Community News

June 30, Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) closed the doors of its Family Planning Program, resulting in Allamakee citizens losing access to reproductive healthcare. The clinic covered the six counties of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek.

View the Adobe pdf below of the full page Thank You from the Waukon RAGBRAI Committee.

The “Build a Better World” Summer Reading Program (SRP) 2017 at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has come to an end. The program involved a number of different activities and events for library patrons to take part in.

Family Night was held Monday, July 10 to kick off the SRP. Opening the program was favorite story lady Sue Kiesau and her beloved puppets. "Sue is a local legend with our young patrons and they are always anxious to hear her read," shared Robey Memorial Library leaders.

A special highlight of the evening was a Tool Petting Zoo, a hands-on event to familiarize kids with simple tools and equipment. Keith Bresnahan of A-OK Well Service brought the company's pump truck, allowing attendees to raise and lower a basket of library furry friends by remote control. Family Night was also the start of the registration for the library's 4-Week Reading Challenge.

Both the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and the Postville Public Library sponsored a presentation called Incredible Bats at the 2017 Allamakee County Fair. Local fairgoers were able to see a variety of bats and learn about their significance, as well as meet a live skunk named Bella. Submitted photo.
 

The Allamakee County 4-H County Council sponsored a School Supplies Drive to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office at the 2017 Allamakee County Fair. Supplies such as notebooks, crayons, book bags and much more were collected throughout the fair. Pictured at the presentation of the donated school supplies are, left to right, Allamakee County 4-H County Council member Maddie Ellingson, Allamakee County Director of Relief Services Rebecca Hawes and Allamakee County 4-H County Council Member Diana Davison. For further information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact Morgan Bjerke, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator, at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photo.
 

by Brianne Eilers

Summertime in northeast Iowa always brings the possibility of severe weather, and the severe thunderstorms that passed through the area July 19 caused widespread damage, including the F1 tornado that devastated McGregor. In the Waukon area, high winds recorded as high as 70 miles per hour damaged trees and buildings.

Waukon area resident Dennis Deal experienced first-hand the kind of damage that sheer winds of that nature can cause. Dennis was in the process of doing chores on his family farm on Autumn Road southeast of Waukon when the barn collapsed on top of him due to the winds. Rescuers were able to get to him and he is currently recovering at home from injuries suffered in the incident that required surgery.

submitted by Cristina Smith

The 2017 Mission Trip taken by First Baptist Church of Waukon June 2-18 to Brazil proved to be a wonderful and positive experience for the 13 members of the mission team. Those team members included Steve Kiley, Deb Kiley, Kari Roney, Claire Beyer, Sidney McQuade, Nathan Smith, Morgan Van Ruler, Michael Smith, Brenna Smith, Aislinn Goettel, Jacob Smith, Pastor Duane Smith and Cristina Smith.

The mission team began fundraising one year in advance and prepared a 45-minute presentation of drama, music, puppets and translated testimonies in the Portuguese language under the direction of Pastor Duane and Cristina Smith. Cristina Smith, carrying dual citizenship with the countries of Brazil and the United States due to being born to missionary parents in southern Brazil, taught the mission team Portuguese phrases, lyrics to Christian songs, and aided each member in preparing their salvation testimonies.

Pictured above are the Judges' Choice Award (purple ribbon) winners in the Open Class Building from the 2017 Allamakee County Fair. Left to right - Front row: Bailey Schafer, Garden & Baked Goods Age 11-18; Dallas Tilleraas, Garden & Baked Goods Age 5-10; Mary Donnadiew, Arts & Crafts Adults. Back row: Bev Bakkum, Textiles & Fabrics; Carol Goettler, Antiques & Collectibles; Jane Miene, Flowers-Blooms; Charlotte Christianson, Flowers-Plant or Arrangement; Julie Wood, Agricultural Products; Diana Davison, Arts & Crafts Age 11-18; Hannah Teslow, Arts & Crafts Age 5-10. Submitted photo.
 

The Iowa Jersey Cattle Club (IJCC) selected three award winners at its Summer Picnic hosted recently by Bernie and Rachel Bakker of Alvord. Grace Howe, daughter of Matt and Rachelle Howe of Waukon, was the recipient of two of those three awards, including the Iowa Jersey Youth Achievement Award and also being crowned as the 2017 Iowa Jersey Princess.

The Iowa Jersey Youth Achievement Award, the IJCC’s highest honor, is given annually to a Jersey youth that owns one or more Registered Jerseys™, is between 16-19 years of age as of January 1, and is a junior member of the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club. This youth must show depth of Jersey experience, in addition to participation in other community activities.

The Waukon Wellness Center offers a wide variety of group exercise classes daily to accommodate every age and fitness level, with some classes beginning as early as 5 a.m. for the early birds, and others ending between 6-7 p.m. “Weekend Warriors,” a cycling class, is also offered every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. for those who desire that little “extra.” Classes are instructed by experienced, local “talents” (pictured at right), all of whom are certified in their specialty, with many instructors having multiple certifications in numerous specialties.

At present, Waukon Wellness Center is fortunate to have instructors specializing in, and currently offers, the following classes: Cycling, Zumba, Zumba Gold, Cross Train, Barre, Beyond Barre, Pilates, Stretch & Strengthen, Kickboxing, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), and multiple Yoga varieties.