Leah Keller, left, and Melissa Gary, right, established Chris’ Heart Fund in April 2022 to benefit local families across Poweshiek County who are facing disaster or hardship by meeting immediate needs to lessen the burden of a crisis. The fund is named in honor of Leah’s late husband, Chris Keller, who died in the aftermath of the derecho in August 2022. The two ladies were recently honored by the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation for their work in helping others. By J.O. Parker Turing tragedy into action is something that Leah Keller and Melissa Gary took to heart early last year when the duo established Chris’ Heart Fund. The fund benefits local families across Poweshiek County who are facing disaster or hardship by meeting immediate needs to lessen the burden of a crisis. It was set up to honor Melissa’s brother and Leah’s late husband, Chris Keller, who was killed in the aftermath of the derecho in August 2020. Melissa came up with the idea for the fund and she shared it with Leah and the two worked together to establish the fund in April 2022. “I wouldn’t have done anything without her,” said Melissa. Since establishing the fund, Leah and Melissa said four families have been helped with everything from gas money to paying their rent and also providing food at a funeral luncheon. “We were also able to give a small gift to each of our Poweshiek County Officers during this holiday season,” said Leah. Chris was known for his generosity and love for the Brooklyn community. At the time of his death, Chris was one month shy of serving 18-years on the Brooklyn Fire Department, three of which he was fire chief. He was employed by the Brooklyn Municipal Utilities. When asked to share thoughts on her late husband, Leah said it would take days to tell you everything she would want others to know about him. “I can sum it up by saying, ‘Chris was one of the most amazing, caring people you could meet,’” Leah said of her late husband. “We wanted to be able to honor Chris by continuing to give to others just as he always did.” The Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation (GPCF) recently recognized and honored Leah and Melissa for their work with Chris’ Heart Fund. Helping others Leah and Melissa actively seek out families that might benefit from a helping hand when their needs are greatest. Anyone can reach out to Melissa (641-990-0095) or Leah (641-990-4561) at any time if they know of someone in need. “We then take the request to our board and do what we can to help ease a little bit of that burden,” said Leah. Donations Donations to the fund are tax deductible and checks can be sent to the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation in care of Chris’ Heart Fund, P.O. Box 344, 1510 Penrose St., Grinnell, Iowa, 50112. Donations can also be made on-line at greaterpcf.org. Leah said every donation helps keep Chris’ loving, giving heart alive. “It means the world to us to have others donating in honor of Chris,” she said.
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Elizabeth Hansen, a now retired Grinnell High School English and Speech teacher and author of Daisy’s Tale, left, is shown with illustrator Makaella Mitchell during the Grinnell Jingle Bell Holiday. Hansen and Mitchell collaborated on the book project. Since publishing the book, Hansen has partnered with the Greater Poweshiek County Foundation (GPCF) and the Pioneer Bookshop in Grinnell to raise awareness about pet adoptions at PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter) located south of Grinnell. Books are $10 and can be purchased at the Pioneer Bookshop and at GPCF. By J.O. Parker
A now retired Grinnell High School English and Speech teacher and a local illustrator have collaborated to publish a children’s book. “Daisy’s Tale,” by Elizabeth Hansen with illustrations by Makaella Mitchell, a former student of Hansen’s, was released in October 2022. The book is a “mostly true” story about two rescue dogs who came to live with Hansen, her husband and two kids. “They were our beloved family pets,” said Hansen. “I always wanted to capture their unique friendship and how they became best friends.” Since publishing the book, Hansen has partnered with the Greater Poweshiek County Foundation (GPCF) and the Pioneer Bookshop in Grinnell to raise awareness about pet adoptions at PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter) located south of Grinnell. Everyone who donates $10 to GPCF or purchases a copy of the book at the Pioneer Bookstore for the same amount receives the book with all the proceeds going to PALS. The idea for the book came about in the spring of 2016. Hansen, who spent 33-years teaching at Grinnell High School, was asked to teach Education 341, the English Language Arts (ELA) Methods course