Community News

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 27 to address a short agenda of matters including the consideration of appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission, consideration of the hiring and appointment of a Deputy Sheriff, and the consideration of a change order relating to the Allamakee Public Safety Center Water System Modification Program. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present. There were no comments during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

Following the time allotted for Public Comment, the meeting moved into the review of a plat request for the Mary Wachter Estate, et al. Administrative Assistant Claire Opperman with Planning and Zoning provided an overview of the plat request with the Supervisors approving the matter following review.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Mississippi River shimmered in the early autumn light as a small convoy of canoes navigated steadily downstream. Leading the group, Nikki Bettis, a mother of 15, skillfully guided her youngest daughter through the morning current. Together with her seven youngest children, Bettis is on a transformative journey known as 32 Feet Up, which redefines resilience, adventure, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

From the headwaters of Minnesota to the rolling bluffs of northeastern Iowa and on down the mighty Mississippi, Bettis and her children have spent weeks traversing the 2,350-mile stretch of river that has historically supported steamboats and commerce. Their floating fleet - comprising four canoes, an adopted grandfather named Smoky, and a support vehicle shadowing them from the shore - serves as part expedition, part classroom, and part act of personal renewal.

Saturday, November 1 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present a program commemorating the “Red Ball Express” truck unit during World War II which relied upon the U.S. Army “Deuce and a Half” truck to supply the Allied break-out from the Normandy D-Day beaches across France and into Germany.

A video documentary will be presented at the Veterans Museum, located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. The program will also include a presentation by Darren Burroughs about his father’s “Deuce and a Half” truck (pictured below) which is displayed in front of the museum. The replica 50-caliber machine gun created by Burroughs will also be mounted on Bugsy Burroughs’ former “Tank Yank” for display only during this program.

The public is invited to attend. There is no admission or membership charge. The museum facility is handicapped accessible.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the Resolution relating to the employment agreement with a new city manager, consideration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Interim Street Superintendent Employment Agreement, and discussion relating to Kwik Trip/Kwik Star’s request to purchase the city’s parking lot south of its Rossville Road store.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon. Council member Dave Blocker attended the meeting via Zoom web-conferencing.

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.