Year 2009 in Review

May 14, 2009 Jade Miller broke his own record with the shot put when he tossed it 42 feet, two-and-a-half inches.

Continued

April 30, 2009

• Annette Rubin, director for the Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe, was honored as April’s Giving Your Best Award winner by KIMT-TV.

• Betty Roesler received the 2009 Community Service Award form the Apache Trail Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for donating so many quilts to organizations including Ronald McDonald House. Over the years, she figures she made about 350 quilts.

• The Lime Springs Community learned Mercy Family Pharmacy  was to close. Laney Stevenson was the pharmacist.

• Cherry Grove was having another Cowboy Church service.

• Howard County Supervisors Mick Gamez and Jan McGovern visited every library in Howard County—including Lime Springs Library.

• A Welcome Home Ceremony was being held for Spc. William Kocian Jr. who had been to Iraq.

• Sam Shroyer talked to the elementary students and planted a tree on the school grounds.

• The Cub Scouts held its annual Pinewood Derby at Chester.

May 7, 2009

• Charlene Gates, who applied, was informed Lime Springs was named a “Best Bloomin’ Town” in Iowa. She sent in an application and received $1,000 from Our Iowa magazine for showing the plantings done around town, including the hanging and ground planters.

• The Community Club learned the sweet corn float needed to be rebuilt. Volunteers were asked to help.

• Spring Ahead Preschool teacher Angel Dietz received word the preschool was given a QRS-2 rating. The school received $400 for advancing.

• Many events occurred over the weekend including Cub Scout, Girl Scout and softball sign-ups; Chester City Wide Garage Sales; a Welcome Home Ceremony for Spc. William Kocian Jr.; and St. Paul Lutheran Church’s annual hog roast.

• Every year, the Boy Scout Camporee takes place around the district. This year it was held at Lidtke Park where about 160 scouts and leaders camped, ate and played. The big event of the weekend was the Arrow of Light Ceremony.

• The play “Snow White and Friends” was performed by the Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe. Members of the cast included Autumn Nelson, Makayla Gates, Emily Roberts, Jessica Curtis, Autumn Crofton, Jessy Bannister, Dusty Ruggeberg, Nicole Klomp, Rachel Bowser, Jennifer DeVries, Morgan Bowser, Arielle Engelhart and Savannah Roberts. Thea Hartzell is in charge of sound and Annette Rubin is director with Janet DeVries as assistant.

May 14, 2009

• Little Miss Poppy was Adanna Warnke, who joined the American Legion Auxiliary through her great-grandpa, Bob Foote.

• Eddie Hughes told of his experience of going on the Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

• Ron Deike of the Forest City Trustees came before the Lime Springs City Council saying a meeting between council and trustee members went well.

Fire Chief Tony Roberts said the department needed two battery maintainers for the trucks, which the council approved.

The City was updated on repairs at pool.

• Jade Miller broke his own record in the shot put at Crestwood Junior High. He broke Doug Ruggeberg’s record from 1987 at 39 feet, two inches. Miller broke the record at 40 feet and four inches and again at 42 feet, two-and-a-half inches.

• The fifth annual Community Art Fair, held at the Lime Springs Library had 46 artists with 89 items displayed.

• Local kids who attended the AWANA Grand Prix at Cresco included Erik Busch, Zachery Dietz, Mackenzie Dietz, Stephen Dietz, Abby Dietz, Matthew Goodman, Sharon Goodman, Kelly Rahlf, Madison Rahlf, Holly Rose Rubin and Wyatt Tibbals.

• The Crestwood graduating class of 2009 was featured with local graduates being Amanda Bakken, Luanna Davis, Jessica DeVries, Brittany Eakes, Kelli Farey, Kendra Gossman, Jay Haskovec, Isaac Johnson, Denise Richter, Raquel Ristau, Derrick Ruggeberg and Dianne Ruggeberg.

