All things living and breathing, spiritual and earthly
For indigenous leader Prosper Waukon and his family, community goes far beyond people.
By Denise Lana
Many readers may recall an award-winning television commercial that began airing in the 1970s on behalf of the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign – a Native American Indian was shown crying, a teardrop running down his face, as he witnessed people littering along highways and leaving garbage in streams. Although it was eventually criticized for stereotyping American Indian people among other issues, it was heralded for representing their plight against the destruction of land and environment.
Five decades later and lightyears away from that commercial, accomplished indigenous leader and community figurehead Prosper Waukon has similarly devoted his life to keeping his tribe’s traditions and practices alive, including a long-standing respect for every living thing around us that makes up our “community.”
Waukon and his family in front of the last standing subagency cabin near the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel. Pictured l-r: wife Jan Waukon, Prosper Waukon, daughter Margaret Mary Waukon, great-granddaughter Luna Lazulie Waukon-Martinez, granddaughter Ciarrah Reine Waukon-Latraile, granddaughter Hannah Dream Waukon-Wolf and grandson Takotah-Spirit Waukon-Latraile.
During his recent visit to Decorah for the city’s 175th anniversary celebration, Prosper, the great-great-great grandson of Chief Waukon Decorah, paid a visit to the Turkey River area in St. Lucas. Accompanied by his wife, daughter, three grandchildren and great-grandchild, Prosper addressed a small crowd of local history aficionados who were eager to hear more from him.
As the group gathered at the World’s Smallest Church in Festina, Prosper spoke slowly but with confidence and power, describing
Prosper Waukon continued on page 8
‘Bright Star’ Hit bluegrass musical this weekend in Decorah
By Roz Weis
New Minowa Players is bringing the hit Broadway musical “Bright Star” to Decorah this summer.
Directors said the show is the perfect summer musical: a sweeping story of love and redemption set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s and supported by the bright and authentic sound of bluegrass music. The production is inspired by a true story and features a Tony-nominated score by Steve
Martin and Edie Brickell. When editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from WWII, he awakens in her a need to understand some painful experiences in her past. With Billy’s help, she sets out on a journey to unravel the mystery. What she finds is a surprise that has the power to transform both of their lives.
“Bright Star” will be performed at the Decorah High School Auditorium on June 27, 28 and 29, at 7 p.m., and on June 30, at 2 p.m.
Standing room only for Driftless Water Defenders inaugural meeting
By Zach Jensen
Nearly 200 Decorah area residents attended the inaugural meeting of the Driftless Water Defenders (DWD) Saturday, June 15, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to listen to author, activist and retired sci-
fishing and swimming.
entist Chris Jones share what he knows about Iowa’s declining water quality.
Jones is the president of DWD, an Iowa non-profit corporation, which advocates, educates and litigates to defend Iowa citizens’ fundamental right to access clean water for their homes, businesses and recreational needs.
push forward with needed clean water advocacy.”
“Iowans have a fundamental right to clean water,” said Jones. “Iowa’s water quality is getting worse, and we need organized citizen involvement if we’re going to turn things around. DWD’s members will
At the meeting, Jones described and answered questions about the deteriorating condition of lakes, aquifers, streams and rivers in Iowa’s Driftless area — some of which are becoming unsafe for drinking,
High nitrate pollution levels have been linked by research scientists to various cancers and are directly harmful to wildlife.
Information presented at the meeting said Iowa currently has the second highest rate of cancer of any U.S. state, and that
cancer rate is rising faster than in any other state. Nitrate pollution feeds algae blooms, which kill fish and can poison humans with cyanotoxins.
Driftless water continued on page 3
Sarah Brandt stars as Alice in “Bright Star”. In this scene she is surrounded by some “spirits”. From left: Nessa Kane, Alex Kane, Violet Hatfield and Sydney Landstrom. (Not pictured: Hallie Johnson and Jenna Hartz).
A romantic scene features Emily Schmidt and Carston Krieg. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
Retired Reverend Terry Landsgaard (left), an avid historian of Winnebago and Ho Chunk history, shared stories with great-great-great-grandson of Chief Waukon Decorah, Prosper Waukon (second left), and family members while visiting St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, known as the “World’s Smallest Church”.
