Tallitha Reese

Karla Bloem fosters a close-knit community (or should we say parliament?) of owls at the International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota. And though this small Southeast Minnesota town has a population of 983, the much larger community of owl-lovers that’s fostered there expands far beyond its borders. 

As the Executive Director of the International Owl Center, Karla fills many roles, but one of the most time consuming is driving a van dubbed “The Owl Mobile.” The International Owl Center, in its current state, can’t house the owls, so they’re forced to live off-site. 

The lack of space for the owls in the Center’s historic storefront in downtown Houston is a problem that impacts not only the birds, but the staff and visitors, as well. This has been a driving factor for Karla and her team as they work to open a new, much larger International Owl Center facility, slated to be built on land adjacent to Houston’s Trailhead Park. 

“I am most excited that the owls will be able to live on-site so I don’t have to commute them back and forth to work every day,” says Karla. “This will free up my personal life tremendously. Plus, it will be far less stressful on the owls, and we’ll have many more owls so it will be way better for visitors, too.”

Right now, there are seven owls under Karla’s care. A couple have reached retirement age (Alice and Iris, both Great Horned Owls) and though some aren’t particularly interested in showing up to work (Uhu the Eurasian Eagle Owl can be particularly owly), a visit to the International Owl Center will likely allow you to get up close and personal with feathered-friends like Ruby, Piper, JR, and Bea.  

The new facility has been years in the making. According to the International Owl Center website, the main building will house a rotating exhibition of children’s owl art from around the world, biological and cultural displays, program rooms, a prep room for food and specimens, and a gift shop. Ambassador owls will live in aviaries that have natural vegetation to attract critters for them to watch. Four to six species of owls that are not adapted to the Driftless climate will live free in two-part aviaries – one climate controlled, one ambient, so the owls can choose their preference. There will also be several aviaries in the park that will allow visitors to view owls from within the enclosures. The future hope is to offer the opportunity for people to spend select evenings with the owls, after dark, so visitors can experience these nocturnal birds’ hooting, tooting, and trilling.

The future building site required the purchase of five different properties. All the land owners were willing to sell in their own time, and the last purchase was finalized in November 2020. Agreements are still in progress with the City of Houston for the property that will be the site of new walk-through aviaries. Concepts for the main building are being wrapped up, with designs for the aviaries on the docket next. 

Having a proper facility for the birds will relieve Karla of her Owl Uber duties, and just as importantly, it will support the educational opportunities the center provides to the community. 

“Owls are top predators and can be a good indicator of environmental health,” explains Karla. “If the owls aren’t doing well, then there are likely problems in the environment/food chain.”

Teaching about owls and their impact is vital to their health and preservation in the Driftless Region. Currently, the Owl Center is closed to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays so they can provide educational group programs for schools, libraries, and other organizations. 

The general public is encouraged to visit Friday-Monday and learn about these fascinating animals. Karla suggests catching one of their hour-long programs, where you’ll get a chance to see a few of the Owl Center’s stars. There are usually three to four live owls on display at the center, in addition to mounted specimens, spread-wing silhouettes, owl art, and gifts. If you want to keep the owl fun going, you can take a “Parade of Owls” art tour around town, and evening visitors can order an owl-shaped pizza from SubZero Pizza. 

Once the new center is built, there will be a myriad of benefits for patrons, some simple, some more complex. 

“I am super excited that we will have enough restrooms! It seems ridiculously basic, but we only have one toilet in our current facility and no way to add more,” Karla says. “We’ll also be able to be open seven days a week since we’ll have two program spaces, so we will be able to accommodate school and other groups while we’re also open to the public, unlike now.” 

The Owl Center’s fundraising committee has been hard at work to get things off the ground. They hosted an event called “Lunch for the Owls” in July 2023 that raised over $47,000, but that’s just a start on the estimated $14 million needed to complete the project. Folks can check out new Center plans, watch for updates, and learn how to donate at internationalowlcenter.org/future.

The big plan for this new Owl Center isn’t the only big owl energy in the Driftless this fall. On October 23-27, researchers from across the globe will attend the World Owl Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. “This is the first World Owl Conference to ever be hosted in the USA,” says Karla. “It’s a big deal, especially since these are only held every three to 10 years.” 

