Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

Visit Bluff Country

Norwegian for a day

by

The Decorah Nordic Dancers performing at Spring Grove’s Syttende May celebration. Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

By Charlene Corson Selbee

You do not have to be Norwegian or a kid to enjoy Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai celebration Wednesday. May 17 through Sunday, May 21.

On May 17, Norwegians celebrate the 1814 signing of the country’s constitution. In Norway Constitution Day is a party for everyone especially children. Spring Grove has planned a weekend of events for children, so don’t leave yours at home! There will also be plenty of activities for adults.

Barnetoget, the children’s parade starts off the activities at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Spring Grove School. The parade heads down Main Street to the Viking Memorial Park. Kindergarteners will ride in the Viking ship and children in grades 1-6 will follow behind singing and waving Norwegian flags. At the park the children will weave a Maypole and play familiar outdoor games like Kubb, rope pulling, and sack races before enjoying a delicious snack of Varme Pølse (hot dog wrapped in lefsa) and Spring Grove soda.

What could be more fun than Running with the Gnomes 5K race on Saturday? Join in and dress up as your favorite Gnome.

At noon on Saturday is the Grand Parade featuring the Nordic Dancers, a group of youth from Decorah, Iowa, clowns, dogs, antique cars, floats, and more.

On Friday evening from 7-10 p.m. is a dance specifically for teens at the Fest Building.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Viking Park and the Trinity Church grounds will be filled with children’s activities including the pedal pull competition, inflatables, yard games, nerf war, petting zoo, bingo, human hamster balls, Balloons by Kevin, Tappy’s Face as well as Kaptain Kirby Train. The annual soap box races will be held on South Division Ave.

Adults have not been left out of the fun! Visitors will find Pat’s Brewery selling wood fired pizza and craft beer; for the book connoisseur, local author Joanne Griffen is signing her new book and there is a quilt show, live entertainment, and vendors will be setup at Viking Park plus Spring Grove stores will be open. Town residents will open their garage doors for the city-wide garage sale on Friday and Saturday plus there are special exhibits at the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.

Visitors will not leave hungry. Enjoy tradition Norwegian delicacies, brats, pork burgers, and waffles.

Walk the Norwegian Ridge Trail located in the wooded hills on the outskirts of Spring Grove during your visit.

Visit sgsyttendemai.com/schedule for the complete schedule of fun activities.

Upcoming Bluff County events

•SEMBA Spring Bluegrass Festival, Houston, Minn., May 19-21

•Preston Trout Days, Preston, Minn., May 19-21

•Root River Triathlon, Houston, Minn., May 20

•Spring Valley 100 Bike Race, Spring Valley, Minn., May 20

•State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, Preston, Minn., May 28

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

Trout Fishing – An activity for all ages and skill levels

by

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Do memories of fishing as a child swirl in your head? Have you wanted to learn to fish and did not know where to begin?
You may not be familiar with Bluff Country.

The scenic Bluff Country region of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa offers hundreds of miles of streams of quality trout fishing. In addition, the natural cold streams make for a healthy habitat where trout can thrive.

People come to this region to fish for brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Most fish caught in this area are rainbow trout. Experienced fishers come to this region angling for brook trout, which are native to Minnesota and Iowa.

“Stop into Root River Rod Co. to talk with us. We can answer your questions. We also carry the DNR map and regulation books. We sell all flies and lures for the non-fly fisher,” shared Lance Prado, owner of Root River Rod Co. “Fillmore County boasts the best trout fishing in southeast Minnesota. In the Root River, you can fish for trout, smallmouth bass, pike, and walleye. We do not sell licenses here, but they are easy to purchase online or at the BP gas station in town.”

Owner and fishing guide, Lance Prado, Root River Rod Co., Lanesboro, fly fishing the trout rich Root River.
Photo courtesy of Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce

Don’t forget your fishing license

Minnesota DNR reminds residents and visitors to only buy fishing licenses either through the Minnesota DNR website, calling (888) 665-4236, or from a state-approved vendor. DNR has a list of approved vendors by county available on its website. There are 12 locations in Fillmore County and nine in Houston County.