Prosper Waukon speaks during a visit to the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel near St. Lucas. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Denise Lana)
Prosper
Fundraiser to lay foundation for new Waucoma Fire Station
By Mike Van Sickle
With the assistance of the Lynch Family Foundation, the Waucoma Fire Department and First Responders/EMS will officially begin fundraising for the construction of a new fire station Wednesday, June 26. The Lynch Family Foundation will match up to $25,000 raised during the upcoming fundraiser.
“The Waucoma firefighters and first responders are an important asset to the community and we are extremely pleased for the opportunity to help kick off their fundraising,” Lynch Family Foundation coordinator Melissa Blockhus said. “All donations will aid in providing further support for our local fire department and first responders.”
The June 26 event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., at the current Waucoma fire station. A meal, including hot dogs, brats, chips and cookies, will be provided. In addition to fire trucks, a Fayette County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle, Westgate ambulance, a farm tractor and semi tractor will be on hand for children of all ages to view and have an opportunity to sit in. The department’s grain rescue equipment will also be on display.
Additionally, the Pink Heals Eastern Iowa fire truck from Vinton will be on site. Pink Heals is a national organization that promotes cancer awareness. Those in attendance can add their signatures to the countless others on the pink fire truck. Many of the signatures are from cancer survivors, those continuing their fight against the disease, or in memory of someone.
The Waucoma Fire Department currently consists of 22 firefighters and two cadets, who have a combined total of 419 years of service. Meanwhile, the first responders/EMS total 12 adult and four cadet members. Many of the local emergency personnel will be available to answer questions regarding the building project throughout the event.
“We are not surprised that some donations have already started coming in for the project,” Waucoma firefighter Jim Franzen stated. “We have always received generous support from the Lynch Family Foundation and our entire community.”
Firefighter Carl Kriener reported the new fire station will be located along Riverview Drive, across from the Waucoma Event Center, on the west side of the community. The land for the project was donated by Charlie Brannon. Kriener noted the entire Brannon family previously donated the land for the construction of the Event Center.
“When proposed, the building received unanimous support from the fire department and first responders/EMS,” Franzen
added. “The first responders/ EMS are our partners in this project, which will help us all better serve Waucoma and the surrounding communities.”
With an estimated cost of $550,000, the new station will provide over twice the space as the current structure, which was built in 1990, for the firefighters and first responders/EMS volunteers to utilize. The approximate 120’x66’ structure will include five truck bays, a meeting room, storage room, two offices and two bathrooms.
“The trucks are bigger now and we have some of our rescue equipment hanging from the ceiling,” Franzen said, while explaining the need for more space. “Some of our equipment is not readily deployable, which in some circumstances people don’t have time for us to be delayed for several minutes to respond to a call.”
Firefighter Mike Kime noted the first responders will be buying their own vehicle to house in the building. One vehicle owned by the fire department is currently shared with the first responders, which can cause issues when two separate emergency calls come in at the same time.
Additionally, the station will provide the first responders/ EMS team with their own dedicated space for storage and meetings. A helipad will also be located in the front of the structure. Franzen said current plans are to break ground on the project this fall and begin construction in spring 2025.
Serving over 40 square miles, the Waucoma firefighters provide mutual aid and rescue support alongside six other neighboring fire departments. In addition to emergency services, the local firefighters provide assistance at various community events throughout the year.
While the department is operational as a city entity, the Waucoma Fire Association was established as a fundraising channel for this and future projects. As well as already receiving personal and corporate donations, the fire department has applied for grants to assist in funding the project.
While donations of any amount are accepted, sponsorship levels have been set:
• Firefighter Cadet-EMS Cadet: $500-$999
• Firefighter-EMR: $1,000$2,499
• Officer-RN/EMT: $2,500$4,999
• Assistant Chief-Paramedic: $5,000-$9,999
• Fire Chief-Nurse Practitioner: $10,000+
Donations for the fire station construction project may be mailed to Waucoma Fire Association P.O. Box 15, Waucoma, IA 52171. Checks should be made payable to Waucoma Fire Association.
St. John’s Sunday School donates infusion activity bags to VMH
St. John’s Lutheran Church Sunday school youth recently compiled and donated infusion bags to the Infusion and Treatment Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The bags are full of activities to help infusion patients pass the time. Pictured in front is Benjamin and Isabella Gordon presenting the infusion bags to Deb Zuercher, Penny Wheeler, Hannah Hennessy and Natalie Kelly. (submitted photo)
Allamakee County grant opportunity
The Celia Sander Garrett Foundation of Lansing recently made available a grant of up to $1,000. The foundation’s focus includes nature preserves, wetlands, forests, parks, botanic sites and natural wildlife refuges throughout Allamakee County’s Driftless area glacial by-pass.
