Solon high school welcomes new principal, Drew Bunkers
joel-keller@uiowa.edu
SOLON — The timing was right for Drew Bunkers. He wanted to find a smaller town that he could work in and call home while his kids begin school. Solon was the perfect match. Bunkers said, “When the Solon job came up, I didn’t know much about it, but my wife knew of the town from her time at the University of Iowa. We did some research on Solon and found they’ve got a lot of things going for them. A lot of support in the town.”
Bunkers will be the new principal at Solon High School. He will make the move from Harrisburg, South Dakota, where he was the principal at Dell Rapids High School and was the District Career and Technical Education (CTE) director. Bunkers started his professional career in the sales and marketing industry but needed a change. Bunkers said, “At the end of the day, I’m not taking away from anyone who does that, but I thought is that the impact that I want to have? Or is there more that I could be doing to have a more positive impact.”
Bunkers went back to school after his epiphany and got his Masters of Science in health, physical education and recreation in 2010 from South Dakota State University. A year later, he completed his Masters of Education in business and marketing from the University of Minnesota. Bunkers got his third masters degree in educational administration from South Dakota State University in 2014.
His background lends him good experience with tech programs through his time as the CTE director, something that Solon Superintendent, Davis Eidahl, said that he wanted Solon to focus on. Eidahl said, “We’re excited about those characteristics, that knowledge, that experience that he will bring to the Solon High School.”
The school district brought four people in to interview. There were four sections of interviews: an interview with an administrative team, a group of staff and parents, Davis Eidahl, and a group of students. Eidahl said, “It was a process where a lot of stakeholders got to provide feedback on those candidates, and we really had a unanimous decision.”
Solon's 4-H'ers shine in the ring
SOLON — Superintendent Davis Eidahl and Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Josh Lyons gave an overview of the Solon Community School District’s (SCSD) academic performance (compiled from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, or “ISASP”) during the July 18 regular meeting of the SCSD Board of Education.
English Learning Arts (ELA)
Lyons presented a comparison of class proficiency for third-eleventh grade for the 2021-2024 time period showing a decrease in third (from 76% to 71%) , fourth (78% to
69%), fifth (78% to 76%), sixth (91% to 87%), and tenth grades (92% to 89%), seventh graders matching last year’s proficiency (90%), and increases in eighth (91% to 96%), ninth (88% to 91%), and eleventh grades (86% to 89%). “Third, fourth, and fifth were not where we wanted to be in regards to those results,” said Lyons.
Math
Improvements were seen in third (76% to 81%), sixth (84% to 85%), seventh (81% to 90%), eighth (89% to 91%), ninth (86% to 88%), and tenth (88% to 89%) with the
Photos by Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Right : Lane Steinbrech leads his cow into the ring to be judged. Below: Autumn Miller walks her cow out of the show area after the winners were decided. Miller competed in the Second Year Bucket Bottle show class.
Left: Jack Steinbrech repositions his cow during the Breed Steer class. Above: Reece Meyer leads her cow at the cattle show. Meyer is a member of the Graham Champions and entered this cow into the Second Year Bucket Bottle show class.
Bunkers Solon Economist
Joel Kellar
Solon Economist
BUNKERS from 1
The Bunkers family have already begun the process of joining the community of Solon. They will be moved into their new home in Solon in the first week of August and experienced their first Beef Days a couple of weeks ago. Bunkers said, “That’s what I’m most excited about, I think. Joining the community, joining that group of supporters coming together for all the kids.”
ACADEMICS from 1
fourth graders showing the greatest improvement as they went from 58% to 72%. Fifth (73% to 67%) and eleventh graders (89% to 88%) showed decline.
“We’ve been having lots of conversations (since April and May) with SIS (Solon Intermediate School) in regard to this data and think-through the variables that may be getting in our way of the results that we want to see,” said Lyons. “ISAS is (done) one time per year, but it is data that we do look at.” Lyons added he and Eidahl have encouraged SIS to visit with and do more collaboration with the middle school staff to identify what the teaching methods they are utilizing in ELA and Math. “We realize that, obviously, they all teach one subject area and that they are focused and hone-in on that; but we are going to try to do more collaboration with fourth-fifth, and sixth-seventh-eighth to identify some of the strategies and things that are working well,” said Lyons.
Science
Grades five, eight, and ten were assessed with fifth graders showing a decline (74% to 69%) while eighth graders improved (79% to 82%) and tenth graders dipped slightly (85% to 82%). However, Lyons noted overall the district surpasses the state average. “We’re always way above the state,” said Lyons. “I think the state is usually around 50-55% proficient and we’re typically well-above that. Our middle school science is
During the first week of school, it will be busy for Bunkers, but he wants to take the time to meet as many people as possible and help wherever he can. Bunkers
really strong and our high school science is really strong as well.”
Cohort Trends
Lyons showed cohort (comparisons by class) trends from 2021 to 2024 noting ISASP testing was not conducted in 2020 due to the pandemic and early end to the school year. The district began taking the ISASP tests in 2019, however Lyons focused on “post-pandemic” data, which was fairly consistent across the class of 2022 through the class of 2033 with proficiencies ranging from a low of 66% (class of ’29 science in 2022) to highs of 96% (class of ’23 ELA in 2021 and class of ’28 ELA this year).
NWEA MAP testing
The district takes multiple snapshots of students’ academic progress throughout the year with one tool being NWEA MAP (North West Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress) tests. NWEA is a division of publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and provides academic assessments for pre-K-12th grade students. The district administers the test three times per year in the fall, winter, and spring with “higher growth” and “higher achievement” shown. Lyons expressed his and the teaching staff’s frustration when proficiency and growth seen on the MAP tests isn’t reflected on the ISASP’s yearly assessment. MAP testing is not a timed test (typically taking about an hour to complete) and adapts to the individual student, said Lyons. “If a
said, “It’s really important to me to make sure that I am understanding some of the things that students need assistance with right away. It’s just being available. One of the things that I am a big proponent of is pitching in wherever I can.”
It is a big move for the Bunkers family. Drew and Melissa have
kid gets an answer wrong it might give him a little easier question, or if they get it right, the sky’s the limit. That’s the best thing about MAP, it will take you as far as you can go and we’ve got kids that are pretty impressive.”
Individual building achievements and reports
Lakeview Elementary reported 78% of their K-3 students were reading on or above their grade level.
Lakeview gained a Behavior Interventionist (BI) this year, who was accessed by 46 students, 11 of which had an IEP (Individual Education Plan) or a 504 Plan (a formal agreement between the family and school for medical or psychiatric conditions, which would allow the child to be in school). 19 of the 46 had multiple referrals and 75% of the teachers accessed the BI for support. The BI responded to over 321 calls, often going to a
classroom.
three kids together and plan on having them grow up in Solon and learn in the Solon School District. Bunkers said, “I think what I look forward to the most is just being a part of the school district and a community that has that pride. There's nothing better than wanting to say, I am proud to be a Spartan.”
SIS reported 63% of students were reading on or above grade level and 89% gained at least two levels this school year. In writing (utilizing On-Demand Assessments), SIS 4th graders achieved 61% proficiency while 5th graders were at 31%. However, 94% of SIS students taking the NWEA MAP test in math showed growth. 35 SIS students (17%) accessed the BI with 166 total intervention requests.
The middle school’s (MS) Benchmark Reading Assessments showed 83% of sixth graders were proficient, 89% of seventh graders were proficient, and 92% of the eighth graders were proficient. MS students participated in a “40-Book Challenge” with 51% of the sixth graders, 55% of the seventh graders, and 92% of the eighth graders meeting the challenge to read 40 books. The MS also noted a decrease across all three grade levels in students receiving an “F” in the final quarter with
a 25% decrease for sixth, 62% for seventh, and 52% for eighth graders in ’23’24 compared to ’22-’23 figures.
45 Solon High School students participated in Kirkwood’s academy programs, 24 participated in an internship, and 66 completed a job shadowing experience.
Next steps
Eidahl called the ISASP results “broad data,” and noted the information had been shared with the principals as they work to refine their plans, priorities, and goals for their buildings ahead of the 2024-2025 school year. He also reiterated Lyons’ statement that there would be more partnering between the buildings and additional assessments throughout the year in an effort to catch problem areas sooner than later.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held Thursday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Office Board Room, 301 S. Iowa St.
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Another wonderful summer reading program has come to a close. We’ve enjoyed many story times, learned all about the night sky, made bat houses, painted, read with a K9, played yard games, LEGOs, coloring challenges, and even pet sharks. You earned thousands of small prizes through your reading and attending programs! Our summer reading program wouldn’t be possible without all of our amazing community sponsors. And of course, it couldn’t happen without all of you, thank you for joining us!
Library
Events
As we look into August, please note we will not have Storytime on Tuesday, August 6. Instead, join us Saturday, August 10 at 10:30 a.m. for our monthly Saturday Storytime. Regular weekly Storytime will continue Tuesday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m.
Our fiber art themed book club, KNIT-LIT, meets Wednesday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The Knit Vibe by Vicki Howard and work on projects. New to fiber arts? Join us! This friendly group is ready to chat about materials, methods, and fun books.
This month we’re reading and discussing The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan, at Solon Book Club Tuesday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. This historical fiction novel follows young Emil and Madeline Martel in March 1944 as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, they must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear's intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves -- murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect "pure-blood" Germans? We have copies available for check out at the Library – pick one up and join us!
Save the date! Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. we’ll have John Weeg, a Johnson County Master Gardener, teaching us all about Hügelkultur. Hügelkultur (pronounced hyoogul-kulture) is a German word that means mound culture or hill culture. A hügelkultur is a sloped and raised planting bed filled with topsoil, wood, and organic materials. German and European people have practiced it as a gardening method for hundreds of years. Come learn all about this gardening method with us!
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays. Thursday, August 1, the Library will be open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with Dinosaurs at Dusk taking place at 5:30 p.m. outdoors.
Don’t forget, the digital library is always available! Find an eBook, eAudiobook, magazines and more with Bridges, or with the Libby app on your favorite smart device. You can even stream classic films, discover new favorites, and more with Kanopy on your favorite smart device.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
These long awaited new releases from some of our favorite authors are finally here! Come browse the new shelves or place them on hold for pick up.
