Community News Stories

Decorah, Iowa, 05/30/19 –

The Oneota Community Food Co-op hosted a “Round-Up at the Register” campaign May 6^th through May 20th. During this time, customers at the Co-op were given the opportunity to round-up their sale to the nearest whole dollar with these funds going to support Neighbors Helping Neighbors. The campaign held in May raised over $1,400.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a fund established by Decorah UCC to assist immigrants and their families in rebuilding their lives following an immigration related crisis. This community effort is funded through individual donations, local congregations, and local organizations. Funds currently assist local families in need of items such as household supplies and beds as they establish new homes following release from ICE custody.

For more information about Neighbors Helping Neighbors at Decorah UCC, check out decorahucc.org/neighbors.

Located in downtown Decorah, Oneota Community Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store specializing in local, organic, and sustainably produced products since 1974.  For over four decades, the Co-op has been the leading provider of whole foods at a reasonable cost, with an emphasis on organic, local and bulk foods. Stop in and see us at 312 West Water Street in Decorah, or online at www.oneotacoop.com.

Pictured in photo: (left to right) Laura Wright, Decorah UCC, David Lester, Oneota Community Food Co-op.

Did you know that about 25% of the Decorah Community School District is on free and reduced lunch? Food needs are present for families in the Decorah region. Whether its due to economic means or simply busy summer schedules, a community-driven program called “Kids Lunch Club” has served Decorah families for three summers and is returning again for its fourth summer. The program serves free grab-and-go lunches to any child. The program will run every weekday starting June 10. Children can pick up one free lunch per day at John Cline Elementary from 12-12:30 p.m. or at Freeport Park from 12:45-1 p.m. No registration is taken for participation. Meals include fresh fruits and vegetables, snacks, and protein sources.

Thanks to the generous support of the Decorah community, the Kids Lunch Club initiative served 4,122 lunches over its first three summers. This collaborative program is run entirely through local monetary donations from faith communities, businesses, and individuals. Volunteers pack lunches based on a rotating menu. Additional volunteers help with distribution of meals. For additional information, to donate, or to volunteer, visit www.kidslunchclub.org.

Houston, MN

Treat your taste buds to a locally sourced artisan breakfast of buckwheat shortcake fruit tarts with Paskha goat cheese; pinwheel quiche with fresh shiitake mushrooms, spinach and gruyère cheese; wild boar bacon; strawberry shrub; and locally roasted fair trade organic coffee. The event will feature a chance to meet the Center’s live owl ambassadors, the story of the Owl Center, and a live auction. You’ll also go home with your choice of exceptional owl art created by talented children from all over the world. All proceeds from the event will go toward acquiring the building site for the Owl Center’s future home.

The intriguing array of auction items includes a Japanese dinner for eight in New Brighton, MN, a one-of-a-kind locally made English Grolleg porcelain owl vase, a one-night stay and breakfast for two at the Hilton-Mall of America, wine baskets, chocolate bourbon pecan pie, Kahlua brownies, winning artwork from our international children’s owl art contest from prior years, and much more.

Local producers donating their goods to put on the breakfast include Schech’s Mill, Buffalo Gal, Carlson Roasting Company, Ethan’s Eggs, Valley of the Goats, Wold Strawberry Farm, and Brian Lee.

Cost to participate in the Breakfast with the Owls is $75/person or $600 for a table of eight. For those who cannot attend, proxy bidding on auction items is possible. For more information or to register go to www.InternationalOwlCenter.org. Please register by June 21.

Winneshiek Medical Center is pleased to welcome Ericka Moudry, PA-C, to Decorah Clinic.  Ericka joins Mayo Clinic Health System specialist Brad Orvis, M.D. in providing urology care to people of our region.

Dr. Orvis says, “I am very excited to add Ericka to the urology practice here at WMC. She has 15 years of experience as a health care provider and is an excellent clinician. Working as a team, she will allow us to meet the urology needs of our patients more efficiently and effectively.”

Urology at Winneshiek Medical Center provides expert care for male and female patients of all ages who suffer from problems of the urinary tract. The field of urology diagnoses and treats disorders of the male reproductive system as well, including prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and support.

