River Valley

The Lansing City Council met in a regular session delayed a week to Monday, July 26 due to scheduling conflicts. The council was updated by Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker on an alert system being tested for weather and other emergency situations, as well as continued participation in mitigation planning.

Michelle Barness with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission also had some questions on the City Code of Ordinances she is updating. She will provide follow-up information at the council’s August 16 meeting.

The council approved all requests from the Lansing Lions Club for the 2021 Lansing Fish Days celebration coming up August 13-15. Approval was also given to hiring WHKS as engineer for the Center Street project.

The Ferryville Tourism Council is announcing the third and final Chautauqua Summer Program in its summer series. The program will be held Wednesday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ferryville Village Hall, along Wisconsin Hwy. 35 on the south end of the village.

The final  program of this summer’s series will be given by Bob O’Connor, an author and historian from Charles Town, WV. His topic will be “Mrs. Slater, the Missing Lincoln Conspirator”. Sarah Slater was a courier for the Confederacy, moving parcels from the South to Montreal, Canada. During the course of her movements, she came into contact with John Wilkes Booth and John Surratt. She was very secretive by always wearing a mourning veil to cover her face. This greatly led to her anonymity both during her movements and after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln when no one could describe what she looked like.

The Lansing Fish Days Committee is hosting a photography contest in conjunction with the annual community celebration being held August 13-15. Photographers of all ages are encouraged to participate. Each photographer can submit up to three photos, and it is asked that all photos be in a 5”x7” format and printed on photo paper. The photos will be displayed in plastic sleeves.

The contest will involve two categories, “Out and About in Lansing” and “Lansing’s Black Hawk Bridge,” such as the submitted photo above. There is no fee to enter the contest, but all submitted photographs become property of the Lansing Lions Club to be used as seen fit. The images, however, remain the property of the entrant. Prizes will be awarded in each category, including First Prize of $25; Second Prize of $10; and People’s Choice Prize of $10. A Grand Prize of $50 and a Lansing Fish Days t-shirt will be awarded overall, with both categories being judged to determine an overall winner.

With summer’s temperatures soaring to their highest of the season, Iowa’s lakes and reservoirs are busy places as Iowans of all ages look to escape the heat. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding boaters to exercise safe boating practices and to have a designated boat operator who abstains from drinking alcohol.

Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, said the goal is to reduce boating accidents, injuries and fatalities caused by alcohol impaired operators.

“Alcohol reduces reaction time and the ability to make quick sound judgments in an emergency situation. Then, if we factor in the wind and sun and glare off the water combined with the water movement that enhances the effects of alcohol, that leads to a dangerous situation waiting to happen,” Stocker said.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has developed an online mapping application to help visitors navigate trails in state parks. Through GPS and mobile data, the application can be accessed on mobile phones and helps the user identify trail names, trail heads, acceptable trail use (i.e. hiking, biking, etc.), and distances.

The application is web-based rather than downloadable from an app store, so data service availability could be a factor when using the application. To access trail maps, go to iowadnr.gov/stateparks and click on Iowa State Park Trails.

Main Street Lansing held a ribbon cutting and First Dollar presentation with The Gourmet Traveler, located at 211 Main Street in Lansing. Owned by sisters Wendi Eiden and Diana Wilson-Thompson, The Gourmet Traveler is the pair’s second business in Lansing, including Coffee on the River. The Gourmet Traveler is a gourmet’s kitchen dream, offering unique kitchen items, home decor, and specialty gourmet foods to make every day a special occasion. Pictured in the photo of the ribbon cutting above are Main Street Lansing representatives Maryann Baldwin, Sarah Updegraff and Mary Palmborg, The Gourmet Traveler owners Diana Wilson-Thompson and Wendi Eiden, and Main Street Lansing Executive Director Andy Kelleher. Submitted photo.
 

River Bluff Daze is returning to Ferryville, WI this Saturday, July 24. Full details of all the activities and opportunities planned during the event can be found at www.visitferryville.com.

A guided nature hike at Sugar Creek Bluff will kick things off at 8:30 a.m. Participants can meet at the Ferryville Boat Landing to carpool up to Sugar Creek Bluff. Hikers will see birds, wildlife, wildflowers and experience the panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley, sponsored by the Ferryville Tourism Council.

John Weymiller, current resident at Thornton Manor in Lansing and long-time resident of Eitzen, MN, was asked by the Eitzen Lions Club to be the Parade Marshal for the Eitzen Lions Family Fun Fest that took place during the Fourth of July weekend in Eitzen, MN. Weymiller, age 91, is pictured above in the 1912 Model T Touring Ford owned by Bryan and Lori Ann St. Mary that he was privileged enough to ride in while being honored throughout the parade. Weymiller, himself, was a collector of Model T Fords, and has been a member of the Eitzen Lions Club for over 40 years.

Weymiller also claims the honor of being the “second oldest man living in Eitzen,” and says he is humbled by being asked to serve as this year’s Parade Marshal. “I am deeply moved and highly honored,” he said. “I met so many nice people, and old friends greeted me along the route. The old Ford performed ‘flawlessly,’ especially since it is over 10 years older than I am!”

After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk sponsored by Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. was back with great excitement and enthusiasm Saturday, July 3 in Harpers Ferry. When Kaylee Bachman finished singing the final note of the National Anthem, the crowd was eager to get the 2021 Firecracker 5K started. The town was packed with people celebrating the Fourth of July and many participated in the race or lined the route to cheer on the participants.

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board for a guided Mississippi River backwater paddling adventure Thursday, July 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. and returning to the landing by sunset at the Village Creek Boat Landing, Lansing. Participants are welcome to use their own canoe or kayak but must follow all rules and regulations in accordance with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  A limited number of solo and tandem kayaks will be available to use from the Allamakee County Conservation Board, provided with paddles and life jackets.

Advanced registration is required for this series of programs. To register or reserve a kayak, call 563-538-0403. Solo participants are encouraged to register, but may be paired with other paddlers in a tandem kayak if using ACCB equipment.