A big splash
Our roots were established as far back as the 1920s. The providers of Newton Clinic have been caring for this community for more than 80 years.
We want to make you better when you are sick, keep you healthy when you are well, help you grow your family when a little one is on the way, and help you say goodbye in peace when your journey is done.
Our clinic continues to grow to meet your needs. Whether you want a male provider or a female one, a new graduate or a veteran doc, we have the right health-care provider for you.
Always
Every patient has a choice. Thank you for turning to Newton Clinic. Thank you for letting us treat you... like family.
Paul Ruggle, M.D. Family Practice
Steve Hill, M.D. Family Practice
Pat Edwards, M.D. Family Practice with OB
T. Y. Chan, D.O. Internal Medicine
Orville Bunker, M.D. Family Practice
Min Pak, M.D. Family Practice
Mureema Solberg, M.D. Family Practice
Andrew Cope, D.O. Family Practice
Duane Jolivette, M.D. Family Practice
Zack Alexander, M.D., CCD Family Practice
Michael Brooks, ARNP FNP-C Specialty Pediatrics
Kelsey Tish, ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Jodi Holloway. ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Nicole Ferguson, D.O. Family Practice
Luke Perrin, M.D. Family Practice
Tara Gravenstine, M.D. Family Practice with OB
Sarah Florence, M.D. Family Practice with OB
Laurie Siddall, ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Beth Preston, ARNP, FNP-C Family Practice
Prairie City leader
Get to know local business owner
Kirsten Weiland
The Monroe Golf Club gives year-round course access
Eye spy
Jasper County is packed with a large variety of birds
Shake it up
Mega Tea Bombs, shakes and more at 1st Ave Nutrition
Quarry Springs Park in Colfax adds spring and summer events
Newton Main Street
Charles Seeberger, Hardware Merchant
Tell us a little about yourself — Oh goodness, I currently run the Prairie Escape Wellness Center and co-own E ective Wellness in Prairie City. I am married and have two kiddos — well, now one adult and one soon-to-be-adult. My daughter graduated from PCM in 2020 and my son is a sophomore this year.
I grew up in Ames and Ankeny, have lived in the DSM metro area and Prairie City area and now Altoona-for all my life. When I’m not busy with work, you can nd me exploring outdoors, checking out locally owned restaurants and live music, but mostly tucked in at home or anywhere. Cooking and laughing with my family is a pretty good time to me.
What attracted you to Prairie City? I came to know Prairie City in 1998 and moved to the Prairie City area in 2005. e community was very welcoming and with a little girl-that helped me connect right away. Life was good and life also changes along the way, when other variables in my life changed, I still found a great deal of support and love from my connections there. My kids had a strong, consistent, safe and supportive community to grow up in and that was very important.
When I opened my rst massage biz, Myo Massage erapy, I needed to be close to the kids’ school and activities and I felt Prairie City could use the services I was o ering — boy, did they. It was great to build upon already existing relationships in a way that positively a ected both my clients and friendships. I was nding that it was very much needed for me to take time out to care for myself and I wanted that for my community, as well.
From a business perspective, overhead startup was minimal compared to a larger populated area and there was not a saturated market for the massage therapists. And it just felt right.
Where did you get the idea for the Prairie Escape Wellness Center? As my massage business grew, it came to a point where I needed to stop taking on new clients, because, and I speak from the heart here, it became too much. I was scheduling four to ve months out, and if something came up and reschedules were needed, my days were already pretty tightly lled. Add that with two very active kids at the time and it was a lot. Lori Cummings with Shades of You, by Lori, was in the building with me, and when we had several people in and out, it felt like we needed a larger space. Just about that time, Prairieview Partners, our then and now building owners, were considering the purchase of ‘“the old bank” building and it kind of just came together. e process began in 2017 and we opened in February 2019. I will never forget moving into the new building that February. It was brutal. It felt like a billion below. But the excitement of it all was an adrenaline rush.
