Sport of Archery

The latest sport to be incorporated into the North Iowa Schools is Archery. This will be added to their physical education classes through the Iowa Archery in the Schools Program. A program tournament on March 22 was held at the North Iowa Middle School with 44 students from three school districts participating. One student in eight grade felt it was a "stress reliever". It teaches students discipline as well as sportsmanship. It also builds confidence and upper arm strength. The neat thing about archery is that it is for everyone, even the non-athletic students. You can even apply science and math concepts to this sport when practicing what angles to use for aim. It is not a sport a lot of schools have and the students think it is cool that their school offers this opportunity for them. One student said it improves your eye and hand coordination as well. This program is in over 50 school districts. Iowa's first state Archery in the Schools Tournament will be held March 2008 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trumpeter Swans Return to North Iowa

Two trumpeter Swans rode out a rough winter in Iowa this year on a pond south of Nora Springs. A female, hatched in 2004, was released on the property of some people who feed the big birds. They are the largest waterfowl species native to North America. They winter wherever they can find open water. If the female survives, she should nest next year. There were 29 nesting attempts in the wild around Iowa during 20056, the highest number since the restoration project began in l994. We are very happy to see these fine birds are making a home here.

Barbershop Chorus Goes International

For the first time in the 52 years of the organization's existence, members of the River City Barbershop Chorus of Mason City, Iowa, will compete in the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Contest in Denver, Colorado, the first week of July. Competing will be three other countries, plus the 30 top choruses from the United States. It is a coincidence that the theme of the International Convention is "Ya Gotta Know The Territory", celebrating Meridith Willson's 50th Anniversary of "The Music Man." The chorus will also perform its contest numbers when River City presents its spring show "At The Ball" on March 30 and 31 in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus.

Firefighters Heart Risks

A large U.S. study suggests firefighters face a far greater risk of dying of heart problems while battling a blaze than was thought. They offer more evidence that firefighters need to stay in shape. It is scary to think that the risk of a heart-related death while putting out a fire was up to 100 times higher than the risk during down time. It was found by Harvard researchers that fighting fires accounts for only a small percentage of these worker's time. About 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year and previous research has shown that nearly half of the deaths are due to heart disease. About 70% of the one million firefighters are volunteers. Diet and exercise should be a priority for the fire house. You may be able to prevent some of these deaths by paying attention to the underlying risk factors and better fitness programs should be the goal.

Youth and Police Clash in Paris

At the most important tranport hub in Paris, the Gare du Nord, there were about 100 people involved in a melee there. Riot police fired tear gas and brandished batons against bands of youths who shattered windows and looted shops in the major Paris train station. Out of this riot, nine people were arrested. One woman was taken out by paramedics for inhalation of tear gas and was an innocent bystander. Another man said he was just coming home from the gym when he was gassed. As the policy fired tear gas and charged at the youths, some of them wearing hoods and swinging metal bars. They had smashed windows and thrown trash cans and other objects at the officers. They broke into a sporting goods store and looted many boxes of shoes. Some others attacked drink dispensers and set garbage cans on fire. They didn't think it had anything to do with the presidental election less than a month away but the country's new leader will inherit this when he or she takes power in May. Not a good thing.

High Gasoline Prices This Summer?`

I read the other day that analysts believe that $3 gas is unlikely this summer. I sure hope they are right about that. Alot of people are worried about it including those responsible for filling school busses to pick up the children. But experts feel unless something unusual like a gulf coast hurricane or wave of refinery woes happen, that gas is not expected to rise to $3 a gallon this summer. This is a good sign for the broader economy which already unsure due to the weakening housing market. When energy prices rise, it mainly hurts the lower priced restaurants and discount stores as the shoppers really need to watch their monthly budgets and be sure they have enough to pay the bills and yet buy gas to get to work to make the money to pay the bills. Even stock prices dipped on some of the major restaurants, Applebees for instance and Wendy's. They do think there will be ample supplies of gasoline for the summer and everyone will be out and about if the prices stay low enough.

