Gavin Tindle of Montezuma is shown in his store, Hometown Treasures, at 409 E. Main St. in Montezuma, The business specializes in offering home and business liquidation and home downsizing online auction services. Tindle is joined by family members in operating the business with some items made available to the public through the store.

By J.O. Parker
 
       If you are looking for a special Christmas or birthday gift for the hard-to-buy for person, consider checking out Hometown Treasures in Montezuma.
       Located just off the Montezuma Square at 409 E. Main St., next door to Star Lanes, the business specializes in antiques, gifts, home and kitchen décor items, collectables, small decorative furniture items, seasonal holiday items, books by local authors, J.O. and Debbie Parker, and much more.
            The business opened in October 2024 with the store opening in November 2024.
            The business is under the direction of Gavin Tindle of Montezuma and others.
            In addition to the store, Tindle and company offer on-line estate and business liquidation services.
        “The reason I started the business is because I enjoy buying antiques and other used items,” noted Tindle. “By doing this, I have gained the knowledge to help others sell their items.”
            The on-line auctions are held through Hibid.com.
          Auction items include everything from household and kitchen items to furniture, electronics, bedroom sets, sofas and chairs, china hutches, antiques and collectables, toys, tools, garage items, automobiles, lawn furniture, yard decorative items, and much more.
           The business is currently accepting home and business liquidations and home downsizing all across the state.
      Current store hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The business is also open by appointment.
Christmas specials
           The business is currently offering Christmas specials on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. through Dec. 20. They include the following: store scavenger hunt (Nov. 22); cookie and hot chocolate day (Nov. 29); Touchstone Crystal with the Sparkle Sisters (Dec. 6); Hallmark movie marathon (Dec. 13); and gift wrap with a purchase (Dec. 20).
             Check the store often due to seasonal changes and as new items become available. 
Keep an eye on Hometown Treasures on Hibid.com or Hometown Treasures on Facebook for the next auction. For more information about Hometown Treasures auction and liquidation services, contact Gavin Tindle at 641-990-7857.

​       Bambi Sutfin, RN, left, owner of Luxe Wellness Spa at 109C South 4th St. in Montezuma, is shown with Alana Fahlenkamp, who works one day a week as a nail tech at the spa. The business offers a wide variety of health and beauty services designed to help women (and men) see themselves in a positive and refreshing light. Services include IV-Hydration, Microneedling, Custom Facials, Botox and Spray Tans.

By J.O. Parker
 
       A Montezuma business offering a wide variety of health and beauty services designed to help women (and men) see themselves in a positive and refreshing light has a new location.
Luxe Wellness Spa, formerly located behind Monte Nutrition since May 2025, opened its doors at 109C South 4th St. on Oct. 1.
        A grand opening was held on Oct. 30.
        The business is owned by Bambi Sutfin, RN, a Montezuma graduate and registered nurse with 30 years of experience. Medical Director Laura Peterman, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, CCM, oversees the business.
        Joining Sutfin in the business is Alana Fahlenkamp, a Montezuma graduate and a nail tech at the wellness spa.
     Services offered at the business include: IV-Hydration – Meyers Cocktail, Immunity, Reboot (hangover recovery), B-Lean (boost metabolism), Timeless (anti-aging), Alleviate (women’s health cramping and fatigue). Other services include Microneedling, Custom Facials, Botox, Fillers and Spray Tans.
       “Our goal is to offer anti-aging services and natural looking beauty enhancements,” said Sutfin. “I call it my happy medicine.”
         Sutfin said customers have said they are excited to have health and beauty services available locally.
       Sutfin became a nurse thanks in part to healthcare professionals who showed care and compassion when her daughter became sick and later passed away.
        “I decided to attend nursing school because of all the competent nurses that made a difference in my life (during some of my toughest days).”
       She is currently working on her BSN through Jacksonville University and will complete her degree in early 2026.
      Sutfin’s healthcare career has included time as a med surg nurse, worked with hospice patients, family practice and urgent care.
       Sutfin is married to Sean. She said Sean played a big role in helping get the business off the ground.
    “I am excited to see familiar faces come in to help them put their best foot forward and walk with confidence,” said Sutfin.
       The business is open daily from 12 – 5 p.m. and Saturdays and other times by appointment.
      To set up an appointment at the spa, call 641-623-2502 or 641-660-9220 or book online at: vagaro.com. Sutfin can also be reached via email at: [email protected].
       Fahlenkamp is available on Mondays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

        Montezuma runners, from left, Ashley Reif, Holli Cushman, Janel Burgess and Megan Van Zante pose for a photo after finishing the IMT Half-Marathon in Des Moines on Sunday, Oct. 19. The race was the first for Cushman, fourth of Burgess, 10th for Reif and the second this year for Van Zante. All four ladies ​

