Our Hometown • April 2024

OUR

hometown

Marching On

Award-winning Webster City High School Marching Band celebrates 50 years with beloved leader

By Kolleen Taylor

Webster City soon will be filled with the nostalgic sound of music.

It will come from reunited Webster City High School band members who will pay homage to their own award-winning marching days under the direction of Jay Nugent.

Their reunion will be the weekend of April 19-21.

The early to late 1970s were an exciting period for the band students of Nugent, who came to Webster City to take over the Webster City High School band program. He first taught in Laurens, then spent three years in the U.S. Army bands. After his discharge, he enrolled at Drake University to complete a master’s degree in music. He taught in Vinton for two years.

Then he got a call to consider Webster City.

Succeeding long-time band instructor Tory Antimuro, Nugent inherited students who were well-trained from Antimuros’ devotion to the band program. Between him, Richard Goettsch and Rosetta Nerem, who taught elementary band lessons, the program had a great foundation. In Webster City, by high school, band students had a unique bond — and a love for performing, either as concert band members, in specialty small groups or in the marching band.

“It was the only real joyful memories of school,” Miriam Nass Carlson said. She is helping to organize the approaching reunion. “I remember always feeling at home in the band room.”

Discussions about a reunion of those band years were batted about at a reunion of the Class of 1978 about six years ago. The Nugents were invited and attended the reunion, as they have for several classes.

The memories that surfaced were something they wanted to share with others.

The casual discussions continued.

But things changed in July of 2023, when a group attended a concert where former WCHS trumpeter Steve Cook was playing with the Al Welsh Orchestra. Carlson, Mike Welsh, Kellie Smith Peterson, Jani Koolhof Deaver, Jerita Peterson Nelson and Cindy Brizius Pangburn met at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake and their joyful memories sparked an idea. They wanted to continue the discussion with more band students from that era and scheduled a call to discuss a potential reunion.

Carlson, Deaver, Peterson and Pangburn decided they could make it happen.

“COVID had us put a reunion on hold,” Deaver

said. “But the first class (of Nugent students) is now having their 50th reunion this year. We decided this would be a good year to reunite the band students. COVID really brought into focus that we needed to plan something to see the people who we shared such great memories with and tell them that we really care about them.”

Jay and Cheri Nugent, who currently live in Clive, lived in Webster City from 1973 to 1978. They will be attending the reunion and bringing some special guests who students from that era will remember.

The Nugents have kept in touch with many students and peers since leaving Webster City. And they are excited about the reunion.

“Webster City was the finest band I ever had,” Nugent said.

He left Webster City to work in sales and finance, but returned to directing at East High in Des Moines after an eight-year break. He directed bands in several other high schools, but finally returned to central Iowa. One of his favorite school bands was Saydel High School.

“Saydel was similar to Webster City with strong student leadership,” he said.

“Webster City had such wonderful students, such mature leadership,” he continued. “The Jazz Band had a real personality, the Wind Ensemble, a smaller select concert band, received No. 1 ratings every year.”

Nugent was able to combine serious musicians and academics with talented musicians who needed a different approach. His competitive spirit served as an inspiration to his band students. Over the years, he drew on his experiences in Webster City and subsequent schools to take on leadership roles with the Iowa Bandmasters Association, serving as president in 2002 and 2003, in addition to teaching at Simpson College. He formally retired in 2018, but can still be coaxed to help out with occasional projects.

In Webster City, Nugent brought a visionary element to the high school band program. During the first year, he started preparing the students to enhance their skills by starting a drum and bugle

One of the band’s first trophies is held by happy students.

Steve Cook gets dressed on the bus on the way to a state band competition.

Dave Rollison sleeps on the floor of the bus on the way to a competition.

Band Director Jay Nugent talks with a student.

corps-style marching step, and adding the flare of flags and intricate patterns on the field. By the first summer in 1974, flags were adding color to the field and the Webster City Marching Band began competing with other high school marching bands around the state.

The marching band performances were organized with sections of four students, with one assigned as the leader of each foursome. Their job was to assure their foursome was marching, playing their music, all in step and in line within their group, and the leader made sure they aligned with the other foursomes.

“Each section leader would take a leadership role, many for the first time,” said Deaver. “Kids who were never asked to lead suddenly were, and they rose to the occasion.”

The band program evolved dramatically during those years. Band students had always competed in All State, and honor band programs and usually had a major trip out of state every three years to perform as a marching unit.

But when the Nugents arrived, the focus changed as the style of marching took more work, and the musical routines delivered more punch and excitement. Travel around the state in school buses, sometimes arriving barely in time for performances, made students become efficient in dressing and getting their instruments ready to compete.

