Archive for: December 2008

The Washington County Board of Supervisors Monday set a special work session for 9 a.m., Monday, December 22, to discuss budget recommendations for fiscal 2009-10. The supervisors indicated that they could reach a consensus for action on a recommendation …

The Mid-Prairie wrestling team participated in the Mt. Vernon Invitational Saturday, December 13. Placing for Mid-Prairie were Aaron Kurtz (112) and Brody Barthelman (135), both with third place.
Team places: 1) Lisbon 185.5, 2) Mt. Vernon 182, 3) East Buchanan 165.5, …

by Coach Marc Pennington
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks were soundly defeated by the Iowa City Regina Regals 73-31 Friday in Iowa City. Regina shot a blistering 60 percent from the field while forcing the Golden Hawks into 27 turnovers.
Regina raced out to an 18-point half time lead and gradually extended their command in the second half. Mid-Prairie was limited to just 25 shots and shot just seven for 18 from the free throw line.
Missy Hershberger turned in another solid performance in a losing cause tallying 22 points, six rebounds, and three steals. The only other Hawks to score were Cari Brenneman with five and Cindra Bombei and Jodee Seward wtih two points each.
We ran into a buzz-saw tonight and didn’t come close to matching their intensity from the opening tip. We struggled with their pressure as evident by shooting only 25 shots compared to committing 27 turnovers.

The Mid-Prairie boys’ basketball team defeated Regina in Iowa City Friday, December 12, 52-36.
Coach Don Showalter said, “The Regina game we knew would be a difficult game just from the mental standpoint of coming back after a very tough non-conference loss to Clear Creek-Amana on Thursday. I was very pleased with our overall effort and the ability to put the game away in the final 3:44.
“The score at this time was a one point game at 38-37, and we outscored Regina 16-2 in the last 3:44.
“Defensively, holding a team to 39 points is outstanding, and we got some easy baskets off steals in that last three minutes.
Tanner Miller led Mid-Prairie in scoring with 12 points. Drew Yoder scored 11 points including seven of eight from the free throw line and had nine rebounds. Ryan Gent had nine rebounds as well.
Showalter said, “Our bench provided us with 17 points and seven rebounds which helps us greatly. We continue to improve our offensive production both with our starters – Kaleb Duwa, Ryan Gent, Drew Yoder, Tanner Miller, and Abe Kos – and the players coming off the bench – Mark Aldeman, Micah Berg, Cody Bontrager, Quinn Hollan, and Colton Wilson.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks boys’ basketball team lost 49-50 to Clear Creek-Amana at Wellman Thursday, December 11.
Mid-Prairie coach Don Showalter said, “The game was very intense for our second game of the year. I thought both teams played with great intensity throughout the game for an early season game.
“Michael Rugger just killed us on some three point shots which is a good defensive lesson for us.
“I thought Drew Yoder really played hard as we held Alex Novak, the 6’ 8” center from CC-A, to 14 points – 10 points in the third quarter and only four points in the other three quarters.
“We had a last second shot from 15 feet to win the game but failed to convert. We had only 10 turnovers to 19 for CC-Amana, which we converted to 17 points.”

by Mary Coblentz
For a decade, Kristin Naomi Ross searched for the woman who gave her up for adoption at birth nearly 29 years ago. She didn’t have any success, but occasionally kept trying. She even drove to San Diego a couple of times to look for information.
The adoption took place in California which has closed adoptions. How it was supposed to work is when Kristin turned 18, she could send contact information and, if the birth mother had left contact information, the two could be reunited.
However, there was a “disconnect” with the information. The agency information was lacking, and it seemed to be a dead end. Then, after watching “Troy the Locator: on television, Kristin wrote him a letter. After he read Kristin’s letter to Troy, Kristin’s husband, Dave Ross, realized how important finding her birth mother was to Kristin.

