Winner of the Holiday Giveaway

Barb and Wayne Riggs 50th Anniverary

Bob and Kathy Willits Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

Farm Bureau News

At the September 9 Lucas County Farm Bureau board meeting a unanimous motion was made to re-elect all officers for the October 2013 - September 2014 year.  Those officers are pictured left to right, row 1:  President - Danielle Van Ryswyk; Vice President - Brian Beatty; row 2:  Secretary - Marshal Schlutz; Treasurer - Dan Harrison

Wendy Blue at Sisters Craft Show

Russell Horse Team Does Well at State Fair

Mike Beaty, with his young Belgian team of Doc and Duke, competed in the 2013 Iowa State Fair all breed Draft Horse Farm Team Competition.  Mike purchased the team in April and worked over the summer training them to compete.  His hard work and patience paid off as Mike and his team won the farm hitch obstacle class, the log skidding, the antique machinery; won 2nd in the barnyard horse pull, the cultivator class and; 3rd in the feed team race.  Mike finished the day as the high point man and the team was 2nd in the best matched team.  

Grand kids Mikenzy, Macey and Blayne Beaty, and Kasyn Paige were there to cheer for him.  Blayne waited patiently all day to take control of the reins for the matched team competition.

Brian Harryman and Rebecca Clark Married

Congratulations to them both.  They were married on August 24th.

Mitteness Family of Russell

This article appeard in the Chariton Leader 8/6/2013

Mitteness Family Receives Good Farm Neighbor Award

Rick and Page Mitteness were awarded the July "Gary Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award" during a ceremony attended by nearly 75 people at their farm on July 30.  Rick and Page own and operate a diversified row crop operation and an Angus cow-calf herd along with their son Aaron.

Steve Moline with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship presented the Mitteness family with the award in front of family and neighbors.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award, sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF), recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in doing things right.  This includes caring for the environment and their livestock and being good neighbors.

"We are honored and  humbled to receive this award.  This is a great award that means a lot to us and it's also a great way for us to get together to see our friends and neighbors.  Raising livestock has always been a passion of ours and has allowed us to keep our family working together on the farm," said Rick Mitteness.

Martha Allen, a friend and neighbor, nominated the Mitteness family for the award for their willingness to help her and the other neighbors no matter what they need or what time of day it is.  Martha can always count on Rick to check in on her as well as get snow moved for her in the winter.  "The Mitteness family shows remarkable commitment and passion for their livestock, the environment and their community," says Allen.  "Although they are extremely busy, they still maintain one of the prettiest farmsteads in the county as well."

"It's great to recognize a farm family like the Mitteness's who are so appreciated by their neighbors, devoted to their land, livestock and community.  The Mitteness family is another great example of a farm family that is passionate about agriculture, their neighbors and doing things right on the farm,: said CSIF executive director, Brian Waddingham.

If you know of another deserving person or family that is a good neighbor, please contact:  Brian Waddingham, Executive Director, 1-800-932-2436.

Russell Community Club Elected Officers for 2013-2014

The Community Club elected new officers on July 25th for the coming year.  They are President-Deb Mason; Vice President-Don Sellers; Secretary-Karen Werts and Treasurer-Mike Beaty.  New members are always welcome.  They meet the last Thursday of every month at the Community Building,  usually at 6:30 p.m.

July 4th Chariton Parade

Russell High School Class of 1973

The Russell High School Class of 1973 met for their 40th class reunion on May 24, 2013 at Carpenter's Hall for dinner and reminiscing.
Front row L-R:  Carol (Fenton) Ziel, Melodee (Jeffries) Irving, Wendy (Werts) Blue, Pam (Huntsman) Sandy, and Mike Gookin.  Second row L-R:  Mike Bear, Bill Messamer, George Norris, Lee Sandy and Steven Fuller.

Peanut Day Celebration in Chariton

"1948"

The following is a poem that was misplaced at the Russell High School Reunion on May 25, 2013.  

It was written by Margaret (Wilson) Ruby, classmate of "1948" Russell High.  This poem was written September 20, 2007.

A Tribute to Classmates of 1948

To live in the hearts of those left behind is not to die,

We cherish the memories of our classmates of Russell High.

Namely Stanley, Wendell and Barbara Lou.

The class of "1948" gives special tribute to each of you.

You were all special, each in your own way;

We cherish the memories from day to day.

