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We're on our way “down under” where everyone is called “matey” and the standard greeting is “G'day.” Australia is the world's largest island and the smallest continent. Australia is the size of the United States. The Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea lie to the east; the Indian Ocean lies to the west. Australia has 22,500 miles of shoreline. There is a perimeter road with local bus service all around the continent. The Australian landmass embraces every climate and terrain from tropical to frigid, from mountains, valleys and deserts to rich grazing fields and fertile farm land.

By Tanya O’Connor
For 49 years, Father Ed Lechtenberg has run his fingertips over scores of infants, blessing them into the Church. He has also confirmed hundreds of teen-agers, celebrated the joy of the marriage mass and eased suffering when loved ones inevitably pass on.
“I’ve been a priest for 49 years and I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” says Fr. Ed. And after 14 years of service to St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Waukon, the affiliate parish of St. Mary’s, Lycurgus, and the oratory of St. John the Baptist, West Ridge, Fr. Ed has chosen to retire.

In May of 1995, DuWayne Snitker assumed the responsibilities of Waukon’s Street Superintendent and Zoning Administrator. The job had previously been held by Butch Kessel in conjunction with his responsibilities as Waukon’s Water and Sewer Superintendent. The City Council had determined that there was too much to do for one person and reestablished the separate streets job that year. Waukon’s mayor from 1986 to 1990, DuWayne came to the job with experience and insight into the workings of city government.

The Waukon Swim Club split its pair of meets this past week, suffering its first dual meet loss of the season to currently stand with a 2-1 record on the year. Waukon left Elkader/Strawberry Point in its wake at home Tuesday, June 20 by a 553-161 final result, but was tripped up by the host squad at the Decorah Invitational Thursday, June 22 by a 443-299 tally.
Waukon will play host to Calmar this Thursday, June 29 and West Union next Thursday, July 6 before hosting its multiple-team Waukon Invitational next Saturday, July 8.

The Waukon Indian softball team remained perfect in Northeast Iowa Conference action, but did get tripped up this week in winning three of four games. The Tribe claimed two more NEIC wins, 1-0 Monday, June 19 at Crestwood and 5-3 at home over Class 3A eighth-rated Waverly-Shell Rock Wednesday, June 21.

The Waukon Indian baseball team tripled its win total in just a week's time, beginning the week with just one win to its credit for the season, but picking up two more wins in five games this week to stand with a mark of 3-17, 2-6 in the Northeast Iowa Conference. The Tribe opened the week with a 5-1 loss at Crestwood of Cresco Monday, June 19 and then picked up an 8-7 home win over Waverly-Shell Rock Wednesday, June 21.

Red, white and blue balloons will be released over Waukon as part of a nationwide effort to raise money to build the National World War II Memorial. Although over 16 million people served in uniform and millions more supported the war effort at home, there is currently no memorial to World War II. In 1993 Congress tasked the American Battle Monuments Commission with raising funds for and constructing a National World War II Memorial to honor the contributions and sacrifices made by those serving in the military and on the home front during this critical time in U.S. history.

The Waukon Standard newspaper has moved to the technological cutting edge, by recently going “on-line.” The paper is now accessible on the world wide web at www.waukonstandard.com and joins the 1700 newspapers around the United States that are already on line.

George Blair of Dorchester was in attendance at the June 26 Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting to address drainage issues which, according to Blair, could affect citizens of Dorchester in the event of continued rainfall.
Blair's concern falls to the dike located near the former Dorchester school. The area suffered damage during recent heavy rain, creating a fault line in the dike itself and a sizable wash-out nearby.

Downtown Waukon was alive with the sound of music on the evening of June 19, as a group from the high school jazz band entertained shoppers and evening walkers in front of the courthouse. Meanwhile, an “animal choir” was busy rehearsing for their performance at the Area Development and Visitors Center.