Biggest Little Paper In Town! 1

The PaperLaurens, Iowa

Our Town , Our Paper!

© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 11 No. 36

January 10, 2018

www.thepapernow.com

Local News

Deborah (Hertz) Wingler Announced as 2017 New Investigator Award Recipient

Deborah Wingler, a 1991 graduate of Laurens-Marathon High School, has been selected as the 2017 New Investigator Award recipient by The Center for Health Design's Research Coalition. Deborah is the President of Healing Design Integration, LLC and a doctoral candidate at Clemson University in Architecture + Health. Her research project titled, "Examining Child and Parent Anxiety During the Ambulatory Surgical Process", examines how the use of induction rooms versus the operating theater impacts child and parent physiological, psychological, and neural responses. The New Investigator Award is an international award that is open to either doctoral candidates or those who have received their doctoral degree in the last three years and are practicing in industry or academia, and is a highly regarded award in the field of evidence-based design. Deborah will be receiving her doctoral degree in May 2018. She is the daughter of Don and Grace Hertz of Laurens. To read more on Deborah’s accomplishment, visit: https://www.healthdesign.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=3246

Congratulations, Deborah!

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Please Attend A Benefit in Honor of

Denine Garton worked as the City Hall Clerk in Marathon, IA for many years. In February 2017, she was diagnosed with a rare form of uterine cancer. Beginning of November, Denine suffered from a seizure; where it was later diagnosed that the cancer metastasized to her spine, liver, and lungs. Denine was transferred to Sioux Falls where she began many tests and treatments for almost a month. The family made many trips to Sioux Falls to be by her side. Her cancer continued to grow which made her too weak to receive treatments and surgery. Denine lost her battle to cancer on December 2nd. Denine was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Jimmy Garton, two sons Jason (Michelle) Garton, Matthew (Diane) Garton, and one daughter Ashley (Dylan) Leuer and three grandchildren. Parents Ray and Maureen Crosgrove, brothers Roddy (Nancy) Crosgrove and Mike (Mary) Crosgrove.

DENINE M. GARTON Sun. Jan. 14th

Noon to 4 @ the Marathon Fire Station

Marathon, IA

MEAL & AUCTION

Free will Donation

100% of the Proceeds will go to the Garton Family to help defray costs.

www.formatexample.org

CONTACT INFO

TERRY: 712-358-0949

DAWN: 712-291-0969

JAMES: 712-334-0405

Local News

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At the Library

Take it TuesdayJanuary’s Take it Tuesday was a great success at the Laurens Public Library! Participants selected a board and went to work painting a snowman. Deb had prepared many examples and the materials, and was available for advice, but each painter came up with their own original work of art! Watch for the announcement for February’s Take it Tuesday and get signed up, because class size is limited!

At the Library with Glenda MulderJanuary 10, 2018

Well, I got a few more readers lists of favorite books of 2017. We have a few more titles with more than one vote. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline and One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus have joined out top vote getters. So now there are a few more to add to our lists! Finally, a few more new novels this week! They are usually pretty slim in December, I think if at all possible, they are rushed to be ready to sell for the entire Christmas

season. This week we received: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood, The Wife Between Us (isn’t that a great title?!) by Greer Hendricks, Two Girls Down by Louisa Luna, The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey and City of Endless Night by Douglas Preston. We also got some fun new kids’ books! Our Book Club choice for January is The Invisible Wall; the love story that broke barriers by Harry Bernstein. In this memoir, written when he was 93 years old, Bernstein writes that growing up, his town was like most working class neighborhoods in the early 1900’s with one exception. His small English town had an “invisible wall”

dividing the Jewish and Christian families. When he discovered that his older sister had fallen in love with the Christian boy across the street, his life changed. He had to choose between things he had been taught his entire life, and what he knew in his heart to be true. Grab a copy of this book and join what I think will be a great discussion Monday, January 22 at 7 o’clock.

COMING EVENTS• Tot Time – Every Monday 10a.m.

• Take it Tuesday - 1st Tuesday 6:30p.m.• Card Making – 4th Tuesday 6:30p.m.

• Book Club – 4th Monday 7p.m.

