Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Volume 128, Number 37

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 8

News
Editors note: This is the
second of a two-part series
that chronicles the progress
of Laurens resident Flor
Johnsens Reach for the
Stars ministry and outreach
program. A native Filipina,
Johnsen has begun a large
philanthropic endeavor to
provide 1 million books to
impoverished children in the
Pacic island nation. Part
one appeared in last weeks
edition.
By Flor Johnsen
Special Beacons: Donor Stars
Any place we go, we talk
about the Reach for the Stars
project, and people listen.
An 80-year-old lady heard
about the project, came to me
and secretly slipped something
in my hand while no one
looking. She whispered, I hope
this will help. God bless your
work.
She turned away without
me knowing her name. When I
opened my hand, I found $20.
She gave from her heart, and I
cried.
But she isnt the only one.
Many individuals and groups
have started book drives for
Reach for the Stars.
For example, Judy Pritchard
of Callender, does not allow
her age to prevent her from
contacting many libraries for
book donations. She even buys
some books or school supplies
at garage sales.
A ladies organization from
Ringsted has been collecting
books for the project. One day,
a man surprised me with a van
full of boxes. They contained
See BOOKS, Page 6
Laurens City Council moves
forward on Storm Sewer Utility
By Jamie Whitney
At its September 3 meeting,
the Laurens City Council
unanimously passed the rst
reading of Ordinance 06-13,
which establishes a Storm
Water Utility.
Its something we discussed
previously, and set aside for a
period of time stated Mayor
Rod Johnson. During the
work session (August 26),
we were talking about street
(improvement) and brought this
back up. In the work group,
it was pretty unanimous to
proceed with this.
Mayor Johnson noted at
the councils June 17 meeting
that storm sewer repairs
were funded from the street
budget, and that impacted how
much blacktop the city could
rehabilitate every year.
The mayor was targeting
charging residents and
businesses a utility fee to raise
$30,000 a year. The ordinance
would raise the funds to
facilitate the replacement
approximately two blocks of
storm sewer per year.
Monthly utility fees will be
$3 for a single family dwelling,
$5 for a building less that 7,000
square feet, $10 for a building
more than 7,000 square feet,
but less than 30,000, and $20
for a facility more than 30,000
square feet.
The council will have the
second reading of Ordinance
06-13 at its September 16
meeting.
IN OTHER NEWS, THE
council discussed a resolution
to regulate street dances and
outdoor liquor service areas.
Smith had met with Chief of
Police Chris Toner, Silver Dollar
Saloon manager Nathan Brazel,
and Laurens Lounge and Lanes
owner Mark Miller. A multi-
point plan was presented to the
council.
The business hosting the
street dance must notify their
neighbors of their intention to
do so.
The city, at the discretion
of the chief of police, may
hire additional ofcers at the
organizers expense.
Duties for the additional
ofcer will be assigned by the
chief of police, and not the
organizer.
Music will cease in the
outdoor area no later than 1:00
a.m., and service can continue
until 2:00 a.m. At 5:00 a.m.,
the closed street must be open
and clean.
See COUNCIL, Page 8
No one under 18 years of
age is allowed to be at the site
after 10:00 p.m. Operators need
to provide visible identication
bands for patrons over 18 years
of age, and for attendees over
21 years of age.
Chris, do you have a good
feeling about this? asked
Mayor Johnson to Chief Toner.
Im OK with it, noted the
lawman.
The council unanimously
approved Resolution 24-13.
The council also discussed
the citys urban revitalization
plan. The plan would allow for
a ve-year tax abatement for
anyone building a new home
within city limits, or improving
their homes value at least
10 percent, with a $10,000
minimum.
A public hearing of the plan
will be held at the councils
November 4 meeting, with the
rst reading of the ordinance to
be held November 18.
Ive had a lot of phone calls
asking Is this happening?
Whats going on? stated
Smith. I think this will be a
good thing.
The Laurens City Council
meets next on September 16, at
5:00 p.m., at City Hall.
COUNCIL: Discusses urban revitalization plan
From Page 1
BOOKS:
Please donate
From Page 1
400 books, well-labeled and
meticulously counted.
I asked the driver, Whats
the name of the donors, sir?
Im sorry I cant tell you. I
dont know. They just let me
bring these books here, he
replied.
Two sisters in their nineties
from Our Savior Lutheran
Church in Albert City surprised
me with books they collected for
the project.
Nola Josephson said, I dont
know what to do with these old
encyclopedias. Will you take
them? They may be old, but the
facts never change.
Of course, we accepted them
gratefully. Any treasury of
knowledge is a big help to the
students.
At the Our Savior Lutheran
church picnic, one lady, a visitor
from Minneapolis, approached
me. I was ready to eat my food
when she came to my table. My
mom, a member of this church,
told me about your project, she
for ventilation. I will send you
a bucket and soap in the next
shipment.
The teacher jumped for joy
and disseminated the good
news to the community.

RTFS: The Future Can Shine
Even Brighter
We started with 700 books;
now we have over 57,000. We
grew from one school to 75
schools and counting. In the
Philippines, we have 53 high
school students on scholarship,
and one college scholar
majoring in music. We have two
libraries nished, with three
more being built.
