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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, April 3, 2008
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Iowa House to Recognize Grant Wood Art Festival
By Mike Moynihan |
State Representatives Ray Zirkelbach of Jones County and Ro Foege of Linn County have filed House Resolution 123, recognizing the Grant Wood Festival June 8 and urging all Iowans to be a part of the annual homage to the painter. The resolution, which is slated to be introduced to the Iowa House April 7, notes the famous artist’s contributions to 20th Century art and his humble beginnings in and around Anamosa in Jones County.
Zirkelbach said he didn’t foresee any obstacles to the resolution’s passage. “Grant Wood is a national figure,” he said, “and many people do not realize his importance to our area, state and nation.”
In the past, Zirkelbach said he had done points of personal privilege about the Grant Wood Art Festival. Frequently, people had approached him afterward, he said, for more information so they could participate in the event.
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Grant Wood |
The idea for getting legislative recognition for the art festival came from AJE Editor Michelle Phillips, who serves on the Grant Wood Art Festival Committee.
“I was driving to a committee meeting one morning, and I thought it would be nice if we could get some legislative recognition for the festival,” she said. “The rest of the committee liked the idea, too, so I asked Ray Zirkelbach if he thought it was something that could be done. He loved the idea.”
Phillips sent Zirkelbach material about Grant Wood from the Journal-Eureka’s archives and much of it found its way into the wording of the resolution. For Zirkelbach, there were family connections to Wood that gave the resolution personal meaning.
“Grant Wood is a favorite artist in my family,” Zirkelbach said. “My mother owns two pieces of art that came from the Stone City Artists’ Colony that were created by Grant Wood students, and we have many prints of his art. She also has a print of Daughters of the American Revolution in her kitchen.”
Zirkelbach, like many, considers that piece of Wood art to be a sarcastic take on a group of stuffy snobs. Ironically, he said his family recently discovered ancestral ties to the DAR on his mother’s side.
When the festival committee discovered there were no Grant Wood works hanging in the Statehouse, it donated two full-sized prints to the legislature, including a print of Daughters of the American Revolution. The other print was Stone City, also one of Wood’s more famous works. Bob Kellogg framed both prints and donated a portion of his work to the committee.
“His art reflects the life of early 20th Century America and how agriculture functioned in that time period.” Zirkelbach said in explaining part of the continuing importance and appeal of Wood’s work. “His paintings also show how simple yet rewarding life was in that time.”
Those insights fit neatly with Zirkelbach’s favorite Wood paintings: Spring in Town, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Dinner for Threshers.
“I think I can speak for the committee when I say the committee is delighted this resolution will be introduced on Monday,” Phillips said. “And we certainly want to thank its co-sponsors, Ray Zirkelbach and Ro Foege, for all their work.”
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.123
BY ZIRKELBACH and FOEGE
A Resolution recognizing the Grant Wood Art Festival.
WHEREAS, Grant DeVolson Wood was born on February 13, 1891, on his parents’ farm four miles east of Anamosa, Iowa, where he spent the first 10 years of his life; and
WHEREAS, Grant Wood was an exceptional artist from a very young age; at the age of 14 he took third prize in a national contest for a crayon drawing of oak leaves and said that winning that prize was his inspiration to become an artist; and
WHEREAS, from that beginning, Grant Wood blossomed into one of the great artists of the twentieth century; and
WHEREAS, taking inspiration from the work of German and Flemish painters, in 1930 Mr. Wood created the painting that defines his art and assured his success, “American Gothic”; and
WHEREAS, today we continue to honor this remarkable man, his unique talent, and the artist colony he founded in Stone City, with the annual Grant Wood Art Festival; and WHEREAS, the 36th Annual Grant Wood Art Festival will be held Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Anamosa, Iowa, featuring day=long events and the work of many local and regional artists; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives recognizes the upcoming 36th annual Grant Wood Art Festival and urges all Iowans to plan a visit to this celebration as part of their summer vacation plans.
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2008 Jones County Fair Entertainment Announced
By Michelle Phillips |
The Great Jones County Fair (GJCF) is slated for July 16-20, and General Manager John Harms has announced this year’s entertainment for the “Five Best Days of Summer.”
