Memorial Day services held in Allison - Butler County Tribune-Journal
Memorial Day services held in Allison - Butler County Tribune-Journal
Memorial Day services held in Allison - Butler County Tribune-Journal
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2 Editorial<br />
• Thursday, June 2, 2011 <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Tribune</strong>-<strong>Journal</strong> • Clarksville Star<br />
The Clover Connection<br />
Nancy Jensen<br />
<strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> CYC<br />
nejensen@iastate.edu<br />
Let’s do it for our kids!<br />
If there was only one th<strong>in</strong>g I learned<br />
from my years <strong>in</strong> the classroom (and<br />
believe there were A LOT!) it would<br />
be to NEVER, EVER underestimate<br />
the power of a parent, particularly<br />
the power of a mother.<br />
While I’m just sure my sons-<strong>in</strong>law<br />
and daughter-<strong>in</strong>-law would say<br />
I am pretty easy to get along with (at<br />
least I hope they would say that!) I<br />
know when someone did someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to one of my offspr<strong>in</strong>g that I didn’t<br />
particularly care for, I usually let<br />
them know it! I never approached<br />
one of their coaches ask<strong>in</strong>g why<br />
my kids weren’t start<strong>in</strong>g or at least<br />
play<strong>in</strong>g (I’m afraid they might take<br />
after their mother who is not very<br />
talented <strong>in</strong> any sport! I am however,<br />
hold<strong>in</strong>g out for that archery th<strong>in</strong>g!).<br />
I was told by one coach, through my<br />
daughter, to stop giv<strong>in</strong>g her the “evil<br />
glare”. If she was busy coach<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
how would she know I was giv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
her any k<strong>in</strong>d of glare? My kids all<br />
grew up to be great adults and I like<br />
to th<strong>in</strong>k my husband and I had a little<br />
to do with that!<br />
I’m sure their years <strong>in</strong> 4-H had<br />
equal <strong>in</strong>fluence <strong>in</strong> their lives. From<br />
my viewpo<strong>in</strong>t, 4-H is the ONLY<br />
educational organization that allows<br />
kids to not only learn a skill, whether<br />
it’s speak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> front of a group,<br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g records on a livestock<br />
project or lead<strong>in</strong>g on council, but<br />
to also allow them to actually put<br />
that skill <strong>in</strong>to practice and change<br />
behavior. This is a HUGE part<br />
of 4-H – a high degree of handson<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g and then carry<strong>in</strong>g that<br />
learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to the community to<br />
make a difference. In a recent study<br />
done by Iowa State University (the<br />
2008 Iowa 4-H Youth Citizenship,<br />
Leadership and Communication<br />
Self-Assessment Research Study)<br />
scores <strong>in</strong> citizenship, leadership and<br />
communication all reported over a<br />
65% improvement, many over 70%,<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g their years <strong>in</strong> 4-H.<br />
Now this may just be frustration<br />
on my part, but I’d like to know how<br />
we can get more kids to actively take<br />
part <strong>in</strong> our organization s<strong>in</strong>ce we<br />
know they will; practice citizenship,<br />
leadership and communication<br />
skills, be a positive <strong>in</strong>fluence on<br />
others, make a difference <strong>in</strong> their<br />
communities, learn necessary<br />
teamwork skills and have their basic<br />
A Correction (that’s good news!)<br />
I’ve repeatedly said that the state<br />
of Iowa will have $600 million <strong>in</strong><br />
our reserve funds and $300 million<br />
<strong>in</strong> our end<strong>in</strong>g balance when the fiscal<br />
year comes to a close on June 30.<br />
I argued that with so much money<br />
on hand—far more than most other<br />
states—there is no need to deeply<br />
cut our local schools, community<br />
colleges and universities.<br />
That statement was partially <strong>in</strong><br />
error, and I want to issue a correction.<br />
It turns out Iowa’s economy<br />
is recover<strong>in</strong>g even better than<br />
expected. Michael Fitzgerald, Iowa’s<br />
State Treasurer, reported this week<br />
that we’ll have an additional $100<br />
