Selected news briefs edited from
 
 Odebolt ~ Early ~ Wall Lake
 Official Sac County Newspaper, Established 1877
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The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 52
December 29, 2005

The Mayor Sez…
     Whew! We got thru Christmas O.K. and now we can reload for the long New Year’s weekend. Hunting, driving, snowmobiling, or whatever you do, use caution and don’t become a statistic.  I repeat from last week, drive defensively and let the crazies do their own thing.  If you are doing the “bubbly” New Year’s Eve have a DD, walk, or just crawl home. You will be glad you did in the morning.
     I hope to see everyone next year and may you and yours have a happy, happy New Year!
     From the ‘Bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

NOTICE FROM CITY OF ODEBOLT - Please be aware that vacuum cleaner salesmen have been canvassing Odebolt without permits.  Some of them have been rather forceful in gaining entry into older people's homes.  If they approach you, ask if they have a City permit.  If not, and they persist, call 668-2221 (Communications Center) to report it.
  - R.J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

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Closings for Monday, January 2
The following are listed in this week's issue of The Chronicle as being closed on Monday, January 2, 2006.
 - Caroll's Kitchen
 - The Chronicle office
 - No UPS pickup or delivery at The Chronicle
 - Sac County Courthouse
 - Farmers Cooperative Company
 - United Bank of Iowa
 - Sac County Mutual Telephone Company
 - Swanson Insurance & Real Estate

Deadline for Hanson Directory is January 3 - The deadline for updates or changes in the Odebolt and Arthur 2006 Hanson Directory will be January 3, 2006.  Contact Sac County Mutual Telephone Company at 668-2200 or stop in the office at 108 S. Maple in Odebolt if you have any updates or changes prior to that date.  No additions, deletions or changes will be accepted after that date.

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Read Recent Sac County
Board of Supervisors' Minutes

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Happy New Year!
and thanks for doing business with us. 
We look forward to doing the same in 2006!

Farmers Cooperative Company
The Electric Company
Bloyer Agency
Sac County Mutual Telephone Company
Swanson Insurance & Real Estate
King Construction
Cubby's
Friedrichsen Trucking and Real Estate
Bedrock Gravel, Bedrock Ready Mix,
Bedrock Concrete Products
Boerner and Goldsmith Law Firm, P.C.
Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center
Caroll's Kitchen
The Upper Cut
Murphy Chiropractic
Greg Neville Construction
Mane Street Studio
UAP/Pioneer Seeds
James Body & Glass
Hemer's Plumbing and Heating
Spring Lake Construction
Mark Hansen's Rex Chevrolet/GMC Trucks
Lundell Plastics
Dresselhuis and Heidenreich Law Firm
United Bank of Iowa
Currie Seeds
Odebolt Locker

Odebolt Chamber Coloring Contest Winners are pictured in this week's issue.  A winner was chosen from each grade, Pre-K to 5th.  Each received a candy filled cane and a coloring book. 
   Winners were Kalli Schroeder (4th grade), Riley Snyder (1st grade), Michael Streed (K), Alex Mohr (Pre-K), Laurel Bengford (5th grade), Rhondee Cranston (2nd grade) and Madison Hemer (3rd grade).

Farmall Promenade to Dance with CASE IH
NEMAHA, Iowa – The Farmall Promenade™ is pleased to announce Case IH as its official corporate sponsor. The now famous square dancing tractors made 23 appearances in 2005 throughout the Midwest.
Read the entire article at CASE IH
Visit the Farmall Promenade Web Site

Tax Rate Increase - Taxable sales in the following jurisdictions in Sac County will be subject to the regular local option tax beginning January 1, 2006:  Sac City, Lake View, Odebolt, Early, Schaller, Wall Lake, Auburn, Lytton, Nemaha, and the unincorporated area.
     This 1 percent tax is in addition to the state rate of 5 percent and the school local option rate of 1 percent on taxable sales.
     The total tax rate in Sac County is 7 percent countywide.

Odebolt Rotary Distributes Fruit - Members of the Odebolt Rotary Club purchased FFA fruit and added bananas to make up forty-five gift parcels for shut-ins and elderly citizens in Odebolt.  The gifts were delivered by Rotary members on Tuesday, December 13.  Taking part in the deliveries were John Ekstrom, Gordie Boerner, Don Bettin, Curt Raasch, Mick Menage, Jon Schuttinga, Tom Down and Richard Swanson, who are pictured in this week's issue.

