MM Winter 2010

Sounds of Muscatine

Page 6

Locally-MadeGift Ideas

Page 12

Foster Care &Adoption

Page 14

WinterGolfingPage 23

Winter 2010

FREE!

We are Trinity.We are Muscatine.

Muscatine Physicians Clinic

At Trinity Muscatine, our Board-Certified, hometown medical experts are devoted to providing comprehensive health care to our patients. We provide care for the individual and family across all ages, sexes and diseases. Our goal is to provide you and your family with the highest quality medical care emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion.

www.trinitymuscatine.com

Mulberry Avenue1518 Mulberry Ave.Muscatine, IA 563-262-4111

Linda Cooley, M.D.James Kwirant, M.D.Manasi Nadkarni, M.D.Hamid Sagha, M.D.Robert Weis, M.D. Brooke Bradley, ARNPAndrea Tidrick, PA-C

Cedar Street1616 Cedar StreetMuscatine, IA 563-262-4101

Steven Paulsrud, D.O.Shrima Sarkar, M.D.Mary Gieselman, ARNP

Mulberry Avenue1518 Mulberry Ave.Muscatine, IA 563-262-4110

David Gierlus, D.O.Colette Hostetler, M.D.Mark Odell, M.D.David Wettach, M.D.Karen Pierce, PA

Wilton1400 Oveson DriveWilton, IA 563-763-2121

Ashley Schmieg, D.O.Matt Sojka, M.D.James Blouse, PA-C

Family Practice Clinics Internal Medicine

Thank you Muscatine area for yourpositive response to our special premierissue. We appreciate the kudos and

encouragement as we strive to make this dream of ours a reality. And we hope youenjoy this winter issue.

Here are a couple of the comments we’ve received from readers...

“My wife and I have recently moved to West Liberty, IA, and I was given a copy ofMuscatine Magazine at church today. I am extremely grateful for its articles andparticularly the calendar of events. I’m sure there are many events which will draw mywife and me back to Muscatine in the upcoming weeks. — Jeffrey Rees, West Liberty, IA

“I just received my copy of the Muscatine Magazine. What memories it brings back!Especially the cover picture of the band shell in Weed Park. I lived just down thestreet on Parkington Drive and my Dad used to play band concerts there. I also spentmany afternoons ice skating on the pond in the park. Anyway, just wanted to saycongrats on the magazine. Even though I left Muscatine in 1964, I still have manygood memories and people that I think about.” — Karen S. The Villages, Florida

Share your comments on Facebook or send to [email protected].

Happy Holidays to all our patients!The staff of River Rehabilitation Physical Therapy wishesyou a delightful holiday season and a blessed new year

filled with hope, joy and love.

2023 Cedar Plaza DriveMuscatine, IA

(next to Dairy Queen) 563-264-8638www.riverrehabpt.com

Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2010 1

Giving Locally . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Local Hospital Update . . . .5

Sounds of Muscatine . . . . .6

Heart Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Muscatine Up Close . . . . . .11

Casting Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Made in Muscatine . . . . . .12

Foster Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

New Businesses . . . . . . . . . .17

Strengthening Families . .18

Rachel’s Challenge . . . . . . .19

Holiday Lights . . . . . . . . . . .20

High School Survey . . . . . .21

Winter Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Lots to Do! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Musca-Fun! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

On the coverA winter wonderland at Pine CreekGrist Mill in Wildcat Den State Park wascaptured by area photographer MarthaFarwell of Oak Hill Photography. See adon page 16.

We provide care for the individual and family across

a

In this issue

Dawnese OpenshawCo-Publisher and Ad Specialist

Mike ShieldCo-Publisher and Art Director

IndividuallyTailored

Care

What Do You

L§VEAbout Muscatine?

The rich history? The riverfront? We want to know what you think

are the great things about this townfor an upcoming article.

Let us know on Facebook or email: [email protected]

Publisher’s Corner

At Central State Bank,we mean business!

The Bank that means Business!

Professional and enthusiastic.

Experienced and talented. Open

and approachable. Committed to

clients and to our community.

This and more describes the “heads-

up, can-do” commercial and ag

bankers here at Central State Bank.

Business, Commercial & Ag Banking Division

(563) 263-3131

Do you have bankers, and a bank,

like this behind you --- people with

the experience that your business

or ag operation needs to thrive in

today’s competitive world?

Are you with the bank that means

business?

Taura Prosek Dan Stein

Ryan CoxDennis Eckhardt

At Cen tral State B

y

Bank,At Cen we m

Professional and enthusiastic.

Experienced and talented. Open

and approachable. Committed to

clients and to our community.

tral State B mean busin

siastic.

ed. Open

mmitted to

munity.

Do you have bankers, and a bank,

behin this like

the experience that your business

or ag operation needs to thrive in

Bank, ess!

bankers, and a bank,

with people --- nd you

e that your business

n needs to thrive in

e B Th

describes the “heads-more and This

up, can-do” commercial and ag

bankers here at Central State Bank.

Bank that means Business!

s the “heads-

l and ag

State Bank.

today’s competitive world?

Are you with t

business?

!

etitive world?

the bank that means

Business, cial & Ag Banking Di Commer

(563) 263-3131

vision

2 Muscatine Magazine • Winter 2010

Winter 2010

Publishers: Dawnese OpenshawMike Shield

Art Direction: Mike Shield - Shield Designemail: [email protected]

Contributors: Jodi Reznicek Terri CoderMelissa Regennitter Becky EachDiane Campbell Katie NobleMike Fladlien Dan McGinn

For advertising info, contact Dawnese Openshaw at(563) 299-7825

Contact us: Muscatine MagazinePO Box 108, Muscatine, IA 52761

Email: [email protected]

Muscatine Magazine is a quarterly publication focused onMuscatine, Iowa and the surrounding area. The publisher re-serves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials submit-ted for publication. Published articles and advertising do notconstitute endorsement. ©Copyright 2010

3Be seen for longer!Muscatine Magazine is designed tobe kept, not tossed after one look.Your message is visible for months!

3 Be part of the buzz!Excitement is building about thisnew publication. We plan to makeMuscatine Magazine the go-tosource for event information.

3Reach a wide audience!5,000 issues distributed in the Muscatine area and by subscription.

3 Enhance your image!Full color, quality printing includedin all ad rates.

For advertising info visitwww.muscatinemagazine.com

or call Dawnese at (563) 299-7825

Why Advertise in Muscatine Magazine?


Contributors: Shane Orr, LINCS; BrianneFitzgerald, Muscatine Volunteer Solutions;Sharon Gibson Ellis, CPO United WayMuscatine; Dawnese Openshaw

Christmas ConnectionBegan Friday, October 29th and will rununtil Christmas Eve.

Christmas Connection uses a centraldatabase and application process to makesure that individuals and families receivewhat they need. The United Way willserve as the coordinating organization forthe first year. To make a donation or forinformation, call 563-263-5963 or find outmore at www.unitedwaymuscatine.org.Give of time, money, or gift items to help

bring the holidays to those in need.Presents and food baskets provided forindividuals and families in need.

This is a collaborative effort betweenthe Muscatine Ministerial Association,Trinity Muscatine, Muscatine CountyCommunity Services, Pearl CityOutreach, Senior Resources, FamilyResources, Muscatine County Cares,Lutheran Services of Iowa, SalvationArmy, Candy Cane Project, MCSA,Muscatine Community Y, and United Way.

Volunteers are needed for the following:• Shopping for gifts and food• Collecting/delivery of gifts and food • Wrapping and packaging

• Distribution site set-up• Staffing distribution site

Kid-nectedDonate monetary gifts or new systemcomputers (XP operating system ornewer). It is a brand new communityprogram connecting children withhome computers for educational use.Printers and accessories also accepted(please consider donating ink cartridgeswith printers). Donations andapplications for those needing acomputer may be submitted to LINCS atUnited Way of Muscatine. ContactShane Orr at 563-263-5963 [email protected].

The holidays can be a very hectic time of year as we run from place to place and become consumed in the hustle of the season. We often forget to stop and take a good look aroundus to see others in need. Giving is a relatively simple task if we will stop for just a momentand reflect on the spirit of the season. We encourage you to take time this holiday season togive back to the people in your community. Here are a few suggestions...

— Continued on next page

Giving Locally


Continued from previous page —

Bell RingingRing the holiday bell for The SalvationArmy. Join the “Three Guys and a Kettle”drive led by Kettle Captains, Marv, Doug,and Mark Krieger. Bell ringers areneeded from now until Christmas Eve.

To schedule a location and time, contactSissy Rogers at 563-263-8272 or registeron-line at www.myvolunteerpage.comand enter Muscatine, Iowa in the search.Kettles located at: Blockbuster, Hy-VeeDrugstore, Fareway, Hy-Vee Deli, Hy-VeeFloral, Hy-Vee Gas Station, Pearl Plaza,True Value Hardware, Wal-Mart Food,Wal-Mart Jewelry, and Walgreens.

Coat ConnectionGive a new or gently worn coat foradults and children. Also acceptingwinter clothing items for children, suchas gloves, hats, boots, snow pants, andscarves. Drop off locations: MusserPublic Library, Culvers, Taco Johns,Community Y, United Way, The SalvationArmy, Wesley Family Life Center andCommunity Action. YPN Coat Drive willadd collection boxes at MPW, all FNBlocations, CSB, HON, HNI, and Allsteel

Pick-Up Locations are: The SalvationArmy (south), the mall at CommunityAction (north) and Wesley Family LifeCenter (central).

Angel TreesTrees can be found at Walmart and theMuscatine Mall. Make Christmas specialfor a child this year by purchasing giftsaccording to sizes and wants on theindividual’s tag.

“Stuff the Truck” Toy DriveDonate a toy at Krieger’s GM store.

