pu F b R Cl lica E int tio E on n  H of er th ald e
Bringing People Together
Spring 2012
A Place Where Rover Can Roam The Prairie Pastures Dog Park
Capturing a Memory The Muddy River Camera Club
28th Annual Eagle Watch Birdwatching and Educational Programs
PRSRT STD ECR US POSTAGE PAID CLINTON IA PERMIT 3
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Capturing A Memory The Muddy River Camera Club
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Soaring Eagle Nature Center An Outlet for Community Programs
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Order Up! Chicky Shaws, A Community’s Gathering Place
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28th Annual Eagle Watch Birdwatching and Educational Programs
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A Place Where Rover Can Roam Prairie Pastures Dog Park Draws In Dogs and Owners from Throughout the Region
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Taking Flight Clinton Native Has Her Eyes on the Skies
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Life on the River Eco Tourism Center is Near Completion
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Declaring a Winner How the Iowa Caucuses Played Out on a Local Level
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Something for Everyone A Closer Look at Maquoketa, Iowa
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Welcome to the Spring 2012 edition of Bridges! As warmer weather approaches, we thought it would be a great time to focus on some of the area’s outdoor activities. So in this edition, you can read all about things to do in the outdoors. Learn about what is offered at the Soaring Eagle Nature Center in Clinton’s Eagle Point Park, the nearby Prairie Pastures Dog Park, what is going on with the development of the Eco Tourism Center at Rock Creek Park and the fun to be had as a member of the Muddy River Camera Club. Linda Boardsen and her love of bird watching are featured as well. Also in each Bridges, we focus on an area town. This time around we are taking a closer look at Maquoketa, our neighbor to the north in Jackson County. A reopened restaurant in Spragueville, formerly known as Potsie’s but now called Chicky Shaws, also is detailed in this edition. Enjoy!
Spring 2012
Vol. 5 Issue 1 Editor Charlene Bielema
Associate Editor Scott Levine Contributing Writers Samantha Pidde Elise Loyola Ben Jacobson Angie Bicker Natalie Conrad
Page Designer Nick Teachout Advertising Manager Wayne Larkey Advertising Sales Kathy Huizenga Kevin Temperly Kindra Pedersen Marsha Luedtke Erin Fox
Charlene Bielema Bridges editor
Advertising Designers Brad Weltzin
Do you have an idea for future stories for Bridges? We’re always looking for good ideas of people and places to feature. If you have a suggestion, give us a call at (563)242-7142, ext. 155, or e-mail to news@clintonherald.com
Jane Dunham Nick Teachout Mark Misiewicz Bridges • Box 221 6tH Ave. so. • Clinton, iowA
BRIDGES MAGAZINE is a FREE publication of the
1215 East Platt Street • Maquoketa Iowa Box Office Info: 563.652.9815 Hours: M-F 9am-1pm
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Capturing a Memory The
Muddy River Camera Club
Samantha Pidde Bridges Staff Writer Photo by Samantha Pidde
he Muddy River Camera Club provides people with a place where they can share their photographs and learn more about cameras and photography. Clinton resident Bill Cornelius started the club several years ago. Linda Cornelius, vice president of the club, said her late husband had a lifetime interest in photography. When the couple was first married, he had a dark room in their first home. During his years as a teacher and a principal, Bill did not have the time to devote to his hobby. When Bill retired, he rekindled his interest in photography and thought it would be neat to have a local photography club. He began talking to various people about a possible club.
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“He just really enjoyed photography and wanted other people to enjoy it, Linda said. “He was a really good teacher too. So that kind of went hand in hand. He was anxious to help people learn more about photography.” At the time that Bill was contemplating a club, he and Linda were both working at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, where Bill served as webmaster. Club President Ken Kester first heard about the club while he was taking pictures at the arboretum. He had been looking for a fellow photographer that he could take pictures with. Since joining the club, he feels his own photographs have improved. “To me the club is really great because you share information that you know
and others share what they know and they all get better and better,” Kester said. The camera club meets at 7 p.m. on every second Monday of the month at the Lyons Depot. According to the club’s website, www.muddyrivercc.com, the purpose of the club is to “foster the advancement of photographic knowledge and techniques amongst the club members.” “It is a lot easier to put the right foot forward first and have someone help you than to buy a camera you don’t know anything about and read all those instructions,” Al Westphal, club member and field trip committee coordinator, said. “People are scared of their cameras. They are. They’re scared to death of them.” 5
Westphal worked as a pressman at the Clinton Herald for 35 years before he retired. He had a classic Nikon camera since the 1970s and decided to dig it out. He then decided to replace it with a new digital Nikon. “As everybody knows, when you retire you’ve got to keep going with something,” Westphal said. “You’ve just got to keep busy in retirement.” He did not expect to be so busy. He joked that he never seems to have any free time now. He loves the camaraderie of the members, sharing information. As a pressman, he said he learned how to “put red, yellow, blue and black together.” However, he never did anything with cameras. “Just being able to learn what I don’t know. That is the most important thing to me,” Westphal said. Bickelhaupt Arboretum Contest Chairwoman Alicia Cichon first heard about the camera club when Stormin’
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Norman portraits — a fundraiser for Relay for Life and cancer research — were being advertised in the newspaper. Member Beth Wiersema had asked the other club members to use their love for amateur photography to support Relay for Life. The event was held at the Fulton, Ill., de Immigrant Windmill. Later the club also did Stormin’ Norman portraits at Heritage Canyon in Fulton. Cichon attended the first Stormin’ Norman event and had her portrait taken at the windmill. She also began talking to some of the club members, including Wiersema. “I already had a love of photography but I enjoyed the opportunities for more learning and the community aspect of the club,” Cichon said. Club Secretary Mic Barnes also read about the club in the newspaper. She had recently retired and wanted to get out and learn about photography. Barnes likes being with the people in the club, doing what they all enjoy most. The club currently has 20 members. At one time, it had roughly 36 members. At each meeting the members discuss cameras and photography styles and share pictures. Members will give presentations related to photography. Sometimes the group will go on field
Previous Page: Al Westphal gets ready to take a picture on the group’s River Tour field trip. Above Left: Patty Bird capturing nature photos during a group field trip to the Arboretum. Above: Ken Kester snaps photos on a group field trip to the Curtis Mansion. Below Left: Using a projector, the group gathers to observe each others photographs. Below: Linda Cornelius hugs a book written about her late husband, Bill Cornelius, the founder of the club. Photos by Samantha Pidde
Above: Ken Kester with multiple cameras. Below: Alicia Cichon (right) shows some of her photographs to Mic Barnes (left) and Linda Cornelius (center). Photos by Samantha Pidde
trips or bring in guest speakers. The club will occasionally have Saturday play dates where members will get together and take pictures. When Cichon first became involved in the club, she was rusty with the manual controls of her camera and was using the automatic setting exclusively. One member at one of these play dates gave her tips and showed her how to use the manual settings. For the past three years, the club has also had an annual picnic. Members get together for food and fun. They will dress up and take fun photographs of each other. Every other month, the club will hold a scavenger hunt. A theme will be given and members will take photographs which reflect that theme in some way. The past theme was “patterns” and the next one was “fire.” The top pictures are
there is not one specific kind of camera for members to have. The person behind the camera, sees the picture, shoots the picture,” Westphal said. “The emphasis is on how that person sees it.” Westphal added that everyone has their own preferences and would shoot the same picture differently. Barnes prefers nature photographs, featuring animals and birds and Westphal especially likes photographing eagles. Linda likes unique or unusual subjects or abstract ideas. She said she likes to take thought-provoking pictures. Cichon’s favorite subjects are children
placed on the website and the winner can choose the next theme from a list. The club also has seasonal contests. Pictures are taken to reflect either fall, winter, spring or summer, depending on the season. Every member judges these contests, scoring each photograph from one to 10.