The United Funds of Odebolt and Wheeler Township Board of Directors held their meeting on December 9th, 2005 with Malinda Bengford, Margie Loger, Shirley Sykes, Lois Story, Mary Gustafson, Nancy Hugeback and Deb Reinhart present.  The purpose was to disburse the total of $3870 that was collected in the 2005 United Fund Drive. 
     Helpers from Wheeler Township were: Elaine Gunderson, Mary Gustafson, Shirley Scanlan, Pam Lindberg, Monica Pudenz, Sherri Blair, and Jean Ang. 
     Funds were distributed to the following:  Odebolt Swimming Pool, Pee Wees, Major/Minors, HS Ball Program, Lakota Girl Scouts, Prairie Gold Boy Scouts, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, IA Soc. Prevention of Blindness, IA Children/Family Services, West IA Mental Health Center, IA Chapter Arthritis Foundation, Crittenton Center, Mental Health Assoc. of IA, New Hope Village, Sac Co. Ass. of Retarded Citizens, Community Opportunities, Family Hospice, Respite Care, Sioux City Gospel Mission, Odebolt Ambulance, Richland Robins, O-A Showmen, Odebolt Community Center, Howard Center, Odebolt Library, Odebolt Museum, American Cancer, and Odebolt Fire Dept.

ISU Extension, Sac County - Please see the Sac County Extension web site for listing of upcoming Learning Opportunities

Winter "Iowa Games" - Online registration is now available for the 2006 Winter Iowa Games, which will be held in Dubuque on February 3, 4 and 5, 2006.  Information and online information is available at www.iowagames.org

SCHOOL NEWS

Winter Concert Held - The Odebolt-Arthur High School and Grades 3-5 held their Winter Concert and Art Show on Monday, December 12 at the Odebolt gymnasium.  Directors were Linda Johnson and Barbara Votrobeck.  Twyla Godbersen is the art instructor.  Pictured in this issue are several candid photos taken during the concert.

Odebolt-Arthur hosted the Maple Valley Conference Quiz Bowl on December 3rd.  Even though the weather caused two schools to pull out of the tournament, we still had eight varsity and six JV teams compete for the championship.
    The O-A varsity team placed 4th.  Members were: Nick Rohlf, Ryan Rydberg, Chase Gunderson and Shane Bengford.  Peter Larson and Katie Bell were unable to be present for this competition.
     The JV team placed 6th.  Members were:  Carl Blum, Clarissa Krueger and Shawn Bengford.
     The next competition will be January 14 on the Morningside College Campus.  The O-A team will compete in the KTIV tournament.

HS Semester Tests coming - The first semester at O-A ends on January 12.  The days of January 10, 11 and 12 have been set aside for high school semester tests, which are required of all HS students and count 20% of the semester grade.
     The last day to change 2nd semester classes is January 26, 2006.

Help the School
     Cash for inkjet cartridges and cell phones! Odebolt Arthur Community School has found a company that will pay cash for empty inkjet printer cartridges and old cell phones which they then recycle and sell.
    Bring cartridges and phones to a collection box at the school in a plastic bag to prevent leakage.  The school earns $2.25 per inkjet cartridge or cell phone accepted.
     Turn in "Prang" products UPC codes to the art department.  Dixon Ticonderoga , the maker of Prang, offers schools free products in return for submitting UPC codes.

Speech Competition Coming - O-A students have a chance to compete in both large and small group speech competitions. Large group will be held beginning with district competition on January 21 with the state large group competition on Feb. 4.  Individual competitions will begin with district on March 4 and state on March 18.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact Mrs. Spetman at 668-2827.

Call The Message Center at 712-668-2555 for school schedule changes and announcements 24 hours a day!

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ODEBOLT.NET NEWS
B. Horak & B. Ekse, Webnews Editors
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Graveside services for Robert Hamilton, age 83, of Sun City, Arizona and formerly of Odebolt were 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2005 at the Odebolt Cemetery. Robert passed away at his home on December 26, 2005. (See obituary below or at Farber and Otteman) 

Fred J. Schramm, age 87, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2005, at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center, Odebolt. Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Odebolt. See his obituary at Farber and Otteman

