River Valley

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.

“We are looking for ways to encourage both outdoor fun and social distancing,” said Todd Coffelt, Bureau Chief of Parks, Forests and Preserves. “First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes on their own or with their families.”

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from “President’s View”, a column in the December 2020 issue of Friends of Pool 9 newsletter, The Otter’s Tale.

Twenty-twenty has been a year like none other. In my 79 years of living I’ve never seen anything like it. The despair seems endless, from unrest in our American political system to chaos in our streets. From hurricanes along the Gulf coast to widespread fires in the west. And close to home, 100-mph winds across Iowa and high river levels depositing sediments at a record pace in our Mississippi River backwaters.

Also, of course, there’s an uncontrolled virus spreading across the United States linked to deaths of Americans in the hundreds of thousands. How will it end? And just as important, when will it end?

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 announces its scholarship contest for local art students  in ninth through 12th grades. Students in ninth through 12th grades are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

To request entry forms or for additional information email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

The Lansing City Council met for a 20-minute regular session Monday, December 7. The council unanimously approved the appointment of Aaron Gentes to the Lansing Parks Board.

Through virtual means, residents Tom Burke and Michelle Gauer discussed their concerns with the council regarding water run-off from a neighboring property that creates pooling water in their backyard, questioning the functionality and appropriateness of the gutter system used on the newest building on the property adjacent to theirs.

They advised that the matter is currently being dealt with civilly between property owners, which the council agreed was the correct course of action.
 

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canadian Pacific (CP) to forego its annual Holiday Train journey this year that has made stops in both Lansing and New Albin in Allamakee County the past several years. Not wanting to completely cancel the event and all its beneficial good will, Canadian Pacific has, instead, opted to pursue a more virtual avenue with both its musical performances and its fundraising that have been part of the Holiday Train’s annual trek during the holiday season.

Musical performers ​Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline CP’s 2020 “Holiday Train at Home” concert, which will stream on CP’s Facebook page this Saturday, December 12. The event will raise money and awareness and help local food banks collect much-needed donations this year.

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 announces its scholarship contest for local art students  in ninth through 12th grades. Patriotic students in ninth through 12th grades with a passion for art are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

Students will compete with other student artists from across the nation for a chance to win one of 10 national scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $15,000 scholarship.

To request entry forms or for additional information email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call a 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988. Whether chatting or calling, a trained Advocate will respond 24 hours a day.
 

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 announces its scholarship contest for local art students  in ninth through 12th grades. Patriotic students in ninth through 12th grades with a passion for art are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

Students will compete with other student artists from across the nation for a chance to win one of 10 national scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $15,000 scholarship.

To request entry forms or for additional information email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

A group of volunteers painted the inside of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5981 meeting hall this past month in Lansing. With the fiscal help of a mini grant from the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF), the volunteers were able to accomplish their goal to be done before Veterans Day, November 11 of this year.

Pictured above following completion of the project are, left to right, Krista Rasque of the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) Board of Directors, volunteers Bruce ReVoir of Friends of Pool 9, Dick Roeder of VFW Post #5981, Mary Roeder of VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post #5981 Commander Dan Hanson, Mary Morarend of VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post #5981 Ladies Auxiliary President Barbara Fore, Kim Timmerman of Lansing Girl Scouts and Jerry Aperans of Lansing Boy Scouts. Submitted photo.
 

by Alexis Johnson

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, November 16. Discussion centered around the Askelson/Peters complaint, consent agenda, citizen concern, Parks report, Police report and Clerk’s report.

The Askelson/Peters complaint consisted of considering council action on legal claims made by property owner Les Askelson against the City regarding 691 South Front Street and 661 South Front Street. The council entered into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(l)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation. The closed session took place from 7:04-8:35 p.m. Upon entering the open session, the council decided to impose the nuisance violation regarding a fence at 661 South Front Street, requiring removal of six fence panels.