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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
October 5, 2006 |
Pumpkinfest has Something for Everyone
by Michelle Phillips |
After cold, rainy weather plagued the Grant Wood Art Festival in June, organizers of Pumpkinfest and Ryan Norlin Weigh-off are hoping Mother Nature is a bit kinder to the annual event.
“It is by far the biggest event that the Chamber puts on,” said Anamosa Chamber Director KC Kiner. “Thousands of people come out to see the giant pumpkins, watch the parade and participate in the many events that take place each year.”
Each year the Pumpkinfest committee picks a theme for the 18 year-old festival. This year’s theme is “Homegrown Beauties” with local Anamosa beauty queens 2005 Miss Iowa USA Sarah Corpstein, 2005 Iowa’s Homecoming Queen Saira Morgan and 2006 Miss Iowa Teen Co-ed Tonilee Twachtmann as the Grand Marshals of the parade on October 7.
“We wanted to tie together the beauty of the girls with that of the pumpkins and the surrounding area,” Kiner explained, adding that the biggest pumpkin in 2005 was shown by Jones County’s own Ralph Trumm.
A scarecrow contest for downtown businesses also had to adhere to the “Homegrown Beauties” theme. This year 13 businesses entered the competition. Ribbons were given to the top three scarecrow displays. They are as follows: First Place, Anamosa Floral; Second Place, Anamosa Publications; Third Place, The Grant Wood Art Gallery.
A Pumpkinfest prince and princess are chosen each year and get a fairy tale ride in a pumpkin carriage, owned by Citizens Bank, for the parade. This year the prince and princess titles went to Sammy Dolan, 7, of Olin and Mackenna Bieber, 5, of Anamosa.
The parade is scheduled to start near Downing Field at 2 p.m. and wind through Main Street. Scott Werling will emcee the parade.
Over 60 vendors will line the streets offering food, crafts and, of course, pumpkins.
“We have a wonderful mix of vendors this year,” said Kiner, who said the count is close to the number last year.
If you’re looking for pumpkin pie or pumpkin related items, a food booth and country store will be located in the Lawrence Community Center. This is also the location for the Ryan Norlin Pumpkin Weigh-off. The large pumpkins will be weighed from 8-11:30 a.m. and on display until 4 p.m. on October 7.
If you are a cook, come and enter the Anamosa Publications Pumpkin Recipe Contest at the Madison Center on Main Street. Entries will be taken from 9:30-10:30 a.m. If chili is your specialty, try the annual Chili Cook-off also on Main Street. Cooking begins at 8 a.m. and tasting begins at 12 p.m. Taster cups and chili dogs will be sold, with all proceeds going to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
On Sunday, check out the pumpkin pancakes at the Anamosa Rotary Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast inside the Lawrence Community Center.
After breakfast check out he garden tractor pull, or enter your kids in the run, punt, pass event, both located at Downing Field. (For a complete list of events and times, see page 17)
“We think that we have something to offer everyone,” concluded Kiner. |
Anamosa School District Focuses on Community Forum
by Susan Yario |
The highlight of Monday night’s school board meeting was centered on a brainstorming interaction led by Sharon Carmody-Holmes. The concept of the conversation was to bring to the forefront the basic and critical needs for the upcoming Community Forum on building a new school/expansion project. The first step addressed key needs that each member and/or administrative staff felt that would be necessary in a new middle school including current and future needs. Next, Holmes led the group into the same conversation regarding the High school.
Board members and staff were then directed to evaluate the expressed needs and narrow them down to five critical needs per school.
The critical needs prioritized for a new middle school:
Technology
Size of classroom
Labs (science, computer, etc…)
Security
Expansion ability
The critical needs prioritized for a new high school:
Fine Arts facility
Kirkwood Connection
Multiple areas for Media
Lecture Hall
Common areas & facilities
(The latter three were tied)
This portion of prioritizing enabled the group to get a better idea of what they felt was necessary to focus on for further planning for the district. A similar process of interaction will be at the Community Forum along with several other data analysis and information on October 24, beginning at 6:30p.m. at the Strawberry Hill Gymnasium. All community members, not just parents, are invited to attend the forum. The board and staff discussed all possible ways and means of getting the information out to the public via email, newspaper, LCC sign, letter and public access television.
