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Tuesday, May 2, the Next Gen Welds program through Waukon High School received a donation of $10,000 from Gemini at its Decorah location in an effort to provide funding and learning opportunities for students, in the interest of promoting local advanced manufacturing. More than a dozen students under the guidance of Waukon High School Industrial Arts instructor Caleb Ferring made the trip to the Gemini manufacturing facility in Decorah to receive the donation and also tour the facility.

The Allamakee County Veterans Museum will be offering its next public program at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street, Waukon Thursday, May 18, beginning at 1 p.m. There is no charge for admission and no membership requirements to attend.

The late Dr. Frank Norden left his optometrist practice in Waukon in 1942 to join the U.S. Navy. Initially, he was assigned to medical duty, but he volunteered to go to sea and was assigned to a tugboat, the USS Sakaweston YTB-289, and later appointed its captain. He returned to Waukon in 1946 after discharge from naval service and resumed his practice.

His daughters, Kristen and Margaret, will share their recollections of his naval service. The program will also include a video tour of a typical WWII era military tugboat.

Saturday, April 1, members of the Waukon High School Choir participated in the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) State Solo and Ensemble Festival held in Waukon. Through the solo and small group contest process, students work to improve their vocal abilities while learning how to sing as vocal soloists, with a duet partner, or in a small group.

“The kids learn a lot about themselves, their work ethic, and their individual musical abilities during this process,” Waukon High School Vocal Music Director Sarah Bieber shared. “The comments given from the judges help them improve in their vocal abilities, and we had incredibly helpful judges this year.”

All the 9th-12th grade vocal solos and ensembles received the two highest scores - all Division 1’s and Division 2’s out of a range of Division 1 - Division 5. “This is outstanding news for the high school vocal department,” Bieber said.

The Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA) recently donated to the Waukon High School chapters of FFA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA.) The ACEA collaborated with FBLA students on a fall food drive and with FFA students for a roadside clean-up this spring. A donation of $100 was presented April 28 to each student organization. Pictured above, left to right, are: Front row: Mari Delaney, Josh Keenan, Nate Keenan, Laurel Keenan, Lisa Snitker and Michele Pladsen; Back row: Isaac Ericson, James VanderVelden, Berlin Troendle, Joanne Ericson, Natalie  Byrnes, Alaina Gebel and Jessica O’Connor. Submitted photo.
 

Teacher Appreciation Week at Allamakee Community School District is being celebrated this week, May 8-12. During this week, teachers will acknowledge and celebrate the profession.

Teaching is a calling, exemplified by individuals who work tirelessly to positively impact, inspire and educate local youth. Teachers are frequently found collaborating with fellow staff members, families and community members. Teachers in the Allamakee Community School District were surveyed in late April, replying to the following question:

What do you love about Allamakee Community Schools?

Their replies included the following:

“The ability to follow students throughout their school years; Watch their accomplishments”

“The collaboration and teamwork amongst staff in the district! We have a great team!”

The 70th Jubilee Mass of Father Donald Hawes has been scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 11 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. In addition to celebrating 70 years as a priest, Father Donald is also celebrating his 95th birthday.

Donald John Hawes was born December 22, 1928 to John and Ellen (Conway) Hawes of Wexford (rural Lansing). He was baptized December 24, 1928 in Immaculate Conception Church, Wexford. Following the tragedy of his father’s sudden death May 9, 1935, his mother raised Donald and his siblings on the family farm.

Donald Hawes graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1949 and from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD in 1953. He received his sub-diaconate at St. Mary’s Seminary June 6, 1952. Father Donald Hawes was ordained a priest May 16, 1953 in Christ the King Chapel at Loras College, Dubuque.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa welcomed students of Kee High School in Lansing Tuesday morning, May 2 to the Senate steps of the U.S. Capitol. During the students’ Senior Trip to Washington, D.C., Grassley answered questions on the importance of bipartisanship, representative government, and internship opportunities in both his Washington and Iowa offices.

“I started my morning meeting with a group of students from Kee High School. I always enjoy hearing what Iowans have to say - particularly young people. Their views help me to better represent the people of Iowa. And of course, I’m happy to meet with a school that shares the school colors of my alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa Panther purple,” said Grassley. Official U.S. Senate photo by John Klemmer.
 

by Julie Berg-Raymond

John Danos, of Des Moines, with Dorsey & Whitney LLP, spoke to the Lansing City Council during its regular meeting Monday, May 1 about a complex of issues related to urban revitalization plans and tax abatement policies.

The council took no action on this item; it was offered as a first step toward further discussions about the possibility of passing a local tax abatement policy for housing development in Lansing. Danos, a frequent presenter on topics related to tax increment financing, economic development, municipal debt and complex local government issues, explained - among other topics - the differences between tax increment financing (TIF) and tax abatement policies, and between urban renewal and urban revitalization.

The Waukon girls golf team played in just one competition this past week, playing at the home of the defending Class 2A State Runner-Up New Hampton Chickasaws Monday, May 1. The perennial power Chickasaws turned in a nine-hole team total of 191 strokes on the windy day, but the Lady Indians played with only three golfers and were unable to compile their own team score.

The Lady Indians were next scheduled to play in their Northeast Iowa Conference Tournament Monday, May 8 at Waverly. The Waukon girls will then play in their Class 2A Regional Tournament Friday, May 12 at New Hampton.

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.

Nathan O’Neill wins 1600m NEIC crown, helps 4x800 do the same; Gulla is 800m NEIC champ

The Waukon boys track and field team wrapped up its season of regular scheduled events this past week, traveling to New Hampton to compete in a pair of meets. The first of those meets was the New Hampton Invitational Monday, May 1, where no team scores were able to be recorded, and the track Tribe then returned to New Hampton Thursday, May 4 for the Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) Meet, where the Indians finished third as a team and claimed a trio of NEIC event championships in the process.

The Indians are next scheduled to compete in their Class 2A State Qualifying Meet being held at Monticello this Thursday, May 11.

For more complete coverage, pick up this week's print edition or subscribe to our e-edition by clicking here.