Parents of scholars and
community members volunteer
their labor to build libraries and
other RFTS-related projects.
Reach for the Stars
needs more encyclopedias,
dictionaries, childrens books
with photos, and other good
reading materials. Donations
for shipments are also greatly
needed and always appreciated.
You can sponsor a high
school student for just $30 per
year. It will lighten the burden
of the poor parents, and will
motivate the children to study.
Every donor, regardless
of the size or scope of the
donation, makes a big
difference, and continues to
give us strength and courage
to pursue this outreach. Its
all these little things that can
make a difference in the lives of
the children and in this world.
From one seed, a sprout
grew, and this plant is now a big
tree. The Reach for the Stars
program will also bear fruit and
multiply as forests reaching
across the globe. Reach for
the Stars not only reaches our
children in the Philippines, but
also reaches for other stars that
help the project spread like
wildre.
On behalf of children in the
Philippines who have been
or will soon be recipients of
Reach for the Stars, I thank
everyone for your generosity.
To donate, please contact:
Flor Johnsen, 518 Bissell
Street, Laurens, Iowa, 50554.
Phone: 712-841-4911.
Email: fjmusic@hotmail.com.
Facebook page: Reach for the
Stars Operation Tsinelas.
Outpouring of support fuels Reach for the Stars
Charger football off and running!
Noah way to catch him
All Charger running back Noah Anderson needed was a little bit of daylight on
this play and it was off to the races Friday night as L-M played host to Remsen
St. Marys Sept. 6. The freshman broke for a 66 gain that resulted in the rst
score of the game. Later in the contest, Anderson took a 71 yard kickoff return
to the house for his second score. The boys in Blue and Gold prevailed over the
Hawks 20-12. This Friday, the Bolts hit the road and enter District play against
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire in Ruthven. For a full recap of the contest
against the Hawks, see page 4 of this weeks Sun. Photo by Theresa Erickson.
In addition to books, Flor Johnsen has sent hygiene
products and even toys to children in the Philippines.
Submitted photo.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 2
News
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 7
News
Total Vrbiage
By Chris Vrba
Its been a little more than four years since I rst returned to Greater Pocahontas County. Last
weeks edition, to be exact, was the anniversary of the rst article I ever had published. A dubious
anniversary to say the least, I know, but a chance to reect, most certainly.
Theres a lot of great things going on right now in Greater Pocahontas County - and I believe more
so than when I rst stepped into the R-D ofce in the late summer of 2009. That belief was veried
Sunday morning when a small army of yellow-shirted volunteers from St. Peter Lutheran Church
in the Princess City set out across the town to spruce up Main Street, Gateway Park (the corner of
Main and Hwy. 3) and the welcome signs. Their shirts read Gods work. Our hands.
Our hands is truly an appropriate aphorism for the residents of Greater Pocahontas County.
Though decades of attrition brought on by the industrial-scale mechanization of the once small
family farm have left us with fewer and fewer hands, it really seems as though the hands that are
left are getting more and more accomplished.
I was in Varina Tuesday night (the third time in nine days, mind you) for the ofcial dedication of
the city park. Members of the community banded together and set a course to add new equipment
at the site for the rst time in four decades. One volunteer, Dick Farrell, summarized exactly
whats happening in our neck of the prairie when he said, Looking up and down Main Street, we
dont have a lot to offer, but weve got a beautiful park, and wed like to make it even better.
Varinans plan to add even more to the park in the coming year.
But they arent alone. This Saturday, the good folks of Havelock will host their own park
dedication. The towns up in children, so people decided they, too, better have a better park.
Last month, Palmer christened Panther Park and Plover wrapped up with new equipment of
their own. In Laurens, about 50 people turned out to add a bunch of new equipment to the
downtown park as well. In the case of the Laurentian volunteers, many hands made quick
work of what was supposed to be a day-long labor. Fondas got a community garden going in,
they brought home a $300,000 grant for home repairs, and the Straight Park improvements
have gone on like gang-busters. In Newell, National Honor Society members volunteered
throughout town this summer. New trees are popping up everywhere, buildings have been
painted, park benches have been added across the area, and in Pocahontas, Dick Gruber got
up on his high horse (the horse being a boom truck) to give the Princess some new makeup.
And let us not forget about the ongoing stream of people who help out at our senior centers, or
those who deliver meals to our inbound friends and neighbors. The Young Professionals have
been busy, busy, too. Boosters and school volunteers are going strong now that class is in.
The catalyst for much of this resurrected civic engagement is courtesy of Keep Iowa
Beautifuls Hometown Pride Program, a rst-of-its-kind initiative started last July. I reckon
that in the past 14 months, weve seen more projects undertaken and accomplished, and more
people engaged in the direction of their communities than in the past 14 years.
Greater Pocahontas County, like Farrell said of Varinas park, is beautiful, but we can make
it even better. Thank you to those who have helped thus far. And to those still sitting on the
benches, we could really make our home better if only we had just a few more hands.
