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Tue
27
Nov

Continued interest in iconic White Springs Supper Club leads to book idea


White Springs, which is currently up for sale, is still a popular talking point nearly two decades after it closed its doors. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Nearly two decades since it closed its doors, White Springs Supper Club remains an iconic piece of McGregor history. 

“Two or three people each week mention it,” said Doris Barrette, who grew up at the Springs, washing dishes and peeling potatoes as a girl, then later waiting tables and serving drinks. Her mother, Ethel Mann, helped run the establishment from 1949 until her death in 2004. “Wherever I go, people say, ‘I miss the Springs.’ I’ve heard it for years.” 

That’s why, at the urging of her niece and the ladies at the Hair Hut, in Marquette, where she gets her hair done, Barrette has decided to write a book about White Springs. 

Tue
27
Nov

Holiday Train will light up Marquette on Dec. 5


The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in Marquette, at the marina parking lot, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 2:45 p.m. (NIT file photo)

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will bring its festive display of lights and live music to the area when it stops in Marquette, at the marina parking lot, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 2:45 p.m. The visit is the train’s second stop in Clayton County this year. It will be in Guttenberg first, at 12:45 p.m.

Now in its 20th year, the Holiday Train is decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights depicting holiday scenes on 14 rail cars, one of which turns into a stage for musical performances.

Entertainment will include Canadian rock band The Trews and rock musician and singer-songwriter Willy Porter, who will perform classic holiday tunes. Santa Claus will also make an appearance, and there will be free hot chocolate and cookies available for attendees.

Tue
20
Nov

Mar-Mac, PdC businesses collaborate for Santa Shops Small promotion

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Small businesses in Marquette, McGregor and Prairie du Chien are banding together this holiday season for a special promotion called Santa Shops Small.

Spearheaded by Katie Ruff, owner of By the Spoonful in McGregor, and Teresa Champion, owner of The Planted Tree Gallery in Prairie du Chien, the event will reward shoppers who make purchases at participating businesses from Nov. 24 to Dec. 24. Simply pick up a Santa Shops Small punch card and get a punch for every $10 you spend at a business. Once your card is full, drop it at the business where you’d like the opportunity to win a prize. Each participating business will have a $25 prize to give away.

Tue
20
Nov

$2.7 million sale of Garden View approved


Garden View Senior Living Facility, in Monona, will be under new ownership and management beginning Jan. 2.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

In what mayor Lynn Martinson called a “milestone for the community,” the Monona Council officially approved the $2.7 million sale of Garden View Senior Living Facility to MALC, LLC at its Nov. 19 regular meeting.

The city preliminarily agreed to sell the 34-unit assisted living facility at its Nov. 5 meeting, but had to post notice of its intent to sell and hold a public hearing Monday night before taking final action.

“We’ve been talking with city attorney Greg Schiller and the bulk of the agreement is in order,” stated city administrator Dan Canton.

Tue
20
Nov

Marquette Council addressing resident concerns about dog

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The city of Marquette is considering changing its ordinances regarding animal protection and control and dangerous and vicious animals after some residents living on the bench have expressed ongoing safety concerns about a dog living in their neighborhood.

“We definitely need to change what we have now. It does not work,” said mayor Steve Weipert at the Nov. 13 city council meeting. “We thought we had control of it, but things don’t always work out as planned.”

Tue
20
Nov

MFL MarMac school board digs into Iowa Assessment data

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Data compiled from analyzing the Iowa Assessment test scores of MFL MarMac students in elementary through high school shows, as a whole, the district is 75 to 80 percent proficient in the subject areas of reading, math and science.

Teacher Jen Wilwert presented the findings, which were also broken down to compare factors like gender, race and socioeconomic status, at the school board’s Nov. 12 meeting.

“They’re definitely numbers we can be proud of,” she said.

Tue
13
Nov

Jones at the wheel for 53 years


Rowland Jones has been transporting local kids to and from school since 1966. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Rise at 4:45, do chores, eat breakfast, head to the MFL MarMac bus barn, transport kids to school. Every weekday morning, this is bus driver Rowland Jones’ routine. Each afternoon, he’s back at the wheel again, helping students safely return home.

“I started as a substitute [for the MFL School District] in the fall of 1966,” he recalled. “I lived on a small farm and wanted to make some extra income.”

At that time, a chauffeur’s license was all that was needed to drive a bus. Jones applied for his license using a farm truck.

Tue
13
Nov

Art club builds creativity, connections


Maria Stavroplus shows Ashton Phillips how to use a circle-drawing tool during a session of the middle school’s art club. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Presley Woods works on her "12 Days of Christmas" project.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Over half a dozen MFL MarMac middle school students are gathered in the art room after school. They’ve each selected a single sheet of white paper with a large number ranging from one to 12 printed on it. Now, their heads bent low, brows furrowed, pencils poised over the blank expanse, they have to illustrate the line from the classic holiday carol “12 Days of Christmas” that corresponds with their number. 

Tue
13
Nov

Taking time to unplug


MFL MarMac students have been enjoying “unplugged time” during the first 10 minutes of their daily study hall. During this time, students put away electronic devices and homework, in exchange for books, drawing or journaling. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Hailey Rosa peruses the “Board of Books” located in teacher Megan Schellhorn’s classroom.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

MFL MarMac High School moved its daily study hall from the end of the day to second hour this year, and also extended the period another 10 minutes. So far, said principal Larry Meyer, students are using the time more productively to complete homework and study for tests. They’re also taking time out of their busy lives to reflect.

The first 10 minutes of the period are designated as “unplugged time.” Students put away their cellphones, laptop computers and course materials, instead reaching for a book to read, a blank page to draw on or notebook in which to journal their thoughts.

Tue
13
Nov

McGregor’s Festival of Trees will include a Thursday event this year


Festival of Trees will kick off even earlier this year, with a special pre-festival event, “Dessert Among the Trees,” on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. People are encouraged to get tickets now for this intimate preview of the illuminated winter wonderland of 45 decorated trees. A ticket will also get you a specialty dessert like cheesecake or angel food cake, wine or other beverage, and holiday musical entertainment.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The Festival of Trees committee has already been hard at work planning this year’s ninth annual event, which will be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8, at Backwoods Event Center, in McGregor. 

The festivities will kick off even earlier this year, however, with a special pre-festival event, “Dessert Among the Trees,” on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. People are encouraged to get tickets now for this intimate preview of the illuminated winter wonderland of 45 decorated trees. A ticket will also get you a specialty dessert like cheesecake or angel food cake, wine or other beverage, and holiday musical entertainment. 

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