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The PaperLaurens, Iowa

Our Town , Our Paper!

© Copyright My Laurens, Inc., 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 11 No. 32

December 13, 2017

www.thepapernow.com

Local News

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Announcements & Local News

Friday Night Special for December 15th is

Chicken Parmesan Dinner or order off our full menu! Serving begins at 5 p.m.

LAURENS AREA YOUTH GROUP DECEMBER SCHEDULE NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH

DECEMBER 3RD JUNIOR HIGH

DECEMBER 10TH HIGH SCHOOL

DECEMBER 17TH CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR ALL YOUTH. –

( AT BETHANY LUTHERAN CHRUCH)

NO MEETING DECEMBER 24TH OR DECEMBER 31ST DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS!!

Youth Group meetings are from 6-8p.m. on Sunday evenings. All youth 6th to 12th grade are invited to attend.

BAPTIST CHURCH ADDRESS IS: 202 BYRON STREET , LAURENS, IOWA 50554 QUESTIONS CALL: ANGELA CHRISTENSON--712-450-0295

Laurens Veterans Happenings Laurens VFW Post 3533 met last Monday evening for their regular meeting and to review the past year’s activity within the community. Items highlighted were the donation of $3,600 to Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight last spring from proceeds from our raffle, rental of a port-a-pot that was placed at the trailhead of Prairie Preservation Trail, addition of a picnic table and garbage receptacle at the Veterans Memorial where Jerlynn Svuba planted the beautiful flower arrangement at the Memorial and Jerry Dean and Ed Schmidt kept the grounds mowed. The summer celebration found the VFW members cooking pork chops for the Rally 4 Veterans gathering and subsequently donated $900 to them to go toward the Honor Flight. On Veteran’s Day, after a wonderful program at school, we served over 200 meals and generated another $1000 that is going to the Honor Flight. Our local post also sold many flags to individuals and businesses in the community. The above milestones could not have been achieved without the support of our community and for that we are thankful.

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At the Library

At the Library with Glenda MulderDecember 13, 2017

Boy, have we got a fun day planned this Friday! Mike Anderson, “The Dulcimer Guy” will be in Laurens. We decided it would be more festive if he held his program of Christmas songs and stories at the Festival of Trees, rather than at the library, so join us there at 6:30 p.m. And as long as he’s in town, his alter-ego, Hugo Kringle the boy who grew up as the brother to the boy who would become Santa Claus, will visit L-M Elementary at 1:30 p.m. Bothprograms are free and open to thepublic! The Dulcimer Guy visitedour library a few years ago and wasabsolutely delightful. He has a great

way of relating to his audience. These programs are co-sponsored by the Laurens Public Library Foundation and Laurens Festival of Trees. New novels this week include: The Silver Music Box by Mina Baites, Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, and Caroline; Little House Revisited by Sarah Miller. Nonfiction includes: Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden. How’s your Top 5 Books of 2017 list coming along? I’m curious to see what your favorites are. Please get them to me soon so I can compile them. This is harder to do than I thought it would be, so I started with reviewing what a few favorite authors wrote this year. Naturally, 2 of them made my list – “Not a Sound” by Iowa author Heather Gudenkauf and “No Place I’d Rather Be” by Cathy Lamb. But don’t let me influence

your choices! Have you read any Christmas books this year? If you have, please plan on attending Book Club on Monday, December 18th. If you haven’t you still have time to stop in and pick up one (or more, they read fast!) It will be fun to hear about the new and traditional Christmas books that you have all read. What’s your favorite? Mine has to be “Paper Bag Christmas” by Kevin Alan Milne. I left it (and a few others!) in L-M’s middle school reading room last week in hopes that someone there would be inspired by it.

