River Valley

Kerndt Brothers Bank will recognize volunteer First Responders who serve in law enforcement, emergency services and as firefighters at county fairs in Allamakee, Fayette and Winneshiek again in 2021. Kerndt Brothers Bank and each county’s 4-H organization will partner this summer to provide a meal for First Responders at 4-H food stands. Tickets will be donated in advance to all First Responders through their organization leaders.

In making this announcement, James M. Kerndt, the bank’s CEO and a former first responder, said, “We are excited to be able to participate in what was such a success in 2018 and 2019. We would like to show our gratitude again. We are also happy to be teaming up with 4-H members and volunteers for a third year and leverage this opportunity to support the many 4-H programs and development of youth in northeast Iowa.

Kerndt Brothers Bank in Lansing has announced a unique partnership with the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa. The project is titled “Adopt Where You Bank” and furthers the work spearheaded by the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEI), a 501(c)(3) no-kill humane society founded in 1995 in Decorah.

With branches in or near the five counties HSNEI serves (Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties), a partnership between the bank and the humane society seemed like destiny. The first “Adopt Where You Bank” adoption day will take place from 2-4:30 p.m. Friday, July 9 at the Kerndt Brothers Bank office located at 820 Eleventh Avenue SW in Waukon and rotate from branch to branch going forward.

With a goal of increasing the exposure of animals in need to as many potential adoptive families as possible, “Adopt Where You Bank” is sure to make a Friday trip to the bank a bit more interesting.

Canoe/kayak series set to begin Thursday, June 17 at Harpers Ferry Public Boat Landing

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for a guided Mississippi River backwater paddling adventure Thursday, June 17 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Harpers Ferry Public Boat Landing and returning to the landing by sunset. Participants are welcome to use their own canoe or kayak but must follow all rules and regulations in accordance with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A limited number of solo and tandem kayaks will be available to use from the Allamakee County Conservation Board provided with paddles and life jackets.

Advanced registration is required for this series of programs. To register or reserve a kayak, call 563-538-0403. Solo participants are encouraged to register, but may be paired with other paddlers in a tandem kayak if using ACCB equipment.

Iowa lakes and streams are starting to become busy with paddlers eager to get on the water as summer is finally here. For many, it will be their first time out for the year, and experts advise they go through their equipment and review safety tips before heading to the water.

“The number-one hazard on the river is strainers,” said Todd Robertson, river programs outreach coordinator with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Strainers are piles of wood or trees that can appear anywhere on a river, especially after it rains.

“These wood piles can trap a boat and paddler with little chance of escape if sucked under,” Robertson said. “The best way to avoid these strainers is to know how to properly navigate your boat or by portaging around them.”

by Julie Berg-Raymond

“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
 - Julia Child

Evoking the charm and unpretentious beauty of an open-air market in the French countryside, Lansing’s newest retail addition to its Main Street is a dream-come-true for lovers of food and cooking - and for their gift-buying friends.

The Gourmet Traveler (located in the historic McGarrity’s building, next door to Red Geranium Floral and Gifts) opened May 20, and features a wide variety of cooking items from pots and pans, mixing bowls and tableware to salt cellars, utensils, handmade cutting boards - and measuring cups so pretty they could be mistaken for decorative counter pieces.

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, June 7. Discussion centered around the consent agenda, acceptance of the resignation of the mayor, acceptance of the resignation of the deputy city clerk, considering placing of a police support flag and the Parks report.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the resignation of Mayor Kyle Walleser due to his recent change in employment status not allowing him to fulfill the duties of mayor. The council considered whether to appoint someone to the office or hold a special mayor election. A motion was made and seconded with minimal discussion to appoint a mayor to fill out the current term of office.

The council also accepted the resignation of Deputy City Clerk Julie Rethwisch. An advertisement for the position of deputy city clerk will be placed in the newspaper (see Page 34 of the June 9, 2021 print edition and e-edition of The Standard).

Kerndt Brothers Bank has announced that Duane Rogers has joined the bank as President. Rogers will be actively involved with Bank CEO James Kerndt in directing and leading strategic initiatives to support bank growth and profitability.

Rogers joins Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank from People’s State Bank in Prairie du Chien, WI where he was Vice President of Business Development. He brings with him over 29 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Kerndt Brothers Bank has announced that Evan Kooiker has joined the bank as Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. Kooiker is responsible for the bank’s accounting functions, policies and funds management activities. Kooiker joins Kerndt Brothers Bank from Prime Bank in LeMars, where he focused on accounting, investments and asset liability management. He brings over 12 years of experience in banking.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting a “Conversation with Jim Rossi” Thursday, June 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and will be held inside the library.

Rossi is a resident of Lansing and one of the last remaining World War II Veterans in the local area. When he was just 18 years of age serving under General Patton’s Army leadership, his tank battalion came upon a horrific place called Buchenwald, a Nazi concentration camp located near Weimar, Germany.

One of the first and largest such camps, Buchenwald was created in 1937, and many of its first internees were Communists.

Rossi’s service helped liberate Europe during World War II. He will be sharing some of his stories from the diary he kept. For additional information, contact the library at 563-538-4693.
 

The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (DOT) are holding a public hearing and requesting public input for a proposed replacement of the Iowa 9/Wisconsin 82 (Black Hawk) bridge in Lansing over the Mississippi River.

In order to accommodate the new bridge, approximately 5.9 acres of easement and fee title is needed from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which is owned and managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The Iowa Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to make a de minimis impact finding in accordance with 23 CFR 774 as the project is not expected to adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the refuge. The Iowa DOT would like to gather public feedback on the environmental documentation, preferred alternative and potential impacts related to the planned improvements.