Janel Burgess of Montezuma, third from right, is joined by her Cedar Rapids Sizzlers Granny Basketball team after being named national champions for a third consecutive year in July. Burgess, a Montezuma graduate and standout basketball player at Iowa State, said the experience was an amazing outlet for her own competitiveness and lots of fun.

J.O. Parker
 
       Granny Basketball is a growing sport in Iowa and across the country and for one Montezuma teacher and coach, returning to the court as a player was fun and a dream come true.
      Janel Burgess, the Montezuma Bravettes Head Basketball Coach, played in two regular season dates and the state and national tournaments, helping lead the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers to a third consecutive Granny Basketball National Championship in July.
      The team won the Iowa Senior State games for the state championship in June, which was at Valley High School, and then the national championship series in Ankeny. The national championship game moves around each year with Iowa hosting it this year.
       Burgess didn’t play in three tournaments due to either her age or attending one of her children’s activities.
     The Sizzlers began their championship run with three pool-play games, beating the Lady Redbirds of Carlisle and the ICT Aerobeles of Wichita, Kan., before falling to the Harpers Ferry Fireflies, finishing pool play, 2-1, and earning the No. 2 seed in their championship pool.
        In the opening round of championship series, the Sizzlers defeated the Waco Six Shooters of Texas, 61-46, before topping the Late Bloomers of Iowa, 65-52, in the semifinals.
         The win set up a championship-game rematch against the Lady Redbirds, with the Sizzlers winning, 52-46, and capturing a three-game sweep to take the trophy home.
         Granny Basketball was formed in 2005 by Barb McPherson Trammell of Lansing, Iowa. It began with an exhibition game to raise money to save a historic building.
       Today, there are 57 teams in the Granny Basketball League spread across 11 U.S. states and one Canadian province. There are now more than 800 players and volunteers in the league with teams divided into six divisions.
        Iowa has the most teams with 14 followed by Texas with 13 and Kansas with 12. Oklahoma has four teams and Missouri and California each have three teams. Two more states have two teams and three others along with Canada have one team each.
       Joining Burgess on the Sizzlers team were Virginia McFadden, Sue Cahalan, Cathy Snow, Linda Jennings, Melissa Harley, Jen Neubaer, Michelle Kraft, Margaret Beuter, Tricia Van Roekel, and Trish Spear.
Burgess learned about Granny Basketball through Megan Carlson, the Montezuma PE teacher, who connected her with Jen Neubaer, a coach and player on the Sizzlers team.
       “So when I found out that I could play this, I was like well I might see how that would go,” said Burgess. “Jen reached out to me a year ago and when high school basketball was over, I started practicing.”
         Burgess practiced a few times with the Sizzlers before she turned 50 and loved the ladies.
         “The ladies I get to play with are amazing – we range in age of 50-75 and within our group who play, two amazing ladies have led us as coaches, too,” said Burgess.
       “The Sizzlers’ accomplishment is part of a much larger and growing movement in women’s athletics,” noted information in a Cedar Rapids Gazette article. “Granny Basketball is a nonprofit organization that provides competitive exercise and camaraderie for women age 50 and older while preserving the history and traditions of six-on-six girls’ basketball. The game is played using modified 1920s-era rules, with players assigned to sections of the court and wearing uniforms inspired by those worn by early women’s basketball teams.”
         The key is players are not allowed to run or jump in games.
          Burgess played defense and offense, but mostly offense for the Sizzlers.
       “It was an amazing outlet for my own competitiveness and return to play basketball again,” noted Burgess, a Montezuma graduate and standout player at Iowa State from 1994 - 98. “When I walked off the court at ISU, I never thought I would compete again and this is an amazing way to play basketball, sweat, meet people and win as a team.”
          Burgess said playing Granny Basketball has helped her become a better coach.
          “I remember now the nervous feelings,” Burgess recalled of her playing days. “I can now relate to how in game situations it can be hard.
         “In fact, after the pool play bracket of the national title, I came home and shot free throws with my entire family,” Burgess added. “I didn’t shoot them well when my family came to watch and they said, ‘we want to rebound for you.’ Thankfully, we did that because our national title game came down to making free throws.”
          Burgess, who has taken the Bravettes to state six times, said the pressure of the game is real for her own players and this experience reminded her of all the raw feelings she had as a player even though it was Granny Basketball.
         “It is competitive, it is for a title and we as a team wanted to do whatever we could to win,” said Burgess. “It also reiterated the value of knowing and playing your role. Within our team, we had to play in order to be our best and that is what our Bravettes need to do as well, embrace the roles they have earned and be their best at it for the team’s success.”
          “I’m thankful my family allowed me to do this,” Burgess said in wrapping up a fun summer of basketball.

      Janel Burgess, left photo, is joined by her husband, Tim, and parents, Elmer and Dolores, at a recent Granny Basketball game. Burgess, who was playing her first year in the league, helped lead the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers to the team’s third national championship. Janel Burgess, right photo, and Jen Neubaer, a player and coach with the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers Granny Basketball team, celebrate after the team won its third consecutive national title in July.

