Allergy specialist joins Mayo Clinic Health System and WinnMed

WinnMed is pleased to share that allergy specialist Michael D’Netto, M.D., M.B.A., has joined the Mayo Clinic Health System practice full time in Decorah, and is accepting new patients.

An allergist helps patients manage allergic and immunologic diseases.  As a Mayo Clinic-trained allergist, Dr. D’Netto provides testing and treatment options for infants through adults who experience food, environmental, medical, venom (insect bites or stings) and other allergies.  He provides skin testing, food and medication challenges, and lung function and immune system testing all at WinnMed in Decorah.  In addition, Dr. D’Netto provides care for patients with asthma and skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

Background

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. D’Netto received his Bachelor of Science from University of Notre Dame. He then went on to concurrently receive his Master in Business Administration and his medical degree from Ohio State University, completed his residency in Internal Medicine from Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, and his fellowship in Allergy and Immunology, also from Mayo Clinic.  He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and a member of both the American Academy and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 

Dr. D’Netto says, “Personally, I have multiple food and environmental allergies. I hope to help others manage their own allergic and immunologic conditions as well as possible, as others have done for me. I have already started meeting people in the community, starting with the recent community picnic at WinnMed.  This is a welcoming community and I look forward to helping people identify and manage allergies so they can live a full life.”

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with Dr. D’Netto at WinnMed in Decorah, call 563-382-2911.

Source link

Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With – Mission Green LLC / Good Shepherd Church

GoodShep_Ext.png

On today’s show we welcome Liz & Jim Fritz, both (mostly!) “retired” music educators from Decorah, and longtime members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. As it turns out, Liz & Jim also have a long track record of home improvement, efficiency, and sustainability projects, stemming from lifelong interests and opportunities to make their corner of the world a better place. Listen in to hear how they were able to help their hometown congregation forge the right partnerships to take on a major remodeling project while becoming a carbon neutral congregation! (Spoiler – it involves Mission Green LLC!)

Fritz_GS_PoeplePergola.jpg

The solution for this project came from many conversations. Jim and Liz worked first with their Congregation, and then with local sustainability mentors Larry Grimstad, Andy Johnson (Winneshiek Energy District), Joel Zook (Alliant Energy), Jim Martin-Schramm (Professor Emeritus of Religion at Luther College), Amy Bouska (Howard County Energy District), and others to brainstorm and dream about the possibilities for this project. They also worked to create and develop a business plan forming Mission Green LLC (a mission with a company).

MissionGreenLogo.png

Would a carbon-neutral project fit in with their ideas? Can you grow a business using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)? Could this idea/business model allow Good Shepherd to lower energy bills and their carbon footprint? Could this include some of the ideas for a renewed outdoor space for the congregation?

The result of these conversations and questions was a proposal from Mission Green to enable a Carbon Neutral Project for Good Shepherd. Mission Green would create a business relationship with the Good Shepherd congregation, and see the successful project through, including:

  • Selling the congregation electricity at lower fixed costs through a PPA (purchase power agreement).
  • Eliminating their use of carbon-based fuels by installing and leasing heat pumps, while removing eyesores on the roof.
  • Providing an opportunity to fix water drainage problems of an unused outdoor space (French drain).
  • Update/upgrade all service entrances to the entire facility.
  • Providing solar panels for rooftop installation (21 kW, 52 bi-facial). 
  • Creating a 37’x37′ solar canopy (27 kW, 50 bi-facial panels) with a waterproof racking system on a Douglas Fir post and beam pergola.
  • Installing a permeable paver courtyard directly over the French drain, with sound and light amenities.

Fritz_GSSolar_JTeslowPic.jpg
Photo Courtesy of Joel Teslow – Decorah Electric

Good Shepherd is now 100% electric. The gas meter was removed in February 2023. The Good Shepherd Carbon Neutral Project has replaced the fossil fuel HVAC system with four geothermal heat pumps, three air-to-air heat pumps, and a mini-split unit. It can heat/air condition the entire facility using solar electricity, all created onsite. LED lighting throughout the whole campus also reduces the overall electrical needs. Other efforts by the congregation to lower their Carbon Footprint include planting over 20 trees on the campus greenspace and considering adding a prairie wildflower/pollinator garden. 

Fritz_GSPergola.jpg

Once the PPA and lease are completed, the congregation can use previous energy dollars for mission dollars instead. We’re proud of our combined efforts to Move the Needle in the fight against climate change. 

