Stork News

Dick and Peggy Christensen of Russell are proud to announce a new granddaughter, Willow May Christensen, born to Scott and Tricia Christensen, of Des Moines.  She was born on Nov. 28, 2010.  She has a big sister, Meadow Grace.

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Preston Reid Shenefield was born Nov. 4, 2010 to Jason and Tarra Shenefield, of Sandwich, Ill.  Great grandparents are Gerald and Dorthea Shenefield of Russell.

Live Windows Winner

Pictured are the representatives of the third place Live Window winner during the Holiday Open House.  One side of the window was shown by Lucas County Public Health and the other was shown by Parents and Children First.  Pictured second and third from left are Patti Scieszinski and Ashley Bedford, both of whom are on the Child Abuse Prevention Council.  The prize for third place was $25 in Chamber bucks.  Pictured at the far left is Chamber Business and Professional Division President, Betty Pepping, and at the far right is Chariton Chamber Executive Director, Deb Storm.  (Bill Howes photo).

Gladys Sibert Celebrated her 96th birthday

The family of Gladys Sibert held a card shower for her 96th birthday which she celebrated in November.  

Cards may be sent to Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center at 1214 North Seventh Street, Chariton, Iowa 50049.

Chariton Chamber Fashion Show

Haiti Food Packaging

Richard Arnold

Stork News

Kirk Stansbery and Cali Feehan, of Russell, announce the birth of a son, Khyler Cooper Stansbery, born Nov. 22 at Lucas County Health Center.  Khyler weighed eight pounds seven ounces and was 20½ inches long.

Grandparents are the late Richard Stansbery and Karen Stansbery of Chariton and Mike and Mary Helen Feehan of Melrose.  Great grandparents are Lloyd and Deanie McDowell of Moravia and Vince and Carol Feehan of Melrose.

Lucas County Public Health & Child Abuse Council

14th World Percheron Congress

Don Johnson of Russell, Iowa was honored to participate in the World Percheron Congress held from Oct. 25-30, 2010 at the Iowa State Fair Grounds.  He took his farm team to the event with the help of his son Chad and friend Mike Beaty.

Don enjoyed doing the sulky plow with his black team of mares, Lil and Lacy.  Out of 27 teams plowing Don placed second.  Don also placed first in the barnyard pull.  The only one with a perfect score of 30.  Don received a blue ribbon and a trophy that he will cherish for years to come (and all the memories that go with it).

It was a glorious sight, 800 plus Percheron horses with 171 exhibitors registered.  They came from every state and Canada.

Mike Beaty of Russell also participated in the World Percheron Congress.  Mike participated in five of the six farm events with his team Freddie and Eddie.  Mike placed 6th in four of the five events and 3rd in the Antique Farm Machinery Class.  In this class his team pulled the Russell Oil horse-drawn fuel wagon which belongs to the Phippen family of Russell.  The Phippens had the tanker restored in the 1990's and now this tanker will be housed in the newly built addition to the Russell Historical Building.

New Granddaughter for Don and Mary Ann Schramm

Derrick and Sara Schramm announced the birth of a daughter Tearza Joy. She was born October 30 at Lucas County Health Center and weighed in at six pounds 14 ounces. She was 19 1/2 inches long. Welcoming her home is a sister Leeloominai.

Russell Volunteer Fire Department

Front row, left to right: Rick Krutsinger, Chris Feehan, Todd Atwell, Jeff Neer, Mark McCurdy, Ryan Atwell.  Back row, left to right: Scott Bingham, Chad Phippen, Steve Neer, Jim Carroll, Craig Alexander, Brian Beaty, Richard Dittmer, Jim Neer, Shawn Werts.  Not pictured: Mose Bear, Mike Beaty, Zach Bedford, Buddy Davis, Rae Evans, Rob Fenley, Chris Knust, Kevin Knust, Mike McCurdy, Mark Morrison, Jim Noble, Corey Paige, Jason Pardock, and Marshal Schultz.

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The Russell Volunteer Fire Department has served Russell and the surrounding area since 1904. They do it well.

From receiving the page to arriving at the scene, their average response time is three minutes.

Nearly all the members have Fireman 1 status; five are EMT first responders and six are EMT-B or higher (Emergency Medical Technician-Basic). There are 31 firemen in the department. Jim Carroll has served for 39 years.

Russell gets an average of 75 calls a year. Most are from in town or are township residents. That includes their EMS calls.

The department has five trucks: 2 brush trucks (also used for grass fires), one pumper, a rescue truck and a tanker.

They also have an impressive trophy room. Russell's VFD competes at the annual Iowa Fireman's Association Convention. They placed first in 2004 and second in 2005. Every year they bring home trophies for excellence in some of the events.

Brown-Shore Engagement

Timothy and Sheri Shore of Russell announce the engagement of their daughter Trinity L. Shore to Nathan R. Brown. Trinity is a 2007 graduate of Chariton High School and a 2009 graduate of Indian Hills Community College. Nathan, son of Richard and Janet Brown of Seymour, Iowa, is a 2006 graduate of Seymour High School and a 2007 graduate of Indian Hills Community College. They are both employed at Syngenta Seed, Inc., in Slater, Iowa, and plan on living in Madrid. A December 2010, wedding is planned.

Great, Great grandson visits Pauline Vincent

Pauline Vincent welcomed her great, great grandson at her farm home south of Russell.  Pictured are Pauline Vincent: Pauline's first-born daughter, Elzan  McMurry; Elzan's first-born son, Patrick McMurry; Patrick's first-born daughter, Caitlyn Williams' and Caitlyn's first-born son, Jonathan Daniel Williams.

Phil Messamer Celebrated his 90th birthday

The family of Phil Messamer held an open house in celebration of his 90th birthday. The celebration was held on Saturday, October 30 from 1 to 5pm in the north room of the Russell Community Center.  A second open house was held November 6 at the Raccoon Valley Bank in Dallas Center, Iowa. 

Neva Duer Celebrated 95th birthday

The family of Neva Duer held a card shower and open house to celebrate her 95th birthday.  The open house was held October 31 from 3 to 5pm at the Russell Community Center in Russell.  Cards may be sent to her in Russell.

Mildred Long Celebrated her 85th Birthday

Mildred Lucile Long, a former Russell resident, celebrated her 85th birthday in October.  In her home, Mildred's family hosted a card shower.  Friends and relatives were invited to wish her a happy birthday.  She is living in Pepin Wisconsin now.