Rhymes With Decorah

Jeff Abbas poses with agates and polishing equipment at his studio in rural NE Iowa. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam Jeff Abbas has been connecting communities, chasing passions, and picking up rocks for most of his life. A self proclaimed "agatographer", his passion for Lake Superior agates and photography have found him producing stunning images of billion-plus year old agates. His ability to conn...

Tyler Wright of Wright Way Computers shares his story of building a full service computer and IT business out of his early interest in technology. Having just purchased a building and moved into their (second!) Water Street home (117 E Water St) in downtown Decorah, Tyler shares insights into business, technology, and the challenges -and benefits - of living in a rural area! This conversation was...

There are certain things that are identified as true Decorah landmarks: Dunning’s Spring, Vesterheim, Luther College, Seed Savers Exchange… and Mabe’s Pizza, of course! (Ok, there are lots more, but…) For 70 years, the White family has been providing square cut pizza slices and hometown hospitality to Northeast Iowa locals and visitors alike. Now a fourth generation family business, the Mabe’s leg...

Lisa Lantz is the owner of The Getup in Downtown Decorah , a “carefully curated secondhand clothing boutique with gear for the whole family”. She is also an Iowa boomerang, who set out on a track in theater and costume design, followed her passion teaching in higher education to the East Coast before circling back to Decorah with her husband (and business partner) Scott Bassford. Two boys, a caree...

Stephanie Henning has been helping create beautiful retail spaces since she was just old enough to unbox and arrange shoes on the racks of The Bootery (her Mom’s part time retail job.) Fashion and retail was the track that would give her inspiration and opportunity again and again, all while dreaming of what her own boutique would look like someday - Modish ! Fast forward three sons of her own, an...

Five plus years ago Eric Sovern left his job in the "corporate bike world" to pursue opening Cardboard Robot - a brick and mortar store that sells "Supplies to make things". He and his wife Shannon (and son Jack) have built an epic destination for beautiful things that help you create more beautiful things - think high quality blank stationary, model and science kits for kids (of all ages!), art s...

Gail Bolson Magnuson started Agora Arts in downtown Decorah in 1992 with 33 regional artists represented in a gallery and artist workshop space. 30+ Years later, and a couple of moves, Agora still represents American Handcraft (and beyond) by over 200 artists, in a beautiful, welcoming retail space. On this episode we talk life paths, retail, starting a business, and keeping rural downtown main st...

Decorah Native Kelly Ludeking might best be known as an “Ironmonger” – but his path as a professional artist is one of key mentors and moments. Join us on this show to learn more about Kelly's work, and the 20th Anniversary of the Down on the Farm Iron Pour l ocated in Decorah, Iowa, and the many adventures of Kelly and his wife Diane. Down on the Farm Iron our – 20th Anniversary 2023! From Kelly’...

Mike Bollinger and Katie Prochaska have an incredible story of connection to Decorah, Luther College, and the Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) . As Mike settles into his roll as Executive Director of SSE, the almost 50 year-old organization looks to set its course well into the future of sharing heirloom seeds with all. From the SSE Website: "In the last century or so, the world has lost 75% of its edib...

Cindy Goodner Development Director – Seed Savers Exchange VP of the Decorah School Board On today's show we talk with Cindy Goodner, Development Director for Seed Savers Exchange , and Vice President of the Decorah Community School District Board . Cindy is a nonprofit fundraising professional and holds a passion for helping people find joy in their philanthropic support. Raised on a 4-generation...

Welcome to Spring 2023!  The "Spring 2023" Issue of Inspire(d) is out on stands (and online) now! The amazing Aryn Henning Nichols and I always enjoy running down the new issues, kibitzing in general, and laughing about whatever we can (because, gee-gosh-golly we could all use a good laugh.)  Our featured theme of "You Are Here" ties in nicely to cover artist, and MIBA Independent Book Store Map c...

Many in the region know Molly Gallagher from her decade+ of teaching Iyengar Yoga (CIYT) in Decorah. But many may not know that Molly is a certified mediator - someone that, as a neutral third party, helps facilitate conversations to help find meaningful agreements. From court appointed cases, to intergenerational discussions, find out more about what this means on today's show! The Mediator’s rol...