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The classic rock band Boston is in the line-up. |
“As a whole, this line-up has the potential of selling out every night,” Harms predicted. “Fairgoers expect a level of entertainment–we’re going to give it to them again.”
The week includes country classic rock and something for the young generation. The daily events are as follows:
Tuesday, July 15: Sneak-a-Peek
This perennial favorite features free gate admission, food, rides, games and entertainment. The fair queen is crowned on the main stage that evening.
Wednesday, July 16: HTPA and NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulls
The night will feature five different classes of vehicles and will be proceeded by the HTPA Truck and Tractor Pull.
“It’s a tri-state basically,” explained Harms. “At night will be the big boys, the nationals.”
Thursday, July 17: Josh Turner and Jo Dee Messina
Country singer Josh Turner will open the 7:30 p.m. show for Jo Dee Messina.
“Josh is tall, dark and handsome with an unmistakable deep voice. The ladies go goo-goo over him,” said Harms.
“Jo Dee has lots of hits and has been on the scene about 10 years. She’s looking pretty good, too. Drooling would be a better word for the guys,” he continued.
Harness racing will serve as the afternoon entertainment on Thursday.
Friday, July 18: Boston
The classic rock band will take the stage at 8 p.m. and belt out many of their hits from the past three decades.
It’ll be a great time at the Jones County fair that night,” said Harms. “These guys have been in the business a long time. They originated in the late 70s and have been putting out hits ever since.”
Harness racing will be featured in the grandstand during the day on Friday.
Saturday, July 19: Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Halfway to Hazard
This show kicks off at 7:30 due to three acts taking the stage. This show will not have seats on the track and will be be standing room only.
Harms commented on each of the musicians.
“Dierks Bentley has been out there for a few years,” said Harms, who added that he headlined the Iowa State Fair last year, drawing a huge crowd.
“Miranda Lambert opened for Rascal Flats in 2005,” Harms recalled. “She has a much, much more matured stage presence.”
The popular singer is also up for three ACM awards, Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Top Female Vocalist.
“Halfway to Hazard, they’re a male duo. They have a top 20 song right now called, Daisy,” Harms stated.
The pair toured with Faith Hill and Tim MCGraw last year and will joined McGraw on his solo tour this year. Their album was also produced by McGraw.
Sunday, July 21: TBA
“We will have a major Disney Production,” said Harms who said an announcement will be made in the future.
During the day there will be a demolition derby at 11 a.m.
“It’s basically tri-state again,” he said and included that a handful of people travel further.
Harms said VIP Travel in Monticello would give away a trip each night of the fair. The trips include: Wednesday, Las Vegas, NV; Thursday, San Diego, CA; Friday, Jamaica; Saturday, Frankfurt, Germany; Sunday, Miami, FL. Fireworks will awe the crowds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights before the drawing.
The Pepsi Plaza will feature three stages this year.
“We’ll be dealing with toads, tigers and gators,” commented Harms.
Strolling acts will be available throughout the week and include, Plaster Man, a man dressed to look like a statue, Freddie the Robot and the Amazing Bigfoot.
“We’ll also have a major chainsaw artist competition,” Harms added. “We’re grooming ourselves for a future ESPN event.”
Of course there will also be plenty of 4-H and FFA competitions as well as the open exhibits for adults and kids.
Harms said tickets for the entertainment would go on sale online April 14 and by phone April 21. This year he is trying a new system called “purchase and print.”
“It’s a totally new concept. For the same service charge as the box office or phone orders, you can go to our website, link up with the processor and print your tickets at home,” he explained.
The system then uses a scanner to read a barcode at the event. |
Jo Dee Messina is one of the country headliners.
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| To purchase tickets, try “purchase and print” at www.greatjonescountyfair.com, call the fair office at 319-465-3275 or stop by the box office at the fairgrounds, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. |
Grassley Swings Through Anamosa During Annual 99 County Tour
By Michelle Phillips
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Iowa Senator Charles Grassley made a stop at McOtto’s in Anamosa on March 27 as part of his 99 county tour, which he embarks upon each year.
