Waukon, Iowa ~ November 13~16, 2026 Well, would ya look at that! The pumpkins have barely made their way off the porches, and already there’s a little Christmas magic getting ready to light up Waukon! 🎄❤️ And this isn’t just any Christmas gathering. It’s a hometown tradition celebrating 35 years of bringing people together for…

WORD ’ROUND TOWN ~ NORTHEAST IOWA & BEYOND Well, would ya look at that! We’ve waved goodbye to October, turned another page on the calendar, and here comes November with a whole new collection of good things happening around our communities! 🍂 The days might be getting shorter, and there’s a little more nip in…

Allamakee County 4~H Serves Up Breakfast, Community Kindness, and a Celebration of Young Achievers! WAUKON, IOWA ~ Now, there’s something about the smell of pancakes cooking on a Sunday morning that can get a person moving! Especially when somebody else is doing the flipping. Throw in a little sausage, some scrambled eggs, a good cup…

An Evening of Music for Grateful Hearts Offers a Peaceful Pause in Dubuque DUBUQUE, IOWA ~ Have you ever had one of those days when everything seems to be making noise? The telephone rings. The to~do list grows. Somebody needs something. And just when you think you’ve caught up, life hands you three more things…

A Little Mischief, a Few Chills, and a Whole Lot of Storytelling Await in Decorah This Halloween! DECORAH, IOWA ~ Well, now, here’s something you don’t hear every day. Mark Twain is coming back to Decorah! Yes, THAT Mark Twain. The white~haired gentleman with the famous mustache, a sharp wit, and a way of telling…

A Halloween Night of Movie Magic, Music, and a Mighty Pipe Organ in Decorah! DECORAH, IOWA ~ Now here’s something you don’t see every day! Imagine settling into your seat for a movie. The lights dim. The screen comes to life. And just when you’re expecting somebody to say something… Nobody does! Not one spoken…

Waukon Residents Invite Little Trick-or-Treaters for a Special Halloween Visit! WAUKON, IOWA ~ Sometimes the sweetest part of Halloween isn’t what’s inside the candy bucket. Sometimes it’s the smile on the other side of the door. ❤️ And tomorrow afternoon in Waukon, a little Halloween tradition offers families an opportunity to share something even sweeter…

October 26 ~ November 1, 2026 Five Good Things Coming Our Way Across Northeast Iowa! Well, would ya look at what’s goin’ ’round town this week! ❤️ October is getting ready to wave goodbye, November is waiting just around the corner, and Northeast Iowa has a few more good things up its sleeve! From celebrating…

DECORAH, IOWA ~ Sometimes making room in the garage can make room for something pretty wonderful in the community, too! That’s the idea behind the Decorah Gear Exchange, where outdoor equipment that might otherwise sit unused gets another chance to head out on an adventure. And this year, that idea helped raise a record~breaking $3,638.25…

October 19~25, 2026 Five Good Things Coming Our Way Across Northeast Iowa! Well, would ya look at what’s goin’ ’round town this week! ❤️ From warm bowls of homemade soup and a little autumn creativity to Halloween costumes, hearts coming together for a good cause, and a neighborhood celebrating 50 years of history, there’s plenty…

LANSING, IOWA ~By the time the last runner heads home, a race might seem finished. The roads grow quiet again. The volunteers pack up. The running shoes get a well-earned rest. But sometimes, what a community gains from an event lasts much longer than the event itself. That’s part of the story behind Lansing’s Driftless…

NASHUA, IOWA ~ Sometimes, bringing a community closer together starts with an idea. And in Nashua, one idea has sparked conversations about connecting the community in a meaningful new way. In August 2025, a proposal for a pedestrian bridge near Veterans Park was brought before the Nashua City Council, offering the possibility of creating a…