Arts and Entertainment Roundup

On Saturday, April 21, the Iowa Artists Annual area II Show will be held at the Britt Municipal Building, 170 Main Avenue. You must pre-register by April 14. Artists 18 and older are invited to show three works in either two or three dimensions. Painting, drawing, print-making, and triptych are two dimentional works. Three dimentional works include fabric and textile, jewelry, sculpture, and ceramic. All work must be original and completed in the last two years. You cannot use copies or kits to make your entries. Call 641-422-9797 for more information.

Stop Smoking

Smoking but can't stop? Have you been smoking since you were a kid and you know you should stop but you just haven't been able to do it? Well, the American Cancer Society has come up with a new program to help you stop smoking. They are looking for people who enjoy working with groups and are committed to health maintenance through good self-care. Other qualities are empathy, perceptiveness, a good sense of humor and effective communication. The program is called Freshstart and people interested in joining as facilitators do not need to be former tobacco users, but applicants must be smoke-free for at least six months. They have set up a meeting at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, Tuesday, April 10 for those who are interested in taking part in this new program to help smokers quit.Call 1-800-468-0050 to learn more about Freshstart.

Super Model Conference 2007

It would seem today's fashions consist of bare midriffs, pierced navels and short shorts. The pressure seems to be on the young girls to grin and bare it. This Conference is being held as an alternative to scantily clad women. It is coming to show that modesty and fashion can co-exist. Former Miss Iowa and author, Sheri Prescott will host the third annual Super Model Conference on April 21 to be held at the Agape'Christian Family church in Clear Lake, Iowa. About 500 girls have participated in previous years. It is a faith-based event, day-long event that includes a hip fashion show, speakers, a youth band, girl talk, laughter and prizes. The whole purpose of the day is to encourage and challenge young women to model their lives after Christ, setting an example of purity, modesty, and virtuous behavior in their homes and peer groups. Modesty is more than what you wear, it has to be an exterior reflection of an interior attitude.Girls between the ages of 13 and 18 may compete to be models for the fashion show, wearing clothing provided by a variety of local retailers. If you are interested in taking part email sheri@sheriprescott.com for more information.

Run.Walk.Wag Event

Ever hear of such a thing? It is being held in Forest City, Iowa and sponsored by Waldorf College's 50 days of Service campaign. This event is open to runners, walkers and their pets. It will be held on April 12. It wil begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Hanson Fieldhouse parking lot. Participants are selcome to bring their pets to the wag portion of the event. It will involve three loops, each 3K in length. It will be marked for a total of 9K or 5.58 miles for walkers and runners and they may choose to do as many of the loops as they wish. The cost is $10 for students or any age and $15 for adults. If you register by April l, you will receive a long sleeve t-shirt. You can also check this out at www.waldorf.edu/50. All proceeds will go to benefit the American Cancer Society. They will also gladly accept any cash donations people wish to make.

Drop Everything And Read Day

Did you know that April 12, is "Drop Everything And Read Day"? All across the nation, readers will celebrate this day. This would have also been my mother's birthday, if she was alive today and it is my niece's birthday too. The day is designed to celebrate books, as well as, families reading together. Have you ever thought what books have influenced you. Does one in particular come to mind? Why did it mean so much to you, do you remember? It's an interesting thing to think about. I love to read, how about you?

First State Team Championship

Northwood-Kensett is celebrating their very first State team championship in the finals in Des Moines, Iowa. A rally was held to welcome home the boys basketball players. Everyone was so tired, but they stayed up to rally their home team for their first big win. The Band and Choir stdents cut short their New York City trip to be there in Des Moines, when their team, the Vikings, won the title. They also wanted to participate in a community pep rally at the school with cheers and the school song. The school song was written by Northwood alumnus, Mary Johnson Bergom, and is entitled "Boomerang" All this was held as soon as the team arrived loudly aboard fire trucks. It was a great time for all and one to remember for a long long time.