By Mary Zielinski
When Fay Vittetoe of the Friends of Lake Darling mentioned a donor tree to honor those who had made the Lake Darling four seasons lodge a reality, Doris Park responded immediately. After all, it sounded quite familiar.
“We (she and husband Steve Maxon) had one one for the Kalona Library,” she said. While it was a similar idea, the process itself “was quite different” and much bigger.
Park also wanted the tree to be a significant art work that she started designing in July. Maxon, who with Park owns and operates MaxCast in Kalona, helped with the casting, but he stressed “this was Doris’ work.”
[caption id="attachment_512" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Doris Park and Steve Maxon stand near the donor tree whose leaves were cast from leaves gathered at Lake Darling."][/caption]
The tree was done and installed at the lodge November 22. The leaves bear the names of the donors and, as further donations come in, more leaves can be added.
Essentially a donated work, the tree is worth about $10,000, noted Park.
It covers a 7 x 8 foot area on the wall near the lodge’s kitchen, a space that more or less determined how it would be designed.
“It had to fit the wall,” said Park.

April 1, 1950 – December 10, 2008
Billie Dean Kindred, 58, of Riverside, Iowa, died Wednesday, December 10, 2008, in the VA Medical Center in Iowa City,Iowa, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Funeral services were Tuesday, December 16, 2008, in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington, Iowa, with Pastor Tim Davison officiating. Burial was in Grace Hill Cemetery. A memorial in the name of Billie Kindred has been established for Immanuel Lutheran Church, and State and Industry Foundation which helps provide scholarships for military chaplain candidates. Beatty Funeral Home in Washington was in charge of arrangements.
Billie Dean Kindred was born April 1, 1950, in Washington, the son of Billie Oliver and Bea (Gingerich) Kindred. He was a 1968 Mid-Prairie High School graduate and attended Ellsworth College until joining the United States Army where he served in the Vietnam War for two years. He was united in marriage to Terry Sue Custer; the couple later divorced. He was united in marriage to Cindy Swiggum in Fargo, North Dakota, October 9, 1982. Mr. Kindred worked at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City for 25 years and retired from the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1997. He attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Washington, was a member of the Gold Wing Association, The VFW, the Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, camping, hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and picking on the people he loved.

By Mary Zielinski
For a small town with an official population of nearly 2,500, Kalona six employers who alone hire 474 people and population (25 or older) who have college degrees ranging from AA to graduate ones. The statistics were part of an update provided to the city council Monday by Joe Rasso, president, Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) of which Kalona is a member.
Rasso gave a brief overview of what ICAD is and does and how KalonaÕs economic development is part of the larger Iowa City one.

by Mary Yoder
IMS had a solid first half of basketball against the Pekin Panthers. They girls were able to take the ball inside for a first quarter score of 14-17. IMS’ solid defense led to a number of steals and they were able to draw numerous fouls. Unfortunately, however, they were unable to convert at the free throw line. Pekin pulled away and led at halftime with a score of 25-31.

by Coach Dwight Gingerich
IMS jumped out to a 26-6 lead three minutes into the second quarter, and went on to defeat the previously unbeaten Pekin Panthers in the season’s home opener by the score of 65-41 on Friday.  Senior Jesse Ney netted a game-high 23 points and nine boards, and junior Truman Shetler added 16 points, going 8-12 from the floor.  IMS shot an even 50 percent from the floor for the game, while holding the Panthers to 16-53 shooting for 30 percent.
Pekin fought back and hung tough as IMS had a tough time putting the game away through the second half.  After a barrage of fourth quarter threes by Pekin’s Brady Lamb, it was a Jesse Ney trey that gave IMS the solid 62-39 lead with three minutes to play.

March 11, 1910 – December 13, 2008
Enos Hugh Miller, 98, a resident of Parkview Manor, Wellman, Iowa, died there Saturday, December 13, 2008, following a short illness.
A celebration of life service was held Tuesday, December 16, 2008, in the Wellman Mennonite Church with Rev. Marvin Hostetler officiating. Burial was in the Wellman Mennonite Cemetery, Wellman. A memorial fund has been established for the Wellman Mennonite Church and Amenity Hospice. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfunerahomes.com under obituaries.