CLAYTON COUNTY, IOWA ~ There’s a whole lot more happening in those Northeast Iowa corn and soybean fields than meets the eye. And a group of young people from Clayton County knows just what to look for! From identifying crop diseases and troublesome insects to understanding soil, weeds, and the challenges farmers face, these students…

October 10~17, 2026 Five little reasons to get out, explore, and enjoy what’s happening around Northeast Iowa! NORTHEAST IOWA ~ Well, looky here! Another week is bringing some mighty good things to our little corner of Iowa! From neighbors helping families to music filling an old historic building, there’s plenty happening beyond our own front…

So Their Neighbors Don’t Go Hungry ❤️ NORTHEAST IOWA ~ Every fall, schools across Northeast Iowa compete in all kinds of ways. But this October, some students are competing for something far more meaningful than a trophy. They’re competing to help feed their neighbors. Beginning October 5 and continuing through November 6, students from ten…

ELKADER, IOWA ~ If you happen to see a few witch hats making their way down Main Street next Thursday evening, don’t worry. They may just be headed shopping. Witches Night Out ~ Witches Shopping and Spells Popping! returns to Elkader on Thursday, October 8, bringing an evening of fall fun to Main Street from…

WATERLOO, IOWA ~ Somewhere between a honey pot, a thoughtful little bear and a group of friends who have been loved for generations, a pretty big birthday has arrived. Winnie~the~Pooh is turning 100. And Waterloo Public Library is inviting youngsters to help celebrate. On Saturday, October 10, the library will host Winnie~the~Pooh’s 100th Birthday Party,…

WATERLOO & CEDAR FALLS, IOWA ~ There’s a food fight brewing between two neighboring communities. But nobody needs to clean mashed potatoes off the ceiling when this one is over. 😂 From October 10 through October 17, the Waterloo and Cedar Falls public libraries are going head~to~head in a friendly “Food Fiiight!” to see which…

NORTHEAST IOWA ~ The painting hanging on the wall. The piece of pottery sitting on a shelf. The jewelry catching the light. The sculpture that makes you stop for a second look. But where did it begin? Next weekend, doors to working artists’ spaces across Northeast Iowa will open for the 29th Annual Northeast Iowa…

WAUKON, IOWA ~ There’s a pumpkin hunt underway in Waukon. But finding the pumpkins is only half the challenge. Goodfella’s Bar ~ The Great Pumpkin Hunt is underway through October 17, giving folks a little extra reason to keep their eyes open this fall. Each hidden pumpkin contains a letter. The challenge? Find the pumpkins,…

October 3~11, 2026 ✋ #1 ELKADER: ART IN THE PARK ~ Oct. 3 & 4This absolutely stays. Today 10~5 and Sunday 10~3 at Founders Park. It’s a juried fine-art festival with artists, live music, food and drink, and free children’s art activities. Admission and parking are free. ✋ #2 McGREGOR: HEAVY METAL PLAYGROUND ~ TODAY,…

ELKADER, IOWA ~ This weekend, you won’t have to walk through gallery doors to find art in Elkader. Just head for the park. Art in the Park Fine Art Festival returns to Founders Park along the Turkey River Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, turning a piece of downtown Elkader into an outdoor celebration…

Around this time of year, pumpkins seem to be everywhere. They’re sitting on porches, stacked outside stores and waiting patiently for somebody to turn them into a jack~o’~lantern. But before there was a pumpkin, there was a seed. 🌱🎃 And some young explorers in Readlyn are getting the chance to discover what happens in between.…

Forget the guitars. Forget the drums. The heavy metal rolling into McGregor this weekend has wheels. 🚜 On Saturday, October 3, McGregor’s Landing will become a playground of a much bigger variety when Heavy Metal Playground rolls into town from 3:00~5:00 p.m. And for the kids who can’t pass a big truck, tractor or piece…

There are certain things little kids simply cannot walk past without stopping. A fire truck. A police vehicle. A giant piece of construction equipment. And on Saturday, October 10, Decorah is giving kids a chance to do a whole lot more than just look. Touch A Truck returns from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at…

