August 1, 2024

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Vol. 159, Issue 31 www.decorahleader.com

Decorah, Iowa 52101 email: editor@decorahleader.com

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Emergency Management Coordinator:

‘It will never happen here’ mentality needs to stop Snyder says documentation key in preparation for flood relief

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Decorah natives David Kirkeby (left) and Kyle Elsbernd make up “Norwegian Bachelor Farmers”, which has performed at every Nordic Fest in the last 25 years. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

A musical tradition

Decorah natives come home each year to perform during Nordic Fest

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER The Norwegian Bachelor Farmers have been entertaining Nordic Festers for the last 25 years, and both members of the duet, Kyle Elsbernd and David Kirkeby, agree they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Playing at Nordic Fest was always a dream for me growing up,” said Kirkeby, a 1990 graduate of Decorah High School. “As an adult, when I would visit from Arizona, I longed to play at the fest. Now, 15 years later, I still get excited and look forward to performing each year. I am honored to be asked to do this, and we always pick up new fans every year.”

Elsbernd, a 1987 Decorah graduate, concurred with his fellow musician, adding that their style of music links festgoers to old Norway.

“Nordic Fest is always a highlight of our year,” he said. “We’ve performed it over 25 years and believe that we have a unique product in terms of entertainment and preserving a connection with Norwegian culture.”

Elsbernd and Kirkeby grew up with musical backgrounds and, in spite of their difference in age, both of them started playing guitar at about the same time in their lives.

“I was 10 years old when I started playing guitar,” Kirkeby said. “I received an electric guitar for Christmas that year and started learning chords right away. I was drawn to the guitar, because both my dad and brother played. It really did not become a passion for me until I started watching music videos. After that, I was hooked. I just love the sound and look of playing guitar — especially electric guitar. Over the years I have also played bass guitar, drums, keys and played sax and trombone in high school concert band.”

Elsbernd also received his first guitar as a gift from his mother and grandmother in 1980, but the music videos he watched were from a different time in music history.

“The first time I heard the acoustic guitar, I

Norwegian Bachelor Farmers continued on page 6

Heavy rains swamped multiple Iowa counties on June 21, heavily damaging communities in northwest Iowa and prompting President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster within the state of Iowa a few days later. The declaration released much-needed flood relief funding through the Federal Emergency Management Administration.

“Many people have the mentality of ‘it will never happen here,’ but Iowa ranks fourth in the nation for the most disasters,” Winneshiek County Emergency Management Coordinator Sean Snyder said.

“That’s huge. So, that ‘it will never happen here’ mentality has to change, because while it hasn’t happened yet, it will happen sometime, and we’d better be ready for it.”

Snyder indicated the federal flood relief which was made available to affected homeowners in northwest Iowa wasn’t enough — many had lost everything and could not afford to rebuild, prompting some to pack up what little they had and leave their community.

More than 1,000 homes were affected in Clay County alone, according to Snyder. He said about 40 percent of that county’s population — about 6,400 of the 16,000 residents reported by the most recent census data — left because they lost everything and couldn’t afford to rebuild. Snyder said such a loss would be catastrophic to some small county economies like

This Winneshiek County road, 360th Street, was damaged by flooding during the June 21 FEMA event. (Photo submitted) those in Winneshiek County.

“Personal mental health is suffering, and bankruptcies are expected to be astronomical,” Snyder said of northwest Iowa.

The problem isn’t the availability of relief funds but how much each homeowner can expect to receive to help them rebuild, according to Snyder. He said FEMA’s current Individual Assistance payout is $42,500 per household during such an event.

“For example — this is a true story — if you have a $600,000 home, and you’ve made one house payment, and it’s destroyed by a storm or flood, FEMA will send a check for $42,500, if you qualify,” Snyder said. “Without flood insurance, that house was a total loss, and that homeowner still owes the bank about $550,000. Now, you see why these are huge events.”

Snyder said flood waters take time to recede, and a thorough damage assessment cannot take

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place until it is safe to do so.

Iowa towns sustaining the most flooding after June 21 included Spencer, Sioux Rapids, Correctionville and Lake Park, according to FEMA’s website.

The assistance available during a FEMA event is split into two categories: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. Snyder said Individual Assistance is for property owners, while Public Assistance is designated for government entities and infrastructure.

Snyder said he’s currently assisting with four public assistance applications for FEMA disaster relief funding — Winneshiek County, Winneshiek County Conservation, Spillville and Decorah.

Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny reported the June 21 FEMA event ended

Emergency continued on page 7

Larson answers call during kulokk demonstration Supervisors discuss compensation board concerns and options

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER A new state policy dissolved all county compensation boards as of July 1 — State File 2442 was signed into law by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on May 1 and authorizes the state’s county boards of supervisors to determine whether they want to rely on a county compensation board or take compensation responsibilities upon themselves.

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors met Monday with longtime Winneshiek County Compensation Board member Jim Burns to discuss their options. Ultimately, rather than make an immediate decision during its meeting, the supervisors agreed to table decision on the issue until after September, allowing time for the board to confer with other northeast Iowa county supervisors.

Burns said the board, which is comprised of members from the area business community, meets once a year to consider compensation for county employees.

“The office holder has previously had a written presentation about what they’ve been doing and what they think is pertinent,” Burns said. “And, then they follow up with an oral presentation and any questions and answers. Following those presentations, the board meets and discusses what recommendations to make to (the board of supervisors).”

The compensation board is an advisory board only, and the supervisors are legally able to reject the compensation board’s recommendations — although that doesn’t typically happen.

“Winneshiek tends to operate

Supervisors

continued on page 6

The Norwegian practic of kulokk stands in stark contrast to the monosyllabic calls many Midwest farmers use to call in their herds from the fields.

Peggy Larson, who demonstrated the melodious method of cattle calling during this year’s Nordic Fest, said the use of elaborate songs to bring cows, goats and other animals down from the mountains dates back to the Middle Ages in Norway.

Teenage farm girls in Norway would take herds to higher mountain pastures for grazing in summer months, according to a piece Larson authored in 2017 for The Norwegian Ameriocan Magazine. “They had high voices that could be heard by animals up to 3 miles away,” Larson said. “Some of the songs had no words and were just melodies, but other songs called the animals out by their names.”

She said the girls would sometimes stay with the herds on the mountain for up to three months and make cheese and butter while tending the

Peggy Larson demonstrated kulokk — a traditional Norwegian method of calling in livestock using song. (Photo by Denise Lana)

herds. The kulokks were also sometimes sung to keep predators away, Larson said, as Norway’s mountains were teeming with wolves and bears and some feared folklore creatures such as trolls and huldra — trolls which lived under the grass in the mountainside and appeared as beautiful women to lure farmers to their doom.

“When it was time for the cattle to be milked and to rest for the evening, each girl used her own musical call to bring them in,” Larson said. “There were many girls around the mountaintops with their herds, and each herd knew the call of their own mistress.”

Larson, herself a globally accomplished jazz singer and voice teacher, studied kulokk in preparation for her master’s thesis and, in 2007, she traveled to Norway to immerse herself in the culture and research kulokk firsthand. When she arrived back in the states and found herself traveling in Wyoming, Larson decided she was going

Kulokk

continued on page 8

PHOTOS

2 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221BEAT THE

Heat & Humidity

2024 Nordic Fest draws crowds with culture and competition The streets of Decorah were once again aflutter with Scandinavian flags and festivities during the annual Nordic Fest celebration.

The 2024 festival began with its opening ceremonies the evening of July 25 outside the Winneshiek County Courthouse. Locals and visitors were able to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Nordic Fest through Saturday, July 27. In addition to its staple parade, the yearly celebration features a number of athletic competitions as well as numerous cultural activities showcasing the craftsmanship and culture from countries such as Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Sapmi — the term for the homelands of the nomadic Sami people of that region. This year’s Nordic Fest theme was “Uff Da!” — a Norwegian phrase, which is often translated as “Oh my goodness.” The exclamation is often heard among Decorah natives.

Uff da!

Dozens of participants tried to tame their tastebuds during this year’s lutefisk eating contest. The Scandinavian dish is made from cuts of codfish which have been soaked in lye until achieving a gelatinous state. Contest officials recommended entrants liberally apply butter before undertaking the challenge. Competitors were given a measured amount of the dish and were to place their bowl on their heads with their mouths open to prove they had downed the entire dish. While some were clearly seasoned lutefisk lovers, the task proved too much for others — at least two competitors set down their bowls and waved their hands in defeat, and the men’s division saw several entrants fail to return for subsequent competition brackets. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

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Roger Abrahamson turns an ale bowl inside the Vesterheim Commons. A number of crafting demonstrations were held in and around Decorah’s Vesterheim Museum during this year’s Nordic Fest. Artisans demonstrated skills like wood carving, metal smithing and fiber weaving as well as distinctly Scandinavian arts, such as rose maling — a decorative painting technique, and kolrosing — a method of created inlaid images on wood. (Photo by Roz Weis)

A crowd gathered in the shade near John Cline Elementary to watch Saturday’s Nordic Rock Throw. Entrants were divided into several weight classes to throw proportionally-sized stones as far as possible. Many competitors were able to fling their stone 20 to 30 feet from the line — some relying on the stone’s momentum to help roll it a few feet farther. (Photo by Seth Boyes) INSET- The sounding of a lur — a traditional Norwegian horn several feet in length — marked the beginning of last week’s opening ceremonies. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

The Nordic Dancers performed a number of traditional steps throughout the 2024 Nordic Fest — including the Oxen Dance, which features choreographed brawls between the male dancers. The local troupe holds auditions once every five years, and those who are selected for the group must commit to 10 years of festivities. The Nordic Dancers are currently divided into three groups — the Senior Dancers, the Junior Dancers and the Nordic Dancers Orchestra, which provides the music during the group’s live performances. The 2024 Nordic Fest was the first for those in the Junior Dancers group. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

The Skjaldborg Viking troupe demonstrated the effectiveness of various weapons and armor during demonstrations in their camp near Vesterheim Museum. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

The sidewalks along Water Street in downtown Decorah were packed with onlookers as this year’s Grand Parade made its way through the city Saturday.

(Photo by Seth Boyes)

Sylvie Evenson, daughter of Elliot and Kelsey Evenson of Decorah, is dressed in her Norwegian costume for the Fest. She is wearing her greatgreat-grandma Beulah’s vintage Solje pin. (Photo by Roz Weis)

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Rotary planning annual Trout Run Trail Motorized Tour Day Aug. 13

Freakish good fun Zombie Prom opens Aug. 8 New Minowa Players is excited to announce its 2024-2025 season, which starts in August with the Young People’s Production.

“Zombie Prom” written

by John Dempsey will be the young people’s production and will be directed by Libby Phillips and Jensen Korsness.

This girl-loves-ghoul rock ‘n’ roll off-Broadway musical is set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High, where the law is laid down by a zany, tyrannical principal. Pretty senior Toffee has fallen for the class bad boy. Family pressure forces her to end the romance, and he charges off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump. He returns glowing and determined to reclaim Toffee’s heart. He still wants to graduate, but most of all he wants to take Toffee to the prom. The principal orders him to drop dead while a scandal reporter seizes on him as the freak du jour. History comes to his rescue while a tuneful selection of original songs in the style of ‘50s hits keeps the action rocking across the stage.

Zombie Prom will be performed Aug. 8-11 at the New Minowa Players Theatre.

Phillips and Korsness described themselves as lovers of all things theater, saying they were confident directing a show was within their abilities.

“There was no shortage of creativity between the two of us, both having practically grown up on the stage,” the directors said in a joint statement. “There was no shortage of ideas with choreography, blocking, set and costume design — but, those are the fun parts of directing. With the fun came having to figure out how to schedule our one, very short and extremely valuable month of rehearsal around 13 people’s already packed full schedules.”

The directors said their cast and crew overcame difficulties, such as the late arrival of scripts as they prepared for dress rehearsals.

“Thankfully, our cast and crew blew us away with their ability

The Decorah Rotary Club is planning its annual Trout Run Trail Motorized Tour Day for Tuesday, Aug 13. The rain date for the ride will be Aug. 20. The ride provides the opportunity for anyone with physical limitations or the elderly the chance to experience the local trail loop while riding in a side-by-side machine. Previous participants are always welcome to join in the ride again.

Rotarians are offering four times for the tour — 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

— and will leave on time. A reservation is required, as the club has a limited number of seats. Participants are asked

to learn materials and adapt to whatever crazy roadblock ended up in our way during a particular week of rehearsal,” the directors said. “When we first read the synapsis and listened to the soundtrack of this show, we knew that this was an adventure we were more than willing to take on, and we thank the cast, crew and audience for being a part of the adventure with us.”

New Minowa Players announce upcoming season The second show of the season, the Children’s Show, features actors in first through eighth grade. “How the Camel Got Its Hump” is a onehour musical based on one of Kipling’s “Just So Stories.” The musical was written by Rick and Sheryl Scheffert, who will also serve as director and music director. In the beginning, when most animals began to work, the camel was idle and refused.

The dog, the horse, and the ox all told him he should join in the work, but the camel only answered, “Humph!” Auditions for “How the Camel Got Its Hump” will be Aug. 23. The show will be performed Oct. 24-27.

November brings the play “Twelve Angry Men” by Reginald Rose, directed by Alex Rosenow. A 19-year-old man has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. “He doesn’t stand a chance,” mutters the guard as the 12 jurors are taken into the bleak jury room. It looks like an open-andshut case — until one of the jurors begins opening the others’ eyes to the facts. “This is a remarkable thing about democracy,” says a foreign-born juror, “that we are notified by mail to come down to this place—and decide on the guilt or innocence of a person; of a man or woman we have not known before.”

“Twelve Angry Men” will be performed Nov. 7-10 at the New Minowa Players Theatre.

“Doctor Dolittle” by Leslie Bricuse will be the January show, directed by Sheryl

3

Quilters’ Guild to hold monthly meeting

Pictured are (from left to right) Lucas Hanson and Audrey Ruff. (Photo by Roz Weis) Scheffert. The musical tells the classic tale of a wacky but kind doctor who can talk to animals.

The show takes the audience on a journey from the small English village of Puddlebyon-the-Marsh to the far corners of the world. Doctor Dolittle is wrongly accused of murder and, once pronounced innocent, continues with his search for the Great Pink Sea Snail – the oldest and wisest of the creatures on earth. Doctor Dolittle will be performed Jan. 16-19 and 2425, 2025, at the New Minowa Players Theatre.

The Spring Show will be Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by David Mendez. A group of four Athenians run away to the forest only to have Puck the fairy make both of the boys fall in love with the same girl. The four run through the forest pursuing each other while Puck helps his master play a trick on the fairy queen. In the end, Puck reverses the magic, and the two couples reconcile and marry. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed at the New Minowa Players Theatre April 10-13, 2025.

The 2025 Summer Musical will be Gilbert and Sullivan’s

to reserve their spot by calling Bill Courtney at 515-802-7877 or by emailing wrcourtney43@ gmail.com. A suggested donation of $20 per rider will be accepted and greatly appreciated.