Volunteer at MCSA In need of specialty volunteers in IT andother life skills, tutors also needed.Contact Dan Ramsey at 563-264-3278 [email protected].

Flickinger Learning CenterTutor children from K-5th grades.Contact Paul Brooks at 563-288-1990 [email protected]. Find moreinformation on Facebook.

Big Brothers Big SistersWhat if every child fulfilled theirpotential? Think how amazing thatwould be. Volunteering just a few hoursevery month with a child can startsomething amazing. So why not applyto be a Big today. There are kids outthere ready to get started. Are you?Contact Krista Regennitter,[email protected] or call563-263-9996 for more information.

Kids First FundMake a monetary donation to providefunding for students in the MuscatineCommunity School District who have aneed as identified by an MCSDemployee. Some of the things the KidsFirst Fund has covered are shoes,clothing, gas for college visits, schoolsupplies, and activity fees.

Some Kids First Fund Facts: • The fund has provided around $8500

to help nearly 200 children and theirfamilies in the past year and a half

• Need-based• Fast response (24-48 hour turnaround

time in most cases)• Simple application process• Requests under $50 are

anonymous

• Requests over $50 involve coordinationof services with area agencies

• Applications flow through schooladministrators

Make donations or helpprepare or serve a meal at:• Loaves and Fishes (serving at MCSA-

312 Iowa Ave., Muscatine), Saturdays11:30 am - 12:30 pm

• Emanus Café - The First PresbyterianChurch of Muscatine. Contact Rev.David Ivie, at 563-263-2696 [email protected]

• The Salvation Army of Muscatine at563-263-8272 or to register on-line goto www.myvolunteerpage.com andenter Muscatine, Iowa in the search.

Deliver Meals on WheelsContact Diane at 563-263-7292

A few other suggestions:• Shovel your neighbors’ walk• Adopt a senior in your neighborhood,

contact Sr. Resources to inquire ofneeds (563) 263-7292 or connect witha local care facility to visit or carol

• Go caroling with your family or friends• Take holiday treats to your neighbors• Help a single parent• Help a struggling young family• Do something nice for someone

anonymously n

Donate out-grown winter clothing tothose in need!

Check out these on-line giving resources:Teaching Kids to Give during the Holidayshttp://fun.familyeducation.com/holidays/christmas/29608.html

Ways to Give Back During the Holidayshttp://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/holidays-helping-others

Local Hospital UpdateContributed by Terri Coder, Quality Services Director, Trinity Muscatine

Quality health care for the Muscatinecommunity is a high priority for Trinity Muscatine. To reach our vision of“best outcome every patient every time,”Trinity Muscatine has various quality initiatives that touch every aspect of ourhealthcare system. One initiative focuseson Medicare’s publicly reported qualitymeasures for inpatient hospital care.

For the third quarter of 2010, Trinity Muscatine has achieved its goal of beingable to say we meet and or exceed thebenchmark set by the top 10% of hospi-tals in the nation for inpatient qualitymeasures. These measures, often referredto as CORE measures, evaluate the carewe give to acute myocardial infarction(heart attack), pneumonia, congestiveheart failure and inpatient surgical patients. Core measures are evidence-based; scientifically researched standardsof care that have been shown to result inimproved clinical outcomes for patients.CMS (the Center for Medicare & MedicaidServices) established the Core Measuresin 2000 and began publicly reportingdata relating to the Core Measures in2003. Patients (consumers), can easily access this data at www.medicare.gov anduse this information to compare hospitalsto help decide where to receive care.

Why does this matter to the our commu-nity? The providers at Trinity Muscatinepractice evidence-based medicine that isproven to result in improved outcomesfor patients. The care a patient receives asan inpatient at Trinity Muscatine com-pares favorably to the top 10% of areaand nationally recognized hospitals.Right here in Muscatine, Iowa. This is justone more reason residents can rely ontheir hometown medical experts at TrinityMuscatine. n

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MIKE SHIELD

Old time Music is

Just 4 FunThe name says it all for this group ofladies from the Muscatine and QuadCities area who play old time stringband music that’ll get your toes tap-ping. Just 4 Fun has performed in thearea for more than 10 years before audi-ences of all ages.

The banjo, harmonica, autoharp and dul-cimer are among the instruments used tobring back the old-style sound. Just 4Fun is the perfect band for an old fash-ioned barn dance, gospel programs forchurch activities, children’s programs andbackground music for special events.

The ladies recently learned that their CD,Both Sides of the River, was chosen as thesound track for Fourth Wall Films’ movieCountry School: One Room – One Nation.The band attended the movie’s premierat the State Historical Society of Iowa in

November and awaits the televisiondebut of the movie.

You can catch Just 4 Fun on Mondaynights at 7pm at Pizza Ranch, 106Ford Avenue, Muscatine when apublic jam session is held.

Read more about Just 4 Fun at:www.myspace.com/

just4funoldtimemusic#ixzz13PxlA7Yd

Just 4 Fun is:• Linda Slack , fiddle and mandolin• Jean Duncan, upright bass • Yvonne Price, harmonica and percussion• Sandy Koester, banjo and guitar • Chris Clark, guitar, mountain dulcimer,

tin whistle, autoharp

Nihil Seraph

RocksNihil Seraph (pronounced “ni-el-ser-uf”) isan original four-piece heavy rock bandwith deep roots in Muscatine. All mem-bers grew up in the area and will alwayscall it home.

Over the past 12 years Nihil Seraph hasperfected its melodic, metal sound. Themembers say Nihil Seraph is more thana sound, it is also a show because of thehigh-energy stage presence. Eachmember of the band has more than15 years of road experience and

hopes to hit it big locally and nationally.The group released its album In the Absence of Paradigm the summer of2010.

No matter what happens in their careersthey will always return home, thankful forthe crowds that support local music. Thebest place to catch them on stage in Mus-catine would be at the MVP Lounge, OneMore Round or The Missipi Brewing Co.

“In the Absence of Paradigm” is availableon cdbaby.com or DigStation.com.Learn more about/view schedules forNihil Seraph on their Facebook page.

Nihil Seraph is:Bassist: Tone Diggity (Tony Hernandez)Guitar/Vocals: James Miller Lead Vocals: Loki Black Drummer: Joshua Fox

From Tchaikovsky melodies played by the MuscatineSymphony Orchestra to ’80s rock by local cover bandBlind Alley II – Muscatine has a variety of talentedmusicians. Artists from right next door might beplaying some of your favorite tunes or the favoritesyou have yet to hear. By Melissa Regennitter



Crusin’Perhaps the longest continually-runninggarage band in the midwest, Crusin’ pres-

ents an engaging mix of classicrock and ‘60s-style originals intheir trademark high-energyfashion. The current line-up includes original members MaxAllan Collins (lead vocals andkeyboards) and Chuck Bunn(on bass guitar), as well aslongtime Crusin’ drummerSteve Kundel and guitarist JimVan Winkle.

In the mid-to late ‘70s, Crusin’ was per-haps eastern Iowa’s most popular bandof any kind, playing to packed houses atsuch notable clubs of the era as Musca-tine’s Warehouse 4, Grandview’s Talk of

the Town, Conesville’s Thirsty Camel,Burlington’s Pub and especially theDodgeville Pub, where for several yearsthey appeared every other weekend. OnLabor Day weekend, 2008, the band –under its original name, the Daybreak-ers – was inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n’Roll Association Hall of Fame at Arnold’sPark, performing to an enthusiastic audi-ence of fifteen-hundred fans.

Crusin’ has released a new CD recordedlive at Muscatine’s Great River Days andWilton’s Founders Day – Rock ‘n’ RollHappened. The CD will be available atCrusin’ performances and at select Mus-catine locations. n


• Bill Anson - guitar and bass 309-716-0614

• Judy Chapman - piano563-264-8836

• Jessica Blanchard - violin, viola, cello,bass and piano 563-263-0411 or [email protected]

• Sara Butler - flute and piano563-260-2276

Continued from previous page —

Children of all ages come together tolearn music and valuable life lessonsthrough the Muscatine Children’s andYouth Choirs of Wesley UnitedMethodist Church.

The Muscatine Children's and YouthChoirs were founded in 1998 by Ricand Cynthia Smith as a communityministry of Wesley Church.

Ric Smith continues to direct thechoirs which include about 15 LittleAngels in kindergarten - second grade.The Children’s Choir (3rd-8th grades)and the Muscatine Youth Choir (6th-12th grades) have about 25 memberseach.

What makes thesechoirs extraordinaryis that children of alldenominations fromthe community par-ticipate in develop-ing vocal skills andmaking beautifulmusic in a demand-ing program.

About one-third of the choir are Wesleymembers and the remainder are fromother churches and the community.

Ric Smith said his students learn self-control, confidence, discipline, inde-pendent thinking, teamwork, service,

analytical thinking, poise and focusthrough the choir.

New members are welcome. For moreinformation or a schedule of futureperformances, call 563-263-1596 or goto www.wesleyonline.org. n

Muscatine Children Sing with their Hearts

The Muscatine Children’s and Youth Choirs played a major role inthis year’s musical production of Redwall Abbey.

Want to be a

musician?Learn to play an instrumentor build on an existing talent. Here are a few localmusicians offering lessons.

His fingers strum the air as he playsback tracks that he is perfecting on hisstate-of-the-art mixing desk and stu-dio computer system. McConnaha, 55,is a friendly face in town, known wellfor his role in the retired Lefty and theSpinners band; and the many others hejammed with as he grew up.

“As long as I have the ear for music, Iwill keep doing this. Maybe 20 moreyears,” McConnaha said. He designedand built the studio on his property at3430 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine. Hiswife Delene is his business partner.