Written grant requests should be sent to Celia Sander Garrett Foundation, PO Box 414, Lansing, Iowa 52151 by Aug. 31. Should additional information be required to qualify, applicants will be contacted after that date.
Driftless water
“The Driftless region has traditionally had some of the best-quality water in Iowa, but it is getting significantly worse and needs to be protected,” Jones said. He also said the state’s worsening water quality is a symptom of a larger problem which includes concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and manure management plans (MMPs). For more information, e-mail admin@driftlesswaterdefenders.com or call 319-541-4240.
Rushford meeting June 26
Responsible Ag in Karst Country will host an open house
Prairie’s Edge Nature Center, fireworks at dusk
Spillville July 6: Family games, music and more from 2 p.m., fireworks at dusk at the Riverside Park
Contact the Driftless Journal at 563-382-4221 to add your community’s fireworks display to the list.
Among the students recognized on the Dean’s List at Wartburg College this past term are: KORYN BAKKEN, KAYA HINES, EMMA JOHNSON, all of Decorah; BRITAIN FERRIE, CALEB KAMMERER and KADE MUNEK, all of Cresco; RILEY MEYER of Ossian; and WALKER HERMEIER and MADELYN MOSER, both of Waukon.
MARISSA BRONNER of Cresco was recently named to the Buena Vista University spring 2024 Dean’s List. Upper Iowa University in Fayette recently announced the Spring Semester 2024 Dean’s List. Honorees include: ISABEL IHDE Decorah; CHANCE ADAM, Calmar; VANESSA BECERRA, Postville; CHRISTIAN CUTSFORTH Waucoma; ERYN SABELKA, Spillville; SAMANTHA WEIGERT and KIMBERLY BECKER, both of Cresco; and LUKE KNUTSON and JOHN MONROE, both of Ossian. EMILY KOLSRUD of Waukon, graduated with a Master of Science in Education in counseling from Buena Vista University, spring 2024. EMMA BACHELDER of Decorah was named to the South Dakota State University spring 2024 Dean’s List. She is a student in the SDSU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Recently-retired scientist Chris Jones addressed Decorah residents Saturday, June 15, in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on the issue of water quality. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Zach Jensen)
Kee’s Rylee Mudderman slides safely into second before the throw gets to TV’s Morgan Vsetecka in the Hawks’ UIC sweep, 20-5 and 14-1. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)
Kee It was a busy week for the Kee softball team (13-11, 8-0 UIC) as the Hawks picked up four UIC wins and dropped a close non-conference game last week.
Monday the Hawks swept MFL MarMac (2-18, 0-7 UIC) on the road 15-4 and 12-0, before taking two from Turkey Valley, 20-5 and 14-1. Thursday, Kee traveled to Waverly-Shell Rock (12-6), coming up short, 9-6.
The Class 1A No. 10 Hawks baseball team (18-9, 10-5) had some stiff competition last week, dropping a pair of UIC games to MFL MarMac (20-5, 13-2) on the road, 6-0 and 3-2, Monday night. Back on the road Tuesday, Kee fell 5-2 and 3-1 to South Winn (15-7, 12-1 UIC). The Hawks bounced back Thursday to defeat Clayton Ridge-Central (7-11, 7-6 UIC) at home, 5-0.
Turkey Valley Playing five games in three days last week, the Turkey Valley softball team (5-17, 5-5 UIC) came out on top in just one. Monday, the Trojans split with Central Elkader, dropping game one 12-9 and winning a slugfest, 26-16. In Tuesday’s non-conference action, Turkey Valley battled Saint Ansgar (15-6) on the road, coming up short 4-1. In their only home doubleheader of the week, the Trojans were swept by Kee (13-11, 8-0 UIC) Wednesday, 20-5 and 14-1.
The Trojan baseball team (513, 5-8 UIC) went 1-2 during the week of June 17. Playing at Waukon (6-12) Monday, Turkey Valley gave up a run late in the game to the Indians to fall 4-3. Tuesday, the Trojans earned an 8-1 win over North Fayette Valley (1-15, 1-13 UIC) at home. TV made the short trip to Calmar Thursday for a contest against the UIC leader South Winn (15-7, 12-1 UIC) falling 11-1. Friday’s non-conference game against Charles City was called due to heavy rain before it was complete. No additional information regarding finishing the game or not was available at press time.