• Cadets for a Cause held a ceremony at each education center. In Lime Springs, Haley Newman and Jade Halbur got their hair cut for Locks of Love. DaRhonda Schatz spoke about her struggle with cancer to the students.

• Matthew Goodman of Lime Springs and Dalton Lueschow, Alex Kerian, Jordan Girolamo and Isaiah Passmore, all of Howard-Winneshiek Schools attended a math tournament at Loras College in Dubuque.

• The Vegas-themed Mother’s Day Salad Luncheon had many acts provided by members of the Junior Community Club. There were singers, comedians and dancers.

May 21, 2009

• The Lime Springs Herald started a new column with “Gotcha”—photos of locals volunteering. The first one  showed Harlan and Mary Larson who were among those helping to put together the sweet corn float.

• Some locals remembered what Memorial Day was like—way back when.

• A leaky valve was found at the pool, which was hopefully going to improve water retention for the summer.

It was first thought the cement would have to be replaced to help with other leaks in the cement at a cost of approximately $30,000.

• Autumn Crofton and Dalton Himli were recognized for their essays on “What the Flag Means to Me.” Himli was chosen second for Best in Class and Crofton was the overall winner.

• Ross Merritt of Hawkeye Sanitation took over management of the Howard County recycling program on May 1 after The Spectrum Network terminated its contract with the county.

• Workers cleaned Lidtke Mill and the mill house for summer tours. Judy Morgan’s third grade class from Lime Springs-Chester Elementary were some of the first guests of the season.

• Fifth grade students from Lime Springs-Chester Elementary joined others from the district for Natural Resources Day at the Nature Center.

• Crestwood High School students Lauren Smith, Grace Gast and Emily Novotny shared information on the dangers of tobacco with elementary students.

• Cresco had a Family Fun Happy Hour with food, fun, music, games and prizes at Beadle park.

• Seniors and their scholarships were named at the Awards Ceremony at Crestwood. Emma Baker and Savana Novak were co-valedictorians and Denise Richter and Courtney Kowalke were co-salutatorians.

• Obituaries for the week included Melvin Scheevel of Fillmore County, Yvonne Fravel of Cresco and Harlan Bock of Granger.

May 28, 2009

• The pool was ready to open for the season. Raquel Ristau was the 2009 manager with guards being Haylee Ollendieck, Abby Thomas, Molly Skoda, Molly Reicks, Tracy Hageman, Kathleen Bohr, Candice Bohr and Jason Pahl.

• A concern raised at the Lime Springs Community Club meeting was bicycle safety. Letters were to go out in water bills reminding parents to talk with their kids.

Annette Johnson of the Lime Springs Medical Clinic assured members the clinic would stay open, even though the pharmacy was closing, on May 31.

• Ellen Klomp retired from the school cafeteria after working there for 23 years.

• Some volunteers featured were Wanda and Arlynn Hovey and Truman Thomas who were just three of those helping to place flowers on graves in the older section of Saetersdal Cemetery.

• The kindergartners had a wedding of the letters ‘Q’ and ‘U’ in a cute ceremony.

• The sixth graders gave their annual reports on a country.

Dick Cray was honored for 50 years of continued membership in the American Legion. Gordon Swanson and Jack Robinson were honored with 60 years of continuous service.

• The obituary was for Melvin Ott of Cresco.

June 4, 2009

• Mrs. Morgan’s third grade class was studying the Seven Wonders of the World so as a class project they each wrote a story about a field trip to a “wonder” of Lime Springs. The nine wonders included Missy’s Stein and Dine with the outdoor mural and indoor pulley elevator; the Public Library; Dale’s Barber Shop; Community Center and Fire Station; Lidtke Mill and house; elementary school; Sweet Corn Days; and Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe.

• Three sixth graders were honored with the President’s Education Award for education excellence. They were Kate Grover, Laine Fitzgerald and Makayla Gates.

• Volunteers recognized were those on the pool board who worked hard to get the pool opened and also for working at the open house.

