The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will celebrate Veterans Day by offering three programs to the public in the Program Room (pictured at right) of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on Allamakee Street in Waukon.
Thursday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m. a video interview with World War II Army veteran Lynn Morrow recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by a video documentary about the U,S, Navy battleship USS Iowa, BB-61.
Saturday, November 13 at 10 a.m. a video interview with World War II Navy nurse Harriet Hanson recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by the USS Iowa documentary. Also taking place Saturday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m., a video interview with World War II Army veteran Carl Beal recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by the USS Iowa documentary.
Many may have noticed the absence of Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leddia Tallman for a three-month span this past summer, but many may not realize that absence was due to another calling to dedicated service.
Tallman, who was hired as the Chamber’s executive director in the spring of 2020, is also a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, and she spent mid-June to mid-September of this year at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina training with the National Guard to become an Adjutant General Officer. Tallman is currently a Second Lieutenant with the Guard, and is anticipating being soon promoted to First Lieutenant.
Tallman’s training this summer included working with members of the Army Reserves and Army Active Duty to expand her knowledge in Military Human Resources Systems across the Army as a whole. She currently serves as the Battalion S1 (Human Resources Officer) for the 133d Infantry Battalion of the Iowa National Guard based out of Waterloo.
Waukon Mayor Pat Stone (left) conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Mason Kwilinski (right) as a new officer for the Waukon Police Department prior to the regular meeting of the Waukon City Council Monday, November 1. Kwilinski joins the Waukon Police Department as a certified officer with 2-1/2 years of experience serving with the Marquette/McGregor Police Department. Submitted photo.
Representatives from member school districts of the Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) convened their Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 26 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. RSAI advocates on behalf of the students, parents and communities in rural Iowa, to ensure that all students have access to a great Iowa education, regardless of where they live. RSAI members include over 140 Iowa school districts but several are among the largest geographic school districts in the state.
School Funding, known as State Supplemental Assistance, or SSA, was a clear priority for RSAI members. Superintendent Dr. Dan Peterson, Central DeWitt Community School District, said this funding is not just a priority but supports the very survival of rural schools.
“We have 47 fewer school districts than we did just 20 years ago,” he stated.
State of Iowa Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald and College Savings Iowa are spreading the joy this holiday season with contributions to education savings. Residents in Allamakee County can register at Iowa529Contest.com through Friday, December 31 to win a $529 contribution to their College Savings Iowa 529 account.
“Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a boost to your education fund,” said Fitzgerald. “And during the season of giving, consider making a contribution to an existing account or opening your first one. Invest in a child’s future by giving them a meaningful gift.”
A program offering $2,000 scholarships is now open to Iowa high school seniors. Students not only have a chance at much-needed funds for college but can also learn ways to reduce college loan debt through the program.
Iowa high school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How between now and March 11. Once registered, students will receive instructions via email on completing two online modules and a related assessment. Scholarships will be awarded to the students who score highest on the assessment or are determined through a tie-breaker. The two modules, Student Loan Game Plan and the Return on College Investment tool, are designed to help students and families determine maximum recommended levels of student loan debt and find ways to minimize the debt they need to repay.
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.
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.
DOMEWARD BOUND!!!!! ... Members of the Waukon football team celebrate what the scoreboard in the background shows, the Indians’ 28-14 home victory Friday, November 5 over North Fayette Valley that advanced them to their fifth consecutive berth in the Class 2A State Play-Off Semifinals. The Indians will now take their 10-1 season record to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls this Saturday, November 13 where they will take on the 10-1 Southeast Valley Jaguars in a State Semifinals match-up scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
Indians will play 10-1 Southeast Valley in State Semifinals this Saturday at the UNI-Dome
by Perry Hesse
Death, taxes, and the Waukon football team advancing to the semifinals. One could say these are the certainties in life as the Indians posted a 28-14 Class 2A State Play-Off Quarterfinals victory over North Fayette Valley (NFV) Friday, November 5 to advance to the semifinal round. The win marks the fifth straight year Waukon will play in the Class 2A State Semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls as the Indians look to repeat as Class 2A State Champions, with their next game being this Saturday, November 13 against 10-1 Southeast Valley.