that semester at Grinnell College while education professor, Jean Ketter, was on a sabbatical. In one of our class discussions, Hansen said a student asked her about the challenges she faced as a teacher. “I told the class about how I was teaching a new Capstone course (at GHS) that required students to identify an area of passion, do research, write a paper and create a product based on the research,” she said. “It was challenging because I had never been through that process before.” Hansen said the student looked at her and said, “You can change that.” Meaning that not only was I going to teach the class, I was also now going to do the work my students were doing. “What an eye-opening experience,” said Hansen. “My passion as a new grandmother was reading books to my granddaughter, so I decided to research writing a children’s book with the thought that the story about Daisy was one I wanted to tell.” Hansen said she wrote the book during the Capstone course, the third-trimester in 2016, in about 8 – 10 weeks. When thinking about an illustrator for the book, Hansen remember Mitchell. She said Mitchell was in her Capstone class her senior year and would often be drawing during class. “Knowing that some students learn more effectively when they are engaging their brains through creating art, I asked if I could see her work,” recalled Hansen. “I was so impressed and began to notice her artwork displayed outside of the GHS art room.” Six years later, after Mitchell had graduated high school, Hansen said she saw her at a local bank and thought about her wonderful illustrations and how they needed to be released. She thought they would be a perfect fit for her book, which had been stored on her computer, so she asked Mitchell if she might be interested in collaborating on the book project. “She is a gifted artist and I knew she would capture the essence of the main characters,” noted Hansen. Mitchell, who has been doing graphic artwork for about 10 years, said working on the book with Hansen was a fun project. “I felt so lucky to help her with this process and illustrating her adorable pups,” said Mitchell. It took her about two weeks to complete the illustrations for the book project. The book features 10-15 pieces of art, all hand drawn, inked and colored with colored pencils. “She gave me an idea and it was so fun to run with it,” said Mitchell. “Liz was an absolute delight to work with as well. I couldn’t pass up that cute of a story. Plus, anything with dogs makes everything better. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to work with.” Once the two collaborated on the book project, Hansen said she spoke with her family about the book and they encouraged her to reach out to Linda Foegan, an Atlantic, Iowa-based book designer who had worked with her family in 2015 to put together a book of stories about her father after he passed away. She also had the students in her Capstone class read the book drafts and provide feedback. Other mentors she called included Alana Whisenand, a GHS English teacher and mom who gave great advice about language. Chelsey Kolpin, the GHS/GMS teacher librarian, was also a great resource in making the book possible. “And one of my former students, Jaylene Hall, was another inspiration as she was a published author as an eighth grader,” added Hansen. Hansen said all ages will like the story and message in “Daisy’s Tale.” “The book is written to appeal to beginning readers with words that they know and will be able to read aloud,” she said. After retiring from teaching at Grinnell High School in 2017, Hansen joined the Grinnell College Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research in June 2017 and became the Executive Director of the Grinnell Newburg School Foundation in 2019. Hansen and her husband, Jay, have two adult children, Rachel, a third grade teacher in Ankeny Schools, and her husband and two daughters and Caleb, who currently lives in Jersey City, N.J. As for the future, Hansen said she would like to continue to write and is currently collaborating with her 7-year-old granddaughter on a project. In addition to supporting PALS, copies of “Daisy’s Tale” have also been donated to Drake Community Library and the two Grinnell elementary school libraries. “A huge thanks to all who assisted me with the development and publishing of this book and to everyone who has supported PALS by purchasing a copy,” said Hansen. To support children’s dental health needs, local dentists and their staffs will volunteer their time and materials to provide free dental exams and limited services to children, ages 3 – 18, who are under-insured (Medicaid/Title 19) or uninsured and have an economic need. A parent/guardian needs to call one of the offices and schedule an appointment prior by Jan. 23.