How did it go from an idea to the thriving business it is now? It was a lot of discussions between Prairieview Partners, myself, their contractors and the City of Prairie City. We hit a few bumps and delays along the way but it was a tremendous process. e Stravers and Wenthe Families worked so hard and it truly was a full on group e ort. ey have been so great to be partnered with. It was great to see the quiet, empty building, come back to life.
A little more than a year after opening, The Monroe Golf Club, a golf simulator experience, is thriving. From league play to group parities, the two golfing bays are keeping busy, especially in the winter months.
“The winter months are really busy. We also have a league in the fall and after the New Year. We’ve had several teams for that. It is a lot of fun,” co-owner Brad Cartwright said.
Located in the former Great Southern Bank building at 108 E. Washington St. in Monroe, MGC is a perfect fit for anyone itching to work on their golf game any time of year. Co-owners Tyler Vander Linden, Dru Nelson, Jordan Woody and Cartwright had first kicked around the idea of just having a simulator for their own use but decided if they could find a building it could be open to the public to enjoy, as well.
The guys took possession of the future location in June
2021 and started renovations right away. A full gut job, the group made sure there were 14-foot ceilings to accommodate all heights and swing lengths during the five-and-ahalf-month project.
MGC first opened with one bay up and running but it didn’t take long before there was enough demand to open a second bay.
“The demand was good enough that we decided to open a second bay shortly after opening because we filled up immediately,” Cartwright said. “The weekends and week nights are pretty full all of the time, so that’s good.”
The bays are 18-by-17 foot with a 16-foot hitting screen and a top-of-the-line overhead launch monitor that can provide every detail of swing analysis. Each bay is also equipped
When the spring weather arrives to thaw the final layers of Iowa frost, the first wave of birds will have returned from their migration to seek shelter in the calm prairies, thick forestry or vast ponds in Jasper County’s parks; and the people who get up early to watch these feathered creatures from their binoculars or behind a camera lens will have stirred from their hibernation, too.
Katie Cantu, a naturalist at Jasper County Conservation, said bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, and might be second to gardening. Whether people are observing birds from a feeder in their front yard or venturing out to conservation land
to find the rarer breeds of fowl, the activity is highly accessible to bird watchers of any level.
Jasper County is part of the Tallgrass Prairie Audubon Society, a private nonprofit affiliated with the National Audubon Society that has nearly 150 members. According to county conservation, the mission of the Audobon is to “conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.” The chapter often sponsors bird watching outings.
“In our area we do have some very active birders,” Cont.
Not your average drinks, 1st Ave Nutrition is serving up meal replacement shakes, healthy energizing teas, iced coffee, kid blast drinks and hot drink options. Darian Morrison, the 19-year-old owner, fell in love with the idea of helping people while working at the shop, not knowing a short time later it would become hers.
“I never knew this is where I’d be at 19. I thought I’d still
be in college. It changed my whole mindset on life, too. It’s like a dream come true,” Morrison. “I just loved getting the opportunity to introduce a new business to every single person because we’ve never had anything like it.”
Like its name suggests, the business is located at 109 First Ave. W. in Newton, open from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Mark your calendars, Quarry Springs Park is once again planning fun, outdoor activities at the Colfax grounds. Along with the seasonal offerings available everyday, many events will keep the park busy from spring through summer.
Annual Free Kids Fishing Derby — June 3
A favorite event of the year, kids line the banks hoping to pull out the biggest fish of the day. Registration runs from 8 to 9 a.m. Fishing begins with the sound of a siren with younger kids casting lines from 9 to 10 a.m. and older kids from 9 to 11 a.m.
Prizes will be awarded by age groups for the largest fish and the most fish. Following the derby, a free hot dog lunch is offered followed by the prizes.
“We are proud to be able to offer this as
Cont. 9
with software that allows players to golf more than 100 courses from across the world.
“There are lots of fun games to play and range and coaching tools,” Woody said. “We also installed a swing camera so that you are able to go back and re-watch your swing and see what you need to work on.”
