News

Visit Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, for Free Second Saturday on October 10, with free admission from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Vesterheim tour guide, Martha Griesheimer, will lead a Touchable Objects Tour, ideal for children and youth, but all are welcome. “If you’ve ever wondered what some of the artifacts feel like, today is your lucky day,” tour coordinator Chivonne Marlow said. The tour will include examples of different objects that guests can examine with their hands. Meet in the lobby of the Museum Building.

Free Second Saturday is supported by a grant from McElroy Trust with additional gifts from The Depot Outlet and Black Hills Energy.

Free Second Saturday is a great time to visit the special exhibits at Vesterheim. Open now is “Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art,” “Lars Fletre: Resistance, Resilience, and Artistry,” and “Emigrating to America,” where families can play the interactive game that leads visitors through a series of decisions as they pretend to immigrate to the U.S. from Norway. Visitors can discover who they are when they leave Norway and what happens along their travels to a new home.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, hosts a spooky storytelling and music presentation, Makaber Antologi, on October 16 at 7 p.m. in Hanson Vesterheim Commons. The event is free and first-come, first-served. Seating is limited and doors close at 6:50 p.m.

Norwegian storyteller and comic Chad Filley and master Hardanger fiddler Eden Ehm are partnering to present this 75-minute journey through dark moments in Norwegian history, both fact and folklore, accompanied by eerie fiddle tunes.

Told with horror and humor, some stories are real, some are tall tales, and most are somewhere in between. Themes include stabbings, justice, the devil, trolls, tricksters, witches, mythical creatures, and more.

“The program is for older teens and adults who enjoy folk music, history, or a scary campfire story, and it’s perfect for October in anticipation of Halloween,” Chivonne Marlow, program coordinator, said. “Chad weaves together tales of tradition that connect generations and will surprise and startle you while making you laugh. Eden’s expertise with the haunting sound of the traditional Norwegian Hardanger fiddle will create the perfect atmosphere for a spooky night,” she added.

Chad Filley, from Cambridge, Minnesota, and known as The Norsk Storyteller, brings Scandinavian heritage to life through a captivating blend of humor, history, and heartfelt storytelling. Whether performing at libraries, festivals, or community events, Chad’s engaging stories celebrate the spirit and resilience of the Nordic people.

Eden Ehm, a master Hardanger fiddler from Decorah, has played the Hardanger fiddle for 16 years. She has studied at exclusive music programs and workshops in the United States and Norway, learning from master fiddlers and becoming one of the few U.S.-based tradition bearers. Eden frequently teaches and mentors across the country, continues her music studies, and serves on the board of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America (HFAA). The Hardanger fiddle has an extra set of strings that creates a unique sound. Eden is passionate about preserving and sharing this unique instrument and its music with everyone.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Visit the exhibit, “Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art,” open at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, through December 31.

Organized by the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), the traveling exhibit features contemporary Nordic folk arts and cultural traditions from the Upper Midwest (North and South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan).

It includes 54 works of paper cutting, rosemaling, weaving, decorated sheepskin coverings called skinnfell, sculpture, and ceramics by 24 contemporary artists. Highlighting innovations to and variations on traditions, this exhibit presents artists’ works as living, malleable forms grounded in traditional skills rather than as static objects rooted in the imagined past.

“It’s wonderful to have these artworks, some of which test the boundaries of Scandinavian folk art, at Vesterheim,” Laurann Gilberston, Vesterheim Chief Curator, said. “Come see why the exhibit is titled, ‘Tradition in Contemporary Art!'”

Many of the artists included in the exhibit have Vesterheim Connections. Pieper Blomquist and Tara Austin are presenting upcoming online webinars about decorative painting. They are also Folk Art School instructors, along with KJ Groven, Jerry Johnson, Lucy and Gene Tokheim, Karen Rebholz, Beth Homa Kraus, Elizabeth Belz, and Christine Novatny. Teresa Faris’s work has been in previous Vesterheim exhibits, and a piece by Bill Amundsen is in the Vesterheim collection.

Look for announcements of upcoming online and onsite programs in connection with the exhibit. Sally Yerkovich from American Scandinavian Foundation will give a gallery talk, joined by several artists, at Vesterheim’s Norwegian Christmas celebration on December 5.

