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DECEMBER 2015 NEWSLETTER
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
We thank all of you for your participation in our organization.  Enjoy the many holiday events in Allamakee County!
                                                                                 ~ Your Friends at ACED
DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
 

Harpers Ferry

5th American Indian Stories – Effigy Mounds

9th Library Open House – Harpers Ferry Library

11th Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Holiday Open House – KBSB, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

12th Christmas Magic in the Park with Santa – Tillinghast Park, 5-7 p.m.

Now – Jan. 2 Christmas Magic Lights Display - Tillinghast Park, 5-10 p.m.

 

Lansing

Now – Dec. 18 Shop Lansing with the Punch Card

4th Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Holiday Open House – KBSB – 8:30-6 p.m.

4th Santa Comes to Town – Kerndt Brothers Community Center – 4-5:30 p.m.

14th Kee MS/HS Winter Concert – Kee High School, 7 p.m.

15th New Albin Elementary Winter Concert – Kee High School, 7 p.m.

 

New Albin

5th NAIL’s Christmas Vendor & Craft Sale – New Albin Community Center, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

5th Santa Comes to Town – New Albin Community Center, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

18th New Albin Savings Bank Holiday Open House – NASB, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

19th NAIL’s Christmas Light Judging – 7 p.m.

20th New Albin Library Community Education Cookie Exchange – New Albin Community Center at 2 p.m.

 

Postville

7th K-2nd Grade Winter Concert – Fine Arts Center, 6:30 p.m.

10th 5th-8th Grade Winter Concert – Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m.

10th-11th Freedom Bank Holiday Open House – Freedom Bank, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

11th-12th YMCA Festival of Trees – YMCA, Friday 4-8 p.m. & Saturday 9 a.m. – Noon

12th Santa Comes to Freedom Bank – Freedom Bank, 9-11 a.m.

17th Postville High School Winter Concert – Fine Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

 

Waterville

3rd Waterville Elementary Winter Concert  – Waterville School, 7 p.m.

11th Santa Comes to Town – Waterville Fire Department, 7 p.m.

 

Waukon

2nd Facetime, Skype & More Class hosted by Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative – NICC, 4-7 p.m.

4th Wine Tasting – Waukon Greenhouse, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

4th Ladies Night Out – Waukon Banquet Center, 5-9 p.m.

5th Gingerbread House Contest hosted by Kitchen Krafts – Robey Library, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

7th East Elementary Winter Concert – East Elementary, 7 p.m.

10th Waukon MS Winter Concert – Middle School, 7 p.m.

11th Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Holiday Open House, KBSB, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

14th Waukon HS Winter Concert – High School, 7 p.m.

17th Farmers & Merchants Holiday Open House – Farmers & Merchants Bank, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Now – Dec. 27 Sign Up to Win Waukon Chamber Dollars at Participating Stores

Mondays Stores are Open Late

Tuesdays Tater Tuesday at Dave’s Gus & Tony’s

Saturdays & Sundays Wine Tasting – Empty Nest Winery, Sat. 10 a.m. -5 p.m. & Sun. 1-5 p.m.
Ring in the holidays

The 24th annual Veterans Memorial Hospital Foundation Christmas Tree Fantasy was held December 13-16th at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds.  The theme for the event was “Ring in the Holidays”.  ACED has been participating in this event for a number of years by sponsoring and decorating a Christmas Tree.  The theme we chose for our tree this year was “Silver Bells” and was a fun spin-off of the old Bing Crosby song.  As always, ACED uses this opportunity to thank and showcase our membership for their support to Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism. We hope you had an opportunity to stop up and view not only “your” tree but all of the trees.  It is a wonderful event that raises a lot of money for our local hospital.  

ACED invited to participate in the first annual Lacrosse Regional Tourism Expo

ACED has been invited to be an exhibitor at the first annual La Crosse Tourism Expo to be held at the La Crosse Center Ballroom on Thursday, December 3, 2015.  It will be an excellent opportunity for us to “talk and showcase” all the tourism treasures in Allamakee County.  The event is being sponsored by the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.  The event is free and open to the public.       


 
Revitalization of downtown
 
SHARING THOUGHTS AND TIDBITS FROM THE CONFERENCE………………..
 
A member of the 7 Rivers Alliance, ACED had the opportunity to attend a conference on November 19th in Cashton, WI entitled “Revitalize Storefronts”.  The conference was geared toward exploring the best practices and ideas for energizing rural storefronts.  As we drive through our communities, we see more and more empty storefronts in our downtowns and it seems to be a common concern for maintaining our main street vitality and growth. 
 
