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The Chronicle, Vol. 115, No. 52
December 28, 2006
 

The Mayor Sez…
     With the new year rapidly approaching, I am sure many of us have made New Year’s resolutions. After writing down eight or nine Mayor’s resolutions, I boiled then down to five. They are as follows:
  1. Continue to keep our community safe to live in, especially for our kids.
  2. Continue to say, “If you do drugs get out of Odebolt!”
  3. Ask for parental help in stopping the underage drinking.
  4. Be as good a person as my dog thinks I am.
  5. And last, but not least, to ask our good citizens to observe our City’s ordinances.
     Note: I am receiving complaints of speeding in our residential areas. The speed limit is 25 miles per hour; thirty miles per hour and over may get any of us a citation. Enough said!!
     From the ‘bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor

After Prom Fund Raisers - Let the Odebolt-Arthur junior class help you with after-holiday clean-up.  The juniors and their parents will be collecting cans with a deposit to support the Odebolt-Arthur After Prom activities.
     The Odebolt and Arthur communities may place their empty beverage containers at the end of their driveways by noon on Sunday, January 7th for curbside pick up.  In case of inclement weather, the pick up will be the following Sunday - January 14th.
     You may also donate your containers by dropping them at Hemer's Plumbing & Heating in Odebolt, or Hemer Farm Supply in Arthur.  Call 367-2233, 668-2243, or 668-4418 with any questions.
     The students plan to have a second pick up date on February 11th, the Sunday after the Super Bowl.
     The Junior parents are making plans for After Prom events and have been selling Pizza Hut cards for $5.00 which entitles the holder to a 15% discount on purchases for 1 year.  The are also raffling a night's stay at either Embassy Suites in Des Moines or the Sheraton Inn in Sioux Falls.  Each raffle ticket is $1.00 or 6 for $5.00.
    Students and parents are looking forward to a fun-filled, drug-free, safe night of activities.

Sac County Endowment Grant Forms Available - The Sac County Endowment Grant round has begun for the 2007 grants.  Grant applications deadline is Jan. 12, 2007.
     Eligible recipients are units of government or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
      For more information on the Endowment Fund grant process, or to receive an application via email, contact the SETD office at 712-662-7383 or visit the SETD web site.

Used Bus for Sale- The Odebolt-Arthur school will accept sealed bids for a 1981 Chevrolet/Bluebird 59-passenger bus with a gas engine, automatic transmission, and 174,000 miles.
     Contact Keith Fineran at 712-668-2289 to see the bus and get additional details. Bids should be submitted to:
     Russ Freeman
     Odebolt-Arthur School
     P.O. Box 475
     Odebolt, Iowa 51458
Bids are due by January 10, 2007

Odebolt Rotary Distributes Annual Gift Parcels -  As in past years, the Odebolt Rotary has again purchased FFA fruit from the local club and added bananas to make up gift parcels for shut-ins and elderly citizens of Odebolt.  The parcels were delivered around town on December 19 (just in time for Christmas) by rotary members.  Pictured in this issue are Rotary members who participated.

Arthur Community Celebration - (photo) A large crowd gathered December 16 at the Arthur Community Building to enjoy Bingo and a visit from Santa.  Children also made decorations.  The event was sponsored by the Arthur City Council and the Arthur Public Library. 

OBITUARY:  Cinda Bettin
     Cinda Bettin, age 55, of Odebolt, Iowa, died at her home on Friday, December 15, 2006.
     Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at the United Methodist Church in Odebolt, Iowa, under the direction of Christensen-Huffman Funeral Homes. The Reverend Kathy Spracklin officiated, with burial following in Clinton Center Cemetery, rural Odebolt.    
     Born October 10, 1951, in Cherokee, Iowa, Cinda Elaine Bettin was the daughter of Wendell L. and Dorothy M. (Tharp) Hill. She graduated from Aurelia High School in 1970, then attended Iowa State University.
     On September 1, 1972, Cinda was united in marriage to Mark D. Bettin in Aurelia, Iowa. The couple made their home in Cherokee, and later settled on a farm near Odebolt. They were blessed with two children, Jade and Cale.
     Cinda will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Cinda was a gifted artisan and her unique vision and meticulous nature was visible in everything she touched. She was a remarkable seamstress, quilter, and interior painter. Her travels afforded her the opportunity to expand her varied collections, which included teapots, bears, Russian boxes, dolls, and fabric. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Odebolt and especially enjoyed leading the Sunday school in song on the piano.
     Survivors include her husband, Mark; a daughter, Jade Bettin of Chapel Hill, NC; a son, Cale Bettin of LeMars; her mother, Dorothy M. Hill of Cherokee; a brother, John (Midge) Hill of Cherokee; a sister, Susan (David) Wieland of Missouri; as well as other extended family members and a host of friends.
     She was preceded in death by her father, Wendell Hill.

TROJAN TRIUMPH
Read sports and school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week
For updates, click on  www.odebolt-arthur.net
In this issue:
 - College-Bound Must Act Now! -advice for college bound students and their parents.
 - Short-handed Trojans fall to Southern Cal
 - Trojanettes put wraps on 7-1 start over Southern Cal
 - OA BCIG Wrestling finished 2nd out of 10 teams at the Cherokee Tournament on Dec. 16th.  December 19th the team won over number-5 ranked I-35 Truro 53 to 18.
 - photos - 4th & 5th grade choir directed by Linda Johnson

Book on the Patten Brothers Now Available!

The Patten family was living on a farm in Cook township near Odebolt when they attracted nation-wide attention for having six sons in the Navy. Two more sons and the father, Floyd Patten, joined later, making a total of 9 members from the same family to serve at once in the U.S. Navy.

    More information is available at www.pattenpending.com and at the
Odebolt History Pages
     ORDER OVER THE INTERNET AT
www.lulu.com/content/438110
    

The Chronicle, Vol. 115, No. 51
December 21, 2006

The Mayor Sez…
     In case you didn’t know it today is the shortest day of the year. The vernal equinox takes place where by the days will now become longer till June 21st of ’07.
     Hey, I’ve been talking about it for weeks; Christmas is about upon us. City Hall will be closed Monday to observe Christmas Day. On behalf of the City administration and employees, we wish everyone a Merry, Merry!! (and a safe one, too!)
     From the ‘bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor

Red Cross Bloodmobile Visits Odebolt—(photo by Bradly Cleveland) Twenty-seven people came to donate on December 27 at the Odebolt Community Center. The Arthur Evangelical Free Church donated refreshments. –D. Cleveland

Mat Rat Results—Five Mat Rats wrestled on December 16 at the Rumble on the River Wrestling Tournament in Sioux City. Josh Schaefer earned first place in his bracket and Jarel Arbegast wrestled his way to second place.

“Citizens of Tomorrow”—A charming collection of photos of Odebolt and area children appears in this week’s Chronicle, sponsored by Odebolt businesses.

CARD OF THANKS
     Thank you all for your lovely notes and birthday cards in November. It was so thoughtful of Barb Horak to suggest a notice, and of all of you who took the time to wish me happiness. I miss Odebolt and all my friends there. I think of you all with great affection. My heart is still in Odebolt, and I never stop appreciating the good times and caring community that it is and has always been for me and my family. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and Peace and Joy in the coming year.
     Sincerely,
     Thelma Dresselhuis

Special Christmas Section! This week’s Chronicle includes an extra 24-page section full of Christmas helps, articles about Christmas traditions, children’s letters to Santa, and holiday recipes, many contributed by its readers. The Christmas extra is generously supported by area businesses and government and civic organizations. They convey their Christmas and New Year greetings in their ads, and thank their customers and constituents for their support.

TROJAN TRIUMPH
Read sports and school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week
For updates, click on www.odebolt-arthur.net
--Trojanettes hold off River Valley, lose at Newell.
--Trojans improve to 5-1 with wins over River Valley, Newell-Fonda
--Wrestlers take second at Cherokee Invitational

O-A Winter Concert--On December 11 the annual Winter Concert was held at Odebolt-Arthur Community School. See this week’s Chronicle for photos of the Fifth Grade Band, High School Concert Band, O-A Concert Choir, and K through 2nd Grade performing their “Holiday Moosical”. – D. Cleveland

Read History and News from the past
at the Odebolt History Pages

Christmas Past in Odebolt
Read about Christmas 1951 and 1916
as a gift from the Odebolt History Pages!

The Chronicle, Vol. 115, No. 50
December 14, 2006

The Mayor Sez ...
     Last week we talked about potential fire hazards around the house at Christmas time. This week I would like to remind everyone of our first responders and what they mean to us. First responders can be the police, the fire department, or the ambulance crew. These people are dedicated to help us in time of an emergency. They can be reached by dialing 911. A non-emergency number is 668-2221. That will ring into the new Sac County Communications Center. Other than the police, the Odebolt first responders are volunteers trained in their particular fields. I know I speak for all of us when I say to them that we all extend a great big THANK YOU!
     From the ‘bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor
First Reponders web page

UBI Christmas Open House—(photo) United Bank of Iowa in Odebolt held their Annual Christmas Open House Friday, December 8. A large crowd took advantage of the delicious lunch that was served. –D. Cleveland

Swanson Open House—(photo) Swanson Insurance & Real Estate held their Customer Appreciation Open House on November 29. Customers were offered sandwiches, chips, beverages, friendly conversation and a tour of the remodeled offices.

LIBRARY CORNER - See this week’s Chronicle for the long list of new items at Odebolt Public Library for November 2006, including books, large print books, audio CD’s and DVD’s.

AREA STUDENT - Some 600 University of Iowa students received their degrees after the 2006 summer session. Students graduating after the summer session may participate in commencement exercises this month. Among the students who received degrees at the UI commencement is Jay William Henrich of Odebolt, Master of Accountancy.

Sykes Assumes Site Manager Position—(photo) Laura Sykes recently took over the position of site manager at the congregate meals in Odebolt. She replaced Margaret Landgraf who had recently retired. Meals are served at 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, at the Odebolt Community Center. For more information about the meals call 668-2223 after 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. – D. Cleveland

Christmas Music at ONRC—(photo) On November 24 the residents and staff at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center were entertained by Lana and Kyle Smith, who played Christmas music on violin and piano. The two sisters and their mother, Sheila, live in the Chicago area and were visiting their grandparents, Paul and Sally Dinges over the Thanksgiving holiday. – Professor Rookie 

TROJAN TRIUMPH
Read sports and school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week
For updates, click on www.odebolt-arthur.net
--Trojanettes add three more wins to streak
--Trojans down Panthers, double up on Indians
--Grapplers crunch Westwood Rebels 72-3
--Over 150 people served at O-A FFA Soup Supper (photo) – D. Cleveland

Richland Robins & O-A Showmen Excerpts from November 4-H Minutes—The club decided that we would donate to needy families this year for Christmas.
     Amy Stangl is working for a Pioneer grant to help do repairs to the Odebolt Swimming Pool. Some of the repairs mentioned were repairing the roof, painting the bath houses, planting flowers, and repairing the circulation jets. The club voted to help Amy with the repairs and make a donation from the Omelet Brunch funds. Amy said that she has businesses around Odebolt sponsoring her. 

