Events

DRC Sponsor: Ward Budweg

Decorah volunteer firefighters John Budweg, Collin White, and Jessie Reyerson will give an inside look at being a volunteer firefighter. They will cover the training, recap some of the unusual calls, and share the commitment it takes to serve the community.

The Decorah Fire Department is committed to providing rapid, high quality emergency services through teamwork and leadership, utilizing trained volunteers dedicated to the well being of the community twenty-four hours per day. The department services the City of Decorah and the residents of Decorah, Glenwood, Canoe, Pleasant Townships and portions of Madison, Bluffton, Burr Oak, Hesper, Highland and Springfield townships through an agreement with the Decorah Rural Fire Protective association.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Decorah native and Luther College graduate Gail Magnuson, founder and owner of Agora Arts in Decorah, will speak about the history of her store--how it started, how it grew, etc. She will also talk about the ways retail has changed downtown and give her assessment of the present situation.

Gail opened Agora Arts in 1992 with the consigned work of 30 local artists. Since then, Agora Arts has developed a reputation for consistently introducing new and exciting handcrafted work to the gallery. Many of the most recognized artists in the industry trust Agora Arts to promote and sell their work. Agora Arts features contemporary art and fine craft by over 250 American and Canadian artists. They offer the highest quality collection of handcrafted work in the upper Midwest. Agora Arts is a four-time recipient of the Niche Top 100 Retailers of American Craft Award. Criteria for the award include promoting and marketing American craft, treating artists fairly, and giving back time and energy to the community.

For more on Agora Arts please visit their website at https://www.agoraarts.com.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Erick Kephart

Presentation details TBA

The Riverview Center is unique in that it is the only agency in the 14 county northeast region of Iowa providing dedicated sexual assault services. They also offer sexual and domestic violence services in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties in Illinois. Their services are free regardless of biological sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, English proficiency, race and/or ethnicity, incarceration status, disability or background. Riverview Center is considered a safe space whose services are available to anyone affected by sexual assault, including non-offending family members of the survivor.

For more about the Riverview Center please visit their website at https://www.riverviewcenter.org.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

*Please note this meeting will be hosted at the Decorah Public Library, Mezzanine Level

Decorah Public Library Director Kristin Torresdal and Assistant Director Zach Row-Heyveld will meet with the Rotary After Hours group to share an update on current library initiatives and voter-approved maintenance bond projects.

Kristin and Zach lead the Decorah Public Library collaboratively, working together on strategic planning, community initiatives, and long-term facilities and funding projects. Their partnership-driven approach emphasizes responsible stewardship, transparent decision-making, and aligning library services and spaces with the evolving needs of the community.

The Public Library Association in Decorah was created in 1893. The first library housed 69 books, rent free, in the Marsh Music Store located on Water Street. Over the years the Decorah Public Library was housed in a number of locations including the Winneshiek County Courthouse basement. For several years the library was located on the northeast corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street. In 1964, the library moved across the street to the renovated former U.S. Post Office located at 202 Winnebago.

---

DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Megan Wilson, Director of Athletics at Luther College, will join our members to discuss the state of affairs for the athletics programs at Luther. She will discuss her philosophy on athletics--character, community, and competition--and how those attributes are key in making college athletics meaningful and transformative.

Ms Wilson was appointed as Director of Athletics at Luther in June, 2025. An NCAA Division III national champion athlete, former head coach, and experienced athletics administrator, she arrived at Luther from the University of Dubuque where she had served as associate dean of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics. Prior to joining Dubuque, she served as associate athletics director and advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Luther. Along with home event administration for major events including the All-American cross country meet and three A-R-C conference championships hosted by Luther, she served as the director of the then-named Regents Center. Earlier in her athletics administration career, she was associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Stevens Point and held the same position at the UW-Platteville. As a head coach, she had a nine-year career leading UW-Platteville women’s basketball, and during her time also served as the liaison for athletics and admissions for Pioneer athletics.

