River Valley

Wed

09

Mar

Dody Bartels of Lansing shares warm "hugs" one knitted scarf at a time

Dody Bartels, a Lansing native and current resident of Thornton Heights Assisted Living in her hometown, has been keeping family, friends and local residents warm one knitted scarf at a time for a number of years. At the age of 89, Bartels continues knitting scarves that she then gives away to designated individuals or for random strangers to pick up. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Wed

09

Mar

Lansing City Council approves FY 2017 Budget, addresses variety of other matters during regular session

by B.J. Tomlinson

Wed

09

Mar

Writer’s Workshop this Thursday at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library

Two writing professors from Luther College in Decorah, Keith Lesmeister, who is a heavily published author of short stories, and Brett Steelan, who is fresh out of Luther College, will be at the Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library on Main Street in Lansing this Thursday, March 10 to conduct a writer’s workshop at 7 p.m. All writers, and those who have a desire to write, are encouraged to attend.
Topics for the workshop include Writer’s technology; Information for the first-timer to the established writer - where to go, what to do; Tips on publishing and self-publishing, along with pros and cons; Finding your niche in your genre; Information on the writing world of today; along with an open question and answer session.

Wed

02

Mar

City of New Albin meets wastewater treatment challenges head on with planning

by Anne Falken

Wed

02

Mar

Denise Becker Attends Grinnell Mutual Farm Academy

Denise Becker of Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency in Lansing participated in Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company’s annual Farm Academy February 16-19. Becker joined 26 other agents from throughout the Midwest to learn more about farm insurance coverages, services and Grinnell Mutual’s operations in Grinnell. Academy participants also toured a local farm cooperative and implement dealership to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. Becker is pictured at right, receiving a certificate from Vice President of Direct Underwriting and Production Kurt Eaves for completing the Farm Academy. “The Farm Academy was designed to offer comprehensive training to agents committed to serving farm customers. It covers all aspects of writing farm insurance,” said Eaves.

Wed

24

Feb

Bald Eagle Watching Day has been scheduled for March 5 in Ferryville

Laura Freeman of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center displays Maxim, an American Bald Eagle, at the Ferryville Bald Eagle Day. Photo by Michael White.

The 8th Annual Bald Eagle Watching Day is being scheduled for Saturday, March 5 in Ferryville, WI at the Village Community Center located on State Highway 35, Wisconsin’s “Great River Road.” This program is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council and is free to the public. The event is co-sponsored this year by the Friends of Pool 9, an organization that does so much in the local area to preserve and protect the environment and the Mississippi Region of Pool 9.
Event activities take place from 10:15 a.m.-3 p.m., with doors opening at 10 a.m. There will be opportunities to see and learn about Bald Eagles plus enjoy refreshments. In addition, there will be free children’s craft activities throughout the event.

Wed

24

Feb

Valentine Royalty at Thornton Manor

Marge Ewing and Delbert Timmerman were crowned Valentine Queen and King for 2016 at Thornton Manor Care Center in Lansing. Valentine games and trivia, along with sweet treats, were enjoyed by many during the holiday festivities. Submitted photo.

Wed

24

Feb

Wexford Wanderings

by Hugh E. Conway

Children in Wexford
Cemetery - Part III

Wed

17

Feb

Ice harvest tradition returns as part of WinterFest

Annual tradition returns after two-decade absence ... Pictured above are individuals from 1994 who participated in an ice harvest activity on the Mississippi River at Lansing. The year 1997 was the last year the Gary Galema family of Lansing demonstrated this 100-year-old family endeavor, but a crew of family members and others will once again be harvesting ice from the river as part of Lansing's WinterFest celebration this Saturday, February 20. Just like the one pictured on top, an ice saw created from a Model A engine and salvaged parts will be used to cut ice from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Village Creek Boat Landing south of Lansing Saturday. Retrieval of the ice, such as what is also pictured in the bottom photo from 1994, was a labor intensive job and will also be part of Saturday's demonstration. This activity, as well as an ice carving demonstration, sleigh rides and many other family activities will highlight Lansing’s WinterFest celebration. Photos courtesy of the Gary Galema family.