DECORAH COMMUNITY FREE MEAL
Building Community Plate by Plate

Join with family, friends and neighbors for a FREE meal* served between 5 pm and 6:15 pm on the third Thursday of the month, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah.
All ages are welcome.

The meal is served on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month beginning at 5 pm.

Main dishes are supplied by local restaurants with assistance by volunteers from community groups.

*Gluten free options are always available.
Donations welcome.

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting three book discussions in March. The groups are open to the public and newcomers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested should call the library at 382-3717 to learn more or to reserve a book.

The History Book Group will discuss Ingrid Rowland and Noah Charney’s “The Collector of Lives: Giorgio Vasari and the Invention of Art” at 6:30 p.m. Thurs. March 21^st on the 2^nd floor of the library. Giorgio Vasari (1511–1574) was a man of many talents—a sculptor, painter, architect, writer, and scholar—but he is best known for “Lives of the Artists,” the classic account that singlehandedly established the canon of Italian Renaissance art. It was through Vasari’s writings that Raphael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo came to be regarded as masters. In “The Collector of Lives,” Rowland and Charney introduce readers to this pivotal figure in art history. 

For more information, contact Kristin Torresdal at 563-382-3717. 

Join us for the 2019 Porter House Museum Lecture Series, featuring film historian Michael Zahs, Professor of Biology Kirk Larsen, and habitat restoration specialist Scott Leddy!

All talks are FREE and open to the public at the Lingonberry in downtown Decorah. Doors open at 7:00PM. Seating is first-come, first-served. A reception will follow each of the Lecture Series presentations.

MICHAEL ZAHS–March 6th
Zahs, the film historian featured in the acclaimed documentary Saving Brinton will demonstrate a historic magic lantern slide projector by recreating one of Decorah resident A.F. Porter’s slide shows of his journeys abroad in the 1910s and 1920s.
Co-hosted by the Oneota Film Festival

KIRK LARSEN–March 21st
What happened to that bug splat on my windshield?
Join Luther College Professor of Biology Kirk Larsen for a look at the troubling worldwide decline of insect populations… why is this important? And what might we be able to do to make a positive difference?

SCOTT LEDDY–April 11th
Naturalist, nature photographer, and habitat-restoration specialist Scott Leddy will take us on a visual journey to explore the native pollinators in our area and the prairie flowers that comprise their habitats.
Co-hosted by Seed Savers Exchange

PTCDecorahSpring2019Flier

The Calmar and Spillville libraries are hosting a painting party at Blepta Studios. Sara will guide you through this swirly tree painting on a 16×20 canvas. Bring a book to share: either tell us about a great book you have read or bring one to exchange with others. Cost is $30 and includes all supplies and instruction. Ages 14 and up are welcome. Reserve your spot (limit 20 people) by stopping in the taproom, calling 563-562-1053, or emailing sara@pivoblepta.com

  Decorah’s Maritza will present their signature Balkan boogie, Romany romp, and Klezmer kut-ups.

   Lively soulful tunes from Eastern Europe, Greece, Russia, and the Jewish klezmer tradition, played on accordion, violin, acoustic bass, and percussion.

Kids of all ages are invited to attend a LIVE raptor show featuring a red-tailed hawk and a screech owl at 11 am Saturday March 23 at Decorah Public Library. The show is free thanks to the Friends of Decorah Public Library- but seating is limited, so please register in advance at:

https://www.decorah.lib.ia.us/event-directory/soar-saving-our-avian-resources

Award-winning nonprofit rehabilitation and education group SOAR: Saving Our Avian Resources and their feathered friends will teach kids about the amazing adaptations of local raptors and their role in our environment.

SOAR was established in 1999 to perform raptor rehabilitation, education, and research. SOAR provides care for over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from Western Iowa. They also provide educational programs about non-releasable birds of prey throughout Iowa. Data collected by SOAR helps with ongoing research to improve rehab techniques, prevent future mortality, and to detect threats to wildlife populations.

For more information about SOAR or to see their current patients and educational ambassadors visit www.soarraptors.org.

Save the date for “Ocean Odyssey: Sting Rays” with the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium on Saturday April 27. Two shows will be provided; registration will open on the library website by March 15.

This program is free, but registration is required at:

https://www.decorah.lib.ia.us/event-directory/soar-saving-our-avian-resources

Lanesboro Arts is proud to present an Art Making Crawl as a part of the Spring into Art Festival in Lanesboro on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Art Making Crawl is a free opportunity for participants to create with a variety of different art mediums, as well as learn techniques from artists.

The Art Making Crawl was created to make art more accessible and relevant to area residents. Lanesboro Arts will host art activities in eight different downtown businesses. These businesses will each have a different medium for participants to experience and experiment with.

This fun filled Art Making Crawl is meant to bring more awareness to our local businesses, along with supporting artists and connecting members of our community together. Visitors are encouraged to explore the businesses they are in as well as engage in the art activities.

Some of the confirmed businesses participating will be the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro Arts’ St. Mane Theatre and Gallery, the Cottage House Inn, Cheryl’s Fabric Garden, Lu-Lu’s Fun House, and the Black Crow Gallery. Additional business will be added as they are confirmed.

Art Making Crawl Stations will include mediums and experience with watercolor, collage, charcoal, pastels, tempera on canvases, wire sculpture, fabric looms, book & stamp making, and more!

Artists that will be assisting at the different locations with various mediums will be the Artists competing in the Canvas Clash later in the evening from 9 – 11 p.m. Confirmed participating visual artists include Joan Finnegan, Jamie Harper, Samie Johnson, Stena Lieb, Erik Pearson, Jes Reyes, Lyon Smith and Meranda Turbak.

If participants choose to do so, artwork created during the Art Making Crawl will be installed and put on display in the Commonweal Theatre’s events hall for free and public viewing Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (participants can pick up their pieces from the Lanesboro Arts Gallery after Tuesday, April 2).

If you are interested in volunteering with the Art Making Crawl please contact Kara Maloney at kara@lanesboroarts.org

Spring into Art is an interactive, two-weekend celebration of creativity and community co-presented by Commonweal Theatre and Lanesboro Arts. Featuring an art crawl, a canvas clash, an original art exhibition, film screenings, live music, panel discussions, a production of “Bakersfield Mist” by Stephen Sachs, and more, the Spring into Art Festival is your cure for cabin fever. View the full schedule of events here: https://www.commonwealtheatre.org/news-events/spring-into-art/

This program is made possible by a grant from the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation and Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Kids of all ages are invited to attend a LIVE raptor show featuring a red-tailed hawk and a screech owl at 11 am Saturday March 23 at Decorah Public Library. The show is free thanks to the Friends of Decorah Public Library- but seating is limited, so please register in advance by visiting the library website (www.decorah.lib.ia.us). 

Award-winning nonprofit rehabilitation and education group SOAR (Saving Our Avian Resources) and their feathered friends will teach kids about the amazing adaptations of local raptors and their role in our environment. 

SOAR was established in 1999 to perform raptor rehabilitation, education, and research. SOAR provides care for over 300 birds each year that have been injured or orphaned, primarily from Western Iowa. They also provide educational programs about non-releasable birds of prey throughout Iowa. Data collected by SOAR helps with ongoing research to improve rehab techniques, prevent future mortality, and to detect threats to wildlife populations. For more information about SOAR or to see their current patients and educational ambassadors visit www.soarraptors/org. 

Save the date for “Ocean Odyssey: Sting Rays” with the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium on Saturday April 27. Two shows will be provided; registration will open on the library website by March 15. 

Wondering what else is happening at the library? Visit us on Facebook or Instagram.

Call the library at 563-382-3717 for more information.

Cash prizes to the top three players, $10 entry fee. Reserve your spot by stopping in the taproom or calling 563-562-1053. Arrive between 11:30 and 12:30 to get your seat assignment and pay the fee. Play begins at 1:00, we will use double jokers, and play 16 games with 8 hands per game.

When days are short and nights grow long, it’s time to celebrate community the Norwegian way—with warm drinks, good friends, and an untranslatable word—koselig!

Drop by Vesterheim’s Bruening Visitor Center for delicious cake and good conversation and get a feel for koselig. This informal gathering is free and open to everyone. Come and go as you wish.

What is koselig? Cozy is the closest translation, but it’s really much more than that. It’s a very deep feeling of warmth and contentment; a sense of intimacy and comfort. It’s a candlelit dinner party with friends and family. A wool sweater, a cup of hot cocoa, and a comfy couch with the latest Nordic crime drama on TV. It’s a fresh batch of warm waffles from scratch with homemade jam after a jaunt through the woods on your cross-country skis. Stop by Vesterheim and experience koselig!

Dinner At Eight, Dead By Nine Murder Mystery Dinner at Cresco Theatre and Opera House
Presented by Cresco Theatre Commission and Cresco Community Theatre

Saturday, March 23 at 5 pm and Sunday, March 23 at Noon and 5 pm

In Champlin Hall (Basement of the theatre) 115 2nd Ave West Cresco IA

Tickets are $25

Available at Cresco Chamber, Cresco Theatre, Cresco Bank & Trust and CUSB Bank

Meal: Charcuterie Board Appetizer, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, & Chocolate Mousse

Sponsored by Cresco Bank & Trust

Annie Rude & Gary Halvorson will be playing bluegrass and folk music in the taproom, stop in and relax with us and enjoy the music!

Lanesboro Arts is proud to present The Canvas Clash, a fast-paced, live painting tournament on Saturday, March 23 at 9 p.m. in the Commonweal Theatre Events Hall, as part of the Spring into Art Festival. Eight artists will compete in a multi-round art battle, transforming blank canvases into beautiful pieces of art in just 20 minutes, with attendees voting on their favorites until a champion is crowned. Enjoy craft brews and music by DJ Troy while seeing art created right before your eyes in a raucous, yet family-friendly environment. This event is open to the public with a $10 suggested donation at the door.

The Canvas Clash is showcasing a diverse roster of artists, each bringing a unique style and perspective to this exciting event. You may see artists creating abstract works, paintings inspired by the Lanesboro landscape or even depicting pop culture icons. Confirmed participating visual artists include Joan Finnegan, Jamie Harper, Samie Johnson, Stena Lieb, Erik Pearson, Jes Reyes, Lyon Smith and Meranda Turbak. Selected pieces will be made available for sale via a sealed bid auction.

Attendees will receive three tickets when they arrive, which will be used to vote once after each round. Attendees have five minutes after each round to vote for their favorite work by placing a ticket in corresponding artist’s bucket at the voting table. Volunteers will then count the number of tickets in each bucket and announce the artists that will advance (or who has won). Elimination will work as follows: Round one – first group of 4 artists, Round two – second group of 4 artists, Round three – head to head match up of winners from rounds 1 and 2.

Lanesboro Arts is looking for volunteers to help count ballots, re-stock supplies, and clean materials in between each round. Please contact Adam at adam@lanesboroarts.org or 507-467-2446 x4 if you are interested in volunteering at this unique event.

Spring into Art is an interactive, two-weekend celebration of creativity and community co-presented by Commonweal Theatre and Lanesboro Arts. Featuring an art crawl, a canvas clash, an original art exhibition, film screenings, live music, panel discussions, a production of “Bakersfield Mist” by Stephen Sachs, and more, the Spring into Art Festival is your cure for cabin fever. View the full schedule of events here: https://www.commonwealtheatre.org/news-events/spring-into-art/

Competing Artists:

Joan Finnegan‘s award winning oil paintings are inspired by a deep appreciation and love of nature. Her wonderful use of color and light works well painting outdoors with nature & unpredictable conditions as well as in the protected environment of her home studio. Her paintings reflect the softer side of nature, inviting the viewer to step into her art and experience beauty, peace and tranquility. She continues to expand her art thru studies and workshops with painting masters as well as teaching classes and giving private lessons. joanfinnegan.com

Jamie Harper, who also operates under the name Salvaged Medium, is a Winona-based artist that has been painting for almost a decade. Using only reclaimed materials, including recycled latex house paints and hollow-core doors, makes his work not only sustainable, but also gives it its most unique quality. Much of Harper’s work takes influence from nature. The subjects are painted on in a messy, yet sharp manner before he adds on an extra layer of splatters of color to give each piece its own unique mood. Harper has worked on large projects for Great River Shakespeare Festival, Boats & Bluegrass Festival and Charlie Parr. His work has been exhibited from Winona to the North Shore. Commonweal Theatre has also commissioned Harper to create a painting to be used as a central prop in their current production of “Bakersfield Mist” as part of the Spring Into Art Festival. facebook.com/SalvagedMedium/

Samie Johnson is an artist and community member born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. Samie began her arts education at Perpich Arts High School and spent 10 months post graduation participating in Public Allies- a leadership development Americorps program. Since 2012 She has been working with Goodspace Murals in Minneapolis on various mural projects including the “Colors of Bluff Country” mural on back of the State Mane Theater.  As an artist she continues to be inspired by the intersection of art, community building and spaces for social change and healing.

