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Raising Awareness for SUDEP
Jennifer Sime raises awareness for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) after her son passed away from it at age 19 in November 2017.
Jennifer Sime raises awareness for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) after her son passed away from it at age 19 in November 2017.
Probituary - A Notice of Life for Walter Langland
They speckle tombstones, spatter rocks, and encrust screen door hinges. Often flat, always sedentary and silent, lichen are inherently inconspicuous.
Ever since Larry Reis was old enough to realize that “people had jobs,” he wanted a career connected to wildlife and nature.
Alison Bunge Leathers is a boomerang, returning to Southeast Minnesota to live and build community with her family.
The stars were aligned when Jess Rediske founded Red-Roxy Quilt Co. with her mom, Roxanne Schnitzler, in 2012.
Gold Heart Tattoo owner Missy Hoch is evening out the male dominated industry of tattooing with her brand of female energy.
Laura and Andy Patten founded County Seat Laundry in Viroqua, WI, with the simple promise of making people's wash day better.
We are encouraging you to remember your worthiness, and to take steps – even small ones – toward embracing self-care for the season.
Believing in Yourself Self-doubt is a frequent visitor of mine. Despite being most excellent at cheering others on, it can be hard to turn my…
Mental health counselor Olivia Lynn Schnur shares ideas and tools for cultivating self-worth, as she explores the theme: You are Worthy.
For our Paper Project for the Winter 2023-24 Inspire(d), we put together templates for some DIY Affirmation Cards!
Inspire(d) Editor-in-Chief Aryn Henning Nichols writes about the Winter 2023-24 Inspire(d). The theme? You are Worthy: Believing in Yourself!
Here at Inspire(d) HQ, we value positive news. Friends, family, neighbors who do good things. Ideas that make us think. Optimism. We believe that people are, as a whole, good, and that tiny changes can turn into big, world changes.
International Owl Center puts the Owl in Knowledge
Wonders abound at Allamakee County’s 8,990-acre Yellow River State Forest! Writer Kelli Boyen explores some of this forest's mysteries!
From unforgettable beer labels to statement-making illustrations, Sarah Hedlund’s artwork is impactful by design.
Am I enough? There’s often a point during the holiday season where I ask myself: Did I do enough? Is this enough stuff? And ultimately:…
On a winter evening, when the temperature is so frigid even the thermometer shivers, step outside and cock an ear for the Great Horned Owl
Viroqua, Wisconsin’s Historic Fortney Building is being revived by the Wrobel family, and they’re building community along the way
Free Range Exchange is a welcome stop in Hokah, Minnesota. Co-owner Ben Horn shares his path to bringing this local-love business to life.
Utilize these ideas for community care — ranging from small acts of kindness to something larger like volunteering your time or skillset.
It’s tough to stay positive in the winter – it's cold, it's snowy, and the force of the couch is strong. Looking for ideas to get happy? We've got 'em.
Winter. Gah! Can't we just hibernate? For some creatures, it’s perfectly normal to spend the cold, dark season in the fetal position (aka, they hibernate!)
For our Paper Project for the Winter 2023-24 Inspire(d), we put together templates for some DIY Affirmation Cards!
Happy birthday to Inspire(d) Magazine! Make your very own birthday hat + paper pom poms with this easy tutorial!
Get silly – and have some fun – with these super easy DIY gnome photo props. Get your supplies together. You’ll need:• Gnome hat &…
Starting seeds is a favorite spring activity around here! Make your own paper seed starter boxes for your baby plants with this fun DIY.
Manifest your Big Dream Energy by making a Dream Board! Download our Dream Board prompts and get creating!
Make these super fun and easy leaf crowns for your Autumnal Equinox party, or just for fun (because we all deserve to wear crowns)!
Lauren Bonney designed this coloring page for the Summer 2022 Inspire(d). Download and print, and find a little zen!
What better paper project for a “Wrapping Up” magazine theme than a DIY Paper Gift Bow?! It’s a lovely present-topper for holidays, birthdays, or any…
Fall leaves + Thanksgiving make this a truly perfect time for a Gratitude Garland - check out this easy paper project, and make yours today!
This cross stitch gnome card is a fun, easy way to try cross stitching. When you’re done, send it in the mail to brighten someone’s day!
Get ready to cheer yourself and others on with these DIY mini megaphones! They are easy and super cute! You've got this, friends!
