Vol 16, iss 3 by The Crescent Connection

Crescent CONNECTION

Email: CrescentConnection@earthlink.net Cell: (402) 968-5484

Contact: Jody Shea, Editor 1901 Old Lincoln Hwy. Crescent, IA 51526 Volume 16

Kinney Family Donates to CVFD

Submitted by Brian Shea

Crescent citizen, Shirley Kinney, passed away last month and her family asked that memorials be directed to the Crescent Volunteer Fire Department. On Saturday, March 26th, Shirley’s son, Dave Kinney along with his daughter, Claire, presented the collected funds to Crescent Fire Chief, Galen Barrett. The family wanted to do something for the community that would continue the spirit of helping others and to remember Shirley and Charles Kinney. The funds will go a long way toward buying more equipment to help serve the community. Thank you Chuck, Dave, and Jeff Kinney for your generous donation. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Annual Crescent Clean-Up Day!

Let’s give Crescent a good Spring Clean! This is a great time to team up with family, friends and neighbors to make a difference in our community. Our goal is to FILL A DUMPSTER with debris from the ditches and other areas around town...or if you prefer, from your own back yard. Meet us at the firebarn for gloves and bags on Saturday, April 16th at 9:00am. We’ll need lots of volunteers so if you’re able to help with cleaning or hauling please join us. And if you’re in need of a helping hand, call (402) 968-7432. We’ll line up the volunteers. Following the clean-up, join us for a Picnic at the Vets Monument from 11:00-12:30. Some of the local businesses are donating hot dogs and burgers. If you’d like to bring a dish, that’d be great. This year during the picnic there will also be a tree dedication from 11:15-11:30. We look forward to seeing everyone!

A Day at the Park!

Saturday, April 23rd 10a.m. – 2p .m. The City of Crescent is inviting

you to spend a day at our parks and enjoy everything they have to offer. Visit the City Park for baseball/softball, tennis or volleyball (equipment will be available) or take a stroll around the track and let the kids play on the playground. There will be concessions available. The Veteran’s Park, located on Old Lincoln Highway, offers a picnic area and an opportunity to view the Veteran’s memorial honoring our service men and women. Hope to see you there! —Sponsored by the Crescent Park Board

Welcome New Advertisers...Armstrong Quality Home Improvement & Hatcher & Son’s Construction. See pages 9 & 11.

Issue 3

In This Issue...

Page 2............. City Council Minutes Page 3............................Time Out Page 4 ..........A Plea to Our Citizens Mayor’s Corner If These Walls Could Talk Page 5.........Fire Chief Barrett’s Corner From the Park Board Page 6.............. Crescent Food Pantry Color Cues Community Assets Page 7.................. In Loving Memory Hitchcock Gets New Binocular Page 8...................Cultures Connect Pott. Co. Sheriff’s Report Wanted! New Members Page 9-11...................... Advertisers Page 12...............Useless Knowledge

A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

Splish Splash! Pool Season is Just Around the Corner The City of Crescent is looking for

Lifeguards

f or this Summer!

Pool Hours: Noon to 6:00pm daily Contact Brian Shea at 402-968-7432 1

Contact Numbers Mayor Brian Shea 712-545-3652 (

Councilman Randy Adams 712-545-9119 (

Councilman Bob Anderson 712-545-3373 (

Councilman Chuck Hildreth 402-681-0982 (

Councilman Elvis Jacobsen 712-545-3215 (

Councilman Jack Powers 712-545-3610 (

City Clerk Mary Martin 712-545-3981 (

Park Board Mindi Hively 712-545-3062 Howly5@msn.com (

Message Board Ron Olson 712-545-3267 (

Crescent Fire Dept. Non-Emergency 712-545-3730 (

Crescent Elementary 712-545-3566 2

Crescent

Submitted by Mary Martin, City Clerk.

