Enjoy the fest!
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Vol. 158, Issue 30
Decorah, Iowa 52101 www.decorahnewspapers.com
One Section email: news@decorahnewspapers.com
Price One Dollar phone: 563-382-4221
fax: 563-382-5949
Back by popular demand Senior Nordic Dancers present final Nordic Fest performances after decade together
By Roz Weis Decorah bids a fond farewell to a special group of young people during Nordic Fest this year. The senior group of Nordic Dancers will dance their final Fest, after being together for the past 10 years. As third-grade students back in 2013, members auditioned for a spot on the coveted group. This group of talented young people graduated from high school in May. Nearly 500 dancers and musicians have proudly entertained and represented Decorah at home and around the world over the years.
Public Health: Stay safe during extreme heat Winneshiek County Public Health issued safety reminders for dealing with expected extreme temperatures this week. • Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. • Use your stove or oven less often to keep your house cooler. • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. Sugary and alcoholic drinks may dehydrate you further. • Avoid hot and heavy meals. • If you must be outdoors, pace your activity. Try to do your work when it’s cooler and rest often in shady areas. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, stop all activity and get into a cool area and rest. • Do not leave people or pets in a parked car with the windows cracked open. Anyone can suffer a heat-related illness but some people are at higher risk, including infants and young children, those over 65, are overweight or those with a high blood pressure or heart conditions. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/pdf/ Heat_Related_Illness.pdf.
T h e dancers commit to 10 years of dancing together. Practices are held January through July each year. According to Amy Bruening, one of the directors of the senior group, “We had over 30 girls try out and 17 boys. Shortly after auditions, we heard from another boy who was interested and so we added him and then added the first girl on the waiting list. We have 36 dancers – 18 girls and 18 boys.” This year’s senior group of dancers includes: Rebecca Bruening, Chloe Chyle, Chloe Dixon, Amelia Dugger,
Izabel Evans, Ella Grouws, Brinley Krivachek, Sophia Lewey, Ada Lovelace, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Kailyn O’Gara, Kylie O’Hara, Mya Redenius, Ellen Rooney, Ava Syverson, Jaden Weis, Rorie Wiedow, John Baldridge, Ethan Bockman, Grady Brauer, Casey Brickley, Aiden Burroughs, August Cowie, Ethan Folkedahl, Erik Hjelle, Blake Jermier, Jack Knoke, Franklin Lesmeister, Easton Luzum, Jake Magner, Michael Njus, Lane Rolfs, Noah Spilde, Brady Stille and Ethan Stravers. To say being a Nordic Dancer is a “coveted” selection is an understate-
ment. It has been rumored over the dancers’ long history in Decorah that some folks have actually planned their child’s birth around the year Nordic Dancer auditions occur. Junior dancers move up Decorah also boasts a younger group of junior dancers, who will soon step up as senior dancers after this year’s Nordic Fest. Nordic Junior Dancer auditions are held every five years. Auditions for the new junior dancer group will be held later this fall. Directors of the current Junior Dancers are Al and Anita Weis, Amanda Huinker, Ann Grimstad and Marcie Dodd.
History The Nordic Dancers were founded by the late Betty Hacker and a number of community members back in 1967, as a way to bring the folk traditions of Scandinavia alive during the annual Nordic Fest celebration. The original group was known as “Young Nordic Folk Dancers.” Response to the young group of dancers has been enthusiastic since their first appearances. They have become one of Decorah’s finest, long-lasting traditions, and have been proven ambassadors for the community. The dancers have taken their talents
Nordic Dancers
ABOVE- Decorah’s Senior Nordic Dancers are gearing up for their final Nordic Fest performances this weekend. They will perform Thursday during opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m., again on Friday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and on Saturday during the Fest Parade and at the grand finale performance at 7 p.m. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
continued on page 2
Nordic Fest Yard and Garden Tours July 28-29 Each year during Nordic Fest the Town and Country Garden Club coordinates three beautiful yard and garden tours for the public to enjoy through selftours at one’s own pace. Enjoy a brief reprieve from the bustle of the fest with the lush vibrancy these thoughtfully planted gardens offer. This year the Garden Tour locations can be viewed on Friday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday, July 29, from 1-4 p.m. free and open to the public. Freewill donations gratefully accepted for Garden Club projects.
fest
programs, buttons & more!
Sharon Drew, 106 Riverview Drive (submitted photo)
Decorah’s 2023 Nordic Fest is July 27-29. Pictured distributing buttons and programs for the Fest are Alyssa Ritter, (l) and Jessica Rilling (r). Fest programs, buttons and a treasure trove of Nordic Fest merchandise are available at the Decorah Visitor Center at 507 West Water Street. For details, visit nordicfest.com. (Drifless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com
Three tour locations Sharon Drew, 106 Riverview Drive Nestled on the west side of Decorah, Sharon Drew has cultivated a small informal English
countryside garden. Grasses, trees, flowers and shrubs offer radiant colors, textures, layers and fragrances for the senses. Two bubbling fountains and a shade pergola offer a peaceful backdrop to sit and enjoy the garden’s wonders. Butter-
flies and various birds visit all year to enjoy the shade and beauty found here. Framed by a white fence Sharon’s yard
Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers Static Judging at the Garden tours continued on page 2
Winneshiek County Fair Homegrown Flower Contest
Homegrown Flower Contest winners at the 2023 Winneshiek County Fair were Julie Buddenberg, first; Tom Mathiasen, second; and Denise Buddenberg, third. Judges were Lauren Fink, Jodi Kappes and Arlene Lage. See inside for more Winneshiek County Fair coverage. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Roz Weis)
Winneshiek County Fair
Winneshiek County 4-H hosted Static Judging Day on Thursday, July 6, leading up to the 2023 Winneshiek County Fair, with judges evaluating 262 4-H exhibits, 39 Clover Kid exhibits and nine Pet Show entries. The Bucket of Junk contest, Bucket of Tall Corn and Upcycle Flower Planter contest entries were evaluated and first, second and third place entries were awarded. Forty-six of the 4-H exhibits evaluated on Static Judging Day were selected to advance to the 2023 Iowa State Fair. Exhibits selected will be on display Aug. 10-20 in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair. Youth advanced to the Iowa State Fair in the following project areas: Agriculture and
Renew your subscription now, rates increase August 1
Natural Resources, Creative Arts, Family and Consumer Science, Personal Development and Science Engineering and Technology. 2023 State Fair and Alternate State Fair honors are as follows. Agriculture & Natural Resources Veterinary Science State Fair: Rylee Averhoff and Eden Scheidel. Animal Science State Fair: June Fassbinder Entomology State Fair: Elizabeth Pritchard Horticulture and Plant Science Alt State Fair: Henry Schmitt
4-H Judging Day continued on page 3