inspire(d) magazine

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…

With a constant stream of lightning-fast news, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and fearful these days. The fear that grips me most is for the…

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…

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…

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…

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…

My grandma, Martha Grace (Andrews) Deines, exudes love, happiness, and safety. I’m lucky to call her a close confidant and dear friend. In her life…

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…

Cardboard Robot on Winnebago Street in Downtown Decorah is “your friendly neighborhood making-stuff store.” It’s a place filled with creativity and inspiration – art supplies,…

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…

In Laura Demuth’s cozy home, once a one-room schoolhouse, drapes woven in red, blue and tan cover closets and shelves; on walls, floors, chairs, and…

Winter 2024-25 Inspire(d) We’re all in this together.  And despite all our differences – or perhaps in celebration of them – I’d like to remind…

What does inspiration mean to you? Roxie Nichols on inspiration Inspiration is connected to everything you do in life. When you get up from bed…

It’s taken resilience to promote positive news for 17 years. Negative news tends to take top billing in mainstream media, and this can lead us…

Fall 2024 Inspire(d)! Welcome to the 78th issue of Inspire(d) Magazine! We’ve been making this publication for 17 years, y’all! That’s bananas. It’s been a joy…

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…

Whether it’s making camouflage t-shirts with walnut dye, harvesting Virginia Waterleaf to eat for lunch, singing, or starting a fire with friction, you can find…

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…

Communities aren’t measured by clocks or calendars. Some book clubs, garden circles, and service groups meet for years, decades even. You can find choirs whose…

The six owners of the Bridgeview Plaza, Rick and Michelle Beyer, Jim and Karen Christenson, and Todd and Deb Page, had a space to fill…

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…

Roxie Nichols & Connection to the Land: Close your eyes and put yourself in my shoes…or, really, at this moment it’s bare feet. You’re lying…

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,…

One act of compassion has the ability to shift your entire day. Maybe even week. Month. Year. Hey, I know it sounds ridiculous, but maybe…

Patience in Bloom: Build your patience with these tips I don’t know how many times over the last 16-and-a-half years (that’s how long we’ve been making…

Nature and community come alive in the spring. There is so much beauty in bloom, the palpable buzz of growth can create an infectious energy…

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.…

Ever since Larry Reis was old enough to realize that “people had jobs,” he wanted a career connected to wildlife and nature. Raised in a…

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…

It’s Inspire(d) Magazine’s 16th birthday! Celebrate with us by making your very own Inspire(d) birthday hat + paper pom poms! You can use an old…

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.…

We are here today to remind you: You are fun. Every single person on the planet has the ability to have fun – no matter…

Want to get us word about a place we missed? Send us a note and your link details through our contact page! Thanks! ________________________________________________ Northeast…

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…

At a time when buying novels might involve tapping a screen, physical bookstores feel especially delightful. Wander into a shop. Explore shelves packed with new…

Decorah’s Jane Kemp smiles easily and often.  Yet beneath that kind smile and unassuming demeanor lies a fierce advocate for community causes, and a strong…

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…

Supplies – Gather your things for your paper seed starter boxes:1. Newspaper (our local newspaper was more of a tabloid size when we made this…

Every year, I wish I could stretch spring out… juuuuust a little longer. It’s one of the beauties of this fleeting season, though. Blink and…

In fall 2019, former Decorah high school student Meg Sessions, and her sister, Mairi, then a freshman, shocked their parents, Sara Peterson and Erik Sessions.…

What does Inspire(d) mean to me? It comes down to stubbornness, partially. So often, I feel like I have to prove myself to others. As…

Our story was on the national news! And while we love print, we were more than happy to embrace the public radio waves and hear…

Deep in the City…of Winona, Minnesota, lives a community-minded teen working to create a space for people to come together. In early 2022, 15-year-old Seamus…

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…

Quick. Think of an artist. Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh might come to mind. If it’s music, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart certainly qualify. Maybe you think of…

Everything about Wildcrafted Acupuncture & Herbs welcomes folks in. Dozens of plants perch in the sunny windows, backdrops for comfy seats, wellness products, and a…

When is enough…enough? Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines enough as, “occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations.”  It’s hard…