City Council The City of Crescent is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY OF CRESCENT COUNCIL MEETING March 7, 2016...THE CRESCENT CITY COUNCIL met in regular session in the Crescent Community Hall at 7:00pm pursuant to the law. Mayor Brian Shea called the meeting to order. The following Council members were present: Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers and Anderson, MOTION BY ANDERSON, seconded by Jacobsen to accept consent agenda with paid bills without the extra charges on the PeopleService Inc. bill until they get an explanation of what the charges are for. Steve Robinette from PeopleService will get back with the council with an explanation. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. CORRECTION to the Feb. minutes was added. Res. 1032016 purchase of the Zoll monitor, the price was inadvertently left out. Total cost is $26,000, there will be a donation from the fire auxiliary for $10,000. to help with this purchase. Res. 1042016 re: transfer $500.00 from sewer fund to sewer reserve fund. This amount will be every month. CRAIG REINSCH/OLSSON & ASSOC. reported to council regarding the sewer study (capacity expansion) and also about the whale (bubble) in cell 2 of the lagoon. As soon as the City can pump down cell 2, Clean Air & Water will come out and inspect the liner to see what is causing this. Liner is still under warranty, so if there is just a leak in the liner it will be repaired. If there is something else causing it, the City will have to go another route. RESOLUTION 1052016 BUDGET FOR 2016-2017 submitted for approval. MOTION BY JACOBSEN, seconded by Adams to approve budget. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1062016 FIRE BILLING submitted for approval. This is an update from the 2013 rates. MOTION BY JACOBSEN, seconded by Anderson, to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1072016 EMS BILLING submitted for approval. This is an update from the 2013 rates. MOTION BY HILDRETH, seconded by Jacobsen to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1082016 LIBRARY CONTRACT submitted for approval. Contract is figured on evaluation per .10 totaling 1990.86 annually. MOTION BY JACOBSEN, seconded by Adams to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1092016 EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK ADDITION. Item was tabled until council could review the handbook. Item will be on April mtg. RESOLUTION 1102016 NON-PAYMENT WATER/SEWER LEIN for total of $565.23 was submitted. MOTION BY ANDERSON, seconded by Jacobsen to approve lien. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1112016 HYDRANT SANDBLASTING/PAINTING was submitted. 47 hydrants @ $210.00/pc for a total of $9870.00. This amount would be split between two (2) fiscal years in the amount of $4935.00 each year. MOTION BY JACOBSEN, seconded by Anderson to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 1122016 POTT. CNTY. SHERIFF CONTRACT in the amount of $10,797.50. Contract is figured per capita @ $17.50. MOTION BY POWERS, seconded by Hildreth to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. GALEN BARRETT/FIRE CHIEF reported dept. has had 50 calls to date. Also, Crescent Township fire contract submitted. Contract in amount of $30,064.93 paid semi-annually. MOTION BY POWERS, seconded by Jacobsen to approve contract. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. RON OLSON/PLANNING & ZONING reported that he has drafted two (2) letters. One to Perkins and the other to Metzger. These are over city issues. MINDI HIVELY submitted report via email. Park Board vacancy to be filled by Stephanie Shea. MOTION BY JACOBSEN, seconded by Anderson to approve. Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, Anderson, all ayes. Motion carried. There will be at least 23 games at the ball field this summer. Bleachers will be repaired and painted. DAY AT THE PARK event will be April 23rd from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. MOVIES IN THE PARK will be at the ballfield park this year and will run June, July, August. CRAIG PETERSON/MAINTENANCE reported he is caught up on potholes. He has enough salt and it is all tarped so will be good for next year. He rocked Pokamoke Lane to level out the wet spots and rocked the alley behind Henry’s Diner. Mayor and Craig went up and checked the pool. IDNR stated that they wanted dirt up around the water tower, so Craig graded dirt away from the base the way they wanted. E. WELCH ST. work will be done soon. Craig will rent a street sweeper and start cleaning streets. ROMEO COVENANTS were tabled. DON HOFFMAN requested city water at his property. Clerk to write letter to CB Water Works and get this item proceeding. All Council were in favor. MOTION BY ANDERSON, seconded by Jacobsen to adjourn the meeting. Anderson, Jacobsen, Hildreth, Adams, Powers, all ayes. Motion carried. MEETING adjourned at 8:15PM.

Help Us CELEBRATE! JoAnn Smith is Retiring from Casey’s! Saturday, April 16th

at Victory Grill Sports & Tap 25 Scott St. • Council Bluffs 1:00-4:00pm

It’s A PARTY!

Ed & Barb Jackson’s 50th Anniversary! Saturday, April 30th

at The Eagle Club 1530 Ave F • Council Bluffs 4:00-8:00pm RSVP: 712-545-3154

Save These Dates!

Time

Out!

This is a free service and a great way to get the word out. If you have an upcoming event you’d like to advertise, please email us at CrescentConnection@earthlink.net

AREA MEETINGS • City Council: First Monday of every month unless holiday—May 2nd • Crescent Optimist Club: First Thurs. at 7pm at Community of Christ.—April 7th (For the 2016 FALL FESTIVAL) • Planning Committee: The Monday following the city council meeting.—April 11th • Park Board: 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM during the inclement weather at the Fire Barn and during good weather down at the park.—April 20th

FIREBARN BREAKFAST Join Us for Breakfast

3rd Sunday of Every Month. 8am-12pm

Sunday, April 18th

Adults: $6, Kids under 12: $3 Proceeds benefit CVFD

Vickie’s Listings 2219 Laredo, Missouri Valley 2721 Kraft Lane, Missouri Valley Call Vickie Jenkins for more info Direct: 402-697-4339 Cell: 402-689-4940

DENNY’S PLACE NEW MENU ITEM! The Best Hot Dogs for Miles Around! 1/4lb Nathan’s All-Beef Hot Dog $3 Add Chili Dog Sauce 75¢ Cole Slaw 50¢

CRESCENT ROADHOUSE COME ENJOY OUR NEW SALAD BAR! Offering Daily LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS! New Monday Dinner Special Any One of Our Burgers with Fries...$6.50 Join Us For WING WEDNESDAY’S 60¢ Wings NEW HOMEMADE FRIES Full Menu-to-Go ORDER AHEAD: 712-227-0101

I just did a weeks worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.

City-Wide Garage Sale

June 24th & 25th •

OLH Garage Sale

August 11th, 12th & 13th •

Crescent Fall Festival

September 17th

A Plea to Our Citizens!

This article is regarding

the sewer system and the use of our lagoons. Last year we had to replace one pump and rebuild another pump. This is not a cheap fix.

