(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Department of Parks and Recreation Board, will meet 5:15-p.m. Monday (11/21), in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During their regularly scheduled session, the Board will receive a Splash Pad Project update from Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm, and act on a location for the pad.

Elsewhere under “Old Business” on their agenda, the Board will hear reports on Trees Forever, from Board Member Erin McFadden, and the Trails, from Board Member Shirley Jensen. They will also discuss any new developments on the Hotel/Motel Tax.

New Business includes a Board Vote/action on:

• The appointment of Erin McFadden, Board Chair Jolene Smith, and Assistant Parks Director Jeff Christensen, to the Splash Pad Executive Committee.
• The appointment of Board Member Jeremy Butler as Splash Pad Fundraising Committee Chair with the authority to form the Committee and Recruit Volunteers.
• Ross Camblin Shelter repairs
• and other matters.

The Board will also receive an update on filling the position of Parks and Rec Director that was vacated by the resignation last month of former Director Bryant Rasmussen, who has accepted a position with the USDA. A committee in charge of searching for a park director will be interviewing four candidates for the position by Zoom, next month. The hope is they can narrow the field down and hold in-person interviews after that.

In his report, Assistant Director Jeff Christensen will talk about the Bill Reilly Talent Show, Zombie Run, Maintenance Building Cleaning & Security, and the Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway.

(Radio Iowa) – The sale of 73 acres of farmland near Sheldon appears have set the record price for Iowa agland. Mark Zomer of Zomer Company Realty and Auction of Rock Valley handled the sale last Friday. “We had several bidders for the farm and all of them were local farmers,” he says. “The farm sold for $30,000 per acre. I believe that might be a new record for the state of Iowa for agland only.”

A month ago, 53 acres of Plymouth County farm ground between Marcus and Remsen sold for over 26-thousand dollars an acre. Zomer says the parcel he sold in Sioux County on Friday is highly-rated cropland. “An older gentlemen once told me if you could order a farm and have it perfect, this farm would be as perfect as you could get. It had just a little bit of slope to it, so the drainage was excellent and it had very good soil types to it,” Zomer says. “It was what we call an inside parcel of land, so it was land with road on only one side, so it was virtually all tillable except for the road and ditch.”

Zomer says the buyer is adding the 73 acres to a family operation. There’s only so much farm ground for sale and, according to Zomer, that makes the land market very strong.  “I think, long term, people believe land’s a good investment,” Zomer says. “…I realize there can be ups and downs in the land market, but overall…I think people understand that the long-term dividends of owning a farm — receiving rent every year or crop income every year…over the 40 to 50 year history — I think land is proven to be a good investment.” The land that sold for 30-thousand dollars an acre last Friday is located between Sheldon and Boyden.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa deer hunters are often asked to donate venison to help feed the hungry, but they’re also urged to donate deer hides for use in the Veterans Leather Program. Lisa Widick, state spokeswoman for the Iowa Elks, says the state’s Elks lodges collected more than four-thousand deer hides for the program this past hunting season. The hides were trucked to a tannery in Missouri, then the finished leather is sent back to Iowa — and the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. “They use the leather as craft program and turn around and make moccasins, backpacks, gun cases, oh my gosh, all kinds of things,” Widick says. “It’s amazing to see, utterly amazing.”

The leatherworking program is used as therapy for recovering veterans, but she says it’s entirely reliant on the charity of Iowa’s deer hunters. “We talk to hunters and ask them, ‘What do you do with your deer hides?’ and most of them say, ‘We throw them in the ditch. Why would we want them?’ Or they’ll take them to Tyson and trade them for a free pair of gloves,” Widick says. “That’s all good and fine. I get it. People need free gloves, too, but look at what your deer hide can do for a veteran.”

Hunters who would like to donate hides should contact the nearest Iowa Elks lodge, and there’s a website (www.elks.org/lodges) where you can locate all 31 of them in the state. “Every time we mention the word ‘veterans,’ people’s ears perk up. It means a little bit more than just talking about a deer hide and that it’s going to make a pair of leather gloves for a guy in a wheelchair or a pair of moccasins you can buy to wear,” Widick says. “It’s about veterans and keeping them busy and helping them somewhat rehab and be able to have a little bit of production in their life.”

A wide range of veteran-made products, including leather goods, ceramics and beadwork, are available to the public through the Iowa Veterans Home Gift Shop.

On the web at: https://ivh.iowa.gov/about/gift-shop

w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa trapping season is underway, and a D-N-R expert says the prospects are good. Furbearer biologist, Vince Evelsizer, says there shouldn’t be any trouble finding furs. “Most of our species of furbearers and Iowa are doing well, the populations are either stable, or increasing slightly,” Evelsizer says. “Examples of that would be things like coons and beavers, even red fox, that sort of thing.” Evelsizer says the only two species that they’re concerned about are foxes and muskrats — which have seen declining populations. He says making a profit from trapping is a little less certain.

