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The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will present its 48th Annual Candlelight Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols Service this Sunday, December 8, beginning at 7 p.m. The service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW in Waukon.

Local clergy will be reading the Christmas Story and carols will be sung by the congregation with organ accompaniment. Choral numbers will also be presented by the Men’s Choir (also known as the Heartland Barbershop and Gospel Singers) and the mass Ecumenical Choir. Music will also be provided by the St. John’s Youth and Adult Handbell Choirs, Waukon High School Saxophone Quartet, along with piano accompaniment by Kristie Roeder and organ performances by James Bieber with the assistance of Kathy Murray. This year’s event is “dedicated in loving memory to Father John Moser,” pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon who passed away in October of this year.

The Waukon High School Choir, under the direction of Sarah Bieber, will be sharing its music with area churches during its 29th Annual Christmas Church Tour this Sunday, December 8, according to the following schedule:

St. John's Lutheran   8:30-8:45 a.m.
Zion United Church of Christ   9:00-9:15 a.m.
Old West Paint Creek Lutheran   9:30-9:45 a.m.
First Presbyterian   10:00-10:15 a.m.
First Baptist   10:30-10:45 a.m.
St. Patrick Catholic   11:00-11:15 a.m.
Zalmona Presbyterian   11:30-11:45 a.m.

The Waukon Police Department was made aware last week of counterfeit bills being passed in Waukon and wants to remind all businesses to check bills exchanged in transactions for authenticity. The Department ordered some counterfeit-detection pens that are currently available for purchase at cost from the Department. The pens may be purchased directly from the Waukon Police Department, located at 104 1st Street NW in Waukon. Anyone with additional information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to reach out to the Waukon Police Department at any time by calling 563-568-3427 or dialing 911 in the event of an emergency.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, November 7 signifying the beginning of work at the site of a new 36-unit apartment complex being constructed by Dexter Quandahl of Quandahl Custom Homes/q4 Rentals along the new 8th Avenue SW in Waukon, just north of the Waukon City Park and west of the Waukon Mobile Home Community in part of the area deemed as the Pladsen Addition. The apartment complex will initially include two buildings housing 18 apartments each that have been described as “workforce housing” and not intended to be low-income housing, benefiting not only the Waukon area but the northeast Iowa and tri-state region in helping address a housing need expressed by area employers in such areas as school districts, healthcare and other industry and professional staffing necessities.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) recently awarded $930,808 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 10 communities across Iowa. These grants aim to revitalize underused buildings and stimulate economic growth in historic main streets.

Main Street Lansing was awarded over $76,000 of that funding, which will support the restoration of Lansing Hardware, a long-standing cornerstone in the heart of Lansing’s historic downtown. Announcement of the grant was made at a Thursday, November 7 open house event.

Lansing Hardware occupies five connected buildings, built between 1868 and 1908, each with a unique history. This restoration project, led by owners Dave and Laurie Janzen, will focus on  unifying the facade, restoring historic details, and refreshing the storefronts for an enhanced visual impact.

World War I has been referred to as “The Great World War” and “The War to End All Wars”. The end of the fighting in that war of more than four years in length came November 11, 1918 when an armistice was signed to end the combat hostilities in the war, with that November 11 date still being observed to this day as Veterans Day each year.

As a means to honor the many Veterans who have served the United States - whether in war time or in times of peace - as this year’s Veterans Day observance approaches this coming Monday, November 11, The Standard is reprinting below a listing submitted by rural New Albin resident Max Marzen of Allamakee County residents or natives who served in that “Great World War,” the war that ultimately led to the modern day observance of the day that the people of this nation officially honor those who have served it - Veterans Day.

Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer reminds voters that October 21 was the deadline to update addresses in the Voter Registry.
After October 21 any address changes made by a voter by any method will not be reflected in the Voter Registry at the polling places. Any voter who has updated their address after October 21 may need to show proof of residence at the polls. If the voter’s ID shows their updated address, that is adequate proof of residence at the polls. If the voter’s ID does not show their updated address, they must show a separate proof of residence.
Proof of residence must be recently issued and can be in electronic or paper form. Options include:
• Utility or cell phone bill
• Residential lease
• Bank statement
• Paycheck
• Government check or other government document
• Property tax statement (current within 45 days of final payment date)

by Joe Moses

Waukon native Ben Garrett with Tailwind Capital Partners, LLC, Waukon City Manager Gary Boden and Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) recently provided an update to The Standard relating to the planned twin home/duplex project at what is locally known as the former “Bresnahan Property” in northwest Waukon.