NDN-MAG-5-4-2015

1Cover PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Permit No. 371 Newton, IA 50208 ****************ECRWSS**** Local Postal Customer

Young professional

Miranda Kulis

A Sully secret

Exodus 31 art studio Colfax cuisine

Cocina Hernandez Kip and Jodi Peters’

SPacious style SPRING | 2015

2

One of the Midwest’s largest independent clinics ...

because you deserve a choice in health care Paul Ruggle, M.D. family practice

Steve Hill, M.D. family practice with OB

Pat Edwards, M.D. family practice with OB

Orville Bunker, M.D. family practice

T.Y. Chan, D.O. internal medicine

Min Pak, M.D. family practice

Mureema Solberg, M.D. family practice

Leighton Frost, M.D. family practice with OB

Zack Alexander, M.D., CCD family practice

Duane Jolivette, M.D. family practice

Andrew Cope, D.O. family practice with OB

Stephanie Bantell, M.D. family practice with OB

Shari Lagodzinski, PA-C family practice

Lacy Lundgren, CNM, MSN women’s health with OB

Starting Oct. 2015 Esgar Guarin, M.D., FAAFP family practice with OB

Janice Gates, DPM podiatry

• family medicine • pediatrics • gynecology (including IUD placement) • obstetrics (including C-sections) and midwife services • women's health • physicals • well-child exams

Laurie Siddall, ARNP, FNP-C Beth Preston, ARNP, FNP-C family practice family practice

• • • • • • • • •

colonoscopies vasectomies bone density testing skin surgeries/biopsies cardiac stress tests fracture casting urgent care/walk-in appointments inpatient care screenings

• X-rays • lab testing • medical aesthetics (Botox, dermal fillers) • health education • podiatry (painful toenails, athlete’s foot, corns, calluses, infected nails, warts, hammer toes, bunions, diabetic foot care, heel pain)

7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday • 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays

(641) 792-2112 • 300 N. 4th Ave. E.

2

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

www.newtonclinic.com • www.facebook.com/newtonclinic

3

Index 5

Gift

7

tREASURE

In business since 1984, Marilyn’s Gold Crown Hallmark in Newton offers a variety of products.

5

Diana and Bob Scandridge transform old barn into Exodus 31 Art Studio in Sully.

11

PEOPLE

13

FEATURE

19

ISSUE

21

FOOD

23

HISTORY

Newton and Minnesota native young professional Miranda Kulis finds support from community.

23

Kip and Jodi Peters make spacious home in southwest Newton stylish and inviting.

Jasper County recreational and bike trails on track to connect with other counties.

13

Mexican restaurant Cocina Hernandez heads into second summer in Colfax.

Lost town of Percy, south of Monroe, lives on in memory with annual summer Percy Fair.

Jasper County Living is a Newton Daily News publication Dan Goetz Publisher Abigail Pelzer Editor Kate Malott Niche Publications Editor Jeff Holschuh Advertising Director

Spring 2015 •• Jasper Jasper County County Living Living

Volume 3 Issue 2

3

4

It’s our It’s our differences It’s our differences that make differences that make us great. that make us great. us great.

It’s our differences that make us great.

Lonnie Portner, Agent 123 E 2nd Street S Newton, IA 50208 Bus: 641-792-6000 lonnieportner.com

No matter what you value, I’m here to protect it with respect and professionalism.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL ME TODAY. Lonnie Portner, Agent Lonnie Portner, Agent

Make your forty winks feel like a million bucks.

®

1101010.1

No what you value, Nomatter matter what you value, I’m to protect it withit with I’mhere here to protect respect and professionalism. respect andwhat professionalism.

Noamatter you value, Like good neighbor, ® Like a good neighbor, I’m Farm here is tothere. protect it®with State State there. respect and isprofessionalism.

CALL MEFarm TODAY. State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

E 2ndStreet StreetSS 123123 E 2nd Newton, IA 50208 Newton, IA 50208 Bus: 641-792-6000 Bus:lonnieportner.com 641-792-6000 Lonnie Portner, Agent lonnieportner.com 123 E 2nd Street S Newton, IA 50208 Bus: 641-792-6000 1101010..1 lonnieportner.com

CALL TODAY. Like aME good neighbor, State Farm is there.

CALL ME off TODAY. entire purchase

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

®

10%

excluding sales items

Women’s Consignment Shop.

Jewelry, Clothing, Shoes and Purses.

1101010.1

Welcome to the end of the day™

AmericInn Hotel & Suites Newton 641-791-1160 • 1-800-634-3444

Recover in Comfort & Style • 24 Hour Skilled Nursing & Medical Care • Hospice & Respite Care • Restorative Nursing • Pain Management • Wound Care Treatment • Private Suites 208 S. 8th Ave. E. Newton, IA

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

100 8th St. SE, Suite H

Hours:

Altoona, IA 50009State Farm, M, Home F, Sat:Office, 10 am – 5:30 pm 1101010.1 Bloomington, IL

(515) 967-3501 T, W, Th: 10 am – 7 pm www.LA-TE-DA.com (same center IL 1101010.1 State Farm, Home shopping Office, Bloomington, as Sugar Shack)

Check us out on

Facebook!

Expires 5/23/2015

Nationally recognized for our excellence.

Call Heidi for a tour today!

(641) 792-7440 We’ll Get You in, Rehabbed, & Home Again

Take Steps to Protect Your Feet!

Proper foot care and wearing custom-fit shoes can help prevent the severe effects of diabetes on your feet. We carry a complete line of Dr. Comfort® Therapeutic Footwear.

Stop in to see which shoe is right for you! If you qualify, Medicare may cover therapeutic shoes and insoles!

204 N. 4th Ave E. • Newton, Iowa 50208

(641) 78-SKIFF (787-5433) • www.skiffmed.com

www.facebook.com/skiffmed • www.youtube.com/skiffmed

400 1st Ave W • Newton 641-792-3528 M-F 8:30-6:30 • Sat. 9:00-1:30

Since 1968

2015 Summer Event Schedule Thursday, May 21st Golf Outing Saturday, June 13th Ridiculous Day and “Cool Cars” Show Saturday, July 4th 4 of July Parade and downtown activities th

We’re not only the best place to buy tires...

We Do: Alignments • Brakes • Shocks • Struts • Tune-ups • Batteries • Transmission Service • Oil Changes • Custom Wheels & More 641-792-7894 • 220 1st Ave. E., Newton

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 5:30 pm; Sat. 8 am - Noon; Closed Sunday 4 Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Longtime gift store: Marilyn’s Hallmark a Newton staple

By Jamee A. Pierson For more than 30 years, Marilyn’s Gold Crown Hallmark has been providing greeting cards and gifts to Newton residents and visitors, becoming a well-known and trusted business in the community.

