Features

GJCF concerts go off without hitch

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:38am

     Heat and rain seemed to be the theme at the 2017 Great Jones County Fair in Monticello; however, four nights of outstanding music brought in crowds of people.

     “We didn’t dodge a bullet,” said GJCF Manager John Harms, “we dodge bullets.”

     The GJCF is known as the “Best Five Days of Summer.” Rain was forecasted for pretty much every day of the fair this year.

     While the rain caused several event cancelations during the day, Harms said they were very fortunate to be able to kick off every concert on time, without delays.

Stephen crowed 2017 GJCF Queen

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:32am

     Second time’s the charm for the newly crowned 2017 Great Jones Fair Queen.

     On Tuesday evening, July 18, just minutes before the pouring rain drenched the stage, Shay Stephen of Monticello was crowned this year’s Fair Queen.

     The expression on her face said it all…

     “I was super surprised,” she said during an interview following the arduous 4-H/FFA Swine Show at the fair.

2017 GJCF Princess title goes to Von Behren

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:31am

     “Oh yeah, I was a fairgoer every day,” said Lauren Von Behren, 2017 Great Jones County Fair Princess.

     Von Behren, of Anamosa, was crowned just before a rainstorm blew through the fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 18 on the stage.

     “This has been a great learning experience,” she said.

     “I was shocked and super excited,” said Von Behren of hearing her name announced. “There were a lot of great girls.”

     Von Behren shared that she was encouraged to run for Fair Queen by former GJCF Miss Congeniality winners Becca Ahrendsen and Addy Campbell.

Strittmatter looks back on time as magistrate judge

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:27am

     In just a few days, one of Jones County’s magistrate judges will be stepping down.

     Nick Strittmatter of Monticello will be finishing his eighth year in magistrate court, leaving Kristopher Lyons as the one full-time magistrate judge in the county, covering the Sixth Judicial District. This includes Jones, Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, and Tama counties.

MHS graduate honored as Digital Innovator

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:25am

     A Monticello High School graduate was recently named Iowa’s only PBS Digital Innovator for 2017.

     Cathi (Seeley) Miller, a 1984 graduate of MHS, was presented with the honor in June during an all-expense-paid trip to San Antonio, Texas. This was the site of the 2017 PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) Digital Innovator Summit.

     Miller, who lives in Des Moines, is in her 28th year of teaching. She is a humanities teacher.

     “It does not seem possible,” she said.

Promoting diversity and inclusion in Jones Co.

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:22am

     On July 12, the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition was proud to sponsor a Diversity and Inclusion Workshop at Anamosa’s Lawrence Community Center. The training was facilitated by Richard Tapia, a former Associate Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, as well as Rick Sanborn, a former Anamosa City Council member.

Many locals take away prizes in BBQ Contest

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:16am

     This year’s Wolken Dental BBQ Contest at the Great Jones County Fair proved to be another success with 15 adult participants. New this year was the Kids BBQ Contest, with 11 kids taking part.

With eight categories to choose from, the top five winners over all were:

     1. Matt Behrends

     2. Moski’s BBQ

     3. Jake and Jeff Hurst

     4. Team Meat Sweats

     5. The Grill Works

     The top three winners in each category were:

Wolken Family Bean Contest

     1. Carla Zumbach

Gray, Shoop win BOS in Subway Cookie Contest

Published by admin on Thu, 07/27/2017 - 8:15am

     The winners of the 26th Annual Subway Cookie Contest have been announced. The judging took place at noon on July 21 during the 2017 Great Jones County Fair on the Free Stage.

Youth – Chocolate Chip

     1. Carter Conrad, Cascade

     2. Carly Conrad, Cascade

Youth – Chocolate Chip +1

     1. Hallie Kelchen, Cascade

     2. Izzy Kurt, Cascade

Youth – Open Class

Hosford looks back on 103 years of life

Published by admin on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 4:41pm

     On Friday, July 14, Lyle Hosford celebrated quite a milestone… That was the day he turned 103 years old.

     “That’s what they tell me anyway,” he joked.

     Lyle has been at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since May due to a bout with pneumonia. His granddaughter, Lisa Hosford, said this is only his second move in his lifetime.

Wyoming fares well at 2017 Wyoming Fair

Published by admin on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 4:35pm

Thompson shows heifer champion

     Kailyn Thompson of Maquoketa showed the overall heifer champion during the 64th annual Steer and Heifer Show Saturday, July 15 at the Wyoming Fair.

     Results follow:

HEIFERS

Angus

     Champion: Kara Gnade. Reserve Champion: Hannah Fishwild.

Charolais Composite

     Champion: Caelan Long.

Charolais

     Champion: Kara Gnade.

Chi

Subscriber Login