Waukon
The Waukon softball team (7-11, 2-6) kicked off last week at Crestwood (10-7, 3-4 NEIC) with a split NEIC doubleheader. The Indians won game one 128, then gave up the nightcap 4-2. Taking the lead midway through Thursday’s non-conference game at North Fayette Valley (6-12), Waukon allowed two late runs by the TigerHawks to fall, 9-8. Friday’s home game against New Hampton was rescheduled to Wednesday, June 26. Playing in a trio of contests
early in the week, the Indian baseball team (6-14, 3-11) came away with just one win. Waukon defeated Turkey Valley (4-12) at home Monday 4-3. After a day of rest, the Indians hosted Decorah for a conference twinbill, allowing the Vikes the double win, 6-4 and 4-3.
Decorah It was a split decision to start the week for the Viking softball team (6-11, 3-5-NEIC) as host to New Hampton (9-6, 2-6 NEIC).
Decorah dropped a close game one, 1-0, and came out on top of game two, 14-12. Thursday, Decorah played well against Class 1A No. 8 North Linn (2210) but dropped the doubleheader, 5-2 and 5-4. Friday’s game against Waverly-Shell Rock was postponed until Friday, July 5, while Saturday’s tournament was cancelled due to the rainy weather.
The Decorah baseball team (15-10, 10-4 NEIC) took a pair of conference games in close contests from Waukon Wednesday, 6-4 and 4-3. On the road Thursday, the Vikes escaped Clear Lake (8-8) with a 5-2 victory. The rain postponed Friday’s home game against Independence until Tuesday, June 25.
South Winn
The South Winn softball team (12-11, 7-0 UIC) went 4-2 for the week, sweeping North Fayette Valley and MFL MarMac in conference action. Monday the Warriors were on the road in the sweep of the TigerHawks, 2-0 and 9-6. Riceville hosted the Warriors (8-14) Tuesday in non-conference action, winning 7-3 over SW. South Winn rebounded to sweep the Bulldogs (2-19, 0-7 UIC) at home Wednesday, 4-1 and 3-13. Waiting out the rain Friday, the Warriors fell to Class 3A No. 7 Sumner-Fredericksburg (25-3) at home, 6-1. Rain forced Saturday’s tournament at Dunkerton to be cancelled for the Warriors. The Warrior baseball team (15-7, 12-1 UIC) is on a 5-0 win streak after defeating North Fayette Valley (1-15, 1-13 UIC), 11-3 and 11-2, in West Union Monday. The competition was fierce in Calmar Tuesday as South Winn hosted Class 1A No. 10 Kee (18-9, 10-5 UIC), sweeping the Hawks 5-2 and 3-1. Thursday, the neighborhood battle with Turkey Valley (5-13, 5-8 UIC) was just a six-inning affair as the Warriors won 11-1. Mother Nature was the winner Friday as the Warriors’ game at Class 2A No. 6 New Hampton was rained out, as was Saturday’s tournament in Calmar.
Postseason starts for bb July 6
Postseason brackets for Class 2A and 1A for the baseball tournaments were released recently.
South Winn and Turkey Valley are both in the Class 1A District 9 Saturday, July 6. The Trojans will take the field against Riceville in New Albin at 5 p.m. The winner will face the winner of Kee and Edgewood-Colesburg Tuesday, July 9, in New Albin, with the game beginning at 7 p.m. The Warriors will face Clarksville to open the postseason at 7 p.m., in Calmar. The district semifinal is Tuesday, July 9, in Calmar at 7 p.m., against the winner of Nashua-Plainfield and Dunkerton Waukon is in Class 2A and will host Postville in the quarterfinals Saturday, July 6. The winner will advance to play Starmont Tuesday, July 9, in Monona.
The district finals will be held Saturday, July 13, with substate games played Tuesday, July 16.
Decorah is in Class 3A. Those brackets haven’t been released yet.
The state baseball tournament runs July 22-26. Class 1A and 2A will be at Merchant Park in Carroll while Class 3A and 4A will compete at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City.
