BGM teacher challenges others to run, walk, bike or swim 100-miles or more for Mollie Tibbetts6/18/2023 Morgan Collum, a third grade teacher at BGM, life-long friend and cousin to the late Mollie Tibbetts, is on mission.
Morgan has challenged friends and family to run, walk, bike or swim 100-miles in remembrance of Mollie. “This summer marks five years without Mollie,” Morgan posted on her Facebook page. “If you’ve lost someone close to you, you know how hard anniversaries can be. I’m going to try to run 100 miles (hopefully more) throughout the summer to honor Mollie. I’d love for you to join me--start tracking your mileage now.” In previous years, Morgan hosted a “Miles for Mollie” event in honor of Mollie’s birthday, asking participates to run, walk, bike or swim the number of miles corresponding with late Brooklyn teen’s age. Mollie went missing on July 18, 2018 while out running on an evening jog. Instead of hosting the birthday event this year, Morgan decided to beef it up and encourage others to join her by running, walking, biking or swimming 100-miles or more during the summer months. “It really has caught on,” said Morgan last week. “My post has been shared more than 150 times since I posted in early June.” There are no prizes or awards being handed out. All participants are required to do is complete the task and send Morgan a photo via Facebook. Participants can run, walk, bike or swim or put together a combination of events and have it done by Sept. 1. “The post I shared is public so they can send it to me that way,” said Morgan of participants sending her photos. “That is going to work best that way.” Morgan said she and Mollie had a close relationship and they both loved to run. “I’ve known her all her life,” she said. “We were best friends and like sisters.” Morgan said about running, that it helps her work through the grief and others have told her that it has helped them, too. “Sometimes you don’t know how to move on from something like that,” Morgan said. “It is nice to have a way to channel your grief in a positive way.” In addition to teaching school at BGM, Morgan serves as the head girls’ soccer coach at Grinnell High School.
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Grinnell College spring community mini-grant program awards $22,200 in grants to local initiatives6/18/2023 Grants support local projects enhancing the quality of life in Grinnell This spring, Grinnell College awarded community mini-grants totaling $22,200 to six local initiatives. Since 2002, the mini-grant program has directed more than $580,000 to 227 community-driven initiatives.
"I am thrilled for the recipients of this year's spring mini grants," said Donnette Ellis, the community relations and grant coordinator at Grinnell College. "The advisory committee has demonstrated remarkable dedication in evaluating each application and providing recommendations for projects that will truly make a difference in the lives of our local residents. We look forward to seeing the impact these initiatives will have on our cherished Grinnell Community." Spring 2023 Grant Recipients Grinnell Area Arts Council - $5000 for a Youth Arts Education Coordinator. The Youth Arts Education Coordinator will develop and instruct Arts Council youth programming, potentially including summer, evening and weekend classes, events and camps, as well as programs at the Stew Makerspace. The new position and the resulting programming will both enhance the availability of arts education for children in the community, enriching the quality of life for them and their families, and build capacity for the Arts Council by enhancing its youth education revenue stream. This position is specifically directed at expanding youth programming beyond the existing Studio 6 program. Grinnell Children’s Choir - $1,200 for audio support to enhance the community outreach potential. The Grinnell Children’s Choir will engage a professional sound production company to provide audio services for the Grinnell Children’s Choir performance at Grinnell’s 2023 Jingle Bell Holiday event. This grant will add to the social vitality and quality of life, and provide recreational and educational opportunities for choristers, their families, and the general public. This grant will help to expand outreach to different audiences that would otherwise not be possible because of acoustic limitations. Grinnell Community Early Learning Center - $4,000 for the center’s Nature Explore Playground Professional Development. The professional development that teachers will receive from this project will strengthen the curriculum at the Grinnell Community Early Learning Center. This education and training will increase knowledge and practices around outdoor nature play experiences for children. Grinnell Fire