• The Preschool class held its graduation ceremony with graduates being Alex Moser, Jordan Fisher-Jantzen, Lyli Kunert, Brandon Munkel, Dalin Kitchen, Jackie Niewoehner, Trent Pisney, Skylar Henry, Teryn Lukes, Dalten Bowen, Kriya Atwell, Dylan Rahlf, Ashton Howe, Garret Wenthold, Carter Fousek, Kendel Slavin and Trey Rankin.

June 11, 2009

• It was noted there were some bricks on the Northeast Iowa Liquidators building which had some graffiti stamped into the bricks. Some of the stamped words included “Remember the Maine” and “Fattie.”

• Roger and Elaine Wolfe were named Grand Marshals of the Old Settlers Days parade.

• Dolly and Teresa Hovey both received their GEDs at a graduation ceremony at NICC.

• Holly Munkel of Lime Springs won $10,000 in a Powerball drawing.

• Abby Thomas was set to attend Girls’ State.

• Charlene Gates and Curt Tienter were caught volunteering by putting up the hanging planters in Lime Springs.

• There were many volunteers and eaters at the Lidtke Mill Pancake Benefit.

• Members of the Junior Community Club and Thrivent Financial members planted the ground planters. Those helping were Jessica Curtis, Emily Roberts, Truman Thomas, Tommy Roberts, Betty Roesler, Rita Roberts, Pete Gasser, Laine Fitzgerald, Bernard Roesler, Elgin Lewis, Bethanee Roberts and Paul Lidtke.

• Lime Springs City Council talked about the fire department committee with trustees, council and fire department members.

Earl Johnson asked if the Safe Routes to School group could get some paint for the crosswalks before Sweet Corn Days, which was approved.

• The obituary was for Darlo Iverson of LeRoy.

June 18, 2009

• Old Settlers Day was a success with food, fun and activities for everyone.

• Fund-raising efforts for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery netted over a grand for Memorial Day weekend.

• A Welcome Home Ceremony was planned for Army Specialist Caleb Johnson.

June 25, 2009

• The search was over for the Lutherans as St. Paul’s hired a new leader, Maureen Hagan, who started on June 14.

• For the first time in a long time, the Father’s Day Ecumenical Church service was held indoors at St. Paul’s due to the rain.

• Even with the rain, the Boy Scout Chicken Barbecue was busy with people.

• Speaking at the Community Club was Carla Moser who gave an update on the pool. An open house was held with about $600 raised.

Also, Curt Tienter and Dennis Langreck were working on a bike-walk path to Lidtke Mill from Lime Springs.

• Ken Paxton spoke about a $15 million bio-mass plant thinking about coming to the Industrial Park at Lime Springs. He also said Alco was going to locate a store in Cresco.

• A storm dropped hail up to three-inches in diameter on the area.

• Volunteers for the week were Devan Gates and Matthew Leverson who cleaned up some trash behind the buildings on Main Street.

• The framework was up for the new club house for the Fish and Game Club.

• The obituary was for ice cream man Roger Mason of Lime Springs.

July 2, 2009

• Local organizations got over $14,000 in grant money from the Howard County Community Foundation. Those getting grants were Lime Springs-Chester Spring Ahead preschool; Lime Springs Pool and Park; City of Lime Springs; Lime Springs-Chester Elementary; Lime Springs Fire Department; Lidtke Mill; Spring Ahead Preschool; Chester Fire Department and Chester Community Center.

• Duane and Arlys Michener were named Cherry Grove Grand Marshals for the Fourth of July Parade.

• The Howard-Winneshiek School Board met at the Lime Springs center for its monthly meeting.

• Some volunteers were those working at the VFW booth at the Howard County Fair.

• Kayla Dietzenbach was named 2009 Howard County Fair Queen. Runner-up was Maddi Friedrich, Brianna Lipa was Miss Congeniality with Mindy Whisenhunt as the final contestant.

