​      Joe and Becky Edelen of Brooklyn were one of two couples to be recognized with 2023 Poweshiek County King and Queen honors in a brief ceremony in the showring on Thursday, July 13. Joining them are grandsons, from left, Brayden Edelen, Kaiden Forsythe and Hunter Edelen.

By J.O. Parker
 
     It is all in the family for the double honorees of the 2023 Poweshiek County Fair Senior King and Queen recognition.
     Joe and Becky Edelen, Brooklyn, and Wayne and Marla Ross, rural Brooklyn, were recognized in a brief ceremony held in the showring on Thursday, July 13. The couples were joined by their grandchildren and a great niece during the ceremony.
     Joe is the brother of last year’s senior king recipient, Donnie Edelen. Wayne is the brother of last year’s senior queen recipient, Susie (Ross) Edelen.
     Joe and Becky and Wayne and Marla work alongside Donnie and Susie in operating Crazy Granny’s Kitchen during the fair. The three couples have been going strong at the fair for five years.
    It was Susie and Marla who came up with the idea for the kitchen. When they presented the idea to their families, Marla said everyone thought “We were crazy.”
    Marla said the idea was to provide family-friendly priced meals and a place for fairgoers to sit, rest and enjoy some refreshments.
     Outside of the daily specials, everything on the menu from cold drinks to cheeseburgers, brats and a slice of pie are under $5, making it affordable for all fairgoers.
     Susie said both couples are the best and the kitchen wouldn’t be possible without them.
    “Marla is my partner in crime in the crazy scene behind the kitchen planning and organization,” noted Susie. “Wayne hauls everything in from their home that we need and he is our visiting liaison outside on the patio. He also helps keep our crazy thoughts in line.”
     “Becky and Joe are priceless with all the hours they spend at the fair,” added Susie. “Becky walks in and knows what to do to get ready for the day and is always willing to help do whatever, and Joe knows what to do at the cashiers table taking money. I appreciate both couples and their generosity of their time helping Donnie and me at the Crazy Granny’s Kitchen.”
     When asked about the king and queen honor, Marla said she and Wayne were very humbled and surprised.
      “We enjoy working in Crazy Granny’s Kitchen where we meet old friends and make new ones,” said Marla.   “We appreciate the honor.”
      “We really appreciate the recognition of the senior king and queen award,” said Becky. “One of our biggest awards is seeing all the 4-H and FFA kids and their families coming in and enjoying the kitchen and the good food.”

​      Wayne and Marla Ross of rural Brooklyn were one of two couples to be recognized with 2023 Poweshiek County King and Queen honors in a brief ceremony in the showring on Thursday, July 13. Joining them are great niece, Aubree Edelen, and grandson, Simon Ostby.

​     One Poweshiek County Fair Showmanship winner from each animal class received an animal-related showbox or feeder in a brief presentation on Sunday, July 16. Pictured are from left, front row: Katherine Boelen, Poweshiek County Farm Bureau Vice President; Brock Mortvedt, sheep; Alea Bru, horse; Ireland Sebetka, rabbit; Aden Wolfe, swine; Eva Peart, poultry; Hailey Heishman, goats. Back row: Tom Cheney, Poweshiek County Farm Bureau Voting Delegate; Adam Cheney, Poweshiek County Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Treasurer; James Gruver, beef; Eric Fynaardt, Poweshiek County Farm Bureau President; and Jerod Chidester, Poweshiek County Farm Bureau Director.
      “It’s our way of rewarding the kids for their hard work,” said Cheney. “This is our fifth year of honoring county fair participants.”

      Area 4-H’ers who took part in the Beef Performance Carcass contest at the 2023 Poweshiek County Fair where recognized during the beef show on Saturday, July 15. They are, kneeling, from left, front row: Madison Cheney, Grand Champion Steer Carcass, Champion Market Beef Carcass; Molly Doty, Reserve Champion Heifer Carcass and Reserve Champion Market Heifer; Layton Lacayse, Champion Market Heifer and Heifer Carcass; Krista Cheney, Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef Carcass, Reserve Steer Carcass. Back row: Madelynn Doty, fifth place; Tristan Graff, fourth place; Kinze Laceyse, third place; Ilee Laceyse, sixth place; Jackson Graff, seventh place; and Brylee Latcham, eighth place.
Ultrasound Beef Performance Carcass contest
       Not pictured: In the Ultrasound Beef Performance Carcass contest, Vivian Cook earned Champion honors, Hendrick Lowry received Reserve Champion honors; Vivian Cook finished in third place and Ellen Cook finished in fourth place.

