Times-Register

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

Apr

Marquette Cobblestone honored for best guest experience

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/14/2015 - 13:05

Stephen Woebbeking and Abby Katschkowsky show off the award the Cobblestone Inn and Suites of Marquette/Prairie du Chien recently received for best guest experience for the first quarter of 2015. Other employees who contributed to the hotel’s success but are not pictured include Vinnie Miller, Ana Cook, Morgan Whittaker, Josy Ziegler, Brock Ziegler, Mariha Finney-Crass, Cristal Larson and Teri Blotz. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The Cobblestone Inn and Suites of Marquette/Prairie du Chien was recently honored with the hotel chain’s best guest experience award for the year’s first quarter.

The Marquette location picked up the traveling award after garnering the highest average score from customer-submitted online surveys that ask about the hotel’s check-ins, cleanliness, breakfast, friendliness and overall experience.

General manager Stephen Woebbeking, who took over at the Marquette location in Dec. 2014, admitted the award was a surprise.

Tue

Apr

Creative Enz nail spa opens

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/14/2015 - 13:04

Creative Enz Salon and Spa in McGregor opened its new nail spa last week. With an additional pedicure chair, the space will work well for wedding parties, groups and spa days. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Creative Enz Salon and Spa in McGregor has expanded in both size and offerings with the opening of a nail spa last week. The new nail spa is located next door to the current salon, in the building that most recently housed the store the Purple Iris.

“We needed more room for the business to expand and grow,” shared Genna Welch, who opened Creative Enz on Main Street in 2005.

Mon

Apr

Judith F. “Judy” Franz

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 13:53

Judith F. “Judy” Franz, 67 of Iowa City died Thursday, April 9, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Tue

Apr

Mar-Mac area looks to capitalize on geotourism

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 12:37

Geotourism is the new buzz word around the McGregor and Marquette area thanks to National Geographic’s new Mississippi River Corridor Geotourism Program. The term, according to National Geographic, means “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Geotourism is the new buzz word around the McGregor and Marquette area thanks to National Geographic’s new Mississippi River Corridor Geotourism Program.

The term, according to National Geographic, means “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.”

Tue

Apr

Schlein retires from Monona Fire Department after 32 years

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 12:35

After 32 years and seven months of service, including 13 as chief, on the Monona Volunteer Fire Department, Daryl Schlein retired this year. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

After 32 years and seven months of service on the Monona Volunteer Fire Department, Daryl Schlein retired this year.

Of that time, 13 years were spent as chief, a role he relinquished a year and a half ago.

“It was nice to get to be a firefighter again for that time,” said Schlein, a Monona native who was encouraged to join the department by friends.

The biggest thing about being involved with the fire department, he said, is that one is always learning.

“You learn more and more over the years,” he noted. “Now, there’s more training and commitment. You need 24 hours of training each year.”

Tue

Apr

Dollar General store may come to Monona

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 12:33

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

A Dollar General store may set up shop in Monona. The city council discussed an offer from the company to purchase a city lot along Highway 18 and 52, up the road from Fisk’s Farm and Home and the car wash, at Monday night’s meeting.

The company had considered other locations around the city, finally settling on this site, which the council said will need extensive fill work in order to be habitable.

“It’s going to take a company like this to do anything with that site,” commented councilman Dan Havlicek.

Tue

Mar

Canoers stop in McGregor on way north in ‘Rediscovering North America’ trip

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:48

Luke Kimmes and Winchell Delano were two members of a group of six canoers that paddled into McGregor last Wednesday on the way north in their “Rediscovering North America” trip from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. The journey will take the group through 10 states, five Canadian provinces, 11 rivers and 5,200 miles. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

The “Rediscovering North America” group paddled into McGregor mid-day Wednesday, a little cold and wet after spending a slushy night camped on an island across from Clayton. McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carolyn Gallagher reached out to them several weeks ago, inviting them to spend the night, an offer they readily accepted.

“It’s good to have beds and hospitality along the way,” shared Dan Flynn, noting that stopping in communities like McGregor gives them something to look forward to, breaking up the monotony of time on the river.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

A group of six canoers made a pit stop in McGregor last Wednesday on the way north in their “Rediscovering North America” trip.

The trip, which includes six friends (Adam Trigg, Winchell Delano, Dan Flynn and John Keaveny, all originally of Minnesota, and Jarrad Moore and Luke Kimmes, both Iowa natives) traversing 10 states, five Canadian provinces, 11 rivers and 5,200 miles, began in the Mississippi Delta near Burras, La., at the start of 2015. The nine-month trek will end at the Arctic Ocean.

Tue

Mar

McGregor Troop 32 continues to churn out Eagle Scouts

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:43

Since Jim Farnsworth (left) and Tom Sinclair took over as assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster, respectively, of McGregor’s Troop 32, 29 Boy Scouts have become Eagle Scouts. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Situated along the Mississippi River, McGregor sees its share of eagles, and not just of the bird variety. Over the past 20 years, 29 Boy Scouts—as many as five in one year—have earned the rank of Eagle. Several more are working toward scouting’s highest rank this year.

Tom Sinclair and Jim Farnsworth have presided over McGregor’s Troop 32 as scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster, respectively, since 1989. McGregor’s abundant Eagle population is indicative of hardworking boys and supportive parents, they said.

Tue

Mar

Law enforcement personnel recognized for defusing potentially-lethal situation

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:41

Guttenberg Police Officer Derek Chambers (left), Clayton County Jail Administrator Chad Werger and MarMac Police Officer Dylan Rumph were recognized March 26 for defusing a potentially-lethal situation on March 21. (Photo by Pat McTaggart)

By Pat McTaggart, Freelance Writer

Three Clayton County law enforcement personnel were recognized March 26 for defusing a potential lethal situation.

MarMac Police Officer Dylan Rumph, Guttenberg Police Officer Derek Chambers and Jail Administrator Chad Werger responded to an ongoing domestic violence incident at 3:24 a.m. on March 21 after the victim called 911. The dispatcher heard the subject say he had a gun.

Tue

Mar

Sweet success

Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/24/2015 - 13:16

Erwin Ruff shows off some of the maple syrup created at Ruff’s Sugar Bush this spring. He and his family have made maple syrup on their farm outside McGregor for the past 50 years. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Two spouts are drilled into each maple tree at Ruff’s Sugar Bush. The sap is collected each day and transferred into a tank pulled by a tractor, which takes it to the cooking shed.

Erwin said he tapped 30 to 40 trees in the beginning, but the number has now grown to 400.

The sap is then transferred into these two tanks behind the building where the cooker is located. Gravity takes the sap through a tube that goes through the wall and into the cooker.

Erwin peers into the cooker, which separates the pure syrup from the sap through a boiling process.

Erwin Ruff shows the material that is strained off the syrup before it is bottled for consumption.

Ruff’s Sugar Bush has made maple syrup for 50 years

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Spring is one of the sweetest times of the year for Erwin Ruff. Literally. For the past 50 years, he and his family have made maple syrup on their farm outside McGregor.

It started as a hobby, Erwin said, adding that he’d had no experience tapping trees before he and wife Eileen, who have eight kids, gave it a try soon after arriving on their farm.

“It was curiosity,” he said. “We were outdoor people.”

You are here

Times-Register

Error message

Pages