Adel’s Patriot Rock Courtesy of American Legion Post 464
Courtesy of Adel American Legion Post 464:
This Veteran’s Day stop by the Patriot rock located on the west side of the Hemphill law office by the bike trail.
It is there courtesy of Adel American Legion Post 464 who enlisted the help of McAninch to have it moved next to the trail across from the City Hall and the Adel Public Library.
Jerry Bond of the Legion contacted ADM Art teachers who worked with their students to create an image to honor our soldiers past and present.
Penoach American Legion Post 464
119 N. 9th. Street
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4080
More Information: AmericanLegion
Facebook: americanlegionpost464
ADM Alumni – Adel Models from 70 Years Ago
Courtesy of ADM Alumni Association:
The ADM Alumni Association is a great resource not just keeping up with former schoolmates, but also for the history of Adel.
Audrey (Harsh) Countryman submitted the below photo, taken 70 years ago, to the Association.
Above Caption: A few days ago a style show was held at the school building and a feature of the show was the group of girls pictured above.
They were demonstrating to the visitors that the girls in home economics class – known as “Future Home Builders” – had already made a splendid start. They made the dresses for the Red Cross and their work will bring to some little girls much happiness and comfort. They will be shipped to national headquarters this week and later sent to European countries.
In the picture, reading from left to right, back row, are: Joey Frush, Rosalie Vance, Miriam Cassady, Dorothy Lint, Janice Burger, Janis Knupp and Renee Spillers. In the front row are: Patricia Forrett, Janice Harsh, Elaine Updike, Kathleen Weir, Marsha Stittsworth and Audrey Harsh. All are attendants at the pre-school classes.
Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger!
ADM Alumni Association
P.O. Box 122
Adel, Iowa 50003
Website: www.admalumni.com
Green Iowa Americorps and Habitat for Humanity Offers Help
Courtesy of Green Iowa Americorps:
Want to save money? Sign up for a Free home performance audit!
Green Iowa AmeriCorps is a non-profit service organization partnering with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, providing home performance audits and weatherization services for residents in Polk and Dallas County.
Do you want to:
- Keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer
- Eliminate drafts and “cold spots” in the home
- Lower utility bills
Then we can help!
We offer performance audits and weatherization services at no cost to populations in need.
For those who do not qualify for our services, Green Iowa will weatherize your home for the cost of materials; labor is always provided at no cost.
The following groups qualify for free weatherization materials:
- Low income
- Age 65+
- Veterans
- Disabled
- Service Members
Families are served on a first come, first serve basis. View Flyer (in English and Spanish)
Contact us to schedule your home weatherization audit:
Green Iowa Americorps
Phone: (515)519‐2005
Email: greeniowadm@gmail.com
Website: www.greeniowaamericorps.org
Terry Traveller – Ode to my Chair
Ever wonder how our Illustrious little adventurer unwinds after a long bout of travels? Me either, but none the less it’s a story. Oh, seen the chair, I swear it snickered at me. – Editor
Terry here, home from another whirlwind adventure, and ready to tell the tale of my most prized possession.
As you’ve heard told, my house is sparse. I spend so much time away that I’ve adapted what you might call the minimalist’s lifestyle.
All I need is a bed to sleep in, a desk to write at, a light to read by and enough clothes to get me through a month of backpacking. None of which are elaborate, ornate, or exceedingly comfortable.
None that is, but my chair. I found my chair while trekking across the greater Midwest. I, too, had been bitten by the antique bug that swept the nation, or at least those who watched public television.
I found myself in the type of bazaar repeated across the world regardless of longitude or latitude. The shop was filled with treasures- frightening dolls, kitschy candlesticks, waterlogged violins, Happy Meal toys and real silverware; every inch of open space stacked three layers deep. Ah, nostalgia.
I was inspecting an old sign when a shot of burnt sienna caught my eye. I turned to see an old chair, circa 1968, underneath piles of magazines and what appeared to be an ancient thigh master. The chair was oversized, with a rip along the side panel. The orange crushed velvet fabric was soft as I sank into the seat, and through the bottom of the chair.
