River Valley

The Waterville Public Library will hold a Healthy Living Series: Mental Health Matters in February. Each discussion will be led by an individual with expertise, knowledge or experience in the subject matter.

The series will include the following remaining topics of discussion:
• February 17 - Alcohol and Substance Abuse Issues and Resources.
• February 24 - Winter Blues, Pandemic Woes, you are not alone.

Each discussion in the series will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Waterville Public Library, located at 115 Main Street inside the Waterville Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no cost.
 

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt  #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Illustrating America art contest. Local students in grades K-8 can share how they view the world through their drawings and paintings while competing for national awards.

Students must submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Coloring sheets, digital art and photography are not accepted. The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature in order to be complete.

Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition. The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. The State first-place winner in each grade division will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters.

VFW Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. Local students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to compete for $33,000 in national scholarships.

Students must submit an original two- or three-dimensional piece of artwork.  Digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted.  The entry must have been completed during the current 2021-2022 school year and the application must include a teacher or supervising adult’s signature.

The first-place winner from each Auxiliary will advance to District competition with District winners advancing to the State competition.  State first-place winners compete for national awards.

Ice fishing shelters, left unattended, must be removed from all state-owned lands and waters by February 20. Ice shelter owners are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to get their shelter off the ice. If a shelter falls through the ice, the owner is responsible for getting it out of the water.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

At its regular meeting Monday, February 7, the Lansing City Council adopted Resolution No. 961, expressing its support for the creation of a Façade Improvement Program in Allamakee County utilizing American Rescue Plan funds.

In a letter to the editor published in The Standard last month, Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher indicated that Allamakee County received nearly $2.7 million as part of its allocation of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds through the Plan. Signed into law March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts (naco.org). As part of the $362 billion in federal fiscal recovery aid for state and local governments, $65.1 billion is provided in direct aid to counties.

The Waterville Public Library is holding a Healthy Living Series: Mental Health Matters in February. Each discussion will be led by an individual with expertise, knowledge or experience in the subject matter.

The next topic of discussion in the series is this Thursday, February 10 and is entitled Swimming Through Grief. The February 17 will discuss Alcohol and Substance Abuse Issues and Resources, with a final February 24 session Winter Blues, Pandemic Woes.

Each discussion in the series will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the Waterville Public Library, located at 115 Main Street inside the Waterville Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no cost.

The Retreat United Methodist Church Knitting Club from De Soto, WI recently crafted and donated a variety of prayer shawls (some of which are pictured at left) for residents at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Pictured at left displaying some of the prayer shawls are, left to right, Retreat United Methodist Church Pastor Carter Jorgensen, who visits Thornton Manor every Friday morning for Faith and Friendship for the residents, and Thornton Manor Recreation Therapy Director/Volunteer Coordinator Karen Ulrich. “The purpose of a prayer shawl is to warm, comfort and nurture residents with joy, cradle them with hope, grace them with peace and wrap them with God’s love,” Ulrich shared. “Thornton Manor is blessed to have the knitting club think about our residents. We appreciate it very much.” Submitted photo.
 

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free virtual education series to kick off the new year. The programs are available to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

The topics covered will range from what changes to expect from a loved one in the different stages of the disease, to legal and financial issues to consider, to new advancements in Alzheimer’s research.

Each virtual education program will be held over Zoom and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others with an Alzheimer’s journey. The remaining schedule of programs includes:

• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage - February 9, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage - February 16, 3:30-5 p.m.

The Harpers Ferry Youth Ice Fishing Clinic sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Boosters and the Allamakee County Conservation Board will be held at Nobles Island Boat Access, 645 Hwy. 364, Harpers Ferry Sunday, January 30. Registration for youth aged 15 and under will begin at 11 a.m. and fishing will continue until 2 p.m.

Youth participating in the clinic may use their own equipment, but ice fishing equipment will be available to youth who do not have their own. Food and drink will be available for those participating in the clinic.  Prizes will be awarded to participants in each of three age groups.

In case of inclement weather, all cancellations and delays will be posted on the Allamakee County Conservation Board Facebook page the day of the event. A make-up date for the Harpers Ferry Kids Ice Fisheree will be February 13 at the same times and location, unless noted.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is offering a free virtual education series to kick off the new year. The programs are available to help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.

The topics covered will range from what changes to expect from a loved one in the different stages of the disease, to legal and financial issues to consider, to new advancements in Alzheimer’s research.

Each virtual education program will be held over Zoom and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through an Alzheimer’s journey. The remaining schedule of programs includes:
• Legal and Financial - January 26, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Middle Stage - February 9, 3:30-5 p.m.
• Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage - February 16, 3:30-5 p.m.