The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness. Continuing the All Souls Series, Harkness brings us back to Diana and Matthew, as they now receive a formal demand from the Congregation: They must test the magic of their seven-year-old twins, Pip and Rebecca. Concerned with their safety and desperate to avoid the same fate that led her parents to spellbind her, Diana decides to forge a different path for her family’s future and answers a message from a great-aunt she never knew existed, Gwyneth Proctor, whose invitation simply reads: It’s time you came home, Diana.
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell. Meet Jessica Jones: Retired superhero, private investigator, loner. She tried her best to be a shiny spandex crimefighter, but that life only led to unspeakable trauma. Now she avoids that world altogether and works on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York. The morning a distraught mother comes into her office, Jessica would prefer to nurse her hangover and try to forget last night’s poor choices. But something about Amber Randall’s story strikes a chord with her. Amber is adamant that something happened to her teenage twins while they were visiting their father in the UK. The twins don’t act like themselves, and they now have flawless skin, have lost their distinctive tics and habits, and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible, something “perfect.”
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boarding house in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss, whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare. Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart,
Co ngratu latio ns
The truth about Dog Days
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
During the 1940's and '50's, Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers were eagerly awaited by just about everybody. We couldn't wait to see what bit of Americana he had chosen to depict for the latest issue. Many people collected the covers, poring over their collections with all the nostalgia they normally devoted to the family photo album, or pride in their complete sets of baseball cards.
I particularly remember one August cover entitled “Dog Days.” It showed a postman, obviously suffering from the heat of a sweltering August day and surrounded by a motley collection of overly-friendly dogs. At the time, I had no clue as to the reference to “dog days” and assumed it had something to do with the message that dogs suffered from the heat of high summer as much as we humans do. It would be years before I learned about the dog star and its connection to August weather.
Dog Days occur during late July and the first 10 days of August. Those are days when Sirus, the brightest star in the night sky is most prominent. According to the ancient Greeks, Sirus is one of Orion's (the Hunter's) two dogs who help him track down the other animal constellations, but never actually catch them. Because of its brilliance, Sirus was one of the first stars noticed and recognized by ancient sky-gazers, thus it is an integral part of myths from a variety of cultures.
The ancient Egyptians associated it with the goddess Isis and the annual flooding of the Nile which brought about the growing season, as well as being a haven for the souls of the dead. In parts of the world where its appearance occurs during high summer months, Sirus is associated with fire, fever and heat – thus representing the hottest days of summer in our hemisphere. Several cultures have created imaginative diagrams of constellations representative of Canis Major and its smaller cousin, Canis Minor (meaning Greater Dog and – you guessed it – Smaller Dog.) Both are associated with the constellation Orion and are subjects of many myths generated since mankind first noticed unchanging patterns among the stars.
As I remember that magazine cover painting, I can't help thinking about the number and variety of dogs Rockwell put in that scene. Both recognizable breeds and undoubted mongrels, they were representative of what would have been family pets in a typical American neighborhood at the time. Also typical was the obvious fact that pets were allowed to roam more or less freely in most communities during those years. Today, there would be Animal Control personnel, fines and possible law suits involved. The hapless postman seemed accepting of the attentions of that pack of canines, and one could imagine him petting them, even calling them by name, on a better day.
Dogs are territorial by nature and tend to defend what they see as their property by challenging intruders. As many a postman, meter reader, delivery boy and encyclopedia salesman has learned, dogs are particularly aggressive toward people who approach their house but are not welcomed in by their owner. It appears to the dog that the “boss” doesn't like the would-be intruder and that it is his duty to help send them on their way. I found it helpful to be sure my dogs were introduced to such people in a friendly fashion, though over the years, some overly-protective breeds have not trusted my judgment. Golden Retrievers, I discovered, love everybody and are more likely to lick their faces than to bite their ankles.
Possibly the most frequent intruder into a dog's territory is the postman (or was in the days when we lived in town and our mailbox was located on the front porch.)
One of the men who delivered our mail seemed to be truly afraid of our little spaniel and swung at her with his heavily loaded mailbag. Predictably, she tried to defend herself and nipped at his pant leg. There was a fuss, of course, and I was compelled to keep her indoors whenever he was in the neighborhood. All I can say in her defense is that, if he'd hit me in the face with that heavy bag, I'd probably have tried to bite him, too,
Politicians in Iowa also avoid tough questions
Stray Thoughts
For the past couple of years, Republicans often accused Joe Biden of dodging the media — refusing to sit for extended interviews, declining to be questioned in regular White House press conferences, depriving the public of the opportunity to see how he thinks on his feet and articulates his views.
In his critics’ opinion, the reason Biden and his staff avoided these unscripted events was the awareness he was not mentally agile enough to keep up with the demands pointed questions bring. The president’s supporters brushed aside those assertions — although Biden’s performance during the recent debate confirmed their worst anxieties.
I am not here to re-plow that political ground. Instead, I wonder why other political leaders much younger than the 81-year-old president are so reluctant to stand in front of their constituents, and journalists, and answer questions on a variety of topics.
Take, for example, Congressman Zach Nunn, 45, who represents Iowa’s 3rd District in the U.S. House.
Iowa’s longest-tenured public official, Senator Charles Grassley (who, at age 90, is nine years older than Biden), has made it his signature political strategy to visit Iowa’s 99 counties every year and take questions in each one.
Not all those events are open to the public, however, especially in the bigger cities. The progressive advocacy group
Progress Iowa tallied several years ago that true public “town hall” events were held in less than half the counties. In most places, Grassley’s events were invitation-only events hosted by businesses, service clubs and other groups.
But Grassley seems fearless with compared with Nunn.
Progress Iowa recently counted that since Nunn took office in January 2023, he has never held a town hall event that was open to all comers in any of the 21 counties making up the 3rd Congressional District.
Nunn has met with constituents in those counties, of course. But meeting with a select group, whether invited by the congressman’s staff or a local host, is not the same as having an open-door event where anyone can attend and ask Nunn about his views and his votes.
Nunn’s approach differs somewhat from the other mem-
bers of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra each have held at least one public town hall forum since their current House terms began in 2023.
Nunn’s avoidance of these public Q&A events is baffling. Elected officials should want to hear from their constituents. It is an important part of the job. Town hall events give the officeholder the opportunity to explain their views on an assortment of issues.
That was why such public access to elected officials used to be more common than now. Governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad met at least once a week with reporters and took questions on any topic the journalists asked about. Ray believed the sessions were an important way for him to stay plugged in on the wide range of concerns Iowans had, regardless of whether they supported him or not.
Branstad reveled in the give-and-take when he sat down with a group of Iowans. He was not naive enough to think he would avoid pointed questions. But he believed such sessions gave him the chance to directly explain himself and his positions to citizens.
Nunn must not understand this — or maybe he is not concerned about this aspect of public service.
A public town hall gathering where anyone can attend produces different questions, and a politician gains different insights than occurs at a private Q&A event. A host at a private event is not likely to invite someone whose questions might make Nunn uncomfortable. And if the private event is at a business, it is unlikely an employee would risk embarrassing the guest — and the boss — with a touchy question. While Grassley set the standard by visiting every county every year, State Auditor Rob Sand has gold-plated the Grassley standard by holding public town hall events in all 99 counties every year.
A few weeks ago, Sand released a schedule of 100 public town halls he will hold in the coming months. There is no guessing if Sand will visit a certain county. It’s on the schedule on his office website. There is no question when, where and at what time he will meet with the public. It’s on the schedule. And there is no question who can attend. Anyone can.
Rob Sand understands what Zach Nunn does not:
Even if some questions make Sand squirm, or if some force him to quickly gather his thoughts, or if someone from the other party pounces with an embarrassing question, Sand knows this is part of being an elected official. It just goes with the territory.
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
Gov. Reynolds, Iowa congressional delegation urge USDA to adjust disaster programs, improve assistance to farmers
DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds, together with Iowa’s entire congressional delegation, has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging him and the department to “utilize their existing statutory authorities to adjust their disaster programs to provide farmers, ranchers, and producers with the flexibility they need after a natural disaster to recover and rebuild.”
The letter comes after the state has endured three natural disasters in as many months, including two destructive tornado events and devastating floods in northwest Iowa, severely impacting rural areas and numerous farms.
The letter highlights the differences in flexibility between programs provided by the USDA and those offered by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA). Particularly,
it calls out the USDA’s programs for not providing assistance for farmers commensurate with the SBA’s programs for small businesses.
The letter reads in part:
“The Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster assistance programs offer vital, flexible support in difficult times to small businesses. We understand that these programs are limited to non-agricultural small businesses, with USDA providing access to complementary programs, such as the Emergency Loan Program, that are intended and specifically designed to assist agricultural producers like farmers and ranchers. While USDA and SBA coordinate to ensure these programs effectively reach rural small businesses, we continue to hear from disaster victims that the terms available to borrowers within the USDA programs are less favorable com-
pared to those at SBA, which offer a greater amount of flexibility with interest, balance, and payment terms. Similar to our request today, the SBA provided much of this flexibility in 2022 and 2023 by utilizing administrative authorities.
“As Iowans begin to recover from the many disasters that have impacted them, the historical and continued lack of fairness in what rural communities are offered by USDA is having a meaningful and substantial impact. Consideration should be given to these communities, which are integral to feeding America and the world, by granting them the same or similar terms through USDA as those that are provided to less rural areas through SBA. USDA can do this through its existing statutory authorities, which provide it with the ability to make all loans repayable at such times as
the Secretary may determine, and broad authority to set interest rates at a level prescribed by the Secretary, but not in excess of 8 percent per annum. We encourage you to utilize these existing authorities to defer payment on disaster loans for a full
year and reduce interest rates to zero during that deferment. This would provide much-needed parity to farmers as they rebuild their agricultural operations.”
The letter is signed by Governor Reynolds along with Senators Chuck
McPheron named to President’s and Dean’s Lists at
Drake University
DES MOINES — Cassandra McPheron, a Pharmacy & Health Sciences student from Solon, has been named to the Deans' and President's Lists at Drake University.
