Biggest Little Paper In Town! 1

Vol. 9 No. 7Vol. 9 No. 7The PaperLaur ens, IowaLaur ens, Iowa

Our Town, Our Paper!

© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.

May 20, 2015May 20, 2015

www.thepapernow.comwww.thepapernow.com

Local News

Teacher Appreciation Week Celebrated at L-M On Wednesday, May 6, Laurens-Marathon Education Association sponsored a breakfast for the teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day. LMEA president Kelly Tate presented certifi cates and gifts to several teachers with special milestones of service to L-M. Receiving awards from Mrs. Tate are: Jo Ann Behrens-25 years, Traci Heuton-20 years, and Katy Roling-15 years. Also being honored were two retiring teachers: Diane Noonan-31 years and Jeri Wenell-29 years. These fi ve teachers represent 120 years of dedicated service to the Laurens-Marathon School District! Also, a big thank you goes out to the Charger Pride committee who supplied treats throughout the week which were much appreciated!

Our Downtown Business District is Looking Better & Better!Don Aschenbrenner is giving the front of his building located on the west side of the business district a much needed facelift. Laurens Plumbing purchased the building approximately a year ago from Geoff Hallcock. The building is in the process of being renovated for storage and is currently being used to display some of the items which will be auctioned off at the Rally4Veterans. This event will be held on June 13. Information about the rally can be found at rally4veterans.com.

Our Town Our Paper! 2

Local News

VE Day + 70 YearsThe picture to the right is of my father (seated on right) in front of a French Chateau that was their headquarters at the time. My father was Joe Halterman who was the superintendant of Laurens Schools 1957-1977. On VE Day his son, Bryan (Laurens High School 1961 Graduate) and Grandson Brett will be at this same Chateau. The bottom right photo is a picture of myself and my son (Joe Halterman’s grandson) at the Chateau on May 8, 2015 with the same paper that my father was holding 70 yrs earlier. The original owners were still in the house except, when the Germans seized it during the occupation. During this time, Charles Delauney left for Africa to join the French resistance. He spent many years after the war in Africa with his wife, who was a doctor. My father moved into this Chateau the fi rst week of February of 1945. I am not sure if any Americans used it before they moved in or not. My father returned home the 1st week of November 1945. He was thrilled to be able to move into this place because they had been in tents until this time.

Joe Halterman seated on the far right in front of a French Chateau in 1945.

Pictured L to R: Brett Halterman (grandson of Joe) and Bryan Halterman (son of Joe) are pictured seated in front of the same French Chateau that

Joe Halterman was at 70 years earlier. Bryan is also holding the same paper that his father held in the photo from 70 years ago.

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 3

Order of Events for Memorial Day 2015Order of Events for Memorial Day 2015

* Start Time - 9:00 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2015* Start Time - 9:00 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2015

* Welcome - Patricia Bailey* Welcome - Patricia Bailey

* The “Star Spangled Banner” played by the L-M Band - * The “Star Spangled Banner” played by the L-M Band - Directed by Meredith AllenDirected by Meredith Allen

* Opening Prayer - Pastor Jim Turner* Opening Prayer - Pastor Jim Turner

* Pledge of Allegiance - By Everyone* Pledge of Allegiance - By Everyone

* “Marches of the Armed Forces” played by the L-M Band - * “Marches of the Armed Forces” played by the L-M Band - Directed by Meredith AllenDirected by Meredith Allen

* Speaker - Representative Mike Sexton* Speaker - Representative Mike Sexton

* Reading of the Honor Roll - Patricia Bailey - Members of * Reading of the Honor Roll - Patricia Bailey - Members of our Local Boy Scouts will place the wreathsour Local Boy Scouts will place the wreaths

* Closing Prayer - Pastor Jim Turner* Closing Prayer - Pastor Jim Turner

* The color guard is made up of members of our local * The color guard is made up of members of our local VFW and American LegionVFW and American Legion

* “Taps” will be done by the band* “Taps” will be done by the band

Local News

Our Town Our Paper! 4

Local News

Mike Hertz Graduates from ILCCMike graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg with an Associate Degree in Agriculture Production Technology Cum laude (3,25-3.49 grade point average) on Friday, May 15th. Mike is pictured with his parents Greg & Deb Hertz of Laurens.

