Twist and Shout • 1124

Page 1


PUBLISHER

terry christensen tchristensen@messengernews.net

HR/ACCOUNTING

melissa wendland mwendland@messengernews.net

DESIGN COORDINATOR

nick manwarren nmanwarren@messengernews.net

SALES DIRECTOR

leanne darr ldarr@messengernews.net

SALES CONSULTANTS

jody kayser jkayser@messengernews.net

jes nemecheck jnemecheck@messengernews.net

EDITOR

bill shea bshea@messengernews.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

tom tourville lori berglund hailey brueschke brandon brueschke mark adkins

COPYRIGHT

Reasons to choose HIV self-testing:

We can stop HIV, Iowa— and with HIV self-testing, we can do it on our own terms.

Easy: You can take the test yourself and get results without an appointment.

Painless: The self test uses fluid from your gums—no needles or blood!

Confidential: The test is mailed to you in a plain package. You can take it in a place that is safe, private, and convenient.

Quick results: Get reliable results in as little as 20 minutes.

If you need an HIV self test, you can order one through Together TakeMeHome —a free HIV self-testing program throughout the U.S.

There is a limit to how soon a self test can detect HIV after exposure. If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV in the past few days, please go to a clinic near you for an HIV test!

Find free HIV testing locations at stophiviowa.org

Learn more and order your free HIV at-home test now!

https://together.takemehome.org/

Ghouls, ghosts and goblins take up residence once again in a beloved location this Halloween season.

Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Parker

Aden announced the PocaHAUNTUs Haunted House is back for season two in its location at 300 N.W. Seventh St.

“We are so excited to continue this,” Aden said. “We had over 900 people attend a year ago and received a very warm reception. Due to that, we’re adding a third weekend this year, as we are anticipating a larger crowd.”

Aden noted the haunted house will also be a collaborative effort with the Chamber and Pocahontas Fire Department for the second year in a row.

“We market it, as they lent us the space and feed our volunteers,” Aden said. “Our volunteers put a lot of time and energy into it.

We want to help them keep coming back, and this partnership works toward that goal.”

A range of 50 to 60 volunteers and the visionary decorative experience of local businesswoman Wendi Malecek turn the space into a Hallow’s Eve wonderland of sorts, according to Aden. Malecek, the owner of New Impressions, was part of the Chamber’s initial discussions for the event.

“Our volunteers put a lot of time and energy into it. We want to help them keep coming back, and this partnership works toward that goal.”
-Parker Aden

“She has a great eye for decorations and she’s on our board,” Aden said about the first PocaHAUNTUs discussions. “When the idea kept coming back, eventually a date of 2023 was aimed. We kept asking Wendi ‘What’s your next idea?’, as she is great for insight like that. We’re so grateful to her and all of our volunteers for what they do towards this.”

The event isn’t just about providing local residents and their families Halloween fun. It’s also a fundraiser on three different levels, according to Aden.

“Of the $15 admission fee, $6 goes to the chamber for future events and so forth, $6 goes to the Fire Department for their annual expenses, and $3 every year rotate towards a local project,” Aden said. “This year it will go towards the Pocahontas Meals on Wheels location. We thought we might lose it due to

some financial concerns. However, they’ve managed to keep going, but we still want to provide some assistance.”

PocaHauntUs, which received Outstanding Market Niche Initiative recognition during the 2024 Iowa Tourism Awards, begins Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12. It continues the following two weekends featuring 15 to 20 rooms of Halloween fun for all ages. Admission is $15 with parking available behind the facility and in the vicinity of the Pocahontas Dental and Wellness building. Each evening begins with a lights-on option for participants from 6 to 7 p.m.

Complete information can be accessed at www.facebook.com/pokyhauntedhouse.

Get Ready for a Howling Good Time at the Community Health Center’s Annual Fundraiser!

This Halloween weekend, don your spookiest costume and join us for a night of fun and philanthropy at the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge’s Annual Costumes and Comedy Fundraiser! On Saturday, October 26th, the showroom at Shimkat Motor Company in Fort Dodge will transform into a lively hub of entertainment and community spirit, and you won’t want to miss it!

