Sisters share opportunity to honor their brother ... Pictured above, left to right, sisters Margaret Walter of Decorah and Chris Bolson of Lansing had their recent trip to Washington, D.C. to honor their fallen brother, PFC Lloyd C. Wohlford, Jr., at the Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial end up being much more meaningful when they had the honor of actually reading their brother's name from a list of fallen soldiers on the memorial. The two both wore buttons of their brother's photo (inset at bottom right). PFC Wohlford lost his life during the Vietnam War in 1967 at the age of 20. The Army Reserve Center recently closed in Decorah due to the occupying unit moving operations to Nevada was named in his honor. Submitted photo.
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
Longtime Lansing resident Chris Bolson and her sister, Margaret Walter from Decorah, recently returned from Washington D.C. where they took part in the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial. Their brother, PFC Lloyd C. Wohlford, was killed in the Vietnam War in 1967 at the age of 20.
Every five years, a ceremony is held where the 58,318 names of the individuals who died in the Vietnam War are read. When Bolson and Walter learned of the ceremony this year, they decided it was a memorial they wanted to be a part of for their brother and they quickly made travel arrangements.
Volunteers read the names over a period of 19 hours from 5:00 a.m. until midnight over a period of four days. They knew the approximate time that their brother’s name would be read was at 12:32 p.m. and they wanted to be there to hear it.
The annual Lighted Holiday Parade held in Waukon Monday evening, December 4 brightened up the beginning of the holiday season in more ways than one as nearly two dozen entries made their way through the city streets. Unseasonable temperatures hovering in the lower 50s made for comfortable viewing conditions for parade-goers, and a rare December rainstorm had made its way out of the area just in time to not be a bother for the event. Among the many displays and messages featured by this year's parade entries was the one displayed by First Presbyterian Church in its parade entry pictured above reminding all parade viewers of the foundational message of "Peace on Earth" that will likely be heard throughout many holiday services and events this season but should be a year-round consideration. Standard photo by Joe Moses. View and find out how to purchase this photo and more from the holiday parade and additional area events by clicking on the Photo Galleries link on this website.
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 4 to address a full agenda of items including the Delta 3 Engineering Professional Service Agreement for a tennis court, a Park, Rec and Wellness Board vacancy and discussion of establishing minimum requirements for commercial tax rebates.
There was no Public Comment, which allowed the council to immediately move into Departmental Reports, with Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussing a quote for street light replacements. Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed the 10-year anniversary of the Waukon Wellness Center and a variety of associated events that were well attended.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 4 to address a full agenda of items including the approval of a pay request for signage at the Public Safety Center, consideration of joining other counties in litigation against opioid manufacturers and approval of the Homestead Credit and Military Exemption for 2017 property taxes.
Chairperson Larry Schellhammer called the meeting to order and the current agenda and meeting minutes of November 27 were approved. There was no Public Comment.
The Supervisors reviewed the Manure Management Plan for Grove 5 from Adam Grove, which was accepted and placed on file.
The three young ladies pictured above from the Waukon High School Vocal Music Department were selected to participate in the Iowa All-State Music Festival, the highest individual honor attainable to Iowa high school musicians. Thousands of students from across the state of Iowa auditioned for All-State Chorus Saturday, October 21 for selection to the 600-member All-State Chorus. The 2017 All-State Music Festival was held Saturday, November 18 at Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Pictured above are the three All-State selections from Waukon High School under the vocal direction of Sarah J. Bieber Palmer. Left to right: Leslie Halverson is the daughter of Brent and Jill Halverson of Waukon. Madalyn Ellingson is the daughter of John and Bethany Ellingson of Waukon. Jasmyn Enyart is the daughter of Dustin and Amanda Enyart of Waukon, and she was unable to attend the November 18 All-State Music Festival. Submitted photos.
Jasmyn Enyart, a senior from the Waukon High School Vocal Department and a member of the Waukon cheerleading squad, was selected to sing the National Anthem at Iowa's State Cheerleading Championships held November 4 in Des Moines. This is the highest individual honor attainable to students who prepare versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Enyart is under the vocal instruction of Mrs. Sarah J. Bieber Palmer and coached in cheerleading by Mrs. Amy Bieber. Following her singing performance to open the event, Enyart then helped the Waukon cheerleading squad to a State Championship finish in the Class 2A Stunt Group competition and a State Runner-Up finish in the Class 2A Time Out competition at the Cheerleading Championships.
Mrs. Sarah J. Bieber Palmer and Waukon Middle School parent Gregg Jones took a group of students from Waukon Middle School and Waukon High School to the "Real Men Sing" festival hosted in October by Wartburg College in Waverly and directed by Dr. Lee Nelson. Real Men Sing is an event designed to jump start male students in a school's choral program early in the year. More than 500 male singers from around the Midwest joined in a day of singing and voice master classes. Two choirs make up the festival: one for changing voices focusing on students in grades seventh through freshmen/sophomores conducted by Luke Johnson, and one for changed voices focusing on grades freshmen/sophomores on up through adults conducted by Dr. Lee Nelson.
Iowa State University Extension’s 4-H volunteers from Allamakee County participated in a training titled “4-H Builds Resilience” where they explored how brain development and personal growth relate to their role as volunteers. Volunteers gained an understanding of resilience and the connection they provide in increasing resilience in youth. In addition, leaders learned skills that can be applied to promote and create opportunities to build resilience as well as utilized tools to promote growth in youth.
The Waukon Wellness Center hosted its fourth annual “Turkey Trot” 5K/8K Run and Walk Thanksgiving morning, November 23. Approximately 73 participants took part in the event, with first-place finishers in five of the seven age categories receiving a frozen turkey and second-place finishers taking home a frozen chicken to commemorate their effort. Gold, silver and bronze medals were also distributed to the respective placewinners in each division, and youth classes received a goodie bag and a medal. The top entries in each age division at the annual event are pictured above and listed as follows:
