inspired

In 1970, Georgie Klevar moved from Minnesota to Decorah with her husband, Harvey, when he was offered a job at Luther College. While Harvey fulfilled…

Spring is on its way! The sounds and sights of migrating warblers and other songbirds make it hard to stay inside. Once the ground is…

In mid-March, as longer days herald the onset of spring, an aquatic miracle unfolds. Small ponds, buried for months under ice and snow, begin to…

When your parents are entrepreneurs, it can often feel more realistic to become an entrepreneur yourself.  From childhood into adulthood, sisters Erica Thilges and Monica…

Rural Iowa has much more to offer than endless corn fields and gravel roads. Near Decorah, an unexpectedly vibrant source of creation and community lives…

There was a sense of connection as Dan Christianson nailed the final pieces of siding to Miss Francis’ new house near Boone, North Carolina. Dan…

“Quirky and happy, that’s every day at The Lemon Door,” says Melodie Betts, owner of the eclectic coffee house located in Fennimore, Wisconsin, that offers…

The Mississippi River is not just a geographical boundary for the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin; it’s also its pride and joy. Boaters, paddlers, anglers,…

It can be a radical act to search for inspiration. The word radical has multiple meanings. Present day, it often denotes an extreme change, but…

Beautiful things and terrible things exist simultaneously. Generosity and selfishness. Happiness and despair. Kindness and rage. Light and dark. One side does not negate the…

Northeast Iowa artist and flower farmer Jen Opheim knows the power of new beginnings.  “I don’t sit still for very long,” she says. “I think…

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Dan have been married for almost 50 years. They have five kids and eleven grandchildren. They were married on March 18, 1977,…

Marge Loch-Wouters is a Minnesota Master Naturalist whose passion is the outdoors and hiking in the Driftless region. Her blog, Hiking the Driftless Trails, publishes…

During the last ice age – 20,000 years ago give or take a few years – the ebb and flow of glaciers forever changed the…

Lisa Lantz, owner of The Getup in Downtown Decorah, is a total ray of sunshine. So it’s no surprise that her resale store feels like…

The story starts out in a familiar way: Boy meets girl. They get married. They start a family. Alex Weber and Moran Lonning met in…

Winter transforms our homes into a cocoon of warmth and rest. We seek comfort in close quarters, drawn by the allure of a crackling fire,…

One might assume an artist chooses a solitary path. A painter sketches a landscape alone in a studio. A solo musician quietly practices violin. A…

When you walk through the door at Coffee on the River in Lansing, Iowa, you’re immersed in a feeling of historic warmth. Giant grain hoppers…

For Jamie Schwaba, art is a necessary rhythm of life.  “I don’t feel like my day is complete if I haven’t done some form of…

When you’re prioritizing things in your life, cooking homemade meals is often one of the first tasks to get demoted. Enter Bobbi Jo Berg. She’s…

Pat Heying, 88 years old, was born and raised in the Ossian area. She married Paul Heying at Ossian Desales Church in 1955. Local farm…

As summer days slip away and goldenrod buds swell, birdsong is replaced by a six-legged symphony. The three tenors of the Driftless Area – cicadas,…

Decorah’s community theatre group, New Minowa Players, have been welcoming people into its unique and vibrant family for the last 50 years. Since the troupe’s…

Fall invites us to slow down and witness the beauty of letting go. The perennial wildflowers droop their heads in slumber for the season. The…

Decorah artist Angie Herrmann has embedded painting into everyday life. Perhaps it’s this real-life aspect of her work that makes it strike such a chord…

Different stages of life, like the seasons, require transformation. Just as trees shed their leaves, sometimes we must shed our identities to make space for…

Scattered across the beautiful, rural farmlands of bluff country are lots of barns. Rustic barns, pole barns, even a few round barns, all used for…

It’s not uncommon to see Dr. Jodi Enos-Berlage, a biology professor and researcher at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, lugging a decent-sized clump of dirt…

Anyone who has met my father knows he loves to ask questions! His questions come from the heart, a genuine curiosity. This served him well…

Making the world a better place through snacks seems like the best possible business plan in existence, honestly. It’s what Sogo Snacks owners / husband-and-wife…

Ah, summer camp! Pack your hiking boots and your flashlight, because it’s time for canoeing, hiking, and playing chamber music. Wait, what? Yes, we are…

You can’t have your cake and eat it too.  Or so goes the old saying. Still, Wendy Stevens sure does try. The Decorah resident and…

