Community News Stories

No rehearsal.

4 performers.

1 script.

White Rabbit Red Rabbit is an experimental solo play by Nassim Soleimanpour, in which a different actor performs an unseen script each night without rehearsal or director. Premiering in 2011, White Rabbit Red Rabbit has been translated into over 30 languages and performed more than 4,000 times worldwide.

Performers:

• Thursday, September 10, 7PM: STEVEN ZITTERGRUEN
• Friday, September 11, 7PM: KEVIN OESTENSTAD
• Saturday, September 12, 7PM: ANDERS NELSON
• Sunday, September 13, 2PM: MATTHEW ALEXANDER

White Rabbit Red Rabbit is coordinated by Alexander Rosenow.

T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill to Host “Cheers for a Cure,” a Weeklong Event to Benefit
The Alzheimer’s Association.

T-Bocks to donate $1 per pint sold from September 14-20 to coincide with the September 19 Northeast Iowa Walk to end Alzheimer’s in Decorah. They will also give a portion of food proceeds from 4-9 PM on Monday, September 14.

(Decorah, IA) – The Northeast Iowa Walk to End Alzheimer’s event is coming to Decorah on Saturday, September 19, and one local business is hoping to help the event make a big impact on the fight against Alzheimer’s, a disease that over 65,000 Iowans are living with.

This year T-Bock’s is hoping to support the cause in a big way, by donating $1 for every pint of beer sold from September 14-20 and donating a portion of food sales from 4-9 PM on Monday, September 14. All proceeds will benefit the Northeast Iowa / Decorah Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which takes place on September 19. Due to Luther College Family Weekend, their staff won’t be able to attend the event in person, but they are excited to support the event and hope the community joins them.

“My uncle passed away of early onset Alzheimer’s. He was the sweetest man, highly intelligent, and a successful lawyer in Kansas City. He had a wonderful smile and the kindest demeanor,” said Dominique Bockman, co-owner of T-Bock’s. “Alzheimer’s strikes home for me and for my family. My aunt is very involved in the organization where she lives (in Kansas). Whatever we can do to support this cause, we are happy to do so.”

Community members who wish to attend the walk are invited to join Team T-Bock’s or start their own walk team. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. The Northeast Iowa / Decorah Walk will take place on Saturday, September 19, at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, with registration starting at 9:00 AM and the ceremony and walk starting at 10:00 AM. More information about the event can be found at act.alz.org/walk.

The team at T-Bock’s and local Alzheimer’s Association volunteers look forward to “Cheers for a Cure” and hope that it will not only raise funds, but also help build community: “Giving back the best we can is important, not only for us, but for how it brings people together,” said Bockman. “Whether it be in times of trouble, or for a significant cause, it brings us joy to know that we can provide a space and a means for people to connect…maybe to eat, drink, or socialize…and to give that reward to an organization that can really use it for good.”

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Regional Health Services to Host Free Active Aging Expo for Adults 50 and Older and their Loved Ones

The event is from 10 AM – 2 PM on Tuesday, September 15 at the Cresco Fitness Center and includes free admission to the Fitness Center for the day.

(Cresco, IA) Regional Health Services will host the annual free Active Aging Expo for adults aged fifty and older and their loved ones on Tuesday, September 15 at the Cresco Fitness Center from 10 AM – 2 PM. This year the event will be in the fall for the first time and will include free all-day access to the Cresco Fitness Center, vendors offering resources, programs throughout the day, free refreshments, Regional Health’s first community flu shot clinic of the year, free blood pressure screenings, and door prizes.

“Although the event has been very successful since moving to Cresco Fitness Center three years ago, participant feedback showed that a fall event was even more attractive,” said Kerrie Rogne, Director of Nursing at Community Health Services at Regional Health Services of Howard County. “This also gives us the opportunity to hold our first flu shot clinic during the expo, giving seniors the chance to gather resources, engage in impactful presentations, enjoy socialization over free refreshments, and protect themselves from the flu all at one location.”

The event includes over thirty vendors with information on a variety of topics such as volunteer opportunities, long-term care facilities, nutrition, hospice care, fitness, and more. Programs throughout the day will cover a variety of topics:

10:00 – 10:30 Forever Fit with Fitness Center Team
10:45-11:00 Top Ten Red Flags for Scams with RSVP
11:15-11:45 Fraud Prevention and Internet Safety with Mobile Mama
12:00-12:30 Diabetes Risk, Prevention, and Management with Dr. Keenan Laraway
12:40-1:10 Fall Prevention with Rock Valley Therapy
1:20-1:50 Senior Health Insurance Information Program with SHIIP
2:30-3:15 Water Aerobics with Fitness Center Team

“The active aging expo helps adults gain the resources to stay as active as possible at every age and stage,” said Rogne. “Planning ahead, staying informed, and staying active ensures that people can continue to pursue goals and dreams and have the highest possible quality of life well into older adulthood.”

