on the front lines during a battle. Year, after year, hundreds of essays were turned in by her students for credit in her class. From those thousands of typed and/or handwritten assignments collected over the years, she saved more than 100 of the very finest for historical purposes. “All of the essays were worth sharing of course,” she commented. The colorful, unique stories can now be viewed in the collection at the Genealogy Association office. Among the shared remembrances is an essay by Jake Nimrod of Decorah. He penned the essay back in February of 1996 when he was a student in Jorgensen’s 6th-hour American History class. He interviewed Spillville native Clarence Haug. Born in 1910, Haug graduated from Decorah High School. After graduating from the University of Iowa, he enrolled at West Point Academy. His military service took him to England where he worked on building air bases for heavy Allied bombers used against Germany. He was among those servicemen landing at Omaha Beach in the early hours on the day after the D-Day
and north to destinations such as Preston, Lanesboro, Rushford via Minnesota’s Bluffland Trails System. Eventually plans call for this trail network to connect through Chatfield, to the local and state trails in Rochester to the north and eastward
across the Mississippi to La Crosse, Wis. The existing trail, which connects to Lanesboro and the rest of the current Bluffland Trails system along the Root River, runs between Harmony and Preston and was completed in 1998.
Grove Syttende Mai Grand Marshals By Zach Jensen
Nineteenth century statesman Sir William Ewart Gladstone said, “Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals.” This year’s Spring Grove Syttende Mai Parade Grand Marshals, Alan and Judy Roble, live by those words. The couple, both born and raised in Spring Grove, Minn., took over the Roble Funeral Home in 1993, when they bought the business from Alan’s father. Alan is the funeral direc-
tor for the business, and Judy is the secretary and also assists with visitations and funeral services. “My dad works super hard to make sure the deceased loved ones are honored as best he can,” said the Robles’ daughter, Kirstin. Judy and Alan, both of Norwegian heritage, agreed they love their work and enjoy helping families through difficult parts of their lives. And they’re involved in their church and community because they like helping to ensure the “good and caring spirit” of Spring Grove continues to flourish. “From my experience with Alan and Judy, they are very
Alan and Judy Roble, owners of Roble Funeral Home, have been selected as the Grand Marshals in this year’s Syttende Mai parade Spring Grove. (submitted) thoughtful and kind people,” added Syttende Mai Parade Committee member Lisa Myhre. “When I have lost a loved one, they aren’t only there for them, they are also always making sure the family is doing well and all their wishes are met. “When they were asked to be the Parade Marshals they commented they aren’t used to
any attention they are always behind the scenes,” Myhre continued. “This is another reason I believe they are a good pick. They deserve recognition for all the special work they do in the last moments we all have with our loved ones and friends.” Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai Grand Parade begins at noon, Saturday, May 18, in downtown Spring Grove.
Veteran essays
continued on page 7 PICTURED ABOVE- Retired Decorah educator Mary Jorgensen, at right, and Midge Kjome from the Decorah Genealogy Association, share some of the World War II essays recently donated to the historical collection. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
NICC commencement celebrated
Nearly 20 Northeast Iowa Community College graduates from Allamakee County attended the school’s commencement ceremonies Thursday, May 9, at the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther College campus in Decorah. More photos from the event can be found in this week’s Public Opinion newspaper. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Zach Jensen)
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