      Glen and Ginger Sterk join Ireland Sebetka, second from left, and Abby Cheney, second from right, at the Poweshiek County Fair Awards Night on Thursday, July 13. Sebetka and Cheney were the first two recipients of the Poweshiek County 4-H Legecy Award. They each received $750 toward their education goals and dreams. The awards were made possible due to a generous donation from the Sterks.

By J.O. Parker
 
     Two Poweshiek County college-bound 4-H’ers were the recipients of the first annual 2023 Poweshiek County 4-H Legacy Awards presented during the Poweshiek County Fair Awards Night on Thursday, July 13.
      Abby Cheney, daughter of Tom and Michelle Cheney, and Ireland Sebetka, the daughter of Adriane and Wesley Sebetka III, where each presented with a $750 check for their future educational goals and dreams.
     The scholarships were made possible thanks to a generous donation from Glen and Ginger Sterk of Grinnell and formerly of Montezuma, who were present at awards night.
       Poweshiek County Extension Director Cathy Lents noted that there were eight 4-H seniors eligible to apply with Cheney and Sebetka being the only two who applied and received the scholarships.
       “In June, both of them went through an interview with a committee of five,” said Lents. 
      Cheney will be attending Iowa State University this fall. She will be majoring in Business Marketing with a double minor in Ag Communications and Dance.
      Sebetka will be attending Marshalltown Community College this fall. She will be taking classes in Vet Tech. She also an Ambassador for Marshalltown Community College.
      “It is an honor to receive this award,” said Cheney. “I’m so grateful to the Sterks for their generosity.”
    “I’m very grateful for the Sterks and 4-H for giving me the opportunity to be able to attend and finish college,” said Sebetka.
     The Sterks, who have no children, said they donated to the 4-H endowment fund to give seniors who have finished their 4-H career the opportunity to go to college.
     “We donated to help get this started,” said Ginger.

​      The ninth annual Extreme Bull Riding tour opened the 2023 Poweshiek County Fair on Saturday, July 8. The event, which is hosted by the Double S Bull Company of Sidney, Iowa, kept the packed crowd entertained all evening with exciting bull rides and clowning around by Barrel Man Mark Webber of Peoria, Ill. Double S Bull Company owns and produces the Extreme Bull Riding Tour. The announcer was Matt Palmer from Koshkonong, Mo. 

     Rod Courtney, volunteer executive director at Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO) near Washington, Iowa, smiles as he accepts a key from Jacki Bolen, American Legion Auxiliary Fifth District President, on Sunday, July 9 in Barnes City. Bolen held a fundraiser for the HERO organization on March 17 in Deep River, raising nearly $30,000 to purchase a new handicap accessible Odes dessert cross 3 seat 800 side-by-side all-purpose vehicle, behind them, loaded with hunting and fishing accessories, which was given to Courtney and the HERO organization. Joining in on the key presentation were Dustin Peterson, vice president of the HERO board at left, and Mike Berry, president emeritus at HERO on the right.

