Community News

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.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, October 24 to address a variety of topics, including the signing of the Tobacco Awareness Week proclamation, consideration of a request to quote County insurances and multiple plat approvals. Board Chairman Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Jane Regan of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, provided an update concerning the recent Mississippi River Parkway Commission meeting with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Regan explained that annually a report is published of the organization's work. Regan said the Iowa Commission received the prestigious Pilot's Award from the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission for the work accomplished in the last fiscal year.

Saturday Clover Kids met October 15 at the Waukon Wellness Center, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. A total of 35 youth spent the morning getting a little dirty planting lima beans and chia seeds, building on last month’s concept that everything needs air, water and soil to survive. They learned what happened to lima beans when planted without one of the necessities; they either don’t grow or grew very slowly. Youth also decorated a cup to look like a face and planted chia seeds in it. Chia seeds are linked to many health benefits and once they start to grow, they will look like hair in their cup. They learned chia seeds are great to eat on top of a salad or added to a smoothie or oatmeal. The Clover Kids also went trick-or-treating for the Food Shelf and brought in a generous donation for the local community (as pictured at right and below).

The Allamakee 4-H Soup Supper is scheduled for Sunday, November 6 from 4-8 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. The menu includes homemade chili, chicken noodle soup, baked potato soup, freshly baked bread, desserts and beverages. County 4-H Clubs and friends have also contributed gift baskets and other items to a silent auction. The last bids for the silent auction will be accepted at 7:30 p.m. A brief 4-H awards program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at the door. Additional information can be found in the Events & Entertainment section published in this week's edition of The Standard. This annual event raises funds to support the local 4-H program. The Iowa 4-H youth development program creates opportunities for young people in all communities to become great leaders, great citizens, and great communicators. For more information about Allamakee County 4-H, contact the ISU Extension & Outreach office at 563-568-6345.

The fifth annual Fields of Faith event in Waukon was held Wednesday, October 12 at the Waukon High School football field to share in an evening of faith-filled messages despite temperatures that caused an overnight freeze. The featured highlight of the evening was the presentation by Zach Blickens, a resident of Cedar Rapids who, along with his family and their band "White Ribbon Day," is undertaking a worldwide mission to share their story of faith. "White Ribbon Day" (pictured immediately below center) also performed at the event. Within his message, Blickens talked about his experiences in sharing his faith message around the world and also shared his "ABCs of Faith," encouraging those in attendance to "Admit" they have done wrong, "Believe" that the Lord will forgive those wrongdoings, and "Choose" to follow the right path to better serve the Lord.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 17 to discuss a full agenda of items, including the City Hall phone system upgrade, a Water/Sewer Department portable generator and the Police Department facilities. The Public Hearings for the Caterpillar end loader lease agreement and the Storm and Surface Water Drainage System Utility were opened and closed without any written or verbal objections.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, resident Pam Delphey addressed the Council regarding her concerns with a neighbor who has cemented much of their yard space. Delphey explained that the cementing was done on the south side of the neighbor’s home, which has resulted in increased water run-off towards her home. Delphey further explained that the cement work has no other purpose than to not have grass to mow.

Director of Affiliates MJ Smith recognized local leader Dr. Richard Hermeier at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's (CFGD) 14th annual donor luncheon held Thursday, September 29 at the Dubuque Golf and Country Club. Dr. Hermeier was among several recognized leaders from the Foundation's rural affiliate foundations and was featured in the 2016 Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) annual report.

As shared in the report, Dr. Hermeier created an endowment that annually supports both Waukon Athletics and the Waukon Wellness Center, a place where families and residents of all ages enjoy exercise and fellowship. As a 1955 graduate of Waukon Senior High, Dr. Hermeier wanted to give back to the community in which he grew up.

"The school and the community have given so much to our whole family," he said. "This is just a small token of our appreciation for all that Waukon has given me, athletically, and in many other ways."

The Allamakee Democratic Party will hold its Fundraising Supper Sunday, October 23 at the Old Rossville Store in Rossville. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller will be the keynote speaker at this event.

Miller is a graduate of Loras College and Harvard Law School. After serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and legislative assistant to U.S. Representative John Culver, Miller practiced law in McGregor and served as the city attorney for McGregor and Marquette for five years.  He is currently serving his fifth consecutive term as Iowa’s Attorney General.

Among the special guests at the event will be State Representative Patti Ruff and Jan Heikes, candidate for the State Senate. Patty Judge, candidate for the U.S. Senate, and Monica Vernon, candidate for U.S. Congress have been invited.

The Allamakee Community Players will be presenting the Pat Cook comedy "Don't Try to Wake Him, Hand Me the Shovel" on the stage in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Performances are scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from any cast member or can be obtained by calling Karla Lubahn at 563-568-4640 or Kris Larson at 563-380-4531. Additional information can also be found in the advertisement in this week's Events and Entertainment advertising printed on Page 7A of this week's edition of The Standard. Pictured in the photo at right, left to right, are the local talents that make up the production's cast and crew members: Front row - Cathy Buhl, Jada, Kaira and Chasity Bushaw, James Riehle. Middle row - Barb Hagen, Cheri Turner, Gwen Schroedel, Barry Mueller, Esther Walleser, Kris Larson.

Students from West, East and Waterville Elementary Schools in the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) had their artwork selected for submission in the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) “Design-a-Decal” competition during the spring of the last school year, 2015-2016. From all the designs submitted from across the state of Iowa, just 24 were chosen to be used as ISEA Student Achievement Decals, and among those 24 designs selected statewide were three students under the art direction of Carlyn Lechtenberg in the Allamakee Community School District. Those three students are pictured at right with plaques they were awarded to commemorate their selection, and pictured immediately next to them is their artwork selected to be included in the ISEA Student Achievement Decal Sheet also pictured at far left and used by teachers throughout the state of Iowa to reward students for their achievements throughout the current school year.