The bouncy house was a popular hangout for area youth on a warm fall day at the the Central Iowa Christian School's 3rd Annual Carnival on Saturday, Oct. 4. The event was held to raise funds for the school and give students and family members a fun afternoon of games, prizes, food and fellowship.

       Members of the BGM High School Homecoming court are pictured, from left, front row: Shae Strong, Aidan Corona, Jayden Hodina, Clair Manatt, Kylie Arment and Macey Heishman. Back row: Beau Burns, Landon Hassett, Ashten Kalinay, Camren Cooling, Ben King and Landen Cooling. The new king and queen will be crowned during an all-school pep rally on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

​       Kelsey McCulley, center, the marketing director at Grinnell State Bank, is joined by Kim Jones, left, and Riley Holmgren, right, in serving food to customers and guests at the 100th birthday celebration at the bank on Friday, Oct. 3.

​By J.O. Parker
 
           A long-time Grinnell bank with deep family ties celebrated 100-years in business with an open house and meal of pulled pork sandwiches and all the fixings on Friday, Oct. 3.
          Founded in 1925 by John Evans and a group of Grinnell investors and community leaders, Grinnell State Bank was reorganized from the former Grinnell Savings Bank into an independent community bank.
       Evans was the bank’s first president and is noted as the founder of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, IMT Insurance and Allied Insurance better known today as Nationwide Insurance.
       Since its founding 100-years-ago, GSB has focused on community service and treating customers like family.
          In 1954, Fred A. Jones bought a controlling interest in GSB from C.A. Frasier. He was joined at GSB by his son, F. Addison Jones, that same year.
         “My grandfather, Fred A. Jones, was born in Iowa,” recalled F. Austin Jones, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Trust Officer at the bank. “His father homesteaded farms in Cody, Neb. and after graduating high school, Fred A. Jones, worked for the state department of banking.” 
            In the 1920s, there were a lot of banks that closed, said F. Austin Jones.
            “He (my grandfather) was a bank examiner who went in and closed the banks,” recalled F. Austin Jones.
Fred A. Jones worked in Tama and reorganized the bank there and was president until the 1940s.
      Fred A. and Alice Josephine Jones’ son, F. Addison Jones, was born in Tama in December 1928.
              The Jones family moved to Grinnell in the summer of 1940 after Fred A. Jones bought a farm. F. Austin Jones said his grandfather farmed and worked at GMRC where he managed their investments.
          F. Addison Jones married Marion Austin Jones on Aug. 12, 1950 and the couple raised three boys, Stephen, David and F. Austin Jones.
Bank Timeline
      1925 – Grinnell Businessmen re-organize Grinnell Savings Bank into Grinnell State Bank as an independent community bank.
             1940 – GSB opens a location in Malcom.
           1954 – Fred A. Jones purchased GSB from C.A. Frasier. He was joined at the bank by F. Addison Jones that same year.
             1972 – GSB expands the Grinnell branch with a new, two-lane drive-up facility.
             1972 – F. Addison Jones was named GSB President.
             1976 – F. Addison is named GSB Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. He was known for giving support and guidance to many of the people who made GSB a success.
              1990 – GSB consolidates the Grinnell and Malcom branches into the Grinnell branch.
              1996 – GSB acquires the Marengo location – formerly Boatmen’s Bank.
              1996 – GSB remodels Grinnell branch.
              1999 – David Jones was named GSB President.
              2001 – GSB purchased the book of business from Rohrer Insurance in Marengo.
            2011 – GSB acquired banking locations in Johnston, Polk City and Urbandale –  formerly Polk County Bank.
              2013 – GSB remodels Marengo branch.
              2015 – GSB acquires Hamilton Insurance Agency in Grinnell.
              2016 – GSB consolidates the Johnston and Urbandale branches into the Johnston branch.
              2017 – GSB purchases Augustine-Johnston Insurance Agency in Marengo.
              2018 – F. Austin Jones is named GSB President.
              2025 – Fitzpatrick A. “Rusty” Jones (F. Austin Jones’ nephew) was named GSB president.
            2025 – Fifth generation of Jones family (Rusty’s oldest son, Finn) worked for the bank during his college break. 
              2025 – GSB celebrates 100 years in business.
      When asked for the keys to the bank’s success, F. Austin Jones said, “We are committed to the community.”
            “We treat our customers as family and we work to listen and solve customer problems.” He added.
F. Austin Jones said a story the bank is most proud of occurred during the 1980s farm crisis.
           “We didn’t close down a single farm during that time,” said F. Austin Jones. “We worked with them (farm families) and helped them transition.”
          “We did business with GSB for our lumber yards and personal banking for years,” said Roger Schroeder, former owner of Malcom Lumber. “They have some good people working for them and that made a difference.”
        “GSB is truly a family bank with their employees and customers,” said Fran Conn, bank customer and board member.
          “I think GSB is one of the easiest to work with,” said Dale Lamb, a Grinnell lawyer. “They provide a lot of services and resolve issues locally.”
          “And they have a great pulled pork sandwich,” added Lamb.
       In addition, Lamb said he attended Grinnell High School with David Jones, who was named bank president in 1999.
         “We appreciate the services and friendships that GSB has given us for the last 30 years,” said Ramona Mitchell, owner of Grinnell Eye Care.
          “The service has always been very pleasant here at GSB from all the employees,” said Valerie Hammond, who has banked at GSB for forty years. “I have fond memories of being with Marion Austin Jones. She was a very dear lady and I miss her.”
          Marion Austin Jones was a valued board of director at GSB from 1984 to 2011. She provided support and guidance to many of the people who have made the bank successful.
        “GSB is a cornerstone for our community,” said Craig Cooper, a long-time customer and Grinnell business owner. “They have always provided solid banking advice and a warm and friendly atmosphere.”
         “I worked at GSB in the 1970s for F.A. Jones and his son, F. Addison Jones, until being named the Poweshiek County Auditor in 1979,” said Jo Wray. “The service has always been great and the personnel very friendly and helpful. It’s a family owned bank, something that is hard to find these days.”
            The birthday meal of pulled pork sandwiches was made from two hogs purchased by the bank from the Poweshiek County Fair Auction and prepared by Dayton Meats in Malcom. Customers were also treated to baked bean, chips, cold drinks and cookies with their meal, all served by banking staff.
          GSB specializes in consumer and residential loans, business and agriculture loans, 24/7 telebanking, online and mobile banking, ATMs, online banking options, deposit options and CDs with great rates and other banking services.
         For more information on GSB locations, visit them online at grinnell.bank. 
     The Grinnell location can be reached at 641-236-3174; Johnston location at 515-278-6300; Marengo location at 319-642-5511; and the Polk City location at 515-984-6211.