FAX IT!
Send to The Chronicle by fax!
  at 712-668-4364
Email
Phone: 668-22253

The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 51,
December 22, 2005

The Mayor Sez…
     This year the Christmas and New Year’s holidays fall on consecutive Sundays, so, what does that mean?  It means that United States will have TWO three day holiday weekends, back to back.  You ask what is so significant about that? Many things, for example make sure your vehicle is in good running order as garages will be closed for three days, many stores may be closed over the weekend so stock up on necessities, and most of all, many, many people will travel to be home for the holidays, so drive with care.  Don’t be one of the 1,000 or so fatalities that will occur, not to mention the injuries that will be sustained from all the traffic accidents.  Do defensive driving, watch the speed limit, and let the crazies do their own thing.  After saying all of the above, may you have a very safe Merry Christmas!
     From the ‘Bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

Early Deadline -The Chronicle office in Odebolt will be closed Monday, December 26, in observance of Christmas. The office will also be closed at noon on Friday, December 30, and on Monday, January 2, 2006, in observance of the New Year holiday.
     Please check the UPS holiday schedules in this week's Chronicle.
     Early deadlines will be in effect for the December 29 and January 5 issues of The Chronicle and Green Saver and Rocket.
     Please have all copy/ads to the Odebolt office by 4 p.m. Thursday, December 22 (December 29 issue) and Thursday, December 29 (January 5 issue).
     Deliver, fax or email your news, pictures and advertising to The Chronicle, Fax: 712-668-4364, email:

New Postage Rates Effective January 8 - The first US postage rates will increase approximately 5.4 percent on January 8th, the first increase since 2002.  Among the adjustments, the 1 ounce single-piece rate for First Class mail will increase from 37 cents to 39 cents, and the post card rate will increase by one cent, to 24 cents.  See this week's issue for a more complete list of increases.

2006 January Cattle Survey-The United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2006 January Cattle Survey this winter to gather reliable information about cattle inventory in all states. Cattle operations will be asked to participate during the Dec. 29-Jan. 12 data collection period. (Read the complete article in this week's Chronicle.)

Explore the Stars-Do you want to explore the stars in comfort? The Sac County Conservation Board will be hosting a Star Lab night! It will be located in the heated 4-H building at the fair grounds. You will enter the portable planetarium and end up in outer space! The program will begin at 6:30 and run till 7:15 pm on Wednesday, January 18th. Call 662-4530 to make your reservation. Space is limited to 30 people.

Winter Break Camps-For the fourth year, Sac County Conservation Board will be offering mini-camps for elementary age children looking for something fun to do over winter break. These day camps will be similar to our summer camps and will focus on teaching about the environment through activities, games and crafts.

PreK-K, Dec. 28th, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
1st-2nd, Dec. 29th, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
3rd-4th, Dec. 30th, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

For more information or to register please call the SCCB at 712-662-4530.

A local King of the Sky is Slaughtered--Local members of the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program along with state wildlife officials were stunned when they learned that the male (cob) swan of the only Sac County resident pair was gunned down. The incident happened the final week of November just prior to the cold snap that has driven the remaining members of the family south for the winter. (Read the complete story and see a photograph of trumpet swan family in this week's Chronicle.)

Excerpt from Letter to the Editor:
As many of you are aware, the Sac County Endowment Foundation has been created to help stimulate philanthropy in our communities. As you consider your gifts this season, why not consider a gift that will keep on giving to your community? An investment in Sac County will leave a lasting impression in so many ways. It will show your passion for your hometown and the area in which you have lived and worked.

Sac Economic & Tourism Development
615 West Main St.
Sac City, Iowa 50583.
Phone: 712-662-7383; Fax: 712-662-7399
Email: setd@pionet.net

Federal Funds for Odebolt Fire Dept.-Congressman Steve King announced that the Odebolt Fire Department will receive a $39,258 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Domestic Preparedness.
     The one-year grant is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and is awarded to firefighters to improve local firefighting programs. (Read the complete article in this week's Chronicle.)

Area Students
     Nicholas Rohlf, a senior at Odebolt-Arthur High School, has been accepted for admission to Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, for the 2006-07 school year. Rohlf is the son of Gary and Sharon Rohlf. He is the recipient of a Collegiate Scholarship from Northwestern for his outstanding scholastic record.
     Brenna Sorensen, Odebolt-Arthur High School senior, has accepted an Academic Foundation Scholarship to Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Brenna, daughter of Ron and Jenny Sorensen of Odebolt, plans to attend Iowa Central during the 2006-2007 school year and major in art.

O-A High School Recent Sports Highlights-On December 16 and 17 the Trojans and Trojanettes won their basketball games with Kingsley-Pierson and Newell-Fonda. Kevin Down recorded his 100th career wrestling match win at a December 15 Maple Valley Conference dual meet in Sloan, and the "Falcons" (combined O-A and BC-IG team) won over Denison and Westwood. The wrestlers placed second at the Cherokee Invitational on December 17.