Pet Owners Beware

This is a real scare. Menu Foods is recalling thousands of pet foods of all kinds and varieties. Pets can go into kidney failure and some have died already and some are dying. If your pet drinks an unusual amount of water, it may be because of this. You can go to CBS.com and see the kinds listed that have been recalled. I am going to check this out as we sure don't want to lose our pet dog to bad dog food. This includes all kinds of pet food, cat food too and other pets, I understand. Be sure and check that out if you have a pet as you want to keep them safe and healthy.

Daylight Savings Time

Sometimes we really complain when we have to set our clocks ahead in the Spring and lose that hour of sleep. It seems like it takes you a week of being tired, before your body catches up with the new time. And setting all those clocks. Just when I thought I had them all set I found one more in the garage. The one in the car was always tricky but this one seems quite simple for a change. The other day we had company and were sitting around the kitchen table chatting when I looked up and saw another clock I missed. We are clock poor, it seems, so many clocks, watches, vcr's, tv's. All in all though it was kind of nice to come home tonight from eating out at a nearby town and have the sun still up and not have to drive home in the dark. There are alot of deer around here and they usually don't come out until dusk. I saw one along the road as we went that had been hit by a car, I am sure. I guess it is quite nice afterall to have Daylight Savings Time in effect now. It's much safer traveling late in the day.

Pies

What's your favorite flavor or kind of pie? Is it blueberry, cherry, peach, pumpkin? Don't forget the apple, french apple, rhubarb and rhubarb cream, raisen and raisen cream. Have you ever had pineapple? It is great. And chocolate meringue, banana cream, coconut cream and butterscotch. I have made them all and I make the most melt in your mouth crust you can ever imagine. We used to make the most wonderful black raspberry pies but now we can't get the black raspberries. We used to go out in the grove where the wild bushes grew and wear long sleeves and long pants and pick those delicious black raspberries for pie and jam. Red raspberries make wonderful jam too. We had apple trees on the farm so we ate alot of apples, apple pies, and applesauce too. It was great. There was also a plum bush and pear tree. But what I like best is to make pies and they don't last long enough to get old or stale. They are gone faster than the time it took to make them.

Get Yourself a Winnebago

Want to have fun with your family? Get a Winnebago, the home away from home. You can go anywhere you wish and camp out with your family in style. They havae beautiful kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and larger baths than ever before. They can sleep a huge family with several televisions, microwave and all the comforts of home. Now with the pushouts, you can extend your living room once you park and have a large living space. You don't know what you are missing until you go in and look them over.

Basketball Tournaments

The Basketball Tournaments have started again and they take up my favorite tv station now for weeks. Our local boys team barely lost out at State and so did the girls team. Wrestling went quite well this year. Now the national tournaments are started. Duke just lost tonight to kind of an unknown team. This makes alot of people happy because it is good to see another team come out in front that you haven't heard of. I am sure that team is very happy tonight to be moving on to the next step. I'm not much of a fan but my husband is so he is glued to the tv and with his new satellite receiver, he should be quite happy.

Temperatures Rising

Temperatures are rising and it hit 58 degrees today. You should see the lakes and rivers of water everywhere but we have a great deal of snow to melt yet. It was time to get out a spring coat as the winter coat was just too warm and put the gloves away for a day. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder and maybe some showers and snow mixture even. When it gets this warm, then we get fog and sometimes it is very thick and very dangerous. They say Des Moines, Iowa broke another record with 75 degrees. Our home team went to State to play boys basketball but they lost. They were there in 2005 too and lost and were really hoping to bring home a trophy this year but it was not to be. Beautiful days like this are few and far between this time of year and you really hate to see them come to an end but the sun will be going down soon and you never know for sure what tomorrow will bring.

