1. “A rebel doesn't care about facts. All he wants to do is yell.”

2. “Where there is hunger law is not regarded; and where law is not regarded, there will be hunger.”

3. “But whatever you do you would be well advised to practice stern discipline and vigourous, unremitting effort.”

4. “Never forget to be truthful and kind. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart.”

5.”The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact he looks for them.”

6. “If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches, for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold.”

7. “Think of three things – whence you came, where you are going and to whom you must account.”

8.”High qualities and great achievements are not merely matters of chance or birth. They are the product of long and disciplined toil.”

9. “The worst wheel on the cart makes the most noise.”

10. “Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.”

11. “Greatness depends on the times as well as the man.”

12. “Most important of all, and most difficult to consciously pursue is an understanding of the people you will lead.”

13. “Work brings profit; talk brings poverty.”

No.'s 1, 4-6 & 10 are quotes from the king; 3, 8, 11&12 are the words of the president and 2, 7, 9 & 13 express the philosophy of the statesman. The King was Solomon, the President was Kennedy and the Statesman was Franklin. Couldn't those three have carried on uplifting conversations together? They shared what many never grasp; love of country and faith in God.

Five other Knights were runners-up on the day: Ryder Albertsen (113), Trevor McLaughlin (132), Austin Dengler (138), Jacob Holschlag (145) and Josh Clark (285).

Dresses are needed and buyers welcome for the 2013 Don Bosco 4th Annual Dress Sale benefitting post prom activities for this year’s Don Bosco Junior/Senior Prom.

Gently used dresses will be accepted for sale at St. Mary Center in Gilbertville on January 25, from 4-6:30 PM and January 26, from 8-10 AM. The sale will be held on Saturday, January

26 from 10 AM to 4 PM.

$5 from each dress displayed and an additional $15 for each sale sold will go to the post prom activity fund, the rest to the seller.

Questions can be directed to Wendi Welter at 319-231-9844.

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave pancakes and toaster strudels for Santa. I would like a kitchen, a tree house, and the princess & the pop star. I don’t know what Santa will get for everyone else in my family.

Amber Stroh

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave carrots for the reindeer and cookies & milk for Santa. I would like a bear, stuffed animal rabbit, and a stuffed animal bee for Christmas. I think Natalie would like some glitter.

Nora Sides

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I don’t know if I will leave anything for the reindeer. I would like a baby, a Barbie, and light up markers. My brother would like an airplane.

Amelia Schmitz

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave cupcakes for Santa. I would like a helicopter so I can fly in it. That’s all I want. My brother doesn’t want anything. Just a helicopter for me please. Riley Nielsen

Dear Santa,

I have been good except for when my brother was fighting me, but I am always good at school. I will leave snowmen and gingerbread for Santa. I would like a train and a toy elephant. I like elephants and planes! I think Ryan would like another train. Dominic Huisman

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave Christmas cookies on a Christmas plate and milk in a Christmas cup, but we will have to make the cookies. I would like Spiderman, maybe a Scooby castle, and maybe a green golden. My mom would like some nail polish and a pet.

Dayshon Denton

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I am going to leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. I would like Minnie Mouse play kitchen, a stuffed puppy that comes with a book, and a Cinderella vanity that comes with a Cinderella dress. We made a little list to bring Santa so he knows what everybody wants. Kalen Nosko

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. (What do you think?) I will leave cookies and milk for Santa. I would like a house, like a playhouse, and a gimpster. I would also like a new bunny rabbit. I think Santa should bring my sister a little gimpster too. Trinity Renaud

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave the reindeer carrots and Santa cookies and milk. I want a gator, an electric motorcycle, and an army set of clothes. My little sister would like Barbies and a movie. Andrew Sadler

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave cookies and milk for Santa. I would like a doll, barbie, and a stuffed animal reindeer. My mom would like Santa to bring her some pants. Cameron Hickok

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave fruit roll-ups for Santa. I would like a work tool, Legos, and a game. I don’t know what anyone else wants. Timothy Blanchard

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave cookies for Santa. I would like superheros, a jack-in-the-box, and skylanders. My brother Cody would like some cars.

