NDN-MAG-03-29-19

Jasper County living

Inside:

An Easter meal • Quarry Springs Park Exploring the outdoors

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One of the Midwest’s largest independent clinics ... because you deserve a choice in health care

Paul Ruggle, MD family practice

Steve Hill, MD family practice

Pat Edwards, MD family practice with OB

Orville Bunker, MD family practice

TY Chan, DO internal medicine

Min Pak, MD family practice

Mureema Solberg, MD family practice

Zack Alexander, MD family practice

Duane Jolivette, MD family practice

Andrew Cope, DO family practice

Darryl Johnson, DO OBGYN

Esgar Guarin, MD, FAAFP family practice with OB

Janice Gates, DPM podiatry

Laurie Siddall, ARNP, FNP-C family practice

Beth Preston, ARNP, FNP-C family practice

Jodi Holloway, ARNP, FNP-C family practice

Angela Nelson, PA-C family practice

Jeff Olson, DPM surgical podiatry

Kelsey Tish ARNP, FNP-C family practice

Jody Timmins, ARNP urgent care

Anna Blanchett, ARNP, FNP-BC urgent care

Past

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.

Present

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.

Future

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.

Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. • Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon Same-day appointments always available!

(641) 792-2112 • 300 N. 4th Ave. E., Newton • www.newtonclinic.com • www.facebook.com/newtonclinic

Think of us for all your upcoming events.

Earn your degree right here in Newton!

• Corporate Events • Reunions • Anniversaries & More!

Our partnership with Des Moines Area Community College allows for a smooth transition into an affordable bachelor’s degree once you graduate with your associate’s degree.

Farm Fresh Produce

Grocery 792-7950

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

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Meat 792-3325

100% of your AA degree from DMACC will transfer to BVU!

115 W 2nd St N Newton, IA 50208

Bus 641 792 2160 Fax 641 275 9197

dean@deanreedinsurance.com

Bus 515 528 2123

www.deanreedinsurance.com

Providing Insurance and Financial Services Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

22 DEGREE-COMPLETION PROGRAM

DMACC.edu/Newton

BVU.edu/Apply 3

LIVE LIFE YOUR WAY! Award winning service!

“Wonderful environment” • “Safe and friendly”

APARTMENTS ARE GOING QUICKLY!

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

Kellogg Lawn & Snow, Inc. New & Used

COLDEST BEER IN TOWN!

Large Selection of Quality Pre-Owned Grasshoppers

Convenient Drive Thru Window Wine, Energy Drinks, Mixers, Liquor, Ice, Pop, Snacks, E-Cigs & More.

Walk-In Beer Cooler

1324 1st Ave., Newton

(Across From Pizza Hut)

641-275-9035

Tom Rawlins • 641-526-8002 Cell Phone: 641-831-2770

Welcome

Ragbrai Riders

9420 Image Ave. Kellogg, IA 50135 www.kellogglawnandsnow.com

Directions from Maytag Park Go North on W. 3rd St S. to 1st Ave. Go East to E. 14th St N. & 1st Ave intersection.

Pit Stop Liquor is located across from Pizza Hut on the North side of the road.

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

Shaped by our Past, focused on Your Future.

100 N. 2nd Ave. W. 1821 First Ave. E. Newton Newton 641-792-3010 641-792-9420 www.fnnbbank.com SM-NE5185707-0329

Skiff is now Mercy One Newton New name. Same exceptional care.

Celebrate Your Special Day! Anniversaries, Birthdays and More!

Let us publish your good news.

Call 641-792-3121 ext. 6542 or stop by to get your ad placed today!

MercyOne Newton Medical Center 204 N. 4th Ave. E., Newton

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A dvertiser Jasper County

Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

Green of Spring Ready for the bloom

Cheep Chirp

Spring Green

Bring the sound of spring to your backyard.

Outfit your yard with a bird feeder that will bring colorful songbirds right to you.

— Earl May

Spring is in the air. There is no better way to bring a little green into your decor and put spring in the air like a fresh arrangement of flowers from your local floral shop.