COMING EVENTS• Tot Time Every Monday at 10 a.m.• Take it Tuesday - 1st Tuesday of the

month at 6:30 p.m.• Card Making – 3rd Tuesday of the

month at 6:30 p.m.• Book Club 4th Monday of themonth at 7 p.m. (3rd Monday in

December)

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Obituaries

Service to be Held for Violet FilloonViolet Rosetta (Carlson) Filloon - age 97, passed away November 22, at the Northfield Retirement Community in Northfield, Minnesota. Violet was born in West View, Iowa on May 27, 1920, to Edward and Agnes (Wolter) Carlson. She attended country schools in Pocahontas County, Iowa until her high school years, when she transferred and graduated from Pocahontas High School, Pocahontas, Iowa. Violet grew up and lived in Iowa her entire life (in Laurens, Iowa since 1959) until moving to Northfield, Minnesota in July, 2011. Violet married James (Scoop) Filloon on October 28, 1939, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She worked as a waitress over the years, later as an egg breaker at M&JR Hakes for 9 years in Laurens. The couple had four children. Violet enjoyed sewing projects, embroidering, quilting, scrapbooking, crafting,

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making greeting cards, baking and gardening. Violet and James celebrated their 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversary. She was a member of the Methodist Church, Jolley Dozen and "Time to Spare” card club and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. While a resident at the

Northfield Retirement Community, she especially enjoyed playing bingo, the variety of arts and crafts and the many music programs. Her survivors are son, James (Maria) of Sylmar, CA, son, Ken (Silvia) of Des Moines, IA, daughter, Barbara (Bob) Hanisch of Northfield, MN;

10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren and sister, Margaret Teclaw of Johnston, IA and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Those preceding her in death were her parents, husband, James, infant son, Keith (twin with Ken) and sisters, Evelyn Johnson and Eileen Hawk. In lieu of flowers, Violet's family requests that memorials be made to: Northfield Retirement

Community or Minnesota Hospice, 17645 Juniper Path, Lakeville Minnesota, 55044. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Northfield Retirement Community Chapel in Northfield, MN. A memorial service will also be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Northfield Retirement Community Chapel in Northfield, MN.

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Obituaries

The PaperPublished weekly by

My Laurens, Inc.112 Walnut St.

Laurens, IA 50554

Phone: (712) 841-2684

Fax:(712) 841-4662

Website: www.thepapernow.com

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Publisher: Rodney Johnson

Editor:Amanda Tendal

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Services Held for Denine GartonDenine Marie Garton, age 52, of Marathon, Iowa died December 2, 2017 at the Pleasant View Home in Albert City, Iowa. Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Marathon. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City was in charge of the arrangements. Denine Marie Crosgrove was born March 15, 1965 in Dell Rapids, South Dakota the daughter of Ray and Maureen (Zortman) Crosgrove. Growing up, Denine attended school at Laurens-Marathon Community Schools,

where she graduated in 1983. On October 30, 1983, Denine was united in marriage to Jimmy Garton in Laurens. Together, they were blessed with three children: Jason, Matthew, and Ashley. Denine worked as the City Clerk in Marathon for about 20 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing the piano and was an extremely good cook. Family was important to Denine, especially her grandchildren, and she treasured the time she was able to spend with them. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Jimmy Garton of Marathon, Iowa; children: Jason (Michelle) Garton of San Diego, California; Matthew (Diane) Garton of Lewisville, Texas; Ashley (Dylan) Leuer of Laurens, Iowa; grandchildren: David and Abigail Garton; and Raelynn Leuer; parents, Ray and Maureen Crosgrove of Marathon, Iowa; brothers: Roddy (Nancy) Crosgrove of Liberty, North Carolina; Michael (Mary) Crosgrove of Pocahontas, Iowa; extended family and many friends. Blessed be the memory of Denine M. Garton.

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I am your new Avon representative, Cheri Frye! Contact me for a

brochure or check out my website at: www.youravon.com/cherifrye

Email: cherifryeasales@gmail.comPhone: 712-358-0583

Announcements & Advertising

Toys for Tots! LSB has collected toys for the last

20 years, collecting over 4,500 toys in that time! We are happy to again be sponsoring the Toys for

Tots Annual Drive for Children!

Tis the Season for GivingJoin us in collecting new or like new toys,

clothes, mittens, gloves, hats, etc. Donations will be accepted until

December 15th. All items should be unwrapped. Your Gift will Allow Area

Children to Enjoy the Christmas Season!!

