The Neuzils built their their 400-seat event/community center in 2019. Below, examples of Sara’s work at Blepta Studios / Photos by Kristine Kopperud

needed a community center, and it tied our businesses together as a destination.” While visiting Northeast Iowa in late 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds credited PIVO/Blepta with achieving their intent. “When she said, ‘Thank you,’ I thought she was talking about our hosting her on a tour of the state,” Craig says. “But what she repeated was, ‘No, thank you for building what small towns need.’ “That’s exactly it,” he concludes. “That’s why we’re here.”  Kristine Kopperud (Jepsen) is a (grant)writer, counselor for Iowa’s Small Business Development Centers, and end-of-life doula specializing in legacy storytelling. Read more about her weird and wide-ranging work at kristinejepsen.com.

The Neuzils pay community forward by serving on the Winneshiek Conservation Foundation and South Winneshiek school board (Craig), as well as ISU Extension & Outreach (Sara). They’re also advocates for American Cancer Society and Winneshiek County Celebration of Life. “Supporting some nonprofits and charities is just part of being a good neighbor,” Sara says. “Giving our time and money to help fight cancer and support those affected by cancer has a deeper significance and conviction for us, since we’ve both lost family members to cancer [and have others] who are cancer survivors.”

COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUPPORTED AT/BY PIVO/BLEPTA STUDIOS:

• Scholarship fund-raisers for Northeast Iowa Community College • Winneshiek County sheriff open forum discussions • South Winneshiek High School prom & senior banquet • A collaborative recreational trail fund-raiser with Toppling Goliath and Pulpit Rock Brewing • Fund-raisers and outreach for Winneshiek County Celebration of Life, American Cancer Society, and NEICAC Domestic Abuse Awareness, including a class to produce art for sale iloveinspired.com \ Fall 2021

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