News Center newsletter

To the Editor:

This has been a very difficult and unusual year. Have you, or do you know of someone who has, become food insecure because of the pandemic? We at the food shelf can help.

All that is required is a photo ID. If you don’t have one, a bill with your name and address will do. This is to verify you are who you say you are.

If you are afraid of the COVID-19 virus, we follow all procedures. You stay in your vehicle and we bring out the food. You have some decisions on what you want, but a volunteer comes out to ask you for those choices. All volunteers wear a mask.

We are open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. If you have more questions, come and ask them.

We are closed on holidays that fall on Thursday and when school is closed in the winter time because of weather. Our volunteers are retirees and we don’t feel they should be on the roads at that time, either. If school is delayed, we are there.

Award nominations due by Monday; Princess applications due by March 1

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has opted not to schedule the 2021 Allamakee County Dairy Banquet at this point in time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the board is still seeking nominations to honor and recognize deserving producers and contributors to the dairy industry in Allamakee County. Should restrictions on gatherings and other mitigation procedures allow, the board may opt to schedule the banquet at a later date this year or, at the very least, will distribute this year’s awards during June Dairy Month, much like was done last year in light of the pandemic situation.

This past week, Allamakee County Public Health (ACPH) received 300 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the State of Iowa to be administered to eligible individuals in tier 1B. These doses were divided among ACPH, The Prescription Shoppe in Postville and Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Clinic in Waukon.

ACPH focused on vaccinating the additional tier groups in Phase 1B of school districts, law enforcement and first responders, while community partners The Prescription Shoppe and VMH Clinic administered to individuals aged 65 and older. Another 300 doses are expected be received this week - a trend anticipated to continue into early March, according to what ACPH officials have been told.

A new book by author James Kenyon of Cedar Falls released in early February features the former New Albin High School as part of its subject matter. Echoes in the Hallways: History and Recollections of 102 Closed Iowa High Schools is a collection of stories from student alumni of closed Iowa high schools, documenting 102 institutions from Iowa’s 99 counties.

In his multi-year research for the book, Kenyon consulted county historical records as well as interviewing former students and teachers, culminating in unique school profiles that include information ranging from the origin and growth of education in each county to sporting records, programs and school traditions. A native of Kansas, Kenyon actually published a similar book on closed high schools in Kansas in 2019, entitled Golden Rule Days: History and Recollections of 109 Closed Kansas High Schools.

Tentative plans have been announced to hold the 2021 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 14 at 1 p.m., depending on what guidelines may be in place regarding the COVID-19 pandemic at that time. Should the parade be held, it will follow its traditional route of years past. For additional information, contact the Sweeney family at Village Farm & Home in Waukon at 563-568-4577.
 

“Reading Colors Your World” is the theme of Robey Memorial Library’s 2021 Adult Reading Challenge, which continues through December 31 of this year. Robey Memorial Library challenges area individuals to read something new or different this year.

Receive a prize drawing entry for reading from one of each of 12 categories: Based on a true story; Book set in one of 49 states (not Iowa); Book that teaches you something; Book with a blue cover; Graphic novel or Picture book; Hobby-themed; Humorous; Listen to an audiobook; Science; Short Story or Essay; Set in another country; and Suspense. Contact the library with questions by calling 563-568-4424 or email robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 26: CFAP 1 & 2 Updates
March 5: WHIP Quality Loss Adjustment
March 15: 2021 ARCPLC Signup

Enrollment Begins for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs for 2021
Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year. The signup period opened Tuesday, Oct. 13.  These key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops, and more than $5 billion in payments are in the process of going out to producers who signed up for the 2019 crop year. Enrollment for the 2021 crop year closes March 15.

by Kate Hansen, Policy Assistant, Center for Rural Affairs

For Ryan Collins of Harpers Ferry working on the family farm connects him to both past and future generations. He and his spouse, Samantha, have three children under the age of six and one on the way. Their operation has been in the Collins family since 1851, and Ryan sees conservation as a tool to ensure its vitality for generations to come.

“The kids love being on the farm. Last night we went to move the cows to a new paddock, and my oldest one was petting a cow,” he said. “I want to make sure the opportunity is there if any of them want to farm.”

One way he has been able to enhance conservation on his operation is with the help of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In Iowa this year, applications for the program are due February 19. Interested producers should reach out to their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.   

The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center will host a Building Better Birders Workshop Thursday, February 18 starting at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will feature “Common Feeder Birds of Iowa” by Kelly McKay, Mark Roberts and Brian Ritter. The program will be free of charge, but advanced registration is encouraged.

Kelly McKay is from the BioEco Research and Monitoring Center in Hampton, IL. He will be assisted by Mark Roberts, Environmental Education Coordinator from the Clinton County Conservation Board, and Brian Ritter, the Executive Director of the Nahant Marsh Education Center.  Funding for the speakers has been provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection - Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP).

The Lansing VFW Auxiliary Post #5981 recently sponsored its annual Patriotic Essay Contest. Third through sixth grade students in New Albin Elementary School were able to share their patriotic ideas in the contest. The students pictured above were awarded the first-place prize in the contest for their respective grade level. Left to right: Maddie Culberson, fifth grade; Noah Mauss, third grade; and Ronny Escobar Lopez, fourth grade. Submitted photo.