For more information about the Active Aging Expo, visit https://rhshc.com/event/active-aging-expo-4/ or email brecka.putnam@rhshc.com.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Decorah will host its 15th Welcome Friends and Neighbors Picnic on Sunday, September 13 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. The picnic is free and open to all, and includes a potluck with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, hot dogs and chips, and beverages, with all food provided by Good Shepherd members. There will be live music, games for kids, and the chance to enjoy good conversation. Good Shepherd’s Solar Courtyard will provide shelter from sun or showers. In the event of a heavy rain, the picnic will be indoors in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The church facilities at 701 Iowa Avenue are ADA accessible.

Allamakee County Fairground Pavilion
Waukon, IA
Serving 8:00am–12:00pm

Dine in or carry out

Made-to-order omelets, plus hashbrowns and fresh cinnamon rolls, with coffee, juice, or milk

$10 advance tickets
$12 at the door
or buy online

Text 2026FALL to 53-555
or use the QR code on the flyer

Cinnamon roll donation recipient is Dolan Jones, currently battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Winneshiek County Fairgrounds is hosting a Fall Frenzy Market on September 19th from 9am-5pm.  Vendors will be located in the Community Building and on the midway.  Shop your favorite local boutiques, browse handmade goods, sweats, permanent jewelry, home decor, enjoy a professional spray tan, and stock up on fresh farm goods.  Grab a bite from delicious food trucks, sip on seasonal drinks and wine slushies, and enjoy live music by Reegan Benzing, a young, inspiring local musician.

Admission is $5  and ages 5 and under Free.

Members of Scouts BSA Troop 66 will be serving ice cream sundaes at the The Landing on Saturday, August 15 between 1-4 pm. Your freewill offering will support the work of our local boy scout troop and the many ways they contribute to the community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Deana Hageman, Northeast Iowa RSVP

Email: rsvp@decorahlibrary.org

Phone: 563-277-5181

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Protect Yourself from Scams: Attend an Iowa Fraud Fighters Seminar

Frauds and scams are on the rise. According to FBI data released in April 2025, Americans have already lost $16.6 billion this year to fraudulent schemes—a 33% increase from 2023.

To combat this growing threat, Northeast Iowa RSVP, The Highlands, Decorah Bank & Trust, and the Iowa Insurance Division are presenting a free “Iowa Fraud Fighters” seminar.

“We are pleased to present this important fraud prevention message to people in Northeast Iowa,” said Deana Hageman, Director of RSVP. “We hope these presentations will help educate Iowans on common scams and arm them with tools and tips to prevent fraud.”

These seminars are designed to help Iowans—especially older adults—recognize and report fraud, protect their savings, and avoid falling for fraudulent investment offers. The program also introduces the “Double-check before you invest” initiative and shares real-life stories of individuals who lost their life savings to scams.

All are welcome to attend.
Stay informed. Stay alert. Stay protected.

Empower yourself to fight and report fraud by attending an upcoming seminar:

Fraud Fighters Panel Seminar:

September 9th, 2026, at 10 am. Vennehjem, 1102 Nordic Drive, Decorah, IA 52101

The Iowa Fraud Fighter seminar is being presented by Northeast Iowa RSVP volunteers in partnership with local sponsors. Northeast Iowa RSVP matches volunteers age 55 and up with opportunities to serve at non-profits in Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, northern Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek counties.

What:       Drive-Thru, Back -To-School Supper

Why:        Fundraiser for St. Teresa Child Care Center in Ossian

When:     Wednesday, August 19th from 4:30-7:00 PM

Where:     St. Francis de Sales Church parking lot

Winn. Co. Cattlemen will be grilling 1/3 lb burgers

meal also includes Country View Frozen Yogurt, Chips, & Milk

Tickets available at Luana Savings Bank and Fidelity Banks in Ossian and Calmar, and from Child Care Center families

Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 on site

Sweet Corn Days in Lime Springs

Friday: Silent Disco, DJ, waterball

Saturday: Kids Carnival, car show, tractor pull, bags tournament, live band -Boogie Wonderland

Sunday: parade, craft show, free sweet corn

All weekend: softball, free entertainment, parade, beer garden

WHO:  Canton Day OFF

WHAT: Canton Day Off Celebration! Events going on all three days check our website ;  cantondayoff.com for all the information

WHEN: August 14,15 & 16, 2026

WHERE: Canton, MN  Veterans Drive off Main Street

WHY: Our 147th year of celebrating Canton Day Off

WHO: Canton, MN Fire Department

WHAT: Canton Fireman’s Annual ATV/UTV Ride

WHEN:  Canton Day Off, August 16,2026  Registration 10am-11am, Ride from 11am until 4pm, Cost $20 per Rig

WHERE:  Canton Day Off Tent Area on Veterans Drive

WHY: Canton, MN Firemen are raising funds to help support Canton Fire Department

Family fun event August 29, 2026 held in Castalia city park. Free kids games. Food trucks and Moo Mobile. Mcgregor Fun bags, car and tractor show. Music by Tim B. Golf cart/UTV parade at 6pm in the park. Fireworks at dusk.

The Trout Run Trail motorized tour day sponsored by the Decorah Rotary Club will be
held on 8/18/26 with a rain date of 8/25/2026. This annual event allows folks who
want to see the beauty of the trail scenery a chance to ride in a comfortable
side-by-side machine driven by approved drivers. Riders from prior years are
welcome again.

