Category: Podcasts

There are certain things that are identified as true Decorah landmarks: Dunning’s Spring, Vesterheim, Luther College, Seed Savers Exchange… and Mabe’s Pizza, of course! (Ok, there are lots more, but…)

For 70 years, the White family has been providing square cut pizza slices and hometown hospitality to Northeast Iowa locals and visitors alike. Now a fourth generation family business, the Mabe’s legacy started with Mabel White, who at the age of 49 (!), opened “Mabel’s Lunch Room” in 1953 at the corner of College Drive and Leif Erickson Street.

Her proximity to Luther College was a winning choice from the start – they provided countless coffee, donuts, and eventually meals, to area residents and hungry students. It was one of those young patrons who asked Mabel about making a “pizza” – something she knew nothing about at the time, but would eventually make Mabe’s an iconic Decorah staple.

From forging partnerships with local breweries, to supporting an endless number of community groups and projects – Mabe’s is a true main street (or Water Street, in this case!) pillar.

Join them in celebrating 70 years of square cut pizza and four generations of family-run-business this summer – and keep an eye out for monthly specials and celebrations.

Also don’t miss our full interview (with even more fun historical photos!) in the Summer 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine.  Click here to read the full interview from the magazine. 

Find out more about Mabe’s:
https://mabespizza.com/

Thank You to the White Family for 70+ tasty years of Mabe’s!

“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

 

Lisa Lantz is the owner of The Getup in Downtown Decorah, a “carefully curated secondhand clothing boutique with gear for the whole family”. She is also an Iowa boomerang, who set out on a track in theater and costume design, followed her passion teaching in higher education to the East Coast before circling back to Decorah with her husband (and business partner) Scott Bassford. Two boys, a career shift, and two business locations later, The Getup shines bright at 212 West Water Street in Downtown Decorah, offering “Community Powered Sustainable Styles” for the whole family.

What does “Sustainable Style” mean though? And what sets The Getup apart from a thrift store? Dive in to this show to hear Lisa talk about all this and more – but we can tell you Lisa & Scott set out from the beginning to create a beautiful, well curated, fun, family friend, affordable experience. In fact, it was the closing of Decorah’s legacy JC Penney Store in 2017 that was one of Lisa’s “Ah-Ha!” moments of seeing the right timing and opportunity to launch their store. Originally, they thought perhaps The Getup would be just for young people, but they quickly figured out that there is a fantastic market for gently worn second hand clothing for all ages, body types, and styles.

Since launching their store, Lisa & Scott have since outgrown one downtown space, purchased and renovated a building (and apartment!) at 212 W Water Street, embraced and created technology that has helped them move their business forward, and also become even more woven into the fabric Downtown Decorah (Lisa even serves on the Decorah Chamber of Commerce board!). Lisa is also a recent graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10ksb Iowa program, which you can hear more about in our podcast here.

Check out The Getup’s Instagram Feed!

Jump into this conversation – and then go check out the ever-changing inventory at The Getup – or better yet, clean out those high quality gently worn clothing items that you don’t wear anymore and sell them at The Getup! We are so grateful to have this amazing community resource on Water Street.

— Community Powered Sustainable Styles —

 

Find The Getup at 212 W Water Street – Downtown Decorah

www.thegetupdecorah.com

@thegetupdecorah

 

“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

 

Really, you should click this reel!

 

Stephanie Henning has been helping create beautiful retail spaces since she was just old enough to unbox and arrange shoes on the racks of The Bootery (her Mom’s part time retail job.) Fashion and retail was the track that would give her inspiration and opportunity again and again, all while dreaming of what her own boutique would look like someday – Modish!

Fast forward three sons of her own, and a decade+ career in child care, Stephanie found herself with the opportunity to re-enter women’s fashion in Downtown Decorah via her friend and mentor Margaret Walter.

A chance opportunity would allow Stephanie to realize the dream of having her own boutique. She also realized her store needed to service the “real life” needs of her audience in a town of 8,000 people, an hour from anything that resembles a city. “It’s more than our tagline. It’s our mission. We have real bodies and real life budgets and we assume you do, too.”

Stephanie has been a ground level user of promoting her brick and mortar dream via tasteful and authentic social media use since day 1 of bringing her store to life – and those messages are also carry through her amazing team of stylists in her store. From 0/2 to 3X+, Modish works to model real life, and great fashion.