— Baqara Floral Lounge

Items for Now and Beyond

Add a unique piece to your display, not only to fit in with the green theme but also add color to your decor beyond the day. Check out your local store to bring some charm to your home. — Fine Things Reclaimed

On the Green Green Green Grass

Nothing marks spring better beautiful green grass. After the winter, give your lawn some der-loving care to brighten the around you. — Theisen’s

Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

than long tenland

Fore! Enjoy Newton’s very own treasure trove of green at Westwood Golf Course. With updated rates, there is fun for the whole family at the 18-hole golf course. — Westwood

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calendar

Mark your

with these local upcoming events

April

April 13 Star Party at Ashton Observatory Ashton Observatory Join members of The Des Moines Astronomical Society to view Mars and the waxing gibbous moon through high-powered telescopes. Star Parties are free and open to the public. Party will be from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

April 14 Sons of Serendip Newton High School Formed

while

in

grad

school at Boston University, the Sons of Serendip were finalists on Season 9 of America’s Got Talent. All Jasper County Concert Association concerts are held at the Newton High School, Center for Performance. To order tickets you can stop by Mattingly Music and Book on the square in Newton or visit the ticket table at any of our concerts.

April 17 CSI: Iowa Newton Public Library Jump into the universe of blood spatter, bullet fragments and fingerprints during CSI: Iowa. Join retired Des Moines Police Crime Scene

Project AWAKE Plant Sale

Investigator Greg Gourd to learn about the real-world challenges of forensics and discuss procedures that investigators use to collect and document evidence at a crime scene. Learn the facts and

myths of forensics at this fascinating event. This program is free to attend and open to the public. No registration required. Program begins at 6 p.m.

Continued on page 7

102 E Watson Ave Baxter Iowa 50028

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www.amana-hac.com Amana is a registered trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies and is used under licence to Goodman Company LP. Houston, TX, USA. All rights reserved.

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Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

Continued from page 6

April 20 Coffee with the Mayor Newton Public Library Newton Mayor Michael L. Hansen will host a Coffee with the Mayor the third Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Newton Public Library, 100 N. Third Ave. W. This is an opportunity for the Mayor to meet with residents, hear their concerns, and connect with the citizens of Newton. All residents are invited to attend.

April 25 The Gangster History of Iowa and the Midwest Newton Public Library Put on your zoot suit and join presenter Chad Lewis to follow in the footsteps of the Midwest’s most infamous gangsters. Filled with deadly bank robberies, explosive shootouts and daring kidnappings, this presentation showcases the locations in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and

Minnesota where gangster history will never die. This program will be presented at 4 p.m., again at 6 p.m. and is free to attend. No registration required.

the public. A variety of vendors will be featured.

April 27 Spring Craft and Gift Fair at the Coliseum Baqara Coliseum in Newton

from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Admission is $5 at the door.

The annual Plant Sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, visit www. newtonarboretum.com or call 641-791-3021.

April 26 Washer City May 10 Agitators Live The public is invited to the The Cellar Peanut Pub inaugural Spring Craft and Thunder Nites Gift Fair at the Coliseum. Mu- Newton DMACC Newton sic, shopping, baked goods, Campus Live music begins at 7 p.m.

Springing back with pride to serve a live music variety mix for all to enjoy with the great beverage selections, ambiance and menus of local food options available to make it a night. The Washer City Agitators are John Mattingly, Jim Robinson, Lee Eckles and Elaine Mattingly, with guitar-slinging duties provided by outstanding central Iowa talents:)

food and more will be feature. This event is kid friendly. Lunch will be available for purchase and an assortment of baked goods as well.

April 27 Indoor Flea Market Fore Seasons Golf in Newton

Annuals, perennials and more available for sale and all proceeds will benefit the Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Pre-sale and first pick of the plants will be

Doors will open at 8 a.m. to

May May 3-4 Project AWAKE Annual Plant Sale Newton Arboretum

Kicking off it’s seventh year, Thunder Nites bike night returns to Newton gathering more than 1,000 motorcycles to Newton. Feature performers will be Wikid Likir. Event begins at 6 p.m.

May 15 Lorie Line’s 2019 Solo Piano Tour Newton Community Theatre Lorie Line is excited to announce an upcoming solo piano spring tour. She will be playing brand new music from a new album called “Rock Star.” Lorie will also be sharing some of her favorite music and stories from 30 years of touring. Show will be 7 to 8:30 p.m.

