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The Chronicle, Vol. 117, No. 19
May 8, 2008

The Mayor Sez…
    One of our berms at the Memorial Walk Park is up for someone to care for this year. If you would like to volunteer Your assistance please call City Hall (668-2231) or Elaine Rex (668-4103). Note that helping with any of the berms can count for community service.
     Has anyone noticed the Peacock State Bank sign downtown? The movie set people have been busy as bees getting things ready for the cameras to roll next week. When this gets read the filming will be about over here in Odebolt. I trust all of us have given all the movie people plenty of Odebolt hospitality.
     Happy Mother’s Day!! The Presbyterian Church is having the Blackwood Quartet at their church on Mother’s Day.
     From the "bolt"
     R. J. Rex, Mayor
P.S. Norm, I’ll bet you and your bank staff will be glad to get back to business as usual.

Visioning Committee Looking at Odebolt’s Resources, Seeking Local Input
Thursday, May 15, 4:30-7:30pm
Odebolt Community Center

Several residents of Odebolt have been taking an in depth look at various aspects of Odebolt that may affect landscape enhancement planning as part of the 2008 Community Visioning Program. The goal of the program is to develop a landscape plan that illustrates the values, identity and vision of Odebolt. An important part of this process is gathering input from community residents.

To better understand the Odebolt’s needs, representatives from Visioning Program will be hosting a survey workshop on Thursday, May 15, from 4:30 to 7:30pm at the Community Center. Residents are invited to take an online survey and express their views regarding community transportation enhancements. Following the workshop, members of the Odebolt visioning committee will meet at 7pm to compile the results of community inventories recently taken as part of the visioning process. The workshop and meeting are open to the public and refreshments will be provided.

Participants will discuss discoveries they made about Odebolt and what opportunities and constraints exist in terms of landscape change. The results of the visual quality, natural resources, and cultural and historical events or places will be mapped on a large aerial map of Odebolt so that the committee can identify relationships among Odebolt’s features.

All residents are encouraged to attend this meeting to take part in the mapping exercise and the discussion.

The Visioning Program is a transportation enhancement planning program that assists members of Iowa communities in creating roadside enhancement plans. The program gives residents a chance to participate directly in the design process and encourages public involvement.

Residents who want more information or who are interested in participating in the visioning process should contact Joan Godberson, local committee contact at 712-668-2231 or Patty Petersen Trees Forever Field Coordinator 319-934-3140.

The Iowa Living Roadways Community Visioning Program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation in partnership with Iowa State University Extension Landscape Architecture and Trees Forever.

(from the SETD Newsletter, May 2008)
Movie "Peacock" to be filmed in Odebolt

The independent feature "Peacock," a psychological drama, is set to film in Odebolt this month. "Peacock" stars Cillian Murphy and Ellen Page, and its writer/director is Michael Lander. The film is being produced by Mandate Pictures who produced this year's Academy Award-nominated film, "Juno."

Not only are Murphy and Page starring in the movie, but Susan Sarandon will be in Iowa to shoot a few scenes for the movie as well. A double for Sarandon was discovered in Ankeny-Susan Grozier, who will stand in for Sarandon while the technical crew prepares the cameras and lights for each scene.

Sarandon, along with Murphy and Page, is scheduled to appear in the filming at Odebolt, Greenfield and a few other Iowa locations.

Several movie crews have come to Iowa since last May, when legislators passed a law that offers 50 percent tax credits for films shot in Iowa with budgets of at least $100,000.

This movie is set to take place in fictitious Peacock, Nebraska, where Cillian Murphy plays John Skillpa, a shy and nondescript bank employee who leads a double life with a split personality disorder. His alter-ego, Emma has never ventured beyond the boundaries of John's house. But one day, when a train derails in John's backyard, the nosy neighbors in his
small town of Peacock finally meetpersonality begin to rip asunder. Ellen Page plays Maggie, a struggling young mother who arrives in town and holds secrets to John's past. Sarandon plays the Mayor's wife in this fictional town of Peacock.

Movie scouts found the perfect place for the scenes of Murphy as the bank employee, the former Odebolt State Bank in the heart of downtown Odebolt. (The SETD office submitted the location years ago to the Iowa Film Office who maintains photographs and records of locations across the state to fill the requests of location managers for production companies.)

The bank is now owned by the First State Bank of Ida Grove, and contractors have been working furiously to renovate and restore the bank building for its grand opening during Odebolt Creek Days, June 20-22. The employees at the bank have had an interesting couple of months as scores of individuals have embarked on the bank, selecting backgrounds, re-painting walls, replacing furniture and bringing in other props to add to the atmosphere. Because the bank has maintained its original interior, it fills the bill for the movie set-the gilded teller cages, marble counters, copper doors, among other features like the gunners' balcony and also the office in the rear of the bank.