There will be four scheduled tours of the trail with the first one starting at 8:30am,
then at 10am, 11:30am and 1:00pm. To reserve a spot on this ride call Bill Courtney
at 515-802-7877 or email wrcourtney43@gmail.com. There are a limited number of
spaces and reserved seating is required, so call or email soon!

A suggested donation of $20.00 per rider would be appreciated and will include
breakfast roll and coffee for early sessions and a hot lunch for later sessions. This
event starts at the Decorah Fish Hatchery located at 2321 Siewer Springs Rd.
Decorah, Iowa. See you then!

The Governor’s Charity Steer Show benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa has raised nearly $6 million dollars over the course of the last 42 years. This year you can support a local exhibitor while helping to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Winneshiek County beef exhibitor, Keatyn Krauskopf, will be showing her steer, Whitey, during the Iowa Governor’s Steer show on Saturday Aug 15^th at the Iowa State Fair. You may help by donating online by logging on to Iowa governors charity steer show dot com. (https://www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com) To support Keatyn and Whitey choose steer #7

The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society Tour Of Homes is Sunday, July 26th from 1:00-4:00 PM. Cost is $20 per ticket.

Roe-Hansmeier House
Daryl L Hansmeier

1320 Elon Drive, Waukon, lowa 52172

The Roe-Hansmeier House was built in 1923 by Alert and Gusta Roe and is situated in section 31 of Center Township along Elon Road. Once a component of a long-time dairy farm, the 4 square home features 4 bedrooms and 3 baths with 2,116 square feet of finished living space. The home enjoyed a near- complete remodel in 2020-21 with new roof, wiring, plumbing, windows, hardwood floors, trim work, fireplace, custom kitchen and wrap around porch. Current layout of the house has remained close to the original floor plan with a primary suite added in the basement. The current owner of the property, Daryl Hasmeier is the great grandson of the Roe’s and is the 4th generation owner of this stand-out country home. Highlights include: stained glass windows, a completely restored 1923 reliable cook stove, period flooring, period lighting and beautiful views from all directions. Included on the tour will be a period-appropriate summer kitchen fitted out as you would have seen it in the early 1940’s.

West Paint Creek Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery-
1351 Elon Drive, Waterville, lowa

West Paint Creek Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery built in 1892 is a historic building and site located northwest of Waterville,
lowa on the Elon Drive. The church building and its adjacent cemetery were listed together on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Norwegian immigrants came to Allamakee County starting in the early 1950’s. Their numbers increased after the American Civil War beginning
in the late 1860’s and continuing into the 1880’s. Peter and Sophia Paulson deeded a little more than 1 acre of land to the West Paint Creek Synod congregation in 1890. They built this frame Carpenter Gothic church building, completed in 1892. It features three lancet “stained glass” windows on the side elevations, a gable-front roof and a central bell tower capped with a newly restored spire. The building exhibits Norwegian immigrant carpentry skills found in the Dutch lap siding, frame construction, paneled doors, pews and flooring. The interior
includes a wood-carved altar, altar rail and pulpit in the chancel. The pews of native pine have an ornate cross carved on each side. The altar’s reredos features a painting by itinerant Norwegian immigrant artist Herbjorn Gausta called Resurrection. The cemetery is located on the west side of the church, and there is a shed on the property that was built in 1938. The church building was the site of the local community’s religious and social life. The church and cemetery were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The restored basement area is used for fellowship.

River Bluff Getaway
Ron and Julie Peiffer Home

521 Brazell Point Drive, Harpers Ferry, lowa 52146

The most recently built home on this year’s tour the River Bluff Getaway owned by Ron &and Julie Peiffer was built in 2024 in the new Brazell addition in the south part of Harpers Ferry. The multi-level home offers an amazing view of the bluffs overlooking Harpers Ferry and the Great River Road. The entire home rents as two separate units, with the option to rent the entire home. This beautiful home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two kitchens, two living and dining room areas and two laundry rooms. The entire home rental provides you with full access to both the upper and lower units with privacy, comfortably accommodating 10-12 guests. There is plenty of onsite parking, deck or patio with a Barbecue grill. There is a very large garage area attached which is for personal use. The landscaping compliments the various views and this property is located in Harpers Ferry with access to the Great River Road and the Mississippi River.

Steve & Diana Jennerman

519 Sandy Point Drive Harpers Ferry, lowa 52146

This home offers a beautiful view of the Mississippi River (Harpers Slough) with a newly landscaped river bank offering a water feature. The present home with a walkout lower level was built in 2005 and has geothermal heat. The earlier cabin was built in 1953 and was removed to make room for the new house. It is built on a steep bluff with a terraced retaining wall that is the foundation for a fantastic landscaped back yard. Each level has a screened in covered porch offering a relaxing place to view the scenery and boat docks. The location offers access to the Mississippi River’s main channel via the south entrance of Harpers Slough.

For tickets and more information, call 319-240-2460

Beaded Forever Plant Workshop at Robey Memorial Library

Project: Beaded Forever Plant
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Robey Memorial Library, Community Room

Audience: Adults and Teens

Get creative and craft a one-of-a-kind beaded forever plant using beads and wire! This charming, maintenance-free creation is the perfect way to add a touch of greenery to your home—no watering or sunlight required.