Karla serves as the lead organizer for the event, along with a committee that includes a seat filled by her husband, Hein. Karla actually met Hein at the 2007 World Owl Conference in the Netherlands. Now they get to work together to bring this exciting event to their own backyard. The conference consists of research presentations – Karla is presenting on her work documenting Barn Owls in Minnesota and Wisconsin using acoustic monitoring – workshops, and field trips, including one to the Owl Center in Houston.

And this isn’t the only international owl connection. As part of their annual Festival of Owls in 2003, the Owl Center started hosting a children’s art contest. With the growth of the internet, more international submissions started to come in. Then, in 2019, someone shared the contest on social media in Russia. The Owl Center received around 2,000 entries from children in Russia and former Soviet states. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Karla and her team realized they had about 300 pieces of art from children in Ukraine in storage. 

“We shared some on social media and people wanted to purchase them. So, we did a series of online auctions, created 400 sets of blank cards from some of the art, and made prints of some,” she shares. “Altogether, we raised a net of over $250,000 that we were able to send to UNICEF earmarked to help the children of Ukraine.” 

The International Owl Center is definitely doing its part to support the people in their communities, far and wide. All Karla asks in return is that people strive to live “owl-friendly” lives that protect the birds and their habitats. 

“People have a way of loving owls too much because it’s hard to find them,” she says. “And often when a nest is made public, the owls get swarmed with photographers and people who want to see them, and it isn’t in the best interest of the owls.”

She suggests trapping rodents instead of poisoning them, leaving dead trees standing when it’s safe to do so, taking down unused barbed wire, keeping cats indoors, and less mowing to preserve native plant species as other ways people can coexist safely with owls. 

It’s these little things that will continue to help the Driftless Region protect and promote its owl population. With your help, and the help of experts like Karla and her team at the International Owl Center, there will hopefully be plenty of feathered-friends to admire in the future.

Sara Walters

Sara is a mom and writer living in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has been an Inspire(d) contributor since 2018.  

Owl Prowl Nights!

Head to SE Minnesota to learn how to identify local owls by size, shape, silhouette, and sound at a night-time Owl Prowl. Following an indoor program, participants drive their own vehicles, following staff to three-to-four known owl territories in and around Houston, Minnesota, to call and listen for Eastern Screech-Owls, Barred Owls, and Great Horned Owls. 

The Center only does owl prowls in fall and winter to avoid bothering the owls while they’re raising their young. Participants must be able to stand quietly in the cold for at least 10 minutes at a time. Owl prowls are not recommended for kids under 12. Follow the International Owl Center’s Facebook page or sign up for their e-newsletter for updates.

Cost: $10 for members; $15 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and usually sell out quickly. 30 people max for each date. Registration is only open for one owl prowl at a time. Find details and plan your visit at internationalowlcenter.org

DATES FOR FALL/WINTER 2023-2024

September 30, 6:00 PM – Tickets on sale August 30
November 4, 5:00 PM – Tickets on sale October 1
November 25, 4:00 PM – Tickets on sale November 5
December 30, 4:00 PM – Tickets on sale November 26
January 27, 4:30 PM – Tickets on sale December 31

Caitlyn Konze had a vision for a new kind of space in the downtown business-scape of La Crosse, Wisconsin. A one-of-a-kind, welcoming place for people who don’t or can’t drink, that is safe for the queer community, and accessible to those with mobility issues. 

So, in January of 2023, The Bronze Dragon, a geeky gamer themed bar, opened its doors in the riverside college town. The bar is completely non-alcoholic and serves as a community gathering space where patrons can celebrate various geekdoms and play games.

“Our rules are simple,” says Caitlyn, “1: Respect our space. 2: Respect the people around you. 3: Respect yourself. Anyone that can abide by those rules is welcome at The Bronze Dragon.”   

Caitlyn had been previously working at the Viterbo University library, but after the death of a friend and co-worker, she found it difficult to stay. She began asking herself what she would do if she wasn’t working a typical 9-5 job.  

 “I started thinking about how of all the bars we have in La Crosse, none of them have a geek/nerd theme. And any places that non-drinkers might socialize (cafes, libraries, etc.), they all close pretty early,” she says. “My husband and I would host Dungeons and Dragons games at our house, but space was tight. Mix all of that together, let sit for a hot minute, and we had the base for The Bronze Dragon baked.”

