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To the Editor:

I don’t know a thing about soccer, but I am enjoying the reactions of the soccer fans who have followed their country’s teams to the USA. The World Cup games are being played in small and large cities across our country. The interactions between these visitors and ordinary Americans have been fun, respectful, and joyous.

Videos of the Scotts drinking Boston dry, the Norwegians rowing, the Aussies discovering Walmart, an Englishman gushing about being able to drink Pepsi with free refills. It’s a reminder of what it means to be an American. We are the land of opportunity, of welcoming the stranger, of helping others improve their lives.

It’s only fitting that this year, our 250th as a nation, we remember who we are. That we are more alike than different. That we are guaranteed the freedom to express ourselves in our speech, our religion, our free press.

West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon will be the site for “Music in the Country” Sunday, July 12, a musical event featuring Alan & Roxy Fauque, a saxophone and piano duo, from the Madison, WI area. Beginning at 2 p.m. and hosted by the West Paint Creek Synod Cemetery Association (WPCSCA), ice cream, bars, and coffee will be served in the church’s newly remodeled fellowship/dining area, located at 1351 Elon Drive.

Alan and Roxy Fauque moved to Wisconsin from Bozeman, MT. They perform together at social events and as contemporary worship musicians, displaying their considerable musical background in many other avenues.

Roxy once prepared 126 sixth graders to perform a premier composition at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She also was honored with a Yale Distinguished Music Educator award. Upon arriving in Mount Horeb, WI, she taught music in the schools there for four years.

Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank has announced the promotion of Erik Helgerson to President. Helgerson will assume his new responsibilities immediately while James Kerndt continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer until his planned retirement in the coming years.

Helgerson brings 30 years of banking experience and leadership to the position. He began his banking career as a Credit Analyst with Firstar Bank before serving as a Commercial Loan Officer with U.S. Bank and a Loan Officer with Waukon State Bank. Prior to joining Kerndt Brothers, Helgerson served as Senior Loan Officer for FreedomBank, where he was responsible for credit administration, risk management, and strategic lending initiatives.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, June 29 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of bids received for bulk highway de-icing salt, the Public Hearing for the Allamakee County Fiscal-Year 2026 (FY26) Budget Amendment, and discussion and consideration of the annual designation of location for posting public notices.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Tom Clark with Supervisors Dan Byrnes and Dennis Keatley present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that matter.

This past spring, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission’s (UERPC) Safe Routes to School Program provided bike safety education to over 800 second grade students and distributed helmets to schools throughout Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties. Through the program, more than 400 students who needed a helmet received one to take home, helping ensure they have the equipment needed to ride safely.

Through a multitude of member scholarship funds and generous support from industry partners, the National Dairy Shrine (NDS) awarded a total of $85,000 to students pursuing a dairy-related degree and future career. This year is the highest total value of scholarships awarded by the National Dairy Shrine, thanks to new scholarship opportunities and a significant increase to the values of scholarships awarded.

Whether they are working towards under-graduate, graduate, veterinary or technical degrees, these students will go on to become the dairy industry’s producers, communicators, scientists and leaders. They truly represent the next generation of dairy excellence.

Mallory Mohn, a 2024 graduate of Kee High School and the daughter of Cline and Noelle Mohn of Lansing, was a recipient of a $1,500 Dairy Management, Inc./National Dairy Shrine Milk Marketing & Dairy Products Scholarship.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council held a regular meeting Monday, June 15 during which the council approved the hiring of a new full-time street department employee and addressed a series of wage and fund-transfer resolutions.

Additionally, the council received updates regarding city operations, splash pad water usage, the Liberty Motorcycle Rally, Highway 9 funding, and police vehicle replacement.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, revealing that three council members were present, while Ben Ghelf and Corey Richards were absent. Given that only three members were in attendance, Mayor Mike Verdon reminded the council that resolutions require a majority of the full council, not just a majority of those present.

The Ferryville Tourism Council has announced the second of the four Chautauqua Summer Series programs for this season. Wednesday, July 8, Lee Hendrix will be conducting a presentation on his life as a tow boat captain up and down the Mississippi River.

The program will be held at the Ferryville Village Hall at 6:30 p.m. Treats will be available. There is no cost for this program, and a donation can will be out to help defray the costs of Ferryville Tourism events.

Hendrix grew up in the St. Louis area, and he became a deck hand on a tow boat in 1972. The river “bug” caught him, and he received his license to be a tow boat pilot just four years later. His long career includes teaching, developing curriculum for schools about the Mississippi River, and piloting casino boats in the Quad Cities area.

Jeremy J. Snitker, age 51, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 26, 2026, after a motorcycle accident that took place in Dunn County, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Jeremy’s memory in true fashion; with stories, laughter, and a toast to a life well-lived. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family during this incredibly difficult time.

Jeremy Joseph Snitker was born August 4, 1974, in Nebraska to his loving parents, Bruce and Connie Snitker. Throughout his life, he made a home and left a lasting impression on communities across the Midwest, living in Prairie Farm, WI and Clear Lake, WI, as well as Cresco and Waukon in Iowa.

John H. Simmons, 84, of Waukon died Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a short illness. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Friends may greet the family from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Veterans Memorial Hospital, Robey Memorial Library, or the Allamakee County Veterans Museum, all in Waukon.

John Hagen Simmons was born October 26, 1941, the son of Mabel (Hagen) and Karl Simmons in Waukon. He grew up on the family dairy farm in southwest Waukon. John was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, graduated from Waukon High School in 1960, where he was active in plays and band, and attended the University of Iowa.