To be eligible for the Deans' List, students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the Spring 2024 semester at Drake.
To be eligible for the President's List, students must have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the Spring 2024 semester at Drake.
Drake University is recognized as one of the finest national liberal arts universities. A distinctive and distinguished private university in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and more than 1,800 graduate students. Students choose from more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations and 20 graduate degrees offered through seven colleges and schools. In addition, Drake offers a range of continuing education programs serving working professionals, community members, and area businesses. Drake recognizes the importance of its location in Iowa’s capital
August Solon Senior Advocates News
The Economist has brought on board, Joel Kellar, as a summer intern who plans to report on Solon stories and happenings bringing more local news to the Economist pages. If you have a story of interest touch base with Joel at 515-336-5370! To catch those bits of local stories, subscribe to the Economist by calling 319-624-2233!
2024 Advocate Trips
All trips leave from the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) or “Rec Park,” call 319-430-8655 for reservations Thursday, August 15 – Kendrick’s Forest Products, Edgewood. Cost $75. Leave Rec Park at 9:00 a.m. Tour of Kendrick Forrest Products, Iowa’s largest sawmill. Then we will tour their custom cabinet shop, Forever Cabinets by Kendrick (est. 2001),where you will see how cabinets are made for the home. Next you will see and learn how the Kendrick team used their desire to eliminate waste and create quality wood products, which led them to the start two additional companies in 2017, Kendrick Home and Shimlee. Your tour will end at The Markket, a 6,500 sq ft showroom where they showcase their line of Forever
Grassley and Joni Ernst, Congressmen Randy Feenstra and Zach Nunn, and Congresswomen Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The letter can be read in its entirety on the governor’s website, https:// governor.iowa.gov.
city and seeks to connect its teaching and learning to the wealth of cultural, recreational, and business resources it provides. At the same time, it weaves global thinking and intercultural learning into everything it does, preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
Jacy Werning graduates from Wartburg College
WAVERLY — Wartburg College awarded diplomas to 211 students during its Spring Commencement on Sunday, May 26.
Jacy Werning, of Solon, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communication and graphic design.
Wartburg College, a four-year liberal arts college internationally recognized for community engagement, enrolls about 1,500 students. A college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wartburg is dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning. The college is characterized by vigorous academic expectations and community engagement within an environment of strong personal support.
Cabinets, as well as home decor, lighting, rugs, furnishings, kitchenware, clothing, and so much more.
Dine at Franklin Hotel, Strawberry Point following Kendrick tour. Built in 1902 and once thought to harbor ghosts and specters!
Friday, October 18 – Breitbach’s Restaurant. Cost $85. Leave SRNA at 9:15 a.m.
We plan to return to Solon from Breitbach’s via Wisconsin by taking the Cassville Ferry to Millville, Iowa (see photos).
Meal & Movie (M&M)
No movies the last Friday of the month until further notice.
Restaurant Runs
Thursday, August 15 – Cheddar’s, Coralville, 12:00 Noon. Personal cars, call 319-430-8655 to sign up.
Senior Advocates Board
Art Tellin 319-626-2816, John Lamantia 319-621-6887, Sandy Hanson 319-430-8655, Barry Byrne 319-354-8757, Larry Meister 319-624-2516, Don Burch 319-624-4054, Cindy Jensen 319-360-3279, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Ivan Hasselbusch 319-670-9105, Phyllis Fiala 319-3317447, and Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811.
Contributed photos
Top left: This is the view from the catwalk in the Kendrick’s sawmill as we watch the process of debarking logs and sawing the boards used in creating cabinets in their custom cabinet shop, the second stop in our tour coming up Thursday, August 15. The final stop is at the Markket showcasing the Forever Cabinets, as well as home decor, lighting, rugs, furnishings, kitchenware, clothing, and so much more.
Above: After our tour of the Kendrick’s sawmill (August 15), we will dine at the Franklin Hotel in Strawberry Point, which has mystery aura to it!
Left: Here, we are on the ferry from Cassville, WI to Millville, IA. There were eagles all around, and although it was drizzling we got out of the bus to view these magnificent birds! We’ll do it again Friday, October 18 on our trip to Breitbach’s.
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
SOLON SENIORS
Senior Dining is the place to be!
Lyle Beaver entertained in July. Toes were tapping, hands were clapping! Thank you, Lyle.
AUGUST EVENTS ••••••••••••
Wednesday, August 7 – Celebrate birthdays
Wednesday, August 14 – State Fair at Senior Dining, join the fun!
Wednesday, August 21 – Sponsored meal – Sam’s Mainstreet Market and music by Gale & Kirk
Wednesday, August 28 – City Representative – “Happenings in Solon”
DINING •••••••••••••••••••••
Meals cost $5.00, call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) between 10-11:30 a.m.
Home Deliveries
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
In-House Dining
Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays ONLY at 11:30 a.m.
Except for Meal and Movie the last Friday of the month (meals will be catered). Call Sandy for reservations and information, 319-430-8655.
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
— Elizabeth Andrew
AUGUST MENU
Friday, August 2
Butter Burger on a Bun French Fries
Creamy Coleslaw
Scotcharoos Bingo/Cards
Monday, August 5
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots
Peanut Butter Blondie
Wednesday, August 7
In-house Dining – August Birthdays
Smoked Pork Chop
Garlic & Herb
Scalloped Potatoes
Buttered Peas
Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler In-House Dining
Friday, August 9
Hushpuppy Fish
Tater Tots
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Tropical Pumpkin Pie Bingo/Cards
Monday, August 12
Pony Shoe
Sweet Pepper Slaw Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, August 14
In-House Dining – State Fair/Fun Day
Country Fried Steak Mashed Potatoes
Country Gravy
Candied Carrots Cheesecake w/Cherries
Friday, August 16
Panko Crusted Tilapia
Lemon Kissed Asparagus
Cheesy Potato
Tot Bake Fresh Fruit Bingo/Cards
Monday, August 19
Spinach Alfredo Lasagna Roll-Up
Carrots
Garlic Toast Monster Cookie Cake
Wednesday, August 21
In-House Dining - Sponsored Meal-Sam’s Mainstreet Market, Entertainment-Gale & Kirk
Loaded Turkey Noodle Casserole Blended Vegetable Breadstick French Chocolate Cheesecake
Friday, August 23
Shrimp & Chips
Broccoli w/Cheese
Cornbread Fresh Fruit Bingo/Cards
Monday, August 26
Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots
Strawberry Rhubarb Snickerdoodle Crunch
Wednesday, August 28
In-House Dining – City Representative
Lasagna Roll Up
Green Beans
Garlic Toast
Banana Berry Gelatin
Friday, August 30
Glazed Salmon Filet
Mini Baker Potatoes
Creamed Peas
Smores Cheesecake Fluff Bingo/Cards
Down
1 Château : France :: ___ : Spain
5 Llama relative with prized wool
8 Steve of “The Office”
9 ___ Inn, “flowery” setting for a Nancy Drew mystery
11 Closely monitor
12 Parting words
14 Part of a row that might have a rho
16 Secret infatuation
18 Sounds from fans
19 Potential goal for a unicorn, in brief
20 Lose every last penny
22 Exude, as charisma
23 Thereabouts
25 Chop up, as ingredients
26 Pepperoni, mushroom or green pepper … or what each cluster of black squares represents in this puzzle
31 Jazz singer James
32 Certain spa treatment, informally
33 “That one’s mine!”
36 Laundry challenge for a mountain biker
39 Pet shampoo target
40 Hard to find
41 Feature of a deluxe pie … and of this puzzle?
47 Currency replaced by the euro
48 Flavoring in purple bubble tea
49 Morgenstern who wrote “The Night Circus”
50 Rough houses?
53 “___ Kapital”
55 Losing water by the minute
56 Pulsate
57 Sources of gossip
60 Spanish grandmother
62 Made noise after being stepped on, perhaps
63 First name of three lead actors
playing Marvel superheroes
64 Gave one’s blessing to
65 Outdoes
66 Vixen, e.g.
One way to avoid crazy flips is to slow down and make sure you are driving at a safe speed. A safe speed doesn’t necessarily mean adhering to the speed limit. Weather, road construction, the posi-
tion of the sun, people and vehicles alongside the road, and more can all create a need to slow down to ensure you safely get through the area. Slowing down can not only save a life, it can also save gas and help your overall mental well-being. Driving with a sense of urgency can increase your stress level and tend to create a sense of anger or impatience with others who are sharing the road with you.
In 2024 in Iowa, 162 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of eight as of Friday, July 26. In Iowa in 2023, there were 377 traffic-related deaths.
1 Prepare, as a Thanksgiving turkey
2 Navigate
3 College team whose name is its home state minus two letters
4 Sucker
5 Assuage, as fears
6 Settled
7 Patchy cat
8 Supermarket lineup
Biting 11 Uruguayan soccer star Luis 13 Took by force
14 Become unruly, as hair 15 Singer Amos
17 One of two heard in “This Kiss”
18 “Sister Act” star, familiarly 20 Stare in amazement
21 Closely monitor, with “on”
24 [Is this still good?]
27 Apropos
28 Mixed bag?
29 Sappho and others
30 In 1492, it sailed the ocean blue
34 Set of books once awarded to winners of Britain’s “Countdown” game show, for short 35 Washington’s Sea-___ Airport
Artist whose work has a wide reach?
Famed sex therapist, familiarly
Prey for a moray eel
One of the official languages of Uttar Pradesh
Material for some trifold display boards
Reacted to a staggering blow
Russian range
Foul 51 Place to veg out
King of the fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 54 Screenwriter of “Steve Jobs” and “The Social Network”
Double-tapped on Instagram, e.g.
Coarse files
58 Duane ___ (pharmacy chain)
59 Noted name with an Oscar?
61 Place
SUDOKU
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
Iowa Department of Transportation
Friday, July 26, marks the opening of the 2024 Olympics in Paris and America’s fascination with the skills of talented athletes such as gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles. While the art of flips and spins can be awe-inspiring on the mat, those same moves can have dire effects when they occur on the road.