My legs kicked frantically as the shop keeper came to pull me from the jaws of upholstery death. After several attempts I was sent hurling forward into a display of ceramic tchotchkes that now reside on a shelf in my kitchen, glued together without much care.
Continuing with his “you broke it, you bought it” attitude, I was now the owner of a very ugly, very broken chair. I was thrilled.
With a bit of foam, some upholstery needles, several band aids, and a weekend course in chair caning, “The Orange Monster” as I call it has been my home within my home for a decade.
There is something otherworldly when I sit in my chair. No matter the stresses of the day, or the number of miles on the pedometer, I breath easy, sink into my chair and all is forgotten. It’s good to be home!
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
Terry Traveller – Fordlandia
Although true, this definitely has a Terry perspective to it. In fact it’s such a forgotten bit of history the legal team and I had to look it up. – Editor
Terry Traveler here to tell you about another amazing day in history.
October 1st marked the 107th birthday of Henry Ford’s Model T- the car that everybody could afford.
But I don’t remember Ford for his car, I remember him for his crazy vision.
Yes, Henry Ford had lots of ideas about the world in the 1900’s, the Tin Lizzie being the best one that really took off- at 45mph in fact.
Fordland however, his Amazon Utopia and social experiment, was an epic failure.
As any mogul finds after creating a world altering, history-changing product, Ford had the confidence and finances to pursue his craziest dreams- his own little world running under he own little rules. You might call it a dictatorship in some circles.
It seemed simple enough- his cars needed tires, tires needed rubber, people were seeking answers to life’s big questions, and Ford thought his gut knew the answers. And his gut said “Brazil”.
Armed only with the broken logic that “jungles produced rubber tree plants, land in South America is cheap, and everybody wants to be an American”, Ford set out to create a 200 million dollar mistake with the elegance and grace of a Bond villain.
He knew nothing about growing rubber trees (his houseplants’ personal diaries can verify that), even less about Brazil’s culture, and forged ahead anyways in an attempt to modernize the world.
He built track housing for the natives in which English was the only allowable language, required workers to participate in square dances and poetry readings- a murderous offense in any country, fed them nothing but hot dogs and pizza, and enforced Prohibition on a people who had no intention of giving up the booze.
Mixed with a regulated 9-5 work day that ignored cultural restraints and extreme temperatures, malaria outbreaks (worsened by Ford’s insistence to overplant trees which created the perfect breeding ground for predatory insects), and Ford’s refusal to visit his self-made world, Fordland was doomed to daily deaths and eventual revolt.
After 20 years and all that mucky muck, not a single ounce of rubber from Ford’s Brazilian operations ever made its way onto a Ford car.
So today when you get ready for work, kick the tires on your car the way Ford may have done, work your 9-5 schedule breaking only for hotdogs and malaria pills, invite your friends to a square dance after work, require them to speak only proper English, and offer carrot juice to quench their thirst.
Henry would be proud.
This is Terry saying, this time it’s mostly true. You can look it up!
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
Terry Traveller – Top 10 Reasons to Discover Adel, Iowa
As a traveler, I find myself drawn to “Top 10” lists whenever I’m looking into a new place to travel. Now, Adel has a Top 10 list, too!
10. Nile Kinnick
Iowa City may claim the Heisman Trophy winner and WWII hero but we know that true Kinnick Pride starts in Adel. Check out Nile Kinnick Jr.’s boyhood home on 12th Street.
9. Adel Historic Museum
In the mood for more Nile Kinnick? Look at photographs and memorabilia while listening to tales of Adel’s favorite son. The Nile Kinnick Institute and Museum is currently raising funds- buy your commemorative tee shirt today! Additional exhibits cover Adel’s long history with politics, the railroad, and bricks.
8. George W. Clarke
The Iowa governor called Adel home in the early 1900’s, and his house still stands on 15th Street.
7. Adel State Bank
Sight of the famous bank robbery attempt that was thwarted by that same George W. Clarke, soon to be governor.
6. Dallas County Courthouse
If architecture is your cup of tea, you have to see the French Chateau inspired design of the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel built in 1902. Part of the Adel Historic District.
