Wednesday January 13, 2010

Your Award Winning Hometown Newspaper Vol. 124 No. 2 How much water this Spring? Briefly - By John Carpenter Winter band concert at school Gazette Staff The Columbus Community School Bands will present their annual winter band concert on January 18, 2010, at 7 p.m., in the middle school Are we looking at another 2008? auditorium. Bands performing will be the 5th grade band, 6th grade This is a question on many people’s band, Junior High band and the High School band. The bands will be minds as we are in the grip of another performing a variety of music including traditional and contemporary severe winter. Reports of six to eight band pieces. There will be an admission charge of $3.00 for adults and inches of snow were reported during $2.00 for students. The concert will conclude with a performance of late last week’s storm, with frigid the combined bands. This will bring over 100 band students together – temperatures and high winds. Al- a grand finale performance! Make plans to attend this concert and though snowfall hasn’t been unusu- enjoy an evening of band music. ally large in our area, communities in the northern part of the state have City Council to meet tonight received a number of heavy snows The City of Columbus Junction will hold a regular Council meeting already this winter. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., at the New Civic Cen- As these snows melt and move ter/City Hall. towards the rivers, they will pass over already heavily saturated ground. Concert for a Cause to benfit The community experienced record Louisa County Ambulances rainfalls this past fall, and there were Esterlyn, an up and coming Christian rock band, will be performing very little places for that moisture to at the Columbus Community School’s Auditorium on Tuesday, Febru- go. If this year’s snow melt is rapid, ary 23, 2010. The 7:00 p.m. concert is a benefit with all proceeds going and we toss in any large spring rains, to the Louisa County Ambulance Service. Esterlyn has opened for popu- the area could be a sitting duck for lar Christian rocks bands such as Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pil- more flood problems. lar, Fireflight, Stellar Kart, Disciple and more. The concert is being But the situation is somewhat dif- sponsored by Victory Christian Center, 122 Ninth St, Columbus Junc- ferent than it was in 2008. The city tion, IA. For more information on purchasing the $10 general admis- has taken a number of steps after that sion tickets, contact the church by either calling 319-728-5720, going flood that will help. Two large pumps to the church website, www.vccjunction.org, or by contacting a Colum- bus Junction ambulance volunteer. have been purchased and placed at low areas which will help move a Snow piled at the former Mobil Station on Downtown Park at corner of Walnut and 2010 Fair dates set good deal of water over the levee. Walnut Street Main Streets last Saturday morning The dates for the 2010 Louisa County Fair are: July 24 – Parade Also, the city has completed quite a and Fair Kickoff; and July 26-31 – Fair. The dates for the State Fair are bit of work on the existing levees. ing anyway,” said Mayor Dan Wil- more equipment, and we learned and Iowa Rivers came to a head at August 12-22. Last week’s Gazette reported the dis- son, “but some of the other steps we where our weak spots are. We cer- nearly the same time. appointing news that the city was de- have taken since the flood has made tainly are ready to take the offensive If Iowa experiences a slow snow Grandview/Letts Lions soup supper clined on a CDBG grant for addi- us better prepared to take action in if it becomes necessary.” melt, with below average to average The Grandview/Letts Lions Club will hold their annual all-you-can- tional levee work, but the story did the event of flooding.” It is important to note that a num- spring rains, the disaster of 2008 eat Soup Supper on Saturday, January 16, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at the L- indicate that city leaders are not giv- Wilson pointed out that the city ber of unusual items came together should not be repeated. As Mayor M Elementary School cafeteria. The menu includes chili and Wiscon- ing up on pursuing the funds. was able to learn a lot from the flood in 2008 to cause the damage. The Wilson stated, “All we can do for now sin cheese soups, homemade pies, crackers, celery, carrots, pickles, and “Even if we had been given the of 2008, and would make some snow melted rather quickly, heavy is monitor the situation, hope for the beverages. Tickets can be bought ahead of time for $5.00 from any Grandview/Letts Lions Club member. Tickets will be $6.00 at the door. grant, we wouldn’t have been able to changes in the way a flood is fought, spring rains were experienced best, and take immediate action if it Ages 6-12 cost $3.00. Ages 5 and under are free. do anything for this spring’s flood- “Our defenses are stronger, we have throughout Iowa, and both the Cedar becomes necessary.”

