2020 Governor’s Charity Steer Show Will Go On

June 2, 2020

Dear 4-H and FFA members, families, and volunteers,

Recently the Winneshiek County Fair Association cancelled the 2020 grounds and entertainment activities due to continued restrictions of Covid-19. We appreciate the support provided by the Winneshiek County Fair Association to support decisions of Winneshiek County Extension/4-H staff and the 4-H committees when determining plans to provide a ‘4-H Fair’ in 2020.

The Winneshiek County Extension Council, Youth Development Committee along with 4-H and Extension staff have made the difficult decision to shift all efforts and resources to a limited audience Show and Go Livestock Exhibition and contact-free Static, Clothing, & Communication Exhibit Judging. The health and safety of our 4-H members, families, volunteers, staff, and animals are the primary concern in making this decision. Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach must follow the guidance of Winneshiek County Public Health and Iowa 4-H.

This year has been full of difficult decisions and learning experiences. This is not a decision we ever imagined we would need to consider. We ask for your patience and kindness as we prepare materials and information for 4-H and FFA members who still choose to participate in the modified events. Some may choose that these events are not what they would like to participate in this summer and others will choose to participate. Like every year, fair is not a requirement to be a 4-H member.

What is next?
• FairEntry is currently closed. Fair Entry will open on the new date of June 10 and close on June 30.
• Updates regarding schedule and classes will be shared on June 9 to your 4HOnline email.
We thank you in advance for your patience and support. Questions can be sent to winneshiek4h@iastate.edu or by phone at 563-382-2949. Additional updates may be found on our website in the weeks to come.

The Winneshiek County 4-H Staff Team, Youth Development Committee and Winneshiek County Extension Council.

The Winneshiek County Agricultural Association has made the difficult decision to cancel grounds and entertainment activities for the 2020 Winneshiek County fair.
This cancellation includes Fair Races, Rodeo, Tractor Pull, Joe Stamm Band for Friday night, and Saturday night acts Gabby Barret and Jordan Davis. All carnival and grounds entertainment are also cancelled.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt band, scheduled for Friday night, had already canceled their appearance at the 2020 Fair.
Public Health comments, CDC guidelines, along with legal guidance from the County Attorney were considered throughout this decision making process, in addition with the concern to keep residents of Winneshiek County safe and healthy.
Should the CDC guidelines still be in place at the time of the fair, it was felt that the 6 foot social distance rule would be virtually impossible to enforce in most, if not all scheduled activities. The rule also severely limits the Fair’s ability to remain financially viable. Due to the requirement of only 50% capacity at any event, revenue deficits are simply too great to overlook.
The Fair Board is working with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to find a workable solution to schedule the 4-H and FFA shows. Details will come in the near future.
A great amount of time and thought was put into this decision. While it is deeply disappointing the Fair Board looks forward to 2021. We are all very grateful for the great community support we receive each year to be able to put on the “Biggest Little Fair in Iowa.” Thank You to each and every one of the businesses and individuals who help make this fair what it is.

June 1, 2020

For immediate release –
Decorah, Iowa
June 1, 2020
Northeast Iowa Community Action, in collaboration with Iowa Community Action Association and the Iowa Finance Authority, is implementing a rent assistance program for COVID-19 related housing issues. Current renters that are at risk of eviction due to a documented COVID-19 related loss of income after March 17, 2020 may be eligible for rent assistance. For more information on how to apply, please contact NEICAC Housing, your local NEICAC Family Services Outreach Office, or visit https://www.iowafinance.com/covid-application/.
Household income at the time of application may not exceed 80% of the median family income, which varies by household size and county. Those receiving the $600 per week additional unemployment payment are not eligible to receive assistance through the EFP program.
NEICAC Housing – housing@neicac.org , or call 563-387-4959
Family Services Outreach Offices
Waukon Family Services 563-568-4224 jmiller@neicac.org
clooney@neicac.org

