Here we go, Mustangs
Homecoming week to kick off Sept. 24
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Homecoming is less than a week a way and
PCM is gearing up to celebrate with dress-up days. Even with no school Monday, Sept. 23, the week is packed with activities
leading up to the football game Friday night against Union.
For the elementary schools, Tuesday is “Pajama Day,” Wednesday is “Sports/Hat Day,” Thursday is “Pattern Day” and Friday is “Spirit Day.” At
the middle school, the week kicks off with “Fake Injury Day” Monday, “Wild West Wednesday,” “Hero or Villain Day” Thursday and “Spirit Day” Friday. High schoolers
HOMECOMING
Jasper County creates communications center director position
New civilian role would acquire Brad Shutts’ duties as he transitions to sheriff
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
In preparation for Lt. Brad Shutts’ successful and uncontested election for county sheriff this coming November, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on Sept. 10 to create a permanent full-time position for a communications center director, which would be a civilian position for the sheriff’s office.
Dennis Simon, director of human resources for Jasper County, said Shutts handles most of the communications duties, and with his new role as sheriff he will have additional responsi -
bilities. Shutts said the communications center director would fulfill his current duties as he makes his transition to sheriff.
“So this would take my posi -
tion and be able to cover some of those shifts and fulfill the dayto-day duties that I do now to
DIRECTOR | 3
An ‘AllStar’ com-
Monroe received recognition for The Monroe Senior and Community Center — The Gathering Place from the Iowa League of Cities
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Each year, the Iowa League of Cities designates All-Star Community Awards to several communities throughout the state and for 2024 the City of Monroe received the honor for the work of The Monroe Senior and Community Center — The Gathering Place. Representatives from the city will be on hand for an awards ceremony during the league’s annual conference and exhibit held from Sept. 18 to 20 in Sioux City.
“The Iowa League of Cities applauds the great work done by the City of Monroe and its partners in creating a fantastic space to gather and commune,” Iowa League of Cities Communications Coordinator Mike Armstrong said.
Opened in 2023, The
Gathering Place is in the former Barber Lumber building. With extensive renovations, the building now features large, accessible spaces in both the main floor and basement along with a kitchen that are used frequently for activities and gatherings.
The project was made possible with the help of the Alfred B. and Vera Clement Charitable Trust, the City of Monroe, Jasper County and hundreds of volunteer hours from those with a vision to make the space a safe and encouraging environment for anyone who visits.
The Gathering Place currently houses Monroe’s Elderly Nutrition meals site each weekday, many activities such as yoga and kids crafts, programs including informational meetings on different health topics and meet
Veterans affairs commission considers creating new rules for meetings
Contentious dialogue these past few months highlights need for order, respect
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
In response to meetings this past year becoming more contentious and unruly, the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission may establish some ground rules for participants or recite core values similar to the way Newton school board does before each meeting in an effort to preserve order and respect.
Commissioner Fred Chabot provided veterans affairs administrator Alyssa Wilson a sample of potential ground rules for meetings. The date
at the bottom of the document — Oct. 20, 1997 — coincides with the first meeting Chabot participated in after being elected to the Newton school board.
“These ground rules governed our behavior as a school board throughout my nine years of service,” Chabot said.
“…The Newton school board still utilizes values instead of ground rules and, to the best of my knowledge, at each school board meeting the president of the school board refreshes everyone’s memory.”
Specifically, Chabot referred to the mission, vision,
goals, commitments and core values that school board members recite aloud before entering into any type of business at public meetings. These purpose statements reinforce who board members are working for and how best to conduct themselves at meetings.
“I think ground rules are a good guide for this group to have in terms of how we behave, how our staff behaves at these meetings and I think it would be appropriate to add a bullet point or two in regard to what our expectations are
Submitted Photo
The City of Monroe is featured on the cover of “Cityscape,” a publication by the Iowa League of Cities, for being named an All-Star Community for The Monroe Senior and Community Center — The Gathering Place.
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Fred Chabot, right, explains his idea of adding ground rules to the Jasper County Veterans Affairs Commission meetings, due in large part to the contentious comments from commissioners and attendees this past year.
File Photos
PCM Mustang fans are invited to cheer on student athletes starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 during a parade starting near the high school and continuing down Highway 14, then to Commerce Street and back south.
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
The Jasper County Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on Sept. 10 to create a communications center director position, which would assume the responsibilities of Lt. Brad Shutts when he transitions to sheriff at the start of the year.
Events at The Gathering Place
Thursday, Sept. 19
• 10am Focus Group meeting
Friday, Sept. 20
• 2pm Piano with Jacque Robinson
• 7pm Patty Richards Country Show (bring snack)
Monday, Sept. 23
• 8am Coffee & Prayer with Pastor Ann
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Wednesday, Sept. 25
• 1pm “Get Fit, Move More”
Thursday, Sept. 26
• 4:30pm CATER 2U2 Fundraiser
Blood Drive Saturday in Monroe
Prairie City and Monroe Community Blood Drive
will be from 7:15 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 at 407 N. Monroe St. in Monroe. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter. org or call 800-287-4903.
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.
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.
GriefShare at FRC
First Reformed Church in Prairie City will host GriefShare each Wednesday for those who have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope. 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). For more information contact Mary Lemmert, 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol. com.