Fog

Did we ever have the fog this morning!! It started out clear and then just set in. I took our little dog, Holly, to the vet to have her nails clipped and a parvo shot. Had to pick up a bag of her special oral dog food that keeps her teeth really clean. The fog got thicker and thicker. It was so warm though I didn't need my gloves because the steering wheel wasn't that cold. The sun was to come out and turn to 50 degrees today but it isn't. It is melting alot though and when I went to get the mail, I drove through very large lakes of water and had to stand in 2-3 inches of water at the mailboxes to get the mail. Wish all the snow melting the way it is, we can expect alot of fog probably for quite awhile. It causes alot of accidents because people drive like it is clear. The scariest thing is having someone pass you and if you can't see what's coming, they can't either. You just hope there isn't a head-on accident.

New Great Grandchild

Boy are we excited. Our grandaugher told us she is pregnant and we can expect a new great granchild in late October. Isn't that awesome? They live close so we will get to see this one often, I hope. We have three others that are so far away we never get to see them except in emails. It will be so much fun to hold a new baby again and it will be so cute as its folks are a handsome couple. The grandparents are all excited too just as much and more than we are. It's really neat to live to see 3 generations after us. So Neat!

Nap Time

Here it is nap time and what am I doing. I am posting for cash with PPP. Even my little dog is used to climbing into my chair with me and taking a nap but today I am really busy with posts so she will have to wait a little while. The UPS man just brought a very big package and he just loves Holly and loves to play with her a bit while he stops here. He has gotten a French bulldog and Holly is a Boston Terrier. He's shown me pictures of his dog too. They are alot of fun and I better get done with this so I can go take a nap with Holly.

Friday - T.G.I.F.

It's Friday already. Where has the week gone again? It is time to start thinking of the fish fry tonight. We haven't been there in 3 weeks due to rain, freezing rain and lots of snow. Roads have been terrible. There are ruts in the ice and you better stay in your rut or you will be in the other guy's lane or in the ditch. The snow plows should be out in full force today taking that off the roads as it is really melting. It is supposed to hit 40 today but the wind is going to shift again to NW and that means wind chill ofsets the warmer temperatures. It was beautiful sunshine all morning but now it is completely overcast and the weatherman is saying we could see a little rain. Rain - we don't need it. It will just freeze some more on the roads, causing more accidents. Spring - where are you? Hurry!!

Neurologists

Neurologists are really special doctors. They have the strangest machines that can tell if your nerves and muscles are working or not. I would imagine it takes quite a few years of college to learn this. They have alot more modern equipment than they had 12 years ago. At that time, they stuck alot of needles in you and gave you shocks that raised you right off the couch. Now they have a little machine they touch to your hands & arms that give you light and heavier shocks, but nothing you can't stand. I thought I was going to get out of needles but he did use 2 needles he stuck into my hand and thumb and I was surprised that they hardly hurt at all. This is how they tell if you have carpal tunnel and need surgery on your hands. Typing on computers, as I am doing now, are the biggest culprits in causing carpal tunnel. It only took about 15 minutes too for the test and diagnosis and this surgery is an outpatient surgery as many are today. It is interesting to read all the charts they have in their office about all the nerves you have in your body, tendons, bones, etc. Also had a chart of the brain and one that told about strokes and how they affect the brain. It was all very interesting.

Holy Spirit

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? If not, you should because he is very real. He is the comforter and helps you daily in all you do. He is in direct contact with God and if you are open to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, he will talk through you directly to God in an unknown language speaking things to God for you and in your behalf. It is wonderful to be slain in the Holy Spirit. You can't explain this until it happens to you but I was slain in the spirit once and felt the true love of God and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. I wouldn't trade that for anything. Often, it is like a still small voice that advises me to do something or not to do something and if I follow that voice or you might call it intuition, it always works out for my good. If I don't follow it, I usually wish I had.

