Community News

Wed
15
Nov

Robey Memorial Library to host gingerbread decorating contest

Take-home contest begins November 20 for return by December 4 for judging

The Robey Memorial Library Foundation is hosting a gingerbread decorating contest and awarding three Amazon Fire tablets to the most creative decorators. This year the contest, hosted in previous years by Kitchen Krafts, will be a take-home decorating event open to all families in Waukon.

Beginning Monday, November 20, while supplies last, families can pick up a free gingerbread house from Robey Memorial Library, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon. They can then decorate the house with the materials in the box, or put their own twist on it and add their own decorations. Participants are encouraged to be creative.

Once decorated, gingerbread houses must be returned to the library for display and public voting by December 4. The three gingerbread houses that receive the most votes will each win an Amazon Fire 7 tablet from the Robey Memorial Library Foundation.

Wed
08
Nov

Waukon native looks to turn hobby into a business with the opening of Muddy Water Restoration, Inc.


Muddy Waters Restoration, Inc. receives First Dollar Visit ... Muddy Waters Restoration, Inc., newly opened at 507 Eighth Avenue NW in Waukon, recently received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. Pictured above at the First Dollar presentation, are, left to right, Trevor and Lucy Harwood of Muddy Waters Restoration, Inc. and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Dugan. Submitted photo.

A Waukon area native has returned to her hometown and is now working to try and turn a hobby of hers into a profitable business. Lucy (Barrett) Harwood recently opened up Muddy Water Restoration, Inc., a boat restoration business that specializes in using marine grade products to make custom covers, upholstery and flooring unique to the design needs of the customers she serves.

Born and raised in the Waukon area, the former Lucy Barrett graduated from Waukon High School in 2001 and then moved to New Mexico for 12 years. Shortly after her son was born in 2006, she moved back to her native Waukon. The year 2017 has been a busy one for her, as she not only started the process toward opening her own business in May of this year, traveled to Ohio for training in her newfound specialty this summer and opened the doors to Muddy Water Restoration, Inc. August 1, but she also got married to Trevor Harwood in September of this year.

Wed
08
Nov

Waukon City Council approves annual financial report, hears wastewater treatment plant update

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 16 to address a variety of matters, including the Reel Core tax rebate program, the 5K and 8K Turkey Trot event and the Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017. Mayor Duane DeWalle called the meeting to order.
During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the forum held October 30 for Waukon Mayor and City Council candidates, which she described as being well attended by the public. Kuhse thanked the candidates for their involvement and stated that she is an advocate for the Hotel/Motel Tax, which will benefit the City and citizens.

Wed
08
Nov

Storm sewer replacement project keeps 100 block of First Avenue NW closed a bit longer ...

Work continues with the storm sewer replacement project on First Avenue NW in Waukon following notice of a slight collapse in a section of the existing storm sewer in that area earlier this year. Waukon City Manager Dean Hilgerson has indicated that some delays in the project were caused by a gas line laying across the project area, which will be raised one foot, and other cables also creating difficulties. Hilgerson said 31 of the five-foot by nine-foot concrete sections of storm sewer (pictured above) will be placed from First Avenue NW northwest through the parking lot toward Second Street NW, likely taking over two more weeks to complete the project. Pictures below show the previous storm sewer of laid-up rock that is being replaced with the concrete sections, with the below left photo looking toward the south side of First Avenue NW and the below right photo looking to the north toward the parking lot area.

Wed
08
Nov

Winter Weather Awareness Day

Hi, and Happy Winter Weather Awareness Day for Thursday, November 9!

A couple of weeks ago would have seemed too early, but given the weather the last couple of weeks, that greeting seems to fit as we are fast becoming aware of the upcoming winter season that will soon be upon us.  So, in recognition of this day, I would like to discuss some things we can start looking at as we prepare for our upcoming Iowa weather.

One of the first things we should do is make sure we are aware of the hazards we face during the winter season and this, of course, includes snow, ice and cold. Each one brings unique features and dangers with it, along with their own impact on our safety during the winter months. However, with so much to cover with these alone, I will discuss these hazards in my upcoming December article and will use this article to focus on the following simple preparation activities we can take at this time.