Matthew Hickok

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I am going to leave candy corn for Santa. I would like a butterfly, ladybug, and glasses. Jaxsen will tell Santa what he wants himself.

Kendra Daniels

Dear Santa,

Yeah, I’ve been good this year. I will give a snack to Santa. I would like an electric scooter, a motorcycle bike where you push the remote and it goes back and forth in the water, I saw it on TV. My mom would like Santa to bring her a princess dress. Antuan Deering

Dear Santa,

I don’t know if I’ve been good. I don’t know if my mom wants to, but I know that Santa likes milk and cookies. I know he likes that. I would like a car, a tractor, and a drum because I like drums. I would like Santa to bring my sister a Barbie house. Alex Tank

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave Santa cookies and milk. I would like a dinosaur, pirate ship, and a bow and arrow. My sister would like a doll. Cade Erdahl

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave some cookies for you and some carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a remote control airplane. My sister, Mia, would love a big doll house. Kengo Uchiyama-Hansen

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year, better than last year because I have been good every day this year. I will leave you and the reindeer some toys like bells, jacks, and the game Sorry. Please bring me a laptop and a phone. I would like the laptop first, then the phone. My brother, Brian, would love his own X-box game. Ethan Timm

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave some crayons and a coloring book for you and some cookies for the reindeer. Please bring me a Care Bear. Please bring my baby sister, Aubrey, some baby toys. Jayden Rose

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this year. I will leave cookies for you and milk for the reindeer. I would love a dream light for Christmas. My sister, Kiersten, would love a chapter book.

Kennedy Peterson

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave milk with cookies for you and carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a butterscotch for real pony. Lucy, my sister, would love a bouncy puppy. Ruby Parson

Dear Santa,

I have been okay this year with my mom. I will leave the reindeer some carrots and cookies and milk for you. I would love a cop car that you can drive around in and that like glow in the dark shark thing that pretends to open and close its mouth. My brother, Liam, would like only two year old stuff. I think my mom would like some jewelry, apartment clothes, and toys. Raymond Northland

Dear Santa,

I have been okay this year. I will leave you cookies and milk. I will leave some carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a CD player with head phones. My sister, Katie, would love some Barbie music on a CD. My dad would like some movies. My mom would like some new socks because she only has three pair. Nikki Jackson

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave brownies for you, and carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me the Avengers movie. My sister, Taylor, would like some Barbies. My brother, Kole, would like a charger for his I-pod.

Jace Hedeman

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this year. I will leave you cookies and milk. I will leave reindeer food for the reindeer. Please bring me a gymnastics mat and a dream light. My brother, Ty, would like blay blades. Mom would love a necklace. Dad would like a new football. Lily Lorenzen

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this year. I will leave you some cookies. I will leave the reindeer some carrots. Please bring me football cards and a remote control airplane. My sister, Hanna, would like new earrings. My other sister, Aubrey, hasn’t decided yet. Tyler Gates

Dear Santa,

I have been good the whole year, but Westin has been bad. I will leave you chocolate chip cookies, and I will leave carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a 3DS, I know they are really expensive, but then I will need some games for my 3DS. I hope I get it because I know you get them for free. I guess my brother, Westin, would like a tractor because he loves tractors. My dad made a list but I don’t know what he put on it. He might want a new truck. Mom would like some lady movies. Trevor Clark

Dear Santa,

I have been very good this year. I will leave cookies for you. I will leave carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a mini stuffed animal and a Hello Kitty stuffed animal. My brother, Jack, would want a Mickey Mouse book.

Kate Carlson

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave you some cookies and juice. I will leave the reindeer a carrot. Please bring the Avenger movie, Amazing Spiderman movie, and Legos-Spiderman ones. My sister, Hannah, really wants a costume, maybe a candy corn one. My mom and dad don’t want anything. Jon Borton

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave you some cookies. I will leave some toys for the reindeer babies. Please bring me football cards, soccer cards, and a 3DS. My niece, Mya, would like dolls. Mom would like cooking materials. Delaney and Rachel would like clothes.

