The nonprofit Helping Services for Youth and Families has provided services to families in the area since 1973, and for the last 20 years, the Decorah-based organization has been dazzling Decorah with its Holiday Lights fundraiser. The event is its largest annual fundraiser and helps pay for the organization’s multitude of programs.
Holiday Lights was first held in 2005 with 38 displays, and in recent years, more than twice that number of displays have been created by local businesses and families.
The event also attracts an outpouring of volunteer support. More than 300 volunteers helped with the event in 2023, said Helping Services Executive Director Carson Eggland.
“When Holiday Lights was originally started, we charged by the car,” Eggland said. “Today, it’s all free-will donation, and I think that’s great, because anyone can come celebrate with us and enjoy the lights.”
The 2024 Holiday Lights fundraiser is once again scheduled for late November — walking tours will take place Nov. 27, and drivethrough visits will begin Nov. 28.
Eggland said all the funds raised during the Holiday Lights event support Helping Service’s programs, including domestic abuse advocacy, in-home family education, prevention services and a youth mentoring program. He said the mentoring program is one of the organization’s more wellknown offerings.
“We ask that our mentors commit to four hours every month for one year,” Eggland said. “It’s very simple, and we’re always looking for more volunteers for our youth mentoring program.”
riences they might not otherwise have. That’s one of our goals — to try to create experiences for youth — whether that’s going to the zoo or a baseball game — and just have another person in their life that they can trust. Being a kid is tough, so the more trusted adults you can provide in someone’s life, the better off they’ll be. We’re just trying to be a friend, and that’s something we can all be.”
From classroom to community
Karen Tjossem was a junior at Luther College in 1971, when she and her classmates were asked to research whether the Decorah area would benefit from a crisis intervention center. At the time, there were a few centers in Iowa, but none were in the Decorah area. The class talked to community members, the ministerial association, police department, hospital staff and doctors to determine if there was a need.
Helping Services for Youth and Families has hosted its annual Holiday Lights fundraiser since 2005. The event helps pay for the various programs offered by the local nonprofit. (File photos)
Eggland said the organization tries to pair mentors with youth who have similar interests within the same communities, but he said that’s not always easy in rural Iowa.
“Winneshiek County is not just Decorah,” Eggland said. “There are other communities in the county that have expressed interest in mentors, and this program stretches across northeast Iowa. Sometimes, all it takes is one person in someone’s life to change a youth’s trajectory or just provide them with new expe-
With the support of the community, the class found the area would benefit from the addition of a crisis center. Their next step was getting funding and a location.
Local attorney Frank Miller anonymously donated his office space to the group, and volunteers soon began to train with mental health professionals in Iowa City.
“In the beginning, we did a lot of information and referrals because we weren’t trained psychologists, and we weren’t trained to
‘Those Meddling Kids’ to bring talent, intrigue, fun during 2024 Variety Show
The Decorah High School Drama Program will present this year’s variety show “Those Meddling Kids,” which will be an original production set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris during the Olympics. This performance will combine comedy, intrigue and talent as the show’s characters – reminiscent of a famous mystery-solving gang and their loyal, snack-loving canine companion –unravel a suspenseful storyline while showcasing 18 student acts.
Those Meddling Kids performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 in the DHS auditorium. Tickets are available at a cost of $10 for adults and $5 for students. They are available for purchase online at decorahschools.ludus.com and in the DHS office. The box office will also open an hour before each show with house doors opening 30 minutes before showtime.
Full article can be found in the November 7 Decorah Leader and online at decorahleader.com.
(except Sabin was added in front of the Family Table name) to what has been the custom for years of family and friends gathering together to enjoy just some good old comfort food.
Iowans have an opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2025 during the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment, which began this Friday, Nov. 1 and will end Jan. 15, 2025. Anyone who is not eligible for insurance through Medicare, Medicaid or employer-based insurance may be eligible to purchase insurance under the Affordable Care Act coverage provisions is a federally funded non-profit organization which helps families and other underserved communities gain access to health coverage options through the Marketplace, Medicaid or CHIP (HAWKI). They can assist with enrollment applications and help consumers apply for financial
New
have
creased subsidies and made it possible for even most high-income earners to qualify for the lower-cost plans. Call 515-9789570 or visit www.iowanavigator.com to book an in-person or phone appointment for free assistance. For Jan. 1 coverage, sign-up must be completed between by Dec. 15. Those who already have a plan and need to re-enroll are encouraged to double-check the network and prescription drug coverage for any changes and update their information in case they qualify for additional cost savings.
I wish to thank all the citizens of this community for their support of my re-election campaign for Winneshiek County District 3 Supervisor. Whether you voted for me, put up a yard sign, wrote postcards, designed my ads, volunteered for door-knocking, and/ or gave monetary donationsTHANK YOU!
I am honored to continue to serve this entire community in my capacity as District 3 Supervisor. yard MY OATH to this communi : I am committed to continual learning. I will work to be patient and to listen with intention. I will lead with honesty, integrity, and humility. I will have the courage to strive for alignment, connection, and joint purpose. I will have the courage to speak the truth, and to not back away from the crucial conversations that take more
and a bit more
817 S. Mechanic St., Decorah,
Pictured front, from left: Elsa Christman, Nora Lesmeister, Jillian Volz; Back: Margret Zook, Kaylie Wemark, Mikayla Hiner, Noah Potvin, Gwenyth Thompson, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Arianna Albert. (Photo by Roz Weis)
‘Quilts of love’
Church congregations help families around the world through Lutheran World Relief
Twice each year, parishioners from more than 40 northeast Iowa churches meet in Decorah to fill a semi-trailer with hundreds of handmade quilts and other supplies to be distributed to families in need all over the world through Lutheran World Relief. The second of two such events this year was held Saturday, Nov. 2 — during which organizers said nearly 1,700 quilts were collected.
“I enjoy knowing these quilts are going to people who need them,” said Carol Maki, who helps organize the event with her sister Sue Darling — both of whom are members of Big Canoe Lutheran Church. “You can only sew so much for yourself, so sewing for others is my top priority.”
Darling agreed and added that quilting for others is good for a person’s health.
“Knowing that we’re doing good for others is good for us,” she said.
Lutheran World Relief on was established in 1945 as a way for American Lutherans to help European Lutheran families impacted by World War II. LWR records show the first shipments included food, quilts and clothing.
“Back in the 1950’s, Lutheran World Relief sent clothing overseas,” Maki said. “My mother
put her name and address in the pocket of one of her coats that she sent, and months later, she got a letter back from a lady in Germany. Of course, my mother couldn’t read German, so she had Charlotte Strinmoen translate the letter, and my mother wrote back to the German lady. So, we’ve been serving overseas for many years.”
Saturday’s collection, held at Olson Explosives, was led by Rev. Matt Becker of Big Canoe and Highland Lutheran churches as well as Rev. David Werges of Hesper and Burr Oak Lutheran churches Parishioners, quilters and 13 South Winneshiek students did the majority of the lifting and carrying.
Before this year, LWR only distributed quilts and other needed supplies to families in foreign countries. However, because of the recent hurricanes in the southeastern United States, a portion of this year’s donations will be sent to families impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, according to LWR’s website
LWR doesn’t only send quilts. Donors are also asked to contribute personal care kits, which include a bath towel, soap, a comb, fingernail clippers and toothbrush; school kits, which include a ruler, pen, scissors, notebook, pencils, eraser,
a pencil sharpener, crayons and a handmade canvas backpack; baby care kits, which consist of a receiving blanket, jacket, gown, socks, towel, cloth diapers, diaper pins, t-shirts and soap; and fabric kits, which contain two types of fabric and thread, so recipients can make
whatever they need and become more self-sufficient.
Maki said Big Canoe and Highland have been participating in the bi-annual quilt drive for the last 30 years. In May and November of each year, Lutheran parishioners representing churches from Lime
Springs to Dundee and one in Spring Grove, Minnesota, bring their quilts and kits to Olson Explosives, which donates a semi-trailer and transportation costs to ship the goods up to a St. Paul, Minnesota warehouse. The quilts are then unpacked, folded and stacked 35-high before being loaded into a baler, which binds the quilts before they’re shipped wherever they’re needed.
Full article and more photos can be found in the November 7 Decorah Leader and online at decorahleader.com.
Thirteen South Winneshiek students joined Big Canoe, Highland, Burr Oak and Hesper Lutheran Church parishioners early Saturday morning to help the Upper Iowa River and Shepherd of the Hills Clusters of the Northeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to load an Olson Explosives semi-trailer in Decorah with Lutheran World Relief donations. (Photo by Zach Jensen)
42nd annual Turkey Shoot tonight
The 42nd Annual Decorah Parks and Recreation Turkey Shoot will be held from 6:30-8 Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Decorah High School Main Gym. Teams of two — each consisting of a parent and child — combine their ages to determine their competition bracket. Each team will then shoot 10 free throws in an attempt to win a certificate for a free turkey, donated by Decorah Fareway Stores. All teams are also eligible for a prize drawing. Winning teams will be posted on the Decorah Parks and Recreation website (https://parks. decorahia.org/) by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. The Turkey Shoot is a free, open house event, and participants need not register.
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Luther College’s newest emeriti professors
share stories of caring and creative students
Luther College’s Board of Regents approved emeritus status for five long-serving faculty members at Luther, who have retired as of this summer — Barbara Bohach, Michael Engelhardt, Lise Kildegaard, Beth Lynch and Rebecca Sullivan.
“We want to express our deepest appreciation for their dedication and service to Luther College over the years,” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “I know many generations of students have benefited from their commitment to their craft and their own love of learning, and we wish these colleagues well as they start their next chapters in life.”
Barbara Bohach
Barbara Bohach, associate professor emerita of education, began teaching at Luther in 1992. She started as a clinical professor, after 11 years of teaching in elementary classrooms. She enjoyed the twoyear position so much that she expressed an interest in staying on as an instructor. She continued her own education at the University of Northern Iowa to earn a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.
“I enjoyed teaching future teachers during those first two years because of their enthusiasm for making a difference in children’s lives,” she said. “This caring attitude possessed by our students never changed over the course of 32 years. We have grads who become outstanding teachers and leaders in their school districts and make Luther proud!”
teacher-student conversations that I overheard showed me that my students were connecting with their learners and applying the language arts concepts and content that we’d been learning in class.”
Michael Engelhardt
Michael Engelhardt, professor emeritus of political science, taught courses on American politics and foreign policy.
“I came to Luther in 1988 in the middle of a huge drought, and that was the big topic of conversation,” Engelhardt said. “I was looking everywhere for a tenure-track job, and this opened up. I stayed because of my students and colleagues, especially the students.”
During most of his years at Luther, Dr. Engelhardt taught a January Term course entitled, “It’s a Conspiracy!?” Using critical thinking methods, he led the students in examining political conspiracy theories.
“One of my favorite memories is when a student, Sam Scheffler, asked me when I was going to do my ‘last lecture’ at Luther. When I told him I didn’t have anything planned, he urged me to do one,” Engelhardt said. “I worked out the details and gave a lecture on the history and future of NATO. It was very gratifying to find students interested enough in what I had to say to come to something not required. Sam even brought his grandfather to the lecture.”
Bohach enjoyed partnering with local teachers — some of them former students of hers — to help Luther elementary education majors realize the rewards and challenges of teaching literacy to elementary students. These experiences integrated educational theory, research and practice as the college students worked in classrooms.
“When I observed my students working with their assigned student(s), it made me smile,” Bohach said. “The
Engelhardt earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research interests have been in the areas of military intervention and nuclear nonproliferation. He has published several articles in these fields, and has co-authored a text in American politics. He also coached Luther’s Mock Trial team and was faculty adviser to the Luther College Republicans.
Lise Kildegaard
Lise Kildegaard, professor emerita of English, started teaching at Luther in 1993. She earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago. She taught first-year students in
Why
Paideia courses and upper-level British literature courses.
“Reading and writing, analyzing and discussing — these are the arts of the citizen, and for over 30 years at Luther College, I had the privilege of sharing the classroom with students as they worked to improve their skill at these necessary arts,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the energy and the insights of students, and I especially loved how class discussions helped us deepen our thinking and encouraged us to build community.”
Kildegaard shared a story that occurred on her last day of teaching during the spring semester of 2024 to exemplify “the random acts of goofiness that often showed up in the classroom.”