The Iowa DNR website also lists the state’s approved vendors. For example, there are 13 vendors in Winneshiek County.

Minnesota DNR
Iowa DNR
Wisconsin DNR

Include a stop at Driftless Fly Fishing Co. in Preston and talk with owner Mel Hayner for information, tips, and directions. Hayner proudly boasts, “We can help you catch trout in SE Minnesota!” If visitors are wondering what the current conditions are, Hayner offers a fishing hotline, (507) 327-4276, every other Saturday during the fishing season, and he provides free fly-fishing classes. Driftless Fly Fishing Co. guides are Orvis endorsed guides.

Trout fishing for all ages, abilities and skill from Sylvan Park fishing dock in Lanesboro, Minn.
Photo courtesy of Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce.

Root River Rod Co., a full-service fly shop in Lanesboro, offers full and half day guided drift boat and guided wade trips.

Serious fishers recommend reading Trout Streams of Wisconsin and Minnesota by Jim Humphrey and Bill Shogren in addition to the Minnesota and Iowa DNR regulation books. The book contains everything you need to know, and it names specific creeks and streams, plus the book includes maps.

In memory of Steve Sobieniak

Steve Sobieniak, a nationally known maker of bamboo fly fishing rods and owner of Root River Rod Co., a full-service fly shop in Lanesboro, Minn., died September 22, 2022, after a year-long battle with cancer.   

Throughout his 67 years, he was recognized as an artisan carpenter in the Twin Cities which combined with his love of fly fishing that he learned from his father as a young boy, paved the road to becaming a master bamboo fly fishing rod craftsman.                

In 2017, after leaving the construction industry to make rods full time, he and his wife Vicki opened Root River Rod Co in historic Lanesboro. The store is now owned and operated by his daughter Alayna and son-in-law Lance Prado.     

His knowledge of the trout fishing in Southeast Minnesota as well as his deep knowledge of fly-fishing history is a loss felt throughout the area and the wider fly-fishing community. Steve often was the smiling face greeting anglers as they walked into the fly shop. He was known for his kindness, generosity, integrity, and support for trout stream conservation. From diagnosis to the very end, Steve traveled his path with complete strength, courage, and an amazingly positive attitude.               

Steve loved the Root River and being a part of the Lanesboro community. There will be a Root River cleanup this summer in Steve’s honor.

Rubaiyat – Decorah’s Dining Destination

by

By Jason Sethre

There are not many places where you feel like you’re in a fancy restaurant and an art gallery, all at the same time.

That’s the best way to describe Rubaiyat in downtown Decorah, Iowa.  This special place has been the vision of Andy and Kim Bonnet since 2007.

Andy and Kim met while working at a restaurant in Galena, Ill.  Andy gained experience in the food and beverage industry starting at the age of 14, working with retail wine sales along with grocery, and then as a chef and server.  Kim, who grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, graduated from Luther College in 2002, and worked in the financial world for six years.  But she has also been working in the food and beverage industry since age 14, as a server, bartender and caterer.

Building A Vision

The historic building located at 117 Water Street in downtown Decorah, has been home to many entrepreneurial experiences since the early 1890s.

“The original stores housed everything from a mail order dry goods store to a ladies ready-to-wear boutique.  In the early to mid 1900s, the buildings housed a jewelry store, a hardware store, and the original Donlon Drug.  The upstairs was also used as a speak-easy during prohibition.  In the early 1950s, Bill Brickley opened a five and dime store.  He sold out in 1960 to Ben Franklin Stores and the buildings were combined into what you see now as one storefront.  After the Ben Franklin closed in the early 1990s, the building housed an office supply store, antique store, and a dollar store,” according to the owners of Rubaiyat, Andy and Kim Bonnet, who have owned the building since 2007.

At first, they thought the building would be too big, but as they started planning, they knew it was the right one for them. When they purchased the building, it needed lots of work. The restaurant was renovated in 2007, and took about nine months. They worked on the building renovation with family and friends, and in July 2007 they turned it over to contractors. In 2016, they renovated the second floor (which had no plumbing or electrical) and moved there with their family that same year. That renovation took about seven months.

