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Tue
29
May

Photo murals reflect McGregor’s unique history


These four sepia-toned photo murals went up on the side of Steve’s Silver Dollar, in McGregor, on May 25. The project, developed by the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts, highlights the history of McGregor’s downtown. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

With help from Zip Regan (below), Roddy Dull, from American Signs and Designs of Boscobel, Wis., installs one of the photo enlargement wraps in a specially designed 8-foot-by-16-foot aluminum frame.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts’ (MMCA) plan to install four historic photo murals on the west side of Steve’s Silver Dollar, in McGregor, has finally been fulfilled. 

Four unique images—one depicting a paddle wheel steamboat on the riverfront, the second the old passenger train depot, the third Main Street with the Alexander Hotel and Bickel clock prominently featured, and the fourth a parade down Main Street—were unveiled by Roddy Dull, with American Signs and Designs, on May 25.

Tue
29
May

MFL MarMac again offering free summer lunches

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Area kids will once again have access to free lunches during the summer through MFL MarMac’s participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be offered Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, June 4, in Monona, Farmersburg, Luana and McGregor.

This is the third year MFL MarMac has participated in the program, said food service director Pat Echard. Between the four locations, she estimated around 100 kids utilized the service last year.

“This year,” she shared, “we’re excited to have it right here in our lunch room in Monona.”

Tue
29
May

Contract awarded for Monona recreational trail extension

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

At its May 21 regular meeting, the Monona Council approved the final plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the recreational trail extension that will connect the city’s Butterfly Garden and Trail with Gateway Park. The project contract was awarded to Bacon Concrete, of Postville, at a cost of $164,000, well below the engineer’s estimated cost.

After some discussion, the council opted to go with hot mix asphalt paving for most of the project rather than concrete, which would have increased the cost by around $15,000. The cost for grading and the trail’s stone base would have been the same for either option, noted engineer Jon Biederman, from Fehr Graham.

Tue
22
May

Vavras take over Marquette marina


Robert Vavra, with dog Willow, in front of the Marquette marina, which he and wife Deb recently purchased. It will also be home to his Maiden Voyage tour boat. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

Robert Vavra was hard at work on the Marquette marina last week, readying he and wife Deb’s latest business venture for the summer season. The purchase of the marina became official in early May, as the Vavras took ownership from Casino Queen Marquette.

One of Robert’s first orders of business was improving the ramp, making it easier for people to access his Maiden Voyage tour boat, which will now call the community home.

“It’s nice to have a home I can put my time and energy into,” he remarked. “To bring this together with the tour boat will really help me and the area.”

Tue
22
May

McGregor Council approves new signage


An entry sign like this will be placed at both the north and south entrances to McGregor. If the Iowa DOT does not approve placement at the north entrance, near the Riverview Inn, the sign will instead go on the side of the public restrooms next to Kwik Star.

The city hall sign will feature this wording on one side, while a bulletin board will be included on the other.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The McGregor Council, at its May 16 regular meeting, approved the purchase of new entry signs for the community, as well as a new sign for city hall.

Two new entry signs will be erected, one at the south entrance closest to Pikes Peak State Park and the other at the north entrance, by the Riverview Inn. 

Tue
22
May

School board reviews Iowa Assessment data

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

MFL MarMac third grade teacher Jennifer Wilwert presented the district’s latest Iowa Assessment data to the school board at its May 14 meeting.

In reading, grades two through 11 met the district’s goal of being at least 75 percent proficient, with the exception of seventh grade, at 70.2 percent. The highest percentages came at sixth (90 percent) and 10th grades (90.9 percent). At nearly every level, MFL MarMac either matched or surpassed the state average.

Tue
22
May

Monona, Marquette proud homes to farmers markets this season


Local residents can find a variety of goods at farmers markets in Marquette (shown here) and Monona this summer and fall. The Marquette market will begin Friday, May 25, at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre, and continue every Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m., through mid-October. Monona’s market will kick off Wednesday, May 30, at Gateway Park. It will run each Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m. (NIT file photo)

By Rachel Mergen, North Iowa Times

As spring comes to a conclusion and summer begins to make its way, farmers market season is commencing. The area is proud to have two markets open that will be offering a variety of locally grown and created goods, located in Marquette and Monona. 

