Villisca

Metro Detroit decides to compete with rural farmers

One one of Fast Company's daily news updates this week they had an article about Detroit's attempt to recover from the auto industry troubles.  The article says  "Michigan entrepreneur John Hantz invested $30 million in his Hantz Farms project, which takes aim at 5,000 acres of Detroit land for farming everything from organic lettuce to crops for biofuels."  It says that Hantz had trouble finding large parcels of land so "Instead, Hantz is buying smaller, unconnected parcels that will each grow different crops depending on the soil and surrounding environment."  Is there a lesson to be learned here by rural Iowans.  It is not that we should walk away from our work to diversity our economy but we should also work at building and rebuilding what we do so well.  The sustainable agriculture and local foods movements may cause a second look for some farmers in how they farm and what they farm but it is definitely a keeper and something to exploit - yes I said exploit.

We may be in southwest Iowa but our young people are world travelers

I've just been on facebook and have seen that we have recent grads in New Zealand, in India, and one one his way to China.  What wonderful educational and mission opportunities are available for our young people these days!  It seems every year some of our young people traveling abroad.  `We need to hear more from them when they return and learn from them. 

Thank a Farmer - Florida Urban meets Iowa Rural

This fall, young people in the St. Petersburg, Florida area were introduced to the Vince and Steve Dolch families and learned something about Iowa farmers.  Peggy Paxton, sister to Villisca resident Roxanna Sieber, is the director of their church’s tutoring program.

    Peggy writes [I’ve added some comments to what she wrote for clarity – RTS]:

“G. K. Chesterton once said,  'When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.'  

“A part of our Church's "Can-Do Mentoring/Tutoring Program" is to incorporate the teaching of certain character qualities into the sessions.  The character quality we focus on in Nov. is "thankfulness".  I wanted to help our kids have a deeper understanding of the season of Thanksgiving.  Knowing that my sister's community [Villisca] was in a large part made up of farms [okay – I have not portrayed our community well – we certainly are a farming community – but I’m not sure the “large part” is valid] I decided to ask her about the possibility of connecting with a farmer in some way that would give our kids from the city real live people we could use to guide our Can-Do kids and our Children's Church kids into a fresh understanding of Thanksgiving.

“The Vince Dolch family agreed to partner with us and our communication developed into a plan which we began with the Children's Church Program in September.  The children were taught the importance to just "Say Thank You" with the story of the ten lepers.

“The end of September marked the beginning of the Can-Do Program with an emphasis on helping the children to know they are special and loved.  So both programs showed the children what an amazing creation their body is in such ways as having them compare a grain of rice to the size of the ear's stirrup and making a picture from their own distinct fingerprint.  They were encouraged to live in such a way that thanked God for having a plan for their whole life.  They considered all of the different people God placed in their lives to give them security, happiness and to meet their needs.

“It was our hope that all of these lessons would lead into introducing the Dolch families to the children [By this time it was a project of both the Vince and Steve Dolch families because it was Matt Dolch who had a good assortment of photos to furnish to my sis.] and that it was God's plan that they had become farmers who in turn God used to meet their physical needs.  For four weeks the children learned about the importance of the American farmer in general and the work of the Dolch families in particular. [I had to educate my sister early on that corn and beans are not corn on the cob and green beans.] 

“The Dolches sent approximately 90 photos of crops, scenes with farm machinery, family members and FFA experiences.  These photos were incorporated into two farm books to which also were added farm pictures taken from country magazines.  Matt Dolch's photos of FFA butchered cows brought the expected "ughs" and the machinery, curiosity. They sent newly harvested soybeans so that each child could take a sample home.  A different type of soybeans than those the Dolches farm were found in the frozen food department at Publix, tasted by most, liked by very few and expressive relief that there are many other uses for that little bean.  Thank you notes were written to the Dolches.  And finally a wall hanging of thanks was made to be sent to Iowa.