Laurens State Bank102 South 3rd Street, Laurens | 712-845-2627

Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30-3, Fri. 8:30-4 & Sat. Drive Thru Only 9-12

18th Annual Laurens Festival

of Trees

December 2-3; 9-10; 16-17; 23-24; 30-31

NOON - 7:00 p.m.United Methodist ChurchFREE WILL DONATION

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Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchPastor Ed Frank

Wed., Dec. 13th: Book Club @ 9 a.m.

Thurs., Dec. 14th: Dorcas Circle meeting @ NOON at Ruth Steinkoenig’s home

Fri., Dec. 15th: Men’s Bible Study @ 7am

Sun., Dec. 17th:Sunday School @ 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School @ 9:00 a.m.Fellowship Coffee @ 9:30 a.m.Worship @ 10:30 a.m. Festival of Trees open NOON-7 p.m.6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - All Youth Group Christmas Party at Bethany Lutheran

Mon., Dec. 18th: Finders Keepers 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

This Week at Bethany LutheranPastor Scott Baker

Wednesday: December 13, 20177:00 PM ~ Council Mtg.

Friday: December 15, 20171:30-5:30 PM Laurens Community Blood Drive at Bethany

Sunday: December 17, 2017Third Sunday of Advent9:15 AM ~ Adult SS 9:30 AM ~ Youth SS Christmas Program practice 9:30 AM ~ Coffee Fellowship10:30 AM ~ Worship w/Communion & SS Christmas Program during worship 11:30 AM ~ Potluck 4:00 PM ~ Pack/Den 79 Mtg. @ BLC 6:00 PM ~ Laurens Area Youth Group Christmas Party for ALL at BLC

Worship, Love, Accept~Together in Christ’s Name

This Week at First Christian ChurchPastor Rev. Rita Cordell

Wednesday, Dec. 13 7:00 p.m. - Lydia Group (Group Participation and Potluck)

Friday, Dec. 15 7:00 p.m. AA

Sunday, Dec. 16 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School10:30 a.m. - Worship 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - All Youth Christmas Party at Bethany Lutheran Church

18th Annual Laurens Festival

of Trees

December 2-3; 9-10; 16-17; 23-24; 30-31

NOON - 7:00 p.m.United Methodist ChurchFREE WILL DONATION

Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic ChurchPocahontas, IAPastor: Very Rev. Craig Collison, VF

MASS TIMES:Daily Mass as scheduled in the weekly bulletinSaturday at 5:00 PMSunday at 8:30 AMConfessions: Saturday 4:15 pm at ResurrectionOffice: 16 SW 2nd Street, PocahontasOffice Phone: 712-335-3242Residence Phone: 712-335-8065E-mail: colly@ncn.netPastoral Care: Sister Renae Hohensee, 563-552-8666

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Extension News

4-H Holiday BakingWorkshop4-H’ers had the opportunity to attend a Holiday BakingWorkshop under the direction of Heather Hull, 4-HMaster Food Volunteer. The 4-H’ers made an apple piefrom scratch and no bake cookies.

Jacob Halder, Cael Hull and Tristan Ahlrichs making pie crust.

4-H Leaders TrainingLisa Berkland, Youth Program Specialist conducted the annual 4-H leader training at the ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Pocahontas.

Jeri Wenell, Donna Seehusen, Deb Ekstrand, Hope Radke, Heather Schachtner-Kramer and Clay

Kramer.

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Extension News

“Launch and Land Your Post-Harvest Marketing Plan: Winning the Game”ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas and Humboldt County is sponsoring a marketing education program “Launch and Land Your Post-Harvest Marketing Plan: Winning the Game” on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 9:00am-12:00pm. This workshop provides education on crop marketing decisions after harvest for stored crops and will be delivered by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and ISU Extension and Outreach We encourage you to attend to enhance grain-marketing skills and learn risk management. We are offering you this special invitation to attend and space is limited, so call today to pre-register (no fee to attend) for more information on this program. Pre-registrations are encouraged at http://tinyurl.com/wtg1718 or by calling the Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach Office at 712-335-3103.

Last Chance For 2017 Commercial Pesticide Applicator ReshowsThe last chance to view 2017 Commercial Pesticide CICs will be Friday, December 22, 2017. Please contact Dianne Dirks at Pocahontas County Extension and Outreach office at 712-335-3103, to schedule an appointment.

