The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) for 2022 ended its annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state in Lansing in late July this past summer. RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest multi-day recreational bicycle touring event in the world.
The total profit realized from Lansing RAGBRAI 2022 was $113,298.92, which is the highest in the history of the annual event, according to RAGBRAI officials. Local organizers say the success of the event in Lansing was only possible because of the immense work and volunteer hours of hundreds of citizens, coming together to show Iowa pride and hospitality. Lansing RAGBRAI Executive Chair Ian Zahren would like to say to the people of the Lansing area and the RAGBRAI riders: “We are immensely grateful to all of you!”
National Mentoring Month Proclamation ... The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation at its Monday, January 9 regular meeting designating January as National Mentoring Month in Allamakee County. Pictured above at the proclamation signing are: Left to right - Front row: Helping Services for Youth and Families Mentoring intern Gabby Bizal, Helping Services for Youth and Families Mentoring Coordinators Colinne McCann and Kathy Schwartzhoff, and Helping Services for Youth and Families Director of Community Engagement Ben Krouse-Gagne; Back row: Allamakee County Board of Supervisors members Dennis Keatley, Dan Byrnes and Mark Reiser, and Helping Services for Youth and Families Executive Director Carson Eggland. The Helping Services for Youth and Families Mentoring Program offers a caring adult role model for youth between the ages of six and 16. Standard photo by Joe Moses.
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in a pair of regular sessions within less than a week of one another this past week due to the New Year’s Day holiday being observed on the board’s regular meeting day, Monday, January 2. Coverage of both the board’s Tuesday, January 3 and Monday, January 9 regular sessions appears below.
JANUARY 3
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors began 2023 with its annual reorganizational meeting in regular session Tuesday, January 3 following the Monday, January 2 closure of the Allamakee County Courthouse due to the New Year’s Day holiday observance. Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer called the meeting to order with Dan Byrnes being appointed Board of Supervisors Chairperson and Mark Reiser being appointed Chairperson Pro-Tem for 2023, with Supervisor Dennis Keatley also present at the meeting.
A pair of area U.S. Military Veterans were recently honored with Quilts of Valor presentations in recognition of service to their country. Pictured in the photo above, Vietnam era U.S. Marine Veteran Joe Baxter (left in photo) of rural New Albin stands with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander Ralph Nelson after receiving his Quilt of Valor in mid-December from local Quilts of Valor representative Arlis Myhre.
Pictured in the photo below, Paul Horsfall, Sr. of Lansing received his Quilt of Valor December 30 from local Quilts of Valor representative Eileen Smith (standing in photo). Horsfall served his country during the Korean War, from 1953-1955. Submitted photos.
Allamakee County’s Corner of Hope Growing Project celebrated its 17th year in 2022. Since its beginning in 2005 and through present day, the group has donated $563,921 to Growing Hope Globally, formerly Foods Resource Bank.
A few years after the project started in 2005, local brothers Jan, Joe and Jerry Sweeney (pictured in the photo above, left to right) have generously allowed the Corner of Hope group to use 20 acres of Sweeney land each year to grow crops, with the money raised going to Growing Hope Globally. For well over a decade, the Sweeney plot has been an integral part of the Corner of Hope Growing Project. The crops have alternated over the years between corn, beans and hay.
Kaytie and Mason Berns of Waukon are the parents of the First Baby of 2023 born at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Sylvie Berns was born Sunday, January 1 at 3:06 p.m., and she weighed 6 lbs., 13.5 ozs. Photo courtesy of Mayo Clinic Health System.
by Marcia Rogers,
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member
College bills for the next semester are looming, and students and families are looking for ways to pay for any amount not covered by financial aid, savings or earnings. Many turn to private education loans. Because most traditional-age students need cosigners to qualify or receive better rates or because you would like take out a loan in your name to help pay a child’s expenses, you as a parent may be investigating student loan options specifically for yourself.
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation educates students and families on planning and paying for college, as well as providing education loans under the name ISL Education Lending. As an ISL board member, I want to help ensure that families understand the pros and cons of taking out student loans. I encourage you to remember the following tips for parents who want to help with education loans:
A program offering $1,000 scholarships is now open to Iowa high school seniors. Students not only have a chance at much-needed funds for college but can also learn ways to reduce college loan debt through the program.
Iowa high school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How between now and March 31. Once registered, students will receive instructions via email on completing two online modules. Recipients will be determined by drawings among students who have completed the modules.
The two modules, Student Loan Game Plan and the Return on College Investment tool, are designed to help students and families determine maximum recommended levels of student loan debt and find ways to minimize debt to repay.
Registration is open for a special drawing of a $1,000 college savings deposit that 10 Iowa parents and guardians of students in eighth through 12th grades will be randomly selected to receive after February 28. The drawing is sponsored by Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending.
Current registrants and any parent or guardian registered for the information service SP3 - Student Planning Pointers for Parents - by February 28 will be entered into the special drawing. Additionally, registrants who read each month’s articles and answer brief survey questions are entered into quarterly drawings for 529 college savings plan deposits.
Each quarter, 40 random winners are chosen for the $250 deposits. The next quarterly drawing will take place April 1.
The Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library will be hosting a presentation Thursday, January 12 at 4 p.m. regarding the historical and archaeological work that continues to take place regarding the Black Hawk Bridge replacement project. Brennan Dolan from the Iowa Department of Transportation and Ray Werner from Tallgrass Archaeology, LLC will make the presentation.
The Iowa DOT is working through the final considerations of the National Historic Preservation Act as the bridge project prepares for letting. The bridge architectural retention schedule and other mitigation efforts will also be discussed.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary Gustave F. Kerndt #5981 has announced the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s National Anthem Singing Contest, “Get Excited for the Red, White and Blue!” Local youth in grades K-12 can showcase their talent, display their patriotism and express their creativity while competing for their share of $2,000 in national awards.
Contestants must submit a video of their solo vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Video must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted to VFW Auxiliary #5981 along with a completed entry form for judging. The video must be recorded between July 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.
