The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Water Street Lighted Parade on Friday, Dec. 13 in downtown Decorah. The parade will start at 6 p.m. in the 200 block of East Water Street and will travel seven blocks west to the intersection of Mill Street. The parade is free to enter, and organizers encourage all floats to embrace the 2024 vintage Christmas theme. Santa will lead the parade in Dotzenrod’s Carriage, with the chamber board of directors, staff and ambassadors. The chamber will name a winner among both the large and small float entries, follow-
ing the conclusion of the parade. Winners will be chosen based on their integration of lights and how well they embrace the vintage Christmas theme.
The Chamber won’t be hosting photos with Santa at T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill following the parade, but organizers said the public will have other opportunities to meet Jolly Old St. Nicholas.
Helping Services will be hosting Santa every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up to Dec. 22 during the Holiday Lights event at Pulpit Rock Campground. Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center will offer a hot cocoa bar and profes-
sional photos with Santa before, during and after the Water Street Lighted Parade on Dec. 13. The public can also attend Santa on the Farm at the Northeast Iowa Dairy Center that same day. Professional photos with Santa will be taken during the Holiday Craft And Vendor Expo on Dec. 14 at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. The Landing Market will be welcoming families to Breakfast with Santa that morning and offering another chance to have professional photos taken with Santa — The Landing will also be hosting Everyone is a Kid at Christmas for individuals over 75 that afternoon from noon to
1:30 p.m. Toppling Goliath will offer live music and play host to what organizers called the real Santa on Dec. 21.
“The chamber extends a special note of appreciation for Mike and Dom Bockman’s support of the photos with Santa event in their second story space for so many years,” the chamber said in a statement. “Their dedication to community and holiday magic is heartfelt and far-reaching.”
Organizers said Santa will be visiting a number of other area locations this month.
Decorah Leader File Photo
Christmas Open House
Winneshiek County Conservation working to improve water quality
The Winneshiek County Conservation Board has collaborated with communities and organizations in Winneshiek County for 65 years to improve local water quality and provide parks for outdoor recreation. This spring, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources highlighted successful watershed improvements at Lake Meyer Park made by Winneshiek County Conservation officials, local landowners and other partners.
Local conservation officials said two high-priority projects were complete this year, and they plan to start work on the Dry Run Creek Flood Control Basins.
in the city of Decorah and the Upper Iowa River, as well as reduce pollutants entering Dry Run Creek. This stormwater wetland, located west of Decorah, catches runoff from a 30acre area. Funding and technical support for this project were provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Water Quality Initiative Grant, the city of Decorah, USFWS and Northeast Iowa RC&D. This new wetland is expected to be one of just a few publicly owned wetlands in Winneshiek County.
Winneshiek County Conservation’s next water quality improvement project, the Dry Run Creek flood control basins, will begin construction in 2025. A total of five embankments will be constructed within the county’s Dry Run Greenbelt west of Decorah. These five structures are meant to provide temporary storage to reduce flash flooding, which impacts downstream farmland as well as the city of Decorah and the Upper Iowa River. The project was made possible through a mix of federal, state and local funding.
host annual fundraiser concert
Projects began with streambank restoration work at Sindelar Wildlife Access, located along Bluffton Road northwest of Decorah. The project’s first phase was completed in the fall of 2023, and its second phase began in 2024 with improvements to fish habitat, streambank stabilization and removal of floodplain sediment. The additions are expected to reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into the stream, protecting the native Iowa brook trout population. The county conservation board was awarded state Fish Habitat grants and a federal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service DARE TU grant to initiate this project, with additional support in the form of donations from Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Mid-Missouri Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the North Bear Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Iowa Coldwater Conservancy, the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association and Upper Iowa Audubon.
The Dry Run Greenbelt Stormwater Wetland, which was completed in 2024, was designed to help reduce flooding
Each of the construction sites is supported by grant funding from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to establish a high-quality pollinator prairie for the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinators. The deep-rooted prairie will also act as a filter around each project site, buffering the streams from the impact of stormwater. Both the construction work and the prairie plantings are expected to provide multiple benefits to the land, wildlife and county residents.
