Jordan Rasmussen
Published: May 19, 2009

GALENA, IL - Galena on the Fly is in their 9th season with Eagle ridge resort and spa. The hot air balloon launching site has lift off twice a day, sunrise and sunset. You can book your flight with pilot Andy Williams. Williams learned to fly with his Dad at a pretty young age and now has flown for 15 years. Williams is also an ordained minister and when he is in the sky, he has even performed weddings. Williams loves what he does and there is no place but the sky that he would rather be. Williams said, “I just love all of it, the people, the flying, the challenge that is in that, the weather, just all aspects of it, there’s no better way to make a living.”

Williams will go up on clear days; if there are 10mph winds then the flight is canceled and rebooked. The season started on Good Friday and will end in November. People from all over come to fly, four people from Chicago wanted to celebrate their birthdays and have a gift to remember. Rosemarie Orbell shares the same birthday with her grandson, and for Orbell she was a first time flier. Orbell says, “No I have never done this before but I have parasailed so I figured I would try this.”
For couples Dean and Mary who also had birthdays to celebrate they were excited to take flight and Dean couldn’t of been more pleased,” Well it is just a good time to get away, good weather, and Well we have never done this before so she brought me this ride for my birthday!”

The hot air balloon takes 10 minutes to be blown up with air. Williams offers a five-person basket or a basket that can fit 14. Once the balloon is up right the fliers step on in and with a couple pulls of flame the balloon lifts off. The rides last 45 minutes, and once the basket lands Williams wants to celebrate.

As a tradition, Williams pours champagne and gives a toast and tells stories of past flights. The sun goes down and the couples leave with a trip of their lifetime.

The balloon rides can be booked with Andy Williams at his local number (815) 777-2747 or visit the Galena on the Fly website at www.buyaballroonride.com . If you are around the tri-states for the summer don’t miss the Great Galena Balloon Race in July, all proceeds go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Jordan can be contacted at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: April 15, 2009

DUBUQUE - For a year now Cindi Haugen has been hula hooping. She has noticed that her waist line has trimmed down significantly and wanted to make others aware of the benefits of hooping.

Haugen and her friends at the YMCA all wanted to hoop so Haugen came up with an idea to have a hula hoop class for adults to get in on the fun. The hoops are very expensive so Haugen decided to make them for a cheaper price.

Haugen said, “I have been making them sense last August and all the money that we raise goes to Resurrection Catholic School.”

The hoops are made at her home and then distributed to places around the tri-states such as Free Flight, Second Chances, Body and Soul, Butterfly Life, LA Weight Loss, Shapes, HyVee, Jazzercise, and Women’s Wellness Center. The hoops cost $15 and all proceeds go to Resurrection School.

Haugen teamed up with Carol Collins and brought her hula hoops to the youth from the community in gym class and during recess. Collins got asked by Haugen to start a class, Collins said,” You know it would be really cool if we could have a hoop class here, I use to hula hoop when I was in the 3rd grade it was my favorite toy, so I’ll do that.”

The class is a 30 minutes work out and it tones your body, works on your balance and coordination, and helps generate laughter. Haugen says,” The best part of the hoop project is the support from the Dubuque community.”

Haugen and friends have made over 3,500 hoops and have raised 35,000 dollars for Resurrection School.

If you would like to learn more about Haugen’s hoop making contact her by email at haugenhouse@aol.com and to sign up for classes at the YMCA go to their website at www.dubuquey.org

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: February 25, 2009

The trappist monks of the New Mellery Abby is in Peosta, Iowa. The monks pray… and they work hard with their hands making caskets to fulfill their spiritual state of mind. The monks put their heart and soul into the each step in the making of the caskets.

Kelly Myers found her calling to the monastery five years ago, she says that the monks don’t only center on God. Myers states, “Their work day is focused around prayer, and then getting their resources from their own forest, is a very joyful day for them.” There are many different stations the monks work at; the wood is measured, ready for cutting, lined with padding, and then polished to have a nice shine to it.

General Manager, Sam Mulgrew has had experience in the casket making process, and then found his way to the head of the business. Mulgrew knows what it takes to balance prayer and work.

“A cooperate act of mercy for them, to make caskets, they pray why they’re making caskets, and they’re aware of the descendents that might be put in the casket, so these are all factors that are sort of unusual to the commercial world. “ Mulgrew says.

The monastery is significant in its own way, Myers feels, “Its diverse, you have people devoted to a day of prayer and then there are people like myself who are just able to come in and enjoy and sort of feed off of some other disciplined work environment.” For all who have died and been buried in the trappist caskets, their names lie in a spiritual book that is set in a chapel for worship.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rassmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rassmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published October 15, 2008

BELLEVUE- For 46 years apples have been a part of the family for Dick and Joan Czipar.

“It’s definitely a family thing everybody pitches in and if you get out here you are liable to get handed a red shirt on any other day,” said Joan Czipar.

Now is prime apple picking time for the Czipars and their business has never been better.

“The busiest month is probably between the15th of September and the 15 of October, we are usually finished and all the apples are usually gone around thanksgiving,” said Joan.

In the meantime, there are plenty of tasty apple treats to enjoy. Czipar’s has everything from apple Jam, caramel apples, apple bread, apple pies, homemade apple cider; all from 24 varieties of apples.

At Czipar’s apple orchard most of the apples have already been picked but for some of the apples it is not quit cold enough to pick them yet. With over 10 acres of land with 2000 trees filled with great tasting apples, Dick said it is ok that some apples aren’t picked.

“There are so many good apples you know the red delicious are starting to take a hind seat,” said Dick Czipar.

That timeline means people can keep going out to enjoy the apple season, and Joan wants everyone to remember “Just come and visit us it’s a very homey place.”

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: September 17, 2008

Dubuque-This week for wandering the Tri-States, Jordan takes us down to Main Street to meet a man who is keen on his kernels. Here at Freddie’s popcorn all the popcorn is made fresh…what is the secret?

Freddie’s Popcorn! It has been in business for a year now and who’s the man who makes it so delicious…Freddie himself.

“This part of Dubuque didn’t have a Gourmet popcorn shop s we decided to open up a shot.” said Fred Gross.
In the shop you will find salt water taffy, Freddie’s homemade peanut butter and of coarse…popcorn! Freddie makes the popcorn and has named them after his father and his 4 uncles.

The popcorn has fun names for Gross’s uncles and father. Gross says there called, “Willies Chicago mix and we have uncle Bucks’ Carmel, Uncle John’s fresh popcorn, and Uncle Albert’s sweet party mix, and Uncle Ed’s cheddar cheese.”

Freddie’s best seller is the party mix and the caramel corn. I got to try them both and they were wonderful. And if you were waiting for the secret ingredient here it is…Butter Flavored Coconut oil!

Gross says anyone can stop in anytime from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5:30pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.
Freddy’s Popcorn Company is located at 1086 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa.

For more information call Freddie at 563-690-0885.

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.Rasmussen@loras.edu