Inspire(d) Summer 2018

Inspire(d) NO. 54• Summer 2018

free!

for KIDS

+ kids-at-heart

HIKE MORE, WORRY LESS!

406 West Water Street . Decorah, Iowa decorahhatchery.com . 563.382.4103

WORLD FAMOUS GEAR SMALL TOWN CHARM

Environmentally Sensible. You’ll Love More Miles Per Dollar!

Downtown La Crosse, WI at 4th and Cameron Streets

www.hondamotorwerks.com Phone: 877-4-A-HYBRID

SUMMER 2018 contents

26 40

what we’re loving right now

06

4-H roots run deep for einck family

14

paper butterflies!

25

growing for good

26

adventures for kids (& kids-at-heart)

34

catgut paddle

38

summer fill your bucket list

40

dunning’s spring bridge / ted wilson

42

sum of your biz: ww homestead dairy

50

Lark toys

55

explore northeast iowa

62

Probit: merle johnson

66

...and more!

ON THE COVER:

Inspire(d) NO. 54• Summer 2018

free!

G-Gnome brought his two little gnome kids and their friends to Dunning’s Spring in Decorah for a little adventure! FYI: The tiny gnomes and friends (not G-Gnome) are all from Sparrow’s Candles & Gifts in Decorah. Photo by Aryn Henning Nichols

for KIDS

+ kids-at-heart

55 iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

03

Live

Shop Dine Work Play Bank

Named among the top 1% of most extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary BankingTM.

DECORAH

—Subscriptions now available—

CenterStage Series

tickets.luther.edu

2018–19

Fall 2018

PUSH Physical Theatre September 8 Cristina Pato Quartet Latina September 21 Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders October 6

Spring 2019

Center Stage eries 2018–19

S

Frankenstein October 19 The Blind Boys of Alabama November 3 Lorelei Ensemble November 17

To find out more about the performers, become a subscriber, or join Friends of Center Stage,

visit tickets.luther.edu.

2018–19 CSS Major Sponsors

Luther College Diversity Council

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From the Editor

T

hinking back on my childhood, summer was all about adventures. Oftentimes, those adventures were just exploring the woods in my backyard or going down to the nearby creek with my cousins to squish cold mud between our toes.

So there’s nothing that brings me more joy than watching my kid run around our backyard, barefoot, hiding behind ferns and playing silly made-up games with her friends, or climbing up the rocks at Dunning’s Spring in Decorah. (Read Kristine Jepsen’s story about the new Dunning’s Spring bridge, and stonemason Ted Wilson on page 42 – it is fascinating!)

This is the stuff of summer, you guys!

Need a little inspiration to get you started? You clearly came to the right place! Check out our Summer Fill Your Bucket List, and some great events you might want to add to your Adventure Calendar this season (ever heard of the Catgut Paddle? It looks awesome!). Adventuring Ideas start on page 34, plus there’s a nice round up of resources available for exploring our little corner of the Driftless (pg 64), compiled by recent Luther grad Elizabeth Bonin.

I know one adventure we’re adding to our list for sure: LARK Toys in Wabasha, Minnesota. How is it that I’ve never been to this giant (seriously, it’s 21,000 square feet!) toy store? Reading Maggie Sonnek’s story about how the current owners took on this “Willy Wonka-style” job – and how it connects to a slower pace of life – was truly beautiful (pg. 55).

Another big part of my childhood summer was 4-H. At the end of the school year, I would pick a pattern with my mom, and together we’d sew a project (inevitably we’d run right up on the fair deadline in July – an early sign of my aversion to deadlines?). I would often submit a photograph or another craft too, or maybe even do a presentation (I got to go to Cattle Congress as a junior member!). I remember painting awesome trash cans with our 4-H club name (the Cherry Valley Chums) for the Allamakee County Fair and working the food booth with fellow members.

(Sidenote: I totally could have entered something crafty with the Paper Butterflies Project Roxie and I put together on page 21.)

So yes: Fair time was the best! I think the Einck kids featured in this issue of Inspire(d) think the same thing (pg. 14)! Sara Friedl-Putnam tagged along with these three Decorah siblings as they took care of some of the animals they’re showing at the Winneshiek County Fair – from chickens to dogs to sheep to goats! Going through the livestock barns (and the 4-H building) is one of my favorite parts of the fair, and it was fun to get the background on what it takes to get there, and learn some of the history behind my beloved 4-H organization as well (pg. 14).

We’ve got lots of other great stories woven throughout this issue too – Growing for Good in Viroqua, Wisconsin (pg. 26), WW Homestead Dairy in Waukon (pg. 51), a wonderful probituary, and more.

We hope you have a great summer, friends, and that this magazine helps inspires you to get out adventuring!

Looking forward,

What’s it mean?

Inspire(d) Inspire(d) – pronounced in-spy-erd... you know: inspired – stands for both inspire and be inspired. The idea is that person one inspires person two. That person is now inspired. Then that person inspires person three (or person one again), who is now inspired. Then the cycle continues! That’s what those arrows around the (d) are about!

And our mission is, ultimately, to change the world… starting with our own community!

Who are we?

Co-founders:

Aryn Henning Nichols / editor & designer Benji Nichols / writer & advertising sales (& husband, distributor, head of logistics)

We couldn’t do it without: Kristine Jepsen / contributor Sara Friedl-Putnam / contributor Maggie Sonnek / contributor Sara Walters / contributor Elizabeth Bonin / contributor Roxie Nichols / Paper Project Inspire(d) Magazine is published quarterly

by Inspire(d) Media, LLC, 412 Oak Street, Decorah, Iowa, 52101. This issue is dated Summer 2018, issue 54 volume 11, Copyright 2018 by Inspire(d) Magazine.

support inspire(d) Although Inspire(d) is free on stands, you can have it sent to your door (or extended family!) for only $25/year.

Email aryn@iloveinspired.com for a membership or visit iloveinspired.com for more info.

Write inspire(d) Want to make a comment about something you read in the magazine?

Email aryn@iloveinspired.com.

Interested in advertising?

Contact Benji at benji@iloveinspired.com or call 563-379-6315.

Aryn Henning Nichols

Visit our website: iloveinspired.com The Gnome family and friends had a lot of fun taking photos for this magazine. Here, they’re playing hopscotch, but poor Unicorn fell right over. Don’t worry - she got right back up again!

facebook.com/iloveinspired 05

What We’re

Loving

right now

A little list of what we think is awesome in the Drifltess Region this summer...

Kids Lunch Club – Decorah

We here at Inspire(d) are excited to sponsor the exhibit “Feats of Clay” at the Lanesboro Arts Gallery June 23 through August 12. It features 17 juried artists, working in a variety of ceramic styles.

Make sure to mark your calendar for the opening reception Saturday, June 23 from 6-8 pm, with wine and hors d’oeuvres, and live music by guitarist Kerry Klungtvedt.

“From the surreal creations of Jeremy Jones and the narrative storytelling of Eva Margaret to the work of Elizabeth Shriver that closely imitates nature, this exhibit is a fun opportunity to experience how diverse the medium of clay can really be and how it can morph into almost anything,” says Gallery Director Robbie Brokken.

In addition to the work created by the 17 artists, check out a collaborative piece called “The Sleeping Giant Creature Preserve”.

The brainchild of artist Diane Knight, the piece features an array of clay critters and creatures created by 22 different regional artists throughout the month of April.

We love what the folks at Lanesboro Arts bring to the region! Make your way to Lanesboro this summer to check them out. The Gallery, located at 103 Parkway Ave N. (you can’t miss it), is handicapped accessible and free to the public – and open seven days a week through October (more limited hours off season)! www.lanesboroarts.org

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY

Summer time fun means summer-sized appetites when it comes to keeping kiddos fed. And while pool snack bar popcorn can sometimes “count” as a meal, many kids are left to fend for themselves during these busy months. Each weekday of the summer in Decorah – from June 11 to August 10 – the Kids Lunch Club will be providing free lunches for any child who needs one. Fresh grab-n-go options will be served Monday-Friday at John Cline School from 12 noon until 12:30 pm, and at Freeport Park from 12:45 pm until 1 pm. No registration is taken – simply swing by and grab a lunch. All kids under the age of 18 are welcome.

This organization is possible thanks to local faith communities, businesses, the Decorah school district, and the City. It is run entirely by community volunteers who help to pack lunches twice a week and serve meals on a daily basis. Volunteers are still needed throughout the summer. Lunch Makers must be 16 years old to volunteer by themselves, or have a supervising adult present. Help distributing lunches is needed as well, but those volunteers must be 18 or older. To sign up for making or serving lunches, to donate, or simply to learn more go to kidslunchclub.org or like the “Kids Lunch Club” page on Facebook.

Feats of Clay – Lanesboro Arts

Dance & Theatre

JEWEL THEATRE, CENTER FOR THE ARTS • DECORAH, IA

COMING THIS FALL!

WAR of the worlds detaILS

A mIdsummer NIGHT’S DREAM

www.luther.edu/theatre

Check out the entire 2018-19 Luther Dance & Theatre season online... and mark your calendars!

06

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

Preston bike share Grab a bike, and go this summer!

Preston, Minnesota has partnered with the Fillmore County State Health Improvement Program and the Root River Trail Towns organization to create a Bike Share program!

Participating communities include Harmony, Preston, Fountain, Peterson, and Rushford – each with five to seven adult bicycles, helmets, locks, and a bicycle rack. Each community, however, has a slightly different way of lending out the bicycles and helmets.

The Bike Share of Preston will operate out of City Hall from 8 am to 4:30 pm during warm-weather months, typically through October. With just a little bit of paperwork, bicycles will be loaned to people over the age of 18 (with a state-issued driver’s license or identification card). Folks can use the bikes free of charge, and can also use one of the loaner helmets provided – or bring their own.

Fun! The Root River Trail Towns is a non-profit organization that promotes the towns and businesses along the Root River Trail: Houston, Rushford, Rushford Village, Peterson, Whalan, Lanesboro, Fountain, Preston and Harmony. Learn more about it and the Bike Share program at www.RootRiverTrail.org.

JULY 26–28

Driftless Food Guide Spring 2018 brought an exciting new project to life at Inspire(d) HQ: the first annual Driftless Food Guide! The guide is a best-of-the-best listing of our region’s farmers, producers, purveyors, and beverage producers, laid out in a beautiful format that is fun for visitors and locals alike. Pick one up wherever you usually find Inspire(d), or check out the guide online at www. driftlessfood.com – and if you missed out on getting into the 2018 Driftless Food Guide, drop us a line at benji@iloveinspired.com and we’ll keep you in the know for early 2019.

nordicfest.com 07 iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

What We’re

Loving

right now

A little list of what we think is awesome in the Drifltess Region this summer...

Garden show & Hoeg Nisse

Family Performances

Summer 2018 June 6th at 1:00 pm Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre: The Amazing Adventures of Willy the Woolly June 11th at 1:00 pm Iowa State University Insect Zoo: The Songs of Bugs June 27th at 11:00 am Grout Museum District: Sound Science

Sponsors: Friends of DPL Decorah United Methodist Church Marion E. Jerome Foundation

08

July 10th at 11:00 am International Owl Center: Build an Owl Program July 18th at 1:00 pm Blank Park Zoo: Animal Sounds and Stories

For All Ages!

- decorah.lib.ia.us -

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

Peeking out from many a window around Decorah are the Nisse creations of the late Laura Hjelle Hoeg. Hoeg was a major contributor to the 1950s revival of rosemaling in America and her folk art figures are something of a phenomenon in the region. Although the tales of “nisse” go back many generations, the modern cartoonish versions have made their way across Norwegian American culture since the mid 1900s.

This July, the Decorah Town & Country Garden Club will present “Blooming In All Seasons of Life – Laura Hoeg, the Nisse Lady.”

The two-day show will be a festive “NisseInspired” National Garden Clubs Small Standard Flower Show to celebrate the life of Laura Hjelle Hoeg. Included will be displays and history of her life, and Nisse creations, which are also shared in a new book, The Curve of Her Life, Folk Artist Laura Hjelle Hoeg by Carol Hoeg Oliver, Laura’s daughter.

The book showcases Hoeg’s search for identity, the success she found in mid-life as a folk artist, and the grace and humor with which she accepted the eventual loss of her sight, breast cancer, and other afflictions of age. It is a quest story, a study of the development of an artist, and the portrayal of one woman’s life and adventures in Iowa, Norway, Minnesota, and Arizona.

Hosted at Laura’s Decorah childhood home, the Hjelle brick house and shack near Twin Springs Fish Hatchery, the Town & Country Garden Club is pleased to have Laura’s daughter, Carol present at the show to share stories and autograph copies of her book. The public is welcome and invited July 13, 2 –7 pm, and July 14, 8 am – 2 pm. www.gardenclubsofiowa.org/Decorah-Town-and-County.html

Let’s save the seed savers barn!