The urology program at Winneshiek Medical Center specializes in:

• Treatment for enlarged prostate, including laser therapy
• Laser surgery to fragment kidney stones
• Vasectomy
• Female incontinence
• Vaginal prolapse
• Cancer care: bladder, prostate, kidney, testis

A Protivin, Iowa  native, Ericka earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Iowa State University and her Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center.  Since 2004, she has been working in cardiothoracic surgery and gynecology in Des Moines, Houston, Texas and most recently, St. Paul, Minnesota. She says, “I enjoy procedure-based medicine, which is partly what drew me to the urology practice at Winneshiek Medical Center.  Dr. Orvis has built a valuable service in this community, and people trust him and his care.  I look forward to being part of that team.”

The urology practice is accepting new patients at Winneshiek Medical Center. To make an appointment, call 563-382-2911.

Cutline: Ericka Moudry, PA-C joins Brad Orvis, M.D. in providing urology care at Winneshiek Medical Center Decorah Clinic.

Direct access to physical and occupational therapy is now available at Winneshiek Medical Center, meaning patients can schedule appointments with therapists without a doctor’s referral.  Jason Engelken, physical therapist and athletic trainer, says, “We see patients directly for muscle weakness or stiffness, sciatic pain, wrist or thumb pain, chronic headaches and so many other issues we face.  For people looking to improve their athletic performance, we also offer runner’s analysis, biker’s analysis and training support.”

Winneshiek Medical Center offers comprehensive rehabilitation services for people of all ages and conditions. Our highly-trained staff includes licensed physical and occupational therapists, including sports certified specialists; an orthopedic clinical specialist; certified hand therapists; certified athletic trainers; certified speech language pathologists; and registered nurses.

Specialty programs include:

• Acute Care
• Balance & Fall Prevention
• Cardiac Rehab
• Dementia Care
• Gait Analysis
• Geriatric
• Hand Therapy
• Home Health
• Industrial Rehab
• Lymphedema
• Neurological Rehab
• Orthopedic/Post-surgical Rehab
• Pediatric
• Pilates
• Pulmonary Rehab
• Skilled Nursing
• Sports Excel Programs
• Sports Medicine
• Sports Physicals
• Ultrasound Mist Therapy
• Vestibular Rehab
• Women’s Health, including Urinary Incontinence Retraining
• Wound Care

Appointments with physical and occupational therapists are conveniently available at the Winneshiek Medical Center Rehab Clinics in Decorah, Ossian, Calmar, Postville and Spring Grove.  Therapists will work with you to determine the best plan of care for your individual needs and goals.   Physical and occupational therapy is covered by most insurance plans.  To make an appointment at any of the Winneshiek Medical Center Rehab Clinic locations, call 563-387-3031.

 Photo – Rehab department picture – Wmc01dept docsMarketing and CommunicationsPhotographyREHABILITATION and SPORTS MEDICINE2019 Department Photos

Cutline: Direct access to physical and occupational therapy is now available at Winneshiek Medical Center, meaning patients can schedule appointments with therapists without a doctor’s referral. Appointments with physical and occupational therapists are conveniently available at the Winneshiek Medical Center Rehab Clinics in Decorah, Ossian, Calmar, Postville and Spring Grove. Call 563-387-3031 to schedule.

TO: Northeast Iowa Newspapers/Radio Stations
FROM: Clayton County Conservation Board
DATE: May 28, 2019
NEWS RELEASE—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Osborne Park featured on State of Iowa’s “99 Counties, 99 Parks” list

Osborne Park in Clayton County is one of 99 county parks featured in a new effort announced by the State of Iowa today to encourage residents and visitors alike to explore Iowa’s outdoors. The “99 Counties, 99 Parks” initiative highlights the wide array of recreational activities the state has to offer within its county parks.

“Iowa’s county parks are great places to feed your sense of adventure,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. “We have an abundance of natural beauty in this state and we’re thrilled to issue an invitation for people to experience it first-hand. I know my family will be outside exploring all our county parks have to offer this summer, so I hope my fellow Iowans will join us.”
The “99 Counties, 99 Parks” initiative features one county conservation-managed park in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. Individuals are encouraged to visit traveliowa.com/99parks to browse parks by interest (or view all 99) and find the parks that best fit their needs. In addition to traditional activities like fishing, boating and hiking, the list includes parks with golf courses, archery ranges, disc golf courses, observation towers, eco-cruises, Olympic-sized swimming pools and luxury cabins.

“In addition to being beautiful, our county parks play an important role in Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Research shows that natural beauty and outdoor activities are key qualities in places where individuals want to travel or live. We think the ‘99 Counties, 99 Parks’ initiative is another great way to help spread the good word and surprise people about Iowa.”
Families are encouraged to download the “99 Counties, 99 Parks” Family Fun Guide. Available on the “99 Counties, 99 Parks” website, the guide features a variety of activities, including recipes, a scavenger hunt and art projects as well as information on geocaching and creating nature sculptures.

