River Valley

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 is continuing to seek entries for its scholarship contest for local art students in ninth through 12th grades. Patriotic students in ninth through 12th grades with a passion for art are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

Students will compete with other student artists from across the nation for a chance to win one of 10 national scholarships. The first-place winner receives a $15,000 scholarship.

To request entry forms or for additional information about the contest email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

Members of the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) have announced the board has been awarded a Fish Habitat Grant in the amount of $39,000 through the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) Fish Habitat Program. These funds will go toward streambank stabilization and the placement of in-stream trout habitat in the Celia Sander Garrett Green Belt along Clear Creek, which was donated to ACCB in July by the family of Celia Sander Garrett.

The newly acquired Celia Sander Garrett Green Belt is a 25-acre property near Lansing with Clear Creek running its entire length. Clear Creek is a prime example of one of the many cold-water trout streams that make northeast Iowa a fishing destination for people across the Midwest and beyond.

Housing doesn’t just affect those who live in it. The availability of quality housing options is a critical part of economic competitiveness. A recent study by the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commision (UERPC) found that nearly 40% of area homes are over 80 years old.

With so many older homes, there’s a substantial need for rehabilitation that goes beyond simple maintenance. Unfortunately, many of these needed repairs are beyond the financial means of some homeowners.

The Allamakee County Conservation Board has announced a partnership with River-N-Ridge Outdoors in Lansing to provide food for the educational animals at the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center in Lansing. The Driftless Center currently has five aquatic turtles and 10 freshwater fish that consume minnows. Pictured above, left to right, are Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist Ross Geerdes and River-N-Ridge Outdoors owner Mark Peterson. Submitted photo.
 

by Alexis Johnson

The final 2020 regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, December 21. PeopleService reported that some water meters were shut off for citizens who are not around during the winter.

Discussion took place regarding the parcel of land located near Shaw Street and Cross Street. Questions were asked as to where lot lines are as well as sewer and water connections.

The Parks Board submitted a rough draft for renovation of the guard house at the Lansing swimming pool. A motion was made and seconded to table this draft until further notice. The purchase of a camera to be installed at the City Park/ Splash Pad was approved. This will be paid for by the City until reimbursed from donations made by citizens.
 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.

“We are looking for ways to encourage both outdoor fun and social distancing,” said Todd Coffelt, Bureau Chief of Parks, Forests and Preserves. “First Day Hikes are a popular tradition in state parks, and the passport is a great way for people to enjoy winter hikes on their own or with their families.”

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from “President’s View”, a column in the December 2020 issue of Friends of Pool 9 newsletter, The Otter’s Tale.

Twenty-twenty has been a year like none other. In my 79 years of living I’ve never seen anything like it. The despair seems endless, from unrest in our American political system to chaos in our streets. From hurricanes along the Gulf coast to widespread fires in the west. And close to home, 100-mph winds across Iowa and high river levels depositing sediments at a record pace in our Mississippi River backwaters.

Also, of course, there’s an uncontrolled virus spreading across the United States linked to deaths of Americans in the hundreds of thousands. How will it end? And just as important, when will it end?

Lansing’s VFW Auxiliary #5981 announces its scholarship contest for local art students  in ninth through 12th grades. Students in ninth through 12th grades are encouraged to enter the 2020-2021 VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

To request entry forms or for additional information email vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com. Entries must then be submitted to vfwauxiliarylansing@gmail.com no later than midnight March 31, 2021.
 

The Lansing City Council met for a 20-minute regular session Monday, December 7. The council unanimously approved the appointment of Aaron Gentes to the Lansing Parks Board.

Through virtual means, residents Tom Burke and Michelle Gauer discussed their concerns with the council regarding water run-off from a neighboring property that creates pooling water in their backyard, questioning the functionality and appropriateness of the gutter system used on the newest building on the property adjacent to theirs.

They advised that the matter is currently being dealt with civilly between property owners, which the council agreed was the correct course of action.
 

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Canadian Pacific (CP) to forego its annual Holiday Train journey this year that has made stops in both Lansing and New Albin in Allamakee County the past several years. Not wanting to completely cancel the event and all its beneficial good will, Canadian Pacific has, instead, opted to pursue a more virtual avenue with both its musical performances and its fundraising that have been part of the Holiday Train’s annual trek during the holiday season.

Musical performers ​Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline CP’s 2020 “Holiday Train at Home” concert, which will stream on CP’s Facebook page this Saturday, December 12. The event will raise money and awareness and help local food banks collect much-needed donations this year.