Photo Courtesy of Walking Space 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!  Rhymes With Lansing is being made possible by the generous support of the Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power, with additional support from Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism. A special thank you to Lansing Office Works for hosting the recording of these shows - find Lansing Works on Main Street for co-working, meeting, and commercial kitchen space -www.lansingofficeworks.com To find out more about Lansing Iowa - where Main Street meets the Mississippi visit www.lansingiowa.com "Rhymes With..." is a companion podcast project of Inspire(d) Media - find us online at www.iloveinspired.com Original music for the "Rhymes With Lansing" series by Benji Nichols.

Erin Cubbon, Naturalist, Allamakee Co Conservation 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. Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center Erin Cubbon is a naturalist for Allamakee County Conservation, based out of the amazing Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center, on the south end of Lansing. Join us to hear her tails of critters, rivers, and culture from the Upper Mississippi River Valley (and beyond!).  Better yet, catch Erin in action at the Driftless Visitors Center - or hear the many tales -and tails- from working with students young (and young at heart) from across the region via educational opportunities.  Check it all out and listen to the entire conversation - then go visit Lansing, Iowa - one of Iowa's best kept River Town secrets! (Did we mention the Driftless Visitors Center is FREE!?) Rhymes With Lansing is being made possible by the generous support of the Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power, with additional support from Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism. A special thank you to Lansing Office Works for hosting the recording of these shows - find Lansing Works on Main Street for co-working, meeting, and commercial kitchen space -www.lansingofficeworks.com To find out more about Lansing Iowa - where Main Street meets the Mississippi visit www.lansingiowa.com "Rhymes With..." is a companion podcast project of Inspire(d) Media - find us online at www.iloveinspired.com Original music for the "Rhymes With Lansing" series by Benji Nichols.  Baby Rattle Snakes at the Driftless Visitors Center in Lansing, Iowa! (No, really, they're adorable!)

Maryann Baldwin, Lansing Entrepreneur Photo by: Brittany Todd 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. Maryann Baldwinn's story is one of building community and seeing opportunities when they've presented themselves. From an early background in broadcasting, a career in media and marketing took her across the country - until she and her husband found the Lansing area in 2013. Her work in mentoring local entrepreneurs, supporting city and community agencies, volunteering on boards like Main Street Lansing, and running the coworking space, Lansing Office Works (or "The Works" as it's known) shows just a few of the gifts that she shares with her community.   Maryann and Benji recording at Lansing Office Works, April 2024 In a Community Builder feature from the "Summer 2022" issue of Inspire(d) Magazine, Maryann says “The way I see it, I’ve just created a garden. I provide the sunlight and fertilizer and water, and then I stand back and let it happen. Everything is connected, and it’s so fun to watch things grow.” Grow, indeed - as Maryann continues to help along the next generation of entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders in Lansing and the greater area. Find out more or get details on how you can use the Lansing Office Works coworking space on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis (or rent their commercial kitchen!). A huge thanks goes out to Maryann for hosting us at Lansing Office Works to record this series of shows.  Rhymes With Lansing is being made possible by the generous support of the Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power, with additional support from Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism. A special thank you to Lansing Office Works for hosting the recording of these shows - find Lansing Works on Main Street for co-working, meeting, and commercial kitchen space -www.lansingofficeworks.com To find out more about Lansing Iowa - where Main Street meets the Mississippi visit www.lansingiowa.com "Rhymes With..." is a companion podcast project of Inspire(d) Media - find us online at www.iloveinspired.com Original music for the "Rhymes With Lansing" series by Benji Nichols.

