Community News

by David M. Johnson

Farmers are notorious for patronizing certain brands of feed, machinery, or anything that has to do with their farming operation. When it comes to breed of livestock, usually one breed and maybe something else mixed in for some reason or another. Even the clothes on their back may be of a particular line and nothing else is permitted. Farm equipment is no different.

In this area the color is usually green, orange, or different shades of red. The John Deere green has a very loyal following. There are a number of dealerships spread out in many locations to service those needs of area farmers, farmers owning the implements with the green and yellow logo.

by Joe Moses

The City of Waukon and Steve Pladsen, owner of RW Pladsen, Inc., have been working cooperatively relating to the planning and potential development of property adjacent to the Waukon City Park on the south end of the community. The land, known locally as the McCabe property, was recently auctioned through Hertz Farm Management by a sealed bidding process for three distinct parcels, with each creating unique opportunities for development.

With Pladsen winning the bid on the two parcels (Parcels 2 and 3) of the property located directly east of Second Street SW, between the Southcrest Assisted Living complex and the Waukon City Park, the City of Waukon has expressed interest in purchasing the southerly portion of Parcel 2. The City’s land purchase from Pladsen would consist of approximately 14.4 acres of the McCabe property’s southerly portion of Parcel 2, just north of the campgrounds portion of the Waukon City Park.

Approval of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge’s (Refuge) Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) in 2006 resulted in the Refuge’s current closed area system consisting of 20 closed areas on the river and three sanctuaries. All refuge closed areas and sanctuaries are characterized by a closure to all migratory bird hunting.

In addition to being closed to all migratory bird hunting, closed areas are closed to all hunting, trapping and camping during the period coinciding with duck hunting seasons within their respective states. Sanctuaries are closed to all public entry during the period of October 1 to the end of the duck hunting season.

Eric D. Haler, a 1995 graduate of Waukon High School, was recently promoted to Colonel (O-6) in the United States Air Force. Participating in the August 2 promotion ceremony, where they were able to pin on his new rank, were (pictured left to right with Colonel Haler in the photo below) his parents, Don and DiAnne Haler of Waukon, his nephew, Elijah, his son, Hobbs, and his wife, Becky.

Colonel Haler is the Director of Customer Operations for the Defense Logistics Agency Energy headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. In this role, he is responsible for providing customer relations management for the worldwide supply and distribution of fuels for the Department of Defense and federal agencies.
Haler’s grandparents are the late Lloyd and Elaine Weber, and the late George and Phyllis Haler. Colonel Haler and his family reside in Springfield, VA. Submitted photos.
 

In honor of the 95th birthday and 70 years since being ordained into the priesthood for Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg of Lansing, the Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) received a gift of $2,500 from Msgr. Lechtenberg’s nephew and his wife, Paul and Lauren Fischer. Pictured above at the donation presentation are, left to right, LIFT Board President Karen Galema and Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 7 following the Monday, September 6 closure of Waukon City Hall in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The council addressed a full agenda of items including an update relating to the former JCPenney/Tierney building and the Resolution Ordering Detailed Plans and Specifications, Notice of Hearing, Notice to Bidders and Form of Contract for the NW Utility Improvements Project.

There was no Public Comment made and the meeting moved into Department Reports with City Clerk Sarah Snitker providing Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub’s report in his absence. Strub’s report indicated that the State of Iowa is offering a Fitness Center Relief Grant to benefit centers experiencing a 15 percent or more decrease in revenue from 2019 to 2020. Strub’s report noted that an application for this grant has been made.

Jessica Wagner has always wanted to own her own business. Her September 7 opening of Aztec Parlor at 15 West Main Street in downtown Waukon has helped her fulfill that desire, while also meeting a need she saw for the community in which she lives. Wagner’s desire to be a business owner has been ingrained in her since growing up in La Crosse, WI. She credits her family for her entrepreneurial spirit.

Allamakee County 4-H members’ exhibits were on display in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair held August 12-22 in Des Moines. The exhibits were displayed this year, showcasing excellence in project area learning by 4-H members across the state of Iowa.

Divisions young people may exhibit in include agriculture and natural resources, creative arts, family and consumer sciences, personal development, and science, mechanics and engineering.

“Each exhibit is an outgrowth of year-long project area work done by the 4-H member,” explains Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H youth development program specialist. “The exhibits display at the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of the educational and personal accomplishments of our Iowa 4-H members. It is a way for our members to share what they’ve learned with the public.”

John Elliott, Shelly Elliott, Maranda Elliott and Mara Dickens of Elliott Jewelers in Waukon recently attended the exclusive 2021 Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) Summer Buying Show in Cincinnati, OH. Pictured in the submitted photo above are, left to right, Serge Fischler of Fischler Diamonds holding a 3.94 carat diamond that had recently been cut, Shelly Elliott, Maranda Elliott, Mara Dickens and John Elliott. To kick off its comeback, RJO chose “Come Together” as the theme to celebrate a return to in-person buying. Jewelers from across the nation attended the three-day event to purchase up-and-coming items at prearranged prices, collaborate with peers, contribute new business ideas and check out the latest industry trends.

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® will be held in Decorah Saturday, September 18, and participants have the option to walk from home or join locally at Decorah City Hall. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 9 a.m.

On Walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with Promise Garden flowers which signify solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers - purple, yellow, blue and orange - represent the different reasons why people walk to end this disease.

This year, the Alzheimer’s Association has a goal of raising $25,000 at the Decorah Walk. The money raised will help the Association provide care and support to families in Iowa, while also advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and a cure.