Events

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Oneota Film Festival Board of Directors President Nancy Sojka will join our meeting to deliver information and early insights into the 2026 Oneota Film Festival, scheduled for March 5-8. Following her presentation, Luther College Professor of Communication Studies Thomas C. Johnson will provide us with a preview his short production of The Girl's Race. 

Held annually among the rivers and bluffs of the Driftless Region, the Oneota Film Festival brings compelling, innovative, and inspiring films and filmmakers to Decorah from around the globe. Through films that illuminate the human condition, the Festival aims to engage a large and diverse audience in the critical issues of our time. Screenings and discussions take place in various venues throughout the downtown Decorah business district. The Festival series was initiated by the creative energy of Luther College alumnus Walter Ordway, a world traveler, photographer, and filmmaker; and by photographer and filmmaker Kyrl Henderson.

Professor Johnson is an award-winning filmmaker, his directorial credits including Ironhead, Marieke, and Love & Sugar. His latest film, the documentary short The Girls Race, depicts the power and authenticity of cross country through 39 schools and 242 girls as they compete at the Johnson-Olson High School Girls Varsity 5K, a race held as part of Luther College’s 50th All-American Invitational. The Girls Race is free of narration, interviews, and non-diegetic sound (sound which the audience hears but not the performers). Professor Johnson aims to present genuine moments and poignant stories, thereby drawing rightful attention to the virtues of girls sports, broadly, and girls cross country, specifically.

Nancy Sojka is a retired art teacher from the North Winneshiek School District. In addition to her tireless support of the Oneota Film Festival, she is the co-founder of the Northeast Iowa Quilters Guild and has been active in the group since its inception in 1982. She is also an avid cyclist and might be encountered during one of her many circumnavigations of the Trout Run Trail.

Details on the 2026 Festival will be coming soon to their website, accessible at https://www.oneotafilmfestival.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

Marc Holtey, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Decorah, will join Rotary's After Hours group to share detailed information about the winter activities sponsored by the department. Parks and Recreation has a long history of providing activities for both youth and adults, including arts and crafts, sports, and other outdoor activities.

Marc brings wide experience and a deep passion for outdoor recreation. His journey into this career path began early in life, influenced by a childhood filled with his own family adventures in parks and outdoor recreational settings. That foundation supports his career trajectory, which spans various roles in parks and recreation management, initially focusing on natural resource management before transitioning to city parks and recreation. Prior to joining the community of Decorah, he served in roles that included providing services for veterans with disabilities and working with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board.

For more information about Decorah Parks and Recreation please visit https://parks.decorahia.org.

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Rubaiyat will be hosting this year's holiday party on Dec 16th at noon.  The meal for all Rotarians will be covered by the club.  Spouses, significant others and guests of Rotarians will be billed at $25 each on the next dues statement.  Please make sure you sign up yourself and all guests by noon on Dec 12th so that we have an accurate head count for food.

In keeping with our yearly tradition, we will be collecting donations for Helping Services.  Please bring items to Rubaiyat the day of the meal.  If you are unable to attend the event and would like to make a donation you may bring items to any noon or after hours meeting.

Priority items are larger sized diapers, household cleaning supplies, and gas/grocery cards of any denomination.

Wishing everyone a very merry holiday season.

Note from Patty Casterton at Aase regarding moving day details:

"We would need movers on the afternoon of the 16^th from 1:30 on to move boxes from about 20 residents’ rooms to their new rooms. We have trailers and can get one truck, but if someone has a truck to pull a trailer it would be great.

We have asked several other organizations, including all area churches, RSVP, posted on social media, Luther College, Decorah High School, families of residents, hospice organizations, Food Pantry volunteers, Cresco Legion, residents of our independent living apartments, and families of our staff. 😊

Most of our residents have one or two boxes of stuff and a few clothes to hang in their new closet. Everything will be numbered and labels for easy delivery to the correct rooms."