River Valley

The New Albin Public Library is coordinating a free educational presentation for the general public to be held Monday, September 22 at the New Albin Townhouse, beginning at 5 p.m. Attorney Betsy Whitlatch of New Albin Savings Bank will be providing information on Estate Planning.

If time allows following the presentation, there will be a question and answer (Q&A) session for those in attendance. For additional information about the Estate Planning presentation at the New Albin Townhouse, contact the New Albin Public Library at 563-544-4747 or at library@acegroup.cc. 

Saturday, September 13, family and friends of lifelong resident and local “River Rat” Pat Sandry will be honoring his memory with the Eighth Annual Pat Sandry Memorial Fishing Derby and Friends of Pool 9 Fundraiser held on the Mississippi River. Sandry passed away in November of 2017 after a short, courageous battle with cancer. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors, had a great passion for fishing and hunting, and he truly treasured the beauty of Lansing and the surrounding area.

Entry fee is $50 per boat with 50% payback in prize money and 50% being donated to Friends of Pool 9. There is a limit of two adults and two children per boat.

Friday, September 19, at 12 noon, the Lansing VFW Post and Auxiliary, along with the Lansing American Legion Post #50, will host a special ceremony on Mt. Hosmer to mark National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The program will be held on the Ralph Bartels Patio, located next to the shelter on Mt. Hosmer, and the public is invited to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for seating.

At the heart of the observance will be the solemn Missing Man Ceremony, a symbolic tradition that honors those who are still missing from this nation’s past wars and conflicts, as well as those who gave their lives in service but whose remains have not yet been recovered and returned home. The empty place at the table represents the absence of these heroes, while each element of the setting carries deep meaning about sacrifice, honor, and remembrance.

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting a Thursday, September 18 presentation entitled “They Rode the War Eagle,” featuring true stories of captains, crew and passengers aboard the steam ship vessel War Eagle. The presentation will be given by Robert Taunt, a river historian from La Crosse, WI, beginning at 5 p.m. at the library’s 515 Main Street location in Lansing.

The famous and infamous, brave, daring and adventurous all rode the steam vessel that once traversed the Mississippi River before ultimately catching fire and sinking at La Crosse, WI. Come hear their stories. For more information, contact the library at lansing.lib.ia.us or 563-538-4693.

by Joshua Sharpe

Monday, September 2, the Lansing City Council convened to address several routine approvals, alongside a detailed citizen concern regarding a collapsing retaining wall. The agenda included the authorization to pursue state funding for public dock improvements and the adoption of a fall leaf pick-up schedule. Additionally, the council engaged in deliberation over a potential riverfront recognition site. Topics discussed also encompassed economic development outreach, state coordination on logistics, and time-sensitive waterfront procurement.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that the substructure of the new bridge being constructed over the Mississippi River at Lansing is now complete, with all the concrete piers and abutments of the structure having been poured and awaiting the next steps in the construction process. The DOT says the project contractor, Kraemer North America, is currently prepping the Iowa side (at right in each of the two photos) for a crane to move in and start setting the steel for the new bridge, with that next step in the process currently expected to begin in early October.

The Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board will be hosting a second Unity in the Community Concert for 2025. This one will be held in Sugar Creek Park at the South Pavilion in Ferryville Wednesday, September 10.

The main purpose of sponsoring this event is to have a community event for visiting with old friends and making new friends. The Meet and Greet portion will begin at 5 p.m. with two food trucks available. The live music will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature local band, 16 Strings and a Stick.  They will be joined for some of the musical numbers by guest vocal artist Whitney Rose.

Attendees are asked to bring their own beverage and lawn chairs. A donation can for the musicians only will be available.

The New Albin Public Library is coordinating a free educational presentation for the general public to be held Monday, September 22 at the New Albin Townhouse, beginning at 5 p.m. Attorney Betsy Whitlatch of New Albin Savings Bank will be providing information on Estate Planning.

If time allows following the presentation, there will be a question and answer (Q&A) session for those in attendance. For additional information about the Estate Planning presentation at the New Albin Townhouse, contact the New Albin Public Library at 563-544-4747 or at library@acegroup.cc. 

The second annual Rural Ideas Summit is set for Thursday, September 18, bringing together rural entrepreneurs, community changemakers, and local leaders for a day of learning, inspiration, and action. This one-day, virtual-first event is dedicated to equipping participants with proven strategies, real-world stories, and practical tools to help rural businesses grow and communities thrive.

The Works is proud to once again serve as one of a handful of in-person host sites across the country. While the summit’s content will be delivered virtually, attendees who choose the The Works location will enjoy a lunch discussion session, local networking opportunities, and a post-summit social hour from 4–5 p.m. featuring snacks and beverages from local providers.

Red Barn Campground and Restaurant in Lansing will be hosting another Sunset Sessions this year, scheduled for Saturday, September 13. This will be the second year for this unique musical event, and tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com. The gates open at 2 p.m. and youth songwriters will take the stage at 3 p.m. From 4-4:30 p.m. there will be games, food, drinks and more. At 4:30 p.m., the featured artists will take the stage for singing, storytelling and some laughs. At 7 p.m., the lighting of the bonfire will take place, with campfire songs led by local musician JayR Brink beginning at 7:15 p.m.

This year’s featured artists include International Blues Challenge winner Hector Anchondo; Iowa’s Renaissance Man Chad Elliot; songwriter, storyteller and co-lead singer of The Nadas, Jason Walsmith; and American roots songwriter and co-founder of the Avey Grouws Band, Jeni Grouws.