“And sometimes people come in with their new cameras and they don’t really know how to use them yet,” Cichon said. People will bring in their new cameras and show them off or ask questions. Cichon said members will help each other out in learning about a new camera. Westphal emphasized that
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doing fun activities with natural expressions. Kester prefers candid photographs. “I like to capture a memory so they look at that picture and remember what they were doing,” said Kester. The club is open to anyone who is interested. No matter the person’s skill level, he or she is welcome to join. The members agreed that the club’s dues are reasonable. More information about the club is available on its website or Facebook page. Westphal wanted to point out that those in the club are not lazy. When the club decided it wanted the projector currently used at meetings, a spaghetti supper was held as a fundraiser. Members brought pies and waited tables. The club also worked to honor the man who founded the club, Bill Cornelius. The members had a meeting one night and began designing a book honoring Bill. A few computers were set up and members chose photographs and designed pages. “This is a thank you for Bill in appreciation of starting the club,” Kester said. The book was originally made for Bill’s parents who supported his love of photography. Linda also purchased a copy for herself. The book contains photographs taken by Bill, as well as pictures of his family that were taken by others. “That’s a real cherished possession,” Linda said, hugging the book to her chest. n
Muddy River Camera Club Fall 2011 Photo Contest Winners Opposite: Ken Kester 1st Place - Salon Class Above: Christi Morgan 2nd Place - Salon Class Below: Mic barnes 1st Place - Studio Class Right: Patty Bird 2nd Place - Studio Class Photos Submitted by Muddy River Camera Club
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Soaring Eagle Nature Center
Natalie Conrad Bridges Staff Writer
An Outlet for Community Programs
ight next to the well-known Eagle Point Park is a unique historic nature center that often gets overlooked. The Soaring Eagle Nature Center, established more than 30 years ago, is a sprawling 40-acre facility including the Nature Barn, the Flannery Country Schoolhouse, 2 1/2 miles of trails and many recreational opportunities. The center is used for educational programs for many different groups including schools, scout groups, seniors and visitors. The center and school are also open to the public by appointment. The trails are open to the public for skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. The center also includes the Prairie Pastures Dog Park and an apiary or “bee yard,” where beekeeping classes are taught. The nature center’s mission is to offer educational, recreational, historical and cultural experiences to the Gateway area.
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The center is currently in transition, according to Soaring Eagle Nature Society Board President Melisa Jacobson. The center currently is working on several projects to improve the center. The downstairs will be getting new carpet, new paint and several of the murals will be moved to different locations. The upstairs will see some changes too. The loft or upstairs area of the barn will be used for historical and heritage items, while the downstairs is for animals and nature. The historical area will feature informative panels about the different time periods along with several items from that time period, including clothing. “The kids will be able to try on clothes from different time periods,” Melisa said. “It should be really fun and give them a feel for what things were like in the past.” The historic nature barn and Flannery School are in the process of becoming
Above: The Nature Barn, an authentic barn built in 1938, was converted to house several wildlife, nature, and historical exhibits. Below: The Flannery School house adds to the Nature Center’s rich history. Opposite Page: The inside of the Nature Barn displays several native wildlife and interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy. Photos by Natalie Conrad
part of Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Areas, one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and part of the Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through the development of a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA's mission is to interpret farm life, agribusiness and rural communities-past and present, according to the National Park Service. “The emergence of the Nature Barn and Flannery Country School as a Silos and Smokestacks site is very exciting,” Melisa said. The center will be focusing on the SSNHA interpretive themes of The Fertile Land (includes landforms and prairies), and Farmers and Families (includes native Americans, early settlement, one-room schools) and Conservation. A few of the changes will include outdoor way-finding signs, interpretive signage for the buildings and trails, renovation of the nature barn and new displays. A National Heritage Area is a region that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique qualities and resources. It is a place where a combination of natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources have shaped a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. National Heritage Areas are representative of the national experience through the physical features
that remain and the traditions that have evolved in the areas, according to the National Park Service. “The Nature Society’s very top priority is to change the theme of the center to offer something that the schools need as well as set itself apart from the other nature centers in the area, particularly the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center. In other words, to find a new niche,” Clinton County Conservation Board Education Coordinator Mark Roberts said. Both the barn and the school have a rich history that dates to the 1930s. The Nature Barn, also known as the Interpretive Center, is an authentic converted 1938 barn. In 1949, the property was purchased by Charles A. and Mary Holm. Charles established "Eagle Point Stables" where purebred Palominos were bred and groomed. At that time, there were equestrian trails through what is now SENC land and Eagle Point Park. In 1972, the barn was sold to the Clinton City Park Board, and became a nature center through a 501c3 nonprofit organization being created to adopt and support the center. The original focus was to develop a community children’s zoo, currently where the Prairie Pastures Dog Park is located. The zoo opened in 1974 and in late 1975 work began on creating an interpretive center at the barn. The Flannery School was built in 1935, making it the last one-room
schoolhouse built in Clinton County. At one time Clinton County was served by 166 one-room schools. The school was located on Humestown Road on the Herb Peters property north of Dewitt. Classes began at the school in the fall of 1935. The original name was “Flannery,” later changed to North DeWitt No. 2. The teachers did the maintenance work at the school and took their lunch with the children. Mrs. Lillis, a teacher at the Flannery School for nine years, from the fall of 1956 through the summer of 1965, recalled the excitement of the
new schoolhouse in the Oct. 13, 1973 issue of the Clinton Herald. “We were so excited with the new school: I just can’t tell you how wonderful it seemed at the time. We had a furnace we could turn up on cold mornings and we had flush toilets!” “Of course there was no hot lunch program and the children had to bring dinner pails, but that was nice on warm days because we used to go out in the yard and eat under a tree,” Lillis said. Mrs. Lillis retired from teaching in 1973. Flannery was also the last one-room schoolhouse in the county to close. Classes were held in the school until it was closed in the summer of 1965. The school was then moved in June 1974 to SENC land to save it from demolition. Upon completion of the new foundation for the school it was placed on its present permanent site on June 9, 1975. The change in country schools from one-room schoolhouses to more modern facilities was very slow and gradual,
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according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. It began with electricity, running water and indoor bathrooms being added to schoolhouses in the 1930s and 1940s. But even with the improvements, many rural students traveled to schools in larger towns to receive their education. More and more of Iowa’s one-room schools were closed. Finally in 1967, Iowa shut the door on its last one-room school ending an important chapter in Iowa’s history, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. In addition to offering a rich historical background, the center offers many outdoor recreational activities and hosts several events. The center is home to the George Morris Memorial Trail, a 2 1/2-mile trail that twists and winds through the trees, hills and prairie behind the nature barn and schoolhouse. In the winter the center offers winter sport rentals at no charge. Visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing along the trail. During • Consultation and education to community agencies, businesses and schools • Psychiatric and psychological evaluations • Co-occurring disorder treatment group • Sexual abuse treatment
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the other seasons the trail offers a nice hike or moonlit walk. “We are all about getting people outdoors and doing recreational activities,� Nature Center Board Member Chuck Jacobson said. Chuck is also a naturalist for the Clinton County Conservation Board and works as a liaison between the board and the nature center. There is also an outdoor stage with benches located next to the nature barn that provides a spot for performances and presentations about wildlife, plants and outdoor education. The center hosts a music performance series called Music in the Loft in the upper level of the nature barn or the loft. The concerts all take place at the nature center the first Thursday of each month from November through April. The series features a variety of music including folk, country and pop performed by Jacobson along with visiting musicians. The nature center will host its annual pancake breakfast on March 17 from
8 to 11 a.m. at the nature barn. The breakfast will include hot cakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, milk, juice and a hot drink (coffee, cocoa or apple cider). Donations from the breakfast help fund the renovations and programs at the nature center. At 10 a.m. Naturalist Chuck Jacobson will lead a discussion on the history and procedure of tapping trees for syrup. Handouts and where to find tapping equipment will be provided to participants. The nature center has several events throughout the spring, summer and fall. One of the big events is the Fall Festival, which features a pumpkin-lit hike along with several other Halloween activities. Melisa says the center will be able to host several speakers with its new partnership with Silos and Smokestacks. Many of the plans for upcoming programs are still in the works. For more information on the center and the events visit sencinfo.com, call 242-9088 or email sencinfo@gmail.com. n
Opposite Page Top Left: The Flannery School house, closed in 1965, was one of the last one-room schools to close in the county. Top Right: The inside of the Flannery School gives visitors a glimpse of what typical early American one-room schools were like. Bottom: The aviary, or bee house, allows the Nature Center to hold classes and teach about beekeeping and honey collection. Top Left: Musicians Gayln Reuter and Chuck Jacobson performing on acoustic guitars. Top Right & Below Left: Musicians entertain onlooking guests during a Music in the Loft event. Below Right: Musicians from left to right: Howard Cox, Gayln Reuter and Chuck Jacobson, and Mike Bunn. Center: The outdoor stage at the Nature Center is used to do presentations for larger groups of visitors. Photos by Natalie Conrad
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Order Up! Samantha Pidde Bridges Staff Writer estled in Spragueville is a restaurant that has been a part of the community, in one form or another, for decades. Laurie Franzen and Shonna Tietjens took control of Chicky Shaws in July. Before they took control of the business and renamed it after their own nicknames, the restaurant had been known as Potsie’s Bar and Grill for seven years. Franzen and Tietjens had both worked at Potsie’s for the previous owners. Franzen had never really contemplated owning a business. Then the owners of Potsie’s decided they were ready to sell. “Basically when they (previous owners) decided that they wanted out, we just talked it over and decided we’d give it a try,” said Franzen. Franzen and Tietjens took over the business and it was closed briefly. After some cleaning and remodeling, it re-opened as Chicky Shaws.