OBITUARY - Delmar T. Reis, age 74, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2006, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, Iowa.
     Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, December 5th at 2:00 p.m., at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt with burial at St. Martin’s Cemetery. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt was in charge of arrangements.
     Visitation was from 4:00-8:00 p.m., with a vigil service at 6:30, on Monday, December 4th, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt.
     Delmar was born on January 30, 1932, on a farm in Carroll County, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Caroline (Steinkamp) Reis. They lived on a farm in Carroll County where Delmar attended country school.
     On April 18, 1950, Delmar and Arlene A. Batta were united in marriage in Carroll. They lived near Carroll, Westside, Wall Lake and Vail prior to moving to Odebolt in 1959. This union was blessed with seven children: Michael, Patrick, Thomas, Timothy, Deanna, Ted, and Mark. Delmar was a farm laborer early on; drove milk truck for two years; worked for Carrier Automotive; Mandernach Motors and Beckman Motors as a salesman and mechanic; and joined ownership of Reis Service in 1979, retiring in 1995.
     His hobbies included working on stock cars, racing, gardening, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and training horses. He was always busy but still found time to be involved in the community as a member of the Odebolt Fire Department and worked as a part time police officer.
     Delmar’s life was his work, but his love was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, who cherished the time spent with his large family. Those left to mourn his passing include his children: Michael Reis and wife Lucy of Fullerton, Nebraska, Patrick Reis and wife Becky of Odebolt, Thomas Reis and wife Judy of Gilbert, Iowa, Deanna Russell and husband Kenneth of Storm Lake, Iowa, Ted Reis and wife Diane of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mark Reis and wife Tandy of Odebolt; daughter-in-law Teresa Reis of Jones, Oklahoma; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his three sisters: Karen Reis of Des Moines, Janice Huisenga of Carroll, Iowa, and IllaMae Riesberg of Halbur, Iowa; four sisters-in-law: Helen Reis of Coon Rapids, Iowa, Shirley Schachtner of Carroll, Luella Reis of Auburn, and Betti Lunkenheimer of Odebolt; two brothers-in-law: Louis Williams of Carroll and Frank Batta of Minneapolis, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews, and extended family members, and a host of friends.
     Delmar was preceded in death by his parents; wife Arlene on November 12, 1990, son Timothy; four brothers: LaVerdos, Unis, Myron, and Joseph, Jr.; three sisters: Lorraine Killeen, Darnella Loneman, and Betty Williams.

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

(Click to enlarge)
A scene from a Christmas past on Main Street.
Photo courtesy of Curt Wareham

     I remember when I was a kid some 50 years ago in Odebolt.  Santa always arrived in front of the Princess Theater on a fire truck with sirens blowing.  I can remember the anticipation, and jumping up and down amongst a crowd of other excited kids when we first heard the sirens.  Santa always looked somewhat familiar, but you couldn't quite place that face.  He gave out bags of candy, fruit and nuts, as I remember, helped out by firemen.  The Princess Theater usually had a free movie for all us kids to see to top it off. 
     - Barb Girvan Horak

From Bonnie (Girvan) Ekse - One year the free movie at the Princess was "A Christmas Carol", the 1951 version. I remember being scared when Scrooge was visited by Marley's ghost, clanking along with the heavy chains which bound the ghost to metal money boxes and other items.
     Barb and I had a bedroom on the second floor of our house at the end of North Main Street. At night we could look out our south bedroom window and see the Christmas lights strung across Second Street downtown. Every year there was a huge Christmas tree on the west side of Monument Circle.
     I loved to look in the store windows at Christmas time, especially the ones that sold toys. All the stores were festive and full of special gift items. One year [January 1954] the Gambles store burned just after Christmas, and in what had been the display window were the charred remains of a twin to the doll I'd just received from Santa.

The Chronicle, Vol. 115, No. 49
December 7, 2006

The Mayor Sez…
     As Christmas approaches I have collaborated with our Fire Chief Bill Tysor to pass on to you some Christmas safety tips. They are as follows:
  1. Always extinguish lighted candles before going to bed or leaving the house.
  2. Pull the plug on the Christmas tree before going out the door or to bed.
  3. Don’t overload the electrical circuits.
  4. Check your smoke alarm.
  5. Use the proper UL rated extension cords.
Thanks, Bill.
     Just a few other reminders are: keep your home locked at all times, notify the police if you are going to be gone for a period of time, and last, but not least, all law enforcement officers are going to be out in force during the holiday season. Enough said!
     From the ‘bolt,
     R. J. Rex, Mayor

This week's Chronicle includes a 2006-2007 Winter Sports Special Edition, with photos, write-ups and basketball and wrestling schedules of the Trojans and Trojanettes. Please thank the Odebolt, Arthur, Ida Grove, Kiron and Sac City businesses who sponsored this special edition.

