Coyce McNaul of Montezuma holds the home run baseball hit by Volunteer first baseman Blake Burke that he caught in the stands on Wednesday, June 19 at the College World Series in Omaha in a game between Tennessee and Florida State. Coyce was at the game with his grandparents, Jim and Bev Smothers, who took him there for his upcoming 12th birthday. Submitted photo. By J.O. Parker Montezuma’s Coyce McNaul brought home more than a memory last week from the College World Series in Omaha. Coyce, who will soon be 12, was at the game between Tennessee and Florida State on Wednesday, June 19 with his grandparents. It was the top of the ninth inning and Tennessee Volunteer first baseman Blake Burke hit a home run that landed in Coyce’s glove in the stands. The big catch was caught on television and Coyce’s mom, Mindy, was watching from home in Montezuma. “I was watching the game and saw the catch and thought, “Wow, that looks like Coyce,” not really thinking it was,” she said. “I went to back up the game as Coyce called and told me he caught a home run in the stands. I was jumping up and down screaming and crying.” Coyce said he couldn’t believe what had just happened when he caught the ball. “When I saw the ball, it was coming down in slow motion,” said Coyce, who held his baseball glove in the air. “I had a big grin when it happened.” After catching the home run, Blake’s dad, Scott, found Coyce in the stands and invited him to meet Blake at the team bus after the game to get the ball autographed. Tennessee won the game, 7-2, advancing the Volunteers to the CWS championship series against Texas A&M. The home run was the 20th this year for Blake and his 98th career homerun. Blake, a California native, is a junior this year at Tennessee. He plans to return for his senior season. Attending the game was a gift from Coyce’s grandparents, Jim and Bev Smothers, who take all their grandchildren on a one or two day trip of their choice when they turn 12. Even though Coyce isn’t quit 12, he wanted to go to the College World Series and his grandparents made it happen. “The experience with Coyce catching the home run was surreal,” said Bev. “It was wonderful to see his excitement when the ball was in his glove. It was an experience of a lifetime we will not forget.” Coyce, who has been playing baseball since he was age 5, said the game is his favorite sport. And this year, Coyce’s Montezuma Major Little League team won the league championship. Coyce plans to buy a case for the signed baseball and put it his room. Coyce McNaul of Montezuma has his photo taken with Tennessee Volunteer first baseman Blake Burke by the team bus following the Volunteer’s 7-2 win over Florida State at the College World Series in Omaha on Wednesday, June 19. Coyce was at the game with his grandparents, Jim and Bev Smothers, when he caught a home run in the stands that Blake hit in the top of the ninth inning. The catch was caught on television and after the game, Blake’s dad, Scott, found Coyce and invited him to meet his son and have the baseball autographed at the team bus. Submitted photo.
By Roger Allen
Montezuma Lions made final plans for their July 6 annual Chicken BBQ Dinner at their Monday, June 24 meeting. Since the July 6 “Let Freedom Ring” parade will be starting a half hour earlier this year – at 9:30 a.m. – the Lions will begin grilling of chicken halves (about 3 a.m.) instead of later as well, so they will be ready to begin serving customers as soon as the parade is over. The dinner will include the club’s famously-flavored barbecued half-chicken along with baked beans and coleslaw, a roll, iced tea and lemonade. There will be carry-out service as well as the option of dining inside the air-conditioned Memorial Hall. Serving is scheduled to begin following the conclusion of the celebration parade, and continue until about 1 p.m. - or until approximately 880 chicken dinners have been dispensed. A meal ticket is $12 at the door on July 6 or in advance from Lions club members. Proceeds will go toward community service projects and projects to aid the sight and hearing-impaired. Through the Lions organization, proceeds will also go to Iowans in communities like Montezuma now being affected by flooding and tornadoes. Four area youngsters play a game of Foursquare during the Summer Nights on the Courthouse Square in Montezuma as families mill about on Thursday, June 20. The event included freshly sliced watermelon and root beer floats served by the American Legion and Auxiliary, face painting, children's games, a car show, music by the Grasshoppers, a dunk tank, icy treats truck, fresh produce, dog grooming, area businesses and vendors selling their wares and more. The next Summer Nights on the Square is slated for Thursday, Aug. 1 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Charlee Koch, left, and Payson Kitzmann, right, are all smiles as they have their photo taken with Herky the Hawk, the University of Iowa mascot, at the Montezuma Country Club on Saturday, June 15 during the first “Wave Fore the Kids” charity golf tournament. By J.O. Parker