“Throughout the whole experience the children were led to understand and be thankful for the role of the American farmer in our lives. The continued use of I Thessalonians 1:2 was a constant reminder to the children to pray for the Dolches, especially for safety during harvest.  The children made place mats using pictures of favorite fresh foods and a copy of the well known prayer, 'God is great...' with the added line, 'And God bless the farmers.'

“The rest of the Church Family was also acquainted with the families by means of a power point presentation of the photos on Thanksgiving Sunday and the addition of the "Dolch families from Iowa"  being added to the weekly prayer requests.  

“One adult was heard to comment, 'Sounds like a field trip is in order.'  How fun would that be - we city folk piling into a bus to visit the Dolches' Farm.  But, since that isn't going to happen maybe this year's Thanksgiving meals will take on a deeper dimension of thanks for the adults as well as our children for God's provisions.  And perhaps these children will have grown a deeper trait of thankfulness."

Here is a photo of the kids in the Dolch families:

And here are some of the pictures of the Florida kids - some kids looking at the photo album of the farming operation on the Dolch farms, of kids finding out what a soy bean is and then some of the kids with the thank you banner the kids made for the Dolch's.

 

Yet another disgraceful presentation

My preference would be to bury my head in the sand. And I worry sometimes that by highlighting something distasteful, we give publicity to something we would like to have ignored.  Hopefully with all the great Christmas stories here in Iowa and eastern Nebraska, I would hope this story will not be picked up but I fear that those creating this event know how to promote themselves.  Just today I learned that a paranormal group is sponsoring an event at the location of the 1912 Axe Murders on Dec. 4-6.  This time they are not only bringing disgrace to the memory of those who died but are insulting the season of our Savior's birth.  They are calling the event Merry Ax-Mas.  I don't know what can be done legally to stop this - if anything - but I do know that the citizens of Villisca should let those involved know how disgraceful what they are doing is and bring enough pressure that the event be cancelled. 

Cyber Monday is Coming

Cyber Monday is coming and I must take this chance to remind everyone there are a couple ways that you can make a difference to the Villisca community when you shop online.

First of all, don't forget to check out www.villiscasnewhorizons.com online store.  There are some neat things up there now and more to come. 

Secondly, don't forget to start your shopping at www.igive.com.  There are over 700 stores at igive.com, ones that you are likely to be shopping at anyway.  If you are new to igive.com - click the link that follows and the charity of your choice will receive a $5. bonus if you shop within 45 days of signing up. I hope you will make Villisca Community Schools or one of the other Villisca charities the charity of your choice.  Those dollars add up when we all do it together.  Thanks for making a difference in the life of Villisca.  http://www.iGive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=33787&m=77442

 

VHS Students Challenge Corner Conference Schools

It is estimated that every year, 10.8 million people are diagnosed with some form of cancer. This learning often drastically affects the person's life, family, friends, and even communities. To help raise awareness, the Villisca High School Student Government is challenging all Corner Conference schools. We have designed a cancer awareness T-shirt to sell to all Corner Conference schools during the basketball season. The shirts will be $10, with almost half of the price going to Cancer research. The shirts are yellow with pink and purple writing, the purple representing the universal color for cancer. We are encouraging all schools to participate by purchasing the corner conference shirts and/or generating your own ideas for raising funds, cancer awareness, and school spirit.

We also are encouraging schools to have spirit nights. During conference basketball games the hosting team could choose a theme for the night and compete against the other school for school spirit. The Villisca Student Council will be deciding theme nights for all Villisca basketball home games. 

For ordering information contact Shona Means at 712-826-2552 or smeans@villisca.k12.ia.us

 Below is the link for the T-shirt design.

http://art.thegraphicedge.com/view.asp?d=244946&r=342215

All His Waves and Breakers are washing over us.

Some thoughts as we head into thanksgiving week. This came from "The Green Mountain Tates" blog.
All His Waves and Breakers are washing over us.
On Monday the van broke down but we were blessed to have the use of Job's car at the time.
Job's car broke down yesterday.
Our family of six has been reduced to relying on the '96 Chevy S-10 formerly of Sanel Auto Parts for transportation. But we're laughing and happy, if a bit philosiphically grim.