The historic barn at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa is in need of some TLC. With a wind-damaged, leaking roof; weathered and peeling siding; and windows in need of replacement, this iconic barn – which serves as a work and classroom space as well as a place for community gatherings – is showing its age.

Seed Savers Heritage Farm is an icon for our region – thousands of visitors (and locals) a year come to check it out and learn more about preserving heritage varieties for coming generations. Repairing the historic barn is an investment both in our agricultural heritage and in the function of this working seed farm. You can help Seed Savers save their beautiful barn through their upcoming Barn Campaign!

SSE’s Barn Campaign aims to gather funds and support to complete the first phase of the overall barn restoration project, which includes the huge task of replacing the roof, replacing the barn sashes, refurbishing the board and batten siding, and topping it all with a fresh coat of paint.

The cost of these repairs – more than $70,000 – makes it clear why we see so many collapsing barns, and also helps us see why it’s important to save the ones we can.

With fewer than 10 percent of these old barns remaining across the Midwest, saving this one, built by the Halse family in 1929, is a labor of love we can all get behind! <3 Watch for more campaign details this July at www.seedsavers.org.

BIKE TRAILS

GREAT FOOD & DRINK

DISCOVER ART & ARTISTS

FUN MUSEUMS

LOCAL FARMS

Winneshiek County visitdecorah.com

AMAZING PARKS

Looking for more details about events on the calendars?

Check out these great summer activities! In chronological order, each event’s number coincides with its number on the calendar!

1. All Summer: Driftless Safari offers free outdoor adventure and exploration in Winneshiek County all summer long! Visit www. driftless-safari.org or stop by any Winneshiek County library to join!

2. June 1: Velkommen to Sangerfest 2018, Norwegian Singers Association of America festival at Luther College. Grand Concert Saturday, June 1st, 7pm, Luther CFL. www.nsaaonline.org 3. June 6: Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre: The Amazing Adventures of Willy the Woolly. Join us for delightful tale of the lovable mammoths who roamed the Iowa prairies 10,000 years ago! Decorah Public Library, 1pm. www.decorah.lib.ia.us

25W/ $25B

4. June 7: Guttenberg’s River of Music (ROM) EVERY Friday, June 1—August 10, 6-8 pm, in Ingleside Park Bandstand (along the Mississippi River). Rain location: City Hall.

5. June 11: ISU Insect Zoo: The Songs of Bugs. Come hear a story about Unia the cricket, who has lost his song, and see a Bugtastic Insect Zoo display! Decorah Public Library, 1pm www.decorah.lib.ia.us

6. June 12: Lanesboro Arts invites kids 5-9 to create fun, large-scale “surprise” sculptures! Tuesdays 12-2pm from June 12 to July 17.

Meet at St. Mane Theatre upstairs classroom. LanesboroArts.org

9. June 22-23: Root River Trail Towns 60-Mile Garage Sale - Join the communities of Fountain, Preston, Harmony, Lanesboro, Peterson, Whalan, Rushford, Rushford Village & Houston for community wide garage sales! More info at www.rootrivertrail.org 10. June 22-24: New Minowa Players presents “The Drowsy Chaperone”, at the Decorah High School Auditorium. More information at newminowa.wixsite.com/new-minowa-players/ summer or call Sheryl at 563-379-5738.

11. June 27: Grout Museum District: Sound Science. See the amazing science of sound with singing rods, singing pipes, and spouting bowls! Decorah Public Library, 11 am www.decorah.lib.ia.us 12. June 30: Celebrate with the Porter House Museum Garden Party & Fundraiser, live music, food, and outdoor activities – all to support this fantastic local museum! 401 W Broadway, 4-6pm. www.porterhousemuseum.org 13. July 4: Harmony’s 4th of July Celebration Including the Jim Busta Band featuring Mollie B., Grand Parade, pedal tractor pull, and fun for all ages! Full schedule of events at www.exploreharmony.com

14. July 10: International Owl Center: Build an Owl Program. Learn first-hand about owl adaptations by identifying the pieces and parts of an owl. See if a live owl will come out from under the “magic” box! Decorah Public Library, 11am. www.decorah.lib.ia.us

15. July 12: Join Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for a Summer Prairie Seed Harvest at Heritage Valley! Find details and RSVP at inhf.org/events Rain date: July 19.

16. July 14: Songs of Hope returns! A free community concert, performances by 60 youth & young adults from around the world. 7PM, Potter Auditorium, Chatfield, MN. www.chatfieldarts.org

7. June 16: Art in the Park festival in Lanesboro! 90+ artists, live music, craft beer, food vendors & art activities. Saturday, June 16, 10am - 5pm. LanesboroArts.org

17. July 14: Enjoy amazing music in a gorgeous setting at the Driftless Music Festival, Eckhart Park, Viroqua. Noon-10pm, FREE admission! Zydeco, Funk, Americana, Reggae & Soul. www.driftlessmusicfestival.com/

8. June 17: Celebrate the fathers in your life at Luna Valley Farm.

Open Father’s Day from 11am-3pm. Come out and enjoy wood-fired pizza and community. Rural Decorah. wwwlunavalleyfarm.com

18. July 14: Lanesboro Arts presents acclaimed MN songwriter Chris Koza & his band at the intimate St. Mane Theatre. $15 - $12.

7:30 pm. LanesboroArts.org

Thousands of blooms -1854 farmstead - Plants freshly dug for you!

YOGA & CYCLING

CLASSES FOR

ALL-LEVELS

Oak Hill Farm DAYLILIES 3 MILES S OF PRESTON - 19579 US 52 - 507.696.3251 Open 10-5 daily July 7 to 31 (closed Mondays) 10

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

GREAT VARIETY OF CLASSES 7 DAYS PER WEEK YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS YOGA FOR KIDS

www.reefuel.biz Get started today! 2 weeks of unlimited classes for $25

fun stuff to do

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Fest(EV)al Electric Vehicle festival

Driftless Discovery Run, Decorah!

Saturday

8

15

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June 15 & 17: Audacious Raw Theater, St. Mane, Lanesboro

CBB Jazz Combo, C&C, Decorah 8pm

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23

The Host Country, McCaffrey’s 7-10pm

Lanesboro Art in the Park!

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Art by 9 the River, Guttenberg Charles Walker Band, McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm Lady Scissors, Trempealeau Hotel

JUNE 30: • Dixieland Jazz Fest, Winona • DRs of Rhythm & Soul, McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm

JUNE 23: • ArtFest! Family Art Fest, The Ark, Viroqua • Miles Adams Band, McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm • Stanton West Trio, Winona Arts Center Driftless Grout Museum Summer District: Sound Storytime, Science!

Driftless Area Decorah Education & Library, 11am Visitors Center, Lansing, 10am

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30 Porter House Museum Garden Party & Fundraiser, Decorah, 4-6pm June 29 – July 1 – Dorian Choral Retreat, Luther College

29 Under Paris Skies, Courtyard & Cellar, 8pm

8 Larkin Poe, Nickel & Rose Luke & Paul, NICC Breakfast June 17: Free Father’s Day on the Farm, Cavalier, La w/ Emma Haymarket, Admission Pizza on the 8:30am-12pm Crosse Nicholes, Decorah for Dad’s at farm, Luna Driftless Books, Valley, Decorah the La Crosse Guttenberg “Feats of Clay” June 22-23: Root River Trail Viroqua, Children’s 9 ROM, 6-8pm exhibit opens, Towns 60 mile garage sale!

6:30pm Museum!

Lanesboro Arts Happy Father’s Day! 10 June 22-24: New Minowa Players presents “The Drowsy Chaperone”, DHS

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Thursdays on First & 3rd, downtown Rochester

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Trevor Hall, Cavalier, La Crosse

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June 13-17: Steamboat Days, Winona

Eulenspiegel Puppets, Decorah Library, 1pm

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Lanesboro Arts Surprise Sculptures for kids, Tuesdays through 7/17

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Rhubarb Festival, Lanesboro

Rhubarb Sisters, St. Mane, Lanesboro, 7:30pm

Friday

Friends of Guttenberg River of Music Backbone, Guttenberg (ROM) Every Friday through ROM, 6-8pm August 10!

Catfish Keith, Englert, Decorah Lawn Chair Night, Courthouse, Thursdays, 7pm Iowa City

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ISU Insect Zoo: Song of Bugs, Decorah Library, 1pm

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Mayo Health Best Baby Shower in Town, La Crosse Children’s Museum, 12-3pm

Thursday

June 1-2: Norwegian Singers Assciation of America – Sangerfest, Luther College

Wednesday

National Norwegian-America Folk Art Exhibition opens June 8 – July 28, Vesterheim

2

Tuesday

JUNE 15: • Guttenberg ROM, 6-8pm • Chris O’Leary, Trempealeau Hotel

4

Driftless Safari - find an adventure across Winneshiek Co. this summer!

1

Monday

Barthell O.E.S. Home Plant Sale/ Fundraiser, Decorah, 1:30pm

Picnic & 3 A Pint w/ Contratopia, Courtyard & Cellar, Decorah, 4pm

Sunday

June 2

Tuesday

JULY 4: • Firecracker 4mile & Fun Runs, La Crosse • Driftless Books Picnic w/ Faun Fables, Viroqua, 5pm • Switchback, McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm

Monday

3 4

Thursday

5

Decorah’s Pulpit Thursdays on First & 3rd, to Pulpit 5k & downtown 4th Celebration!

Rochester

13 Decorah Lawn Harmony MN Chair Night, 4th of July Courthouse, Celebration! Thursdays, 7pm

Wednesday

Saturday

Seafoam 7 Green, McCaffrey’s 7-10pm July 6: Chris Koza w/ Guttenberg Nick Costa, ROM every Driftless Friday, 6-8pm Books, 7pm

Friday

Galactic 6 Cowboy Orchestra, ArtHaus Courtyard, 7:30pm

“Of Wings and Water” Jennifer Fisher Jones & Cary Wyninger, through July 13, ArtHaus, Decorah

29 Post Nordic Fest Pizza wind down at Luna Valley 11am-3pm

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July 21: Jack & Kitty, Pulpit Rock Brewing, Decorah, 5:30pm

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July 14-22: Cedar Valley Chamber Music Fest - Raiders of the Lost Art! New Hampton, Cedar Falls, & Waterloo

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31 Deadline for artists to apply to sell work at Chatfield Arts & Heritage Day

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JULY 27: • Stanton West w/ The Iowans, Driftless Books & Music, Viroqua, 7pm • Guttenberg ROM, 6-8pm

July 26-28: Nordic Fest, Decorah!

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26 Driftless Summer Storytime, Driftless Area Education & Visitors Center, Lansing, 10am

July 27-28: ArtHaus Nordic Fest Art Fair

27 The Dang ol’ Trio, Haymarket, Decorah

Old Soul Society, Courtyard & Cellar, 8pm

28 Gin Mill Hollow, Haymarket, Decorah

20 19 21 21 19 18 July 12: The The Heavy Decorah JULY 13: Blank Park Ditch Lilies, Set, Ridiculous • Guttenberg ROM, 6-8pm Zoo, Animal Driftless Books Haymarket, Day! • “Over the Back” Fence Sounds! & Music, 7 pm Decorah radio Show, St. Mane, 7:30pm Decorah Avey/Grouws, Library, 1pm McCaffrey’s, July 20-21: Seed Savers Exchange 7-10pm July 18: Adult Ag Institute, Norman 20 annual Campout & Conference Borlaug Heritage Foundation 16

16 14 100+ 9 13 12 10 11 14 15 Troy Downey, Songs of Hope, Women JULY 14: Great River Afflatus, International • Eat Local Who Care Chatfield CFA, INHF Summer Shakespeare Karate Chop Owl Center Co-op Tour, – Oneota Prairie Seed Festival, Driftless Music Silence, 17 program Valley, PIVO, Harvest, Sweet 16 Farm, Fest, Viroqua June 22Haymarket, at Decorah Calmar, IA Houston, MN Heritage Valley August 5, Decorah Library! 11am 18 5:30pm • Mississippi Band, Winona Shooter Jennings, Chris Koza, St. McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm July 10-14: Winneshiek County Fair Cavalier, La Crosse Mane, 7:30pm

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Picnic & A Pint w/ Avey/ Grouws Duo, Courtyard & Cellar, Decorah 3pm

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July

Sunday

fun stuff to do

Tuesday

Wednesday

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Thursday

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Friday

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Saturday

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August 3-11: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wits’ End Theatre, Chatfield

The Art Of Fine Furniture through August 10, Winona Co. History Center, Winona

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Fearless Women of Dirt Mountain Bike Night, Decorah Bicycles

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Aug 30: Old Wolves, Driftless Books & Music, Viroqua, 7pm

31 Absolute Hoot, Courtyard & Cellar, 8pm

September 3: Lake Street Dive, Englert, Iowa City

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Kindred Minds, Decorah Lawn Chair Night, Courthouse, 7pm

September 1: Labor Day Weekend Pizza at Luna Valley, 4-8pm

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Nick Foytik Band, McCaffrey’s, 7-10pm The Host Country, Haymarket, Decorah

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Aug 18: Pulpit Rock Absolute Brewing 3rd Hoot, Anniversary McCaffrey’s, Party, Decorah, Decorah 7-10pm August 18-19: Art in 27 the Park, Elkader

High On Driftless Aug 25: Kevin Prater Honkey Tonk Summer Christian Band, Driftless Tour - Ward Storytime, Midjo: Choose Books & Music, Davis & Sunny Driftless Area Your Own Viroqua, 7pm Sweeney w/ Education & Artventure Tennessee Jet, Visitors Center, opens at Cavalier, La Lansing, 10am Vesterheim Crosse

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August 17-19: Seed School, Seed Savers, Decorah

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Celebrate Thursdays Bacon & the River on First Hops Festival, Weekend, & 3rd, Manchester Guttenberg downtown Rutabaga Rochester Pokey LaFarge, Brothers, Cavalier, La Crosse McCaffrey’s, August 9-19: Iowa State Fair!

