Montezuma's Garrett Watts goes airborne as he and Alex Black and the rest of Braves celebrate the come-from-behind win over previously unbeaten Lynnville-Sully, 84-74.

      Montezuma Bravettes Head Coach Janel Burgess encourages her team late in the game against Lynnville-Sully at home on Friday, Jan. 20. The Bravettes won the game, 49-41.

​      The Great Prairie Area Education Agency Board of Directors has announced that Nathan Wood, a former superintendent at Montezuma Community Schools and the agency’s current associate administrator and director of human resources, will serve as the next chief administrator for Great Prairie AEA. Wood will succeed Dr. Cindy Yelick, who has been named the new chief administrator at Heartland Area Education Agency.
     “We’re fortunate to have a high quality internal candidate like Nathan for this position,” commented Joy Prothero, Great Prairie AEA Board President. “"Nathan’s demonstrated passion for the AEA, coupled with his vision for an equitable educational system and his ability to lead through complex challenges, will ensure our agency continues to be led by a collaborative leader who is ready and eager to move us forward to meet the needs our students, families and partnering school districts.”
     As the chief administrator of Great Prairie AEA, Wood will oversee 270 full and part-time staff members who provide special education services, instructional services, professional learning, library and digital resources, technology support and more to over 36,000 students and 2,700 educators throughout the 14 southeast Iowa counties in the Great Prairie AEA service area.
     Wood, a Sigourney native, has progressively advanced through leadership positions in education since 2009 when he first served as PK-6 assistant principal in the Sigourney Community School District. He also has worked as a middle/high school principal and special education director for the Pekin Community School District. Wood has worked at Great Prairie AEA since July, 2013 and has served in a variety of leadership roles including regional director of special education services, administrator of systems planning and improvement, and as the associate administrator and director of human resources. For a two year period, while managing leadership roles at Great Prairie AEA, he also served in a shared position with Montezuma Community Schools as the district’s superintendent of schools.
      “My passion for this work is rooted in ensuring that all students are provided quality services,” Wood said. “The AEA’s work with our school leaders parallels my own professional values, and I believe my work in the AEA and in our partnering districts will ensure we continue to advance programs and services in the Great Prairie AEA service area and across the state.”
     “I’m proud of Great Prairie AEA’s reputation for collaboration,” he added, “and am eager to continue serving with our staff as a trusted partner in serving our districts and families.” 
       Wood will assume the responsibilities of chief administrator on July 1, 2023.

      The Deep River Sons of the American Legion are hosting a pine car derby on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Deep River Community Center. Races begin at 10 a.m. A workshop will be held at Bob Wilhelm's house on Friday, Jan. 27 and a test and tune is slated for Friday, Feb. 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

      A pine car derby will be hosted by Sons of the American Legion Squadron 296 of Deep River at the Deep River Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 25. 
     Check in will start at 8 a.m. with cut off no later than 9:30 a.m. Races will begin by 10 a.m. Cars must not weigh more than five ounces. The entry fee for legion family members is $10. Non-members entry fee is $15. Sign up to be a legion family member at any post and the car and entry fee will be free.
     Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. 
    Test and tune will be held at the community center on Friday, Feb. 24 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. You can also sign up for the derby at that time.
      A sign up and workshop will be held at Bob Wilhelms’ house at 408 Church St. in Deep River on Friday, Jan. 27 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Car kits are $5. Cutting will be available. 
       For more information, text or call 641-891-4598.

    Members of the Montezuma High School Cheer Team who recently participated in state chair championship are pictured, from left, front row: Cheer Coach Vanessa Hilton, Sadie DeJong, Marty Knox, Eli Bustamante, Emily Jo James, Annita Denny. Back row: Carter McKee, Zoe Roberts, Hayley Burnett, Taytin Chamberlin, Aliya Arvidson, Kayden Kirton, Lily Shoemaker, Aja Kapayou, Tayler Wickham.

 By J.O. Parker
​
     The Montezuma High School Varsity Cheer Squad took 15 members to the 2022 Iowa State Cheerleading Championships on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Jacobson Exhibit Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. These members were freshman through seniors and this is the first time that this group of students competed in a Cheer/Dance competition at the state competition. Of these 15 members, 12 were girls and three were boys.
      “We were moved to an all Co-Ed division, which consisted of any Cheer/Dance teams that had at least one male athlete in them,” said cheer coach Vanessa Hinton. “We competed against schools like Grinnell and West Des Moines Valley.”
     Even though Montezuma didn’t place, Hinton said she can’t wait to see the improvement the students make as they plan to participate this year.
      “This group of kids was awesome to work with and all six of our seniors will be greatly missed,” said Hinton.

