THE ‘ART’ OF EDUCATION
New PCM interim superintendent looks to bridge the gap, in more than one way, while at the district
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Working as an interim superintendent isn’t new for Art Sathoff.
PCM’s new interim superintendent recently filled the role in Cedar Rapids. He also has experience at each level of education and looks to help the district bridge the gap for the upcoming school year.
“I never really set out to do this but it appeals to me because it is a chance to come in during transition time or a little unsettled and just be a help and serve. I can help districts get through, sometimes, a rough time,” Sathoff said. “Here, I told the school board, ‘Just give the district time for a whole search for the new superintendent.’”
With more than 34 years of public education experience, Sathoff did about everything. From teaching English to coaching, driving the bus and becoming activities director, he knows the ins and outs of school. Later in his career he took on the role of principal at Pekin and Fairfield schools and eventually superintendent in the Indianola School District.
Let’s Paddle Skedaddle
run to join us,” Seebeck said.
The fourth annual Paddle Skedaddle is set at Quarry Springs Park in Colfax. Whether paddling around in a kayak or taking a trail run through the park, this event is a fun, unique experience.
“It was a wonderful event,” Quarry Springs Park Board Vice President Kim Seebeck said.
The race pushes off at 8:15 a.m. Sept. 8 at Quarry Springs Park. It has a twomile kayak course to “paddle” and a three-and-half-mile trail run to “skedaddle.”
New for 2024, there is a dog walkers category for the walk/run only option. Dogs should remain leashed, and bags will be included at registration.
“We want to encourage anyone with well-behaved dogs who love to walk or
Chip timing will also be provided this year by B&W Racing Services to give racers their exact finishing time.
Racers need to provide their own kayak, and life jackets are a must. Quarry Springs Outfitters will have a limited number of kayaks available to rent for $10 each. To participate, it is $45 solo or $35 as a team member. Runners only pay $30.
Packet pickup runs from 7 to 7:30 a.m. at the park office with a racer meeting to follow at 8 a.m. Organizers anticipate participants should be able to finish the race in about two hours and 15 minutes if going at a walk and easy paddle pace.
Awards will begin at 10:30 a.m. and be presented to the top male/female in the following age categories: 17 and
County engineer says $105K and $263K projects could be finished in September
By
Two contracts for secondary roads repairs along Highway F-34 and Highway F-70 were approved on Aug. 27 by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors. The work for both projects will be completed by Denco Highway Construction Corporation for more than $105,000 and more than $263,000.
Jasper County Engineer Michael Frietsch said both highways are paved routes and they are in need of some attention. The repairs for Highway F-34 extend from the Polk County line to Valeria, Frietsch said, and the repairs for Highway F-70 extend from Highway S6G to Monroe city limits.
“What we’re looking at doing for both of these roads is basically filling in the larger cracks and then using slurry to level out the bumps and dips, and then we’re going to seal coat them with scrub seal,” he said. “The idea behind this is we can use farm-to-market money for this and we let it through the DOT.”
Frietsch described it as a “glorified maintenance project.” But doing it this way allows the
Fourth annual kayak and run/walk race set for Sept. 8 at Quarry Springs Park
Newton Clinic and MercyOne to pause all labor, delivery services
Years of
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Newton Clinic and MercyOne Newton Medical Center are going to pause all labor and delivery services indefinitely, citing a decade of “significant recruitment and physician workforce challenges” that have forced the care centers to now investigate other options to provide these types of services to rural areas.
In a joint statement released on Friday, Aug. 30, by Newton Clinic Administrator Mark Thayer and MercyOne Newton Chief Operating Officer Chad Kelley, the clinic announced it will cease its search for physicians dedicated to obstetrics. The hospital, in turn, must stop all newborn deliveries after Oct. 15.
All mothers expected to deliver after Oct. 15 are encouraged to continue their prenatal care appointments with their obstetrical physician in Newton Clinic to discuss their care and options for trans-
fer and delivery. Mothers scheduled to deliver prior to that date will continue to receive care and can deliver in Newton.
“As difficult as this decision is, patient safety is of utmost importance to both organizations,” the statement said. “Both the Newton Clinic and MercyOne Newton Medical Center will continue to commit to the high standards of prescribed and emergency care followed by every care center in Iowa.”
Furthermore, hospital policies and procedures — along with interfaculty arrangements — are in place to safely care for and triage all patients.
Nurses employed in the labor and delivery department at MercyOne Newton Medical Center will be offered continued employment in other positions and departments. Thayer told Newton News in a follow-up interview there is nothing he worked harder on in the past five years than recruiting obstetrics providers.
“We’ve had success bringing in
providers and then all of a sudden the door just shut on us in the past 12 months,” Thayer said in a recent phone interview. “We’re losing Dr. (Sarah) Florence, and we can’t do it with one doctor.
Dr. (Tara) Gravenstine has announced no plans to leave.”
Newton Clinic is actively looking for options for Gravenstine to deliver her patient’s babies at other hospitals or at least provide prenatal care. Thayer said the clinic historically has exclusively provided obstetrics services at the adjoining hospital; it was the only hospital that providers were able to deliver at.