Looking for a gift for mom for Mother’s Day? Or dad for Father’s Day? Or anyone special for any special day? We’ve got the perfect thing: Make your own mini-magazine! It's the sweetest little gift.
Looking for something fun to make for Mother's Day, May Day, or any old day? Try making these pop-up paper flower cards! They are really cute and easy!
Make these fun Paper Fortune Cookies for anyone you know who needs a little pick-me-up...or just to say you're thinking of them!
For this falls' Paper Project, Roxie shows you how to fold paper boats... and maybe, like her, you'll make nearly 100 of them!
One of fun parts of this paper project is that you get to forage for the perfect sticks first, then put the super cute heart mobile together next.
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and look forward to spring? Make these adorable earth paper seed hearts! Supplies: –…
Dark days of winter, beware! Brighten up those long nights of reading with a little sunshine tucked into your book. Make a sun bookmark today!
There always seems to be extra wrapping paper around during winter. Wondering what to do with it? How about you make yourself a crown!
Pumpkin Surprise Balls: You start with tiny presents, and wrap and wrap them into a ball of fun! Cute for Halloween, at the Thanksgiving table, & more!
These little paper butterflies are super cute & easy! Roxie had a blast putting this together with Aryn one rainy day. Click on over to make one (or 5) too!
Giving a gift? Make it a unicorn present! Here’s how: Supplies: Unicorn template print-outs page one and page two Scissors Glue stick Tape Wrapping paper…
Keep your important to-dos under wrap with your very own gnomebook!
A little tongue-in-cheek and a LOT of fun, homemade award ribbons are a great way to share your love and appreciation.
Everyone loves finding something special in their mailbox! At a personal touch to snail mail with these homemade up-cycled envelopes!
These fun paper plants add pops of color to any space and require no maintenance. Simply print out our templates on cardstock and you're ready to create!
We love gnomes around here (and unicorns and rainbows and…), so this pop up gnome card was the perfect summer project for us!
Make your own kaleidocycle! Pick a spring themed template, color a mandala, or design your own optically twisted paper project.
In my adult life I’ve often found myself grateful to my crafty mother for teaching me her crafty ways. These paper flowers - or bows - are all mom! <3
Winter Break! Woohoo! Looking for ways to keep your littles away from the television? We put together a little list of some of our favorites…
Adult Coloring...Coloring for Grown-ups...whatever you want to call it - it's fun! Check out artist Sonja Emily's adult coloring pages here!
Homemade play dough was something I heard about from other moms, but totally thought I’d never make myself. C’mon…
We think “fall” & think leaves, football (or, moreover, marching bands!), sweaters, scarves…& wreaths! So, of course, we made a paper wreath for you to try!
What's the name of the pirate's ranch? Circle Arrrrgh! But seriously, let's make a pirate hat, people! Thar's fun to be had!
School’s over! Summer! Exciting! No? Worried about keeping little hands less-than-idle? How about some good, old-fashioned Inspire(d) paper projects?
Did you call this a cootie catcher or a paper fortune teller? Either way, it's fun! See what this project (and life!) has in store for you!
We're 110% sure you ALL want to make our totally epic paper project: a unicorn piñata! Step-by-step instructions at iloveinspired.com. Unicorns forever!
We love having these cute paper heart garlands up year-round, but February is for love and the perfect time to try out this easy Inspire(d) craft!
Looking for sweet ways to say "I love you"? Here's a fun starting place...just download a love letter, fill in the blanks, and add some love <3!
Looking for a fun & easy Christmas craft? Or a cute place card for your holiday table? Maybe you're a hoarder of tissue paper? These tiny trees are calling!
Looking for something fun to do with your kiddos on Thanksgiving? Or even today? Need table favors? These turkey finger puppets are super easy and cute!
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…
Supplies: Paper (I like red for Chinese New Year, but you can use any you like, 8.5 x 11 works best) Pencil Tape or Stapler…
Tutorial and one-handed photos by Aryn Henning Nichols Read an inspiring story about Decorah’s Spencer-Berg family and their four-month sabbatical in the Summer 2011 Inspire(d)…
A community is defined as a unified body of individuals. You can build community in a neighborhood, city, region, state, nation… world, at any level. It doesn’t have to be big to have a big impact. Building community is one of the most important things we can do on this planet. Connecting with others helps us connect with our humanity, and realize we’re all in this together.
Alison Bunge Leathers is a boomerang, returning to Southeast Minnesota to live and build community with her family.
