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Vocal Variety Show The High School Fall Vocal Variety Show has been moved to the following Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 PM in the high school gym. This is a change from the originally scheduled calendar date.
Shop Hop, Oct. 18 & 19 Shop your way through the Sheffield area on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, when eight local businesses host the community’s first ever Shop Hop. Pick up a free punch card from any of the participating businesses. Get it marked by all eight of the businesses over the course of two days, and you’ll be eligible for a grand prize drawing worth nearly $150 in merchandise and gift certificates. Participating businesses include: Chapin Station, Dugan’s Supermarket, Enchanged Acres, Forever Yours, Reborn in a Barn, Sew Heavenly Creations, Sheffield Family Pharmacy, and Tull’s New & Used.
Sacred Heart Turkey Dinner Sacred Heart Parish in Rockwell will be serving their Annual Turkey Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 27. The buffet style dinner, including turkey, dressing and all the trimmings will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for adults is $9, children 12 and under $6, and preschoolers may dine for free. Take outs are available for $9, and there will be delivery service for shut-ins only.
Sheffield Craft Show, Nov. 2 Whether you’re looking for hostess gifts or stocking stuffers, you’re sure to find unique gifts during Sheffield’s 10th Annual Craft & Holiday Show on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. The show will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school gym. More than 30 vendors different will be offering their wares, from customized West Fork clothing to homemade jams and one-of-a-kind seasonal decorations. Consultants will also be in attendance from Beauti-Control, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Wildtree and Tastefully Simple and Scentsy – just to name a few. “The Sheffield Craft and Holiday Show is a primary fund-raiser for West Fork Girl Scouts from kindergarten through high school seniors,� says Nancy Retz, West Fork Girl Scouts Service Unit Leader. “Funds raised help offset costs for the West Fork troops, including Girl Scout day camp. Not only is this craft show great event, but it’s benefiting a worthy cause. We look forward to seeing you there!�
27th annual Halloween Hike The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board and Lime Creek Nature Center Foundation are sponsoring their 27th annual Halloween Hike on Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Lime Creek Nature Center. The theme is “Home is where the habitat is!� Groups of hikers will be led through the trails of Lime Creek on a 40-minute hike, encountering various creatures along the way. The hike will not be scary, but will be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. A majority of the hike will be held on the hard-surface Easy Access Trail, but the final segment will occur on a trail inaccessible to wheelchairs. Refreshments will be served following the hike. Children up to 10-years-old are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and are welcome to participate in a costume contest that will be held in conjunction with the hike. Reservations are required. Members of the Lime Creek Nature Center can make reservations starting Monday, October 21, at 8 a.m. Non-member registrations will be taken starting Tuesday, October 22, at 8 a.m. Call (641) 423-5309 to make reservations or for more information. Registration will be limited to a maximum of 10 people per caller. Every six children at the hike must be accompanied by at least one adult. The cost is $3.00 per person for all ages. Registrants will be required to pay for unannounced no-shows.
Community Calendar
Monday, Oct. 21 West Fork School Board Meeting, 5 p.m. in Rockwell Tuesday, Oct. 22 Fall Master Gardener Class – Animal Ecology. 6:309:30 p.m. at CG Extension Office, Mason City. Wednesday, Oct. 23 School Based Flu Clinic. Vaccines available for children, parents and teachers. Most insurance accepted/Vaccine for Children Program. Rockwell school building, 4-7 p.m. Call 641-421-9321 for more info. Thursday, Oct. 24 Mosquito/Public Health Pest Management Pesticide Applicator Training. 9-11:30 a.m. CG Extension Office, Mason City. Saturday, Oct. 26 The Swaledale Federated Garden Club is staging a small standard Fall flower show at the Swaledale Town Hall. The public is invited to attend from 1 to 3 p.m. Coffee and cookies will be served. There is no admission charge. Monday, Oct. 28 A free Senior Health Clinic will be held at First Congregational Church, 205 W. 10th Ave. N., Clear Lake. Call CG Dept. of Health, 641-421-9316 or toll-free 1-888-2642581, ext. 9316 for appointment. Tuesday, Oct. 29 Fall Master Gardener Class – Fruits. 6:30-9:30 p.m. at CG Extension Office, Mason City.