Right now we have a

loaner pump and are fixing the two new pumps. This is due to users flushing diaper products and cloth diapers down the toilets. Our sewer lagoons do not work like a larger cities mechanical treatment plant, it is more like a large septic system. When someone flushes diaper products down the toilet it destroys our screen and pump system. If we can not stop this type of usage it will keep driving costs up. The sewer fees are a user fee and we all have to support the cost of operation.

So, PLEASE stop flushing

diapers and wet wipes down the toilet. Let’s keep our sewer working longer and keep the costs down.——Brian Shea 4

Mayor’s Corner

Submitted by Brian Shea

Saturday, April 16th is set for the Annual Crescent Clean Up Day. We will meet at 9am at the firebarn/community room. Volunteers will fan out across the community and pick up garbage and debris in all sections of the city. We will have a dumpster ready for the garbage. We have trash bags and gloves. At approx 11am we will move to the Veteran’s Park for a picnic. It does not matter if you have helped or not, please come for hamburger/hotdog and other food. Enjoy a little community spirit and meet with some of our neighbors and feel good that we have pride in this beautiful area of the country. We are lucky to live here! The Neola Lions Club planted a tree in our Veteran’s Park last fall. They will dedicate it to the veterans at approximately 11:15 on that day, so please come to this dedication and thank them for their generosity. We will be getting East Welch Street resurfaced around the end of April, it will be difficult to get by for a few days so please be patient and plan accordingly. We have started changing street lights to LED around town and have added some coming into town and also by the T-intersection. The park board is sponsoring ‘A Day at the Park’ on April 23rd. Please come and enjoy one of the parks, have a picnic, play volleyball, play baseball, walk the track, or just come and sit and visit. The park board volunteers work hard to keep things up and try to make things happen. It would be great if everyone stopped by for a short while or longer and used the parks. Also, let the park board know what you would like to see from the parks. We still need lifeguards for summer time at the swimming pool. If interested, please call the city office at 712-545-3981.—Brian Shea

If These Walls Could Talk...

You might hear stories of how the original owners, Ray & Minnie Jensen, built the Mile-A-Way in 1936. Or how Ray fought off the KC mob to keep them from taking it in the late ‘40’s. (Even went as far as running for Sheriff.) You might hear about the maple dance floor that was rated number one in Iowa during the 50’s. And how the 50 & 1 Club rented it every week for dancing. (It’s been said that you can sometimes hear the sounds of dancing after hours.) You might also hear how, during the flood of ‘52, it was full of cots where folks from the West End found shelter. The Jensen’s lived in the house next door until they both passed. Ray first, then Minnie. “They were quite the dancers,” says their granddaughter, Kathy. “There’s even dancers on their headstone.” This establishment has a wonderfully rich history and after being sold in 1993, is still going strong as the Mile Away.

Fire Chief Barrett’s Corner

Submitted by Galen Barrett

Spring is here!! As a Fire Department, we do plan and train for responses based on time of year. As far as Spring goes, we ready ourselves for a dramatic increase in grassfires (referred to as wildland fires). The Crescent Volunteer Fire Department has two premier wildland fire trucks, supported by a pumper/tanker and a pumper truck, as well as several firefighters certified in wildland firefighting. In my time (20 years) on this awesome Department, we have worked on grassfires ranging from several feet around a burn barrel, to many acres at a time. In the blink of an eye, the most innocent of fires can become a major wildland incident involving neighboring departments doing their best to protect neighbor’s homes and property from your fire. I would like to introduce you to a couple of things to be aware of. First, there is a warning called a “Red Flag Warning”. This is a term used both in the Fire Service and Weather Service. “A Red Flag Warning” is issued to indicate the imminent danger of severe fire weather and a relatively high probability of occurring”. In other words, conditions currently exist, or will in the very near future, that will create very dangerous conditions which promote wildland fires. These conditions include environmental temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, moisture content of fuels (grass, weeds, fallen leaves, etc). We pay very close attention to these warnings and hope you do too. If you go to http://www.pottcounty.com/alertiowa/, you can indicate that you wish to be notified if this warning exists. Second, there is a process through which a County-wide burn ban is issued. If the local forecast predicts an extended period of time in which wildland fires are probable, a poll of all Pottawattamie County Fire Chiefs is conducted. With a majority vote, under the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) submits a request to the Iowa State Fire Marshall’s office, under authority of the State of Iowa Code 100.40, requesting a burn ban be placed upon the County. Once this ban is in place, no outside burning is allowed, with the exception of the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch. The other exception is that which allows the Fire Chief to grant a permit to conduct open burns during this time. I will say that this is an exception that I only exercise upon inspection and justification of cause. In other words, I don’t just give them away. I should also say that violation of this State Code is a misdemeanor and is a citable offense. Should you decide you would like to conduct an open burn, please put the following phone numbers on your refrigerator or in your cell phone. Please contact Pottawattamie County Communications at (712) 328-5737 prior to burning. They will make note of your open/ controlled burn so we don’t get dispatched due to every passerby calling 911 due to your fire. The second number is my personal cell phone. If you have any questions regarding this article, or any Fire Department questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at (712) 355-3240. My goal for this particular article is to make you aware of applicable laws and terms, your Department’s preparedness and ability to handle this particular type of fire, and your obligations. With your help, we can reduce the number of unnecessary fires, protect our neighbor’s properties, and keep our firefighters out of undue harm’s way.