7-10pm

Ben Hippen, Decorah Lawn Chair Night, Courthouse, 7pm

Aug 18: Rhea Pappas “Reflections” Art Opening, Lanesboro Arts, 6pm

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AUGUST 23: • Tom Schramm & the LPs, Decorah Lawn Chair Night, Courthouse, 7pm • Five Letter Word, Driftless Books & Music, Viroqua, 7pm

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Aug 6 – 20: “Something Good” public art exchange project with artist in residence Erin Lavelle, Lanesboro Arts

6 Slackfest 7 Aug 11: 8 Picnic & 5 August 6-11: Freddie Slack A Pint w/ Lowland Lakers Acting Out! Day in Viroqua, Foot Notes, w/ Gossamer Englert Courtyard Driftless Books Strings, Theatre Youth & Cellar, & Music, Driftless Books Decorah, 4pm Acting Camp! Viroqua, 7pm & Music

“Tangibility: Gabrielle Cordes” runs through August 31, ArtHaus, Decorah

Mark 2 Joe & Vicki 3 Eric Lugosch4 Armstrong, Price, Franklin & the Parrishes, Decorah St. Brewing, Driftless Books & Lawn Chair Manchester Music, Viroqua Night, “Thomas Paquette: Guttenberg Bluedog, Courthouse, America’s River ReROM, 6-8pm McCaffrey’s 7pm Explored” through August Craig Jentz 26, MMAM, Winona 25 Aug 3-4: Iowa Tax Free Weekend 24 Aug 2-5: Buffalo Bill Days, Lanesboro Aug. 9-12: Lime Springs 150th Celebration!

Monday

August

Sunday

fun stuff to do

25W/ $25B

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Inspire(d) World’s Greatest Party

Friday

Date (not included in word count): Worlds Greatest Party! 7-10 pm.

Inspire(d) invites you to the greatest party ever! We’ll have amazing amounts of fun! See you there! www.website.com

Monday

Saturday

Questions? Email benji@iloveinspired.com

(Direct link: iloveinspired.com/25-words-25-bucks/)

See - we told you about our amazing fictional party in less than 25 words! On the visual calendar (like the one at left), your event will be listed along with a number that corresponds. People can just scan on over to the following pages to get the details!

Sunday

Simple! We get an email with all your details exactly as you’d like to see them in the listing, and then we add it to the calendar!

It works like this: 1. Go to iloveinspired.com and click on the 25W/$25B sidebar box 2. Enter your information in our online form 3. Click through to PayPal to complete the transaction

Thus we’ve implemented a simple, expandable list of events for the pages following our regular calendars. Those who are planning “fun stuff to do” get a guaranteed spot on the calendar and in that event listing by purchasing “25 Words/$25 Bucks.”

We know it’s a tough racket to put on live music, activities, and special events, so we want to give you a chance to get the word out without breaking the bank.

Calendar time is always an exciting time at Inspire(d) Headquarters. “Just how much can we fit on there this month?!?” In recent years, what we had chosen for these lovely pages had been entirely editorial and subjective. We figured, hey, you like our magazine, so you’ll probably like the fun stuff to do that we pick out from around our region. But we’re running out of space and want you, our lovely readers, friends, and fellow event planners, to be able to tell us a little more about your fun.

25 Words/$25 Bucks

7

Looking for more details about events on the calendars?

WHAT WILL YOU MAKE TODAY?

Check out these great summer activities! In chronological order, each event’s number coincides with its number on the calendar!

25W/ $25B

22. July 29: Nordic Fest Weekend Pizza at Luna Valley! Come on out to the farm and relax after a weekend of Nordicfesting in town. Open Sunday, July 29th 11am-3pm. Rural Decorah. wwwlunavalleyfarm.com 23. July 31: Visual artists! Apply by today to sell your work at the 4th Annual Arts & Heritage Day on September 29, Chatfield, MN. Details @ www.chatfieldarts.org

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Come see us!

Art Supplies STEM Projects Nice Paper Coding & Electronics Bits

19. July 18: Blank Park Zoo: Animal Sounds and Stories. We all have a story to tell and so do the animals at the zoo! Come discover the many ways animals communicate. Decorah Public Library, 1pm 20. July 20-21: Seed Savers Exchange Conference & Campout 2018: Celebrate our garden heritage.

Lectures, workshops, garden tours, tastings & more. July 20-21.

FREE. Register @ seedsavers.org/ conference

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24. August 2-5: Buffalo Bill Days, Lanesboro, MN: A celebration with food, music, games, marketplace vendors, sporting tournaments, 5K run, fireworks, parade. Fun for the whole family. www.lanesboro-mn.gov 25. August 3-4: Iowa Tax Free Weekend! Get your back-to-school shopping done or shop for yourself! Enjoy two days with no sales tax on clothing. www.decorahareachamber.com 26. August 17-19: Seed School at Seed Savers Exchange! Join for a weekend of seeds, stories, and great food while learning how to grow, harvest, store, and save seed. www.seedsavers.org/seed-school 27. August 18-19: Join your friends in Elkader for Art in the Park!

Art, Kids activities, Live music, wine tasting, food, and fun for the whole family. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4, www.artintheparkelkader.com 28. August 28: Fearless Women of Dirt Women’s Mtn. Bike Night to end the season right. Ride from 5-6:30 p.m. - Social hour 7-9 p.m. at Decorah Bicycles, www.fearlesswomenofdirt.com 29. Sept 1: Labor Day Weekend at Luna Valley Farm! Take a true break Labor Day weekend and come out on Saturday night for pizza.

Open 4-8pm. Rural Decorah. wwwlunavalleyfarm.com

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Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam

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4-H Roots Run Deep

DR. JOHN E. WILMES • DR. LANA W. MCDERMOTT • DR. PETER J. BLODGETT

Photography by Brittany Todd

563-382-3657 . 108 Fifth Avenue, Decorah, Iowa . westsidedentaldecorah.com iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Clockwise from above: Karlie with her calf, Kar Kar; Keagen shows a sheep; Third from the left is Michelle (then Berge) from her earlier 4-H years; Last year Michelle, her husband (Ryan), and Keagen, Karter, and Karlie received the Winneshiek County 4-H Volunteer Award; Karter shows a chicken. (Einck photos.)

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4-H roots run deep in the Berge-Einck family from Northeast Iowa. Grandmas Beth Einck and Kristi Berge; mom Michelle Einck; and kids Keagen, Karter, and Karlie Einck all embrace (and embody) the tenets of this family-centered learning program.

“C

BY SARA FRIEDL-PUTNAM

’mon now – you’ve got four legs for a reason,” Keagen Einck, the 16-year-old co-president of the Glenwood 4-H club, implores as he tries to lead one of his five newly acquired sheep out of a small barn for a walk on a glorious spring evening.

But this as-yet-unnamed sheep is having none of it. The cajoling, in fact, does little to move the headstrong animal, who holds her ground (much to Keagen’s chagrin) until his grinning younger brother, Karter, 14, comes to the rescue and begins pushing the sheep from the rear as Keagan gently pulls from the front. Gradually the animal moves forward, and soon she has joined another sheep led by Karter, and a third led by the brothers’ little sister, Karlie, 10, on what might charitably be called a jaunt. They slowly creep through the lush green grass that surrounds a small lake on the Luzum family farm off Valdres Road in Decorah. “Keagen, Karter, and Karlie are incredible,” says Lori Luzum, the farm’s owner, watching from afar. “They come out to help with chores and to walk the animals in the early morning and the evening, almost every single day.”

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There’s a lot of stopping, starting, and general course correction on this particular walk, one of the first the sheep have taken on tethers since arriving in Decorah a couple days earlier. “Sure, there’s always a bit of a learning curve,” Michelle (Berge) Einck, the trio’s mom and Glenwood 4-H club co-leader, chimes in as she watches her kids. “But before fair time, they will definitely be ready to show their animals.”

Thus begins three months of training and caretaking for the livestock – in all, seven sheep, two goats, and several chickens – that these three 4-H siblings will show at the 2018 Winneshiek County Fair July 10-14 in Decorah. The livestock competition is inarguably one of the best-known aspects of the 4-H program among the general public. This year Karter will show chickens, including his beloved Gertie – “I like them the most because, yeah, they can (Continued on next page)

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Keagan at the 2016 Winneshiek Co. Fair, after showing sheep with a fellow 4-Her and winning three awards. At right: Karter grooms a sheep to get ready for showing. (Einck photos.)

sometimes be boring but more often they’re really fun,” he says – as well as three dogs – Snoopy, Pugsly, and Lucy – that he trained in 4-H courses taught by his grandmother, Beth Einck. Karlie will work with two goats, Oliver and Max, as well as her sheep, Ruby. Keagan, for his part, will stick with sheep – this spring and summer he will care for five.

Though he’s got to be prompted by his proud mom to share the details, Keagan – an avid race car driver who can be seen many Saturday nights doing laps around the Upper Iowa Speedway – has done quite well showing sheep at the fair. In 2016, his first year, he showed three sheep with a fellow 4-Her and ended up sweeping the champion heavyweight, reserve market, and showmanship divisions. Last year he took home two showmanship awards, one for sheep and one for chickens. “You pick your best animal and show it all day, and are judged on how you show and not how the animal necessarily acts,” Keagen explains of the showmanship award. “The judges are always watching how you are interacting with your animal and ask all sorts of questions. No matter what we present, the first question we’re always asked is what our goal was….learning guides the entire 4-H program.”

But, as Angie Sperfslage, 4-H Winneshiek County Youth Coordinator, points out, there’s much more to 4-H than raising and training livestock. “I hope our youth will graduate 4-H with a greater perspective on life, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging to their communities,” she says. “4-H offers something for everyone – we are not only a program for country kids. We serve all youth with wide-ranging interests, including Legos, leadership, arts, livestock, cooking, public speaking, camping, and anything STEM-related.” Or,

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Find everything for folk art making at

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Tools, Books, Videos, Carving Aprons, ....Plus T-shirts, & more!

Offering carving classes in 2018!

Original Ale Bowls July 29-August 2, 2018, with Phil Odden

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Classes half price on stand-by for Winneshiek County residents.

Karter at the Iowa State Fair

Winneshiek County 4-h Project Areas There are more than 45 different project areas for 4-H members to explore in the areas of animals; creative arts; agriculture and natural resources; family and consumer sciences; personal development; and science, engineering, and technology.

For more information Any interested youth in grades K - 12 can become a 4-H member.

(Students in grades K-3 are called Clover Kids; they are involved in many of the same activities.) Adults are also an invaluable part of the program – more than 45 club leaders and countless volunteers help with workshops, livestock weigh-ins, and the county fair. For more information, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/winneshiek/4h.

as Karlie says simply, “You get to make a lot of new friends and do a lot of cool new things in 4-H.” Michelle agrees. “Many people think 4-H is all about agriculture, and it can be – but it definitely does not have to be,” she says. “We do community-service projects, like sending military mail and collecting Toys for Tots. We do all sorts of other, non-animal, projects, like, for example, Karlie has sewn a skirt with the help of folks at the Red Roxy Quilt store in Decorah; Keagen has taken photographs; and Karter has created duct-tape key chains and shown others how to make them too. We have regular meetings where we learn about things like mounting photos and practicing

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first aid. … 4-H teaches kids so much. It teaches them respect. It teaches them how to make friends. It teaches them importance of giving back to the community.”

