Wednesday, May 7, 2008


"The mission of the Winthrop News is to remain an independent voice for Winthrop, Buchanan County and the surrounding area, providing relevant, timely information to help communities, families, and businesses experience a prosperous, enjoyable life."


In THE NEWS this week: 

May is BEEF month -- lots of news on the beef industry, great recipes, local advertisers, and more - pick up a copy today!


Governor Culver signs Model Core Curriculum bill in Independence

By Tari Robertson

Over the last few years, Iowa has dropped to a grade of “D” on the highly regarded National Assessment of Education Progress - the nation’s report card. Furthermore, a recent poll revealed improving education was the number-one issue concerning Iowans. According to the poll, Iowans expected the Legislature to deliver high quality education in public schools, provide high school students better access to college-level credits and mandate Iowa’s core curriculum.

On Thursday, May 1, those voices were heard as Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2216, the Model Core Curriculum bill, into law at the Hawkeye Community College Independence Center. The law is a blueprint for how and what teachers can and should teach: “Establishing models for teaching math, science and social studies with emphasis on 21st Century life skills, including civic literacy, financial literacy, technological literacy, health literacy and employability.”

Sen. Brian Schoenjahn (D-Arlington), one of the lead sponsors of the bill, attended the signing. He commented, “The model core curriculum will create a pathway for teachers and local school districts to follow to reach the standards and benchmarks previously adopted. It will align well with the nation’s No Child Left Behind initiative. … Although it is a work in progress, affecting grades 9-12 initially, and K-12 by the year 2014, I feel it’s great for Iowa education. It is a formula teachers can follow. It’s a guide to teachers from a web-based portal. …”

Before signing the bill, Culver thanked members of the Iowa Legislature, teachers and school administrators for their support. He also commended Sen. Schoenjahn and other members of the education committee for their work on the bill.

“As the only governor in the nation who has taught in the classroom in the last 20 years, I am deeply committed to ensuring all Iowa children have access to the best education possible,” Culver said. “Recruiting and retaining the best educators in Iowa classrooms is the key to providing that excellence. We need to level the playing fields so it doesn’t matter if you grow up in McGregor or Des Moines … we‘re going to give all students a chance and a fair opportunity. … We may not always be 100-percent right, but our hearts are in the right place (with this bill) and I feel we are heading in the right direction.”

Surrounded by members of Hawkeye Community College staff, county supervisors and students, Culver signed Senate File 2216 into law, using a different pen for each letter of his name. Afterward, the pens used in signing the document were handed out to those standing nearby.

Later, Sen. Schoenjajhn commented, “We may have had a D going in to this, but today, according to The Des Moines Register, that grade has just gone up to a B!”

Culver shook the hands of attendees following the ceremony, but did not stay to answer questions. He headed to Allen Hospital in Waterloo where he was scheduled to participate in a round-table discussion with healthcare professionals.  

  The model core curriculum bill was the second bill signed Thursday by Gov. Culver. The first was Senate File 2405 (the energy bill), signed into law at 9:15 AM at the Chamber of Commerce office in Mason City. To access the complete Model Core Curriculum bill online, visit www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view.

Pictured: Gov. Culver signs the core curriculum bill into law; and Sen. Brian Schoenjahn introduces Gov. Culver.  (Tari Robertson photos)

Have a story idea?  Email newswriter Tari Robertson!
tarirobertson@thewinthropnews.com


Local Catholic Daughters host fun
fashion show
and tea party for all ages

By Tari Robertson

“Hello Dolly,” a glamorous fashion show fundraiser and little girl’s tea party, was held Thursday, May 1, 7 PM in the old Quasqueton School gym. The event was hosted by the Catholic Daughters of America (CDA), St. John Parish, Independence and St. Patrick’s, Winthrop. Area ladies and girls were invited to wear their “tea-party” best and enjoy the evening’s festivities which included a fashion show featuring the “Calendar Girls” modeling outfits for each month’s theme, door prizes and refreshments. Entertainment was provided by singer Freddie Moreno.

Organizers went all out, decorating the beautifully painted Quasqueton gym (which features a 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling mural created by artist Donna Wolfe) with flowers, ribbons and bows.  Masses of silk flowers adorned the stage, serving tables and entrances, creating a fairy-tale backdrop for the well-attended event.

Twelve young ladies from East Buchanan Schools were recruited as models for the calendar-themed fashion show. Models included Laura Halford- January, Alissa Lewis- February, Morgan Monaghan- March, Megan Goedken- April, Anna Werner- May, Felicia Halsted- June, Miranda Gericke- July, Kendra Kehrli- August, Hannah Zimmer-September, Brennan Monaghan- October, Taylor Daubenberger- November and Gillian Mendez- December. Hairstyle and make-up were provided Silver Scissors of Aurora and The Barb-er Shop of Quasqueton. Fashion show emcee was Sue Sloan of Quasqueton.

During a 10-minute intermission, refreshments were served and a quilt, made and donated by Bev Ciesielski, was raffled. Nellie Berns was the door prize recipient for an “ambush makeover” provided by Alyssa Wolfe.  

During the course of the evening, CDA spokesperson Lola Baragary, took a moment to enlighten the gathered about the Catholic Daughters of America organization.

According to Baragary, the John Paul II Cluster is comprised of women from St. Patrick Parish in Winthrop and St. John Parish, Independence. The chapter was formed in 1920. The group donates annually to the Buchanan County Food Pantry and to Abused Women of Buchanan County. They are currently seeking new members.

