River Valley

Travel to Egypt without leaving the library, as  Ahmed Atta and Mariam Ashraf make a presentation at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, September 25 at 6 p.m. The presentation will offer a unique opportunity to discover both the ancient wonders and the modern vibrancy of Egypt - right here in Lansing.

The program will be guided by two Egyptian speakers: Ahmed Atta, who called Lansing home as an exchange student during the 2021-2022 school year, and Mariam Ashraf, who spent time as an exchange student in Santa Fe, NM. Drawing from their personal experiences in both Egypt and the U.S., they’ll offer a look at Egypt’s rich history and vibrant modern culture, blending ancient wonders with the everyday traditions that define life in Egypt as of today.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, September 15. The hour-long meeting included approval of such matters as a pay estimate for an ongoing street project, an LP gas bid, sewer bill forgiveness, a request for engineering qualifications, and an audit agreement. Discussion also took place regarding a retaining wall concern previously presented, marina improvements, updates on the ongoing bridge project, and open meetings certification.

STREET PROJECT PAY ESTIMATE
The council approved a partial payment estimate in the amount of $176,063.55 to Skyline Construction for the North, Platt and Fourth Streets improvement project. Lansing Mayor Mike Verdon offered a brief project update from the bi-weekly project meeting recently held, noting that the project is “about 44% complete” as of the September 15 meeting.

submitted by Main Street Lansing

Main Street Lansing recently celebrated a ribbon cutting and First Dollar presentation with Red Geranium Floral & Gifts, welcoming new owner Jill Mathis to Lansing’s downtown business community.

Mathis, originally from New Albin, relocated to the Lansing area in 2024 with her husband and three children. With a professional background as a paralegal and in banking, she brings years of customer service, marketing, and bookkeeping experience to her new role as a small business owner. Inspired by her lifelong love of flowers and creative design, Mathis pursued floral training and classes before stepping into ownership.

“I’ve always loved flowers. A thoughtful arrangement or gift can make people feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated - that emotional connection is what drew me into this business,” she shared.

The Ferryville Farmer’s Market will host its annual Fall Fest Saturday, September 20 at Sugar Creek Park on the south end of Ferryville along Hwy. 35. This event could serve as a stop for anyone heading to the Driftless Art Festival in Soldiers Grove, WI being held the same day.

Fall Fest will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include vendors selling produce, fresh baked goods, jams and jellies, maple syrup, and crafts. Tim Bohnenkamp will provide music, and the playground is always available for the kids to play on the equipment.

As an added bonus, the Ferryville Fire Department and First Responders will be having a brat fry to raise money for additional equipment to help in their important tasks of providing personal safety for the community. For more information about Fall Fest, see the advertisement on Page 4 of this week’s edition of The Standard or visit Ferryville Farmer’s Market on Facebook.
 

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.