All ages are invited to golf a round or two with anyone 16 or older allowed to use the facility on their own while those younger need a parent or guardian on hand to super-
a totally free event to all area youth with the support of area businesses and other donors,” the Quarry Springs Board said Progressive Paddle Picnic — June 24
In its second year, the progressive paddle is a unique activity that has participants “padding for your supper.” Starting with hors d’oeuvres at the west boat ramp, people then hop into a kayak or canoe and paddle around the island where stations featuring a four-course meal awaits.
Call ahead to rent a kayak and take part in a one-of-a-kind event that has “great food and lots of fun.”
Paddle Skedaddle Duathlon — Sept. 10
A 5K run paired with a 2-mile kayak race, the Paddle Skedaddle Duathlon is a challenge that has even seen a “photo finish.” For the third year, the competition
vise. It is $30/hour for screen time and it doesn’t matter how many people come but there is only the allotted time to play.
“If you are planning on booking a tee time with us, please go to our website www. themonroegolfclub.com and click the calendar tab and you’ll be able to reserve your tee time. You will then get an email to download an app that you will bring your phone up to our door and it will ring you through into our facility,” Woody said. “If it is your first time, please put in the tee time notes that it is your first time and one of us will come
will fill the park with those that want to push themselves, maybe try something new and seasoned competitors for an exciting event.
A run-only option is also available along with kayaks for rent for anyone who wants to try without buying. Wild Cat Outlaw Music Festival
Sept. 15 and 16
For the first time at Quarry Springs Park, the second-year festival looks to rock the quarry for a weekend of music. With Marshall Tucker Band, Whitey Morgan and more headlining the 2022 event, anticipation is growing for the release of the 2023 lineup.
More details on the festival will be announced closer to the event.
— Jamee A. Piersonit.”
On average, one person can golf 18 holes in about an hour. There is a vending machine available but people can bring their own food and drinks, too. There are also a couple of big screen televisions equipped with YouTube TV to watch a big game in between swings.
“The kids like it because there are a bunch of games on there. If you want to work on your game as a golfer, there’s readouts on the screen that can show the spin, club head speed, the ball speed, the smash factor, why you sliced it
or why you didn’t slice it and slow motion replay, among others,” Cartwright said. “The camera tells no lies, so you can really work on what you want to work on.”
The word is spreading about MGC and more people are starting to come from outside the 50170 zip code to get a round in. For more information about The Monroe Golf Club, visit their website or find them on Facebook.
“We want people to come into MGC and have a relaxed time while also working on your golf game,” Woody said.
— Jamee A. Pierson
Mar. 24 7pm $30
Jordan Smith
Presented by Bruce & Sandra Heerema
Charitable Trust
April 21 7pm $30
The Boys In The Band: Alabama
Tribute
Presented by Pella Corporation
May 4, 5, 6
Reluctant Pioneer, Matt Barber Experience, Flying Pans Steel Band, Davis Folkerts: Barton
Theatre Organ Concert, Historic Photo Tour, Martini Huis
At Hometown Centers for Hearing, we are committed to providing excellent care for adults with hearing loss. We understand that every patient is unique - that is why we offer individualized care so all of our patients receive specialized treatment to help them hear well again.
We recommend that every individual, especially those age 55+, consider getting annual hearing tests as part of their overall wellness program. If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, call us today!
Cantu said. “Personally, I love birds. Kids usually ask me my favorite animal and I usually can’t pick, but it would probably be a bird. I think there’s something about watching them and being out in nature and hiking and exploring and catching a glimpse of a flash of color in the trees or in the grass. Or even hearing the birds’ songs come back.”
After a long winter, Iowans like Cantu welcome the sweet songs of the local birds come springtime. The naturalist is looking forward to the Goldfinches returning to her bird feeder come early spring when they’re still “patchy, scruffy little things.” By the end of March they will have grown into their vibrantly colored feathers and will be singing their sweet tunes.
“It’s almost like a nature’s clock when the birds are changing color and singing and getting ready for the nesting season,” Cantu said. “I just think
it’s exciting for people. There are also some more rare birds to spot. Some of the birders, I think, look forward to the challenge to be out at the right location at the right time of day at the right time of year.”