Lagom. It’s a Swedish word meaning “just the right amount.” “Not too much, not too little.” “Just enough.” The Swedish proverb “Lagom är bäst” literally means “the…

Today, we celebrate 15 years of positive news! Woot! At year 10, we compiled a list of 10 things we had found to be true…

The Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour is open one weekend every fall – and we are here for it! The artists’ studios, nestled among the…

It’s back to school time, and, as an adult, I find that brings up a mix of emotions. I am a little sad to see…

There is no such thing as a finished product when it comes to living. Our lives are constantly evolving and with each new experience or…

Alfred was interviewed by his daughter, Heidi & two granddaughters, Kate & Andie Alfred Ludeking was born in 1933 and raised in Waukon, Iowa. He…

It’s easy to call yourself a lifelong learner when you work in education. That’s where Joy Miller started her career, before joining a farm family…

Graduate, go to college, get a job. This formula has often been considered the “norm” when entering life post-high school. But the reality is there…

They may be nature’s finest creation. Conspicuous, abundant, profoundly productive, leaves make life possible. A few cells thick, the typical leaf houses complex biological machinery…

Stop to chat for even a moment with Liang Chee Wee – Northeast Iowa Community College immediate past president – and you’re sure to walk…

Nancy Sojka loves to go fast. Those who’ve seen her zip by on Decorah’s Trout Run Trail in her red, white, and blue bicycling jersey…

Jane Peck’s love of long ago is making a difference – today – in Lanesboro, Minnesota. “When I was a little girl my grandfather –…

“The magic of community engaged art is the community engagement,” says Sarah Johnson, owner and operator of The Joy Labs in Winona, Minnesota. “It is…

The Hotel Fortney, built in 1899, is one of the longest-standing buildings in downtown Viroqua, Wisconsin. It’s a striking city landmark, with its three-story Queen…

At least (roughly) 48 times a year, I look up at the dark night sky, bursting with stars, and think, “Whoa. We are tiny specks…

Inspire(d) Summer 2022 cover artist, Lauren Bonney, created this coloring page for you to make your own! Click the image below to download a pdf…

For me, the winter theme “Wrapping Up” encompasses both the idea of cozying in, and the fact that we’re finishing up a year, with all…

Brooke Pfeffer wouldn’t describe herself as a “community builder.” But community has a way of happening all around her (even some fun four-footed kind). That…

Generally, when people speak fondly of a community, it’s because it’s a place where they feel a sense of belonging. “To me, a community is…

On Decorah’s west side, below rugged Pulpit Rock and the bluffs of Phelps Park, a horseshoe-shaped meadow arcs along the Upper Iowa River. Two giant…

The Holiday + Winter Inspire(d) is about Looking for the Bright Spots in every day – even through the darkest days of winter. Inside, you’ll…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Holiday + Winter 2020-21 Inspire(d) Always wanted to try cross stitching? This cross stitch gnome card…

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…

By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2020 Inspire(d) Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging connects Driftless residents during time of COVID For…

Hello, dear Inspire(d) friends, We’ve been having some tough-but-necessary conversations around our house lately – talk of Juneteenth, racism, Black Lives Matter, and the murder…

The Spring 2020 Inspire(d) is all about doing life in a way that works for you. Inside, you’ll find: Take the Leap: Do life your…

One of my favorite things to celebrate in the winter is the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year. It generally falls at the perfect…

The Winter 2019-2020 Inspire(d) is all about winter fun and big ideas in the coming year! Inside, you’ll find: Q&A with 5 Driftless Bakers: Sassy…

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)…

The Fall 2019 Inspire(d) celebrates our 2019 Community Builders! Inside, you’ll find: Community Builders – Luke Zahm, Emily Kurash Casey, Julie Shockey Trytten, Amanda Ninneman,…

BY ARYN HENNING NICHOLS Originally published in the Fall 2019 Inspire(d) Much of Luke Zahm’s mission in life has been about creating identity. Whether it’s…

  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, 2019.…

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,…

Our friend Evelyn (and her sister Hazel along with Roxie) helped make this paper project for the Summer 2019 Inspire(d). It’s fun because you get…

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and look forward to spring? Make these adorable earth paper seed hearts! Supplies: –…

How women are changing the political scene: Conversations with four female mayors in the Driftless Region By Maggie Sonnek • Originally published in the Winter…

