Biggest Little Paper In Town! 1

The PaperLaur ens, IowaLaur ens, Iowa

Our Town, Our Paper!

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

Vol. 9 No. 30Vol. 9 No. 30

November 11, 2015November 11, 2015

www.thepapernow.comwww.thepapernow.com

L-M Fourth Grade Favorites Mrs. Behrens’ Fabulous Fourth Graders are reporting in this week!! (Watch for “An Afternoon in the Life of an L-M Fifth Grader” soon...) During Computer class, we practiced our typing skills on Google Docs to share what we like about Fourth Grade. We hope that you enjoy reading, as much as we had fun creating our article! Hi, my name is Ataya. I love 4th grade and science! It is amazingly fabulous! My favorite thing in fourth grade is P.E.. We are playing volleyball. My favorite thing in volleyball is serving. Volleyball is very fun because we get to bump it back and forth, and that’s why I like volleyball. -Kyler My favorite thing in school is when we go to the Laurens Public Library. It is fun to check out books from the library. It is lots of fun there. The library is fun to go to. -Ethan My favorite thing to do at school is Art because it is fun and pretty. Mrs. Wenell calls us back to show us how we do our projects. -Hailey My favorite thing to do at school is Art and draw! -Kendall My favorite thing to do in school right now is read and write. I once read a Junie B. Jones book and fi nished it all in one day!! I am also writing a story in class right now and it is about a girl and genie. I love to read and write. I even want to be a teacher when I grow up. -Kaydee In school my favorite thing is math. It is fun. I like the ballpark estimate. - Stevy I like to play soccer with friends. - Matt My most favorite thing to do in school is art because I love being with our teacher, Mrs.Wenell. She is an awesome drawer and person! We love to paint and draw. It is so so so so so fun. -Keiannah My favorite thing to do at school is P.E. because we get to play volleyball and we get to play FUN games. - Rayne My favorite thing at school is recess. - Eli My favorite thing for fi rst period is Library because we get to check out books and listen to spooky stories the librarian tells us. - Isaiah My favorite thing in school is P.E. and art. In P.E. we get energy and have fun. In art I paint, color, and draw. Fourth grade is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Tiffany We get to go to the Laurens Public Library for sack lunch, and we can check out a book. - Emma Tomorrow (10-30) is a big day because we are celebrating the Day of the Dead. My favorite thing about school is learning in school and doing lots of fun things at school. - Eny My favorite thing is recess, math, science and social studies. -Tyler I love to go to art and computer and well, all of the specials. In art we are making skeletons. -Monika My name is Deshun. I like football because I am fast.

School News

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School News

Day of the Dead Celebration If you were at L-M during second and third period on Friday, October 30th, there were some really cool activities in motion! The third, fourth and fi fth graders were combined and split into 10 groups. Each of the groups traveled to 5 different stations (Food, Decorations, Activities, Halloween/Day of the Dead and Symbolism) with a teacher, parent volunteer or associate. At each of the stations, there was a middle school or high school Spanish student presenting on the above topics. The Spanish students prepared reading/writing activities to share about the Day of the Dead with elementary students, along with an activity to experience a little of the celebration. Here are some of the high/middle school preparation and refl ection comments about teaching their lesson: I created a worksheet that I used to teach the kids about the symbolism behind the Mexican celebration, Day of the Dead. It was

a great opportunity for the younger kids to interact with and learn from the middle schoolers and high schoolers. -Lidia (español IV) Today we learned about The Day of the Dead with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. We talked about altars, sugar skulls, Day of the Dead bread and many other things. Day of the Dead is a day to celebrate, remember and prepare special foods in honor of those who have died. Many families decorate altars, which remember a dead person. On the altars there is bread, water, candles and many other things. -Pablo (español I) I prepared by making sure I was using my time correctly. I thought it was pretty fun to do. The thing that made me kind of frustrated was the last group I had, I somehow got done teaching earlier than the fi rst group. I really liked doing this project because it was really fun and it taught not only the kids what Day of the Dead is but it also taught me too. :) - Chabela (español 7) I started out telling my name.

