Cassandra Berger... Photo by Gus Pladsen Photography.
The Miss Iowa USA® and Miss Iowa Teen USA® competitions are slated for this Sunday, October 8 in Newton, and one will feature a competitor of local fame. Cassandra Berger, daughter of Rusty and Cynthia Berger of Waukon and a 2012 graduate of Waukon High School, will be among the dozens of competitors seeking the crown of Miss Iowa USA® at this year's event.
The competition, which will be held at the Newton High School Auditorium at 4 p.m. this Sunday, consists of three proportional segments: evening gown, fitness/swimwear and personality interview. Eligible young women must be between the ages of 13 and 27 and be unmarried residents of Iowa.
Commissioners from 10 states along the Mississippi River came to northeast Iowa for the annual meeting of the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission September 19-21. The opening reception was held at the new Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center (pictured above), which was then bestowed the honor of being designated as a National Interpretive Center by the group. Submitted photo.
Friends of Pool 9 received the 2017 Environmental Stewardship Award, nominated by the Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commisison for the volunteer work group members and volunteers do in Pool 9 on the Mississippi River in clean-up, replanting of trees on the island and education to school-age children. Submitted photo.
by Lissa Blake
A new Allamakee County attraction is getting national attention.
The newly-built Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing was named a National Interpretive Center by the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) during its annual meeting September 19-21 that took place in Allamakee and Clayton counties.
Allamakee adults who serve liquor to minors will have more to lose, following the passage of a new Allamakee County “Social Host” ordinance. The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors recently passed the Allamakee County Social Host and Civil Cost Recovery Ordinance, which imposes stricter penalties than the State of Iowa law which was passed two years ago.
HISTORY
When the State of Iowa passed a “social host” law in 2015, local advocates in Allamakee County didn’t think the fine of $200 was strict enough to change anyone’s behavior. Allamakee Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP)/Iowa Partnerships for Success representatives Jean Bossom and Max Grotegut thought Allamakee County could do better.
“We didn’t think, as a coalition, that $200 was enough of a deterrent,” said Grotegut.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 2 to address a variety of matters, including the Buddy Poppy Proclamation, a service line program by Utility Service Partners and the two-hour downtown parking limit. There were no Public Comments heard or read during that portion of the meeting.
The council moved right into Departmental Reports, with Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell advising that four of the seven sewer repairs throughout the city have been completed. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed that his department has moved to its winter work schedule and work is moving forward on the department's bucket truck. Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub advised that work on the parking area near the Memory Garden in the Waukon City Park is going well and that the Park and Recreation Department is purchasing a used pick-up truck, with an older vehicle to be put up for sealed bid.
Good Samaritan Society - Waukon hosted its annual Homecoming football party Friday, September 22. This year, Good Samaritan Society - Waukon also honored four of its residents (pictured left to right in the center of the foreground of the above photo): Dick Gearhart, Waukon High School Athletic Director from 1970-1992; two cheerleaders from the surrounding area, Linda Sorum, Lansing High School in 1957 and Kathryn Hinkel, Marquette Railroaders from 1941-1944; and Leon Schoh, who was his high school's quarterback in 1945. Good Samaritan Society administrative staff shared, "The Waukon football team, cheer squad and coaches are phenomenal, not only on the field but off the field as well. We were very honored to experience their limitless commitment, respect, compassion and integrity." Submitted photo.
Many people visited the Stone Schoolhouse in Lansing during the weekend of September 22-24 in observance of Lansing's 150th birthday celebration and Homecoming weekend at Kee High School in Lansing. The Stone School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one room of the school was open for the public to visit. Several class pictures from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s were displayed, as well as some memorabilia from private collections and other historical moments and features of the Lansing community. Photos by Susan Cantine-Maxson.
Saturday, October 7, the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, in partnership with the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, will host HawkWatch. This event celebrates the fall migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and other birds along the Mississippi River Flyway.
HawkWatch is a free event, designed to appeal to everyone, including families, amateur birders and raptor enthusiasts. HawkWatch activities will be held at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, located at 509 Hwy. 18 in Marquette, a half-mile west of the Marquette-Joliet Bridge on Hwy 18.
The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, October 2. Discussion centered around a new historical podium being placed within the city, a building permit request, updated fines for illegal disposal at the city dump, the possibility of slightly rusty water and decreased water pressure Wednesday, October 4, a new city police officer position opening, and City Parks board positions being filled.
There will be a new historical podium in honor of Bill Betsinger put in place on North Front Street, just south of the marina. There has been a building permit request made for construction at 390 Dodge Street. The motion was made and seconded to approve the request.
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering the class, “'Be Smarter Than Your Phone' Series: Android Operating Systems” Wednesday, October 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.
Keep up with rapidly changing cell phone technology - they are only getting smarter and faster. Those who have any phone other than an Apple iPhone are using an Android operating system, and this class will help understand the basics - set-up, adjusting settings, adding contacts, downloading apps, etc. - and also share important features of smart phones and how they can enhance life, both professionally and personally. Attendees should bring their phone to the class.
The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center is offering a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Workshop Thursday, October 19 from 4-7 p.m. The NICC Waukon Center located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.
This event is open to the public and is designed to help students complete their FAFSA and answer any questions. Students and parents are encouraged to attend. Representatives from Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank and Kerndt Brothers Bank will be available to discuss the impact of student loans and how to bridge the gap between a student financial aid package and college expenses.