Pocahontas County 4-H Scholarship Due February 1, 2018Due to the generous support of the Pocahontas County 4-H Endowment, up to TEN $500 scholarships will be awarded to 12th grade graduating 4-H’ers that will attend college inthe fall of 2018! Applications are available at the office or online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pocahontas/4h. All applications are due to the Pocahontas County ISU Extension and Outreach no later than February 1, 2018! Late Applications Will Not Be Accepted!

Pocahontas County 4-H’ers to Washington D.C.Four Pocahontas County 4-H’ers will be attending a trip to Washington D.C. this June. CitizenshipWashington Focus (CWF) is a 4-Hleadership program for high schoolyouth (grades 9-12). Each summerteens gather at the National 4-HConference Center to learn what itmeans to be a strong leader in theircommunity, country, and world. The youth attending the trip will be busing tables at Pizza Ranch in Pocahontas on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. with all tips received going directly towards the trip expenses.

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Extension News

2018 Commercial Manure Applicator Training Scheduled for Pocahontas CountyCommercial manure applicators should plan to attend the Commercial Manure Applicator training program scheduled for Thursday, January 4, 2018, from 9 a.m. to noon. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct the required three-hour training workshop at that time. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but commercial applicators must register by December 28 by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office at 712-335-3103.

Commercial manure applicatorsneeding to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend. The workshop will provide the required three hours of annual training and will cover rules for applicators as well as land-application requirements, snow/frozen ground regulations, spill response, compaction, biosecurity, manure application uniformity

updates, team communication, manure and hydrogen sulfide safety, and evaluation review. All currently certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2018. Commercial applicators can attend training throughout the year, but if they were previously certified, they should plan to attend training and submit the forms and fees to DNR prior to March 1, 2018, to avoid paying the late fees. Certification fees for commercial manure applicators have not changed for 2018. ISU Extension and Outreach will charge a $10 fee to applicators choosing to view the certification materials on a non-scheduled reshow day at the county office. For this reason, all applicators are encouraged to attend the workshops or to plan to view training materials on the scheduled reshow date at their local county extension office. The fee will not apply to workshops or scheduled reshow dates. Please contact your county extension offices to determine which days are scheduled for the manure applicator certification programs. Due to scheduling conflicts, many county extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch the training videos. If attending the Jan. 4 commercial manure applicator program or watching the three-hour videois not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification

exam. In addition to needing an appointment to take the exam, applicators must bring a pencil and photo i.d., and should plan to bring a calculator. Applicators have another option, online certification, which an applicator can take their training on-line at DNR MAC eLearning site at https://elearning-dnr.iowa.gov/. The applicator will need to sign-in and get an A&A account. Commercial manure applicators hauling, handling or land-applying primarily dry or solid manure are encouraged to attend the dry manure applicator workshops scheduled for February 2018. Dates and locations can be found in the link below. For more information about the commercial applicator program contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office at 712-335-3103 or access a list of the training locations at: http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/macprogrampostcard.pdf

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City Council Minutes

December 4th, 2017 The Laurens City Council met in regular session at the Municipal Building at 5:00 p.m. on

Monday, December 4th, 2017. Mayor Rod Johnson called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Jean Swanson, Aaron Christenson, Rich Newgard, Sid Enockson, Julie Potter, City Attorney Ann Beneke, City Manager Hilary Reed, City Clerk Joan Hoben, and Police Chief Tom Shaw.

Christenson moved to approve the consent agenda, with the minutes from the November 20th, meeting, and the list of claims. Potter seconded. All ayes; motion carried.