“We would pull into a town and the buses would park in a square,” Deaver recalled. “One bus would be used for girls (to

An award is presented to the Lynx Marching Band during the Mid-Iowa Combine

change clothes), one for boys, and we would change on the buses.”

The band students would sleep on gym floors in sleeping bags to give maximum time for practice, performances and travel.

The 1974 competition band wore the black and red band uniforms which had been in use since the mid 1960s. The only skirted member was that of the Majorette, who in 1974 was Patsy Anderson Brock. During the summer of 1974, she was joined with flag bearers wearing black turtlenecks, flared black skirts and carrying tall, heavy poles to unfurl flags during the band routines.

New uniforms were in the plans by the second semester, and in April 1975 the purple and gold uniforms debuted at the Iowa State University VEISHA parade.

The competitions during those years were intense and thrilling to watch.

When the tide began to turn toward Webster City earning the highest marks, the enthusiasm for the band program intensified. Their rise was quick; at their first competition, the Mid-Iowa Marching Band Competition in the summer of 1974, they earned a fifth place finish. By the fall of 1974 they earned second place at the Oelwein Marching Band Invitational, and a I rating at the State Marching Band Contest.

During 1975 a Jazz Band was organized; it competed at Jazz festivals around Iowa. Starting at the bottom of the pack, the Webster City band program began earning higher marks, and with those marks greater recognition as the years continued.

The band students didn’t want to just compete, they wanted to excel. The list of awards earned during those years demonstrated their dedication, and drew the attention of out-of-state venues.

A favorite memory and highlight was performing at the Minnesota Vikings football game in the fall of 1977.

Although the classmates from the class of 1978 took on the task of organizing the approaching reunion, the Nugents have been heavily involved. They contributed names of band contacts from each of those classes that they had connected with over the years.

Currently, about 100 band members will be reuniting on that weekend.

The weekend will involve a social evening at the Seneca Street Saloon, 919 Seneca Street, on Friday, April 19. There will be a coffee on Saturday morning, April 20, at the Kendall Young Library, 1201 Willson Avenue, and an open house on Sunday, April 22 at the Ed Prince building on the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. These are all open to the public.

Also during the weekend, band members are invited, but not required, to bring instruments and rehearse together. During the afternoon on Saturday a group photo will be taken, with an evening banquet including a jazz band performance. A Sunday morning brunch will wrap up the band activities.

Those planning to attend the Saturday evening banquet and Sunday morning brunch still have time to reserve a place for either or both. Note: The banquet has been moved to the St Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall, 1000 Des Moines Street at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The final open house Sunday at the Ed Prince building on the Hamilton County Fairgrounds will be from noon until 2 p.m. For more information, you can visit the Facebook page Jay Nugent Band Reunion 4/20/24.

CITY SCENE CITY SCENE CITY SCENE

CITY OF WEBSTER CITY

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION & AWARDS BREAKFAST

March 1, 2024

On this day, we showed appreciation for our employees, but every day we are grateful to have them on our team! The city’s success is a direct result of their efforts. We hope they know how valuable and important they are to the City of Webster City’s mission!

New Team Members:

From left to right: Emma Hunter, Kailee Quinteros, Terri Clark, Steven Meyers, John Harrenstein, Derrick Drube. Not present for photo: Madison Gafkjen, Ciara Sturm.

The City of Webster City, thanks our employees for always going the extra mile and stepping up whenever needed. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Their dedication and commitment to the City of Webster City is highly inspiring, and we are so lucky to have them on our team.

Years of Service Award:

5 Years: Linda Pruismann, Steven Thumma, Derrick Barnes. Not present for photo: Micheal Lehman, Breanne Lesher and Jacob Roden.

10 Years: Dedra Nerland

15 Years: Zachary Williams. Not present for photo: Andrew Sowle, Todd Chambers.

20 Years: Karyl Bonjour

25 Years: Brian Stroner

40 Years: Dodie Wolfgram.

Attendance Award:

From left to right: Audriana Whitehill, Ann Smith, Denise Haglund, Liz Pevestorf, Mark Glascock, Rick Peterson. Not present for photo: Jeromy Estlund, Andrew Sowle, Charles Stansfield, Deborah Rush, Ryan Basinger and Ian Holcombe.

LET’S EAT

Our Hometown Recipe Corner

Pecans give these cookies extra appeal

Pecans are tasty offerings that are ideal in both savory dishes and desserts. Like fruits of other members of the hickory genus of trees, pecans are not truly nuts, but drupes. A drupe is a fruit with a single stone or pit surrounded by a husk. With pecans, the outer husk dries out and splits open, exposing the “nuts” inside.

