Community News Stories

On March 1st the Oneota Co-op kicked off a member loan campaign to raise funds to finance a store remodel that is currently underway. Capital campaigns are used by consumer co-ops around the country to generate capital for projects while simultaneously offering their owners a chance to invest their money in a local business that is dedicated to serving the community.

The Co-op is thrilled to announce that through the support of member/owners the initial $520,000 goal has been exceeded and a final total of $600,000 has been raised which will completely finance the remodel.

“This is a huge accomplishment for the Oneota Co-op and for the community of northeast Iowa. Cooperatives throughout the world have been, and continue to be, a driving force in the communities that they reside,” says Brita Nelson, Oneota Co-op Board President

Since moving to its current location in 2008, the Co-op has seen annual sales increase by over $2 million and its number of member/owners (shareholders) has more than doubled to roughly 5,500. In any given year the Co-op estimates that 45% of these annual sales stay within a 100 mile radius of the store. Currently this equals roughly $2.3 million annually, with half of that being funds paid directly to local producers who sell their products through the Co-op.

The Co-op remodel is nearly 80% complete and a grand re-opening is being scheduled during the first two weeks of June. But don’t wait until then to stop and see the newly remodeled space.

Nate Furler, Marketing Manager for the Co-op adds, “We have been thrilled with the positive response of the community – both through the member loan campaign and reactions when walking through the front doors. We’ll continue to welcome each and every person into the store with a goal of sending them on their way happier than when they arrived.”
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About Oneota Community Food Co-op
Located in downtown Decorah, Oneota Community Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store specializing in local, organic, and sustainably produced products since 1974. For over four decades, the Co-op has been the leading provider of whole foods at a reasonable cost, with an emphasis on organic, local and bulk foods. Stop in and see us at 312 West Water Street in Decorah, or online at www.oneotacoop.com.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Announces the Spring Boating Safely Course Schedule.

In Prairie du Chien on April 27, 2019 8AM to 5PM at the Prairie du Chien City Library 125 S Wacouta Ave. Prairie du Chien.

In Guttenberg on May 18, 2019 8AM to 5PM at the Guttenberg Marina and Visitors Center 715 S River Park Dr Guttenberg, IA

This 8 hour course provides basic training in the safe operation of watercraft including vessel familiarization, rules of the road, federal and state boating laws and safety on the water and is designed for ALL ages.

This course qualifies for the Wisconsin or Iowa DNR Boating Safety Certificate

NOTE: Boater education is required in Wisconsin for anyone born after January 1, 1989 to operate a vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC). In Iowa it is required of anyone age 12 to 17 years old to operate a boat of more than 10 horsepower or a PWC. Students must be at least 12 years of age to attend. Class starts promptly at 8AM, there is a $20.00 materials fee for the course. Bring your lunch as we will work through the noon hour.

Please pre-register by contacting, Joanie Dickerson at 608-996-2152, Art Sullivan at 319-290-6403 or any member of the Prairie du Chien Flotilla, US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Registration for the Guttenberg class may also be made by contacting the Guttenberg Marine and RV Center (563)255-1949

Think you are too old or experienced to take such a class? Think again, you can always learn something that could save a life; your family, yours or someone else’s.

Established by Congress in 1939 the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is the all-volunteer uniformed component of the US Coast Guard. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact A J Sullivan at 319-290-6403 or Roger Richter at 608-732-1253

New Minowa Players proudly presents “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. on April 25-28 at the New Minowa Players Theatre.

“Almost, Maine” is a whimsical play that explores the question “What does it mean to love someone?” through a series of loosely-connected vignettes. The residents of the unincorporated Maine town of Almost fall in and out of love with each other and themselves as new love is kindled, old love flickers out, and relationships are transformed in the midst of a bleak Maine winter.

Directed by Aaron Kvale, “Almost, Maine” is comprised of a prologue, a four-scene first act, an interlogue, a four-scene second act, and an epilogue. The title refers to an imagined town in Northern Maine, named Almost, that doesn’t quite exist. Each scene consists of at least two main characters.

The Prologue features Pete (Sawyer Vanden Brink) and Ginette (Jordyn Hussain), sitting on a bench. The pair have been dating for a bit and try to move forward in their relationship with some uncertain success.

Act One begins with “Her Heart,” a scene that follows an out-of-town hiker, Glory (Cydney Weitzel), who has come to Almost hoping to see the northern lights. She sets up camp in the yard of a hometown native named East (Steven Holkesvik) who is a bit confused why she is in his yard.

“Sad and Glad,” spotlights Jimmy (Austin Olson) and Sandrine (Crystal Harrell). The couple dated a while ago and see each other at a local hangout. As they talk, Jimmy tries to reconnect with Sandrine. Their awkward conversation gets even more awkward as Jimmy creates much more of a scene than Sandrine wants as he tries to get the attention of a waitress (Violet Hatfield).

In the third scene, “This Hurts,” Marvalyn (Mina Sahir) meets Steve (David Mandez), an eccentric man who can’t feel pain, while doing her laundry. Together, they explore the things that hurt, the things we should be afraid of, and the things we don’t fear enough no matter how much they hurt us.

“Getting It Back,” has Gayle (Sheryl Scheffert) showing up at the door of Lendall (Rick Scheffert) intending to break up with him. She is in for a big surprise when she demands that he return all the love she has given him over the course of their relationship.

After an interlogue to check in with Pete and Ginette, the second act begins with “They Fell” featuring Chad (Hayden Carlson) and Randy (Billy Lange). During a routine weeknight hangout, Chad and Randy struggle to talk about their feelings and discover how much they value each other.

“Where It Went” shares the story of troubled married couple Phil (Adam Lenehan) and Marci (Molly Holkesvik) while out on a date skating in the woods. Marci is mad. Phil doesn’t know why. What follows is tense as both Phil and Marci finally vent their greatest frustrations with their marriage.

In “Story of Hope,” a woman named Hope (MaryBeth Specht) has returned to Almost to try to reconnect with her old boyfriend Danny (Jim McIntosh) after leaving his proposal to her decades ago unanswered.

“Seeing the Thing,” is the final full scene of Act Two, and follows the developing relationship between Dave (Sam Whitehead) and Rhonda (Aleesa Baakko). Dave is interested in her, but Rhonda doesn’t quite understand. Dave shares a painting to express his feeling and invites Rhonda to engage in some art interpretation. Rhonda isn’t quite sure what to do next.

The play ends with an Epilogue with Pete and Ginette seeing how their relationship evolves.

Performances will be April 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 and 27 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the Oneota Community Food Co-op and online in the near future. Sponsors for the show are: A & J Petersburg Agency, Decorah Bank & Trust, Family Table, Gallery of Tops, Iroc Web Design Services, Modish, Pizza Ranch, RocketDog Books, Rick and Sheryl Scheffert, and Singing Hammers Construction.