Stena Lieb is the full-time art teacher at Lanesboro Public Schools. A native of the Lanesboro area, Lieb graduated from LPS in 1997 and went on to major in K-12 Visual Arts at Winona State University, graduating with honors in 2002. A mother of five from a creative family, Lieb lives on a farm near Pilot Mound. She currently teaches classes in printmaking, journalism, fiber arts, elementary art, drawing & painting, and 7th & 8th grade art. She also helped organize an Empty Bowls event at LPS in February 2019.

Erik Pearson was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, by the shore of Lake Superior and currently lives in St. Paul, MN. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with emphasis in painting, from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. In 2001, he was awarded the first Artist in Residence at Lanesboro Arts, this experience has inspired him to quit his job and pursue art full-time. Erik Pearson shows his art through galleries, private shows and murals. He has also completed over a dozen public murals with the largest mural being a 2,500 square foot outdoor painting for the Bloomington Center for the Arts in Bloomington, Minnesota. http://erikpearsonart.com/

Jes Reyes is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and arts administrator. She has exhibited with Feminist Video Quarterly, Made Here, and the Walker Art Center and is the founder of the Altered Esthetics Film Festival. She coordinates programming for Avivo ArtWorks (formerly Spectrum ArtWorks), a multifaceted, community-focused art studio for artists living with mental illness. She has a BA in Women’s Studies and Film/Electronic Arts from California State University, Long Beach and a Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. jesreyes.com.

Lyon Smith is an interdisciplinary artist that grew into an artist alongside his father and local talent Leo Smith, perched on a workbench, absorbing, learning, collaborating since he was a little boy. And in the years since, Lyon has made a name for himself, traveling the world, opening a gallery called Diamonds and Oranges in the East Village, and working as an architectural designer specializing in 3D illustrations for firms in Telluride and the Big Apple. Based in Winona since 2009, Lyon is a sculptor, painter, print maker, designer and woodcarver. He curated exhibitions, displayed his work and operated the Lyon Smith Gallery in downtown Winona from 2009 to 2016. Owner and chef of Winona restaurant The Boathouse, Lyon is a culinary artist as well! lyonsmith.blogspot.com

Meranda Turbak was born in Watertown, SD, in 1979 and currently lives in Saint Paul, MN. She works from her studio in NE Minneapolis and exhibits her work throughout the Twin Cities. Meranda’s paintings reflect concerned with cultural and personal expectations, struggling with matters relating to identity, specifically: success, happiness and relationships. With paint and pen Turbak recognizes her work emerging from random splatters of paint, exploring depth by shading with pen until mysterious little landscapes and figures form. merandaturbak.com

This program is made possible by a grant from the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation and the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Stop by from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in Vesterheim’s Bruening Visitor Center, 502 W. Water Street, to learn a tune, share a tune, jam with us, or just come to listen.

Bring any instrument you play and join in. This informal music collaboration is great fun for all levels and happens the fourth Sunday of each month.

Drop in whenever it works in your schedule. No charge. Recording device advised.

For more info contact Martha Griesheimer at mgriesheimer@vesterheim.org.

So good, we’re bringing it back for those who couldn’t attend the first class. A plant-based, whole foods diet has been recommended by physicians like Caldwell Esselstyn, M.D. of the Cleveland Clinic (How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease), Michael Greger, M.D. (How Not to Die) and Alana Pulde, M.D. and Matthew Lederman, M.D. (Forks Over Knives) in order to prevent and even reverse illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. This (vegan) diet has been proven to be curative, AND it can be delicious. Katherine Hannigan will demonstrate and share some of the best recipes she’s found, cooking tips, and more information about this way of cooking and eating. It’s good for the planet, too!

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a fellowship of people whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. The only requirement for attending our meetings is a desire for healthy and loving relationships – with ourselves and with others.

Not sure if you are co-dependent? Some patterns are:

– using indirect communication, such as hinting, to try to head off conflict (real or imagined);

– becoming resentful when our advice, help, or gifts are declined or unappreciated;

– not expressing our own feelings, beliefs, or opinions when they differ from others;

– have difficulty admitting a mistake, or re-hashing old mistakes over and over;

– perfectionism;

– perceiving ourselves as totally unselfish and dedicated to the well-being of others, and wishing others could see how much we do for them…

The list of patterns goes on.

We invite you to explore what it is like to LIVE life rather than to merely survive life. There is hope for a new day with CoDA! It is suggested that newcomers try six basic meetings before deciding if CoDA is right for them.

We also have an in-depth discussion on Sundays from 4:00-4:30pm to which anyone is welcome. (The basic meeting starts immediately afterwards, and both occur at NE Iowa Peace & Justice Center, 119 Winnebago Street.)

All attendees are anonymous. Who attends and what is said stays absolutely confidential.

Director Jennaya Robison welcomes you to the Luther College Gospel Choir , a choir focused on bringing peace, justice, and joy through music.  We rehearse Sundays from 5-6pm whenever Luther is in session, in the Choir Room at the Jenson-Noble Hall of Music.  Come whenever you can–there is no registration, no obligation, and no experience necessary. The group is open to ALL singers high school through adult (including staff, faculty, community members.)  There will be some performance opportunities, but singers don’t need to feel obligated to attend performances that don’t fit in their schedules.

Hello Expectant Mama.  If you are looking for some tender loving movement work while you are building a little human inside, you have found the right person.

Choose between Private, Personal, 1 to 1 work or join other mamas (in varying stages of their pregnancy journey) for a Prenatal Pilates Class on Sundays @ Anytime Fitness of Decorah, 5:30 p.m.!

