Month: March 2022

Decorah Public Library Announces Quick Bites Discussion Group

Decorah Public Library is launching a new discussion group focused on short form media that will meet over the lunch hour. This group will discuss short stories, essays, poetry, and audio/visual materials from 12:15-1 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.  

“Quick Bites is designed to be as accessible as possible,” says Zach Row-Heyveld, Decorah Public Library Administrative Coordinator. “All of the materials are short, everything is available online, and there’s no commitment. Join whenever it works for you or whenever you’re interested in the stories or essays. We’ll read 2 or 3 things for each meeting, depending on length of materials and the theme of the meeting.” 

Quick Bites will be hosted in a hybrid format to allow participants to join from their desks at work, home, or the library’s public meeting room. Each month, links to the materials and Zoom meeting will be available on the library’s website and social media. 

For more information about Quick Bites, contact Zach Row-Heyveld at zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling the library at 563-382-3717. 

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April Book Discussions

Decorah Public Library staff are hosting seven book discussions in April. 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. Zoom links are available on the Library’s website or you can email ktorresdal@decorahlibrary.org to be added to any of the seven groups’ email distribution lists. Funds for multiple copy sets were generously provided by Friends of Decorah Public Library.  

For more information, contact Tricia Crary (Friday Book Group), Zach Row-Heyveld (Cookbook and Quick Bites Groups) or Kristin Torresdal (Happy Hour, History, and Speculative Fiction Book Groups) at 563-382-3717.

Once There Were Wolves

The Happy Hour Book Group will hold a hybrid meeting Wed. April 13 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Charlotte McConaghy’s “Once There Were Wolves.” In-person attendees will meet in the lower-level public meeting room at the library and digital attendees will join via Zoom. Inti Flynn arrives in Scotland with her twin sister, Aggie, to lead a team of biologists tasked with reintroducing fourteen gray wolves into the remote Highlands. She hopes to heal not only the dying landscape, but Aggie, too, unmade by the terrible secrets that drove the sisters out of Alaska. As the wolves surprise everyone by thriving, Inti begins to let her guard down, even opening herself up to the possibility of love. But when a farmer is found dead, Inti knows where the town will lay blame. Unable to accept her wolves could be responsible, Inti makes a reckless decision to protect them.  

 

 

The Weekday Vegetarians

The Cookbook Group will meet on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the lower-level meeting room of the library to discuss “The Weekday Vegetarians,” Jenny Rosenstrach’s award winning cookbook. Featuring more than 100 recipes of comforting, family-friendly foods like Pizza Salad with White Beans, Mushroom-Leek Galette, and Squash and Black Bean Tacos. Jenny also offers key flavor hits that will make any tray of roasted vegetables or bowl of garlicky beans irresistible—great things to make and throw on your next meal, such as spiced Crispy Chickpeas (who needs croutons?), Pizza Dough Croutons (you need croutons!), and a sweet chile sauce that makes everything look good and taste amazing. The Weekday Vegetarians is loaded with practical tips, techniques, and food for thought, and Jenny is your sage guide to getting more meat-free meals into your weekly rotation.

 

The Great Silence and Parakeets

Our first Quick Bites discussion in April will focus on two short stories that explore language, speaking, and what it means to be human. “Parakeets,” written by Kevin Brockmeier, is about a city where everyone sings except for a mute man who raises parakeets. It was the lead story in his 2008 collection The View From The Seventh Layer and was originally published in Granta magazine in 2007.  Brockmeier is the author of 8 books, including novels, short story collections, and two books for young readers. His most recent book is The Ghost Variations Text – https://granta.com/parakeets/ 

“The Great Silence,” written by Ted Chiang, was originally created as a subtitled script for a short film about the Arecibo Observatory and the Puerto Rican parrots whose habitats were destroyed to build the telescope. The 16-minute film, created by Puerto Rican visual artists Jennifer Allora & Guillermo Calzadilla, was a three-channel HD video installation that premiered at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico in 2014. Chiang’s full text was published in e-flux in 2015.  Film – https://vimeo.com/195588827 

Wasteland, Wasteland, Wasteland and Drunktown

We’re headed Southwest for the April 26 Quick Bites discussion with a short story by Claire Vaye Watkins and a poem or two by Jake Skeets. 

Claire Vaye Watkins has been credited with creating a new genre of fiction – Nevada Gothic. “Wasteland, Wasteland, Wasteland” is set in the shadow of the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Depository and wrestles with how a community is supposed to deal with a threat that lasts for thousands of years. Claire Vaye Watkins’s award winning short story collection, Battleborn, was published in 2012 and was named one of the best books of the year by NPR and other publications. Since then she has published two novels, most recently I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness. Text – https://kenyonreview.org/kr-online-issue/2013-spring/selections/claire-vaye-watkins-342846/ 

Jake Skeets is Black Streak Wood, born for Water’s Edge, a Diné poet from New Mexico whose award winning collection Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers was published in 2019. His beautiful, visceral, searing poetry is deeply rooted in the landscape of the Navajo Nation and explores the history of violence “done to it, done on it, done for it.” Skeeks holds an MFA in poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Text – http://www.spilledmilkmagazine.com/issue08 

 

 

At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories

The Speculative Fiction Book Group will meet via Zoom Wed. April 20 at 5:15 p.m. to discuss Kij Johnson’s “At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories.” Featuring seventeen stories from more than two decades of work, Kij Johnson’s debut collection of short fiction ranges from historical Japan (Sturgeon award winner “Fox Magic”) to metafictional explorations of story structure (“Story Kit”) and includes Nebula award winners “Spar” and “Ponies.” These stories feature cats, bees, wolves, dogs, and even that most capricious of animals: humans.  

Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times

The History Book Group will hold a hybrid meeting Thurs. April 21 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Thomas R. Martin’s “Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times.” In-person attendees will meet in the lower-level public meeting room at the library and digital attendees will join via Zoom. Thomas R. Martin brings to life Greek civilization from its Stone Age roots to the fourth century B.C.E. Focusing on the development of the Greek city-state and the society, culture, and architecture of Athens in its Golden Age, Martin integrates political, military, social, and cultural history.  

Queen Sugar

The Friday Book Group will hold a hybrid meeting Fri. April 22 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Natalie Baszile’s “Queen Sugar.” In-person attendees will meet in the lower-level public meeting room at the library and digital attendees will join via Zoom. Why exactly Charley Bordelon’s late father left her eight hundred sprawling acres of sugarcane land in rural Louisiana is as mysterious as it was generous. Recognizing this as a chance to start over, Charley and her eleven-year-old daughter, Micah, say good-bye to Los Angeles. They arrive just in time for growing season but no amount of planning can prepare Charley for a Louisiana that’s mired in the past: as her judgmental but big-hearted grandmother tells her, cane farming is always going to be a white man’s business. As the summer unfolds, Charley must balance the challenges of her farm with the demands of a homesick daughter, a bitter and troubled brother, and the startling desires of her own heart.  

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Luther College provides expert haircuts for students of color who struggle to find a barber locally

For some students of color, it can be difficult to find a barber who is experienced in cutting their hair. That’s why Luther College contracts with a service called ClipDart, which, according to its creator, is the equivalent of “an Uber for barbers.”

            “For several years we worked with local businesses to find solutions to the lack of barbers and hairdressers who could work with black hair. Unfortunately, all efforts failed to produce tangible sustainable results,” said Wintlett Taylor-Browne, director of the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success at Luther College. “Fortunately, in the spring of 2021, we were able to start a barbershop pilot program at Luther utilizing ClipDart. The student’s response was so overwhelmingly positive that we decided to continue offering the service.”

            Something seemingly superficial, like not being able to get a haircut, can have a negative impact on one’s well-being. “Not being able to get a haircut genuinely puts me in a mood that ‘isn’t me’ and my friends and teammates notice the drop in my energy and confidence,” said Myke Shed, a junior at Luther College.

            Daniel Webster, another junior at Luther, echoes that sentiment. “When I finally do get a cut, it boosts my emotional well-being and improves my self-image.” He says prior to this service, the closest barber he felt comfortable with was at least an hour and 30 minutes away. Webster also points out that this service has helped him financially as Luther foots the bill.

            Gill Jordan is the master barber behind the chair at Luther; a chair he donated to the college in order to expertly provide his services. Jordan makes the trek from his barbershop, Uncle Gill’s Cutz, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Decorah every other Monday to cut hair and connect with a full schedule of students.

            “I feel like an uncle to them. That’s why I named my barbershop Uncle Gill’s. I love to be inspiring and to be that person they can talk to,” said Jordan.

            Shed appreciates the connection as much as the haircut.

“For me, barbershop talk is much more than sports, work, and guy talk. Back home, my barber and I talk about life, business opportunities, relationships, politics, religion, school, stocks, literally everything under the sun. I can’t even begin to describe how much I appreciate him and our relationship,” said Shed. “The relationship I have with my barber back home is the relationship I’m starting to gain with Unc [Jordan], as each time I’m scheduled to get a cut our conversations get deeper and more genuine, and that is something I feel makes the whole barber-client relationship unique.”

