The Decorah Band Department will be presenting their Spring Concert on Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 pm in the high school auditorium. At this concert, the Percussion Choir will present the debut performance of “Through Perseverance We Continue,” composed by Iowa’s own Cory J. McBride. Generously funded by the Decorah Music Boosters, this piece stands as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Jerry “JD” Dean and Erick Fadness.
Mr. Bliven states, “After a significant hiatus, the band department embarked on a journey to commission a piece of music. Last spring, our quest led us to seek a composition with profound meaning, one that would serve as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of JD and Erick. It was then that the idea of a percussion choir piece emerged as the perfect embodiment of our intentions. With eager anticipation, I reached out to Cory, inviting him to craft a remembrance piece, a task to which he graciously committed. Thanks to the unwavering support of the Decorah Music Boosters, our vision became reality, offering our students a unique opportunity to honor these two great humans. As the performance draws near, our percussionists have poured their dedication into mastering this piece, ensuring it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of JD and Erick.”
The Concert Band will also be performing the final movement of Robert W. Smith’s “The Divine Comedy,” “Song for Lyndsay,” “Danse Bohemien,” “Danse Carnivale,” “Chorale and Shaker Dance,” and special performances from the Saxophone Quartet and Percussion Quintet. Bliven commented, “It’s going to be a great night of music, and we are looking forward to performing.”
The Decorah FFA competed at the 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 15th and 16th at Iowa State University in Ames. Twenty-one Decorah FFA members attended this year’s conference, including Hadley Alexander, Annika Brynsaas, Brinlee Courtney, Brody Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Braunwyn Darrington, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Anders Lovstuen, Lyla Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Creed Monroe, Gabe Monroe, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Eden Scheidel, Isabella Schnitzler, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, Kolton Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Results on State Qualifying Events
Annika Brynsaas, the 2023-2024 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Secretary’s book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the state champion. Brynsaas was recognized on the main stage and presented with a plaque.
Anders Lovstuen, 2023-2024 treasurer of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA treasurer’s book. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the 3rd place treasurer’s book. Lovstuen was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Jeramiah Rediske, the 2023-2024 reporter of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Reporter’s Book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating, and he was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Anders Lovstuen competed in the ag sales individual leadership development event. He received a gold rating and was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Proficiency Awards
Decorah FFA had six members submit a proficiency application this year. Brody Courtney was named the state winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship. Courtney’s proficiency was recognized during the second general session. Other members who submitted a proficiency application to state included Annika Brynsaas–Ag Sales Placement, gold rating; Creed Monroe–Ag Services Placement, silver rating; Jeramiah Rediske–Beef Production Entrepreneurship, silver rating; Kayleigh Smith–Dairy Production Placement, gold rating; and Jordan Sims–Swine Production, bronze rating. These awards are based on Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and the skills that have been developed through these experiences.
State Ag Skills Career Development Event
The Ag Sales Team, consisting of Anders Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Madelynn Dahl, and Mara Lovstuen, received a silver rating.
The Poultry Evaluation team received a silver rating. Members of this team include Travis Nordheim, Eden Scheidel, and Thea Zidlicky. This career development event is designed to provide the students an opportunity to evaluate chickens and poultry products as well as test their general poultry management knowledge.
The FFA Greenhand Quiz was taken by Hadley Alexander and Isabella Schnitzler. This is a quiz based on members showcasing their knowledge about the FFA organizations. Alexander and Schnitzler both received silver ratings.
Iowa FFA Degree
The Decorah FFA also had members who earned individual awards and degrees. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest honor a member may receive from the state. FFA participants who qualify have completed the three-circle model’s minimum participation requirements: SAE, FFA, and Classroom/Laboratory. This year seven members of the Decorah FFA received this honor: Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Kiele Eberling, Anders Lovstuen, Jeramiah Rediske, Kayleigh Smith, and Kolton Werges.
Stars Over Iowa
Jeramiah Rediske was named the 2024 Star in Iowa Agriculture Production state winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a production agriculture area. Rediske keeps records from his beef cattle operation.