Participants can track their visits to the featured parks on the “99 Counties, 99 Parks” checklist. Many of the parks also include “selfie stands” where visitors can take photos and share their experiences on social media using #ThisIsIowa or #99parks.

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ArtHaus is pleased to be bringing the artists from Fire Farm Lighting Company in Elkader to Deocrah with a showcase of freestanding illuminated sculptures on display from May 31 through June 28.

“Each Fire Farm artist was given opportunity to create a free-standing illuminated sculpture out of scrap pieces of acrylic thermo-formed in our oven. They are dramatic and very organic,” says FireFarm owner Adam Pollock.

Inspired Media is sponsoring the show, which can be viewed for free at the ArtHaus Gallery at 508 West Water Street from 1 pm-5pm Monday – Friday. Artists will be greeting guests at a gallery opening this Friday, May 31 from 7-8 pm.

Full details about the show may be found at www.arthausdecorah.org.

TO: Northeast Iowa Newspapers/Radio Stations

FROM: Abbey Harkrader, Clayton County Conservation Board

DATE: Jan 29th, 2019

NEWS RELEASE—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

O.W.L.S.
“The McGregor Wildlife School”
Thursday, June 20th
Reservations Required
Osborne Nature Center

Osborne’s Older, Wiser, Livelier, Souls will continue the “Conservation Heroes” series on June 20th with a visit to the McGregor Museum to learn about the historic McGregor Wildlife School.

Iowa has a long history of important and famous conservationists who were an active part of the McGregor Wildlife School. Come learn who these conservation heroes were, what the school was, and the things the school achieved. Make your reservation today by calling (563) 245-1516 or visit the Osborne Nature Center. Shuttle will leave Osborne at 10:30.

The Osborne Center is located on Highway 13, ten miles north of Strawberry Point or five miles south of Elkader. The center is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday-Saturday and 12:00pm to 4:00pm Sundays. Please call 563-245-1516 for more information or visit www.claytoncountyconservation.org.

—————————————–End Press Release ———————————————–

Friday May 24th

• The Tomah VA Medical Center will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday at 10am at the Veterans Hall in Tomah.

Sunday May 26th

• On Sunday May 26th the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston will host a Memorial Service. The public is invited to attend. There will be music beginning at 1:30 and a 2pm Ceremony.
• Clermont American Legion will host a Memorial Day pancake breakfast on Sunday from 8 am to 1pm at the Clermont Opera House along with Auxiliary bake sale and silent Auction
• There will be a Memorial Weekend Pancake breakfast on Sunday from 7a m to noon at the Harpers Ferry Fire stations