Lansing, Iowa - Courtesy, Driftless Visitors Center Welcome to a special mini-series of shows we're calling "Rhymes With Lansing" - bringing you stories from "where Main Street meets the Mississippi" in Iowa's very NE Corner. Located in Allamakee County, Lansing is a town of almost 1,000 people ideally tucked into a wooded valley along the Mississippi River.  Photo Courtesy of Main Street Lansing On this show, we introduce the series, take a walk around town to meet a few local business owners, and hear a little bit about what makes this small town such a unique place.  Horsfall's Variety - Lansing, Iowa - Photo Benji Nichols Special guests heard on this introduction episode include: Paul Horsfall Jr - Horsfall's Variety Dave Jansen - Lansing Hardware Wendi Wilson-Eiden - Coffee on the River Stan Fullerton - Lansing Transplant Jeni Grouws - Musician, Avey/Grouws Band Thee OP, Lansing Iowa - Photo, Benji Nichols Join us as we roll out five new "Rhymes With Lansing" shows in the coming weeks - and better yet, start planning your trip at www.lansingiowa.com Coffee On The River - Lansing, Iowa Find the next episodes of "Rhymes With Lansing":  - Lansing Entrepreneur Maryann Baldwin - Erin Cubbon, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist and Driftless Visitors Center   Rhymes With Lansing is being made possible by the generous support of the Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative and Dairyland Power, with additional support from Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism. A special thank you to Lansing Office Works for hosting the recording of these shows - find Lansing Works on Main Street for co-working, meeting, and commercial kitchen space -www.lansingofficeworks.com To find out more about Lansing Iowa - where Main Street meets the Mississippi visit www.lansingiowa.com "Rhymes With..." is a companion podcast project of Inspire(d) Media - find us online at www.iloveinspired.com Original music for the "Rhymes With Lansing" series by Benji Nichols.

Valerie Reinke,  Executive Director of Allamakee County Iowa Economic Development & Tourism joins us for this episode of "Rhymes With... Allamakee" Iowa's most Northeastern County is a treasure trove of outdoor beauty, recreation opportunities, and some very dynamic communities. With just over 14,000 people, Allamakee County consists of six small towns: Waukon, Lansing, Postville, Harpers Ferry, New Albin, and Waterville. Allamakee County is also home to Iowa's only National Monument, Effigee Mounds, as well as the 8,900 acre Yellow River State Forest (and Iowa's only firetower!).  Keep an eye out for our next mini-series of shows - “Rhymes With Lansing” – a 5 show series from Lansing, IA – airing through April into Spring featuring stories and organizations from Lansing, Iowa. Get all the details and more about Allamakee County: https://www.allamakeecounty.com/   "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

Join us on this episode of "Rhymes With Decorah" as we take an awesome opportunity to talk with Decorah Community School District Nutrition Director and Culinary Specialist Chad Elliott.    With deep roots in the Decorah area, Chad brings a background in the commercial food service industry to what may be any communities most important food source - school meals! It takes a village to provide the necessary meals to the DCSD, including 6 different facilities in different locations that require multiple offerings on any given school day. And for that, Chad is quick to point out his incredible staff that pull this task off on a daily basis. Local Foods have also been a huge part of Chad's influence and vision on making sure that our youngest consumers in the community have opportunities to experience farm to school table foods in their daily meals. Partnerships within the district have even led to incredible programs like Tim Haye's school garden program that provides thousands of pounds of fresh, grown on school grounds produce each year.   You can keep up with all that the DCSD Nutrition Program is doing via their "Viking Galley" Facebook Page found here.  A huge thanks to Chad and his crew for all of their work and vision to provide our most important resource with fresh, healthy, delicious daily meals while they are at school!   "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

