VIP Tickets Remain for .38 Special Posted 3 July 2009 Appearing on the Farm Bureau Main Events Stage, Friday, July 17 at 8:30 PM, .38 Special.  formed by neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1975 in Jacksonville, Florida .38 Special began amalgamating southern rock and arena rock in their music, thereby kicking off a string of successful albums and singles. Their first high-charting song was "Hold On Loosely" (1981); "Caught Up In You" (1982) and "If I'd Been The One" (1983) both hit #1 on Billboard magazine's Album Rock Tracks chart. "Back Where You Belong" (1984) continued the annual sequence of radio favorites, and "Second Chance" (1989), a #1 hit on Billboard's adult contemporary chart, was sung by former Specialist Max Carl. In 2007, 38 Special was the opening act on Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.'s Rowdy Frynds Tour, and on September 27, 2008, they filmed a CMT Crossroads special with country singer Trace Adkins, performing both artists' hits from over the years. In 2009, 38 Special opened for REO Speedwagon and Styx as part of the "Can't Stop Rockin' Tour." The current lineup consists of Barnes, Van Zant, guitarist Danny Chauncey, bassist Larry Junstrom, keyboardist Bobby Capps and drummer Gary Moffatt. Grandstand seating is included with admission to the Fair.  VIP seats are available for $60 and can be purchased at the Fair Office, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000 Two Weeks Til Gretchen! Posted 2 July 2009 Appearing on the Farm Bureau Main Events Stage, Thursday, July 16 at 8:30 PM, Gretchen Wilson.  Wilson debuted in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party. Wilson followed this album one year later with All Jacked Up, the title track of which became the highest-debuting single for a female country artist upon its 2005 release. A third album, One of the Boys, was released in 2007. Overall, Wilson has charted thirteen singles on the Billboard country charts, of which five have reached Top Ten: the Number One "Redneck Woman", as well as "Here for the Party" (#3, 2004), "When I Think About Cheatin'" (#4, 2004), "Homewrecker" (#2, 2005), and "All Jacked Up" (#8, 2005). The album Here for the Party was certified 5× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA for sales of five million copies, while All Jacked Up was certified platinum and One of the Boys certified gold. Grandstand seating is included with admission to the Fair.  Reserved seats are available for $34 and can be purchased at the Fair Office, Ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000 Rides Included at the Delaware County Fair! Posted 1 July 2009 Forget the bracelet.  New for this year at the Delaware County Fair, the rides are free.  With the price of admission, all of the mid-way rides are included.  Ride as many times as you like! According to Fair Manager, Jeannie Domeyer, "A family of 4 saves at least $20, probably more.   In today's economy, the Fair Board knows that making the Delaware County Fair affordable for families is important.  Mom and Dad can bring the kids to the fair and let them ride all day without paying for a ride bracelet.  Also, you can see great acts like Big Daddy Weave, Gretchen Wilson and .38 Special perform at the fair with the price of admission." Pay your price of admission to the fair and receive your carnival rides, free on grounds shows, teen and beer garden entertainment and grandstand shows all FREE! Get your tickets today. The fair office is at the Community Center at the Fairgrounds, in Manchester. Office hours are 9-5 Phone 563.927.6449 Adults: $9 Kids 1-11: $1 The Eagle Has Landed At Heartland Acres Agribition Center Posted 22 June 2009 Wood brings a glow to Joe Lies retirement years….At age 65 (2004) Joe had time ‘on his hands’.  Most people would think the ‘glow’ would be from the fireplace but he thought he would try something different.  Sculpting wood with a chain saw gave him many hours of pleasure.  Not knowing for sure the final outcome of each sculpture because the varieties of wood would create something unique.  Many locals would see him in what is fondly called ‘the tree dump’ studying each log. Now several years later his wife, Dori, has retired and they would like to sell their home and do ‘lots of traveling’.  One of his sculptures is an eagle with spread wings made from red oak and another is a family of wolves made from maple.  These two magnificent sculptures are now on display at Heartland Acres Agribition Center. The “Eagle has landed’ in the newly established ‘Butterfly Garden’ just south of the Heartland Acres Agribition Center.  This past spring “Butterfliz’s of Iowa’ again was part of the program during the annual “Spring Hatch”.  The Buchanan Co. Master Gardeners became interested in starting a Butterfly Garden at Heartland and now both projects have come together to develop another unique story at Heartland Acres.  The garden and eagle can be seen from the inside looking out the “S. Silo” windows, as well as walking around in the garden outside, weather permitting. The family of wolves new home is in the “Hall of Time” section fitting into early Iowa history.  Early explorers ventured into Iowa for many reasons.  Some were trappers or traders who lived off the land, others were missionaries looking to establish missions and military men were sent to map and secure land deeded to the United States.  