driftless
US POSTAGE PAID DECORAH, IA PERMIT #6
POSTAL CUSTOMER
www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 12
Veteran Flagpole Initiative seeks to honor northeast Iowa Vets
Maple Syrup preparation The fire is hot, and the fresh maple syrup and the signature maple candysugar is ready for the upcoming Maple Syrup Festival at Green’s Sugar Bush near Castalia.
Local Vet Doug Smith to receive region’s first VFI flagpole June 15 By Zach Jensen
The Green family has been harvesting sap from their maple trees and bottling syrup every year since 1851. Pictured are Jim Ludeking stoking the fire and Jeni (Green) Melcher bottling the fresh syrup. This year’s Maple Festival dates are Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, April 7. Serving hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
Volunteers erect the flagpole at the home of Vietnam Veteran Arvin Van Zee. (submitted)
A
representative from Veteran Flagpole Initiative (VFI), which installs flagpoles for Veterans across Iowa at no cost in honor of their service to the United States, will make a presentation about the organization from Monday, March 25 from 6 to 6:30 p.m., at the All Vets Club located at 104 State Street in Decorah. The public – especially Veterans, their families and friends – are invited to attend. According to the organization’s website, each 20-ft. telescopic flagpole is made of components strictly manufactured in the U.S., and both Iowa and the U.S. flags will be included. Atop each flagpole are small solar panels, which automatically power lights during the evening hours to illuminate the flags. VFI supplies and installs all flagpole assemblies free of charge, and Decorah Navy Veteran Doug Smith, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1977 in Decorah, said he was “blown away” when he was notified that he’d be the first northeast Iowa Veteran to be honored with a VFI flagpole. Smith said that in October 2023, his wife, Linda, saw something about VFI online, and out of curiosity, she clicked the link and completed a form, nominating her husband to be considered for the honor. Doug, who served in the U.S. Navy for 28 years, said VFI requested additional information about his military career, and he submitted it. But, it wasn’t until Christmas Day 2023 that he heard back from VFI. Doug and Linda were celebrating the holiday, when their phone rang. Linda answered and handed the phone to Doug. On the other end was Eric Dolash of VFI. “I know it’s Christmas Day,” Dolash said, “but I thought this would be
VFI continued on page 2
Monitoring firm dismissed Lansing bridge movements until it was too late Water taxi to help commuters cross Mississippi during repairs By Samantha Ludeking Sixty people were in attendance in person – in addition to many more who tuned in online – Thursday, March 14, at Lansing’s Meehan Memorial Library for the first monthly “Bridge Talk” since the Blackhawk Bridge was closed due to movement detected Feb. 25. Iowa DOT Project Manager Clayton Burke discussed the movement on the over 90-yearold bridge, the repairs being done to allow the bridge to reopen and how the damage has affected the construction of the new bridge. Closure Local residents Mark and Fred Rethwisch alerted authorities of visual changes on the
Wisconsin side of the bridge deck on Sunday, Feb. 25. “You could clearly see that there was a kink in the bridge,” said Burke, explaining what he saw upon arrival at the scene. “Something had obviously moved, and we didn’t know what condition the bridge was in, so we closed it to make sure that nothing additional happened.” A structural inspection firm was called in and found that the bridge had, in fact, moved. The existing pier six of the bridge moved six inches from north to south and settled five inches down into the ground. Pier seven moved as well, the firm found. “It was quite a bit of
Bridge decks have been removed from the east side of the Black Hawk bridge to make repairs to the piers underneath. In this photo taken Thursday, March 14 the removed decks can be seen on the south side on the bridge. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Samantha Ludeking)
Bridge
continued on page 5
Driftless area Easter Egg Hunts Many Driftless communities will host Easter Egg hunts in the following weeks. Please note that some hunts require fees and/or registration.
IOWA Cresco Sunday, March 24: 2 p.m. at Evans Memorial Home & Assisted Living. Saturday, March 30: 10 a.m. at Accura HealthCare. Decorah Sunday, March 24: 3 p.m.
at Will Baker Athletic Fields. Registration deadline is Monday, March 18. Register online at decorahparkrec.activityreg. com/selectactivity_t2.wcs Monday, April 1: 10:45 a.m. at Aase Haugen Senior Services starting at the solarium facing Ohio Street. Fort Atkinson Saturday, March 30: 10 a.m. at the Fort Atkinson Public Park. Hosted by the Fort Atkinson Public Library.
Harpers Ferry Saturday, March 30: 10 a.m. at the ballpark.
at Riverside Park. Hosted by the Calmar/Springfield Luther League.
Lansing Saturday, March 30: 1 p.m. at the Red Barn Campground & Restaurant.
Waukon Saturday, March 30: Register at 10 a.m., hunt at 10:30 a.m. at Waukon City Park.
Ridgeway Saturday, March 30: 9 a.m. at the ballpark. Hosted by the Lincoln Leaders 4-H Club.
West Union Saturday, March 23: 3 p.m. at Copper Creek Senior Living.
Spillville Saturday, March 30: 9 a.m.
MINNESOTA Harmony Saturday, March 30: 9:30-11
a.m. at the Harmony Community Center. Free movie at the JEM Theatre at 11 a.m. Hosted by Filmore Central ECFE. Lanesboro Saturday, March 23: 9 a.m. at Sylvan Park. Activities to follow in the lunchroom at Lanesboro Schools. Hosted by Lanesboro ECFE. Rushford Friday, March 29: 4 p.m. at Rushford Post 94 American Legion. Hosed by the
Rushford Legion Auxiliary. Spring Valley Sunday, March 24: 1:302:30 p.m. at Good Earth Village. Hosted by Spring Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.