Passion project of Lansing native Martha Dunlevy Peters, Lansing Locals: The Stories That Connect Us, becomes accessible on the most fitting day
Martha Dunlevy Peters ...
Lansing native Martha Dunlevy Peters is the author of Lansing Locals: The Stories That Connect Us, a heartfelt tribute to the people, places, and memories that define the spirit of this beloved river town.
Writing and storytelling run deep in her family - for one hundred and seven years, the Dunlevy family recorded life and local history through weekly publications in the Allamakee Journal. Although Martha’s career led her into the dental field, she ultimately felt called back to writing - picking up the pen to continue a family legacy and, more importantly, to honor a promise she made to her late father, John Dunlevy.
Passionate about preserving the stories of Lansing and its surrounding communities, Martha follows in the footsteps of her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. What began as a shared vision between a father and his daughter - to capture the voices and experiences of their hometown - became a deeply personal journey after his passing.
Rooted in that promise, Lansing Locals weaves together stories of past and present residents with Lansing’s rich history and Martha’s own childhood memories. The result is an intimate portrait of small-town life and the enduring connections that make a place feel like home. Through its collection of stories, the book highlights how shared experiences live on across generations, illustrating that the heart of a community lies not only in its history, but in the people who carry it forward.
The book’s cover holds special meaning. Lansing Locals is a nod to a familiar newspaper section cherished by readers, with the title of the book using the same font once found on the Allamakee Journal nameplate. Inspired by advice from a former editor to get close to the subject to capture a familiar scene, the front cover features an iconic image of the Black Hawk Bridge. The back cover offers a subtle reward for readers looking closely - an old friend stretching across the page from atop a familiar bluff.
In what seems a very fitting tribute to the man who shared the storytelling vision that ultimately inspired the book, Lansing Locals will become accessible on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format this Sunday, June 21, Father’s Day. Riverland Expressions will also be selling physical books, and an announcement will be made when they are available in-store.
A book signing is planned for August 8, during Fish Days weekend at the former Journal office - now Lansing Hardware Hank - to be held at the original copy desk table where three generations of Dunlevy editors once composed stories. Additional details for this event will be announced soon.
