QUILTS OF VALOR PRESENTED
Steve Duncan of Shenandoah
Stephen “Steve” Duncan, currently of Shenandoah, Iowa, was awarded a Quilt of Valor for his service on July 25.
Duncan enlisted at the age of 16 and served in the United States Army from 1971 until 1991.
He served both stateside as well as in Vietnam.
When leaving the military, Steve held the rank of E-5, Sergeant.
He received 3 Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon X3, Driver Mechanics Badge, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Department Ribbon, and a Sharpshooter Badge for an M16 Rifle.
Several of his friends gathered to honor him.
To present the Quilt were Brenda Franks and Becky Streitenberger.
Also in attendance was Denise Bryant from the Page County Veterans Affairs, to present Duncan with a certificate of appreciation for his service to his country.
Classifieds
2 8x10 tarps, brand new in package, 712-246-5440
Vintage Huffy Dr. Pepper Bike, boys 26-inch, 712246-5440
Ted Houser of Shenandoah
Theodore “Ted” Houser was awarded a Quilt of Valor, at his home in Shenandoah, Iowa, on July 29.
Ted served in the United States Army from 1965 until 1969.
Basic training was in Fort Leonardwood, MO., then in 1966 he went to Fort Benning, GA.
In 1967 Houser went to an army base in California.
Then, in 1968 he was sent to Can To, Vietnam, to the 361st Tactical Company Detachment and then to the 271st Aviation.
Houser was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, a Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, and a Sharpshooter Badge.
When leaving the military, Houser held the rank of SP-6.
In attendance to honor Houser were his wife Bobbie, daughter Paula Blake; granddaughters Avery Shepherd, Jaylenne Shepherd, Sayj Martin, Daiton Martin; and his great grandsons Jaxson Shepherd and Colin Welker.
To present the Quilt of Valor were Brenda Franks and Becky Streitenberger.
Also in attendance was Denise Bryant of the Page County Veterans Affairs to present Ted with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to his country, and a book about Vietnam.
Consignment Auction
Sunday, August 17th 10:00am Sidney, IA Fremont County Fairgrounds
2 Bedroom, 1 Bath – Convenient, Upscale Living Many perks included. 55+
FOR ADOPTION
Young 1/2 Aussie Shepard female for adoption. Spay assistance. 712-246-5016.
FOR SALE
2006 Dodge Minivan, red, 142,450 miles, no rust, perfect condition, $2,800, cash only, 417-217-3975. Tables, sturdy, about 4-foot, great shape. Several choices, 712-314-0938.
Restored antique furniture and weather vanes, Clarinda, 712-4381940
Oak coffee end table with one drawer and glass top, asking $40, 712-215-5206
Ceramic lamp with floral design, shade included, $25, 712-215-5206
AKC 3 yr. old female Charcoal Labrador. Some training. 712-215-0794
4 Brand New Trash Barrels with wheels, Rubber Neck, 32-gallon, never been used - 712-2465440
Framed print. 'Man-O'War' racehorse, by R.W. Amick, 1942. 29-1/2"×411/2". 712-215-0794.
Disassembled complete set of numbered piano keys. 712-202-6333
Professional decorative silver wooden frame, 6 inches wide. For 12X16 picture. Hangs horizontally or vertically. 712-202-6333
4 metal lawn chairs, 712246-5440
Partial listing from Malvern, Sidney, Hamburg, Farragut, Tabor, Shenandoah, & Ashland NE 2003 Ford Thunderbird 48K mi. Convertible, Show Auto Exc. – 2021 Tempo Club Car Golf Cart gas w/ lift kit Like New – Ford 350 33ft. Coachman RV
Cub Cadet & Murray Riding Mowers – Kawasaki 350 4-wheeler
6 lowboy’s w/ shop equipment – Hand & Power Tools
3 Oxy-Cet. Torch Outfits – 5x10
Aluminum Step & Extension ladders’
Numerous long handle garden tools
Firearms, Ammo, Accessories, & Scopes
Many boxes of Bolts & Nuts, etc. See: farmerpublishing.com, shomemoreauctions.com, & Facebook for full sale bill and pictures Van Scyoc Auctions Tom Van Scyoc Auctioneer 712-370-2295 Sidney, IA
Steve Duncan
Ted Houser
Pulley’s Event Center opens in Clarinda
By LIZ SKILLERN
The Page County Post
The Clarinda Chamber of Commerce and the Clarinda Ambassadors hosted a ribbon cutting and open house for Pulley’s Event Center on Friday, July 18.
The newly renovated event space, located at 505 East Glenn Miller Drive, is owned by Kim Pullen and named in honor of his late father, whose nickname was “Pulley.”
“I always wanted to invest back in the community I grew up in,” said Pullen. “When I heard my friend John Williams needed a better place to hold his auctions
during the winter, I started looking for a building.”
He purchased the former Dugout Bar building from Norma Hughes, completely gutted and refurbished it, and added a spacious new addition to accommodate larger events, including auctions. The entire project—from purchase to completion—took just four months.
