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For many, a “good Christmas” means just getting through the holidays with minimal conflict. Clenched teeth make it hard to sing most holiday carols, so now is no time for confrontation.

Yet, John the Baptist stands as the Gospel’s necessary Advent precursor - God’s go-to man whose precise charge confronts us and bring us into conflict with ourselves.

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace,” declares John’s father, Zechariah.

His lyric song in Luke 1 provides a kind of pause, an interruption, in the narrative flow. Turn the page, and what’s next is the most-famous version of the Christmas story! That’s what we’re all so eager to get to this month. Who doesn’t want to jump straight into Luke 2 and once again see that manger, that baby, those exhausted young parents, those angels dancing in the night sky?

To the Editor:

As a connoisseur of music of all genres, I can easily equate music titles to what’s happening in downtown Waukon. According to a favorite song by Cher, “If I Could Turn Back Time,” in the 1990s and early 2000s, Waukon boasted 20-plus restaurant (food serving) and liquor establishments within the city limits (Yes, I can name them). Combined, they all created a thriving day and night life (especially night) with downtown streets often left without available parking.

This led to Waukon becoming a destination town with the culmination being on St. Patrick’s Day. Young and old came from far and surrounding areas to eat, drink and be entertained.

by Ellen Modersohn

Waukon’s East Elementary School cafeteria was bursting with excitement Monday, December 12. Not only was it holiday dress-up day, with teachers and their students bundled in bright reds and greens, but 65 third graders were eagerly meeting their semester-long pen pals in person for the first time.

Over the past several years Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative conducted a pen pals program between its volunteers and third graders at Crestwood Elementary School in Cresco. This year the program expanded to include five schools: two in Cresco, one in Decorah and at New Albin Elementary School in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District in addition to East Elementary in Waukon.

Sharilyn Decker of Waukon, a new RSVP member, recalls having a pen pal when she was a child: “Pen pals were very common growing up, and I always wrote to my friends.”

Waukon High School 2014 graduate Parker Hesse continues to climb toward the pinnacle of his NFL (National Football League) dream as he plays through his fourth season at the ultimate level of the sport he loves.

Having served as a practice squad player with the Tennessee Titans his first two seasons in the league, beginning in 2019, Hesse saw his first action as an active roster player last season after transitioning to the Atlanta Falcons, where he continues to elevate his status and his career as now one of the top tight ends for that current Atlanta squad.

Ascending to that role in a new position from what he’s consistently played in previous levels of football, Hesse says the most important thing he’s developed in his growth and advancement in the league may not have anything to do with a football at all.

Friends of Yellow River State Forest is sponsoring a “First Day” Hike at the Paint Creek Unit at 9 a.m. Sunday, January 1, 2023. Everyone is also welcome to hike the designated First Day Hike trail on their own anytime Saturday, December 31 or Sunday, January 1 to win prizes.

The trail chosen this year for the “First Day” Hike starts at the Forester’s Office at 729 State Forest Road, Harpers Ferry. The hike (outlined with yellow dashes in the map at right) is about three miles long and features beautiful forests, a visit to the Yellow River State Forest Fire Tower, and a photo opportunity with Bigfoot. The trail starts out uphill, but after that, is level and then goes back down from the ridge. Most people would consider it to be a moderate hike.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a full agenda of matters including several plat requests, an update and funding request by the Riverview Center and the discussion and consideration of the City of Lansing’s request for allocation of ARPA funds for City water and sewer projects.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 19 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion of the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund program contribution, discussion of the City Clerk’s role relating to city council correspondence and the Resolution Approving the 28E Agreement between Veterans Memorial Hospital and Townships relating to funding ambulance services for the Waukon Ambulance District.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noting that a new dump truck may be here as early as next week.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper advised that last Wednesday West Union Trenching hit a water main near Casey’s as they were digging as part of the fiber optic installation process taking place in town. Cooper added that his department assisted in further digging the area to allow for a repair, which was accomplished.

Besides its collections of reading materials for all ages, Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will be offering some fun programs for students and families during this year’s winter break from school.

Join Ross Geerdes, Allamakee County Conservation Naturalist, Tuesday, December 27 at 3:30 p.m. as he talks about Animal Camouflage. Afterschool with Ross is a monthly program featuring hands-on activities on outdoor, animal, nature and conservation topics.

Stop in any time between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 28 and Tuesday, January 3 to make something fun to take home during the library’s Make & Take sessions for Kids and for Teens.

The Allamakee Community School District added 13 new educators to its staff at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Throughout a time frame of several weeks since the school year began, the Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA), in cooperation with The Standard newspaper, has been introducing these new school district staff additions to the public through an article series in this newspaper. This week’s installment in the series, published below, will feature a pair of third grade teachers new to the staff at East Elementary School in Waukon who are also natives to the Waukon area, Kris Rausch and Carley Sweeney, in addition to another area native, Laiton Ihde of Decorah, who is a new fourth grade teacher at East Elementary School in Waukon.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, December 19. All board members were present and the revised agenda was approved.

Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Erin Andregg as Middle School Para; Edwin Frick as Varsity Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach; Maria Baker as Elementary Title/Special Education Teacher; and Stephanie Iverson as an Elementary Para. The following resignations were also accepted: Randy Nordheim, Varsity Volleyball Coach; Beth Christoffer, 21st Century Budget/Evaluation Coordinator; and Lori Cahoon, Elementary Para. The board also approved a lease agreement between Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and ACSD, regarding the NICC Waukon Center.