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Junk dropoff at Hampton Shopko The Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a used appliance drop off on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 7-10:30 a.m., at the southwest corner of the Shopko parking lot in Hampton. Dennis Swieter is a licensed appliance de-manufacturer and will handling the pickup. Residents can bring any of the following appliances and he will haul them away for free: refrigerators/freezers, air conditioning units/ dehumidifiers, water heaters/furnaces, washers/dryers, dishwashers/microwaves and ovens/stoves.
Thornton Merchants announce Christmas lighting contest The Thornton Merchants are sponsoring an exterior Christmas light contest for the 2013 holiday season. This contest is open to any Thornton resident or business with an exterior lighting display. All exterior lighting displays are automatically entered. Cash prizes will awarded for first, second and third place. Holiday lights will be judged on Dec. 4 or 5, between 6-9 p.m. Winners will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Town Christmas Party in the Thornton Fire Station at 1 p.m. Let’s make Thornton sparkle this holiday season!
Garden Club to host November 23 event Submitted by Juliene Bramer Swaledale Federated Garden Club is hosting a tea party with a special speaker at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Swaledale Town Hall, 402 Main Street. A program “Wintering Birds� will be given by Ellen Montgomery of the Basic Birder. With over 18 years of experience, she is full of knowledge and humor about our feathered friends and will answer questions you may have. Did you know that across Iowa over $300 million is spent each year viewing wildlife, primarily bird feeding and birdwatching? Ellen will give us pointers on spending our money wisely while enjoying the birds outside our window. This event is free of charge, refreshments will be served and public is invited to attend.
Texas Hold ‘Em Fundraiser The Sheffield Betterment Foundation will be hosting a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on Friday, Nov. 29 at Ridge Stone Golf Club. Entry fee is $50 with an additional buy-in option; social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the tournament starting at 6 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased from any of the Sheffield Betterment Foundation Board member, Sheri Bogue, Bob Jensen, Deb Hartman, Scott Sanders, Ron Simmons, Cheyene Peterson, Jane Weiland, Jill Rowe, Mark Reiter, Tracy Shreckengost, Shea Jensen, Tony Laudner or Tom Rooney at Pit Row Pub in Hampton. For any questions please contact Sheri Bogue at 641892-4260.
West Fork board to meet November 18 The West Fork Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m., in Sheffield, on Monday, Nov. 18. This month’s agenda includes review and approval of a reciprocal trasportation agreement with the RRMR School District, a snow removal/hauling bid, personnel contract changes and resignations. The group will also discuss and give final approval for six board policies.
Controlled burn in Swaledale Saturday The Swaledale Fire Department will paticipate in a controlled burn at the rundown house located at 204 2nd St., just south of the fire station this Saturday. The department has been given the OK from the city and owners to burn the house, which has been condemned for sometime. According to Swaledale Fire Chief Blaine Wilson, the department will use the burn as an exercise for actual emergencies. He said they plan on starting around 9 a.m., so residents shouldn’t be alarmed if they see flames. The alternate date is set for Friday, Nov. 22.
Community Calendar Thursday, Nov. 14 Pro-Ag Outlook & Management Meeting, 11-4 p.m., 4-H Learning Center, No IA Events Center Monday, Nov. 18 West Fork School Board Meeting, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 Fumigation-Pesticide Applicator Training, 9-11:30 a.m., CG Co. Extension Office Fall Master Gardener Class-Vegetable Gardening, 6:30-9:30 p.m., CG Co. Extension Office Thursday, Nov. 21 Women, Land & Legacy Meeting, 5:30-8 p.m., 4-H Learning Center, No. IA Events Center
In this issue: Courthouse ................................... page 4 Public Notices ............................... page 4 Area Sports ................................... page 6 Classifieds .................................... page 5
By Nick Pedley Snowflakes and packed gyms greeted visitors at two Veterans Day programs in Sheffield and Rockwell on a blustery November morning Monday. The day’s tributes kicked off at Sheffield in the high school gym. American Legions from Sheffield, Thornton and Meservey were on hand to lead the ceremonies which featured both music and speakers. Legion Commander Dick Brown welcomed guests prior to the posting of the colors. Pastor Art Zewert delivered the invocation and benediction, while the West Fork High School band and choir provided the program’s music. Director Shannon Curtis led the band in “The Star Spangled Banner� and “Where Eagles Soar,� which were followed by the choir’s stirring rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.� The program was highlighted by guest speaker Bill Pick, Capt. ARNG Ret. Pick lives in Sheffield and is a member of local American Legion Post #277. He gave guests a history of Veterans Day, and also touched on why the holiday was important to honor America’s service men and women for their commitment to our freedoms and liberties. The program came to a close following a solemn firing squad salute to fallen veterans and the playing of “Taps.� Following the tribute at Sheffield, it was on to Rockwell for a program hosted by Terri Anderson’s eighth grade U.S. history class. The group provided an informative program to an audi-
