The Montezuma School District is hosting a second Referendum Open House opportunity for those who were unable to attend the first one, or for those who still have questions that need to be answered. A short presentation will begin at 5 p.m. with tours to follow.
OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, Oct 25 5 - 6:30 p.m. Montezuma Schools - Auditorium Learn more and make a plan to vote on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Visit our Bond 2023 website at bit.ly/mcs-ref23.
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World-renown photojournalist and author, Dave LaBelle, shares about mixing words and photographs together to tell a story while sharing his own life story during the All-Iowa Writers’ Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16. LaBelle challenged the gathering to make the best of the time they have on this earth. By J.O. Parker
The All-Iowa Writers’ Conference was a day filled with inspiration, information and a challenge to make the best out of life. The annual conference, which is under the direction of J.O. and Debbie Parker with Our Front Porch Books of Montezuma, was held on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. This was the 11th year for the conference and the first year since 2019 due to Covid. The conference first started in 2010. The conference is made possible thanks to the generosity of area businesses and residents. Speakers included Crystal Ferry, aka Stella Bixby of Montezuma, who gave a presentation on self-publishing. Ferry, who has attended the conference in past years, has self-published 25 books. Laura Snider, a lawyer and author from West Des Moines, gave a presentation on traditional publishing and tips on how to find and agent. Iowa State University Professor Kevin Kimle and his wife, Patti, gave a moving narrative on the Underground Railroad in connection with their book, “The Only Free Road.” The narrative featured a story of Josiah Bushnell, founder of Grinnell. Joseph LaValley of West Des Moines, a former newspaper editor, shared insights and offered writing tips as he spoke of his seven books centered around the adventures of the fictional newspaper editor Tony Harrington. Adrianne Finlay, an English professor at the University of Northern Iowa, shared the story of her background and tips on writing. She challenged attendees to write something every day. The day wrapped up with a presentation from Dave LaBelle on mixing words with pictures. LaBelle, who has published four educational photography books on finding feature photos and simplifying photography as well as a novel on his mother, encouraged those in attendance to find their purpose in life and make the best of what is in front of them. “I had a wonderful day at the conference, said attendee Cheryl Sease of Des Moines. “There has never been a year where I’ve been disappointed. As always, the presenters were top-notch and approachable, and there was something for everyone. I hope to participate in the associated fiction writing contest again next year, as well. The conference is a local gem that shouldn’t be missed.” Lorie Leo. a first time attendee to the All-Iowa Writers’ Conference, sums up the experience the best. “What a jewel of an event, surely one of Iowa’s hidden gems,” said Leo. “I appreciated the balance and variety in the backgrounds and genres of the speakers, a credit to the Parker’s organization and planning. Each hour was full of useful, interesting information. Unlike other writing events I have attended, there was a thread of true camaraderie and humanity that was evident throughout the day. Joe LeValley took time to mention that he chose human trafficking as a theme for a thriller to raise public awareness of this heartbreaking crime. "David LaBelle showed multiple examples of how a photograph, like a piece of writing, stops us in our tracks and taps into our human empathy" Leo went on to say. "The Kimle’s tale about J.P. Grinnell’s unlawful participation in the underground railroad has lessons for today about standing by ones principles, even when it is perilous to do so. Stella Bixby advised us on how to manage the solitary habit of writing while prioritizing the needs of a busy growing family. UNI professor Adrianne Finlay is also a published author, but finds time for cooking and marketing handmade soaps to raise money for Type I diabetes. Talented people, but also caring human beings. "It made for a warm atmosphere throughout the day that blurred the lines between presenters, attendees, and organizers," added Leo. "Anyone who has ever felt too intimidated to attend a writer’s conference should definitely try to attend this one next year. How fortuitous it was that I happened to learn about the conference though the blurb in the Poweshiek County CR that I perused while waiting for my Casey’s pizza to bake.” The 2024 All-Iowa Writers’ Conference is slated for Saturday, Sept. 21 in Montezuma. The Lorax by Montezuma Seventh Graders took first place honors in the 2023 Montezuma Community Boosters Homecoming Scarecrow Contest. The winners of the 2023 Montezuma Community Boosters Homecoming Scarecrow Contest were recently announced. The Lorax by Montezuma Seventh Graders earned first place honors and $100 in Monte Bucks in the Homecoming Scarecrow Contest. The creation is based on the movie of the same name and book by Dr. Suess. Second place and $75 in Monte Bucks went to the Poweshiek County Extension for their Team Crew Barbie Spooktackulor entry in support of the future of the 4-H programing. Third place went to the Montezuma PEO Club for their entry, “Pushing up Daisies.” The group will receive $25 in Monte Bucks. Team Crew Barbie Spooktackulor entry by the Poweshiek County Extension won second place honors in the 2023 Montezuma Community Boosters Homecoming Scarecrow Contest. “Pushing Up Daises” by the Montezuma PEO Club earned third place honors in the 2023 Montezuma Community Boosters Homecoming Scarecrow Contest.