In this issue: Courthouse ............................. page 4 Public Notices ........................ page 4 Area Sports ............................. page 8 Classifieds ................................ page 5
Long road ahead for southern Cerro Gordo County recreational trail By Nick Pedley A recreational trail stretching from Mason City to Meservey faces numerous hurdles if it’s to become a reality in the next few years, but funding is far and away its biggest challenge. The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Office hosted meetings recently to inform city government officials about the progress of a 22-mile stretch of abandoned railroad track that runs through the southern part of the county. The conservation office, which has owned the path for over five years, is hoping to spark interest in the communities that would be affected by the trail’s development. However, it’s not going to happen overnight. “I would say years. If we’re talking about months, that’s just not going to happened,� said Cerro Gordo County Conservation Director Fred Heinz. “I’m very cautiously optimistic that this will happen, but it won’t happen in six months or a year. It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of patience.� The trail touches five communities on its southwesterly route – Mason City, Burchinal, Swaledale, Thornton and Meservey. The public can currently use the ungroomed path for things like hunting and other recreational activities, and the county’s plans would improve it by adding lime stone to make it more walker and biker-friendly. A new surface would cost the county a pretty penny, but it’s not
The abandoned rail line leading in to Thronton. Once developed, the recreational trail would stretch 22 miles from Mason City to Meservey. (Photo by Nick Pedley) the biggest cost by any means. “Every bridge on that trail – and there’s a lot of them – has to have safety railing installed and the surface must be redecked,� explained Heinz. “We have to find a way to pay for every one of them, you and I can’t just go out there after work and start nailing down boards and putting up fencing on the sides.� Federal regulations mandate each bridge must adhere to certain standards, and the cost to bring each structure up to code is astro-
nomical. Heinz said between 17 to 21 bridges ranging in size dot the trail. Even the smallest, which the department orginally thought would cost around $20,000 to update, will run in the $75,000 price range. The larger bridges will easily run six figures. Heinz said federal and statelevel grants would pay for most of the multi-million dollar bridge renovations. However, it will take years for the proper funding to be acquired.
“Unfortunately, now isn’t the best time to be applying for that type of stuff,� he explained. “Most of that money is unavailable right now – you can’t just write a grant and get money tomorrow. It’s all tied up or affected by budget cuts.� Heinz noted reaction to the potential project has been mixed. Some city government officials and residents are weary about bringing more traffic through their communities, and some farmers would like to re-acquire portions
of the trail that runs through their land and return it to tillable ground. Those desires to abandon the project and lose it forever would be a detriment to each community along the trail, according to one member of the community. “I’ve been really interested in this for a while because of the economic value on the small towns,� said Thornton resident Kim Groh. “People don’t realize the economic impact this has for the southern THORNTON to page 2
Swaledale flower show slated for Oct. 26, 27 Submitted by Juliene Bramer The Swaledale Federated Garden Club is hosting a Small Standard Flower Show at the Swaledale Town Hall, 402 Main Street, Swaledale, on Saturday, October 26 from 1–3 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Area youth are encouraged to bring pumpkins they have grown to be judged. The pumpkins should be brought to the Swaledale Town Hall by 10 a.m., Saturday, October 26, and should be
picked up by 3 p.m. Club members are also inviting children to decorate pumpkins from 1–3 p.m. Pumpkins and treats will be furnished free of charge, while supplies last. Swaledale Federated Garden Club is part of the National Garden Club, Inc., whose mission is to provide education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
School Conferences at West Fork, Oct. 28 School Conferences for preschool through high school will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 3 to 7 p.m. Preschool and elementary students in both the Rockwell and Sheffield buildings will have scheduled conference times with their teachers. Middle school teachers will be in the new gym and parents can meet with them as they become available. Teachers will be taking a meal break on Monday from 5 to 5:30 and on Thursday from 4:30 to 5 and will not be available during those times. High school teachers will be available in their rooms for conferences. Shared teachers will split their time between the Rockwell and Sheffield campuses. Mrs. Payton, Mrs. Gappa, Mr. Spurgin and Mr. Kudej will be in Sheffield 4-5:40 p.m. on Monday and 3-7 p.m. on Thursday. They will be in Rockwell 6-8 p.m. on Monday. Mrs. Otten will be in Sheffield 4-5:40 p.m. on Monday and Rockwell 6-8 p.m. on Monday and 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Scholl will be in Sheffield 6-8 p.m. on Monday and in Rockwell 4-5:40