Event Details:

Location: Shimkat Motor Company, Fort Dodge

Time: Social Hour from 6 – 7 PM, followed by dinner, dessert dash, auction, and a comedy performance by Wolfdog Comedy

Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Available now at Shimkat Motor Company or online at CHCFD.com

The evening promises to be a spook-tacular affair featuring a delectable dinner, including roast beef or chicken, cheesy hash browns, green beans, salads, and a dinner roll. Drinks will be available for purchase, and don’t miss out on the dessert dash, where an amazing assortment of sweets will be auctioned off!

Costumes are encouraged, though not required. Expect a parade of creative and fun Halloween costumes as we host our popular costume contest.

Raffle Fun: Get in on the action with our exciting raffle! Prizes include:

An $800 prize package to Shimkat Motor Company (a $500 gift certificate plus an auto detail)

A $500 Fareway Gift Card

A $500 Hy-Vee Gift Card

Raffle tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100, with a total of 500 tickets available. Purchase them from health center staff, at Shimkat Motor Company, or online at CHCFD. com. You don’t need to be present to win, but make sure you get your tickets before they sell out!

Online Auction: Bid from the comfort of your home or right from your phone during the event! Our online auction, running from October 18th to October 26th, features a range of local gift certificates, services, and unique items. Whether you’re looking for a great deal or a special treat, this is the perfect opportunity to support a worthy cause while snagging some fantastic items.

Why We’re Fundraising: The proceeds from this event will go towards purchasing a Dental RV—a mobile dental office equipped to provide essential dental care throughout our community. This RV will offer everything from preventive care to restorative services, bringing much-needed dental services to schools, nursing homes, and other underserved areas.

The Community Health Center of Fort Dodge is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center offering medical, dental, and behavioral health services. We are open to everyone, regardless of insurance status, and accept Medicare, Medicaid, most major insurance plans, and offer a sliding fee scale for those who qualify. We also have health centers in the communities of Dayton, Eagle Grove, Clarion, and Mason City, Iowa.

Don’t miss out on this exciting and impactful event! For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit CHCFD.com. Join us for a night of entertainment and support a cause that makes a real difference in our community. It’s going to be a howling good time!

THE S & H

O U T

!

Pulse

OCTOBER LOCAL EVENTS CALENDAR

OCTOBER 1

Art After School @ the Blanden

Art Education Center

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

One hour of a fun art activity and snack with Art Educator Members $5 Non-Member $8

OCTOBER 2

Ribbon Cutting: Iowa Workforce Development

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

OCTOBER 3

Jordan Beem

LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 4

Jive for Five at Soldier Creek Winery

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

OCTOBER 5

Luke Fox

LIVE at Salty Suz’s

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

OCTOBER 6

FD Choral Society Presents “A Choral Harvest”

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Choral works spanning classical music periods. Admission by Season Membership or $12.00 at the door for adults.

Ryne Doughty @ Soldier Creek Winery

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

OCTOBER 7

FDPL Book Club ~ The Lindbergh Nanny

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Registration for this event will close on October 7, 2024 @ 6:00pm.

OCTOBER 8

Ribbon Cutting:

Elderbridge Agency on Aging

8:15 AM - 8:45 AM

Join us and our Ambassadors for a ribbon cutting for Elderbridge Agency on Agin who will be celebrating 50 years!

OCTOBER 9

Hawkeye Community Theatre presents “The Game’s Afoot” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 10

Craft Night - Paint & Sip @ Soldier Creek Winery

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Brady O’Brien LIVE presents Award Winning & Grammy Nominated Contemporary ArtistBrandon Heath

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tickets $15.00

Hawkeye Community Theatre presents “The Game’s Afoot” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 10

Rod Johnson

LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 11

Stadium Drive @ Soldier Creek Winery 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Hawkeye Community Theatre presents “The Game’s Afoot” 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

OCTOBER 12-13

Annual FD Area Quilter’s Show “Inspirations from the Heart” 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

OCTOBER 12

Hawkeye Community Theatre presents “The Game’s Afoot” 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Daybreak Rotary Chili Supper

3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Daybreak Rotary Chili & Cinnamon Roll Supper

The People’s Band LIVE at Shiny Top Brewing 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Clare-E-Oke at Salty Suz’s 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

OCTOBER 12

Joy to the World - Celebrating our 75th Season with the FD Area Symphony 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

OCTOBER 24

One Vision’s ONE DAY: Human Foosball Tournament 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

OCTOBER 26

Costumes and Comedy Community Health Center Fundraiser 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

OCTOBER 26

14th Annual Monster’s Ball 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM

Good Eats &Drinks

FAST-FOOD:

Burger King 2814 5th Ave. S

Casey’s Carry-Out Pizza 2007 N.15th St. 2206 2nd Ave. N. 1133 S. 22nd St. 1308 3rd

Culver’s 3048 5th Ave. S.

dining:

716 Main ..................................Humboldt

Amigos.................................. 280 N. 1st St.