Based in New York City, the American-Scandinavian Foundation is a leading cultural and educational link between the U.S. and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden that works to build international understanding through an extensive program of fellowships, grants, intern sponsorship, publishing, and cultural offerings.
“Nordic Echoes” is hosted at Vesterheim is supported by a generous gift to the annual fund from Dr. James and Christine Tuve Burris. The exhibit is a program of the American-Scandinavian Foundation with the support, in part, from The National Endowment for the Arts and the following ASF Funds: The Bonnier Family Fund for Contemporary Art, The F. Donald Kenney Fund for the Visual Arts, and The Centennial/Second Century Fund. Mid-America Arts Alliance/Exhibits USA is facilitating the Upper Midwest exhibition tour, which is supported by Margaret Cargill Philanthropies, a generous contributor to the exhibition’s development.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.
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From University of Minnesota Extension

Minnesota’s landscapes are turning page by page into autumn’s story. Late August into September brings the first hints: maples blushing at the edges, sumac blazing scarlet along ditches, birches glowing yellow, and prairie grasses deepening into bronze and purple. To those who pay attention, these colors aren’t just decoration, they’re gentle clues about the season ahead.

What’s Changing Now

• Maples – Sugar maples lead the way, shifting to orange and red as daylight shortens.
• Sumac – Roadside colonies glow crimson, a reliable early marker of fall’s arrival.
• Birch and Aspen – Their lighter foliage quickly turns yellow, often weeks before oaks.
• Prairie Grasses – Big bluestem and switchgrass add bronze and purple tones, signaling summer’s close.

These shifts happen as shorter days and cooler nights slow chlorophyll production. As the green fades, the hidden pigments appear.

Hints for Winter
The timing and intensity of fall color can offer subtle hints:

• Early shifts often point to drought stress, meaning trees may struggle to store energy for winter.
• Brilliant reds and oranges suggest healthy sugar production, a sign of good late season moisture.
• Muted yellows or browns may reveal leaf disease or stress, warning gardeners to watch for dieback.

For gardeners, these clues matter. A dry summer followed by early color change means watering trees and shrubs into fall is wise. Strong, vibrant color suggests plants are entering winter with better reserves.

Folklore Forecasts
Generations of Minnesotans have looked to nature for signs of winter’s mood. These clues—charming, if not scientific, connect us to a long tradition of observation and storytelling:

• Oaks heavy with acorns – A bumper crop is said to foretell a harsh season.
• Busy squirrels – Early gathering and thicker nests hint at colder months ahead.
• Thick coats on animals – Deer, horses, and even farm cats growing heavier coats are traditional indicators of a tough season.
• Woolly bear caterpillars – Folklore says a wider brown band means a milder winter, while more black signals colder days.
• Ballooning spiders – When spiders spin out silk and drift on the breeze in great numbers, it’s said to signal fair weather ahead, often tied to the last warm spell before winter sets in.

Almanac Outlook
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a mostly mild winter nationwide, with near normal temperatures in Minnesota and wetter conditions possible. A strengthening Super El Niño often tilts winters toward warmer temperatures and fewer major snowstorms here. Still, history reminds us that even El Niño years can deliver surprises, like the Halloween Blizzard of 1991.

Minnesota’s fall colors are more than a feast for the eyes, they’re a seasonal report card. Whether you trust the squirrels, the acorns, or the Almanac, one truth remains: winter always brings surprises. By reading the clues now, we can prepare our homes, gardens, and communities for whatever the cold months deliver.

For more news from U of M Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu/news or contact Extension Communications at extdigest@umn.edu. University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Spring Valley Ag Days, August 18-23, dishes up a menu of culinary delights that are sure to please everyone’s palate.

Planning committee volunteer Stacey Rath shared, “Ag Days has so many food options for our community event.”

Here’s a quick look at some of the food available at this year’s Ag Days celebration.

Rath said the drive thru community picnic at First State Bank, held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (or until gone) on Tuesday, August 18, serves up “some pretty good burgers.”

Thursday features the Alerus Bank cookout at lunchtime, followed by Midwest Cruise Night. Carr’s Bar & Grill will be serving food and drinks, along with free root beer floats.

Bluff Brothers Brewing will be serving beer on Thursday night with Oak & Embers Smoke Show serving food.

Start Saturday with the corn and hot dog feed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire hall. The meal is free with an Ag Days button and includes all-you-can-eat servings. For the full experience, head to the Mitch Lentz farm at 7 a.m. Saturday to help husk the corn that you will be eating. Imagine the selfies you can get eating corn lathered in melted butter.