Private Sessions, in-home studio, are by appointment only.
Decorah Pilates w/ Kelly Searcy
516.672.7306 | reachme@kellysearcy.com

Dragonfly Books invites everyone to Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. for a Literary Open Mic Night on Sunday, March 24 at 7:00 PM! Prose, poetry, fiction, memoir — all original work is welcome. Emceed by local KDEC radio host Jeni Grouws and featuring MIBA bookseller and author Danny Caine from The Raven Book Store, the Literary Open Mic Night is a high-energy celebration of literary talent.

Performers will have 3 minutes or less to share their original work and can sign up online at www.dragonflybooks.com/event/openmic or at the door. Don’t want to read, but love a good literary performance? Grab a pint of local brew and enjoy the show!

This FREE event is open to the public and sponsored by Dragonfly Books, Decorah Bank & Trust, and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association.

DGA ANNUAL MEETING March 25th. The Annual Meeting of DGA will be held at 7pm in the Decorah Senior Center Dining Room. There will be no election of officers this year as 2019 is year two of the current board term. Following the Annual Meeting (ca 7:30pm) Irmgard Ellingson will present a program on the Czech genealogy research collection that the Decorah Genealogy Association (DGA) recently received. Free-lance researcher Paul Polansky operated the Czech Historical Research Center (CHRC) in Spillville in the early 1990s. He was the son of Victor Polansky, a well-known baseball player in Spillville and Mason City in the 1920s-1930s.

CRHC holdings were placed in storage when it closed. Recently the DGA received boxes with family-specific research, a Berni Rula book, and 17th century tax and census record copies as well as microfilmed and original copies of Czech-language newspapers

7:00-8:15 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 302 W Broadway St, Decorah, IA

We are a meditation practice and study group that gathers each week for a variety of meditation teaching videos/readings, group discussion, and guided and silent meditations. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and go weekly as fits your schedule. (There is no requirement to attend every week.)

We generally use curriculum from Tergar, an international meditation community dedicated to making the practice of meditation accessible to the modern world. We sometimes add in teachings from other meditation teachers connected to Tergar. The meditation and study is based on Buddhist teachings, but is presented in a secular manner and suitable for people of all faiths, as well as both beginning and experienced meditators.

We have relatively comfortable chairs for our meditation, but you are always welcome to bring a cushion or mat or anything you’d find more comfortable, and there will be space to sit on the floor if you wish.

The group is volunteer led. We are grateful for the use of the space at the Methodist Church. Please bring a couple dollars donation for the church if possible, but it’s not necessary.

Together we are learning the essentials of meditation. It’s easier than you think!

In meditation we explore the landscape of the heart and mind with awareness. What we discover is a true and lasting happiness that does not depend on the outer conditions of our lives. With this relaxed, spacious approach to meditation, we learn to use every experience in life as an opportunity to awaken.

Contact us for more information:
Becky Idstrom 563-379 9446 and beckyidstrom@gmail.com
Alicia Trout 563-419-7610 and alicia.jw.trout@gmail.com

Join us for a piano recital of Gabriel’s Hill, by our own Mark Whelan.

Join the Decorah Public Library in welcoming Master Beekeeper Ed St. John, District 3 Director of the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA), for an overview on beekeeping in Iowa. St. John has managed backyard honeybee colonies since 2012 and currently cares for 14 colonies.

Part of the IHPA’s mission is to educate the public about beekeeping and to promote the advancement of the beekeeping industry. Honeybees pollinate 80% of the United States’ flowering crops which constitute one third of everything we eat.

St. John’s presentation will take place in the Mezzanine of the Decorah Public Library. For further information, contact Carmen Buss at the library 382-3717.

Growing Hops in Iowa has grown a lot these past few years. The Winneshiek County – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office is providing a “Growing Hops Program,” that will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 6:30 – 7:45 PM at the PIVO Brewery, 101 Huber Drive, Calmar, Iowa. This program will be led by Keri Byrum, owner of Cedar Falls Hops. Keri will be sharing great information on the anatomy of hops, how hops are grown and harvested to make Iowa beers, the structures for growing hops, and the care, maintenance and harvesting of hops. The cost of this program is free to the public. 

Raptor Banding-Raptor Resource Project:  Images and Stories From the Field

Join Upper Iowa Audubon Society and SophiaLanders as she shares extraordinary photos and captivating stories from the fall raptor migration. Working alongside Master Banders Dave Kester and Jon Stravers, Sophia spent the fall season learning how to band raptors to further conservation efforts and understand migration patterns through the Decorah area. Bringing with her a love of birds and learning, along with a talent for photography, Sophia captured the fall migration season like never before. Learn all about the raptor banding project, while hearing fun stories from the field and view some of the best up close and personal hawk photos ever! 

All UIA programs are free and open to the public

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a fellowship of people whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. The only requirement for attending our meetings is a desire for healthy and loving relationships – with others, and with ourselves.

Not sure if you might be co-dependent? Some patterns are:

– thinking we can take care of ourselves without any help;

– difficulty making decisions, or second-guessing the decisions we made;

– believing we are unworthy;

– trouble setting boundaries – yet feeling resentful when others overstep those unstated boundaries;

– fear expressing our own opinions;

– offering advice or help without being asked;

– losing rest – or even sleep – worrying or obsessing about others and their problems;

– harshly judging ourselves and others… The list of patterns goes on.

We invite you to explore LIVING life rather than merely getting through life. There is hope for a new day with CoDA! It is suggested that newcomers try six basic meetings before deciding if CoDA is right for them.

We meet Wednesdays from 1-2pm at the Lingonberry, enter at 218 W Water Street. All attendees are always anonymous. Who attends and what is said stays absolutely confidential.

BINGO in the taproom. No fee to play, it’s just for fun and you might win a free beverage! We have all the supplies you need, and all ages are welcome.

Live mandolin music at Java John’s!

Children ages 3 to 6, with a favorite adult, are invited to join Rachel Myers from Winneshiek County Farm Bureau for a fun and interactive storytime featuring books and make-and-take crafts.

For additional information, please contact Decorah Public Library at (563)382-3717. This program is free and open to the public.

It’s a pet show of the artistic kind.  Paintings, prints, sculptures and artistic photographs of dogs, cats, horses, birds and more are being displayed in this show. Work may be viewed 1-5 pm Monday-Friday and occasional Saturdays with volunteer staffing.

