Rhymes With Decorah

Rhymes With - Driftless Flyathlon

Run. Fish. Beer.
> Help  Benji reach his fundraising goal -  Donate here to the Driftless Flyathlon < 
Ryan Rahmiller and Scott Stimmel join us to talk about the Driftless Flyathlon – a favorite annual event of Benji’s that happens each fall at Yellow River Forest in rural Allamakee County, Iowa. Ryan and Scott are not only part of the six person planning crew of the Flyathlon event, but are also passionate fishermen, teachers, and cross country coaches! It’s this “intersection” of running, fly fishing, and a love of craft beer that has fueled the event since 2017 to raise tens of thousands of dollars for cold water conservation in NE Iowa. The original Flyathlon events have roots in Colorado with creator Andrew Todd and the Middle Creek Flyathlon, and then the beginning of the Driftless Flyathlon in 2016 by Brian Kouba – who can be seen in this 2017 piece from Iowa Outdoors.
The concept of the Flyathlon is quite fun – contestants line up at the starting line with their fly rods broken down. For the Driftless Flyathlon, an out and back trail run (approximately 4+ miles) happens along the Big Paint stream at Yellow River State Forest, with the requirement of catching a fish at any point during the run, and enjoying a nice craft beer at the end. It’s those three parts that make up the “Flyathlon”, but of course there is a fun “catch” the race as well – for each inch long of the (biggest) fish you catch, 2 minutes is taken off your running time. Catch a nice 12 inch brown? That’s 24 minutes off your running time – but catch nothing? That’s a 20 minute penalty! This can leave for some pretty fun strategy between fishing, running, and good ol’ luck!
Ryan Rahmiller - Driftless Flyathlon Organizer, fly fishing guide, teacher, and coach!
Since 2017, the planning team of Ryan and Amanda Rahmiller, alongside Clint and Angela Johnson (Ryan & Clint also making up part of the guiding team for Driftless on the Fly), have been organizing the event.
Scott Stimmel - Driftless Flyathlon Organizer, fly fisherman, teacher, and coach!
Scott Stimmel, a teacher and coach from the Iowa City area also joined the planning team after a couple years of competing, as well as Brad Rahmiller. The annual event takes months of preparation and planning – requiring the 75 participants to not only get in on one of the competitive slots for the actual race when registration opens in early Spring (it fills fast!), but for all participants to also fundraise for cold water stream conservation. Over the 7 years the event has been happening, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for cold water conservation projects in NE Iowa via the Driftless Flyathlon.
Click Here to check out the latest stream restoration project!
The non profit entity “Running Rivers” was started by the original Colorado founders as a way to handle fundraising and dispersing funds raised by the Flyathlon events, and has continued to be an amazing partner both in Colorado and Iowa – and more recently North Carolina. But the goal at the end of the day is the same – have fun, meet like minded people, and support cold water habitat conservation.
If you’d like to support the Driftless Flyathlon, Click on this link to visit Benji’s fundraising page for the 2023 Driftless Flyathlon (this page is powered by FlipCause) – or visit:
https://www.runningrivers.org/driftless-flyathlon-projects.html
Instagram: @driftlessflyathlon
www.runningrivers.org
 
