Tommy Hexter, director of Grinnell Farm to Table, and Kim Sieck, school nutrition director at Grinnell, coordinates a delivery of 80 pounds of breakfast sausage from Compass Plant CSA as part of the USDA local food for schools program. The program brings food raised by local farmers to area schools. In Poweshiek County, Grinnell and Montezuma utilize the program. The USDA LFS (Local Food for Schools) program provides schools across the nation with grants to purchase food from local farms. New reports on the Iowa Local Food for Schools program (LFS) highlights the value that providing funding to school cafeterias to purchase from local farmers brings to the state. In November 2023, a report was released that displayed that 110 farmers participated in the program, providing food to 135 school districts at a value over $279,000 in total. Based on a calculation in the report, for every dollar spent on the program, $1.94 returned as economic impact for the community in the form of job impact and value for local farmers recirculating the income in their economy.
In January 2024, the LFS grant team sent out a survey to participating school food service directors to ask them about their experiences with the program and how it impacts child nutrition. When asked, “What would you tell your elected officials about the importance of this program to your school?” 80 of the 120 participating schools statewide responded to the question about how much this program has added to their school breakfast and lunch programs. In Poweshiek County, Grinnell-Newburg Community School District and Montezuma Community School District have partnered with Grinnell Farm To Table to access a combined $20,000 of food from local farmers during 2023. These products included local eggs, pork sausage, beef, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, yogurt, and more from farms including Compass Plant CSA in Grinnell and Pleasant Grove Homestead in Montezuma. Kim Sieck, school nutrition director of the Grinnell-Newburg School District commented, “This program helped us bring in items that we normally do not have the option of purchasing, exposing the students to a wider variety of healthy foods.” Angie Radeke, school nutrition director for Montezuma schools responded simply, “Better quality food, the kids enjoyed having farm fresh." Tommy Hexter, Executive Director of Grinnell Farm To Table talked about the impact he sees in investing in local food for schools, noting “public money has always been used to purchase food for school meals. It only makes sense to use those funds to purchase from local farmers to positively impact the local economy and provide higher quality fresh food.” Since the start of LFS in 2022, schools have purchased over $1.8 million in locally produced food from 167 local producers, with schools in 69 counties that received funds from the program in the 2022-23 school year. These data and comments in the reports are a bright spot in Iowa’s food and farm system and showcase how Iowans value their children and farmers. The USDA program expired in March 2024, and many advocates around the state are hoping that the Iowa legislature will allocate money toward a “farm-to-school fund” to continue the program. More information about the state Local Food for Schools program can be found at https://www.iowafarmtoschoolearlycare.org/ifs.
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BGM students Mia Sunkle and Garrett Blankenship enjoy each other's company during a slow dance at the 2024 BGM Prom held at the Michael J. Manatt Community Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 6. This year's prom theme centered around finding the clues and solving a crime as students enjoyed a fun evening dancing to the tunes provided by Joe Tafta (BGM's School Liaison) and the Sound Doctor DJ services. The dance floor was decorated with the outline of a body at a crime scene and a forensic evidence board was used as a photo backdrop.
Ayson Krebill, 10, presents a check for $510 to Morgan Shea, a representative of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund on April 2 at the BGM Schools. Pictured with Ayson are, from left: Morgan Collum, a BGM teacher, cousin and advocate of Mollie Tibbetts and one of his teachers; Kim Calderwood, Laura Calderwood, Ayson, BGM fourth grade teacher Michelle Hall and Ayson’s parents, Ashley and Adam Krebill. With the help of his family, Ayson made 120 wooden coasters with Iowa and Iowa State logos and sold part of them to raise the money for the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund. Shea is not pictured. Submitted photo. By J.O. Parker Making a difference in this world is something that a BGM Elementary School fourth grader took to heart. Ayson Krebill, 10, son of Adam and Ashley Krebill of Brooklyn, recently participated in a class entrepreneurship business project, raising $510 for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund. The fund, in honor of the late Mollie Tibbetts, benefits child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Ayson presented a check to Morgan Shea, a representative of the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, on April 2 at the school. Joining him at the presentation was his BGM teacher, Michelle Hall; Morgan Collum, a BGM teacher, cousin and advocate of Mollie Tibbetts and one of his teachers; Mollie’s mother, Laura Calderwood, her sister, Kim Calderwood and his parents. Every year, BGM fourth graders do a social studies unit on entrepreneurship in which students develop a business, create a product, set up a storefront and sell their products to one another using classroom currency. “Following the storefronts where the students sold their products to each other, Ayson decided to expand his business in order to benefit the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund,” said his teacher, Mrs. Hall. “He produced another set of coasters and sold them online (and to family, friends and neighbors).” “That is where the real money