PUBLIC NOTICE
LAURENS CITY COUNCIL
LAURENS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
The Laurens City Council met in
regular session at the Municipal Building
at 5:00 p.m., September 3, 2013. Mayor
Rod Johnson called the meeting to order.
Present were Council members Rich
Newgard, Ken Kunickis and Julie Potter;
Police Chief Chris Toner; City Manager,
Barbara Smith; and City Attorney, Ann
Beneke. Council members Clarence
Siepker and Gary Heuton as well as Public
Works Director, Julian Johnsen, were
absent.
Newgard motioned to move item #2
to item #8a and to remove item #4; and
to approve the consent agenda consisting
of the amended agenda, the list of claims
and the minutes from the August 19, 2013
meeting. Motion seconded by Kunickis.
Ayes all; motion carried.
Potter motioned to approve Pay
Estimate #7 for Carstensen Contracting,
seconded by Kunicks. Ayes all; motion
carried.
Kunicks motioned to approve the 1st
reading of Ordinance 06-13, Storm Water
Utility Ordinance, seconded by Potter. Roll
call vote: Ayes - Kunickis, Newgard, Potter.
Siepker and Heuton absent.
Newgard motioned, seconded by
Kunickis to approve Resolution 24-13,
Street Dance Regulations. Roll call vote:
Ayes - Kunickis, Newgard, Potter. Siepker
and Heuton absent.
Kunicks motioned, seconded by
Newgard to approve Resolution 25-13,
appointing Dick Main to a six year term
on the Utility Board. Roll call vote: Ayes
Kunicks, Newgard, Potter. Siepker and
Heuton absent.
Kunickis motioned to remove item
8a from the agenda as Matt Cole had
not arrived for the meeting, seconded by
Potter. Ayes all; motion carried.
The Citys Urban Revitalization Plan
was discussed. Smith explained the
timeline for approval of the project. If
everything goes as planned, the project
will reach nal approval and publication in
December.
In Council Member reports, Newgard
metioned that the concrete patch on
East Street had cracked and would need
repaired when the construction crews were
repairing the other patches on East Street.
In City Staff reports, Smith reminded
everyone that the Council Nomination
petitions are due to her by 5 p.m. on
September 19. Smith also informed the
Council that the SRF Sponsor Project had
been recommended for funding by the
SRF. It will need to go through two rounds
of public meetings before the project is
ofcially awarded.
Claims 09-03-2013
Acco, Chemicals ............................. 3,660.28
Alliant Energy, Utilities ................ 1,785.84
Avesis, Insurance ............................. 129.05
Barb Smith, Mileage.......................... 51.08
Bolton & Menk, Supplies ................. 389.23
Barco Muni. Prod, Engineering.. 50,130.35
Bomgaars, Clothing ......................... 290.85
Carstensen Contracting,
East St & Veterans Road.....297,775.39
Collections Svc Ctr., Child Supp. .....141.23
Country Store, Playground Equip. .....65.00
Dakota Supply, Meters .................... 298.05
Erickson Welding, Repair ................ 218.47
IRS, Taxes ...................................... 4,873.56
Ipers, Ipers .................................... 4,417.96
Ipers/Pd, Protected Ipers .............. 1,572.74
J & J Service, Repair ....................... 146.77
LMPC, Communications .................. 332.18
LMU, Utilities ............................... 6,789.76
Laurens Sun, Legal Publications .... 514.01
Met, Testing...................................... 170.00
Pete Howe Industrial, Jet Clean .. 5,975.00
Pocahontas Equipment, Repairs ....... 31.89
Prime Benets, Insurance ................. 87.50
Principal Life, Insurance................. 691.26
Shamrock Recycling, Recycling.... 1,574.71
Staples, Technology.......................... 957.45
Treasurer, St Of Ia, Sales Tax ...... 4,741.00
USA Blue Book, Supplies ................. 242.90
USPS, Postage.................................. 268.03
Total Claims .............................. 388,321.54
Payroll
001General ................................... 7,055.61
110Road Use..................................... 933.84
600Water ....................................... 2,429.02
610Sewer ....................................... 1,772.79
670Garbage ................................... 2,062.34
Total Payroll ................................ 14,253.60
Report Total ............................... 402,575.14
Kunickis motioned, seconded by Potter
to adjourn the meeting at 5:29 p.m. Ayes
all; motion carried.
Rod Johnson, Mayor
Barbara Smith, City Clerk
A beautiful pride grows with our hands
Iowa farmers commit over
$2.8 million for voluntary
water quality practices
DES MOINES Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Bill
Northey announced that
Iowa farmers have submitted
applications for the $2.8
million in cost share funding
that has been made available
to help implement new nutrient
reduction practices on their
farm. The funds were available
to help farmers try new practices
targeted at protecting water
quality and the state funds
could not be more than 50
percent of the total cost of the
practice, so Iowa farmers will be
providing at least another $2.8
million to support these water
quality practices.
The Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship received
applications covering 120,680
acres from 1096 different
farmers seeking to participate
in the program. That includes
109,415 acres of cover crops,
7,321 acres of nitrication
inhibitor, 2,675 acres of no-till
and 1,268 acres of strip-till.