To find out more about this work, visit:

Mission Green LLC – https://missiongreen.llc

Winneshiek Energy District – https://energydistrict.org/

Be part of the Walking/Biking School Bus Program

Safe Routes to School is getting ready for another year of coordinating Walking and Biking School Buses -a fun and healthy way for students to get to/from school with supervision.  Anyone interested in volunteering or having their kids join the Walking/Biking School Bus is encouraged to fill out the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SZZ2W7L

Questions can be emailed to Upper Explorerland’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator April Bril at abril@uerpc.org.

WinnMed holds annual community picnic Thursday, August 31

WinnMed will hold their Grand Community Picnic on Thursday, August 31 from 4-7 pm on the WinnMed campus. 

Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M., WinnMed Chief Medical Officer, says, “The Community Picnic has become a staple for many individuals and families in the region as summer winds down and the fall season begins. We are honored to host such an event that brings people together. We are inspired daily by the communities we serve, and as we grow with new services and facilities, want to continue to share our thanks to those who trust us with their health care. We hope everyone joins us for the picnic!”

Free Community Picnic Attractions

  • BBQ pork sandwich, chips and a beverage
  • Game/activity area for kids
  • Popcorn from the Lion’s Club
  • Pokey Pete rides
  • Face Painting
  • Live music by Mike McAbee
  • Garden tours
  • Emergency vehicle tours
  • And more!

Moo-Mobile shakes will be available for $2 each throughout the evening.  The WinnMed Foundation, in connection with ReRooted Connections, will also hold a cut stem sale featuring flowers from the WinnMed garden.

More Information

The picnic is made possible with the help of staff volunteers from WinnMed, the WinnMed Auxiliary and WinnMed Foundation, and will be held rain or shine.

Convenient parking will be available, with regular Earl Bus rides from WinnMed parking lots to the event site. Information on the WinnMed Grand Community Picnic is also available at www.winnmed.org/event/grand-community-picnic.  For additional information on the picnic or other WinnMed activities, please call the WinnMed Marketing & Communications department at 563-382-2911 or email communityrelations@winmedical.org.

Source link

2024 Pool Season Passes- Important Note

Decorah Pool Pass Members,
Thank you to everyone who purchased a pass for the 2023 season. A reminder that our last day of Public Swim
is Sunday August 20th.IMPORTANT NOTE: Please keep ALL of your physical season passes (key cards) you purchased for this season. Key cards
from the previous year can be reused with a purchase of a 2024 season pass. All lost and misplaced
cards will be charged an additional $5 to be replaced in 2024.

Mallory McArtor                                                   Blake Moen
Superintendent of Recreation & Business      Superintendent of Recreation & Aquatics
Decorah Parks and Recreation                          Decorah Parks and Recreation

The post 2024 Pool Season Passes- Important Note appeared first on Decorah Park & Recreation Department.

Source link

Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With – Driftless Flyathlon

FlyathlonLogo.png

Run. Fish. Beer.

> Help  Benji reach his fundraising goal –  Donate here to the Driftless Flyathlon

Ryan Rahmiller and Scott Stimmel join us to talk about the Driftless Flyathlon – a favorite annual event of Benji’s that happens each fall at Yellow River Forest in rural Allamakee County, Iowa. Ryan and Scott are not only part of the six person planning crew of the Flyathlon event, but are also passionate fishermen, teachers, and cross country coaches! It’s this “intersection” of running, fly fishing, and a love of craft beer that has fueled the event since 2017 to raise tens of thousands of dollars for cold water conservation in NE Iowa. The original Flyathlon events have roots in Colorado with creator Andrew Todd and the Middle Creek Flyathlon, and then the beginning of the Driftless Flyathlon in 2016 by Brian Kouba – who can be seen in this 2017 piece from Iowa Outdoors.

Flyathlon_CupPic.jpg

The concept of the Flyathlon is quite fun – contestants line up at the starting line with their fly rods broken down. For the Driftless Flyathlon, an out and back trail run (approximately 4+ miles) happens along the Big Paint stream at Yellow River State Forest, with the requirement of catching a fish at any point during the run, and enjoying a nice craft beer at the end. It’s those three parts that make up the “Flyathlon”, but of course there is a fun “catch” the race as well – for each inch long of the (biggest) fish you catch, 2 minutes is taken off your running time. Catch a nice 12 inch brown? That’s 24 minutes off your running time – but catch nothing? That’s a 20 minute penalty! This can leave for some pretty fun strategy between fishing, running, and good ol’ luck!