The conference speakers addressed these different areas including a sharing from several Monroe County, Wisconsin communities on their current revitalization efforts and projects; some early action projects that can be done to fill our storefronts; the economic impact of empty storefronts; beautification, and strategies for strengthening rural downtowns.  Some key facts for communities to consider when thinking about their downtowns are:
  • Putting together a Community Revitalization Plan to determine community assets for a downtown; determine community strengths and weaknesses; help identify what people coming into the community are looking for;
  • Inventory all empty buildings; inventory all current businesses; identify the vision that empty building owners might have for their building and then share ideas for visioning a bigger picture for your downtown;
  • CREATE A REASON TO BE DOWNTOWN;  make your downtown corridor FUN;
  • Encourage building owners to make ready the “vanilla box” affect to entice new business;
  • Be open to providing incentives for new businesses;  create a city grant program for business owners to fix up their buildings;
  • Do constructive beautification projects, downplay your ugly and appreciate what you have;
  • Get people who don’t necessarily need the jobs to be the investors to open businesses for people who do need the jobs and wish to locate in smaller communities;
  • Make your downtown community a “Community Social Development” area; create rest and/or public spaces – such as streetscaping to include green spaces, flower baskets/planters and benches; OR develop the back side of your business to include community gathering spaces;
  • Look for location free companies to fill your storefronts, as not all companies need big city status to operate.
We came home with a wealth of information and much motivation but implementation of ideas needs to be a collaborative effort of many – city, business, economic development, investors, volunteers and most of all a desire to revitalize our downtown, our storefronts and our future.  The message that resonated loud and clear was that you do not have to do it all at once nor do your projects need to be big – start small.  Some early action projects could be as simple as landscaping our street corners; decorating the empty storefront buildings with murals or window displays; or putting a fresh coat of paint on an old boarded up building.  It will show visitors and potential business owners that you are a community who cares.  Big or small, there definitely are things that each of our communities can embark upon that just might make a difference.  Want to know more – call our office.  

 

As you are out and about in Allamakee County

We encourage you to get out and enjoy the crisp winter fresh air by sledding, ice fishing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling or just building that infamous snowman in your front yard.  Another great idea is to start using your Culinary Passport and Eat Your Way Along the Byway.  There are sixteen culinary experiences chosen for you to enjoy throughout Allamakee County.  For more information or to pick up your Passport booklet, stop by the ACED office.  You have until September 5, 2016 to complete your passport.  The culinary passport is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.   

 
Polishing up Pearly Whites for 35 years
 
Waukon Dental is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year in Waukon. Dr. Rick Jacobi began his dental practice in the early 1970s in his native hometown of Waukon and was joined by Dr. Steven Kurth in 1979 as an associate dentist. The two moved into a newly constructed office building at the current First Avenue NW location in January of 1980, marking the beginnings of the current Waukon Dental facility. Dr. Kurth was instrumental in the design of that office building while completing his dental schooling.
 
Dr. Mark Fohey and Dr. Linda Carstens both joined the practice in July of 1985. Since that time, the practice has expanded to Monona and Prairie du Chien.
 
Dr. Jessica Wilke, Dr. Fohey's daughter, joined Waukon Dental during the summer of 2014 after completing her dental schooling at the University of Iowa.
 
Waukon Dental’s “Have a Heart Day” celebrated its silver anniversary this year. Other community outreach programs include Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Candy Buy Back, Tooth Fairy Club, bicycle and bookbag give-aways, as well as, school children visits during Children's Dental Health Month in February. 
 
Waukon Dental is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one Saturday a month.  Go to www.waukondental.com to learn more!
 
Interpretive Center Groundbreaking
 
The Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center broke ground on Tuesday, November 3 at 11 a.m. just south of Lansing.  The event was celebrated with 70 community members.  The sunshine that day made for a beautiful view of the Mississippi River, Village Creek, the surrounding bluffs, and Lansing Bridge.  Conservation Foundation Board Member, James Janett, greeted the crowd.  Campaign Co-Chair, Jane Regan, described the building and its contents, as well as, the many benefits the center will bring to the area.  Conservation Foundation Board Member, Larry Schellhammer, called the group to action.  Lansing Mayor, Mike Brennan, reminded the group of the years already invested in this project and the importance of this day.  The project was then blessed by Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. The group gathered for a photo as Kee High School students broke ground. 
 

 
Shop Local
 
 Before you check off all the gifts on your list, remember to SHOP LOCAL! Allamakee County  businesses provide many products and services. Remember to check in with our businesses to see what specials they offer this Holiday Season! 
 Please check out a listing of our local businesses at:http://www.allamakeecounty.com/business/listings/all-businesses.html
Copyright © 2015 Allamakee County Economic Development, All rights reserved.


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