Events

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Jeff Wilkerson is a Professor of Physics at Luther College. In addition to his extensive research and teaching, he is an accomplished author and plans to present excerpts from his book 23 Woodcock in 22 Years: Reflections on Hunting, the Night Sky and Our Place in the Universe, highlighting the passage of time as both birds and the stars overhead come and go season after season. He will lead our members in discussing the behavior of birds, stars as the origin of the material around us, the nature of our Milky Way galaxy, the history of the universe, and what can be observed in the night sky right now.

Dr. Wilkerson earned a B.S. in physics from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley. He has previously worked on projects searching antimatter heavy nuclei in cosmic rays and developing detector technology for studying X-rays from neutron stars and black holes. For the past 28 years he has served on the faculty at Luther where he has taught a wide range of astronomy and physics courses, supervised more than 60 undergraduate research projects involving the monitoring of stellar brightness, and has served in a variety of administrative positions. In addition to numerous research publications and presentations, he has authored two books and presents a weekly, public YouTube (<- link) video on night sky observing.

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DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Colinne McCann and Will Kuelbs from Helping Services for Youth and Families will be visiting our club to provide information and insights on their Youth Mentoring Program. Youth mentoring provides a consistent, prosocial relationship between an adult or older peer and one or more youth. Mentoring consistently improves self-esteem, academic achievement, and peer relationships and reduces substance misuse, aggression, depressive symptoms, and delinquency. Helping Services has matched caring adults with hundreds of kids for over 20 years. Their program offers services in Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Southern Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties.

Colinne McCann has been a resident of Winneshiek County for the past 18 years. She received her AA in Human Services at Northeast Iowa Community College and then her BA in Social Work at Luther College. Colinne has been involved with youth mentoring at Helping Services since 2016. Youth mentoring and giving back to the next generation is where her passion lies. In her spare time Colinne spends time with her daughter, is a service unit director for Winneshiek County Girl Scouts and teaches 7-12 grade Sunday School.

Will Kuelbs is a Minneapolis, MN native and is a senior at Luther College majoring in Social Work. He currently serves over the summer months as a Childcare Specialist for the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, where he works in and with summer school-age programs. His long-term goal is to become a school social worker in the Twin Cities. Will is excited to join Helping Services as an intern this spring. He deeply admires the organization’s critical role in providing vital support to the Decorah community and is eager to contribute to its mission of fostering positive change.  He looks forward to working with such a dedicated team and gaining hands-on experience in the field.

For more about Helping Services for Youth and Families please visit their website at https://www.helpingservices.org.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

First Lutheran Church Senior Pastor and fellow Decorah Rotarian Mike Wilker will be sharing images and stories from his recent delegation trip to Namibia. Discover the vibrant connections between Namibia and northeast Iowa through Luther College, local congregations, and regional partnerships.

This relationship continues a connection dating back to the 1970s, when educational exchanges first brought Namibian students to northeast Iowa. Mike represented northeastern Iowa Lutherans at the installation of two new Namibian Bishops in February. He witnessed firsthand how international cooperation has strengthened both communities over decades. Learn how this longstanding relationship between Namibia and Decorah continues to foster educational, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges that benefit both regions.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Brecka Putnam

Trish Johnson from Helping Services for Youth and Families will share information on the Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DRAC). DARC provides services to those who have or are experiencing IPV (intimate partner violence) including domestic abuse, dating violence, stalking & human sex trafficking. They help with obtaining civil protection orders, safety planning, limited financial assistance, navigating the criminal justice system, medical advocacy and more. They also provide community education and presentations to middle and high schools on healthy relationships. Trish will share information on the dynamics of domestic violence and how to respond when someone discloses abuse.

Trish Johnson has been a Certified Victim Advocate for twelve years and is our area’s bilingual domestic abuse advocate. She has a BA in Communications and Linguistics from Luther College. DRAC is a program of Helping Services for Youth and Families, providing services to Howard, Allamakee, Winneshiek, Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw, and Bremer Counties.

For more on the DRAC program please visit their website at Helping Services for Youth and Families - DRAC.

