Official Newspaper for Fremont, Mahaska County and Fremont ...

4 October 28, 2010 The Village Vine
Outside Iowa
By: Thomas Allen, professional outdoor writer, photographer, videographer,
and outdoor talk radio show host. Email: tha481@gmail.com
The Sportsman’s Vote
I will be perfectly honest with you; I am (unapologetically) a very political
person. I was raised to fully know what and who I am voting for and that
voting in itself is our DUTY as Americans. I have left politics out of this
weekly column, as the passion we all have for Iowa’s outdoors, which binds
us together, is stronger than our political ties. I have no intention to sway
your vote in any party direction, rather present an issue that needs your attention
during the general election on November 2nd.
Iowa’s Sustainable Funding is an issue that WILL directly affect all of us.
The positive ramifications from this investment will only further the quality
and opportunities of our outdoor pursuits. This bill will provide benefits
such as sustainable agriculture and soils, cleaner water, positive economic
impacts, and increased wildlife management strategies. As outdoorsmen and
women, regardless of political affiliation, we need to support this bill.
Iowa needs approximately $150 million annually in addition to what us
currently allocated. Before you let that number scare you, keep in mind that
regarding a statewide amount that really isn’t very much. With much concern
on increased spending in Washington, how can we justify this? And, where
will that kind of money come from? Iowa currently has a 6% sales tax. If
Sustainable Funding is passed, that $150 million will come from a percentage
of the next penny sales tax increase, which usually comes around every
couple years. When that specifically happens is up to the state legislature,
but rest assured, it will be soon. When it comes to preserving our outdoor
heritage and promoting opportunities for our youth, no amount is too much.
Rather than specifically raising taxes for this figure, Iowans have the
chance to vote on creating a trust fund, which will protect these allocated
funds exclusively for supporting our natural resources. Iowa’s outdoors are
second to none, but they cost money to maintain. Speaking from a personal
standpoint, I have no problem doing everything I can to monetarily support
those who make my outdoor opportunities possible. Why not continue to
improve our already excellent natural resources.
Once passed these funds will be distributed among seven logical avenues,
of which are structured independently, yet complement each other’s
purpose: LR (Lake Restoration), REAP (Resource Enhancement And Protection
program), WP (Watershed Protection), LCPP (Local Conservation
Partnership Program), Trails and Natural Resources (Iowa Department of
Natural Resources), Agricultural and Land Stewardship (Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship).
For this to become reality, Sustainable Funding had to pass the two General
Assemblies before Iowans get the opportunity to vote it through. The
time has come for US to take part in enhancing the future of Iowa’s next
generation of anglers and hunters. It is up to the residents of Iowa to pass
along the quality ethics and outdoor heritage, but it doesn’t stop there. As
sportsmen and women, we have a powerful voice that needs to be heard, not
only in regards to our personal affiliation, but also to the future of Iowa’s
Natural Resources.
While I have my convictions, I want to urge you to fully educate yourself
on who and what you are voting for, and then make the decision that best
suits your future; every single vote counts. A lot of big changes are coming
this November on both the state and national levels, and I firmly believe we
can have an impact!
I will be present at the polls on November 2nd fulfilling my obligation
as an Iowa resident and an American citizen. I hope you will to. Vote for
Sustainable Funding, your children will thank you for it!
Feel free to contact me with any questions!
Live it Up!
(Thomas Allen is a professional outdoor writer, photographer, videographer,
and outdoor talk radio show host; for more information visit www.
outdoorpursuitsradio.com. If you have questions or comments feel free to
email Thomas at tha481@gmail.com)
FRANKENFELD
MAHASKA COUNTY
TREASURER
REPUBLICAN (R)
With integrity, accountability, and
a lifetime of experience in banking
and as a financial advisor, my
vision is to:
◆ Provide a service-oriented
environment
◆ Make your tax dollars work
harder by utilizing appropriate
investment strategies
◆ As your elected Treasurer,
listen to your suggestions
Together We Can Make It Happen
Paid for by Frankenfeld Committee, Nathan Johnson, Treasurer
Keokuk County Hospice
Celebrates 25th Anniversary
In celebration of Keokuk County Hospice’s 25 th Anniversary of service
to the community, a reception is planned for Mon., Nov. 8 from 3 to 6 p.m.
at the Copper Lantern in downtown Sigourney. The public is encouraged to
attend.
As with many vital community services, Keokuk County Hospice started
after a community member recognized a true need for hospice services in
the area. Margaret Siskow of Sigourney went through volunteer training
for Mahaska County Hospice in 1983 because she believed in the hospice
philosophy. But she wanted hospice services available to her own friends and
neighbors.
“How could I continue providing the compassionate care offered through
hospice for other communities when there was a need right here in my own
community?” Siskow asked.
Spearheading publicity and public meetings to get the community behind
starting their own hospice service, Margaret was unstoppable. She gathered
her friends and supporters of the project, helped form a steering committee
and in 1985, saw the dream of hospice services in the area become a reality.
Keokuk County Hospice was formed.
“We had a lot of community help and even had donated office space,”
Siskow explained. “This was truly a community effort and numerous people
came out to volunteer and support Keokuk County Hospice. In fact, they still
do.
“A lot has changed since we first opened, but community involvement is
still very high, which allows us to continue offering hospice services to our
friends and neighbors,” said Siskow.
Keokuk County Hospice merged with Mahaska Health Partnership in
1995. According to MHP Home Health and Hospice Services Director Kim
Lambert, RN, a major benefit of the merger for Keokuk County was becoming
Medicare certified and being able to provide more care and beneficial services
than they were able to offer as a volunteer hospice organization.
“Both hospice services are vital to the communities they serve,” Lambert
said. “As government regulations change, we find great strength in our
partnership and have even been able to increase the services we provide by
being part of the Mahaska Health Partnership family.”
For more information on hospice services available in Keokuk County,
call Keokuk County Hospice at 641-622-2541. Keokuk County Hospice is a
service of Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa.
2010 Emergency Conversation
Program (ECP) Assistance Available
Producers who have experienced extreme damage to their land caused by
heavy rains and flooding during the summer of 2010 can apply for assistance
to repair damages at the Keokuk County FSA Office. The application period
ends on December 14, 2010.
Producers must come into the office to
complete an application before starting the
repair work. A FSA employee must also conduct
an on-site field inspection before work
can be initiated. At the time of application,
producers will be required to accurately designate
the damaged conservation structures or
land on a map and to accurately estimate the
cost of repair. Cost to repair damages must
exceed $1000.00 per producer to be eligible
for ECP and the damage must be of such
magnitude that it would be too costly for the
producer to rehabilitate without Federal assistance.
FSA County Committee will determine
land eligibility based on the on-site inspections.
For land to be eligible, the damage
caused by natural disaster must create new
conservation problems that, if untreated,
would impair the productivity of the land due
to erosion, etc. Conservation problems existing
before this summer are not eligible for
ECP assistance as the purpose of ECP is only
to bring the land back to pre-disaster conditions
not to make things bigger and better.
Funds are available to repair terrace
breaks, intakes, outlets, clean out drainage
ditches, repair waterways, repair ponds and
dams, incorporating sand and silt into the soil
and removing debris from fields that were
flooded. Producers are required to complete
the repair work within 6 months of the application
approval date and must submit bills
timely to receive cost share payments.
Please call the office at (641) 622-2800 to
make an appointment to complete application
process.
Thanks for
reading!
EBHS Volleyball Win
in First Round Regionals
EB vs. Pekin on October 19, 2010 (1st Round Regionals)
Overall Record 21-14
25-17
25-18
25-19
STATS:
Caitlin Reed: 7/10 serving, 7/8 1 kill, 12 assists, 1 dig
Ana Gutch: 7/9 2 aces, 20/22 10 kills, 4 blocks
Tasha Alexander: 19/20 2 aces, 12/14 1 kill, 3 blocks, 2 digs
Nicole Harnisch: 14/15 4 aces, 10/12 4 kills, 1 block, 1 dig
Tarah Alexander: 9/11 2 aces, 12/14 3 kills, 1 assist, 4 digs
Shunyl Busch: 2/3 serving, 8/9 1 kill, 2 assists, 1 block
Amanda Ratliff:2 assists 3 digs
Harlie Boyer: 6/6 serving, 3 digs
COMMENTS:
Great win for the Rockets tonight. We started out slow on the scoreboard,
but we seemed to have done that most of the season. Coming from
behind isn’t unusual for us. We don’t give up and keep moving forward no
matter what. We utilized some of those free balls to get back the momentum.
We stayed aggressive with our serving and strong on the quick attack. The
intensity was a lot better than it has been and everyone played with a positive
attitude. Good job to everyone and we look forward to the upcoming match
next Tuesday at Pella Christian.
Fremont 5th and 6th Grade
Admonished to THINK FIRST!
A wonderful lesson was once again brought to Fremont’s young people
on October 20. Every other year the school welcomes a presentation from
ThinkFirst Iowa regarding traumatic –injury prevention.
This free community-service program is sponsored by Iowa Health System
and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. Topics covered include vehicle
safety (wearing seatbelts and driving chemically-free), wearing helmets,
checking water depth when swimming and diving and avoiding violence.
The goal of this program is to protect the brains and spinal cords of youngsters
as they lead their active lives. They emphasize, “thinking first” in the
hopes that they will save even one life with their presentations.
During the program, the students learned how to protect their vital organs
by making safe choices and listened to a guest speaker who has personally
faced a traumatic injury. They also watched a video with teens and young
adults telling their stories, which included poor decisions that led to injuries.
Getting a feel for what it is like to be wheel-chair dependent at age 18, and
how memory, mobility and speech are affected by a brain-injury will hopefully
cause children to slow down and think before they act.
Seasonal Flu
Shot Clinics
Walk‐In Clinics at MHP Community Health
1225 C Avenue East ■ Oskaloosa, Iowa
Mondays, starting Oct. 4, 2010
8:00 ‐ 11:30 am & 1:00 ‐ 5:30 pm
Date
Wednesday, Oct. 6
Friday, Oct. 8
Wednesday, Oct. 13
Friday, Oct. 15
Saturday, Oct. 23
Friday, Oct. 29
Saturday, Nov. 13
NOW’S THE TIME
TO PAY THE FINE.
More than four years late paying
an Iowa fine or court fee? You could
pay only half of what you owe.
888-9-PAY-FINE PayTheFineIowa.gov
Program expires November 30, 2010.
Thursdays, starting Oct. 7, 2010
8:00 ‐ 11:30 am & 1:00 ‐ 4:00 pm
Off‐site Flu Vaccination Clinics
Location
Oskaloosa Senior Center
New Sharon Senior Center
Barnes City American Legion
Eddyville American Legion
Drive-thru Clinic at MHP
Community Health
Fremont Bank Iowa
Drive-thru Clinic at MHP
Community Health
Time
9:30 - 11:30 am
9:00 - 1:00 am
9:00 - 10:30 am
10:30 am - Noon
7:00 am - Noon
9:00 - 11:00 am
7:00 am - Noon
Medicare Plan B can be billed with proof of card ■ Cost is $20
For pediatric vaccine, must be VFC eligible
For more information, call MHP Community Health at 641‐673‐3257