Montezuma’s Landon Morrison blocks an extra point attempt by the Bears late in the fourth quarter, keeping the Braves in the lead, 50-49. After the Braves were unable to capitalize, BGM drove the ball downfield, scoring the winning touchdown with less than a minute left in the game. By J.O. Parker
It was a classic 8-man Iowa high school football game that did not go the home team’s way. The BGM Bears rolled into Montezuma on Homecoming Friday night on Sept. 22 and thanks to a late fourth quarter touchdown by quarterback Beau Burns, the Bears took home the 55-50 win. BGM last beat Montezuma in 2015. Montezuma quarterback Brady Boulton finished the game with 7/18 passing for 83 yards and two touchdowns passes to Broox Stockman and Alex Black. Boulton added four more scores on the ground, rushing for 116 yards. Brent Plants added another score for the Braves on the ground. He finished the night with 224 yards on 26 attempts. BGM’s Beau Burns finished the game with 32/48 passing for 355 yards and four touchdowns. Two scores went to Dominic Coleman and two to Tate Martin. Coleman finished the game with 218 yards on 14 receptions. Martin wrapped up the game with 55 yards on five receptions. Burns added 3 more touchdowns on 22 carries and 126 yards on the ground. BGM’s Mason Maschmann also scored for the Bears on a 1 yard touchdown run. BGM’s Dakota Heishman, Maschmann and Brayden Hepke all had receptions in the game. Hepke recovered a Montezuma fumble. Martin finished with 203 yards on 7 kick returns, with his longest being 78 yards. On the Montezuma side of the ball, Garrett Watts finished with 31 yards on two receptions. Black finished with three receptions for 33 yards and the two scores. On defense, Stockman finished with 8 solo tackles along with David Rose, who had 8 solo tackles in the game. Carter Michalek finished with 7 solo tackles in the game. Plants finished with five solo tackles. Kenny Criswell had two kick returns for 30 yards. Boulton and Watts each scored 2 two-point conversions. BGM’s Coleman and Heishman each had 7 solo tackles in the game. Maschmann finished with 5 solo tackles along with Martin, who also had 5 solo tackles. Montezuma’s Landon Morrison blocked a BGM extra point attempt late in the fourth quarter, keeping the Braves in the lead at 50-49. The Braves were unable to capitalize, giving the Bears an opportunity to score the winning touchdown with less than a minute left on the clock. “I was happy to see that our kids rose to the challenge to make plays when their backs were against the wall,” said BGM Coach Jerod Burns. “They showed a ton of heart and it was a great HS football game to be a part of.” “No doubt the guys poured their heart and soul into the game,” said John Beck, Montezuma coach. “They gave a great effort, but unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong end of this one.” Beck said this was a game of who could make the least amount of mistakes. “We ended up making more in the end. Assignments, penalties, and turnovers and missed opportunities all played a role,” said Beck. Beck praised his defensive line of Tod Geiger, Houston Van Roekel, Landon Morrison and Briar Simpson. On offense, he said Montezuma’s ball carriers did a great job of finding running lanes. “Plants was very physical with his runs and was a workhorse all night long,” he said. “We had two - three opportunities on the offensive side of the ball to change the outcome in the game,” added Beck. “We had the ball first and goal on the 1 and did not get the ball in on that drive. We also had our first drive of the second half stalled out by penalties. We also had an opportunity to go down and score with about 6 minutes left in the game to potentially go up between 7 and 9 points and we didn't get the job done on that drive either.” “In the end, we made more mistakes and did not take advantage of some opportunities when presented with them,” noted Beck. “We made mistakes in all three phases of the game and that ended up being the difference in the game. We will need to get better at the little things and grow as coaches, players, leaders and most importantly as a team.” |