From tackling 100+ year old buildings with her Husband Mark, to carving out the time to attend fashion and buying events in urban centers, mentoring young stylists, and helping keep a rural main street thriving – Stephanie continues to bring life and light to Water Street in Downtown Decorah – stop by and see for yourself!

Find Modish on Instagram here.

Photos courtesy of Modish and Alacia Adrienne Photography.

“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

 

Five plus years ago Eric Sovern left his job in the “corporate bike world” to pursue opening Cardboard Robot – a brick and mortar store that sells “Supplies to make things”.

He and his wife Shannon (and son Jack) have built an epic destination for beautiful things that help you create more beautiful things – think high quality blank stationary, model and science kits for kids (of all ages!), art supplies, high quality writing utensils, rockets, 3D printed doodads, and so much more.

What would Decorah and the region be without Cardboard Robot?

We’d be much less fun, that’s for sure. 

Join us for a conversation with Eric as we cover:

– Finding your way to living in Decorah.

– Starting a business in a rural small town. 

– Loving Retail (Yes!). 

– The Theory of Miniatures (You’ll have to listen…).

– Why Salt Water Fish Aquariums are rad, but will rule your life. 

– How to support your rad rural downtown. 

– Going through the Goldman Sachs 10ksb Program
(Find our podcast on 10ksb here!)

– So much more.

Find Cardboard Robot on Instagram here.

A huge thank you to Eric Sovern and Shannon Horton of Cardboard Robot for all they bring to downtown Decorah and our region.

 

“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

 

Gail Bolson Magnuson started Agora Arts in downtown Decorah in 1992 with 33 regional artists represented in a gallery and artist workshop space. 30+ Years later, and a couple of moves, Agora still represents American Handcraft (and beyond) by over 200 artists, in a beautiful, welcoming retail space. On this episode we talk life paths, retail, starting a business, and keeping rural downtown main streets alive.

Gail (right) and her shop crew.
(Photo Courtesy Agora Arts)

Gail comes from four generations of NE Iowans, and grew up around the intergenerational family business – SB Bolson & Sons Painting and Wallpapering –  artists and entrepreneurs in their right, of high end, award winning painting and papering in both commercial and residential settings.

Gail – second from left, as part of an International Women’s Day Panel at Luther College 2023.

Gail had an interest in art from a young age, exploring many mediums, and having key influences along the way like retired Decorah Community School District Teacher Elizabeth Lorentzen, and Luther College fiber arts instructor Kate Martinson. Luther would also be how Gail found her husband Karl, and an amazing peer group that were a wave of creative and entrepreneurial young adults that chose to stay and make Decorah home in the late 1980s and 90s. 

Gail and husband Karl
(Photo courtesy of Charlie Langton)

Agora continues into it’s fourth decade in business, now in it’s fourth location at 102 W. Water Street in Downtown Decorah (just next to the Hotel Winneshiek). Gail features the work of over 200 artisans including; jewelry, pottery, glass work, prints, cards, mugs and ceramic, as well as gifts specifically curated for gentlemen, and generally beautiful things to brighten anyone’s day.

Many thanks to Gail for taking time to share her story – and for all that she has provided our region for three decades and counting!

“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

 

Decorah Native Kelly Ludeking might best be known as an “Ironmonger” – but his path as a professional artist is one of key mentors and moments. Join us on this show to learn more about Kelly’s work, and the 20^th Anniversary of the Down on the Farm Iron Pour located in Decorah, Iowa, and the many adventures of Kelly and his wife Diane.

Down on the Farm Iron our – 20^th Anniversary 2023!

From Kelly’s website:

“Did you know my middle initial, the meat in the sandwich of KRL, stands for Renaissance? It doesn’t, actually, but it might as well. This one word best sums up my approach to life as a sculptor, fabricator & metal arts instructor. I reimagine the use of materials in order to realize solutions to challenging goals or problems. I renew interest in metal both as an industrial staple that shapes the world around us as well as its artistic influence, reshaping the world within us. I reignite the spark of creativity, curiosity & ingenuity in my students, expanding their horizons to new possibilities within metal arts & industry.