The store, 1721 First Ave. E., was originally located in the former Newton Mall, where is was owned by Hans DeVries.

Originally in an 1,100 square foot space, the store was purchased by Marilyn’s Hallmark in 1984.

“The Marilyn’s comes from my business partner, Randy Emerson, it was his mom’s name,” co-owner Doug Chodur said. The Newton store is one of five Marilyn’s Hallmarks in the state with two located in Decorah and one in both Mason City and Altoona.

In September 1997, the store expanded and remodeled to the 4,000 square foot location on the south corner of the former mall. It remained there until 2005, when it moved to its

current location.

“We carry a majority of the Hallmark products, and Keepsake ornaments are a big category. The greeting cards, of course and gift collections from Hallmark,” Chodur said.

As the largest of the five stores, the Newton location has more to offer with gifts for babies and children, picture frames, candles, a large over-thehill section and very popular memorial items. With a little bit for everyone, Hallmark is sure to provide a unique gift and a card to go with it.

“There is a card for just about every occasion,” Store Manager Robin Knoll said.

Along with a small selection of Newton Cardinal products, gifts for Iowa and Iowa State fans have been very popular to purchase.

“We’ve got a big collegiate department. Its a good category that we have.

We have quite a few vendors that we carry from T-shirts and sweatshirts, mugs and all kinds of things,” Chodur said.

Another popular item is purses.

“We carry a wide variety of purses, ones that are kind of unique to Newton.

A new brand is Mona B, they are recycled and upcycled purses,” Knoll said.

A favorite of Knoll’s is the DaVinci and Ginger Snap jewelry offered. She said it is neat to see how people create different, one-of-a-kind pieces from the variety of charms available. Also, new to the store is locket jewelry, where you can fill your locket with selected charms.

A highlight of the year is the annual Keepsake Ornament premier. Held during the second week in July, customers have the opportunity to see the newest ornaments available by Hallmark for the upcoming seasons.

Marilyn’s Hallmark has been a longtime business in an ever-changing and evolving community. It has weathered many storms and triumphs, with plans to continue for many years to come.

“We’ve been around for a while and we plan on staying around, too,” Chodur said.

Address Phone Hours

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

1721 First Ave. E. Newton, IA 50208 641-792-1700 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

5

Garden Gate

LandscapinG, Ltd 2015 season will be booked soon so please get your projects confirmed and start thinking about booking now for 2016.

Call Today!

• Retaining Walls • Custom Fencing • Patios • Outdoor Lighting • Landscape Design • Installation

James Moon, Owner

Phone: 641-791-9062 Fax: 641-791-5358 1217 E. 8th St. N. • PO Box 772 • Newton

The Newton

American Legion You can feel renewed by getting tobacco out of your life. Quitline Iowa is proven to help you quit. Expert Quit Coaches will support you in following a personalized Quitting Plan. You’ll have one-on-one coaching over the phone and online whenever you need it. When you enroll, you’ll also receive 8 weeks of free NRT mailed to your home, which includes gum, patch or lozenges.

Step into the fresh air and breathe again.

Call today.

1.800.QUIT.NOW | www.quitlineiowa.org (1.800.784.8669)

for your next event!

m for Book our Ballroo

2015

The Legion is all on ground level with complete kitchen, ample parking and OPEN to the Public.

Great for reunions, family gatherings, graduations and wedding receptions No membership required

Stop in Mon.-Sat. after 4 p.m. or call 792-3353 for more details.

Produced with funding from the Iowa Department of Public Health, Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control.

1101 W. 4th St. So. • Newton • 792-3353

6

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Storytelling through painting A Sully barn transforms into Exodus 31 Art Studio

x Olp

By Alex Olp After spending an evening at Sully’s Exodus 31 Art Studio, guests walk away with more than just a painting, they walk away with a story — literally.

Exodus 31 Art Studio was created by married couple Diana and Bob Scandridge with the sole purpose of allowing guests to create original art pieces and be inspired by other people’s stories.

“The whole design of this studio is to really let people tell their stories on their canvases,” Diana said. “It’s difSpring 2015 | Jasper County Living

ferent from them copying what I’m doing. I give them instruction, but my goal is that they’re really going to be able to tell their story on the canvas.”

The art studio was built inside an old barn just feet away from their home. Diana and her husband moved into the property seven years ago. It came with two barns, and the couple transformed one of them into an art studio where they have been holding classes since October.

Diana said things are busy right now with the amount of people wanting to take

classes, but they typically host one to four sessions per month.

Her classes are much different than a wine and dine experience.

“I usually tell a story of mine to get their creativity sparked, but I’ll purposely put my painting away just so their story starts to come out too,” Diana said. “It’s not in everybody’s comfort zone, but almost everybody is very excited.”

The art class has no age restrictions. One time a 3-year-old child took part in a class, she said.

“These are people who

really want to be inspired creatively and so that’s just been exciting for me,” Diana said. “I love it when I have young kids in here. That to me is the greatest joy. Just to see people having fun, being inspired and really thinking about the creative gifts they have.”

Diana also focuses on making Exodus 31 Art Studio a place for healing.

She has been approached by people who have lost loved ones or people who are going through difficult times. Painting is a good way

EXODUS | 9

7

You CAN Afford McCa n n!

McCann Village Apartments are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Housing assistance is available. Those who qualify do not pay more than 30% of their annual adjusted income for rent and utilities (except for telephone, cable and internet). You may apply if you are 62 years old or above, mobility impaired and age 18 or older, and within HUD established income limits.

Call 792-3018 for information.

M c C a n n V il la g e A p a rt m e nt s

Call to Get DISH today!

641-792-0819 888-898-1456

Your Local Dish Authorized Retailer

www.allthingssatellite.tv

Affordable Senior Living

1105 E. 12th St. S., Newton / www.mccannvillage.com

We pick it up BROKEN...and return it FIXED

wn l your la l a r o f s call u t needs! equipmen

J & G Mowers & Accessories

1004 E. 8th St. N. 641-521-4715 M-F 9-5; Sat. 9-Noon

You’re “welkom” to visit . . .

PELLA www.visitpella.com 888.746.3882

Your Hometown Paint Headquarters

641-792-5647 116 N. 2nd Ave. W. • Newton

. . . for loads of

SUMMERTIME FUN! 80th Annual Tulip Festival–May 7,8 & 9 Thursdays in Pella–Every Thursday in June & July 4th of July Celebration–July 4 5th Annual Lake Red Rock Balloon Fest–July 10-12

CHECK OUT THE NEW PELLA NOW APP BY SCANNING THE QR CODE WITH YOUR SMART PHONE

8

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

EXODUS | continued from 7 to have fun, but also allows people to express themselves on the canvas.

“We do some painting sessions that help with healing and just helping them have fun and help them forget a little about some of the pain that they’re going through, too,” Diana said. “We’re really just trying to see how

“I was just wondering how this was going to work.”

