Community News Stories

Santa and Mrs. Claus Come to Santa’s Land in Ossian
Get out your lists and your cameras! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Land at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, from 8:30 -11:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Ossian, the Ossian Crown Club and Luana Savings Bank. There will also be an opportunity to bring donations for the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar. A non-perishable food item or monetary donations is appreciated.

Bring along your list for Santa and Mrs. Claus or drop it off in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Ossian Community Center. Santa will write back to you if you include your return address. See you at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, for Santa’s Land.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Luncheon to Feature Distinguished Lutheran Scholar Dr. Caryn Riswold

DECORAH, IOWA — A community-wide luncheon and presentation featuring Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion and McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College, will be held on Sunday, November 10, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Street, Decorah.

Earlier that morning, Dr. Riswold will also present at the Sunday Forum at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., offering two opportunities for community members to engage with her work.

Dr. Riswold will discuss her recent publication, “ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion,” which examines the evolution of Lutheran social teaching in changing contemporary contexts. The book focuses on fostering thoughtful dialogue within faith communities while emphasizing the Lutheran call to compassionate community engagement.

A respected scholar in Religion and Gender Studies, Dr. Riswold joined the Wartburg College faculty in 2018 after sixteen years of teaching at Illinois College. Her work is praised for its nuanced approach to complex social issues through the lens of Lutheran theology and ethics.

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, former Concordia College professor, describes the book as “nuanced, clear, and hopeful,” noting that it “takes holy risks, builds bridges across barriers, and insists that we feel the intricate textures of real-life situations.”

The book includes discussion questions and additional reading resources, making it suitable for both individual and group study. Copies are available through Augsburg Fortress Press and as a Kindle download on Amazon.

Event Details:

Sunday Forum:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

– Location: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St, Decorah

Community Luncheon:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.

– Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa St, Decorah

– Cost: a $10 suggested donation

All community members are welcome to attend. 

For more information, contact:

First Lutheran Church, 563-382-2638, office@firstlutherandecorah.org

Good Lutheran Church, 563-382-3963, office@goodshepherddecorah.org

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On Saturday, October 19, Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) members and their families and friends gathered for a chili cookoff at the top of Palisades Park in Decorah. Members include hikers, runners, walkers, and cyclists, and, appropriately, guests were encouraged to hike, run, or bike up the hill for the occasion. The group had much to celebrate, as they have logged over 450 hours volunteering on trails within the City of Decorah this year.

DHPT, now a non-profit organization, relies mostly on volunteers to build, maintain, promote, and enhance trail experiences in Decorah. The Independent Sector determines the value of one hour of volunteering to be $33.49, valuing DHPT’s contribution to the City of Decorah at over $15,000. DPHT also has two employees who logged over 250 hours and are paid entirely through funds raised by their members.

DHPT volunteers have been busy with trail building and maintenance this year, most recently teaming up with the Luther College Cross Country team to clear invasive brush before extending a trail near the south end of Ice Cave Road, helping to repair storm damage to the east section of River Trail and Public Television Trail, and rerouting trails at Palisades Park. This year was so wet and stormy that volunteers provided extra mowing, weed whacking, and tree clearing, cutting over fifty fallen trees off Decorah trails. DHPT leadership works closely with Decorah Parks and Recreation and the City of Decorah, with officials approving the building and rerouting of all trails and taking an active role in checking to make sure projects are completed to their specifications.

Members also support other groups promoting the use of human powered trails in the area by regularly volunteering at their programs. DPHT members were instrumental in the construction of the Decorah Rotary Club Binzebo Trail Hub at Carlson Park in early 2024; donating both time and equipment to make the project possible. They also provided volunteers and expertise for the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League races in June and staffed a water stop for the Crater Run this summer.

DHPT members also groom trails throughout the snowy season and hold monthly Buckthorn Blitz days from November-February. On these days they cut, treat, and remove invasive species in the park system to improve the overall health of the forests.

“Our volunteers range in age from 3 to over 70. They are dedicated to creating the best possible user experience on Decorah’s human powered trails,” said DHPT President, Nick Pearch, “I’m glad to live in a community with this many people who are excited to roll their sleeves up and work to improve recreation for all. It was great to celebrate them on Saturday!”

For more information about DHPT, please email dhpt2023@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/DecorahHPT.

CALMAR, Iowa–Northeast Iowa Community College is developing its new three-year strategic plan (2025-2028). The College is hosting 10 community listening sessions across northeast Iowa to gather input as part of the planning process. During the hour-long session, community members will be asked for their feedback on the College and an initial draft of strategic priorities.

Calmar Community Listening Session:

Iowa’s Dairy Center, Room 115
1527 Hwy. 150
Thursday, Oct. 31

7:30 am

If you cannot attend, email Erin Shaw, strategic planning project manager, at shawer@nicc.edu  to RSVP or request an online input form.

The Landing Market in collaboration with Latines Unides, a student group at Luther College, and the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES) is hosting Latines Fiesta, Tues., Oct. 29, 5-7 pm at The Landing.

Latines Fiesta coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month at the college and is the first cultural community connection event planned for the 2024-25 academic year. The word “fiesta” means to bring togetherness. Hosting fiestas is common in Hispanic communities to build connections.

Latines Fiesta will features traditional Hispanic eats, education, and engagement. The meal of chicken flautas with mole and Spanish rice made by Luther’s Roberto Coral, CIES Office Manager, and Latines Unides will be available for $10. For students (with ID) attending any college or university and children 17 and younger, the cost is $5. Quemadita, a type of punch, will also be available for purchase. No reservations are needed.

“We’re excited to partner with folks at Luther for this fun event,” says Pete Espinosa, owner of The Landing. “Everyone is invited. We look forward to celebrating Hispanic culture with some great food and a good time.”

“We have such a diverse tapestry of cultures in our community and are excited to lift them through partnerships like this,”  says Dr. Robert Clay, Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer and Assistant to the President for Community Engagement at Luther. “This is a great opportunity for students and community members to get to know each other, enjoy good food together, and have fun.”

The Landing Market, located at 211 College Dr., in Decorah, opened in July 2020 as a food hall and community gathering spot.  Today The Landing is home to Justin’s (restaurant), The Buzz (coffee & cocktails), Root 43 (juices, smoothies, bowls), and Tandem which supports the disability community as well as Oneota Health Solutions chiropractic care and Nagle Signs.  For more information, email info@thelandingmarket.com or call (563) 277-1893.

Aase Haugen residents invite children to Trick or Treat

Aase Haugen residents are excited to invite area children to Trick or Treat at the nursing home on Thursday, October 31 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  “It really brightens our day to see the little ghost and goblins,” says Andrea Hexom, Aase Haugen activities supervisor. “Our residents will have pumpkins full of candy to pass out as the children wander through the main dining room and around the hall through Assisted Living to trick or treat with us.”

The children and their escorts should enter through the main entrance of the nursing home where they will be guided to the trick or treat area and end up exiting through the Assisted Living doors. It’s all inside, so come rain or shine!#30#

West Clermont Lutheran Church 3rd Annual Fall Ham Ball Dinner and Silent Auction

Sunday October 27, 2024

Serving from 10:30am – 2:00pm at the Clermont Opera House

Freewill Offering

Menu: Ham balls, Cheesy potatoes, green beans and pie.

Silent Auction during event with bidding ending promptly at 2:00pm.

Please see the attached information for the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa’s current adoption event going on now through the Bissell Pet Foundation.

Thanks!!

Community Presbyterian Church in Postville, Iowa will be hosting their Early Thanksgiving Dinner and Silent Auction on November 3, from 11 am-1 pm. Carry outs are available. Adults $15, Age 10 & under $5, Preschoolers and younger are free! Handicap parking Available, no pre-sales.

Address is 106 S. Reynolds Postville, IA 52162