Community News

Kerndt Brothers Bank in Waukon has announced a financial commitment of $5,000 toward the City of Waukon’s new community tennis courts. The bank is responding to an effort undertaken by the Waukon Park and Recreation Department to return the sport of tennis to the community after more than 15 years without local tennis courts. The $220,000 project includes two lighted courts and is located just west of the Waukon High School parking lot. With all the funding for the project substantially in place, groundbreaking for the new facility is expected in July.

Jeremy Strub, Waukon Park and Recreation Wellness Director, said, “We greatly appreciate the financial support from Kerndt Brothers Bank. Tennis is a sport that appeals to all ages and economic backgrounds, so the bank’s contribution will benefit a wide variety of people in our community.”

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 17 to address a full agenda of items including Plaza project redesign engineering proposals, Waukon Industrial Park Sidewalk Project and the search for a City Manager. The Public Hearing on the Southeast Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Tennis Court Project was opened and closed. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments were received.

During Public Comment, John Hitner briefly discussed concerns relating to the bidding process involved in the Waukon Industrial Park Sidewalk Project and requested to be heard when that matter was addressed later in the meeting agenda.

The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the use of life skills to learn content objectives. Through 4-H, this model emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the experiences or activities in each situation of the learning cycle. Students bring their own experiences and knowledge to that learning cycle. The 2019 Allamakee County 4-H Council Retreat was strategic on bringing the Experiential Learning Model to action with a focus on self-discovery, along with creating an understanding and application of working in a team.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Improvement project involving Highways 9 and 76 through Waukon has hit the downtown Main Street area with continued sidewalk improvements and some infrastructure work both above and below ground, some of which is depicted in the surrounding photos. In addition to the typical sidewalk, curb and gutter work that has accounted for a majority of the project thus far along the designated project route, there have also been some discoveries made and other originally known issues requiring further investigation into otherwise unknown sources that have required some extra attention, including the process pictured in the two photos above of replacement of a troubled segment of original storm sewer along the south side of Main Street that is still utilized and ties into the main storm sewer, according to City officials.

Deadline to return completed registration form is June 22

The Allamakee County Fair Board is seeking applicants for the 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen contest, with this year’s fair running July 17-21.

The contest will run similarly to that of the Iowa State Fair Queen Contest. There will be one formal interview conducted by judges. This is where the majority of the judging will take place.

Coronation of the 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen will take place following the “Allamakee County Youth Showcase” Tuesday evening, July 16 at the Allamakee County Pavilion building on the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. This event will begin at 7 p.m.

At this event, each Fair Queen contestant will be asked to share her favorite Allamakee County Fair memory. The 2019 Allamakee County Fair Queen and Allamakee County Fair Princess will be announced and crowned at the conclusion of the Youth Showcase.

Pheasants Forever and partners in northeast Iowa will be hosting several field days during National Pollinator Week, June 17-23. They will provide educational opportunities for farmers, landowners and others interested in seeking information about pheasants, monarchs, pollinators, wildlife habitat conservation and management. These Pollinator Habitat Field Tours are open to the public and free of charge. Light refreshments will be provided.

The most local Pollinator Habitat Field Tour is scheduled for Monday, June 17 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and will begin at Freedom Bank (formerly Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank), located at 201 West Main Street in Waukon.

Children and families are encouraged to participate in Robey Memorial Library’s program series, Summer Explorers, to be held the first and third Wednesdays in June and August from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the library. The remaining program schedule is as follows:

• June 19 - Movie: Disneynature: Bears - Showcasing a year in the life of a bear family and set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop, their journey begins as winter ends. Astonishing footage captures the fast-moving action and suspense of an endearing family learning to live life to its fullest in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses.
• August 7 - Recycled Art: Create a unique art piece using recycled materials. The library will provide all materials.
• August 21 - To be decided.

For more information contact the library at 563-568-4424 or www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Everyone has an Iowa food story, and Lake City author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby will bring these stories to life Friday, June 14 at the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon for a free Adventures in Iowa’s Culinary History program and book signing starting at 2 p.m.

“From Iowa originals like Maid-Rites to kolaches to homemade cinnamon rolls - served with chili, of course - there are many remarkable stories behind Iowa’s tastiest traditions,” said Maulsby, Iowa’s Storyteller, who has been featured in the Iowa History Journal, Our Iowa magazine, Iowa Public Radio and more. “Pull up a chair, and relish what you missed in history class.”

The New Albin Public Library will be hosting Story Time with Dan Wardell as part of Dan’s Reading Road Trip sponsored by Iowa Public Television. Area youth and families are invited to attend the Wednesday, June 19 event that begins at 10 a.m. at the New Albin Public Library, located at 137 Railroad Avenue SW in New Albin.

Those attending can meet Dan Wardell, hear a story and receive an official superhero card. His message to area youth during their summer break from school will be to turn off their screen devices, get up and play, use their imagination, read good books and make healthy choices.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 3 to address a full agenda of items including the appointment of Library Trustees, an agreement for consultation fees for former City employees and awarding a contract for the Waukon Industrial Park Sidewalk Project.

The council individually held four Public Hearings, all without any written or verbal comments received and without comment from the public in attendance. These Public Hearings included the proposed change in zoning district classification for certain property in the Green Valley Subdivision, proposed specifications and estimated costs of the Tennis Court Project through the Waukon Park and Recreation Wellness Department, proposed disposition of interest in real property relating to the West Side Subdivision Lot 8, and proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of the Waukon Industrial Park Sidewalk Project.