May 18 Wacky Yakker Games Quarry Spring Park Kayak and SOP races, obstacle course and GPS scavenger hunt using yaks and SOP’s.

Relay races, speed races and slalom races for every skill level and age 12 and above. There will be prizes for the winners and some swag from the various water sport supporters.

Games will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Greg for questions at quarryspringsoutfitters@gmail.com or 515-3060126 for more information.

Thunder Nites Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

Continued on page 8 7

Continued from page 7

May 20 Sean Gaskell Kora Concert Newton Public Library

Professional musician Sean Gaskell gives a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. The concert will fea-

ture traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire, in addition to some of Gaskell’s personal compositions. This event is free to attend and open to the public. No registration required.

Program begins at 6 p.m.

May 30 Summer Concert Series Kickoff Event

Maytag Park Free music is invading a park near you this summer. The public is invited for the annual Summer Concert Series at Maytag Bowl. Shows begin at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and are free. The first concert will feature the Newton City Band. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets as well as their own food and beverage.

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 1101010..1

June June 6-8 Newton Fest City of Newton Three-day festival in Newton. Arts, food, music, history, Red Pride and so much more.

For more details about all the events scheduled, visit www. newtonfest.org.

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Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

Oven Roasted Vegetables with Maple Glaze The Easter holiday brings bunnies, eggs and family gatherings. Michelle Stalzer with Z Marie’s of Newton has the perfect recipe to pair with a traditional roast to bring color and creativity to the plate.

Prep Time 15 minutes • Cook Time 25 minutes• Total Time 40 minutes • Servings: 8 bundles

Ingredients For the Maple Glaze: 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Roasted Vegetables: 1 lb. carrots trimmed and quartered lengthwise 1 lb. parsnips trimmed and peeled, then cut into long spears 1 lb. asparagus tough ends trimmed 8 slices thick cut bacon Salt and pepper

Instructions Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Trim all the veggies, cutting the carrots and parsnips into long pieces approximately the same size as the asparagus.

Separate the vegetables into bundles with about three asparagus spears, three carrot spears and three parsnip spears in each bundle. Tie each bundle with

Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

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a piece of bacon and lay them on the baking sheet.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the ingredients for the glaze together. After 20 minutes, drizzle the glaze over the veggies and place them back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Serve warm.

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3/14/19 9:01 AM

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eri Van Zante was raised to work in the outdoors.

The Newton native and 15year Jasper County Conservation director grew up spending time outside with her father — a DNR officer in Jasper County for 30 years. Van Zante originally was set on a path to work in medicine, first majoring in premed while at Iowa State University. But she quickly decided she was meant to spend her career in the natural world.

“Halfway through, I realized I didn’t want to have a job where I stayed inside all of the time. So, I just channeled my experiences with my dad growing up,” Van Zante said.

Van Zante graduated with a degree in fisheries and wildlife, emphasizing on nature interpretation. She had already established herself as a naturalist for Jasper County Conservation and was able to get a job involved with water-quality projects in the Rock Creek State Park area for eight years.

It wouldn’t be long before Van Zante was promoted to director, the position she has been in for the last 15 years. She credits the time she spent with her dad on becoming the county’s top conservationist.

“It’s something I grew up doing. I’ve been doing this my whole life, and I’ve loved it. I knew so much about the outdoors thanks to my dad’s influence,” Van Zante said. “I don’t think he ever imagined I would do this, but I knew so much about it. It was just a really comfortable knowledge for me.

“It’s the thing you grew up knowing and loving,” Van Zante added. “I don’t know that people get to do that very often but to get to have a job doing the things you knew, like hunting and fishing and hiking, I don’t think it happens very often. I think I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to do that.”

Van Zante believes that influence is already spreading to her eight-year-old daughter. She is Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

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The love of outdoors

by Orrin Shawl very knowledgeable about the outdoors, like her mother. It makes Van Zante sometimes dream about her future appreciating things in nature and how that could benefit the larger world.

But it’s not all about outdoor knowledge when in the director’s office. Throughout the years, Van Zante learned a large part about being successful as the Jasper County Conservation director is grant writing.

