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Wed
01
Feb

More than just horsin’ around! Mackenzie Herman of Waukon rides her passion for horses and rodeo to growth in many aspects of her life


Riding to new heights ... Mackenzie Herman, an eighth grade student at Waukon Middle School and the daughter of Rick and Cathy Herman of rural Waukon, bursts into the arena on her horse, Missy, for one of their events during a recent Little Britches Rodeo of Wisconsin competition season. She is now in her fourth year of competing in that rodeo organization, training with Missy to make the horse and rider pair a consistent top-10 fixture in the events they compete in. Submitted photo.

Finishes among the top four in pole bending ... Mackenzie Herman of Waukon (pictured at far right above) stands with her fellow overall top-four placewinners in the Junior Girls pole bending competition based on points accumulated during the entire 2021-2022 season of the Little Britches Rodeo of Wisconsin. The young ladies received their belt buckle awards at the season-ending banquet held in November of last year. Standing with Mackenzie are, left to right, first-place finisher Kinzi Martin, second-place finisher Kloey Paulson and third-place finisher Kayden Schlewitz. Submitted photo.

Hardware with Hailey ... Mackenzie Herman of Waukon (at right) is pictured displaying the belt buckle she won for riding to a fourth-place finish in the Junior Girls pole bending competition for the overall 2021-2022 season of the Little Britches Rodeo of Wisconsin. Pictured with Mackenzie is Hailey Hines (at left) of Lancaster, WI, a Senior Girls Division competitor who the Hermans give a great deal of credit to for helping Mackenzie with advice and tips on improving her performance, especially during this past season. Submitted photo.

First buckle ... Mackenzie Herman of Waukon proudly displays the first belt buckle she ever won in competition in the Little Britches Rodeo of Wisconsin, an award she received for finishing third in the pole bending competition during a rodeo competition held in Amherst, WI in August of the 2020-2021 season. Right beside her is her award-winning partner, Missy, a horse her parents bought in 2020 and that Mackenzie has trained to become a strong competitor with her. Submitted photo.

Peyton is next to compete ... Mackenzie Herman of Waukon sits atop her first horse, Peyton. He is the first horse the Hermans bought, and Mackenzie will be training him to compete with her once the current rodeo season resumes in May of this year. Submitted photo.

Participation in the Little Britches Rodeo of Wisconsin over the past several years has gained Waukon Middle School eighth grader Mackenzie Herman some good memories, good friends, and within this past year or so, some high-end awards to show for her work.

But her parents, Rick and Cathy Herman of rural Waukon, say the greatest thing they have seen their daughter gain from participating in the rodeo is confidence in herself and growth as a young lady in most everything she does, even beyond rodeo.

Wed
25
Jan

Community learns more about work taking place regarding Black Hawk Bridge project ...

Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library hosted a presentation Thursday, January 12 updating the community about the historical and archaeological work continuing to take place for the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project. Addressing a standing-room only audience in the library that evening were (pictured left to right in photo at right) Clayton Burke, Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) overseeing engineer on the bridge project; Ray Werner, historian with Tall Grass Prairie Archaeology LLC, Iowa City; and Brennan Dolan, cultural resource project manager, District 2, with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Dolan told attendees that a special bid letting - the Lansing bridge project is the only project in this letting - will take place in the summer 2023. The contractor for the project should be known by late August or early September. “This time next year folks will likely see work underway for the new piers,” Dolan said.

Wed
25
Jan

Zachary Baumler celebrated as First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital


Zachary Baumler is First Baby of the Year born at VMH ... Pictured above are Liz and Dustin Baumler of Ossian, holding their newborn son, Zachary John, who was celebrated as the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon after his birth Friday, January 13. He and his family, which also includes big sister Raelynn and big brother Conner, will all enjoy many gifts thanks to the local merchants who helped celebrate the First Baby of the Year born at Veterans Memorial Hospital in 2023. Submitted photo.

Physicians and staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon are pleased to announce that the first baby born to an established patient at the hospital in 2023 has arrived. Zachary John Baumler, son of Liz and Dustin Baumler of Ossian, was recently celebrated as the First Baby of the Year at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Zachary was born January 13, 2023 at 12:33 p.m.  He weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long at the time of his birth. He joins siblings Raelynn and Conner at home. His grandparents are Dave and Janette Heitman of rural Lansing, Natalie Hemesath of Calmar and the late Joseph Baumler.

When Liz learned she was expecting, she established her care at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic-Waukon, seeing Halie Ruff, Nurse Practitioner for her prenatal visits. Then, when Katy Maker, Nurse Midwife, joined the maternity services team at Veterans Memorial Hospital, Liz chose to continue her prenatal care through the actual delivery with Katy Maker.

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.

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