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 
 

Rhymes With Decorah - Jeff Abbas

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 connect friends through photography led to the creation of the "Morning Coffee Shots" Facebook group that proceeded to connect hundreds of friends and soon-to-be friends through the pandemic and beyond.
(You can read the entire feature on Jeff from the Summer 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine here - special thank you to Sara Friedl Putnam for that profile, and the photos noted on this episode page).
Jeff Abbas holds a polished agate. / Photo by Sara Friedl-Putnam
An Iowa native, Abbas set across the US after school to see the country, and by the mid-1970s found himself in the US Navy, and then Central California. It was here that he found a passion for all that California offered - including the Sierra Foot Hills. Early jobs included using early generation digital cameras (a Sony Mavica to be exact), to capture wildflower images in the Sierra - an idyllic job in many ways that would send him out into the wilderness for a few days at a time. Jeff also had an interest in broadcasting, and a voice to back it up - but flipped a coin to decide if he should pursue education in broadcasting or culinary arts. The culinary path won, but his part time volunteer work at KUOP 93.1 FM in Stockton, CA would lead him into a career in broadcasting (including a short stint at a smooth jazz station - you'll have to listen to hear Jeff's on-air pseudonym!). 
But the draw of the midwest, and the boom of California helped Jeff circle back to NE Iowa in the early 2000s. It was a chance opportunity to jump back into community radio at the now defunct KPVL 89.1 FM in Postville that put Jeff back on the air. There was no way to know it, but Jeff would be at the center of community information when the 2008 ICE Immigration raid of Agriprocessors (the largest ever immigration raid in the US at that time). That event would also connect him to his now wife, Mary, who was working with Catholic Charities in the aftermath of the raid. 
 Photo by Jeff Abbas Agate Photography
Although Jeff had been interested in agates his whole life, he credits the book "The Other Lake Superior Agates" by John D Marshall for sparking an even deeper appreciation and fascination with discovering the intricacies of these marvelous creations. Jeff describes an amazing intersection of "art and interest" in coaxing the almost magical designs and features of these billion-plus year old treasures. Tie in his love of photography and sharing with community, and Jeff has found at least another life's work in his passion for "agatography". 
 
More information:
- Full "Community Builder" Profile on Jeff Abbas from the Summer 2023 Issue of Inspire(d) Magazine- "Morning Coffee Shots" Facebook group- "Lake Superior Agate Life" Facebook group
 
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 

Rhymes With - Wright Way Computers - Tyler Wright

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 sparked by a recent community conversation in which Benji and Tyler got to know each other - and talk over some of the benefits and challenges of living in rural NE Iowa. We hope you enjoy some of the insights into the challenges, benefits, and work that is to be done to see our region continue to thrive, as well as what it takes to find and keep employees for small businesses in rural Iowa. 
Find Wright Way Computers at their new home - 117 E Water Street, or online https://www.wrightwaycomputers.com/
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"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 

Rhymes With Decorah - Mabe’s Pizza

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 legacy started with Mabel White, who at the age of 49 (!), opened “Mabel’s Lunch Room” in 1953 at the corner of College Drive and Leif Erickson Street.
Her proximity to Luther College was a winning choice from the start – they provided countless coffee, donuts, and eventually meals, to area residents and hungry students. It was one of those young patrons who asked Mabel about making a “pizza” – something she knew nothing about at the time, but would eventually make Mabe’s an iconic Decorah staple.
From forging partnerships with local breweries, to supporting an endless number of community groups and projects – Mabe’s is a true main street (or Water Street, in this case!) pillar.
Join them in celebrating 70 years of square cut pizza and four generations of family-run-business this summer – and keep an eye out for monthly specials and celebrations.
Also don't miss our full interview (with even more fun historical photos!) in the Summer 2023 issue of Inspire(d) Magazine.  Click here to read the full interview from the magazine. 
Find out more about Mabe's:https://mabespizza.com/
Thank You to the White Family for 70+ tasty years of Mabe's!
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 

Rhymes With... The Getup - Lisa Lantz

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 career shift, and two business locations later, The Getup shines bright at 212 West Water Street in Downtown Decorah, offering “Community Powered Sustainable Styles” for the whole family.
What does “Sustainable Style” mean though? And what sets The Getup apart from a thrift store? Dive in to this show to hear Lisa talk about all this and more – but we can tell you Lisa & Scott set out from the beginning to create a beautiful, well curated, fun, family friend, affordable experience. In fact, it was the closing of Decorah’s legacy JC Penney Store in 2017 that was one of Lisa’s “Ah-Ha!” moments of seeing the right timing and opportunity to launch their store. Originally, they thought perhaps The Getup would be just for young people, but they quickly figured out that there is a fantastic market for gently worn second hand clothing for all ages, body types, and styles.
Since launching their store, Lisa & Scott have since outgrown one downtown space, purchased and renovated a building (and apartment!) at 212 W Water Street, embraced and created technology that has helped them move their business forward, and also become even more woven into the fabric Downtown Decorah (Lisa even serves on the Decorah Chamber of Commerce board!). Lisa is also a recent graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10ksb Iowa program, which you can hear more about in our podcast here.
Check out The Getup's Instagram Feed!
Jump into this conversation – and then go check out the ever-changing inventory at The Getup – or better yet, clean out those high quality gently worn clothing items that you don’t wear anymore and sell them at The Getup! We are so grateful to have this amazing community resource on Water Street.
-- Community Powered Sustainable Styles --
 
Find The Getup at 212 W Water Street – Downtown Decorah
www.thegetupdecorah.com
@thegetupdecorah
 
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 
Really, you should click this reel!
 

