Two Decorah residents complete their Walk Across Winneshiek

Barrett Gipp and Andy Carlson (courtesy Barrett Gipp)

Decorah residents Andy Carlson and Barrett Gipp were at the western border of Winneshiek County, where it meets Howard County, around 6:00 Saturday morning.  Ten and a half hours later, they were standing at the eastern border of Winneshiek County, where it meets Allamakee County.

"Walk Across Winneshiek" took the two men over a route that was nearly 30 miles long (either 26 miles or 29 miles, depending on which phone application you use).  They did the walk in order to publicize their efforts to raise $10,000 to endow a Decorah HIgh School Class of 1998 scholarship through the Decorah Community School Foundation.

That fundraising effort now stands at $5,282 in donations--more than halfway to the goal.  They are hoping to meet the goal in time for their 20-year reunion in 2018, which would endow a $500 scholarship for a college-bound Decorah High School graduate every year.   Anyone interested in donating may do so at https://www.crowdrise.com/dhsclassof98endowedscholarship/fundraiser/ or by check in person to either Carlson or Gipp.