Waverly Family Services/Food Pantry 319-352-4532 cmunson@neicac.org

New Hampton Family Services 641-394-2007 tlehs@neicac.org

Elkader Family Services 563-245-2452 sschultz@neicac.org

West Union Family Services 641-394-2007 tlehs@neicac.org

Oelwein Family Services 319-283-2510 fstewart@neicac.org
dscharnhorst@neicac.org

Cresco Family Services/Food Pantry 563-547-4413 mahrndt@neicac.org

Decorah Family Services/Food Pantry 563-387-4958 trovang@neicac.org

XXX

For more information, please contact:
Karli Schmelzer, Operations & Development Director
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation
563.387.4936

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2020

Contact: Stephanie Fromm, 563-382-6061 or director@winneshiekdevelopment.org

RE: Winneshiek County Development and Tourism and Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Awarded $5,000 from Decorah Bank and Trust

Winneshiek County Development and Tourism and the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce were recently awarded $5,000 from Decorah Bank and Trust. In a recent social media post, Decorah Bank and Trust noted “Winneshiek County Development and Tourism and Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce have always been incredible assets to our community. During this pandemic, many have recognized and been helped by their continued hard work to aid our community in any way possible.”

Decorah Bank and Trust has donated $5,000 to each organization, helping them with their efforts. Decorah Bank and Trust also expressed gratitude thanking the two organizations, stating the work being done is ”truly inspiring for us all to see.”

Stephanie Fromm, Executive Director of Winneshiek County Development and Tourism shared “We are always busy, but during the COVID-19 crisis, we were all putting in extra hours to help our businesses survive, while at the same time helping support community organizations and other partners. In addition to providing direct assistance to over 300 businesses, we were helping to get the Decorah and Winneshiek County Mutual Aid Network up and running, helping get funding for meal delivery to at-risk populations, and trying to keep everyone informed about the grants and programs with a new searchable database on our website. Every day is a new challenge, but we feel like the ingenuity and response from Winneshiek County community members and businesses has been phenomenal. We’re proud to serve them. Having said that, we very much appreciate the recognition and funding from Decorah Bank and Trust.”

Kristina Wiltgen, Executive Director of Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce also stated “As an organization, one of our core values is to be responsive to business needs. Over the past couple of months, we have supported area businesses through online gift card sales, distributed Chamber Dollars to hundreds of individuals and continued to share information and knowledge from area community businesses and leaders. We are very grateful for the funding and recognition from Decorah Bank and Trust.”

PRESS RELEASE-REOPENING

ISU Extension & Outreach, Winneshiek County office will reopen to the public on Monday, June 1, 2020.

We take serving Iowans seriously, and we are prioritizing the health and safety of our community and staff. We will be taking precautions to ensure the safety of staff and the public. Please stay home if you have had a fever or feel sick and contact us by phone 563-382-2949 or email us at xwinneshiek@iastate.edu.

Thanks,

Alexandria McIntyre | Winneshiek County

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Office Assistant

325 Washington Street, Suite B

Decorah, IA 52101

alliemc@iastate.edu

563-382-2949

www.extension.iastate.edu

Luther College community reflects on Nordic values during COVID-19 pandemic

DECORAH, Iowa – A unique project has recently wrapped up at Luther College where students and alumni were asked to reflect on how Nordic values are being utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maren Johnson, assistant professor and director of the Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies, was looking for a way to connect current students with alumni who share a passion for the Nordic region.

“Nordic Studies is thriving at Luther, with nearly 90 students in our classes, 18 of whom are majors,” Johnson said. “During this time of social isolation, I wanted to find a way to build community among current and former students.”

Nordic Studies is the in-depth study of the Nordic region (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland). The discipline examines how the literature, history, language, politics and culture inform and shape norms and values present in the region today.

Johnson invited people to identify some important Nordic values and social norms, and how they saw them being used to address the coronavirus crisis.

