River Valley

New Albin Improvement League (NAIL) held a successful first Neighbor’s Day Saturday, October 4. With around 20 volunteers, the event was considered to be a big success.
Although the weather was a challenge, all the volunteer jobs were completed and a few random acts of kindness were added to the list. The volunteers did a lot of raking, window washing and small jobs for elderly people in New Albin. NAIL plans to hold a similar event in the spring to help with winter clean up for the elderly of New Albin.
“The day went well,” NAIL volunteer Kersten Meyer said. “All of the New Albin ‘neighbors’ that received help were so grateful and appreciative! I can’t tell you how many times they said thank you! It was very rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when the jobs were done. I am looking forward to what next year’s Neighbor’s Day has in store.”

by B.J. Tomlinson

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Friends of Pool 9, Upper Miss Refuge, Inc. held its annual dinner and meeting at the New Albin Community Center Saturday, September 27th. Approximately 120 members and guests enjoyed an evening of good dining, conversation and fund raising for Friends of Pool 9 activities and events.
Nancy Wortman and her committee organized the event; this is the third time she has chaired the dinner and silent auction. Auction items ranged from paintings, signed prints, food baskets, get-away weekend packages and a wide variety of items donated by area businesses and individuals. The catalog of items for the silent auction listed 121 items for bidders to review.  The dinner was catered by Mike Conway and his Milty’s staff.  

The first event planned by the New Albin Improvement League (NAIL) is Neighbors Day scheduled for Saturday, October 4. One of the goals of the committee is to help to bring the people of New Albin together. The members of NAIL realize that New Albin has a higher population of elderly citizens and want to be sure the first NAIL event touches as many different populations as possible. At Neighbors Day, a group of volunteers including committee members, citizens and students will work on projects submitted by New Albin citizens relating to fall and winter preparation that need to be done for elderly or disabled citizens. Examples of those projects include raking leaves, washing windows, or cleaning up garages and yards in preparation for the upcoming winter season, along with any other small tasks those citizens may need a little help with. Following completion of the projects, a small meal will be provided for all volunteers.

A newly-organized volunteer group hopes to “NAIL” down a better New Albin community, and is welcoming any assistance in doing so.
The New Albin Improvement League (NAIL) was formed this summer to rejuvenate what was formerly known as the Betterment Committee in hopes of doing the same to the New Albin community by bringing new and exciting events to be enjoyed by the citizens and families of New Albin and surrounding communities. New Albin residents Alexie Grotegut and Hope Lemke came together to breathe new life into the committee; they set up an initial meeting and the newly-named “NAIL” was formed. With the support of about 15 other community members, as well as many businesses in town, events are already underway.

Saturday, October 11, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, in partnership with the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre and the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, will host HawkWatch. Previously held by Effigy Mounds National Monument, this event celebrates the fall migration of raptors and other birds along the Mississippi Flyway and National Wildlife Refuge Week.
HawkWatch activities will be held concurrently at three different area locations. Visitors should start at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, located at 509 Hwy. 18 in Marquette, a half-mile west of the Marquette-Joliet Bridge on Hwy. 18. Maps and a schedule of all events will be available at the Centre or online at www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/.

by B.J. Tomlinson

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) McGregor District Manager, Rich King, announced recently that there will be a temporary avoidance area established around the Capoli Environmental Management Project (EMP) in Pool 9, Crawford County, WI.
The Capoli Environmental Management Project involves construction of several islands. The project began in 2012 and presently continues.
In establishing the temporary avoidance area, the USFWS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state partners have attempted to strike a balance between providing recreational opportunities at this popular location and the safety of construction workers at the work site.

by B.J. Tomlinson