Megan Hertz Graduates from USDMegan Hertz graduated from University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with endorsements in Early Childhood Education, K-12 Technology Educator and Minor in K-12 Reading. Megan graduated Summa Cum Laude (3.9 or greater GPA). Megan’s was actually a perfect 4.0. Megan is the daughter of Greg & Deb Hertz of Laurens. Megan is pictured with her fi ancé, Kurtis Bennigsdorf and her parents.

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 5

Local News

Josephson Graduation from USDKayla Josephson graduated with Cum Laude honors from the University of South Dakota on May 9, 2015. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance. Kayla will be attending Graduate School beginning in the Fall of 2015 where she will work towards dual Masters degrees in Music Performance and Orchestral Music Conducting. She is a 2011 graduate of Laurens-Marathon High School and the daughter of Dan and Kathy Josephson of Albert City.

Hudson Graduates from ICCCDeena Hudson and son Brayden celebrated a proud moment on Thursday, May 7th, when Deena received her Dental Hygiene pin from Iowa Central Community College. Deena was chosen the Outstanding Student for Iowa. The award was presented by Nancy Miller, representative for the Iowa Dental Hygiene Association. The enjoyable evening was attended by family and friends of the 10 graduates. The students shared their memories and their appreciation to those who helped them accomplish their goal. The evening ended with the dental hygiene oath and a class video.

Recent UNI GraduateCongratulations to Melissa Cleveland, daughter of Chad and Brenda Cleveland, for graduating from the University of Northern Iowa on Saturday, May 9, 2015. Melissa graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Art - Education/English. She is a 2011 Laurens Marathon graduate. Melissa has already accepted a teaching position with the East Sac County School District where she will be teaching High School English at the Lake View Center.

Our Town Our Paper! 6

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS may be sent to:Laurens Pool Projectc/o City of Laurens

272 North 3rd StreetLaurens, IA 50554

Like us on facebook: Laurens Pool Projectwww.laurens-ia.com

Local News & Announcements

This Week at the Saloon!

135 N 3rd St, Laurens, IA 50554(712) 841-6986

Thursday – Bike/Classic Car NightFood specials starting at 5 p.m.

Friday, May 22 ~ Russell Lachney Live on Stage from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Most Laurens kids would put swimming with friends at the Laurens pool high on their list of great memories. Pictured here are two peas in

a pod. Emma Storms, daughter of Ben & Holly Storms and Kaydee Fansega, daughter of John

& Kristin Fansega.

Surprise Card Shower Celebrating Dorothy

Nelson’s 80th Birthday on Sunday, June 7!

Send Cards To:Dorothy NelsonArbor House119 West Tyler St.Apt. 7Washington, IA 52353

Avenue of FlagsThe Avenue of Flags will be put up on Saturday, May 23 at 8 a.m. The fl ags will be taken down on Monday at 4 p.m. Anyone interested in helping is invited to come on out! Your help is much appreicated!

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 7

The PaperPublished weekly by

My Laurens, Inc.112 Walnut St.

Laurens, IA 50554

Phone: (712) 841-2684

Fax: (712) 841-4662

Website: www.thepapernow.com

E-mail: publisher@mylaurens.com

Publisher: Rodney Johnson

Editor:Amanda Tendal

Rights to Use Content: The Paper, its content, archived materials, and our websites, are provided solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The Paper, its

content, our websites and all the materials available on our websites are the property of My Laurens, Inc., and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws. You may download, print or transmit The Paper for your personal, non-commercial

use. Any commercial use of copyrighted materials requires prior authorization from My Laurens, Inc.

Unless explicitly authorized by My Laurens, Inc., you may not modify copy, create derivative works,

reproduce, republish, transmit, sell, or distribute in any manner or medium (including by email or other

electronic means) any material from The Paper or our websites for commercial purposes. You may not use The Paper or materials available on our websites, in a

manner that constitutes an infringement of our intellectual property rights/copyrights or that has not

been authorized by My Laurens, Inc.For information about requesting permission to

reproduce or distribute materials from The Paper, please contact My Laurens, Inc. at (712) 841-2684

or publisher@mylaurens.com.

