​By J.O. Parker
 
        There’s no need to drive to the big city to work on your golf swing.
        The Swing Lab, a new business on the edge of the Montezuma Square, is geared to help golfers improve their swing and game.
         The Swing Lab is a golf simulator featuring software to analysis and improve your game.
          Owners Michael and Ashley Reif opened the business in late January at 403 E. Main St.
       Reif, a regular at the Montezuma Country Club, had been looking for a way to help others improve their game.
         “I enjoy playing the game and I started this business to help people tune up for the season,” said Reif.
          He had been looking for a suitable building when the building on Main Street opened up.
The business is open from 4 – 9 p.m. throughout the week and 12-9 on the weekends by appointment only.
           “All you have to do is reserve your time and come in and play,” said Reif.
           The simulator uses cameras and radar to track the golf ball.
       Golfers have a couple options. They can come work on their swing or utilize the analysis software to tell if their golf ball is going left or right.
       “It determines how the ball is going to fly in a real game situation,” said Reif of analysis software.
         Golfers of all skill levels are welcome to use the simulator. Reif said Montezuma and other school golf teams are using the simulator ahead of the season to improve their games.
            The cost is $30 per hour to play or $40 per hour to utilize the software option.
            In addition, Reif also regrips golf clubs and fixes broken ones in some cases.
           When asked if she enjoys golf as much as her husband, Reif’s wife, Ashely, said riding in a golf cart is more her liking.
            “Mini putt putt is more my speed,” said Ashely.
            Reif said he has been playing golf for about 15 years and loves the game.
            “You can never master it,” he said of golf. “There is always something to learn.”
          “It’s convenient,” said Eli Wilhelm, who uses The Swing Lab often. “It’s something the town has always needed.”
          When it’s cold outside and you have the itch to work on your golf swing, give Reif and The Swing Lab a call or text at 641-295-3453 and book a time slot. You can also message him on Facebook at The Swing Lab. 

      Michael Reif, left, visits with Eli Wilhelm at The Swing Lab in Montezuma recently while Wilhelm takes a break at the golf simulator. The business, which opened in late January, is open weeknights and weekends by appointment. 

       The Montezuma United Methodist Church is conducting a shoe drive fundraiser from now through the end of April to raise funds for the church.
         The United Methodist Church will earn funds based on the total weight of the pairs of gently worn, used and new shoes collected, as Funds2orgs will issue a check for the collected shoes. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at 200 S. 4th St. in Montezuma. Shoes can be dropped off Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or the church can also arrange for pickup of shoes if needed.
         All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise (small business) partners. Funds2Orgs works with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send her son to law school.
        “We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Jen Bolibaugh, MUMC Secretary. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donated to us. By doing so, we raised money for the church and we have the chance to help families in developing nations who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
         By donating gently worn, used and new shows to the UMC, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world.

        Montezuma High School students took part in the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge once again this year, as a part of the National Personal Finance Challenge sponsored by the Council for Economic Education and the National Jump$tart Coalition. 
     On the high school level, two Montezuma High School teams claimed both Southeast Iowa region spots to advance to the state finals. Both teams were led by senior students and consisted of Bryson Stockman, Ellen Cook, Taylor Wilcox, and Elizabeth De Jong (Team 1) as well as Harlea Pargeon, Kylee Larmore, Shiressa Wetering, and Karlee Knust (Team 2). Montezuma High School students take a personal finance class in order to graduate from school, with two different levels of personal finance content available.
      The high school teams advance to the state finals with the other six regional qualifiers in the state from the fall, as well as the eight teams yet to qualify this spring. The competition will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at the Economic Development Core Facility in Ames. The state competition is a case study format, with students having one hour to create a financial plan for a family before presenting to a panel of financial experts. The top performing team in the state of Iowa will advance to Atlanta to compete against other state champions later in the year.
     Montezuma Junior High also had a team of eighth graders compete in the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge and they brought home first place in the statewide testing competition. The team, made up of Luke Benson, Hunter Westphal, Alanna Hutchinson, and Tinsley Stowell, was able to successfully outperform other junior high teams in the state with their knowledge of personal finance concepts. Eighth grade students at Montezuma take a stand-alone Personal Finance class as a part of their class load. 
     There are no additional stages for the junior high to compete in beyond the initial testing competition.

​        Pictured are members of the Montezuma Junior High School Personal Finance team. They are, from left: Luke Benson, Hunter Westphal, Alanna Hutchinson and Tinsley Stowell.

By J.O. Parker
 
        The Poweshiek Animal League Shelter (PALS) is thrilled to announce a generous matching grant pledge by Laura Ostrem of Montezuma. Ostrem has committed to matching all donations up to $2,000 to support the spaying and neutering of homeless and stray cats in Poweshiek County.
    This initiative aims to reduce the population of stray cats and improve their health and well-being. Donations can be sent to PALS at Box 123, Grinnell, IA 50112. Please indicate that your donation is for the Ostrem Fund to ensure it is matched.
     Residents of Poweshiek County wanting to spay/neuter a stray or community cat will need to purchase a voucher from PALS for $20 each. These vouchers, along with detailed program instructions, can be obtained at the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter, located at 4167 20th St, Grinnell. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday – Friday; and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
      The vouchers can be used at the following veterinary clinics:

• All Pets Veterinary, Grinnell
• Brooklyn Vet Clinic.

    The $20 voucher covers the cost of spaying or neutering, rabies and distemper shots, and a FeLv test. Additionally, cats will be ear-notched as part of the program. This offer is available to residents of Poweshiek County only.
     "We are incredibly grateful to Laura Ostrem for her generous pledge," said Chris Grundler, Treasurer for PALS. "This matching grant will significantly impact our efforts to control the stray cat population and ensure these animals receive the care they need."
     “I’m grateful to the PALS organization and its many volunteers for all they do to care for animals in our community, and I’m glad for the opportunity to support this low-cost spay/neuter program,” noted Ostrem. “I’d also like to thank the veterinarians who are participating in this important program. My family has adopted many stray cats and kittens over the year, and it seems that every year there are more kittens than PALS can accommodate. I feel that most cat owners recognize the need to have their cat spayed or neutered, but many have difficulty affording the vet fees. My hope is that this program will enable more cat owners to get their pets spayed or neutered, which should help decrease the stray cat population.”
      For more information, please contact the Poweshiek Animal League Shelter at [email protected] or [email protected].