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Wed
25
Jan

Allamakee County Veterans Museum to host program Thursday about Allamakee County on the Home Front During World War II

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will continue its program series for 2023 with a program about Allamakee County on the Home Front during World War II. The program is scheduled for Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the new Veterans Museum in the former Vet’s Club building at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon.

There is no admission charge, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. The program will be repeated Saturday, January 28 at 10 a.m.

Scrap drives were held in Allamakee County to support the production of war materials and equipment during the war. In 1942, Cote’s Town Theatre put on a free movie for those who donated scrap items. The accompanying photo shows the pile of scrap in front of the theatre. Rationing of food, fuel, rubber, metal, clothing and other vital materials was required.

Wed
18
Jan

Ron Herman donates pay from final year of high school football officiating to U of I Stead Family Children’s Hospital, reflects on 35-year officiating career


Supporting a great cause with great support from his family ... Surrounded by his family, Ron Herman of Waukon holds the symbolic check that represents the donation he made December 28 of this past year to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, which towers behind the Herman family in the photo background. The $930 donation represents the pay Herman received from his 35th and final season officiating Iowa high school football games this past fall. Even though the donated funds came solely from the money earned by Herman in his final year of high school officiating, he wanted to make sure his family was involved in the donation presentation because of the sacrifices he feels they made over the years in supporting him and allowing him to officiate the game that he loves. Pictured above, left to right, are Samantha, Susanne, Ron, Sydney and Jonathan Herman. Submitted photo.

Strong local nucleus for 20 years ... One of the best things Ron Herman of Waukon noted about his 35-year career officiating Iowa high school football is the camaraderie between his fellow officials on his Friday night crew, such as the nucleus of fellow Waukon-based officials he worked with for two decades and is pictured above with in more recent years and below with in their earlier years together. Pictured above, left to right, are Dave Blocker, Dennis Lyons, Jesse Delaney and Ron Herman. In addition to the obvious change in uniform pants, one thing Herman noted in the two photos is the fact that he, Blocker and Lyons all conformed to the old adage of officials needing glasses out of necessity - and not by suggestion, further noting with a chuckle and grin that Delaney “probably needs some too”. Submitted photo.

Submitted photo.

A signature moment ... Ron Herman of Waukon signs his name to the symbolic check that represented the $930 donation he made to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Those donated funds represented the pay that Herman received during his 35th and final year of officiating Iowa high school football games this past fall. Submitted photo.

As an Iowa high school football official for the past 35 years, Ron Herman of Waukon has made a number of calls impacting a number of youth on playing fields across northeast Iowa. With one final call he made this past fall he wanted to make an even bigger impact off the field in honor of his final year of officiating high school football.

December 28 of this past year, Herman, his wife, Susanne, and his three children, Jonathan, Sydney and Samantha, all made the trip to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, where he presented a check in the amount of $930 to the hospital. That dollar amount represented the total pay he collected officiating high school football games this past fall, which marked his 35th and final year of working as an Iowa high school football official.

“I saved up all of my pay stubs from the games I officiated this past fall, totaled them up and wrote a check to the children’s hospital,” Herman explained.

Wed
11
Jan

Looking back, looking forward: Preservation of Buckmaster property helps protect some of Iowa’s rarest natural, archaeological treasures


Historic bluff and surrounding area permanently protected under conservation easement ... Capoli Bluff, located south of Lansing, is part of the Raleigh and Joey Buckmaster property permanently protected under a conservation easement through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The historic bluff offers views of two states, the Mississippi River, and surrounding woodland and prairie that has been restored by the Buckmaster family. Photo courtesy of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

A view of historical and sacred significance ... The historic effigy mounds on the Raleigh and Joey Buckmaster property south of Lansing are best viewed from above to realize their full impact. Outlined in lime, the bear, bird and linear mounds are clearly visible from all perspectives. Photo by Luther College/Clark Mallam through the courtesy of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Raleigh and Joey Buckmaster. Submitted photo.