Farmers in 97 of 100 Soil and
Water Conservation Districts
across the state received
funding.
Iowa farmers are very
conservation minded. The
tremendous response to this
program shows again that
they will respond voluntarily
when presented with science-
based solutions to conservation
challenges, Northey said. It
is exciting that nearly 1100
farmers were willing to put their
own money towards trying new
practices aimed at protecting
water quality and improving
soil health.
Farmers are encouraged
to still reach out to their local
Soil and Water Conservation
District ofce as there may be
other programs available to
help them implement these
voluntary, science-based water
quality practices on their farm.
Only farmers not already
utilizing the practice were
eligible to apply for assistance
and cost share was only
available on up to 160 acres.
The cost share rate for cover
crops was $25 per acre and
was $10 for farmers trying no-
till or strip till. Farmers using a
nitrapyrin nitrication inhibitor
when applying fall fertilizer
were eligible to receive $3 per
acre.
This has been a great
kick-off to our water quality
initiative and we look forward
to continuing to work with
farmers to put more practices
on the ground to better protect
water quality here in Iowa and
down-stream as well, Northey
said.
The Department received
$3 million in one-time funding
to support statewide science-
based water quality practices
over the next ve years and has
now committed $2.8 million to
support these science-based
practices this fall.
On Friday, August 31, students from Laurens-
Marathon and Pocahontas Area received a special
message from Aaron Thomas, the son of the late - and
legendary, Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed
Thomas. Over the course of an hour, Thomas shared a
message of hope, inspiration, and dedication with the
students. Photo by Chris Vrba.
Albert City Evangelical Free Church, Albert City, IA
Senior Pastor Steve Smith
Assist. Pastor Steve Stepec
8:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Worship Service;
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages; 5:30 p.m. U-Turn;
Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study & Prayer,
7-Up (Jr. High) Adventure Club Cubbies
Thurs., Sept. 12, 7pm MOPS
Thurs., Sept. 19, 6am Leadership Mtg.
Bethany Lutheran Church, Laurens, IA
9 a.m. ConHrmatIon Class 9:15 a.m. CoIIcc FcllowshIp
9:15 a.m. Sunday School 9:S0 a.m. Adult Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship
Wed., Sept. 11, 7pm Choir Practice
Tues., Sept. 17, 10-11am Coffee/Refreshments w/Pastor; 7pm Hand Bell
Rehearsal
Wed., Sept. 18, 5-7pm Spaghetti Feed; 7pm Council Mtg. following meal
Thurs., Sept. 19, 9am Morning Circle at Carol Johnson's; 2pm Afternoon Circle
Evangelical Covenant Church, Albert City, IA
Pastor Gavin Ellis
10 a.m. - Worship;
11 a.m. - FcllowshIp CoIIcc
First Christian Church, Laurens, IA
Reverend Tyler Whipkey
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. - Worship
Wed., Sept. 11, 1pm Willing Workers; 7:30pm Lydia Circle
Thurs., Sept. 12, 7pm AA Meeting
Grace Lutheran Church, Marathon, IA
7 p.m. Wednesdays - Worship
Wed., Sept. 11, 7pm Church Council
Ncw Hopc BaptIst Church, Laurcns, IA
Pastor Jim Marshall
10 a.m. - Sunday School; 11 a.m. Worship
7 p.m. Bible Study
Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Albert City, IA
Interim Pastor A. Pete Peterson
9 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. Worship
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Laurens, IA
Father John J. Gerald
8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass; 8 a.m. Friday Weekday Mass
Religious Educations Classes on Wednesdays
Knights of Columbus on the Second Tuesday of the Month
Parish Council on the Fourth Tuesday of the Month
St. Louis Catholic Church, Royal
Father John J. Gerald
8 a.m. Tuesday & Thursday Weekday Mass
10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Sioux Rapids
Father John J. Gerald
8 a.m. Monday & Wedensday Weekday Mass
5 p.m. Saturday Mass
United Methodist Church, Laurens, IA
Pastor Jim Turner
9:15 a.m. - Sunday School 9:S0 a.m. FcllowshIp CoIIcc
10:30 a.m. Worship
Wed., Sept. 11, 10am Book Club Resumes at Virginia Otto's Home; 7pm Hands of
Hope Puppet Troop Resumes
Fri., Sept. 13, 7am Men's Bible Study; 1:30pm Women's Club
Sun., Sept. 15, 10:30am Worship - Special Music: Don Hertz; Missions Bake Sale;
Acolyte Training Following Worship
Wed., Sept. 18, 10am Staff Meeting; 12 Noon Leadership at the Pizza Ranch;
7pm Worship Com. Meeting; 7pm Hands of Hope Puppet Troop; 8:15pm
Administrative Council
United Methodist Church, Marathon, IA
Pastor Jan Whiteman
9:15 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. - Worship
AREA CHURCHES
B & K
Embroidery
136 N. 3rd St., Laurens, IA 50554
712-841-6575
bkembrdy@pionet.net
- 1brc:acr - S.rccu 1r:ur:uq
- 0ca jjarc
Countryside Living
Independent Senior Living
Albert City, Iowa 50510
712-843-2237 or
712-843-2222
Fuchs
Construction
712-841-2026
General Contractor
Laurens,
Iowa
Hwy. 3 East, Pocahontas
hopkinsinsurance.com
712-335-9915 1-866-335-9915
FAX 712-335-9918
&523+$,/3523(57<&$68$/7</,)(+($/7+/21*7(50 &$5(
H
opkins
I
nsurance,
I
nc.
