Biggest Little Paper In Town! 1

The PaperLaurens, Iowa

Our Town , Our Paper!

© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 12 No. 41

February 27, 2019

www.thepapernow.com

Local News

Touch of Broadway to Perform at Fonda Arts CenterUnlike our typical March weather, AccuWeather this year forecasts a mild-March with temperatures in the mid-40’s, and snow limited to occasional flurries. As further proof that Spring is coming, “Touch of Broadway” will be performing at the Fonda Arts Center on Sunday, March 17th, at 3:00 p.m.! Touch of Broadway is the traveling part of the Buena Vista Community Theater, and has been on the road for eighteen successful years, sharing its impressive talent in an uplifting, family-oriented show. This year, “Aspects of Love: What’s in a Name” will have you guessing the next song as they tackle the alphabet from “A to Z” with titles familiar and loved by all! This promises to be an afternoon of delightful entertainment, friends and refreshments, sure to send you away with a smile on your face and a bounce in your step! Tickets can be arranged in advance by calling 712-288-6278 or can be purchased at the door. All this happening at the Fonda Arts Center, on the Northwest corner of Fourth and Main Streets in Fonda. Everyone welcome!

Good morning Amanda & Rod! We have been escaping the stormy Iowa winter for the past two months down here in Hot Springs, AR. The locals here say it is unusually cold, but everything is relative! After a winter break, the Arts Center will soon be up and running! “Touch of Broadway” is coming again this year with another delightful performance! I hope you can help us get the word out in “The Paper”. Thank you! Annie Reiff 712-288-6278 delany@iowatelecom.net

Unlike our typical March weather, AccuWeather this year forecasts a mid-March with temperatures in the mid-40Õs, and snow limited to occasional ßurries. As further proof that Spring is coming, “Touch of Broadway” will be performing at the Fonda Arts Center on Sunday, March 17th, at 3:00 p.m.! Touch of Broadway is the traveling part of the Buena Vista Community Theater, and has been on the road for eighteen successful years, sharing its impressive talent in an uplifting, family oriented show. This year, ÒAspects of Love: WhatÕs in a NameÓ will have you guessing the next song as they tackle the alphabet from ÒA to ZÓ with titles familiar and loved by all! This promises to be an afternoon of delightful entertainment, friends and refreshments, sure to send you away with a smile on your face and a bounce in your step! Tickets can be arranged in advance by calling 712-288-6278, or can be purchased at the door. All this happening at the Fonda Arts Center, on the Northwest corner of Fourth and Main Streets in Fonda. Everyone welcome!

Ty

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Local News

Military Community Invited to Iowa State SymposiumIowa’s Veterans, active-duty military and the professionals who serve them are invited to learn about educational opportunities from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and its partners. “Building Awareness: The Military Community and ISU Extension and Outreach” will be offered May 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Sun Room at Iowa State’s Memorial Union on campus. The symposium is a statewide event and open to anyone interested, including the military community at Iowa State University, local Veterans groups, agencies and individuals who support the military community, county Veterans service officers, and ISU Extension and Outreach faculty, specialists and county staff. “ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowans through research‐based educational programs and extends the resources of Iowa State University across the state. Many of our programs would be beneficial to the military community,” said David Brown, a human sciences specialist in family life. “We’re offering this symposium in partnership with professionals who serve the military community, both active duty as well as Veterans,” Brown said. “Working together to leverage our resources in support of active military, Veterans and their families just makes

sense,” said Malisa Rader, also a human sciences specialist in family life. “Our 99-county network of extension offices is available to support present and past service members and their loved ones.” Jathan Chicoine, director of the Iowa State University Veterans Center, said, “We want to increase awareness and better link Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to our active military, student Veterans, National Guard and community Veteran populations and their families. There is excitement in creating the space for new relationships and awareness.” Brett McLain, director of the Story County Office of Veterans Affairs, added, “I see a wealth of opportunities because so many are not aware of the educational offerings available through ISU Extension and Outreach. This is a chance to connect the dots between ISU Extension and Outreach and the military community.” Online registration for the May 8 symposium is available at http://bit.ly/buildingawareness12196. There is a $10 registration fee for community members, but the event is free to all ISU students. Parking is available in the Memorial Union parking garage and military community members will receive a free parking pass. “Building Awareness: The Military Community and ISU Extension and Outreach” addresses the following objectives: • Increase awareness of national Cooperative Extension efforts to serve the military community. • Provide new knowledge on how to collaborate with the military community across Iowa. • Provide ISU Extension and Outreach with direction on how to best connect with the military

