Features

Thanksgiving holiday provides climate change insight

Friday, November 24, 2023 2:40 pm

Thanksgiving week has ushered the “big push” of waterfowl down the Mississippi since before I was born.

Know your Driftless Neighbor: Richard Gaard

Monday, November 20, 2023 3:29 pm

Around Decorah, his name is synonymous with high school golf.  His face is instantly recognizable at ribbon cuttings, board meetings, and military services.  He is a constant figure around town, walking with his wife and cheerfully chatting up everyone he meets.  How well do you really KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR?

Driftless Home & Harvest: Setting roots, spreading wings

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 2:47 pm

The couple moved to Dubuque where Allie attended the University of Dubuque to become a Physician’s Assistant, all while battling and beating cancer. The couple moved back to the area in 2020 – renting at the time – but dreaming of a home of their own.

Driftless Foodie: Philly cheesesteak pasta skillet 

Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:15 am

To make weeknights a bit less hectic, I like to break out all of my (almost) one pan meals.

Driftless Home & Harvest: The enduring allure of an older home … An inside look at a Victorian home renovation

Monday, October 30, 2023 4:03 pm

The Victorian home of Dale and Joleen McCarty is a striking example of successful renovation and expansion.

Home & Harvest: Ossian family enjoys backyard oasis

Friday, October 20, 2023 3:30 pm

“It was a dream of how we wanted to use our outdoor space for family time,” Trisha explains of the entire project.

Home & Harvest: Storing tender bulbs

Friday, October 20, 2023 2:56 pm

The only thing I do not like about autumn is that some of my favorite flowers reach the end of the bloom cycle. The important thing to remember is that if these are tender bulbs, they need to be put into proper storage.

Home & Harvest 2023: Nettle Valley Farm practices barn-pasture hybrid pig farming

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 7:47 am

Nestled outside of Spring Grove, Minn., is Nettle Valley Farm, a pastured livestock farm operated by Dayna Burtness and Nick Nguyen. The duo is raising pastured pigs with a focus of ensuring the animals can remain active and happy the duration of their long summer at the farm.

Driftless Outdoors: Temperature triggers late October bite

Monday, October 16, 2023 12:15 pm

Nature has many sensory indicators of seasonal change. Most indicators are visual. A few, like the music of migrating birds, are auditory. Smell and taste are more difficult to assess. But, the smell and taste of spring and fall are undeniable.

Vandalism proves costly for Protivin boys

Friday, October 13, 2023 3:29 pm

Roz Weis offers up an online exclusive “Echoes of the Past”

Especially for Experienced Adults: A journey through time is the best medicine

Friday, September 29, 2023 1:43 pm

They always say, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”

Echoes of the Past: Gasoline is 16.6 cents per gallon in town

Thursday, September 28, 2023 9:43 am

Two bootleggers were captured out at the brickyards at the south end of Decorah the other day.

Special Experienced Adults Edition: SHIIP counselors help local seniors navigate daunting Medicare choices

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 4:10 pm

Those nearing age 65 are bombarded with large, official-looking mailings and telephone calls about signing up for Medicare. The choices can be daunting, but there are counselors available to help seniors, their families and caregivers.

Special Experienced Adults Edition: Active retirees matched with interests, skills to volunteer opportunities

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 4:08 pm

Volunteers are able to set the number of hours they are willing to serve, and are thoughtfully matched with volunteer opportunities at 78 local stations in Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek counties that best match the individual’s interests, skills and abilities.

Fall’s fabulous flatties

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 3:34 pm

Big flatties are the ultimate alpha predator in the immortal river. Other fish swimming in their sphere of influence have just two options: flee or be eaten. Species-specific pursuit of the ugly river king requires considerable patience, skill and serious fishing tackle.

Experienced Adults Special Edition: The reality of being a caregiver

Thursday, September 14, 2023 3:12 pm

According to a 2020 AARP.org study, one in five Americans are caregivers. The average length of time a caregiver spends taking care of a loved one is five years.

Behind the Badge: Officer Trevor Thomas

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 2:08 pm

With only two years of policing experience under his belt, 36-year-old officer Trevor Thomas jokingly refers to himself as “the new old guy” at the Decorah Police Department. But what he lacks in police book knowledge he has more than made up for with his life experiences.

Echoes of the Past: Drilling ceased at Bakke Lease

Thursday, August 31, 2023 2:23 pm

The drilling started more than a year ago, and went down to a depth of 3,200 feet, but some time ago the drillers encountered troubles as the top of the eight-inch drill bit broke off, leaving the bit at the depth of 3,200 feet.

Bluegills on the rocks

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 9:59 am

One of the most predictable and productive fishing patterns on the immortal Mississippi River is catching “bull” bluegills relating to rocky structures on the river mainstem the last couple weeks of August.

The Driftless Foodie: Salty S’more Snack Bites

Saturday, August 19, 2023 8:03 am

Besides not needing any “fancy” equipment like a well-carved stick found only in your backyard, this no-bake dessert comes together with just four ingredients.