(This is the third show in a short series focused around Eagle Bluff and Fillmore County in SE Minnesota. To hear about Eagle Bluff Outdoor Environmental Learning Center Click Here . To hear our show about the MN Driftless Hiking Trail project Click Here . Thanks for listening!) On this episode of "Rhymes With..." we feature Alayna Sobieniak and Lance Prado - owners and operators of the Root River...

The Minnesota Driftless Hiking Trail is a concept for a 100 mile foot path running through the incredible scenery of SE Minnesota from Chatfield, MN to the Mississippi River. "Chief Instigator" of this project, Marty Walsh, joins us for a conversation about the vision and history of the project, and where things are headed (currently in the spring of 2023).  A group of volunteers are currently wor...

Eagle Bluff is an environmental learning center, serving people of all ages, just outside of Lanesboro, MN. Join us for a conversation with Executive Director Colleen Foehrenbacher to learn all about how this amazing place came about (decades ago - shiitake mushrooms! Haha!), and all that is does to serve youth to seniors in our region.  Eagle Bluff operates with the guiding principle of "Connecti...

Oneota Film Festival - March 2-5, 2023 On this episode of "Rhymes With Decorah" we welcome Oneota Film Festival Creative Director Elise Skellenger, and Board President Nancy Sojka. Join us as we talk about everything from the early inspiration of the festival (shout out Kyrl and Walter!) to special additions and regional showings for the 2023 OFF.  OFF Creative Director Elise Skellenger   OFF Boar...

Maryna (Bazylevych) Nading has been a professor at Luther College since 2010, focusing on the topics of medical anthropology, body and health, and post-socialism. She was born in Ukraine and first visited the US while participating in English studies programs as a young adult. Those roots lead to her eventual return to the US in higher education. Maryna's work now supports students in Anthropology...

Nick Zielinski is a Decorahan, a drummer, and musical improviser with Mid Western roots. Nick’s work also provides all of the music for this podcast! Growing up with a parent who was also a Methodist Pastor, Nick found himself living in multiple different communities through his early years, but finding percussion and drums became a consistent focus. Nick found himself following many of the tradit...

"Rhymes With..." (Decorah!?) is back for another season, featuring stories about communities you love, from people you trust!    Jump in as Aryn and Benji (that's me!) shake out how 2022 ended on a high note, and where we're headed in 2023. Themes, stories, and series ahoy...    One of the wildest things that happened at the end of 2022 was that we were featured on a national broadcast of Marketpl...

To close out our first season of “Rhymes With Decorah” we’re featuring a conversation with Decorah Community Food Pantry director Matt Tapscott and President of the DCFP Board Steven Zittergruen. This incredible resource, based in Decorah, is a faith-based, non-profit charity organization, serving thousands of clients who need food and other basic essentials each year in NE Iowa. Find out how to a...

"Winter 2022-2023" Inspire(d) - Cover Art by Diane Knight of Whalan, MN . Aryn Henning Nichols and host Benji Nichols run down the "Winter 2022-2023" issue of Inspire(d) Magazine on this episode of "Rhymes With Decorah". Join us for a fun half hour highlighting the articles that are keeping us inspired this winter, as well as a few other sidetracks along the way! From Aryn's Editor's Letter in the...

Decorah Nordic Dancers, Photo: Erika Skogg Erika Skogg is a National Geographic Explorer , documenting and sharing culture through the lens of photography. Born and raised in Green Bay (WI), Erika is a recipient of National Geographic's Early Career Grant which fueled her photography project documenting Scandinavian-American culture. Through this cultural preservation project, Erika also hopes to...

(If you missed one of our earliest episodes - #5, click here to hear Helping Services Director – Carson Egglang !) Ben Krouse-Gagne is the Director of Community Engagement with Helping Services , and as part of that work also helps coordinate all of the efforts that equal the annual Holiday Lights ! Located at Decorah’s Pulpit Rock Campground, the drive-through show features over 80 displays night...

Christian Myrah comes from deep Spring Grove roots, and while his journey to distilling is anything but typical, his mission in tying together agriculture, community, and business is incredible. Through multiple generations, the Myrah family have been involved in agriculture and the region (just check the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center !). But when Christian returned to Spring Grove in 2006 a...

(This is the third show in a mini-series featuring the community of Spring Grove, MN - check out the links at the bottom for more!) The Longmire family have been in the grocery business for many decades, but it was in 1989 that Pat bought a store in Spring Grove (when Patrick was just 2 years old!). The original store in 1989. In 2000 they built a brand new 15,000 square foot store from the ground...