It is never too late to see the movie, Grumpy Old Men. I am sure it is as funny today as if I had seen it in 1993. I had no idea what to expect as I do not follow celebrities and never thought about seeing until an impromptu visit to Wabasha to visit the National Eagle Center last year for a travel book project I am working on where I heard about the Grumpy Old Men. At that time I had no idea what they were talking about.
A year later and I had the opportunity to attend the 31st Grumpy Old Men festival in Wabasha, Minn.
If you don’t want to experience every a day trip works but I recommend arriving the day before to truly experience the festivities. I feel like we did not which means I will be going again next year.
I must admit it made for the perfect day tour. Tony and I had a great outing plus the weather was perfect for a day trip in the midst of a Midwestern winter. The community made the most out of a lack of snow and ice. It was a great day!
What first stuck out at me which I am glad it was was the red buffalo plaid attire including doggie sweaters.
Precious!
Second, the churches hot dish lunch rated at the top of the list. I live church meals because they are raising fun’s for the community and church. Second, the food is like what my mom made. The cost was $15 a plate and include a selection of 15 hot dishes, roll, drink and dessert plus pickles. So Midwestern.
Since we had never seen the movie we went to watch a free showing of the movie. We laugh and enjoyed popcorn a drink and Tony had a hotdog.
We enjoyed the fires in the barrels. Boy were they hot and made for the perfect source of heat for roasting marshmallows for s’mores. A few seconds the marshmallows was born all around. Yummy!
Another Caledonia Hot-Air Balloon Rally is in the bag! The 2023 rally took place the third weekend in October. Ten balloons from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota were scheduled to fly over the weekend. Nine balloons flew from the field behind Caledonia High School on Friday afternoon and again on Sunday morning. The fights on Saturday were canceled due to high winds. This is the most balloons, I have seen fly in Caledonia over the past 10 years.
Safety First
Organizer Marian Gavin
Each year, the town hosts a hot-air balloon rally in October, the only balloon rally south of Rochester, Minn. There are years when the weather does not cooperate and the balloons do not get to fly or even stand-up. Organizers stress that balloon flights are weather-dependent, and that safety always comes first. Whether balloons fly or not is at the pilot’s discretion.
Keep a watchful eye on the Caledonia Balloon Rally Facebook page for up-to-date information prior to the event and during the rally. The organizers do an outstanding job posting notifications.
2023 Pilots
The Red, White, and Blue
2023 participating pilots include Russ Lucas, Dodge Center, Minn.; Lynn Huppert, Ellsworth, Wisc.; Chris Keefe, Cross Plains, Wisc.; Rodney Newkirk, Rochester, Minn.; Tim Cloyd, Runnells, Iowa; John Parezo, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jeff Trzebiatowski, Appleton, Wisc.; Terry Dorshorst, West Salem, Wisc.; Sean Eakin, Tomah, Wisc.; and Kevin Kamp, Marion, Iowa.
Balloonmeister
Tom Cloyd from Runnells, Iowa, was the 2023 balloonmeister. The balloonmeister is in charge of and coordinates all the balloon activities at a balloon event. He/she ensures the pilots meet all the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
Smile!
Photo Op!
Two balloons inflating
Balloon rallies are the perfect opportunity to take photos. Bring your camera to capture the balloons as they inflate, lift off, and fill the blue sky with a rainbow of colors. It is also fun to take pictures of the kids jumping up and down and yelling, “There’s a balloon. There’s a balloon. This is also the perfect time to record short videos of all the oohs and aahs and beaming smiles as attendees watch the balloons inflate and take-off. Don’t forget to wave. #caledoniamnballoonrally
Say Yes!
Riders waving goodbye!
If you are asked to chase or go for a ride, don’t hesitate, say yes!
Barney’s Bar & Grill in Burr Oak, Iowa, made Just Around the Bend Travel‘s list of must-visit small-town bar/restaurant in the Driftless region. To find out why continue reading.
Barney’s Bar & Grill is owned and operated by North Winneshiek graduate, Trisha Ryan.
A rainy day is the perfect day for a visit to Barney’s Bar & Grill.Barney’s Bar & Grill is located in the farming community of Burr Oak, Iowa.