Rhymes With... Modish - Stephanie Henning

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, and a decade+ career in child care, Stephanie found herself with the opportunity to re-enter women’s fashion in Downtown Decorah via her friend and mentor Margaret Walter.
A chance opportunity would allow Stephanie to realize the dream of having her own boutique. She also realized her store needed to service the “real life” needs of her audience in a town of 8,000 people, an hour from anything that resembles a city. “It’s more than our tagline. It’s our mission. We have real bodies and real life budgets and we assume you do, too.”
Stephanie has been a ground level user of promoting her brick and mortar dream via tasteful and authentic social media use since day 1 of bringing her store to life – and those messages are also carry through her amazing team of stylists in her store. From 0/2 to 3X+, Modish works to model real life, and great fashion.
From tackling 100+ year old buildings with her Husband Mark, to carving out the time to attend fashion and buying events in urban centers, mentoring young stylists, and helping keep a rural main street thriving – Stephanie continues to bring life and light to Water Street in Downtown Decorah – stop by and see for yourself!
Find Modish on Instagram here.
Photos courtesy of Modish and Alacia Adrienne Photography.
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming
 

Rhymes With... Cardboard Robot - Eric Sovern

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 supplies, high quality writing utensils, rockets, 3D printed doodads, and so much more.
What would Decorah and the region be without Cardboard Robot?
We'd be much less fun, that's for sure. 
Join us for a conversation with Eric as we cover:
- Finding your way to living in Decorah.
- Starting a business in a rural small town. 
- Loving Retail (Yes!). 
- The Theory of Miniatures (You'll have to listen...).
- Why Salt Water Fish Aquariums are rad, but will rule your life. 
- How to support your rad rural downtown. 
- Going through the Goldman Sachs 10ksb Program(Find our podcast on 10ksb here!)
- So much more.
Find Cardboard Robot on Instagram here.
A huge thank you to Eric Sovern and Shannon Horton of Cardboard Robot for all they bring to downtown Decorah and our region.
 
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram @indicative_of_drumming
 

Rhymes With... Agora Arts - Gail Bolson Magnuson

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 streets alive.
Gail (right) and her shop crew.(Photo Courtesy Agora Arts)
Gail comes from four generations of NE Iowans, and grew up around the intergenerational family business – SB Bolson & Sons Painting and Wallpapering -  artists and entrepreneurs in their right, of high end, award winning painting and papering in both commercial and residential settings.
Gail - second from left, as part of an International Women's Day Panel at Luther College 2023.
Gail had an interest in art from a young age, exploring many mediums, and having key influences along the way like retired Decorah Community School District Teacher Elizabeth Lorentzen, and Luther College fiber arts instructor Kate Martinson. Luther would also be how Gail found her husband Karl, and an amazing peer group that were a wave of creative and entrepreneurial young adults that chose to stay and make Decorah home in the late 1980s and 90s. 
Gail and husband Karl (Photo courtesy of Charlie Langton)
Agora continues into it's fourth decade in business, now in it's fourth location at 102 W. Water Street in Downtown Decorah (just next to the Hotel Winneshiek). Gail features the work of over 200 artisans including; jewelry, pottery, glass work, prints, cards, mugs and ceramic, as well as gifts specifically curated for gentlemen, and generally beautiful things to brighten anyone’s day.
Many thanks to Gail for taking time to share her story - and for all that she has provided our region for three decades and counting!
"Rhymes With Decorah" is a companion project of Inspire(d) Media.
Original music heard in this podcast performed and recorded by Nick Zielinski of Decorah. Find him on Instagram, Patreon, TikTok and more @indicative_of_drumming