Just seeing the process was amazing, Bob said.

At the end of a session, 20 completely different paintings emerge.

“It just shows you that it can turn out absolutely marvelous. You don’t have to be a quote-on-quote ‘great artist’ to really have

we can meet community needs.”

It’s safe to say that art is a big part of Diana’s life as she also teaches art at Pella Community Schools.

Going from an art class at school to an art studio at home, she said, has been a blessing for her. She spends a lot of what free time she has in that barn.

“I love it because I get to really use what I was created and gifted for,” Diana said.

Her husband Bob is an industrial art teacher at Lynnville-Sully High School. He constructed the studio for Diana and has been blown away by how the guests find their creative sides while taking a class.

“I’m not an artistic person, so I remember the first class meeting we had and just watching people I knew personally and people who weren’t really practicing art at all,” Bob said.

a nice painting,” Bob said.

“They’ll be very proud of their work and I think it’s just really cool.”

Exodus 31 also takes its classes on the road, and many times to area churches.

“A lot of my subject matter is spiritually based, so a

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

lot of churches have been wanting me to come do sessions with them,” Diana said. “We just have a great time with that.”

Diana and Bob are spiritual people and the whole idea of creating an art studio in a barn actually came from a dream Diana had one night.

“I had a dream about a barn, so Bob and I just started praying about what we were suppose to do with this,” Diana said. “A guy called us one day and said he had a piece of property he thought we might be interested in. We came out here and it had this barn, so we started working on it.”

They moved to the property seven years ago with the express purpose of doing something big with that barn.

Over the past two years Bob and Diana made the barn not only into Exodus 31 Art Studio, but a place for the family and the kids to hang out.

The barn includes everything you would see inside

a typical home — bathroom, kitchen, a TV and a living room set. However, the outside looks like any other barn you see on the side of the road.

“We want it to look like a barn still. We left the wood panels on the sides for a reason,” Bob said. “We want it to have that character as much as possible.”

The barn has come a long way. It went from having a trough running down the middle and being a home for pigs to becoming a studio for art classes.

However, the Scandridges said they are not done yet.

“I have greater visions of what we can do with this place,” Diana said. “We just take things as we go and do what we can.”

The barn brings in money, but everything the art studio takes in gets put right back into it. The whole art studio was actually created from nothing but repurposed material, which the couple wanted to represent how peoples’ lives can also be repurposed.

9

Think of us for all your upcoming events.

• Corporate Events • Reunions • Anniversaries & More!

For your loved one and you, the result is peace of mind.

Farm Fresh Produce

Grocery 792-7950

Full Service Meat Counter

Meat 792-3325

Call for a tour!

Kelsey Terpstra

120 N. 3rd Ave. E. Newton Store Hours: 7:30 AM-9 PM

(641) 791-4500 wesleylife.org/adultday

Bundle All Your InsurAnce needs In our WorrY-Free Bucket!

Newton’s only locally owned full service bank for over 80 years.

Shaped by our Past, focused on Your Future.

1802 S. 12th Ave. E., Newton (641) 792-6226

100 N. 2nd Ave. W. Newton 641-792-3010

1821 First Ave. E. Newton 641-792-9420

www.firstnnb.com

®

Home Office: West Des Moines, Iowa

LLC Antiques, Collectibles, and Shtuff!

2 Levels of Quality Antiques, Collectibles, & Primitives

The Extra’s

A Family Business All About Your Family.

By Appointment, Sale, or Chance 210 1st Ave. W., Newton

115 W. 2nd St. N., Newton • 641-787-0353

801 Hwy. 14 South Newton • 641-791-9093

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-5pm Closed Sunday

www.mccallmonument.com

Main store is located on West Side of the Square

Think Spring!

• Gravel • Decorative Stone • Rental Items & Much More!

641-792-8650

Hardware and programming available separately. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are trademarks of DIRECTV, LLC.

10

928 N. 19th Ave. E., Newton Monday - Thursday 7:30-5:00 Friday 7:30-5:30 Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

The Kulis Effect Career Connection head excited about Newton’s future

By Jamee A. Pierson Although Miranda Kulis has only been in Newton for less than a year, she can see it being a place she wants to stay. As coordinator at the Goodwill Career Connection Center, Kulis has seen firsthand how Newton is a growing and changing community, with citizens working to make Newton a destination in central Iowa.

“I had never been to Newton, had never even heard of it but I love it.

When I started coming down and was here for the Fourth of July festivities it was just so neat to see such participation from people in general. Also, such support for other people in the community,” Kulis said.

Originally from Forest Lake, Minn., Kulis first went to the University of Minnesota to become a doctor. She was accepted into several medical programs when she work up one day and thought “this is not what I want to do anymore.”

Kulis moved to Colorado and started her own real estate company, growing to nine agents and four assistants before deciding to sell the business and move back to Minnesota. Kulis finished her education and got her degree in business information systems degree from Bellevue University in Omaha, Neb. After moving back to Minnesota, she worked in different businesses doing Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Kulis

leadership and people management, turning the businesses around and making them prosperous and profitable. She did that in five or six organizations, spending about a year in each one. Next, Kulis began working in human resources at Target, working as a liaison between corporate headquarters and local stores implementing policies. Growing tired of retail business hours, she moved on to be Director of Career Services in a college in Rochester before accepting the position with

Goodwill in Newton.

Before moving to town, Kulis read through the comprehensive plan along with city council minutes to see what the city was doing and if it was following through with its plan.

“When I started reading the city council notes was really when I started to see everything that Newton had done. That they had invested into this

KULIS | 26

11

LARGE ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU, SMALL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOU!

TM

STORE • RESTAURANT & DELI • BAKERY MEAT COUNTER • WINE • ICE CREAM • COFFEE

114 Brick Street SE, Bondurant • THEBRICKSTREETMARKET.COM • (515) 967-2220 HOURS: Monday-Thursday 6am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 6am-10pm, Sunday 9am-6pm

Bakery

Bakery

MUFFINS ........................................................ $199 each • almond • poppyseed • almond poppyseed • blueberry • banana (with or without nuts) • cherry • chocolate chip • chocolate/chocolate chip • lemon • lemon poppyseed

PASTRIES

FRUIT PIES

Apple, Cherry, Peach, Strawberry Rhubarb ..... $699/8” :: $999/9” Dutch Apple, Pumpkin (when available) ...........................$699/8” Pecan (when available) .............................................................................................. $1099/9”

Turnovers ..............................................................99¢

Brick Street Market Catering PARTY TRAYS Full page Veggie Trays • 12 - 18 in .......................... 14 - 43 Fruit Trays • 12 - 18 in ............................ 18 - $54 Pin Wheels ................................................. 2/person BARS................................................................ 75¢0864944 each • apple • blueberry • cherry • raspberry • peach

Apple Fritters, Fruit Danish, or Pecan Danish ...... $109 Cinnamon Rolls ..................................................... $149 BAGELS .......................................................... 75¢ each

Stop in or call the deli department to customize!

