Julien's Journal January 2026 Issue

Julien s ’ Journal T H E D U B UQUE A R E A L I F E ST Y L E M AGAZ I N E , JAN U ARY 2026

A REGION THAT PLANS BEFORE IT REACTS: A LOOK AT THE CURRENT STATE OF DUBUQUE’S ECONOMY THE HEART & SOUL OF SMALL TOWNS

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JANUARY 2026

Julien’s Journal ❖ 1

JULIEN’S JOURNAL

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Volume 50, Number 1 January 2026 JULIEN’S JOURNAL IS A PUBLISHED BY RTN PUBLISHING, INC 6170 FOREST HILLS DRIVE ASBURY IA 52002-9349 PHONE – 563.557.7571 JULIENSJOURNAL.COM PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER ROBIN NICHOLS ROBIN@JULIENSJOURNAL.COM VICE PRESIDENT & OFFICE MANAGER TERRI NICHOLS GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINA SIEGERT EVENTS EDITOR JULI HOPPENSTEADT JULI@JULIENSJOURNAL.COM SENIOR WRITER CONNIE CHERBA CONTRIBUTING EDITORS CASSIE CATE JOHN B. DONOVAN JEFF DANA KEITH LEVERENTZ JOSHUA NICHOLS BETH TRIPLETT CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS CASSIE CATE CONNIE CHERBA JOHN B. DONOVAN JOSHUA NICHOLS DEB OTTO DISTRIBUTION TIM BOWERS JOHN MORAN THE PUBLISHER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED IN THIS PUBLICATION. JULIEN’S JOURNAL AND JULIENSJOURNAL. COM SERVE ONLY AS A MEDIUM FOR SELLERS TO REACH POTENTIAL BUYERS AND DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OF ANY ADVERTISEMENT. JULIEN’S JOURNAL MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO ELIMINATE TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISSPELLING NAMES. ALL EDITORIAL ITEMS SUBMITTED ARE SUBJECT TO EDITING AND ALTERATION AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE PUBLISHER. DESIGN AND FORMAT OF THE MAGAZINE AND WEBSITE ARE PROTECTED BY THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. REPRODUCTION OF THIS PUBLICATION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.

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Corporations frequently get accused of being greedy. And in some cases, this can be true. But these same companies rarely get the credit they deserve for their generosity. Kendall Hunt, a Dubuque based company that provides educational products and services, quietly did something quite remarkable prior to the Holiday Season. Each of their employees was given the opportunity to make a charitable donation that Kendall Hunt would then match. I learned of this second hand, but my understanding is that part-time employees could donate up to $500 and fulltime employees could donate up to $1,000. Kendall Hunt then made a donation to the same organization that matched the donation the employee made. Nicely done Kendall Hunt.

On a completely different note, if you’re looking for something to do during the cold winter months, I’d suggest contacting Kyla Glendenning at Dubuque Pottery Studio. They offer one-time classes and courses for beginners. To sign up or learn more visit DubuquePotteryStudio.com.

Inside this issue While many communities wait to see what the economy will hand them next, the Greater Dubuque region is known for proactively shaping its own future. Read about the current state of Dubuque’s economy on page 9 The SnoGo, an innovation in snow removal developed by the city’s Klauer Manufacturing Company, revolutionized snow removal in Dubuque and across the United States. Read about it on page 13.

A pair of initiatives from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque are helping residents of local towns identify and fund efforts that are important to them. Learn about them on page 17.

The start of a new year is usually a time for committing to getting in shape. But as many people focus on their physical well-being, it can also be a powerful moment to check in on the shape of your financial life. Learn how to start your year in a tax smart fashion on page 19.

Believe it or not, The Dubuque Mining Company went from being a disco to offering the best burgers in town. Read how it happened in our review on page 23.

TeamWine reviews four locally available, sparkling wines that you can enjoy as the New Year starts. on page 25.

JANUARY 2026

THE FINE PRINT For Advertising Inquiries, Feature Article Submissions, Subscription and Billing Inquiries Contact Robin Nichols at 563.557.7571 or Robin@JuliensJournal.com.

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS

2 PUBLISHERS NOTE 5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 8 CARNEGIE-STOUT LIBRARY

JANUARY FEATURES 9 A REGION THAT PLANS BEFORE IT REACTS: A LOOK AT THE CURRENT STATE OF DUBUQUE’S ECONOMY 13 HOW DUBUQUE’S SNOGO REVOLUTIONIZED SNOW REMOVAL THROUGHOUT THE NATION

HEALTH & WELLNESS 21 WELLNESS EVENTS

22 HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWS TASTE

23 RESTAURANT REVIEW – THE DUBUQUE MINING COMPANY WENT FROM BEING A DISCO TO THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN 25 SIPS & TIPS REVIEWS FOUR LOCALLY AVAILABLE SPARKLING WINES 27 BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS

16 THE HEART & SOUL OF SMALL TOWNS 19 A TAX-SMART NEW YEAR: STRATEGIC MOVES FOR HIGHINCOME EARNERS IN 2026

Photo of the Month

This photo of Saint Donatus Church was submitted by Gary Fagan of Fagan Photography. Visit Garyfaganphoto.smugmug.com or email faganphoto@aol.com. Comments and photos for possible use in a future issue can be sent to Robin@JuliensJournal.com.

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January Events

JANUARY 2026

Events are subject to change. Please visit listing sites for the most up-to-date information.

Submissions may also be edited and are printed at the discretion of the publisher.

N E W Y E A R ′ S E V E | 8 p.m.

The Grand Opera House

Sinatra & Friends THE CLASSIC CROONERS

Sinatra & Friends: The Classic Crooners TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Visit DubuqueArtsCouncil.com, TheGrandOperaHouse.com, or The Grand Opera House box office.

Wednesday, December 31 8 PM @ The Grand Opera House The Dubuque Arts Council once again brings in the New Year with the Hunter Fuerste’s American Vintage Orchestra playing the music of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, and Old Blue Eyes himself. Bryan Anthony keeps the legacy of the Great Gentlemen of Song alive and well in his sweetly nostalgic performances. Visit TheGrandOperaHouse.com.

