​       Montezuma Shooting Sports Club finished their 2025 season at the State American Singles competition in early June. On Tuesday, June 3, the Rookies and Intermediates traveled to the Cedar Falls Gun Club in Cedar Falls and on Saturday, June 7, the Senior division (JV and Varsity) traveled to Cedar Falls. The club had three Rookies (5th graders), 16 Intermediates (6th through 8th grade), and nine Senior Athletes compete. The Rookies shot a total of 100 birds, while the Intermediates and seniors shot a total of 200 birds for the day. 
     Rookies were Wyatt Bradshaw, John Grimm and Thomas Teumer. There were a total of 112 registered Rookies to shoot at the state competition. Wyatt shot 47; placing 93rd overall, John shot 57, placing 80th overall, and Thomas shot 38, placing 105 overall. The Rookies team placed 20th out of 34 total teams. Team members were John, Wyatt and Thomas. 
     Intermediates are divided into groups Entry (6th grade and 1st time shooters) and Advanced (7th or 8th grade). Intermediate Entry athletes were Owen Greene, Lynkin Gunderson, Elias Johnson, Trace Johnson, Coyce McNaul, Jordan O’Halloran, Lennox Simpson and Olivia Teumer. In the Intermediate Entry men's division there were 376 registered athletes and in the Entry ladies division there were a total of 76 registered athletes. The Entry athletes totals were as followed Owen shot 177, placing 29th overall, Lynkin shot 112, placing 320th overall, Elias shot 164, placing 83rd overall, Trace shot 144, placing 212 overall, Coyce shot 151, placing 162 overall, Jordan shot 135, placing 251 overall, Lennox shot 171, placing 53rd overall, and Olivia shot 162, placing 10th overall. The intermediate Entry team of Owen, Lennox, Elias, Olivia and Coyce placed 12th out of 99 teams. 
     Intermediate Advanced athletes were Alyssa Bos, Ava DeWeese, Tait Henkle, Connor Hervey, Braden McDonald, Cooper McNaul, Jacob Meyer and Jackson Tish. In the Intermediate Advanced men’s division there were 480 total registered athletes and in the ladies division there were 91 registered athletes. The Advanced athletes totals were as followed Alyss shot 84, placing 87 overall, Ava shot 157, placing 49th overall, Tait shot 153, placing 341st overall, Connor shot 151 placing 355th overall, Braden shot 179, placing 92nd overall, Cooper shot 181, placing 73 overall, Jacob shot 180, placing 85th overall and Jackson shot 150, placing 364 overall. 
      In the Senior division there are two divisions: Junior Varsity (JV) (9th grade and first time shooters in the higher grades) and Varsity (10th to 12th grade). Levi BeBrower represented our JV division, shooting 169 clay birds and placing 236 out of 469 registered athletes. The JV team placed 99 out of 108 teams. The Varsity division was represented by Jordan Bartachek, Sara Bos, Casey DeZwarte, Wyatt Grimm, Lindsey Henry, Samuel Johnson, Breck Simpson and Peyton Tindle. There were a total of 234 registered varsity ladies, and 988 registered men. Jordan shot 86, placing 232, Sara shot 181, placing 75th, Casey shot 165, placing 807th, Wyatt shot 142, placing 945, Lindsey shot 177, placing 89th, Samuel shot 178, placing 575, Breck shot 190, placing 182 and Peyton shot 193, placing 116. 
      We had several athletes that shot their first straight 25, Jackson Tish, Cooper McNaul, Casey DeZwarte, these athletes will get to celebrate this achievement with a hat party at the end of the year celebration. 
“I’m proud of the growth that each of the athletes had this season,” said Head Coach James McNaul. “I’m looking forward to next season.”

​       Curt Ritchie and wife, Kim, are shown at the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024. Ritchie spent 32 years coaching high school football, winning a Class 3A state championship at Williamsburg High School in 2023. He spent 33 years teaching and coaching young people and also served as activities director and transportation director at Williamsburg. Ritchie has been name the head football coach of the Cornell College Rams. He takes the program over this spring.