Sometimes helping someone doesn’t begin with a big check, a truckload of food or some grand gesture. Sometimes it begins with simply putting one foot in front of the other. On Sunday, October 4, people from around the Cedar Valley will gather in Waterloo for the 2026 Cedar Valley CROP Hunger Walk, taking steps together…

Usually when you walk into a gym, you’re thinking about building strength. This week, several Cedar Valley fitness organizations are asking people to help build something else, too: A stronger community. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank is holding its “Build Strength. Feed Hope” Protein Drive through Wednesday, September 30, collecting protein~rich foods to help support…

An apple is an apple. Until you taste one whose story began long before you did. Tucked into the hills outside Decorah, Seed Savers Exchange has spent decades working to preserve heirloom varieties and the stories connected to them. And on Saturday, October 3, visitors will have an opportunity to experience some of that history…

There are plenty of good things happening around Northeast Iowa this week. Here are five worth a HIGH FIVE! ✋❤️ 1. Fort Atkinson is turning back the clock, for the 50th time! The 50th Annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 26~27, at Fort Atkinson State Preserve. The historic fort will come…

For generations, dairy farmers have done the work of producing the milk. But what if some of that milk could become something more before it ever left the farm? That’s one possibility Northeast Iowa dairy producers can explore during an On~Farm Dairy Processing Forum coming to Waukon on Friday, October 9. Iowa State University Extension…

There’s a bright pink character hiding somewhere around Decorah ~ and finding him might just turn an ordinary afternoon into a little adventure. His name is Freddy the Flamingo, and Decorah Parks and Recreation has brought him out for a family~friendly game of hide~and~seek in the city’s parks. Freddy doesn’t stay put, either. He’s hiding…

There may be a few future race~car designers getting their start in Cresco tomorrow. The Northeast Iowa Community College Cresco Center is offering Build & Paint Your Own Race Car on Tuesday, September 22, as part of its fall youth programming. And really, what kid doesn’t like the idea of creating a race car of…

A little fashion, a little fun ~ and a whole lot of purpose. ❤️ The Larrabee Center Inc is preparing for its 23rd Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser & Social on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:30~7:30 p.m. at Prairie Links Event Center, 19 Eagle Ridge Drive in Waverly. But this isn’t your ordinary fashion show.…

There’s something about a good old-fashioned harvest dinner that just feels like fall in Northeast Iowa. First Presbyterian Church in Waukon is getting ready for its annual Harvest Dinner on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and they’ll be serving up a hearty meal to take home and enjoy. On the menu:Ham, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw,…

❤️ TOMORROW IS DISTRIBUTION DAY AT THE ALLAMAKEE COUNTY FOOD SHELF! ❤️ The shelves are stocked, the doors will be open, and we’ll be ready to welcome neighbors tomorrow at The Allamakee County Food Shelf. “Sometimes a little extra food in the cupboard can make the whole week feel a little easier, and that’s exactly…

It happens every fall in Northeast Iowa. The corn begins to dry. The fields start changing color. Silage choppers get busy, combines begin appearing, and tractors, wagons and grain trucks become a much more familiar sight on our country roads. And with another harvest season getting underway, it’s time for one of those reminders that…

BOONE, IOWA ~If there’s a little train fan in your family, or maybe a grown~up one who never quite outgrew Thomas~ there’s still one more weekend to climb aboard! Day Out With Thomas returns to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum for its final three days of 2026: 🚂 Friday, September 18 ~…

✋ HIGH 5 FOR 5 GOOD THINGS GOIN’ ’ROUND TOWN! ✋ It’s Tuesday, and you know what that means! Time to take a little trip ’round Northeast Iowa and find 5 good things happening in our neck of the woods. ❤️ From handmade quilts and historic barns to pumpkins, a community walk and a pretty…