Local News

Pocahontas County Residents Attend State Conference Pocahontas County was well represented at the 11th annual Keep Iowa Beautiful conference which was held at the Iowa Central Community College, Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Keynote speakers were Bill McAnally, who has devoted over 40 years of his life in the construction industry, teaching carpentry at ICCC and working as a commercial building contractor. He discussed energy-effi cient and healthy building methods. The second major address was given by Michael Van Milligen, City Manager of Dubuque. He has held this position for twelve years and he has been instrumental in the turn-around of Dubuque. He explained how Dubuque made those signifi cant changes and has become a model for community sustainability. Two panel discussions were held featuring representatives from the following agencies: Diamond Vogel Paints, Yo Ho Tools, Iowa Department of Transportation Roadside Programs, Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, and Department of Natural Resources.

Pictured Front Row L-R: Brenda Vrba, Pocahontas Hometown Pride member; Helen Beneke, chairperson, Legends of the Great Plains, Pocahontas Hometown Pride member; LaVonne Hoover, Gilmore City Council member, Gilmore City Hometown Pride member; Brandy Ripley, Pocahontas City Economic Development Director; Gloria Gunderson, Rolfe Hometown Pride member; Gerry Schnepf, Executive

Director, Keep Iowa Beautiful.Pictured Back Row L-R: Margo Underwood, Pocahontas County Hometown Pride Community Coach;

Dennis Hallberg, Palmer City Council Member, Palmer Hometown Pride member; Gary Vrba, Hometown Pride member; Stella Sampson, Rolfe Hometown Pride member; Barb Smith, Laurens City Manager/

Clerk, Laurens Hometown Pride member; Dick Gruber, Pocahontas Mayor, Pocahontas Hometown Pride member; Tom Grau, Pocahontas County Economic Development Director.

Not Pictured: Angela Duitsman, Fonda City Clerk and Hometown Pride Committee Member.

Our Town Our Paper! 8

Advertising

Dates:June 1st - July 30th Monday-Friday Time:11:30- 12:30 daily Location:Laurens-Marathon CSD lunchroom Marathon Community Center Contact: Carrissa Stethem 841-5000 carissastethem@lm.k12.ia.us

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 9

School News

Earth Week at L-M School by Terry Ferguson

The 8th grade Science class at the Laurens-Marathon School made solar ovens from recycled pizza boxes. We cooked smores on them. We hope to try to cook baked apples and peanut butter cookies in them also. We found out the sun needs to be a bit higher and warmer. Foods classes made food trucks from recycled cereal boxes. Students were supposed to make a tasty menu and a business plan to go along with their themed trucks. We had a race car, fair, cupcake, and Asian theme.

Our Town Our Paper! 10

Local News & Announcements

Thank you!As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in October of 2014. Almost 7 months later, I have fi nally received the “all clear” from my Oncologist! I want to take a few moments to thank each and every person who has been there for me over the past 7 months: my friends, my family, doctors and nurses, and even some kind-hearted strangers. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me. I received countless cards by mail both while I was fi nishing my last semester of college and also at home. Many contained personal notes of encouragement that really helped me to keep a positive attitude throughout this whole ordeal, which, as you can imagine, is not always easy to do. Reading the messages you wrote brought a smile to my face and made my day a little better. The same goes for the many messages written on my Caring Bridge site. I read each and every word of encouragement. Also, I have to thank my Aunt Wanda for coming up with the idea of an “angel tree,” and to those who decided to participate. So many of you decided to send me an angel ornament that I lost count of the total number I received. Every time I look at the tree full of angels (which is still displayed in our dining room) I am reminded of you and the time you took to help me feel positive about my diagnosis. Finally, to all of you who may have donated to the benefi t account that was set up for me, I must thank you as well. The money you gifted me helped tremendously to cover all of the expenses incurred over this 7-month period. I had to make many, many trips to Des Moines to meet with my Oncologist, have blood levels checked, and to go in for treatment. The money was extremely helpful in particular to offset the cost of fuel and food on those trips, which added up quickly over my treatment period. I also used some of the money to pay gym fees in order to stay healthy, at the recommendation of my Oncologist. Thank you so much for all of you who donated and for all who may have sent me a card or an angel ornament, or even just stopped to ask how I was doing. It amazes me to think of the number of people that prayed for me constantly, and I appreciate those prayers greatly. Your support, generosity, and kindness made it possible for me to get through these past 7 months and come out on the other side with such a positive attitude. Thank you very much to everyone who has been by my side as I battled cancer!