p.m. on Monday and 3-7 p.m. on Thursday. Mrs. McLennan will be available 4-6 p.m. on Monday and 3-7 p.m. on Thursday. Mrs. Trewin will be available on Monday and Mr. Elling on Tuesday. The ICAN (Iowa College Access Network) will provide two presentations on Monday, Oct. 28. At 5:30 in the media center, juniors and parents are invited to the College Planning Night. This is the ideal opportunity to find answers to your questions about the college planning process. At 6:30 p.m. seniors and parents are invited to the Financial Aid presentation in the media center. This is a very informative meeting regarding financial aid for college - there will be info on completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), types of financial assistance available as well as overview, tips and deadlines for the financial aid process. School will be dismissed at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29. There will be no school on Friday, Nov. 1. School conferences are an important CONFERENCES to page 6
Landscaping work was completed last week by Natural Plus Nursery at the the Swaledale welcome sign on the west side of town. Overgrowth was removed and new shrubs and other greenery was planted. Troy Smeby and Greg Meier removed the dead tree behind the sign, and Mayor John Drury said grass would grow next year in the dirt patches that surround it. (Photos by Nick Pedley)
Fate of old Swaledale Catholic Church still up in the air
By Nick Pedley Recent developments have jeopardized progress to tear down a dilapidated building and replace it with a new business at one nuisance property in Swaledale. Mayor John Drury reported at the Oct. 7 Swaledale City Council meeting that a continuance was filed in the town’s court case against the owners of the old Catholic Church on Main Street. Drury said an agreement was reached to delay a judge’s decision on whether or not the Symonds family, who own the property, would have to pay a nuisance violation fine levied against the building by the city this summer. “The end goal is to get the place cleaned up, not to sack a bunch of money on someone,� Drury said in an interview after the meeting. According to Drury, the Symonds claimed they were close to finalizing a sale on the property to Roger Williams, owner of Supreme Services of Mason City. Williams met with the Swaledale council on Aug. 5 and informed them of his desire to purchase the property, tear down the church and move his business there. However, Drury said the sale seemed unlikely now. The Symonds claimed during their meeting prior to the continuance that
all taxes were up-to-date on the property, but subsequent investigation revealed around $1,200 was owed in unpaid dues. “That led us to believe the sale wasn’t going to take place. Mr. Williams said he’d buy the property, but he doesn’t want to pay the taxes,� Drury said. Williams wanted a warranty deed to grant him a clear title to the property. In addition to back taxes, Drury suspected the land had numerous liens against it. Williams said at the August meeting he wanted to move his commercial cleaning business to Swaledale from Mason City because it’s more centrally located to his clientele base, but Drury said Williams has been looking elsewhere after running into roadblocks with the Symonds. “We want him in town, we want another business. He was the closest thing we had at getting that place torn down and cleaned up,� Drury said. The Symonds have until a Nov. 12 court date to hash out a deal with Williams or tear down the building and clean up the property. “If that gets taken care of, we’ll move on to the next one or two,� Drury said regarding Swaledale’s nuisance properties. Drury also informed the coun-
cil that Doors, Inc. was looking to expand their facilities in Swaledale. However, a slow Internet connection and other concerns have led the business to consider other locations throughout the area. Drury said he provided the company with information about the city’s tax incentives to keep them in town – if Doors, Inc. improves the business by 10 percent or more, they get a three-year taxfree abatement from the city on profits seen from the expansion. The council felt it was important to keep Doors, Inc. in town, and agreed to remain in close contact with the business in the months to come. Other business The council set the city’s trickor-treat date for Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m. The Swaledale Fire Department will host their annual fundraiser breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Biscuits and gravy will be served for breakfast, and chili and Maid-Rites for lunch. The event is a benefit for Fire Chief Blaine Wilson to help pay for his ongoing medical expenses during his recovery from Guillan-BarrÊ Syndrome. The council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m.