RRahmiller.jpg
Ryan Rahmiller – Driftless Flyathlon Organizer, fly fishing guide, teacher, and coach!

Since 2017, the planning team of Ryan and Amanda Rahmiller, alongside Clint and Angela Johnson (Ryan & Clint also making up part of the guiding team for Driftless on the Fly), have been organizing the event.

ScottStimmel.jpeg
Scott Stimmel – Driftless Flyathlon Organizer, fly fisherman, teacher, and coach!

Scott Stimmel, a teacher and coach from the Iowa City area also joined the planning team after a couple years of competing, as well as Brad Rahmiller. The annual event takes months of preparation and planning – requiring the 75 participants to not only get in on one of the competitive slots for the actual race when registration opens in early Spring (it fills fast!), but for all participants to also fundraise for cold water stream conservation. Over the 7 years the event has been happening, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for cold water conservation projects in NE Iowa via the Driftless Flyathlon.

Flyathlon_LPaint_VidScrnShot.png
Click Here to check out the latest stream restoration project!

The non profit entity “Running Rivers” was started by the original Colorado founders as a way to handle fundraising and dispersing funds raised by the Flyathlon events, and has continued to be an amazing partner both in Colorado and Iowa – and more recently North Carolina. But the goal at the end of the day is the same – have fun, meet like minded people, and support cold water habitat conservation.

If you’d like to support the Driftless Flyathlon, Click on this link to visit Benji’s fundraising page for the 2023 Driftless Flyathlon (this page is powered by FlipCause) – or visit:

https://www.runningrivers.org/driftless-flyathlon-projects.html

Instagram: @driftlessflyathlon

www.runningrivers.org

 

“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, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming

 

 

Moving the Needle: How One Rural Congregation Electrified its Building and Secured its Future

Guest Story by Jim and Liz Fritz, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa

Is it possible for a small Midwestern Lutheran congregation to go from eight natural gas furnaces to eight heat pumps and create all needed energy, via solar, needed to run them in only 4 years? It is possible, and it’s happening right now!

The Background

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Decorah was founded in 1958 on land that was formally a sheep pasture. Plans were drawn for the current Fellowship Hall and the Education Wing. These structures were built in late 1958-early 1959, and the present Fellowship Hall was used as the Sanctuary. In 1988, Good Shepherd added a significant addition west of the existing buildings, including a large Sanctuary, offices, meeting spaces, and bathrooms.

The original building was built in 1958 and heated with fuel oil. For oil storage, a 2,000-gallon tank was buried in the yard behind the building. When natural gas became available, the switch was made with new gas furnaces (sometime in the late 1960s). These furnaces included 3-4 ton natural gas downdraft forced air furnaces. The furnaces were ducted into clay flues that lay in the soil (uninsulated!) below the slab of the entire building. By 2018 these furnaces were dead/dying, and the fuel bills were significant.

Good Shepherd, after completion of 1988 addition

In 2018 the Good Shepherd Church congregation took on an extensive remodeling project to update the 1958 HVAC system and renovate the 1958 Education Wing. The congregation decided to gut and reconfigure the Education Wing and undertake a geothermal/heat pump retrofit of the entire 1958 facility.

Jim Fritz was extensively involved in the 2019 remodeling project and, following advice from Joel Zook from Winneshiek Energy District, convinced the congregation that we should invest in a ground-source LG heat pump system using VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) delivery.

In 2019 four LG ground source heat pumps were installed in the original 1958 facilities. The original sheep pasture behind the building has 17 horizontal bore lines (approximately 10′ below grade). These geo lines enter the building and connect to four new LG geothermal heat pumps. These LG units use VRF piping (Variable Refrigerant Flow) to feed individual units in rooms, hallways, etc.

Left, ground-source heat pumps, Right, schematic of 17 horizontal ground loops

The Good Shepherd Church has some unique characteristics. It has no basement and no attic. The entire facility is on one level. Traditional forced ductwork was not an option. The size of the ductwork needed was not possible in this situation. These VRF lines (think exactly like your air conditioner lines) run through small wall chases in ceiling cavities and created architectural chases that are not restrictive like traditional forced air delivery needs.

There are other advantages to the VRF delivery system. The system is uber-efficient (more later) and easy to install lines in existing facilities. But, another advantage is individual room zoning. One room can have air conditioning while another has heat, for example, which helps increase the efficiency of the overall facility.