State FFA Officer
Creed Monroe ran for state FFA office and was elected to serve as the Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President. As a State FFA Officer, Monroe will embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, collaborating with fellow officers, advisors, and stakeholders to advance the goals of the FFA organization.
Additional Contest Results and Activities
The Decorah FFA Chapter earned a gold rating in the National Chapter Award Program and will advance to the national evaluation. The National Chapter Award program is a contest designed to encourage chapters to plan activities and carry them out with a successful program of activities. Chapters are recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of student development, chapter development, and community development. Derek Tieskoetter accepted the award on behalf of the chapter during the second general session.
Members also took part in a variety of events that took place throughout the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference and attended the career show. Braunwyn Darrington competed in the FFA talent show, Brinlee Courtney participated in Massing of the Flags, Eden Scheidel served as a state courtesy corps member, and Karlie Einck and Kamryn Werges served as the chapter’s delegates and attended the state FFA association’s business session.
The chapter also volunteered for one of the shifts with the Iowa FFA Service Project by helping the Iowa FFA Association package 200,000 meals. These meals will be donated to help those in need.
Twenty-one Decorah FFA members attended the 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at the Iowa State University Campus in Ames.
Creed Monroe: Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President
Jeramiah Rediske was named the 2024 Star in Iowa Agriculture Production state winner
Annika Brynsaas, the 2023-2024 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Secretary’s book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the state champion.
Anders Lovstuen competed in the ag sales individual leadership development event. He received a gold rating and was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.
Brody Courtney was named the state winner in Dairy Production Entrepreneurship.
The Decorah FFA chapter is proud to announce that one of its own members has been elected to serve as a 2024-2025 Iowa State FFA Officer. Creed Monroe was elected to serve as the Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President.
This prestigious achievement exemplifies the leadership, dedication, and passion for agriculture demonstrated by Creed Monroe, a shining example of the bright future of the agricultural industry. As a State FFA Officer, he will assume a pivotal role in guiding the direction of the organization, advocating for agricultural education, and empowering FFA members to reach their full potential.
“We are thrilled to see Creed elected as a State FFA Officer,” said Joni Bruvold, Decorah FFA Advisor. “This achievement is a testament to his remarkable leadership abilities, dedication to the FFA mission, and commitment to serving others. He has been a leader within our chapter throughout his time as a FFA member by serving as the chapter president, committee and division chair, and by serving as a student coach to help members prepare for leadership and career development events. We believe that he will continue to make us proud in his new role as a state FFA officer, and he will continue to enhance his leadership and communication skills.”
As a State FFA Officer, Monroe will embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, collaborating with fellow officers, advisors, and stakeholders to advance the goals of the FFA organization. He will have the opportunity to engage with FFA members from diverse backgrounds, cultivate relationships with industry partners, and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Monroe is the third Decorah FFA member to be elected as an Iowa FFA State Officer. Other Decorah FFA members who have been elected as an Iowa FFA Officer include Aric Yaw, 2003-2004, and Gabe Twedt, 2006-2007.
Creed Monroe: Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President
The 2024 Stars Over Iowa Winners were announced at the 96th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Iowa State University on . One Star Over Iowa was selected in each of four different areas: Agricultural Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience, and Agricultural Production.
Jeramiah Rediske of the Decorah FFA Chapter is the 2024 Star in Agriculture Production winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a production agriculture area.
Rediske is in charge of a beef production operation where he has 60 head of registered and commercial cattle. He produces market and breeding stock animals both to grow his herd and to make a profit. He currently has 44 breeding cows and heifers, 2 bulls, and 14 commercial feeder calves. He has also been able to buy some of his own equipment to improve his operation. In addition, he has been buying different minerals and feeds to make his cattle more efficient. Rediske’s future plans for this operation is to grow enough to turn it into a full-time occupation. He would also like to expand his feedlot and potentially buy more cattle to fill it as well as obtaining more breeding stock and calving in more cows.
