News Center newsletter

For our most recent church newsletter, I wrote on the subject of ‘supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents.’ It’s a common topic, talking about stewardship. And it’s a broader topic than church giving. It should affect our entire lives.

As I thought about what to write for this space, I came across an article reminding me of a way we are called by God, right now, to give of ourselves. There is presently a massive humanitarian crisis in Africa. A staggering 20 million people are threatened with starvation. Children, men, women - our sisters and brothers are facing this threat.

To the Editor:

The new playground equipment, the new benches, the bicycle rack, and the handicap picnic table are all ordered for the new Lansing Lions playground to be constructed in the Sports Complex park. The Lansing Lions sincerely appreciate all who have supported this project financially and with “in-kind” services.

Although we are about $10,000 short of our goal, the installation of equipment will take place September 22-23. The Lansing Lions Club is a small group, so we are seeking support from the area community for the installation. We are in need of 25 to 30 volunteers each day.  We need people who can help with construction, people who can help with making snacks and beverages available, and people who can be of assistance with first aid and safety both days.

To the Editor:

Tailgates. Pep rallies. Friday night lights. The new school year is here! And that’s exciting news for student-athletes and high school sports fans alike.

Research shows that being a student-athlete is about a lot more than fun and games.  Student-athletes learn important life lessons, too. In fact, high school athletes not only have higher grade point averages and fewer school absences than non-athletes, they also develop the kind of work habits and self-discipline skills that help them become more responsible and productive community members.

Attending high school sporting events teaches important life lessons, too.  High school sports teach that we can live in different communities, come from different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, cheer for different teams, and still have a common bond. The joy of watching students participate.

To the Editor:

Over nearly a quarter century of riding RAGBRAI® my friends and I have encountered a lot of great Iowans. Waukon is home to one of them.

Over the years, several of our gang have become dependent on electricity and pills (prescription only) to make it across Iowa.

When our RV driver was suddenly called home for an emergency, we had an RV stranded in Cresco. So, after riding into Waukon I started riding back to Cresco to get the stranded RV. About a mile west of town I saw a guy sitting in his pick-up watchingthe bikes go by.

So, remembering the Iowa nice thing, I pulledup to his truck, told him my situationand minutes later we were off to Cresco having a nice chat about farming, Iowa, people, and his military service.

After a very enjoyable trip, I was shocked that he would take no payment for that trip. I thanked him profusely as he drove off, but that still doesn’t seem like enough!

To the Editor:

I thought about writing this letter - I wasn’t going to. But I’m tired of coming to my home after working all night to find one red reflector, or maybe two, or even the wood sign which is way up the bank on my rock and cement wall in front of my property, laying down, broken off or completely mashed.

It’s really disgusting that a neighbor doesn’t have any respect for somebody else’s property. That rock and cement bank cost this owner a lot of money. No one has destroyed any part of it - until a new neighbor moved into the neighborhood. The people who completed the rock and cement wall worked very hard on it and did a very good job.

The police came once and told the neighbor to stay off it. Then, not once but twice, he ran across the red reflectors where I usually park my vehicle. The first time he went through there, he hit both red reflectors and I didn’t say anything; I just put new reflectors in and let it be.

To the Editor:

A recent response to my letter to the editor was a jumble of confusion. The writer said, “I am not a religious person,” yet seems to know what religion is when defined for him by what he believes.

God and religion are not synonymous. God is God. You may believe whatever you want to, but it does not change the fact God in the Holy Bible states, “You shall have no other gods before me” in Exodus 20:3. The words shall and may are not synonymous.

The Declaration of Independence was a petition to God in a number of the characteristic attributes as He reveals Himself in the Holy Bible. How, what and why you believe becomes religion in many different forms. Because it was not religion they called on, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the liberty for you to believe whatever you want.

Sue Fry Vonderohe
New Albin

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 1 - December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up
• September 4: Office closed in recognition of Labor Day

Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to insure compliance. Failure to obtain advance approval for any of these situations can result in the loss of eligibility and all Federal payments.

Top dairies competed for honors in the Holstein Dairy Cattle show judged Friday, August 11 at the 2017 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Several Holstein exhibitors from Allamakee County and the surrounding local area participated in the show, bringing home some high honors.

Z-Breeze Holsteins of Posvtille brought home the highest honors for Allamakee County producers, placing second in the Spring Yearling Heifer: March 1-May 31, 2016 class with Nu-wave Applejack Allie, 3/2/2016. Z-Breeze Holsteins also placed 10th in the Senior Two Year Old Cow: September 1, 2014-February 28, 2015 class with Z-Breeze Sanchez Cecilia, 10/1/2014, and placed 20th in the Fall Heifer Calf: September 1-November 30, 2016 class with Z-Breeze Leverage Bardo, 9/5/2016.

Top dairies competed for honors in the Guernsey Dairy Cattle show judged Friday, August 11 at the 2017 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Prairie Moon Guernseys, owned and operated by the Sivesind family of Waukon, claimed Reserve Champion Premier Breeder and Reserve Champion Premier Exhibitor honors.

South Lane Farm of Epworth was awarded the Grand Champion Female banner. Knapp Guernseys of Epworth exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Female and was awarded the Champion Premier Exhibitor title and Champion Premier Breeder title.

The Premier Breeder Award is given to the competitor who earns the most points for animals bred and exhibited by the entrant or others during the day's show. The Premier Exhibitor Award is given to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points based upon the day's placings.

Prairie Moon Guernseys placed in the following classes during the show:

This Friday, August 25 not only marks the start of the Waukon High School football season, but will also mark the generous contributions of a Waukon High School alumnus to his alma mater and its athletic programs. Dr. Richard Hermeier, a 1955 graduate of Waukon High School, will have the sports complex behind Waukon High School that he and his family made possible through generous donations throughout the past decade or so dedicated in his name. At halftime of the season-opening Waukon varsity football game against MFL/MarMac this Friday, a dedication ceremony will take place to honor Dr. Hermeier and name the sports complex that now is graced by a new ticket booth entrance (pictured at right) that is nearing completion and that will bear Dr. Hermeier's name in a metal arch above the pictured entrance, along with relocation of the school's victory bell (seen in the photo background near the center of the photo). "Because of Dr.