For more information about supporting Winneshiek County Conservation’s water quality improvement efforts, visit www.winneshiekwild.com.
The public is invited to attend Decorah Chorale’s 24th annual “Home for Christmas” concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Decorah Lutheran Church. This year’s concert will raise funds for the Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity and the Decorah Community Food Pantry. Admission is free for all, and a free-will offering will be accepted. The chorale has
Santa Keys available at Decorah Chamber
Driftless Security Owner Mike Kozelka is offering Santa Keys to the Decorah area for a second year. “The holiday season is a good time to be thoughtful about locking homes and vehicles,” said Kozelka.
“The Santa Key offers parents a way to talk about safety when kids are especially invested in listening - of course they want Santa to be able to get inside.”
The Santa Key fits any locked door without compromising home safety and can be hung on the front door knob on Christmas Eve night. A total of 100 Santa Keys are now available at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. The keys each cost $10 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Decorah Police Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office. Madison Lutheran to host
raised nearly $45,000 for local charities over the years, thanks to attendees.
The hour-long program will feature Christmas classics, including “While by My Sheep,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” along with other seasonal pieces. The chorale
will be joined by collaborative guest artists, including Melissa Bills, Dustin Bliven, Crystal Duffy, Chris Hadley, Peter Kowitz and Ezra Vorvick. Vocal soloists Kelsey Vanney and Jenny White will add their voices to the evening. The Decorah High School Madrigal Singers will also perform a selection of Christmas carols as a prelude to the concert.
The Decorah Chorale, led by Jason Rausch with collaborative pianist Nicholas Shaneyfelt, is an 80-member mixed choral ensemble with voices from Decorah and six neighboring communities in both Iowa and Minnesota. For more information, visit www.decorahchorale. org or email decorahchoraledirector@gmail.com.
Historic preservation commission preparing to release new booklet
The Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission was created in 1985 to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance. Among many goals the group aims to promote public awareness of historic preservation within the county, and for several years the commission has published color booklets highlighting the role early historic icons — from school houses to stone structures and mills — have played in the local community’s development.
The commission is now preparing to release its next booklet, entitled “A History of Barns of Winneshiek County, Iowa.” Organizers are currently conducting a reconnaissance survey of Winneshiek County barns with the goal of docu-
menting 120 barns built before 1900. It is estimated that there were more than 200,000 such barns built in Iowa, with only somewhere around 60,000 left today. It is also estimated that Iowa is losing around 1,000
barns per year. The local commission’s survey is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2025. “A History of Barns in Winneshiek County, Iowa,” is expected to be available for sale by late fall.
Timed Online-Only Auction
Photo submitted Decorah Chorale to
How to maximize the tax benefits of donating to charity
People generally make charitable donations out of a selfless desire to help those in need. Indeed, Investopedia notes that charitable organizations survive primarily on donations. Without the financial contributions of donors, many charitable organizations and nonprofits would be incapable of meeting their missions.
Donors may make charitable contributions to help others, but there’s no shame in taking advantage of the tax benefits associated with donating. Laws governing the tax benefits associated with charitable donations can vary from year to year, so it’s best that donors stay on top of the rules, particularly if they plan to prepare their own returns in April. Charitable individuals can keep these strategies on maximizing the tax benefits of donations in mind as they prepare to support their favorite charities.
Work with a financial planner
As noted, the tax laws governing charitable donations can change from year to year, and some of those changes may be subtle. That’s why it can benefit donors to hire a seasoned financial planner, ideally before making donations. Financial professionals can advise prospective donors about donation strategies that will earn them the most significant tax deductions. Some donations help donors avoid capital gains taxes, while others may not even
Johnson to present on Cold Water Cave
The monthly program at the Senior Citizens Hospitality Center will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at 806 River St. in Decorah and will feature Cheryl Johnson, who serves as the Iowa Grotto president. She will give a slide show on Cold Water Cave, talk about the caves of Winneshiek County and welcome questions from guests. The Senior Center hosts a public program on the second Friday of each month and encourages the public to attend. Refreshments and fellowship follow the meetings.
qualify for deductions. Making sense of the rules is easier when donors work with licensed, experienced financial professionals.