All materials are provided. Space is limited to ensure everyone has enough supplies, so advance registration is required.

Main Street Story Walk Returns in August

The Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), invites families to enjoy the August Main Street Story Walk.

This month’s featured book is the hilarious children’s story If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON’T! by Elise Parsley. Families are encouraged to stroll through downtown Waukon as the story unfolds in the windows of six participating local businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the summer sunshine, read together, and explore downtown.

How It Works

The Story Walk spans six businesses along Allamakee Street, East Main Street, and Spring Avenue. Each stop features a portion of the story, guiding readers from one location to the next for an interactive reading adventure that’s fun for all ages.

Participating businesses include:

1. Upper Iowa Insurance
2. Steel Cow
3. Impro
4. Driftless Edit
5. Luna Salon
6. Paws Up Pet Supplies

After completing the Story Walk, stop by the Robey Memorial Library. Show a photo of your family enjoying the Story Walk or share the secret code word to receive a free book. It’s a fun way to celebrate your adventure and add a new reading treasure to your home library.

Whether you’re a Waukon resident or just visiting, the Main Street Story Walk is a wonderful way to enjoy the season, discover downtown businesses, and experience the joy of reading together.

 Neighbors in Faith Fest 

You’re invited to an afternoon and evening of music, fellowship, food, and faith at the Neighbors in Faith Fest!

 Saturday, September 19
 Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.
 Calmar Lutheran Church
200 N. East Street
Calmar, IA 52132
 Held on the church lawn

Join us as we gather together to celebrate our community through uplifting music, delicious food, local organizations, and worship. Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or neighbors, everyone is welcome!

 Live Music Schedule
• 3:00–3:45 p.m. – Nancy’s Timeless Melodies (Piano Prelude)
• 4:00–5:00 p.m. – Homeward Bound (Gospel Bluegrass)
• 5:15–5:45 p.m. – Community Worship Time
• 6:00–7:00 p.m. – Cedar Valley Worship Initiative (Contemporary Christian)

 Food Vendors
• Fiesta on Wheels
• SugarBowl
• Calmar Lutheran Church Food Stand featuring Paul Wermers’ Famous Pork Sandwiches

 Community Booths
• Christians in Action
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Waldorf University
• Compassion International
• Wartburg College

 Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!

 This is a family-friendly event, and admission is by free-will donation at the gate.

Our theme says it all:
Gathering in Christ • Growing in Faith • Sharing His Grace

Come spend the afternoon with friends, neighbors, and churches from across the area as we celebrate faith, build community, and enjoy an inspiring day together. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Who: Assumption Catholic Church

What: Annual Meatball and Salad Bar Dinner  ( Meatballs, Real Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy, Green Beans, Bun, Salad Bar and great assortment of Bars)

When: August 16 from 10:30 to 1:00pm

Where: Assumption Catholic Church Hall

Why: Fundraiser to help support the church

The 14th Annual Elkader, Iowa Model Train Show and Swap Meet will be held on Sunday, August 16th, 2026, at the Moyna Building located at 206 Johnson Street, Elkader, Iowa.  The train show begins at 10:00 AM and will conclude at 3:30 PM. Admission to the show: Adults – $5.00, Kids 6-12 years – $2.00 and children 5 years and under – Free. All proceeds from this show will go to the Elkader Depot Museum.

Thank you!

Immanuel Lutheran Church of the rural Lawler/Jerico area invites you to their annual ice cream social on Tuesday, July 28th from 4:30  until 7:00 PM at Bethany Hall at 1241 Pembroke Ave just south of the Jerico blacktop.  Your free will donation at the door will get you a full supper which includes pork sandwiches, potato salad, fruit, baked beans along with brownies, apple crisp and our fabulous soft serve ice cream buffet. Carry outs available. Raffle tickets for a quilt and cash prizes are available at the door or from members.  Join us for supper in the country.

The 4000 Foundation proudly announces plans for the 34th Annual Rail Fair to be held Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Onalaska Omni Center, 255 Riders Club Rd, Onalaska, WI. Since 1991, Rail Fair has grown to become one of the premier summer railroad events in the Midwest. This 34th annual event celebrates the area’s railroad heritage while raising funds to maintain and restore The La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum in Copeland Park. 

Raif Fair traditionally hosts vendors from six states offering 250 tables of railroad-related merchandise. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy, sell, and trade a wide assortment of model, toy and antique trains, books, magazines, railroad memorabilia, and artwork, hobby supplies and much more.

Due to construction work being done in Copeland Park, Rail Fair is being held at the Omni Center this year. The La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum in Copeland Park will remain open for free guided tours during show hours. 

Admission is just $8.00. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. 

All proceeds from this event are used to maintain and restore the La Crosse Short Line Railroad Heritage Museum in Copeland Park. 

The 4000 Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in 1998.

Who: Karen Gregory

What: an afternoon celebrating her new memoir, Journeys from the Driftless

Where: Dragonfly Books

When: Thursday, 7/16 at 2:00pm

Author Karen Gregory will be signing copies of her new memoir, Journeys from the Driftless, at an open house meet & greet signing on Thursday, July 16th from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Dragonfly Books at 112 W. Water St., Decorah, IA. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Dragonfly Books.