While the discovery that Decorah sits atop an ancient impact crater and was once home to the world’s oldest-recorded sea scorpion, Pentecopterus decorahensis, may seem…

“Community” and “communication” are related. First cousins, at least. And you really can’t have the first without the second. Phil and Heidi Dybing live in…

Sources of abundance surround us in summer. Prairies are infused with colorful wildflowers in bloom. Rivers and waterfalls flow through lush green landscapes. The sound…

For artist Pete Sandker, painting in the Driftless and living in the Driftless are forever intertwined. “The patterns and cycles of nature, the flowers and…

At age 105, Marjorie (Marge) Costigan is a real treasure for Elkader. You might think that Marge would live in a nursing home or assisted…

Spring Grove has a vibrancy that’s easy to see but kind of hard to explain. With a population of about 1,200, the Southeast Minnesota town…

Fungi are among the most widely distributed organisms on earth. Despite their importance to people and the environment, they are also among the least understood.…

Market 52 owners Trisha and Mark Holthaus love a good auction. But in 2017, when they found they were running out of space for their…

Spring brings a promise of nature awakening. Migrating birds reappear, bees start buzzing their wings, and germinating seeds begin to stir. And as the days…

For author and activist Bobbi Rathert, adventure is always on the brain. She’s been a self-proclaimed “wonderer and wanderer” her whole life, traveling all over…

Ryan and Allie Palmer have been “building” things together for 30 years. They met as teenagers, helping to build an orphanage on a mission trip…

Confidence comes from tackling new challenges. Decorah artist Hannah Tulgren has found this to be true, even if moving in new directions sometimes sparks moments…

In 1940, as Walt Disney’s Pinocchio wobbled across the big screen, a lesser-known creative genius gave rise to another cinematic icon. Woody Woodpecker, an irascible…

“My beautiful daughter’s life ended on a cold kitchen floor of a dumpy studio apartment near La Crosse while I slept in my bed in…

In stores, parks, and restaurants all over the world, little hearts – smaller than the palm of your hand – are spreading positivity. Crocheted with…

Winter provides an opportunity to sink into a cocoon of rest and stillness. We seek solace in our homes with warm blankets, nourishing food, and…

Ten years ago, Kara Maloney was a senior at Luther College in Decorah, completing a double-major in Studio Art and Business Management, running cross-country, and…

When you think about Iowa’s claims to fame, what comes to mind? Political caucuses, corn production, Caitlin Clark, Toppling Goliath? There’s a good argument to…

In the heart of Ferryville, Wisconsin, where the rolling hills of the Driftless embrace the mighty Mississippi, sits ændre arthouse. Located on a 16-acre property…

Coon Valley is a picture-perfect village nestled in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Just 20 miles from La Crosse, it’s teeming with bluffs, natural beauty, and miles…

Jerry was interviewed by his daughter, Julie Spilde Jerry Aulwes has been a friendly face in downtown Decorah for many years. You may see him walking…

As the sun covers itself with a starry blanket, a fluttering frenzy unfolds. Evening aviators emerge to navigate sweet-scented currents drifting through your yard. Mere…

It was three pigs that went missing from farmer Phil Tod’s barnyard in 1924 that led to the discovery of one of Southeast Minnesota’s greatest…

Since the advent of the biblical term, “Good Samaritan,” the moniker has been used to describe the unsung heroes throughout history who cared enough to…

Jennifer Drinkwater describes herself as a “glass-half-empty kind of person.” The Ames, Iowa-based artist understands how challenges can weigh on people. We all experience tough…

Summer beckons us to emerge from our homes and immerse ourselves in community. The season swells with opportunities for connection as people gather at festivals,…

It takes grit, focus, and true resolve to run a marathon. Hours upon hours of training, in good weather and bad. The ability to dig…

You may have passed them untold times without noticing, even during the dead of winter. They speckle tombstones, spatter rocks, and encrust screen door hinges.…

Alison Bunge Leathers is a boomerang. No, not the Australian hunting tool that flies back to the place where it was first thrown. The word…

The stars were aligned when Jess Rediske founded Red-Roxy Quilt Co. with her mom, Roxanne Schnitzler, in 2012. From an off-the-cuff horoscope promising an upcoming…

For many years, tattooing was synonymous with masculinity. Tattoos were often associated with the military or prison, and tattoo shops were run by men. But…

