Month: December 2023

Luther College alum Josh Cinnamo wins gold at Parapan American Games

Luther alum Josh Cinnamo won gold at the 2023 Parapan American Games.

DECORAH, IOWA— Luther College alum Josh Cinnamo, class of 2003, won a gold medal in the shot put event at the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, which ran from Nov. 17–26.

Cinnamo’s outstanding throw of 14.93 meters earned him the gold in the Men’s F46 Shot Put — F46 refers to para-athletes who have an absence of the arm below or above the elbow. Cinnamo, who has a congenital limb deficiency, was a Norse football player and competed in track and field.

Cinnamo (middle) at the Parapan American Games.

Cinnamo holds the world record for Men’s F46 shot put at 16.80 meters, which he earned at the 2019 Dubai Para Athletics Championships. He also holds the record in shot put for the Parapan American Games,earned in 2019 in Lima, Peru. Cinnamo is one of two Luther alums to become an Olympic athlete. Gary Neist, class of 1969, wrestled in the 1972 Munich Olympics

“It’s not the tangible end result, the diploma or gold medal with meaningful value; it’s the journey, the people, the experiences and the victory over adversity you cherish,” Cinnamo said.

As a record holder, he outlines his strategic approach to setting and surpassing his own achievements. With an eye on The Paralympic Games of Paris 2024, he emphasizes the importance of incremental milestones and discipline.

Beyond records and medals, Cinnamo finds personal fulfillment in serving as a role model for his two children and benefiting from a network of highly motivated individuals.

“My continued participation in competitions stems from the desire to instill crucial values in my children, fostering their potential for success,” Cinnamo said.

Representing the U.S. internationally holds immense significance for Cinnamo. He takes pride in showcasing the best of the country, bridging cultural gaps and fostering global unity through sports and competition.

“Standing atop the podium and hearing our national anthem is an extraordinary experience that never loses its impact,” Cinnamo said. “My intention is for it to be the culminating moment in my throwing career.”

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s 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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Decorah Community School District Takes Action in Response to Legislation Regarding Content in Books

In May of 2023 the Iowa Legislature passed Senate File 496 which, in part, requires all public school libraries in Iowa to remove any books with a drawing or written description of a sex act. With no list of books provided by the state nor specific guidance from the Department of Education, each district in Iowa was tasked with developing their own process to interpret and implement the law.  

Decorah Community School District decided the best approach was to form a committee for this work. The following people serve on the committee: Tim Cronin, superintendent; Brad Hurst, Decorah High School principal; Shannon Horton, teacher librarian; Liz Fox, instructional coach; Rebecca Newhouse, Luther College instructor; and Cindy Goodner, school board president.

The committee began their work by reading and discussing the written law, as well as consulting with the district’s attorney. An initial list of titles to review was compiled using the Des Moines Register’s database of library books removed from Iowa school districts that had already made and reported their decisions. 

So far, 29 titles have been removed from the Decorah High School Library that are considered non-compliant according to section 702.17 of SF 496, definitions of a sex act. In addition, the committee has begun to consider books from various curricula that may not be in the library collection but still need to be reviewed. 

A comprehensive record of all titles removed or being reviewed by the committee is linked here:  DCSD Books Removed (as of 12/04/2023)

Shannon Horton, teacher librarian stated, “The committee has made a sincere effort to comply with the law and will continue to meet as books come to our attention. These were difficult decisions to make as all books in our collection have been previously vetted using professional reviews and consideration.”

Superintendent Tim Cronin added, “I appreciate the staff for their dedication to this task. This is not easy or enjoyable; however, it is important.”

Shannon Horton in DHS Library

Shannon Horton, teacher librarian, at DHS library

Bring Christmas at Luther into your home this holiday season

Students performing at the dress rehearsal for Christmas at Luther 2023 “Love, the Rose, Is on the Way.”

DECORAH, IOWA—While Luther College performers have hung up their robes for 2023, that doesn’t mean that Christmas at Luther is over. Video on Demand tickets for “Love, the Rose, Is on the Way,” are availble to purchase online. Audiences can view the entire performance through Jan. 2 through VOD, while selections from Christmas at Luther will also be broadcast on radio and television stations this month.

Featured performers for the 2023 show include Aurora and Collegiate Choir conducted by Adrianna Tam, Norskkor and Cathedral Choir conducted by Mark Potvin, Nordic Choir conducted by Andrew Last, Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dan Baldwin, Percussion Ensemble prepared by Ryan Frost, and college organist Alex Meszler.

This year, selections from Christmas at Luther will also be broadcast on the following dates and times:

Radio broadcasts:

  • KCZQ FM 102.3 Cresco: Dec. 24, 1 p.m.
  • KCCK 88.3 FM Cedar Rapids/Iowa City: Dec. 20, 6 p.m.
  • WVRQ 1360 AM Viroqua: Dec. 25, 9 a.m.
  • IPR Iowa Public Radio: Dec. 24, 11 a.m. and Dec. 25, 4 p.m.
  • WPR Wisconsin Public Radio: Dec. 24, 11 a.m. and Dec. 25, 2 p.m.

Television broadcasts:

  • KFXA FOX 28 Cedar Rapids: Dec. 23, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
  • KGAN CBS 2 Cedar Rapids: Dec. 25, 9–10 a.m.
  • KIMT News 3 Rochester/Mason City: Dec. 25, 6–7 a.m. and 7–8 a.m.
  • KAIT/ABC Region 8 News Jonesboro, Arkansas: Dec. 25, 6–7 a.m.
  • KTIV News 4 Sioux City: Sunday Dec. 24, 11 a.m.–noon

The dates and times of these broadcasts could change in the coming weeks, so check local listings in case of any changes in the broadcast schedule.

The performance is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and Amazon Music. The Christmas at Luther 2023 CD is available to purchase at the Luther Book Shop or online. The Christmas at Luther 2023 ornament is also available to purchase at the Book Shop or online.

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students 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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2023-2024 Winter Season

Winter Season Update 12/12/2023

Winter snow will eventually be coming this season, and when it does, the City will be issuing snow emergencies. Some questions have risen in the past regarding these declarations, so this post is intended to help clear things up.

  • The City can declare a snow emergency at any time. With the assistance of local weather forecasts, snow emergencies are generally issued in advance of a snow/ice event, with a projected start and end time and date. Something to note, a snow emergency is automatically in effect if snow accumulation is 1″ or more, regardless of declaration.
  • What is the significance of a snow emergency? Valid question. Snow emergencies are intended to raise awareness of poor driving conditions and alert residents that the city will likely be performing snow/ice removal operations. To effectively perform those operations, the City needs streets to be as clear of vehicles as possible. During a snow emergency, alternate side parking rules are in effect.
  • During snow emergencies on odd calendar days, vehicles need to be parked on the side of the street where houses have odd numbers. On even numbered calendar days, the vehicles need to be parked on the side of the street with even house numbers. Usually, snow emergencies will exist for multiple days, so residents need time to transfer vehicles back and forth from each side of the street. The time between 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. is that given time. For example, if a vehicle is parked on the even side on December 12th during a snow emergency, and needs to be moved to the odd side for the next day (the 13th), the time to move the vehicle to the odd side would be between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on December 12th.
  • There are a number of streets in Decorah that have restricted parking on one side or the other. In these cases, follow the direction of the sign. If the sign reads “no parking”, do not park there. For example, if it’s December 13th, during a snow emergency, and the parking on the odd side of the street is restricted, no parking is allowed on that street on either side. If the signs read “no parking except during snow emergency”, then vehicles are allowed to park on that side of the street on the appropriate day during a snow emergency.
  • Parking off the street is the best way to avoid parking confusion during a snow emergency, ensure the entirety of the road is cleared as soon as possible, and protect vehicles from collisions. Snow and Ice removal is more efficient and effective when the City’s operators don’t need to traverse around vehicles in the street. Our crews are out fighting snow/ice during the worst of driving conditions, and helping them eliminate obstacles and parking on the correct side of the street will make cleanup after snow events better for everyone.

If there are any further questions, reach out to the Street Department. 563-382-2157

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Reduce Holiday Waste

Did you know that we cannot recycle wrapping paper at our facility? Wrapping paper has very little actual paper content and the coatings make it impossible to recycle. Even wrapping paper that says it is recyclable should not be placed in our recycling bins because recycling managers cannot easily distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable papers. If a load of paper contains too much wrapping paper, the entire load will be rejected and sent to the landfill. We also cannot take foam packaging or bubble wrap.

Instead of using this non-recyclable material for your gifts this year, try alternatives like:

1. Newspaper: Give it a creative touch with twine or reusable ribbon.

2. Plain brown paper or brown paper bags: Recyclable and customizable for a personal touch.

3. Cloth bags: Perfect for gifts and resuable for shopping.

4. Fabric scraps: Colorful and can be reused or repurposed.

5. Old maps

Always remember: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Holiday Present wrapped sitting next to tree

DHS Music Department Presents Winter Choral Concert

The Decorah High School Music Department will present a winter choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 18 in the DHS Auditorium. The concert will feature Ninth Grade Bass Clef Choir, Ninth Grade Treble Clef Choir, Viking Chorus, and Concert Choir. Audience members will hear music by Ernani Aguiar, Kyle Pederson, Marianne Forman, Craig Hella Johnson, Carolyn Jennings, Laura Farnell, and Andrea Ramsey. “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast, a sea chanty; Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run”; and arrangements of familiar seasonal pieces will be featured. The concert will conclude with Concert Choir and alumni singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” – a DHS tradition.

The DHS Madrigal Singers will perform carols in the auditorium beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Conductors for the concert are Jason Rausch and Dean Beckman, and collaborative pianist is Chris Hadley. Guest percussionists are Liam Chamberlain, Alex McGohan, and Julia Severtson. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Viking Chorus 23

Viking Chorus

9th grade choir 23

Ninth Grade Choir

Concert Choir 23

Concert Choir

DHS Alum Sing with Concert Choir

DHS Alumni join Concert Choir in song

Sixteen Decorah Band Students in NEIBA Honor Band

On Decorah 3, 2023, sixteen Decorah Band students participated in the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters’ Association Honor Band. This honor band features some of the top musicians in Northeast Iowa, which includes two middle school and two high school level concert bands. Students were selected from nominations from their director and then auditioned for their chair in the band.

These groups rehearsed all day and then performed at an evening concert at Oelwein High School. This year’s honor band guest directors were Drew Balta from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Ryan Meyer from Denison, Iowa; Dr. Richard Mark Heidel from the University of Iowa; and Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds from O’Fallon, Illinois.

Mr. Bliven stated, “I was extremely pleased with the number of students selected from our program. These are some of the hardest working and talented students we have in our 8th grade and high school bands. Many of our students sat at the higher end of their respective sections, and every group performed exceptionally well that evening. I’m super proud of all these students for giving up a Saturday to gain this kind of experience. They sat around students from all different schools within Northeast Iowa and performed for some great guest conductors.”

DHS NEIBA Honor Band

High School Picture (l-r):

Noah Potvin, Lily Sandhorst, Natalie Goodner, Brenna Parker, Ansel Kowitz, Lucas Hanson, and Mr. Bliven, director. Unable to attend: Grant Zilka.

DMS NEIBA Honor Band

Middle School Picture (l-r):

Nils Peterson, Rachel Weis, Kira Dowden, Sophia McGee, Max Goodner, Isaac Bently, Davis Walter, Addisyn Ivy, Katherine Pattison, Raelyn Newhouse, and Mr. Bliven, director.

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