Indeed, there’s no doubt love of 4-H runs deep in the Einck family – last year Michelle, her husband (Ryan), and Keagen, Karter, and Karlie received the Winneshiek County 4-H Volunteer Award in recognition of their hard work in support of the local 4-H program, which operates under the auspices of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. While Ryan wasn’t involved in 4-H as a youth, Michelle has been a member of the local 4-H community for decades – as a teen in the late 1980s, she showed rabbits through the Glenwood Future Homemakers, which her mother, Kristi Berge, who now co-leads the Glenwood 4Hers with Michelle, then led. (At that time, boys took part in the Glenwood Junior Farmers.)

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Michelle doing a demonstration when she was in 4-H. (Einck photos.)

“I remember getting invited to a 4-H meeting and really wanting to go,” says Michelle, also a longtime member of the Luther College staff. “I also remember being terrified to get up in front of people to speak when I began in 4-H and then earning a trip to present at state by the time I graduated.” Keagen, Karter, and Karlie all unequivocally respond “yes!” when asked if 4-H has helped them become more comfortable speaking in public too. Both Keagen and Karter, in fact, serve on Glenwood’s leadership team, and Keagen also serves on (Continued on next page)

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The Glenwood 4-H Club raising money for a family in need. (Einck photo.)

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

the 24-member 4-H county council. They have both also traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the youth citizenship program.

“4-H is very much a family affair,” says Sperfslage. “It’s volunteerled, with all hands on deck, so that children can achieve as many goals as possible.” That’s been the program’s mission since it was founded in 1902, by A. B. Graham, a country schoolmaster in Clark County, Ohio. By 1910, J. Jessie Field Shambaugh had developed the ubiquitous clover pin that sports an “H” on each leaf, and by 1912, the youth clubs had been coined “4-H clubs.” (The meaning of each of those “H”s”? Head, heart, hands, and health.)

Today, 4-H is the largest youth educational program in the world, with over 6 million members in the United States alone. According to Sperfslage, Winneshiek County 4-H is believed to have started in 1922 with 26 boys and 24 girls. “There are now 14 clubs with 277 4-H members in grades 4-12 in Winneshiek County,” she says. “There are also 86 Clover Kid members, in grades K-3, who participate with our traditional clubs and after-school programs.”

Of course, the sought-after goal of 4-H – as Michelle, Keagan, Karter, and Karlie all agree upon – is to advance to the state competition or to earn that blue ribbon. “When Keagen’s photo made it state, that’s when we thought it was possible for both of us too,” says Karter, who has, indeed, now made it to state as well.

Keagen, for his part, knows that his influence goes beyond his younger siblings – and therein lies the larger goal of 4-H. “I am always aware that, as one of the older 4-Hers, I am setting an example for younger kids for what they can do and achieve in the program, and how they will one day need to step up,” he says. “I think that’s important, and that is a big part of what I will take with me and hope to pass on to the next 4-H leaders as well.”

Sara Friedl-Putnam encourages Winneshiek County Fair-goers to venture beyond the midway and grandstand this July and tour the livestock buildings to see the culmination of months of hard work by local 4-H youth who have raised and trained beef, dairy cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, and horses.

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FIND YOUR FAIR Here in the tri-state area, there are tons of county fairs that offer-up great family entertainment at affordable prices. Here’s a list of some in our region. Did we miss one you love? Let us know!

NE Iowa: Howard County Fair – June 20-24 Winneshiek County Fair: July 10-14 Delaware County Fair - July 9-15 Allamakee County Fair: July 18-22 Fayette County Fair: July 24-28 Dubuque County Fair: July 24-29 Clayton County Fair: August 1-6

Monroe County Fair - July 25 - 29 Buffalo County Fair - August 2-5 Grant County Fair: August 12-19 Crawford County Fair: August 22-26 Vernon County Fair: September 12-16 Wisconsin State Fair - August 2 - 12

Iowa State Fair - August 9-19 SW Wisconsin: La Crosse Interstate Fair - July 18-22 Trempeleau County Fair: July 19-22

SE Minnesota: Winona County Fair - July 11-15 Fillmore County Fair - July 16-22 Wabasha County Fair - July 18-22 Dodge County Fair - July 18-22 Olmsted County Fair - July 24-29 Houston County Fair - August 15-19 MInnesota State Fair - August 23 - September 3

Behind the scenes: paper project!

Roxie Nichols loves to make cool art projects with her mom. She’s super excited about lots and lots of swimming this summer, playing with cousins, and having so many adventures with Mom and Dad. FYI: The awesome paper we used for this project is from Cardboard Robot in Decorah!

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

Growing

for Good

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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School might be out for the summer, but Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School is still Growing for Good

BY ARYN HENNING NICHOLS

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There’s a decidedly good vibe going on at Viroqua, Wisconsin’s Growing for Good. As birds sing happily nearby, you might get a whiff of the tropics as you brush past some pineapple sage on your way through the rows and rows of beautiful plants.

There are lots of good things growing in and around the eight greenhouses on the two and half acre property.

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Growing for Good is Viroqua’s “local, neighborhood greenhouse,” owned and maintained by volunteers and staff of Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School. In the outdoor growing season, they offer annuals, perennials, natives, and more, and around the winter holiday, you’ll find sustainably grown Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, and woody décor. Year-round, they grow and sell houseplants, succulents, and microgreens, and collect local business and household compost.

Plus, there’s a great resource library on-site, stocked with gardening books and information for community members to check out.

Al and Kim Peterson owned the greenhouse business – then called the Flower Basket – for decades, and had maintained a longestablished relationship between their business and Pleasant Ridge, which has a school garden on the property and is situated just a few blocks up the street.

Folks at Pleasant Ridge asked the Petersons to let them know if they were ever planning to retire or sell, so when that time came in 2015, the school purchased the business.

“We were looking for a social enterprise to feed into the school,” says Angie Lemar, parent-volunteer and greenhouse co-manager.

“To help make tuition more affordable, pay teachers better, supply produce for the all-organic hot lunch program…and then beyond the school provide an educational space, grow plants with a purpose and serve our greater community.”

Summer Camps: Growing for Good hosts numerous Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School summer camps on site, from archery to outdoor exploration. Check pleasantridgewaldorf.org/programs/summer-camp for details.

Photos by Aryn Henning Nichols

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Nearly four decades ago, Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School was founded by a group of families with the goal of creating a child-centered educational community. It began as a one-room schoolhouse, but today, there are families moving to Viroqua just to have their children attend. This greenhouse “social enterprise” of the school is now in its third season, and they have slowly transitioned from running it business-as-usual, to adjusting here and there to help move forward with the Pleasant Ridge mission in mind.

“Plants, soil, education, community,” Angie lists off the core goals with ease. “We want this to be a place for education, and a place for community – because it’s really in the heart of the community.”

Angie’s day job as Program Director for Recycling Connections, a Wisconsin non-profit connecting people, resources, and communities through a variety of good-for-the-earth projects, gives her plenty of experience for her volunteer role at the greenhouse.

It also allows her the flexibility to work from anywhere, so a couple days a week she makes Growing for Good her home-base. She’s one of the 50 plus volunteers that come through Growing for Good over the course of the year. Folks seem to get especially excited to join in as late winter creeps up.

“There’s a core group of people who really want to get here in January and get their hands in the dirt,” Angie says.

At that point, Growing For Good starts growing all their plants from seeds or plugs, in soil that’s blended there and enhanced by their own compost, and use beneficial insects – good for humans, pollinators, and water – rather than any pesticides.

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Growing for Good 520 E Terhune St. Viroqua, WI 608-637-8200 . www.growingforgood.org www.facebook.com/growingforgoodgardencenter The Growing For Good Spring Garden Center is open year-round – regularly April through July and more minimally through the off seasons. Check growingforgood.org for current hours.

In addition to the many volunteer hours logged – Pleasant Ridge classes all have the option for their students to volunteer as well – Growing for Good maintains seven or eight paid part-time staff.

As with any business, they are figuring out what makes money at Growing for Good, while also staying on mission. And they chip away at the work to be done, like a permaculture project that will help with water management so they can get planting on property – maybe bulbs for tulips for pick your own flowers, school and community gardens, or other niche plants – and expanding their awesome new compost program.

Launched in mid-October 2017 as a six-month pilot, Growing for Good’s compost program is off to a great start. It’s unique in that not many compost collection programs are doing residential pick-up, but the folks at Growing for Good saw

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a real need for this type of service in their area – and they were right. To date (as of this writing), they’ve collected 11,341 pounds of compostable food scraps from local businesses and residents. Angie’s husband, Ed Lemar, manages the program. Every week, they head out into Viroqua and pick up buckets filled with vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and more – plus a bit of sawdust to help with any smell – and hand off a clean bucket for the following week.

Participants have the option to use their share of compost in the future, or donate it to the Growing for Good cause.

“We’re really excited about this program,” Angie says as she shows off the greenhouse dedicated to the process. There’s virtually no smell inside – you’d think it was just piles of dirt hiding under those cardboard flaps. The compost will help plants grow on-site, and happily, help grow Growing for Good as a business.

“We keep asking ourselves, ‘What is sustainable? What do we want to keep building here? What is our niche?’” Angie says. “We’re kind of on this upswing. We’re figuring out who we are. We are eager to see how it continues to grow.”

Aryn Henning Nichols thinks Viroqua is a little slice of Driftless sweetness – and Growing for Good makes it even better. She, Benji, and Roxie had a blast hanging with Angie and Ed and their girls after this interview! <3

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Compost Collection Program: For $30/month Growing for Good can help you change food scraps into black gold that will help grow beautiful plants and return nutrients to the earth.

“Let us handle all the stinky parts of the process so all you are left with is good feelings and good soil!”

Steps: 1. We give you a bucket 2. You put your food scraps and organic material in the bucket 3. You leave your bucket out for us to pick up 4. We turn your scraps into nutrient-rich soil 5. We use that soil, sell it and/or deliver it back to you Home pick-up and drop-off options available Microgreens Program: Fresh microgreens grown just for you each week!

Custom plantings – you get to choose your flavors! $10/flat

Only 30 minutes away from Decorah, this full service community offers a variety of great dining options, unique antique, furniture & gift shops, & exciting recreational opportunities. Explore Niagara Cave, tour the Amish countryside, & pedal your way through 60 miles of paved bike trail! Harmony also offers a wide array of services businesses ready to meet your every need.

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Amish Tours of Harmony Experience a lifestyle...

Enjoy an exciting tour of Harmony’s Amish community with one of our knowledgeable guides!

Mini Bus Tours . Car Tours . Group Bus Tours . Spring thru Fall Call 507-886-2303 or 800-752-6474 . www.amish-tours.com

Mon - Sat 10-5 Sun 11-4 We deliver anywhere!

507.886.4406 - www.villagesquareofharmony.com

Niagara Cave & Mini Golf Nationally recognized as one of the Top Ten Caves in the United States

On our 1-hour guided tour…

• Hike 1 mile underground to depths of 200 ft.

• Discover fossils ~450 million years old • See delicate & massive cave formations • Temperature is 48° F (9°C) • Walking shoes are recommended

Also enjoy…

• Miniature Golf • Concessions • Gemstone Mining • Picnic Grounds • Unique Gifts

Check website for hours & availability

niagaracave.com

570 Main Ave N., Harmony, MN 55939 507-886-2777 • MyAmishMall.com

507- 886 - 6606 29842 County Road 30 -

Harmony, MN 55939

For a FREE Visitor Guide, call 1-800-288-7153 or visit us on the web at www.exploreharmony.com

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kiDs kids-at-heart

A

dventuring with your kids (or taking in the world LIKE a kid) can be as simple as heading to a local landmark (hello, Dunning’s Spring!) to chilling at a music festival (hooray, Driftless Music Fest!). We want you to make the most out of your summer – here in the Driftless, you never know how long it’ll last (oh, don’t worry…the snow should hold off at least until October)! So we put together a small list of big fun, sure to enhance your summer plans. Add them to your calendar and get ready to explore!

June 28, July 26, & August 23: Allamakee County Conservation – Summer Story Time! Lansing, Iowa Here at Inspire(d) HQ, we love sharing opportunities for you to get out and explore our awesome region. Don’t miss the chance for children (and their adults!) to join staff from Allamakee County Conservation this summer at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing for a story, discovery, play, and exploring the wonderful world of the Driftless. The Center itself is worth the drive and time to stop any day of the week – with great exhibits and a beautiful view – this is a treasure for our region.

Story time this summer just gives you an even better excuse to make the trip! Admission is always free and registration is not required. Story time will be held from 10 to 11am. Find out more by visiting www.allamakeecountyconservation.org or www.facebook.com/AllamakeeCountyConservation/

b uy great

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In the six years that Lanesboro Arts has offered summer arts education programs for area youth, Surprise Sculpture has become a summer community staple. Led by Lanesboro Arts staff and area artists, Surprise Sculpture encourages participants to construct large-scale, site-specific sculptures for public spaces in the community. Participants – it’s open to kids nine and younger – utilize a mixture of upcycled/recycled materials and fine arts materials. The construction of sculptures takes place in Lanesboro Arts’ St. Mane Theatre on Tuesdays from 12 to 2 pm.

