Thursday, July 20, 2023
Vol. 158, Issue 29
Decorah, Iowa 52101 www.decorahnewspapers.com
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Four decades of Iowa spirit
Iowa State Fair/Celebration Iowa reunion features parade appearance, performances and more By Roz Weis Dennis Darling and Judy Smith Nye had a vision 40 years ago. As the farm crisis loomed large, the then-Luther College faculty members had the idea of celebrating the youth of Iowa and their talent, energy and the spirit of the state. That image became a reality in summer 1983 when the Iowa State Fair Singers, based on the Luther College campus in Decorah, took the stage at the fairgrounds in Des Moines. The first group of 21 high school singers and dancers and four musicians would become the first of hundreds more high school students (many from the Driftless region) performing as part of the Iowa State Fair Singers, later to be known as the Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band. The Luther-based group is now celebrating the 40th anniversary milestone with an upcoming reunion Friday-Saturday, July 28-30, on the Luther campus. Reunion organizer and Luther alum
The 1996 Iowa State Fair Singers and Jazz Band are pictured above in the state’s sesquicentennial year performance at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The accompanying photo is from the 1984 Pioneer Iowa State Fair Singers performance. (Submitted photo) Kevin Kriegel said nearly 100 past cast members and families will gather on the Luther campus for the upcoming reunion festivities. Events kick off with checkin and registration on campus and “festing” on Friday night, a Saturday morning breakfast, a group walk in the Nordic Fest Parade (with the group sporting their 40th anniversary t-shirts), and a two-hour jam session (featuring selections performed from the 40-year history) with co-founder “Doc” Darling conducting. A formal banquet is planned Saturday night at Peace Din-
ing Room on the Luther Campus, complete with a display of historic memorabilia from over the years. A performance at First Lutheran Church is scheduled for Sunday morning; a picnic will conclude the reunion events at Decorah’s Phelps Park. Ensemble history Along with the two founders of the group, another person playing a big role in the formation of the troupe was Vickie Blake, then the director of choreography. Back in 1983, organizers received permission and funding from the Iowa State Fair Board to pursue the project. Spring auditions were held across the state. From those auditions, an ensemble of 25 was selected. That first year, a substantial donation also was received from the McDonalds corporation and from other businesses in singers’ hometowns. Once auditions were complete during the spring, select members were provided with music to begin practicing on
their own. Then, during the summer months, those selected as part of the group took up residence in the dorms at Luther College. They began rehearsing as an ensemble, and that meant a lot of long hours. A typical day began at 8 a.m., and went until after 10 p.m. The first appearance in early August 1983 was at Storre Theatre on the Luther campus. Later that summer, the ensemble took up residence at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. They disbanded the last day of the fair. Then it was time to start auditions for the 1984 group, and then the 1985 group – and on and on for the next few decades. Auditions were brimming with young talent at the Iowa try-out locations. According to Director Darling, who now resides in Montevideo, Minn., “I auditioned several hundred students each year for the program.”
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Iowa State Fair Singers
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DCSD Central Administration headquarters to relocate this fall Winneshiek County Fair boasts all-ages entertainment
PICTURED TOP TO BOTTOM: Eloise Lechtenberg, daughter of Justin and Karla of Decorah, is pictured with Lollypop. Aubrey Holthaus pictured with her calf, Cutie Pie. Parker and Paxton Mashek, sons of Josh and Gina of Calmar, pictured with Clover, the latest Steel Cow Calf. After a rain delay the Kid’s Pedal Pull was held Wednesday afternoon, July 12, at the Winneshiek County Fair. Jack Hageman, 4, is pictured here. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis and Samantha Ludeking)
By Roz Weis In a move to improve facilities for school administration office staff and utilize additional space, Decorah Community School District (DCSD) Board of Directors approved a plan presented at Monday night’s board meeting to relocate the District Administration Office headquarters to the district’s new transportation building located three miles east of Decorah. The current administration office is at 510 Winnebago Street, situated across the street from Decorah Middle School and Carrie Lee School at the intersection of Winneba-
go and Vernon Streets. DCSD Superintendent Tim Cronin said there is a need for enhanced security, privacy, additional office space and larger meeting areas for staff members and board meetings. The district’s new transportation facility boasts eight offices with windows and provides additional space for meetings and storage. Cronin anticipated the current administration office facilities in town would be attractive for many programs such as the Home School Assistance office, which is now housed at the West Side School building. Following a lengthy discussion, Board members Ron
Fadness, Cindy Goodner, Brian Petersburg and Ben Lange voted unanimously to approve the move. Board member John Hjelle was absent from Monday’s meeting. In approving the proposal, Petersburg and Lange both cited some reservations, including the hesitation to move the superintendent’s office away from the current close proximity to schools. Other business In other action Monday night, Board members approved a list of legislative priorities for the coming year, citing the following four areas for concentration: • Teacher recruitment and li-
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censure • School Funding Policy • Mental Health • Teacher Professional Development and Retention Board members also adopted a retention incentive resolution providing up to $4,000 per year for three years for up to four certificated staff members in consideration of their singing a contract with the district and remaining employed with the district for at least three years. Administrators said the program is designed to reduce staff turnover, encour-
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