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Chicky Shaws, A Community’s Gathering Place Photo by Samantha Pidde
The restaurant has pretty much the cheeseburgers and sandwiches. same menu as before the change in A variety of side orders, such as ownership. Breakfast is served every mozzarella sticks, mushrooms, onion morning, except on Tuesdays when the rings, French fries, sweet potato fries restaurant is closed. Lunch specials are and gizzards are available. The breakfast available each day. On Friday nights, a menu includes a lot of typical items, buffet is available featuring chicken, such as waffles and biscuits and gravy. Chicky Shaws is the only restaurant in Spragueville. Franzen said they see a lot of regulars in the restaurant. “A lot of it is the locals, the local people,” Franzen said. During the evening and weekends they see more people from other communities. “Most people that come, they usually come back again,” Franzen added. Many of the regulars from Spragueville barbecue ribs, cod, breaded shrimp and remember the different incarnations of other selections. Franzen said that the business. Franzen was aware that people brag up how much food they get before the restaurant was Potsie’s, it was for the price. Sullivan’s Tap. Sullivan’s Tap started Franzen said they serve a little bit of sometime in the early 1970s and stayed everything. The menu features many of in business for 30 years before changing the basics, such as hamburgers, owners and becoming Potsie’s Bar and
Opposite Page: Owners of Chicky Shaws Shonna Tietjens (left) and Laurie Franzen (right). Far Right: Employee Marlee Helmle making food in the kitchen for hungry customers. Right: Franzen (left) and Tietjens (right) setting up the Chicky Shaws salad bar. Below: Owner Shonna Tietjens cracks eggs over the griddle while making a customer’s breakfast. Photos by Samantha Pidde
Grill. Franzen was unsure of what it was before it was Sullivan’s, but said it has had a long history in the community. Randy Ganzer was raised in Spragueville. Now he lives west of the town. His first memory of the business was before it became Sullivan’s Tap, when it was Reistroffer's Tavern. Then the Sullivans bought it. He remembers the family having six or seven children and said the place was a really family friendly gathering place. “Community kind of gathered here whenever things happened, good and
bad,” Ganzer said. Larry Helmle, of Spragueville, has lived in the community all of his life and was born across the street from the restaurant, above a grocery store that his father ran. He has been coming to the restaurant throughout the years during all of the changes in ownership. Helmle still comes to Chicky Shaws often in the morning. He can be found sitting at one of the tables, talking with a group of regulars. Rich Berdekamp, of Spragueville, is also happy that the restaurant has
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remained open. He pointed out that is the only one the community has and is convenient for the local residents. Berdekamp grew up in the town and had his first beer in the establishment. “We’d be lost without it,” Ganzer said. “It’s like our second home.” “The people around here are very friendly and nice and very helpful. If we ever need help with anything there’s some local that will be right there to fix it or give us ideas,” Franzen said. “If it wasn’t for them, we definitely wouldn’t have a business. They support us 100 percent.” Franzen said she has found that being the boss has more stress and a lot more paperwork. However, she and Tietjens love working together. They also both love seeing and interacting with the customers. “I have my favorites,” Tietjens said. Franzen and Tietjens hope to run the restaurant for quite some time. “We know we’re not going to make it rich, I guess,” Franzen said. “(We) just (want to) be able to keep everybody happy and serve good meals and hopefully stay open for a long, long time.” n
Top Right: Owner Shonna Tietjens serves food to Dale Portz, a regular at Chicky Shaws. Top Left & Above: An outside view of Chicky Shaws in Spragueville, Iowa, formerly known as Potsie’s Bar & Grill. Below Left: Customers Dale Portz (left) and Randy Ganzer (right), relax in Chicky Shaws while enjoying some delicious food. Below Right: Chicky Shaws regulars (from left to right) Larry Helmle, Leo Burken, and Richard “Doc” Rossman, talk and joke with each other while enjoying their cups of coffee. Photos by Samantha Pidde
28th annual
Eagle Watch
Birdwatching and educational programs
Ben Jacobson Bridges Staff Writer
nseasonably warm weather provided a dearth of birds for much of the 28th Annual Bald Eagle Watch on Jan. 8, but attendees didn’t seem to mind. The hundreds of visitors to Clinton Community College on Saturday were treated to educational and entertaining programs, and even came face to face with some real live birds of prey. “Now we’re going to bring out some birds you might not like,” said Candy Ridlbauer, of Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education, as she brought out a pair of Coopers Hawks during a
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live show. The Coopers Hawks are known for devouring songbirds, which doesn’t endear them to bird enthusiasts. However, Ridlbauer said that their vicious reputation is undeserved, as they were drawn to the area by humans providing food. “It’s our fault that this bird is killing your songbirds,” she said. “Don’t take it out on the birds.” The Coopers Hawks were joined by Peregrine falcons, Barred and Horned owls, kestrels and other raptors, or birds of prey, at the event, which entertained more than 500 visitors. Several
education programs were presented at the college campus, and visitors were also invited to Lock and Dam 13 in Fulton, Ill., to try to spot a few eagles. The purpose of the annual event, according to Park Ranger and organizer Ben Deroo, is to inform and entertain. Speakers and educational booths promote preservation and environmentalism, and serve as a good opportunity to introduce both young and old to the diverse local wildlife. Though the climate wasn’t optimal for eagle watching, a few were spotted by the observant, and attendance wasn’t
Above: Eagle Watch attendees were shuttled to and from Lock and Dam 13, where a lucky few were able to catch brief glimpses of bald eagles. Left: Steve Ridlbauer, of Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education, displays a bird of prey to Eagle Watch attendees. Right: Candy Ridlbauer, of Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education, comes face to face with a falcon during a presentation. Photos by Ben Jacobson
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drastically affected. In fact, while the warm, clear weather may have proven unappealing to the eagles, it may have had the opposite affect on event attendees. Deroo has helped with the annual event for the past few years, and said that this year’s crowd was quite large. “It’s grown each year that I’ve been here,” Deroo said. Following the live raptor show, visitors were invited to listen to Rudy Vallejo, an American Indian trained in the art of Bald Eagle dancing. Booths were also set up around the room, providing visitors with information on various environmental organizations, including the United States Fish and Wild Life Service and the Clinton County Conservation Board. Jessica Steines, an interpretive naturalist for the Clinton County
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Conservation Board, had several animals on display, including an Eastern Screech Owl, a snake and a turtle. Those dropping by her booth were invited to pet some of the animals, and learn a little more about local fauna. Steines said that her wildlife program travels around to elementary schools, where it is a hit not only with kids, but with people of all ages. “It’s everybody, not just kids,” Steines said.