Department - $7,500 for the Community CPR Program. The program will provide CPR, AED and first aid training to those in the community who are required to have the training, along with members of the general public who are interested in having the ability to help during a cardiac event. With this grant the department will be able to offer this skill building activity at a very low cost, which will make this learning opportunity beneficial and inclusive for all. Poweshiek Animal League Shelter - $2,500 for updated fencing. The updated fencing and gate replacement around the perimeter of their 40x50 area is for the safety of both the animals and the visitors in this outdoor space. Improving the outdoor space will make interaction with potential adoptable animals a better experience for all. The Mayflower - $2,000 for the Grinnell Railway Express renovation. This grant will help replace the model railroad layout of 'old Grinnell' that has been in place for 21 years with an emphasis on a realistic working regional layout of Poweshiek and Jasper Counties. The facility and working train display showcases Grinnell’s local history and adds to the visitor experience. Fall 2023 Community Mini-Grant Applications Grinnell College is now accepting applications for the fall cycle of community mini-grants. Grant applications are due by Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 with awards being announced Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. A volunteer committee of faculty, staff, local Grinnell College students, and community members will review the applications. Preference is given to proposals that leverage collaborative partnerships within the community. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $7,500. For more information or to download an application, visit: grinnell.edu/about/offices-services/community-enhancement/investments/mini-grants, or contact the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research at 641-269-3900. If interested in serving on the review committee, please contact Donnette Ellis at 641-269-3900. Grinnell School Board President Dustin Smith hands graduate Jaylen Eitel his diploma during commencement exercises on Sunday, May 28.
Wearing his customary chicken hat, Jim White, a long-time former Grinnell business owner, city council member, Rotary member and community supporter, is ready to sell another meal ticket at the Grinnell Rotary Chicken BBQ on Thursday, June 1. Started in 1962, the Rotary’s chicken barbecue fundraiser has provided the funds for many of Rotary’s ongoing community projects, such as annual scholarships for college-bound Grinnell High School Students; sponsorships of international exchange students; attendance of two GHS students at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, and donation requests from community organizations and projects.
Felix (Kadon Folkmann) interviews Daffy Duck during "The Perfect Interview" as part of the BGM production of "Love is in the Air." The production, which was performed live on May 19 -20, was a three-part production in which students took inspiration from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” and the line “In the Spring a young man’s (person’s) fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” The BGM Theatre Class presented “Love is in the Air” on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 at the BGM Auditorium. “Love is in the Air” was a three-part production in which students took inspiration from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” and the line “In the Spring a young man’s (person’s) fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”
Using the theme of love springs eternal, the class learned to write an improvisation play. “The Perfect Interview?” explored the imagined world of Jane Austen in the context of 1813 Regency England and considered the following questions: (1) Why did Jane Austen write the novel “Pride and Prejudice,” or for that matter, what is the subject of the novel? (2) Does Austen prefer breakfast burritos to casserole? (3) Does Austen like stuffed animals and why are stuffed animals in the novel “Pride and Prejudice” or are they? The audience took a journey back in time with a group of eager young journalists as they conducted an improvised, in-person interview with Jane Austen to find the truth. Cast of “The Perfect Interview?” was Madison Hawkins as Beatrix; Kadon Folkmann as Felix and Tabitha Mumm as Jane Austen. The next performance focused on a play based on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” written by BGM Theater Instructor Beth Byers, where audience members witnessed the many facets of love. Austen’s novel made an argument for women’s rights in that she believed all women should have the right to choose their