Cover image by Anne Butera / MyGiantStrawberry.com Join the WHOLE fam on this show for a rundown on the Spring 2024 Issue of Inspire(d) Magazine! Here's Aryn's editors letter for this issue as well. Don't miss a tiny bit of this beautiful issue (inside and out!). Thanks for listening, reading, and supporting our mission of sharing positive news! Find the new "Spring 2024" Inspire(d) Playlist here! PATIENCE: WE ALL BLOOM IN OUR OWN TIME. I totally hated the phrase “late bloomer” when I was a kid. I had two cousins – both a little older and infinitely cooler – who said I was “just a late bloomer.” They didn’t say it with malice, but boy, did it sting. Now, decades later, I want to tell that pre-teen: It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re working on you, you’ll get where you want to be – or where you’re supposed to be – eventually. Keep at it. Of course, there are many things we’d tell our past selves if we could. The theme for this issue is a gentle reminder: We all bloom in our own time. All we need is just a little patience (thanks, Guns N’ Roses). I dive into this topic in my infographic, “Patience in Bloom,” which leads into our spring mental health article by Olivia Lynn Schnur. Olivia gives us tips for avoiding the comparison trap, so we can continue our paths at whatever pace necessary. Hint: We need to get clear on vision and values. It was vision and values that led Anne Butera to art. The Viroqua-based artist taught herself how to paint with watercolors at age 34, and today she is a prolific artist, online art teacher, and the creative behind the website and blog, My Giant Strawberry. Anne’s gorgeous artwork is featured on this issue’s cover. Read her story on page 16. Anne’s blog also inspired us to create the spring paper project: a Giant Strawberry Box! You can use it as a May Day basket, a favor box, or just because it’s cute! We promise your name doesn’t have to be Anne, Annie, or Anni to be in Inspire(d) Magazine, but we happen to have all those names in this issue!  Annie Coleman was inspired by the summers she spent growing up at her grandparents’ Golden Horse Ranch resort north of Madison, Wisconsin. Decades later, she (along with some great help from her friends) opened Red Clover Ranch in rural Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, where folks can attend creative, enriching retreats, fun events, local dinners, and more (pg 48). And last but most certainly not least in the “Anni list,” Anni Weilgart, former long-time Decorah resident and teacher, is featured as our Probituary (pg 66). Anni turned 100 in 2023, and as interviewer Lindy Weilgart says, “she has fewer ailments and healthier blood values than all of us.” I love the wisdom in these Q&As (see all of them here). There’s a lot to be learned from our Driftless Community Builders as well. Ernie Johnson brings people together through vintage collectibles and cars – and with interesting conversation – at Ernie’s Garage in Whalan, Minnesota. In Decorah, Molly Holkesvik has taught, coached, and led students (and some adults) in various forms of self- and world-discovery for two decades through classes, theatre, and travel.  You don’t have to travel too far to embrace the season with our spring ideas for fun, from peony picking to maple syrup sampling (pg 44). And speaking of maple syrup, you can learn about Iowa’s longest running business in this issue’s Sum of Your Business. We feature a Q&A with Jeni (Green) Melcher, the sixth generation of Greens to tap maple trees on their farm in rural Northeast Iowa (pg 56). (Fun fact: I grew up just up the road from Greens’ Sugarbush!) We’re lucky to have so many cool things to do here in the Driftless. As you get out there exploring, watch for the various insects and arachnids move around again. You can learn more about the latter in conservation writer Craig Thompson’s piece on spiders (pg 62). They really are amazing (but still…shudder)! You really are amazing too, readers! Thanks for joining us for another year of positive news! You’re the best. Read the entire Spring 2024 Inspire(d) online here, or see the story list below! Looking forward, Aryn        "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

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 an EMT and Director of Ambulance Services at WinnMed in Decorah, as well as the Decorah Fire Department’s Public Education Officer. While Steve’s story started as a young person, people of all walks find themselves called to serve in the EMS community. EMTs (Emergency Management Technicians) particularly serve a critical link in emergency health and response situations – and are also facing a shortage across the country, including the rural Midwest. Opportunities exist for everything from volunteer first responders to professional career EMTs and flight medics. In NE Iowa, NICC (NE Iowa Community College) has also partnered to help offer training and career paths in EMT services. Image Courtesy of DFD We offer up a huge thanks to those in the EMS world and especially to Steve for taking time to talk to us about his experiences and the opportunities available in the EMS world. If you’d like to find out more, reach out to Steve at WinnMed – 563-382-2911 "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

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 the Oneota Valley, promote music education, and provide the opportunity for amateur and professional musicians to continue the lifelong study and performance of classical music. A decade in, the organization has covered a lot of ground, a lot of music, and is playing bright into the future.  Musicians interested in learning more about performing with the OVCO can submit their information online here.  The Orchestra is also always looking for engaged board members (musicians or not!), as well as those helping advance the organization in other volunteer rolls. Interested? Check out the details. Each season of performances are unique, and often include special guests as part of the repertoire. Check out this season's schedule and more. Several performances are even available on the OVCO's YouTube Channel - which you can watch here. You can also support the symphony by making a tax-deductible donation today. Your support helps continue bringing classical masterpieces to residents of Decorah and surrounding communities as well as provide opportunities for amateur and professional musicians to continue a lifelong study of classical music. Lute by OVCO musician and craftsman Benjmain Kratchmer   "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