“In the final moments of my very last class this spring semester, the students surprised me with a flash-mob-style recitation of the first 20 lines of Milton’s epic poem, ‘Paradise Lost’ — after which they jumped up to dance to a rap song they had written about our class in 18th-century British lit. It was a perfect Luther College moment — a mash-up of art and learning and joyful noise.”
Kildegaard combined her Danish heritage with her scholarly work through her fine translation of the celebrated Danish writer Louis Jensen’s Square Stories. This work was adapted into a student theater production. She developed a curriculum around Square Stories and flash fiction, which she implemented at numerous K-12 schools in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.
Beth Lynch
Beth Lynch, professor emerita of biology, joined Luther’s biology department in 2001. She received her Ph.D. from University of Minnesota in ecology, evolution and behavior. She regularly taught courses in botany and ecology, including the introductory biology course “Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity.” During January Term, she enjoyed teaching winter biology in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
do the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
All households have their own unique Thanksgiving traditions, but one custom common in many homes come Turkey Day involves watching football.
Each year on Thanksgiving, the National Football League hosts a handful of games, and it’s customary in many households
to gather around the television with friends and family and take in some of the action on the gridiron, excitement that always features the Detroit Lions.
This unique tradition has endured for decades, but when did it start? According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the tra-
of Northern Minnesota. Her research in plant ecology focuses on the paleoecology of fire-dominated ecosystems and on the conservation of native plant communities in Northeastern Iowa.
One of her favorite memories from Luther happened during a January Term course she was teaching in the Minnesota Boundary Waters. She and her students were playing broomball on a frozen lake, when they noticed the Northern Lights.
“Someone noticed the Northern Lights and immediately all of the ruckus of the game stopped as the students stood and watched in awe as the lights danced,” Lynch said. “For many it was their first time seeing them. I loved seeing everyone so quiet and attentive to their surroundings.”
Rebecca Sullivan
Rebecca Sullivan, professor emerita of library and information science, helped first-year students develop their writing skills, benefiting them for the rest of their careers. She would eventually go on to serve as director of the Paideia program.
“I first came to Luther in the fall of 1986 to teach writing and first-year Paideia,” Sullivan said. “Every first-year student at Luther participates in this discussion-based course to develop skills in argumentative writing, careful reading and critical thinking. I value that common experience. I have been delighted to share in each student’s discovery of their own abilities.”
Sullivan was once a first-year student at Luther herself, as she earned her bachelor’s degree from the college in 1984. She would go on to earn a Master of Arts in American studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Library Science from the University of Illinois. She became a full-time professor at Luther in 2004.
She also taught methods courses for students majoring in English education, Young Adult literature, and upper-level Paideia courses on social sustainability and “The Search for Happiness.”
dition of the Lions playing on Thanksgiving can be traced to George A. Richards, who purchased the franchise in 1933 when they were the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans. Richards felt competing in a game on Thanksgiving Day would attract Motor City fans who were more devoted to the Detroit Tigers, the city’s baseball team. Fans who attended the Lions’ first Thanksgiving Day game in 1934 were treated to a nail-biter, with the hometown Lions falling 19-16 to the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit Stadium. The Bears had won the league championship the previous year. In a quirk unique to the game in 1934, the two teams locked horns again just three days later, with the Bears once more emerging victorious in another close contest that ended with a 10-7 score. In the modern era of the NFL, the teams that play on Thanksgiving Day do not play on the following Sunday.
Lanesboro Arts announces 2025 Early Career Artists in Residence
April
fine artist and jewelry maker, living and working in New York City. Originally from Minnesota, Frank has spent the
without a specific cultural background searching for community. Frank’s art is held privately and publicly across the United States and Europe and can be found at megfrank.com.
For residency, Frank will create mixed media art quilts that document Lanesboro citizens and places they cherish; as well as hosting public art education classes on quilting, drawing and painting. Once completed, the quilts would be donated to the community for display and educational use.
Aug. 1-15 and Sept. 1-16,
2025: Alys Ayumi Ogura is a Twin Cities-based dance artist and performance maker who centers on storytelling through her movements, voice and quirky humor.
ASDC, which was supported by the National Dance Project. After several years of working for other artists, Ogura started exploring being a performance maker. She has created a platform called the “Yumi-Verse,” a.k.a. Yumi’s Universe to focus on the marginalized voices of Asian women like her. She created a work commissioned by the Pillsbury House + Theatre (through Naked Stages Fellowship, 2021) and one for the Red Eye Theater (through Isolated Act, New Works 4 Weeks Festival, 2023).
About the Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency Program
Ogura is thrilled to share the Yumi-verse with other towns and cities, including Lanesboro during her residency. Her first initiative, the Choreographers’ Showcase, took place at the Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts in Albuquerque in 2024. She is always searching for communities that are open to embracing the Yumi-verse and a different perspective on the world – just as she does. Meg
She started performing professionally in 2010 and has worked with more than 40 artists – locally and internationally – such as Hauser Dance, Emily Johnson/Catalyst, Company Blue (Italy) Emily Gastineau, Pam Gleason, Kate Juhasz (Hungry), Marylee Hardenbergh, Pramila Vasudevan, and Laurie Van Wieren. She has toured with April Sellers’
An iteration of the Yumi-verse work was selected as a solo at the 2022 Walker Art Center’s Choreographers’ Evening.
Since it began in 2001, the Lanesboro Early Career Artist Residency program has welcomed early career artists of all disciplines to live, work, and create in the rural context of grater Lanesboro. Supported through 2026 by the Jerome Foundation, the residency program awards two to three residencies per year to early career artists with projects that activate the people & places of Lanesboro while instigating positive change. The program is geared toward artists that are driven to explore ways in which their work can be applied to the community and how Lanesboro’s rural community can inform their work. The program is unique in that it provides an entire rural community and its myriad assets as a catalytic vehicle for engagement and artistic experimentation, with staff working with each resident to create a fully-customized residency experience. For more information, visit lanesboroarts.org.