As a college athlete, Ms Wilson had a legendary career for UW-Stevens Point, playing all four years and serving as the team captain her junior and senior seasons as the Pointers won the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2002. Following graduation, she became an assistant coach for the Pointers for four years, helping guide the team to back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and NCAA tournament bids. A native of Barneveld, Wisconsin, she led Barneveld High School to back-to-back basketball state championships and was the valedictorian of her graduating class.

Ms Wilson holds a Master's Degree in Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from UW-Stevens Point. She and her husband Josh have three children, Aidan, Brody and Palmer.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Sam Boeke, Executive Director of The Highlands (the new senior living center under the auspicers of Aase Haugen Senior Services) will take our members on a virtual tour of the new facility located at 607 Highland Drive in Decorah and will discuss its infrastructure and operations.

The move of residents and staff from the previous location in West Decorah to The Highlands was completed on December 17, 2025. The move marked the culmination of a long-term effort to enhance care, comfort and dignity for residents while honoring the organization’s legacy. The Highlands remains a part of the overall Aase Haugen Senior Services business entity and features the new, intentionally designed campus, skilled nursing, long-term care, memory care, and rehabilitation services; and modern technology, dining, and wellness spaces.

Mr. Bodke joined the senior services team at Executive Director at Aase Haugen in April 2022. He has over 31 years of experience in executive management and long-term care/senior living leadership. As a former board member of the Iowa Health Care Association and active member of the National Health Care Association and Leading Age Iowa, he led many long-term care initiatives both at the state and federal level.

Mr. Boeke earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from National University in San Diego, CA, and went on to earn his MBA from the University of Northern Iowa. He was designated a Certified Organizational Management (COM) professional at the University of Oklahoma in a program led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and also served as a board member of National Small Business United in Washington, DC.

--

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Steve Vanden Brink is a critical care paramedic, Director of Ambulance for WinnMed, public information and education office volunteer with the Decorah Fire Department, and American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructor. He will meet with the After Hours group to give his authoritative presentation on CPR and, time permitting, will speak about the automated external defibrillator (AED) and its proper use.

February is American Heart Month, a national observance to raise awareness about heart disease, encouraging everyone to learn about risks, symptoms, and lifestyle changes like healthy eating, physical activity, and knowing CPR to protect their cardiovascular health and that of loved ones. Key initiatives include National Wear Red Day and promoting resources from the American Heart Association and National Institutes for Health.

Mr. Vanden Brink has over 35 years experience in fire and emergency medical services (EMS) coordination and response. He is also experienced in training emergency services staff.

---

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Kristen Eggen, Executive Director of the Winneshiek Energy District (WED), will be on hand to provide information and insights into the WED's latest developments and initiatives.

The WED is a local 501(c)3 organization with the mission to lead, implement and accelerate locally owned, inclusive clean energy transition in Winneshiek County. Founded in 2010, they connect local communities with clean energy solutions, empower residents and businesses, and inspire other regions toward a clean-energy mindset. They believe a cleaner, more affordable, and equitable energy future starts with local ownership, community leadership, and long-term sustainability.

Ms Eggen first came to the WED as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. She is excited to be leading the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. She deeply appreciates rural communities, northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

For more information about the WED please see their website at https://energydistrict.org.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

David Dahms, President of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and Heather Groth, NICC Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Advancement, will present information on the status of operations and initiatives at NICC. They will also provide a status report on the activities of the NICC Foundatiion.

The NICC Board of Trustees voted unanimously on October 20, 2025 to appoint Mr Dahms as president of the college. He plans to continue serving in that role until his anticipated retirement in June 2027. He previously served as the college’s vice president of finance and administration. Mr Dahms previously served as vice president of finance and Chief Financial Officer for both Sinclair and Precision Equipment, where he served on the executive leadership team and provided oversight for all accounting, information technology, legal and risk management.