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DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Luther College Professor of Biology Scott Carlson and selected Luther College students participating in the 2025 Luther January Term study abroad course offered by the Center for Global Learning entitled "Nepal: A One Health Perspective" will visit our club to share the highlights of their trip to Nepal and selected results from their investigation.

The World Health Organization defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems." This course focused on Nepal to study the dynamic relationship between people, animals, plants, and the environment, and how they are interconnected in contributing to the wellness of a population. This course emphasized the work of the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN), which is the leading public health and wildlife research organization in the country. Students participated in ongoing projects at CMDN involving disease surveillance, biomedical research, wildlife conservation, and environmental health. The itinerary also included travel to Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the Chitwan National Park.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Luther College Professor of Social Work Britt Rhodes and selected Luther College students participating in the Luther Paideia 450 study abroad course offered by the Center for Global Learning entitled "Forging Paths to Peace (Northern Ireland)" will visit our club to share highlights of their experiences and report on selected results of their investigation.

This course examined the difficult yet inspiring Northern Ireland peace process through the lives of its participants. The participants explored the challenges and potential of political and grassroots peace building, with special attention to issues of identity, culture, and memory as challenges and the principles of compromise, forgiveness, mercy, justice, and peace as potential. An integral part of this course was the conduct of meetings with representatives of the main political parties of Northern Ireland, former members of paramilitary organizations, academic experts, police officers, members of inter-community organizations, and victims of past violence. The itinerary included trips to Derry, Belfast, and Ballycastle within Northern Ireland and Dublin in Ireland.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

Please note location change to the Hovde Room in the Luther College Library.  It is the first meeting room on the right after entering the library.  Please park in the lot behind the library.

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

First Lutheran Church Senior Pastor and fellow Decorah Rotarian Mike Wilker will be sharing images and stories from his recent delegation trip to Namibia. Discover the vibrant connections between Namibia and northeast Iowa through Luther College, local congregations, and regional partnerships.

This relationship continues a connection dating back to the 1970s, when educational exchanges first brought Namibian students to northeast Iowa. Mike represented northeastern Iowa Lutherans at the installation of two new Namibian Bishops in February. He witnessed firsthand how international cooperation has strengthened both communities over decades. Learn how this longstanding relationship between Namibia and Decorah continues to foster educational, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges that benefit both regions.

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DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Mike Bollinger, fellow Decorah Rotarian and Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), has offered to speak to our club about the SSE 50th Anniversary Celebration planned for August 8-9, 2025 at the SSE Heritage Farm site north of Decorah. The event will feature a variety of activities including speakers, farm and facilities tours, workshops, a seed swap, and live music.

SSE conserves biodiversity by maintaining a collection of over 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants, varieties with the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. These seeds (and tissue cultures or other plant materials, depending on how a plant reproduces) have the power to withstand unforeseen pestilence and plant disease, climate change, and limited habitat, and to stop dinnertime boredom forever. The SSE Heritage Farm serves as the headquarters of SSE and includes the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and Gift and Garden Store, miles of hiking trails, a trout stream, display gardens and a historic orchard. The Heritage Farm serves as the principal location for housing the extensive seed collection and for hosting special events. The entire SSE team (including preservation and education staff, donor and member services, the garden crew, and order fulfillment team) is also based at the Decorah location.

Mike has a long and fruitful connection with SSE. He originally served as a member of their garden crew and contracted as a seed producer. For more than a decade, he has collaborated as the primary producer of transplants for the SSE plant sales with his wife, Katie, through their certified organic farm, River Root Farm. As co-founder of an agricultural solutions company, Mike has also provided support to SSE on greenhouse design and organic production practices. Mike has not only gained a practical understanding of organic and sustainable growing practices but also dedicated years of service as an active member on the board of directors for organizations focusing on farmer education services and local and regional food systems.

For more information on SSE and to register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration visit https://www.seedsavers.org/.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Decorah City Manager Travis Goedken will be visiting our club to share information on the various projects and plans in store for the city of Decorah during the 2025 calendar year.

Mr. Goedken assumed the duties as Decorah City Manager on September 9, 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.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

Please note the location change to the Hovde Room at the Luther College Library.  It is the first room on the left after you enter.  Please park in the lot behind the library.

