Monday High-Five: January 5, 2026

Happy Monday! Welcome to Monday High-Five -- your quick preview to what's happening around Decorah this week. Fun Fact: January kicks off Celebration of Life Month. Unwind from the holidays, take care of yourself, and prepare for the new year. Here are some other things to keep in mind this week: 1. Bundle Up for Winter Wonder Walks - Jan. 7 Decorah Public Library and Decorah Parks and Recreation are teaming up to turn chilly mornings into outdoor magic with Winter Wonder Walks. These guided outings encourage families and outdoor lovers to embrace the scenes of the season. 2. Explore History at the Emeriti Colloquium - Jan. 8Luther College hosts a thought-provoking talk titled One Local Family, Four American Nations. Professor David Faldet will delve into how diverse regional identities intersected within a single rural Decorah family. 3. Live Music Alert: Lucas Blekeberg Returns Home - Jan. 9 Local musician Lucas Blekeberg is back in town for a solo performance at Pulpit Rock Brewing. Known around the region for his genre-bending style blending pop, folk, bluegrass and jazz, his return marks his first solo gig in Decorah in about a decade. 4. Get Creative at Silly Saturday - Jan. 10 Families looking for a fun Saturday morning activity can head to The Landing Market for Silly Saturday: Finding Fun in Your Recycle Bin. Bring your imagination, and organizers will supply tips and recyclable materials to make art, toys, and more. 5. Dorian Vocal Festival Sets the Stage: Jan 11-12Music lovers have another highlight: the Dorian vocal concerts bring Luther College's choir festival to a celebratory close. Some top stories from last week: Say 'Cheese,' 2025: A Year That Made History in Decorah Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski greets H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway during his visit to Vesterheim Monday, October 6, celebrating 200 years since the first organized Norwegian immigration to the United States. Photo by Alexander Rosenow First Lutheran Church Awards $40,600 in 2025 Grants Decorah Free Clinic Board Treasurer, Anna Jones, receives a donation from Pastor Mike Wilker, on behalf of the First Lutheran Church Trust Fund. Courtesy Photo Trevor Kuennen Named Bradish Scholarship Recipient Trevor Kuennen Courtesy Photo Letter to the Editor - Cheese and Whine Police Charge Two Teens in December Vehicle Theft 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!