Neumann completes ABLE Training-Paul Neumann, a school board member for the Odebolt-Arthur Community School District, was honored recently by the Iowa Association of School Boards. Neumann received a certificate for completing the Academy of Board Learning Experiences (ABLE), IASB's in-depth training program for school board members. The award was presented by Ron Rice, ISASB executive director, at a regional meeting of school board members.
     Fifty-eight school board members received the award statewide. The ABLE program is designed to give school board members the skills they need to effectively govern public schools. Neumann completed the introductory level, which educates board members in four areas: vision, structure, accountability and advocacy. (See a photograph of Neumann receiving the award from Rice in this week's Chronicle.)

Obituary: Fern M. Fox, age 97, of Wall Lake, Iowa, and formerly of Odebolt, Iowa, died Thursday, December 8, 2005, at Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake.
     Memorial services were held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend Kathy Spracklin officiated the service, with burial to follow at a later date.
     Fern Minnie Bappe was born March 1, 1908, to George and Minnie (Marquart) Bappe at Moville, Iowa. Her father was a farmer and later a barber and her mother was a school teacher. The family moved to Ames, Iowa, in 1914. Fern graduated from Ames High School and Iowa State Teachers College, and later earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Buena Vista in Storm Lake. She taught in elementary schools at Gowrie, Perry, Odebolt, Arthur, Lake View, and Auburn.
     She married Paul Fox at Fort Scott, Kansas, on February 25, 1934. The couple lived on several farms in Clinton Township before moving in 1946 to the Fox family farm four miles east of Odebolt. Paul died in 1989 after a lifetime of farming.
     Fern enjoyed baking, gardening, traveling, reading, and visiting friends and family. She wrote several children's books and short stories after retiring from teaching, including Of Mice and a Monster, Skip in Alaska, and The Story of Trees. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Odebolt, Eastern Star, and Tuesday Club.
     She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Dorothy (Robert) Evans, and Marshall (Carolyn) Fox, all of Odebolt; three grandchildren, Rachel Evans of Storm Lake, Matt (Deb) Evans of Omaha, NE, and Emily (Alan) Williams of Elko, MN; two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
     Fern was preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray (Lena), Everett (Mildred), Walt (Irene), David (Charlotte), Art (Ines), Glen (Neva), and Virgil (Margaret).

Bloyer Real Estate
BUYING OR SELLING, SEE US!!
Richard Bloyer, Broker 668-2895

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This week's Chronicle includes an extra section with many delicious recipes and holiday ideas, letters to Santa from area children, plus Christmas and New Year greetings and thank-you ads from the following businesses and community organizations.

Peace Be With You
BETHEL LUTHERAN, Kiron
EVANGELICAL FREE, Arthur
FAITH LUTHERAN, Odebolt
FIRST BAPTIST, Kiron
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN, Odebolt
ST. MARTIN'S CATHOLIC, Odebolt
TRINITY LUTHERAN, Odebolt
UNITED METHODIST, Odebolt

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ODEBOLT.NET NEWS
B. Horak & B. Ekse, Webnews Editors
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(Dec. 17)
The Odebolt Fire Department will receive a $39,258.00 federal grant through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security "Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program". These funds will be used to purchase protective equipment, and improve fire stations and facilities.

(Dec. 17)
Soybean Board Elects Curt Raasch as 2006 Chairman - (Excerpt) Curt Raasch, a soybean farmer from Odebolt, Iowa, will serve as the 2006 chairman of the United Soybean Board and will lead the charge for soybean farmers to continue building preference for U.S. soybeans at home and abroad.

(Dec. 17)
Donor described as generous and hardworking - Story about a large donation Charles E. Lakin made to Council Bluffs.  Includes a biography and mention of his owning the ranch near Odebolt.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ODEBOLT.NET
Step back in time by clicking
Christmas Past in Odebolt
Brought to you from the Odebolt History Pages
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The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 50,
December 15, 2005

The Mayor Sez…
     I told everyone I would do a reminder one more time that Christmas is about upon us (nine more days). Wow!!
     Old Man Winter hit us hard last week. Another reminder, please keep your vehicles off the streets while we are running the snowplows; a ticket has already been issued. Speaking of vehicles, letters will be going out to all residences that have parked vehicles that are unlicensed, uninsured, or not in running order. You will have 30 days to move them. I suggest you comply with our “Nuisance to Abate Ordinance” as these citations are costly and can be avoided.
     From the ‘Bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