“Graduates from multiple decades responded. One alumnus witnesses the Nordic value of janteloven, the cultural code of humility and selflessness, in the hospital where he works. Several are discovering more fully the value of friluftsliv, or purposeful, immersive time outdoors, while being confined to the indoors has raised the importance of koselig or hygge which is embracing a ‘cozy’ way of life with a focus on contentment and wellbeing in one’s living space,” said Johnson.

As a clinical psychologist and educator, Timothy Baardseth ’00, said he is inspired by colleagues and staff at his hospital and graduate school as they embrace the egalitarian value that no person is either better or worse than anyone else.

“Their willingness to place the needs of their patients and students in front of their own is awe-inspiring,” wrote Baardseth. “I believe that the egalitarian spirit of the janteloven will ultimately be an underlying societal factor that helps us to overcome these tumultuous times.”

Trust was another common theme in the responses. In the Nordic region, there is trust among people and trust in public authorities and institutions. Equality, including gender equality, was mentioned as well by Ingrid Urberg ’84.

“The contributions of all members of society across a myriad of job sectors are necessary for a functioning and healthy community,” wrote Urberg. “This focus on equality and the practice of social solidarity has resulted in a robust and valued universal health care system which is serving the Nordic region well during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To read all of the responses, visit https://www.luther.edu/center-nordic/coronavirus/.

The Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies honors Luther College’s legacy as the first college in the United States founded by Norwegian immigrants. Its mission is to foster connections with today’s Nordic region through innovative programs and partnerships. It is the only endowed undergraduate Nordic studies center in the United States.

Luther College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

The Iowa Finance Authority has launched the COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program, which will provide mortgage and rent assistance to eligible Iowans who are unable to meet those obligations due to COVID-19. This has become necessary since the Governor’s moratorium on foreclosures and evictions was phased out after the last proclamation dated 5/26/20.

Rental assistance will cover up to four months (this can include up to two months in arrears) beginning with April 1 rent payment, ($3,200 maximum); this includes manufactured home rent and lot rent

Mortgage payment assistance will cover up to $3,000 maximum, beginning with April 1 mortgage payment (this can include up to two months in arrears).

To be eligible, you must be a current renter or homeowner who is at risk of eviction or foreclosure due to a documented COVID-19-related loss of income on or after March 17, 2020. Your household income must not exceed 80% MFI (Median Family Income) at the time of application. You are not eligible if you are currently receiving the $600 additional CARES Act unemployment benefit.

Applications are open now and will continue until all funds have been exhausted. You can learn more and apply here: https://www.iowafinance.com/covid-19-iowa-eviction-and-foreclosure-prevention-program/

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is preparing to reopen camping at its
parks in eastern North Dakota, Minnesota and western Wisconsin, June 1.
Campgrounds were closed to start the season due to COVID-19 concerns and a need to protect employees
and the public. While the campgrounds are reopening, visitors are encouraged to contact Corps staff at the
park you are visiting to ensure other recreation areas such as beaches, boat ramps and playground areas are
open. The status of these facilities is also available at: https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/status.cfm.
Individuals with paid camping reservations at closed campgrounds will be contacted by email about
cancellations and full refunds will automatically be processed through the recreation.gov website with no
cancellation fees. Individuals should not contact the website to request a refund as that will lead to a
cancellation fee being charged. All reservations must be made via www.recreation.gov. Self-pay vaults are
closed so cash and checks will not be accepted for camping.
Corps officials have suspended the collection of day use fees for its swimming beaches and boat ramps
until Oct. 1. The Corps is also extending the expiration date of USACE and America the Beautiful annual
passes for seven months for those who previously purchased annual passes for the year.
While visiting Corps recreation areas, visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing and other
COVID-19 safety precautions required and recommended by local, state and federal authorities, to include
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC guidance on visiting parks and recreation facilities
can be found online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html.
In addition to COVID-19 safety precautions, Corps staff remind everyone to be smart while you are on the
water and to always wear your life jacket.
– 30 –
NEWS RELEASE

Here is the link for The B Team, walking in honor of Brendan Numedahl: https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/6783/Groups/757391