Grinnell FFA was named the Top Swine Team at the Kirkwood Livestock Judging Contest on Tuesday, June 11. Pictured are, from left: Zane Iverson, Aden Wolfe, Tristan Graff and Rylee Mauss.
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It maybe summer, but Grinnell FFA is still developing skills! Congratulations to the Nursery Landscape CDE Team for their 8th Place Overall finish in the State Contest on Tuesday, June 11 at Kirkwood Community College. Pictured are, from left: Connor Adkins, Lauren Loudon, Maggie Dayton and Emma Willenbring.
John Stoakes, District 5 Field Manager with Iowa Corn, stretches out the tape measure during the 2023 Poweshiek County Tall Corn Contest. Assisting Stoakes was Gavin Tindle, Poweshiek County Extension intern; Signey Hilby, Poweshiek County Extension Clover Kids and Outreach; Catherine Lents, Poweshiek County Extension Director and Jessie Lacaeyse. The event is sponsored by the Poweshiek County Extension. This year's Tall Corn Contest is slated for July 20. “Let the Fair Times Roll” is the theme of the 2024 Poweshiek County Fair. The fair opens on Saturday, July 6 with the 10th annual Extreme Bull Riding event.
And for a second year, the 2024 Poweshiek County Fair Queen will be crowned during intermission of the bull ride. The main portion of the fair gets underway on Saturday, June 13 with 4-H Conference judging from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Open class judging will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16. New additions this year include the County Chaos Midwest Pullers Association Truck & Tractor Pull starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 19. Supreme Showman Competition returns for a third year at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 21. The contest is for the best overall showman of the five animal species – beef, sheep, goats, swine and horses. Be sure and check the updated Fair schedule at poweshiekcountyfair.org for info and times on when animals being shown need to arrive and be checked in at the fairgrounds. Following is a current schedule: Saturday, July 6 7 p.m. - Extreme Bull Riding event and crowning of 2024 Poweshiek County Fair Queen during the bull ride intermission Saturday, July 13 9 a.m. - Bottle Calf and Bottle Lamb Conference Judging – Exhibit building; Bake Sale/Food Projects 9 – 11 a.m. – Pets Division Judging 9 a.m. – Horticulture Conference Judging 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Conference Judging of Static Exhibits (exhibits should arrive no later than 1:30 p.m.) 9 a.m. – Clover Kids arrive for judging Tuesday, July 16 4 – 6 p.m. – Bucket of Junk Projects accepted 4 – 7 p.m. – Non-Livestock Open Class Entries accepted (please no early entries) 4 – 8 p.m. – Non-Livestock Open Class Entries judged Wednesday, July 17 – Fire Fighters/EMS/Law Enforcement Day 7:30 a.m. – Farm Bureau Sponsored Exhibitor and Family Breakfast 8 a.m. - 4-H/FFA Dog Agility Show – 30 minutes following Agility will be Obedience classes in the Showring 9 – 11 a.m. – Farm Safety Activity 1 p.m. – Clover Kids Rabbit Show followed by the 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show - Tent 2 p.m. - Games sponsored by the Fun Committee 4 p.m. – Clover Kids Poultry Show followed by the 4-H/FFA Poultry Show – Showring 6 p.m. – Firefighter Games 6 p.m. – Bags Tournament 8 p.m. – Barn Yard Games – County Council in Horse Arena Thursday, July 18 – Health Care Workers Day 8 a.m. – 4-H/FFA Horse Show – Halter classes. One half hour following Halter classes, Horse Performance judging will take place. Select Horse Games will follow. 