The kind of store you want us to be.
410 W. Main, Laurens, IA
712-841-4513
Laurens Plumbing
& Hwy. 10 Hardware
114 Hwy. 10 Laurens, A
712-841-2495 or 841-6841
Laurens State Bank
712-845-2627
Emmetsburg 712-852-2201
Mallard 712-425-3436
Ayrshire 712-426-2060
712-776-2222 or 611 Irom Northwest
Telephone Exchange
Northwest Communications
844 Wood Street,
Havelock, IA50546
www.ncn.net
www.northwest.coop
PLEASANT VIEW HOME
"A Caring Place"
Countryside Living -
Senior Independent
410 Spruce St., Albert City
712-843-2237 or 712-843-2222
704 West Elm, Hwy. 3
P.O. Box 188, Pocahontas, IA
Z12-335-1233 800-Z31-1233
Fax 712-335-3170
1cwcrs 1usurau.c qcu., 1u..
www.procooperative.com
320 W. Main, Laurens
712-841-4748
Richardson's
Service
312 Hwy. 10 Laurens
712-841-4745
John 3:16
"For God so loved
the world he gave
his only begotten
son and who shall
believe in him shall
not perish but have
eternal liIe"
!
304 E. Veterans Road,
Laurens, IA
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 6
News/Classieds
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 3
Area Events/News
September 11, 2013
Oh what fun to be back in the swing of our fall schedule.
Tot Time at 10 on Monday morning is such a great way to start
our week! Our monthly visits from L-Ms elementary classes
have also begun. It makes me smile to see these kids that
love coming to the library as much as I do! I did my rst of the
monthly book talks to some middle school readers. Some of
them are not quite as excited as the younger kids are, but dont
worry, well hook them again.
The third Monday of the month seems to be a great day
for meetings at the library! Weve got a group of Advanced
Genealogists that meet here at 1:30. Stick your nose in here
and see what thats all about if youre interested! At 3:33 its
www. our middle school writers group. Then at 7 p.m., its
time for our monthly Writers Free for All. Come share your
Back to School, Fall, Harvest, or Halloween stories. This is all
on September 16.
Have you read Jodi Picoults Plain Truth yet? I read it
years ago, but look forward to rereading it. If you havent read
this book, you should! Come pick up a copy and join in what
promised to be a great discussion on Monday, September 23,
at 7 p.m.
Guess what? We got some new books! Heres a sampling
of the adult ction: Mayan Secrets by Clive Cussler, Just What
Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly, The Whole Enchilada
by Diane Mott Davidson, The Secret Keeper by Beverly Lewis,
Blindsided by Fern Michaels, Final Reckoning by Susan Moody,
Blind Justice by Anne Perry, Bones of the Lost by Kathy Reichs,
Deceived by Randy Wayne White and Necessary Lies by Diane
Chamberlain. In non ction we received Chicago by Day &
Night by Paul Durica and Little Black Book of Chicago 2013
by Margaret Littman. These were purchased by the Braesch
family in memory of Jennifer Kliegl because of her love of the
City.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
September 16 10:00 a.m. Tot Time
1:30 p.m. Advanced Genealogists
3:33 p.m. www.
7:00 p.m. Writers Free for All
September 23 10:00 a.m. Tot Time
7:00 p.m. Book Club Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
September 30 10:00 a.m. Tot Time
October 24 5-7 Library Foundation Pancake Supper
October 31 6:30 p.m. Halloween Magician Larry Dunbar
Thank You
Thank you for your cards,
gifts, and phone calls for
my 80th birthday. A special
thank you to my family for
the great party on Saturday,
August 31.
Carol Schmidt
HELP WANTED:
Do you..
* Like to read?
* Need a new challenge?
* Like to learn new things?
* Want a fun part-time job?
We have an opening for a
Circulation Desk Librarian two
days a week and one Saturday
morning a month. Please apply
in person at the Laurens Public
Library. ....4B-47w-37-39-3c-rl
BOOKS WANTED:
Donations of used childrens
books with pictures,
old curriculum books,
encyclopedias, old dictionaries,
other good reading materials,
educational toys. To donate to
Operation Tsinelas (Reach For
The Stars Project) contact Flor
Johnsen at 712-841-4911 or
518 Bissell Street, Laurens, IA
50554. ..........4A-39w-14tfn-c-l
NOTICE:
LAURENS GOLF AND
COUNTRY CLUB THURSDAY
NIGHT SPECIAL: September
12: Chicken drummies
with salad or fries. Public
welcome. Bring your appetite!
........................13-21w-37-1c-l
FOR RENT:
2) 2 bedroom homes and (1)
3 bedroom house in Laurens.