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,…

Imogene Macal – Interviewed by Inspire(d)’s Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Winter 2018-19 Inspire(d) Imogene (Moellers) Macal grew up on Silver Spring dairy…

Northeast Iowa Youth Mentoring program celebrates 20 years of services By Aryn Henning Nichols Kathy Schwartzhoff sits in an office in Helping Services for Youth…

There always seems to be extra wrapping paper around during winter. Wondering what to do with it? How about you make yourself a crown! Or…

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…

I had my camera out the other day, and Benji asked me, “What are you shooting?” “Oh, unicorn stuff,” I replied. It’s all unicorn stuff…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Winter 2013-14 Inspire(d) It’s tough to stay positive in the winter – when it’s edging on…

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) 10th Anniversary Party – Oct 21, 1-4 pm Did we mention we’re celebrating our 10th year in business? (Ha, a few times, right?) We’re pretty excited…

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…

Here’s what’s happening in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) – our 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!!! 10 Years of Inspire(d)! 10 Community Builders from Across the Driftless,…

Probituary: Ernest M. Corson, interviewed by daughter Charlene Selbee Originally published in the Summer 2017 Inspire(d), Ernest passed away August 20, 2017 at the age…

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…

And the Livin’ is Easy: 15+ Boredom-Busting Kids’ Activities in the Driftless By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Summer 2015 Inspire(d) So, school’s…

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…

If you’ve never had a little gnome buddy, you’re missing out! Whether jotting down secrets or grocery lists, your bearded garden friend will keep them…

  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,…

Me Time: Taking care of yourself makes it easier to take care of others (gasp!) Introduction and infographic by Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published…

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…

Fall is one of our most favorite times of the year – glorious weather, beautiful leaves, sweaters, hot chocolate, marching bands…we could go on and…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos by Inspire(d) unless noted • Originally published in the Fall 2015 Inspire(d) Driving south down Highway 52 toward Guttenberg,…

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…

Unusual vegetables get a little time in the limelight. By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Summer 2013 Inspire(d) Just like people, vegetables…

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…

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…

Thank You so much for your interest in donating to the Longest Loop Fundraiser. 100% of donations to this project will go to the Winneshiek…

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…

By Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspired There are a ton of great spots to check out in the Driftless Region…

Photo by Kat Busse Have you visited the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette, Iowa, yet? It opened its doors in August 2013 with one…

By Aryn Henning Nichols Originally published in the very first Inspire(d) Magazine, October 2007 Things are born. Life cycles. You live. You die. But somewhere…

By Aryn Henning Nichols In my adult life I’ve often found myself grateful to my crafty mother for teaching me her crafty ways. While my…

Decorah, We Adore Ya By Inspire(d) Staff • Photos by Inspire(d) unless noted Everyone knows we love Decorah. Some say it’s the beauty of the…

Jim Schaffer, born July 14, 1934 on the family farm in Iowa, on what was one of the hottest days of that century. Interviewed by…

March 1, 2016. An Inspire(d) Manifesto (of sorts): Inspire(d) Media started officially in October of 2007, but the idea was planted in my head long…

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…

Driftless Day Trip: La Crosse, Wisconsin By Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Winter 2011-12 Inspire(d) • Updated January 2016 Within the high ridges…

Driftless Day Trip: Winter in the Coulee Region! Adventuring to Mt. La Crosse, Snowflake Ski Club, & Kickapoo Valley Reserve By Benji Nichols Winter in…

Happy New Year! Wow, we feel lucky to be able to do what we do here in the Driftless Region. 2015 was a good one…

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…

It’s that time of year – and as much as the merits and drawbacks of Daylight Savings Time have been discussed, it’s still here. Which means…

How to Make a (our) Paper Wreath When I think “fall” I think leaves, Thanksgiving dinner, football (or, moreover, marching bands!), sweaters and scarves…and wreaths! What is…

You get a sneak peek, you unicorns, you! Check out the Fall 2015 Inspire(d) Magazine online here today. Here’s what you’ll get to read: Steam Sisters Clara…

Why do leaves turn colors in the fall? By Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Fall 2011 Inspire(d) Magazine As you well know, we…