Andrew Foster, Lisa Kirby, Katie Kaplan, Jawny Massengale, Katie Walters

By J.O. Parker
​ 
      BGM Community Schools welcomed five new teachers including a shared teacher with HLV for the 2025–26 school year.
       Following is brief overview of each new teacher 
 
Name: Andrew J. Foster
            
        Andrew J. Foster is new industrial technology shop teacher at BGM and neighboring HLV.
Foster is a 2010 graduate of HLV and holds a liberal arts degree from Kirkwood Community College.
      When asked about becoming a teacher, Foster said he was ready for a change of pace and had always wanted to work with kids.
         He previously worked as a framer/carpenter most of his life.
         “My parents both own a family construction business where I have worked alongside my father, mother, brother, and sister doing home repairs, roofing, drywall, trim work, cabinets, additions, literally build a home from start to finish,” he said. “We’ve also done pole buildings and barns start to finish.”
         As for the school year, Foster said students will learn to build deer blinds, wooden go-cars, some play sets for community members, and a catapult, if allowed.
          When asked what is something he has learned from a student, Foster said, “That sometimes in order to herd cats, you need to bring tuna and DYNAMITE.”
           Foster said his favorite classes in high school were band and choir.
          When asked what he wished he had known when he was the age of his students, Foster said, “How to file taxes, that driving 20 above the speed limit actually doesn’t save you any time, and that sometimes a door can make a great table.”
           Foster and his wife, Shelby, met at Walt Disney World in Orlando in 2013 and then married in 2016 in Louisville, Ky. They have three kiddos.
          “I wanted ZERO cats, she wanted three cats…so, we met in the middle and now we have four cats,” he said.
           “I’ll get my hogs eventually,” he added with a chuckle.
           When asked if he had anything else to add, Foster said, “That cinnamon rolls do not go with chili soup.”
 
