The
Kanawha
REPORTER
An official publication for Kanawha, Klemme, and West Hancock Community Schools
Thursday, August 13, 2015 | Volume 124, Number 33 | $1
In this issue:
Yard & Garden
Peonies & Potatoes Page 10
BRIEFLY.
Common Threads Group Issues Open Invitation
How do you like your pudding?
Gavin Wunder goes in face first to a bowl of chocolate pudding during the pudding eating contest at Hobo Day in Britt on Friday evening.
Matt Schnabel, left and Karl Nicolaus, newly appointed staff at the Kanawha Iowa State University Northern Research Farm. (Photo by Emilie Jenson)
Kanawha Research Farm has new manager, assistant By Emilie Jenson
Blake Wunder and Zoey Bush try their hands free skills at eating pudding. (Photos by Emilie Jenson)
The Iowa State University Northern Research Farm has a new manager and ag specialist on its staff. Matt Schnabel, who was previously the ag assistant, has been named the new superintendent and Karl Nicolaus has been hired to assist with projects at the farm. Nicolaus, a native of Whittemore in Kossuth County, began his duties with the farm on Aug. 3. As ag specialist, he will assist with the various research projects on the 170 acre farm south of Kanawha. He is a recent graduate of Iowa State University with an agronomy degree. Schnabel has been employed at the farm for more than a year. He succeeds former superintendent Micah Smidt,
the farm’s previous superintendent. Schnabel grew up with an agricultural background on a crop and livestock farm and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agricultural systems technology in 2010. Prior to coming to work on the research farm he worked four years in the precision agriculture industry, he was also employed at the farm as a summer worker 10 years ago. He lives on site at the farm with his wife and daughter. As staff at the farm Schnabel and Nicolaus will be responsible for all that goes on at the farm. “We do the research and care for the 170 acres,” said Schnabel. We decide what seed to buy, do lots of corn and soybean research.” They also do all of the farming as they would on a regular farm, handling
all the planting, tillage, disease management and fall harvest work. Their research is all done according to university expectations. “We work with the researchers back at Iowa State to and do it all to their protocol,” said Schnabel. “We collect the data and report everything back to the university.” Some of the work is the latest research while other tasks are proven jobs that have been around for decades, Schnabel said. “We do lots of long and short term research trials,” he said. “Some of them are newer, they might only be done once, but others have been around for 75 years. We get approached by a lot of people who want to do trials.”
First readings on salary ordinance at Klemme
The 2015 hobo king and queen Bo Lump and Czech Hobo were crowned Saturday afternoon in the gazebo. (Photo by Emilie Jenson)
2015 Hobo Royalty Crowned By Emilie Jenson BRITT—Hobo royalty past and present came together Saturday afternoon to share their experiences and to crown the newest king and queen of the hobos. During the coronation ceremony in the city park gazebo several hobo ambassadors and past royalty spoke on why they love the hobo life, Britt and the National Hobo Convention before crowning the 2015 king and queen. Mama Jo returned to the convention for the first time in six years after moving to Florida. “Even though we have moved to Florida, there is never a day that goes by we don’t talk about Britt or hobos,” said Mama Jo. “I am proud to be an ambassador for Britt.” Double B, the 2010 queen said
she will always be a representative of Britt. “I will always represent the culture of hobos and the town of Britt,” she said. Virginia Slim said he has heard stories of how hobos have had a positive impact on the world. “If you don’t think hobos make a positive impression on others’ lives, ask me about that,” he said. “I have ridden trains, hitch hiked and lived in tents.” Bookworm Bonnie, the 2013 queen said of all the places she could travel, Britt is her favorite. “This is the highlight of our summer,” she said. Following the speeches, each of the four queen candidates and four king candidates had the floor Continued on Page 2
KLEMME – First readings on ordinances to increase the mayor’s salary and the compensation for member of the Klemme City Council were held Aug. 3. Public hearings were held on proposals to increase the annual salary of the mayor from $1,320 per year to $1,800 (Ordinance 232) and reimbursement for city council members from $20 to $30 for each meeting attended (Ordinance 233). If approved, both compensation adjustments would go into effect in January 2016. City officials heard objections to both proposals from a resident at the hearing. The individual asked that there be a second reading so more people could be in attendance. The council approved first readings of both ordinances, however, second readings will be held during Sept. 2 city council meeting. Klemme city official also fielded a number of questions and comments from citizens during the public forum portion of the meeting. One resident wondered why Waste Management asked to take back the yellow recycling bins when they replace them with the new green carts. It was her understanding each resident owned the yellow bin. City Clerk Colleen Rout will look into this matter. There was also discussion about how spraying for mosquitoes was not reaching peoples back yards.