Giving it all they’ve got: a look at the 2024
Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull
Below left: Tru Donovan, of Solon, gets a little trackside
Left: Rex Schmidt, from Solon, checks the sled as he competes in the 2024 Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19. Schmidt made it 11’-9” for second place in the 35 pounds and under class.
Below: Chance Wall, from West Branch, grinds out a 10’-11” effort in the 2024 Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19. The annual event was part of Solon Beef Days.
Deanna Kleinsmith | Contributed photos
Clockwise: Winners of the 2024 Beef Days Big Wheel Races were (from left) Kara Kuhlman (Girls 6-7), Jackson Trannel (Boys 4-5), Sirsi Schmidt (Girls 4-5), and Declan Ruzicka (Boys 6-7). The event was held Saturday afternoon.
Lily Smith was the winner of the 2024 Solon Beef Days Frisbee Toss. The event was among six activities and contests in this year’s Kids Corner Saturday, July 20.
Artists with Funny Faces by Lori work their makeup magic Saturday afternoon in the Solon Beef Days’ Kids Corner.
While the Friday night Hay Bale Toss filled Main Street, it wasn’t the only time bales were flying during Solon Beef Days. Jaxson Cochrum was the winner of the 2024 Solon Beef Days Straw Bale Toss, one of six activities and contests in this year’s Kids Corner Saturday, July 20.
Brian (Balloons by Brian) crafts another inflated masterpiece for a young girl Saturday afternoon in the Solon Beef Days’ Kids Corner.
encouragement as he pedals toward a 6’-3” finish in the 36-40 pound class Friday, July 19 during the annual Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull.
Below right: Emma Olsem, from Solon, gives all she’s got as she pedals her way to a second place finish in 71-80 pound class for the 2024 Solon Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19.
Clara Kaefring, from Solon, competes in the 2024 Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19. Kaefring made it 5’5” in the 35 pounds and under class.
Hailey Poduska’s determination shows as she grinds out her run in the annual Kid’s Tractor Pull. Poduska, from Solon, went 6’-2” in the 35 pounds and under class.
Ace Richeal, from Solon, powers his way to a full 15’ pull in the 2024 Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19. Richeal won the 35 pounds and under class.
Casey Rigdon gives his daughter Sophie encouragement as Mark Handley gives her a little nudge to get her run started for the 2024 Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19.
Sloane Owen, from Solon, pedals her way to a 15’ finish in the 41-45 pound class in the 2024 Solon Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 19.
Blakely Brown, from Solon, looks at the crowd as she competes in the annual Kid’s Tractor Pull, part of the 2024 Solon Beef Days events held Friday, July 19.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Right: The Spartan Ball Club puts the finishing touches on their float for the annual Beef Days parade Saturday morning.
Below: Kids with bags full of candy and a miniature American flag watch as the 2024 Solon Beef Days Parade rolls by Saturday morning.
beef days 2024
Umscheid | Solon
Above: The Solon Optimists had a packed house, as usual, for their annual Bingo tent on Main St.
Left: If hay bales are flying high in downtown Solon, it’s a sure bet it’s time for the annual Hay Bale Toss during Solon Beef Days. Once again Main St. was packed with people trying to get a glimpse of the action.
Right: Don Ellis, “The Voice of the Spartans,” long-time emcee for the Beef Days parade and Kid’s Tractor Pull, and Treasurer for the Solon Beef Days Committee was found relaxing Saturday afternoon. Although retired from the Solon State Bank, Ellis remains involved in the community and will have plenty of checks to sign as the committee awards grants to local groups and organizations from proceeds raised over the celebratory weekend.
Joel Kellar | Solon
Left: Spectators for the hay bale toss try to get the attention of the person with the t-shirt cannon.
and
Left: Kids on one of Solon’s many youth baseball teams get dressed in a Hawaiian theme to match their float ahead of the start of the annual Beef Days Parade Saturday morning.
Below: Dave McKelvy (at right) plays in the bags tournament Saturday afternoon. McKelvy and his teammate Bill Schaefer wore matching jerseys during their run to the final four of the tournament. The bags tournament lasted four hours and took place in front of the stage on Main Street.
Participants in the Beef Days
place their
and shoe chips, and mill about before the start of the Saturday morning event, which started at St. Marys Catholic Church and wound it’s way through Solon before ending behind Lakeview Elementary School. Full race results (Solon) were published in last week’s
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Above: Cade McNamara (in white) rides along the parade with his dog
teammates from the Hawkeye football team. McNamara was the celebrity Grand Marshal for this year’s Beef Days parade.
Economist
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Above: Gypsy line dances during a song performed by Nutsy Turtle and Lori G Friday evening. Gypsy started to line dance by herself but was joined by a few others in the dancing mood.
Chris Umsheid | Solon Economist
Left:
5k/1mile run stretch,
number tags
edition of the Solon Economist
Chris
Economist
Right: (From left) Solon Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members Elizabeth Petrie, Chloe Benjamin, Ashley Hummel, Jodi Leimkuehler, and Jake Grimm helped with the Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday evening.
Below: People stand in line for the Rockstar ride back-lit by the Sizzler in the Sam’s Mainstreet Market parking lot Friday evening. Sam’s Amusements & Carnival from Shawnee, OK returned to Beef Days and once again filled the lot and Main St. with rides and games.
Right: An employee with Sam’s Amusements Carnival of Shawnee, OK restocks prizes Friday night.
Below left: West Main Street was a hive of activity Friday evening as Sam’s Amusements & Carnival from Shawnee, OK returned to Beef Days filling downtown Solon with rides and games.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
William “Bill” Mattaliano, coach of Left: Solon’s Robotics program, explains to two children how the robots built by Solon students operate. The Robotics team sold ice cream throughout Beef Days as a fundraiser for the educational program (6th-12th grade students) and will hold two open houses Friday, August 23 (4:30-7:00 p.m.) and Saturday, August 24 (8:00-10:00 a.m.) in the old classrooms below the Solon Community School District’s Central Office at 301 South Iowa St.
Below: Toby Kleinsmith shares his passion for robotics with Emerson and Isabella Schaunaman at the
Left: A carnival ride spins around late Friday night.
Below: Bowen Brown reaches for a high five with his dad while flying around on a carnival ride.
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Above: Main St. was packed with people trying to get a glimpse of the Hay Bale Toss action.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Below right: Attendees of Solon Beef Days enjoy the view from atop the Rockstar ride Friday evening.
Solon Robotics tent Friday evening during Solon Beef Days.
Working Exhibits
Working Exhibits competition provides an opportunity to 4-H members to communicate, interact with, and teach an audience in an informal and experiential and informal way. The best subjects involve action by the youth and/or involve the audience in doing, feeling, tasting, smelling, or judging and should be an outgrowth of the presenter’s 4-H experience or 4-H project work.
Madison Singbeil and Mackenzie Craig, both with Macbride’s Pride (MP) had exhibits selected for the Iowa State Fair.
Communications/Working Exhibits – Madison Singbeil, MP, selected for State Fair. Madison Singbeil, MP, yellow ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, MP, selected for State Fair. Mackenzie Craig, MP, yellow ribbon and Excellence Award.
Swine
Swine judging was held Monday, July 22. Autumn Miller won Champion Single Source Gilt and Champion Single Source Pair with Will McAtee winning Reserve Champion and Kaden Recker winning Champion Carcass Gilt. McAtee also won Reserve Champion Single Source Barrow while sister Rose McAtee won Champion Carcass Barrow and Reserve Champion Carcass Barrow.
All four are members of the Graham Champions 4-H club.
Swine/Single Source/Single Source Gilt – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Single Source Gilt, purple ribbon, 1st place. William McAtee (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place. William McAtee, Reserve Champion Single Source Gilt, purple ribbon, 1st place. Rose McAtee (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place. Kaden Recker (GC), Champion Carcass Gilt, blue ribbon, 4th place.
Swine/Single Source/Single Source Barrow –Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), purple ribbon, 2nd place. Ella Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place. Anthony Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place. William McAtee (GC), Reserve Champion Single Source Barrow, purple ribbon, 1st place. Rose McAtee (GC), Reserve Champion Carcass Barrow, blue ribbon, 5th place. Rose McAtee, Champion Carcass Barrow, purple ribbon, 3rd place. Kaden Recker (GC), blue ribbon, 7th place.
Swine/Single Source/Single Source Pair – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Single Source Pair, purple ribbon, 1st place. William McAtee (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place. Rose McAtee (GC), purple ribbon, 2nd place. Kaden Recker (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place.
Static Displays
Non-animal Static Exhibits were judged Friday, July 19 and on display throughout the fair.
Fish and Wildlife exhibits showed learning about a fish and/or wildlife project or program including identification, habitats, harvest, taxidermy, etc. Kacey Craig (Macbride’s Pride)’s exhibit on European Mount-Locked Deer Antlers was selected for the Iowa State Fair.
Horticulture and Plant Science exhibits showed learning about the growth, use, and value of plants, soils, small fruit production, vegetable and flower gardens, plant nutrition, careers, and etc.
Outdoor Adventures exhibits showed learning about backpacking, biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, or other outdoor activities.
Safety and Education in Shooting Sports focused on learning about the safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment or wildlife management.
Veterinary Science exhibits show learning about keeping animals healthy, animal diseases, animal/human interaction, or other educational topics related to the veterinary sciences.
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Fish & Wildlife –Abraham Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Poster over Bass fish,’ blue ribbon. Bohdan Tomash, Graham Champions, ‘Fishing Tips: 3 Fish, 3 Lures,’ blue ribbon. Kacey Craig (MP), ‘Deer Antlers European Mount,’ blue ribbon. Kacey Craig, ‘European Mount-Locked Deer Antlers,’ selected for State Fair. Kacey Craig, ‘European Mount-Locked Deer Antlers,’ purple ribbon.
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Horticulture & Plant Science – Abraham Singbeil (MP), ‘Succulent Dish,’
blue ribbon.
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Outdoor Adventures – Bohdan Tomash (GC), ‘Blitz Ball Strike Zone,’ blue ribbon.
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Safety & Education in Shooting Sports – Abraham Singbeil (MP), ‘BB gun safety,’ blue ribbon.
Static/Ag & Natural Resources/Veterinary Science – Madison Singbeil (MP), ‘Parasites in rabbits,’ lavender ribbon.