Then I asked them what their name was and told them what we were going to do. I started out showing them a video and asked them what they learned. After that, we read a book. I read some and they read some. At the end, I asked them all what they learned today. -Alejandro (español 7) For my Día de los Muertos lesson I had them try some different types

of chocolate. I did that because on the Day of the Dead lots of people celebrate by eating and chocolate is one food they eat. I also had them help me spell and even do a quiz with me for fun. My plan was to just have them try some chocolate and then I realized I had to do more things for time. -Neves (español I) I prepared by reading a lot of articles about the Day of The Dead, and learned a lot of interesting things. I did the same with Halloween and I found exactly why we even celebrate it along with where it originated from. Teaching them really taught me how quickly children can remember things. Also I saw how quickly they can fi gure out what something new means with little information. Having a presentation and a work sheet is a really good way to teach kids, too. They can follow along. If you don’t have some fun questions in there, then it will be completely boring for them and they start to space out. So, having a fun presentation with pictures, defi nitions of words, and also drawing something at the end, grabs their attention/makes them actually want to learn it. -Lolita (español I)

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Local News

Everyone think of all the excited Trick or Treaters that came to your house this Halloween. That’s who we need to BUILD a new pool for! Would you want to be the one to tell these kids they weren’t going to have a swimming pool anymore? I sure wouldn’t! Maybe these kids are ones that came to your house.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS may be sent to:

Laurens Pool Project, c/o City of Laurens

272 North 3rd Street, Laurens, IA 50554

Like us on Facebook: Laurens Pool Projectwww.laurens-ia.com

Scout Training Produces MenIn late June of 2001, while hiking in the mountains of N. E. New Mexico, the author of this article shared the horror with other Scouts and Scouters of a viscious Black Bear attack on two members of our sister crew. One of the boys suffered minor wounds while the second young Scout suffered severe wounds requiring surgery. During the attack, Crew F-1 courageously formed a line and harassed the intruder until crew members pulled the young Scout from a potentially deadly and dangerous bear. The group acted as a unit under the direction of competent adult leadership. Upon hearing the cries for help at 2:00 a.m., Crew F-2 ran 250 yards to provide assistance. When Crew F-2 arrived, several occurrences happened simultaneously. First, my tent mate/medical doctor assessed the condition of the two wounded Scouts. Second, eight Scouts moved the severely injured Scout to a tent, out of the cool, moisture-laden night air. Third, the doctor was aided by a Scout to dress all wounds. Forth, two crews of four Scouts went into the darkness to gather fi rewood (for protection and to heat makeshift water bottles). Fifth, several other Scouts were writing down all pertinent information regarding the emergency as outlined on the emergency procedures section of our maps. Sixth, two of our group’s best athletes were sent as runners/messengers into the darkness to the nearest staff camp (3 1/2 miles away). Seventh, two other Scouts were sent as walkers behind the runners with duplicate information in case something happened to the fi rst two runners. These activities occurred smoothly from the time the F-1 Crew acted as a unit to pull the injured Scout from a vicious bear until the time the four Scouts braved the darkness and the unknown to obtain help. The probable reason that the severely injured Scout is alive today is due to the training the Scouts and their adult leaders receive from The Boy Scouts of America. Scouts/Scouters are trained to Be Prepared for emergencies. The actions of these men and boys in an extremely stressful and dangerous situation is a testament to the Scout training given to Scouts and adult leaders. For their actions, 4 adults and 6 boys received heroism awards from BSA. Scouting develops character and molds boys into men.

James R. (Jim) Dean, RetiredBoy Scouts of AmericaFort Dodge, Iowa

Remember the New Pool Project in your end of the year charitable giving.

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Local News & Announcements

60th Wedding AnniversaryBill & Bonnie Ellis of Laurens will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married November 11, 1955 in Albert City. Their children are Richard, Daniel, and Gary (Mary) all of Laurens. Cards may be sent to them at: 304 E. Veterans Road, Room 213, Laurens, IA 50554. Everyone is welcome to share in their celebration on Sunday, November 15 in the activity room at the Laurens Care Center from 2-4 p.m. The family will be serving cake, ice cream and coffee.

Winter Coats Needed

New Hope Baptist Church is collecting winter coats for several children of families in need in the Laurens area. About any size you can think of, infant to teenage kids, can be used. If you have a coat you can donate, it would be a blessing. We also have our food shelf open. The church is open during worship on Sundays from 4-5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m.