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Holiday Lighting Contest
Wednesday, December 21
Lights must be turned on
by 6:30 P.M.
Judging begins at 6:30 P.M.  Prizes to be given
by the Odebolt Chamber of Commerce.
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Sac County Supervisors' minutes can be found by clicking this link.  Minutes

Grant applications due January 25, 2006 for Sac County Endowment Foundation Grants. - In 2004 the Iowa legislature passed H.F. 2032 which provided that non-gambling counties, initiating a county-wide community foundation would be eligible to receive one-half of one percent of the state's gross gambling tax receipts.  The Sac County Endowment Foundation recently received at $63,600 state award to facilitate endowment building and grant making throughout Sac County.  75 percent of these funds shall be awarded through grants to charitable organizations for educational, civic and public purposes in Sac County.
     Grant applications are due by January 25, 2005.  All 501(c)(3) organizations, 107b units of government, and other potentially qualifying charitable organizations operating in or for the benefit of Sac County should contact the Sac County Endowment Foundation for applications, guidelines and additional information. 
Sac County Endowment Foundation
615 W. Main St., Sac City, Iowa
712-668-7383  setd@longlines.com

Winners at United Bank - The United Bank of Iowa, Odebolt, hosted a Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 9th with an open house for the public. Winners of door prizes during the open house were as follows:  Clarence Etler won the food basket and Corinne Down, Bill Henrich, Sr., Donna Barclay, Robert Rohlf, and Phrona Johnson all received Chamber Bucks.

Odebolt Chamber of Commerce
Minutes for December - The Odebolt Chamber of Commerce meeting for December was held at the Odebolt Community Center on December 8, 2005. In attendance were Melissa, Kay, Roxi, Jon, and Janet.
     We recently hosted the visiting of Santa Claus at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center which wasn't a very good turn out which may have been due to the weather; but we would like to thank Todd Bengford for donating his time for this event. We would also like to thank Jake Olson for putting up and taking down the flags for our community.
     We also have two winners for our chamber drawings this last week. Shirley Scanlan was the lucky winner of the chamber money, and Fina Roeder was the winner of the beef certificate. We would like to remind the businesses to make sure they get their cans in so we can pool them all together. We will be drawing again soon, but this time we are giving away two beef certificates, so get your names in the cans so you can be our next winner.
     Our coloring contest is in the makings. Kay Bloyer will be picking up the colorings on Tuesday and judging on Friday, so please encourage your children to participate in this event. Winners will receive a special prize when chosen.
     We also have the lighting contest coming up on December 21, 2005. First place winners will receive $25, second place $15, and third place $10 CASH!!! We hope to see many people throughout our community participate in the lighting event this year. Just for a reminder, we will be judging the lights on December 21, 2005, so have your lights on by 6:00pm.
     We had discussed dismissing of the Odebolt Chamber of Commerce last month at our meeting and we didn't receive much feedback on that issue, therefore we are canceling the annual soup supper membership drive this year. We talked about joining with the Odebolt Development Corp. because we are both shooting for the same goals and it just makes sense to combine the two to have more success. If we do dissolve of the chamber, we would like to donate the remaining funds to the development of the Odebolt signs and throughout our community. We would like to approach the Odebolt Fire Department to host the annual fish fry which we hold March 10. We also hope to approach the ODC on hosting the washer tourney at Odebolt Creek Days.
- Janet Hoefling, Secretary

The Chamber meets the 2nd Thursday
of each month at noon.
Come join us! 

4-H News - Pictured in this week's issue are members of the O-A Showmen and Richland Robins 4-H clubs who provided a caroling treat for the Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center on December 8th.

Obituary:  Viola A. Cowlham, age 88, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2005, at Odebolt Nursing & Rehab.
     Funeral services were held Monday December 5, 2005 at the Presbyterian Church in Odebolt with arrangements by the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
     Viola was born on June 15, 1917, on a farm in Crawford County, Iowa, the daughter of Jake and Fannie E. (VanFleet) Kropf. She attended country school and graduated from Denison High School in 1934. On September 10, 1934, she and George Cowlham eloped to Elk Point, South Dakota. They returned to George’s parents farm home to live until they moved to their own farm. To this union two children were born, DeLoris and Don. Viola helped George on the farm doing chores, fieldwork and raising a large garden that she shared with many. She also enjoyed traveling, sewing and her family. They continued to live on the farm southeast of Odebolt until moving into town in the early 1980’s. Viola was a member of the Odebolt Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Women, Odebolt Eastern Star, and Past Matrons.
     She is survived by a daughter, DeLoris Coulter and her husband, Sunny, of Golden Valley, Arizona; son, Don of Odebolt, three grandchildren: Tom Coulter, Tim Coulter and his wife Kathleen, and Todd Coulter and his wife Michelle: five great grandchildren; sister, Arwana Hanson and her husband Charles of Odebolt; and a sister-in-law, Ann Cowlham of Odebolt. Preceding her in death were her parents; and husband, George on January 14, 1992.

