Monday High-Five: December 29, 2025

Happy Monday! Welcome to Monday High-Five -- your quick preview to what's happening around Decorah this week. Note: Happy 2026 from all of us here at DecorahNews.com! We look forward to another year of bringing you local news. Here are some other things to keep in mind this week: 1. Family-Friendly New Year's Eve Bash - Dec. 31Hosted by Decorah Parks & Recreation, the free event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Gerdin Fieldhouse at Luther College and includes indoor games, a concession stand, and activities for kids and families of all ages. 2. Christmas Tree Pickup By Boy Scout Troop 66 - Jan. 3Residents within city limits should have their trees placed at the curb by 8:00 a.m., with all ornaments, lights, and tinsel removed. 3. OVCO Presents Music of Animation - Jan. 3Oneota Valley Community Orchestra presents OVCO: Music of Animation Featuring The Snowman at the Decorah High School Auditorium from 7:00–9:00 p.m. Expect classic cinematic and video game tunes from How to Train Your Dragon to Halo, plus a screening of The Snowman with live music. Admission varies by age. 4. Acoustic Jam and Potluck in Ridgeway - Jan. 3The Acoustic Jam returns from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Turkey River Cultural Center in Ridgeway. Beginners start with a slow jam at 11:00 a.m., followed by a potluck at noon and an open-jam session afterward. All skill levels are welcome; a small donation is appreciated. 5. Community Art Show Opening Reception - Jan. 2Kick off the arts season with the Community Art Show Opening Reception at ArtHaus's Doyle G. Heyveld Gallery. Local artists will showcase works around the theme "Nerd Out," with light refreshments served at the free event. Some top stories from last week: Winneshiek County Supervisors Approve Valuation Report Showing Strong Growth for FY2027 Winneshiek County Auditor Ben Steines presents the valuation report to the Winneshiek County Supervisors Photo by Alexander Rosenow Luther College Mourns Director Of Facilities Jay Uthoff Jay Uthoff Courtesy Photo Three Decorah Business Owners Complete Small Business Program Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses - 14th Cohort Courtesy Photo Lawler Man Charged in Rural Winneshiek County Burglary Letter to the Editor - Like Nineteen Eighty-Four Stay in the know with our full events calendar and subscribe to our daily newsletters. Don't see your event on our calendar? Contact us at news@DecorahNews.com to get the word out. Have a great week!