River Valley

A Community Resource Fair is coming to Allamakee County, scheduled for this Sunday, December 7 at the Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center in Postville, from 1-4:30 p.m. The event will bring together nonprofit organizations, government services, and community partners who support northeast Iowans with vital resources.

FEATURED SPEAKER
Organizers of the event are especially pleased to welcome Sarah Murray of Lansing, founder of “Hope is a Strategy” who has an incredible and inspiring story. After a fall left her a quadriplegic, she chose to use her experience to uplift and motivate others. Her message is powerful, hopeful, and truly encouraging. She’ll be speaking at 2 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to attend.

The community of Lansing has a pair of ongoing promotional events taking place as the holiday rolls on. Now through December 20, area residents and visitors can join in the promotional activities described below:
• Lansing Elf Scavenger Hunt - There are 20 elves hidden in local businesses, each with a holiday movie clue. Participants can find them all and match each movie title with the correct Elf business location as they explore downtown Lansing. Forms to be used for the Scavenger Hunt can be picked up at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library or scan the QR code above to complete and submit the form. Return the completed print form by December 21 to the library or Main Street Lansing’s drop box at The Works for prizes and a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars.

The community of Harpers Ferry will be hosting a variety of holiday events as the month of December rolls on. Area residents and visitors can take in some of that holiday spirit at the following events:

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session with all in attendance Monday, November 17 to address a full slate of agenda items. The council approved the awarding and scheduling of the 2025 bond issue, renewal of health insurance coverage, the sale of surplus equipment, and steps toward addressing well and pumping system concerns, in addition to hearing a detailed Main Street Lansing report.

The community of Lansing has a full schedule of events and activities taking place as the holiday season gains a full head of steam. Starting as early as this weekend, area residents and visitors can join in the multitude of events described below:
• November 21-December 20: Lansing Elf Scavenger Hunt - There are 20 elves hidden in local businesses, each with a holiday movie clue. Participants can find them all and match each movie title with the correct Elf business location as they explore downtown Lansing. Forms to be used for the Scavenger Hunt can be picked up at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library or scan the QR code at right to complete and submit the form. Return the completed print form by December 21 to the library or Main Street Lansing’s drop box at The Works for prizes and a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars.

The Ferryville Tourism Council will host the 14th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Ferryville, WI at River View Park Monday, December 1 from 6-7 p.m. The event will be held in a white tent in the small parking area between Swing Inn and Wooden Nickel, right across the street from River View Park.  The tent will also hold two musicians, Crisse and Mark, better known as “Sixteen Strings and a Stick”.

Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and hot cider will also be available in the tent, and Santa Claus will also be on site. Song sheets will be available for group singing of popular favorite holiday songs.
 

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met for its regular session Monday, November 3 with Mayor Mike Verdon absent and council member Mike Manning presiding in his place as Mayor Pro Tem. In a meeting that lasted just under half an hour, the council addressed key financial measures connected to Lansing’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives, along with routine administrative approvals and community maintenance topics, including consolidating municipal loan agreements, updates on federally funded water and sewer projects, and overseeing facility operations.

TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
The council approved a request from Ron and Susanne Herman to remove several trees on city property adjacent to their property on South Front Street. The Hermans volunteered to undertake this work entirely at their own expense and to assume full liability, ensuring the city would incur no costs or risks with the project.

The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library is hosting Iowa Legal Aid in a series of free evening workshops for adults. The next and final session is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m. and will be on advanced directives.

Attendees should bring their questions for legal experts on these topics to answer. All sessions are being held at the library, 515 Main Street in Lansing. Those who have questions may call 563-538-4693 or email library@lansing.lib.ia.us.
 

submitted by Jackie Cooper, Main Street Lansing Executive Director

Main Street Lansing recently welcomed Quincy Johnson and Pinnacle Wealth Management to their new storefront at 224 Main Street in Lansing. A ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration was held Thursday, October 15 to officially introduce Johnson and his business to the downtown community.

A HOMETOWN RETURN
Johnson is no stranger to Lansing - he grew up there and has always admired the town’s strong sense of community. “The generosity of people here is unmatched,” he shared. “Neighbors are always willing to help those in need, and that’s something special you don’t find everywhere.”

The Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) will be hosting a Fall Migration Field Day Saturday, November 15. The day will include a guided hike out onto the spillway in Harpers Ferry to view migrating waterfowl in the main channel, and maps and directions to local birding hot spots that can be picked up at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing.

The hike will leave from the spillway parking area at the southern end of Red Oak Road, across the highway from Mohn’s Fish Market near Harpers Ferry, at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is not required. Following the hike, naturalist Erin Cubbon will be out on Red Oak Road in between Harpers Ferry and Lansing with binoculars and spotting scopes ready to talk birds with visitors until 3 p.m.