Bringing the pets all the way home
Long before many local dogs and cats find their forever homes with loving people, they are at a place called Almost Home.
Its full proper name is the Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa, and it offers shelter, food and veterinary care for pets.
Soon, area residents will be able to support that mission during a fun night on the town featuring food, live music and many auction items to bid on.
That event is the 16th annual FurBall to be held April 18 at the Laramar Ballroom, 710 First Ave. N. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Admission is $20 per person in advance and $25 at the door.
āThe furry friends, staff and board of director of Almost Home would like to invite you all to our upcoming Fur Ball on April 18 to help support our no-kill animal shelter and our mission of being āAlmost Homeā until our pets find their forever home,ā said Rhonda Fitchett Haas, chairwoman of the Almost Home board.
She said that in 2025, 205 pets were adopted from the shelter.
Also that year, 206 animals were taken into the shelter, and thus avoided a life as a stray on the streets.
Thatās why the FurBall is key to the shelterās finances, according to Letitia Anderson, a member of the Almost Home board.
āThis annual event is so important to our shelter, as we are solely funded by donations and fundraising events,ā she said. āEvery donation, large or small, is vital to providing care for animals in our area until they find their forever homes. The FurBall is an opportunity to come together and share in our mission.ā
Tickets to the FurBall can be purchased in advance at the shelter and at Hy-Vee, 115 S. 29th St.
The meal will consist of pulled pork sandwiches and sides prepared and served by members of the Moose Club.
Singer Maurice Jules will perform throughout the evening.
Keith Denckalu will call the live auction, and many other items will be available during a silent auction.
If You Go
WHAT:
16th annual FurBall to support Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa
WHEN: April 18th, Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The shelter at 725 S. 32nd St. does not receive any tax money.
The 16th annual FurBall is sponsored by Nestle Purina PetCare, Elanco, Gold Bond Building Products, White Oak Dental, Johnson Appraisal, Stumpās Snow and Mow, LMA Investments, Tjaden Electric, Ball Plumbing, The better Way project, Steve and Nancy Conrad, Furever Friends, Laufersweiler Funeral Home and Dr. Jim and Ann Meyer.
WHERE: Laramar Ballroom, 710 First Ave. N.
TICKETS: $20 in Advance, $25 at the Door
Furever Friends, Laufersweiler Funeral Home and Dr. Jim and Ann Meyer.
St. does not receive any tax money.
Age: 15
Grade/School: 9th Grade at Fort Dodge Senior High
Hometown: Fort Dodge Iowa
Genevicia Alcala shiningstar
Artistic Interests?
My artistic interest include painting, drawing, baking, ceramics, and pottery.
How long have you been interested in art?
My interest in art began at a young age, starting in preschool.
What do you most enjoy about creating art? What I enjoy most about creating art is the ability to express my interests and bring them to life in unique and creative ways.
What is the most difficult, or challenging, part for you when creating a new piece?
One challenge I often face is transferring the vision in my mind into a final piece that matches what I originally imagined.
What is the most rewarding part of the artistic process?
The most rewarding part of the process is seeing the finished product and recognizing the time, effort, and creativity that went into it.
Do you plan to use your artistic skills after high school? If so, in what ways?
After high school, I plan to continue using my artistic skills in the culinary field. I hope to combine my passion for cooking and baking with art by decorating cakes, cookies, and pastries.
Who inspires you and why?
A major source of inspiration in my life is my father. From a young age, I have admired the artwork he has displayed at my grandparents house. He also writes frequently and creates music in his free time, which has influenced my own creativity.
How would you describe your artistic style?
Iām not sure! So much of my style depends on my mood and the subject. I definitely love color, so itās odd for me to do a piece without a lot of color.
When did you begin creating artwork/tattooing?
Iāve been tattooing for 32 years. Thatās when it all began, little by little.
Growing up, were you artistic? If so, in what ways? Hobbies?
Growing up I was always intrigued by art, I loved looking at it, but never really thought I was capable of doing anything like that.