• asiago cheese • blueberry • everything • plain • cinnamon raisin • wheat

$

99

$

99

$

99

99

$

• banana (with or without nuts) • carrot • brownies • red velvet • champagne • pumpkin

BREADS

Brat Buns ................................... 30¢/piece :: $299/pkg 8 Cocktail Buns (white and wheat) ...... 25¢/piece :: $299/pkg 12 Dinner Rolls (white and wheat) ......... 25¢/piece :: $299/pkg 12 French Bread ....................................................... $299/loaf Hoagie Buns ...........................................................$299/pkg 6 Hamburger Buns (white and wheat)........40¢/piece :: $299/pkg 8 Croissants ..............................................................$299/pkg 4 Onion Hamburger Buns ....................45¢/piece :: $349/pkg 8 Pretzel Buns........................................90¢/piece :: $349/pkg 4

CAKES AND CUPCAKES

1/4 Sheet Cake ..................................................... $1699 1/2 Sheet Cake ..................................................... $2999 Full Sheet Cake .................................................... $4299 1 Dozen Cupcakes ................................................. $999 Custom Ordered / Cupcake Cake

• almond • chocolate • lemon • red velvet • marble • white • yellow

MISC. CAKES

Dutch Letters ................................................$399/pkg 2 Angel Food Cake .................................. $379/8” :: $429/10” Creme Cakes ........................................................... $499 Fruit Pizza ............................................................. $1599 COOKIES .......................................... 25¢ each :: $399/dz • chocolate chip • chocolate chip m&m • oatmeal raisin • chocolate with white chips • cowboy • english toffee • ginger molasses • monster • peanut butter • sugar • snicker doodle

3” Decorated Sugar ............................................... $149 5” Decorated Sugar ............................................... $249

DONUTS

Regular & Blue Velvet Cake Donuts ..................... 99¢ Glazed Donuts ........................................................... 99¢ Bavarian Cream, Cream or Fruit Filled, Bismark, Long John ..... 99¢

Cream cheese, lettuce, tomato & cheddar cheese served with your choice of meat: • ham • roast beef • rostisserie chicken • turkey

Meat and Cheese Trays ............................ $2/person

Served with your choice of quality meats and cheeses from our meat department.

WINGS

Boneless or Traditional :: Hot or Cold

40 - 120 wings ........................................... $2999 - $8399

SUB SANDWICHES

Served with your choice of quality meats and cheeses from our meat department.

• ham • roast beef • turkey • american • colby jack • pepper jack • provolone

Three foot ........................................................... $4500 Six Foot................................................................ $8000

BUFFET Served with two sides, roll and butter

One Entree ............................................................ $900 Two Entrees ........................................................ $1100 Add a dessert, drink, or side ................$100 /person

SIDES

Various choices of potato, salads, vegetables, desserts and drinks

Cakes

$5

OFF Any Graduation

or Wedding Cake Coupon valid through 12-31-15

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Kip and Jodi Peters turn a blank canvas into a sophisticated space

By Kate Malott

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

13

Spring brings rain and flowers & possibly extra GREEN in the final sales price of your home.

Rick’s Amoco

The ONLY FULL SERVICE gas station in Newton.

24 hour fuel

Ask about how you can receive a BP gas discount card.

This is NOT a credit card!

Spring is a great time to think about a move to Newton Village • No Home Maintenance • No Mowing or Shoveling • No Buy In or Yearly Contract

Come Tour and see what Newton Village has to offer!

• Belts • Hoses • Tires

• Plugs • Batteries • Antifreeze • Tune-ups • Wiper Blades

Check with us for brake & exhaust work, shocks & struts, front/rear alignment, cv shafts & all minor repair service.

CAR STARTING SERVICE • FLAT TIRE RESCUE

110 N. 5th Ave. W., Newton 641-792-0115

321 1st Ave. E., Newton • 641-792-8080

Est. 1983

Proudly Serving Central Iowa for 32 years!

CARPET VINYL CERAMIC WOOD LAMINATE WINDOW TREATMENTS

When it’s time to remodel your home, count on us for the Big City Selection with the Hometown Service.

Dan & Margaret Ellis 128 N. 2nd Ave. E. Newton, IA floorstorenewton@yahoo.com

• Individual, group, child and family therapy • Psychiatric evaluation and treatment for adults and children • Chemical Dependency evaluation and treatment • Psychological testing for adults and children • Residential and Community Based support services

Hours:

641-792-2999

We are partners with our community, working together to create a place that fosters mental health and supports those with mental health challenges.

Programs include:

Mon. 9-6 Tues. - Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-1

With offices in: 306 N. 3rd Ave. E. Newton, IA 50208 641-792-4012

14

2003 N. Lincoln Knoxville, IA 50138 641-842-4925 Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Living room

Tucked away in southwest Newton is the peaceful and private home of Kip and Jodi Peters and their two sons Sebastian and Tristan.

The home is spacious, especially in the basement, and quite secluded for its in-town location. Besides its size, the most significant attribute of the house is the character and design the Peters have given it over the last five years.

Peters Kip and Jodi are from Camanche, a small eastern Iowa town near the Mississippi River, and started dating in high school band class. They both are graduates of Iowa State University in Ames.

Jodi is a biologist and has been a teacher at Newton High School for eight years, teaching biology, an aerospace engineering course and launching a

biomedical sciences cirricculum next year.

She is also a board member of a non-governmental organization called Empower Tanzania, which partners with rural Tanzanians to develop and teach sustainable models of health improvement, education, integrated farming and economic empowerment. Jodi also organized an Empower Tanzania Club at Newton High School.

Kip is the vice president in information technology at FBL Financial Group in West Des Moines and is a legal and ethical issues in information assurance instructor at Iowa State University.

Kip spent more than 10 years in the Airforce ROTC and served as an information assurance officer.

During that time, the family lived in Ohio, Texas and Colorado before settling

down in their home state of Iowa. With a love for aviation, he is currently in the process of getting his pilot’s license.

Kip and Jodi have two sons: the oldest, Sebastian, a student at Central College in Pella, and Tristan, a senior at Newton High School who will also attend Central in the fall.

The Peters moved into the house in May 2010 and had been living in Ankeny prior.

“When we were ready to move and there was a house for sale on this street we wanted to come and look at it,” Jodi said.

“We really liked the layout of the house. We liked the spaciousness of the house too.”

When looking for a new house, Jodi said her one requirement was a house with a master bathtub so she didn’t have to share one with the boys.

History The house had been empty for awhile when Kip and Jodi looked at buying it.