Beef Producers on Trade Mission—(photo) Three Iowans representing Iowa’s beef industry on a beef trade mission to Japan in November report that Japanese beef consumers and buyers are ready for supplies of U.S. beef to return to 2003 levels. Response to beef promotions conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show that many Japanese consumers prefer the taste and quality of U.S. beef over that currently supplied by Australia.
     “We visited five importers and wholesale companies, and all expressed the desire for U.S. beef exports to increase to levels prior to the closing of the Japanese market due to the BSE case,” comments Terri Carstensen, chair of the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC). “They also stressed the need for some kind of age-verification of our beef so that they can explain the ‘beef story’ to Japanese consumers and buyers and assure safety.”
     “Lack of supply of U.S. beef was also a consistent comment from the three major Japanese importers,” adds Helen Wiese, IBIC Director from Manning. “Limitations on age under 21 months make it difficult to provide U.S. beef during this time period. All expressed confidence that imports would increase in April of 2007, if the U.S. packers can continue to meet the stringent import requirements of the Japanese government.”
     Also representing Iowa in addition to Carstensen, a cattle feeder from Odebolt, and Wiese, cow-calf producer from Manning, was Nancy Degner, Executive Director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Library Card Party—(photo) The Odebolt Public Library Friends hosted a bridge and euchre card party the afternoon of November 29 at the library with 28 people enjoying the card games. Throughout the year Odebolt Library Friends host various card games as fund raisers for the library. With money raised they help support many activities at the library, including the summer reading program and Book Bingo. –D. Cleveland

Cash Dividend--Meta Financial Group (NASDAQ NM: CASH) announced that the Company will pay a cash dividend of $0.13 per share for the first fiscal quarter of 2007.  This dividend will be payable on or about January 2, 2007 to shareholders of record as of December 15, 2006.  
    At September 30, 2006, Meta Financial Group had assets of $741.1 million and shareholders’ equity of $45.3 million.  There is a MetaBank in Odebolt.

Hattie Grace Holiday Festival--(photo) Hattie Grace Boarding House in Odebolt held a Holiday Festival on the afternoon of December 3. Visitors enjoyed a beautifully decorated home and were treated to holiday goodies. Hattie Grace is owned and operated by Sherry Gritten. –D. Cleveland

Students in the News - Shane and Shawn Bengford, sons of Tami & Jason Crisholm of Kiron, and Traci Zimmer, daughter of Dale & Judy Zimmer of Boyer, performed in the Christmas at Cathedral Concert entitled “From Darkness to Light” on November 30 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. They are all members of the Briar Cliff University Singers. Shawn is also a member of the Briar Cliff University Chamber Choir.

TROJAN TRIUMPH
Read sports and school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week
For updates, click on  www.odebolt-arthur.net
 - Trojans win one, lose one in basketball.
 - Trojanettes win first two basketball games.
 - OA-BCIG wrestlers win four dual meets.
 - O-A High School Band to perform at Dec. 11 Christmas concert.

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ODEBOLT.NET NEWS
B. Horak & B. Ekse, Webnews Editors
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Read History and News from the past
at the Odebolt History Pages

In remembrance of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Read about the experiences of six of Odebolt's Patten Brothers who were all stationed at
Pearl Harbor on the USS Nevada that day, at the Odebolt History Pages.

From front page headlines of the Dec. 6th
Des Moines Register
by Register Columnist, John Carlson
The family that survived Pearl Harbor
Naval experts say it's a miracle six brothers from Odebolt, Ia. survived not just one,
but two attacks while aboard the same ship - first during Pearl harbor and again during
the battle of the Coral Sea. (Click the link to read the article and also view the photo gallery on the left side bar.)