Do the math before donating No donation is too small to help a worthy cause, but donors who want the best of both worlds should do a little math prior to deciding how much to donate. Charitable donations beneath a certain dollar threshold may not make a difference in terms of deductions when it comes time to file a return. Donors who know the deduction thresholds may be able to reduce their tax liability by donating a little more than they initially intended, a scenario that benefits both charitable organizations and taxpayers alike.
Confirm donations qualify for deductions prior to donating Fidelity Charitable® advises donors seeking to maximize the tax benefits of charitable donations to make sure a nonprofit
organization is an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation prior to making a donation. Donations to organizations that do not fit that criteria may not be eligible for deductions, so it’s imperative that donors confirm details about an organization prior to donating. Keep digital records and receipts
Even if a donation qualifies for a deduction, taxpayers can only claim it if they keep records of their contributions.
Organizations on the receiving end of donors’ generosity may provide proof to donors who lost their original receipts, but that process can take time, particularly if taxpayers wait until April to prepare their returns. When donating to charity, request digital receipts of all contributions, as these are harder to lose and easily accessible come tax prep season.
Donors may not give to charity with tax deductions in mind. But there’s no shame in maximizing the tax benefits associated with supporting a worthy cause.
Reservations open for WinnMed’s annual Christmas Dinner
The public is invited to WinnMed in Decorah for the hospital’s annual Christmas Dinner. Dinner will be served on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. The annual dinner will be a curbside pick-up event only, serving approximately 250 meals to the community. This year’s meal includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, stuffing, steamed
carrots, coleslaw, cranberry sauce, dinner roll with butter and apple pie. Each meal is individually plated, and costs $12.
Orders for Christmas Dinner may be placed online by visiting https://winnmed.org/events.
Payment is required at the time of the order and will not be accepted the day of pick-up. The deadline to order is noon on Fri-
day, Dec. 20. Orders for pick-up are available every 15 minutes between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 25 in parking lot E, door E-1 on WinnMed’s Decorah campus. There is limited availability for each time slot, and pick-up times may be selected online using the clock icon in the website’s checkout cart.
Winneshiek County Community Foundation now accepting grant applications
Grant applications can now be submitted to the Winneshiek County Community Foundation for the 2025 grant cycle.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025. Grants will be awarded to projects within the program areas of arts and culture, community betterment, education and youth development, environment and animal welfare, and health and human services.
The online grant application
can be found on the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s website at www.cfneia. org/grants/grant-opportunities.
Technical support will be available to applicants until the application deadline at 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025. Grant recipients will be announced in March.
Grants are available to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Tax-exempt organizations classified as other than 501(c)(3) are also el-
igible, if and only if, the project is deemed charitable.
Applicants may contact Dotti Thompson at 319-243-1358 or dthompson@cfneia.org to discuss the project’s eligibility prior to submitting a proposal. Applications are also being accepted by county community foundations in Chickasaw, Franklin, Grundy and Tama counties.
CALMAR
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100 Years Ago This Month: Historical events from December 1924
The month of December has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in December 1924.
• Boston Arena hosts the first National Hockey League game ever played in the United States on December 1. The league’s two newest franchises, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Maroons, lock horns in a 2-1 game eventually won by the home team.
• On December 1, Richard L. Cowan of Toronto and C. Lewis Fowler of New York sign an agreement to start the first chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Canada.
the State of Damascus under a common native assembly and administration.
• The Chicago Bears defeat the Cleveland Bulldogs 22-0 on December 7. National Football League rules at the time made no provision for a postseason championship, so the Bulldogs, in spite of the loss, are deemed the league champion because their winning percentage (.875) was better than the Bears’ (.857).
• The Book-Cadillac Hotel, at the time the tallest hotel in the world, opens in Detroit on December 9. The luxury hotel includes 1,136 rooms and 31 stories.