million <strong>in</strong> our end<strong>in</strong>g balance when<br />
this fiscal year comes to a close on<br />
June 30.<br />
These additional dollars can help<br />
protect Iowa’s local schools and<br />
create new jobs. There are now<br />
100 million more reasons why the<br />
compromises needed to end the<br />
session should be easier to f<strong>in</strong>d.<br />
Senate votes to improve mental<br />
health <strong>services</strong> for Iowans<br />
We voted this week to make mental<br />
health and disability <strong>services</strong> more<br />
accessible and affordable to Iowans<br />
<strong>in</strong> all parts of the state.<br />
Senate File 525 creates a legislative<br />
<strong>in</strong>terim committee to propose<br />
statutory legislation to redesign our<br />
state’s mental health and disability<br />
<strong>services</strong>, which are used by Iowans<br />
with mental illness, <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
disabilities and developmental<br />
disabilities. The committee will<br />
develop legislation to establish a set<br />
of basic <strong>services</strong> that all counties<br />
must provide and to streaml<strong>in</strong>e<br />
fund<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
developmental needs met?<br />
One th<strong>in</strong>g I have noticed over<br />
and over with <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> 4-H<br />
youth, the really <strong>in</strong>volved 4-Hers<br />
(the ones who go out and make those<br />
differences <strong>in</strong> their communities)<br />
have <strong>in</strong>volved parents right beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
them. These actively <strong>in</strong>volved<br />
parents may be serv<strong>in</strong>g as club<br />
leaders or just support<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
children but they are help<strong>in</strong>g these<br />
youth build a strong foundation from<br />
which they can grow and develop.<br />
Our active families are offer<strong>in</strong>g their<br />
young people the opportunity to<br />
have hand-on learn<strong>in</strong>g experiences<br />
take place, <strong>in</strong> which it is okay to<br />
try, make mistakes, learn from those<br />
mistakes and try aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />
I found this “Parent’s 4-H<br />
Pledge” on the Iowa 4-H website. It<br />
orig<strong>in</strong>ated <strong>in</strong> the Extension program<br />
at Ill<strong>in</strong>ois University.<br />
“I pledge my HEAD to give my<br />
child the <strong>in</strong>formation I can, to<br />
help him/her see th<strong>in</strong>gs clearly,<br />
and to make wise decisions.<br />
I pledge my HEART to encourage<br />
and support my child no<br />
matter whether he/she has<br />
successes or disappo<strong>in</strong>tments.<br />
I pledge my HANDS to help my<br />
child’s club; if I cannot be a<br />
club leader, I can help <strong>in</strong> many<br />
equally important ways.<br />
I pledge my HEALTH to keep my<br />
child strong and well for a<br />
better world through 4-H for my<br />
child’s club, our community,<br />
our country, and our world.”<br />
I’ve heard it said that beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />
every good president is a strong<br />
first lady. I’d like to go on record<br />
as say<strong>in</strong>g, “Beh<strong>in</strong>d every actively<br />
<strong>in</strong>volved 4-H’er is some active<br />
parent <strong>in</strong>volvement.” When we sign<br />
up 4-Hers <strong>in</strong> the fall, we should be<br />
sign<strong>in</strong>g up parents to help <strong>in</strong> any<br />
way they can. We should NEVER<br />
hesitate to ask them to help; if they<br />
are actively <strong>in</strong>volved, their kids are<br />
more likely to be <strong>in</strong>volved and stay<br />
active.<br />
I’ll close with this awesome quote<br />
credited to Chief Sitt<strong>in</strong>g Bull but still<br />
so very important today. “Let us put<br />
our m<strong>in</strong>ds together and see what life<br />
we can make for our children.”<br />
So let’s do that – all work together<br />
to improve the lives of our children!<br />
The goal is to develop a<br />
statewide system that is regionally<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istered and locally delivered<br />
to provide greater access to mental<br />
health care and <strong>services</strong> for Iowans<br />
who need them. The new system<br />
must be <strong>in</strong> place by July 1, 2013.<br />
Currently, mental health <strong>services</strong><br />
for adults are provided at the county<br />
