An end of an era for yours truly. Yes, that's right. My pull-tab days are done.

Thanks to everyone who contributed this year to the project for the Ronald McDonald House. I collected 550 pounds of pull tabs. Unfortunately this time, I received just 29 cents per pound compared to 60 cents last year.

But all of $159.56 went to the Ronald McDonald House.

It took two trips to Alter Scrap Metal to unload the pull tabs. This was my first trip to its new location just past the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. It is a very nice facility, and I have enjoyed working with the guys who helped my mom and me dump the many Ziploc bags, coffee containers, boxes, milk jugs and garbage bags filled with the tabs.

It is a very dirty and sticky job, but in the long run, very fulfilling. The American Legion Auxiliary Second Distric Juniors will continue this project, but I don't have a contact person as yet.

Please continue to save the pull tabs, as I know the group in Eldridge, Iowa, Unit 639, would be willing to come to the Dubuque Legion Post to pick up the tabs. Tiffany Allers is the new junior president for that unit.

I would like to thank the following for my collection: St. Columbkille's Catholic School, Lincoln Elementary School. Metrix, Sedgewick CMS, my church family at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, American Legion Post No. 6 and Auxiliary Unit No. 6, David Goetzinger and several local taverns.

Also, thanks to the entire Dubuque community and the tri-state area, and the Telegraph Herald for allowing me to get the word out.

I would especially like to thank my mom, who helped me with this project every which way.

I hope I also have made you all a little more aware of how we can save our environment and help a worthy charity such as the Ronald McDonald House.

A flick of the wrist is all it takes.

Klinkhammer graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in June..