The Decorah Rotary Club will provide coffee and rolls in the morning, or lunch for the later sessions.

The ride will begin at the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery, located at 2321 Siewers Spring Rd. in Decorah. Participants — particularly groups which want to ride together — are asked to arrive early for their ride to have time to enjoy a refreshment and claim a seat on the side-by-side.

The Northeast Iowa Quilters’ Guild will meet at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 for its monthly meeting. The meeting will be held at the Robey Memorial Library — 401 1st Ave. Northwest in Waukon.

Local quilter Diane Lovstuen was born on the Fourth of July and has collected many red, white and blue quilts over the years, and she will present a trunk of the quilts that she has made herself. Diane began sewing with her mother as her teacher when she joined 4-H at the age of 10. She and her mother made the majority of her clothing, including prom dresses and her wedding dress, until several years after she began teaching in the Decorah Community Schools. She even took a lingerie class at the fabric

“The Pirates of Penzance,” directed by Sheryl Scheffert.

Frederic, in his youth, was accidentally indentured to a band of pirates. Now celebrating his 21st birthday, he feels ready to leave piracy forever and find a suitable wife. He soon learns, however, that he was born on Feb. 29, and since his indenture specifies that he remain a pirate until his “21st birthday,” he must serve for another 63 years. Performances of “The Pirates of Penzance” will be performed June 23-26, 2025, at the Decorah High School Auditorium.

Tickets for all performances are available at newminowaplayers.org/tickets.

shop in Waukon while she was in high school.

Her first experiences with quilting were helping her mother-in-law with quilts made from old clothing. A cardboard template and a scissors cut the blocks. She also made a simple appliqué quilt from fabric scraps.Everything changed at the end of 2006. She and her friend Jan Tilleraas spent a weekend making appliqué Christmas towels, and she was hooked on working with fabrics again.

The meeting can also be viewed virtually via zoom, and the link will be sent out to members closer to the meeting date.

For more information, please check out the NEIQG home page at www.neiqg.com.

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Vol. 159, Issue 29 www.decorahleader.com

Decorah, Iowa 52101 der.com

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Nordic Fest officials honor pair for community roles Decorah’s It takes a village to put on year, and annual Nordic Fest each two members of that proverbial at village are being honored all this year’s celebration of things Scandinavian July 25-27.

Holtan Grouws selected as Skal recipient Skål The 2024 Nordic Fest Grouws of Recipient is Jeni Holtan the Fest Skål Decorah. Organizers said demonstrator individuals who have Recipient is an individual support of the yearly celebration. ed exceptional and continuing has contributed to the spirit and Since 2009, Holtan Grouws a Nordic integral roles – serving as sound of Nordic Fest through Nordic Fest board member for a Dancer director for 10 years, different bands musician — with three years. six-plus years, and as a lineup each of the last 14 — in the festival’s entertainment Nordic Fest in 1996, with Holtan Grouws first experienced sure to see from her parents to make enthusiastic encouragement being unique group that was noted for the Nordic Dancers — a Impressed offerings and traditions. compared to other festivals’ saying yes honoree later found herself from the start, this year’s director, following her daughter to becoming a Nordic Dancers the group. Her daughter Lillian to join Ella’s successful audition of the Nordic Dancer orchestra. Holtan member a as joined also been a part of that group,” “I’m very proud to have and people Dancers really are special, Grouws said. “The Nordic

Fest honorees

continued on page 6

Jeni Holtan Grouws

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Youth learn life skills during 2024 county fair

cared for through the barns as they side by side with adults Seth Boyes) Young fair exhibitors walked County Fair. (Photo by animals at the 2024 Winnesheik

their

County 4-H the said Winneshiek program specialist with Ashley HorState Youth Coordinator Winneshiek County Iowa be just helping Out- gen. “That could University Extension and show or even just Winneshiek somebody the reach office, said to the fair and experiLooping tire tracks in to a dozen 4-H coming lin- County is home the animals.” grass are one of the few children in kin- encing year’s clubs — serving Horgen said the annual coun12th grade gering evidence of this The dergarten through is an opportunity for the Winneshiek County Fair. several chapters ty fair orga- — as well as young students to showcase Amerof fair ended Saturday, but Farmers they’ve poured young of the Future in the local projects which nizers say the lessons of the during ica who participate work into for a majority fair participants learned year. likely county fair each exhibitors the week-long event will some “We have look Youth last them a lifetime as they necessarily live on 4-H of their that don’t to extoward the next chapter continued on page 3 a farm, but they still get lives. perience showing livestock,” Kendra Crooks, 4-H youth

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Paul Scott

request hosts public hearing on Winneshiek County P&Z ter near Ridgeway where it would for construction of biodiges Agency – the facilities are also posed digester, and stirred to produce

RNG, LLC, a Michigan-based sometimes called anaerobic be heated of 55 percent comparenewable natural gas or anaerobic biogas consistingpercent carbon ap- digestion systems methane and 45 ny, submitted the rezoning biogas would to construct digesters.

Wil- dioxide. That be plication and hopes Novilla co-CEOs Jared owned Rural Ridgeway may soon be transported into the biothe new facility on land Mark Hill said the then plant via a memthe home of a new biodigester by Craig Bohr and Deb Storlie, liams and the compa- gas upgrading of 275th proposed facility, would pro- brane, which separates the gasfacility. held near the intersection ny’s second in Iowa, is then injected 9.

A public hearing was million es. Natural gas Street and Iowa Highway duce approximately 1.5 leaving behind during a July 9 Winneshiek A biodigester contains micro- gallons of renewable natural into a pipeline, the industry Zoning break down County Planning and what’s known in listen organisms which per year.

Commission meeting to oxygen-free envi- gas local Biodigester about manure in an All manure from two renewable to the public’s concerns producing be transportfor ronment, continued on page 7 to the dairy herds would rezoning a piece of property into the proone natural gas, according purpose of constructing Protection ed via pipeline (Sub- the Novilla U.S. Environmental facility in West Branch. biodigesting facility. is a Novilla biodigester

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

Pictured mitted)

om removal g rip-rap apers.c in orderin ecorah errednewsp - www.d county

claim online calm mayus SettlementVisit

the Peel began discussions with typically placed to curaround “made it nearly stones board of supervisors her Der Maaten neshiek County regular traffic, tail erosion — as well as othsame time Fitch lodged im- torney Andrew Van for along a portion of the alleging the board acted a settlement impossible Peel asked that vehicles, to er materials late to proceed with seeking complains, and Der Maat- including delivery properly by instructing him vacating a the rural road without he offer in the case. Van private drive and resdo so. the county consider last year to remove materials that the details enter his the proper permits to Street — poright en said Monday prior to the summer to say portion of 360th had placed in the county settlement ar- idence” Peel’s petition went on making a portion of County officials are moving of way along a portion of 360th of the potential he hopes the of 2023. His petition argued property owner tentially settleen’t available, but installation of an adjacent Fitch submitted a 360th Street a private road. forward with a possible within a the unpermitted Street. was named Mary Peel’s petition questioned attor- matter will be resolved ment in a legal case stemming erosion control measures county in the The county’s defense of weeks. to day complaint to the from the unpermitted installa- ney denied a number of Peel’s matter “necessary for the day regarding “the work a resi- summer of 2023 road for required a is that Unpermitted tion of erosion control measures allegations against the board limited use alleged obstruction” road this year, and A rocky along a rural road. dence.” access to nearcontinued on page 6 filed in a filing earlier filing tenant farmer’s Peel alleged in his December voted notes Homeowner Jeffrey Peel The landowner’s own the board of supervisors by farmland. The petition the condition of he placed riprap — large a petition against the Winnesh- unanimously last week to au- petition that in northern Win- states iek County Board of Supervi- thorize Winnesheik County At- 360th Street 2023, sors in mid-December of

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

subscription ‘Drive harder’: Decorah’s

Hovden breaks 176 career

So, thought National Championships. his car on a trailer, I of them, their it,’” between the both ‘That kid will never make garage is filled father, two-stall racing said Les Hovden, Dan’s tires and spare Auto Parts not just with trophies and has who owns the NAPA “But, he’s parts but countless checks.

Decorah’s Dan Hovden and store in Decorah. over-sized winners’ been racing for 16 years, just on done alright.”

“The last few years, I’ve startthe 31-year-old is already The younger Hovden trophies to kids first na2008, been giving my his way to winning his ed racing hobby stock in down in the pit after tional title this year. Hovden and in 2013, he switched to that come Hovden said. “They July event races,” the main B-Mod the won more. I gave USRA B-Mods. out enjoy them a lot 9, during the Summit “My dad used to help event night’s trophy to JackHalverson in Tuesday Weekly Racing Series in Todd and Scott at the Winneshiek Raceway home, and that son Roney.” just his our garage at While many racers are Decorah. The race marked into it,” he said. three got my brother did, 175th career win, and “And, whatever my brother 176th his Hovden earned days later, he I wanted to do too.” win when he took the checkered continued on page 3 Hovden said his brother eight USRA flag in West Union. load Mitch has won “The first time he went to

wins

BY ZACH JENSEN STAFF WRITER

AnniWicklund, Fair Queen County Fair Princess Addison Dan had earned and Les Hovden after Left to right are 2024 Winneshiek (Submitted) Jade Hovden, Josh Hageman Raceway in Decorah. ka Schmelzer, Dan and night of July 9 at the Winneshiek th his 175 career win the

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“Zombie Prom” cast pictured are (from left to right) Lucas Hanson, Nessa Kane, Audrey Ruff, Taylor Vick, Mikayla Hiner, Lorenzo Fernandez, Caleb Johnson and Eva Stadtlander. Cast not pictured are includes- Gwen Thompson, Ezra Vorvik, Jillian Volz, and Oliver Brummel, Gabe Hiner and Julia Severtson. (Photo by Roz Weis)

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Correction An article titled “Winneshiek County P&Z hosts public hearing on request for construction of biodigester near Ridgeway,” which appeared in the July 18 edition of the Decorah Leader, should have reported that the proposed biodigester near Ridgeway would have a 3-foot cement foundation, rather than a 3-inch foundation. The figure was reported correctly as part of an update on the subject, which was published in the July 25 edition. The Decorah Leader apologizes for the error.

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OPINION

4 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Uff da, indeed

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR There’s possibly no better way to get up to speed on Decorah than covering the county fair and Nordic Fest before one has even logged a full month on the job.

I don’t recall how many of you folks approached me over the weekend and asked if 2024 was my first Nordic Fest — and it’s not by the by, I made sure to keep a hold of my 2014 button as we packed up our things to move here. But covering Nordic Fest is an entirely different beast than simply attending it.

And I loved it — no big surprise.

I loved listening to the community chat among itself ahead of the staple events — and I had to stifle a laugh when I heard someone jokingly blame the morning’s delay on the Swedes.

I loved hearing the commentary over the loudspeaker during the lutefisk eating contest. I loved watching (and photographing) the Nordic Dancers as they performed, especially the Oxen Dance — though I regret that I just barely failed to keep a wonderful tableau from that simulated skirmish fully in my camera’s frame.

Fact of the matter is, every

BY SETH BOYES News Editor

step one takes during these sorts of community events is an opportunity to capture a moment in history — most of them fun, some of them serious, but all of them meaningful to someone out there. We here at the paper can’t be everywhere at once of course — as a pressman long past once said, any editor is made of but common clay — yet, we must persist in capturing as much as we can. And it’s that tireless pursuit which paradoxically fuels us week after week.

So, it was probably that same mindset which gave my legs the energy to sprint along the banks of the Upper Iowa River — camera bag, notebooks and all — Friday, after realizing I’d posted up at the wrong spot — I know, you live and you learn.

And I do believe I uttered the phrase “Uff da” at some point during that ordeal.

Not for the first time mind

you — not even nearly. I’m pretty sure I’ve been using it since my early teens…not sure how I first got introduced to it.

But, now that I can call Decorah my home, I don’t feel quite so out of place each time I puff up my cheeks and let those words fall out like a sigh. And I might not have said it while walking (and at times running) around capturing as much of the festivities as I could — if my estimates are correct, I left almost 5-miles worth of footprints across the community this past weekend.

Uff da, indeed.

We’ve all seen plenty of variations on uff da — the lookingdown-at-your-feet-in-disgust uff da, the hands-on-hips-andeyes-to-the-sky-in-frustration uff da, the slowly-slumpingdown-in-a-recliner-withchin-to-chest uff da. But after running all over Nordic Fest capturing moments, expressions, achievements and defeats (hey, no shame, not everyone can stomach three bowls of freshly prepared lutefisk), I think I many need to add another permutation to my repertoire — a more nuanced one.

The standing-triumphantwith-an-exhausted-smile-aftera-job-well-done uff da.

It’s the kind of uff da you ut-

ter after the growing cheers of encouragement from the crowd help the last competitor wolf down his last bowl of lutefisk, just so he could say he finished the challenge (I’m sorry, that’ll be my last lutefisk reference, it was just such a spectacle to see). It’s the kind of uff da I’m sure all of this year’s organizers belted out from time to time in the mid-day heat, knowing what Nordic Fest means to people

Some criticism of changes to state CBD laws I want to send a big thank you to our fearless leader and her rubber stamp legislators! They revealed some infinite wisdom with the CBD law.

I just ran out of my CBD gummies that I use to numb my neuropathic pain. Creams are almost worthless. Without CBD gummies, my sleep is sporadic and painful. Try going without sleep for days.

The store in Decorah had no gummies. They are now outlawed. The cashier said he has five or six people a day ask for the CBD gummies.

The state of Iowa does not sell gummies. They sell creams,

but you need a $100-a-year license, and you drive two or three hours to get there.

That leaves a huge question.

Were the legislators, in their infinite wisdom, power drunk when they decided CBD gummies needed to be outlawed?

Hopefully they will receive enough feedback to reverse the law.

Until then, I will drive out of state to get my CBD gummies so I can sleep. I could be petty and wish my pain on them, like they did to me, but I won’t.

Dave Ameling Ossian

across the globe. It’s the kind of uff da that becomes more than an expression of exasperation — it embodies a communal sense of pride.

In short, a success.

And I’d say it’s safe to call the 2024 Nordic Fest a success.

I witnessed it — trust me, I’ve got 2,029 photos to prove it.

It was surely hard work to put it together. It was surely hard work to participate. Heck, it

Winneshiek County sees improvements Good things are happening in Winneshiek County.

Ossian and Castalia and Spillville and Ridgeway are getting much needed sewer improvements.

Fort Atkinson is getting improved wells.

Childcare providers are getting help with expanding much needed services.

Our farm to market roads are getting repaired.

In our county alone there has been more than $33 million invested in 31 infrastructure projects. Over $14 billion has been invested in 3,649 projects all over Iowa. The money comes

Things have changed, but you can’t blame the farmer

I’m an 86-year-old former farm boy, and I’d like to take you on a little history trip. After high school, I served in the United States Military, and I cam home to the family farm to farm with my dad and brother. When we tilled the soil, the birds would fallow behind and eat the exposed earth worms

(there were thousands of worms).