Wed
01
Nov

Entertainment for the 26th Annual Christmas Fantasy announced; Make reservations now


26th Annual Christmas Fantasy ... Reservations are now being accepted for the Christmas Fantasy Saturday and Monday Noon Luncheons and the Saturday Wine, Cheese and Dessert event. Pictured is a scene from last year’s Friday Night “Tingle ‘n Mingle” event. The “Christmas To Remember” Christmas Fantasy will be held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion Friday through Monday, November 10, 11, 12 and 13 and is sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation. Submitted photo.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2017 will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12 and 13, at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme will be “A Christmas To Remember.” In addition to the nearly 60 decorated Christmas trees on display, this years’ event will again offer shopping opportunities on the silent auction.

Reservations are now being taken for the popular Saturday evening Wine, Cheese and Dessert Event, and the Noon luncheons. The luncheons are sponsored again this year by the Allamakee County Cattlemen’s Association and will be held Saturday, November 11 and Monday, November 13. A full meal will be served plus entertainment will be provided at both events.

Wed
01
Nov

Dr. David Schwartz receives Iowa Hospital Hero Award


Iowa Hospital Hero Award presented ... Dr. David Schwartz (center) of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon was awarded an Iowa Hospital Association “Hospital Hero” Award Wednesday, October 11 at the Iowa Hospital Association annual meetings in Des Moines. Pictured with Dr. Schwartz, at left is Veterans Memorial Hospital Administrator Mike Myers, who also served this past year as the Iowa Hospital Association Chairman, and at right is Jim Kelly, retired NFL football player and keynote speaker at the event. Submitted photo.

Dr. David Schwartz was awarded an Iowa Hospital Association “Hospital Hero” Award Wednesday, October 11 at the Iowa Hospital Association annual meetings in Des Moines. Dr. Schwartz was nominated by some of his patients and their families. Their words were placed in the actual award announcement read at the event and quoted below:

“Dr. Dave Schwartz joined the medical staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital and the Mayo Health System-Waukon Clinic over 20 years ago.  Dr. Schwartz and his wife have been a vital part of the community ever since.”

Wed
01
Nov

Waukon voters to decide if current hotel/motel tax should be raised to State maximum in City Election

With the City Election Tuesday, November 7, residents of Waukon will be revisiting the Hotel and Motel Tax issue currently in place in Waukon by voting to keep the tax rate at four percent or raise it to a State-allowed maximum rate of seven percent. The hotel and motel tax may have created some confusion due to the nature of the tax, which was enacted to benefit residents by taxing short-term lodging, 31 days or less, including hotels, motels and bed and breakfast establishments. In other words, this is a tax affecting visitors to the area staying in a hotel or other short-term lodging, not a tax to be paid by residents of the local community; unless, of course, they complete a stay in one of those local lodging facilities.

Wed
01
Nov

Waukon Wellness Center celebrating its 10-year anniversary with "10 Days of Wellness"


The Waukon Wellness Center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary during the month of November with a "10 Days of Wellness" promotion offering a variety of free activities and usage to experience the benefits of the Center. Pictured above near the cardio exercise equipment at the Center are, left to right, Program Director Kim Kraus, Park & Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub and Customer Service/Office Manager Bonnie Wild. Submitted photo.

It has been 10 years since the Waukon Wellness Center opened its doors to the local community, November 15, 2007 to be exact. Now, 10 years later, staff and board members of the facility want to celebrate that milestone and show their appreciation to the local community for the generosity and support shown over the last 10 years with a "10 Days of Wellness" promotion.

For those not as familiar with the Waukon Wellness Center, it is a city-owned, 32,000 square foot facility designed with a goal to provide recreation and improve and maintain the health of the local community. “Our intention is for all to feel welcome here and to offer a wide variety of membership opportunities, classes and a positive atmosphere, striving to meet the needs of as many people in our community as possible,” says Jeremy Strub, Director of the Waukon Wellness Center.

Wed
25
Oct

Electrical fire displaces apartment residents...

Wednesday, October 18 at approximately 4:49 p.m., the Waukon Area Fire Protection District was dispatched to 11 Third Avenue NW in Waukon, location of the more locally known "Beehive" apartment complex, where a fire was reported in the attic of the residential building. The fire was quickly extinguished before the building suffered any significant damage, but a report from Waukon fire officials indicate that the fire was electrical in nature and that the building sustained moderate damage and forced residents of nine apartments in the complex out of their place of residence. Waukon Area Fire Protection District crews were on scene for approximately three hours and received assistance from the Waukon Police Department and the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service. Standard photos by Joe Moses.

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