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Community Roundtable held in Independence

Editor’s note: The News hosts an Annual State of the County event early each year to update the greater Buchanan County Community about the happenings, developments and future plans of area elected officials and community leaders. This year, continuing their commitment as advocates for our local communities, Publishers Mary Beth and Steven Smith promised to host follow-up community roundtable meetings. The first of these meetings was held June 25.

By Steven C. Smith

Community leaders, business persons, and city and state elected officials gathered Friday at a roundtable meeting, hosted and moderated by The News Publisher Steven Smith. The meeting, held at Security State Bank in Independence, featured presentations from Buchanan County Economic Development (BCEDC) Director Greg Halverson and Independence Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammy Rasmussen.

Halverson presented information about the resources BCEDC has available, or can assist with obtaining, for budding entrepreneurs and those looking to improve business practices. “There is a great deal of assistance developing business plans, marketing plans, and training available through the University of Northern Iowa Small Business Development Center (UNISBDC),” commented Halverson. “Training on Quick Books and developing a company’s financials are frequently requested.”

UNISBDC offers many classes throughout the year as well as weekly Webinars. Contact Halverson at 319-334-7497 for details on these and other resources including revolving loan funds and micro loan programs.

Tammy Rasmussen was joined by Independence City Council member Robert Hill in describing a joint City/Chamber effort to develop ideas about improving downtown “walkability” - making the downtown area more friendly to shoppers. The plans are in conjunction with the need to upgrade and repair the downtown curb and gutters. Rasmussen noted, “We have heard repeatedly at programs we’ve attended, about marketing a community that has an inviting, easily accessed, walkable downtown as the key to encouraging shoppers to visit and to linger.”

Another key to inviting visitors to downtown is store signage that is presented perpendicular to the buildings. Rasmussen informed the group that this type of signage is allowed in Independence.

A recent community marketing program attended by Rasmussen, Steven Smith and Chamber Board member Kriss McGraw, suggested that business communities that offer storefront seating to allow shoppers to pause and “regroup” also enhance a downtown shopping experience. The City of Independence does allow for such seating as long as it conforms to code dictating the distance from the building and sidewalk access.

Retailers present at the roundtable meeting indicated that even though the downtown area offers much off-street parking, the lots may be hard for some people to find. Rasmussen reported that the Chamber is working to find out more on a grant that will assist in developing better signage throughout the community identifying attractions, business districts, parking, points of interest and amenities.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce office to become involved in developing ideas for the downtown area and how to make it more inviting by calling 319-334-7178.

Retail store owners Kriss McGraw and Laree Randall let the group know about a marketing program designed to help in “saving the brick and mortar our nation is built on.”

The 3/50 Project, developed by Cinda Baxtor, is based on the following premise: Pick three independently owned local businesses you would miss if they disappeared. Spend $50 each month in these (or any) locally owned businesses and in doing so, help invigorate your local economy. The marketing material points out that for every $100 spent in locally owned and operated stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays in the community. Spend it online with national companies, and nothing stays in the community.

Further discussion included the following: Ways to invite businesses to come to Independence, re-implementing a leadership program, and developing ways to bring together and utilize the many resources in the community.

For information on how to become involved in the Community Roundtables or any of the items addressed here, contact the Chamber, the BCEDC, the City of Independence or Steven Smith at The News, email bccommunity@thebuchanancountynews.com

  Pictured: Representative Gene Ficken at left and Independence City Council member Bob Hill at the Community Roundtable event held last week. (Steven Smith Photo)

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Camp Noah: A rainbow of fun for young disaster survivors

By Tari Robertson, Features Editor

When floods, tornados and other disasters hit a community, children need special attention. That is why Camp Noah counselors and volunteers have been pulling into ports of disaster since Hurricane Katrina.

 Camp Noah is a day-camp that offers young disaster survivors a fun-filled week of special activities, opportunities to share their experiences, learn disaster preparedness skills, and receive counseling and/or support. Meanwhile, parents get a much needed break to grieve, work on recovery, and relax.  

The curriculum of Camp Noah is based upon the Old Testament story of Noah and the flood, inviting children in pre-school through sixth grade to process their experiences and compare their stories with Noah’s disaster experience through songs, games, crafts and other fun activities.

Two weeks ago, the crew of Camp Noah pulled into the home ports of Hazleton and Lamont, bringing a rainbow of fun with them. Camp Noah was in Hazleton June 15-19, and in Lamont June 22- 26. Approximately 44 youngsters from Fairbank, Oelwein and Hazleton attended in Hazleton, and 45 area children attended in Lamont.

Both camps were offered at little or no cost, with lots of fun thrown in as an added bonus. “Fun” is the key word, says a local organizer Pastor Sue Ann Raymond of Independence. “The kids LOVE it! They have been having so much fun these past two weeks ... and so are the adult volunteers!”

Campers in Lamont participated in games, did crafts, sang songs, took a field trip to Fontana Park, learned about Red Cross and disaster preparedness skills, explored a fire truck, and met Lamont firefighter Terry Crow. Snack and lunches were served all five days.

Both area camps were staffed by local and national volunteers. Pastor Donna Rohrer of Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford MN, headed the national volunteer group in Lamont.

