River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

by B.J. Tomlinson
 
Maxine Dawn, who has lived at 120 Valley Street in Lansing for the past 22 years, smelled smoke at around 5 p.m. Thursday, March 5. Then she heard a whooshing noise and turned off the thermostat. The mobile home, heated with diesel fuel, filled with black smoke.
With the outdoor temperature at four degrees below zero, Dawn, in her nightclothes, ran across the street and yelled at neighbor John Gage, who gave her a jacket, and Lorie Gage called the Lansing Fire Department. Dawn and her neighbors watched as the home was consumed with thick black smoke and flames.
In addition to the mobile home and its contents, Dawn’s car, which was parked next to the trailer, was also destroyed.

The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting a presentation of the Allamakee County Conservation Board titled “Attracting Iowa’s Butterflies to our Backyard” Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m.  The event will be open to the public and free of charge for those attending.  
Attendees of the program will learn about Iowa’s butterfly species including the 38 species that have been designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and what individuals can do to help in their own backyard..  
For more information on this program, contact the Allamakee County Conservation Board at 563-586-2996 or the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library at 563-538-4693. Follow the Allamakee County Conservation Board on Facebook for more information on other public programs and events.
 

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Sixth Annual Bald Eagle Watching Day will be held Saturday, March 7 in Ferryville, WI at the Village Community Center located on State Highway 35, “The Great River Road.” This program is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council and is free to the public. It is co-sponsored this year by Friends of Pool 9.
Event activities are planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with not only opportunities to see and learn about Bald Eagles but also enjoy refreshments. There will also be free children’s craft activities throughout the event.

An old-fashioned ice harvest served as the unofficial kickoff for Lansing’s Inaugural Winterfest, during which ice was collected from the Mississippi River for an ice sculpting demonstration in the plaza on Main Street in Lansing Saturday, February 21 (pictured). Other activities throughout the day included a hike up Mt. Hosmer, a chili cook-off, ice fishing, snowshoeing and indoor activities. Standard photo by Bob Beach.

by B.J. Tomlinson

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Nightcrawlers Forever Committee is planning its annual benefit potluck to be held at Milty’s in Lansing Sunday, February 22 at 11 a.m. The committee appreciates the support of the many local business owners and individuals who have made this event successful in the past through their generous donations and encourages those who have not made a donation in the past to consider making a contribution to this year’s event.
Contributions can be made either in the form of cash or merchandise, as numerous items are needed for raffle prizes. Proceeds from the 2014 benefit were distributed among many area organizations and projects.
Everyone is invited to attend the Nightcrawlers Forever benefit. Be prepared to feast on roast pork, worm-theme potluck desserts and entrees, beverages and appetizers. Those planning to attend are asked to bring a dish to pass.

by B.J. Tomlinson