​By J.O. Parker
 
      Rod Courtney, volunteer executive director of Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO) organization, was wearing a smile as big as his heart is for veterans during a special presentation on Sunday, July 9.
      It was that day in Barnes City in front of the Longhorn Saloon that Jacki Bolen, American Legion Auxiliary Fifth District President, handed the keys to a new handicap accessible Odes dessert cross 3 seat 800 side-by-side all-purpose vehicle loaded with hunting and fishing accessories to the veterans organization.
    Joining Courtney during the presentation were HERO board members, American Legion and Auxiliary members and many friends who came to show their support for the work of the HERO organization.
    The vehicle was the result of a HERO event fundraiser held on March 17 in Deep River that raised approximately $30,000. The event included food, music, a raffle and live auction.
    Donations came from the American Legion family (legion, auxiliary, sons of the American legion), businesses and individuals from across Poweshiek and the surrounding counties. The side-by-side unit was purchased from Fun Valleys Motorsports near Montezuma.
      Bolen organized and hosted the event as part of her fifth district presidential duties. She is required to have a project that benefits a veteran’s organization. She heard about the work that Courtney and his wife, Debbie, where doing for veterans at HERO, and thought she could make a difference.
       “I liked their mission so I reached out to them to see what they needed,” Bolen said in an earlier interview.
         HERO was founded in 2008 by the now late Chuck “Bowtie” Geertz who served a total of 23 years in the military, retiring as a Sargent First Class with the National Guard. Geertz died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in August 2019.
        HERO is located on the eastern edge of Sockum Ridge near Washington, Iowa. At the foundation of the organization lies the belief that there is healing in nature. The organization’s motto is “From the battlefields to the healing fields.”
     Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 400 veterans and their families. The organization facilitates an outdoor experience where veterans and their families can hunt, fish, and hike the trails and woodlands surrounding the lodge. 
      “We put an emphasis on accommodating veterans with disabilities, both seen and unseen,” noted Courtney in an earlier interview.
        Courtney said having the Odes dessert cross is a plus for the HERO organization, adding that it will be used to transport veterans around the property and also as a means for maintenance and the groundskeeper, with the use of a dump trailer, to keep the hiking trails clear from debris and take care of the 33-acres housing the organization.
        “This is a day that I will look back on fondly for years to come,” said Courtney at the key presentation. “It’s been a day of being on the receiving end of pure appreciation for the sacrifices our veterans have made and support for the HEROES mission of providing a positive outdoor experience for veterans that may not have had an opportunity. This side-by-side will be an absolute game changer at the HERO Lodge by providing us with a means to get our veterans in and out of the field safely. We are beyond grateful.”
       “It was so heartwarming to see the excitement that this project created,” added Bolen. “It brought so many people together to reach the goal. I could never thank everyone enough for helping me make this happen. I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing people.”

     Grinnell Parade Marshals, Kevin and Jennifer McAlexander, owners of Hawkeye Lock & Security and JM Consulting, rode the parade route in an antique Santa sleigh on a trailer as they waved to the large gathering. The sleigh and trailer were decorated with a mixture of Christmas and Fourth of July attire.

By J.O. Parker

     Nearly 70 Grinnell business, organizations along with area communities were represented at the annual Fourth of July Parade on a warm Tuesday, July 4 afternoon.
     Both sides of the parade route were lined with folks of all ages dressed in festive clothing and kids with candy bags awaiting to be filled.
       All were there for one reason, to celebrate our freedoms and our nation’s 247th birthday.
     The parade featured an assortment of floats from fire trucks to tractors, decorated golf carts and ATVs, trucks and trailers loaded with kids squirting water guns, decorated semitrucks, bicycles, horses, a church on a trailer and even a local funeral home hearse. 
     Grinnell Parade Marshals, Kevin and Jennifer McAlexander, owners of Hawkeye Lock & Security and JM Consulting, rode the parade route in an antique Santa sleigh on a trailer as they waved to the large gathering. The sleigh and trailer were decorated with a mixture of Christmas and Fourth of July attire.
       The McAlexanders are in charge of decorating Central Park for the holiday season each year.
     “We had the best seat and view,” said Jennifer. “We enjoyed riding in the sleigh and greeting the many paradegoers. There were fun comments as we drove by in our display.”
       “Hey, it's the 4th of July not Christmas"
       “Look, it's Mr. and Mrs. Claus!"
       “I think I know those gnomes!"
       Jennifer said they do what they do because it is the right thing for our community.
      “We appreciate the recognition,” she said.
     “It certainly felt like the middle of summer for Grinnell's 4th of July parade," said Rachael Kinnick,     President & CEO of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. “Lots of businesses and organizations were represented in this year's parade, helping make it a festive event for all to enjoy.”
    “I enjoyed the parade,” said Mary Murray, 88, who was there with family. “I enjoyed seeing my granddaughter, who was on the Grinnell Police Department float.”
        Fyuree Wyatt, 7, said she enjoyed the entire parade, especially getting wet and getting a bag full of candy.
       “I had lots of fun,” she said.

      Enjoy a musical journey through the life and music of living country-music legend, George Strait, at the Brooklyn Opera House on Saturday, July 29. The Casserole Kitchen Food Truck will be on hand starting at 5:30 p.m. serving food. Stop for some good food and stay for a great show.
​       Tix: https://georgestraittribute.eventbrite.com/?aff=georgestrait.

​      Franci McClenathan, middle, community representative with AYUSA, is pictured with four exchange students who she represented in Poweshiek County during the 2022-23 school year. They are, from left, Nina Beier, a 16-year-old junior from Germany; Kanyapak (Hommy) Muannuch, a 15-year-old sophomore from Thailand; Paula Labad, a 16-year-old junior from Spain; and Lucas Flaig, a 17-year-old junior from Germany. Nina, Hommy and Paula stayed with host families in Brooklyn while Lucas spent time with a Montezuma family. If interested in hosting a foreign exchange student, contact McClenathan at [email protected] or visit www.ayusa.org to learn more about the program. Furnished photo.

