Community News

Robey Memorial Library and Foundation is marking its fifth anniversary in partnership with Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) reaching out to families delivering babies at the hospital. To promote Robey Memorial Library’s early literacy program, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (1,000BBK), the Library Foundation purchases items for a literacy care package gifted to each newborn at Veterans Memorial Hospital. Packages include a board book; a tri-fold brochure highlighting the 1,000BBK program plus the many other programs and activities available to families at Robey Memorial Library; and coupons for a library tote bag and the Library Foundation’s monthly Book Sale.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will celebrate the New Year by offering a  program to the public in the Program Room of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on the 100 block of Allamakee Street in Waukon.

Thursday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m. a video interview with World War II Army Air Corps veteran Oliver Emerson recorded in 2006 will be presented, followed by a video documentary about the WWII bombers that Emerson served on during the war. The program will be introduced by Emerson’s son, Joe Emerson, who is also a retired Army veteran and pilot.

There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible. Due to COVID-19 concerns, masks are encouraged but not required.  Light refreshments will be available.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors began 2022 with its annual reorganizational meeting in regular session Monday, January 3. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer called the meeting to order with Larry Schellhammer being appointed Board of Supervisors Chairperson and Dan Byrnes being appointed Chairperson Pro-Tem for 2022 with Supervisor Mark Reiser also present at the meeting.

During Public Comment, Doug Mullen of rural Lansing discussed Hotel/Motel tax revenue from short-term rentals and questioned whether or not short-term rentals should be taxed the same as long-term rentals per the State of Iowa. Schellhammer clarified that the State of Iowa collects the Hotel/Motel Tax applied countywide to short-term rentals, advising that further clarification on the matter would be provided to Mullen.

Tuesday, December 28 at 1:09 p.m. the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a two-vehicle collision with occupant entrapment on Elon Drive east of Waukon, near its intersection with Strawberry Road. A report from the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office indicates that a vehicle driven by Lukas L Pitzer, age 35, of Wauzeka, WI was traveling westbound on the snow-covered roadway and crossed the centerline, striking an eastbound vehicle driven by Amy Joan McCormick, age 39, of Waterville.

Waukon Boy Scout Troop 64 will be picking up Christmas trees this Sunday, January 9, beginning at 12 noon. Those who want their Christmas trees picked up in Waukon should have them set out curbside by 12 noon this Sunday.

Allamakee 4-H Toppers 4-H club recently held a bake sale with all proceeds being donated to the new all-species show barn at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. A total of $569 was raised by the event. Club members have expressed their excitement about the new facility and look forward to showing in the larger show ring. Pictured above at the check presentation, left to right, are 4-H Topper club member Cassidy Gibbs, Allamakee County Fair Board Treasurer Bobbi Baxter and 4-H Topper club member Kiersten Gibbs. Submitted photo.

Three sisters, all teachers, gardeners and forward-thinkers, are leaving their shared legacy in the form of an endowment fund with the Allamakee County Community Foundation to provide community support for services and opportunities that enrich quality of life in rural communities near their homes.

The sisters, Valeria Herold, Anastasia Kriener and Rosemary Kriener, grew up on a family farm in rural Fort Atkinson. The Herold and Kriener Family Legacy Fund supports community service organizations, educational scholarships, faith-based centers and land stewardship.

“The fund has already impacted the small communities where we live in that we can designate yearly gifts, including to the South Winn First Responders and three local fire departments,” says Rosemary’s daughter, Anne Blocker of Waukon. “With so many teachers in the family, educational scholarships and libraries will also be among our benefactors.”

Northgate Care Center in Waukon, owned and operated by ABCM Corporation, is honoring Administrator Lou Ann Wikan for 50 years of serving Waukon and surrounding Communities. Wikan started her career at Northgate Care Center January 5, 1972.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on health care facilities, Northgate Care Center is unable to hold an in-person reception for Wikan on her actual 50th anniversary date. Thus, on or by January 5, the facility is asking everyone to join in the recognition of Wikan’s 50 years of service by showering her with cards.

Cards recognizing her service can be sent through the ABCM website at www.abcmcorp.com > choose the “Waukon” location > choose the “Greeting Card” function. Cards and any other items can also be mailed directly to Northgate Care Center, c/o Lou Ann Wikan, at 960 4th Street NW, Waukon, IA 52172.

Graham crackers, frosting and Clover Kids made the perfect combination to make gingerbread houses at the December Clover Kids session. Youth were able to use their imagination to design their own creation (such as those pictured in the photos above). They learned it took patience, lots of frosting and some re-designing to make the houses stand by themselves. Candy was supplied to decorate with, which added another challenge if the candy was too heavy for their structure. Clover Kids also had the opportunity to make clay gingerbread men for their house. After completion, most gingerbread houses ended up as a snack. For more information about 4-H and upcoming activities, contact the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345 or http://www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee/. Submitted photos.
 

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will observe Iowa Statehood Day and the 175th Anniversary of Iowa Statehood December 28 by offering a program to the public in the Program Room of its new museum in the former Vet’s Club building in Waukon.

Tuesday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m. a video documentary entitled “Iowa - An American Portrait” will be presented. The video was produced by Iowa Public Television in 1996 for the 150th Anniversary of Iowa Statehood and is narrated by NBC broadcaster Tom Brokaw. Credits for the program include contributions from Larsh Bristol Photography and Jim Janett of Allamakee County Conservation. Northeast Iowa area scenes are featured.

Iowa celebrates “Statehood Day” December 28 of each year, because that is the date in 1846 when Iowa was officially granted statehood status. The year 2021 marks the 175th anniversary of Iowa’s statehood.