The Decorah Rotary Club is partnering with Decorah Human Powered Trails (DHPT) to complete construction of a new addition to Decorah's extensive trails system on the east approach to Dunning's Spring. In addition to the volunteer labor, Decorah Rotary's contribution included a $5,000 gift along with a matching $5,000 grant from Rotary District 5970.

 

For anyone who has hiked the trail on the right flank of the 200 ft waterfall, the ascending path is challenging but the hike down can be treacherous. This new trail will create a loop with a safer descent and an alternate option for hiking above the falls. Decorah Rotary and DHPT were supported by Pine Creek Trail Builders, runners from the Luther College Cross Country team, and other volunteers in completing technical preparation work to have the trail area ready for the Rotary and DHPT trail construction volunteers to complete the final phase of the project.

 

Dunning's Spring and its associated waterfall are listed on Tripadvisor as #1 on its list of “The 15 Best Things to Do in Decorah.” The park offers hiking trails, picnic space, and scenic views.

 

For more photos of the Rotary and DHPT volunteer team in action please see the companion photo album at Dunning's Spring Trail Service Project.

 

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The Decorah Rotary Club hosted its 10th Annual Trout Run Trail (TRT) Tour Day on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. This annual event provides an opportunity for local senior citizens, those with physical limitations, and anyone with limited access to the TRT to experience the beauty of the entire 12-mile circuit. The weather was perfect and the scenery spectacular. Participants enjoyed coffee and rolls breakfast and tasty barbecue luncheon hosted at the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery pavilion. Over 100 guests enjoyed the scenic tour that stated and finished at the hatchery.

 

The club extends its sincere thanks to the machine owners and drivers who generously provided their time and equipment -- Paul Nichols, John Kerndt, Tade Kerndt, Tom Kuennen, Les Askelson, Greg Rude, Dacia Monson, and the Dyskra family, Larry Hauber, and Decorah Kawasaki. Other participating drivers included Bill Brenning, Mike Harman, Darrel Branhagen, Ron Snell, and Dacia Monson. Thanks also to Decorah Parks and Recreation for posting signage around the trail on that day, to the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery for offering the pavilion, and the many Decorah Rotary volunteers who teamed up to make the event such a success.

 

Check out the many photos of this wonderful event in the companion album at DRC Trout Run Trail Tour Day 2025.

 

The Decorah Rotary Club hosted its fourth annual Pork Chop Fundraiser at both the 2025 Winneshiek County Fair on July 8-12 and again during Decorah's 2025 Nordic Fest on July 24-26. Over 700 pork chops were sold on the final day of Nordic Fest alone and by 4:00 pm, every single available chop had been sold to a happy customer. As in the past, the two combined events excelled at quantities served, funds raised, good fellowship shared, and satisfied customers. The club extends its heartfelt thanks to the club leaders, in particular Brecka Putnam and Shannon Duncan, who planned, coordinated, organized, and purchased; along with the multitude of Rotary volunteers manning the booths and the generous support of close friends and partner organization volunteers assisting with the grilling, providing cooler space, etc. There are way too many names to enumerate them all but our club thanks each and every one!
 
For a variety of candid photos of our volunteers in action, check out the companion photo album: Rotary Pork Chop Booth 2025 - County Fair and Nordic Fest.
Photo credits: various

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