The bank employees have been great sports about the project-having their very desks moved out from under them on occasion. The community has responded by providing meeting space and staging areas and even the City has been called in to provide just the right atmosphere for the shooting.

With just a few more alterations, Odebolt is poised to be the star location for the film. We'd like to thank the City of Odebolt and its staff, the community center volunteers, the businesses for stepping up to the plate to accommodate the crew, other members of the community and most of all the bank and their employees. Filming is expected to be wrapped up from May 6-9th.

"Peacock"-(photos) There has been a lot of work going on downtown Odebolt these past few days in preparation for the upcoming movie to be partially filmed in the town. Nineteen area residents have been signed up as extras and two others for speaking roles in the movie "Peacock." Pictured is the new "Peacock State Bank" sign replacing the old Odebolt State Bank lettering. Three other photos show the interior of the bank with replacement furnishings and props. Norm Behrens, Vice President of First State Bank, stated their name would replace the current label when the filming ends. - D. Cleveland

US 71 Overpass Near Auburn Closed-The US 71 bridge over the Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad four miles northwest of Auburn has been closed temporarily as of May 12. The Department of Transportation is replacing the overpass, a project which will last into late summer. Traffic will be detoured onto county roads.

Sac County Endowment Grants Awarded
      (photo) Shirley Phillips, representing the Sac County Endowment Foundation, presents a check to Carol Auen of the Odebolt Museum in the amount of $3,150. The money will be used for the roofing project at the museum.
     (photo) The Odebolt City Council receives a check for $7,000 to be used for the resurfacing of the Odebolt City pool. Shirley Phillips of the Sac County Endowment Foundation is presenting the check. - D. Cleveland

ODEBOLT MUSEUM-extracts from minutes of April 30 meeting.
--Estimates for roof repairs, tuck pointing and cement work were reviewed; other sources will be contacted before any definite decisions are made.
--Renae reported about her attendance at the Sac County Historical Society in Nemaha.
--The basement was cleaned and painted by volunteers Rebecca Ullrich, Julie Peterson, David Larson, Matt Stehr and Curator Kathy Larson.
--Tentative plans are being made to have an open house at the museum following the Memorial Day service at the Odebolt Cemetery on May 26.
--At 6 p.m., preceding the meeting, the members dusted, polished and vacuumed the museum in preparation for visitors to the museum in the coming months.

Tree City Recertification for Odebolt--(photo) Outstanding communities and individuals dedicated to statewide tree planting and conservation efforts were honored April 3 by officials with the Iowa Urban and Community Forestry Council. Odebolt was among the communities honored for their recertification as an official Tree City USA community. This is their 8th year to receive the award. Pictured with state officials are Jim and Mary Gustafson of Kiron who attended the event representing the Odebolt Memorial Walk Park Board.

4-H Donates to Community Center-(photo) The Richland Robins and O-A Showman 4-H clubs donated proceeds from their recent omelet breakfast to the Odebolt Community Center toward the purchase of a new back door. Pictured in The Chronicle is Nick Anderson, representing the 4-H clubs, presenting a $1,000 check to Carolyn Hoelscher, Odebolt Community Center board member. - D. Cleveland

Retirement Reception Honoring  Judy Jepsen & Keith Fineran, May 15th, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. OA Multi-Purpose Room.