​J.O. Parker
 
       The old Phillips 66 garage in Montezuma once served customers with a fresh tank of gas, an oil change or a grease job and general auto repairs, such as a new set of spark plugs, all with a friendly smile. It later was a local carwash.
       After years of being bordered up, Joe and Ellen Ehle of Lake Ponderosa have given the old service station at 113th N. 4th St. new life.
        The business motto is “A small brewery with a big heart in a small town.”
        The couple recently opened Beer Garage Brewing on July 3 with a ribbon cutting.   
       Today, the couple is serving up cold craft beers, domestic beers, wine and sodas to those who stop in for a drink.
        Performers often stop by and strum their guitars and sing their songs.
        The couple currently offers a variety of craft beers that they make in house.
        “We have six beers of our own on tap,” said Joe.
        “We try to change it as much as possible,” added Ellen. “We are always trying new beers.”
         Joe said it takes from seven to 14 days to make a variety of beer.
      The couple doesn’t offer food, but encourages customers to support neighboring restaurants. On occasion, an area food truck will be on hand to serve customers.
        And there is always plenty of hot popcorn to enjoy.
        When asked how the business is going, Ellen said, “We have done very well.”
         “The town has been extremely supportive,” she said.
          The couple first looked at the building in the spring of 2024 with plans to use it for storage.
          “After taking a look at it, we thought it would make a great brewery,” noted Joe.
          The couple dug in and started remodeling on the weekends when staying at the lake.
           The business can seat 30 inside and there is also an outdoor covered seating area.
           “We are dog and family-friendly,” said Ellen.
           And outside next to the building is an old early 50s International tow truck.
         “We wanted a tow truck because the building used to be a gas station,” said Joe. “Finding a tow truck was costly. We just wanted yard art.”
          “The old truck is just a shell with no engine and a makeshift tow bar,” added Joe. “He’s retired.”
        The business décor includes old car tires with metal table tops and car seats along with Art Deco springer style chairs for comfort. 
          The business also offers a line of clothing including T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
        The business is open Thursday – Sunday. Hours are 5 – 10 p.m. on Thursday, 1 – 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.
         Ellen said she and Joe are open to discussing using the space for events.
       For more information on the business or to contact the owners, please visit Beer Garage Brewing on Facebook.

        Members of the general public and media are invited to join the Iowa-based Tyler Richton & the High Bank Boys for an album release party on Thursday, Aug.13 from 5 - 7 p.m at JRs Southpork Ranch at the Iowa State Fair.
      The new album, titled ‘Till the Wheels Fall Off, will be released at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. Fairgoers can help celebrate the release early at the party at JR’s SouthPork Ranch, where the High Bank Boys enjoy a six-night residency during the Fair.
      Recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals studio, the new album is the fourth studio project and second full-length album from the High Bank Boys. 
What:     Album release party
Who:     The High Bank Boys, Fairgoers
When:    Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, 5 - 7 p.m.
Where:    JR’s SouthPork Ranch, Iowa State Fairgrounds 
     Formed in 2015, Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys got their start in small-town bars and parties, honing their skills to make more than 50 years of experience combined. Now playing across the midwest everywhere from rockin' honky-tonks to opening shows for the likes of Tracy Byrd, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan and more, Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys bring a neo-traditional sound with high energy and real music. Drawing influence from artists like Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams Jr., audiences of all kinds find a show they can enjoy and music they can feel.

               DJ and Courtney Sutfin of Montezuma are excited to share that Riser Fitness at 101 E. Jefferson St. is now under their ownership.
            "While the names behind the business might have changed, our dedication to the community and our loyal Riser family will remain the same," noted the couple. "You’ll see us around the gym often. Pop in and say hi!"
        "We cannot go without thanking Corey and Athena Simpson for their support and their commitment to Riser during their years of ownership. You’ll still see them around, too." added the couple.
         We look forward to continuing and building upon what the Simpsons did! We’re here for you. Brick by brick! Submitted photo.

     Community members are invited to attend the Poweshiek County conversation on Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors for an evening of local discussion about Iowa's cancer rates, environmental health, and opportunities for community action.
      The event is being held at Montezuma Memorial Hall, 205 E. Main St., from 5:30 – 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3
      The event will begin with a welcome from Poweshiek County Supervisor Jacki Bolen, followed by a presentation from Iowa Environmental Council on the latest research into environmental risk factors associated with cancer in Iowa. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their experiences, ask questions, and discuss local concerns.
      The conversation is being organized through a partnership of the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Farmers Union, Poweshiek CARES, Unity Point Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, and the Iowa Food System Coalition as part of a statewide effort to better understand how environmental conditions may be contributing to Iowa's nation-leading cancer rates. The project combines scientific research with community conversations to inform future policy and public health efforts.
    The event is free and open to the public, though advance registration is encouraged. Additional details and registration are available through the Iowa Environmental Council's website: https://www.iaenvironment.org/get-involved/council-events/

​     Elizabeth Wehrle, 36, of Montezuma rests following a quadruple surgery at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Wehrle is the first quadruple transplant patient to receive a liver and kidney and the retransplant of her lungs from surgery in 2017.

