Jesse and Melissa Swenson of Luana announce the birth of their daughter, Ember Rae Swenson, born April 27, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and measured 21-1/2 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a brother, Liam (3).
Grandparents are Hall and LuAnn Swenson of Postville, Mike Deutsch of Marseilles, IL and Terri Shenkel of Marseilles, IL. Great-grandparents are Verdon “Bud” Swenson of Postville and Marilyn Christofferson of Postville.
Loren and Christina Havens of Waukon announce the birth of their daughter, Eloise Louise Havens, born April 28, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. She weighed 5 lbs. 8 ozs. and measured 19 inches in length at the time of her birth. She joins a sibling, Mihael (10). Sherri Bond of Waukon is a grandparent.
... that I checked in the mirror as I shaved this morning to see if mere were any signs of gills developing, thinking they might be necessary soon if it doesn’t stop raining!
Bad weather apparently held down the crowds at those climate change rallies scheduled for the weekend, which seems kinda ironic, weather affecting climate change protests.
One protest which did not develop involved that bastion of liberal thought, the University of California at Berkeley. The university once again cancelled a speaking appearance by a conservative, implying that free speech advocating ideas with which the university does not agree could prove an incentive for riots.
I would like to thank Sue Fry Vonderohe of New Albin for the insightful letter to the editor April 26, 2017. The letter was spot on in every aspect.
I began my education in a similar manner and highly value everything that was taught in the one-room school, especially the love for country, the flag and the Constitution. I hope and pray that all our local schools are trying to instill those values.
I especially noted her comment on the Gettysburg Address and remember that for many years of my life it was recited during Memorial Day celebrations. I think it is a pity that it is now ignored.
Great things happen when people join together for good. Whether volunteering to help children succeed, driving community improvement, or helping our neighbors, Iowans share the will to see our communities thrive.
Four years ago, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque imagined the potential for a concentrated single day of giving called Great Give Day. This 24-hour, online-only giving event offered an opportunity for community members of all financial means to come together to support and celebrate our local nonprofits. Over the last three years, in a combined span of just three days, community members from Waukon to Maquoketa have raised nearly $900,000 for more than 100 Northeast Iowa nonprofits. These incredible people have come together to make a whopping 6,392 gifts to local nonprofits: an average of $129 per person.
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director 563-568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season - No Mid-Contract Management Activities on CRP acres
• July 15: Report All Spring-Seeded Crops
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
Crop Reporting
With spring planting right around the corner, Allamakee county farmers are reminded to report all spring planted crops to the FSA office by July 15 to remain eligible for FSA and other USDA programs. Please remember to bring planting dates with you. It is the producer’s responsibility to accurately report acres and producer’s shares in individual crops. Discrepancies found later may affect eligibility for all FSA-administered programs.
Trout Unlimited releases findings from survey recently conducted with anglers in the tri-state area
by Lissa Blake
People who trout fish in northeast Iowa aren’t just having fun - they’re also having a significant economic impact on the region. That was the gist of a new report released in late April by Trout Unlimited, entitled "Celebrating the Economic Impact of a Priceless Jewel: The Economic Impact of Trout Angling in the Driftless Area."
Around 50 people attended a special event Friday afternoon, April 28 at the Decorah Fish Hatchery. In addition to highlighting the new report and its findings, the event brought home the importance of private/public partnerships in the region.
Northgate Care Center in Waukon recently received results back from its annual State of Iowa survey, a report indicating the facility has met all State of Iowa standards. Pictured above are some of the Northgate Care Center staff members. Left to right - Front row: Ashlea Martins, Jenny Woods, Liz Dietrich. Middle row: Carrie Quandahl, Margie Moen, Becky Hager, Robyn Hirth, Lou Ann Wikan, Dawn Smith, Corene Peck. Back row: Chad Wikan, Karli Mahr, Debbi Hohn, Marlene Hills, Joan Dietrich, Megan Kelly, Dana Heying, Cindy Iverson, Linda Handke, Shannon Lloyd.
The annual State survey of Northgate Care Center in Waukon has been completed, and after a week of inspection the survey team deemed the facility to have met the standards required by the State of Iowa. For 13 out of the last 20 years, Northgate has gone above and beyond State requirements. During this survey, the environment of the care center, nursing, social work, activities, human resources, dietary and all other facets were inspected to ensure State requirements and standards are being met.
Photos above and below provide evidence and memories of the trip to Europe taken by local resident Jean Hagen 80 years ago when she was a junior in high school. Hagen, then Jean Raymond, won the trip through a scholarship opportunity through the Maytag Corporation in her hometown of Newton. Pictured above are stickers she collected on her suitcase during the journey, and in the photo below are letters she wrote her mother during the trip, along with other memorabilia and a notebook she wrote in, Hagen still having all of these items from her journey in 1937. Photos by Brianne Eilers.
by Brianne Eilers
Members of the Thursday Club were recently taken on a trip down memory lane by area resident Jean Hagen as she recounted her trip to Europe that took place between July 6 and September 1, 1937. Jean grew up in Newton, which at that time was home to the Maytag Corporation that produced laundry appliances. Her father had died unexpectedly due to complications from an accident when Jean was young, so it was just Jean, her mother and her sister growing up.
A scholarship was offered by Fred Maytag, Jr., son of the founder of the Maytag Corporation, to a high school junior, offering a selected student an opportunity to travel to Europe and then give presentations on their experience when they returned to the United States. Jean was the recipient of said scholarship in 1937.
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 8 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion and consideration of a Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®) ordinance pertaining to vendors outside of city limits, recognizing May 8-13 as Economic Development Week and an update for County Social Services (CSS).
During Public Comments, Allamakee County ATV/UTV Club President Chip Lamb addressed the Supervisors regarding the County ATV/UTV Ordinance. Lamb provided three examples from other counties and discussed the ATV/UTV Club's request for the ability to access the nearest gravel road via County blacktop and the recent legislative changes allowing the crossing of State roads. Dennis Blocker of the ATV/UTV Club discussed the need for access to the Driftless Education and Visitors Center and the ability to enter and exit Lansing by ATV.