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball

Wednesday, December 31 8:30 PM-12:30 AM @ Hotel Julien Dubuque Ring in 2026 in style at the glamorous Masquerade Ball. Tickets include appetizers, live DJ entertainment by DJ Obie, champagne toast, and photo opportunities. Visit HotelJulienDubuque.com.

Live Music & Events Featuring Various Artists

January 1-31 @ O So Good Winery, 2093 20th Ave., SE (Dyersville, IA) Come for live music, food, and events throughout the month. Gather with friends and have a fun evening with a favorite glass of wine or try something new. Check out the website for all upcoming events. Visit OSoGoodWinery.com.

On Fire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story

Wednesday, December 31 7 PM @ Ohnward Fine Arts Center (Maquoketa, IA) On Fire: The Jerry Lee Lewis story features David Brooks who will reprise his iconic performance as Jerry Lee Lewis from “The Million Dollar Quartet.” Brooks is Branson’s favorite piano man performer who captivates audiences with his brash style and bold presence on stage. Visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.

First Fridays

Friday, January 2 @ Various Locations in Dubuque First Fridays is a free downtown monthly community arts event with open galleries, artists’ studios, and live entertainment. Visit FirstFridaysDubuque.org.

Reflections in the Park

Through Sunday, January 4 5-10 PM @ Louis Murphy Park Hillcrest Family Services’ annual lights festival. Visit Hillcrest-FS.org.

Early Explorers: “V” is for Venom

Saturday and Tuesday, January 3 & 6 10-11 AM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Programs include a variety of hands-on activities, including a craft and a game.

Ages 2-5 with a parent/caregiver. Visit RiverMuseum.org.

Wild West Wednesdays

Wednesday, January 7, 14, 21 & 28 7-11 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds Come for country dance music and fun. All ages. Visit DBQFair.com.

Homeschool Days

Thursday, January 8 @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium Homeschool Days are held the second Thursday through February. Visit RiverMuseum.org.

JDIFF Trivia Night

Thursday, January 8 6 PM @ Happy’s Place Come for a fun night of movie trivia, including prizes and a raffle. All proceeds benefit the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. Visit JulienFilmFest.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Audubon January Program

Thursday, January 8 7-8 PM @ EB Lyons Interpretive Center Featuring speaker Reggie McLeod, editor and publisher of Big River Magazine. He will be joined by others to talk about the river, river issues, and the future of the magazine.

Visit AudubonDubuque.org.

Fabulous Fridays Community Artist Series

Fridays, January 9 through March 27 12-12:30 PM @ St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Free performances. Donations support People in Need and St. Luke’s Food Ministries.

Desserts follow. Visit StLukesDbq.org.

Winter Sowing Workshop

Thursday, January 15 6-7 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Learn practical tips and techniques to start seeds outdoors during the winter months.

Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.

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DSO Rocks!

Thursday through Saturday, January 15-17 8 PM @ Mississippi Moon Bar Ultimate Rock Hits is now DSO Rocks! Get ready for a powerful fusion of rock and orchestra as the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) joins forces with some of the region’s top rock bands to bring an electrifying concert experience. Visit DubuqueSymphony.org.

JANUARY 2026

JDIFF Winter Film Series

Thursday, January 15 6:30 PM @ Hotel Julien Join JDIFF for the winter film series, to view a cause-related film leading up to the upcoming April film festival. Film TBA. Free will donation. Q&A with filmmakers.

Visit JulienFilmFest.com.

2025-2026 FLY-BY-NIGHT PRODUCTIONS presents

She Unites

Wednesday, January 21 6:30–7:30 PM @ The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St. Come together for an evening of socialization and education. She Unites features rotating speakers talking about anything and everything pertaining to women in a chill environment. Visit SheUnitesIowa. com/events.

Nate the Great the Musical

Friday through Sunday, January 23 – February 1 Friday, 7 PM; Saturday, 10 AM; Sunday, 2 PM @ The Grand Opera House Nate the Great gets a call from his good friend Annie alerting him that her new painting of her dog Fang is missing. To solve this case, he is going to need to find some pancakes, learn to think of new ways, and rely on the help of his friends. Visit TheGrandOperaHouse.com.

January 24 at 7 pm and January 25 at 2 pm Historic Lacy Mansion 1640 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa FREE ADMISSION WITH RESERVATION

Reserve your seat at www.flybynightdubuque.com

The DZ Combo Album Release Show

Saturday, January 24 7 PM @ Bell Tower Theater The DZ Combo, Dubuque’s original jazz quartet, is releasing their debut album, It’s Just Your Turn. Join the band at the Bell Tower Theater for a two-set evening of original jazz music. Tickets include a vinyl copy of the album. Visit BellTowerTheater. net.

Brian Imbus, Mentalist-Hypnotist

Saturday, January 24 7 PM @ Ohnward Fine Arts Center (Maquoketa, IA) Brian Imbus is an award-winning hypnotist and mentalist who has become one of the most sought-after entertainers. Witness astonishing feats of mind reading, hypnotism, and psychological illusions questioning the boundaries of the extraordinary. Visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com. eraHouse.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All events are subject to change. Visit the online calendar at CarnegieStout.org/ Events for the most up-to-date information including updates on January’s toddler, youth, teen, and monthly/special programs.

StoryWalk® An outdoor reading experience that displays pages of a book along a path. Location: The 22nd Street Bee Branch Creek.

Grab & Go Activity Bags Stop in every month for a fun, crafty activity for all ages while supplies last.

Scavenger Hunt All ages.

Movie Night Thursday, January 8 @ 6 PM Come for a free movie suitable for adult audiences. Ages 16+.

Virtual Author Talks Tuesday, January 13 @ 1 PM “The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply” with author David Brooks. Registration required.

Virtual Author Talks Tuesday, January 20 @ 1 PM “Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine” with journalist Julia Hotz. Registration required. \Virtual Author Talks Wednesday, January 28 @ 6 PM “Secrets and Second Chances” with author Liz Moore. Registration required.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

PUZZLE FOR A PURPOSE N DUCTIO E A PRO IR T E EN FOR TH !

Y FAMIL

Ready, Set, Puzzle!

