Times-Register

Lavon Martins, 92, of Postville, died Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society in Waukon. Lavon was born Sept. 4, 1928, to Larry and Bessie (Segrist) Ewing in Franklin Township. She was baptized on April 17, 1938, and confirmed on Oct. 2, 1955. She attended Forest Mills Country School and graduated from Waukon High School.

Lavon was united in marriage with Virgil Walter Martins on Feb. 13, 1955, at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville. Lavon worked at Douglas Drug Store and was a farm wife. She enjoyed dancing, playing cards, having coffee with her sister, Lola, going to sales and doing ceramics. 

Surviving Lavon are many family members on both the Ewing and Martins side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; her parents, Larry and Bessie Ewing; and one sister, Lola Mork.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

“Ga. Ga. Go!”

MFL MarMac third graders chant the words as physical education teacher Chet Bachman bounces a kickball three times, then lets it loose in a black-walled octagon set up on the stage in the high school gym. The students, spaced around the edge of the structure, jockey for position, hoping for a chance to smack the ball—or avoid being hit by it.

“If the ball hits you below the knees, you’re out. That’s the number one rule,” Bachman said. “You have to hit it open-handed, and you can even hit it with two hands, anywhere you want. You just can’t grab it. You can’t stop the ball and guide it, and you can’t kick it either.”

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Luana Stiemke has joined the McGregor Public Library as its new children’s librarian. Stiemke takes over for Jane Lundquist, who retired last month after 15 years in the position.

The job is a perfect fit for Stiemke, who has a varied background that includes time as a teacher, daycare provider and parks and recreation employee.

“I was an assistant children’s librarian in Sparta, Wis., in the 1990s,” she said, “and it was one of my favorite jobs.”

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The highlight of Elkader’s recent city council meeting was the topic of snow removal and whether to raise the rate and by how much. 

Currently, it costs $1 per lineal foot to remove the snow off downtown sidewalks during times of heavy accumulation, typically two inches or more. One city council member declared this to be “a good deal,” but during the meeting, members discussed raising it. While $2 was suggested, they settled on $1.50.