For kids ages 10 to 18, Lanesboro Arts has created a new offering: Open Studio. Launched in January of this year, Open Studio runs 3 to 5 pm on Tuesdays. Participants are invited to use the St. Mane Theatre studio space and materials to create their own works of art. Participants are also welcome to bring their own supplies. “This is a great way for advanced artists to try new artistic mediums,” said Kara Maloney, Lanesboro Arts’ education lead.

“The environment is low-pressure, and participants can come inspire each other to learn and grow.

We want to nurture young artists, and this is an excellent step in the right direction.”

Registration is recommended for these programs, but it is not required. Participants can drop in and attend one or more sessions whenever their schedule permits. Summer arts programming through Lanesboro Arts is free and open to the public. Get more info and register at lanesboroarts. org/calendar.

KIDS CLOTHING MATERNITY WEAR GEAR & MORE

>

June 12 – July 18: Summer Arts Education – Lanesboro, Minnesota

sel l great NOW 102 W WATER ST OPEN! DECORAH, IOWA

Buy & sell in-store & online. Details at getupdecorah.com fda

MUSIC

THEATRE COMMUNITY

For events & ticket information visit ElkaderOperaHouse.com 207 N. Main, Elkader, IA

563-245-2098

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can’t sit still? There will be a special performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Saturday, July 28 at 2 pm geared towards children and adults who may have difficulty sitting still or keeping quiet for long periods of time.

There’s a great line-up of summer programs for students as well: the popular “Chill with Will” for students ages 11-18 – that features free tickets to a selected performance of each production; “Will’s Power Players” for students interested in learning more about being on-stage; and awesome programs for middle and high school students through the Shakespeare for Young series (Actors / Designers / Filmmakers – each medium is a different program). Check grsf.org/youtheducation for details or to sign up.

Learn more about the entire Great River Shakespeare Festival season and its other awesome offerings at grsf.org.

July 4: Pulpit to Pulpit Palooza! - DEcorah, Iowa

June 29 - August 5: Great River Shakespeare Festival – Winona, Minnesota Haven’t made it to the Great River Shakespeare Festival yet?

Better make this year the year you remedy that, ‘cause the folks behind GRSF have worked hard to create a season that is better than ever. This year’s play line-up includes Shakespeare in Love, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, All’s Well That Ends Well, and Venus in Fur. There will be a free outdoor concert before every theatrical performance this year! That’s 45 chances to see great live music – and then see great live theatre!

Want to see a show but are worried about your toddler who

The 4th of July is an epic holiday – Independence Day! Several celebrations exist in our region – Harmony, Minnesota’s 4th of July, and fireworks in Spillville, Iowa, for example – and Decorah is adding a new event into the mix. A group of fun-having folks are cranking up the 4th of July fun-ometer this year with the first-ever “Pulpit to Pulpit Palooza!” That’s right – a 5k fun run/walk from Pulpit (the race starts at the soccer fields near Will Baker Park by Pulpit Rock) to Pulpit (Pulpit Rock Brewing on Decorah’s West Side). It’s a fundraiser for the Decorah Dog Park and Spectrum Network, and you can even do the race with your pet! The event will begin at 10:30 am, with a party at Pulpit Rock Brewery afterwards until 1:30 pm.

EARL (NE Iowa Public Transportation) will offer a shuttle service to cars parked at the soccer fields near Will Baker Park after the event,

Where local & organic aren’t just a corner of our store, they are the cornerstone of our cooperative business.

ONEOTA COMMUNITY

FOOD COOPErative decorah, iowa

Co-op

kitchen

classroom

Water Street Caf é f r e s h .

o r g a n i c .

l o c a l .

312 West Water Street • Decorah 563.382.4666 • www.oneotacoop.com Monday-Saturday 8:00 am-8:30 pm • Sunday 10-7

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

everyone welcome

no membership required

grocery bulk produce café meat cheese bakery wine/beer supplements body care

and families of all kinds are welcome!

Registration will get participants one free Spring Grove soda, $1 off Impact Coffee or discounted draft beer at Pulpit Rock, plus a Pulpit to Pulpit Palooza t-shirt!

For registration, visit “Pulpit to Pulpit 5K” on Facebook, or tinyurl. com/pulpittopulpit.

250 artists.

7 days a week.

1 gallery.

July 14: Driftless Music Festival – Viroqua, Wisconsin The Driftless Music Festival (DMF) celebrates its 7th anniversary on Saturday, July 14 in Viroqua, Wisconsin with a family friendly lineup of awesome, free music! Gates open at noon and music plays from 1 to 10 pm in Eckhart Park adjacent to the Vernon County Courthouse on Decker Street.

Dedicated to the proposition that great cities have great music festivals, the DMF will feature a diverse array of talent from across the Midwest and beyond. Acts include The Full Monte, Miss Tess and the Talkbacks, IN BLACK ‘n WHITE, Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters, and Mila – a professional women’s vocal ensemble grounded in the harmonic traditions of Eastern Europe and Russia.

More than 90 sponsors and donors from the region underwrite the cost of the Driftless Music Festival so its offerings can be heard for free. More information about the Festival, or about becoming a donor to support the event, is available at driftlessmusicfestival. com or by email to driftlessmusicfestival@gmail.com. See you there!

August 9-12: 150th Celebration – Lime Springs, Iowa Lime Springs is celebrating 150 “Dam Good Years” with a four-day event, Aug. 9-12, in conjunction with the annual Sweet Corn Days.

In addition to all the great free stuff already in place – street dances, sweet corn, watermelon, and more – Lime Springs is adding fireworks on Thursday night right after the live music.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are also chockfull of fun. Old Town at Lidtke Mill is having some period events and entertainment.

There will be a museum open for the weekend with all sorts of local memorabilia on display. Plus, don’t miss the chicken dinners, waffles, egg rolls, omelets and pancakes as well as the free sweet corn and watermelon on Sunday.

Get more information at Facebook: Lime Springs 150th Anniversary Celebration.

Great Gifts Readings & Signings

Fantastic Selection

Bestsellers Mysteries Puzzles Poetry Childrens Books Scandinavian And more!

Hooray!

We’re celebrating 8 years in business!

Get your book buzz!

family-owned

Knowledgeable Staff

Open daily! 563-382-4275 • 112 West Water St. Decorah

www.dragonflybooks.com iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Plan ahead Catgut Paddle July 14, 2018 Veterans Freedom Park Clinton St. La Crosse, WI Register and learn more at catgutpaddle.com

ONE STOP BIKE SHOP! SERVICE

SALES

PEDAL ASSIST NOW AVAILABLE!

M, W, F: 10-6 . T: Closed Th: 10-8 . Sat: 9-5 . Sun: 12-4 decorahbicycles.com

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

RENTALS

101 College Dr. Decorah, Iowa . 563-382-8209

Paddle Fun on the Mississippi RIVER

BY SARA WALTERS

N

avigating the Mighty Mississippi, enjoying the spirit of adventure, soaking in the beauty of nature. River paddling is a timeless activity, affectionately written about by Mark Twain, and, happily, now embraced by an entirely new generation.

Folks in La Crosse behind the Catgut Paddle are banking on that (pun intended). The annual event, in its second year, welcomes canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and the like into the backwaters of the Black River, a Mississippi tributary known locally as Catgut Slough. Hosted by La Crosse Parks & Recreation, paddlers of all ages are welcome to join in on the fun. There’s a 14-mile canoe and kayak race for the more experienced river rats and a 4-mile fun paddle for everyone else. Mark your calendars for this year’s event, slated for July 14.

If just plain paddling doesn’t float your boat, there are other events like paddleboard yoga, paddleboard jousting, and a birdwatching paddle. Or, if you’ve never tried it before, there are beginner kayak lessons available. Kids can take advantage of open paddle sessions to splash around and cool off in the summer sun.

Even cooler? All proceeds benefit YEA, the Youth Enrichment Association, which helps provide all area youth with the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities and youth sports.

If this ALL sounds great, but you and your family don’t own paddling gear, that’s no problem either. Rental equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis for all events (outside of the two main races). There are several off-site outfitters as well,

including the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Island Outfitters, for those wanting to call ahead and reserve a watercraft instead.

For participants taking on the 14-mile trek, it’s recommended that you have your own watercraft and a little bit of know-how. You’ll be traversing the backwaters as well as the main channel of the Mississippi, so be prepared for winds, current, and if you’re lucky, a bald eagle spotting. The 4-mile event requires a provided watercraft as well, but will accommodate a wider range of paddling experience.

Although most of Catgut Paddle takes place on the water, there’s lots of action happening on land too. At Veterans Memorial Park, check out the outdoor expo, featuring paddling vendors and food trucks, and enjoy live music and yard games.

Still looking for more? You’re in luck. A long-standing Parks & Recreation event, Youth Outdoor Fest, will also take place during Catgut Paddle, from 10am to 2pm at Veterans Freedom Park. It’s two-for-one family fun! This event is free and features demos, games, and information on outdoor activities like archery, hiking, fishing, geocaching, log rolling, and more. It’ll be the perfect place to expose your kids to all the awesome activities available in the Driftless Region.

Sara Walters is a freelance writer local to La Crosse.

She enjoys a good pun and living near the river.

Biking . Shopping . Kayaking & Canoeing. Tubing . Theatre . Art . Food . Fun!

507-467-2696 • lanesboro.com iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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HANDCRAFTED IN DECORAH, IOWA

Driftless

SUMMER (Fill Your) BUCKET LIST

In Roxie’s T-K class this past year, they talked about filling buckets – each others’ and their own. I love this idea: Take care of and be kind to others and ourselves, filling our buckets with positivity. So rather than a Summer Bucket List, we’re going with a Summer “Fill Your” Bucket List!

Ride the Trout Run Trail Loop in Decorah

207 College Drive, Decorah 563-380-3610 pulpitrockbrewing.com Open 7 Days A Week

SPORTS BAR & GRILL

Introduce yourself to a new friend.

Hi! Welcome!

Visit Niagara Cave (Harmony, MN) or Spook Cave (near McGregor, IA) Go Camping

How about the Yellow River State Forest?

Go to Lake Meyer near Fort Atkinson Head to a Farmers Market (or 20)

Burgers. Sandwiches. Salads. Appetizers Breakfast. In-House Catering

Host a potluck

LOCAL INGREDIENTS • 22 BEERS ON TAP!

EVENT VENUES

See live outdoor music Take a paddle on a Driftless river.

How about one of the Driftless Super Slough days in Lansing? June 30, July 28, or August 25. www.facebook.com/mainstreetlansing/ 2 amazing spaces. Small or large events.

Details at tbocks.events@gmail.com

206 W. Water St. Decorah 563-382-5970 • tbocks.com 40

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

Grab a snack from a Food Truck Fat Pat’s BBQ anyone?

YAY!

=

Volunteer Go to a Pizza Farm Read more about them in the first Driftless Food Guide! www.driftlessfood.com

Solar Sales & Installs since 2012 Licensed & Insured Contractor • Electrician licensed in 3 states

CALL FOR YOUR SITE ASSESSMENT TODAY!

563-380-6712

Check out the Driftless Education Center near Lansing, IA

Go on an Amish Tour

Decorah, Iowa massmant@gmail.com

Cool!

Go on a tour of Decorah waterfalls: Dunning’s Spring Malanaphy Springs Siewers Spring

Taste your way through Nordic Fest

May we suggest starting with varme polse and ending with vaffles?

The Hairloom SALON & SPA 115 WINNEBAGO ST • DECORAH, IOWA

563.382.5511 • facebook.com/TheHairloom

Stop by a Destination Farm Say hi & buy something awesome & home-grown/made.

Go on a Mississippi Riverboat Cruise Read a book

Take a hike at Effigy Mounds or Pikes Peak

DECORAH’S NEWEST VACATION RENTAL!

115 Winnebago Street . Decorah, Iowa winnebago.retreat@gmail.com 563.382.6139

24/7 Access for your workout * We’ll Help You

Get to a Healthier Place®

Go to a county fair (see Driftless Fairs on page 24) Love fairs? Go to your State Fair too!

Run through a sprinkler!

Do the Driftless Safari www.driftless-safari.org

FUN!

915 Short St. Decorah 563-382-2323 decorah@anytimefitness.com

anytimefitness.com

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Springing Across

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Time & Trade

Stone mason Ted Wilson on the nature of Dunningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring bridge

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Bridge photos by Aryn Henning Nichols

WOODEN WINDOW

restoration & weatherization

Residential & light commercial construction David J. Wadsworth • 563.419.0390 • wadsworthconstruction.com

R.M. Granet & Company Nort h Io wa’s In t ern ational Gi f t & Antique Store

Featuring... fine art, estate jewelry, porcelain, crystal, silver, antiques and home furnishings

Wilson built a nexus shape – a hub-andspoke design, a water wheel – into the face of each pillar at the south end of the bridge.