Though he works full-time at CarverPump Co. in Muscatine, McConnahaputs in several hours a week mixingand editing tracks from the works ofMidwest artists. From rap and gospelto country and heavy metal music,

McConnaha has workedwith performers of all types.

He’s not just in the busi-ness of making the best-sounding CDs. McConnahaperfects advertisements,radio commercials andartists of all sorts. Some familiar musicians he’s cuttracks for include gospel singer MarciaMuesing, retired blues man ErniePeniston and heavy metal rock group,Nihil Seraph.

Mischief Recording Studio has a pro-fessional musician group to play alongwith soloists. McConnaha himself onceworked in a studio as a musiciangroup member for vocal backupsound. If the whole band is perform-ing, sound-proof drum and vocal

booths are available as well as a grandpiano and other instruments for accompaniment.

If you’re interested in making record-ings, McConnaha is your man. He willadd your vocals to a backing track ordig into his library of music to perfectyour sound.

“It’s my passion. Let me know whatyou’re looking for and I will help makeit sound great,” McConnaha said. n


• John Dorton - guitar 563-264-1049

• Sean Dorton - drums563-288-9388

• Scott Haney - drums (Sunday only) 563-571-5174

• Kendra Milder - violin and [email protected] or 563-320-9765

• Richard Sessler - piano563-263-1585

• Becca Stamler - piano563-506-1563

• Rochelle Street - [email protected] or 563-506-3202

• Susan Robinson - piano563-263-7752

• Mark Wagler - guitar563-264-5795

• Wendy Robinson-KochVoice, musicals, piano [email protected] or 563-299-2009

• Judy Wilson - piano and voice563-264-8836

Missing from this list? Let us know forour website listing.

CapturingtheSounds

of MuscatineParke McConnaha has been making music allof his life. Over the past six years he’s usedthose skills at a professional level in his digitalworkshop: Mischief Recording Studio.

Mischief Recording Studio3430 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine. By appointment, call 563-263-7686


§ 419 boys & 393 girls participated, approximately 68% of those enrolled in middle school, 73% non-Hispanic white, 23% Hispanic.

§ The survey included a fasting finger stick blood sample; height, weight, waist & hip circumference, bodycomposition and blood pressure measurements; and a questionnaire about health and physical activity.

§ Participants received $20 in Pearl City Dollars.

§ During the summer of 2010, 160 students were invited to come to the Muscatine Heart Study Clinic for abicycle test evaluation of their fitness level, retinal pictures, and an ultrasound examination to determinethe thickness of their abdominal aorta.

§ The health survey was supported by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.

What did we find?§ 182 boys and 167 girls (43.2% of participants) have a body mass index that is above the 85th percentile

for their age and sex.

§ 125 (15.4%) are metabolically unhealthy based on their blood pressure, waist circumference, and threeblood measures including glucose.

§ 53.4% of middle school students who have a body mass index above the 95th percentile are metaboli-cally unhealthy.

§ 16% of students walk to school; 27% walk home.

§ Only 1% of middle school students ride a bike to school.

How can these results be used?§ Provide information to the teachers and administrators to plan ways to improve student health.

§ Provide information to parents and students about the importance of knowing your cardiovascular riskfactor levels.

§ Muscatine Heart Study investigators and middle school principals are hoping to implement a health andwellness curriculum in the Spring of 2011.

Learn more at www.muscatineheartstudy.org

Contributed by Trudy Burns, MPH, PhD, FAHAUniversity of Iowa

On November 20, 1970, the MuscatineHeart Study began when children at GrantElementary School participated in the firstschool survey examinations. Dr. RonaldLauer and his colleagues at The Universityof Iowa started the study to describe thedistributions of blood pressures, choles-terol & triglyceride levels, and heights &weights in school-age children.

A Community of ParticipantsSince 1970, more than 23,000 Muscatineresidents have participated in morethan 47,500 school survey and adult ex-aminations. In addition, more than7,500 relatives in more than 1,100 fami-lies of school children have participatedin family studies to determine whetherrelatives have similar levels of risk fac-tors such as blood pressure, cholesteroland body size.

The Muscatine Heart Study is thelongest running study of cardiovasculardisease in the world that began with ex-aminations of children. n

Muscatine Heart StudyCelebrates 40 Years

During the fall of 2009, 812 Muscatine middle school students participated in the Muscatine Adolescent Health Survey.

197012.8%

198112.2%

199218.2%

201020.1%

19708.6%

19818.8%

199216.5%

201023.4%

Percentage of Muscatine middle schoolstudents that are overweight.

Percentage of Muscatine middle schoolstudents that are obese.

Obesity rates in Muscatinemiddle school students havenearly tripled since theHeart Study began in 1970.Based on the national norms (CDC GrowthCharts), we would expect to see 10% of kids in the overweight category, 5% in the obesecategory, and 15% overall.


Courtesy of the Muscatine History and Industry Center.Tucked into the Colver Street neighborhood inMuscatine is a grey brick building that looks a little out of place among the surrounding homes.Though now empty, 918 Colver Street was oncethe home of the Muscatine Broom Factory builtby Harry Metzger in 1907. Staffed with familymembers, the factory produced up to 1200brooms weekly. The Muscatine Broom Factoryused five to six carloads of broomcorn annually.The brooms were marketed under a number ofnames including Little Pearl, Little Gem, LittleDaisy, and Braid. Operations ceased decades ago,but much of the interior factory remains intact. n

Pearl City Players Theatrical Society willhold open auditions for its upcomingproduction of Leading Ladies by KenLudwig. Everyone is welcome toaudition regardless of previous stageexperience. Auditions will be held onThursday, December 9 from 7:00 to8:30pm; Saturday, December 11 from3:00 to 4:30pm and Sunday, December12 from 2:00 to 3:30pm at 3430 MulberryAvenue — the home of DeleneMcConnaha, the show’s director. Ifinterested but unable to attend thescheduled times, please contact Mrs.McConnaha at 563-299-0624.

Leading Ladies is a hilarious comedy abouttwo English Shakespearean actors, Jackand Leo, who find their careers in a rut.They are currently performing Scenes fromShakespeare on the Moose Lodge circuit inthe Amish country of Pennsylvania. How-

ever, when they hear that an old lady inYork, PA is about to die and leave her for-tune to her two long lost English nephews,they resolve to pass themselves off as herbeloved relatives and get the cash. Thetrouble is, when they get to York, they findout that the relatives aren't nephews, butnieces! Romantic entanglements abound,especially when Leo falls head-over-petti-coat in love with the old lady’s vivaciousniece, Meg, who’s engaged to the local min-ister. Meg knows that there’s a wide worldout there, but it’s not until she meets “Max-ine and Stephanie” that she finally gets ataste of it.

Leading Ladies requires a cast of five menand three women with age ranges of 18to 80. The rehearsal schedule will be setafter the cast has been selected. Perform-ances will be given on February 18, 19,and 20, 2011. n

Pearl City Players Auditioning Actors for Next Production

MuscatineUP CLOSE

Muscatine Close Up takes a look at the unique and curiousstories of Muscatine.

Turn of the Century Broom Factory is Part of Local Neighborhood

When looking for gift ideas thisholiday season, don’t forget totake a look at the unique gift itemscreated right here in Muscatine bylocal artists. Here are just a few.

Muscatine scenery stationery by Carol Steinmetz(563) 263-1086

Holiday ornaments by Judy BieriAvailable at Art by Judy Bieri, 1514 Isett Ave., Muscatine(563) 264-2965

Flattened bottle trays and décor by Two Ladies and a Kiln(563) 299-8752


Custom Bird houses by Piper BeasonAvailable at Friends Candle Shed in theMuscatine Mall(563) 263-1097

Pearl button jewelry by Ann MoodyAnnsArts 519 W. Third Street, Muscatine(563) 263-8564

Decorative bottlesCan be made in any style. Available at Miller’s Florist,612 Hope Avenue, Muscatine(563) 263-3802

Images of Muscatine by freelance photographer John DeasonAvailable at River’s Edge Gallery, 216 W 3rd St., Muscatine(563) 263-3176


Contributed by Dawnese Openshaw (Licensed foster/adoptive parent)

Have you ever considered becoming afoster parent or possibly adopting? Asof September 30th, 2008 (the end of thefederal fiscal year) there were 463,000children in America who were in fostercare and 123,000 children waiting to beadopted from foster care. The averageage of a child in foster care was 10 yearsold.1 A half-million children in foster careis comparable to nearly 20% thepopulation of the entire state of Iowa.

All children in the foster care system, nomatter their age, are in need of a lovingand nurturing home that includes ahealthy and safe environment. As afoster family you have the opportunityto model a healthy home and teachbiological parents how to provide a safeand stable environment. Through thismodeling, it allows 52% of youngpeople leaving the system to bereunified with their birth parents orprimary caregivers.

It’s true that the mission of foster care isto reunify children with parents andindeed that can be one of thechallenges as a foster parent. But,“when the system works it’s inspiring”

said BrandyPeterson, a certified PS-MAPPLeader through Iowa KidsNet andQuakerdale, and afoster/adoptiveparent. Over thepast five years,Brandy and herhusband Bill, haveparented anadditional sixteenchildren in theirhome and havecontinued to keepin touch with nearly all of them sincethey returned to their biologicalfamilies. Peterson mentioned that shehas seen parents become betterbecause of the system and familiesbecome healthier with love andnurturing; this keeps her continuing as afoster parent. She also stated that “it isone of the most fulfilling things in mylife, truly one of the most challengingand most satisfying and gratifyingexperiences ever.” She loves it so muchthat she even recruited her sister tobecome a foster/adoptive parent andreadily shares her experiences toencourage others.

