Month: November 2022

WMC’s flag honors military men and women

The American flag at WMC is flown in honor of service men and women in Winneshiek County.
The flag we raise at the entrance of Winneshiek Medical Center has first flown over the United States Pentagon in honor of all past, present and future military men and women in Winneshiek County and the surrounding area.

As a retired teacher and coach, Rich Gaard is a familiar name in our community. But his familiarity goes a step beyond at Winneshiek Medical Center. Rich and his wife, Carol, support a special American flag program at Winneshiek Medical Center to honor all military men and women, past, present, and future, from Winneshiek County and the surrounding area.

“The flag flown over Winneshiek Medical Center is not just any flag – each one is special because it has flown over the Pentagon in honor of our military,” says Rich. A retired colonel in the Army Reserve, Rich served as the Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. “When I retired from my position at the Pentagon, the Chief of Staff asked me to leave with a mission to do as much as I could to recognize our veterans,” says Rich. “I was aware of the Pentagon flag program and began to work in cooperation with the staff at Winneshiek Medical Center to dedicate their flags for our military.”

“We are grateful to the Gaard’s for their donation to the WMC Foundation so that we may sustain this program,” says Holly Kanengieter, WMC Foundation Coordinator. “Many patients and visitors enter our doors each day, some of whom are veterans or families of veterans, and it is our pleasure to welcome them by flying the American flag at the main entrance in their honor.”

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Luther College celebrates One Team Giving Day success

November 9, 2022

President Ward and student athletes have some fun dressing up on One Team Day.

Luther College hosted its third annual One Team Giving Day on Thursday, Nov. 3. The campaign raised more than $310,000 from 1,189 donors to support student-athletes, exceeding the college’s $300,000 goal. 

“We were absolutely blown away by the amount of support we received on One Team Day,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics. “We want to thank everyone who shows up for our student athletes on this day and throughout the year.” 

Funds raised through One Team Day support Luther student-athletes as they continue to uphold Norse traditions established by decades of excellence in Luther Athletics. The monetary donations allow coaches to create competitive schedules, purchase new equipment and gear, and maintain top-notch facilities. Donors had the opportunity to give directly to individual sports programs or to all student-athletes as ‘one team.’  

One Team Giving Day followed Luther Fund Giving Day 2022 on March 10, when more than $1.1 million was raised to support scholarships and financial aid, field study trips, music tours, student organizations, volunteer opportunities in the community, college ministries, residence hall improvements, campus landscaping, building maintenance, intramural sports, student/faculty research and more. The eighth annual Luther Fund Giving Day will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Luther College, an NCAA Division III athletics program, is a member of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) located in Decorah, Iowa.

 

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 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 alumnus awarded Torrison and Williams medical scholarships

November 8, 2022

Luther College alumnus, Matthew Benson ’22 has been awarded a graduate medical education scholarship through the Torrison and Williams Scholarship Program for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Dr. George and Emma J. Torrison Scholarship Fund with support from the Fredrick W. Williams Scholarship Fund annually awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in medicine. Endowments are managed by the Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Benson studied biology and chemistry while attending Luther College and is currently attending graduate school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. While learning about various medical specialties and networking are Benson’s priorities, he has long-term plans to use his knowledge to serve a smaller community.

“At the moment, my goal is to focus on my education in medical school to allow myself the opportunity to choose a specialty in a few years that I really have a passion for. I also plan on returning to a rural community in the future to serve a small town wholeheartedly,” said Benson. 

Benson says he hopes to find a specialty he can connect with on a personal level and says his faith community has helped him take a step forward in that direction.

“I am very thankful to have received this scholarship. My faith has profoundly influenced my life and guided me to where I am today. It means a lot to me that the ELCA and my faith community have given me such a generous scholarship that helps me continue to pursue my career aspirations,” said Benson

After completing several job-shadowing experiences, Benson has found interest in family medicine and general surgery. While he is keeping his options open, these specialties are a few he will be looking into as he furthers his career.

 

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 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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John Cline Elementary and the Decorah Public Library host pumpkin project

John Cline Elementary School and the Decorah Public Library recently hosted the Pumpkin Literacy Project.  Preschool through second grade students were invited to choose a pumpkin from the John Cline “Pumpkin Patch.”  They were then encouraged to read a favorite book with their families and decorate their pumpkin to represent the book. The Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization) assisted in sponsoring this event.  

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Decorah Elementary Schools Celebrate STEAM Family Night

Nearly 300 students and families participated in Decorah Elementary’s Fall in Love with STEAM Family Event.  The evening was filled with an abundance of science, technology, engineering, art, and math-themed activities hosted by John Cline and Carrie Lee Schools as well as community partners, including Luther College, NICC, Decorah Bank and Trust, Keystone Area Education Agency, the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County 4H, Winneshiek County Conservation, and Eagle Bluff Nature Center. The event was sponsored by the Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization).  

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Engineering with Imagination Blocks
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Building Catapults with Winneshiek County 4H
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Virtual Reality with Keystone AEA
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Origami with NICC
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Coding with Decorah High School Students
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Exploring Dig Bins with Winneshiek County Conservation
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Meet and Greet with a Snake and Skunk from Eagle Bluff Nature Center

Luther College Book Shop collects unserviceable flags

From Nov. 7–12, in honor of Veterans Day, the Luther College Book Shop invites people to bring unserviceable flags to the Book Shop. A flag is considered unserviceable when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. The correct way to dispose of an American flag is by burning and burying the ashes. The collected flags will be taken to the All Vet’s Club in Decorah where they will be ceremoniously retired. Military members from the Luther community who have served or are serving are also invited to the Book Shop at any time this week to be recognized. Thank you, veterans!

