River Valley

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, along with New Albin Community Education, recently hosted Cooking Up Science: The Clover Cookie Factory at the New Albin Townhouse. Seven third through fifth graders (pictured above) explored the ins and outs of sugar cookies and other cooking techniques while examining some cookie “flops”. At the camp, all-purpose flour and gluten-free flour were used to show gluten formation, salt was added to hamburger bringing out proteins important for cooking, their tongues were used to make a flavor taste map, and many more fun activities. Everyone was able to sample the cookie “flops” along with the correct cookie after deciding what ingredients were forgotten in the “flops”. The youth also took home the secret Clover Cookie recipe. They won’t be sharing, but they might be willing to use their new skills for a taste testing.

The annual New Albin Days celebration is scheduled to take place in the community of New Albin this weekend, Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11. A wide variety of activity is being planned, with a schedule of events available on Page 14A of this week's issue of The Standard.

This year's New Albin Days button (pictured with this article) required for admission is available for purchase at most New Albin businesses and will be available on the festgrounds at this year's event.

Once again this year there will be a crowning of both a Little Miss New Albin and Little Mr. New Albin to kick the event off Friday at 5 p.m. Entry forms are available at New Albin Savings Bank for boys and girls ages 8-13 living within the 52160 zip code. Along with the registration form, each entry is required to write an “I love New Albin because ..." essay and a judge will determine the winner of each crown.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday night, June 6. After Council approval of the consent agenda, Mayor Mike Brennan opened a public hearing to consider adoption of a Budget Amendment for the current City Budget. After questions and comments from the Council, the hearing was closed and the Amendment was approved. The Council also set July 5 as the date for a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement for borrowing money to complete the Clear Creek Water/Sewer Project.

by B.J. Tomlinson

Under the watchful eye of a University of Iowa archaeologist and after months of delay, the Clear Creek Project is nearing completion. Residents on South Front and Valley Streets in Lansing have endured frozen water lines for several years, and completion of this project hopes to bring an end to those troubles.

Donna Troendle, who lives on South Main Street, said she has had frozen water pipes for the last three or four winters and has had to stay with family and friends until the pipes thaw. “The water has been rusty. We have tried running the water longer, but that hasn’t helped. I have to buy bottled water to drink and to cook with,” Troendle said. She is hopeful that the new pipes will correct the problem, but said that no one has told her what to expect.

In mid-April, New Albin Savings Bank employees Kelli Mudderman and Jill Luttchens attended the 2016 Shazam Forum Conference in Des Moines, an annual event displaying current products and services offered to the financial industry by the Shazam network. At each booth at the conference, a bar code could be scanned with a cell phone to be entered into a random drawing for prizes. Mudderman’s name was drawn for the event’s grand prize, $1,000 to be donated to a charity of her choice. New Albin Savings Bank chose to donate that $1,000 prize to the New Albin Improvement League (NAIL), with Mudderman also receiving a Fitbit Surge fitness super watch. Pictured above at the $1,000 donate presentation from Tuesday, May 17 are, left to right, Shazam Account Executive Catherine Cluney, NAIL Co-President Alexie Grotegut, Kelli Mudderman of New Albin Savings Bank, and Shazam Senior Public Relations Manager Patrick Dix. Photo courtesy of Lori Darling.
 

Congressman Rod Blum's staff will be hosting local office hours in Lansing this  Friday, May 27. Staff will be on hand at the Lansing City Clerk’s Office, located at 201 John Street in Lansing, from 1-2:30 p.m. Friday.

The staff office hours provide local residents an opportunity to have their voice heard in person, especially for those who cannot make it to Congressman Blum's permanent offices, or for those who would rather interact face-to-face with congressional staff. Residents who are unable to attend Friday's local office hours but who have a concern to share with the Congressman are invited to contact district staff at 563-580-6959 or at Jonathan.VanNorman@mail.house.gov.
 

The first of 10 top prizes of $30,000 available in the Iowa Lottery’s new “Cash Carnival” scratch game was claimed by a northeast Iowa woman. Terisa Winters-Steiber of Lansing bought her winning ticket Sunday, May 8 at her local Kwik Star, located at 301 Main Street in Lansing, and said she knew right away that she’d won. “I had suspected that I did, but I had to look at it a few times and then I told my husband that we should probably go to town and make sure,” Winters-Steiber told lottery employees Monday, May 9 as she claimed her prize at the lottery’s regional office in Mason City.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in its regular session Monday night, May 16.

Local resident Mark Peterson addressed the Council requesting approval to open a firearm shop at 60 South Front Street in Lansing, asking the Council to issue a letter of support to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as part of the application process. Peterson said he would be selling all types of firearms and ammunition, and that he understands and will follow all regulations. The Council approved the request.

Emily Benzing, who just completed her junior year at Kee High School in Lansing, has been selected a 2016 Iowa Girls State participant by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Unit 722 of Harpers Ferry. She is the daughter of Brian and Debra Benzing of Lansing.

Girls State is being held this year from June 12-17 at Drake University in Des Moines. Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. It was all started by a dream of four women over 70 years ago in hopes of teaching young women about the political process.

The Main Street Lansing program was honored Friday, April 29 by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham with a Main Street Leadership Award bestowed upon Bruce and Mary Palmborg of Lansing. Main Street Lansing Director Craig White introduced the Palmborgs to the audience of more than 450 people attending the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Main Street Iowa held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Pictured above, left to right, are Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Bruce and Mary Palmborg of Main Street Lansing, Main Street Lansing Director Craig White and Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham. Submitted photo.