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Advertising

YOU ARE INVITED

ANNUAL MEETING/DINNER& AWARDS CEREMONY

An annual celebration hosted jointly by:

POCAHONTAS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMISSIONand

POCAHONTAS COUNTYFOUNDATION

KINDLY RSVP BY JANUARY 17

EMAILpcedcmarketing@evertek.net

CALL(712) 335-4636

ONLINEhttp://bit.ly/poco-annual-mtg

To help us plan for dinner and seating, please RSVP with the number of individuals that will be attending the event. There is no cost to attend.

Thank you!

WEDNESDAYJ A N U A R Y

2 45:00 PM SOCIAL HOUR & REGISTRATION5:30 PM DINNER & PROGRAM BEGIN

F O N D A K N I G HT S O F C O U M B US H A L L105 N MAIN ST, FONDA, IA 50540

30+ FOUNDATION GRANTS | 2018 POCAHONTAS COUNTY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Help us celebrate the people, organizations, and businesses that are driving community betterment and economic development efforts forward in Pocahontas County.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!

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Call Tom & Renee Phillips for Your Painting Needs!!

Phone: (712) 845-2246

Announcements & Advertising

A NOTE TO OUR CUSTOMERS:After 41 years of sharing our customers’ lives, birthdays, graduations, weddings and many of life’s happy and sad times, we will be retiring

on February 1st. Town and Country Floral is for sale. It has been a pleasure serving you all over the last 41 years.

A heartfelt thank you to our great employees, Jerlynn, Myrna, Mary, Susie and Marlin. We could not have done it without you!

Bonnie & Rich Newgard Town and Country Floral and Green House.

All merchandise is now 60% off

50th Anniversary for Kenny & Nina Bishop On January 24, 2018, Kenny and Nina Bishop will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Please help them in celebrating this special moment in their lives. Please send cards to: Kenny and Nina Bishop, 806 28th St #54, Milford, Iowa 51351.

Rugs WantedThe Laurens Area Youth Group is looking for 6 to 10 --- 3x5 rugs that will slide across the tile floors with ease. Please drop them off at The United Methodist Church before February 9th. Please do not bring us any that you want back!!!

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Subscribe and Submit TODAY!

Our Town Our Paper! 6

Friday Night Special for January 12th is chicken fried

steak dinner or order off our full menu!

Serving begins at 5 p.m.

Announcements & Advertising

Bridal ShowerPlease join us for a bridal shower in honor of Allison Woods, bride elect of Cole Johnson, son of Rod & Anita Johnson of Laurens, on Sunday, January 14 from 1-3 p.m. at the West Iowa Bank Community Room. The couple is registered at Lizziedoodle of Laurens, Target Menards and Amazon.

Bridal ShowerThere will be a come and go bridal shower for Maria Powers, bride elect of Mick Monahan, on Saturday, January 13 from 3-5 PM at the Jack Fischer Building in Pocahontas (behind the Pocahontas Inn and Suites). Maria is the daughter of Kenny and Jill Powers.

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Friday Night Special for January 5 is grilled prime rib sandwich or order off

our full menu!Serving begins at 5 p.m.

Announcements & Advertising

CITY CLERK POSITION:

The City of Marathon is accepting resumes

for the position of City Clerk/Treasurer.

This is a 20+ hour/week position at

$12 - $15/hour based on experience. A high school

diploma or equivalent is

required.

Computer and bookkeeping

experience are preferred.

Send resume to: City of Marathon,

PO Box 189, Marathon, IA 50565

Applications are due January 9, 2018.

Bridal ShowerPlease join us for a bridal shower in honor of Allison Woods, bride elect of Cole Johnson, son of Rod & Anita Johnson of Laurens, on Sunday, January 14 from 1-3 p.m. at the West Iowa BankCommunity Room. The couple is registered at Lizziedoodle of Laurens, Target Menards and Amazon.

Thank YouWe would like to thank Laurens Municipal Power and Communications for sponsoring the lighting contest. It was such an honor to win 4th place and receive LED Christmas lights and Chamber Bucks.

Marc and Les Stewart

Thank You!Thank you to Laurens Municipal Power and Communications for hosting the Tour of Lights this year, and for the Christmas lights and Chamber Bucks that we won during the event! How fun to tour Laurens and see so many homes, with beautiful lights, participating!

