River Valley

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in grades K-12 can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.

Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  Video must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted to VFW Auxiliary #5981 along with a completed entry form for judging. The video must be recorded between July 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.  Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.

The inaugural Faith & Blue event was held October 8 in Lansing, an event for local law enforcement officers to share their faith with the community in conjunction with the National Faith & Blue Weekend that took place across the United States October 7-10. Lansing Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl and Allamakee County Sheriff’s Deputy Ross Kolsrud shared their stories of coming to faith in Christ. The day included music from several musicians, comments by three local pastors, and a lunch served by the youth of the Lansing United Methodist Church. Free will donations received at the event were divided between LIFT (Lansing Iowa Food Trust) and The Way Station in New Albin, with each organization receiving $305.

Thursday, December 8, the Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board will be hosting a Soup and Salad Supper from 5-7 p.m. at the Community Center in Ferryville, WI. Those attending are asked to provide a freewill donation to the Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board for village improvements and beautification. Anyone with further questions should call Chris at 608-444-7986 or email chrisser51@gmail.com.
 

A free legal clinic program has been in operation since 1982 for residents of Allamakee County. The Allamakee County Bar Association, an organization of local lawyers, provides the services. Depending upon the nature of the problem, referrals can be made to private attorneys, Legal Aid Service, law enforcement or other government agencies for help. This service is primarily intended for those people who feel they cannot afford to consult with a lawyer, and do not know if a lawyer is required.

Appointments can be made by contacting the Allamakee County Clerk of Court in person or by telephone at 563-568-6351.
 

Lansing Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5981 recently made donations of $500 each to Lansing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Lansing Fire Department. Pictured in the photo above, VFW Post 5981 Commander Dan Hanson (middle right) presents a donation check to Lansing Fire Chief Stephen Darling. Pictured in the photo below, VFW Post 5981 Commander Dan Hanson (center of photo) presents a donation check to Lansing EMS Service Director Conrad Rosendahl with a number of other Lansing EMS volunteer crew members in attendance at the donation presentation. Submitted photos.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Ian Zahren was appointed to the Lansing City Council during the council’s regular meeting Monday, November 21. Zahren takes the seat vacated by Bruce ReVoir upon his resignation, effective October 17 of this year. In his letter of resignation, ReVoir referred to “a few unforeseen health events that need my full attention.”

Zahren, a vocal music teacher at Kee High School in Lansing, has taught theatre and dance and started a non-profit in the Cedar Rapids area to support the arts. He served as executive director of Lansing RAGBRAI 2022 and led a large team of volunteers to realizing the biggest profit from the event of any participating city this year. In a text request for comment following the meeting, Zahren said, “I want to say thank you to the council for appointing me to the remainder of Bruce’s term; I look forward to serving the city of Lansing.”

The Ferryville Holiday Market and Craft Event is scheduled to be held Saturday, December 3 at the Ferryville Community Center, 170 Pine Street in Ferryville, WI. The event will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Farmers Market vendors are selling their bakery items, crafts, canned pickles, salsas, home made soaps and other items. There will also be jewelry, wood products, holiday home decor and other gift ideas. There will be complimentary coffee plus bags of coffee for sale. Lunch sandwiches and chips will also be available to purchase. Many new vendors for the market will be at this year’s event.
 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, has awarded the second part of the McGregor Lake Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project to Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Company doing business as Newt Marine Service, of Dubuque. The $6.9 million option award will go toward the stage 2 construction contract in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge located near Prairie du Chien, WI.

The stage 1 contract was awarded in September 2020 and work is ongoing. The stage 2 base construction contract was awarded in September and this next stage of the project will raise the elevation of the northernmost floodplain forest features above McGregor Lake, along with additional improvements to backwater fisheries by means of habitat dredging areas north of the Highway 18 bridge. Completion of stage 2 construction is scheduled for 2025.

Everyone is invited to the 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting scheduled for Monday, November 28 in Ferryville, WI at the Observation Deck/River View Park in the center of the Village of Ferryville. Santa will hear children’s Christmas wishes and everyone can sing Christmas carols and enjoy treats as the lights of the Holiday Season are lit.

Santa arrives at 6 p.m. to hear what children want for Christmas and then, at 6:15 p.m., the elves light the Christmas tree for the season. The Ferryville Tourism Council leads everyone in Christmas carols while all can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and have holiday cookies and treats, plus there are gift bags for children.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul, MN District, is seeking comments on its draft feasibility report and integrated Environmental Assessment, or EA, for its proposed Reno Bottoms Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project on the Upper Mississippi River near New Albin.

The project is located in Pool 9 of the Upper Mississippi River within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The project sponsor is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The project aims to increase the quality and extent of floodplain forest habitat and expand fisheries overwintering habitat. Work would include forest management of over 600 acres and almost 30 acres of fish habitat.