The Chronicle, Vol. 118, No. 35
Aug 27, 2009

The Mayor Sez…
     I think it is high time to recognize the Odebolt Community Center Board. They are a hard working committed group of volunteers that keep our community center what is is today. Steve (Spear) Bengford is the new president and we all certainly wish him and his board well. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Howard Hustedt and all he has done from “day one”.
     Continuing with last week’s comments concerning the northeast corner of 175 & M43, we need to thank Kerry Reinhart, Joan Godbersen, Grant Thayer, Gary Roth and his backhoe service, and the Odebolt Fire Dept. for initiating the eradication of this unsightly view at the entrance to our City. It is a work in progress. Thanks to all involved that I have missed naming; we appreciate your community service.
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt
     www.odebol.net/council.html

Photo captions in this week's Chronicle:

Have you checked out the Odebolt Museum building lately? One of our photographers just happened to catch Kathy Larson and daughter Chelsea applying a fresh coat of paint to the front of the building. What a difference it made!

4 Generations: Lester Siebrecht, grandfather; Vicki Smith, mother; Lois Siebrecht, great-grandmother; and baby Blake Charles Smith.

The Odebolt Class of 1949 held their 60th class reunion with dinner at the "Time Out" in Odebolt. Those in the photo are Robert Moffitt, Alleen Lindquist Fraser, Arda Lee Flogstad Neddermeyer, Dorothy Albrecht Sweeden, Ferne Kessler Carstensen, Alvera Lansink Arbegast, Glenn Konrady, Doug Boerner, Shirley Siebrecht Rickers, Carol Youngren, Duane Breon, Beverly Gibson Braunschweig, and Dick Mohr.

Ava, Vincent and Freysenne recently set up a lemonade stand in front of their aunt's beauty shop on Main Street. Cold lemonade hit the spot on that hot summer day.

The September 4 entry deadline for the Sac County Quilt-A-Fair is approaching. Entry forms are available at libraries and banks in each community in Sac County, as well as the Sac County ISU Extension office and the Oak Door in Sac City. In addition to the two-day quilt show on September 26 and 27 at the Sac County Fairgrounds, visitors can see a car show and tractor show on the fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday respectively. Food will be available at the Kiwanis Food Stand. Visitors will also be touring around the county to see the Barn Quilts of Sac County and the gardens and quilts at the Prairie Pedlar near Odebolt. To learn more, click on these links:
Quilt-a-Fair (.pdf file)
Poster (.pdf file)
www.barnquilts.com
Praire Pedlar

OBITUARY
WALTER ZIEGMANN
     Walter G. Ziegmann, 89, formerly of 2910 Radcliffe Ave. and Walden Place in Iowa City, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Walter chose to be cremated. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery in Odebolt. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice.
     Walter was born Feb. 26, 1920, in Odebolt, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Mary (Stelflug) Ziegmann.
     He married Anna Corso on May 5, 1951, in Iowa City. Walter worked for Potter Sheet Metal in Iowa City and later was a custodian for the Iowa City Community School District at Grant Wood Elementary and Central Junior High School. After 24 years of service, Walter retired in 1984. Walter also worked as a custodian at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1947, of which 3 1/2 years were served overseas during World War II.
     He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City and the American Legion.
He is survived by his children, Bill (Cindy) Ziegmann of Austin, Texas, Pat (Gary) Montag of West Bend and James Ziegmann of Phoenix; six grandchildren, Michael Cole, Jennifer (Cole) Marqui, Amanda Montag, Matt, David and Tommy Ziegmann; one great-granddaughter, Anna Marqui; and one brother, Monsignor Leonard Ziegmann of Omaha, Neb.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anna in 1998; three grandchildren, two sisters and three brothers.
     Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com

The Chronicle, Vol. 118, No. 34
Aug 20, 2009

The Mayor Sez…
     As a small town mayor I have not yet been consulted about the government health care program the government thinks will be most beneficial for all of us. My thoughts on the above matter are quite simple. I would like to have the same health care that our elected congressmen and senators have established for themselves. What is that old saying, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander”.
    Take a look at the front of our museum the next time you drive by. When I stopped by last week Kathy Larson and her daughter, Chelsea, were applying fresh white paint to the front of the building. And may I also mention how nice our triangle park on Highway 175 looks; kudos to Kerry and Deb Reinhardt, Mark Horsley, and Eric Miller and his FFA kids. If I missed anyone please thank them, too. And how about the northeast corner of M43 and Hwy175—has anyone noticed something missing??? More on that next week.
    R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt
   www.odebolt.net/council.html

A full-page Back-to-School ad sponsored by United Bank of Iowa has a group photo of the OA-BCIG 2009 teachers and staff and lists their names by category of position held.

Governor Chet Culver has issued an emergency proclamation for Sac County, in response to severe weather that struck the area on Sunday, August 9. Click on this link to learn more.

Rev. Mark Volkers, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt, will celebrate his 36th year of ordination during the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, August 23. The Adult Choir, under the direction of Barb Votrobeck, will sing as well as Fred Olson from Vail. Members of the community are invited to this special worship.