The Ideas

As Jim dug deeper into the facilities at Good Shepherd Church, he realized that the roof-mounted HVAC units on the 1988 Sanctuary addition were also getting past their prime efficiency. Three of the four were original to the building, and yearly service repair costs were not inconsequential. Additionally, they were an eyesore on the roof at the front of the building.  He knew it was only a matter of time before there would be failures.

During this realization, Jim started dreaming about better utilization of an outdoor space directly south of the existing Education Wing and Fellowship Hall. That area was grass and had several large Maple trees. There was another existing and significant problem, as this was the space were the water was being dumped from the facilities’ flat roofs. This eventually killed the trees and was a concern for the building foundation.  The questions included, how can that space replace our furnaces? He had ideas, but the question was: How to implement them?

The Solution

The solution for this project came from many conversations. Jim and Liz Fritz worked with local mentors Larry Grimstad, Andy Johnson, Joel Zook, Jim Martin-Schramm, Amy Bouska, and others to brainstorm and dream about the possibilities for this project. They worked to create and develop a business plan forming an LLC called Mission Green LLC (a mission with a company). Would a carbon-neutral project fit in with their ideas? Can you grow a business using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)? Could this idea/business model allow Good Shepherd to lower energy bills and their carbon footprint? Could this include some of the ideas for the outdoor space?

The result of these conversations and questions was a proposal from Mission Green to enable a Carbon Neutral Project for Good Shepherd. Mission Green would create a business relationship with the Good Shepherd congregation, whereas we would:

  1. Sell them the electricity at lower fixed costs through a PPA.
  2. Eliminate their use of carbon-based fuels by installing and leasing heat pumps, while removing the eyesores on the roof.
  3. Provide an opportunity to fix the water problems of the outdoor space (French drain).
  4. Update/upgrade all service entrances to the entire facility.
  5. Provide solar panels for rooftop installation (21 kW, 52 bi-facial).
  6. Provide a 37’x37′ solar canopy (27 kW, 50 bi-facial panels) with a waterproof racking system on a Douglas Fir post and beam pergola.
  7. Install a permeable paver courtyard directly over the French drain, with sound and light amenities.

These contracts dictated Mission Green would receive monthly payments from the PPA for kWh generation and heat pump lease payments from Good Shepherd for six years. Mission Green will monitor the output/usage of the Good Shepherd facilities. At the end of the PPA, the congregation will buy out the PPA solar portion of the project at fair market value. After the buyout, Good Shepherd will own all the infrastructure to heat/cool/illuminate the entire facility, all on-site.

The Mission Green proposal was approved at a Congregational Meeting on June 5, 2022, when a vote was taken. The proposal was approved by 99-4.

Mission Green Website, missiongreen.llc

Moving Forward

Supply chain issues completely stalled the project into late 2022. Finally, the new service entrance and the rooftop solar (21 kW, 52 panels), on the white EPDM roof of the Education Wing, installed in late October 2022.

21kW Rooftop solar installation, October 2022

Three new 5-ton LG air-to-air heat pumps were installed in the 1988 addition in late December 2022 and early January 2023. They were officially online by January 15, 2023. The installation also included a 15 kW resistive electric heat backup unit, an industrial steam humidifying unit, and a high-end air filter utilizing UV, electrostatic, and filtration. Every room is individually zoned. One week after the switch to the new air-to-air heat pumps, there were a few nights of -17 below. At 7 am the following day, the facility still registered at the set point of 67 degrees.

Heat pumps are an important element in this project. The four 1958 building geothermal heat pumps are 450% efficient (due to the geothermal factor). The three 5-ton air-to-air heat pumps installed in the 1988 addition are still 350% efficient with no boring required!

Three 5-ton LG air source heat pumps serving the 1988 addition

Water Issues

The new courtyard below the solar pergola accomplished quite a bit for the project. Construction included removing the 2,000 gallon fuel oil barrel and the relocation of an outdated, unsightly Alliant Energy transformer.  The congregation decided it was in the best interest of the existing structure that the water issue be dealt with at this time. The congregation voted to pay for the recommended construction of the French drain. Good Shepherd Charter member Lindsay Erdman provided the official designs for the French drain. Legacy Concrete/Finholt Construction and Pinter Landscaping did the work.

Removal of the 1958 2,000 gallon fuel oil tank

This project included excavation to a prescribed 42″ depth. Unfortunately, we couldn’t anticipate the size of the old fuel oil barrel in that location. It was buried nearly 7′ deep and roughly 15′ long, requiring filling and compacting gravel every 5″ of rise. There is approximately 200 ton of compacted, crushed stone below this courtyard.

