Keokuk Vol. VI, No. 3 ict Summer 2012 istr t D er A en geth Pu nm w to bli rtai tory flo cation Ente Where the Arts, Culture & His of the Keokuk Cultural and The Inside Scoop “Click” on any of the articles listed below to go directly to them. Al Moander's meandering path by Elaine Tweedy Foley lbert W. Moander was discharged from the U.S. Navy after two tours of Aactive duty in the dark waters off Viet Nam. He and his bride Nancy (Donahue) returned to their hometown to begin a new life. They unpacked and settled into their Keokuk home. That's when Al found his cherished blue electric guitar. Good memories surged through him from his earlier life as rhythm guitarist with The Gallows, a rock-n- roll band based in Keokuk. As a teenager, music had called Al's name. He, with friends Phil Ricker and Bruce Kettlitz, asked Dennis Chamberlain to join them in forming The Gallows. The rockin' quartet enjoyed much local success, and their dance gigs attracted hundreds of loyal teen fans and List of Advertisers friends. But the adult military Conn Communications ..... 27 veteran was married now. Courtyard Books .............. 19 Time to put away childish Cramer Real Estate ............ 13 things and get serious about supporting a family. Moander 1st Community Bank ...... 28 returned to the Hamilton Press, Hotel Iowa ..................... 10 a commercial printing company Hy-Vee ............................... 6 across the river, where he drew KSB Bank ...................... 11 illustrations for the customers' printing jobs. He also did sign Kevin Kuckelman, Atty ..... 4 painting on the side to earn MRP 100th Anniversary ..... 16 extra money. River Hills Village ............ 10 State Central Bank ........... 3 Al's the one on the right. Sutlive Real Estate ........... 9 Vigen Memorial Home ....... 26 His artistic talent was evident early in life when he entertained his junior high friends with accurate drawings of "Rat Fink," a popular cult cartoon figure in the '60s. At age 16 Al's natural art ability earned him a part time job at Hamilton Keokuk Cultural & Press where he worked until high school Entertainment District graduation in 1967. 329 Main Street Keokuk, IA 52632 319-524-5056 Continued on Page 2 www.keokukdowntown.com Continued from Page 1 Now Moander was cradling the sweet rock-n-roll guitar, caressing the back, scratched where a piece of gravel had left a rough scar. It was 1972 and, making an Keokuk CED Board of Directors adult decision, he advertised the guitar for sale and soon a young Illinois woman owned the shiny blue 1965 Fender Mustang. Tom Seabold, Ex-Officio Life happens. Al eventually left his Joyce Glasscock, Ex-Officio "comfort zone" at the Hamilton Press and Ed Kiedaisch, President began sign painting full time. Brushes and Carole Betts, Vice President paint were his tools of the trade and he Deanne Enderle, Secretary enjoyed good success in Keokuk. When local Dev Kiedaisch, Treasurer sign painter John Kennedy taught young Noel Brown Tom Gardner Moander the secrets of using gold leaf, neither Rose Marie Karre artist could have foreseen the changes coming Pam Kelly to their craft. Al recognized that the old Alka Khanolkar time-intensive disciplines of making signs and Rita Noe lettering were changing. Mike O’Connor By 1987 he knew those "new high-priced Chuck Pietscher computers" were a key to his future world. Sandy Seabold Always intrigued with technology, Moander Britny Soper purchased his first Macintosh knowing Macs Bill Vandersall were more user-friendly than PCs for graphic Ed Vinson designers. Al understood that for some artists computers would become as essential as The Keokuk Confluence is a quarterly pencils and brushes. publication of the Keokuk Cultural & Entertainment District. Advertising and It has been said that artists of all kinds news may be submitted by calling or are by nature restless, easily bored and e-mailing the contacts listed below. distracted. Al had been a visual artist and All opinions expressed in this publication graphic designer for 20-some years. He are those of the advertisers, writers, or other sold that business in 1990 and began a new news sources, and do not reflect the opinions chapter in his life. The next 17 years of of the magazine, the publisher, or the editor. sales and marketing positions provided wide The Keokuk Confluence is not responsible travel experiences and seemed to satisfy his for any errors. wanderlust. Contents are copyrighted. Reproduction of any material in this publication without Moander had a distant relative in written permission of the publisher is Montrose, the respected woodcarver Stuart prohibited. © 2010 Keokuk Cultural & Waider. Al remembers as a boy being Entertainment District. intrigued and curious about woodcarving The deadline for copy and advertising is after seeing