Community News

(Editor’s Note: The following information was shared from a diary of events written by Waterville area native Scott Ewing, a 1980 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Jerry and Anna Marie Ewing of rural Waterville. The sharing of the diary excerpts was made possible by Kevin Welsh of Waukon, who is a former neighbor, long-time friend and is in consistent contact with Ewing during the current historic experience of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the evacuation of Ewing and his family to Poland. Part 1 of the Diary of Ukraine [February 12-March 4] was published in the March 9 edition of The Standard.)

Saturday, March 5
Today our Polish friends, who have totally taken our family under their wings, located another apartment which Natasha and I will move into next week. To add insult to injury, in Ukraine, some of our family members have come down with COVID, and now the virus is spreading through the apartment.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will offer a program to the public about the U.S. Navy in World War II. The program will take place in the Program Room of the new museum in the former Vet’s Club building on Allamakee Street in Waukon.

Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m. the program will present stories of Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boats and Submarine Chasers. Information will also be presented on Allamakee County sailors who served on these smaller fighting vessels.

There is no admission or membership charge. The facility is handicapped accessible. Due to COVID-19 concerns, masks are encouraged but not required. Light refreshments will be available.

The museum remodeling was finished in late summer.  Preparation and installation of exhibits is underway and should be completed by Memorial Day this year. Tours will not be offered until the exhibits have been completed. However, educational programs will continue to be offered periodically.
 

(Editor’s Note: The following information was shared from a diary of events written by Waterville area native Scott Ewing, a 1980 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Jerry and Anna Marie Ewing of rural Waterville. The sharing of the diary excerpts was made possible by Kevin Welsh of Waukon, who is a former neighbor, long-time friend and is in consistent contact with Ewing during the current historic experience of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the evacuation of Ewing and his family to Poland.)

My name is Scott Ewing. My wife, Natasha, and I have been living and working in Ukraine for the past year.  We recently were forced to evacuate.
Below I have written a diary outlining some of the details of our lives over the past couple of weeks in Ukraine. I am giving you this information in hopes that our experiences will bring the war going on in Ukraine closer to home for U.S. citizens and make it more personal to everyone.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach helped Clover Kids celebrate Valentine’s Day with shaving cream heart painting, cookies in a jar and gummy heart building. During their February session, Clover Kids cut out a heart shape, swirled food coloring into shaving cream, pressed their heart into the colored shaving cream (pictured in far right photo above) and then scraped off the excess. They were left with a unique heart to make into a valentine to share. After discussing how everyone likes to receive gifts, the group talked about how good it feels to give gifts to someone else, too. Each youth made a cookie in a jar to share with someone at home (pictured in photo at far left above), and they could also give their time and help make the cookies with their recipient. They also used their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills when given gummy hearts and toothpicks, creating such things as houses and towers (pictured in the middle photo above).

A pair of buildings on the initial block of Allamakee Street in downtown Waukon were destroyed in a Sunday, February 13 evening fire. The structures housing Tin, Rust & Harmony (right) and Paws Up Pet Supplies (left) were completely destroyed in the blaze that reportedly originated in the Tin, Rust & Harmony building at 9 Allamakee Street, with smoke and water damage affecting adjacent buildings. As pictured above, the scene of the blaze has been fenced off for public safety and to facilitate the ongoing investigation by the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office. When asked for comment at the fire scene Friday, February 25, a pair of representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office who preferred to not be identified would only state that an investigation is ongoing and that the investigation process is currently “at the mercy of insurance right now”.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 28 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of a proposed County Facade Program utilizing American Rescue Plan funding, the Public Hearing for the County FY23 Maximum Levy/Property Tax Dollars and the consideration of setting a date and time for the Public Hearing for the FY23 County Budget.

The three young Allamakee County 4-H members pictured above had the idea of hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the new Livestock Show Barn being planned for construction at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. The three got together for a fun day of baking, promoted their sale, and were able to raise $800 in free-will donations which they presented to the Allamakee County Fair Board Sunday night, February 20. They stated that their top-selling bake sale item was their puppy chow. Pictured above, left to right, are McKenzie Leiran, Hailey Cook and Lauren Plein. All three say they are excited to show their livestock projects in the new show barn once it is completed. Submitted photo.

Plans have been announced to hold the 2022 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Waukon Sunday, March 13. All are invited to participate in this year’s parade with an Irish-themed entry at no cost. Further details of the annual event will be printed as they become finalized.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 21 to address a full agenda of items including discussion and direction on the City’s Employee Policy Handbook, a report on the Water System and the Public Hearing: Ordinance Changing the Zoning District Classification for the Pladsen Addition. Discussion also took place regarding removal of the buildings destroyed in the February 13 fire on Allamakee Street.

There was no Public Comment. Executive Director Laurie Adrian with the Waukon Chamber of Commerce introduced herself as the new executive director with that organization.

Under Department Reports, Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that the Waukon Police Department has been busy. Wagner advised that training will be taking place this week relating to mental health and Narcan, medication used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdoses.

The Waukon Music Department will be hosting the 12th annual Pops Concert this Friday night, February 25 at the Waukon Middle School gymnasium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with concert time at 7 p.m. The Pops Concert is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Allamakee Music Boosters, and it features high energy musical numbers from the 1950s through today. Groups performing will include the high school and middle school choirs, high school and middle school jazz bands, drumline, featured soloists, song and dance skits and emcees.