Cedar Falls Library Brings Back the Magic of Having a Pen Pal CEDAR FALLS, IOWA ~ Once upon a time, one of the best things that could happen to a kid was finding an envelope in the mailbox with their own name written across the front. Not Mom’s name. Not Dad’s name. Yours. You’d carry…

FAYETTE, IOWA ~ Some people leave their mark on their hometown by planting a tree. Some put their name on a building. And apparently, if you’re Ashton Schultz, you put your artwork on the town’s watermelon celebration. Twice. The Fayette native was recently named the winner of the 2026 Fayette Watermelon Days logo contest. But…

DECORAH, IOWA ~ We found a singing club in Decorah with some rather unusual requirements. You don’t have to audition. You don’t have to know how to read music. You don’t even have to be an experienced singer. There are no rehearsals preparing everybody for the big performance. Actually… There isn’t a performance. So naturally,…

✋ A High 5 for 5 Good Things Goin’ ’Round Town There’s a whole lot of good tucked into the calendar this week ~ from helping save lives to tagging butterflies, making music and celebrating local creativity. Here are five things worth a High 5. 1. Waukon rolls up its sleeves today ❤️ The Waukon…

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA ~ Somewhere in Cedar Falls, a child is about to be handed a job that some of us book lovers have been preparing for our entire lives. Librarian. Well… librarian for an afternoon. Cedar Falls Public Library is bringing back its Kid Librarian program beginning September 1, giving children an opportunity to…

REINBECK, IOWA ~ Sunday morning worship at Reinbeck Community Church came with a little something extra this week. And apparently it required sprinkles. On Sunday, August 30, the morning began where Sundays at church usually do ~ with worship, learning and time together. Children gathered at the front of the church for their lesson during…

Decorah Turns Pictionary Into an Art Fundraiser~ When raising money for the arts involves trying to figure out what somebody just scribbled on a board. DECORAH, IOWA ~ There are plenty of ways to raise money. Bake sales. Silent auctions. Benefit dinners. And then there’s Decorah, where apparently somebody looked at a game of Pictionary…

There are only so many summer Saturdays left. And if you’ve been thinking you need to slow down, get outside and enjoy one of them before fall comes knocking, there’s a pretty good reason to head toward Cresco this morning. Tailwind Acres is opening its farm for U~Pick Flowers today, Saturday, August 29, from 8:00…

DECORAH, IOWA ~ There may be a little mystery brewing upstairs in downtown Decorah Saturday morning. Minnesota author William Kent Krueger is coming to Decorah on Saturday, August 29, for a morning celebrating the release of his newest Cork O’Connor mystery, God’s Country. The free event begins at 11 a.m. in the upstairs event room…

DECORAH, IOWA ~ Cruise nights usually bring to mind polished chrome, rumbling engines and somebody leaning over an open hood saying, “Now this right here…” Friday night in Decorah may sound a little different. A regional EV Cruise~In is being held Friday, August 28, from 6~8 p.m. at Toppling Goliath Brewery, bringing electric~vehicle owners and…

WAUKON, IOWA ~ Looking for something to do over the lunch hour today? The Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging is bringing its Health & Wellness 365 program to the Waukon Wellness Center today, Tuesday, August 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free monthly program gives older adults an opportunity to gather, visit…

There’s plenty of good happening around us ~ sometimes we just have to slow down long enough to notice it. ❤️ Here are five good things worth a High 5 this week! ✋ 1. Allamakee County’s Hannah Hagen Crowned Iowa Dairy Princess Here’s something worth celebrating close to home! 18-year-old Hannah Hagen of Waterville was…

Viroqua’s free community supper welcomes everyone Monday evening Sometimes community looks like a big event. Sometimes it looks like a parade, a fundraiser or a packed gymnasium. And sometimes it looks like a sloppy joe, a cup of coffee and an empty chair waiting for somebody to sit down. On Monday, August 24, Good Shepherd…

