The Monday, August 21 total solar eclipse that cast the moon's shadow diagonally across the United States from northwest to southeast provided many viewers along that estimated 100-mile wide shadow path with a phenomenon that has not been seen within the 48 contiguous United States since February of 1979 and is not scheduled to happen again within the contiguous United States until April of 2024. Only an estimated 87% eclipse was expected to be seen locally within the Allamakee County area, but overcast skies made local viewing of the eclipse somewhat fruitless.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds received word Sunday, August 27 that President Donald Trump approved her request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for seven Iowa counties impacted by flooding and severe weather July 19-23 of this year. Governor Reynolds requested the declaration August 10.
The counties included in the declaration are Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette and Mitchell. The declaration will provide federal funding to the included counties under the Public Assistance Program. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are partially matched by state programs to help public entities and select non-profits.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, August 28 to address a full agenda of items, including the submission of the Iowa Partnership for Success Grant renewal application, a contract with the University of Iowa for a Hydrology Study in the Upper Iowa River Drainage District and the consideration of bids for the replacement of the French Creek Bridge on Mays Prairie Road. There were no members of the public present and no public comments spoken or read.
A trio of U.S. First District Congressional candidates spoke at the ice cream social hosted by the Allamakee County Democrats Sunday, August 20. Pictured above, left to right, are candidates Courtney Rowe, Thomas Heckroth and Abby Finkenauer, along with Lori Egan, who is a candidate for Iowa House District 56. Submitted photo.
Although the June 2018 primary is months away, three of the Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress met with local Democrats in Waukon at the ice cream social hosted by the Allamakee County Democrats Sunday, August 20. Candidates Abby Finkenauer, Thomas Heckroth and Courtney Rowe were introduced by Lori Egan of Waukon, who is a candidate for State House District 56 representing Allamakee and Clayton counties.
Abby Finkenauer is a State Representative elected in 2014 to represent Dubuque in the State Legislature. She has worked at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque with Jackson County, Jones County, Delaware County, Clayton County and Allamakee County affiliate foundations and currently serves on the board of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. Finkenauer believes that hard work should be rewarded and everyone should be given the chance to succeed.
Fifteen 4-H youth participated in a Youth Leadership Retreat August 27 at the Driftless Area Education Center in Lansing facilitated by Morgan Bjerke, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator. The Experiential Learning Model emphasizes the use of life skills to learn content objectives. Through 4-H, this model emphasizes the importance of student involvement in the experiences or activities in each situation of the learning cycle. Students bring their own experiences and knowledge to the learning cycle. The 2017 Allamakee County 4-H Council Retreat was strategic in bringing the Experiential Learning Model to action with a focus on self-discovery through a self-personality assessment along with creating an understanding and application of working in a team. County 4-H Council members participated in team building activities, completed a self-personality assessment, worked on goals and plans for the 2017-18 4-H year and had time to explore the Driftless Area Education Center.
Scarecrow entries: Six entries, some of which are pictured in the top photo, took part in the Scarecrow Contest hosted by the Midwest Veterans of America during Waukon Corn Days Saturday, August 19. All participants received a Scarecrow medal created by Epic Wear of Waukon and presented by Ozzie Quandahl of Midwest Veterans of America. Entries were submitted by Hailey and Dakota Bechtel, DJ. Halverson, and Harper, Havanna, Hadalyn and Huxley Halverson. Submitted photo.
As part of continued Sesquicentennial Programming at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, there will be a pair of programs held at the library within the next two weeks. Doors will open for each program at 5:30 p.m. with a light lunch, with a donation jar being in place. Actual programs will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 7, Barbara Kailean Welsh, Author of "Blazing A Trail: The Unconventional Life of Harriet Hosmer," will give a presentation. Welsh is bringing to life the character of a 20-year-old woman who, in 1851, raced up Mt. Hosmer in Lansing, thus resulting in the name of the Lansing landmark.
Many of the people of the area have only known her name, but such questions remain as to how that name happened to stay with Mt. Hosmer and what kind of a girl was she to be traveling on the river alone at the age of 20 in 1851. It is also known that she became a sculptor, but to what extent is her work known?
Community members are invited to give back and help save lives by donating blood Wednesday, September 6 from 2-6 p.m. at Kerndt Brothers Community Center in Lansing. To make an appointment or to learn more, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers. By donating blood, individuals can help make a difference in the lives of patients in their community and throughout the nation.
Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire found at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass is encouraged to help speed up the donation process. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.
Experience the beauty of fall at Effigy Mounds National Monument by hiking with a Ranger on one of the monument’s south unit trails. Starting Thursday, September 7, these interpretive Ranger-guided hikes will take place Thursdays and Sundays in September, beginning at 1 p.m. The moderately strenuous three- to four-mile hikes will focus on the lifestyles of the American Indians who built the mounds between 2500-900 years ago. The tours will conclude at one of the park’s iconic effigy mounds and will last approximately three hours.
Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes, bring plenty of water and are reminded to not bring their pets. Meet the Ranger at 1 p.m. at the Marching Bears trail access located across the railroad tracks off Highway 76, one-quarter mile south of the headquarters of Effigy Mounds National Monument. Sunday tours are subject to ranger availability. For more information call 563-873-3491, ext. 123.
Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D., professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, will be conducting a presentation on cyberbullying Monday, September 25 at the New Albin Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
Entitlted "Teen Technology Use and Misuse," Dr. Patchin's presentation will cover a broad overview of cyberbullying, including issues parents, educators, and teens need to know about how youth use and misuse technology to cause harm to their peers. The presentation will define and provide examples of cyberbullying and discuss the role of parents in preventing and responding to inappropriate online behaviors. It will also describe many of the online environments popular among adolescents today and strategies to use to make sure they are used safely and responsibly.