Lion’s pancake breakfast Sept. 28
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.
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.
Good News Club for K-5th grade, begins after school Monday, Oct. 7 and is the first and third Monday through December at the Monroe Elementary Art Room and Prairie City Elementary Gym. Activities include games, songs, bible lessons and snacks. For more information contact Shery Plate at 641-521-3120 or Jane McConeghey at 641-891-2733. Good News Club is sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Good News Club returns
ICAN to host college fair in Altoona
The largest college fair in the state of Iowa, the Golden Circle College Fair, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, bringing together more than 80 colleges, universities and career and student service resources. This highly anticipated event offers high school students and families a unique opportunity to connect with college representatives and explore a wide variety of education and training options.
Hosteby by the education nonprofit ICAN, the fair is designed to help students and their families navigate the planning process for life after high school, providing them with direct access to information about career planning, academic programs, admission requirements, campus life, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and career training and student support services.
Key Highlights:
• Meet representatives for more than 80 organizations and institutions, including public and private universities, community colleges, and technical programs.
• Learn about scholarships, grants and other financial aid options to support higher education.
• Explore various programs, from liberal arts to STEM, CTE and more.
• Engage with career and college advising experts on career exploration, work-based learn-
ing, and student success.
“Choosing the right post-high school path for education or training can be a daunting process, but events like this make it easier for students and their families to find the best fit for their educational and carer goals,” Brittania Morey, Vice President Marketing and Communications for ICAN said.
“We’re excited to provide a platform where students can get their questions answered and start envisioning their future.”
The event is free and open to the public and no pre-registration is required. High school students, their parents and educators are all encouraged to attend. Attendees are also encouraged to set up a StriveScan barcode (www.strivefair. com) to ease the sharing of information with colleges. Students are also welcome to bring copies of their transcripts and resumes to discuss with admission representatives.
Jasper County Democrats to host annual soup supper
Jasper County Democrats annual soup supper will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 in Building 20, Legacy Plaza. Admission is $15
Sunday
(children 12 & under free). Guest speakers will be Christina Bohannan, U.S. Congressional District 1 candidate, Dave Loebsack, former
U.S. Congressman and Brad Magg, Iowa House District 38 candidate. Bring an apptizer and enter the Appetizer/Dip Contest.
8 sights to see at fall harvest festivals
Just as summertime is synonymous with concerts and carnivals, fall is a prime time for its own opportunities for seasonal entertainment, such as harvest festivals. Certain features overlap between summer carnivals and fall festivals, but the latter offers some unique offerings as well. The following are some things to expect when fall festival season hits full swing.
1. Seasonal fare
Many fall harvest festivals are built on the foods harvested in the fall for that region. In Wisconsin, that may be cranberries, while in Massachusetts it could be oysters. Apples also turn up in many areas starting in September. For those who can’t wait to bite into food picked at the peak of its season, a fall harvest festival can’t be beat.
2. Wagon rides Farms and the tools of the farming trade are part of harvest festivals. Wagons transporting crops are a classic sight, even if they’re no longer heavily relied upon on the farm. Rather than a cargo bed full of corn or apples, har-
bale beds towed by tractors.
3. Apples galore
Candied and caramel apples and many other apple products feature prominently at many harvest festivals. Apple fritters, apple turnovers, apple pies, fried apples, and others are bound to be sold by vendors, along with traditional fair foods, like funnel cakes.
4. Cider stations
Lemonade stands that are staples of summer give way to hot or cold cider offerings come the fall. Cold ciders are perfect for an unseasonably warm fall day while warm varieties are tailor-made for days when there’s a chill in the air.
5. Pumpkin patches
Fall harvest organizers pick and display pumpkins in fields to make it easier for youngsters to find the perfect pumpkin for Halloween carvings. It’s a sea of orange this time of year, and things may get more colorful with non-edible gourds in shades of white or yellow.
6. Leaf-peeping opportunities
Some festivals are geared around chances to view the fall foliage that abounds in primarily rural areas. A mountain or forest backdrop adds vibrant color to any event.
Coastal areas may set up fall foliage cruises that let guests see the leaves from a new perspective.
7. Corn mazes
Fall festivals set up adjacent to or on farms may have corn mazes for the kids. These mazes may be kept up throughout October and repurposed into haunted mazes for older kids looking to get a scare for Halloween.
8. Wine tastings
Many grape varieties are harvested in the fall, so fall harvest festivals may capitalize on that and invite local vineyards to set up tables providing tastings of their vintages. Vineyards also may host their own fall festivals, featuring sips and snacks with live music.
Fall offers a host of entertaining festivals geared around the harvest season. These festivals are ideal ways for people to see the sights and nibble on seasonal delights along the way. — Metro Creative
vest festivals tote families around on wagon rides or on hay
Explorer PCM
Homecoming
will dress as their best frat bro Tuesday, come as a dynamic duo Wednesday, dress is class colors of freshman neon green, sophomores neon orange, juniors neon blue and seniors neon pink Thursday and Spirit Day Friday.
The community is invited to celebrate with the students and staff at the Homecoming Parade Thursday evening. Starting at 6 p.m., the parade will start near the high school and travel down Highway
14 to before crossing to Commerce Street and heading back south.
