River Valley

by B.J. Tomlinson

Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society will be sponsoring a “History Day” for the Harpers Ferry area. This is the first major project of the newly formed Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society, established to preserve and share Harpers Ferry area history. The group hopes to collect people’s old photos and other old history items of the Harpers Ferry area.
Two events have been scheduled to collect historical items and information:
Wednesday, July 23rd from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ethel Robinson Meehan Community Building in Harpers Ferry. Oral histories and family stories will be video-taped or transcribed and a copy given to contributors from 1 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, September 13 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Harpers Ferry. Oral histories and family stories will be taken as well.

Kelsey Cota  has been selected to attend the American Legion Auxiliary’s Iowa Girls State.  Cota was selected based on selection criteria through Auxiliary Unit 722 and her teachers at Waukon Senior High. Representing her state as a legislator, Cota will study local, county and state government processes in this nonpartisan political learning experience.
Cota will attend Girls State at Iowa State University from June 15-20. She is the daughter of Karen and Dave Cota of Harpers Ferry and will be a Senior this fall at Waukon Senior High.
Every summer, the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program provides approximately 25,000 young women with a hands-on educational opportunity designed to instruct tomorrow’s leaders in the privileges and duties of responsible citizenship.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be presenting “Native American Heritage,” part of the library’s “Lansing’s Roots” series, Thursday, June 12  beginning at 7 p.m. Area historian Terry Landsgaard will give a presentation covering the Old Mission School and Emma Big Bear.
 

The New Albin Public Library will welcome Calmar author Elaine Hegg to a book signing event Thursday, June 12 at 7 p.m. in the Stone Quarry Hall (136 Main Street, New Albin).
Hegg is the author of “Death in a One-Room Country School,” which details the murder of Igna Magnusson in Allamakee County in 1921.
For more information, visit the New Albin Public Library’s Facebook page.

The seventh annual Mississippi River Adventure Day (MRAD) sponsored by Friends of Pool 9 is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.  The day-long event involves treating 120 children and parents to a series of experiences on the Mississippi River.  Outdoor professionals will lead children on an encounter with nature they will not soon forget. The river activity affords children a hands-on experience with nature under the guidance and safety of trained professionals. Friends of Pool 9 organizers assure parents it will be a safe and meaningful day for their children. There is no cost to parents or children.  All expenses are paid by Friends of Pool 9 and other donors.
Participants and accompanying adults will meet at the Lansing baseball diamond for instructions and be fitted with a personal flotation device (life jacket), transported to activity sites on the Mississippi River via Mississippi Explorer boats, and provided a noon picnic on the beach.

The seventh annual Mississippi River Adventure Day (MRAD) sponsored by Friends of Pool 9 is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.  The day-long event involves treating 120 children and parents to a series of experiences on the Mississippi River.  Outdoor professionals will lead children on an encounter with nature they will not soon forget. The river activity affords children a hands-on experience with nature under the guidance and safety of trained professionals. Friends of Pool 9 organizers assure parents it will be a safe and meaningful day for their children. There is no cost to parents or children.  All expenses are paid by Friends of Pool 9 and other donors.
Participants and accompanying adults will meet at the Lansing baseball diamond for instructions and be fitted with a personal flotation device (life jacket), transported to activity sites on the Mississippi River via Mississippi Explorer boats, and provided a picnic noon lunch on the beach.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Kee High band and vocal department brought nearly 40 Kee High students out to “The Hill” last Tuesday for a Civic Responsibility Day. They were there to help the Lansing Visioning Group pretty up the parcel at the end of Blackhawk Bridge. Kee High Band Director Justin Schwake said the students, who were revved up for the last day of school, all volunteered to help the cause by pulling weeds, digging, planting and spraying. Despite a couple of run-ins with garden snakes, the event was a great success.  Adults who have “adopted” portions of the Hill were present to direct the students. Sue Papp, Bill Nation, John Verdon, Duane Meier, Bob Conyer and Jackie Everett helped out and all agreed the students did a great job. Photo and report by B.J. Tomlinson.