Tex-Mex Wednesday

This is Tex-Mex tonight and tomorrow night at one of our favorite restaurants. The waitresses are so friendly and know us and we visit when we go to eat. Laurie just had beautiful baby girl and she's back to work. They have some of the best rice and buritos and also Mexi-Rounds, a great dish of crisp tater tots with seasoned meat, onions, green peppers, and cheese melted all over the top. Ripe olives, sour cream and salsa top it off. They also have hard and soft shell tacos that are soooo good.
We are anxious to get there as we got snowed in last week and missed our weekly trip. It's cloudy today but nice. Lots of snow but it's starting to melt. Spring has to be getting close, I hope.

WallyWorld

That's our pet name for Wal-Mart, the super store for shoppers. We got a new super Wal-Mart just 30 miles from us now and it is great. It doesn't matter what you are looking for from prescription medicine to eye glasses, over the counter medicines, clothes, toys, games, household items such as sheets, pillow, etc. they have it. We go at least once a month and really stock up on everything from mouthwash to vitamins. They have a huge grocery area and fresh vegetables and fruit. I guess anyone who shops at Wal-Mart knows it is a great store for everyone and saves you alot of money.

As High as An Elephant's Eye

The snow is as high as an elephant's eye around here. I saw a city truck backing into the cornfield across the road to dump a load of snow this morning. They have a big lot for the elevator where they haul all the snow from town during the winter and the piles are higher than the houses across the street. They have a system of scraping all the snow from the sides of main street into the middle. You have to drive down both sides of it as they haul it away in big trucks. We got so much freezing rain that it helped pack the snow down and they couldn't scrape it off so now we have ruts and everything is very slippery. You better stay in the ruts or you are likely to run into the other person in the lane next to you. The kids next door have a huge pile the landlord pushed up there and they are sliding down it on plastic saucers and just having a ball. This has been one winter when they have had snow days, the first in several years. We have been having mild winters but this one has been a doozy. March came in like a roaring lion with rain,freezing rain, and about 14 inches of snow!! We were in the house for 3 days watching it blow past the windows. It's only 15 more days till Spring but we're betting on more winter after March 21st anyway.

New Store in Town

We have a new General Dollar Store in our little town. It is just great. The prices are fantastic and such savings on anything. I went shopping there for the first time last week and came out with a grocery cart full of things. They have everything from frozen foods too to clothing, There are all the household items you could possibly want and at much lower prices. It saves a 30 miles trip to the bigger city to get things. Saves alot on gas too at the prices of gas these days. We are very fortunate to have this new store and I hope everyone will go in and see the great bargains they have.

Hidden Treasures

We have a new consignment store in town. They have a wonderful variety of every kind of used clothing imaginable. They are very choosy about what people bring in on consignment so it is all clean, in quality shape and at great prices. They also have many crafts for the home and handy items. Some small pieces of furniture, lamps and the other day my husband found this wonderful rechargeable drill and flashlight in the original case for $25. We find they normally sell for $170 and it is just like new. It was tucked away on a bottom shelf in a corner and only a man,
looking for something like this, would find it. Right now Prom dresses are the main attraction. Gorgeous dresses so cheap, you can't afford to go to the city to get one. And now they have added several beautiful wedding gowns, just lovely. You have to keep going in regularly so as not to miss out on just what you have been hunting all over for, and save alot of money at the same time at this new store.

Sunday Church

We had a special day at church today. It was called Vision Sunday. It covered all the ministries of the church and all the people who take part in it. It was a great day for all. We have a huge children's ministry and it was great to see live videos of the children taking part in the activities the church provides. We have a big bussing ministry during the week too.

Our House

We have a very compact house and we just love it. We have three bedrooms, two baths, one with a tub and shower and one with a shower. One of the bedrooms, we use for an office which is very handy. We have an open living room and kitchen/dining area and a utility room with a small room off it for the watersoftner and storage. There is a walk-in closet in the Master bedroom with it's own separate space for the vanity and sink. We also have a double garage and a big deck. The lawn is just large enough to enjoy but not so much work. And we have good heating and air conditioning and that's about all you could ask for, isn't it? I got a new blue lazy boy chair last year that I just love. The back is cushioned so nicely, that it is easy to push back and take a nap after lunch. Our little dog, Holly, a Boston Terrier, crawls in beside me and takes a nap too. That's her job anyway, taking naps and eating.