While the district wants everyone to have a fun time with the rival Union Knights, it is asking participants to be cognizant of resent tragedies in the Union School District and refrain from using phrases with “kill” or “death” in them. For more information about the parade or to sign up, contact district communications director Cathy DeHaai.
and greets with school district officials and services along with always having a pot of coffee ready for anyone who stops by. It is also available for rent and has been used for bridal showers, class reunions and business events among many other gatherings.
The City of Monroe and local businesses have seen an economic impact from The Gathering Place opening, as well. With additional people traveling to Monroe for family or social gatherings, benefits are being felt across the community as different people visit multiple establishments while in town.
With the All-Star Community Awards program, the Iowa League of Cities seeks
to acknowledge and encourage excellence in local government according to the organization. The program provides an opportunity for officials and staff of member cities to receive recognition for the superior and innovative efforts. In addition, the program provides a means for sharing Iowa’s best public service ideas and demonstrates that those involved with local government are progressive, caring and committed to their communities.
Along with Monroe, Bondurant’s RecN-Roll Trailer and Burlington’s Tiger Riverfront Redevelopment received recognition. Monroe received recognition in the fewer than 2,000 people category of the All-Star Community Award.
“These three cities have gone above and beyond in serving their citizens with some outstanding projects,” the organization said.
of attendees from the general public,” Chabot said.
If the county veterans affairs commission were to adopt ground rules, then Chabot suggested they be reminded to everyone attending or conducting the meeting. He proposed the commission review and discuss the matter over the next two months before making a final decision.
“With the way our meetings have gone since April of this year, I think it would be appropriate to have ground rules governing our meetings,” Chabot said.
Some of the meetings over the past few months have seen high attendance numbers. Veterans had come to the de-
fense of Wilson back in May, who they believed was being mistreated by commissioners. The issue only exacerbated when a commissioner accosted Wilson for not returning enough phone calls.
Commissioner Ed Spangenburg placed responsibility on Wilson if veterans decide to kill themselves after having no one at the office answer the phone.
“So 10 out of 22 a day. Remember that. Twenty-two a day,” Spangenburg said to Wilson back in June, referencing the Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s estimate that 22 veterans may die by suicide each day. “You might be that phone call that they need to talk to. Twenty-two a day.”
By the July commissioners meeting, veterans filled the conference room once again. Many
were angry with Spangenburg and his comments, causing them to speak out of order and for prolonged periods of time. Chabot said the ground rules could specify that attendees are limited to three minutes.
“I think we ought to add something to that in light of public comments in the past,” Chabot said. Wilson recalled another county’s veterans affairs commission meeting got so heated that it needed law enforcement intervention. Jasper County’s veterans are passionate, but Wilson doubted conflicts would ever escalate to where someone would get violent and act out inappropriately.
“I don’t think we would necessarily get to that point, but at the same time it would be good to have that reminder,” she said.
an extent,” Shutts said. Jasper County Communications Division serves as the communications hub for the county’s law enforcement agencies. The division operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. According to the coun-
ty’s website, the division provides 911 and emergency dis
patch
ing services for 17 agencies within the county. It also has access to
the National Criminal Justice Information System and the National Crime Information Center. But perhaps what it is best known for is being the primary dispatch point for all county law enforcement, fire, medical and emergency management services.
In 2022, the communications division dispatch assigned 38,318 calls for services.
File Photo
football team during last
Are aronia berries a cure-all?
All I know is my own story, and the stories of others whom I believe. I had an ugly skin cancer on my forehead called a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Yes, in all likelihood it was caused by sun. For you naysayers out there, who won’t wear a hat, or use sun block, I’m here to tell you it’s not worth the risk. As a teenager, I detassled, rogued, walked beans and all that other farm stuff, and never wore a hat. Hats were for sissies. My face would get so sunburned, my nose and cheekbones would blister, peel, and regrow new skin. It was a badge of courage. We wouldn’t wear shorts either, but took our shirts off. White legs, blistered head and shoulders, equals cool. No, fool. Like a waterfall, the neuroendocrine carcinoma went down into the lymph nodes of my neck — stage 3 or 4 cancer. Uh, oh. But Ginnie and I started praying and drinking aronia berry juice that a farmer buddy gave us. Lo-and-behold,
the neuroendocrine carcinoma on my forehead disappeared, and the swelling in my lymph nodes shrunk without any other medication.
What are aronia berries? Good question. They are a berry that is popular in Europe, especially Poland. The aronia berry is very high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Here on the Empty Nest Farm we have a row of aronia berry bushes growing alongside our driveway as a wind break. If you eat the berries raw, they make you pucker. They’re astringent. But the juice from these aronia berries is more tasty. It takes seven pounds of berries to make half-agallon of juice.
So, where can you get aronia juice or powder? Here in SE Iowa there is a group of three families who are growing aronia berries and making aronia powder and juice. Their website is linngrovearonia. com. You can purchase the powder and they will ship it to you. They also make juice, but because it’s in a glass bottle, it’s
Election 2024: Finally weird enough?
