River Valley

by Alexis Johnson

The Lansing City Council meeting was held Tuesday, September 3 due to the Labor Day holiday falling on the council’s usual Monday meeting date. The discussion centered around the adoption of the consent agenda, citizen’s action, People Service update, marina board and fall clean-up.

The consent agenda consisted of council minutes for August 19, payment claims, Marina Board minutes from August 26, considering the transfer of $4,534.40 from trust funds savings to general checking account to cover splash pad expenses, liquor license for the Lansing Fire Department event September 12, Library Board minutes from July 23 and the library director’s report from August 2019. A motion was made and seconded to approve the adoption of the consent agenda.

As part of its appreciation to thank the 100-plus contributions made to the Big Splash Project, the Lansing Park and Recreation Board reports that the donor recognition sign for the project is being created and will be sent to the manufacturer in the next couple weeks. Anyone who is still contemplating making a contribution to the project should send it to the City of Lansing, P.O. Box 470, Lansing, IA 52151 with the words “Splash Pad” in the memo section.

The splash pad equipment has arrived and the majority of the plumbing is complete for the project. Once the concrete is poured and a shelter for the controller and manifold is completed, the equipment will be installed. Park and Recreation Board officials know the season is getting late, so they have planned a ribbon cutting ceremony to take place next year when the weather begins to warm up.

The Kee High School Post Prom Committee will host Bingo Sunday, September 15 in the Kee High School cafeteria in Lansing. Games will start at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

Participants can bring a non-perishable food item or $1 donation and play an extra Bingo card free. All donations will be given to LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust). All players will be eligible for a door prize drawing at intermission. Proceeds will be used to fund 2020 Post Prom prizes and entertainment.

Main Street Lansing held a ribbon cutting and first dollar visit for the Driftless Gypsy Boutique, located at 231 Main Street in Lansing and owned by Elissa Strobel. The Driftless Gypsy is Lansing’s newest boutique with custom apparel, fashion, jewelry and accessories. Strobel also operates Shoreline Print Co., a screen printing company, out of the same building. Pictured above, left to right, at the ribbon cutting ceremony are Maryann Baldwin of Main Street Lansing, Driftless Gypsy owner Elissa Strobel, and Jana Schoh of Main Street Lansing. Submitted photo.
 

The Kee High School Post Prom Committee will host Bingo Sunday, September 15 in the Kee High School cafeteria in Lansing. Games will start at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m.

Participants can bring a non-perishable food item or $1 donation and play an extra Bingo card free. All donations will be given to LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust). All players will be eligible for a door prize drawing at intermission. Proceeds will be used to fund 2020 Post Prom prizes and entertainment.

What does the future hold for downtown Lansing? Community residents and business persons still have a chance to chime in as part of the Downtown Lansing Market Study project being orchestrated by Main Street Lansing.

Andy Kelleher, Main Street Lansing Executive Director, said a special project team assembled by Main Street Lansing initiated work on the project last month. Main Street Lansing, the local non-profit group spearheading downtown Lansing revitalization efforts, is performing the study to fine-tune and enhance downtown business development and marketing strategies. Kelleher said the study will include an in-depth analysis of input collected from local business and consumer surveys to be conducted throughout the month of August.

Having proven time and time again that they are dedicated to coming to the aid of their community, it is certainly no surprise that members of the Lansing Fire Department have also been more than willing to step up to help out one of their own during a challenging time.

When Bill Bartels, a 31-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department, recently received word that his non-Hodgkins lymphoma had returned, his fellow firefighting volunteers once again answered their call to duty, volunteering to have their heads shaved in an effort to raise funds for the Bartels family to help with expenses related to Bill’s most recent treatment. It was two years ago, when Bill was first diagnosed, that his fellow volunteers did the same thing.

Over two dozen people gathered Tuesday, August 6 at the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center in Lansing to celebrate the development of a new original water color painting that depicts the view from the Visitor Center, as well as the release of new posters and postcards that were developed by Northeast Iowa RC&D from the painting. The painting is the artwork of Decorah artist Mary Ann Gloe, and the posters and postcards based on that painting are available at the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center Gift Shop.

Saturday, August 17, family and friends of lifelong resident and local “River Rat” Pat Sandry will be honoring his memory with the Second Annual Pat Sandry Memorial Fishing Derby and Friends of Pool 9 Fundraiser held on the Mississippi River. Sandry passed away in November of 2017 after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He enjoyed the outdoors, had a passion for fishing and hunting, and he truly treasured the beauty of the Lansing area.

Entry fee is $50 per boat with 50% payback in prize money and 50% being donated to Friends of Pool 9. There is a limit of two adults and two children per boat.

The New Albin Public Library will be hosting a “Hidden in Plain Sight” event Tuesday, August 20 for the general public to attend anytime from 6-8 p.m. at the New Albin Community Center. Made possible by Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) in cooperation with the Clayton County Community Collaboration Council (5C), the interactive exhibit is intended to serve as a drug indicator exhibit, providing an example of what most would call a typical bedroom for a teenager but also offering insight into what may also be some areas that are easily overlooked by parents/guardians and may provide evidence of teen substance use or abuse. The exhibit is open to everyone. In addition to the exhibit on display similar to the one pictured above, knowledgeable hosts will be available to guide those attending through the exhibit and answer any questions they may have. Submitted photo.