Aryn Henning Nichols

Spring 2025 Inspire(d)

Tulips continue to grow, even after they’re cut. Did you know that?! 

I love this about tulips. I love that something that’s been literally cut off from its normal state of life and plopped into another still decides to reach for the sun, seeking the light.

We, too, can keep seeking the light and growing in challenging times. Our theme this issue centers around this idea, and the question: What’s the best that could happen? Our mental health section delves into self-fulfilling prophesies, best-case scenarios, and facing fears. My hope is that readers will find courage in challenging times, and the bravery to believe in better days ahead.

In the ever-oscillating desire to be informed but not be overwhelmed, sometimes we just need to find things that make us happy. That’s a big goal for cover artist Hannah Tulgren: She wants her artwork to bring people joy. Goal achieved, because this cover is brightening my life, for sure.

Finding joy can be tough. People are feeling overlooked right now. Not heard. Like there’s no path forward. But community builders work to counteract that, giving folks a place to belong, and a place where their voice is not lost in the void. Ryan and Allie Palmer help instigate that community belonging at Paddle On Coffee and Maker’s Emporium in Lanesboro, Minnesota. And Bobbi Rathert in La Crosse, Wisconsin, tries to broaden perspectives – for herself and others – about marginalized groups, in turn, building communities for and within communities. Because supporting others is vital to a thriving society. 

One thing I’ve been wanting to do is support the younger generation. As a parent to an almost-teenager, I’m seeing how wise these young adults can be, and how rare it is for them to have an outlet for their voices. So, last year, we started our new “Future Focused: Listening to the Next Generation” column. Our daughter, Roxie, was the first contributor (on recommendation of her then-fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Fromm). But the goal was always to open it up to other middle school students as well. Another goal achieved (woot!), because we have three new Future Focused writers in our pages in this issue! Huge thanks to Decorah Middle School Extended Learning Program teacher Dana Hogan, who coordinated and edited with the students who submitted their work to me earlier this year. 

I had to laugh when one of those submissions pokes fun at parents using Gen Z slang, because our paper project this issue does just that. But it’s “Gen Z approved” by our kid, and I reserve the right to design Mother’s Day presents that fit my needs (a nice chocolate bar is always on the wish list).

In the turmoil, life carries on. 

Writer Laura Barlament tells the tale of Spring Grove, Minnesota’s path through history, capturing hearts across generations. 

A fun Sum of Your Business interview with Trisha Houlthaus of Market 52 just north of Decorah reminds us that inspiration can be found anywhere (even in a packed garage).

Conservation writer Craig Thompson jokes that a mushroom is a fun guy at a party…and teaches us about the Fungi Kingdom and the well-loved spring morel.

And our (super inspiring) probit this issue features 105-year-old Marge Costigan, who is still living at home and playing bridge.

Life will surprise you in glorious ways. Be on the lookout for wonder, generosity, and compassion out there, because you will find it, friends. Don’t let the darkness snuff out your light. Keep sharing the bright spots and speaking up for your community. Your voice is important, and we are glad you’re here. Together, we shine.

Looking forward,

Aryn Henning Nichols

In this issue, you’ll find:

What’s the Best That Could Happen? Finding Courage in Challenging Times. Artist Hannah Tulgren • Community Builders – Ryan & Allie Palmer / Lanesboro – Bobbi Rathert / La Crosse • Paper Project: Gen Z Chocolate Bar Wrappers • Infographic: 8 Tips for Finding Courage • Mental Health: Facing Fears • Sum Biz: Trisha Houlthaus / Market 52 • the Fungi Kingdom • Spring Grove – Something in the Water • Probit: Marge Costigan • And More!

Read the whole thing online here:

Listen to our spring Spotify playlist while you read!

Tap into the vibes we were trying to create with the Spring 2025 Inspire(d) Magazine. What’s the best that could happen? Let’s find courage and bravery in challenging times, friends! <3

Support the Positive News Movement: Become a Member of Inspire(d)!

When we switched printers in 2023, we decided to start featuring local photographers’ work in the Center Spread spot in each Inspire(d) Magazine. We wanted to show off the beauty, fun, and uniqueness of the Driftless Region through these talented photographers’ photos. And, whew, have they delivered! Our 2024 issues featured an amazing selection of images. Check them all out here!

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Spring 2024: Brian Gibbs of Timberdoodle Photography

Photographer Brian Gibbs writes: 

“Conditions looked favorable for a rainbow, so I went cruising through the countryside, hopeful for that ‘pot of gold’ shot. When it appeared, I zoomed upriver from the Motor Mill, grabbed my camera, left the car, and went full on into the Turkey River. Water rushed up to my shins, and the setting sun cast a tangerine light on everything. And then a double rainbow formed! These days, it’s not uncommon for my son to ask me if I saw a rainbow after the rain.” See more of Brian’s photography at timberdoodlephotography.com.