Peterson became a foster parentbecause she was a foster child herselffrom ages 12-18. The foster care shereceived made such a positivedifference in her life that she wanted togive back. The family she lived with

only took teenagers and she learned somuch from them that by age seventeenshe knew she would pass it on. Thefamily she lived with taught her how afamily “worked”- they provided not justa house, but a home. She said her fosterparents were immensely fabulouspeople who worked with teenagers forover thirty years. What a difference theymade in her life and she returns thatwith her passion to see other kidsbecome healthy, productive citizens ofour community.

“When I was in foster care there was astigma that foster kids were ‘bad kids’and that is something I’m going tochange, somehow. I don’t ever want achild to feel it’s their fault and they arein foster care because of somethingthey did,” said Peterson.

So, why are children in foster care?According to the 2007 National FosterCare Adoption Attitudes Surveycommissioned by the Dave ThomasFoundation for Adoption, manyAmericans have misperceptions aboutadoption from foster care. Forty-fivepercent of Americans think children infoster care have entered the systembecause of juvenile delinquency. Inreality, most children enter the systemafter experiencing neglect,


Give from the

HeartOpening your home as a foster parent can make a world of difference right here in Muscatine.

1,2,3 National statistics are from the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, Adoption andFoster Care Analysis and Reporting System, (AFCARS)Preliminary FY 2008 Estimates as of October 2009.

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abandonment or abuse. Within a safe,stable and loving family, these childrencan reach their potential for greatness(Iowa KidsNet).

Muscatine County is specifically in needof families who will foster teenagers.Only 10% of American children adoptedin 2008 were older than 13.2 Over anestimated 29,000 young Americans ageout of foster care each year, many arelacking the resources or support theyneed for success.3

Currently, in Muscatine there are 56families who are licensed for foster careonly and 144 families who are licensedfor both foster care and adoption. Ofthose 200, only 7 foster teens. Petersonexpressed that all teenagers need orwant is acceptance, love and a sense ofbelonging – that’s it. She said that theteenagers they have had in their homehave greatly impacted her life and thatshe continues to foster because, “I getback just as much as I give.” ThePeterson’s actually take children from 0to 18, but they prefer having teenagersbecause they more easily becomeinvolved in the busy routines of theirfamily activities.

Another area of need in MuscatineCounty is African American and Latinofamilies to foster children. In fiscal year2009, we had approximately 10 Latinoor African American children referred tofoster care in Muscatine County, but noLatino or African American fosterfamilies. Culture is an important part ofevery person’s life and personal identity,regardless of nationality. It’s importantto keep children connected to theirroots and to incorporate cultural

elements into their lives. “These childrenhave lost their parents, homes,sometimes their siblings, all familiarsights, smells and routines. If we canplace them in a home that mightsimulate some of the traditions, foods,beliefs and language, it lessens theoverall trauma of transitioning into theirnew environment,” according toChristina Fernandez-Morrow. (Christinais a recruitment and retentioncoordinator for Iowa KidsNet andfoster/adopt parent).

Not a single one of these childrenchooses to be born into the situationsthat they are in and every one of them

deserves a chance at a better life. Youcould be that chance…that glimmer ofhope. Whether you choose to become afoster parent and mentor the child or ifyou have the opportunity to adopt, yourinfluence is everlasting. According to a2007 study, nearly 48 million Americanshave considered adopting from fostercare. If less than 1% of them wouldactually adopt, all of America’s waitingchildren would have a forever family(National Foster Care Adoption AttitudesSurvey, 2007, sponsored by the DaveThomas Foundation). Have you ever

considered it? Why not do it now?“Everyone is always looking forsomething to contribute to, whether it’svolunteering for the Red Cross oranywhere in the community, but younever know the difference you canmake until you step out and make acommitment to a child,” commentedPeterson. “I’m just amazed at how muchcompassion you can have for anotherperson’s child. You know, some peoplebelieve that they could never have thesame love and compassion for anotherperson’s child, but you can, and loving achild blesses your life. They bless yourlife every bit as much as you blesstheirs.” Her challenge to all of us…

contribute to the children in yourcommunity, to any child today.

Who are foster parents? There is notypical model for a foster family. Fosterparents can be married or single,homeowners or renters. They comefrom all religious, racial and ethnicbackgrounds and sexual orientations. Ifyou have a heart for children, patience,flexibility, stability and a sense of humor,you could be a great foster parent. n

• In 2009, the average number of Iowa children in foster care,shelter care, or a highly structured group care placement inany given month was nearly 3,400 children.

• As of July 2010, Iowa had approximately 2,700 foster families.

• 9,453 children were served in the Iowa foster care system instate fiscal year 2007

Iowa State Data Center, www.iowadatacenter.org

Become a foster or adoptive parent today!Contact Iowa KidsNet and find out how.Phone: 1.800.243.0756Website: www.iowakidsnet.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/iowakidsnetBlog: www.potentialforgreatness.blogspot.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/iowakidsnet

Ann Moody519 West Third St • Muscatine, IA

563-263-8564Open by Chance or Appointment

www.annsarts.comMuscatine Items • Pearl Button Jewelry

Quilts • Hand Knitted Items • Pearl Buttons

Mention this ad for $5 off purchase of $15 or more.

INDULGE YOUR SENSES.WELLNESS FOR YOUR MIND,

BODY & SPIRIT

214 Chestnut Street • Muscatine563.263.0300www.prohairdesigns.com

Full Service Florist• Plants, Silks, & Custom

Fresh Floral Designs• Gi Baskets• Home Décor• Unique Gis and

Collectibles featuringarea artisans

• Wire and area deliveryservice available

Monday - Friday: 8:30am-5:30pm

Saturday:8:30am-3:00pm131 E. Second St.

563.262.8264 www.flowergalleryia.com

Serving speciality coffees, import teas, fresh delibreakfasts and lunches, and homemade desserts.

Also hand-dipped ice cream and gelato.Catering available

563-263-5043208 W. 2nd St.

www.ellysteaandcoffee.com

The perfect place to enjoy that special dinner with your

special someone.

563-264-8590215 W. Mississippi Dr. • Muscatine, Iowawww.buttonfactoryrestaurant.com

Oak Hill PhotographySpecializing in senior portraits,

collages, and group photography.

309-791-0267


“Where Friendships are Knit One Stitch at a Time”

As winter approaches please join us for open knitting while the snow flies & the men watch football!

208 W. 2nd Street • Muscatine, Iowa

563-263-4600Winter hours: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3, Sun 1-4Check our website for classes & special events

serendipityyarnshoppe.com

1st Anniversary: Feb. 1 • Super Bowl Party: Feb. 6

Family owned full-service flower shop since 1991.

Stop in and check out what’s new for holidaygift giving and Valentine’s Day. Place your

orders early for best selection.

563-264-89821138 East 9th Street

www.flowersontheavenue.com


Food:Avenue Subs 113 Iowa Ave. • 563-288-9999Locally inspired names for their Subs andsome seriously giant spuds that make awhole meal, soups and sides.

Jimmy Johns Gourmet SandwichesMuscatine Mall • 563-264-2001 Full menu available for viewing and on-line ordering. www.jimmyjohns.com

Kino’s Breakfast & Fine Mexican Cuisine Western Mall - 821 Oregon St.563-263-5700

Shoreline Shivers Ice Cream Co.563-260-2342Mobile ice cream man.Find us on Facebook.

Red Oak Comfort Food and Pies 415 E. 2nd St. COMING SOON!

Retail:Babe’s Bait & Tackle2307 Lucas Street • 563-263-9862

Big Mil’s Bait Shop913 1/2 W. Mississippi Drive • 563-517-7320

Fashion Escape204 E. 2nd St. • 563-264-8520Muscatine's newest and hottest sourcefor trendy women's clothingwww.facebook.com/#!/fashionescape

Feather Your Nest Interiors LLC215 W. 2nd St. • 563-264-3273Home furnishings, home décor, and reupholstering services

Mississippi Marine Inc. 411 W. Mississippi Dr. • 563-263-0132mississippimarineinc.com

Shoe SensationMuscatine Mall • 563-264-8808www.shoesensation.com

Shop to Drop for KidsMuscatine Mall • 563-264-5734Children’s consignment shop

Still-n-Style Consignment Shop 201 E 2nd St. • 563-263-2099Find us on Facebook.

Total Connexions 2604 Second Ave., Suite #2319-358-0050Verizon Wireless Dealerwww.totalconnexions.net

SlumberlandNext to Shoe Sensation at the MuscatineMall. COMING SOON!

Lodging: Hampton Inn3303 North Port Drive • 563-264-3003www.muscatine.hamptoninn.com

Health:Hy-Vee Home Health Care and Medical Supply 522 Mulberry Ave. • 563-263-5722Find us on Facebook.

Mercy Family Medicine of Muscatine2104 Cedarwood Dr. • 563-263-0515www.mercyic.org

Muscatine Kidney Center311 Parham Street • 563-263-5284

House Calls by Nora563-299-5931Massage therapy brought to whereveryou are.

Olson Family Dentistry, PLLC 200 Cleveland St. Suite F • 563-263-8821

Pearl City Massage & Bodywork116 E. 2nd St. • 563-263-4263Find us on Facebook.

Thinspirations2209 Second Ave. • 563-272-8070Professional weight management clinic.www.idealprotein.com

University of Iowa Family Medicine& Dialysis Center3465 Mulberry Ave. • 563-263-0339

Wathan ChiropracticMuscatine Medical Center 2109 Cedarwood Dr., Suite 200563-263-0201www.wathanchiropractic.com

Women’s & Children’s Therapy 2109 Cedarwood Dr. Ste 200 • 563-263-0557Clinic of professionals offering occupa-tional, physical, & speech therapies.