1110 North Grand Avenue Charles City, IA 50616 Phone Number 641-220-5100

DELIVERY AVAILABLE!

MABE’S PIZZA

FAMOUS PIZZA FUN & CASUAL ATMOSPHERE

110 East Water St 563-382-4297 www.mabespizza.com

More than 60 years of great food!

David Heine, MD Family Medicine

Same Great Care New Great Clinic For an appointment call:

563-547-2022 or toll free 888-547-5474

Cresco Medical Clinic • 321 8th Ave W, Cresco, Iowa • www.rhshc.com 44

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

BY KRISTINE JEPSEN

I

n the mid-1800s, Dunning’s Spring namesake Eli Dunning operated a grist mill, powered by a water turbine that would churn through the rushing spring water.

In 2017, a dry-stone arch footbridge was completed to mark the very spot where the mill once operated, now within a 115-acre Decorah park.

Commissioned and championed by Decorah Parks and Recreation, especially former superintendent and project volunteer Randy Fulton and current director Andy Nimrod, the landmark incorporates 35 tons of stone, many salvaged from the dolomite foundation of Decorah’s historic East Side School, which was demolished in 2008.

Stonemason Ted Wilson of Decorah coordinated the shaping and hoisting of each 200-300-lb stone into its rightful place in the arch, creating a work of public art to last generations.

But as solemn and fixed as Dunning’s Spring bridge might appear, Wilson invites a closer look, to peer within the geometry of its architecture and its active resilience over time and in all weather.

“Those stones are working and have been from the moment we lowered the keystone – the center stone of the arch – into place,” he says. “They’re pushing against each other, bracing each other, held in compression by the abutments on each bank.” Indeed, the radius of the bridge was so precise that when workers lowered the wooden supporting scaffolding a scant eighth inch, the stones caught exactly as designed and the wooden form dropped free.

July 14 - 22, 2018 Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival 2018 presents

of the Lost Art True to the liveliness of liquid, one wheel “turns” to the right, the other to the left.

July 14, 5 pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, Iowa “Love’s Labor’s Lost” July 15, 3 pm, Prairie Lakes Atrium, Cedar Falls, Iowa “Love’s Labor’s Lost”

Individually and as a whole, the bridge stones react and adapt to the many freezethaw cycles of their location in the foggy, shadowy glen, Wilson says. Fitted together without mortar – a technique known as dry-stone masonry, the bridge is both sturdy and porous. “Each piece must be chiseled and shaped with great exactitude” Wilson explains, “often within tiny fractions of an inch” to seat properly without any rocking, or balancing on uneven points.

But when the rains come, these seams between the stones let the water drain through – a feature that was tested immediately in construction, when Decorah received nine inches of rain one August night in 2016. To commemorate the bridge’s relationship to water and the spring’s historic value to Decorah’s economy, Wilson built a nexus shape – a hub-and-spoke design, a water wheel – into the face of each pillar at the south end of the bridge. True to the liveliness of liquid, one wheel “turns” to the right, the other to the left.

Dry-stone masonry has been practiced for literally centuries, says Wilson, who got his start repairing stone fences on the moors of Yorkshire, northern England. After a formal two-year training with a masonry company in Bath, a city built almost entirely of stone in the Georgian era, he joined a crew in Somerset. Their next job was to repair and replace weathered stones in the top 90 feet of the northwest tower of Wells Cathedral, largely built between 1175 in 1490.

July 18, 7 pm, Kamerick Art Gallery, UNI Campus, Cedar Falls “L.A. Stories: Forgotten composers of the Silver screen” July 22, 3 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, Waterloo, Iowa “Opus Posthumous”

cedarvalleymusic.org sponsored by Cedar Falls Tourism iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Ted Wilson in his workshop near Decorah

Ted Wilson photos by Kristine Jepsen

Conference & Campout

Celebrate gardening, food, and the community found in the garden and at the table.

FREE

Event

July 20 & 21

Seed Savers Exchange | Decorah, Iowa Register + Details: seedsavers.org/conference

friday, june 8

catfish keith PRESENTED BY THE MILl INTIMATE AT THE ENGLERT saturday, june 9

national theatre live: follies SPONSORED BY M.C. GINSBERG saturday, july 14

friday, september 28 AT 8pm

national theatre live: macbeth

SPONSORED BY M.C. GINSBERG & KRUI 89.7 FM august 6-11

acting out!

The Englert Theatre’s Summer Youth Acting Camp monday, september 3

lake street dive

Sponsored by MidAmerica Securities & Best Case Wines friday, september 21

amanda shires Co-presented with FPC Live wednesday, september 26

keb’ mo’

Co-presented with FPC Live

jake shimabukuro

Co-presented by FPC Live Sponsored by Kim Schillig, Realtor saturday, september 29

randy bachman

Sponsored by MidAmerica Securities Micky's Irish Pub, & 94.1 KRNA tuesday, october 16

the capitol steps thursday, october 25

bruce cockburn

wednesday, october 31

kamasi washington

Sponsored by The Record Collector & KCCK 88.3 Jazz FM

221. E. Washington St. Iowa City | Englert.org | (319) 688-2653

“The stones, suspended, alone, before they’re fitted into their place… even the moment before they settle gently into place… are incredibly precarious, incredibly vulnerable,” he explains. It says a lot about the nature of stone itself, a material that gives to the focused blow of a mason’s point and hammer, then negotiates a lifetime of weathering the elements.

A wiry man with white hair springing in all directions, a full beard, and wire-rimmed bifocals, Wilson is the kind of storyteller who pauses to identify the century of which he’s speaking, as he draws on examples of masonry that have become icons of the craft. For more than 50 years, Wilson himself has worked in stone restoration and construction, including the hand-crafting of the home he shares his wife, Pine, with a spiral stone staircase leading to the second floor.

When Wilson strikes a piece of stone, his whole body springs back a fraction, giving the stone space to breathe as chips of it soar across the room and a fine dust rises from the point of contact, floating away on the breeze. Wilson peers at the results from this way and that, calculating the precision of the next blow and looking ahead to the finished form: a sheer, smooth plane to fit alongside another rock, or, a subtly textured decorative face. The Dunning’s Spring project is his first bridge, a feat of engineering he’s always aspired to.

“I don’t know if I’ve got another one under my belt, though,” he says with a laugh. “I think this one might be my swan song.”

“The longer I work with stone, the more interested I become in how minimalist a structure can be to leap across a void and bear a certain load,” he says, though the Dunning’s bridge is clearly

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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120 WASHINGTON ST DECORAH, IOWA

RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED

563-382-3067

Patchwork Green Farm Erik Sessions and Sara Peterson (563)387-0837 patchworkgreen.com

This little squirrel and acorn are on the north side of the bridge - see if you spot them when you go!

Find us at the Decorah Farmers' Market from June-October.

CSA Market Shares now available.

Morning Glory Retreat House 336 Washington Street

Morning Glory Downtown 113 Winnebago Street

workshops • classes • meeting place meditation and retreat offerings calm, quiet space group and individual accommodations 563-419-2357 Decorah, IA

Artistry in Cabinetry since 1983

Kitchens Home offices Bars Entertainment centers Fireplace mantles Cabinets & shelving Remodeling Finished carpentry

Visit my new website!

paulbauhs.com 563-382-4750

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

much more than minimal design. “It’s an incredibly organic concept, winnowed just as all of nature has been winnowed by evolution – winnowing out the failure, until a thing takes an exact shape, like a cedar tree,” he says, motioning to one shuddering in a stiff south wind outside his kitchen window. “This precise size and shape conveys the nutrients it needs to survive, not an unnecessary twig anywhere, or an ounce more.”

In 2018, Wilson will add rustic stone steps and a walkway to connect the Dunning’s Spring bridge with the park’s hiking path above the falls. Already, the site supports business that reflects Decorah’s modern economy: photography. Wedding parties, vacationers, recent graduates, and outdoor enthusiasts alike take their turn on the pale cream and salmon-colored stone bridge, a nexus of joy and celebration that suits Wilson just fine.

“When it was finished, it took me about a month to want to really look at it, to take it all in,” he says slowly. “I was afraid, deep down, that it would look too heavy, too monumental – pardon the puns – with too much a sense of the hard input it represents: the bloody knuckles, the sweat, and anxiety over meeting deadlines. But I was really pleased,” he says, breaking into a smile. “It has a lightness about it – a sense of leaping from bank to bank that was my goal all along.”

Kristine Jepsen’s favorite assignments are to write about things, like this bridge, made by hand. She is working on a chapbook about her young daughter, who makes sense of the world through the lens of dyslexia, and a memoir about the early days of local foods farming. Read more at kristinejepsen.com.

Bridge plans

In addition to public works, funding for Dunning’s Spring bridge was donated by the Chris and Rhonda Storlie family of Decorah. Wilson would also like to thank the many volunteers who joined in the “sweat and grind” that is masonry, including Benoit and Matt, two young masons from the Ontario Masonry Training Centre in Canada.

General contractor on the bridge was Quandahl Construction, led by Kevin Quandahl.

Mason Sean Smyth of Missoula, Montana, who intersected with Wilson through mutual friends in Decorah, was a vital partner in the project, especially when Wilson was waylaid by recurrent Lyme disease.

www.kkgardens.com

VISIT the DUNNING’S SPRING bridge Check out this lovely bridge at Dunning’s Spring Park off Ice Cave Road in Decorah, Iowa. There’s that amazing 200-ft. waterfall too, and extensive walking trails and spots for picnicking.

Offering over 40,000 plants!

Iowa's #1

Destination

Garden Center Just 30 minutes south of Decorah

Decorah K&K Gardens

108 E. Wilbur St, Hawkeye, Iowa • 563.427.5373 • Open daily May - October

SUM BUSINESS OF YOUR

INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE DRIFTLESS

WW Homestead Dairy 850 Rossville Rd, Waukon, Iowa 563-568-4950 www.wwhomesteaddairy.com 50

PHotos by Benji Nichols

Est. 1961

WW Homestead Dairy WAUKON, IOWA

People you can trust.

Quality you can depend on.

W

here does your milk come from?

It’s the question at the top of WW Homestead Dairy’s website, and one that helped inspire Tom and Angela Weighner, Paul Weighner, and Tom and Janet Walleser to launch the Waukon, Iowa, based creamery seven years ago.

Their families had all been involved in the dairy industry for more than 30 years, but it was a look to the future that led to the birth of WW Homestead Dairy. They wanted to diversify their farming businesses, and help consumers connect better with the food on their plates.

Now, WW Homestead offers locally produced cream-line milk (nonLeft to right: Paul Weighner, Tom Weighner & his homogenized), butter, cheese (curds and grandson, Hank Iverson, and Tom Walleser.

Photo courtesy WW Homestead Dairy blocks of delicious cheddar), and ice cream, plus novelty items like WW Homestead Dairy gift boxes, ice cream cakes, cheese trays and more. You can find their products at many locations across the Driftless Region (see where at www.wwhomesteaddair­­­­y.com).

The creamery is a fun place stop on a road trip or as an outing on its own. Here at Inspire(d), one of our favorite summer excursions is to play at Waukon’s amazing city park and then a visit to WW Homestead Dairy for ice cream (there are more than 30 flavors!)… plus, who can resist a squeaky cheese curd?! The curds are made almost daily by creamery manager Bruce Snitker, a licensed Wisconsin cheese maker.

A hallway with large viewing windows allows customers to see how the WW Homestead Dairy products are made. If you’re heading to Waukon to check it out, you could also plan ahead and tour the creamery – just give them a call to check on times.

All the ‘Ws’ behind WW Homestead Dairy are sure you’re going to be a fan. In fact, they’ve been known to say: “We’re so convinced you’ll love our dairy products that we’ll bet the farm on it!”

We caught up with ­­Tom and Angela Weighner to learn more about what it’s like co-owning and running a local creamery.

Name: Tom and Angela Weighner, Paul Weighner, and Tom and Janet Walleser Business: WW Homestead Dairy Years in Business: 7 – WW Homestead Dairy opened June of 2011

Monday: 9am - 8pm Tues - Fri: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 9am - 3pm 3 goldsmiths 2 graduate gemologists 1 watchmaker 3 diamond setters

31 West Main Street Waukon, Iowa 800.932-7028 • 563.568-3661

elliottjewelers.com

Read on for Q&A > iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Outside & Inside seating! Great Venue for your next event!

Summer hours: Fridays 4-9pm, Sat. 10-5 & Sun 1-5

Empty Nest Winery Serving Wine, Fresh Sangria, Local Beers & House Ciders

Upcoming Events July 28: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Tickets @ Eventbrite.com Aug 31- Sept 3: Labor Day weekend!