NICC has served the region since 1966, providing accessible, high-quality education and training that strengthen communities and fuel economic growth. With campuses in Calmar and Peosta and service locations across northeast Iowa, NICC empowers students to build skills, pursue rewarding careers, and achieve their goals close to home. The college continues to evolve to meet workforce needs and support lifelong learning, including the establishment of innovative partnerships with area high schools and Luther College.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Jeni Melcher, who along with her spouse Tom is a sixth-generation co-owner and operator of Green's Sugar Bush, will join the After Hours group to talk about their renowned maple syrup operation, her family history, and the upcoming 35th annual Maple Festival.

Green’s Sugar Bush near Castalia is the oldest continually operational business in Iowa. The family has been producing maple syrup every year since 1851. The maple farm is about 60 acres in size, and the Melcher familiy taps the trees every spring to make their wildly popular syrup. It takes an immense and variable volume of sap to create maple syrup -- a single tap may only yield 1/2 pint to one quart of syrup. Every year beginning in 1991 the family has hosted the Maple Festival and Pancake Breakfast the last weekend of March and the first weekend of April.

---

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Brett Wilker, the Decorah High School (DHS) robotics coach along with many of the students from the DHS Robotics Club and their innovative creations will be on hand to recap the team's success at all levels of the 2026 "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology" (FIRST) Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Competiton. For the first time in Decorah Robotics history, both the varsity and junior varsity teams qualified for the multi-day state FTC tournament to be hosted at the Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville, IA on February 27-28. At the state tournament, 72 teams will be competing for the Iowa championship. The Decorah teams will be reporting on their journey to the state tournament, their results, and will be offering a hands-on demonstration of their robot creations.

FTC is designed for head-to-head competition in engineering and technology using a sports model. Teams of students design, build, and program robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Teams, including coaches, mentors, and volunteers are required to develop strategies and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as for well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments. Participating students perform real-world application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts and participate in an atmosphere that encourages team building, entrepreneurship and sportsmanship.

Decorah Rotarians may recall Brett and his robotics teams visiting the club in the upstairs room at T-Bocks back in April 2019 (<-story link) and again at the VFW in March 2025 (<-story link). Both demonstrations for Rotary were fascinating, entertaining, and inspirational and this 2026 iteration promises to be the same.

For more about the FTC state tournament please visit their website at 2026 FTC Iowa Championship.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email. Given the popularity and expected attendance, advance lunch reservations are particularly important for this meeting.

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Luther College Professor Emeritus and Decorah resident Ed Epperly will speak to our club about the "Grocery Boy." Is there a mysterious connection between this subject and the events occurring in 1912 Villisca? Find out at this noon meeting.

Decorah Rotarians may recall Dr. Epperly's four-part presentation to the club in September 2024 on his book Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Axe Murders of 1912 and his authoritative investigation over 60 years into one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries. He has written dozens of articles and blog entries, and appeared on CourtTV and other radio and television programs. He is a popular guest speaker at colleges, universities, historical societies, museums, libraries, and book stores.

Fiend Incarnate is a companion to the award-winning documentary feature film Villisca: Living With a Mystery.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Morganne Reinholdt is a Community Engagement Coordinator for the Iowa Donor Network (IDN). She will be meeting with the Rotary After Hours group to provide information and insights into the IDN and rationale for participation. She will cover considerations for becoming an organ or tissue donor, the legalities of signing up to be a donor, how to register, and the impact that organ and tissue donation has across the state.

The IDN serves as the cru­cial con­nec­tion between organ and tis­sue donors, health­care pro­fes­sion­als, com­mu­ni­ty part­ners, donor fam­i­lies, and those await­ing trans­plant. It is Iowa’s sole organ pro­cure­ment orga­ni­za­tion and is one of only 55 fed­er­al­ly cer­ti­fied non­prof­it orga­ni­za­tions that make up the nation’s organ dona­tion net­work. IDN operates as the primary contact for organ, tissue, and eye donation services. Currently there are over 600 Iowa residents on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant.

