Tourism

In 2012, the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn began the process of transforming their 30-acre campus into the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park. Jens Jensen returns to the program to talk about the progress made over the last several years, along with MoDA Interim Executive Director Erik Andersen. Brett Seelman also joins to discuss a campus master plan that was recently adopted by MoDA, which envisions an expansion to attract more visitors to the museum and park. Later in the episode, we meet David Morton, the curator of landscape at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids. Morton has worked in the landscaping for this national historic site for over 20 years, and he and Brucemore CEO David Janssen join to discuss the challenges and silver linings brought by the devastating 2020 derecho.

The Color the Wind Kite Festival in Clear Lake takes place on the lake's frozen surface, which has thinned near the shore due to unseasonably warm weather. The unsafe ice conditions have caused the event organizers to cancel this year’s festival.

Joanna Dee Das, author of 'Faith, Family and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America,' joins to discuss her new book. Then, Iowa duo Weary Ramblers share how they found each other, built their Americana sound and what’s next after a major Blues competition win.

Scream into a pillow, punch a punching bag, vent. All these methods to "get anger out" could actually be making us angrier. Researchers Doug Gentile and Brad Bushman share their research into this common misconception and effective methods for reducing anger. Then, one Iowan believes reducing light pollution in Iowa could boost tourism. James Bruton from the Dark Sky Iowa Initiative shares the environment and economic benefits of a dark sky.

The third annual Iowa Farmers of Color Conference takes place Saturday, Dec. 6. It's an opportunity for farmers of color from around the Midwest to come to together to learn from each other and build community. Sixth-generation farmer Todd Western III joins the program to preview the event. We also get to know another founder of Iowa Farmers of Color, Hannah Scates Kettler. She and her husband co-own Minerva's Meadow, an organic, no-till flower farm located near State Center. Then, we learn more about how farming has played a role in Black resiliency and activism for centuries from Felicite Wolfe of the African American Museum of Iowa. The exhibit "Rooted: Labor, Land and Legacy," shares the struggles and triumphs that Black farmers have seen in Iowa and the U.S. through present day.

We discuss the Midwest origins of the "King of Late Night," plus the time a whole Iowa town came on Letterman's show. Then, we speak to a current producer for Seth Meyers.

The City of Decorah was visited by royalty this week.

The Kalona Historical Village in southeast Iowa may be a tourism spot geared toward the past, but its features and exhibits have constantly evolved.

There is plenty to learn at historic locations across the state of Iowa.

There are many ways to learn about history, but visiting a historic site may be one of the most powerful.