Or the “Happy 8th Birthday, Inspire(d)” Cake Oh hey, we’ve been doing this whole Inspire(d) Magazine thing for 8 YEARS this October (2017 update: 10 YEARS!…

By Benji Nichols • Photos courtesy Carl HomstadOriginally published in the October/November 2009 Inspire(d) Many people in the upper Midwest can recognize the unique wood…

Woodworker Paul Bauhs takes the road less traveled By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Photos by Kyrl HendersonOriginally published in the Winter 2012-13 Inspire(d) Paul Bauhs lives barely…

By Susie Clark • Photos courtesy Elisabeth MaurlandOriginally published in the Summer 2011 Inspire(d) Some things are better left unsaid; others speak for themselves. “It…

(Above photo by Jay Olson-Goude. Below photos by Inspire(d) Media.) Isn’t fall in the Driftless Region the best? The colors are lovely, and there are tons of perfect days…

Taking a Midwest Tradition Local: Carry it on into fall! Story and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo/Food Assistant Thea Satrom • Originally published…

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…

Fall seems like a good time for doing things. Days are still long, the weather is good and opportunities (necessities?) abound for fun, exercise, and…

More than a hobby: Lori Biwer-Stewart, linocut printmaker Story and photos by Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Fall 2015 Inspire(d) Artwork by Lori…

Ever wondered what falls into the gourd family? How about the history of gourds? We wondered! The result, was, of course, an infographic! Enjoy!

Interviewed by friend Becky Olafsen • Originally published in the Fall 2015 Inspire(d) Becky and her husband, Peter, frequently share the pew with Marvin Wicks…

Decorah native Clara Bergan follows in family footsteps as a steam engine operator Intro and interview by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos courtesy Clara Bergan…

By Shannon Dallenbach Durbin • Originally published in the Spring 2013 Inspire(d) >>> Check it out! This weekend is Elkader’s Art In The Park celebration. Saturday…

(And other holometabolic insects…) Beautiful photos by Joyce Meyer Photography! By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Spring 2014 Inspire(d) Many of you…

Taking a Midwest Tradition Local Story and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo/Food Assistant Thea Satrom • Originally published in the Summer 2015 Inspire(d)…

Is it Gnome or Nisse? Not a question you might ask on a regular basis, that is…unless you’re Scandinavian. Or you live in Decorah. Or…

Norma Wangsness (center) lives a life of love and art and a little red lipstick Interviewed by daughter Le Bahr Norma Wangsness was born in…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo by Radim Schreiber Originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspire(d) You know what’s super magical? Light-up bums. I’m talking fireflies,…

Taking a Midwest Tradition Local Story and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo/Food Assistant Thea Satrom • Originally published in the Summer 2015 Inspire(d)…

Interview and photo by Ketel Paulsen Charlotte (Christopherson) Strinmoen is as delightful a woman as they come. She met her first husband, American Carmen Christopherson,…

Who doesn’t love to have a little pirate-y fun in the summer? The resident Inspire(d) HQ toddler loves to role play Jake and the Neverland…

By Benji Nichols • Photos by Inspire(d) unless noted Originally published in the Summer 2012 Inspire(d) The sprawling Mississippi River tapers her current just before…

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…

The Potluck: Taking a Midwest Tradition Local Story and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photo/Food Assistant Thea Satrom Getting together with friends is the…

Compiled by Aryn Henning Nichols Originally published in the Summer 2012 Inspire(d) There are few things cooler (literally) than caves in the summer! And here…

Marv Klocke shares business and desert island sense Interviewed by Marla Klocke • Originally published in the Winter 2012-13 Inspire(d) Marv Klocke shares his memories…

Interviewed by granddaughter Janelle (Holty) Halverson • Originally published in the Spring 2014 Inspire(d) This type of interview captures remarkable things about the subject but…

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

Intro and interview by grandson Hans Aschim • Photo by David Moore • Originally published in the Fall 2011 Inspire(d) My grandparents, Donald and Ilene Moore,…

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,…

Interviewed by Amalia Vagts, granddaughter (left) • Originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspire(d) My grandfather, John F. Hassebroek, can have a conversation with anyone,…

By Maren Stumme-Diers • Originally published in the April/May 2010 issue of Inspire(d), updated Spring 2015 Looking to green your life on earth day? How…