By J.O. Parker
 
        “It was exciting and kind of nerve racking,” said Holli Cushman of Montezuma after finishing her first half-marathon.
           It helped that Cushman wasn’t alone in the venture.
         Joining here were friends, seasoned runners and Montezuma teachers, Ashley Rief, Megan Van Zante and Janel Burgess.
         The four ladies participated in the IMT Half-Marathon in Des Moines on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Cushman finished with a time of 2.23 while Burgess had a time of 2.27 in the race. Rief finished with a time of 2.22 and Van Zante had the quickest time of 1.54.
      There were more than 8,000 runners who competed in the IMT racing event, which included a full-marathon (26.2 miles), a half-marathon (13.1 miles), a 10K (6.2 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles).
         Cushman said she’s been running long-distance for three years with her sights set on a half-marathon.
Until the IMT race, the longest race Cushman had competed in was a 5K. She had, however, run a half-marathon twice this year while training.
       “When I was in high school years ago, I ran the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes,” she said with a chuckle.
        Cushman said the experience running the race with her friends was wonderful.
        She said Ashley, Megan and Janel were very encouraging and very positive.
       “We rode up together in Janel’s car and we had positive conversations and listened to Christian music in the background,” recalled Cushman.
      Cushman said once they arrived at the race, it was very cold and there was a wait before the ladies actually started running.
      “Runners were released based on their projected time,” she said. “Megan left first followed by Ashley, myself and Janel.”
        This was the 10th half-marathon that Rief has run.
       “I run a half-marathon every October in memory of my mom, Dixie, and my, Aunt Shelley,” said Reif. “My mom died of breast cancer in October 2011 and my Aunt Shelley is a 14-year cancer survivor. So every October, I either run the IMT in Des Moines or I run from my house in Montezuma to my dad's house in Gibson, which is 13-miles away - if you take the back roads.”
        Reif has also run a half-marathon in Colorado and many 5Ks through the years.
In preparing for the race, Reif uses an app called Runna, which creates a personalized training plan for the race.
        “It can be as strenuous or relaxed as you'd like,” she said.
        It’s the same running app that Cushman used to train for the half-marathon.
        Reif said she and Janel have run the IMT together a few times.
        “She asked me if I would like to run the race again this year and I said, yes.”
     “She already had Megan on board and I asked Holli if she'd like to join because we did the Murph Challenge together Memorial Day weekend,” added Reif. “We had asked a few others to join us, too, but unfortunately due to schedules and injuries they couldn't join us this year.”
     This was the second half-marathon for Van Zante this year. She competed in the Des Moines Half-Marathon in May.
      “I have done quite a few 5Ks throughout my lifetime as I grew up running cross country for Lynnville-Sully,” said Van Zante.
        In preparing for the IMT Half-Marathon, Van Zante said she started running and lifting over the summer months.
       “I ran longer distances at harder paces to try and meet my goal that I set for myself for this race,” said Van Zante. “I also bought some new shoes because the last race I got terrible blisters from wearing too small of shoes and bad socks.”
        Van Zante said it was a great experience and she was able to meet the goal she had set for herself.
     “I wanted to run under two hours, which required about a nine-minute mile pace,” noted Van Zante. “I beat my goal by just more than five minutes and averaged around an 8:45-mile pace, which I was very happy about. I also enjoyed the race atmosphere as there were a lot more runners and spectators compared to my last race. Although it was chilly at the start line, the weather was amazing for running.”
     “Honestly, the people are what makes it so wonderful,” said Reif. “The IMT is known for being super friendly and supportive. I mean, there were more than 8,000 people that registered for the run - that is insane.”
       After the four runners parked and were in the ramp getting ready, Reif said, “Burgess asked us what our main goal or objective was in the race and I stated mine was to be supportive to the other runners around me.”
       That outlook on life helped her finish the race after she lost feeling in her toes at mile three and finally stopping after mile five.
       “I honestly thought I was going to have to stop and retie my shoes in a different way but that scared me because then was I going to have the mindset/momentum to keep going?” asked Reif. “I had my earbuds in and suddenly I felt someone grab my elbow, I turned and it was a woman who said, “we can do this, I'm here with you. I'm Brittney”
       “I started running with her and we talked about our families, our jobs, our training, etc.” added Reif.
       “Throughout the rest of the race, we were sometimes together and other times we'd separate,” Reif said.    “I would encourage other people who were walking or slowing down later on in the race, like Brittney had for me. After I finished and grabbed my water, I turned and saw Brittney was finishing. I cheered her on to the finish line and we took a Snap together, gave each other a hug, and went about our ways. Her little gesture helped me in the biggest way.”
        This was Burgess’ fourth half-marathon.
       “Honestly there were many challenges I had to overcome to run and I did not prepare like I have in my past races,” said Burgess. “I’m so thankful my body held up because the highest mile I ran in one day was six prior to the race.”
         Burgess said running with her friends and co-workers was a great experience.
      “Well it is crazy,” she said. We meet each other at the finish line, but as the oldest one who ran, they greeted me as I came through the shoot. What we do, is we encourage each other, train and show up on “game” day.”
         And Burgess runs for another reason.
        “For me, the main reason I run these races is to understand how our basketball team feels when they are hitting the wall during the season,” said Burgess. “I want to connect with them; knowing a long distance in anything is not easy. I want to remember that life is not easy and our mentality along difficult challenges can get us through it; but we have to rely on each other.”
         When asked what advice she would offer someone wanting to run a long-distance race, Van Zante said to start training earlier than you think you might need to.
         “Also, running at this distance is more about training your mind than your body,” said Van Zante. “Telling yourself that you can push through and accomplish hard things got me through this experience compared to the number of miles I ran.”
          Reif said training isn’t just physical, it’s a mindset as well.    
      “A mile is a mile, whether it's a 6-, 9-, or 12-minute mile, it's still a mile,” Reif said. “No judgement, whatsoever - movement is movement. But, prepare your mindset as well. Because it's going to hurt, you'll be in pain, and you just want it to be over. But when it's all done, most runners want to do it again because you block out the pain and are fulfilled by what you've accomplished.”
        “It is really neat to see all the people who support the runners,” said Cushman. “They bring positive and funny signs and they ring cow bells. It makes the time go so much faster having all that support. I think all four of us are grateful for the opportunity to have good health to run.”
        “I know 13.1 miles seems really far, but I think anyone can accomplish it and it is such an amazing feeling to be able to be a part of the small percentage of people who have done one,” said Van Zante.
        “I'm incredibly grateful to have done this with friends,” said Reif. “It makes it more memorable and it was so much fun.”