NIGHTLY SPECIALS
Frank Alys Ayumi Ogura
friends, family and
Music of the 80s
Complete
Music of the 80s
Name:
How to help aging veterans
Complete the crossword puzzle below
According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, surveys from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, there were more than 18 million living military veterans in the United States by the end of 2023. Seventy-two percent of those veterans are age 50 and older, and many served during wartime. Military personnel make significant sacrifices to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy each day, and it’s vital that those efforts are never forgotten, even if it’s been decades since service personnel have been on active duty.
Across could turn back time Artist
Across
Who sang Hungry like a Wolf
3. If I could turn back time Artist
Tina Turner's What's ____ got to do with it?
4. Who sang Hungry like a Wolf
Thirty-seven percent of living veterans are age 70 and older, and these brave individuals must face the challenges of aging as well as some, including chronic injuries, that might be traced to their time in the military. That makes helping aging veterans an especially worthy endeavor, and those interested in doing just that can consider the following ideas.
Never Gonna Give You Up artist
6. Tina Turner's What's ____ got to do with it?
British Band that released hit song Every Breath
9. Never Gonna Give You Up artist
Take Which Jackson is the King of Pop?
Don't Stop Believin' artist
11. British Band that released hit song Every Breath you Take 13. Which Jackson is the King of Pop?
14. Don't Stop Believin' artist
Who sang the famous song Wake Me Up Before Go-Go?
15. Who sang the famous song Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go?
Aging at Penn State University found that adults between the ages of 70 and 90 who reported more frequent, pleasant social interactions exhibited improved cognitive performance in the ensuing days. Individuals who want to help aging veterans can invite them over for special events, such as game watches, holiday gatherings or even weekly family meals.
1.
1. We Will Rock You artist
2. Which artist portrayed a nightclub singer in the movie Vision Quest?
5. Eye of the Tiger artist
5. Eye of the Tiger artist
7. Walk like an ________ by the Bangles
8. Who's on vacation far away?
7. Walk like an ________ by the Bangles
8. Who's on vacation far away?
• Offer your expertise free of charge. Working professionals can help aging veterans by providing advice or services free of charge or at steep discounts. For example, accountants can offer to prepare and file aging veterans’ tax returns free of charge or, if the returns are complicated, at steep discounts. Financial advisors can visit a local veterans hall or home and speak to members or residents about managing money after retirement.
10. What type of car does Prince sing about in his 1983 hit?
10. What type of car does Prince sing about in his 1983 hit?
12. Salt-n-Pepa are well-known for Push It and _____
12. Salt-n-Pepa are well-known for Push It and _____
13. Friends' character danced to Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark
13. Friends' character danced to Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark
• Invite veterans over for special events or gatherings. The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans who served in the last 30 years make up the largest number of living veterans. Though there are still plenty of veterans who served prior to 1994, they may no longer have extensive social networks as more and more aging veterans pass away. Social connections are vital to long-term health, and researchers at the Center for Healthy
• Pitch in around the house. Whether they suffered injuries during their time in the service or not, many aging veterans face the same physical limitations as others approaching or past retirement age. Offer to help aging veterans around the house. Mobility issues can make it hard to mow a lawn, tend to a garden or clean the interior of a home. Such tasks are made much easier when others pitch in, and these gestures can be a great way for families to show their appreciation to the brave individuals who protected the freedoms Americans enjoy each day. There’s no shortage of ways to help aging veterans, many of whom could use a helping hand as they navigate their golden years.
The roles of the various branches of the U.S. military
Each November, people across the United States and its territories honor the brave men and women who serve and have served in the various branches of the country’s military. Veterans Day is observed annually every November 11 and honors the service of all U.S. military veterans. The day should not be confused with Memorial Day, which is celebrated each year in May and honors all military personnel who have died in service.
Army
residents in air, space and cyberspace and is capable of delivering forces anywhere in the world within hours.
Veterans Day is a great time for anyone to learn more about the various branches of the U.S. military.
Space Force
The U.S. Department of Defense notes that the Army is the largest and oldest service in the country’s military. The Army provides the ground forces that protect the United States. Members of the Army are trained to defeat enemy ground forces and to seize and control enemy lands and resources. Army also are trained to control and interact with the general population in countries where members are stationed.
Marine Corps.
The existence of the Space Force may come as a surprise to many Americans. Organized under the Department of the Air Force and established in 2019, this branch of the military organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect the interest of America and its allies in space.
Coast Guard
It might surprise some to learn that the Marine Corps. is a component of the Department of the Navy. That’s one reason why maintains amphibious and ground units for contingency and combat operations. The Marine Corps. is divided into four groups: the operating forces that fight; the headquarters for leadership; the supporting establishment that provides logistical support; and the Marine Corps. Reserve.
Navy
During peacetime, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security. In times of war, it operates under the Navy. The Coast Guard provides law and maritime safety enforcement as well as environmental protection. In addition to promoting national security, border security and economic prosperity in the maritime environment, the Coast Guard saves those in peril on the sea.
National Guard
The Navy protects America at sea. Despite its massive land mass, the United States is a maritime nation, which underscores how important a strong Navy is to the safety of the country and its residents. The Navy works alongside American allies and partners to keep the seas open and free.
The National Guard is comprised of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The National Guard has a diverse array of responsibilities that range from supporting combat missions to responding during domestic emergencies to assisting in humanitarian efforts and more.
Air Force
The Air Force has five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and command and control. The Air Force defends the country and its
The U.S. military is made up various branches, each with its own unique missions and responsibilities. Veterans Day marks the perfect occasion to celebrate the many individuals who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.
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REAL ESTATE
AUCTION CALENDAR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
16 - Mervil Mabb: Guns, fishing tools in Postville. Monroe Auction Service, 563-380-1676.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
19 - Sweeney Machinery Consignment Auction. Sale held at Sweeney Auction Center Waukon, Ia. Sweeney Auction Service Waukon. 563-568-2464. www.sweeneyauctionservice. com
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER
30 - Guns & Sporting Good Auction. Sale held at Sweeney Auction Center Waukon, Ia. Sweeney Auction Service Waukon. 563-568-2464. www. sweeneyauctionservice.com
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 - 10:30 a.m. 78 acres m/l Allamakee County Real Estate. Sweeney Auction Service Waukon. 563-568-2464. www. sweeneyauctionservice.com
AUCTION
continued from front
counsel,” Tjossem said. “We were that first step people could take. It was nice to be able to connect with the community so we could send them in the right direction for what they needed.”