What do you most enjoy about the creative process?
I absolutely love thinking about what Iām doing, thereās so very much thought that goes into each one. I donāt think people realize that.
Growing up, was your family interested in the arts?
Growing up both of my parents were pretty creative, pretty active in creating and then thereās my brother Tim Salter who, since a small boy, was a fantastic artist of his own craft.
Where can someone view your incredible pieces?
Viewing my pieces is basically just done through my Facebook account. Iāve had it suggested to me to do a website or such, but seeings how it took me 300 days to get this filled out, not sure I should be doing that! Ha!
What other activities are you involved with?
Other activities I enjoy is spending time outdoors, going on walks, exploring nature, and taking photographs of sunsets. I also love cooking and baking in my free time.
Kathy Crimins
Hometown: Fort Dodge, IA
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in tattooing?
To pursue a career in tattooing you have to be diligent and committed. Itās not an easy industry and the stress is always high! Practice! Practice! Practice! If youāre not licensed, get licensed!
What, or who, inspires you?
I am inspired by my whole world! Being surrounded by the arts is inspiring in itself, itās hard to not find reasons to create.
Whatās the biggest difference between painting on canvas and painting on skin?
A canvas doesnāt move. It doesnāt sweat, or get clammy or get goosebumps. Skin is an everlasting canvas, though, so both are a beautiful challenge.
What color best describes your personality, and why? Purple. Iām not sure why, but I have been told that forever, they say itās my āvibeā.
APRIL
Pulse THE
APRIL LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR
APRIL
Dodge, IA
APRIL 11
Wild Child Safari Natural Beauty Pageant
9:30am - 12:30pm Registration: 9:00 AM Pageant Start Time: 9:30 AM
Frenzy 3232 1st Ave S, Fort Dodge, IA 50501, USA
APRIL 11 Jesse Dagel LIVE
6:30 PM ā 9:30 PM
O'Goodies Irish Pub 16 N 7th St, Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 11
Adult Prom Dance through the Years
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Tickets are $15 Advance, VIP (advance only) are $25 - includes meal, drink, VIP seating and $10 for General admission at the door. Fort Museum Opera House 1 Museum Rd ā¢ Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 12
Bingo 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Soldier Creek Winery 1584 Paragon Ave. ā¢ Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 16 3rd Thursday JAM at Eagles Hideout Lounge
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
All Ages & Abilities Welcome Eagles Hideout Lounge 1018 1st Avenue North ā¢ Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 16
Michael Bernard LIVE
7:00 PM ā 9:00pm Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Ave, Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 17
Dirk Quinn Band
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Soldier Creek Winery 1584 Paragon Ave. ā¢ Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL 17 Friday Night Live w/ Matt Woods 7:00 PM ā 10:00 PM O'Goodies Irish Pub 16 N 7th St, Fort Dodge, IA
APRIL
APRIL
Good Eats &Drinks
a look back
By Tom Tourville
IT WAS A RED DOG STATE OF MIND
uring the Summer of 2025, many of us who worked in the Midwest music industry for any period of time, lost a good friend with the passing of John O. Brown, the founder of Mid Continent Productions in Lawrence, Kansas. John was a very dear friend of mine. He and his partner, Mike Murfin created the world of the Fabulous Flippers, Roarinā Red Dogs, Spider & The Crabs, Blue Things, Rising Suns and the Young Raiders/Quantrill. I can remember individually the first time I saw each of these bands. They are all incredible memories.
I was happy to learn that there was going to be a remembrance concert to be held in Lawrence, Kansas at the site of old Mid Continent ā60s concert venue, the Red Dog Inn (Liberty Hall). In addition, this was also the site of the old Mid Continent Productions offices and booking agency. The date for the show was set for Friday November 21, 2025.
