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Bet on the bus Page 4

Movie maker is back Page 3 UNITED WE STAND

TUESDAY April 21, 2015

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF HARDIN COUNTY

E L D O R A, I O W A

641-939-5051

Learn to New Providence Drive shop keepers get Again governor’s honor

by Rick Patrie News Editor IOWA FALLS – We received this notice a little too late for last Friday’s paper deadline, but if you step on it you can get to Iowa Falls in time. Safe Driving Class starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 21. Do you need a refresher? Ellsworth Community College asks: Have you experienced a close call recently while driving? Is your confidence fading when you are behind the wheel? If so, Iowa Valley Continuing Education would like you to consider attending the AARP Driver Safety Program again, on Tuesday, April 21 at Ellsworth Community College, Gentle Student Center’s Formal Dining Room, 1100 College Ave. in Iowa Falls. Class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn how roads and vehicles have changed, and about the effects of aging and medications on skills. This four-hour, research based classroom-only course reviews how people can adapt our driving skills to remain smart and safe drivers as we get older. Sponsored by AARP. There is no driving. Pay materials’ fee on arrival to AARP. $15 for members. $20 for non-members. Some insurance companies give a discount for completion of this course. Register before class by calling 1-800-284-4823.

Newsbriefs Save the date – May 2

Save the date! The South Hardin Athletic Boosters, along with Union Auto, will be hosting a “Drive One for Your School” event on May 2nd from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It will be located at the South Hardin High School. We hope you are able to join us and help us earn up to $6,000 from Ford Motor Company. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of uniform updates for the 2015-16 school year. Thanks for your support!

Celebrate Earth Day at the Eldora Library April 22

Elementary age youngsters are invited to an early out activity at the Eldora Library on Wednesday, April 22 at 2:45 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day by potting some plants children can take home for free.

www.eldoranewspapers.com

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Cited for preserving Iowa history By Rick Patrie News Editor NEW PROVIDENCE – It was almost two years ago that the governor came to town and addressed a big gathering celebrating the 150-year birthday of a Hardin County institution. That day in September, New Providence Hardware caught the eye of both the Governor and Lt. Governor, and the acquaintance bore fruit a week ago when the Governor’s office and the State Historical Society of Iowa joined to award the long-lived business a 2015 Excellence in History commendation. The New Providence Building

Association Stores includes the hardware and the community breakfast site in the Soda Fountain. The SHSI program recognizes the outstanding contributions to Iowa history by owners of businesses like Tom and Marlene McDonald. Last week, Gov. Terry Branstad and Historical Society Board of Trustees chair William Bartine presented this year’s “Award for Excellence in History” during a ceremony at the State Capitol Building in Des Moines. “I am pleased to recognize and honor the recipients of this year’s ‘Awards for Excellence in History,’” Branstad said. “As many (continued on page 3)

The formal presentation photo is on page 3, but this was the lively one. Taken back in September of 2013, when the Governor came to New Providence, honoring the New Providence Hardware’s long run in business. It was a visit that surely set the wheels turning on a decision just recently to give Tom and Marlene McDonald a 2015 state citation for doing much to preserve a piece of Iowa History. Shown are the McDonalds and Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.

Pure Bliss!

by Michaela Kendall Staff Writer ELDORA – It sounds like Bliss Cupcakes owner, Lindsay Eekhoff, knows the recipe for success. Eekhoff, an Eldora native, has been running her own baking business, Bliss Cupcakes, since last May, and is now nearing the month that marks one year of business for her. Bliss Cupcakes is a one-woman operation that Eekhoff runs out of her home; a side job for the full-time mom of two. The business allows her to be at home and spend more time with her kids, while doing something she loves. Eekhoff said she has always loved baking, and even has a culinary arts degree, but it wasn’t until a school bake sale that she realized she could make a business for herself with her tasty treats. “I would bring my treats to school bake sales, and everyone would tell me how good they were, and more and more people started to ask me to make stuff for them,” Eekhoff said of her business’s beginnings. Eventually, she had enough interest in her sweets to allow her to start up her own business. Everything she bakes is made