Services:Allison Law Office PC 226 E. 2nd St. • 563-263-1800

Anderson Financial Group 900 Park Ave. • 563-264-9090www.theandersonfinancialgroup.com

Edward Jones Investments - Bobbie Holliday1604 Plaza Place • 563-263-0784www.edwardjones.com

J B Lathrop & Associates 563-506-8708Human Resources Consulting

Lloyd’s Plan Inc. Muscatine Mall • 563-262-4000Customized lending serviceswww.lloydsplaninc.com

Muscatine Adjustment Bureau130 E. 2nd St. • 563-263-1077Collectionagencyservice.net

River City Moving & DeliveryBrad Nau 563-299-5692; Jeff Hartley563-299-4693Offering a variety of moving, delivery andtransportation services to residents andbusinesses. www.rcmoving.com

Salons:Studio 180 Hair and Body403 C Cleveland St. • 563-288-4180Find us on Facebook

The Cutting Room222 Walnut St. • Libby 563-506-4205Cindy 563-260-5518Find us on Facebook.

Have you noticed that severalnew businesses have openedin Muscatine this year?Shopping local makes a positive impact on our community. Did you know that 68% of whatyou spend at an independently owned business stays local and 43% of what you purchase atnational chains located in Muscatine stays local? However, on-line purchases and purchasesmade out of town contribute nothing to our local community.

Here are some of the Muscatine businessesthat opened their doors in 2010.In cooperation with the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry


Contributed By Becky Each,Program Coordinator at MuscatineCounty ISU Extension

When parents send their youth off tomiddle school, it is normal to feel someanxiety. Their youth will be in a largerenvironment with many new influences.At this age, young people crave accept-ance from their peers and they feelmore pressure to fit in. They often makedecisions without thinking through theconsequences. Parents want to protecttheir young teens, but it is hard intoday’s world. And young teens need tolearn better skills for dealing with peersand for making good decisions.

The “Strengthening Families Program forParents and Youth ages 10-14” (SFP 10-14) was developed in Iowa to meetthese needs and concerns. Muscatinewas one of only seven Iowa communi-ties to offer this program in 2003 as partof a major research project. Since 2003,more than 300 Muscatine families haveparticipated. As several families havesaid in the evaluations after completingthe program, “This was the best invest-ment of time my family has ever made.”

The program consists of seven sessions(one evening per week for seven weeks).

A meal is provided and there is childcarefor younger siblings. Parents build ontheir strengths by adding practical toolsto their parenting tool box so they can

continue to set consistent limits in a lov-ing, respectful way even when teens become more challenging. Youth learnto understand their parents better andsee the benefits of following rules andshowing respect for others.

Both parents and youth learn ways tohave family meetings and solve con-flicts. No matter how healthy your fam-ily is, all families can benefit from thisprogram. What family wouldn’t want tobe stronger?

Extensive research on SFP 10-14 at IowaState University continues to show verypositive results such as greater family cohesion, better parent/youth relation-ships, and youth making healthierchoices, such as resisting negative peerpressure to drink, use drugs, and get in-volved in other risky behaviors. Due tothese positive research results, SFP 10-14has been recognized as a very successfulprevention program by such organiza-tions as the U.S. Department of Educa-tion, the National Institute on DrugAbuse, and the Office of Juvenile Justiceand Delinquency Prevention. Manyother states and countries are now ask-ing Iowa to bring this program to them!

All parents of fifth and sixth graders inMuscatine should receive registrationforms in the mail. If you have a seventhgrader and missed signing up last year,you can still register at Iowa State Uni-versity’s Muscatine County Extension Office, 1514 Isett Avenue. Carve out thistime for your family; they’re worth it! n

Strengthening FamiliesProgram Started Locally is Getting National and International Recognition

• January 16-March 4, 2011

• Seven sessions, held onceper week

• 2 1⁄2 hour sessions

• Family meal and child careprovided

• No cost to participate

• Graduation gift to familiesattending at least 5 sessions


Contributed by Mike FladlienTeacher at Muscatine High School

Darrell Scott didn’t want his daughter’sexecution to be in vain. Over ten yearsafter the Columbine tragedy, DarrellScott, father of Rachel Joy Scott-the firstvictim in the Columbine shooting,spoke to Muscatine schools andcommunity to challenge them to start achain reaction of kindness. Somethingthat Rachel started years ago with herlife and continues to encourage even inher death.

Darrell’s message to Muscatine HighSchool students is to make a permanentand positive change in the culture andclimate of their school.

The challenge for this age group is to: • Eliminate prejudice• Write down your goals and dreams.• Choose positive peer influences .• Keep a diary or journal.• Perform small acts of kindness that will

start a chain reaction of kindness andcompassion.

The program was organized bysenior, Emily Summers, whobelieves that students want tomake a difference in the lives ofothers. Emily received a generousgrant from HNI CharitableFoundation for the program.Summers took the challenge andstarted Girl Talk to help connectwith middle school students to adapt toschool climate. She continues in herefforts to help young people in ourcommunity connect and treat eachother with more kindness. The HighSchool has formed a Rachel’s Chain, aclub devoted to completing acts ofkindness and perpetuating Rachel’smessage throughout the school.

Using stories from Rachel’s journal,video clips, and interviews, Mr. Scottdetailed the life of his daughter andhow she made a positive impact onothers. Rachel often would reach out tothose students who were viewed asdifferent by her classmates. Rachel’schallenge also helps those who havesuffered tragic grief to overcome their

grief and prevent suicides.

Over 500 Muscatine High Schoolstudents signed a banner to take thechallenge at the end of Darrell’spresentation. For students like KristenFreeman, Mr. Scott’s presentation madea lasting impression. She stated that“when a new student had no one to sitwith at lunch, Rachel went to sit withher. That was really nice.”

“When you see kids getting bullied, youwant to stand up for them or be friendswith other students that you neverthought you’d want to talk to.” JuniorKami Monson sites meeting DarrellScott as the most memorable part ofthe event.

Yolanda Taylor remembers the story ofthe often bullied student who Rachelbefriended. Taylor remembers thebullied student saying, “Why can’t everyone just be friends with each other” asone of the saddest moments in thepresentation.

Community members were given thefollowing challenges:1) Eliminate prejudice and to look for

the best in people, because “what youlook for you will find”.

2) Dare to Dream and don’t let others bedream stealers.

3) Speak Kind Words, little acts of kindness = huge results!

For more information on Rachel’sChallenge go to:www.rachelschallenge.org. n

Rachel’s ChallengeChanges School & Community Culture

Over 500 Muscatine students signed a banner to takethe challenge at the end of Darrell’s presentation.

Middles Schools Meet ChallengesWest Middle School has a positivegossip banner where students writepositive things about their classmatesand is focusing on welcoming newstudents into their school. Planning isunderway for more projects and op-portunities for students to help createa positive school environment.

Central Middle School formed theRachel’s Challenge Club which recog-nizes random acts of kindness. The clubhas implemented:• “Give Kindness a Hand Project”

where students traced their hand,and wrote a way to be kind to others;

displayed in the lunchroom.• The G.O.N.G. (Giving of Nice Ges-

tures) Project allows students tonominate each other for an act ofkindness and be entered in a draw-ing to hit a gong over the intercom.

• A welcoming committee for new students.

• The “Kindness Quotes” project inwhich club members will read aquote over the intercom relating tokindness.

• The “Kindness Poster Project” containing kindness quotes placedall over the school.

The Club is also working on severalfundraising ideas that will raise moneyfor local charities such as “The KidsFirst Fund”. n


1001 Mulberry AvenueThe holiday beauty of the old Victorianhouse, built in 1878 by W.J. Fuller, hasbecome a community tradition. JerryLange, City Councilman and SchoolBoard Member, has decorated his lawn,trees, and home for the public to enjoyfor over 50 years. The decorating was in-spired by his father who passed awaywhen Jerry was just 4 years old. Sincehis teens, he has been growing the dis-play year by year, light strand by lightstrand until it has become a full-blownproduction. Several volunteers makethe display come together.

A few facts about the display:• Consists of over 25,000 clear lights• The Nativity set was purchased about

eight years ago from Bronner’s Christ-mas Store (the worlds largest Christ-mas store in Frankenmuth, Michigan)

• There are 22 outdoor electrical boxesfor all the lights

• The lights are on one big timer thatusually runs from 5-10 pm

This year will most likely be the final pro-duction of the Muscatine "Winter Won-derland", because the house is for sale. Itis something he truly enjoyed sharing

with the community and will miss being apart of the holiday traditions — but notall the work that goes into it! The displaywill be lit from December 18 until January1. Jerry plans to continue the tradition ona much smaller scale at his new home onHwy. 22 towards Fairport.

Lazy Z Ranch at 2402 Isett Avenue - just off Hwy 61 BypassGerry Zimmerman and his family put upan amazing display of holiday lights andcheer. It takes a full week of eight-hourdays for Gerry to install lights on 40-50living trees, his house and barn. This is agift from the Zimmerman family to thepeople of Muscatine. The joy that peo-ple express makes it all worth it and in-spires Zimmerman to do it all over againthe next year. For their family, it’s all aboutthe reason for the season and the featuredpiece in the lawn — the manger scene.

1514 Lucas StreetForty-one years ago, the West familystarted with one strand of lights andsince then have transformed their homeinto a visual extravaganza during theholiday season. The display featuressome very unique pieces, including deco-rations that once hung downtown at thecorner of Iowa Avenue and 2nd Streetduring the 1960s.

Storm-damaged trees have taken awaysome decorating opportunities, but sonMike West has built on the tradition bydecorating his own home on DawsonStreet. n

We know thereare many more

great light displays in and aroundMuscatine. Share other notable locations on our Facebook page!

Jerry Lange’s house at 1001 Mulberry Avenue has been a holiday icon in Muscatinefor over 50 years.