      Members of the Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness  Management CDE team were named national champions at the 2025 National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 29 - 31 in Indianapolis. Joining Montezuma FFA Advisor Rick Swenson are team members, from left: Broox Stockman, Peyton Tindle, Claire Erselius and Brady Boulton.

By J.O. Parker
 
       The Montezuma FFA Chapter wrapped up the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo with two National Championship honors and an 11th place finish.
       The chapter’s Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) team captured one of two national championship honors for Montezuma at this year’s annual convention, held Oct. 29 – 31 in Indianapolis.
     Farm and Agribusiness Management team received a gold rating and team members included Broox Stockman, Brady Boulton, Peyton Tindle and Claire Erselius. Stockman finished third high individual and Boulton was seventh high individual in the nation.
      The National FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section. Each team in the event has competed with other chapters in their state for the privilege of participating in the national event.
      Also earning top honors and a gold rating was the Montezuma FFA Chapter Agricultural Communications CDE team at this year’s convention.
   This is the second year in a row that the Agricultural Communications team has won a national championship.
     The Agriculture Communications team members included Olivia Latcham, Leah Urfer, Rylee Thompson and Gracie Wilson.
      The National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive event that tests students' skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Participants attend a simulated news conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media and design. Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools. Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal. Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.
       The Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings team earned 11th place honors at this year’s convention. Team members included Olivia Latcham, Sophia Semprini, Abbi Henkle, Isaiah Wilson, Lauryn Larmore, Hayden Sutherland, Alexa Rose, Kelsie Mostek and Emma Snook.
      Participants of the Conduct of Meetings Leadership Development Event (LDE) are 7th, 8th, and 9th graders who conduct an orderly and efficient chapter meeting using parliamentary procedures. Members also answered questions based upon the team presentation of parliamentary procedure and completed a written exam.
       The Montezuma FFA Advisor is Rick Swenson.

​       Members of the Montezuma FFA Agriculture Communications CDE team were named national champions at the 2025 National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct. 29 - 31 in Indianapolis. Joining Montezuma FFA Advisor Rick Swenson are team members, from left: Gracie Wilson, Vivian Cook, Leah Urfer and Rylee Thompson.

      Members of the Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings team earned 11th place honors at the 2025 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 29 - 31. Team members are, from left: Isaish Wilson, Olivia Latcham, Emma Snook, Hayden Sutherland, Alexa Rose Sophia Semprini, Abbi Henkle, Kelsie Mostek and Lauryn Larmore.