The United State began opening up the Midwest for settlement by signing treaties with local Native American groups as early as 1804.  The Black Hawk Purchase of 1832 made it legal for settlers to move into territories west of the Mississippi.  Most newcomers came seeking land and were pleasantly surprised by Iowa’s favorable climate, sufficient rainfall, generous growing season, abundance of timber, fertile land, and VARIETY OF WILDLIFE.  This large sculpture speaks volumes. If you haven’t been out to visit Heartland Acres Agribition Center lately you will see many different exhibits.  Summer hours are now in effect – open 7 days a week.  Monday through Saturday the hours are 9:00am-4:30pm and Sundays noon-4:30pm.  Group rates are available for larger groups.  Admission charge as usual.  2600 Swan Lake Blvd.  Independence, Iowa   exit #252 from Hwy. #20.  Check out the website www.heartlandacaresusa.com   Iowa Agriculture  Past, present and Future.  Call 319 332-0123 for further details. Strawberry Days Parade "First Friday at 5" Kick's Off Posted 8 June 2009 Manchester's First Friday at 5, kicked off last Friday, featuring Bad Habits.  The free event features music, food, beer and fun.  First Friday at 5 is held in the parking lot accross from City Hall.  The line up inlcudes Swamp Cats on Friday July 3, and Lockren August 7. NICC Gas Utility Program Generates First Graduating Class Posted 26 May 2009 At NICC’s graduation ceremony in Dubuque on May 15, the first four Gas Utility Construction and Service (AAS) graduates walked across the stage to receive their degrees. Good job market news awaits. The program’s lead instructor, Bob Waechter, reports that graduates hired for entry-level gas utility jobs in northeast Iowa can expect to earn an average of $30-$35,000 annually, and jobs are plentiful because many skilled workers are nearing retirement. The curriculum input from area energy companies and their equipment donations also contributes to student and job placement success. As NICC’s newest two-year industrial technology offering on the Peosta campus, the Gas Utility Construction and Service program trains students on the installation, maintenance and operation of high and low pressure natural gas distribution systems used to supply residential, commercial and industrial facilities. The program’s first graduates say they are ready to work in a good career with great opportunities and the added job security with working for a utility company. Graduates who form the Class of 2009 are: ·   Mike Chatfield, the son of Judie Reynolds and Jim     Reynolds of Dubuque ·   Aaron Mathson, son of Wayne and Mandy of     Prairie du Chien, Wis. ·   Andrew Millman, son of Randy and Dawn Millman     of Dubuque ·   Collin Welsh, son of Pat and Sandi of Dubuque Mike Chatfield previously worked for Gronen Restoration, where he ran heavy equipment, refinished floors, worked in demolition, and did carpentry and brick work as part of the restoration efforts in old Dubuque. For Chatfield, the work experience generated an appreciation for task variety in a new career. “I really enjoy the variety that the gas utility career offers,” said Chatfield. “You’re checking meters, repairing appliances, and you’re always doing something different in gas utility work.” All the graduates enjoyed the five-credit, eight-week internships during their final NICC semester. Each graduate rotated for four consecutive weeks between Black Hills Energy and Infrasource. Interns read meters during the first week, performed operations technician work the second week and worked as service technicians the third week. During the final week, the graduates worked alongside construction crews in the field. “The internship was great,” said graduate Collin Welsh. “I was finally getting to work with live gas, not just the simulations we used earlier in our program.” Lead instructor Bob Waechter said that the donations from area companies make the hands-on learning approach of the program possible. John Deere Dubuque Works, Alliant Energy, Black Hills Energy and Infrasource provided students with a range of industry-standard equipment needed to do the job. The companies donated or loaned fitting trucks, fusion units, telemetry equipment, loader backhoes, gauges and piercing tools for NICC students enrolled in the program. Although many area customers may associate gas utility work with meter reading, gas line leak repair or the local company’s customer service representative, Waechter said there are many opportunities in the gas utility field for specialization. NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service graduates are trained to perform complex tasks such as annual leak surveys, telemetry, corrosion repair, pipe welding, trenching and gas line installation. NICC’s gas utility program is the only two-year program of its kind in the state of Iowa. In 2006-2007, NICC built a 10,000 square foot industrial technology building equipped with a 2,500 square foot gas utilities lab, classroom space, office space, computers and storage for heavy machinery. An outdoor field lab provides extra space for students to practice trenching, on-site pipe fitting and gas line installation. Gas utility students learn