Georgia, New Mexico and Texas are the leading domestic producers of pecans, but Mexico grows nearly half of the world’s pecans. Pecans are heart-healthy and rich in antioxidants, several vitamins and minerals, and a good source of healthy fat. In addition, one ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake.

Cookies may never be considered “health food,” but there are ways to make them more nutritious. The addition of beneficial ingredients like pecans can do just that. This recipe for “Cowboy Cookies” from “Live Well, Bake Cookies” (Rock Point) by Danielle Rye includes oats, pecans and coconut in the mixture, adding flavor and nutritional appeal.

Cowboy Cookies

Makes 50 to 52 cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

2⁄3 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1⁄2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3⁄4 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup chopped pecans (see baking tip)

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.

3. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

4. Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then mix in the chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped pecans on low speed until fully incorporated.

5. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

6. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

7. Using a 11⁄2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one. Gently press each ball of cookie dough down to slightly flatten it.

8. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set and the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Baking tip: For even more flavor, try toasting the pecans. Just cool them completely before adding them to the cookie dough.

LANDMARKS

How well DO YOU know Hamilton County?

Look at these photos and see if you can identify these local landmarks.

Photo #1

March WINNERS:

Stacy Crouch and Jane Ferrian share the honors and will both get tickets to the Webster Theater

March Answers:

Photo 1: is the water tower south of town

Photo 2: is the wall where Al’s Barbershop used to stand downtown

Photo #2

by Jim Miller

Recommended Vaccines for Medicare Recipients

Dear Savvy Senior ,

My husband and I recently turned 65 and would like to find out which vaccines are recommended and covered by Medicare?

New Beneficiaries

Dear New,

All recommended vaccines for adults, age 65 and older, should be covered by either Medicare Part B or Part D, but there are some coverage challenges you should be aware of. Here’s a rundown of which vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and how Medicare covers them.

Covid-19: Even though Covid-19 is no longer a public health emergency, it can still cause severe illness, particularly in older adults. Because the Covid virus continues to mutate, new vaccines are being developed to keep pace, so the CDC recommends that all seniors stay up to date with the latest Covid vaccines, including booster shots.

All Covid-19 shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.

Flu: Considered an annual vaccination, most people of all ages receive flu shots in the fall when flu season begins. The CDC recommends seniors, 65 and older get a highdose flu shot for extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot offers. The Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent, FLUAD Quadrivalent and FluBlok Quadrivalent are your three options.

Annual flu shots are covered under Medicare Part B.

Pneumonia: These vaccines help protect against pneumococcal disease, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis and other infections. The CDC recommends everyone 65 and older get a pneumococcal vaccine. There are several different vaccine options available, so talk to your doctor or pharmacists to find out which is best for you or visit the CDC’s Pneumococcal Vaccination webpage at CDC.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/public/index.html.

Medicare Part B covers both single dose and two-dose pneumococcal shots once in your lifetime.

Shingles: Caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash that affects more than 1 million Americans every year. All people over age 50 are recommended to get the two-dose Shingrix vaccine, which is given two to six months apart, even if you previously received Zostavax. In 2020, Shingrix replaced Zostavax, which is no longer available in the U.S.

All Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover shingles vaccinations, but coverage amounts, and reimbursement rules vary depending on where the shot is given. Check your plan.

Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are diseases caused by bacteria that can lead to serious illness and death. Therefore, a one-time dose of the Tdap vaccine is recommended to all adults. If you’ve already had a Tdap shot, you should get a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster shot every 10 years.

All Medicare Part D plans cover these vaccinations.

RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis and can worsen other chronic conditions common among older adults, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The CDC recommends all adults, age 60 and older, talk to their doctor about getting one of the RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo), usually in the fall and winter months when the virus is most prevalent.

Most Medicare Part D plans cover the RSV vaccine, but not all. If your plan doesn’t cover it, you can ask for a coverage exception. You can also pay for the shot out of pocket and then follow-up with your plan to get reimbursed. If you pay for the shot upfront, your plan must pay you back.

Other Vaccinations

There are other vaccines you may need depending on your health, lifestyle or travel plans. To help you get a handle on which ones are appropriate for you, take the CDC’s What Vaccines Do You Need? quiz at www2.cdc.gov/nip/ adultimmsched. Also, talk to your doctor during your next visit about what vaccinations you should get.

PeT pix

Marty

Queenie

Genoux

Loved by Rick & Janet Young