Sample newsletter - April 2004
April odebolt.net newsletter
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Comments, submissions of events, news, historical items and photos are welcome,
for the town pages, Odebolt History Pages or the newsletter. - Thank you!
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SPRING SPRING SPRING! And about time too! Bonnie and I were in Odebolt last week. People were out and about doing yard work between the rains and it was nice to see the kids playing outside and biking around in the spring weather. After a lunch at Caroll's Kitchen, we stopped at the Odebolt Community Center and took a photo of the mural of the old railway station on the west wall - it looks great, along with the new ceiling, lights and ceiling fans! Verna Mae Schwaller and her daughter Carol Auen, curator of the museum, allowed us to spend time in the museum scanning and collecting material for the History Pages. We lost track of time - there is so much to see! One thing we ran across was a fat binder collected by the Chronicle of all the servicemen during World War II. People attending the Veterans Memorial Monument dedication coming up on Memorial Day (May 31) may want to stop in to the museum and check out the military displays. I hope the museum will be open that day!
ODEBOLT COMMUNITY CENTER is in the process of finishing the floor, installing
a dance floor, and building the new permanent reception bar. We are also
designating a handicap parking space in front of the building, next to the
alley. Donations are still accepted. Watch for an ALUMNI CHALLENGE letter soon,
asking for funds to finish the center. April OCC Schedule of Events:
24th---Odebolt-Arthur Junior/Senior Prom
- Lance Garlock
WESELY BERG & JIM TRAVER - Thanks to Wesley Berg for submitting some great old photos! Wesley is the great-grandson of George Ballard, who ran the Union Restaurant on the north side of 2nd Street for about 20 years, and grandson of Charles Ballard. He is also related to James Traver who had a photography shop in Odebolt and took many early Odebolt photos. Traver was also an Odebolt policeman, and Wesley told a story of Mr. Traver doing his night watch, checking all the shop doors with his trusty companion, a spotted bulldog. One time they were at the train depot and the conductor put his lantern on the ground. The bulldog decided it was his job to guard the lantern, and wouldn't let the conductor pick it up again until his master finally told him it was ok. Traver later moved on to Webster City, Iowa where he opened a photographic studio. Wesley's mom went with the Travers to help out at the studio. When Traver died he was brought back to Odebolt to be buried. He and his wife lie in Odebolt Cemetery.
BROOKMONT FARM (COOK RANCH) - One project that is completed from our museum visit is a copy of a souvenir booklet from Brookmont Farm, more commonly referred to as the "Cook Ranch". There are some marvelous old photos and a lot of information about the farm, so be sure to check it out.
Thanks to Phyllis Kies for an interview about the Cook Ranch, and for allowing me to scan items relating to the ranch, which we hope to get to in the future. She is going to give us a "tour" of the ranch area later on. Phyllis and her husband Arnold lived on one of the farms of the old Cook Ranch and Arnold was especially interested in its history. Phyllis is an interested and active supporter of Odebolt history as well as many other causes. She was one of the "movers and shakers" behind the restoration of the Peterson Pioneer House.
PETERSON MEMOIRS - Another project in the making will be excerpts of memoirs written by Oscar F. Peterson, which was lent to me by librarian, Donarae Cleveland. It contains a great account of his immigration from Sweden, which would be similar to many Swedish immigrants. We are looking for relatives who will be willing to give us permission to publish some excerpts.
PATTEN BROTHERS ARTICLE - Dale Sporleder, a nephew to the Patton Brothers, eight of whom served in the US Navy along with their father during WWII, asked Bonnie and me to help edit an article about their history. It should be coming out soon in The Chronicle, and is very interesting reading.
SOME UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL
**April 3 (Saturday.) TASTE WINE, BREAD, CRACKERS & DIPS at Heart and Home,
9 to 5
**April 3 (Saturday) RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE, First Presbyterian to raise money
for
children to attend church camp.
**April 15 - K-2, Elementary Chorus and 5th Grade Band Spring Concert - 7 p.m.
**April 16 (Friday) O-A TAG CARNAVAL at the Multi-purpose room
**April 18 (Sunday)125th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, First Presbyterian Church
**April 24 (Saturday) O-AMS and 6th Grade Bands to large group contest at
Anthon.
**April 24 (Saturday) PRAIRIE PEDLAR PLANT FAIR - numerous vendors selling
plants and providing programming throughout the day. The Hogues are having
programs and special events throughout the summer, so be sure to check their
calendar at
http://showcase.netins.net/web/ppgarden/
**April 24 (Saturday) PROM at Odebolt-Arthur
**April 29 (Thursday) O-AHS Fine Arts Concert and Art Show - 7:30 p.m.
**April 30 & May 1st (Saturday & Sunday) SPRING OPEN HOUSE, Heart and
Home
MAY
**May 16 (Sunday) OAHS GRADUATION
**May 31 (Monday) - Memorial Day. DEDICATION CEREMONIES for the new Veterans
Memorial Monument at the Odebolt Cemetery
JUNE
**June 19 & 20 (Saturday & Sunday) ODEBOLT CREEK DAYS
CENTRAL REGISTRY - Speaking of Creek Days - there will be a "Central Registry" which people can sign so that friends can see who is in town and how they can be reached.
CLASS REUNIONS - Is your class planning a reunion? Odebolt souvenirs make wonderful door prizes! See the selection at www.odebolt.net/souvenirs.html
ODEBOLT-ARTHUR SCHOOLS has a feedback form on their site now. It can be reached at http://showcase.netins.net/web/oahs/feedback.htm
ODEBOLT MUSEUM is in need of funds for a new furnace to help protect all that valuable town history. Word has it that Cracker Jack collectors have found out about the Cracker Jack Christmas ornament, and it is a hot item! If you appreciate what these hard-working gals are doing, and value the information on the Odebolt History Pages, please make out a donation check to Odebolt Museum, c/o Carol Auen, Curator, PO Box 482, Odebolt, IA 51458
CITY OF ODEBOLT - Elaine Rex and Council member Mary Jeanne Thompson traveled to Des Moines on April 1st to receive the "Tree City USA" award for the city for the fourth year in a row.
And finally - CONGRATULATIONS to the OAHS& middle school music students
and the hard working directors and pianists on their GREAT showing at recent
solo & ensemble contests. I'm impressed!
- Barb
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Visit the City of Odebolt on-line www.odebolt.net
See the Odebolt History Pages
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iaohms/
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