community. The keynote speaker is Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, a professor of human development and family studies and director of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. Other guest speakers are Sarah Baughman, a professor at Virginia Tech and national project leader of the Military Families Learning Network; Brig. Gen. Shawn Ford of the Iowa Air National Guard; Tim Mullaney, a behavioral scientist for Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System; and Lori Reynolds, a suicide prevention outreach and education specialist for Veterans Affairs. A local panel of professionals who work with the military community also will be available to answer participant questions. “The intent is that the conversation does not end at the state symposium, but continues throughout the state at the regional and county level,” Rader said. “Looking down the road, we in ISU Extension and Outreach are committed to better understanding military culture, providing opportunities for people associated with the military to learn more about our educational offerings, and discovering potential ways to better collaborate to meet the educational needs of the military community.” The symposium is funded by an Excellence in Extension Innovative Program grant. Sponsors include Human Sciences Extension and Outreach, ISU Extension and Outreach Story County, ISU Veterans Center and Story County Office of Veterans Affairs. For more information or to ask questions, contact David Brown at 515-386-2138 or dnbrown@iastate.edu.

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Local News & Advertising

At the Library with Glenda MulderFebruary 27, 2019

I was scheduled to take a couple online continuing education classes last week. I usually try to do them before the library opens, but that’s not always possible. Well, luck was on my side this time, it was pretty quiet in here on Wednesday when I was taking them! The All Iowa Reads program has been

around for years. Last year they introduced kids’ book selections. So my webinars were about 2019 nonfiction adult selection This Blessed Earth: A Year in the Life of an American Family Farm by Ted Genoways and the kids book Amina's Voice by Hena Khan. Both authors spoke, information was given about the All Iowa Reads program, and ideas for implementation this year were given. It was actually a great way to spend a snowy day! New novels this week include: The Lost Man by Jane Harper, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin, No Exit by Taylor Adams, Justified Murder by Jude Devereaux, Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke, The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff, Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli, Dear George, Dear Mary: A Novel of George Washington's First Love by Mary Calv and Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts. Deb has fun plans for a St. Patrick’s Day themed Take it Tuesday, March 5th. Class size is limited, so contact the library if you’d like to sign up!

COMING EVENTS• Tot Time Every Monday at 10 am

• Take it Tuesday 6:30 pm the 1st Tuesday of the month • Book Club 7 pm 4th Monday of the month

• Card Class 6:30 pm 4th Tuesday monthly

Winter Webinar Series Offered for Master Gardeners in 2019The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will host a winter webinar series in 2019. Master Gardeners will gain educational hours for the webinars that are scheduled at the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County for March 25 and April 29. Winter webinar topics include: • March 25, 2019 from 4:30 - 5:30pm – Engaging New Audiences, Elin Filbey will share examples of activities to attract new people to the garden. • April 29, 2019 from 4:30 – 5:30pm – Limited Space Gardening, Explore a dozen ways to create container gardens with Ed Lyon. To register, contact Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach Office, at 712-335-3103. The webinars are free of charge and open to anyone who may be interested.

FISH FRY AT LAURENS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBFRIDAY, MARCH 8

SERVING FROM 5-8 P.M.COD LOIN, BAKED POTATO, BAKED BEANS,

COLE SLAW & BREAD

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Advertising & Announcements

United Methodist Men’s Annual Soup & Pie Supper

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

from 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Laurens United Methodist Church 201 W. Main St.

Serving Chili, Chicken Noodle

& Broccoli Cheese Soup.

Adults~ $6.00 Children 12 yrs. & under ~ $3.00

Our Methodist Men help support many local & global projects.

