Letter to the Editor: We need you!

To the Editor:

Just yesterday, I had a Waukon RAGBRAI Housing Request Form come across my desk and as I looked it over I was so intrigued. Jack and his wife, Lucille, will be riding this year’s RAGBRAI ride and it will be their 25th year of riding. They are not part of a biking group but ride alone.

This is not a unique request, except for the fact that Lucille is 90 and Jack is 89! Now, that had my attention and I was and am compelled to help them out. What a good chance for anyone to have the opportunity to visit with these fine people and to learn from them. Think of the stories they can tell.

Our RAGBRAI Housing Committee needs to find host homes to house special people just like Jack and Lucille.  We are asking our residents to show their hospitality by opening up a bed(s), floor space or backyard.

The cost to you is nothing except maybe a little hot water. You are not liable as a host and you do not need to feed them unless that’s a part of your hospitality message to your guests. The riders come in on Friday afternoon and are gone early Saturday morning so they are not disrupting much of your schedules.

We have 30 or more requests coming in each day for help in finding housing, so we are going to need you.

If I could, I would move my house to Waukon and would open it up to as many people as it would hold. I would view this as an opportunity to meet new people and perhaps make new friendships.

OK, Waukon, who will step forward for me and host Jack and Lucille?

Please consider carefully helping out the Waukon RAGBRAI Committee in showcasing who we are by stepping up to our plea for host homes. Again, Waukon, we need you!

Ardie Kuhse
Waukon Economic
Development Director

P.S.  If you can’t be a host home, please consider being a volunteer. Better yet - why not do both!?!?