comes into play,” Ayson said. Ayson said he and his mom, Ashley, were looking for ideas when he found a set of coasters at home and thought that it would be a good idea for an entrepreneurship project. With the help of his dad, Ayson cut out 120 coasters, one half for the school and one half to sell, using pine wood. The coasters were 3.5 by 3.5 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Each coaster featured either the Iowa State or Iowa logo. Ayson said the logos were made using metal cutouts and burnt into the wood. As part of the class project, Ayson decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of his coasters to the Molly Tibbetts Memorial Fund. The coasters sold for $10 each or two for $15 and three for $20. When asked why the Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund, Ayson’s dad said he been to an Iowa football game and had a chance to do the Hawkeye Wave for the kids at the children’s hospital. “He thought that was really cool,” said Adam of his son, Ayson. Ayson spent about 25 hours cutting and making the coasters and selling them. “He worked his heart out for this,” said Billie Calderwood, an office administrator at BGM. “In this crazy old world it’s unique to find a fourth grader with such a huge heart.” “Ayson is an amazing kid who is a natural leader in the classroom,” noted his teacher, Mrs. Hall. “He is someone I can always count on to be a role model. This is just one of many examples of how he demonstrates great character every day.” Laura Calderwood, mother of the late Mollie Tibbetts, said she appreciates what Ayson did in raising more than $500 for the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund supporting mental health services for youth at the Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. She also sent a note of appreciation for all those who participated in the recent One Day for Iowa event, raising more than $5,000 for the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund. “Thank you to Ayson and everyone who contributed to the memorial fund,” said Calderwood. Mrs. Hall said her hope is that Ayson’s project and generous donation will inspire other young people to strive for greatness. When asked what his favorite part of the project was, Ayson said, “making the coasters.” Ayson said he is thinking of making and selling more of the coasters in the future. Ayson Krebill, 10, is shown with his storefront and coasters he made as part of a social studies entrepreneurship business project in Michelle Hall’s fourth grade class at BGM Elementary School. Ayson cut the coasters and burned Iowa and Iowa State logos in them as part of the project. He made 120 coasters and sold 60 of them online and to family, friends and neighbors, raising $510 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund. He presented a check to Morgan Shea, a representative of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund on April 2. Submitted photo. Ayson Krebill, 10, a BGM fourth grader, holds a check for $510 he was donated to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund on April 2 at the school. Ayson created 120 wooden coasters as part of a social studies entrepreneurship business project he did in Michelle Hall’s class. He sold 60 of the coasters and donated the money to the Mollie Tibbetts Memorial Fund. Submitted photo.
The Brooklyn Theatre Company presents “WCKY,” where murder and mayhem collide in hilarious fashion as a new radio station is preparing to air its first show in 1939. The play was written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus and is under the direction of Josh Gerard.
The production is slated for April 19-21 in the Brooklyn Opera House. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. 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. Tickets: Tickets for the production are $25 for adults and $15 for students. They can be purchased through the Brooklyn Opera House at: https://www.brooklynoperahouse.com/events. Grinnell High School Theatre presents Disney’s “Freaky Friday,” a new musical based on the novel of the same name by Mary Rodgers. The musical was adapted by Bridgit Carpenter with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey.
The GHS production is slated for April 19-21 in the school auditorium and is under the direction of Rachel DeBoer with music by Michael Gookin. Technical director is Kenneth Phipps and choreographer is Valerie Williams. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Synopsis: An adaptation of the classic novel and beloved films, “Freaky Friday” follows teenager Ellie Blake and her mother, Katherine, on the weirdest, strangest, craziest, freakiest day of their whole lives. Try as they might, Katherine and Ellie just can’t seem to understand each other: Ellie wants her mom to stop trying to change her, while Katherine wants her daughter to be the best version of herself that she can be. On a fateful Friday, the day before Katherine’s wedding, something magical occurs when mother and daughter swap bodies. Now, both will have literally spend a day walking in each other’s shoes, learning about each other and the struggles each goes through and forging a new mother-daughter relationship in this hilarious, energetic, and moving musical comedy. Cast: • Ellie Blake – Maggie Kaup; • Katherine Blake – Peyton Stensrud; • Mike – Roman Mackenzie; • Fletcher Blake – Reece Madren; • Adam – Will Dahlby Albright; • Torrey – Natalie Nieuwsma; • Savannah –Lucy Lindberg; Gretchen – Jeslyn Voogd; Senor O’Brien/Pastor Bruno/Hannah’s Dad – Billy Lopatto; Hannah – Elisabeth Kelley-Chown; Danielle/Mrs. Luckenbill – Peyton Stevenson; Louis/Parker – Thea Sherman; Officer Kowalski/Wells – Toby Crandall; Officer Sitz/Mr. Blumen/Grandpa – Aaron Blanchard; Dr. Ehrin – Ketsia Kiphanzu; Ms. Meyers/Savannah’s Mom – Frances Pedersen; and Mrs. Time/Grandma Helene/Gretchen’s Mom – Mackenzie Kohl. Chorus: Addy Belcher – Savannah’s Minion; Anna Schubert – Adam’s Mom; Cailyn Grabe; Cora Miller – Savannah’s Minion/Parker’s