Connor Johnson

This fi nal angel says it all: It came. We fought. I won. 4.13.15. Thank you to

Amanda & Brad Tendal and family for this fi tting ornament.

L-M 2nd Grade Class Gets Dentist Visit in ClassroomSenior dental student, Kyle Hanson and dental assistant Garthlene Bell visited the second grade classroom of Ms. Amy Gustafson recently. They presented a puppet show and demonstrated brushing and fl ossing to the 25 students. They also gave a complimentary tooth brush, toothpaste, fl oss and fun book to each student. Kyle is a senior dental student from the University of Iowa. He is a preceptor at the offi ces of Dr. Bieri and Dr. Christensen. Kyle will establish a private practice in the Omaha area upon graduation in June.

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 11

Local News

At the Library with Glenda MulderMay 20, 2015

How many DVDs can you watch in 3 days? How many books can you read? Hurry in to gather your library materials because we will be closed all 3 days of the coming Memorial Day weekend! What fun we’ve had with “”Get Caught Reading” month! We’ve caught quite a few readers right here in the library and had some submitted to us too. Take a look at them next time you are in the Library or see them on our Facebook page. Our May Book Club choice is Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s The Language of Flowers. The main character spent her childhood in the foster-care system. She is unable to get close to others, her only connection to the world is through fl owers and their meanings. Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the fl owers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. Due to the holiday, we will meet on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Blank Park Zoo will be here to kick off our Summer Reading program on Monday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. The title of this year’s program is, “Powers of a Superhero.” The description reads, “Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Well, almost. Animals can do some amazing things - things only superheroes are capable of. Meet some zoo animals with strength and senses comparable to superheroes.” Does that sound like fun, or what?! “Every Hero has a Story” Summer Reading will continue Mondays at 1:30 through the end of July.

Event Calendar • Tell Me a Yarn Mondays 5-7 p.m.

• Book Club is 4th Monday of the month at 7 p.m. • Writers Free for All is 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

• Every Hero has a Story Summer Reading 1:30 p.m. Mondays June 8–July 27

• “Grace at Spirit Lake” author Colin Mustful noon June 23

Caring Lunches ProjectSix members of the United Methodist Church have formed a committee to begin a supplemental food program for kids in need in the L-M communities. During the summer months, the school serves a noon lunch for students, however many students may not get a nutritious meal on the weekends. The summer sack lunch program would help fi ll the gap. The program will offer sack lunches to students in need in the L-M communities on Saturdays from June 6-Augst 15. Offi cials from the school have told us that they serve up to 80 meals for Laurens students and 20-25 students from Marathon during the week. The sack lunches will be distributed each Saturday at the community libraries from 11:00 a.m.-1:00p.m. The program runs from June 6-August 15 and will serve toddlers through 18 year olds. Plans are to include all individually wrapped, non-perishable items like meat sticks, cheese, peanut butter, fruits cups, puddings, granola bars, pretzels, and a drink pouch The committee envisions this as a community wide effort and hopes that it can continue year round. To become a community mission, the group is seeking community volunteers to pack and distribute the lunches, as well as, fi nancial support for purchasing food items. The project welcomes organizations, groups, businesses, and individuals to join this community mission to help those in need. You will fi nd collection lunch sacks in churches and businesses within our two communities or you may send contributions to Thaine Hopkins, 526 W. Arthur St., Laurens, Ia. Please make checks payable to the United Methodist Church with "sack lunches" noted on the memo line. Volunteers may call Thaine or Wendy at 712-841-2439 to select a day for packing and/distributing lunches. Steering committee members are: Michelle Rubel, Jean Murray, Doc VanGenderen, Thaine and Wendy Hopkins, Karen Johnson and Pastor Jim Turner. They would be happy to talk with you about this project.

Our Town Our Paper! 12

Announcements & Advertising

Special for Friday night, May 22nd.