Anna Herzmann, an employee and vendor at Kyle and Mari Holthaus’ Kymar Acres, gained interest in farmers markets 10 years ago, after having watched her sister’s market stand blossom into a successful business. 

Tue
22
May

Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival returns May 26-28


The McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce will host its 39th annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival May 26-28, in McGregor's beautiful Triangle Park. (NIT file photo)

The McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce will host its 39th annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival May 26-28, in McGregor’s beautiful Triangle Park.

Vendors will offer a variety of handcrafted items—ranging from jewelry, wood crafts and fabric art to paintings, caricatures, specialty cards and gourmet dips—each day. Booths will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, then from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.

If you need a break from browsing the vendor booths, relax in Triangle Park and listen to some musical entertainment. Father-daughter duo LaBarge, along with Pat Dillet and Tim the Front Porch Picker, will play both Saturday and Sunday, with music running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tunes can also be heard Monday, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tue
15
May

Monona's annexation plans proceeding

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times

The city of Monona’s plan to voluntarily annex 13 property parcels on the city’s southeast boundary is moving forward, now that all property owners have filed written applications with the city. 

A public notice stating the city’s intent was published last week. City administrator Dan Canton said the city’s attorney, Greg Schiller, has also notified the Clayton County Board of Supervisors.

Tue
15
May

Mar-Mac EMS celebrates 50 years of service


Members of the Mar-Mac Rescue Squad include Mike Gilman, Renae Stuckman, Dylan Rumph, Samantha Kohls, (back) Tyler Thornton, Dillon Thompson and Kayla Thompson. Not pictured are Dana Ferguson, Sarah Ferrel (student), Justin Mezera, Ryan Bacon, Burt Walters, Ember Martin, Jerry Thornton, Dan Bickel, Kate Young, Briana Pazour, Trampus Thornton, Steve Finney, Nick Stavroplus and Mariah Kucera (student).

Dana Ferguson has served as a Mar-Mac Rescue Squad EMT for 17 years.

With 37 years of service, Burton Walters III is currently the squad’s longest-running EMT. His parents, Burton Jr. and Donna, were among the founding members.

EMS Director Mike Gilman demonstrates how the Lucas 3 chest compression system works. Mar-Mac EMS received the new piece of technology through a grant last year. Battery-operated, it performs compressions just like a person would.

Mar-Mac EMS is active in the community, and can often be seen at the local parades.

The rescue squad’s first ambulance, in 1968, was a Chevrolet Suburban purchased for $4,000.

In 1976, directors of the Mar-Mac Emergency Squad reviewed contributions to the new ambulance. From left are Helen Stade, Irene Pederson, Bill Meyer, Eugene Milewsky, Severin Johnson and Ivy Sauer. The $10,000 goal to purchase a van, replacing the first ambulance, was almost met.

This photo from 1984 shows (front, left to right) Donna Walters, Jim Cowell, Jeff Cowell, Jessie Tornowske; (middle) Jane Lovell, Terri Wall, Kate Young, Pauline Dundee, Mary Jane Ferguson; (back) Burton Walters III, Loren Dundee, John Bell, Jack Slyfield and Cathy Wessels.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The first call came in at 5:45 p.m. on June 10, 1968, 15 minutes before the rescue squad’s selected starting hour. Larry Weigle and George Vogel made the first run, assisting Keith Klotzbach, in Farmersburg. Their ambulance was a 1968 Chevrolet Suburban purchased from Huebsch Chevrolet for $4,000. The light was from the police department, rigged up by one of the first EMS volunteers, Jim Cowell. Thornburg Funeral Home provided the first kit.

That’s how the Mar-Mac Rescue Squad, Clayton County’s first EMS service, got underway 50 years ago. 

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