“That has worked for probably the last 100 years,” Thayer said. “At one point almost every one of our doctors did OB. I’ve been at the Newton Clinic now for 28 years and I think at one time I had six providers that were all doing OB. Part of the problem is as providers get older they sometimes pull back on services.”
Other factors are at play, too. Thayer
said some doctors are lacking cesarian section, or C-section, experience when they compete their residency. To establish that competency, he said it takes a minimum of 25 to 50 completed C-sections. There was a time when Newton could train those services locally.
“But they don’t allow that anymore,” Thayer said. “We’re also finding a lot of new doctors just want to have an outpatient practice and don’t want take on OB or really even step foot in a hospital. Really, they just want to have a clinic practice. Which is understandable. We’re kind of faced with two storms simultaneously.”
Health experts have been warning about the shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists for years. Thayer said it has been challenging trying to find that skillset for Newton Clinic. It is also cost-prohibitive for the clinic to have
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
PCM Interim Superintendent Art Sathoff has more than 34 years of experience in public education from teaching English to leading the Indianola School District as superintendent.
Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Photo by Mary Dell Flattery
The fourth annual Paddle Skedaddle is set for Sept. 8 at Quarry Springs Park in Colfax.
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Events at The Gathering Place
Thursday, Sept. 5
• 12:15pm Matter of Balance
Monday, Sept. 9
• 8am Coffee & Prayer with Pastor Ann
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Wednesday, Sept. 11
• 12:15pm Fresh Conversations “Color your plate; Pump up your muscles”
• 1pm “Get Fit, Move More” with Amy S.
Thursday, Sept. 12
• 10am Patty Richards Music Show
Friday, Sept. 13
• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson
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.
Kingdom Criers at Brethren Church
The Kingdom Criers Gospel Quartet will perform in concert at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Prairie City Church of the Brethren, 12015 Hwy. S6G. The concert is in conjunction with a fundraiser for a new Fellowship Hall addition and a free will offering will be taken. The public is invited for a coffeetime of desserts and ice cream following the concert.
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.
Men’s Recovery meeting
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s 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.
OWLS program ‘Woodpeckers: The Hole Story’ documentary
Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Jasper County Armory/Annex Building in Newton. The public is invited to come for coffee and a showing of the 2023 Nature documentary “Woodpeckers: The Hole Story”, which highlights the incredible and unique adaptations of woodpeckers. Naturalist Katie Cantu will briefly talk about the woodpeckers in Jasper County and give tips for attracting them to your yard.
OWLS conservation program encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world.
Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-792-9780 for more information.
GriefShare at FRC
First Reformed Church in Prairie City begins a new session of GriefShare Wednesday, Sept. 4. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome to join us. The 13-week program consists of discussion; informative videos presented by Christian counselors, authors, pastors and others who share their stories and found hope through faith. In addition each participant will receive a workbook containing five daily exercises each week as well as other resources. There is a $20 registration fee (scholarships available). Whether your grief journey has just begun or you’ve been walking this path for a long time, GriefShare can help. For more information or to register, contact Mary Lemmert, 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol. com. Begin your journey from Mourning to Joy with GriefShare.
Monroe Citywide Garage Sales
Monroe Citywide Garage Sales are Saturday, Sept. 28. Registration forms can be found at the post office, Monroe Foods, city hall or online at www.monroeia. com. Cost is $5 to be on the map and forms are due by Friday, Sept. 20.
Lion’s pancake breakfasts to begin in September
The Prairie City Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Prairie City Community Building. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink. The proceeds from the freewill donation are used for many projects within the community.
Explorer PCM
Miller-Meeks announces fall contest for Iowa students
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) announced a fall writing contest dedicated to honoring the state of Iowa. The contest is open to elementary, middle, and high school students in Iowa’s 1st District and is a unique opportunity for students to highlight what they love about the Hawkeye State.
“Iowa 1st District has a robust culture of writing as the home of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Iowa is also home to great schools and a rich heritage grounded in hard work and the American spirit,” Miller-Meeks said. “In honor of the state we all love and cherish, I am proud to invite students from Iowa’s 1st District to submit works of writing and art on what makes Iowa special.”
Winners will be honored with a meeting opportunity with Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and works acknowledged in the congressional record. Contest Details
The prompt for this year’s competition is “What makes Iowa special?” Submission Requirements
Essays should not exceed 450 words Visual art submissions must include a caption/ description
Include the student’s name, school, grade/year, and a parent or guardian’s contact details (address, phone number, email)
Eligibility and Categories
High School Students: Written Essay (3 winners)
Middle School Students: Written Essay (3
Writing contest dedicated to honoring the state of Iowa due Sept. 28.
winners)
Elementary School Students: Written Essay or Visual Art (3 winners) Deadline and Announcement Submit entries by email
by Sept. 28
Winners will be announced by Oct. 10 Contest questions and submissions should be directed to Anthony.Fakhoury@mail.house.gov.
Annual CWS/CROP Walk Oct. 6
By Barry Hurto Special to the PCM Explorer
The 78th annual CWS/CROP Walk to alleviate hunger needs in Iowa, the United States and abroad, will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 on the west side of the Jasper County Courthouse in Newton, according to Barry Hurto, Jasper County Chairman. Most of the local churches who usually take part have been contacted through Mission Coalition (an interdenominational committee made up of the mainline congregations in Newton) and will raise funds through pledges, collect those monies, and turn them into their team leaders prior to the date of the walk. “We will welcome with open arms new
groups wanting to have a part in this year’s walk.”
