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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
February 1, 2007 |
Bliss Provides Support to Soldiers Through Letters, Donations
by Michelle Phillips |
Jean Bliss of Anamosa said she was watching the news one night and noticed that there was a lot of coverage about people being hurt in Iraq, so she went to the computer to find out more about writing to soldiers. That’s when she learned about the Wounded Warriors Program (WWP).
WWP is an organization that helps wounded soldiers a tLandstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, often the first stop for those wounded in Iraq. The group allows people to write letters to the soldiers or donate money for items they need, such as phone cards, sweat suits, toiletries or a backpack filled with necessities.
“I was in college during Viet Nam and I remember what it was like. People were upset about the war and they took it out on the soldiers. I just didn’t want that to happen again,” explained Bliss.
At first she just sent letters and cards to the hospital, and involved her second grade class at Strawberry Hill.
“I was teaching, and I thought this would be a great way to get the kids involved and we sent cards for Veteran’s Day and Christmas,” said Bliss.
After retiring in spring 2006, Bliss continued to make cards for soldiers. She recently sent a box of Valentines to Landstuhl Hospital.
In early fall of 2006 she received a thank-you letter from the hospital. Bliss wondered if a fundraiser could be included in the annual Anamosa Veteran’s Day Assembly. Organizers of the assembly agreed and it was decided that half of the donations from the Veteran’s Day Assembly would be given to the WWP. Over $800 dollars was raised and $450 was given to the WWP.
Since the assembly in November, Bliss has also started sending letters to soldiers through the Soldier’s Angels letter writing team.
“Through the letter writing team you are given a new name each week. This is something anybody can do,” she said.
Bliss then adopted a soldier through the organization, which paired her up with a soldier. The program requires that those who adopt soldiers send the person at least one letter a week and one or two care packages a month.
Many of the soldiers have little support from those back home.
“This is a way to help out those that don’t have support,” she added.
Bliss hopes to get the word out about these programs and said she would be receptive to organizing fundraisers if she had others to help her, but for now, letters and care packages are keeping her busy.
For more information on these programs, contact Bliss at willaj@netins.net or visit the Wounded Warriors Program website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. For information on Soldier’s Angels, visit www.soldiersangels.org.
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City Snow Removal Expenses Lower Than Projected
By Michelle Phillips |
Every year the City of Anamosa budgets funds for snow removal, but even with the recent snowfall in the area, the city has spent less than half of the allotted funds.
The city spends about $40,000 a year to keep roads clear during winter weather. According to Anamosa City Administrator Patrick Callahan, the city has spent $15,200 so far this season.
“We’re running less than normal at this point in the year,” said Callahan.
Public Works Director Larry Driscoll said the city mixes its own snow removal mixture. “We use 96 pounds of sand, five tons of Calcium Chloride and 25 tons of salt per batch, he said.
The city also uses a brine mixture to melt snow and ice.
Callahan said the city would roll any excess money into street repairs, which was one of the items on city’s Capital Improvement Plan. He is hoping to assess all of the streets.
“I have suggested that we take a step back and look at all of the streets and see what work needs to be done,” Callahan stated, and added that he will find someone with a lot of experience in street repair.
He said he learned from a street session that it is better to do the best streets first.
“The reasoning is if you focus all your money on the worst streets, you’ll never catch up and those that are marginal will slip into the worst category,” he explained.
He has mentioned this to the council and feels it has motivated them to take a look at street conditions.
Callahan hasn’t spent the money just yet, though. “We still have a long way to go. I can remember a snowstorm in April, back in the ‘70s.”
With several light snowfalls predicted over the next week, the snow removal fund may be depleted.
“Small storms can sometimes cost you as much or more than one large snowfall,” Callahan, added.
Driscoll also reminded the citizens of snow removal laws, “It’s illegal to put snow on the streets, it’s illegal not to shovel sidewalks and all hydrants must be cleared of snow.” |
Gimme Shelter Soup Supper Raises Over $1,500
By Susan Yario |
A large turnout at the Gimme Shelter Soup Supper on January 26 made the event a success! 150 meals were served at the First Baptist Church in Anamosa. The event was sponsored and volunteered by the area Animal Welfare Foundation and mostly organized by member Jane Hilton.
Meal tickets, sales of t-shirts and calendars plus donations totaled the evenings cash box amount of $1,716.00. This included a matching donation of $500 from The Modern Woodman Club of Anamosa.
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The foundation is planning a garage sale in April to increase awareness of a need for an animal shelter in Jones County and to raise additional funds.
Photo: Darren Bogner serving soup to Evelyn Scott and Brittney Walker at the AWF Soup Supper. |
Passport Laws Change, Photo Service Now Offered at Recorder’s Office
By Michelle Phillips |
Passport laws have changed recently and now US citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America will be required to present a valid passport.
The Jones County Recorder’s Office will now offer passport photos, making the application process easier.
Photos are $10 and two must be included with the application. The application process takes about 10-15 minutes. Applications are available Monday-Friday, 8-a.m.-4 p.m. You may also download the form from the Internet or fill out the application online at
http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html, but all pages of the form will need to be printed as well.
Also required:
Driver’s license
Birth certificate
$67 fee
$30 agent fee
A Next Day Mail envelope
Passports delivery takes about eight to10, and for $60 more is guaranteed to arrive in three weeks. A travel date must be provided for the three-week option. Keep in mind that the Recorder’s office does not accept credit cards.
Both parents, who will be expected to sign the documents, must also accompany children under age14. All persons applying for passports must appear in person.
The new requirements from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and effective dates are as follows:
Phase I
Beginning January 23, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document or an Alien Registration Card, form I-551, if applicable.
Phase II
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling between the United States and Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all the requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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