Selected news briefs edited from


Odebolt ~ Early ~ Wall Lake
Official Sac County Newspaper, Established 1877
Jerry & Becky Wiseman, Publishers

The below contains news items of interest  to Odebolt residents. The Chronicle also contains news from Wall Lake,
Early, Nemaha, Schaller and Sac County.  Individual issues are on sale at The Chronicle office or by subscription. 

The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 8
 February 24, 2005

The Mayor Sez ...
     We held our special budget meeting last week and I am happy to report that there were no significant changes. The swimming pool budget had to be raised due to higher operation and maintenance costs but some other budget cuts offset most of it.
     The present administration is trying very hard to hold the line in order that our property taxes stay the same. I do feel that the county and the school district are also trying to maintain a status quo. Special thanks to Joan, our City Clerk, for her excellent preparation of the proposed budget for 05/06.
     Fantastic news! Our grant for fixing the railroad crossings at Main and Walnut was approved by the City Council. The DOT had ear marked Odebolt to be eligible for this grant for the year 2010, then moved ahead to 2008, and after explaining the condition of our crossing they moved us to 2005. The DOT, the Farmers Coop and the City will share in the financial participation of said grant.
    From the Bolt!
    R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

(Photo scanned from The Chronicle)

Wrestlers on to State - Qualifying for state by advancing from the district meet in Harlan held on February 19th are Odebolt-Arthur grapplers Joel Andersen and Jordan Pierce.
     Joel will be making his fourth appearance at state.  Joel's career record is 169-13 overall and he wrestles in Class 2A at 125 lbs.
     Jordan Pierce, a sophomore, will be making his first appearance at state.  He wrestles in Class 2A at 103 lbs.  The State Wrestling Tournament at Des Moines Veterans memorial Auditorium began on Wednesday, February 23 and runs through Saturday, February 26th.

Drivers' Licensing will be changed to Tuesdays and Wednesday beginning February 22, 2005 in Sac County, according to Vicki Peyton, Sac County Treasurer.  Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with written tests ending at 3:15 p.m.  Drives will be every other Tuesday by appointment.  Sac County will still be offering the CDL drive tests. 

Goodwill's Ambassador trailer will be in Odebolt beginning March 1st until March 7th, located in the parking lot of Faith Lutheran Church in Odebolt. 

The Odebolt Chamber hosted their Annual Fish Fry on Friday, February 18, 2005 at the Odebolt Community Center.  Along with the fish, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw,  bars, lemonade and coffee were also served.  The bars were all made by the local businesses. 
     The Odebolt Fire Department donated two fryers which were used to fry all the fish.  They also donated their time to fry the fish.

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City has a newly revamped website located at www.stewartmemorial.org .  Check out the services available, including a web nursery and a place to send a patient greeting, and a current newsletter.

Hoagie and Cookie Dough Sales to Begin
     O-A students will once again be selling Hoagie sandwiches with sale dates from March 3rd to March 17 and pickup/delivery date to be March 22nd.  The Hoagies will be sold in multiples of 2, with minimum order of 4 sandwiches at a cost of $2.00 per sandwich.
     The O-A athletes are also selling frozen cookie dough in three pound tubs at $10 per tub.  Flavors include chocolate chip, M&M, peanut butter and sugar cookies.
     Please call an O-A student or call the high school at 668-2827 to order. 

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Upcoming at Odebolt City Council - There is a possibility that Farmers Cooperative Company will be installing a new grain bin in Odebolt on First Street in front of the elevator.  Mayor Ron Rex has said that the city council will be addressing the possible closure of First Street at the regular March 7th council meeting.

NEWS FROM THE IDA COUNTY COURIER

O-A School Board Meeting Minutes

O-A Trojanettes News

BCIG, O-A Boards to Consider Final Sharing Options in April

The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 7
 February 17, 2005

The Mayor Sez ...
     At the February City Council meeting a large turnout of concerned citizens met with us about the Farmers Coop proposal to close the railroad track area of Walnut Street.  In conjunction with that proposal F.C. offered to extend North Lincoln to Hwy. 175 as an alternate exit/entry in place of the Walnut exit/entry.
     After considerable discussion, both pro and con, and due to a time frame situation by F.C. plus some legal connotations to be considered, the above issue has been shelved for the time being.  The proposed project could come up again and of course would be posted on our regular city council agenda.
    From the Bolt!
    R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

ONRC News -  Valentine Party King & Queen chosen this year were Becky Mandernach & Ross Thevenot.  Becky and Ross are, coincidentally, first cousins. 
     A Valentine's Day party was held with heart-shaped cookies, cupcakes and coffee served to residents and guests.  Around 68 people attended the festivities at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center.