To learn more about the IDN please see their website at https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/.

---

DRC Sponsor: John Anderson

The Kennedys of Decorah - A story that begins with a stone. Through census records, newspaper archives, and local memory, Stacey Gossling will talk about the lives of George and Sarah Jane Kennedy and their children in the late 1800s. We will hear about the Kennedy family’s journey across the United States, from the free Black community of Philadelphia to the raw edge of the Upper Midwest, including their time in Decorah.

Stacey is an expert in the restoration and preservation of historic cemetery headstones. She has been a member of the Winneshiek County Pioneer Cemetery Commisssion since 2012. The gravestone restoration process involves multiple visits, especially when restoring older marble stones. On the first visit, the stone is thoroughly cleaned and treated with a special biological growth cleaner that soaks into the stone and continues working for months. About a month later, the stone is treated again, and then again after another month. The sun, wind and rain continue to clean the stone for another 3-6 months.

Stacey presently serves as President of the Winneshiek County Historical Society's Board of Directors. For 30 years she and her spouse Scott owned and operated the Family Table Restaurant in Decorah until they sold the business in 2023.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Jon Lund

Professor Kirk Larsen and accompanying Luther students will join us to share insights and pictures from their adventures in Roatan, Honduras during their January Term (J-Term) study abroad in 2026. The course in marine biology was an introduction to the coral reef and other marine environments of the Caribbean. They participated in daily scuba dives and lectures and learned about the identification, ecology, behavior, and conservation of marine organisms and environments. Students also developed and completed research projects.

Kirk Larsen, professor of biology, began teaching at Luther in 1993. Kirk holds a Ph.D. in entomology from Ohio State University, an M.S. in entomology from Michigan State University, and a B.S. in biology from Calvin College. He has special interests in prairie ecology and insect behavior. When not scuba diving in Roatan, Kirk enjoys gardening, playing trombone, hiking, cross-country skiing, swimming and snorkeling, fly fishing, burning prairies, and eating ice cream.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Brecka Putnam

Stephanie Folkedahl from the local Soldier Support Group will provide information about what this group, comprised primarily of mothers, has been doing to make sure their soldiers enjoy a few “comforts from home.” She will also provide information on the recent donation Decorah Rotary Club made to their group.

This current group of soldiers deployed on May 28, 2025, beginning in Louisiana for annual training and arriving in the Middle East in July. The majority of the soldiers supported by the group are Decorah High School graduates. At this writing, five soldiers have safely returned home with nine remaining in the Middle East, some without clear homecoming dates.

Stephanie is the mother of Landan Folkedahl, a 2022 graduate of Decorah High School who is currently deployed as an Iowa Army National Guard Infantryman. She is a paraeducator at Decorah Community Schools and an active member of the soldiers support group. She is a volunteer and supporter of various other community groups and causes.

---

DRC Sponsor: Jon Lund

Victoria Christman, Director of the Center for Global Learning at Luther College and Stacy Soderstrom, Director of International and Transfer Admissions at Luther, will be speaking about Luther's recent award of the prestigeous 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.

For its long-standing commitment to making global learning opportunities accessible and impactful to students, Luther College was awarded the 2026 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Named after the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois, the award recognizes excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of a college campus. Luther College is the first private college in the state of Iowa to receive the Simon Award for Campus Internationalization. The presentation will provide an overview of Luther’s work in terms of study-away opportunities for Luther students and Luther’s international admissions efforts.

Victoria Christman has served as Director of the Center for Global Learning since 2022. She joined the faculty in 2005 as a professor of history, and also teaches courses in international studies. She holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in early modern European History from the University of Arizona, and a B.A. in modern European History and the Comparative Study of Religion from Harvard University.

Stacy Soderstrom joined Luther in November 2023. Prior to joining Luther, she served as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Central Washington University. She holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of East London and a B.A in German Studies and Global Studies from the University of Minnesota.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx will once again visit our club to update our members on recent county law enforcement actions and priorities.