Pork Chop with baked potato and

sald bar.

Serving begins at 5

RELAY FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER

End of School Year Beach Bash/Teen DanceFriday, May 22nd8 p.m. - Midnight

Ages 16 - 20Elbert Park

Admission - $5Soda & Snacks

available to purchase

All proceeds go to the Pocahontas Relay for Life

Sponsored by - Pocahontas Community Ambulance Service

A Come and Go Bridal Shower honoring Kylie Woodley, bride elect of Kevin Maurer, will be held on Saturday, June 6, at the Laurens Sacred Heart Parish Center, 250 Ralston St., from 10 A.M. – Noon

The Couple is Registered at JH Design, Heart ‘n Home, Younkers & Menards

Thank You!Thank you to Heart n' Home for the Dipsy Daisy gift bag I won at your spring open house! What a nice surprise.

Carla Gustafson

Card Shower for Alice BaedkeAlice Baedke will celebrate her 90th birthday on Thursday, May 28th, 2015. Happy birthday wishes can be sent to Alice at: 413 East Veterans Road, Laurens, IA 50554.

60th Anniversary!Happy 60th Anniversary to Mick and Delores Raper on May 28th! If you wish to honor them with a card, please send it to them at P.O. Box 202, Marathon, IA 50565.

~With love from your family

Many Thanks!Many thanks to all for the lovely cards I received for my 75th birthday! It was truly a joy receiving so many

cards from you all. God bless you all! Thanks to my children, especially Ang & Mike who donated the picture and to Mark & Kathy who unbeknown to me put it in the paper.

God Bless and Thanks to All!Carol Sernett

Early DismissalsOn Friday, May 22, school will be dismissing at 2:30. School will also dismiss at 2:30 on Tuesday, May 26th. This is the last day of school.

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 13

Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchWed., May 20th:Worship Committee meeting @ 7 p.m.Ad. Council meeting @ 8:15 p.m.

Thurs., May 21st:Basic Christianity Bible Study @ 7 p.m. at Linda Lingo’s home

Fri., May 22nd:Men’s Bible Study @ 7 a.m.Autumm out of the offi ce

Sun., May 24th:Summer Worship Schedule beginsWorship @ 9:30 a.m.Fellowship @ 10:30 a.m.NO Youth Group meeting

Mon., May 25th:Memorial DayChurch offi ce closed

This Week at Bethany LutheranWednesday: May 20, 20155:00 PM ~ 125th Steering Mtg.6:00 PM ~ Christian Ed/Youth Mtg.(NOTE change of time for these two meetings above)7:00 PM ~ Council Mtg.

Thursday: May 20, 20159:00 AM ~ Morning Circle

Sunday: May 24, 2015Day of Pentecost (WEAR RED)WORSHIP TIME CHANGE9:00 AM ~ Worship10:00 AM ~ Coffee FellowshipNO Youth Group Tonight

Monday: May 25, 20156:30 AM ~ VBS Steering Mtg. at BLC7:00 PM ~ VBS Teachers Mtg. at BLC

Tuesday: May 26, 201510:00 AM ~ Coffee w/Pastor7:00 PM ~ Hand Bell Rehearsal

Worship, Love, Accept~Together in Christ’s Name

Grace Lutheran Church Marathon, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Albert City & St John Lutheran Church Rural Albert City Pastor John Mayer

Saturdays 5 p.m. Worship Service @ Grace Lutheran Church - Marathon

Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship @ Our Savior's Lutheran Church - Albert City

Sundays 9:00 a.m. @ St John Lutheran Church Rural - Albert City

This Week at First Christian ChurchPastor Rev. Rita Cordell

Thursday, May 21 2:00 p.m. - Coffee with Pastor

Friday, May 22 7:00 p.m. - AA

Sunday, May 24 9:30 a.m. - Worship (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

Sacred Heart Church LaurensPastor ~ Father Francis Makwinja Weekday Mass : Friday, 8 AMWeekend Mass: Saturday, 5:00 PM (March - June)

Cluster Parishes:St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sioux RapidsWeekday Mass: Monday & Wednesday, 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Sunday, 10:30 AM (March – June))