In Jasper County, the Bobolink is just one of those rare birds found in tall grasses. Cantu said there have been sightings near the South Skunk River area, the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and the Uhlenhopp Arboretum. Saw-Whet Owls, a very tiny species of owl, are also rare around these parts. Barn owls, too, are tough to find in the county, but they’ve been spotted by local bird watchers
Northern Harriers, Henslow’s Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows are fairly rare, too, but Cantu said they’re found at the Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve.
“You could go to any of our county parks this time of year in the spring and be able to find a lot of cool things,” Cantu said. “Spring is a really exciting
time anyway because people are out and enjoying the weather. You will never know what else you’ll find. There are going to be all kinds of things happening at a park as you’re hiking along.”
While many bird watchers will resort to camera equipment and binoculars to see their winged friends, it truly costs nothing to take part in the activity. Even something as simple as watching the bird feeder at home is a good way to start out and get to know birds’ calls and habits and personalities. But of course the best places to bird watch are in our own parks in Jasper County.
To help the bird watching communities, Jasper County has birding trails. While there are some designated parking areas, there are not established walking trails. So conservation says these areas can cater more to a birder wishing to experience the wilder side of Iowa. To learn more where these birding trails reside, contact conservation at 641-792-9780.
— Christopher Braunschweig
We moved into Prairie Escape with Myo Massage Therapy and Shades of You, by Lori. Over the next year we added Keslea West, Transcend, Skin.Body.Soul, Kira Norman Tootsie’s Pedi Salon and Nicole Bandstra, Vital Massage. We also added yoga classes with hOMestead holistic yoga and other community events and private events in our Community Room.
Things were rolling right along and the Center was bustling with commerce, connections and conversations. Then, March 2020 happened and two-and-a-half months of shutdown ensued, muddling our way through a complete stop to the world and the ways we were living in it. We re-opened June 1 and our rise back to a more normal way to day-to-day operations was slow and had its own ups and downs. We saw Nicole with Vital Massage relocate and Tootsie’s closed down. We wished them well and the Center continued on.
How has it evolved and changed? Prairie Escape has definitely been an evolving entity-but isn’t that just part of life? I think that is an inevitable variable that everyone has learned to live with over the past few years is that we have to be able to navigate the rockiest of terrain.
In February 2022 we added an Infrared Sauna and sessions and packages for that. We have offered different workshops for meditation and yoga, art and Yomassage events, Sound Baths and have hosted community luncheons and private parties. We are always open to adding more classes and workshops for yoga, meditation, wellness services, nutrition, education and as a community resource to all.
In August 2022, Boost Massage Therapy (Tabbatha Miller) and Myo Massage Therapy (Kirsten Weiland) both dissolved their independent massage businesses and established the partnership, Effective Wellness. We are growing and have now onboarded an additional LMT, with more offerings and we look to add to that again soon. As the world and our lives has evolved, so have we. We wanted to grow our businesses into something larger and combined efforts to do so. It’s been a great partnership so far.
We are currently home to six businesses: Shades of You, by Lori, Lori Cummings — offering salon hair services, waxing and more; Transcend Skin.Body.Soul, Keslea West — offering facials, massage therapy,
Reiki, sound healing, waxing, ancestral healing and more; Dreamstorm Energy, Lindi Greve — offering Reiki services; Effective Wellness, Tabbatha Miller and Kirsten Weiland, Owners, Amanda Miller-LMT team member — Offering massage therapy services, Kinesiology Taping, cupping, assisted stretching, sauna upgrades and more; hOMestead holistic yoga, Janna Hansen-Nolin — offering Gentle, Restorative and Yin style yoga classes in person and via Zoom; and yoga instructor Zach Johnson — offering a variety of yoga classes.
Our friend Amy, with Max’s Coffee has also joined us. She rolls in on Wednesdays when Coffee & Carnations takes a much deserved day off. It’s fun to see the pups and their people pop up. The bike trail is about a block south of our building, and that will be great. We hope to see her back sometime this spring.
We are currently planning a Mental Health Resource Night and we host a Pop Up Vendor Market monthly in collaboration with Twice Blessed just across the street from us. Tabbatha and I also created a Jasper County Massage Therapy Professionals Facebook group for LMTs who live in or work in Jasper County. This is designed to be a supportive share space for massage therapists in our county to ask questions, share job information, be a referral network and more. We also are working on a few things that we are keeping under wraps for now-but more great things to come.