God is good, after all, and we're feeling that as keenly as ever. God's providence has a way of obscuring his goodness. When the checking account, the refrigerator, and the driveway are all pleasantly full we begin to think that things are only as they're supposed to be. That happy condition becomes the baseline and we think that if God wants to prove his goodness he must improve our condition, rather than simply take credit for it

But in the absence of his providence I'm left with his goodness. And he is good. The Psalmist says "Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm 42:7b-8)
Amen

Villisca's New Horizons Online Store Now Open

Begin your shopping in Villisca and at Villisca's New Horizons Online Store 

 

 

Writing Grants

This morning I have again looked at a couple grants that are due this month.  They are grants I believe we could get but for one thing - they require matches.   Without a match we can't apply.  So, this morning I am having to abandon two good possibilities because of that "but for one thing."

This is nothing new. It is faced over and over again.  These two that I am abandoning today have to do with working with entrepreneurs and small business people and helping them toward greater success; with developing a couple new businesses and some community services in Villisca in the food industry; and with improving the health and nutrition of people in Villisca.  It is frustrating because these could bring such opportunity to Villisca and Villiscans.  If there are people out there who are looking for places to put some money either as a donation or in establishing an endowment, Villisca is a great place. If you have a specific project or area of life, when you make your donation, you can designate it for that purpose. If you just want it to go toward making a difference in the life of Villiscans, that would be great too.  There are several options for where you could make the donation/endowment.  Contact me at villisca@villisca.com for more information.  I will hold your inquiry in full confidence.

January 1960 - Were you there?

   JAN 1960, WERE YOU THERE?

 

Could it be 50 years?  Wow, time does fly!  It was Christmas break 1959-60 that Villisca Community School activities moved from the Armory to its new ‘state of the art’ gymnasium to play basketball and for numerous other activities.  Those of you who were there, remember how exciting it was to be a part of those ‘firsts’, but there have been 50 years of wonderful activities in the gym since that exciting time.

 

If you remember these times, we are inviting you to celebrate that occasion with us.  Jan 2, 2010 is the date for our ‘First Fifty Fun Day’.  It will be a day of fun activities, recognition, honor, and reminiscing from 10:00 am to 5:00pm.  We will recognize and honor the first teams to play in the gym, members, coaches, cheerleaders, etc.  We will also recognize and honor the girls state basketball team of 1967-68 and the boys state basketball team of 2008-09.

 

In addition, there are plans being made to recognize and honor others who participated in music, drama and the other activities that have been held in the gymnasium over the past 50 years.  Plans are still being made for the total program, so watch the Villisca Review and check online at www.villisca.com for updates.

 

Villisca Alumni and Friends Association is sponsoring this all day event.  VAFA is an organization that works for the good of Villisca Community School and its students.  The funds raised at our ‘First Fifty Fun Day’ will be used to pay for field trips for the students and other VAFA projects during the year.  $5000 has been budgeted by VAFA for field trips for the 2009-10 school year.

 

Some of the other activities during the day will be a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, shoot around, slam-dunk contest and others.  Registration forms for the 3-on-3 are available on the Villisca Alumni website shown above.  Registration for other activities will be that day.

 

We would be honored and proud to have you in attendance for this very special occasion.  If however, you are unable to attend, and you have special memorabilia you would like to share in the form of pictures mailed or emailed to Sandy Smith, 1059 240^th St, Nodaway, IA 59857 or mssmith@netins.net.   Please send copies of pictures that will not have to be returned.  We plan to have bulletin boards up to display the various happenings in the gym, and a DVD prepared for this purpose as well, will be playing during the day.  If you are unable to attend, but would like to send donations for this project, they may be mailed directly to VAFA, P O Box 45, Villisca, Iowa, 50864.

 

Thanks for your support,

VAFA ‘First Fifty Fun Day’ Comm.

Carol Gilleland & Sandy Smith Co-Chair