316 West 3rd Street • Muscatine, IA

(563) 263-7822

Color Copies & Offset PrintingMon-Fri 8-5 • Sat 9-Noon

Since 1899

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! Take an evening drive through town this holiday season and you’ll see the spiritof Christmas apparent in the many extravagant home light displays. Here arethree notable displays that have been Muscatine traditions for many years.


Contributed by Diane Campbell, Muscatine School District Director of Innovation and Instruction-Secondary

Have you ever thought you knew whatsomeone was thinking, but found outthat you were completely wrong?Perceptions matter as much as reality,so measuring how communitymembers perceive the school/district isa valuable source of data in determininghow to make the entire systemseamless. Perception versus reality wasthe focus of Muscatine High School’s“We Survey Suite” from the SuccessfulPractice Network (SPN). The changingworld of technology, demographics andglobalization has heightened the needto work collaboratively for the singlepurpose of ensuring excellence forevery student. Teachers completed theWe Teach, students completed the WeLearn, and community memberscompleted We Support.

The Successful Practice Network is a not-for-profit membership organization created in 2003 as a way for K-12educators to share strategies, research,data and experiences. SPN connectsindividual educators and more than 500schools across the country in thegrowing national network. MHS hasbeen a member of SPN for three years aspart of a state-wide grant. TheSuccessful Practice Network provides

the electronic survey, tabulates theresults and provides a concise report ofthe findings. The surveys provide anopportunity for members to share theirperceptions anonymously about thelearning environment, quality ofinstruction and relationships at MHS.The survey results are compiled into adetailed report that guides decisionsabout school improvement. The reportprovides a context for exploring howwell community members believe the

school is challenging students, helpingstudents connect what they are learningto the world around them and fosteringstrong relationships in school. Byexploring and discussing these results,MHS found valuable insights into thelearning environment, effectiveness, andoverall “health” as a learning community.The feedback collected from the surveyscan initiate innovative, meaningfulschool change.

Rigor, relevance, and relationships havebeen identified by the SPN as three keyelements found in successful districtsacross the country. The We Support –Community Survey assesses communitymember perceptions of the three “Rs” byasking for responses to statementsbased on these critical elements. WeSupport provides schools/districtleadership and teachers with a powerfultool for understanding what communitymembers believe about the school/district. The results provide informationon several topics, for example:• How well does the community think

students are prepared for the future?• Do they think students have the skills

and knowledge to be leaders in thecommunity?


Celebrate at theRendezvous!

Let’s enjoy the winter season with good friends and great food!Join us each Sunday for a fabulous brunch buffet - served 10 am to 1:30 pm.Brunch buffet will be closed on Sunday, December 26.

3127 Lucas Street • Muscatine, IA 52761 • 563-263-2271Reservations not required - however they are appreciated.

Check out our website at www.rendezvous.bzfor information on facility rentals, catering & special events.

MuscatineMagazinedelivered to your

home or business!A year subscription to MuscatineMagazine makes a great gift for yourself and all your Muscatinefriends. And don’t forget friends

and family who have moved away!

$10.95Four issues (annual subscription)

Send check or money-order to: Muscatine Magazine - Subscriptions

PO Box 108 • Muscatine, IA 52761or visit www.muscatinemagazine.com

Perceptions of High School Examined in Survey Results


• Do they think students of all abilitiesare encouraged to learn?

Muscatine High School used the reportinformation to guide decisions aboutimproving student learning. The datagathered from the We Support surveyhelped to explore the elements ofsuccess related to these perceptions.Teachers and administrators processedtheir data during in-service workshopsby analyzing the key points that stoodout. Action items were identified ineach area related to rigor, relevance,and relationships.

Muscatine Connected was instrumentalin promoting the survey. Throughpresentations, emails and articles, theWe Support survey was a topic ofconversation. With this support, therewere 716 surveys completed.

The survey is intended to be an ongoingprocess that is reviewed and discussed toimprove the perceptions of the school.This approach to communicating is not anisolated attempt, but rather one piece ofthe communications that MuscatineCommunity School District offers to thegeneral public. The purpose of the surveyis to use the data collected to improveteaching and learning in the school and toultimately help more young people havean effective and successful educationalexperience. n

Rigor Total in AgreementThe school prepares students academically for success in life. 58%This school challenges students to develop their academic potential. 42%

Relevance Total in AgreementStudents are challenged to solve real-world problems. 44%Students are encouraged to be creative and innovative. 47%

Relationships Total in AgreementI feel welcome when I visit the school or attend school events. 72%The school encourages community involvement. 64%

The following examples provide a glimpse intothe information collected from the survey. The full report can be accessed on the Muscatine High School websitewww.muscatine.k12.ia.us/mhs.

High School SurveyContinued from previous page —

We Support – Community Survey

Rigor Total in AgreementStudent - When I struggle, I receive the support I need to be successful. 57%Teacher - Struggling learners receive the support necessary to be successful. 46%Community - Students who struggle academically should get extra support. 89%

Relevance Total in AgreementStudent - I can apply what I learn to my everyday life. 55%Teacher - Students can apply what I am teaching to everyday life. 88%Community - Students are given opportunities to apply what they learn to their everyday life. 39%

Relationships Total in AgreementStudent - My teachers know my interests outside of school. 37%Teacher - I am aware of my students’ interests outside of school. 91%Community - I feel a strong connection to the school. 58%

The We Learn – student survey, We Teach – teacher survey, and We Support –community survey can also be analyzed across sections. The following surveyresults are examples of questions across all three surveys.

Sandwiches • Soups • SaladsPotatoes • Delivery

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 11-8 Sunday: 11-5

113 Iowa Avenue • Muscatine

(563) 288-9999


Contributed by Dan McGinn, Golf Pro, Muscatine Municipal Golf Course

Muscatine Municipal Golf Course hassomething new to offer for year roundgolfing and to help keep your game intop shape over the winter months. Thisindoor golf simulator is one of the onlypublic golf simulators within a 60 mileradius of Muscatine. It’s more than just acomputer game, you actually swingyour own clubs and hit real golf ballsinto the screen.

One of the best aspects of the simulatoris the game improvement capabilities itoffers. The simulator actually measuresthe club through impact and the ball in

the air and then takes this informationand puts it into user-friendly graphics.This information can be reviewed by thegolfer and instructor and used to improve the swing. To check out detailsabout the simulator you can go to themanufacturer’s site at www.trugolf.com.

The simulator will be used for golf les-sons for a winter golf league, and can bereserved for individual or group rounds.

The purchase of the simulator encour-ages year-round use of the club housefacility as well as offering a more com-plete golfing experience for the public.We hope to help more people learn toenjoy the game of golf through this

different kind of experience. Come try itout for yourself.

The clubhouse is available to rent forprivate events, from kid’s parties to workmeetings. Private events can also in-clude the use of the simulator, call theclub house at 563-263-4735 to discussthe possible options.

One and two person leagues will runNovember 29 through the week of Jan-uary 10. Two person leagues will be onMonday and Wednesday nights, 5-9pm.

League fees are$10 per person whichwill go towards prizes. Green fees willbe $10 per player per league night.

These leagues are open to everyone. n

Don’t Let Winter Freeze Out Your Golf Game!

E.The Elms Supper Club & Lounge

“Muscatine’s oldest new hot spot”

Lunch Mon-Fri: 11am-2pm

Dinner Tues-Sat: 5-9pmGroups welcome - For reservations call

563-263-81232108 Grandview Ave.

www.elmsdining.com

Single Open Golf Simulator Rates:• 30 minutes $15• 1 hour $30• 5X 1 hour punch card $120• 10x 1 hour punch card $200• Private Lessons: 30 minute $30• Private Lesson Package: $120

Our new golf simulator makes winter timegolfing a reality! Call to schedule today!

(563) 263-4735


December 2Holiday Concert – Grant Elementary 7 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 3Annual Downtown Holiday Stroll – Visions of Sugarplums5 - 8 pm Head downtown where local merchants welcomeshoppers with special entertainment and special offers in theirestablishments. The Light Parade will return this year. Comesee Santa strolling Second Street. Contact: Jaime Bryant(Muscatine Journal) at [email protected] or563-262-0543. Watch for complete event info in theMuscatine Journal or at www.muscatinejournal.com.

Pre-Stroll Party 4 - 6 pm at Central State Bank’s main branch at 301 Iowa Ave. Contact Central State Bank at 563-263-3131

BPW 3rd Annual Soup/Chili Cook-Off5:30 - 8:30 pm at MSCA (312 Iowa Ave. Muscatine)Contact Megan Randoll at [email protected]

Elks Chanters Christmas Concert 8:15 - 9:30 pm Join the Elks directly after the Holiday stroll atWesley United Methodist Church at 400 Iowa Avenue fortheir 20th Annual Christmas Concert. Contact Curt Degner at563-264-3300

December 4Breakfast with Santa at the Y9:30 - 11:30 am Christmas is for children!Breakfast with Santa is for true believersof any age. Take it all at a toddler's pace!There will be lots of fun things for kidsand parents to do, including stories,crafts and visiting with Santa abouttheir Christmas wish list! A lightbreakfast will be served. ONLY $2 perperson! A limited number of tickets available.Contact the Muscatine Community Y at 563-263-9996

December 4Holiday Nature Crafts 10 am - 12 pm Join Naturalist Michelle Berns at theEnvironmental Learning Center for some holiday craftmaking using items from nature as well as some recycled items.Contact Michelle Berns: [email protected]

December 4Muscatine Holiday Concert7:30 pm Join the MuscatineSymphony Orchestra, ElksChanters, Civic Chorale, MCCConcert Choir, and theSalvation Army Band at theCentral Middle SchoolAuditorium for a specialholiday concert (901 CedarSt.). Donations of cannedgoods, clothing and/or toysfor the Salvation Army andcash donations are welcomeand encouraged. ContactBrian Dollinger at 563-288-6195 Ext. 1608 [email protected]

December 4Holiday Train7:45 pm, west end of River Side Park at Chestnut Street &Harbor Drive, Muscatine. The Holiday Train Program began in1999 with a handful of communities and a few lights on a

freight train. Today, with its hundreds of thousands offestive lights and a live show featuring well known

performers, it's one of Canadian Pacific's mainambassadors in working with communities

in Canada and the United States and isthe only fundraiser of its kind for foodbanks in North America. Since theprogram's inception, more than 4.8million in cash and over 2.3 million

pounds of food has been collected in Canadaand the United States.