The Trojan/Falcon Frontline Read sports & school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week. STAY UP-TO-DATE & INFORMED! VISIT www.odebolt-arthur.net   First Day of School: August 19, 2009. A new middle school recreational area is being developed to the west of the school and will include new asphalt, basketball courts and a seating area. The asphalt portion of the project is complete. (photos) Six Trojan diamondmen earned All- Conference honors in OA's final baseball season: First Team: Tyler Down and Quinn Reik. Second Team: Kyle Wunschel and Trent Iversen. Honorable Mention: Seth Duff and Dalton Hemer. Senior battery mates Abbie Grote and Brittany Walsh were named to the IA All-District Team for Northwest Iowa by the IGHSAU.

BENEFIT FOR BABY BLAINE

On Sunday, August 30th there will be a benefit for my grandson, Blaine Flink (age 9 months) - son of Travis and Vicki Hoefling Flink. He's got hydrocephalus and just had his third surgery to try to get the fluid off his brain. If this doesn't work, he'll have to go to Iowa City for a different procedure.

The benefit be at the Odebolt Community Center and will begin at 10:00 am and last until 2 pm.  We will be serving scrambles eggs, sausage, pancakes and drink for free will donation. We are having a bake sale and have several items donated for chances and some to auction.
 - Ann Hoefling

 

The Chronicle, Vol. 118, No. 33
Aug 13, 2009

The Mayor Sez…
     A person with a delinquent water bill recently said, “They can’t shut off my water, I’ll call the authorities!” So far, we have not heard from any “authorities” whoever they might be. It always seems like there is money for other things, but no money for water?? Give me a break!
     Do you ever feel like some days you are the bug and other days you are the windshield?
     The dog days of summer are here. Enjoy it. School starts on Aug. 19th. Keep an eye out for our kids crossing the streets and at intersections. Thanks.
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt
  

To be honored at State Fair -- Robert & Twyla Godbersen and their children, Bryce and Leah, will be honored at the State fair as one of five families who are recipients of The Way We Live Award at the 2009 Iowa State Fair.  This award recognizes industrious Iowa families who demonstrate a daily dedication to animal agriculture and exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love of farming.  The family will receive a prize package including admission to the Fair and $150 cash.  The Iowa State Fair runs from August 13-23.  For information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org .

Storm batters Wall Lake -- Wall Lake took a big hit in an early morning hailstorm Sunday, August 9th.  Reports of hail the size of golf balls and bigger plus 60 mph winds damaged windows, siding, paint and roofs.  Street and rooftops were literally blanket-covered with branches and leaves ripped from trees.  Hail tore leaves from corn and soybean plants in the Wall Lake area reducing corn fields to rows of stalks with ears attached, and soybean fields that looked like plots of white spindly grass.  There was minor flooding and pea-sized hail in the Odebolt & Lake View areas.

Photos in this week's issue ...

Sac County Tractor Ride -- On Saturday, August 1, thirty-seven tractors left the county fairgrounds in Sac City for a ride around Sac County.  The first traveled to Odebolt, received a tour of the Lundell Plastics, Inc. manufacturing facility and dined at the Time Out Sports Bar & Grill.  Afterwards they headed south of Odebolt and visited the Jim Lundell farm.  They returned to Sac City via Wall Lake and Lake View.

Fashion Tea at Prairie Pedlar - The weather cooperated perfectly Sunday, August 2 when Odebolt United Methodist Women hosted a Garden Tea and Vintage Fashion Review at the Prairie Pedlar.  Kaylinn Schlender and daughter Kelsey stroll among the large gathering of guests modeling their vintage outfits.

Sweet Corn at the Circle -- The Hoeflings have been setting up to sell sweet corn at the Monument Circle for several seasons.  Scott Hoefling has plenty of help from his nieces & nephews; Carter, Amber, Elizabeth Hoefling, and Haley Diersen.

Five Generations -- Dorothy Anderson of Odebolt attended her great-great grandson's baptism in Milan, MO on June 7, 2009.  She is pictured with her daughter, Barb Oxendale, granddaughter, Debbie Hoermann; great-granddaughter Angie Chapman holding Corey Chapman (great-great grandson).  Dorothy observed her 90th birthday on February 26, 2009.

Guest Musician -- Grace Smith of Arthur will be he guest musician this Sunday, August 16, at the 10 a.m. worship of the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt.

Pull-out section -- 64th Annual Wall Lake Farm Festival, August 21-22-23, 2009.  Complete listing of activities to be held.

Library -- See this week's issue for new books, LP Books and DVDs received in July at the Odebolt Library.

OBITUARY

Mabel Wunschel, age 90, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away Friday, August 7, 2009, at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center from complications due to Alzheimer's disease.
    Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend Richard Salcido officiated, with burial folowing in the Ida Grove Cemetery.  Memorials in Mabel's name may be directed to the church.

Born November 24, 1918, on a farm near Schleswig, Iowa, Mabel Pearl Wunschel was the second of four children born to Fred and Selma (Ericksen) Christiansen. She grew up on several different farms between Ida Grove and Schleswig where she attended country schools. Her education ended at the end of her eighth grade year after which she worked for the Adams family near Odebolt.