Sheep Events
Sheep judging was held Sunday, July 21. Autumn Miller with the Graham Champions (GC) 4-H club won Reserve Champion Intermediate Sheep Showmanship and Rose McAtee (GC) won Reserve Champion Market Ewe.
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Registered Purebred Breeding Ewe AOB Class – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), White face, blue ribbon, 3rd place.
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Non-Papered Breeding Ewe WBI Class – William McAtee (GC), Speckle face, blue ribbon, 3rd place. Rose McAtee (GC), Speckle face, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Sheep/Breeding Sheep/Breeding Ewe Lamb, Black Face – Autumn Miller (GC), Black face Elie, Reserve Champion Intermediate. Autumn Miller, Black face Elie, purple ribbon, 2nd place.
Sheep/Market Sheep/Individual Market Ewe Class – William McAtee (GC), Black face ewe, blue ribbon, 4th place. Rose McAtee (GC), Black face, Reserve Champion. Rose McAtee, Black face, purple ribbon, 2nd place.
Sheep/Market Sheep/Individual Market Lamb –William McAtee (GC), Black face whether, blue ribbon, 5th place. Rose McAtee (GC), Black face whether, blue ribbon, 4th place.
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Mechanics - An exhibit that shows skills or learning about general mechanics or engineering solutions or that involve a combination of skills.
Static/Science, Engineering, & Technology/ Mechanics – Bohdan Tomash, Graham Champions, ‘Building a Hay Rack,’ blue ribbon.
Woodworking - An exhibit that shows learning about wood, woodworking techniques, and safe uses of woodworking tools and machines. Exhibits may include newly constructed or refinished/reclaimed/restored wood items.
Static/Science, Engineering, & Technology/ Woodworking – Abraham Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Hat Holder,’ blue ribbon.
Science, Engineering & Technology - An exhibit that shows learning about or helps explain how science and technology help us interact with the world. Topics include aerospace, biological and chemical sciences, computers & networking, earth & climate, geospatial mapping (GPS/ GIS) or any other application of Science, Engineering, or Technology.
Static/Science, Engineering, & Technology – Kacey Craig, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Exhibit detailing how I assemble my own personal computer for gaming,’ blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash, Graham Champions, ‘Repotting a plant,’ blue ribbon.
Aerospace - An educational display or other exhibit (including flyable models) showing learning about an aerospace idea or topic.
Static/Science, Engineering, & Technology/Aerospace – Abraham Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Build a rocket and launch the rocket,’ blue ribbon.
Poultry
Poultry events were held Monday, July 22. Mackenna Craig with the Macbride’s Pride 4-H club won Reserve Champion Standardized Egg Production, Pen of three and Champion Meat Production, Pen of three Chickens under three months of age. Mackenzie Craig won Champion Egg Production, Pen of three under 24 weeks of age, and Reserve Champion Egg Production. Mackenzie also won Reserve Champion Egg Production Hens, Pen of three one
year or older and Champion Game Bird Individual.
Poultry/Bantam/Non Commercial Bantam Pair, 1 male 1 female of fancy fowl of same breed – Mackenzie Craig, Macbride’s Pride (MP), blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Bantam/Non Commercial Bantam, Individual male or female of fancy fowl – Mackenzie Craig, blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, blue ribbon. Maeven Egly, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon. Mia Egly (GC), blue ribbon. Ronan Egly (GC), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Chickens/Standardized Egg Production Pullets, Pen of 3 – Mackenzie Craig (MP), blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), Reserve Champion. Mackenna Craig (MP), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Chickens/Egg Production, Pen of 3 under 24 weeks of age – Mackenzie Craig (MP), Champion and Reserve Champion. Mackenzie Craig, purple ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), purple ribbon.
Poultry/Chickens/Egg Production, Pen of 3 Hens 1 year or older – Mackenzie Craig (MP), Reserve Champion. Mackenzie Craig, blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, blue ribbon. Ronan Egly (GC), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Chickens/Meat Production, Pen of 3 chickens under 3 months of age – Mackenzie Craig (MP), blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), Champion. Mackenna Craig, purple ribbon.
Poultry/Chickens/Standardized Meat Production, Pen of 3 Broilers – Mackenzie Craig (MP), purple ribbon. Mackenna Craig, blue ribbon.
Poultry/Ducks/Standardized Meat Production Ducks, Pen of 2 – Mackenzie Craig (MP), blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), purple ribbon.
Poultry/Ducks/Meat Production, Pen of 3 ducks under 4 months of age – Mackenzie Craig (MP), purple ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Game Birds/Individual, male or female –Mackenzie Craig (MP), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Non Commercial/Standard Pair, 1 male 1 female fowl of same breed – Mackenna Craig (MP), blue ribbon.
Poultry/Non Commercial/Standard Individual, male or female fowl – Mackenzie Craig (MP), blue ribbon. Maeven Egly (GC), blue ribbon. Mia Egly (GC), blue ribbon.
Pets
Pet judging was held Saturday, July 21 with Mackenna Craig of the Macbride’s Pride 4-H club winning Reserve Champion Intermediate Pet Showmanship (dogs) while Kacey Craig (also with Macbride’s Pride) won Reserve Champion Senior Pet Showmanship (cats). Mia Egly, with the Graham Champions 4-H club won Champion Intermediate Pet Showmanship in the ‘Other’ pets class while Maeven Egly (also with Graham Champions) won Cutest Pet.
Pets/Dogs – Mackenna Craig, Macbride’s Pride, Reserve Champion Intermediate Pet Showmanship. Mackenna Craig, purple ribbon, 3rd place.
Pets/Cats – Kacey Craig, Macbride’s Pride, Reserve Champion Senior Pet Showmanship. Kacey Craig, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Pets/Other – Maeven Egly, Graham Champions, Cutest Pet. Maeven Egly, purple ribbon, 3rd place. Mia Egly, Graham Champions, Champion Intermediate Pet Showmanship. Mia Egly, purple ribbon, 2nd place.
Personal Development
Citizenship and Civic Engagement - An exhibit that shows learning about or contributing to your community, your country or your world.
Static/Personal Development/Citizenship and Civic Engagement – Brooke Bowersox, Graham Champions, ‘Cake Boxes,’ lavender ribbon.
4-H Poster Communication Exhibit - Special posters exhibit to visually tell a story or idea about 4-H to the general public. Madison Singbeil (Macbride’s Pride)’s poster, “Life is a Jungle Filled with Unexpected Opportunities” was selected for the Iowa State Fair.
Static/Personal Development/4-H Poster Communication Exhibit – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, purple ribbon, selected for State Fair.
Self-Determined - An exhibit that shows learning as part of the 4-H adventure and does not fit any other class.
Static/Personal Development/Self-Determined –Kacey Craig, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Preserved Deer Skull,’ blue ribbon. Alyson Bulecheck (MP), ‘Lemon lavender sugar scrub,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith (MP), ‘Goal board,’ lavender ribbon.
Horse & Pony events
Halter and Performance events were held Saturday, July 21 with Trail/Speed events held Monday, July 22. Addison Schultes, with the Graham Champions 4-H club, won Reserve Champion Speed Race Advanced, Champion Advanced Hurry Scurry, Reserve Champion Handy Horse, Champion Performance Advanced Clover Leaf Barrels, Champion Advanced Keyhole, and Champion Advanced Pole Bending.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Trail (OT) – Addison Schultes, Graham Champions, blue ribbon/5th place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Egg & Spoon – Addison Schultes, blue ribbon/4th place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Speed Race – Addison Schultes, Reserve Champion. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 2nd place. Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Hurry Scurry – Addison Schultes, Champion. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Handy Horse – Addison Schultes, Reserve Champion. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 2nd place. Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Clover Leaf Barrels – Addison Schultes, Champion Performance. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Flag Race – Addison Schultes, blue ribbon, 3rd place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Keyhole – Addison Schultes, Champion. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Horse & Pony/Trail & Game Events Day Classes/ Advanced Pole Bending – Addison Schultes, Champion. Addison Schultes, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Garden
Garden Specimen Classes
Static/Garden/Beans, snap, six specimens – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), purple ribbon, Honorable Mention. Anthony Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon. Static/Garden/Carrots, three specimens – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Cucumbers, for slicing, three specimens – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Eggplant, oriental type, one specimen – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions, purple ribbon, Honorable Mention.
Static/Garden/Peppers, sweet, bell, blocky, and other specimens, three specimens – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions, blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Peppers, sweet, bell, elongated, any other, three specimens – Anthony Havlicek, Graham Champions, blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Potatoes, yellow/gold, three specimens – Emily Pence, Macbride’s Pride, blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Tomato, red, slicing, three specimens – Anthony Havlicek, Graham Champions, red ribbon.
Static/Garden/Tomato, cherry type, red, small –Anthony Havlicek, Grahm Champions, blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Tomato, cocktail type, grape, red
Tyler rides a horse during the Johnson County Fair. Horse riding was one of the many attractions of the fair this year.
Kendall Jones goes horseback riding during the county fair. Horseback riding was a fun way to interact with some of the animals at the fair.
Lane and Jack Steinbrech prepare their cows for the Breed Steer class. They took great attention to detail in prepping the cows to be judged.
– Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions, purple ribbon, Honorable Mention.
Static/Garden/Basil – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek (GC), blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Basil – Parsley – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), purple ribbon, Honorable Mention. Anthony Havlicek (GC), purple ribbon, Honorable Mention.
Static/Garden/Flower Arrangement – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Color Arrangement,’ purple ribbon, Honorable Mention. Elsie Tomash (GC), ‘Wild Flower Arrangement,’ red ribbon.
Static/Garden/Single Flower Specimen – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Tiger Lilly,’ purple ribbon, Honorable Mention. Autumn Miller, ‘Purple Coneflower,’ blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, ‘Daisy Balsamorhiza Sagittate,’ blue ribbon.
Static/Garden/Any other kind of vegetable, one specimen – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek (GC), purple ribbon, Honorable Mention.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Child Development - An exhibit that shows learning about children. An exhibit could include careers in child development, caring for children with special needs, childcare, growth and development, or safety and health.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Child Development – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Fine motor cutting box,’ blue ribbon.