SWEENEY AUCTION SERVICE
On April 19, 1971, the group answered their first call as Trouble Line. It was primarily Luther volunteers who handled the phone lines at that time, along with a number of community members. In the group’s first year, volunteers staffed the phone lines from 6 p.m. until midnight each night except the Christmas and Easter. More than 400 calls were received in the first calendar year.
Shortly after opening, Trouble Line formed a board of directors and became a non-profit. Tjossem credits board member Larry Grimstad as being instrumental in getting the group started.
By 1974, things with Trouble Line were changing. Tjossem, who was still a volunteer at that time, said many of the calls were related to drug abuse, and the nonprofit was able to receive funding from the Iowa Drug Abuse Authority. That money paid for things like training, phone lines and a library.
Trouble Line continued to see increased use and eventually moved its headquarters to 215 E. Water St. Tjossem said, in addition to the phone lines, the move provied physical space for students to walk in and talk.
The nonprofit also expanded its program offerings and became known as the Decorah Information Center, with a drop-in center and Telecheck, a service which called people in the evening to check on their wellbeing.
A 1975 fire forced the Information Center to relocate to 108 W. Water St., and the name was changed in 1978 to Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, Inc. According to a Decorah newspaper article from that year, the name was chosen to “accurately reflect the services provided and the geographic area served by the agency.” At that time, programs were offered to residents in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.
The organization is located at 805 E. Main Street, today.
2024
HOME &Harvest
INSIDE WEEK 3
Decorah couple brings new life to one-room country schoolhouse
Iowa’s corn harvest largely complete before heavy rains swept across state
Roger and Dorothea Dahlen bought a vintage one-room schoolhouse and moved it to their acreage. They have converted it into a getaway filled with charm and historical items from a bygone era. (Photos by Roz Weis)
HOME & H arvest
Decorah couple brings new life to one-room country schoolhouse
BY ROZ WEIS DECORAH LEADER STAFF WRITER
There are some quiet nods to a bygone era in the walls of the restored one-room country schoolhouse owned by Roger and Dorothea Dahlen of Decorah.
The once abandoned schoolhouse is just off Locust Road north of Decorah, and the Dahlens have been working to revive it ever since they purchased the property in 2018.
The former Clay Hill School No. 5 — also known as Matter’s Schoolhouse — has been painstakingly transformed into a quaint guest house/Airbnb.
A history lesson
The Clay Hill School dates back to the mid-1900s. Its walls once echoed with the voices of young pupils whos as they practiced their handwriting, geography, spelling and history lessons.
After the end of the rural country school system in Iowa in the 1960s, the schoolhouse was closed. It was later moved to an area near a former popular Decorah destination, Wonder Cave, which was situated north of Decorah. The schoolhouse was used as an office at the historic site for several years but had sat empty since the 1970s.
“For many years, I drove past the schoolhouse on my way into town from our farm in Sattre,” Dorothea said. “I was always curious about what it was used for. I knew Wonder Cave had been closed since I was a little girl. In 2018, an acreage came up for sale by John and Suzanne Matter. I talked Roger into at least looking at it. He was retired already, and I had plans to do so in a few years. To me, the 5-acre property seemed a perfect compromise to living so far out in the country and still having a beautiful country home.”
After some serious discussions, the Dahlens sold the farm where they had lived for 25 years and purchased the Matter property.
The schoolhouse, which was situated a bit farther from their homestead, was part of the deal — for a price of $150. The Dahlens moved to their new home in December of 2018 and began remodeling efforts on their residence, which eventually included moving the school house to a new foundation elsewhere on the property.
“First thing was to get lots of rock to make a driveway up to
the back of the yard to access our new garage and shed,” Dorothea said. “Bruening Rock was available whenever we needed them, and we soon had a favorite driver named Joel. Roger had many years on the Winneshiek County Road Department so he was able to do all the grading himself.”
Dorothea said it wasn’t until the next spring that Roger surrendered to the idea of the school house being moved onto the acreage — the historic structure had less than a city clock to travel.
Dorothea said her husband’s commitment to the idea nearly brought her to tears — and she had a vision for the former school house.
“I wanted it to be a guest house for our large families,” she said. “I have eight brothers and sisters, and Roger has five siblings. We had no idea that a ‘remodel’ for the schoolhouse would
eventually turn into basically a new build.”
Among their first efforts was the search for a mover. Alysworth House Movers, a Wadena firm, was selected after a new full basement was poured. The desired location was cleared of brush, and a majestic willow tree on the lot was trimmed to
allow for the move.
“E&B Christopher Construction was amazing, digging the basement and sewer lines and leveling the lot,” Dorothea said. “We poured the basement with the help of Dale Hovden Cement. He was great to work with, and Roger was also knowledgeable with cement
and he was always helping with every phase. Kurth from Waukon came in with a pumper with cement from Croell.”
By August, it was time for the movers to come.
“It is quite an interesting process, and they were experts at their work,” the Dahlens recalled. “The old cement block foundation crumbled in when they lifted it up to move. Christopher’s filled in the hole later with the dirt that had been dug out to make the schoolhouse basement.”
Dorothea said, once the schoolhouse was in place, the demo was basically a job for the Dahlens themselves, with some occasional help from friends. Roger began tearing the walls down to the studs, and the cou-
ple was able to save the school house’s original chalkboard to use again — removing it came with an unexpected surprise.
“When they tore off the lime green painted sheetrock, it revealed another older chalkboard behind that still had writing all over it,” Dorothea said.
In total, the Dahlens discovered five panels, each bearing information for a different school subject. Chalk marks spelled out a listing of cabinet seats under former President Grover Cleveland, the written names of the rural country school students — surnames
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Roger and Dorothea Dahlen of Decorah bought a vintage one-room schoolhouse and promptly moved it to their acreage north of Decorah. They have converted it into a sweet little getaway, right in their own backyard. The schoolhouse sports the No. 5, as it was Clay Hill Schoolhouse No. 5 back in bygone era.
A framed picture of the original classroom schedule at Clay Hill School is in a place of honor in the restored schoolhouse.
The dining area at the Matter Schoolhouse is enveloped by a vintage chalkboard - a nod to the one-room schoolhouse’s treasured history.
