Driftless Stories
Raising Awareness for SUDEP
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Phyllis Green, interviewed by daughter Pat Beck Originally published in the Fall 2016 Inspire(d) Magazine, Phyllis passed away July 28, 2020. Our condolences to Phyllis’…
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)…
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,…
INTRO BY ARYN HENNING NICHOLS • PHOTOS – NIGHT DIVE SWIM It’s springtime – or getting there, anyway – and that means swimsuits are hitting…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
By Sara Friedl-Putnam • Originally published in the Summer 2016 Inspire(d) It’s the last Saturday in July, and thousands of men, women, and children –…
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…
Cresco Community: A history of innovators By Aryn Henning Nichols • Originally published in the Summer 2016 Inspire(d) “You make your family,” says long-time Cresco,…
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…
By Benji Nichols • Originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspired There are a ton of great spots to check out in the Driftless Region…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Compiled by Inspire(d) Staff Originally printed in the June/July 2010 issue of Inspire(d) Sure, summer is all about festivals and swimming and canoeing and fairs, 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…
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…