LONDON BOUND
RECORD BREAKERS
CHS graduate Jessica Cramer, now part of the UNI Panther Marching Band, will be appearing in London’s New Year’s Day parade. More on page 12A. >>
The 2014 Creston/O-M football team set several school records during the fall including interceptions, total tackles, passing touchdowns and more. See SPORTS, page 8A. >>
creston
News Advertiser WEEKEND EDITION
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014
East Union School’s archery program doubles this year
Elementary students recruited by college in error
By SARAH BROWN
CNA staff reporter sbrown@crestonnews.com
AFTON — East Union Community School’s archery program is taking off thanks to High Lakes Outdoor Alliance member Dick Stream and a handful of dedicated volunteers. Stream, who has been a competitive shooter for more than 50 years, has been working on bringing an archery program to East Union for at least two years before its inception in 2013. Stream, who is East Union’s head archery coach, said he has fond memories shooting arrows at Garfield Park, west of Afton, in his earlier years with Southwest Iowa Archers. And, he is thrilled to be able to share his passion with a rapidly growing group of young archers. “All of the kids I’ve got are great,” Stream said. Stream Stream said, while some of the kids have experience behind a bow as hunters, most of them are new to competitive shooting. Steve Kenyon, who is East Union’s elementary physical education instructor and assistant archery coach, said the program started with 17 archers in the 2013-14 school year and has almost doubled to 30 archers this year. “It would be nice to see it double each year,” Kenyon said.
Community support Stream said, once the program was approved by the East Union School Board, they started the program with borrowed equipment from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This year, the High Lakes Outdoor Alliance donated enough money for East Union to purchase 10 targets, 22 bows and four dozen arrows. Additionally, a handful of school personnel took a day-certification course in archery, so, that they can coach should the need for additional instructors ever arise. “We’ve had a lot of people who are interested in it,” Kenyon said.
Benefits Archery has benefits that
Contributed photo
Students at East Union Community School take aim during morning archery practice.
some people may find surprising. The sport builds strength in the upper body, particularly the arms, shoulders, hands, chest, shoulders and core; improves confidence, coordination and relieves stress. “It teaches them concentration and sportsmanship, too,” Stream said. And, it’s for everyone. “It’s something that some kids who can’t do track or football or basketball can do,” Stream said.
Please see RECRUITED, Page 7
Christmas Basket meets $19,000 goal
Competition On Saturday 5th grader Danny Thomlinson placed second out of more than 100 individuals, in the individuals category at Albia Blue Demons Archery Tournament. Kenyon said 22 of East Union’s archers participated in the event, which was their first. “They were really nervous,” Stream said. In the coming weeks, East Union will be competing against other teams in Southwest Iowa, including Atlantic and Diagonal. Stream said, because all competitors compete with a bare bow, the sport is competitive, yet fair. “There are no sights, just an arrow rest and a nocking point,” Stream said. “We all use the same equipment and the same arrows.” Stream said there are currently more than 100 schools
Contributed photo
Danny Thomlinson, fifth-grade student at East Union, dons a medal after placing second out of more than 100 individuals Dec. 13 at Albia Blue Demons Archery Tournament.
in Iowa that have an archery program. He hopes the program also catches on in Creston. With an interest in archery growing in 4-H programs, amoung young hunters and
even making appearances in pop culture - in films and books such as The Hunger Games series — archery has a growing fan base. “I think it will just get bigger,” Stream said.
Iowan who dresses as Santa loses home in Christmas Eve fire KEOKUK (AP) — An Iowa man who dresses as Santa Claus for charity has lost his home and all of his belongings in a Christmas Eve fire. The Hawk Eye in Burlington says firefighters were
called to a Keokuk home around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday. By the time they arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. The home belonged to Robert Tripp, who portrays Santa for the Salvation Army in Ke-
okuk. Officials suspect electrical wiring caused the blaze. Tripp’s sister-in-law, Thelma Jefferson, who rents a room in the house, says she and her two nieces were watching television when the
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Volume 131 No. 146
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IOWA CITY (AP) — A clerical error is being blamed for the University of Iowa’s apparent effort to recruit more than a thousand elementary students. Some confused parents have called the university over the past few days to ask why their preteen children had been sent recruitment packets, in which was a letter from admissions director Emil Rinderspacher that began, “I’m so glad you’re considering the University of Iowa.” University spokesman Tom Moore told the Iowa City Press-Citizen that the clerical error led to the packets being sent to nearly 1,050 participants in the university’s Wildlife Camp, offered to first- through sixth-graders during summer, spring and winter breaks. “We apologize for any inconvenience,” Moore said. The mailing was intended for high school seniors in the university’s prospect file.
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fire started. They escaped unharmed. Tripp says he lost his wife three weeks ago. The Salvation Army is planning to house Tripp and Jefferson in a hotel for the holiday season.
The goal for the 2014 Union County Christmas Basket Fund has been met. This year’s fund goal was $19,000 and, to date, $19,161.80 has been raised. Nominations for Christmas baskets were made using the Christmas basket nominations form appearing in the Creston News Advertiser and Southwest Iowa Advertiser at various times. The pick-up/delivery cards went out Dec. 12 and Christmas baskets were picked up in mid-December. Baskets include meat, canned goods donated through efforts of Boy Scouts and school and community projects and certificates redeemable at local supermarkets for perishable foods. Each child 19 and younger also receives a gift certificate for clothing items. The Christmas Basket Fund board assisted in packing and distributing baskets Please see BASKET, Page 2
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