Community News Stories

Aase Haugen Plantpalooza is Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (or sell-out) at Aase Haugen Parking Lot.

With your free will donation, you can choose plants and garden seedlings donated by Staff, Families, and area businesses! All proceeds go to the Aase Haugen Garden Fund.

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held on Friday evening May 10, from 6-11 pm. The event will be held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion. Cash food and beverages sales will be offered throughout the event.

Many of the returning BBF musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers, John Withers, who have spearheaded this project the last two years. Oldest brother, Bill, is the event coordinator. Bandmates Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett, Joel Anderson, Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, will reunite with them again this year.

The original idea to attempt both a musical reunion and benefit came to the Withers boys as part of a fishing trip they’ve taken with their father for over 30 years. As many know, their father is Dr. Bill Withers, one of the hospital’s retired physicians in the community. Bill Jr. said, “We were just sitting in the cabin and started working on puzzle pieces that reveal a little bigger picture around rural healthcare, dad’s longtime service to the community, and friends and family coming together again.”

Dr. Withers, who is originally from Oklahoma, attended medical school in Denver, beginning in 1954. He finished school in 1958, marrying his girlfriend Libby Hale, of Waukon, in June of that year. He performed an internship at Denver General Hospital in 1959, then served two years in the Army as a physician in Fort Louis, WA, where his oldest son, Bill was born.

Whenever Dr. Withers visited Libby’s hometown of Waukon, her uncle, Dr. Jeffries, (referred to as ‘Uncle Doc’) was sure to keep in touch, introducing him to both Dr. Rominger, who were all some of the founding physicians of Veterans Memorial Hospital, along with Dr. Lou Bray.

“In 1961, after my military service, they asked me to come for an interview because they were looking for a partner. I accepted and away we went!” states Dr. Withers, who has remained a life-long resident of Waukon where he and his wife Libby raised their four children, the brothers noted earlier, and a daughter, Elizabeth (Jane) who lives in Florida but will also return with her family again this year for the benefit.

Music was in the Withers boys’ blood, thanks to their grandfather, Nate Hale, who was their mother, Libby’s, father. He owned the Hale’s Store in downtown Waukon at the corner of Main and Allamakee Streets, where Bodensteiner Insurance is now. He was a drummer in the Waukon High School Orchestra, pictured here, in 1916. The Withers boys learned of their Grandpa Nate’s love for music through stories passed down by their parents and their grandmother, Eloise Hale, who was also musical. Eloise was known to play the ukulele, an instrument the family has kept and still cherishes.

All three of the Withers boys learned to the play the drums, like their grandfather. Bill, the oldest, started when he was in Junior High as a teen. The first time he knew he was hooked was when he was asked to accompany at an elementary school choir concert where he drummed in front of a large gymnasium crowd.

“I was 15 when a band called ‘The Western Playboys’ came to my folks’ house and simply asked if I could travel with them a bit. I couldn’t drive yet, and I never thought my mom would agree to it, but she did, and the next thing I knew I was playing in a bar in Jackson Junction, Iowa,” explains Bill. “A few of us later named one of our bands by that town’s name, Jackson Junction. I was both surprised and thankful my folks agreed to that, and I never stopped after that!”

“Our parents were always very supportive of our music interest, attending all of our school concerts and later many of our gigs,” adds Bill. “Long after our grandfather Nate passed, Grandma Eloise still wanted to attend our bar and dance hall gigs—well into her 80’s! Our family members took turns taking her for the first hour or so, simply so she could watch and listen. She lived out in the country and was always willing to host band members overnight as we were traveling around the tri-state area – we loved it because she always had Michelob beer in her fridge for us!”

Bill and Jim were close in age so shared many of the musical instruments and band experiences, as witnessed in the picture of them “doing a show“ for their parents in their living room.

“Music was a part of our lives from a very early age,” shared Jim. “I remember taking piano lessons from one of the sisters at St. Pat’s convent back then. Middle School and High School were awesome and included playing saxophone and drums in marching, concert, jazz and pep bands – Jack Robinson and Merlyn Finley were awesome teachers. Then in college, I played drums and bass in several iterations of the band and played bars and wedding dances. Those gigs created so many memories that I talk with the guys and my family about to this day.”

Jim adds, “BBF feels like we’ve come full circle with the music. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the show – it’s a great opportunity to create yet another memory.”

John Withers came along after Bill and Jim were established in both Jr. High and High School. He carefully watched and learned how much they enjoyed their music and loved to play the drums and other instruments, becoming a very accomplished drummer who still performs regularly today.

“Some of my earliest, and most treasured memories center around me running home after 1st or 2nd grade in order to get there before Bill and Jim,” explains youngest brother, John. “Mom would almost always be in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. I would ask the same three questions daily:’ Is Bill home?’ ‘Is Jim home?’ ‘Are any of the brothers home?’ After Mom would answer ‘No’ to all three questions with a smirk on her face….OFF TO THEIR DRUMSET I WOULD GO!!! I had to get my reps in ’cause the older boys were NOT fond of me messing with their stuff! As always, Mom had my back.”

All three of the Withers boys have had children who also played percussion or went on to other elements of music as part of their own childhoods, keeping the family tradition beginning with their grandfather, Nate Hale, going strong decades later.

The three Withers boys, along with the eight other members of the former bands they were apart of, will once again be reuniting to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital Healthcare Foundation at their second annual event on May 10. The Toe Tappers will take the stage first, at 6 pm, followed by two different sets of these 11 musicians from the four past local bands including Rising Sun, Horizon, Jackson Junction and Deep River.