A closing reception with optional silent auction will take place on March 29 with proceeds going to the Humane Society of NE Iowa.

DATES & TIMES: Closing Reception, March 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

COST: Free!

LOCATION: ArtHaus

Could it finally be time to invest in solar for your home, farm, or business?

2019 is the perfect storm of low solar costs and the last year for high state and high federal and state tax credits (which start decreasing after this year) and the Winneshiek Solar Fair is your place to learn about solar financing, tax credits, area installers, and more. Talk to local solar contractors, attend workshops, demonstrations and more. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, March 30th
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Danan Lansing Building, Winneshiek County Fairgrounds

The Winneshiek Solar Fair is sponsored by the Winneshiek Energy District, KVIK/KNEI, Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities, and Decorah Bank and Trust.

Learn more: energydistrict.org/solarfair

Winneshiek County Conservation will be hosting a waterfowl viewing field trip to Cardinal Marsh on Sunday, March 31 at 2:00 pm.

Join naturalist Larry Reis in looking for the wide variety of waterfowl and other birds passing through and settling in at Cardinal Marsh.

Please meet at the marsh’s south parking lot off of Madison Road. Directions and a map are available at www.winneshiekwild.com under “Maps and Directions.”

This event is free and no registration is required. Bring binoculars if you have them.

For more information, call Winneshiek County Conservation at (563) 534-7145.

Michael McElrath is a local performer who primarily plays folk/blues but dabbles in country and rock as well. He plays 6 and 12-string guitar & is influenced (and does songs by) Bob Dylan, Neil Young, James Taylor, John Prine, and Townes Van Zandt to name just a few. Michael will perform directly following our monthly Euchre tournament.

NST is a non-profit competitive swim club open to all area youth swimmers. Long course season is a two or four month competitive season. Swim practice times and swim meets will vary based on ability and age level. Any questions about the upcoming season can be directed to: northeasternswimteam@gmail.com.

The Decorah Impact Structures and the Winneshiek Discoveries

** Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 6:30–8 p.m.

Decorah Public Library

** Thursday, April 4, 2019, 9:40–10:50 a.m.

Valders Hall of Science 206, Luther College

A unique shale deposit with amazing fossilized life-forms, decades

of well logs with unexplained features, and aerial geophysical

surveys all led geologists to the discovery that Decorah sits above

a three-and-a-half-mile-wide crater created by a meteorite impact

about 470 million years ago. Come hear guest speakers Paul Liu

and Robert McKay present on their findings and the scientific

journey that led them to the discovery of the impact structure and

the unique fossil life preserved in the ancient crater basin.

Lectures open to the public • No charge for admission

The Decorah Impact Structures and the Winneshiek Discoveries

** Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 6:30–8 p.m.

Decorah Public Library

** Thursday, April 4, 2019, 9:40–10:50 a.m.

Valders Hall of Science 206, Luther College

A unique shale deposit with amazing fossilized life-forms, decades

of well logs with unexplained features, and aerial geophysical

surveys all led geologists to the discovery that Decorah sits above

a three-and-a-half-mile-wide crater created by a meteorite impact

about 470 million years ago. Come hear guest speakers Paul Liu

and Robert McKay present on their findings and the scientific

journey that led them to the discovery of the impact structure and

the unique fossil life preserved in the ancient crater basin.

Lectures open to the public • No charge for admission

DECORAH COMMUNITY FREE MEAL
Building Community Plate by Plate

Join with family, friends and neighbors for a FREE meal* served between 5 pm and 6:15 pm on the first Thursday of the month at First Lutheran Church in Decorah.
All ages are welcome.

The meal is served on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month beginning at 5 pm.

Main dishes are supplied by Sodexo at Luther College or by local restaurants. Salads and desserts are provided by volunteers from local community groups.

*Gluten free options are always available.
Donations welcome.

Iowa author Linda McCann is slated to speak at the annual meeting of the Questers at the Decorah Public Library Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. McCann, best known for her “Lost Towns” book series which highlights communities that disappeared along the Cedar River, will discuss another of her books, “The Civilian Conservation Corps in Northeast Iowa.” The program is free and open to the public.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a New Deal program created in 1933 during the Great Depression, meant to assist young men in supporting their families. The program helped young men earn a living, and gain an education as well as employment skills. Many Iowans know about the work done in state parks by CCC members, but McCann has spoken with over 20 men who were in the CCC and will share memories of their experiences in the CCC camps.

Questers is an international organization interested in antiques and in preserving the past for future generations. There are 120 Questers chapters in Iowa, including two in Decorah. For more information on Questers, visit www.questers1944.org. For more information on the Decorah chapters contact OneotaQuesters@gmail.com.

Raise a glass to everyone’s favorite TV painter Bob Ross at Happy Trees, Happy Hour at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum!

Join your friends at this free event for everyone who loves Bob Ross, dressing up, coloring, and art. Come dressed as your favorite artist (doesn’t have to be Bob) and enter a costume contest to win a Bob Ross Chia Pet. The winner will be announced at 7:00 p.m.

While you’re here, try your hand at making some happy little trees and gentle streams on your own refrigerator magnets. There will be coloring books, inspiring art work, and beer, wine, and snacks.

Happy Trees, Happy Hour is part of the Christian Midjo: Choose Your Own Adventure exhibit sponsored by Greg and Karen Bruening.

Bob Ross was the creator and host of The Joy of Painting, an instructional television program that aired from 1983 to 1994 on PBS. A fun fact is that one of Bob Ross’s instructors is represented in Vesterheim’s collection. Thorn Nordheim emigrated from Norway to the U.S. in 1925. He spent most of his life teaching methods of painting and setting up schools for amateur artists. He taught in New York City, California, and then in Missouri where Bob Ross was a student.

Emerging artists ages 18-25, living within 100 miles of Decorah are welcome to submit photographs of up to three artworks for ArtHaus’ annual juried Emerging Artist Exhibition. Best of Show winner receives a cash prize and a solo gallery show at ArtHaus. Check out arthausdecorah.org/call-for-entries for details.

Cost: $20 to apply
Work Submitted by: March 15 @ 12 pm
Opening Reception: April 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open M-F until: May 10 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Come laugh it up at T-Bock’s as part of Womens’ Weekend Out! This show will appeal to gals, guys, and anyone who enjoys a good laugh! 

