Community News

Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m., the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will present another program from its Veterans History Project at its museum located at 105 Allamakee Street in Waukon. A video interview by Chuck Bloxham with U.S. Army veteran John Troendle will be played. Troendle will also be present to share comments and answer questions.

John Troendle enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 during the “Cold War” with the U.S.S.R. and was discharged in 1962. After basic training, he was assigned to an Army transportation company in Oklahoma. Troendle was then transferred to a transportation company at Fort Richardson in the newly admitted state of Alaska for a 14-month tour of duty.

After discharge, he returned to his hometown of Lansing and later moved to Waukon. Although retired from his employment, Troendle remains a long-time volunteer with the Boy Scouts, American Legion, and other community activities. His son Larry is also a U.S. Army veteran.

Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting an event honoring area veterans and those currently serving this Saturday, May 18 in observance of National Armed Forces Day. The honoring will take place at AJ Bar & Grill (previously called AJ Steakhouse) in Waukon, beginning at 1 p.m. Midwest Veterans of America will be honoring more than two dozen local veterans who have served their country in past years, along with seven individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board has scheduled the June Dairy Days Parade to be held in Waukon this year. The parade will be held Monday, June 3, beginning at 7 p.m.

Line-up for parade entries begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. The parade route will travel from the Fairgrounds south on Allamakee Street to the stoplight intersection, where it will turn right and head west on Main Street to 2nd Street NW. Another right turn will take the parade up 2nd Street NW to Eighth Avenue NW, with the parade route turning right again and heading east back to the Fairgrounds.

The Allamakee County Dairy Promotion Board  will be setting up its dairy wagon at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Allamakee County Economic Development parking lot on Main Street and serving from 4 p.m. until finished. For more information, contact Kerri Gibbs at 563-419-2260.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, May 13 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of setting the Fiscal-Year 2025 Medical Flex maximum and FSA (flexible spending account) carryover per IRS (Internal Revenue Service) changes, the consideration of setting the effective date for Township Official pay rate increases, and the discussion and consideration of hiring temporary part-time employees for the Secondary Roads Department.

The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Mark Reiser and Dennis Keatley present. There was no Public Comment during the time allotted for that agenda item.

The 3rd Annual Ben Kerndt Memorial Fishing Tournament will be taking to the open water this weekend after the tournament’s traditional ice fishing format was not possible this past winter due to unfavorable ice conditions in February. All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Lansing Fire Department.

This year’s tournament is scheduled to be an open water and bow fishing tournament. Bow fishing can begin Friday night, May 17, and the open water tournament begins at daybreak Saturday, May 18, with all fishing done on Pool 9 of the Mississippi River. Weigh-in will take place from 2-2:45 p.m. at the Lansing Fire Station at 51 North Front Street in Lansing with awards to follow.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met twice within a week including a special session Wednesday, May 1 and regular session Monday, May 6. The coverage of both of those meetings is below.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1
During the Wednesday, May 1 special session, CEO Michael Coyle of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) provided an overview to the board of the proposed change from the hospital’s current electronic health records (EHR) system to the EPIC EHR system to allow improved compatibility with other health care providers.

The Corner of Hope Growing Hope Globally growing project held its annual Blessing of the Seed and Soil Saturday morning, April 27 to kick off the 2024 growing season. Following a night of much-needed rain, the event was held at the field of the Sweeney brothers on State Highway 9 north of Waukon. Reverend Cathy Jurgens from Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon performed this year’s blessing. Submitted photo.
 

Sunday evening, April 14, prior to their regularly scheduled monthly meeting, the 4-H Toppers and family members completed a spring clean-up service project at the Waterville Community Center. Under the direction of the Waterville Recreation Committee, 4-H members raked leaves, picked up sticks, pulled weeds and washed signs. For more information or to join 4-H, contact Marissa Foels at the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office by email at mfoels@iastate.edu or by phone at 563-568-6345, or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h. Submitted photo.
 

A husband and wife pair of Waukon High School graduates who left their mark at their alma mater as multi-sport stand-out athletes are now looking to provide to others in their hometown community a foundation for that same opportunity for success with the opening of their new fitness facility in Waukon, 222 Trained.

Newly opened at 801 West Main Street in Waukon following a grand opening event held this past Friday, May 3, owners Shawn and Jordan (Snitker) Cunningham describe their new 222 Trained facility as “a community-focused gym, where we’re dedicated to realizing the potential of our members.”

For the second year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Toe Tappers as part of the musical line-up, all held Friday evening, May 10, from 6-11 p.m. The event will be held at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon. Cash food and beverages sales will be offered throughout the event.

Many of the returning BBF musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers and John Withers, who have spearheaded this project the last two years. Oldest brother, Bill, is the event coordinator. Bandmates Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett, Joel Anderson, Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen will reunite with them again this year.