October 15, 2024 by Decorah Leader

Bohemian rhapsodies

St. Wenceslaus concert celebrates Dvorak’s inﬂuence, Spillville’s Czech roots

Classical music aficionados

gathered in Spillville Saturday, Oct. 5 to connect with their inner Czech as part of the Wartburg Community Symphony’s “Experience Dvorak’s Iowa Chamber Concert.”

Rebeca Nederhiser, conductor and artistic director of Wartburg Community Symphony, visited Prague earlier this year with her students and saw the landscapes which would have been familiar to Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, and remembered learning about the famed

musician’s time in Spillville. When Nederhiser returned from her travels, she visited Spillville’s St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where Dvorak spent some of his time.

“I came out here and I was just absolutely amazed,” Nederhiser said. “I saw the organ Dvorak played, and people have to experience this. It’s just absolutely phenomenal.”

The world-renowned Czech composer was working in New York in 1893 and found himself homesick. Dvorak’s as-

sistant, was a Spillville native and suggested a respite to the quaint Czech immigrant village might help Dvorak feel closer to home. Dvorak arrived in Spillville in June of 1893, with Dvorak and his family staying in the building now known as the Bily Clock Museum. Throughout his stay — aptly called his American period — Dvorak was inspired by nature, the drums of the local Indian tribes and echoes of the pipe organ in the church. Dvorak be-

gan a new composition soon after arriving, with the complete sketch for a quartet emerging within a mere 72 hours. The whole score was finished within 12 days, and Dvorak began the sketch of a quintet several days later, still channeling the inspirations from his first work. The resulting compositions, Opus 96 or “Quartet in F Dvorak

continued on page 5

Rebecca Neuzil, 84-year-old Spillville local, chatted with attendees while wearing the traditional Moravian dancing costume she made for herself more than 20 years ago. Neuzil’s parents were full Czech, and she herself didn’t learn to speak English until she was in elementary school. (Decorah Leader photo by Denise Lana)

Heeding the call

Church memberships across the nation — especially in rural areas — are struggling. Winneshiek County’s population has dropped by an average of about 100 people each year over the past decade, and fewer families financially supporting country churches often makes it more difficult for rural parishes to attract permanent pastors.

But the congregations of Big Canoe and Highland Churches, just south and north of Highlandville, may have found a way to overcome some of those challenges — by using a drone and vid-

Rev. Matthew Becker was

eo to introduce itself on the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s website — it’s the first time such marketing tools have been used in the northeast Iowa synod. The video introduced parishioners from both congregations, described activities and toured both churches as well as their grounds. And it seemed to do the trick.

Public invited to join Open Hub Singing Club

The public is invited to join Open Hub Singing Club eight Sundays this fall. The group will be meeting from 3:30-5 p.m. on eight Sundays this year — Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 — at the Pulpit Rock Brewing Company Events Space. Organizers said the club offers a “no practice, no performance” experience. No singing experience or training is required, and all voices are welcome. Register at https://www.centerforbelonging.earth/events/open-hub-singing-club-fall-series.

Burr Oak Lutheran Church to hold meatball supper

Burr Oak Lutheran Church will host a meatball supper — driveup service only — from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. The menu will include meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, rolls and pumpkin pie. Tickets are available for $15 at Letterwerks Sign City, Red-Roxy Quilt Co, KVIK Radio Station, Barney’s Bar and Grill, Viking State Bank and Trust, Canton State Bank, Harmony State Bank or by calling committee member Leslie Cook 563-379-4211.

Decorah Parks and Recreation to host Fall Frenzy

Decorah Parks and Recreation will host its Fall Frenzy event, featuring food and games, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Will Baker Park. Decorah Rocks representatives will also be on hand to help attendees decorate their own unique rocks. Following this event, the public is invited to the Pulpit Rock Campground for a trick-or-treat event from 3-5 p.m. For information, email parkrec@ decorah.iowa.gov, or call 563-32-4158.

Rev. Matthew Becker leads the Big Canoe and Highland Lutheran

Oct. 6, during his installation service at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in

Decorah. (Photo by Zach Jensen)

Decorah Chamber to host Witches Night Out

town locations will participate by hosting extended hours and specials, with some establishments opting for thematic decorations and activities. Organizers said this year’s theme is inspired by the musical “Wicked” and will be featuring Glinda, the “good” witch who loves everything pink, and Elphaba, the “wicked”

How the Camel Got Its Hump

or Treat to be held at Lake Meyer Campground

Dvorak

Major” — affectionately named the “Spillville Quartet” by Dvorak himself — and Opus 97 — or “Quintet in E Flat Major” — became two of Dvorak’s greatest chamber works.

Nederhiser was joined last week by cellist Ruth Marshall, pianist Garret Ross and sopra-

no Kylie Gougler as they performed a variety of pieces from Dvorak’s library of compositions.

Full article and photos available in the October 10 Decorah Decorah Leader and online at www.decorahleader.com

Karen Black, professor of organ at Wartburg College, performed Dvorak’s “Prelude and Fugue in D” on the same organ Dvorak played more than 130 years prior. (Photo by Denise Lana)

Scan this QR code to view the video of Dvorak talking about the summer he spent in Spillville. The video was created using artiﬁcial intelligence. Wartburg College’s James Infelt used numerous pictures to create an animated version of Dvorak but, without any recordings of Dvorak’s voice, he improvised a voice for the musician’s animated ﬁgure.

Decorah council favors off-road vehicles on city streets, roads

With the huge spike in local off-roading groups and trail riding clubs, the Decorah City Council voted last week to draft an ordinance which would allow off-highway and off-road vehicles on city streets and roads.

Councilman Randy Schissel led the discussion, saying off-road groups might be drawn to Decorah while out on trail rides or traversing between towns.

Les Askelson, who hosts fundraising rides spoke with council. He recalled a group which recently traveled from as far away as Des Moines, Burlington and southern Minnesota to participate in a ride at Yellow River Forest.

“We had about 130 machines and 400 people,” he said.

City Manager Travis Goedken said most cities allow such vehicles on their roads and streets, and Decorah Police Chief Tricia Thein said modern off-road vehicles, complete with headlights, turn signals and seat belts which disable the engine is unbuckled, can be as safe as regular cars and trucks.

Full article available in the October 10 Decorah Decorah Leader and online at www.decorahleader.com

To learn more about Paws With A

Les Askelson said he felt it would beneﬁt Decorah if people were allowed to bring their off-road vehicles and stay overnight while enjoying the area, noting the off-roading movement could be a major economic push for community. (Decorah Leader photo by Denise Lana)