TRAVELER’S HOME
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Great for special occasion guests, hunters or genealogy visitors
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200 W. 2nd Street, Odebolt
Ph. 712-668-4184 or 668-2895

Odebolt.net's
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

(Out-of-towners:  good ideas here for gifts for Odebolt relatives and friends; order by phone with your credit card or send a check.)

Are there people on your Christmas list who already have too much STUFF?  Give contributions in their honor to:
The Odebolt Community Center
The Odebolt Development Corporation
The Odebolt Historical Museum
Odebolt Memorial Walk Park
Odebolt Public Library
Odebolt Swimming Pool
The Odebolt Sign Project
O-A School organizations
Their church in Odebolt

Also, here are suggestions for gifts which will be used up and won’t take up permanent space in someone’s home:
 - Odebolt Chamber Bucks to spend at any Chamber of Commerce member business - see C of C page
 - Order a homemade pie and/or cinnamon rolls from Caroll’s Kitchen
 - Treat them to breakfast or noon lunch at Caroll’s Kitchen
 - Give gift subscriptions to The Chronicle
 - Treat them to supper at Herby’s Bar and Grill
 - Order a ham or turkey and any number of edible treats at Jamboree Foods.  How about a box of groceries wrapped up in festive paper?
 - Order meat and cheese, vegetable and fruit trays from Jamboree Foods for holiday entertaining
 - Treat her to a new hairdo at Joan’s Headquarters
 - Make a deposit to a grandchild’s savings account at MetaBank or United Bank of Iowa
 - Give a "gift" adjustment at Murphy Chiropractic
 - Buy them meats for their freezer at Odebolt Locker
 - Give Odebolt Locker's own homemade Swedish potato sausage for the holiday table
 - Make up a basket of "fix-it-up" gifts from Odebolt Lumber
 - Order Avon cosmetics and grooming products from Sharon Rohlf 
 - Order cell phone service from Sac Co. Mutual Telephone
 - AND put up your overflow guests at Hattie Grace Boarding House and Traveler’s Home

And then there are gifts that do take up permanent space, but are so welcome:
 - Odebolt souvenirs!  http://odebolt.net/souvenirs.html
 - Car accessories from Reis Auto Parts and Service
 - Desk or office supplies and calendars from The Chronicle
 - A purse or accessory from Purse Instantly Yours
 - Goodies from Jim’s TV and Appliance - a television, range, dishwasher, a dish network, stereo, cell phone, etc., etc.
 - A new or used car from Larry Beckman Motors, Inc., or Mark Hansen’s Rex Chevrolet GMC, Ltd.
 - A water treatment system from Wallace Soft Water
 - A bathroom or kitchen plumbing update, or a cooling or heating system update from Hemer’s Plumbing & Heating

Support YOUR town and businesses this
Christmas with creative gift giving!
Click for the
Odebolt.net Business Directory 
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The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 49,
December 8, 2005

The Mayor Sez…
     When this missive gets read there will be 17 days till Christmas. That means we will have a tad more than two weeks to prepare for the holidays. For those that wait until the last minute (like me) I’ll send another reminder in a week, or two.
     As for our weather, it looks like winter is upon us. Five to six inches of snow fell last Wed. and more to come, also single digit temperatures. Brrrrrrrr! May I suggest setting your thermostats in your homes to the low 60’s, put on a sweater, and $ave a bundle on your heating bill.
     Joan, we all wish you a speedy recovery.
     From the ‘Bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