5. Adel’s Historic District
Downtown Adel is part of the National Registry of Historic Places. With the help of grant funding and architectural guidelines, businesses have recently brought new life into the downtown square and surrounding area. Check out the new businesses throughout town!
4. For the love of Trains
See the former Chicago-Milwaukee-St Paul Train Depot on South 9th Street, now a picturesque law firm. Ride the rails of the Raccoon River Valley Trail, cutting through the countryside following the former rail line.
3. Good Eats
Ice cream, pizza, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, coffee shops, a hometown diner and a winery- Adel is home to plenty of restaurants and bars eager to satisfy your small town cravings, including those community pancake breakfasts. And don’t leave town without trying some real Italian toffee and gelato!
2. Recreation
With a disc golf course, new swimming pool, golf course and waterway entry to the Raccoon River, there are ways for all ages to enjoy central Iowa’s beautiful scenery.
1. Sweet Corn!
Iowa is the corn state and the best sweet corn is Deardorff’s Peaches and Cream variety grown in Adel. Visit in August for the annual Sweet Corn Festival. This 2 day extravaganza showcases Adel businesses and features 3 tons of hot and buttery all-you-can-eat corn, vendors, live music, street performances, an old school parade, and fun 5k race.
Come out the night before to help shuck the corn and be part of the tradition!
There are so many reasons to visit Adel- fall festivals, high school sports and fine arts, quilt shows, library events, free concerts…the list just keeps going.
Do yourself a favor, discover Adel!
-Terry
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
Adel Parks & Recreation Archery Center Grand Opening Oct. 3
Courtesy of Adel Park and Rec:
The City of Adel is building an archery center for beginner through senior archers, the first municipal archery range in Dallas County.
By providing five shooting lanes that can accommodate ten archers at one time, the center gives archers and hunters a safe place to practice and prepare for upcoming shooting competitions and hunting seasons.
Fencing and berms will separate the range from the surrounding area to ensure the safety of archers and the public.
Those new to the sport, from children to seniors, can learn and develop skills. Archery is one of the few sports that allow all skill levels to participate at the same time, making it a great family activity.
The Adel Parks and Recreation Archery Center is located on Old Portland Road at the site of the former municipal waste water treatment plant. A grand opening is planned for October 3, 2015.
The Archery Center was made possible through funding from the City of Adel, a grant from the Dallas County Foundation, and donations, with city and community labor.
The Archery Center helps the Adel Parks and Recreation Department meet its mission to provide the community with high quality leisure facilities and recreational and cultural opportunities. Archery is a healthy activity that promotes balance, mental focus, and building upper body strength.
The social interactions are important, too; it’s a fun sport that can be recreational or competitive. A permit at a nominal fee will be required to use the range and can be obtained at the Adel City Hall. Each permit holder will receive a copy of the rules for the range and the proper archery shooting procedures to allow for a safe and enjoyable experience for all users.
For further information, contact: David McAdon
1507 Aspen Drive
Adel, IA 50003
515-710-8896
djemcadon@mchsi.com
Adel Parks & Rec.
Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
301 S. 10th St.
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4525
Email: nschenck@adeliowa.org
Facebook: Adel-Parks-and-Recreation/1513050525640281
AHeinz57 Aids in the Rescue of 15 Dogs
Courtesy of AHeinz 57 Ruff Ride:
AHeinz57 Aids in the Rescue of 15 Dogs from a hoarder in Southern Iowa
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport was called to assist with the surrender, assessment, and care of 15 dogs from a property in southern Iowa.
“Thankfully they were found by a family member before they died of neglect,” said Amy Heinz, Executive Director of AHeinz57.
The dogs, who were matted beyond recognition, required extensive grooming and all will require medical care.
“We were able to take the ones needing the most medical care and oldest- a total of six. The others were taken in by other rescues,” said Heinz.
The dogs have been placed in foster homes and are currently undergoing medical treatment for various issues including mammary tumors and rotting, infected teeth and jaws. All will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and tested for heartworm.
AHeinz57 is seeking donations to help pay for their medical care. Donations can be made online at www.aheinz57.com.