“We are very hands on. We like to let them touch the animals. It’s an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.” The annual event is presented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clinton Community College and the stewards of the “Upper Miss” Refuge. According to organizers, more than 2,500 bald eagles visit the Upper Mississippi region annually. n
Opposite Page Above Photos: Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education workers displaying live birds of prey. Below Top Left: Clinton County Conservation Board interpretive naturalist Chuck Jacobsen rewards a girl with a sticker after coming in contact with a fearsome snake. Below Bottom Left: Steve Ridlbauer brings Eagle Watch attendees face to face with a falcon. Below Center: A Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education Center member displays a very large and beautiful bird of prey. Below Top Right: A Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education member brings visitors face to face with a falcon during a presentation. Below Bottom Right: Clinton County Conservation Board interpretive naturalist Jessica Steines, shares her knowledge with young Eagle Watch attendees. This Page Right & Below: Kickapoo Native American tribe member Rudy Vallejo, performs a Bald Eagle appreciation dance for the Eagle Watch attendees. Photos by Ben Jacobson
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A Place Where Rover Can Roam
Prairie Pastures Dog Park Draws in Dogs & Owners From Throughout the Region Samantha Pidde Bridges Staff Writer rairie Pastures Dog Park, located in Eagle Point Park, offers area dogs a place to run, jump and play with other dogs. “Exercising a dog is one of the key factors in having a happy dog. And if you’re going to keep the dogs in the homes, they need to be happy. The owners need to be happy and the pets need to be happy,” Anita Swearingen, the dog park steering committee chairwoman, said. The dog park is located on 8 acres of land that used to house the Soaring Eagle Nature Society’s old zoo. The park is managed by the Soaring Eagle Nature Center board. A steering committee was formed in 2010 and is
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comprised of dog park members who a dog park more than six years ago. May want to help improve the park. This teaches dog obedience classes and has committee meets monthly to discuss been a dog person her entire life. issues at the park. “I realized the importance of socialization of dogs and it was before I ever knew the statement ‘dog park,’” May said. “I was just seeking a place, property that we could fence in where people could bring their dogs and let them play and hang out together.” One of May’s friends had been to an Man’s area where there was a city dog park and her information about it. May brought Best then started talking to the city and Friend looking for city property where they could create a dog park. She attended Judy May, Soaring Eagle Nature Clinton City Council meetings and Center board member, had the idea for worked to convince the council that a
Opposite Page: A group of dogs anxiously wait for their treats to be given to them by Judy May. Photo Submitted
Above: Judy May holds Andy out of the snow on a cold day at the Prairie Pastures Dog Park, located in Eagle Point Park in Clinton, Iowa. Photo by Samantha Pidde
dog park was needed. As she was checking out different properties, May was told one day about the property the Soaring Eagle Nature Society leased from the city for the old zoo. The zoo sat abandoned since it was shut down three years before. May had to the speak to the society and attended meetings. “First I had to convince them of a dog park and the importance of it and it would also benefit the Soaring Eagle Nature Society because more people would realize there was a Soaring Eagle Nature Society and it would utilize that property,” May said. The project grew from there. “The land was so appropriate and so fitting and so everything that was
Left: A map of the Prairie Pastures Dog Park shows the variety of areas for dogs to enjoy. Above & Below: Dogs enjoy the open space to run and play with or without snow on the ground. Opposite Page: Sally Hill's dog Honey plays in the leaves during a visit to the Prairie Pastures Dog Park. Photos Submitted
overgrown and wild. She said it is a great place for the dogs to explore. Swearingen and May agreed that all of the dogs enjoy playing in the pond. The other big dog area features a nature trail.The senior or special needs area is a quieter area. This is for older or calmer dogs that do not want be around rambunctious dogs. “But it’s a pretty neat place,” Sally Hill, from the Soaring Eagle Nature Center board, said. She brings her dog, Honey, to the park often. A lot of the old zoo structures, such as the monkey cage and old goat house, are still there. The old monkey cage was turned into the splashy waters area. This is a water feature for the dogs. It is needed,” Swearingen said. “It was all there. It just needed to be cleaned up.” Today, the dog park encompasses the entire 8 acres of the old zoo. However, when it opened in April 2007, it only utilized half of the property. Work began in 2006. At that time, the grass was head-high and resembled a jungle, said Swearingen. May was adamant that the park not open until secondary fencing was installed to separate the small dogs from the large dogs. “You just can’t be too safe as far as 22
keeping big and little dogs separate and things like that,” May said. The dog park offers a varied terrain and different structures where the dogs have plenty of space and a lot of things to do and explore. It is sectioned off into four main areas. The park offers one small dog area, a senior or special needs area and two big dog areas. One of the big dog areas features the wilderness area and a pond. This area has a lot of natural habitat. Swearingen described the area as
accessible from both the small dog and big dog areas through a gate system. May and Swearingen agreed one of the key safety features in the park is the gate systems. The entrance is a doublegated area, which keeps dogs from escaping from the park. A second double-gated entrance was recently added. Each of the different areas can be shared by the dogs. Access is monitored by the members. “Everything in our park is up to the members to monitor and control,” Swearingen said. “It is controlled so you can limit which dogs use it at which time.”
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A central shelter can be accessed from all the areas. This shelter offers dogs and their owners a space to get out of the weather. The shelter is also used for various get-togethers and special events. A wall of pictures featuring members’ dogs is displayed in the shelter. Swearingen and May agreed that a dog park is good for the animals, people and the community. Swearingen first became involved with the park because of an over-active puppy she had. “I had a puppy that needed to be kept busy because otherwise she was going
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Below: Judy May passing out treats to dogs enjoying a nice sunny day in the snow. Photo by Samantha Pidde
Opposite Page: Joyce Stoddard (left) and Dick McClain (right) stand with dogs Pooh Bear and Ginger at the Prairie Pastures Dog Park. Photo Submitted
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to destroy my house,” Swearingen said. May said it is a great way for dogs to get enough exercise. She feels walking a dog is not enough because people cannot walk as fast as a dog can run. She also emphasized again the social benefit for dogs. “And so many people have found out how much their dog really likes other dogs,” May said. “Just because they bark at them when they walk past your house, that doesn’t mean they don’t like other dogs. They just don’t want them in their yard.” Swearingen said the park also offers a great chance for people
to socialize as well. She has enjoyed meeting the people and making friends. She also found it to be a great escape from her worries or problems. She said it can be very relaxing to just watch the dogs run across the park. “Up here we know the dogs’ names better than the people’s names,” Hill said. However, she added that the park really is a great place to meet other people. “A lot of people get out and about who wouldn’t be able to get out and about because they’re not physically able to walk their dogs any great distance. So they can come there and the dogs can take 25
care of the walking on their own,” May said. When the park first opened it had approximately 50 members that first year. Now the park has almost 200. Swearingen said word about the dog park has spread and they see a significant amount of revenue from day passes. “The dog park does bring people into town,” Swearingen said. “People will drive to be able to take their dogs to places that they can enjoy together.” Swearingen travels from Sterling, Ill., to visit the dog park. She and May said visitors come from many different towns and states. A lot of people who buy day passes return to the park. During the winter months, the amount of day passes sold decreases. However,
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the regulars still come and the dog park remains busy. “They (dogs) love to play in the snow,” May said. The Soaring Eagle Nature Center board and the steering committee are always working towards improving the dog park. Swearingen and May said they hope to add and improve the agility equipment in the park. They hope to one day have an agility course set up. Improving the informational signs and adding a bathroom to the dog park are other changes being discussed. May said they also hope to plant more native prairie plants for the dogs to play in. A priority improvement concerns the water system. The park has had a supply of drinking water for the dogs. However, the system is very old and it
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Opposite Top: John Schafer rakes wood chips over an icy spot at an entrance at the Prairie Pastures Dog. Opposite Bottom: Evie Siems gives some affection to Misty in the shelter area of the Prairie Pastures Dog Park. Above: Dogs gather around Judy May as she hands out treats to her four-legged friends. Below: John Schafer pets his dog, Sara, in the shelter area in the Prairie Pastures Dog Park. Photos by Samantha Pidde
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needs to be fixed. “And that is our high priority because we have to have water for a dog park,” Swearingen said. She added that they are concerned about what the cost might be. Anyone interested in more information about the dog park can visit www.sencinfo.com. Membership forms are available on the website or at each entrance of the park. n
Mon., April 16 5-8PM
Taking Flight Clinton Native Has Her Eyes on the Skies Angie Bicker Bridges Staff Writer
Photo by Angie Bicker
irding has been an integral part of Linda Boardsen’s life since childhood, starting with her mother. She fondly remembers her mother feeding the birds in the backyard. From there, Linda’s passion for birds took flight. Her love for birds led her to move from her hometown of Clinton to relocate to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1987 to be closer to Millcreek Park, which happens to be the second largest city park in the United States. The park offered weekend hikes, which Linda took advantage of, and led to meeting new people. From there, a whole new world opened up to her after she joined the ranks of the Mahoning Valley Audubon Society. “We started going on birding trips. It was the first time I ever saw swans in the wild,” she added.
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In addition to Millcreek Park, Linda has nothing but praise for MaGee Marsh, which is nestled in MaGee State Park in Toledo, Ohio, adding that it is “the most wonderful birding spot in the world.” The area lends itself to be a pristine place to see warblers, which happen to be Linda’s favorite bird. In 2002, Linda reconnected her roots when she came back to Clinton to be near her mother. “I’ve always been very proud to be from Clinton and I’m very proud to be from Iowa. I think we’re so fortunate to live along the Mississippi River and to have such a wonderful city park like Eagle Point Park. Until I moved to Youngstown to be near Millcreek Park, I really don’t think I’ve been to a city that has a comparable city park like Clinton. I think that we have just a jewel here in our park,” Linda said.
