River Valley

Intimate Strangers: The Amazing Hidden World of Microorganisms is the July program at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Steve Knabel  worked 10 years at the Dubuque packing plant as their microbiologist and went on to get his masters and PHD from Iowa State in food science and microbiology. Steve spent 30 years at Penn State as a professor working in the area of food born pathogens. He also has knowledge of viruses, like COVID-19 and hospital acquired infections. He is an expert in safe food handing and home food preservation. Bring your questions and ask the expert. Contact the library at 563-538-4693 for further information.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

The Lansing City Council has agreed to write a letter of support for Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission’s (UERPC) proposal to complete a Highway 9/Main Street Vision Plan for the City of Lansing, and to allow UERPC to be fiscal agent for the project.

The project/vision plan will be funded with a $20,000 grant, for which the City Council approved a $5,000 match earlier this year. The estimated total project cost is $25,325. The City of Lansing will not be billed over the maximum local match of $5,000.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the all-volunteer uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Established by Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard in all activities except military and law enforcement duties.

In the Upper Mississippi River area these duties mainly include boater safety training, assisting boaters in distress, search and rescue operations and vessel safety exams, but many more opportunities exist.

There are some 22,000 volunteer auxiliarists nationwide. The operative word is “volunteer”. The Auxiliary cannot provide these lifesaving duties without ample volunteers. Volunteers require training and certification to perform their duties and meet U.S. Coast Guard standards.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Wednesday, July 13 Chautauqua Program at the Ferryville Village Hall in Ferryville, WI has been canceled. Organizers regret the cancellation and hope to rebook the speaker for the 2023 Summer Series. Assistance in spreading the word would be appreciated.

The third program of this year’s series is scheduled for August 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ferryville Village Hall. Madison, WI residents Tim and Linda Eisele will be speaking on Native Species Planting.
 

The City of Prairie du Chien, WI’s Park and Recreation Department, the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are partnering up for “Family Fishing Fun Nights”. This four-week event will be held each Tuesday in July, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Washington Street Park in Prairie du Chien, WI. Poles, bait and fishing assistance will be provided, if needed.

Participants will have the opportunity to become an official Junior Ranger Angler by completing a few fun activities in the “Let’s Go Fishing” activity booklet and returning it to a participating park, wildlife refuge, or hatchery. Take the official pledge and receive a wooden Junior Angler badge.

Fishing is at each participant’s own risk. All Wisconsin fishing regulations apply. For more information call 563-873-3491 ext.123 or visit www.nps.gov/efmo.
 

Thornton Manor in Lansing sold raffle tickets for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS)-themed quilt (pictured above) at various local events throughout the fall of 2021. The original winner of the raffle, who wanted to remain anonymous, donated the quilt back to the Lansing EMS. Thornton Manor was able to raise $1,500 through the raffle and donated those proceeds to Lansing EMS. Pictured above presenting the quilt and check to Lansing EMS Coordinator Conrad Rosendahl (far right) are (left to right) Thornton Manor Administrator Sam Kuhn, Environmental Services Coordinator Diane DeLong, Volunteer Cindy Callahan, Office Manager Nancy Rethwisch and Director of Nursing Bonnie Weymiller. Submitted photo.
 

Thornton Manor in Lansing celebrated Father’s Day with its first annual car show where people in the community brought a total of 14 vintage cars or motorcycles to participate in a parade outside the front doors of Thornton Manor, such as those pictured in the surrounding photos. In the afternoon, Thornton Manor hosted a Father’s Day party with both men and women invited, with entertainment provided by Tim Bohenkamp. Submitted photos.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Mayor Melissa Hammell told the Lansing City Council during its regular meeting Monday, June 20 that Sunshine Thomas Bear - cultural preservation director/tribal historic preservation officer at the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska - will visit Lansing June 30 to meet with Mayor Hammell and members of the Lansing City Council about a new project, set to be completed next spring. Part of the Native American Interpretive Project, a kiosk will be installed on Front Street by the park and will offer information about Native Americans who once lived in this area. Sunshine Thomas Bear will look at and consider that location during her visit. The kiosk is being funded by a $25,000 grant through Northeast Iowa RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development), at no cost to the City.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

RAGBRAI - the oldest, largest and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world - is coming to northeast Iowa in late July this year, and Lansing has been selected as the final tire-dip destination.

Ian Zahren, Lansing RAGBRAI executive chair, led a public forum at Kee High School Wednesday, June 15 to provide the community with details about the logistics of being the final stop on the ride, and to encourage area residents to volunteer for the event. Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker also spoke at the forum and advised attendees that his department is working with local fire and police departments and the railroad to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for everyone involved.

“The aim is to make this efficient for residents and the police department, and safe for bicyclists,” Zahren told forum attendees.

Main Street Lansing held a ribbon cutting and First Dollar certificate presentation for Arla’s Sewing Room, located at 253 Main Street in Lansing. Owned by Arla and Paul Wagner of rural Lansing, Arla’s Sewing Room offers sewing machine service and sewing/quilting classes, and patrons can also purchase fabric, thread and Elna sewing machines. The business plans to offer a larger selection in the future, so customers should continue to stop in and see what’s new. While Arla’s Sewing Room will provide service for any brand of sewing machine, the business will only sell Elna machines. In fact, Arla’s Sewing Room is the only business within 100 miles of Lansing that sells Elna machines.

“I have sewn my whole life, and this store has been a dream for years,” said Arla Wagner. “I love to sew. I appreciate all of the support and well wishes. It’s terrific. When life gives you scraps, quilt.”