The senator was in high spirits and joking throughout the early morning event, which drew about 40-50 residents from around the area. He told the group to ask anything they would like.
“I always have to ask, we’re in Anamosa, aren’t we?” he asked the crowd.
One of the early questions asked was whether or not the division of church and state was being breached through an investigation into church donations and whether or not church income is being taxed properly, lead by Grassley.
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Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and his regional director, Mary Day, talk with Dennis Walters at McOtto’s on March 27. |
Grassley said his motivation was that not a lot of other senators were willing to take on the issue.
“I’m not concerned with the operations of the church, only that there are no violations to the tax code,” he said.
He added that taxes for non-profits have not been reformed for 40 years.
“Other non-profits should be investigated, too,” he added.
Remaining on the subject of taxes, Kristie Darien, Executive Director, Legislative Office of the National Association of the Unemployed, questioned Grassley on what could be done to close fix the tax gap and safeguard small businesses.
Grassley said the government misses out on $295 billion in tax revenue each year. “You have to find the paper trail,” he added and asked Darien. “Do you feel those things are burdensome for small businesses?”
Darien told Grassley that changing the tax code makes it confusing and difficult for small business owners to comply.
“Plain language and unified forms would make it much easier,” she included and said that many of the businesses her organization represents have 10 employees or less and 50% are home based businesses.
“We don’t want to shut businesses down because they can’t comply,” Grassley commented.
A woman in the crowd spoke and asked Grassley to support bill number 2433, The Global Poverty Act, and voiced concern over the rising worldwide food costs.
Part of the problem with the cost, Grassley pointed out, was that the government must send grain by American ships. He added that the cost could be 20% less if we were to buy the grain we provide to other countries, overseas.
“If we have a farm bill, it will make it in,” he sarcastically predicted. The sarcasm was due to the inability of Republicans and Democrats to pass the Farm Bill this session.
The Senate will negotiate the farm bill through April 7. “If we can’t work through it, it will likely be the same,” he said. “Most of the dispute is over food stamps, conservation and a little bit for energy.”
The bill has the potential to be vetoed by the president, much like the S-CHP, a bill promoting health care for children.
Grassley said that spending must be offset somewhere. “Maybe that’s been a problem of Congress’s reckless spending,” he considered and stated, “If you can’t work through it with compromise, you’re not representing the people.”
Brooke Barnette was in the crowd and the 10 year old had health on her mind. She asked Grassley what the federal government could do to make sure physical education is provided for kids.
Grassley told her that the issue is controlled by state and local government, but there were other healthy measures the federal legislature could take. That includes a healthier lunch program and reducing the availability of sugary snacks in schools.
“The latter has not been passed by the government yet,” Grassley told her.
Grassley was then asked whether the government would continue to support ethanol and if it would increase the promotion of biodiesel?
Grassley replied that the biodiesel tax credit runs out at the end of the year, but are expected to be renewed.
He added that wind, solar and hydro should be included as well.
Grassley went on to promote ethanol as, “good for farmers, good for the environment and good for reducing foreign oil consumption.”
He said ethanol is an excuse for raising food prices and that corn reached its peak at just over $4 a bushel. He did speculate that cellulosic production would increase and corn based ethanol production would level out.
When asked about the length of the Iraq War and whether or not troops would be sent home, Grassley said, “The idea is to continue what General Petraeus is trying to do. We are hoping to ramp down 30,000-40,000 troops by the end of the year.”
Grassley added that after he talked to a member of the National Guard on a recent trip to Fairfield, he said there was still a long way to go to reach benchmarks in Iraq.
“The idea of benchmarks in the Iraqi Army is something they don’t have.”
He said General Petraeus would be testifying before Congress in two weeks.
Grassley was asked if he was grooming a replacement for his seat?
He replied, with a smile, “Now that would be rather foolhardy of me, wouldn’t it? Even if I had someone in mind, it’s not up to me; it’s up to the voters. I will take this opportunity announce that I will run for another term in the senate.”
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