Community News Stories

The Clayton County Food Shelf will be conducting its 24th annual “Souper Bowl Sunday” coming up on Sunday, February 12, 2023. Each church collects $1 from every parishioner as they leave worship the morning of the game. Donations may be mailed to Clayton County Food Shelf at P.O. Box 48 in St. Olaf. Last year 32 area congregations participated giving a total of $2,809.91. The Food Shelf will be using 100% of the funds raised to help feed the hungry in our county.

On Saturday, February 4th, the Fayette Take A Kid Outdoors (TAKO) chapter is holding their popular annual ice fishing event for kids of all ages. It’s free and open to families, regardless if they have ice fishing experience or not. This will be held from 9am-2pm at the Buelahland Campground, 22473 Abbey Rd., Elgin. It is located east of West Union on Hwy 56 and TAKO
signs will be posted to mark the road to the event.

Their will PROFESSIONAL ANGLERS AND STAFF to help. There will be ice augurs, tents, heaters, ice fishing poles, tackle, and bait available for those that do not have their own….or you can bring your own. Two-wheel drive vehicles need to park on the gravel or designated spots, and shuttles will be there for those who need assistance. Upon arrival, come to the campground
lodge to register and many door prizes will be given away at 11am in the heated lodge. This a great opportunity for anyone to experience and learn about ice fishing. Last year this drew a very large crowd, Please dress accordingly for the outdoors. Parents or guardians are expected to stay with the children during the event. For questions or information contact Fayette TAKO President Leif White at: 319-939-1567

Walleye Connection 2023

Decorah, IA to Lake of the Woods, MN

Risk Free Reservations:

Book by February 15th, a $300 deposit saves your space.  If you should need to cancel for Covid related reasons, your full deposit amount will be placed on account as a credit and can be used for one-year from the original trip date.

Cancellation Trip Protection:

Your final balance of $550, is due (30-days prior to trip) APRIL 21.  Covid related cancellations inside of 30-days get 100% trip credit for one-year from the original trip date.

Schedule (Sunday May 21 to Thursday May 25):

Day 1 depart Decorah at 700am, arrive to Ballard’s Resort 300pm, check-in, group orientation, complimentary welcome reception, evening dinner, lodging first night.  Day 2, 3, 4 700am breakfast, guided walleye fishing (800am to 400pm), lunch on the lake, evening dinner in the dining room, nightly lodging.  Day 5 600am breakfast, depart lodge at 700am, mid-day lunch served on the return coach, arrive to Decorah at 300pm.

Packages:

Lodging in cabins…  Each unit is complete with living room, two single beds per bedroom, bathroom, TV, towels, bedding, & daily maid service.  Based on availability and pricing, there are one, two, and three-bedroom cabins at hand for reservations.  Preference is to reserve each cabin for intact parties of two to six anglers.  Groups will also be matched when necessary to effectively utilize lodging space.

Guided walleye fishing…  Our 27 ft. Sportcrafts, (guide boats), include angling equipment, bait, tackle, on-board restroom facilities, ice, & fish processing.  The boats accommodate up to six anglers, plus Coast Guard licensed guide, & operate for an eight-hour day.   

American Plan meals…  This is a set daily menu with generous portions.  Dinners each evening.  Breakfasts every morning.  Sack lunches on the boat (group walleye shore lunch on day-two of fishing).

Luxury motorcoach…  Professional transportation is provided by WindStar Lines.  Gowindstar.com  Your vacation begins the second you climb aboard.  This (56) passenger deluxe model includes DVD – VCR video monitors, Wi-Fi capabilities, restroom facilities, & comfortable seating.  Socialize with friends, bring along a movie, read a book, relax, & share the adventures of group travel.

Not Included:

Beverages…  Bring a cooler to pack your own lunch & beverage for the ride up.  The cooler will also be used to transport your fish on the way home.  Other than breakfasts, you are responsible for your own beverages during the day on the boats and for dinners.  You can purchase beer, liquor, soda, bottled water, and N/A beverages at the lodge.

MN fishing license…  Purchase in advance dnr.state.mn.us, or at Ballard’s Resort on arrival.        

Gratuities…  Tips for the fishing guides, restaurant wait-staff, & daily housekeeping. 

Deposits Due: FEBRUARY 15      Final Payments Due: APRIL 21

          #218.634.1849                                                  BallardsResort.com

Canton Community Association/Santa Day

The Magic of Christmas in Canton, MN

Visit Santa’s Magical Lane from 4:30 to 6:30, take a photo with Santa and get a treat. Wagon Rides from 4:30 to 6:30. Hot Chocolate and popcorn served  by First Southeast Bank of Canton. Mail your letters to Santa and drop off your Food Shelf Item. The Lighted Parade starts at 6:30. Fun is had by All!!!