Gold Heart Tattoo owner Missy Hoch is evening out the male dominated industry of tattooing with her brand of female energy.
Laura and Andy Patten founded County Seat Laundry in Viroqua, WI, with the simple promise of making people's wash day better.
The Bronze Dragon is 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 for all.
The Cresco Theatre and Opera House is so much more than a hometown theater.
Julia Borgen of Lanesboro, Minnesota, loves community. She won’t tell you that you should love it, too. Julia just does it.
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 energy and contagious joy.
Jeff Abbas builds community - and lives his dream - through agates, photography, and sharing both with others.
Colleen Foehrenbacher is building communit(ies) in Bluff Country through leadership at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center and beyond.
Community builders use many tools. Norb Kelly of Lanesboro, Minnesota, uses traditional tools: A saw, a hammer, a screwdriver.
Westby, WI, is host to an annual woodcarving event, founded by John Sutton, that brings craftsmen and visitors from all over the Midwest.
Decorah’s Jane Kemp is a fierce advocate for community causes, and a big believer in working hard to get things done.
“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.
Shaundel Spivey co-founded BLACK - Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge - to empower and elevate the black community in the La Crosse area.
Whalan, Minnesota, artist Diane Knight turns curiosity into art & community building. Learn more about her methods here!
Nancy Sojka helped found the Northeast Iowa Quilters Guild back in the late 80s, in a small-town bar, drinking… coffee.
Jane Peck’s love of long ago is making a difference – today – in Lanesboro, Minnesota through the History Alive Lanesboro organization.
Sarah Johnson founded The Joy Labs, in Winona, MN, where she experiments with joy and art, and builds community.
Viroqua, Wisconsin’s Historic Fortney Building is being revived by the Wrobel family, and they’re building community along the way
Terri Wolfgram "pedals literacy" and builds community through her mobile Little Free Library, Paperback Rider, based in La Crosse, WI.
Stephanie Fromm talks fast and works faster, and she can't help but build community here in Northeast Iowa.
Maryann Baldwin of Lansing, Iowa, loves planting the seeds of community - like Lansing Office Works – and then watching them grow.
Even though Brooke Pfeffer doesn't think of herself as a Community Builder, she definitely does just that in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Amanda Goodenough works hard in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, community to create a better awareness around racial justice and responsibility.
Adrian Lipscombe, owner of Uptown Cafe in La Crosse, Wisconsin, launched a black farming initiative, 40 Acres and a Mule, in 2020.
“My wife and I believe that the more people you can help in a community, the better everything else turns out," says Pete Espinosa.
Luke Zahm pursues his passion for food & cultivates identity for the Midwest as a chef, at his restaurant, Driftless Café, and now through Wisconsin Foodie.
Greg Wennes, a recovering alcoholic himself, helped found Sunrise Care Facility in 1988. It was among the first of its kind in this part of the Driftless.
“I got this.” It’s a phrase Shannon Dallenbach Durbin has found herself saying a lot. Usually it’s for something creative.
Roxanne Schnitzler and Jessica Rediske run Red-Roxy Quilt Co. in Decorah, and foster a growing community of crafters in the region.
There’s some serious pep in Adam Wiltgen’s step as he leads a tour of the arts campus in Lanesboro, a small, but vibrant, community in Southeast Minnesota.
Building community is the most important thing we can do. Connecting with others helps us connect with our humanity, and realize we're all in this together.
Meatball suppers, spaghetti feeds, pancake breakfasts: Fundraisers are a beloved Midwestern tradition. Spring Grove's Red's IGA takes it a step further!
NE Iowa RC&D's Lora Friest says she never tires of visiting with people about their ideas and helping them realize that they can actually achieve them.
For Decorah Fire Chief Mike Ashbacher, it’s the thriving group of volunteer firefighters and the service they provide that helps him build community.
Community Builder: Lissa Carlson / Coulee Parenting Connection By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos courtesy Lissa Carlson Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) When…
John Condon has shaped an industrial tech program at Decorah High School that focuses projects less on the individual and more on the wider community.
DecorahNow.com is a staple in the Decorah community, and builders Liz Rog and Brad Crawford have still bigger dreams for the future
Here at Inspire(d) HQ, we value positive news. Friends, family, neighbors who do good things. Ideas that make us think. Optimism. We believe that people are, as a whole, good, and that tiny changes can turn into big, world changes.