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport
Phone: (515) 207-3233 (answering machine)
Website: www.aheinz57.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AHeinz57Pets
Linda Nelson Inducted into Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame
Courtesy of the Dallas County ISU Extension Office:
Linda Nelson of Dallas County was inducted into the 2015 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23rd, 2015.
Ninety-two Iowa counties participated this year and selected 126 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H.
Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4‑H Foundation President, Bob Butcher, and State 4-H Program Leader, John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas, as they were introduced on stage.
Nelson began her 4-H career as a member of the Frankfort Clovia Clan in Montgomery County where her fondest memories are of 4-H camp and skating parties. As county director for ISU Extension and Outreach, she put admirable efforts into passing the referendum in Dallas County to expand funding for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Dallas County.
During this time she often thought outside of the box to keep the 4-H program growing and strong. She worked with the county board of supervisors to provide money for 4-H and also with Dallas County Conservation to create a shared position to teach youth programming.
A previous Dallas County 4-H member said, “Whenever something needed to be done Linda was always there helping to get it done.”
Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said ISU Extension and Outreach Dallas County Youth Coordinator, Aleta Cochran.
Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate 4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to Iowa’s 4-H program,” said Jay Staker, stakeholder and partnership development manager for ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2015 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University.
Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”
Those interested in being a 4-H volunteer or signing their youth up for 4-H in Dallas County should contact Cochran at aleta@iastate.edu or (515) 993-4281.
ISU Extension and Outreach Dallas County
28059 Fairground Road
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4281
Fax: (515) 993-1027
Website: www.extension.iastate.edu/dallas
E-mail: xdallas@iastate.edu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ISUExtensionDallasCounty
Public Workshop on City’s Future Land Use Plan Sept. 24th
A public workshop on updating the City’s Future Land Use Plan will be held Thursday, September 24th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Adel Public Library Community Room.
Please consider attending and providing input on the City’s future land use planning.
More information will be available at Adel City Hall and online at www.adeliowa.org.
Adel City Hall
301 S. 10th Street
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4525
Website: www.adeliowa.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CityofAdelIowa
Terry Traveller – Pocket Change
When you’re a world traveler by trade, your life takes on interesting challenges. The worst of all is pocket change.
You see, on any given day I may have need for 3-15 types of currency and until we adopt the BitCoin universally,
I am left with pockets full of colorful coins, various bills and the question of organizing what amounts to $20 in randomness.
For months I carried a peanut jar tied around my neck but found the rope burns unsightly.
At several junctions I have purchased Sky Mall gadgets sworn to put an end to my jingle jangle of jungle coins but that which is purchased at 20,000 feet rarely makes sense at sea level.
The best solution I had was a briefcase with each denomination in its separate space but my humorous side got the best of me- using a fake pair of handcuffs.
I strapped the case to my wrist and walked through a South American airport which drew far more attention than I expected.
No, nothing fancy seems to work so I stick with the tried and true methods: pockets and socks.
My bright orange parka is lined with pockets similar to that of a New New York black market extra-terrestrial organ street vendor.
When spread out each pocket is geographically accurate to my 1976 globe and contains just enough money to buy breakfast.
Practicality dictates the need to keep American money in my socks- my Australian coins wore down the elastic and given that I’m rarely in the states, makes a great deal of sense to this wanderer.
Sure it may seem silly to carry around that much spare change, but I believe in the scouts’ mottos of preparation, and great breadth of knowledge regarding foil-pack dinners.
This is Terry giving you something else to think about as you put that $5 bill in your mouth as you search for spare change in your pocket- athletes foot.
– Terry
I once won a bet with Terry and was handed one of those Five dollar bills. I said “no problem, I’ll get you next time” that was five years ago… – Editor
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
“Tai Chi on the Courthouse Lawn” Sept. 23rd
Dallas County Public Health Nursing Services:
You are invited to practice “Tai Chi on the Courthouse Lawn”.
September 23, 2015, at 10:00 am.
Join us for an hour of low stress exercise and to raise awareness of the impacts of Falls on Iowans.
National Falls Prevention Awareness Day at the Dallas County Courthouse on the South Lawn.