By J.O. Parker

      Iowa High School Hall of Famer Curt Ritchie, who grew up in Deep River, has been named Cornell College's new head football coach as announced earlier by Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker.
      Ritchie goes to the Hilltop with 32 years of head coaching experience, including an exceptional 24-year run at Williamsburg High School where he built the Raiders into a perennial state power.
      "We are incredibly excited to have Curt Ritchie join our team as the next head football coach at Cornell," Meeker said. "Curt is a community builder and a coach who cares deeply about his student-athletes on and off the field. He is well connected and respected. Curt’s track record of success speaks for itself.”
      When asked about being called a community builder, Ritchie said that is nice, especially coming from a man like Jeff Meeker.
        “We have a common goal to build relationships with people,” he said.
       Ritchie grew up in Deep River and is 1987 graduate of Deep River-Millersburg High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Ritchie earned a master's in educational leadership/administration from Drake University in 2008.
       “I’m very proud of growing up in Deep River,” said Ritchie. “My hometown is something I’m very proud of. I learned how to respect people and work hard. Those are two values that are important to any career.”
        Ritchie began his football coaching career in 1993 as an assistant at English Valleys and took over as head coach after four years on staff. He directed his teams to 23 playoff appearances in the past 25 years, capped by a Class 3A state championship with Williamsburg in 2023, the school’s first.
        Ritchie is owner of 245 career wins while at English Valleys (1993-2000) and Williamsburg (2001-2024). He was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024.
       Ritchie fashioned an impressive 204-62 record at Williamsburg. The Raiders qualified for the playoffs in each of his final 17 seasons there. Williamsburg advanced to the UNI-Dome (Final Four) seven years and played in the state championship game four times (2023, 2022, 2017, 2002).
        Ritchie took English Valleys to the 2000 state quarterfinals in his eighth and final season there.
       He was named the 2022 Class 3A State Coach of the Year. The following season, he guided Williamsburg to its first football state title.
      "I think having success is a choice. You have to work for it," Ritchie said. "At Cornell, people will see a confident bunch of guys who play fast and with great passion. We will be tough mentally and physically. We'll try to get better every day and that's what I'll ask my staff to do. Be humble, be driven and love Cornell College. My goal is to make the team understand what Cornell football is going to be."
       Ritchie is ready for a new challenge at Cornell. The Rams are coming off their first back-to-back .500 seasons since 2016. Last year's team finished 5-5 overall, 5-4 in the Midwest Conference.
         "This is something I’ve envisioned for a long time. The timing is definitely right," Ritchie said. "To me, it's always been about the people. From my initial connections on campus, Cornell felt like a perfect fit. I was really awed by the people and the vision."
         Several of Ritchie's players have gone on to compete collegiately. Offensive lineman Austin Blythe (Iowa) played in Super Bowl LIII. Return specialist Kaden Wetjen (Iowa) earned 2024 all-America honors with the Hawkeyes.
       "I want to build a football family where everybody has a love for it, so much that they want to see it continue and help it grow anyway they can," Ritchie said. "It all comes down to the people and making connections. Make people want to be here, and that's what we're excited to build."
         While at Williamsburg, Ritchie also served as elementary teacher (2001-07), activities director (2007-18) and transportation director (2018-23). He was head softball coach for the Raiders for seven seasons, highlighted by a state tournament appearance in 1995.
        Ritchie retired from coaching in December following the 2023 football season and winning the Class 3A football championship.
         When asked what he enjoyed the most about teaching and coaching young people, Ritchie said watching their growth from the time he met them until the time they graduated.
          “I don’t feel like I’ve had to work a day in my life,” he said.
     Ritchie and his wife, Kim, have four children and four grandchildren. The couple will remain in Williamsburg.
           “I have too many grandkids and friends to leave,” he said of Williamsburg.
           In addition to his long teaching and coaching career, Ritchie is co-owner of Legacy Acres Hunting Club in Parnell, a 600 acre pristine upland hunting ground. The facility currently offers pheasant, chukar and quail hunting along with exceptional lodging and an event center.
        "We can't wait to have Curt on campus,” noted Meeker. “I know he's ready to get to work on building a championship program here at Cornell."
           “It’s a new challenge at this point in my life to try something different,” Ritchie said.