HOME & H arvest
A new deck, with farmland
Schoolhouse
like Matter, Stegen, Anderson, Bigler, Brynsaas, Moen and others — math problems from a previous era, spelling words for the school house’s former students and a huge drawing of a cat on a stump — Dorothea said she and Roger tried to carefully save the antique artwork, but the old board crumbled to pieces.
“There was no way of knowing when that old chalkboard had been written on for the last time, but it was really eerie to see it in perfect shape with beautiful handwriting,” she said.
However, they were able to save other materials, such as the shiplap they discovered behind the sheetrock.
es,” Dorothea said. “It all had to be planned around that placement of the kitchen. The only thing we ended up buying new was a dishwasher. When we first started the project, we were thinking the roof was ok and we could paint the siding, but as Tra- vis
“For
many years, I drove past the schoolhouse on my way into town from our farm in Sattre. I was always curious about what it was used for.”
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continued previous page
gave the idea to use the shiplap on the ceiling,” Dorothea said.
“The original milk glass lights were rewired by Perry Novak (Electric) and hung after. They really looked great with the dark ceiling.”
“Roger pulled it off carefully, to be possibly used in the remodel,” Dorothea said. “He would lay each board on the floor and my sister Theresa and I would pull and pound out all the old nails and carry the boards to our large shed.”
The demolition took weeks of their spare time and plenty of paper as they attempted to plan out every foot of the project. Once the destructive phase of the project was complete, the Dahlens worked with Travis Grawin of TG Home Improvement to create a renewed space inside.
“We had saved the kitchen that Suzanne had in the main house with her new applianc-
ordered new 8-foot windows, and the new doors from Spahn and Rose. We decided we might as well have new siding too...and oh well, a new tin roof would look nice.”
The couple chose an industrial grade carpet at the suggestion of Superior Wood Floors, and rulers were used for the trim backsplash in the kitchen.
The couple’s dedicated team of contractors and experts kept the renovation on schedule, and the workers enjoyed plenty of home-cooked lunches from Dorothea’s kitchen during the job.
“It was as they started studding the new walls that Travis
Soon it was time to look to furnishings for the converted school.
“There was still the plan of it just remaining a guest house,” Dorothea said. “I had a lot of furniture already, but I am an avid Depot Outlet customer and like to redo furniture. I also stopped at What’s New antique store for some nice finds.”
Among her treasured
finds from her thrifting expeditions is an antique wrought iron king-size headboard and some quaint nursery rhyme pictures - in keeping with the schoolhouse theme.
As a nod to the Matter family, a sign denoting the building as the “Matter’s Schoolhouse” was erected.
“It was a delightful surprise for John and Suzanne (Matter),” she said. “The walls are filled with children’s art from
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The open concept living space is spacious and inviting. Family and guests are invited to relax in the two-story renovated schoolhouse, filled with charm and historical items from a bygone era.
Dorothea Dahlen, owner
my nieces and nephews and my grandchildren. Since, I have added many more, from children that have visited.”
Schoolhouse No. 5
complete
The old one-room schoolhouse now boasts many rooms, with a full bathroom on each floor and several designated sleeping areas. The open area in the basement includes another queen-size bed and a day bed which can be made into two singles. The laundry room doubles as a space for teenagers, with a fold-up cot available if larger groups rent the space.
“In March, we hosted a dinner party for close friends and unveiled the schoolhouse on that Saturday evening,” Dorothea said. “Little did we know that it would be the last time we would hang out for a long while. COVID hit that Monday, and the world went into protective action. That spring, the deck was finished, and we found a cute place to add a slide right off the deck. Roger seeded the lawn with a grass seed mix from Thornton Feed. It gave us a thick lush lawn that is just so pretty. A parking pad big enough for four cars was poured by Dale again. We hung a heavy iron bell — a gift from my sisters — and last came the steel No. 5 signage, a gift from a dear friend — made at Gemini.”
Dorothea said the pandemic felt like one of the longest periods in her life, as she and her family members were kept apart. Her daughter’s wedding took place in October of 2020 — it became a small, private celebration for immediate family, and the Dahlen’s guest house had no visitors.
A dream come true
Dorothea retired in Septem-
ber of 2021, and she listed the former school house as an Airbnb — the rental has been busy since day one, with the Dahlens hosting many families, and Dorothea said resurrecting the schoolhouse has been a dream come true for her.
“This is my calling,” she said.
“I love to host and go the extra mile to make people happy. The notes that are left in the guest book are an absolute treat for my soul.
“We can’t thank you enough for the hospitality,” one guest wrote. “A truly amazing host to match a truly amazing space … The other Airbnbs we’ve stayed in don’t come anywhere close to this ... we will most definitely be back.”
“What an amazing place to stay,” another guest said. “The place is so cozy and decorated beautifully … I will most definitely be back with family and friends.”
Dorothea said many guests choose to return each year, and the Matter Schoolhouse expects to host its fourth Luther graduation party next spring. Roger continues to help with the lawn and keeps the driveway immaculate — Dorothea said he draws the line at cleaning toilets or making the beds.
Renovation work has continued over the years, including the recent addition of a new blacktop driveway which doubles as a playground for riding toys, basketball and chalk drawings.
It’s been nearly six years since the Dahlens moved to
Improving storage in common areas
Increasing storage capabilities at home is a popular goal among many homeowners and renters. Despite how much space a person may have at home, there’s often a desire to have more or maximize the areas that are there. According to the Self-Storage Almanac, there are an estimated 51,206 storage facilities operating in the United States today, and MJ Partners Self-Storage Update says 11.1 percent of households currently rent at self-storage facilities. IBISWorld indicates the Canadian self-storage industry has grown at an average annual rate of 3.1 percent over the last five years.
People often turn to external storage facilities to house their belongings when space is at a premium at home. Others may focus their organization energy on closets, garages and basements to free up room. But common areas around the home also can provide additional sources of storage. Common areas are locations where people come together for activities.
Living room/family
room
Living rooms and family rooms are areas of the home where people spend many hours. These tend to be multifunctional spaces where people entertain, lounge and even enjoy movies or gaming. Possibilities in these living spaces that can create extra storage include furniture that serves double-duty. For example, a storage otto-
man adds decorative appeal but also can be filled with board games or books. Cabinet-style TV stands may not be as streamlined as mounted versions, but they’re ideal places to stash games, remote controls and other accessories.
