driftless region

Community Builders

Missy Hoch

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…

Community Builders

County Seat Laundry

“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…

Vonnie Linnevold

Probituaries

Vonnie Linnevold

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…

Probituaries

Margaret Grund 

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:…

Community Builders

Jeff Abbas

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…

Community Builders

Norb Kelly

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,…

Community Builders

John Sutton

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…

Community Builders

Jane Kemp

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…

Probituaries

Hazel Grotegut

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…

Community Builders

Diane Knight

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…

Probituaries

Alfred Ludeking

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

Leave The Leaves

Driftless Stories

Leave The Leaves

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…

Alpacas

Community Builders

Brooke Pfeffer

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…

Local Chefs

Driftless Stories

Local Chefs

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…

Interview with Artist Kelly Ludeking

Driftless Stories

Interview with Artist Kelly Ludeking

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.

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