Applebee’s ......................... 2810 5th Ave. S

Bloomers on Central ......... 900 Central Ave.

Buffalo Wild Wings ..................... 2909 5th Ave. S.

CasaBlanca Steak House Hwy 169

Ardys Mae Coffee and Dessert 14 S. 14th St.

Community Tap & Pizza 2026 5th Ave. S.

Peking Garden 510 5th Ave. S.

Hacienda Vieja 1518 3rd Ave. NW

Ja-Mar Drive-In 329 S. 25th St.

Lizard Creek Ranch 1762 Johnson Ave

The Stadium 2001 2nd Ave. N.

Lomitas Mexican Restaurant 2223 5th Ave. S.

Mineral City 2621 5th Ave. So.

Ninja Sushi Steak House 407 S. 25th St.

Perkins 511 S. 32nd St.

Pizza Ranch 3311 5th Ave. S. 1317 Central Ave.

A Pinch of Love Cafe 850 S. 18th St.

Shiny Top Brewing 520 Central Ave. 2021 6th Ave. S. 2707 N. 15th St.

Tom Thumb Drive Inn 1412 A. St. 3521 5th Ave. S.

Tropical Smoothie 2813 1/2 5th Ave. S. 2002 N. 15th St.

Zakeer’s Family Restaurant 425 2nd Ave. S.

Domino’s Pizza 1430 5th Ave S.

Dunkin’ Donuts 2520 5th

Iowa Central’s Theatre Department to feature a New Comedy:

Community Garden

As I was reading plays this summer, I was excited to discover a gem of a show written and published just last year. I am thrilled when a play is well-written, when it grabs me at the start and takes me on a worthwhile journey to an engaging closure. I love the newness, the freshness of this story—and it’s one that is both meaningful and moving. Here is the play’s synopsis published in Playscripts:

Uptown, Chicago, newbie Ralph doesn’t quite know what to expect during his first volunteer shift at Uptown City Gardens. It’s certainly not the vibrant, bustling community that passes through the green space, checking on their plants, composting their food scraps, meeting up with friends, and— surprisingly often—falling in love. After a few hours, Ralph begins to understand seasoned volunteer Donald’s claim that the garden is magic. In a series of heartfelt and humorous vignettes, Community Garden digs into the ways taking care of the environment helps people take care of each other.

As indicated in the synopsis, this play is a series of vignettes as different people come into the garden. Some characters return; others do not. My first descriptions of the play to my family included words like gentle, hopeful, healing. Even

by

by

when reading the playwright’s notes prior to reading the script, I was pulled to Justin Borak’s words. Here are some snippets from his Author’s Note in the script about “More Good Air” which stirred his imagination for this new play:

I never understood how much air meant to me until I was trapped in my stuffy Chicago apartment for over a year. Being a Chicagoan is a wonderful experience, but you never really think

about what living in a city means. It means you immediately become part of a larger carbon footprint in a place where you struggle to find a recycling bin. For a long time, I let that drift to the back of my mind, like most 22-year-olds trying to be comedians, but after being afraid to leave my apartment for the better part of 2020, I began to find joy in the smallest things. I lost my city but gained the direct community contained within my lifesaving 30-minute walks. The community of Uptown, Chicago. On these walks, I developed more of an appreciation for the neighborhood and found things I never knew existed. Gigio’s Pizzeria, Kenny Mac’s Barbershop, and Uptown Bikes changed from places I had been only once or twice before into hubs of human connection. The pinnacle of each of those walks was the 10 minutes I spent reading in Winthrop Community Garden every day. The garden had been down the street from me for four years, and I walked by it every week with my groceries from Target, but I never thought to go in. When I finally did, I breathed in the best air I had ever experienced in Chicago. Good air during a time when the world was nervous about breathing. I felt blessed by something, and after that, all I wanted was to build more “good air”.