All have full basement.
Refrigerator, stove, washer
and dryer furnished. Available
soon. 712-841-4911.
.......................2-24w-31tfn-c-l
NOTICE:
NOW IS THE TIME TO
BUILD YOUR NEW HOME!!!
GREEN ACRES HOMES
43rd ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION! Save $4,300
on ranch, split entry and
multi-story modular homes
and single wide and sectional
manufactured homes!! Custom
plans welcome. Additional
savings on select display
model closeouts! Quality
construction, low maintenance,
energy efciency and a hassle
free process. Make your move
today while interest rates are
still low and the savings are
big!! Also, see our display at
the Clay County Fair, Spencer,
IA September 7-15. GREEN
ACRES HOMES, Hwy 9 East,
Estherville, IA, 800-397-5545
or www.greenacresnewhomes.
com. ............13-92w-36-37-c-l
FOR SALE:
1 acre acreage just off blacktop.
Located at 12911 470th Street,
Laurens. Includes xer-upper
trailer house and pole building
built in 1998. $13,000 OBO.
Possible contract.
712-551-6899.
...............1-26w-35-38-4c-rbsg
NOTICE:
Clothing starts at 25. All
other merchandise 1/2 off.
Treasure Chest, downtown
Laurens.
...................13-13w-36-38-3c-l
CLASSIFIEDS
BOOKS: Improves the lives of young Filipino learners
From Page 1
See BOOKS, Page 8
said. I have something for you.
Just tell me if you dont like it,
and I will take it back.
What is it? I asked.
Its an old set of
encyclopedias, but they look
new.
I looked at her and said, I love
you. Yes, we are in desperate
need of encyclopedias. Thank
you.
We ended up talking more
about the project, and in my
excitement, I forgot to eat my
food.
More local schools and
public libraries generously
support the project with books.
The Sioux Rapids library
called one day. Hi, this is
Martha. We have books for you,
but I dont know how long we
can keep them here. Come over
if you have time.
After she hung up, we
hopped in the van and zoomed
to the library.
We get really excited when
that phone rings: more books!
Some people and
organizations are also
fundraising to help with the
shipment of books. A group of
fth grade students from the
Pocahontas Catholic School
have donated money from their
fundraising to ship books.
We Cannot Ignore Our Stars
Although we focus on
literacy, primarily through the
donation of books and other
school-related projects, there
are exceptions we cannot
ignore.
Many teachers are also
begging for help to make repairs
at their schools, as they cannot
afford them. Reach for the
Stars does not have enough
funding for all of the requests.
Mrs. Cleofe, a principal at
Abucayan Elementary, posted a
photo of toilets that need xed.
The conditions are deplorable.
Good hygiene for children is a
crucial component of creating a
good learning environment.
I couldnt sleep that night as
I imagined myself in the place
of the children. I can see those
children going into the dark,
lthy toilet with no bathroom
tissue or soap, just water.
Scenes like this bother me.
Mrs. Cleofe said, Madam, $120
will nish the repairs, and we
will furnish the labor free.
The next morning, I sent her
some money. I instructed her
to put windows in the room
Fergusons inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame
Craig and Terry Ferguson of Laurens were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame
at a special ceremony held at the Iowa State Fairgounds on Sunday, Aug. 18. This
is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate
4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to
Iowas 4-H program, said Chris Gleason, of ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth
Development.
Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives
of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees served as club leaders,
youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University
Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges,
nancial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. The inductees
have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to
Iowas 4-Hers through the years. Submitted photo
Havelocks
playground
dedication Sept. 14
Havelock will have their
dedication for their new
playground equipment on
Saturday, September 14, at
4 p.m. at the City Park. The
public is invited to attend.
Support L-M School
with Target on
Facebook
Target is sponsoring the
Give with Target campaign
on Facebook. Each vote for
Laurens-Marathon CSD will
give the school $1 to Target
to help pay for supplemental
materials. You can vote once in
each voting period, now through
the middle of September or
when Target reaches $5 million
in donations. Go to Facebook
and nd Give with Target and
vote for L-M today!
Civil War historian,
O.J. Fargo program
September 13
The Laurens Womens Club,
in conjunction with Humanities
Iowa, is proud to host Civil
War historian, O. J. Fargo for a
program on Friday, September
13, at 1:30 p.m. at the Laurens
United Methodist Church.
Fargos presentation is
entitled Just Before the Battle,
Mother A Visit from a Civil War
Soldier. He will appear as a
returning Civil War soldier, and,
after a brief overview of Iowas
participation in the Civil War,
the audience will be encouraged
to ask questions and engage in
a dialogue with the soldier
who will stay in character the
entire time. O.J. Fargo dresses
in full Union Army regalia for
the presentation. He will also
have with him a full roster of
all men who served in and from
Iowa in the Civil War so that
audience members may check
for information about ancestors
who served.
O.J. Fargo recently retired as
the Director of Media Services
and a Social Studies consultant
for the Green Valley Area
Education Agency in Creston.
He is the author of several
books and booklets on Iowa
history, the Civil War and U.S.
history. He is also president of
an Iowa regiment of Civil War
re-enactors.