Brayden Bohnsack

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. I will leave cookies and milk for you and carrots for the reindeer. Please bring me a new Wii game-Mario Brothers. I would like a new Anakin light saber because mine broke. My brother, Joe, would like a new Star Wars Lego set. My sister, Isabella, would like a new blanket. Maddie, my little sister, would like a new princess Barbie doll. Mom would like a new leg shaver. Dad would love a new pillow for his bed. Harrison Bistline

Dear Santa,

I have been okay this year. I will leave you some milk and cookies. Please bring me some Barbies, a Dora house, and Dora. My brother, Brock, would like some tractors. My sister, Brystal, would like an iPod touch.

Josie Bergmeier

Dear Santa,

I have been really good this year. We will leave you cookies to snack on. Please bring me a Baby Want to Walk with Me and a princess tea set. Please bring something for my bothers to share for their iPod. If you have a water slide with a tunnel we could use it in the summer. Allison Timmer

Dear Santa,

I have been a little bit good. Please bring me a toy light saber, Star War Legos and a set of Socker Boppers. Kassidy would like a set of keys for her room.

Tony Harrenstein

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year but Skyler has not. We will leave you some cookies to have for a snack. Mom wants new baby toys and my brother wants a move-it toy. Please bring me baby toys for my doll, a pink crib for my; baby doll and a swing for my doll.

Mackenzie Mehlert

Dear Santa,

I have been good all year! We will leave reindeer cookies and Santa cookies for you to eat.Please leave me Nerf toys, toy bullets for a target and Spy stuff. Emma would like a doll and Ava wold like an easy bake oven.

Joe Corpman

Dear Santa,

I have been really good this year. We will make you cookies to eat. Please bring me a stuffed animal, a toy oven and some blocks to build with. CJ wants a DS and Natalie would like some new baby toys.

Kate Craft

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year and we will buy some milk and cookies for you to have for a snack. Please bring me a leap pad, some leap pad games and a DS. My baby brother would like more new clothes like his ornament jammies.

Bristol Frost

Dear Santa,

I have been really good this year and we will leave reindeer food for your reindeer and cookies for you to eat. Please bring me exercise equipment so me and mom can get strong, a TV for my room and a web shooter like Spiderman uses. My brother wants an Xbox.

Evan Hanus

Dear Santa,

I have been good a whole bunch. We will leave you cookies to eat. I would like a Nerf gun, a toy race car and a flashlight. Please bring Bailey some Babies. She has been good too! Oh, I forgot I also want an iPad.

Brody Foulk

Dear Santa,

I have been really really good this year. We will leave cookies and snacks for you and the reindeer. Please bring me a DS, a Christmas Barbie with lots of clothes and a baby kitten. My brother would like a digger to use outside. Aubrey Jordan

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year. Please bring me a new Wii, a DS and a Nerf gun without bullet because we already have some leftover ones. Brandon would like a baseball glove. Eric Neipert

Dear Santa,

I have been a little bit good this year. Please bring me a Monster High doll, a doll that swims like a mermaid and a doll with a swimsuit. Eli likes monster trucks and Andrew would like a turtle. Naomi Nottger

Dear Santa,

I have been really good this year. We will leave you milk and cookies to eat. Please bring me lots of Spiderman toys, lots of Transformer toys and lots of wizard toys. My brother would like the same toys that I want so we don’t have to share. Kayden Pennell

Dear Santa,

I have been good this year and will leave cookies and snack for you and all the reindeer. Please bring me a MP3 player, a Nerf gun and a DS. My brother would like an iPod and a DS. Tayton Thoren

Dear Santa,

I have been very good and will have milk and cookies for you. There will be carrots for the reindeer, too. Please bring me a rocking horse, a Monster High doll, and a play puppy. My sister wants a Monster High School. Abigail Schick

Dear Santa,

I have been a little good this year and I am not sure if I will leave you a snack. Please bring me a toy fire truck, a big Toy Story set and a remote control monster truck jeep called Snake Bites. My baby brother would like some doggie pajamas. Alex Bunston

I wish to thank you all for my surprise birthday party, helping me celebrate my 80th birthday. Also, thank you for the beautiful cards, letters, gifts and flowers. A very special thank you to my husband Ralph, children Penny and Mike and their families for the very special party. What a great day! You will be long remembered for your thoughtfulness.