      Four foreign exchange students had their dreams of studying in America during the 2022-2023 school year come true thanks to some generous, volunteer families in Poweshiek County.  
       Nina Beier, a 16-year-old junior from Germany, joined the family of Lacey, Karlee, and Brock Bellenger in Brooklyn. Nina decided to be an exchange student because of her dad’s encouragement as he had been an exchange student and wanted her to have the same opportunity. Nina had fallen in love with the English language and after watching American movies, she really wanted to experience prom. Nina arrived here in August and returned to Germany June 1. She really enjoyed getting close to her host family and friends at school.  While at BGM, she joined choir, was a varsity football cheerleader, attended her first prom, and ran with the track team. She was also a member of the Brooklyn Ruritan Club. Nina said, “Coming to a small town from a city has been fun to experience.” 
      Paula Labad, a 16-year-old junior from Spain, joined the family of Jill, Craig, Jeryn, Ashton, and Chenli Kalinay in Brooklyn.  Paula chose to be part of the exchange program after having friends in the program share how great their experience was.  Paula arrived in Iowa mid-September and returned to Spain June 9.  At BGM, she played volleyball and basketball, attended prom, ran with the track team, and played softball up until her return flight.  When asked what she enjoyed, she shared, “Everything! I really love the sports in school and that you can do more than one sport throughout the year.” 
       Kanyapak (Hommy) Muannuch, a 15-year-old sophomore from Thailand,  joined the family of Stevie, Joe, Shadlee, and Trinity Hazelwood in Brooklyn.  Hommy had always wanted to see America and improve her English, so the exchange program was a perfect way to do both. She also wanted to see what it would be like to live away from her parents. Hommy arrived in late September and returned to Thailand June 16. When asked what she enjoyed most her stay in America, she said, “Because it’s very different from Thailand, I love everything…the environment, the school, my host family, everything.” Being part of the backstage and set crew for the school musical and playing basketball were activities that Hommy took part in while at BGM. Thanks to her host family, she also became an Iowa Wild hockey fan.   All the friends she made, having a locker at school, going to prom, and all the snow during the Iowa winter will be some things she will always remember.
     Lucas Flaig, a 17-year-old junior from Germany, joined the family of Heidi, Jim, and Kenny Criswell in Montezuma. Lucas chose to apply for the program after his mother recommended it and after his best friend returned from a good experience being in Maine for a year. Lucas was a five-month student and arrived after Christmas for the second semester, and he returned to Germany on June 11. He enjoyed the Iowa landscape because it is like his hometown, although Iowa has more fields and is quieter than his city. While at Montezuma High School, Lucas attended prom and he ran with the track team. He was hoping to play football, but unfortunately arrived after the season was over. When asked about his experience here, Lucas said, “It was a great and fun time. I can recommend that to everyone who wants to see something new, and I am very thankful for everyone who supported me.”  
       Each of the students shared their culture with their host families by cooking traditional dishes from their countries and some brought gifts to share with their families and community representative. 
       AYUSA, Academic Year in the USA, is a non-profit organization founded in San Francisco in 1981 dedicated to developing intercultural awareness through high school educational exchange.
      American host families can be of varying dynamics. They can host one or two students, be married or single, raising school-aged children, have grown children, or be without children, be working full-time or retired, live in town or in the country. Families are asked to provide their students with a bed of their own, a place to study, three meals a day, transportation to events, and an open-minded, loving home. Exchange students come with their own spending money and insurance and years of studying and speaking English. Both students and host families have constant support from the AYUSA team including monthly contact from their community representative.
       The goal is always to build a relationship that will last forever. When fighting back tears at the airport as you say ‘see ya later,’ you know you have done the program correctly, you have gained a family member who is taking a piece of your heart. Hosting is a life changing experience…for both the student and the host family, as well as a cultural enrichment for your community! 
    AYUSA staff is currently interviewing host families for the 200 plus students still hoping for their opportunity to study in the United States during the 2023-2024 school year.  If you have any questions, please contact local community representative Franci McClenathan at [email protected] or visit www.ayusa.org to learn more about the program and our students or to start your host family application. If you are unable to host, but you know a family who you think would be great, please ask about our referral fee!