“Laundromats have a bad reputation, and frankly, many deserve it,” says Laura Patten, co-owner of County Seat Laundry in Viroqua, Wisconsin. “They’re dirty, machines are…

We are all worthy. We are valuable exactly as we are in this moment. But sometimes we have trouble seeing our self-worth; trouble believing in…

When words fail, what can take their place? For the Postville Community School District, the answer is therapy dogs.  Mental health concerns, such as anxiety…

Vonnie Linnevold was interviewed by her daughter, Becky Shaw My mother, Vonnie Linnevold, is a thoughtful and generous 98-year-old with an amazing memory. She was…

Lovers of La Rana Bistro can breathe easy: the legacy of local food at this gem of a restaurant in Decorah, Iowa, will continue for…

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…

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…

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…

Julia Borgen of Lanesboro, Minnesota, loves community. It’s not a word she uses often or talks about very much. She won’t tell you that you…

Life has a way of surprising us. Chance meetings turn into lifelong friendships. Magazine articles prompt spontaneous trips. Hobbies become unexpected careers. That’s what happened…

From her big smile and zealous laugh, to her colorful outfits and statement glasses, anyone who comes across Rev. Laura Gentry can feel her warm…

In 1984, as parachute pants landed in clothing outlets and floppy discs took the then nascent computer world by storm, the late, great Harvard biologist…

Ordinary life may not feel inspiring all the time. In fact, many people think inspiration needs to jolt us out of nowhere, like a strike…

Happy 16th birthday, Inspire(d)! (Read the Fall 2023 Inspire(d) anniversary issue online here.) This magazine is officially old enough to drive. Which is funny, because…

There are certain things that are identified as true Decorah landmarks: Dunning’s Spring, Vesterheim, Luther College, Seed Savers Exchange… and Mabe’s Pizza, of course! (Ok,…

Wonder is often seen as the stuff of childhood. But setting a goal to live life with intentional wonder can be magic – for kids…

It’s late July in the Driftless Region. The air feels thick, the sun feels hot. Temps are holding steady with no reprieve.   Just when you’re…

Margaret Grund was interviewed by her granddaughter, Hannah, and daughter, Amy Margaret Grund (Kopel) is a woman who has worn many hats throughout her life:…

A Taste of Ukraine in Northeast Iowa Lesya Ryzhenkova is Ukrainian. But, that is not all she is. She is a daughter, a sister, a mother,…

It was mid-2015, and the contentious race for President of the United States had stirred up the emotions (and proverbial pens) of people of all…

Six miles outside the town of Lanesboro, nestled snugly into the beautiful woods and river valleys of Southeast Minnesota, you find a unique community at…

The prairies of the Midwestern United States have long occupied the imaginations of artists, writers, and lovers.  For Elkader-area painter and photographer Jillian Webb Herrmann,…

Decorah’s Charlie Langton will tell you he’s not really a photographer. But we here in Decorah know the truth. He’s a photographer in the greatest…

What comes to mind when you think of the word fun? Tropical beaches, hiking trails, or days full of adventure? Or maybe, gardening or long…

During a typical workday, artist Sarah Hedlund might be sketching pink and orange dolphins surrounded by hearts and stars. Or a disco-dancing, white suit-wearing dinosaur.…

Sometimes words get thrown around so often in the mental health and wellness space that they start to lose their meaning. We’ve heard (many times)…

Marilyn was interviewed by her granddaughter: Alison Leathers My Grandma Marilyn is a strong person of faith and has lived a life in service to…

There’s not much of a sibling rivalry for sisters Azia Thelemann and Dani Peterslie, owners of Drift Mercantile in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Okay, there was…

Shiny new bike day is a happy day.  But sometimes the joy is found in the journey. Restoring a bike – shining up something old…

Community builders use many tools. Creative ideas. Cheery optimism. Contagious enthusiasm. Norb Kelly of Lanesboro, Minnesota, uses tools that are more traditional, though: A saw,…

Westby, Wisconsin is a small town big on Norwegian culture and heritage. Syttende Mai is celebrated every May, the annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament attracts…

Helping Services was founded in 1973 by a group of Luther College students and faculty. It originally began as a drop-in center for youth called…

Hazel was interviewed by her daughter: Connie Sabbann Hazel Grotegut (born Hazel Telford) has lived in Decorah all of her 90 years with the exception…

The largest of five owl species that breed in the Driftless Area, Great Horned Owls are also the most common. Found from Alaska to Argentina,…

