Villisca

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.

 

Thanks to our Villisca Entrepreneurs

Our nation is celebrating National Small Business Week May 17-23, 2009. Our rural economies would not survive without many entrepreneurs who own and operate their businesses in our communities. Villisca is no exception. On the occasion of this week honoring small business, I would like to express my appreciation for each of the business owners who have made the choice to make Villisca the home for their businesses. Without these business owners, we would not have such diverse services and products available to us. We would not have jobs for residents. We would not have the dollars circulating in our local economy and we would not have the tax dollars that pay for so many things within our community. Thank these risk takers for what they bring to our community by doing business with them.

 It never ceases to amaze me how many businesses call Villisca home. A list the businesses can be found on the business page of www.villisca.com. It is not a comprehensive list – every so often I learn of yet another business missing from the list.

          With changes in technology, businesses which at one time needed to be located in metro areas are now able to call communities like Villisca home. I would encourage all of us who live here to watch for opportunities to suggest Villisca as a great place to grow a small business.

Villisca goes to state again ... and again

This week Villisca has two of their track team going to State:  Courtney Auxier will be competing in the 100 M dash and the long jump and Cody Hardy in the 400 M dash.  Congratulations to these two students who have excelled in Track and Field.

Three of our Large Group Speech teams received nominations to perform at the All-State Festival:  Radio Broadcasting, Readers Theatre and Ensemble Acting.  In this week's Villisca Review Stanton Viking, Melissa Feilmeier, the speech sponsor, wrote: "In the Southwest District, out of 107 schools that performed at state only 25 received at least one All-State nomination. In terms of those in the Southwest District receiving the most amount of nominations (remember, there is no class distinction, we compete against 4A, 3A and 2A schools) this is where Villisca ranked: 1. West Des Moines(4A), 2. Des Moines Hoover (4A), 3. Bondurant-Farrar (4A), 4. Des Moines North (4A), 5. Des Moines Lincoln (4A), 6. VILLISCA (1A)."

In the Individual Speech category, Sawyer Johannes received All-State nomination for After Dinner Speaking and Leah Robinson received All-State nomination in Storytelling.

Ms. Feilmeier's article in the Review is a good read - far to long to include here.   Congratulations to all our students who have represented Villisca well in the numerous competitions.

Looking for rocky ground

For those of you who don't read the classifieds in the Villisca Review - this week there is a notice from Clarence Peterson:

Rocks needed - Baseball to football size to line the stream bank on the south end of Villisca’s walking trail from the bridge to 1st St. Please call Clarence Peterson @ 712-826-7512.

Superintendent Search

As you may have heard, Villisca has begun the search for a new superintendent for our School District. If you have been dreaming of returning to Villisca and have the qualifications for this position, we would encourage you to apply. If you know of someone else who might be interested, please send along this information to them. We are looking for a qualified individual who has a heart for rural schools. Send your resume and cover letter to the Ray and Associates, Inc., 4403 1st Ave SE, Suite 407, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3221.

 Following is some information about the superintendent search that appeared in the Review this week:

It can be an exciting and a daunting time for rural schools in these days of reduced enrollment and reduced financial resources. The evening of April 16, representatives of the communities of Villisca and Corning met to develop criteria for a superintendent search for a shared superintendent for the two communities. Earlier in the day groups meet together representing staff from the two schools, teachers and administrators – all with the same purpose.

            At first glance, the idea of sharing a superintendent may seem a setback to each school district. It indeed means that there will not be a superintendent on location full time in either district. And it means that the superintendent will not be able to be at every sports event, at every extra-curricular activity.

Once, however, one gets through the thoughts about what will be lost, it is time to look at the other side – the side of what can be and the benefits to both school districts. What comes to mind immediately, of course, are the financial gains. Each school district will, in the near term, receive some incentive dollars from the State of Iowa to share the position. There will also be the savings of reduced superintendent salary expenses. To a lesser extent, there will also be savings on costs of travel and attending meetings for meetings all superintendents attend since one superintendent will be attending for two districts.

Some of the other benefits are yet unseen. As each school district works through the challenges of a shared superintendent, new leaders, ideas and opportunities may emerge benefitting the students. It is a book yet to be written. Attitudes within the schools and within the communities will significantly impact the outcomes. It is essential for the students to thrive in both districts that things remain positive and that both school districts and all communities involved see the advantages for the students.

The search has begun. The school districts are using an executive search firm that specializes in filling vacancies in schools. The sessions on April 16 were intended to give this search firm guidance in what the districts were looking for in a new superintendent. There may be a former Villiscan who would be interested in being superintendent or knows of someone who might be interested. If so, they can send the resume and cover letter to the Ray and Associates, Inc., 4403 1st Ave SE, Suite 407, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3221.

2009 All-Class Reunion Registration

Did you receive your letter with the registration information for the 2009 All-Class Reunion?  If not, here’s the registration information:

 

Registration & Sit-down Meal - $25.00 (choice of roast beef or smoked pork chop)

Registration Only (no meal) - $5.00

t-shirts $10.00 each – sizes sm, med, lg, x-lg, xx-lg

Send registrations to 2009 VHS All-Class Reunion, P.O. Box 45, Villisca, IA 50864

Registrations are due NOW. Details of the Reunion can be found at www.villisca.com/2009All-ClassReunion.htm  The webpage will be updated as new information is available

 

If you have not received the VAFA or All-Class Reunion letters, it may be that we do not have your correct address.  Please send contact information to alumni@villisca.com

If you have not sent in your VAFA membership of $25.00, it can be sent to the address above.

WOW - We are almost there

Great news - we are just $333. from the amount needed for the study regarding the future of the Armory. Through the Horizon's Action Committee, approximately $5987. has been raised in the last several months with contributions ranging from $5. to $1,000. We thank each person who has given generously. If you would like to help us raise that last $333.- send your contribution to Villisca Historical Society, 113 West 5th Street, Villisca, IA 50864. To learn more about the purpose of the study and more information about the vision for the future, visit www.villisca.com/Armory.htm  This is an exciting project and can have a wonderful place in Villisca's future.

Inspired by Joel Herzberg

Tonight I read the post on the CaringBridge Journal for Joel Herzberg. I've been at meetings all week where groups were struggling to do great things and then I read the Journal post where joy was found in Joel nodding his head and managing ice chips and a dum dum sucker. Are not all things relative - we all should reach beyond where we are at - but for each of us, that goal is different.  A bit of philosophy for the end of the week but I think it will help each of us evaluate our successes.  Have a great weekend everyone. And before I sign off - GO BLUEJAYS!  Congratulations on your Thursday night win and we are cheering for your success Monday evening.

Ragbrai Planning Meeting

Ragbrai is coming through Villisca on Monday, July 20. It will be a fun and eventful few hours and a great opportunity to showcase Villisca and for our non-profits and for individuals to do some significant fundraising. Jim Robinson, president of the Chamber of Commerce has announced that on Monday evening, February 23, at 6:30, there will be an organizational meeting at the Community Center.  What a day it was the last time Ragbrai came through and we want to be the same kind of hosts this time. All those who are willing to be a part of the planning process and those who represent groups which may want to have booths or an activity during the bikers short visit to our community should plan to be at the meeting.

Villisca Joel Herzberg Family Fun Day

The following information has come to my desk today - so I am passing it along. I've also posted it on facebook so you may be getting it twice.  Anyway, for those of you from out of town, be creative in thinking what you might do.  You might put together a gift basket to be auctioned or if you work for a large company, they might contribute something for an auction. 

Villisca is planning a community wide Joel Herzberg Family Fun Day to raise funds for the Joel Herzberg family.  Joel is the 18 year old son of Jim and Jan Herzberg of Villisca and suffered a brain injury in a skiing accident on January 2.  He is making great progress but remains hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska.  The Villisca community and the Herzberg family are grateful for the kindness that has been shown from area schools and communities.  Not only his immediate family has shown support, but also his community and Corner Conference “families”.  It is wonderful to see all of Southwest Iowa pull together and show support for Joel.  The Herzberg family has agreed to a one-time fundraising event in hopes that all organizations that want to be involved can all work together.  The Joel Herzberg Family Fun Day will be held April 11, 2009.  This is Easter weekend and we hope lots of families will get involved in the many planned activities.  Tentative events include a walk/run, basketball tournament for all ages, shooting contest, pie/cake auction, game rooms, prizes, food, auction, entertainment and evening meal.  Other events are in the planning stages.  Any individual, group, organization or business wanting to donate food, auction items, or volunteer to work, please contact one of the following committee members: Shona and Clint Means 826-2526; Dawnette and Mark Herzberg 785-3239; Diane and Bill Shipley 785-3260; Mark Focht 829-2460; Becky and Vince Dolch 826-8161; Darci and Jason Poston 826-3120; Jodi and Steve Haer 826-9512; or Carolyn and Jerry Fisher 826-3122.  Donated items for the auction may be taken to City Hall in Villisca.  If you are unable to attend but would like to show your support, checks may be mailed to Joel Herzberg Benefit Fund, % Bank Iowa, 300 South 3rd Avenue, P.O. Box 46, Villisca, Iowa  50864.  More details will follow at a later date.