St. Louis Catholic Church, RoyalWeekday Mass: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Sunday, 8:30 AM (March- June)

Our Town Our Paper! 14

Extension News

Summer Webinars Help Gardeners Grow in KnowledgeGardeners have the opportunity this summer to learn about theme gardens, planting trough gardens, water features and conservation, attracting butterfl ies and bees, and growing herbs. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach “Growing Season” webinar series will be offered at multiple locations across Iowa during June, July and August.This is the sixth year for the Iowa Master Gardener program annual summer series. It is open to all interested gardeners; participants are not required to have completed master gardener training to attend.Each of the three webinars feature an Iowa Master Gardener and ISU Extension and Outreach faculty or staff member presenting the two-hour course at an ISU Extension and Outreach county offi ce. Course

topics and speakers include: • Design from Yard to Trough, with Iowa State University Department of Horticulture lecturer Lisa Orgler and Fayette County Master Gardener Gary Whittenbaugh. Participants will learn how to add spark to landscape designs and trough planters fi lled with conifers and their companions. • Water in the Garden. ISU Extension and Outreach horticulturist Denny Schrock, along with Boone County Master Gardener Jamie Beyer, will discuss various water saving techniques to apply to the garden and how to incorporate creative water features. • Pollinators and Growing Herbs will be presented by Nathan Brockman, the curator of the butterfl y wing of Reiman Gardens at Iowa State, and Polk County Master Gardener Susan Appleget Hurst. Participants will learn about attracting bees, birds and butterfl ies, and focus on growing, harvesting and preserving culinary herbs. • In the “Water in the Garden” webinar, Schrock will focus on waterwise landscaping and Jamie

Beyer will talk about water features. “We’ll present the principles of xeriscaping, a low-water use landscaping, and using low-water-tolerant plants adapted to Iowa landscapes,” said Schrock. “With climate change, it is apparent Iowans will need to adapt to changing weather patterns that include more weather extremes—hotter and

drier drought cycles, with more intense storms,” said Schrock. “The waterwise landscaping will lay the framework for developing a landscape that will better withstand weather extremes.” All master gardeners attending the webinars will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar. To learn how to become an Iowa Master Gardener, visit the program website. Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach will be offering the Growing Season Webinar on Tuesday, June 9th, Tuesday, July 7th, and Tuesday, August 11th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach Offi ce (305 North Main St, Pocahontas). To register for the webinars, please call 712-335-3103 or email Program Coordinator, Holly Frerk (hfrerk@iastate.edu). To learn how to become an Iowa Master Gardener, visit the program website.

Send Your News to

The Paper!www.thepapernow.com

100% User Generated Content!

Subscribe and Submit TODAY!

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 15

Every Child Counts: Building CommunityOn Tuesday, May 5, 2015, Childcare Providers gathered at the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County for Every Child Counts: Building Community. Every Child Counts: Building Community was a workshop held by ISU Extension and Outreach Family Life Program Specialist, which gave providers the opportunity to learn about ways to bring out nurturing, caring behaviors in a community where children support each other. They explored how to put children’s’ strengths to good use in creating a sense of acceptance and community.

Extension News

I Have a Confession to Make Last month I wrote a blog about how I plan my meals ahead and how easy it is. Well, I have a confession to make. The past couple of weeks I have not done a good job of planning meals. Between my son’s soccer practices and games and just wanting to be outside in the nice weather as much as I can, I haven’t been

as committed to getting my meals planned. I feel like I’ve been in a rut making many of the same recipes for the last few months. Therefore, I am excited to have discovered a new resource from Utah State University that is all about making your own meals based on what you have on hand. The Create Series has taught me how to prepare a variety of dishes, like casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and skillet meals without a recipe or having to run to the store. By understanding how some ingredients go together, you can mix and match a variety of ingredients to make your desired dish. For example, to create a casserole, choose an item from each category below and follow the directions on the handout: 1. Choose a starch, such as brown rice, whole grain pasta, potatoes, or whole grain tortilla. 2. Choose a protein such as 1 can beans such as pinto, black, or white. 3. Choose one to three vegetables like broccoli, carrots, corn, or green beans. 4. Choose one sauce like a can of cream soup or a can of diced tomatoes with juice. 5. Choose one or more fl avors like chopped onion, green pepper, garlic, or salt and pepper. 6. Choose one or more toppings such as breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, or grated cheddar cheese. The Good Foods to Have on Hand handout is also really helpful. By keeping your pantry and fridge stocked with these items, you can make a variety of things to eat in a short time, even if you haven’t planned ahead. It is very helpful to plan your meals ahead of time but when that isn’t done, use the Create Series to help you get tasty, nutritious meals on the table.

