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November 1, 2013
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QUICK NEWS Reminder: Daylight saving time starts Sunday Don’t forget to set the clocks back one hour for daylight saving time (DST) 2 a.m. Sunday. Most Americans will gain an hour of sleep with the “fall back,” and have an extra hour of sunlight to work with through the end of fall and winter. DST was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, but modern DST did not take hold until 1895. The United States set a law in 1918 to standardize the beginning and end of DST, but federal government does not require states or territories to make the change. Most of Arizona and Hawaii will not adjust its clocks this weekend.
Afton Mexican restaurant using fresh ingredients and friendly service to increase customer base ■
By KYLE WILSON
CNA asst. managing editor kwilson@crestonnews.com
AFTON — Word continues to spread about a small restaurant in Afton. That restaurant — El Ranchito — is owned by brothers Alex Mandujano and Roger Lopez. They’ve been in business since January, but it wasn’t until recently that word really has begun to circulate about their tasty Mexican and Italian cuisines. “It just takes a while when Lopez you’re a new restaurant to get your name out there,” Mandujano said. “But, we are getting busier now. People are coming in, trying our food, liking it and telling their friends. We hope to keep that going.” One of the more regular customers is Joe Waigand of Afton who highly recommends El Ranchito’s triple
St. Malachy spaghetti supper slated Saturday
CNA photo by KYLE WILSON
El Ranchito, 183 E. Kansas St. in Afton, offers both Mexican and Italian cuisines. It’s owned by brothers Alex Mandujano and Roger Lopez.
combo fajitas that includes seasoned shrimp, beef and chicken fajitas. “That’s one of my favorites,” Waigand said. “But you can’t go wrong with really anything on their menu.” Mandujano said they are primarily a Mexican restaurant serving traditional dishes like fajitas, enchiladas, chimichangas and tacos. Mandujano said they take pride in making made-to-order dishes with fresh ingredients. “You will taste the difference compared to the compe-
Free Veterans lunch at El Ranchito El Ranchito — owned by Alex Mandujano and Roger Lopez — will honor veterans by hosting a free lunch Nov. 10 at their restaurant on 183 E. Kansas St. in Afton. Hours that day are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be serving
chicken alfredo, chimichangas and enchiladas. “This is a chance for us to give appreciation to our veterans,” Mandujano said, “but also it is helpful to us because we will have people coming in to try our food.”
tition,” Mandujano said. However, Mexican dishes aren’t the only staples of the El Ranchito menu. P r i o r to coming to Afton, Mandujano worked at an upscale Italian restaurant in Chicago. Lopez was Mandujano in charge of cooking and ordering for the restaurant. “You won’t be disappointed with our fettuccine alfredo,” Mandujano said. “I use simple ingredients. It has great flavor and, if you try it once, you will want to order it a second time.” Shannon Harper of Afton highly recommends the Italian menu. “When they first opened, I stuck with food just on the Mexican menu,” Harper said, “but now I order both. I’d
even say now I like their Italian menu better. It’s authentic food that’s freshly prepared.” Still, both Harper and Waigand noted their favorite part about El Ranchito is the friendliness of the owners and staff. “The owners almost always come out and talk to you after cooking your meal,” Harper said. “They are polite,” Waigand added. “It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, the service is good and they are going to come out and talk with you.” El Ranchito does have a liquor license and offers margaritas and domestic and imported beers. The restaurant is located at 183 E. Kansas St. in Afton on the southeast side of the square. Hours at El Ranchito are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
A spaghetti supper at St. Malachy School is scheduled Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 4 to 10. Tickets for seniors 70 and older are $5 and children 3 and younger are free. The Civics Club Carnival kicks off at 6 to 7:30 p.m. with games and prizes available. There is also a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $1 and being sold by St. Malachy students.
Veterans Day breakfast at Creston Meal Site
The Creston Meal Site will host a free breakfast for veterans and their spouses Nov. 8 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. The event is sponsored by Creston Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart and Iowa WORKS Southern Hills in honor of Veterans Day Nov. 11.
Creston PTO Carnival tonight The Creston Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) carnival is slated 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Creston Elementary/Middle School. This year’s carnival will include activities like face painting, temporary tattoos, bottle toss, bounce house, speed cup stack, cake walk, celebrity cake auction and more. Participants can purchase wristbands for the carnival in advance for $13. Wristbands can be used with no limit at most games and activities. Today is the last day to purchase the wristbands for $13. After today, wristbands for the carnival are $15. Please see QUICK NEWS, Page 2
Treat squad:
Captain America, also known as Landon Fetchter, 3, leads fellow trick-or-treaters Antoine Lillie (Iron Man), Adrian Lillie (Batman), and Gracie Lillie (bumblebee) to Ron and Dora Ray’s residence for treats Thursday night in Creston.
CNA photo by JAKE WADDINGHAM CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Neopolitan: Three shades of fall color grace this residence at the intersection of Lake and
Lincoln streets Thursday afternoon. The 2013 fall foliage outlook for Iowa predicts an average year. The northeast corner of the country is predicted to have the best showing of fall colors. The northwest corner ranks poor to very poor for fall foliage. Serving Southwest Iowa since 1879 Price 75¢
If you do not receive your CNA by 5 p.m. call 641-782-2141, ext. 221. Papers will be redelivered in Creston until 6:30 p.m. Phones will be answered until 7 p.m.
Volume 130 No. 102 Copyright 2013
Contact us 2013
In person: Mail: Phone: Fax: E-mail:
503 W. Adams Street Box 126, Creston, IA 50801-0126 641-782-2141 641-782-6628 news@crestonnews.com
Contents
Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Weekend weather High 55 Low 33 Full weather report, 3A