You will not see that today, because a fertilizer called anhydrous ammonia was put on the market.

It was great. Corn yields increased. It killed the pocket gophers, so no more gopher mounds, but it also killed ev-

was hard work to find a spot of shade and watch other people do the hard work.

And it was all worth it.

Agree with Seth? Think he’s got it completely backwards or he’s missed the point entirely?

Let your voice be heard. Letters to the editor may be emailed to editor@decorahleader.com or dropped off at 110 Washington St. Suite 4 in Decorah.

from the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 American Rescue Plan - all legislation that our current representative Ashley Hinson voted against but then claimed credit for. Our tax dollars should come home to work for us rather than going to tax cuts for billionaires.

Go to iowaatwork.com to learn about these projects that are improving the lives of the people of Winneshiek County.

Birgitta Meade Canoe Township

ery living thing in the soil, so the soil no longer let rain soak into the soil, so the rain ran into the ditches and streams (these living animals and microorganisms were not making channels anymore).

Now we come to subsoil compaction, with these huge tractors and equipment that has

compacted the subsoil farmers have been tilling (drainage pipes), so more water goes into ditches and streams, which leads to flooding. I don’t blame the farmers. They are trying to make a living.

both of Decorah, were recently named to the spring semester honors list at Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn.

Megan Hageman of Fort Atkinson was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2024 semester at Clarke University in Dubuque.

Area students graduating recently from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls include: Harley Baumler of Fort Atkinson, an agriculture major; and Melia Kruse of Ridgeway, majoring in agriculture/ animal science.

The spring semester dean’s list at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., listed the following area honorees: Mara Holland and Hogan Smith, both of Decorah.

Area students receiving degrees from the University of Iowa in May include: Jessica Bahr of Decorah, BA in health studies; Asher Fahey of Waukon, BA in criminology, law and justice; Galen Iverson of Decorah, BA in environmental sciences; Angel Pena-Rodriguez of Decorah, BA in psychology; Tucker Young of Decorah BA in health studies; Ryan Lechtenberg of Ossian, bachelor’s of business administration (BBA) in marketing; Andrew Magner of Decorah, BBA in business analytics and information systems; Dominic Reilly of Dec-

orah, BBA in accounting; Emma Cotant of Cresco, BS in radiation sciences; Katharine Joslyn of Cresco, BS in neuroscience; Libby Labosky of Iowa City, BS in public health; Ian Ryan of Decorah, BS in psychology; Kaitlyn Schnitzler of Decorah, BS in biomedical engineering; Mia French of Calmar, bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), nursing-RN; Elyse Kerian of Cresco, Doctor of Medicine; Jacob Roher of Calmar, Doctor of Pharmacy; Breanna Greteman of Cresco, Doctor of Philosophy in epidemiology; Leah Bossom of Waukon, Master of Arts in teaching and learning; Katie Schnur of Ridgeway, Master of Business Administration in professional MBA program; Nick Lembezeder of Decorah, Master of Public Health.

President’s list and dean’s list honors for the 2024 spring semester at the University of Iowa were awarded to these area students: Betsy Anderson, a nursing major from Waukon; Casey Brickley, an engineering interest major from Decorah; Emma Cotant of Cresco, radiation sciences major; Marisa Mueterthies of Waucoma, a nursing major; Angel Pena-Rodriguez, a psychology major from Decorah; Rachel Steffen, an art major from Cresco.

Stan Fuchs Decorah

Academic Achievements The following area students are graduates of Winona State University for spring semester 2024: Theresa Elsbernd, Decorah, graduate certificate family nurse practitioner; Kassander Getter, Fort Atkinson, bachelor of social work;

Peyton Klimesh, Mabel, Minn., bachelor of arts in communication studies and English.

Kendric Langreck, representing Winneshiek County, was one of 10 high school youth participating in the agriscience track ses-

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sions at the national Ignite by 4-H Summit – developing action plans, sharing ideas and connecting with peers from other states. The youth engaged in topics ranging from carbon farming, biofuels and food science to pollinators, biotechnology and pizza making. David Jensen of Decorah graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Science with a bachelor of science in computer sciences.

Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., recently announced the names of students on the 2023-24 dean’s list. Local honoree is Sarah Pedlar of Decorah.

Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., has named Michael Njus, a history major from Decorah, to the spring semester dean’s list.

Luther College recently announced the May 2024 graduates from Decorah, including: Shayla Betts, with a major in global health; Patrick Bockman, psychology (cum laude), Owen Bruening, biology; Austin Efflandt, physics and music; Thomas Hadley, communication studies (cum laude); Beau Hawley-Bourcier, visual communication; Blake William Henriquez, accounting; Ava Holland, health promotion (summa cum laude); Aidan Hunter, management; Ruby Langholz, visual communication;

Liliana McGohan, music education (magna cum laude); Braydon Saltou, neuroscience (summa cum laude); Margaret Sessions, global health and social work (magna cum laude); Ren Shedinger, visual communicaton (cum laude); Lillian Smith, classics (magna cum laude); Kaj Spencer Berg, theatre; Alexis Svestka, nursing; Nia Whitsitt, identity studies.

Several area students were recently named to the dean’s list at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Local honorees, their areas of study (if listed) and their parents include: Margaret Gaspers, kinesiology, Matthew Gaspers and Julie Frossmo; Karen Henriquez Fajardo, Latin American studies, Spanish, race and ethnic studies, Jovy Henriquez and Rosa FaJardo de Henriquez; Jake Magner, David Magner and Sarah Zbornik; Grace Neal, Todd and Emily Neal; and Sylvia Sandhorst, Jon Jensen and Rachel Sandhorst.

Logan Hageman of Calmar was among the Marshalltown Area Community College graduates for the spring 2024 term, earning a diploma in the utility technician program and a certificate in powerline advanced skills training and powerline basics.

Julia Alberts and David Olson,

COMMUNITY

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

5

Luther College, Decorah tative of what Luther does best.”

This year, Luther hosted the Parks and Rec to host rope Dorian Choral Retreat, which was open to all adults and drew course challenge

Dorian Summer Music Camps see strong attendance Luther College’s Dorian Summer Music Camps hosted more than 600 middle and high school students during the month of June. These campers took part in a variety of music and other programs during their time on Luther’s campus.

Campers came from across the country, representing a total of 18 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

“Dorian Summer Music Camps continue to exist 60 years since its inception because of the high standards for musical excellence and community building that the teaching faculty and counseling staff work to create,” said Mark Potvin, Dorian camp director, who also serves as professor of music and conductor of the Cathedral Choir and Norskkor at Luther. “I think these camps are special because the sense of belonging campers experience is almost immediate. That increases their engagement, which catapults their growth as musicians, artists, scholars and human beings.”

Dorian programming — with a rich history and robust series of festivals and camps — is unique to Luther. Summer camps are open to all families, and scholarship opportunities are available. Festivals for high school music students include the Dorian Band Festi-

Luther College’s Dorian Summer Music Camp. (Photo submitted) val, Dorian Choral Invitational Festival, Dorian Keyboard Festival, Dorian Orchestra Festival and Dorian Vocal Festival, where participants are nominated by their school music teacher or private teacher.

Students have the opportunity to practice and perform in band, orchestra and vocal ensembles during their week at Dorian, as well as try other activities like painting or building a rocket to launch on campus.

“I would describe Dorian as a well-rounded camp experience. There’s something for everybody,” said counselor Lily Smith, who graduated from Luther in May. “We have art class, dance class and obviously music classes as well, but yet, we play volleyball, we take them on hikes and walks downtown — it’s just for everyone.”

Zachary Agustin, who attended the high school camp for the

second year and will begin his first semester at Luther in the fall, described Dorian Music Camp as exciting.

“I keep coming back because of the friendships that I make, and the music that happens in one week is just absolutely stunning,” he said. “I have not found it anywhere else. Everybody around you wants to be here.”

Next year, the Dorian middle school camp will be held from June 15–21 and the high school camp will be held from June 22–28.

“It’s such a privilege to work alongside current Luther students, colleagues and alumni to help provide this type of experience for middle school and high school students from around the country,” Potvin said. “Dorian camps are a hallmark of Luther College, a critical recruiting arm for the institution, and represen-

Community briefs Mejia to hold author event at Pulpit Rock Brewery

The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation invites the public to a book reading by author Mindy Mejia, followed by a Q&A session and book signing at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 7 in the Pulpit Rock Brewery events room.

Mejia recently published her latest novel, “A World of Hurt” which is the second book in her Iowa Mystery Series. Mejia is a CPA and a graduate of the Hamline University’s MFA program. She lives in the Twin Cities with her family and is the author of “Strike Me Down,” “Everything You Want Me to Be,” “Leave No Trace,” and “To Catch a Storm.”

This event is part of Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s author event series, which brings writers of all genres to northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing.

Veterans invited to Aug. 10 Appreciation Summit in rural Decorah

Area veterans and their families are invited to the Veterans and Families Appreciation Summit, which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Aaron and Michelle Kruse farm — 1957 Meadowlark Rd. in rural Decorah.

During the event, Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Director Faith Hlubek will speak from 10-10:15 a.m. Michelle McLain-Kruse will present information on equine-assisted activities from 10:15-11 a.m., and from 11-11:30 a.m. Margaret Walter will share how the Vietnam War affected her family. A free lunch will be offered at 11:30 a.m. For information, call 563-419-8318.

Hunter education class offered at Calmar Fire Station

Winneshiek County Conservation will host a two-day hunter education class from 1-5 p.m.

Aug. 6 and 7 at the Calmar Fire Station. The program is free, and all materials are provided.

Iowa law requires that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972, be cer-

tified in hunter education before they are eligible to purchase an Iowa hunting license. Participants must be at least 12 years old and attend both days in full to receive certification. To register and for more information visit www.winneshiekwild. com.

Leaf-casting workshop to be held at Lake Meyer

Leaf casting, a process which uses a real leaf to make a concrete mold, will be the focus of two workshops being offered

by Winneshiek County Conservation at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 14 at the Lake Meyer Campground shop. On Aug. 7, participants will prepare and pour their castings, while the Aug. 14 workshop will include a revealing of the castings and painting or sealing them to take home for outdoor use. Participants must attend both sessions. This program is for ages eight and older, and youth between the age eight and 15 must attend with an adult.

Materials are limited and registration is required. There is a materials fee of $20 to create a leaf cast as part of this workshop. Payment must be made at the first session. Call Winneshiek County Conservation at 563-534-7145 to register and for more information. Participants are advised to dress in clothing which can get dirty.

Winneshiek County Conservation to host adult fly-fishing workshop

Pair of blood drives to be held next week

LifeServe Blood Center will be holding a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. LifeServe will host another blood drive from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 200 North East St. in Calmar.

Appointments for either drive can be scheduled online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800-287-4903.

Organizers said the need for blood rises during the summer, but the number of blood donations seems to decline, creating what they called a scary situation for the community blood supply. All blood donors are being urged to donate as soon as possible. Someone requires a blood transfusion every two seconds.

Friends of Fort Atkinson announce Rendezvous Days 5k run/walk

Friends of Fort Atkinson has announced this year’s Fort Atkinson Rendezvous Days 5k run/ walk will be held rain or shine at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the park shelter at the Fort Atkinson community Center Park. Pre-registration is available online until Sept. 20 at www.fortatkinsoniowarendezvous.com. All 5k participants will receive a post-race snack, and finishing times and places will be available.

Grief support group to meet at Veterans County Memorial Hospital

The Winneshiek Conservation Board will hold a fly-tying/fly-fishing workshop for adults at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at Walden Pond, which is located at 1432 130th Ave. in Castalia. The event will start with fly tying in the enclosed shelter at the pond. Participants will learn to tie a fly pattern and practice fly casting with fly rods. The program will finish up with fly fishing in Walden Pond.

Fly-tying vises, materials and fly rods will be provided. The program is free and limited to 10 participants. Registration is required by calling Winneshiek County Conservation at 563534-7145.

Veteran Memorial Hospital’s Grief Support Group will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 in the Meditation Healing Center in Veterans Memorial Hospital.

The informal meeting is open to anyone suffering from any type of loss whether it be death, divorce, illness or some other grief. Attendees are encouraged to bring a friend if they need.

Decorah Friends to remember Hiroshima while folding paper cranes

The public is invited to join the Decorah Friends Meeting during Decorah’s National

more than 100 attendees. Choral music lovers, including Luther alumni, came to the retreat.

Andrew Last, associate professor music, director of choral activities and director of Nordic Choir, led the choral retreat.

Karin Brunk, who attended the retreat for the first time in June, said the retreat looked interesting and decided to give it a try. She hopes to attend in the future.

“The Dorian Choral Retreat experience was exceptional beyond my expectations,” said Karin Brunk, who attended the June retreat for the first time this year and plans to return in the future.

“Dr. Last was phenomenal. He had the ability to adapt to multiple learning styles to get the best out of everyone. I have nothing but the best to say about all of the staff, musicians and Dr. Last. The staff’s adaptability, friendliness, kindness and professionalism was way above par.”

Dorian began in 1949 when Luther Professor Weston Noble invited regional school music directors to bring selected band students to campus for a twoday honor band festival. A vocal festival was added in 1950, and the family of Dorian festivals and camps has grown in scope and participation ever since.

More than 90,000 students have shared in a Dorian musical experience since the first festival was held.

Night Out celebration from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Phelps Park in shelter number four near the park’s fountain. The group plans to share thoughts on building peace and a world without war while folding paper cranes. Participants may keep the cranes they fold.

County VA announces flag winner

The Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Office recently thanked visitors who stopped by the VA’s booth during this year’s Winneshiek County Fair.

This year’s flag winner was Mark Balik, who received a flag flown over the US Capitol in Washington D.C.

Get-2-Gether Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation host Aug. 16 event

Decorah’s Get-2-Gether Committee and Decorah Parks and Recreation invite adults with special needs to an event from 5:45-7:45 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16 at Whalen Cabin in Decorah. Yard games, bingo, dancing and music will be offered. Mabe’s pizza, Culver’s ice cream and beverages will be provided. Participants must register online by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14, at get2g.com or by calling the Decorah Parks and Recreation Office at 563382-4158.

The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Luther College to offer a challenging opportunity Aug. 14-16 on the Luther College ropes course.

The two-hour challenge course programs provided by Luther offer an adventurous experience in a safe and dynamic learning atmosphere. Groups and individuals work together through challenges which promote and complement healthy lifestyles. Attendees of the challenge course program actively participate and reflect on issues associated with diversity, leadership, team building, communication, problem solving, socialization, cooperation, self-confidence, integrity, fitness and recreational enjoyment.

Luther staff will work with groups to provide a comprehensive experience designed to be fun, active and reflective. All

staff facilitating groups are certified practitioners, ensuring a safe, well-run program which meets Association of Challenge Course Technology industry standards.

Luther College requires a signed waiver/liability form which must be completed and turned in the day of the event. Participation will not be allowed without a completed form.