VMH Golf Tournament June 17
The 31st annual Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament was held on Monday, June 17, at the Waukon Golf and Country Club. A full tournament of 33 teams of three participated. The winners are pictured left to right: Dan Denk, Pat McMillan and Justin Sweeney representing Waukon State Bank Team No. 1. The Foundation Golf Tournament is held each June. (submitted)
South Winn MS Second Semester Honor Roll announced
The second semester grade point averages have been calculated for the South Winneshiek Middle School. All students who earn straight A’s will be on the Special Honor Roll. Those who achieve a grade point of 3.7 to 3.99 will be on the A Honor Roll. Those who achieve a grade point of 3.0 to 3.69 will be on the B Honor Roll. Students who receive any grade below C- were not allowed consideration for honor rolls.
5th Grade Special Honor Roll: Ainsley Gesing, Josie Mann and Maysa Ondrashek. A Honor Roll: Jacob Christophersen, Marlee Klimesh-Oblander, Brinley Lechtenberg and Kaitlyn Mills. B Honor Roll: Franklin Bruess, Blake Elsbernd, Avery Froelke, Zoey Gerleman, Zoey Hackman, Evan Harris, Mason Huinker, Gabriella Jevne, Addalyn Nesbitt, Samuel Phillips, Eva Schmitt, Gunnar Wadsworth and Wayde Whalen.
6th Grade A Honor Roll: Tate Balik, Raelyn Massman, Gannon Ohrt, Avery Peters, Bennett Smith and Brady Timp. B Honor Roll: Joe Bullerman, Brayden Christoffer, Penn Fish, Keagan Franzen, Kinley Huinker, Brooke Jevne, Sullivan Nelson, Luke Oyloe, Blake Timp, Ryder Uhlenhake and Maci Wiltgen.
7th Grade Special Honor Roll: Kaylie Bruess and Payton Cox. A Honor Roll: Landon Bullerman, Natalie Burington, Hattie Conway, Gabriel Creek, Asher Merrill, Evelynn Moonen and Derek Sabelka. B Honor Roll: Louis Andera, Jenna Dahl, Addison Elsbernd, Xavior Froelke, Sid Hesse, Jackson Huinker, Linlee Huinker, Helen Maldonado, Caden Meyer, Kenzie Monroe, Jayelen Numedahl, Evan Oyloe, Johnathan Phillips, Linkon Scholbrock, Tayla Teff, Hayden Tieskoetter, Remington Wadsworth, Ryker Wermers, Parker Willoughby and Augie Wiltgen.
8th Grade Special Honor Roll: Hugh Conway and Odessa Oyloe. A Honor Roll: Camden Bullerman, Amira Frana, Maya Lensing, Brinley Linderbaum, Mackenzi Maxwell and Caden Tieskoetter. B Honor Roll: Vanessa Bullerman, Alexis Johanningmeier, Rachel Johnson, Luke Kruckman, Bailey Kuennen, Earland Lienau, Jena Peters, Brendon Riehle, Hayden Steffens and Iliana Thomas-Uribe.
DECORAH
Echoes of the Past By Roz Weis
with medical card are required at application. Applications and job description are available at the Engineers Office and www.winneshiekcounty.org/ jobs.html. Applications are due July 12, 2024 at 4pm or until position is filled. EOE 26-6-JP-12
Office Assistant
Winneshiek County Conservation Board Part-time position providing administrative support. Job description and application are available at https://winneshiekcounty. iowa.gov/jobs. Send an application, resume, and cover letter to Barbara Schroeder, Winneshiek County Conservation, 2546 Lake Meyer Road, Fort Atkinson, IA 52144, or email conservation@ winneshiekwild.com. Applications due 7/3/24 26-2-JP-12
Burglar nabbed in the area 1924
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO:
The people near the Hutchinson Warehouse thought they had a popular ghost in their midst the other Monday evening when they heard noises and saw a figure along the Milwaukee tracks about midnight. Someone called the H.J. Hutchinson home, and his son, Walter, rushed to the scene of the disturbance. He found no ghost, but a real live man escaping with a sack of flour. The flour had been pilfered from the warehouse after the man had the nerve to break and enter - fortified with dangerous booze. Walter downed the man and held him until Nightwatchman Ira Rima arrived to officially take charge. Brought before Justice Barthell after spending a night in jail, the burglar was fined $100 and given 30 days in jail. The sentence was suspended so long as the thief walks the straight and narrow path, and supports his family in an honorable manner.
…More than 200 students in the eighth grade from Winneshiek County rural schools were given diplomas at commencement exercises recently.
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• Build opportunities for work-based learning through internships and apprenticeships, and support and guide students in pursuing these opportunities.