spouses rather than have life altering decisions made by parents only. Would love or money prevail? Would Elizabeth accept Mr. Collins’ or Mr. Darcy’s Marriage Proposal? Would Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet remain married? Cast of “Pride and Prejudice” was Megan Hanlon as Elizabeth Bennett; Axton Bartachek as Mr. Darcy; Kadon Folkmann as Mr. Bennet; Lailyn Dean as Mrs. Bennet; Madison Hawkins as Jane Bennet and Axton Bartachek as Mr. Collins. Finally, “The Mysterious Mystery of the Lost Love Letters” adapted from Salwa Meghjee’s and Samah Maghjee’s “The Mysterious Mystery of the Lost Letters” was performed. Audience members joined the cast in the comedic adventures of Darvis Davis, lead detective, his only employee, Zoe, and a cast of colorful suspects as they attempt to solve the case of William Shakespeare’s Lost Love Letters. Would anyone find love? Who would be the first person to solve the mystery? Was is Darvis versus Zoe in “this not ready for crime time mystery?” Cast of The Mysterious Mystery of the Lost Love Letters included: Megan Hanlon as Zoe; Kadon Folkmann as Darvis Davis; Graysen Berry as Isaac; Tabitha Mumm as Abby Arlington; Madison Hawkins as Mabel Arlington; Axton Bartachek as Gerard; Lailyn Dean as Kitty Kiss; Madison Hawkins as Elaine; Axton Bartachek as Bodyguard; Tabitha Mumm as Bodyguard; Madison Hawkins as Reporter and Axton Bartachek as Detective Daniels. Those helping with the production included: Axton Bartachek, student director; Don Lastovka, technology director; Beth Byers, theatre instructor and Nathan Johnson, set design. By J.O. Parker
Let’s hope your corn is “Knee high by the Fourth of July,” if you want a chance to win the Poweshiek County Tall Corn Contest. Slated for Saturday, July 15 at the Poweshiek County Fair, the contest is open to all ages with three categories of prizes. Rules are as follows: • One entry per division •Tallest corn stalk with tassel • Must be grown in Poweshiek County • Stalk must be dug up with roots showing • Register before 2 p.m. with stalks in place. Results will be announced at 3 p.m. Prize divisions are as follows: Kids division up to 17 1st place – Pagliai’s Pizza certificate - $25 2nd place – Dari Barn certificate - $15 3rd place – Dari Barn certificate - $10 Age division – 18 to 40 – Ethanol credit cards 1st place - $100 2nd place - $75 3rd place - $50 Age division – 41 and Up – Ethanol credit cards 1st place - $100 2nd place - $75 3rd place - $50 All participants will receive an Iowa Corn bucket. The contest is sponsored by the Poweshiek County Iowa Corn Growers Association. For more information, contact Jessie Lacaeyse at 641-325-0011 (cell) or jessielacaeyse @yahoo.com. The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the Grand Marshal and parade entry forms for the 2023 Grinnell on the Fourth parade, to be held on July 4, 2023.
Grand Marshal nominations are due Friday, June 16 and nominators should include specific examples and other relevant information of why this individual, group or organization would be deserving of this honor in their application. Nominations may be made on the chamber's websitegrinnellchamber.org/en/events/Grinnell_on_the_fourth or you may stop into the chamber office and complete the nomination form. The chamber office is located at 833 4th Ave. The Grinnell on the Fourth parade is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 5 p.m. There is no cost to enter a float in the parade, and those wishing to participate may fill out the entry form on the chamber’s website grinnellchamber.org/en/events/Grinnell_on_the_fourth or pick up a form at the chamber office. The chamber is also in search of volunteers to help organize line-up for the parade. If you are interested in helping with this year’s parade, please contact the chamber office at 641-236-6555. A fireworks display, managed by the City of Grinnell, will take place Tuesday, July 4 at dusk at Ahrens Park at 1510 Penrose St. The 2023 Grinnell on the Fourth festivities are being sponsored by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Grinnell, ReMax Partners Realty, Clarity Eyecare, Grinnell College, Grinnell Mutual and Bayer Crop Science. If your business or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor of these activities, please contact the chamber at 641-236-6555 or marketing@getintogrinnell.com. Grinnell High School seniors ladies are all dressed up for a fun evening at the 2023 Fire and Ice Prom on Saturday, April 29. Pictured are, from left, front row: Bailey Strovers and Leah Harris. Second row: Livie Herbers and Kelsey Van Compernolle. Back row: Gretta Dodd and Taylor VanderLeeset. Photos were taken and submitted by Jen Vanderleest, Grinnell High School Yearbook Advisor
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