JANUARY 23 - FEBRUARY 1, 2026

2026 MINI-SUBSCRIPTIONS

Learn More and Purchase Online or through the Box Office

THEGRANDOPERAHOUSE.COM

Box Office: Mon-Fri, Noon-4pm • 563-588-1305 • 135 W 8th St, DBQ, IA 8 ❖ Julien’s Journal

Join the us for a fast-paced, fundraiser puzzle competition!

save the date

January 31, 2026 10 AM & 2 PM

Greater Dubuque Development Corporation

JANUARY 2026

Expansion of 30,000 sq feet underway at Vanguard Inc. (May 2025)

A Region That Plans Before It Reacts

by Nic Hockenberry

A look at the current state of Dubuque’s economy

W

hile many communities wait to see what the economy will hand them next, the Greater Dubuque region is known for proactively shaping its own future. The region’s strength lies not in reacting faster, but in leading first. Turning insight into action and innovation into results.

With much of the nation still catching up to the economic realities of workforce shortages, housing gaps, and childcare crises exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Dubuque region has spent the better part of a decade laying the groundwork for exactly these challenges. That foresight, pairing business intelligence with cross-sector collaboration, is why the local economy enters 2026 steady, resilient, and poised for growth.

ECONOMIC STRENGTH IN MOTION Even amid cautious national forecasts,

Dubuque County’s economy continues to hum. The labor force sits just shy of 60,000, within reach of its pre-pandemic highs, and median household income has risen over 11% since 2021, climbing to $75,919.

Cumulative construction investment across Dubuque County topped $1 billion as of October 31, 2025, surpassing Greater Dubuque Development’s 2027 goal. This is evidence of developers betting on long-term regional strength.

That confidence comes from the ground

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Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce

FEATURE

up. Local employers report rising market share, expanding product lines, and steady profitability. The region’s industry base, once overly dependent on manufacturing, now spans logistics, healthcare, finance, insurance, higher education, and information services, providing insulation from economic shocks.

Even in the face of tight labor markets, nearly half of area businesses plan to expand or reinvest in the next 12 months, according to our 2024-2025 InfoAction results.

WORKFORCE: FROM SHORTAGE TO STRATEGY Nationally, employers continue to wrestle with a labor market where job openings outpace job seekers. The Dubuque region has chosen to approach that reality as a design challenge, not a dead end.

Programs like Opportunity Dubuque, a partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College, have become a national model for skills-based training with 3,441 total completions since 2011, and a 92% rate of completers securing employment related to 10 ❖ Julien’s Journal

their area of study or continuing their education. That is thousands entering high demand careers in manufacturing, transportation, and health care. With tuition support, career coaching, and wrap around assistance built in, Opportunity Dubuque removes barriers that elsewhere still hold workers back.

Equally forward-looking is the region’s approach to talent attraction. Through the Community of Colleges event series and Talent Dubuque program, over 1,100 students and 32 employers connected last year. This is work that builds professional and social ties that make post-graduation retention a realistic outcome, not a wish. Meanwhile, AccessDubuqueJobs.com, now approaching three decades of evolution, continues to serve as the region’s digital hub for connecting employers and talent across sectors.

CHILD CARE: SOLVING A WORKFORCE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECAME A CRISIS Long before child care became a national headline, Dubuque County’s business com-

Greater Dubuque Development Corporation

Ribbon Cutting for New Horizons Academy (July 2025)

Opportunity Dubuque graduates, Jerry Rusell (left) and Natalie Meyer (right) at Greater Dubuque Development’s Workforce Breakfast (May 2025)

munity was treating it as economic infrastructure. Employers understood early what the data now proves nationally: access to reliable child care directly affects labor participation, retention, and productivity. In response, the region built a model that many communities are only now trying to replicate.

Greater Dubuque Development Corporation

JAUARY 2026

College Night @ Island Social, hosted by Greater Dubuque Development at the Q Casino + Resort (February 2025)

The Business Champions for Child Care initiative, launched by Greater Dubuque Development in partnership with Dubuque Initiatives and now administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, has invested over $1 million directly into local child care centers since its creation. Those private dollars go exactly where providers say they need the most help, recruiting and retaining the workforce required to expand capacity.

These results earned international recognition when the initiative received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council. It wasn’t for philanthropy; it was for strategy. Improving child care access strengthens the labor pool, stabilizes family routines, and ensures that parents, especially women, can fully participate in the workforce.

New and existing centers across Dubuque County continue to grow capacity with

stable staffing levels and rising enrollment.

This is a direct outcome of having more reliable operational support and a strong talent pipeline. For families, this means more available slots and shorter waitlists. For employers, it means a more dependable workforce.

Just as child care has become a cornerstone of workforce strategy, so too has the region’s next challenge: ensuring that our growing workforce have access to attainable, quality housing.

HOUSING: DATA, DEMAND, AND THE PATH FORWARD Since commissioning the 2022 Housing Needs Assessment, Greater Dubuque Development has positioned itself as a connector and advocate, helping projects navigate approvals, providing market insight to developers, and ensuring diversity of housing types.

As of late 2025, more than 2,100 new units are in development across City of Dubuque, including over 400 affordable units, a portfolio that is critical to retaining and attracting a growing workforce. While progress has begun, there is work to continue.

An updated 2025 Dubuque County Housing Needs Assessment confirms what local employers have been signaling for years: housing

development is no longer a quality-of-life issue alone. It is a workforce and populationgrowth strategy. Conducted by the East Central Intergovernmental Association on behalf of Greater Dubuque Development, the new study finds that Dubuque County will need approximately 2,500 new housing units by 2035 to meet projected economic and demographic trends.

Vacancy rates tell the story. Owner-occupied homes sit at a 0.6% vacancy rate, far below the healthy range of 1 to 2%. Across all housing types, vacancies are just 5.3%, the lowest among comparable Iowa counties. Median home values have risen 55% since 2013, reflecting sustained demand at moderate price points. More than 6,600 workers commute into Dubuque County daily, signaling unmet demand at nearly every price point, especially among households earning $25,000 to $75,000.

These dynamics reinforce what Greater Dubuque Development has heard consistently in InfoAction visits: housing availability directly influences employers’ ability to expand. Workforce housing and missingmiddle homes – for teachers, nurses, welders, young professionals, and mid-career workers Julien’s Journal ❖ 11

– remain among the most constrained segments of the market.