In FFA his freshman year, Rediske competed at the state level in job interview and earned third place with his conduct of the meetings team. After graduation, he will be attending Buena Vista University studying agriculture business and animal science as well as playing soccer at the collegiate level.
“This award represents a significant achievement within the FFA as it reflects on the quality of Jeramiah’s supervised agricultural experience (ag work-based learning) and his FFA involvement,” remarked Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold. “We couldn’t be prouder of him for this extraordinary accomplishment. His commitment to excellence in his supervised agricultural experiences and his contributions to our FFA chapter have been outstanding. We eagerly anticipate witnessing his continued growth and success, particularly in expanding his beef cattle operation.”
Rediske is the son of James and Amy Rediske. His chapter advisor is Ms. Joni Bruvold. His high school principal is Mr. Brad Hurst, his activities director is Mr. Adam Riley, and his superintendent is Dr. Tim Cronin.
The Stars Over Iowa program is made possible with support from Beck’s Hybrids through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The National FFA Foundation sponsors cash awards for the overall star winners.
Star Over Iowa Finalist and State Winner – Jeramiah Rediske
Superintendent Dr. Cronin, James Rediske, Jeramiah Rediske, Amy Rediske, Advisor Joni Bruvold
On Saturday, April 13, Decorah High School hosted Prom, which included the Grand March, dance, and Post Prom.
238 students participated in the Grand March, which was held in the high school gym. Revenue from the spectators amounted to $993 and will be donated to the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa. Every year the participants select the charity who will receive the money collected at the door.
The dance was also at the gym, followed by Post Prom which was held at the Community Building on the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. 175 attended this event, which included a magic show, black light dodge ball, karaoke, nine-square, laser tag, caricature drawings, and many other fun activities. Students who attended received prizes throughout the evening valued at over $4000, generously contributed by over 100 community donors and sourced locally or donated.
Associate Principal/Activities Director Adam Riley shared, “The students and staff of Decorah High School would like to express our sincere gratitude to those who supported Prom and Post Prom through their donations and volunteer help. Those who fully participated in the festivities had a great time creating memories in a safe and welcoming environment. This couldn’t happen without great community support.”
Photo ID: Prom-goers show off the $993.00 check made out to HSNEI
Welcome to “Rhymes With Lansing” – a mini-series of podcast shows featuring just a few of the amazing folks that call Lansing, Iowa home. Recorded in the Spring of 2024, these shows represent a snapshot in time of life in one of Iowa’s great, rural, Mississippi River towns. Find the intro show to this series here.
Melissa & Nick Hammell are both business owners (and spouses!) on Main Street in Downtown Lansing, Iowa – and so much more. Melissa started Simply Salon several years ago, now located in the same building, above The Safe House Saloon, which Nick runs alongside a crew of craft beer and pizza slingers.
As anyone that has lived in a small town can tell you (population 951 at last count…) being a part of the community means wearing a lot of different “hats”. And my, the hats that Melissa and Nick wear and have worn! From being parents, to running 2 businesses, to being mayor (!), volunteering with the Fire Department, and more. This couple knows what it means to be part of their community. But the best part about small town life – you can be a part of the community too! Listen in to hear about life in Lansing – on this episode of “Rhymes With Lansing”!
Over 700 people attended the 2024 Earth Day Festival on April 20th at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds! The annual Earth Day Festival is a free open-house event organized by Winneshiek County Conservation, Winneshiek Energy District, Winneshiek County ISU Extension & Outreach, the Oneota Food Co-op, Luther College Environmental Studies, and other community organizations with support from the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill and Winneshiek County Recycling Center.
Festival-goers enjoyed free snacks and coffee thanks to the Oneota Food Co-op, Winneshiek Energy District, Impact Coffee, and Euphoria Coffee. Highlights of the event included showings of ten different electric vehicle models, hands-on insect exploration with the Iowa State University Insect Zoo, planetarium presentations from Keystone Area Education Agency, and free tree sapling giveaways sponsored by the Winneshiek Energy District. Additionally, several organizations, including Seed Savers Exchange, Winneshiek County Master Gardeners, and Decorah Parks & Recreation handed out free seeds.
