Gala shows generosity of community Haircut goes for $75, quilts for $800, $900, necklace for $1,000

Ruthie Fritcher shows her appreciation of hubby Dave after he purchased the sterling silver necklace with a micropave pendant donated by Holstroms and Dean and Libby Schwade for $1,000.

Someone greased the wallets of those attending the Second Annual Winter Gala! This year’s live auction raised over $2,500 more than last year at $9,315. Last year’s auction raised over $6,500 for Spring Ahead Learning Center (SALC).

Seventy persons were served the chicken in wine sauce supper on Jan. 21, which is down a few from last year, but that didn’t stop them from opening up their wallets and donating!

Those not able to afford a $75 haircut from Dale Reis could purchase children’s books. Barb Robinson explained. “I’ve been purchasing children’s books at reduced prices since Spring Ahead Learning Center’s inception. They are already donated to the center.” Now, others can pay full price for the books and have a “Donated by” sticker put on the inside.

Will there be sweet corn for Sweet Corn Days?

That is a question that has plagued members of Lime Springs Community Club since it was announced in December that the Locker was closing. Owners of the Locker have supplied the corn cooking pot since Sweet Corn Days began 30 years ago.

LSTP Picking up the slack

Lime Springs Travel Plaza Manager Sharly Rollie stands in the household/grocery aisle, which has been expanded since the closing of the Locker.

With the closing of the Lime Springs Locker and Grocery this month, residents have been concerned about how to get those forgotten recipe items while cooking dinner. It isn’t very convenient to jump in the car and run to Cresco, 13 miles away.

The Lime Springs Travel Plaza is trying to fill that void. Manager Sharly Rollie said, “With the Locker being closed, we are stocking more items.” She has already expanded the grocery and household aisle to include more baking items, such as flour, sugars, Bisquick, shredded cheese and a larger variety of cereals. “We are also ordering more bread and buns.”

She added, “If anyone asks for something, we are willing to get it in. I will take suggestions on items to order.” The business is also able to expand to another aisle to hold grocery items if needed.

A few brave souls managed to attend the first of four Think Tanks at the Lime Springs Community Center on Monday, Jan. 23. There are three more chances to help out the community by participating in the sessions.

The first session was designed to find ideas on how to promote the local culture and natural and agricultural resources. The Jan. 30 topic is about economic development; Feb. 6 is transportation and housing; and the Feb. 13 session will be about community facilities, infrastructure and utilities. The sessions start at 6:30.

Those attending get credit for in-kind hours which helps with matching grants in the future. Each session is different. You did not need to attend the first session to attend the rest.

Special Music/Dinner

Larry and Melissa Schmidt, a singing duo from Spring Valley, will use their musical talents to assist St. Paul’s in worship on Sunday, Feb. 5. Worship will be at 10:30 that morning (as opposed to the current 9:00 worship time). Following the service, a baked potato meal will be served. Anyone who enjoys fine music is invited to join the service.

The countdown is over

Mary Bielefeld has a hard time letting go of her son, Scott Tienter, who served in Afghanistan for a year.

by Marcie Klomp

The countdown to Army Reserve Spc. Scott Tienter’s return started Jan. 13, 2011 and ended on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 when he returned home from serving in Afghanistan.

When he left, Tienter and his family were told he would not be gone for more than 400 days. They were relieved when it didn’t go that far—it only went to day 362!

He and the other soldiers did come home at various times for a two-week leave during the past year. The Lime Springs man’s leave was Sept. 23-Oct. 13.

Tienter and his fellow reservists from Decorah’s 322nd Engineering Company arrived home for good around 4:00 p.m. to crowds of family and friends waving flags along Water Street in Decorah before getting hugs and kisses from family at the Reserve Center on Jan. 10.

Community Think Tanks coming to LS

The City of Lime Springs needs bodies! Residents are encouraged to attend a series of four Community Think Tanks where bodies mean money (or in-kind hours).

The Think Tanks will be held at the Community Center on the following Mondays: Jan. 23, Jan. 30th, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. Each session will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Join Iowa’s ‘100-Day Challenge’ through Partners in Progress

Members of Chester Partners In Progress is sending out an invite to persons interesting in joining the “100-Day Challenge” of Live Healthy Iowa. It starts Jan. 23.

Summer is just around the corner

With cold temperatures and snow flying around, it seems strange to be talking about swimming and playing ball, but the season it coming up and members of the Pool and Park Board need to start getting things set up for the summer.

Arthur Fisher, 77, Lime Springs

Arthur James Fisher, 77, of Lime Springs, Iowa, passed away Jan. 14, 2012, at the Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, Iowa.