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Wed
14
Jun

Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative receives visits from Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig within a week


Ag Secretary Mike Naig visits ACEC ... Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (seated in center of photo above) visited Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) near Postville Thursday, June 8. Secretary Naig met with ACEC staff, received a brief tour of the facility, and discussed issues and initiatives, including broadband coverage in rural areas and alternative energy sources, among many others. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

Touring the facility ... Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig speaks with Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) Economic Development and Community Relations Manager Brenda Hackman and Iowa House District 68 Representative Chad Ingels during his tour of Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative Thursday, June 8. Part of the tour included checking out ACEC’s Tesla electric car, which Secretary Naig’s son can be seen doing in the driver’s seat of the vehicle in the photo above. Standard photo by Joe Moses.

by Joe Moses

Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) received visits from a pair of dignitaries within less than a week of one another in early June. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s Second Congressional District made a visit to ACEC Friday, June 2 and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig also visited ACEC Thursday, June 8. Coverage of both visits follows below.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s Second Congressional District visited Allamakee County Friday, June 2 as part of her second 22-County Tour of 2023 along with stops in Fayette and Clayton Counties later that same day.

Wed
14
Jun

Fifth Star City Film Festival is July 14-16 in Lansing


Submitted image.

Local premiere of feature film by Waukon resident at Star City Film Festival July 14-16 in Lansing ... The film “Painting Jane” will have its local premiere as a feature film at the Star City Film Festival being held in Lansing July 14-16. Waukon resident Katie O’Regan not only wrote and directed the film, but also stars in the leading role in the production that will be shown at a red carpet event at T.J. Hunter’s Banquet Hall in Lansing July 15. Submitted image.

by Julie Berg-Raymond

This year marks the fifth season of the Star City Film Festival and the first year it will be held in its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River, in Lansing. Founder and Artistic Director of the Star City Film Festival is longtime actress, producer, director, and founder of Sacred Noise Society, Inc., Katie O’Regan of Waukon. Among the highlights of the 2023 festival will be Friday evening’s “Stories at Sunset” outdoor staged readings of festival-selected screenwriters’ work at the Red Barn Resort; the local premiere of O’Regan’s 2022 film, “Painting Jane,” Saturday evening at T.J. Hunter’s Banquet Hall; and a breakfast with filmmakers Sunday morning at Coffee on the River. The three-day-long festival also includes a red-carpet event and awards ceremony.

Wed
14
Jun

Local veterans organizations hosting PTSD Awareness Walk June 24 in Waukon

The Allamakee County Veterans Affairs Office and the Allamakee County Veterans Museum are sponsoring a PTSD Awareness Walk Saturday, June 24, beginning at 9 a.m. The Walk will take place from the Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park to the Allamakee County Courthouse front lawn.

Following the walk, programs, speakers and video presentations will be provided by Veterans Administration PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Specialists at the Allamakee Veterans Museum at 105 Allamakee Street, across from the Courthouse.

This event is part of the Veterans Administration’s National Center for PTSD program celebrating June as PTSD Awareness Month. Designated PTSD Awareness Day is June 27. Participants are encouraged to engage in 27 minutes of exercise.

Wed
07
Jun

125 years of worship: St. Mary’s of Hanover celebrating church’s 125th Jubilee with outdoor mass this Sunday


Celebrating its 125th Jubilee ... The church at St. Mary’s of Hanover was built in 1898 under the supervision of Father Francis McCullough and will celebrate its 125th Jubilee with an outdoor mass this Sunday, June 11. The submitted photo below was taken at the church dedication in 1898, and its original steeple was replaced in 1948. The photo above taken by Lissa Blake is the church as it stands today, offering a handicapped-accessible ramp for attendees.

Outdoor altar ... In 1957, this outdoor altar in honor of Our Blessed Lady was built in the St. Mary’s of Hanover churchyard in memory of two priests who are buried in the church cemetery, Father John McCullough (1873-1952) and Rt. Rev. Msgr. Patrick McCullough (1872-1943). A redwood shelter has since been constructed to protect the altar and was dedicated by Archbishop James J. Byrne. Submitted photo.

