Community News

by Lissa Blake

When a person is trying to decide whether to repair or scrap a piece of vintage equipment, they might want to let John Lydon take a look at it first.

“We often find older equipment is worth repairing, because of its quality and longevity,” said Lydon.

Last week, John and his wife, Shelly, hosted a grand re-opening for their business, Lydon Electric Motors, at its new location, 850 Allamakee Street, across from the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. The new location gives them more room to work on and store equipment while it is being worked on.

HISTORY
Lydon Electric Motors started in 1958, when John’s parents, Tom and Jean Lydon, moved from Cresco to Waukon. Tom had worked for Bartlett Electric in Cresco and decided to open his own shop in Waukon.

An idea thought of more than four years ago has finally come to a splashing success - literally. After years of planning, fundraising and following guidelines set forth by various agencies involved, the Harpers Ferry Splash Pad is scheduled to officially open to the general public this Saturday, June 1 during a Grand Opening event planned at the new facility.

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) will be hosting a series of Health Fairs throughout northeast Iowa in early June. Each of the events will feature local vendors and serve as the kick-off for the distribution of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks. The Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program provides qualified seniors aged 60 and over with coupons (checks) that can be exchanged at farmer’s markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs for fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey.

The checks can be used until October 31 at participating vendors. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging will begin distributing Farmer’s Market Checks starting in June at various locations throughout the 18-county service area.

Eligible participants in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program must:

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is hosting author Kealy Connor Lonning Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m. for an author event.

Kealy Connor Lonning was raised in Waukon along with her two younger sisters by loving, supportive parents and surrounded by family. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education at the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Arts degree in Education/Reading at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She married her hometown friend and classmate, Greg Lonning, and they initially lived in Wisconsin and Iowa, raising their six children. She was a teacher for 32 years.

A collection of 80 Waukon Middle School sixth grade students are set to use their critical thinking skills to take part in solving a real world agriculture challenge through the 2019 4-H Ag Innovators Experience (4-H AIE) Native Bee Challenge. Youth were challenged to learn how increasing biodiversity, specifically by increasing habitat for the native bees, benefits the local food supply and agriculture. Working in teams, the students created a model of pollination that includes five types of native bees and five types of flowers to explore the process of pollination and the connections it has to the global food supply. Youth explored a variety of scenarios that the bees may encounter and seek ways to increase pollinator habitat to grow the overall bee population and increase biodiversity.

The collaborative, hands-on challenge helped youth:

by Lissa Blake

After 65 years in business, Kerndt Monument Works in Waukon is under new management as the next generation of the family becomes involved in the management of the business.

Owner John Kerndt, who started the company, is handing over the torch of one of the oldest continually-operating family businesses in Waukon to his youngest daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Robert Campbell. Kristi and Robert will operate the monument side of the business, but John will remain within the cemetery aspect of the business, where he will continue to update markers with additional names, dates, etc.

Fueled by a generous donation, the Waukon Park & Recreation Department built the amphitheater pictured above overlooking the pond in the Waukon City Park. Waukon Park and Recreation will be hosting “Music In The Park” at the amphitheater site each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, beginning Wednesday, May 29. Those attending are invited to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs, or use the tiered seating walls pictured above. Local musical talent will be on display throughout the free series, according to the following schedule:

May 29 - Toe Tappers  June 5 - Smoking Gun Showdown    June 12 - Eggen & Hippen Music    June 19 - Mark Armstrong
June 26 - Buck Hollow Band    July 3 - Michael McElrath    July 10 - J.R. Brink    July 17 - Jim Adam/Back to Country
July 24 - TBA    July 31 - Mike McAbee    August 7 - Guttenberg German Band    August 14 - LaBarge
August 21 - Tom Carpenter/Acoustic Music    August 28 TBA

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 20 to address a full agenda of items including the search for a new City Manager, the proclamation of May 24 and May 25, 2019 as American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Days and discussion of consultation fees for former City employees.

The Public Hearing for the proposed disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon was opened with City Clerk Lana Snitker indicating that no written or verbal comments have been received. This hearing is related to the sale of the Monona clinic property to Medical Associates/Mercy Family Care Network, LLC for the sum of $125,500.00. The Public Hearing was closed.

The council moved into Public Comment with Dan Denk of Waukon discussing requirements for a cul de sac near a property he is planning to purchase. Joe Cunningham of Waukon discussed several matters relating to sidewalks, streets and tree removal.

Memorial Day, Monday May 27 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Town Theater & Pizza Pub (formerly Main Feature Theater & Pizza Pub) in Waukon world renown historian and author Dr. Michael Luick-Thrams will give two presentations entitled “The Enemies Within: Midwest and German POWs in Each Other’s Homes, 1943-48.” Local Veterans and Prisoners of War (POWs) will be honored in between sessions in celebration of Memorial Day.

The event is free and open to everyone. Dr Luick-Thrams will also have copies of his books available for purchase and signing. The event is being co-sponsored by the Robey Memorial Library Foundation Board and the Allamakee County Historical Preservation Society.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 13 to address a full agenda of items including discussion relating to the official County Seal, consideration of a temporary part-time Secondary Roads employee and setting the last meeting date of Fiscal-Year 2019 for paying claims.

There were no members of the public in attendance and no Public Comment. The Quarterly Report for Veterans Affairs was accepted and placed on file.

Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick discussed the next agenda item involving the consideration of using the County credit card for an online purchase of floor mats for a Sheriff’s Department vehicle. Mellick discussed the request to purchase floor mats for a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado at $34.45 with the Supervisors approving the purchase using the County credit card.