Everyone is invited and
encouraged to attend this
presentation.
Admission is free and open
to the public.
Pocahontas County
Home Care Aide
Agency board
meeting Sept. 17
The Pocahontas County
Home Care Aide Agency
Administrative Board will meet
on Tuesday, September 17,
2013, at 12:30 p.m. in the
conference room at the ofce
located at 21 3rd Ave. NE,
Pocahontas.
Persons interested in
bringing items to the attention
of the Board should contact Jill
Conlin, director at 335-4587 to
obtain time on the agenda.
Hunter education
course offered
A hunter education course
will be offered on Sat., Sept. 28,
2-7 p.m. and Sun., Sept. 29,
2-7 p.m. at the Nature Center
located at the Pocahontas
County Conservation main
ofce, 702 NW 7th St. (Hwy 4)
in Pocahontas.
A person who is 11 years
old or older may enroll in this
two-day course and, upon
successful completion, will be
issued a certicate which will
become valid on their 12th
birthday.
There is no charge for this
class. Pre-registration is
required. For more information
or to register call (712) 335-
4395 or e-mail conservation@
pocahontas-county.com.
Honey Days at
PCCB Sept. 24-25
If you are interested in
learning more about beekeeping
and honey extracting, be sure
to join us for Honey Days. We
will meet on Tuesday, Sept.
24, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.,
and Wednesday, Sept. 25,
from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the
Conservation Nature Center
located just north of the
hospital and manor on Highway
4 in Pocahontas. We will be
extracting and bottling honey
collected from our bee hives
around Pocahontas County.
Enjoy some honey snacks and
recipes plus a beeswax candle
and free bottle of honey to take
home and enjoy.
There is no charge for the
class. Please register by email
at conservation@pocahontas-
county.com.
Thank You
Thanks to all who helped
me celebrate my 90th
birthday. Im looking forward
to another year.
Bud Hawley
The young learners at Matacla Elementary School in the Philippines were just
some of the children impacted by Flor Johnsens philanthropic endeavors in her
native country. Submitted photo.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 4
Sports
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Page 5
Sports/News
Charger volleyball notches rst W against E-Hawks
By Jamie Whitney
The Laurens-Marathon
volleyball team was ring on
all cylinders last Tuesday
as the Chargers traveled to
Emmetsburg to take on the
E-Hawks to take a 3-1 victory
over the host team.
Freshman Kenzie Sullivan
had a team-best 28 assists in
the contest, while senior Briley
Sullivan tallied a best 28 digs.
Briley also led in kills, with
14, and tied for the lead with
fellow senior Rachel Potter with
24 successful serves. Junior
Brooke Runneberg led the Blue
and Gold with seven blocks.
To open the season, L-M
traveled to Sioux Rapids on
August 29 to take on Sioux
Central. The Rebels took the
contest 3-0. Sophomore Caitlin
Rohrbaugh led the Bolts
with eight assists, and Briley
Sullivan led with 10 digs.
In most recent action, L-M
traveled to Sioux Rapids to
take part in a triangular with
Manson-Northwest Webster
and Pocahontas Area.
The Cougars defeated the
Chargers 2-1. Briley Sullivan
went 11-12 from the serve with
a pair of aces. Rachel Potter
was a perfect 10-10 with an
ace. Hannah Runneberg led the
squad with 11 digs.
The Indians took a 2-0 win
over the Blue and Gold. Briley
Sullivan again led the Chargers
with 15 digs. Kenzie Sullivan
earned a team-best 14 assists.
At the end of the week, the
Laurens-Marathon volleyball
team had an overall record
of 1-3, and a record of 0-3
against Twin Lakes Conference
competition. The Chargers
travel to Newell on September
12 to take on Newell-Fonda.
Action starts at 5:30 p.m.
Charger gridders defeat Remsen St. Marys in home opener
By Jamie Whitney
The Laurens-Marathon
football team employed a New
England Patriots-style bend-
but-dont-break defense to
keep the Hawks of Remsen St.
Marys in check in the Blue and
Golds home opener September
6. The Chargers held on to win
20-12.
After forcing the Hawks to
punt on their opening drive, the
Bolts had a big 30 yard Chase
Oehlertz pass called back on
a holding penalty. On the very
next play, speedy freshman
Noah Anderson broke for a 66-
yard touchdown after turning
the corner and leaving RSM
defenders in his dust. After a
failed two-point conversion,
L-M held a 6-0 lead with 7:54
to play in the opening frame.
With just over two minutes
left to play in the half, Oehlertz
called his own number and
plowed into the endzone for a
two-yard score, and the boys in
Blue and Gold took a 12-0 lead
into the locker room.
The Hawks got on the board
early in the third quarter on
a 21-yard scamper into the
endzone, trimming L-Ms lead
to six.
The momentum swung
immediately back to the
Chargers, as Anderson bolted
up the sideline for a 71-yard
kickoff return. A successful
two-point conversion gave the
homers a 20-6 advantage.
RSM trimmed the lead to just
eight with 1:26 remaining in the
fourth quarter. After elding
the onside kick attempt, L-M
earned a rst down, enabling
the Blue and Gold to run out
the clock and take the win.
