Stories from Thursday, October 3, 2013

This past week I had the opportunity to attend the annual Association for Rural & Small Libraries conference in Omaha. It was not the most exotic location as it was pretty close to home but a great four days never the less. One of the best parts was riding with fellow library directors from Hawarden, LeMars and Paullina. ...

As much as 80 percent of emergency calls answered by heating specialists are the result of improper maintenance. Schedule an appointment soon so you can beat the rush and help avoid a breakdown in the middle of a freeze. Fall is also the perfect time to check your furnace filters and replace if necessary. Efficient operation distributes heat better and cuts your energy costs. Plus, it's an inexpensive and easy task...

How long has it been since you had a good, old-fashioned belly laugh? If it has been awhile,then you need to join the Cherokee Community Theater as they present "The Dixie Swim Club" at the Cherokee Community Center on Oct. 4, 5, 11, & 12 at 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m...

The Artisans Road Trip (A.R.T.) once again invites area residents to meet the artists and visit the studios of Northwest Iowa. This year's event is being held this weekend, starting on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continuing on Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m...

This week's Chamber Coffee will be hosted by CAASA, located in the Ginzberg Building on the MHI campus, begining at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

ALTA - The fast-improving Cherokee Washington High volleyball team continued its winning ways here Saturday, claiming the championship of the Alta-Aurelia Tournament by rolling over five consecutive foes. Cherokee defeated host Alta-Aurelia 21-15, 21-11; Graettinger-Terril 21-16, 21-10; Remsen St. Mary's 21-9, 21-9; Clay Central Everly 22-20, 21-13; and Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn 21-5, 21-17 to sweep the field...

The busy prep football slate for Cherokee area teams Friday includes the Cherokee Braves (0-5) traveling to Sioux Center (3-2). In other area games, 5-0 River Valley travels to Harris-Lake Park (2-3), Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn ( 4-1) travels to Whiting (0-5), Ridge View (4-1) travels to MV/AO (3-2), South O'Brien (4-1) travels to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (3-2), and Alta-Aurelia (2-3) hosts #1 West Lyon (5-0)...

IDA GROVE - The Ridge View volleyball team improved its season record to 25-3 as they rolled to the championship of the Western Valley Conference Tournament here on Monday. The Raptors topped Westwood 25-12, 25-15 in the Semifinal match, then beat Maple Valley/Anthon-Oto 25-18, 25-21 in the Championship match...

Ridge View XC runs at Denison DENISON - Fourteen schools competed at the Denison-Schleswig Cross Country Invitational here on Tuesday, and the Ridge View varsity girls and boys teams each placed 9th in their respective team standings. The top individual performance by a Ridge View athlete was turned in by Jason Kenny, who finished second in a field of 90 runners in the boys varsity 5k run with a time of 17:03, a 43 - second improvement over his time in last year's Denison-Schleswig meet...

Carl and Emily Krambeck of Aurelia are happy to announce the birth of their first child, a girl. Anna Rae Krambeck was born at 10:50 a.m. on September 24, 2013, weighed 8 lb. 10 oz. and measured 21 1/2 inches long. Grandparents are Mary Beth Youmans and Steve Youmans of DeWitt, Iowa and Gary and Emily Krambeck of Calamus, Iowa...

Brooke and Luke Nielsen of Alta are happy to announce the birth of their baby girl on September 26, 2013. Kinley Nicole Nielsen was born at 9:49 p.m., weighed 7 lb. 13 oz.,and measured 20 1/2 inches long. Her grandparents are Rob and Jane Nielsen and Dan and Traci Sliefert, all of Alta...

A large contingent of Ben Carstens' family was in attendance at Roosevelt Elementary School in Cherokee last Thursday to present an "Uncle Ben" check for $2,850 to the school for its participation in the recent Uncle Ben's 5K Run/Walk in Cushing. Carstens, who lost more than 200 pounds through diet, nutrition and exercise, sponsored the run/walk, and pledged proceeds to purchase fitness equipment to those area schools with the best turnout...

DES MOINES - The Storm Lake HS Girls Swim Team placed second at the Lonny Kerman Polar Bear Invitational Swim Meet at North High School here on Saturday. Des Moines Hoover High School placed first at the meet with 219 points, followed by Storm Lake, with 179.5 points, North Des Moines with 159, Perry with 157.5 and Algona with 128...