Top Stories

Around Allamakee, residents don’t have the fairy tale green, medieval mazes of English legend. But we do have corn. And the summer of 2001 will see Iowa’s four-year-old Country Heritage Community Maize Maze grown in Allamakee County, at the Scenic Ridge View Farm of George and Belva Ashbacher, located just off Hwy. 76 near Harpers Ferry.
Receiving the corn maize, says George Ashbacher, didn't come overnight. Ashbacher initially applied to host the maze, assured his ranch would offer a variety of activities for the visitor.

Effigy Mounds National Monument has a new addition to its museum collection - the camera used by Ellison Orr during his years of research in Northeast Iowa.
The camera was donated to the monument by Cecil Cook, on behalf of his brother Charles and sister, Ruth Hawhee - all grandchildren of Ellison Orr. Mr. Cook presented the camera to Park Ranger Dennis Lenzendorf at the conclusion of his June 2 presentation on trains and the Milwaukee Road era in Northeast Iowa. Mr. Cook's presentation was part of the Effigy Mounds Chautauqua lecture series.

According to the recent record of determination on county budget amendments put forth by the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, the county has experienced a $232,127 excess of revenues over expenditures.
County Auditor Bill Roe reports the earned income to be gained through a variety of sources, including the current local option sales tax, federal and state grants and interest gained on county investments.

In a week filled with a number of early "close, but not quite" outcomes, the Waukon Indian baseball team was finally able to break into the win column with its first victory of the season. After a pair of non-conference doubleheaders in which the Tribe came close to picking up a split - falling 8-5 and 5-4 at Cascade Monday, June 5 and at home to Kee High, 6-0 and 21-15, Wednesday, June 7, the Tribe recorded its first win of the season - and it came in dramatic fashion.

The Waukon Indian softball team continued its early season roll with an undefeated week of six more wins, improving its season record to 10-1. The Indians were successful in opening their home season and Northeast Iowa Conference season with a 1-0 victory over Charles City Tuesday, June 6 and continued that success with a doubleheader sweep of Decorah at home Thursday, June 8, downing the Vikings, 7-2, in game one and coming from behind for a 3-2 triumph in game two.

Nicholas Edward Airy was born on May 16 at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. He is the first-born of Bryce and Heather Airy of Alburnett. Nicholas' grandparents are George and Patty Anderson and John and Jan Airy, all of Alburnett. Great-grandmothers are Joan Feller and Betty Anderson of Waukon and Verna Airy of Marion.

LeRoy Arthur Schmidt, 86, of Waukon, died June 4, 2000, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a brief illness.
Funeral services were held Saturday, June 10, at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Waukon. Rev. Lynn Groe conducted the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Letter to Arlene Rooney:
The remains of your late husband, GMC George Rooney, United States Navy, were committed to the sea as requested. The remains were brought to USS SIDES on May 12, 2000, while in port at Naval Station San Diego, at the direction of the Commander at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA.

Helen Mellick, 88, of Waukon, died June 5, 2000, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.
Funeral services were held June 9, 2000, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon with Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg conducting. Burial took place at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Waukon.
Helen Marie Mellick was born Feb. 7, 1912, in rural Allamakee County to Charles and Sarah “Sadie” Kilpatrick.

While Iowa has the RAGBRAI, Northeast Iowa now has the “BRANEI.” The inaugural BRANEI, otherwise known as the “Bike Ride Around NorthEast Iowa,” is to occur July 7 through 9.
Designed with families in mind, the ride begins and ends in Elkader and visits four counties in Northeast Iowa - Clayton, Allamakee, Winneshiek and Fayette. Participants can ride one or both days, with each day covering approximately 60 miles.