Submitted by Mindy Hively

The Park Board is gearing up for a busy season. In the last issue, we talked about the Spartans team that will be using our field. Well, all of that has changed somewhat. The good news is 2 more teams have signed on so we will now be home to 3 teams with a total of 31 games. The 3 teams are part of the Spartans League, a feeder team for AL High School. Their 8U, 1U, and 12U teams will be using our field to play their games. Their schedule is below so plan on attending some of the games. (Due to the 31 games scheduled at our field, we have cancelled our baseball tournament). Games will begin April 2. On April 23, the Park Board will be sponsoring “A Day in the Park”. This event will focus on our 2 City Parks and we encourage you to join us. The 12U Spartan team will be playing a double header baseball game at the field at 10:00 and 12:00 so that will be a good time to see a game! Movies in the Park will be in full swing again this summer in June, July and August. Look for more details in the Connection.

From the Park Board

SPARTANS BASEBALL SCHEDULE Sat:...... 4/2/16.....3:45 & 5:45

Tues:...5/10/16.... 6:30

Sun:..... 4/3/16.....12:00 & 2:00

Wed: ..5/11/16.... 6:00

Thurs:... 4/7/16.....5:30 Sat: ....5/14/16.... 3:45 Sun:... 4/10/16.....1:00 & 3:00

Tues: ..5/17/16.... 6:00

Tues:.. 4/12/16.....5:30 Sun: ...5/22/16.... 12 & 2 Thurs:. 4/14/16.....6:00 Tues: ..5/24/16.... 6:00 Sat: ... 4/16/16.....10 & 12, 3:45

Wed: ..5/25/16.... 6:30

Tues:.. 4/19/16.....6:00 Thurs: .5/26/16.... 6:00 Thurs:. 4/21/16.....6:00 Tues: ..5/31/16.... 6:00 Sat: ... 4/23/16.....10:00 & 12:00

Wed: ....6/8/16.... 6:00

Sun: .. 4/24/16.....1:00 & 3:00

Thurs: .6/16/16.... 6:30

Mon:. 4/25/16.....5:30 Sat: ....6/18/16.... 1 & 3 Thurs:. 4/28/16.....6:00 Sun: ...6/19/16.... 5:30 Mon:... 5/2/16.....5:30 Tues: ..6/21/16.... 7:00 Sat:...... 5/7/16.....10:00 Thurs: .6/23/16.... 6:00

Crescent

FOOD PANTRY 720 Old Lincoln Hwy • 712-545-9031 Tuesday’s 5-7pm & Saturday’s 1-3pm Closed major holiday’s.

Thank you to Hazel Dell Church for their donation of $333.00. Thank you to Ed Jackson who tilled the garden space behind the pantry. And thank you to the community for their continued monetary and food donation support. We are low on paper products, instant potatoes, canned pasta like ravioli, spaghetti o’s...and soups. Thank you and God Bless.

Color Cues

Ever wonder why most barns are red or shutters green? Here are the answers to those burning questions and more...

Why barns are red: The short answer: Cost! White paint, which got its tint from white lead, was tougher to come by and more expensive than red paint, which was tainted with the much more plentiful ferrous oxide, or rust. Farmers used a combination of linseed oil and rust to protect their barn wood from decay. Why shutters are green: Emerald hues were all the rage after the 1775 invention of Paris green. a compound used as a paint pigment. Its namesake paint originally got its tint from arsenic, which acted as a preservative. Later, it was discovered that the paint had a poisonous quality, and homeowners used it in an effort to keep mosquitoes, flies, and other insects at bay. Why porch ceilings are blue: Two reasons: Ghosts and Victorians (really!). In the Southern tradition, “haint blue.: a pale bluegreen, was used overhead to ward off “haints,” the restless spirits of the dead. But Victorians favored blue porch ceilings because they mimicked the color of the sky and gave the feeling of a nice day even when it was overcast and gray. Why farmhouses are white: White paints were more popular for houses because of their association with cleanliness and purity. Plus, lead- or zinc-oxide-laced white paints lasted longer than other colors and were easy to touch up. —ThisOldHouse.com

