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Students at St. Patrick School in Waukon participated in Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to computer science, during computer class to celebrate Computer Science Education Week, December 3-9. Following that initial Hour of Code introduction, students continued learning about programming and completed different programs and challenges all dealing with coding throughout the month of December. Students learned that computer science opens more doors than any other discipline, discovering that learning the basics will help them in any career - from architecture to zoology. Students had the opportunity to practice coding programs on the computer, along with hands-on coding of robots (some of which is pictured in the surrounding photos). Students in Junior Kindergarten through sixth grade programmed robots to complete different challenges, along with designing their own challenges for their peers to complete.

The Waukon girls basketball team played host to a yet winless Decorah team just prior to the holiday break Friday, December 21. The hardcourt Tribe  held the visiting Vikings to just six total field goals in the contest, with just one of those coming in the first half on the way to an early dominating lead and eventual 50-20 Indian victory.

Improving to a 7-1 overall season record, and now with a 4-1 mark in Northeast Iowa Conference play, the Lady Indians are scheduled to return to action after the new year with a Friday, January 4 Northeast Iowa Conference contest at Charles City.

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Senior Michael Sweeney scores 1,000th point of his high school career

The Waukon boys basketball team’s Friday, December 21 Northeast Iowa Conference contest at Decorah featured an early Christmas gift for Waukon senior Michael Sweeney, as a three-pointer he hit late in the ballgame pushed him to the Waukon boys basketball elite status of being just the fourth player in program history to score 1,000 points in his career. However, the host Vikings tossed in a total of 12 three-point bombs throughout the contest to help methodically pull away from the basketball Tribe on the way to a 60-49 Indian defeat.

The Indians were next scheduled to return from the break with a Friday, January 4 home game against Charles City before playing at Wartburg College Saturday, January 5.

A troublesome second quarter for the Kee boys basketball team proved to loom large in the Hawks’ 72-48 loss at MFL/MarMac prior to the holiday break Friday, December 21. The Kee boys were outscored by a 19-4 count in that fateful frame, with much smaller margins in the remaining quarters not allowing the Hawks to make up any of that lost ground.

The Hawks were scheduled to return to the court following the holiday break this Friday, January 4 at West Central.

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In December, P.S.S.T. partnered with East Elementary School in Waukon to send third, fourth and fifth grade students (some of which are pictured in the photo below) on a field trip to Jewels roller skating rink in Decorah. The field trip was an entertaining way to end the students’ annual roller skating unit in their Physical Education classes. P.S.S.T., Parents Supporting Students and Teachers, is the parent organization that helps support the elementary schools in the Allamakee Community School District. The P.S.S.T. volunteers put on several family events each year and work to support the excellence of the schools’ students and staff. Submitted photo.
 

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is offering Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes starting January 8. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise program that promotes strength, flexibility and balance. This is a low-impact, relaxing form of exercise that is ideal for older individuals.

Tai Chi focuses on the mental and spiritual aspects of Chinese martial arts integrated into movement. Individuals will learn warm-up, cool down and 12 introductory forms. Modifications can be made for those who need to remain seated for all or most of the class.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention will be held at Meehan Memorial Lansing Library, located at 515 Main Street, Lansing, starting January 8. Classes will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3 p.m.

Ronald R. Mauss, 74, of Kentwood, MI, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Monday, December 24, 2018, at his home in Kentwood. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 5th, at 11:00 AM at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon, IA, with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating, and burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services Saturday at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
 

Gretta M. Baxter, 90, of Waukon, died Friday, December 14, 2018 at her home in Waukon. The family would like you to come to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon, Saturday, January 5, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to have you share some memories and stories of Gretta. Burial will be at the Monona City Cemetery in Monona. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Gretta Mae Canoe was born November 10, 1928, in Monona, the daughter of Ray and Lucille (Barker) Canoe. She attended schools in the Monona area, graduating in 1946. She married Gerald Baxter June 1, 1947 at the Methodist Parsonage in Cedar Falls. After they were married they lived in Bellingham, Washington, Ohio, Texas, and Marion IA, before moving to Waukon in 1970, where she went to work for McMillan Muffler as a bookkeeper.

Wesley E. Winters, 90, of Waukon, died Friday, December 21, 2018 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 27, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Wesley Eldo Winters was born May 24, 1928, in Jefferson Township, rural Allamakee County, IA, the son of Carl Simon and Abigail Blossom (Livingood) Winters. He attended country schools and worked on the family farm. August 4, 1951, Wes married Evelyn Gayle Decker at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. The couple farmed in Allamakee County and raised dairy cows. According to his children, Wes’ favorite part of farming was getting them out of bed at 4 a.m. to help with chores. In 1966, Wes went to work for the county and operated a maintainer, grading roads and plowing snow for almost 25 years.

If you had an emergency at your home, how well could the ambulance find you? Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service has asked all area homeowners in the surrounding communities to be sure their home is marked well like this one, so the emergency service can find you when seconds count.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation recently sent out a mass mailing to the entire hospital service area asking for donations for a new ambulance for their service due to the growing number of emergency calls and numerous transfers to other facilities.  Donations are still being accepted and can be mailed to Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172. Submitted photos.