The total number of appointments will be limited and will fill up quickly. Parent/guardian attendance is strongly encouraged, but if one cannot attend the appointment with the child, a consent form must be competed at the dental office prior to the appointment. Call one of the offices below to make a free dental clinic appointment: Dental Associates, 902 Park St., Grinnell – 641-236-6174 Family Dentistry, Grinnell Office, 825 Broad St., Grinnell – 641-236-6169 Family Dentistry, Montezuma Office, 105 S. 4th St., Montezuma – 641-623-2013 Family Dentistry, Victor Office, 208 Washington St., Victor – 319-647-2141 Additional Resource I-Smile is a resource in Iowa for help with securing a dental home. The Poweshiek County Dental Coalition teams with I-Smile to ensure children have access to dental care. The local I-Smile Coordinator can be reached at 641-828-2238, ext. 161. For more information contact the Poweshiek County Dental Coalition, 515-650-1877, Poweshiekdentalcoalition@gmail.com. Open auditions for the next community theater project will be held at the Brooklyn Opera House on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1:30 p.m. The play is called “The Alibis,” a comedic murder mystery that is family friendly and hilarious. Performances will be April 29-30.
If you're interested in performing, or helping with lights, sound, props, costumes, etc., stop at The Brooklyn Opera House on Jan. 28. A scene from the Brooklyn Community Theatre production of "A Carol Play" written by Josh Gerard. Audiences were treated to laughs with a message in the Brooklyn Community Theater production of “A Carol Play,” a one-act, faith-based play held Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Brooklyn Opera House.
The play was written and directed by Josh Gerard, the Brooklyn librarian and local minister. The performance was about a director on the eve of the big Christmas play who has entirely forgotten the reason for the season. “In the middle of demanding perfection from his cast, the director sustains a head injury, and is then visited by the ghosts of Christmas plays past, present and future,” said Gerard of the production. “Through a series of hilarious events, they just might be able to remind him of what Christmas really means.” Gerard has written eight plays and a musical, saying what he loves about writing is how he is able to put his sense of humor into them. “I love to laugh, and hopefully my scripts make others laugh as well,” he said. “What I like about producing them is to get to see the script come to life by a group of talented people who believed in it enough to give up their time and help make it happen.” Pictured are some of the scenes from the production. Cast Starring in order of appearance: Travis Williams, Tristan Taylor, Jeff Britts, Ryan Emerson, Emily Britts, Shadlee Hazelwood, Isaiah Williams, Addi Day, Gracie Shook, Olivia DeGeeter, Alaina Holmes, William Manatt, Adelyn McDonald, Abby Smith, Gracie Gerard, Tabitha Mumm, Lorelai Gerard, Megan Hanlon, Axton Bartachek and Traci Williams. Ryan and Mollie O’Dell are shown at the grand opening of the Lily Lou Company in mid-December. The new stories specializes in home, gift and party items include balloon creations, backdrop rentals and seasonal gifts. (submitted photo) By J.O. Parker
If you are looking for a unique gift for the person who has it all or need balloons, party supplies, games and home use items, a new Grinnell home, gift and party store may have what you need. The Lily Lou Company at 427 4th Ave., Grinnell, opened its doors on Dec. 15. Owners Ryan and Mollie O’Dell are excited about the future of the business, which offers a wide array of gift items. “There has been an overwhelming amount of support,” said Mollie of new store. “I appreciate it so much.” The store features birthday and party supplies, backdrop rentals for weddings, birthdays and other occasions, balloon garlands, T-shirt and sweatshirts, jewelry, stationary, greeting cards, organizers, journals, meal planners, children’s books, baby items, thermal mugs, housewares such as dishtowels, oven mitts, puzzles, iceless coolers, and games such as dominos, bingo, cards and bunco. She also offers various holiday items on a seasonal basis. “We follow all the holidays,” said Mollie. “We switch out the items for each holiday.” For instance, Mollie is currently clearing out Christmas items to make way for Valentine’s Day. She noted that the store is a work in progress and that it will grow as