Waukon’s Fly~In Breakfast brought pancakes, planes and neighbors together There are breakfasts. And then there are breakfasts where somebody may land an airplane before sitting down to eat. That was the scene Sunday morning, August 23, at the Waukon Municipal Airport, where pilots, families and community members gathered for the annual Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast. From 7:30…

A summer thank~you to Decorah’s Kids Lunch Club volunteers and supporters Summer has a way of looking carefree from the outside. Long days. Swimming pools. Bikes leaning in the grass. Kids running from one adventure to the next. But for some families, summer can also bring a very practical worry: What happens to the meals…

A Haircut for a Story: Dubuque Barber Turned the Chair Into a Reading Spot Worth pulling back out of the bucket! Back in August 2015, Dubuque barber Courtney Holmes found a pretty wonderful way to help children head back to school looking sharp, and reading a little stronger, too. During the second annual Back to…

✋ A High 5 for 5 Good Things Goin’ ’Round Town Sometimes the good news isn’t loud. Sometimes it looks like a backpack ready for the first day of school, a new doctor coming to town, a park being given new life, neighbors gathering together, or a young person discovering just how much they’re capable…

Waukon Corn Days brought a little bit of everything ’round town~ familiar faces, parade entries, tractors, classic cars, kids gathering candy, sidewalk conversations and plenty of small-town moments worth remembering. Word ’Round Town wandered through downtown with the camera in hand, catching the people and pieces of the day that made Corn Days feel like…

LANSING, Iowa ~ Music, worship, family fun and a good cause will come together in Northeast Iowa this September when Worship in the Valley returns to Village Creek Bible Camp in Lansing. The 2026 event is scheduled for Sunday, September 20, with Christian music duo Caleb & John set to take the stage at 7:00…

Phillies Top Twins 7-1 as Field of Dreams Welcomes Major League Baseball Back to Iowa DYERSVILLE, IOWA ~ There are baseball fields. And then there is a baseball field surrounded by rows and rows of Iowa corn, where for one summer evening the lights come on, thousands gather and Major League Baseball feels just a…

Corn Days, hometown pride, rural healthcare honors, a handmade gift, and 1,776 pork chops Sometimes good news arrives with a parade. Sometimes it comes wrapped in a handmade quilt. And sometimes, because this is Iowa after all, it comes on a stick. Here are five good things worth a little High Five this week around…

Martha Dunlevy Peters returns to the former Allamakee Journal office as Lansing readers turn out for Lansing Locals By Deliverance HopeWord ’Round Town Readers wait during the Fish Days signing of Lansing Locals, held inside the former Allamakee Journal building in Lansing. Photo: Deliverance Hope / Word ’Round Town. A short time later, the scene…

From Wild to Home: A New Chapter Begins for Mustangs in Waterloo Inside a BLM Wild Horse and Burro adoption event, where adopters, trainers, volunteers~ and one very nosey mustang~ came together around second chances. By Deliverance Hope | Word ’Round Town There is something different about standing only a few feet away from a…

A High Five For Five Good Things Going ’Round Town Music, Movies, Creativity and Community Fun Across Northeast Iowa By Deliverance HopeWord ’Round Town There is always something good happening nearby, even when it does not make the biggest headlines. From an original local film and an evening of music beneath the open sky to…

New Decorah Short Film Celebrates Foraging, Friendship and Food From the Forest By Deliverance HopeWord ’Round Town Some treasures are found in stores. Others are discovered beneath a canopy of trees, tucked among fallen leaves and waiting quietly on the forest floor. A new locally created short film will invite Northeast Iowa viewers to step…

LOOK WHAT I FOUND WHILE HORSIN’ AROUND! AI-generated illustration created for Word ’Round Town. Not a photograph of animals available at the event. The Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program will be bringing adoptable animals to Waterloo, Iowa. For families, experienced horse owners, and animal lovers who have ever wondered about adopting…