River Valley

The Friends of Pool 9 recently held its Volunteer Appreciation Dinner which also culminated the annual fundraising efforts for the non-profit organization. One aspect of these efforts is the annual raffle drawing, which featured a chance to win a pair of prize packages. Each contribution helps to support the Friends of Pool 9 volunteer organization in its ongoing efforts. The benefit of these efforts is realized by individuals who enjoy a river experience due to cleaner beaches with safe and expanded facilities such as fire pits and portable toilets. The river pool also thrives in a healthier state with increased wildlife and natural habitat due to clean-up and enhancement projects. Finally, children develop an informed interest in nature enabling them to become future stewards of their resources through educational adventure programs. Donations are accepted throughout the year.

by Anne Falken

Residents of this area would describe the area in which they live as a farming community, and as harvest begins in earnest this time of year with feelings of accomplishment, many of those residents hold their collective breath, knowing all of its dangers, as well. Large machinery, farmers working many hours and at night, the risks invariably taken in the press of time, and children in the mix, put all on edge.

The New Albin Fire Department demonstrated foresight in its emergency response to the harvest season when department officials entered the “2017 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest” last February, as part of Grain Bin Safety Week. The New Albin department was selected as a winner, from among 883 nominations, of a Great Wall grain rescue tube, or Adaptable Grain Entrapment Rescue System, including training.

Dr. Justin Patchin, a professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, was invited by New Albin Community Education to make a presentation to the Eastern Allamakee Community schools and the local community to talk about technology use and misuse September 25. Dr. Patchin gave three presentations that day and all were a little different.

During his presentation at Kee High School, he talked about understanding that when a person puts something on the world wide web, it never goes away, even if it is deleted. He encouraged students to always be aware that what they are posting on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or any other social media is available to future employers, present employers or "that stranger" thousands of miles away.

During Lansing's Sesquicentennial celebration and Kee High School's Homecoming weekend September 22-24, five additional history podiums were dedicated throughout the community. Podiums are placed on each block of downtown Main Street describing the opposite side of the street. Two podiums are also on the corner of Front Street and Main Street describing the bridge and south Lansing. Area families' donations, along with funds from the Allamakee County Community Foundation, have made the podiums a reality. More podiums are planned for the future.

This Little Free Library is now available to book lovers for exchanging books in Ferryville, WI. This newest library was made possible by the partnership between the Ferryville Vision and Promotion Board and the 50th anniversary promotion of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore, WI. Submitted photos.
 

Many people visited the Stone Schoolhouse in Lansing during the weekend of September 22-24 in observance of Lansing's 150th birthday celebration and Homecoming weekend at Kee High School in Lansing. The Stone School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one room of the school was open for the public to visit. Several class pictures from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s were displayed, as well as some memorabilia from private collections and other historical moments and features of the Lansing community. Photos by Susan Cantine-Maxson.
 

Saturday, October 7, the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, in partnership with the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, will host HawkWatch.  This event celebrates the fall migration of hundreds of thousands of raptors and other birds along the Mississippi River Flyway.

HawkWatch is a free event, designed to appeal to everyone, including families, amateur birders and raptor enthusiasts. HawkWatch activities will be held at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, located at 509 Hwy. 18 in Marquette, a half-mile west of the Marquette-Joliet Bridge on Hwy 18.

by Macie Hill

The regular meeting of the Lansing City Council was held Monday, October 2. Discussion centered around a new historical podium being placed within the city, a building permit request, updated fines for illegal disposal at the city dump, the possibility of slightly rusty water and decreased water pressure Wednesday, October 4, a new city police officer position opening, and City Parks board positions being filled.

There will be a new historical podium in honor of Bill Betsinger put in place on North Front Street, just south of the marina. There has been a building permit request made for construction at 390 Dodge Street. The motion was made and seconded to approve the request.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Lansing’s United Methodist Church recently welcomed a new minister and his family to their parish. Pastor Sedar Wembonyama and his family bring a new dimension to worship to the congregation because they have spent most of their life in the Congo in Africa.

Marcellina, the pastor’s wife, currently drives to Postville to work but would love to find something closer to home. The three daughters, Mado, Rebecca and Davinia all attend Eastern Allamakee schools.

Four years ago, they immigrated to the United States to Nashua, where they stayed with a friend who was a minister. For the first time, they experienced snow and Iowa winters. Marcellina liked snow but not driving in it, and the girls enjoyed playing in it.

The Lansing Lions Club Playground Project took a giant step forward this past weekend as more than 35 volunteers assisted with the installation of the facsimile of a Mississippi River Steamboat playground structure (pictured in progress below). The balance of the equipment is expected to arrive this Friday morning and by noon this Saturday the equipment, itself, should be installed. Further completion activity will include the need to place the 12-inch layer of wood chip base, benches, bicycle rack, sidewalks and a base for the handicap accessible picnic table under the playground shelter, and then the playground will reopen. Residents and visitors are asked to be patient and not cross the orange barrier fencing around the project which is in place for protection until the installation is complete.