​      Shown are some of the toy collection of the late William “Bill” Henkle of Montezuma that will be sold by silent auction at the annual Montezuma Lions Toy and Craft Show on Saturday, Jan. 28. The proceeds from the sale of the toys will be divided with one-half going to the Lions and one-half going to the Montezuma American Legion building fund.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Attendees at the 30th annual Montezuma Lions Club Toy and Craft Show slated for Saturday, Jan. 28 are in for a special treat.
     Not only is there free admission, Leila Henkle, the wife of the late William “Bill” Henkle, a long-time Montezuma Lions member and supporter, has donated a portion of his toy collection to be sold by silent auction.
        There are total of 41 toy tractors, several being duplicates, Kent Feed trucks and other toys being offered in the silent auction.
        One-half of the proceeds from the sale of the toys will go to the Montezuma Lions Club and the other half will go to the American Legion Post 169 building fund.
        “The fact that Leila would think of donating these items to the Lions and Legion is very gratifying,” said Ron Hensel, show chairman.
          The show will be held in the high school’s middle gym. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The admission is free thanks to a donation from Home Plate Sports Cards of Oskaloosa, owned by Lions Club President Eddie Pierson. This is the second year that Pierson has paid the admission fee to the show.
          Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the school’s concession stand.
         Everyone attending will be eligible for a door prize, with drawings being held periodically during the day. Separately, tickets may be purchased for the drawing for a grand prize, which is yet to be determined.
        According to Hensel, the show will feature more than 50 tables filled with a vast array of collectible and consumer toys and other novelties for all ages. Many repeat participants plus several new vendors are expected at this year’s show.
        Exhibitors are still being accepted and table rent is $20 per table. If interested, contact Chairman Hensel at 515-979-2705.
       The show has been an annual event in Montezuma since 1994 except for 2021, the COVID pandemic year.
     The Lions encourage the public to come support the show, even if it’s only for a few minutes, as it promises to have something of interest for all ages.
          Editor’s note: Roger Allen contributed to this article.

​      Shown are some of the toy collection of the late William “Bill” Henkle of Montezuma that will be sold by silent auction at the annual Montezuma Lions Toy and Craft Show on Saturday, Jan. 28. The toys were donated to the Lions and Legion by Henkle’s wife, Leila.

       Montezuma Braves Coach Derrick Dengler goes over the game plan with the the team during second half action against Keota on Tuesday, Jan. 4. The Braves came up short, 67-62, in the new year season opener.

     New and re-elected Poweshiek County officials were sworn in to office in the board room at the Poweshiek County Courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 29. Pictured from left: Dianna Longhenry, Poweshiek County Recorder; Jason Roudabush, Poweshiek County Supervisor; Bart Klaver, Poweshiek County Attorney; Jeff Tindle, Poweshiek County Supervisor and Sandy Ross, Poweshiek County Treasurer.

​      Poweshiek County Auditor Missy Eilander gives the oath of office to Poweshiek County Supervisors, Jason Roudabush, left, and Jeff Tindle, right, on Thursday, Dec. 29.  Roudabush was elected to his second term on the board of supervisors in November while Tindle was newly elected to replace Merle Doty who decided not to seek re-election.

​     Poweshiek County Auditor Missy Eilander gives the oath of office to Poweshiek County Treasurer Sandy Ross on Thursday, Dec. 29.

​      Poweshiek County Auditor Missy Eilander gives the oath of office to treasurer’s office staff on Thursday, Dec. 29. Pictured are, from left: Jennifer Norris, Jessica Hutchcraft, Sierra Maschmann, Megan Tindle, Jen Anderson, Kay Latcham, Angie Rudd and Brenda Sutfin. The Poweshiek County Treasurer’s office, under the direction of Sandy Ross, handles motor vehicle registration and vehicle licenses, collection of property taxes and driver’s licenses tests and administration. The staff was sworn in following an election year due to Treasurer Sandy Ross being re-elected.