December 5Trinity Muscatine Winter Social2 - 4 pm Come meet and mingle with Trinity Muscatine'sHometown Medical Experts. Information about services andproviders will be available. Refreshments served. TrinityMuscatine is located at 1518 Mulberry Avenue, Muscatine.Contact Holly J. Thomas at 563-264-9225 [email protected]

December 5Holiday Horse Fun Show2 pm at the Agricultural Learning Center (3200 Lucas St.)Muscatine, Iowa. This horse show will be filled with funactivities including door prizes, a "Christmas Tree Race" andhalter and performance classes. Contact Joel Edge at 319-540-1731 or 563-262-2645 ext [email protected] www.aglearningcenter.org

December 5Wilton Window Walk 6 pm parade 6:30 - 8:30 pm Holiday Home Tour. Viewdecorated store fronts and windows in a holiday theme, sipon hot apple cider and listen to carols. Horse drawn carriagerides, lighting of the community tree and a visit from Santaare a few highlights. Contact Wilton Chamber of Commerce563-732-2330 www.wiltoniowa.org

December 6Holiday Concert - Madison Elementary6:30 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 7Holiday Concert - Colorado Elementary 6:30 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 9Muscatine Women’s Connection Luncheon12 - 1:30 pm at the Holiday Inn (2915 N Hwy 61); 12-12:30Social Time, 12:30 lunch is served, $10 per person. MarciaJohnson of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, speaks of being a reformedprocrastinator and will give timely tips to help you cope.Marcia will also be the feature for the day, making beadedholiday wreath ornaments. Music will be provided by TraciPlinsky. Contact Pam 563-263-8443 or Judy 563-264-1985

December 9YPN Third Thursday Social Event (a week early)5:30 pm at Plamor Lanes. Join us for YPN’s annual bowlingevent. Contact Andrea Jentz at [email protected]

December 10Holiday Concert – Garfield/Franklin Elementary 7 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 11MHS Band Holiday Concert7 – 8:30 pm at Muscatine High School Auditorium

Please note: This calendar is for community events fornon-profit organizations, for a more comprehensive andup to date event calendar go to:www.muscatinecalendar.com Details of events can change, please check with thecontact person or organization to confirm.

Lots to Do!Attention non-profit organizations! Submit your special events for free towww.muscatinecalendar.com

December 4

December 4

December 12A Festival of Lessons and Carols10:45 am as Wesley Chancel Choir Muscatine Children’s andYouth Choirs celebrate the birth of Christ in Story and Song atWesley United Methodist Church. www.wesleyonline.org

December 12MCC Fine Arts Recital 2 pm in the Bob Roach Theatre at Muscatine CommunityCollege (152 Colorado St.) For more information call 563-288-6001 or check out www.eicc.edu/muscatine

December 13Holiday Concert – Jefferson Elementary 6:30 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 13MHS Holiday Vocal Concert7 pm Muscatine High School Auditorium (2705 Cedar St.)$4 for adults and $3 for students

December 14WIN (Women in Networking) for Success Event11:45 am – 1 pm at The Rendezvous. Jane Daufeldt willspeak about Muscatine History and Pearl Projects.Contact Julie Foster at 563-506-1843 [email protected] www.winforsuccess.org

December 14Holiday Concert – Washington Elementary 7 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 14MHS Holiday Orchestra Concert 7 pm at Muscatine High School Auditorium (2705 Cedar St.)

December 17Holiday Concert – Mulberry Elementary 6:30 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 18Special Olympics Basketball Tournament8 am - 4 pm Our local Special Olympics basketball teams willbe participating in a tournament at the MuscatineCommunity Y. Contact Muscatine Community Y at 563-263-9996 www.muscatiney.orgDecember 18

Muscatine Parks and Recreation Elves’ Workshop1 - 3pm at the Riverview Center, Mississippi Drive.Contact Matt Beatty at 563-263-0241 [email protected]

December 20Holiday Concert – McKinley Elementary 6:30 pm at Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.)

December 21Winter Solstice

December 23-31No School Muscatine School DistrictWinter Break until January 3rd, 2011

December 25 Christmas Day

December 29Muscatine Power Boat Club Membership Drive Carryin Potluck Supper6 pm at the Club House located directly across the MississippiRiver from the Muscatine riverfront. Take the Norbert BeckeyBridge to Illinois, take the first right and continue on about amile to the club site. Contact Jim White at 309-791-1064 [email protected]

January 1 New Year’s Day

January 7Downtown Muscatine First Friday Family Event5 - 8 pm Come enjoy some fun with the family. For completedetails see www.muscatinedowntown.com or catch us onFacebook at Downtown Muscatine! Contact Sarah Ott [email protected] or call 563-554-7440

January 8Miss Muscatine/Miss Pearl City Scholarship Program7 - 9 pm Local preliminary to Miss Iowa. Both titleholderswill represent the Muscatine area at Miss Iowa in 2011. Heldat the Central Middle School Auditorium. $10 /Children 3 andunder free. Contact Kindra Plett at [email protected]

January 8Muscatine Power Boat Club Bring a Friend Breakfast10 am enjoy all you can eat at the Club House located directlyacross the Mississippi River from the Muscatine riverfront.Take the Norbert Beckey Bridge to Illinois, take the first rightand continue on about a mile to the club site.Contact Jim White at 309-791-1064 [email protected]

January 9Muscatine Art Center 'Springs Sprockets & Pulleys’Closing 1 - 5 pm Muscatine Art Center (1314 MulberryAvenue, Muscatine). Gerberich's gadgets bridge the gapbetween fine art and fun. His work, on display at the ArtCenter since March 14th, has offered viewers a unique way tointeract with contemporary sculpture, explore the principlesof simple mechanical motion and simply ponder theremarkable inventiveness of art. Contact the Muscatine ArtCenter at 563-263-8282 or [email protected]


Wilton: www.wiltoniowa.org

Fruitland: www.frutilandia.com

West Liberty: www.westlibertyiowa.com

Durant: www.cityofdurantiowa.com

Atalissa: www.americantowns.com/ia/atalissa

Nichols: www.americantowns.com/ia/Nichols

Stockton: www.americantowns.com/ia/Stockton

Walcott: www.americantowns.com/ia/walcott

Blue Grass: www.bluegrassia.org Muscatine: www.muscatinecalendar.com,www.muscatine.com, www.voiceofmuscatine.com,www.muscatinejournal.comProgramming for Library:www.musserpubliclibrary.org/Parks and Rec: http://ci.muscatine.ia.us/parks/Muscatine County Conservation Board:www.muscatinecountyconservation.com

School ActivitiesFor a complete list of school winter activities in thearea including the following: choir, orchestra, band,basketball, wrestling, bowling:

Muscatine: www.muscatine.k12.ia.us

Louisa-Muscatine: www.louisa-muscatine.k12.ia.us

Wilton: www.wiltoncsd.org

West Liberty: www.wl.k12.ia.us

Durant: www.durant.k12.ia.us

Last day January 9

Visit these websites for more event

information!


January 13Muscatine Women’s Connection Luncheon12 - 1:30 pm at the Holiday Inn (2915 N Hwy 61); 12-12:30Social Time, 12:30 lunch is served, $10 per person. PennyBrown of Ankeny, Iowa, speaks of the true secrets to abeautiful life. She is a Mary Kay specialist and will do a 5-min. makeover on a lucky member of the audience....goingfrom "Whoa" to "WOW" in 5 minutes. Music will be providedby Holly Jacobi. Contact Pam 563-263-8443 or Judy 563-264-1985

January 14Family Night at the Y – Aquatics5:30 - 7 pm Family Nights at the Y are a great way forfamilies with young children to come to the Y and spendtime together. Don’t worry about cooking dinner before youcome – food will be sold for a nominal fee. Family Nightactivities are geared toward families with pre-school andelementary age children. Family Night is free for Y membersand $5 per non-member family. Contact the MuscatineCommunity Y at 563-263-9996 www.muscatiney.org

January 14 and 15The Story of ChocolateAn evening event at the Musser Public Library. A hands-on,interactive, multi-sensory experience for persons of all ages,on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, January 14 and 15,2011. Participants will have the chance to explore the historyof chocolate, from the rainforest to Willy Wonka, as botanyand culture come to life in a guided tour of the library. Andyes, some chocolate will be consumed! Free tickets will benecessary to attend this event. Look for upcominginformation on exact times and how to get tickets. ContactBetty Collins at Musser Public Library 563-263-3065 [email protected] www.musserpubliclibrary.org

January 17Martin Luther King DayNo School – Muscatine Community School District

January 20YPN Third Thursday Social Event 5:30 pm at The Button Factory Restaurant. Come networkwith young professionals at YPN’s monthly social event.Contact Andrea Jentz at [email protected]

January 22River City Showcase Show Choir InvitationalBegins at 11 am at the Central Middle School Auditorium.Ticket Prices: $8 for the entire day

January 22Eulenspiegel Puppets and Friends with Ron HillisImmigrant Stew at the Chat ‘n’ Chew at The New Strand WestLiberty, Iowa.Contact us at 319-627-2487 [email protected] www.puppetspuppets.com

January 28 - 30Horse Tack Swap Starting at 8 am at the Agricultural Learning Center (3200Lucas St.) Horse Tack Swap: Buy, sell and trade horseequipment, show apparel, tack, and many horse relateditems. This includes a Horse Health and Training Open Houseon the 29th hosted by Dr. Doug Anderson, DVM will featurelocal trainers and excellent horse health advice. Contact Joel Edge at 319-540-1731 or 563-262-2645 ext 211or [email protected] www.aglearningcenter.org

Eagles & IvoriesRagtime WeekendJanuary 28-30Some of the country’s best ragtime artists inconcert, along with eagle-watching activities alongthe Mississippi.