Agronomy Driver/Yard Person

Our company has a full-time position opening for an Agronomy Driver/Yard Person at our Laurens location.

Primary duties include agronomy operations, maintenance of equipment, tendering products to fields and other duties as assigned. Must have or be able to obtain a commercial

applicators license and a Class A CDL with hazmat. Other duties will include but not

limited to grain handling and grain facility maintenance. Experience preferred and agricultural back

ground desired but not required. Please apply online at www.firstcoop.com or pick up an

application at any of our locations.

Havelock AMVETS Post 39Stag Night

Thursday, February 28 at 7 p.m.

Happy Hour at 6 p.m.

Thank You!Thank you, thank you to everyone who sent me cards and well wishes for my 80th birthday! It was such fun to go to the mailbox every day. God bless my family and friends for making 80 wonderful!

Linda Olson

REMINDER: It is the homeowners responsibility to scoop around the fire

hydrant if there is one in their yard.

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Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchPastor Ed Frank

Wed., Feb. 27th:Book Club @ 9 a.m.Hands of Hope Puppet Troop @ 7 p.m.

Thurs., Feb. 28th:Blood Drive from 2-5:30 p.m. here at UMC

Fri., March 1:Mens Bible Study @ 7 a.m.

Sat., March 2nd:UMM meeting @ 8 a.m.

Sun., March 3rd:Adult Sunday School @ 9:00 a.m.Sunday School (kids) @ 9:10 a.m.Fellowship Coffee @ 9:30 a.m.Worship @ 10:30 a.m. - Choir performs withHoly Communion Youth Group (Jr. & Sr. High) 6-8 p.m. at First Christian Church

Mon., March 4:Quilt Club @ 7 p.m.

This Week at Bethany LutheranSunday: March 3, 2019Transfiguration of Our Lord9:30 AM ~ Adult SS 9:30 AM ~ Youth SS & Coffee Fellowship10:30 AM ~ Worship w/Communion Usher & Greeter: Bill & Pat Alexander6 PM ~ Youth Group (HS) at FCC

Monday: March 4, 20194 PM ~ W/M Mtg.

Tuesday: March 5, 20197:30 AM ~ Prayer Group6:30 PM ~ CPR Review

Wednesday: March 6, 20197 PM ~ Ash Wednesday Communion Service

Worship, Love, Accept~Together in Christ’s Name

This Week at First ChristianPastor Rev. Rita Cordell712-845-6164

Friday, March 1 7 - p.m. AA

Sunday, March 3 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School 10:30 a.m. - Worship6-8 p.m. - High School Youth Group at First Christian Church

Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic ChurchPocahontas, IA -- Pastor: Very Rev. Craig Collison, VF

MASS TIMES:Daily Mass as scheduled in the weekly bulletinSaturday at 5:00 PMSunday at 10:30 AM

Confessions: Saturday 4:15 pm at Resurrection

Office: 16 SW 2nd Street, Pocahontas

Office Phone: 712-335-3242

Residence Phone: 712-335-8065

E-mail: colly@ncn.net

Pastoral Care: Sister Renae Hohensee, 563-552-8666

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Extension News

Seed Treatment Course Scheduled for Feb. 27Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County will host a Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators, Wednesday, February 27. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs from 9 to 11 a.m. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Dianne Dirks at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office in Pocahontas County by phoning 712-335-3103. The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. Topics to be covered include equipment calibration and safe application techniques; pests, pest management and pesticides; and issues concerning treated seed, including disposal of unused treated seed. Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered. Interested participants should bring their CCA number to the program. Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PSEP team can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP/.

Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Course Offered March 6Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County will offer the Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, March 6, 2019. The program can be seen at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) team. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs 9-11:30 a.m. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Dianne Dirks at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office in Pocahontas County by phoning 712-335-3103. The course will provide continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 3O, 3T, 3OT, and 10. The IDALS required topics to be covered include equipment calibration and safe application techniques; pesticide drift reduction; and phytotoxicity. Pest and pest management topics (including pesticides) include updates on emerald ash borer and bur oak blight; hard to control weeds in lawns; RoundUp for lawns; compaction reduction strategies; identification of common turfgrass insects; and disease identification symptoms on golf courses. Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses being offered by the PSEP team can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/psep.