“It does look like there continues to be a relatively weak, wild fur market going into this fall and winter. However, some species like bobcats, and beavers, have increased a little bit in value,” he says. Evelsizer says the price of the furs is influenced by several things. “In general, it has to do with the garment industry, and where supply and demand issues are. Right now, for example, in the past six, eight years, especially China and Russia, were two countries that were the bigger for buyers,”Evelsizer says, “and relations with those two countries in the U-S has been tense past few years, and that can affect trade on things like wild furs.” He says there’s been around 14 to 15-thousand licensed fur harvesters the past few years.

“When the fur market is weak, it does tend to lead to a lower harvest or effort from our harvesters,” Evelsizer says. “But that being said, there’s still a lot of fur harvesters that go out and do it. You know, your regardless of the fair market value, they go and do it because they love trapping or they love predator hunting or they love running their coon dogs.” Evelsizer says some trappers aren’t concerned about the fur price.” Some folks are interested in the meat, you know, things like a beaver, for example, can be actually very good eating,” he says.

Trappers don’t have to sell their furs this year — Evelsizer says they can keep them for one year and see if prices go up before they have to sell. He says there is one more beginning trapper event for the year this Saturday in St. Charles. It’s for beginner trappers of all ages and you can sign up on the Iowa D-N-R ‘s website to register.

• KJAN, Atlantic  1.2″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .7″
• Massena  .8″
• Audubon  Trace
• Oakland  .3″
• Bridgewater  1″
• Corning  2.7″
• Red Oak  1″
• Clarinda  .5″
• Creston  2″

(Radio Iowa) – The corn harvest is heading down the final stretch. The U-S-D-A report finds 95 percent of the corn had been combined by Sunday. That is eight days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the average. Farmers in northeast and south-central Iowa have the most work left — with more than 10 percent of their corn still in the fields. The report found the soybean harvest was virtually complete at 97 percent two weeks ago.

ATLANTIC, IA (November 14, 2022) – Harvest Market 2022 is now accepting preorders. For information and to preorder for Harvest Market 2022, visit www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com. Shoppers will pick up preorders and have the chance
to shop Harvest Market in-person at the Cass County Community Center on Monday, November 21 from 3-7 pm.

Market Manager Brigham Hoege says while almost all vendors will offer in-person shopping, two favorite baked goods vendors are only selling preordered products: Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts and Claire’s Cinnamon Rolls. Miss NiNi is selling gourmet cheesecakes, pies, flourless chocolate tortes, and Raspberry Danish Butter Cookies. Claire is selling frosted cinnamon rolls and caramel pecan rolls.

Claire Pellett is selling her customer-favorite frosted cinnamon rolls at Harvest Market 2022 by preorder only

Most Harvest Market vendors offer both in-person shopping and preordering. However, preordering is recommended for customers who want to plan on a particular food item or gift, as some products may sell out.

Harvest Market is held the Monday before Thanksgiving, so shoppers can pick up premium local produce, meats, baked goods, and other local foods to enjoy at holiday celebrations. The market also offers handmade craft products, including seasonal candles and soaps, beauty products, holiday decorations, and gifts.

Harvest Market 2022 vendors include: Bridgewater Farm, Brun Ko Farm, Sue’s Country Garden, Miss NiNi’s Fine Desserts, Claire’s Cinnamon Rolls, Noble Provisions, The Kringle Man, Hygge Cottage, DezaRae Farm Soaps, Midwest Candles by Brit, Johnna Joy Designs, Piper’s Brae Farm, Wud Bi Tek, JD Crafters, Matilda Dawn Creations, Atlantic Atlas Cinema,
Frosting Inc., Spirits of the Faire, Sweet Sisters Vegan, Harrisdale Farmstead, Donna’s Jewelry, Rolling Acres Farm, Corn 4 a Cause, Holaday Baking, Unicorn Clouds, and Smudge. Pim’s Thai Food Truck will be parked outside the Community Center selling dinner to go.

Harvest Market is sponsored by the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, Cass County Tourism, Deter Motor Co., First Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass Health, Cass County Farm Bureau, and the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For the latest information on Harvest Market, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/) or sign up for the Produce in the Park newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications to Harvest Market and other holiday farmers markets (Christmas Market Dec. 22, Sweetheart Market Feb. 11, and Spring Celebration Market April 6). For more information visit produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or contact Market Manager Brigham Hoegh at  produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com or 712-249-5870.

Chris Parks speaks with Cass/Adair County Conservation Officer Grant Gelly about all things outdoors. This week they discuss waterfowl and other bird migration, busy hunting season time of year, the TIP program, and some upcoming dates for events.

