Phyllis Groth, owner of BC Bakery & Cafe in downtown Battle Creek, sat down for a visit to discuss her shop. Groth, who has run the business since 2010, explained how she came to be the proprietor of the store.
Mark Leonard has had an interest in the Civil War period since he was a little boy when his father gave him toy soldiers from that civil war era. His father having had served in WWII, cued his boy to ask,
“Dad, Which ones are the Americans?”
“They are all Americans.”
“Who are the bad guys?”
“They are all good guys?”
“So why are Americans who are all good guys fighting each other?”
“Study the history and see if you can figure out what many men could not.”
Sophia Van Houten of Ida Grove was appointed to serve on the State Board of Education as the student member in 2023. Sophia just finished her junior year at OABCIG High School, where she participates in art club, choir, band, musicals, speech and National Honor Society. Van Houten also serves as color-guard co-captain, OABCIG Future Business Leaders of America chapter vice-president, and secretary of quiz bowl.
Kenneth L. Van Kekerix, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ida Grove Bancshares, Inc. and Chairman of the Board of United Bank of Iowa, is announcing his retirement effective May 31, 2023, after 36 years of service.
Some exciting customers came to the Farmacy in Ida Grove for ice cream. The kindergartners of Ida Grove Elementary from Mrs. Boger's and Mrs. Zobel's class, were treated to ice cream at the Farmacy May 24. The children had ordered from a pick of four flavors beforehand and The Farmacy staff had it dished up and ready to serve to them when they arrived.
Gobbies, a new tavern in Odebolt welcomes all to come down. Jeff and Tammie Godbersen are the new owners. Tammie Godbersen was asked why they would want to open up this business and she responded,
“We wanted to have a business of our own, something for ourselves, and to do something for the community. We want to do some entertainment, maybe some Paint and Sips or Funko Party Games. We had a great turn out our first night. Most of the people there helped us with remodeling this place in like a week’s time.”
Brownies Drive-In, on Highway 175 in Ida Grove, is open for its sixth summer of serving up sandwiches and ice cream treats. Owner Randy Brown started the business in 2018. Fran Garrison, manager, listed some of the tasty choices available at Brownies.
“We have burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream items,” she stated. “Everything is made in-house, like the brownies, cookies, tavern meat, and the apple pie. We use that for the twisters and delights. Randy is very adamant about that; no store-bought cookies or anything.”
Garrison talked about the popularity of the business.
McNamara-Moore Post 61 American Legion, Auxiliary, Legion Riders and the Sons of The American Legion will conduct their indoor Memorial Day service at the Skate Palace at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29. The Legion and SAL color guard and firing squad will take part in the Memorial Day service along with the OABCIG high school band. This year’s keynote speaker will be Larry Hultgren.
Seniors Awards Night presents to Class of 2023 on May 16, following a Baccalaureate presented by ministers from local churches. Class of 2023 class colors were Orange, Gold and Black, as how they were dressed in their robes and stoles. Their Class Motto is “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory” - Dr. Suess. The Class Officials are President: Jake Breyfogle, Vice President: Beth Mentzter, Secretary: Grace Naberhaus, and Treasurer: Shania Graybill.
Battle Creek-Ida Grove Elementary school had its Kindergarten graduation on May 19. This will be the Class of 2035. The 5th Grade Band sounded stupendous as they began the program playing songs like Indigo Rock and The Good Life. The song The Good Life the band played, included a duet by Keira Baughman and Sophia Buns. Next on the program was the Kindergarten Chorus singing I Like School and On My Way. Then there were Hike-Bike Awards with a challenge by Marcia Cates from United Bank of Iowa to come to the Hike-Bike event every year.