Mom, Fish Vendor; Judith Perez-Valentin – Savannah’s Minion/Laurel; Madie Fenner, Matt Kim – Well’s Dad; Piper Donohoe – Savannah’s Minion; Piper Madren – Cater Waiter/Security Guard; Rylee Belcher, Slane McCue and Sarah Ashing – Savannah’s Minion. Crew: Stage Manager – Cameron Thompson; Assistant Stage Manager – Diane Boyd; Assistant Stage Manager – Lucy Turley; Assistant Stage Manager – River Haenfler; Costume Crew Chief – Ava Valenic; Costume Crew – Abigail Hammond; Costume Crew – Tayla Fabor; Costume Crew – Jack Hutchinson; House Manager – Myles Manley; Makeup Crew Chief – Rhianna Raney; Makeup Crew – Talia Osera; Makeup Crew – Lucy Skouson; Sound Chief – Joel Dressler; Mic Crew – Ian Hammond; Mic Crew – Liam Lease; Props Crew Chief – Isadora Boyer; Props Crew – Jolene Dostal; Props Crew – Jonathan Solomon; Lighting Chief – Liam Leasure; Set Construction – Cameron Corey; and Set Construction – Jonathan Solomon. The characters denoted with an asterisk are the primary leads. Tickets: Tickets for Disney’s “Freaky Friday, a new musical are available online at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/CJOP for $12 or $15 at the door. The economic landscape of Poweshiek County faced significant hurdles in 2020, prompting stakeholders to reassess their approach to economic development. Three years later, recognizing the need for a coordinated and forward-thinking strategy, representatives from various economic development entities embarked on a transformative journey to redefine regional economic development strategies. Participants included key stakeholders from Grinnell Private Investment Company, Greater Grinnell Development, the City of Grinnell, City of Montezuma, Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors, Imagine Grinnell, the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell College, and Poweshiek Iowa Development (Pow I-80). Together, they emphasized the necessity of prioritizing regional economic development and outlined a vision for a well-coordinated regional strategy. The Broader Economic Development Planning Group designated an Executive Committee which met over 5 months to make recommendations regarding organizational structure, funding resources, and staffing requirements. The Executive Committee was comprised of Delphina Baumann, President, Grinnell Private Investment Company, Russ Behrens, City Manager, City of Grinnell, Jacki Bolen, Mayor of Montezuma, Diana Dawley, Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors, Steve Gant, Chair, Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Scott Herbers, President, Greater Grinnell Development, Brian Manatt, Board Member, Pow I-80, and Melissa Strovers Director of Collective Impact, Grinnell College Office of Community Partnerships, Planning and Research. The Committee presented comprehensive recommendations to the larger economic development group, including the reconstitution of Poweshiek Iowa Development, as a regional hub centralizing economic development agencies across Poweshiek County. “Poweshiek County’s economic development endeavors going forward will harness the power of collaboration and strategic vision," said Manatt, Board Chair, Poweshiek Iowa Development. “With a clear roadmap and dedicated leadership, the county is poised to embark on a path of sustainable economic growth and prosperity, ensuring a brighter future for all its residents.” In January of 2024, the new board met for the first time to discuss goals and objectives and decided to move forward with a newly created Economic Development Director position. Members of the Poweshiek Iowa Development Board are: • Brian Manatt – Chair – Manatt’s Inc. (Grinnell) • Becky Petig – Vice Chair; Petig Law (Grinnell) • Mike Redington – Treasurer; Brownell's (Rural Jasper County) • Melissa Strovers – Secretary; Grinnell College, Office of Community Partnerships, Planning and Research (Grinnell) • Diana Dawley – Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors (Rural) • Delphina Baumann – Grinnell Private Investment Company (Grinnell) • Julie Davis – Grinnell City Council (Grinnell) • Ashtyn Beek – Iowa Valley Community College (At Large) • Andy Erselius – AE Realty, Inc. (Montezuma) "The reimagination of Poweshiek Iowa Development and the search for an Executive Director represent pivotal moments in our collective effort to drive economic growth in Poweshiek County. said Baumann, Board Member of Poweshiek Iowa Development and President of Grinnell Private Investment Company. “We are excited to welcome an experienced leader who will help us realize our aspirations, leverage our strengths, and foster innovation and opportunity throughout our region," Poweshiek Iowa Development is now accepting applications for the newly created Executive Director position, seeking an experienced and visionary Economic Development Director to drive economic growth and prosperity throughout Poweshiek County. Reporting to the Poweshiek Iowa Development Board, the Director will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to attract businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and foster a vibrant economic environment county-wide. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a background in economic development or business attraction, and a commitment to positively impacting Poweshiek County. If you are passionate about economic development and community growth, we encourage you to apply and contribute to building a prosperous future for Poweshiek County residents. For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.powi80.com. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2024. The Grinnell High School & Middle School Annual Art Show is currently on display at Stewart Gallery through Saturday, April 27. Regular Stewart Gallery hours are 11a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Fridays, and 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturdays. Admission to Stewart Gallery is free.
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