Location Location Location
Tourism marketing professionals often refer to the importance of location, location, location when discussing a destination. Barney’s Bar & Grill is blessed with its location.
For this Winneshiek County resident, Burr Oak is located barely 10 minutes from the family home in Hesper, Iowa, making Barney’s Bar & Grill convenient, especially for that evening when one doesn’t want to cook. They are open six days a week, closed on Sunday.
Second, Burr Oak is one of the communities North Winneshiek students called home, plus it was the closest town to the rural school, so both Burr Oak and Barney’s Bar & Grill hold a special place in the heart of North Winneshiek graduates. What memories!
The unincorporated village of around 200 is centrally located in the northern sector of Winneshiek County in NE Iowa. Burr Oak is adjacent to Highway 52 north of Decorah, Iowa, just minutes south of the Iowa/Minnesota state line. The town’s location makes it easy for visitors to find the restaurant and is convenient for residents. Tip. In the winter, Highway 52 is one of the first roads cleared after a snowstorm.
A favorite of North Winn alumni, pizza burger and fries!
Tasty Pizza Burgers
Visitors will find traditional fried bar/pub food at Barney’s Bar & Grill. Pizza burgers were a hit with North Winneshiek students when attending school. The ones served at Barney’s Bar & Grill are not the same as the ones served at school, but they are as delicious and even more delicious when dipped in the yummy pizza sauce. The bun is toasted, creating an ever better sandwich.
They have everything you could want.A favorite meal of farmers, a burger and onion rings.
Other fried foods include a wide selection of sandwiches including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, crispy or grilled chicken sandwiches, and Iowa’s specialty, breaded tenderloin sandwiches plus fish sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Philly steak sandwiches.
Barney’s Bar & Grill has the largest selection of sides that I have ever seen in one restaurant. There are regular fries, seasoned fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries plus yellow and white cheese curds, chicken fries and strips, wing dings, mini tacos, cheese potatoes, pickle fries, mushrooms, breaded cauliflower, corn nuggets, fried green beans, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeño poppers bites.
Which sides are your favorites?
Large Outdoor Patio
Living It Up Outdoors
The spacious outdoor patio offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy Iowa’s pleasant weather. What can be more enjoyable than sitting outside listening to live entertainment?
Since it is a small town bar, the chances of running into someone you know is a high probability. If it is your first visit, you will definitely find a local that will strike up a conversation with you.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Musuem Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another reason why Barney’s Bar & Grill is a must-visit establishment. Burr Oak has an important former resident, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her family called Burr Oak home. The Ingalls family lived in Burr Oak from 1876-1877 and operated the Masters Hotel for one year before moving on. The Masters Hotel is the only childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder that remains on its original site. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Their stay was not included in the Little House series written by Laura and is referred to as “The Missing Link”.
Master’s Hotel
Take a guided tour of the Master’s Hotel.
A real country schoolhouse.
New to the park is a country schoolhouse moved from its former location in Burr Oak. School tours include a class in the schoolhouse.
Future project – Burr Oak Mercantile
A local family donated The Burr Oak Mercantile to the Laura Ingall’s Wilder Museum non-profit organization. The two-story building is scheduled to become the museum’s future office and visitor center.
What is the Iowa state tree?
Go Where the Locals Go!
Barney’s Bar & Grill is located at 3607 236th Ave, Burr Oak, IA. The establishment is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.
One-of-a-kind art galleries can be found in all corners of bluff country. Visitors will experience not only first-class art galleries, but they will be able to meet bluff country artists and purchase their work. In addition, visitors will also enjoy the drive through the picturesque farmlands, bluffs, along streams, and quaint Midwestern towns that inspire Bluff County artists to create. The range of work visitors will find ranges from jewelry, clothing, oil and watercolor paintings, woodwork, fiber arts, sculptures, and glass to name a few.
For up-to-date hours, check the gallery website, Google listing, or Facebook page.
Enjoy your year-round Bluff Country art tour!