Since her return to the area, Linda has been an active member of the Quad-City Audubon Society serving as its educational chairwoman along with spearheading her own group in 2007, the Riverview Birding Group. Working with children and helping them learn more about nature and birds has been a rewarding experience for Boardsen. One of Linda’s favorite things to do during a day camp at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum is to show the children the yellow bellied sapsucker tree or the red baron crabapple where the yellow bellied sapsucker drills for sap in a straight line. “I feel like so many children are not being taken to the parks and have time to really explore nature. That’s why it’s been a real joy to be able to be involved with educating young kids at the arboretum,” she said.
Opposite Page: Linda Boardsen, a local bird enthusiast, is ready to watch birds at Eagle Point Park in Clinton. Photo by Angie Bicker
Above: Pilieated woodpeckers are a species that can be seen in the Clinton area. Photo Submitted by Dennis Connell
Right: Linda Boardsen makes bird calling noises to attract birds at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Right Below: Members of the Riverview birding group (from left) Patricia Harris, Linda Boardsen and Norma Smith at Clinton’s Eagle Watch event. Photos by Angie Bicker
Because of Boardsen’s eye to the sky, she helped spearhead the bird haven at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, which is located on the southwest corner of the grounds. With the permission of co-founder Frances Bickelhaupt, a local Boy Scout, Taylor Hicks, was the given the go ahead to create the haven for this Eagle Scout project. In this picturesque setting, there is a Leopold bench and field station featuring birds that flock to the arboretum. Each season brings forth a new found adventure when it comes to birding. Spring ushers the warblers through the area, fall welcomes migratory ducks
coming down the Mississippi River and winter welcomes snowbirds like the purple finch, American tree sparrow and juncos. “So, really any time of year you can go out and find something unique,” she said. Linda hopes to expand her knowledge of birds to the classroom through Audubon Adventures utilizing materials on a wide variety of environmental topics like birds, the ocean or different life cycles of the seasons in the Clinton and Fulton, Ill., school districts. “I want to meet with the superintendents to see if they’d be interested,” she said.
The program, sponsored by the Audubon Society, would provide enough materials for 30 students. The educational information would be geared for children in fourth through sixth grades.
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Above: A cedar waxwing at the Bickelhaupt Photo Submitted by Dennis Connell Arboretum. Left: Linda Boardsen points to birds showcased on the field station of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum’s Photo by Angie Bicker bird haven. Below Left: Linda Boardsen takes a look at the yellow bellied sapsucker in her birding book. Photo by Angie Bicker
Below Right: Joshua Cichon (left) and Joshua Baker take part in an EnviroKids event with Linda Boardsen at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. Photo Submitted by Alicia Cichon
When it comes to picking favorites, Linda gravitates toward the warbler. “They’re just so beautiful. They’re plumage is absolutely brilliant and gorgeous,” she said. While on a birding trip, she was able to see a surrilian warbler, a threatened species, at eye level. The birds winter in the Montane Forest of South America. “That is why it’s so important to preserve their habitat along the Mississippi River because it provides such an important habitat for these neo-tropical warblers,” she added. Each year Linda takes part in Clinton’s Christmas Bird Count and delights in the fact that more and more people are watching their bird feeders in the city of Clinton. For those who live outside the bounds of the bird count circle, their numbers are still recorded by Linda and
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kept at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum. “It is important to count the numbers because birds do give us a sense of how things are going in the environment (such as ) - air and water. It’s important to see what kinds of birds are at your feeders,” she said. Boardsen’s bird watching has not been limited to the United States alone but has reached into Costa Rica. “The absolute sight to see in Costa Rica is the scarlet macaw in the wild. It is so beautiful. To see them in the wild they’re huge; you can’t miss them. That has been the most awesome bird I’ve seen in the wild,” Linda said. So, what is the key to birding? Well, Linda has a couple tried and true tips. First, purchase a good birding book. Two, buy a good pair of binoculars. She said it’s important to find a pair you can
focus easily and that are comfortable. And three, go online and check out birding groups in your area. Looking into the future Linda would love to see the city of Clinton marketed as an excellent birding area. She said many out-of-town visitors enjoy seeing what habitat Clinton has to offer birds. “I think that’s a real important thing to keep in mind; a good way to promote the area,” she said. So what is it about birding that keeps Linda coming back? The answer is simple. “It just gives me a sense of joy and I just find it to be spiritually renewing. It’s important for me to get out in nature — to connect with nature. And it’s exciting once you start looking at birds. You never know what you’re going to find,” Linda said. n
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Natalie Conrad Bridges Staff Writer he Clinton County Conservation Board has had a very unique winter season with the new Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center being built near Camanche and the unseasonably warm and snow-free weather for a good portion of the season. The board runs all the parks and campgrounds in the county, plus one in Scott County through a partnership with the Scott County Conservation Board. The board’s purpose is to make available to the public, parks, preserves, forests, wildlife and conservation areas as well as encourage the wise use of natural resources to help citizens maintain a healthy balance between natural and manmade environments. Construction is near completion on the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center at Rock Creek Park. Construction workers were putting the final touches on the outside of the Eco Tourism Center at the end of January.
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Photo by Natalie Conrad
At that point the outside of the building was 99 percent complete, Clinton Construction Engineer Bryan Johnson said. The outside and part of the inside of the building is set to be completed by March. Most of the project will be done by early spring, with several additions added to the interior displays throughout the summer. The Eco Center, scheduled for a spring 2012 opening, is 8,400 square foot in size with a price tag of more than $1.7 million dollars. Another $650,000 was spent on interpretive displays, an 8,000-gallon aquarium, equipment and furnishings, Clinton County Conservation Board Executive Director Walt Wickham said. The team was putting trim on the windows and doors and putting in electrical fixtures at the end of January. The final touches to the outside and work on the inside are mainly complete. Floors and cabinets have been installed.
One section on the inside of the building cannot be finished until the aquarium is brought in, since once the section is finished, the aquarium won’t fit through the door. Much of the inside will not be complete until late spring or summer, Johnson said. The Clinton County Conservation Board plans to put several interpretive displays on the inside of the building. The board hopes to have the aquarium completed and installed by early March. The aquarium will feature native fish and will separate the cafe area from the interpretive center. The interpretive center will include several displays along with a turtle pond. The center also will include a movie theater and an event/banquet hall that are available for rent. “There is no doubt in our minds that the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center is going to be a great facility and a popular destination for tourists and
locals alike,” Wickham said. “It is our goal to make the Eco Tourism Center a place you’ll want to come back to again and again with your family and friends.” The plan is to have the center fully operational with the interpretive displays sometime in the summer. “The education about, and history of our Mississippi River and all the life that it supports, draws tourists from all over the country and the world,” Wickham said. “Our state-of-the-art Eco Tourism Center will educate and entertain tourists, as well as provide an excellent place for local schools, families, clubs, retired people and singles to explore our great Mississippi River heritage.” The board received much of the funding from grants and donations. The Howe Foundation made a
$250,000 donation toward the aquarium. Art Aquatics of Toledo, Ohio, was contracted to build the large aquarium. The aquarium is planned to be completed and ready to install by March. Archer Daniels Midland also gave a $50,000 grant toward the project. ADM's donation will be applied to the interpretive displays such as the backwaters wetland display. The Clinton County Conservation Foundation is still actively soliciting donations to complete the project. If interested in helping out, contact the Clinton Conservation office at (563) 847-7202 or donate online at http://www.mycountyparks.com/Coun ty/Clinton/Donations.aspx. While the unseasonably mild winter weather allowed the construction on the eco tourism center to run smoothly, it didn’t bode so well for the winter
Opposite & Above Photos: A look at the outside of the new Eco Tourism Center building. Below: Construction workers put the finishing touches on the inside of the Banquet Hall. Bottom: A construction worker paints the trim on some windows inside the banquet hall of the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center. Photos by Natalie Conrad