Embark on a journey through the eyes of a farm girl in mid-20th century rural America. Relish in a heartfelt coming-of-age tale that captures the essence of iconic eras. A perfect escape to simpler times, offering a treasure trove of memories.

With humor and poignancy, Journeys from the Driftless draws you into a riveting narrative that recounts the life of a young girl and her family on a farm in Iowa. It transports you back in time, allowing you to relive the simplicity and poignancy of life in the 1950s, the upheaval of the 1960s, and the transformative early 1970s.

Smile along with her idyllic memories, relish the vivid scenery, laugh out loud at hilarious childhood mischief, and grieve and heal with her family through the moving final chapters.

Join her as the protagonist evolves from a timid girl with grand aspirations, into a full-fledged woman shaped by the events of her time. As you navigate through her world, you’ll experience a sense of connection and nostalgia that ties you to her journey, evoking memories of your own past and the history that shaped it.

This book offers a unique portal into the past, unravelling the fabric of American history through personal experiences, making it relatable and engaging. It is a narrative that resonates deeply, appealing to the shared human experience, and leaving an indelible imprint long after the final page is turned.

Journeys from the Driftless is an enchanting escape that serves as a reflection on the past while providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It is a book that will captivate you, stir your emotions, and invite you to treasure the memories it rekindles. So, take a pause, dive in, and let the journey begin.

Karen Gregory, author of Journeys from the Driftless, hails from Northeast Iowa where she spent her formative years on the farm that inspires her stories. Leaving at 18, she pursued a graphic design career that evolved into successful stints as an art director and writer at renowned advertising firms including Ogilvy & Mather and GSD&M. After 30+ years crafting award-winning campaigns, she and her husband and kitties retired to Tucson, where she continues to write for a local ad agency. Karen’s engaging narratives are a testament to her roots, offering readers a nostalgic journey into simpler times.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

If you find that you can’t make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.

The Highlands, An Aase Haugen Community, invites the public to a free Backyard BBQ on Friday, July 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event will be held behind The Highlands at 607 Highland Drive in Decorah. Just follow the signs from the main entrance!

The celebration will feature free food and refreshments, free scoops of ice cream from Sugar Bowl, a bounce house, yard games, music, and family-friendly fun. Community members of all ages are welcome to join The Highlands in celebrating Independence Day.

Dozens of youth ages 7-17 to participate in the camp to be held at Luther College Thursday, June 18 – Friday June 19, before over 140 youth racers take part in the league’s Decorah races on Saturday, June 20.

(Decorah, IA) – When Luther College’s Vice President of Communications, Bill Smith, suggested the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League hold a camp in Decorah, it made sense. Decorah’s Scholastic League race showcases some of the oldest mountain bike trails in the state, and Decorah was one of just 28 towns to become designated “Trail Towns” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. In addition, the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team is over sixty youth strong.

“Bill Smith approached us about a camp a few years ago,” said Melissa Fuhrmann, league board member and one of the coaches for the Decorah Team. “It took some time for us to make it happen, but with the support of groups both locally and around the state, we have a great lineup of activities.”

The camp takes place at Luther, and will include bike skills games, a trailside maintenance course, a healthy bodies off the bike / yoga session with Laree Schoeweiler of Drift Strength and Yoga, a girls’ ride with Jolie Costello of ShredHER in Des Moines, a sustainable trail maintenance and ecology course, and more. Camp goals are to have fun, develop skills, and, most of all, build friendships with riders across the league.

Seven-year-old Ted Hanson of the Decorah team is currently making a list of why he is excited about the camp. “I enjoy the mountain bike team because of the great people I get to ride with and am excited for the fun activities at bike camp with new friends and coaches,” said Hanson.

While registration is closed, members of the community can still get involved. All are invited to join camp participants and their families at “Trail Night in Decorah” on Thursday night, a hiking, biking, and running event hosted by Decorah Park and Rec, Decorah Human Powered Trails, Decorah Run Club, and the Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team.

The final activity of camp is pre-riding the course for Saturday, Decorah’s race day. Decorah’s race event is expected to host over 140 youth riders and is one of five events in the state. While the league runs the races, local trail groups like Decorah Human Powered Trails take care of preparing a safe, fun course for the riders.

“Being in the Driftless Region, the area’s steep bluffs and valleys provide wonderful topography for mountain biking,” said Wes Anderson, one of the Decorah coaches. “We are so proud of Decorah and all the area has to offer from outdoor recreation, to a vibrant downtown for shopping, and wonderful restaurants. Hosting this race gives us an opportunity to welcome kids from all over the state to share our town.”

Who: Tom Lin in conversation with Sarah Krammen

What: an evening celebrating his new novel Babylon, South Dakota

Where: Pulpit Rock Brewing

When: Monday, 7/13 at 7pm

Join Tom Lin author of Babylon, South Dakota and Dragonfly Books Co-Owner, Sarah Krammen, for a conversation and Q&A session followed by a book signing on Monday, July 13 at 7pm at Pulpit Rock Brewing at 207 College Dr., Decorah. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Pulpit Rock Brewing and Dragonfly Books.

