Waterville native and Minnesota author Mary Evanson Bleckwehl will be visiting East and West Elementary Schools in Waukon to begin next week, Monday and Tuesday, April 16-17, to read her new book “Claire’s Hair” and discuss the importance of reading. She will also talk about how a book is made and the process of becoming an author.
The phrase "laughter is the best medicine" is played out in a new picture book by the daughter of the late Melbourne and Helen Evanson of Waterville. Following the success of her first two award-winning children’s books, “Henry! You’re Late Again!” and “Henry, You’re Hungry Again?”, she has now written "Claire’s Hair," recently released by Beaver’s Pond Press.
Waukon High School and Allamakee County Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) are working in collaboration with Allamakee County’s emergency services of fire, law enforcement, EMS, etc. to host a mock vehicle accident Wednesday, April 18. The event is scheduled to be held at approximately 2 p.m. near the Waukon High School parking lot and is being held prior to the local high school Prom celebrations as a reminder to students and parents to make good choices and be safe in their celebrations.
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Tuesday morning, April 10 for public hearings on the proposed budget for the 2018-2019 school year, amending the 2017-2018 budget, consideration of the 2018-2019 school calendar and a public hearing on the sale of the Waterville Elementary School property.
There were no written or oral comments on the proposed budget for the 2018-2019 budget, nor on amending the 2017-2018 budget. No written or oral comments were received on the 2018-2019 school calendar either.
There were no written comments received regarding the sale of the Waterville Elementary School property, but Waterville Mayor Dave Monserud was present to address the board regarding the sale of the property. He asked that the board members consider the difference between a buyer who has community interests in mind as opposed to a buyer who may only see the property as personal gain.
Members of the Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Board are making preparations for a busy summer, and as they begin the hiring process for summer employees, they are also making a list of things that need to be readied for a busy summer season. Recalling all the work that inmates from Luster Heights accomplished in the past and knowing that these employees won’t be back any time soon, if ever, due to State budget cuts and the closing of that facility in Allamakee County, the board hopes to get additional assistance for the current volunteer base.
In the spirit of days gone by, Waukon High School drama students will be presenting “Beverly Hillbillies” on stage - now on each side of this weekend due to weekend winter weather. This play features the same famous family of hillbillies that many watched each week on television from the 1960s. Those attending will follow the Clampett family from their simple mountain cabin, where oil is discovered, out to the swank hills of Beverly Hills, CA. When Jed Clampett and his family arrive in their new home, their plain country ways result in considerable hilarity. For those who remember the television show, all the well-loved characters will be there. Due to anticipated winter weather for this weekend, performances are now scheduled for Friday, April 13 and Monday, April 16, both at 7 p.m. General admission tickets will be available for purchase at the door the evening of each performance.
The annual P.E.O. reception for girls from the graduating class at Waukon High School was held Monday, April 2 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, marking the 55th anniversary of the event. The evening began with refreshments served. After a welcome by Chapter President Sue Torkelson, introductions by members and guests were made. Linda Johanningmeier then presented the program on “Life Lessons and Making Smart, Calculated Risks.” The graduating young ladies from Waukon High School’s Class of 2018, pictured above, then shared memories from their high school years. Submitted photo.
Results of their efforts ... Warren Coates surveys debris that had been dropped at the Brennan Landing in south Lansing during the 2017 Mississippi River Clean-Up. The debris was removed from the river corridor by volunteers, loaded by a tractor into dumpsters and hauled away by Allamakee County Waste Management. In 2017, 104 volunteers collected almost 10,000 pounds of trash. This year’s event is set for April 21. Submitted photo.
The annual Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) River Clean-Up Day has been set and volunteers are needed. Saturday, April 21 marks the 14th year this event has been scheduled. Last year alone, close to five tons of trash and debris were collected by 104 volunteers, making for a total of almost 140,000 pounds in the span of the previous 13 clean-up years. FOP9 River Clean-Up Day organizers are looking to try and better that volunteer number this year.
“Bring your outdoor friend or make it a family experience,” shared FOP9 Clean-Up Day organizers. “Help clean Pool 9 of the Mississippi River and take pride in the beauty of the great river valley.”
Thursday, April 19, the public is invited to celebrate Earth Day (a little early) by learning about the unique layers of rock that have formed over the past 500 years beneath the landscape of the local area. In a presentation entitled “Disappearing Streams: Karst Geology of the Driftless Area,” Dr. Kelvin Rudolfo will talk about the area’s karst geology, which is marked by sinkholes, springs and shallow soils, and also by a vulnerability to pollution. Dr. Rudolfo is Professor Emeritus of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The free program is part of a monthly speaker series and will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, located at 515 Main Street in Lansing. The program will be preceded by a light supper at 5:30 p.m. with freewill offering.
The Allamakee County Conservation Board will be hosting author Dick Stahl Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m. in the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center library in Lansing. The program is free of charge.
Stahl has compiled a book, entitled “Bluffing,” of poems and color photographs inspired by the mighty river. His work has also appeared in three other books, including “After the Milk Route” and “Under the Green Tree Hotel,” published by Augustana College’s East Hall Press and “Mr. Farnam’s Guests” published by the Midwest Writing Center. For more information on this program or any other program that is offered by the Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center contact the office by phone at 563-538-0403 or by email at accb.naturalist@gmail.com.
The members of the Waukon High School cheerleading squad pictured at right were chosen by the Iowa Cheer Coaches Association All-Star cheerleaders directors and choreographer to perform as part of the 2018 Iowa All-Star Team, being selected to cheer at the Iowa High School All-Star basketball games held at Dallas Center Grimes High School Saturday, March 24. In January of this year, Waukon High School cheerleading coaches Amy and Lexie Bieber recorded try-out videos for the All-Star selection process consisting of the girls doing a short cheer, a short dance routine (4, 8 counts) and a toe touch. The coaches also wrote recommendations and skills levels for each of their skills.
