Community News

Robey Memorial Library Foundation is hosting a Winter Book Sale Friday, December 2  from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shoppers may fill a bag with books for $5 or purchase items individually.

Proceeds from the book sale go to the Robey Memorial Library Foundation.  The Robey Memorial Library Foundation supports ongoing programs including: Newborn Project through Veterans Memorial Hospital; 1,000 Books before Kindergarten; 100 Books before High School; and Read for a Lifetime (high schoolers).

The Robey Memorial Library Foundation has a monthly book sale the third Thursday from 2-6 p.m. For more information, contact Robey Memorial Library at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Waukon resident Cameron Berges is starring in the Elkader Opera House Players production of “A Christmas Story.” The show follows the beloved classic Christmas movie and Berges plays the role of Ralphie’s dad, “The Old Man,” including a big dance number he stars in with an ensemble dressed up like leg lamps. Berges is pictured at left in the photo above with co-stars (left to right) Gavin West (Ralphie), Meghan Birdnow (Mother) and Erin Camp (Randy).

Berges began work with the production in May of this year with auditions and has been rehearsing since August. Performances are scheduled for December 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. at the Elkader Opera House.  Tickets are available online at operahouse.booktix.com. Submitted photo.
 

A Drive-Thru Santa on the Farm event will be held at Iowa’s Dairy Center Friday evening, December 9 from 5-7 p.m. Iowa’s Dairy Center is located at 1527 Hwy. 150, Calmar. Visitors will be able to meet Santa from their vehicles. The drive-thru event will take visitors right through the farm’s freestall barn to see a close-up view of the milking cows. Pre-packaged cookies and milk will be served directly to vehicles and visitors will also receive a fun holiday goody bag which includes dairy educational activities. This family-friendly event is free to the public and donations are appreciated. The event will be weather permitting. For up-to-date information or questions, visit the Northeast Iowa Dairy & Agriculture Foundation’s Facebook page or contact 563-534-9957 or info@iowadairycenter.com. Submitted photo.
 

Helping Services for Youth & Families is hosting the 18th annual Holiday Lights event, held at Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah. Holiday Lights is an annual fundraiser for Helping Services for Youth & Families, a nonprofit organization with programs that promote healthier and safer families throughout northeast Iowa. A free-will donation will be collected when entering the gates of Holiday Lights to view displays such as pictured above in the submitted photo. All donations benefit Helping Services for Youth & Families.

A tall tower serving the Lansing Power Plant has been a part of the southern Lansing skyscape for 74 years. Within the next two years it will be gone, only to be remembered by those who lived here during the years of its operation. Although many have benefited from the energy the plant created, some area residents have special memories of the plant because of personal connections. Currently of Cincinnati, OH, Shirley Boardman shared pictures of the early power plant and a story about her father, who was the first manager of the plant in 1948: “My father was Orville Hoksch. He began working in power plants in Bismarck, ND, and then in Harvey, ND. Our next move was to Albert Lea, MN where he was the chief engineer/manager of the plant there. From there we moved to Lansing in 1948 where he was to be the chief engineer/manager of the plant that was being built there.

The Waukon High School Choir will travel around the area on its 27th Annual Christmas Church Tour Sunday, December 4.

The choir sings at seven churches each year. Those churches are selected based on a number of factors, including church proximity to the high school, accessibility for school buses, the physical size of the church, the membership size of the congregation, and whether the worship service is broadcast.

Under the direction of Sarah Bieber, the choir will be singing during the worship services at these Waukon area churches according to the following time schedule:

St John’s Lutheran
8:30-8:45 a.m.

Old West Lutheran
9-9:15 a.m.

First Presbyterian
9:30-9:45 a.m.

St Patrick Catholic
10-10:15 a.m.

First Baptist
10:30-10:45 a.m.

Zalmona Presbyterian
11-11:15 a.m.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 21 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of the City Facade Grant Program, discussion of a date change relating to council meetings and consideration of quote relating to the replacement of the airport’s rotating beacon. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Johnson called the meeting to order during the scheduled absence of Mayor Pat Stone.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Library Director Cate St. Clair of Robey Memorial Library providing an update. St. Clair discussed the upcoming Winter Book Sale to be held Friday, December 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, December 3 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This special event is in addition to the monthly book sale that takes place the third Thursday of the month from 2-6 p.m. benefiting the Robey Memorial Library (RML) Foundation which supports programming at the library.

The 2022 Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy made a big return last weekend after three years with large numbers of Christmas trees and silent auction items on display. The event was held last weekend, November 11-14 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion, and was a huge success thanks to all of the overwhelming community involvement.

A near record number of auction items were donated to this year’s Fantasy by area businesses and individuals. The 114 auction items were displayed and auctioned on a silent auction bid to the highest bidder Monday night at 7 p.m.

Trees on display during this 31st annual Foundation Fantasy highlighted nearly 50 full-size Christmas Trees decorated by individuals, businesses and many groups from around the area.  Many individuals worked, served, and donated to this community celebration.

by Abigail Waters

The Waukon Wellness Center welcomes everyone to celebrate the facility’s 15-year anniversary. The celebration is currently taking place within the Wellness Center this week, November 14-18, with activities such as free walking each day until 3 p.m., free exercise classes and daycare, 15% off all punch cards, a Veterans Day celebration with free gifts for those who served their country, member appreciation day, wellness testing compliments of Veterans Memorial Hospital, free daily prizes with a grand prize of a one-year membership, and so much more.

The Center originally opened November 15, 2007 with a goal to provide community wellness and improve and maintain the health of local residents. Today there are over 1,000 members, with the facility experiencing daily use from people of all ages.

Members of the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon have assumed the role of organizing this year’s Holiday Parade in Waukon. The event is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, beginning at 7 p.m., in an effort to coordinate with the local Holiday Hop event being planned by Waukon businesses earlier that same evening.

Anyone from the general public, business community, school or any community organization is invited to decorate any vehicle, float, side-by-side or other creative avenue with lights and participate in the parade as it travels through downtown Waukon. All registered entries will be entered in a drawing for prizes, and there will also be a Grand Prize awarded for the most festive float.