Local craftsman, Dale Kittelson, created the Douglas Fir post and beam pergola structure.

Construction of the doug fir pergola

Mission Green installed a permeable paver courtyard above the French drain and below the post and beam solar pergola to better reflect on the bi-facial solar panels. A stylized cross, copied from the 1958 architectural drawing for the original building, was added to the courtyard’s center. Mission Green installed architectural LED lighting and an outdoor sound system. This area will become a significant new space for events at Good Shepherd while adding to the efficiency of solar production.

The permeable paver courtyard speaks to the design elements of the original 1958 church

 The Solar Pergola

The racking system for the solar pergola is the real gem of the entire solar facility. It is from the Couillard Solar Foundation of Deerfield, WI. Cal Couillard, the CEO, formerly owned a large aluminum extrusion manufacturing factory. He sold it to a multi-national company and used portions of the sales receipts to establish a solar foundation that donates solar arrays to non-profits in Wisconsin. Cal developed and patented (pending) the anodized aluminum extrusion racking system that supports the pergola solar array. It is simple, super strong, elegant compared to the industry, and adaptable for various use cases.

Mission Green sought assistance from the Winneshiek Energy District and greenpenny.bank of Decorah.  We used local contractors extensively: Decorah Electric -Joel Teslow, Vick’s Heating and Plumbing – Steve Klemme, Legacy Concrete/Finholt Construction – Seth Klotzbach, Kittleson Woodworks – Dale Kittelson, Pinter Landscaping – Shane Pinter, Reed Fitton, and Tom Bourcier. There was also a list of volunteers too long to name. THANK YOU to all!!

Carbon Neutral Project Accomplished

Good Shepherd is now 100% electric. The gas meter was removed in February 2023. The Good Shepherd Carbon Neutral Project has replaced the fossil fuel HVAC system with four geothermal heat pumps, three air-to-air heat pumps, and a mini-split unit. It can heat/air condition the entire facility using solar electricity, all created onsite. LED lighting throughout the whole campus also reduces the overall electrical needs. Other efforts by the congregation to lower their Carbon Footprint include planting over 20 trees in the campus greenspace and considering adding a prairie wildflower/pollinator garden.

Current projections indicate that the 55 kW of onsite solar will provide 99.2% of needs. Current energy needs are now being met via solar production, and Alliant Energy Corp has granted us Full Net Metering. We’ll monitor the system for 12-18 months, but our hope/goal/aim is also to be Net Zero or even Net Positive.

Once the PPA and lease are completed, the congregation can use previous energy dollars for mission dollars instead. We’re proud of our combined efforts to Move the Needle in the fight against climate change.

With new national incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act (the IRA bill), this work is eligible for a 30% tax credit. The new Act also allows non-profits to recover this credit, which wasn’t possible when Good Shepherd joined Mission Green for this project. The current national programs are the best possible “sale” of renewable energy options in our lifetimes. Now is the time to act!! Let’s move the needle!

 

 

 

 

Please Keep Trash Out of Recycling Bins

Happy Friday! This is another friendly reminder to please ensure you are only placing recyclable materials in the recycling collection bins throughout Winneshiek County. Bags filled with garbage were recently discovered in a Ridgeway recycling collection bin. There was also a ceiling fan in the 48 hour lot paper bin in Decorah. If you have garbage and you don’t know what to do with it, please check out the “LANDFILL” tab on our home page of this website. Find more information about the rural waste drop-off sites in our county here.
The Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is located at:
2000 140th Avenue
Decorah, IA 52101
Thanks to all of you that support our recycling program. Have a great weekend!

Closer look at 11 black trash bags full of trash piled next to each other in the recycling center.
Picture of various types of paper waste with a ceiling fan in the middle.
Picture of various types of paper waste with a ceiling fan in the middle.
11 black trash bags full of trash piled next to each other in the recycling center.

Appliances

Do you have an appliance that you need to dispose of? Check out our Applicances page for directions on where to take your item. Appliances must be dropped off during office hours. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers (appliances with freon) should be taken to the Winneshiek County Landfill appliance trailer- $20.00 fee per appliance. Microwaves, stoves, washers and dryers (appliances without freon) can be dropped at the Freeport Recycling Center door 6am-3pm M-F without a charge.

1 2 3 66