19th Annual Czech Mardi Gras Event held at PIVO Brewery in Calmar, IA on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Doors open at Noon and Adam Sandhurst & The Jolly Jammers start playing at 1 PM.

Borovany is the featured Village where Bouska, Strnad, Pechota & Koudelka Families hail from.

Live & Silent Auction, Music, PIVO, and Fun all afternoon and ending with a Czech Style Meal at 5:30.

Tickets are PRESALE ONLY at $40 a piece and can contact Audrey Lensing at 563.380.3015 to reserve yours!

All proceeds benefit Czech Heritage Partnership in Protivin, IA preserving Czech Culture.

Who: Canton Community Association
What: New Years Day Bingo and Soup Contest
Where: ZZTAP, Canton, MN
When: Jan. 1,2025      Enter your famous soup by 11:30, Tasting starts @ 12:00, Results for soup prior to Bingo starting @1:00
Why: We are raising money for 2025 Canton Day Off Celebration in August.

The 48th Annual Allamakee Ecumenical Christmas Concert: A Night of Harmony and Holiday Spirit

The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better way to embrace the spirit of Christmas than by attending the 48th Annual Allamakee Ecumenical Christmas Concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, IA. This cherished community tradition returns Sunday, December 8, at 7:00 PM, offering an evening of inspiring music, heartfelt storytelling, and Christmas cheer.

For nearly five decades, this concert has brought people together, and this year’s event promises to be as magical as ever. Whether you’re joining in person at St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW, or tuning in via Facebook Live on St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page, this is a must-attend celebration of the season!

A Festive Program to Delight All

The evening will feature local clergy sharing the timeless Christmas Story, accompanied by congregational carol singing with organ accompaniment. But the magic doesn’t stop there!

Musical highlights include:
🎵 The Men’s Choir, known as the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers, delivering soul-stirring choral numbers.
🎵 The mass Ecumenical Choir, bringing all voices together in harmony.
🎵 Performances by the St. John’s Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, adding a unique, resonant touch.
🎵 The talented WHS Saxophone Quartet, offering their holiday flair.
🎵 Piano accompaniment by Kristie Roeder and organ performances by James Bieber with the assistance of Kathy Murray.

A Spotlight on Soloists

Baritone soloist Shauna Johnsen, Postville Band Director, will be featured, as well as Sarah Hagen, of Allamakee Community Players and WHS’s Assistant Musical Director, whose radiant voice will join the Men’s Choir and shine in a special performance of “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem. Hagen will perform this moving duet with Sarah J. Bieber, daughter of concert director James Bieber and the Waukon Middle and High School Choral Director and Musical Director.

A Tradition Led by Talented Hands

Under the expert guidance of James Bieber, with his daughter Sarah Bieber as assistant director, this program brings together generations of talent and tradition. The two have been performing together and assisting each other on hundreds of musical occasions.

Don’t Miss Out!

This free concert is open to everyone, so bring your family and friends for an unforgettable evening of holiday joy. Immediately following the concert, please join us in the church’s basement for refreshments and fellowship! Can’t attend in person? Join us virtually on Facebook Live on the St. John’s Lutheran Church’s Facebook Page or listen live on KNEI 103.5 or kneiradio.com and experience the concert from the comfort of your home.

Let the music of Christmas fill your heart and celebrate the season in the company of community and tradition. We’ll see you there!

Santa and Mrs. Claus Come to Santa’s Land in Ossian
Get out your lists and your cameras! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Land at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, from 8:30 -11:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Ossian, the Ossian Crown Club and Luana Savings Bank. There will also be an opportunity to bring donations for the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar. A non-perishable food item or monetary donations is appreciated.

Bring along your list for Santa and Mrs. Claus or drop it off in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Ossian Community Center. Santa will write back to you if you include your return address. See you at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, for Santa’s Land.

Santa and Mrs. Claus Come to Santa’s Land in Ossian
Get out your lists and your cameras! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Santa’s Land at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, from 8:30 -11:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Ossian, the Ossian Crown Club and Luana Savings Bank. There will also be an opportunity to bring donations for the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar. A non-perishable food item or monetary donations is appreciated.

Bring along your list for Santa and Mrs. Claus or drop it off in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Ossian Community Center. Santa will write back to you if you include your return address. See you at the Luana Savings Bank on Saturday, December 7, for Santa’s Land.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Luncheon to Feature Distinguished Lutheran Scholar Dr. Caryn Riswold

DECORAH, IOWA — A community-wide luncheon and presentation featuring Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion and McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College, will be held on Sunday, November 10, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa Street, Decorah.

Earlier that morning, Dr. Riswold will also present at the Sunday Forum at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway Street, Decorah, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., offering two opportunities for community members to engage with her work.

Dr. Riswold will discuss her recent publication, “ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion,” which examines the evolution of Lutheran social teaching in changing contemporary contexts. The book focuses on fostering thoughtful dialogue within faith communities while emphasizing the Lutheran call to compassionate community engagement.

A respected scholar in Religion and Gender Studies, Dr. Riswold joined the Wartburg College faculty in 2018 after sixteen years of teaching at Illinois College. Her work is praised for its nuanced approach to complex social issues through the lens of Lutheran theology and ethics.

Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, former Concordia College professor, describes the book as “nuanced, clear, and hopeful,” noting that it “takes holy risks, builds bridges across barriers, and insists that we feel the intricate textures of real-life situations.”

The book includes discussion questions and additional reading resources, making it suitable for both individual and group study. Copies are available through Augsburg Fortress Press and as a Kindle download on Amazon.

Event Details:

Sunday Forum:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

– Location: First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St, Decorah

 

Community Luncheon:

– Date: Sunday, November 10

– Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.

– Location: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 701 Iowa St, Decorah

– Cost: a $10 suggested donation

 

All community members are welcome to attend. 

For more information, contact:

First Lutheran Church, 563-382-2638, office@firstlutherandecorah.org

Good Lutheran Church, 563-382-3963, office@goodshepherddecorah.org

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