alongside NICC’s construction trades students in the new facility, which gives students time to learn in a cross-disciplinary setting. Over the course of the program, John Deere has loaned equipment such as a 410JTC loader backhoe. Black Hills Energy donated polyethylene pipe (PE pipe), meters, regulators and a meter set with telemetry. Black Hills Energy personnel also trained students in advanced regulation and measurement work. Infrasource, a national energy company based in Des Moines, donated one fitting truck that gas utility workers use to transport equipment to job sites, a John Deere 310 backhoe, a Vermeer backhoe/trencher and various other pieces of equipment. Three of these first grads directly benefited from financial support through The Alliant Energy Foundation. The Alliant Energy Foundation, an independent, non-profit philanthropic corporation funded by Alliant Energy shareowners, established a new scholarship for NICC Gas Utility Construction and Service students. The foundation awards three $1,000 scholarships annually to students entering or currently enrolled in the program. Through the coordination of the NICC Foundation, the funds will be available to qualifying students each fall. To learn more about NICC’s Gas Utility Construction and Service program, call the Peosta campus admissions office at (800) 728-7367 or (563) 556-5110, ext. 401, or visit here Manchester to Host Iowa CornHole Championships Posted 26 May 2009 Mark you calendar, Manchester will play host to the Iowa CornHole Championships Saturday, August 8, 2009 as part of the "Because Manchester is Fun" Weekend. Other activities include the "First Friday at 5" gathering on Friday August 7 featuring Lockren and the Car Cruise. Check the web site for more details!  Stay tuned to Manchester 24/7 for continuing coverage! State Auditor Vaudt Reviews 2010 Budget Posted 20 May 2009 Continuing in his role as the “Taxpayers’ Watchdog” and his duty to report directly to the people of Iowa on the condition of the State’s finances, State Auditor David A. Vaudt has completed his review of the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget. Iowans heard many times during the legislative session about all the difficult choices to be made in order to “cut the budget.” Ironically, the adopted budget responds to the difficult fiscal challenge caused by a 2.7% decline in revenues with a 1% spending increase. Once again, the adopted Fiscal Year 2010 budget continues poor budgeting practices while pushing tough decisions to the next fiscal year. Rockefeller Students Learn Power of Teamwork Posted 18 May 2009 Rockefeller Alternative High School Program students at NICC’s Calmar campus spent the day at Camp Ewalu, in Strawberry Point, to strengthen friendships and build trust in each other on May 1. Every year the seniors anxiously this trip, viewing the camp trip as a reward for their hard work. The Rockefeller students especially enjoy the Camp Ewalu high ropes course, which presents a series of challenges to prove the students’ strength in each other.                 At the first station, students had to work together on problem solving. Each student must climb a 15-foot wall and the group learns that using teamwork will complete their goal. The last student to scale the wall could not have any help from peers at the base of the wall, and could only be assisted from above. Students cheer and encourage their peers to supply extra inspiration to accomplish the task.                 The camp’s second station was the towering rock wall. Although many of the students did not think they could make it to the top, most of them did. At the top of the wall was a horn, and when the students reached the top, they sounded the horn to celebrate their victory.                 The zip line station provided the most relief for the student participants. The students climbed up a pole and got strapped to the 150-foot zip line. The students felt the most fear when they had to step off the platform into nothing but air. As soon as the students got off the zip line, they felt very relieved and relaxed.                 The last, and most challenging, station was the leap of faith. Student had to climb up a 25-foot pole, reach the top and carefully climb onto a platform. At this point, most of the students felt that they had enough, but all students pushed themselves one step further. The station demanded that students take a leap of faith. Each student had to leap out into the air and try to grab a trapeze bar about five feet out in front of them. The students agreed that this was the most challenging station of them all.                 