There are three official real estate sites that are to be considered for district expansion; current Anamosa High School location, the McDowell property on Old Dubuque Road (30 acres) and 58 acres on the North side of Highway 64.
This location is 1.1 mile from Strawberry Hill Elementary. West Middle School is 1.1 mile from Strawberry Hill Elementary.
Approved items of the evening include the following:
Hiring of Sally Engelhardt as High School Special Education Paraeducator as a transfer from West Middle School, effective 10/02/06.
FFA trip to The National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN
LRP field trip to Chestnut Mountain in Galena, IL (funded out of Alcohol Reduction Grant dollars
Resolution authorizing the Redemption of School Bonds that were issued February 1, 1997-saving the district An additional $8,000
Student Hearing date is set for October 16 during a closed session following the regular session to determine exclusion of a student. (this student is not presently in our school district)
Iowa High School Network Project letter of support. AHS is applicant for a grant project to boost student learning for struggling learners. This grant would reimburse the district’s incurred funds for conference expenses spent for “Rigor & Relevance” framework learning for up to six teachers.
Celebration news includes congratulations to four high school students nominated to the National Council for Youth Leadership; Stuart Miller, Savannah Thompson, Mary Toenjes, and Greg Vernon. Over 700 students applied from five counties. Students were chosen through an interview and activity process.
Pictures of award winning students will be displayed in prominent areas throughout the winning communities. A positive way to recognize our future leaders.
Ms. Deutmeyer, Strawberry Hill Kindergarten teacher has been chosen as Teacher of The Week by 104.5 FM, nominated by Tim and Shelby Hollett.
There was discussion around the board table regarding any necessary revision or editing of the SILO brochure. (School Infrastructure Local Option tax) The final draft will reach the newspaper publication within the next week or two. This item will be on the November 7 general election.
Superintendent Monroe shared Anamosa City Council’s feedback regarding the Lefebure building, owned Parham Rentals. The city and the school district are considering sharing the building. The overall feeling was good and each entity is pursuing separate appraisals. The selling price of the property is $295,000.00, appraised value is $425,000 and the assessed value is $177,000.00. Monroe asked for the board’s ideas or comments and the only one received was to just keep moving forward on the idea.
The last important item shred before adjournment is the scheduled meeting with the Olin Superintendent, North Cedar and Midland Supers. This meeting is scheduled for October 4 to discuss negotiations regarding the 28 E sharing agreement. |
Angel Food Ministries Comes to Anamosa
by Michelle Phillips |
When Pastor Joe Wingo of the Tree of Life Church in Monroe, GA began Angel Food Ministries from the back porch of his home in 1994, he probably had no idea the non-profit food program would end up in 17 states and distribute food to thousands of families, including those in Anamosa.
The First United Church of Christ (UCC) has begun collecting orders for the first distribution day later this month.
“We’re doing it to help people in need,” said Eunice Pillard, who added that the church was looking for a mission.
Angel Food Ministries is designed to offer people a quality food for $25 a box. Each box contains 15-18 food items and is enough to feed a family of four for one week, or a single person for nearly a month.
The menu changes each month and bonus items are offered, for an additional charge, to those who purchase a standard box of food.
“You get about $60 worth of food for $25,” Pillard said. “It is all brand name food, and about half are meat items.”
In addition to offering food at a discounted rate, the participating church receives $1 for each box sold. This money is then used however the church sees fit. In the case of the UCC, it will be used to help those in the community who are in need of financial assistance.
Pillard, who serves on the Missions Committee said she heard about the program and took it to the churches deacons.
“We decided to do it, and have been working on it since April.
Right now the group is looking for volunteers to help take orders at the beginning of each month, and help box and distribute them toward the end of the month. If you would like to volunteer, contact Eunice Pillard at 319-462-3796.
