Andy & Kim have brought a wonderful new dining experience--and a unique new name--to Decorah. Offering a varied menu, featuring local foods whenever possible, a wide array of on-tap beer and recently the ability to take home Rubaiyat wine, their place in the community has been well-made. Their Mystery Beer Night is a favorite among community members. Andy and Kim have recieved a great deal of awards and press for the experience they offer, bringing media attention to the area in new and positive ways.

Joe Grimstad is a very active member of our community. He has been working on the REPSI project and currently serves as President of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in addition to serving on several committees and boards throughout the area.

Joe is a second-generation jeweler and has been a fixture in the downtown Decorah business community since 1996. Hammel Jewelers was previously located in Waukon for 60 years. Joe keeps Hammel Jewelers dedicated to the same principles it had when it opened in 1943: Sell quality diamonds, jewelry and gifts and provide first-class service for the products it sells.
Joe has been active in the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce as a Chamber Ambassador, retail committee volunteer, and plays a jolly Santa during the holidays. Joe will eagerly volunteer to visit other retail locations to promote or organize local retail events. Joe is an avid golfer and dedicates time to the board of directors at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club in Ossian.

PROFILE COMING SOON

Thirty-one years ago Kevin Sand, M.D. made a promise to our community to provide quality health care for our families. Born and raised in Decorah, Dr. Sand attended Luther College, and then chose to return to his hometown to practice medicine after receiving his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City. Dr. Sand built a practice with Medical Associates on the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital campus. He joined with Mayo Clinic Health System to provide world-class care to our rural community and partnered with Winneshiek Medical Center in 2005. Raising his children here, along with his wife, Leslie, the Sand family has become a thread in the tapestry of Northeast Iowa. Dr. Sand holds a special place in the hearts of hundreds of parents as the doctor who cared for them through the birth and life stages of raising their children. He has provided years of care those who suffer. His determination has brought many patients through illness- and whether the diagnosis was favorable or not - his presence made it bearable and his skills it better. He should be honored for the extraordinary commitment he has shown to rural health in Iowa. “Dr Sand is one of those doctors whose enthusiasm for medicine never seemed to tire,” said Dan Werner, WMC CAO. He is a leader in our community, a part of so many families, a doctor of wisdom, and a friend to many. Even though his 'calling' as a family medicine physician took hours out of everyday, he still found time to contribute to our community in other ways. He has served on the Public Health Board, cared for patients at the free clinic, given time to his church, and participated in his children’s activities over the years. Dr. Sand even found time to cultivate a love of forestry by becoming an active member of the Northeast Iowa Forestry Advisory Committee. He was recognized on a state level for his work to improve the quality of his timber for wildlife and recreational opportunities as the 2009 Iowa Woodland Owner of the Year. Kurt Carlson, M.D., chief medical officer of Winneshiek Medical Center says, “Dr. Sand laid the foundations for local care in our community and has been a pillar in our medical practice. Besides dedicating his life to caring for his patients, he has held varied leadership roles within the medical practice - his guidance as well as his compassion and friendly nature will be missed by his colleagues and Winneshiek Medical Center staff alike.” Dr. Sand retired as a full time physician in 2010 but continues to serve the community as a proponent of good conservation practices, and will return as a part-time health care provider with Decorah Clinic Physicians – Mayo Health System at Winneshiek Medical Center in 2011.

Justin has been very active in several key community projects including the successful Decorah Community School Bond Referendum. He is also active with St. Benedict Church, Winneshiek Medical Foundation and the REPSI project.

If you’ve been Inspire(d) lately, chances are local co-creator/publisher/
editor/designer of the inspire(d) magazine Aryn Henning-Nichols had something to do with it. Going into the third year of publication Aryn, along with husband Benji, spreads positive news to the Driftless Region, serves on the Driftless Art Collective and can be seen constantly working in the Decorah community on various projects to keep our area an exciting and growing place for everyone.

David Lester joined the Oneota Co-op team as General Manager last year. In addition to managing a local fixture and keeping the Oneota Co-op as a front-runner in sustainable trends, he is active on several boards including Downtown Decorah Betterment Association, SSMID and recently joined the Decorah Schools Wellness Committee. He is also working with the committee to expand the downtown park by Norm Smith Plaza.

Harlan has been extremely active in getting Decorah to become a healthy community. He has served on the committe for the Decorah Trail Loop, and is currently working to get involvement from Winneshiek County with Live Healthy Iowa.

Mugs has been an active community member for numerous years. She has been involved with Nordic Fest, Decorah Downtown Betterment Association and Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce in addition to running her own business. She is also deeply committed to Breast Cancer Survivors and is a key component to the Celebration of Life program.