River Valley

Kerndt Brothers Bank in Lansing recently announced its financial commitment in the amount of $7,000 to support the Lansing Park Board Splash Pad Project on South Front Street. The project is titled “The Big Splash” and furthers the work spearheaded by the Lansing Lions Club in 2017 when the club completed the “The Big Catch” project. Arlen Wonderlich and Steve Casterton, in conjunction with the Lansing Park Board, are leading the community fund raising effort with a goal of raising $77,700, and they report that the goal is within reach.

The New Albin Public Library will be hosting Story Time with Dan Wardell as part of Dan’s Reading Road Trip sponsored by Iowa Public Television. Area youth and families are invited to attend the Wednesday, June 19 event that begins at 10 a.m. at the New Albin Public Library, located at 137 Railroad Avenue SW in New Albin.

Those attending can meet Dan Wardell, hear a story and receive an official superhero card. His message to area youth during their summer break from school will be to turn off their screen devices, get up and play, use their imagination, read good books and make healthy choices.
 

The 2019 Taste of Lansing event held Thursday, May 30 sold a record-breaking 172 passports, with many first-time participants coming from the surrounding communities. A passport granted people access to a sample of food from 31 different businesses in downtown Lansing, with plenty of great food to choose from. In addition to touring the businesses downtown, people were able to get their first look at three new businesses in downtown Lansing: The Dharma House, Boutiques on Main and Polished on Main. Every participant who turned in their passport at the end of the event was entered into a drawing for a prize of $100. This year’s winner was Gail Terwilliger of Lansing, pictured above. Submitted photo.
 

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council held its regular meeting Monday, June 3. Discussion centered around the adoption of the consent agenda, a public hearing, a street report update, posting City Marina docks for sale and approving raising annual salaries.

The consent agenda contained council meeting minutes for May 20, payment of claims, Park and Recreation Board meeting minutes from May 28, Meehan Memorial Public Library Board meeting minutes from April 16, a Kwik Star cigarette permit, River N Ridge liquor license renewal, Marina Board minutes from May 28, the transfer of $10,481.40 from Trust Fund Savings to Trust Fund Checking to reimburse for playground equipment and the transfer of $62.27 from Trust Fund Savings to Trust Fund Checking to reimburse for splash pad mailings. A motion was made and seconded to approve the adoption of the consent agenda.

Area residents can mark their calendars for the fifth annual summer program series to be held in Ferryville, WI. This year’s three program Summer Series is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council. Each program will be held at the Ferryville Village Hall and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Treats will be available.

The first program in this summer series will be held Wednesday, June 12 and will be entitled “Railroading along the Mississippi: Then and Now.” The featured speaker will be Ron Copher, who has had a lifelong interest in railroads and railroading. His grandfather worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 50 years.

Copher began his career with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in 1967 and switched to the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1969. He began on the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad as a fireman and was promoted to engineer in 1971.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will be hosting Gary Eldred of The Prairie Enthusiasts for an interactive flint knapping demonstration Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Along with Eldred will be other Driftless Area residents who share a passion for flint knapping and bow making in traditional Native American styles.

Flint knapping is the art of making arrowheads, knives and other tools using chipped rock and stones in the same manner Native Americans have done for thousands of years. The demonstration will be free of charge and will be ongoing throughout the day. Visitors to the Driftless Center are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the demonstrators while they are working.

The Allamakee County Fair Board is seeking applicants for the 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen contest, with this year’s fair running July 17-21.

The contest will run similarly to that of the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest. There will be one formal interview conducted by judges. This is where the majority of the judging will take place.

Coronation of the 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen will take place following the “Allamakee County Youth Showcase” Tuesday evening, July 16 at the Allamakee County Pavilion building on the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. This event will begin at 7 p.m.

At this event, each Fair Queen contestant will be asked to share her favorite Allamakee County Fair memory. The 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen and Allamakee County Fair Princess will be announced and crowned at the conclusion of the Youth Showcase.

The Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (NEIRHTF) is accepting applications for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance and housing rehabilitation\improvement projects. Applicants can be low-moderate income first-time homebuyers, homeowners, landlord/for-profit organizations or non-profit organizations to promote and create affordable housing activities.

All applicants must be in one of the following counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. Eligible projects include rehabilitation and repair of existing housing, including, but not limited, to roofs, windows, siding, plumbing, electrical, energy efficiency, lead paint issues and handicap accessibility.

Taste of Lansing will be returning Thursday, May 30. From 4:30-7 p.m., downtown businesses will open their doors and offer visitors a taste of something they are known for.

Passports cost $10, and all visitors who turn in their passports will be entered in a drawing for $100. Passports can be purchased at the Main Street Lansing office or at Red Geranium Floral & Gifts. For more information, call 563-538-9229.

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council met Monday, May 20. A motion was made and seconded for Resolution #920 amending the FY2019 Budget. A motion was made and seconded to consider looking at bids to either repair or replace the wall located on Highway 9 near 1417 Main Street.

There will be a public hearing June 3 regarding Clear Creek Crossing. Items such as project specifications and price will be discussed. The current cost estimate for this project is around $300,000. For this project the council approved the Clear Creek Crossing Iowa DNR wastewater section construction permit application, a joint permit application that deals with both the DNR and Corps of Engineers, and a Lansing floodplain development permit.