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Scenic Ride Finds Success
The first annual Bluff Country ATV/UTV Ride was held on Saturday, September 12th. The Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc organization sponsored the ride. It was a perfect day for a ride and 102 units registered with approximately 250 riders from all over Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The day began with a complimentary breakfast for registrants, a t-shirt and goodie bag.
The 45 mile ride began along the scenic Mississippi River and then extended out into the countryside where riders were able to view some of the sights and sounds of farm life and the rolling country hills. The ride then continued into Yellow River Forest where riders enjoyed the views from several scenic overlooks in the Park, a picnic lunch and a chat from the Park Director. Many great compliments were shared with the committee with an emphasis on doing it again but adding more miles. Visitors loved the area and can’t wait to come back and ride again.
Organizers of the event were assisted by the ACED staff, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, the DNR and the Yellow River State Forest staff. Thanks to Dean Anderson of Harpers Ferry whose passion and vision for this ride began last fall.
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Looking for more training?
ACED will be hosting QuickBooks II with a twist. A session is individualized training for 1.5 hours with a QuickBooks expert at NICC-Waukon. This opportunity is for someone who already has experience with QuickBooks and needs advanced training.
Available dates and times:
Tues., Nov. 17 3:45-5:15
Wed., Nov. 18 3:45-5:15
Thurs., Nov. 19 3:45-5:15
Fri., Nov. 20 8:45-10:15 & 10:30-Noon
The cost is $25/session. Call our office at 563-568-2624 or email aced@mchsi.com to reserve your spot.
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Peak to Peak Leaf Tour
Here comes the color!! This year you can experience the beauty of the fall colors by planning and taking your own leisurely drive from Peak to Peak or as we like to say – sunrise to sunset. Our Peak to Peak experience is being hosted by the communities of Lansing and McGregor and they invite you to start your sunrise tour either at Mt. Hosmer in Lansing or Pikes Peak in McGregor and end at sunset at the opposite Peak. Following a mapped route, participants will be given the opportunity to enjoy great dining, shopping and fantastic scenery of the bluffs, forest and woods along the Mississippi River Valley, with numerous lookout stops along the way.
Pick any weekend in October and your starting point to enjoy the full day of beautiful fall colors, delicious food and fun shopping. Call or e-mail either Main Street Lansing or the McGregor/Marquette Chamber of Commerce to request your FREE Peak to Peak Leaf Tour packet which includes a map, activity suggestions and valuable coupons to area dining, lodging and retail shops. ACED is pleased to be partnering with Lansing and McGregor on this fall adventure.
Main Street Lansing, 563-538-9229 or director@lansingmatters.com
McGregor/Marquette Chamber of Commerce, 563-873-2186 or mcgregormarquettechamber@gmail.com
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Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc. Honored
The Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc organization was honored by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque for their partnership with the Foundation and a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant in setting up the Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future initiative. This is a community-visioning project designed to plan for the future of Harpers Ferry. Working groups of citizens are working on four areas of improvement for Harpers: attracting and increasing young families to the area; growing small business and jobs; enhancing services to tourists; increasing the number of permanent residents. Harpers Ferry Boosters created an endowment fund through the Allamakee County Community Foundation which allowed them to be eligible for this project.
The Boosters were honored at a luncheon in Dubuque on September 24th for their work on setting up this visioning process which continues to be a work in progress. Congratulation to Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc.
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Culinary Tour Discovers Allamakee County
Eight travel writers (bloggers and freelancers) from Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oregon participated in the Iowa Tourism Office’s Culinary-focused familiarization (FAM) tour in and around Decorah from September 21-24. While here the writers visited local farms, wineries, breweries, and orchards plus dined at restaurants servings local foods. On Tuesday, September 22, we were pleased to host the group with a visit and tour of WW Homestead Dairy where the group watched cheese curds being processed along with tasty samples, a visit to Peake’s Apple Orchard where the group enjoyed an old fashioned hayride out to the apple orchards and a sampling of their Honey Crisp apples; next the group visited the Empty Nest Winery with fine wine samples and a delicious lunch featuring homegrown foods and dessert. The writers learned a lot from the local entrepreneurs about starting and growing their “homegrown†businesses. Many wonderful comments were shared about the beautiful area we live in. Thank you to WW Homestead Dairy, Peake’s Orchard, and Empty Nest Winery for rolling out the red carpet!
 
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We’ve Got Birds!
Did you know that Allamakee County is the home to 284 species of birds? Allamakee County is a birdwatchers paradise! Please visit Iowa Ornithologist Union’s website for the best birding locations and listing of all 284 species.
http://iowabirds.org/Places/Gazetteer.aspx
Bird Watching is just one of the many great reasons to visit Allamakee County!
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Buildings & Sites for Sale
If you have a commercial or industrial building or site for sale in Allamakee County, please let ACED know. ACED is responsible for keeping LOIS (Location One Information System) up-to-date. This site is used by other economic developers to find suitable locations. Our county needs to have a presence in order to be considered.
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Need to Revitalize Your Downtown?
Revitalize Storefront Conference is scheduled for November 19, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 in Cashton, WI. The cost is $20/person.
Click here for more details:
http://www.7riversalliance.org/state-of-the-region/annualstateoftheregionreport/
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Wow, Another Reason to Spend Time in Allamakee County!
The Northeast Iowa Studio Artist’s Tour is October 2, 3 & 4 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Per the event’s brochure, “Drive at your own pace on a self-guided tour through the rolling hills of scenic Northeast Iowa.†There are 10 stops in Allamakee County!
Add this to your itinerary:
Empty Nest Winery (just west of Waukon) will be hosting “Wining with the Arts†event during the tour. Check it out at http://www.emptynestwinery.com/.
For a Brochure and map be sure to stop at the Allamakee Economic Development Office at:101 W. Main St., Waukon, IA.
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Pumpkins Galore!
Hats off to TASC for hosting the Big Pumpkin Contest on Sunday, September 27!
There were 14 registered big pumpkin growers this year. Seven pumpkins weighed in. The pumpkins ranged from 192 – 516 lbs. Paul Nichols brought home the coveted trophy in 2015!
If growing big pumpkins was not your forte, some joined the creative fun by decorating/painting a pumpkin.
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NICC Celebrating 50 Years
of community education and training.
October 2 * from 2:30 - 4 p.m.
(following the Homecoming Parade)
NICC Waukon Center (1220 Third Ave. NW)
Open House
Tour the facility and meet the staff.
View demonstrations of the new Project Lead the Way Lab.
Explore Northeast Iowa Community College programs and training opportunities.
Enjoy free root beer floats following the homecoming parade.
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NOTE: Calendar of Events for 2016
Terri, our receptionist, will be compiling the 2016 Calendar of Events for Allamakee County. Please forward your events to her by November 30, 2015. The printed calendar will be available after January 1, 2016
. Please try to be as accurate as possible. Last year we had many changes after the 1st printing. Terri can be reached via email: acedrecep@gmail.com, by phone at 563.568.2624, or stop in at 101 W. Main, Waukon, IA.
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October Events:
Artists' Studio Tour 2nd, 3rd & 4th
NAIL'S Halloween Party 24th
Auxiliary Masquerade Sale 26th
Waukon's Trunk or Treat 31st
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