Our Town Our Paper! 16

Survey Shows Farmland Rental Rates DownRental rates for Iowa farmland decreased by 5 percent in 2015, according to results from the Cash Rental Rates for Iowa – 2015 Survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. This is the second consecutive year of declining rates after a 15-year streak of increasing rental rates, accumulating a 9 percent loss since 2013. “Average rents were lower in all nine crop reporting districts,” according to Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist with Iowa State University. “The average estimated cash rent for corn and soybean land in the state for 2015 was $246 per acre, a decrease of $14 per acre or nearly 5 percent from last year. Low crop prices for the 2014 crop and small- to negative-profi t margin forecasts for this year’s crop put downward pressure on rental rates,” Plastina said. The largest decreases in land rental occurred in central and west central Iowa, at $24 and $23 per acre, respectively. Those districts had the highest rents among all crop reporting districts in 2014. Northeast Iowa reported the highest average in 2015 at $273, and the lowest district value was $187 in south central Iowa. Grundy County had the highest average rent in the state, at $316 per acre. “It isn’t a trend yet, but it certainly is a reversal of the 15-year trend we’ve seen of land rental rate increases,” said Plastina. “Land rates and other input costs take time to adjust to lower levels of crop revenue; so if corn and soybean prices don’t improve soon, we can expect land rental rates to continue to decline.” Plastina indicated the typical rental rates per bushel of corn yield, soybean yield and the average Corn Suitability Rating 2 point were computed for each county. In addition, typical charges for land growing oats and hay, for grazing pasture and corn stalks, and renting for hunting rights were reported. Rental values were estimated by asking people familiar with land rental markets what they thought were typical rates in their county. Of the 1,437 total responses received, 49 percent came from farmers, 27 percent from landowners, 12 percent from agricultural lenders, 10 percent from professional farm managers and 2 percent from other professionals. The Cash Rental Rates for Iowa – 2015 Survey is available online as a downloadable document from the ISU Extension and Outreach Store and Ag Decision Maker website. Other resources available for estimating a fair cash rental rate include the Ag Decision Maker information fi les Computing a Cropland Cash Rental Rate (C2-20), Computing a Pasture Rental Rate (C2-23), and Flexible Farm Lease Agreements (C2-21). All documents include decision fi le electronic worksheets to help analyze leasing questions.

Extension News

Gardening With Children Iowa’s youth are at risk. Approximately one in three children (31.7 percent) under age 5 is considered overweight or obese, which is slightly higher than the national average of 30.5 percent. A number of factors contribute to this issue, including lack of physical activity and low fruit and vegetable intake. “Only half of Iowa youth meet current physical activity recommendation levels, but one in four watch three or more hours of television a day,” said Katie Knobbe, Nutrition and Wellness Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “As alarming as these self-reported estimates sound, research from the Kaiser Family Foundation suggests an even grimmer picture. Youth 8-14 years old are using media — including television, computers, video games and music — 6-9 hours per day, but total media exposure is approximately 8-12 hours per day, because of the ability to multi-task.” “These trends demonstrate the need to foster healthier nutrition and physical activity behaviors among our youth. Ideally, these behaviors need to begin early during their preschool years. Research suggests some health behaviors can be established before the child begins school and the child care setting can play an important and infl uential role,” Knobbe added. Extension Nutrition and Wellness Program Specialist Katie Knobbe will be hosting Gardening With Children on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach Offi ce. Gardening promotes healthy lifestyles, early learning experiences, social development, and environmental stewardship among preschool children. Childcare providers will engage in experiential learning gardening activities (crafts, learning activities, literacy, container gardening basics, and taste testing). Call 712-335-3103 for more information or to register.