SHIIP counselors ready to assist Iowans during Medicare Open Enrollment

Which Medicare Part D and/or Medicare Advantage plan will be best for you next year?  Open enrollment for Iowans on Medicare who want to change plans is underway now until December 7, 2022.  Iowans who miss the open enrollment deadline most likely will have to wait a full year before making changes to their plan. Changes to Medicare plans will be effective January 1, 2023. 

The Iowa Insurance Division’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is available to offer free, unbiased and confidential assistance to Iowans in this process.  Volunteer counselors can help people understand their Medicare benefits by:

  • Checking a client’s current Part D or Medicare Advantage plan to make sure drugs are covered at the lowest cost and with the least amount of restrictions
  • Reviewing a client’s employer coverage and comparing it to other Medicare options
  • Checking to see if clients are eligible for Part D “Extra Help”
  • Providing education to help clients understand options if not currently on a drug plan

Local Medicare Help

SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa.  SHIIP counselors review all plans offered and do not promote any particular plan or company.  To help you compare plans during the open enrollment period, volunteer SHIIP counselors are available by appointment at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah by calling 563-387-3036.  In person, Zoom and telephone appointments will be offered to clients.

Karla Bakken, SHIIP coordinator at Winneshiek Medical Center, says, “I encourage seniors to schedule an appointment with a SHIIP counselor early this season and not wait.  Those who wait until the end of the enrollment period to start the process may miss the deadline.”  The deadline for changing plans is December 7, 2022.

For SHIIP support, call Winneshiek Medical Center at 563-387-3036.

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Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: RWD24 Bill Fried – Giants of the Earth Center – Spring Grove

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Welcome to our second show in a mini-series from Spring Grove, MN!

In this episode we visit with Bill Fried from the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.

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Founded in 2009, Giants of the Earth Heritage Center is a nonprofit historical society that is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and interpreting the history and heritage of the people from Spring Grove’s Norwegian Ridge (Minnesota’s oldest Norwegian settlement!) in southeastern Minnesota.

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Drawing on a rich cultural history, the Center records and reflects the achievements of indigenous peoples and immigrants to the Spring Grove area, while also providing a gathering place and a sense of community and identity. The framers of Giants of the Earth Heritage Center were inspired by the great author Ole Rølvaag, who’s work described the early pioneers’ trials and tribulations.

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The historical structure that houses Giants of the Earth also has a special place in downtown Spring Grove, having had many uses over the years, but originally built in the 1890s as a hotel. The building has undergone an incredible full restoration, including an elevator that services all floors, and is also home to several excellent Sigmund Årseth murals.

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A very sincere thanks goes out to our special guest for this episode, Bill Fried. To find out more about the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center, visit:

https://giantsoftheearth.org/

The Center welcomes visitors year round in downtown Spring Grove, Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm.

 

This is the second in a series of a four show mini-series from Spring Grove, MN. You can find the first show, featuring Spring Grove Economic Development director Courtney Bergey Swanson at this link.

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“Rhymes With Decorah” is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.

Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram @indicative_of_drumming

Luther College co-hosts Welcome Home Party for Decorah Sea Scorpion

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Impact Coffee, the Luther College Environmental Studies Program will present a model of the giant sea scorpion found in the Decorah Crater basin. This event is sponsored by the Environmental Studies Program, Visit Decorah, the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Winneshiek County Development and Tourism, Northeast Iowa RC&D and Winneshiek County Conservation. Additional work is in progress by these groups to develop more public information related to the crater and its discovery.

The Decorah sea scorpion, Pentecopterus decorahensis, is a fossil discovery from the Decorah Crater basin, which was formed by a meteor impact around 465 million years ago. It is the oldest sea scorpion fossil ever found and one of the largest at over six feet long. The life-sized model is on loan to Luther’s Environmental Studies Program from the Iowa Geological Survey at the University of Iowa. It will be moved to a more permanent display location in Valders Hall of Science at Luther College next spring, where it will remain accessible to the public for viewing.

“We’re excited to have the sea scorpion model visit Impact Coffee, where many people will have the opportunity to see it,” said Laura Peterson, professor of environmental studies. “There are so many wonderful things about Decorah, and the impact crater and its fossils are pieces of our geologic history that help make Decorah unique, both above ground and below. It’s exciting to be able to share more of this story with the community.”  

Immediately following the welcome home party, C&C Trivia at Impact Coffee will include crater-related questions. The event is open to the public with no charge for admission.

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 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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Local Celebrities, Secret Identities Series

Decorah Public Library is launching a new monthly program series called “Local Celebrities, Secret Identities” designed to highlight interesting work being done by members of the community. The first program in the series is called “Story Sharing in the Driftless: 15 years of Inspire(d) Media” and will feature Aryn Henning Nichols and Benji Nichols. The program will take place in the event room at Pulpit Rock Brewery on November 29 at 7 pm.   

Reading your own story in a magazine feels a bit like celebrity status. And for 15 years, Inspire(d) Magazine has been uplifting local celebrities – simply folks doing good, positive things – right here in our Driftless communities. What better way to kick off this new speaker series than to hear Inspire(d) founders / wife-and-husband-duo Aryn Henning Nichols and Benji Nichols reflect on some of their favorite stories over the years, and their mission to change the world.   

For more information about this presentation or the series, please contact Zach Row-Heyveld at Decorah Public Library – zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling 563.382.3717. 

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