River Valley

Main Street Lansing recently announced a second successful year for the Main Street Madness Punch card promotion that took place during the holiday season.
A total of 1,675 punch cards were turned in for the drawing, accounting  $167,500 spent in Lansing during the promotion. This year’s total tops last year’s total of $157,500.
Winners of the Main Street Lansing Punch Card Promotion:
$150 Lansing Downtown Dollars — Kim Bose
$75 Lansing Downtown Dollars — Tammy Manning
 $25 Lansing Downtown Dollars — Deloris Winters
$25 gift certificate from Red Geranium — Ann Delaney
$25 gift certificates (two winners) from Village Farm & Home — Mark Thomas and Kathy Moritz
$25 gift certificate from Lansing IGA — Teresa Netzer
$25 gift certificate from Eagle’s Nest Gallery — Meg Buchner
$25 gift certificate from Lansing Hardware — Lisa Matthews.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board will host an informational meeting about the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center planned for the Columbus Bridge property Thursday January, 15 from 5:30-7:30  p.m. at the Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Community Center in Lansing (391 Main Street).
Staff from Fehr Graham Engineering will be present to discuss site planning, Martin Gardner Architecture on the building design, and Split Rock Studios on interpretive displays proposals. The public is encouraged to attend.  

by B.J. Tomlinson

Marsha Kobliska, one of the new owners of the Scenic Valley Motel in Lansing, is welcomed by Main Street Lansing Executive Director, Dan Fisher, and Board President, Bruce Palmborg. Marsha and her husband, Jim, purchased the motel in August.
The Kobliskas, who come from Waterloo, bring a wealth of retail experience to their new enterprise. Marsha worked for several years at Sam’s Club and Jim managed the Sears Automotive store.  For many years, Jim had been coming to the Lansing area to practice his skills as an avid fisherman. He usually stayed at the Scenic Valley Motel so when he saw it was for sale, he thought it might provide a wonderful opportunity to blend his hobby with a vocation. He and Marsha had talked about retiring from the retail world but still wanted to work in another area. The motel offered that situation.

by Bob Beach

During the regular meeting of the Lansing City Council Monday night, December 15, Allamakee Economic Development Executive Director Laura Olson presented the Council with a proposal to apply for grants to establish a trail system in and around Lansing. Olson told the Council that there are federal funds available through the Transportation Alternative Program, requiring a 20% local match in funds for up to $115,000. 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Harpers Ferry Booster Club is sponsoring a “Christmas in the Park” event at Tillinghast Park in Harpers Ferry Saturday, December 13 from 5-7 p.m. Santa Claus will be present with treats for children, and music and refreshments will be available.
A Christmas Tree Decorating Contest will also take place, with any individual or group invited to participate. Prizes of $30 for first place, $20 for second place, and $10 for third place will be awarded. For further information, contact Bill Nation at 563-586-2708 or by e-mail at beets@acegroup.cc.
 

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday night, December 1. Mayor pro-tem Rebecca Conway conducted the meeting.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Lansing Fire District Chief Tony Becker (left) accepts a grant fund check in the amount of $2,000 from Eric Dietzenbach (right), Financial Officer at Farm Credit Services of America located in Decorah. The funds were made available through Farm Credit Services of America’s Working Here Fund for Rural Disaster Relief and will be used to help the Lansing Fire District purchase tracks for its John Deere Gator utility vehicle used in the hilly, wooded areas within the Fire District. Submitted photo.