Features

Driftless Home & Harvest: Dahlen family takes hands-on approach to new home build

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 3:33 pm

“You build homes for other people, so it’s kind of fun to either borrow their ideas or try new ideas that inspire you,” Kerbie said.

The appeal of autumn A Halloween column, sans costume

Friday, November 1, 2024 3:17 pm

There were a few years in my career when I dressed up my weekly opinion column in a sort of costume ahead of Halloween each year, changing my style of writing to masquerade as a well-known author. I presented myself to readers as Dr. Seuss that first year, while taking on the subject of group think.

Don’t forget about the opinion page when election season is over

Thursday, October 24, 2024 11:01 am

I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I’m ready for this election season to be over. Thankfully, that day is steadily creeping closer and closer. And, as promised in my Sept. 5 column, we’ve hit that point in the cycle when we’ll be keeping all politically-centric content off our opinion page next week — but don’t worry, it’s just for one week.

Honest questions deserve honest answers, so here you go

Friday, October 18, 2024 10:11 am

Some readers noticed last week that we at the Decorah Leader did not mention candidate Sarah Corkery, candidate for Iowa’s District 2 seat in the U.S. House, in our coverage of the Oct. 6 Politics in the Park event here in Decorah. And some have asked why that was (see elsewhere on the opinion page).

The hum of the press may be calling

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 1:25 pm

An announcement from the state’s newspaper association got me thinking about the future of papers like ours.

State’s solution for chronic school absences needs some more work

Thursday, October 3, 2024 9:30 am

It’s hard to blame state legislators for trying to do something about chronic school absences, but I don’t know that lawmakers hit the nail on the head this time around.

Hoping to see that white flower cross the finish line

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 9:04 am

When I was a young boy — probably in second grade — my mother brought home a picture book. There were no talking animals. There were no valiant princes on noble quests. This one was meant to help me understand the reality that my grandfather — her father — had Alzheimer’s disease and that one day we would ultimately lose him to it.

We news folk are of but common clay

Monday, September 23, 2024 4:37 pm

There are times when I long for the olden days of newspaperism (no, not a real word, but perhaps it should be). Admittedly, were that the case, I’d have to layout pages by hand with literal typesets, hire some young person to sit beneath the press while melting lead over an open flame and probably hang out at the railway station to get all the good news tips, but the leeway publications of that era were afforded sometimes is quite appealing.

The column every editor has to write from time to time

Monday, September 23, 2024 4:22 pm

It’s hard to complain about a local opinion page that’s packed full of letters to the editor. That’s a good thing. It means people are paying attention. It means people care.

White whales are still out there — and they’ll still cost you

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 3:41 pm

Not sure how I manage it, but my home improvement ideas never work out well.

Iowans likely looking to Dakotas for decision on proposed Summit pipeline

Thursday, August 29, 2024 2:28 pm

A recent decision from South Dakota’s highest court may be the determining factor in whether portions of an $8 million carbon pipeline extend through northern Iowa.

Know your Driftless Neighbor: Meet the Jiraks

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 4:51 pm

“Work hard at everything you do, and it will all come out real good.” Words of wisdom from 93-year-old Blanche (Doubek) Jirak. Ron and Blanche Jirak celebrated 73 years of together earlier this year. The 96 and 93-year-old, respectively, have called Protivin home for 67 years.

Driftless Puzzle solutions August 6

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 9:28 am

Across 3. ‘The Heater from Van Meter.’ (Bob Feller) 5. U.S. President Hoover was born in this Iowa town. (West Branch) 7. One of the two rivers that border Iowa. (Missouri) 8. Official state rock (geode) 11. Iowa’s southernmost county. …

Driftless Neighbor: Meet Siri Steven

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 2:02 pm

Siri Steven’s presence is unmistakable around Decorah. She’s often clad in kaleidoscopic, groovy dresses and funky, chunky sandals, with long brown ringlets framing her befreckled ever-smiling visage. Siri is passionate about being sustainable and finding new purpose in used items. She has a talent for sewing and dreams of upcycling fabric into unique and vibrant dresses.

Driftless Puzzle Solutions for July 23

Thursday, July 25, 2024 11:58 am

Driftless Puzzle Solutions for July 23. Across 4. The _______ is a nickname given to a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in films in the 1980s. (brat pack) 5. ‘I love the smell of _____ in the …

Sunflower Child Development is meeting a growing community need

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 2:14 pm

The Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center, an exciting addition to Winneshiek County’s community services has recently opened part of its facility. After years of project planning, fundraising and finally construction, the childcare portion of the facility opened its doors on Monday, June 10. The milestone marks the accomplishment of a project that not only addresses the critical need for more childcare slots in the area but also promises to enrich the lives of young children through public access to the innovative indoor play areas in the Discovery Center.

Driftless Foodie: Pizza Finale!

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 8:58 am

In all of the pizzas that I’ve consumed, the ones that stood out the most always had one ingredient: Good quality olive oil or some sort of finishing oil swirled over top.

Driftless Foodie: For the love of Pizza Part 2 – the sauce!

Monday, June 17, 2024 12:41 pm

You need to make sure you have not only a really good tasting sauce, but also the right ratio of sauce to crust to prevent a soggy bottom. No one likes a soggy bottom.

Driftless Business spotlight: Waukon Family Chiropractic opens

Monday, June 17, 2024 12:37 pm

Everything fell into place for Dr. Jackie Barz. The recent chiropractic school graduate moved to Waukon last fall and now she’s has opened her own practice.

Know Your Driftless Neighbor: Meet Katy Buck

Friday, June 14, 2024 2:24 pm

“Yeoman Bolder”, “911 Dispatch”, “Weezer”, “Crazy Rock Lady” are just a few monikers for Decorah’s resident rock royalty, Katy Buck. If you have ever found a beautiful painted rock whilst wandering around Decorah and the numerous trails and landmarks, Katy has probably touched or painted that rock.