From the author of the Carnegie Medal in Fiction winner The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu comes a tantalizing, American West saga about a Chinese American family trying to survive on their Dakota farm as a powerful, mysterious, and morally dubious military secret shapes their lives.

“Lin’s gossamer prose is patient and full of wonders.”—Ed Park, author of Same Bed Different Dreams and An Oral History of Atlantis

When Saul Keng Hsiu and his wife, Mei Lee, move from China to the United States to take possession of a 160-acre homestead bequeathed to them by a distant relative, all they have are the possessions on their back, some hidden gold, and a pocketful of chrysanthemum seeds. After a rocky start and a long, harsh winter, the couple find themselves successfully raising chrysanthemums and livestock, and soon after, a daughter, Mara.

But when representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers buy an acre of the Hsiu’s farmland and begin building a missile silo, the inexplicable starts to occur: Mara can commune with the animals on the farm, Mei develops a hidden talent for augury, and the chrysanthemums become impervious to everything. When the Hsius learn that the project on their farm is an effort to make America’s nuclear deterrent invulnerable, they see firsthand the long arm of power and empire.

In the years and generations that follow, increasingly impacted by the silo and its residue, the Hsius experience strange, wondrous, and tragic events on their farm. An ambitious epic and an ode to the beauty and glory of our connection to the natural world, Babylon, South Dakota upends the idea of “strangers in a strange land” to become a classic American story. It is a daring novel about how choices reverberate across generations and asks us what we owe to one another.

Tom Lin was born in China and immigrated to the United States when he was four. A graduate of Pomona College, he also holds a PhD from the University of California, Davis. His first novel, The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence. He teaches English and creative writing at the University of Iowa.

Sarah Krammen is a co-owner of Dragonfly Books and the programming coordinator for the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation. With over a decade in independent bookselling, she brings a love of storytelling and community-building to every event she curates. From author conversations to creative literary programming, Sarah is dedicated to fostering spaces where readers and writers can connect, discover new ideas, and celebrate the power of books.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

If you find that you can’t make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.

*Hi! There has been an update to the time of this event, so I am resubmitting with the updated time. Thanks!

Who: Gary Paul Nabhan

What: an evening celebrating his new book, Water in the Desert

Where: Pulpit Rock Brewing

When: Wednesday, 6/17 at 5pm

Gary Paul Nabhan will give an author presentation and Q&A session followed by a book signing on Wednesday, June 17th at 5pm at Pulpit Rock Brewing at 207 College Dr. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Pulpit Rock Brewing and Dragonfly Books.

From acclaimed agrarian activist and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan, a profoundly inspiring account of interspecies belonging, collaborative conservation, and the sacred work of caring for the earth.

“I went looking for water in the desert and found that the world was teaching me how to listen.”

Celebrated as a “world visionary” (Utne Reader) and our “lyrical poet of biodiversity” (Mother Jones), Gary Paul Nabhan has authored dozens of books and been awarded a MacArthur “genius grant.” In Water in the Desert, he traces the fascinating story of his life, offering in the process a vision for cultural renewal.

As a Lebanese-American boy growing up in the dunes along Lake Michigan’s southern shore, where school is excruciating and symptoms of neurodivergence are diagnosed as disabilities, Nabhan finds refuge and revelation in the natural world. In college, he gravitates to the thinkers now associated with the dawn of ecology as a discipline, writes poetry, and travels to Ecuador and Sonora, Mexico, where he first encounters the Indigenous communities that will come to play a significant role in his life and work. His interest in earth-based spiritual practices leads him to take vows as an Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, which reminds him that “the earth itself—creation, for that matter—was the original scripture.” Late in life, he returns to the land of his Arab ancestors, where he discovers a vision of kinship and climate resilience grounded in faith and ecology. And finally, when construction of the southern border wall begins, he collaborates with religious leaders to affirm Indigenous rights to the sacred places threatened by construction.

At once a refreshing account of a pathbreaking scientist-activist’s kinship with other species and cultures and an inspiring guide to the deeply collaborative ethic and practice of care required to flourish in kinship on Earth, Water in the Desert is a book for our time.

More praise for Water in the Desert:

An NPR Most Anticipated Book of the Summer

“A generous invitation to follow the many streams that flow into the river of Gary Paul Nabhan’s remarkable life and work.”—Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

“I have waited decades for these epic tales to be gathered in one serpentine narrative capable of rattling our souls.”—Terry Tempest Williams, author of The Glorians

Gary Paul Nabhan is a celebrated ethnobotanist and biocultural conservationist whose groundbreaking work has advanced ecological restoration, pollinator recovery, and Indigenous food revitalization. A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, John Burroughs Medal recipient, and James Beard Award winner, he has been recognized nationally for his contributions to both conservation and food culture. He lives in Patagonia, Arizona, where he continues to work at the intersection of ecology and community.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

If you find that you can’t make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.

