Driftless Stories

Story and Photos by Kelly Larsen  The disdain I once held for gardening still remains distinct in my memory. As a little kid, I dreaded…

By Aryn Henning Nichols In the middle of a gallery, with walls covered in bright memories of places and events he’s experienced over the past…

By Aryn Henning Nichols Growing up a member of the Clean Plate Club, “There are starving children in Africa,” seemed merely a parental guilt tactic…

Sculpture artist Kelly Ludeking loves metal. Pretty much all kinds of it. And while he originally started with bronze and aluminum, it was an iron pour that really pulled him in. For Kelly, pouring iron is about community. It’s about learning and teaching, and it was this aspect that really sealed his path and passion.

Interviewed by Eric Paulson, Hometown Taxi driver, who says Sandy is the most inspiring person he has ever met. What’s the best advice anyone ever…

Dee Kuhlman, aged “it’s nobody’s business” but her own, loves to cook (and fancy at that), is incredibly organized, and has a wonderfully loving and…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Work, Work, and Work! Treat everyone good and they will treat you good. What did you want…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? The best advice anyone ever gave me was when I was about 22 years old. I went…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? I have two: (1) Nothing will happen unless you make it happen (this was from my brother,…

Interviewed by granddaughter Aryn Henning Nichols (August/September 2009) (Photo taken on her wedding day.) Betty (Thomson) Piggott, 90 years old on August 5, has always…

“My Mother always said I was one of the first babies born at the old hospital,” says Phyllis Leseth from the heart of her historic home on Rural Avenue in Decorah. Speaking with her, it is apparent that this charming woman has more stories than one can imagine. At 92, Phyllis speaks eloquently about her experiences being among the first group of women to attend Luther College (class of ’39) and of being one of the first females to work on the Luther Newspaper & News Bureau.

The late sunsets, colorful flowers, and green leaves are intoxicating – you just can’t help but feel happy in the presence of summer! For me, this constant beckoning to be outside means tromping around in the woods and exploring area trails. I am excited to keep surveying the region’s greatness and continue the trail series featured in Inspire(d) last spring, summer, and fall.