Previously owned and built by Bob and Beverly Eisele, the home was put in a trust and sold as-is with no warranty. Bob Eisele was the dean of aerospace engineering at University of California Berkeley and had aspired to build an airplane in his basement during retirement.

“The ceiling was engineered with tresses in it so that it could support the weight of the first floor of the house without having to have supporting walls down the middle of the basement,” Jodi said.

Renovations When the Peters first purchased the house, it

HOME | 17

Kitchen

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

15

Pella Extras Consignment Shop

Maternity . Baby . Baby Gear . Shoes Kids . Teen . Toys . Accessories 719 Broadway . Pella, IA 50219 . Phone: 641-628-2877 email: extraconsignment@gmail.com

Silver Lining a kaleidoscope of styles

733 Franklin St., Pella 641-628-3650 www.silverliningpella.com Hours: M, T, W, F - 9-5:30 Thurs. 9-8:00 Sat. 9-6:00

. Gifts . Baby & Kids . Gourmet . Coffee Beans

Sully Sully Community Locker, Inc.

ANTIQUES . PRIMITIVES COLLECTIBLES Phone: 641-628-1095 637 Franklin Street Pella, IA

New Sharon Your Complete Farm & Home Supply Store

“We Freeze to Please”

. Retail Store . Complete Processing & Meat Curing Service 407 7th Avenue Sully www.sullylocker.com 641-594-4240 Mon-Fri 7am-12pm, 1pm-5pm Sat 7:30am-11am

www.mcgriffsfarmandhome.com 1352 Hwy 63 • New Sharon, IA • 641-637-4010

16

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

had a very formal design in place with wallpaper, white painted walls and almost all white carpet for flooring. It was an empty canvas to start.

The dining room, and center of the main floor, was an inclosed space. The couple decided to open up the space leaving half walls around part of the old dining room and removing the door frame entrance.

They built a breakfast bar and new bar counter in the kitchen with reclaimed barn wood.

With two big dogs and three boys, Kip and Jodi have been systematically eliminating carpet from their lives throughout the last five years.

They’ve put in ceramic tile, hardwood Armstrong oak and cork flooring in place of carpet.

Style There are a variety of artworks throughout the house, which adds character to the environment and maintains a simplistic and harmonious atmosphere.

Each piece of art has a meaningful story, is an original of a family member or was done by Jodi herself.

The house is stylish and sophisticated without being pretentious.

With warm and neutral colors in each room along with thoughtful decor, the atmosphere is comfortable and inviting.

Kitchen The kitchen has wood cabinets and white tile counter tops. It has an island in the center with hanging pots above.

There’s also a large kitchen nook area with a tall table that seats eight.

“Everything happens in the kitchen. You have people over and you stand in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter how much rest of the house you have everyone ends up at the kitchen,” Jodi said.

Kip and Jodi found an artist and commissioned her to paint an Italian mural in their kitchen with personalized imagery.

Outdoor The house also has a relaxing deck off the back that faces the former Newton Country Club and a large open yard with a wooded area on the west.

“The view is amazing,” Jodi said.

The family, including dogs Cyber and Truman, spend a lot of time in the back yard, Jodi said.

“There’s a bonfire back there so we have fires once and awhile if there is time, and there’s a table for food.

We really enjoy being outside.”

Since moving in five years ago, Kip and Jodi and their family have created a relaxing, remodeled retreat they call home.

Kip’s Office B E D R O O M

Kitchen

BEDROOM

Basement Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

17

Weirick Pharmacy, Inc.

Community Heights Alliance Church

Since 1906

“We understand your time is valuable, this is why we take pride in being a personal but quick prescription pharmacy” Gift s Item

Old Fashion Soda Fountain

Gree ti Card ng s

2500 S 13th Ave E, Newton • 641-792-1620

ervices ing Worship S Sunday Morn 0:30 (contemporary)

101 N. Walnut, Colfax (515) 674-3503 (800) 511-3838

Insurance Programs for Your: Auto, Home, Life, Health, Farm, Crop & Business Insurances www.stayneragency.com 128 N. Walnut, Colfax 515-674-3722

)&1 s at 9:30 am 8:15 (blended sses for All Age la C l o o h Sc Sunday ry Provided urch & Nurse Children’s Ch rvice During 2nd Se

ights

Wednesday N 6:30

7:45

Grades Awana for K-6 uth Group Junior High Yo uth Group Senior High Yo ad Pastor

Cory Stout, Le

www.communityheights.org

Quality Glass for every need.

Auto, Residential, Commercial & More!

1-800-697-3155 | VISITMARSHALLTOWN.COM

Auto Glass • AGRSS Registered Facility • Certified Technicians • OEM Glass & Adhesives • Insurance Approved

“Your Dream Shower Available Today!”

• Heavy Duty Hardware • Custom Applications • Tempered Safety Glass

Beautiful energy efficient windows & Doors for your home or business.

We have many more products to assist with your home remodeling needs.

Proud to serve the area since 1948

219 1st Ave. E., Newton 641-792-1641 www.hamiltonglass.com

Picture Perfect Moments 2015 Annual Events July 4 ∙ Independence Day Celebration July 8-12 ∙ Central Iowa Fair July 18 ∙ Linn Creek Arts Festival July 31-Aug 2 ∙ Mid-IA Antique Power Show Sept. 24-27 ∙ Oktemberfest Oct. 8 ∙ Art Walk Aug. 28-29 ∙ BBQ Contest Nov. 20-22 ∙ Jean Seberg International Film Festival Nov. 21 ∙ Holiday Stroll

18

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Jasper County bike, recreational trails to connect with Polk, Marion

By Kate Malott & Mike Mendenhall

Bike trails have been growing in popularity and demand across Iowa in the last 10 years and with the help of grants and organizers, bikers should see recreational trails expand throughout the county in the near future.

Planning

Iowa is a bike friendly state that offers many trails throughout Central Iowa, including the already established 20-mile Chichaqua Valley Trail in Baxter, and with new resources, the National Park Service is looking to expand and connect trails in Jasper County.

The Iowa Heartland Resource, Conservation & Development was awarded a grant from the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program last fall, specifically allocated to provide technical assistance and developing concept plans for bike, hiking and walking trails from Marion to

Jasper counties.

“We feel strongly the communities involved need to have the greatest input. Our intent is to draw from the expertise of the people who ride trails and know the area, vicinity,” said executive director of the Iowa Heartland Resource, Conservation & Development Sheila Navis.

The IHRCD and the USDA are looking to develop rural areas as the economic impact of trails can be of great benefit to communities. According to Navis, Iowa has some of the best trail systems in the country, and trail traffic can increase revenue to businesses like nearby restaurants.

“Iowa is quickly becoming known as the trail capitol of the world with over 676 miles of trails in Central Iowa. When completed, the trails will link communities throughout central Iowa, with two loops totaling more than 100 miles each,” said Navis.