100% from scratch, and is tested by herself, her husband, her children and her friends before she puts it on the menu for customers. Eekhoff bakes cupcakes, cookies, muffins and more, and has an endless list of flavors and frostings to mix and match for something completely unique each time. On her menu, she lists cupcake flavors such as: peanut butter and jelly, red velvet, Andes mint, strawberry lemonade and monster cookie dough to name a few. Her muffin menu contains classics such as: banana-crumb, lemon poppy seed and blueberry, or specialties like pumpkin chocolate chip, French breakfast muffin or cinnamon streusel orange. Eekhoff said that if a customer doesn’t see what they want on the menu, she will create it for them. Eekhoff bakes for all types of events, including: birthday parties, weddings, showers, holiday parties, gender-reveal parties and graduation parties. To place an order, customers call Eekhoff at 641-858-2032, or message her on the Bliss Cupcakes Facebook page. Although she said she prefers customers to give her around three days’ notice, she will

do what she can to make things work with a shorter notice. She sells everything by the dozen, and her prices can be found on her menu on the Bliss Cupcakes Facebook page. Eekhoff said that in an average week, she has anywhere from a couple orders to 10 or 15 orders, and is planning to get busier as the weather warms up and more people plan weddings and showers. As for her plans for the future, Eekhoff said that she doesn’t think she will open a shop, as being a mom is her first priority, and working from home allows her to spend more time with her kids. But she said that selling her baked goods in local grocery stores is a possibility for her. With nearly a year of business under her belt, and countless customers served, Eekhoff is not slowing down, and doesn’t plan on it. She said her customer base is growing, and her goals for the next year include growing it further, and improving on her skills. Her recipe for success? Hard work, flexibility and using the best ingredients to make everything from scratch. (See extra photo, page 2)

Lindsay Eekhoff and some Minnie Mouse themed cupcakes she made for a birthday party.

My Town Pictures is spinning more movie magic

Pine Lake Fish Fry April 24

Pine Lake Fish Fry will be held on Friday, April 24, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Wildlife Clubhouse north of Upper Pine Lake, 32740 210th St., Eldora. Take out boxes available. Cost is $10 for adults and take out boxes, and $6 for children 12 and under (dine-in only).

Dan Wardell coming to the Eldora Library April 24

Dan Wardell from IPTV KIDS Clubhouse will be coming to the Eldora Library on Friday, April 24 at 3:45 p.m. This is a program you won’t want to miss. Free. (More briefs on page 4)

The people of My Town Pictures

developed a relationship with Hardin County back when they filmed a unique feature length film here in Eldora, using a local cast of New Providence and Eldora names. Since then, they have continued the community film theme in other Iowa towns, including in Grundy Center, where they are finishing up right now. Note some of the story backdrops above, they should ring a little familiar: Grundy Center, Tama, and here at home. All hosted My Town movies which gave hometown stage and screen aspirants a chance to try out life under the bright lights. My Town Pictures, Scott Thompson’s Wisconsin-based independent film company, has also branched off into more star studded feature length films tapping a number of well known televi-

sion and Hollywood names. But ties to the small towns, and community films using local faces, continues. And now hints at return engagements to Hardin County.In development right now is a project for a feature length sentimental comedy drawn from something as Iowan as you can get. Six girl basketball. It’s the story of the game’s final days, and if all goes well it would be set in the Roundhouse at New Providence. Director-writer-producer Thompson forged lots of friendships with New Providence when he filmed The Great Eldora Picture Show about five years ago. No one has forgotten each other. Check on page 3 for more about what Mr. Thompson has been up to, movie-making-wise, here in Iowa, his reach out to Hollywood, and hopes for New Providence.


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