Outdoor mass celebrates special events, including this Sunday ... Through the years, special events in the parish or diocese were celebrated with an outdoor mass at St. Mary’s of Hanover, such as the one pictured above from sometime within the church’s 125-year history. The church’s 125th Jubilee will be one such celebration, which is scheduled for this Sunday, June 11. Submitted photo.

Church interior, from years past and today ... The submitted picture above of a large group of St. Mary’s of Hanover youth receiving their First Communion, and the picture below taken by Lissa Blake of today’s interior of the church show the differences and remaining similarities in the church’s sanctuary area. A mainstay throughout the years has been the ornamental structure of the tabernacle area of the sanctuary that is the centerpiece of both photos. The church is celebrating its 125th Jubilee with an outdoor mass this Sunday, June 11.

Editor’s note: Due to space and other considerations, this story includes an abridged history of St. Mary’s of Hanover in honor of its 125th anniversary. A commemorative binder, which chronicles the parish’s complete history and includes photos, will be available to order.

by Lissa Blake

St. Mary’s of Hanover, the little limestone church nestled along State Highway 76 north of Waukon and south of Dorchester, will celebrate the church’s 125th Jubilee this Sunday, June 11 with an outdoor mass at 10 a.m. (In case of bad weather, the mass will move indoors.) Father Jerry Blake will be the celebrant, assisted by Deacon Jeff Molitor. Both are native sons of the parish.

Wed
07
Jun

Hansmeier to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City Monday evening ...


Pictured in the photo above is Stern Auditorium and Perelman Stage inside Carnegie Hall in New York City. Hansmeier is pictured in the inset photo at top left. The Stern Auditorium photo was taken by Jeff Goldberg/Esto and permitted for publication use by the Carnegie Hall Public Affairs Department.

Waukon native Daryl Hansmeier has been selected to perform at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City Monday evening, June 12. He will be performing in Carnegie’s production of the Dan Forrest work “Requiem for the Living” that Monday evening, beginning at 8 p.m. EST, which is 7 p.m. CST.

Hansmeier’s long-time friend and colleague, Dr. Jennaya J. Robison, who currently serves as director of choral activities/studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, will be conducting the work. The ensemble will begin rehearsals Saturday, June 10 in New York City and will rehearse through the performance time. The Requiem is a choral piece in five movements that features orchestra, soloists and chorus. The event will be recorded and Hansmeier has been informed that recordings of the production will be available. Following the production, a formal reception will be held in the reception arena of Carnegie Hall.

Wed
07
Jun

Lane closures for bridge repair on Iowa 76 North to begin Monday

Motorists who travel over the three Iowa 76 bridges north of Waukon need to be aware of a bridge deck joint replacement project requiring lane closures that may slow down their trip. Beginning Monday, June 12, until late August, weather permitting, crews will work on the Iowa 76 bridges over the Upper Iowa River, Bear Creek and Waterloo Creek. Only one bridge location will be worked on at a time. Motorists will be assisted through the work zone with temporary traffic signals.

Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

Wed
07
Jun

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson visits Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative ...

U.S. District 2 Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Iowa House of Representatives District 64 legislator Anne Osmundson paid a visit to Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) just outside of Postville Friday morning, June 2. Hinson discussed with ACEC staff their efforts to provide electric and fiber internet services to residents and businesses within Allamakee and Clayton Counties, among a variety of other matters. See the article scheduled for printing in next week’s edition of The Standard for additional information. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
 

Wed
31
May

Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik memorialized on National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during National Police Week annual events


Forever honored ... Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik, who died in January 2022 due to complications from COVID-19 he contracted in the line of duty, had his name engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the National Police Week events that took place May 14-20 this year. Pictured above next to his engraved name on the Memorial are his photo and information taped in place during the honoring event, along with the Supreme Sacrifice Medal of Honor presented to his family in recognition of his ultimate sacrifice. Submitted photo.