Monday May 27th

• The Wadena legion will be hosting their legion Memorial Services on Monday at 10:30 at the Wadena All Veterans Memorial. There will be Dinner to follow at the Legion Hall.
• Harpers Ferry/Waterville Memorial Day Parade and Program will be held on Monday May 27th. Beginning at the Old East Paint Creek Cemetery at 7:15, Waterville at 7:45, Cherry Mound at 8a, Paint Rock at 8:15, Cota Creek Bridge at 8:30, Harper Ferry Sandy Point Cemetery at 8:40. Then a memorial mass will be held at St Ann St Joseph Church at 9am, parade to follow at approximate 10am. Parade line up begins at 8:30 and transportation will be provided for those unable to March in the parade. The Legion and it’s Auxiliary will also be having a pork chop dinner at 11am.
• Waukon Community Meals will be serving Memorial Day Supper at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon on Monday from 5 to 7pm.
• There will be a Memorial Day lunch held at the Hauge Lutheran church, rural Decorah, on Monday from 11am to 1pm.
• Decorah memorial Day services will be observed beginning with a parade at the West Decorah Bridge at 10am. The parade, featuring Grand Marshals Howie Bernatz and Bob McQueen, will process to the courthouse where Memorial day ceremonies will continue featuring speaker Jim Burns. All Veterans who wish to participate in the parade should meet at 5th Ave at 9:30, for those unable to march there will be a flatbed trailer provided. Decorah Quilts of Valor will be conducting a presentation ceremony at 3pm at the VFW Post in Decorah. They will be awarding quilts of valor to Mel Macal, Pat Corrigan, Collyn Bridges, Ferneva Brimacomb, Tom Klimesh, Dennis Fisher, Ray Koshatka, Jim Mensen, Larry Elf Lectenburg and Chuck Humpal.
• There will be a Memorial Day pancake breakfast serving from 8am to 11am at New Hope Methodist Church in Red Mound Wisconsin. Carry outs will be available and there will also be a bake sale.
• The Waukon Memorial Day Parade, muster time 9:15, step off 9:45, is going to be rerouted due to construction. It will start out in the St. Pats parking lot and individuals may park there or in the parking lot behind Waukon State Bank. The parade will head east on 1st Ave SW toward Kwik Star. The parade will then head south (right at Kwik Star) on Rossville Rd and run all the way to the Oakland Cemetery. Should the parade be canceled due to weather, the program will still take place at the Waukon Reception Center on Rossville Rd. Avenue of flags will not be put out this year due to construction and possibility of rain. However, we will be putting out the 18 KIA flags only at the cemetery Saturday morning. For the Memorial Day dinner at the vets club, there is parking in the city parking lot south of the courthouse, the two courthouse parking lots, behind the Vets Club and the Farm Bureau Building.
• The Mabel VFW Post will be conducting Memorial Day Services beginning at Highland Lutheran Cemetery at 7:30, then Hesper Lutheran at 8:30, Hesper Public at 9am, Burr Oak at 9:45am, Henrytown at 10:15, Prosper at 10:45. They will march from the Mabel Legion to the Steam Engine grounds at 11:20 am with a program, featuring speaker Eddie Macha and music by the Mabel-Canton band, will be held at the Steam Engine Grounds beginning at 11:30. There will be a potluck meal held after the services at the Mabel American legion. In case of rain the program will be held at the High School Auditorium
• The American Legion in Spring Grove will be having a program on Monday beginning with a parade from the school to Viking Memorial park at 9:45. The program begins at 10am featuring speaker Legion Commander Anne Doering and music by the Spring Grove High School Band and decoration of crosses by the Boy and Girl Scout troops of Spring Grove. In case of inclement weather the program will be held at the school
• High Roller Skating Centers in LaCrosse and Eau Claire will be hosting skates on Monday from noon to 4pm to raise money for the A Million thanks Fund a Scholarship program that raises fund to provide higher education scholarships for children of fallen military members. 50% of all center admissions will be donated. For more information log on to high roller skating dot com
• McGregor memorial Day Events begin with a memorial service at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, a parade leaving MFL MarMac Middle school at 10 processing to the riverfront and there will be a memorial service at 11am at Pleasant Grove Cemetery featuring speaker Mike Ayers.
• New Albin memorial day services will be held at 9am at the Community Center featuring music by the Kee Middle School Band and readings from the book Veterans from the Heartland by Maury Gallagher and a presentation of Quilts by the NEIA Quilters.
• Lansing Memorial Day services begin at 7:30 on Monday morning at Wexford Cemetery, then to Gethsemane Cemetery at 8:15 , 8:30 am flag raising at Thornton Manor, 9am flag raising at Mount Hosmer and a Navy Remembrance Ceremony at Sweeney’s Boat Landing at 10am. There will be a parade at 10:15 and a program at Oak Hill Cemetery at 11am featuring music from the Kee High school Band and a memorial day address by Dustin Benzing. If it is raining the program will be held at Kee High School.
• American legion Post 467, Spillville/Ridgeway will host Memorial Day Services at the Ridgeway United Lutheran Cemetery beginning at 9:30 featuring speaker Dan O’Brian.
• A Memorial Day program will be hosted by members of the Belding Fox Slagle Legion Post 189 at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 27 in front of the Waucoma Veterans Memorial. Following the program, all are invited to the Waucoma Event Center for coffee and treats. In case of rain the program will be held at the Waucoma Event Center.
• The Calmar Memorial Day observance will begin with visits to cemeteries. Veterans will start the day at Springfield Lutheran at 7:30 a.m. and then move to Calmar Lutheran at 7:45 a.m., Festina at 8 a.m., St. Aloysius at 8:15 a.m. and Lake Meyer at 9 a.m. The day’s observances will conclude at the Winneshiek County Freedom Rock in Calmar at 9:30 a.m. A Memorial Service will take place at the South Winneshiek Auditorium at 10 a.m. Robert Gross, administrator at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, is the planned speaker with the Rev. Robert Gross as clergy.