Caitlyn and her husband had fond memories of amazing gamer themed bars they’d been to in other locations, but at this point in their lives, neither drank much anymore, and they noticed that others their age had slowed down on social drinking as well. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s not much fun to be under 21 in college towns like La Crosse where most places won’t even let you walk through the door if you’re not of age, she adds.  

“I wanted to remind people that you really can have a good time without alcohol. And you can drink delicious things that don’t contain alcohol too,” Caitlyn explains. 

The Bronze Dragon opened with a soft launch in January, complete with custom gaming tables and its very own dragon head mascot adorning the wall – eventually named Noodles through a vote by patrons. 

“When I wrote out my business plan for The Bronze Dragon, I included enough furniture startup cost to be able to order us a mascot,” says Caitlyn of the special effects dragon. “It was important for me to have a physical representation of the general geekdom of gaming.” 

Currently the business is open Wednesdays through Sundays and hosts a variety of events from gaming tournaments to designated game specific nights (Wednesdays are for Magic the Gathering and Thursdays are TTRPG Nights – for tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons), open mic nights and live music, drag shows, and other events for the LGBTQIA+ community including a monthly Queer Coloring event. 

Though Caitlyn says she had a lot of anxiety about the risk of starting a business – especially after putting all her savings into it and having to borrow money – she was more afraid of not trying at all than of trying and failing. 

“Working with the Small Business Development Center at UW-La Crosse helped a lot,” says Caitlyn. “I had a lot of questions about whether or not this could work, and they helped me analyze potential situations and gave me lots of options to consider.”

 Caitlyn has been amazed by the amount of support and excitement surrounding The Bronze Dragon. 

“Our grand opening drag show in February was packed. Standing room only,” she says. “I never knew how many connections I’ve made in my life until I opened this bar. People have stopped by that I haven’t seen in over a decade. So many business owners have come in to talk about partnerships and events. The idea of The Bronze Dragon has been contagious. I thought owning a business would be a lot more competitive, but both people and other businesses and organizations have been super helpful and supportive.”

Besides Caitlyn herself, The Bronze Dragon team consists of a bartender, Kevin, who is the resident Magic and Street Fighter expert and has a talent for coming up with custom drinks that are featured as Mocktails of the Month, as well as a volunteer, Sharon, who gives new faces the grand tour and has provided a lot of the bar’s décor. She also led a cosplay workshop in preparation for La Crosse’s Coulee Con. 

“Kevin’s bartending knowledge has been very helpful when it comes to our menu and bar set up…and Sharon is really excited about the inclusive community we are trying to cultivate; she’ll definitely be my next hire,” Caitlyn says. “I fill in the rest of the roles: bookkeeper, janitor, maintenance, event coordinator, media specialist. Eventually I hope to step back a bit and build up others to take more of a leadership role in the bar, but that won’t be for a while yet.”

The Bronze Dragon is also a tip-free bar because Caitlyn is adamant about paying employees a livable wage. 

“I have not yet given myself a paycheck, but I will not compromise on wages,” she says. “If I can’t pay a decent wage, I have no business being a business.”

There are many new things on the horizon at The Bronze Dragon, as well, like house-made pizzas, and NA taps. Watch for the launch of the official Bronze Dragon website as well as a Bronze Dragon guild monthly subscription service, which will connect people via a private Discord and offer special perks such as exclusive guild member events and showcase local artists and small business owners.  

“We also have exciting plans for events like a vampire prom in October, holiday themed drag shows, pub theatre, and a Bizarre Bazaar geek craft show in November,” adds Caitlyn.

No matter what, Caitlyn and The Bronze Dragon plan to continue bringing people together through their geekdoms. Caitlyn notes that one of the biggest issues in geek and gamer culture can be gatekeeping, and The Bronze Dragon strives to move beyond that.

“Humans like to be proud of our skills and accomplishments, but sometimes we let that pride get in the way of community building,” she says. “I want to foster a welcoming atmosphere regardless of how much knowledge someone has in their geekdom…It’s important to me that everyone gets to play. Everyone gets to geek out. It doesn’t matter how deep or shallow your knowledge level is. Prefer Scrabble over board games like Settlers of Catan? This is your space. Know enough about League of Legends to be able to provide blow by blow commentary to streamed tournaments? This is your space. Got so many tattoos you don’t remember what color your skin is underneath? This is your space. Want to play Apples to Apples with your kids? This is your space. The Bronze Dragon is a space for every face. And also, where designated drivers go to retire.”