The ultimate goal of the organizations is to

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

link countries together through lengthier trails, but the first goal is to create a trail system plan that would connect Jasper and Marion counties.

Progress

In December, organizers for the Mitchellville to Prairie City Rails to Trails Corridor Acquisition were awarded a $450,599 grant from the Federal Highway Administrations Recreational Trail Program to secure a 10.75-mile stretch of land currently held by the Iowa Interstate Railroad.

A nearly completed recreational trail and proposed connecting segment showed progress in April, as workers for the Iowa Interstate Railroad began removing steal rails and ties on a 10.75-mile stretch of track through Prairie City.

Contracted workers for Jasper County were scheduled to lay a limestone chip surface in what has been dubbed phase II of the 5.7 mile

trail.

Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Van Zante said this final layer of limestone on the Monroe to Diamond Trail segment readies the trail for a permanent concrete or asphalt surface as the funds become available.

Purpose

These trails will eventually connect Monroe and Prairie City to Mitchellville and beyond. It’s been more than a year since the Iowa Interstate Railroad filed a memo with the federal Surface Transportation Board stating its intentions to abandon the rail corridor extending from Highway F62 W southeast of Prairie City through Jasper County to Highway S27 near Mitchellville.

This 10.75-mile stretch, dubbed by IAIS as the “Prairie City Segment,” is part of a larger vision to connect Marion, Jasper and Polk counties with a paved recreational trail

system. If abandoned as proposed, county and local leaders could begin the process of designating it a greenway.

According to Prairie City City Administrator Manny Toribio, ties and rails were removed recently from State Street to the Prairie City city limits, from the town square to Heartland Co-op moving toward Mitchellville.

Work on the Monroe to Highway F62 segment has been a $200,000 endeavor, with grading the former railroad culvert and laying the surface.

But Van Zante said the most important difference between this trail and other Jasper County paths like the Chichaqua Valley Trail is maintenance preparation. This trail was planned with a built-in fund for future repairs which, Van Zante said, can be the most costly part of a rec/transportation rail project.

BIKE TRAILS | 25

19

Heating • Air Conditioning • Plumbing Proud to be a part of what makes Newton great!

Serving Jasper County for over 52 years.

Quality Work and On-time Performance are just two reasons to have us take care of your Heating & Cooling needs.

Call us for Lennox & Utility Rebates Grinnell 816 4th Ave. 641-236-6307

w w w. b a n k i o w a b a n k s . c o m

We are a SAVE Certified Contractor

Knoxville 2009 N. Lincoln 641-842-4315

Newton 409 N. 23rd Ave W. 641-792-1186 www.brookwoodinc.com

INTEGRATED TREATMENT SERVICES ENJOY LIFE. LIVE ALCOHOL & DRUG FREE EVALUATIONS & OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR: MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE CHILDREN • ADOLESCENT • ADULT

DUI CLASSES

&

KITCHEN CONCEPTS

Randy’s Construction

Working together to design & remodel the home of your dreams!

http://www.houzz.com/pro/marilynkt/kitchen-concepts-inc http://www.houzz.com/pro/randyterlouw/randys-construction-inc

110 N. 2nd Ave. W., Newton • 641.792.7205

Front Row L to R: Karen Sallis, Terry Sallis.

Back Row L to R: Claire Roush, Alicia Hasley, Joni Hunley, Jennifer Allensworth, Kim Zantingh.

303 S. 2nd Ave. W., Newton

(641)792-0045

integratedtreatmentservices.org

20

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Cocina Hernandez heads into second full summer in Colfax Restaurant appeals to Mexican-food aficionados and novices alike

By Jason W. Brooks Like any owner of a Mexican restaurant in the U.S., Juan Hernandez knows his customers will have a wide variety of experience with his culture’s food.

W h i l e some might have traveled extensively and experienced ethnic food of all types, the closest some Hernandez have come to authentic Mexican food might be Taco Bell or other fast food chains.

Owners

Hernandez, who co-owns Cocina Hernandez in Colfax, said knowing there are many familiarity levels is one of many components of running a successful restaurant.

“We want everyone to leave

here happy,” said Hernandez.

“And that’s a tough range of people to please.”

Hernandez and his partner, German Hernandez, agreed to go into business together, and ended up opening Cocina Hernandez on Aug. 22, 2013. The pair, who aren’t related, have known each other for several years, are first-time restaurant owners. They learned quickly what it’s like to handle a busy weekend, as Mineral Springs Days was held right at the time the eatery opened for business.

Restaurant partners born or raised in different parts of a country can bring in different elements when they take their tastes to a new place. That’s the combination German Hernandez, who is from Mexico City, and Juan Hernandez, who is from Jalisco, bring to Colfax.

Menu

“We really tried to have some variety,” said Juan Hernandez, who has been in central Iowa for about 14 years.

There are a full range of appe-

tizers, salads, entrées, desserts and mixed drinks. One of the more unique entrées is “Camarón al Crema” — shrimp in a creme sauce, which can be made as spicy or mild as the customer desires. Chorizo fajitas and jalapeno poppers are popular, as is the “Tacos Fiesta” platter.

“The ‘Fiesta’ plate has really light, fluffy flour tortillas,” Juan Hernandez said.

He said there are some new items on the way, such as a Hawaiian chicken dish. Juan Hernandez said he tries to keep up with current trends and what’s popular nationwide, although national marketing tends to get customers asking for certain items.

“Right now, we hear ‘chipotle’ and Sriracha sauce a lot,” he said, smiling. “But that doesn’t mean everyone wants everything spicy. For some people, the regular salsa we put out with the tortilla chips is too hot for them.”

The restaurant began with three employees in the kitch-

en and three or four servers, and still maintains that level on weekends. There are about two kitchen employees and two servers during the week.

Environment

Cocina Hernandez has an indoor dining room and offers carry-out. There is delivery available to Colfax hotels at most times.

A restauranteur must believe the product is going to catch on, if given the chance.

Not only do customers almost always leave happy, Juan Hernandez said, but even one of his cooks, an American, was put off by the spicy fare at first, but grew to love it.

“Now, he can’t live without it,” he said, laughing.

Cocina Hernandez is located at 7 N. Walnut St., between Division and Howard streets, in Colfax. The hours are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Canelitas

Spring 2015 | Jasper County Living

Lunch Burrito Grande

21

Chile Verde

Vanderwaal Insurance

Call ahead to check our

Owner Randy “Slim” Vanderwaal

• Commercial

Daily Specials

• Automobile

PIZZA FRI & SAT NIGHTS

• Home Owners

Breakfast served all day long!

ars

ye Celebrating 5 in Monroe!