In support and honor of Deputy John Grampovnik and his family ... Family and friends of the late Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik made the trip to Washington, D.C. during National Police Week in mid-May, taking part in the various events and activities that included the engraving of Deputy Grampovnik’s name on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Pictured above donning t-shirts in support of Deputy Grampovnik and his family are just some of the nearly 50 family and friend supporters who attended some of the National Police Week events in his honor. Left to right - Front row: Suzanne Bublitz and Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Bublitz; Deputy Grampovnik’s wife and daughter, Anne and Alexz Grampovnik; Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner and his wife, Jessica; Mary Frances McClimon, family friend; and Jason Sandholdt, Marion County Sheriff and Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association President; Back row: Lansing Police Department Chief Conrad Rosendahl; Adam Hansen, boyfriend of Alexz Grampovnik; and Michelle Herman, sister of Anne Grampovnik. Submitted photo.

Allamakee County Sheriff Deputy John Grampovnik was among the 550 peacekeeping authorities from across the nation who had their ultimate sacrifices honored this year with the engraving of their names on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. The unveiling of those names, which include six law enforcement authorities from the state of Iowa, took place as part of the events of National Police Week observed May 14-20 this year.

Deputy Grampovnik died January 27, 2022 while serving in his 24th year as a Deputy of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial website states that Grampovnik “died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.”

Wed
31
May

City of Lansing unveils Mt. Hosmer trail signage; Project designed to improve safety, usability and health benefits of Mt. Hosmer trail system


Navigating the effort to help navigate the trails ... Members of the groups that recently installed trail signage on the Mt. Hosmer trail system in Lansing include, standing left to right, Jared Nielsen and Austin Feuerhelm of Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, Maryann Baldwin of Lansing’s Parks and Recreation Board, trail volunteer Bruce Carlson, Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism Executive Director Val Reinke and, under the sign, trail volunteer Andrew Boddicker and local resident Katie O’Regan with her dog, Lacey. The main sign pictured with the group above, posted in Veterans Memorial Park atop Mt. Hosmer, shows how hikers can navigate the network of trails and loops. Photo by Ellen Modersohn.

Putting the Mt. Hosmer trail system to educational use ... Tuesday, May 23, students on a field trip from First Lutheran School in La Crosse, WI set off to hike on the Lookout Loop, which skims the top of Mt. Hosmer in Lansing. As legend has it, the Mt. Hosmer bluff was named for a young woman visitor, Harriet Hosmer, who in 1851, disembarked from a steamboat at Lansing and won a footrace to the top. Photo by Ellen Modersohn.

Leading the way through the Mt. Hosmer trail system ... New signage along Mt. Hosmer trails includes the items pictured above that were unveiled during a Tuesday, May 23 event atop Mt. Hosmer. Those items include trail identification and mileage signs, directional signs, beginning and end points, and information about what hikers can see along the way. Photo by Ellen Modersohn.

The City of Lansing and the Lansing Park and Recreation Board announce the completion of a mapping and trail signage placement project for the trails that emanate from the Mt. Hosmer Park. The project was made possible by a 2021 grant from the Wellmark Foundation. An unveiling event was held Tuesday, May 23 at Mt. Hosmer Park to share the installation with the public.

“We are excited to share all the great work that went into this partnership to bring this new benefit to Lansing residents and visitors who enjoy the beauty of Mt. Hosmer and its trails,” said Maryann Baldwin, Lansing Parks Board Chair. “Most importantly, our community volunteers who have created these trails and collaborated with the City and Northeast Iowa RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development) to bring this project to life.”

Wed
24
May

Memorial Day activities scheduled to take place in area communities


Memorial Day - May 29, 2023

Parade Grand Marshal Loretta Roese ... Since 2008, Loretta Roese of Waukon has been leading her Arabian horse, Karabay, through the Memorial Day Parades in Waukon in a “riderless horse” symbolic honoring of all the fallen soldiers who have given their lives in service to their country. With the passing of Karabay earlier this spring, Roese will now be serving as this year’s Grand Marshal for the 2023 Memorial Day Parade scheduled for Monday, May 29 in Waukon, in honor of Karabay and their parade contributions together over the past 14 years.

A variety of Memorial Day activities are being planned for the upcoming holiday weekend, including all the traditional Memorial Day observances this year scheduled for Monday, May 29 in all of the area communities within Allamakee County. Those traditions of parades, full cemetery programs and wreath laying are being planned in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country, with details of some of those celebrations being outlined below on this page in their respective highlighted boxes.

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