Ridge View Middle School Concert in Early drew an amazing crowd on the very cold eve of Dec. 19. Families were eager to see the 6th and 7th graders sing and play their instruments. Mr. Dennis Freking, Music Director had led the group in a vast array of music. Engaging it was, as the choir caroled songs such as Let the Snow Come Down, Over the River, and Come Travel With Me. The Sopranos seemed to lead the choir as their tones delighted the air. As striking, were the bands as they bolted out tunes such as Embark, Santa the Barbarian, and the Runaway Sleigh.
Ida Grove Kiwanis was so happy to gather toys for Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. (A Community Action Agency) to give to families in Ida County on Dec. 19. Actually, they have been gathering toys since November when they had their pancake breakfast. The money raised at their breakfast is divided up so that half goes for the toys and half goes to the food pantry. The tables were loaded with toys ready to be handed out to the families at the Methodist Church in Ida Grove. The food pantry receives their portion in January when it is most needed.
The Holstein Betterment Alliance would like to express sincere thanks to those who attended our first “Celebrate Holstein” Community Dinner on Dec. 1. We hope that the presentations stirred excitement and thoughts of how Holstein can focus on improvements in our downtown area and our community as a whole. The Holstein Betterment Alliance has received several donations and we hope that as you think of donations at the end of 2022, consider this worthy cause.
The Ida County Farm Bureau spearheaded the Red and Black Bag Food Drive to help fill the shelves at the Community Basket Site Pantry. They partnered with Food Pride of Ida Grove and Holstein Super Market. The communities responded overwhelmingly and will surely bring much joy to families in need of food. Over 1,500 baskets of food have been filled in 2022 through our mobile outreach and those coming to our Site Pantry.
Santa comes to Book Buddies at the Odebolt Library on Dec. 21. Book Buddies is the storytime program at the Odebolt Library inviting two- to four-year-olds to listen to a story and do a small craft activity. No attention to a story when Santa came in as the kids surrounded him to tell them their wishes. A small coloring activity was done and later a craft led by librarian, Julie Childers and assistant librarian, Kenzee Reik.
Survival Santa was the musical/play put on by the OABCIG first, second, and third graders on Dec. 15. The play was written by Denise Gagne and directed by Renee Fritz, music teacher at OABCIG. The kids had joyous smiles and laughs while putting on the show making it a fun show to watch. The audience was delighted with scenes such as Reindeer Rock, Reindeer Love to Boogie, Santa Claus is Cool, and Frosty Hand Jive.
Denise Van Dusen and Roger Bumann launched a food drive by the Farm Bureau Board at Food Pride Dec. 18. Van Dusen is an Agent from Farm Bureau and Bumann is on the Farm Bureau Board. The two encouraged shoppers to grab a red or black bag with a list of grocery items to pick from to buy for the Community Basket. The shoppers can turn in the items they bought which were piling up fast on Sunday morning. The shoppers can then sign up for a drawing for a $100 gift card. Also, Shoppers received 10 percent off their groceries on this day.
Presented at the OABCIG school board meeting was Staci Rohlk’s TAG students. Rohlk explained that students are tested on their intellectual, special ability, aptitude, creative and artistic thinking. To be eligible, they have to have a certain percentage in ELA, Math or both on ISASP. COGAT testing is given to all third graders. It shows not what they know but how they think.
The Galva-Holstein Board of Education, along with the Schaller-Crestland Board of Education, met in regular session on December 12, in the media center of the Galva-Holstein School in Holstein.
The boards approved the resignation of Janae Coe, Wee Wildcat Daycare and the hiring of Joshua Sussman as prom sponsor.
The Ida County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. Board members in attendance were Chair Raymond Drey, Creston Schubert and Rhett Leonard.
Compensation Board members Dan Remer, Sheriff’s Representative; Rita Frahm, Auditor’s Representative and LuAnn Bennett, Supervisor’s Representative were on hand to advocate for their salary recommendations to align with the state ranking of the County’s population ranking. Also in attendance were Sheriff Wade Harriman, Treasurer Traci Riessen, Recorder Julie Phillips, and Devlun Whiteing.
