The Prairie Burn 100 gravel bike ride and 5K fun run are set to return on Saturday, June 8, 2024, starting from Central Park in Grinnell. This annual event, organized by Imagine Grinnell, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting health and sustainability initiatives, promises an exciting day of outdoor activities for all ages.
Participants can choose from 25, 50, or 100-mile gravel routes, with registration open online. Entry fees are $50 per person for the bike ride and $10 for the 5K fun run. The first 200 registrants will receive a complimentary event t-shirt, and volunteers are welcomed with a free t-shirt as well. "We're thrilled to unveil all-new gravel routes and a competitive race for our 100-mile riders this year," noted Tim Ellsworth, Board Chair of Imagine Grinnell. "The Prairie Burn 100 attracts cyclists from across Iowa, offering a unique challenge while showcasing the beauty of Grinnell." The event kicks off with staggered start times: 100-mile racers begin at 7 a.m., followed by 50-mile riders at 8 a.m., and 25-mile riders at 9 a.m. Family-friendly activities commence at 9:30 a.m., featuring live music by the Surf Zombies and a beverage garden by Solera. Event highlights:
To participate in the gravel ride or 5K fun run, please sign up at https://www.bikereg.com/prairie-burn or see the Prairie Burn website https://www.prairieburn100.com/event-info. All event information is available on the website. Additional inquiries may also be made by contacting Jennifer Cogley at 641-236-5518. "The 5K fun run was a big hit last year, and we're excited to bring it back," remarked Holly Pettlon, Board Member of Imagine Grinnell and Prairie Burn committee member. "Whether you're a seasoned runner or out for a leisurely walk, we welcome participants of all ages and abilities." For more information and to sign up for the gravel ride or 5K fun run, please visit BikeReg at https://www.bikereg.com/prairie-burn or the Imagine Grinnell website https://www.imaginegrinnell.org/
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Members of the Grinnell FFA Experience the Action team were named state champions and will advance to nationals in Indianapolis during the 96th State Leadership Conference held April 15 - 17 at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left, front row: Haley Moyer, Peyton Davenport, Sophia Louden, Dylan Heater, Kai Gibson, Brayden Jones. Back row: Brenton Hefflefinger, Maddie Eddins, Tristan Graff, Wyatt Eaton, Carson Penyich, Andrew Peterson and Carter Hansen. Six members were allowed to be the main presenters or media tech specialists and the others were mock audience members/participants. Abby Spriggs was part of the team, but is not pictured. By J.O. Parker The Grinnell FFA Chapter wrapped up the 96th State Leadership Conference held April 15 - 17 at Iowa State University in Ames with several top honors. Grinnell FFA’s Experience the Action Leadership Development Event team brought home state championship honors and a gold rating at this year’s state conference. Team members included Sophia Louden, Wyatt Eaton, Andrew Peterson, Carson Penyich, Dylan Heater and Abby Spriggs, who were main presenters in the competition. The following eight team members served as mock audience/participants as part of the competition. They are: Haley Moyer, Peyton Davenport, Kai Gibson, Brayden Jones, Brenton Hefflefinger, Maddie Eddins, Tristan Graff and Carter Hansen. Experience the Action team members developed enthusiastic presentations that marketed Agricultural Education and FFA. This program serves to inform and educate the general public regarding the benefits and activities of Ag Ed/FFA programs. FFA Creed Speaking Grinnell’s Aden Wolfe earned second place honors and a gold rating in the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event at this year’s conference. Aden was one of 18 FFA members from across the state to compete in the competition. This event is designed to develop leadership and the ability to appear before groups by seventh through ninth grade students as they become members of the FFA. This event recognizes outstanding FFA members for their ability to present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions on the meaning and purpose of the FFA Creed. The event is just one way members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner. Conduct of Meetings The Grinnell FFA Chapter Conduct of Meetings team earned sixth place honors and a silver rating. Twelve chapters participated in this year’s Leadership Development Event. Team members included Lauren Louden, Alyssa Peterson, Maggie Dayton, Jacob Thilges, Easton Edelen, Owen Kaltsas and Zane Iverson. Teams participating in this event were composed of seven members organized to act out the duties of an officer team. Teams were required to perform opening ceremonies, demonstrate two parliamentary procedure abilities, and successfully close a meeting. This event aids in the development of leadership abilities of young members for present and future chapter activities. Ag Sales Team The Grinnell FFA Chapter Ag Sales Team earned eighth place honors and a silver rating at this year’s convention. FFA teams from 87 chapters participated in this year's CDE designed to provide the students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agriculture Sales. The 318 individuals who participated in the event each completed an objective test, made a sales presentation, and performed a customer relations practicum. All team members worked together to prepare a marketing plan and make an oral presentation of the plan to the judges. The 97th National FFA Convention & Expo is Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis. Aden Wolfe earned runner up honors in the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event during the 96th State Leadership Conference held April 15 - 17 at Iowa State University in Ames. He is joined by his mother, Ashley Wolfe, the Grinnell FFA Chapter Advisor. The Grinnell FFA Conducts of Meeting team earned sixth place honor and a silver rating at the 96th State Leadership Conference held April 15 - 17 at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left, front row: Owen Kaltsas, Maggie Dayton, Zane Iverson, Easton Edelen, Jacob Thilges, Lauren Louden and Alyssa Peterson. Members of the Grinnell FFA Ag Sales Team finished in eighth place and earned a silver rating at the 96th State Leadership Conference held April 15 - 17 at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Wyatt Eaton, Sophia Louden, Andrew Peterson and Dylan Heater.
