Ocheyedan Press - News

Mennonites visit Osceola county area

Making a journey reminiscent of yesteryear, more than 100 descendents of Mennonites who lived in the May City area from 1887-1915 converged on the eastern Osceola county area last week. This group did not travel via horse and wagon but by 21st Century fashion: tour bus and vanloads.
      According to the "May City Memoirs Centennial Newspaper," Mennonites came to this area in the mid-1880s after becoming dissatisfied with the church and sought a new life away from the eastern U. S. and Canadian settlements. Jesse Bauman, Josiah Martin, Abram Wideman, Elias Bauman, Elias Gingrich, Jacob S. Brubacker were a few of the several names listed in the memoirs.
      Two ladies remark about the hand crank corn sheller remaining in the Mennonite barn located at Business Corners. Several antique farming items are still stored in the barn-the only building left from the early settlement. At right is Ruthann Weaver, who wrote the book "The Learning" which details her grandmother Barbara Gehman Weaver's early life at the local settlement.
      Several Mennonites enjoyed the many historical displays located in the large storage building at Tracy House Museum in Ocheyedan. In the photo, descendents wait outside for a tour of the Tracy House Museum in Ocheyedan.

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Council approves Hertz building gift, permits Monday night

Ocheyedan council members approved the gift from Hertz Insurance as well as several permits during Monday night's meeting.
      Kevin and Marcie Hertz offered the insurance agency's building located on Ocheyedan's main street to the city. The agency has combined with Sibley Insurance and is now located in Sibley. Council members tabled the matter at last month's meeting and were told to investigate the facility by Mayor Arlyn Pedley before Monday night. The majority of members had not done individual checks of the building; however, they voted to accept the Hertzes' gift.
      Turner Realty presently rents office space in the building and a computer business has verbally expressed interest to also rent space. The city will move its office to the building in the future. The city-owned computer center will remain in its same location there. As a result city office location move, the fire department will be able to expand department in that building.
      Building permits were approved for the following: Richard Stofferan, 783 Main, cement drive; JoAnn Radunz, 985 Cherry, cover existing steps and change their direction; Larry O'Connor, 16'x24' cement pad; David Pedley, 159 Jones, 25'x30' house addition.
      Three fire contracts were approved: Ocheyedan township, 100%; Allison township, 30.55% and Horton township, 100%. Wilson township had not yet submitted its contract prior to the meeting.
* Income survey
      Darren Baumgarner of the Northwest Iowa Planning and Development stated that 81.81% of Ocheyedan households responded to the recent income survey which was conducted for lagoon grant purposes. One hundred and eighty responses out of 220 surveys were received with a total of 389 persons represented.
      There were 216 persons (55.53%) below the income level and 173 persons (44.73%) above the qualifying level. As result, the city met the 51% criteria needed to apply for CDBG grant for the lagoon project
      Baumgarner reviewed the block grant timetable and necessary local funding needed to apply.
      It was noted that the city is awaiting communication from lagoon site landowners before the project can proceed.
* Other business
      Council members discussed the city burnsite and will add safety lights and radio system to the new city pickup. Mayor pro-tem Mark Kruger will handle mail duties during the mayor's absence.

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Schiphoff named Melvin postmaster

Tracy Schiphoff was sworn in as Melvin's postmaster in a special ceremony conducted by area postal manager Kent Gochenour of Spencer. Schiphoff has served as postmaster relief for the past 11 years at the local facility. She replaces the late Donna Sterler.
Tracy and her husband, Ryan, are the parents of three sons: Dalton, 11; Dylan, seven and Jaden, four. They reside on a farm north of Melvin.

District goals, fuel costs top S-O board discussion

Sibley-Ocheyedan school board members discussed fuel costs and education goals at their Monday night meeting. There was much discussion on diesel costs and how not to let those costs steal from education funds. Supt. Jeff Herzberg will be attending a conference and will obtain more input from other districts on what they are doing to lower fuel costs. The school will be talking with the county co-op to see if they can set a cost limit for this year.
A draft of district goals was the main topic for the board.
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OCH shows off $7 mil construction progress

Surgical nurse Pauline Van Engen describes features in one of two new surgical suites at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley during OCH's open house held Saturday afternoon. Van Engen shows visitors the sterile storage area which will hold instruments needed for surgery. The compartment, lights and other equipment are attached to a unit in the room's ceiling. This allows easier movement of the items for doctors performing surgeries. Glass door cupboards (in the background) are a pass through for supplies from the sterile prep area behind the shared wall.

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County board hears VA proposal, road projects Tuesday

Tom McDougall presented a VA grant proposal for his department to use if they run out of current budget monies. This grant can only be used if no budgeted funds are depleted. If the money is not used it must be returned at the end of the year as it cannot go into next year's budget.

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Building permits, civil defense highlight Melvin council session

Melvin mayor Gary Benz was pleased to note at Monday's city council meeting that junk cars in the city were being cleaned up.
There was one bid of $410 for the city lawnmower from Charlie Eggink which was approved.
Chuck Benz was awarded the contract to
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County fair has July 15-19 run

The annual Osceola county fair kicks off Tuesday, July 15 at the Sibley fairgrounds with the crowning of the fair queen and Little Miss Osceola and ends Saturday, July 19th with the demolition derby in the grandstand.
* Tuesday
Events begin at 8:30 a.m., with non-livestock judging followed by the communications and clothing event at the S-O High School commons. Events conclude with the crowning of the Osceola County Fair Queen and Little Miss Osceola at 7 p.m., in the Great Plains Building. Horses are allowed to enter the fair but it is not mandatory.

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Shawn Mayer advances on "Nashville Star"

May City native Shawn Mayer remains in the competition on NBC's "Nashville Star." She kept her win streak alive after advancing during Monday night's show. All contestants on the show will sing their original songs during the July 21st performance at 8 p.m. Viewers may vote for their favorite performer at the show's conclusion.

All-school reunion finds old friends, new school song




	(Photo by the Gazette-Tribune.)

Jodi Hedges Almburg was one of several speakers at the All-School Reunion held during the holiday weekend at Sibley-Ocheyedan High School and the local area. The native Ocheyedan woman spoke about her thoughts are feelings about coming to Sibley and graduating in 1987-two years after the separate schools consolidated. She spoke about being named the first homecoming queen from Ocheyedan following the consolidation.

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