Preschool end-of-year celebration

Lime Springs-Chester Elementary School was the venue of the end of year celebration for the 2011-12 preschool class. Parents and grandparents eagerly awaited when their loved one was paraded across the stage to receive his or her certificate.

Getting ready for search warrants

May 14, the Lime Springs fire station was the meeting place for law enforcement agencies, including the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, Cresco Police Department, NE Iowa Task Force, Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Drug Enforcement. Sheriff Mike Miner said the groups met in Lime Springs since neither of the two search warrants were being executed in the Lime Springs area. The only other information he could give out was that three people were arrested. It is an ongoing investigation.

Chester, LS Post Offices saved from closure

The Chester Post Office will be staying open!

On May 9, the U.S. Postal Service said it is abandoning, for the time being, its plan to close thousands of post offices in rural locations, including Chester. Instead, the hours the office is open will be shortened to either two or four hours. Lime Springs will likely have shorter hours also.

The USPS initially talked of closing 3,600 post offices this year. Chester was on that list. Lime Springs was on a list to not close the office but move the rural carriers to Cresco, according to OIC (Officer In Charge) Dolly Hovey.

Chester OIC Carl Haayer said, “It looks like we will probably lose a few hours, but it sounds like we’ll be open for a while. They’re being pretty secretive.”

Way back when . . .

Mildred Stevenson recalls growing up in rural Lime Springs and attending country school.

(Editor’s note: In preparation of Lime Springs’ Sesquicentennial in 2018, the Herald is asking residents to remember ‘Way back when . . .’)

Mildred Stevenson has a different perspective than young folks when talking about Aladdin lamps. She remembers way back when “We thought they were the brightest light at the time. Electricity was definitely a change for the better!”

She was born near Saratoga and remembers the family looked at the farm just outside of Lime Springs on Pearl Harbor Day. “We had a car radio at that time.”

Much of Stevenson’s recollections center around school as she graduated from Lime Springs High School in 1947, went to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls for two years and then taught school for the next 37 or so years.

Carnival at LS-C Elementary

Anyone is invited to attend the Carnival at LS-C Elementary on Friday, May 18 from 5:30-7:30. Parents And Teachers Together (PATT) will be serving a light supper (for a fee). Come down and see the kids having fun at the end-of-year carnival. There is something for all youth age groups, including Pin the Mustache on the Teacher!

Farmers Market starts 5-26

Mark you calendars. It is the start of the Farmers Market in Lime Springs on Saturday, May 26, from 9:00-11:00. Anyone is encouraged to sell items at the market. Items accepted are baked goods, garden goods and crafts. Cost to sell is $5.00 for the entire year at Lime Springs. It will be held every Saturday until fall.

Poppy Days, May 18-19

Mayor Barb Robinson, right, donates money to Betty Munkel for a poppy. Poppy chair Connie Richter and her committee set Poppy Day in Lime Springs as Friday, May 18. American Legion Auxiliary members will be at various businesses passing out the flowers. Scouts will be passing them out in Chester on Saturday, May 19.

Council okays carnival for SC Days

by Marcie Klomp

Lime Springs City Council gave its approval to continue looking into getting a carnival to come to Sweet Corn Days, Aug. 10-12.

Council hires maintenance person

Casey Sebastian is the new maintenance worker.

by Marcie Klomp

Casey Sebastian was hired as the new maintenance person for the City of Lime Springs. He replaces Dennis “Navajo” Grabau, who retired earlier this spring.

Sebastian started the week before and jumped in with both feet. He said, “I owe Ed Hampe (assistant maintenance person) a big thank you.” Hampe showed him the ropes.

The two also have three aerators working. “I got one from the basement working and would like to get another from the basement to work. There are now two working aerators in the west lagoon and one in the east.”

He said Iowa Rural Water was still planning to try to detect where the water leaks are when the weather cooperates by being still, with little or no wind.

Pool/parks updates

Ed Hampe is working on the roof at the pool.

The Lime Springs Swimming Pool cannot be made ADA compliant explained City Clerk and co-chair of the Pool and Park Board, Carla Moser.

Sandy Chilson did extensive research. “We cannot make the pool ADA compliant. Rails for wheelchairs would cost $20,000 and a lift would have to be put on a new cement slab that would be a water hazard and obstruct the view of the lifeguards. We will have this information documented in case we would get inspected.”

The pool restrooms will be compliant by the end of this year. The new roof going over the concession/restroom area will help with the longevity of the new plumbing.