Sheriff Marx has resided in Decorah since he was of preschool age. His calling to public service began as an Emergeny Medical Technician prior to graduating from high school. In his role as Sheriff, he serves as the chief law enforcement officer in Winneshiek County. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, his functions include patrols, investigations, jail operations, civil processes, court orders, court functions and community/public relations. Sheriff Marx has been involved with county law enforcement for the past 27 years. He was appointed to the position of Sheriff in 2015, was elected to that position in 2016, and has been reelected to three subsequent consecutive terms. He holds a degree in police science and criminal justice and is a member of Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies' Association.

---

**Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

**Please note the meeting place for this After Hours presentation is the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery.**

Brian Malaise, Fisheries Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will give an on-site presentation about the stocking process, trout varieties, affects of runoff in the local streams, the economic impact to the region and other items of interest. The group will start in the shop building and then move outside to raceways to observe and feed the fish.

Rainbow trout are raised in 24 raceways and three rubber lined earthen ponds at the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery. About 130,000 catchable-size rainbow trout are raised each year. Hatchery personnel are responsible for stocking 15 put-and-take streams in Allamakee, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek counties. The hatchery also stocks five seasonal urban lakes in Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, Ames and Ankeny or Bondurant.

There is a article featuring Brian in the April 21 edition of The Driftless with the complete version featured in the April 16 edition of Decorah Leader.

Feel free to come early or stay late to explore Siewers Spring, watch the eagles or walk/bike the trail. You may want to bring a chair for the presentation being hosted in the shop area as well as a container or bag for trout food.

---

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken will be revisiting our club to share information on the various projects and plans being undertaken by the City of Decorah during the 2026 calendar year.

Mr. Goedken assumed the duties as Decorah City Manager in September, 2021. He previously served as City Administrator of Humboldt, where he served for nearly six years. Prior to that, he served in diverse roles as a Deputy City Clerk, underground utilities heavy equipment operator, and firefighter/EMT. He is a two-time graduate of the University of Iowa in Political Science and Economics and obtained his master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. He was born and raised in the Dyersville area. While in Humboldt, he oversaw several major projects including a five block downtown streetscape project, construction of a community daycare facility (of which he served as President), and the construction and donation of a 71,000 square foot recreation center.

Travis and his spouse Tara have four children. In his limited spare time he enjoys fly fishing or ice fishing depending on the season.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Jaime Trezona is a nurse with the UCS Healthcare Clinic in Decorah. She will be discussing the many addiction treatment services offered by the clinic, including  Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT).  MAT is the use of medications along with counseling and behavioral therapies. Combined, this method is effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders and assists people in sustaining their recoveries.

UCS Healthcare is a nonprofit agency with 13 locations around the state providing integrated care for substance use disorders as well as primary care, psychiatry, therapy and other services. The UCS Healthcare Clinic In Decorah works with Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health to provide medication assisted treatment for opiate and alcohol use disorders.

For more information about UCS Healthcare please visit https://www.ucsonline.org/.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Abigail Lofte is the Community Relations Manager for Mosaic in Northern Iowa, whose local office is located in Waukon. She will speak about the current activities of the organization in our local area and provide a first-hand account of the impact Mosaic is having on clients in our community.

Mosaic is a nonprofit that provides services to adults with disabilities to empower and equip them to live full, meaningful lives. Having begun in Omaha by two Lutheran pastors in 1913, Mosaic has grown to provide services in 12 states, serving more than 5,000 people in over 700 communities across the country. Now in their second century of care, Mosaic is a healthcare organization providing innovative care by transitioning away from group homes and into a host-home, shared living model.

Fellow Decorah Rotarian Brecka Putnam, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), will present at the Rotary After Hours meeting on a variety of topics related to Alzheimer’s and other dementia. This presentation is appropriate for all ages, as she will share the many things we can do to keep our brain healthy at any age, reducing our risk for dementia. Early detection of Alzheimer’s leads to better outcomes, so she will also discuss the ten major signs of Alzheimer’s and what to do if you see them in yourself or a loved one. There are more reason than ever to hope for a cure or preventative measures for Alzheimer’s, so Brecka will also share exciting research news. Finally, she will share ways you can help advance research and resources.

