Community News

During the month of June, the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will display a special exhibit to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion of France in World War II. The Normandy Invasion was the Allied invasion of western Europe during World War II launched June 6, 1944, often referred to as D-Day, as depicted in the submitted images above.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon will host summer open hours for tours Fridays from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon. Special programs will be announced for some Saturday mornings, and previous programs will be repeated for visitors on request. The museum is also open by appointment for community groups, veterans organizations, and families not able to visit during regular hours. There is no admission or membership charge, and the facility is handicap accessible.
 

Final week to turn in forms for Allamakee County Fair Queen Contest

The Allamakee County Fair Board is seeking applicants for the 2024 Allamakee County Fair Queen contest and will also be offering a similar pageant experience to younger girls this year, as the 2024 Allamakee County Fair will run from July 17-21. Expanding even further on the new format initiated last year for the Allamakee County Fair Queen Contest, an Allamakee County Fair Little Miss competition is also going to be held this year during the Fair for girls ages 7-9.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) has welcomed local residents Connie Bulman Fern Rissman to its advisory board. “We are very excited to welcome Connie and Fern to the board,” says Brent Beyer, ACCF Board chair. “They will bring a new perspective and help us continue to better our understanding and support for Allamakee County organizations.”

Bulman, a native of LaCrosse, WI, has lived on a farm in Dorchester for the past four years. She and her husband raised their children in Cedar Rapids, where she worked as a nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital. She also volunteered her time at St. Luke’s, where she assisted in the set-up of new medical documentation systems.

Today, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, who all live in northeast Iowa. She also loves reading, singing, and continuing a tradition of helping at church.

Olivia Marti, a graduating senior at Waukon High School, attended the 13th annual World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute (IYI), where 277 students representing 89 Iowa high schools gathered with 85 educators at Iowa State University in Ames to explore pressing global food security challenges and professional opportunities in STEM fields.

“Iowa State University is proud of its longtime partnership with the World Food Prize to provide this premier educational program,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Iowa State University, President. “The Iowa Youth Institute is an opportunity for high school students to connect with Iowa State expertise, resources and scholarships. We are pleased to see how this program ignites students’ passion to help address one of society’s most complex challenges - global food security.”

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon will be open for tours during the Memorial Day holiday weekend this year, Saturday, May 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, May 27 from Noon to 4 p.m.

Video interviews from the museum’s Allamakee Veterans History Project library will be played for visitors on request. Interviews now available for viewing include the following veterans:

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 20 to address a full agenda of matters including the Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2024 (FY24) Allamakee County Budget Amendment, consideration of setting the canvass date for the June 4 Primary Election and the consideration of hiring an administrative assistant for Environmental Health and Planning and Zoning. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present.

During Public Comment, Allamakee County Zoning Administrator Stephanie Runkle provided a brief update on the Courthouse Building Committee and recommendations relating to the bidding process for various repairs and improvements to the courthouse.

Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Army veteran John Troendle will be played. Troendle will also be present to share comments and answer questions.

John Troendle enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 during the “Cold War” with the U.S.S.R. and was discharged in 1962. After basic training, he was assigned to an Army transportation company in Oklahoma. Troendle was then transferred to a transportation company at Fort Richardson in the newly admitted state of Alaska for a 14-month tour of duty.

After discharge, he returned to his hometown of Lansing and later moved to Waukon. Although retired from his employment, Troendle remains a long-time volunteer with the Boy Scouts, American Legion, and other community activities. His son Larry is also a U.S. Army veteran.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting an event honoring area veterans and those currently serving this Saturday, May 18 in observance of National Armed Forces Day. The honoring will take place at AJ Bar & Grill (previously called AJ Steakhouse) in Waukon, beginning at 1 p.m. Midwest Veterans of America will be honoring more than two dozen local veterans who have served their country in past years, along with seven individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled the June Dairy Days Parade to be held in Waukon this year. The parade will be held Monday, June 3, beginning at 7 p.m.

Line-up for parade entries begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. The parade route will travel from the Fairgrounds south on Allamakee Street to the stoplight intersection, where it will turn right and head west on Main Street to 2nd Street NW. Another right turn will take the parade up 2nd Street NW to Eighth Avenue NW, with the parade route turning right again and heading east back to the Fairgrounds.

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board  will be setting up its dairy wagon at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Allamakee County Economic Development parking lot on Main Street and serving from 4 p.m. until finished. For more information, contact Kerri Gibbs at 563-419-2260.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of setting the Fiscal-Year 2025 Medical Flex maximum and FSA (flexible spending account) carryover per IRS (Internal Revenue Service) changes, the consideration of setting the effective date for Township Official pay rate increases, and the discussion and consideration of hiring temporary part-time employees for the Secondary Roads Department.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.