May Area Happenings

Pastoral pages? During "Hog Wild about Agriculture" day at MMC, the reading material ran more to the rural side of things. In Kay Ogren's kindergarten class for example, the youngsters, including Sophie Hobach, Emma Mahoney, Allie Folkema and Ryleigh Kasner, tackled a lot of books about farming. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Fussing over feathers - The students in Kay Ogren's kindergarten class at MMC have been having quite a peep show in their classroom the past couple of weeks, a ruckus that was precipitated by the youngsters' adoption of a bunch of baby chicks. The students have been having a lot of fun keeping their class' adoptees in fine feather. For their part, the chicks like nothing better than a good playtime session with members of the class including Ella Ruba, Avery Schlenger, Jana Jessup, Natalie Plagman, Jessica Bogges and Jaidyn Ballard. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Farm chic - During the "Hog Wild about Agriculture" day at MMC, kindergarten teacher Kay Ogren was dressed to the nines, country kid style with an ensemble that included jeans, vest, 4H shirt and feed cap. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Real rural reading - To help set the tone for their "Hog Wild about Reading" challenge, the students and staff at MMC Elementary have constructed a farm scene in the building's entryway. The rustic scenario also offers the perfect place to get in the mood for some grass roots literature. Among those seen using the farm scene for an afternoon reading session were Andrew Barinsky, Olivia Ney, Emma Vasher and Owen Alesch. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Been farming lately? - Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn students at Cleghorn are enhancing their reading during May by using a reading theme of "Hog Wild Over Reading." Each week students are asked to dress for the theme or participate by bringing reading materials. Recently, students were asked to dress like a farmer. Fourth graders enjoyed their fashion statement. Pictured are, back row, left to right, Madison Treinen, Jocee Roberts, Allison Gregg, Natalee Henke, Nicky De La Cruz and Carolynn DeYoung. Front row, Colton Meyer, Andrew Prescott, Zach Means, Cadon Remington, and Jared Hinspeter. (Photo contributed)

Poetry pros - MMC Elementary poetic pros Rian Vasher and Faith Olson recently versed their way to victory in a poetry contest sponsored by the Northwest Iowa Reading Council. The two wordsmiths, who are members in good standing in Jodi Feser's third grade class, received first and second place honors respectively in the third grade tier of the contest. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

A good talk - A group of Washington High School students sat down recently to talk with residents at The Gardens about their lives growing up. Brock Dagel and Jakob Hummel talk to Merle Anderson (right) and his wife Ruth. (Photo contributed)

Fun activities - The Gardens Retirement community is always full of fun activities. Pictured are Page Anderson and Glenda Johnson, making egg wreaths recently for Easter. (Photo contributed)

MMC DARE graduation - The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn fifth grade class graduated from DARE on Friday, May 20. Officer Suhr worked with the students for 11 weeks to teach them how to stay away from illegal drugs and alcohol and deal with bullying. AshLee Woodall and Brad Galles shared their winning essays. Poster winners were also recognized with Alyssa Sorlien placing first and Cody Schuck placing second. Officer Suhr and classroom teacher, Nancy Parrott presented each student with a certificate and a DARE shirt at graduation to commemorate their pledge to remain drug free. (Photo contributed)

Students selected - These Cherokee Middle School sixth graders were selected to participate in the NW Iowa Choral Directors Association Honor Choir Festival in Spirit Lake. Pictured, left to right, row one - Whisper Tarbill and Fran Conley; row two - Josie Kindwall and Olivia Dagel; row three - Clare Conley and Jordyn Bingham; row four - Dylan Kohn and Jaron Wood. (Photo contributed)

Flower power - During the third week in May, several Cherokee Chamber of Commerce Board members hung up the Cherokee Rodeo promotional banners and the decorative flower baskets along Main Street in downtown Cherokee. Chamber Board President Scott Weber is pictured hanging a banner and flower basket. It is the Chamber which organizes and supplies the volunteer manpower to do this project. The flower baskets are grown by Rhoadside Blooming House of Cherokee and purchased by the Chamber. Chamber members also volunteer throughout the summer to water these baskets to keep them looking great all summer long... (Photo contributed)

Giving a hand - ... Also giving a hand in hanging banners and flower baskets to make downtown Cherokee a little brighterk was Dan Lighter of the Gasthaus, pictured here on the ladder, as fellow volunteers Lynda Oster and Jimmy Davis look on. (Photo contributed)

Sweet school session - With the end of the 2010-11 school year rapidly approaching, the youngsters from the TK and Kindergarten classes at River Valley Elementary recently took a sweet sojourn to the Washta Car-Go Convenience Store for a welcome ice cream break. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

RV's radical ropers - The students at RV Elementary recently had their cardiovascular levels hanging in there at the froth level as they participated in the Jump Rope for Heart program. For this health conscious outing, the youngsters drummed up pledges from friends and family for their prowess and stamina on the business end of a jump rope. When the ropes finally cooled down, it was discovered that the RV sizzling skippers had raised an impressive $3700 during the event, a number that was double of what was raised last year. Among the students bringing in the most pledges were Sophia Cuthrell (center), who raised $670, and the brother-sister team of Garret and Alyssa Trapp, who earned $150. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Pierson poppies - On May 21, the members of the Pierson American Legion and their auxiliary launched Poppy Week with the sale of the familiar red crepe paper flowers. Pierson resident Danny Saxen was one of those who stepped forward to buy one of the patriotic petals from Legion auxiliary member Nancy Burright. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Brian's bivouac? - For several days in May, the students in Carly Hummel's sixth grade reading class at River Valley worked their way through the book 'Hatchet,' penned by Gary Paulsen. The book weaves a tale about a boy named Brian who survives a plane crash but is stranded in the North Woods of Canada. His struggle for survival, aided by nothing more than a hatchet and his own wits, makes for one great read. As an assignment, the students were challenged to build a model of a shelter that Brian might have made for protection. One of the readers who turned in an exemplary project was Jakob King. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Derek's digs - The students in Carly Hummel's sixth grade reading class at River Valley recently tackled a craft project where they built scaled-down rustic abodes that might have been the models for the one featured in their reading assignment, the tale 'Hatchet.' Using a variety of material like twigs and rocks, the youngsters, including Derek DeWitt (pictured) displayed a lot of creativity in their construction efforts. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Wa-Tan-Ye donates to Roosevelt - The Cherokee Wa-Tan-Ye Club recently donated $100 to the Cherokee Roosevelt Elementary School Library. Accepting the donation was Lisa Sampson, Cherokee School District Media Specialist. The school will be using the donation to purchase new resource books. Pictured, left to right, are: Elaine Hollenbeck, Shirley Beck, Jeanette Wilson, Mary Bofenkamp, Lisa Sampson, Kathy Hupke, Phyllis Parrott and Eleanor Johnston. (Photo contributed)

Volunteer appreciation With the smoke from the 2010-11 school year starting to clear, the staff of River Valley Elementary took a pause from all those tail-end school term tasks to recognize the labors turned in by a number of volunteers over the past several months. On May 31, a special luncheon was held in the school's library to thank those who have been donating their time to help out in and around the RV Elementary classrooms since the school term was launched last fall. The staff, teachers and guests of honor enjoyed rolls, bars and coffee. In this photo, RV Elementary principal Deb Bagenstos can be seen doing the pouring honors during the fete. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Helping hands - A number of worthy individuals were recognized during a special recognition luncheon at RV Elementary. These volunteers turned in a lot of time helping out their school's teachers and staff throughout the past school year. Among those volunteers receiving a well deserved pat on the back were Lorraine Jepsen, Betty Zupp, Deb Langschwager, Bev Stoneking, Mary Ann Hanson, Lara Hill, Renee Knaack and Brenda Cockburn. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)

Accolades of appreciation - Two individuals, in particular, were singled out for special honors during RV Elementary's recent volunteer recognition luncheon. While presenting Deb Langschwager and Betty Zupp with gifts of appreciation, elementary principal Deb Bagenstos noted that both volunteers had donated 300 hours of their time during the past school term. (Photo by Ron Flewelling)