08/15/24: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Named to Dean’s List at Palmer

Cole Verbrugge, of Sanborn, has been named to the 2024 spring trimester Dean’s List at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Main Campus in Davenport.

Palmer College of Chiropractic has campuses in Davenport, San Jose, Calif. and Port Orange, Fla.

Area schools receive disaster grant funds

Five Iowa school districts located in disaster-impacted communities will receive a total of nearly $300,000 in emergency grant funds to support students experiencing homelessness as a result of this summer’s weather-related disasters.

As they prepare to start the new school year, each district will receive an Emergency Grants to Serve Students Experiencing Homelessness award to remove barriers faced by students in fully participating in their education programs. The districts are Spencer Community School District, Rock Valley Community School District, Nodaway Valley Community School District (Greenfield), River Valley Community School District (Correctionville) and Tri-Center Community School District (Minden).

“These grants will help Iowa school districts continue to meet the needs of students and families who are displaced or experiencing homelessness,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow, in a news release. “With the new school year quickly approaching, the department will continue to support local education leaders in disaster-impacted communities as they reinforce student success and safely welcome students, families, and teachers back to school this fall.”

Grant recipients are located in counties that were included in disaster emergency proclamations issued by Gov. Kim Reynolds between April 26 and June 28. In addition, 25 percent or more of the school community must be impacted by the weather-related disaster outlined in one of the proclamations, and 10 percent or more of the school community must be displaced or facing homelessness due to the weather-related disasters.

Districts could apply for up to $80,000 in funding to provide wrap-around services and supports for students who are displaced or facing homelessness as a result of the natural disaster so they can attend school and fully participate in school activities.

Allowable use of funds may include, but are not limited to short-term emergency housing, including motel/hotel stays; school supplies, including school uniform fees, book/registration fees, activity registration fees and any supplies designated for school or extracurricular activities; groceries and wellness items, including clean clothing, personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies; transportation assistance, including gas cards for the purchase of fuel; school uniform fees, book/registration fees, activity registration fees and supplies designated for school or extracurricular activities; the adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any non-school facilities, including shelving for the creation of a food pantry/clothing closet, refrigeration units for a food pantry, washer and dryer units, and cots for emergency shelters; costs for medical, dental, mental and other health services; costs associated with tracking, obtaining and transferring records necessary to enroll in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records and evaluations for special programs or services; resources and activities to support the involvement of parents and guardians in the education of their children; and costs associated with the coordination of schools and agencies in providing services to students facing homelessness.

Funds for the Emergency Grants to Serve Students Experiencing Homelessness program are provided through the Iowa Department of Education’s portion of state set-aside funds through the American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) to support the specific needs of children and youth facing homelessness in attending school and fully participating in school activities. All applications to the program were fully funded by these grants.

July rainfall continues positive trend

After significant localized heavy rainfall and flooding in June, July continued the trend with above-average rainfall, according to the latest water summary update by the Iowa DNR.

July’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 5.40 inches, or 1.23 inches above normal. However, precipitation totals varied greatly across different regions of the state.

In central Iowa, Pella received nearly 14 inches of rain in July, while Rock Rapids in northwest Iowa received less than one inch for the month. The state has received more than 30 inches of rain in the last 10 months, nearly four inches greater than normal. July also showed an average statewide temperature of 72.4 degrees, one degree below normal.

“July is normally a fairly wet month in Iowa, so to finish above normal means we have continued to get needed moisture to replenish what was missed during the last four years of drought,” said Tim Hall, the DNR’s Hydrology Resources Coordinator, in a news release. “If we continue to see normal to above normal rainfall for the rest of the summer and then into the fall months, our hydrologic resources should be in great shape this year.”

Although the U.S. Drought Monitor showed no drought or dryness anywhere in the state as of July 16, a small region of southwest Iowa received an abnormal dryness designation due to short-term rainfall deficits in northwest Missouri and southwest Iowa. Despite this development, Iowa’s Drought Plan showed all five monitoring regions are drought free, with stabilized conditions at the end of July.

Fair announces flood recovery fundraiser

The Clay County Fair recently announced a new opportunity for fairgoers to support flood recovery efforts in Clay County. Starting now, fairgoers purchasing tickets online for the fair can donate to aid the communities affected by the devastating June flooding.

The Clay County Fair is committed to supporting our local community, especially in times of need. During the flood recovery efforts, the fairgrounds played a crucial role:

• The Event Center served as a temporary shelter in partnership with the Red Cross.

• The Tower Gate Pavilion became a recovery center for FEMA operations.

• The north parking lot was designated as a temporary collection center for flood debris.

• The campgrounds will serve as an RV Park for temporary housing.

“By offering fairgoers the opportunity to donate when purchasing tickets online, we aim to provide continued support to those in need,” said fair Manager Jerome Hertel in a news release

In addition to online donations, fairgoers will also find donation opportunities throughout the fairgrounds during the 2024 Clay County Fair. Donations are being accepted online at https://tickets.midwestix.com/event/flood-relief-donation-ccf24 or during checkout when purchasing tickets for the 2024 Clay County Fair.