      Parker Rempp does squats using a large weight as part of the Murph Challenge workout at the Montezuma west city park on Sunday, May 25.

By J.O. Parker
 
       The third annual Murph Challenge drew nearly 100 participates to Montezuma’s west city park on Sunday, May 25 for a challenging workout and to make a difference.
       The event is held in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy Seal who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.
       The funds raised at the event are donated to the Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.
     The local event is hosted by Jon Cheney and DJ Sutfin, two Marines and law enforcement officers. The Challenge is held annually on Memorial Day weekend in almost all 50 states and a number of countries.
     According to murphchallenge.com, the event has raised more than $2 million plus for the memorial scholarship and in 2022, the Murphy Challenge fundraiser raised more than $300,000 to finalize construction on the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy Seal Museum/Sea Cadet Training Facility.  In 2023, the foundation awarded 40 scholarship totaling $200,000.
       Participants of the challenge are asked to run one mile, complete 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and then run a second mile.
         Some participants wear a 20-pound vest during the event.
         There are no trophies or awards handed out at the event. For Sutfin and Cheney, all the participants are winners.
          “The main goal is to honor Michael Murphy, but also bring the community together,” said Sutfin.
          Sutfin said people often sign up for the challenge with some not realizing they can finish it.
          “After completing the course, they find out that they can do it,” said Sutfin.
           The event drew many families, including children and participants of all skill levels.
         The Montezuma High School wrestling program participated in this year’s challenge. When asked if this was like a wrestling workout, wrestler Braxton Plants said it depends on the day.
           His dad, Mike, the head wrestling coach smiled and chuckled at his son’s comment.
           “It’s a humbling experience,” said participant Carol Michalek.
        “It’s definitely a gut check moment to see what you got in the tank,” noted one participant who has participated in all three Murph Challenges. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the comradery and having a good time for a good cause.”
            “I like doing this,” said Owen Cook. “It’s nice doing this with other people. It makes the suffering easier.
            “I think everyone needs to try it,” said Wes Pargeon. “It sets a person’s mind that you can do this.”
        “I’m grateful that I get the opportunity to honor a fallen warrior and keep his memory alive,” said Cheney.

       Our next Summer Night on the Square is Thursday, July 24th! Come join us for some family FUN!!
      The Grasshoppers will be performing for us along with lots of activities for the kids. Bounce houses, an interactive Mega Brain courtesy of Poweshiek County Public Health, an archery trailer courtesy of Poweshiek County Conservation, food from Clare's Tenderloins by Mya andThumbs Up Food Truck. 
      The Car show is sponsored by Vannoy Chevrolet, Monte Motor Parts, R & R Restoration and Taylor Auto Body. The Legion will once again have their famous watermelon and floats. Local vendors, businesses along the square open, and so much more. You don’t want to miss this!