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sports activities and events planned by the board. Without snow until mid-January, several conservation events were either cancelled or alternative activities offered. There also, of course, weren’t any ski or snowshoe equipment rented at the park facilities. Although, regardless of the weather, some of the events had a surprisingly good turnout, according to Clinton County Conservation Board Education Coordinator Mark Roberts. The Full Moon Winter Sports Night on Jan. 9 had a relatively good turnout, considering there was no snow at the time. Roberts said they offered alternative activities, such as a moonlit hike and orienteering course. The Conservation Board always likes to offer an alternative instead of completely cancelling an event if possible, Roberts said. “When people come out for events and the weather isn’t ideal, we like to
give them other options,” Roberts said. “There is almost always some kind of activity you can do outside in any kind of weather.” Luckily by the Winter Sports Clinic on Jan. 21 there was plenty of snow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Clinton County Conservation Board Naturalist Chuck Jacobson gave participants an introduction to the outdoor winter sports of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A new feature this year was the updated equipment provided free, including New Nordic Norm boots and bindings, no-wax skis and poles. The program provided instruction and equipment for both beginners and those more experienced. The Clinton County Conservation Board has many events on their calendar for the spring in March and April that include a multitude of different opportunities, activities and interests. Clinton Community College will host
the Horticulture in the Heartland Symposium on March 3. The keynote speaker will be ISU Extension Climatologist, Dr. Elwynn Taylor, speaking on “Our Changing Climate”. Four other sessions will follow with experts speaking on Perennials, Mushrooms of Iowa, American Bald Eagle and other birds of prey, Growing Healthy Trees, Growing Brambles and Berries, Roof Gardens and more. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $30. For more information call 242-4771. Some other Conservation events in early March include Nocturnal Night at the Children’s Discovery Center and the Wild Turkey Federation Banquet. Nocturnal night is a nature program for children ages 3 to 5 with a hands-on
presentation on nighttime animal life indoors with an "animal hunt," craft and story. This event is 10 a.m. March 9 and is free of charge. The banquet is at 6 p.m. March 10 at the Millennium Ballroom in Goose Lake; it will raise funds for turkey habitat and public hunting. Call Craig at 249-3261 for tickets. The Bickelhaupt Arboretum will present a short program on the Vernal Equinox to help usher in Spring at 5:30 p.m. March 20. For more information, call 242-4771. The same evening there will also be a special program on creating recycled rugs at Rock Creek Park at 6 p.m. Participants will create rugs out of old T-shirts. Bring a 33-inch hula hoop, about 12 shirts and a pair of
Opposite Page & Left: The Eco Center features a large deck overlooking the Mississippi River. The deck will feature several picnic tables when finished. The entire building is on the upper level to protect from flooding. The area under the deck will also be used as a shelter and place to relax in the shade. Above: Clinton Conservation Board Naturalist Chuck Jacobson speaks to participants at a Winter Sports Clinic about safety and the equipment used for winter sports like cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Below: Jacobson shows participants skis that are specifically designed for children. Bottom Right: Jacobson makes sure each participant has fitted skis and poles. Bottom Left: Participants of all ages try their hand at cross country skiing during a Winter Sports Clinic. Photos by Natalie Conrad
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Far Right: Clinton Conservation Board Naturalist Chuck Jacobson assists participants at a Winter Sports Clinic. Right & Below: The Clinton Conservation Board offers outdoor activities for participants of all ages during all four seasons of the year. At this event, participants learned how to cross-country ski and how to properly use snow shoes. Photos by Natalie Conrad
fabric scissors. Participants will also be introduced how to make chair pads and baskets using the same techniques. The fee is free unless the supplies mentioned above are needed, call (563) 847-7202 to register by March 19. The Spring Pheasant Festival and Waterfowl Watch will wrap up the events for March. The pheasant festival on March 24 is a family night event for members of the Clinton County Chapter of Pheasants Forever. The
event is at 5 p.m. at the Wheatland Community Center and includes games, door prizes, an auction and pork dinner. Cost is $10 and the event is open to members only. Call Brad Taylor (563) 357-0465 for tickets. The Waterfowl Watch on March 29 will provide observation of ducks and geese as they migrate. The event is at 7 p.m. at the Ringneck Marsh Wildlife Area. In April, the Conservation Board will host several events such as the
Woodcock Watch on April 12 and the Rock Creek Water Trail Float on April 28. For more information on the Clinton County Conservation Board, parks, recreation and activities, visit w w w. c l i n t o n c o u n t y ia.gov/Page/Conservation.aspx or call (563) 847-7202. n
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Declaring A Winner Ben Jacobson Bridges Staff Writer
How the Iowa Caucuses Played Out on the Local Level ow that it’s all said and done, no one really knows what to make of the Iowa caucus. After months of listening to debates, discussion, arguments and promises from a field of candidates hoping to secure the Republican nomination for President, vote reporting and counting snafus have essentially guaranteed that the actual results of the first in the nation caucus will never be indisputably known. But, as a wise high school yearbook quote once said, “what a long, strange trip it’s been.” From the earliest days of the campaign season to the wee hours after polls closed Jan. 3, Clinton has been actively involved in Iowa’s chance to possibly have a say in determining the next president of the United States
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of America. Several candidates for president stumped their way through the Gateway area in the months leading up to the election. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, the eventual “official” winner of the caucus, made two trips to Clinton in 2011. At first considered by many to be an afterthought to headliners Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, putting all of his eggs in Iowa’s basket proved beneficial to Santorum. His 99-county tour of the state helped carry momentum into New Hampshire and beyond. However, his local events, held relatively early in the campaign process, were sparsely attended. An
Aug.1 stop at the Clinton Public Library attracted a dozen or so area residents, interested in Santorum’s faith-based, family first approach to governance. “The foundation of our country is not the individual,” Santorum said at the time. “It is the family ...If we destroy that, America doesn’t survive either.” A second event held at Happy Joe’s in Clinton had a similar turnout, and Santorum had a similar theme. He touted his consistent conservative credentials, and his track record of defeating entrenched Democrats. This pedigree, he said, would be essential to defeating President Barack Obama in the general election in November of this year. “There’s a reason I talk about my
record,” he said in November. “I’m proud of my record.” Even then, still considered a longshot, Santorum remained confident. “I’m in it to win it,” he said. Attracting a larger crowd was thirdplace finisher and US Representative from Texas, Ron Paul. Paul, a physician, has attracted a fervent following of Libertarian-leaning Republicans fed up with the conservative machine. His Sept. 27 stop at the Clinton Community College Technology Center was standing room only, with supporters spilling out into the aisles. His unconventional-by-conservative standards approach to foreign policy struck a chord with those disenfranchised with a perceived war first mentality. Paul called the Iraq war a “misadventure” and unlike several of his competitors in the race, said he did not want to intervene heavily in Iran. Paul also championed smaller government to the delight of his crowd. Entitlements and unfair taxation would end under his supervision, Paul said. “You ought to have the right to keep what you earn,” he said at the event. “It’s your blood and sweat.” Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann, a U.S. Representative from Minnesota, descended on the Gateway area on the same day in late December. Perry, accompanied by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, played to a full house at the Candlelight Inn restaurant. Perry said that as a Washington outsider, he understands the importance of state’s rights, and would put his executive
experience to good use. Like virtually all of the candidates, Perry opposed the federal health care reform package derisively dubbed “Obamacare.” Perry said he had no qualms about using the presidency to wipe out as many elements of the plan, which ostensibly allows for more Americans to have access to health care through mandates, as soon as possible. “Day one, I’ll use the executive order privilege that a president has to wipe out as much of it as (I) can,” Perry said. Bachmann went a less formal route with her appearance at the DeWitt Community Center that same evening. A campaign aide directed event attendees to remove the rows of chairs that had been set up so Bachmann could move unencumbered through the crowd. No formal speech was given at the “meet and greet” event, but a campaign video was filmed using attendees as a backdrop. “Together we are going to make Barack Obama a one-term president,” she said. Disappointing Iowa finishes proved too much for the floundering campaigns of Perry and Bachmann to handle. Bachmann withdrew immediately following a sixth-place finish in the caucus, barely ahead of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who refused to campaign in Iowa. Fifth place finisher Perry limped through to the South Carolina primary before admitting defeat. Though Paul, Perry and Bachmann drew sizeable crowds, none could compare to the pandemonium that greeted former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Dec. 28. His planned
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Left: (from left) County Auditor Eric Van Lancker, Clinton County Sheriff Rick Lincoln and Clinton County supervisor Jon Staszewski, were among the attendees at the Democratic caucus. Right: Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, seen here with wife, Ann, spoke to two packed houses during his visit to Clinton. Photos by Ben Jacobson
