Local News

Error message

Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Tue

Aug

Reworked program Planting seeds of conservation in NE Iowa

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/06/2019 - 11:43

A new cooperative program will look at a number of conservation topics, including tallgrass prairies. The program combines on-line sessions with field experiences.

A new cooperative program will look at a number of conservation topics, including tallgrass prairies. The program combines on-line sessions with field experiences.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

A 20-year-old program for people who want to be more connected to the land has been redesigned to leverage state and local specialists on topics ranging from tallgrass prairies to aquatic ecosystems.

The Iowa Master Conservationist program for Northeast Iowa begins Thursday, August 22, and continues through October 3. It combines online lessons led by Iowa State University researchers with with local conservation leaders and citizens.

“There will be a number of a-ha moments,” promises Jenna Pollock, Clayton County Conservation Director. “And everyone involved will learn from the program. Those with an interest in nature, water quality, soil health, forestry and eco-systems will gain skills that can be applied to their own property, workplace and volunteer opportunities. The knowledge shared by a diverse group of specialists will help participants make educated decisions in their everyday life.”

Tue

Jul

Business Spotlight Son, grandson continue Bob Grau’s legacy

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 11:08

Chris Grau, left, and his son, Pat, are the second and third generation foresters of a sawmill established by Chris’ father, Bob, in 1948. The Graus help landowners make solid decisions about harvesting their woodlands.

Chris Grau, left, and his son, Pat, are the second and third generation foresters of a sawmill established by Chris’ father, Bob, in 1948. The Graus help landowners make solid decisions about harvesting their woodlands.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

It started as most new business ventures do—with a dream.

Robert Grau dreamed of working directly with landowners to show them how to make money from their trees while also preserving their woodlands for generations to come. He decided that the only way to realize his dream was to start his own sawmill.

Bob grew up in western Iowa, served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and earned a degree in forestry at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University). He worked as a forester with the Extension Service for a short time before his love for the heavily wooded bluffs of Northeast Iowa drew him to Clayton County. With his GI insurance and a loan from the local bank he purchased a used sawmill and a couple of used trucks. In August of 1948 he bought four acres of land on the east edge of Elkader and started Grau Logs and Lumber.

Wed

Jul

Business Spotlight Good times brewing at new taproom

Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 08:51

Deb Winter, owner of Deb’s Brewtopia, has recently opened a taproom to serve the beer she’s been brewing in the historic Clayton County Register building since 2011. The taproom is open Thursdays through Sundays.

Deb Winter, owner of Deb’s Brewtopia, has recently opened a taproom to serve the beer she’s been brewing in the historic Clayton County Register building since 2011. The taproom is open Thursdays through Sundays.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

Award-winning brewster Deb Winter has found herself in the last place she ever wanted to be—and she couldn’t be happier about it.

A few years ago, when Deb first began brewing beer in the old Clayton County Register building, several people suggested she serve her product there, as well. She dismissed the idea because she doesn’t like the raucous crowds that often gather in drinking establishments. She wanted to brew beer, not run a bar.

“People reassured me, ‘It won’t be like that,’ they said. ‘It’ll just be a nice place for people to gather and relax.’ I guess I was finally convinced,” Deb recalled. “I took a short break from brewing, made some changes in here and opened the taproom in mid-May.”

Comfortable but unpretentious, the taproom has quickly become a favorite gathering spot, exceeding Deb’s greatest expectations.

Tue

Jul

Looking back First moonwalk left lasting impression

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/16/2019 - 09:43

Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot of the first lunar landing mission, poses for a photograph on the lunar surface taken by fellow astronaut Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong. The Lunar Module (LM) is on the left, and the footprints of the astronauts are clearly visible in the soil of the moon. The 50th anniversary of the moonwalk is July 20.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

There are a handful of historically significant experiences that stand above all other events in our shared identity as Americans. These are the moments we always remember. Despite the passage of time, we still respond in great detail when someone asks “Do you remember where you were when. . . .”
This month, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of one such defining moment: The first moonwalk, which took place on July 20, 1969. At 9:30 p.m. CDT, astronauts Neil Armstrong and “Buzz” Aldrin put on their bulky moon suits, wriggled out of a square opening in the lunar module, and backed down a ladder onto the moon’s surface. Back home, 600 million people watched as Armstrong took those first steps and spoke these memorable words: “That’s one small step for man. . .one giant leap for mankind.”

Tue

Jul

New projects at Osborne Grants benefit schoolhouse, Nature Center

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/09/2019 - 09:16

One of two grants recently received by Clayton County Conservation will be used to create interpretive panels for the 1908 schoolhouse in Pioneer Village.

One of two grants recently received by Clayton County Conservation will be used to create interpretive panels for the 1908 schoolhouse in Pioneer Village.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

The Clayton County Conservation Board has been awarded two grants totaling more than $9,300 from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Funds will be used to research, design, print, and install interpretive panels near the schoolhouse in Pioneer Village and to create murals for the Nature Center.