That description from Justin Borak resonated with me. As a lifelong educator, I delight in plays that are crafted to be educational as well as entertaining. We hope audience members will be inspired to learn some things about gardening and to find their own local community where they can connect, contribute and help to preserve our most precious of resources—the air we breathe and the earth we inhabit.

Community Garden Cast List:

Ralph: Justin Durr

Bella: Kloee Jones

Our team is working hard to create a magical space in our new Center for Performing Arts. Ashley Garst now occupies the helm as our Director of Technical Theatre, and we welcome the incredible addition of Brady O’Brien to our team of regulars. Brady is our new Coordinator of Decker Auditorium and Center for Performing Arts, and Scott Deuel continues to assist us as well. Mike Weidemann returns as our sound engineer, and Joseph Jackson aided in the original stage design process. The playwright encourages us to be creative with the set, using the entire space and making the audience feel like they are a part of the community as well--using things like music, art, sensory devices, and anything else our team believes could help build community in space. Our hope is to make the theater feel like one big neighborhood. For this reason, we are looking to bring the audience as close to the stage as possible and surround them with gardens.

Our cast is made up of 20 returning Iowa Central students and 20 who are new to our program, so we are delighted with all the new connections that are made through participation in the performing arts. We continue to be amazed with the depth of talent each new year brings to our program. The show will run under two hours and will also feature in our foyer some community groups and businesses who thrive in promoting beautiful, healthy “green” spaces. Contact us if you are interested in taking part in that pre-show experience in our beautiful foyer. We are inviting patrons, also, to help us with a Children’s Book Drive to go towards the Joy of Reading program as there are several moments in the show referencing the Take a Book, Leave a Book library in the garden.

So—mark your calendars and reserve your seats soon for Iowa Central’s fall production of Community Garden which will run October 17-19 at 7:00 p.m. and ending with a matinee on October 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts and Decker Auditorium. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for students with Iowa Central faculty, staff and students attending for free. Tickets will be on sale at the Iowa Central bookstore or online: the link to the website is https://secure.iowacentral. edu/bookstore/Details.asp?ProdID=1277&category=6 . The other option is to log on to www.iowacentral.edu/ bookstore and click on tickets--on the top row menu bar in the middle. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Donald: Sam Opfer

Kelly: Gracie Grady

Casey: Elle Clark

Andi: Que Fortune

Trace: Laura Heisterkamp

Davey: Sydney Lauck

Adam: Evan Pratt

Ken: Maddox Williams

April: Reese Pederson

Sadie: Lesley Chavez

August: Luke Royster

Daphne: Emma Davis

Kape: Bri Horton

Mr. Putnam: Andy Sweazey

Taylor: Lundyn Jones

Jordan: Jacob Carman

Crossover Patron Ensemble: Rhonda Aurodou, Camden Doster, Emma Englin, Piper Graham, Jaz Harris, Aliyah Henry, Keilah Jensen, Kayla Johns-McGarity, Cindy Lopez, Kira Messerly, Jules Sande, Korina Sears, Chloe Speck, Brenna Mahoney, Key’Miyah Williams, Linus Areblad, Anthony Glay, DJ Jennings, Ben Stinnett, Andy Sweazey, Collin Vik, Bryce Walker, Bill Wright

shiningstar

Bryce Walker

Age: 19 • Grade/School: Second year at Iowa Central Community College

Hometown: Vinton, IA

Tell us about some of the cultural experiences you had growing up. (Dance, Singing etc.)

As a child I began doing musicals and plays for the community theater called Act 1. This got me to experience many different forms of song and dance, as well as finding my interest in singing.

Do you come from an “artys” family?

Although I may be interested in the fine arts, my family was more focused on sports, besides my family enjoying the occasional musical from time to time.

What is your earliest memory performing?

The first performance I remember myself being in would be back in my late elementary years. The play was 12 Angry Elves, where I played Santa Clause.

What do you most enjoy about performing?

I love the bonds you create and just going out and enjoying all the hard work you and your new friends put to achieve the outcome.

What instruments do you play and what is the most challenging part about playing an instrument?

I play flute, oboe, bassoon, piano and I also sing. I would say I’m a double reed player and vocalists, but I play flute, oboe, bassoon, piano and I sing tenor and recently countertenor. With that being said, the hardest part about knowing all these instruments would be the techniques that can be used and knowing which ones work for what instruments as some can overlap.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What 3 things do you bring and why?