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…The 70th anniversary of the Congregational Church of Decorah is being celebrated later this month.
The church, Sunday School and Christian Endeavor Society invite all old members and new members and friends to come to the celebration.
…The Women’s Relief Corps No. 58 will host a 10-cent lunch next week at the Legion Rooms.
…Gilbert Busness has bought the 23-acre Sam Ellis farm north of Freeport. Consideration was $3,600.
…A number of local Camp Fire Girls began a two-week outing at the Burtis Cabin last week. They will camp, cook, hike, swim and engage in good wholesome and pleasant activities. Last year, they camped in tents below the Anundsen Cabin, where they were in the charge of Miss Hattie Anundsen. The Burtis Cabin is above the Upper Power Dam.
…A group of 28 ladies gathered at Oneota Golf Links last week and played a two-ball foursome. The
afternoon was perfect and all were in high spirits. The winners earned a lovely pair of silk hose. The members were surprised with a dainty lunch of coffee and cakes in the clubhouse after the golfing.
Bugle Corps of the Helof Holm Post, VFW of Decorah. The corps is getting only the finest of uniforms ever sold to a Junior Drum and Bugle Corps of the United States.
…Two Decorah men, A.C. Bishop and Ben Bear, had the pleasure of riding on a modern passenger train called The Zephyr, recently put on the tracks by the Burlington Railroad. The train recently established a new non-stop world’s record in running 1,015 miles in 785 minutes from Denver to Chicago for the opening of the Century of Progress Exposition there.
NINETY YEARS AGO: A 60-foot waterfall in an enormous cavern under the northwest corner of Winneshiek County will soon be available to public viewing by tourists to the area. Joe Flynn, Leo Tekippe and Al Cremer, all Decorah men, have been busy with crews installing stairways, walks and electric lighting so that the “Underground Niagara” can be viewed by all. The cave was discovered 10 years ago.
…A new bridge may soon be built across the Oneota River. It will be known as the West Decorah Bridge on Highway 55. Plans for the new bridge were recently presented by the State Officials. It will be approximately 200 feet long with 30-foot driveway and five-foot walls on each side, and will nearly eliminate the dangerous curves now existing at the point along the roadway. The plans call for the bridge to be much larger than originally anticipated.
…Decorah’s good neighbor to the north, Burr Oak, has been making history these days. Though in the midst of the depression (with a local bank failure to make the hard times realistic) the Burr Oak School Board has determined to forge ahead in high school education to prepare the youth of Burr Oak for tomorrow.
Last week, the first commencement program at Burr Oak High School was given. The Burr Oak faculty for the past three years has included Joseph Norlie, Maynard Newhouse and Charlotte Hegg.
“the
is a firetrap and should not be used for school purposes”. Debate continues.
…A visitor was in Decorah last Saturday taking measurements for 33 uniforms for the boys Drum and
…FRONT PAGE NEWS: The office of Ole Burreson, purchaser of hogs over at Calmar, was broken into sometime Saturday evening and a radio was stolen.
This vintage photograph of the old De Sales Schoolhouse in Ossian is from the Driftless Multimedia archives. The school dates back to 1902.
Lanesboro Art in the Park
Several thousand people descended on Sylvan Park on Saturday, June 15, for the 43rd Annual Arts In the Park art festival held in Lanesboro, Minn. More than a hundred artisans displayed their wares at the longest-running arts festival in Minnesota. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Charlie Warner)
Backyard chefs wanted to ‘Bring the Heat’ to Iowa State Fair contest sheds light on that diversity and the incredible efforts of Iowa’s family farms in harnessing the latest research, technology and innovation to raise an abundant protein supply with fewer natural resources than ever before.”
The Iowa Farm Bureau is seeking to crown its 60th Cookout Contest “Grand Champion” on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The event, held annually on the Grand Concourse during Farm Bureau Day at the fair, hosts up to 60 backyard chefs vying for the champion title and $4,500 in cash prizes.
The contest is a celebration of Iowa-raised meats and the farmers who provide them with animal care and sustainability as a top priority. Entry categories include pork, beef, turkey, lamb, poultry and a youth division.
“Iowa agriculture is incredibly diverse,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “The cookout
Each first-place category winner receives $400. The Grand Champion takes home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division receives $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000.
For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign-ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.