Williams. Conservation Board to meet receives U.S. Cellular grant for class- The Louisa County Conservation Board will meet today, Wednes- June 17, 2009 – Ham radio op- 2009 Year in Reivew, Part 2 room funding. day, January 13, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., in the Louisa County Conservation erators demonstrate emergency capa- April 1, 2009 – Night Burn Work begins in community in Relay for Life teams begin to Board Office. scheduled for Marr Park. preparation for Keep Iowa Beautiful form. bilities. Hispanic Culture Immersion visit. Honor Tour returns from Wash- Polliwog Nature Camp held at Legislative Forum scheduled weekend held. Plants and Things offers Michael ington, D.C. Langwood. Tom Huston named 2009 Colum- Professional Rodeo booked for There will be a legislative forum on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Former resident Nate Boulton York Swinging Bridge photograph the Burlington Public Library in Burlington, Iowa form 9:00 to 11:00 bus Distinguished Graduate. Chief Wapello Days. appeared on television program dis- for sale with proceeds to be used to a.m. Senator Tom Courtney and Representatives Dennis Cohoon and Obituaries include Pearle L. Master Gardeners hold “Garden cussing worker’s compensation is- repair Swinging Bridge. Tom Sands will be present. sues. United Fund begins accepting “Poss” Call. Walk.” Corps of Engineers studies pos- applications for funding support. May 27, 2009 – Area Veterans Habitat for Humanity breaks Shellbark Club to meet honored for their service. groundbreaking in Wapello for 11th sible levee changes in community. American Legion Auxiliary spon- The Shellbark Club will meet on Wednesday, January 20th, at 9 a.m., th th Special feature published on Habitat Home. Habitat for Humanity dedicates sors Poppy Poster contest for 4 – 8 at the home of Janet Gipple for coffee. Please note the change of day Louisa County Lions Clubs. Secretary of Agriculture Tom tenth home in County. grade students. and time. Obituaries include Howard L. April 29, 2009 – CJ Speedway Columbus Parenting and Ad- Vilsack visits Columbus Junction. Barnard. opens season. vanced Animal Science Class helps Bobbie Shirkey named new ad- Census workers needed April 8, 2009 – Columbus Junc- William J. Paris Conservation decorate graves in Columbus City. ministrator of Colonial Manor. US Census 2010. Work up to 40 hours per week. Temporary Part- Obituaries include Charles Buser. tion and Wapello team up with Scholarship established. Sheriff Curt Braby attends sign- time job with 2010 Census. Enjoy good pay, flexible hours, mileage ing of Senate Bill 340 (The Adam June 24, 2009 – School Board Alliant Utilities and Trees Forever in Columbus Middle School stu- fee reimbursement, chance to serve your community. Call 1-866-861- Walsh Act.) reviews extra-curricular activity Branching Out Program. dents celebrate Earth Day. 2010. Victory Christian Center Church Obituaries include Robert R. Polly Prior receives Shining Star rules. hosts “Town Hall for Hope” broad- Murdock, Mary Hafner, Evelyn Award for work on rebuilding Senior The book, One Week in June, The Columbus City Council to meet cast. Louise Long, Larry Arthur Cheney. Center. Iowa Floods of 2008 is released. The Columbus City Council will meet for a special council meeting Farm Bureau agents Marvin Muscatine Area Council on Youth Reported that FEMA assistance Wapello students attend JEL sum- on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Agenda items Buffington and Patricia Woepking Leadership reports record participa- in Louisa County exceeds $20 mil- mit in Grinnell. earn Farm Bureau Silver Awards. tion. lion. Heavy rains cause flooding in include review of engineers for water improvement project. Crawfordsville and Wapello re- Senior Center reopens after flood Obituaries include Samuel and community. Senior Center again ceive CDBG Funds for water and recovery is completed. Jackie (Haupert) Langstaff. damaged. Firemen ask area residents to sewer projects. Columbus Benefited Fire District June 3, 2009 – Jolly and Vance Diana Ogier Stout recognized for Rachel Harris and Sofia Valdez takes delivery on new fire truck. Families pledge $10,000 to Louisa her volunteer efforts with children. dig snow away from hydrants win blue ribbons at Special Olym- May 6, 2009 – Extension Office Interpretative