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National 4-H Week 2015, being observed October 4-10, offers a great opportunity to recognize both the highlights of the local 4-H program for area youth, as well as the contributions of adults in the community who contribute their efforts in support of the program. During National 4-H Week, the Allamakee County 4-H program celebrates both aspects that make the program the success that it is within the local area.

4-H SERVICE AWARDS
The 4-H Service Award has been presented this year to two individuals who have served many years on the 4-H Youth Development Committee. Their dedication to serve the 4-H youth of Allamakee County is shown through their participation as superintendents, club leaders, helping with conference judging, appreciation supper, and the livestock auction. But, above all, they are a key part of the support system available to Allamakee County 4-H youth.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board recently completed the installation of the historic sign pictured above which tells the story of Patrick Keenan and Richard Cassiday, who were early settlers in the Makee Township area, with Keenan being the first individual in Allamakee County to apply for and receive American citizenship at the Allamakee County Courthouse through the U.S. Naturalization Law. They built a log cabin on what is now the County Home property. Patrick Keenan was the first Keenan to settle in the area and many Keenan families have descended from him. The site was pointed out to the Conservation Board by Joe Palmer and Carl Christianson a number of years ago. The new sign is not located at the exact location of the old cabin site, which is located about 100 yards down the trail and is only accessible to the public by foot. The sign is located at the upper shelter house at the County Home Park just off of Highway 9 north of Waukon.

by Bob Beach

Students at Waukon High School have selected their Homecoming representatives for 2015, with the coronation of this year's Homecoming Queen and King to take place at the traditional "Burning of the 'W'" pep rally scheduled for this Thursday evening, October 1, beginning at 7 p.m. at Waukon High School. Pictured  are this year's Waukon High School Homecoming Queen and King candidates from the 2015-2016 Senior class, including: Left to right - Front row: Queen candidates Nicole Behrend, Madison Snitker, Leslie Sivesind and Alyvia Jones. Back row: King candidates Wyatt Wille, Nick Johnson, Gus Pladsen and Peyton Hesse. The parade route for this Friday's Homecoming Parade at 2 p.m.

Members of the Kee High School Homecoming Court for 2015 include the King and Queen candidates from the senior class pictured above, as well as the underclassman attendants pictured at right. Pictured left to right: Front row - Senior Class Homecoming Queen candidates Mikayla Gavin, Ellie Cooper, Erin Rud and Téa Fink. Back row - Senior Class Homecoming King candidates Nick Boland, Mitchell Weymiller, Chandler Quirk and Nate Wood. Details of this week's Homecoming events at Kee High School, along with a celebratory page, can be found on Page 10A inside this issue. Photo courtesy of the Kee High School Yearbook.
 

by Bob Beach

Don and Michelle Dee of Waukon in Allamakee County were inducted into the 2015 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Sunday, August 23. Ninety-two Iowa counties participated this year and selected 126 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees, or their surviving family members, were presented a certificate by Iowa 4‑H Foundation President Bob Butcher and State 4-H Program Leader John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas as they were introduced on stage during the recognition ceremony.
“Don and Michelle’s contribution to 4-H is widely felt,” said Morgan Heim, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The Dees have been long-time supporters of the Allamakee County 4-H Program. Their 4-H involvement has spanned many years - from their years as 4-H Club parents, to volunteering in a variety of aspects.

The First Annual NE Iowa Step Up Reach Out Suicide Awareness Walk has been scheduled for Saturday, October 10, and will begin at 10 a.m. in Decorah. This walk will benefit Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health in its efforts to continue to educate area communities on suicide awareness and prevention efforts.
The event will begin and end at Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, located at 905 Montgomery Street in Decorah, and will travel along the scenic Upper Iowa River and Trout Run Trail. The event is open to everyone in the general public, and a free will donation is encouraged at registration.
For more information about the event, contact Allamakee County representative Sherry Welch by telephone at 319-573-7145 or by e-mail at sis2of5@mchsi.com.
 

Historic restored barns throughout Iowa will be opened to the public during the Iowa Barn Foundation’s free, self-guided 2015 All-State Barn Tour Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. The Tour will take place from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day and will include a trio of barns located in Allamakee County among the nearly 90 structures included in this year's Tour.
Most barns on the tour have been restored with matching grants from the Iowa Barn Foundation. Other property owners received Awards of Distinction from the
Foundation for restorations they undertook themselves.

The Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force, in cooperation with Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, is participating in National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day. This year's event is being held Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. nationwide for the purpose of disposing of expired and/or unused medications and keeping them out of the hands of people who may misuse or abuse them, especially youth.
Three communities in Allamakee County will be hosting drop-off locations for local residents to dispose of prescription drugs during that event timeframe. The Waukon Police Department will host a drop-off location at the new Waukon Fire Station, which is now located at 565 11th Avenue SW (just east of Shopko, Fareway and Dollar General) in Waukon. The fire station in Lansing will also be a host site at 51 North Front Street. The Postville Police Department will host a drop-off site at its City Hall location at 147 North Lawler Street, but only from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.