Prosper Waukon
his lineage and sharing anecdotes from his childhood. Prosper took the opportunity to address the group in attendance, asking them, “What do you think is the difference between white people and Indians?” A hush blanketed the crowd as Prosper continued. “There is a lot more in common that people want to admit, but the spiritual life of a Native American is far greater. It is in our thinking. How many white folks go around do a sun dance?”
Prosper then asked the group to give him the definition of community. One person answered “togetherness.” He continued, asking who a community involved. Several chimed in, collectively saying “communities… families, friends, neighbors, churches, towns…”
“So, you’re talking about a human community,” Prosper summarized, as he slowly recited and eyed the crowd. “Know where our community is?” He pointed to the ground and replied, “It involves our plants, our insect community.” He extended a long, tanned arm and pointed towards the sky and declared, “There is our animal community. There are our flying creatures.”
Waving his arms slowly around him, Prosper announced to the crowd, “They are all a part of our community. Our community is a lot bigger than just people – that’s the way we think. Everything we do affects everything else. It touches and involves a much wider community.” Gazing up at the trees above him, he slowly continued, “You’ve got all these elders out here around us, these trees are older than us, so we go to them.” Waving his arms again in a slow gesture, Prosper preached, “Those animals out there have more knowledge than we will ever have, so we go and watch them. We observe how they treat each other.”
continued from front
LEFT- Luna Lazulie Waukon-Martinez, the 4-year-old great-granddaughter of Prosper Waukon, signs the registry located inside St. Anthony of Padua Chapel. RIGHT- Ciarrah Reine Waukon-Latraille and Hannah Dream Waukon-Wolf, Prosper Waukon’s granddaughters, eagerly search through registry books dating back more than 75 years stacked on a bookcase at the rear of the church. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Denise Lana)
Ciarrah Reine Waukon-Latraile, granddaughter of Prosper Waukon, has her tribe’s symbols inked along her arms and colors of their medicine wheel stitched into her traditional tribal ribbon skirt and earrings (inset). ABOVE- “Our last name is Snakeskin, and the snake has a huge significance with our family,” explains Ciarrah of her snake tattoo.
ple. Our last name is Snakeskin, and the snake has a huge significance for with our family.”
A tattoo on her hand is a replica of the one her fiancé had, and she had it done after he passed away last summer.
“There are 12 clans, and they help define the roles we play within our society and our tribes.”
“Some of his ashes are in the tattoo ink,” Ciarrah explained.
“My grandmother’s ashes are also in this tattoo as well, but the tattoo itself is not symbolic of anything,” she said, pointing to her tattoo of a plague mask.
Prosper’s granddaughter, Ciarrah Reine Waukon-Latraille, softly spoke up. “When my daughter, Luna, was two years old, there was a large palm tree in our front yard, and every single day she would always put both of her hands on it and be one with it.”
Prosper added, “Many people believe that things that happened in our physical earth are separate than our spiritual world. Do you believe that?
That’s what many have been taught, but in the Indian world, the spiritual and physical world interact. Through different ceremonies, you get to see and visit those realms and realize there is only one world.”
Symbols
Ciarrah, who has numerous tattoos on her arms and hands, said that many of her tattoos are symbolic and represent her family’s culture. Explaining the tattoo that wraps around her arm and ends in a snake symbol, Ciarrah said, “It’s in our traditional appliqué style. When we have pow wows, we have a traditional dance style specific to the Ho Chunk peo-
A thunderbird symbol is tattooed on the back of her arm, representing the Thunderbird clan, as Ciarrah explained,
Her earrings and the colors and ribbons on her skirt represent the Indian medicine wheel, which represents health and healing. The four colors can stand for a range of things from various human races and the four seasons to the four types of creatures that breathe and traditional medicine plants. For Ciarrah, she explained, “They signify the four elements and the four directions.”
She summed it up best, saying, “Like my grandfather said, we are all about being connected to everything around us.”
16 years with
Victor Croatt, FCO/Plastics/Pronto Manufacturing Specialist, retired June 20 after 16 years with Gemini. Since joining Gemini in 2008, he has spent his career in the laminate department laminating sheets on the second shift, consistently providing incredible support.
Those who know Victor consistently describe him as hard-working, dedicated and possessing an exceptional work ethic.
thanks Victor for his 16 years of
and for being
When Victor first joined Gemini, there was only one router, and much of the laminate side of the building was empty. He remembers setting up numerous storage racks, making their own foam for laminate, and using hand rollers to apply the laminate. He has witnessed a lot of change within that department and has enjoyed watching it grow.