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Cheryl Johnson, President of Iowa Grotto, member of the Cave Research Foundation - Eastern Operations, and member of the National Speleological Society will present on the discovery, exploration and preservation of Winneshiek County's Coldwater Cave, the largest cave in the Upper Midwest.

Ms. Johnson's interest in the science of speleology began as a child. She could hear water running through the ground near sinkholes on her family farm and was fascinated about what might lay underneath. A grade school field trip to Niagara Cave in Harmony, MN opened her eyes to the world below the karst topography of the Driftless. Due to a lack of available scholarships in the field she was unable to pursue a career in Geology; however, now that her children are grown she has the opportunity to pursue her passion for caves as a leisure interest. Her interest has grown into her involvement in cartography projects at both the local and national level.

Born and raised in rural Decorah, Ms. Johnson graduated from Decorah High School in 1999 and studied accounting at Luther College. For the past 10 years she has served as the office manager for the Chiropractic Offices of fellow Rotarian Kelly Reagan.

For more about the Iowa Grotto and the National Speleological Society please visit https://caves.org/grotto/iowa-grotto/.

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DRC Sponsor: Tim Cronin

Our club is pleased and honored to welcome accomplishd author, educator, and humanitarian Dr. David Markward, who will be speaking about his recent book From Dubuque to Selma and Beyond: My Journey to Understand Racism in America. In his book, Dr. Markward investigates the complex world of racism. It is a testament to his belief in humanity and the power of education to effect change. It invites readers to reflect on their own biases and work toward a more just and equitable future. From his upbringing in a predominantly white community to his lifelong pursuit of racial justice, the story is both inspiring and thought-provoking.

After graduating from Dubuque Senior High School and Augustana College, Dr. Markward earned two advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and a doctorate from Illinois State University. He started his career as a junior-high-school science teacher, then served as a coach, principal, school district superintendent (including for the Rock Island-Milan School District and Cedar Rapids Community School District), college instructor, and educational consultant.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Merry Makers is a scripted comedy-based club formed at Luther College in October 2023. The club creates a space for Luther students to learn more about and practice various types of comedy including sketch comedy, improv, mime, slapstick and clowning. They also explore writing, direction, and acting in comedic theater.

The Merry Makers clown troupe "Cloupe Therapy" will be on hand to share their entertaining creativity with our club. Laughter is a guarantee!

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Mike Bollinger, fellow Decorah Rotarian and Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), has offered to speak to our Rotary After Hours group about the SSE 50th Anniversary Celebration planned for August 8-9, 2025 at the SSE Heritage Farm site north of Decorah. The event will feature a variety of activities including speakers, farm and facilities tours, workshops, a seed swap, and live music.

SSE conserves biodiversity by maintaining a collection of over 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants, varieties with the ability to regenerate themselves year after year. These seeds (and tissue cultures or other plant materials, depending on how a plant reproduces) have the power to withstand unforeseen pestilence and plant disease, climate change, and limited habitat, and to stop dinnertime boredom forever. The SSE Heritage Farm serves as the headquarters of SSE and includes the Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and Gift and Garden Store, miles of hiking trails, a trout stream, display gardens and a historic orchard. The Heritage Farm serves as the principal location for housing the extensive seed collection and for hosting special events. The entire SSE team (including preservation and education staff, donor and member services, the garden crew, and order fulfillment team) is also based at the Decorah location.

Mike has a long and fruitful connection with SSE. He originally served as a member of their garden crew and contracted as a seed producer. For more than a decade, he has collaborated as the primary producer of transplants for the SSE plant sales with his wife, Katie, through their certified organic farm, River Root Farm. As co-founder of an agricultural solutions company, Mike has also provided support to SSE on greenhouse design and organic production practices. Mike has not only gained a practical understanding of organic and sustainable growing practices but also dedicated years of service as an active member on the board of directors for organizations focusing on farmer education services and local and regional food systems.

For more information on SSE and to register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration visit https://www.seedsavers.org/.

