Community News

Grand opening open house event this Friday at the former Nightingale Pharmacy building

Wendy Smethurst is turning a dream she has had for “sew” long into a reality with the opening of her new business, Happy Heifer Quilting Company, just this past month. Smethurst recently purchased the former Nightingale Pharmacy building at 606 Rossville Road in Waukon and has transformed that building into what she calls a “one-stop shop” for quilters.

Quilters of any skill level are welcome to stop in and purchase fabric, batting, notions, patterns, kits, Janome sewing machines and Arrow quilting furniture. Smethurst can also do quilting for customers with her Janome long-arm machine.

“Waukon didn’t have a quilt shop and there are a lot of quilters in northeast Iowa,” Smethurst noted, adding that she also enjoys quilting.

The LA Communications Non-Profit ATV/UTV Fall Fun Ride held October 18 generated $20,000 to support local organizations through sponsorships and entry fees from those participating in the ride. The annual event, which operates under the motto “Raising funds for local nonprofits one ride at a time,” celebrated its fourth year by achieving a fundraising milestone for Allamakee County.

This year’s proceeds of $20,000 was split between two local non-profits, with $10,000 donated to the Allamakee County Agricultural Association and $10,000 dedicated to the Allamakee County K9 Unit. Pictured in the photo above at the donation presentation to the Allamakee County K9 Unit are, left to right, Jacquie Byrnes of the Allamakee County E-911 Emergency Communications Center, Annette Franzen and Les Askelson of LA Communications, and Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick.

Waukon High School Choir 2025 Tour of Churches scheduled for December 7

The Waukon High School Choir, under the direction of Molly Woodard, will be sharing its music with area churches during its 30th Annual Christmas Church Tour Sunday, December 7, according to the following schedule:

St. John’s Lutheran 8:30-8:45 a.m.
Old West Paint Creek Lutheran 9:00-9:15 a.m.
First Presbyterian 9:30-9:45 a.m.
First Baptist 10:00-10:15 a.m.
Zalmona Presbyterian 10:30-10:45 a.m.
St. Patrick Catholic 11:00-11:15 a.m.
St. Paul’s Methodist 11:30-11:45 a.m.

The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation remind area motorists that the car ferry being utilized for river crossing between Iowa and Wisconsin at Lansing will be adjusting its hours of operation during the Thanksgiving holiday this week. Both Thanksgiving Day, this Thursday, November 27, and the following Friday, November 28, the ferry will operate on a reduced 12-hour schedule, instead of its usual 16-hour daily schedule.

Sunday, November 16, Troop 64 Scouts and Leaders retired 681 faded, worn, and tattered U.S. flags collected from flag depository boxes located within Waukon. As a reminder to residents who have flags in such shape, there are two flag depository boxes located in Waukon where old and worn flags can be deposited for proper disposal, including one on the second floor of the Allamakee County Courthouse and the other just inside the entrance to the Waukon City Park. Pictured above, Troop 64 Scouts Theodore Wilkes (left) and Gabriel Hammell (right) prepare to properly retire one of those 681 worn and tattered flags. Submitted photo.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, November 24 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of cybersecurity training options, the consideration of the Third Reading of Amendment #19 to Zoning Ordinance L relating to Wind Energy Conversion, and the consideration of hiring a part-time, as-needed employee as a drone operator for the Allamakee County Sheriff’s office.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 17 to address a full agenda of matters including the annual review of the County Hazard Mitigation Plan, an update relating to garbage and recycling services for residential properties, and a review of reports from the city’s insurance provider relating to city buildings. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.

More than 40 area military veterans were honored during an event hosted Saturday, November 8 at Fiesta Vallarta (the former AJ Bar & Grill location) in Waukon in honor of Veterans Day, which is observed November 11 each year to commemorate the end of World War I November 11, 1918 and to honor all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

The event was hosted by Midwest Veterans of America and included each of those veterans receiving a plaque and small American flag, in addition to rounds of applause and gratitude from the many in attendance for their years of service to their country. Many of those honored veterans are pictured in the photo above, standing on the staircase at Fiesta Vallarta for a group photo, and many of their family members, friends and acquaintances were also in attendance to witness and share in their honoring.

The Waukon Lions Club donated 146 pounds of can tabs (“pull tabs”) in an effort to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City October 24. Waukon Lions Club member Neal Daley is pictured above with the donation that will provide over $100 to the Ronald McDonald House. The Waukon Lions Club collects can tabs in Waukon at the Waukon Redemption Center and various other locations. The Sweeney family and Village Farm and Home in Waukon also collect can tabs, and their donation goes to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, MN.

This November and December bundle up and take a stroll through downtown Waukon while enjoying a heartwarming story. Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), is hosting the Main Street Story Walk during the months of November and December.

This year’s featured story is the beloved classic The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, a timeless tale of winter wonder and childhood adventures. Families are invited to follow the story as it unfolds in the windows of four local businesses. The Story Walk offers a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy some fresh air, read together, and explore downtown Waukon.