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Connection supports emotional well-being throughout life. Social support may help protect against suicide by reducing isolation and strengthening a person’s sense of belonging, value and resilience during difficult times.

Changes in health, mobility, hearing, vision, relationships and daily routines can make it harder for some older adults to maintain regular social contact. Consistent, thoughtful outreach can help them remain involved in family and community life.

Consider one way to connect this week:
• Call an older relative, friend or neighbor.
• Share a meal or cup of coffee.
• Offer transportation to an appointment or activity.
• Extend an invitation to a community event.
• Help someone find a senior center, volunteer opportunity, faith community or support group.

This Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, choose one person and make a plan to stay connected.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Louise Ellingson by Marsha Bergan, Karen Bergan and Dennis Norden, Jim and Patty Clarke, Dave and Jan Cronin, Gordon Ellingson Family, Robert and Jan Ellingson, Kathy and Rick Gloede, Shawn and Cindy Hayme, Travis and Linda Hughes, John and Charlene Loven, Mike and Sue McMillan, Tim and Vicky Phipps, Daryl and Pam Steiber, Linda Thompson and Gary and Connie Tilleros.

Memorials were also received in memory of Richard “Dick” Christianson by Ron and Nancy Adam, Carl and Betty Christianson and Pat Pettingill; in memory of Colonel Jean Gray by Cherie White; in memory of Marian Hesla by an anonymous donor, Carl and Betty Christianson, Diane Regan and Joann Spear; in memory of Floyd Ingles by Jim and Jill Kiesau; and in memory of Merrill and Marlys Jacobs by Joan and Scott Schmidt.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, September 21.

Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel (pending satisfactory background check): Kloe Hemmersbach, Middle School Girls Wrestling Coach; Isaac Ericson, Middle School Boys Wrestling Coach; Dave Dougherty, Substitute Route Driver; Joseph Swizdor, Route Driver; Hayden Comstock, Assistant Musical Director; Hayden Comstock, Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional; Brenna McCarthy, Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional; John Papp, Volunteer Basketball Coach; Tim Bulman, Jack Regan, Dani Bucknell and Kadence Pape, Volunteer Wrestling Coaches; Dallas Howe, Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional; Cassidy Wiseman, Part-Time Elementary Paraprofessional; Thomas Benda, Substitute Bus Driver; and Ava Sons, Full-Time Middle School Paraprofessional.

The Waukon volleyball team played to a nearly undefeated week, securing its first Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) dual match win of this season and actually avenging its only loss of the week later in the same tournament it was suffered in. The net Tribe first swept Central Elkader in UIC dual action on the road Tuesday, September 15 before winning four of five matches at its own Waukon Tournament Saturday, September 19, recovering from a lone pool play loss to MFL/MarMac to defeat those same Bulldogs in the tournament title bout and claim this year’s tournament championship.

The Waukon net squad was next scheduled to play a pair of dual matches recently added to their schedule, taking on both Starmont and MFL/MarMac Monday, September 21 at Starmont before hosting Crestwood Tuesday, September 22 and playing at New Hampton Thursday, September 24. The Lady Indians will then host Clayton Ridge Tuesday, September 29 before playing in the Oelwein Tournament Saturday, October 3.

Ending up playing a rare Thursday night game in order to avoid heavy rain forecasted for its usual Friday game night, the Waukon football team traveled to the home of the other Indians in Class 2A District 3, a winless Forest City team, Thursday, September 17, to open district play for both squads. Even though they avoided any rain that falls from the sky, Waukon’s grid Tribe stormed into Forest City and rained all over the other Indians’ Homecoming for this year by jumping to a 40-0 halftime lead on the way to a 52-6 victory behind a ground game yardage result not seen from a Waukon football team in nearly 20 years.

To the Editor:

Psalm 51 New International Version (NIV) reads:

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

These two verses suggest that life begins at conception. If you have had an abortion you can ask God to forgive you, and if you are truly sorry for your sin and don’t do it again, He will forgive you.
John 3:3 states, “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” This verse, part of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, emphasizes the need for spiritual rebirth or a new beginning to understand God’s kingdom.

Deadlines/Dates
September 30: Deadline to Complete Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Mid-Contract Management on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP); Deadline to remove livestock from Non-Emergency Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program; Deadline to apply for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP)  Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 1 Quality Loss; Office Fiscal Year Rollover
October 1: Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Mid-Contract Management on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Opens
December 31: Deadline to Apply for Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

Sharon Ann Costello, 81, of Lansing passed away suddenly at her home September 20, 2026. Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 4-7 p.m. Friday, September 25 and again from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, September 26, prior to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. A funeral dinner and celebration of Sharon’s life will follow. All are welcome.

Sharon married her soulmate, John “Twinny” Costello, November 21, 1964. Together they raised four children: Sue (Keith) Meyer of Eitzen, MN, John (Kayla) Costello of Lansing, Michelle (Joe Gillitzer) Kishman of Prairie du Chien, WI, and Tom Costello of Lansing. John and Sharon lived in Chicago, IL for five years before moving to Lansing in 1969.

Sharon worked as a supervisor at Thornton Manor Nursing Home for more than 30 years. She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary and her church and always willing to lend a helping hand.

The Homecoming festivities at Kee High School in Lansing will kick off the celebration of Homecoming Week with the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen taking place this Sunday, September 20. Kee High School’s Homecoming King and Queen for 2026 will be crowned at a ceremony beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Kee High School gym, in conjunction with a “Lighting of the K” event also taking place as part of Sunday’s kick-off event for Homecoming Week 2026, with both events being open to the public.

Mike McAbee to perform Saturday night

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Katie O’Regan Films LLC has announced the 2026 Star City Film and Theater Festival is Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26. This year marks the 10th season of the festival and the first time it will be held in its new, permanent home - Three Dolphins Theater, located at 501 3rd Street SW in Waukon.

Highlights of the 2026 festival include a live musical performance by the popular Iowa-based singer-songwriter and comedian, Mike McAbee, featuring a set-list of original tunes; and a Q&A session, live from Hollywood via  Zoom, by 2026 Festival Guest of Honor Thaao Penghlis - who for many years portrayed Tony DiMera on “Days of Our Lives.” Penghlis is an award-winning actor, author, and creator/host of the new podcast: “The Great Escape - Journey of Mary & Joseph.”