Archive for: November 2009

by Mary Coblentz
Two of Mid-Prairie’s three head cooks reported on the district’s nutrition program at Monday’s school board meeting.
Washington Township head cook Martha Benedict told the board that the cooks are pursuing a “farm to school” program in which local produce is purchased and used in school lunch programs. The cooks have met with Matt Petersheim who said it is possible for him and other local producers to grow some fruits and vegetables for the schools, some of which could be frozen.
Benedict stated that the district can freeze produce for future use, but it cannot can it. The farm to school movement is becoming more prevalent in many states, Benedict said. The quality and nutrition value of fresh produce is greater than what the district can get elsewhere.
Already, the district has purchased watermelon and tomatoes at the Frytown produce auction, and it gets eggs from Farmers Hen House at a very good price.
Middle school head cook Amber Kempf explained how the cooks plan menus on a monthly basis. The cooks get together to plan the menus and they try at least one new menu item each month.
Gayle Cole, the head cook at the high school, was not able to attend the board meeting, but Kempf read some notes from Cole. Cole does most of the commodity ordering, and the dry goods and frozen foods are stored at the high school and obtained by other buildings when needed.
Recently, the district has tried whole wheat tortillas, which students seem to like. Also, it was noted that the high school offers vegetarian options for the eight or so vegetarians who attend.
Superintendent Mark Schneider read from the nutrition report, then congratulated the cooks for a “really good year” last school year.

September 11, 1918 - November 9, 2009
Cordell Yoder, 91, of Kalona, Iowa, died November 9, 2009, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona following a lingering illness. Services were held Monday, November 9, 2009 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church in Kalona …

March 18, 1987 - November 8, 2009
Brandon M. Escher, 22, of Iowa City, died Sunday, November 8, 2009 at University of Iowa Hospitals from complications of life long heart disease. Services will …

The Keota FFA Chapter Ag Mechanics team competed in the National Agricultural Mechanics competition during the 82nd National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN during October 21-24, 2009. The team did an outstanding job during all parts of the contest and placed 5th in the nation out of 44 teams that competed in the event.
Members of the ag mechanics team include senior Travis Greiner, senior Bryce Sieren, junior Blake Bayliss and junior Kyle Huber. The team was coached by Mr. Dan Striegel, Keota FFA chapter advisor.
The Keota team qualified for this event by winning the state ag mechanics contest which was held last June. The team worked diligently to prepare for the event by practicing at least two mornings every week since school began in August.
The theme for the 2009 Ag Mechanics Contest was plant production systems. All activities in the event centered around this theme of raising crops, although the team learned this involves much more than just corn and soybeans! The two day event included activities on irrigation, seeding, welding and much more.

[caption id="attachment_1314" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Photo by Gary Yoder"][/caption]Nearly 40 students, under the direction of Mary Forney and Karenza Yoder, performed to nearly …

1942 - 2009
Funeral Services for Thomas (Cal) Clark, 85, of Eldridge, Iowa, formally of Kalona and Wayland, were held Wednesday, October 28, in the Kalona United Methodist Church in Kalona with Pastor Gerry Kahler officiating. Burial will be at …

Freshmen Maggie McMurrin, of Kalona and Sara Young of Wellman are members of the Mount Mercy women’s soccer team.
Mount Mercy, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC), sponsors 13 varsity …

The first half was a contest, but the second half was a free-for-all scoring fest for Mid-Prairie Friday, October 23, when the Golden Hawks defeated West Burlington-Notre Dame 47-7 at Wellman in the final game of the regular season.
WBND scored …

The four candidates for the two Wellman City Council seats were sent five questions. Replies were received from only two; neither Doug Powell nor Andy Blauvelt responded. The questions were

Why have you chosen to run for council?
What problems do you see facing the city at the present time? What solutions do you propose?
If elected, what would be your priorities for governing the city?
Do you think possible enactment of countywide zoning will have an impact on the city?
What you do you beleive are the city’s main assets and how should they be maintained?

by Mary Coblentz
The Mid-Prairie School Board Monday learned how the district will meet the 10 percent across-the-board cuts mandated by the state of Iowa.
The total amount to be cut from the M-P budget is approximately $573,000. Mid-Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider outlined the district’s planned cuts of $417,000. The rest will come from the district’s cash reserves.
Building budgets will be cut a total of $95,000 amoung the five buildings. This will include instructional material and field trips. Activities, Technology, and Transportation will each have $10,000 trimmed from their budgets. The Home School Assistance Program will have $23,000 cut, the STP program $6,000, and Central Office $5,000.
“These are targets,” Schneider stressed.
Other areas being cut are overtime/ over contracted hours for a savings of $30,000 and utilities for a savings of $5,000. Thermostats will be set at 69 degrees in classrooms with the gyms being cooler. Set backs will be used for nights and weekends to further save on heating costs.