Thanks again and Happy New Year,Monty and Julie Potter

Laurens Women's Club to MeetThe Laurens Women’s Club will meet Friday, January 12 at 1:30 p.m. at the Laurens Public Library. The program will be “What Was the Best Christmas Gift or Card You Ever Received?”; everyone will participate. Jan Grossnickle will be in charge of serving refreshments.

The PaperPublished weekly by

My Laurens, Inc.112 Walnut St.

Laurens, IA 50554

Phone: (712) 841-2684

Fax: (712) 841-4662

Website: www.thepapernow.com

E-mail: publisher@mylaurens.com

Publisher: Rodney Johnson

Editor:Amanda Tendal

Rights to Use Content: The Paper, its content, archived materials, and our websites, are provided solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The Paper, its

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reproduce or distribute materials from The Paper, please contact My Laurens, Inc. at (712) 841-2684

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The Pocahontas County Iowa Historical Society presents

Unconditional Surrender A Visit with Ulysses S. Grant

Written, directed, and performed by Pete Grady

2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 10

Rialto Theatre Pocahontas, Iowa

Free admission Free Will Donations gladly accepted

For more information, visit http://petegrady.wixsite.com/ulysses-s-grant

Announcements

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Services Held for Duane R. Miller Duane R. Miller, age 83, of Albert City, Iowa, died on Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City was in charge of the arrangements. Duane Richard Miller, the son of Vernon and Dora (Salveson) Miller was born in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, on May 8, 1934. He lived his entire life in the Albert City vicinity on the farm until his retirement in 2012. He received his education in Albert City, graduating from the Albert City High School. While in high school, he was active in sports, playing football and basketball. He loved music and sang in the school and church choirs for many years and the community choir of Easter Cantatas. As a youth, he attended the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert City where he was confirmed as a young teen. Duane was united in marriage to Nancy Warnock at the First Baptist Church in Storm Lake on June 20, 1954 and this marriage was blessed with three children: Kim, Jill and Sheila. The kids all grew up on

Obituaries

the farm and learned to help their dad with chores, livestock, feeding cattle and hogs, baling hay, and walking beans. In 2015, the Miller

family celebrated their farm being designated a Century Farm at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. The farm was established in 1915 by his grandfather, Cliff B. Miller. Duane was a member of the Albert City Evangelical Free

Church where he had served on the church board as a trustee. He also served on the Albert City Elevator Board for 9 years, was active in the Threshermen’s, and participated in the Pork Producers. Duane enjoyed water skiing, boating, and motorcycle riding on his Hondas and Harleys over the years. He especially enjoyed watching his son, Kim, compete in motocross competitions where he was one of Iowa’s top riders. Duane loved to drive and he and Nancy traveled throughout the United States by car as well as trips to Mexico City, Europe and Canada (from Vancouver to Quebec), and by train to Niagara Falls and Quebec. They also spent five years as “snowbirds” in Casa Grande, Arizona. Duane loved to help others and was very generous with his time and money to those who needed help in various ways, including physically and financially. His capacity to love was most

evident in his love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved and cherished his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by celebrating with them on their birthdays and celebrating Christmas together as a family. Duane and Nancy have made their home in Storm Lake since 2012. His life is cherished and honored by his family which included his wife of 63 years, Nancy, of Storm Lake, Iowa; children: Jill (Ken) DeYoung of Laurens, Iowa; Sheila (John) Arnot of Winterset, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Colleen Miller of Albert City, Iowa; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Heath (Shaylyn) DeYoung and their children: Josiah, Caitlyn, Addie, Keegan and Taelyn of Pocahontas, Iowa; Mark (Kari) DeYoung and their children: Eli, Kanen, and Jase of Huxley, Iowa; Nicholas Miller of Albert City, Iowa; Rachel (Lieven) DeGeyndt of Washington, DC; Jonah Arnot of Portland, Oregon; Kaila (Scott) Mowry of Des Moines, Iowa; two sisters: Carolyn Edwardson of Boca Raton, Florida; and Pat (Mark) Vance of Costa Mesa, Arizona; other extended family and many friends he made throughout his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents: Vernon and Dora; his beloved son, Kim; grandparents: Clifford and Dora Miller; maternal grandmother, Lava Salveson; in-laws: Oliver and Marian Warnock, Donna Dwyer and Michael Warnock; and cousin, Jerry Smith.

