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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
September 7, 2006 |
Digging Up the Past
by Michelle Phillips |
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While working on a remodeling project at Twisted Pair, 213 East Main Street, Brian Harmon and some high school students he employs, dug up three headstones. According to Jim Christianson of the Jones County Historic Preservation Commission, the headstones are duplicates and those whose names are on the stones are buried in cemeteries around Eastern Iowa. The headstones include a Breed family stone, a stone for Nelly Dickson and a third for Jacob Weiss. They all died in the mid or late 19th century. (Journal-Eureka Photo by Michelle Phillips) |
Plans in Place for 2006 Pumpkinfest
by Michelle Phillips |
Plans have been set for the 18th Annual Pumpkinfest and Ryan Norlin Memorial Weigh-off on October 7-8.
The theme for this year’s event is Homegrown Beauties. The Grand Marshals will be local beauty queens, Sarah Corpstein, 2005 Miss Iowa USA, Saira Morgan, 2005 Iowa’s Homecoming Queen and Toni Twachtmann, 2006 Miss Iowa Co-Ed.
There are few changes to the Pumpkinfest line-up this year. First, the beer garden will be in front of Daly Creek Winery, and wine will be served as well as beer. The other changes include the absence of the pumpkin carvers that normally set up in the Total Eye Health parking lot and an earlier start to the parade on October 7, at 2 p.m.
The weigh-in is expected to be a huge attraction for locals and out-of-towners again this year. Last year the weigh-in was won by Jones County resident, Ralph Trumm of Onslow, who produced a 1200-pound pumpkin.
“Let’s see if we can get another homegrown beauty in Jones County this year,” said Anamosa Chamber of Commerce Director KC Kiner. “I expect this year’s festival to be bigger and better than last year.”
Some of the regular events at Pumpkinfest will include food and crafts on Main Street, Horseshoe Pitching contest, Big Wheel Race, the Car Smash and Chili Cook-off on October 7. The big pumpkins will not be on display October 8, but there will be a Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast, Run, Punt and Pass and a Garden Tractor Show. A golf tournament is slated for both days.
For a complete list of events visit www.anamosachamber.org. |
School Board Election Scheduled for Tuesday
by Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa School Board Election is coming up on September 12, with four candidates vying for three open seats.
Incumbents running for re-election in the race include LeAnn Ridgeway and Sharon Weideman.
Scott Werling, who currently serves on the board is not seeking re-election.
Ridgeway is a native to Anamosa and attended the Anamosa School District. Since she began serving on the school board three years ago, she says the district has made great improvements in curriculum, including revamping the language arts and math programs. She feels the upcoming issues for the district include planning and building a new school and updating technology.
Another Anamosa native, Weideman has served on the school board for three terms. Weideman feels that education needs to be customized for individual students to help them succeed after high school. She feels that some of the timely issues in the district include curriculum expansion, open enrollment with other districts and addressing what to do with West Middle School.
There are two candidates running for the first time this year, Connie McKean and Darwin Carstensen.
McKean is also concerned with preparing students for life after high school, whether it be college, vocational training or the workforce. She is currently on the Anamosa School Foundation board and serves as the group’s president.
Carstensen, too, feels that education should reflect the students’ needs. He feels that curriculum expansion is necessary in the district.
Both McKean and Carstensen said there is nothing wrong with the current school board, but each thinks they can provide a fresh perspective.
All of the candidates currently have children in the Anamosa School District. |
APD to Get K-9 Officer
by Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa Police Department (APD) will soon have a new addition to the force, a canine officer.
The dog will come from the Police Department Training Center in Sioux City, free of charge because of a grant that APD applied for earlier in the year.
“They give a way a number of dogs each year, and one of the details of the grant is that we must keep the dog for five years” said Anamosa Police Chief Matt Menard. “Between the dog and the training I would guess the dollar amount to be about $10,000.”
Menard said the APD has been raising money to purchase a canine. The donations have come from individuals and grants from the Anamosa Wal-Mart.
“We want to thank everyone for their donations. That money will now be used for equipment and care of the dog,” Menard commented.
The canine officer will be teamed up with Anamosa Police Officer Dave Riches, who will go to Sioux City on September 25 to pick the dog up. The dog will stay with Riches for a four-day bonding period, and then the pair is off to a three-week training session in October. The canine officer will be on duty by the end of October. Riches and the canine officer will also receive free annual training.
Menard said the dog is trained in several areas including tracking, building and area searches, officer protect and drug detection.
“The number one use will be drug detection. It’ll be a highly valuable tool in dealing with the drug problem in the city. The dog can smell and detect a drug in places the officers may overlook,” Menard explained.
Previously the APD was using the Jones County Sheriff’s canine officer. Menard said the county has always been helpful and has never refused the police department use.
“Having one (canine officer) in the city will give us availability to the dog at all times. The county shouldn’t have to pay a deputy to perform services for the city,” Menard added.
Menard concluded that having the dog in the city would be an asset because it will serve as a deterrent as well as a tool. |
Sidecar Rally to be Held September 9 |
For the third year, Sidecar enthusiasts, riders and vendors from around the Midwest will gather at the National Motorcycle Museum for the Eastern Iowa Sidecar Rally. The rally will be held September 9 in downtown Anamosa, from 10a.m.- 4p.m.
The sidecar rally will last all day, so bring a picnic lunch, blanket and cold drinks. See the Sidecar parade and visit with other spectators. Talk with Doug Bingham, president of the Sidecar Industry Council, and a 2003 Hall of Fame Inductee at the museum. The Anamosa AmVets will, again, be cooking up some great eats. Sign up to win door prizes and check out various vendors on hand at the event.
On Sunday, head back to Anamosa for the 56th Annual Hillclimb on the banks of the Wapsipinicon River just outside of town. The Hillclimb begins at noon and is a great way to finish out the weekend!
While in town for the rally, be sure to venture into the museum and see what’s new! The museum will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the museum is $6 for adults each day and children under 12 are free, for this special weekend event.
Cruise into the museum, and experience an extensive collection of over 190vintage motorcycles, thousands of photographs, posters, postcards and other motorcycle memorabilia, plus a fabulous collection of antique toys. Come see for yourself why the National Motorcycle Museum was voted Iowa’s Tourism Attraction of the Year for 2001.
For more information on these events, contact the National Motorcycle Museum at 319-462-3925 or visit their website at www.nationalmcmuseum.org.
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
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