Nordic Fest 2024
Nordic Fest 2024 was celebrated with flair July 25-27. Senior Nordic Dancers were among the performers Friday in front of the Winneshiek County Courthouse. See this week’s Decorah Leader for photos from the entire celebration. (Decorah Leader photo by Seth Boyes)
Waukon’s annual Corn Days Celebration is slated for Aug. 2-3, and features live music, food and family-friendly events.
Kicking off Corn Days events Aug. 2 is “Chalk the Walk” at Robey Memorial Library,
Enterprise Media acquires Public Opinion, Driftless Journal
The Decorah Public Opinion and its associated shopper, the Driftless Journal, were acquired by Enterprise Media as of July 1. The Charles Citybased publishing company was founded in 2016 by Christopher Hall and his wife Kristin Hall. The pair of Decorah publications were previously under the editorship of Kate Klimesh of Driftless Multimedia, whose family purchased the local newspaper in July of 2021 after being involved with the publications for several years.
The publications will be renamed as part of the transition — the Decorah Public Opinion will be redubbed the Decorah Leader, while the Driftless Journal will simply be known as The Driftless moving forward. The Decorah Leader will be helmed by incoming News Editor Seth Boyes, while Enterprise Media CEO Christopher Hall will oversee much of the business and advertising aspects of the operation alongside the local staff.
“Decorah has a proud history of notable newspaper work, dating back to the early days of the Decorah Posten, and we’re thankful to Kate and her crew for the opportunity to write the next chapter in that legacy,” Hall said. “Kate has led the Public Opinion and Driftless Journal for several years now. She and the team here have made connections across the commu-
nity, and we hope to build on the momentum they have gained among their readers.”
In addition to the updated mastheads, Enterprise plans to place a renewed focus on local news and sports coverage within the core Decorah market. Moving forward, byline news coverage, sports and legal notices will be published in the Decorah Leader, while the Driftless will serve as the area’s free advertising shopper.
“We’re going to grow the Decorah Leader by cultivating more in-depth local coverage of the Decorah market,” Hall said. “That is something that we will need the community’s help and support in doing, but ultimately we aim to improve on many of the things the paper is already doing and hopefully make the Decorah Leader into one of the best newspapers in the state.”
The Decorah operation will join Enterprise’s roster of Iowa publications, including the Charles City Press — where the two Decorah products are physically printed — the Kos-
suth County Advance, the New Hampton Tribune, the Spencer Reporter and the Dickinson County News.
Boyes has written for both the Spencer Reporter and the Dickinson County News over the course of his eight years in the industry. He began his news career as a staff writer at the Spencer Reporter in the spring of 2016, transitioning to the Dickinson County News early the following year.
In 2021, he was named news editor at the DCN and served as the sole news writer for the weekly newspaper and its 1,200 subscribers in northwest Iowa. He was also responsible for supplying news content in the Okobojian — a free weekly summer publication circulated throughout the Iowa Great Lakes region — as well as the annual Experiance Okoboji visitors guide.
“I actually gave my notice to the company earlier this spring, thinking my family’s move to Decorah this summer would mark the end of my time behind a news desk,” Boyes said. “Unbeknownst to me, Chris had already been looking at purchasing the Decorah paper for some time before that, so when he approached me several months later about filling the editor’s position in the very town I was moving to, I didn’t hesitate to jump on board.”
During Boyes’ eight years writing local news, he has
earned 10 first-place awards individually from the Iowa Better Newspaper Association for his writing and photography, in addition to more than 25 second and third-place honors. His work also contributed to numerous staff awards for the Dickinson County News, which has placed among the top three newspapers in its competition category 14 times since 2011 — taking the top slot seven times, two of which occurred during Boyes’ time on staff there.
“I’ve been fortunate to have learned from some very experienced editors and publishers who are dedicated to print journalism before I ever sat in an editor’s chair myself,” Boyes said. “I’m excited to share my skills and knowledge with the talented staff here in Decorah can continue providing quality news coverage for the community they know so well.”
Northeast Iowa isn’t entirely new territory for Boyes and his family. The news editor was born in Elkader, where his mother worked for the Clayton County Register. Though the family moved while he was still young, they often visited family and friends in communities like Guttenberg and Garnavillo. Boyes’ wife Janet is a 2009 graduate of Luther College, and her family has owned property in Glenwood Township since the early ‘90s, prompting many a visit each year.
Over 76,000 civilians were killed immediately. Tens of thousands died in the months and years to follow.
Christopher Hall Seth Boyes
Great Iowa Treasure Hunt returns sees record-breaking year
State Treasurer Roby Smith shares Great Iowa Treasure Hunt had its biggest year ever in 2023.
“We completed over 43,000 claims worth more than $30 million to rightful owners last year alone! But even with these record-breaking numbers, our work isn’t done,” said Smith. Celebrated annually, Unclaimed Property Day is a national initiative to raise awareness for and reunite people with their unclaimed property.
For the celebration, Smith’s office will be announcing names of individuals, businesses and non-profits around Iowa who had unclaimed property reported to Great Iowa Treasure Hunt in 2023.