State and local partners are stepping in. The Iowa Finance Authority recently awarded more than $65 million statewide for rental housing and critical services, including $1.1 million for the Boundless on Bluff project, which will bring six permanent affordable units to the Jackson Place Historic District.

Combined with the City of Dubuque’s forward-thinking incentives and sustained private-sector interest, these resources position the region to meet this moment.

FORECAST: VISION, MOMENTUM, AND PURPOSE The next chapter of the Greater Dubuque region’s story is already being written. The unveiling of Envision 2030, a communitywide effort led by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, has ignited a fresh wave of big-picture thinking and public imagination. Its ten bold concepts, from a reimagined Mississippi riverfront and South Port revitalization to an all-ages sports complex, children’s museum, and communitycentered housing, reflect the same spirit of collaboration and aspiration that powered the Millwork District and Crescent Community Health Center a generation ago.

What distinguishes this vision is how directly it aligns with our economic foundation. Each idea connects back to the pillars driving this region’s competitiveness: talent, livability, and innovation. Together, they reinforce what residents and employers already know, that is quality of life is not separate from economic growth but the engine of it.

Economically, the region enters 2026 from a position of balance with steady job creation, diversified industry, and deliberate investment. National forecasts point to moderate GDP growth and easing inflation, but locally, the fundamentals are stronger. Our advantage isn’t scale, it’s focus.

As the decade unfolds, the region will continue proving that steady, intentional growth can outperform volatility, and that collaboration remains the most powerful economic strategy of all. This is the Greater Dubuque way, driven by purpose and powered by partnerships.

Nic Hockenberry is the Director of Workforce Programming with Greater Dubuque Development Corporation.

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JAUARY 2026

How Dubuque’s Snogo Revolutionized Snow Removal Throughout the Nation

by Connie Cherba

I

n the 1800s, dealing with snow was primitive. Cities relied on manual labor before the invention of horse-drawn, wedge-shaped plows in the mid-1800s. In 1862, Milwaukee earned the distinction of being the first city to use horsedrawn snow plows. While plowing was an advantage over hiring crews Photo: SnowGo in Action.

Photo contributed by Connie Cherba

Snow covered the seven hills and valleys of Dubuque during the winter months long before the first settler arrived, but when the city’s population began to grow, dealing with snowcovered trails and roadways became necessary. The SnoGo, an innovation in snow removal developed by the city’s Klauer Manufacturing Company, revolutionized snow removal in Dubuque and across the United States.

Julien’s Journal ❖ 13

of men with shovels, large snow banks created by the plows became a hindrance and sometimes had to be removed – by men with shovels who tossed the snow into carts to be hauled away. Sometimes, the best way to address a snowfall was using horse-drawn snow rollers to flatten and compact the snow so carts with skis or sleighs could glide over the snow-covered streets.

SnoGo snow throwers were mounted on the front of a truck. Huge augers carried the snow to a rotor fan capable of tossing the snow 200 feet. The early versions could remove up to 40 tons of snow a minute, clearing a ninefoot-wide path of 12-inch-deep snow at 20 miles an hour.

Klauer launched a nation-wide contest in 1926 to name the new snow thrower and offered a prize of $250 to the person that came up with a winning name. The winner explained that such a “revolutionary machine deserved a new word entirely.” He suggested SnoGo, a combination of snow and go. The new machine with a catchy name inspired sales. In October 1936, New York City ordered 42 SnoGos at a cost of $476,125. During World War II, the government bought 14 ❖ Julien’s Journal

Photo contributed by Connie Cherba

When automobiles began replacing horsedrawn carts and carriages in the early 1900s, snow removal also began to be mechanized.

Car and truck-mounted snowplows started appearing in the 1920s. Dubuque’s Klauer Manufacturing Company, founded in 1870, stood at the forefront when it came to mechanized snow removal when it developed the SnoGo between 1926 and 1934.

Klauer 1927 SnoGo.

John Sanner demonstrates the SnoGo.

hundreds of SnoGos for installations across the country. Airports in snow-prone latitudes including Denver’s Stapleton and Chicago’s O’Hare were quick to add a SnoGo to their fleet of snow-removal equipment.

Photo contributed by Will Van Dorp

Vintage Snogo Advertisement.

Dubuque purchased one of the first SnoGos and put it to the test on the open road between the city and Madison, Wis., in December of 1927. The local Telegraph Herald carried a report:

der ordinary conditions traffic could not be resumed in a week. In one case the remover was obliged to plow through a drift over four miles long and over four feet in depth and through a hard packed and crusted drift capable of supporting the weight of a man. The Snogo, Alaskan husky of snow removers, has been thoroughly proven efficient in over four years of field tests, This is, however, the first year of production.

PRODUCT OF LOCAL FIRM OPENS WAY FOR ROAD TRAFFIC A snow remover, the product of a Dubuque firm, the Klauer Manufacturing Company, made possible bus operation between Dubuque and Madison, Wis., last week after a terrific blizzard had drifted roads and other snow plows had proved to be ineffectual and bus concerns had announced that un-

Heavy snow drifts which practically halted traffic on some of the streets in the Hill district were cleared away in record time by the Snogo recently purchased by the city council.

The Snogo practically walked through the

The SnoGo also proved itself within Dubuque’s city limits. A late January 1929 snowstorm threatened to paralyze city traffic.

The local paper reported the SnoGo success:

JAUARY 2026

heavy drifts on Grandview Avenue, Fremont Street and Seminary Street, piling the drifted snow into dikes in the center of the street and clearing the street for motor traffic. Because of the deep drifts on Grandview Avenue the passenger busses were unable to cover their regular routes until after the Snogo had plowed its way through the drifts.

By 1949, Klauer had developed several models of SnoGo and claimed there was a “SnoGo for every budget and requirement.” The TU3 was designed for mounting on heavy-duty, four-wheel-drive trucks.

The LMU was designed for medium-duty, four-wheel-drive-trucks, and the LTR was designed for mounting of a special Ford V-8 truck. Each promised to fill a truck in record time or throw snow 200 feet so “no bank is left to trap drifting snow and no snow is piled up in the ditch to block drainage.” A big model F was added to the lineup and earned the nickname “The Mountain Special.”