Drainage Workshop in EmmetsburgMany farmers experienced over 50 inches of rainfall in 2018, while normal rainfall is about 30 inches a year. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is planning a workshop to help farmers and landlords address the issues of drainage. Topics to be covered include: 1. Using free ISU GIS images to access the current and future drainage needs on your farm. 2. Laying out a long-term plan to improve the drainage and a plan to pay for it. 3. Using free websites to calculate the performance of plastic drainage tubing. 4. Current research and practices on drainage and water quality. 5. New surface intakes that take less maintenance and solving side-hill seeps. Iowa State University Extension Specialist, Kris Kohl and Dr. Matt Helmers will lead the workshop. at the VFW, 3205 Main Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536. Cost is $25 and includes materials and lunch. Registration begings at 9:30 a.m. Workshop runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Please call Palo Alto Extension and Outreach at 712-852-2865 to register for this workshop!!

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Extension News

Yard & Garden: How to Prune GrapevinesFor many home gardeners, pruning grapevines is a difficult, confusing chore. Fortunately, understanding the growth and fruiting characteristics of the grapevine should help simplify the pruning process. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists make the chore less confusing by sharing basic information about pruning. To have more questions answered, contact Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu. Why is it necessary to prune grapevines? Grapevines produce fruit clusters on the previous season’s growth. Before pruning, a grapevine may have 200 to 300 buds capable of producing fruit. If the vine is not pruned, the number of grape clusters would be excessive and the grapevine would be unable to ripen the large crop or produce adequate vegetative growth. The purpose of pruning is to obtain maximum yields of high quality grapes and to allow adequate vegetative growth for the following season. When should I prune my grapevines? Grapevines should be pruned in late winter or early

spring. In Iowa, pruning can begin in late February and should be completed by early April. Grapevines pruned at this time of year may “bleed” heavily. However, the loss of sap does not harm the vines. What is the correct way to prune grapevines? Grapevines are trained to a specific system to facilitate cultivation, harvesting and pest control. The most common training system used by home gardeners is the four-cane Kniffin system. In the four-cane Kniffin system, the canes of the grapevine grow on two wires, one located 3 feet above the ground and the second 6 feet high. If utilizing the four-cane Kniffin system, select four canes on the upper wire, two going in each direction. Also, select four canes on the lower wire. To aid identification, some gardeners tie brightly colored ribbons or strips of cloth on those canes they wish to retain. All remaining one-year-old canes should be completely removed. Going back to the upper wire, select two of the remaining four canes (one going in each direction). Prune these canes back to one or two buds. These short one or two bud canes are referred to as renewal spurs. The renewal spurs provide the shoots or canes that produce next year’s crop. Prune the

remaining two canes on the upper wire back to 8 to 13 buds. The number of buds left on the fruiting canes is determined by plant vigor. If the grapevine is vigorous, leave 13 buds per cane. Leave only eight buds per cane if the grapevine’s vigor is poor. Prune the four canes on the lower wire the same as those on the upper wire. When pruning is complete, no more than 60 buds should remain on the grapevine. When counting the number of buds on the grapevine, include both the buds on the fruiting canes and those on the renewal spurs. The six-cane Kniffin system is another training system occasionally used by home gardeners. In the six-cane Kniffin system, the canes of the grapevine are grown on three wires. The wires are positioned 2, 4, and 6 feet above the ground. After pruning, a grapevine trained to the six-cane Kniffin system consists of six fruiting canes and six one- or two-bud renewal spurs. As with other training systems, the maximum number of retained buds is 60.

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City Council Minutes

February 18th, 2019 The Laurens City Council met in regular session in the Municipal Building at 5:00 p.m. on

Monday, February 18th, 2019. Mayor Rod Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Present were Council members, Jean Swanson, Aaron Christenson, Rich Newgard, John Jamison, Julie Potter, City Manager Hilary Reed, City Clerk Joan Hoben, City Attorney Ann Beneke, and Police Chief Tom Shaw.