Laurens Women's Club to MeetThe Laurens Women’s Club will meet on Friday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Homestead Cooperative of Laurens. The program will be about “Family Cookbooks – Stirring Up Memories” presented by Dorothy Runneberg, Anne Walstead and Grace Hertz. Members are asked to take a favorite family recipe to share with the others. Members of the serving committee will be Jan Grossnickle and Bertha Olson.

Festival of Trees It seems that since the fi rst Festival of Trees in 2000, we think there is no way Laurens residents can top the creativity of the trees on display that year. But every year there are more unique ideas than the year before! We’ve had trees with an agriculture theme, tributes to favorite sports teams or hobbies, patriotic trees and old fashioned trees. There have been trees with food themes - a chocolate tree, a spicy tree, an apple tree and a canning tree. Of course there were traditional trees and trees devoted to the real meaning of Christmas. What theme will you choose to refl ect your personality? Registrations are available online or at the Laurens Public Library and are due November 21st.

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Advertising & Announcements

Church Fall BazaarSaturday, November 21st

Laurens United Methodist Church

Coffee--9:30 a.m.Booths open at 10:00 a.m.

Breads, Nuts, Crafts, Quilted items, Doll clothes, Cookie Walk

Noon LunchCreamed Chicken and Biscuits

Serving: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.$7 - Adults to 6 years

Children 5 and under - $3

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At the Library

At the Library with Glenda MulderNovember 11, 2015

Oops, I probably should have told you this last week, but the Library will be closed all day Wednesday for Veterans’ Day. Hope this late notice didn’t cause you any inconvenience and that you celebrated the day with your favorite veterans! Halloween night after Trick or Treating, the Laurens Public Library Foundation hosted “The Magic of Larry Dunbar and Company” for the 13th annual show. They were wonderful and I still didn’t fi gure out a single illusion! We were amazed at how many people attended; Deb counted 171! I was surprised and a bit disappointed when one of the magicians referred to the escapes of Harry Houdini and very few of my young patrons knew who he was talking about! So I am going to fi x that apparent gap in their education by reading a book about Houdini at this month’s Elementary Brown Bag Lunches! Now I just need to decide which of these books to use – they both look awesome, but we just don’t have that much time. Especially when I have to start off with a few riddles, jokes and maybe a poem! Can you tell I enjoy that time with our kids? Book Club is reading “The Red Hat Club” by Haywood Smith this month. This lighthearted selection features fi ve southern women, best friends since high school, who plot revenge when one of their husbands is discovered to be having an

affair. Pick up a copy and join our discussion Monday, November 26th at 7 pm. I came across a quote recently that really touched me, so I’ll share it with you. ““The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.” ~ Alan Bennett

Event Calendar • Tot Time every Monday at 10 am

• Tell Me a Yarn Mondays 5-7 • Writers Free for All is 3rd

Monday of the month at 7 pm • Book Club is 4th Monday of the

month at 7 pm • Card Making is the 4th Tuesday

of the month

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Biggest Little Paper In Town! 7

Advertising

Christmas Open HouseThursday, November 12

Open House Hours:12-7 p.m. Join us for cinnamon rolls in the morning!Join us for cinnamon rolls in the morning!

New Floor & Window Covering SamplesAnnie Sloan Chalk Paint DemoGift & Toys

TM

JH Design Studio217 W. Veterans Rd, Laurens, IA 50554 | (712) 841-4585

Laurens United Methodist Church

Baked Potato Bar(drink & dessert)

Sunday, November 15th - NOON

Free Will Offering

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Advertising & Announcements

Special for Friday night, November 13th

PORK CHOP DINNERServing from 5-8 p.m.

Come out and enjoy supper with us!

Insure Your Possibilities®

Insurance products and services offered by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company orone of its affiliates. Registered Representatives offer securities through Mutual ofOmaha Investor Services, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer. Member FINRA/SIPC.Investment Advisor Representatives offer advisory services through Mutual of OmahaInvestor Services, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm.AFN42811

Caleb JamisonCedar Rapids, IAOffice: 319.366.3570 ext.225Cell: 712.358.2041

Insurance.Retirement.Investments.