Holiday Concert Coming, Monday, December 12, 7 p.m. at Bart Ogden Gym

     OK, teachers...admit it...it's not JUST the students who are hoping for a snow day at your school!
    Everyone is invited to the 3rd -5th grade production of "The Big Chill" by Sally K Albrecht and Jay Althouse. Join in the fun as students and teachers are pleasantly surprised to learn that they share this common wintertime wish. A quiet day at home, a day to call their own, solitude and rest...Who wouldn't want a snow day??? But we must also remember-we'll make it up in June! I just hope that snow day doesn't happen on Monday December 12th-the night of our performance!
     Also performing will be the 4th and 5th grade children's choir. They are having a lot of fun singing " 'Twas the Night After Christmas" and "Santa's In The House". These are some really upbeat fun songs that will add to the festivities for the evening.
     After the elementary portion of the concert, the audience will be treated to some great sounds from the Odebolt-Arthur High School choir. The will delight you as the women perform a beautiful arrangement of "O Holy Night" followed by the men of the choir singing "Soldier's Hallelujah". They will also perform such songs as "Sleigh Ride", "Bell Carol of the Kings" and Russian Carol called "Sing A Joyous Glad Noel". After the concert you can delight in the traditional songs of the season as some choir members will sing a cappella in the hallway as you leave the concert.
     The instrumental portion of the concert begins with the debut of the Fifth Grade Band playing "Jingle Bells" and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas."
     The O-AHS Band will delight you with "An English Christmas", "A Christmas Scrapbook", and "Tidings of Comfort and Joy." They will end with "Let There Be Peace On Earth" as we remember all of our service people away from home this Christmas.
     JOIN US in the Bart Ogden Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. Monday, DECEMBER 12TH for an evening of joyous holiday music!

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Wishing your family a happy holiday season.  May the joys of the season fill your heart with peace.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE COMPANY
www.gmrc.com
BLOYER AGENCY
Dick and Kay, Agents
118 E. 3rd, Box 489 • Odebolt, IA 51458
712-668-2895
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WIE Receives Business of the Year Venture Award--Western Iowa Energy, LLC, located in Wall Lake, recently received the 2005 “Outstanding Business of the Year” Venture Award in recognition of outstanding business achievement in Iowa. A photograph taken at the awards ceremony appears in this week’s Chronicle. Jeff Cranston and Jim Meyer of Odebolt, both board members of Western Iowa Energy, LLC, are among those pictured at the ceremony.

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Declares Cash Dividend—Meta Financial Group, Storm Lake, has announced that the company will pay a cash dividend of $0.13 per share for the first fiscal quarter of 2006. This dividend will be payable on or about January 3, 2006 to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2005.
     At September 30, 2005, Meta Financial Group had assets of $776.3 million and shareholders’ equity of $43.0 million, or $17.16 per common share outstanding.

Library News - The library will be receiving high-speed wireless Internet soon as a cost-free donation from Oxendale Farms and Mark Hansen's Rex Chevrolet!

Obituaries

HARRIET LAMONS—Harriet Ardell Christianson Lamons, age 87, passed away Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005 at the home of her daughter in Cedar City, UT. She was born Sept. 11, 1918 in Milbank, SD, the daughter of Victor Edward and Minnie Anderson Christianson. Her mother died in 1933 when Harriet was 14. As the only daughter, Harriet “kept house” for her father and brothers. She graduated from Milbank High School in 1936, then worked at the local library until her marriage to Frank Lamons on Feb. 25, 1939. Their two daughters, Travis and Lynette, were born in Milbank.
     Due to Frank’s job transfers, the family moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1949 and then in 1950 to Arthur, IA where they lived for 17 years while Frank completed his career with the US Postal Service. During the years in Arthur, Harriet worked as a bookkeeper at the Arthur Lumber and Coal Co. In 1967, Harriet and Frank retired to Sacramento, CA. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1989. Frank died March 3, 1991. Harriet continued to live in their home in Sacramento until August 2004 when she moved to Cedar City, UT to live with her daughter.

CATHERINE WISSINK—Catherine M. “Mamie” Wissink, age 87, of Ida Grove, Iowa, died Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at Indian Hills Nursing & Rehab Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
     Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2005, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ida Grove, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend David Hemann officiated the service, with burial in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Ida Grove.
    Born April 8, 1918 in Odebolt, Iowa, Catherine M. “Mamie” Wissink was the daughter of Jacob and Marguerite (Schomer) Konradi. She grew up and received her education in Odebolt, and, on August 28, 1951, was united in marriage to Floyd Wessink.
     Mamie and Floyd made their home west of Ida Grove, where they began their career in farming. When Floyd passed away in 1962, Mamie continued the farming operation and also sold seed corn for Pioneer Seed Company.
     Survivors include two children: John Wissink of Ida Grove, and Jeanne Anderson and husband William of Phoenix, AZ; three grandsons; a sister, Irene Spencer of Cisco, IL; as well as several nieces and nephews.
     In addition to her husband, Mamie was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Paul Konradi; and a sister, Sadie Hopkins.