Among the areas Van Zante has to write grants for inlcude maintenance staff, salaries, new projects related to trails and adding to the parks.

“Any of that has to be grant-written or fundraised,” Van Zante said.

Van Zante never attended classes or workshops to learn the skills involved in writing a winning grant, but she definitely became successful. Her tips for getting a grant selected include following the instructions to the letter, knowing the audience, having a high command of the English language and communication with your co-workers and, most of all, experience.

When it comes to being a wordsmith, Van Zante has her mom to thank for that.

“My mom was a teacher, so I have (expert) grammar skills that my mom wouldn’t let us go without,” Van Zante said. “I credit much of my writing skills to my mom.”

Other than grant writing, people skills remains another key. Specifically, working well with her co-workers.

“I wouldn’t tell them to do a job that I wouldn’t know about and know how to do. So, I spend a lot of time with my staff in the field and in the office,” Van Zante said.

At this time, all of those skills are being put toward the continuation of the Red Rock Prairie Trail. A total of $2.2 million in grant money is waiting for the engineers to pave the trail this summer, starting at the entrance of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City all the way to Monroe.

Other projects include the lake restoration project taking place in Mariposa County Park and planning for an environmental education center that’s expected to be built near the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office.

“It’s where the old sheriff building was, to develop an educational building area, which will include a platinum-certified building where there will be offices and classrooms.”

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3/14/19 9:09 AM

Rotation

By Christopher Braunschweig Even as Will Cannon and Jake Tool loaded a semi-trailer with corn accumulated from the most recent crop season, slowly depleting grain bin volumes, the thought of how they will plan out this year’s harvest was likely still fresh in their minds.

Until then, there was other work that needed to be done, and it wasn’t going to come easy — never does, really.

Temperature gauges revealed alarmingly cold conditions, which did not bode well for the two farmers in February. The ground was hard as a rock and coated with a sturdy layer of ice. A light snowfall cloaked the slick surfaces with a fine white dust, making it difficult to even traverse the Prairie City farm without the right kind of footing; the type that only a farmer knows after years of ex-

Farmers grapple many factors perience walking through deep, tractor prints embedded into the muddy terrain and then frozen over as soon as winter arrives.

It’s not like Cannon and Tool came to the farm unprepared or walked around like they hadn’t done work like this before. But there was a certain amount of care in each step they took while arranging corresponding equipment from grain bin to semi-trailer to extract bushels of golden kernels and eventually hauling them off to the ethanol plant in E d -

dyville. That was another problem. The roads were still caked with snow and ice. Transporting the grain was crucial, but it was risky.

These Iowa farmers are used to the turnaround

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Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

3/14/19 9:10 AM

fixation

when deciding budget plans temperatures and fickle winters. Most of them adapt well to these hazards and adjust their approaches accordingly. Dress warm. Drive slow. Be cautious. Work as efficiently as possible.

Still, spring can’t come soon enough.

And when it does, Cannon will continue his preparations for the following season. He, like many farmers throughout Iowa, are beginning to plan their planting and fertilizer strategies. They will also determine whether to rotate their corn and soybean fields. Cannon said some farmers are very strict in their rotation efforts.

“Most of t h o s e guys

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will basically have half of their acres in corn and half of their acres in soybeans,” Cannon said. “And that’s kind of where we’re at. We kind of like to stay in that rotation. If the markets send a super strong signal one way or the other, we might do something a little bit different.”

Farmers tend to keep a close eye on the market. Doing so means a chance at a more successful season. Depending on what the market predicts, farmers may change a predominantly corn-focused field into soybean acres for a year. Cannon said there are farms in Jasper County doing just that.

Corn may even grow better at these farms, so a rotation is almost out of the question. But he predicted if markets foresee a much higher bean price return and a really low corn price output, those particular farmers may plant soybeans instead.

Jason Robinson operates his own seed and chemicals business called Robinson Ag near Melbourne. So far, most of his customers are planting their normal corn-soybean rotation. Nothing out of the ordinary this year, he said. The places where those farmers grew corn last year will likely be replaced by soybeans this season, and vice versa. Even this early in the year Robinson said farmers have already

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made up their minds of what they intend to plant in their available acres.