venue, Homer’s Deli and the Sweetheart Bakery, quickly filled to capacity, forcing event organizers to scramble for a second location. Luckily for them, Rastrelli’s Restaurant, located directly across the street was happy to oblige. Mike Rastrelli, owner of Rastrelli’s, said he had no advance warning of the potential annexation of one of his dining rooms, but he was happy to accommodate the overflow crowd. “We’ve had quite a few (presidential candidates) over the years,” Rastrelli said the day after the event. “They’re great for the citizenry to get a chance to meet the candidates.” Romney, whose business background, strong public speaking skills and history of success as a Republican in a traditionally liberal state has made him a front-runner throughout the race, has been deemed a more “electable” candidate than his peers. He said he would serve as a perfect foil to President Obama, who wishes to “transform” America, rather than “restore” it to what the founding fathers intended. “The patriots that crafted this country had the wisdom that sees beyond the years, and made an America that became the most powerful nation in the history of the
earth,” Romney said at the event. Caucus precinct participation was strong across the county, according to organizers. Precinct leader Carolyn Tallett said that among the attendees, several volunteered time and energy to serve as delegates at upcoming Republican conventions. “This is just a great start for the presidential campaign,” she said the night of the caucus. “Everyone was willing to serve. That’s not always the case.” Each precinct met and held a vote to determine support for a particular candidate. Candidates were awarded delegates, or voting convention members, based on performance. Though a number of primary elections will determine which candidate is ultimately awarded the nomination, Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus has traditionally helped winnow down a crowded field. More than 70 attended her caucus, one of eight in the city and many more countywide. Representatives were allowed to speak on behalf of any of the six potential Republican presidential candidates, one of whom will challenge president Barack Obama in the November general election. Ballots were then cast, and were collected by the chairman. Of the field, Santorum, Left: Jean Pardee, chairwoman of the Clinton County Democrats, speaks to the caucus attendees. Right: Carolyn Tallett leads a precinct caucus at the Clinton County Administration building. Later that night, Tallett, along with Clinton County Republicans chairwoman Edith Pfeffer, would be thrust into the national spotlight. Photos by Ben Jacobson
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Romney and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas, battled it out for first place throughout the night. Though Republicans arguably had the more important task of evaluating presidential candidates, Democrats didn’t exactly take the night off. A caucus event held at Clinton Community College reaffirmed support for the re-election of President Obama, and provided an opportunity for state and federal candidates to collect the signatures necessary to be placed on election ballots. All eight Clinton precincts met at Clinton Community College, filling the crowded meeting space. Gary Herrity, a volunteer for the Democrats, said the attendance was impressive given the relatively limited agenda. “Look at this turnout,” he said. “We don’t even have a choice. We have the best choice (President Obama). ...This is a great turnout. I thought we’d have 30 or 40.” The 2012 Democrat caucus was also notable for being the first to feature a live address from President Obama. Appearing via webcast at caucus events, President Obama encouraged attendees to remain committed to Democrat ideals and to support the party in upcoming elections. Though it was preceeded by a
months-long build up, the excitement of caucus day couldn’t compare to what happened later that night. In the wee hours of morning, well after the bedtime of most, two Clinton women shot to international fame. After 1 a.m., CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and John King tracked down Tallett, as Clinton precinct 2-2 was the only Iowa precinct yet to report. With only a handful of votes separating Santorum and Romney, the missing information was critical. Without it, a winner could not be declared. Unfortunately, Edith Pfeffer, chairwoman of the Clinton County Republicans and holder of the coveted precinct information, was sound asleep. “I woke up to the phone ringing, the doorbell going ‘ding, ding, ding, ding,’ and somebody pounding on the door,” Pfeffer told the Clinton Herald the day after the caucus. It was Tallett at the door, with news that the precinct’s votes had not been recorded, holding up the announcement of the caucus results.
In a 1:30 a.m. phone interview with Blitzer and King, Tallett and Pfeffer confirmed Romney had acquired the votes necessary to edge Santorum. The interview, and a subsequent conversation with additional CNN personalities, became the “best live phone call ever, according to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. “What do you mean the numbers don’t match?” Pfeffer asked King incredulously at one point in the interview, coining what will likely be the catchphrase of the duo’s time in the national spotlight. King had been calculating the total vote counts of Romney and Santorum, who finished within eight votes of each other. Pfeffer said the counts for precinct 2-2 had been reported to the Iowa GOP much earlier in the evening, but the released information from the state did not include the precinct. For 48 hours or so, the duo were the talk of national news media. They even briefly topped the worldwide trending list on social networking site Twitter.
Though Pfeffer expressed some weariness at the media attention directed her way, she said that the national spotlight is good for Clinton County politics. “People thought it was very positive, and put us on the map,” she said. “Unintentionally.” Romney briefly carried the mantle of Iowa winner, while Santorum took solace in a virtual tie. Then a series of counting errors was revealed, switching Santorum into victory mode, while Romney claimed a draw. Eventually, Republican leadership announced that the results would likely never be completely verified. That fact will likely serve as ammunition from those who argue that sparsely populated and relatively homogenous Iowa should not play such a pivotal role in the presidential selection process. But, even if just for its faults, the 2012 Iowa caucus, along with Clinton’s role in the process, is one for the history books. n
Above Left: Rick Santorum. Above Center: Ron Paul Above Right: Michele Bachmann Left: Rick Perry Right: Newt Gingrich Associated Press Photos
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Something for Everyone
A Closer Look at Samantha Pidde Bridges Staff Writer
e invite you to visit a vibrant community nestled among limestone bluffs, deep wooded valleys and winding rivers,” Maquoketa Chamber and Economic Development Director Stacy Driscoll says. Maquoketa, which Driscoll describes as one-of-a-kind, contains picturesque beauty, specialty shopping, a strong agricultural base and an array of industry. The community also features recreational opportunities, art and cultural opportunities and quiet residential settings, she says. “I guess, I would look at it as a kind of typical, yet atypical, medium-sized Iowa community,” Brian Wagner, city manager of Maquoketa, said. “We have all the friendly neighborhoods, friendly people. We have a kind of miniature mix of residential, industrial and commercial development like you would see in a larger city, only on a smaller scale here.” Wagner said Maquoketa’s location is
“W
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Maquoketa, Iowa atypical. The city sits roughly between Davenport and Dubuque and they all are connected by U.S. 61. He feels this makes Maquoketa more accessible than other similar-sized towns. Maquoketa offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The city government has put a lot of investment into the recreation program. Wagner said he feels this is not typical for a community of Maquoketa’s size. The city of Maquoketa operates several public parks and trails in the community that offer a wide array of amenities. The amenities include shelters and picnic tables, horseshoe pits, ball and soccer fields, tennis courts, playground equipment and more. According to Driscoll, one of the popular spots is Horseshoe Pond Park. This more than 11-acre park features a 2-acre fishing pond, trails, primitive campsites and 16 recreational vehicle pads with electricity. More than 600 local volunteers
contributed more than 5,000 volunteer hours to construct Little Bear Park. This park is 100 percent wheelchair accessible. It features a “tot lot,” mystery maze, a riverboat, rope, castles, slides, shade trees and an amphitheater. Other recreational opportunities also exist. The Hurtsville Interpretive Center and its 18-acre wetland offer opportunities for fishing, picnicking, hiking and nature study. The community’s location on the Maquoketa River provides opportunities for canoeing. Golfing is another favorite pastime and the region hosts 10 public, semi-private and private golf courses. Maquoketa’s entire recreation program is managed by the YMCA. This includes a large facility that is a collaboration between the city and the Scott County Family YMCA in Davenport. “I don’t think you see that kind of relationship in a lot of cities our size,” Wagner said. The YMCA is operated out of a
city-owned building and has been part of the community for the past four years. An almost $5 million project brought this center to the community. The Maquoketa YMCA features a full-size gymnasium, a multipurpose room and weight training and cardio exercise areas. A six-lane, 25-yard, zero-depth entry pool is featured in the facility, with a children’s splash area. Jay Bickford, of Maquoketa, visits the YMCA five days a week. He is retired and likes to spend his morning working out in the facility that he said has great exercise machines and a great staff. “It’s comfortable. I don’t have to walk
outside where it’s cold,” Bickford said. Wagner feels the community has benefitted from the recreation program and the YMCA facility. The facility has received a good amount of support from the community, even though Wagner admitted memberships are not at the amount the city had hoped for when the project first began. “We always say that 100 more memberships would really help there financially,” Wagner said. Maquoketa has other attractions for visitors. One such stop is the Maquoketa Caves State Park, just a few miles north of the town. The park