I would want to have my color guard flag so I have something to do when bored, a tent to have shelter, and probably tea so when I end up singing too much I have something to drink to help.

What activities/groups/ensembles are you currently involved with?

I am in the ICCC concert and jazz bands, as well as ICCC concert choir, vocal jazz, popvoices, encore, and triton eight.

What do you want to do after Iowa Central Community College?

I am hoping to transfer to some university to continue my education so I can end up with my BA in Music/ Music Education and maybe continue to get a higher degree later on.

Who are some of your role models? Why?

I’ve always looked up to my high school Band and Choir directors at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. They both helped me advance my techniques in singing and playing abilities, and they were always there to support me when I was trying something new.

Tell us one word that you would use to describe yourself.

I would use the word “character” to describe myself as I’ve been called character before as there is no one like me. I am my own character.

a look back

WHEN THE AUCTIONEER CAME TO TOWN YOU HAD BETTER NOT JUST WALK ON BY

THE LEROY VAN DYKE STORY

I am guessing that most of you reading this grew up in the Midwest, most likely from the decades of the ‘60s,‘70s and ‘80s. One of our favorite past times was when our parents took us to a farm sale or a going out of business/moving auction.

I know for me; I was always mesmerized when the auctioneer cracked open the microphone and spoke faster than any human being alive. I seldom understood what he was saying, so I was constantly bugging my parents about what was going on. I usually got to buy some 45 records on the auction and there were always other kids there about my age to talk with. These were fun times.

When I headed off to college, I thought it would be fun to be an auctioneer so I looked into an auctioneer’s school in Mason City, Iowa. Nope, not for me. I needed to find another way to make some money, so I landed on booking bands. What a rock n roll thrill ride that turned out to be.

In 1956 a young music artist liked the concept of making a record based upon the talents of an auctioneer. That singer was Leroy Van Dyke, who was born in rural Pettis County, Missouri. While still in Jr High School, he was impressed that his cousin Ray Sims, who had started working on being a Missouri based auctioneer. When Van Dyke watched his cousin do auctions, he would always ask Sims about being an auctioneer whenever they were together. This gave him a chance to learn from Sims. Leroy became a very good amateur auctioneer.

While Van Dyke was stationed in Korea during the Korean War, he wrote the song” “Auctioneer.” After getting out of the service, he entered the song in a Chicago talent contest. As a result of the strong showing for the song in the contest, he was given a recording contract with Dot Records. Things were off and running for the “Auctioneer/I Fell In Love With A Pony-Tail” (Dot Records #15503). The song sold over 2 ½ million records, went gold, gained Top #10 status on the Billboard charts and is still selling today! This gem has been covered by Lynn Anderson, Steve Goodman and Gordon Lightfoot. That was an amazing first effort for Van Dyke. But the best was yet to come.

Van Dyke followed “Auctioneer” with other such releases as: “One Heart” (Dot #15652), “The Pocket Book Song” (Dot #15561) and “Leather Jacket” (Dot “15698). With his follow-up releases on Dot not reaching the success of “Auctioneer,” he left Dot Records. Van Dyke was not looking for a new record label, but soon he was snapped up by Mercury Records and offered another recording deal.

One of his first releases for Mercury Records came in 1961 when Van Dyke released the country classic of “Walk On By/My World Is Caving In” (Mercury Records #71834). The song went to No #1 on the Billboard county charts, #5 on Billboard’s pop music charts and has been estimated to have sold over 4 million records. For its 100th Anniversary issue, Billboard Magazine named “Walk On By” as the biggest country music song/hit in history. Simply, wow!

“Walk On Bay” stayed at No #1 on the Billboard country charts for 19 straight weeks and stayed in that place until country superstars Florida Georgia Line hit the charts with “Cruise,” that stayed at #1 for over 20 straight weeks on the country charts.

Country music fans were excited to learn that Hank “Sugarfoot” Garland played guitar for Van Dyke’s record and the bass was played by county guitar legend, Buddy Killen. Back-up vocals being sung by Grand Ole Opry star, Margie Singleton.

Van Dyke followed up “Walk On By” with “Faded Love,” “Black Cloud,” “Five Steps Away,” “Dim Dark Corner” and “Be A Good Girl.” In total, Leroy has recorded and released over 500 records. In addition, he has had 13 of his records chart in the UK. Leroy is a member of the Auctioneers Hall of Fame, the Grand Old Opry and Leroy was a cast member of the Ozark Jamboree TV show.

