Abel and Jessica Smith of West Union announce the birth of their son, Alexander Zachery Smith, born December 2, 2020 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and measured 20-3/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a sister, Evelyn (4).
Grandparents are Debbie Preuser of St. Olaf, Gail Miller of West Union and Bill Preuser of Osage.
Hello Friends! One of the great marvels of creation is the process of metamorphosis, that being the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly. This process can be compared to when a person asks Jesus Christ to come into his or her life as their Lord and Savior and the resulting transformation in that person’s life from that decision. For the followers of Jesus Christ, this is called being born-again.
Well, today I’d like to share about another metamorphosis - one that takes place in a nation. Remember, metamorphosis is the process of changing form or shape, structure or substance. In the book of Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20 we read, “woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 11: CFAP 2 Signup; Dairy Margin Coverage Signup
December 25: Office Closed in Observance of Christmas
March 15: 2021 ARCPLC Signup
December 2020 FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of December and are as follows:
• 0.250% for 3 years
• 0.375% for 5 years
• 0.625% for 7 years
• 0.875% for 10 years
• 1.000% for 12 years
An inspiring view in a time of uncertainty ... The long-standing blue metal shed on the farm property of the late Lloyd and Ethel Meehan west of Harpers Ferry along Lansing Harpers Road received a picturesque facelift throughout this past summer and fall with the mural pictured above that now graces the side of the building facing the “T” intersection of State Forest Road with Lansing Harpers Road. Rural Harpers Ferry resident Mary Willie was granted permission from the Meehan family members who currently own the farm to paint this mural representative of the area in an effort for her to lift the spirits of others during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while also serving as a bit of therapy for herself during the past several months of social distancing and uncertainty. Submitted photo.
Seasonal adjustments... Whether it was the warmth of summer or the chilly winds of fall, Mary Willie of rural Harpers Ferry could likely be found painting the mural she created on a farm shed west of Harpers Ferry during the past nine months. Willie often noticed the shed when she traveled to and from nearby Yellow River State Forest, thinking it would be an ideal location for an outdoor mural. Submitted photo.
by Kelli Boylen
It’s hard to say CO-VID-19 is positive in any way, but sometimes something positively beautiful can come from uncommon, not-so-positive things. Such could be said about the new look of the blue metal shed located on the former Lloyd and Ethel Meehan farm west of Harpers Ferry.
Mary Willie of rural Harpers Ferry wanted to find a different way to connect with others when recommended COVID social restrictions started last spring. She was feeling anxious and isolated from her friends, so she turned to her art.
Performing at annual Ecumenical Concert this Sunday ... The Ecumenical Men’s Choir known as the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers will be performing at the Allamakee Ecumenical Choir’s 44th Annual Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols this Sunday, December 13 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, beginning at 7 p.m. The group is pictured above donning the new tuxedos made available to its members through a generous gift from Dr. Richard Hermeier, and they appreciate Dr. Hermeier’s gift and continued sponsorship support of their musical efforts. Pictured above, left to right, are: Front row - Chris Stuckman, Cameron Berges, Jeff Goettel, Brian Bieber, James Bieber; Back row - Randy Johnsen, Dolan Jones, John Payne, Greg Hagensick. Not pictured: Jonathan Buhl. Submitted photo.
The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will present its 44th annual Candlelight Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols service this Sunday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW in Waukon. Area clergy will read the lessons, and carols will be sung by the assembly present along with organ accompaniment.
Choral numbers will be presented by the Ecumenical Men’s Choir, also known as the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers. Musical selections will also be presented by the St. John’s Lutheran Church Youth and Senior Handbell Choirs and the Bixby String Trio. The program is prepared and directed by James Bieber, Organist and Director of Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and he is assisted by his daughter, Waukon Middle and High School Choral Director Sarah Bieber.
These thoughtful and grateful individuals stood outside the entrance areas of Veterans Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room, Good Samaritan Society and Gundersen Health System Clinic in Waukon Tuesday, December 1, expressing their appreciation and support for the efforts of healthcare and other frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “What a great little ray of sunshine during this hard time!” one local healthcare worker shared. “Thanks for the support!” Submitted photo.
Throughout the month of November, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. in Waukon hosted its Fill-A-Truck Holiday Drive, collecting gifts and necessities to give to area nursing home residents in Allamakee County in an effort to make their holiday season a little more special since many won’t be able to spend the holidays with family due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For each item donated to the drive, the donor’s name was put into a weekly drawing for a variety of gift certificates, t-shirts and other prizes from Allamakee County businesses. As evident in the photo above, a variety of items such as books, blankets, toiletry items, games, movies, stationery, calendars and other personal care items were donated, with those items being delivered to area nursing homes this past week. Pictured above with the truck full of donated items are, left to right, R.W. Pladsen, Inc. staff members Greg Halverson, Karina Opperman, Bob Kubitz, Carli Quandahl and Steve Pladsen.
Allamakee County experienced another series of record high case counts for COVID-19 this past week, reporting a new record high total for both single-day cases, as well as for the entire past week. The State of Iowa reports that 111 new cases were confirmed in the county in the past week’s timeframe dating from Tuesday, December 1 through Monday, December 7, eclipsing the previous weekly high of 108 cases from three weeks earlier and marking the third 100-plus weekly case total for Allamakee County since the pandemic began.
All three of those century-mark case totals have happened within the past four weeks, with the fourth of those weeks totaling just under 100 - 95 cases. Those past four weeks have represented the four highest weekly case totals so far for Allamakee County since case counts began in Iowa for the pandemic in March of this year.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 7 via Zoom web-conferencing to address a full agenda of items including the hiring of a consultant to assist in drafting a new industrial contract for sanitary sewage treatment, discussion relating to enforcement of ordinances and contract provisions with Aveka Nutra Processing and the purchase of a tractor and mower for City Park maintenance.
There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Department Reports with Library Director Cate St. Clair providing a brief update relating to Robey Memorial Library.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canadian Pacific (CP) to forego its annual Holiday Train journey this year that has made stops in both Lansing and New Albin in Allamakee County the past several years. Not wanting to completely cancel the event and all its beneficial good will, Canadian Pacific has, instead, opted to pursue a more virtual avenue with both its musical performances and its fundraising that have been part of the Holiday Train’s annual trek during the holiday season.
Musical performers Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline CP’s 2020 “Holiday Train at Home” concert, which will stream on CP’s Facebook page this Saturday, December 12. The event will raise money and awareness and help local food banks collect much-needed donations this year.