By Nick Pedley West Fork junior Celeste Staudt will briefly become the center of attention at one of the state’s largest amateur sporting events next weekend in Cedar Falls. However, she won’t be playing in any game. Staudt was selected to perform the national anthem at the Class 4A high school football championship game in the UNIDome Nov. 22. The performance will be the biggest of Staudt’s music career, and she admitted that she’s already felt some jitters. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like, but I know I’m going to be very, very nervous,� she said. “Our musical here at school is nothing like this.� Though the size of the crowd may be a little intimidating, Staudt has plenty of reasons to be confident in her musical abilities. She’s become quite a standout in both choir and band during her first three years at West Fork and is involved in nearly all facets of the music department. She’s in chamber choir, show choir, women’s choir and concert choir, and also plays the flute, piano and occasionally the piccolo and oboe in band. Staudt attended a list of music clinics, vocal festivals and honor choir events at various colleges across the state this fall with her fellow classmates as well. Her dedication and hard work didn’t go unnoticed by West Vocal Music Director Shelby Wilson, who felt Staudt would be a perfect fit when she saw an opening for the 4A championship game. “I already had her voice recorded and they needed someone. So, I just sent off the recording to them and they chose her,� Wilson said. “It’s more of a
Veterans from Sheffield, Thornton and Meservey lined the wall of the high school gym during the program. (Photo by Nick Pedley)
ence comprised of classmates, veterans and members of the public. Kendall Cobb gave guests a history of Veterans Day, which was followed by a poem and PowerPoint presentation with guitar music from by Ciara Hansen and Payton Kuhlemier. A trio comprised of Lauren Dohlman,
nomination thing than a try-out.� Staudt is Wilson’s first West Fork student to be selected to sing at an event of such size. She plans to start working with Staudt over the next week in preparation for the performance, but she felt Staudt is more than capable of putting on a good show without her help “It’s wonderful to work with someone who’s as passionate about music as Celeste is,� Wilson said. “She’s not only extremely talented, but she also works hard at what she does.� Staudt got her start in music at young age during performances at church. Her passion has blossomed in the years since, and she’s begun to eye other opportunities when her career at West Fork comes to an end in 2015. She hopes to continue singing in college but remained
Sarah Retz and Aydan Wood sang “God Bless America,� before Talia Rowe’s introduction of the main event – guest speaker Harold Hopp. Hopp shared a few anecdotes from his service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. His stories highlighted his first impressions of the destroyer he served
hesitant to get too serious about it. “It doesn’t seem like a promising career, because so many people go into – it’s just not realistic,� she said. “I’ll definitely be involved in choir at college, but I don’t know if it’ll be part of my major.� All that future planning seemed trivial to Staudt as she talked about her upcoming performance at the UNI-Dome. She’s sung the national anthem in front of crowds at West Fork basketball and volleyball games before, and said she hoped that experience would pay off in her preparation for next Friday’s game. However, her practice strategy remained rather simple. “We’ll just find out which key works and sounds the best and use that,� she said.
on, coping with death during wartime and details of a mission he was involved with that blew up a Korean supply train. However, Hopp’s overarching message to the many students in attendace was simple: be a good citizen to the country in which you live, but above all, be a good person and son or
daughter to your parents. The program culminated with a rendition of “Taps� by Daniel Novotney and middle school band director Shannon Curtis.
Article submitted by Anne Jorgensen, West Fork FFA Reporter The West Fork FFA introduced a new community project this year called Feed the Farmer. Some of the FFA members went to the Rockwell and Chapin elevators to serve a meal to farmers or anyone else that came. The meal included hamburgers, chips, water and bars that were donated by other FFA members.
For beginning the first time, there was a good turnout and many people learned more about the West Fork FFA. “It was a great way to give back to our farmers,� said Zach Grieman, a member that helped. The West Fork FFA plans to continue this project in the future and hopefully expand it to other co-ops in the district.
More Veteran’s Day photos on page 6
West Fork FFA members helping out during the chapter’s Feed the Farmer meal, from left to right: Johnathon Ohrt, Zach Greimann, Markus Wogen and Josh Baker.
Rockwell council OK’s emergency plan; discusses 2014 budget
West Fork FFA member Zach Greimann mans the grill while two hungry farmers await their meal in Chapin. The FFA chapter also visted the Rockwell elevator and served burgers, chips and bars to local patrons during harvest time. (Submitted photos courtesy of Bret Spurgin)
By Nick Pedley Old business and a brief budget discussion over future planning topped an otherwise routine meeting of the Rockwell City Council on Nov. 6. Councilman Adam Wedmore presented the council with the
said Wedmore. “It’s for our use only for the first hour or so after a natural disaster happens, until help arrives.� The plan establishes emergency operating centers and details the hierarchy of who’s in charge during a disaster event,
city’s finalized emergency management plan. Wedmore started working on the blueprint after Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve O’Neil met with the group in late summer. O’Neil strongly urged the city to adopt a simple plan
that could be used during a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Wedmore explained the plan helps Rockwell regain order in a time of chaos. “It’s for the officials and the mayor to have a plan of action,�
amongst other things. The council felt the plan was a needed addition and stressed the necessity of an orderly system. “In that type of situation, chaos is the operating code,� said Mayor Steve Karabatsos. “Because if you get hit like ParkRW COUNCIL to page 2