On March 2, 1938, Mabel married Harold R. Wunschel at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. The union was blessed with one son, Larry Allen Wunschel. Mabel farmed alongside Harold on their farm north of Arthur, Iowa, for 40 years. During this time, Mabel cooked for the Odebolt school and also did volunteer work at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove.

Mabel was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. She was a member of the church circle and was active in church Bible study. Mabel also was a member of the Friendly Neighbor's Club. She enjoyed people and volunteering her time.

Survivors include her husband, Harold; a son and his wife, Larry and Carol Wunschel of Valentine, NE; a sister, Loween Lansink of Odebolt; two great-grandchildren, Tygh and Dustin Frank; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Vernon Christiansen; a sister, Viola Namanny; and her only two grandchildren, Jackie Wunschel, age 16, and Carrie Wunschel Frank, age 26.

The Chronicle, Vol. 118, No. 32
Aug 6, 2009

The Mayor Sez…
     Continued predictions of things to come. Due to lack of road use tax dollars, our roads and highways will continue to deteriorate. As vehicles become more fuel efficient they will use less fuel that in turn will mean less dollars for gas tax. (This could change depending on which way the political winds blow). For now, expect continued high way deterioration.
     Internet word of wisdom: Before you criticize someone you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you are a mile away and you have their shoes.
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

Some photo captions in this week's Chronicle:

New Sidewalk:  Horsley Construction, OBC members and volunteers have completed the sidewalk of the Triangle Park Shelterhouse. Special recognition to Horsley Construction for donating their time for this project. To learn more about OBC click here: http://odebolt.net/obc.html
(The next meeting of the OBC is Tuesday, August 11 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Everyone is welcome.)

Glenn S. Hansen became the sixth pastor of Trinity Lutheran church, Odebolt, on July 26, 2009. He was ordained into the ministry of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) by the Rev. Dr. Paul G. Sieveking of Fort Dodge, President of the LCMS' Iowa District West. Assisting in the leading of the service were Rev. David W. Lyons, Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Schaller, and Rev. Roger P. Carlisle, Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake. Ten other area LCMS pastors also participated in the service. Rev. Lyons had served as Vacancy Pastor of Trinity following the retirement of Rev. Albert H. Buelow this past April. Pastor Buelow had served as Trinity's pastor for 33 years.

Four Generations of Stehrs: grandpa Bill Stehr of Odebolt; great-grandpa Lester Stehr of Odebolt holding baby Logan Stehr; and dad Brad Stehr of Creston.

School Board Vacancies   Odebolt-Arthur School District voters have two seats to fill on their board. Incumbent Scott Cranston is seeking re-election to one of those seats. Pat Hoefling and Naomi Lozier are also seeking seats on the O-A school board. Vicki Beckman did not file papers for re-election.

Electric Company Consolidation:  The Sac County REC (Rural Electric Co-operative) is scheduled to consolidate with the Glidden REC at the end of 2009. At their final annual meeting on July 16, Jim Meyer of rural Odebolt recalled that his father, D. W. Meyer, was one of the original board members in 1938. "Let's go back before 1938. Do you remember lanterns, candles, and knob and tube wiring?" asked Meyer. He remembered waiting for his father to finish meetings in the REA office, spending many hours getting the organization up and running. Meyer said it wasn't easy getting power to the rural areas. The investor-owned electric utilities wouldn't run power unless it was along the way to another town. "It took legislation to get electricity to the rural area. Eventually, lanterns and candles got pushed back in the closet. Power outages aren't as frequent or last as long now. We've come a long ways, and it's been good, and I'm sure it's going to continue."

MUSEUM MINUTES
Extracts from minutes of July 22, 2009 meeting of the Odebolt Historical Museum:
-- 160 people were served at the steak fry the Rotary sponsored for the museum.
-- Motion carried to order the new awning and windows.
-- Roof was repaired after hail damage.
-- Numerous items have been donated to the museum.
-- Museum will no longer be open on Sunday afternoons, just by appointment or by contacting a member. It will be open on special holidays, such as Memorial Day, Creek Days, etc.

The New Iowan: Coming Home. A young couple, both lifelong Southern Californians, opt for a change in lifestyle and move to rural Odebolt. In this week's Chronicle, read her charming first-person story about their reasons for moving, first impressions of Iowa, and the rainy day the moving truck arrived with their belongings.

The Trojan/Falcon Frontline Read sports & school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week. --Trojans finish final baseball season 17-11 and place fifth overall in the Western Valleys Conference. --Six Trojanettes earn All-Conference honors in the inaugural Western Valleys Conference softball season: First Team: Abbie Grote, Brittany Walsh Second Team: Rebecca Grote, Dani Cranston Honorable Mention: Morgan Olerich, Kellyanne Gunderson Emily Fineran of Arthur has been invited to tour Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music July 3 through July 18, 2010. Students are responsible for the cost of the trip. Emily and her family will be having multiple fundraisers in the coming months.

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ODEBOLT.NET NEWS
B. Horak & B. Ekse, Webnews Editors
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