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TROJAN TRIUMPH Read sports & school news in this special section of The Chronicle each week. STAY UP-TO-DATE AND INFORMED! VISIT www.odebolt-arthur.net THE MAY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER (.pdf file) is on-line "Go the Distance Day" at Odebolt-Arthur-(photo) On May 1 O-A Elementary participated in "Go the Distance Day," an annual K-12 school-based event that promotes the importance of daily physical activity. After studying muscles, bones and fitness in science, Mrs. Prall-Wilken's 4th grade students planned exercises that were beneficial for the body and fun to do. In The Chronicle photo, 4th grade students lead 3rd grade students in jumping jacks. - D. Cleveland Two O-A Men's Ensembles to Perform-(photos) On May 13, the O-A Men's Sextet and Octet will travel to Ames to perform in a recital format along with other students from Iowa. Linda Johnson is their director; Kay Bloyer and Barb Votrobeck are accompanists. Sextet members are Chase Gunderson, Michael Larson, Ryan Rydberg, Thomas Larson, Scott Hoefling and Bradly Cleveland. Octet members are Jon Stangl, Michael Larson, R. J. Brown, Ryan Rydberg, Thomas Larson, Chase Gunderson, Scott Hoefling and Bradly Celveland. - D. Cleveland --Trojanettes 4x800 unit garnered All-Conference honors by taking third place at MVC track meet. --Trojan Shuttle Hurdle Relay unit claimed Second-Team All-Conference honors at MVC track meet. --Trojanette golfers in 5th place in MVC after playing in Mapleton. --Senior Spotlights on Casey Allen, Kyle Walser, Chase Gunderson, Jennifer Schramm Butterflies-(photo) A Monarch Butterfly Way Station was established by Irene Thayer's second grade class in the O-A Outdoor Classroom. Students will catch and tag Monarchs and observe their life cycles. Several plants which attract Monarch butterflies were donated by Jack & Jane from the Prairie Pedlar. - D. Cleveland Art Show-(photo) The final Maple Valley Conference Art Show was held at Mapleton on April 18. Next year the new conference will be named Western Valley Conference. Pictured are Mark Heidenreich with his architectural drawing, Marcus Hansen with his sculptural stoneware building (3rd place), and Rebecca Neddermeyer with her product design wire clarinet (3rd place). Students attended three workshops throughout the day: watercolor, glass fusing and slate carving. OA Fifth Grade Plants Tree - (photo) On Arbor Day, April 25, 2008, the OA Fifth Grade planted a little leaf linden tree at the Odebolt Memorial Walk RV Park. Coordinators of the group activity were Lori Lapel-5th grade teacher, Kim Wunschel,-teacher’s assistant, and Elaine and Ron Rex of the Odebolt Memorial Walk Board. Assisting Loren Miller of the Ida County Extension was Vince Davis, Regional Manager of the Iowa Farm Bureau. Each student received a tree to take home and plant. These trees were donated by the Ida County Pheasants Forever. Our Teachers Get Straight "A's!! WE SALUTE OUR TEACHERS & STAFF for Teacher Appreciation Week May 4 - 10, 2008. The Odebolt-Arthur Community School District would like to say "Thank you to our teachers and staff for the job that they do in making sure each and every one of our students has a successful learning experience each and every school day!" Graduation Supplement to this week's Chronicle features a group photo of the O-A Class of 2008 and individual photographs of each of the 37 members of the class. Sponsors are Odebolt and area businesses. Sponsors United Bank of Iowa Farber & Otteman Funeral Home

OBITUARIES

PEARL DINGES
     Pearl Roll Dinges died on April 27 in Ceres, Calif., at the age of 95 and was buried in Ceres.
     She married Harry Roll in 1937; he died in 1989. She later married Joe Dinges of Arthur. He died in 2000.
     Survivors include one daughter, Ramona; five grandchildren; 3 sisters, Frances Vaughan, Ruth Roeder of Arthur, Florence Wunschel of Ida Grove; two brothers, Vincent Miller of Pinehearst, North Carolina and Donald Miller of Odebolt.

LEWELLYN LARSON
     Funeral services for Lewellyn Larson were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 28, 2008, at First Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa, with Pastor Lowell Lundstrom and Pastor John Aiken officiating. Lewellyn died late Thursday, April 24, 2008, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 80 years, 11 months and 29 days.
     Lewellyn C. Larson was born on the farm near Kiron, Iowa, April 25, 1927, the son of Clifford and Ethel Turin Larson. He was raised on the farm and was graduated from the Kiron High School with the class of 1944.
     He served his country in the United States Army and returned to the farm at Kiron upon his discharge.
     On March 18, 1955, Lewellyn was united in marriage with Wanda Holland at Forest City, Iowa. Their union was blessed with four sons, Clayton, Curtis, Conwell and Chad. They made their home on their farm at Kiron where he farmed until retiring. Following retirement they continued to make their home on farm where Lewellyn maintained an active interest in the farming operation.
     In earlier years, Lewellyn enjoyed playing basketball and softball but most of his adult life was consumed with his love of farming.
     In his spare time he enjoyed attending the grandchildren's events and activities and socializing with family and friends. Having been blessed with the gift of music he enjoyed sharing his talents singing in gospel quartets and duets with his wife, Wanda.
     Lewellyn was a lifetime and active member of First Baptist Church in Kiron where he served as a Deacon and Church Vice Chairman and was a member of the American Legion Post 383, Kiron, Iowa.
     Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of 53 years, Wanda Larson of Kiron, four sons and their wives, Clayton and Kathy Larson of Odebolt, Iowa, Curtis and Kimberly Larson of Arthur, Iowa, Conwell and Sheryl Larson of Kiron, Iowa and Chad and Wendy Larson of Denver, Colorado, 12 grandchildren, one sister, Elaine Larson of Odebolt, Iowa, one brother, John W. Larson and wife Roby of Kiron, Iowa, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends. Including his parents, Clifford and Ethel Larson, Lewellyn was preceded in death by one infant brother, LeRoy Larson and one sister, Lucille Larson.
     The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com.

(THE CHRONICLE CONTINUES IN THE NEXT COLUMN)