River Valley

The New Albin VFW Auxiliary of the Kenneth Casey Post 5603 held its regular monthly meeting March 18 at the New Albin Community Center, beginning at 1 p.m. President Anne Falken called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken with seven members present.

The Secretary and Treasurer reports were accepted as read. No bills were presented.

Discussion was held about the community service report. The yearly reports are due April 1. Sara Thomas made a motion to give a scholarship to a graduating Kee High School senior. Motion seconded by Barb Meiners.

Closing prayer was read by Jean Kurk. The meeting was adjourned by Anne Falken and a light lunch was served. The next VFW Auxiliary meeting will be April 15.

Barbara Meiners
Secretary Pro-tem
 

The four Kee High School students pictured at right were nominated to participate in the All-State Individual Speech Festival to be held Monday, March 25 on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. These four students were part of 11 Kee students who performed at the State Speech Contest held at Waldorf University in Forest City March 13, where 15 Kee events received 11 Division 1 ratings and four Division 2 ratings. Kee’s All-State nominees (pictured clockwise from top left) include Amanda Fahey in Prose, Neve Goetzinger in Solo Music Theatre, Sahreya Dodd in Acting and Ella Strong in Literary Program. Submitted photos.
 

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, March 18. Discussion centered around the adoption of the consent agenda, a People Service update and appointing a new city attorney.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from March 4 and March 11, liquor license renewal for Red Barn Resort and Main Channel Grill, the Treasurer’s report for February, and the transfer of $718.40 from the Trust fund to the General fund to cover playground expenses. A motion was made and seconded to approve that consent agenda without any concerns.

Kee High School’s Prom has been scheduled for April 13 with its Post Prom event scheduled to follow from midnight until 4 a.m for Kee High School juniors and seniors and their guests. This event is a substance free celebration providing table games, raffles and silent auctions, snacks and drinks, and door prizes.

All Kee High School junior and senior students are welcome, even if not participating in Prom. There is no fee to attend. Hypnotist Michael DeSchalit from Wand Enterprises has been booked and all guests will be entertained by his show.

The Post Prom Committee and Kee High School junior students have been hosting Sunday Bingo events, worked the brat stand at Lansing Fish Days and delivered Easter eggs with the “Egg My House” event in order to raise funds for this year’s Post Prom festivities. The group is very appreciative to all area businesses and individuals for their continued support.

History and archeology surrounding the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Lansing bridge project will be the topic of a talk to be held at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, March 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The DOT’s Brennan Dolan will lead the discussion, which is free of charge and open to the public.

Earlier talks with the Lansing Historical Working Group have focused on the National Historic Preservation Act and the process that state and federal agencies are responsible for following. This talk will focus on what it means to mitigate for the loss of historic properties.

Pvt. Tristan Rolfs graduated from basic military training at Fort Benning, GA December 7, 2018. He is a 2018 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing.

During the 14 weeks of basic training, Pvt. Rolfs received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing the use of various weapons and weapons defenses that are available to the infantry crewmen. Pvt. Rolfs was promoted to Bay Leader and was in charge of 64 fellow soldiers in his barracks.

Main Street Lansing is going to be holding its annual meeting Saturday, March 23 at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall in Lansing. The doors open at 5 p.m., and the events kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a preview selection from the Kee High School production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

A meal will immediately follow, consisting of smoked pork loin, chicken marsala, green beans, baby red potatoes, pea salad and a roll. Discussion topics include plans Main Street Lansing has for 2019, and ways to be involved in those plans.

All attendees will be entered into a cash prize drawing and must RSVP by March 15. Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Main Street Lansing office or from a Main Street Lansing board member. For more information about the meeting, call 563-538-9229.
 

by Macie Hill

The Lansing City Council held its regular meeting Monday, March 4. Discussion centered around the adoption of the consent agenda, approval of a building permit, the South Road Bridge project final payment, an update on the proposed splash pad project, marina slip and levee lot rental rates, and consideration of a letter of commitment to the Allamakee County E-911 Board.

The consent agenda consisted of council meeting minutes from February 20, payment of claims, Park and Recreation Board meeting minutes from February 19, January’s Treasurer’s report and utilities for January and February. A motion was made and seconded to approve the adoption of the consent agenda without hesitation.

A motion was also made and seconded to approve the building permit applied for at 100 Wall Street. However, the driveway permit exiting Otis Street was not given approval.

History and archeology surrounding the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Lansing bridge project will be the topic of a talk to be held at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, March 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The DOT’s Brennan Dolan will lead the discussion, which is free of charge and open to the public.

Earlier talks with the Lansing Historical Working Group have focused on the National Historic Preservation Act and the process that state and federal agencies are responsible for following. This talk will focus on what it means to mitigate for the loss of historic properties.

The 6th Annual Allamakee County Chili Cook-Off is scheduled to be held Saturday, March 16 in Lansing at TJ Hunter’s Banquet Hall. Sponsored by Main Street Lansing and KNEI 103.5 Bluff Country, the event will run from 4-6 p.m.

There are two entry divisions: business and individual. Registration forms are available at Main Street Lansing and at Red Geranium Floral and Gifts in Lansing.

Prizes include $300 in cash prizes for the individual winners and a traveling business trophy. There is no charge to enter a dish, and it’s only $5 to taste the chili. New this year is live music by Tom Carpenter. For more information, call 563-538-9229.