Luther College, in partnership with ClipDart, is proud to continue to provide this service to its students of color now and into the future.

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

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Growing a New Kind of Community Garden in Decorah

Three Winneshiek County groups have come together to create and grow a new kind of community garden in Decorah. Master Gardeners and other volunteers will work alongside 4-H members and others who want to learn to cultivate their own vegetables and flowers, providing a unique learning opportunity for the entire community. This year the time will be spent building the garden with the hopes of a few things planted this summer.  The mission for the garden is to “provide a safe and accessible garden growing space for the Winneshiek County community.  Outreaching to community members through educational opportunities collaborating with 4H members, Master Gardeners, RSVP and the Winneshiek County Extension”.

Individually, the organizations had been working on the concept of a community garden, however, it was when an RSVP volunteer reached out to the Master Gardeners, through the Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach, that the groups realized they were nurturing the same plan.

Deana Hageman, director of the Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative, said, “As our group meet initially, we realized we had two significant challenges—space and water.” Partnership with the Extension solved those issues as it had purchased a building on two acres last fall, providing space for the garden and a water source.

The partners were also fortunate in having a significant donor step forward. Named the Vernon and Kathryn Spilde Memorial Community Garden, their family will provide a large portion of the funding to create the garden.  Allie McIntyre of Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach said they will also be looking for additional grants and funding to cover remaining costs and additional phases.

Spilde’s son Craig said the family was inspired to contribute to the project because of the values his late parents exemplified. “They had a strong work ethic, not only in relationships to their jobs but also in service to others,” he said. “One of Dad’s first jobs off the home farm was 4-H youth assistant in Winneshiek County. He continued that support of 4-H throughout his life.”

Vernon Spilde served on the Winneshiek County Fair board for 14 years and as fair manager for six years. Although his father held the title, Spilde said, Vernon and his wife Kathryn were a team.

The family was looking for a memorial that embodied Vernon and Kathryn’s values. “The overall educational opportunities provided by this project were important,” Spilde said. “Mom and Dad farmed. Gardening teaches many of the same lessons and utilizes many of the same skill sets, the teamwork involved between the partnering organizations, the intergenerational mentoring and sharing, providing of excess produce for those in need, and certainly the work ethic, the sweat equity, required to make this a successful project.”

Robin Sailor, Master Gardener and owner of Green Belt Landscape Design Solutions, created the overall design of the garden. She said phase one of the plan will include a fenced gardening space of about 90 by 30 feet with raised-bed boxes. Additional phases, she said, could involve continuation of an existing windbreak, a rain garden, herb beds, a fruit orchard, a pollinator garden and a pathway to those spaces.

Spilde will be one of three site co-managers whose role is to coordinate the physical completion of the gardens. “This is an educational garden, and the educational process begins with the construction. Some of the responsibilities we may have on a given work session are to sequence tasks and pair knowledgeable, experienced workers with individuals wanting to learn new skills,” Spilde said.

Volunteers will do the building, installation and teaching. RSVP volunteer Tom Diggins will serve as the project manager. His list of what needs to happen before anything can be planted include prepping the ground surface for the building and installation of garden beds, installing water access, and building a fence. Spring of this year is the target date for starting work on the garden area.

Keith Newhouse, also a Master Gardener, will play a key role in the construction process. “I have a background in plants, including botany, genetics and agronomy,” he said. “I grew up building and fixing things on a dairy farm near Burr Oak, and now that I’m retired, I have more free time to work on these kinds of public service projects.”  Pete Vogel and Judy Mowry are Master Gardeners and RSVP Volunteers contributing to the project as well.

The organizers hope the space will be a steppingstone for any community member who is interested in gardening and the fresh produce and flowers it brings but who may be overwhelmed by the process. According to McIntyre, “It’s a community garden – everyone is welcome to harvest or weed anytime during gardening hours”.   Spilde said: “Oftentimes a big hurdle in starting something new is knowing where to begin. This garden will provide that beginning. Another hurdle people encounter is underestimating the level of work involved and then becoming discouraged. There is no better educational tool than working alongside someone who is willing to share what their experience has taught them.” Hageman said, “I am hoping this will be a nice venue for intergenerational volunteering.”

As the project progresses, updates will be shared along with information on how to become involved.  Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach will be having an open house on April 21.  Stop in at 2316 Sweet Pkwy Rd. and check out the project and get more information.

Luther College Center Stage Series Presents: Brubeck Brothers Quartet

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, the Luther College Center Stage Series presents the Brubeck Brothers Quartet.