J.O. Parker
 
   Elizabeth Wehrle, 36, of Montezuma has been given a new lease on life thanks to quadruple transplant surgery earlier this year.
      On March 22 – 23, Wehrle underwent surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (NMH) in Chicago, where she received a transplant of one kidney and liver and a second transplant of her lungs.
    Everything went well during the 8-hour overnight surgery under the direction of Dr. Ankit Bharat, M.D. (lung transplants and thoracic surgery), Dr. Chitaru Kurihara, M.D. (lung transplants), and Dr. Satish N. Nadig, M.D. (liver and kidney transplants).
       Wehrle is one of only seven patients to receive a quadruple surgery done in the United States and the first at NMH. According to doctors, this was the first known quadruple-organ transplant in the U.S. involving retransplanted lungs.
     The surgery became necessary due to complications from Cystic Fibrous, an inherited genetic disorder that causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus. This mucus clogs the airways and digestive tracts, leading to severe respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and malnutrition.
        “I’ve had it (Cystic Fibrous) since birth, but it was not diagnosed until age 11,” said Wehrle, who was born and raised about one hour west of Des Moines. 
        In 2017, Wehrle underwent her first lung transplant surgery. 
       Replacing her liver and kidney during the March surgery was necessary as doctors noted that those organs would not have made it through another transplant operation.
        “What makes my surgery unique is the re-transplantation of the double lungs,” she added.
        Following the surgery, Wehrle and her parents, who were helping take care of her, were living in an extended stay hotel in downtown Chicago near the hospital.
      “Part of NMH surgery requirements was I had to stay within an hour of the hospital for the first three months,” noted Wehrle.
      Wehrle moved to Montezuma in August 2025 from New Sharon. She was able to return home to Montezuma from Chicago on Friday, July 17.
        “I am fully independent and was cleared to drive again,” she said.
     The first thing that Wehrle did after arriving home was have a get-together with her parents, grandmother and her son, Landen, who she had only seen a couple times since her surgery.
         “We just had a nice family moment together,” said Wehrle.
         Landen attends North Mahaska Elementary School.
      “My son keeps me going,” said Wehrle. “He’s 11 and needs his mom. He is my reason for everything.”
        The need for new transplanted lungs and the other organs came about due to complications from her disease. She met with doctors in January and again in February.
      “On Feb. 25, I was in a procedure and I became unresponsive and the doctors put me on the ventilator,” she said. “I was on the ventilator until March 22 when they woke me up to get my permission for this new transplant.”
        And on Monday a week ago, Wehrle said it was her first day to wake up in her home and start living life again without help.
          “It feels great to know that I can take care of myself again,” she said.
        She will have to have follow up visits to meet with doctors in the coming months. Some of the appointments can be done by phone, others in person including trips to Chicago in August, September, December and March 2027.
         Until then, Wehrle, who owns a massage therapy business in New Sharon, will not be able to work for one year. The business has been closed since she has been in Chicago.
Fundraiser
       A fundraising event in Wehrle’s honor is slated for Saturday, July 25 at Prairie Knolls Golf Course Clubhouse in New Sharon.
        Doors open at 5 p.m. and will include live music, 7 - 9 p.m. and a DJ, 9 – 11 p.m., a select auction, 5 – 8:30 p.m., raffle of a Henry rifle and Savage shotgun, (Tickets are one for $10 and 3 for $20), Dr. Spuds food truck and soft serve ice cream.
        The event is being hosted by Kayla Dawley.
        To make a benefit donation or for questions, contact Dawly at 641-660 – 2903.
        “My friend Kayla is amazing,” said Wehrle. “She is raising money to help cover experiences, gas and food while in the hotel. These extra funds will be a great help.”

​       Elizabeth Wehrle of Montezuma is shown at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago with her son, Landen, who was only able to visit her a couple times during the more than three month stay in Chicago. “My son keeps me going,” said Wehrle. “He’s 11 and needs his mom. He is my reason for everything.”

​       Elizabeth Wehrle is shown with the doctors who performed the quadruple transplant surgery on her in March. Everything went well during the 8-hour overnight surgery under the direction of, from left, Dr. Ankit Bharat, M.D. (lung transplants and thoracic surgery), Dr. Satish N. Nadig, M.D. (liver and kidney), and Dr. Chitaru Kurihara, M.D. (lung transplant).

      Elizabeth Wehrle, 36, is shown with her parents, Erick and Deanna Van Cura, who stayed with her during and following surgery on March 22 - 23.

​      A stuffed animal provides comfort to Elizabeth Wehrle, 36, of Montezuma while she is at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago for quadruple surgery. She received a new kidney and liver and had a retransplant of her lungs on March 22 – 23.

​       We would love to have more volunteers join our committee! It takes many hands to help fundraise for the elementary teachers and the school as well as coordinating the events we host.
    Some of the events we host are; Mornings with Mom, Donuts with Dad, Halloween carnival, conference treats for teachers, special assemblies for the students, and Teacher Appreciation week for our wonderful elementary staff).
     Message our PAC page, or reach out to a familiar PAC member if you’re interested in pitching in! We’d love to have you!
       Check out the above flyer on some more pieces of what we do as the PAC of Montezuma!