Coronation of the 2026 Allamakee County Fair Royalty took place Wednesday, July 15 at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon, kicking off the 173rd Allamakee County Fair that was held July 15-19. Five area young ladies were vying for this year’s Allamakee County Fair Queen crown, which was bestowed upon Reegan Benzing (pictured at far right). Makenna Kurth (pictured at far left) was crowned the 2026 Allamakee County Fair Princess, with Addisyn Berns, Miriam Downing and Olivia Enyart also serving as members of the 2026 Allamakee County Fair Royalty Team. Benzing will now advance on to represent Allamakee County in the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen competition, with that coronation event being held Saturday, August 15 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Meets with Senator Ernst as part of her advocacy ... Arla Wagner, owner of Arla’s Sewing Room on Main Street in Lansing, is pictured above with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa during a recent Congressional fly-in event Wagner took part in to advocate for the re-opening of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), an energy-efficiency and renewable energy grant program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Wagner was the recipient of a REAP grant in 2025 that helped finance the installation of two energy-efficient air source heat pumps in her business. Pictured above, left to right, are Clayton County Energy District Coordinator Kelsi Davis, Arla Wagner, Senator Joni Ernst, and Aidan Reed of Rural Climate Partnership, a sponsor of the trip. Submitted photo.
Advocating for REAP within the Halls of Congress ... Arla Wagner, owner of Arla’s Sewing Room located on Main Street in Lansing, walks the Halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. on the way to her next meeting with elected officials during a recent Congressional fly-in event Wagner took part in to advocate for the re-opening of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that was recently put on hold by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Wagner is pictured above with Steve Hopkins, REAP Program Manager/Energy Coach for Clean Energy Districts of Iowa. Submitted photo.
submitted by Steve Hopkins, REAP Program Manager/Energy Coach for Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
Arla Wagner, owner of the small business Arla’s Sewing Room in Lansing, was one of four northeast Iowans to participate in a recent Congressional fly-in event to Washington, D.C. to advocate for re-opening the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), an energy-efficiency and renewable energy grant program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Wagner was awarded a REAP grant in 2025 to install two energy-efficient air source heat pumps (mini splits) to upgrade the heating and cooling system in her 1880s downtown storefront building on Main Street in Lansing. The grant funded 25% of the cost of the upgrade and has reduced her energy costs by 33% while improving the comfort inside her store in both the heat of summer and cold of winter.
River Bluff Getaway, Ron and Julie Peiffer ... Submitted photo.
West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association ... Submitted photo.
Steve and Diana Jennerman home ... Submitted photo.
Roe-Hansmeier house ... Submitted photo.
by Brianne Grimstad
The Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society (HFAHS) will be holding its third annual Tour of Homes this Sunday, July 26 from 1-4 p.m. There will be four stops on the tour this year, split between two locations in Harpers Ferry and two more located on Elon Road just east of Waukon, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the Harpers Ferry Museum building project. Advanced ticket purchase is encouraged, but tickets will also be available at each of this year’s tour stops.
The four locations featured in the self-guided 2026 Tour of Homes include the River Bluff Getaway (Ron and Julie Peiffer, 521 Brazell Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), the Steve and Diana Jennerman home (519 Sandy Point Drive, Harpers Ferry), West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association (1351 Elon Drive, east of Waukon), and the Roe-Hansmeier House (Daryl Hansmeier, 1320 Elon Drive, east of Waukon).
Waukon High School students take ag tour through Ireland ... Waukon High School Agriculture students under the instruction of Adam Sacquitne, along with adult chaperons, are pictured above in front of historic Kilkenny Castle during their recent international agricultural tour through Ireland. Pictured above are: Left to right - Front row: Makenna Kurth, Claire Johnson, Alexis McNamara; Second row: Tyrone McCarthy, Paige Rosa, Brynn Weymiller, Kendra Gibbs, Chelle Meyer, Caitlin Mahoney, Jessica Kurth; Back row: Devin Frick, Landon Burington, Marie Burington, Stephanie Palmer, Adam Sacquitne, Sophia Palmer, Norah Palmer, Trent Schullo, Mariesa Gibbs. Submitted photo.