The course is located next to the soccer field just east of Lindeman Pond. The challenge course is a short walking distance from the Regents Center parking lot. All groups will meet at the scheduled time on the challenge course site. The Challenge Course rain-date will be based on course availability.

Registration is available starting Monday July 29, and registrations are due by 11:59 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13. For more information, visit decorahparkrec.activityreg.com/ selectactivity_t2.wcs

NRF recognizes Courtney as ‘America’s Retail Champion’ Kelli Courtney, owner of Margaret’s Boutique, recently announced she has been named a 2024 America’s Retail Champion by the National Retail Federation. Now in its seventh Kelli Courtney year, the program honors small retailers from across the country who speak out on public policy debates affecting the retail industry at the national, state and local levels.

“I am honored to be selected by the National Retail Federation as a 2024 America’s Retail Champion,” Courtney said. “I’m looking forward to representing small businesses in Iowa when meeting with congressional senators and representatives next week in Washington, D.C.” Courtney, a Luther College graduate, purchased Margaret’s Boutique in 2016. During her time at Luther, Courtney worked part-time at Margaret’s and came back 24 years later to purchase the business and make Decorah her home with her family. Margaret’s is an established small business in Decorah and offers fashionable ladies clothing, shoes, jewelry

and handbags. Margaret’s was founded in 1979 by its previous owner, Margaret Walter. The local business will celebrate 45 years in business in Decorah this fall.

Retailers were nominated by state retail associations and their peers based on engagement in public policy discussions. Forty-four retailers from 27 different states were selected as champions for the program, and five were named as finalists. One small retailer was named the 2024 America’s Retail Champion during NRF’s 2024 Retail Advocates Summit on July 25 in Washington, D.C. Courtney was the only retailer from the state of Iowa to be chosen.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and are at the heart of every Main Street throughout the country,” NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said.

“The 2024 America’s Retail Champion honorees represent the breadth and depth that the retail industry offers to millions of customers on a daily basis.”

The overwhelming majority of retailers are small businesses, with more than 98 percent of all retail companies employing fewer than 50 people, according to the NRF.

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Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce extends congratulations to

Our sincere congratulations and best wishes for your success and continued growth in the Decorah area.

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Trial date scheduled for woman accused of sexually abusing teen

Supervisors continued from front under the average just by its nature but not terribly under the average,” Burns said. “So far, we haven’t had any office holders threaten to resign, because they haven’t gotten a raise.”

Burns said the compensation board also takes broader factors into concern.

“Another thing that is common is consideration of the general economic status of our community and the country,” he said. “So, for instance, last year, a raise was based more on the inflation rate.

And, in previous years, we’ve recommended less.”

District 3 Supervisor Shirley Vermace said that last year, while representing the entire board of supervisors, she requested the compensation board give a 0 percent raise to the supervisors. Burns said the recommendation the compensation board made after Vermace shared her preferences with them was not reflective on any specific individual. District 5 Supervisor Steve Kelsay said during Monday’s meeting that he’s not concerned about what he’s getting paid but about what future boards of supervisors will be paid.

“The board of supervisors is the bottom of the heap,” Kelsay said. “We’re the ones that have to have the right person in, because we are responsible for what happens with the budget, and where we say ‘no’ is an important thing, and where we say ‘yes’ is an important thing. So, in the future, we have to be able to have something that is going to encourage people, in future elections, to be willing to run for this office. We have to be able to attract qualified candidates. If the compensation board exists or doesn’t exist, that has to be part of the mindset.”

Board Chair and District 4 Supervisor Dan Langreck said he thought it was strange that when many costs were increased, county employees didn’t get a raise.

“I wouldn’t have voted for a raise anyway,” he said. “It’s just kind of the point that three

BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR

Decorah attorney Jim Burns shares the functions of the county compensation board Monday morning with the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors. (Decorah Leader Photo by Zach Jensen) years running, a raise gets offered, and then the economy and everything goes south. Interest and everything else goes up, costs of living go up, and no raises offered. I just thought that was kind of odd. I’m not saying you didn’t do your job or anything like that.”

Vice chair Mark Vick noted he and Langreck have also secured other savings for the county in the past.

“We saved the county over $60,000 the second year we were here in insurance premiums,” Vick said. “Never once did anybody bring that up. If anybody was doing their homework — $30,000 at the Wellington Place — was being double-insured. I caught that when we were paying a deductible. Right there was one thing — $30,000 — and all we hear about is everything we do wrong. It’d be nice to know once … one thing we do right.

We’re working, doing our job, and we’ve had zero resignations. Zero.”

Vick went on to say he feels identifying possible savings is one of the board’s duties.

“We’ve saved the county a lot of money in the last threeand-a-half years I’d say, and we do it every day,” he said. “I’m not saying we need a raise, but if you don’t compensate people after a while, you’re not going to have anyone sitting here that gives a darn about anything.”

Burns quipped that if the supervisors vote to reinstate the compensation board, he will

take all the supervisors’ comments into consideration.

Engineer’s Report - Winneshiek County Engineer Michael Kueny said he will work with Howard County Engineer Nick Rissman, who served as Interim Engineer for Winneshiek County in 2023, to complete the engineering department’s annual report.

- The June 21 Federal Emergency Management Agency event expired July 24, and engineering department staff are processing all claims received.

- The supervisors unanimously approved the hiring of Chris Burington as the parts manager and mechanic for the maintenance shop team.

- Aug. 12 is the expected start date for the Otta Seal project on Canoe Ridge Road. The project will take approximately two to three days, and the striping will occur about a month after completion.

Other business - Following a two-minute public hearing, the supervisors unanimously approved the FY25 budget amendment, which included a payment for the Spectrum building in the amount of $512,000, secondary roads expenses from 2023, conservation grants funds and increased health insurance costs.

The next meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Aug. 5, in the courthouse annex.

Norwegian Bachelor Farmers knew it was for me,” Elsbernd said. “We all grew up listening to Buddy Holly, and I still play like Buddy in that aggressive rhythmic style with simple chords and clear, melodic singing. I used to play for neighbors and passersby on my parents’ porch on River Street. All I hear is possibilities when I play.”

The duo first began playing music together in a high school garage band known as “Rebels without Applause” in 1989, and Elsbernd recalled that Kirkeby was a legendary guitarist even at such a young age.

“Dave Kirkeby was in my brother’s grade and the best guitarist I’d ever heard,” he said.

Kirkeby added that he and Elsbernd enjoy a synergy which goes beyond a good friendship or a typical musical duet.

“Kyle and I have a special friendship and bond,” Kirkeby said. “I have known him and his mom since high school and went to school with his younger brother, Ryan. Musically, we both communicate with one another, and we don’t have to look at or direct each other when we’re playing live. We just know when to change tempo, feel, style. Outside of music, we both share a similar sense of humor and ideology. We do get on each other’s nerves from time to time, but that is part of any relationship. We always work through any issues and always perform well. I consider Kyle a brother and family.”

That synergy allows the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers to take the stage during Nordic Fest without the need for much rehearsal. The distance between them — Kirkeby in Marion and Elsbernd in Union Grove, Wisconsin — is bridged when they meet under the tent at the annual celebration. The musicians indicated they’re so tuned-in to each other that the music flows out of

them for all to enjoy.

“We don’t practice and pretty much play by ear and wing it on any new songs that Kyle wants to do,” Kirkeby said. “We prefer it this way. It keeps the show more spontaneous and fresh — always evolving things, changing gear set ups, adding different costumes, etc. I play by ear and feel, so there’s not much need for rehearsing and same with Kyle.”

Elsbernd called the duo’s musical connection uncanny.

“We never practice, never need to,” he said. “We’ll frequently change dynamics dramatically at the exact same time without any communication. Every show is different depending on the crowd and mood.”

The music Elsberned and Kirkeby perform is largely inspired by Norwegian singer and songwriter Lillebjorn Falk Nilsen, who passed earlier this year. Elsbernd was immediately inspired by Nilsen’s music upon hearing it.

“I first discovered Lillebjorn Nilsen in the bargain music bin at Vesterheim in 1990,” said Elsbernd, who became fluent in Norwegian as a high school student. “I immediately connected with his music and recognized him as the John Denver of Norway. He wrote classic folk songs that sounded like they were hundreds of years old. I translated all of them into English, which was a bit of a task. Fun fact — Lillebjorn himself commented positively on our songs on YouTube, which was a thrill. My Norwegian friends sent me condolences when he passed. My goal is to be the number-one ambassador of Lillebjorn’s music in America.”

For both musicians, keeping Nordic Fest and Lillebjorn’s music alive is not just important — it’s essential, especially during the Information Age. “As a veteran teacher, I naturally want to help keep good

continued from front traditions alive,” said Elsbernd.

“There’s a myth that traditions exist in isolation, but all traditions involve growth, cross fertilization, synthesis.”

Kirkeby’s take on traditions is a little more conventional. He said every tradition is important to keep and pass on.

“Music and art take you away from the troubles of the world, and when you sit and listen or look at these things, they take you to other places — bring back memories and times in your life,” he said. “With a crazy world full of instant information and nonstop digital entertainment, it is more important than ever to keep traditional music, art and performance alive so it will inspire others to do it as well. Quite frankly, the world needs more of that and less digital entertainment and instant information.”

That mutual desire to keep traditions alive is what brings Kirkeby and Elsbernd coming back to Decorah every year to perform at Nordic Fest as the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers.

“Decorah will always be special to me,” Kirkeby said. “Coming home and seeing how Decorah has progressed and evolved is very exciting. Decorah is known better now than when I was growing up, and it’s no longer northeast Iowa’s ‘best kept secret.’”

Elsbernd agreed with Kirkeby and added that one of his goals is to someday move back to his hometown — at least part-time.

“We love coming home,” Elsbernd said. “The natural beauty and the focus on the arts makes Decorah entirely unique in America.”

The Norwegian Bachelor Farmers perform multiple times each summer throughout the Midwest. For a complete schedule of their performances and more information, visit https:// kyleanddave.wixsite.com/songs.

A trial date has been scheduled for a former Decorah woman charged with sexually abusing a teenage boy earlier this year.

Courtney Rae Turner was charged with two counts of third-degree sexual abuse in mid-January. The 30-year-old is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy — identified only by his initials in court documents — while residing at an apartment in Decorah. Court filings indicate Turner currently resides in Harmony, Minnesota.

The case is currently scheduled to go to trial Dec. 4.

The court also previously agreed to allow Turner to travel to and from her home in Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin, for unspecified medical purposes. The order, issued in late June, noted the prosecution had discussed the matter with Turner’s defense attorney and agreed “the defendant’s unique circumstances make this request appropriate.”

Court records said the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services was first informed of the alleged abuse by one of the teen’s relatives. The family member reported seeing messages the teen and Turner had exchanged via the mobile app Snapchat, including explicit images and a message in which Turner allegedly claimed “(the teen) was hers and she didn’t care what people thought of their relationship.”

Criminal complaints filed against Turner said DHS informed local law enforcement of the allegations in January.

Authorities, along with a representative of DHS, visited Turner’s apartment in the 700 block of Ridgewood Drive in Decorah as part of the investigation. Res-

Courtney Rae Turner

idents of the apartment building indicated they too believed Turner to be in a sexual relationship with the teenage boy, according to court documents.

At least one resident claimed to have raised concerns about their behavior and told investigators he believed the two “were trying to get pregnant.” Another resident told investigators Turner and the boy were less than secretive about their activities and usually conducted their encounters in one of two apartment units — the witness told investigators “she didn’t agree with what was happening but did not know how to stop it.”

Criminal complaints were filed against Turner the following month. A police officer’s written narrative in the complaint indicated both Turner and the teenager were interviewed the same day search warrants were executed at the local apartment building.

Turner denied the accusations of sexual abuse, according to the complaint. “(The teen) initially denied a sexual relationship with the defendant but changed his story after realizing the seriousness of the situation,” the officer wrote. “(He) had feelings for the defendant and didn’t want her to get in trouble.”

The complaint went on to say the teenager provided police with more specifics regarding his activities with Turner, and

a search of both their Snapchat accounts revealed images of the teen and Turner “kissing, laying in bed together and messages suggesting they were in a relationship.”

A warrant for Turner’s arrest was issued March 4.

Filings in an unrelated case said a Decorah Police officer recognized Turner on June 23, while she was inside a local convenience store along Montgomery Street in Decorah. The officer recalled a warrant being issued for Turner, according to court filings in that case, but the 30-year-old allegedly denied being Courtney Turner when the officer confronted her. She later attempted to flea on foot after saying “she was in a hurry and needed to leave” according to the complaint, but the officer was able to grab Turner’s left arm while the 30-year-old pulled away — she fell and was placed in handcuffs.

The complaints went on to say marijuana buds, THC cartridges and a glass pipe were later discovered in Turner’s purse. The 30-year-old was charged with interference with official acts, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia — Turner has not entered a plea to those charges, and an arraignment regarding some of the allegations is expected to take place next week.

Turner was served with the arrest warrant in the abuse case the same day she was taken into custody at the convenience store. She was later released under the condition she appear for all necessary court proceedings related to the abuse trial – failure to do so may result in her being required to pay a $10,000 bond, and she would potentially be required to serve up to five years in prison or pay a fine of up to $5,000, according to court documents.

State mediation team denies Decorah’s athletic conference request

BY ROZ WEIS STAFF WRITER The Iowa Department of Education’s mediation team has denied a petition from the Decorah Community School District to be admitted to the Upper Iowa Conference.

News of the team’s decision came July 24, one week after the mediation hearing took place in Cedar Falls. Representatives of the local school district, the Department of Education, the Upper Iowa conference, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association were part of the meditation.

“We remain committed to securing for our students the opportunity to participate in a conference for extra-curricular activities as provided for by the Iowa administrative rules,” said Decorah Community School District Superintendent Tim Cronin.

In recent months, the North-

east Iowa Conference, of which Decorah is a member, has moved closer to collapse with a long line of member schools departing.

The NEIC dates back to 1920 – making it the oldest conference in the Iowa. Decorah Schools had previously applied to join the growing Upper Iowa Conference, but was denied in April.

Officials with Decorah Schools stressed during the most recent mediation meeting that the district has limited options for joining a conference, and they highlighted the district’s geographic location, the size of the school, competitive balance with in the conference and travel distance during events.

Decorah students and parents travel an estimated average of 40 miles to games within the UIC. When looking at a possible membership with another conference, such as the WaMaC, travel distance for games would be an average of 112 miles oneway. The closest WaMaC school from Decorah is 68 miles away

in Independence – the farthest is Grinnell, which is 145 miles away.

Having been denied entry to the UIC again by the state’s mediation team, the local school district can now request a hearing before the director of the Iowa Department of Education — that higher power ultimately makes the decision on the school’s request.

For now, the existing Northeast Iowa Conference will continue with five current member schools – Decorah, Cresco, Waukon, New Hampton and Charles City – for the 2024-25 school year.

Waverly Shell-Rock is leaving the conference this year and will be independent during the 2024-25 school year. Cresco, Waukon and New Hampton have been accepted to the UIC and Charles City will be in the North Central Conference starting in the 2025-26 school year.