In 1971, Klauer announced the construction of a giant rotary snowplow. With a weight of 26.5 tons and standing 15 feet tall, the STU1 SnoGo was capable of moving 50 tons of snow per minute. The huge SnoGo was built to rigid government specifications for the U.S. Navy. Plans called for the machine and two others to be used to clear runways at Naval stations in Illinois, Maine, and Alaska.

In December of 1999, Klauer announced that it was selling its SnoGo division to Schmidt Engineering & Equipment Inc., of Milwaukee due to declining demand for the snow blowers and a need for more space to produce its metal building products. At the time of the sale, Klauer was manufacturing three main SnoGo models and had 20 dealers across the snow belt. “There’s a certain amount of sadness,” said company vice-president Bob Klauer, “but this business needs to survive and sometimes a change is absolutely appropriate.”

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In February 2025, John Sanner demonstrated the snow throwing capabilities of a vintage 1984, TR44 SnoGo as part of Dubuque’s Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Festival. The machine roared as it tackled a long drift of icy, packed snow. And it did what it was supposed to do and threw snow and ice into a nearby parking lot, proving once again that the SnoGo could handle snow with ease!

Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.

Julien’s Journal ❖ 15

Denise Grant talks to people at the Red Roof Diner about Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together, a community visioning and endowment-building initiative.

16 ❖ Julien’s Journal

JAUARY 2026

The Heart & Soul of Small Towns A pair of initiatives from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque are helping residents of local towns identify and fund efforts that are important to them.

O

n a fogg y morning, Denise Grant, Denise Simms and Judy Knowler walked into the Red Roof Diner in Peosta, Iowa, and scanned the room for a table.

Anyone who has lived in a small town has probably visited a place like the Red Roof Diner. It’s a hub for neighbors to gather and discuss what’s important to them, from grandkids to politics. On this day, locals have come together to talk about Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together, an initiative built on the grassroots visioning process Community Heart & Soul®. Through this initiative, the people of Peosta are codifying what’s important to their community and determining “value statements” to guide programs, services, development and fundraising.

community development officer. “ With Heart & Soul, everyday residents are at the helm of the planning process. One of the tenets of the process is that they intentionally reach out to both the people who are highly engaged and those who aren’t.”

Jason has coached 14 other towns to do the same. The Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together leaders have welcomed the support.

“It’s an ideal time for Heart & Soul,” Denise Grant says.

The town has experienced rapid growth in a generation, with its population jumping from just 650 people 25 years ago to 2,000 today.

Although this growth has brought much

“The work we are doing now could be critical to where Peosta goes in the future,” Judy says.

IMPACT THROUGH ENGAGEMENT As the facilitator of Heart & Soul in Eastern Iowa, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque supplies tools and training for small-town residents to engage their neighbors. What do they love about where they live? What are their hopes for the future? What are their concerns? The goal is to involve everyone in the participating community.

“A lot of times, local leaders have good intentions when planning projects, but it can be the same people coming to the table each time,” says Jason Neises, the Foundation’s

needed services like a grocery store and medical providers, there’s still opportunity to build community cohesion.

“There’s been a lot of housing growth,” Denise Simms adds. “But things like park growth have been slower.”

“We want to think about how growth can be strategic and thoughtful,” Judy says. “Not just a developer coming in because of a quick and easy opportunity, but rather does a project serve the residents? Does it serve the community?”

FROM DREAMS TO REALITY The Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together leaders completed the Heart & Soul phase in recent months and are diving into the Community Foundation’s Small-town Dreams Initiative, through which they can receive a $100,000 challenge grant. Communities that participate raise matching funds from their neighbors and eventually build a $450,000 endowment fund that will grant out approximately $25,000 a year to support local projects and address the needs of the day.

The grant is funded by an anonymous donor.

Fifteen communities in the Dubuque region have signed on to take part in Small-town Dreams since the Foundation launched it in 2020. These towns have raised a total of $5.93 million in endowed funds, which have already paid out more than $455,000. That amount will grow every year, forever, to help communities tackle issues that are important to them.

Denise Grant talks to a customer at the Red Roof Diner about Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together, a community visioning and endowment-building initiative.

In Clayton County, for example, leaders of the Clayton County Vision for Tomorrow group held community conversations and identified childcare as a top priority for the community. Using annual payouts from the

Julien’s Journal ❖ 17

Small-town Dreams endowment fund, they were able to make grants to eight local childcare centers and hire a coordinator to develop a countywide childcare strategic plan.

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LOCAL IDEAS, LOCAL GENEROSITY Back in Peosta, the Today, Tomorrow, Together leaders are building on their Heart & Soul work by engaging their neighbors to lead the Small-town Dreams Initiative.

“ We want to take the process we went through with Heart & Soul to the next level,” Judy says. “We don’t want the information we gather or the momentum we’ve built to fizzle out.”

“Because of the input we gathered through Heart & Soul, we will be able to tell prospective donors exactly what the community needs,”

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Denise Grant says. “Then, they might be willing to donate to support something that is for the betterment of their community.”

Facilitating community engagement and inspiring generosity are easy in a place like Peosta, though. Ask Denise Grant what she loves most about the community, and she beams: “The friendliness. Everybody cares about everybody.”

If you are interested in getting involved with Community Heart & Soul and/or the Smalltown Dreams Initiative, contact the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque at office@dbqfoundation.org or 563-588-2700.

This article is made possible by a partnership between Julien’s Journal and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.

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18 ❖ Julien’s Journal

Clayton County Vision for Tomorrow Leaders receive a donation during a ceremony in 2025.

JAUARY 2026

A Tax-Smart New Year: Strategic Moves for High-Income Earners in 2026

by Keith Leverentz, NSSA®

The start of a new year is usually a time for committing to getting in shape.

But as many people focus on their physical well-being, it can also be a powerful moment to check in on the shape of your financial life. Whether you’re a business owner, a professional in your peak earning years, or approaching retirement in the next decade, January offers a rare moment of clarity — a pause point where you can evaluate your direction before the year gets away from you.

I

n a time of market swings, rising costs, and shifting tax landscapes, many highincome earners wonder whether they’re doing enough to protect the wealth they’ve

worked so hard to earn. The good news is that strengthening your financial strategy doesn’t require predicting the next market turn. It requires understanding the levers you

can control — and realizing when pieces of your plan are being overlooked.

