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New research on monarchs by Iowa State University scientists offers important insights to those trying to boost populations by planting habitat close to corn and soybean fields.

The research indicates maximum increases in Iowa monarch populations are expected if habitat is established near crop fields, assuming that Integrated Pest Management recommendations are used and insecticide spray drift management practices are followed.

The research helps answer important questions related to the long-term sustainability of North America’s eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which is under consideration for listing as a threatened or endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE IN WAUKON - MONDAY, MAY 31
• Memorial Day Parade will line up at 9:15 a.m. and begins at 9:45 a.m. in front of Allamakee County Courthouse on Allamakee Street and travels south down Rossville Road to Oakland Cemetery (weather permitting)
• Memorial Day Observance Program follows parade, approximately 10 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery (at Waukon Banquet Center in the event of rain):
• Invocation - Pastor Bryan Mincks, Iron Ridge Church
• National Anthem - Bailey Sherman
• Pledge of Allegiance - Children volunteers
• General Logan’s Orders - Ethan Hooten
• Band Selection - Waukon High School Band
• Memorial Wreath Laying - Lindsey & Ella Lund and Grace Murphy
• POW/MIA Recognition - Moment of Silence
• Mrs. Poppy - Lisa Hagen
• Miss Poppy - Katherine and Hannah Hagen
• God Bless America - Waukon High School Band

Ozzie Quandahl selected as Grand Marshal in Waukon

After being modified - or even canceled altogether - last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the Memorial Day observances in the local area will return to their traditional format this year in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country. With the exception of the community of New Albin and its yet modified observance this year, the traditions of parades, full cemetery programs and wreath laying will be returning to area communities.

Memorial Day 2021 observances in the area communities of Waukon, Lansing, Harpers Ferry and New Albin are further detailed in the boxed listings surrounding this article. All are scheduled for Monday, May 31.

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled its 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet for Saturday, June 12 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The meal will be served from 7-8:30 p.m. and the awards program starts at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

The annual Allamakee County Dairy Banquet celebration recognizes the importance of the dairy industry in Allamakee County and the contributions dairy families make to the industry. Every year top producers from the county are recognized at the banquet. In addition, several other awards are presented that evening. The 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Princess will also be crowned.

WHEREAS, America is the land of freedom, preserved and protected willingly and freely by citizen solders;

WHEREAS, millions who have answered the call to arms have died on the field of battle;

WHEREAS, a nation at peace must be reminded of the price of war and the debt owed to those who have died in war;

WHEREAS, the red poppy has been designated as a symbol of sacrifice of lives in all wars;

WHEREAS, the American Legion Auxiliary has pledged to remind America annually of this debt through the distribution of the memorial flower;

THEREFORE, I, Pat Stone, Mayor of the City of Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, do hereby proclaim May 28 and May 29, 2021 as American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Days and ask that all citizens pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy.
 

by Lissa Blake

The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) are holding a public hearing and requesting public input for a proposed replacement of the Iowa 9/Wisconsin 82 (Black Hawk) bridge in Lansing over the Mississippi River.

In order to accommodate the new bridge, approximately 5.9 acres of easement and fee title is needed from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Iowa Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a de minimis impact finding in accordance with 23 CFR 774 as the project is not expected to adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the refuge. The Iowa DOT would like to gather public feedback on the environmental documentation, preferred alternative and potential impacts related to the planned improvements.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an alert to boaters to use caution at the Lansing Village Creek boat access with lower water predicted through this next week. Boats could run aground as river levels drop due to a partial closure of the boat channel at the mouth of the creek and the channel going under the bridge.

Boaters are encouraged to seek other ramps in the area, including New Albin’s Army Road north of Lansing and at Heytman’s Landing, south of Lansing. There are many ramps on the Wisconsin side of the river as well. The Big Slough and Winneshiek Slough Landings are just beyond the Iowa/Wisconsin border after crossing the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing. Blackhawk Park near the De Soto, WI area has multiple ramps and Dairyland Power access south of Genoa, WI also has plenty of parking.

Waukon native Paul Osterholm has shared his kidney donation story as part of a book that became available in late April of this year and also climbed to Best Seller status on Amazon just a few days following its release. Osterholm will be returning to his native hometown Saturday, May 29 with the woman he shares that story with and - as of October 2018 - also shared one of his kidneys with for a book donation presentation and signing event at Robey Memorial Library.

“Because of Organ Donation: A Collection of Inspiring Stories Celebrating the Gift of Life” is a collection of 25 organ donation stories from a variety of individuals, including NASCAR Cup driver Joey Gase telling his late mother’s story, with a forward written by Bill Ryan, President and CEO of Transplant Games of America and the Transplant Life Foundation.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will be hosting Main Street Story Walk in June featuring the children’s story “The Things I Can Do” by Jeff Mack. During the month of June families are encouraged to read this story at selected businesses as they stroll the downtown area. When joining in the fun, participants are reminded to practice social distancing and to be careful crossing the downtown streets for the safety and health of all. Seven selected businesses have a portion of the story posted in the front window of their establishment for viewing from the sidewalk. Each stop along the story walk will direct participants to the next location. Selected businesses are located on West Main Street, Spring Avenue and Rossville Road and are labeled and numbered on the above map at the following locations: 1. WAX by Amber; 2. Howards Home Furnishings;  3. Teslow’s Formal Wear;  4. KNEI Radio;  5. J Nails & Spa;  6. Mirror Images;  7. State Farm Insurance. Submitted image.