Community Assets Submitted by Linda Brewer

Craig Peterson - Crescent City Maintenance Man & Dept. Chief of the CVFD for Emergency Medical Services Craig Peterson has two jobs in Crescent. One he gets paid for and, one he does for free. The maintenance job is 40 hours a week. A job he’s done since 2008. He’s been on the CVFD since 2000 and the hours vary widely from week to week. “Since I work for the city, I’m expected to answer all calls during the work week,” he explained. “I make about 70% of total calls per year.” Peterson lives in Council Bluffs with his wife and two sons, ages one and four. But he grew up in rural Crescent. “We lived up by the Hazel Dell Church. I went to Underwood High School and was member of the Hazel Dell Challenger 4-H Club. My dad was the leader, and I mostly showed lambs at the fair,” he said. He’s so passionate about 4-H that he’s already talking about getting his boys involved, and he serves on the Westfair board. “Westfair hosts a lot of events, but my main interest is the West Pott. County Fair.” As deputy chief for emergency medical service, he is in charge of all ambulance calls. “About 75 – 80% of all CVFD calls are medical,” he said. “And about 75% of all our volunteers are EMT certified. Two of us are finishing a transition from EMT Intermediate to Advanced EMTs. That means we can do more emergency care. And we have four who are paramedics that can perform a high level of advanced care. We are currently in the transition process of upgrading from a provisional EMT Intermediate to provisional Paramedic service. As you might expect, a lot of the calls are accidents, most out on I-29. But during the winter, they answer “maybe 10 to 12” calls to the Ski Hills. “People assume we get a lot of heart attack calls,” he said. “But we probably get only one or two a year. The most general health calls are for falls. That and just poor health where the care giver can’t get the person to the hospital. We transport to the nearest facility for initial care, and then the hospital may send the patient to a trauma center.” The CVFD uses a company that bills insurance companies for their services. “Medical billing, and most people have that insurance, pays for our trucks and ambulances” Peterson explained. “We put all that money back into equipment. In 2013 we bought a new ambulance 80% was paid for by medical billing and the remaining 20% was from donations and taxation. The same applied to the new mini pumper/quick attack that we took delivery of this past December. Iowa West grants can be used for personal protective equipment, and we have our breakfast fund raisers. So a lot of our revenue is not from taxes.” As to his paid job for Crescent, Peterson said he has an associate degree in diesel technology and worked as a mechanic in a tractor shop before he took this job. The work he does depends on the season. “In the spring and summer, I mow a lot, the roadsides and the parks. I took a sports field maintenance class so I can take care of the ball diamond. We have two teams, this year, that will play all their home games here. I will also spend a couple of hours a day, probably, at Pokamoke Pool checking the water and pumps, etc. In the winter, I move a lot of snow. The rest of the time, I do vehicle and engine maintenance. We have six fire vehicles and five city trucks and tractors. And a lot of small engines that need upkeep and repair; mowers, pumps, fans and the like. I also help PeopleService, the company that oversees the water and sewers in Crescent when they ask.” When asked what he does for “fun”, it still sounded like work. He does part-time farming for some farmers east of Crescent. “They also do tractor pulls with the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull Association. So I go along and help with maintenance on the tractors. And there are usually eight to ten hours a month of training for the CVFD.” Craig Peterson is a busy man.

In Loving Memory of

Hitchcock Nature Center Gets New Big Binocular!

Bob Williams

One of the Major Donors Recognized.

Robert M. “Bob” Williams, age 88 years, of Council Bluffs, formerly of rural Crescent, Iowa, passed away March 4th. He was born December 22, 1927, near Loveland, Iowa, to the late Vern and Ina (Carr) Williams. He attended a oneroom school (Crescent Township #1) for eight years, and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1945. Bob married Lucille Jansen in 1948 and they had three sons, Roger, Randy and Ron. All of them have built homes on the family farm. Bob farmed in Crescent Township since 1948. In 1971, he got into real estate doing sales and appraisals, which he did for more than 30 years before retiring in 2001. Bob volunteered on many political campaigns from local to national. He served as President of the Iowa Farm and Land Brokers Association and served many years on the Chamber Ag. Committee. He served 10 years on the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, 17 years on the Crescent School Board and 7 years as Board President. He was a 4-H leader for many years, president of the Crescent Baseball Club, Council Bluffs High Noon Optimist Club, a member of the Tangier Shrine Motor A Patrol and also volunteered at Jennie Edmundson Hospital. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald. Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lucille; sons, Roger (Peggy), Randy (Johnny Lynn) and Ron (Vicki); grandchildren, Rachael Jones (Buddy), Beth Christensen (Curt), Regan Williams (friend Derek), Matt Williams (Ayn) and Jason Wanning; 9 great grandchildren and many other family and friends. Reprinted from the Council Bluffs Nonpariel.

The Pottawattamie County Conservation Board has announced that a portion of a new bird identification exhibit, a recently installed large child friendly and ADA compliant dual binocular, has opened at the Hitchcock Nature Center, near Honey Creek just north of Crescent (IA). A ceremony to recognize a grant of $2,000 from the Cindy and Jerry Mathiasen Family Fund, which was used to complete the binocular project, was held on Wednesday, March 16, at the nature center. The Mathiasen’s fund is part of the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation (PCCF), which includes many donors and endowment funds from throughout the area. In attendance at the ceremony were representatives of the conservation department, Pictured from left to right: Cindy PCCF, and the Pottawattamie Conservation Thompson of Pottawattamie County Foundation, as well as the Mathiasen’s. “This Conservation, Joyce Isaacson of the is a great addition to the center,” said Cindy Conservation Board, Cindy Mathiasen, Thompson, who will be representing both the and Jerry Mathiasen of PCCF. conservation board and its foundation at the event. “The new observation area will make it easier for kids and the disabled to access bird identification opportunities, and improve bird watching for the general public.” “Our entire family enjoys the hobby of birding, and our little grandchildren even added some dollars and pennies to our donation,” said Jerry Mathiasen. “When we became aware of the project, it was an easy decision for a grant to come from our family fund at the community foundation.” Hitchcock Nature Center is one of eight nature areas in the Pottawattamie County Conservation system. It has been cited as one of the top birding areas in the Midwest and is well known for its “hawk watch” programming. Numerous school groups, day campers, hikers and tourists visit the park. PCCF is a community foundation, which creates endowment funds on behalf of individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and governmental entities to improve the quality of life in the county. Donors can receive a 25% Endow Iowa tax credit and a 10% contribution from PCCF. For more information on these two organizations go to: www.pottcoconservation.com and www.ourpccf.org.

