CALMAR, Iowa–Santa will be coming to town or, should we say, to the farm! Join the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation for this year’s Santa on the Farm event on Friday, Dec. 13, from 5-7 pm at Iowa’s Dairy Center.

Community members will be able to meet Santa from their vehicles. The drive-thru event will take visitors right through the farm’s freestall barn to see a close-up view of the milking cows. Cookies and milk will be served right to vehicles. The community members who attend will also receive a fun goody bag with dairy activities and more.

This family-friendly event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated. It will be held weather permitting. For up-to-date information or questions, visit the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation’s Facebook page.

The 48th Annual Allamakee Ecumenical Christmas Concert: A Night of Harmony and Holiday Spirit

The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better way to embrace the spirit of Christmas than by attending the 48th Annual Allamakee Ecumenical Christmas Concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, IA. This cherished community tradition returns Sunday, December 8, at 7:00 PM, offering an evening of inspiring music, heartfelt storytelling, and Christmas cheer.

For nearly five decades, this concert has brought people together, and this year’s event promises to be as magical as ever. Whether you’re joining in person at St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW, or tuning in via Facebook Live on St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page, this is a must-attend celebration of the season!

A Festive Program to Delight All

The evening will feature local clergy sharing the timeless Christmas Story, accompanied by congregational carol singing with organ accompaniment. But the magic doesn’t stop there!

Musical highlights include:
🎵 The Men’s Choir, known as the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers, delivering soul-stirring choral numbers.
🎵 The mass Ecumenical Choir, bringing all voices together in harmony.
🎵 Performances by the St. John’s Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, adding a unique, resonant touch.
🎵 The talented WHS Saxophone Quartet, offering their holiday flair.
🎵 Piano accompaniment by Kristie Roeder and organ performances by James Bieber with the assistance of Kathy Murray.

A Spotlight on Soloists

Baritone soloist Shauna Johnsen, Postville Band Director, will be featured, as well as Sarah Hagen, of Allamakee Community Players and WHS’s Assistant Musical Director, whose radiant voice will join the Men’s Choir and shine in a special performance of “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem. Hagen will perform this moving duet with Sarah J. Bieber, daughter of concert director James Bieber and the Waukon Middle and High School Choral Director and Musical Director.

A Tradition Led by Talented Hands

Under the expert guidance of James Bieber, with his daughter Sarah Bieber as assistant director, this program brings together generations of talent and tradition. The two have been performing together and assisting each other on hundreds of musical occasions.

Don’t Miss Out!

This free concert is open to everyone, so bring your family and friends for an unforgettable evening of holiday joy. Immediately following the concert, please join us in the church’s basement for refreshments and fellowship! Can’t attend in person? Join us virtually on Facebook Live on the St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page or listen live on KNEI 103.5 or kneiradio.com and experience the concert from the comfort of your home.

Let the music of Christmas fill your heart and celebrate the season in the company of community and tradition. We’ll see you there!

Santa and Mrs. Claus Come to Santa’s Land in Ossian
Get out your lists and your cameras! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Land at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, from 8:30 -11:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Ossian, the Ossian Crown Club and Luana Savings Bank. There will also be an opportunity to bring donations for the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar. A non-perishable food item or monetary donations is appreciated.

Bring along your list for Santa and Mrs. Claus or drop it off in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Ossian Community Center. Santa will write back to you if you include your return address. See you at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, for Santa’s Land.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Luncheon to Feature Distinguished Lutheran Scholar Dr. Caryn Riswold

DECORAH, IOWA — A community-wide luncheon and presentation featuring Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion and McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College, will be held on Sunday, November 10, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Street, Decorah.

Earlier that morning, Dr. Riswold will also present at the Sunday Forum at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., offering two opportunities for community members to engage with her work.

Dr. Riswold will discuss her recent publication, “ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion,” which examines the evolution of Lutheran social teaching in changing contemporary contexts. The book focuses on fostering thoughtful dialogue within faith communities while emphasizing the Lutheran call to compassionate community engagement.

A respected scholar in Religion and Gender Studies, Dr. Riswold joined the Wartburg College faculty in 2018 after sixteen years of teaching at Illinois College. Her work is praised for its nuanced approach to complex social issues through the lens of Lutheran theology and ethics.

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, former Concordia College professor, describes the book as “nuanced, clear, and hopeful,” noting that it “takes holy risks, builds bridges across barriers, and insists that we feel the intricate textures of real-life situations.”

The book includes discussion questions and additional reading resources, making it suitable for both individual and group study. Copies are available through Augsburg Fortress Press and as a Kindle download on Amazon.

Event Details:

Sunday Forum:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

– Location: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St, Decorah

Community Luncheon:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.

– Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa St, Decorah

– Cost: a $10 suggested donation

All community members are welcome to attend. 

For more information, contact:

First Lutheran Church, 563-382-2638, office@firstlutherandecorah.org

Good Lutheran Church, 563-382-3963, office@goodshepherddecorah.org

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On Saturday, October 19, Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) members and their families and friends gathered for a chili cookoff at the top of Palisades Park in Decorah. Members include hikers, runners, walkers, and cyclists, and, appropriately, guests were encouraged to hike, run, or bike up the hill for the occasion. The group had much to celebrate, as they have logged over 450 hours volunteering on trails within the City of Decorah this year.

DHPT, now a non-profit organization, relies mostly on volunteers to build, maintain, promote, and enhance trail experiences in Decorah. The Independent Sector determines the value of one hour of volunteering to be $33.49, valuing DHPT’s contribution to the City of Decorah at over $15,000. DPHT also has two employees who logged over 250 hours and are paid entirely through funds raised by their members.

DHPT volunteers have been busy with trail building and maintenance this year, most recently teaming up with the Luther College Cross Country team to clear invasive brush before extending a trail near the south end of Ice Cave Road, helping to repair storm damage to the east section of River Trail and Public Television Trail, and rerouting trails at Palisades Park. This year was so wet and stormy that volunteers provided extra mowing, weed whacking, and tree clearing, cutting over fifty fallen trees off Decorah trails. DHPT leadership works closely with Decorah Parks and Recreation and the City of Decorah, with officials approving the building and rerouting of all trails and taking an active role in checking to make sure projects are completed to their specifications.

Members also support other groups promoting the use of human powered trails in the area by regularly volunteering at their programs. DPHT members were instrumental in the construction of the Decorah Rotary Club Binzebo Trail Hub at Carlson Park in early 2024; donating both time and equipment to make the project possible. They also provided volunteers and expertise for the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League races in June and staffed a water stop for the Crater Run this summer.

DHPT members also groom trails throughout the snowy season and hold monthly Buckthorn Blitz days from November-February. On these days they cut, treat, and remove invasive species in the park system to improve the overall health of the forests.

“Our volunteers range in age from 3 to over 70. They are dedicated to creating the best possible user experience on Decorah’s human powered trails,” said DHPT President, Nick Pearch, “I’m glad to live in a community with this many people who are excited to roll their sleeves up and work to improve recreation for all. It was great to celebrate them on Saturday!”

For more information about DHPT, please email dhpt2023@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/DecorahHPT.