Speakers

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

DRC member Dacia Monson is a Decorah native and a real estate agent affiliated with the A&J Petersburg Agency. She will be sharing details on her participation in the Oneota River Development team and its efforts to establish the Decorah Real Estate Fund.

Oneota River Development is a local group of investors whose mission is to form a Community Real Estate Fund for the purpose of investing locally in the Decorah community. The intent is to have a positive impact on Decorah while generating a return for its investors. In partnership with Rebound Partners and REVocity, the group has embarked on an initiative to form the Decorah Real Estate Fund. This fund will be an impact investment opportunity for people in the community including individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations with portfolios emphasizing local investments. These local investments will serve to enhance the community where we live, work and play.

For more information on Rebound Partners and REVocity please visit their website at Rebound Partners.

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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: Shannon Duncan

The independently-owned Senior Citizens Hospitality Center is located at 806 River Street and has been the focus of quality senior activities since 1978. Marilyn Bassford will share an overview of the Center’s past, present and future and its services to the "Older Kids" who comprise its client base.

The Center recently announced plans for facility enhancements. The organizers note that seniors now comprise 25% of the Decorah's population and many of these folks have been instrumental in helping to build and support our community throughout the years. They are eager to have the facility reflect the growth from the days of card playing and quilting to today's health-related and creative activities. Plans include updating the main area and card room along with revitalizing the kitchen.

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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: Shannon Duncan

Kerry Brennan, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Coordinator for Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek County, will share information with our club about this important volunteer organization. She has served as the CASA Coordinator in northeast Iowa since December of 2010.

The purpose of CASA is to amplify 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 voice is heard.

Ms. Brennan holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Luther College. Since 1993 she has worked in the child welfare field for the majority of her career. Prior to her work with the Iowa Child Advocacy Board she worked in the substance abuse prevention field and served many 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.

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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.

 

In the early hours of June 10, 1912 the lives of the citizens of Villisca, IA were forever changed when a local family was found murdered in their home. To this day, the who, how, and why of this brutal massacre remain unsolved.

Decorah native Dr. Ed Epperly, a retired Luther College education professor, will share his decades-long research and answer your questions. He has been researching the Villisca axe murders for over 60 years, since his days as a college student. He has written dozens of articles and blog entries, and appeared on CourtTV and other radio and television programs. Dr. Epperly has presented his work at enumerable colleges, universities, historical societies, museums, libraries, and book stores. His research journey was the subject of the award-winning short documentary film AXMAN.

Dr. Epperly's book, "Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Axe Murders of 1912", is available for purchase at Dragonfly Books or on Amazon in multiple formats.

DRC Sponsor: Shannon Duncan

Details coming soon...

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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.