Head writer Roy, Travis Williams, tries to pull a wedding ring off the finger of Sarah, Tracey Gerard, after she helped him procure the ring that he planned to use to propose to assistant director Polly, Randi Shaw, during the Brooklyn Theatre Company production of "WCKY." The ring became stuck after Roy did a fake proposal and was down on one knee when Polly walks into the room. When Sarah ends up dead a few minutes later as she’s about to make her own shocking and unscripted announcement on the air, all signs point to poor Roy. The Brooklyn Theatre Company production of “WCKY,” where murder and mayhem collided in hilarious fashion as a new radio station is preparing to air its first show in 1939 was held at the Brooklyn Opera House on April 19 - 21. The play was written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus and is under the direction of Josh Gerard.
The production is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colo. Synopsis: As the Clementine Sisters are about to sing the opening jingle, the action behind the scenes is infused with both excitement and drama. Head writer Roy plans to propose on air to assistant director Polly. One of the radio actresses, Sarah, has helped him procure a ring, and of course, Polly walks in just as Roy is down on one knee practicing his proposal with Sarah. When Sarah ends up dead a few minutes later as she’s about to make her own shocking and unscripted announcement on the air, all signs point to poor Roy. By the time the night is over, two other on-air talents have also been murdered, and each time, Roy is the prime suspect. It’s up to our creative writer to solve the mystery himself and reveal the actual killer through a live radio broadcast! “This is probably the most ambitious play I've ever directed in conjunction with the Brooklyn Theatre Company,” noted Gerard. “It's a big cast, and almost everyone is onstage all the time. It's packed with jokes and mystery, and I think everyone is going to love it, so come on out and support local theater.” Cast: Ziggy – Emmitt Albers; Emerson – Jeff Britts; Detective Carter – Emily Britts; Alistair – Addy Day; Clementine Sister – Lucia Dhooge; Victoria – Lorelai Gerard; Dischord – Silas Gerard; Sarah – Tracey Gerard; Sterling – Josh Gerard; Speedy – Gracie Gerard; Randy – Rob Hanlon; Gilda – Kaylin Hatfield; Mavis – Shadlee Hazelwood; Slim – Roy Williams; Fran – Alaina Holmes; Solomon – Caden Lakose; Darla –Ali McCammant; Olivia – Sienna Shaull; Polly – Randi Shaw; Dotty – Abby Smith; Officer Green – Tristan Taylor; Clementine Sister – Abigail Wadhams; Roy – Travis Williams; Jasper – Isaiah Williams; and Clementine Sister – Karin Zern. Crew: Sound – Avery Zern; Costumes – Kelly Taylor; Set Design – Lucia Dhooge; Props Master – Kim Hawkins; and Director – Josh Gerard. Madelynn Doty, a BGM tenth grader and FFA member, waters hanging baskets at the newly opened BGM FFA Greenhouse located at 1092 Jackson St. on Saturday, May 4, the first day of business. The greenhouse offers customers fresh veggies, herbs, hanging baskets and an array of individual flowers. Funds raised at the greenhouse will go towards purchasing supplies for the next year. By J.O. Parker If you are looking for fresh veggies, herbs, hanging flower baskets or an array of individual flowers for your garden or porch, look no further than the new BGM FFA Greenhouse. Located at 1092 Jackson St., the greenhouse is west of the football field and south of the ball diamonds. Follow the driveway past the Bear Creek Kids Campus to get to the greenhouse. The BGM greenhouse opened its doors on Saturday, May 4. Customers have their choice of fresh veggies such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers and herbs including parsley, chives and cilantro, all for $3 each. There is also a variety of hanging baskets for $25 each and individual flowers available for $4 each. The greenhouse was the idea of Morgan Dietrich, the agriculture teacher at HLV and BGM. Dietrich said there had been discussion for several years about building a greenhouse in Victor. She thought it would be a good idea to also build one in Brooklyn. “I wanted to give the students at BGM the same opportunity as the students at HLV,” she said. The HLV FFA Greenhouse is located in Victor by the practice field. It opened on Saturday, April 27. Both greenhouses were built in September 2023 thanks in part to grant money, donations and the selling of mums at each school in the fall. The grant money was also used to purchase soil, seeds, plugs and pots to get the greenhouse started. FFA students at both schools planted all the flowers, veggies and herbs during the last week of February and have been tending to the greenhouses prior to opening day. They are also charged with watering the plants and helping customers. “All the money raised will go toward purchasing next year’s supplies and plants,” said Dietrich. “It’s fun to be at the greenhouse