By Thomas L. Knapp
“It never got weird enough for me,” says Hunter S. Thompson — or, rather, Bill Murray as Hunter S. Thompson in 1980s kinda sorta Thompson biopic, Where the Buffalo Roam. “I moved to the country when the boat got too crowded. Then I learned that President Nixon had been eaten by white cannibals on an island near Tijuana for no good reason at all.”
Thompson died by his own hand in 2005, no longer at the top of his gonzo game but still the reigning champion of American non-fiction (very loosely construed) and psychoactive substance ingestion (perhaps not quite as loosely construed).
I woke up this morning thinking about Thompson, wondering if Election 2024 might just possibly have changed his mind on how weird it can get.
More than 50 years ago, Thompson manufactured, and managed with some success to sell, a rumor that Democratic presidential contender Ed Muskie’s erratic public behavior stemmed from a crippling addiction to a psychedelic, ibogaine.
Muskie’s public meltdowns — and, for that matter, the candidacy-ending revelation of 1972 Democratic vice-presidential nominee Thomas Eagleton’s history of shock treatment — seem downright tame by today’s standards, and today’s politicians and celebrities don’t need Thompson’s assistance on the weirdness front.
On September 10, former and possibly future president Donald Trump indignantly informed the American public, on live television, that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are “eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there” (actual body count so far, one goose ... maybe).
Then Taylor Swift, just maybe the most popular person in the world, en-
dorsed Trump’s opponent, vice-president Kamala Harris, dubbing herself (in response to previous weirdness from Trump’s running mate, faux-hillbilly venture capitalist and U.S. Senator JD Vance) a “childless cat lady.”
But wait! There’s more! The richest man in the world (Trump-supporting Elon Musk) then publicly offered to help Swift ditch the “childless” part. You can fill in the details as to how that might happen yourself, but you might not want to on a full stomach.
The “political junkie” side of me kind of wants to see “serious” policy discussions and debates on “the issues,” not a never-ending episode of The Jerry Springer Show with the Kardashian family and Ed Muskie’s ibogaine stash as the guests.
The “voracious reader of history” in me recalls a presidential election in which dueling polemicists described John Adams’s “hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman,” and called Thomas Jefferson “a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a halfbreed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father.” Perhaps the venom, and the weirdness, aren’t nearly so new as they feel.
My internal “Hunter S. Thompson fan” voice says “hey, bring on the ibogaine and let’s see what happens.”
Thompson possessed strongly held convictions and tried his hardest to call forth “the better angels of our nature.” He didn’t ACTUALLY consider elections inherently devoid of practical value outside their entertainment potential.
But 2024 just might have convinced him.
ThomasL.Knappisdirector and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism.
not economical to ship. They are also in the process of making their aronia products available in local supermarkets. Explore their website. If you pay them a visit, they may bequeath you a jug of their frozen, pasteurized juice.
Stories and personal testimonies abound as to the health benefits of aronia berries. (I know. Health food vs modern medicine — the old rivalry, the odd opponents.) One lady had an autoimmune disease, interstitial cystitis, and gout. Because of the illness she was denied nursing home insurance. The medication she took was as hard or harder on her than the disease. Once she started eating aronia berries her bladder spasms stopped. She hasn’t had to take medication in five years.
Another person with sciatic nerve pain cured it with aronia juice. After a nuclear accident in Japan, Poland sent aronia products to the Japanese to combat effects of radiation. Don’t take my word for it. Look up American Aronia Association and read about studies that have been done on the super food. The potential preventative and therapeutic effect for metabolic disorder, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases are staggering.
Why haven’t aronia berries caught
on in the United States like they have in Europe? Studies need to be done where thousands and thousands of people are treated with aronia berries as compared to a placebo and/or the more accepted medications. With Iowa having the second highest cancer rate of any state in the Union, Iowa should be fertile ground for such a study.
BTW: Nationwide, men have a 50 percent chance of coming down with cancer, women 30 percent. In Iowa, it’s higher. Cancer insurance might be a well-worth investment, along with prayer and aronia berries. Just saying.
Where does that leave me, with my diagnosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma? A recent PET scan indicates that I am cancer free. That’s as a result of prayer and aronia juice, and no medication. I’m in somewhat of a quandary because the oncologists, and they are super smart doctors, want me to start a regimen of immunotherapy infusions with a new cancer drug, Keytruda, that can have rough side effects. Hmm. Do I need this treatment or not? I trust God will lead me and the doctors in the right direction. Your continued prayers for Ginnie and I are much appreciated. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@ yahoo.com
Project
2025
policies
are on the Nov. 5 ballot
By Steve Corbin Professor Emeritus of Marketing, University of Northern Iowa
It’s becoming crystal clear the closer we get to the Nov. 5 presidential election, voters need to seriously check out the radical government reformation policies contained within Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Here’s why.
The right-wing think tank Heritage Foundation has written not one, not two, but nine `Mandate for Leadership’ documents for Republican presidential candidates with their first playbook published in 1981. The Heritage Foundation spent $22 million — serious money — to create Project 2025 for Donald Trump to implement.
Trump’s claim he knows nothing about Project 2025 is dubious. The Heritage Foundation’s web site notes Donald Trump “fully embraced” 64 percent of their 321 policy reform recommendations during his 2017-2021 presidency.