9 a.m. – Skill-A-Thon – Poweshiek County Extension 9 – 11 a.m. – Farm Safety Activity 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Heritage Park activities 1 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt – Poweshiek County 4-H Youth Council 2 p.m. – Games sponsored by the Fun Committee 2 – 6 p.m. – Rock Climbing Wall 5 p.m. – Animal Costume Contest – Showring Following Costume Contest – Crowning of Senior King and Queen and three Little Misses 7:30 p.m. – Fashion Show, Community Awards and Hall of Fame announcements 8 p.m. – Bill Riley Talent Show - Showring Friday, July 19 – Fair Sponsor Day 8 a.m. – Bottle Calf Show 9 a.m. – Beef Show – 30 minutes following conclusion of beef show will be CK Bottle Calf Show 9 – 11 a.m. – Farm Safety Activity 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. - Art On the Patio with Tilly Woodward and Library At the Fair on the Patio 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Heritage Park activities 2 p.m. – Games sponsored by the Fun Committee 2 p.m. – Horse Show Select Game Classes 2 p.m. – Games sponsored by the Fun Committee 5 – 7 p.m. – Key Cooperative Sponsored Dinner (for exhibitors & immediate family) 5 – 7 p.m. – Ice Cream Social (on the patio) – Poweshiek County 4-H Youth Council 6 p.m. – County Chaos Midwest Pullers Association Truck & Tractor Pull, Northside of fairgrounds 7 p.m. – Kiddie Tractor Pull (Registration starts at 6 p.m.) – Showring - Poweshiek County 4-H Youth Council 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Pool Party at Grinnell Aquatic Center Saturday, July 20 – Teachers Day 8 a.m. – Swine Show followed by Piglet Show 9 – 11 a.m. – Farm Safety Activity 1 p.m. – Farm Bureau Watermelon Feed 2 p.m. – Games sponsored by The Fun Committee 2 p.m. – Poweshiek County Tall Corn Contest (Stalk in place at 2 p.m., results at 3 p.m.) 4 p.m. – Clover Kids Bottle Goat and Bottle Sheep Show 4:30 p.m. - 4-H/FFA Meat, Dairy and Other Goat Show followed by 4-H/FFA Sheep Show; Following Sheep Show – Announcement of Supreme Showmanship Contest Qualifiers Sunday, July 21 – Military & Veterans Day 8 a.m. – Lowry Seed and Complete Ag sponsored breakfast (for exhibitors and immediate family) 9 a.m. – Livestock Judging Contest sponsored by the Poweshiek County Fairboard 12 p.m. – Parade of Grand Champions and Iowa State Fair Project Selections – Showring Following Parade – Presentation of Farm Bureau Showmanship Awards – Showring 1 p.m. – Supreme Showmanship Competition – Showring 5 p.m. – Farm Credit Services Sponsored Dinner (for auction buyers and sellers) 5:45 p.m. – Herdsmanship and Premier Exhibitor Awards Presented – Showring 6 p.m. – Project Sale – Showring (Sale order Club/Chapter Decorated Wheelbarrows, Non-Livestock Projects, Rabbit, Poultry, Goat, Sheep, Swine and Beef/Bottle Calf. Clerk is Iverson Auctions, LLC. The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce announces Peggy Elliott and Martha Pinder as the 2024 Fourth of July Grand Marshals. Many incredible and worthy nominations were received again this year, and we are excited to recognize Peggy and Martha for their tireless commitment to communicate, inform and highlight area happenings.