80th BirthdayRich Olson’s children, Dane Olson, Julie Potter and Erin Olson, all of Laurens, and Paul Olson of Jamestown, ND, invite you to join them for an open house honoring their dad’s 80th birthday on Saturday, November 28, from 2 - 4 p.m., at the West Iowa Bank, 202 W. Main St. in Laurens. If you are unable to attend the open house, cards may be sent to Rich at: 217 S. 3rd St., Laurens, IA 50554.

THURSDAY

5 –7pm Pick your own ingredients!

PERSONAL PAN PIZZAS

WEDNESDAY LUNCH 11AM—1PM November 18

Lasagna.Lettuce Salad. Garlic Bread.Dessert

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR 5-7pm ~ 1/2 price drinks

TACO TUESDAY 5-8pm

135 N 3rd St, Laurens, IA 50554 712.841.6986

WEDNESDAY 4-6PM

50 ¢ OFF BEER

OR MIXED DRINKS

MONDAY $2.00

BUD HEAVY AND LIGHT

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Announcements

Calling All Supplies!The L-M Elementary will be participating in their fi rst MakerDay this Spring! We are asking parents, grandparents, anyone (!) to save/donate the following items during the upcoming months: Cardboard - thick and thinDuct TapeMasking TapePlaying Cards (can be mismatched)StrawsOld CD’sToilet Paper/Paper Towel TubesWrapping Paper TubesStringEgg cartons These items can be dropped off at the main offi ce of the school (box under the table marked “MakerDay”). Save the Date: Friday, March 4th - MakerDay Open House

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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

E-mail: publisher@mylaurens.com

Publisher: Rodney Johnson

Editor:Amanda Tendal

Rights to Use Content: The Paper, its content, archived materials, and our websites, are provided solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The Paper, its

content, our websites and all the materials available on our websites are the property of My Laurens, Inc., and are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws. You may download, print or transmit The Paper for your personal, non-commercial

use. Any commercial use of copyrighted materials requires prior authorization from My Laurens, Inc.

Unless explicitly authorized by My Laurens, Inc., you may not modify copy, create derivative works,

reproduce, republish, transmit, sell, or distribute in any manner or medium (including by email or other

electronic means) any material from The Paper or our websites for commercial purposes. You may not use The Paper or materials available on our websites, in a

manner that constitutes an infringement of our intellectual property rights/copyrights or that has not

been authorized by My Laurens, Inc.For information about requesting permission to

reproduce or distribute materials from The Paper, please contact My Laurens, Inc. at (712) 841-2684

or publisher@mylaurens.com.

Announcements

Laurens Area Youth Group meetings will be held at New Hope Baptist Church for the month November.

Sunday, November 1st~ Junior High

Sunday, November 8th~ High School

Sunday, November 15th~ Junior High

Sunday, November 22nd~ High School

Sunday, November 29th~ Junior High

Meetings are held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Laurens Area Youth Group is open to ALL youth grades 6th-12th.

The Youth Group is a meaningful, fun & positive program to participate in!

Thank You!I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote on November 3rd. I look forward to serving on the city council for the next four years. I appreciate your support!

Thank you, Julie Potter

Baby ShowerThere will be a baby shower honoring Taylor Zurek on Saturday, November 14 from 1 - 3 p.m. at West Iowa Bank. Taylor is expecting a baby girl in January. Taylor is registered at Target

Upcoming ConcertSome old, some new, a little Christmas too is the theme for the 6-8th grade concert. This will be held on Tuesday, November 17 in the L-M old gym. The show starts at seven and will include both band and vocal.

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Church

This Week at Laurens United Methodist ChurchWed., Nov. 11th:Praise Band practice @ 5:30 p.m.Hands of Hope Puppet Troop practice @ 6:30 p.m.

Thurs., Nov. 12th:Dorcas Circle @ 2 p.m.(Wesley Room)Basic Christianity Bible Study @ 7 p.m. (Linda Lingo’s home)

Fri., Nov. 13th:Men’s Bible Study @ 7 a.m.