The Heritage Foundation compiled a database of Republicans the 2016-elected Trump could hire of which 66 served in his presidential administration. Five key Trump acolytes from that database included: Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education; Scott Pruitt, Environmental Protection Agency; Mick Mulvaney, White House Chief of Staff; Rick Perry, Secretary of Energy; and Jeff Sessions, Attorney General (New York Times, June 20, 2018).
Trump asked the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society to compile a list of 21 potential Supreme Court nominees. John Malcolm prepared the list for the Heritage Foundation and when Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS, Politico referred to Malcolm as “the man who picked the next Supreme Court justice” (Jan. 30, 2017).
In Heather Cox Richardson’s Sept. 7 blog, the Boston College History Professor revealed that on Sept. 5, Trump — at an event with Sean Hannity of Fox News — “embraced the key element of Project 2025 that calls for a dictatorial leader to take over the U.S. That document maintains that `personnel is policy’ and that the way to achieve all that the Christian nationalists want is to fire the nonpartisan civil servants currently in place and put their own people into office.”
Twenty-three videos have been prepared to coach future Trump administration appointees on how to implement Project 2025. Twenty-nine of the 36 video speakers worked for Trump or Vance (ProPublica, Aug. 10).
At least 140 people who worked in Trump’s 2017-2021 administration were involved in writing Project 2025 (CNN, July 11).
CBS News identified 270 of Project 2025′s policy proposals that matched Trump’s past political and current campaign rhetoric.
Heather Cox Richardson’s blog noted that on Sept. 7, Trump held a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, where he publicly embraced Project 2025′s promise to eliminate the Department of Education.
Evidence is replete the Heritage Foundation and the Trump-Vance GOP ticket are joined at the hip and, therefore, Project 2025′s extremist policies are implicitly on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Two-thirds (67.8 percent) of Americans are opposed to Project 2025′s extremist policy proposals (Newsweek, July 9). Likewise, none of former GOP presidents or vice-presidents has endorsed Trump.
Voters need to find out — on their own accord — what outlandish policies the Heritage Foundation
wants Trump-Vance to implement.
One highly credible and factual reporting news agency, The Fulcrum, has published over 30 op-eds devoted to analyzing Project 2025′s content; accessible — free — at: https:// thefulcrum.us/tag/project-2025.
The Fulcrum op-ed writers who delve into the nitty-gritty details of Project 2025 policies are cross-partisan and are not associated with the Harris-Walz campaign.
Here’s a partial list of Project 2025 policy topics that have been thoroughly examined, individually, in The Fulcrum: Department of Education, Christian nationalism, Department of Defense, Federal Reserve, Department of Energy, Parents Bill of Rights, Department of Veteran Affairs, Education Savings Accounts, Department of Homeland Security, Voting Rights Act, Department of Labor, Christo-fascist manifesto, Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State, Federal Communications Commission, Department of Justice and Schedule F (firing civil servants) threat to democracy.
Since Trump implemented 64 percent of Heritage Foundation’s 2017-2021 manifesto and knowing he’s not a policy wonk, odds are great — if elected to office — he will embrace Project 2025 — lock, stock and barrel. Remember, past actions are the best predictor of future behavior.
Let’s agree that the soul of America is democracy. On Nov. 5, will you embrace Project 2025′s extremist-oriented policies that threaten our form of government or support well-reasoned policies that protect and preserve our Constitutional rights?
Contact Steve Corbin at Steven.B.Corbin@gmail.com
Jasper County Concert Association announces lineup for 41st season
Shows include Billy Joel and Beach Boy tributes, bands with unique musical styles and an Iowa boy for good measure
Jasper County Concert Association is ready for another spectacular season of live music performances that have completely unique musical styles and even feature homages to greats like Billy Joel and The Beach Boys. Newton concerts won’t begin until fall, so there is still time to obtain a membership or renew it.
Each year the JCCA Board of Directors selects professional groups or an individual to come to Newton to perform in the Center for Performance at Newton High School. Many of the performers have appeared on Broadway, and several of the bands have played shows all around the world.
Kicking off the 41st season is “Sing Us A Song… You’re the Piano Man,” which features the timeless hits of Billy Joel. Jim Witter leads the show on Oct. 10 with his superb showman skills and musical prowess. Get ready for night featuring both the A-sides and B-sides of Billy Joel’s long and fascinating career.
Letters From Home will perform Nov. 2 and feature a USO-style show that covers favorites from the 1940s and 1950s. So expect to hear songs by Frank Sinatra, the Andrews Sisters, Vera Lynn, Nicholas Brothers and many others. It’s a high energy show that is somehow funny, historical and inspirational all at once.
Doo Wah Riders on Feb. 4, 2025, ought to be one of the more interesting shows this season. Everyone likes a little bit of country, a little bit of rock ’n’ roll, but has anyone ever tried that with a dash of Cajun seasoning? Well, you’re about to. The group has been wowing crowds for as long as the JCCA has been around.
Sail On is sure to bring out The Beach Boys fans on April 14, 2025. The five-member group performs all of the band’s classic hits along with some forgotten favorites. Sail On, a Nashville-based group, faithfully recreates what made The Beach Boys so special and so popular. It’s a tribute through and through.