What all have you been involved in throughout the communities? I have been involved in the Prairie City Economic Development Commission, Prairie City Hometown Pride, Prairie City Business Association and the Prairie City Farmers’ Market. I attended the
Idea Spin group in Newton a few years back and that began some great connections into Newton and other rural areas within Jasper County.
I am currently on the FemCity DSM Board, and am focusing on growing the businesses and spending time with my family.
Why are you passionate about Prairie City and the PCM community? This community has supported me and my family and it has been a blessing to be a part of it. The people make a great community and we have that. Prairie City has a lot of great history and has wonderful potential moving forward, as well. The opening of the Red Rock Prairie Trail is going to be a great connection to Mitchellville and soon to Des Moines. It has the opportunity for great growth and having the connection to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge with its hills. We are lucky to have such a beautiful asset so near.
I am excited for more community connections between Monroe and also with Colfax to be able to grow the rural communities together.
Why do you feel it is important to be and stay involved? If you want to live in a thriving community and have a great place to work, educate and raise a family-you have to be a part of that community. Get your hands on something, in something. Show support for others, especially those within your industry, keep trying to do good and be open to new things.
Being involved can create so many connections and by one person simply knowing another person that can connect others to each other is a wonderful way to live.
As a volunteer based 501©3 organization, community support is essential to the continued success and sustainability of Newton Main Street. Without financial and volunteer support the district would not be able to accomplish the great things listed in the annual report and coming year’s priorities.
How your support of the Newton Main Street programs, small businesses and a growing historic commercial core that is the center of the life and activity in Newton. Newton Main Street has seen many improvements since becoming a designated Main Street in 2014. Help to keep that momentum going through monetary contributions. Operations are funded through donations from businesses, local governing bodies, and individuals that are passionate about seeing Main Street thrive and succeed. See the investors levels located on the tear out sheet below. Supporters are recognized in print and digital materials throughout the year.
The total volunteer hours dedicated to Newton Main Streets programs and services each year equals about 1/3 of the total operating budget. Volunteers are a huge asset to the organization and form a community of leaders within Newton. Be a part of the action by dedicating your time and talents to fun projects and events. Each of the Newton Main Street 4 committees aligns with one of the 4 points of approach list on the previous page. Contact the program executive director Erin Yeager, today to get involved.
Name/Business: ___________________________
Billing Address: ____________________________
Business/Building
Neighbor
Donors Choice - $ __________
City, State, Zip: ____________________________
Phone: __________________________________
Email: __________________________________
I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND REVITALIZATION. MAIN STREET GIVES US OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW AND PROSPER OUR LOCAL DISTRICT.
- LAURIE MOFFITT
Charles Seeberger was a prominent Newton businessman from 1878 to about 1911. He came here from Des Moines to purchase the hardware business of William H. ri (surely a great name for any merchant!).
e Newton Journal for Feb. 14, 1878 noted the “BUSINESS CHANGE.” – “W. H. ri has sold his hardware and stove business, including building, stock and xtures, to Mr. Charles Seeberger of Des Moines, who has been brought up in that line and comes of a substantial business family. We cordially welcome him to the citizenship of Newton, and bespeak for him the con dence and patronage of the people of Jasper county. It is his intention to keep a choice stock of goods in his line, and sell at prices in keeping with the times.”
Charles “Charlie” Seeberger was born in Ohio, Jan. 7, 1851, the son of Alexander A. and Mary M. (Gasche) Seeberger, Prussian immigrants. According to his biography in Portrait and Biographical Record of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties (1894), Charlie received an ordinary common-school education, which he completed at the age of 16.
In the 1871 City Directories, he is listed as a clerk with the Des Moines hardware rm of Howell & Seeberger, C. C. Howell and John D. Seeberger.
Here Charlie became “thoroughly familiar with every detail of the business in the wholesale and retail departments,” his 1894 biography states. It noted that “he also saved from his earnings a su cient amount to enable him to begin in business on a small scale.”