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Services Held for Ron Nissen

Ronald D. Nissen – age 73, of Marathon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa. Ronald Dean Nissen was born December 2, 1944, in Spencer, Iowa. He was the son of Harold and Gladys (Johnson) Nissen. Ron graduated from Spencer High School in the early 1960’s. He worked for Ken’s Meat Market in Spencer. Ron enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam in the Telecommunications Department from 1967 – 1969. On June 25, 1971, Ron married Robbin Wood at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, Iowa. After their marriage, the couple lived in Spencer for two

Obituaries & Announcements

years, before moving to Laurens. They purchased the Franker’s Locker in 1973, renaming it the Laurens Locker. In 1978, Ron and Robbin moved to their acreage near Marathon. Ron retired in 2008 and then began working as a butcher at the Laurens Food Pride. Ron was a member of the Jaycees, the Laurens Chamber of Commerce and was on softball teams for many years. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, softball, loved working and

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MOVIE DAY!! PLEASE JOIN US ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 14TH

AT 2 P.M. FOR A MOVIE!

EVERYONE IS WELCOME! (CHILDREN UNDER 8 MUST BE ACCOMPLANIED BY AN ADULT)

WE WILL PROVIDE POPCORN AND A DRINK!!

SHOWING WILL BE

BRING YOUR FAVORITE BLANKET TO SIT ON AND JOIN US IN THE LAURENS-MARATHON OLD

GYM AT 2 P.M. SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LAURENS-MARATHON

SCHOOL AND THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

gardening on his acreage and enjoyed barbequing. He is survived by his wife, Robbin of Marathon; sisters, Delores Koehlmoos of Storm Lake, Dorie (Virgil) Hatfield of Lakefield, MN; brothers, Steve (Pat) Nissen of Spencer and Dave Nissen of Spencer; sister-in-law, Vicki Nissen of Arizona and many nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Denny (Molly) and Greg Nissen and a nephew, Brett Nissen.

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Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchPastor Ed Frank

Wed., Jan. 10th: Book Club @ 9 a.m.

Thurs., Jan. 11th: Brain Trauma Support Group meet here at LUMC @ 5:30 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 12th: Men’s Bible Study @ 7 a.m

Sun., Jan. 14th:Adult Sunday School class @ 9:00 a.m.Kids Sunday School classes @ 9:10 a.m.Fellowship Coffee @ 9:30 a.m.Worship @ 10:30 a.m. Laurens Area Youth Group (HS) meet at our church from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

This Week at Bethany LutheranPastor Scott Baker

Wednesday: January 10, 20187:00 PM ~ Council Mtg.

Saturday: January 13, 201810:30 PM ~ Bethany Women of the NALC Reorganizational Mtg. w/ a lunch at noon (snow date January 20th)

Sunday: January 14, 20189:15 AM ~ Adult SS 9:30 AM ~ Youth SS9:30 AM ~ Coffee Fellowship10:30 AM ~ Worship 5:00 PM ~ Youth Board Mtg. at UMC6:00 PM ~ Laurens Area Youth Group (HS) at UMC

Worship, Love, Accept~Together in Christ’s Name

This Week at First Christian ChurchPastor Rev. Rita Cordell

Wednesday, Jan. 10 7:00 p.m. - Lydia Circle

Friday, Jan. 12 7:00 p.m. - AA

Sunday, Jan. 149:30 a.m. - Sunday School 10:30 a.m. - Worship 5:00 p.m. - Youth Group Board Meeting at United Methodist Church6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - High School Youth Group at United Methodist Church

Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic ChurchPocahontas, IA -- Pastor: Very Rev. Craig Collison, VF

MASS TIMES:Daily Mass as scheduled in the weekly bulletinSaturday at 5:00 PMSunday at 8:30 AMConfessions: Saturday 4:15 pm at ResurrectionOffice: 16 SW 2nd Street, PocahontasOffice Phone: 712-335-3242 -- Residence Phone: 712-335-8065E-mail: colly@ncn.netPastoral Care: Sister Renae Hohensee, 563-552-8666