Mouth-watering food. Stunning nature photography. Beautifully crafted pottery. Music that made other people happy. Passionate dedication to students as a college administrator. Joy Tlou’s many…

“I believe that each of us as humans shine in our own way,” says Marnie Hofmeister-Pooley, owner of Let’s Shine Coffee in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. “We…

Like many others, Shaundel Spivey landed in La Crosse to go to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He set forth to earn a Bachelor’s degree…

The GrandPad tablet delivers telehealth for homebound, and creates an innovative spark for rural entrepreneurs. By Maggie Sonnek When Scott Lien and his family traded…

Phyllis Green, interviewed by daughter Pat Beck Originally published in the Fall 2016 Inspire(d) Magazine, Phyllis passed away July 28, 2020.  Our condolences to Phyllis’…

Inspire(d)’s Benji Nichols participates in 2019-20 Leadership Iowa Class. It’s not very often that we get to do interviews with each other, so I (Aryn)…

Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) near Decorah, IA will once again host an incredible lineup of mid-western musicians for an on-the-farm benefit concert, Saturday, August 3,…

The Winter 2018-19 Inspire(d) is all about walking your talk! Here’s what you’ll find: Female Mayors in the Driftless Region • Mentoring in Northeast Iowa,…

Once I heard of surprise balls, I knew I wanted to make one for Roxie! Plus, I thought pumpkins would be perfect for the Fall…

We here at Inspire(d) like to stick with positive news – it’s what we’re all about, and we think it’s an important thing to do,…

Lots of fun things to look forward to in the Summer 2018 Inspire(d): 4-H • Dunning’s Spring bridge / Stonemason Ted Wilson • Viroqua’s Growing…

We here at Inspire(d) often talk about changing the world…or, more accurately, changing the community. But what about simply brightening someone’s day? That, honestly, changes…

Inspire(d) was thrilled to have a chance to ask Eric Litwin, original author of Pete The Cat, The Nuts, and Groovy Joe, a few groovy…

Dawes will be performing at the Cavalier Theatre in La Crosse, WI on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. Catch a ticket here if it isn’t already…

Here’s what’s happening in the Summer 2017 Inspire(d): Summer Fun List! Local Food Directory • CSA: Hooray! • Crystal Creek Magic • Sum of Your Biz: Impact…

By Sara Friedl-Putnam Illustrations by Aryn Henning Nichols Originally published in the summer 2017 Inspire(d) RAGBRAI is known for its seven fun-filled days, with upwards…

  Even though Decorah native Anna Bolz lives in New York City, a metropolis brimming with 8.5 million people, her heart is deeply rooted in…

Female Mountain Bikers Rule! By Aryn Henning Nichols Looking down at your mud-covered mountain bike tires, you wipe the sweat from your face, take a drink,…

Everybody loves receiving something special in the mail, but with the convenience of text and email, a lot of us have let the handwritten letter…

Here at Inspire(d) we are big fans of print media (right?)! When we heard about 12 year old St. Ben’s student Jenna Hartz publishing her…

Sum of Your Business: Sno Pac Foods / Pete Gengler, President Interview and introduction by Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Summer 2016 Inspire(d)…

Ernest “Pokey Pete” Peterson was born in the spring of 1925 in Cedar Falls, IA. He grew up on a farm just outside of Osage where…

Earlier this year, Decorah resident Bob Bishop got the idea to put together a Decorah themed bicycling jersey. They are out now and available in…

  Hi friends! I was contacted recently by Erin Bunce, the business services and social media intern at the Iowa Secretary of State’s office in…

It’s a baking kind of day here in the Driftless Region. I don’t know about you, but there are about six ripe bananas in my…

Inspired Magazine Summer 2016! Welcome to the 2016 ‘Summer’ issue of Inspire(d) Magazine! As always, the summer issue of Inspire(d) has a fun local food theme. This…

Fulfilling a Vision: Winneshiek County Conservation Announces New Bike Trail and Park Initiative Imagine a trail that will connect the Trout Run Trail to the…

(Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong, book cover design by Deb Paulson) “I had no idea what I was getting myself into by committing to this…

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is our favorite to order at the Luren Singers food stand at the Winneshiek County Fair – a la mode, of course. (Yay!…

Sum of Your Business: “Happy” Joe Whitty Intro and interview by Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Spring 2016 Inspire(d) Foreword: While this story…

Three Decorah residents have recently been serving on a week long Medical Mission trip in El Salvador. Dr. Pete Blodgett of West Side Dental in…