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DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

**Please note the special meeting logistics provided below**

Luther College alumnus ('97) Erika Billerbeck has been an Iowa Conservation Officer for the last 25 years. In 2020, the University of Iowa Press published her book Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes from an Iowa Conservation Officer. In this book, Erika takes readers along for the ride as she and her colleagues sift through poaching investigations, chase down sex offenders in state parks, search for fugitives in wildlife areas, haul drunk boaters to jail, perform body recoveries, and face the chaos that comes with disaster response. Using an introspective personal voice, this narrative nonfiction work weaves stories of Iowa’s natural history with a cast of unforgettable characters. Wildland Sentinel touches on what it means to be a woman working in the male-dominated field of conservation law enforcement.

Erika plans to discuss her book, tell stories, and field questions at this special, all-member meeting of the club. She will have copies of her book available for purchase and personalized author signature for $20.

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**This presentation will have a special Thursday evening meeting time for accommodating both our Noon and After Hours Rotarians, as well as their spouses and significant others. It will also be advertised to the public on a free and first come, first served basis. The club will be hosting this special presentation at the VFW, with hors d'oveures and cash bar available. Due to anticipation of the popularity of this presentation, prompt email responses to the forthcoming special event announcement will be important and needed for planning purposes.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Former Provost Dr. Brad Chamberlain was named the 12th president of Luther College in November 2024 and assumed the office with the start of the Spring 2025 semester. He will be visiting our club to provide brief news updates from Luther and will open the floor up to questions and a dialog with Rotary members.

As Provost, Dr. Chamberlain brokered new academic programs and expanded the Office of Student Success with the addition of Advising, the Career Center, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and the Writing Center to create an integrated student success model, the first of its kind at Luther. Prior to those duties, he was Vice President for Mission and Communication from 2019 until 2022. He led the implementation of Luther’s first integrated brand strategy, developed the college’s first strategic internal communications plan, and co-led the COVID Response Team. Joining the college in the fall of 2001 as a visiting professor, Dr. Chamberlain earned tenure in 2007 and became a full professor in 2014, serving as Chairman of the Chemistry Department from 2014 to 2018.

Graduating magna cum laude with his bachelor’s in Chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College, Dr. Chamberlain earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Before joining the Luther faculty, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University. He has continued his education with professional certifications in fundraising management from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy; in diversity, equity and inclusion from Cornell University’s online campus; and in strategy from the Harvard Business School.

Dr. Chamberlain's presidency comes at a unique moment both in the long history of Luther College and also for higher education in America. He service has begun with emphasis on leading the Luther community into his guide points of honesty and hope; pride and belief, supporting the vision of Luther College becoming the standard for preparing its students for lives of meaning, purpose, and service.

Married to Luther alumnus Julie Torkelson Chamberlain ('96), they are the proud parents of Decorah High products and Luther students Drew (’26) and Liam (’29).

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Don Holmertz

Dr. Laird Edman, a cognitive psychologist and recently retired college professor, will talk to us on research he has done about why religious and secular rituals are so meaningful to us. Almost all important events in the life of a person or family, in communities, and even nations, of every culture and religion down through human history, are marked by some kind of ritual…even when we don’t notice we are doing it. He will show that while the reason why we do our rituals “this way” is usually lost to us over time, they are essential to who we are and where we belong by helping us with the meaning, changes, and challenges during our lives.

Dr. Erdman holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. His research has been published in journals and books including The Psychology of Religion and Spirituality and The Oxford Handbook of the Cognitive Science of Religion. He has taught at various institutions and is presently a professor emeritus of psychology and a research professor for Northwestern College in Iowa, and also served as a visiting scholar at Oxford University. He is a member of the American Psychological Association's Council of Representatives and serves on the executive committee of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.

For more information on Dr. Erdman's research please visit his website at https://www.lairdedman.com.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Winneshiek County Auditor Benjamin D. (Ben) Steines will visit our club and offer an overview of the duties of the County Auditor. He will emphasize election procedures and processes that help ensure accurate and secure voting. There will be time for questions from the membership.

Ben Steines was first elected County Auditor in 2008. Before that he served as a Deputy in the County Treasurer’s office, starting after his Luther College graduation in 1997. A 1993 graduate of Decorah High School, he and his family live in rural Decorah. His wife Stephanie is a math teacher at Decorah High School. They have four children ages 21, 18, 16, and 13.

