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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
June 21, 2007 |
Kicking Off the Great Jones County Fair
by Michelle Phillips |
The Cedar Rapids Spirits perform for the crowd at the Great Jones County Fair Kick-off party, the group will also perform at the fair |
Guests at the Great Jones County Fair kick-off party sipped cold beer and soda on the hot spring evening of June 13 at the Berndes Center of Monticello.
John Harms, Great Jones County Fair Manager welcomed approximately 200 area residents to the party, which marks the 155th year of the fair. Harms introduced John Frasher, who in turn introduced the fair board.
This year there are four Fair Queen candidates: Lindsey Aldeman, Lydia Lubben, Melanie Paulsen and Alison Yanda. Lubben and Yanda were not in attendance. The 2006 Great Jones County Fair Queen Kathleen MaNamara was on hand and told the crowd what a pleasure it was to serve as Fair Queen. |
“The best part was when little girls would come up and say, ‘Look Mom, a princess,’” recalled McNamara.
The Fair Queen competition will be held at Fawn Creek Country Club in Anamosa on July 8 at 5:30 p.m. The coronation will take place at the Jones County Farm Bureau Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. on July 18.
Joe Yedlik, Jones County Extension Education Director took the stage to talk about the 4-H and FFA competitions at the fair. He said the official kick-off for the kids was the clothing event, which took place on June 13.
“Coming out of the extension office, we’re in full gear,” Yedlik added.
He also highlighted two new event items. First, poultry will be broken down into two days. Second, a meat goat category has been added for 2007.
Yedlik also reminded everyone of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, a group that donates money and awards to the 4-H/FFA contests. Donations of trophies and ribbons are still being collected. Those interested can contact the Jones County ISU Extension office at 319-462-2791.
“This year we’re celebrating the 150th year of the beginning of Iowa State University,” Yedlik said.
He said each county is expected to complete a service project to commemorate the university’s anniversary.
“Our idea was to build a flag pole plaza near the livestock barns,” he told the crowd, and included that the location would be in front of the cattle barn.
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Marilyn Streeper hugs John Harms after he names her to the Great Jones County Fair Hall of Fame; Queen candidates Lindsey Aldeman and Melanie Paulsen with 2006 Fair Queen Kathleen McNamara; Monticello City Administrator Doug Herman accepts the Friend of the Fair award. |
The old cooler from the beer garden was auctioned off at the party. It was featured in the movie Miles from Home, featuring Richard Gere. Portions of the movie were filmed at the Jones County fairgrounds for the 1988 film. The cooler fetched $150 and was purchased by St. Patrick’s Church in Anamosa.
Matt Like of Cumulus Media was on hand again this year. He threw out t-shirts and told the group that there would be deejays at the fair announcing acts. Like, who is from Monticello, said that KHAK would also feature the Colgate Country Showdown. Information can be found at www.khak.com.
Next, the Cedar Rapids Spirits gave the group a sneak peak of their performance. The dance and cheer squad will perform throughout the week at the fair.
Last year Virgil Hunt and Lou Holly were given a Great Jones County Fair jacket for all of their help at the fair. Harms said the two men sent the jacket back and forth to one another and wanted a second jacket.
“We decided to get you another silk item,” Harms told the men, and presented them with a pair of silk boxer shorts emblazoned with GJCF in duct tape.
The crowd roared with laughter as the men held the boxers up for all to see.
Harms announced the Friend of the Fair and Hall of Fame awards. Friend of the Fair went to the City of Monticello, which was represented by Monticello City Administrator Doug Herman and Monticello Mayor Jerry Wilbrecht.
Herman took the stage and drew laughs by saying, “I don’t know where the mayor went, but I just saw the dancers leave.”
The Hall of Fame award went to Marilyn Streeper. Harms introduced her as the first female president of the fair board and the fist female hall of famer.
Streeper took the podium and fought back tears as she thanked Harms and the fair board for the honor.
The Great Jones County Fair will be held July 18-22. For more information about the fair, log on to www.greatjonescountyfair.com. |
Mitchel and VonMuenster Up for School Board Re-election
By Susan Yario |
The school board election was one of the topics at the Anamosa School Board meeting on June 18. This year, July 9 begins the School Board election filing period. Two seats are up for re-election; Jim Mitchel and Julie VonMuenster. A minimum of 50 signatures is required to run for an open seat. The filing period ends on August 2 at 5 p.m. Forms are available at the Jones County Auditors office or online at www.state.ia.us.
There were no written or oral comments received at a public hearing for the purpose of seeking input on the voluntary preschool grant application during the Monday night regular Anamosa Community School District meeting.
Jones Regional Medical Center (JRMC) and Anamosa Community School District entered into an agreement to sell and transfer the Rainbow Day Care program and the Kids Quest program to the school district. The school has agreed to assume the operation of these programs for the benefit of Jones County and the surrounding area. JRMC has agreed to sublease the same space being used by the Rainbow Day Care program for $1 a year for at least two years from the date of the agreement. The board approved the agreement.
Other items approved are as follows:
• Second reading of Board Policies 202.3, 202.4, 202.5, 204.8, 402.15, 502.9, 605.1, 803.10 and 902.6.
• Pay raises for the directors, administrators (not including the Superintendent) and support staff at an average of 5.48%.