Easy Maple Granola Recipe & images by Benji Nichols, Inspire(d) Media 2016 There are few things that smell more heavenly than granola baking in your…

Purl Up and Get Cozy with local knitting expert Bev Bakkum Story & photos by Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Winter 2011-12 Inspire(d) “SOS!…

“Electricity is really just organized lightning…”  -George Carlin Story and photos by Benji Nichols, except as noted Imagine pulling out onto the street as your…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo by Joyce Meyer Photography Originally published in the Fall 2012 Inspire(d) It’s a familiar fall scene: you hear the…

Text & Infographic by Aryn Henning Nichols Fall in the Driftless Region should be called fall in love with the Driftless Region. It’s beautiful not only…

Driftless Art Tours and Festivals are coming up! By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Fall 2013 issue of Inspire(d) Ahh…fall! For some it means once…

Intro and interview by granddaughter, Lisa Tupy Originally published in the July/August 2008 Inspire(d) The first memory I have of my grandpa is me sitting…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Spring 2011 Inspire(d) All Photos Courtesy of the Jensen Family Families are bound together – whether…

Originally published in the November 2007 issue of Inspire(d), we offer our condolences to the family and friends of Grace Torresdal. She passed away May 6,…

Update: Marjorie Moe, now 95 (2015) moved to Eastern Star Nursing Home October of 2011. Her (now former) neighbor Jody Jens interviewed her several years back…

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Aase Haugen Home, or Aase Haugen Senior Services as it is now known. What was created out…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols • Originally published in Inspire(d) Magazine (March 2008) Both Richard and Mildred Dinger grew up in the Decorah area. Through growing…

Interview and Introduction by Jen Johnson and Lor Miller – This probit originally appeared in the “Summer” 2012 issue of Inspire(d). At the age of…

Bob Holtan – KDEC Radio This is Part 5 of a series on inspiring individuals who help bring live entertainment to NE Iowa and the…

Want to write a sweet love letter but need a little inspiration? Let us help! Download a love letter! Start with the page below (download the pdf…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Images courtesy StoryPeople There’s magic in that cup of coffee (tea, beer, water) you’re drinking. Also in that stack of…

The winter mag is out! Online here, on stands this week!

Peanut Butter Puddles …because it is definitely baking season again! Here’s an old cookie recipe for Peanut Butter Puddles that a friend of Benji’s came…

Part four in our series “Making a Scene”, features Steve Harm and The Warehouse in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Here at Inspire(d), we do all we can…

    Here at Inspire(d), we’re always on the look out for quick regional getaways and adventures. We’ve featured Dubuque in past issues, but recently had…

Wondering what it’s like at Inspire(d) HQ? Well, right now we’re potty-training our almost-two-year-old. It is one of the most patience-trying things I’ve ever experienced.…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (6/20/16) TO SYLVESTER! Interview by Joanie Rollins (daughter of Sylvester) and Benji Nichols. Sylvester Carolan, age 105, claims his faith, his family, a…

Paper Stars Template

A Paper Project by Inspire(d) Media/Aryn Henning Nichols These paper chicks are a fun spring project for the young and young-at-heart! Supplies: Construction paper or…

What you’ll need: Inspire(d) Turkey Page 29 from the Fall 2011 issue (Get it here!) Scissors Brown paper bag Cardboard (optional – cereal boxes work…

    By Aryn Henning Nichols He’s been called the Willy Wonka of recycling. Terry Buenzow walks around the Winneshiek County Recycling Center pointing at…

By Aryn Henning Nichols At a typical symphony orchestra concert, you don’t hear a “yeeee-awww” coming from the audience. It’s just not proper. But the…

By Aryn Henning Nichols Ashley Dull Lindeman’s enthusiasm is infectious. She bustles through the door of a downtown Decorah coffee shop with arms full of…

By Benji Nichols  With roots dating as far back as the 1400s, butter has been used in various ways to create art – Monks even…

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…

Interviewed by daughter-in-law Lynne Zotalis. It’s so interesting how things come around. I will have two new grandchildren by spring.  Their great grandma, Virginia, will…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Honesty. Don’t speak badly about others, and never say a “bad” word! What did you want to…

Regina Cecelia Broghammer (nee Knox) Born at home “on Groundhog’s Day” (February 2), 1908 in Plymouth Rock Parish in Winneshiek County, Iowa. Regina is the…

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? Just be myself. How about the worst? When they took my car keys away.  I had already…

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,…

“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.