Downtown Decorah Betterment Association recognizes the contributions of several Decorah residents

(Left to right): Julie Aulwes Spilde and Jo Ann and Jerry Aulwes look on as DDBA's Chris Miller gets ready to present a gift

At its annual meeting Wednesday morning, the Downtown Decorah Betterment Association gave tribute to longtime Decorah businessman Jerry Aulwes--who has been on the DDBA Board since it was organized in the early 1980s, but is retiring this year.

The DDBA also recognized board member Ben Grimstad, who has served on the board for 15 years.

And DDBA president Cindy Simpson recognized six downtown and West Side Decorah businesses that have made improvements in the last year--Modish, Seedling, Letterwerks, Stone Path, Pulpit Rock and Hack Nelson & Co.