Tue

Jul

Public art takes root Flower garden blossoms on building exterior

Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/02/2019 - 11:05

Upper Iowa University art student Jordyn Brennan puts the final touches an a large mural on the south side of the Fire Farm building. Her work has caught the attention of Elkader residents and visitors, many of who stopped to chat with her during the weeks-long project.

Upper Iowa University art student Jordyn Brennan puts the final touches an a large mural on the south side of the Fire Farm building. Her work has caught the attention of Elkader residents and visitors, many of who stopped to chat with her during the weeks-long project.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

In a move as innovative as the products his company designs and sells, Fire Farm owner Adam Pollock has commissioned a mural for one side of his downtown Elkader office building. Upper Iowa University art student Jordyn Brennan has spent the past few weeks transforming the concrete “canvas” into a colorful, larger-than-life flower garden. She’s even added a nod to one of the town’s special festivals: Her garden includes several giant milkweeds.

“This is my first really big project,” said Jordyn, a native of Hortonville, WI. Usually I can carry around the pieces I do but, of course, there’s no doing that with this one. I’ve been taking lots of pictures, though. My mom’s pretty excited about it.”

Tue

Jun

Central School update Construction project is moving along

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 15:37

Central Superintendent Nick Trenkamp stands in the still-to-be-completed high school media center to show the expansive view students will have from the new area.

Central Superintendent Nick Trenkamp stands in the still-to-be-completed high school media center to show the expansive view students will have from the new area.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

Students and teachers might be gone but work continues at Central Schools, where a $6 million capital improvements project is ahead of schedule and right on budget.

“Hopefully, the whole project will be done by the beginning of the school year,” said Central Superintendent Nick Trenkamp. “There’s a lot of work to accomplish this summer but if it can be done it puts a three-year project done in two—and as of today, right on budget!”

Trenkamp gives all of the credit to Larson Construction, who he says has worked diligently to find cost-effective solutions to unforeseen problems like walls hidden behind other walls, which has happened more that a few times.
“With a building that has been pieced together over a long period of time, we have run into many unexpected circumstances,” Trenkamp added.

Tue

Jun

Elkader’s Farmers’ Market Two locations grow from disagreement

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 10:06

Dawn Amundson has decided to stay with the city-supported Farmers’ Market that moved this spring to Founders Park, Elkader.

Angela Keppler moved from downtown to a spot on Highway 13 at the Fast Tak gas station and convenience store.

Angela Keppler moved from downtown to a spot on Highway 13 at the Fast Tak gas station and convenience store.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

Growing concern over changes to the Elkader Farmers’ Market has resulted in a second location for purchasing produce, baked goods and other items. And while it may not be ideal, vendors and customers alike say they are making the best of the situation.
“I miss being on the corner and all of the activity we had there,” said Dawn Amundson, who is selling farm fresh eggs and crafts from the new city-supported location in Founders Park. “I think people, especially visitors to town, saw us on their way to the bakery and stopped for that reason.”

Amanda Keppler, a long-time Farmers’ Market vendor, also had concerns about the new location. She decided to start a second market located north of Elkader on Highway 13 in a wide grassy patch off the Fast Trak parking lot.

Tue

Jun

Business Spotlight Restaurant owner nabs two top awards

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 08:43

Matt McClane, owner of the Clayton Lighthouse, received this award from the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Board as well as another top award from the Clayton County Cattlemen.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

It’s been a banner 16 months for Matt McClane. The Guttenberg man opened the Clayton Lighthouse Restaurant and Bar in March 2018. Since then he has earned top awards from two commodity groups: Last fall, he received the Golden Steak Knife Award from the Clayton County Cattlemen and in April, he was the recipient of the Dairy Best Award from the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Board.

Though the Lighthouse is McClane’s first restaurant, he’s no stranger to the hospitality business.

“My parents ran the Stadium Bar and Grill for 15 years while I was in school, and that’s what sparked the interest in opening a restaurant of my own,” McClane said. “I had been looking for an opportunity for a few years and when the Lighthouse came up for sale I knew it was the perfect project for me.”

The restaurant had been closed for a number of years so the first order of business was general clean

Tue

Jun

“Sew” much fun Women stitch together memories, quilts

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 09:42

Several members of a quilting group were on hand recently to talk about their unique projects. They are, left to right: Ellen Clinton, Debby Fischer, Jillian Miller, Sandy Phillips, Kris Sass and Donna Baumler.

Several members of a quilting group were on hand recently to talk about their unique projects. They are, left to right: Ellen Clinton, Debby Fischer, Jillian Miller, Sandy Phillips, Kris Sass and Donna Baumler.

By Pam Reinig
Register Editor

A Garnavillo woman has found a new use for the organizational skills that made her an exceptional nurse.

Debby Fischer, who is retired from the former Central Community Hospital, Elkader, has pulled together a group of 12 women with an interest in quilting. Their goal is to complete 13 quilts this year—one for each member and one for the hospital auxiliary to sell.

But the quilting project has a unique twist: Each woman is making one row of each quilt. By year’s end, each member will have a finished, queen-sized quilt made by 12 different people.

You are here

Local News

Error message

Pages