Art Bitz
Art Bitz, a gallery run by Chatfield’s two glitz gals, June and Alice. Visitors will find two former buildings filled with framed glass art, individualized gnomes, jewelry, glassware, colorful couch pillows, and bling cover flamingos. The gallery is located at 204 Main Street, Chatfield, MN 55923. June and Alice can be reached at (507)-254-8105. The gallery is open Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed Sunday through Wednesday. Follow Art Bitz on Facebook.
Lanesboro Arts Galleries
Not one gallery but two galleries, Exhibition Gallery and the Juried Sales Gallery! The Exhibition Gallery features five exhibits annually and visitors will enjoy purchasing artwork from over 90 regional artists located in the Juried Sales Gallery. Every other year, Lanesboro Arts sponsor an emerging artist exhibition. Lanesboro Arts can be reached at (507) 467-2446. Hours: September through April Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday and Monday closed; May through August Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. and Monday closed. Visit lanesboroarts.org for current information.
The Bluff Country Artists Gallery
A 501(c)(3) collaborative, operated by volunteers, represents the talented creations of 70 artists from the bluff country region. The gallery is located at 111 W. Main St, Spring Grove, MN. The gallery can be reached at (507) 498-2787 and is open Thursday and Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check out the gallery on Facebook.
The Caledonia Gallery
Bluff Country’s newest art gallery is in a recently renovated limestone building built after the Civil War ended in quaint downtown Caledonia. The gallery features the work of artists from La Crosse, WI to Caledonia. The gallery is located in historic Caledonia at 115 East Main Street. The five-star gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Visit www.caledoniagallery.com.
International Owl Center
Children from around the world have entered artwork featuring owls in the Center’s annual competition. Those pieces are exhibited throughout the year in the center’s gallery. 126 E. Cedar St., Houston, MN 55943 Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (507) 896-6957 www.internationalowlcenter.org
ArtHaus
ArtHaus is known for its workshop and classes, but it is also home to the Doyle G. Heyveld Gallery which features a new exhibit each month. 107 W. Broadway St, Decorah, IA 52101. (563) 382-5440. Open 1-7:00 p.m. weekdays and 10-5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Closed Sunday. www.Arthausdecorah.org
Agora Arts
A staple of downtown Decorah for 31 years, owner Gail Bolson-Magnuson hand selects each piece and carries the finest in handcrafted arts from over 250 artists. 102 West Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101. (563) 382-8786. Open Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. www.agoraarts.com
Oneota Film Festival, locally known as OFF, is unofficially the first sign of spring in Decorah, Iowa.
It is never to early to start making plans to attend OFF. The dates for the 2024 festival are February 29 – March 3, 2024.
If you can’t wait for Spring to roll around, OFF offers events prior to the festival in surrounding towns. Check their website, www.oneotafilmfestival.org for dates, times, and locations. Pre-festival events are held in surrounding communities and unique venues, like the historic theater in Cresco and Waukon or the microbrewery in Calmar.
The 2024 festival introduces film enthusiasts to over 45 documentaries that will be shown in six of Decorah’s unique venues. All six venues are all located in the town’s rich historic downtown district, and each venue has a historic background.
What Is A Documentary?
Documentaries are thought-provoking films that force you to think outside the box about subject matters you may have never thought about before. Documentaries generate a range of emotions, sadness, laughter, surprise, excitement, relief, and panic among others. Documentaries force you to ask questions. Documentaries encourage you to learn more and want more.
Wikipedia defines a documentary film as “a non-fictional motion picture intended to “document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record”.
Free
Thanks to generous sponsors, OFF is a free event. As a free event, there is no excuse not to attend. Even though the festival is free, it costs to put four day event on. Please consider becoming a member to support the festival. A bonus of becoming a member is that you will be invited to VIP events throughout the year, and you get to vote for your favorite film in the People’s Choice category at the festival.
Leadership
The 2024 festival is the 14 year of the Oneota Film Festival. President Nancy Sojka leads a board of directors comprised of eleven amazing hard-working volunteers. The festival employs a part-time creative director, Elise Skelenger, the organization’s only paid employee.
Volunteers
OFF also recruit a number of volunteers to assist throughout the event, which is the another way to see the films. If you are interested in volunteering, go to https://www.oneotafilmfestival.org/volunteer. Volunteers position needed are, room managers, readers, room greeters, set-up and take-down, and greeters at the festival headquarters.
OFF volunteer introducing a film..
The Judges
The wide and in-depth section of films at OFF will not disappoint. There is something for everyone, which I have found to be true at the other festivals I have attended. The selection of films shown demonstrates that the judges knows their audience and they know what makes a good documentary. Imagine watching 100 or more films from September to December and having to select the films that will be shown. Judges are an important component of a successful film festival.
The descriptions of the films will help you decided which ones to see. The films are shown at least twice so attendees are able to watch all the films.
Venues
ArtHaus, one of six venues.
T-Bock’s, one of six venues showing films.
Convergence Cider Works, one of six venues.
Driftless Yoga Center, one of six venues.
All Vets Club, Post 1977, another OFF venue.
Hotel Winneshiek, film venue and headquarters..
In the past, the festival was held at Luther College, a beautiful venue with top IT technology and talented technicians, but due to scheduling conflicts, the OFF board moved the festival downtown in 2022. Now the dates of the festival are consistent, which helps visitors schedule their trip in advance. The festival is held the first full weekend in March. The films are shown at some of Decorah’s most popular historic venues that have all been given a new life.
The venues include Arthaus, Hotel Winneshiek, Convergence CiderWorks, T-Bock’s Bar and Grill, Driftless Yoga Center located on the third floor of Impact Coffee, and the VFW.
Every location is unique and offers a different flavor which adds to the enjoyment of the film festival. Attendees may have a favorite venue and only attend the films at that venue or they enjoy visiting each venue to watch their favorite documentaries. Take your pick!
It is recommended that you arrive early to get front-row seating, which may be in the back of the room, like churchgoers, or the front of the room, so you can see.
Headquarters
If you have any questions, make sure to stop at the festival’s headquarters, located in the lobby of Hotel Winneshiek, 104 E. Water Street. There will be volunteers eager and ready to answer your questions.
Friends and Family
New FriendsOld FriendsOld FriendsOld Friends
OFF is a time to hang out with old friends, meet new friends, and spend time with family; thus adding a special touch to the festival.
Snacks and Drinks
If popcorn is served at a film festival, that is a plus. Over the years, OFF has served flavored popcorn from Decorah’s own Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins. Some venues sell food and drinks for your enjoyment, thus, saving precious time while introducing you to delicious tasting food and drink. At Hotel Winneshiek, festival attendees are able to purchase adult beverages and take them upstairs to the Steyer Opera House. Tip: The margaritas are made just the way a margarita should be.
Orange juice is key to any good margarita.
Meet the Film Director(s)
Student film director, Noah Potvin. He was an 8th grade student in Decorah, Iowa when he created the short, Star Trek: Frontier in Diversity, that was shown at the 2024 festival.
Drake student and film director, Michael Veninga.
Directors at the 2024 OFF.
Make sure to hang around after the films to talk with the film director(s), whether they are onsite or attending the festival virtually. Many festivals also offer a reception where attendees can chat one-on-one with the directors, providing opportunities to ask questions, get the film’s backstory, and meet the film directors, producers, and sometimes even members of the cast.
Create Your Own Itinerary
It is important to plan your itinerary before the festival. In 2024 there are over 40 films being shown over four days at OFF. It is a sure bet that if you do not lay out a schedule you will be disappointed. Some of them are shown more than once and in different locations, so plan ahead and carry your itinerary with you.
Following is the list of films that will be shown this year.
Aris Demetrios: Sculpture from the Heart – Directed by Josh Aronson; Balika – Directed by Altor Sanchez Smith and Lander Ibarretxe; Between the Notes: The Helene Grimaud Documentary; Blue Sunshine – Directed by Samyuktha Vijayan; Burial – Directed by Jerzy Czachowski; Chasing Greatness: Wrestling Life – Directed by Danny Wilcox Frazier; Claire Facing North – Directed by Lynn Tjerrnan Lukkas; Culture Talk on the Radio – Directed by Errkaa; Dishonour – Directed by Terrence Turner; Down the Mekong: Voyage of Discovery – Directed by David Richard Ellingson; Dwight in Denmark – Directed by Beth Hoven and Jon Rotto; Essential Essence – Directed by Patrick Boberg; Everything Fun you Could Possibly Do in Aledo, Illinois – Directed by Bethany Berg; Friendly Faces – Directed by Keaton Fuller; Greener Pastures – Directed by Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian; Greybeard, The Man, The Myth, The Mississippi – Directed by Zak Rivers and Wilderness Mindset, Alex Maier and Amy Robin; Gun to the Head – Directed by Christian Michael Veninga and Mithi Sivaprakash; Hangman – Directed by Megan Brotherton; Happy Hour – Directed by Gene Halverson; Hello, Bookstore – Directed by A.B. Zax; Invisible Landscapes – Directed by Ivo Bystrican; Labor of Love – Directed by Sam Fathallah; Learning to Dance – Directed by Cat Ashworth; Once Love – Directed by Mike Stinnett; Panther Politician: Part 2 – Directed by S. Torriano Berry; Parsons – Directed by Dick DeAngelis; Places to be Wild – Directed by Kelly Rundle; Reagan/Quigley ’85 – Directed by Elijah Kimmel; Shift: The Ragbrai Documentary – Directed by Kelsey Kremer and Courtney Crowder; Standing Strong: Elizabeth Catlett – Directed by Kevin J. Kelley; Startime – Directed by Rich West; The Countryman – Directed by Andy Kastelic; The Dead Track – Directed by Antonio Maciocco; The Errand – Directed by Amanda Renee Knox: Tina – Directed by Laura Sweeney; To the Moon and Back – Directed by Charlie Posey; Wine, Women, and Dementia – Directed by Kitty Norton; You Are What You Act – Directed by Albert Nerenberg; Zakkiyyah Najeebah Duman O’Neal – A Glass Breakfast Interview – Directed by Ian Carstens.
A selection of NE Iowa Area High School speech student films will be shown. The films created by students in grades 6-8, addressed the National History Day contest theme for 2023. The following four were presented in the regional competition at the NE Iowa Community College last March: Star Trek: Frontier in Diversity directed by Noah Potvin, Julia Child: A Frontier in the Kitchen directed by Nina Sessions and Kaelyn Kuhn, Jackie Robinson: The Frontier of African-Americans in Professional Baseball directed by Bennett Coppola and Jalen Klees, and Pasteurization: Reshaping the Dairy Industry directed by Rex LaFrentz and Kalin Harman.
2024 Walter Ordway Best Of The Fest Award Winnerd
If you are still not sure which docs to watch, keep an eye out for the judges’ awards. Awards are generally announced a week or two before the festival.
The Walter Ordway Best of the Fest OFF award winners are: Documentary Feature Shift; Honorable Mention Documentary Feature – Greener Pastures; Narrative Feature – Blueshine; Honorable Mention Narrative Feature – Claire Facing North; Honorable Mention Narrative Feature Everything Fun You Could Possible Do in Aledo, Illinois; Student Narrative – To the Moon and Back; Experimental – Culture Talk on the Radio; Documentary Short – Dwight in Denmark; Honorable Mention Documentary Short – Aris Demetrios Sculpture from the Heart; Narrative Short – Dishonour; Narrative Short – Il Binario Morto; Honorable Mention Narrative Short – The Countryman; Honorable Mention Narrative Short – Hangman;
Up-To-Date Information
Facebook is the perfect resource for keeping up-to-date on all things related to the OFF film festival. Follow along on the OFF festival’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/oneotafilmfest.
There is also a lot of information on film festival websites that will assist you in planning your visit.
Future Dates of the Oneota Film Festival
I love it when events post the dates years in advance. Let’s make it easy for people to attend our events.
March 6-9, 2025
March 5-8, 2026
March 4-7, 2027
March 2-5, 2028
March 1-4, 2029
February 28 – March 3, 2023
Midwest Film Festivals
Now that you are hooked on film festivals, here are other film festivals that are recommended by my fellow travel bloggers and myself. Follow the suggestions listed above for any film festival you attend, and you are guaranteed to enjoy your experience.
Frozen River Film Festival, Winona, MN February 4-11, 2024 www.frff.org
True/False Film Fest, Columbia, MO February 29 – March 3, 2024 www.truefalse.org
