Sigourney News-Review
LEA EADER
THE
The Leader
Village Vine
Last What Cheer Paper day of school page 17
Former kid
Area Sports
page 4
pages 13, 14
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
WWW.THELEADERONLINE.NET
| VOL. 143, NO. 22 | $1 PER COPY/86¢ DELIVERED
Remembering the sacrifice of others
News at a glance
Robotics Camp
It’s not too late to sign up for robotics camp. The Hancock County Extension and Outreach is putting on a two-day camp from 12:303:30.You can sign up in Garner on June 4 - 5 and in Britt 11 - 12, grades 3rd-8th. Learn what FIRST LEGO League is all about and program a robot you built. Register today at http://www.extension. iastate.edu/hancock/summer2015 or call 641-923-2856.
EAA Young Eagles Rally
MASON CITY - The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 94 of Mason City is hosting a Young Eagles Rally on Saturday, June 20, at the Mason City Airport. The Young Eagles Rally is free is for children age 8 to 17. In recent years, over 100 kids have participated. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the Rally from 9:00 to noon. In addition to an airplane ride, there are aviation related educational sessions, a presentation by the Civil Air Patrol, and pizza for lunch. A parent or legal guardian must be present to authorize airplane rides. For more information, contact Tom Barter at 319-415-7418.
KLEMME – Don’t take for granted the freedoms of living in the United States. That was the message of Iraq veteran Mitzi Groom, during the 2015 Memorial Day service at Klemme. Groom served in the U.S. Army Reserve in Iraq from 2003-2004 where she drove truck that delivered supplies. She has a total of 12 years service in the Army Reserve. “Memorial Day is special to me,” she said. “Memorial Day is a day to remember our fallen men and women. Generations of soldiers gave their lives so we can enjoy what it means to be an American. “My transportation company was filled with Iowa soldiers, men and women.” She noted that women were as just as much in combat situations as their male comrades. Groom said her service in Iraq was a learning experience. “What I took away from it, was that I am proud to be an American,” she said. “If you have never visited a third world country … that is ravaged by
Mitzi Groom
poverty, corruption and inequality, it is truly awesome to be an American.” What Americans take for granted everyday (automobiles, refrigeration, sanitation, etc.), millions of people in this world do not have, she noted.
Gary Madsen
Groom emphasized the U.S. has the largest and most technologically advanced fighting force in the world. In past conflicts, men were drafted into military service. Today’s military, however, is armed with volunteers
who want to give back to their country. “It is also important to remember the fallen men and women,” Groom said. An estimated 400,000 U.S. servicemen died during World War II, 58,000 in Vietnam, and 36,000 during the Korean War. “And our war of terror … 5,000 soldiers,” she said. “I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve and live to tell about it,” Groom stated. “I’ll never forget the veterans before me and the soldiers before me that gave their lives. They made it possible for me to live and raise my family here in America.” She concluded, “In the end it is for us, the living, to be dedicated to the unfinished work of the fallen.” Groom encouraged the young people in the audience to consider military service. “Please support your family and community members who choose to join the Armed Forces because without them, we would not be America,” she said.
Michelle Anderson
Horticulture Program
BRITT - “Attracting Birds, Bees and Butterflies to the Garden” is the topic of a workshop to be held at the Britt Library on June 11 at 6:30 pm. Attend this program to learn how to design a garden with those plants and flowers that will not only brighten your landscape, but suitable for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. ISU Extension Horticulturist Yvonne McCormick will present tips and techniques for growing flowers and suggest cultivars suitable for Iowa gardens. Call the Hancock County ISU Extension Office at 641-923-2856 for further information or to register for this program.