Waverly Shell-Rock is petitioning to join the WaMaC.

End to lengthy Van Peenen horse trail debate may be in sight

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER

How Decorah’s Van Peenen Park is used has been a topic of contention for nearly two decades, according to Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken, and the topic is expected to be taken up by trail users again in the near future.

The land for Van Peenan Park was donated to the city by the Hubert J. Van Peenen and his wife in 1976, with stipulations that the land not be used — among other things — for hunting or by motorized vehicles.

Local newspaper archives said the family intended for the land

to be maintained in its natural state for hikers, bird-watchers, cross country skiers and horseback riders.

Goedken indicated a more recent issue arose as users — such as hikers and mountain bikers — disagreed with horseback riders on where each respective activity should be permitted.

Goedken said part of the ongoing discussions is that not all of the 20-plus trails in the 120acre park are suitable for horseback riding.

Goedken plans to bring together representatives of the Decorah Human Powered Trails group and the Winneshiek County Saddle Club for a

discussion facilitated by city staff members.

“The hope is that both parties will find common ground from trails each believes to be capable of safely supporting horses and their riders and then develop a loop based on that,” Goedken said. “If both sides agree, a safe loop trail could be adopted as soon as the next city council meeting, if everything goes smoothly.”

Goedken added if the discussions fail between the two groups, any further action or decisions will be the responsibility of the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board.

NEWS

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Jones expected to plead guilty to theft and forgery

BY DENISE LANA STAFF WRITER An area woman accused of check forgery and theft is expected to plead guilty next week in a Fillmore County, Minnesota, courtroom.

Mindy Jones is accused of committing 33 counts of theft and forgery after she allegedly deposited more than $37,000 worth of checks from her livein boyfriend’s bank account into her own accounts. In Minnesota, theft of any check written for more than $1,000 is considered a felony — almost a dozen checks allegedly stolen

by Jones exceeded that amount.

Judge calls Jones a ‘habitual violator’ Jones is currently being held at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, where she is serving an 18-month sentence after being found guilty of theft by swindle in a separate case decided in March. In that particular case, the 44-year-old owned a consignment business located in Harmony, Minnesota, and sold numerous pieces created by a local artist. Jones paid the artist her portion of the sales, but numerous checks totaling more than $32,000 were found to be fraudulent, according to court filings. It was later discovered Jones did not have funds in her business account to cover those checks.

Jones later obtained a $25,000 economic development loan — enough to cover the money owed to the artist — but Jones failed to pay the artist the funds

Mindy Jones

due. Fillmore County Judge Jeremy Clinefelter said in a December 2023 ruling that Jones continued to conceal the lack of funds when the artist inquired about the amount and deliberately lied to the artist to persuade her to enter into further agreement. It was discovered Jones had used portions of the art sales for personal items, like the down payment on a house.

“When I look at your criminal history, in 1997, forgery and theft — acquisitive crimes — meaning you are acquiring things that dont’ belong to you,” Clinefelter said. “You are using deception and false statement to accomplish the offense.”

The judge went on to list multiple offenses Jones had committed between 2002 and 2016, several of them being theft of financial crimes. Clinefelter described Jones as a “habitual violator,” adding he felt nothing in her criminal record showed good reason to sentence her to a period of probation over prison.

Ultimately, Jones was found

guilty on eight separate charges and sentenced to a total of 153 months — however, the state of Minnesota does not allow sentences to be served consecutively, and Jones is expected to serve each of her terms concurrently over a 27-month period.

The 44-year-old must serve at least 18 months in prison before she’s eligible for supervised release.

Jones is also awaiting trial in Allamakee County for first degree arson and animal abuse in connection with a February 2022 fire which leveled a second consignment store she owned in Waukon. That trial is currently scheduled for early 2025. Authorities performed a year-long investigation in that case, and said Jones had a financial motive and opportunity to start the blaze which destroyed her business, the building and the apartment above the store, killing a family’s dog in the process.

During the investigation, it was discovered Jones was behind on her business loan for her store’s Minnesota location.

Jones must appear in person A pretrial hearing was held Monday regarding Jones’ decision to plead guilty to the check theft charges filed against her in Fillmore County. Clinefelter met with Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson, as well as Jones and her defense attorney Graham Henry to discuss the plea arrangements. Henry requested that the court allow

Jones to complete the sentencing via teleconference and not trouble officials with transporting Jones from the Minnesota Correctional Facility to Fillmore County to be sentenced in person.

Corson did not object to the request, but the judge insisted Jones appear in person.

“Convert it to a plea and bring her down,” Clinefelter said. “Jones will be there in person next Monday.”

Klinefelter had presided over the art consignment case, during which Jones was released on bail but failed to appear twice during subsequent proceedings.

She later submitted a letter supposedly written by her physician, claiming Jones was scheduled for a medical appointment which conflicted with her next court appearance. Corson questioned the words used in the letter and reached out to the hospital to verify its authenticity.

The letter was found to be fraudulent.

“In 20 years of practicing criminal law, for someone to submit to the court through their attorney, a forged record from a doctor, indicating they have a life-threatening situation and need a continuance — I’ve never seen it,” Clinefelter said at that time. “It’s beyond the pale.”

The plea hearing is currently scheduled Monday August 5.

According to Corson’s office, if sentencing is concurrent, Jones could receive a maximum sentence consisting of 20 years in prison and/or $100,000 fine, or a combination of both.

7

Emergency continued from front July 24, and he said the county is currently compiling data it received from the public pertaining to flood damage incurred during the FEMA event.

“In Winneshiek County, to declare a Public Assistance disaster, I need to exceed roughly $92,322 in damages, and I can’t claim anything that’s covered by insurance,” he said. “Each county has a certain threshold, and it’s based off a per-capita assessment. Then, in order for the state to declare a disaster, it needs to exceed $5.87 million in uncovered damages, and then it’s up to the president to make a disaster declaration for the state. If the state gets it, all the counties that have been included can try for reimbursement of anywhere from 75 to 85 percent of the total cost to repair the damages.”

However, one of the problems Iowa’s emergency management coordinators face, Snyder said, is convincing Iowa’s residents to document and report all the damages they see — regardless of what kind of category it falls under. The next challenge is to convince local and county officials that investing in preparedness is essential.

“In emergency management, I deal in unknowns,” Snyder said. “Money is tight everywhere, so how do I convince the people holding the purse strings that they need to invest in preparedness, but I can’t guarantee when they’re going to need it?”

Snyder said that’s why documentation is key.

Echoes of the Past

“You have to have documentation, and you have to push to get what you need, because money is tight everywhere,” he said. “If you don’t document and submit it, it’s a missed opportunity.”

To help government employees better understand what type of documentation is needed for the county to submit a claim for FEMA relief dollars, Snyder is hosting a community discussion at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the county shop in Freeport.

Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Disaster Recovery Specialist Makaria Kirianov will present information about what types of data HSEMD needs from county employees.

“As a team, we need to do everything we can to collect documentation, so we have every chance to recoup available relief funding,” Snyder said.

“There’s a misnomer that if you’re getting FEMA money, the government is printing new bills just for that emergency.

But, FEMA’s relief funds are tax dollars that are already set aside and waiting to be spent on disaster relief. Out of all the things our tax dollars are used for, this is one of the better ones in my opinion.”

Snyder said anyone who finds storm damage of any kind can submit it themselves to report-ia-state.orioncentral.com, which is the same site he uses to report damages to Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

By Roz Weis

Lost woman found safe near cabin

1944 1964 1984 Main Street. Pricetag: $3,900 for this quick sale.

EIGHTY YEARS AGO: A Decorah woman has been found safe and sound after being lost in the woods near the Bud Bucknell cabin near Decorah for a lengthy period of time.

A group of some 300 men and women were out on the search for the woman, who reportedly ate some wild raspberries and drank spring water for sustenance during her ordeal. She was lost for 8 hours. A doctor was called and reported her in satisfactory condition. …A 15-pound carp was discovered on the flooded fifth green at Oneota Country Club last weekend. Some local golfers came home with the carp. …Proof of War Bond purchase is your admission ticket to the new film “Coney Island” showing at The Grand Theatre.

The movie stars George Montgomery and Betty Grable.

SIXTY YEARS AGO: A former Decorah High English teacher has been arrested on morals charges in Wisconsin. He had resigned his local teaching post only a few days after his wife was granted a divorce. The charge stems from an investigation of a juvenile beer-drinking incident. …The annual Fourth of July golf tourney at Silvercrest drew 96 players. A fireworks display concluded the day-long tournament. …Three Decorah Township farmers (Milton Hove, Ernest Larson and Myron Erickson) have reported 13 head of cattle were killed in a big lightning storm in the area the other evening.

FORTY YEARS AGO: Wayne Walter will now serve as the Winneshiek County Treasurer. He was the former Wonder Bread route salesman. He takes over for the late Charles Quandahl as treasurer. …Amy Jo Wagner of Calmar is the 1984 Little Miss Squirt.

She was crowned by last year’s Squirt, Susan Newhouse. …Mary Lynch had the title role in the New Minowa Players summer musical production of “Cinderella” recently. Tom Topping played the prince.

The dastardly stepsisters were played by Sue Skaim and Cynthia Lovig. …Several local veterans attended a program on the health disorders related to the chemical defoliate “Agent Orange.”

1994 1974 1954

SEVENTY YEARS AGO: A new barn is being constructed at the local fairgrounds. It is the seventh new building to be added at the site in the last 10 years.

The new barn will house cattle. …The name William F. Baker will now be perpetuated in the renaming of Pulpit Rock Park during an upcoming dedication program. The park will be called The Will Baker Park.

Mr. Baker died a few years ago and was one of the city’s most beloved citizens. …There is a modern, sixroom bungalow for sale on

FIFTY YEARS AGO: Randy Iverson, Stan Willer, Craig Anderson, Eric Gillman and Mike Lynch were among the stars of the Decorah Viking baseball team during a recent victory over Charles City. …Olga Ruen of Decorah continues her waitressing job at the Hotel Winneshiek after 30 years of service. She says she is “at my happiest as the banquet girl at the Viking Room”. …Winneshiek County recently purchased 39 voting machines last year at a total cost of $86,034. The machines will replace paper balloting at the precincts throughout the county.

THIRTY YEARS AGO: The 1994 Winneshiek County Dairy Princess title has gone to Jamie Tieskoetter of Castalia. …The film “City Slickers II” is now showing at the Viking Theatre.

2004

TWENTY YEARS AGO: Winneshiek County Fair contestants this year are Angie Dibble, Michelle Reddel, Megan Holthaus, Jennifer Novak, Danielle Ameling, Emily Kurash,

This vintage photo represents a few members of the Decorah High School Class of 1974 in their sixth grade year. Their teacher back in 1967-68 was Katie Kelly of Decorah. They will join other classmates for the 50th class reunion in early August in Decorah. (Photo shared by classmate Martha Moore Aschim)

Sara Voss and Stacy Erickson. …The Decorah Area Community Foundation has become a “Certified” Community Foundation in Iowa. Members of the board are Roger Huinker, Neil Schraeder, Richard Ylvisaker and Jacqueline Fenelon.

2014

TEN YEARS AGO: St. Benedict School welcomes a new principal this year. Steve Haluska, who most recently served

the Carroll Community School District, will replace former Principal Dana Holkesvik. …From the society pages of 2014: Christina Gaard and Jamie Baumgart will be married Aug. 16, 2014. Taylor Spilde and Matt Amundson will wed Sept. 27, 2014.

NEWS

8 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Law Enforcement Iowa State Patrol

Justin Meade, age 53, of Iowa City was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 10:20 a.m. Friday, July 26 on three arrest/bench warrants. Criminal complaints in the case say the Iowa State Patrol observed multiple vehicles and people on the shoulder of the road at approximately 5:50 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24 along Highway 52 near Scenic River Road. Individuals on scene told the responding state trooper “there was a man laying in the middle of the road with a dog on top of him.” The trooper approached the man — later identified as Meade — who was sitting in the ditch. The trooper asked Meade how he could help, according to the complaint — the trooper reported “the male told me to shut up multiple times and continued to use vulgar language.” The complaint went on to say Meade refused to provide identification, told the deputy to “shoot me” multiple times, threatened the trooper’s life and eventually “stood up, took off his shorts and was completely naked” before Meade approached the trooper “in a fighting demeanor,” the complaint said. Meade was detained by two state troopers and placed in handcuffs. He resisted arrest as he “continued to use vulgar language,” according to the criminal complaints.

Meade was charged with first-degree harassment, interference with official acts and assault on persons in certain occupations.

Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office

Mark Herman, age 63, of Bellevue was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device following

Kulokk

an accident at approximately 2 p.m.

Monday, July 22 at on Highway 150 in Calmar. Herman was reportedly eastbound on Highway 24 in Calmar when he ran a stop sign at a four-way stop. A vehicle driven by 75-year-old Michele Elsbernd of Calmar was entering the intersection lawfully when Herman ran the stop sign and drove in front of her vehicle, which hit the passenger side of Herman’s vehicle. This incident was recorded on a video surveillance and observed by a Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Damage estimates totaled $9,200.

No injuries were reported.

Winneshiek Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident at approximately 12:03 a.m. Tuesday, July 23 on Maryville Street in Calmar.

Bruce Gerleman, age 50, of Decorah was reportedly backing out of a parking spot in a private lot and backed into a vehicle stopped at a stop sign. He was arrested for operating while under the influence — a serious misdemeanor — and was transported to the Winneshiek County Jail.

Stella Ransom, age 23, of Decorah was cited for failure to maintain control after a July 23 accident on Wagon Road. Investigating officers reported Ransom was traveling too fast for conditions while heading south along the road. She attempted traversing a corner to the right, losing control of the vehicle and sliding into the ditch.

Side curtain airbags were deployed.

Damage estimates totaled $7,500 to Ransom’s 2014 Chevy Impala. No injuries were reported.

Travis McIntyre, age 50, of Eldorado was arrested July 23 and booked into the Winneshiek County

Jail at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, July 23 on an arrest warrant for failure to appear on citation and violation of no contact/protective order contempt.

Leighton Gaul, age 29, of Cresco was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 6:05 p.m. Friday, July 26 to serve seven consecutive days. Court documents show Gaul pleaded guilty in late May to a charge of operating while intoxicated — second offense — originally filed in late 2022.

Brian Yetter, age 44, of Decorah was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, July 27 on the charge of violating conditions of a restricted license. A criminal complaint said the Winneshiek County Dispatch received a report of what was described as an extremely intoxicated male getting into a black pickup at approximately 4:25 p.m. Saturday, July 27. A sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle approximately three minutes later — the criminal complaint noted the truck had a flat tire and was having difficulty staying in its lane of traffic. The truck was stopped near Casey’s Convenience Store along Old Stage Road in Decorah, and deputies discovered the vehicle Yetter was driving did not have an ignition interlock device, which his license required, according to the complaint. Yetter was placed under arrest and his blood alcohol concentration was found to be more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle in Iowa.

