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12
Dec

Former Allamakee County Republican Central Committee Chairperson Dave Koopman remembers his interactions with George H.W. Bush


Mary and David Koopman ... Submitted photo.

Christmas greetings from 30 years ago ... David Koopman of Postville, former chairperson of the Allamakee County Republican Central Committee, received this Christmas card from the George H.W. Bush family following his interaction during a campaign visit the then-vice president and soon-after 41st President of the United States made in Waukon in 1987 and his ensuing election. Pictured above is the front of the Christmas card, with the interior of the card featuring a series of family photos of all the Bush children and their families and the back of the card featuring a picture of the Bush’s dog, Millie. Koopman has saved the card, along with a handwritten personal thank you note received from George H.W. Bush and a copy of the program from President Bush’s 1989 inauguration ceremony he was invited to. Submitted image.

by Lissa Blake

When Postville’s Dave Koopman heard the news that George H.W. Bush had passed away, he reflected on his own personal memories of the man who would come to be the 41st President of the United States.

Koopman, a retired school guidance counselor and former chair of the Allamakee County Republican Central Committee, recounted events in late 1987 through 1989 where he had personal contact with “Bush 41,” as he was sometimes called, to differentiate him from his son, George W. Bush, the nation’s 43rd president.

“In 1987, there were several Republicans besides Bush who wanted to be president,” remembered Koopman.

Allamakee County hosted an event for Jack Kemp and Pete du Pont in July of 1987, and the Central Committee decided to invite the elder Bush, who was serving as Vice President to Ronald Reagan at the time.

Wed
12
Dec

Holiday Train visits result in donations of more than $13,000 and 1,750 pounds of food to area food pantries...

Large crowds greeted the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train at both its stops in Lansing and New Albin Wednesday afternoon and evening, December 5, as depicted in the surrounding photos. Those attending were treated to musical entertainment by Canadian artists Willy Porter and The Trews, along with other holiday activities put on by community members, businesses and organizations.

Wed
12
Dec

Saturday afternoon farm accident claims rural Dorchester man

Saturday, December 8 at approximately 3:09 p.m., the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a farm accident in a farm driveway along Dorchester Drive in rural northern Allamakee County. Upon the arrival of first responders, an adult male was located pinned under the tire of a tractor.

Ernest Gavle, age 83, of rural Dorchester had been run over by the tractor and had died as a result of the injuries sustained at the time of the incident. The accident remains under investigation by the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting at the scene was the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, Spring Grove, MN Fire Department, Spring Grove, MN Ambulance Service and Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service of Waukon.
 

Wed
05
Dec

Allamakee Ecumenical Choir to present 42nd annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” this Sunday at St. John's Lutheran Church

The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will present its 42nd annual Candlelight Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols service this Sunday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, located at 8 Fifth Street SW in Waukon. Area clergy will read the lessons, and carols will be sung by the choirs and congregation while accompanied by organ, trumpets and handbells.

Choral numbers will be presented by the Ecumenical Choir, Ecumenical Men’s Choir and Ecumenical Children’s Choir. Musical selections will also be presented by the St. John’s Lutheran Church Youth and Senior Handbell Choirs and the Bixby String Quintet. The program is prepared and directed by James Bieber, Organist and Director of Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and he is assisted by his daughter, Sarah Palmer, Waukon Middle and High School Choral Director.

Wed
05
Dec

Waukon High School gymnasium to be dedicated in honor of long-time basketball coach Dave Schoeberlein at this Friday’s girls home games

Dave Schoeberlein ...
Dave Schoeberlein ...

This Friday, December 7, the Waukon High School gymnasium will be dedicated in honor and in the name of a man who likely spent more time and touched more lives in that same gym and during his coaching and teaching career than anyone else. During this Friday’s home game series against Oelwein for the Waukon girls basketball team, a ceremony will be held between the junior varsity and varsity contests to unveil what will be the newly dedicated Dave Schoeberlein Gymnasium at Waukon High School.

Wed
05
Dec

Annual holiday parade in Waukon brightens the beginning of the season ...

The annual Lighted Holiday Parade held in Waukon Monday evening, December 3 brightened up the beginning of the holiday season in more ways than one as nearly two dozen entries made their way through the city streets. Temperatures in the upper 20s made for some chilly viewing conditions for parade-goers, with some weekend snow adding a further holiday feel to the event, but neither of those weather considerations prevented people from lining the parade route, as evident in the above photo. Standard photo by Joe Moses. View and find out how to purchase this photo and more from the holiday parade by clicking on the Photo Galleries link at www.waukonstandard.com.
 

Wed
05
Dec

Making stops in both Lansing and New Albin again this year ...

Residents and visitors of Allamakee County will have two opportunities to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train Wednesday, December 5. The Holiday Train will be stopping in Lansing that afternoon, at approximately 4:50 p.m., and again in New Albin a little over an hour later, at approximately 6:15 p.m.

The lighted holiday train will be stopping across from the Sports Complex in Lansing located on South Front Street, between North Second Street and Dodge Street. The performances and presentations during the train’s stop in Lansing are scheduled to take place from 5-5:30 p.m. Following the Holiday

Train’s departure, Santa Claus will be at the Community Center on Main Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wed
28
Nov

Making stops in both Lansing and New Albin again this year ...

Residents and visitors of Allamakee County will have two opportunities to see the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train this year, as the holiday spectacle on rails will make its way to northern Iowa Wednesday, December 5 to make a pair of stops within the Allamakee County borders. The Holiday Train will be stopping in Lansing that December 5 afternoon, at approximately 4:50 p.m., and again in New Albin a little over an hour later, at approximately 6:15 p.m.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights and serves as a stage for live musical performances. Both stops are scheduled to include performances by The Trews, the innovative, prolific and electrifying rock music recording artists based out of Hamilton, Ontario, and contemporary rock singer and musician Willy Porter, who has shared world stages with music icons Jeff Beck, Tori Amos and Paul Simon.

Wed
28
Nov

Iowa State Patrol confirms investigation continues, some clarifications offered in accident and ensuing investigation involving husband of County Attorney

There has been little to update from official sources regarding the November 13 single-vehicle accident involving Christopher Mirich, age 38, of Waukon, husband of Allamakee County Attorney Jill Kistler, and an ensuing investigation the following day involving search warrants being executed by Iowa State Patrol officers at the couple’s home and Mirich’s place of employment first reported in last week’s issue of The Standard.

Sergeant Jewel O’Rear, Assistant District Commander of Iowa State Patrol’s District 10 headquarters located in Oelwein, did confirm in a Monday, November 26 telephone interview that the investigation is still in progress and initially said there is no further information about the case or the continuing investigation that can be shared at this point.

Wed
28
Nov

Rea honored with State Achievement in Service Award..

Becky Rea, Allamakee County K-12 Program Coordinator, was recently recognized at the annual Iowa State University Extension Office staff in-service: Youth Fest by the Iowa 4-H Program. Rea was a recipient of an Achievement in Service Award, being selected for this award by being in her position for three years or less and making a difference in the Iowa 4-H program in that short time.

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