items become available. Even though new items are coming in daily, Mollie said the store is about 50 percent of its inventory. “We hope to be 100 percent by spring,” she said. Mollie said coming soon will be online shopping. She is also looking at holding vision board parties. “Come cut, glue, drink beverage of choice and eat some yummy snacks for a few hours and take home something that will motivate you to crush all of your 2023 goals,” said Mollie. The business also has gifts cards available. After working various jobs, including at the assessor’s office at the Poweshiek County Courthouse, Mollie decided she wanted to pursue her passion of providing magical moments for people. “The Grinnell and surrounding communities have really cheered me on and supported me through the last couple weeks,” she said. Current hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday. For store updates and new offerings, check out Lily Lou Company on Facebook. The store number is 641-659-6070 or send Mollie an email at hello@lilylouco.com. Junior Tech Tigers - Pictured are members of The Junior Tech Tigers (Team #57480), from left: Coach Mindy Kostow, Emily Gruman, Maya Kostow, Cody Willenbring, Ryan Kostow and Coach Bill Gruman. Recently, Grinnell was well-represented in two FIRST Lego League events. Team #57480, the Junior Tech Tigers made up of fourth graders, participated in the Ottumwa FLL Qualifier with 12 teams on Saturday, Dec. 17, on the Indian Hills Community College Campus. The team mentors were Bill Gruman and Mindy Kostow. Team #57063, the Muddy Buddies made up of sixth graders, participated in the Johnston Qualifier with 15 teams on Sunday, Dec. 18. The team mentors were Shannon Hinsa-Leasure and Janice DeRidder. The events consisted of three competition rounds with a robot they designed, built, and programmed, where they attempted to complete a series of challenges to earn points. They also completed an Innovation Challenge, where they presented a solution related to energy supply. They shared the project, along with their robot design and coding experiences, with a panel of judges. For their project, Team #57480 proposed installing small gravitational vortex water turbine systems near area waterways as a relatively inexpensive source of electricity. Team #57063 built an impressive $7 microbial fuel cell, fed by food waste, that also generates electricity. Both could provide alternatives to current energy sources. Both teams earned awards at their respective events. Team 57480 earned the Core Values Award, which reflects the positive values emphasized in FIRST events, including ‘Gracious Professionalism’ and ‘Coopetition,’ which is a mashup of cooperation in competition. Team 57063 earned the Rising All-Star Award, given to a well-rounded rookie team that demonstrates impressive potential for the future. While neither team did advance to the state event, both consider their experiences resounding successes. “I would like to extend a thank you to the adult volunteers, coaches, and parents who provided a lot of their personal time to mentor these youth in gaining more knowledge and skills in the area of STEM as these youth will become our future engineers and scientists,” noted Cathy Lents, executive director, Poweshiek County Extension Service. “I was impressed by the positive atmosphere shown by all the youth participating in this event,” added Signey Hilby, program assistant, Poweshiek County Extension Service. “I am so proud of how well our kids worked together in such a positive way,” said Bill Gruman, Junior Tech Tigers Team Mentor. “They were recognized several times for helping other teams at the event, even those much older.” FIRST Lego League is open to all students in fourth through eighth grade. The teams operate as a special 4-H Robotics Club under the direction of Poweshiek County Extension. Teams did receive mentor support from Grinnell High School’s robotics team, as well, which will participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition in the spring. Parent volunteers looking to begin or join teams for their youth for next season may contact Cathy Lents at the Poweshiek Extension Office by calling 641-623-5188 or email clents@iastate.edu. Muddy Buddies - Pictured are members of The Muddy Buddies (Team #57063), from left: Coach Janice DeRidder, Acadia Robinson, Elizabeth Crites, Megan DeRidder, Coach Shannon Hinsa-Leasure, Rosie Leasure and Anna Lindberg.
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