Jared Freiburg and The Vagabonds close out the 41st season on May 14, 2025. Freiburg, who was actu-
as part of the
Jasper County Concert Association’s 41st season. Photo from www.alliedconcertservices.com.
ally born and raised in Des Moines, will be playing the early years of rock ’n’ roll, country, blues and jazz with songs by Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lee Lewis, to name a few. This Iowa boy sure knows how to put on a show.
Membership in the association is sold for the season of concerts. Three types of memberships are available: adult for $60, student for $15 and family (one or two adults plus children) for $130. This membership allows the member to attend five concerts in Newton, four concerts in Indianola and six concerts in Marshalltown. To attend Marshalltown concerts it quires a onetime payment of $10 per single membership or $20 per family membership. Those interested in purchasing a membership, call 641-521-8735 or mail a check to JCCA, P.O. Box 1252, Newton, Iowa, 50208 and disclose what type of membership you want. Memberships may also be purchased at Mattingly Music, Book and Hobby on the west side of the Newton town square.
Supplemental food program renewed for Jasper County
Jasper County is continuing its partnership with Polk County for the supplemental food program services provided to senior citizens. The board of supervisors on Aug. 27 renewed the memorandum of understanding between the two counties, which remains relatively the same apart from a slight price increase.
Connie McQuiston, director of general assistance for Jasper County, said the program provides shelf-stable food commodity boxes to eligible seniors. The price per box would be increased from $5 to $6 in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Polk County has maintained its $5 per box pricing for more than 20 years.
“Now with food prices, gas and utilities and everything, they felt it was necessary to adjust that price so they could at least break even with that program,” McQuiston said of the $1 price
increase, which did not deter county supervisors who seemed to understand the need for additional payment.
According to a copy of the MOU included in the supervisors agenda, Polk
County is responsible for coordinating the recruitment, enrollment and orientation of the program participants. Polk County is also responsible for ordering, handling and storing all food items
Tickets will be mailed before the Oct. 10 concert.
Program provides lower income seniors with food boxes and nutrition education
in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Jasper County in turn agrees to, among other things, compensate Polk County for each food package distributed to residents.
Commodity Supplemental Foods Program (CSFP) not only provides food but also nutrition education for the elderly ages 60 and over at no cost. Available foods include bottled juice, canned fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, cheese, peanut butter, beans, pastas, shelf stable milk and powdered milk.
In order to be eligible for the program, seniors must prove they meet the age limit and they must meet income guidelines.
The program is available to those who live in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Polk, Story and Warren
Counties. McQuiston said the food boxes are delivered once a month to the Salvation Army in Newton, which then uses volunteers to distribute them to program participants throughout Jasper County.
Participants must meet or be below the following income eligibility guidelines:
• Family of one with gross annual income of $19,578 ($1,632 monthly)
• Family of two with gross annual income of $26,572 ($2,215 monthly)
• Family of three with gross annual income of $33,566 ($2,798 monthly)
• Additional members add $6,994 to gross annual income (add $583 monthly)
To learn more about the program, call 515286-3655.
Photo from Allied Concert Services
Jim Witter performs the show “Sing Us A Song…You’re the Piano Man,” which features the hits of Billy Joel. Witter will perform his act on Oct. 10 in the Center for Performance at the Newton High School
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer
Commodity Supplemental Foods Program provides meal boxes to senior citizens once a month. The boxes include bottled juice, canned fruits and vegetables, hot and cold cereals, cheese, peanut butter, beans, pastas, shelf stable milk and powdered milk.
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Sports Mustangs
Mustangs gallop to pair of team titles at Davis County
BLOOMFIELD — A trio of top-six finishes powered the PCM cross country teams to meet titles on Sept. 12.
The Class 2A No. 11 Mustangs went head-to-head with 2A No. 5 Albia in the girls’ race and bettered the Lady Demons by nine points.
In the boys’ race, the Mustangs and Albia put their five scoring runners in the top 15 and all seven finished in the top 20, but PCM won the meet by three points thanks a to 2-5-6 finish.
The Albia girls posted a 1-2 finish, but PCM won the meet because of its depth later in its lineup.
Lila Milani headlined the
Mustangs with a third-place finish. She was clocked in 22 minutes, 49.12 seconds. That was just ahead of Darby DeRaad, who placed fourth in 22:50.78.
Abi Teeter (22:53.22) was next in fifth followed by Annie Ford (24:12.88) and Bailey Wheeler (24:17.16) in 11th and 12th, respectively.
The Mustangs’ non-scoring runners were Raegan Vannoy (24:54.18) and Paiten Rumbaugh in 18th and 23rd, respectively.
Class 2A No. 11 PCM scored 29 points at the top of the standings. Class 2A No. 5 Albia scored 38 in second. The Lady Demons’ top three runners were 1-2-7 but the final two scoring runners were 16th and 19th.
Davis County (69), Center-
ville (106) and Central Lee (131) completed the field. Sigourney placed three runners in the top 10 but had only four total. Moravia also had an incomplete team.
Class 2A No. 3 McKenna Montgomery of Albia won the girls’ 5K race in 20:43.02. Albia’s Paige Popson was the runner-up in 22:35.99.
The Mustang boys edged Albia by three points to win the team title. PCM placing three in the first six was the difference. Coby DeRaad was the runner-up in the boys’ 5K race. He was clocked in 19:04.57. Owen Osterhaus (19:46.4) was fifth and Kash Fischer (20:06.7) finished sixth.