Interview by Dan Bellrichard (pictured here on the left) • Originally published in the Winter 2011-12 Inspire(d) “Bob’s Standard Services” in Decorah was a landmark since…

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…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos courtesy Seed Here Studio There’s a fine line between inspiration and intimidation. It’s so easy to look at super…

Interviewed by daughter Elizabeth Breuning – Cowie. Originally published in the Feb/March 2010 issue of Inspire(d) Magzine. Duane Bruening, husband of Eileen, father of eight, Grandfather…

By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos by Benji Nichols Originally published in the Spring 2013 Inspire(d) Whether the discovery of sap was a happy (sappy?)…

Interviewed by daughter Wanda Ellingson • Originally published in the Fall 2014 Inspire(d) For Lorena Ellingson, teaching and service have been core principles in her…

Some days (days like today, when you get 10 inches of snow in the middle of an early spring), it’s hard to feel upbeat about…

Intro and photos by Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Spring 2011 Inspire(d) It’s a tale of two cities – Elkader, Iowa and…

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…

I mean, who wouldn’t want a super-detailed, bonkers unicorn piñata DIYin their lives?!? Supplies: Balloon, newspaper, flour, water, tinsel, paper streamers, ribbon, confetti, scissors, school…

Originally published in the Spring 2015 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine • Betty passed away March 8, 2015.  Interviewed by her granddaughter, Sarah Rattenborg, while at lunch. They…

By Sonya Luse Geenen • Illustrations by Natalie Moore Originally printed in the Spring 2011 Inspire(d) Magazine So you want to start a garden? There’s no…

It’s live! The Spring 2015 Inspire(d) Magazine! Read it online here (it will hit stands later this week, local friends)! We hope you love it,…

By Benji Nichols Photos by Inspire(d) www.cedar-rapids.com  Driving through Cedar Rapids on I-380, you might catch a peek at Mays Island, and the Veterans Memorial…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols (Orginally published in the April/May 2010 Inspire(d)) Joyce Cote – Approached life with laughter, curiosity, and an eternal love for ‘the water.’…

Interview and intro by granddaughter Molly. Spec passed away April of 2012 Ambrose Spec Wilmes was a man of stories. A history book that remained open…

Orginally published in the Oct/Nov 2009 Inspire(d) Magazine • Photo courtesy Luther College Archives Answers recalled by daughters Marit Pudas and Marjorie Wharton • Orville…

Interview/Intro by Janelle (Holty) Halverson • Originally published in the Winter 2014-15 Inspire(d) Magazine Dorothy Seegmiller, 80,  loves phone calls, visits with friends, and a…

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…

Trust Your Crazy Ideas print by Danielle Ameling, of Iron Leaf Press By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Fall 2013 Inspire(d) Ossian, Iowa,…

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

By Aryn Henning Nichols Originally published in the Spring 2012 Inspire(d) Magazine Hundreds of years ago, to get through long, cold winters, Norwegians took paint…

By Benji Nichols ————————————————————————————– In honor of Wisco Pop making its recent debut in bottles, we thought we’d bring you a little Super Science about…

By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Photo by Aryn Henning Nichols Whether we’re enjoying a bucket at the movies or a bowl in front of the TV,…

By Inspire(d) Viroqua, Wisconsin, is just one of those places – the kind you hear about and so want to visit, but getting there seems…

By Aryn Henning Nichols When things go south, it’s generally a bad thing. But when your garage roof goes south, better slap some solar power…

By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Photos by Benji Nichols Lefse. For many Driftless Region folks claiming Norwegian roots, just hearing the word conjures up a singular…

Interview and introduction by Aryn Henning Nichols (originally published in Inspire(d)’s Summer 2012 edition) • Photos courtesy Jase Grimm The South Pole conjures up images…

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…

By Thea Satrom LMT & Certified Zone Therapist • Photo by Aryn Henning Nichols Become present, calm, and inspired. Begin meditating for 5-10 minutes today!…

Q&A with local author Jerry Johnson Introduction & interview by Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos by Aaron Lurth Writing books is easy. Said no one ever.…

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

Looking for something fun to do with your kiddos  (or guests?) on Thanksgiving? Or even today (brrr…it’s cold). Or maybe you’re looking for table favors?…