In 1880, he put up a new two-story brick building on the south side of the Newton square, which he owned until 1914. e store was located at 111 W. Main (First Avenue West).
We nd this account of Seeberger in e Newton Journal, Souvenir Edition-Extra, March 16, 1898:
“CHAS.
“An enterprise of more than usual importance in the commercial make-up of Newton is the large and well stocked hardware establishment owned and conducted by the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Seeberger came to Newton twenty years ago, having at that time served his apprenticeship in the hardware
business in the large wholesale establishment of his uncle, J. D. Seeberger, at Des Moines; and putting in a stock of goods he has been continuously engaged in that line ever since, and is now our pioneer hardware merchant; in fact, this very month is his twentieth anniversary of a very successful business career in this community. He now owns a large two story brick building, 32x132, located just south of the court house, and it contains the largest assortment of shelf and heavy goods in the county. Down through the center of the building is a large and well selected line of steel ranges – the Quick Meal being made a specialty — and the best heating and cooking stoves manufactured, and the hot air and plumbing are made a specialty. e cutlery department is a model of completeness, while the line of builders’ hardware contains everything needed in that line. Barbed wire, tinware, woodenware, iron and wood pumps, household furnishings and everything else usually found in a rst class hardware store are to be found in their places in this well kept establishment. In the upper story of this building is a large and well equipped tinshop where three skilled workmen are employed the year round, and a specialty is made of tin roo ng, plumbing and steam tting.”
e 1899-1900 Newton City Directory lists Seeberger as “hardware, cutlery, tin and granite wares, farm, garden and mechanics tools, etc.” In addition to his hardware business, Seeberger was one of the incorporators of the Newton Canning Co., of which he served as director, in 1884.
In 1910, he was 1st vice president of the Citizen’s State Bank.
He married Delia Rhodes (1856-1936), a New York City native, on Apr. 23, 1884. ey were the parents of two sons, Hugh Alexander Seeberger (1885-1984) and Karl David Seeberger (1887-1953).
By 1910, Seeberger’s son, Hugh, had charge of the hardware store. is item appeared in the Jan. 14, 1911 issue of e Newton Daily News:
“Mr. and Mrs. Charles Seeberger will leave on Wednesday of next week for an extended visit in the west. ey will go rst to Los Angeles and later will return home by way of Portland, Ore., where their son, Hugh, is located, he having recently purchased an interest in the Oregon Hardware Co., of that place.
“Mr. and Mrs. Seeberger expect to be gone all winter on their western sojourn.”
As far as I know they never returned.
Seeberger died Oct. 15, 1931, in Portland, Ore., at the age of 80 years, 9 months and 8 days. e principal cause of death was angina pectoris.
In politics, like his father and uncles, Charlie Seeberger was a life-long Democrat.
Once in Newton, he became an active communicant of St. Stephen’s Parish (Protestant Episcopal). In 1878, he was a member of the Vestry, serving as Junior Warden. He was also Superintendent of the Sunday School.
A number of leading Newton businessmen got their start in Seeberger’s employ.
Longtime plumber Frank P. Baldwin (1865-1958) clerked for Seeberger from 1885 to 1901 before going into business for himself. He partnered with A. W. Morton in the hardware rm of Baldwin & Morton from 1901 to 1905, then continued in business for himself. In 1921, he sold the hardware interests but retained the plumbing and heating business. He retired in 1945.
J. M. “Jim” Davidson (1874-1951) was a Seeberger employee starting in 1896. erea er, for 35 years, he operated his own plumbing shop, selling the business in 1943.
S. S. “Shelly” Marshall (1870-1939) was a tinner with the Seeberger hardware store until 1906. He then entered into partnership with E. L. Earley in the hardware rm of Earley & Marshall (1906-1908). is was followed by a partnership with Lory E. Johnston in the rm of Marshall & Johnston, hardware, stoves and tinware (1908-1912). In 1912, Marshall acquired full control of the business which was familiar to generations of Newton shoppers as Marshall Hardware.
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