H-W School Board going paperless

Board members Duane Bodermann, James Kitchen and Karlos McClure look at paperwork on their new iPads. The school board is learning to use the new technology they have authorized for the faculty and students at H-W.

By Marcie Klomp

Well, at least it is making the effort. In the past, the Howard-Winneshiek Community School Board has had folders up to an inch thick, filled with pages and pages of information. Board members recently received iPads, which carry all of the paperwork in a device less than 1.5 pounds and with a 9.5 inch screen.

The iPads are part of a one-to-one initiative where all students and teachers will have an iPad. (It will take up to five years to complete the initiative.)

• In other business, more issues were raised regarding Spring Ahead Learning Center in Lime Springs. Supt. Dianne Anderson explained she had found out from the attorney that something was written incorrectly in the easement, which is the last step needed before letting bids for the building project.

“Because it’s taken so long, we’ve had them send everything to Joe Braun (local attorney). I think things will go a lot faster,” she said. Initially, the USDA, one of the major grantors, required a more specialized attorney than can be found locally.

Howard Comm. Found. pushes up grant deadline

The grant application deadline for the Howard Community Foundation’s 2012 granting cycle is February 1. Grants may be awarded in the following areas:

Cream the teacher

Got him!

Hopefully Mariah Gossman doesn’t get in too much trouble for throwing a pie in Principal Todd Knobloch’s face at the end of the year program! She smacked him right after he requested, “Please don’t get any in my hair!”

Donald F. Gansen, 82, formerly LS

Donald F. “Don” Gansen, 82, of Clear Lake, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, entered his heavenly home on Dec. 17, 2011, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City. Don was born July 13, 1929, in Elma, Iowa to William and Loretta (Richardson) Gansen. He helped on the family farm and with the family’s sand and gravel business. On Feb. 20, 1950, Don married the love of his life, Doris Kurtz, in Chester, and together they raised six children. Don worked in the mines on Gilmore City before moving to Clear Lake in 1961. He then worked with Carlson Construction working on many local highways and interstates. Don worked for Clear Lake (Buttertop) Bakery as a mechanic until he retired. Don enjoyed spending time with his family. He liked staying busy with gardening, woodworking, watching sports and having coffee with friends. A long-time Clear Lake resident, Don was a member of the Noon Lions Club and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Don and Doris also enjoyed spending their winters at their home in Arkansas, taking in shows, enjoying the flowers and watching the wildlife around the yard. Don was a good man and he will forever be in the hearts of those who knew him. Don was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother; his brother-in-law, Robert Bronner; his daughter-in-law, Connie Gansen; and his granddaughter, Nichol Gansen. Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 61 years, Doris of Clear Lake and his children, Fran Gansen of Mason City, David (Kathy) Gansen of Cedar Rapids, Richard Gansen of Clear Lake, Brenda Tuttle of Mason City, Ken (Elaine) Gansen of Jewell and Kathy (Steve) Brown of Clear Lake. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; one godchild, Danial O’Brien of Elma; brothers Robert (June) Gansen of Rochester, Minn. and James of Bolivar, Mo.; a sister, Lois Bronner of Lime Springs; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A funeral Mass was held Thursday, Dec. 22, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, with the Rev. Kenneth B. Gehling officiating. Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Memorials may be given to the Don Gansen Memorial Fund.

‘Tis the season of giving

Janelle Mahr, second from left, and Leann Thomas, far right, represented Oneota Club by giving Dorene Burnikel, Janet DeVries, Jerry Johnson, Carla Moser, Mary Stevenson and Wilt Thomas grants for their organizations.

Niece, aunt give gift of hair

Savannah Roberts and Aunt Rita Roberts gave to Locks of Love over the holiday season.

Each of the four years of high school, Rita Roberts gives her nieces (nephews aren’t quite old enough yet) a special gift for their birthdays—a whole day with her.

“I take one niece and the whole day is about them,” said Rita.

Savannah was anticipating her day with Rita and three years ago the duo starting growing out their hair. “Savannah wanted to donate hair to Locks of Love before she turned 16, so we started growing it out.”

All I Want for Christmas . . .

Just like the popular Christmas song, “All I Want for Christmas,” Garret Wenthold, Eboni Sanders and Teryn Lukes would like their two front teeth . . . plus lots of other stuff, including toys, toys and more toys!

Christmas church services

Christmas Eve (Dec. 24):

New fire fighters approved

Stephen Dietz puts some money into his mother's jar, Angel Dietz.

Be sure to check one of the upcoming issues of the Lime Springs Herald when there will a couple pictures of staff at Lime Springs-Chester Elementary getting “creamed.”

Parents And Teachers Together (more the parents than the teachers, maybe) decided to have a fund-raiser for quarters. Each student gets their name on a slip of paper each time they bring in a quarter and puts it in their favorite teacher’s container.

The teachers with the most money will get a cream pie in the face by one of the students voting. Luckily, the creaming is taking place on the last day of school, Dec. 22, so maybe the staff will forget who it was that did them in!

PATT also has been raising money by selling birthday calendars, chocolates and cook books. They were on sale at Christmases in Lime Springs and Chester and at the Christmas vocal concert on Dec. 8.