“The final amount raised (in 2023) through pledges and online contributions totaled $4,134.66, with 25 percent of that amount ($1,033.67) split among our local agencies. The Salvation Army received $620.19; and the Food Pantry of Colfax, the Kellogg Food Pantry, the Baxter Food Pantry and the PCM Food Pantry each received $103.37,” Hurto said. “If these figures are a trifle disappointing, please bear in mind that many churches, both in Newton and Jasper County, continue to reach out to those in need through their own Blessing Boxes, which provide free essentials (mostly non-perishable food) to the homeless and needy,
DNR State Forest Nursery accepting seedling orders
The DNR State Forest Nursery is gearing up for fall 2024 and spring 2025 seedling orders.
Seedlings can be ordered Sept. 3 - May 30. The bare-root seedlings are packaged in bundles of 25 inside sealed and labeled plastic bags.
Tree varieties include 23 species of native hardwoods, eight evergreen species and 15 smaller trees and shrubs. Prices range from $.80 to $1.20 per seedling. Seedlings are sold in three age classifications, and range in size from 10-30 inches depending on the species.
Evergreens and a few other species are only available for spring delivery; all other species are available both spring and fall. Fall delivery is in November and spring delivery is in April and May. Customers can choose to have their order shipped or they can pick it up at the State Forest Nursery in Ames.
“Planting trees and shrubs can help landowners reach a variety of goals,” said Pat Griffin, DNR State Forest Nursery manager. “Native, affordable seedlings are available to help you make your planting successful.”
The DNR State Forest Nursery sells approximately 1 million seedlings per year, and 3-5 million seedlings are grown on-site at any given time. Located on 98 acres just south of Highway 30 in Ames, the nursery was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and has operated continuously ever since.
For more information, visit the online sales site at http://nursery.iowadnr.gov/ or call 1-800-8652477 during regular business hours, Monday – Friday. DNR’s expert nursery staff can assist with species selection and answer questions about your tree needs and nursery offerings.
Start September 3, 2024
and Neighbors Helping Neighbors also supports projects where hunger is an issue.
“With the cost of all food products increasing each year, I must applaud those (and mainly the members of your congregations) who have given generously to support Church World Service and CROP in their global outreach. I’m very proud of our local participation and offer my heartfelt congratulations to all who have made it happen through the years,” Hurto said.
The route will be provided at the gathering on Oct. 6, and a reception for the participants will be at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Latham Hall following the event.
Pella Regional to host Baby Fair Sept. 21
Pella Regional Health Center will host a Baby Fair on Saturday, September 21 from 9 am to 11 am in the Main Entrance Lobby at 404 Jefferson Street in Pella for new or expecting parents, or those who recently had a baby.
Grandparents and caregivers are also welcome.
Attendees may tour the beautiful boutique-inspired Family Birthing Center, learn about resources available to them, and ask questions to our medical providers and staff.
• Free Admission
• Grand Prize Drawing for a Graco Pack ‘n Play!
• Breastfeeding Education
• Childbirth Experts
• Healthy Pregnancy Tips
• Infant Safety Information
• Car Seat Education and Installation
• Giveaways
• Vendor Booths and more Updates and additional information can be found at www.pellahealth.org/ BabyFair.
For questions or more information, call Amanda Drost, Public Relations Coordinator, at 641-6212362 or adrost@pellahealth.org.
Metro
Photo
Sathoff
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At PCM, he looks to help out in a time of need and give the district is a head start in finding a new leader. He is approaching the position from an educated outsiders perspective and working to help PCM thrive during his time there.
“I’ve had some time to work with the administrative team but also other staff members, and I have just been very impressed by the people. They are proud of the school, they work very hard, they are bright and are good at their job,” Sathoff said. “I would say, if they had concerns about the past, I intentionally didn’t watch old board meetings. I haven’t gotten into the weeds. I talked to board members, I talked to Dr. Havenstrite before I started in the job but I wasn’t digging for what led to this contention. I don’t care who is at fault or what led to this trouble. For me, I came into this having a good feeling about PCM. I have seen nothing to dispel that.”
Paddle
under, 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 and over.
THE COURSE
Start the paddle just southwest of the main office along the shoreline. Paddle south, then east towards the east lake. Go around a buoy and head back to the finish/transition just north of where the race started. Drop the kayak off with the help of our volunteers, run through the transition area and start your run or tag your partner to get started. The run will head west alongside the road to the park and then to the southwest corner of the park towards the dike trail entrance. The run will head east for a mile through woods, then north around the east lake towards the isthmus between the north and east lake. The last three quarters of a mile will be through a sandier soil and back towards the finish line near the park office.
He sees many benefits to having someone come in with outside eyes and different perspectives. From more than 20 years in rural schools similar to PCM to almost 15 at large districts, he brings a wealth of knowledge on a variety of topics.
“Knowing I am an interim, I’m not going to come in here and introduce a whole bunch of new programs and change things,” Sathoff said. “But I am going to look at what we are doing instructionally, professional development and budget-wise and if I can improve anything. Once I understand it, if I can put us on a better path or set us up for future success, I am certainly going to do that.”
He started off by establishing four goals for his time at PCM and working to be very transparent with staff, parents and community members with the work going on at the school.
1. Establishing a strong superintendent-board relationship
“After some of the troubles coming out of last year, it is important,” Sathoff said. “It is important for the board to understand its governance role, for me
Maintenence
Continuedfrompage1
county to use local funds for other projects. The maintenance to both highways will buy the county about five years of extra life to these routes. From there the county can start looking at overlays or projects of that nature.
“We can always re-seal coat and refill this layer in five years, too, and keep doing this until we can afford something else otherwise,” Frietsch said.
Three bids were received by the Iowa Department of Transportation in the Aug. 20 letting for the Highway F-34 repairs. Denco provided the lowest bid of $105,108.06. Midwest Coatings Company, Inc. submitted a $128,336.29 bid and Manatt’s Inc. submitted a
two OB-GYNs on staff because it lacks the volume to support it.
Newton’s higher percentage of Medicaid reimbursements — which typically do not reimburse as well as commercial insurance — also limits revenues. While costs certainly play a factor in maintaining plentiful and quality maternal care, Thayer said it is not the primary factor.
“The main factor is doctors are coming out of residency without having C-section competency, and only a small percentage of them want to even do OB,” he said.
Although Thayer was skeptical any political issues had any affect on the clinic, many warned the state’s more restrictive abortion law passed one year ago would have a strong negative
to understand my leadership and management role and for us to communicate and respect each other. It is important because if there is a bad relationship it leaches out to the district in different ways and then we can’t do the best we can do for staff and students.”
2. Support administration and staff Sathoff isn’t coming in to be a “yes man” but he does want to support the district administration and staff to the best of his ability.
“I am going to try to give people what they need to do their job well, that I appreciate their efforts and very publicly recognize that it takes everybody in all of their different roles to run a school,” Sathoff said.
3. Be fiscally responsible
On the business side things, he said the school is in a sound financial situation. He wants to continue to make budget decisions based on what is best for the students and what opportunities can be given to them.
“I really believe PCM students deserve the best. I think we are in a good place here to provide that,” Sathoff said.
$139,562.45 bid. The county budgeted $100,000.
Again, three bids were received by the IDOT for the Highway F-70 repairs. Denco provided the lowest bid of $263,944.47. Manatts submitted a $305,287.11 bid and Midwest Coatings Company submitted a $392,239.34 bid.
“We haven’t really done it this way before,” Frietsch said. “We actually kind of had to make the plans work to what we wanted and find standard ways to get it to go, to make it work. But we found a path so we’re going to be doing this more now in other areas. Like F-74 is the next one.”
Supervisor Brandon Talsma said, “If it works and holds up.”
The county engineer estimated both projects can be completed in September or before winter at the latest. He said it is a fairly quick process.
impact on rural health care, which was already steadily losing many of its labor and delivery units.
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iowa ranks 52 out of 52 states and territories for OB-GYN physicians per capita.
Thayer noted the clinic’s location between two other maternal care provider areas 30 minutes away gives patients more options and thus limits their volume of deliveries. Newton Clinic typically delivers 100 babies per year. A couple of years ago staff were delivering upwards of 190 babies per year.
“That number has trended down partly because we’re getting really choosey in terms of risk factors,” Thayer said. “Patients that have elevated BMIs are unable to deliver in Newton, and if they have other prenatal risk factors they are typically transferred to higher care facilities such as Des Moines.”
Pam Pratt, a Newton mother of two boys, was sad to hear the labor and de -
4. Embody excellence for all and excellence from all Leaning on the school motto, Sathoff believes in high expectations and that, in general, people rise to the level of expectation.
“I believe in a developmental model. You push people but you meet them where they are and give them the necessary support,” Sathoff said. “People talk about growth mindset a lot today. To me that means wherever you are is fine but don’t be content just staying there. We need to work to get better. In education that is a pretty easy sell because our work is so important.”
As the district begins work to find a permanent superintendent, Sathoff will continue to lead the schools and assist in the process where he is needed. Throughout the next year he will work to calm the waters from past turmoil and help PCM to continue to serve its students and staff at a high level.
“We want the work to be a better place because we have been in it and we want to leave things better than we found it and I think that is in place here,” Sathoff said. “I just want to add value to the district and do a good job.”
livery services were put on hold for the foreseeable future.
“Both of our boys were delivered here in Newton, and we had great experiences with both prenatal and delivery care from the doctors and nurses at the clinic and MercyOne,” she said. “It is heartbreaking for the city to lose access to this kind of medical care. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who served our community well.”
Nicole Terry, a Newton mother whose 1-year-old son was born in town, was also saddened to hear the recent news. Her son was a geriatric, high-risk pregnancy, and Terry had appointments twice a week, two hours in length, during the last month before delivery.
“I was, and am, lucky enough to work within walking distance from Newton Medical Center and walked to many of my appointments,” she said. “I cannot imagine having to drive 30 minutes to and from medical appointments multi-
ple times a week, while also recognizing that I am that much further from emergency labor and delivery services.”
Jasper County is now is an obstetrics desert, and that will not only affect future decisions for her family but many other young families in similar situations.
Terry said if she was thinking of expanding her family now, not only would access to services be a concern but also transportation costs, emergency situations, greater loss of sick leave before maternity leave and future family appointments after delivery for herself and her child or children.
“I loved my doctors, nurses, and entire experience at Newton Medical Center labor and delivery,” Terry said. “I am happy I was able to deliver so close to home with such excellent staff. I feel for all those affected by this news and worry what the long-term effects of this closure will mean for the future of Newton and its growing families.”
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Highways F-34 and F-70 in Jasper County have been approved for repairs by the board of supervisors this past week. The county engineer said contractors will fill in the larger cracks, use slurry to level out the bumps and dips and apply a seal coat to specific stretches of the road.
Request your absentee ballot now
By Rita Hart Iowa Democratic Party Chair
After losing my 2020 Congressional race by just six votes, I know firsthand how close elections can be and how important it is that every Iowan votes in 2024.
Iowans have a chance to vote in four Congressional races that could determine who gets the majority party of the U.S. House of Representatives and how much our next President can accomplish during his or her first two years.
There’s so much on the line, from securing reproductive freedom nationwide to the survival of the Department of Ed-
YOUR VIEW
ucation, the future of Medicare and Social Security, and even the ability to negotiate for prescription drugs and keep the price of insulin under $35 a month. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of what we can get done at the local level.
That’s why I wanted to let you know you can request your absentee ballot now. Voting from home is safe, convenient, and secure.
To request your absentee ballot, go to your local county auditor’s office. Remember to bring a valid form of identification. If you’re a new voter or need to register to vote, you will need to bring a document like your utility bill so you can prove your place of residence.
You can also print an absentee ballot request form from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, sos.iowa.gov and mail it to your local county auditor.
Within the last two years, the Iowa Democratic Party has been working hard to lay the groundwork and we have put in the time and energy into the party it-
Public money should go to public schools
With a new school year starting it is worth remembering that during the years Iowa Republicans have controlled both houses of the legislature and the office of the governor, they seem to have forgotten what is important to Iowans. This has been particularly true in how public education has been handled.
The Red Pride signs we see around Newton are only one example of how Iowans everywhere value their public schools.
The Republicans in the Iowa Legislature seem to have forgotten this because the money appropriated to fund our schools has not kept pace with inflation year after year. The Republicans have allowed the financial support of education in Iowa to deteriorate. Inadequate funding means we are failing our children.
Rather than seek solutions to improve our schools, which benefit thousands of students, the Republicans have turned their backs on them. Republicans instead voted to support private and religious schools by giving vouchers of tax money to parents so they can send their children to these schools. This benefits only a small number of students by comparison.
Public money should go to public schools. It is simply the most cost-effective way to educate our children.
Voters in District 38 need to elect Brad Magg to the Iowa House in November. He believes sustainable funding for public schools is vital to the future of our state. He will not forget what is important to Iowans.
Robert W. Holley Newton
Brad Magg’s dedication is long-standing
As a former high school teacher, coach and athletic director, I have written several letters of recommendation. Brad Magg is running for the office of Iowa House District 38, and it is an honor to recommend Brad for this position. It can be said that Brad is a person of experience beyond his years. Brad began his catering business while still in high school and owned his first restaurant at the age of 20.
self so we can get out the vote.
This includes working with our county parties, which are the foundation of the party itself. Reach out to your county party to get involved, to get local information, or to talk about your local candidates today. Your county party is run by your friends and neighbors who volunteer because they understand the power of the voting booth and recognize that local representation really matters. The work that they do is vital to the democratic process.
This year, the Iowa Democratic Party has raised more money than the Republican Party every quarter. While working on strengthening our party, we’ve also helped get Democrats like Kimberly Sheets elected in Warren County, sold out our largest fundraising event – the Liberty and Justice Dinner – two years in a row, and we are building stronger relationships than ever with our Democratic leaders like Jennifer Konfrst, Pam Jochum and Rob Sand.
These successes and relationships are vital as we look to pick up more seats in the Iowa House and Senate this year, and we begin our long journey to regaining a Democratic majority.
The Iowa legislature has been under Republican control for so long that they have become extremely partisan and no longer fairly represent the majority of Iowans. Their extreme policies ban abortions at six weeks, give millions of dollars to private schools, cut our Area Education Agencies that provide crucial services to Iowa’s children and families, and fail to feed Iowa’s children who are going hungry through no fault of their own.
The only way to bring some common sense and balance back to our state legislature is to elect some Democrats so that bipartisanship has a fighting chance.
I hope you’ll consider requesting your absentee ballot now, or make your plan to vote at IowaDemocrats.org/PlanYourVote.
68 days in captivity
When 82-year-old Roy Libby and his wife Karla of Mt. Pleasant hear of hostages being taken, it brings back memories and emotions that hit home. Three and a half years ago, on Jan. 3, 1989, Roy and his fellow missionary associate, Richard Grover, were taken hostage by a group of guerrilla fighters near Cali, Colombia, at their annual church association conference.
Brad Magg will be committed to serving the 38th District with the same dedication and work ethic he has put into all the projects and opportunities he has taken on.
Vote for Brad Magg; he will work for all of us!
Bryan Poulter, retired teacher, coach and athletic director Colfax
I have served several years on the Colfax City Council with Brad and like everything Brad does in his business ventures, he is an all-in work horse as a city councilman. He will not be outworked by anyone. I have witnessed firsthand the love Brad has for Colfax, and I know he loves Jasper County and the State of Iowa the same way.
SHARE YOUR VIEW
Letters to the PCM Explorer will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist.
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The insurgents appeared out of a sugarcane field disguised as Army soldiers, but their ragtag appearance made them suspicious. The guerrilla fighters said they were there to protect the missionaries from fighting that was going to occur nearby. Soon, it was revealed that they wanted Roy and Dick to accompany them for the purpose of bringing back a communique. Since the church congregation of more than 100 was unarmed, there was no alternative but to accompany the soldiers.
All-in-all, compared to savage brutality that hostages can be subject to today, Roy and Dick were treated well. It was more of a spiritual retreat for them, but traumatic for their families. Their wives didn’t know if their husbands were being tortured, or why they were taken, or if they would be released.
The captors asked them what they would like to have to help pass the time. Would they like a pocket knife for whittling? Roy thought this was a strange thing to ask a prisoner, but decided to ask for a Bible and something to write on. They were furnished with two Gideon New Testament Bibles, with Psalms and Proverbs, a hymnal and a devotional, plus a small pad of paper. Roy wrote in tiny print short “daily prayers” revealing events in such a way that it wouldn’t incriminate the soldiers. During their 68 days of captivity, Roy and Dick read through the New Testament six-and-a-half times, and Psalms five times. They read a Proverb a day. It was their mental and spiritual food. On two
school notebooks, Roy wrote 76 devotionals in Spanish. (In training for missionary work, they had been taught Spanish.) Never were guns pointed directly at them, and at times guns were even stacked within easy reach of the captives. Roy and Dick prayed for God’s Will to be done. They were moved twenty times in the foothills of the rugged Andes mountains of Colombia. Each farmhouse, or simple shelter would be the stopping place for this band of nine or ten. Sometimes these stopping places had been abandoned and other times were inhabited by families.
Although they never witnessed nor were subject to violence or brutality, it was always just under the surface. At one farmhouse where they were held, the previous owner had a son murdered when the father refused to let his son be taken by the guerrilla group.
Most of the dozen or so combatants were of the 15 – 20-year age, with little more than a second-grade education. Their prize possession was their weapon.
Roy and Dick were given the best places to sleep, which could be a single or double bed, a dirt or board floor, or concrete. Every meal was provided to them first. On the first Saturday evening in captivity, the owner of the house had returned with a sack of small bread rolls. He gave everyone a roll. Roy and Dick saved one of these rolls so that they could have holy communion the following Sunday morning.
The second in command of the guerrilla group, Orlando, had a girlfriend, Jenny. Orlando asked Roy and Dick what they were reading. Dick without reservation
said, “We’re reading from the book of Thessalonians, where we are told that our savior, Jesus Christ, after He was crucified, rose from the dead and then ascended into heaven. We are expecting Him to return for his believers. That could happen any day, and if it does, you won’t be able to find us.” That very night there was a radio broadcast in Spanish entitled, “The Day the Lord Came Back.” Orlando and Jenny came into Roy and Dick’s room and listened to the broadcast.
On Sunday, March 12, 1989, Roy and Dick were released without demands nor monetary exchange. The kidnappers stated, “We had been informed that you were members of the CIA or DEA and it was our responsibility to put you on trial. It was discovered that there was not enough evidence to convict or acquit you.” They demanded that Colombia stop extraditing Drug King Pins to the U.S. for prosecution.
Both Roy and Dick’s families had been moved to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Roy and Dick flew to Quito where they were reunited with their families. Their families were so relieved to see them. Both men enjoyed a much-needed vacation and spent time sharing the stories of God’s grace during their captivity. They returned to missionary work, Roy as Director of Ethnic Ministries with a Baptist Association in Oregon for 25 years, and Dick to teach in Ecuador. Roy and Karla have been married 61 years. The two families continue to be in contact.
Twenty years following his kidnapping, Roy and Karla went back to Colombia to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church’s mission in Colombia. One of Roy’s captors came forward and asked for forgiveness. And Roy was told that Orlando had found Jesus Christ. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com
Curt Swarm Empty Nest
PCM’s volleyball team won the Newton Cardinal Early Bird Volleyball Invitational on Aug. 27. The Mustangs won all three of their matches in straight sets.
PCM volleyball downs Newton to win Cardinal Early Bird Invitational
By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer
NEWTON — The volleyball teams from Newton and PCM have one thing in common. Both squads brought back three starters from last year’s winning campaign.
There were a lot of new faces on the floor for the Cardinals and Mustangs during the Newton Cardinal Early Bird Volleyball Invitational and PCM’s aggressive play and strong serving were the difference during a two-match sweep on Aug. 27.
The two Jasper County programs faced off against each other in the final match of the night and PCM claimed the tournament title following a 21-15, 21-13 victory.
digs and two aces.
Addi Hudnut collected eight digs, Pederson tallied two kills and two blocks, Van Wyk had two kills and two digs and Lillian Humpal totaled two kills.
PCM was 39-of-43 in serves with five aces. De Vries served 13-of-13.
“That’s an awesome way to be an aggressive team,” said Coach De Vries about their team’s serving. “We wanted to push them back and push them back and then serve them short. On the deep serves, Newton had trouble getting the ball to the net for a good attack. That helped us a lot.”
“We needed to start strong, look sharp and get all of those bugs out in the first two matches so that we were ready to go against Newton,” PCM head volleyball coach Sarah De Vries said. “I think they did that in an awesome way.”
The Mustangs, who are coming off their first winning season since 2010, began their season 3-0 for the first time since 2017. That’s also the last time PCM defeated Newton.
The Cardinals also were above .500 last season for the first time since 2013. The last time they weren’t 3-0 was 2018.
PCM and Newton had similar outcomes against Saydel and Des Moines Hoover.
The Cardinals opened their night with a 21-6, 21-10 win over Saydel and then moved to 2-0 with a 21-3, 21-3 victory over the Huskies.
PCM downed conference rival Saydel 21-6, 21-11 after opening with a 21-3, 21-8 triumph over Hoover.
“It’s encouraging to start the season off with some wins,” PCM senior Rebecca De Vries said. “I hope we can carry it over into the rest of the season.”
The Mustangs and Cardinals went back-and-forth in their opening set. Delaney Woollums put down a pair of kills to tie the set at 2-all and the game also saw a 3-all tie following a block by Newton’s Addie Ratcliff and a kill by PCM’s Addyson Pederson.
A 5-0 run for PCM put the visitors up 9-4, and Newton played from behind the rest of the way.
The Cardinals (5-1) called timeout with an 11-6 deficit but a block from Tori Lindsay and two more kills from Pederson pushed the advantage to 17-10.
A kill from Morgan Frehse and an ace from Ratcliff trimmed Newton’s margin to 18-14, but that’s as close as the hosts got.
The Cardinals led the second set 3-0 and 6-4, but PCM rallied thanks in part to a 6-0 run that featured back-to-back aces by Rebecca De Vries and consecutive kills from Libby Winters and Claire Van Wyk. Newton rallied to tie the set at 10-all, but a 4-0 run that featured two more kills from Winters put the Mustangs in front for good.
The Cardinals got within 16-13, but PCM (4-2) ended the match with another 5-0 run.
Lindsay led PCM with 13 assists, two kills, five digs and two aces. Winters tallied seven kills and seven digs, Addison Steenhoek chipped in 12 digs and two assists and Rebecca De Vries registered five kills, five
PCM had little trouble with Saydel in its first match against the Eagles this season.
The Mustangs used a 7-0 run to take an early 8-1 lead in the opening set. That stretch featured two aces by Humpal.
The margin grew to 12-2, 13-3 and 14-4 before back-to-back aces by Winters pushed the advantage to 19-5.
“I think we are meshing really well,” Rebecca De Vries said. “We are playing with new girls this year, but I think our dynamic is working well.”
Saydel led the second set 3-0 before back-to-back aces from Humpal tied the game at 3-all.
Three straight PCM points gave it a 7-4 advantage and another 3-0 run extended the margin to 13-7. That spurt ended with consecutive aces from Winters.
An ace and a kill from Pederson pushed the lead to 15-9 and started another 5-0 run. The match ended with a Rebecca De Vries kill.
Humpal led the Mustangs with two kills and six aces. Lindsay dished out nine assists, Winters chipped in three kills, two digs and three aces and De Vries tallied two kills and two blocks.
The Mustangs were 31-of-39 in serves with 11 aces. Their kill efficiency was .231. Humpal served 15of-16 and Winters had a kill efficiency of .500.
Against Hoover, Lindsay registered 10 assists and four aces, Pederson chipped in two kills and six aces and Humpal had three kills and five aces. De Vries put down three kills and Winters served two aces.
The Mustangs were 40-of-42 in serves with 19 aces and had a kill efficiency of .250. Pederson was 11of-11 in serves, while Lindsay and Humpal both served 10-of-10.
While three starters returned for PCM, only Steenhoek is back in her previous position of libero. Lindsay moved to setter from a hitter position last season and De Vries is no longer just a middle hitter.
“I think having those core three playing all the way around has helped lead the other girls,” Coach De Vries said. “They help and give those younger girls confidence. They have been encouraging to them so far.”
Notes: Hoover’s assistant volleyball coach is PCM alum Brad Grier.
Mustangs go 1-2 at Lynnville-Sully quad
SULLY — For the first time in her prep volleyball career, Newton senior Macy Lampe was not the team’s starting setter on Aug. 29. Newton began the season in a 6-2 formation but switched to a 5-1 after losing to PCM.
With one day of practice, the Cardinals flipped the script on the Mustangs and left the Lynnville-Sully quadrangular with a trio of wins. And moving to Lampe to a hitting position was one reason why.
“After Tuesday’s loss to PCM, we came to practice focused and with a game plan,” Newton head volleyball coach Heidi Woollums said. “We came out tonight and executed the game plan wonderfully.”
The Cardinals opened their night with a 21-14, 25-23 victory over the host Hawks. They swept PCM 2116, 21-16 before finishing their night with a 21-14, 21-11 triumph over Twin Cedars.
PCM had little trouble with Twin Cedars, downing the Sabers 21-4, 21-8. Lynnville-Sully needed three sets but scored a 21-13, 19-21, 15-7 win over Twin Cedars.
In their last match of the night, the Hawks edged the Mustangs 2116, 9-21, 15-13.
Newton defeated PCM by the same two scores of 21-16. But both sets saw ties at 13 and 14.
An ace by Isabelle Rawlins early made it 3-1 Newton, but Van Wyk had a kill and a block on consecutive points to put the Mustangs back in front.
Newton four scored straight to go up 9-5, but PCM rallied for ties at 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. During that stretch, Winters served up an ace and put down a kill.
Kills by Delaney Woollums put her team up 13-12 and 15-14. Newton scored seven straight points to grab a 20-14 advantage and Delaney Woollums ended the set a few points later.
Pederson and Lindsay opened the second set with a kill and an ace, respectively, but back-to-back kills by Delaney Woollums evened the set at 2-all.
PCM forced a Cardinal timeout after a 4-0 run and the Mustangs eventually went up 8-4 following a kill by Rebecca De Vries.
Newton tied the set at 8-all and it stayed close until the Cardinals pulled away late again.
Winters headlined the Mustangs with three kills, three blocks, five digs and three aces. Lindsay had nine assists, two kills and three aces, Rebecca De Vries posted four kills and five digs and Steenhoek contributed seven digs.
PCM was 32-of-36 in serves with nine aces. Humpal served 10-of-10.
In the loss to L-S, Lindsay led the Mustangs with 18 assists, two kills, six digs and two blocks. Steenhoek had 20 digs, two aces and five assists, Rebecca De Vries collected nine kills, two blocks, three aces and two digs and Winters added four kills, five blocks and 11 digs.
Humpal chipped in four kills and two digs and Hudnut had three digs.
The Mustangs were 43-of-51 in serves with six aces. Steenhoek served 11-of-11 and Lindsay was 10of-11.
Rebecca De Vries had four kills, two digs and two aces in PCM’s win over Twin Cedars. Lindsay chipped in nine assists and two aces, Winters added three kills and two digs and Pederson collected three kills and two aces.
Humpal added three kills and Hudnut finished with two digs.
The Mustangs were 39-of-41 in serves with eight aces. They had a kill efficiency of .303. Lindsay served 10-of-10 and Steenhoek was 7-of-7.
PCM football scores 50 in win over Sigourney/Keota
SIGOURNEY — The PCM varsity football team ran only 28 offensive plays against Sigourney/Keota on Aug. 30. But it equaled 47 points and the Mustangs cruised past the Cobras, 54-14, in the season opener for both teams.
Gavin Van Gorp threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more, Adrien Robbins added three scores and Riley Graber caught two TD passes in the victory.
Trenner Van Dyke dominated on defense, leading PCM with 12 tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss.
PCM led 14-0 after one quarter following a 1-yard TD run by Van Gorp and a 44-yard scoring run from Robbins.
Sigourney/Keota (0-1) answered with a 17-yard TD run by Issac Bruns early in the second, but the Mustangs finished the half with three straight scoring drives.
Van Gorp extended PCM’s lead with a 27-yard TD run and then hooked up with Graber for a 23-yard TD. Robbins scored from 6 yards out with 55 seconds to play until halftime.
A 13-0 advantage in the third put PCM (1-0) in front 47-7 after three. The quarter featured a 65-yard TD pass from Van Gorp to Graber and a 36-yard TD pass from Van Gorp to Robbins.
Easton Morris contributed to the scoring with an 8-yard TD run in the fourth. That came after the Cobras got a 55-yard TD pass from Jacob Libe to Ayden Galindo.
All three Van Gorp completions went for touchdowns. He was 3-of-5 through the air for 124 yards and three scores. He gained 108 yards and scored two TDs on seven carries.
Robbins rushed for 118 yards and two scores on 14 carries and his only catch went for a 36-yard TD.
Morris gained 32 yards on eight carries and Chase Wagaman was 1-of-2 through the air for 12 yards and also rushed for 11 yards on his only carry.
Graber grabbed two passes for 88 yards and two TDs and Cutler VandeLune hauled in one pass for 12 yards.
Gavin DeRaad finished with 6.5 tackles and two tackles for loss for the PCM defense, while Finn Wilson had 6.5 tackles and Wagaman snagged an interception.
Brevin DeRaad tallied 4.5 tackles, Keegan Fenton contributed 3.5 tackles and Danson Drake made three tackles in his varsity debut.
Evan Jones returned his only kickoff for 46 yards and Gavin Steenhoek also had a 40-yard kickoff return. Dominic Witt had seven touchbacks on his nine kickoff attempts.
Bruns led Sigourney/Keota with 84 yards and one TD on 20 carries. Brady Clark had 53 yards on 10 carries.
The Mustangs face Pella Christian in their home opener at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 in Monroe.
Trenner Van Dyke
PCM senior lineman Trenner Van Dyke led the Mustang defense with 12 tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss in the team’s 54-14 win over Sigourney/Keota on August 30. Van Dyke also starts on the offensive line and helped PCM’s varsity unit score 47 points in just 28 total plays.
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Van Gorp
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Steenhoek
Troy Hyde/ PCM Explorer
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