‘Stangs make statement against 3A Nevada
what’s to come down the line.”
MONROE — PCM scored at least 50 points in its first two games of the season, but the first-team offense ran 28 plays in Week 1 and 25 plays in Week 2. It wasn’t that easy on Sept. 13 night against Class 3A Nevada, but the Mustangs put together a statement victory on their home turf during a 30-7 non-district triumph over the Cubs.
“I’m going to really enjoy this win,” PCM head football coach Greg Bonnett said. “We played very well, took care of the football and were flying around on defense.
“I’m very happy with the way we played tonight. But I also think when we watch the film, they will see some room for improvement even.”
That’s pretty scary for the rest of the teams on PCM’s schedule.
The Mustangs rushed for nearly 300 yards and the defense didn’t allow a single point while registering three sacks and five tackles for loss.
PCM also proved it’s not only a quick-strike offense. Adrien Robbins did get loose for a 74-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but the Mustangs ran 42 plays on their five scoring drives.
“We went into this game knowing it was going to be a dogfight,” Robbins said. “We played our hearts out, trusted our preparation and trusted our coaches. That’s all it really comes down to.”
Nevada came into the game ranked in the top 10 of 3A by at least one ranking service. The Cubs handed PCM a 27-7 loss last season, but this one was all Mustangs.
The defense held Nevada to 42 rushing yards on 24 carries, PCM held a 20-11 advantage in first downs and there were 19 total penalties.
“I think this win was huge,” Trenner Van Dyke said. “We knew it was going to be a fight, but that just prepares us for
The Mustangs hope a deep postseason run is in their future. They are currently ranked in the top five of 2A in multiple rankings.
After holding the Cubs (2-1) to a three-and-out on their first drive, the Mustangs marched 46 yards in six plays to crack the scoreboard.
Robbins opened the drive with a 19-yard run then went 9 and 6 on his next two carries.
Gavin Van Gorp scored from 1 yard out three plays later.
Nevada got two first downs thanks to a pair of PCM penalties on its next possession. Then a roughing the passer penalty on fourth down later moved the chains again.
However, Van Dyke moved the ball backwards with a sack and two incompletions later set up another punt.
“I’m just trying to get off the ball quickly,” Van Dyke said. “When you have a great defensive line, they can’t double team everyone. They can’t block everybody. The coaching staff prepares us well, too.”
PCM started its second possession from its own 2-yard line. The drive featured 12 plays and six first downs, but the Mustangs were forced to punt after back-to-back penalties at the end of it.
But the Mustangs got the ball back in great field position after the Cubs’ drive went backwards. Nevada’s punt also went negative-4 yards.
Van Gorp made the score 12-0 after scoring from 1 yard out again. PCM went 17 yards in six plays. Van Gorp’s seven rushing TDs rank fifth in 2A.
The Mustangs opened the second half with an 11-play, 59yard scoring drive. Robbins was busy on the possession, carrying the ball seven times. That included an 18-yard run that set PCM up inside the 5-yard line.
Gavin Steenhoek ended the drive with a 3-yard TD catch from Van Gorp and Robbins’ two-point conversion run made it 20-0.
“It’s great to block for him,” Van Dyke said about Robbins. “He’s going to make things happen, and if we can get him into
the open field, they aren’t touching him. The running game is working great.”
Nevada took advantage of PCM’s poor field position later in the quarter. The Mustangs started the possession from their own 1-yard line, and Robbins got 14 more yards on four carries, but Nevada’s Austin Waldera forced a turnover that resulted in a 14-yard fumble return for a score to put the Cubs on the board.
PCM answered with another scoring drive though. This time, the Mustangs went 76 yards in 18 plays but settled for a 28-yard field goal by Dominic Witt.
Thirteen of the 18 plays were either runs by Robbins or Van Gorp, but the senior quarterback also found Harlan Shannon for 18 yards and a first down and connected with Robbins for 17 more and a first down.
The field goal put PCM in front 23-7. Witt had four touch-
backs on his five kickoffs and leads 2A with 18 touchbacks this fall.
Robbins capped the victory with a 74-yard run with 5:26 to go in the fourth. He finished with 261 rushing yards and one TD on 33 carries and added 16 yards on two catches.
Robbins ran the ball 21 times for 168 yards in the second half.
“This is the first game I’ve actually played both halves so I will probably be feeling it tomorrow,” Robbins said. “It was a great win, and I feel great about how we played.”
Van Gorp ran for 28 yards and two TDs on 14 carries and was 6-of-8 through the air for 66 yards and one touchdown. His only punt went 43 yards.
Shannon led the receivers with 31 yards on two catches and Steenhoek added 19 yards and a TD on two catches.
Scott Spurgeon/Bloomfield Democrat
PCM sophomore Lila Milani, left, and junior Abi Teeter run in a meet hosted by Davis County on Sept. 12. Milani finished third and Teeter was fifth in the girls’ 5K race at Bloomfield Country Club.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Kaden Clark celebrates the Mustangs’ 30-7 win over Class 3A Nevada on Sept. 13. Stateranked PCM improved to 3-0 and is outscoring its opponents 143-28 this fall.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Adrien Robbins looks for running room off blocks from sophomore Jaxson Straight (28), junior Gavin Steenhoek (7) and senior Cutler VandeLune (15) during the Mustangs’ 30-7 win over Nevada on Sept. 13.
