Community News

Helping to keep kids warm, the Waukon Knights of Columbus offered community support with two donations of six new coats of various sizes each to the Allamakee County Relief office and St. Patrick's Thrift Store. Funds for “Coats for Kids” were raised from donations at Knights of Columbus breakfasts. Pictured above, left to right, are Knights of Columbus members Pat Bresnahan, Chuck Votsmier and Bob Larkin, Becky Hawes from the Allamakee County Relief Office,  and Knights of Columbus members Msgr. Cletus Hawes, Lawrence Benda, Kai Becker. Submitted photo.
 

Dolan Jones, son of Gregg and Maura Jones of Waukon, has achieved Boy Scout’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. Jones is a member of Boy Scout Troop 64 under the leadership of Scoutmaster John Troendle and charter organization VFW Post 4117 in Waukon.

Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process. The requirements necessary to achieve the Eagle Scout rank take years to fulfill.
Community members are invited to attend an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, where Jones will receive his award, this Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, November 7 at the Supervisors' boardroom to address a variety of topics, including the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Agreement, discussion of a request to quote County insurance and the Partnerships for Success grant contract. There were no comments heard or read during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach partnered with the 21st Century Community Connections Learning Center (CCLC) Kids Club program at West Elementary School in Waukon to offer a STEM-themed after school program. Thirteen first and second grade students met once a week for six weeks to participate in hands-on learning. The youth were color scientists and experimented with mixing and naming their own colors. They made homemade bubbles and bubble blowers and discovered which solution made bigger bubbles and flew the highest. The students also made boats out of aluminum foil and color changing slime. Lastly, they were able to showcase these activities to their parents and other students during the Lights On Afterschool showcase. For more information about joining 4-H, contact Becky Rea, Allamakee County K-12 Program Coordinator, at the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Allamakee County Office at 563-568-6345. Submitted photos.
 

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds are pictured at right during their visit to downtown Waukon Thursday, November 3 prior to the November 8 General Election. Joining the Governor and Lt. Governor during the tour of the downtown area were District 28 Iowa Senate candidate Michael Breitbach, District 56 Iowa House of Representatives candidate Kristi Hager, Allamakee County Economic Development Executive Director Val Reinke, Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Development Coordinator Ardie Kuhse, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Dugan and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Waukon Center Director Erica Nosbisch. Downtown stops made by the Governor and Lt. Governor included Waukon State Bank, Teslow's Formalwear, Cunningham Hardware, Waukon City Club, KNEI Radio, Elliott Jewelers, Hartig Drug, Epic Wear Screen Printing/Embroidery, S & D Café and The Standard Newspaper. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

by Joe Moses

Life-long baseball fan Evelyn Folkers of Monona has been keeping a watchful eye on the Chicago Cubs' progress as they have made their way back to the World Series for the first time since 1945. Even an extended stay at Veterans Memorial Hospital hasn't kept the 105-year-old Folkers from keeping up with her Cubs, a team that recently recognized her for being a loyal fan.

Folkers became a fan of the Cubs in the mid-1980s after marrying her second husband, John Folkers, who was also a fan. John's son and Evelyn's step-son, Rich Folkers, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1970 to 1977 for several teams, including the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres. Evelyn has had a strong connection to baseball that continues to this day for the 105-year-old resident of Monona.

Rick "Hoot" Larson of Waterville may be known to many as a maker of custom turkey calls, something he has been doing for over three decades. He might also be remembered for a weekly outdoor column, “Writing from the Roost,” which appeared in this same newspaper from July 2007 until November of 2012.

Larson says his inspiration for those columns came from his personal experiences, or the sights, sounds, scents and any other stimulation which struck his fancy. He says it is that same source of inspiration that also accounts for his ability to write stories not only about his personal adventures, but also those of others, both real and fictional, as well as the wild critters with which he has shared and continues to share his life.

Kay Zimmerman of Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank of Waukon and Decorah was recently honored by the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) for more than 50 years of service at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank. The award was presented to her during the IBA Annual Convention September 20 in Des Moines, where she was one of 23 individuals recognized for reaching the 50-year service milestone.

“Iowa banks have been a trusted resource for Iowans for more than 100 years. We are honored to have the commitment and experience of bankers like Kay Zimmerman, who have worked to provide valuable service to Iowa bank customers and their communities for more than half a century,” said IBA President and CEO John Sorensen.

Sunday, October 30 at approximately 4:14 p.m. Waukon Police officers were near the intersection of Main Street and Spring Avenue when a car drove through a red stop light turning from Spring Avenue. The car was clocked being operated at 37 mph in a 20 mph speed zone. A short pursuit ensued on West Street SW. The driver of the vehicle did strike the curb at a high rate of speed before striking a parked car (at right in above photo), pushing the parked car at least 90 feet. The vehicle then collided with a building (pictured above at left) before coming to a complete stop.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 31 at the Waterville Public Library. During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Waterville Public Library Director Heather Bente and Library Board President Mary Techau introduced themselves. Bente provided information on the library's history and current operations, noting that the Waterville Library was founded in 1994 and the current building was renovated four years ago using local contractors.