Braiden Todd, 16, of Calmar was cited for failure to maintain control following a July 25 accident on County Road B16. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a third party stating

they came upon a male walking in the road after his vehicle had rolled. Upon arriving at the scene, the investigators stated a vehicle was located upside down near 2624 County Road B16. Todd appeared to have minor injuries and did not appear intoxicated. He reportedly fell asleep at the wheel while driving west on B16. Todd’s vehicle, a 213 Ford Escape SUV, was totaled in the accident.

Jeffrey Schmitt, age 37, of Fort Atkinson was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:10 p.m.

Sunday, July 28 to serve seven consecutive days.

Appropriation ..................................2600.00 Winn Co Pioneer Cemetery, Appropriation .................................. 9180.00 Wright Way Computers, LLC, Services ............................................... 99.18 General Supplemental Fund Lauri Kaeser, Reimbursement............... 59.58 Water Testing Grant Fund Elan Financial Services, Payment ....... 111.32 State Hygienic Laboratory, Services ...570.00 Rural Services Basic Fund Alliant Energy, Utilities ........................ 19.24 Daniel Beard, Meeting ..........................50.00 Bruce Bergsgaard, Meeting...................50.00 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials.........4059.97 Column Software PBC, Publications .... 25.68 James Ludeking, Meeting ..................... 50.00 Tony Meyer, Meeting ............................50.00 Gary Smorstad, Meeting .......................50.00 J Wayne Wicks, Meeting .......................50.00 Winn Co Landfill, Fees .....................1583.08 Secondary Road Fund ....................................

Agvantage FS Inc, Propane.............20500.57 Alliant Energy, Utilities ......................338.29 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service .......................... 112.20 Bruening Rock Prod, Materials.....433136.03 Calmar Courier, Publications ................37.50 City of Ridgeway, Utilities ................... 29.26 Decorah Leader, Publications ............. 179.44 Elan Financial Services, Payment .......390.28 Franzen Sales & Service, Parts ............. 14.65 Freeport Water District, Utilities .........197.77 Hovden Oil Co, Fuel ........................... 921.56 ICEOO, Registration ........................... 500.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies ...........169.23 Kirkeby Welding, Services..................306.19 Mark Carolan Construction, Services ......................................... 24359.90 MiBroadband, Services .......................290.35 Midwest Measurement, Equipment 18434.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ......... 954.78 Mitko Specialty Sales, Parts ...............581.50 MWSCO, Supplies..............................541.38 Napa Auto Parts, Parts ..........................60.82 NE Iowa Metalworks, Inc., Services 1681.78 Perry Novak Electric, Inc, Services .... 252.00 Rinker Materials, Supplies ..............26718.74 Shuck-Briston Inc., Services ...........10570.00 Truck Country of Iowa, Services ........583.50 Vestis, Services .................................1244.12 Ziegler Inc, Services .......................12169.76 Co Conserv Capital Improv Fund Bruening Rock Prod, Materials...........109.30 Decorah Rental & Sales, Equipment Rental..............................154.40 Huber’s Store, Supplies.......................129.72 John Deere Financial, Supplies ...........357.90 Microbac Laboratories, Inc., Services ..42.25 Total Tree Care, LLC, Services......... 1400.00 County Assessor Agency Fund Decorah Tire Service, Services ............. 61.22 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel ............................... 39.83 NE District ISAA, Registration .......... 250.00 E911 Surcharge Fund Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service ............................38.44 CentralSquare Tech, LLC, Service Contract ..............................2108.60 CenturyLink, E911 Service ................... 52.38 ICAP, Insurance ..............................19764.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ......... 526.06 Emergency Management Comm Casey’s Business MasterCard, Fuel ....438.96 Decorah Leader, Publications ...............40.57 Feld Fire, Equipment ..........................880.00 Fisk Farm & Home Inc., Supplies ........ 19.98 Marcus Hageman, Reimbursement .......45.97 ICAP, Insurance ................................8591.00 Mabe’s Pizza, Inc., Food Service ........172.37 NE Iowa Response Group, Membership ..................................10035.00 Norby’s Farm Fleet, Supplies ............. 411.27 Racom Corporation, Services ....... 900000.00 Standard & Associates, Inc., Services .305.00 The Warrior Wash, LLC, Services ........69.00 US Geological Survey, Services .....29570.00 Winn Co Treasurer, Services........... 56302.14 Winneshiek Co Health Ins Fund Midwest Group Benefits, Health Insurance ............................. 6899.41 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees ..........1217.50 Wellmark, Insurance .....................138458.66 Grand Total .................................1806902.25 Decorah (Iowa) Leader August 1, 2024

TION AUTHORIZING WAGES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES – Tabled for review of annual increases.

Resolution No. 20240715-2, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALARY OF THE CITY CLERK POSITION – Motioned by Kelsay, Seconded by Taylor, roll call vote, all ayes (Schmitt, Taylor, Straube, Kelsay, and Backes), Nays – none, Absent – none, motion carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 20240715-3, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SIGNATORIES ON BANK ACCOUNTS – Motioned by Backes, seconded by Straube, roll call vote, all ayes (Schmitt, Taylor, Straube, Kelsay, and Backes). Nays – none, Absent – none, motion carried.

ORDINANCE AMENDMENT NO. 6-5-10 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SPILLVILLE, IOWA, 2017, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO WATER RATES – Second Reading – Motioned by Straube, seconded by Kelsay, voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

Motion by Straube to waive third reading and adopt Ordinance amendment 6-5-10, seconded by Kelsay, voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

Bily Clocks report was given; Susan is seeking historical and marketing input.

Update for Spillville Water System Improvements Project - Contract B Preconstruction Meeting - Summers Enterprises and JQ Construction, Date: July 18, 2024, Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Location: City Hall, Meeting to be led by Marc Ruden.

Update for Spillville Water System Improvements Project - Contract A, Preconstruction Meeting - JB Holland, Date: July 18, 2024, Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Location: City Hall, Meeting to be led by Marc Ruden – these will be open meetings.

Discussion of City Council Meeting Time – Discussed and decided to moving the meeting back to the first Tuesday of the Month at 6 PM at City Hall.

Open discussion included completing water main project, removing poles, tree grant update for Schmitt, annexations, roller for park rut repairs, donation proposal from Holy Name for pickleball or basketball court, Campground Report, and updated plans for Water projects.

Fund, Income, Distribution General, $19767.24, $14869.94 Clocks, $5541.19, $4957.81 Library Trust, $27.43, $7075.06 Campground, $1146.29, $3064.99 Road Use, 3553.64, $7789.71 LOST, 5588.74, $0 Ad Debt Service, $2780.84, $0 Capitol, $0, $0 Water, $7888.15, $27039.02 Water Deposit, $250.00, $0 Sewer, $4143.06, $6527.11 Adjournment – Motioned by Kelsay, Seconded by Taylor, voice vote, all ayes.

Meeting adjourned 7:30.

Next Meeting will be August 6th at 6 PM at City Hall.

Attest; Paul Wermers, Mayor Claims Paid & Summary of Receipts June 2024 Type, Date, Num, Name, Memo, Amount Check, 06/04/2024, ACH, DRIFTLESS SECURITY, Library Alarm................-70.00 Check, 06/10/2024, 22322, SHIMEK SANITATION, Sanitation Contract........................-3,107.45 Check, 06/10/2024, 22323, Kris Karr, Summer Music Series ......................-500.00 Check, 06/10/2024, ACH, United States Treasury, May Federal Payroll Taxes ..........-2,854.62 Check, 06/10/2024, ACH, GIGFIRE, Internet Service ..................................-70.00 Check, 06/10/2024, ACH, CENTURYLINK, City Telephones................................-122.96 Check, 06/10/2024, ACH, US CELLULAR ..

Alarm Autodialer/Cell Phone ...........-178.60 Check, 06/11/2024, ACH, IPERS, IPERS............................................-2,108.57 Check, 06/18/2024, ACH, CENTURYLINK, City Telephones................................-163.41 Check, 06/20/2024, ACH, ALLIANT, Electricity ......................................-2,501.63 Check, 06/20/2024, ACH, MEDIACOM, Clocks Internet Access .....................-104.97 Check, 06/30/2024, 22325, Craft, Susanna-Virginia, Payroll ...-1,487.17 Check, 06/30/2024, 22326, Elsbernd, Sandra A, Payroll .............-438.09 Check, 06/30/2024, 22327, GESING, KATHY, Payroll ..............-660.94 Check, 06/30/2024, 22329, LUTGEN, ADDISON, Payroll ........-263.20 Check, 06/30/2024, 22330, LUTGEN, MAKINLEY, Payroll .....-332.46 Check, 06/30/2024, 22333, Shatek, Lori, Payroll ........................-101.59 Check, 06/30/2024, 22334, STRAUBE, THOMAS A, Payroll..........................-92.35 Check, 06/30/2024, 22336, Thompson, Linda M., Payroll .............................-295.52 Check, 06/30/2024, 22337, Wagner, Abigail A, Payroll ..............-166.23 Check, 06/30/2024, 22331, PHILLIPS, LARRY J, Payroll ......-4,444.16 Check, 06/30/2024, 22332, Schmitt, Darrell G, Payroll ................-92.35 Check, 06/30/2024, 22324, Backes, Reed, Payroll ........................-92.35 Check, 06/30/2024, 22328, KELSAY, STEVEN, Payroll ..............-92.35

Check, 06/30/2024, 22335, TAYLOR, JOHN, Payroll ..................-73.88 Check, 06/30/2024, 22338, WERMERS, PAUL L, Payroll...............................-184.52 Check, 06/30/2024, 22339, IROC WEB DESIGN SERVICES, Clocks Website ...................................-63.00 Check, 06/30/2024, 22340, THE STANDARD, Advertising ...............-120.00 Check, 06/30/2024, 22341, CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK, Pleasant View, Wonder Creek Loan ....................-26,763.00 Decorah (Iowa) Leader August 1, 2024

Decorah Police

A Decorah Police Officer observed an ongoing disturbance at approximately 2:11 a.m. Friday, July 26 in the 100 block of East Main Street in Decorah. After an investigation, police arrested 41-year-old Dustin Tobin of Decorah for public intoxication, disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana. Tobin was transported to the Winneshiek County Jail.

Jared Dansdill, age 35, of Decorah was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail at 2:50 a.m. Saturday, July 27 on the charge of public intoxication — first offense. A criminal complaint filed by the Decorah Police Department said Dansdill was found “prone and unresponsive” at approximately 2:29 a.m.

Saturday, July 27 behind a business in the 300 block of Washington Street in Decorah. The officer checked Dansdill’s pulse and was able to wake him up. The officer observed signs of intoxication and placed Dansdill in handcuffs before transporting him to the county jail.

continued from front

to try her hand at kulokk. She stopped along a wide Wyoming field and began calling to a herd from the road — her powerful falsetto chant swirling on the wind.

“Before long, one turned and started walking towards me,” Larson said. “Soon, the whole herd was gaping at me from across the fence.”

Larson hosted kulokk classes at Vesterheim Museum in Decorah last year and has demonstrated her skill during the 2023 and 2024 Nordic Fest celebration. She performed for audiences both Friday and Saturday during this year’s festival, including a kulokk titled “Hoyre du Mann” — or “Hear This Man.” The herding song tells the tale of a huldra who tells a farmer to get out of bed, get dressed, take his gun from the wall and shoot birds, warning him to not harm her, lest he be cursed with bad luck for the rest of his life.

As gloom and doom as some of the lyrics may have been, most kulokk melodies were as enchanting and sweet as the Nordic countryside. Larson also performed a more ethereal example and translated the Norwegian lyrics.“She is saying, ‘Let’s go, cows,’ and then she calls them by name, and she says, ‘you’ll be happy to come home with us,’” Larson told her audience.When traditional

farming began dying out in the 1950s, the tradition of kulokk almost died out with it. As Larson described, the hippy culture of the 1970s revived the organic farming movement and breathed new life into the nearly extinct kulokk traditions. The singing of songs to herd animals became popular once again, but this time around, farmers started recording the calls because, according to Larson, people who heard them would stop what they were doing because the calls were so beautiful. “Archivists began to record the calls in the 1970s,” Larson said.

“There are many samples in the Oslo and Valdres Folk Music Archives. Several Norwegian folk and jazz singers also performed kulokk.”

Kulokk has become so popular in recent times that Larson has been invited to host numerous workshops, lectures and demonstrations across the United States, including her sessions at Vesterheim. She has lived in Europe — mainly Amsterdam, the Netherlands — for 26 years, where she was a jazz singer and jazz and world music choir director. Larson taught voice at the Rotterdam and Arnhem Conservatories of Music, and she led the vocal groups Tamam and Peggy’s Angels. She taught at McNally Smith College of Music in St Paul Minnesota for 10 years and retired in 2015.

IMPORTANT: YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE AT ONCE TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS Iowa Judicial Branch Case No. EQCV027049 County Winneshiek Case Title GERALD BAKER ER AL VS DEAN HOVDEN ET AL You must file your Appearance and Answer on the Iowa Judicial Branch eFile System, unless the attached Petition and Original Notice contains a hearing date for your appearance, or unless the court has excused you from filing electronically (see Iowa Court Rule 16.302).

Register for the eFile System at ww.iowacourts.state.ia.us/Efile to file and view documents in your case and to receive notices from the court.

For general rules and information on electronic filing, refer to the Iowa Rules of Electronic Procedure in chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules at www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ ACO/CourtRulesChapter/16.pdf.

Court filings are public documents and may contain personal information that should always be kept confidential. For the rules on protecting personal information, refer to Division VI of chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules and to the Iowa Judicial Branch website at www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/ represcnting-yourself./protect-personal-in formation/.

If you need assistance to participate in court due to a disability, call the disability access coordinator at (319) 833-3332 Persons who are hearing or speech impaired may call Relay Iowa TTY (1-800-735-2942). For more information, see www.iowacourts.gov/ for-the-public/ada/. Disability access coordinators cannot provide legal advice.

Date Issued 07/19/2024 10:39:09 AM District Clerk of Court or/by Clerk’s Designee of Winneshiek County /s/ Denise Barton-Franzen Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 25 & August 1, 2024

IN THE MATTER OF THE VERONICA M. EGLI FAMILY TRUST NOTICE OF TRUST To all persons regarding Veronica M. Egli, deceased, who died on or about July 8, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that Denise L. Duffy is the Trustee of the Veronica M. Egli Family Trust dated January 20, 2000.

Any action to contest the validity of the Trust must be brought in the District Court of Winneshiek County, Decorah, Iowa, within the later to occur within four (4) months from the date of second publication of this notice, or within thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice to all heirs of the decedent settlor and the spouse of the decedent settlor whose identities are reasonably ascertainable.

Any suit not filed within this period shall be forever barred.

Notice is further given that any person or entity possessing a claim against the trust must mail proof of the claim to the trustee at the address listed below via certified mail, return receipt requested, by the later to occur of four (4) months from the second publication of this notice or thirty (30) days from the date of mailing this notice if required, or the claim shall be forever barred unless paid or otherwise satisfied.