Waider's finely detailed one month prior to publishing (generally the miniatures, his faces and the snakes. Then 28th of the second month of the quarter.) a few years ago a television show featured Email stories and articles to Sandy Seabold. chainsaw artisans. Moander had forgotten all about it until a vacation in the Ozarks. A Publisher: Sandy Seabold tall dead tree trunk was targeted for removal [email protected] at the resort where the family was staying. Content: Joyce Glasscock Al saw an opportunity to try chainsaw [email protected] sculpting and told the owner, "I can do that." Calendar: Carole Betts With nothing to lose except his dignity, Al [email protected] borrowed a chainsaw and created a 15-foot Advertising: Bill Vandersall blue heron from that old tree. He did do it. [email protected] Just four years ago Moander saw Editor: Tom Gardner something in a dead tree on a Rand Park Editorial Advisors: Elaine Foley corner. Mayor Dave Gudgel took a chance Joyce Glasscock and it paid off for both men. The former Janet Fife-LaFrenz liability is now a soaring eagle above the Dev Kiedaisch Mississippi Flyway's wildlife. More recently, Ed Kiedaisch Al has created a hummingbird feeding in the Dianne Stanley Rand Park flower garden. Other opportunities Moander created this sculpture Designer: Julia Logan are calling him and more chainsaw art is in the in 2008. Advisor: Rita Noe planning for Rand Park as old trees die. Technical Advisor: Ed Vinson Continued on Page 3 2 Continued from Page 2 Moander's granddaughter once was asked what her grandpa did in the park. She mused, "He holds his chainsaw and talks to people." Al laughs, "She's right. I love to talk to people." This people-person is resisting retirement because he loves his day job in business development and marketing. Daughter Lori Weber lives next door where she operates SunSigns, a graphic design / sign making business. When she needs expertise or another set of hands, her dad is available. All those years of designing run strong in his blood. Al's creative expression can't be denied. When asked what he would like to learn next, he answered quickly, "Watercolor. I'm fascinated by how the colors bleed together and how artists learn to control that action. I'd like to learn that." He remains close friends with the Gallows musicians. Grinning broadly, and with obvious delight, Al Moander finishes the guitar story. Nancy's nephew had asked Uncle Al to teach him how to play electric guitar. The kid did okay Al removes everything that is not and eventually wanted a better instrument. He a hummingbird feeding. phoned Uncle Al from a Quincy music store. He'd found a classic vintage guitar, could Al look at it and see if it was worth the money? "Sure, bring her up to Keokuk and I'll take a look." The nephew put the battered guitar case on the couch. Our former rocker, former Gallows guitarist, opened the frayed case and paused. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Al hesitated then turned over the Fender Mustang. There on the back was a scratch where a piece of gravel had left a rough scar. Al Moander's original shiny blue 1965 Fender Mustang had returned to him. And the music still calls his name. 3 Keokuk Farmers Market Celebrates 30th Anniversary by Chuck Betts, Executive Director, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce till going strong after 30 years, the Keokuk Farmers Market opened for its first Ssession on Saturday, May 19, at its usual location in the parking lot of River City Mall. Local growers and craft and art vendors got their first chance this season to sell their wares at this first session. The Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. each Saturday through the summer months. Julie Knoche, Farmers Market Manager, says there are some big changes for this season. “We will have painted and numbered the spaces for vendors so it will be easy for them to get organized and also to let people know where their booth will be. Individual session cost is a little higher this year, but vendors also will have the option of renting space by the week, the month, or the whole season. Season space and monthly space reservations will get a significant discount.” The market celebrated its 30th anniversary formally during the market on June 23. That day saw a cooking demonstration by Chef Ron of Angelini’s, live music, and an anniversary cake cutting during a special program held at 9 a.m. All in attendance enjoyed some cake as well as any of the many baked goods available at the market. Mayor Tom Marion signed a proclamation designating the day as Farmers Market Day in Keokuk. “This year, we are also planning more cooking demonstrations with chefs from local restaurants giving short lessons on how to use the goods which are sold at the Market.” Knoche said.