• Workers’ Compensation carrier for 2007-2008 was awarded to United Heartland/United Wisconsin Insurance at a cost of $74,921. United Heartland also offers safety assistance and a dividend plan.
• An agreement for Administrative Computer Services with Grant Wood Area Education Agency for 2007-2008. This is virtually everything related to the business office including the finance system with the general ledger and account payable systems as well as payroll, check print systems and other systems.
• Bills due and payable and bills paid between board meetings.
• Financial reports as presented by Linda VonBehren, Business Manager. These reports show the cash balances of each school’s governmental funds, the construction trades fund and the preschool fund. Additional reports also show the previous month activity and balances for the district activity fund, health insurance trust fund and food service fund.
• Transfer of Insurance Trust Account into the General Fund to be designated for wellness initiatives and 4.91% to be transferred to the Nutrition Fund.
• Allocate 07-08 funds and authorize the Superintendent to include line items in the budget to meet the fiscal goals agreed upon in Curriculum, Technology, Professional Development, Reading Pilot program and Prevention Specialist. Including the designation of $106,000 (estimate) for technology and furniture for the new school building.
The Construction Trades Committee has reviewed four sites as possibilities for next year’s student building project. Selection has been narrowed to Lot nine of Meadow Ridge Seventh for a purchase price of $23,500. The board approved the purchase and the request for up front payment to the seller. The building costs are to be paid once the completed home is sold. This will be the program’s fourth construction project.
Personnel appointments and adjustments are as follows, with zero resignations being reported.
Certified Staff
Dan Adams, AHS Wellness/Workforce, effective 07-08 School year
Deb Brokaw, WMS Guidance Counselor, effective 07-08 School year
Lindsey Oltrogge, WMS Science teacher, effective 07-08 School year
Mary Somerville, Elementary Media Specialist, effective 07-08 School year
Classified Staff
Carmel LaFave, Central Office Secretary (.5), effective July 1
Sally Engelhardt, AHS Drivers Ed. Para (summer), effective June 28
Karen Theriault, AHS Guidance Secretary, 07-08 School year
Barb Switzer, AHS Office Secretary (.5), 07-08 School year
Cathy Wehling, Superintendent’s Secretary, effective July 2
Superintendent Monroe’s report included a short discussion on the phone line issue at the high school Currently the school has four lines coming in with two of them dedicated lines for fax machine and etc.T he phone company is working on a solution.
After July 1, a full background check is mandatory for all viable applicants to any district employment position.
The architect company, DLR and the district attorney are in the process of finalizing the contract. DLR will have two meetings with the administrative team prior to meeting with the board during the summer. |
Flag Disposal to Preceed Fireworks Display
By Michelle Phillips |
Proper disposal is important to show respect for the American Flag. It is also disrespectful to display a tattered flag. For the first time since 2004, Anamosa residents will have a chance to bring flags to Anamosa High School on the Fourth of July for a flag burning ceremony.
AmVets commander Jim Caswell said, “Flags can also be dropped off at the AmVets building,107 North Division Street, before the Fourth of July.”
The veterans groups of Anamosa will play patriotic music during the ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
“We have vets in the audience that come from the crowd and place the flags in the fire,” added VFW Commander Becky DirksHaugsted.
Caswell said the flag material is difficult to burn and must have the help of charcoal and propane to keep the fire going.
The Anamosa Fire Fighters will present a fireworks display at dusk, following the ceremony. The fireworks are paid for through donations raised by the Anamosa Rotary. |
MS Bike Riders Cycle Through Anamosa
By Susan Yario |
The 2007 MS Bike Ride held on June 16 began at Carlos O’Kelly’s in Marion. The Start to Finish MS Bike Ride offered participants several choices of mileage routes; 10, 20, 40, 80 and 100 miles. Start times are staggered based on the distance beginning at 6 a.m.
This ride on Saturday is one of approximately 100 MS rides in 48 states. Over $46 million dollars has been raised this season by 100,000 cyclists across the country to help create a world free of MS. The dollars are collected in the form of pledges by participants. Whereas, 83 cents of every dollar raised will go directly towards improving the lives of those with MS through research, educational programs, support programs and direct financial assistance.
Money raised through this ride, which included parts of Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Central City, Anamosa and Viola, will be used by the National MS Society to directly benefit the 4,600 Iowans who live daily with the uncertainty of the disabling disease.
The society provides programs such as Make a Connection system, which connects two people that have been affected by multiple sclerosis. |
Above: The 2007 MS Bike riders coming into Anamosa via E34 by the Wapsipinicon Park; Below: Jeff Meyerholz, Center Point, Tim Martinek, Cedar Rapids, and a youth, Tom Henry from Palo refresh themselves at the rest stop at Tapken’s.
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This system discourages the feelings of isolation and aloneness that can accompany the illness. A variety of other programs are offered by local offices.
Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body. It disables movement of the body. Symptoms range from tingling and numbness to paralysis and blindness. Women and men are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. It affects more women than men with over 400,000 people in the US and 2.5 million worldwide being afflicted. There are treatments for the disease but there is no cure.
To make a donation to join in the movement to end MS please contact Maureen Rohls, National MS Society, Area Manager, 5250 North Park Place NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, phone 319-447-1800, or send an email maureen.rohlfs@nmss.org. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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