As County Auditor, Ben prides himself with providing friendly and efficient service in the Auditor’s office, overseeing elections, the county budget, accounts payable, payroll, and numerous other administrative duties; all with honesty and integrity. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing board games and cards with his friends.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Clark Goltz and Karen McLean from the WinnMed Board of Trustees (BoT) will be visiting our club to provide insights into the duties and responsibilites of the members of the BoT. They will be sharing information on the member selection process, terms of sevice, education and training for the BoT members, required meetings, subcommittees, and the intentional involvement of personnel who are able to offer a variety of expertise and perspectives.

Clark Goltz is the current Chair of the BoT and has long ties to northeast Iowa as his ancestors moved here in the 1850s. Many of our Rotarians know Clark as principal of John Cline school. He has also been an assistant superintendent and college instructor. He has received a number of awards recognizing his expertise.

Karen McLean is Vice Chair of the BoT and also chairs the Quality and Patient Safety Committee. She holds degrees in physical therapy, clinical exercise physiology, and exercise science from the University of Wisconsin, UW La Crosse, and Arizona State University, respectively. She was a faculty member at UW La Crosse as well as Provost and  Dean of the College of Science and Allied Health at Des Moines University. She is a volunteer Senior Health Insurance Information
Program (SHIIP) counselor providing “Welcome to Medicare” seminars for prospective enrollees.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Tim Smock, Winneshiek County Treasurer, will be joining our noon meeting to engage members in conversation about the ways in which the Winneshiek County Treasurer’s Office serves the residents of the county. He will also discuss how public funds are kept secure through detailed financial reporting, accurate reconciliation, and careful investment practices. He will entertain questions at the conclusion of his presentation.

The Winneshiek County Treasurer is responsible for the receipt, management, disbursement, financial reporting, and investment of all monies paid to the County and serves as agent for the State of Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. The Treasurer compiles composite reports from individual record books to general ledgers, reviews and reconciles receipts, bills, and cash received to assure accuracy of figures to prevent discrepancies and financial loss. In addition, the Treasurer categorizes, indexes, files and deposits materials, forms and monies received to assure public funds are administered properly. The Treasurer is also responsible for the proper receipt, accounting and disbursement of county funds within proper policies established by the State of Iowa, Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors and corporate and unincorporated taxing entities for adequate financial control.

Tim has served in the Winneshiek County Treasurer's Office since 2018 and was appointed Treasurer in January of this year. A native of Decorah, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Management from Luther College. Outside the office, Tim enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

After Hours Program Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Joanne Thuente and Mary Engan will be sharing their experiences over the past ten years supporting the local Decorah chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The National Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream by founder Catherine Roberts after seeing her son Nat, who was deployed in Iraq, battle with emotional trauma. She wrapped him in a quilt and his whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope. Her message was: Quilts equals Healing. Each state has its own cadre of volunteers who invest their skills and time to create the quilts. These quilts are presented to veterans and active service members as a tangible means of appreciation for their service, sacrifice, and valor. In May of 2025 the Foundation reached a milestone of when it presented quilt number 400,000. In Decorah, these quilts are presented during different times of the year to honor our local veterans and active service members.

Joanne Thuente lives in rural Decorah with her husband, Virgil. Thety are the parents of two grown children. She has always been interested in gardening, floral design, and sewing. After retiring in 2015 from Seed Savers Exchange as the database editor for 30 years she joined Decorah Quilts of Valor. She believes sewing quilts for veterans is a most gratifying hobby.

Mary Engan hails from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and now lives west of Highlandville with her husband of 58 years. They have two daughters. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, she began the hobby of quilting after retiring as a third grade teacher at Mabel-Canton Elementary School. She learned of Decorah Quilts of Valor when her husband received his quilt. She decided to join the group in 2019 and considers their service and the presentation of quilts to local veterans to be most rewarding. Veterans have a very special place in her heart since her dad was killed during the invasion of Normandy shortly after her birth.

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Fellow Decorah Rotarian, 2025-2026 Rotary District 5970 Governor, endurance athlete, and world traveler Ward Budweg will offer our members a recap of his bicycle ride to Calgary in Alberta, Canada and the Rotary International Conference being hosted there.