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 11

Extension News

Making Ends Meet – Make Your Money Work for YouMaking the most of our money is a goal shared by just about everyone. If you are one of the hundreds of area residents who know your finances should work better than they do, then "Making Ends Meet," a new free workshop from ISU Extension and Outreach, can provide strategies and solutions you need. The two-part workshop, offered Tuesdays January 23 & 30, 6:30-8 p.m. will be offered free at the Humboldt County Extension and Outreach Office. Each session includes activities and discussion to help you choose clear and practical steps you want to take with your finances. "The workshop is designed to be practical and even fun," says Barb Wollan, Human Sciences Specialist in family finance with ISU Extension and Outreach. "The activities offer each participant a chance to try on new ideas and strategies, so they can identify the tools that fit their lifestyles." Even though the workshop is free, pre-registration is required. Call Humboldt County Extension (515-332-2201) by January 22 to sign up. Wollan urges participants to come with a friend or two, so you have people to support your plans after the workshop is over; likewise, couples are encouraged to come together if possible, so they can work together toward their financial goals.

Iowa State Develops New Crush Margin App for Hog and Cattle ProducersLivestock producers who purchase feeder cattle or weaned pigs plus the feed, and then sell finished animals at a specific point in time, take on a significant amount of both input and output price risk. Feeder cattle, weaned pig and feed prices account for a significant share of the total input cost, and along with market livestock prices, are volatile, adding to a producer’s risk. The crush margin, a term borrowed from the soybean processing industry, describes the margin that can be hedged using futures contract prices for soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil. A crush margin also can be calculated for cattle and hogs and can be used as a risk management tool. For fed cattle, the margin is live cattle value minus feeder cattle value and estimated corn fed value. For market hogs, the margin is lean hog value minus weaned pig value and estimated corn and soybean meal fed value. Lee Schulz, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock economist, has been tracking the crush margins for cattle and hogs and posting them online for several years. The margin is calculated every Wednesday using the futures close on that date. The web page will continue and have historical margins in addition to comparing placement month margins. This new ISU Livestock Crush Margin App is in addition to the ISU Livestock Crush Margin website and allows users to select cattle or hogs and pick their placement date for feeder cattle or weaned pigs. It will use the appropriate futures contract close price from the previous day to calculate the margin without any additional inputs. Historical basis information Schulz has compiled is programmed to be used in the app. Users also can enter their own prices or basis for the inputs if they wish to override the defaults. Russ Euken, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock specialist, said the app was designed to minimize inputs, yet still provide some flexibility for users. “The app is a web-based app and internet access is needed to use the app to access CME futures price," Euken said. "The app will run in a browser on your computer or the app can be saved on a smart phone for access by selecting the icon from the screen.” The app was developed as part of a North Central Region Risk Management Education grant for livestock price risk management education. Schulz said evaluating margins and taking advantages of profitable opportunities can be a valuable asset to producers in managing risk. “Using futures prices to evaluate and manage the crush margin between revenue and the major input costs, which change with market conditions, is a good price risk management strategy," Schulz said. The assumptions used in calculating the margins and basis information are available as links on the crush margin app web page. The new app is listed on the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa Pork Industry Center, and ISU Economic crush margin websites. Look under Current Markets on the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa Pork Industry Center websites, or the ISU Livestock Crush Margin App website. For additional information on the livestock crush margin app contact Schulz, lschulz@iastate.edu or 515-294-3356, or Euken, reuken@iastate.edu 641-923-2856.

Our Town Our Paper! 12

Pocahontas County 4-H Scholarship Due February 1Due to the generous support of the Pocahontas County 4-H Endowment, up to TEN $500 scholarships will be awarded to 12th grade graduating 4-H’ers that will attend college in the fall of 2018! Applications are available at the office or online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pocahontas/4h. All applications are due to the Pocahontas County ISU Extension & Outreach Office no later than February 1, 2018! Late Applications Will Not Be Accepted!