Resident questioned how the resolution that was passed in June allowing ATVs on city streets, will be enforced. The individual presented the council with a picture of kids in violation of the ordinance by her residence. The citizen would also like to see resolution for UTV’S, skid loaders and lawn mowers. Mayor Ken Blank will check with state law, local law and the city attorney. Jill Kramer, Hancock County Economic Development director, introduced herself and informed the council of upcoming programs. Ken Weiland, public works director, reported aerator cell # 2 in recently went down. Weiland was running big blowers until part arrived. He will get price quotes for changing, cleaning and welding of air and iron filters. The city also received the report of the recent survey of the water supply from the Department of Natural Resources. Three deficiencies were reported. The deficiencies were address taken care of. The city clerk reminded those present the city election will be Nov. 3. The terms of the mayor and two council seat expire in 2015. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the next meeting or the Klemme City Council will be Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Liberty School Absentee ballots available Celebrates 20 for September school elecTwenty years ago, the Liberty tions in Hancock County School was moved from its original site in Liberty Township to its new home in Arden Grove in Kanawha. In observance of the 20th anniversary the board of directors of the museum are holding a celebration open house on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 7. The event will offer music, cake, ice cream, beverages and a free gift. Musical entertainment will be provided by Last Minute Jazz. The celebration will be from 1 to 3 p.m. with a short program at 1:15. Bring lawn chairs to sit back, relax and enjoy an afternoon of fun. For more information contact board members Bill Friedow, of Britt, or Jim Mallen, of Kanawha. A special invitation is extended to any former country school teachers.
Michelle K. Eisenman, Hancock County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, announces that absentee ballots for the School Election to be held on Sept. 8, 2015, for West Hancock and GarnerHayfield-Ventura Community School Districts are now available in the Hancock County Auditor’s Office. Any eligible voter may cast an absentee ballot at the Hancock County Auditor’s office or may submit a written request for an absentee ballot. Requests should be sent to the Hancock County Auditor’s office, 855 State Street, P.O. Box 70, Garner, Iowa 50438. A request form is also available at the Hancock County Auditor’s office or on Hancock County’s
website www.hancockcountyia. org; click on Auditor’s department, then click on Official Absentee Ballot Request link. A request must be signed by the person requesting a ballot. The signed, completed request form can be mailed or brought to the Auditor’s office, 855 State Street, Garner, IA 50438. Absentee ballots may also be voted in the Auditor’s office, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone having questions regarding absentee voting may contact the Auditor’s Office, 641923-3163 or by email, hanaudme@ hancockcountyia.org.
Common Threads, Hancock County’s daytime quilt group, will meet on Wednesday, August 19, at 9 a.m. at the Britt Public Library. Lynn Tancig, of The Quilt Shoppe in Britt, will present a demonstration on braiding and how to incorporate this technique into quilts. “Sew and Tell” items are also encouraged. Those attending are invited to contribute any ideas for ways to better and safely display quilts during the open show at the Hancock County Fair. Also, ideas for encouraging more entries, either for judging or for display at the open show will be welcome. Common Threads meetings are open to anyone interested in making or just looking at quilts. There are no dues and no fees.
Hunter Education Course in August
A Hunter Education Course will be held in Kossuth County. Dates for these classes are: Monday, August 24; Tuesday, August 25; Wednesday, August 26; and Thursday, August 27. All classes will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. The Monday – Wednesday classes will be held at the Water’s Edge Nature Center at Smith Lake. The Thursday class will be at the Izaak Walton League across from Smith Lake. The deadline to register is Friday, August 21. For more information, contact 515-295-2138.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
GARNER – Concord Care Center in Garner is hosting a Walk to End Alzheimer’s event, Friday, Aug. 14, 2-4 p.m. The public is invited to help join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Along the route of the walk will be many booths including a ring toss and cornhole booth. Also, bring the kids for other fun booths like a face painting booth and a photo booth! For more information on the walk, call Holly Brink at 641-923-2677 or e-mail her at hbrink@abcmcorp. com.
Ice Cream Social
BRITT – West View Care Center will host an ice cream social on Friday, Aug. 21, 2 p.m. at the nursing home, 445 8th Ave. SW, Britt.
Watermelon Day
GOODELL – Watermelon Day at Goodell will be held Saturday, Aug. 29. The day includes a parade starting at 11 a.m. The American Legion will serve dinner from 12 noon to 1 p.m., followed by a cakewalk at 1:30 p.m. Bingo and games for kids and adults will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the selection of Miss Watermelon. Free watermelon will be served during the afternoon. The Goodell Fire Department will serve sandwiches from 5-7 p.m. Entertainment will include a live band. Schedule is subject to change.
Learning Farms August Webinar
The regular monthly Iowa Learning Farms webinar for August will be on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1 p.m. This month’s guest speaker is Tom Kaspar, who will present “Reaching the Full Potential of Cover Crops in Iowa.” The ILF webinars are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. They are free and all that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access. To participate, go to: https://connect. extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at 1 p.m. on the afternoon of the webinar and log in through the guest option.