River Valley

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 announces the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in grades K-12 can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.

Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Video must be saved to a DVD or flash drive, or uploaded to an online video platform (e.g., YouTube or Vimeo) and submitted to a local Auxiliary for judging.  The video must be recorded between July 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Entries will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.

Downtown Lansing has seen remarkable growth in the past year. According to statistics collected by Main Street Lansing, Lansing experienced an increase in businesses, employees and downtown residents in the past 12 months.

“Seeing so much positive growth in Lansing is very encouraging, especially considering the fact that there was a global shutdown due to a pandemic only a year ago,” said Andy Kelleher, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing.

From 2020 to 2021, downtown Lansing gained five businesses; four new businesses and one that relocated to a downtown space. These businesses include:

The Gourmet Traveler, located at 211 Main Street, offers unique kitchen items, home decor and specialty gourmet foods.

Backwater Suites, located at 10 South 2nd Street, offers locally-owned vacation lodging one block from the Mississippi River.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

City of Lansing Mayor Melissa Hammell will be contacting RAGBRAI 2022 officials this week to let them know Lansing would like to be considered as the last stop along the annual bike ride’s route next year.

The mayor was authorized to take this action by the Lansing City Council’s approval of Resolution No. 955 during its regular meeting Monday, November 15. The 2022 RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party, a ticketed event, is scheduled for January 28, 2022 in Des Moines. RAGBRAI 2022 is scheduled to be held July 23-30, 2022.

Lansing has been a host city for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) two times - 1977 and 2017 - since the annual ride began in 1973. According to Wikipedia, it holds the distinction of being the “city with the next-to-longest time between hosting,” at 40 years - second only to Iowa City, at 42 years (1976 and 2018). RAGBRAI has passed through all 99 of Iowa’s counties in its history.

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 announces the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” recorded between July 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Contest entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 by March 31, 2022 via DVD or flash drive, or an online video platform. Interested youth, parents/guardians and teachers should email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com for information.
 

Ten area ambulance services received $600 donations from AcenTek in appreciation for the volunteer services they provide the communities they serve. Emergency medical services in Clermont, Harpers Ferry, New Albin, Ossian and Waterville in Iowa all received $600 donations. In Minnesota, ambulance services in Brownsville, Caledonia, Houston, Ostrander and Rushford also received the donation as well. The donations are made up of collections from the AcenTek staff and the board of directors match. Each year contributions are made to local nonprofits in the areas the company serves.

The donations were met this year with an overwhelming cry for more volunteers for these emergency services. Several of these small departments are lacking volunteers and termination of those services is possible if they do not get more people involved. The donations were met with gratitude; however, people volunteering is what many of these small emergency medical departments need the most.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

During its regular meeting Monday, November 1, the Lansing City Council approved lighting the bridge that will replace the historic Black Hawk Bridge in the next few years.

“The council approved bridge lighting - meaning we are giving the DOT (Iowa Department of Transportation) the go-ahead to install the (necessary) wiring, etc.,” Lansing Mayor Melissa Hammell further explained. “Formal discussion on how to pay for that still needs to happen.”

Referring to information provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), Mayor Hammell said, “the City will receive a construction agreement in late 2022 or early 2023 which will outline the City costs for utilities plus the lighting. If there is need for fund raising, there is still time. The project will be let July 2023. Installation of the lighting would occur after bridge construction, likely before it is open to traffic - late 2025 is the estimate.”

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Local students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to compete for $33,000 in national scholarships.

Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork.  Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted.  The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature.

Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary will advance to District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition.  State first-place winners compete for their share of $33,000 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

The Lansing City Council voted Monday night, November 1 to approve sending out Requests for Proposals to renovate the historic Lansing Stone School into apartment units, using an Iowa Economic Development Association (IEDA) downtown housing grant.

The annual Fall Migration Day will be held Saturday, November 13 from 9-11 a.m. at the River View Park observation deck in the middle of Ferryville, WI. Scopes (such as pictured above) will be set up by Dan Jackson and Michael White for better viewing of the migrating water fowl. Swans, bald eagles, herons, white pelicans and many species of ducks are all possibilities for viewing that day. Treats will be provided. This event is for every level of birder and for families who want an outside activity in the morning. For more information, call Joanne White at 319-240-5692 to leave a message, and a call will be returned. More information can also be found on the Ferryville, WI Facebook pages. Submitted photo.
 

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host the Driftless Birding Fest November 12 and 13. The Driftless Birding Fest will include speakers, exhibits, and guided and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots.

The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry, and the Ferryville, WI overlook.

Friday, November 12 from 6-8 p.m. “Raptors of Iowa” will be presented at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center.  Following the presentation, from 8-10 p.m., there will be an “Owl Prowl” to find and hear owls on the bluffs surrounding the nature center.