Ward was born and raised in New Hampton, the third of nine children in a farm family. He was awarded a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Northern Iowa and participated in the marching band as a tuba player and drum major. He has worked in the banking industry, served as County Assessor, served several non-profits, and was owner and operator of the local business Decorah Bicycles. Along with his spouse Jacky, he authored the book The World at 10 MPH, which sheds light on their experiences during an unprecedented around-the-world bicycle tour. Ward currently works as a handyman when he is not in the middle of extensive international travel or when conducting his Rotary district governor duties.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

***Please note the offsite location for this special noon meeting***

Luther College Professor of Physics Jeffrey Wilkerson will be offering a night sky demonstration in the Luther College Emil C. Miller Planetarium at Luther's Valders Hall of Science.

The Emil C. Miller Planetarium at Luther College was part of the original plans for the new Valders Hall of Science. The planetarium was installed in 1964, about one year after the completion of the science building. The planetarium projector, control panel, domed ceiling, lighting, and circular seating were purchased at a cost of about $35,000. The planetarium seats 65 adults in a circular arrangement. The majority of shows given in the planetarium are offered to the public. All shows are “live” to facilitate interaction and promote questions. On average, about 75 shows are given each year. In October of 1998, Luther President Jeffrey Baker announced that the planetarium had officially been named the Emil C. Miller Planetarium. Dr. Miller was a long time professor and physics department head and was the driving force behind the planetarium.

Dr. Wilkerson has been a professor in the physics department since 1997, focusing on the topics of x-ray and gamma-ray detector development, and the study of variable stars in clusters. Course topics have included Astrophysics, Classical Physics II, and Introductionj to Astronomy. During the Spring 2025 semester, he served as interim provost. He has also served as the chair of the Faculty Interests Committee and chair of the Enrollment and Communications Advisory Board, and previously served as associate dean for six years.

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***Lunch will be served in Valders Hall of Science. Please complete your noon meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Ward Budweg

Matt Tapscott will take our members on a wonderrful journey into his passion for the Decorah Community Food Pantry and those for whom it serves.

"Hunger is a story we can end," says Feeding America, the Decorah Community Food Pantry's national "upline" supplier. The Pantry has a formal agreement with Feeding America established through their partnership with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo. Matt and the Pantry staff feel strongly that hunger is a story we must hear, particularly at the local level. The local Pantry refers to the people who use the Pantry (clients) as neighbors, because that is who they are. These are people who sit in church next to us, at the classroom desk in our schools, and serve as our co-workers.

In America, a typical household throws away 30-40% of its food. We use convenience of packaging at our own peril. The "convenience" may be literally burying us alive in the amount of plastic and food waste we throw into our landfills. Addressing food insecurity in America requires addressing food waste.  

After three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Matt was introduced, by chance, to early childhood education as a career option. He fell in love with the work and stayed in that field for 40 years as a teacher, administrator and childcare business owner. He "retired" in 2022 from the life's work he loved. After six weeks of retirement Matt was approached by the Decorah Community Food Pantry board members to explore becoming a part-time director for the Pantry. That invitation happended three years ago this summer. Though early childhood education is his first passion he is honored and loves being part of the work of the Pantry. Matt's time serving at the Pantry has reinforced his admiration for the local Decorah and Winneshiek County communities and the tremendous support they provide. 

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Ward Budweg

Decorah Community District Superintendent of Schools and fellow Decorah Rotarian Tim Cronin will present the current state of the Decorah school district and its programs at our regular noon meeting.

Tim has served as the district's superintendent since July 1, 2022. Prior to his local appointment, he served as superintendent of the Central City Community School District since 2013 in a “shared superintendent” arrangement with the nearby Dunkerton district. In addition to his role as superintendent, Tim has served as curriculum director, elementary principal, director of human resources, and director of special education. Professor Cronin is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Iowa, where he has worked with the Educational Policy and Leadership Studies and Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency programs to develop and teach graduate-level classes. He has served in leadership roles on committees for the Grant Wood and Central Rivers Area Education Associations, and the Superintendent Leadership Team of the Tri-Rivers Conference.