Exciting entertainment at 2024 fair

The 2024 Clay County Fair is set to bring an array of exciting entertainment, featuring a mix of beloved returning acts and captivating new performances. From thrilling lumberjack competitions and foam parties to stilt artists and educational shows, this year’s fair promises unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.

• Get ready for great old-fashioned fun and family entertainment at the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, sponsored by Bath Fitter. This action-packed event features world-renowned lumberjack competitors, delivering thrilling competition and plenty of laughs.

• Making their debut performance at the 2024 Clay County Fair, Stilt Circus will glide through the fairgrounds with festive stilt artistry. The Stilt Artist will present a variety of colorful costumed characters each day of the fair, so get your picture taken with your tall friends from Stilt Circus.

• Dive into fun at the Tons of Foam party, sponsored by Mattress Hub. This exciting foam-filled party promises endless excitement for all ages. It will be located south of the 4-H Building.

• Math & Music Fusion: The Magical Mix will captivate audiences on the Good Health Saunas Discovery Stage from Sept. 9-13. This innovative program offers K-8 students an engaging blend of music and math. It will explore addition, subtraction, fractions, and patterns through modern instruments, sparking creativity and a deeper understanding of both subjects.

• The Awesome Ag Magic Show is returning to the Clay County Fair this year, and it’s a must-see. Mike Klee uses his incredible talents in magic, storytelling, and balloon art to showcase how agriculture impacts our daily lives. This entertaining show will delight and amaze audiences, leaving them eager to learn more. Catch the magic from Sept. 7-15 on the Good Health Saunas Discovery Stage.

For official show times, visit http://www.claycountyfair.com later in August, when the Clay County Fair’s Daily Guides will be released.

Showcase your culinary creations

Showcase your award-worthy entries in the Oven Products and Canned Goods & Dried Foods Departments at the 2024 Clay County Fair Sept. 7-15.

Oven Products

Exhibitors can enter their blue-ribbon best in over 35 divisions, including the $1,500 Cinnamon Roll Contest. This contest will be held on Monday, Sept. 9, with judging beginning at 1 p.m. The $1,500 Cinnamon Roll Contest is sponsored by Farmers Saving Bank – Milford, Modern Woodmen, Edward Jones and Asher Motor Company.

There are also 13 other food contests that open-class exhibitors can enter during the Fair. Highlights include Mrs. Bonser’s Egg Noodles: Stroganoff Contest and King Arthur Floor Contests on Sept. 8. Lakeside Charcuterie will sponsor the Charcuterie Board Contest on Sept. 11. Be Creative with Mrs. Grimes’ Beans Contest and Barb Christensen’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest on Sept. 12. The Breakfast Casserole Contest sponsored by the Clay County Pork Producers, KICD’s Pasta Salad Contest, Bruce Piper Traditional Peach Pie Contest, and Bundt Cake Contest sponsored by Maxwell Food Equipment on Sept. 13. Closing out the Fair will be the Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Honey Contest, Betty Pothast Angel Food Cake Dessert Contest, and People’s Choice Salsa Contest sponsored by Okoboji Canning Company on Sept. 14.

Canned Goods & Dried Foods

In addition to the Oven Product Department, the Canned Goods & Dried Foods Department offers another opportunity to showcase your cooking talents.

This year, the Canned Goods & Dried Foods Department will feature over 35 different divisions, including pie fillings, vegetables, pickles, jellies, jams and more.

Open class entries are open to anyone from any county or state. Exhibitors are encouraged to check out the 2024 Exhibitor Handbooks for each Department to find the rules and guidelines for their entries. These handbooks can be found online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or picked up in the Fair Administrative Office. Pre-registration for all Oven Products and Canned Goods & Dried Foods entries is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Monday, Aug. 19.

Exhibitors also have the option to register their entries before judging. Oven Product entries for divisions 626-664 will be accepted on Friday, Sept. 6 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), while entries for divisions 670-674 will be accepted on Thursday, Sept. 12 (8 a.m.-9 a.m.). Canned Goods & Dried Foods entries will be accepted on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) at the Creative Living Center.

Showcase your best wine and craft beer

The Home Wine and Craft Beer Department at the Clay County Fair is set to dazzle with an impressive lineup of 15 diverse wine divisions and nine exceptional craft beer divisions.

This year’s event, sponsored by InnSpiration Wines and Vines, Hy-Vee, Northern Brewer and West O Beer, promises a showcase of outstanding beverages. Exciting prizes await, including elegant wine glasses, a variety pack of craft beer, gift certificates, and a grand prize: a luxurious one-night stay at the InnSpiration Winery loft vacation rental for the top winner in Class 1.

Exhibitors are encouraged to participate by submitting one bottle of their finest wine or two bottles of their best craft beer.

Open-class home wine and craft beer entries are open to anyone from any county or state. Home wine and craft beer exhibitors are encouraged to check out the 2024 Exhibitor Handbook for entry rules and guidelines. The handbook can be found online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or picked up in the Fair Administrative Office. Pre-registration for all home wine and craft beer entries is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Monday, Aug. 19. Home wine and craft beer exhibitors also have the option to register their entries before judging. Home wine and craft beer entries will be accepted at the Creative Living Center on Tuesday, Sept. 3 (8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).