and interact with the customers,” said Connie Schott, a tenth grader at BGM and FFA member who was working at the greenhouse on opening day. “I enjoy helping the customers pick out plants and vegetables. I also help with watering and tending to the plants.” “FFA is a great opportunity to learn skills that I will need in life,” said Madelynn Doty, a BGM tenth grader and FFA member helping at the greenhouse on opening day. “We have learned a lot this year,” said Dietrich. “We have a lot more to learn. So far the community support has been fabulous.” The BGM greenhouse will be open through Saturday, May 18. Hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cash and checks are accepted. Make checks out to BGM FFA Greenhouse. For more information, contact Dietrich at 319-430-6192 or via email at mdietrich@brooklyn.k12.ia.us. Laura Manatt, right, and daughter, Payton, check out some of the individual flowers offered at the newly opened BGM FFA Greenhouse in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 4. Also available are hanging baskets, veggies and herbs. The greenhouse is located at 1092 Jackson St. Customers enter the newly opened BGM FFA Greenhouse located at 1092 Jackson St. on Saturday, May 4. The greenhouse offers customers fresh veggies, herbs, hanging baskets and an array of individual flowers. BGM FFA students plant and water all the flowers, veggies and herbs. They also help customers and make sells.
It's time to mark your calendars for the 2024 Flag Festival!
Head on down to Brooklyn for a full weekend of excitement and community spirit on June 7, 8 & 9. Here's what's in store: Friday, June 7: Kiwanis BBQ Chicken at the Catholic Church Parking Lot. Races at the Brooklyn Raceway. Saturday, June 8: 5K Run/Walk Vendor Show at Landes Park Parade Kids Activities including inflatables, a toddler playground, human foosball, an obstacle course, and face painting at Landes Park Zounds the Clown for laughter and entertainment. Pedal Pull competition Kids Bike Giveaway Lunch at the Park Grill by Ruritans Food Trucks offering a variety of tasty treats Bags Tournament at Front Street Tap Concert at Southside Ball field featuring Chad Brock, Tyler Richton & The Highbank Boys, and Blake Jack & the South 35. Post-Concert Party at Front Street Tap. Sunday, June 9: Ruritans Car Show Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate community, entertainment, and fun at the 2024 Flag Festival! See you there! Matthew Peake, a Brooklyn-based photographer and cinematographer, is shown with the aoudad ram he shot in Texas on a friend’s property with a revolver. Peake spent 14 years working at Brownells in Montezuma running the photo and video department where he photographed the company catalog and filmed commercials and how-to videos. He currently works for Rock Island Auctions in Rock Island, Ill., where he handles all the social media, public relations, promotions and does the video work, all while managing a staff of people. Rock Island Auctions, which also has a location in Bedford, Texas, hosts about a dozen gun and firearm auctions each year. Peake also worked as a cinematographer for 3.5 years on the documentary “Food, Inc. 2: Back for Seconds.” By J.O. Parker For a Brooklyn man, telling the story of farming and food production, showcasing a historical firearms on the auction block or making a how-to videos is all in a day’s work. Matthew Peake, a photographer and cinematographer, wrapped up filming last year on the documentary, “Food, Inc. 2: Back for Seconds.” The film, which was released in theaters on April 9 and is now streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and other outlets, is a follow up to the 2008 Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.” The sequel revisits the first documentary that Peake said took a look at commercial food production and how our food is made, how it is processed and what it is doing to the earth and how it has changed since our grandparents were children. “In the well-timed sequel, Food, Inc. 2, comes "back for seconds" reveals how corporate consolidation has gone unchecked by our government, leaving us with a highly efficient yet shockingly vulnerable food system dedicated only towards increasing profits,” noted information on the documentary. Filming of the documentary started in 2020 during Covid and Peake was recommended to revisit his boyhood home of Buffalo Center, Iowa, where he spent 3.5 years filming Zach Smith, a fifth generation farmer, for the documentary. Peake knew Smith from his growing up days and that connection helped land him the job. “He (Smith) is one of the biggest sections in the whole movie,” said Peake. “His story is about how hard it is to run a small family farm in today’s age and how he developed tools and machinery to help farmers be more successful. And to top that, how he works with the land and doesn’t hurt the land with a lot of chemicals.” Peake said