Our comedy night will feature comedian Mike Merryfield with Tracy Schroeder opening. 

In a business where too many performers rely on shtick or the latest political joke du jour to get laughs, Mike Merryfield is refreshingly original. His act never feels fake or forced. By simply being himself, he’s become a comic on the verge of stardom. 

Tracy Schroeder has been doing comedy for 15 years and couldn’t imagine doing anything else because, frankly, she has no other skills and lacks the motivation to get a real job. Her sharp wit and whimsical ability to see what’s wrong with the world has not only made her a great comic but has also cost her every human relationship she’s ever had. 

General Admission seating. Doors open at 7:30pm, so come early to get your preferred seat and/or save a table for your group. Showtime begins at 8:30pm.

Event is located in T-Bock’s Upstairs. There is no food available Upstairs, so feel free to join us on the main floor of the Restaurant for dinner before the show.

Advance tickets are $12 sold only through Eventbrite. The show is expected to sell out, so get your tickets today! Any leftover tickets will be sold at the door for $15.

Kransekake, the “queen of Norwegian cakes,” is an almond wreath cake baked in graduated rings to form a tower. In this hands-on class, you will mix and form dough made from ground almonds into circular kransekake shapes, or bar cookies. Then you will bake and decorate. Serving the kransekake will also be demonstrated. Kransekake might make an excellent wedding or graduation cake!

April 6, 2019 with Carrie Solberg

Youth ages 15-17 receive a 25% discount. A 50% discount is available (on a standby basis) for Winneshiek County residents.

This one-day course is designed for family members who have a loved one dealing with mental illness, but is also open to the general public.

Participants will learn about:

• Types of mental illnesses
• Treatments and recovery
• Coping strategies
• Communication tools
• The mental health system
• Local resources 

Call Susan Friedrich at 563-422-7882 for more information and to register.

Pre-registration is Required.  Register up to the day before: 

by phone or at
Hope4RecoveryNEiowa9.eventbrite.com 

There is no charge, but please bring a sack lunch.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with
mental illnesses and their families. NAMI offers education, support and advocacy.

This workshop is sponsored in part by a grant from the Allamakee County Community Foundation.

Are you curious about meditation? Is it something anyone can do? Is it really very helpful for your life? Find out at a workshop, “Calming the Mind, Joy of Living 1,” on Saturday & Sunday, April 6-7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Amdal-Odland Heritage Center, 523 W. Water St., in Decorah. Register online here.

In this weekend workshop participants will learn how meditation can help create a peaceful mind and joyful heart. The workshop includes recorded video teachings by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, presentations on the key points of meditation practice by facilitator Kasumi Kato, and guided meditation and discussion.

This presentation is suitable for people of all faiths, as well as both beginning and experienced meditators. The cost is $135. Financial assistance is available, if ability to pay makes it difficult to attend this program. Email events@tergar.org with questions.

This is the second “Joy of Living” workshop that Kasumi has facilitated in Decorah. Kasumi grew up in northern Japan, where she learned to meditate from a young age. Since 2001, she has studied yoga, meditation, massage, and other healing arts throughout the world. She has received extensive training in mindfulness and other forms of meditation, and has a great love of solitary retreats. Kasumi has two Master’s degrees, and currently teaches Japanese.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a Buddhist monk who possesses a rare ability to present the ancient wisdom of Tibet in a fresh, secular, and engaging manner. He is the guide for Tergar, an international meditation community dedicated to making the practice of meditation accessible to the modern world.

These recorded teachings weave together Mingyur Rinpoche’s personal experiences with modern scientific research. His profound yet accessible teachings and playful sense of humor shine through even in the video recordings.

In 2002, Mingyur Rinpoche was invited to the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where Richard Davidson, Antoine Lutz, and other scientists examined the effects of meditation on the brains of advanced meditators. The results of this groundbreaking research were reported in many of the world’s most widely read publications, including “National Geographic” and “Time.”

This workshop is organized by Becky Idstrom and Alicia Trout who co-facilitate a meditation and study group in Decorah. The group meets on Mondays from 7:00-8:15 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Decorah and everyone is welcome to these Monday meditation sessions any time.

Rachel Sandhorst will host two FREE flowers-and-stem crochet class as part of a yarn bombing community art project, that will be interwoven on the fence surrounding the Viking State Bank Construction (permission has been given). Everyone 8-years-old and older are welcome to attend.

AGE: Everyone

DATES & TIMES:

Saturday, April 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saturday, April 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Rachel Sandhorst

COST: Free!

LOCATION: ArtHaus

Register for free at www.arthaus.com

Do you feel the walls closing in? We do too! Let’s get together and spend the day doing fun- community building movement. Every 30 minutes we will begin a new Discover Happy specialty class!
Join us for every class or pop for what suits you and socialize while you wait for your next class to start.
Enjoy time with friends, warm beverages, snacks, and movement!
11am-1130am Restorative Release (Amanda)
11:45-12:30 Pilates Mat (Terri Ann)
12:45-1:30pm Club Dance (Molly)
1:45pm-2:30pm Aerial All Level (April)
2:30-3pm Gentle Yoga (Odette)

Side Note: We are aware it’s Women’s Weekend Out, however, this is for dudes too 🙂

$35 for the whole enchilada

Discoverhappy@gmail.com | 563-419-0346

Auditions for New Minowa Players’ Mamma Mia! will be held April 6th and 7th at the little theater (906 South Mill Street). Performances will be June 27-30, 2019.

Planning to audition? Bring the following: one verse plus the chorus of a prepared song, and a monologue of 60-90 seconds. Dress comfortably for movement.

Connor Garvey is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine, with the amiable presence of an entertainer, the lyrical depth of a poet, and the enchantment of a storyteller. He will be making his return visit to Decorah on Saturday, April 6.

Garvey leaves audiences uplifted and inspired through a positive message delivered in a way The Portland Press Herald says proves you can be optimistic and self-aware without being boring. His unique sandy tenor and masterful blend of rhythm and melody draw comparison to Paul Simon and contemporaries Josh Ritter and Jason Mraz. He wins song competitions. He fills rooms. But most of all he moves people.

