Community

  • Ice Cave Scavenger Hunt
    Event Details Join us in a family-friendly scavenger hunt along Ice Cave Road! Search for Gnomes and other creatures that may be hiding along the trail. Participants can start their hunt at the Dunning Springs Parking Lot and head towards Ice Cave. The trail will have riddles and clues for you to solve along the
  • March Madness Bracket Challenge 2024
    FREE EVENT Source link
  • Easter Egg Hunt (8yrs and Under)
    Join us on Sunday, March 24th, beginning promptly at 3:00 pm, at Will Baker Athletic Fields. Children find plastic eggs filled with candy or prizes and all egg hunters receive participation gifts at the close of the Hunt. The Easter Bunny will also be there so bring your cameras! After you register online, please stop
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With – EMS – Steve Vanden Brink
    Photo Courtesy of WinnMed Emergency Management Services are often not thought of until there is a time of need. Police, Fire, Ambulance, First Responders – all provide essential community services, and face unique challenges in much of our rural regions. Steve Vanden Brink has been serving Decorah and NE Iowa for over 30 years as
  • Changes in Electronic Waste and Appliance Collection Beginning Monday, April 1st
    STARTING MONDAY, APRIL 1ST, ALL ELECTRONIC WASTE AND OLD APPLIANCES SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF AT THE RECYCLING CENTER (2510 172nd Avenue Decorah, IA) DURING BUSINESS HOURS (6:00 AM to 3:00 PM M-F excluding holidays). THE WINNESHIEK COUNTY LANDFILL WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT ELECTRONICS OR APPLIANCE WASTE STARTING APRIL 1ST. PLEASE NOTE: * A $20 fee
  • Pending Electric Rate Shocks: Make Your Voice Heard
    Summarize this content to 25 words Jim Martin-Schramm Last fall, Alliant Energy sent a notice to customers about its application to the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to increase rates.   For many, Alliant’s notice might have been missed or swept into the recycling bin without much thought.  Not at Luther College.  Luther’s Director of Facilities Services immediately set about figuring out how Alliant’s rate increase would impact the college.  He was stunned. Luther College is facing a 48.2% increase in its Alliant Energy bill if the IUB approves the company’s proposed electric rate increase as proposed. “You can imagine my dismay when our Director of Facilities Services informed me that Alliant’s proposed electric rate increase would not increase our bill by 20%, as the company estimates in their customer notice, but rather by 36% under Phase I ($371,464) and an additional $85,700 after Phase II. The total increase is calculated to be $457,200 or 48.2% increase over our 2022-23 invoice totals,” said President Jenifer K. Ward in comments she sent to the Iowa Utilities Board on February 13, 2024. President Ward goes on to say: “It feels like we are being punished for our investments in efficiency and renewables. We certainly are not being rewarded for reducing our demand on the grid and the production of energy during many of the peak hours of the day. . . . In my view, Alliant’s proposed increase is punitive and unjust. It will have a severe negative impact on Luther College, and the significant proposed increases for residential customers (13.4%)  and small businesses (20%) are going to harm Luther’s employees and Decorah’s vital downtown businesses.” One of those downtown businesses is the award-winning restaurant, Rubaiyat.  An analysis performed by the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI) has revealed that the restaurant is facing a 38% increase in its electricity bill, which is almost twice the 20% average increase Alliant has told businesses that they will experience. “I’m just sick about the potential of that big of an increase. . .  I feel so helpless and frustrated,” said Rubaiyat’s co-owner, Kim Carlson-Bonnet. Other analyses performed by CEDI for local businesses and institutions in the area indicate that some customers will likely have larger increases than the average 20% increase the company has projected. The same will likely be true for residential customers. One of the things driving Alliant’s increased costs is the cost of electricity in the summer.  For residential customers, it is scheduled to increase 57.4% from 11.685 cents/kWh in 2023 to 18.408 cents/kWh once the rate increase has been fully phased in. This will significantly increase the energy burden for households living paycheck to paycheck and for those in large homes and/or those with inefficient air conditioning systems.  