Brecka is a hospice social worker at Regional Health Services of Howard County, where she works with patients living with dementia and their families every day and provides community education on dementia and trainings for long-term care facility staff so they have better patient outcomes when working with people living with dementia and their families. She is also a volunteer community educator with the Alzheimer’s Association. Most importantly, she is Dale’s daughter, has witnessed the struggles of being diagnosed with dementia at a young age (57), and has lived experience as one of his caregivers.

---

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Decorah native Christopher Edman will share lessons learned over four years working at a nonprofit hospital in equatorial Africa (Gabon). He will focus on features of global humanitarian aid work that has proven effective, as contrasted with features of efforts likely to fail or, potentially, to do even more harm than good.

Christopher holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wheaton College and a Master of Science in Human Factors Psychology from Wright State University. He has held diverse professional roles across academic, military, and medical contexts, including a term as a Consortium Research Fellow with the Human Effectiveness Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. His cross-cultural experience includes formal cross-cultural training and four months in China, eighteen months in France, and four years in Gabon.

Throughout his work, Christopher is passionate about facilitating understanding of complex domains by representing them in clear, accessible ways. He has become known for his blend of empathy and robust analytical thought in planning and problem-solving, and for his advocacy of strategically focused, mission-driven work.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

John "JR" Ogden is the former sports editor for The Gazette in Cedar Rapids. He will be visiting our club to speak about state of print journalism in a digital world from the perspective of his long career in the business.

John served for 48 years on the sports staff at The Gazette. In 1977, at the age of 17, he began serving as a part-time "sports reporter" and worked his way up the ladder to full-time "sports writer," to Assistant Sports Editor and ultimately the leadership position of Sports Editor in 1999. He was able to continue working through his two years at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and his subsequent time at the University of Iowa. Among his many memorable moments he particularly recalls Dan Gable's final NCAA wrestling tournament inside the UNI-Dome, where the line of autograph-seeking well-wishers lasted late into the evening.

John departed The Gazette this past December, one of several casualties associated with The Gazette being purchased by Minneapolis-based Adams Multimedia, a move that ended employee ownership of the paper dating back to 1883. He is currently working as a freelance columnist for the Corridor Business Journal, writing three columns a month on the "business of sports." He also is enjoying time with his wife, Lisa, his three children - April, Jack and Ben - and his six grandchildren.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Fellow Decorah Rotarian Ward Budweg recently completed a year as the governor of Rotary District 5970. At this meeting he will reflect on his varied experiences as district governor.

Most of us know Ward Budweg in a variety of contexts. He is a long-time member of Rotary and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa who decided as a college student to become a Rotarian. As a member of the Decorah Rotary Club he has served in a variety of capacities including president and an extended period of service as a board member. His yard and driveway have been an annually recurring construction zone where he has generously provided tools, materials, and refreshments during the construction of the Rotary float for the Nordic Fest parade. Ward and his spouse Jacky are authors and in 2020 published The World at 10 MPH, describing their global, three-year, 33,523-mile bicycle adventure across six continents.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Fellow Rotarian Alan Lerstrom will introduce and present the 23-minute film Urban Mining. The film was created by Eric Smidt and presented by the Oneota Film Festival.

Eric Smidt is a communications professional and documentary filmmaker from Ames, Iowa. Throughout his career, he has been able to take a creative approach to telling engaging stories through a variety of mediums. His film Urban Mining shows how Midwestern innovation is tackling a global challenge by transforming discarded electronics into a domestic source of rare earth elements at the Ames National Laboratory. By recovering critical materials from electronic waste, the film highlights efforts to strengthen our country's supply chain for strategically important technologies, energy systems, and national defense.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

Decorah Rotary Co-Presidents Phil Iverson and Mike Huinker will recap the 2025-2026 Rotary fiscal year, present the club status and provide an annual meeting update including election of officers.