• Farm Hail 641-259-3076 slimvan@iowatelecom.net PO Box 692 • 102 S. Jasper St. Monroe

Chery’s

Mat & Frame Studio

Hours: Mon & Tues 6-2 • Wed & Thurs 6-8 • Fri & Sat 6-9 • Sun 8-2

108 Sherman St., Monroe, IA • 641-259-2424

PRAIRIE CITY FAMILY CLINIC

You name it, I can Frame it

Extra 10% off

all in stock framing

good through June 1st

“Good time to get graduation photos framed” Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. other times by appointment

112 E. Washington, Monroe, IA 50170

Store: 641-259-2364 ~ Cell: 641-669-1854

We Care For You

Prairie City Family Clinic is pleased to announce the newest member to our practice. Rebecca NunnRyan, ARNP joined our staff on December 22, 2014.

As a nurse practitioner, Ms. Nunn-Ryan can provide the full scope of family practice medicine offered in a rural clinic such as ours. The addition of Rebecca gives us more availability to see patients with our already busy schedule. She brings several years of family practice experience to our staff.

Gregory L Ingle, D.O. Heidi L. Wintermote, D.O. We are pleased to have Rebecca join our busy office.

Heather Strawn, P.A. Charles G. Ingle, LMHC Rebecca Nunn-Ryan, ARNP

515-994-2617

Southside EN KITCH TE LA OPEN

Check us out on

FOOD & SPIRITS

OPEN SUNDAY 12PM - 7PM MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - ?

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS TACO TUESDAY - FREE CHIPS & SALSA

Come on in during

Bike Nights

May 29th June 26th July 24th Aug 28th

104 S. Commerce • 641-259-3431

CD BODYSHOP INC. DoesYour Body Need Some

Work?

Owner Cary Diekema 641.259.2344 • P.O. Box 900 202 E. Grant St. • Monroe

www.walkintubsiowa.com 515-979-9521 • 515-994-3224 A walk-in tub can fit in any bathroom.

We can put your new walk-in tub Before in an existing tub, shower, or extra space in your bathroom!

New Tub display room in Prairie City

22

After Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

To decedents of Percy the lost Iowa town is alive in memory

By Mike Mendenhall PRAIRIE CITY — At the Jasper/Marion County line, about a mile south of Highway F70 West the road turns to gravel. As the dust from a passing car clears, a white, one-room school house appears through the trees at the top of a hilly pasture. For one day out of the year, cars fill the grass and line the road of what is now called the Pleasant Hill Community Building.

This is the home of the Percy Fair.

This year, the Percy Fair will be celebrating its 85th anniversary. Once the Pleasant Hill Community Fair hosted by the now-defunct township of Percy, the modern event is a large reunion of several Jasper and Marion County families — Keunings, Kains, Wilsons and Burns — decedents of Percy and the surrounding communities. They come together every summer to celebrate the memory of the small, but not forgotten, Iowa town.

“It’s come back home, see all your old friends. You have Monroe Old Settlers, you have Prairie City Prairie Days. Every Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

community has its event, and that’s what this is kind of based around,” said Max Keuning, former fair organizer, Prairie City resident and Percy-area decedent.

Percy was once a tiny community on the railroad with a major loading hub for grain, livestock and commodities. It was located 2.5 miles from where the Pleasant Hill Community Building and former school house now stands. Percy and the surrounding farmland were taken by development when the area was deemed

needed by the state to construct Lake Red Rock. The Percy Fair originally began as a fundraiser for the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church which sits on the gravel road less than a mile west of the fair.

Luke Wilson took over the fair organizational duties from Keuning five years ago. His great-grandparents, Clyde and Liz Wilson, were part of the original Percy

PERCY FAIR | 25

23

AW

ARD WINNIN

G Service Department & Outstanding Auto Body Repair

Serving The Area Over 33 Years!

SALES • SERVICE • LEASING • PARTS Always a large selection of new Buicks, GMCs, GM Program & Pre-owned Vehicles

Longest operating business in Jasper County

FARM • HOME

I-80 Exit 168 to 1910 1st Ave. E., Newton

140 years!

641-792-4267

641-792-6412 • 800-568-2341 www.lauterbachcars.com

www.hawkeyemutual.com

315 S. 2nd Ave W. • Newton, IA 50208

®

12 WEEK MEMBERSHIP MAY 12—AUGUST 12, 2015 OFFERING SPECIAL RATES FOR:

Home Modifications • Walk-in Tubs & Barrier Free Showers • Seat Lift Chairs • Stair Lifts, Wheelchair Lifts and Elevators • Vehicle Lifts and Ramps

1719 1st Ave. East, Newton, IA 50208 641-792-9339 or 800-365-5537 You have a choice. Choose Hammer.

*COLLEGE STUDENTS

$50

FOR 12 WEEK

MEMBERSHIP

*23 AND YOUNGER WITH STUDENT ID

Dwight Rawlins • 641-526-8002 Cell Phone: 641-891-0002 9420 Image Ave. Kellogg, IA monthly 50135 bill! www.kellogglawnandsnow.com

Let us help you “Dream with Your Eyes Open”

Bruce Showalter, Kathy Macy, Barb Barr, Julie Rose, Jo Jenkins

641-791-2800

120 N. 2nd Ave. W., Newton, IA 50208

RealEstateConcepts.net

FOR 12 WEEK

MEMBERSHIP

*23 YR—62 YR OLD

SALE

641-792-4006 641-792-4006

WWW.NEWTONYMCA.ORG WW.NEWTONYMCA.ORG

We also install Antenna TV

New & Used

Call for an appointment

$90

SUMMER

Kellogg Lawn & Snow, Inc. Large Selection of Quality Pre-Owned Grasshoppers

*ADULT

641-792-0819 888-898-1456 www.allthingssatellite.tv Get up to 20 channels with NO monthly bill! Call Clark for details

Learn to Fly 2901 Rusty Wallace Dr., Newton, IA

641-792-1292 www.johnsonaviation.net

24

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

BIKE TRAILS | continued from 19 City and county leaders hope the trail system will eventually connect south Jasper County with both Lake Red Rock and the Des Monies metro area. Steve Edwards is

the Marion County conservation director and has been in conversation with his Jasper County counterpart to connect the Pella/Lake Red Rock area with the Monroe/Prairie

PERCY | continued from 23 group. He grew up on the Marion/Jasper County line, less than a mile from the fair community building.

He said even when the fair effort is small, people still show up.

“It’s a town that most of these people have never seen before, but it’s about coming together as a community. I never saw the town of Percy, but we still represent it as a community.”

On the ridge where the community building sits, the backdrop for the Percy Fair looks nearly painted onto the horizon. Trees with green pastures roll the landscape. Next to the school house, the PCM Junior Class serve beef burgers, muffins and hot dogs cooked on rollers.

Serving the community reunion became an annual fundraiser for PCM’s prom nearly a decade ago. At the 2014 fair, a large cork board was covered with photographs of present Percy community members sat near the dinner table.

