United Group Insurance

Deadline is approaching to enter America’s Farmers Grow Communities contest

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A reminder to area crop producers interested in helping their communities or local youth organizations, that the deadline to enter the annual America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Corporation, is a little over one-month away. Annie Kayser,  Community Outreach Coordinator for Monsanto, says the program was launched in 2010, and has resulted in investments of more than $3-million in local communities across the country during 2011. Every farmer in each of Iowa’s 99 counties who has 250-acres or more of corn or soybeans, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, and are 21-years of age or older, can sign-up for the opportunity to win $2,500. The funds will be donated to the winner’s choice of local non-profit organizations.

Kayser says there’s no purchase necessary to enter, and a purchase will not increase your chances of winning.  She says you don’t have to be a customer of Monsanto, either. Kayser says it’s all about advocating on behalf of farmers, who know where the funds would benefit their communities. The deadline to enter is November 30th. The winners will be randomly selected by a third party and announced in January, 2012.  The program not only benefits local non-profit groups. Kayser says for every farmer that enters the contest, Monsanto will donate $1 to the nearest United Way chapter. Since the program began, the three top recipients of cash awards have been FFA or 4-H groups, Fire Departments and local libraries. Kayser says in recent years, there’s also been a trend toward donating the funds to groups that feed the hungry. Kayser says there’s been a big increase in donations to local food pantries.

Among the local non-profit organizations selected in 2010 by winning area farmers to receive a portion of the funds provided by the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, was: the Massena, Audubon, Brayton, Greenfield, and Shelby Fire Departments; the Shelby County Fair Board, and Coon Rapids-Bayard FFA. Those organizations received their awards this past Spring. Last year’s winner in Cass County, was Louis Holste (Hole-stee), who selected the Massena Fire Department as the beneficiary of his $2,500. The funds were used to purchase a tanker truck.

For more information or to register to win, surf the web to www.growcommunities.com, or call 1-877-267-3332.

Across Oceans Across Time 10-25-2011

Across Oceans Across Time, Podcasts

October 25th, 2011 by admin

Tova Brandt, Curator of Exhibits at the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn talks about what new is coming to the museum.

Play

8AM Sportscast 10-25-2011

Podcasts, Sports

October 25th, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

Play

8AM Newscast 10-25-2011

News, Podcasts

October 25th, 2011 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

Play

Tuesday 2-A/1-A Regional Volleyball Schedule

Sports

October 25th, 2011 by Jim Field

Class 2-A Quarterfinals (7:00 pm):

  • Tri-Center @ St. Albert
  • Shenandoah @ Clarinda
  • Missouri Valley @ Logan-Magnolia
  • East Sac County @ Kuemper Catholic
  • Audubon @ Des Moines Christian

Class 1-A Quarterfinals (7:00 pm):

  • Coon Rapids-Bayard @ Guthrie Center
  • Earlham @ Adair-Casey
  • Lamoni @ Mount Ayr
  • Corning @ Bedford
  • Riverside @ Stanton
  • Nishnabotna @Fremont-Mills
  • Ar-We-Va @ Woodbine

Easy Cucumbers and Onions (10-25-11)

Mom's Tips

October 25th, 2011 by Jim Field

  • 6 cucumbers, sliced thin
  • 3 onions, sliced into rings
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 2 cups vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • dash of celery seed

Cover Cucumbers and onions with liquid.  Mix together.  Refrigerate overnight.  These will be sweet and very crisp.

Turkey Casserole (10-25-11)

Mom's Tips

October 25th, 2011 by Jim Field

  • Cooked turkey breast, cubed

Mix two cans mushroom soup and 1 cup sour cream; pour over turkey, but don’t stir.  Mix large package Pepperidge dressing with butter and water.  Put on top.  Bake at 325 degrees until bubbly.  You can use Stove Top too.  I use my own homemade stuffing – works great!

Education town hall meetings begin today in SW IA

News

October 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Southwest Iowa residents who have an opinion about the current state of education in Iowa, and Governor Terry Branstad’s latest education initiative, may want to attend one of several town hall meetings being held around the area today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday). Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will hold town hall meetings focusing on their education blueprint today in Mount Ayr, Bedford, Clarinda and Red Oak, and on Wednesday in Creston and Greenfield.

The Governor has proposed the boosting of beginning teacher pay and holding entry-level teachers to higher academic standards. In his initiative, which was unveiled October 3rd, the Governor set a goal of Iowa becoming the top-performing state in education, over the course of the next decade. To do that, he’s proposed: linking aspects of teacher pay to classroom performance; treating beginning teachers as “at-will” employees, who would have their contracts renewed annually by their local boards of education; requiring a minimum 3.0 college G.P.A to enter teacher prep programs; and, requiring 3rd graders to demonstrate their reading ability before being promoted to the 4th grade.

You can hear about his initiative and offer your input at these meeting places and times…
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
11 a.m. In the auditorium at the Mt. Ayr High School
1:30 p.m. In the Bedford Community High School
3 p.m. In the Commons area at the Clarinda High School
5:30 p.m. At The Wilson Performing Arts Center in Red Oak.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
9 a.m. At the Creston High School
11 a.m. In the Auditorium at the Nodaway Valley High School in Greenfield.
For more information, visit www.governor.iowa.gov

Heartbeat Today 10-25-2011

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

October 25th, 2011 by admin

Jim Field talks about Fall Leaves in Iowa.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25th

Trading Post

October 25th, 2011 by Jim Field

We need to find a good home for a beautiful, young female dog that arrived at our house a couple of days ago. She is black and white spotted with some brown on her face. She has a gray collar on and is very friendly. Please call 712-249-6017 or 712-250-3416 if you would like to own this nice dog.

FOR SALE: 2 Larsen storm doors, brown, 36×81, have upper glass & screen $25 each; 7 ft. green artifical Christmas tree, branches come off, tripod stand, nicely shaped. $50 obo. 641-746-2583 (Casey)

FOR SALE: Medium sized burgundy recliner that was bought at Audubon Furniture Mart about 6 months ago.  $150 obo.  249-2509.

WANTED: 26 or 27″ bike…can be 10 speed – 18 speed.  712-250-0788.