Community News

by Joshua Sharpe

The tape binding Mitch Schiffer’s fingers evokes the appearance of aged drywall dust, frayed at the edges from a day spent navigating the challenges of construction. With a resolute exertion, he elevates a stud into position, squints one eye to ensure the level is accurate, and presses the wood against brick that has experienced more years of silence than commerce for nearly a decade.

On Main Street in De Soto, WI, windows of this nature rarely exhibit a polished sheen any longer. Instead, they have transformed into reflective surfaces - only capturing the transient headlights of passing vehicles over the years.

“This building once held a thrift store. Before that, something else. Then nothing.” Schiffer reflects on the passage of time with quiet contemplation.

The Waukon Fields of Faith event celebrated its 14th year of existence on a cool, early fall evening at the Waukon High School football field Wednesday, October 8, drawing another large crowd, as evident in the photos above and far below. Messages of faith and how that faith has impacted and been carried out in their own lives were shared by a series of seven different speakers during the event. Those messages involved the more local personal experiences presented by six area high school students that included Kee High School senior Zach Goetzinger, Waukon High School senior Peyton Smedsrud, Kee High School senior Isaiah Wagner, Waukon High School senior Zach Perkins, Decorah High School senior Stella Pole, and Waukon High School senior Toby Treptau. Waukon High School seniors Elle Wilkins, Noah Hager and Emma O’Neill served as emcees of the event and shared the story of how Fields of Faith began.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 13 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of a County Solid Waste Department personnel matter, consideration of setting dates for the first and second canvass for the November 4 City-School election, and consideration of a rock quarry lease. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Tom Clark and Dennis Keatley present.

Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) members elected two incumbents and one newcomer to its Board of Directors following ACEC’s 87th annual meeting held Monday, September 8.

In District A, incumbent director Brice Wood of Lansing was elected for his second term, receiving more votes than fellow nominee Eaton Cote. In District B, Board President Al Steffens of Clermont received the top votes.

Also elected was newcomer John Bruihler of Hawkeye, as incumbent Roger Arthur of Hawkeye chose not to seek re-election after serving 33 years on the board. Following election night, Bruihler chose not to accept the nomination, citing a family health care matter.

The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will begin weekly rehearsals this Sunday, October 19 at 7 p.m. in the balcony of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. All singers are welcome to attend rehearsal, especially sopranos and altos, to join this year’s group.

Now in its 48th season, the Choir is preparing for a Christmas Festival of Lessons, Carols and a Candlelight Service scheduled for Sunday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Area clergy will read the Christmas story and musical selections will be presented by the Ecumenical Choir, Men’s Choir, and the Youth and Senior Handbell Choirs directed by James Bieber, Organist and Director of Music at St John’s Lutheran Church, and Assistant Director Sarah Sweeney. For more information about the Ecumenical Choir, contact Jim Bieber at 563-380-5355, or the St. John’s Lutheran Church office at 563-568-3623. Submitted photo.
 

The third edition of the “Awesome Rides” photo calendar benefiting the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) has recently rolled off the printer, much like many of the classic vehicles featured inside the calendar once rolled through the streets of the Lansing and New Albin areas - and continue to, in many cases.

Author Karen Gregory, a native of the rural Waterville area, will be involved in a pair of area events during the month of October. Her published work will be featured in a booth display Sunday, October 12 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Osborne Heritage Days at the Osborne Nature Center near Elkader, and again at a book-signing event scheduled for Monday, October 13 from 4-6 p.m. at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon.

Gregory’s most recent published work, Journeys from the Driftless: Growing Up on an Iowa Farm, was inspired by the family farm operated by her parents, Herbert and Katherine Schmidt, where she spent her formative years in rural Waterville. Her memoir enables readers to embark on a nostalgic journey through the Heartland of the U.S. in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. She and her husband are retired and living in Tucson, AZ, where she continues to write for a local ad agency as well.
 

The general public is invited to a meet-and-greet event being hosted by the City of Waukon this Friday, October 10 offering an opportunity for the public to meet the candidates currently being considered for the City of Waukon City Manager position. The public can meet and visit with those candidates in an open house format from 5-6:15 p.m. in the Waukon City Council Chambers located in Waukon City Hall at 101 Allamakee Street.

Waukon City Manager Gary Boden is scheduled to retire from that position at the end of this calendar year. He has served the City of Waukon in that role since the fall of 2019, and City of Waukon officials have been working to find his replacement, with this open house meet-and-greet being another step in that selection process.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 6 to address a full agenda of matters including review of the Board of Adjustment variance at 234 5th Street SE, the Public Hearing on the proposed sale of city owned real property along West Street SW - City Municipal Parking Lot by Kwik Star, and consideration of the Well #5 inspection. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of concerns relating to delays associated with establishing an updated understanding of the roles for the mayor, city clerk and city manager positions.

King of Grace Lutheran Church in Waukon will be hosting an event at the Waukon City Park Sunday, October 12 called “Pumpkins in the Park.” All community members are invited to join King of Grace Lutheran Church for an afternoon of fall fun at the Waukon City Park in the Jaycee shelter from 2-4:30 p.m. that October 12 afternoon. There will be pumpkin decorating, games, a fall photo opportunity, treats, petting zoo, balloon animals and door prizes from local businesses. There will be free pumpkins to decorate and take home. This is a free event for all ages. Join in some community fun for the whole family. Visit the King of Grace Lutheran Church Waukon IA Facebook page for more information. Submitted photo.