Tim holds a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Iowa and took part in graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin, and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Luther College.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Jon Jensen is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at Luther College and is Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Luther. He will be speaking about a recent research project focused on watershed planning efforts and enhancement of community flood resilience in northeast Iowa with an emphasis on Upper Iowa River flooding events.

In the aftermath of the 2016 Upper Iowa River flood, the Luther Center for Sustainable Communities convened a team of faculty and students to work in partnership with the Iowa Flood Center and the Upper Iowa River Watershed Management Authority to study community flood resilience, with a particular focus on Freeport. Funded by a federal grant, the research on the Upper Iowa was part of the Iowa Watershed Approach, a statewide initiative that seeks to understand and enhance flood resilience in nine watersheds across the state. Both climatological research and anecdotal experiences show flooding as a growing concern in the upper Midwest. In particular, those who live near rivers like the Upper Iowa must adapt to this changing reality. The research sought to understand how community preparation and response can be done most effectively.

In addition to his work as a faculty member at Luther, Dr. Jensen has been a member of the board of directors for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and on the steering committee for the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability. He works to promote sustainability in the curriculum at Luther, across the Midwest, and throughout the country. He teaches courses on Environmental Philosophy, Food and the Environment, Environmental Leadership, and Sustainable Communities.

Dr. Jensen was awarded a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (2000), an MA in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (1999), and a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Luther College (1989).

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Lorraine Borowski

Nick Yaneff is a police officer with the Decorah Police Department and also serves as their K-9 Handler for Loki, the Department's police service dog. Officer Yaneff will be speaking about his work as the handler and the special skills and abilities Loki brings to Decorah. We expect Loki to make a guest appearance!

Officer Yaneff officially started his Law Enforcement career with the Decorah Police Department in November of 2019. Originally from Sioux City area, he attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and proudly wears Badge Number 7. Loki comes to Decorah from a local breeder and is a one-year old German Shepherd. The dog has extensive training in narcotics detection and missing persons tracking. Loki also provides emotional support for our police officers and attends events and programs for the Decorah Community School District and across the community.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Melissa O'Rourke, local volunteer attorney, advocate, activist, and collaborator with the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center's Immigration Action Network, will be visiting the After Hours meeting to talk about the basics of the U.S. immigration system, including terminology related to immigrants. She will provide a brief history of immigration in Iowa, facts and myths regarding U.S. immigration law, and an overview of pathways and barriers to immigration.

Melissa's history with immigrants, refugees and asylees dates back to the early 1960s and her family’s close friendship (to this day) with a Cuban refugee family who escaped the Castro regime and journeyed to Chicago. Her first young-adult experience was in the 1970s volunteering for the Illinois Migrant Council, assisting families working seasonal harvests in Illinois and western Indiana. As an attorney in 1999, she engaged in special immigration legal training leading to the practice of immigration law, including filing petitions on behalf of immigrants, appearances in immigration court, and consultations with detained immigrants. She volunteered for the Center for Assistance, Service and Advocacy in northwest Iowa, taught immigration law at the University of South Dakota School of Law, and led free immigrant legal assistance clinics and public immigration education programs. She has also led efforts establishing a community health center to overcome barriers faced by immigrants needing health care. She has met with Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst to advocate for immigration reform. Melissa began her affilitaion with the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center in 2016.

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DRC Sponsor: John Moeller

Jon Jensen is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at Luther College and is Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Luther. He will be giving his perspective on the revision of George Knudson's book, A Guide to the Upper Iowa River.

In addition to his work as a faculty member at Luther, Dr. Jensen has been a member of the board of directors for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and on the steering committee for the Upper Midwest Association for Campus Sustainability. He works to promote sustainability in the curriculum at Luther, across the Midwest, and throughout the country. He teaches courses on Environmental Philosophy, Food and the Environment, Environmental Leadership, and Sustainable Communities.

Dr. Jensen was awarded a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (2000), an MA in Philosophy from the University of Colorado (1999), and a BA in Philosophy and Political Science from Luther College (1989).

