Community News

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau will be hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning for the building site at the former Girl Scout Camp in rural Allamakee County, Camp Tahigwa. The open house is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, November 14 at the former Camp Tahigwa location at 318 Tahigwa Drive near Dorchester.

For more information or for special accommodations for the open house, contact Yellow River State Forest at 563-586-2254.
 

The Old Stone House (pictured above) has been an integral part of Allamakee County history. Local historian Cindy Berns of Postville will talk about the iconic landmark at a meeting of the Allamakee County Historical Society Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community room at Robey Memorial Library, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Veterans Memorial Hospital issues statement

Mayo Clinic Health System has announced that it will close the doors on its Waukon clinic location as of December 14 of this year. That announcement was made public Friday evening, October 25.
In a letter received by Waukon Mayor Pat Stone, Mayo officials cited the closing of the clinic is in light of the obstacles faced in rural healthcare settings nationwide, noting: “This decision reflects the changing landscape and challenges facing rural health care nationwide. We considered numerous options and alternatives to serving the community; however, none were sustainable in the long term.”

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 28 to address a full agenda of items including the Red Ribbon Week Proclamation, a land donation for the Conservation Board and quotes for a new pick-up truck for the Secondary Roads Department.

During Public Comment, Dennis Blocker with the Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club asked for an update on the proposed changes to the County’s ATV Ordinance allowing ATV use within Yellow River State Forest. Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer indicated that County Attorney Anthony Gericke had responded by email and provided an overview of the process necessary to change the existing ordinance with public hearings being necessary. Schellhammer indicated that he has received a lot of feedback on the matter and that he would not be in support of changing the ordinance with the risks outweighing the rewards.

The City of Waukon has set its official Trick-or-Treat time for Halloween for Thursday, October 31 from 4-8 p.m. Area residents are asked to leave porch lights on to welcome trick-or-treaters,  and the youngsters are reminded to keep safety in mind while making their rounds from house to house.

St. Paul's UMC "All Hallows Eve"
Again this year St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon will be hosting a trick-or-treat event Thursday, October 31, handing out fun from 4-7 p.m. Entrance is at the front of the church at 27 Second Avenue NW to wander through a warm, dry, non-scary wonderland of decorations, treats, and to get a free book before exiting onto First Street NW on the side of the church. The event takes place rain or shine. Call 563-568-3678 with any questions.

The Allamakee Community Players will be presenting the Billy St. John comedy “Murder’s in the Heir” in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from any cast member or can be reserved by calling Karla Lubahn at 563-568-4640 or Kris Larson at 563-864-7766. Pictured above are members of the production’s cast and crew. Left to right - Seated in front: Gwen Schroedel, Kris Larson; Seated in middle row: Vickie Larson, Karla Lubahn, Cheri Turner, Russ Hagen, Cameron Berges, Robin Oden, Mike Sanderson. Standing in back: Sarah Hagen, Mike Larson, Dustin Enyart, Jonathan Buhl, Barb Hagen, Barry Mueller, Chasity Bushaw, Joeann Tesar, Marge Lange, Jada Bushaw, Kim Gates. Submitted photo.
 

The Allamakee County Historic Preservation Commission will be hosting a video presentation this Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m. at the Town Theater in Waukon. The video being presented is entitled “Villisca: Living with a Mystery” and is a true story of a murder of eight family members with an axe in Villisca, IA that took place in June of 1912 and has never been solved. The film examines old suspects and theories, and shines a forensic light on a new one. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 21 to address a full agenda of items including Mayor appointments for Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief, a recommendation for computer and information technology services and discussion of soil and drainage issues at a proposed development.

During Public Comment, Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) advised that Tuesday, October 22 is Census 2020 Applicant Day at Robey Memorial Library with census representatives being available to discuss census-related employment opportunities. Kuhse discussed the importance of the census affecting funding for the county and representation in government.

The Old Stone House (pictured above) has been an integral part of Allamakee County history. Local historian Cindy Berns of Postville will talk about the iconic landmark at a meeting of the Allamakee County Historical Society Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held in the community room at Robey Memorial Library, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. Refreshments will be served following the program.

Cool but pleasant weather allowed the eighth annual local Fields of Faith event in Waukon to take place within its traditional setting on the football field at Waukon High School Wednesday, October 9, drawing another large crowd, as evident in the photo above. Messages of how faith has impacted their lives and allowed them to assist others in faith and other aspects of their lives were shared by a series of six different speakers during the event. Those six are pictured in the individual photos immediately below and included (left to right) MFL/MarMac High School senior Rose Mary McGeough, Waukon High School senior Dawson Baures and Waukon High School sophomore Madelyn Helgerson; former students of Dordt University in Sioux Center Kade Krosschell and Taylan Seaman; and Iowa husband and father of five children Mike DeJong.