WEEKEND EDITION
Friday
November 29, 2013
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THANKSGIVING 2013
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
The wishlists of two anonymous local children hang on a Christmas tree inside Creston’s Chamber of Commerce, 208 W. Taylor St. MATURA Action Corporation has partnered with the Chamber to fulfill the holiday wishes of local children through an Adopta-Family holiday program. To donate, individuals may stop by the Chamber office, choose an ornament and return the items to the Chamber office by Dec. 20.
MATURA’s holiday program brings cheer to families in need By SARAH BROWN CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews. com
Contributed photo
Staff Sgt. Nathan Page, back left, and his team while stationed in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. Front row from left, Spc. Wesley McDonald, Sgt. Marcus Alafa, Spc. Jordan Thompson. Back row on the right is Sgt. Alex Hoksbergen.
Holiday
Homecoming Nathan Page and the 833rd Engineering Company return home in time for the holiday season
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By JAKE WADDINGHAM
CNA staff reporter jwaddingham@crestonnews.com
When Gavin and Jaxton Page woke up this morning, they were on a mission. Sunday, the boys received a package in the mail of a little holiday elf with a specific objective to find him each day as he moved around the house. The only rule is no touching, otherwise the elf will lose his magic. The elf convinently made his arrival the day after Gavin and Jaxton’s father, Nathan, returned from this third tour overseas with the 388rd Engineering Company. “My wife (Cami) waited until I got home to start (the new tradition),” Nathan said. “It is nice to be there with them and do that every day.” Nathan and his company were the last group of Iowa soldiers stationed in Afghanistan to return home Nov. 23, just in time for the holiday season.
The company was honored in a homecoming ceremony in Ottumwa. “My wife asked what kind of meal do you want me to make for you,” Nathan said. “I said it will be late, how about we just relax as a family and order some Casey’s pizza and have a beer. It was something I hadn’t had for a long time and it was nice, just doing something simple.” While Nathan adjusts to the pace of life back home as a father and husband, he is thankful to be back in time to spend the holidays with family and friends. Engineering company Page, 30, graduated from Wayne Community High School in Corydon, Iowa in May 2001. That December, he enlisted with the 833rd Engineering Company. In October 2004, the company was mobilized for the first time in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The group returned in December 2005. “Our main objective was route clearance,” Nathan said. “We cleared roads for coaliton forces to make it
It’s looking a little bit like Christmas at Creston’s Chamber of Commerce. Inside the Chamber office, a Christmas tree holds the names, ages, sizes and wishlist of local children, who have signed up for MATURA’s Adopt-aFamily holiday program. Until Dec. 20, ornaments — made by Barb Coenen of Maple Street Memories — will dangle on a Christmas Tree decorated by Teresa Cheers of Teresa’s Fine Floral. Residents are encouraged to bring some extra cheer this Christmas to families in need by visiting the Chamber office, 208 W. Taylor St., to choose a family to adopt and return the items listed. MATURA’s Adopt-aFamily holiday program means many Creston families, who might not otherwise, will have a merry Christmas this year.
Janell Staats, energy and development director at MATURA Action Corporation, said children of more than 70 families received gifts donated by local donors during the MATURA’s 2012 holiday drive and are hoping to increase that number this year with the community’s support. Applications are still be accepted by MATURA until Dec. 11 for individuals and families wishing to receive gifts for their children. Applications are available at MATURA, 207 B Elm St. Parking and entrance are located on the east side of the building, which is handicap accessible. Changes MATURA Executive Director Ron Ludwig announced service locations have officially changed. Nutrition and health services such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC), I-smile (dental health) Please see MATURA, Page 2
Remnant Gallery opening
Contributed photo
Gavin Page, 5, embraces his father Staff Sgt. Nathan Page of the 833rd Engineering Company during a homecoming ceremony in Ottumwa Nov. 23.
safe for convoys to transport people and goods.” When Nathan enlisted at 18 years old, the idea of blowing up objects for a career was appealing. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into at the time until that first tour came,” Nathan said. “It was a little bit of a reality check.” After 12 years of service, Nathan said he wouldn’t want to do any other job in the military. Nathan — a Staff Sgt. E6 — was a team leader while overseas.
“It feels like we were doing something productive over there,” Nathan said. “I was debating whether or not to stay in because I was at the end of a contract with this deployment.” He took a promotion after returning from Afghanistan, but will stay within the engineer battalion. Nathan also signed a new, 6-year contract, which will put him at 20 years of service. Please see HOMECOMING, Page 2
CNA photo by SARAH BROWN
Grand opening: Creston artists, from left, Ira Ibbotson
and Craig “Knappy” Fogle opened Remnant Gallery — a working studio and art showroom, 206 E. Montgomery St. The gallery features sand-blasted glass art by Ibbotson, paintings by Fogle and his wife Audrey Fogle, jewelry by Kassiy’s Nifty Arts, and furniture and decor made from reclaimed barnwood by Ibbotson and Fogle. Remnant Gallery is open until 9 p.m. today.
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. 121 Copyright 2013
Contact us 2013
In person: 503 W. Adams Street Mail: Box 126, Creston, IA 50801-0126 Phone: 641-782-2141 Fax: 641-782-6628 E-mail: news@crestonnews.com
Contents
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Deaths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Heloise Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1S-3S
Weekend weather High 45 Low 24 Full weather report, 3A