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Cass County 4-H’ers and their families, volunteers and supporters gathered on Sunday, November 6^th to celebrate the 2021-2022 4-H year at the 2022 County Convention. 4-H leaders reaching milestones were recognized for their service.  Receiving ten-year recognition were Charity Mundorf of Griswold Clubsters, Melissa Johnson of Grove HOT, and Kristy Pellett of Pymosa. Serving as a leader in Cass County for 35 years in is Jerry McCrory of the Union Leaders 4-H Club.

The 4-H Alumni Award given to a 4-H alumni that has stayed active in supporting the local 4-H program, was presented to Delbert & Lana Westphalen. Delbert and Lana have been an active part of the 4-H program for many years. Delbert has served as a member of Endowment Committee. Lana was a longtime King and Queen Superintendent. Lana was a Club leader for many years and their kids were also active in the program. They have continued to support the 4-H program in countless other ways through the years.

Tom Robinson received the Honorary Member award as a non-4-H’er that offers support and assistance to the local 4-H program.  Tom is very supportive as he helps Washington GEM 4-H Club do a radio ad each year. He also volunteers his time at county fair to emcee the Clover Kid Animal Showcase and announce the golf cart races. He is very visible and supportive of 4-H all year long.  (Photos below and story info. courtesy Cass County ISU Extension)

Pictured Left to Right: Trista Swain, Brock Henderson, Kristy York (podium) Miraylie Stuart, Claire Pellett, Olivia Olson, Keira Olson, Rio Johnson, Lily Johnson, Maddy Anderson, Parker Brock, and Elizabeth Anderson.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to the late Cindy Koll and Something for You. Her family accepted the award on her behalf. This award goes to a business, group or organization within the community that has provided outstanding service to the 4-H program. Cindy has been active in supporting Cass County 4-H and the county fair. She was a cashier at the food stand for multiple years. At the store, Something For You, she would always help 4-H members with their fabric selection and would allow them to come back to get assistance with their quilting if needed. Following her passing this 4-H year, her support will be greatly missed.

Members and leaders of all eleven 4-H clubs in Cass County were presented on stage to receive recognition for club activities throughout the year and project awards. Intermediates and Junior 4-H members who completed a record book could also apply for project awards. Leaders review and nominate youth for project awards and overall awards based on their record.

The following juniors and intermediates received awards, listed by club. Members with an asterisk (*) next to their name denotes a member whose overall record book received a star award, a high rating.

Pictured Left to Right, Back Row: Parker Brock, Elizabeth Anderson, Rio Johnson, Brock Henderson, Keira Olson, Lily Johnson. Front Row: Claire Pellett, Trista Swain, Olivia Olson, Miraylie Stuart, and Maddy Anderson.

Bear Grove Blazers: *Catherine DeBord– Beef, Food & Nutrition, Swine, Visual Arts, *Dylen Dreager– Swine, *Keagan Dreager– Swine, *Walker Gary– Mechanics, Photography, Poultry, Visual Arts, *Michael Hocamp, *Mya Hocamp– Pets, *Lynsie Kardell– Meat Goat, Swine, *Macie Kloewer– Rabbit, Visual Arts

*Maggie Kloewer– Rabbit, Visual Arts, *Sophia Retallic– Food & Nutrition, *Basilio Sekap– Rabbit, Poultry, and *Nolan Sunderman– Self-Determined.

Benton Franklin: *Brookelyn Steffen– Beef, Food & Nutrition, Swine, and *Brylee Steffen– Beef, Food & Nutrition, Sewing & Needle Arts, Swine, Visual Arts

 Cowpokes: *Kayedance Sturm– Horse and Pony

Grant Guys and Gals: *Kinsey Burg– Food & Nutrition. Photography, Visual Arts, *Macy Burg– Citizenship & Civic Engagement, Photography, Woodworking, *Ada Hansen– Beef, Clothing & Fashion, Food & Nutrition, *Isaac Hansen– Beef, Citizenship, Food & Nutrition, Visual Arts, *Jenna Jensen– Beef, Food & Nutrition, Health, Outdoor Adventures, Swine, *Emma Meyer- Sheep, *Kennedy Meyer- Sheep, *Leah Ohms- Beef, Child Development, Sheep, Sewing & Needle Arts, Photography, Visual Arts, and *Kylee Wessling- Clothing & Fashion, Photography, Rabbit, Woodworking

Griswold Clubsters: *Raylea Amos- Beef, Clothing, Visual Arts, and *Josie Millikan– Family & Consumer, Management, Personal Development

 Grove HOT: *Lily Johnson– Clothing & Fashion, Goat, Photography, Poultry, Sewing & Needle Arts, Claire Schroder– Poultry, Rabbit, Sewing & Needle Arts, Sheep