Organizers of the first ever “Wave Fore the Kids” charity golf tournament in Montezuma couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The event, which was held at the Montezuma Country Club on Saturday, June 15, drew 116 golfers (29 teams of four golfers) and raised an estimated $30,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for Kids. “We got a bunch of sponsors and a lot donations,” said Siraj Thomason, owner of the Longhorn Saloon in nearby Barnes City and local farmer, who sponsored the event. When asked about the tournament, Thomason said he has held a Longhorn Saloon golf tournament for several years and this year he wanted the event to be more about helping others instead of his business. “I wanted something positive to come from the community,” said Thomason. “I didn’t want it to be about the Longhorn Saloon.” When Thomason learned about the “Wave Fore the Kids,” he contacted the University of Iowa and the rest is history. Golfers were treated to 18-holes of golf along with a raffle open to the public, free swimming for the kids and a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers donated by Dayton Meats of Malcom. Herky the Hawk, the University of Iowa mascot, was also on hand to help celebrate the kids. He milled about the club house and golf course, even taking a golf cart for a spin while out meeting Hawk fans both young and old. Raffle items included a University of Iowa signed football by Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz, a Charles Freitag John Deere print, John Deere collectables, an indoor/outdoor Bluetooth speaker, a Blackstone grill, outdoor lawn chairs, guns, a Dewalt tool set, several ice coolers and more. The golf event drew support from Montezuma and throughout the area. There were 35 gold sponsors of $500 each, nine bronze sponsors at $250 each and three silver sponsors at $100 each. “We are very pleased with the turnout and support of the community and all the businesses who donated,” said Partner Maschmann, who volunteered to man a grill. “We are increasingly grateful for the community coming out and supporting the hospital,” said Hailey Kroll, advancement program coordinator and corporate and community development spokesperson at the University of Iowa. “Siraj Thompson put together a great tournament,” added Matt Maschmann of Brooklyn, who participated in the golf tournament with his son, Mason. “There was a lot of local support, volunteers and sponsors. A great group of folks that came to golf.” “Overall it was a great day,” said Thomason. “Herky the Hawk was here and everyone had a great time. Thanks for all the support and stay tuned for next year.” Heather Eilander, middle, the new owner of Montezuma Dental Clinic along with her husband, John, at 301 S. 4th St., is joined by her two office assistants, Jessica Little, left, and Lyndie Mann, right, prior to the business opening its doors on June 3. The Eilanders purchased the business on April 1 and spent two months remodeling the building and hiring staff. The business currently has four dental chairs with two more planned for the future. There are a total of nine staff members including the Eilanders By J.O. Parker
When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be! That was the case for John and Heather Eilander of Montezuma, the new owners of Montezuma Dental Clinic. Heather, a dental hygienist who has been in the business for 37-years, said owning a dentist office wasn’t on her radar when she learned this spring that the former Montezuma Smiles Dental Clinic was closing its doors. “When Dr. Timm, the former owner, sent letters out to her customers and informed her staff that she was closing, one of the staff members contacted me about a hygienist job,” said Eilander, who also owns a temp agency for hygienists. That led Eilander to reach out to Dr. Timm and inquire if she could purchase the dental office in Montezuma and she was ready to strike a deal. “I talked to John and he said do it,” recalled Eilander. The couple purchased the business on April 1 at 301 S. 4th St. and spent the next two months remodeling and updating the building, hiring a dentist and staffing the business, including some former Smiles Dental Clinic employees. Improvements include a larger waiting area, a fourth dental chair and an expanded sterilization room. Staff includes LaRayne McGriff, practice administrator; Lyndie Mann and Jessica Little, assistants; and Kylee Taylor, Misti Dawley, Katie Barth and Eilander as hygienists. Dr. Erik Christensen, who lives in Brooklyn, is the main dentist. The business currently has four dental chairs with two more planned for future expansion. “The biggest thing is we didn’t want to see it close,” said Eilander. “We all live here and we are all staying here and taking care of our neighbors.” The business opened its doors on Monday, June 3. Hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Thursday. The dental office accepts insurance, cash and credit cards. “This is a locally owned, full-time office,” said Eilander. “We are not a satellite office.” “I’m excited to continue seeing all my family and friends,” said Lyndie Mann, who has been at the dentist office with two previous owners for 11-years. “I grew up around the Deep River area and I’m excited to be rejoining the community,” added Jessica Little, an assistant at the dental office. The office phone number is 641-623-5100. |