River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

Friday through Sunday, October 9-11, more than 200 quilted items are expected to adorn the Community Center in New Albin. The New Albin Public Library Quilt Show will take place from 4-7 p.m. that Friday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 12-4 p.m. Sunday. All proceeds from the event benefit the New Albin Public Library.
Lisa Fruechte and Karen Darling of New Albin have been organizing the show since 2006 and have seen it grow. “Most of the people sharing quilts do the quilts for fun and the enjoyment of the craft, that adds to the excitement of what we get,” said Darling. “We will have antique quilts, baby quilts, t-shirt quilts, wall hangings, table runners and quilts of all different sizes. There is always a great variety!”

In the spirit of Halloween, Main Street Lansing is looking for participants in its inaugural October Scarecrow Festival. Scarecrows will be on display in historic downtown Lansing from October 1 through November 2.
Area community groups are invited to create a scarecrow based on famous children’s book characters - this year’s theme was selected by the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library.
Scarecrows will be displayed outside local businesses, which are also being sought to sponsor the scarecrows by providing $25 in start-up money for supplies for the group they are sponsoring. A total of $300 in Downtown Dollars will be awarded, $200 of that being awarded to the group whose scarecrow best illustrates this year’s theme, and $50 each to the group that has the scariest and to the group that has the funniest scarecrow.
Interested community groups and business sponsors may contact Main Street Lansing at 563-538-9229 to sign up.

Everyone is invited to visit Sugar Creek Park in Ferryville, WI for Fall Fest and Market in the Park, which will be open Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board, a community organization of Ferryville, WI, is the organizer once again for this popular fall event.
Shoppers at the farmers’ market will find a variety of choices, such as raspberries, garden produce in abundance, apples and other fall items. Amish aprons, rugs, baskets, crafts and baked goods like maple glazed donuts, fruit pies, granola, cookies and Hot Pepper Jam will also be offered for sale. A local vendor, Robert Jelinek, will be selling his 2014 season maple syrup.
Local award-winning artist Larry Gehl will display his woodturnings, which include bowls and other pieces. Other crafted items to be displayed and offered for sale include scarves and textile arts.

The rehabilitation program can assist homeowners with up to $24,999 to help make repairs to their home.  The homes must meet Iowa’s Minimum Housing Standards upon completion. Rehabilitation may include items such as replacing shingles or siding that is in poor condition; and/or to aid in energy efficiency such as adding insulation to the attic and walls, replacing drafty old windows, and updating the electrical and plumbing.  
To determine if homeowners are eligible for the grant funds: they must own and have lived in their home for a minimum of six months, they must be income eligible and their property cannot be located in the 100-year flood plain. Income eligibility is based on household size and annual (gross) household income (see chart below).

Main Street Lansing (MSL) members recently welcomed Tom Garrett and his new business, Scenic Outdoor Adventures, to downtown Lansing. Scenic Outdoor Adventures offers kayak rentals by the day or weekend to explore the Mississippi River or Upper Iowa River. Delivery and pickup are available, or a reduced rate is offered for self-hauling. Call 563-538-4145 or 563-794-0542 for additional information. Pictured left to right are Dave Janzen (Lansing Hardware), Mary Palmborg (MSL), Sue Papp (MSL), Judy Schild (Eagles Nest Gallery), Tom Garrett (Scenic Outdoor Adventures), Jana Schoh (Red Geranium) and Bruce Palmborg (MSL). Submitted photo.

submitted by Lucy (Rodenberg) Anderson

8K Male - Tom Burke (36:12), 8K Female - Alaina Marti (42:19), 5K Over 18 Male - Todd Corwin (22:11), 5K Under 18 Male - John O’Neill (24:32), 5K Over 18 Female - Jessa Kelleher (24:35), 5K Under 18 Female - Nicki Wood (23:45). Submitted photo.

by B.J. Tomlinson

City of Lansing officials report that Mt. Hosmer will be closed to all foot and vehicle traffic for a period of at least the next two weeks, as a hillside stabilization and road repaving project will be taking place near the entrance area to the City of Lansing water reservoir. The recent history of heavy rains over the last several summers has caused areas of hillside erosion along the road ascending Mt. Hosmer, with that road having been reduced to a single lane of traffic (as evident by the sign in the photo above) recently to help avoid any incidents or further damage. The project got underway Tuesday, April 11 and is being funded with money received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Standard photo by B.J. Tomlinson.