Community News

Have you ever “WONDERed” about 4-H?

Well, then, come to the 4-H Winter WONDERland Recruitment Fest to find out more about the organization.

This event is geared for youngsters interested in joining 4-H or finding out more about the program.  Coming to this event does not require membership or commitment to be a member, but is designed to help prospective members  learn more about the 4-H program.   Current first year members are welcome to come and learn more about 4-H, as well as participate in the fun fall activities.  All youth attending must be of fourth-grade age  and older.

The event will be held Saturday, December 3, from 9:30 a.m. – noon, at the Washington County Fairgrounds.  The event is free and will include, winter crafts and snacks, a mini – service project.  Parents are welcome to attend.

To register for the event call the Washington County Extension Office, (319) 653-4811, or e-mail Amy at amygreen@iastate.edu by November 30.

Washington County Communications Center personnel are getting into the Christmas spirit again with the eighth year of the “Everyone’s an Elf” project.

Employees will be donating toys and raising money to buy gifts for needy families this Christmas with their annual bake sale and blue jean Fridays. The previous seven year’s responses have been tremendous and the group hopes to sponsor five or more families this year.

Families will provide information about the children and their wish lists for Santa Claus. “Elves” at the safety center will be shopping and wrapping from now until December 22 getting ready for delivery. Volunteers have once again stepped up to help Santa and deliver the presents and packages before Christmas Eve.

The Elf Project has been so successful that the group has started delivering gift baskets to shut-ins and elderly persons identified as having no family this holiday season. Anyone seeking more information about the project or with an interest in donating to the “Elf” project please contact Teresa Todd or Cara Sorrells at 653-2107, 800-TIPS-492 or feel free to email ttodd@wps.co.washington.ia.us or csorrells@wps.co.washington.ia.us.

Being selected as an exchange student “was amazing” for Tamar Jibuti of Georgia. But she confessed, it also was confusing. Out of 2,700 students who applied and the year long application process taking many tests, only 102 were chosen to study in the United States. It is an experience of a lifetime, one that she happily shares with her twin sister Nino. Nino was also selected and is living with a host family in Idaho for the year.
Although Tamar said it has been difficult to be apart from Nino and her family, “it is a great experience, and I hope it has been for my sister too. The first day was difficult for me,” she said, “but my host family has helped me and I have the opportunity to call my mother once a week.”
When asked what she wants to see in the United States, Tamar said she was interested in everything. And is especially excited about Thanksgiving and Halloween holidays. “We don’t have these two holidays in our country,” she said. Georgia’s religion is Orthodox Christian and there are different holidays that are celebrated. She noted that her country is most famous for its wine and every year her father makes his own wine for celebrations, something that has become a family tradition. She had the opportunity to cook for her family a Georgian national dish called Khapuri. She explained it is a toast and cheese which is very good but her favorite food is Khinkali (meat and toast).
More than anything Tamar wants to learn about the American lifestyle and make new friends. Although her English is pretty good, she wants to get better at speaking it, and learn more about our history, culture, and government.
Tamar plans to become a doctor someday like her mother, but is not sure what kind of doctor.
Tamar can been seen down on the football field cheering on the Huskies every Friday night.
Interested in music, she has studied piano for six years in Georgia and guitar for two and plans to learn the xylophone at Highland. She has joined the Highland choir and band and looks forward to meeting more people and making more friends.
Tamar is required to give three presentations a month about herself to clubs and organizations in the area. Anyone interested in having her speak may contact her coordinator Sherrie Nisly at 319-656-3526 in Kalona.

Tamar Jibuti
Country: Georgia
Age: 16
Birthday: November 30
Parents: Edisher (lawyer) and Lila (doctor)
Twin sister: Nino
Host parents: Larry & Janice Tener
House siblings: Emily, Stephanie and Wesley Tener
Exchange program: World Link World Changers coordinated by Sherrie Nisly
Favorite dish: Khinkali (meat and toast)
Favorite American foods: hamburgers and pizza

The Washington County 4-H fundraising committee and the Washington County Fair Association announced the winners of the 2010 fair raffle drawning.
The top prize of the Yamaha Grizzly 4-Wheeler went to Tim Durst of Washington.
Other prize winners included Brent Crone of Winfield who won the 42” flat screen TV from Archer’s TV. Kurt Leichty of Wayland won the $300.00 Washington Fareway grocery card. Matt Gragg of North Liberty won the $250. Moore’s BP gas card. And Eileen Bergan of Edgewood won the I-Pod touch from the Washington Walmart.
The drawing had been postponed twice due to events being rained out during the Washington County Fair this year. The drawing for the winners was held Saturday, August 7 during the Celebrate Washington activities on the square.
The 4-H fundraising committee and the fair board would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising efforts. The funds raised are being used toward the improvements at the fairgrounds. The 4-H fundraising committee has been working for two years to raise enough money to put up a new multi-species livestock building. The building was completed by fair time this year and housed the goat and bucket/bottle calf project. The new building was a much needed addtion to the fairground because the goat project has grown so much in the last five years.

By Mary Zielinski
By day, he is a biologist with G.E Water Technology in Cedar Rapids, but at night Mike Aucutt builds ships for sea and stars. Friday, he “beamed” into Riverside with a scaled replica of the original USS Enterprise from the Star Trek television show as a gift to the Riverside History Center/Voyage Home Museum and the Riverside Area Community Club (RACC) who sponsors Trek Fest. RACC operates the museum.
“I was here last year for Trek Fest,” he said “had such a good time that I decided to build an Enterprise for their museum.” Aucutt, who has been building models from scratch (“with found materials”) for more than a decade, rounded up balsa wood, mailing tubes, green floral sponge and in six months transformed it all into two models of Captain Kirk’s famous ship.
“I did two so I would have one for my collection, but I made sure the museum got the best one,” he said. The ship has exterior LED lights, powered not by a lithium crystal but a nine volt battery.
“I wanted to have the interior lighted, too, showing through the windows, but it couldn’t be dome,” he said, referring to the fragility of the balsa wood.
In fact, when he brought the ship to the museum, he had it carefully tucked into the backseat of his car, “doing a lot less than warp speed.”
When he gave it to the museum, he stressed it has to be handled carefully and museum board member Scott Riggan chose a visible high spot for it above displays of Star Trek memorabilia.
Aucutt said he has now built a model of every Enterprise ship and quite a few others, including some three foot remote controlled aircraft carrier models.
“I also have done the two Battlestar Galactica ships,” he said, one of which was sold at last year’s Trek Fest.
What ship is next?
“None. I’m going to take some time to do some small figures from other shows.”
The Museum is on Highway 22 East across from Railroad Park and is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed.

Former Iowa Legislator Sandy Greiner, a Republican from Keota, formally announced her campaign for Iowa State Senate. District 45 is currently represented by Democrat Becky Schmitz, encompasses parts of Johnson, and Wapello, as well as Washington, Jefferson and Van Buren Counties.

I want to go to Des Moines to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to our statehouse. Instead of spending our state further in debt, we need to help create an environment for job growth, by lessening regulatory burdens and taxes on small businesses.

Since Greiner left office in 2008, the state of Iowa has increased spending by nearly one billion dollars, and added almost $1 billion dollars in new debt.
Sandy Greiner said, “I want to go to Des Moines to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability to our statehouse. Instead of spending our state further in debt, we need to help create an environment for job growth, by lessening regulatory burdens and taxes on small businesses.”
Last year, the Democrat legislature voted in favor of $600 million dollars in bonds for the so-called I-JOBS program that was to bring ‘shovel ready’ jobs to Iowa. The reality is increasing unemployment numbers and more debt for future generations.
Greiner added, “I lie awake at night fearful of the debt this state is leaving behind for future generations. Instead of squandering our grandchildren’s money; we should be fostering an economic environment that welcomes entrepreneurship and job growth, not burdensome taxes and spending.
“I want to restore Iowa to the great state it once was. A place everyone could call home, provide a solid living for their family, where education and opportunities were unlimited. “
Sandy Greiner served in the Iowa Legislature from 1992 through 2008 when she decided not to seek reelection. Sandy is known throughout the community and state as a strong advocate for agri-business, fiscal responsibility and the family.
You can visit Sandy at www.SandyGreiner.com.

Tuesday, April 6 the American Legion Auxiliary held its monthly meeting at the Post Home. Prior to the meeting being called to order, Kenneth Dodson spoke to the Auxiliary about the Veterans Memorial. Plans for the memorial work to begin are underway with approximately 80 engraved bricks already sold with room for 120. Kenneth explained that the cost of the brick includes the engraving and is tax deductible. For anyone interested in purchasing a brick to be included in the memorial should contact Kenneth Dodson at 629-4669.
Jan gave a report on the Spring Johnson County Meeting held in Coralville. Four members from Lone Tree attended the Potluck Dinner Meeting. Bylaws are being updated and Jan will present them for the second reading at the fall meeting. Jan announced all the new officers for the county.
Swisher will hold a Military Family Jamboree Sunday April 25, from 1-5 p.m. It will be an afternoon of activities for military families, held at the Swisher Legion. For more information visit www.operationmilitarykids.org , click on states and then Iowa to read about it. To attend this afternoon of fun, RSVP to Heidi Hoomidko at 319-721-2650 by April 19. The Swisher post will provide entertainment and snacks.
Auxiliary members will once again prepare the food for the annual Bowling Banquet Thursday, April 29. Volunteers are needed to help set up, prepare, serve and clean up for this fundraiser. Donations and pies are also a need. Please say yes when a volunteer calls you, or let Dot Sexton know by reaching her at 319-629-4251.
April 22, the Auxiliary will host bingo at the Lone Tree Care Center and April 29, the Legion will host the bingo at the Care Center. Volunteers are always welcome.
Please note that the Auxiliary will hold its next monthly meeting at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month, May 10, instead of the first Tuesday. Hope to see you there!

Riverside and Kalona Fire departments recently completed a 16-hour Confined Space Rescue course February 20 and 21 at the Riverside Fire Station.
The 2-day course had both classroom and hands-on skill evolutions. It was instructed by members of Professional Rescue Innovations out of the Des Moines area.
The course covered what types of locations are considered confined spaces along with how to manage and setup a confined space rescue. With this training completed the new confined space equipment will be put on Riverside’s Engine 161 along with extra equipment on Kalona’s Rescue for use on calls in all of the surrounding communities. With the towns seeing growth this was an area of training and equipment that was needed to provide the best possible service to our community members.
Each member of the department completes an average of 50-60 hours of training each year. Training topics covered include Firefighting, Ice Rescue, Water Rescue, Confined Space, Vehicle Extrication, EMS and Hazmat.

By Mary Zielinski
Seven months of discussion and debate ended Tuesday when the Washington County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to adopt the hotly contested county zoning ordinance. The measure goes into effect July 1. Voting yes were Chairman James Miksch, Wesley Rich and Adam Mangold. Voting no were Steve Davis and Jim Rosien, both of whom also told the group they will seek re-election in November.
Before the end of the meeting, several of the more than 50 attending the session started talking about filing a petition to have the measure rescinded, as well as petitions of recall for the supervisors. There also were comments about a petition for a referendum to return to three supervisors.
Prior to the votes, which was the third reading and passage for the ordinance, the board approved some amendments to the document’s wording, items that, as acting county engineer Jacob Thorius noted, amounted to “corrections of typos and clarifications.”
However, a motion by Mangold to “strike all of Article 8 (sign regulations)” died for lack of a second. After some further discussion, including Thoris noting that when the county passed the subdivision oridiance, they had been some problems. He noted that much of them related to how the administrator interpreted the ordinance, and that changes were made, indicating that probable changes will come to the zoning ordinance as well.
Both he and the board stressed that residents would have access to a zoning board of adjustment for appeals and variances, and beyond that, district court. Prior to the vote, Miksch asked that any comments from the board be made at the time of voting.
Mangold, who went first, read a prepared statement indicating he had talked to all sides and initially was planning to vote no, that he thought preservation of land and property rights would be best served without more legislation. However, referring to John Adams statement about the land being a sacred trust, and that the “free market is not so free,” Mangold said he had changed his mind, that the ordinance is the best way to protect property values. So, he said, he vote yes.
Rich, in shorter statement, aid he his yes was voting for the future, to protect property values and to promote economic development.
Rosien, noting he had prepared no statement said “I will vote form the heart,” that he had talked with all his constitutes and noted a supervisors represented all the county. He stressed I am not for large government, that the ordinance creates yet another department, and he voted no.
Davis, stressing he had read and re-read the ordinance,had talked to both sides and admitted there were section s of the ordinance, “I still don’t understand,” said the best for his constituents was to vote no.

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Roughly 30 percent of the population rent the dwellings they live in. Over half of those renters (54 percent) have no insurance to protect their possessions. Most don’t realize the risk they’re taking by not having coverage. The following information will help you dispel the myths of having renters insurance.

1. My landlord has me covered. Wrong. The landlord has the building covered. Nothing inside of it, such as: clothes, computer, furniture or other personal belongings. Your landlord is also not liable or responsible for any injuries that occur to you or others inside your home. See the Personal Liability section for more information.
2. I don’t have anything worth that much. Your belongings are worth more than you think. You may not have big, costly items but think of every CD, each pair of jeans and the random kitchen utensils you own. If you can easily say that you could afford to replace every item that was damaged or stolen in your rental, then you don’t need to worry—just do an inventory price check first.
3. It can’t happen to me. Oh yes it can. According to FBI statistics, a house, apartment or condo is burglarized once every 15 seconds. Burglary happens to be one crime that is easily preventable. So while having renters insurance is the most important safety precaution, check out the Get the insurance and get preventative section for more helpful tips.
4. I can’t afford it. Surprisingly, renters insurance is fairly inexpensive depending on where you live and what you live in. If you still don’t think you can afford it, go back to I don’t have anything worth that much and ask yourself if you are able to afford replacement items. If you aren’t able too, then maybe it’s better to be safe and pay for the renters insurance than be sorry and own nothing.