The name of the restaurant, Rubaiyat, was derived from a collection of poetry written over 1,000 years ago by a Persian gentleman named Omar Khayyam.  As it states on their restaurant website, “The poems are a testimony of living life to its fullest with the help of good food and great wine and together, the joy that they can bring to life. Andy and Kim welcome the chance to share their love of food and wine with you and invite you to experience that joy right here at our restaurant in downtown Decorah.”

The Bonnets

The Bonnets love everything Decorah has to offer. While raising their two sons, ages 13 and 10, they enjoy spending time as a family, traveling and camping whenever they have free time.

How did they pick Decorah?  What makes Decorah special?

“Decorah is a mythical place. There is something special about Decorah that exists in very few other locations,” said Kim.  With Kim’s Luther College experience, she always wanted to move back and raise a family here. “The sense of community is second to none,” she added.

Ambiance & Food

When you dine at a restaurant, authenticity is important.  What sets this place apart from others?

The right ambiance, food and service will always make you want to come back for more.  And, you’ll tell your friends about it.

That’s Rubaiyat.

While Kim leads the front-end of the restaurant, Andy creates masterpieces in the kitchen.

As indicated on their website, Chef Andy’s menu is inspired to reflect classic and diverse culinary influences.  He is consistently creating food that is distinctly contemporary.  Their seasonal American dishes combine four qualities that the Bonnets value most: integrity, style, restraint, and playfulness.

And, they always deliver as promised.

They spend a great amount of time focused on aesthetics.  “We both work on this together, and bring our ideas inspired by restaurants and spaces we have visited in California,” shared Kim.

They want their restaurant to be known for great food, great service, a place to gather and enjoy special occasions and celebrate the everyday. And, of course, friendship.

And, what they are doing is working quite well.  According to Kim, “On an average night, we draw from about a 60 to 70 mile radius, but we do have people here every week from further than that.  Major metros, Midwest cities, and both coasts.”

If you want to impress someone without breaking the bank, take them to Rubaiyat.

But, I’d suggest always making a reservation.  During the summer months, they have been known to get fully booked a week in advance.

Their website is https://www.rubaiyatrestaurant.com/ and their phone number is (563) 382-9463.

Winter blues, be gone!

by

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Start your day with a freshly baked cookie and a cup of coffee at Cabin Fever Fest.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

Chase away those winter blues in Lanesboro, March 10-12, at the town’s annual Cabin Fever Fest. Three days of memory making fun – solving a mystery puzzle, consuming delicious food, enjoying craft beverages, and listening to live music.

Where to start? First, book a room in the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota. Second, purchase your tickets to guaranteed-to sell out events.

If you like mysteries, you are certain to enjoy the interactive puzzle room style mysteries at the Scandinavian Inn. Plan on spending about 90 minutes solving a well-designed puzzle.

Check out a theatrical performance “A Murder Has Been Renounced” at the St. Mane Theatre. Take in “The Pillowman” at the Commonweal Theatre.

Need a breath of fresh air? Schedule a guided fishing trip with the Root River Rod Company. Catch and release winter fishing trips are available Thursday through Sunday.

Lanesboro comes alive! Listen to the acoustic sounds of Fukawe AC at Sylvan Brewing on Friday night. On Saturday evening, Ben Scruggs, a Mankato-based musician will perform at the High Court Pub.

Lanesboro is the art hub of southeast Minnesota, so make sure to include a visit to the Lanesboro Arts Gallery for the 2023 Emerging Artist Exhibition. Visitors will also find eight local artists demonstrating and selling their work on Saturday.

Did I mention food? Check out the St. Patty’s Day dinner prepared by guest chef Paul O’Little at Root River 102 or enjoy a traditional midwestern fish fry at the American Legion.

Settle in and enjoy a card game or a board game at the Burmeister game-a-thon at the Sons of Norway Lodge. Attendees are welcome to bring their own board game.

End your evening sitting around a firepit reminiscing while enjoying a hot beverage or snacks at High Court Pub, Root River Inn & Suites, Sylvan Brewing, or Stone Mill Hotel & Suites.

