Speakers

DRC After Hours Sponsor: Brecka Putnam

 Since 2007 Benji Nichols and his spouse Aryn have been the owners and creative catalysts of Inspire(d) Media, a quarterly publication featuring the positive people, places, and projects of the Driftless Region (NE Iowa, SE Minnesota, and SW Wisconsin). Benji will be joining us to share the information he presented at the noon Rotary meeting on February 6th about another labor of love that began in May of 2022 -- the "Rhymes with Decorah" Podcast.

The "Rhymes with Decorah" Podcast features positive stories, profiles, and exploration of challenges across the upper midwest and beyond. Since its inception over 57 individual podcasts have been released to the public. As Benji states, "The brainstorming session that my wife Aryn, our daughter Roxie, and I had for this podcast title was epic. It could have been called "Nichols & Sense", "Parts Missing", "Dogs, Beer, and bicycles", or "Nichols de Gallo" - But "Rhymes With Decorah" won out. Because after all - what rhymes with Decorah? Our goal is to tell the stories of the communities in our region, share the challenges and successes -- and find a way forward -- together. That's what life in the rural midwest is all about."

For more information on the "Rhymes with Decorah" Podcast please see the website at https://benjinichols.podbean.com/.

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DRC Sponsor: Jim Morrow

Winneshiek County District 3 Supervisor Shirley Vermace will be honoring our club with her presence and will discuss ongoing plans and programs in Winneshiek County of interest to its citizens and our members.

Ms. Vermace is a strong proponent of local control of policies and regulations in Winneshiek County. She serves on several regional boards including the Iowa RC&D, the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, the Northeast Iowa Rural Housing Trust Fund, Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, the Winneshiek County Opioid Settlement Task Force, and the county safety committee. She represents Winneshiek County in collective bargaining negotiations with the three unions represented in the county. She has volunteered over the last two decades in several areas including Parent-Teacher Organization President for Decorah Schools, the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board, Decorah Community Meals, and the Winneshiek County Habitat for Humanity.

She is a graduate of Decorah High School and earned her B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1988. She and her spouse Mike returned to Decorah in 2000 to put down permanent roots. She is an avid hiker and can be frequently found with her dog Chop on one of the many trails around Decorah.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advace to all members by email.