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…

By Aryn Henning Nichols When air moves quickly, a.k.a. it’s windy, the particles that make up the air are also moving quickly. This motion, like…

Olivia Hahn and Karla Dietmeyer have come a long way since starting cello/violin duo The OK Factor in 2012. And yet the two Luther alums…

An exhibition of life and purpose by artist Dean Schwarz Story and Photos by Kristine Kopperud Jepsen Acquainting one’s self with potter Dean Schwarz isn’t as…

The “Science, You’re Super!” segment is a regular feature in Inspire(d) Magazine… we bring you this seasonally appropriate feature on Garlic! By Aryn Henning Nichols…

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…

Sitting at Pike’s Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa, Brent Grinna looks outwardly comfortable in his surroundings, despite his business-casual yellow polo, flip-flops, and a…

The following is part III in a series entitled “Making A Scene” from the Fall 2014 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine. Part I – featuring Tanya…

Ward and Jacky Budweg – with fellow biker, Jeff Friedhof – Take Tires to the World Once Again Intro and Interview by Aryn Henning Nichols…

Compiled by Allison Croat While we here are Inspire(d) love cooking local, visiting the Farmers Market, and, of course, eating, we’re no experts (well, except…

Ruth Hampton has been known for years around the Driftless Region as a creator of good, honest, and delicious food. From her early days in…

By Aryn Henning NicholsOriginally published in the Oct/Nov 2010 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine “How now?” probably wouldn’t be the question artist Valerie Miller asks the…

By Aryn Henning Nichols, originally published in the Spring 2011 Inspire(d) Magazine When you live in a land of no coasts, bodies of water take…

Clifford Julian Smorstad, age 96 (May 24, 1918 – July 13, 2014)  Clifford Smorstad was born in rural Decorah in 1918 and grew up near…

Margaret Halvorson Stortz (passed away at 92 March 21, 2014) Interviewed by grandson Benji Nichols Margaret was born in the fall of 1921 and grew…

Armella passed away October 2, 2017 , at the age of 91. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, and loved ones.…

Interviewed by Benji Nichols Dr. Richard Simon Hanson grew up in rural Wisconsin with a love of farm life that has led a journey of…

Thelma Reetz was one of the many progressive leaders that were involved in getting services for people with intellectual disabilities started in Waukon, Iowa in…

Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) has launched Iowa’s First Crowd Funding Website for the Arts. The website, www.IowaART.org, is up and running and…

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.…

‘Fresher is Much Finer’ Story and infographic by Aryn Henning Nichols Making sure it’s fresh is not just a fish thing any more. Actually, it…

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

Paper Projects: Pinwheeeeeeels! Supplies

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…

By Aryn Henning Nichols Decorah artist John Kjome is a patient man, that’s for sure. He thinks, plans, and meticulously strategizes his next move –…

By Sam Wiles When people commonly think “Iowa,” they think corn, farms and uninterrupted flat land. Maybe even the well-known statewide road ride, Ragbrai. But…

(What’s got 8 wheels, 25 strings, 5 heads and is 140 years old? Well, The Alaska String Band of course…) By Benji Nichols When faced…

By Becky Idstrom Pam Kester’s art studio is full of material ripe for creating. In just 10 short minutes she has already listed at least…

Strap on your quads; We’re goin’ derby By Aryn Henning Nichols . Photo by Studio J Photography By day she’s the housewife. The attorney. The writer,…

    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 Mary Marx Steve Vanden Brink Staring out my window at leaves falling from a crab apple tree, Steve Vanden Brink replays a scene in…

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 | Image above courtesy Randy Leffingwell, LA Times There are few inventions in history that have literally changed the landscape like the modern…

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…

By Lauren Kraus Printed in the October/November 2008 edition of Inspire(d) This is the fourth in a series of articles that serves as a tribute…

By Lauren Kraus Printed in the September 2008 edition of Inspire(d) This is the third in a series of articles that serves as a tribute…

By Lauren Kraus Printed in the June 2008 edition of Inspire(d) This is the second in a series of articles that serves as a tribute…

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…

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.

By Lauren KrausPrinted in the May 2008 edition of Inspire(d) Spring is here and you should be too! The squeals of kids playing ice hockey…