God bless you all, Gloria Dunkelberger

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Thank you to my family, nieces, nephews and grandsons for the lovely party at the Lone Star. Also thank you for the many lovely cards I received for my birthday.

Betty Johannsen

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PREGNANT? Considering Adoption? Call us First! Living expenses, housing, medical and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. Adopt Connect. 1-866-743-9212 (INCN)

AUCTION

RITCHIE BROS. UNRESERVED AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT AUCTIONS Kansas City (Dec 7), Chicago (Dec 12), Minneapolis (Dec 14), St Louis (Dec 20). Featuring a large selection of late model farm equipment. Inspect in person or online. Call 855-331-5732 or visit rbauction.com. (INCN)

ANTIQUES, DEKALB SIGNS & TOOLS AUCTION IN STORM LAKE, IA. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2012 AT 11:00 AM. CONE AUCTIONS 712-299-4258. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.iowaauctionguide.com/cone (INCN)

FOR RENT

Now renting 1 bedroom apartments. Seniors 62+ disabled & handicapped. All 1 level apartments with 2 entry ways. Prairie Village of La Porte City. Ph: 319-342-3705. www.newburymanagement.com This institution is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.

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2 Bdr. Ranch, single garage w/opener (704 Fillmore, LPC). A/C, stove & refrig, finished basement, up & down bathrooms, new carpet. Next to elementary school. (319) 342-2988.

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2 bdr. apt in LPC at Heritage Park. Ready now. Call (319) 342-3378 or (319) 240-3980.

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2 bdr. Apt for rent in LPC. 710 Bishop. Has kitchen appliances, no pets. $350/mo. (319) 504-3737.

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FOR SALE

SEE YOUR AD HERE

for as LITTLE as $8/wk

2005 GXP Pontiac Bonneville, Cadillac Northstar Engine, V8, 4 new tires, full of extras, 46,000 miles, original owner, from Arizona $17,500, 602-909-5357 (INCN)

HELP WANTED

Union Community School District Head Cook – High School. Responsibilities: Preparation of all breakfast and lunch meals. Requirements: Knowledge of HACCP and ServSafe Certification, mathematical competence. Full-time with benefits. Accepting applications until filled. Send cover letter, resume, and Union CSD employment application to: Union CSD, Attn: Supt Neil Mullen, 200 Adams, La Porte City, IA 50651 www.union.k12.ia.us EOE/AA

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Driver – $0.03 enhanced quarterly bonus. Get paid for any portion you qualify for: safety, production, MPG. CDL-A, 3 months current OTR exp. 800-414-9569 www.driveknight.com (INCN)

TanTara Transportation is now hiring OTR Company Flatbed Drivers and Owner Operators. Competitive Pay and Home Time. Call Dave @ 800-650-0292 or apply online at www.tantara.us (INCN)

Drivers- $6,000 Sign-On, straight-up payout $500/month! $1100 per week. Dedicated Lanes. Premium-Free Family Health Insurance; 5cpm value. Additional Bonuses; 4cpm value. 888.598.0783, sharkeydrivingjobs.com (INCN)

Hampton-Dumont Schools has an immediate opening for a K-3 Title I Teacher 4-8 Title I Teacher. This can be 2 part-time or one full-time for the remainder of the 2012-13 year only. Send letter of application, resume, and credentials to: Hampton-Dumont Community School District 601 12th Ave. NE Hampton, IA 50441-1169 Deadline: December 10, 2012. We are an EEO/AA Employer. (INCN)

Class-A CDL for food grade liquid/dry bulk. Cedar Rapids Regional Runs. Paid Health, Dental, Life plus 401k. Minimum 2-yrs OTR, Clean MVR. Jensen Transport 1-800-553-2770 (INCN)

“You got the drive, We have the Direction” OTR Drivers APU Equipped Pre-Pass EZ-pass passenger policy. Newer equipment. 100% NO touch. 1-800-528-7825 (INCN)

Drivers: NO EXPERIENCE? Class A CDL Driver Training. We train and Employ! Central Refrigerated (877) 369-7895 www.centraltruckdrivingjobs.com (INCN)