Everything came full circle for me when I was asked to MC the Red Dog Inn Tribute Concert in Lawrence, Kansas. The show featured the Flippers, Red Dogs, Rising Suns and Young Raiders. It was going to be a night I could never have imagined. I chose to arrive at the show venue, the old Red Dog Inn, at noon on the day of the show so I wouldnāt miss anything. I heard and witnessed all four sound checks for
Evan then pointed out the projection booth from the old movie theater days for the building. He said that is where band after band could and would bunk up to save on hotels while on the road. Then he took me to the secret space under the Red Dog stage. It was a private dance club for the college students when the Red Dog Inn shows and concerts were over. They rocked until 6:00 AM underground the next day. Who knew?
the bands. I needed to step out of the venue for a minute and make myself realize what was happening.
The first to sound check were the Red Dogs. I first saw my good friend Evan Johnson who is the drummer for the Red Dogs and is also drumming with the Fabulous Flippers for this show. Evan said ālet me give you a tourā of the building. He took me up to the 2nd floor and Evan said āLetās go see John Brownās and Mike Murfinās offices from the days of Mid Continent Productions.ā They both kept their offices at the Red Dog Inn. I looked into this space and here was where John Brown had his office where he and I spoke on the phone for the first time in 1969. Chill bumps!
The sound check for the Red Dogs was up first. When they did their Atco Records 45, āWeāre Gonna Hate Ourselves In The Morning,ā I knew I was home. Next up were the Young Raiders. This Topeka, KS based soul drenched band all took the stage and had their horns blazing from the very first note. Good grief, this was only the sound-check. It was such fun to see my friend Steve Clark leading the band and we got to talk for a while after the sound check.
Next up were the sensational Rising Suns led by horn-man, Steve Alter. The band featured a full SIX man horn section led by Alter and front-man, Izzy Martin. Martin who would go on to front the Undisputed Truth with their hit of āSmiling Facesā as well as Rose Royce from the movie āCar Wash.ā They had such a monster soul sound.
Soon the members of the Fabulous Flippers would start to arrive. In came Jerry Selix-guitar, Evan Johnson came back on stage-drums, Doug Crotty-sax, Kenny Hoyne-trombone and then Mid Continent royalty entered the room, āMr Fabulous Flippersā himself, Danny Hein!
The band then went through a soultime shakedown that only the Fabulous Flippers could do. I could see John Brown grinning ear to ear. Later, it meant a lot for me to see Johnās wife, Twila and meet his son Jeff for the first time.
Soon it was showtime! After introducing the Red Dogs, Young Raiders and Rising Suns, I handed the microphone to Allen Blasco, the President of the Kansas Music Hall of Fame to have him introduce the Flippers, a moment Iām sure he will never forget. I thought one needed to share the love.
After the show there was an amazing after party hosted by the Brown Family. It was such fun to meet everyone from the concert.
This is when the show was over for so many, but I got another invitation of a lifetime. I have been friends with James Reardon for many years. In addition to working as an agent for Mid Continent
Productions, James owned one of the biggest Kansas based booking agencies based out of Hays, Kansas, James Reardon & Associates for many years. He worked with such bands as the Blue Things, Jerms, Playmate Blues Band, the Apostles and the Soul Express and the list goes on and on. So many of these bands played at the Laramar/Pla Mor Ballroom countless times. James has helped me with so many stories and books over the years.
James invited me to meet him at the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka on the day after the concert. We were able to look at many display materials from the new John Brown music collection at the Historical Society, James Reardon and Steve Clark have also added to this collection.
What the KSHS wanted was for James and myself to sit with their staff and tell rock and roll and band stories, this went on for well over two hours. It brought smiles and numerous āI Canāt Believe Thatā moments. It was an amazing day of Midwest music history and it was all recorded!
As we were driving home from Kansas I couldnāt help but think about all of the bands I just experienced and remember they were all regulars and in some cases attendance record breakers for our ballroom here on Fort Dodge. It made me smile!
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE LARAMAR BALLROOM: April 25th N W Iowa Thin Blue Line Gala Music By Spencer Suchan May 16th Blake Jack & XOLEX May 30 Annual Laramar Gala
UNTIL NEXT MONTH TAKE CARE & REMEMBER THE MUSIC