Name: Lisa Kirby
            
           Lisa Kirby is the new High School Special Education teacher at BGM
        She is a graduate of Grinnell High School and holds a Secondary Special Education degree from the University of Iowa.
          When asked what led her to become a teacher, Kirby said she had a job in college working at Systems Unlimited, a company that provides support services for people with disabilities and mental health needs.
            “That is when I first knew I wanted to work with students who needed support with learning,” she said.
            Kirby said her favorite class in high school was English.
          When asked what is something she has learned from a student, Kirby said, “There is no question you can’t ask.”
           “During my first year of teaching, a student asked a question that I will never forget… and it was one I didn’t really even know how to answer…I can’t put it here.”
            If asked what advice she would give to her students? Kirby said, “That it’s okay to ask for help! Do the work - we can get through it - having a high school diploma is very important.”
            When asked what she wished she had known when she was the age of her students, Kirby said, “There are adults in the building that are there to help with anything that you need – ANYTHING.”
         In her free time, Kirby enjoys reading, binge show watching on Netflix and spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.
            Kirby is married to Ben and the couple has two daughters, Ashley and Emily, two grandchildren, Noah and Lucy and one on the way. The family has one dog, Murphy, and one cat, Stella.
 
Name: Katie Kaplan
            
           Katie Kaplan is the new BGM Secondary Math teacher. She is teaching Accelerated 7th Grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Applied math, Consumer Math and Personal Finance.
           Kaplan is a graduate of HLV High School and holds a BA in Mathematics from UNI.
        Kaplan said she became a teacher as she loved math as a student and wanted to help others do the same.
            Kaplan said her favorite class in school was math.
         When asked if there was something she’s leaned from a student, Kaplan said, “It’s ok to have fun in class, as long as learning is still happening.”
            When asked what she wish she had known when she was her students’ age, Kaplan said, “You have the rest of your life to work, enjoy high school while it lasts: hanging out with your friends, going to the extracurricular activities, and all the other stuff.”
           If there is an advice she would give to her students, Kaplan said, “Effort and working hard goes a long way.”
            When asked to describe her teaching style, Kaplan said she is structured.
            As for the new school year, Kaplan said getting to know her students is her goal.
            Kaplan is the mother of a 2.5-year-old son and enjoys spending time with him during her free time.
            “I’m excited for this new opportunity,” she said.
 
Name: Jawny Massengale
 
             Jawny Massengale is the new TAG (Talented and Gifted) teacher at BGM.
          She is a graduate of BGM and holds a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Literacy from UNI.
            “I am currently working toward a TAG endorsement,” said Massengale.
          When asked what led her to become a teacher, Massengale she wanted to make an impact on our future and to be sure every students feels like they can learn.
            “Not only do I want to teach academics, but I want to be a teacher of kindness, empathy, confidence and other important qualities our world needs,” she said.
            When asked what is something she has learned from a student,” Massengale said she has learned so many things from her students.
            “Anything from history lessons to dinosaur names to how to be patient with different personalities and learners, to funny facts,” she said. “You never stop learning from the kids.”
            When asked what she wished she had known when she was her students’ age, Massengale said she wished she had known in that moment that it was okay if she didn’t understand something, because later on it would “click.”
            “I shouldn’t have let what I didn’t know define my worth or intelligence,” she said.
            When asked about giving advice to students, Massengale said, “To not stop until they are proud of the outcome.”
            “Everyone’s outcome is different,” she added. “So don’t let yourself become discouraged if someone else’s outcome looks different than yours or don’t judge someone because your outcome is exceptional and their isn’t there yet – clap for everyone.”
            In school, Massengale said she didn’t have any one favorite class, but always loved and appreciated a class where the teacher built relationships with their students.
            “It made learning so much more enjoyable,” said Massengale.
            When asked to describe her teaching style, Massengale said she is a relationship builder.
          “I believe that if you build good relationships with your students and guide your teaching based on their interests, they can learn anything no matter a disability or behavior.”
         When asked what she was looking forward to the most in the new school year, Massengale said stepping into a new role and learning from it and getting to know the students at BGM.
         “I also get to teach along side of my sister and some teachers I had growing up, so that’s cool.”
        In her free time, Massengale loves to adventure with her husband, Colton, and two boys, Josey and Jones. She also enjoys spending time with her family, coaching volleyball and sitting down with some coffee and read a good book.
         The couple also has three dogs, Cassius, Cain and Creed and two farm cats, Lucy and LeRoy.
       “I am so excited to be back to my old stomping grounds and so happy to serve and give back to our community any way I can,” said Massengale.
 
