Archive for: February 2009

January 20, 1918 - February 10, 2009
Mildred Evelyn Yoder, 91, of Glendale, Arizona, passed away February 10, 2009, at Sun Health Hospice.
Mildred Evelyn Iames was born January 20, 1918, in Wellman, Iowa the daughter of Jesse Ray and Pearl Edith …

By Mary Zielinski

When they honored four retiring teachers Monday, the Mid-Prairie Board did not just acknowledge dedicated employees but said farewell to good friends.
For a combined 95 years of service, the four, Mark Dalton, Kathy Conway, Kathy Shellday and Becky Curtis, counseled students, taught them to read, to play music and, in many cases, to deal with life in all its ups and downs.
Dalton, special education teacher at the high school, “Would tell it like it is,” said fellow teacher Jessica Jones. “There was no sugar coating,” noting it was an approach that reached students no on else could.
Principal Gerry Beeler agreed that Dalton provided “life lessons,” using Dalton’s methodical approach to golf as a metaphor.
Among those who acknowledge Kathy Conway was her daughter, vocal music teacher Collette McClellen, who said since she was 14 and a Mid-Prairie student she could always find her mother to talk to when needed. Conway has served as the secondary media specialist (she prefers to be called librarian) for 22 years.
“We were a department of two,” said elementary media specialist Phyllis Casper, “and we really got to know each other. I will miss you.”

The following students were named to the second quarter honor roll at Mid-Prairie High School.
Freshman Gold Honor Roll 3.75 - 4.0 GPA: Sarah Altenhofen*, Anna Barthelman, Kayla Burrows, Carrie Fiordelise, Jasmine Fugate, Jessica Henrichson*, Brodie Johnson*, Jordyn Kelso, Amanda Kramer, Matthew Miksch, Hannah Miller, Nicole Murray*, Tyler Nicholson, Ryan Shellady*, Amanda Stout*, Taylor Troyer, and Magdalene VanRoekel*.

By Mary Zielinski
A Mid-Prairie elementary school, the middle school and the high school will get a total of $1.2 million improvements this year. The Mid-Prairie Board of Education Monday approved starting with replacing the chiller at Kalona Elementary School and, following a public hearing, approved a bid opening for 2 p.m. March 19. Contract for the project, with a total cost estimate of $133,200, is expected to be awarded March 23.
The two other projects–replacing all the roof at the middle school except the segment done in 1997, and a fully handicapped accessible elevator at the high school–also were approved. A public hearing on the projects is set for 8 p.m. March 9 at the high school. The roof project initially was estimated at $722,286, but could be nearer $300,000 since it is not the entire roof. The elevator cost is estimated at $325,00 and would see a new shaft for it built at the front of the high school.
“We have enough funds,” Superintendent Mark Schneider told the board Monday. Asked what would become of the old elevator at the high school, described as virtually a freight elevator, Schneider said it could taken out and the space used for storage.
Work on the chiller is expected to be done by August 7.

By Mary Zielinski
Improvements to Mid-Prairie buildings, providing everything from a new roof at the middle school to an elevator at the high school, would total $1,207,486, the board learned at its meeting Monday. Details were provided by Shive-Hattery, Inc., of Iowa City, about three separate projects: chiller replacement at Kalona Elementary School; elevator addition at the high school, and roof replacement at the middle school.
The single most expensive is the roof, projected at $722,286 to be done in 2009-2010. There also is a three year plan, covering masonry improvements reroofing,that would total $423,540.
Mitchell R. Kelschen, roof and building envelope consultant, noted that project could be done over “a couple of years.” The board also was told about the Tremco Cooperative Purchasing Program. It was suggested the district consider bidding Tremco as a separate alternative when it seeks roof replacement bids.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks boys’ basketball team defeated the West Branch Bears in overtime in the Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman Thursday, February 19. The final score was 58-51.
Drew Yoder had 18 points to lead Mid-Prairie’s scoring, and Tanner Miller scored 16 points in the win. Abe Kos scored nine points.
Mid-Prairie head coach Don Showalter said, “This was a classic tourney game with two teams who battled to overtime before the game was decided.
“We hit nine of 10 free throws in the overtime period to put the game away. Abe Kos hit two free throws early in the overtime to put us up by one and then after a missed shot, Kos hit on a three-point shot from the wing to put us up by 4.

State Senator Becky Schmitz will be available to listen to concerns and ideas at several listening posts along Hwy 22 Friday, February 6, and ending in Hills. The first meeting is at Chat & Chew, 243-8th Avenue, Wellman at 9:30 …

Seven Mid-Prairie Elementary students particiapted in the District Invent Iowa convention Thursday, February 19, in Cedar Rapids. Representing Mid-Prairie were Hannah Van Roekel from Wellman Elementary with her invention “The Pet Screen Saver.” Jami TeBockhorst and Montana Hart from …

by Dwight Gingerich
IMS advanced to the District semi-final with a 87-51 victory over Lisbon on Thursday, February 19, in Lisbon.  IMS shot a red-hot 75 percent from the floor for the game,led …

January 13, 1922 - January 21, 2009
Wilma Jean Hohenshell, 87, formerly of Wellman, Iowa, died suddenly Wednesday, January 21, 2009, in the Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa.
A celebration of life service was held Saturday, January 24, 2009, in the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. Rev. Rich Pippert officiated. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Halcyon House in Washington. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.

March 26, 1919 - February 21, 2009

Elizabeth K., Yoder of Wellman, formerly or Joetown, died Saturday, February 21, 1009 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa city, following a brief illness.
Funeral services are Friday, February 27, at 10:30 a.m. in the Kalona United Methodist Church with Pastor Lynn Patrick officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Joetown. Visitation at Peterseim Funeral Home is 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 26. a memorial fund to benefit Pleasant Hill Cemetery was established. Condolences may be sent to www.peterseimfuneralhome.com

Wellman residents will pay a little less in taxes for fiscal 2010.  The tax levy is $10.64795 per $1,000 evaluation, 18 cents less than the current levy.

The lower levy does not mean we will not continue the same level of city services

“The lower levy does not mean we will not continue the same level of ciy services,” said City Administrator Dave Ross.
The council, which met February 17 in regular session, set 7 p.m. March 2 for a public hearing on the $4.6 million fiscal 2010 budget.
During the meeting, Shawn Powell of Southeast Iowa Insurance Services, noted that the city had a premium increase last year of $9,854 to cover construction liability for the Parkside Activities Center.  He said once the Center is done, coverage cost swill drop and become mainly property insurance.
Additionally, the YMCA, Sunrise Childcare and the physical therapist, who will occupy the building, will carry their own liability insurance.