community builders

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…

“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…

One of the easiest ways to travel to a new place this summer is by cracking a new – or new-to-you – book. Little Free…

Decorah native Stephanie Fromm talks fast and works faster. On meeting her, you might think the Winneshiek County Tourism and Economic Development Director has been…

Maryann Baldwin loves to plant the seeds of ideas. Whether she’s mentoring local entrepreneurs, supporting city agencies like the Lansing Parks and Recreation department, volunteering…

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…

Farming in the Midwest is a deep-rooted tradition. Grounded in a history of agriculture, cultivating the foods that end up on our tables has long…

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…

It’s 1964, and Pete Espinosa is five. He’s riding in the car, a little boy accompanying his mom and older brother Paul on the 80-mile…

The Summer/Fall 2020 Inspire(d) is all about finding ways to Keep Showing Up – for yourself, your community, and your world. Inside, you’ll find (so…

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…

The Fall 2018 Inspire(d) is filled with fun ideas for getting out of your comfort zone – we are so excited to share it with…

Community Builder: Greg Wennes – Sunrise Care Facility, Spring Grove, Minnesota Story and photos by Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d)…

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 Builders: Roxanne Schnitzler & Jessica Rediske: Red-Roxy Quilt Co. By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) When Roxanne Schnitzler and…

Community Builder: Adam Wiltgen: Program Director, Lanesboro Arts By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) There’s some serious pep in Adam…

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…

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…

By Kristine Jepsen • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) Magazine Meatball suppers, spaghetti feeds, pancake breakfasts: There’s no dispute that food fundraisers are…

By Sara Friedl-Putnam It’s early on a hot July night, but Lora Friest bounds into Java John’s Coffee House in downtown Decorah as if the…

Community Builder: Mike Ashbacher / Decorah Fire Department By Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) For some, it’s the thrill of…

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: Teaching the builders of tomorrow By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Fall 2017 Inspire(d) This July, as they do each July,…

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,…

Liz Rog & Brad Crawford: DecorahNow.com By Kristine Jepsen “I think this started because I would get asked by someone on the street, or in…