• All the winners of ribbons and participants in the livestock shows for the Howard County Fair were listed.

• Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center was given the Governor’s Award.

• Mike and Rachel Gooder of Plantpeddler won the Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month of June from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

July 9, 2009

• Rich and Vickie Ator purchased D&J Bar and Grill and renamed it KCD’s after their children.

• The 4-H Ribbon Auction from the Howard County Fair netted $23,000 for the 4-H kids.

• A Family Night was being held at the pool to get families interested in swimming together.

• Kenny Mensink was trying a new way of gardening. He was growing a tomato plant in the knot hole of his tree.

• Dale Turnmire volunteered his time to paint the cement base, on which a bronze statue was to be placed in Kitchen Park.

• A large crowd attended the Cherry Grove Fourth of July Parade.

• Disaster assistance in Howard County hit $1.4 million after the May-June 2008 floods.

• Eighty-six kids attended the Ecumenical Bible School.

July 16, 2009

• Chase Westendorf, son of Lacie (Kraft) and Tom Westendorf, had his name painted on the Clint Bowyer Cheerio car in the NASCAR Race on July 11 for the Heart Healthy campaign.

• Zach Dietz was the winner of the bike for the older group of the Summer Reading Program at the public library.

• The City Council approved a liquor license for the Community Club for Sweet Corn Days. In other business, City Clerk Larry Gates said he would still be able to read meters when he was feeling better. Water bills went out the prior month and some bills were higher than normal, upsetting some townfolk.

It was mentioned the creek near Shaughn McNamara needed to be widened. Also, pot holes around town needed to be filled.

• A new fire board was set up with Forest City Trustees Ron Deike and Dean Bolton and Council Members Corey Gates and Gary Klomp with perhaps the fire chief also. The Trustees wanted a new account set up to pay bills with the City and the Township putting in $6,000 and $6,500. All bills would go through the board.

• A Welcome Home Ceremony was planned for AF Master Sergeant Lucinda Yslas.

• Some volunteers included those working at the Lidtke Mill Ice Cream Social.

• Ozzie’s Outdoors opened a store in Cresco.

• A new dock was put in the Upper Iowa River at Lidtke Park.