Indicator of high quality prairies ... For nearly 50 years, Raleigh and Joey Buckmaster of Lansing have carefully restored and preserved their property, protecting some of Iowa’s rarest natural and archaeological treasures. The results of that work are evident in the leadplant (Amorpha canescens pictured in the photo foreground above), which is an indicator of high quality prairies, that covers Capoli Bluff south of Lansing. Photo courtesy of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

(Editor’s Note: The following article originated in a December 27, 2022 emailed newsletter from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation [INHF] and also appears in the Winter 2023 edition of “Iowa Natural Heritage” magazine. It is being reprinted here with permission secured through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation)

by Mack Swenson, Communications Intern

What do you see when you look out over a landscape? Structural features like rivers and hills, or perhaps you notice the wildlife and plants that call it home?

What about history? Can you see the impacts of this land’s early and recent inhabitants, or how geologic events have shaped its valleys and ridges?

Wed
11
Jan

Allamakee County elected officials sworn into office ...

Allamakee County officials voted into service during the November 2022 General Election were sworn into office prior to the Tuesday, January 3 meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon. Pictured above, left to right, at that swearing-in ceremony are newly-elected Allamakee County Board of Supervisors member Dennis Keatley, re-elected Allamakee County Board of Supervisors member Dan Byrnes, newly-elected Allamakee County Recorder Karen Mathis, re-elected Allamakee County Treasurer Jennifer O’Neill, re-elected Allamakee County Attorney Anthony Gericke, and First District Court Senior Judge John Bauercamper, who conducted the ceremony. Standard photo by Assistant Editor Joe Moses.
 

Wed
11
Jan

Lansing RAGBRAI Committee announces grant awards from historic profit

The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) for 2022 ended its annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state in Lansing in late July this past summer. RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest multi-day recreational bicycle touring event in the world.

The total profit realized from Lansing RAGBRAI 2022 was $113,298.92, which is the highest in the history of the annual event, according to RAGBRAI officials. Local organizers say the success of the event in Lansing was only possible because of the immense work and volunteer hours of hundreds of citizens, coming together to show Iowa pride and hospitality. Lansing RAGBRAI Executive Chair Ian Zahren would like to say to the people of the Lansing area and the RAGBRAI riders: “We are immensely grateful to all of you!”

Wed
04
Jan

Year in Review - Part II: Top local news stories from July-December 2022


RAGBRAI® completes successful final day through Allamakee County ... Allamakee County greeted 18,000 bicyclists and also welcomed support crews and other visitors that pushed population estimates to nearly 25,000 people for the final day of RAGBRAI® XLIX Saturday, July 30, as the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) came to a close for its 49th year. As depicted in the surrounding photos, bicyclists celebrated completion of this year’s RAGBRAI journey with the traditional dipping of their front tire in the Mississippi River in Lansing and some also raised their bicycles over their heads in triumphant celebration of their accomplishment (evident in the photos taken by Julie Berg-Raymond). “From all accounts, the day was a momentous and jubilant success,” shared Lansing RAGBRAI Chair Ian Zahren. “Riders from all across the world, and many veteran cyclists to RAGBRAI, lauded Lansing for their thoughtful organization and kindness, stating that this was the best RAGBRAI they had ridden and Lansing in particular the most accommodating and organized of any of the towns. Many people gave hundreds of hours to assist and aid our organization on the day and for the months leading up to it. It takes a village. Thank you, Lansing for making this event possible and for opening up your community, homes and hearts to the tens of thousands of people from all over the world who arrived in our little town.” In order to make it to that final tire-dip destination, riders first ventured from West Union to the meet-up town of Postville and then the pass-through town of Waukon (as depicted in the photo at right below by Standard Assistant Editor Joe Moses). Waukon City Clerk Sarah Snitker said that “it all seemed to go well,” in regard to Waukon’s involvement as a pass-through community Saturday. “We got some great feedback from the riders, and it seemed like they spread themselves out really well among the vendors, businesses and other organizations along the route through Waukon.” Additional photos from Saturday’s RAGBRAI venture through Allamakee County can be found in the Photo Galleries link on this webpage.

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard newspaper during the last six months of 2022, July-December.

