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Tue
21
Jul

Artist traverses upper Mississippi in shantyboat interviewing river people

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 10:36

Artist and University of California, Santa Cruz graduate student Wes Modes stopped in the area late last week, gathering stories from local river people for his multi-year art and history project, “A Secret History of American River People.” For the last two summers, Modes and occasional first mates, as well as dog Hazel, have traveled the upper Mississippi on a homemade shantyboat. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Artist and University of California, Santa Cruz graduate student Wes Modes stopped in the area late last week, gathering stories from local river people for his multi-year art and history project, “A Secret History of American River People.”

At the start of last summer, Modes set out on the upper Mississippi River, at Minneapolis, on a homemade shantyboat, hoping to collect the lost narratives of people who live and work on the river. Tales of shantyboaters on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers were a major inspiration behind the project, Modes said. While he could have chosen other rivers or areas throughout the country to spotlight, he felt the Mississippi was the best place to start.

Tue
21
Jul

Loss of Holiday Shores hotel/motel tax revenue puts city, chamber in a bind

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 10:35

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The closure of the Holiday Shores Motel in McGregor last month puts the city of McGregor, and thus the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce, in a funding bind. 

According to city administrator Lynette Sander, who spoke to the council at its regular meeting July 15, the motel annually contributed an estimated $15,400 in hotel/motel tax revenue. The city pulls in around $30,000 in hotel/motel tax annually, two-thirds of which goes to the chamber. In budget year 2014-2015, the chamber received $20,629 in funding via the tax. Based on projections for 2015-2016, if the same funding model is used, the chamber would see a roughly $10,000 shortfall.

Tue
21
Jul

Monona pool to close for season Aug. 23, pet swim is Aug. 29

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 10:34

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Linda Gullickson updated the Monona City Council on the Monona Family Aquatic Center July 20, at the city’s second monthly meeting, noting that the pool will close for the season on Sunday, Aug. 23. The pet swim is planned for Saturday, Aug. 29.

Gullickson said the pool recently faced pump issues, which forced the cancellation of swimming lessons one day last week. Although the issue was taken care of for now, the council agreed it would be nice to establish more of a maintenance program for the pool in order to prevent problems. They also noted pool improvements might be a good community fundraiser following completion of the library project, as the aquatic center is now 11 years old.

Tue
21
Jul

Annual Great River Car Show and Cruise held July 18 in McGregor

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 10:32

The annual Great River Car Show and Cruise, put on by the McGregor Achievement Club, was held Saturday, July 18, in McGregor. The event had a total of 54 cars, including this 1960 Austin Healey entered by Mike Borwig of Swisher, which took home first place in the sports car category and was the McGregor mayor’s choice. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

The annual Great River Car Show and Cruise, put on by the McGregor Achievement Club, was held July 18 in McGregor. The event had a total of 54 car show entrants.

First- through third-place winners in each category included:

Classic Car

Robert (Chopper) Thornton, McGregor, 1956 Chevy 150 Wagon

Jeremy Wemark, Calmar, 1965 Buick Grand Sport 

Doug Farley, McGregor, 1963 Chevy Impala

Antique Car

Tue
14
Jul

Monona Butterfly Garden and Trail celebrates 15 years of educating, beautifying community

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 14:50

For 15 years, the Monona Butterfly Garden and Trail has given local residents the opportunity to exercise and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Area pollinators, like bees and butterflies, enjoy the flowers, too. (Photos by Jim Langhus)

The 15th anniversary of the Butterfly Garden and Trail will be celebrated with an open house Saturday morning, July 18.

“We’ve had wonderful help, with people giving money, time, ideas and plants,” said Monona Butterfly Garden and Trail volunteer Shirley Seitz, calling it a true community endeavor.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Fifteen years ago, the site that is now home to the Butterfly Garden and Trail, on West Davis Street, in Monona, wasn’t filled with a brightly-colored array of flowers and butterflies. Rather, it featured street drainage along with dangers like an exposed sewer and a phone line that was uncovered in four places, collecting refuse.

“It was a dumping ground,” said Butterfly Garden and Trail volunteer Shirley Seitz. “It was a place you told kids to stay away from.”

Tue
14
Jul

Garden View has provided easy transition for residents for 10 years

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 14:47

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

For 10 years, Garden View Senior Community in Monona has helped ease the transition for residents moving from their own homes to assisted living.

“Nobody ever wants to leave their home, but we allow [residents] to come in and make their apartments theirs,” said Garden View Executive Director Randee Blietz. “The goal is to make it as smooth as possible.”

Garden View opened in 2005, after a community survey found a need for an assisted living option in the area, explained Florence Bruns, who was part of the building committee and has lived at Garden View since 2008.

Tue
14
Jul

Mar-Mac PD searching for new officer

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 14:46

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

On July 7, the Mar-Mac Public Safety Commission accepted the resignation of officer Dylan Rumph, who took a position with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office after nine years with Mar-Mac.

“Thanks for giving me my start,” Rumph told the commission. “I enjoyed my time here.”

Tue
07
Jul

Moyna, Boylen share Russian adventure

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 11:28

Wetlands Centre Director Katrina Moyna (left) and Wetlands Centre board member and MFL MarMac teacher Scott Boylen (second from right), pose with Russian hosts Elena and Igor by Lake Itkul, in Khakassky State Nature Reserve. The two visited Russia June 12-20 through the Russia-USA Wetland Center Exchange Program. (Submitted photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

On July 1, Driftless Area Wetlands Centre Director Katrina Moyna and Wetlands Centre board member and MFL MarMac teacher Scott Boylen spoke about their recent visit to Russia, from June 12-20, through the Russia-USA Wetland Center Exchange Program: Linking People and Wetlands project.

The Wetlands Centre in Marquette was one of three wetlands centers in the United States chosen to participate in the project, which seeks to identify shared challenges organizations in the U.S. and Russia face in regard to wetlands education and outreach.

Tue
07
Jul

Presenters share culture, artistry at Emma Big Bear event

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 11:26

At the Emma Big Bear Birthday celebration July 5, Melanie Sainz showed off her Ho-Chunk regalia, including moccasins, leggings, a skirt, blouse, necklaces and hair wrap created by herself and female relatives over the years. By donning the pieces, she said it allows her to reminisce about the memories connected to each one. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Terry Landsgaard shows off some of the unique Emma Big Bear baskets in his collection.“Hers are so characteristic,” he said, telling attendees of the distinguishing factors between Emma’s and other Ho-Chunk baskets. “That’s what I find different about her from others. It’s the character, variety and patina.”

Spencer Lone Tree, of Postville, another Emma Big Bear relative, rounded out the presentation, singing some of his music, including one song he played for Emma as a young man. He also spoke about his books, which tell of a fictional Ho-Chunk boy named Night Sun. Through his writing, Lone Tree shares Ho-Chunk history imparted from his parents and grandparents.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

In an event sponsored by the Emma Big Bear Foundation, Emma Big Bear’s 146th birthday was celebrated in Marquette July 5, with several informative presentations by speakers Melanie Sainz, Terry Landsgaard and Spencer Lone Tree. 

Tue
07
Jul

Monona Council receives update from MCED

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 11:22

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Speaking to the Monona City Council July 6, Monona Chamber and Economic Development Executive Director Rogeta Halvorson said she was pleased with this year’s Hay Days celebration, held June 19-20.

“I loved having it back downtown,” noted Halvorson, who helped promote the event and was part of the Hay Days committee. She said she received several nice comments from attendees.

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