he has worked on small documentaries off and on throughout his career, but never something international like the “Food, Inc.” project. When not making documentaries, in his day-to-day life, Peake spends his week as marketing director for Rock Island Auctions (RIA) in Rock Island, Ill. and now Bedford, Texas. “I run social media, public relations, promotions and all the video work and manage a staff of people,” he said. “I spend three days in Rock Island and work from home in Brooklyn the other two days. I also travel all across the United States and overseas for the company when called upon.” Peake joined RIA in 2022 after a 14-year stint at Brownells in Montezuma. “Rock Island Auctions is the world’s largest firearm company that has been in business for 30 years,” said Peake. The company specializes in auctioning of antique and fine collector firearms and militaria, hosting more than a dozen gun auctions annually in three different formats (Premier Auctions, Sporting and Collector Auctions and Arms and Accessories Day) all while catering to every level of collection expertise. The business has been featured on the television show American Pickers. Peake said the best thing about working at RIA is the history. He has witnessed the auctioning the Hans Solo blaster pistol from the Star Wars movies and also President Teddy Roosevelt’s pistols and guns. “We have auctioned guns of kings and aristocrats from all across the world,” Peake said. “It’s pretty amazing the amount of historical firearms and related artifacts that we handle there.” Peake became interested in photography while in elementary school after his teacher brought in a fine art photographer to share with his class. After high school, Peake attended Waldorf College in Forest City where he earned a BA in communications with emphasis in video. He completed an internship with Iowa Public Television where he got to work on documentaries at the time. “After I graduated college, I directed the news at KIMT in Mason City (CBS Affiliate),” he said. “I started doing a lot of photography there for fun. I left there and moved to Kansas City where I got another degree from the Kansas City Art Institute in photography and interactive media.” He landed a job at the Kansas City Art Institute teaching photography and also doing freelance video and photography covering the jazz and blues music scene in the KC area. He’s met and photographed B.B. King and many other international musicians. “Kansas City has such an active jazz and blues scene and I got to meet a lot of famous musicians. I photographed for a lot of albums, promotional materials and venues.” In 2008, he returned to Iowa and went to work for Brownells. “I helped establish the video and photo studios in the Montezuma location,” he said. “I was not the only one, there was another person who helped me start the video side.” He also did all the award-winning photography for the Brownell’s catalog and all the videos for the commercials and how-to videos, all from studios in Montezuma or on location. It was at Brownells where Peake, who was 28 at the time, first shot a gun and went hunting. “Frank Brownell helped get me interested in hunting,” he said. “I’ve hunted everything from elk to bear using a rifle, pistol or bow.” Peake said his most impressive hunt was a few years ago when he shot a red stag in Scotland. He shot a big elk in New Mexico and shot an aoudad ram in Texas on a friend’s property with a revolver. “Last year, I shot a black bear in Canada with my bow,” he said. When asked what he enjoys the most about his life and work, Peake said the biggest thing is he is always learning something. “The biggest thing about photography and video is the opportunity to tell people’s stories and a lot of times they are stories that have never been told,” he said. When asked what he would tell someone who came to him for advice on a career in photography, videography and communication, he said, “If you love telling stories and love what you do, the long hours and the hard work is absolutely worth it. You will be working long hours. That is the name of the game.” Peake and his wife, Vanessa, have 6-year-old twin daughters in kindergarten at BGM Elementary. Vanessa works at Grinnell Mutual. And for the future, Peake said he wants to continue telling people’s stories and living in a small town. “I love living in Brooklyn and being able to tell people’s stories,” said Peake. “You don’t have to be in New York or California to do that kind of work.” To see Peake’s work, visit his website at: matthewpeake.com. Matthew Peake, a Brooklyn-based photographer and cinematographer, is shown filming one of his many projects in recent years. Peake is in charge of the social media, public relations, promotions and all the video work and manages a staff of people at Rock Island Auctions in Rock Island, Ill. He joined the company two years ago after spending 14-years at Brownells.