Jamison moved to approve the consent agenda with the minutes from the February 4th, 2019, meeting, the list of claims, as well as a Class C Liquor License for The Tea Pot Café. Christenson seconded. All ayes; motion carried.

CLAIMS 2-18-19 ACCO CHEMICALS 1,933.60

AFLAC GROUP INSURANCE 493.14

AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL OXYGEN CYLINDERS 66.17

AMAZON BOOKS & DVDS 162.27

BAKER & TAYLOR BOOKS 476.20

CONNECTIONS GROUP INSURANCE 38.76

COUNSEL SERVICE AGREEMENT 79.00 COUNSEL MAINT CONTRACT 88.37 DEE JACKSON/JACKSON MOTOR SNOW REMOVAL 36.00 ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING POLICE CAR EQUIPMENT - EXPLORER 9,694.26 GALL'S INC STREET GEAR 167.97

GARTHLENE BELL TRAINING 56.00

HACH CO TESTING 800.51

IAMU MEMBERSHIP 506.00 IMFOA MEMBERSHIP 50.00 IRS FED/FICA TAX 4,391.13 JCL SOLUTIONS SUPPLIES 11.60 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP 13.00 LAURENS FOOD PRIDE CLEANING SUPPLIES 22.92 LAURENS HOUSE OF PRINT BUSINESS CARD 141.50 LMPC REIMBURSEMENT OF 2018 DIVIDEND 7,240.77 LMU MONTHLY UTILITIES 769.90 LAURENS PLUMBING REPAIRS 1,448.50 LAURENS STATE BANK POSTAGE 149.01 LAURENS SUN LEGALS 262.25 MET TESTING 184.00 NW IA EAR, NOSE, & THROAT HEARING TEST 60.00 OFFICE ELEMENTS OFFICE SUPPLIES 394.00 OVERHEAD DOOR SALES & SVC. REPAIRS ON OVERHEAD DOOR 353.72 PCC AMBULANCE BILLING AMBULANCE BILLING 466.45 POC CO SECONDARY ROAD SALT/SAND MIX 316.09 POCAHONTAS SOLID WASTE LANDFILL FEE 5,712.08 PRIME BENEFITS GROUP INSURANCE 1,192.50 PRINCIPAL LIFE MONTHLY GROUP INSURANCE 704.69 PRO COOPERATIVE MONTHLY FUEL 1,509.08 R & D INDUSTRIES SERVICE AGREEMENT 271.37 RB LUMBER SUPPLIES 51.10 RICHARDSON SERVICE WATER PLANT TRUCK 139.94 SANTANDER LEASING MONTHLY PAYMENT STREET SWEEPER 3,390.81 SHAMROCK RECYCLING CURBSIDE RECLYCING 1,683.02 VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONE 267.48 WEX POLICE MONTHLY FUEL 528.78

TOTAL 46,323.94

PAYROLL 001 GENERAL 4,574.79

210 ROAD USE TAX 1,424.25 600 WATER 2,421.60 610 SEWER 2,258.74 670 GARBAGE 2,257.93

TOTAL 12,937.31

PAID TOTAL 59,261.25

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BY FUND 001 GENERAL

28,397.00

110 ROAD USE TAX 2,685.63

112 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 1,077.86

200 DEBT SERVICE 3,390.81 600 WATER 7,517.48 610 SEWER 4,399.22 670 GARBAGE 11,793.25

TOTAL BY FUND 59,261.25

Swanson moved to approve Resolution 05-19 Setting the Date for the Budget Public Hearing for

March 11th at 12:00 pm. Potter seconded. Roll call vote: Ayes: Potter, Jamison, Newgard, Christenson, Swanson. Nays: None. Motion carried.

The Summer Ball Program was discussed. The council discussed whether the city should run the program or let volunteers head up the program. After much discussion, Reed is to obtain more information in regard to sign proceeds and how else the city may fund this.

Potter moved to adjourn at 5:25 p.m. Jamison seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.

____________________________________ ______________________________________ Rod Johnson, Mayor Hilary Reed, City Clerk

City Council Minutes