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**Due to the short turnaround time for this meeting as a result of the need to reschedule the Trout Run Trail Tour Day, no meal RSVPs are required. We will be enjoying pizza delivery from Mabe's Pizza.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Diana Morrow

Local community immigration activist Kathi Mitchell will be recapping her extensive international experience assisting immigrant families and will share stories about immigrant families in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota and the organizations available to help them.

In the mid 90s, Kathi participated in two Volunteer in Mission (VIM) trips to the border, Brownsville/Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo/Laredo-McAllen. She was active from the beginning in exploring and eventually developing an ongoing Sister Parish relationship with first, Nebaj, Guatemala, followed by an over 20 years relationship with the community of Potrerillos, El Salvador. From 2002-2008 she spearheaded the Spanish Language Academy, a once-a-month family-based learning model with a themed meal. Local immigrant families taught classes including a bilingual childcare/pre-school experience, K-6 Spanish Classes, Adolescent/Adult beginning Classes, and an Immersion Class. In 2008 the effort shifted to humanitarian assistance and transport after the controversial Federal Government raid at Agriprocessors, Inc. in Postville decimated the availability of teaching staff.

In the ensuing years a need for access to legal assistance became a focus. Out of this need, Path to Citizenship and the quarterly Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON) Legal Clinics were created. A few years ago, Iowa JFON merged with Iowa American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) which now operates as the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IMMJ). With co-coordinator Ruth Palmer, client families continue to be served by IMMJ in northeast Iowa area through quarterly immigration legal clinics. Kathi's outreach includes gathering used furniture to connect with families in need; making food deliveries to food insecure families; and providing transportation to immigrants for work permit, passport, birth certificate, and country-of-origin identification processing and to immigration court hearings and attorney visits. She works with Crystal Duffy, Postville Librarian and fellow community advocate, to monitor a WhatsApp group called Muebles y Noticias – Furniture and Information, which presently serves over 240 immigrants in the local area.

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DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Alison Blake from the New Minowa Players Board of Directors will be coming to speak about their organization and their celebration of 50 years of service to the community.

New Minowa Players was started in 1975 by Bette Greedy, who was quickly joined by a group of local thespians who wanted to share their passion with others. Bette secured enough money to stage the first show, a musical called Little Mary Sunshine. The theatre structure at 906 South Mill Street was originally built in 1894 by the City of Decorah and served as the city’s water pumping station. The well was located under the present day theatre. In 1981, a major fundraising campaign allowed New Minowa Players to purchase the current building. Enough money was raised through the fundraising campaign to remodel the building and include space for meetings, rehearsals, costumes, sets, and props. The organization now presents six shows per year with a strong following of local performers and audience members.

New Minowa Players' next show will run from October 23-26. It will be a children's performance based on A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh, for actors in first through eighth grade. For tickets, as well as more information on New Minowa Players, please visit their website at New Minowa Players Community Theater.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Jessica Rilling, Executive Director of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC) will provide our club members with an update on the local business community, upcoming changes, and other associated news of interest.

The DACC mission is to be the most trusted resource in the business community for advocacy, collaboration, and education. For 100 years, their vision has been to shape and inspire a vibrant business community holding on to four core values: (1) integrity of leadership; (2) responsiveness to business needs; (3) service as a dependable partner for area businesses and community organizations; and (4) commitment to serving members and the community.

Since 1924, the DACC’s has focused on keeping the Decorah area business community strong. Today, they represent more than 300 area businesses. Their membership spans every sector of business including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, restaurants, wellness, service, and visitor attractions.

For more information on the DACC please visit their website at Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.

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**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 announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Melissa Fuhrmann

Former Decorah Community Free Clinic Director and ongoing clinc volunteer Souk Sengsaisouk will join the After Hours group and will be bringing a vitals machine sponsored by the Decorah Rotary Club to show it to the group and explain how it benefits area patients. The Decorah Community Free Clinic provides free high-quality
healthcare and education to uninsured and underinsured individuals in Decorah and in the surrounding areas of northeast Iowa.

Souk is a 2023 Luther College graduate and has been working for and volunteering with the free clinic since 2022. He is pursuing his BA in Global Health with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He works at Mayo as a colorectal surgery nurse.

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