Who: Canton Fire Department

What: Pancake Breakfast with Pancakes, Sausage and egg , Orange Juice and Coffee included  DONATIONS ACCEPTED

When: June 20,2026,  7 to 10 AM

Where: F.C.A. 34959 130th ST., Canton,MN

Why: Fundraiser, All proceeds to the Canton Fire Department

Who: Canton Community Association

What : 250th Birthday Celebration for America

When: July 3,2026 8:30 pm to 1:00 am

Where: Canton, Minnesota Main Street

Why: Raising funds for Canton Day Off Celebration. We are having the first lighted parade July 4 @ 12:01AM for America’s 250th Birthday

The first parade in Minnesota on July 4th will be in Canton at 12:01 AM.

Events are planned for the celebration

DECORAH, IOWA – Originally built in the late 1800s and expanded throughout the 20th century, the Anundsen Publishing Company Buildings have stood at the center of downtown Decorah for generations. Major construction is now officially underway on the $4.6 million historic redevelopment project, with the buildings planned to reopen by February 2027 for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Located at 105, 107 East Water Street and 108 Washington Street, the project will revitalize more than 15,000 square feet of downtown space through a collaborative effort involving over 35 partners, including local investors, contractors, lenders, community organizations, and state and national preservation programs.

The redevelopment will create nine market-rate apartments on the upper levels along with multiple commercial suites on the main floor. The development team is currently providing tours to prospective retail, restaurant, and office tenants interested in leasing space.

The historic renovation is being led by Rebound Real Estate in partnership with the Decorah Real Estate Fund, which includes more than 20 local individuals. Decorah-based contractor David Finholt Construction Inc. is serving as the project’s general contractor and leading construction efforts alongside a strong team of area subcontractors and trades, including Marv Smith Plumbing & Heating, Marso Electric, Tom’s Painting, Fireline Sprinkler, Rusty Berger Masonry, Allen Roofing, Tryad Kitchens, Fashion Floor Center, Silver Creek Hardwood Floors and more.

The project is made possible through financing and support from Fidelity Bank & Trust, Decorah Bank & Trust, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Decorah, and other community partners. In addition, the revitalization was made financially feasible through more than $2 million in State and Federal tax credits, including Federal Historic Tax Credits and three State of Iowa programs (State Historic, Workforce Housing, and Grayfield).

A unique piece of the building’s history is that the second floor of 105 E Water Street was added in 1955 by Anundsen Publishing Company to expand its printing operations. The second-floor panels above the former Happy Joe’s space at 105 E Water Street were intentionally designed to be removable so large printing presses could be lifted directly into the building. Since the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and utilizes historic tax credits, the redevelopment must follow strict preservation standards. As a result, the panels cannot be altered as they were constructed during the building’s historic period of significance. The buildings will receive major exterior improvements, including new windows, roof upgrades, brick and facade restoration, and updated building systems to help preserve the property for years to come.

Brett Reese, Managing Partner of Rebound Real Estate, shared, “We are pleased to be a part of this important downtown project with local investors.  The Anundsen buildings have been part of downtown Decorah for generations, and this project is an opportunity to preserve that history while creating new housing, commercial activity, and long-term investment in the community.”

Prospective residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the development team soon to secure a place on the apartment wait list and inquire about the commercial leasing opportunities opening in 2027.

Who: Mary Logue

What: an afternoon celebrating her book, A Wasp in the Beehive: A Brigid Reardon Mystery

Where: Dragonfly Books

When: Saturday, 6/27 at 2:00pm

Author Mary Logue will be signing copies of her new historical mystery, A Wasp in the Beehive: A Brigid Reardon Mystery, at an open house meet & greet signing on Saturday, June 27th from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Dragonfly Books at 112 W. Water St., Decorah IA. Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Dragonfly Books.

Salt Lake City, 1881: Brigid Reardon is again on the case when her new employer—a leader in the Church of Latter-day Saints—is murdered in his home.

Still reeling from the violence she encountered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Brigid Reardon presses on alone to Salt Lake City, where she decides to settle down in what she hopes is a safe community. Things look promising when she’s hired to work at the Deseret Bookstore and offered a room in the home of her employer, Mr. Cutter, a high-ranking member of the Church of Latter-day Saints, and his five wives.

Despite Brigid’s conflicting feelings about polygamy, she finds the Cutter wives warm and welcoming, and she thinks she may finally be happy here. As she settles in, Brigid learns that Mr. Cutter wants yet another wife, and he is set on Amelia, the daughter of one of his wives from a previous marriage. When Mr. Cutter is found apparently murdered in the women’s sewing room, each of the wives (plus Amelia and Mr. Cutter’s son) is a suspect, and Brigid knows it’s up to her to figure out just who did it. As she continues to work in the bookstore and live with the grieving family, Brigid teams up with the local coroner to investigate—and with her undeniable knack for detection, it’s not long before she discovers a telltale clue.

A Wasp in the Beehive continues Brigid’s trek west in the United States after immigrating from Ireland with her brother, following her time in Deadwood, South Dakota, in The Streel and in Cheyenne in The Big Sugar. But with everything that has happened, will she stay in Salt Lake City, or will she move on again?

New York Times-bestselling author Mary Logue has published over thirty books, including mystery novels, poetry, non-fiction books, and many books for children. Her latest book, THE BIG SUGAR, was a recommended read by the New York Times.  Her awards include a Minnesota Book Award, a Wisconsin Outstanding Achievement award and an Edgar nomination.  The first book in the Brigid Reardon series, The Streel, was an honor WILLA literary award finalist.  Her poetry book, Meticulous Attachment, received a Midwest Booksellers honor award.  Her picture book, Sleep Like a Tiger, won a Charlotte Zolotow honor, a Caldecott honor, and Best Picture Book award in Japan.  Mary has also worked as an editor at Simon and Schuster, Graywolf Press and The Creative Company.   She has taught in the writing programs at the University of Minnesota and Hamline University and written for the New York Times, the Star Tribune, and the Village Voice.  She lives with writer Pete Hautman in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Stockholm, Wisconsin.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

If you find that you can’t make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.

Join West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association for
Music in the Country

SUN., July 12, • 2PM
Featuring musical guests: Alan & Roxy Fauque, a sax and piano duo!

From Madison, they have performed together in social events and as contemporary worship musicians. Roxy prepared 126 sixth graders to perform a premier composition at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She also was honored with a Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. Upon arriving in Mount Horeb, she taught music in the schools for 4 more years. Alan has performed in a myriad of venues and genres. Currently with the All That Jazz big band and Whoz Playing, a classic rock band.

Celebrating our restoration of the church steeple and remodel of our dining area.
Enjoy Coffee & ICE CREAM

SUN., July 12, • 2PM

West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association, 1351 Elon Drive, 5.5 miles East of Waukon, Iowa

Free will donations accepted.

Who: Gary Paul Nabhan

What: an evening celebrating his new book, Water in the Desert

Where: Pulpit Rock Brewing

When: Wednesday, 6/17 at 7pm

Gary Paul Nabhan will give an author presentation and Q&A session followed by a book signing on Wednesday, June 17th at 7pm at Pulpit Rock Brewing at 207 College Dr.  Everyone is invited to this free event sponsored by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, with support from Pulpit Rock Brewing and Dragonfly Books.

From acclaimed agrarian activist and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan, a profoundly inspiring account of interspecies belonging, collaborative conservation, and the sacred work of caring for the earth.

“I went looking for water in the desert and found that the world was teaching me how to listen.”

Celebrated as a “world visionary” (Utne Reader) and our “lyrical poet of biodiversity” (Mother Jones), Gary Paul Nabhan has authored dozens of books and been awarded a MacArthur “genius grant.” In Water in the Desert, he traces the fascinating story of his life, offering in the process a vision for cultural renewal.

As a Lebanese-American boy growing up in the dunes along Lake Michigan’s southern shore, where school is excruciating and symptoms of neurodivergence are diagnosed as disabilities, Nabhan finds refuge and revelation in the natural world. In college, he gravitates to the thinkers now associated with the dawn of ecology as a discipline, writes poetry, and travels to Ecuador and Sonora, Mexico, where he first encounters the Indigenous communities that will come to play a significant role in his life and work. His interest in earth-based spiritual practices leads him to take vows as an Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, which reminds him that “the earth itself—creation, for that matter—was the original scripture.” Late in life, he returns to the land of his Arab ancestors, where he discovers a vision of kinship and climate resilience grounded in faith and ecology. And finally, when construction of the southern border wall begins, he collaborates with religious leaders to affirm Indigenous rights to the sacred places threatened by construction.

At once a refreshing account of a pathbreaking scientist-activist’s kinship with other species and cultures and an inspiring guide to the deeply collaborative ethic and practice of care required to flourish in kinship on Earth, Water in the Desert is a book for our time.

More praise for Water in the Desert:

An NPR Most Anticipated Book of the Summer

“A generous invitation to follow the many streams that flow into the river of Gary Paul Nabhan’s remarkable life and work.”—Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

“I have waited decades for these epic tales to be gathered in one serpentine narrative capable of rattling our souls.”—Terry Tempest Williams, author of The Glorians

Gary Paul Nabhan is a celebrated ethnobotanist and biocultural conservationist whose groundbreaking work has advanced ecological restoration, pollinator recovery, and Indigenous food revitalization. A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, John Burroughs Medal recipient, and James Beard Award winner, he has been recognized nationally for his contributions to both conservation and food culture. He lives in Patagonia, Arizona, where he continues to work at the intersection of ecology and community.

This event is part of Dragonfly Books and the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation’s robust author event series, which brings top-notch writers of all genres to Northeast Iowa to lead in conversations about literature and writing. To learn more about this event and other events with Dragonfly Books, visit www.dragonflybooks.com.

If you find that you can’t make it to the event but would still like to purchase any books from this author talk, give Dragonfly Books a call at 563-382-4275. Our staff will be glad to reserve a book, have it autographed for you, and shipped out as needed.

Waucoma Booster Club Fishing Derby
Waucoma, IA City Park 5:30p-7p with registration starting at 5 (must have fishing license
Cash Prizes on tagged fish
Awards for all ages: Biggest overall fish, Biggest Bass, bluegill, crappie
Ages 12& Under- Most fish caught
Live music by Plum Street Band
Food for purchase- Bubba’s BBQ
Waucoma Boosters Cash Bar
Silent Auction & 50/50 Raffle
Free Kids Craft (while supplies last)
For tagged fish prizes and event updates follow Waucoma Booster Club on Facebook