That old silk hat they found' 6. '________, with your nose so bright, Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?'
7. 'Good tidings for _________, And a happy new year'
'Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-_____ open sleigh, hey!'
11. 'Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like _______'
• More than 700 people perish when a devastating earthquake strikes present-day Indonesia on December 2.
• The SS Belgenland departs New York City on December 4. The ocean liner begins a cruise around the world that would last for more than months. Though at least 350 passengers are on board when the ship departs the Big Apple, just 235 remain for the duration of the trip.
• Decree No. 2980 creates the State of Syria on December 5, uniting the State of Aleppo and
Interested applicans should send a
letter detailing
• Gold is discovered near the Swedish village of Boliden on December 10, revealing what would become the largest and richest gold mine in Europe. The mine would not be exhausted of its gold supply until 1967.
• American Tobacco Company founder James B. Duke gives $40 million to The Duke Endowment on December 11.
The trust fund, directed to support four colleges, awards the largest share of the gift to Trinity College in Durham, North Carolina, provided the school change its name to honor James
Duke’s father, Washington Duke.
• Exiled former Albanian Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu leads an invasion of the country with guerillas backed by Yugoslavia on December 13. Zogu enters the capital city of Tirana on December 24 and declares the country a republic.
• On December 14, the temperature in Fairfield, Montana, drops from 63 F at noon to -21 F at midnight. The 84-degree change sets a record for the greatest drop in temperature in a 12-hour period.
• Masked and armed vigilantes seize 15-year-old African American Samuel Smith from his hospital room in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15. Smith, who had been arrested for shooting and wounding a white grocer, is hanged from a tree near the grocer’s home. No one is ever charged with the crime.
Street operator
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 - Bidding will open Tuesday December 10th at 10:00 AM and start closing at 10:00 AM on Tuesday December 17th. All Equipment Will Be At Gehling Auction Co. - 27741 State Highway 16 Preston, Minnesota For Inspection. To consign a complete farm line or a single item call Gehling Auction Co. 1-800-770-0347 or e-mail denny@gehlingauction.com
The City of Decorah Street Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Street Operator. Minimum qualifications include high school diploma or equivalent. Valid driver’s license with Class B CDL and airbrake endorsement (must obtain within one month of hire). Minimum of one year of experience in maintenance, construction, repair work, or related occupation. Familiarity with maps, engineering plans, blueprints and utility markings. Position is subject to post-offer physical examination including drug testing, background and motor vehicle records check. Starting pay is dependent on qualifications and experience. Competitive benefit package offered. Application and complete job description may be obtained at the City Clerk’s office, Decorah Municipal Center, 400 Claiborne Drive or online at www.decorahia.org. For more information call (563) 382-3651. Return city application to: City of Decorah, Attn: Michael O’Hara, Public Works Director, PO Box 138, Decorah, IA, 52101 or mohara@decorah.iowa.gov.
Applications will be received until position is filled, with first review of applications 4:00 PM, December 13, 2024. M/F Disabled and Veteran EEO/AA Employer.
Did you know... Bingo and pizza
What do Bingo and pizza have in common? It appears each originated in Italy and are enjoyed across the globe. Bingo is derived from the Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia, which is the Italian national lottery that has been played since 1530. It is still played every Saturday in Italy. The game was later introduced to France, where it was known as Le Lotto, and Germany, where it was a child’s game to help students learn key subjects.
Bingo soon found itself on American soil, and originally was called “Beano.” Players at country fairs would mark their numbered cards with beans after dealers selected numbered discs from cigar boxes. When players won the game, they’d yell out “beano.”
An enterprising New York salesman named Edwin S. Lowe came across the game at a carnival in Georgia, and overheard someone accidentally yell “bingo” in stead of “beano” upon winning. Lowe renamed the game and hired a Columbia University math professor to come up with a higher number of combinations for playing cards so there would be fewer non-repeating groups. Lowe ultimately marketed the redeveloped game as “Bingo.”