            Chris and Dan Brubeck are the sons of jazz giant Dave Brubeck and have been making music together their whole lives. With Dan on drums and Chris on bass, trombone and  composing for the group, the brothers make up the base of the esteemed quartet. Completing the group’s unique sound are Mike DeMicco on guitar and Chuck Lamb on piano.

“I grew up with the music of Dave Brubeck and am so excited to hear his sons take on some of my favorite tunes,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming. “The quartet is rooted in straight-ahead jazz, with influences of funk, blues and world music. Audiences can expect an evening of world-class artists at the top of their game.”

 Sixty years after their father’s U.S. State Department goodwill tour to Europe during the Cold War, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet commemorates their musical legacy through performances played with uncompromising dedication to melody, rhythm, culture, technique and the spontaneous spirit of jazz.

            These versatile musicians collaborate with or­chestras across the U.S. and internationally. Past performances include features with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Russian National Orchestra, as well as chamber music collaborations with musicians from the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Russian National Symphony Orchestra.

Arrive early to enjoy the Sip and Shop in the Luther College Book Shop from 6-7:15 p.m. Present a “Brubeck Brothers Quartet” ticket and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while you browse.

Tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office and online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing [email protected], or by calling (563) 387-1357.

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

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Luther College raises $1.1 million in support of students on Giving Day

Luther College’s seventh annual Giving Day campaign was a major success after raising more than $1.1 million dollars to support students on March 10.

            “I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who decided to give a gift to Luther College this Giving Day,” said President Jenifer K. Ward. “Watching gifts come in and talking with folks who decided to invest in this institution is such a powerful reminder of all who care about and love Luther College. The combination of generosity of tangible gifts and generosity of spirit of the Luther community will inspire me as we go forward this semester and into the future, and for that, I am very grateful.”

 In total, Luther raised a preliminary amount of $1,143,556 from more than 1,550 gifts. These donations to the Luther Fund support just about everything students need including scholarships and financial aid, field study trips, music tours, student organizations, volunteer opportunities in the community and more.

Leading the effort is Megan Torkelson, director of annual giving. She looks forward to this event each year because of the energy it creates across campus.

“Giving Day really epitomizes the idea of ‘being community’ here at Luther College. The development and alumni team works all together in Gnome Base (our big board room) and throughout the day we help energize and encourage each other. Students flow in and out as they deliver thank yous to faculty and staff across campus. Visitors stop by to say hello and share their Luther stories. Giving Day is meant to be a day to celebrate the Luther community and we truly see it come to life here in Loyalty Hall as our Gnome Base becomes a hub of activity and Luther love,” said Torkelson.

Giving Day 2023 is set for Thursday, March 9.

About Luther College

Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

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Luther College Jazz Orchestra to perform Homecoming Concert on March 29

Coming off their first tour since 2019, the Luther College Jazz Orchestra will perform their Homecoming Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, in the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther College campus. Hitting the road for the first time since 2019, the members of the band and their conductor, Juan Tony Guzmán, invite you to attend this high-energy performance. 

The Jazz Orchestra spring tour includes stops in Chatfield, Minnesota; Roseville, Minnesota; Annandale, Minnesota; Johnston, Iowa; and Menomonie, Wisonsin. 

Luther’s Jazz Orchestra is one of the premier collegiate instrumental ensembles in the United States and one of four major touring ensembles on campus. The group travels regionally each year and abroad every four years. Their spring tour repertoire includes highlights from Duke Ellington, Gordon Goodwin, Astor Piazzolla and Wynton Marsalis. Students from a variety of academic programs perform with the Jazz Orchestra and will be featured as soloists throughout the event.  

The concert is open to the public with no charge for admission. 

Luther is home to one of the largest undergraduate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, two bands and two jazz bands. One-third of all Luther students participate in music, including large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 175 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music, and performance. Learn more at luther.edu/music.

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Take a Community Health Assessment Survey

Winneshiek County Public Health and Winneshiek Medical Center are jointly seeking community input on the health environment of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota through an online survey.

Called a Community Health Assessment, the survey is designed to gather information from the community to help guide/direct health planning activities.  With this data, communities can map out a course for health improvement by creating strategies to make positive and sustainable changes in their communities.

Winneshiek County Public Health Nurse Krista Vanden Brink says, “The survey process and results will allow us to deepen our partnership with the communities we serve through a greater understanding of the health issues they face.  Input from citizens is the most authentic way for us to understand the health environment in our area.”

The public is invited to complete the online survey March 14-31, 2022.  The link can be found on the Winneshiek Medical Center website homepage: www.winmedical.org, or the Winneshiek County Public Health website: www.winneshiekhealth.org.  The direct link is: https://bit.ly/health-survey-2022.

Survey questions should take about 10 minutes to complete.

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