Growing up on a midwestern dairy & hog farm created a very real need to invent & reinvent tools and repair machinery in order to keep our livelihood moving in the right direction. I spent so much time with animals & machinery that I began to see one in the other: a tractor seat becomes a face for a gargoyle sculpture; a fuel tank becomes the body for a life-sized elephant sculpture; a garbage shoot becomes the body for a bull dog sculpture.”

Iron Pours are an amazing community event, bringing artists together from across the country (and world!) to share their creative forces using one of the most primitive, but captivating artistic art forms in human history. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of “Down on the Farm” 2023!

Down On the Farm Iron Pour takes place over a week, where you can arrive early, work in the sand studio, be part of or take in an all Iron art show, help create community, and be a part of the main event on Saturday night. Find all the details and how to plug in by visiting the DOTF Website!

“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

 

Mike Bollinger and Katie Prochaska have an incredible story of connection to Decorah, Luther College, and the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE). As Mike settles into his roll as Executive Director of SSE, the almost 50 year-old organization looks to set its course well into the future of sharing heirloom seeds with all.

From the SSE Website:

“In the last century or so, the world has lost 75% of its edible plant varieties. That might be hard to perceive when many of us have enough food on our plates, but consider this: According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, only five cereal grains make up 60% of our calories. A system that depends so heavily on so few crops is quite fragile.”

From growing up in South Dakota, to meeting his future wife (Katie) at Luther College, adventures in West Africa through the Peace Corps, and finding their way back to Decorah (and SSE – more than once!), Mike’s authentic connections and genuine care for “hands in the dirt” agriculture are the real deal. He and Katie still own River Root Farm, which they created to grow quality vegetables and food in our region, and was also key to helping grow SSE’s national plant sales business.

Seed Savers Exchange stewards Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. We educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.

 

As co-founder of an agricultural solutions company, Mike has also provided support to SSE on greenhouse design and organic production practices. Mike not only has a practical understanding of organic and sustainable growing practices, but he has also dedicated years of service as an active member on the board of directors for organizations focusing on farmer education services and local and regional food systems. We are so appreciative that Mike took time to tell us his story on this episode.

Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy, with seeds brought by Grandpa Ott’s parents from Bavaria when they immigrated to Iowa in 1884. Diane and Kent went on to form a network of gardeners interested in preserving heirloom varieties and sharing seeds. Today, with 13,000 members and 20,000 plant varieties, Seed Savers Exchange makes its home on 890 scenic acres in Winneshiek County, Iowa, at Heritage Farm.

Learn More about the Seed Savers Exchange here, including the return of SSE’s annual summer events, special offerings, and more.

“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

 

 

Cindy Goodner
Development Director – Seed Savers Exchange
VP of the Decorah School Board

On today’s show we talk with Cindy Goodner, Development Director for Seed Savers Exchange, and Vice President of the Decorah Community School District Board. Cindy is a nonprofit fundraising professional and holds a passion for helping people find joy in their philanthropic support. Raised on a 4-generation family farm in the Decorah area and often assisting both her mother and grandmother in the garden, she feels a close connection with the land and historic varieties at Seed Savers Exchange. She joined the development and membership team at Seed Savers Exchange in 2014.

Cindy’s early professional and volunteer experiences led to her current positions via multiple board and fundraising experiences. Her husband followed professional opportunities back to NE Iowa, where Cindy found her calling at Seed Savers – having served 8+ years for the incredible nonprofit, and continuing to further the work of Seed Savers missions.

Join us as we talk about philanthropy, why anyone should run for public offices and boards, and the perfect Saturday in the Driftless!

“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

Welcome to Spring 2023! 

The “Spring 2023” Issue of Inspire(d) is out on stands (and online) now! The amazing Aryn Henning Nichols and I always enjoy running down the new issues, kibitzing in general, and laughing about whatever we can (because, gee-gosh-golly we could all use a good laugh.) 

Our featured theme of “You Are Here” ties in nicely to cover artist, and MIBA Independent Book Store Map creator Kevin Cannon’s artwork and our feature story on all things Independent Book Sellers (have we mentioned we LOVE book stores?!) 

The stoke is real for spring around HQ – read Aryn’s entire editors letter by clicking here, and thanks for listening to the show! If you have ideas for other folks you’d like to hear on “Rhymes With…” feel free to drop Benji a message here. 

“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