Community News

Much like a majority of this year already due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Halloween 2020 is likely to also result in adjustments being made to the way people approach more traditional events to help celebrate the holiday. Listed below are some of the area trick-or-treating times and other events taking place this Saturday, October 31, and surrounding this list are recommendations by the Iowa Department of Public Health based on guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in regard to COVID-19. Anyone participating in Halloween activities is reminded to participate in a manner they feel is safest for themselves and those around them to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.

As Iowans prepares to celebrate Halloween, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) wants to remind all that COVID-19 is still circulating in Iowa and encourage all Iowans to continue to take precautions to protect the health of themselves and their families. Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.

For 2020 Halloween festivities, IDPH strongly encourage Iowans to follow CDC’s guidance when deciding what is appropriate for their families, as described below:

Waukon Mayor Pat Stone (left) conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Christopher Doeppke (right) as a new officer for the Waukon Police Department prior to the Waukon City Council meeting Monday, October 19. Doeppke is a 2011 graduate of MFL/MarMac High School and will begin his tenure with the Waukon Police Department November 1 of this year. Submitted photo.
 

The local members of the Hannah Lee Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) observed National DAR Day of Service by making baked goods and presenting them to the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department and the Waukon, Lansing and New Albin Police and Fire Departments. To honor the anniversary of DAR’s founding October 11, 1890, chapters and individuals are encouraged to engage in meaningful service projects in their communities each year on or around October 11. This year, Hannah Lee Chapter chose to honor First Responders who have had to deal with so very much this year.

Janet Koozer of Waukon, helped by Regent Jill Amdahl and Vice Regent Peggy Harvey, made and donated 19 dozen cookies locally. The Hannah Lee Chapter, which covers five counties, made and donated over 77 dozen cookies.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session via Zoom web-conferencing Monday, October 19 to address a full agenda of items including Aveka Nutra Processing’s solution for spills, the potential development of a tree replacement program and parking at the Evangelical Good Samaritan Society.

The Iowa Democrats Early Vote Express made a stop in Waukon Tuesday afternoon, October 13 as part of its statewide tour prior to the November 3 General Election. Iowa Democratic Party staff members were joined by area Democrats when the bus arrived at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. The tour stresses the importance of voting early and making a plan to vote, with the iwillvote.com/IA website being a resource offered in accomplishing those tasks. Early voting began Monday, October 5 in Iowa. Voters in Allamakee County can vote in-person at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon or vote absentee by mail-in ballot prior to the November 3 election. The deadline to request an Absentee Ballot from the Allamakee County Auditor’s Office is this Saturday, October 24 and can be done so by calling 563-568-3522. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

Tegan Dahlstrom, 10-year-old daughter of Nick and Lana Dahlstrom of New Albin, is a member of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association headquartered in Amarillo, TX. She is enrolled in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Horseback Riding Program where members log their hours of riding their American Quarter Horse.

Dahlstrom recently earned her 500-hour American Quarter Horse Riding patch and recognition from AQHA. Along with riding her horse, she is active in the Upper Iowa Saddle Club, Winneshiek Saddle Club, Bear Creek Kids 4-H Club, youth group, basketball and school. She is pictured above with her American Quarter Horse Lucky Stylish King “Dunny”. Submitted photo.

Nearly ideal weather conditions allowed the ninth annual local Fields of Faith event in Waukon to take place within its traditional setting on the football field at Waukon High School Wednesday, October 7, drawing another large crowd, as evident in the photos above and below. Messages of how faith has impacted their own lives and allowed them to assist others in faith and other aspects of life were shared by a series of five different speakers during the event. Those five are pictured in the individual photos immediately below and included (left to right) Waukon High School seniors Bailey Shafer, Ethan O’Neill, Lainey Erdmann and Joe Schwartz, along with Caledonia High School football coach Carl Fruechte. All five shared their own messages of faith derived from their variety of life experiences, those messages hitting home with the variety of age groups and life experiences represented by those in the audience.

The community is invited to participate in Chalk The Walk, a free, family-friendly sidewalk chalk event being held during October at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. Individuals and families are welcome to add their drawings to the cement areas on the library grounds. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Chalk will be provided by the library during open hours of Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Participants can chalk in designated areas only, chalk is the only medium to be used, and the art must be family-friendly.

Those participating are expected to practice social distancing. Chalk artwork may be shared on the library’s website and social media pages.

Contact the library to participate at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us, or just stop in during the library’s open hours listed above.
 

TASC clients have been busy with art projects and will once again be having their Annual Art Show at the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. Due to COVID-19, there will not be an open house; however, the art work will be on display from October 8-17. The public is invited and encouraged to view their creations. There will be a “comment box” at the library for those who wish to leave the artists a note. Pictured above with their art work are TASC artists: Left to right - first row: Shawn Tuttle, Laurie Goltz, Bruce Jones, Colby Suddendorf, Andrew Schroeder; Back row: Jayme Loftsgard. Submitted photo.