Hot Chocolate Float
Classic holiday films the whole family can enjoy
Celebrants owe the joy of the holiday season to various components. Decor and gift-giving go a long way toward making December a joyous time of year. Holiday films also do their part to make the season so special. Many people have their own favorite holiday films, and the following are some that can engage viewers who are young or simply young at heart.
“A Christmas Story”
town in the North, where he discovers a reclusive toy maker named Klaus. The unlikely duo ultimately team up to make and deliver toys and bring smiles to children’s faces.
A flavorful fowl that isn’t
Thanksgiving turkey
Released in 1983, this warmly nostalgic, humorous film is a perennial favorite among families. It follows the story of Ralphie, who has his heart set on a very specific Christmas present: a Red Rider BB gun. Amidst wintry exploits and family drama, the true spirit of Christmas manages to shine through in this beloved film. Some of the subject matter can be off-color, and there are some bullying scenes. So this is a movie best watched with children who are mature enough to make it through with-
“Little Women”
Based on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name, the 1994 telling of this classic follows the March sisters, who confront financial difficulties, romance and family tragedies in mid-nineteenth century Massachusetts. While it’s not a traditional Christmas movie, the importance of spending time with family around Christmastime is a core theme in this coming-ofage tale.
“Klaus”
Perhaps not as well-known as other animated holiday flicks, “Klaus,” released in 2019, has a personality all its own. Postman Jesper, who is not making the grade at the postal academy, is sent to work in a frozen
“Meet Me In St. Louis” Starring the irreplaceable Judy Garland, this movie musical focuses on four sisters who are awaiting the 1904 World’s Fair in their hometown, but learn that their father has accepted a new job and the family must move to New York beforehand. A Christmas miracle occurs and all is right in the end. Garland sings a memorable version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the film, solidifying this as a holiday classic.
“The Santa Clause”
This Disney film came out in 1994 and remains a family favorite. When divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, he magically becomes the next Santa. He must learn to cope with the ways the transformation to the man in red interrupts his normal life, eventually giving over to the magic of Christmas.
“Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”
Though this 1977 Jim Henson production is a television special and not a full-length feature film, Generation X likely remembers the heartfelt tale of a poor otter family who sacrifice prized possessions to have what’s needed to enter a talent contest. The goal is to win the prize money to buy special Christmas presents. Audiences get to enjoy narration by Kermit
Turkey may be the first fowl to come to mind when pondering the main course during a holiday meal. After all, it might seem odd to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner table and see chicken in place of the traditional turkey. Though turkey may never relinquish its spot as the go-to fowl for Thanksgiving dinner, holiday celebrations in December offer home cooks a little more leeway in regard to the main course. For those who are fond of fowl but prefer to eat turkey just once a year, this recipe for “Christmas Roasted Whole Chicken Stuffed With Oranges, Bulgur and Rosemary” from Lines+Angles can bring something different to the holiday dinner table this year.
Christmas Roasted Whole Chicken
Stuffed with Oranges, Bulgur and Rosemary
Makes 6-8 servings
1-1/2 cups bulgur wheat
1-2/3 cups boiling water
1 whole chicken, 3 pounds, trimmed with giblets removed
2 small white onions, cut into wedges
1 large orange, cut into wedges
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 to 3 rosemary sprigs, torn Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Truss the chicken with butcher’s twine; you can also have your butcher do this, or buy a pre-trussed chicken instead.
2. Place the bulgur wheat in a heatproof bowl. Cover with the boiling water, stir once, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let sit for 30 minutes until the wheat is tender and has absorbed the water.
3. Sit the chicken in a large roasting pan that’s been lined with parchment paper. Scatter the onion and orange wedges around the chicken.
4. Rub the top and sides of the chicken with the softened butter and season with plenty of salt and pepper, including the cavity.
5. Fluff the bulgur wheat with a fork before stuffing it into the main cavity of the chicken. Scatter the rosemary over the chicken.
6. Roast for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced; it should register at least 175°F on a meat thermometer.
7. Remove from the oven and cover loosely with a sheet of aluminum foil. Leave to rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
Films are a popular component that help to make the holi-