Sponsored by: Muscatine County Arts Council; Ivory andGold, featuring Jeff Barnhart, Anne Barnhart & DannyCoots; Red Lehr's Powerhouse Five with Pat Joyce; MadCreek Mudcats; Ben Chrisman. Evening Concerts $15 andentire 3-day package $30, Saturday and Sunday afternoonconcerts $10. Children under 16 are FREE to all events.Eagle watch and After hours FREE. Contact: 563-263-8895or 563-263-9978 , PO Box 815 Muscatine, IA Email:[email protected] www.muscatineartscouncil.org

January 28 5 pm - 12 am (midnight)• 5 - 7 pm Soup Supper with music by the Mad Creek

Mudcats at Wesley United Methodist Church• 7 pm Concert with Ivory and Gold and Red Lehr's

Powerhouse Five• 10 pm Afterhours at Port City Underground in Pearl Plaza

January 29 9 am - 12 am (midnight) • 9 am - 3 pm Eagle Watch at Riverview Center (200 E. River

Front) Presentations by Corps of Engineers Park Rangersand Dave Bakke, Naturalist. FREE to the Public

• 1:30 pm mini concert at Muscatine Art Center featuringPat Joyce

• 5 - 7 pm Syncopation Supper at Wesley United MethodistChurch with Ben Chrisman

• 10 pm After hours at Port City Underground at Pearl Plaza

January 30 10:30 am - 5 pm• 10:30 am Ragtime/Jazz Gospel Worship Service at Wesley

United Methodist Church• 11 am - 1 pm Ragtime Brunch at the Button Factory (non-

ticket event, restaurant price)• 2 pm Concert by Ivory and Gold at the Muscatine Art Center

JANUARY 14 &15, 2011

SEE MUSSERPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG FOR DETAILS


January 28A Toast to Hope - Wine/Beer Tasting Fundraising Event5 - 8 pm at the Hotel Muscatine Ballroom. Join us to helpbenefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. ArdonCreek will be the featured winery. We’ll also have a silentaction featuring hand painted goblets by local artists.Contact Diana Tank 563-260-1135

January 29State Jazz Band/Show Choir Festival Beginning at 8 am at Muscatine High School (2705 Cedar St.)$3 for adults and $1 for students

January 30Try Melon TriThe Muscatine Community Y will be hosting it's annual TryMelon Tri event which consists of swimming, biking &running. Sign up as an individual or team. Contact theMuscatine Community Y at 563-263-9996www.muscatiney.org

January 31State Jazz Band/Show Choir Festival 5 pm at Muscatine High School Auditorium (2705 Cedar St.)$3 for adults and $1 for students

February 3MHS Choir Dessert Concert 7 pm Muscatine High School (2705 Cedar St.) $5 for adultsand students

February 4Downtown Muscatine First Friday Family Event5 - 8 pm Come enjoy some fun with the family while enjoyingan evening of local cultural talent. For complete details seewww.muscatinedowntown.com or catch us on Facebook atDowntown Muscatine! Contact Dawnese Openshaw at 563-262-5532 or [email protected]

February 5Muscatine Parks and Recreation Snow Pile Treasure Hunt 1 pm for 5th grade and under at the Muscatine MunicipalGolf Course Clubhouse. Contact Matt Beatty at 563-263-0241or [email protected]

February 10Muscatine Women’s Connection Luncheon12 - 1:30 pm at the Holiday Inn (2915 N Hwy 61); 12-12:30Social Time, 12:30 lunch is served, $10 per person. JanetNewcomer of LaSalle, IL speaks of dysfunctional familybackground, co-dependency, broken marriages and finallybeing "freed to love". Sharon Childs of Birthright of Muscatineshares Birthright's history and background and services theyprovide. Contact Pam 563-263-8443 or Judy 563-264-1985

February 11MHS 21st Annual Booster Club Cake AuctionCake donations must arrive at the high school by 4 pm.Cakes are auctioned off this evening to help support theefforts of the Booster Club for MHS activities, so come take alook and bid on your favorite. For details contact the MHSActivities office at 563-263-6141

February 11Family Nights at the Y – Family Art 5:30 - 7 pm Family Nights at the Y are a great way forfamilies with young children to come to the Y and spendtime together. Don’t worry about cooking dinner before youcome – food will be sold for a nominal fee. Family Nightactivities are geared toward families with pre-school andelementary age children. Family Night is free for Y membersand $5 per non-member family. Contact the MuscatineCommunity Y at 563-263-9996 www.muscatiney.org

February 12Muscatine Symphony Orchestra At Central Middle School Auditorium (901 Cedar St.Muscatine). A delicious combination of a catered meal andthe symphony orchestra concert. 7:30 - 9:30 pm "Love andPassions” MasterWorks III concert guest artist: Volkan Orhan,Double Bass. For details, visit www.muscatinesymphony.orgTo order tickets visit:http://muscatinesymphony.org/tickets.html OR contactMuscatine Symphony Orchestra at 563-288-6195 EXT. 1608Email: [email protected] Contact BrianDollinger at [email protected]

February 14Valentine’s Day

February 15Voices and Visions of Muscatine: Legends and Lore7 pm at the Musser Public Library, Meeting Room. ExploreMuscatine's history with this ongoing series presented byMusser Public Library and the Muscatine History andIndustry Museum. Local author Tom Savage reveals the"Legends and Lore" surrounding Muscatine's earliest settlers.Immediately following the program, join the presenters at

the Muscatine History and Industry Center, 117 W 2nd Street,for an "After Hours" discussion with refreshments and a cashbar. Contact Saren Black at 563-263-3065 [email protected] www.musserpubliclibrary.org

February 16 - 17Book Sale and Bake Sale at Trinity Muscatine Hospital(1518 Mulberry Ave.) 7 am – 7 pm stop in for our fundraisersponsored by Trinity Muscatine Friends at the hospital lobby.February 16 is the Bake Sale from 7 am – 2:30 pm. Proceedsare used to buy equipment for the hospital and clinics.Contact Ellie Sywassink at 563-264-9100 [email protected]

February 17YPN Third Thursday Social Event 5:30 pm Location TBD Come network with youngprofessionals at the monthly social event. Contact AndreaJentz at [email protected] www.ypnmuscatine.org

February 22All City Orchestra Concert7pm at Muscatine High School Auditorium (2705 Cedar St.)

February 25 – 26Eulenspiegel Puppets and Friends Puppets & Pastries Dessert Theatre for Adults at 319 N.Calhoun St. West Liberty, Iowa. Contact us at 319-627-2487or [email protected] www.puppetspuppets.com

February 26Spring Break Horse Show6 pm at the Agricultural Learning Center (3200 Lucas St.Muscatine). Features five showmanship classes and tenpleasure classes. High Point Awards will also be awarded!Contact Joel Edge at (319) 540-1731 or (563) 262-2645 ext 211or [email protected] www.aglearningcenter.org

MCC Madrigal Feast March 3-5, 2011

MCC Visiting Artist: Maia String QuartetMarch 9, 2011

Downtown ”It’s a Spring Thing” Girls GetawayWeekend March 24-26, 2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake March 26-27, 2011

The Magic Flute Opera in Muscatine April 7, 2011

New Beginnings Fundraising Event – FamilyResources April 9, 2011

That was Then, This is Now Boat ShowMay 13-14, 2011

Muscatine Children’s & Youth Choirs SpringConcert May 21, 2011

Great River Days July 27-31, 2011

SAVE THEDATE

December 5January 28-30February 26


Musca-FUN!

Name that Face! In the last issue we asked ifyou could identify where these unique faces can be found inMuscatine. Following are the answers: A. Mississippi Harvestclammer statue at the riverfront B. Veteran’s mural on the cor-ner of 5th Street and Mulberry Avenue C. Gargoyle at the en-

trance of Econo Lodge D. Statue of Liberty replica in front ofCity Hall E. Lion statue at entrance of Peking Restaurant F. Mascoutin Indian statue at riverfront G. Mural on side of Button Factory Woodfire Grill facing alley H. Angel statue atentrance of Greenwood Cemetary. Congratulations to MaryCampbell for correctly identifying these faces.

A B C D E F G H

www.muscatees.com

Muscatine CrosswordAcross3 Grist mill waterway4 Cemetary on Lucas Street9 Local office furniture manufacturer10 River running east and west here11 Local island in the Mississippi13 Run the ___________ stampede15 Mark Twain claimed Muscatine has

beautiful ____________

Down1 Eulenspiegel puppet theater is in this

town2 Norbert F. Beckey structure5 Annual holiday event downtown6 Muscatine’s annual ragtime festival7 Pearl buttons actually made from these8 Muscatine’s neighbor city south of town12 One of Muscatine’s former names14 City park on Orange Street Across:3.Pine Creek 4.Greenwood 9.Allsteel 10.Mississippi

13. Watermelon 14.Sunsets Down: 1.West Liberty 2.Bridge 5.Stroll 6.Eagles and Ivories7.Clam shells 8.Fruitland 12.Bloomington 14.Eversmeyer

Answers:


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Then Now

Historic photo, taken from the Oscar Grossheim Collection, is reproduced with permission of Musser Public Library

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MM Winter 2010