All Parade Entries welcome 

December 10, 2022   

Canton, MN

Santa Day and Lighted Parade

Spread some holiday cheer by joining the First Presbyterian Church members in organizing this years Waukon Holiday Parade on Thursday, December 8th at 7:00 PM.

Church members invite you to decorate any vehicle, float, side by side, or yourself and pet with lights and travel through downtown for this joyous event.  Lineup of parade entries will start at East Elementary School at 6:30 PM and follow the rescue vehicles to downtown.

Please register by December 1st.  Call Linda Mahr at 563-794-1663, or Bethany Ellingson at 563-568-9521.  All entries will be entered in a drawing for prizes.  There will also be a grand prize for the most festive float.  

United States (cpr.ca)

CP Holiday Train returns to the rails in support of community food banks after two-year hiatus

You can get advance tickets at LetterWerks, Red Roxy Quilty Shop, Barneys Bar and Grill, KVIK Studios in Decorah, and from any committee member! 

Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center together with the Postville Police Department K9 Xena will be hosting a Fun Night on Sunday – October 23rd from 6-8 PM
 
K9 Xena will be doing demonstrations of the work she does with Officer Sierra Fox.

• Bounce House
• Games
• Face Painting
• Hidden in Plain Site – demonstration
• Fraud Fighters Presentation
• Superhero Yoga for all ages
• Mobile Mama – Digital Safety
• 5-2-1-0 Information
• Lesly’s Taco Truck
• Snacks and fun!

Check out the NEIAWRC website and Facebook event page for detailed information closer to the event.
 
Parents are requested to participate with their child. All children must be signed in prior to the event.
 
Event will be held at NEIAWRC 313 W. Post Street Postville, Iowa
 
NEIAWRC & K9 Xena are 501 C 3 Nonprofits

WAUKON, IOWA (September 9) — Three natives of northeast Iowa are joining forces to host the Band Together for Good fundraiser on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Lakeside Ballroom and Sports Bar in Guttenberg, Iowa. Kyle Selberg of Lakeside, Mollie Marti of the nonprofit Worldmaker, and Rachelle Howe of the Mental Health Today are raising funds to support youth mental health and resilience programming in Allamakee County. All three of the organizers are natives of Waukon, Iowa who share a passion for supporting youth and families in their hometown.

The event will feature the band Triple Threat, a popular band in northeast Iowa. The event will run from 7p.m. – 11p.m., with the Lakeside Sports Bar opening for dinner at 5:30p.m. The evening will feature music and dancing, food and drink specials, a raffle, and silent auction. Entry is open to all, and a goodwill donation can be made at the door.

“When my partners, Ron Shorkey and Norie McCullick, and I bought the Lakeside Ballroom, giving back to the community was an important part of our vision,” said Selberg. “In the short time we’ve owned the Lakeside, we’ve hosted three major fundraisers. I’m personally excited that this one will be for my hometown and for such an important cause.”

The organizers are excited to welcome the Triple Threat band not only for its great music, but also because it mirrors their own collaboration. Selberg explains, “We were moving forward with another band and at the last minute, schedules shifted and then Triple Threat offered to help. We thought that’s actually quite perfect given how the three of us – with very different skill sets but a shared passion to support kids and mental health – are working together to do more good in our hometown.”

Rachelle Howe, who founded Mental Health Today in Waukon after the death of her husband by suicide, says that a lot of good has already been accomplished by working with Worldmaker, a nonprofit that provides education to help people prepare for, adapt to, and grow through adversity. “With the support of the Allamakee County Community Foundation and others, we have hosted seven free community sessions and we have eight more scheduled between now and the end of the year. The funds raised with the help of our new partner, Lakeside, are needed to complete this programming and build momentum into next year!”

“The community sessions, offered at no cost to participants, are one-hour workshops focused on a specific component of resilience, followed by refreshments and social time. The sessions are based on the THRIVE Resilience Model developed by Marti, a resilience researcher, after her community of Mount Vernon, Iowa lost three teens by suicide. “The workshops are designed to be fun while providing useful ways to deal with and overcome challenges,” she explains. “Worldmaker does the work of digging into the research and creating practical tools that people can use right away to strengthen themselves and help others.””

Howe says that the biggest surprise so far is how much this education is resonating with young people themselves. “It’s been great to see these sessions not only appeal to adults, but also to older teens. Our kids have so much going on these days and many are struggling. They’re really looking for tools to cope with stress in healthy ways and to be a better friend to someone in need.”