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DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 2015 • WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
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The Salvation Army provides to more than 260 families this Christmas Food, clothing and toys given for the holiday By Kate Malott Newton Daily News
manent. “We fell in love with the small town appeal as well as the friendly folks,” Dave said. Acquiring a good-sized front yard meant that Vickie, who, according to Dave, loves everything about Christmas, could expand their display. He said the new set up was about a third of what is currently on display.
The Salvation Army, with the help of donations and volunteers, supplied more than 260 local families with food baskets this week along with clothing and toys for 143 area children. Around 140 food baskets were given out Monday to families who requested food assistance only. Another 120 food baskets were given out Tuesday to families who had also requested clothing and toy assistance for children. Families requesting Christmas food assistance received food items for a traditional holiday dinner as well as additional food items to help last during the holiday break when there might be more people in the house and children out of school. Christmas assistance requests have remained fairly consistent throughout the last few years, according to Newton
LIGHTS | 3A
SALVATION ARMY | 10A
Jamee A. Pierson/Daily News Dave and Vickie Conger have been decorating their homes for the past 10 years, starting with a small rental and building up to the large display they have now. Their 215 display can be at the corner of East Fourth Street North and North 10th Avenue East.
Decked out for the holidays
Newton couple builds grand display ‘for the kids’ By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News As festive displays of holiday cheer shine throughout the community this time of year, one light presentation, at the corner of East Fourth Street North and North 10th Avenue East goes the
extra mile, thanks to Dave and Vickie Conger and their neighbors. The couple moved to Newton in 2005 after living in Davenport, when Dave accepted a job in Des Moines. They first lived in a small rental and although their display was more
quaint, it was the start of something big. “When we first moved to Newton, we lived in a small rental property across from Berg School, so our display was rather small — just a few lights along the gutters — as well as the bushes in front with a couple of blowups,” Dave said. After living in Newton for three years, the couple decided to purchase a home and make the stay more per-
Christmas in Newton 1915
Newton store windows decorated ‘prettier than ever before’ for Christmas 1915 By Larry Hurto Special to Newton Daily News Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles about Christmas in Newton a century ago. “Because so many of the windows around the square have been decorated for the Christmas season, it seems worth while to mention them, and call special attention to the efforts which the merchants have put forth,” Jim Rhodes, editor of the Daily News, declared on Dec. 13, 1915. The Daily News writer considered the displays put up by newlywed Fred Wagner, the window trimmer and decorator at the Big Store, 101 1st Ave. E., to be “beautiful.” “Between the divisions of the windows, Mr. Wagner has put up partitions that look like parts of a handsome
low fence covered with snow. These are set off by the rich mahogany tones of the back ground of the windows. Among the top of the windows is a row of evergreen. “Horn Brothers on the north side have the windows of their shoe store decorated to represent the entrances to buildings of Gothic design. This is worked out against the dark oak background of the display windows, and is very attractive indeed. White pillars decorated with white holly and windows that look real, complete the design. “The McFarland-Morris Company is displaying linens in a window which has a white background trimmed with poinsettas [sic]. It is very pretty. CHRISTMAS | 3A
Submitted Photo The new Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1914, was dedicated on Jan. 31, 1915. Christmas Eve services were held here in 1915 Dr. Frank E. Day was pastor.
Capitol Issues
Kelley has four key areas of emphasis for legislature By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily News Editor’s Note: The following is the second in a multi-part series of discussions about topics affecting Jasper County and Iowa citizens ahead of the 2016 Iowa Legislative Session. Today’s edition features excerpts from an interview between the Newton Daily News and House District 29 Rep. Dan Kelley (D-Newton). A similar interview with Iowa State District 15 Sen. Chaz Allen published Dec. 17. Email questionnaires completed by District 14 Sen.
Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) and District 28 Rep. Greg Heartsill (R-Columbia) will be published in the weeks ahead. NDN: Is Kelley there legislation that you introduced in 2015 that will resurface in some form, or that you’ll re-introduce? Kelley: Yes, there is. The bills have four general priorities: Water quality, renewable en-
ergy, veterans issues and the food banks. Those are bills where I am the lead sponsor. There are other topics such as homebuyer protection and Special Olympics license plates. I co-sponsored a bill last year to raise the minimum wage (HF 71), and still proudly support an increase. A working family cannot thrive on the current wage; it’s critical that we raise it. NDN: With the Bakken Oil Pipeline proposal and its eminent-domain issues being so high-profile, what eminent
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dent environmental impact assessment prior to a permit specific to liquid pipelines. That bill is still alive this year (bills introduced in the first year of session can still be taken up in the second year, regardless of whether it cleared the two 2015 funnel dates). Regardless of the IUB ruling on Bakken, we may face another project down the road, and federal regulations only require a flyover to check for damage. That’s inadequate. CAPITOL | 10A
FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
domain bills or discussion do you think will come up in the legislature? Kelley: I am strongly opposed to the Bakken Oil Pipeline and I hope the Iowa Utilities Board rejects the project. But it’s important for everyone to remember that the IUB is the eyes and ears of the public on these issues, and serves at the pleasure of the governor. I introduced a bill last year (HF 592, which was never taken up by the Commerce Committee) that would require an indepen-
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Giving the gift of health
Treat those you care about this season / 2A
Volume No. 114 No. 156 1 section 12 pages
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