The defensive front wreaked
havoc on Hawk signal caller
Brady Harpenau all night. While
the St. Marys offense compiled
nearly 100 yards more than
L-M, the Charger defensive
corps found itself in the Hawk
backeld early and often, and
racked up an impressive eight
sacks, including three from
Tre Seiler. Jordan Gunnarson
tallied a team-best 17 tackles
in the contest.
Anderson led the charge
for L-Ms offense and special
teams, gaining 113 yards on 19
carries to go along with his 71-
yard kickoff return.
With the win, the Laurens-
Marathon football team
improved to an overall record of
1-1. The Chargers open District
play this Friday against
Graettinger-Terril/Ruthven-
Ayrshire in Ruthven. Kickoff is
at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by Pat Frantz
Windy walked hesitantly
into the bright, cheery
classroom on a particularly
gray November morning. She
cast several sideways glances
at me, her third-grade teacher,
as she made her way quietly to
her desk. Usually she was very
talkative with me as soon as
she bounded off the bus into
the classroom. Windy, I often
thought, was a good name for
her because it t her character
and personality. A very talkative
girl who always had much to
tell on a one-to-one basis.)
Youre probably thinking: What
a different, unusual name for
a child...Yes, but she has two
sisters, Charity and Brandie!
This morning was different.
She went to her desk, carefully
laid her brand new blue-
rimmed glasses on her desk
and began her day. I took roll,
lunch-count, and we gave the
ag pledge. Show-and-Tell time
came and went. Nothing from
Windy today...not too unusual,
I thought! I commented on her
new glasses and how nice they
looked (lying on the desk, I
meant, because she hadnt put
them on her face as yet!)
Math Class came - and
went. I had done work on the
board, given examples from
the textbook, and had given
a written assignment for the
students to do.
Still Windy had not put her
glasses on her face where they
belonged.
Perhaps shes embarrassed
to be seen with new glasses
ubmitted by Pat Frantz
Stories from the Laurens Writers Free-For-All
- maybe she thinks the other
kids will tease her I thought to
myself as I remembered what
might have been my thoughts
and feelings if I were in her
shoes! (Having worn glasses
since I was three years old, I
empathized with her somewhat,
although most people knew
glasses were just a regular part
of me!)
Not wanting to embarrass her
in front of the other boys and
girls, I said nothing, although
curiosity was getting the better
part of me by this time.
Language time came - still
the glasses were quietly resting
on Windys desk - bothering no
one except me because I was
absolutely positive they should
have been on her head!
Language Class was almost
over - I could stand it no longer.
All the boys and girls were
quietly working on their written
assignment. Nonchalantly, I
walked over to Windys desk
and quietly asked her why she
didnt put on her pretty new
glasses.
She looked at me proudly
and quickly whispered, My
Mother said I only need them
for reading and Reading class
isnt until one oclock!
Taken completely by
surprise, I looked at her and
replied, Oh! I honestly had to
keep my tongue in my cheek
to keep from giggling out
loud. Windy stated her reply
so matter-of-factly I knew I
probably couldnt convince her
otherwise. Not wanting to call
her mother a liar and wanting
to handle this double-meaning
episode as professionally as
I could, I said quietly to her,
I think your Mother means
you should wear your glasses
anytime youre reading from the
board or from your book, not
just during Reading Class. You
go home tonight and ask her.
OK Windy whispered back,
still looking very smug about
the whole thing.
The next morning she
appeared looking very smart
in her brand new blue-rimmed
glasses.
And shes worn them all day,
every day since!
Big stop
Jordan Gunnarson (left) celebrates a huge tackle for a loss on fourth down as
Wyatt Shannon looks on. The stop put the football back in Charger hands as the
Hawks of Remsen St. Marys turned the ball over on downs. All photos by Jamie
Whitney.
Get low
Levi Bechtel takes the legs out from underneath a
Hawk runner. The senior had a trio of tackles in the
Blue and Golds 20-12 victory last Friday.
Blindsided
Chase Oehlertz (above) drags RSM quarterback Brady Harpenau to the ground as
Thomas Erickson (number 35) ies in to assist. The Chargers harassed the QB all
night, earning eight sacks,
including a pair from
Oehlertz.
On offense, Oehlertz
only attempted a pair of
passes, but the potent
L-M ground attack was
more than enough to earn
the victory. The senior
quarterback carried the
ball a team-leading 22
times for 47 yards and
a touchdown. Freshman
running back Noah
Anderson picked up 117
yards on 19 attempts.
The Chargers (left) take
the eld for their home
opener September 6. After
a trip to Ruthven this
Friday to take on G-T/R-A,
the Bolts play host to CWL
September 20.
Here comes the boom
Briley Sullivan gets some air in the Chargers August
29 season opener against Sioux Central. The senior led
the squad with 10 digs, but the Rebels got the better
of the Chargers to win the contest three sets to none.
Photos by Chris Vrba.
Brooke Runneberg clears the net - and a pair of Rebel
defenders - in L-Ms season opener late last month.