Center. Obituaries include Laverne The Columbus Firemen are asking area residents to please take the pics in Eldridge. offers free Parent Education Courses. Great Beginnings Preschool “Vernie” Dvorak, Herbert “Stub” time to dig out any fire hydrants that are on your property. Precious Keep Iowa Beautiful schedules Iowa Pork Queen visits Colum- holds 2009 graduation. Harbison. time will be lost by firemen if they need to move snow away from the spring visit to Columbus Junction. bus Schools. Wapello Junior and High School hydrants when responding to a fire. Popcorn and a Movie under the FFA holds blood drive. JEL members produce creative Part 3 continued next week stars scheduled for Senior Center Local churches schedule National project to remind citizens of dangers parking lot. Day of Prayer. of tobacco use. April 15, 2009 – Birthright in Colonial Manor announces plans American Legion Auxiliary give Wapello reopens after flood repair. for Nursing Home Week. Teddy Bears to local ambulances. Ladies have good time with hats Tri-Rivers schedules conserva- Honor Tour sets to depart within Colonial Manor receives Excel- In August of 1992 a picture of tion tour. week. lent State Report. several Columbus Junction ladies Plank Implement sold to Bennett Great River Region Partnership Columbus Students receive wearing hats appeared in the Gazette. Farm Equipment. conducts surveys on local labor mar- $84,000 in awards at award banquet. The photo was taken by Ramona ket. May 13, 2009 – Fish ‘n Fun Day Sandy Martin announces retire- Wink, and featured members of the City begins discussion on demo- held at Langwood. ment after 36 years in Columbus C.J. Coffee Klutch at a hat party at lition of flood damaged buildings. Columbus High School 2009 Schools. Columbus FFA holds annual ban- graduates honored. Obituaries include Louise Sime Roundy’s home. Connie Lewis quet and alumni meeting. Columbus Schools pass policy Padgett. served as the official hat judge. Columbus Junction Lions Club prohibiting use of all tobacco prod- June 10, 2009 – County Conser- Attending the party were Juanita members cleaned road ditches from ucts on school grounds. vation Board holds Cricket Camp at Sands, Connie Lewis, Bev Hafner, the Iowa River to Indian Creek. Hispanic Cultural Exposition Chinkapin Bluffs. Jan Rueckert, Jeannette Obituaries include Richard C. held at Farmers’ Market. Heritage Museum receives Cot- Masonholder, Ruth Dircks, Charlotte Pugh, Ethel Rose Fisher Benhart, Phase One of Keep Iowa Beauti- ter School memorabilia. Morrison, Darlene Oak, Dee Griffin, Phyllis M. Steele. ful revitalization of community com- Boysen Family contributes Wilma Masonholder, Joyce Snyder, April 22, 2009 – Mother/Daugh- pleted. $10,000 to County Interpretative Laverta Evans, Jos Pedersen, Mary ter salad supper held at Letts Bible Relay for Life begins passing toi- Center. Bowen, Sime Roundy, and Margaret Church. let seat around to raise funds. Columbus Fire Station receives Robertson. Mary Beth Carey retires after 38 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile vis- mural in memory of Molly The photo not only appeared in Edmondson. years of teaching in the Muscatine its Columbus Junction. the Gazette, but it was then printed School District. Obituaries include Milo Markus R.F. “Bo” Morrison and Sam on a sweatshirt. Pictured is the would like to stop in, the shirt, along names and the memories that we have Melinda Rees honored by Ameri- Viner, Richard A. Knupp. Sands honored as 50 year Legion sweatshirt, but the photo possibly with the news story will be on dis- of each of them. All of these ladies, can Cancer Society for her volunteer May 20, 2009 – Family Night members. won’t reprint very clearly. play for however long Carla lets us efforts. held at Roundy Elementary. Open house held at Senior Cen- both those gone and those still with Wildflower walk held at Vanessa Espinoza chosen as ter. The shirt was sent to Carla keep it. us, have played very instrumental Chinkapin Bluffs Recreation Area. Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student. Obituaries include Evelyn Irene Shellabarger by Mary Bowen. Carla Many of these ladies are now parts in our community. Stop in, the Roundy teacher Michelle Dickey has lent it to the Gazette, so if you gone, but it is great to recall their shirt is fun to look at.