News Center newsletter

The family of Bob and Terri Lyford of Waukon is celebrating the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary with a card shower. The couple was united in marriage June 19, 1971 at First Baptist Church in Bloomington, IN.

They have two daughters, Karen (Jim) Kornelsen and Sue Lyford, and six grandchildren: Laura, Bekah, Nate, Maria, Kaiden and Savanah.

In honor of the occasion, cards and well wishes may be sent to 446 Fourth Street SE, Waukon, IA 52172.

James and Kelli Melcher of Harpers Ferry announce the birth of their son, Dayton Lee Melcher, born Friday, June 4 at Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, WI. He weighed 9 lbs. 2 ozs. and measured 22-1/4 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a brother, Declan (2-1/2).

Grandparents are Rob and Shannon Lloyd of Harpers Ferry, Jeff and Sara Melcher of Waukon and Chris and Brian Koth of Elkport. Great-grandparents are Erlyss Reckard of Monona, Ernie and Pat Burroughs of Waukon, Roger and Karen Melcher of Harpers Ferry and Ralph and Diane Mohn of Harpers Ferry.

Jessica and Ethan Decker of Waukon announce the birth of their son, Reid Everett Decker, born June 4, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. He weighed 7 lbs. 7 ozs. and measured 21 inches in length at the time of his birth. He joins a sister, Kinsley (2).

Grandparents are Steve and Paula Decker of Waukon and Fred Rudnitzki and Jo Ready of Bagley, WI. Great-grandparents are Sharon Decker and Carlton Christianson, both of Waukon.

Lukas Larson and Kayla Larkin of Harpers Ferry announce the birth of their daughter, Scarlet Kay Larson, born June 4, 2021 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 6 lbs. 8 ozs. and measured 19-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Lucas (5).

Grandparents are Larry Larson and Jim and Melissa Sess, all of Harpers Ferry.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Canada Thistle Control
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist, NRCS

Join the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation in celebrating National Dairy Month with Breakfast on the Farm Saturday, June 26, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center located just south of Calmar at 1527 Highway 150 South.

Enjoy a wholesome, dairy-rich breakfast of Dad’s Belgian Waffles served with real butter and whipped cream, sausage, cheese, yogurt, milk and, of course, ice cream. In addition to breakfast, visitors will enjoy activities including guided tram tours of Iowa’s Dairy Center, hand-milking a cow, petting zoo, inflatables, corn pools, Story Time with the Dairy Princess and more. This outdoor event will follow current CDC guidelines and guests are encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distance.

Breakfast on the Farm will be held rain or shine. Parking is available on-site and donations are appreciated. This event is made possible by the generous support from community sponsors.  

Participants will see realistic examples of forest and water quality improvement projects

A self-driven tour led by forestry specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Floyd and Mitchell counties will show Iowans some of the ways healthy forests can improve water quality and the value of land.

“From the Stream to the Forest: Conservation Practices for Producers and Landowners” will be held June 22 in Floyd and Mitchell counties, in north central Iowa, and includes a visit to the Tjaden family’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program wetland, two riparian forest buffer sites, an upland forest site and an oak savanna.

The goal is to show Iowans some realistic examples of how healthy forests and water quality are related, and some practices private landowners can implement if they choose.

To the Editor:

June 15, 2021 is World Elder Abuse Day. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging joins communities worldwide to promote awareness and highlight solutions to this systemic social challenge.

As Americans, we believe in justice for all, but we fail to adhere to this value when we allow older community members to be abused or neglected. Older people are vital, contributing members of American society, and their maltreatment diminishes everyone. Just as we have confronted the social issues of child abuse and domestic violence, we can also find solutions to address elder abuse, which also threatens the well-being of our community.

To the Editor:

May 28, Senators Grassley and Ernst, along with other Senate Republicans, blocked the Senate from bringing up the bill to form a January 6 Commission. Why don’t the Republicans want to expose the facts concerning the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol?

Democracy is in the balance. The U.S. Congress, including Vice President Pence, evacuated the premises or were quickly ushered into safe locations, yet the Republicans pretend like the mob did not storm the Capitol, killing five people, injuring 140 police officers, and causing over $1.5 million in damage.

These were not everyday people touring the Capitol.  The videos of people shattering windows, assaulting police officers, breaking into offices, scaling the walls, spraying bear spray, shouting obscenities, and waving Trump flags have been shown multiple times on television. These were domestic terrorists, trying to stop the democratic process.

To the Editor:

I would like to express my gratitude for the great Memorial Day celebration to all who made that possible in Harpers Ferry. Legion Post 722 deserves a huge amount of credit as they were the primary organizers of the event, starting with the visit to six cemeteries in the area to honor those who served and died for this country.

Msgr. Cletus Hawes deserves much credit also as he delivered a moving tribute to all veterans who helped create this great country, going back to the time of the American Revolution and through the present. He also made a great appeal for the country to come together once again as One Nation Under God and honoring the Constitution.

Then there is the Legion Auxiliary, which was instrumental in putting together the parade. This is the first parade in Harpers in three years since the last one was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the one before that was diminished due to rain.