River Valley

A group of volunteers painted the inside of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5981 meeting hall this past month in Lansing. With the fiscal help of a mini grant from the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF), the volunteers were able to accomplish their goal to be done before Veterans Day, November 11 of this year.

Pictured above following completion of the project are, left to right, Krista Rasque of the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) Board of Directors, volunteers Bruce ReVoir of Friends of Pool 9, Dick Roeder of VFW Post #5981, Mary Roeder of VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post #5981 Commander Dan Hanson, Mary Morarend of VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary President Barbara Fore, Kim Timmerman of Lansing Girl Scouts and Jerry Aperans of Lansing Boy Scouts. Submitted photo.
 

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, November 16. Discussion centered around the Askelson/Peters complaint, consent agenda, citizen concern, Parks report, Police report and Clerk’s report.

The Askelson/Peters complaint consisted of considering council action on legal claims made by property owner Les Askelson against the City regarding 691 South Front Street and 661 South Front Street. The council entered into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(l)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation. The closed session took place from 7:04-8:35 p.m. Upon entering the open session, the council decided to impose the nuisance violation regarding a fence at 661 South Front Street, requiring removal of six fence panels.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that the Highway 35 project between Genoa and Stoddard has now been completed, and within its scheduled timeframe. The 6.8-mile segment of that highway was closed beginning in April of this year.

The DOT said the $14.4 million project involved resurfacing the highway, replacing four bridges, and extensive road work within the community of Stoddard, resulting in lengthy detours. While the road is now open to traffic, Wisconsin DOT officials say there are still a few days left of clean-up work and equipment removal by workers. Drivers are urged to be aware of their presence around the highway and to travel the roadway safely.
 

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host the Driftless Birding Fest Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14. The Driftless Birding Fest will include speakers, exhibits, and guided and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots. The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry and the Ferryville, WI overlook.

Friday, November 13 from 6-8 p.m. “Raptors of Iowa” will be presented at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center. Following the presentation there will be an Owl prowl to find and hear owls on the bluffs surrounding the nature center.

Saturday, November 14 a guided field trip will leave the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center at 6 a.m. to travel to the Brownsville Shady Maple Overlook and return around 11 a.m. Binoculars, spotting scopes and bird identification will be provided during the guided field trip.

Homemade chia cups and catching spiders made for a great kick-off meeting for the Saturday Clover Kids October 17. The group is hosted by Allamakee County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and meets monthly for hands-on, educational activities. Youth learned the difference between their own ecosystem and that of different animals such as spiders, birds and whales. All life requires three things to survive: air, water and soil, but every ecosystem can look very different.

Youth pretended they were one inch tall and went outside to check out what they could find. Due to the cold, many bugs and insects were hard to find but the Clover Kids were able to move a spider from its inside ecosystem to an outside one. They also made their own funny face chia seed cups, such as the one pictured at right being displayed by Brinnly Rea of Lansing, and Cheerios bird feeders.

The Kee High School Student Council will be hosting a community blood drive Wednesday, November 25 in the Kee High School gymnasium in Lansing. The blood drive will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For an appointment, call 563-538-4201 or visit redcrossblood.org.
 

Main Street Lansing recently completed a document highlighting historic preservation in Lansing. Content in the 19-page PDF document focuses on the community’s six listings on the National Register of Historic Places, some of the many rehabilitation projects that have occurred in the past, and potential funding opportunities for those wishing to engage in historic preservation. The full document can be accessed at the following link: https://www.mainstreetlansing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Historic-Pr....

“It is our hope that this document can foster pride in the past while also inspiring future innovations,” shared Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher.

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing will host the Driftless Birding Fest Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14. The Driftless Birding Fest will include speakers, exhibits, and guided and self-guided field trips to area birding hotspots. The self-guided field trips will include the Brownsville, MN overlook, Stoddard, WI overlook, New Albin’s Army Road, Red Oak Road near Harpers Ferry and the Ferryville, WI overlook.

Friday, November 13 from 6-8 p.m. “Raptors of Iowa” will be presented at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center. Following the presentation there will be an Owl prowl to find and hear owls on the bluffs surrounding the nature center.

Saturday, November 14 a guided field trip will leave the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center at 6 a.m. to travel to the Brownsville Shady Maple Overlook and return around 11 a.m. Binoculars, spotting scopes and bird identification will be provided during the guided field trip.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, November 2. Discussion centered around the consent agenda, citizen’s action and a public hearing concerning property owned by Les Askelson at 661 South Front Street.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from October 19, 2020, payment of claims, Marina Board minutes, Library Board minutes, and liquor license renewals for Coffee on the River, Milty’s and The Safe House Saloon. A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.

There was a public hearing started at 7:45 p.m. to discuss a shed in the City right-of-way at 409 South Front Street. The public hearing ended at 8:01 p.m. and a motion was made and seconded to approve the citizen’s action.

Main Street Lansing recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony and First Dollar presentation for Moellers & Moellers Family Dentistry. Operated by the husband and wife team of Eric and Heather Moellers (Iowa natives and graduates of the University of Iowa), the Lansing clinic is a satellite location of their Decorah practice. It is located at 267 Main Street in the former Lansing Dental Clinic, which was operated by Bruce Carlson.

Described by Eric as “a mom and pop dental shop,” the Lansing location employs eight people in addition to Eric and Heather. “Many small towns are losing dentists,” said Eric, “and we are proud to keep a dental practice operating in Lansing.”