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Summer 2024: Aaron Lurth

Photographer Aaron Lurth writes:

“I have always been fascinated with the oddities and quirks that seem to unwittingly come with modern society. I’m the person that goes to famous landmarks to photograph the people, not the object. For me, the local fair, with its bright palette, eclectic crowd, and vibrant energy, has always served as an exceptional place to photograph. There’s something so relatable about this moment: being a kid staring up at this ride that seems larger than life…though perhaps it’s also an example of something that never changes no matter your age.” To see more of Aaron’s photography, you can visit his website at: www.aaron-lurth.com

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Fall 2024: Jason Ray Photography

Photographer Jason Ray writes:

“I took this image a few years ago from Grandad Bluff which sits atop the city of La Crosse, WI. With the ability to see three different states in the Driftless Region, the view from here is always beautiful no matter the season. But when the light is right, the sights become even better and the light this evening was spectacular. The skies were partly cloudy and the shadows danced across the landscape, selectively highlighting the bluffs off in the distance and the city below. This image remains one of my all-time favorites I’ve taken.”  See Jason’s work at jasonrayphotography.com.

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Winter 2024-25: Michael Floy Photography 

Photographer Michael Floy writes:

“On January 1st, 2021, while most were still recovering from New Year’s Eve, I ventured out early to capture the enchanting beauty of a location in Decorah known as “The Cut.” The scene evoked a calm peacefulness, with only the gentle sound of water trickling beneath the ice, making its way towards the Upper Iowa River. It was a serene moment of winter’s quiet splendor, beautifully frozen in time.” Learn more about Michael’s work at facebook.com/michaelfloyphotography.

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Looking Back on 2024. Looking Forward to 2025.

If I write a retrospective and it’s still January, it counts, right? It is still the first month of the new year.

But man, these years are zipping by, this new one already included. I kept saying that 2024 was on 1.5 speed playback. Like I saw all the things happening, but I surely missed a few important things as time flung itself in the front door and out the back every day with maximum velocity.

Somewhere in that turbulence, I spent time reading. A lot. Like so much so that I sometimes feel ashamed telling people how many books I read last year because it means I couldn’t have possibly been using my time very efficiently. 

Sometimes I even google “jobs that pay you to read books.”

But then I remind myself that I’m a writer and an editor and reading books is really just research in honing my craft, and I feel better. Plus, I love escaping into a new world on the pages and in my head (especially during weeks like this one).

That doesn’t mean I don’t love this world. We humans have a lot of good things going – even amongst the tragedy and drama of it all – and I’m looking forward to highlighting more of the progress and positivity we see in the Driftless (and beyond) throughout 2025.

But first, let’s look back on 2024 and our progress and positivity last year!

2024 Inspire(d) Magazine Themes:

While our 2023 themes centered around “you” phrases, our 2024 themes tackled “we” statements, connected to a trait anchored in humanity.

Spring: Patience: We all bloom in our own time

We reminded readers that it’s never too late to try something new, and like waiting for all things spring, sometimes we must be patient for progress.

Spotify playlist: Spring in Your Step

A big thank you to cover artist Anne Butera for kicking off our year of artists!

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Summer: Compassion: We are all seeking happiness.

We reminded readers to interact with others with kindness as they head out on their summer adventures – and we offered some great adventure ideas along the way!

Spotify playlist: Summer Vaycay

Amazing cover art by Jennifer Drinkwater of The What’s Good Project

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Fall: Resilience: We must keep standing up

We encouraged readers to stay resilient (and hopeful) during These Turbulent Times, and we reminded folks that we need to keep standing up, keep showing up, and keep supporting local businesses and positive forward motion.

Spotify playlist: Fall (Then Get Back Up Again)

We loved this cover with Eddie the Fox by Waukon artist Valerie Miller 

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Winter: Connection: We are all in this together

We asked readers to remember that we all hold a spot in our communities and within humanity, and when we work together, we are stronger, more caring, and yes, more connected to one another.

Spotify playlist: Winter Connection

Artist Laura Demuth’s weaving created a great cozy vibe for our Winter 2024-25 Inspire(d)

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With this year of “we” themes, I wanted to remind our readers that we are all bound together in our humanity. We all have brains, and hearts, and bones, and internal organs. We all have the same basic needs for survival: food, water, air, shelter, sleep. In fact, when we meet someone out in the world, I feel like dropping our compassion down to this lowest level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – “Is this person getting the basic needs for survival?” –  is perhaps the key to relating to one another. To coming together. 

And boy, do we need to come together. Do you feel the urgency? I’m going to take this feeling as a sense that there is movement, and that is a good thing. If everything felt stagnant, that would mean there was no change ahead, and that is synonymous with death. The only constant in life is change, and the direction of that change is up to us and how we interact with our fellow humans.

This year, we’re going to encourage people to think more about our places in this beautiful, complex world. We hope 2025’s Inspire(d) Magazines inspire you to create some brightness in the dark, in whatever way you can.

We started this experiment in positive news in 2007. This is our 18th year of making Inspire(d)! And I will tell you – we are literally never without story ideas. Good things are happening everyday. How will you contribute to that in 2025?

Thank you for reading and supporting Inspire(d), friends. We appreciate you and your bright, shining lights! Here’s to making this a year of positive change in our communities.

Looking forward,

Aryn Henning Nichols

P.S. If you want to join the Positive News Movement, become a Member of Inspire(d) right here!