Wed
28
Dec

“First Day” Hike at Yellow River State Forest is January 1

Friends of Yellow River State Forest is sponsoring a “First Day” Hike at the Paint Creek Unit at 9 a.m. Sunday, January 1. Everyone is also welcome to hike the designated First Day Hike trail on their own anytime Saturday, December 31 or Sunday, January 1 to win prizes.

The trail chosen this year for the “First Day” Hike starts at the Forester’s Office at 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry. The hike (outlined with yellow dashes in the map above) is about three miles long and features beautiful forests, a visit to the Yellow River State Forest Fire Tower, and a photo opportunity with Bigfoot. The trail starts out uphill, but after that, is level and then goes back down from the ridge. Most people would consider it a moderate hike.

Wed
28
Dec

Vocalists from the area to present holiday voice recital at Zalmona Presbyterian Church Friday

A holiday voice recital featuring area musicians, some of whom have graced this area in the past with their talents and others who continue to do so, will be held this Friday evening, December 30 at 7 p.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, located at 371 State Highway 9, Waukon.

The performance will feature the following vocalists: Kristen Wunderlich, Kari Iverson, Nicole Winke-Gentes, Erika Wachholz, Cory Wikan, Daryl Hansmeier, Corey Larson, Aaron Gentes and Andrew Last. The ensemble will be accompanied by Luther College collaborative pianist Nicholas Shaneyfelt.

A free will offering will be taken at the performance. Coffee and treats will be served in the church hall following the performance.

Wed
28
Dec

Year in Review - Part I: Top local news stories printed from January-June 2022


Lansing will be “tire-dip” final destination for RAGBRAI 2022 … The Friday evening, January 28 announcement of the route for RAGBRAI XLIX to be held in late July this year revealed that Lansing will be the final destination for the annual event’s famous “dipping of the tire” in the Mississippi River to bring the ride to a close. That announcement was made at the RAGBRAI Announcement Party held Friday at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Pictured in the foreground in the photo at right, members of Lansing’s local organizing committee display their excitement and the sign that revealed Lansing as the final destination community for this year’s RAGBRAI, as the remainder of the route reveal team displays signs on stage for the other communities involved as the starting point and overnight stops for this year’s 430-mile, seven-day ride. Pictured left to right in that photo foreground are Allamakee County Economic Development Executive Director Val Reinke, Lansing residents Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren, Lansing City Council member Curtis Snitker, and Main Street Lansing members Mary and Bruce Palmborg. Submitted photo.

The items below summarize the top news stories that appeared in The Standard during the first six months of 2022, January-June.

Wed
21
Dec

Pen pal program connects RSVP volunteers with third graders at New Albin Elementary and East Elementary in Waukon


Meeting the person behind the pen ... RSVP volunteer Vickie shares a treat, some conversation and a smile with her two pen pals from third grade at East Elementary School in Waukon. The pen pals have been writing to one another since the end of September of this year and got a chance to meet in person for the first time at this Monday, December 12 event pictured above. Photo courtesy of Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative.

Pen pals get to meet at New Albin Elementary School ... The third grade classroom of Mrs. Jessica Kurth at New Albin Elementary School was bustling with RSVP Pen Pal Program volunteers meeting with their third grade pen pals Monday, December 12. Originally started several years ago with elementary schools in the Cresco area, the RSVP Pen Pal Program expanded into Allamakee County this year and involved both New Albin Elementary and East Elementary School in Waukon, in addition to another elementary school in Decorah. Photo courtesy of Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative.

by Ellen Modersohn

Waukon’s East Elementary School cafeteria was bursting with excitement Monday, December 12. Not only was it holiday dress-up day, with teachers and their students bundled in bright reds and greens, but 65 third graders were eagerly meeting their semester-long pen pals in person for the first time.

Over the past several years Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative conducted a pen pals program between its volunteers and third graders at Crestwood Elementary School in Cresco. This year the program expanded to include five schools: two in Cresco, one in Decorah and at New Albin Elementary School in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District in addition to East Elementary in Waukon.

Sharilyn Decker of Waukon, a new RSVP member, recalls having a pen pal when she was a child: “Pen pals were very common growing up, and I always wrote to my friends.”

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