Community News

Plans have been announced to hold the 2025 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 16, beginning at 1 p.m. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. Any businesses, organizations, families or individuals wishing to have an entry are asked to be lined up by 12 noon that Sunday, with float entries lining up in the parking lot of WW Homestead Dairy and the former Northern Engraving plant, tractors unloading and lining up at the Sweeney Auction Service parking lot and horse units gathering at the Croell Redi-Mix plant in southeast Waukon.

For additional information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm and Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577 or the Waukon Chamber of Commerce at 563-568-4110.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 3 to address a full agenda of matters including an update from Veterans Memorial Hospital, the consideration of an appointment to the Board of Adjustment, and the consideration of a motor grader purchase for the Secondary Roads Department. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

The 28th annual Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST Inc.) applications to exhibit are now available to area artists. For an application to download and print, go to www.iowaarttour.com and click on the events/news tab, or contact Darla Ellickson at darla@earloops.com or 563-382-2295.

The 2025 Tour takes place October 10-12. Studios are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each of those days.

Media considered is limited to Fine Art and Fine Craft. Items include: painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay/ceramics, wood, glass, metal, printmaking, mixed media, handmade paper, fiber, etc. as appropriate at Fine Art Fairs. All works must be original in concept and design and must have been executed by the applicant: works from molds or kits, commercial or manufactured items, and buy/sell are not permitted.

Art Outside of the Box was the theme for a recent after school program in New Albin. Elementary students made bleeding tissue paper canvases by layering tissue paper over a canvas, spraying with water and watching the colors run and mix to create a unique design. They also became color scientists (photo at far left) when mixing the three primary colors, red, blue and yellow, to make new colors. They were able to name their new colors and use jelly crystals to save them.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a special recognition event this Saturday, February 1 at AJ’s Bar & Grill in Waukon to celebrate National Freedom Day, which is observed February 1 each year honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.

An awards presentation will begin at 1 p.m. recognizing 28 U.S. Military Veterans from the local area, with the full menu available to order from as well at the event location. A featured speaker from the La Crosse, WI USO (United Service Organization) and a fundraising auction will also be part of the event.

The public is invited to attend the event. Those who have further questions may call 563-568-5275.

Award nominations due by February 17, Dairy Princess applications due February 28; Dairy Banquet scheduled for March 22

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board is asking for assistance from the general public in identifying worthy candidates to be recognized as this year’s top dairy producers in Allamakee County at the 2025 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet scheduled to take place March 22 this year at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Every year, top producers and several other awards are nominated from members within the county. The Allamakee Dairy Promotion Board and the Allamakee County Extension office are accepting nominations for the following awards:

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session twice within a week’s time following the Monday, January 20 closure of the County Courthouse in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with scheduled meetings taking place Tuesday, January 21 and Monday, January 27 during this past week. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21
The January 21 meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, January 27 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of allowing chickens within city limits, the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund match and the consideration of approving a truck purchase for the Park and Recreation Department. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker and John Lydon in attendance.

During Public Comment, Ann Fossum, a West Street SW property owner, questioned the council about the timeline when speed limit signage would be installed on her street, in addition to noting concerns relating to the fiber optic cable installation and the stake or marker that has not been replaced showing the property line.

Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon was notified that Peoples State Bank in Waukon recently made a generous contribution to the Waukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Association with funds the staff themselves generated through their Friday “Jeans Days” and other various raffles.

Each Friday throughout the year, employees of Peoples State Bank are welcome to wear jeans to work, then make a contribution into the “Jeans Day Fund.” At the end of the year, the staff then decide on a non-profit organization or local cause to donate their funds to. This year it was decided to award the Waukon EMS Association with these funds.

Officials at Peoples State Bank state, “The donation reflects our team’s commitment to giving back to our community and making a positive impact together.”

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has announced the conclusion of its “Read. Renew. Repeat.” Adult Reading Challenge, a yearlong literary adventure that took place from January 1 to December 31, 2024. This initiative invited readers to explore diverse genres and themes, encouraging them to discover something new by tackling books from 12 thoughtfully selected categories, including: Animal-themed; Based on a true story; Classic; From your childhood/youth; Nature-themed; Reader’s Choice; Recycled (garage sale, second-hand store, or borrowed from a friend); Science; Teaches you something; Tragedy; Travel-themed; Weather-related.