Friday 4 to 9 pm; Sat/Sun/Mon 11 am to 5 pm Hot Food Buffet May through October – Live Music on the Patio Sunday, 1 to 4 pm.

Friday nights 5-8 pm & Outside games, hot food buffet, and fun! No cover.

Saturdays 11-2 pm.

Fall wines released & Truffle wine Menu at emptynestwinery.com

Summer Limited Edition Wine Releases: or Facebook July 6: Summer Splash Pink lemonade Rose July 27: White Lace made from pineapple, peaches, kiwi Aug 3: Pink Splendor strawberry rhubarb & ParrotHead Paradise, tropical lime & white grape

Save the Dates!

October 5-7: 5th Annual “Wining with the Arts” Local Artists, Wine, Beer, and Food. No cover November 23 & 24: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

Tickets @ Eventbrite.com December 31: New Years Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

Tickets @ Eventbrite.com + New Years Eve Party after!

Feb. 8-10: 8th Annual Blind Wine Tasting Event

emptynestwinery.com | 563-568-2758 1253 Apple Rd. Waukon, Iowa

Like us for details!

1. Tell us about the “leap” moment. When/how did you decide to jump in and become your own boss?

Both of our families were tired of the up and down milk prices and knew that to stay sustainable and grow for the next generation that wanted to keep farming, we needed to change things up. It was also disheartening to see the gap growing between people and their food. We could have just tried adding more cows and getting larger, but after a lot of discussion and looking at different options, we decided to try the value-added route. By choosing this route, we are able to work closely with the people who are purchasing our products and connect them to the food they are bringing home. We met Bruce Snitker, our plant manager and licensed cheese maker in 2010, and took the leap in late 2010. In July of 2011 we produced our first products: milk & cheese curds. Now we produce a full line of dairy products including: cream line milk, cheese, butter, ice cream (over 30 flavors), and our own line of frozen breaded cheese curds.

Last summer we took a second leap and expanded our retail store and ice cream parlor. We knew we needed more seating, space to showcase our products, and decided to add our “Coffee Barn” which features local coffee from Impact in Decorah and Verena Street in Dubuque.

This summer we are taking another huge leap and adding artisan, small-batch cottage cheese to our product line!

2. What’s the best thing about being your own boss?

We enjoy being able to set our own hours and work with our family. Because we work with our daughters, we get to see a lot of our grandchildren and they always keep things interesting!

Another thing that is great about being your own boss is watching an idea that you thought of, planned for and saw through to the end.

Cottage cheese is something we have been talking about for several

quartz countertops

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years and now we are finally going to see the end product on shelves this summer. We can’t wait to share it with our customers and see what it does for our business.

DECORAH, IOWA

3. How about the worst?

Setting your hours is great, but we don’t get to work an 8-5 job.

There are always issues that come up after hours, on weekends, even the middle of the night, and you don’t get to hand those off to someone else.

ajpetersburg.com

563-382-3627

FEATURING

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kdraejewelry.com • 101 East Water Street • 563-382-0301 MON - THURS: 11- 9 • FRI - SAT 11-10 • SUN: 11-8

Homemade goodness.

Yum. 421 W. WATER ST. DECORAH, IA

dine in • carry out • catering 563.382.6208

facebook.com /OldArmoryBBQ

BUILDING

HOMES

Sustainable Beautiful Efficient David J. Wadsworth • 563.419.0390 • wadsworthconstruction.com 54

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

4. Was there ever a hurdle where you just thought, “I can’t do this?” How did you overcome it?

We have daily and weekly hurdles to overcome, whether it is trying to figure out how to not run out of ice cream (or butter!) during the summer, making sure production is fully staffed or balancing time between farming, especially during planting and harvest seasons, and the dayto-day that needs to be done at the creamery. Marketing is a constant hurdle.

We try to do as much as we can during the winter months, when farming is slower, but we are always trying to figure out how to sneak in a day of sales calls during our busy season. We’ve learned to not let the little things bother us too much and focus on what we can get done in a week.

5. Any mentors/role models you look to/have looked to?

We have always looked to other small on-farm dairy processors and small business owners for mentors. There are a lot of small businesses out there that are willing to work with you if you just ask.

6. What’s the one thing you wish you had known before you started?

We knew that marketing was going to be an important part when we started, but we didn’t realize how much time it was actually going to take and how difficult it would be to sell product. We’ve figured out a few things along the way, but we are always learning.

7. How do you manage your life/work balance?

We plan a winter vacation somewhere warm every year and a summer or fall vacation with our daughters. We also spend time every season doing things we enjoy, spending lots of time outdoors and getting away from the creamery, even if it is only for a couple hours.

8. What keeps you inspired? Any quotes that keep you going?

Over the last three years, we have been honored with many awards for our dairy products. In 2017, our Chipotle Morita cheese curds won first place at the American Cheese Society competition and our Jalapeno Ranch placed second. Over 2000 entries from almost 300 different producers were entered! It’s inspiring to see something you’ve worked so hard to produce be recognized at a national level.

The full-sized, hand-carved carousel

Small Raul

Handmade tractors - photos courtesy LARK Toys

more Than a LARK A giant Minnesota toy store brings to life the imagination of kids and kids-at-heart

BY MAGGIE SONNEK

It’s

Friday morning in Wabasha, Minnesota, and Scott and Miranda GrayBurlingame are getting ready for their day. They drop off Gwendolyn (Wynnie), their theater-loving, 15-year-old daughter, and Murdock, their bubbly fouryear-old son, at their respective schools. They pop into the Eagle’s Nest Cafe for coffee and then, it’s off to work. They have quite a few items on their to-do lists. Miranda is tastetesting a new flavor of fudge before kids start showing up for story time. Scott is making finishing touches on Woodmint, part of a new line of characters he’s working on.

Their workdays look a bit different than most others’ – they’re co-owners, along with Miranda’s parents Ron and Kathy Gray, of LARK Toys, one of the world’s largest independent specialty toys stores. Voted “Best Toy Store in Minnesota,” LARK is nestled between the Zumbro River, Highway 61, and the picturesque bluffs in the tiny town of Kellogg.

The first thing you see when you walk through the doors of the 21,000-square-foot toy store is a whimsical guestbook and big quill pen. The second is a map pricked with dozens of pins, marking the hometowns of LARK’s thousands of yearly visitors.

A right turn brings you into the main toy store. iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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3

2

4

1 1. The 2017 vistors’ map, representing guests who visited from across the United States and world. On New Year’s Eve day they pulled all the pins out and hang a new map.

2. Memory Lane - Take a stroll through thousands of toys from eras past.

3. LARK Book Store – find everything from board books to science, poetry, biography, fiction & non-fiction.

4. A river giant, Raul is part of the Bluffling tribe. He is the voice of wisdom from the river.

Photos courtesy LARK Toys

School-Year Programs: Children’s House – 3-6 years old E1 (lower elementary) – 6-9 years old + Summer Camps!

June-August

NORTHEAST IOWA neim.us 56

Montessori

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

The joy of discovery!

418 W. Water Street. Decorah, Iowa 52101. 563-382-6491

“We choose every toy, game and puzzle according to quality, safety and fun. We only choose toys we’d give to our own kids and grandkids,” Miranda and Kathy say. “And we limit the number of toys with batteries.”

The LARK Toy Room encourages kids (and adults too…hello, adult-sized scooter!) to play and imagine. A train table, dollhouse, toy kitchen, and a variety of developmental toys are all fair game.

Nearby is the iconic workshop.

Here sits toymaker Tim Monson.

He’s been at LARK for 31 years, helping to dream-up and handcraft the store’s trademark heirloom wooden pull toys, like a wooden duck whose wings move up and down as it rolls.

Decorative, wearable & functional art

“I get to do something different every day,” Tim says as he works on the Billberry Bear (a bear riding a tricycle). “You hear people complaining about going to work. But this is what I get to do for a living.”

Back on the tour, if you take a left instead of a right at the main entrance, you’re transported back in time through an antique toy museum full of displays including vintage action figures, oldfashioned dolls, and tin cars. The hall opens up to a candy store, food court, gift shop, fudge counter and llama viewing area (yes, llamas! Three of them: Francis, Irving and George).

But you’ll mostly likely head straight for the full-sized, hand-carved carousel featuring hand-stained animals, like a white bird with a fish in its mouth and a dragon with a wizard sitting at the base of its neck. The original co-owner of LARK Toys, Donn Kreofsky, envisioned and helped create the carousel. Running every half-hour each day, both kids and adults are welcome to ride.

And just outside is an outdoor, 18-hole mini-golf course, featuring waterfalls, ponds and a play-through mountain.

While Miranda and Scott and Kathy and Ron do live a kind of “Willy Wonka meets Disney World” dream life, they’ve made big decisions and taken lots of risks to get to the point where things like tasting fudge and sculpting characters named Woodmint are on their to-do lists.

Continued on next page

Open for season May 1 10am -5 pm DAILY

gallery 110 Coffee Street Lanesboro, Minnesota . 563-419-0727

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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It all started in 2002 when one of the most exciting and wonderful days turned truly terrifying. While Miranda was in labor, she experienced an amniotic fluid embolism, an unpreventable and often-fatal complication of pregnancy. It’s an allergic-like reaction when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream. And it often causes respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Miranda coded in the hospital room and Wynnie was delivered by an emergency Cesarean section.

The next few days remained scary and unknown for Scott, Kathy, and Ron. They didn’t know if Miranda would survive – and if she did, what her life – and theirs – would look like. Amazingly, Miranda made a full recovery, and within two months,

with the help of her family, was back on her feet.

But the experience affected all of them. They saw how quickly life can change.

“The whole experience reframed our lives,” Kathy says. “We saw how fragile life is. Most of the stuff that made us worked-up before didn’t bother us after that day.”

Desiring a simpler and fuller, more creative life, the five of them moved from the busy Twin Cities area to a quieter life in Winona, Minnesota, right along the Mississippi River.

Scott worked as a graphic designer, Miranda taught at a local Montessori school, and Ron and Kathy ran a home inspection business.

That’s when the opportunity of a lifetime came knocking.

The family (pictured at left) learned that LARK Toys was for sale by its original owners, Sarah and Donn Kreofsky (the teachers-turnedentrepreneurs had originally started making toys in their garage for their own children).

“I thought, ‘What an awesome idea! Is there any way we can dream that big?’” Miranda says.

“We got to know the place and we just fell in love. We thought, ‘We should be the ones to take it over. We should continue this legacy.’”

And continue it they have. For the decade they’ve owned the store, they’ve had a collaborative dream about the surrounding bluffs.

#StayAmazing DECORAH, IOWA

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Mini golf!

“Since we moved to this area, the bluffs and landscape have been inspiring us,” Miranda says. “We learned about the Driftless Region (yay!), which wasn’t glaciated. As a result, it was a safe space for all different creatures to exist when normally they wouldn’t cohabitate.”

They see LARK as a similar refuge.

The internationally renowned hospital, Mayo Clinic, is just 35 miles away in Rochester, Minnesota, and sees more than a million patients a year from all 50 states and 150 countries. A number of them make their way to LARK. “We are able to open our doors to people from all walks of life,” Kathy says. “It’s beautiful that this store can exist to bring people joy and encourage play.”

To pay homage to the surrounding bluffs, they’ve created a tribe of characters called Blufflings.

(Remember Woodmint on Scott’s to do list? He’s a Bluffling.) An entire story revolves around these part-doll, part-marionette, and part-statuettes.

Continued on next page

Favorite toys: Then and now

We asked these toy experts and curators to share with us their favorite childhood toys and their favorite toys now, as adults.

Kathy: Then: Pogo Stick (she once got up to 1,000 jumps) Now: WordARound game Ron: Then: Tonka truck Now: Rally Roll dice game Miranda: Then: Cabbage Patch doll Now: Poi Scott: Then: Star Wars toys Now: Canoe Paddler pull toy Tim: Then: GI Joe/Big Jim Now: Bilberry Bear pull toy

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Hours Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon: 10 AM–4 PM Call or check our website for extended summer hours and live owl programs

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Amazing downtown loft, perfect for exploring Decorah!

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Large 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath Loft Gorgeous Panoramic Views . Gourmet Kitchen . Private Deck Nightly, weekly, & monthly rates. Call Doug at 563-419-5367

www.thewaterstreetflat.com The Blufflings are currently in production at LARK Toys - above are two, including Woodmint on the right. Photo by Maggie Sonnek.

Thoughtfully designed, handcrafted, timberframe buildings.

www.wildrosetimberworks.com . 563 382 6245 . Decorah, Iowa decor • flower labyrinth • cut your own bouquet

“We imagine them to be spritely and fun, but deeply wise,” Miranda says. “They’re about to set forth on an adventure – which will soon become a story book.”