MARTHA KONRADI—Martha Konradi, age 91, of Odebolt, Iowa, died Monday, November 28, 2005, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa.
     Funeral services were held Saturday, December 3, 2005, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend John J. McGuirk officiated the service, followed by a burial in St. Francis Cemetery in Maple River, Iowa.
     Born September 14, 1914, in Carroll County, Iowa, Martha Susan Konradi was the daughter of Frank and Mary (Pawletzki) Gute. She grew up and received her education in the Maple River area, and, on July 6, 1942, married Paul L. Konradi at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt. The couple farmed for many years.
     Survivors include four children, Rosella and husband, Col. William Einspahr of Oklahoma City, OK, Julie Johnson of Davenport, Allan Konradi and wife Julie of Odebolt, and Michael Konradi and wife Stephanie of Ida Grove; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
     She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Paul in 1997; two brothers, Clarence and Al “Fritz” Gute; a sister, Julie Gute; and a son-in-law, Richard Johnson.

Trojans, Trojanettes fall to BCIG in openers—In a pair of similar games, OA’s cagers fell to BCIG’s conference powerhouses in Ida Grove.

Friday night OA hosts Galva-Holstein in a return to Maple Valley Conference action.

Grapplers capture second at Hugh Linn—Saturday the OA/BCIG wrestlers traveled to Gilmore City for the traditional Dr. Hugh Linn Invitational. OA/BCIG crowned four champions and had three others finish second.
     The wrestlers opened the dual season with one win and three losses last week.

See the 2005-2006 Winter Sports Special Edition in this week’s Chronicle for photographs and schedules of O-A Girls & Boys Basketball Teams and the O-A/BCIGrove Wrestling Team

Please patronize and thank the following businesses that sponsored the above teams in the special edition:

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Greg Neville Construction
Ph. 712-668-4880
CALL US
for your snow removal needs
516 S. Hanson Blvd. • Odebolt, IA 51458
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The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 48,
December 1, 2005

The Mayor Sez…
      It’s December! Our last City Council meeting of the year will be Monday, Dec. 5th. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mary Jeanne Thompson for her faithful eight years of service on our council and also a big thanks to Mark Hansen for his twelve years of service as a city councilman.  It has been my pleasure having served with both of them and I can assure you that their pleasantness, professionalism, thoughtfulness, and experience will be sorely missed.  I know I speak for many in saying the above. We Salute!
      From the ‘Bolt,
      R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

4-H Awards Ceremony Held—Adult volunteers were among those recognized at the ceremony held in Sac City on November 20, 2005. Cropmate Fertilizer received a Meritorious Service award, Gary and Karen Siebrecht were recognized for 10 years of service as 4-H leaders, and Mary Schroeder received the Alumni Award. Diane and Larry Schulte of Cropmate, and Mary Schroeder are among those pictured in this week’s Chronicle.

Wheeler Lodge Installation Dec. 8—The Wheeler Lodge of Odebolt will hold Open Installation for 2006 officers on Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Mark Fertig Named to All-State Football Team—Mark Fertig was named Second Team All-State by the Iowa Newspaper Association last week.
     The OA senior was named tight end on offense. He led the team in pass reception yardage, with 296 on 17 receptions, which were also the team high.
     He was also fourth on the team in tackle points, with 31 solos and 19 assists.

OA/BCIG Wrestlers Resume MVC Hunt—Fourteen returning letter winners will lead the combined program in its second season in quest of a Maple Valley Conference crown.
     OA/BC-IG opened its season Tuesday night with a double dual in Odebolt against FC-L and Audubon and will wrestle Thursday at Carroll Kuemper against their hosts and against Glenwood.
     Saturday the grapplers travel to Gilmore City for the Dr. Hugh Linn Invitational, before hosting a big MVC double dual with AGH and Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto on December 8.

Olerich Earns All-State Honorable Mention—Senior Dani Olerich was named to the Honorable Mention list for All-State Volleyball by the Iowa Coaches Association. She had earlier earned First Team All-Conference and Most Valuable Player honors.

 REAL ESTATE AVAILABLE
Click HERE to see all listings

SWANSON INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
Call us for RENT to RENT or RENT to OWN Options
Howard E. Hustedt - Broker
Dick Duffy – Assoc. Broker
 Gordie Boerner – Salesperson
 211 South Main Street, Odebolt, Iowa
Visit us on the web at
www.swansoninsuranceandre.com
712-668-2283

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