News Center newsletter

Thornton Manor in Lansing sold raffle tickets for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS)-themed quilt (pictured above) at various local events throughout the fall of 2021. The original winner of the raffle, who wanted to remain anonymous, donated the quilt back to the Lansing EMS. Thornton Manor was able to raise $1,500 through the raffle and donated those proceeds to Lansing EMS. Pictured above presenting the quilt and check to Lansing EMS Coordinator Conrad Rosendahl (far right) are (left to right) Thornton Manor Administrator Sam Kuhn, Environmental Services Coordinator Diane DeLong, Volunteer Cindy Callahan, Office Manager Nancy Rethwisch and Director of Nursing Bonnie Weymiller. Submitted photo.
 

Thornton Manor in Lansing celebrated Father’s Day with its first annual car show where people in the community brought a total of 14 vintage cars or motorcycles to participate in a parade outside the front doors of Thornton Manor, such as those pictured in the surrounding photos. In the afternoon, Thornton Manor hosted a Father’s Day party with both men and women invited, with entertainment provided by Tim Bohenkamp. Submitted photos.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Mayor Melissa Hammell told the Lansing City Council during its regular meeting Monday, June 20 that Sunshine Thomas Bear - cultural preservation director/tribal historic preservation officer at the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska - will visit Lansing June 30 to meet with Mayor Hammell and members of the Lansing City Council about a new project, set to be completed next spring. Part of the Native American Interpretive Project, a kiosk will be installed on Front Street by the park and will offer information about Native Americans who once lived in this area. Sunshine Thomas Bear will look at and consider that location during her visit. The kiosk is being funded by a $25,000 grant through Northeast Iowa RC&D (Resource Conservation & Development), at no cost to the City.

The Waukon baseball team recorded a pair of wins against a former Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) squad in between doubleheader losses to a pair of remaining NEIC foes this past week. That doubleheader trio included losses of 4-3 and 5-2 at New Hampton Tuesday, June 21 and losses of 24-14 in five innings and 14-7 at home against Decorah Friday, June 24. In between those two NEIC twinbill defeats, the diamond Tribe posted a pair of mercy-rule wins, 13-1 and 11-1 - both in five innings - at home Thursday, June 23 over Oelwein, a team that recently departed the Northeast Iowa Conference.

The Waukon softball team ended up playing just four games this past week, winning the first of those and having a win in the last of those denied in the game’s final inning. The Indians opened the week with a 6-4 win at home over North Fayette Valley Monday, June 20 before having a doubleheader at Decorah swept way Tuesday, June 21 by scores of 14-4 and 12-2 - both in five innings. The diamond Tribe then wrapped up its week with a 10-9 loss at home to New Hampton Friday, June 24 before having their Saturday, June 25 Decorah Tournament canceled by rainy weather.

The wins keep coming for the Kee baseball team, as the Hawks swept through six more contests this past week to improve their current win streak to 20 games and their season record to 31-2 overall, including a still unbeaten, 16-0 mark in Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) play that has Kee locked in as this season’s UIC champion - the Hawks’ first sole UIC title since 2017 - heading into the final week of the regular season. This season’s conference crown received a big boost with Kee’s sweep of the only team that could have derailed the Hawks’ UIC title hopes, South Winneshiek, in a Monday, June 20 doubleheader, 10-4 and 12-2 in five innings, before single-game wins at Postville, 16-1 in four innings, Tuesday, June 21 and at Clayton Ridge Thursday, June 23 by a 12-3 result.

The Kee softball team continued to remain at the top of the Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) this past week with a sweep of a pair of UIC doubleheaders that kept them tied atop the UIC team standings with Turkey Valley heading into the final week of the regular season. Those sweeps included wins of 18-1 and 14-2 - both in three innings - at Postville Monday, June 20 before doing likewise at Central Elkader Wednesday, June 22 by scores of 8-4 and 18-1 in four innings. The Lady Hawks then opened the two-day Don Bosco Tournament with losses of 4-3 in eight innings to Class 5A Cedar Falls and 12-0 to Class 1A ninth-rated Clarksville Friday, June 24, but had their Saturday schedule at the tournament canceled by rainy weather.

Steven Michael Gelo, 44, of Waukon died, after a long illness, Sunday, June 26, 2022 at his home in rural Waukon. Funeral services were held Thursday, June 30 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Tom Hollmann officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.

Steven Michael Gelo was born April 27, 1978 in Waukon, the son of Gary and Gloria (Heins) Gelo. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1996. Steve had a love for football which began when he played in school.

Steve lived in Mason City and then moved to Cedar Rapids in 2000, where he worked at Chamberlin Landscaping and then Outdoor Creations as a landscaping foreman. He supervised a crew doing landscaping installation, retaining walls, patios, lighting, water features, lawn care, and snow removal in the winter time.

Melvin W. Larson, 79, of Waukon passed away peacefully with his children by his side Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Melvin William Larson was born December 14, 1942 in Waterville, the son of Ingvald and Clara (Ruess) Larson. He was baptized and confirmed at Waterville Lutheran Church and attended country schools and Waterville School. November 26, 1977, he married Vicki Doubek, and they had three children, Justin, Jessica and Jenny.

Melvin worked for several area business in the Waukon area as a mechanic and auto body repairman. He also worked on small engines for several years. Melvin enjoyed a good cup of coffee, sitting outside, watching NASCAR, and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. He loved to make people laugh and telling Ole and Lena jokes.

Steve M. Gelo, 44, of Waukon died Sunday, June 26, 2022 at his home in rural Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, with Tom Hollmann officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of services Thursday at the funeral home.