They’ve dedicated a space in the store where the Blufflings, which are all named after Minnesota wildflowers, will live. The setting will look like a bluff and will contain information about the Driftless, while weaving in the folktale.

As Miranda and Scott, Kathy and Ron lock up after another busy day, they’re mentally creating tomorrow’s to do list – which looks a lot like play.

“It’s not that we live this Willy Wonka life. It’s because we’ve been through hard things that we are paying attention to what really matters,” Miranda says. “We’re just people. We’re just dreamers.

And we’re blessed to do this everyday.”

and Small Batch Bakery Maggie Sonnek, wife and mom of three, plans to sip iced coffee outside, take walks to the park and explore pizza farms this summer. Head over to millcitycreativempls.com to learn more about Maggie’s work and her blog spotlighting entrepreneurial women (including a beekeeper and alpaca farmer).

Newburg Township, MN • 319-540-7325 • NewburgVintageHomeandGarden on

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Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

LARK Toys: GET THERE

63604 170th Ave, Kellogg, Minnesota 507-767-3387 • www.larktoys.com Open year-round.

Summer Hours (through Labor Day) are 10 am to 6 pm.

Mini-golf open when weather permits

VISITING LARK TOYS FOR THE FIRST TIME? KEEP THESE FOUR TIPS IN MIND 1. Pick up a map as you walk in to help navigate the expansive place 2. Allow plenty of time to explore – there’s a lot to see.

3. The carousel runs every 30 minutes.

The last tee time for mini-golf is 45 minutes before closing (6 pm during the summer).

4. If you see something you’re drawn to, buy it!

LARK offers lots of unique, one-of-a-kind items that are often hard to find and might not be there next time.

The Gray-Burlingames often end their days with a walk with the llamas and their airedale, Charles Wallace. Photo courtesy LARK Toys

Call today for details and see Reserve now for the maximum Nabotunet is part of the Aase Haugen Family of Senior

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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EXPLORE

Northeast IOWA

BY ELIZABETH BONIN

T

he snow has finally (finally!) melted, and things are really heating up around here – literally and figuratively.

Summer is here!

It’s the perfect season for a day of exploration in our corner of the Driftless. But with so many different options out there, determining exactly how to enjoy our region can be tricky. Luckily, smart folks like those at Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), Walk More Connect More, Decorah Parks and Recreation, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation have made it a little easier for us: They’ve created maps, brochures, and other tools to aid outdoor enthusiasts.

“We work with partners across the region and other parts of the state to develop, design, and distribute a wide variety of publications,” says Lora Friest, Executive Director of Northeast Iowa RC&D. “They inform and educate, and provide information about where people can go and how they can access natural resources.”

Whether you fancy canoeing, fishing, biking, or a simple walk, there are plenty of resources available to inspire your next adventure. Take the family out on a trip to Clermont, Iowa for a historical walking tour, explore Decorah’s Trout Run Trail, or cool off for a day on the Upper Iowa River.

No matter what you choose, you will be sure to find some awesome Northeast Iowa fun!

New name, same great care!

Team Rehab in Decorah and Cresco is now part of Gundersen Health System. It’s the people you know and trust in the same locations, now part of Gundersen’s network of specialists.

To schedule an appointment, call: Decorah: (563) 382-4770 Cresco: (563) 547-4400

gundersenhealth.org/decorah

Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc. | Gundersen Clinic, Ltd. | 27863_0418

62

Summer 2018 / iloveinspired.com

QUICK & EASY OIL CHANGES! AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR OF ALL KINDS

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563-382-4010 • 563-380-5851 Trout Run Trail The Trout Run Trail is a popular destination for a morning run, bike ride, or relaxing walk by the Upper Iowa River. For those looking for something new on this route, watch for the kiosks at the end of Dug Road and near the Highway 9 bridge – the maps (you can pick up your own copy at the Decorah Visitor’s Center as well) now include the 2.75 mile Freeport Trail extension, which begins off the Trout Run Trail near the Highway 9 Bowstring Bridge (aka the “bridge to nowhere”) and extends on in to Freeport. Decorah Parks & Recreation has also recently released a pamphlet including tips such as where to find businesses and other outdoor resources such as Dunning Springs. www.troutruntrail.com

A THRIFT STORE FOR EVERYONE!

MON-FRI 9-6 • SAT 9-3 563-382-2700 • 510 MONTGOMERY ST, DECORAH, IA www.depotoutlet.org or find us on Facebook

Walk More Connect More walking maps Whether you want to enjoy the sunshine or get in a few more steps, Walk More Connect More has mapped out walks folks are sure to love. The website has routes all over – Calmar, Decorah, Elkader, Guttenberg, Oelwein, and more. The site also lists tips for starting your own walking group to get friends and families connected.

Exploring these walking maps is a great way to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and get to know the community. walkneiowa.org

iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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Iowa by Trail app

YOUR FAVORITE DAY SPOT IS NOW YOUR FAVORITE NIGHT SPOT

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation continues to offer the Iowa by Trail mobile application. The app has a multitude of tools to aid your outdoor adventure such as a geolocator that pinpoints the nearest trail from your current location, finds restaurants or museums, shares photos, and tracks local weather.

You can find your perfect trail by looking through the distance and rating of each route. Share photos with friends on the app to record your summer walk through Iowa. www.iowabytrail.com

Java John’s FINE WINE CRAFT BEER DINNER ENTREES DESSERTS COFFEE & ESPRESSO LIVE MUSIC

Tools from Northeast Iowa RC&D

Monday-Thursday until 9 Friday & Saturday until 11 Sunday until 3

As mentioned, Northeast Iowa RC&D has put out some great maps and resources, available in a few select locations free for pick-up, or for a small cost for the print version (or free download) at www.northeastiowarcd.org.

The following on the next page are all projects of RC&D:

400 West Water Street, Decorah 563.382.5690 javajohnscoffehouse.com

GET READY FOR THE

Biz Booster Contest!

Are you starting a Winneshiek County business – or expanding your current business – to encourage job growth, tourism, business growth, increase marketing, or do some other totally awesome thing?!?

Then you should definitely apply for WCDI’s Biz Booster and Mini Ag-Grant Contests!

More than

$10,000 up for grabs!

Grant application opens Nov 1, 2018 Deadline to apply is Dec 15, 2018

Contact Stephanie Fromm at director@winneshiekdevelopment.org for an application today!

Luna Valley Farm won $4,000 The December deadline for the Biz Booster grant helped us set and achieve the goal of developing a business plan for pizza nights.

That business plan and our application to Biz Booster launched us on the path of securing funding, running a successful Kickstarter campaign, lining up contractors and opening in September 2017! A year ago we never would've dreamed this was possible.

OTHER RECENT WINNERS: Discover Happy Pilates Studio Highlandville Honey Off the Driftless Wellness & Adventure Co. Partially sponsored by Inspire(d)

Cardboard Robot won $2,800 The Biz Booster is allowing us to create a whole new website with a library of engaging how-to videos. We provide people with ideas and supplies to make things, and getting this message out in a video format will help us immeasurably to grow and expand our offerings.

Eligible businesses River Root Farm must be located in Seed Savers Exchange Winneshiek County Sunflower Child Development Center Northeast Iowa Architectual Salvage & Skräp Work

winneshiekdevelopment.org • 507 W Water, Decorah • 563-382-6061

PIVO won $3,000 If it wasn’t for the WCDI Ag-Grant, we would not have established a pear orchard.

Canoe Guide Employee Owned

Northeast Iowa RC&D and the Upper Iowa River Alliance partnered up to design and develop a new Upper Iowa River Paddler’s Guide. The guide tracks five different segments to canoe, kayak, or tube.

“Upper Iowa River Alliance wanted it to be a publication that conveyed the depth of feeling we have locally for the river, and what it means for us a resource,” Executive Director Lora Friest says.

The guide points out various trees, plants, and wildlife you may discover while on the river, and offers points of interest such as camping grounds, waterfalls, and fishing spots.

You can also find maps for the Turkey, Yellow, and Wapsipinicon Rivers at www.northeastiowarcd.org.

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Trout Fishing GUIDES An angler team at Northeast Iowa RC&D has created Trout Fishing Guides for Allamakee, Fayette, and Winneshiek Counties for beginners and connoisseurs alike. The guides detail spots to fish, complete with the length and description of the points, type of trout you’re likely to catch, and if you can keep your catches. There are also charts of “Northeast Iowa’s hottest hatches” with wet or dry fly recommendations.

Historical walking tour of Clermont Just a half hour drive from Decorah, Clermont, Iowa is an ideal day trip. The Historical Walking Tour guides you to the home of former Iowa governor William Larrabee, the Heritage Farm Park, the Clermont Museum, an old village blacksmith shop, the historical bandshell, and more. Be sure to note the brick architecture downtown. The Turkey River and nearby city park provide a scenic landscape to round out the walking tour.

Whatever you decide to do (maybe all of them?!), have fun adventuring!

Elizabeth is a 2018 graduate from Luther College with degrees in English and communication studies. She loves reading and writing, and has a slight obsession with journalism. Elizabeth will be moving to St. Paul this summer and will be sad to miss the outdoor activities the Driftless offers.

Teamwork from the team that works best!

DECORAH, IOWA 563-382-8406

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Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws, & More! iloveinspired.com \ Summer 2018

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PROBITUARY – A NOTICE OF LIFE!

Merle Johnson Interviewed by Renee Mooney of St. Mary’s School in Caledonia, MN

M

erle Eugene Johnson was born on May 20, 1927, the same day Charles Lindbergh made the world’s first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Merle was born at the Decorah hospital, which was unusual during that time as most babies were born at home. His parents, Thomas and Ruby (Ruffridge) Johnson, owned a general store in Locust, Iowa.

Most of Merle’s childhood memories are from Caledonia, Minnesota, where his parents moved when Merle was seven years old. He remembers the first radio his family owned. Merle and his brother bought it for their parents so they could hear the war news.

Merle attended public school in Caledonia, and his junior year of high school, at age 17, he enlisted in the Navy. Three other young men from his class enlisted as well. At 19, Merle returned to Caledonia to finish his senior year and graduated at age 20. Merle met his wife Catherine (Gilbertson) at a dance his second night home from the service. As luck would have it, Catherine’s boyfriend was not at the dance that night!

Merle attended Luther College at the age of 21, to pursue his dream of becoming a pastor, but with a new wife and family to support, left college and began working at the Four Square Coop gas station. By this time Merle and Catherine had four children and Merle began working at Trane Company as a machinist. By far, Merle’s favorite job was with the post office as a walking mailman, a position he held for 30+ years. According to Merle, rain was the worst part of the job, but he thoroughly enjoyed delivering mail. When asked if he was ever bitten by a dog, Merle responded that he was never bitten but got nipped once.

Merle and Catherine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Matter’s Ballroom in Decorah. Merle remembers that there were so many people there that they had to give the band money to go to town to get something to eat because there wasn’t anything left by the time they got a chance to take a break. Dancing is one of Merle’s passions. The polka is one of his favorites because of the lively, fast pace. The waltz, he says, is just too much work. Every Sunday Merle ventures to the historic Concordia Ballroom in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for an afternoon of dancing.

It is not unusual for Merle to dance every set and he rarely misses a single dance all afternoon.

When Merle isn’t dancing, you can find him at St. Mary’s School where he volunteers his time four days a week to help in the kitchen/lunchroom.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A pastor.

What was your first job? My first job was when I was in elementary school. I was a paperboy and delivered the Minneapolis Tribune. Later, when I was in high school, I worked at DeWitt’s Department Store in the men’s clothing department. There was a grocery store right next door and sometimes I would have to go over and help make bologna when they needed me.

Do you know someone you’d love to interview for this page? Let us know! aryn@iloveinspired.com

What was your first vehicle?

A 1933 Plymouth coupe. It had a rumble seat, wooden wheels, and suicide (rear-hinged) doors.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?

Food, warm clothing, and a compass.

If you could eat anything every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? There’s nothing better than a good slice of roast beef.

Try to describe yourself in one sentence. I am a people person.

Name one thing you could not live without. Friendship.

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The family who’s grown with you!

THINKING ABOUT TRYING CONTACT LENSES? Summer is the perfect time!

Get fitted for contacts at Oneota Valley Family Eye Care, and get a new pair of sunglasses!* 9:30-5:30 MON 7:30-7:00 TUES & THURS 7:30-5:30 WED & FRI 8:00-12:00 SATURDAY

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305 East Water St. Decorah, Iowa • 563-382-4279

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200 W Water St Decorah, Iowa 563.382.5742

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2018 Best Online Bachelors and MBA – Highest ranked in Iowa - US News & World Report

• Convenient 8-week classes to fit your busy lifestyle – classroom, online and self-paced • Smooth transfer of up to 90 college credits • Master’s and bachelor’s degrees enable students to reach their educational goals • Faculty dedicated to helping students succeed and move forward in their careers

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