First time listeners often are drawn to Garvey’s engaging performance style, accomplished musicianship, and memorable melodies. But his lyrics project a depth and sincerity that allow the observant listener to find meaning beyond the catchy hook. Meanwhile, the intricate production of his albums adds emotional depth and keeps the songs fresh play after play.

This combination of songwriting and performance strength has earned Garvey numerous awards including being named winner of the Kerrville New Folk, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, SolarFest, Wildflower Art and Music Festival and Maine Songwriters Association songwriting competitions, voted as Most Wanted artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, nominated for Best Male Performer in the New England Music Awards, and a top new singer songwriter by Sirius XM’s The Coffeehouse.

We are excited to bring Connor back to Decorah after his performance in 2018 left audiences craving more. Join us for this great night of music in beautiful downtown Decorah!

Tickets are $15/$12 student
RSVP to jim.kowitz@gmail.com or mockje01@luther.edu to reserve your seat.

Have questions? Contact Jim Kowitz at 952.201.7648.

ArtHaus is pleased to bring back 6 Iowa Queens! The show will feature singing, dancing and skits that will entertain you all night long. Click here for a sample of what’s in store for the evening! Tickets $15 in advance (may be purchased at arthausdecorah.org) or $20 at the door. Seating is first come, first serve. Prepare to be dazzled!

DATE & TIME: April 6 @ 9 pm

COST: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

LOCATION: Decorah Elk’s Lodge

SPONSORED BY: Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott

Need to recover and recharge after the weekend? Laree Schouweiler, owner and founder of Reefuel, will lead participants in a 60-minute all-levels yoga flow with a focus on restorative postures, recovery, and relaxation. All are welcome!

After yoga, participants will enjoy coffee and a cinnamon roll, with a “Hair of the Dawg” Bloody Mary bar!

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that they can move in. Bring a yoga mat if you have one; if not, there will be a few available to borrow. To deepen your relaxation, blankets and pillows are also encouraged! 

$25 / person includes the yoga class, coffee, cinnamon roll, and a visit to the bloody mary bar!

Registration is only through Eventbrite. A limited number of spots are available, so register soon to reserve your spot. Contact tbocks.events@gmail.com with any questions.

Auditions for New Minowa Players’ Mamma Mia! will be held April 6th and 7th at the little theater (906 South Mill Street). Performances will be June 27-30, 2019.

Planning to audition? Bring the following: one verse plus the chorus of a prepared song, and a monologue of 60-90 seconds. Dress comfortably for movement.

Local musician Emily Stene will be joining us this month. She will be showcasing her wonderful flute skills while being accompanied on the piano.

The Classics at Montauk Concert Series captures the spirit of parlor concerts that were fashionable in fine homes during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Musicians are accompanied on the 1916 Mason and Hamlin grand piano in the music room at the Montauk mansion, the home of former Iowa Governor William Larrabee and his wife, Anna.

There will be a short reception following the concert. This allows guests the chance to meet and talk with the musicians.

The concert series is sponsored by the Clermont Historical Society and the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

Russell Baldner explores the life and times of Martin Luther, places he lived and worked, the teachings and Reformation he inspired, and the colleagues and defenders who stood by his side. Drawing on striking photography from the 2018 tour in Germany, the presentation features a wealth of attractive scenes and historical architecture from Eisenach, the Wartburg, Erfurt, Leipzig, and Wittenberg; historical portraiture and artifacts; and a little light-hearted fare here and there; all of which culminates in a 289-step ascent to the top of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) bell tower and breathtaking views of charming Lutherstadt (Luther City) Wittenberg. The program concludes on a reflective note with Luther’s death, last written words, and a theological compass of the Reformation as expressed in the opening words of one of his many hymns. The presentation is free and open to the public. (rescheduled due to Feb. snow storm)  

The Hunt will take place at Phelps Park on Sunday, April 7, 3:00 pm, in Phelps Park. Children find plastic eggs filled with candy or prizes and all egg hunters receive participation gifts at the close of the Hunt. The Easter Bunny will also be there so bring your cameras! The $3 per child registration fee is to be paid in person at the Park-Rec. Office by April 1.   There is a signup sheet/waiver for this event at our office and each child who registers receives an official Easter Basket which is their ticket into the hunt.  

April 7-13, 2019 is National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries and librarians play in transforming lives and communities. Libraries are at the heart of their cities, towns, schools and campuses. They have public spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together and connect.

Library programs encourage community members to meet to discuss civic issues, to connect face to face with friends and neighbors while learning a new skill, and to get out and explore the community by visiting a variety of partner venues. Library staff collaborate with other civic and service organizations- like the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program- to actively engage with the people they serve, always striving to make sure their community’s core needs are being met.

The Decorah Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with a wide variety of programs for people of all ages and fine amnesty all week long. Anyone with overdue library materials may take advantage of fine amnesty: simply bring overdue items to the front desk of the library, let a staff member know that they are overdue, and all fines for those items will be removed.

Events taking place during the week include Toddle Time at DPL and Yoga For The Little Ones; a program about the lives of Victorian women with historian Kathy Wilson; a DPL Happy Hour Book Club discussion about “The Overstory” by National Book Award winner Richard Powers, and an Iowa Legal Aid tax assistance workshop. All events are free and open to the public. Program details are available at www.decorah.lib.ia.us and on the library’s Facebook page.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

For more information, visit the Decorah Public Library at 202 Winnebago St. or call 382-3717.

This class is sure to spark interest in all youth who love to add a little science to their art. Students will learn circuits while creating light up paper cards, add conductive thread and LEDs to wearable items, and even create glow in the dark paintings.  All a little light to the gray days of winter and join us for Light it Up!

NOTE: Registration after March 22 will cost $75. Materials fee will remain $30.

AGE: 6 – 9 years

DATES: April 8 – May 20 (No class April 22)

TIME: Mondays, 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Jane Busch

COST: $65+ $30 materials fee

LOCATION: ArtHaus Studio

NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of those living with mental illness. These groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and get what they need. Participating will help you learn to:

• See the individual first, not the illness
• Find strength in sharing experiences
• Not judge anyone’s pain
• Aim for better coping skills
• Reject stigma and not tolerate discrimination
• Accept that we cannot solve every problem
• Work for a better future in a realistic way

This isn’t your typical chalk on the sidewalk type of class. Youth in this class will be working with quality chalks to create optical illusions, from building edges to giant cracks in the sidewalk. All participants will be showcased in a chalk event at Live on Water Street in the late summer. (10 students max)

Register by March 22: $65 $30 materials ($5.50 / hour) Register after March 22: $75 $30 materials ($6 / hour)

Join for casual conversation with area leaders. Our speakers will share their stories and experiences with organizational and community leadership.