“A lot of my guys have already made their decision and have their seed bought, but that doesn’t mean they can’t change their mind as far as the crop rotation goes,” Robinson said. “I think every seed dealer will tell you something different, but the guys in my area — Baxter, Melbourne, south of Newton, central Iowa — typically once they get their seed bought they have their plans made, and they stick with their plan.”

Other farmers may wait to see if the market dictates any further significant shifts before purchasing their seeds. For instance, trade disputes between the United States and China have impacted soybean prices in the past year, which Robinson said might lead to some farms to prioritize a slight majority of corn or just stick to a regular 50-50 rotation.

Outside his area of business, Robinson determined other parts of the state may rely more on “changing their minds in the last minute” before planting. Others may not have much of a choice. Cannon said other regions in Iowa, particularly further north of central Iowa, the soil is a lot heavier and the climate is cooler and wetter. Soybeans, he said, would not fare well in those types of conditions.

“You’ll have more guys up there that plant corn every year on the same ground,” Cannon said. “But around here (planting soybeans) works pretty well. So a lot of guys will have some type of rotation like that … From my conversations I’ve had with other farmers around the area and throughout Iowa, most people kind of want to stay in (their normal) rotation right now.”

Yet other factors could change farmers’ minds. Acknowledging economists’ predictions of a soybean market crash, Cannon noted the most logical outcome of that supposed crash would lead to a drastic drop in bean prices while corn remains decent, thereby forcing farmers to plant more corn. He added that U.S. economists estimated 900 million to 1 billion bushels of soybeans will be left over and untouched by the time the new crop is harvested, which may cause farmers to plant fewer soybeans.

However, “beans have hung in there,” which adds even more confusion and second-guessing into farmers’ plans. Fertil-

izer prices, Cannon claimed, have “gone through the roof ” and will have an effect on farmer budgets altogether. In the battle of planting corn versus soybeans, Cannon said producing corn is more expensive in 2019 than the year before, adding even more risk to the price of corn.

Soybean prices have not dropped either.

If it seems like a lot to take in, it is. But Cannon expects Iowa farmers’ acres this year will appear very similar to the 2018 layouts, cementing the notion that corn and soybeans continue to be the most economically viable crops in the state.

But the Prairie City farmer maintains his stance that the market “has not sent a clear enough signal” to get people to change their acres too much.

Plans may not be finite for farmers. If deciding which rotations wasn’t adding enough stress, Cannon noted the wet fall during the 2018 harvest prevented corn belt farmers from carrying out tillage work to work residue and fertilizers into the soil.

“Because of the late harvest season and the cold weather we’ve had, virtually none of that got done,” Cannon said. “So the other thing you have is farmers are dealing with the logistics nightmare this spring where fertilizer they would normally put on in the fall didn’t get done. So now they have to do all of their fertilizer work, they have to do whatever tillage work there is and they have to plant in the spring.

“This spring is going to be a bottleneck getting all the work done ... It’s going to be kind of a mess.”

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Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

3/14/19 9:13 AM

Destination: Spring City

Colfax’s Quarry Springs Park has big plans for the future

by Mike Mendenhall

When Martin Marietta, Inc. donated its Colfax rock quarry operation to the City of Colfax in 2015, the concrete littered land, untamed shorelines and dilapidated buildings seemed like a lost cause.

But to a few people in Colfax, the quarry is a diamond in the rough.

Now known as Quarry Springs Park, the project’s 100 percent volunteer workforce, led by the nonprofit Colfax Park and Recreation Board, have put in tens of thousands of man-hours restoring buildings, doing land reclamation from the site’s days as a gravel quarry, clearing brush to create hiking trails and applying to grant funds.

The result is a city-owned, 480-acre public park right off Interstate 80 with an indoor archery range, 280-acres of non-wake, boat accessible lakes, off-shore fishing, tent camping and a popular venue for outdoor summer concerts, 5K and nature education.

The park has become a great place for families and, according to Park and Rec Board President Kim Seebeck, 2019 will be no exception.

“It’s a pretty cool experience for everybody,” she said.