This month orders are being taken on October 4, 4-7 p.m.; October 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; October 6, 4-8 p.m in the basement of the UCC on Booth and First Streets. The box must be paid for at the time of the order, and food stamps are accepted. |
Ketelsen Rides from Anamosa to Rochester and Back to Raise Cancer Awareness, Funds
by Michelle Phillips |
Former Anamosa Resident Von Ketelsen embarks on a bike ride from Anamosa to Rochester and back on September 25. His aim is to raise awareness of cancer as well as money for Hope Lodge in Iowa City. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
Von Ketelsen remembers his life being touched by cancer from a young age. That’s because his brother Jack died of Leukemia when he was just shy of his 18th birthday, and Von was just a baby.
Von said he had a wake-up call himself recently when doctors found a lump on his lymph node.
‘I said to myself, if it wasn’t cancer, I’d go on this bike ride,” said Von from a telephone interview, who added that he’s always wanted to do a self-contained bike ride. |
At 40 miles a day, taking a winding route to visit old friends, Von estimated that he would travel about 350-400 miles over the course of two weeks. Along the way he is talking to people about cancer and how it has touched their lives.
“Every single person I’ve talked to, without exception, has said ‘I had a brother that had cancer’ or ‘I’ve lost a parent to cancer.’ That’s the sad thing about this ride.” Von explained.
Along the way Von is raising money for the Hope Lodge, a facility similar to the Ronald McDonald House, a place where cancer patients can stay while receiving treatments at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The facility is in the fundraising stage and needs to come up with $8 million to build and fund the home, which would be located next to the Ronald McDonald House. The land has already been donated by the University of Iowa.
The facility will have 30 guest rooms and provide lodging for more than 400 cancer patients a year. It will also provide a place for patients to rest before driving home after a treatment. Primary caregivers will also be provided lodging at the facility. There will be no cost to the patient.
Hope Lodge will be run by the American Cancer Society. A staff will be on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist patients. Primary annual funding will come from individuals, corporations, foundations and businesses throughout Iowa and Western Illinois.
Ketelsen said the Hope Lodge received several donations after his story was on WMT and WHO radio stations, before he left for the ride.
Donations are currently being accepted and can be made by contacting Marcia Holley at the American Cancer Society in Cedar Rapids by calling 1-888-266-2071, ext. 21 or by email marciaholley@cancer.org.
Von said he decided to start the trip from Anamosa because he has spent much of his life living and working in Anamosa and Jones County.
“People have taken me into their homes and been very supportive,” Von concluded. |
Jones County Senior Health Fair Draws Nearly 300 People
by Michelle Phillips |
Nearly 300 people turned out for the 4th Annual Jones County Senior Health Fair at the Lawrence Community Center on September 27. Vendors from around Eastern Iowa offered information, screenings and door prizes for those who attended and presentations on various health topics were given throughout the day.
“Basically they tried to hit all the needs of the senior citizens in the area, so it is geared toward whatever they may need or want,” said Margaret Stickley, who serves on the Senior Health Fair Committee.
The health fair, which was held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., has grown in size each year, according to Gretchen Abeling, President of the committee.
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Margaret Stickley shows Betty Pearson and Marie Russell, both of Anamosa, some of the services offered by Anamosa Care Center. (Journal-Eureka Photos by Michelle Phillips) |
Sandy Ricklefs gets her blood pressure checked by Tara Brighton of Above and Beyond Home Health Care; |
“The older generation needs to know what is available to them in the county and surrounding area,” she said. “I really appreciate them coming in. Even if they don’t use the services right now, they’ll still know what’s available.
Area businesses involved in the health fair included banks, care centers, dentists, chiropractors and hospices.
Lunch was served by D&S catering of Olin, which is owned by Dixie Minnaert and Sharley Laetare. |
“This is our first gig,” added Laetare., who was serving up maid-rites, salads and desserts along with Minnaert and her aunt, Emily Boots of Monticello.
Abeling said she hopes to expand on the health fair each year.
“I’d really like to get a radio station in next year,” Abeling,commented.
Dixie Minnaert, Emily Boots and Sharley Laetare serve lunch to Wendy Schroeder of Cedar Rapids and Dave Woehler of Monticello; |
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Carol Janssen of Safe at Home gives a seminar at the Lawrence Community Center;
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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