For businesses taking service under Alliant’s non-residential general service tariff, electricity will increase 87% from 11.916 cents/kWh to 22.295 cents/kWh.  Some businesses will see their summer electricity bills more than double. These increased costs will be significantly exacerbated by Alliant’s proposal to eliminate declining cost block pricing for residential and commercial customers.  The cost increase will be mitigated slightly by Alliant’s decision to limit summer rates to June, July, and August, which is one month less than is currently the case. Alliant’s proposal to raise electric rates is its third in seven years, and the largest in its history.  Alliant’s residential rates are almost the highest in the State of Iowa and third highest in the Midwest among investor-owned utilities of similar size. If you are concerned about how this rate increase could affect your home or business, make your voice heard.  The Iowa Utilities Board encourages all citizens and ratepayers to voice their perspectives to the Board by submitting comments by email to customer@iub.iowa.gov or by mail to Iowa Utilities Board, 1375 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319-0069.  All communication should reference Docket RPU-2023-0002 in the subject line of the email or letter. The Clean Energy Districts of Iowa is an official intervenor in the Alliant electric rate case as the CEDI Coalition, which currently consists of 47 communities who oppose the magnitude of Alliant’s proposed rate increase.  To date, 83 communities have filed with the IUB a resolution drafted by CEDI opposing the rate increase. The City of Decorah was the first to sign the resolution and to join the CEDI Coalition. I urge you to make your voice heard at the Iowa Utilities Board.  The first round of testimony is due on April 16 and the legal hearing will take place at the IUB July 9-12.  The Board will likely issue its final decision and order shortly thereafter.     Jim Martin-Schramm is on the Board of the Winneshiek Energy District.  He also serves as a Policy Analyst for the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa and as the manager of the CEDI Coalition.
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With – Oneota Valley Community Orchestra
    The Oneota Valley Community Orhestra has been bringing incredible performances to NE Iowa for 10 years! Join founder and musical director Matt Cody, along with musician and board member Benjamin Kratchmer as we talk all things OVCO. The organization, started in 2014, was brougth to life to present live classical music to the residents of
  • Winneshiek County Residents – Want a Free Home Composter?
    Winneshiek County residents! Did you hear you can earn a home composter for no cost this year? See the details listed below to find out if you are eligible. Composting your food waste helps reduce pressure on our landfill. It also creates healthy soil that can be used as fertilizer in your garden! Click on
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With – Liuda Skorlupina and Maryna Nading
    Liudmyla Skorlupina is a Ukrainian English teacher, currently living with her son Zhenia in the US. They are from Bucha, Ukraine, and were able to participate in the “Uniting for Ukraine” Federal humanitarian program, which allows them to spend up to two years in the US with a host sponsor family. Liuda and Luther College
  • Winneshiek County Emergency Responders Receive Clinical Save Award
    Cy Nelson of Decorah is pictured with his wife, Mona, and many of the emergency responders who participated in his care. Winneshiek County emergency responders were presented with a Clinical Save award for their role in a cardiac arrest event that happened in December.  Cardiac Arrest Event Cy Nelson of Decorah and his friend Kevin
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With Olivia Schnur – Mental Health Writer
    Olivia Lynn Schnur is a writer, Mental Health Counselor, and yoga teacher, with roots in NE Iowa! You may have read some of Olivia’s pieces in the pages of Inspire(d) over the past 4+ years, as she and Aryn have partnered to present various themes and topics throughout each issue. Olivia has a wealth of
  • Spring Brochure 2024
    Registration is NOW OPEN! Source link
  • Decorah Family Saves by Installing Heat Pump Water Heater
    The Glocks upgraded their water heater to a more energy-efficient heat pump model, saving about $650 annually. Rebates and incentives help offset installation costs.