There are people who would love to have your bad days.

Cultures Connect While Friendships Blossom Submitted by Brenda Gibler

Looking at this photo, one might not be able to tell that there is someone special in it, but this year, our family has a new addition to it. Camila Luther is an exchange student from Noersundby, Denmark. Her home is in the northern part of Jutland. She has been living with us since late August 2015. She attends Abraham Lincoln High Camila (left) with our School in Council Bluffs, IA. We have had the privilege daughter Julia. of hosting a total of eight students starting in 2007. We have hosted students from Germany, South Korea, Japan, Ukraine and now, Denmark. Camila truly has become our third daughter; a complete member of the family. She is included in every part of our lives. Along with school and sports there are daily chores and she attends sunday services at our church. Her and my daughter, Julia, do track and soccer together and have become very close. Hosting an exchange student can bring new culture and excitement into your home. My daughters have traditional Korean dresses. We have tried different cultural recipes. In our kitchen, a picture frame holds the photos of all eight of my “daughters”. Although they are now living in different countries, they are always a part of our family. We are still in contact with our former students and we get to see how they have grown up and prospered back home. Someday I hope to travel abroad to see them. Our worlds were brought together through the ASSE exchange program. ASSE is a non-profit program that allows cultures to connect. There are many scholarship students in the program who are selected for their academic and leadership skills. It is a rewarding feeling to be a host family for these students, making their dream come true! When asked about her experience here, Camila answered, “I wanted to experience another culture than what I was used to, so I could grow and become an independent person. I also hoped to establish long lasting bonds with people from the other side of the world”. Camila also said she is enjoying american high school and participating in sports. School spirit is a new experience, and is unlike what she expected due to Hollywood’s portrayal in teen movies. For the last year, I have been working as an area Representative for ASSE. My job is to help match students with families in our area. Most will attend high school for the regular academic year, while others for only 6 months. They come with their own health insurance and spending money. ASSE has an outbound program for American teens to study abroad and they are not required to know the language of the country they choose. I am looking for families to open their hearts and homes to help make dreams come true for these truly amazing students. If this sounds like something you would like to experience, or you know someone else who would, please go to ASSE.com. You will be able to read about next year’s students and complete an application to host. For any questions, feel free to email me at brenlee4@hotmail.com. 8

Pott. Co. Sheriff’s Report Submitted by Chief Deputy, John Reynold

2/1 at 12:38 p.m. Deputy Freeman was dispatched to the 100 block of Tremont St. in reference a complaint report. 2/6 at 9:01 a.m. Deputy Guyer was dispatched to the 100 block of Mormon Bridge Rd. in reference a theft report. 2/13 at 11:37 p.m. Deputy Cool was dispatched to the 100 block of Mormon Bridge Rd. in reference suspicious activity. 2/23 at 10:22 a.m. Deputy Guyer was dispatched to the 300 block of E Welch St. to assist Fire/EMS. 2/29 at 6:13 p.m. Deputy Ramsey was dispatched to the 500 block of Old Lincoln Highway in reference suspicious activity. Crescent Citations (1) Operating a Non-registered Vehicle (1) Speeding (3) Warnings

Wanted! New Members

• The Park Board is looking for new members. They meet monthly to discuss ways to improve our city parks as well as plan events. Please contact Mindi Hively at (712) 545-3062. • The Crescent Planning and Zoning Commission has a vacancy and is looking for a new member. This applicant must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Crescent, and have a desire to serve our City in this volunteer position. Our job is to review and investigate permits for new houses, auxiliary buildings, fences, etc. We also review property splits, zoning and other assignments are requested by the City Council. We normally meet on the second Monday of each month if we receive any applications or have other business to conduct. Occasionally we have Special Meetings and/or field trips. For more information, please call Ron at 712-545-3267 or to apply, pick p an employment form from the city clerk’s office.

BUY LOCAL!

When Your Money Stays in Your Community, Your Local Tax Dollars Support: Schools & Neighborhoods, Roads & Infrastructure, Police & Fire Departments and Helps Our Local Businesses Thrive! Buy Local!

Licensed & Insured

NEED A NEW ROOF? “We can put together what nature’s storms took apart!”

Providing:

New Additions • Siding • Window Replacements • Roofs Decks • Privacy Fences • Framing • New Garages Seamless Gutters • And More!

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Ask How You Can

Save $250 on Completed Job with this Coupon!

SERVING CRESCENT, HONEY CREEK AND SURROUNDING AREAS 9

C&A Scales

ADD-IT-UP

105 Grove St. • Crescent, IA

YR. ADVERTISER!

Specializing in Truck, Track, Bulk Scales & Controllers Your Complete Scale Company for Sales & Service IA: 712-545-3461 • NE: 402-346-4383 25300 Old Lincoln Hwy • Crescent

YR. ADVERTISER!