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 Professor of Anthropology Maryna Nading have known each other since their upper schooling days in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. (Maryna is a past guest of the show – hear that episode here.) Through Nading’s work with the Luther College Paideia program, Liudmyla is visiting Decorah to present the Paideia lecture “Public Anthropology and the Common Good: Costly Lessons of Bearing Witness to War” on February 13, 2024 (An online link to the presentation may be found here). Liuda Skorlupina Liuda is a Ukrainian native, and has lived with her family in Bucha (Ukraine) for over a decade – a suburb of about 60,000 just 20 miles the Capital city Kiev. When the Russian invasion of Ukraine ramped up in February of 2022, Bucha became a cross roads of invading Russian troops, with intense fighting now known as the “Bucha Massacre”. These brutal attacks on the people of Bucha led to hundreds of civilian and prisoner of war deaths, with documented torture, rape, and mass graves left in the wake of the Russian forces. When Bucha was retaken by Ukrainian forces in late March 2022, the full extent of the atrocities came to light, with US President Biden calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to face war crimes charges. An outrage across the world was sparked, marking even more severe sanctions against Russia by the US & Allies. While many recovery efforts have been made in Bucha since the Spring of 2022 (as much of the fighting has moved into Eastern Ukraine), the City, along with Liuda’s family, are still facing many daily challenges. We thank Liuda and Maryna for helping share these stories with our listeners and our region – and hope that Liuda and Zhenia’s first trip to the upper Midwest was a positive one. Maryna Nading You can hear the previous episode of “Rhymes With Decorah” featuring Maryna Nading here. If you would like to connect with Maryna or help by donating funds to on-the-ground, grass roots organizations, please feel free to contact her at: bazyma01@luther.edu The US Department of State also has an excellent Fact Sheet / web resource for informational sources about the conflict in Ukraine, as well as ways to support relief efforts for the Ukrainian people. Click here for international NGOs and Non Profit Organizations, as well as free resources and information on hosting, visas, mental health / trauma, 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 @indicative_of_drumming

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 experience to draw from with her background as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist. Yoga is also part of Olivia's path, including becoming 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher and a Reiki Master, including additional training in trauma-sensitive yoga and yin yoga. We can't thank Olivia enough for all her contributions to Inspire(d). We also invite you to look back at articles and issues from the past, including the "tear out" worksheets that you can download at the Inspire(d) website. Find out more about Olivia's work at https://oliviaschnur.com/ Thanks for listening! "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 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 wide audience. Digital4Good and #ICanHelp are agents of change committed to creating awareness of the mental health and digital safety of students and adults. Their work is focused on youth digital empowerment, and preventing cyberbullying or other types of abuse, through education and the promotion of student leadership. Digital4Good is a Non Profit entity that is powered by three goals: Educate. Engage. Lead. Programs include: - Student Leadership through Internships, Volunteers, and Mentors. - Digital Citizenship Education via Curriculums, Courses, and Training. - Community Engagement in Social Media, Events, and Webinars. You can support the work of Decorah Native Kim Karr and the Non Profit Digital4Good and #ICanHelp by learning more or donating 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

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 making his way to UW, and the University of Iowa where he completed his PHD. And while education was paramount in the Cronin Family, Tim found that his experiences and interests really led him to higher administrative positions and work. With more than three decades of experience - from elementary classroom teacher to principal, and being a superintendent (amongst many other positions), Cronin continues to look forward to guiding the DCSD.  We thank Superintendent Cronin for sharing his time with us for this show - and hope to have more conversations in the future.  Find out more about the Decorah Community School District 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

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, but we hope you enjoy it as a way to roll on into 2024 before we hit some harder topics and episodes.    "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

Founded in 1988 by the late Bob Anderson, the Raptor Resource Project (RRP) is a non-profit that preserves and strengthens raptor populations, expands participation in raptor conservation, and educates people around the world about raptors and their habitats. Photo courtesy of Raptor Resource Project With the core goals of education, conservation, and research, RRP was at the forefront of peregrine falcon reintroduction to wild sites across the upper midwest, as well as some of the earliest web based "Bird Cams", including the Decorah Eagles Cam that went viral beginning in 2011 (the camera started as a still image updated every 2 mintues in 2009).  "DNF" Photo courtesy of Raptor Resource Project While founder Bob Anderson was at the heart of everything that RRP did in it's first two decades, it took a village of friends and enthusiasts to grow the organization and do the physical work of the organization. One of those folks is Decorah falconer Dave Kester, who joins us on this show to talk about all things RRP. RRP's Dave Kester with eyasses, 2021 Courtesy Raptor Resource Project As a nonprofit, the Raptor Resource Project is governed by a board of directors, and depends on donors, research, and other programs for their annual budget. – You can support the incredible work of RRP at this link! Find out more at: https://www.raptorresource.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