We know our journey, here on earth, will someday end,

We were honored to have each of you, as a classmate and friend.

We bid Stanley, Wendell and Barbara a farewell and good-bye, 

As our classmates of "1948" from Russell High.

Russell Cheerleaders

This is from Facebook by Wanda Frye Horn  June 2013 

Russell Class of 1963 at 2013 School Reunion

The Russell Class of 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion at the Russell all school reunion on Saturday, May 25, 2013.  Pictured above are:  Bottom from left:  JoAnn Miller Hoffman, Linda Sellers Christensen, Rosemary Atwell Jeffries, Ann Boldt Dilley, Cody Green Koch and Bonnie Palmer Knust.  Top left to right:  Bill Callahan, Dennis Garton, Ray Wilson, Gary Collins and Richard Arnold.

Farm Bureau Hall of Fame

Lucas County Farm Bureau President Danielle Van Ryswyk presented Robert "Bob" Cain, pictured below, with Retired Teacher of the Year Award Monday June 10th.  Bob is known for his stellar coaching career.  Cain is another longtime resident of Lucas County.  He is a familiar face through his teaching career in the Chariton School District.

Max Arnold, pictured below, was also honored as the 2013 Agribusiness man.  Arnold is a longtime Lucas County resident.  Arnold and his wife Gwendolyn ran the Russell lumber yard for thirty-five years.  He has owned a farm since 1941 and currently owns 660 acres with a mix of cattle, corn and beans and hay pasture.

Martha Milnes Receives Award

Pictured at left is Martha Milnes, the 2013 recipient of the Presidents Volunteer Services Award which was presented at the recognition luncheon held at Lucas County Health Center April 27. This award can only be presented to a volunteer who has given over 4,000 hours of volunteer time. Pictured at the right is LCHC CEO Veronica Fuhs.  

Emery and Sherry McDonald Celebrated 40th Anniversary

Emery and Sherry McDonald celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with their children hosting them with an open house at the Cornerstone Community Church on Saturday, May 11th.

Celebrate Service Month

Alma Vander Woude giving Wilma Reynolds a manicure.

Having your manicure done is something that women love and have been doing since the 1920's.  Manicures assist with keeping nails healthy, but they are also a way to pamper yourself.  Residents at the Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center are treated to manicures every Wednesday thanks to three volunteers:  Kathleen Dittmer, Alma Vander Woude, and Carey Thompson.

Kathleen Dittmer has been a volunteer with the Lucas County Health Center's Volunteer Office for two years.  She volunteers in three capacities - doing manicures at the Nursing and Rehab Center, helping out in the Volunteer Services office and together with her granddaughter, at the Historic Museum.

Alma Vander Woude says she has no idea the number of hours she volunteers, but also says there is a great need in the county.  Currently, Alma accompanies her husband, Stan, also a volunteer with LCHC, in his Life Line support work.  She helps with manicures at the Nursing Center and she volunteers as a CHIIP counselor (Senior Health Insurance Information Program).  SHIIP helps educate seniors on the various Medicare programs.  Historically, Alma's busiest time with SHIIP is when Medicare recipients can change their Part B insurance.  She helps them make decisions regarding benefits and changes.

Wilma Reynolds Celebrates her 95th Birthday

Please join Wilma Reynolds and her family for her 95th birthday.  Her children Doyle, Marilyn, Dixie, Steve, Donna, Jim, 9 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren are hosting an open house in her honor on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center.  The open house will be held from 2-4 p.m.  Please no gifts.

If you are unable to attend the open house then please send greetings to Chariton Nursing and Rehab at 1214 N. 7th St. Chariton, IA 50049.

Rodgers Sisters Donate Hair

Trinity, Jackie and Jayden Rodgers all decided to donate their hair from their first official haircuts to Locks of Love.  3'2" of hair was donated in all.  The girls even wanted to pay for the haircut themselves from money they earned doing their chores.  The girl's proud parents are Jake and Shanna Rodgers, Russell, Iowa.  

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Alpha Theta Sorority Donation

Pictured are Donise Altenhofen and Vonda Michael both from Alpha Theta and Linda Baynes LCHC Volunteer Services Director.  Alpha Theta Sorority donated $100 to the Lucas County Volunteer Services Program.  The money is to be used to help the volunteer program with services that they provide.  Alpha Theta has been a long time supporter of the LCHC Volunteer Services as has been the Beta Sigma Phi Area Council.