Pitch Perfect 2
Final farewell: Community and alumni gather to say goodbye to Corwith school Emilie Jenson
leadernews.map@gmail.com
Britt Memorial Day Services
Emilie Jenson | The Leader
Coming June 12
The final dismissal bell at the Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne Middle and High School in Corwith rang on May 29, but before the doors to the school building closed for good, alumni and
the community had one final chance to gather in the building that holds so many of their memories. The Communities We Love celebration, held May 22-25 brought several graduates of Corwith, Corwith-Wesley and Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne home to celebrate and remember through a CORWITH to page 16
Evening at Central Park
Rebecca Peter | The Leader
The weather was perfect, the crowd congenial and the entertainment was top notch at the first ever Evening in the Park at Garner’s Central Park, Wednesday, May 27. The event, sponsored by the Garner Chamber of Commerce, Stellar Industries, The Leader, Clear Lake Bank & Trust, and Concord Care Center (ABCM Corp.), was an opportunity for over a dozen in-home businesses to showcase their products. Entertainment on the mobile stage included music by Terri and Annie Avery and a showing of the movie, “The Final Season.” “The Garner Chamber of Commerce is very grateful to be able to hold community events like this and it is all thanks to our sponsors,” said Andrew Eisenman, Chamber of Commerce director. SHOW TIMES Fri.-Sat., Mon.-Thurs. 7 pm Sunday 4 pm & 7 pm Adults $4 Children $3 (under 12) 3D + $2
Rise of the Sea Urchins Family Friendly Visa, Mastercard & Discover accepted Avery Theatre 495 State Street, GARNER, Iowa www.averytheater.org 641-925-AVRY (2879)
Volume 143 Number 22
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In this issue:
Volunteers needed for installation of playground equipment at Reichardt Park. First session at 8:30 a.m. to noon. Second session at 12:30 to 4 p.m. American Cancer Society 7th annual Relay for Life fundraiser tractor ride will be held. Contact Kris or Joan Hanson at 641-9232189 or 641-355-2253. Vendor Show for mission trip at United Presbyterian Church, 475 Maben, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7 Garner volunteer firefighters are hosting a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A free will donation will be taken. Kinney Pioneer Museum is hosting its annual Vintage Car Day from 1 to 5 p.m. Craft demonstrations and food will be available. Tuesday, June 9 The Commission of Veteran Affairs will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Room. Thursday, June 11 Pritchards of Garner Customer Appreciation Night is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. featuring the Classics, food, drink and prizes. “Attracting Birds, Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden,” a free workshop, is available to all garden enthusiasts at 8 p.m. at the Britt Public Library, 132 Main Ave. S. RSVP by calling 641-923-2856.
June 5-11
Emilie Jenson | The Leader
Jan (Brockman) Mitchell, class of 1968 and Mary (Considine) Marro, class of 1067, reminisce together in the gymnasium at the Corwith Wesley LuVerne High School. They are holding a 1966 Corwith Wesley yearbook.
Britt Veterans of Foreign Wars Sgt. of Arms Jerry Christensen speaks during the Memorial Day program held at West Hancock High School. More photos on page 15.
Community calendar Saturday, June 6
Garner Memorial Day Memorial Day services at Garner were moved from Central Park to the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School due to rain. Master of ceremonies, Gerald Edgar welcomed the audience. Memorial Day honors all “who have passed in the line of duty defending our right to freely assemble here today,” Edgar said. VFW Commander Post 5515 Gary Madsen was Memorial Day speaker at Garner. A native of Clear Lake, Madsen’s father served in the Navy during World REMEMBER to page 2
Anderson on board as City Clerk Emilie Jenson
leadernews.map@gmail.com A Britt native has stepped into her new role at City Hall. Michelle Anderson, who has spent most her life in the Britt area and is a graduate of West Hancock High School, began her duties as city clerk on May 11. Her hire was approved by the Britt City Council on April 19. Anderson has a vast background in accounting and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking from Buena Vista University, a psychology degree from the University of Iowa and a masters in organizational development from Upper Iowa University. Prior to coming on board with the City of Britt, Anderson worked as a judicial clerk at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse. In her role with the city, Anderson said she is has an opportunity to do more accounting work, but is able to use her experiences as a judicial clerk and with a credit union in her new position as well. “The change has been good, but I still get to use a lot of my experience with what I do here,” she said. As clerk, Anderson handles the city payroll and accounts payable and said she will be especially busy when the 2016 budget season comes around. She will also work with the council and mayor and attend city council meetings. “I’ve always liked working in financial settings,” she said. “I’ve always liked numbers. When I was a little kid, I would do long division for fun.” Anderson said there is still a lot to learn, but she has enjoyed working with the public. “I’m getting the hang of everything, there’s still lots to be learned,” she said. “But I like the diversity and working with the public.”
NEXT WEEK IN WEATHER
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