YOUR EARNING YEARS ARE YOUR PLANNING YEARS Your highest-earning years typically come with your highest tax obligations. That makes this early part of the year an ideal time to reevaluate how income is structured and whether adjustments could improve longterm outcomes.

This is also where many investors unknowingly limit themselves. Most financial firms focus almost entirely on investments — yet Julien’s Journal ❖ 19

investments are only one-fifth of a complete retirement plan. Tax strategy, income planning, health care considerations, and legacy preparation are equally important, and ignoring them can reduce your future flexibility.

There are a number of financial tools that can help reduce taxes and give you more control over how you manage your wealth in the future — and many people are surprised by how many options they have once they see the full picture.

The earlier these adjustments are made, the more impact they can have.

PREPARE TODAY FOR A MORE FLEXIBLE TOMORROW A common challenge for high-income earners is unintentionally allowing too much of their savings to accumulate in pre-tax accounts. While these accounts offer meaningful benefits now, they can create large tax burdens in retirement.

Building a more balanced mix — including Roth, taxable, and tax-deferred accounts — gives you the freedom to adapt when income changes, tax laws shift, or markets fluctuate.

The goal isn’t to guess the future. It’s to create options for it.

STRATEGY BEATS REACTION IN VOLATILE MARKETS Market volatility can make even experienced investors uneasy. A strong financial plan acknowledges volatility without being dictated by it.

This is another reason why a comprehensive approach matters. When taxes, income, investments, health care, and legacy planning all work together, your strategy becomes far more stable than the markets themselves.

intentional.

A SMART NEXT STEP If you’re ready, make 2026 the year you ensure your full strategy is aligned — not just your investments. A coordinated, tax-aware approach can help you move through the year with more clarity, confidence, and control.

Keith Leverentz, NSSA®, is the founder of The Life Group, guiding clients since 2003 with personalized f inancial planning, investment counsel, and retirement strategies. Learn more and view upcoming financial seminars at TheLifeGroupllc.com.

Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.

ALIGN YOUR WEALTH WITH YOUR VISION High-income households are often balancing demanding careers, business decisions, family priorities, and future planning all at once.

A panoramic approach ensures these pieces support each other rather than compete for attention. When your income, investments, tax plan, and long-term goals work cohesively, the path forward becomes clearer and more

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Contact DuTrac to open your account or set up an automatic transfer to your Christmas/Holiday Club account today!

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JANUARY 2026

Lunch & Renew: Chair Yoga

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Wednesday, January 21 @ 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Registration required.

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Silent Book Club

Sunday, January 4 @ 2-3:30 PM

Participants gather to share the same space while reading in silence, without the traditional book club’s pressure of having to finish a book on time. RSVP. Winter Hors D’oeuvres & Her Story Tuesday, January 13, 5-6:30 PM

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All events are subject to change. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information.

Monday, January 19 @ 6:30-7:30 PM

Wear comfortable clothing. Feel free to bring a pillow or blanket. Registration required.

The Easter of St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, January 20 & 27 @ 6:30-8 PM (via Zoom)

Ongoing Conversion and the Spirituality of Presence with Darleen Pryds. Registration required.

Come for heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a

No Limb-its Amputee Social & Support Gatherings Monday, January 5 @ 4-5:30 PM

A monthly gathering where individuals living with limb loss can meet others with similar experiences and struggles.

Prenatal Yoga, 5-Week Series

Mondays, January 5 through February 2 @ 5:30-6:20 PM

Prepare for birth and motherhood while connecting with other expecting mamas.

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Julien’s Journal ❖ 21

HEALTH & WELLNESS

against it, for a more comfortable, efficient birth.

Community Acupuncture

Thursday, January 15 @ 5-6:30 PM

Community acupuncture allows for individualized treatment in a common treatment area.

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Your Birth: Beyond the Basics

Mondays, January 19 through February 2 @ 6:30-8:30 PM

Discover how to work with your body, not

Medical Associates Clinic announced the arrival of Cardiothoracic Surgeon James Hall, MD, to their cardiothoracic surgery department.

Winter Hors d oeuvres ‘ & Her Story with Whitney Sanger, Co-Founder of Project Rooted January 13, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres as Whitney Sanger invites you into the heart of her mission: creating connection through local foods, nurturing a sense of belonging, and planting seeds of hope in our local community. $15 per person; Register by January 6th 1001 Davis Street | Dubuque, Iowa 52001 | 563.582.3592 1001 Davis Street | Dubuque, Iowa 52001 | 563.582.3592 For more information & to register visit us at www.shalomretreats.org For more information & to register visit us at www.shalomretreats.org

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Hall received his medical degree from the Universit y of Chic ago Pr itzker School of Medicine, completed his residency in general surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. Most recently, he worked at Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside in Rockford, IL, and previously at Ascension NE Wisconsin - St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton, WI.

Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Hall provides a range of surgical treatments, including heart bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement, treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms, thoracotomies, and video-assisted thoracic surgery.

UNIFIED ADDS LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT Unified Therapy Services announced the expansion of its rehabilitation services to include specialized treatment for patients with l y mphedema at its Dubuque and Lancaster, WI, clinic locations.

Lymphedema services will be provided by two physical therapists: Michelle Sullivan, PT, DPT, CLT, rehab director, and Randie Richmond, P T, D P T, C LT. They both recently completed advanced certification in upper and lower extremity lymphedema management through the Comprehensive Lymphedema Management for American Health Care program. ❖ Please send your medical community news to Juli@JuliensJournal.com and be included in our monthly Health & Wellness.

Photos are welcome.

Taste

TASTE - RESTAURANTS

JANUARY 2026

RESTAURANT REVIEW

The Dubuque Mining Company Went from Being a Disco to the Best Burgers in Town Article & photos by Cassie Cate It’s hard to believe what Dubuque know as an ideal place to grab a burger and fries could once have acted as the setting for Saturday Night Fever. What Dubuquers now know as the Dubuque Mining Company began as the disco Apartment 5A. After three years and the end of disco on the horizon, Steve Ankeny founded the Mining Company, putting the famous burger counter into existence. Now, with well over two million burgers served, it’s safe to say disco has died, but the burger business is still good.