Pleasant Noble United: *Conlan Amos- Visual Arts

Pymosa: *Olivia Olson- Woodworking, and *Miraylie Stuart- Beef

Union Leaders: *Oliver Becker– Goat, Photography, Poultry, Sewing & Needle Arts, *Bay Erickson- Clothing, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, and *Bryson Lee- Food & Nutrition, Photography

Washington GEM: *Colton Anderson, *Maddy Anderson, *Jacquie Freund– Horticulture, *Grant Petty, and *Quincy Robinson

Senior project awards were also presented. High school members turn in their record book at the club level to be reviewed then leaders nominate youth’s project records to be reviewed again at the county level. These project records should be well organized, neat, and show evidence of solid Citizenship, Communication, and Leadership. Points received determines if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze award is given. Senior project awards are listed by clubs.

Bear Grove Blazers: Elizabeth Anderson – platinum for Photography; Carter Witzman – platinum for Swine; Bryan York – platinum for Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Horticulture, Photography, Sewing & Needle Arts, and Visual Arts

Benton Franklin: Brock Henderson – gold for Beef

Grove HOT: Parker Brock – gold for Food & Nutrition and silver for Communications; Conner Johnson – gold for Photography and Poultry;  Rio Johnson – platinum for Clothing & Fashion, Communications, Dog, Food & Nutrition, Home Improvement, Pets, Photography, Poultry, Sewing & Needle Arts, and Visual Arts

Pleasant Noble United: Kaily Swain – platinum for Rabbit and Swine; and Trista Swain – platinum for Goat, Rabbit, and Swine

Pymosa: Keira Olson – platinum for Leadership; Claire Pellett – platinum for Beef and Food & Nutrition, gold for Dog and Home Improvement

Union Leaders: Rachel Becker – gold for Beef and Goat

All Seniors who complete record books are reviewed at the club level as well as the county level. Records are rated on organization, orderly, neat appearance, as well as for spelling and grammar. Points received determines if platinum, gold, silver, or bronze is awarded for overall record keeping award winners by club:

Bear Grove Blazers:  Elizabeth Anderson – platinum, Mia Kloewer – gold, David Retallic – platinum, Carter Witzman – platinum,  Bryan York – platinum

Benton Franklin: Brock Henderson – platinum

Grove HOT: Parker Brock – gold, Conner Johnson – gold, Rio Johnson – platinum

Pleasant Noble United: Kailey Swain – platinum, Trista Swain – platinum

Pymosa: Dayna Dreager – gold, Keira Olson – platinum, Callee Pellett – gold, Carter Pellett – platinum, Claire Pellett – platinum

Union Leaders: Rachel Becker – platinum, Sydney Becker – silver, Tristan Becker -silver

 Bryan York of Bear Grove Blazers received an award for the overall senior record book.

Senior 4-H’ers could also apply for County-Level awards, which required a special application and information regarding their overall 4-H experiences. Those were awarded as follows: Maddy Anderson received Merit Award, Elizabeth Anderson received Achievement Award, Trista Swain received Citizenship Award, Rio Johnson received Leadership Award, Brock Henderson received Learning through Leadership Award, Bryan York received the Danforth “I Dare You” Award.

Members who were participated in activities were asked to stand to be recognized. Members stood who served on a county committee, attended State 4-H Conference, applied for State Project Awards, participated in Club Volleyball, attended the multi-county Speak Out for Agriculture bus trip, attended Officer training or a county workshop along. Members also stood if they participated in a summer or winter camp, or exhibited at the Iowa State Fair this past year.

The 2022 County Fair Herdsmanship Winners were announced. Each club received a certificate and $25 for their club per species they won. Cowpokes won Horse Herdsmanship. Grove HOT won Poultry Herdsmanship. Pleasant Noble United won Goat Herdsmanship. Pymosa won Rabbit and Beef Herdsmanship. Washington GEM won Sheep and Swine Herdsmanship.

Bear Grove Blazers was recognized for the top window display during  National 4-H Week, top community service project, and as the Banner Club winner this past 4-H program year.

Top Officer Books were reviewed and announced. Top Secretary Book was from Pymosa 4-H club, Top Treasurer Book was Pleasant Noble United and Top Historian’s book was Washington GEM.

The afternoon concluded with the installation of eleven senior level 4-H’ers onto the 2022-2023 4-H Youth Council. Members are, Elizabeth Anderson of Bear Grove Blazers, Maddy Anderson of Washington GEM, Parker Brock of Grove HOT, Brock Henderson of Benton Franklin, Lily Johnson of Grove HOT, Rio Johnson  of Grove HOT, Keira Olson of Pymosa, Olivia Olson  of Pymosa, Claire Pellett of Pymosa, Miraylie Stuart of Pymosa, and Trista Swain of Pleasant Noble United.