Pictured: Event organizers (from left): Kathy Decker, Lola Baragary, Wilma Priebe, Donna Wolfe, and Elizabeth Decker.

SEE MORE GREAT COLOR PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT
IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK!


WHERE DO YOU READ
The Winthrop News?

Four generations of the Brown family, formerly of Quasqueton, met recently to read THE NEWS and celebrate birthdays at the home of Tom and Marlene Stark, Taylorsville KY.

Pictured here (l to r) are Marlene (Brown) Stark, Taylorsville; Don Brown, Independence; Judy (Brown) Melka, Independence; and Dennis Brown, Cadiz KY.

The family gathered in Shelbyville to have this photo taken. Shelbyville and Taylorsville are near Lexington, in the heart of horse racing country. Horse farms abound, with miles of white fences and well-groomed lawns. The red bud trees and the dogwood were in full bloom. The Brown family also visited the Louisville Slugger plant in Louisville and learned how baseball bats are made.


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Community Calendar

Let us know your non-profit organization’s coming events!  Call 319-935-3027, email to news@thewinthropnews.com  or send it to PO Box 9, Winthrop IA 50682.

Free Blood Pressure Screenings - First Monday of each month at Citizens State Bank in Winthrop from 9:30-11 AM. Second Thursday of each month at K & S Quasky Mart, Quasqueton, from 2-3:30 PM.

Last Monday of month - Buchanan Co. Tobacco Free Coalition meeting, 10 AM, Building Direction for Families Office, 105 2nd Ave, NE, Independence

Third Monday of month - Buchanan County Democrats meeting at Human Services building, 1413 lst St., West, Independence, 7 PM.

Monday Evenings, Free Open Horseshoe Pitching at the courts on east end of the Buchanan County Fairgrounds. Come anytime after 5 PM, Monday evenings. This is not a league, only for enjoyment. Spare shoes will be available. Call Lee at 563-920-1116.

May 10 - Quasqueton City-Wide Clean Up, contact Quasqueton City Hall for details.

May 10 - Winthrop City-Wide Garage Sales and BIG Book  & Plant Sale at Winthrop City Library.

May 10 - Annual Quasky Bottom Feeders Tournament. Anglers young and old will compete for carp, catfish and suckers at Second Annual Quasky Bottom Feeders Tournament on the Wapsipinicon River. The tournament will take place on the stretch of river the from the Old Mill dam in Independence to the dam in Troy Mills, from 6 AM to 2 PM. A $15 entry fee includes door prizes and meal of walleye, potatoes, coleslaw, beans, and beverages. Registration 5 to 6 AM day of the tournament at the launching ramp in the Quasqueton park, or pre-register at Wee Willy’s. For more information call (319) 981-1568.

May 10 - Delaware County Master Gardener’s Annual Plant Sale,
9–10 AM, Delaware County Fairgrounds Quonset Bldg. All are perennials and sold for $3. This is the only fundraiser the Delaware County Master Gardener’s have, and majority of the plants are donated by Master Gardener members. Arrive early these items go very quickly.

May 13-Buchanan County American Legion Meeting, 7:30 PM in Lamont, Contact: David Mike Smock County Adjutant, 319-327-0078

May 14 - Delaware County Red Cross Blood Drive, celebrating 30 years of blood drives. 11:30 AM-6 PM, Delaware County Community Center.

May 14-Winthrop Poppy Day, Winthrop Unit #560 American Legion Auxiliary will be holding their annual Poppy Day. They will be canvassing the Winthrop area in the afternoon.

May 17 - Quasqueton Federated Garden Club Plant Sale from 8 to 11 AM at the Quasqueton Legion Hall.

May 18-Cowboy Breakfast Fundraiser, 8 AM-1 PM, Brandon City Park. Menu: Scrambled eggs, pancakes, fried potatoes, sausage gravy-biscuits, ham, sausage, cowboy coffee and orange juice. Cost: $7 per person (3 & under free). Sponsored by Brandon Area Community Club.

May 26 - Memorial Day Services by American Legion & Auxiliary Unit #560 will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Winthrop, 9:30 AM. Legionnaires, Scouts, and East Buchanan Band meet 9:15 AM just east of the cemetery.  Auxiliary members should meet at flagpole in the cemetery. Immediately following service, we will go to St. Pat’s cemetery for services. In case of rain, services will be at East Buchanan High School Gym. Winthrop services will include Flag raising, Star Spangled Banner, Pledge of Allegiance, Prayer, Message, EB Band, Remembering the deceased, Poem, Prayer, Legion Salute to the Dead, Taps.

June 7 (Register by May 30) - Super Saturdays 4- Kids at Heartland Acres, 1 PM, Patriotic Saturday.

View exhibit “A Salute to Our Forefathers” with interpretive displays on the United Sates Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. Features uniforms from each war as well as other exciting artifacts from each era. Children will learn about life as a soldier in the Civil War as well as life during World War II. Participants may create their own “Victory Garden”. Payment for the activity also includes admission to see the entire interpretive center, which features livestock, hands-on activities, an antique car museum, one-room schoolhouse and more! Cost $4 per child, ages 7-13.  Pre-registration is required by May 30. For more information and to register, Brandon Brockway 319-332-0123 or email brandon@heartlandacresusa.com.

©2005 Goodnight in the Morning Communications