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10 Ways to Build Your Patience
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…
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…
A Giant Paper Strawberry Box would be perfect as a May Day Basket (just add a string for a handle) or Party Favor Box, or…
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…
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…
DIY Affirmation Cards! We know all this affirmation stuff can feel a little (waves fingers) “woowoo”. But being your own cheerleader is a worthwhile thing…
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…
Finding inspiration is, obviously, one of the main missions of Inspire(d) Magazine. We want to tell inspiring, relatable stories of our neighbors doing good things…
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…
We are here today to remind you: You are fun. Every single person on the planet has the ability to have fun – no matter…
Heck yes, it’s a gnome riding a bald eagle! This mag’s epic cover has made me smile more than any cover in our nearly-16-year-history of…
“Just do the next right thing” is a quote from Anna in Frozen that I like to bring up a lot around here. (It’s a…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
You are a limited resource. I repeat this phrase to myself as I handle requests – from others, my family, myself. It helps me be…
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…
Perhaps you’ve seen his name in the news: Dr. Michael Osterholm. The nationally renowned epidemiologist has been quoted or published in media outlets across the…
Introduction by Aryn Henning Nichols Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2020 Inspire(d) Words, at their base, are simple. Just a series of letters placed in…
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…
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…
Looking for something fun to make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, May Day, or any old day? Try making these pop-up paper flower cards! They…
The Spring 2019 Inspire(d) is all about planting the seeds of hope for the future! Here’s what you’ll find: Puentes/Bridges • La Crosse Promise •…
Winter is officially here! Are you ready to rock it? Try this winter challenge to make it the best winter yet! By Aryn Henning Nichols…
Brighten up those winter nights of reading with a little sunshine tucked into your book. Make a sun bookmark today! What you need: Sun bookmark…
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,…
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…
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…
Here’s what you’ve got to get excited about in the Spring 2018 Inspire(d): Westby Community Feature, National Eagle Center, States of America films – Beth…
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…
Community Builder: Shannon Dallenbach Durbin: ArtHaus & Creative Community By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) “I got this.” It’s…
Community Builder: Lissa Carlson / Coulee Parenting Connection By Aryn Henning Nichols • Photos courtesy Lissa Carlson Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) When…
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…
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,…
Here’s what’s happening in the Spring 2017 Inspire(d): Female Mountain Bikers (Rule) • Hannah Breckbill / Farmer • Anna Bolz / Chef • Lindy Weilgart /…
Winter is a wonderful time to cozy in and think about making life better. So we’re excited to bring you the new Winter 2016-2017 Inspire(d) Magazine,…
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…
Norma Esther Schmidt Henning’s Magical Potato Salad Photos & text by Aryn Henning Nichols • Illustrations by Lauren Bonney Originally published in the Summer 2016…
The only thing to fear is fear itself. Man that is a genius quote. You’ve heard it, right? It’s from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural…
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…
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…
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!…
The Push/Pull of Parenthood It never fails. Roxie leaves with her (usually) brushed hair floating behind her, mismatched socks on under her “rock & roll”…
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…
As I age (turning 35 this year, whoop whoop), I glean certain bits of knowledge that I know will help me for the rest of…
This morning, Roxie (totally out of the blue) asks, “Daddy, will you please help me clean up my desk?” It certainly wasn’t by example –…
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…
The Pride of Postville By Aryn Henning Nichols Kids are kids. “They’re just kids. It doesn’t matter where they come from, if they speak the…
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…
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…
By Aryn Henning Nichols I’m standing at the edge of a steep single-track slope – c’mon, let’s be honest: it’s a cliff – with a…
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…
(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)…
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,…
By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Spring 2011 Inspire(d) All Photos Courtesy of the Jensen Family Families are bound together – whether…
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…
One of the things on my “30 Before 30” list was to perfect the chocolate chip cookie. I was a bit naïve when I wrote…
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…
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…
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 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 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.