Sat. Nov. 14th:Funeral services held for Doris Siddall @ 1 p.m. with visitation also here from NOON-1 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 15th:Sunday School @ 9:10 a.m.Fellowship @ 9:30 a.m.Worship @ 10:30 a.m.Choir performsMissions Baked Potato Bar following wor-ship

Wed., Nov. 18th:Book Club @ 9 a.m.Praise Band practice @ 5:30 p.m.Puppet Troop @ 6:30 p.m.Worship Committee mtg @ 7 p.m.Administrative Council mtg @ 8:15 p.m.

This Week at Bethany LutheranThursday: November 12, 20157:00 PM ~ Hand Bell Rehearsal

Sunday: November 15, 2015Stewardship/Commitment SundayTwenty-fi fth Sunday after Pentecost9:00 AM ~ SS & Confi rmation9:15 AM ~ Coffee Fellowship10:30 AM ~ Worship w/Communion, Thanksgiving Offering, SS songs, & Baptism11:30 AM ~ Potluck (Grilling)6:00 PM ~ Youth Group (JH) at BLC

Tuesday: November 17, 201510:00 AM ~ Coffee w/Pastor7:00 PM ~ Hand Bell Rehearsal

Wednesday: November 18, 20155:00 PM ~ Christion Ed/Youth Mtg.6:00 PM ~ 125th Steering Committee Mtg.7:00 PM ~ Council Mtg.

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

Grace Lutheran Church Marathon, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Albert City & St John Lutheran Church Rural Albert City Pastor John Mayer

Sundays 9 a.m. Worship Service @ Grace Lutheran Church - Marathon

Sundays 10:30 a.m. Worship @ Our Savior's Lutheran Church - Albert City

Sundays 9:00 a.m. @ St John Lutheran Church Rural - Albert City

This Week at First Christian ChurchPastor Rev. Rita Cordell

Wednesday, Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. - Lydia Group

Thursday, Nov. 12 2:00 p.m. - Coffee with Pastor Friday, Nov. 13 7:00 p.m. - AA Sunday, Nov. 15 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School10:30 a.m. - Worship6- 8 p.m. - Jr. High Youth Group at New Hope Baptist Church

Sacred Heart Church LaurensFather Francis MakwinjaWeekday Mass : Friday at 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Sunday at 10:30 AM (November - February)

Cluster ParishesSt. Joseph Catholic Church, Sioux RapidsWeekday Mass: (Monday&Wednesday) - 8:00 AM Weekend Mass: Sunday - 8:30 AM (November - February)

St. Louis Catholic Church, RoyalWeekday Mass: (Tuesday & Thursday) - 8:00 AMWeekend Mass: Saturday - 5:00 PM (November - February)

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Extension News

Women, Land, and Legacy Learning SessionWomen, Land and Legacy of Buena Vista and Pocahontas County presents a Learning on Soil Fertility by Sarah Carlson, from Practical Farms of Iowa on Thursday, November 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Registration begins at 10 a.m. To register for the Learning Session, contact Colleen Schwanz at Buena Vista County NRCS Offi ce at (712) 732-3096 EXT 3 or e-mail: Colleen.Schwanz@ia.nacdnet.net. Registration deadline is November 18.