Consumer Management - Exhibits show learning through savvy budgeting, comparison shopping, money management, or consumer rights and responsibilities.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Consumer Management – Brooke Bowersox, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Budget Project,’ lavender ribbon.
Food & Nutrition - Prepared Product - Exhibits were of a prepared food product that shows skills or learning about cooking, baking, eating and choosing healthy foods, or safety practices through the making of a prepared food product. Madison Singbeil with Macbride’s Pride had her display about macaroons selected for the Iowa State Fair while fellow member Mackenna Craig’s homemade cinnamon rolls and cherry pie were also chosen to advance.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Food & Nutrition-Prepared Product – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Macaroons,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair. Abraham Singbeil (MP), ‘banana bread,’ blue ribbon. Emily Pence (MP), ‘Scones,’ blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), ‘Homemade Cinnamon Rolls-3 day recipe,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair. Mackenna Craig, ‘Cherry Pie,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair. Bohdan Tomash, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Pop Cake,’ blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash (GC), ‘Leann’s Cookies,’ blue ribbon.
Food & Nutrition - Preserved Product was an exhibit of a preserved food product that shows skills or learning about food preservation through the making of a prepared or preserved food product.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Food & Nutrition-Preserved Product – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Strawberry rhubarb jam,’ blue ribbon.
Food & Nutrition - Educational Display - An educational exhibit (poster, report, display) showing skills or learning about cooking, baking, eating, and choosing healthy foods, meal planning/preparation & service, safety practices, or food preservation.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Food & Nutrition-Educational Display – Emily Pence, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Comparison poster between store bought bread and homemade bread,’ lavender ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Graham Champions, ‘Depression Cake,’ lavender ribbon.
Home Improvement - An exhibit that shows learning in planning, improving and caring for your home living space, including extended personal living areas immediately adjacent to the home. Reece Meyer with the Graham Champions 4-H entered a “refurnished storage bench” and will take it to the Iowa State Fair for judging and competition. Also, Gidyon Kleinsmith with Macbride’s Pride’s ironing counter was selected to advance to state.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Home Improvement – Emma Vollbrecht, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Large flowerpot with a fairy garden to enhance the look of our backyard porch,’ purple ribbon. Emily Pence, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Pot of flowers,’ blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), ‘Decorative bike piece to use as an accent piece on our house porch,’ blue ribbon. Reece Meyer (GC), ‘Refurnished storage bench,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair. Mackenna Craig (MP), ‘Santa’s Magic Framed Art,’ blue ribbon. Alyson Bulecheck (MP), ‘Old house door transformed into a headboard,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith (MP), ‘ironing counter,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair.
Sewing and Needle Arts – These exhibits consisted of a constructed item (sewn, knitted, crocheted, or other process) that shows learning and skill in sewing, knitting, crocheting, or other needle arts including the construction of household items such as pillowcases, curtains, table runners, quilts, wall hangings, etc. Exhibits in this class are not intended to be worn by humans. Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Sewing
& Needle Arts-Constructed Item – Mackenna Craig, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Bird Trio Pillow,’ lavender ribbon. Maeven Egly, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Crocheted amigurumi cow,’ purple ribbon.
Other Family and Consumer Science - An exhibit that demonstrates learning about a family and consumer science topic that does not fit any other Family and Consumer Science class listed.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Other Family & Consumer Science – Alyson Bulechek, Macbride’s Pride, ‘Lemon Lavender Sugar Scrub,’ blue ribbon.
Special Exhibition – Thrifty Meal Challenge – 4-H’ers were challenged to create a balanced, nutritious meal for family of four that includes a serving from each of the five food groups with a budget of $11. Mackenna Craig (Macbride’s Pride)’s “Dinner Meal Challenge” was selected for the Iowa State Fair.
Static/Family & Consumer Sciences/Special Exhibition: Thrifty Meal Challenge – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘A meal for under $11,’ blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), ‘Dinner Meal Challenge,’ purple ribbon, selected for Iowa State Fair.
Dog Obedience
Dog Obedience competition and judging was held Saturday, July 20.
Dog/Obedience/Beginner Novice A Obedience –Gidyon Kleinsmith, Macbride’s Pride, red ribbon.
Dog/Obedience/Preferred Novice A Obedience – Addison Schultes, Graham Champions, Reserve Champion Preferred Novice A Obedience. Addison Schultes, blue ribbon.
Dog/Showmanship/Junior – Gidyon Kleinsmith, blue ribbon.
Creative Arts
A large variety of static exhibits consisted of creative and visual arts projects.
Photography – An exhibit, either photo(s) or an educational display showing learning about photography from choosing a camera to modifying photos. Anthony Havlicek had a photo selected for the Iowa State Fair while Autumn Miller had two photos considered for the Fair. Both are members of the Graham Champions 4-H club. Fellow club member Brooke Bowersox also had a photo selected for State. 20 photos were chosen to be displayed as the “Johnson County Gallery.” These photos were decided on by the judges based on the same criteria used for initial judging purposes.
Static/Creative Arts/Photography – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), ‘Picture of my sister swinging,’ blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), ‘Photo 1,’ blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, ‘Photo 2,’ blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, ‘Photo 3,’ blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek, ‘Photo 4,’ purple ribbon, selected for the State Fair. Abraham Singbeil (MP), ‘Clouds and landscape,’ lavender ribbon. Emily Pence (MP), ‘Farm,’ blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig (MP), ‘Red Tulips in Pella,’ blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, ‘Orange Tulips in Pella,’ blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, ‘Beautiful Sunset,’ blue ribbon. Mackenzie Craig, ‘Our Cats-Zeus, Neptune, and Jackie,’ lavender ribbon. Kacey Craig (MP), ‘Dakota,’ lavender ribbon. Emma Vollbrecht (GC), ‘A young boy and his skid loader,’ purple ribbon. Tanner Vollbrecht (GC), ‘Tiger lilies in sunset,’ blue ribbon. Tanner Vollbrecht, ‘White flower with stream and sunlight,’ blue ribbon. Autumn Miller (GC), ‘Baby Calf,’ blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, ‘After a storm,’ blue ribbon. Autumn Miller, ‘Sunset at the zoo,’ purple ribbon, Considered for State Fair. Autumn Miller, ‘Sunset photo in the field,’ lavender ribbon, considered for State Fair. Autumn Miller, ‘Sunset photo in the cornfield,’ blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox (GC), ‘Ocean water photo,’ lavender ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, ‘Ocean and shells at sunset photo,’ lavender ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, ‘Plane over ocean water photo,’ blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, ‘Many arches photo,’ purple ribbon, selected for State Fair. Brooke Bowersox, ‘Chicago at Sunset photo,’ blue ribbon. Kate Richards (MP), ‘Lava store on mountain,’ lavender ribbon. Kate Richards, ‘Red canoes outside cave,’ lavender ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith (MP), ‘Sunset,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith, ‘Eagle,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith, ‘Windmills,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith, ‘Old tree,’ blue ribbon. Gidyon Kleinsmith, ‘Waterfall,’ lavender ribbon. Elsie Tomash (GC), ‘Archway,’ blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash, ‘Vacation Time!,’ blue ribbon. Elise Tomash, ‘After the Storm,’ blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig (MP), ‘Sunset Photo,’ lavender ribbon. Mackenna Craig, ‘Sunset Photo,’ lavender ribbon.
Original Art consisted of exhibits showing learning through creation of a one-of-a-kind, nonreplicable design of the artist’s own creation. By using one medium or a combination, an individual creates an authentic work of art that is not recognizable as another’s work.
Anthony Havlicek with the Graham Champions had a drawing selected for the State Fair, Kaylee Cavanh (GC) had a multi-media portrait selected, Brooke Bowersox (GC) had a glass pendant chosen for State, Static/Creative Arts/Visual Arts -Original Art – Ella Havlicek, Graham Champions (GC), Painting of cats looking at moon, blue ribbon. Anthony Havlicek (GC), drawing, purple ribbon, selected for State Fair. Peyton Recker (GC), Button Art (Flag), blue ribbon. Peyton Recker, Button Art, blue ribbon. Peyton Recker, Highland Cow from clay pots,
blue ribbon. Kaylee Cavanh (GC), Multi-media portrait of a black Nigerian Dwarf buck with a blue background, purple ribbon, selected for State Fair. Brooke Bowersox (GC), Blue and orange glass magnet, blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Yellow, green, and blue glass pendant, purple ribbon, selected for State Fair. Brooke Bowersox, Purple, blue, teal, and seafoam colored glass magnet, lavender ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Blue, orange, and white glass magnet, blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Purple, seafoam, and teal glass magnet, blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Blue, red, yellow, and teal opaque glass magnet, blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Teal, blue, purple, seafoam, and other various colors glass magnet, blue ribbon. Brooke Bowersox, Green and various blues glass magnet, blue ribbon. Kate Richards (GC), Painted records, blue ribbon. Elsie Tomash (GC), Imitation leather bottle, lavender ribbon. Design, Process, or Technique Exploration emphasizes process and provides the opportunity to explore a medium, practice a skill, or study and apply elements and principles of art and design. An explanation of the application of design elements or art principles used when making the exhibit must be included. This exhibit may be an object, portfolio, display, poster, or organized sketchbook.
Static/Creative Arts/Visual Arts-Design, Process, or Technique Exploration – Taylor Cavanh, Graham Champions, A wall art/décor shark made from cardboard and paper materials, lavender ribbon.
$20 Challenge
The $20 Challenge is designed to expand a 4-H member’s shopping experience to venues emphasizing recycling, reducing, and reusing. To that end, outfits must be purchased at a garage sale, consignment store, thrift store, secondhand store, or similar. Online venues are allowed but must be secondhand in nature and traditional shopping venues are prohibited. A $20 purchase price limit is established, including sales tax and receipts for every item must be included. An outfit includes shirt, pants (or a dress). Shoes, undergarments, and accessories are not included in the $20 limit.
Kaylee Cavanh of Graham Champions (GC) and Kate Richards of Macbride’s Pride (MP) had their entries in the senior class selected for the Iowa State Fair.