Barbecue chicken is a Bluff Country celebration favorite, and the firemen’s chicken BBQ after Saturday’s parade is a can’t-miss stop. Arrive early as they are serving until gone.

What is a community celebration without a pie and ice cream social? First English Lutheran Church is serving ice cream and pie at the fire hall.

Food trucks that you will want to check-out during your visit: Reubens and Things – Tips and Tails, Sips ‘n Sugar, Midnight Munchies, F & J Compadres, Northern Lights Lemonade & More, and Rollin’ Smoke Shack.

A popular tradition returns this year with the Ag Days steak feed at South Park Pavilion on Sunday evening from 4-6 p.m.

Time to challenge those taste buds!

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, enjoy a self-guided historic walking tour in downtown Harmony while enjoying a wide selection of mouth-watering culinary entrees, baked goods, desserts, and drinks found only in Harmony.

Your first stop is the Harmony Visitor and History Center where you can pick up a copy of the historic walking tour map. The Center is located at 15 2^nd St. NW, next to the town’s historic McMichael Grain Elevator, built in 1879.

Before heading out on your tour, take advantage of the clean restrooms at the Visitor and History Center. Pick up a copy of Visit Bluff Country to extend your visit in Historic Bluff Country. If you have any questions about Harmony or the surrounding area, make sure to ask the knowledgeable and helpful volunteers at the Visitor and History Center. The Center is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed on Sunday.

The interpretive signs listed on the map are located along Main Avenue which runs north and south through the town’s rich historic downtown district. Take time to read the signs as there is a lot of interesting information written and photos of the town and the buildings you will be visiting.

Your first course is at Breakers, a deli, coffee shop, and ice cream shop all-in-one. It is housed in a quaint Victorian pink and green cottage just across the parking lot from the Visitor and History Center. Select from an array of cold drinks, smoothies, malts, or specialty coffees to take with you or enjoy on the colorful outdoor patio. If it is closer to noon and you are hungry, enjoy a fresh deli sandwich before heading out on your self-guided tour.

Estelle’s Eatery & Bar is the perfect stop for appetizers made from scratch. The pork nuggets, barbacoa nachos or wings are this visitor’s favorites. An all-time favorite Midwestern dish is beef stroganoff. Estelle’s has added a large outside patio and offers music throughout the summer. The appetizers are so good it is recommended that you share an order, so you can try more than one.

An All-American restaurant with a Rt. 66 theme, new to Harmony but not new to Southeast Minnesota is The Bite. The restaurant previously called Lanesboro home. Burgers, wings (bone-in and boneless), salads (veggie, steak, Asian, and Mediterranean chicken), onion rings, French fries, cheese curds, pickle fries, pizza, ice cream, and daily cheesecake specials round out the menu at The Bite. The restaurant also offers a bite size menu for children. Creativity and one-of-a-kind entrees go together. Each week the restaurant offers a hamburger of the week. One week it was a hamburger topped with peanut butter, pickles, and bacon. Every month they serve a different specialty pizza. One month the specialty pizza, “I like it Elote,” was out of this world. The thin crust was topped with Mexican street corn sauce, roasted corn and pepperjack cheese finished off with chili powder and cotija cheese. Definitely, a five-star pizza. You can’t go wrong ordering the pizza of the month.

Indoors and outdoor seating are available at Harmony Spirits located one block off main street, just across the street from the grocery store. There is a locally crafted drink for every taste bud. Their Vodka, Rum, Gin, Whiskey, and Bourbon Whiskey are produced from locally sourced grains.   Their Pina Colada is a favorite of this visitor.

End your day at On the Crunchy Side, an American Bar & Eatery, for a relaxing evening in a historical building. The restaurant/bar is decorated for every holiday. The one-of-a-king “yuppie” cuisine prepared and served by friendly owners and staff will not disappoint you. The restaurant offers a variety of activities, live music, dances, darts, pool, and a variety of other activities. Made from scratch and delicious.

If you made it to Harmony in time for breakfast, check out Gabby Lou’s Kitchen. The quaint family friendly restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy a down-home breakfast ranging from fried eggs, hashbrowns and toast, French toast, biscuits and gravy, omelets, breakfast tacos and burritos. You will also find a wide selection of baked goods to eat in-house or take with you at Gabby Lou’s Kitchen. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Enjoy your visit and make plans to come back for another visitor.