Braxton Thalberg, 12, a sixth-grader at Grinnell Middle School, received the Award of Achievement for Best Actor for the lead role in a yet-to-be-released Iowa feature film, Charcoal Skies. Braxton, the son of Wade and Cecelia Thalberg, filmed the movie in June 2021 in Cedar Rapids.

​By J.O. Parker
 
        The Iowa Motion Picture Association recently honored a Grinnell Middle School student with the “Award of Achievement for Best Actor” in a feature film earlier this month.
       Braxton Thalberg, 12, the son of Wade and Cecelia Thalberg and a sixth grader at GMS, received the award for playing the lead role of Justin Travers in the Iowa-based feature movie, Charcoal Skies, filmed in Cedar Rapids in June 2021.
      The award was presented at the IMPA Awards Banquet held Saturday, May 14 in Ottumwa. Braxton was up against five adults and another child actor in receiving the award.
   Braxton, who from a very young age loved being in front of the camera and making self-taped improvisational videos along with a part in a commercial, was cast in the role through a connection his dad, Wade, had with the writer and producer, Beth Hinde.
     The movie, which is set to be released at a future date, is about a reclusive, artistic 11-year-old boy (Justin Travers) who ventures from the solace of his bedroom where he experiences more than he bargained for. His difficult, single mother finds a meaningful connection in an unexpected place.
     “Braxton was an absolute joy,” said Hinde. “This is his first feature movie, plus he carried the lead. He always knew his lines and followed direction very well. The cast and crew adored him.”
      The movie features 56 actors and actresses along with additional staff and was under the direction by Bill Cooper. Wade said filming took place during an 18-day period.
     The movie was originally slated for production pre-COVID. Hinde had cast a lead actor for the Travers’ role four years ago. With the later than anticipated production of the movie, that actor left for other obligations. Hinde said she knew Wade through other projects and that is how the connection with Braxton was made.
     “I told Wade, ‘Hey, let’s have Braxton read for me,’” said Hinde.
     Hinde had worked with Braxton on a 15-minute short project about five years ago when he was a little boy.
    “It only took a little bit of his day, but he was a professional even back then,” recalled Hinde.
Wade, who has been acting in commercials, movies and a few television shows during the last five years, helped with casting of some of the actors and actresses in the movie.
    Wade and Braxton work through the Peak Agency in Des Moines.
    Wade said Hinde is currently looking at different distributors to release the movie, but nothing has been set in motion to date. 
    When asked about the experience, Braxton said it was a learning adventure.
    “I like playing a different character and making a lot of friends,” he said.

       Dr. Katie Lang, left, is joined by receptionist Brittany York at the newly opened Brooklyn Vet Clinic located at 4205 175th St., rural Brooklyn. The new clinic opened its doors on Monday, May 9. Dr. Lang is currently seeing small animals at the new clinic and continues offering farm calls to see large animals as needed. Dr. Lang can be reached at 641-522-7396. 

By J.O. Parker
 
        A long-time Brooklyn-based veterinarian has opened the doors to a new vet clinic and is welcoming new and former clients.
     Dr. Katie Lang, a former veterinarian at Farm and Family Veterinary Clinics, opened Brooklyn Vet Clinic, 4205 175th St., rural Brooklyn, on Monday, May 9.
       Dr. Lang, who specializes in both small and large animals, spent 11 years at Farm and Family and decided it was time to branch out on her own.
         “I was ready for a new chapter in my life,” Dr. Lang said. “I love being a veterinarian and I wanted to be my own boss.”
         Joining her in the business is Brittany York, a former receptionist at Farm and Family, who will continue in that capacity at the new clinic.
        A native of Rock Island, Ill. Dr. Lang holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Illinois State and a Doctor of Veterinary degree (DVM) from Iowa State University, where she graduated in 2011. 
         The new full-service clinic is located in an old farm house that Lang and her husband, Cade, purchased in January. It is just east of Farm Service off of V-18 on the southside of I-80 at exit 197. Turn on 420th Street and the clinic is to the right on top of the hill. Look for the large sign out front.
         The couple made a number of improvements to the building including remodeling the kitchen into an operating room, redoing the ceilings, repairing plaster walls, adding electric outlets, adding new windows and installing a handicap accessible ramp. Lang said Cade did much of the work on the project, including using wood from an old garage on the property to spruce up the receptionist entry area.
          Dr. Lang is currently only seeing small animals at the clinic. Services offered through the clinic include spay and neuter, surgeries and medicines. Overnight stays are also available when needed. In addition, Dr. Lang will continue offering on-call farm services for cattle, horses, sheep, goats and other large animals. Future plans call for turning the barn on the property into a large animal clinic.
        Beginning in August, Dr. Lang said she will be taking a course in animal chiropractic services and will be adding that to her offerings sometime in November.
          When asked about what she enjoys the most about being a veterinarian, Dr. Lang said, “The diversity of each day.”
           York added that she enjoys working with Dr. Lang.
           “We have a great partnership,” she said.
          Dr. Lang said she is thankful for all her family and friends, especially her husband, Cade, who helped make the clinic possible.
           The clinic is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The clinic is closed for lunch. Lang remains on call for non-office hours and weekends.
          For more information, visit the clinic on-line at www.bvciowa.com. The clinic is also on Facebook.
          The clinic can be reached at 641-522-7396 for appointments and info and the clinic email is [email protected].
Open house
           An open house at the new clinic is slated for Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
          The public is welcome to stop by and enjoy a light snack, meet Dr. Lang and check out the new clinic. 
          “I would like to have all my former clients and new clients follow me to the new clinic,” she said.

The Altoona-based country-pop trio of Lincoln Highway will open the Thursday Music in the Park series on June 2 in Grinnell's Central Park. The music gets underway at 7 p.m.

​      Grab your friends and family, blankets and chairs, dinner from a Grinnell restaurant and join us for some sweet sounds at Central Park this summer as Thursday Music in the Park kicks off June 2 with Lincoln Highway.
      Lincoln Highway is a country-pop trio from Altoona who sings a blend of hits and originals with sweet three-part harmonies. They will be joined by Grinnell’s own Jon Edwards and David Neville.
       In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Hotel Grinnell auditorium.
Following is a list of artists and groups performing this year:
            June 2 – Lincoln Highway, 7 p.m.
            June 9 – Grinnell Community Band, 7 p.m.
            June 16 – Grinnell Community Band, 7 p.m.
            June 23 – Grinnell Community Band, 7 p.m.
            June 30 - Grinnell Community Band, 7 p.m.
            July 7 – Turlach Ur Pipe Band, 7 p.m.
            July 14  – Barefoot Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen, 7 p.m.
            July 21 – Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers, 7 p.m.
            July 28 – Too Many String Band, 7 p.m.