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Wed
15
Nov

More than 150 in attendance at public forum to discuss Waterville Elementary

by Brianne Eilers

A public forum was held Monday evening, November 13 in the Waukon High School Auditorium to give the public a chance to ask questions and voice their opinions and concerns regarding the future of Waterville Elementary School with the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors and administrative staff fielding those questions. Copies of the informational newsletter that was mailed to constituents of the ACSD in October were made available for attendees, as well as the questions and answers that have been posted on the ACSD website.

Wed
15
Nov

CAFO/Water Quality Forum draws large crowd

by Lissa Blake

Panelists who participated in a recent Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) and water quality forum aren’t anti-agriculture, they’re pro-clean air and water.

That was the consensus during the Thursday, November 9 forum, which was co-sponsored by the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities and the Allamakee County Protectors Education Campaign. About l30 people attended the meeting held on the Luther College campus in Decorah.

Wed
15
Nov

Welcome to Northeast Iowa: Helpful harvest ...

Monday, November 6, many community members came together to assist rural Waukon farmer Mark Miller with his corn harvest as he continues to undergo treatment for an illness. More than 30 volunteers with seven combines, 10 semi-trailer combinations and five tractors with grain carts harvested 185 acres of corn in six hours (as depicted in the surrounding photos). Adding to the rural northeast Iowa feel, none of those involved wanted to be identified, relaying that the focus should be on the reason behind the event itself. The corn was hauled to Waukon Feed Ranch for drying and Kruger Seeds provided the fuel for the event. In addition to the work in the field, a lunch was also coordinated by volunteers to feed those involved. Submitted photos.
 

Wed
15
Nov

Lansing Lions Club holds ribbon cutting event to officially open "Our Ship of Dreams" playground


Making it official ... Members of the Lansing Lions Club officially cut the ribbon signifying the official opening of the "Our Ship of Dreams" playground (pictured in the background) in the park located along South Front Street in Lansing. The year-long campaign of planning, fundraising and installation was celebrated with the ribbon cutting. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

More than just a bicycle rack ... A bicycle rack in the shape of a fish holds special meaning as part of the Lansing Lions Club playground improvements. The bicycle rack was initiated by a donation from Lansing resident Steve Casterton in memory of his nephew, Danan John Lansing of Ossian, who passed away at the age of 16 but loved to fish and take part in other activities with his grandparents in Lansing and was a strong student and athlete at South Winneshiek High School involved in many activities. The "tail-end" placard near the bicycle rack memorializes the donation by Casterton, along with an additional contribution to the rack by Lansing Housing Products. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

Indeed, a community project ... Pictured above celebrating the official opening of the "Our Ship of Dreams" playground in Lansing are members of the Lansing Lions Club, along with some of the 50 volunteers who helped install the new playground equipment and others who supported the project in a variety of ways to help make it become a reality over the past year. Photo by Susan Cantine-Maxson.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Lansing Lions Club President Tara Kolsrud, along with fellow Lions and volunteers, officially opened the newly-constructed “Our Ship of Dreams” playground equipment Sunday, November 5 at the playground along South Front Street just south of the Lansing ball diamond. Project Chairperson Arlen Wonderlich presented remarks to those gathered to celebrate the culmination of a year-long project.

Wed
08
Nov

Honoring those who have served as Veterans Day approaches


At the memorial honoring his era of service ... Marvin "Bud" Strike of Waukon is pictured above at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. during his Honor Flight trip October 10 of this year. Strike was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955, being stationed in Korea in late 1953 into 1954. Submitted photo.

Stationed in Korea ... Marvin "Bud" Strike of Waukon is pictured above during his service in Korea from late 1953 through 1954. He served with Company B of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, working to rebuild and repair roads and bridges damaged during the Korean War. Submitted photo.

A memorable welcome home ... Included in an estimated 600 to 700 people who greeted the October 10 Honor Flight Veterans when they returned to the Waterloo Airport were five of Marvin "Bud" Strike's seven grandchildren and one of his 12 great-grandchildren pictured above. Left to right in the above photo are Strike's grandsons, Aaron Strike and Eric Ryan, granddaughters Cara Strike and Jenny (Ryan) Rixen - holding Strike's great-granddaughter Isla, and grandson Andy Ryan. Both Eric and Andy Ryan followed in their grandfather's footsteps with military service, Eric Ryan serving as a Major in the U.S. Air Force and Andy Ryan also serving as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. Submitted photo.

Marvin "Bud" Strike enjoys Honor Flight experience

by Lissa Blake

It was a long day, but it was well worth it. That’s what Korean War veteran Marvin “Bud” Strike of Waukon had to say about his opportunity to take part in a recent Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Strike, accompanied by his son, Rich, took the flight out of Waterloo October 10. A native of Nashua, Strike said he had heard about the Honor Flight opportunity years ago, but had never pursued it, primarily because the flights were out of Waterloo and he had been drafted out of Chickasaw County.