  • Plastics at the Recycling Center
    Happy Wednesday all! Remember to unscrew those bottle caps before tossing plastic bottles in the recycling bin, and ensure your plastic bottles are empty. Our recycling team appreciates the help! Also, another friendly reminder: we only accept HARD plastics with the magic numbers 1 or 2 in the recycling triangle. This number is usually found
  • The WinnMed Pharmacy in Decorah to open February 1
    WinnMed will serve patients and the broader region in a new way beginning February 1, 2024 through the opening of their retail pharmacy. Located in the renovated North Building on their Decorah campus, the WinnMed Pharmacy offers retail pharmacy services, including: prescription filling and education, over-the-counter medications, medication adherence packaging, medication synchronization, compounding, drug disposal,
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With Decorah – Kim Karr – Digital4Good #ICanHelp
    Decorah Native Kim Karr started her professional career in high school education, and quickly realized a need in the digital world – social media specifically, and the way that young people interact. Fast forward, and Kim has been the Executive Director of Digital4Good and #ICanHelp for a decade – making positive impact on a world
  • Wayside Ice Rink and Warming House Hours
    The ice rink will stay open as long as conditions are favorable, please obey signage while at the rink. Source link
  • Allergist Michael D’Netto, M.D., tells us what we need to know about the Allergy and Immunology department of WinnMed
    Allergist Michael D’Netto, M.D., tells us what we need to know about the Allergy and Immunology department of WinnMed – WinnMed % Home Allergist Michael D’Netto, M.D., tells us what we need to know about the Allergy and Immunology department of WinnMed Dr. D’Netto, allergist, is seeing patients full time at WinnMed in Decorah. Keep
  • Superb Sorting!
    Big shoutout to our amazing community! We’ve noticed a significant rise in cardboard here over the past couple weeks, and the best part? The loads have been clean with minimal contamination! Kudos for the exceptional job in maintaining the quality of our cardboard recycling. Thanks for your efforts and stay safe in this snow!
  • HSNEI 2023 Projects: Safer Environment & Enhanced Community Services
    HSNEI Completes 2023 Projects, Making the Love & Friendship Adoption Enter a Safer Place for Animals, Staff, Volunteers, and Visitors.
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With Decorah – DCSD Superintendent Tim Cronin
    Decorah Community School District Superintendent Tim Cronin joins us for this episode of “Rhymes With Decorah” to talk about his long family ties to Decorah, generations of educators, the successes and challenges our School district faces, and the perfect “Decorah” day!  Dr. Cronin’s path found him attending Luther College for undergrad studies (and basketball!) before
  • Winter Trails & Recreation Information
    Updated January 22, 2024 @ 3:45pm Source link
  • Winter Walkers
    Decorah Parks and Recreation invites the community to join our Winter Walkers program beginning Monday, January 1st! Winter Walkers is a fun way for folks of all ages to stay active, spend time outside, and stay motivated during the winter when we are oftentimes less likely to bundle up and head outdoors. The aim of
  • Tuesday Morning Open Gyms
    A free, drop-in event for families to enjoy! Join us Tuesdays in Luther College Regent’s Center North Gym, from 11:00am-12:00pm to enjoy open play during the winter weather. *All children must be accompanied by an adult* Please use the North Entrance by the racquetball courts to enter the building. Also note that if Decorah Community
  • Fly Fishing Workshop (FREE)
    Join The Iowa Driftless Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Decorah Park-Rec., and Winneshiek County Conservation for a Free Fly Fishing Workshop Saturday, February 3, 2024. Source link
  • Superhero Sunday (FREE)
    Superhero Sunday will be held in the Carrie Lee Gym, Sunday February 4th, from 12:00pm- 2:00pm. Children are invited to come dressed to impress as their favorite superhero and join us for a free, open house event. If it is wet or snowy that day, we ask that you bring a change of shoes. Play
  • Rhymes With Decorah Podcast: Rhymes With Decorah -Winter 2024 – The Fam!