---

Decorah Rotary Co-Presidents Phil Iverson and Mike Huinker will recap the 2025-2026 Rotary fiscal year, present the club status and provide an annual meeting update including election of officers.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Kerry Brennan, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Coordinator for Allamakee, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Deleware, Dubuque, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties, will share information with the After Hours group about this important volunteer organization. Ms Brennan has served as the CASA Coordinator in northeast Iowa since December 2010.

The purpose of CASA is to amplfy the voices of children who have been judged as "children in need of assistance" by the state. CASA trains and supports community volunteers to advocate for a safe and permanent home for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and works collaboratively to ensure their voices are heard.

Ms Brennan holds a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Luther College. Since 1993 she has worked in the child welfare field, representing the majority of her career. Prior to working with the Iowa Child Advocacy Board she served in the substance abuse prevention field with several years as a family team meeting facilitator in northeast Iowa.

For more information please visit the CASA of Iowa website at https://childadvocacy.iowa.gov/basic-page/you-are-casa.

---

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Lori Rissman is a Clinical Pharmacist in Decorah. She will be presenting information on safe practices for medication use. She will be focusing on three primary areas associated with medication use: (1) being your own health advocate including straightforward tips for being an informed user of medications; (2) being safe with prescribed medications and important information about “safe medication practices for life;” and (3) knowing the risks of medication misuse incluuding facts about medication misuse in our country and what each person can do about it.

Ms Rissman is originally from West Union. She earned her Ph.D. of Pharmacy from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2004 and subsequntly completed a primary care residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Charleston, SC. She has been working as a pharmacist in Decorah for 18 years. Her background in pharmacy includes community pharmacy, medication counseling, compounding, medication therapy management, vaccination administration, and diabetes education.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Decorah Rotary President Bill Courtney plans to re-introduce himself to the club and discuss his ideas and goals for the coming year. There will be a discussion of the purpose of the Decorah Rotary Color Groups and a dedicated time for the color groups to meet for discussion and planning.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Phil Iversen

In the summer of 2016, Larry Campbell spent seven weeks following the Missouri River (by car) from its source in Three Forks, MT to its terminus near St. Louis, MO. He wrote a book about his experiences and will encapsulate them in his presentation to our members.

Larry spent his career working in mathematics and mathematics education, mostly split between the College of the Ozarks near Branson, MO and Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. He is now officially retired and running AfterMath Enterprises, LLC, an umbrella organization for the activities in which he is now engaged. Besides doing talks, programs, and workshops for civic/community groups and schools, he also puts out a (free) weekly email newsletter that combines his photography hobby with other Monday morning "brighteners and tidbits" for the upcoming week. He has written three other books on a diverse set of subjects.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email. 

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Liv Anderson will be speaking to our members about her upcoming, Decorah Rotary sponsored Rotary Youth Exchange trip encompassing the 2026-2027 academic year. Liv is currently a junior at Decorah High School and is the daughter and granddaughter, respectively, of fellow Decorah Rotarians John and Cal Anderson.

Liv is active in the community, and participates in Nordic Dancing, church, swimming, soccer, and wrestling. Along with that, she works at the Sugar Bowl and is a lifeguard at the Decorah Community Pool. Liv is going to be a Rotary Exchange student in Denmark this coming school year. She applied to Rotary Youth Exchange because she loves to travel, wants to meet new people, and hopes to experience a new culture.

Rotary Youth Exchange is a Rotary International student exchange program for secondary school students. Since 1929, Rotary International has sent young people around the globe to experience new cultures. Around 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary Clubs every year. Typically, students are sent to another country for a year-long stay, generally living with one or more host families and attending school in the host country. Rotary Youth Exchange inspires young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their local communities and throughout the world, long after their exchanges end.

---

**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcement, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email.