Dated this 23rd day of July, 2024.

VERONICA M. EGLI FAMILY TRUST dated 1/20/2000 Denise L. Duffy, Trustee 610 Iowa Avenue Decorah, IA 52101 ATTORNEY FOR TRUST: Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101-0450 (563) 382-2959 jana.olson@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: August 1, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 25 & August 1, 2024

Public Notices Board Minutes July 22, 2024 The Board of Supervisors met at 9:30am July 22, 2024 with Kelsay, Vick, Vermace, and Faldet present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited, and the meeting was called to order.

Michael Kueny, County Engineer, met with the Board to give updates on road projects.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Vermace to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes of the last meeting, the claims filed with the Board, the liquor license for K-town Tap, and to accept and file the monthly report of the VA Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to accept, file, and publish the County Treasurer’s semi-annual report. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Kelsay and seconded by Faldet to adopt resolution 25-05, setting a public hearing on a rezoning request from Storlie/ Bohr/Novilla RNG for August 5, 2024 at 10:30am. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Public notice will be published as required.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Vermace to enter into the Northeast Iowa Response Group agreement with Waterloo for resources associated with hazardous substances emergencies. Motion carried unanimously.

Andy Van Der Maaten, County Attorney, met with the Board to discuss issues.

Moved by Faldet and seconded by Kelsay to adjourn to 9:30am Monday, July 29, 2024.

Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST Benjamin D Steines, County Auditor Daniel Langreck, Chair Board of Supervisors Claims 07-22-2024 General Basic Fund Alice Abbott. Mileage ........................... 30.82 Allamakee-Clayton Electric, Utility ..... 49.76 Alliant Energy, Utilities .................... 2777.24 Amazon Capital Services, Supplies ...... 67.14 Beaver Creek Graphix, Supplies .........174.50 Black Hills Energy, Natural Gas Service .......................... 326.40 Suzanne Boeke, Mileage ..................... 100.50 Calmar Courier, Publications ................45.00 Calmar Motors, Services....................... 55.95 Casper Plumbing & Heating, Inc, Services ............................................. 319.60 CDW Gov’t, Supplies ....................... 2255.52 Column Software PBC, Publications .... 47.68 Copyland, Printing .............................. 125.34 Cresco Building Service, Inc, Services ............................................. 700.00 Decorah Community Schools, Services ............................................. 187.70 Decorah Leader, Publications .............365.14 Decorah Tire Service, Services ........... 433.56 Dell Marketing LP, Equipment .........1591.66 Dept of Inspections & Appeals, Certification....................................... 120.00 Elan Financial Services, Payment .....4893.81 ERAD Group, Inc, Payment ...............400.00 Fareway Stores, Supplies .................. 1011.60 Farmers Union Co-op, Supplies.......... 298.50 Galls, LLC, Supplies ............................. 92.33 Reginald Gibson, Reimbursement ......555.77 Hawkeye Sanitation, Inc, Services......720.00 Healthcare First, Services ................... 111.02 Heron Consulting, Inc., Services ......1800.00 Howard’s Tire & Repair, Repairs ..........13.00 Huber’s Store, Supplies.........................96.54 ICCS, Registration .............................. 630.00 ImperialDade, Supplies .......................172.55 Iowa State University, Registration .... 100.00 John Deere Financial, Supplies ......... 1362.90 Mike Johnson, Camp Host .................... 95.50 Kara Kleve, Reimbursement ................. 15.00 Elizabeth Klimesh, Mileage ................104.52 Kwik Trip Inc, Fuel ............................. 479.13 Chuck Lensing, Services................... 1800.00 LetterWerks Sign City, LLC, Signs ....430.00 Logistics Recycling, Inc., Services .....268.80 Lynch Dallas, P.C., Legal Services .....325.00 Anna Mark M.D., Services ................. 150.00 Mediacom, Services ............................ 252.58 Midwest Computer Brokers, Inc., Services ........................................... 2421.80 Midwest Group Benefits, Fees ............ 280.00 Midwest Patch, Supplies .......................45.00 MiEnergy Cooperative, Utilities ....... 1215.32 Mower Power, Parts ............................ 194.97 NACCHO, Membership ..................... 280.00 Evan Neubauer, Reimbursement...........45.00 NTOA, Registration .......................... 1292.00 Brady O’Connor, Services ................1000.00 Oneota Community Co-oop, Supplies .. 16.98 Quadient Fiance USA, Inc., Postage . 1000.00 Quadient, Inc., Postage ......................... 74.85 Gregg Rude, Reimbursement ................20.00 Schilling Supply Company, Supplies 1525.62 Jayne Schultz, Reimbursement .............60.00 Schumacher Elevator, Services ........... 562.57 Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc, Services ............................................. 901.09 State Medical Examiners Office, Services ........................................... 4160.00 Storey Kenworthy, Supplies.............. 4994.99 The Depot Outlet, Materials ............... 401.45 The Warrior Wash, LLC, Services ......269.80 Thrifty White Pharmacy, Services ........ 68.87 Tri-State Sound & Light, LLC, Services ........................................... 4177.19 Upper Explorerland RPC, Services.....395.32 US Cellular, Cell Service ....................292.28 Krista Vanden Brink, Reimbursement ..58.25 Weis Buick GMC, Services .............. 2822.26 Winn Co Historic Preservation,

20240715 Minutes The City Council of Spillville, Iowa held a regular city council meeting on Monday, July 15th, 2024, at 6:00 PM at Spillville City Hall.

Agenda: Call to Order by Mayor Roll Call - All council members present: Schmitt, Taylor, Straube, Kelsay, and Backes Approval of Agenda – Motioned by Schmitt, seconded by Backes, and upon discussion we added Bily Clocks Report. Voice vote, all ayes, motion carried. - request by Straube to including adding to next meeting agenda item for Community Events such as Spillville Fireworks, Spillville Summer Concert Series, Turkey River Music Fest, Band Stand Concerts.

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings – Motioned by Straube, seconded by Kelsay, voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

Approval of Claims and Turkey River Lawn Care bill – Motioned by Kelsay, seconded by Schmitt, voice vote, all ayes, motion carried.

City Clerk Training and Support – Joane Kulish will handle the training; contact the mayor first.

Resolution No. 20240715-1, A RESOLU-

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT IN AND FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY GERALD A. BAKER and MARYANN BAKER, Plaintiffs, vs.

DEAN M. HOVDEN and RHONDA HOVDEN, and their unknown heirs, devisees, grantees, assignees, successors in interest and their unknown spouses and all unknown Claimants and all persons unknown claiming any right, title or interest In the following described real estate, to wit: Lot 2 of Lot 2 of Lot 2 in the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 99 North, Range 8 West of the 5th P .M., in Winneshiek County, Iowa.

And all the heirs, spouses, assigns, grantees, legatees, devisees and beneficiaries of said unknown claimants.

Defendants.

Case No. EQCV027049 ORIGINAL NOTICE TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: You are notified that a petition has been filed in the office of the clerk of this court naming you as the defendants in this action. A copy of the petition (and any documents filed with it) is attached to this notice. The name and address of the attorney for Plaintiffs is Charles W. Crain, of the law offices of Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Fretheim, Evelsizer Olson, Noble, Lynch & Zahasky, 212 Winnebago Street, PO Box 450, Decorah, IA 52101; telephone (563)382-2959; fax (563)382-3773.

You are further notified that the above case has been filed in a county that utilizes electronic filing. Unless, within 20 days after service of this original notice upon you, you serve, and within a reasonable time thereafter file a motion or answer, in the Iowa District Court for Winneshiek County, at the courthouse in Decorah, Iowa, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Please see Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16 for information on electronic filing and Iowa Court Rules Chapter 16, division VI regarding the protection of personal information in court filings.

If you require the assistance of auxiliary aids or seivices to participate in court because of a disability, immediately call your district ADA coordinator at (319)833-3332. (If you are hearing impaired, call Relay Iowa TTY at 1-800-735-2942)

July 22, 2024 The special council meeting was called to order at 5:45 PM. The meeting was held at the Decorah Council Chambers.

Member present: Randy Schissel, Kirsten Olson, Christopher Miculinich, Ross Hadley, Emily Neal, Steve Zittergruen, Mayor Borowski, City Manager Goedken, City Clerk Sand Schissel made a motion to approve Resolution 3477 approving the consumption of beer and wine on a closed city street for the Nordic Fest celebration within the beverage garden parameters. Zittergruen seconded the motion. Roll call vote. Ayes: Schissel, Zittergruen, Neal. Olson, Hadley. Nays: None.

Miculinich abstained from the vote for conflict of interest. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 5:47 PM Keri Sand City Clerk-Finance Officer Decorah (Iowa) Leader August 1, 2024

Legal publications must be received by Monday at 4:00 p.m. to be published in that week’s newspaper.

563-382-4221

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If you’re living with HIV, getting and keeping an undetectable viral load helps you stay healthy and prevents transmission to your sex partners.

Learn more at stophiviowa.org

CLASSIFIEDS/PUBLIC NOTICES

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

Help Wanted

Decorah Community Schools 2024-2025

NEEDS:

Paraeducators

PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Decorah High School Support person to teachers working with children 1:1 or a group setting.

Looking for caring individuals who want to be a positive influence in the lives of others. Positions available in the Decorah, Cresco and surrounding area for

Send letter of application and resume to Principal Brad Hurst, 100 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, by end of the day on August 5, 2024, or open until position is filled.

respite workers and community trainers.

The Decorah Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.

31-2-DL-12

PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Send resume and letter of intent to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 221, Decorah, IA 52101.

Guidance Counselor

Maintenance Assistant St. Benedict Catholic School in Decorah, IA is seeking a Maintenance Assistant.

Garage Sale

Public Notices

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 - 199 Acres M/L Chickasaw County Real Estate Auction. Sostak Farms LLC, Fredericksburg, IA Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon IA, 563568-2464, www.sweeneyauctionservice.com

Estate Sale: Thursday August 1st 3-7, Friday 3-7, Saturday 8-2. Riding mower, ladder, snowblowers, garage full of tools, upright freezer, exercise equipment, furniture, lots of vintage items, Elvis collectibles.

210 Valley View Drive, Decorah.

31-2-DL-pd-2

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR WINNESHIEK COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF VERONICA M. EGLI, DECEASED. PROBATE NO. ESPR 016307 NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL, APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS To All Persons Interested in the Estate of Veronica M. Egli, Deceased, who died on or about July 8, 2024: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 18th day of July, 2024, the Last Will and Testament of Veronica M. Egli, deceased, bearing date of September 2, 2009, was admitted to probate in the abovenamed Court and that Denise L. Duffy was appointed executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the Will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the Will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 Lots start closing at 4:30 p.m. Online Only Antique, Collectibles & Household Auction. Jane Butler, 309 East Main St., Waukon. Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon IA, 563-568-2464, www.sweeneyauctionservice.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 - Machinery Consignment Auction, Call now to consign 563-568-2464.

Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon IA, 563-568-2464, www.sweeneyauctionservice.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 - Farm Retirement Auction, Neverest Farms, Gerald & Christine Moellers, 2701 310th Ave., Ridgeway, IA. Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon IA, 563-568-2464, www. sweeneyauctionservice.com

31-2-DL-12

Duties include preparing Sunday bulletin, announcements and monthly newsletter.

29-8-JP-12

Applicant must have strong communication skills, attention to detail and accuracy, computer skills, and have the ability to assist individuals with special requests.

Duties include working with individuals who have disabilities, by helping them to become comfortable and integrated into the community and giving caregivers a break. Hours are very flexible and can be worked around class schedules, other jobs and activities.

Please call Quality Choices @ 319-283-1474 or email Qci283@trxinc.com for more information.

Auction Calendar

St. Benedict Catholic School in Decorah, IA is seeking a part-time .2 - .5 time guidance counselor for the 24-25 school year.

Appropriate State of Iowa licensing is required.

If interested please contact Justin Johnson at jjohnson@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us or contact the school at 563-382-4668.

29-4-DL-12

Position assists in the daily maintenance activities that prepare the school for the next day, including but not limited to: cleaning doors; sweeping/vacuuming and mopping common areas; collecting waste from classroom waste baskets; grounds maintenance; and seasonal snow removal.

Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays and as needed/ available. 8am-3pm summer month and break hours; 4-8pm school year hours.

For Rent: 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single family home. Close to schools, grocery store and downtown. Rent $1600/month. NS/NP. Security deposit, 1 yr lease. No subletting. Application & background check. 563-379-4050.

31-2-LD-pd-9

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The successful candidate must be detail oriented, have excellent computer skills, prior office experience, and have the ability to work with the public.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Starting salary at $42,047 and benefits include health insurance, IPERS, sick, holiday and vacation pay.

Application and job description qualifications are available at the Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Office and at www.winneshiekcounty.org/jobs.html.

30-4-JP-12

Completed application with cover letter and resume can be mailed, dropped off or emailed to fhlubek@co.winneshiek.ia.us to: Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Office, Attn: Faith Hlubek, 201 West Main St., Decorah, Iowa 52101 by 4:00 p.m. August 2, 2024 or until position is filled. EOE.

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www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, July 9, 2024 | Vol. 1 Issue 1

EM

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WINNESHIEK COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS

Part-time 25-30 flexible weekly hours including Sunday.

309 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA

creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the Clerk of the abovenamed district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated this 23rd day of July, 2024.

Denise L. Duffy Executor of Estate 610 Iowa Ave Decorah, IA 52101 Jana Evelsizer Olson ANDERSON, WILMARTH, VAN DER MAATEN, FRETHEIM, EVELSIZER OLSON, NOBLE, LYNCH & ZAHASKY 212 Winnebago P.O. Box 450 Decorah, IA 52101 (563) 382-2959 Email: jana.olson@andersonlawdecorah.com Date of second publication: August 1, 2024 Decorah (Iowa) Leader July 25 & August 1, 2024

Call Tim Jensen for an Interview today: 1-800-772-1734 EOE

Science Teacher

St. Benedict Catholic School

31-4-DL-12 If interested please contact Justin Johnson at jjohnson@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us or contact the school at 563-382-4668.

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Hourly wage rate is negotiable based on for the 24-25 school Catholic Schoolyear. experience and adjustable St. Benedict A StateIAofis Iowa teaching in Decorah, seeking based on quarterly certificate is required. a .8 time 6-8 grade performance reviews.

If interestedarts please reading/language contact Justin Johnson at teacher for the 24-25 If interested, please jjohnson@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us school year. contact Justin Johnson at the school at Iowa teaching jjohnson@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us A Stateorofcontact certificate563-382-4668. is required. or 563-382-4668.

Automotive

9

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Applicants should send cover letter & resume to: Decorah Leader, Attn: Samantha Ludeking, P.O. Box 350, Decorah, IA 52101.