    Welcome to 2024 – and welcome back to “Rhymes With Decorah”!  On this episode Roxie, Aryn, and Benji work to shake off the end of holiday school break while running down the “Winter 2024” issue of Inspire(d), and looking at 2024 bucket lists. This show is loose as a goose -and funky as a chicken,
  • Sunday Cinema Series (February)
    Join us Sunday afternoon in the Decorah Middle School Gym for a family, friendly movie showing February 11th at 2:30pm, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Movies are chosen via social media votes, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Source link
  • Sunday Cinema Series (January)
    Join us Sunday afternoon in the Decorah Middle School Gym for a family, friendly movie showing January 14th at 2:30pm. Movies are chosen via social media votes, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Source link
  • Walking School Bus Looking for Volunteer
    Upper Explorerland’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is looking for a volunteer to help walk a small group of students to John Cline School on Wednesday mornings this winter and spring.  For more information please contact SRTS Coordinator April Bril at abril@uerpc.org.
  • Winneshiek County Recycling Needs Your Help!
    We love the committment to recycling, but we need your help! Recently, our recycling center has faced challenges with improper sorting and non-recyclables finding their way into the bins. This poses serious risks to our hardworking staff, especially when heavy items mix with lighter materials like paper. Large pieces of scrap metal need to be
  • New Year’s Eve Bash
    The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to attend the 26th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash sponsored by Decorah Bank & Trust and Gundersen Health System!  This free family friendly event will be held Sunday, December 31, 5:30-9:30pm, in the Luther College Regents Center. The evening includes open swimming, basketball, tennis, pickleball, a
  • 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.
  • WinnMed’s Transforming Tomorrow project receives Board approval
    Exterior rendering of the expanded clinic space on WinnMed’s campus in Decorah, Iowa. WinnMed continues to grow to meet the needs of the broader eight-county region. This growth includes the Transforming Tomorrow project, which involves a major facility expansion and remodel on the Decorah campus. Following a public bidding process that concluded in November, WinnMed leadership presented a
  • Computers, Monitors, and Televisions
    Winneshiek County Recycling does not accept televisions, flat screens, or computer monitors. To dispose of these items, kindly take them to the electronics recycling trailer at the Winneshiek County Landfill during business hours. Please stop at the landfill office first where a $20 fee per unit applies.
  • Managing Grief During the Holidays
    For many people who are grieving, the weeks and days leading up to the holiday are actually more difficult than the day itself. Nancy Haberichter, RN, director of WinnMed Hospice, shares strategies and tips to help cope with loss. Tips to cope with grief 1. Understand that the holidays invoke such a sense of family,
  • Letters to Santa
    Now until December 14th, Decorah Parks and Recreation is helping send your letter to Santa! All you have to do is: Write a letter to Santa, place in the red mailbox outside the park-rec office, and Santa will send a letter back to you! *Be sure to include your name and return address*
  • Women’s health care expands at WinnMed with new OB-GYN
    Mayo Clinic Health System Decorah Clinic Physicians is pleased to welcome Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) Specialist Mark Ballard, M.D. to WinnMed. Dr. Ballard comes to northeast Iowa from a private practice in Rapid City, South Dakota. He earned his Bachelor of Science from University of South Dakota and his medical degree from University of South
  • Celebrate the season of giving with WinnMed Auxiliary’s Light for Life
    The WinnMed Auxiliary invites the community to celebrate the season of giving through the 2023 Light for Life program. Light for Life is the Auxiliary’s annual community giving campaign. For a donation of $15 or more, your loved one is honored or remembered with lighted snowflakes in the windows of WinnMed. The snowflakes light up
  • Happy America Recycles Day!
    Happy America Recycles Day! Today, we would like to thank all the folks out there that choose to recycle. Your actions matter, and together we’re making a positive impact on our environment and contributing to a healthier planet. We appreciate each and every one of you! Let’s keep those recyclable materials out of our landfill!

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