Honoring Mudlavia with “Magical Mudlavia” Celebration

On February 29, 1920, smoke billowed out of peaceful valley. The smoke belonged to a fire that broke out at the world-renowned Mudlavia hotel. With a strong southeast wind whipping through the valley, the fire blazed at an alarming rate, destroying the entire hotel, the out buildings, and even the well house, which was several hundred yards to the south.

Mudlavia would never be rebuilt with the same grandeur again.

The site today gives little clue to the magnificent hotel that once resided there, and the only way to keep Mudlavia’s history alive is to celebrate it, talk about it, and share our knowledge about it.

On Saturday, February 29, 2020, one hundred years after Mudlavia burned down (twenty-five, if you are looking at it in leap years), I am partnering with Aubrey Dietrich, owner of Heart and Soul Farm, to honor and celebrate the history of Mudlavia, and we invite you to come and celebrate with us!

Our “Magical Mudlavia” evening will begin at 6:00PM at Heart and Soul Farm, where we will kick off the celebration with bitesize refreshments inspired by Mudlavia’s historic menus. During this time, there will also be a few Mudlavia pictures and postcards to view.

At 6:30PM, Aubrey will introduce herself and talk about the connection she sees between Mudlavia and yoga today. Aubrey started hear yoga studio, Heart and Soul Farm, a little over a year ago. Since then, she has used her yoga practice for outreach events in the community through the 4-H program, at Prophetstown State Park, and at the local elementary school. She also provides various yoga series throughout the year at her farm, as well as providing other fun community events, like our Magical Mudlavia celebration.

At 7:00PM, I will be doing a question and answer session about Mudlavia, as well as answering any questions about the writing process. I have been writing since I was a little girl, and encourage the next generation of writers by hosting a youth writing club at our local elementary school. I began researching Mudlavia five years ago to write a novel about Mudlavia in honor of my grandpa, Bill Ringer. I entered my novel in the MMWW contest three years ago, and won. I am currently in the process of trying to get my work published.

At 7:30PM, we will wrap up the evening with a reading of the first chapter of my novel.

All events at Heart and Soul Farm are free to the public, however, donations are welcome and appreciated. Any donations will be split between us.  Aubrey will use them to continue to put on events at Heart and Soul Farm, and I will use them to put towards publishing my work.

We hope you will come and celebrate the history of Mudlavia with us!

Giving credit where credit is due-
Special thanks for my girls, Dessie and Dara Austin, for taking our picture
Special thanks for Gayle Breymeyer for inviting me last fall to come out to the Mudlavia property anytime and take pictures