April 30, 2009• Annette Rubin, director for the Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe, was honored as April’s Giving Your Best Award winner by KIMT-TV.• Betty Roesler received the 2009 Community Service Award form the Apache Trail Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for donating so many quilts to organizations including Ronald McDonald House. Over the years, she figures she made about 350 quilts.• The Lime Springs Community learned Mercy Family Pharmacy  was to close. Laney Stevenson was the pharmacist.• Cherry Grove was having another Cowboy Church service.• Howard County Supervisors Mick Gamez and Jan McGovern visited every library in Howard County—including Lime Springs Library.• A Welcome Home Ceremony was being held for Spc. William Kocian Jr. who had been to Iraq.• Sam Shroyer talked to the elementary students and planted a tree on the school grounds.• The Cub Scouts held its annual Pinewood Derby at Chester. May 7, 2009• Charlene Gates, who applied, was informed Lime Springs was named a “Best Bloomin’ Town” in Iowa. She sent in an application and received $1,000 from Our Iowa magazine for showing the plantings done around town, including the hanging and ground planters.• The Community Club learned the sweet corn float needed to be rebuilt. Volunteers were asked to help.• Spring Ahead Preschool teacher Angel Dietz received word the preschool was given a QRS-2 rating. The school received $400 for advancing.• Many events occurred over the weekend including Cub Scout, Girl Scout and softball sign-ups; Chester City Wide Garage Sales; a Welcome Home Ceremony for Spc. William Kocian Jr.; and St. Paul Lutheran Church’s annual hog roast.• Every year, the Boy Scout Camporee takes place around the district. This year it was held at Lidtke Park where about 160 scouts and leaders camped, ate and played. The big event of the weekend was the Arrow of Light Ceremony.• The play “Snow White and Friends” was performed by the Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe. Members of the cast included Autumn Nelson, Makayla Gates, Emily Roberts, Jessica Curtis, Autumn Crofton, Jessy Bannister, Dusty Ruggeberg, Nicole Klomp, Rachel Bowser, Jennifer DeVries, Morgan Bowser, Arielle Engelhart and Savannah Roberts. Thea Hartzell is in charge of sound and Annette Rubin is director with Janet DeVries as assistant.May 14, 2009• Little Miss Poppy was Adanna Warnke, who joined the American Legion Auxiliary through her great-grandpa, Bob Foote.• Eddie Hughes told of his experience of going on the Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.• Ron Deike of the Forest City Trustees came before the Lime Springs City Council saying a meeting between council and trustee members went well.Fire Chief Tony Roberts said the department needed two battery maintainers for the trucks, which the council approved.The City was updated on repairs at pool. • Jade Miller broke his own record in the shot put at Crestwood Junior High. He broke Doug Ruggeberg’s record from 1987 at 39 feet, two inches. Miller broke the record at 40 feet and four inches and again at 42 feet, two-and-a-half inches.• The fifth annual Community Art Fair, held at the Lime Springs Library had 46 artists with 89 items displayed.• Local kids who attended the AWANA Grand Prix at Cresco included Erik Busch, Zachery Dietz, Mackenzie Dietz, Stephen Dietz, Abby Dietz, Matthew Goodman, Sharon Goodman, Kelly Rahlf, Madison Rahlf, Holly Rose Rubin and Wyatt Tibbals.• The Crestwood graduating class of 2009 was featured with local graduates being Amanda Bakken, Luanna Davis, Jessica DeVries, Brittany Eakes, Kelli Farey, Kendra Gossman, Jay Haskovec, Isaac Johnson, Denise Richter, Raquel Ristau, Derrick Ruggeberg and Dianne Ruggeberg.• Cadets for a Cause held a ceremony at each education center. In Lime Springs, Haley Newman and Jade Halbur got their hair cut for Locks of Love. DaRhonda Schatz spoke about her struggle with cancer to the students.• Matthew Goodman of Lime Springs and Dalton Lueschow, Alex Kerian, Jordan Girolamo and Isaiah Passmore, all of Howard-Winneshiek Schools attended a math tournament at Loras College in Dubuque.• The Vegas-themed Mother’s Day Salad Luncheon had many acts provided by members of the Junior Community Club. There were singers, comedians and dancers.May 21, 2009• The Lime Springs Herald started a new column with “Gotcha”—photos of locals volunteering. The first one  showed Harlan and Mary Larson who were among those helping to put together the sweet corn float.• Some locals remembered what Memorial Day was like—way back when.