Grain Storage: Core It, Cool It, Store ItGrain is quickly coming out of the fi elds this fall, with 92 percent of soybeans and 73 percent of corn harvested in Iowa as of Oct. 26, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Since much of it has been harvested and put into the bin at 60 degrees and warmer, proper grain drying and cooling is essential for storage life and grain quality. For safe grain storage during warmer conditions, Greg Brenneman, agricultural and biosystems engineering specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says you need to core it, cool it and check it. “With grain this warm, moisture migration within the grain mass and spoilage can occur very quickly, even with fairly dry grain,” said Brenneman. Core it. Fines and broken grain tend to accumulate near the center of the bin and often cause aeration and storage problems. Brenneman recommends removing a few loads of grain from the center, so the unloading sump will “core” the bin and remove most of those fi nes. Then, remove grain until approximately half of that center peak is gone. After coring, the top of the grain should be visually inspected to ensure an inverted cone has been created. If no cone is created, bridging of the grain has taken place and a very unsafe condition has been created. No one should enter the bin until situation has been safely corrected. Cool it. This week’s forecast shows cooler temperatures for Iowa, providing an ideal time to get stored grain cooled down. However, farmers may still need to run fans later this fall to lower temperatures further. “The sooner you can lower grain temperatures, the better,” said Brenneman. “Grain should be stored at 30 to 40 degrees for winter storage, so you may still need to run fans a couple times during the fall to get grain down to wintertime storage temperatures.” The time required to completely cool a bin of grain depends on fan size. In general terms, a large drying fan will take 10-20 hours to cool a bin of grain. However, a small aeration fan can take a week or more to completely cool a full bin. In either case, it is best to measure the temperature of the air coming out of the grain to see if cooling is complete. It is also much better to err on the side of running the fan too long rather than turning it off too soon. Check it. If grain is dried down to the proper moisture and correctly cooled, it should store very well through the winter. Even so, it is best to check stored grain at least every two weeks during the winter and once a week in warmer weather. To do a good job checking grain, inspect and probe the grain for crusting, damp grain and warm spots. Also, run the fan for just a few minutes and smell the exhaust air for any off odors. For more details, order a copy of “Managing Dry Grain in Storage” AED-20 from Midwest Plan Service at https://www-mwps.sws.iastate.edu/catalog/grain-handling-storage, or check out more grain drying and storage information at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying.

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Biggest Little Paper In Town! 13

Extension News

Yard and Garden: Get the Most out of Amaryllis for the Holidays Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner. One of the best parts of any good holiday celebration is beautiful holiday plants, including the spectacular amaryllis. What is the best way to ensure it will bloom for Christmas, and can it be saved afterward? Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on how to handle amaryllis this holiday season. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu. When should I plant an amaryllis bulb to have it in bloom at Christmas? An amaryllis bulb usually blooms about six to eight weeks after planting. Plant the amaryllis bulb in early November for spectacular blooms at Christmas. To increase the odds of having an amaryllis in bloom at Christmas, pot up one amaryllis bulb in early November and a second one several days later. How do I pot up an amaryllis bulb? Amaryllis bulbs can be purchased pre-planted in pots or unplanted. When purchasing unplanted amaryllis bulbs, select large, solid bulbs. The largest bulbs often produce two fl ower stalks. Gardeners can choose from single-fl owering, double-fl owering and miniature cultivars. Flower colors include red, pink, orange, salmon, white and bicolors. When planting an amaryllis bulb, select a pot that is approximately 1 to 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb. The container may be clay, ceramic

or plastic, but should have drainage holes in the bottom. Plant the bulb in a well-drained potting soil. Add a small amount of potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Center the bulb in the middle of the pot. Then add additional potting soil, fi rming it around the roots and bulb. When fi nished potting, the upper one-half of the bulb should remain above the soil surface. Also, leave about 1 inch between the soil surface and the pot’s rim. Then water well and place in a warm (70 to 75 degree Fahrenheit) location. Check the pot before watering a pre-planted amaryllis bulb. If the container doesn’t have drainage holes, remove the bulb and replant it in a pot with drainage holes. Water well. After the initial watering, allow the soil to dry somewhat before watering again. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. When growth appears, move the plant to a sunny window and apply a dilute fertilizer solution every two to four weeks. During fl ower stalk elongation, turn the pot each day to keep the fl ower stalk growing straight. Flower stalks that lean badly will need to be staked. When the amaryllis begins to bloom, move the plant to a slightly cooler (65 to 70 F) location that doesn’t receive direct sun to prolong the life of the fl owers. What should I do with my amaryllis after it’s done blooming? Some individuals discard their amaryllis after it’s done blooming. However, if given proper care, it’s possible to save the amaryllis and force it to fl ower again next winter. Proper cultural practices must be followed to successfully grow and refl ower amaryllis bulbs. After the fl owers fade, cut off the fl ower stalk with a sharp knife. Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb. Don’t damage the foliage. For the bulb to bloom again