But when his son and daughter-in-law suggested he fill out an application and send it in, he decided to do it and was approved. “We had a meeting in Waterloo September 28. It was a nice dinner and informational meeting,” he said.

Wed
08
Nov

Honoring those who have served as Veterans Day approaches


World War I POW ... Waukon native George A. Goeke is pictured above during his tenure of service in the U.S. Army during World War I. Submitted photo.

Article featuring Waukon native and WWI POW George Goeke shared by family

Editor's Note: George Goeke was a lifetime resident of Allamakee County and a local businessman who ran Goeke’s Sport Shop on West Main Street in Waukon in the late 1920s.  He was the father of Wesley, Allen and Ronald Goeke, all of whom still live in Waukon. His three daughters were Karen Delatte of Madison, MS, and the late Lorna Miller of Postville and Ruth Dotseth of Waukon. George’s grandchildren who are in the Waukon area include Jerry Goeke (Allen’s son), Randy Goeke and Wendy Ebner (Ronald’s son and daughter), Julie Alden and Nancy Welper (Ruth’s daughters), and Lisa Moose and David Miller (Lorna’s daughter and son).

Wed
08
Nov

Public forum planned for November 13 to discuss the future of Waterville Elementary School


A public forum is being hosted Monday, November 13 by the Allamakee Community School District Board of Directors to answer questions and gather further feedback from the general public in regard to the future of Waterville Elementary School. Declining enrollment, water well issues and other building considerations have forced the board into a decision-making process on the future of the school, with this public forum meant to be an information gathering and distributing session before the board makes a decision at its December 18 regular session. The forum is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Waukon High School Auditorium. Photo by Sara Aleckson-Melcher.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors and Administration will be hosting a public forum Monday, November 13 regarding the future of Waterville Elementary School. The forum is open to all members of the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Waukon High School auditorium.

Wed
08
Nov

"A Christmas to Remember" is the theme for this weekend's 26th Annual Christmas Fantasy


Annual Christmas Fantasy taking place this weekend ... A view from the Silent Auction at Christmas Fantasy 2016. The 2017 Fantasy, entitled “A Christmas To Remember,” will be magically displayed throughout the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon November 10-13, at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Health Care Foundation’s 26th annual event. Again this year, a breathtaking number of Christmas Trees will be displayed and many, many Christmas gift options, as seen here, will be available on the silent auction, making it a great Christmas shopping opportunity. Submitted photo.

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation’s Christmas Fantasy 2017 will be held this Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, November 10, 11, 12 and 13 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The theme for this year's event will be “A Christmas to Remember."

This year's Fantasy schedule of events includes the following:

“Tingle ‘N Mingle” Happy Hour is a special opportunity to meet socially with friends and co-workers. Over a dozen tables of hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, candies, breads and spirits will be served among the trees from 5-8 p.m. Friday night. The event is sponsored by Four County Ag Services and Four County Crop Services. Tickets are available at Veterans Memorial Hospital and local banks, as well as at the door.

Wed
08
Nov

Allamakee County Board of Supervisors holds regular session at Robey Memorial Library, tours Reel Core manufacturing plant


The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors toured the Reel Core manufacturing facility in Waukon as part of its November 6 regular session which began at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon. Pictured above, left to right, Reel Core Plant Manager Lenny Bulman describes the operation of the plant and the products manufactured there to Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Coordinator Ardie Kuhse, Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer, Supervisor Dennis Koenig, Janel Egleseder (partially hidden) of the Allamakee County Auditor's Office and Supervisor Dan Byrnes. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, November 6 to address a full agenda of items, including an update of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission's (UERPC) activities, an update from the Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and a tour of the Reel Core manufacturing facility in Waukon.

The meeting was held at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, the final library visited within Allamakee County during 2017. During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed that the recent forum for the Waukon Mayor and City Council candidates was well attended.

Tue
07
Nov

No declared winner in Waukon Mayor race; Hatlan wins Third Ward Council seat

Voting results from the Tuesday, November 7 City Election reveal a new councilman for Waukon's Third Ward, but no candidate in the five-person race for Waukon Mayor could be declared the winner of that office, as none of the five candidates received a majority vote of at least 50% of the vote total plus one more. In such a case, the top two vote-getters advance on to a run-off election, which, according to the Allamakee County Auditor's Office, will be scheduled for Tuesday, December 5.

In the unofficial results released shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Dwight Jones received the most votes of the five mayoral candidates - 259 votes (35.24%), with Pat Stone next in line with 169 votes (22.99%). Those two top vote-getters, Jones and Stone, will now face off in that December 5 run-off election. Other candidate vote totals in that mayoral race are as follows: Darryl Brink - 120 votes (16.33%), Steve Wiedner - 111 votes (15.10%) and Rick Herman - 73 votes (9.93%).

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