The best part of the Leroy Van Dyke story was when he and his band the Auctioneers, traveled to Fort Dodge in May of 1962 to appear at out Laramar Ballroom.

Leroy still does short run tours and headlines a show titled, “The County Gold Tour.” I would sure like to see him once again.

Until Next Month

Take Care & Remember The Music

artistspot

Greta Nelson

Age: 27 • Hometown: Northfield, Minnesota

College: Wartburg College

Profession: Webster City High School Choir Director, Fort Dodge Choral Society Artistic Director

What role did music and the arts play in your childhood growing up?

My love for choral music is rooted in my involvement with the Northfield Youth Choirs. I joined in sixth grade, and sang through the remainder of high school. I made some of my closest friends, and got to perform around the country and world. I also played alto and bari saxophone in concert and jazz bands throughout middle and high school. Music was a daily part of my life growing up, and the opportunities I was given fueled my passions as a musician and now educator.

What is your earliest memory of music/art?

I think my earliest musical memory was probably in elementary music class, around 2nd or 3rd grade. We listened and then acted out Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf” in class as the different characters and animals. We learned that the flute represented the bird, the horn the wolf, the strings were Peter, etc. I loved this so much that

I would play the music at home and act out the different characters with my stuffed animals and dolls! Looking back on this, I love how something I viewed as fun was building foundational music knowledge.

At what point did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career educating students in music?

After graduating high school, I knew I wanted to study music, but wasn’t convinced education was the right path for me. One semester into my freshman year at college, I knew I wanted to be involved with and lead choral ensembles for the rest of my life, and added music education as my major!

What was your college music experience like?

I had a wonderful music experience at Wartburg College. I was challenged, encouraged, and overall surrounded by supportive peers and professors. I maintained musical and organizational leadership

roles throughout my 4 years in the Wartburg Choir as section leader and choir president. I learned a lot from these roles which better prepared me for being a music teacher in the real world. I also met some of my closest friends, and many of them are now my music colleagues!

What

have you learned during 5 years of teaching?

My first two years of teaching were interrupted by the pandemic, so I learned the importance of flexibility and patience. I also have learned how important my role is as a facilitator of positive and meaningful culture in the choir room. It is important to celebrate the successes we have musically, but also to reflect and learn from the difficult moments, and to aim towards growing as humans and musicians.

In what ways have you been involved in arts in the Webster City & Fort Dodge communities?

In Webster City, I direct 3 curricular ensembles at Webster City High School. Annual highlights include our variety show, delivering Singing Valentines, participating in Christmas in the City, and presenting 3 traditional choir concerts throughout the school year. In Fort Dodge, I joined the Fort Dodge Choral Society in 2022 as an alto, and now have the honor of serving as its Artistic Director. Other involvements include being the hand bell director and worship band member at Trinity Lutheran Church in Webster City, as well as singing and assisting with the Webster City Community Choir.

Tell us about some of your music/arts related accomplishments.

I received the Iowa Choral Directors Association “Outstanding Emerging Choral Educator” Award in 2023.

Our top ensemble from Webster City High School received a Division 1 rating for the first time in many years in Spring 2024!

Last May in Fort Dodge Choral Society, we presented a world-premiere,

commissioned work by composer Jordan Jinosko, written in memory of our previous director, Bruce Perry. This was a very meaningful concert for me and our choral society family.

Who is your biggest role model?

It’s hard to pick just one person, because there are so many influential people in my life. My parents of course - Tracy and Jackie Nelson. Liz Shepley - former Director of the Northfield Youth Choirs, Lee NelsonDirector of the Wartburg Choir, and Michael Culloton -Director of the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir and Concordia Choir.

What

are your long term music/music education goals for your program?

Continuing to build the vocal music program at WCHS both in number and in the quality of performances! I want students to walk away from high school with a positive and memorable music experience.

What would you tell one of your students considering music education as their college major?

Give yourself grace, and be patient with yourself. Taking something you’re passionate about and turning it into a career can pose its challenges, but it’s worth it, because then you get to share that passion with others in such an important way.

Go to www.fineartsassociation.com for a

To become a member or let us know about an event contact:

photo by Chris-Tomas Konieczny

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.