News

By Molly Moser

A theme has been chosen for Guttenberg Development & Tourism’s annual Stars and Stripes Celebration. This year, parade floats and entertainment will center around the idea “Rockin’ on the River.” Festivities begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3, in the park along the river and will carry on throughout the evening, concluding with Guttenberg’s traditional fireworks over the Mississippi River after the sun sets behind the bluff.

After spending time at River Park Place and two weeks at Rivers Edge Bakery in Guttenberg, on May 19 Walley, a traveling piece of public art, checked in at the Family Resource Center for the next two weeks. Walley is a 30"x80" recycled bottle cap fish mosaic that was created under the auspices of Umbrella Arts.

Next on Walley's travel agenda is Fidelity Bank and Trust, June 2-16;  Lockmaster's House Museum, June 16-30; Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, June 30-July 14, and Garments and Goods, July 14-28.  

By Molly Moser

The Clayton Ridge School District will hold a public open house in honor of retiring Superintendent Allan Nelson on Thursday, May 28, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the elementary multi-purpose room. Nelson served as Clayton Ridge superintendent for 13 years, beginning July 1 of 2002 with his retirement becoming final this year on June 30. 

Nelson was born in DeKalb, Ill., and raised on a farm near the community of Sandwich. He graduated from Sandwich High School and attended Joliet Junior College while working on the family farm, then earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in agricultural education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  

After working for 15 years as an agricultural education and FFA teacher, Nelson  decided to earn administrative endorsements. For over two decades following those endorsements, he served as a principal and superintendent in three rural school districts, including Clayton Ridge.  

“During those years, my wife, Sheryl, and I raised two children, Matthew and Kimberly,” said Nelson. Sheryl is a high school English teacher in the Starmont Community School District, and both of the Nelson children graduated from Clayton Ridge High School.  “Matthew lives in Elkader and works for RISE Ltd. Kimberly completed her Bachelor of Arts in English at Buena Vista University and works for Stelter Company in Des Moines,” the superintendent told The Press. 

Challenges throughout Nelson’s tenure at Clayton Ridge include the declining enrollments and statewide budget cuts experienced by many rural Iowa schools, as well as the merger between Guttenberg and Garnavillo school districts, the closing of the Garnavillo elementary school building, and the recent defeat of a bond referendum to address the deteriorating 1903 school building and outdated facilities at the Guttenberg site.  

Dr. George Auer, 86, of Guttenberg, died Thursday, May 14, 2015, at the Guttenberg Care Center.

Visitation was one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services were Monday, May 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, conducted by Rev. Marvin Bries.

Inurnment was at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Guttenberg.

Arrangements were handled by Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Guttenberg.