Tax and Bookkeeping Services

Crescent: Bus: 712-227-0084 • Fax: 712-227-0071 AddItUpTax@yahoo.com • www.AddItUpTaxService.com

Your Hometown Place of Worship Since 1863! 109 E. Welch St. Crescent, IA 51526 712-545-3763

Mon-Fri: 7:30am to 3:00pm

YR. ADVERTISER!

Indoor & Outdoor Storage From Furniture to Vehicles

1110 Hwy 183 • Crescent, IA

712- 545-3470

YR. ADVERTISER!

810 Johnson St.

In Crescent (Behind Meyer Auto)

ALL STAR TIRE

3150 West Broadway • Council Bluffs

For all your tire needs... Call Jack Powers at

712-322-0743

Gathering: 9 a.m. • Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Morning Worship: 10 a.m. • Rod Angeroth, Co-Pastor Phone: 402-439-5256 • Duane Rief, Co-Pastor Phone: 712-545-3891 Email: CrescentIAChurch@gmail.com Like Us on Facebook: CrescentIACommunityofChrist

BOB CRISWELL Real Estate Consultant

Cell: 402-630-1612 Ofc: 712-325-0045

Email: bchomes1997@aol.com • Fax: 712-325-1615

535 W. Broadway • Ste. 100 • Co Bluffs, IA 51503

YR. ADVERTISER!

Regular or One-Time Service Spring Cleaning or Special Occasions

We Love Our Crescent & Honey Creek Customers! 712-322-2778 • ChristyCreme@cox.net 2735 Old Lincoln Hwy • “South Crescent”

A. RAYMOND PLUMBING, INC. Andy Raymond - Owner

Reliable, Efficient, Local Call Us for All Your Plumbing Needs

YR. ADVERTISER!

Ofc: (712) 545-9941 Web: ARaymondPlumbing.com Email: ARaymondPlumbing@gmail.com

BC HOMES LLC

QUALITY HOMES AT A BETTER PRICE

BOB CRISWELL

CELL

OWNER 402-630-1612 BCHOMES1997@AOL.COM FACEBOOK: BC HOMES LLC

Bed & Breakfast

YR. ADVERTISER!

Crescent View

15 Minutes from Downtown Omaha www.CrescentViewBnB.com CrescentViewBnB@gmail.com Carol Meduna • Innkeeper 712-227-0051 • 402-616-7496

YR. ADVERTISER!

Also shown by appointment Specializing in late model Lease cars and repossessions.

rescent Storage

CRESCENT COUNTRY GROOMING

YR. ADVERTISER!

Veterinarian Recommended Boarding Available for All Size Dogs & Cats!

Professional Dog & Cat Grooming We Care About Your Pet Sandy McManigal • 712-545-3785 Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials! Open till 11pm • 634 Old Lincoln Hwy Crescent

Phone: 712-227-0101

Reasonable Rates • Free Estimates • Gift Cards Available

CallLincoln Jody atHwy. (402)•968-5484 1911 Old (712) 227-0027

YR. ADVERTISER!

DENNY’S PLACE

735 Old Lincoln Hwy. • Crescent

Greatest Pizza for Miles Around! Now Offering Large Take & Bake Pizzas!

Taylo’s Taco Tuesday 6pm-9pm HOURS: Mon-Sat: 2pm - 2am Sunday: Noon til Midnight Kitchen Open Mon-Thur til 11pm, Fri-Sat til 1am, Sun til 10pm FREE Pool All Day Sunday’s!

Denny Taylo, Owner • Kella Sales, Manager 545-3919 • www.DennysPlacePizza.com

H&M CONCRETE, INC.

Vickie Jenkins REALTOR®

Your Go-To Professional! Direct: 402-697-4339 Cell: 402-689-4940

1018 Old Lincoln Hwy. • Crescent Basement Floors • Garages • Driveways • Flat Work Residential & Commercial • Insured

WES MILLER

OFC: 712-545-3657 20 Years in Business CELL: 402-657-8662

Thinking of Selling? I stage and prep your home to SELL! Email: Vickie.Jenkins@cbshome.com www.VickieJenkins.cbshome.com

Loess Hills

Vineyard & Winery 1120 Old Lincoln Hwy. • Crescent Wednesday thru Sunday YR. ADVERTISER! Call or Check our Website for Hours. Www.LoessHillsVineyardAndWinery.com

NEW

NEED TO PUMP UP THE VOLUME?

Closed Mon. & Tues.

(712) 545-3054

Crescent THE

CONNECTION PROVIDES AN INEXPENSIVE WAY TO BUILD SOME MUSCLE! Retaining Walls Patio Pavers

Specializing in...

YR. ADVERTISER!

Brian Shea • 402-968-7432

Additional Hours by Appointment

“Shaping the world one yard at a time.” Concrete Flatwork Stamped Colored Concrete Retaining Walls • Septic Tanks Poured Foam Walls • Concrete Walls Backhoe & Bobcat Work

Meyer Automotive 816 Old Lincoln Hwy. • Crescent

YR. ADVERTISER!