The board is finalizing plans for its annual fishing derby in June. This year, Seebeck said the event will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops in Altoona. June 22, park volunteer and owner of Quarry Springs Outfitter, Greg Rhames, is sponsoring the inaugural Paddle Skedaddle — a 2-mile kayak plus 3.5-mile trail

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run. Paddler/runners interested can register for the event at quarryspringspark.com.

Rhames is also raising money to build an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible boat dock at the park through donations raised at the May 18 Wacky Yakker Games — The inaugural yak and SOP water sports games.

When the park’s 15-year master plan designed by Des Moinesbased architect firm Confluence was approved by the Colfax City Council in November 2016, some of the sky-is-the-limit ideas included plans for a cable park/lazy river, cabins and 25 acres of retail development, as well as public, active and passive lakes.

But Seebeck and the board see the next obtainable achievement as the addition of RV camping, to add to the dozen primitive tent camping sites already open at the park.

“Over the next three years, of course, we’ll be focusing on awareness and trying to provide amenities to the park,” Seebeck said. “It’s baby steps. We knew that it would be hard to break through with that one big thing.”

Park planners feel one signature attraction is what Quarry Springs need to help bring the rest of the development in motion, and they’re placing their bets on the historic Red Bridge.

The last remaining truss bridge in Jasper County, Red Bridge currently sits over the South Skunk River near Reasnor. It was built in 1892 in Fairview Township, about 4.5 miles northeast of Monroe on the edge of the South Skunk River Wildlife Area.

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3/14/19 9:16 AM

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Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

MEET OUR

MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL The bridge is on the National Historic Registry and, according to Preservation Iowa, Red Bridge connected Newton with Monroe and Pella in the 1910s before the construction of Highway 14. Today, it is in disrepair and at risk of collapsing into the river.

Quarry Springs officials want to give it new life as a pedestrian bridge at the park in Colfax In December 2018, students in the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering capstone course put together a comprehensive plan to relocate the bridge. The plan aims to connect greater Colfax — specifically its downtown — with the park using pedestrian trails.

The board’s first plan was the move Red Bridge to the South Skunk River crossing in Colfax, connecting the park with downtown Colfax near the former Monroe Table Building. After talks with surrounding landowners did not produce results, UI capstone students problem solved a new location, connecting a trail system in the park leading to the Colfax Historical Society into downtown.

The students estimate the cost of bridge transport at $201,500, the cost of constructing abutments at $423,925, and the cost of refurbishing the bridge at $127,050. Thus, acquiring and improving the bridge alone will cost $752,475.

Joe Otto, a Colfax resident and University of Oklahoma Ph.D. candidate in river studies, has been spearheading saving the Red Bridge for the last two years.

“The beauty of this is, instead of heading down the gravel road behind Kum & Go, which has been a nice access road, you’ll be able to walk straight into the park from downtown,” Otto said. “The first designs didn’t have pedestrian access in mind. Now the UI Students gave us this plan that checks all the boxes.”

With the change in location, Otto said they will need to resubmit the group’s application with the State Historical Society of Iowa in order to get state preservation dollars.

Now, Quarry Springs is preparing to launch a capital campaign to make relocating the Red Bridge a reality. Otto plans to apply for a state recreational trails program grant through the Iowa Department of Transportation — one of the grants awarded to the Monroe to Prairie city Red Rock Prairie Trail — and a Prairie Meadows Legacy Plan grant to jump-start the campaign.

Quarry Springs will also make a push for small-dollar donations from individuals. Otto said he’s already secured $10,000 in pledges for the Red Bridge move and Quarry Springs is willing to earmark individual donations during its capital specifically for Red Bridge.

Otto said all it will take to get the public mobilized for Quarry Springs is one big win.

“There are a lot of people watching and waiting to see if this project develops,” Otto said. “People are waiting for things to happen.

Nobody wants to be the first one in the pool. But when the first big thing drops, I think a lot of people will want to get on board.”

Editor’s note: NDN reporter P.M. Brannock contributed to this report Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

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A. C. Bollhoefer, Dry Goods and Groceries Larry Hurto • Newton Historic Preservation Commission A. C. Bollhoefer (1827-1901), a German immigrant from Horn, Lippe-Detmold, came to Newton from Freeport, Ill., in 1869.