Presentations were given throughout the event. Winneshiek County Conservation Naturalist Larry Reis presented “Bringing Birds & Pollinators to Your Backyard” and festival-goers could stop by the Winneshiek County Conservation tables to learn more about supporting wildlife and getting outdoors this summer. Dave Kester with the Raptor Resource Project presented Astrid, the live gyrfalcon. Paul Cutting with the Winneshiek Energy District discussed “Solar 101” and Luther College Professor Birgitta Meade shared “Understanding the Decorah Impact Crater.”
Participants also tried earth-related activities with Luther College Environmental Studies students, ArtHaus, the Decorah High School Envirothon teams, Red Oak Outdoor School, Upper Iowa Audubon, Winneshiek County Conservation, Winneshiek County Farm Bureau, and Winneshiek County ISU Extension & Outreach.
Informational tables were hosted by the City of Decorah Forester, the Decorah Community Food Pantry, the Depot Outlet, Decorah Public Library, Farmers Land Investment Cooperative, the Decorah Farmers Market, HAWC Partnerships for Children, Helping Services, NICC Green Iowa AmeriCorps, Northeast Iowa Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Care for Creation Network, the NE Iowa Peace & Justice Center, Trout Unlimited Driftless Chapter, ReRooted Connections, and Sweet Season Farm & Humble Hands Harvest Collaborative CSA.
The goal of the Earth Day Festival is to bring together our community to find sustainable ways to care for our natural resources, reduce pressure on our landfill, and contribute to the health of Winneshiek County. Learn more about event hosts: Winneshiek County Conservation at www.winneshiekwild.com and Winneshiek County Waste Reduction at www.winneshiekwaste.com.
Please join the City of Decorah and the Decorah Tree Board on May 4, 2024, as we celebrate Arbor Day by planting 25 trees on various boulevards throughout the city. Before we begin planting, the City Forester and Decorah Tree Board will give a planting demonstration outlining proper planting techniques and how to care for a tree after it is planted. This planting, along with several others that will be carried out by the City of Decorah and Decorah Tree Board throughout the year, has been made possible through a grant received from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program and the Arbor Day Foundation.
What: Arbor Day celebration – planting 25 trees
When: May 4 at 8:30AM, May 11 at 8:30AM, May 18 at 8:30AM
Where: Begins at City of Decorah Street Department located at 108 Railroad Avenue
For more information, please contact Sam Hogenson, City Forester, at (563)277-5153 or by email at: cityforester@decorah.iowa.gov
Welcome to “Rhymes With Lansing” – a mini-series of podcast shows featuring just a few of the amazing folks that call Lansing, Iowa home. Recorded in the Spring of 2024, these shows represent a snapshot in time of life in one of Iowa’s great, rural, Mississippi River towns. Find the intro show to this series here.
Andrew Boddicker is the Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, as well as owner of Walking Space – which provides opportunities for long distance walking retreats in the Driftless Region.
On this show we talk all things Lansing, Iowa – “Where Main Street Meets the Mississippi”. Lansing continues to be a lively, creative, rural town in the very NE Corner of Iowa – just across the river from La Crosse, WI and mere miles from the Minnesota state line.
Main Streets Lansing provides a framework for the town to continue finding paths forward to flourish on several fronts – from physical improvements, to funding opportunities, helping connect volunteers with projects, and so much more.
Andrew and his husband Ian Zahren have lived in Lansing for several years, chaired Lansing’s RAGBRAI end host committee, both taught public education, and dedicated years to rural Iowa and beyond.
Check it all out and listen to the entire conversation – then go visit Lansing, Iowa – one of Iowa’s best kept River Town secrets!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Decorah City Hall
Press Contact: Keri Sand, City Clerk-Finance Officer.
563-382-3651
Retirement Open House for Andy Nimrod
There will be an Open House for Andy at City Hall on Tuesday, April 30th from 1:00pm-3:00pm. We invite the public to City Hall Council Chambers for refreshments to celebrate Andy on his 33 years of service to the City of Decorah.