• A leaky valve was found at the pool, which was hopefully going to improve water retention for the summer.It was first thought the cement would have to be replaced to help with other leaks in the cement at a cost of approximately $30,000.• Autumn Crofton and Dalton Himli were recognized for their essays on “What the Flag Means to Me.” Himli was chosen second for Best in Class and Crofton was the overall winner.• Ross Merritt of Hawkeye Sanitation took over management of the Howard County recycling program on May 1 after The Spectrum Network terminated its contract with the county.• Workers cleaned Lidtke Mill and the mill house for summer tours. Judy Morgan’s third grade class from Lime Springs-Chester Elementary were some of the first guests of the season.• Fifth grade students from Lime Springs-Chester Elementary joined others from the district for Natural Resources Day at the Nature Center.• Crestwood High School students Lauren Smith, Grace Gast and Emily Novotny shared information on the dangers of tobacco with elementary students.• Cresco had a Family Fun Happy Hour with food, fun, music, games and prizes at Beadle park.• Seniors and their scholarships were named at the Awards Ceremony at Crestwood. Emma Baker and Savana Novak were co-valedictorians and Denise Richter and Courtney Kowalke were co-salutatorians.• Obituaries for the week included Melvin Scheevel of Fillmore County, Yvonne Fravel of Cresco and Harlan Bock of Granger.May 28, 2009• The pool was ready to open for the season. Raquel Ristau was the 2009 manager with guards being Haylee Ollendieck, Abby Thomas, Molly Skoda, Molly Reicks, Tracy Hageman, Kathleen Bohr, Candice Bohr and Jason Pahl.• A concern raised at the Lime Springs Community Club meeting was bicycle safety. Letters were to go out in water bills reminding parents to talk with their kids.Annette Johnson of the Lime Springs Medical Clinic assured members the clinic would stay open, even though the pharmacy was closing, on May 31.• Ellen Klomp retired from the school cafeteria after working there for 23 years.• Some volunteers featured were Wanda and Arlynn Hovey and Truman Thomas who were just three of those helping to place flowers on graves in the older section of Saetersdal Cemetery.• The kindergartners had a wedding of the letters ‘Q’ and ‘U’ in a cute ceremony.• The sixth graders gave their annual reports on a country.Dick Cray was honored for 50 years of continued membership in the American Legion. Gordon Swanson and Jack Robinson were honored with 60 years of continuous service.• The obituary was for Melvin Ott of Cresco.June 4, 2009• Mrs. Morgan’s third grade class was studying the Seven Wonders of the World so as a class project they each wrote a story about a field trip to a “wonder” of Lime Springs. The nine wonders included Missy’s Stein and Dine with the outdoor mural and indoor pulley elevator; the Public Library; Dale’s Barber Shop; Community Center and Fire Station; Lidtke Mill and house; elementary school; Sweet Corn Days; and Lime Springs Children’s Theatre Troupe.• Three sixth graders were honored with the President’s Education Award for education excellence. They were Kate Grover, Laine Fitzgerald and Makayla Gates.• Volunteers recognized were those on the pool board who worked hard to get the pool opened and also for working at the open house.• The Preschool class held its graduation ceremony with graduates being Alex Moser, Jordan Fisher-Jantzen, Lyli Kunert, Brandon Munkel, Dalin Kitchen, Jackie Niewoehner, Trent Pisney, Skylar Henry, Teryn Lukes, Dalten Bowen, Kriya Atwell, Dylan Rahlf, Ashton Howe, Garret Wenthold, Carter Fousek, Kendel Slavin and Trey Rankin.June 11, 2009• It was noted there were some bricks on the Northeast Iowa Liquidators building which had some graffiti stamped into the bricks. Some of the stamped words included “Remember the Maine” and “Fattie.”• Roger and Elaine Wolfe were named Grand Marshals of the Old Settlers Days parade.• Dolly and Teresa Hovey both received their GEDs at a graduation ceremony at NICC.• Holly Munkel of Lime Springs won $10,000 in a Powerball drawing.• Abby Thomas was set to attend Girls’ State.• Charlene Gates and Curt Tienter were caught volunteering by putting up the hanging planters in Lime Springs.• There were many volunteers and eaters at the Lidtke Mill Pancake Benefit.• Members of the Junior Community Club and Thrivent Financial members planted the ground planters. Those helping were Jessica Curtis, Emily Roberts, Truman Thomas, Tommy Roberts, Betty Roesler, Rita Roberts, Pete Gasser, Laine Fitzgerald, Bernard Roesler, Elgin Lewis, Bethanee Roberts and Paul Lidtke.• Lime Springs City Council talked about the fire department committee with trustees, council and fire department members.Earl Johnson asked if the Safe Routes to School group could get some paint for the crosswalks before Sweet Corn Days, which was approved.