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Opposite Page & Above: A look down Main Street in Maquoketa, Iowa. There is a variety of different businesses such as stores and restaurants that provide the community and its visitors with both shopping and entertainment. Photos by Samantha Pidde
features limestone outcroppings, rugged bluffs, a meandering trail system and 14 caves. Another attraction just outside of Maquoketa is the 61 DriveIn Theatre. This seasonal drive-in is just south of the community on U.S. 61. Wagner said the community has a variety of organizations and facilities offering quality services to the residents. Maquoketa has its own school system, which Wagner maintained has a great reputation. Clinton Community College has a facility on the high school grounds that offers post-secondary education opportunities. Wagner also said Maquoketa's hospital has a great
Above: Maquoketa City Manager Brian Wagner. Center: A glance down Maquoketa’s Main Street. Right: Bob Fitzgerald (left) of Bob’s Barber Shop cuts customer Neal Donvan’s hair. Fitzgerald has been cutting hair in Maquoketa for 47 years. Opposite Top Left: Waitress Brandi Fultner figures a bill and takes money from a customer at Maquoketa’s Main Street Cafe. Opposite Top Right: The Maquoketa YMCA offers the community a variety of programs to participate in and also houses a vast selection of exercise equipment. Opposite Bottom: Member Services Representative Angie Conrad (right) checks in Jodi Coakley, the administrative services director, into the Maquoketa YMCA. Photos by Samantha Pidde
staff and offers quality healthcare. Maquoketa also features several historical opportunities. The community’s downtown area features the Maquoketa Public Library from 1903. Other notable historic sites are Costello's Old Mill, which is an 1867 limestone mill, the Lakehurst Dam and the Hurtsville Lime Kilns off old U.S. 61. There also are historic museums. The Jackson County Historical Society Museum, located on the Jackson County Fairgrounds, is a two-floor building with more than 22,000 square feet of historical items and displays
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depicting the heritage of the region. The Machine Shed is next door with one of Iowa's largest exhibits of antique farming equipment and a collection of horse-powered farm machinery. The Clinton Engines Museum is a newer addition to the historical attractions. The museum is based on the old Clinton Engines property, which served as the world leader in the production of gasoline engines during the mid-19th century. The building features a collection of interactive exhibits, a research library and a media arts center. Maquoketa also offers artistic opportunities. Maquoketa Art Experience, a not-for-profit enterprise, is located at 124 S. Main St. It develops and nurtures expanding interest in art. The Old City Hall Art Gallery was opened by Rose Frantzen and her parents and is filled by her works as well as artwork by some other local artists. Frantzen has gained recognition through her collection of 1800 oil panels of Maquoketa residents called Portrait of Maquoketa, which was distributed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., between November 2009 and July 2010. Maquoketa is also home to the Ohnward Fine Arts Center. This facility was put together primarily through community donations and built by volunteers. “It’s been a good addition and it’s really been a good-quality facility,”
Wagner said. Since Ohnward opened, it has hosted a variety of plays and events in its theater. A variety of art exhibits have been hosted in the facility's gallery. “I’m not aware of really anything that’s exactly like it in a town of our size,” Wagner said. “When you put together how it was put together, the building itself and then some of the things they’ve been able to book, I really can’t name anything, for a city of our size, that comes close.” Wagner feels the most significant changes in Maquoketa have been in its downtown. This is also where the city plans to focus its attention for the future. “I suppose like a lot of downtowns in cities of our size, there’s been a transition from the way it was 30 and 40 years ago,” Wagner said. If a person walks down Main Street, they will still see some of the local businesses that used to inhabit the downtown area. Local barber shops, restaurants and a few other stores can be found. “We still have retail aspects down there, restaurants, a movie theater. But it’s not the way it was 20 or 30 years ago,” Wagner said. The downtown area has gone through an evolution and a lot of the old businesses have been replaced. Now the downtown features more professional businesses, such as healthcare services, accounting services and legal services. “The Maquoketa Area Chamber of
Commerce and Office of Economic Development, City of Maquoketa, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, business community, private and public entities are visionary and are presently working on a multidisciplinary approach to future community development in partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) and Extension,” Driscoll said. The city is trying to find a vision for what it wants in the downtown area, Wagner said. The city will work with Iowa State University on a two-year Vision 20/20 process. A survey will be sampling 500 respondents to get an idea of people's opinions on how they want to see the community, especially the downtown area, grow and change. “We’re always looking at improvement,” Wagner said. Another great part of Maquoketa is the love for fine art that the community shares. The Ohnward Fine Arts Center, 1215 E. Platt St., Maquoketa, is a dream come true, offering fine art and education to the community. The 29,800-square-foot non-profit facility was made possible through
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Left & Above: Maquoketa YMCA members Jay Bickford (left) and Duane Manning (above). Bottom Left: In the Drew Art Gallery of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center, sits a bust of John Fagerland and Edward Tubbs. The two donated matching funds for the Vision Iowa Grant and the center is named after them in their honor. Bottom Right: The sign outside the Ohnward Fine Arts Center welcomes visitors and broadcasts upcoming events being held there. Photos by Samantha Pidde
private donations, grants and countless volunteer hours. Ohnward opened in December 2004, after more than a decade of planning. This Fine Arts Center came together through the support of the Maquoketa community. The idea of the center was first dreamed by Gary Drew. He wanted to build a performing arts theater for the Maquoketa community in 1991. Drew and his wife, Marilyn, purchased a spot in the Maquoketa Industrial Park in April 1998 and donated the 3-acre spot to the cause. The Drews also began an endowment fund to help cover the maintenance and operation costs for the center. The couple purchased another 4 acres south of the facility to
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be used for future development. More than 900 families participated in bringing the center to life. John Fagerland and Edward Tubbs, whom the center is named for, donated matching funds for a Vision Iowa grant. Because of their donations, they were allowed to name the facility. They chose to combine John and Edward to become Ohnward. “The facility is not just a building but a symbol of the spirit and generosity of people who care,� Richard Hall, executive director of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center, said in an e-mail. He added that due to all of the volunteers, the building cost less than $1 million and was paid off in December 2009.
Ohnward includes an art gallery and a theater. The Kopel Theatre, named after James and Harlene Kopel, from Moline, Ill., has 841 seats. The couple made a substantial donation to the center in January 2000. The stage is 70 feet wide by 35 feet deep. Four dressing rooms and two restrooms can be found backstage. The theater has a 12,000-watt, 40-channel sound system, computercontrolled lighting spots and a Yamaha Conservatory Grand Piano. A garage door backstage allows crew members to drive vehicles into the backstage area for unloading props and equipment for a production. The Drew Art Gallery, named after the
Drews, offers a 3,600-square-foot exhibition area and has 850 square feet of wall space. New artists have exhibits every two months and the gallery hosts luncheons and receptions. The Drew Art Gallery also offers a wide variety of handmade items, such as jewelry and pottery. The Ohnward Fine Arts Center and the Maquoketa community theater group the Peace Pipe Players joined forces and now produce two or three shows per year. In 2011 the combined forces produced “Over the River and Through the Woods,” “All Shook Up” and “It’s a Wonderful Life – Live Radio Play.” “Audiences are now able to enjoy Community Theater as well as professional theater at the center,” Hall said. The first joint production of the 2012 season was “On Golden Pond” by Ernest Thompson, held Feb. 10, Feb. 11 and Feb. 12. On Feb. 25, the center hosted “Joseph Hall’s ELVIS.” Opera Iowa will present “The Magic Flute,” at 7 p.m. March 10. Mozart's commentary on love, forgiveness, tolerance and the brotherhood of mankind is considered one of the most beloved operas in all the repertory. The Glenn Miller Orchestra will play at 7 p.m. March 24. The Glenn Miller Orchestra is a 19-member band that continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements. The Chairman’s Board – Peter Oprisko will perform at 2 p.m. May 5.
A classic car show will be from noon to 5 p.m. June 23, followed by Bill Haley and the Comets at 7 p.m. The second Ohnward and Peace Pipe Players production will be held on July 13, July 14 and July 15. “Always...Patsy Cline” features 27 of the singer’s most popular songs. The season will finish with “Heartache Tonight, A Tribute to the Eagles” on Sept. 15 and Boss Grant and his Johnny Cash review on Oct. 13. “Close to You, the Music of the Carpenters” will be performed Nov. 24. For tickets or any other information on the Ohnward Fine Arts Center, call (563) 652-9815. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. People can also visit www.ohnwardfineartscenter.com. n
Top Photos: The cast of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center (right) and a photo taken during the performance of a play (left). Photos Submitted by The Ohnward Fine Arts Center
Above and Below: The Drew Art Gallery of the Ohnward Fine Arts Center features art exhibits and various handmade items such as jewelry and pottery. Photos by Samantha Pidde
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