River Valley

Main Street Lansing held a ribbon cutting and First Dollar presentation with The Gourmet Traveler, located at 211 Main Street in Lansing. Owned by sisters Wendi Eiden and Diana Wilson-Thompson, The Gourmet Traveler is the pair’s second business in Lansing, including Coffee on the River. The Gourmet Traveler is a gourmet’s kitchen dream, offering unique kitchen items, home decor, and specialty gourmet foods to make every day a special occasion. Pictured in the photo of the ribbon cutting above are Main Street Lansing representatives Maryann Baldwin, Sarah Updegraff and Mary Palmborg, The Gourmet Traveler owners Diana Wilson-Thompson and Wendi Eiden, and Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher. Submitted photo.
 

River Bluff Daze is returning to Ferryville, WI this Saturday, July 24. Full details of all the activities and opportunities planned during the event can be found at www.visitferryville.com.

A guided nature hike at Sugar Creek Bluff will kick things off at 8:30 a.m. Participants can meet at the Ferryville Boat Landing to carpool up to Sugar Creek Bluff. Hikers will see birds, wildlife, wildflowers and experience the panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley, sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council.

John Weymiller, current resident at Thornton Manor in Lansing and long-time resident of Eitzen, MN, was asked by the Eitzen Lions Club to be the Parade Marshal for the Eitzen Lions Family Fun Fest that took place during the Fourth of July weekend in Eitzen, MN. Weymiller, age 91, is pictured above in the 1912 Model T Touring Ford owned by Bryan and Lori Ann St. Mary that he was privileged enough to ride in while being honored throughout the parade. Weymiller, himself, was a collector of Model T Fords, and has been a member of the Eitzen Lions Club for over 40 years.

Weymiller also claims the honor of being the “second oldest man living in Eitzen,” and says he is humbled by being asked to serve as this year’s Parade Marshal. “I am deeply moved and highly honored,” he said. “I met so many nice people, and old friends greeted me along the route. The old Ford performed ‘flawlessly,’ especially since it is over 10 years older than I am!”

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk sponsored by Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. was back with great excitement and enthusiasm Saturday, July 3 in Harpers Ferry. When Kaylee Bachman finished singing the final note of the National Anthem, the crowd was eager to get the 2021 Firecracker 5K started. The town was packed with people celebrating the Fourth of July and many participated in the race or lined the route to cheer on the participants.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board for a guided Mississippi River backwater paddling adventure Thursday, July 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. and returning to the landing by sunset at the Village Creek Boat Landing, Lansing. Participants are welcome to use their own canoe or kayak but must follow all rules and regulations in accordance with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  A limited number of solo and tandem kayaks will be available to use from the Allamakee County Conservation Board, provided with paddles and life jackets.

Advanced registration is required for this series of programs. To register or reserve a kayak, call 563-538-0403. Solo participants are encouraged to register, but may be paired with other paddlers in a tandem kayak if using ACCB equipment.

Don’t miss the chance to learn the techniques of nature photographer and naturalist Larry Reis Saturday, July 17 at 9 a.m. at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette. Reis is well known throughout the state for his beautiful nature photos and the thousands of photos he has shared on Flickr.

During this program, Ries will be talking about and demonstrating the camera gear he uses to take his bird and nature photos. He will give a short presentation indoors and then participants will head outdoors to practice taking photos of birds, animals and wildflowers around the Wetlands Centre. He will also share ideas on places to photograph birds during the different seasons of the year.

All Upper Iowa Audubon Society programs are free and open to the public.  Contact Connie Hvitved at 641-220-3890 for more information. This program is co-hosted with the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest will be hosting a free concert Saturday, July 10. Local band Big Blue Sky will be performing at 737 State Forest Road - the Sawmill Complex/Ranger’s Office - beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“Big Blue Sky is an eco/folk/bluesy band from the Driftless Region with a lot of amazing original music,” says Friends of Yellow River State Forest President Kelli Boylen. “The event is family friendly. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, if you wish.”

The concert is free but donations to Driftless Area Bird Conservation will be accepted. In the case of inclement weather, an announcement will be made on the Friends of Yellow River State Forest Facebook page. To learn more about Friends of Yellow River State Forest go to www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org.
 

The United Methodist Church in Lansing is sponsoring a non-denominational summer Vacation Bible School starting July 19 and running through July 23.

Those attending will be taking a cool step back in time were they will see Jesus changing water into wine, and Jesus helping a Samaritan woman at a well. Hear how Jesus instructed adults to “let the children come to me” and after his death and resurrection how Philip teaches the Ethiopian that Christ came for each and every one. Enjoy Bible explorations, cool crafts, sing new songs and enjoy Chadder’s Snow Show. A light supper will be served and games will be played.

Registration will begin at 5 p.m. Monday, July 19. There is no registration fee, but all are encouraged to bring a gift or two to be sent to Operation Kid to Kid sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse.

The Ferryville Tourism Council will be hosting the second in its Summer Series of Chautauqua Programs in Ferryville, WI Wednesday, July 14 at the South Shelter at Sugar Creek Park along Hwy. 35, The Great River Road. Dan Jackson will present a program entitled “Dragonflies and Damselflies” at 6:30 p.m.

This program will be outside at the park shelter, and not in the Ferryville Village Hall.

Jackson is an avid birder, outdoorsman, naturalist, nature photographer and citizen scientist for dragonflies, damselflies and birds of Wisconsin. He helps with Fall Migration Day as well as birding hikes on Sugar Creek Bluff. For this presentation, he will provide an introduction to the insect order Odonata, which includes dragonflies and damselflies.

There are picnic tables under the shelter, but feel free to bring a lawn chair and bug spray to keep other insects away. Dragonflies and damselflies do not bite.

The Harpers Ferry Fireflies took second place at the Iowa State Granny Basketball Games held June 11-12 in West Des Moines. The Fireflies were in Pool B and played the Oklahoma Rockers, winning by a score of 69-47 before also winning their second game vs. the Dubuque Cuties, 79-38. Their final game of the day was against the Wild Things and resulted in another win by a score of 59-37 to finish 3-0 for the pool play portion of the event. In Sunday’s championship round, the Fireflies first defeated the Center Point Model T’s, 55-42, advancing them to the championship game, where they ended up falling to the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers by a score of 56-43 to end up as the tournament runner-up.