Community News

The Corner of Hope Foods Resource Bank local growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil on a blustery Saturday morning, April 29 to kick off the growing season. The event was held at the Mt. Olivet food plot north of Waukon, and Father Mark Osterhaus of St. Patrick Catholic Church gave the blessing. Submitted photo.
 

The Waukon Fire Department responded to a blaze at 204 Fifth Street SW in Waukon just prior to midnight Saturday, April 29, finding an unattached garage owned by Vickie Larson of Waukon fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Crews were at the scene of the fire for several hours. The garage and its contents were a total loss, but the two houses adjacent immediately to the north and to the south of the garage were both saved from any serious damage by the efforts of the responding fire crew. The cause of the fire has been determined to be electrical in nature. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 1 to address a full agenda of items, including an update regarding the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®), issues concerning parking on Main Street and Allamakee Street and an expansion at Reelcore.

During Public Comments, Howard Van Ruler of Howards Home Furnishings complimented the City Council and specifically Councilman Dwight Jones for following up with Town & Country Sanitation and helping resolve his concerns. Van Ruler was previously informed that he would need to have recyclables and garbage containers moved to the street for collection, rather than being left in the alley behind his business. Van Ruler indicated that garbage and recycling collection has been accomplished in the alley without any problem.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) awarded $91,500 to area nonprofits Tuesday, April 18 at its annual grant award celebration held at Empty Nest Winery in Waukon. Many of those grant recipients are pictured in the photos surrounding this article.

The ACCF receives funds each year from the Iowa Department of Economic Development County Endowment Program. Seventy-five percent of the money received is granted out each year. The other twenty-five percent is maintained in a permanent endowment with the income to be distributed in future years.

Msgr. Cletus J. Hawes will be celebrating his 65th Jubilee and 90th birthday at Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford this Sunday, April 30. The 65th Jubilee Mass has been scheduled for 11 a.m. at Wexford.

"Switchback" is planning to lead the music for the Mass April 30. The “Hibernian” Mass setting will be used during the Jubilee Mass.

In addition to celebrating 65 years as a priest, Monsignor Hawes is also celebrating his 90th birthday. There will be an Open House in the parish hall from 12-3 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.

Cletus Joseph Hawes was born March 28, 1927 to John and Ellen (Conway) Hawes of Wexford, rural Lansing. He was baptized March 29, 1927 in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. Following the tragedy of his father's sudden death May 9, 1935,  his mother raised him and his siblings on the family farm.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 24 to address a full agenda of items, including setting a letting date for two box culvert replacement projects, consideration of the Fiscal-Year 2018 health insurance recommendation and the Resolution to Vacate the Easement on Road #663. There were no public comments.

Volunteers needed to assist

Waukon Trees Forever will hold its annual spring tree planting this Saturday, April 29. Volunteers are asked to gather at the large parking lot at the Waukon Wellness Center at 10 a.m. Plans call for planting about 80 trees at several sites around the city. Shovels, rakes 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.
For more information contact Kenneth Olson at 563-568-4612. Rain date will be Saturday, May 13.

Volunteers and community leaders in Waukon are partnering with Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy to plant trees that save energy, improve air quality, and reduce stormwater run-off. Black Hills Energy and Trees Forever's Power of Trees 25-year partnership awarded Waukon with $1,000 for a tree-planting project.

"We're looking forward to working with Trees Forever and Black Hills Energy to grow our tree canopy in Waukon," says project volunteer Ken Olson. "With their help, we are adding trees to improve the environment while making Waukon healthier, more vibrant and more energy efficient."

Trees break up cold winter winds and reduce heating energy needs in the winter months. In summer months, trees shade surfaces such as homes, businesses, streets, sidewalks and parking lots, therefore, reducing the heat those surfaces absorb. Trees also cool the surrounding air; both of these things lead to a reduction in cooling energy and peak energy demand.

First Baptist Church of Waukon held its 2017 AWANA Grand Prix car race April 5 at the church. Larry Gelo welcomed those in attendance and Pastor Duane Smith gave the AWANA Challenge. A flag ceremony preceded the race, with Aislinn Goettel singing the National Anthem to kick off the event.

Grand Prix chairman was Dale Roney and starter chairman was Randy Van Ruler. Larry Gelo announced the race and Chris Kerndt was the chart keeper. Judging the cars on design were Pam Kerndt, Paul Promnitz and Kari Roney. Weigh-in judges were Craig Schrick and Dale Roney. Finish line monitors were Logan Van Ruler and Morgan Van Ruler, and weigh-in judges were Dale Roney and Craig Schrick.

Ushers for the evening were Michael Smith and Kyle Smith, and JoAnn Gelo was in charge of decorations. After the award presentation and photos, refreshments were served by Brenda Promnitz, Michele Wood, Jean Buntrock and Cindy Kuhens.

by Brianne Eilers

Thornton Manor, located in Lansing, will be celebrating a big milestone for the facility this month - 40 years of service to Lansing and the surrounding area. An open house will be held at Thornton Manor this Sunday, April 23 from 2-4 p.m. in honor of the 40th anniversary.

Thornton Manor accepted its first resident April 21, 1977 and has continued to change and grow to meet the needs of the community since that time. The original facility was named for Dr. John Thornton, a well-known physician in the Lansing area.
Administrator Sam Kuhn noted that the nursing home has always been licensed for 60 beds. In 2003, the Thornton Heights Assisted Living apartments and the Thornton Manor Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic were added to the facility. "It was a great way for us to expand our services to keep pace with growing trends," Kuhn said.