After this experience, the students grew much stronger and closer together. For many of the students, the day presented many challenges that they didn’t think were possible to overcome. Every student stepped up to their challenge and faced it head on. The ropes course was not only fun for the students, but provided a lifelong learning experience. Students completing the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program at NICC’s Calmar campus participated in their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 13. NICC hosted the celebration program in the Wilder Auditorium. A record-breaking number of 23 students graduated from the program this spring. NICC has partnered with five northeast Iowa community school districts since January 1995 to provide an alternative high school opportunity for students. The program gives students an opportunity to complete their resident high school graduation requirements in a nontraditional setting. The small one-room program, with one full-time instructor and one part-time classroom associate, promotes a caring and supportive environment. Currently, five school districts are served by the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program: Decorah, North Fayette, South Winneshiek, Turkey Valley and Valley. Nearly 150 northeast Iowa students have now graduated with high school diplomas by completing high school courses through the alternative program. For more information on the Rockefeller Alternative High School Program, contact the Calmar campus at (563) 562-3263, ext. 342, or visit http://www.nicc.edu Ropes Course Photo: Decorah students Curtis Rasing and Toni Kurtze are at the top of the wall and South Winneshiek students Isaac Rasmussen and Dustin Baumler assist North Fayette student Marsha Ourada to the top of a 15' structure. Barn Quilts of Delaware County Posted 13 May 2009 Have you seen the colorful quilt blocks appearing on more and more barns here in Delaware county, in neighboring counties and across the state? The Barn Quilts of Delaware County committee has been in existence for a year with the goal of promoting barn quilts as a means of encouraging visitors to experience Delaware county’s farmsteads and beautiful countryside. It is very easy to add a barn quilt to your farm building. We ask that the barn quilt be placed on a building that allows the barn quilt to be viewed from a public road. Your first step in obtaining one is to contact any member of the barn quilt committee to let us know of your interest. You can design your own quilt block or choose a pattern from books or web sites that are made available to you. Barn quilts are 8’ x 8’ or 4’ x 4’ and constructed of outdoor plywood and treated two-by-fours. All the wood is coated with two coats of primer and the design is painted with three coats of high quality exterior paint. Maquoketa Valley REC has donated their services in hanging the finished barn quilts. The larger barn quilt costs $300 and the smaller one $200. If you have made your own Barn Quilt and would like to be featured in our maps and brochures we have a $50 fee that will cover the costs of advertising. The Barn Quilts of Delaware County is a non-profit organization so your fee covers the cost of the construction materials and our plans to advertise and promote the barn quilts with maps, calendars and other renditions of the barn and quilt block. You can see a Pumpkin block on Dean and Jackie Sherman’s building at 413 S Wayne Street, Manchester, and a Hole in the Barn Door block on Roger and Jody Helmrichs farm at 1443 137th Street, Dundee. There is a Basket Block on the Roger and Carol Robinson farm at 2958 210th Avenue, Masonville, and a Weathervane block on a building at the Bill and Mary Ann Lorenz site at 1704 Firefly Road, Manchester. Robert and Marian Phillip having a Blazing Star on their barn at 2072 Jet Road, Greeley, and Mountain Star can be seen at the Greg and Nancy Preussner place, 006 Franklin Street, Delhi. Grandmother’s Choice barn quilt is on Lawrence and Inez Werner’s barn at 2471 150th Avenue, Manchester. In the Colesburg area, Perry and Elaine Sampson’s Woohoo block is at 2859 Hwy 3, and Floyd and Gwen Sampson have Mosaic #4 block at 1005 290th Avenue. Our Delaware County logo quilt block can be seen on the Iowa State Extension Service building at Casey’s North in Manchester. There are more blocks being built and painted, be watching for the Twisting Star at Randy and Deb Miles at 2265 275th Street, Delhi and the Homeward Star at Mick and Mary Traver, 1605 165th Street, Manchester. How can you be a part of adding this tourism opportunity to Delaware county? We are welcoming additional committee members to help with construction and painting, and we are especially looking for those interested in graphic design to help us plan the brochures, calendars and advertising. Donations from individuals and businesses are also welcome. You may contact any of these members of the committee to volunteer, to apply for a barn quilt, or to have questions answered. Roger Helmrichs, 563-924-2475, Allie Wilske, 563-927-9100 and Jackie Sherman, 563-927-2742, are The Barn Quilts of Delaware County, Inc. officers. Kathy Wilgenbusch, The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe, 563-927-8017, is the Design Coordinator. Dave Gibbs, Gibbs Engineering, 563-927-2434, is the Design Engineer. Dean Sherman, 563-927-2732 is the Construction Coordinator. And committee member, Jack Klaus, 563-927-4141, with Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce. NICC Plants Trees with Assistance from Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy Posted 30 April 2009 Northeast Iowa Community College planted 17 trees on Arbor Day, April 24, with the assistance of environmentally-minded organizations and energy companies. NICC’s annual spring planting efforts received support from the Trees Forever organization, Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy. Black Hills Energy’s Power of Trees program