He established himself in business about 1873 as a “dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, wood and willow ware, &c.”

Bollhoefer’s store can be seen on the north side of the square. The 1878 History of Jasper County lists him as “A. C. Boleifer, merchant.” He continued in the mercantile business until his retirement in 1885.

“He was a well known character about town,” The Newton Heraldopined at the time of Bollhoefer’s death, “having considerable property and a disposition not very lovable.”(He was not above prosecuting a couple of tramps who stole some boots from his store.)The paper did concede that his six surviving children “are all useful members of society.”

“Mr. A. C. Bollhoefer will soon begin the removal of the frame building now occupied by him,” The Newton Journal reported just before Bollhoefer’s retirement, “to make room for what he promises shall be one of the finest 2-story brick blocks in the city. The lower rooms will be fitted up in the best style for a business room – with plate glass front and complete in all its

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appointments; the upper story will be petitioned [sic] off for offices.” It was 22x106, erected at a cost of $2,800. He also put a stone sidewalk down in front of his new building.

John Rea & Co. occupied Bollhoefer’s “elegant new room” on the lower floor. Rea (1827-1910) advertised himself as “JOHN REA’S New Dry Goods House, No. 4, North Side Square” (December 30, 1885).

In 1886-88, it was the firm of Rea & Vaughan-John Rea and F. A. “Arthur” Vaughan, dealers in dry goods and notions.

Thereafter Rea conducted the business by himself.

In 1890-97, the firm of Kiisel & Kennedy, Henry Leonard Kiisel (1831-1902) and Arthur L. Kennedy (1860-1932), was the first of several drug stores at this location.

Swedish-born Henry Kiisel engaged in the business for more than 30 years. Arthur Kennedy a Newton native, was in business here from 1885 to ca. 1920.

From 1897, when failing health compelled Kiisel’s retirement, to 1915, this was A. L. Kennedy Drugs, 122 W. McDonald.

According to The Daily Herald, January 1, 1903, Kennedy carried a full line of drugs, paints, oils, fine cigars, etc. and paid “especial attention” to the compounding of prescriptions.

P. J. Jepson (1888-1969) came to Newton in 1919 from Marshalltown, having purchased the drug store of Husband.In 1926, he employed six clerks besides himself and his wife, who took care of the ac-

counts of the business. He was the exclusive agent in Newton for Whitman’s candies as well as a number of lines of toilet articles.

In 1911, Reece Bond (1877-1957), a native of Monroe, came to Newton from Reasnor, where he managed the Roberts store.Starting in 1912, he clerked in the Fred A. Jones Clothing Co. in the C. M. Hinsdale block, working his way up to manager.In September 1917, Bond purchased a partnership interest in the store, then owned and operated

by Jones & Williams, of Albia, Iowa.This was the beginning of the Bond Clothing Co. On Jan. 1, 1927, W. R. “Ron” McPherren (1900-1987), Bond’s son-in-law, who had come to Newton from Villisca, purchased the interest of Jones. In March 1934, McPherren bought out the interest held by Williams, and on May 1, 1945, he purchased Bond’s holdings in the firm. From that time until he retired Feb. 1, 1980 he was sole owner and operator of the business.

The store was remodeled twice in the decade prior to the Newton Centennial (1957).

About 1950 it was “completely modernized both inside and out.”

In 1980, the store became Kaput-McAdams Ltd., Don McAdams, president, and Roger Kaput, secretary-treasurer and store manager, complete line of men’s and young men’s quality clothing.

Robert A. and Doris A. Fisher were operating Fisher’s Gallery at this location in 1987.

This store offered custom framing, limited edition prints, and gifts. They were succeeded by Beckman Gallery (Jim Beckman) in 1993, with Art A La Carte (Cindy Brunner and Catherine Rickers), a commercial design studio, upstairs.

The Scoreboard Bar & Grill, a sports bar, was opened at this location in 1997 (and reopened in 1999). The bar was constructed in the building’s west side, as were two 6x8’ bathrooms north of the bar. South and east kitchen walls and the east walls of a storage area were also constructed according to the specifications of Mark Stern, one of the owners. The Scoreboard was closed in 2016.