Tallitha Reese

Tallitha Reese is a freelance writer and content manager based in Cashton, WI. She owns Words By Reese and you can find out more about her and her work at www.wordsbyreese.com.

Learn More:

The Bronze Dragon is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 4-10 pm, on Saturdays from 2-10 pm and Sundays from 2-9 pm.

The Bronze Dragon is always looking to partner with businesses or individuals for events. To share ideas, reach out through Facebook, Instagram, email info@bronzedragonbar.com, or call 608-519-0076. The website, BronzeDragonBar.com will be launching soon!

The Cresco Theatre and Opera House is so much more than a hometown theater.

The historic community landmark has been an anchor for entertainment and gathering – and the heart of memories and laughter – for this Northeast Iowa community since its opening in 1914. Wendy Lickteig fosters those moments and builds community through her role as the Cresco Theatre and Opera House manager.

After growing up in a suburb of Pittsburgh, then living near Chicago, and finally Rockford, Illinois, the move to Cresco in 2001 for a job as Youth Director at Immanuel Lutheran Church was definitely a new experience for Wendy. Adjusting to small-town life took some time, she says, but she quickly discovered the strength that lies in a tight-knit community, and fell in love with Cresco. She also met and fell in love with her husband, Dean, and they got married in 2004. And in 2014, when she began her job as Theatre and Opera House manager, she rediscovered her love of theater.

“Theater is something I have always been passionate about,” Wendy says. “When I was younger, my theater coach got us involved in different aspects, from sets to costumes to acting, and it turned into something I love.”

So, it’s especially fun for Wendy when the Cresco Theatre and Opera House has live theater on stage. But that’s not all they do. The Theatre hosts everything from big-screen movies to live music to fun tours around the building, plus family reunions and community events (and it allegedly hosts a ghost or two as well). 

“There is nothing like the magic of watching a person walk through the theater for the first time,” Wendy says. 

Over the years, many have walked through the historic building. “The theater holds a lot of memories for a lot of people,” Wendy says. “I hear it from all generations, things like, ‘I remember when we came in when I was a little kid, and we did this and that.’ I have someone coming in whose parents were in plays here.” Wendy even receives old playbills from the 50s and 60s that she’s planning to showcase in the Theatre.

Pulling history and current events together is just one of the many things Wendy does as the Theatre and Opera House manager. 

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” Wendy says with a laugh. From hiring staff to planning events to writing grants to raise money for the betterment of the Theatre and its building, Wendy makes sure everything runs smoothly. 

Of course, she gets help from the community. 

“I work hand in hand with the Chamber of Commerce,” Wendy says. “They help with grant writing, connect me with people that want tours and want to come to the theater. We do a lot together with family fun nights. I can’t do what I do without them.”

Together with the Chamber of Commerce and the Cresco Theatre Commission, Wendy was able to secure grants to update the theater’s iconic neon marquee sign and its interior to allow for a more comfortable experience for its guests.

The Theatre also recently received exciting news: They were awarded one of five Community Catalyst Theater Remediation Grants from the State of Iowa for $100,000. They also received a Howard County Community Foundation Grant of $15,000. 

With these grant funds, the city council and Theatre Commission are looking into the feasibility of building a new scene shop, with the hope of starting the project soon. The original scene shop was structurally unsound and had to be demolished in 2020. 

“You know, as a 109-year-old building, it definitely has its quirks that make it unique,” Wendy says. “It’s quite the undertaking, but there’s no other place I’d rather be.”

Just as the city supports its projects as much as possible, the theater does its best to support other local businesses. When Wendy plans an event, specifically if tourists are coming to the theater, she makes sure to point out local restaurants and shops around Cresco.

“We are only as strong as our neighbors,” says Wendy. “Our theater is so special because it is not just Cresco’s theater, it is everybody’s theater.”

No matter where you are from, the Theatre and the support of the Cresco community can make you feel as though you are home. 

“It took me a while to find my place here,” Wendy says. “Because I was born a city girl. But Cresco really wants to be the best it can be. From the people that were born and bred here, to the people that have made it their adopted home, like myself, they want to stand up for themselves, they want to support each other.” 

Sammy Ferguson

Sammy Ferguson, formerly an intern at Inspire(d), graduated from Luther College with an English degree in May of 2023. She is currently a freelance writer in Des Moines, Iowa, gaining life experiences and sharing stories. She is excited to see where this next step in her journey will take her!