G

uy Parkin is now the owner of the Mining Company, where he began serving delicious food in 1987. Steve Ankeny, the founder, sold the business to his long-time manager Cindy, who started near the beginning in 1979. According to Guy, Cindy did a lot to help elevate the business during her time there. In 2008, he bought half the business from Cindy, and in 2018, he became the sole owner after buying out his former business partner.

Longevity in the restaurant business is not

common, but Parkin attributes this to being able to keep the same location for so many years. This consistency provides customers with a certain security, as they know what to expect from the iconic business that has proved the test of time staying locally owned and delicious for so many years.

The Dubuque Mining Company is unique in that customers can come to enjoy a good meal and then continue their time visiting the Kennedy Mall. Parkin says the mall may bring some customers in, but to him it seems

Above: The Long Island Iced Tea is a legend in Dubuque, winning numerous awards and always served in the signature court jar.

Right: Dubuque Mining Company is famous for its burgers with a wide selection of condiments and side dishes.

most people come to eat first and then may decide to shop. According to Parkin, having customers that frequent the dining spot has created great relationships through the years, and the long-term employees are another key, helping the business thrive for over fortyeight years. One thing Guy noted was the great young employees he has that come in to continue the tradition that has been started.

Everyone is welcome at the Mining Company, which displays its many accolades.

Parkin says the restaurant is most proud of winning Hospice of Dubuque’s Best Fest numerous times in the categories of Best Place for Burgers and Best Long Island Iced Teas.

The mining company boasts an impressive menu. All meals can be started off right with one of the fifteen appetizers they offer. Yes, fifteen!!! The appetizers range from chips or nachos and salsa, egg rolls, fried pickles or mushrooms. Of course you wouldn’t be in Julien’s Journal ❖ 23

TASTE - RESTAURANTS

the Midwest without cheese curds! If you can’t decide, they offer the Mother Load complete with egg rolls, chicken strips, cheddar crisps, and onion rings.

The Burger Counter at The Dubuque Mining Company is impressive. With sixteen burgers to choose from, it’s hard to choose. If you are a purist, the Original Cheeseburger is a sure thing, served up with your choice of cheese.

Tradition continues with a Mushroom Burger.

Bacon Burger, or the Combination with both!

Badgers can enjoy Swiss and American cheese

on top the Wisconsin Burger, or customers can get a little wild with the Kinda Reuben topped with Swiss cheese, bacon, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. The Polynesian offers a destination inspiration with pineapple, bacon, and sweet and sour sauce.

If you still haven’t found what you are looking for, the list continues with The Bleu Miner, topped with bleu cheese, or the Bar-Be-Que Bacon Burger, with BBQ sauce and bacon.

The Western Bacon Cheddar Pepper Burger is a real mouthful, combining the bacon, American cheese, barbeque sauce, and fried

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24 ❖ Julien’s Journal

onion rings from the Western Bacon Burger with the Sliced Jalapeno peppers and melted cheddar from the Cheddar Pepper Burger.

All these burgers are served with fries and can be upgraded a one-third to a two-third pound burger!

If burgers aren’t your thing, The Mining Company has eleven other sandwiches to choose from. There is the Bratwurst Patty or Pork Tenderloin- grilled or fried. They have fish and pizza sandwiches. Chicken is a whole different story. Not only can diners have a grilled or fried chicken, but they can also make it Polynesian style with pineapple and sweet and sour sauce. If you are looking for heat, they also have a Nitro-Chicken Sandwich.

Dinners are served with cole slaw and French fries and include choices such as steak and shrimp, chicken strips, or cod. Mexican specialties include the Super Nacho Platter Supreme, Taco Salad, Mexican Pizza, and Chimichanga. For a lighter dish, the option of a Chef Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, and the Fried Nitro-Chicken Salad are available.

Not only is the Mining Company known for its food, but they are also known for their iconic Quart Jar Drinks. The signature Cave In includes Gin, Vodka, Rum, orange juice and six mixers all served up in a quart jar. The award-winning Long Island Iced Tea also comes in a quart jar and mixes four different liquors. The Blue Lantern and Emerald Blast are two others that follow that same tradition.

They also offer a large variety of other drinks, beers, and wines.

Each day offers a special for diners to enjoy.

Mondays are Mexican, with one dollar off all Mexican food and $5.50 Margaritas. Tuesdays offer a free twelve-ounce draft beers or soft drinks with any sandwich or dinner, which can be upgraded to a twenty-three ounce for $3.50. All bottle or twelve ounce tap beers are four dollars on Wednesdays, and Thursdays offer eight-dollar Quart Jar Drinks. Fridays have Happy Hour from 4-5:30 with Appetizer and Happy Hour priced cocktails of eight dollars.

The choices and options are endless when it comes to the Dubuque Mining Company.

Year after year, burger and burger, they consistently serve delicious food and satisfying drinks.

The Dubuque Mining Company is located at 555 John F Kennedy Road. You can visit their website at DubuqueMiningCompany.com. ❖ Comments on this article can be sent to comments@juliensjournal.com.

Julien’s Journal ❖ 24

Taste

TASTE - SIPS & TIPS

JANUARY 2026

SIPS & TIPS

Pop Goes the New Year! Article & photo by John B. Donovan “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald, American novelist

I

t was early November when TeamWine test tasted four, locally available, sparkling wines that you can enjoy as the New Year starts. We had fun toasting to the new year, almost two months in the future. If one of these strikes your fancy, you’ll want to purchase one, to not only get it properly chilled, but buy it before they run out. Details of each sparkling wine are below.

Just to clarify, while these are sparkling wines, they were all made in the style and method of Champagne. However, since they are not actually from the region in France named Champagne, they cannot be called Champagne. Flutes and Coupes are traditionally used for enjoying sparkling wine. They are fancy, you can watch with bubbles cascade to

the top, but any decent wine glass will do. If you have a flute or coupe, use them, if not, use what you have. Do not stand on tradition….

Pour and enjoy the beverage!

That said, the corks are popped, so let’s get sipping!