Clothing Event/$20 Challenge/Junior – Brooke Cavanh, GC, Honorable Mention. Peyton Recker, GC, red ribbon.
Clothing Event/$20 Challenge/Senior – Madison Singbeil, MP, Blue ribbon. Kaylee Cavanh, GC, State Fair Selected. Kaylee Cavanh, GC, Purple ribbon. Kate Richards, MP, State Fair Selected. Kate Richards, MP, Purple ribbon.
Beef
Beef judging was held Wednesday, July 24 with the Graham Champions 4-H club in general, and the Steinbrech family in particular, well-represented. Jack Steinbrech won Reserve Champion Chianina Steer while Julia Steinbrech won Reserve Champion Rate of Gain Market Beef and Reserve Champion Simmental Steer. Lane Steinbrech won Reserve Champion Jr. Beef Showmanship, Reserve Champion Carcass Steer, and Reserve Champion Charolais Steer. Also, Garrett Spevacek won 5th Place Advanced Feeder Pen.
Beef/Breeding Beef/Registered Heifer – Autumn Miller, Graham Champions, blue ribbon, 4th place. Emily Pence, Macbride’s Pride, purple ribbon, 2nd place.
Beef/Market Beef/Advanced Feeder Pen Calves –Garrett Spevacek, Graham Champions, 5th Place.
Beef/Market Beef/2nd Year Bucket Bottle Calf –Autumn Miller, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place. Reece Meyer (GC), blue ribbon, 5th place.
Beef/Market Beef/Breed Steer – William McAtee, Graham Champions (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place. Jack Steinbrech (GC), Reserve Champion Chianina Steer, blue ribbon, 2nd place. Julia Steinbrech (GC), Reserve Champion Rate of Gain Market Beef, Reserve Champion Simmental Steer, purple ribbon, 2nd place. Lane Steinbrech (GC), Reserve Champion Jr. Beef Showmanship, Reserve Champion Carcass Steer, Reserve Champion Charolais Steer, purple ribbon, 2nd place. Weston Steinbrech (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place.
Beef/Market Beef/Crossbred Steer – Rose McAtee (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place.
Dairy Cows
Dairy cows were judged Tuesday, July 23 with Peyton and Kaden Recker, with the Graham Champions 4-H club, taking home three 1st place blue ribbons. Peyton also won Champion Brown Swiss, Champion Jr. Dairy Showmanship, and Reserve Supreme Dairy Cow while Kaden won Reserve Champion Guernsey, Champion Guernsey, Champion Master Dairy Showmanship, Champion Premier Dairy Showmanship, Champion Senior Dairy Showmanship, and Supreme Dairy Champion.
Dairy Cattle/Dairy Cattle/Brown Swiss Jr. Yearling – Peyton Recker, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Brown Swiss, Champion Jr. Dairy Showmanship, Reserve Supreme Dairy, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Dairy Cattle/Dairy Cattle/Guernsey Jr. Yearling –Kaden Recker (GC), Reserve Champion Guernsey, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Dairy Cattle/Dairy Cattle/Guernsey Cows – Kaden Recker, Champion Guernsey, Champion Master Dairy Showmanship, Champion Premier Dairy Showmanship, Champion Senior Dairy Showmanship, Supreme Dairy Champion, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Dairy Goats
Dairy goat judging was held Tuesday, July 23. Olivia Divoky won Reserve Champion Jr. Doe Dairy Goat, Brooke Cavanh won Champion Jr. Dairy Goat Showmanship and Champion Jr. Doe Dairy Goat, and Tyson Cavanh won Reserve Champion Jr. Dairy Goat Showmanship. Tyson also won Champion Sr. Doe Dairy Goat, Grand Champion Dairy Doe, and Reserve Champion Premier Dairy Goat Showmanship while Kaylee Cavanh won Champion Premier Dairy Goat Showmanship, Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Dam & Daughter. All are members of the Graham Champions 4-H club.
Also, Autumn Miller (Graham Champions) won Reserve Champion Intermediate Dairy Goat Showmanship in the Dairy Wether class, while fellow club member Reece Meyer won Champion Intermediate Dairy Goat Showmanship and Reserve Champion Dairy Wether. Dairy Goat/ Dairy Junior Doe-Jr. Kid Born Between April 1, 2024-May 14, 2024 – Olivia Divoky, Graham Champions (GC), Reserve Champion Jr. Doe Dairy Goat, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Dairy Goat/ Dairy Jr. Doe-Sr. Kid Born Jan. 1, 2024March 31, 2024 – Autumn Miller (GC), blue ribbon, 7th place. Kaylee Cavanh (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place. Brooke Cavanh (GC), Champion Jr. Dairy Goat Showmanship, Champion Jr. Doe Dairy Goat, blue ribbon, 1st place. Tyson Cavanh (GC), Reserve Champion Jr. Dairy Goat Showmanship, blue ribbon, 5th place. Olivia Divoky (GC), blue ribbon, 2nd place. Olivia Divoky, blue ribbon, 3rd place.
Dairy Goat/ Dairy Sr. Doe-Yearling Milker Under 2 Years-Born after July 1 two summers ago – Kaylee Cavanh, Graham Champions, blue ribbon, 1st place. Kaylee Cavanh, blue ribbon, 2nd place.
Dairy Goat/Dairy Sr. Doe-Milker 4 Years and Older – Olivia Divoky, Graham Champions, blue ribbon, 2nd place.
Dairy Goat/Dairy Goat-Dam & Daughter – Kaylee Cavanh, Graham Champions (GC), Champion Premier Dairy Goat Showmanship, Reserve Champion Dairy Goat Dam & Daughter, blue ribbon, 2nd place. Olivia Divoky (GC), Champion Dairy Goat Dam & Daughter, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Dairy Goat/Dairy Wether Born on or after Nov. 1, 2022 – Autumn Miller, Graham Champion (GC), Reserve Champion Intermediate Dairy Goat Showmanship, blue ribbon, 6th place. Kaylee Cavanh (GC), blue ribbon, 3rd place. Taylor Cavanh (GC), blue ribbon, 4th place. Reece Meyer (GC), Champion Intermediate Dairy Goat Showmanship, Reserve Champion Dairy Wether, blue ribbon, 2nd place. Ronan Egly (GC), blue ribbon, 8th place.
Rabbits
Rabbit judging for all classes was held Tuesday, July 23. Madison Singbeil (Macbride’s Pride 4-H club) won Best of Breed and Reserve Champion Senior Rabbit Showmanship with her Netherland Dwarf while Reece Meyer (Graham Champions 4-H club) won Best of Breed with a Silver Marten.
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual, Mini Satin, Sr. Buck – Mackenzie Craig, Macbride’s Pride, blue ribbon, 3rd place. Mackenzie Craig, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual, Netherland Dwarf, Sr. Buck – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride, Best of Breed, Reserve Champion Sr. Rabbit Showmanship, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Rabbit/Fancy Breeds/Individual, Silver Marten, Sr. Buck – Reece Meyer, Graham Champions, Best of Breed, purple ribbon, 1st place.
Rabbit/Commercial Breeds/Flemish Giant Senior Doe – Mackenna Craig, Macbride’s Pride, blue ribbon, 1st place.
Rabbit/Fur Classes/Normal Colored Breed Fur (Havana, Silver Marten, Holland Lop, etc.) – Madison Singbeil, Macbride’s Pride (MP), blue ribbon. Mackenna Craig, (MP), red ribbon.
Rabbit/Fur Classes/Satin Fur (Satin and Mini Satin) – Mackenzie Craig, Macbride’s Pride, blue ribbon.
A pig drinks water in their pen at the county fair. This pig is owned by Rose McAtee, a member of the Solon 4H club, Graham Champions.
RENEWAL AREA AND ON PROPOSED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AMENDMENT
Notice Is Hereby Given: That at 5:30 p.m., at the Solon City Hall, Solon, Iowa, on August 7, 2024, the City Council of the City of Solon will hold a public hearing on the question of amending the urban renewal plan (the “Plan”) for the Solon Urban Renewal Area and designating an expanded Solon Urban Renewal Area (the “Urban Renewal Area”), pursuant to Chapter 403, Code of Iowa, by adding and including all the property described as follows: All of the public right-of-way of West Street situated in the municipal corporate limits of the City of Solon, Johnson County, State of Iowa; and All of the public right-of-way of North Street situated in the municipal corporate limits of the City of Solon, Johnson County, State of Iowa; and All of the public right-of-way of Dubuque Street situated in the municipal corporate limits of the City of Solon, Johnson County, State of Iowa; and All of the public right-of-way of Iowa
Street situated in the municipal corporate limits of the City of Solon, Johnson County, State of Iowa. The proposed amendment to the Plan brings the property described above under the Plan and makes it subject to the provisions of the Plan. The amendment (1) covers the addition of the Property to the Urban Renewal Area; (2) updates the description of the City’s North Street Blight Alleviation Demolition and Redevelopment Project previously approved by the City Council in the April, 2022 Amendment to the Plan; (3) updates the description of the City’s Streetscape Blight Alleviation Program previously approved by the City Council in the March, 2020 Amendment to the Plan and updated in the March, 2021 Amendment to the Plan; and (4) authorizes the undertaking of a new urban renewal project in the Urban Renewal Area consisting of providing tax increment financing support to Thomas Trump in connection with the construction of structural improvements to an existing building for use in the business operations of a hardware store.. A copy of the amendment is on file for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk. At said hearing any interested person may file written objections or comments and may be heard orally with respect to the subject matters of the hearing.
Susie Siddell City Clerk Published in the Solon Economist August 1, 2024.
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breviated information as indicated on the application and instructions, for their students to
free meals. When the application lists an assistance program’s case number for any household member, eligibility for free benefits is extended to all students in a household. Eligibility from the previous year will continue within the same school for up to 30 operating days into the new school year. When the carryover period ends, unless the household is notified that their students are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the students must pay full price for school meals and the school will not send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility. An application cannot be approved unless complete eligibility information is submitted. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. If a family member becomes unemployed the family should contact the school to complete an application. Households notified of their student’s eligibility must contact the school if the household chooses to decline the free meal benefits.
