River Valley

At its June 17 meeting, the Friends of Pool 9 Board of Directors decided to postpone the group’s Annual River Clean-Up of Pool 9 until September of this year. High water this spring during the usual annual clean-up time forced postponement of the event in the interest of safety and effectiveness.

However, Friends of Pool 9 did conduct a major fire ring and beach clean-up that took place Tuesday, June 25. Many of the 23 fire rings placed on area beaches from Lansing to Black Hawk Park in Pool 9 needed to be dug out and re-set after this spring’s high water. They had been under water for three months and the sand on the down slope side of the fire ring had washed away. Blake Schoh was the designated coordinator for the beach cleaning activity to keep the beaches clean and accessible for campers.

The Ferryville Tourism Council announces its second Chautauqua program of the 2019 Summer Series. Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ferryville Village Hall, a program on the geology of the Upper Mississippi and Lower Wisconsin Rivers will be presented.

Featured presenter Eric Carson, a geologist from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey based in Madison, WI for over 11 years, specializes in studying the Driftless area of southwest Wisconsin. He is eager to share his research and will have interesting information and stories about how the formation of the Driftless Area is very unique and was formed by the rivers carving out a path through the bedrock. He will also share geologic history, how the rivers came to be where they are, and types of rock found along the rivers.

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council meeting was held Monday, July 1, nearly a month since the council last met due to schedule conflicts with the council’s regularly scheduled June 17 meeting. Discussion centered around adoption of the consent agenda, a Clear Creek Crossing Project update, a splash pad update, amending the City’s ATV Ordinance, setting a public hearing date, accepting an officer’s resignation and advertising a police officer position, permission to fundraise for the City swimming pool and closing part of South Front Street October 12.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from June 17, payment of claims, Park and Recreation meeting minutes from May 21 and the transfer of $15,000 from Trust Fund Savings to General Checking for a police vehicle. A motion was made and approved with minimal discussion.

Gardening and pizza went together perfectly in Lansing recently when 16 youth learned the different parts of a plant, and how each part is edible depending on the fruit or vegetable. It was discussed which parts help make a pizza, while everyone designed their perfect pizza. Ideas ranged from pepperoni to gummy bears to ice cream. Youth used English muffins to make personal pizzas for lunch.

Representatives from Main Street Lansing recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Dharma House with owner Michelle Gauer. The Dharma House, Lansing’s newest lodging option located at 61 North Fourth Street, offers unique space for lodging, wellness activities and retreats. The late 1850s home has been converted into a modern-day farmhouse with three suites, as well as office space and a massage room. Pictured above at the ribbon cutting are, left to right, Main Street Lansing representatives Maryann Baldwin and Jana Schoh, The Dharma House owner Michelle Gauer, and Main Street Lansing representatives Mary and Bruce Palmborg.

Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is accepting nominations of a deserving Iowa conservationist for the 2019 Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award. The annual Hagie Award recognizes Iowans “who have demonstrated an extraordinary personal service and commitment to improving the quality of Iowa’s natural environment and who encourage others to do the same.”

The nomination process is easy and a way to bring deserved recognition to both the nominee and to the nominating organization(s). Previously nominated conservationists can be renominated. Nominations are due July 1. The award generally goes to volunteers, but professional nominees are eligible if their efforts clearly go well beyond their job duties.

To learn more information about the Hagie Heritage Award and nomination process, visit the INHF website at http://www.inhf.org/what-we-do/scholarships-awards/hagie-nominations/.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) is now accepting applications for its mini-grant program. The ACCF “Emerging Needs” Mini-Grant Fund was created to address funding needs for community projects outside of the regular grant cycle. The deadline to submit applications is June 30.

Grants up to $500 are available for eligible non-profits. The ACCF accepts applications for grants for community development, community promotions, community education and similar matters. The grant shall be for the benefit of persons residing in Allamakee County.

Entities that have a 501(c)3 designation by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as schools or municipalities, are eligible to apply for these funds.  Nonprofit groups may apply for up to $500 for projects.

The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man in need of rescue from the Mississippi River Monday morning, June 17 at around 9:10 a.m. A man had reportedly fallen off the boat dock near the address of 1110 North Front Street in Lansing but was able to grab hold of the dock and hang on to it long enough for rescue respondents to help safely pull him out of the water. He did not require transport to any medical facility.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses in Wisconsin  and its neighboring counties in the tri-state area that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding and landslides from August 17 through September 14, 2018.

“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-Interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the July 18 deadline,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

Kerndt Brothers Bank in Lansing recently announced its financial commitment in the amount of $7,000 to support the Lansing Park Board Splash Pad Project on South Front Street. The project is titled “The Big Splash” and furthers the work spearheaded by the Lansing Lions Club in 2017 when the club completed the “The Big Catch” project. Arlen Wonderlich and Steve Casterton, in conjunction with the Lansing Park Board, are leading the community fund raising effort with a goal of raising $77,700, and they report that the goal is within reach.