On June 26, 2018, it was announced that the property was in the process of being purchased by Newton Elite Properties, with plans to renovate the structure for a street-level retail space and second-story housing unit.

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We believe that everyone deserves access to a vibrant neighborhood – a place that has a thriving local economy, is rich in character, and features inviting public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong. Newton Main Street is a 501(c)3 economic development that focuses on historic preservation organization.

We operate under the IEDA but are fully funded by the community. We are one of 54 Main Street communities in the state of Iowa and one of thousands nationwide!

Our mission is to preserve the history invest in the future and develop pride in our downtown district through community involvement, volunteerism and private public partnerships within the Main Street district, the heart of Newton.

Continued from page 19 The announcement story in the Newton Daily News indicated the Newton City Council had approved an economic development loan for $55,000 and an economic development grant for $5,000 to the developers to assist in the renovations.

“We are super excited about this project.The actual retailer that we are going to have in there, they are going to put in there a modern day mercantile.It will be kind of a farm-to-table agriculture, very upscale.I think it will be a good draw for Newton,” Newton Elite Property owner Julie Prendergast said.“We have a lot of plans, and we are

going to get started right away.”

A. C. Bollhoefer, Dry Goods and Groceries is considered a contributing resource to the Newton Downtown Historic District.

It is associated with the history of Newton commerce, significant in its contribution to our understanding of the evolution of the business district and its impact on the economic success of the community of Newton.

Merchant Bollhoefer, along with August Wendt, Christian Griebeling, Charles Jasper, et al., was representative of the numerous 19th-Century German immigrants who came to Newton and Jasper County to establish businesses.For decades, as the Bond

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Clothing Co., this was “the” place in town to shop for upscale men’s clothing.

The property is significant as a well-preserved example of mid-20th Century modernization movement in Newton which altered both early 20th Century and late 19th Century store front buildings on the city square.As the Newton Centennial of 1957 was approaching the city fathers wanted to modernize downtown building façades.

Many historic storefronts were removed and replaced by a monolithic modern modular brick façade with display windows in the lower portion and steel frame, muntin, and mullion windows in the upper portion.

Spring 2019 • Jasper County Living

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• Developed Downtown Design Guidelines to help building owners keep the historic integrity of their buildings and remain part of the National Register of Historic Places.

• Helped invest $1 million dollars in our downtown through programs like the Downtown Improvement Grant.

• Partnered with the City of Newton on the Downtown Housing Grant to help renovate and update second-story living spaces.

• Received two challenge grants from IEDA totaling $150,000.

• Logged over 6,900 volunteer hours.

• Took over the long-standing Newton Farmers Market.

• Partnered with the University of Iowa on a mural restoration project.

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Colfax Main Street celebrates Colfax Main Street has a lot to celebrate this year. It’s our 10 year anniversary; and in the past decade volunteers from our small but mighty community of Colfax, Iowa have hustled hard to bring revitalization into our historic downtown. This year we’re celebrating some important milestones for Colfax.

Colfax Main Street has encouraged more than $3 million of private investment into renovating and preserving historic buildings in our business district. Our renovated downt ow n has

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never looked better and is an excellent showcase for our delicious restaurants, antique and clothing stores, and services our businesses offer Our local volunteers have given more than 24,000 volunteer hours in helping spruce up our city, by bringing arts and cultural events to town, or by helping at one of our many city activities.

Colfax Main Street hosts more than five fun and engaging local events including Colfax Mineral Springs Days in June, the spooky Halloween Walk in October and the cheery Colfax Country Christmas in December. Please check our events page on our website for more details about upcoming events.

One of our proudest achievements is Colfax’s downtown being listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Spring City Commercial Historic District in November 2018.

This National Historic District celebrates

Colfax’s unique history as a once famous mineral water health resort and spa destination at the turn of the 20th century and the unique industries and economic growth that sprung up around that time of booming tourism.

You can learn more about the historic district by taking the Spring City Stories self-guided walking tour accessed on our website or by purchasing a booklet from participating businesses. Colfax Main Street invites you to celebrate with us by visiting our historic downtown and experience old time charm in a modern day world.

Contact us at www.colfaxmainstreet. com or on Facebook and Instagram!.

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