Community News

Residents of Waukon will have the opportunity to share their ideas for improving the community of Waukon at a design open house being hosted by the Waukon Visioning Committee prior to the Waukon Music in the Park performance featuring Waukon’s own Annie Ellingson Thursday, June 13 at Waukon City Park, which begins at 7 p.m. This open house is the culmination of an input-gathering process to identify transportation needs and opportunities for enhancements within the Waukon community. Information collected at public input gathering events from earlier this spring will be incorporated into a conceptual transportation and landscape enhancement plan.

Waukon Patriot Quilters distributed quilts to five veterans with local ties at the 2024 Memorial Day program held at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon Monday, May 27. Pictured, left to right, in the photo at right are U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Haler, Dennis Luck, Theodore Criswell, Duane Dahlstrom and Heather Homewood. Submitted photo.

During the month of June, the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will display a special exhibit to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion of France in World War II. The Normandy Invasion was the Allied invasion of western Europe during World War II launched June 6, 1944, often referred to as D-Day, as depicted in the submitted images above and below.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon will host summer open hours for tours Fridays from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon. Special programs will be announced for some Saturday mornings, and previous programs will be repeated for visitors on request. The museum is also open by appointment for community groups, veterans organizations, and families not able to visit during regular hours. There is no admission or membership charge, and the facility is handicap accessible.
 

The 2024 Allamakee County Dairy Days Parade traveled the streets of Waukon early Monday evening, June 3, with a number of area businesses, families and organizations paying tribute to the dairy industry. The annual celebration brings together those representing the future of the industry, such as the young Allamakee County Dairy Ambassadors pictured above with their adult program coordinators, as well as those who have represented or supported the industry in a variety of ways currently and throughout its storied past in Allamakee County, all in an effort to recognize the importance of the dairy industry to all who live, work and play in Allamakee County. View and find out how to purchase this photo and many more by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.
 

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLF) have partnered to host Main Street Story Walk in Waukon featuring the children’s story “I don’t want to be a frog” by Dev Petty. During the month of June, families are encouraged to read this story in the windows of various business storefronts as they stroll the downtown area. For this and upcoming Story Walks in Waukon, the OVLF will be providing a free copy of the featured book to every family that stops by Robey Memorial Library with a photo of them completing the Story Walk.

FreedomBank recently announced the promotion of six employees to new positions within the organization. This move reflects the bank’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing the talents of its staff.

Among those promotions was one at FreedomBank’s Waukon location. Kelli Mudderman was promoted to Assistant Vice President, Consumer Lending.

Kathy Mueller, the President and CEO of FreedomBank, expressed pride in the organization’s culture of success and development, which focuses on promoting from within. Mueller stated, “We are grateful for the contributions of our employee-owners and look forward to their success in their new roles.”
 

During the month of June, the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will display a special exhibit to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion of France in World War II. The Normandy Invasion was the Allied invasion of western Europe during World War II launched June 6, 1944, often referred to as D-Day, as depicted in the submitted images above.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon will host summer open hours for tours Fridays from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon. Special programs will be announced for some Saturday mornings, and previous programs will be repeated for visitors on request. The museum is also open by appointment for community groups, veterans organizations, and families not able to visit during regular hours. There is no admission or membership charge, and the facility is handicap accessible.
 

Final week to turn in forms for Allamakee County Fair Queen Contest

The Allamakee County Fair Board is seeking applicants for the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Queen contest and will also be offering a similar pageant experience to younger girls this year, as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair will run from July 17-21. Expanding even further on the new format initiated last year for the Allamakee County Fair Queen Contest, an Allamakee County Fair Little Miss competition is also going to be held this year during the Fair for girls ages 7-9.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) has welcomed local residents Connie Bulman Fern Rissman to its advisory board. “We are very excited to welcome Connie and Fern to the board,” says Brent Beyer, ACCF Board chair. “They will bring a new perspective and help us continue to better our understanding and support for Allamakee County organizations.”

Bulman, a native of LaCrosse, WI, has lived on a farm in Dorchester for the past four years. She and her husband raised their children in Cedar Rapids, where she worked as a nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital. She also volunteered her time at St. Luke’s, where she assisted in the set-up of new medical documentation systems.

Today, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, who all live in northeast Iowa. She also loves reading, singing, and continuing a tradition of helping at church.

Olivia Marti, a graduating senior at Waukon High School, attended the 13th annual World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute (IYI), where 277 students representing 89 Iowa high schools gathered with 85 educators at Iowa State University in Ames to explore pressing global food security challenges and professional opportunities in STEM fields.

“Iowa State University is proud of its longtime partnership with the World Food Prize to provide this premier educational program,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Iowa State University, President. “The Iowa Youth Institute is an opportunity for high school students to connect with Iowa State expertise, resources and scholarships. We are pleased to see how this program ignites students’ passion to help address one of society’s most complex challenges - global food security.”