"Each year we receive many nominations to serve as the Fourth of July Grand Marshal, and this year was no exception," noted Rachael Kinnick, president & CEO of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. "In a world where communication and accurate reporting are critical, we are thrilled to recognize Peggy and Martha for their commitment to keeping Grinnell and the surrounding area informed." One nominee shares, “The Grinnell Herald-Register plays a critical role in Grinnell by informing us of important events, telling the stories of our residents, and documenting the history of our community.” The Grinnell Herald Register, owned by members of the Pinder family since 1944, is one of the community’s longest standing businesses. The sisters are no strangers to the community, devoting their lives and livelihood to sharing the community’s important news and information for decades. The community is invited to join Peggy and Martha as this year’s Grand Marshals at the Fourth of July parade beginning at 5 p.m. Those wishing to participate in the parade may still register by completing the entry form on the Chamber’s website. The Chamber is also in search of volunteers to help assist the Grinnell Police Department in a couple intersections along the route; if interested, please contact the Chamber office at 641-236-6555. The parade will line up on Hamilton Ave (those participating should enter from the north on High St) where entries will be staged to line up facing west. The parade will begin at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Broad Street, head north on Broad Street, turn east on 10th Avenue to Penrose Street, and turn south on Penrose. It will disperse at the Bayer parking lot at 7th Avenue & Penrose Street. A number of activities, aside from the parade, are slated to take place on the Fourth of July including the Grinnell Farmers Market from 3 - 6 p.m. at the corners of 4th Avenue & Broad Street downtown. Following the parade, the community is encouraged to head to Ahrens Park as they continue their 30th Anniversary celebration featuring food trucks until the beginning of the fireworks. Community members are also encouraged to attend Grinnell Area Arts Council’s Music in the Park in Central Park featuring Turlach Ur, beginning at 7PM with food available for purchase from Paparoni’s and Grinnell Hy-Vee. A fireworks display will take place at dusk on Thursday, July 4 at approximately 9:45 to 10 p.m. at Ahrens Park. The parade is produced by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and presented by Ahrens Park Foundation in partnership with Grinnell Mutual, Green State Credit Union and Clarity Eyecare and Windsor Manor. Fireworks are managed by the City of Grinnell and paid for by the City’s Hotel/Motel Tax Committee. Logan Findlay, a 2024 BGM High School graduate, stands by the big Manatts rock at the company headquarters in Brooklyn. Thanks to iJAG, a job’s program offered at BGM and taught by Deb Hunt, Findlay spent his mornings during his last semester at BGM working at Manatts through a paid internship in the equipment shop. This fall, he will attend Kirkwood Community College where he will study diesel mechanics. He will then return to Brooklyn and work full-time at Manatts. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to stay local and work for a great company,” said Findlay. (Submitted photos). By J.O. Parker
Logan Findlay of rural Brooklyn will attend Kirkwood Community College in the fall to study diesel mechanics, thanks in part to Manatts’ Internal Scholarship Program, a Registered Apprentice Program through the State of Iowa and a careers class at BGM High School. Findlay, the son of Brett and Stephanie Findlay who just graduated in May, has always been interested in mechanics and working on automobiles. During his senior year at BGM, he took part in a careers program called iJAG (Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates) taught by Deb Hunt. In only its first year being offered at BGM, the program’s purpose is to help students prepare for life after high school. Iowa is one of 35 states that offers the jobs program on the high school level. The program has been available in Iowa for 25 years and in the United States since 1980. About 30 BGM high school students currently take part in the iJAG program. Students in the class learn how to complete a job application, prepare a professional resume, participate in mock interviews, take part in job shadowing opportunities and career assessments to learn where their strengths lie. Hunt invites area guest speakers to attend iJAG classes throughout the school year where they share about various jobs available at their workplaces. In the fall, Sue Esther and Adela Fragoso spoke to the iJAG students about the variety of career choices Manatts has to offer. “One of the opportunities they spoke about was a paid internship for seniors who had half day schedules,” said Hunt. It didn’t take Findlay long to realize what this internship could do for him. He was already attending Marshalltown Community College in Grinnell and an apprenticeship at Manatts was the direction he wanted to take his life. “I started out in auto mechanics (at MCC) and realized I wanted something bigger with more power,” said Findlay. He spent the second semester of his senior year as an intern in the equipment shop at Manatts. “His decision, I believe, speaks very highly of this young man’s work ethic and dedication to a goal,” said Hunt. “In January, he began working at Manatts in the mornings and finishing up his high school classes and two college classes in the afternoons,” said Hunt. “Not an easy senior