Community News

by Julie Berg-Raymond

About 20 people attended the December session of “Let’s Talk Bridges!” at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday evening, December 11.

Present to talk about recent steel work on the new bridge, and to provide information about the demolition of the existing bridge (originally scheduled for this Thursday, December 18, at or about 9:30 a.m., but as of a late announcement Monday, December 15 that date has been pushed back a day to Friday, December 19) were Clayton Burke, project manager, with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and Aaron Rosenbery, project manager, with Kraemer North America (contractor on the bridge project).

The family-friendly monthly series - which is focused on learning about and celebrating the new bridge project at Lansing - is open to the public. “Let’s Talk Bridges!” sessions are held at the library the second Thursday of every month, from 5 to 6 p.m.

Midwest based piano and violin duo Kevin and Heidi Cheng will be performing at Center Baptist Church, 1555 Trout Rd., Lansing, Tuesday, December 23 at 6 p.m. This concert will be part of the Center Baptist Church’s Christmas Service with treat bags and refreshments to follow the music performance. All are welcome to attend this service and special music event.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 15 to address several matters including the consideration of a City Facade Improvement Grant application, a scheduled goal setting work session, and the consideration of approving the hire of a police officer. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker and John Lydon. Council member Tim Smedsrud joined the meeting later during the Goal Setting Work Session.

There was no Public Comment with the meeting then moving into Department Reports. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted that he did not have an update at this time.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 15 to address a full agenda of matters including an update relating to the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund, the consideration of hiring an E911 dispatcher/corrections officer, and a programming update from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Rachelle Howe with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC), County Auditor Denise Beyer and the Supervisors discussed recent training sessions in response to legislative updates relating to open meeting requirements including custodial responsibilities relating to meeting minutes and allowing public attendance both in-person and via Zoom web-conferencing.

This Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum in Waukon will present a program on the Christmas Truce of 1914 which occurred in France during World War I. The special presentation will take place at the museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. Tours of the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will also be offered until 12 noon that day. The public is invited to attend. There is no admission charge.
 

Greg and Donna Brink of Waukon celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary Thursday, December 4 in a unique way that provides evidence of the love, caring and support that has been their foundation for 43 years of marriage. To help commemorate the day of their wedding that took place in 1982 - 43 years ago, the Brinks donated 43 one-pound packages of hamburger to the Allamakee County Food Shelf on the day of their anniversary. Pictured at right, left to right, at the donation presentation are Greg and Donna Brink making the donation presentation to Julie Rotach of the Allamakee County Food Shelf.

Saturday, December 13 at 2 p.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present programs from its Veterans History Project at the New Albin Community Center. The public is invited to attend. There is no admission charge.

A video history of the Colsch family military veterans, including U.S. Army Bomber pilot John Colsch killed in WWII, will be presented. Captain John Colsch was a B-26 Bomber pilot lost in combat over France. Colsch family members will be present to share comments and answer questions.

A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Army Veteran John Curtin of Waukon will also be played. Curtin will be present to share comments and answer questions. In 1968 and 1969, Curtin served in the U.S. Army as a squad leader in an infantry company with the 1st Cavalry Division during the War in Vietnam.
 

Each year on Giving Tuesday Peoples State Bank presents donations to local community food pantries in the area. For this year, Peoples State Bank donated a total of $9,500 to local food pantries, including to the West Grant Lions Club, Clayton County Food Shelf, Coulee Cap Food Pantry, Gays Mills Food Pantry, Lancaster Food Pantry, Living Faith Food Pantry and Allamakee County Food Shelf. Pictured in the submitted photo above taken at the donation presentation to the Allamakee County Food Shelf are, left to right, Lesa Moose of Peoples State Bank, Allamakee County Food Shelf volunteers Kate Wooden, Dennis Nebendahl and Mary Axmear, and Peggy Berns of Peoples State Bank.

The Waukon High School Choir, under the direction of Molly Woodard, will be sharing its music with area churches during its 30th Annual Christmas Church Tour this Sunday, December 7, according to the following schedule:

St. John’s Lutheran  8:30-8:45 a.m.
Old West Paint Creek Lutheran  9:00-9:15 a.m.
First Presbyterian  9:30-9:45 a.m.
First Baptist  10:00-10:15 a.m.
Zalmona Presbyterian  10:30-10:45 a.m.
St. Patrick Catholic  11:00-11:15 a.m.
St. Paul’s Methodist  11:30-11:45 a.m.

The community of Waukon has a full schedule of events in place as the holiday season jumps into full gear. From an ongoing local shopping promotion to a busy day of Holiday Shop Hop and other events and activities this Saturday, December 6, area residents and visitors can join in the multitude of events described below: