Letting her roots shine
Wild Roots Boutique and Suites now open in former Prairie Escape Wellness Center location in Prairie City
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Sparkle and shine, bright colors and funky decorations
— Wild Roots Boutique and Suites, now in Prairie City, is open and excited to welcome in the community. Located in the former Prairie Escape Wellness Center at 301 W. Jefferson St., Wild Roots features women-led businesses from a hair salon to nail technician, a tattoo artist, message therapist and esthetician.
“I like color, I like funky, I like happy. I think disco balls make you happy,” owner Kayci Bloethe said. “Wild Roots is
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League of Women Voters hosts legislative gathering
Rep. Dunwell confirmed to appear to give updates and answer questions
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
The League of Women Voters of Jasper County will be hosting its first legislative gathering of the year at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 at DMACC Newton Campus. Scheduled to attend the public event is House Rep. Jon Dunwell, who will be providing updates and answering questions about the goings on at the Iowa Legislature.
Sen. Ken Rozenboom has also been invited to attend. House Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla, whose district covers most of the Prairie City and
Monroe communities, cannot attend the first event but is scheduled to participate alongside Dunwell in a forthcoming event at 10 a.m. March 11 at the Newton Public Library. Legislative gatherings have garnered energetic discussions about some of the most talked about topics that have come before the legislature. Education has proven to be a major talking point in past events, particularly when the governor proposed the reform of the AEAs and introduced education savings accounts, or vouchers, for private schools.
Lack of affordable childcare looms large in Jasper County
The Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment found childcare and early childhood education a top concern for residents
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of articles exploring the results of the Jasper County Community Health Needs Assessment.
Lack of childcare is a top concern in the community Health Needs Assessment, and it is an issue that has been present in the county for an extended period of time. With a workforce shortage perception of
more than 56 percent for childcare providers in the county, finding quality childcare close to home is more difficult than ever for local families.
More than 16 percent of respondents also eported they were unable to get childcare when it was needed in the past year. For those who attended the community town hall meeting, lack of childcare was a top
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100 days ‘older’ and wiser
PCM Elementary kids celebrate 100
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Newton News and the PCM Explorer took home four first-place plaques last week at the Iowa Newspaper Association Convention and Awards Ceremony in downtown Des Moines. Both newspapers, along with the Jasper County Tribune, received top-three placements in 14 categories for their reporting, photography and graphics.
“I am always impressed with the work our staff puts in keeping the public informed week in and week
Shaw Media papers received placements in 14 categories at annual convention
out,” editor Jamee A. Pierson said. “To be recognized for our efforts by our peers is exciting, and I am very proud of everyone who contributes to making our papers great.”
The ceremony was held Feb. 6 at the Marriott Hotel. Presentations were made to the winners of the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contests, which was judged this year by the Kansas Press Association. Approximately 3,200 entries in dozens of categories were judged by class, which is based on circulation size.
Newton News competed in Class IV, which is for
newspapers published more than once a week with a circulation under 3,750. PCM Explorer and Jasper County Tribune, which cover the smaller communities of Jasper County, competed in Class I for newspapers published once a week with 755 circulation and under.
SIX PLACEMENTS FOR NEWTON NEWS
Sports Editor Troy Hyde won Best Sports Section for the Newton News. Judges praised the quality writing and page layout. Hyde also earned third place for Best
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Kayci Bloethe, owner of Wild Roots Boutique and Suites, shows off her fun and funky design aesthetic in the business’s new location in Prairie City.
Explorer PCM
Worth Mentioning
Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com
Events at The Gathering Place
Thursday, Feb. 13
• 10am Patty Richards Show
• 5:30pm Community Potluck
Friday, Feb. 14
• Piano with Jacque Robinson
Monday, Feb. 17
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, Feb. 18
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
• 1pm Game Time
• 6pm Bingo
Wednesday, Feb. 19
• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
Thursday, Feb. 20
• 9am Focus Group
GriefShare session Saturday
First Reformed Church in Prairie City will host GriefShare from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome. Register on line at GriefShare.org or contact Mary Lemmert at 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@ aol.com.
LWV to host upcoming legislative gatherings in Newton
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Legislative Gathering with Rep. Jon Dunwell at 10 a.m. Saturday at DMACC. Come and listen to Rep. Dunwell speak about his committee work and what is happening at the legislature. The audience may ask questions. Another Legislative Gathering will be at 10 a.m. March 11 at the Newton Public Library with Representatives Dunwell and Kniff McCulla. Sen. Rozenbloom has been invited to both events.
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
TOPS
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Lions Breakfast Feb. 22
Prairie City Lions will host a Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Prairie City Community Building . Proceeds from the monthly breakfast go toward a community project.
Registration due for Monroe
ATV/UTV and Golf
Carts
ATV/UTV/Golf Cart Registration is due March 1 at Monroe City Hall. There is no charge, but a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance showing a special rider on your auto policy is required.
Time to license your cat and dog in Monroe
Pet licenses in Monroe can now be purchased at city hall and are due by April 1. Cat and dog licenses are $10 for altered animals. Unaltered animals are $20. Rabies shots must be current. Licenses not purchased by April 1 will be subject to an extra $10 fee.
100 days of school at PCM Elementary
Wild-harvested mushroom certification class set for spring
Certification course, led by extension experts, offers experience identifying and safely harvesting wild mushrooms in Iowa
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Wild-harvested Mushroom Certification Class will return this spring, offering mushroom hunters a valuable opportunity to hone their identification skills, learn more about their favorite mushrooms and connect with fellow mushroom hunters. The class is particularly relevant for those hoping to sell wild-harvested mushrooms, as sellers are legally required to complete a certification workshop to sell eight different varieties of wild-harvested mushrooms.
The class, led by Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with Iowa State University, will begin with an online lecture followed by a mandatory in-person workshop. The online lecture will be delivered live via Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing. Attendance at the live Zoom session is not required, but participants are encouraged to review the online lecture prior to attending the in-person workshops.
Attendance at the in-person workshop is mandatory for certification as the exam will be conducted during the in-person workshop. In-person workshops will be held March 15, March 29 and April 12,
HPV
and registration is $60. Participants are only required to attend one of the three available in-person workshops to receive certification. Visit the Wild-harvested Mushrooms Certification website to register. Participants will receive the link for the live Zoom lecture when they register for a workshop.
Harbach, who has conducted the workshop for the past two years, has enjoyed the opportunity to cultivate a community of fellow mushroom lovers and highlights the importance of distinguishing commonly harvested mushroom species from lookalikes.
“This certification helps ensure the safety of wild-harvested mushrooms sold in Iowa, by training the people foraging and selling them. Nobody wants to get sick from a misidentified mushroom. There are real health risks we are trying to prevent with this certification,” said Harbach.
The state of Iowa legally requires a certification workshop that covers identifying mushrooms and distinguishing them from lookalikes in order to sell eight different species: morel, oyster, chanterelles, hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, lion’s mane, pheasant back and black
trumpet. Iowans who have not been certified to sell morel mushrooms for three or more years must recertify this year.
Registration is open to out-of-state individuals who hunt and sell in Iowa; however, additional certification may be required to sell in other states. To register, visit the Wild-harvested Mushrooms Certification website. Emailpidc@iastate.eduif you have questions about training and certification status.
Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca A white morel (Morchella americana) popping up through the forest floor prime for harvest.
based on, we’re all women and we’re rooted in generations of strong women. We live by our own rules. We’re all self-employed, we’re business women who make our own schedules.”
Formerly in downtown Colfax, Wild Roots moved to Prairie City earlier this year opening its new doors Jan. 1. The business was a perfect match for the recently vacated building and after adding her unique touch it is ready to welcome community members around the county.
“We were in Colfax in the old
three concern.
doctor’s office. I had worked in there and also rented a room. After it closed I wanted to bring more of my services in there so I got the wild idea of turning it into a suite place to compliment my services with other ones,” Bloethe said. “I wanted to buy the building and they didn’t want to sell it ... and we had different ideas for things. I had my eye on this place and somehow it just worked out. I called Dan Stravers and asked him about it. I said I have a business that is move-in ready. I don’t want to change anything I just want to add color to it. It was available and now this is my dream come true. There is so much room for growth and built for
The county is also falling behind in head start programs, which are designed to help children ages 5 and under who come from families at or below poverty level. In Jasper County, there is a rate of 4.63 per 10,000 kids in a head start program, below the state average of 13.16 per 10,000 kids, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“This indicator is important because the program’s goal is to help children become ready for kindergarten while also providing the needed requirements to thrive, including health care and food support,” the report said.
Preschool fares better with 426 children ages 3 and 4 enrolled in the county. That is 44.24 percent of those children that age within the borders compared to 43.19 percent of kids in the state according, to the
Explorer PCM
what we do.”
Walking through the door Bloethe’s design aesthetic is evident with dozens of disco balls shining, colored cowboy boots decorations and a cheetah print pattern painted on the wall. Fun and bright, Bloethe wants people to feel happy as they come in for their services.
“I like when people come in and get a taste of our personality,” Bloethe said. “We wanted to make it like us: very colorful, vibrant and funky.”
Only moving five miles down the road makes the new location an easy trip for clients of the businesses. It was important for Bloethe to be able to stay in the area
U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.
To address the issue of lack of affordable daycare, the county plans to launch a public awareness campaign through local media, including social media, newspapers and radio, highlighting the importance of children in improving community health. Information will be presented at a Jasper County Cares meeting and using social media will be promoted. Jasper County Cares will also update the county resource guide with any childcare information available.
The county will monitor state guild lines and advocate for changes for the childcare system. Promotions and offerings to train childcare providers will also be rolled out with a completion date for all efforts Dec. 31, 2026. By doing so, the county hopes to increase awareness about childcare resources available in Jasper County. It also hopes to increase the people utilizing affordable childcare resources and increase the number of trained childcare providers.
and Cardinal Frame Shop and Relics, LLC Antiques, Collectibles and Stuff.
Sports Feature Photo for his photo of Cardinal bowler Libbie Keith reacting to one of her marks against a win over Norwalk. Newton News also won first place for its Coverage of Business, which featured stories from Associate Editor Christopher Braunschweig about Newton YMCA, The Farmer’s Wife, Open Arms Foundation, Blooms by Design
Braunschweig also earned a third place finish for Best News Feature Story in Newton News and shared a third place placement with Pierson for Coverage of Agriculture for their stories about drought conditions, raising livestock in winter, no-till farming, the farm bill and a Newton ag teacher. Pierson was also awarded third place for Best Use of Graphics. FIVE PLACEMENTS
FOR PCM EXPLORER
and she is excited for the new opportunities Prairie City brings.
“Prairie City is five miles down the road from Colfax; it’s not far,” Bloethe said.
“We’re still in Jasper County. We wanted to stay in a small town and this is just perfect.”
The building is currently full with all businesses previously with Bloethe making the move to the new location, along with a previous tenant.
The building still has the event room and Bloethe has plenty of ideas on how to use it.
“It is nice to have a space for a lot of different things,” Bloethe said. As the weather turns
warmer and events start popping up more frequently, Bloethe and her crew are excited to get out in the community become a part of the fabric of Prairie City.
“We want to build community here,” Bloethe said. “We tried to be really involved in Colfax so getting to know people in this area. We hope that people are just as excited for us to be here as we are. It was a no-brainer to move here. We want to build those relationships. We’re laid back and we like making people feel good and pretty.”
To learn more about the specific businesses at Wild Roots Boutique and Suites, visit them on Facebook.
PCM Explorer won first place for Coverage and Government & Politics for Pierson’s reporting on Red Rock Prairie Trail funding, construction progress on the Prairie City Public Library, a reserve police program in Monroe, the effects of the state Public Health and Human Services consolidation and speed cameras.
Hyde won first place for
Best Sports Columnist for the PCM Explorer. Judges liked the local elements he tied to his stories, as well as the wide range of topics and teams he covered. They also commended Hyde for showing both sides of an argument to keep all readers engaged in his columns. Pierson shared second place with Braunschweig for Coverage of Agriculture. PCM Explorer also won third place for
Coverage of Business for Pierson’s reports on Monroe Foods and Mustang Nutrition, among others. Pierson also won third place for Best Continuing Coverage for articles on the grade alignment.
THREE PLACEMENTS FOR JASPER COUNTY TRIBUNE
Hyde earned a second place finish for Best Sports Feature Photo for the Jasper County Tribune for his image of the
Colfax-Mingo wrestling team celebrating James Gherveny’s win against Belle Plaine of Lynnville-Sully.
Pierson and Braunschweig shared a third place win for Coverage of Agriculture for the Jasper County Tribune. Pierson also won third place for Best News Story for her article on school districts navigating legislation allowing staff to carry firearms on school grounds.
The Ghosts of Groundhog Day past
Like thieves in the night, Groundhogs were our enemy when growing up on the MapleHill farm west of Monroe. Those little pigs dug tunnels around the foundations of farm buildings and made quite a mess. Dad and I stood on the porch across the road with my single-shot .22 and picked them off as best we could. Our landlord, Ulrie Clevenger, paid me $1 for every groundhog we shot. He then hauled the carcass out to the field for fertilizer.
I tried trapping them once, only I didn’t use a big enough trap. I used a muskrat trap and set it in one of the tunnels, anchored to the ground with a stake. The next morning when I checked the trap, it was pulled out of the ground and the trap gone — a life lesson in using the
Curt Swarm Empty Nest
proper tool for the job.
Several years ago, I belonged to Mt. Pleasant’s Running Club. For Groundhog Day, we decided to charter a bus, take it to Kansas City, and participate in the Annual Groundhog Run, held underground in Kansas City’s Hunt Caves. If you’ve never seen the Hunt Caves (yes the same Hunt family that owns the Chiefs), they are miles and miles of underground caves running horizontal through a hillside. They are used for storage because the caves are 68° year-around, with low hu-
midity — ideal for storage, and running. As the name implies the Groundhog Run is held on a Sunday as close to Groundhog Day as possible.
Well, the year I’m talking about, which was the second time we had gone to the Groundhog Run, I, being the class clown, decided to dress up like a groundhog, and run the entire race, a 5k (3.1 miles). There was also a 10k, which was simply a double loop of the 5k. But wearing the hot Groundhog costume, I wisely opted for the 5k.
I rented the groundhog costume from a costume store. It was actually a large mouse costume, but groundhog or big mouse, what’s the diff?
On the day of the race, I was quite the hit, like class clowns love. Runners had their pictures taken with me. I actually ran the whole 5k in the full-body costume and sweated like a hog (a misnomer — hogs don’t sweat). The large head was made of plastic, with only the eyes for
vent holes. But it was worth it. At the end of the race, the officials had me hand out awards. I was told that I was kissed several times by lady award winners, of which I was unaware. I was also disappointed that there was no award for the fastest groundhog. On the way home, the bus driver, vying for class clown, asked if he could borrow my groundhog costume. He wore it most of the way home, getting lots of honks from other drivers, and sent a picture of himself to his boss.
Groundhog Day was Sunday, Feb. 2 this year, perfect timing for the Groundhog Run. No, I did not run it this year, and maybe, at my age, 76, never will again. I have no idea if Punxsutawney Phil saw its (it is sometimes female) shadow, or not, and I don’t care. History tells us that PP is only 30 percent accurate, anywho, of predicting the weather for the rest of the winter. The Wolf Moon is a far better predictor as I wrote
about a couple of weeks ago. If you could see Mars as the Moon passed over it, the rest of the winter was going to be miserable, like winters of old, snow up to the eaves. If you couldn’t see Mars, the rest of the winter would be mild. I could not see Mars when the Wolf Moon was full on Jan. 13. Therefore, the rest of the winter, the Wolf Moon and I predict, is going to be mild. There, you heard it first from the Empty Nest. Move over Farmers Almanac. Speaking of groundhogs, there’s been some nasty holes dug in our roadside embankment lately. I’m wondering if they’re groundhog dens. I haven’t seen one yet, but I can’t imagine what else dug holes that size. Hmm. Maybe the groundhogs have come back to haunt me, getting revenge for all that shooting of their ancestors years ago. The ghosts of Groundhog Day past. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com.
By Bryan Golden
Persistence is the foundation of success. Although there are many ways to describe success, there is only one definition of failure – giving up. Whatever your meaning of success, you will only achieve it through persistence.
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almostaproverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
-CalvinCoolidge
Babe Ruth had more strikeouts than anyone else in history. When asked about the key to his success he said, “I just keep swinging.”
In the mid 1960s, Martin Cooper, an electrical engineer at Motorola, had a vision of a phone that could be carried around and powered by a battery. His concept was scoffed at by many of his fellow engineers. After 15 years in development, Motorola brought the cellular phone to market.
In 1864, he was born the son of slaves on a Missouri plantation. He grew up not knowing his parents. With persistence and determination, he put himself through college. To combat the racism he encountered, he excelled in everything he did. George Washington Carver became one of our nation’s leading scientists and revolutionized agriculture.
At 205 pounds and standing 5’10” tall he was below average size for a pro football player. To build his strength and endurance he ran up steep hills while playing high school football. As a professional player he ran up an 80-yard hill, set at a 45-degree angle, 25 times a day. Determined to be the best he could be, he watched films of opponents until he could predict their moves. Football Hall of Famer, Walter Payton tied or beat seven NFL records during his 13-season career.
You are born without the concept of failure. How did you learn to walk? The first time you tried you immediately fell. But you didn’t know you couldn’t succeed and immediately tried again. And again, you fell down. But you never gave up. Hundreds of times you repeated this process until you learned to walk.
Persistence is getting up one more time than you fall down. Unfortunately, you are taught to give up and fail. How many times have you heard one or more of the following?
“Why bother, you’ll never be able to do that –it’ll never work”
“Don’t rock the boat, just do what you’re supposed to do”
“Why take chances?”
“You’ll never amount to anything”
“Stop dreaming — come back to reality”
“Why don’t you give up already?”
“I tried that already, it doesn’t work”. If you had believed any of the above when you were learning to walk you would still be crawling! You didn’t listen to bad advice then so why listen to it now?
When you feel like giving up, you must keep going. Only by continuing, when most others won’t, will you achieve your goals. Don’t join the ranks of those who have given up just around the corner from success. You never know where your corner is so you must never stop.
Contact Bryan Golden at Bryan@columnist. comorvisitwww.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com
Strong Public Schools
By Jennifer Konfrst Iowa House Democratic Leader
With the first few weeks of the legislative session under our belts, it’s time to turn our attention to one of our most important duties - supporting public education.
Probably the biggest decision in front of us is deciding how much money the state will invest in public schools across the state, which are home to about 480,000 kids.
After hearing from parents, educators, and school board members about the challenges they are facing next year, we’re proposing boosting support for public education by $315 million next year, which is an increase of about 5 percent.
It’s what our state needs in order to guarantee every kid in Iowa gets a quality education, regardless of where they live. It will give public schools the flexibility to meet the needs of their students, whether it’s reducing class size, expanding mental health, or raising pay for educators.
YOUR VIEW
After a decade of low funding, it’s the minimum our public schools need to just keep up with rising costs. It’s also a matter of fairness given about 90 percent of our kids are in public schools. Here’s why.
When session began, the Governor recommended a whopping 44 percent increase in the amount of public dollars going to unaccountable private schools, while offering just a 2 percent increase for public school kids.
In the first four years alone, school vouchers are now expected to cost Iowa taxpayers over $1 billion. In addition to being way more than the original cost estimates, the huge increase next year is because there are no more limits on vouchers. Every family can receive almost $8,000 of taxpayer money to send their kids to private school - even the richest families in Des Moines.
Like most Iowans, I’m an opponent of vouchers because I believe public money is for public schools. As state lawmakers entrusted with taxpayer dollars, our commitment must
Are supervisors overcompensated for their time?
be to public schools first.
Here’s my bottom line: public school kids deserve at least the same increase of $315 million that is being given to private schools next year.
While the looming debate over public school funding isn’t over yet, early signs aren’t looking good for public school kids. So far, signs are showing that kids in public schools will not get the share of state resources they deserve. So far, Senate Republican leaders are siding with the Governor but Republican leaders in the House haven’t yet shared plans.
It’s so frustrating and I don’t blame Iowans one bit for feeling like politicians in Des Moines just aren’t listening to them. I’ve heard from so many people who grew up in Iowa like me saying Iowa doesn’t seem like the same state anymore, especially when it comes to our commitment to public schools. Honestly, I can’t disagree with them.
We’ve got to do better for our kids. The solution is pretty simple: put people over politics.
ment? Aren’t those salaries enough for them?
I suppose our Jasper County Board of Supervisors deserve a slight pat on the back for not voting a pay raise for themselves this time around. According to the report I read, they currently receive about $47,000 in compensation, with the board chair receiving about $49,500. Not bad for part-time work, I’d say. It’s a little strange however, that while our Republican elected officials are all gung-ho about the President’s mission to increase government efficiency by slashing government jobs in all departments, and even going so far as to demolish entire departments and all their staff to save money, our local Republican officials are only too happy to cash their own paychecks.
So why are our board members receiving such high pay? I suppose they deserve some compensation for the few hours they put in, but don’t all these board members have other, real jobs outside of their government service? Doesn’t one supervisor have a job at an auto dealership? Isn’t one a farmer? And doesn’t one work in Land and Wildlife Manage-
So why do they need an extra 40 grand-plus a year? I’d think that half that would be sufficient, or maybe one-quarter even. If Republicans want to slash spending, how about rethinking their own bloated salaries? I doubt that any of them would end up having trouble paying the mortgage or buying gas and groceries if they were to take a much lower salary than they are currently being paid.
Maybe the $2,500 stipend should be enough payment for being “public servants”? Just a thought. John Moore Newton
The PCM
Mustangs face Norsemen on Emotional Senior Night
The stands were packed, and the atmosphere was electric last Friday night for the Mustangs’ final regular season home game. The girls’ and boys teams both took on the Roland Story Norsemen for the varsity doubleheader. The boys defeated the Norsemen 67-56, while the girls fell short of a conference championship title, losing 73-50. The nine senior players were honored in between the boys and girls games. This year there were seven senior boys: Gavin Van Gorp, Cutler VandeLune, Pete Kiernan, Gavin DeRaad, Brevin DeRaad, Kaleb DeVries, and Jake Winters. “It doesn’t really feel like I’m a senior,” senior Gavin Van Gorp stated. “I’m just thankful for the entire season, thankful for all the guys that have been involved with it.” The seniors combined for a total of 33 points, with Van Gorp leading with 17 points, finishing the night perfect from three. Cutler VandeLune also hit some big shots, ending the night with eight points. Kaleb DeVries had a team-high nine assists. Junior Chase Wagaman had a big night, leading the team with 25 points. With the win, the Mustangs improve to 10-10 overall. Their season is not over, though, as they play two more home games, facing Knoxville and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont. The two senior girls honored were Addison Steenhoek and Rebecca DeVries. “My senior year so far has been incredible,” DeVries remarked when asked about her senior year experience. “We work hard in practice, and it pays off in games, and on top of it all, we have an amazing community that supports us like I’ve never seen before.” With the loss, the Mustangs fall to 18-3 overall. With leading scorer Libby Winters in early foul trouble, the girls were unable to defeat the seventh-ranked Norsemen. Junior Tori Lindsay led the team with 14 points and five rebounds. Steenhoek finished with 13 points and swiped four steals for the night. The season is not yet over for the girls as they finish the regular season and head into a very anticipated postseason. “I really hope to make it to state,” DeVries said when asked about what she hopes to accomplish with the team. “As a freshman, this goal was near impossible to reach, but I really think if we push ourselves to be the best we can, we have a really good shot at doing something special.” The girls face Van Meter in their final regular season game before hosting round one of regionals. “I’m excited to hopefully make some history,” Steenhoek said. “We’re home for the first two rounds, which hasn’t happened in a while, so hopefully we can get a good crowd, make some memories, and have some fun.” The Mustangs will face South Tama this Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m.
February Students of the Month
Meredith Chipps
Nickname: Mere
Parents: Mitchell & Melissa
Chipps
Employer: Jersey Freeze
Future Plans: Attend Iowa Sate University for Agricultural Communications
Extracurricular Activities: Golf, FFA, NHS, Big Little, & Wrestling Manager
Three words that Describe her: Caring, Thoughtful, & Ambitious Favorite Class: AG Leadership Advice for Underclassmen: “Just be yourself and enjoy every moment; it will go by fast!” Best High School Memory: “Joining the Golf Team Freshman year” Dream Job: Livestock Photographer
Rylee Parsons Print Editor
Easton VanVeen
Nickname: E Parents: Scott & Rita VanVeen
Future Plans: To play Golf while attending an Undecided College with an Undecided Major Extracurricular Activities: Football, Basketball, & Golf Three words that describe him: Out. Doors. Man. Favorite Class: Fitness Advice for Underclassmen: “Remember the details!” Best High School Memory: “Going to the Dome (state football) with my Best Friends.” Dream Job: To own his own business
Need ideas for Valentine’s Day? Good news! The perfect gift for Valentine’s isn’t too hard to achieve. This is what to get your bae for Valentine’s Day. There is a trend going around, and it’s called a ‘Boo Basket.’. It is very easy to make. First, go to your nearest Target or Walmart and get a basket. You’ll want to get either fuzzy socks or a soft blanket to go in the bottom, preferably Valentine’s-themed. Obviously, flowers are a must-have. Then stock up on candy and chocolates; whatever your partner likes is best. Grab a card to write a cute message in it and a stuffed animal. Finally, pick out something you know your partner likes. A cute romance book or necklace would be a great idea. The more personal, the better. You could also add a framed photo of you and your significant other into the basket. Then you’ll want to have a cute date planned out. Take your partner to a nice restaurant for dinner or go on a picnic date; anything to make them feel special. Even sitting at home and watching a movie can be special. Give them the flowers when you first pick them up and don’t forget to compliment them on how they look. Save the bigger gift for later. Make sure you have a full, uninterrupted day to have fun. This holiday is supposed to be just for you and your partner; make sure you won’t be distracted by your phone or work. It shows that you care about your date enough to give them undivided attention. Quality time together is most important. After you get back from dinner, give them the basket. It’s a good time so that you won’t be rushing your date to open the gift. This holiday is a great way to celebrate your special someone and make them feel loved. You don’t have to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine’s, though. My way of celebrating Valentine’s Day is spending it with my friends. I like to call it Galentine’s Day. In previous years, I’ve either gone to my friend’s house or hosted a party along with watching our favorite movies. Some of my personal favorites to watch around Valentine’s Day are chick flicks. Mean Girls, The Devil Wears Prada, and 10 Things I Hate About You are movies I find myself watching every year. We eat snacks and put on face masks while we watch. I also enjoy making Valentine’s Day treats like red velvet cookies or anything chocolate with my friends. Even without spending a lot of money, there are several ways to make your loved ones feel special this holiday.
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Kenna Grier Staff Writer
Wagaman’s big night sends PCM boys past rival Roland-Story
MONROE — Chase Wagaman’s career night powered the PCM boys basketball team to a win over Roland-Story on Feb. 7 during Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference play.
The Mustangs made a season-high 13 3-pointers, turned the ball over only 10 times and used a fast start to down the Norse, 67-56, on Senior Night.
The victory snapped Roland-Story’s 12-game win streak in the series. PCM now leads the series 19-18.
from the foul line. Roland-Story committed 14 turnovers.
PCM 71, South Hamilton 40
JEWELL — Ten players scored at least three points, the Mustangs grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and PCM posted its first season sweep of South Hamilton since 2022 on Feb. 4.
The Mustangs led 19-11 after one quarter and went into halftime with a 35-21 advantage. The Norse won the second half by three, but it wasn’t near enough to complete the comeback.
Wagaman led the Mustangs with a career-high 25 points. He added 10 rebounds and two steals, while Gavin Van Gorp added 17 points and six boards.
Cutler VandeLune chipped in eight points and two boards, Alex Wendt had four points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals and Kaleb DeVries registered three points and nine assists. Jake Winters put in five points off the bench.
PCM (10-10, 9-7 in the HOIAC) shot 41.7 percent from the floor, made 13-of-24 from 3 and buried 14-of-18 from the free-throw line.
The Mustangs are shooting 31 percent from 3 and 57 percent from the charity stripe this winter.
It was the fifth time this season PCM hit 10 or more treys in a game.
Jack Birdland totaled 15 points and three assists and Cody Long added 12 points, three rebounds and three steals to lead Roland-Story.
Jake Berggren registered 12 points and three boards and Luke Thoreson finished with seven points, six boards and five assists.
The Norse (6-13, 6-9) shot 43 percent from the floor, made 8-of-22 from 3 and sunk 6-of-8
The Mustangs used a fast start to dump the Hawks, 71-40, during the HOIAC road contest.
PCM outscored South Hamilton 13968 in its two meetings this season. The Mustangs led 21-5 after one and won the second half 34-21.
Van Gorp finished with 19 points and two rebounds, Wagaman totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks and Wendt tallied nine points, 10 rebounds, two assists and four steals.
VandeLune added five points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals and DeVries chipped in four points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals and Winters led the reserves with four points and six boards.
Shay Burns registered six points and three rebounds, Pete Kiernan finished with three points, three boards and two assists and Gavin DeRaad had three rebounds and two steals off the bench.
Brevin DeRaad pulled down four rebounds, Andy Bellinghausen put in four points, Kash Fischer scored three points and Joe Shaver grabbed two boards.
PCM shot 40.6 percent from the floor, made 7-of-32 from 3 and connected on 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The Mustangs turned the ball over only 14 times and out-rebounded the Hawks 5021.
South Hamilton (0-19, 0-14) got 17 points from Grant Larson and Jose Babcock totaled nine points and four rebounds.
The Hawks shot 32.6 percent from the floor, made 5-of-18 from 3 and turned the ball over 20 times.
Steenhoek scores 1,000th career point in Mustangs’ win over South Hamilton
JEWELL — Addison Steenhoek scored her 1,000th point and Libby Winters’ double-double propelled the Mustangs to a 59-27 road win over South Hamilton on Feb. 4.
The Class 3A No. 9 PCM girls basketball team held the Hawks to single digits in all four quarters, swiped 20 steals and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds in the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference contest.
The Mustangs led 16-9 after one quarter and won the second 18-4. They finished off the season sweep following a 25-14 advantage in the second half.
PCM won its ninth straight game. It scored at least 57 points in all nine games.
Steenhoek needed two points to reach 1,000 but scored 17 and added six assists and six steals.
Winters added 19 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and four blocks to lead PCM, while Tori Lindsay collected four points, three rebounds, seven assists and seven steals.
Lila Milani tallied five points and three assists and Rebecca De Vries posted seven points and six boards in her first start of the season. De Vries replaced Kyra Naeve, who did not play in the game.
Kennah Grier put in five points, Camden Webb grabbed four rebounds and Jorja Teeter pulled down two boards off the bench.
The Mustangs (18-3, 14-2 in the conference) shot 44.4 percent from the floor, made 5-of-16 from 3-point range and sunk 6-of-12 from the freethrow line.
PCM had 19 assists on 24 field goals and turned the ball over 20 times.
Claire Hewitt led South Hamilton (5-15, 4-11) with six points and seven rebounds.
The Hawks shot 22.6 percent from the floor, made 2-of12 from 3 and turned the ball over 33 times. They connected on 11-of-18 from the foul line.
Roland-Story 73, PCM 50 MONROE — PCM couldn’t overcome a slow start against 3A No. 7 Roland-Story during a HOIAC contest on Feb. 7.
The Mustangs trailed by 15 after one and were outscored 35-22 in the second half during a 73-50 home loss to the Lady Norse.
The win clinched the conference championship for Roland-Story, which improved to 18-2 and 14-1 in the HOIAC.
PCM dropped to 14-2 in conference games and both losses came against the Lady Norse.
Lindsay led the Mustangs with 14 points, five rebounds and four steals and Steenhoek added 13 points, three rebounds and four steals. Winters collected six points and four boards, Naeve totaled six points and two steals and Milani put in five points. De Vries led the bench players with four points and three boards and Teeter grabbed four rebounds.
PCM struggled from the floor in the loss and was out-rebounded 40-24. The Mustangs shot 26 percent from the floor, made 3-of-24 from 3 and turned the ball over 10 times.
The Mustangs were called for 24 fouls to Roland-Story’s 19. That resulted in a fivepoint difference from the foul line. PCM was 17-of-23 from the foul line and Roland-Story was 22-of-30 from the charity stripe. The loss snapped the Mustangs’ nine-game win streak, and the Lady Norse won their 13th straight game. Riley Johnson led the visitors with 26 points, while Alyssa Jones had 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Norse shot 45.7 percent from the floor, made 9-of-23 from 3 and turned the ball over 15 times. PCM had an 18-point deficit in made 3-pointers.
PCM Explorer
Wagaman
Submitted Photo
PCM senior Addison Steenhoek celebrates her 1,000th career point milestone with her teammates after a road win over South Hamilton on Feb. 4.
PCM Explorer
People generally make charitable donations out of a selfless desire to help those in need. Indeed, Investopedia notes that charitable organizations survive primarily on donations. Without the financial contributions of donors, many charitable organizations and nonprofits would be incapable of meeting their missions.
Donors may make charitable contributions to help others, but there’s no shame in taking advantage of the tax benefits associated with donating. Laws governing the tax benefits associated with charitable donations can vary from year to year, so it’s best that donors stay on top of the rules, particularly if they plan to prepare their own returns in April.
Charitable individuals can keep these strategies on maximizing the tax benefits of donations in mind as they prepare to support their favorite charities.
• Work with a financial planner. As noted, the tax laws governing charitable
donations can change from year to year, and some of those changes may be subtle. That’s why it can benefit donors to hire a seasoned financial planner, ideally before making donations.
Financial professionals can advise prospective donors about donation strategies that will earn them the most significant tax deductions. Some donations help donors avoid capital gains taxes, while others may not even qualify for deductions. Making sense of the rules is easier when donors work with licensed, experienced financial professionals.
• Do the math before donating. No donation is too small to help a worthy cause, but donors who want the best of both worlds should do a little math prior to deciding how much to donate.
Charitable donations beneath a certain dollar threshold may not make a difference in terms of deductions when it comes time to file a return.
Donors who know the deduction thresholds may
Explorer PCM
be able to reduce their tax liability by donating a little more than they initially intended, a scenario that benefits both charitable organizations and taxpayers alike.
• Confirm donations qualify for deductions prior to donating. Fidelity Charitable® advises donors seeking to maximize the tax benefits of charitable donations to make sure a nonprofit organization is an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation prior to making a donation. Donations to organizations that do not fit that criteria may not be eligible for deductions, so it’s imperative that donors confirm details about an organization prior to donating.
• Keep digital records and receipts. Even if a donation qualifies for a deduction, taxpayers can only claim it if they keep records of their contributions. Organizations on the receiving end of donors’ generosity may provide proof to donors who lost
their original receipts, but that process can take time, particularly if taxpayers wait until April to prepare their returns. When donating to charity, request digital receipts of all contributions, as these are harder to lose and easily accessible come tax prep season.
Donors may not give to charity with tax deductions in mind. But there’s no shame in maximizing the tax benefits associated with supporting a worthy cause. – Metro Creative
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6 Valentine’s Day traditions and customs
Valentine’s Day is a day of love nestled in the middle of February. Sweethearts use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show the people they care about just how deep those feelings run. A 2023 survey from the National Retail Federation found consumers expected to spend $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day, up from $23.9 billion in 2022. Forecasters suspect spending is likely to increase this year as well.