INSTRUCTION, SCHOOLS

AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified- Job placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 1-866-783-0458. (INCN)

ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV authorized. Call 888-220-3960 www.CenturaOnline.com (INCN)

MISCELLANEOUS

This classified spot for sale. Advertise your product or recruit an applicant in over 250 Iowa newspapers! Only $300/week. Call this paper or 800-227-7636 www.cnaads.com (INCN)

WANTED

SEE YOUR AD HERE

for as LITTLE as $8/wk

WANTED American Muscle Cars! American Dream Machines, specializing in buying rare and classic muscle cars in Iowa wants to pay you the maximum for your car! Quality cars only, 1975 and older. Call 515-245-9100 or email photos dougk@admcars.com (INCN)

The Iowa Newspaper Association (INA) has released the 2012 All-State football teams as picked by sports writers serving on the selection committee. In Class 2A, Union’s Jay Scheel, a junior, was chosen to the First Team (offense, utility) as was teammate senior Josh Clark (defense, lineman).

Additionally, Class 2A Third team selections were seniors Trev Hadachek (offense, tight end/wide receiver) and Will Crees (defense, linebacker).

Coe College recently joined forces with Truman Elementary School in Cedar Rapids to take part in a national service-learning initiative called “Communicating Common Ground.” As part of this fall program, 15 Coe students, including Paige Sears of Dysart, worked with fifth grade students in classrooms taught by Angie Litts and Payt Bergert. Sears, a 2011 graduate of Union High School, is the daughter of Scott and Dawn Karr.

There are three ways for individuals or groups to help make Christmas possible for a local family:

Stop by the office at 218 Main Street, pick up a list of suggested gifts and then return an unwrapped gift

Simply drop off a new, unwrapped gift in the price range of $10–$30 that is appropriate for a child between the ages of 3-18. (No stuffed animals or health, beauty or clothing items, please.)

Donate a gift certificate in the amount of $20 to Toys R Us, Best Buy, or Old Navy

All gifts must be to the office (218 Main Street) by Thursday, December 6 at 5 PM.

If questions, please call the office at 319-342-2312 or email brook@lpccpa.net

Moving on! There is so much to enjoy during the extended holiday season. If you aren't into creating the “Merry” season, just sit back and enjoy all the fabulous merchandise being offered by retailers. You don't have to be a buyer to enjoy all the merchandise and beautiful displays being offered by retailers. Just walk the aisles of your favorite store and take a close look at all the things being offered for sale. You don't have to decorate anything to enjoy the creative efforts of those who love to give visual expression to the holidays. If you are an internet buff Pintrest has enough colorful and creative ideas to keep you occupied for hours!

Playwrite Oscar Wilde once wrote: “What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” December is a great month for reassessing our values. The stars will still light our way home, but it will take an upward glance to see which direction they are leading us.

Preschool Story Time, Hawkins Library, 10:30 AM

Union Schools, Noon Dismissal; Parent Teacher Conferences 3-8 PM, DG & LPC Elem. School

State 3A VB, CR Ice Arena, 1:30 PM

Early Out Movie & Crafts, Hawkins Library, 1:15-5 PM

Friday, November 9, 2012

Exercise, LPC Comm. Center, 9 AM; Council on Aging Board Meeting, 10 AM; Veterans – free lunch at Noon

Union Schools, Noon Dismissal; Parent Teacher Conferences 2-6 PM, DG & LPC Elementary School

State 3A VB Semifinals, CR Ice Arena, 3:30 PM

FREE Health & Disease Prevention Class, LPC Comm. Center, 6:30-8:30 PM

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Veteran’s Day Celebration, LPC Museum, 9 AM-Noon

Live Auction to Benefit Food Bank, LPC Golf Club, 10 AM

State 3A VB Finals, CR Ice Arena, 2 PM

Monday, November 12, 2012

Veterans Day Observed – No garbage pick up

Exercise, LPC Comm. Center, 8:30 AM; Card Bingo 12:45 PM

LPC City Council Meeting, City Hall, 7 PM

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Monday LPC Garbage route picked up today

TOPS® Chapter #1429, St. Paul UMC, Weigh in 7:30 AM; Meeting 8 AM

Blood Pressure Checks, LPC Comm. Center, 11:30 AM

TOPS® Chapter #1432 St. Paul UMC, Weigh in 5 PM; Meeting 5:30-6 PM

UMS Fall Vocal Concert, UMS Auditorium, 7 PM

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Exercise, LPC Comm. Center, 9 AM; Live Music, 11 AM; Birthday Lunch & Celebration, Noon

Save the Date

Crock Pot Cookoff – November 30

Lions Waffle Breakfast – December 1

From its inception in1868 the congregation was served by 31 pastors. The stories of these men alone could fill several commercial volumes. Because of Wanda's research I know that after serving the congregation here in 1942-43 a student pastor named Fredrick R. Passler left to become a flying missionary in Yucatan. He died while flying his mission plane named “Gospel Wings” twenty years later on Nov. 13, 1962. Wanda wrote “He was a dedicated Christian, husband and father.” He was also part of this community's history and heritage.

Going back farther I find that from 1889 until 1904 the church was served by Pastor S.E. Koons. In 1903 the pastor's son, Wade Koons, was sent as a missionary to Korea. When the Japanese occupied Korea he was accused of espionage and imprisoned. That sent me to check Korean history and to the fact that it has been the focus of war since time began!

“When the church was redecorated in 1936 the back wall of the sanctuary featured a painting of a gold cross interspersed with white lilies painted by H.D. Kline,” wrote Wanda. Kline was a respected LPC business man and a very talented artist. If you own a piece of his art work you have a treasure. This bit of information calls us to remember we are more than we think we are. We have a rich history and heritage, and though the building has served its purpose and must go, as a community we are obliged to honor the large part that Presbyterian congregation has played and the old members continue to play as they carry their heritage to new places. The building will come down but thanks to Wanda who wrote, and her husband Kirk who gave me a copy of her booklet, I have more stories to tell.

The dragonflies can still be seen effortlessly patrolling the sky. Today is a little warmer; yesterday the dragonflies were stuck in the hanger. They will altogether disappear sometime this month.The grasshoppers are still about, but moving slowly. Box elder bugs are busy assembling on the sunny side of my shop. The heath aster still offers up a few butterflies (sulphur and cabbage, pearl crescent and one lone monarch). The butterflies float over the asters like little sail boats on a sea of air. The water strider and whirligig are still busy skiing on the water, while a green frog plops into the pool. Wood ducks and teal are milling in the new marsh across the road. I just spotted a brown snake basking on the road. I moved my little friend to a sunny knoll; the park road is a perilous place to lay.

Rambling along the park road, I can’t help but notice how busy the squirrels are! They are everywhere, scampering along the ground, digging holes, and stashing nuts. I wonder how many of those nuts they will relocate. I stop, take a long breath and listen.Yes; it is a pileated woodpecker raising a racket in the forest. I meander onto a park trail and it is a blanket of drifting leaves. I have startled a roosting red-tail who has abandoned his roost with a disproving scream. Despite the bright sunny day, I can hear a barred owl’s slow hooting rising from the river valley. Nosing through the leaves, oblivious to me, is a chipmunk nervously searching for food. I also have flushed a gang of crows, no doubt up to no good. I happen upon a whirl of mourning doves, lucky for them they are in a safe zone. There is a considerable ruckus ahead, turns out to be a marauding band of blue jays. I observe ahead on the path, a doe, with two yearlings moving stealthily away from me.

I drift off the trail into the campground where I am welcomed by a troop of robins bivouacked across the mowed grass. Back on the campground road I steer for my house. I spot a hatchling snapping turtle on the road. Unfortunately, it got flattened in the crossing. Too bad, it could not have been more than a week old, about the size of a quarter.

I arrive back at the house to spot a woodchuck standing at attention in my open garage door. Apparently, this overstuffed rodent is planning to winter under my small shop in the garage. I suppose it is welcome. The garage has been open to all trespassers since the flood of ‘08. Well, that is not entirely true. I have evicted opossums and stray cats. My wife, for some unknown reason, has also requested the removal of a snake or two. I have not sold Sandy on the merits of snakes as mice exterminators. Well it has been a most “extraordinary” ordinary walk.

Get out and take an ordinary fall walk. It just might become an extraordinary adventure.

By Bob Wood

On August 31. I left for Colorado to bow hunt with FullDrawOutfitters owned by Fred and Michele Eichler. I had my bear tag from the May drawing and would pick up a elk tag over the counter when I got there. Arrived at the their place at noon on Saturday, settled in the bunk house and did some shooting on the practice targets. Met my guide, Lane, and talked over plans for the morning. Sunday morning we drove to my location and we then walked some 500 yards to my treestand over a water hole. The weather had been very hot and dry, the animals where coming to water often. Lane had only been gone about 10 minutes when the first bear appeared, about 45 yards, maybe small, and only 10 minutes into the hunt so I passed. At 2pm a huge bear walked to within about 12 yards but offered no shot opportunity, too much stuff in the way. But, what a thrill, a animal like that close enought that you could hear him breathing. The next day, Labor Day, at about 5pm a large bull elk came to drink at 25 yards, perfect shot, and quick follow up shot before he disappeared into forest was it. I sent Lane a text message and he came prepared to get my elk out. We recovered him, skinned, quartered, and boned out the meat so as to cut the weight to a mininum for packing out to the road. So I had a very 6×6 bull elk that weighed somewhere between 600 and 700 lbs, but never did get my bear. Oh, about that bear, only five minutes after shooting my elk a chocolate colored bear came down the same trail as the elk. I was still so excited , and shaking from the elk that I missed low on the bear.

But, I did manage to scratch an elk off my bucket list, the bear will come another year.

Chelsy Kemmet and Wesley Meier were married June 22, 2012, in Waukee, Iowa.

Parents of the couple are Marlen and Shamrae Kemmet of Waukee and Nick and Nancy Meier of La Porte City.

The Rev. Vince Rosonke performed the 5 PM ceremony at St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Matron of Honor was Sasha Oster, sister of the bride. Maid of Honor was Kristin Economos, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Jenna Soole of Cedar Falls, sister of the groom, Margie Meier of Woodbury, MN, sister-in-law, Laurie Ambroson of Kansas City, friend of the bride and Lea Theodotou of Iowa City, friend of the bride. Ceci Meier, niece, was flower girl.

Best Men were Ryan Meier of Woodbury, MN, and Nate Meier of Ankeny, brothers of the groom, and Lee Beck of Sonoma Valley, CA, friend of the groom. Attendants were Slade Kemmet of Davenport, brother of the groom, Jon Soole of Cedar Falls, brother-in-law, and Greg McGrath of San Francisco, CA, friend of the groom. Peyton Meier, cousin, was ring bearer.

The bride is an Iowa State University graduate and currently in her fourth year of medical school at the University of Iowa. The groom graduated from Iowa State University with a Mechanical Engineering degree, served in the Peace Corps, and is currently employed at Modus Engineering.

The couple live in North Liberty.

Homecoming for Union High School arrived earlier on the calendar than in previous years and the Knights, newcomers to Class 2A in 2012, welcomed the Osage Green Devils in what was billed as a game featuring two explosive, high-powered offenses. Unfortunately for the visitors, the Union defense came to play in what was a hard-hitting, physical contest.

Unlike previous games this season, the Union offense started slowly and were forced to punt on their opening possession. Once they got going, though, the points came quickly.

Following a fourth down stop near mid-field by the Union defense, quarterback Jay Scheel moved the Knights quickly down the field. His 41 yard dash to the end zone on the fifth play of the drive put Union up, 6-0, midway through the first quarter.

A Nic Peters interception put the ball back into the hands of the Union offense, which wasted little time finding the end zone. This time, Trev Hadachek did the honors with a three yard run and a successful two point conversion.

Following another Osage punt, Scheel ran 83 yards to score Union’s third touchdown of the quarter.

While the offense had its usual share of highlights, the big story of the game was the dominance of Union’s D, limiting Osage to less than a yard per carry on the ground and picking off two Osage passes as part of a four takeaway effort.

On Friday, the Knights travel to Cascade for a non-district contest against a team whose only loss came in the season’s opening week against Maquoketa.