Extension News

Start New Year with New Goals for Saving and Spending‘Money Talk’ course helps Iowans improve finances long-term

For many Iowans, the new year brings old bills – for holiday gifts, travel and other expenses – and ratchets up their financial stress. “Money Talk,” a workshop series from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, can help Iowans learn to plan their spending throughout the year, as they address past holiday debt, lessen stress and prepare for their future. “If you haven’t planned for a celebration, then you might not have enough money set aside to pay for it. So you’ll either have to miss an event that’s important to your family, or you may take on debt that you can’t afford,” said Jan Monahan, a human sciences specialist in family finance. “‘Money Talk’ can help you avoid next year’s holiday cash-crunch because you’re planning all year long. The workshops also help you get on your way to improving your finances long-term,” Monahan said. “Money Talk” is a five-week, money management course from ISU Extension and Outreach. In the very first lesson, participants learn how to set financial goals and build a spending plan that meets those goals, Monahan explained. “You start with a simple worksheet and begin to map out the regular living

expenses you have each month, such as food, the mortgage or rent, utilities and auto maintenance. Then you also look at the occasional expenses you may have, such as birthdays, holidays, insurance premiums, car license plates, school supplies and special entertainment. Anticipating these types of expenses and planning ahead can help avoid a financial cash-crunch at any time of the year,” Monahan said. “Right away you’ll start looking at all your expenses, so you know how much money you need and when you need it, as well as when you can spend on ‘extras’ and when you can’t,” Monahan added. “Money Talk” also offers tips on how to pay yourself first. “For example, if your paycheck is directly deposited into your checking account, you can set up an automatic transfer to move some of that money into a savings account each pay period. Even a small amount, say $10 per paycheck, will add up over time,” Monahan said. “If you already are saving, you could decide to increase that amount by 2 percent or add more to your individual retirement account. The point is, you can learn to integrate savings habits into your daily life,” Monahan said. “Good financial planning happens through carefully considering dollars in and dollars out, as well as being aware of your goals. By setting savings goals — targets on the horizon to work toward — you’ll make it easier to actually get there,” Monahan suggested. The other workshops in the series cover insurance, investing, planning for retirement and legal preparedness. More information is available online at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/

humansciences/money-talk. “The ultimate goal of Money Talk is to increase Iowans’ financial knowledge and skills. When people are better informed, they can make better decisions about managing their money and take charge of their financial future,” Monahan said. For more information about Money Talk, contact any ISU Extension and Outreach human sciences specialist in family finance or visit your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 13

Extension News

Yard and Garden: Winter Care for HouseplantsGiving houseplants special care and attention during winter will help keep them growing and vibrant. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists answer questions about the care of specific houseplants. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-843-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu. Why does my weeping fig lose leaves in winter? Environmental conditions indoors during the winter months are often rather poor. Low light levels, cold drafts, low relative humidities and other environmental factors are stressful to plants. The stressful conditions may cause weeping figs (Ficus benjamina) and other houseplants to lose leaves in winter. Good, consistent care during the winter months should keep leaf drop to a minimum. Weeping fig trees prefer brightly lit sites near windows. Locations near east and west windows are often best. Make sure the plant is kept away from cold drafts or heat sources. When

watering a fig tree, continue to apply water until water begins to flow out the bottom of the pot. Discard the excess water. Allow the soil surface to dry to the touch before watering the fig tree again. Avoid any abrupt change to the weeping fig’s care or environment (such as lighting or temperature) as this often leads to leaf drop. Why are the frond tips on my Boston fern turning brown? The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) likes a consistently moist potting soil and high humidity levels. Dry soil conditions or low humidity levels may be responsible for the brown frond tips. Water Boston ferns when the soil surface is barely moist. When watering, continue to apply water until water begins to flow out the bottoms of the pots. Winter is often a difficult time for Boston ferns as the humidity levels in most homes are quite low. One solution is to place plants in brightly lit locations in the home that usually have higher humidity levels, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Another option is to place plants on trays/saucers containing water and pebbles. (Make sure the water level does not reach the bottoms of the pots.) Water evaporating from the trays/saucers will increase the

humidity levels in the vicinity of the plants. Why is my jade dropping leaves? The loss of leaves on the jade plant (Crassula argentea) may be due to over watering (watering too frequently). The jade plant is a succulent, which stores water in its foliage and stems. Allow the potting soil to dry between waterings in spring and summer. Reduce the frequency of watering by a few additional days in fall and winter.