provided $2,000 in funding and Alliant Energy’s community tree planting program, Branching Out, supported the college with a $2,000 grant. These programs support tree planting because the efforts help reduce peak electric demand, keep communities healthy and vital, and provide long term environmental benefits. The NICC tree planting volunteer crew planted the newest arrivals along the Burds Rd. north entrance into the Peosta campus. “We enjoyed working with Trees Forever, Black Hills Energy and Alliant Energy this year to bring our long term planting project to life,” said Barb O’Hea, NICC’s associate director for foundation. “This opportunity brings us together while making our city more beautiful. We’re making a significant impact in our environment simply by planting trees in the community,” O’Hea said. Alliant Energy and NICC officials met on Monday, April 20, to make this year’s donation to the college’s spring planting work. Craig Clefisch, strategic account manager, represented Alliant Energy on campus to formally make the company’s contribution. Over the past several years, NICC has increased its commitment to green initiatives through tree planting, reduced energy consumption and additional conservation measures. "The Branching Out program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community stewardship," said Tom Aller-President of Interstate Power and Light, an Alliant Energy company. "Alliant Energy enjoys partnering with Trees Forever and local communities to fund and implement tree-planting projects." For more information, please contact Barb O’Hea, NICC’s associate director for foundation, at (563) 556-5110, ext. 284. Ambassadors Visit Hausers Water Systems Posted 29 April 2009 The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors visited Hausers Water Systems, Inc. and Rippling Springs Bottled Water Company  and met with owners Sean and Chad Hauser to tour their new facility on 220th  Street and learn about the growth of their company. Ambassadors Visit Philippson Masonry & Concrete Posted 28 April 2009 The Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors visited Philippson Masonry & Concrete, Inc. and American Concrete Pumping and met with owners Ray and Jane Philippson to tour their new building on 180th Ave. and hear about the growth of their companies. Congressman Braley's Wind Energy Tour Good Seats Remain for Gretchen Wilson and .38 Special Posted 16 April 2009 Good seats remian for this summer's Delaware County Fair Concert Events. Gretchen Wilson will appear Thursday, July 16 and .38 Special will perform Friday July 17.  Both shows are slated to begin at 8:30 PM. VIP tickets remain for .38 Special inlcuding reserved seating and all you care to eat and drink. For more information, contact the Delaware County Fair at 563.927.6449 Groundbreaking for NICC Industrial Technology Building Posted 10 April 2009 Northeast Iowa Community College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on April 7 to officially begin construction of a new Industrial Technologies Building at Peosta. The building construction, funded from the $35 million bond issue approved by voters in December 2007, will help NICC to better serve area employment needs and develop the skills of our area’s workforce.  The new building will expand industrial technology program offerings and provide larger classroom and lab areas to enhance student learning  Programs that will move into the completed facility include Auto Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Electronic Technology, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding. A new Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) program will also be housed in the building and start in the Fall of 2010 when the building is expected to open. (Photo Courtesy of NICC) Monticello Chamber Announces "Uptown Friday Night" Line-up Posted 2 April 2009 Come and enjoy the food, fun, and music! FREE admission! Located next to City Hall on Sycamore Street. These GREAT events start at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. In the event of rain, all activities will be moved into the community building. Fun for the whole family with lots of kid's activities sponsored by the Ross Elizabeth Baty Public Library and great food vendor. June 12 The band mcphisto will rock the crowd with their covers of hard rock standars and thier own stuff. Check out their website. Sponsors: Above & Beyond Home Heathcare and Hospice, The Cone Shoppe, Goettsch Funeral Home, Keleher's Jewelry, and REM Electric. Food vendors are the Monticello Jaycees, Advancement Services of Jones County, and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent. July 10 The band Monkey Business will be playing "Classic Rock" tunes from Aerosmith to ZZ Top. Check out their website. Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626 Food vendors are the Monticello Eagles and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent. August 14 The band Bad Habits will be playing Classic Rock. Check out their website. Sponsors: None yet.  Contact Kris at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce!!   319-465-5626 Food vendors are the Venture Crew and the Monticello Commercial Club. The Monticello Chamber will sponsor the beverage tent.

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