The final presenter for the Women in Leadership series is Laurie Bulman. Laurie is currently the director of Human Resources at Winneshiek Medical Center, where she has served for over 21 years. With over 25 years of experience in human resources, Laurie leads all functions of the human resources department including staff development and volunteer services. Additionally, Laurie contributes to strategic planning and sits on WMC’s administrative council. Laurie will share her leadership story and lessons learned along the way.

Back by popular demand, historian Kathy Wilson will speak at the Decorah Public Library on Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. Wilson’s talk “Mothers of the Milky Way” addresses the lives of Victorian era women and the subjects of pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood. Were Victorian women really as clueless about intimacy when they married as we’ve been told? What did they know about pregnancy before it happened? Learn the answers to these questions and others in a fascinating look at pregnancy, childbirth, and childhood in the 19th century.

Presenter Kathy Wilson has more than 20 years of experience as a professional historian, educator, archaeologist, and museum specialist in the Midwest and Southeastern United States. She has a BA in History from Bemidji State University, a Masters from the University of York (England), and is a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa.

For more information, contact Carmen at the Decorah Public Library at 563-382-3717.

Join us in the taproom for a battle of the brains. Free to play, and you don’t need to bring anything along to play. You might win free beverages!

Your child may have noticed the large windmill in Decorah, but now they have the opportunity to explore what wind can really do. Youth will spend this session designing wind powered vehicles, mobiles, and putting art in the air with handmade kites. (10 Student Max)

NOTE: Registration after March 22 will cost $75. Materials fee will remain $30.

AGE: 4 – 6 years

DATES: April 11 – May 16

TIME: Thursdays, 3:15 pm – 5:00 pm

INSTRUCTOR: Sue Pederson

COST: $65+ $30 materials fee

LOCATION: ArtHaus Studio

Join us for the 2019 Porter House Museum Lecture Series, featuring film historian Michael Zahs, Professor of Biology Kirk Larsen, and habitat restoration specialist Scott Leddy!

All talks are FREE and open to the public at the Lingonberry in downtown Decorah. Doors open at 7:00PM. Seating is first-come, first-served. A reception will follow each of the Lecture Series presentations.

MICHAEL ZAHS–March 6th

Zahs, the film historian featured in the acclaimed documentary Saving Brinton will demonstrate a historic magic lantern slide projector by recreating one of Decorah resident A.F. Porter’s slide shows of his journeys abroad in the 1910s and 1920s.

Co-hosted by the Oneota Film Festival

KIRK LARSEN–March 21st

What happened to that bug splat on my windshield?

Join Luther College Professor of Biology Kirk Larsen for a look at the troubling worldwide decline of insect populations… why is this important? And what might we be able to do to make a positive difference?

SCOTT LEDDY–April 11th

Naturalist, nature photographer, and habitat-restoration specialist Scott Leddy will take us on a visual journey to explore the native pollinators in our area and the prairie flowers that comprise their habitats.

Co-hosted by Seed Savers Exchange

Area women of all ages will have an opportunity to learn more about financial management, retirement and estate planning, and charitable giving at the 15th annual Women, Faith and Finance seminar on Friday, April 12.

Hosted by Luther College, the one-day educational seminar will be presented 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. The program is open to the public; registration is required.

Keynote speaker for the 2019 Women, Faith and Finance seminar will be Nanette Joell (Joey) Beech of Ankeny, Iowa, author of the new book “A Girl’s Guide to Personal Finance.” Her keynote presentation “Money Matters: Master Your Money at Any Age,” will combine her professional experience in finance with personal stories of learning how to be wise with money.

The seminar will also include a late morning plenary session on decluttering and simplifying called “A Culture of Enough: Lessons from Scandinavia,” led by local entrepreneur Tabita Green and Zach Row-Heyveld of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. After lunch, Michelle Raymer of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and Deana Hageman of Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative will co-present the closing session, “Ways to Give Beyond Money: Sharing Your Time and Talent.”

To register for the Women, Faith and Finance seminar, contact the Luther College Development Office, (563) 387-1862, or register online at luther.edu/wff. Deadline for registration is Thursday, April 4.

Total cost is $30, which includes resource materials, continental breakfast and lunch.

Participants who sign up with a friend or family member each save $5 off the registration fee. Thanks to a sponsorship by Decorah Bank and Trust, all paid registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book by keynote speaker Joey Beech.

Beech has more than 25 years of professional experience, much of which was in the financial industry where she worked with a wide range of products from insurance to angel investing. She learned valuable money lessons early in life as she watched her divorced mother struggle to keep a roof over their family’s heads. When her own daughter graduated from college and started a career, Beech saw a need for clear, objective financial information and decided to combine both her personal stories and professional knowledge in a book to help women understand the impacts of daily financial decisions.

For additional information, contact Jeanie Lovell, WFF program director, at lovellje@luther.edu.

The annual Women, Faith and Finance seminar is sponsored by Luther College. Grant support from the Arlin Falck Foundation, Decorah Bank and Trust Company, and Wellington Place is helping to underwrite the event.

Have you been wanting to learn how to carve or whittle? This Vesterheim Folk Art School class may be exactly the opportunity you’ve been looking for. A long-bladed carving knife and a small V palm gouge are all the tools you need and they’re available at the Museum Store. Acrylic painting and finishing supplies will be furnished. Bandsawn basswood blanks will be available for purchase. Experienced carvers are welcome too! There is a small materials fee, payable to the instructor.

April 12-14, 2019 with Bill Jaeger

Youth ages 14-17 receive a 25% discount. A 50% discount is available (on a standby basis) for Winneshiek County residents.

Expand your tune repertoire at an afternoon workshop taught by members of The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. Participants will learn several tunes by ear from the rich fiddle traditions of Norway, Sweden, and the Shetland Islands.

April 12, 2019, from 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Youth ages 12-17 receive a 25% discount.