New Pharmacy

We have a brand new pharmacy in our little town with a drive through window. Now what could be more convenient than that? You just call in the numbers of your prescriptions and drive out and drive through the window and pick them up. You can have them put other things such a vitamins, or cough syrup, whatever you need, in with your prescriptions and pay for them all at the window. Then you can be on your way to the grocery store and post office on your way home. It is so nice to have a well organized pharmacy that is so handy and the employees are well trained and very courteous and kind to all the customers. They have a fine line of greeting cards, Precious Moments statues, gifts for anniversaries. Almost everything you need, it is a one stop shopping center in the pharmacy. We love the convenience.

Snow Blowing

Only 1-3 more inches of snow today and it is supposed to stop snowing and blowing. We spent quite awhile scooping off the deck so we could get the front door open. We can only scoop it east now as the other two sides are right up to the deck and you can't push anymore snow off that direction. It blew down our big thermometer twice and as beat up as it is, it is still telling us the temperature. That is a real surprise. My husband spent a very long time with the snow blower, blowing out the driveway that has 4-5 ft drifts in it. That was a terrible job and he was covered with snow. I scooped where I could and swept the snow away from the bottom of the garage door so it wouldn't stick when we shut it again. Also have a smaller door that had to be scooped open from the outside and then hit your body against it to get it open. Then my husband went along side the garage with a garden rake and knocked off all the big overhanging snow & icycles. They could tear your eves right off. It was very heavy on there and he ended up having the rake end fly off the handle. I think if they don't shovel some snow along the fence next door, their big black lab dog is going to be able to jump over it soon. He is a very long, tall dog when he stands up on the fence. Are we having fun yet? I don't think so. I've got to go warm up.

New Swimming Pool

Our small town has been having a drive now for about a year in order to get together enough money to put in a brand new swimming pool. I heard the old one was losing water at the rate of 15,000 gallons a month, I believe it was and it was very old. Everyone helped out with fund raising. Companies in town gave sizable checks to the fund to help build the pool. They were able to start construction this fall and all the kids are pretty excited about it. It is going to have all the fountains, water slides and much more. It will be a big draw from other small towns around as now they have to travel as much as 50 miles to get to the nice new pool in another town. I think other small towns are having fund drives too now so that they can put in pools too. It is a great place for both adults and kids to spend alot of hot summer hours. I heard they are now having fund drives to also put in a new shelter house for picnics, etc. That will be another great addition to the town. We have an active, growing small town with more and more activities for the kids. Good idea.

Crockpot Roast

I make the most wonderful crockpot roast. My sister in Illinois told me how to do it. First you buy a roast you know will be tender to start with. Season it on all sides with Greek Seasoning, garlic salt and onion salt. At the same time, put a couple cups of hot water in the crockpot, plug it in and put it on low. Sprinkle in enough garlic salt and onion salt till it tastes good to you. Stir it well. Put the lid on the crockpot. Then get a good skillet and a little oil in the bottom, just enough to brown the roast. Brown it on ALL sides, not just the top and bottom. When you feel you have gotten it brown enough, put it into the crockpot. I usually do this about 8:30 so the roast is in the pot by 9:00. Cover and forget it till noon. At noon turn the crockpot to high. At 2:00, I put in two peeled whole onions because I love to eat the cooked onion with my meat and it really flavors the gravy even more. Also add 4 or 5 peeled whole carrots or more if you are going to serve more people. I usually have enough for the two of us and an elderly friend. I take hers over to her that night for supper too. Add at 3:30 as many medium sized peeled potatoes as you will be eating. This will be ready at 5:00. Take out the roast and slice it thinly with an electric knife. Put the vegetables into another dish. Pour the liquid into a large sauce pan and thicken the gravy with a water diluted flour mixture until it is the thickness you like. Serve and enjoy.