level, mean<strong>in</strong>g Iowa has up to 99<br />
different mental health systems.<br />
Services generally <strong>in</strong>clude treatment,<br />
vocational opportunities, support<br />
<strong>services</strong> that help Iowans rema<strong>in</strong> a<br />
part of their community, and group<br />
homes.<br />
Reform is also necessary because<br />
fund<strong>in</strong>g for our mental health system<br />
is complex, comes from a variety of<br />
sources, and is not sufficient to cover<br />
costs.<br />
Additional <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
This is a legislative column by<br />
Senator Amanda Ragan, represent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Mitchell and Floyd counties and<br />
parts of Cerro Gordo and Howard<br />
counties. For newsletters, photos<br />
and further <strong>in</strong>formation, go to www.<br />
senate.iowa.gov/Ragan.<br />
To contact Senator Ragan<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the week, call the Senate<br />
Switchboard at 515-281-3371.<br />
Otherwise she can be reached at<br />
home at 641-424-0874. E-mail her<br />
at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.<br />
Senator Ragan is an Assistant<br />
Senate Majority Leader, chair of the<br />
Human Resources Committee and<br />
vice-chair of the Health & Human<br />
Services Budget Subcommittee. She<br />
also serves on the Appropriations,<br />
Rules & Adm<strong>in</strong>istration, Natural<br />
Resources & Environment, and<br />
Veterans Affairs committees.<br />
<strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> Extension News<br />
Around<br />
By Bill Arndorfer <strong>Butler</strong><br />
<strong>Butler</strong>-Grundy Extension Educator<br />
<strong>County</strong><br />
Try Compost<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Don’t know what to do with<br />
your lawn clipp<strong>in</strong>gs, weeds or<br />
other plant materials? Why not<br />
compost. Compost<strong>in</strong>g is one way<br />
to reduce yard waste. Compost is<br />
simply decomposed plant material<br />
that, when mixed with soil, can be<br />
used to improve soil properties. As<br />
the weather warms and the lawns,<br />
gardens, trees, shrubs and flowers<br />
grow more quickly, it is time to<br />
th<strong>in</strong>k about what to do with the<br />
yard waste that will be produced<br />
by all this plant growth. Yard waste<br />
can be composted and turned <strong>in</strong>to a<br />
useful product that can be used <strong>in</strong> the<br />
garden, lawn or flower beds. This<br />
column will review compost<strong>in</strong>g dos<br />
and don’ts and will hopefully help<br />
you decide if this is someth<strong>in</strong>g you<br />
might want to try.<br />
What can you put <strong>in</strong>to a compost<br />
pile? Leaves, fresh grass clipp<strong>in</strong>gs,<br />
weeds that have not gone to<br />
seed, shredded paper, hedge<br />
clipp<strong>in</strong>gs, cornstalks, crushed<br />
corncobs and sawdust are common<br />
materials used. Apple cores and<br />
banana peels placed <strong>in</strong> the compost<br />
pile should be covered by one or<br />
more of these materials to limit the<br />
attraction of flies.<br />
Fresh lawn clipp<strong>in</strong>gs, weeds and<br />
alfalfa have a low carbon to nitrogen<br />
ratio. Leaves, shredded paper,<br />
hedge clipp<strong>in</strong>gs, cornstalks, crushed<br />
corncobs and sawdust have a high<br />
carbon to nitrogen ratio. Therefore<br />
the compost pile will work best<br />
when there is a mix of these different<br />
materials. A ten to one carbon<br />
to nitrogen ratio is needed for a<br />
compost pile to function well.<br />
Fair Entry<br />
Deadl<strong>in</strong>e is<br />
June 7<br />
All 4-H and FFA entries for the<br />
2011 <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fair are due to<br />
the <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> Extension Office<br />
on or before 4:30 p.m., June 7, 2011.<br />
This <strong>in</strong>cludes all livestock and small<br />
animal entries. NO ENTRIES<br />
WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER<br />
JUNE 7th!!<br />
Nancy Jensen, <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> 4-H<br />
CYC, rem<strong>in</strong>ds 4-H’ers and FFA<br />
members to get their entries <strong>in</strong> on<br />
time! Entries can be made to the<br />
<strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong> Extension Office<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Allison</strong> from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30<br />
p.m., Monday through Friday or by<br />
mail. If done by mail, remember to<br />
enclose payment for livestock stall<br />
fees if required. Wristbands will be<br />
purchased at the fairboard office this<br />
year. Remember, entries are due by<br />
4:30 p.m. on June 7th!<br />
Dates for the 2011 <strong>Butler</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />
Fair are June 22-26th. The public<br />
is encouraged to attend any or all<br />
events! See you there!!<br />
Turn off the<br />
television,<br />
Turn on<br />
their m<strong>in</strong>ds.<br />
In school or at home,<br />
the newspaper is a<br />
textbook for life.<br />
Encourage your children<br />
to make read<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
newspaper a part of their<br />
everyday rout<strong>in</strong>e for<br />
lifelong learn<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Do not put meat scraps or bones<br />
<strong>in</strong>to the pile as they do not compost<br />
easily and are likely to attract dogs,<br />
rodents or other animals. Also, don’t<br />
put <strong>in</strong> diseased plant materials, pet<br />
excrement or weeds that have gone<br />
to seed as the seed and pathogens<br />
will most likely not be destroyed by<br />
the compost<strong>in</strong>g process.<br />
To speed up the decomposition<br />
rate, you may want to try the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g: chop or shred the<br />
materials to be composted; add a<br />
high-nitrogen, complete analysis<br />
fertilizer to the pile; <strong>in</strong>corporate<br />
barnyard manure <strong>in</strong>to the pile; and<br />
turn the compost about once a week<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the season, add<strong>in</strong>g water<br />
each time (the compost<strong>in</strong>g material<br />
should feel like a damp sponge-a<br />
drop or two of water should drip<br />
out when tightly squeezed). Us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
all these techniques will hasten the<br />
decomposition rate. Decomposition<br />
rate is affected by the type of material<br />
used, size of particles and amount of<br />
moisture and oxygen present.<br />
The benefit to us<strong>in</strong>g compost is<br />
that it will <strong>in</strong>crease the amount of<br />
organic matter <strong>in</strong> the soil,<br />
therefore enhanc<strong>in</strong>g the soil tilth<br />
of flower and vegetable gardens.<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g up organic matter<br />
<strong>in</strong>creases both its water hold<strong>in</strong>g<br />
capacity and its productive ability<br />
enabl<strong>in</strong>g plants to better tolerate<br />
droughts.<br />
To learn more about compost<strong>in</strong>g<br />
or how to build a compost unit,<br />
contact the <strong>Butler</strong> office of ISU<br />
Extension at 319-267-2707 and ask<br />
for publication PM 683.<br />
Tie the knot and cut the cake<br />
Congratulations! You have tied the<br />
knot and cut the cake… Now what?<br />
Although next year’s tax day seems<br />
far away, it will be here before you<br />
know it.<br />
Marriage can mean a change <strong>in</strong><br />
name. Ensure the names you will<br />
enter on your first tax return match<br />
the names and Social Security<br />
numbers on file with the Social<br />
Security Adm<strong>in</strong>istration. Make the<br />
change with SSA as soon as possible<br />
if there is a spousal name change.<br />
Even if you get married on Dec.<br />
31, 2011, you are considered to have<br />
been married for the entire year.<br />
Check your withhold<strong>in</strong>g to be sure<br />
you are hav<strong>in</strong>g enough taxes taken<br />
out of your paychecks. If you both<br />
work, your comb<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>come may<br />
place you <strong>in</strong> a higher tax bracket<br />
Mak<strong>in</strong>g a change to your<br />
withhold<strong>in</strong>g now can elim<strong>in</strong>ate<br />
or reduce a tax bill next year. Use<br />
Form W-4, Employee’s Withhold<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Allowance Certificate, to make the<br />
needed adjustments and give the<br />
form to your employer.<br />
Make sure the IRS knows of your<br />
correct mail<strong>in</strong>g address. Either you<br />
can notify the US Postal Service or<br />
you can complete and mail an IRS<br />
Form 8822, Change of Address<br />
form, to the address listed on page 2<br />
of the form.<br />
Let your employer know about any<br />
name and address changes as soon as<br />
possible. This will ensure that you<br />
receive your Form W-2, Wage and<br />