Valentine’s Day is awash in many different customs. Here’s a deep look at some of those enduring traditions and others that some may feel should be brought back into favor or adopted entirely.
Handwritten cards
It’s a common scene each year in card retailers and pharmacies: people threedeep in the aisle trying to pick out Valentine’s Day cards in the eleventh hour. People can save themselves the hassle of fighting the crowds if they make their own handmade cards. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, sweethearts created unique cards from scratch, according to Country Living. And prior to products produced by Hallmark and other greeting card companies, people used to send one another cards customized with personalized messages.
Pampering gentlemen It is common in North America for Valentine’s Day celebrations to lean significantly toward favoring women, who are often on the receiving end of flowers and chocolates. However, in South Korea and Japan, it is the men who are pampered with such gifts. Women pur-
chase chocolates for their male partners, family members and coworkers as tokens of appreciation and affection. Never fear, a month later on White Day (March 14) men reciprocate with candy, cake and flowers.
Bouquets
These days a dozen longstemmed red roses might
be the norm for Valentine’s Day gifting. However, roses weren’t always the preferred flower for the holiday. History.com reports that, in the nineteenth century, bouquets might contain all sorts of flowers, each chosen to convey certain messages. Individuals can research the meanings behind certain flowers and put
together a Valentine’s Day gift this year that expresses exactly what they are feeling.
Puzzle purses
Sweethearts in Victorian England created “puzzle purses,” which were a series of love letters that could be read separately, but also fit together to create a design and message. These intricately folded sheets of paper had parts of messages or verses written on different corners and were meant to be read in a specific order. Heart-shaped chocolate boxes British chocolatier Richard Cadbury is credited with creating the first heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day. The boxes were intended to be so beautiful they would be kept to hold trinkets or love letters. Ornate chocolate boxes are not quite as common today, although the gifting of chocolate for the holiday is still strong.
Celebrating in June?
Many Brazilians skip Valentine’s Day in February and choose to celebrate Saint Anthony, the patron saint of marriage and matchmaking, on June 12. Celebrating both is fine for those who prefer to shower affection on loved ones multiple times a year.
Valentine’s Day traditions are still strong and can add a little something extra to celebrations this February. — Metro Creative
Cozy up to these romantic films this Valentine’s Day
A number of people feel that nothing beats a quiet evening in with the one you love on Valentine’s Day. Watching a romantic film together can be a way to cap the night off. There are plenty of films that focus on Valentine’s Day or have a larger romantic theme. Such movies are ideal for date nights and the ultimate date night: Valentine’s Day.
• “Valentine’s Day” (2010): This aptly titled film takes place on — you guessed it — February 14th. It has a who’s who cast of well-known actors like Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine and Bradley Cooper. Various storylines intersect among the characters as Los Angeles residents work their way through the highs and lows of love on Valentine’s Day.
• “Kate & Leopold” (2001): While rom-com fans are used to seeing Meg Ryan teamed up with Tom Hanks, in this tale she’s paired with Hugh Jackman. Jackman is a duke from 1876 who inadvertently finds himself traveling through time to modern-day New York City,
where he meets a plucky advertising executive. The two clash before they discover feelings for each other.
• “The Princess Bride” (1987): This movie has withstood the test of time. It has a little bit of everything: swordfights, revenge, a giant, and, of course, a heartwarming love story at its core.
• “The Wedding Singer” (1998): Despite coming out in the 1990s, this film brings on all the campy 1980’s nostalgia, including a hit soundtrack of favorite songs from that decade. Although not everyone is a fan of Adam Sandler’s comedic antics, this movie is less slapstick and more heartfelt. It’s one of a few where Sandler has paired with Drew Barrymore in the lead roles. Check out “50 First Dates” if you want a fun Sandler-Barrymore double feature.
• “Love, Simon” (2018): In this movie, Simon, a high school student, hasn’t yet come out to his friends and family, but has been exploring a budding romance with an anonymous boy online. The big reveal of that boy’s identity is a moment of
anticipation.
• “Pride and Prejudice” (2005): Jane Austen’s classic novel has undergone many interpretations on the silver screen. The 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Darcy is a fan favorite. With its beautiful tableaus and enchanting soundtrack, viewers can’t help but root for this unlikely couple.
• “Always Be My Maybe” (2019): This Netflix original movie has Ali Wong and Randall Park playing former childhood best friends with some unfinished business. When they are reunited as adults on different paths, will they find a connection? Keanu Reeves has a guest cameo.
• “Chocolat” (2000): A mysterious French woman and her young daughter open a chocolate shop in a remote place where villagers are afraid of change. Her confections seemingly have magical powers to fix the ills of people, if only the shopkeeper can lure the stubborn to give them a taste. Johnny Depp stars as a love interest.
• “Notting Hill” (1999): If Meg Ryan is the queen of rom-coms, Hugh Grant may be the king. In this movie,
an unassuming British book shop owner gets cast into the limelight when a famous American actress played by
Thanks
Julia Roberts hides in the stacks and eventually becomes more than just a customer.
— Metro Creative