By Troy Hyde PCM Explorer
Explorer PCM
Mustangs serve up 25 aces in win over HOIAC rival Saydel
DES MOINES — The PCM volleyball team had 25 aces and dominated at the net during a 25-10, 2510, 25-13 win over Saydel on Sept. 12.
The Mustangs scored their second win over the Eagles this season. This one counts in the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference standings.
Rebecca De Vries blasted 14 kills, Tori Lindsay had 21 assists and Addison Steenhoek tallied 10 aces in the road victory.
“I felt we played a solid game, taking care of the ball and playing aggressively,” PCM head volleyball coach Sarah De Vries said.
Rebecca De Vries added three aces, Lindsay chipped in four digs and nine aces and Steenhoek registered five assists and six digs. Libby Winters finished with eight kills and two aces, Lillian Humpal posted five kills and Addi Hudnut collected two digs.
The Mustangs (6-3, 1-1 in the HOIAC) were 65-of-74 in serves with 25 aces. The Mustangs’ kill efficiency was .373.
De Vries and Winters posted kill efficiencies of .722 and .583, respectively. Steenhoek was 17-of-18 in serves.
West Marshall 3, PCM 0 STATE CENTER — Not even a strong start to the match helped PCM against West Marshall on Sept. 9.
The Mustangs were edged 25-23 in the opening set of their HOIAC matchup with the Trojans and the
hosts cruised from there, winning the final two sets 25-19, 25-16.
“We came out strong and stayed with West Marshall through the first set,” Coach De Vries said. “The whole match felt a little like a roller coaster with each team having highs and lows.”
West Marshall led the second set 10-2 and 22-7 before PCM rallied to get within 22-18. But the Trojans finished off the win and continued that momentum into the third and final set.
It was the first win of the season for West Marshall, which has won six of the last seven matches in the series.
“In the second set, West Marshall came out strong and we were down by more than 12 points,” Coach De Vries said. “But we fought our way
back with a rally of (Lindsay) serving and winning at the net.”
Lindsay led the Mustangs with 16 assists, 11 digs and three aces. Addyson Pederson put down a career-high eight kills and added two blocks, Rebecca De Vries chipped in five kills and two blocks and Winters tallied three kills, three blocks and 10 digs.
Peyton Lathrum added a career-best four kills and registered two blocks and two digs, Steenhoek posted nine digs and two assists and Hudnut collected five digs.
The Mustangs were 51-of-59 in serves with Lindsay going 23-of-24. PCM also had 10 blocks.
Lily Zahnd led the Trojans (18, 1-0) with a match-high 11 kills, while Avery Evertsen chipped in nine kills and four blocks.
Cross Country
CONTINUED FROM 6
Gabe Nessa (20:59.25) and Joe Shaver (21:12.89) completed the counting scorers in 12th and 15th, respectively.
Rylan Edgington (21:17.27) and Kolby Clark (21:28.11) were non-scoring runners in 16th and 19th, respectively.
Davis County’s Aaron Cook won the boys’ race in 18:31.42.
PCM won the meet title with 35 points. Albia scored 38 in second and the rest of the five-team field featured host Davis County (69), Central Lee (96) and Moulton-Udell (150).
Sigourney, Moravia and Centerville had incomplete teams.
CONTINUED FROM 6
Evan Jones had a team-best five tackles for the defense, while Van Dyke, Brevin DeRaad and Finn Wilson all had 4.5 tackles.
Robbins collected four tackles, Alex Wendt had 2.5 tackles and one sack and Van Dyke and Braedyn Lester each registered one sack.
Van Dyke, who also starts on the offensive line, leads 2A with five sacks and ranks second with nine tackles for loss.
“He’s very determined this year,” Bonnett said about Van Dyke said. “Everything the kid does, it’s with determination. He’s got a good intensity about him. He’s just another tough, physical Van Dyke boy.” Connor King threw for 129 passing yards and Waldera had 48 yards on three catches and led the Nevada defense with 9.5 tackles.
“When we made them throw the deep ball, we covered it well,” Bonnett said. “Carson Hansen made a ton of plays tonight. We knew they’d go at him. And when (Robbins) wasn’t in, we figured they’d attack (Chase) Wagaman, too. They had a game plan. In the end, (Hansen) held his own and the defense didn’t give up any points.”
PCM Explorer
Jake Ryder/Marshalltown Times-Republican PCM senior Rebecca De Vries, center, and sophomore Addyson Pederson at-
tempt to block West Marshall’s Lily Zahnd at the net during a Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference matchup in State Center on Sept. 9.
Scott Spurgeon/ Bloomfield Democrat
PCM junior Coby DeRaad (794) was the runner-up in a cross country meet hosted by Davis County on Sept. 12. The Mustangs won their first team title of the season, too.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM senior Brevin DeRaad, left, brings down a Nevada ball carrier during the team’s 30-7 non-district win over Class 3A Nevada on Sept. 13. DeRaad finished with 4.5 tackles.
Explorer PCM
