Big Blue Sky and McGregor Coffee Roasters are sponsoring a benefit for bird conservation and environmental education in Northeast Iowa. The music begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at McGregor Landing. Doors open at 6 p.m., when food will be available and silent auction items may be donated and examined.
Big Blue Sky musicians will include “Hawkman” Jon Stravers, Folko Landvoght, Kevin Dohse, Jim Arvidson, and others from the region.
The benefit is cosponsored by Todd and Dianna Berry and Audubon’s Mississippi River Initiative.
Food from McGregor Coffee Roasters will include coffees, desserts, and cashew chicken salad sandwiches. CDs and
T-shirts also will be for sale.
The 
Sometimes it is interesting how sad news for some can lead to enjoyment for many. This past January, Elkader residents Harry and Diane Erickson were visiting Harry’s brother, John, at a hospital in Mankato, Minnesota. Unfortunately, during the couple’s visit John was diagnosed with stage four Lymphoma. The diagnosis is of course very upsetting for the family and has led to many life altering decisions for the group, the most significant of which may be the Minnesota Erickson’s decision to temporarily move in with Harry and Diane, in Elkader. This decision was made to facilitate the medical treatments John is receiving in Dubuque.