Foster children are eligible for free meal benefits. Some foster students will be qualified for free meals automatically through the state direct certification process. Their host family will receive notification of these benefits. Families that receive this notification from the school need to do nothing more for their foster students to receive free meals. If a family has foster students living with them and does not receive notification and wishes to apply for such meals, instructions for making application for such students are contained on the application form. A foster student may be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits for other students. Including students in foster care as household members may help other students in the household qualify for benefits. If the foster family is not eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits, it does not prevent a foster student from receiving benefits. Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants may be eligible for free or reduced price meals based on a completed application.
When known by the school, households will be notified of any child eligible for free meals if the children are enrolled in the Head Start/Even Start program or are considered homeless, migrant or runaway. If any children are not listed on the notice of eligibility, contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits. If households are dissatisfied with the application approval done by the officials, they may make a formal appeal either orally or in writing to the school’s designated hearing official. The policy statement on file at the school contains an outline of the hearing procedure. School officials may verify the information in the application, and that deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal criminal statutes. Households should contact their local school for additional information.
There will be no discrimination against individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the school meal programs. Nondiscrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-ComplaintForm-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
• Iowa Nondiscrimination Notice. “It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”
Iowa Nondiscrimination Notice. “It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”
• fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or • email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Declaración de no Discriminación del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos Published in the Solon Economist August 1, 2024
Seven Spartans earn WaMaC East honors
Brett White was named the WaMaC East Player of the Year and was a unanimous First Team selection as an infielder. The senior was a starter in 40 games and Solon’s lead off batter. In 118 at bats White led the Spartans with 47 hits and a team high 13 homeruns and 13 doubles with a .398 batting average and a .560 on base percentage. He scored 57 runs and drove in 42 more.
Tyson Wheeler received WaMaC Recognition. The senior had a 3-2 record on the mound with three saves in 38 innings. He gave up 30 hits and 14 runs (eight earned), walked 11 and issued 22 strikeouts with a 1.47 ERA. At the plate Wheeler produced 25 hits in 91 at bats with two doubles and 23 singles. He scored 27 runs and drove in ten more with a .275 batting average.
Gehrig Turner was named to the WaMaC East Second Team at catcher. A senior, Turner was a starter in 38 games and made 125 appearances at the plate for 41 hits including a dozen doubles, 14 runs, and 28 RBIs for a .328 batting average. Behind the plate Turner made 150 put outs.
Jackson Link received WaMaC Recognition. The junior compiled a 7-2 record with 54-1/3 innings on the mound. He gave up 52 hits and 26 runs (16 earned), walked 19 and issued 38 strikeouts with a 2.06 ERA. At the plate Link produced six hits including two doubles in 37 at bats with three RBIs and a .162 batting average.
Vince Steinbrech was named to the WaMaC East First Team as a pitcher. The senior compiled an 8-0 record with 53-2/3 innings on the mound giving up 45 hits and 24 runs (19 earned), walking 22 and issuing 55 strikeouts with a 2.48 ERA. Steinbrech had 119 at bat’s with 36 hits including two homeruns, one triple, and seven doubles for a .303 batting average. He scored 17 runs and produced 32 RBIs.
Maddox Kelley was named to the WaMaC East Second team as a utility player. The freshman played in 40 games this season and was a starter in 38. He had 123 at bats with 41 hits including one homerun, one triple, and ten doubles with 38 RBIs and 18 runs scored and a .333 batting average. Kelley made 73 putouts and pitched 2-1/3 innings giving up one earned run, walking three, and striking out four with a 3.00 ERA.
Nolan Seagren was named to the WaMaC East First Team as a utility player. A junior, Seagren was a starter in 40 games with 127 appearances at the plate where he produced 45 hits including 11 doubles for a .354 batting average. He scored 44 runs and had 28 RBIs.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
The team will have to make up for the loss of three very important seniors on the team. Jensen, Meseck, and Bailey Wooley are all seniors and were everyday starters for the Lady Spartans. Holub said, “We lose three really good seniors. They’re going to be hard to replace but I think we are deep enough that we can come back and fill those holes, hopefully well.”
Four named to WaMaC West All-Conference teams
Izzy Frees, Addie Miller, Kayla Meseck, and Bailey Woolley were selected for WaMaC West All-Confer ence honors.
Frees, a junior, was a 1st Team pick as an out fielder and was also named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s Class 3A NE All-District Team. She was a starter in 39 out of 40 games with a team high 50 hits including a dozen doubles and three triples with 19 RBIs and a .388 batting average. She led the team in stolen bases with 18. As an outfielder Frees made 66 putouts.
Miller, a junior, was a 1st Team pick as catcher. She produced 46 hits and was a starter in 41 of 42 games with six homeruns, one triple, and ten dou bles with a team high 34 RBIs and a .407 batting average. Miller had 126 putouts this season.
Meseck, a senior, received WaMaC Recognition after starting 41 of 42 games this season with 20 hits including two doubles and one triple with 11 RBIs and a .200 batting average.
Woolley, a senior, also received WaMaC Recognition after starting 37 of 39 games with 25 hits including two doubles and 15 RBIs for a.210 batting average.
Editor Chris Umscheid contributed to this story.
After a shaky start in the circle, Jensen got into her groove and only allowed one run against the highest ranked team in 3A, Benton Community.
in Fort Dodge. While the loss was not the outcome the team wanted, they were still happy about making a postseason run to the state tournament, the first since 2017.
Left:
and
the
Far left: Addi Walter catches a pop up to the right side of the infield during the 3A State Tournament quarterfinals game against Benton Community last Tuesday in Fort Dodge. Walter, a freshman, anchored first base for the Lady Spartans, who played solid defense after the first inning against the Bobcats.
Bottom left: Addie Miller hits a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning of a 3A Region 6 quarterfinal at home against Vinton-Shellsburg. Miller had two home runs and five RBIs and was the key part of an offense that scored eight runs in the 8-2 victory. Miller was recently named to the WaMaC West AllConference 1st Team.
: Bailey Woolley fields a grounder and gets ready to make the throw to first in last Tuesday’s Class 3A State Tournament quarterfinal game against Benton Community. Wooley went 0-1 with a walk in the second.
A senior, Woolley received WaMaC Recognition in the AllConference selections released last week.
Right: Izzy Frees tracks down a ball during the 1-5 loss against Benton. Frees went 1-3 at the plate with a single in the third inning. Frees, a junior, was named to the Iowa Girls Coach’s Association’s 3A NE All-District Team and to the WaMaC West All-Conference First Team.
Center: From left - Olivia Trachea, Bailey Wooley, Lainey Hinkle, and Izzy Frees are all smiles after the 5-1 loss to Benton Community last Tuesday in a 3A State Tournament quarterfinals game
Photos by Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Right: Kendall Jensen tosses a pitch during the first round of the state tournament.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Kayla Meseck, a junior, received WaMaC Recognition
was named to
Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s Academic AllState Team.
SPORTS
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Above: Avery Babbit walks back to her teammates after striking out to end the game. The Lady Spartans could not get themselves out of the four run hole they were in after the first inning as they fell 5-1 to Benton Community last Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the 3A State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge.
‘The Best 18-24 Team You’ll Ever See’
Lady Spartans’ State Tourney run ends early
Joel Kellar Solon Economist joel-keller@uiowa.edu
FORT DODGE — “The Best 18-24 Team You’ll Ever See,” said a poster on the back of the Solon softball team’s float during the Beef Days parade. They were the only team at the state tournament this year with a losing record, defying all odds. They needed another miracle to upset the number one seed and softball powerhouse, the Benton Bobcats in the first round of Class 3A action last Tuesday at Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.
After a tough first inning for the Lady Spartans, the odds were more and more against them. The last sliver of hope finally dissipated when freshman catcher Avery Babbit swung and missed at strike three for the final out of the game.
The Lady Spartans fell to the Bobcats 5-1. It was the quick start by Benton that made the difference. Solon pitcher Kendall Jensen loaded the bases in the first three batters. Then an error by the shortstop, Izzy Frees, allowed one run to score. Jensen had two outs with the bases loaded again. Benton took advantage and roped a bases clearing double to go up 4-0.
Solon head coach Brad Holub said, “The plan was to get one in the first inning and then put the pressure on them. We were close to getting out of that [first] inning and if we could’ve I think it might’ve been a different game.”
After the first inning, the team huddled during the break to catch their breath and settle down. Junior outfielder Addie Miller said, “We just talked about how we need to sharpen up our defense and get the bats going and we'll be set.”
The rest of the way Solon proved they belong with the best as Jensen and the defense shut down the Benton offense, only allowing one run
the rest of the way. An impressive feat considering Benton scored over ten runs in each of their postseason games this year. Holub said, “After that first inning it could’ve gotten away from us. But we battled, we scratched one run across.”
The one run for the Lady Spartans came using their bread and butter; patience at the plate and creating havoc on the basepaths. With runners on the corners, Holub signed to the runner at first, Keegan Kleppe, to attempt to steal second. Kleppe took off and Benton’s catcher threw the ball to second to attempt to get the out. When the throw left the catcher’s hand, Kayla Meseck sprinted home from third base to give the Lady Spartans some life.
That was all the offense could muster, however. Despite Jensen only allowing one run through the final five innings. It was not a sad moment for the girls after the game. The postgame huddle and walk off the field were done with smiles on their faces and their heads held high. They had completed their goal of making the state tournament even when the odds were not in their favor. Holub said, "Our season did not start as we thought it would. We had some kids out and some injuries. So, it was a little tougher. But we got hot at the right time, never stopped working and believed in one another."
The loss sent Solon to the consolation brackets where they met the Midgets from Estherville Lincoln Central Wednesday morning in a battle for fifth place in Class 3A. Kendall Jensen scored the only run for the Lady Spartans, a solo homerun in the top of the second inning.
Solon, finishing the season at 18-26, was one of the youngest teams to make the tournament this year and have a bright future ahead. Six starters will return next season, five of which were freshmen this year. Holub said, “Hopefully since we got a taste, we can do a little better next year.”
Left: Avery Babbit fields a bunt and throws a runner out during the 3A State Tournament quarterfinal game against Benton Community. Babbit hit a double in her first plate appearance of the game.