Entryway
An entryway or mudroom can quickly succumb to clutter. When organizing such a space, think about the needs of the household. A storage bench will be a place where everyone can sit to put on shoes, and then stow footwear underneath when not in use. A wall-mounted rack can hold the current season’s jackets or sweaters, as well as purses or backpacks for easy access. A shelf with some hooks can store keys or hold a basket to store the daily mail.
Hallway and closet
Closet organization systems can be the unsung heroes in closets utilized by multiple members of the family. These customizeable components can be sized accordingly for the space, and then configured as needed with a balance of shelves and hanging racks. An outof-the way nook or long hallway can be enhanced with a bookshelf to hold photo albums or that library that only continues to grow as new reading material is acquired. Homeowners can make common areas more functional with the addition of storage.
One of the king guestrooms on the main floor of the restored schoolhouse boasts vintage furnishings and accents. (Photos by Roz Weis)
The walls leading down to the lower level of the schoolhouse are decorated with children’s drawings and keepsakes.
Iowa’s corn harvest largely complete before heavy rains swept across state
BY SETH BOYES NEWS EDITOR
The corn harvest in northeast Iowa is on par with the state average, according to November’s first crop and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Iowa’s
The report said an estimated 92 percent of the region’s corn has been harvested for grain — the same as listed for the state overall that week.
Northeast Iowa’s reported corn harvest was slightly ahead of the numbers reported in the state’s southeast region, according to the USDA, and about 15 percent more than statistics reported in south-central Iowa.
Winneshiek County was home to 1,459 farms in 2022, according to the USDA’s most recent Ag Census, with an average size of 256 acres. The county had an estimated 307,133 total acres of cropland that year — about 70 percent of the county’s total area. And Winneshiek County was estimated to have produced about 195 bushels of corn per acre in 2023. Overall, the state’s corn harvest this year is approximately six days ahead of the 2023 stats and two weeks ahead of the five-year average, according to the USDA’s recent report.
rived last week and stayed through the weekend in much of the state,” said Iowa Secretary of State Mike Naig. Justin Glisan, a state climatologist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, said most of Iowa saw above-average rainfall between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3 this year.
“A significant shift in the storm track brought widespread and above-normal rainfall to most of Iowa during the reporting period — nearly a month’s worth of rain fell at many stations,” Glisan’s report said.
“After a long stretch of dry conditions that allowed harvest to proceed without much interruption, measurable rainfall finally ar-
Winneshiek County saw approximately 3-4 inches of rainfall during the seven-day period. Areas of Plymouth County in northwest Iowa saw the least rainfall that week with a little more than half an inch, while the city of Vining in Tama County recorded more than 5 inches — and a few areas in Osceola County reported measurable snowfall, according to the report. Data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center showed areas west of Cedar Rapids as well as smaller zones south of Dubuque and east of Des Moines got more than 4 inches of rain that week.
“For Iowa farmers still finishing harvest and other field work, the moisture may temporarily delay progress,” Naig said. “However, it will also provide the added benefits of reducing dust, decreasing fire risk and helping to replenish our dry soils, waterways and pastures.”
The USDA’s report said farmers in northeast Iowa had about 4.8 days which were suitable for fieldwork as October transitioned to November. It was the third highest total in the state that week, behind northwest and north-central Iowa, which both saw a little more than five days of suitable
harvest was estimated to be 92 percent complete as of a Nov. 4 report from the USDA — six days ahead
and
weeks ahead of the
average. Winneshiek County’s corn harvest was also esti-
at 92 percent as of the report, putting area producers ahead of their counterparts in southeast, south-central and eastern-central Iowa. (Photo by Seth Boyes)
fieldwork. Northeast portions of Iowa also reported a somewhat greater percentage of adequate topsoil moisture than the northwest but about 26 percent more than north-central areas. The USDA report said northeast regions showed about 3 percent more surplus moisture than either of the other two northern regions — which were both listed at zero.
“For the many farmers who have seeded cover crops or are planning to do so, the rain also provided a much needed boost toward getting them established,” Naig said.
Thousands of Iowa farmers plant cover crops, according to information published by the USDA earlier this summer, with most producers favoring cereal rye, oats, wheat, radishes and turnips. The USDA said annual cover crop practices can provide several benefits, such as greater erosion control, suppression of weeds, decreased soil compaction and the potential to provide supplemental livestock grazing.
As of the USDA’s Nov. 4 report, the average temperature in Iowa was 53.1 degrees, which the report said was 7.5 degrees above normal. The report said the city of Little Sioux in Harrison County recorded the week’s high temperature — 86 degrees on Oct. 29, which was 29 degrees above normal. The Benton County cities of Belle Plaine and Vinton marked the week’s low temperatures within the first two days of November — 24 degrees, which the report said was 8 degrees below normal.
“As we look ahead to the next two weeks, outlooks continue to show better chances of warmer temperatures and more rain,” Naig said.
Iowa farmers interested in signing up for the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program have until Nov. 22 to submit initial paperwork.
Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, CSP and EQIP provide financial and technical assistance for producers implementing conservation practices while maintaining agricultural production.
“Programs like CSP and EQIP help farmers meet their conservation goals while alleviating financial risks and improving soil health,” said Cynthia Farmer, senior policy associate with the
Center for Rural Affairs. To be eligible, producers must demonstrate they are currently addressing regional resource concerns with approved conservation practices and are willing to implement enhancements, or additional practices, into their operation. EQIP offers assistance for single practices or projects to help producers address a particular resource concern. Several structural practices, such as terraces, can be funded through EQIP as well. With both programs, the applying producer will develop a conservation plan with support from local NRCS staff to ensure the implemented practices benefit natural resources and meet
the producer’s conservation goals.
“Whether farmers are experienced in conservation or trying a new practice, these programs provide an opportunity to make big and small investments for the future,” Farmer said.
In 2023, more than 360,000 acres were enrolled in CSP and
EQIP combined in Iowa, a 10 percent increase from 2022.