​      Casey Dezwarte, left, and Kaden Latcham, right, are owners of C&K Detailing, a mobile vehicle cleaning service based in rural Montezuma. When detailing a vehicle, the boys clean the door jams and seals, trunk, windows, vacuuming and steam cleaning the carpets and floor mats, cleaning the door panels, cupholders, door pockets and dashboard and steering wheel.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Two Montezuma High School boys are cleaning their way to earning some extra cash and saving for the future.
      Kaden Latcham, 14, a ninth grader, and Casey Dezwarte, 16, a sophomore, are spending their weeknights and weekends, weather permitting, cleaning all kinds of vehicles.
          Once summer rolls around, the duo will have a more flexible schedule.
          The boys call their business C&K Mobile Detailing and it opened in August 2024.
        “We were at Wal-Mart and saw all the detail cleaning supplies and thought that would be a great way to make some cash,” said Dezwarte.
           They bought some cleaning supplies and started putting the word out.
          Since opening their business, they have cleaned about 30 vehicles and are looking to grow their customer base.
         The duo uses a variety of tools including a shop vac, various size brushes, rags and even a steam cleaner for the tough stains.
           And Casey added, “We use toothpicks to get in the tight places.”
       Their favorite cleaners are Meguiar’s products, Turtle Wax and Sprayway glass cleaner.  
         Most of their business centers around detailing the inside of vehicles. However, they do offer washing and waxing if the customer is interested.
          They offer detailing services for vehicles, vans, trucks, tractors, boats, off-road four wheelers and about anything that has four wheels. 
          When cleaning a vehicle, the duo cleans the door jams and seals, trunk, windows, vacuuming and steam cleaning the carpets and floor mats, cleaning the door panels, cupholders, door pockets and dashboard and steering wheel. They also clean underneath the vehicle seats and any other place that needs touched up.
The duo offers pickup and delivery service or they can come to the customer’s home.
            The business charges a minimum of $100 and up to clean the inside of a vehicle. The cost depends on the size of the vehicle. It takes the duo one hour to one and a half hours to clean a vehicle.
           They use the money they earn to purchase supplies and pay their salaries.
          “We take before and after photos,” said Casey. “It’s nice to see the difference we make.”
         “After we finish, we go over the vehicle and make sure all the bases have been covered,” said Latcham.
          Outside of their business, the boys are active in school. Dezwarte takes part in FFA and shooting sports. Latcham enjoys playing basketball and participating in FFA.
           Their business is insured.
         Dezwarte can be reached at 641-275-1156 and Latcham can be reached at 641-260-7465. Customer can also reach them on Messenger through the Facebook, CK Detailing.

​      Kaden Latcham, left, cleans a customer’s floor mat while Casey Dezwarte, right, wipes down a door panel on a customer’s car last week. The duo started the cleaning business, which is called C&K Mobile Detailing, in August 2024. They have cleaned about 30 vehicles and are looking to grow their customer base.

​       Casey Dezwarte wipes down a customer’s dashboard last week. Dezwarte, along with Kaden Latcham, offer detailing services for cars, vans, trucks, tractors, four-wheel off-road vehicles and about anything with four wheels.

    This little fellow waves as he enjoys taking a spin around the Community Hope Church parking lot in Montezuma on a train with his dad and brother during the church's Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 19. Youngsters enjoyed playing on bouncy games, having their photos taken with the Easter Bunny, filling their bags and buckets with Easter Eggs and enjoying a meal, snow cones, popcorn and lots of fellowship, fun and laughter.

      Ellen Cook and Bryson Stockman were named King and Queen at the Montezuma High School Prom held on Saturday, April 26.

      The countdown is officially on!! We are only a few days away from our Let Freedom Ring Celebration!! Here is some information you may need to know before coming up town:
      The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m.. You do not have to pre-register! You can come line up in the north school parking lot between 7:30 - 9 a.m..
       Parade route will begin at the school, go south on 4th street, west on E Main Street, south on 3rd street and end at the intersection of 3rd& E. Liberty. Please exit the route carefully and be mindful of children.
      4th street (beginning at Sauce'd and ending at Vannoy's), 3rd street (Beginning at the Engineer’s office and ending at the Barber Shop), and E Liberty street (south side of courthouse) will remain CLOSED after the parade for activities, food trucks, and pedestrian traffic.
     We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone and watching our town come alive. We highly encourage you to stick around after the parade, eat lunch in town, shop the vendors and businesses, and participate in all the wonderful activities we have planned for you.