next season, the plant must replenish its depleted food reserves. The strap-like leaves manufacture food for the plant. Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil surface is nearly dry. Fertilize every two to four weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution. The amaryllis can be moved outdoors in late May. Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors by initially placing it in a shady, protected area. After two or three days, gradually expose the amaryllis to longer periods of direct sun. The amaryllis should be properly hardened in seven to 10 days. Once hardened, select a site in partial to full sun. Dig a hole and set the pot into the ground. Outdoors, continue to water the plant during dry weather. Also, continue to fertilize the amaryllis once or twice a month through July. Bring the plant indoors in mid-September. Plants left indoors should be kept in a sunny window. To bloom, amaryllis bulbs must be exposed to temperatures of 50 to 55 F for a minimum of eight to 10 weeks. This can be accomplished by inducing the plant to go dormant and then storing the dormant bulb at a temperature of 50 to 55 F. To induce dormancy, place the plant in a cool, semi-dark location in late September and withhold water. Cut off the foliage when the leaves turn brown. Then place the dormant bulb in a 50 to 55 F location for at least eight to 10 weeks. After the cool requirement has been met, start the growth cycle again by watering the bulb and placing it in a well-lit, 70 to 75 F location. Keep the potting soil moist, but not wet, until growth appears. The other option is to place the plant in a well-lit, 50 to 55 F location in fall. Maintain the amaryllis as a green plant from fall to mid-winter. After the cool requirement has been met, move the plant to a warmer (70 to 75 F) location.

Our Town Our Paper! 14

Adopt Financial Contingency Plan for Unexpected Farm DownturnsExtension specialists stress fi nancial management to stretch cash fl ow

Farmers need to evaluate their cash and asset management if they experience negative cash fl ow during this period of downward-sliding crop prices, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach economic experts. They advise every farmer to have a fi nancial contingency plan in place to cover cash fl ow shortfalls. “People need to know their current situation and make sure that they have the reserves to make it through the lean years,” said Tim Eggers, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist. A recent ISU Extension and Outreach publication, “Farm fi nancial management: 16 ways to stretch cash fl ow,” details the actions that farmers can take to improve their liquidity when times get tough. Available on the ISU Extension’s Ag Decision Maker website www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm, it was written by William Edwards, a retired farm management economist with 40 years of ISU Extension and Outreach experience. Edwards witnessed numerous farm economy slowdowns during his

long tenure and reinforces “behaviors that work when things aren’t bright and shiny,” Eggers said. The steps in the publication are listed from the easiest to the most diffi cult. Cash management is the fi rst tactic that farmers can take. Edwards’ suggestions include using cash surpluses from previous years, liquidating stored crops, marketing livestock, tapping into credit reserves and refi nancing loans. The last may involve lengthening the loan repayment period or adding balloon payments. “There may be machinery with a fair amount of equity or equipment that was fi nanced with a short-term note when cash fl owed in the good years,” Eggers said. “When times are lean, spreading loan payments over more years can help with cash fl ow.” Other options that could help when money is tight include to own equipment jointly with others, trade use with someone else or lease it. Machinery lease payments are often lower than loan payments. But selling assets may be hard if prices are trending down. “Timeliness is a real issue when it comes to any equipment decision,” Eggers said. “Was that piece of equipment purchased with the notion that it would be putting in a decade or more on the farm? If so, selling it may be tough. It may be doubly tough if there isn’t equity to recapture due to decreasing values.” Farmers can take other actions related to asset management to improve their fi nancial picture. These alternatives include deferring capital

purchases, refurbishing equipment instead of buying new and reducing livestock culling rates rather than replacing breeding stock. “It’s important to carefully consider any new purchases to determine whether you can afford them,” Eggers said.A decline in the farm economy has wide-ranging ramifi cations and can be diffi cult for individuals to handle alone. “Low prices and high costs affect everyone,” wrote Edwards in his publication. “Financial stress can lead to increased stress in other areas. During unprofi table times in agriculture, check in with friends and neighbors. If you or someone you know is struggling, encourage them to seek professional help.” Available assistance. ISU Extension and Outreach has assistance available at any time through the Iowa Concern Hotline, 800-447-1985. Farm fi nancial planning also is available at no charge from extension farm fi nancial management associates. They provide one-on-one fi nancial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business and referral to other useful services. Learn more at www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis/.

Extension News

Biggest Little Paper In Town! 15

City Council Minutes

The Laurens City Council met in regular session at the Municipal Building at 5:00 pm, November 2, 2015. Mayor Rod Johnson called the meeting to order. Present were Council Members Rich Newgard, Jean Swanson, Thaine Hopkins and Sid Enockson; Public Works Director, Julian Johnsen; City Attorney, Ann Beneke; and City Manager, Barbara Smith. Council Member, Julie Potter; and Police Chief, Chris Toner were absent. Swanson motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the agenda, minutes from the November 19, 2015 meeting, the list of claims, and renewal of Class “C” liquor license for Silver Dollar Saloon; seconded by Enockson. Ayes all; motion carried. Enockson motioned to approve pay request #5 for the West Main Street Project, seconded by Hopkins. Ayes all; motion carried. Swanson motioned to move forward with the purchase of the Johnson street sweeper from Truck Equipment as presented, seconded by Enockson. Ayes all; motion carried. Hopkins motioned to approve Resolution 48-15, Investment Policy with the amount of $200,000 that any person loan investment shall be disclosed in writing to the government board of the City of Laurens; seconded by Newgard. Roll call vote: ayes all; motion carried.

CLAIMS 11-02-15 AFLAC INSURANCE 587.68 AHLERS & COONEY LEGAL FEES 160.00 ALLIANT ENERGY UTILITIES 47.56 BARB SMITH MILEAGE 182.85 BILL PIERSON EMR ELEVATOR INSP. 300.00 BOLTON & MENK ENGINEERING 3,654.00 BOMGAARS CLOTHING ALLOW 169.99 HACH ANALYSIS 187.04 HOLIDAY INN DSM IMFOA CONFERENCE 314.76 HUDSON LAW FIRM LEGAL FEES 267.50 ICMA RETIREMENT 200.00 IDNR PERMIT 99.00 IRS TAXES 4,218.98 IPERS RETIREMENT 4,336.03 IPERS/PD RETIREMENT 1,500.45 JAMES LITWILLER MILEAGE 38.53 JULIE POTTER MILEAGE 19.09 LMPC COMMUNICATIONS 316.07 LMU UTILITIES 5,345.00 LAURENS PLUMBING MEMORY LANE 31.44 MW FIRE & EQUIP PUMP SERVICE 995.50 MY LAURENS PD AD 50.00 PETE RUNNEBERG SUPPLIES 10.15 POC CLERK OF COURT LEGAL FEES 235.00 PRIME BENEFITS INSURANCE 87.50 PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE 780.14 SHAMROCK RECYCLE RECYCLING 1,574.71 STAPLES SUPPLIES 2.39 TREASURER, STATE OF IA TAXES 4,678.00 USPS POSTAGE 428.54 VAUGHN DELOSS CONST PAY REQUEST #5 46,728.10

TOTAL 77,546.00 PAYROLL 10/12/2015

001 GENERAL 3,432.50 110 ROAD USE TAX 1,315.79 600 WATER 2,012.73 610 SEWER 1,873.24 670 GARBAGE 2,127.15

TOTAL 10,761.41 PAID TOTAL 88,307.41

BY FUND 001 GENERAL 12,453.50 110 ROAD USE TAX 3,652.60 112 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 333.72 175 POCKET PARK 31.44 316 WEST MAIN & BISSELL 48,477.10 317 PRAIRIE PARK TRAIL 2,332.50 600 WATER 9,943.87 610 SEWER 5,047.82 670 GARBAGE 6,034.86

88,307.41

Our Town Our Paper! 16

City Council Minutes

REVENUES BY FUND - OCT 001 GENERAL 114,194.05 110 ROAD USE 11,822.25 112 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 39,779.67 113 EMERGENCY 2,878.91 121 LOST 7,793.47 125 TIF 101,353.93 174 POOL - RESTRICTED 360.00 200 DEBT SERVICE 68,048.37 300 CAPITAL PROJECTS 6,080.33 316 WEST MAIN STREET 300,000.00 600 WATER 40,591.36 610 SEWER 29,658.09 670 GARBAGE 21,718.98 745 STORM WATER 7,620.00

751,899.41

Swanson motioned to adjourn at 5:24 pm, seconded by Hopkins. Ayes all; motion carried.

___________________________________ ________________________________________ Rod Johnson, Mayor Barbara Smith, City Clerk