Community News

Waukon Trees Forever was recently honored as an Outstanding Community Organization by the Iowa Urban Tree Council. The award presentation was made Thursday, April 6 at the 27th Annual Urban Forestry Awards Luncheon in Des Moines. Pictured above at that award presentation are, left to right, Paul Tauke, State Forester; Dr. Ken and Sharon Olson and Mary and Joe Cunningham, representing Waukon Trees Forever; and Heath Ellis, President of the Iowa Urban Tree Council.

Waukon Trees Forever will hold its annual spring planting Saturday, April 29. Volunteers are asked to gather at the large parking lot at the Wellness Center at 9 a.m. Plans call for planting about 80 trees at several sites around the city. A shovel  and work gloves are about the only tools needed. Work will consist of planting trees and mulching them. Everyone is invited to help with the project.

New recyclable bins to be delivered within next two weeks for May change

Town & Country Sanitation, contracted collector of garbage and recyclables with the City of Waukon, will be introducing the new One-Pass Automated Collection process to the community of Waukon starting in May of this year. Pick-up of recyclables will experience the greatest change, although pick-up scheduling for both garbage and recyclables will see a change for most all residents, with further details to be publicized as they become available.

Each time they recite the 4-H pledge, 4-H members promise to use their "hands to larger service." Now, Iowa 4-H members are taking that pledge to a new level as they use citizenship to improve the communities in which they live.

Citizenship Regional Focus is a 4-H citizenship program for middle school and high school youth. A selection of 4-H delegates from Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties committed and participated in a two-year program, as well as attended a seven-day trip to Springfield, IL, Gettysburg, PA and Washington, D.C. during the final week of March into early April. The program is aimed at enriching young people’s lives by expanding their appreciation and respect for themselves and others in the world. They learn and practice skills that will make them better citizens and more successful individuals.

The annual P.E.O. reception for girls from the graduating class at Waukon High School was held Monday, April 3 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, marking the 54th anniversary of the event. The evening began with refreshments served. After a welcome by Chapter President DiAnne Haler, introductions by members and guests were made. Karen Carlton then presented the program on "Diversity in Today's World." The graduating young ladies from Waukon High School's Class of 2017 then shared memories from their high school years. Submitted photo.
 

Breelyn Dahlstrom, third grade student at St. Patrick School in Waukon, was selected as the Youth of the Month by the St. Mathew’s Council #1570 of Knights of Columbus. The award is given to a student “for setting a good example of Catholic values.” Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 3 to address a full agenda of items, including an update on the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®), setting a date for spring clean-up and a review of City insurance rates. There were no public comments and the Council moved into Departmental Reports.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed equipment expenses and working through recent power outages. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that park employees started back to work Monday with their focus on the soccer field in anticipation of Youth Soccer starting this Saturday, then their focus shifting to park clean-up projects.

Marilyn Larson of Waukon presented a program on her teapot collection at the Tuesday, March 21 Allamakee County Farm Bureau Women meeting held at the Farm Bureau building in Waukon. Larson has a collection of over 200 teapots and has been collecting them for more than 20 years, saying she considers them a reflection of her travels and times in her life. She said many of the teapots are gifts from family members and friends but she has also picked up many at thrift shops and flea markets. Larson has taken her collection to care centers in the area including Good Samaritan Society in Waukon and Thornton Manor in Lansing, and she anticipates going to Northgate Care Center in Waukon in the near future. When not traveling with them for program presentations, Larson says the teapots are on display in her home and in her hair salon on shelves and three old wood stoves she has in her home. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Donations sought and volunteers are needed to assist in filling and setting out eggs, as well as with registration

Epic Wear is hosting a free Easter Egg Hunt in Waukon Saturday, April 15, beginning at 10 a.m. with registration. The event is being held at a new venue this year, Green Valley Getaway, to provide for better parking and restroom accommodations for participants and families.

Kids ages 12 and under are invited to participate in this free event and are reminded to bring their own basket to gather eggs. There will be over 10,000 eggs filled with candy, and the Easter Bunny will also be in attendance. During registration, kids will also be entered into a random drawing for one of 50 Easter baskets filled with toys and activities.

The members of the Waukon High School cheerleading squad pictured above were chosen by the Iowa Cheer Coaches Association All-Star cheerleaders directors and choreographer to perform as part of the 2017 Iowa All-Star Team, being selected to cheer at the Iowa High School All-Star basketball games held at Dallas Center Grimes High School March 24-25. In January of this year, Waukon High School cheerleading coaches Amy and Lexie Bieber recorded try-out videos for the All-Star selection process consisting of the nine girls doing jumps, a short dance routine (4, 8 counts) and a cheer. The coaches also wrote recommendations and skills levels for each of their skills.

The City of Waukon, Waukon Economic Development Corporation and the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Driftless Area Scenic Byway and Northeast Iowa RC&D, will be hosting a brainstorming session focusing on the Waukon Public Art Project. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 12 from 5-6 p.m. at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, the public is invited to this session to help Waukon’s Art Advisory Committee determine a theme and design concept for a public art piece to be developed and installed in Waukon in 2018.

This project will result in a one-of-a-kind art piece that will enhance Waukon’s downtown, encouraging residents and travelers to slow down to view it, improving the social and economic vitality of the community, and fostering economic development for businesses and residents.