“We closed on March 3, started March 16, and finished by June 16,” said Pullen. “We used all local subcontractors, except for one I brought in from Des Moines. Everyone was great
See PULLEY’S, Page 4
AMPLE SPACE
The newly renovated interior of Pulley’s Event Center
Clarinda
and ample space for events such as auctions, weddings, reunions, and more.
in
features vintage decor, modern amenities,
TVATA RIDES FOR SUNNYSIDE
The Tarkio Valley Antique Tractor Association (TVATA) held its annual Pony Express Riders of Iowa benefit cruise July 19. All donations received will benefit Camp Sunnyside. A record-breaking 30 tractors traveled from Farragut to the Fremont County fairgrounds for lunch grilled by the Fremont County Cattlemen. After lunch, the cruise returned to the Farragut fire station for homemade ice cream furnished by the TVATA. Follow the TVATA Facebook page for current activities. The club always welcomes new members.
GO, SHRINERS!
Members of the Essex cheer team were invited to participate in the 53rd annual Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic, held Saturday, July 19, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The annual event brings together senior high school football players and cheerleaders from across Iowa to raise funds and awareness for Shriners Children’s hospitals. Pictured front row L-R: Kylie Valdez, Halle Riley, Aila Valdez, Kirsten Kalkas. Back row: Ella Sandahl, Taylor Juarez, Isabella Donnelly, Bella Simmons. The team is coached by Mary Ohnmacht.
PULLEY’S
FROM PAGE 3
to work with.”
The result is a versatile venue that includes the remodeled 2,100-square-foot “Dugout” building and a new 80-by-120-foot insulated event hall. The space is equipped with tables, chairs, air conditioning and heat, brand new bathrooms, and is fully handicap accessible. Pullen has also decorated the buildings with vintage signs and old toys from his personal collection, giving it a unique and nostalgic charm.
Pulley’s Event Center is designed to host a wide variety of events, including auctions, flea markets, class reunions, craft fairs, wedding receptions, graduation
parties, fundraisers, and more. A fall flea market is already scheduled for October 24–26.
While a website is still in the works, bookings can currently be made by contacting Kim Pullen at 515-202-8991 or his sisterin-law Shilia Pullen at 712542-7668.
“I’m not the most techsavvy person,” Kim said with a laugh. “But I’ve got some help from a company in Des Moines, and we’ll have a website up soon.”
For now, flyers with contact information are circulating around town. Pullen says he’s excited to see how the space can serve the Clarinda community.
“I really love it,” he said. “It’s a nice, bright area and I hope people will enjoy using it for their special events.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DIANE FERGUSON
PHOTO PROVIDED
West African music and culture come alive in Clarinda
By LIZ SKILLERN The Page County Post
The melodic, harp-like sound of the West African kora filled the summer air on Saturday, July 19, as musician Sean Gaskell brought the 21-string instrument and its rich history to life during a free performance at Lied Public Library’s outdoor pavilion. Gaskell, a U.S.-based musician who specializes in the kora, closed out his 14-show July tour with the Clarinda concert, part of the library’s summer music series presented by Lied Public Library and sponsored by the Clarinda (Lied) Public Library Foundation.
Though unfamiliar to many, the kora is a centuries-old instrument traditionally played by griots
— hereditary historians and musicians — in the Mandinka culture of West Africa. Gaskell not only plays traditional pieces that span back as far as 800 years but also shares the cultural context and history behind them.
“I first heard the kora about 18 years ago at a music festival in Olympia,” Gaskell recalled. “I was just blown away by the sound. It was completely different from the clarinet I played growing up, but I was drawn in right away.”
After connecting with fellow kora student and performer Kane Mathis, Gaskell began taking lessons and later traveled to The Gambia as part of a study program while completing his undergraduate degree. There, he studied with griots and immersed himself in the
musical and oral traditions of the Mandinka people.
“The experience of learning in West Africa completely transformed my playing,” Gaskell said. “I’ve been there four times now, and each trip has shaped not just my technique, but the way I tell the story of the instrument and its music here in the U.S.”
The Clarinda audience enjoyed a blend of traditional kora songs and a few of Gaskell’s own compositions. Many in attendance had never seen or heard a kora before and took time after the performance to ask questions and take a closer look.
“It was the only outdoor show of the tour, and I love performing outside,” Gaskell said. “We were under the gazebo, and it just felt like the perfect way to
end the tour. People were engaged and curious, and that really energizes me.”
While the instrument may be foreign to most American audiences, Gaskell hopes the music leaves a lasting impression.
“My goal is that people walk away having learned something they didn’t know before,” he said. “And maybe they’ll be inspired to stay open to new experiences — whether that’s new music, new cultures, or just something unfamiliar. That’s how we grow.”
Gaskell tours nationally, performing in libraries, schools, and community centers. For more information about his music and upcoming performances, visit seangaskell.com or contact him at seangaskellbooking@ gmail.com.
Sean Gaskell
Clarinda: 1200 S. 16th Street | Shenandoah: 500 S. Fremont Street | Red Oak: 1605 N. Broadway Street