Sips

Barrel Head 2023 TomCat Dry, Dubuque, Iowa ($35.00 12.5% abv) Barrel Head winery is across from the airport on Hwy 61 south. It’s worth the trip just to see the winery. John Burns originally owned Barrel Head but Aaron and Jodie Fuhreck assumed ownership in 2023 and are doing a fine job of maintaining the quality and variety of wines available. TomCat is one

that has been around since the beginning, and the 2023 version was a perfect opening for our tasting session. TomCat presented with a slight yellow hue. On the nose we had notes of candied lemon, some sweet cherry, and rising bread yeast. On the palate we had bright notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, and some lemon pith. The wine had a light to medium body with crisp acidity which was very refreshing. We thought this might be nice for an after-dinner toast to refresh the palate for dessert. Good to have a bottle of this on hand!

Segura Viudas Brut Cava, Barcelona, Spain ($18.00 12.5% abv Asbury HyVee) Cava is Spain’s answer to Champagne. This wine is 100% Macabeo grapes, from eight

Julien’s Journal ❖ 25

TASTE - SIPS & TIPS

different vineyards, giving the wine some breadth in flavors. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is aged on the lees for 12 months, in total darkness. The result is a bright, crisp sparkling wine with a very lightyellow color and interesting aromas. One taster had cigar box while another detected a bit of citrus and herbal notes. Pear and a fresh cut green apple came through to others. The wine has a thin body and was more acidic

than the TomCat. This is a perfect wine to open a meal and could be used to cleanse the palate as needed.

Krasno 2023 Sparkling Ribolla Gialla – Dry, Slovenia ($20.00 12% abv EJ’s Wine Shop)

Slovenia, like Croatia and other Balkan countries, has developed cooperatives in wine.

There may be as many as 300+ families that

work together to make one batch of wine from their collective fruit. This wine is 100% Ribolla Gialla grape, also known as Rebula.

With hues of gold and yellow, this sparkling wine came through with lots of tropical notes.

Exotic florals, peach and apricot with hints of candied grapefruit on the nose. A delightfully salty blend with green apple and tropical citrus, guava and mango tested our palates for definitions. We all felt this wine had the most ‘character’ of our collection. It did not go well with our ever-available chocolate. This might be a fun wine to serve as folks arrive, and they are helping with last-minute activities before dinner.

Good Twin Organic Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Beverage, Italy ($26.00 .05% abv Roux & Lucia-Dubuque)

This wine is worth having a bottle on hand for those who choose not to consume alcohol. Yet, they can still take part in toasts, with bubbles in their glass. The wine is made with Verdejo grapes; the same grapes used in Prosecco. This company has done a wonderful job of de-alcoholizing this wine and still making it enjoyable. Practically water clear, with slight micro-green aromas. A thin body with a pleasant acidity, this wine could accompany nearly any dish. One TeamWine member suggested mixing it with a cranberry or other fruit juice to give it a bit more substance. Perfect for a morning mimosa for the non-alcohol drinker.

Tips

Sparkling wine can be fun to sip and it’s easy to get carried away. Make arrangements for a ride home if needed, or after one glass, switch to a non-alcoholic option.

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An advance notice: Saturday, February 28 is Open That Bottle Night (OTBN). Once again, we are going to hold it at EJ’s Wine Shop beginning at 7:00 PM. This is an event when you bring that bottle you’ve been saving for a special night, and share, not only the story of why you’ve been saving the bottle, but we open and share the bottle with those gathered. Last year we had about 15 and we had a wonderful time. Cost is $20 per person to cover the food, and your bottle (typically one bottle per individual or couple). It isn’t so much about the wine, but the story of how, or why, you came to have the bottle. If you wish to learn more about OTBN, Google it and you’ll learn of Dorthy Gaiter and John Brecher, who wrote ‘Tasting” the wine column for the Wall Street Journal. OTBN is now an international occurrence, and this is your invitation to join us! ❖

JANUARY 2026

Business & Community News

GREENSTATE RECEIVES RECOGNITION

OPENING DOORS ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Money has named GreenState Credit Union one of the Best Banks of 2025-26, recognizing the institution for its outstanding financial products, customer service, and overall banking experience. The ranking is based on Money’s comprehensive evaluation of more than 275 banks and credit unions nationwide, which considers account features, annual percentage yields, fees, accessibility, perks, and more.

Opening Doors is proud to announce Jessica Schlader as the organization’s new Executive Director. Schlader will lead the nonprofit’s mission of providing shelter and critical services to women and children experiencing homelessness in Dubuque.

Schlader brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, donor relations, and program management. She has served in key fundraising and development roles at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Loras College, Clarke University, and the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, helping to advance mission-driven growth through philanthropy, partnerships, and community engagement.

“Jessica’s leadership demonstrates profound compassion, strategic insight, and a deep connection to our mission,” said Kevin F. Crahan, Board President. “She will guide Opening Doors into a future of growth and expanded impact.”

“I am honored to join Opening Doors,” said Schlader. “Every woman deserves a door that opens to dignity, healing, and possibility. I look forward to working closely with staff, volunteers, supporters, and our community to strengthen those pathways.”

Opening Doors operates the Teresa Shelter, Maria House, and Francis Apartments, providing safe shelter and supportive services that empower women and children to rebuild their lives.

RECYCLE THOSE OLD HOLIDAY LIGHTS The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency is working with area partners to offer drop off locations for residents to recycle unwanted holiday lights. This is the sixth year for the program and over 12,000 pounds of lights have been recycled. Unwanted holiday lights can be dropped off in marked containers at locations throughout Dubuque, Asbury, Peosta, and Dyersville, through January 10.

Unwanted holiday lights and all electronics can be recycled year-round at the landfill. Currently, appointments are required for electronics brought to the landfill. To schedule an appointment for dropping off electronics and holiday lights at the landfill, or for holiday light drop-off locations, visit DMASWA.org.

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PERMIT NO.18

NEW YEAR

new opportunities. .com Explore 1,000+ verified career opportunities and 170+ employer snapshots at AccessDubuqueJobs.com Create your FREE account and start using features like: Upload your resume or create one from scratch with our easy, online resume building tool

Signup for text and email alerts for new job postings that match your interests

Learn about training and upskilling through Opportunity Dubuque to open new doors

Search upcoming career fairs to make one-on-one connections with regional employers

AccessDubuqueJobs.com is made possible through a partnership between TH Media and Greater Dubuque Development Corporation.