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Our Town Our Paper! 14

January 2nd, 2018 The Laurens City Council met in regular session at the Municipal Building at 5:00 p.m. on

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018. Mayor Rod Johnson called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Jean Swanson, Aaron Christenson, Rich Newgard, John Jamison Julie Potter, City Manager Hilary Reed, City Clerk Joan Hoben, Public Works Director Julian Johnson, and Police Chief Tom Shaw.

Swanson moved to approve the consent agenda, with the minutes from the December 18th, meeting, and the list of claims. Potter seconded. All ayes; motion carried.

CLAIMS 1-2-18 ACCO WATER PLANT CHEMICALS 2,066.00

AIRGAS NORTH CENTRAL OXYGEN CYLINDERS 30.10 ALLIANT ENERGY MONTHLY GAS FEE 193.52

FIDELITY SECURITY LIFE JAN EYECARE 185.86

BLACKTOP SERVICE CO STREET REPAIR 42,004.14 BOLTON & MENK ENGINEERING 1,352.50 BOMGAARS STREET SUPPLIES 33.48 CARPENTER UNIFORM CO CLOTHING ALLOWANCE 188.50 DATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC W-2 FORMS 184.10 DELTA DENTAL JAN DENTAL INSURANCE 919.80 ED M FELD EQUIP CO INC GEAR FOR NEW FIGHTERS 170.00 GARTHLENE BELL CONTINUE ED 757.19 HEIMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT SUPPLIES 507.26 HILARY REED MILEAGE 17.87 ICMA RETIREMENT 457 400.00 IRS FED/FICA TAX 4,784.07 IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FIRE ED. MATERIALS 258.00 IPERS IPERS 4,612.26 IPERS/PD PROTECTED IPERS 2,325.49 JCL SOLUTIONS CLEANING SUPPLIES 31.08 LMPC MONTHLY PHONE & INTERNET 390.42 LMU MONTHLY UTILITIES 7,136.77 LOREN BOOTH TRAINING 735.30 MENARDS STREET SHOP SUPPLIES 46.09 PRAETORIAN DIGITAL GRANT WRITING 2,250.00 THE SALE BARN TOW FEES 350.00 SANTANDER LEASING PUMP TRUCK MONTHLY PAYMENT 1,461.34 STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLIES 346.36 TREASURER STATE OF IOWA DEC SALES TAX 5,069.00 US BANK CONFERENCE 650.00 USPS BILLING POSTAGE 304.98 VERIZON WIRELESS CELL PHONE 98.36 WELLMARK JAN HEALTH INSURANCE 9,394.78

TOTAL 89,254.62

PAYROLL 12/28/2017 001 GENERAL 4,887.29

210 ROAD USE TAX 1,379.09 600 WATER 1,965.43 610 SEWER 1,819.68 670 GARBAGE 2,159.26

TOTAL 12,210.75

PAID TOTAL 101,465.37

BY FUND 001 GENERAL

21,250.69

110 ROAD USE TAX 46,349.82

112 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 5,654.81 316 WEST MAIN & BISSELL ST 1,352.50 600 WATER 13,888.78 610 SEWER 6,763.66 670 GARBAGE 6,205.11

TOTAL BY FUND 101,465.37

GENERAL

29,416.63

City Council Minutes

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 15

REVENUES

ROAD USE TAX 12,599.85

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 13,036.52

EMERGENCY LEVY 769.67

LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 7,670.80

TIF 10,261.51

SISTER CITY 400.00

POOL RESTRICTED 40.00

DEBT SERVICE 14,182.70

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT 1,491.87

WATER 39,928.32

SEWER 29,125.82

GARBAGE 20,170.58

STORM WATER 2,589.00

TOTAL 181,683.27

Mayor Johnson issued the Oath of Office to Jean Swanson. Mayor Johnson issued the Oath of Office to John Jamison. Newgard motioned to approve Resolution 01-18 – Annual Appointments. Swanson seconded. Roll Call vote: all ayes; motion carried.

Jamison motioned to approve Resolution 02-18 – Mileage Rate. Christenson seconded. Roll Call vote: all ayes;

Potter moved to adjourn at 5:13 p.m. Swanson seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.

____________________________________ _______________________________________ Rod Johnson, Mayor Hilary Reed, City Clerk

City Council Minutes