• The obituary was for Darlo Iverson of LeRoy.June 18, 2009• Old Settlers Day was a success with food, fun and activities for everyone.• Fund-raising efforts for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery netted over a grand for Memorial Day weekend.• A Welcome Home Ceremony was planned for Army Specialist Caleb Johnson.June 25, 2009• The search was over for the Lutherans as St. Paul’s hired a new leader, Maureen Hagan, who started on June 14.• For the first time in a long time, the Father’s Day Ecumenical Church service was held indoors at St. Paul’s due to the rain.• Even with the rain, the Boy Scout Chicken Barbecue was busy with people.• Speaking at the Community Club was Carla Moser who gave an update on the pool. An open house was held with about $600 raised.Also, Curt Tienter and Dennis Langreck were working on a bike-walk path to Lidtke Mill from Lime Springs.• Ken Paxton spoke about a $15 million bio-mass plant thinking about coming to the Industrial Park at Lime Springs. He also said Alco was going to locate a store in Cresco.• A storm dropped hail up to three-inches in diameter on the area.• Volunteers for the week were Devan Gates and Matthew Leverson who cleaned up some trash behind the buildings on Main Street.• The framework was up for the new club house for the Fish and Game Club.• The obituary was for ice cream man Roger Mason of Lime Springs.July 2, 2009• Local organizations got over $14,000 in grant money from the Howard County Community Foundation. Those getting grants were Lime Springs-Chester Spring Ahead preschool; Lime Springs Pool and Park; City of Lime Springs; Lime Springs-Chester Elementary; Lime Springs Fire Department; Lidtke Mill; Spring Ahead Preschool; Chester Fire Department and Chester Community Center.• Duane and Arlys Michener were named Cherry Grove Grand Marshals for the Fourth of July Parade.• The Howard-Winneshiek School Board met at the Lime Springs center for its monthly meeting.• Some volunteers were those working at the VFW booth at the Howard County Fair.• Kayla Dietzenbach was named 2009 Howard County Fair Queen. Runner-up was Maddi Friedrich, Brianna Lipa was Miss Congeniality with Mindy Whisenhunt as the final contestant.• All the winners of ribbons and participants in the livestock shows for the Howard County Fair were listed.• Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center was given the Governor’s Award.• Mike and Rachel Gooder of Plantpeddler won the Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur of the Month of June from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.July 9, 2009• Rich and Vickie Ator purchased D&J Bar and Grill and renamed it KCD’s after their children.• The 4-H Ribbon Auction from the Howard County Fair netted $23,000 for the 4-H kids.• A Family Night was being held at the pool to get families interested in swimming together.• Kenny Mensink was trying a new way of gardening. He was growing a tomato plant in the knot hole of his tree.• Dale Turnmire volunteered his time to paint the cement base, on which a bronze statue was to be placed in Kitchen Park.• A large crowd attended the Cherry Grove Fourth of July Parade.• Disaster assistance in Howard County hit $1.4 million after the May-June 2008 floods.• Eighty-six kids attended the Ecumenical Bible School.July 16, 2009• Chase Westendorf, son of Lacie (Kraft) and Tom Westendorf, had his name painted on the Clint Bowyer Cheerio car in the NASCAR Race on July 11 for the Heart Healthy campaign.• Zach Dietz was the winner of the bike for the older group of the Summer Reading Program at the public library.• The City Council approved a liquor license for the Community Club for Sweet Corn Days. In other business, City Clerk Larry Gates said he would still be able to read meters when he was feeling better. Water bills went out the prior month and some bills were higher than normal, upsetting some townfolk.It was mentioned the creek near Shaughn McNamara needed to be widened. Also, pot holes around town needed to be filled.• A new fire board was set up with Forest City Trustees Ron Deike and Dean Bolton and Council Members Corey Gates and Gary Klomp with perhaps the fire chief also. The Trustees wanted a new account set up to pay bills with the City and the Township putting in $6,000 and $6,500. All bills would go through the board.• A Welcome Home Ceremony was planned for AF Master Sergeant Lucinda Yslas.• Some volunteers included those working at the Lidtke Mill Ice Cream Social.• Ozzie’s Outdoors opened a store in Cresco.• A new dock was put in the Upper Iowa River at Lidtke Park.