Since 1975, New Minowa Players (NMP) have been creating community through theatre in Northeast Iowa. From the founding days of friends Bette Greedy, Donalee Burns, and Helen Schmidt meeting up to present true community productions wherever they could find a space, to almost half a century later featuring an annual season of 6 productions, NMP has built a theatrical legacy in rural Iowa. Join us on this episode with NMP's Sarah Brandt and Molly Holkesvik to hear more about New Minowa Players and their 200th production!   NMP is celebrating their 200th production in November of 2023, with “Ye Olde Cabaret: New Minowa Players Throughout the Years”, a retrospective of productions and performers that have contributed over the past 48 years. The show is being directed by Molly Holkesvik and Alison Blake, with a cast of 25+ local performers telling stories about NMP, including a glimpse into its history from one of the founding "mothers", Donalee Burns. The show will be performed November 2, 3, and 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. and November 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the NMP Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under - available online or at the Oneota Community Food Co-op. https://www.newminowaplayers.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

Aryn Henning Nichols joins Benji for a rundown of the Fall 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine - which also marks 16 years of Inspire(d)! Aryn likes to say the magazine is finally old enough to drive - even though it's been driving our lives for 16 years! Truly - we're grateful for everyone that has made this "experiment in positive news" possible - readers, advertisers, our amazing contributors, and so many others - A huge "Thank You"!   Listen in to hear about the great stories featured in this issue, including community builders like Laura Gentry, Julia Borgen, Caitlyn Konze, and Wendy Lickteig. We also have feature stories on Decorah Native Elena Rue and Storymine, our "Sum of Your Business" La Rana Bistro, Postville School Districts Therapy Dogs, a feature about all that is happening at the International Owl Center in Houston, MN, our conservationist feature on Biophilia, 16 tips on finding inspiration, and so much more!  Tune in, read on, and spread the word - thanks for being Inspire(d)! Become a member of Inspire(d) to support our work today.   "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

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!) 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). 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. 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.  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/

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. 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! 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. 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. 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

Jeff Abbas poses with agates and polishing equipment at his studio in rural NE Iowa. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam Jeff Abbas has been connecting communities, chasing passions, and picking up rocks for most of his life. A self proclaimed "agatographer", his passion for Lake Superior agates and photography have found him producing stunning images of billion-plus year old agates. His ability to connect friends through photography led to the creation of the "Morning Coffee Shots" Facebook group that proceeded to connect hundreds of friends and soon-to-be friends through the pandemic and beyond. (You can read the entire feature on Jeff from the Summer 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine here - special thank you to Sara Friedl Putnam for that profile, and the photos noted on this episode page). Jeff Abbas holds a polished agate. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam An Iowa native, Abbas set across the US after school to see the country, and by the mid-1970s found himself in the US Navy, and then Central California. It was here that he found a passion for all that California offered - including the Sierra Foot Hills. Early jobs included using early generation digital cameras (a Sony Mavica to be exact), to capture wildflower images in the Sierra - an idyllic job in many ways that would send him out into the wilderness for a few days at a time. Jeff also had an interest in broadcasting, and a voice to back it up - but flipped a coin to decide if he should pursue education in broadcasting or culinary arts. The culinary path won, but his part time volunteer work at KUOP 93.1 FM in Stockton, CA would lead him into a career in broadcasting (including a short stint at a smooth jazz station - you'll have to listen to hear Jeff's on-air pseudonym!).  But the draw of the midwest, and the boom of California helped Jeff circle back to NE Iowa in the early 2000s. It was a chance opportunity to jump back into community radio at the now defunct KPVL 89.1 FM in Postville that put Jeff back on the air. There was no way to know it, but Jeff would be at the center of community information when the 2008 ICE Immigration raid of Agriprocessors (the largest ever immigration raid in the US at that time). That event would also connect him to his now wife, Mary, who was working with Catholic Charities in the aftermath of the raid.   Photo by Jeff Abbas Agate Photography Although Jeff had been interested in agates his whole life, he credits the book "The Other Lake Superior Agates" by John D Marshall for sparking an even deeper appreciation and fascination with discovering the intricacies of these marvelous creations. Jeff describes an amazing intersection of "art and interest" in coaxing the almost magical designs and features of these billion-plus year old treasures. Tie in his love of photography and sharing with community, and Jeff has found at least another life's work in his passion for "agatography".    More information: - Full "Community Builder" Profile on Jeff Abbas from the Summer 2023 Issue of Inspire(d) Magazine - "Morning Coffee Shots" Facebook group - "Lake Superior Agate Life" Facebook group   "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