Past and present Iowans can search anytime for their unclaimed property by visiting
GreatIowaTreasureHunt.gov. Every year, millions of dollars in abandoned property are turned over to the State Treasurer’s Office. Administered by the State Treasurer, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is the State’s only legitimate source for unclaimed property, and the State never charges a fee to reunite owners with their lost funds. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions, businesses and organizations that have lost contact with the owner for a specific period of time. In addition to abandoned safe deposit box contents, other common forms of unclaimed property include dormant checking and saving accounts, uncashed checks, lost stocks, life insurance policies and utility deposits.
WinnMed Card Marathon registration due Aug. 5
Registration for the WinnMed card marathon is due on Aug. 5. People are invited to join, and both bridge and 500 will again be offered this year. Play will begin in September and end in May. The cost is $10 per person or $20 per couple; couples are asked to register as such. Participants will play with a different couple each month and are welcome to sign up with more than one partner. Chairs Gerry Sorenson and Jeanne Lechtenberg will get the schedules mailed out in late August, and play will begin in September. Please send your registrations to Gerry Sorenson at 502 Sunrise Blvd., Decorah, Iowa 52101. Those with questions may call 563382-2669 for more information.
Decorah Community Schools 2024-2025 NEEDS:
Paraeducators
Decorah High School Support person to teachers working with children 1:1 or a
4th Grade Teacher
Guidance Counselor
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
Maintenance Assistant
Reading/Language Arts Teacher
St. Benedict Catholic School in Decorah, IA is seeking a .8 time 6-8 grade reading/language arts teacher for the 24-25 school year. A State of Iowa teaching certificate is required. If interested please contact Justin Johnson at jjohnson@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us or contact the school at 563-382-4668.
St. Benedict Catholic School in Decorah, IA is seeking a Maintenance Assistant. 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
For Rent: Furnished rooms. TV, WiFi, AC, microwave, parking near restaurants, Kwik Star, Dollar Store. “No pets allowed.” Weekly Special. Cresco Motel. 620 2nd Ave SE, Cresco, IA 52136. 563-547-2240.
Millers View Lawn Angus Private Treaty Yearling Bulls, Replacement Heifers.
Herd. Larry 507-458-7776. 8-30-J-pd-1
30-4-DL-pd-4
Neverest Farms, Gerald & Christine Moellers, 2701 310th Ave., Ridgeway, IA. Sweeney Auction Service, Waukon IA, 563-568-2464, www. sweeneyauctionservice.com
For Sale: 2004 Chevy K1500 Suburban 155,071 miles $6,000 OBO, 2016 Ford Transit T-250 150,000 miles $23,000 OBO, 2016 Chevy Express G4500 delivery truck $32,000 OBO, Electric forklift 4th valve 3-wheel 4,000# $13,000 OBO. Call 563-380-4224. 29-4-LD-pd-4
WINNESHIEK COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Assistant until 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 2, 2024. This is a Full-time position located at the Courthouse. Associate degree or equivalent office experience. 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. 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.
Science Teacher
St. Benedict Catholic School in Decorah, IA is seeking a .8 time 6-8 grade science teacher for the 24-25 school year. A State of Iowa teaching certificate is required.
If interested please contact Steve Haluska at shaluska@st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us or contact the school at 563-382-4668.
Hours: Part-Time, 6.5 hours per week on average Compensation: $30/hour
JOB OVERVIEW
Decorah High School seeks a part-time Vocal Music Collaborative Pianist to support our thriving music program. The successful candidate will be crucial in our Concert Choir and Viking Chorus classes and during various rehearsals, concerts, and other music-related events. The pianist will work closely with the Vocal Music Teacher and students, providing essential support in enhancing the students’ musical skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Accompany the Concert Choir ( 4th period), which includes 85-minute sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays, a 40-minute session on Wednesdays, and 30 minutes of preparation time. This totals approximately 4 hours per week.
• Accompany the Viking Chorus (1st period), which includes 40-minute sessions on Mondays and Thursdays, a 40-minute session every other week on Wednesdays, and 30 minutes of preparation time. This totals approximately 2 - 2.5 hours per week.
• Accompany the Ninth Grade Choir (2nd period) in performances and the final three classes/rehearsals before a concert.
REQUIREMENTS
• Collaborate with the Vocal Music Teacher to enhance the learning experience for students and ensure successful performances.
• Adapt to various musical styles and prepare open scores and piano accompaniments.
• Attend and perform in all scheduled concerts and performances.
• Additional playing opportunities with the fall musical and spring solo and small ensemble clinic and state festival.
• Proven experience as a collaborative pianist, preferably within a school or choral setting.
• Knowledge of a wide range of musical styles and genres.
• Excellent sight-reading skills.
• Ability to quickly learn and perform new pieces of music.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A high degree of reliability and professionalism.
• Flexibility to accommodate the varying schedule of rehearsals and performances.
• A bachelor’s degree in music or a related field is preferred.
Decorah High School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Johnes Monitored
Tortilla
The Landing Market 211 College Dr., Decorah (563)
Scan the QR codes to view menus
Magpie Cafe & Coffeehouse 202 W. Water St., Decorah (563) 387-0593 Open Wed-Sun 7:30a - 2p Serving coffee & drinks, baked goods, breakfast, lunch, tap beer, mimosas & Bloody Marys. Featuring a rotating menu of seasonal specialty coffee drinks. Cozy coffeehouse in downtown Decorah. View menu & order online at mymagpiecoffee.com.
Airing Out the Quilts
The “Airing Out the Quilts” self-guided
