River Valley

Patients hear her friendly voice every time they call to make an appointment and see her friendly smile every time they enter the Gundersen Lansing Clinic. Faye Halverson has been there since day one - April 1, 1996 - in her role as office manager. This month, Halverson and the rest of the staff at the Lansing Clinic are celebrating 20 years of caring for the Lansing community.

“Having this clinic in Lansing is important for the community’s growth and for providing primary care services in close proximity to La Crosse and the surrounding tri-state area,” comments Halverson.

When the Lansing Clinic opened in 1996, it was a big deal to the community. Lansing had been without a medical clinic since 1991 when Dale Wicklund, MD closed his private practice when he was called to active duty.

by Sue English

Mother River is ready to start spring cleaning and Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) will be there to help, but they can’t do it alone.

Since 2004, FOP9 has sponsored a spring river clean-up day within Pool 9 of the Mississippi River. Since that year, over 120,000 pounds of debris have been collected. This wasn’t done by just a few volunteers. Over 7,000 volunteer hours have gone into this project saving approximately $140,000 in work-related costs. Last year alone, a record breaking 20,000 pounds of accumulated garbage was harvested.

Young and old, fathers, mothers, grandparents and kids are urged to join FOP9 Saturday, April 30 in this valuable endeavor.  Both people and boats are needed. Participants gather at the Lansing VFW building (across from the ball diamond) on Front Street in Lansing at 7:30 a.m. for registration, orientation, clean-up assignment and to receive clean up supplies.  Canvas gloves, garbage bags and water are provided.

Hannah Lee Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), in partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, presented a Vietnam Veterans Recognition day Friday, April 1.  The event took place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. More than 80 veterans, guests and DAR members attended the recognition event.

The Presentation of the Colors by DAR member Wendy Novak and Eagle Scout Cody Michel, both of Decorah, began the official program. The Pledge of Allegiance and singing of “America” followed with an invocation by DAR member Carol Hasvold of Decorah.  After the Posting of the Colors, a tribute entitled “The Significance of the Missing Man Table” was presented by DAR member Marilyn Holland of Decorah. These activities were followed by a luncheon.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Jeff Morris of Lansing has been growing giant pumpkins for eight years. He started when a buddy from South Dakota suggested it to him. He passed on some of his winning expertise to 15 people who met at the Main Street Lansing office Wednesday, March 30.
This fall during the last weekend in September, Main Street Lansing will sponsor the Giant Pumpkin Festival previously sponsored by TASC in Waukon. TASC contacted the Lansing group last year, asking them to take over the celebration.
The first step in preparation for that contest is to plant some pumpkins. As those in attendance at the meeting soon discovered, the process is not as simple as sticking a seed in the ground if they want the plant to produce a pumpkin that could be over 1,000 pounds.

Many boaters and other river users may have noticed construction equipment once again in the Harpers Slough area, across from Lynxville, WI. Island construction continues this year in Pool 9 (River Miles 650-653) by Newt Marine Service of Dubuque.
Hydraulic dredging has gotten underway. For safety, river users are urged to stay away from construction activities, equipment and the hydraulic dredge pipe.
This $12 million project is located within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, McGregor District. The project is funded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Upper Mississippi River Restoration - Environmental Management Program, and was planned and designed cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources.

by B.J. Tomlinson

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

In 2007, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing began observing “Holy Hilarity” on the Sunday following Easter. This is a humorous observance of the resurrection of Christ. This year the congregation will be having a special celebration of the ten-year anniversary of that event. This year’s celebration will be held this Sunday, April 3 at 9 a.m.
Paula Rathbun, one of the organizers of this year’s event, stated, “Everybody needs to try it sometime. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll come back to a happy church. During Holy Hilarity Sunday you will laugh until your soul is full. We will sing a lot to praise God on high and it’s a time to pray for those in need. In addition to our regular offering, people are encouraged to make donations to Helping Services of Northeast Iowa to show our support for those who are in need.”

Elaine (Myhre) Hegg, author of “Death in a One-Room Country School,” will be at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library this Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. to share her story. The book is about the murder of Inga Magnusson, who was the school teacher at Bergen School District #6 in rural Allamakee County, just one mile from the settlement of Bee.
The book relays how the 23-year-old school teacher was beaten to death by Earl Throst in the basement of the remote schoolhouse. He claimed they had been dating and that she broke off the relationship. Area residents are invited to attend and find out the rest of the story.

The Kee High School Music and Drama Departments will be presenting the musical "Legally Blonde" the second weekend in April. The production is presented through Music Theatre International, with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, a book by Heather Hach, and based on the novel by Amanda Brown. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, April 8 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at the Kee High School gymnasium. Admission will be taken at the door the date of each production.
Cast and crew members for "Legally Blonde" are pictured above and include the following: