Tri County Times

Closing the door

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:39:18 +0000

[caption id="attachment_11090" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Submitted photo Jim Douglas, a Huxley resident for more than 50 years, recently retired from his job as a Senate doorman. Douglas was a machinist with John Deere for nearly three decades before taking his position at the Senate. Douglas received many well-wishes throughout the week, including one from Senator Robert Bacon (R-Maxwell), pictured here."][/caption] Huxley man is ready for his third retirement By Nathan Cook Going on 81 years old, Huxley resident Jim Douglas has decided to call it quits and retire for good—closing the door on his latest job, so to speak. In what would have been his twelfth year, Douglas is retiring from his post as a Senate chamber doorman. Douglas has retired before—after working as a machinist for 28 years with John Deere he retired, but not really. “After I retired from John Deere my wife still worked for the school district, so I drove a school bus for 13 years,” he said. In 1995 Douglas retired from driving school buses, but he still managed to stay busy. Douglas described himself and his wife as “get abouts,” and said that playing piano is a hobby that helps keep him busy. Douglas said that he’s been playing piano at the Madrid home on Sundays, and he also plays at the Slater Methodist Church dinners. Though he was keeping himself busy, Douglas decided to return to work just five years after his retirement. Interestingly enough, he took a job as a Senate doorman almost 60 years after his father had done the same thing. “Dad was a doorkeeper for the House back in the 1940s,” Douglas said. His father, Ben Douglas, had worked for the auditor for 25 years, and much like his son would, took the job after retirement. Now, after almost 12 years Douglas says that it’s difficult, but he’s ready to call it quits. “I’m going to miss all the people, of course. I got well acquainted with state senators and all their wives. It’s hard to say who I would miss the most—I’ve got a lot of good friends there,” he said. Douglas may have decided to take his third retirement, but to hear him talk, it certainly doesn’t sound like he’s going to slow down any.

Igloo built by Ballard West Elementary class

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:38:15 +0000

[caption id="attachment_11087" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo by Kim Harms Pictured around their igloo are (from left) row 1: Kayle Wierson and Angela Tate; row 2: Caleb Wood and Thomas Brockshus; row 3: Chloe Hill, Kayci Rigby, Jocelyn Hobby, Elliott Kane, Brandon Bartscher; row 4: Middle Sitting Up Micah Ott, Anna Vavricek; row 5: Jameson Kaiser, Natalie Wilson, Stephen Lawler, Jason Smiley, Vivian Kahler, Grant Twedt and Payton Hauersperger."][/caption] By Kim Harms Combine 450 milk jugs, two-and-a-half weeks of preparation and an eager kindergarten class, and the result is a cool igloo fort. Mrs. Wierson’s class at Ballard West Elementary recently completed an igloo project, which has become a focal point in their room. Wierson decided to try the project because it would be an entertaining way for the kids to work in a wide variety of subject areas. “Kids love igloos and any other kind of fort,” she said. Science, math, reading, teamwork and learning about recycling were all benefits of the project. According to Wierson, when the kids work together as a team, they not only improve their social skills, but they also develop perseverance and learn the value of working together. “It was amazing how well the kids worked together,” she said. Reusing milk jugs from home provided the opportunity to talk to the kids about recycling. Figuring out just how large to make the igloo, how many milk jugs needed to be in each row and counting them out into tens before constructing the igloo was a fun way for the students to use their math and problem solving skills. And the project was the perfect way to complete their science unit dealing with winter weather, seasons, geography and cultures. Ask a student in the class and he or she will tell you the best part of the project was constructing the igloo, but Mrs. Wierson said she was most impressed with the way the students were able problem solve and work together to complete it. “It was neat to see them all problem solve,” she said. Now that all the hard work is done, the students are able to use the igloo as a reading nook/literacy station. The space is large enough for three students at a time, and they all enjoy spending time inside. During this very mild winter, the kids can use their imaginations while inside the igloo to pretend they are in the cold and snow.

Benefit planned

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:37:19 +0000

[caption id="attachment_11084" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Eva Allen (submitted photo)"][/caption] Funds are still being raised to help Eva Allen, 3, of Polk City, attain treatment for optic nerve hypoplasia, a condition that didn’t allow her optic nerves to develop fully. Eva’s grandmother, Coleen Deets, said the fundraising through the past couple years has gotten the family about half-way to its goal of $50,000. An upcoming “Bowling Benefit” will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, starting at 11 a.m. at the Tiger Bowl in Madrid. Bowling will be $20 per person, and there will be a 50/50 drawing and raffle. For anyone who cannot make it to the bowling benefit, but who would like to contribute to the fundraiser, contact Deets at 515-360-0613 or send donations to: Box 138, Polk City, IA 50226.

Wanted in Polk City!

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:36:05 +0000

The Tri-County Times is looking for someone who loves to write and take pictures to serve as our Polk City area correspondent. If you are the type of person who - Continue reading...

New voter cards coming in the mail

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:35:29 +0000

All active registered voters in Story County will be receiving a new voter registration card in the mail. The cards contain the precinct and polling place changes that went into - Continue reading...

Quirmbach votes to increase suport for local schools

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:33:48 +0000

As part of its effort to increase student achievement and education quality, on Feb. 8 the Iowa Senate approved a 4 percent increase in support for local schools during the - Continue reading...

Rood: Where is Joe Friday now that we need him?

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:32:16 +0000

By Ed Rood It’s hard to fathom what sometimes passes for justice these days. Thanks to an astronomical amount of media coverage, the most heinous crimes now take on a - Continue reading...

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Tangled’ is a good idea

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:31:46 +0000

By Terri Schlichenmeyer “Tangled” by Erica O’Rourke c.2012, Kensington Teen $9.95 / $10.95 Canada 336 pages Oh, if your parents had any idea… They think you’re a good kid with - Continue reading...

Edith Huffaker

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:31:01 +0000

Edith Huffaker, 92, of Maxwell passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at her home in Maxwell. Edith was born October 9, 1919, in Des Moines to Floyd and Lina (Wickard) Carver. She graduated from Maxwell High School in 1937 and attended Iowa State University. Edith married Harold Huffaker on July 12, 1941. She was a homemaker and a member of the Maxwell United Methodist Church, the Maxwell Historical Society, Federated Women’s Club and the Maxwell United Methodist Women. Edith enjoyed keeping a clean house, cooking and being with her family. Edith is survived by her daughters, Diane Rusk of Toledo, OH, Barbara (Paul) Despres of Bradenton, FL, Jeanne (Robert) Pierce of Maxwell and Kathy Wood of Lewis Center, OH; her grandchildren, Chris Rusk, Romain Despres, Lisa (Steven) Glas, Carrie (Colin) King, Jennifer (Brandon) Lindley and Adam Wood; her seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold in 1984; her brother, Byron Carver; and her sister, Ruth Link. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Maxwell United Methodist Church with Pastor Lanny Tuttle, officiating. Burial followed in the Collins Evergreen Cemetery in Collins. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maxwell United Methodist Church or the Maxwell Historical Society. Bacon Funeral Home in Maxwell handled arrangements.

Russell Oswalt

wynne — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:29:48 +0000

Russell Clare Oswalt, 83, of Collins died on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at the Zearing Health Care Center in Zearing. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 14, in the Collins - Continue reading...