semester.” “Mrs. Hunt knew I like working on vehicles and she worked on setting up the opportunity to intern at Manatts to see if it was something I liked,” noted Findlay. “She cares about her students and works hard to help them succeed.” On April 17, Findlay and his family traveled to Des Moines where he signed a Iowa Skilled Trades Letter of Intent, which states that he fully intends to promote the Skilled Trades in all aspects going forward. Hunt said that Manatts will cover the cost of Findlay’s college education, his books, tools and a tool chest. And while at Kirkwood, Findlay will work for one of Manatts’ sister companies in the Cedar Rapids area while completing his degree. Once Findlay completes the two-year diesel mechanics course at Kirkwood in May 2026, he will have earned an associate of applied science degree. He will then return to Brooklyn and work full-time as a diesel mechanic for Manatts. “We are deeply committed to fostering the next generation of skilled professionals through our partnership with Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG),” said Brain Manatt, President of Manatts. “We look forward to witnessing the positive impact Logan will have on our team and the broader field. Together, with iJAG, we are not just building futures but also strengthening our industry for years to come.” Teaching excellence Hunt has been a teacher for 10 years. The 2023-24 school year was her first at BGM. Prior to that, she spent nine years at the alternative school in Ottumwa. Raquel Carper, a sophomore at BGM last year, took part in the iJAG program because she wanted to test the waters and learn about different jobs and programs available. “I am interested in food science and baking,” Carper said. “It’s helping me a lot. Mrs. Hunt is a great teacher.” Heidi Kirkpatrick, a junior at BGM last year, said her interests are in the healthcare field and possibly in the medical field in the military. “I completed a job shadow at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional and toured the hospital,” she said. “I also attended a special session to learn about opportunities at Grinnell College.” “These are just ideas for the students,” said Hunt of the iJAG program. “This class (iJAG) is for our future,” noted Kirkpatrick. “She (Mrs. Hunt) helps us look through and learn about all of our options,” added Carper. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to stay local and work for a great company,” said Findlay. Bernard the Mechanical bull will be at the 10th Annual Extreme Bull Riding Tour - Poweshiek County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 6. If riding a bull is on your bucket list, you can cross that off without the worry of getting stepped on!
Purchase your advance tickets ($15, 5 and under are free) at the Poweshiekcountyfair.org; from a fair board member; the fair office; Wagon Wheels West; Total Choice Shipping & Printing; Brown's Show Fit, Grinnell; Halls Feed and Seed, Brooklyn; Capra Bank (People's Savings Bank), Montezuma; and First State Bank, Grinnell, Brooklyn and Lynnville. ![]() Poweshiek Iowa Development (Pow I-80) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dan Nieland as its new executive director. With a strong background in economic development and a passion for community growth, Nieland brings fresh perspectives and a strategic vision to our organization. “We are excited to have Dan Nieland join our team,” said Brian Manatt, Chair of Poweshiek Iowa Development. “His leadership and expertise will be instrumental in driving sustainable economic growth and ensuring a brighter future for all residents.” Nieland has worked in economic development for over a decade, both in the public and private sectors. His experience includes fostering business partnerships, attracting investment, and implementing sustainable growth strategies. Nieland’s commitment to community well- being aligns perfectly with our mission to create job opportunities and enhance the quality of life in Poweshiek County. “I am incredibly excited to build on the economic foundation that Pow I-80 has built over the years,” said Nieland. “There is incredible potential in Poweshiek County to both retain, grow, and expand the business community. Many communities in Iowa would be jealous of all the things the area has to offer. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.” Nieland holds a master’s degree with an emphasis on Public Management and has previously served as a small business education specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension & Outreach. In that role, he worked with small businesses throughout Iowa to start, grow, repair, and /or sell their business. He also worked for ISU Extension & Outreach in Jasper County as their community and economic development coordinator, where he planned, coordinated, and facilitated small business training and events to foster economic activity. “Nieland’s dedication to collaboration, innovation, and community engagement will undoubtedly benefit our organization and the entire county,” said Delphina Baumann, chair of the Hiring Committee. “His experience and ability to build partnerships with and across other community and economic development organizations stood out as a big plus during the hiring process.” Poweshiek Iowa Development is Poweshiek County's economic development agency. It is dedicated to fostering economic growth, innovation, and prosperity in the region by leveraging partnerships and strategic initiatives. Poweshiek Iowa Development aims to create a vibrant and sustainable economic ecosystem for businesses and residents alike. |
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