Learning about farming from the water as well ... As part of their international agriculture tour through Ireland, Waukon High School students learned how rigorous fresh oyster farming is in Ballinakill Bay. They also got the opportunity to pick up, shake, and reattach the bags of oysters to the stand as if they were employees of the oyster farm. Submitted photo.
submitted by the Waukon High School Agriculture Department
Members of the Waukon High School Agriculture Department recently returned from an international agricultural tour through Ireland, where students explored the country’s rich agricultural traditions, history, culture, and innovation.
For many students, the trip marked two significant milestones, their first flight and their first experience traveling outside the United States.
The group departed from Chicago, IL and arrived in Dublin eager to begin an educational journey that combined classroom learning with real-world experiences. Throughout the week, students gained firsthand insight into Ireland’s diverse agricultural industries while experiencing the country’s renowned history, landscapes, and hospitality.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending Chapter 105 “Solid Waste Control”, the Resolution awarding the contract for the 1st Avenue SE Reconstruction Project and the Final Reading and Adoption of the Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by changing sewer user charges and special rates. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, Nic Engrav, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.
The Consent Agenda, routine items to be approved collectively, was approved with the removal of one item: C. Resolutions 1. Agreeing to the transfer from the Street Department/Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Fund to the Capital Equipment Fund - Ambulance. This matter was removed without further discussion.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, July 20 at the Waterville Community Center’s City Council Chambers as part of the board’s schedule of offsite meeting locations that includes public libraries within the county. The Supervisors addressed a full agenda of matters including the consideration of a Revolving Loan Fund application, the consideration of the Resolution designating the location for public notices for open meetings and the consideration of the Resolution of support for a Joint Federal Bridge Grant Agreement and a Letter of Support for a Federal Bridge Grant Project.
The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Pro Tem Dan Byrnes with Supervisor Dennis Keatley present. Chairperson Tom Clark was not present due to a scheduled absence.
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors held a pair of meetings within the past week, including a July 14 special meeting and a July 20 regular session. Coverage of both meetings appears below.
JULY 14
The ACSD board members met for a special meeting Tuesday, July 14. The board discussed and approved several change orders related to the Middle School HVAC project, totaling $46,489.23.
JULY 20
The ACSD board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, July 20. The meeting was preceded by a public hearing on the proposed lease and easement for the proposed solar project at the Waukon Wellness Center.
Five students of Luther College in Decorah have each been awarded a $1,000 Karen Julesberg Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The scholarship recipients for this year include Alyssa Connelly, Hattie Miller, Yves Muhire, Yasmin Ramadan and Emily Righter.
Alyssa Connelly, a 2025 graduate of Waukon High School from Harpers Ferry, will be entering her sophomore year at Luther this fall. She is majoring in elementary education and plans to be a special education teacher after graduation. Connelly is a student-athlete on the Lady Norse women’s golf team, and her hobbies include diamond art and puzzles. She enjoys her work-study position at Marty’s in the lower level of the Dahl Centennial Union at Luther.
River Bluff Daze in Ferryville, WI will feature an antique tractor pull, a hike, fun, food, and fireworks again this year. The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25. For full details, keep on checking the Ferryville, WI Facebook page at facebook.com/ferryvillewi or website at www.visitferryville.com. Listed below are some of the days events:
8:30 a.m. - Join Joanne White for a nature hike on the Sugar Creek Bluff Natural Area. Meet at the Ferryville Boat Landing at 8:30 a.m. and carpool to the trailhead. Hikers will see birds, wildlife, and wild flowers on the gradual 1.5-mile round trip to the scenic overlook. This hike is sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council.
Join Naturalist Erin Cubbon of Allamakee County Conservation for a guided hike up to the Paint Rock Overlook in Yellow River State Forest the morning of July 25. The hike will be departing from the parking area at the Paint Rock trailhead at 9 a.m.
Participants can expect to see a variety of flowers in bloom typical of the unique “goat prairie” ecosystems found on area bluffs. There is also the possibility of seeing timber rattlesnakes in their native habitat. This hike will also focus on summer mushrooms that can be found fruiting along the trail.
No preregistration is required. The hike will be approximately 2.5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain of around 400 feet. As this is a fairly steep hike during a hot time of the year, bringing adequate water, snacks and sun protection is highly recommended. The trailhead is located off of Paint Rock Road, roughly 3.4 miles south of Harpers Ferry. Dogs will be allowed but must be leashed at all times.
