Community News

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 18 to address a full agenda of items. The Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement was opened and closed. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no verbal or written comments were received regarding the matter.

The Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Sewer Improvement Loan and Disbursement was also opened and closed without any verbal or written comments.

During Public Comment, Brooke Troendle of the Walk-On Waukon group discussed the status of a grant for sidewalks and matching funds committed by the City. Mayor Pat Stone advised Troendle to follow-up on the matter at a future meeting with budget work having recently concluded. Council member John Ellingson provided feedback on capital project budget planning to include approximately 20% for engineering and 10-15% for contingency.

The Waukon High School Music Department will be hosting its ninth annual Pops Concert Saturday, February 23 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with concert time at 7:30 p.m. Musical groups include the Waukon Middle School and High School Jazz Bands, Middle School Choir, JV Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, a select group of sixth grade singers, as well as the Barbershop and Sweet Adeline Quartets. The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters. It replaced the Spaghetti Supper nine years ago and has proven to be a very popular change by all involved and all who attend the event.

A pair of art students under the direction of Carlyn Lechtenberg in the Allamakee Community School District had their artwork nominated for participation in the Youth Art Month Show sponsored by the Art Educators of Iowa (AEI). The artwork was juried at the AEI Winter Council Meeting held February 2.

Pictured above is a marker drawing by Waukon Middle School sixth grader Ava Hooten entitled “Marvel Heroes: Green Lantern.” Pictured below is a monochromatic oil pastel drawing by Waukon High School freshman Kiara Ahlstrom entitled “Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic)”.

“A Universe of Stories” is the theme of Robey Memorial Library’s 2019 Adult Reading Challenge that began January 1 and ends December 31. Patrons are invited to explore the wonders of the universe and learn about the solar system, perhaps trying something new, such as learn new facts about space, read a new book, try a new craft, meet new people, and much more.

Those participating can receive a prize drawing entry for reading from one of each of 12 categories: biography; short stories or essays; cross-cultural theme; science fiction or space theme; history fiction or non-fiction; autobiography; poetry; mystery fiction or non-fiction; second book in a series; travel fiction or non-fiction; story of courage fiction or non-fiction; and story of friendship fiction or non-fiction.

Kerndt Brothers Bank has announced that Rich Werner has joined the bank as a Business Banker responsible for providing lending and deposit services to agricultural businesses and commercial customers throughout northeast Iowa. His responsibilities also include business development and enhancing relationships with existing customers.

Werner joins Kerndt Brothers Bank from AgXplore headquartered in Parma, MO, where he served as an Ag Agronomist. He brings significant experience in farming, agricultural sales and manufacturing with significant experience in sales management and customer experience. In total, his experience covers over 30 years in various business positions, with progressive responsibilities related to business management and building new customer relationships through a dedicated focus on customer needs.

The Friday, February 1 home game for the Waukon girls basketball team allowed the crowd to witness more than just basketball at the Waukon High School gymnasium, as youth ranging from Pre-Kindergarten on up through eighth grade performed as part of the Little Indian Cheerleading Camp that took place nearly two weeks earlier, Monday, January 21 during a scheduled day off in the Allamakee Community School District. More than 70 youngsters in Pre-Kindergarten through second grade participated in the January 21 camp and then performed during halftime of the February 1 junior varsity game, with nearly 40 more third through eighth graders taking part in the January 21 camp and then performing at halftime of the February 1 varsity game, those performances having been originally scheduled for January 22 but being postponed twice due to winter weather.

Waukon Dental and Family Dentistry Associates of Monona are hosting their 29th Annual and Dental Associates of Prairie du Chien, P.C. is hosting its 25th Annual Have A Heart Day.

For close to 30 years, free dental care has been provided in the local area through this event. Have a Heart Day focuses on serving area youth, ages four to 18 who have not recently seen a dentist, to receive free dental work.

This year, Have A Heart Day will be held Saturday, February 9 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Through this annual event, many doctors and staff have felt impacted by the effect this day can have on a child’s health and on the community as a whole. While this event is during Valentine’s season, it also is celebrated during one of the most important dental months, National Children’s Dental Health Month.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in special session Monday, February 4 at 5:30 p.m. to conduct a budget review. Following adjournment of that special session, the council’s regular Monday session was called to order.

The Public Hearing on the proposed amendment to the Waukon zoning ordinance was opened and closed. Waukon City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no verbal or written comments were received regarding the matter. There was no Public Comment during that designated portion of the meeting, either.

Under Departmental Reports, Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed the replacement of a light pole and provided an update on the process used for removing and hauling away  large amounts of snow. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed monitoring temperatures within the water distribution system and the replacement of the pump house heater.

Old West Paint Creek Church in rural Waukon will host speakers Jason and Shannon Kerr this Sunday, February 10 at 2 p.m. The community is welcome to attend and hear their inspiring miracle story of survival and recovery following a horrific traffic accident near their Lakeville, MN home.
This family’s story involves angels, prophetic dreams and visions, and words from God Himself. It inspires faith and hope in God’s unfailing love, care and answers to prayer.

Shannon Kerr will also have her book, “Against All Odds,” (pictured above) available at the presentation, inspired by her recovery experience. For further information about the Kerr family (pictured below), their story and the book, visit www.againstalloddsbook.com.
 

The Allamakee Community School District hosted the annual Career Workshop Friday, February 1 at Waukon High School. The Career Workshop is the brainstorm of Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson, Northeast Iowa Community College-Waukon Center Director Erica Nosbisch and Allamakee County Economic Development & Tourism Director Val Reinke. Invitations are extended to junior and senior students at Waukon, Kee, Postville and MFL/MarMac High Schools. The goal of this event is to introduce high school juniors and seniors to area businesses, career opportunities and the stories of local people. Approximately 150 students participated, choosing two tracks to attend based on career interests (some of those students and speakers are pictured in surrounding photos). This year’s event included the following tracks and guest speakers: