Stories from Thursday, March 7, 2013

Despite a much-anticipated early spring being delayed by our recent winter weather, the first robins have been spotted, so it won't be long! At any rate, here's some heady advice concerning the arrival of spring and how man can best peacefully co-exist and avoid conflict with the many creatures of wildlife...

People are surprised when they ask what I am reading and I rattle off two or three titles. It is very rare for me to only have one book going, and I sometimes have as many as four partially read. There's a reason for that. I hate starting new books. I'd rather be in the middle of one I'm familiar with. So before I get much past the halfway mark, I always begin another. It might be confusing for others, but it works for me. Here are some of my recent reads:...

Kara Marie Nelson and James John Nitz, both of Cherokee, happily announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Kara, the daughter of Jim and Sue Nelson, is a 2007 graduate of Washington High School and a 2011 graduate of Morningside College, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Counseling Psychology. ...

SIOUX CITY - Morningside College's Monte Larsen is the NAIA National Champion in the men's 800-meters after he won Saturday's final at the 2013 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Geneva, Ohio. Larsen, who had the fifth fastest qualifying time in the prelims with a time of 1:54.85, ran a 1:52.21 for a victory margin of almost one second over Oklahoma Baptist University freshman Clay Sheperson, who was the runner-up with a time of 1:53.09...

Wendy Goosen received her honor from the Hy-Vee Warehouse Department. Wendy started her Hy-Vee career as a Warehouse Generalist 2 in Repack in July 2012. She transferred primarily to our General Merchandise Department in November of 2012. Wendy is recognized by other employees because she has this strong presence of integrity about her. ...

This week's Cherokee Chamber Coffee wil be hosted by the Wa-Tan-Ye service organization at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, at Danny's Sports Spot, 1013 S. 2nd St.

Improving the job search process, preparing for career certification, raising college entrance test scores, and improving 21st century basic skills are all possible with just the click of a mouse at the Cherokee Public Library. The 2012 legislature directed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) to provide $150,000 in funding to Iowa Library Services/State Library "for the purpose of licensing an online resource which prepares persons to succeed in the workplace through programs which improve job skills and vocational test-taking abilities.". ...

Steve Thomas of Cherokee was given the DAR Community Service Award from the Pilot Rock Chapter NSDAR at their meeting on March 2. The purpose of the community service award is to recognize worthy individuals for voluntary achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, citizenship or environmental conservation endeavors...

(Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series recalling retired Cherokee farmer and World War II veteran Bud Clow's distinguished military career and his special duties above and beyond.) After Leyte, two beachhead landings on Mindanao Island, the largest island in the southern Philippines, was the next combat for Bud. While on Mindanao during the first part of 1945, his unit got a visit from General MacArthur himself...