Elma—to be or not to be

A crowd of around 100 went to the open forum at the Elma school gym on Monday, February 21.

by Marcie Klomp ”Communities together educating our future.” That is the vision statement for Howard-Winneshiek Community School District drafted by the Administrative Team on October 11, 2010. Several parents challenged that statement at the open forum on March 21 in Elma.

Lime Springs gains population

Lime Springs is the only town in Howard County to show an increase in population over the past 10 years, according to the 2010 Census, although just barely. In 2000 the population was 496 and by 2010, the town gained nine people for an increase of 1.8 percent. It was the first time in 50 years, Lime Springs cracked the 500 mark.

Wild Game Feed a hit

Winners of the gun raffle at teh Fish and Game Club’s Wild Game Feed on March 19 include Harry Kitchen, Keith Bakken, Weston Praska with dad, Mike, and Gerald Moser.

It was another full house for the Fish and Game Club’s Wild Game Feed on Saturday, March 19. The Chester Community Center was bursting at the seams, as were many of the folks who stocked up on some of the wild game dishes.

Cars broken into at LS

Seven individuals from Lime Springs reported some thefts and rifling through vehicles Monday night, Tuesday morning, March 14-15 to the Howard County Sheriff Department.

Betty DeRuiter, 71, Lime Springs

Betty Lou DeRuiter age 71 of Lime Springs, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at her home.
Betty was born on July 20, 1939 in Elkader, Iowa to Charles and Fannie (Ross) Rodas. She attended country schools and graduated in 1956 from Edgewood-Colesburg High School. She received her teaching degree from Upper Iowa University and taught in the Edgewood-Colesburg and Howard-Winneshiek school districts for 39 years.
On May 31, 1959 Betty was united in marriage to Arnie DeRuiter at the Congregational Church in Edgewood. They lived in Edgewood until 1968 when they moved to Lime Springs. She enjoyed flower gardening, reading and coffee time. She was active in Oneota Club, Commercial/Community Club, library board and many other community activities. Betty loved spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren.

Donna Petru, 76, Lime Springs

Donna Petru, 76 of Lime Springs, Iowa passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Great season ends with heartbreaks at State

Carter Fousek takes first place on the podium at the Waverly-Shell Rock High School eight-man bracket. (Submitted)

Two local youth went into the Iowa Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Wrestling Tournament with great records and high hopes. Alas, they just fell short of bringing home a championship to Howard County.
Both first graders finished with impressive records. Carter Fousek had a record of 48-5 with 39 pins and Bryce Shea had a record of 39-6.
Dad Clint Fousek stated, “Carter has wrestled about every weekend since Thanksgiving all over Iowa and Southeast Minnesota, beating some of the best kids from around the tri-state area, also kids from Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota.

 

Bryce Shea is atop his opponent, ready for the match to begin. (Submitted)

We have traveled to places from Winona and Blooming Prairie in Minnesota and Cedar Rapids and Lake Mills, Iowa, sometimes getting up at 6:30 in the morning so we can make 9:00 weigh-ins.”
The proud dad added, “Carter has dominated most of his opponents this year. If anyone sees Carter you can ask him if he likes wrestling, and he gets this big shy toothless smile.”
Going to the big house was disconcerting for the young grappler. He lost his first two matches, which had never happened in his short career. He lost to Tyler Roling of Cedar Rapids 5-6, then to his buddy and wrestling practice partner, Bryce Shea of Lime Springs, 3-7.

Wild Game Feed

Strap on the feed bag! It’s time for the 17th annual FREE Wild Game Feed, sponsored by the Lime Springs/Chester Fish and Game Club. The potluck dinner will be Saturday, March 19.

Howard-Winneshiek Schools reduction options

Over 30 individuals, about half of them teachers, attended the school board workshop to see what reductions were being discussed. At table are Erin Ludwig, Harlan Larson and Jerry Johnson.

by Dianne Anderson, Howard-Winneshiek Superintendent
A special school board work session was held in the Crestwood High School library on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the 2011-12 general fund expenditure reduction options and to update the status of the capital projects K-8 driveway and the high school bleachers and floor.  The board discussed three reduction options which are listed below in this article. No decisions were made at this work session.  Date and times were set for the public to be heard by the board on the reductions options:

Dads and Donuts

There were 87 total kids, dads, grandpas and uncles served at the Dads and Donuts event sponsored by PATT (Parents And Teachers Together) on March 10. The event drew 32 dads, more than the group served during Moms and Muffins held last fall. The kids enjoy showing off their relatives whether it be at breakfast, lunch or other times during the day. Parents and grandparents are always welcome. PIctured are Austin and Alex Johnson with dad Keith and Avery Johnson with dad Kyle.