According to Rohrer, their church got involved with the program a couple years ago. “Our church was approached by Lutheran Social Services Disaster Relief (LSSDR) in Minnesota, following Hurricane Katrina. They asked if we would be interested in getting a team together for Camp Noah (a branch of LSSDR). After we agreed to participate, we went through training, and began meeting and organizing our own camps. Many churches across the country now participate in the program. So far, it has been very successful in helping youngsters process and come to terms with what happened to them and their families when disaster struck ... and has helped them feel better prepared for any future disasters.”

The camp also helps participants build resiliency skills as a community, and to understand that disaster recovery takes teamwork. “We want them to realize that being the survivor of a disaster is a gift, and that they need to support and turn to each other during tough times, as well as (through) the recovery process. ... Although the children are divided into groups by age, we encourage activities that promote integration. Kids naturally gravitate to others in their own age groups ... but, we want all ages to work together and get to know each other,” Roher explained.

To promote a spirit of cooperation, older kids are often asked to partner younger kids with activities, crafts and games throughout the week.

At the end of the camp, each child went home with a Camp Noah t-shirt, visor and a special disaster preparedness bag containing flashlights, batteries, a little first aid kit, band-aids, a book to read ... and, maybe even a stuffed animal.

“Then, next time the siren sounds, they can just grab their bag and feel prepared,” said Roher.

To learn more, visit www.campnoah.org/

  Pictured: Each day of camp started with smiles and fun songs.  More photos in THE NEWS this week!

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 Hare’s Pond … Saving nature in people’s hearts

By Mari Butler, THE NEWS Intern

Hare’s Pond Recreational Park in Rowley is a place of relaxation and untouched nature. Set up in 1980, the pond is one group’s way of giving back to Rowley, and the rest of the community. Donated by Richard Hare (Chairman and founder of Hare’s Pond), it provides a tranquil spot for kids, teens, and families to enjoy a lovely day in nature.

Strolling the little ponds, people can soak up the sun, go fishing, watch tadpoles dart in the water, camp, and experience many trails on horseback, bikes, or all-terrain-vehicles.  Several family reunions and wedding receptions have been held there.

“We just want people to know this is here and available for people to get back to nature,” says board member Nancy Nelson. “It’s quiet here. This is our way to get away.”

Last Sunday, the third annual hog roast fundraiser was held at the pond. The goal this year is to raise enough money to install electricity in the campsites. Because Hare’s Pond is privately owned, funding relies mostly on community members who are willing to donate. A soup supper will be held at the community center in Rowley this fall as an additional fundraiser. Donations may also be made to Bank Iowa, payable to the Hare’s Pond recreational account.

Richard Hare and Hare’s Pond board members invite anyone in need of a little relaxation to visit the recreation area, where any busy person can leave the noisy world behind for a few hours.

For more information, visit website www.harespond.com

Pictured: Hares Pond Recreational Park is a tranquil haven in a busy world. (Mari Butler Photo)

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  Fairbank Island Days held last weekend with activities beginning Thursday evening.  The annual event featured dances, lots of great music and food, kiddie parade, crowning of Fairbank royalty, turtle races, river golfing, carnival, classic car show, duck races, kids games, softball tournament, pedal pull, parade, 5K and 1-mile runs and much more.

LOTS more color photos in THE NEWS this week!

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 In THE NEWS this week:

• Ricks named ISU Extension Education Director for Buchanan Co. region, Bearinger now director of Region 11 which includes Delaware County

• Pig Out & Pork Burger Eating Contests to benefit Area Food Pantry

• Homespun wisdom: What would our grandparents do?

• Tepee Time in Quasky!

• Painting of Quasqueton Mill donated to QAHS

• My Boys State Experience … By Charlie Smith

• Learning vacations are a howling good time

• “Artists-in-the-making” enjoy painting lessons at the Senior Center

• Hawkeye Community College expands Independence campus

• Photos from many community events

• Crop & Weather Report

• Public Notices for area schools, cities and Buchanan County Supervisors

• Photos and events from all around the area

• Full Buccaneer Banner!

• Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns

• The Recipe Box

• Living well with Buchanan County Health Center

• Area Weddings, Anniversaries, Births, Graduations, Birthdays

... And, so much more!

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Pictured here (from left) are Paige Kerkove, Kylee Cooksley, Markia Griffin and Holly Cook. They are four students of the fifth grade East Buchanan classes who recently spent two days at Camp Wapsie Y. The group left May 11 and returned May 12.

While at camp, they enjoyed many activities such as fishing, canoeing, zip line, nature hikes and more. There were challenges involved with these activities. The group raised money by selling Buc Cards to help defray the cost to attend. The trip to Camp Wapsie Y has been a tradition for East Buchanan fifth grade students for many years.

YMCA Camp Wapsie serves boys and girls in a summer resident and day camp program and campers of all ages throughout the year, along with retreat and family camp programs. The camp is located on 172 acres of scenic woodlands and wetlands with an oxbow lake off the Wapsipinicon River in northern Linn County. YMCA Camp Wapsie is owned and operated by the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area.

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