The 24th Annual Buena Vista University Honor Band Festival will be held on February 26, 2005.  The following students from Odebolt-Arthur have been selected to perform in the festival:
From O-A Middle School - Shayna Cooper - Oboe, Jessica Neumann and Christine Bloyer - French Horn, Cayla Loew, Bb Trumpet, and Ryan Rohlf, Percussion.
From O-A High School - Elizabeth Bloyer - Bb Soprano Clarinet, Nick Rohlf - Bb Trumpet, Katie Bell - French Horn, Jenilynn Blair - Eb Alto Sax, and Chase Gunderson - Percussion.
     Both bands will perform a grand finale concert at Schaller Memorial Chapel on the BVU campus at 6:30pm., February 26th.  The finale concert is open to the public and admission is free.
     Membership to the 100 plus-member middle school band (grades 7 and 8) and the 100 plus-member honor band (grades 9-12) were selected on the basis of nominations submitted by their school band directors.  O-A instrumentalists are under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Votrobek.
     Over twenty-five school districts are participating in this year's festival and include schools from Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Students will gather on the Buena Vista University campus on Saturday February 26 for two 3-hour rehearsals with the guest conductors.
   Guest conductors for the 2005 Honor Band Festival will be Robert Gibson for the high school honor band and Lois Harris for the middle school honor band.
     Robert Gibson is in his twenty-fourth year of teaching, the past ten of which have been in the Sioux City Public Schools. As a performer, Mr. Gibson is in his twenty-sixth season with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, the last twelve of which have been in the role of principal trumpet. He is also the leader and founder of the Sioux City Jazz Orchestra, an eighteen piece adult big band.  He has performed with numerous symphonies and other venues throughout his career.
     Guest Conductor Lois Harris' experience includes teaching at East Middle School in Sioux City, the Allen Consolidated School and serving as the director of bands at Homer Community School for nineteen years.  She has been a member of the Sioux City Municipal Band for 28 years and has served on the Steering Committee of the Municipal Band. She is also currently a member of Siouxland All-America Concert Band and has served as an assistant conductor. She is active as an adjudicator of area high school and junior high contests and has been a guest conductor of several area honor band festivals.

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Funeral services for Pearl Katharine Howard were held Wednesday, February 23rd, 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt with Reverend Charles Bulger officiating. Burial was at the Odebolt Cemetery.  See Obituary at  Farber & Otteman Funeral Home web site.

(posted 2/17)
February 15th City Council Special Meeting
Proposed budget to be presented for Public Hearing on March 7 at 8 p.m.; agreement to fix the railroad crossings on Main and Walnut Streets.

The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 6
 February 10, 2005

The Mayor Sez ...
     Last week the weather was unbelievable!  Record high temps were recorded all over our fair state.  I believe it was 61 degrees in the 'Bolt.  The groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow and most of us know that means 6 more weeks of winter, if you are a believer.  Hmmm?
     A reminder to our alums and former Odeboltians that will be returning to the "Bolt for Creek Days - if you are coming to town with your RV and need a space at the RV Park, give us a call (City Hall - 712-668-2231).  We have a few spaces left.  Non-hookups will also be available.
    From the Bolt!
    R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

MidAmerican to expand Wind Farm - MidAmerican Energy's plans for expansion at wind farms in northern Iowa were approved February 1 by the Iowa Utilities Board, the utility has reported.
     The Des Moines-based company won approval to add 50 wind turbines to its Intrepid site near Schaller and 35 turbines at its Century Wind Project site near Blairsburg.
     More than 100 of the 215-foot-tall turbines currently dot the countryside in Sac and Buena Vista Counties, where Intrepid began producing electricity last month.
(Read more in this week's paper!)
Take a Wind Energy Virtual Tour from the MidAmerican web site!)

NW Iowa League of Cities - At the January 20th meeting in Odebolt, Ken Livingston, Mayor of Denison, was elected President of the Northwest Iowa League of Cities at their monthly meeting.  The northwest Iowa League of Cities serves 260 cities in 27 counties of Northwest Iowa.  The organization was formed by Mayors in the early 1960's with a goal to provide a social gathering for city officials nine times a year, along with an educational program and legislative update to help these elected and appointed officials make decisions that effect their cities.  (See full article in The Chronicle.)

For rent:  FMHA Senior Citizen Apartments;  1 and 2 bedroom units for age 62 or older, handicapped or disabled.  Contact Odebolt Community Housing, Odebolt, IA 51458; 712-668-2895, or Valley Management at 712-677-9903.  FmHA Equal Housing Opportunity.

Obituary:  Eleanor Lane, age 85, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, at Odebolt Nursing and Rehab Center in Odebolt.
     Funeral services were held Saturday, January 29th, 11:00 am, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, with Father John McGuirk presiding. Pallbearers were: Bill Wright, Carl Hemer, Jim Wareham, Kris Jung, Jim Sorensen, and Rodney Olerich. Burial was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
     Eleanor J. Hassman was born on August 6, 1919, in Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Frederick and Anna (Mullen) Hassman. She grew up in the Storm Lake area and attended Storm Lake schools through the eighth grade.
     On February 6, 1943, Eleanor was united in marriage to Maynard W. Lane at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. They made their home in Storm Lake and Alta before moving to Odebolt in 1972. They were blessed with seven children: Patricia, Michael, Danny, Margaret, Robert, Joseph, and Thomas. She was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt.
     Eleanor was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was always caring for others. She enjoyed gardening and canning and loved to share her bountiful produce with friends and neighbors. She loved her cats and was always taking care of a cat in her home. She occasionally worked outside the home as a domestic.
     Survivors include her children: Patricia Lane of Odebolt, Michael and Rachel Lane of Galesburg, IL, Margaret and Steve Schaitberger of Brainerd, MN, Robert and Carol Lane of Le Mars, IA, Joseph and Sara Lane of Mapleton, IA, and Thomas and Tarla Lane of Alta, IA; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters: Rosemary Brauch of Le Mars and Helen Williamson of San Jose, CA; and extended family members.
     She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Maynard on Nov. 21, 1994; son Danny Lane; brothers: Leo and Robert Brauch; sister Clara Schwertley; and two grandsons: Jamie and Chris Lane.

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Girls District 1A Basketball Tournament
Feb 14 - Odebolt-Arthur 62, Schaller-Crestland 47.
Feb 16 - Odebolt-Arthur 41, Galva-Holstein 25

Congratulations to the OA/BCIG Wrestling Team! - The shared wrestling team of OA/BCIG won the Sectional Wrestling Tournament at Galva-Holstein, Saturday, February, 12th.  The wrestlers moved on to the District Tournament and grappled with Glenwood February 15, at Harlan. Glenwood defeated OA/BCIG  53 to 13.

February 7th Odebolt City Council Meeting Minutes including discussion about possible closing of Walnut Street from 1st St. to north of the railroad tracks.

Presbyterians to Host Soup Dinner and Bake Sale on February 20th - The First Presbyterian Church of Odebolt will be hosting a Soup, Sandwich and Sundae Dinner on Sunday February 20.  Serving begins at 11:15 and runs until 1:00.  Soups available are Chili, Chicken Noodle, Potato/Ham, and  Broccoli/Cheese.  Roast Beef Sandwiches will be served with the soup and you can top it all off with an ice cream sundae with a variety of toppings.  The price is your Free Will Donation.  Carry-Outs are available.
      The Sunday School will also be holding a bake sale during the dinner.

The Chronicle, Vol. 114, No. 5
 February 3, 2005

The Mayor Sez ...
     Last week 60 MPH winds did a number on our flag downtown and along with it damaged the rope and pulleys that the flag is attached to. Hopefully, by the time this gets read a new flag will be proudly flying over our fair City once again.
     Just a thought, did you watch on Ground Hog's Day to see if the furry little animal forecasted an early spring or six more weeks of winter (that is if you are a "believer")?
    From the Bolt!
    R. J. Rex, Mayor of Odebolt

A workman installs the new MetaBank Sign
at the former First Federal Savings Bank
 on Main St., Friday, January 28.

Ribbon Cutting Held for MetaBank - A half-century ago, an Iowa businessman started a savings and loan in the back of  a small abstract office with $10,00, a cash box, a desk and a borrowed vault.  On January 31st, 2005, the now $800 million Iowa-based financial institution changed its name to MetaBank.
    MetaBank unveiled new signage and hosted an open house and chamber ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, January 31st.  Door prizes were $50.00 gift cards and MetaBank travel mugs.

Daffodil Days - The American Cancer Society is celebrating its annual Daffodil Days by raising money for cancer research, education and patient services.  Advance orders for daffodils will be taken until  February 14th, with delivery at City Hall on March 8th.  Volunteers will be at local churches the next two Sundays, and businesses will be called upon.  Daffodil bunches (approx. 10 stems) are available with a $7.00 donation.  In Odebolt, please contact 668-2769.

Sac County Farm Bureau will celebrate Food Check-Out Day on February 7th by having board members serve as "guest baggers" between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. at four county grocery stores in Sac County, including Jamboree Foods in Odebolt. 

Military Family Support Group to Organize - Early Residents Ron and Marge Feilmeier will be facilitators of a new support group for family and friends of those who are serving in Iraq and all areas of the armed services.  The group will be held Monday, February 7th at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish Center in Early.  For information, call 712-273-5446.

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From "Stats and Go" web site: Boy's Basketball Stats - Also search for Girls' Basketball Stats at the site.

Wrestling:  O-A/BC-IG goes to 5-2 in MVC duals from the Ida County Courier, Feb. 3.

 

ODEBOLT NURSING AND REHAB
Contact Jon Schuttinga, Administrator
or Elaine Neumann, Dir. of Nursing
for employment opportunities.
712-668-4867