About 75 children, adults and old-timers gathered for last

year’s fair. A small tractor pulling kids in a train made from cut steel drums drove around the community building. Children played a fishing game, dangling small metal buckets attached to rods over a suspended bed sheet and catching small prizes on the other side. Teens threw a football through a tire and ladies at the registration table sold bingo cards.

Keuning and his older brother both attended the one-room school house before it closed in 1959.

The school may have ended, but the fair continues. It used to be larger, Wilson said.

In a nearby pasture, ball fields once stood — a place where Percy Fair-goers would play pumpkin ball.

For many years, the town of Percy had its own baseball team.

For the 75th anniversary, the fair hosted a large Percy-descendant fishing trip, and the Methodist Church and the Prairie City Church of the Brethren began their joint-Sunday church service which contin-

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

City corridor.

Edwards said his current focus is connecting the Robert’s Creek Park Cossway with the Cordova Park observation tower near Pella. Eventually, the conservation officer would like to see Cordova connect with a trail along Highway 14

ues to this day.

Both Wilson and Keuning have seen changes in the fair over the years, but love for the Percy community — the essence of the celebration — remains.

Percy, Keuning said, is quite unique. It’s 8 miles from Monroe, Prairie City, Runnells, Swan and Pleasantville. The fair is a place for those local families to reunite and reconnect once a year. And Keuning said while playing 4-point pitch anywhere in this part of Iowa, it will be “cutthroat Percy rules” — it’s a tradition.

“The tradition has continued,” Keuning said. “Does it change over the years? Yes, all things change, but it’s still here.”

The fair traditionally ends with an early-morning horse ride on the “Percy Trail.” The ride takes fair-goers on a ridge overlooking the Des Moines River. Shirley Hotovec moved the rural Prairie City area when she was 2 years old. Now 56, she has only missed two Percy Fairs. Hotovec — originally a Burns — looks out her kitchen window and

North into Monroe, but he said this is a costly project that is still in the distant future.

A completed trail system is still out of reach, but with planning, funds and community support, riding bikes from one county to the next will be efficient, easy and safe.

can see the fair every day, as she owns an acreage just across the road from the community building. She owns horses and is quite active in the yearly horseback ride.

“Every time I go I think, this is going to be a lot of work, nobody is going to show up,” Hotovec said.

“But then I get there, you see kids doing these crazy things — this fish pond or just being dirty.”

During last year’s

Percy Fair church service, Prairie City Church of the Brethren Pastor Tim Peter used his sermon to put the community’s land into perspective.

He told his congregation to listen to the insects, birds and the occasional passing car.

“Eighty-four years ago the sounds weren’t much different than they are right now,” he said.

“As God was, as God is and as God shall be forever.”

PERCY FAIR, 2014

25

KULIS | continued from 11

Park Centre, A WesleyLife Community and Willowbrook Adult Day Center Transforming the Aging Experience www.wesleylife.org

500 First Street North Newton, Iowa 50208 641-791-5000

plan, and that they were following through on it very progressively and aggressively. I was very, very impressed,” Kulis said.

Kulis has worked to be very involved in the community becoming a member on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Weekend Pit Stop. She also became a Rotarian and is an ex-officio for the Newton Development Corporation board.

“I try to be as involved as I can.”

Having worked so hard with her career at Goodwill and being involved in activities during her first year here, she is excited to take advantage of what Newton and the area have to offer.

“I am a very outdoors kind of person. I’m really interested in hiking, walking, fishing, camping, those kind of things but having moved in July, getting the center up and running and trying to be at a lot of activities, I didn’t have much of an opportunity to take advantage of that last year,” Kulis said. “I am really excited this year to be able to start to use the walking paths and all of the things we have to offer here.”

She is also looking forward to attending her first Des Moines Barnstormers game and has tickets to see the Iowa Cubs play this summer.

Kulis is excited about the future of Newton both the community and at her job. Working to help connect employers with employees and help fill the gaps in town with people who have been trying to find jobs for years is what she loves to do.

She has plans to stay in Newton and work to help it grow in the coming years.

“I love this town and would like to stay in it. I feel a vested interest in it. I chose to not only work here but live here and chose to stay here as opposed to living in Altoona and commuting. I love what the community is doing and even how we’ve been accepted so quickly into the community has been very, very exciting.”

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Support | Health Center | Skilled Rehabilitation | Home Health Care Adult Day Services | Hospice 26

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

Oakland Acres Golf Club 18 Hole Public Golf Course Full Bar & Restaurant 2 Simulators In Store Jewelry Repair and Design

Specializing in Diamonds and Colored Gems 937 Main Street Grinnell 641-236-4804

10 off

$

Golf Lessons Available 13476 Highway 6 East | Grinnell, Iowa | (641) 236-7111 www.oaklandacresgolfclub.com

“Where Quality & Design Meet”

. Home Decor . Unique Gifts . Custom Framing Like us on

*Excludes custom framing

any regular priced footwear of $60 & over

ll

Expires May 30, 2015

Must present coupon . Coupon may not be duplicated

Where Quality & Design Meet

918 Main St., Grinnell 641-236-3344

S&S ELECTRIC LTD.

Protect your family and your investment with the folks your know and trust!

For All of your electrical needs

PLUS

Whole Home Lighting Controls Lutron Window Shades Home Audio . Home Theater . Back Up Generators 175 Hwy 6 Grinnell, IA 641-236-5533 www.sselectricltd.com

Wagon Wheels West

Store Hours:

Monday-Friday 8-5:30 Saturday 8-4:30

Your complete western store and more!

Phone: 641-236-0500

.

Quality Used Clothing for the Entire Family 641-236-8126

912 Main St. • Grinnell phase2consignment@gmail.com

SHOP

Grinnell

175 Highway 6 Grinnell, IA 50112 www.wagonwheelswest.com

Spring 2015 • Jasper County Living

27

AVAIL AB LE FOR A LIM ITE D TIM E ON LY

Amazing deals you’re sure to love.

H PLUS ALL NEW PLANS H

Save BIG on the super-fast internet you’ve been waiting for!

Take advantage of our Mega Deal offer and save up to $50/month on your first 3 months of service. Plus you’ll get free standard installation. Offer available for a limited time only.

Liberty Plans: See Data Allowance Policy at www.exede.com/Legal for details.

CALL TODAY!

641-792-0819 888-898-1456

www.allthingssatellite.tv

Free standard installation available only to new Exede12 customers in limited areas who order service during the promotion period. Minimum 24-month service term. Monthly service fees and taxes apply. Equipment lease fee is $9.99 per month. Speeds are “up to,” are not guaranteed, and will vary. Service is not available in all areas. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time.

Exede is a registered service mark of ViaSat, Inc.