Community News

The “Every Hero Has a Story” Summer Reading Program (SRP) 2015 at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has now come to an end, with a variety of events being held throughout the summer as part of this year's program. The July 6 Family Night kicked off the Summer Reading Program.
Opening that Family Night program was story lady Sue Kiesau and her beloved puppets, including Bernie and Peanut Butter. A special highlight of the evening was a Super Hero Training Camp, set up around the library for attendees to challenge their skills. Those activities included Balancing Act; Decoding Skills; Laser Beam Obstacle Course; Bomb Disposal; Villain Bowling; Villain Window Toss; Kryptonite Disposal; and Library Friends Rescue. Once the children completed all activities, they received a prize by punching through the paper cover of the Punch Board.

Michelle Heffernan Schwartzhoff of Dorchester has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for more than half of her 46 years of life. Diagnosed 25 years ago, her family says she feels fortunate that those outside of her family and close friends were not aware of her MS because her symptoms were mainly sensory and noticed only by her until just about four years ago. Now, she uses a cane to help her walk and progressively struggles with daily pain and the accomplishment of day-to-day tasks.
In an effort to potentially alleviate some of her symptoms, Schwartzhoff has been selected to take part in a StemGenex Adult Adipose Clinical Study for Multiple Sclerosis in California in September of this year. She has a place reserved for her in the study, and her family is in the process of helping her raise the funds necessary to maintain her place in that study.

by Bob Beach

During public comment time at the regular meeting of the Waukon City Council  Monday, August 17, Jesse Delaney of Bruening Rock Products said that he thinks that Bruening "got thrown under the bus" at the Council's last meeting, referring to the final cost of the Logan Street project being nearly double the price bid. Delaney said that he had not prepared a formal bid for the City on the project but had quoted a price to developer Dick Sullivan for simply laying some rock on the street. Delaney added that what was done on Logan Street was similar to what was done in the West Side Development and pointed out that the material costs for Logan Street were honored even though the bid was submitted last April.

A familiar face has recently returned to the beauty scene in Waukon, as Jane Saddler Punelli has come back to the local area with her nearly three decades of experience in the cosmetology industry - a vast majority of that experience taking place right here in northeast Iowa.
"I previously owned Best Impressions Salon in Waukon for 19 years," Punelli said. "I had to relocate to Des Moines for family reasons and am now able to return. I have missed having my own business and the people of this area."
Punelli is currently established within the Hair Body & Mind Salon & Spa location at 30 West Main Street in Waukon, where she rents a chair from salon owner Kim Sylvester but operates independently. As part of that overall salon and spa facility, she offers a full service of hair cutting and styling for men, women and children, as well as spray tanning, waxing and a variety of nail finishing services.

by Bob Beach

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a motorcycle accident Sunday, July 19 at approximately 8:20 p.m. on State Highway 9 east of Churchtown.
The Sheriff’s Department reported that Stacy Lynn Riley of Waukon, age 45, lost control of the motorcycle she was driving and left the roadway. She suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident and was transported to Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon before being transported by helicopter to another hospital for treatment. Her condition is not being released as of the Tuesday print deadline for this week's issue of The Standard.
The accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol and the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. Assisting at the scene were the Lansing Ambulance Service and Lansing Fire Department.
 

by Bob Beach

Waukon Corn Days is fast approaching and the event is still in need of volunteers of all types. Waukon Corn Days offers a unique opportunity to volunteer within the community. In order for the 2015 Corn Days celebration to run effectively and efficiently, additional volunteers are needed to handle necessary tasks to ensure that the event runs smoothly.
It is a fact that volunteers are critical to the success of community events. Anyone interested in helping provide this important service can contact Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Dugan at 563-568-4110 or by e-mail at waukoncc@mchsi.com.
 

The Waukon Corn Days Annual Weekend Celebration is scheduled to be held Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16 throughout the Waukon community. The 2015 event includes three days and nights of events and activities for the entire family.
Friday night, attendees can enjoy a Sweet Corn Meal and Parade, the Crowning of Corn Days Royalty, a Celebrity Dunk Tank and a Sweet Corn Eating Contest. Saturday's highlights include the Veterans Memorial Hospital 5K Run/Walk, a Craft Show and Farmers’ Market, Kids Games, a Classic Car Show, Bean Bag and Frisbee Golf Tournaments, Toilet Bowl Races and a Street Dance. The final day, Sunday, will feature a Fly-In Breakfast and Airplane Rides, Fire Truck Rides, Paintball, a Petting Farm and Pedal Tractor Races.