SHAWN: 402-670-9357 OFC: 712-545-9185

Ask for Todd: 712-545-3228

THE MILE AWAY

Siding & Windows • Siding • Windows 3YR. • Roofing • Decks ADVERTISER! • Seamless Guttering • Gutter Dome...with Lifetime Debris-free Warranty 712-542-7045 • Crescent Free Estimates • Insured HoskinsSiding.com Tim.Hoskins.Siding@hotmail.com

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712-322-2027 • TheMileAway.com

PENNE LANE DOG BOARDING Crescent

402-690-0126

712-545-3600

Commercial • Residential • Installation & Repair All Makes • Maintenance Contracts

Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured • Snow Removal

JIM THOMPSEN • 545-3252 • 680-2318

You’re Driving Home Our Reputation Shane Brandt

Owner

Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. 21032 Old Lincoln Hwy Crescent, IA 51526

YR. ADVERTISER!

Ofc: 712-325-0613

YR. ADVERTISER!

WOODLAND COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH Pastor Jim Henry

Since 1986

YR. ADVERTISER!

NEW

Mon - Fri: 7:30-4:30 Ph: 712-328-7224 • Fax: 712-325-1813 1216 N. 16th St. • Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Small facility offering personalized care Specialize in senior dogs • All ages welcome References available • Like us on Facebook

836 Old Lincoln Hwy.

YR. ADVERTISER!

HALL & TAVERN

20270 Old Lincoln Highway

$2 Bottles! Happy Hour & Later! Reception Hall Available

HENRY’S DINER

Nothin’ Finer! Chicken • Steaks • Seafood Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Complete Auto & Small Engine Service & Repair New & Used Mower Sales

YR. ADVERTISER!

YARD ENTERPRISES 17111 Lime Kiln Rd. • Crescent

NEW

Loc WELDING atio FABRICATION REPAIR Ne n! CNC PLASMA CUTTING Num w ber !

CALL BOB YARD AT 712-352-3840 www.YardEnterprises.com

Three Ways to Stay Connected

Community Email List You’ll 8 receive the newsletter in an easy-to-read, easy-to-print and easy-to-save pdf format. Plus you’ll receive it a week earlier and in color! We’ll also inform you of upcoming announcements and events as soon as we hear about them. All you have to do is email us at CrescentConnection@earthlink.net. Your email address will be kept private and no junk mail will be sent your way. 8 Follow Us On Facebook, and when you do...feel free to share items that are of interest to our readers. Such as: local events, and photos, local history and old photos, missing pets, suggestions, comments, etc. (But save political opinions and religious beliefs for your personal page.) Paid Subscription You may purchase a subscription for $15+tax ($16.05) per year. Just mail a check with your info to the Crescent Connection, 1901 Old Lincoln Hwy, Crescent, IA 51526.

We’re Always Looking for New Advertisers!

AD RATES:

Standard ads are $23/mth sold in 3-month increments: 3 mths..............................$69 (+Tx=$73.83) 6 mths.......................... $138 (+Tx=$147.66) 9 mths.......................... $207 (+Tx=$221.49) 12 mths..... (1 Month Free!) $253 (+Tx=$270.71) Double ads are $32/mth sold in 3-month increments: 3 mths............................ $96 (+Tx=$102.72) 6 mths.......................... $192 (+Tx=$205.44) 9 mths. ........................ $288 (+Tx=$308.16) 12 mths..... (1 Month Free!) $352 (+Tx=$376.64) Additional Sizes: Quarter-Page...........$50 (+Tx=$53.50)/mth Half-Page................$75 (+Tx=$80.25)/mth Full-Page.............$125 (+Tx=$133.75)/mth Pre-Printed Inserts: You deliver to printer.... $60 (+Tx=$64.20)/mth

U seless

Knowledge Stuff you didn’t think you needed to know...and probably don’t. The Library of Congress adds about fourteen thousand objects to its collection every day. The average American takes 5,117 steps a day. Sedentary folks take less, while active people may take 10,000 or more steps per day. Hartford, Connecticut, became the “Insurance Capital of the World” after the Great Fire of New York in 1835 that wiped out the New York Stock Exchange and most of the country’s major insurance companies, who then moved their operations to Hartford. Every twenty-three seconds, fire departments somewhere in the United States are called out to a blaze. That adds up to 1,348,500 calls a year. More cars are stolen in the United State on New Year’s Day than any day of the year. Halloween is the second most popular day to steal cars. Car thieves apparently take off Christmas Day. It is the day the least number of vehicles are taken.

The Crescent Connection

The Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland has a special armored room available to the president for treatment in the event of a biological, chemical, or nuclear attack. In Ecuador, a favored dish is barbecued guinea pigs. Milk was not sold in bottles until 1878, in Brooklyn. Before this, city dwellers got their milk from the back of a wagon where it was ladled from barrels into pitchers brought by the buyer. A 2010 study by the U.S. Forest Service found that neighborhoods with big trees had less crime than those with small trees. The daiquiri is named for the beach of the same name near Santiago, Cuba, where a group of American mining engineers invented the drink circa 1900. Cincinnati was once known as “porkopolis.” The city was the main porkpacking center in the 1800s and numerous herds of pigs could be found on the streets.

1901 Old Lincoln Hwy. Crescent, IA 51526

Resident Crescent, IA 51526

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CRESCENT, IA PERMIT NO. 02