CLAIMS 12-04-17

ALLIANT ENERGY NOV. GAS BILL 230.53

FIDELITY SECURITY LIFE DEC. EYECARE INSURANCE 177.02 BANKERS TRUST INTEREST E MAIN/BISSELL 14,221.25

BOLTON & MENK ENGINEERING 1,952.50 BOMGAARS SHOP SUPPLIES 333.08 BROWN SUPPLY CO HYDRANTS 5,310.45 CLOUSER PLUMBING TECHNOLOGIES VALVE INSERT/LABOR 4,500.00 DELTA DENTAL DEC DENTAL INSURANCE 870.12 ECHO GROU PINC STREET SUPPLIES 373.14 EMERGENCY APPARATUS MAINT. SERVICE ON TRUCK 989.34 FIRE PROOF PLUS ANNUAL INSPECTIONS 309.00 ICMA RETIREMENT 457 400.00 IRS FED/FICA TAX 8,021.44 IOWA FINANCE AUTHORITY INTEREST 18,028.75 IPERS IPERS 4,684.32 IPERS/PD PROTECTED IPERS 2,019.72 LMPC EAST MAIN/TIF INTEREST 3,000.00 LMU NOV UTILITIES 6,394.25 LAURENS STATE BANK FINAL GARBAGE TRUCK PAYMENT 1,509.78 MW FIRE EQUIP & REPAIR ANNUAL PUMP SERVICE 630.00 PETTY CASH POSTAGE 249.20 POC COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AMBULANCE SUPPLIES 374.37 POC FORD LINCOLN MERCURY VEHICLE MAINT. 17.48 POCAHONTAS SOLID WASTE TV DISPOSAL 221.00 PRIME BENEFITS GROUP INSURANCE 1,396.25 PRINCIPAL LIFE DEC. LIFE INSURANCE 641.67 SANTANDER LEASING PUMPER MONTHLY PAYMENT 1,461.34 STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLIES 53.85 TREASURER STATE OF IA NOV. SALES TAX 5,040.00 ULTRAMAX POLICE AMMO 578.98 UNITED HEALTH CARE COMM PLAN REFUND FROM AMBULANCE 26.35 VAUGHN DELOSS CONST SUPPLIES 5,636.70 VERIZON WIRELESS CELLPHONE 82.25 WESTERN IOWA TECH POLICE HOUSING 1,056.00

TOTAL 90,790.13 PAYROLL 11/20/2017

001 GENERAL 4,883.39 210 ROAD USE TAX 1,487.49 600 WATER 1,883.42 610 SEWER 1,806.04 670 GARBAGE 2,178.77

TOTAL 12,239.11 001 GENERAL 12/01/2017 14,992.86

TOTAL 14,992.86 TOTAL PAYROLL 27,231.97

PAID TOTAL 118,022.10 BY FUND

001 GENERAL 36,912.56

110 ROAD USE TAX 4,831.27 112 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 1,510.88 176 HOMETOWN PRIDE COMMITTEE 2.45

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City Council Minutes

200 DEBT SERVICE 17,221.25 316 WEST MAIN & BISSELL ST 1,952.50 600 WATER 36,901.29 610 SEWER 11,402.17 670 GARBAGE 6,937.81 745 STORM WATER 349.92

TOTAL BY FUND 118,022.10

REVENUES GENERAL 34,856.96

ROAD USE TAX 14,530.46

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 5,653.47 EMERGENCY LEVY 333.86 LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX 13,948.47 TIF 3,922.64 POOL RESTRICTED 515.00 POCKET PARK 2,300.00 DEBT SERVICE 7,885.43 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT 647.02 WATER 40,259.74 SEWER 35,825.26 GARBAGE 21,158.80 STORM WATER 2,626.00

TOTAL 184,463.11

Newgard moved to approve the Annual Urban Renewal Report. Swanson Seconded. All ayes; motion carried.

Swanson moved to approve a one time pay for city employees. Potter seconded. Motion carried 4-1.

After much discussion, Swanson moved to approve Resolution 26-17 – Refund of payment. Potter seconded. Roll call vote: Ayes: Potter, Newgard, Christenson, Swanson. Nays: Enockson. Motion carried 4-1.

Discussion was held regarding electronic disposal rates. Potter will provide Reed with information regarding a service she is aware of.

Police Chief Tom Shaw informed the council of an open house the Police Department will be having on December 20th, which the same night as the Tour of Lights.

Potter moved to adjourn at 5:39 p.m. Swanson seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.

__________________________ _______________________________________ Rod Johnson, Mayor Hilary Reed, City Clerk