Events

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Dr. Christina Karels, Medical Director at the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEIA), will speak at the Rotary After Hours meeting on the new Wellness Center at the local HSNEI facility located in the Decorah Business Park.

The HSNEI recently opened the Wellness Center and is taking appointments. The Wellness Center clinic provides exams, vaccinations, preventative care, spay/neuter surgeries and treatment for acute and chronic conditions. They offer free annual vaccines for all pet owners at its Decorah clinic and at community clinics across its five-county service area, along with affordable spay/neuter services and a community cat package that includes surgery, vaccinations and ear tipping.

Dr. Karels is a 2018 graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and currently practices as a veterinarian in northeast Iowa, providing care for companion animals, livestock, and equine patients. Her work includes both clinical medicine and on-farm herd health, with a strong focus on animal welfare, client education, and community service. In addition to her civilian career, Dr. Karels serves as a Public Health Officer in the United States Air National Guard, where she supports the health and readiness of military personnel.

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DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Fellow Decorah Rotarian and local Mayo Clinic Health System Physician Dr. John (JT) Vogel, along with former Decorah Community Free Clinic Director and ongoing clinic volunteer Souk Sengsaisouk, will be demonstrating and describing a vitals machine sponsored by the Decorah Rotary Club to share 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.

Dr. Vogel is a graduate of Des Moines University and David Grant Medical Center. He works at WinnMed where he specializes in family medicine and focuses his practice on caring for the entire family from birth through the end of life as well as obstetrical care. He is also one of the volunteering physicians at the Decorah Community Free Clinic.

Mr. Sengsaisouk 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 the Mayo Clinic as a colorectal surgery nurse.

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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 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.

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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: 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.

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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: 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.

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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: 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.

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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.

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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: 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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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. Given the popularity and expected attendance, advance lunch reservations are particularly important for this meeting.

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Fellow Rotarian and former Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski will gather with the After Hours group to reflect on her many years serving as the first ever female to hold the office of mayor and will share some of her most noteworthy experiences and accomplishments.

Prior to her terms as mayor Lorraine served for 16 years as Director of the Decorah Public Library where she acquired extensive exposure to the Decorah City Council through her direct interactions as well as recording and publishing each council meeting. She has considerable experience in community volunteerism including service as Chair of the Winneshiek County Community Foundation.

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