Name: Katie Walters
 
           Katie Walters is the new BGM Junior High Special Education teacher.
          She is a graduate of North Mahaska and holds a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Strategist 1 from William Penn University.
         When asked what led her to become a teacher, Walters said she loves working with kids and helping them be successful.
           “I was a paraeductor and I had a colleague talk me into it (becoming a teacher) because she knew I had always wanted to be a teacher,” noted Walters.
           When asked what she has learned from a student, Walters said, “It’s not appropriate to call your “Hey Dude,” shoes “Dudes.”
            When asked what she wished she had known when she was her students’ age, Walters said she would have cherished her childhood more.
           “When you are a kid, you just want to grow up and be an adult,” Walters said. “I liked the kid more than the adult one. Bills aren’t fun.”
            When asked what advice she gives to her student, Walters said, “Don’t let anyone define your success.”
In high school, Walters said her favorite class was Family and Consumer Science.
        When asked how she would describe her teaching style, Walters said she is a hand-on teacher and demonstrator.
           “I understand something better by examples and repetition,” she noted.
        When asked what she is looking forward to the most this school year, Walters said, “Learning a new school system and learning about junior high and high school and how this side of the building works.”
           In her free time, Walters enjoys reading, being outside and camping with her family.
           Walters and her husband, Kevin, have four children and three dogs.

        The 2025 Grinnell High School Homecoming Court is, from left, front row: Alex Peiffer, Kellan Harter, Jack Gallagher, Liam Crites, Cameron Corey. Back row: Emma Doty, Aiden Gosselink, Lauren Louden, Norah Nicol and Peyton Stensrud. The GHS Homecoming Parade gets underway at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9.

      The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the annual Grinnell-Newburg Homecoming Parade downtown on Thursday, Oct. 9. The parade will precede the Grinnell Tigers' game against Marion High School on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. on T.T. Cranny Field.
      The parade will begin in downtown Grinnell at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, heading north on Broad Street and turning west on 5th Avenue. The parade will then turn south on Main Street and east on Commercial Street before heading back to Broad Street. Lineup for registered floats begins at 4:30 p.m.
      A fundraiser for the Tiger Scholarship Fund, Dogs for Dollars, will also begin at 5 p.m. in Central Park. Parade watchers can purchase a meal of a hot dog (veggie by request), chips, and a drink for $5 before or after the parade. The money raised will support graduating Tiger seniors in 2026. After the parade, a pep rally and coronation ceremony will shortly follow. Plus, the Grinnell-Newburg High School Athletic Boosters will be on-site with Tiger merchandise available — get your gear right in time for Homecoming!
       “It is so important for the Grinnell Chamber to support its educational institutions every year, and one way we get to do this is through hosting the annual Homecoming Parade,” noted Rachael Kinnick, president and CEO of the Grinnell Chamber. “To see our local businesses join in on the festivities, whether through parade participation or sponsorship, is a testament to how committed they are to our local schools. So not only is the parade fun for our local community, it is a promising look at what is to come from that relationship in the future.” 
       Local businesses interested in participating as a float in the parade are encouraged to register on the Grinnell Chamber’s Homecoming Parade Registration online form before the deadline on Monday, Oct. 6. The Chamber Office is also available to take registrations over the phone, 641-236-6555, or in-person at the Chamber Office on 833 4th Ave. Local businesses are also encouraged to email [email protected] if interested in sponsoring the upcoming Homecoming festivities.
        For those with general questions about the 2025 Homecoming Parade, contact the Chamber Office at 641-236-6555 or email [email protected].
        For more information on how to join the Chamber or get involved, please visit grinnellchamber.org or call 641-236-6555.

​        Congratulations to this year’s Homecoming Court. The Court was chosen by the senior class, and they used the following criteria to guide their vote:
         1) School involvement (active in a variety of extracurricular & community activities)
         2) Positive role model
         3) Positive school spirit
         4) Positive character & leadership