Upcoming Bluff County events

•MN Trout Fishing Opener, April 12-13, statewide

•Lipmasters Fishing Tournament, April 22, Rushford

•Bluff Country Studio Art Tour, April 28-30, Bluff Country area

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

It was a dark and stormy night

by

It was a a dark and stormy night. Mason Keel and Taylor Fishwild, as Nick and Darla Dashell listen in to a conversation among society ladies Miss Mendacio (Bonnie Hulsing), Miss Heinspiele (Pam Butler), and Mrs. Ludos (Sandy Webb) as the stoic maid, Diedre (Val Tindall), looks on. Doruk Evcim, playing Captain Trucage, was unavailable for the photo.
Photo submitted

A Victorian vampire and a zombie nurse. Mix them together with a shifty eyed captain, a sarcastic maid named Diedre, and three society ladies who all like to play games and you have a perfect combination for a comedy murder mystery. It’s a dark and stormy night. Stranded travelers arrive at a spooky house looking for a phone after their car breaks down. Yes, many cliches, but the game is afoot. Watch out for surprises.

Join Lanesboro Community Theater for “A Murder has been Renounced.” Performances are March 3,4,10, and 11 at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees are March 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. at the St. Mane Theater in Lanesboro.

New faces, Doruk Evcim and Taylor Fishwild, join some of the LCT regulars onstage. Delia Bell and Kieran Dixon join the LCT regulars back stage, without whom none of this comedic mayhem could happen.

Kari Berg is back for a second year directing for LCT’s winter production. She has just as much fun as the family of actors on stage rehearsing their lines and figuring out how to tell this story that “turns a cliche on its head,” as playwright Lee Mueller states.

Tickets are $15 (plus 3% if paid by credit card), available at the Parkway Market in Lanesboro and online at www.universe.com. Also some tickets will be available at the door.

Let’s welcome spring with laughter.

It’s a hoot!

by

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Prepare to have a hoot at the International Festival of Owls, March 3-5.

The event originally started at a “hatch-day” party for Alice the Great Horned Owl in 2003. The celebration has grown from 300 attendees to over 2,000 visitors from all over the United States, Canada, Jamaica, England, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Nepal, Taiwan, Japan, Kenya, and South Africa.

“Expect to be immersed in owls,” explained Karla Bloem, International Owl Center executive director.

The entire town of Houston, Minn., is actively involved in the celebration. The Cross of Christ Lutheran Church will once again host the favorite owl-face pancake breakfast. Barista’s Coffee House specialty is owl-themed drinks, and SubZero Pizza & Ice Cream will feature owl shaped pizzas on Friday night.

Looking for owl-themed gifts? Visit the vendor show at Houston High School, 306 W. Elm, and the International Owl Center’s Gift Shop, located in the Owl Center, 126 E. Cedar, for a wide selection of owl-themed gifts.
Check out the self-guided Parade of Owls art tour. eleven public owl sculptures are located throughout the town. Watch for the street banners featuring kids’ owl art from around the world. Note that three of the banners feature artwork from Ukraine. Over 2,007 entries from 34 countries and 20 U.S. states were submitted this year.

First place winner, Alexander Xu (age 16) USA in the 2023 International Kids’ Owl Art Contest out of about 2,007 entries from 34 countries and 20 US states.
Photo submitted by the International Owl Center
Roar Solheim from Norway is the 2023 World Owl Hall of Fame keynote speaker on Saturday night. The presentation will focus on Solheim’s encounters with owls and owl people in North America. Owl-themed refreshments will be provided by the town’s Forget-Me-Not Garden club.

Other activities include live owl programs, owl crafts, medallion hunt, kids’ owl art contest, kids’ owl calling contest, birding and natural history bus trip, owl nest box building, owl pellet dissection, and owl prowls.
Some events require registration. The schedule and registration information are available online at festivalofowls.com.

Bloem emphasized, “Sunday programs are much less crowded than Saturday.”

The three-day celebration is the center’s largest event of the year and is a fundraiser for the center.

Upcoming Bluff County events:
• March 2-5, Oneota Film Festival, Decorah

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping.