The 29th annual Whitey Thompson Hike-Bike-A-Thon was a BIG success!
Total donations (so far) are $81,738 and donations are still coming in. This sets a new record, surpassing the 2022 record of $81,646.
Number of participants: 552.
As sponsors, United Bank of Iowa and OABCIG Dollars for Scholars would like to thank all the students, teachers, and community volunteers for their help with the event and all the friends, family and community for their generous donations and continued supported of this event.
Commencement at Ridge View HIgh School is set for Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. in the North Gym in Holstein. Class officers for 2023 include President Jake Breyfogle, Vice President Beth Mentzer, Secretary Grace Naberhaus, and Treasurer Shania Graybill.
The Ida County Community Betterment Foundation (ICCBF), an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation, recently awarded grants totaling over $128,000 to nonprofit organizations in support of projects and programs throughout Ida County. This brings the total grants awarded to over $1.6 million since the first grants were made in 2006.
The Parade of Bands was the event to see on May 8 at the OABCIG auditorium. Band Director Neil Anders directed the sixth grade band through four songs, more music than any other band tonight, but shorter pieces. They were tunes such as Royal Crown March, Boot Scootin’ Barn Dance, Gentle River, and Dr. Rock.
The seventh and eighth grade band entered the stage and was also directed by Anders. The band amazed us with wonderful tunes such as Colliding Visions, Impressions, and The Spirit of an Eagle. Very impressive was their level of performance.
Travis Chizek, OABCIG high school math teacher, as well as track and football coach, believes there are life lessons to be learned in the classroom and on the athletic field. Chizek explained what his duties as an instructor and coach are.
“I teach geometry and pre-algebra, and currently, I’m head boys and girls track coach, and assistant football coach.” Chizek, a native of Manson, Iowa, started teaching in the fall of 2011, and is in his twelfth year of teaching. OABCIG is the first and only district he’s been in.
Odebolt Lumber is owned by Wall Lake Lumber, which also owns Lake View Lumber and Carroll Lumber. There is a bit of fine history of the lumberyard. Odebolt Lumber began in 1882 when S.H. Bowman purchased the land from Blair Town Lot Company and built S.H. Bowman Lumber Company around 1886. In 1927, Bowman sold to C.M. Youmans Lumber Company of Winona, Minnesota. In 1946, Youmans sold to Farmers Grain Terminal Association of which Great Plains Supply Company was a part.
OABCIG graduation ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 14. The Class Colors are Black, Purple and Silver. The Class flower is the Purple Lotus. The Class Motto is “It is what it is.” The Processional will begin. The Welcome will be delivered by Mr. Alexander. The Class Song: “The Times They Are A-Changing” by Bob Dylan will play. Scholastic Recognition will then proceed by Mr. Miller. The Academic Letters will be awarded by Mr. Miller. The Silver Honor Cords and the Gold Honor Cords will be placed by Mr. Miller along with the Academic Medallion and Gold Honor Cord.
Austin and Karissa Drey, owners of Drey Digital & More in downtown Ida Grove, have a wide variety of products and services to offer. The couple opened the store, which was formerly Village Shoe Shoppe on May 1 of 2020. Karissa mentioned some of the items they sell.
Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove recently held a ground-breaking ceremony for the Emergency Room and Lab Expansion and Renovation Project. The southeast corner of the hospital is where the expansion and renovation will take place. Glen Winekauf, CEO of Horn Memorial, explained what the project entails.
Darla Ludvigson is laying down her pencils for the last time at Ida Grove Elementary. She has been working there for over 28 years. She student-taught when she first started and has been teaching ever since. She currently is an Instructional Strategist, which means she looks at what strategies work well with students and helps the teachers by sharing these strategies. She has been in this position for seven years. She began her career in the Battle Creek school. She moved to Ida Grove to teach 1st grade and did that several years. She also taught 3rd grade for several years and P.E.