Doors will open at 5 pm with free-will donations being taken at the door. All proceeds will be used to purchase a new Pyxis medication dispensing system for the hospital’s emergency rooms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Jayjack, jjayjack@inhf.org, 515-288-1846

Public invited to volunteer at Heritage Valley

The public is invited to join Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation on Saturday May 4, at Heritage Valley, a 1,200-acre private preserve near Decorah, for Into the Wild, Out with the Mustard!

Volunteers will hand-pull garlic mustard, one of the most invasive non-native plants in Iowa, from Heritage Valley’s woodlands. This is a great activity for everyone of all ages as garlic mustard is very easy to pull.

INHF will have fun items and tools for youth and families to enjoy while you pull garlic mustard including bird watching, sensory items and tools like magnifying lenses to help explore.

Two volunteer shifts are available, from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. Sign up for one or spend the day with us. A bag lunch will be provided. An RSVP is required. People are encouraged to arrive early to park and check-in.

EQUIPMENT & ATTIRE

• Work gloves and water bottle
• A hiking stick, binoculars, field guide and/or camera, if you like
• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, long pants and layers

DETAILS

• There is no experience necessary.
• Families are welcome.
• Attendees will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
• There will be a port-a-potty on site.
• Terrain at Heritage Valley can be hilly and uneven. Volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace and comfort level

ABOUT HERITAGE VALLEY

INHF purchased and permanently protected Heritage Valley in 2007 and has been actively restoring and stewarding the land ever since. The property is not open to the public, but there are occasionally public events held there. Oak-hickory woodlands, secluded hills and bluffs, sun-soaked goat prairies and three miles of the Upper Iowa River are some of the amazing natural features of Heritage Valley.

QUESTIONS

Learn more and register at inhf.org/events or contact Senior Land Stewardship and Blufflands Director Brian Fankhauser at bfankhauser@inhf.org or 563-382-2008.

There have been a lot of changes in and near Carlson Park! Join us for a community day at the park on Saturday, May 4, from 1-3 PM. Come see what’s new and get to know the original Carlson Park. Stop by the Decorah Rotary Club Binzebo Trailhead for free hot dogs and ice cream sponsored by Decorah Rotary Club while admiring the new access to Minowa Heights being built at Miller Park. Explore the original Carlson Park core loop on your own or meet us for a guided hike or bike ride. Rock collectors, be on the lookout for rocks from Decorah Rocks! Take them with you to re-hide or to keep.

The Decorah Farmers Market shifted its hours on Saturdays to be from 9:00 am to noon.  The shift in Saturday’s hours was based on vendor and customer survey results.  The Farmers Market now opens at 9:00 am versus 8:00 am.  The Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in addition to the new Saturday hours.  The Farmers Market is located in the parking lot below the Oneota Co-op in the City of Decorah, Iowa.

Pine Bluff Camp Cleanup up is on Saturday April 27th 9-noon.

It is an invitation to help get the non-profit camp in shape for the camping season.

We will be picking up sticks and lawn debris, cleaning cabins, cleaning the bath house, cleaning the kitchen/shelter and clearing trails across the river.

Bring your own work gloves, rakes, rags and buckets.

The Landing Market, Decorah, will host a “A Taste of Soul” dinner on Wed., April 24, 5-7 p.m.

The special meal will feature braised oxtails, rice & peas, cabbage, mac & cheese, and a rum punch cocktail or mocktail.

Robert Clay, Luther College Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer and Assistant to the President for Community Engagement, is preparing the meal.

Clay, who is originally from Chicago, first learned to cook “because he was hungry and likes to eat.” Primarily self-taught, he has polished his technique serving large family gatherings and taking culinary classes along the way.

“Robert’s reputation for the dishes he prepares preceded him, and we are thrilled he is going to share it with Decorah,” says Landing manager Terry Ramlo.

The cost for the meal is $25 per person. Capacity is limited. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing info@thelandingmarket.com.

This event is one of the Landing’s Passport Dinner, introduced in 2023, to bring the cuisine of other countries and cultures to the Decorah area and provide an opportunity to get to know about other places and meet new people.

The Landing Market is located at 211 College Dr., Decorah. It houses food and beverage-oriented establishments, which include Justin’s, The Buzz, and Root 43 as well as space for events. For more information, email info@thelandingmarket.com, or call (563) 277-1893.

Are you concerned about preserving the Mississippi River as a host for recreation and nature-lovers now and in the future? If so, please consider participating in the Friends of Pool 9 River Cleanup on April 13^th from 8 a.m. to noon. People interested in helping with this clean up should contact the group leaders at the following towns to get their assignments and sign up sheets. Each individual must sign a liability waiver. Those under the age of 18 must have signed parental permission to participate. Volunteers will receive gloves, garbage bags and water when they arrive. Dumpsters will be placed at strategic places on both sides of the river.

Group leaders are

DeSoto WI- Jerry Boardman, 563-419-7968

Ferryville WI- Larry Quamme-

Lynxville WI- Mark Schneden- 608-412-0483

New Albin IA- Jim Erbe- 563-419-1085

Lansing IA-Alex Galema- 563-568-7294

Pool 9 is the stretch of the Mississippi River that exists between Lock 8 at Genoa WI and Lock 9 at Lynxville WI on the river. The Friends of Pool 9 are stewards/caretakers of that section of the river. For several years, they have spearheaded a spring clean up to get the river ready for summer fun. This involves cleaning up trash and debris along the shores, on the islands and in the river itself.

This is a great activity for families to share knowledge about being caretakers of this beautiful stretch of the Mississippi River. Past volunteer cleanups have collected more than 168,800 pounds (84.4 tons) of debris from the river and recorded over 9,900 hours of volunteer time. In 2022, 100 volunteers collected 12, 160 pounds. The 2023 clean up was postponed because of flooding so the clean up was done as needed by individuals.