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Tue
30
Jun

Geocaching offers chance to explore area’s hidden treasures


The icons on this map from geocaching.com represent the geocaches located around the Mar-Mac area. Pikes Peak State Park (bottom right) and Bloody Run County Park (top left) are both popular locations.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The natural features, historic sites and cultural centers of the area offer an abundance of treasures for residents and visitors alike to enjoy, whether it’s a hike to the top of a bluff, a stay at a cozy B&B or a display of 100-plus-year-old items at a museum. But, sometimes, there’s more than meets the eye, as spots like these, as well as dozens of other local points of interest, are home to hidden treasures called geocaches (pronounced geo-cash).

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game. The term was coined from the words geography and cache, which refers to a hiding place for concealing and preserving items. 

Tue
23
Jun

Veterans receive Quilts of Valor


Local veterans Ivan Melcher, Don Havelick, Julius Dettmann, George Balekos, Fred Heins, Sheryl Zittergruen, Jerry Kruse, Ed Parker, Bruce Lenth and Steve Russett received Quilts of Valor at Monona Hay Days June 20. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Steve Russett helped plan the event and was surprised to learn he was also a quilt recipient. Here, he hugs organizer and quilter Diana Parker.

Veteran Jerry Kruse, who was honored with a Quilt of Valor June 20, shakes hands with a little girl and her father following the presentation during Hay Days.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Ten area veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor at Monona’s Hay Days celebration June 20. Since its inception in 2003, when quilter and blue star mother Catherine Roberts came up with the idea of using quilts to comfort veterans while her son was deployed in Iraq, the Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded over 119,000 quilts to service members and veterans touched by war. 

Tue
23
Jun

Maiden Voyage, Wetlands Centre partner for Tom Sawyer Adventures


Maiden Voyage boat tours and the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette will partner in July to offer adventure days on the Mississippi River. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Maiden Voyage boat tours and the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette will partner in July to offer adventure days on the Mississippi River, aptly named Tom Sawyer Adventures for Mark Twain’s notable literary character, who enjoyed exploring the Mississippi.

The day-long adventures are offered July 6-9, 13-15 and 20-23.

“The goal is to get kids connected with the river, to see it like it was years ago,” explained Maiden Voyage captain Robert Vavra. 

Tue
23
Jun

Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival is June 27


Seven wineries and five breweries will offer samples at the sixth annual Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival, held along the Marquette riverfront, from noon to 4 p.m., on Saturday, June 27. (NIT file photo)

More beer and wine options offered than ever before

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

The sixth annual Lazy River Beer and Wine Festival, held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, will offer plenty of local wine and beer choices for attendees, as an additional winery and two new breweries join this year’s line-up.

“There’s even more for people to sample,” said McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carolyn Gallagher, “so you can sample things you might not normally try.”

Tue
23
Jun

McGregor sewer project to be substantially completed by July 17


McGregor’s sewer rehab project is nearing completion, with the substantial completion date set for July 17. Paving work began June 18. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

McGregor’s sewer rehab work is expected to be substantially completed by July 17, said city administrator Lynette Sander at the city’s June 17 regular meeting. Paving began June 18, she added. Work on the retaining walls will be completed after Mediacom and Alpine finish up some work and utility poles are moved, then curbs will be backfilled.

Evacuation route

Tue
23
Jun

Maiden Voyage will not load in Marquette in 2015

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Maiden Voyage tours will not pick passengers up in Marquette this year, as originally anticipated by captain Robert Vavra. He planned to pick people up there for his July Mississippi River Adventure Days and another special tour in the fall for a group staying at the Cobblestone Hotel, but notified the city he was contacted by Marquette citizens who were opposed to his usage of the fishing dock, so he will now load in McGregor only.

“It’s a disappointment,” said mayor Norma Mason, speaking at Marquette’s June 16 council meeting. “We thought it was going to be a go for the adventure tours. I wish people would have gotten their info first.”

Tue
16
Jun

Weller honored with Quilt of Valor


Meda Weller, 92, of McGregor, was honored with a Quilt of Valor last week, recognizing her service to the U.S., through the Army Nurse Corps, at the end of World War II. The quilt was made by her niece, Bev Kozelka (left). (Photo by Audrey Posten)

When asked how it felt to receive a Quilt of Valor, Meda was speechless and touched to be honored with a quilt. Here, she examines the star-studded, red, white and blue quilt with Quilt of Valor volunteer Vicki Sasso. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Since its inception in 2003, when quilter and blue star mother Catherine Roberts came up with the idea of using quilts to comfort veterans while her son was deployed in Iraq, the Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded over 118,000 quilts to service members and veterans touched by war.

Last week, 92-year-old McGregor resident Meda Weller became one of the latest to receive a Quilt of Valor, recognizing her service to the United States, through the Army Nurse Corps, at the end of World War II.

Tue
16
Jun

Father and son experience once-in-a-lifetime horse ride


Father and son Josh (left) and Gavyn Wade received belt buckles upon completion of the Great American Horse Drive in Colorado. They are pictured here with their group leader, Johnny Garcia. (Photo provided)

Each spring, for over 40 years, the Sombrero Ranches in northwest Colorado have led the Great American Horse Drive, where those associated with Sombrero, as well as visiting participants, help guide hundreds of horses over many miles back to the ranches from their winter pasture. (Photo provided)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Each spring, for over 40 years, the Sombrero Ranches in northwest Colorado have led the Great American Horse Drive, where those associated with the ranch, as well as a number of visiting participants, help guide hundreds of horses over many miles back to the ranches from their winter pasture.

This year, father and son Josh and Gavyn Wade, who live in Giard, took part in the annual tradition, living the lives of authentic cowboys for several days.

Tue
16
Jun

Monona Hay Days to ‘welcome home’ attendees


This year’s Monona Hay Days, held Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, will look to “welcome home” attendees, whether it’s back to downtown or a welcome home to veterans and alumni. (NIT file photo)

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

This year’s Monona Hay Days, held Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20, will look to “welcome home” attendees. The theme ties into the celebration in several ways, shared Monona Chamber and Economic Development Executive Director Rogeta Halvorson, who’s worked with the committee organizing the event.

“It’s a welcome home back to downtown, to veterans and to classes and alumni,” she explained.

In the past, Halvorson said, Hay Days was held downtown, but, in later years, moved to the city park. The committee initially considered holding events in both areas, but settled on downtown to keep activities centralized and allow for more space.

Tue
16
Jun

Old Man River, MMCA partner in growler design contest


Through a label design contest, growlers of beer sold at Old Man River in McGregor will soon get a unique touch, while also benefitting the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts.

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

Growlers of beer sold at Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery in McGregor will soon get a makeover, and raise money for a good cause, thanks to a partnership between Old Man River and the McGregor-Marquette Center for the Arts (MMCA) to design a growler label.

A growler is a 64-ounce glass jar, and most feature their brewery’s logo, said Allison Roberts, of Old Man River.

Roberts said art classes held at the MMCA several months ago inspired the idea, the profits from which will benefit the MMCA and its programs.

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