Farmers interested in applying for either program are encouraged to contact their local NRCS office. A list of local offices can be found at nrcs.usda. gov/contact/find-a-service-center.
corn
of the 2023 stats
two
five-year
mated
Yard and garden: Preparing plants for Winter
BY AARON J. STEIL
As
gardeners face the
of preparing some of their
plants for
ter. Horticulture specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provide practical tips and techniques for overwintering plants not reliably winter hardy in Iowa, ensuring they not only survive but flourish in the seasons to come.
How do I overwinter roses?
Overwinter roses. Not all roses require winter protection. Many of the roses commonly sold in garden centers, such as Easy Elegance and Knock Out, are winter hardy and require no extra care; just prune dead canes in April as the new growth emerges.
However, hybrid tea, grandiflora and floribunda roses do need winter protection due to their vulnerability to cold. Low temperatures and rapid temperature changes in winter can severely injure and sometimes kill unprotected modern roses. Prepare non-winter hardy roses for winter after the plants have been hardened by exposure to several nights of temperatures in the low to mid-20s.
Usually, this is early to mid-November in Iowa. Start by clearing debris and diseased leaves. This will help reduce disease problems next season. Then, loosely tie the canes together with twine to more easily work around and protect the thorny canes. Next, cover the bottom 10 to 12 inches of the canes with soil. Place additional material, such as straw or leaves, over the mound of soil. Use a cylinder of wire fencing to help hold these materials in place.
How do I overwinter butterfly bush and other tender woody plants?
In Iowa, there are several woody plants that are marginally hardy and grown more like perennials. These plants are root hardy in the state, but their above-ground growth is killed over winter in most years.
Plants like butterfly bush, crape myrtle, big leaf hydrangea and some roses will have dieback during the winter. During mild winters, that dieback will be less severe, so leaving all wood in place allows for more of the plant to potentially make it through the winter, giving you a larger plant in spring.
To protect them further, add 2 to 3 feet of light mulch, like straw, around the dormant
plants inside a cylinder of wire fencing. Wait until new growth begins to emerge in spring and prune these tender woody plants back to live tissue.
How do I overwinter unplanted perennials, shrubs, and trees?
Overwinter pots in the ground. If you can't plant a perennial or woody plant before winter, take steps to protect it while still in its container.
Containerized plants shouldn't be left above ground, as cold can damage their crowns and roots.
The most reliable way to overwinter container-grown perennials is to dig holes in a protected garden area and set the pots in the ground, backfilling with soil as if planting them. Soil is a good insulator and will protect the plant’s roots from extreme cold. This should be done after the plants go dormant but before the ground freezes, usually a few weeks after the first frost. Pull containers out of the soil in spring when the extreme temperatures of winter have passed and the soil thaws.
Containerized plants can also be overwintered by placing them in an attached, unheated garage or other structure with temperatures that can stay
consistently between 20 to 45 degrees. Many unheated structures can vary more widely in temperature than this. It is important to monitor and adjust temperatures inside the structure if needed.
How do I prepare strawberries for winter?
June-bearing strawberries should be mulched in the fall to prevent winter injury to flower buds, crowns and roots. Temperatures below 20 degrees can harm unmulched plants.
Mulch strawberries after they go fully dormant but before temperatures drop below 20 degrees. In Iowa, this is typically late October to mid-November in northern portions of the state and mid-to-late November in southern areas.
Use clean, weed-free straw, applying 3 to 5 inches initially. The material should eventually settle to 2 to 4 inches. In windy areas, secure the straw with wire or plastic fencing held down by heavy objects like bricks. Avoid using leaves as mulch, as they can mat together in layers, trapping air and creating space for ice to form, not providing adequate protection. Leaf mulch may damage plants due to excess moisture trapped under the material.
Turn a backyard into your own relaxing respite
Backyards have long been places to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by nature.
Thanks in part to financial instability brought on by rising inflation and measures to tame it, homeowners may decide to forgo traditional vacations in favor of staying home this season. There’s no better time to invest in a home, particularly outdoor spaces, to make them welcoming respites. The following are some ways to accomplish that goal.
Incorporate a water feature
The sound of trickling or bubbling water can make surroundings more serene. A low-maintenance water feature can help to create a calming ambiance. A fountain that does not require a collection pond will reduce the chance it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Locating the fountain out of the sun can keep algae growth at a minimum.
Add some music
Thanks to wireless speakers that rely on Bluetooth technolo-
gy, it’s easy to have music piped right into the backyard. Set up a wireless speaker in an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a planter or in the rafters of a gazebo.
Add lights for ambiance Outdoor lighting options include professionally installed, hardwired lights on the home itself or accent lighting that draws attention to trees or architectural structures on the property. It also may include twinkling lights, which some consider a must-have for any outdoor retreat. Lights come in all types and price points. Hang them on porches, pergolas or cement posts inside decorative planters and then string lights between the posts. This way the lighting can be moved around as desired.
Lounging spots A comfortable outdoor loveseat or chairs may be a focal point of the yard, but build in some additional cozy spots specifically for lounging around. Nestle a hammock in a quiet corner of the yard, or enhance a chaise lounge with throw pil-
lows and a large umbrella for napping poolside.
Add lushness with plants Plants can transform any space. Use a combination of planted varieties around the yard, then enhance certain areas with potted plants as needed. Plants can make an area more warm and inviting, plus they give butterflies, bees and hummingbirds places to stop by and visit. Consider the help of a professional landscaper to bring a vision of a lush, plant-
filled retreat to life.
Blend in the pool or spa
With some unique landscape architecture, the pool or hot tub can be built right into the landscape, making it a cohesive part of the design. This can make the yard seem even more like an oasis, especially when the pool is flanked by a waterfall or bubbling fountain.
Turning a backyard into an oasis can provide the respite many people look for on their properties.
How do I prepare asparagus for winter?
Asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in the fall. However, it's best to leave it standing
Dahlen family takes hands-on approach to new home build Jewell Enterprizes makes strides in conservation and organic farming
A new chapter begins for Horn Hollow estate
Overwinter pots in the ground. Containerized plants shouldn’t be left above ground, as cold can damage their crowns and roots. (ISU Extension photo)
over winter. The dead foliage catches snow, which protects the crowns from freeze damage. Remove the foliage in late March or early April before spears emerge.
Hot tubs and swim spas can be enjoyed year round, even through cold midwest winters.
