News Center newsletter

To the Editor:

We love our state. We know how great Iowa can be when we put our money where our values are. Creating bike and hiking trails to enjoy our pristine lakes, rivers and landscapes. Repairing our roads for safety and moving the goods we produce. Paying for the public schools and educators our kids deserve, and so much more.

But Iowa’s priorities under Governor Reynolds are skewed as she continues to pick winners who are already winning and punishing the struggling households and families. From installing barriers to those on SNAP, reducing earned unemployment security, and refusing to lift the minimum wage while passing bills that give the richest among us and wealthy corporations more and more handouts and less and less taxes.

Reynolds picked MAGA Republicans and corporate greed over everyday Iowans. She’s taking away our freedom to access abortion, our freedom to learn, and the freedom to afford groceries and a roof over our heads.

To the Editor:

The Des Moines Register recently reported that our state legislature has passed a new law (House File 802), since signed by Governor Reynolds, that prohibits the teaching of the view that Iowa or the U.S. is “fundamentally or systemically racist.” As a former teacher I have a few questions regarding the interpretation and application of this law. Is teaching that our country or state is systemically racist prohibited because the view is false? Or is it banned even if it happens to be true?

Suppose there are reputable historians on both sides of this issue, then presumably one side can be taught but not the other? Notice further that the law is worded in the present tense - “is fundamentally or systemically racist.” How then are we to approach the study of the past? Is it okay to teach that pre-Civil War America was racist?

To the Editor:

It can be difficult to watch someone struggle with their mental health, and it can be equally difficult to experience your own mental health struggles. Here are some common symptoms of depression to watch out for.

Difficulty Getting Out Of Bed. It’s perfectly normal to enjoy sleeping in or spending time in bed. However, if it has become difficult to find the motivation to get out of bed or get ready in the morning, this could be a sign of depression. Depression can make us feel fatigued and physically drained to the point where even small tasks, like getting up in the morning or taking a shower, can feel exhausting.

Sharon L. Kubitz, 71, died April 23, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Family and friends may gather from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 28 at the New Life Christian Church in Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Midwest Veterans of America or the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Condolences may be sent to Doug Kubitz at 716 Volney Road, Monona, IA 52159.

Sharon Lea Ewing was born November 18, 1951 to Stanley and Darlene “Boots” (Schlitter) Ewing at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She grew up with her baby sister, Sue, on the family farm south of Rossville.

She was educated in Waukon Public Schools, graduating from Waukon High School in 1970. June 13, 1970, she married her high school sweetheart, Douglas Kubitz, at the Rossville Presbyterian Church, the same church she was baptized and confirmed in, and where she was a member until the church closed in 2018.

Shirley Mae (Weis) Murphy was born October 15, 1929 in Dubuque to Alvin H. and Pauline L. (Koester) Weis. At the age of three, the family moved to Decorah, where she graduated from St. Benedict’s Catholic Grade School and Decorah High School. While in high school, she was elected Homecoming queen.

Peach graduated from Clarke College (University) in Dubuque. She spent the next two years teaching English and commercial subjects in Scales Mound, IL and Shellsburg. Peach married Cyril F. Murphy at St. Benedict’s Church in Decorah September 3, 1955 and for the next two years had numerous jobs while her husband pursued his master’s degree in social work, these included the West Block of the National Harbours Board, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Dennis Lee Zidlicky, age 74, of Decorah died Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, WI. Funeral Services were held Saturday, April 1 at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Decorah with Rev. Jennifer Edinger presiding.

Dennis Lee Zidlicky was born February 11, 1949 to Arthur and Gatriel (Thompson) Zidlicky in Nevada, IA. He later graduated from Cresco High School in 1967.

In 1970 he married the love of his life, Donna (Moe) Zidlicky. To this union, two sons were born, Dean and Don. In his early years, Dennis worked for Camcar and Marigold, but his true passion was farming. Dennis and Donna went on to farm together for 35 years near Ridgeway, Waukon and Highlandville. He also worked for Holden Farms in their hog buildings.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, April 17 for its regular monthly meeting. Two public hearing were held at the beginning of the meeting. The first was on the proposed budget for 2023-2024. The second public hearing was on amending the 2022-2023 budget. There were no verbal or written comments on either subject and the hearings were closed.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a DIY (Do It Yourself) Kids Hanging Room Decorations class Tuesday, May 2 from 3:45- 4:45 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 3rd Avenue NW.

Kids and their imaginations will love creating their own hanging room décor. Using cut-outs of butterflies, stars, birds and other images, they can apply a wide range of colors to their take-home masterpieces. Paper will be provided for kids who have their own individual cut-out ideas. All supplies will be provided.

The deadline for paid registration is April 25. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

Original composition commissioned in memory of Adelia Dundas will also be live-streamed

by Julie Berg-Raymond

This is a story that resonates on so many levels, it’s difficult to know where to begin its telling. On one level, it’s about the world premiere of a new musical composition being performed by band students in grades five to eight at a small middle school in rural Iowa. On another, it’s a story about how that small rural school district - Eastern Allamakee - embraced a just-out-of-school-himself band teacher and his young family in a way that would touch many hearts and traverse many years, and about how that family and that school district have since both given so much to the other.

This story is about all those things. At the center of it all, though, is a young girl named Adelia.

The 2023 Waukon High School Prom is scheduled to be held this Saturday, April 22 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open to the public at 7:30 p.m. for the Grand March, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Parents and community members may view the Grand March either seated in the auditorium or standing in the gym.

Following the Grand March will be the coronation of this year’s Prom King and Queen. Visitors are asked to exit the building after the coronation in order for students to start the Prom dance, which is scheduled to begin at approximately 9 p.m. Students need to be present and attend both the Prom and Post Prom event to be eligible for prizes at Post Prom being held in the Waukon High School gymnasium. For those who prefer not to attend the Prom dance, there will be alternative activities and games set up in the Waukon High School Library.