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TASC, Inc. was presented with a Governor’s Volunteer Award for outstanding commitment and service. The award was presented to TASC at a special recognition ceremony held Thursday, October 31 at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls. TASC was nominated by Tina Greenfield at the Iowa Department of Transportation for this award for participating in Iowa’s Adopt-A-Highway program for the past 10 years. Pictured above, left to right, at the award presentation are Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Sheila Schulte, Laura Miller and Vicky Phipps of TASC, Inc., and University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook. Submitted photo.
 

Five Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny Friday, November 15 for the Grow by FarmHer Conference. Pictured above, left to right, are Claire Opperman, Diana Davison, Shelby Wyninger, Alaina Gebel and Kaylee Gibbs. Grow is a series of events that will inspire and empower young women in agriculture to take an active role in the agriculture industry. A total of 350 young women ages 16-22 with an interest in agriculture had the opportunity to participate in inspirational and informational experiences as a group as well as meaningful one-on-one connections with women ag leaders. At Grow by FarmHer, young women got a real-life look at what they need to do to be successful ag leaders, while gaining the encouragement and making the connections that are pivotal to helping them grow in agriculture. For more information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photo.
 

Betty Steiber, 93, of Lansing died Monday, November 25, 2019 at Thornton Manor, Lansing. Funeral Service was held Monday, December 2 at United Methodist Church, Lansing. Burial followed at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing.

Betty was born September 10, 1926 to Dewey and Lula (Brockmeyer) Gramlich. She graduated from Lansing High School in 1943. Following school, she worked at the Lansing Button Factory for three years.

Betty was united in marriage with Bernard Steiber June 8, 1946 at the E.U.B. Church in Lansing. After a honeymoon to Chicago, IL,  they farmed together for 55 years. She was a stay-at-home mom but was always busy with caring for the children, helping with things on the farm and raising a big garden, including strawberry and raspberry patches, which she loved to share with family, neighbors and friends.

Developing the area’s workforce talent, whether the skills employees need include computer networking, leadership strategies or lean manufacturing, can seem like trying to hit a moving target. Identifying these skilled workforce needs, however, is a process made far simpler through partnerships among decision-makers.

The Allamakee County Business and Community Board formed with this purpose in mind, and its ongoing conversations can impact new employee recruitment and retention initiatives, and provide a forum to share best practices. Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) developed these boards to encourage discussion among educators, economic development officials and local business leaders, and to help members prepare for the future.

Two Upper Iowa University (UIU) students recently attended the Civic Action Academy at University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to learn new ways to make a difference in society through civic and community engagement. More specifically, senior biology major Julia Szepieniec and graduate student Bethany Stock attended the event to help build stronger volunteering skills to better organize the area’s annual Fayette Appreciation Day.

Undergraduate and graduate students from across the Midwest attended the November 8-9 event in Cedar Falls to learn from professionals across various sectors. The skill-building sessions included philanthropy, leadership, dialogue, advocacy and more. Students also had the opportunity to learn what others are doing on their respective campuses and further network with peers.

“Main Street Madness”, Lansing Main Street’s holiday punch card shopping promotion, is anticipating a record-breaking year with even more prizes. This year’s “Madness” runs from November 11 through December 14. Last year, $220,100 was spent in downtown Lansing by “Main Street Madness” punch card promotion participants.

To get started this year, look for a participating merchant poster and pick up a free punch card. The cards can then be validated with either punches or stamps in five-dollar increments for purchases made between November 11 and December 14. Once a card is full ($100 in purchases), turn it in and start another. Shoppers are welcome to complete as many cards as they can.

Completed cards will then be entered into a random drawing for one of four Lansing Downtown Dollar prizes this year of $200, $150, $100 and $75. Gift cards from local businesses will also be awarded.

The Lansing Park and Recreation Department and Splash Pad Committee received some assistance this fall from the Kee High School football team under the direction of Coach Chad Winters in preparing the area surrounding the Sports Complex, playground and splash pad for continued improvement. The concrete flooring for the new Splash Pad is scheduled to be completed this week, with completion of the project expected to take place in the spring of the new year. Submitted photo.
 

Quitline Iowa is a free service with a team of coaches trained to safely guide those who want to quit tobacco down the path to success. Allamakee County residents can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll.
 

Grid Tribe battles through misfortunes, but high-flying Falcons piece together first-ever State title

Some would say it’s beginner’s luck, as the OABCIG Falcons won the Class 2A State Championship in their first-ever appearance in that season climactic event played Friday, November 22 at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

Some would say it’s a one-man show, as that OABCIG squad was led by the arm and legs of junior quarterback Cooper Dejean, who accounted for 420 of the Falcons’ 455 yards of total offense in the game.

But Waukon football coach Chad Beermann says his team’s 37-12 loss in his third State Championship game appearance at the helm of the Indian grid program was simply an unfortunate bump in the road against a worthy opponent during an otherwise stellar season and successful recent era of Waukon football.

The Waukon girls and boys bowling teams have taken to the alleys in preparation for their 2019-2020 seasons, both of them coming off their best campaigns in their three seasons of existence and also continuing to grow with their largest groups of bowlers yet. The Waukon boys team currently has 22 young men reporting for early season practice, while the girls team currently fields 10 competitors.

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