It was a swashbuckling good time as BGM Elementary students dressed in an array of costumes and sang and performed during the second spring concert on Thursday, April 4. The program featured students in second, third, fifth and sixth grades.
Steve Rhoads, overseer of the Brooklyn Community Garden, plants carrots during a recent early spring planting. Located at 305 Jefferson St., the BGC has more than 20 different types of vegetable and plants and is run entirely by volunteers. Rhoads and his wife, Melia, donated the land the garden is on to the Brooklyn Community Foundation. A number of corporations and community members invest into the garden with donations, plants, seed, mulch, fertilizer and volunteer their time. “The kids in town really love our strawberries,” said Rhoads, who was busy planting vegetable seeds with volunteer Kathy Hash. “That is what we like to see.” By J.O. Parker
The Brooklyn Community Garden at 305 Jefferson St. is growing in popularity and gaining ground each year. Run entirely by volunteers under the direction of Steve Rhoads, the garden is open to the public in the Brooklyn area who are looking for fresh, locally grown produce and foods. “The kids in town really love our strawberries,” said Rhoads, who was busy planting vegetable seeds with volunteer Kathy Hash last week. “That is what we like to see.” The garden was started about six years ago after Brian Manatt with Manatt’s Inc. approached Rhoads, who owned the land at the time, to see if it was available for use as a community garden. Manatt was an acquaintance of Chad Nath, the founder of the Grinnell Giving Gardens, and together the two wanted to start a community garden in Brooklyn. Rhoads was onboard with the idea and gave it the OK. The first year, the garden started with one 20-foot by 40-foot bed and one water hydrant by the road. “We used to have to drag hose all over the place,” recalled Hash of the early days. Rhoads, his brother-in-law, Jeff Thompson, and Manatt employees, along with the help of Nath, planted the first crops and took care of the garden the first year. “We provided the garden with all the seeds and vegetables that first year to help them get started,” said Nath. Since then, the garden has evolved into a wider group of local volunteers. “Currently there are about 10-12 volunteers who help off and on tend to the garden,” said Rhoads. Rhoads, who is owner of Jasper Construction, and his wife, Melia, decided to donate the land to the Brooklyn Community Foundation for use as a community garden. A number of improvements have been made at the garden since those early days including the addition of five more water hydrants, two of which were added this last year, seven raised garden beds and a couple hoop trellis arches for growing vine crops. There is also a strawberry bed, herb garden and flower bed. And this last year, a number of trees along a fence row to the south of the garden were removed to give the garden area better sunlight. The garden features several varieties of onions and peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, red cabbage, green beans, brussel sprouts, kale and kohlrabi, cauliflower, okra, broccoli, rhubarbs, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and more. “Last year the garden really grew and people knew we were here,” said Rhoads. “If someone needed a pepper and an onion for supper, they could come pick whatever was ripe.” He said the garden benefits many of the elderly Brooklyn residents who live in apartments and can’t have their own garden. “They will come gather food,” he said. “Not much went to waste last year.” Rhoads said he and the volunteers like to grow produce and foods that can be eaten right out of the garden. “It is open to anyone in the Brooklyn area and is free for residence to come pick whatever is ripe.” Rhoads said it cost about $1,000 a year to purchase supplies such as seed, fertilizer, mulch and plants for the garden. He said the garden is made possible thanks in part to a number of corporate sponsors. They include Manatts, who keeps the ground around the garden mowed and provides the water. Hall’s Feed and Seed tills the garden beds and donates cattle panels, posts, natural compost plants and seed for planting. Minturn Construction on Front Street in Brooklyn provides used lumber and labor for the raised beds and Jasper Construction employees helped build the raised beds for the garden during down time. “We couldn’t do this without the support of the Brooklyn Community Foundation,” noted Rhoads. “The Brooklyn Community Foundation supports many groups like the Brooklyn Community Garden in the Brooklyn area with grants and donations from local donors.” “We are glad to be a part of the community garden,” said Greg Hall, owner of Hall’s Feed and Seed with his wife, Sandy. “Anytime Steve has questions, I try to help him. He stops in and we talk about how to make things easier and more economical. He deserves all the credit and spends a lot of time taking care of the garden.” “The community garden is for a great cause for anybody who needs it in town,” added Hall. “It’s a wonderful project.” "We couldn't do this without the gardening expertise Halls Feed and Seed gives us," said Rhoads. "Their help is invaluable to us." For those interested in supporting the community garden financially, donations of any amount can be left at Hall’s Feed and Seed at 100 Brady St. “We keep growing a little at a time,” said Rhoads. “There is nothing like seeing communities grow their own sustainable food,” said Nath. “It’s going to be nice this year,” added Hash. |
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