Or e-mail: samantha.ludeking@decorahleader.com

Requirements: • Nursing Assistant Certification • Meet Federal Home Health Aide Training & Competecy Requirements • American Heart Assoc. BLS Certification • Valid Driver’s License, vehicle, proof of insurance, and a good driving record • Excellent communication skills

Help Improve the Health of Iowans The University of Northern Iowa is making calls now. Take our Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to help improve Iowa’s health.

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COMMUNITY

10 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@DECORAHNEWSPAPERS.COM | 563-382-4221

New watershed plan improves water quality at Decorah fish hatchery The Decorah fish hatchery is experiencing improved water quality thanks to a watershed plan implemented earlier this year.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, trout need clear and cold water to live and thrive. Sediment flowing into Siewers Spring, the water source for the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fishery Hatchery, created muddy water conditions after larger rainfall events in the Trout Run watershed.

An Iowa DNR press release said that over the past 16 years, there have been an average of 42 days per year when the trout could not be fed at the hatchery due to cloudy water.

“Cloudy water not only affects the way we feed the fish, it also stresses the fish to be in the muddy water and the fish get sick,” said Brian Malaise, manager of the Chuck Gipp Decorah Trout Hatchery. “The muddy water makes it hard for the trout to breathe.”

In April, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the watershed plan for Trout Run and Siewers Spring.

The main objective of the plan is to reduce the amount of sediment in the water at Siewers Spring by building soil health in the Trout Run watershed, the

SAVE THE DATE

Decorah’s Fall

Visitors young and old come to the hatchery throughout the year to view and feed the trout. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

DNR’s report said.

“The water at the hatchery does not clean up often until late fall once it gets dirty,” said Malaise. “It’s not just the rain in the summer that causes muddy water. Siewers Spring can become muddy when the snow melts or it rains on the snow.”

The Iowa DNR report said improving water quality at the fish hatchery through the Trout Run Watershed Project is essential for the survival, health, and growth of the trout raised at the hatchery.

“Over 150,000 trout are raised at the hatchery each year then stocked into public trout streams and community trout ponds throughout Iowa, including five of the most popular trout streams,” the report said.

Megan Giorgenti, Trout Run Watershed Coordinator, completed the Trout Run Watershed Protection Plan following several years of watershed assessments, targeted water monitoring, discussions with farmers and landowners in the water-

shed, and gaining local support from farmers, the community and local agencies.

The DNR’s report said the project will offer cost-share for practices that build soil health and reduce sediment delivery to Trout Run and Siewers Spring.

Practices that build soil health include cover crops and no-till.

Other water quality practices such as filter strips, grassed waterways, conservation cover, sediment basins and stream bank stabilization are offered through this project.

The project is being administered jointly by Iowa DNR, Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

For information, contact Watershed Project Coordinator Megan Giorgenti at megan.giorgenti@dnr.iowa.gov or 563-9296979 or the Winneshiek Soil and Water Conservation District at 563-382-4352, Extension 3.

CITYWIDE GARAGE Trees for Kids grant SALE SEPT 14

Watch for details and registration forms at decorahleader.com

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE DECORAH LEADER

applications due Aug. 26 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Trees for Kids grant program is accepting applications through Aug. 26. Grantees may be awarded up to $2,500 to purchase trees and mulch. All trees for this program must be planted on public community grounds (park, community center, public school, etc.). Youth are required to be engaged in the process; most often helping to plant the trees on site.

“Planting trees is a fun way to connect kids to nature, build on their sense of wonder and ex-

plore the benefits trees provide at their school and in their community,” said Chip Murrow, urban forestry program specialist for the Iowa DNR. According to the DNR, studies show trees planted around schools and in neighborhoods give youth increased levels of concentration, lower levels of aggression, lower levels of obesity and fewer symptoms of ADHD. To apply for the grant, visit www.iowadnr.gov/UrbanForestry.

A fest-goer proudly holds up the sign indicating where the line for lefse — a thin potato pancake — during this year’s Nordic Fest. (Photo by Seth Boyes)

Jayla Dodd, daughter of Austin and Marcie Dodd of Decorah, designs her own floral crown at the Nordic Dancer booth during Nordic Fest.

(Photo by Roz Weis)

More fest fun INSET- Steve Matter of Decorah is behind the wheel as Pokey Pete Troll's Trolley makes its way through the downtown district during the Fest. (Photo by Roz Weis) RIGHT- 2024 Nordic Fest Skal Recipient Jeni Holtan Grouws of Decorah is all smiles along the parade route Saturday morning. Her friend Julie Simiele of Decorah served as her personal driver.

The award is presented each year to an individual demonstrating exceptional and continuing support of the Fest.

(Photo by Roz Weis)

Odin Cochran, age 10, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, takes a bite of ice cream made in the Lingonberry Kinderhaus booth at Nordic Fest.

(Photo by Zach Jensen)

OPEN HOUSE 80TH BIRTHDAY Celebration

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 • 4-6PM 403 E. Main St., Decorah

Jayme Folkedahl

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3 bdrm, 2 bath family home with a beautiful sunroom and great location! $289,000

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WHAT IS SPECIAL TO YOU IN 2024?

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

1-3PM at Oneota Golf Club

31-2-DL-17

1870 State Hwy 9 P.O. Box 8 Decorah, IA 52101 e-mail: kelly@davekelly.com

in honor of

1714 Golf Road., Decorah

No gifts, please.

Your presence is present enough.

Tell us about it, we’ll publish it on the time capsule page in the upcoming commemorative edition celebrating Decorah’s 175th Anniversary!

LOOKS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY! OPPORTUNITY !

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to accommodate all types of work, school & social schedules.

Full Circle Services offers sick, vacation and personal time to our part time staff.

8:30-1:30 shifts available weekdays!

27-18-JP-12

Apply at: www.fullcircleneia.applicantpro.com/jobs/ or call Jared Morriss at 563-277-2029, jared.morriss@fullcircleneia.com

Examples:

No cost to submit!

Deadline is August 15

Sunflower Childcare Center opened the doors to their new facility on Commerce Drive Monday, June 10, 2024.

Zackariah and Krysta Murray welcomed their first daughter Sadie Rose May 14, 2024.

Kelsey Timp was crowned 2024 Winneshiek County Dairy Princess.

Call 563-382-4221 or email submissions to: lifestyles@decorahnewspapers.com 110 Washington Street, Suite 4, Decorah | 563-382-4221

C

ongratulations

DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | EDITOR@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

11

SOUTH WINN BASEBALL

District Champs UIC Champions (16-2) Overall record of 24-10 Fifth district title in last six seasons Fifth state appearance in last six seasons

DISTRICT CHAMPS

Wrapping up the UIC and district title in 2024, the South Winn baseball team finished the season in the state quarterfinals.

Members of the squad hold the state participant trophy along with the sign which hung on the scoreboard including (front, l-r) Carver Wenthold, Jamison Zweibahmer, Gavin Thuente, Cameron Einck, Trevor Sbiral, Jordan Einck; (middle) Head Coach Alex Smith, Brendon Riehle, Nolan Sabelka, Carson Streeter, Kole Hageman, Braiden Todd, Cody Meyer, Parker Timp, Jordan Baumler, Assistant Coach Nathan Moonen; (back) Assistant Coach Seth Greve, Assistant Coach Tyus Adkins, Brody Tieskoetter, Mason Zweibahmer, William Timp, Brandon Kriener, Ray Lienau, Eric Greve and Assistant Coach Justin Izer. (Photo by Becky Walz)

Conference Champs

SOUTH WINN SOFTBALL UIC Champions (16-0) | Overall record of 22-13

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Suiting up for the South Winn varsity softball team in 2024 were (front, l-r) Caylie Adam, Kiara Bullerman, Izzy Kuboushek, Alyssa Timp, Avery Humpal, Britney Hageman, Rachel Meyer, Aubrey Willey, Alyssa Holthaus; (back) Aubree Gesing, Adrienne Winings, Addi Timp, Coach Taylor Lensing, Coach Ken Buchheit, Coach Sierra Breitsprecher, Addie Kuennen, Chloe Wiltgen and Abby Wagner.

(Photo by Becky Walz)

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SPORTS

12 | DECORAH LEADER | THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 | WWW.DECORAHLEADER.COM | SPORTS EDITOR BECKY WALZ | BECKY.WALZ@DECORAHLEADER.COM | 563-382-4221

Hundreds turn out for Nordic Fest Elveløpet 5K/15K runs

Kaden Alstad Decorah, Junior Class 3A Northeast District Second Team

Carson Streeter South Winn, Sophomore Class 1A Northeast District First Team

The early start of the annual Elveløpet 5K/15K runs excited even some of the youngest competitors during Nordic Fest activities last weekend. (All photos by Seth Boyes) Braiden Todd South Winn, Sophomore Class 1A Northeast District First Team

Parker Timp South Winn, Senior Class 1A Northeast District First Team

More than 500 runners and walkers take off from the starting line of the 5K and 15K runs Saturday in front of Decorah City Hall.

Kole Hageman South Winn, Senior Class 1A Northeast District Second Team

LEFT: Cameron Einck nears the completion of the 5K race behind Decorah City Hall.

The Fort Atkinson teen finished 13th overall in 19:22.

Behind him is Hugh Conway ready to cross the finish line 14th in 19:23.

Oliver Schmitt Turkey Valley, Senior Class 1A Northeast District Second Team

Area baseball players earn All-District nods One Viking, four Warriors and one Trojan were honored as members of the All-District teams as released by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association recently.

Decorah honoree Moving around the Viking infield, Kaden Alstad was named to the Class 3A Northeast All-District second team for his efforts on the baseball field. The sophomore finished the season with a 3.33ERA on the hill for Decorah, recording 40 strikeouts and a 2-3 record.

Alstad had 95 at-bats and produced a .358 batting average, .466 on-base percentage and a .495 slugging mark with 34 hits including two home runs and seven doubles while driving in a team-high 25 runners.

Four nods for SW South Winn’s Carson Streeter, Braiden Todd, Parker Timp who were named to the first district honors team, while Kole Hageman was a second team honoree.

On the hill, Streeter recorded a team high 92 Ks with a 1.27 ERA as he finished with a 7-4 record to earn a first team nod as a pitcher. The sophomore also got the job done in the batter’s box with a .346 average as he rapped out 39 hits, including eight doubles, a triple and a home run. Streeter also collected 33 RBI. Anchoring third base for honors, Todd collected a .495 average, .589 on-base percentage and .649 slugging mark with 48 hits and 21 RBI. Todd made 16 appearance on the mound for a 3-2 record with 53 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA. Receiving one of the first team utility spots, Timp made 10 pitching appearances with a 3.35 ERA, 3-3 record and 28 Ks. At the plate, the senior hit .364 with 39 hits and 33 RBI, connecting for 12 doubles.

Going 7-0 on the hill, Hage-

man was given a second team nod. The senior struck out 47 batters for a 0.82 ERA in his 10 games of action. He hit .260 with 26 hits and drove in 14.

BELOW: Decorah’s Daniel Willie (No. 466) passes another runner as Ritchie Isely (467) of Englewood, Colorado, races in the background during Saturday’s 5K race in Decorah.

Kinnick Lovstuen, an 11-year-old from Henderson, Nevada, nears the finish line with a smile.

Lone Trojan Turkey Valley’s Oliver Schmitt capped off his high school career as a utility honoree on second team. Schmitt hit for .321 with a .434 on base percentage as he knocked out 26 hits and drove in 15. Appearing on the hill nine times, the senior finished with a 3-2 record and 2.05 ERA with 23 Ks. Class 3A Northeast All-District Second Team Second team – Blayze Havel, Sr., P, Center Point-Urbana; Aaron Kraft, Jr., P, Western Dubuque; Drew Fillenworth, So., P, Benton; Eli Patterson, So., C, Benton; Preston Lang, Sr., C, Xavier; Payton Hodges, Sr., 1B, Marion; Jack Casey, Jr., 2B, Xavier; Jake Miller, Jr., SS, Marion; Trey Weber, Sr., 3B, Independence; Ayden Hoffert, Sr., OF, Waverly-Shell Rock; Caleb, Even, Sr., OF, Xavier; Owen Mullinex, Sr., OF, Vinton-Shellsburg; Grayson Kirsch, Jr., UT, Marion; Brent Yonkovic, Jr., UT, West Delaware; Tanner Anderson, Jr., UT, Western Dubuque, Kaden Alstad, Jr., UT, Decorah Class 1A Northeast All-District Teams First team – Carson Streeter, So., P, South Winn; Traeton Sauerbrei, Sr., P, Wapsie Valley; Anthony Harrington, So. P, Midland; Tyler Hoodjer, Sr., P, Janesville; Cael Benesh, Jr., C, North Linn; Talan Pletz, So., C, Janesville; Mason Bechen, Jr., 1B, North Linn; Toby Grimm, Sr., 2B, Maquoketa Valley; Landon Frost, Sr., SS, Don Bosco; Braiden Todd, So., 3B, South Winn; Cole Griffith, Jr., OF, North Linn; Pryce Rochford, Jr., OF, EdgewoodColesburg; Jake Schoer, Sr., OF, Wapsie Valley; Kaden Kobliska, Sr., OF, Riceville; Tucker Ladeburg, Sr., UT, Wapsie Valley; Cam Lind, Sr., UT, Kee; Aidan Ebert, JR., UT, Riceville; Parker Timp, Sr., UT, South Winn; Caden Cole, Sr., UT, EdgewoodColesburg Second team – Kole Hageman, Sr., P, South Winn; Brady Van Scoyoc, Fr., P, East Buchanan; Hunter Curley, So., P, Wapsie Valley; Jaren Lauver, Jr., P, Don Bosco; Rylie Marquart, Sr., C, Dunkerton; Carson DeBo, So., C, Prince of Peace; Kaiden Knaack, Sr., 1B, Don Bosco; Manny Huebner, Sr., 2B, Wapsie Valley; Aiden Morrison, Sr., SS, Clarksville; Jacob Snyder, Sr., 3B, Dunkerton; Dakota Clark, Jr., OF, Lisbon; Trevor Forey, Sr., OF, Janesville; Bryar Bellis, Fr., OF, Wapsie Valley; Trey Cota, Fr., OF, Kee; Will Hanson, JR., UT, East Buchanan; John O’Donnell, Jr., UT, Riceville; Wyatt Winters, So., UT, Calamus-Wheatland; Macoy Winn, 8th, UT, North Linn; Oliver Schmitt, Sr,. UT, Turkey Valley

Completing the race in 29:50 was 12-year-old Henrik Swanson of Decorah.

Cresco’s James Holtsnider makes his way along the Elveløpet 5K route Saturday during Nordic Fest.

Kailyn O’Gara was one of many Decorah natives racing Saturday in the Elveløpet 5K.

Decorah MS cross country camp There will be a Cross Country Team Camp for the Decorah Middle School boys cross country team Monday, Aug. 12 and run through Friday, Aug. 16, each day from 8 to 10 a.m.

Athletes are to meet at the High School Tennis Courts each day.

For more information contact Coach Ludeking at 563-4197280 or email allendludeking@ hotmail.com.

The group of 5K runners were a large group as they began their run near the intersection of Mill Street and Heivly Street.