Tax Statement, at the right time to<br />
file. Also, ensure other payers, such<br />
as banks and <strong>in</strong>vestment companies,<br />
have your updated name and address<br />
as well.<br />
You may be wonder<strong>in</strong>g how be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
married will affect your taxes. When<br />
you file your return, you will be<br />
able to choose between fil<strong>in</strong>g jo<strong>in</strong>tly<br />
with your spouse (which may lower<br />
your comb<strong>in</strong>ed tax) or us<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
fil<strong>in</strong>g status called married and fil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
separately. Most couples prefer the<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t option, but depend<strong>in</strong>g upon<br />
your particular f<strong>in</strong>ancial and tax<br />
circumstances, separate fil<strong>in</strong>gs could<br />
be warranted.<br />
Jo<strong>in</strong>t fil<strong>in</strong>g typically is a good idea<br />
if you both work and one makes<br />
considerably more than the other.<br />
Comb<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>comes could br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the higher earn<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong>to a lower<br />
tax bracket. Some tax credits are<br />
only available to a married couple<br />
when they file a jo<strong>in</strong>t return. And<br />
logistically, it’s easier to deal with<br />
just one return.<br />
Separate returns might be<br />
preferable if one spouse has large<br />
medical bills and can meet the<br />
deduction threshold by consider<strong>in</strong>g<br />
only his or her <strong>in</strong>come. Other<br />
itemized deduction thresholds<br />
(miscellaneous deductions or<br />
casualty losses) also could be easier<br />
for just one partner to meet.<br />
Keep <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, though, that if<br />
one spouse itemizes on his or her<br />
separate return, the other spouse<br />
also must itemize. That could pose<br />
a costly problem for a spouse who<br />
has no or few itemized expenses<br />
and would be better off claim<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
standard deduction.<br />
Separate fil<strong>in</strong>g also is recommended<br />
when a spouse has concerns about<br />
tax claims the other wants to make.<br />
In most situations, when couples file<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>tly, each partner accepts equal<br />
responsibility for any tax due or<br />
penalties that might be assessed if<br />
problems arise with the return.<br />
When it comes to wedd<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plann<strong>in</strong>g, details are important. So<br />
take these steps now to ensure your<br />
first tax season as husband and wife<br />
goes as smoothly.<br />
For more <strong>in</strong>formation about<br />
person <strong>in</strong>come taxes, contact your<br />
local ISUE Extension office and<br />
ask for a copy of PM 1455, Money<br />
Mechanics: Taxes.<br />
COOPER MOTORS, INC.<br />
<strong>Allison</strong>, Iowa<br />
Ph. 319-267-2392 • FAX: 319-267-2622<br />
Your Hometown Dealer For 47 Years<br />
www.coopermotorsales.com<br />
Email: coopermotors@net<strong>in</strong>s.net<br />
The All-New 2011 Grand Cherokee<br />
The 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee - Ultimate Blend of Legendary Capability<br />
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• Improved fuel efficiency with all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 deliver<strong>in</strong>g 16<br />
mpg city/ 23 mpg highway and delivers over 500 miles per tank of gas!<br />
• More than 45 safety and security features <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g electronic stability<br />
control (standard), side-curta<strong>in</strong> and seat-mounted side air bags (standard),<br />
active head restra<strong>in</strong>ts (standard), Bl<strong>in</strong>d-spot Monitor<strong>in</strong>g (BSM)/Rear Cross Path<br />
(RCP) detection system, adaptive cruise control (ACC) and Forward Collision<br />
Warn<strong>in</strong>g (FCW)<br />
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• A variety of advanced technology/connectivity/<strong>in</strong>fota<strong>in</strong>ment features <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Bluetooth® handsfree call<strong>in</strong>g and stream<strong>in</strong>g audio, Uconnect® Web and SIRIUS<br />
Backseat TV<br />
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