Dallas County Public Health Nursing Services
902 Court St. • Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-1764
Email: jennifer.walters@dallascountyiowa.gov
Website: www.co.dallas.ia.us/publichealth
Terry Traveller – The Private Detective
Imagine Terry as a Private Defective, I mean “Detective”… – Editor
It may surprise you to learn that I am a private detective.
Oh yes. In my youth I read every mystery I could get my hands on.
My favorite was the Sherlock Holmes collection, followed closely by Angela Landsberry.
Laugh if you must, but Murder She Wrote helped boost Sunday Night Football’s ratings for years. You can look it up.
I always thought of Sherlock Holmes as a whimsical comedian- like a parent playing tic-tac-toe with a child.
It’s a silly, simple game with incredibly limited options; the adult is completely capable of winning the game each and every single time yet he humors the child, at least until he gets bored and ends the charade with devastating defeat.
Holmes seemed to share the same sweet yet condescending smile my mother had as she played the game with me, letting me win once or twice before crushing my spirits with a resounding 3 move victory.
Holmes humored Watson, and they humored Lastrade, but always from the first Holmes was guaranteed victory. I don’t count the cases that were left unsolved; I maintain they were solved but the publisher changed the endings as part of a British conspiracy theory dating back to Guttenberg. I would explain but I’ve already said too much.
For my own investigations I find my years of travel to be immensely beneficial. I found a missing boot for a gentleman that had been stolen from his hotel room through the use of my knowledge of Uganda travel brochures.
Once, for a brief moment, I was held in a place of honor amongst the tribesmen of Ontario thanks to an Egyptian airsick bag. After the bag was used for its intended purpose however my stature seemed to slide.
Yes, these and far more mysteries have been solved by yours truly.
I would certainly never compare myself to the brilliant character of Sherlock Holmes, but I might win in a battle of wits against Angela Landsberry- especially during the Filibuster portion.
– Terry
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
Adel Street Closures September 6th
Pedaler’s Jamboree Street Closures
The Pedaler’s Jamboree event will be coming through Adel on Sunday, September 6th.
Several streets will be closed for public safety.
View the street closure Map for Sunday, September 6th.
The streets will close at approximately Noon and reopen at approximately 7:00 p.m.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Adel City Hall
301 S. 10th Street
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4525
Website: www.adeliowa.org
Facebook: facebook.com/CityofAdelIowa
Terry Traveller – Ode Du Skunk
This explains that bottle of “cologne” I got for Christmas… – Editor
Last summer I was honored to attend a unique travel “happening” (as the hippies used to say) in Colorado.
A group of urbanites and hamsters, I mean hipsters, along with a park ranger met at the base of Mount Elbert to harness the scent of the mountains by getting a snoot full of high elevation dirt.
The expedition had an interesting purpose. Each year, the ever-rotating group of youngsters visits the location to become one with the scent iconic to the area so that they may recreate the experience in small perfume bottles sold throughout the country.
The team consisted of people with varying plant comprehension; though I was surprised to find none of their collective knowledge had to do with horticulture, instead extending to wallpaper designs, arranging bouquets, and reading labels from other perfume bottles.
These were high dollar shop attendants, debutants, and hedge-fund artists of every kind. They had apparently been chosen based on their fashion sense as each wore a similar wool cap or fedora along with a tartan scarf and skintight pants. I hadn’t been chosen; per say (my orange parka was described as a conventional attempt at eccentricity) as much as I stumbled across their path and felt it was my duty to study this strange tribe and ritual. The crack about my parka made it even more important that I give these whipper-snappers the Terry treatment.
Lead by the Grand Master (a bearded gentleman who had dressed for a paper towel commercial he must have been shooting later), we were instructed to find that which we deemed to be our “personal picture. Slowly develop your Polaroid among the glades. Become intimate with the mountain.”
Now, I lived through the 1960’s and most of the 1980s and see that I now must apologize- it was our idealism and the rebounding effects of counterculture that created this new generation of goofballs. The troupe had broken off to meditative corners of the wilderness and, lying their bodies on the earth, placed their faces firmly into the dirt to encounter the zen experience most others visitors to the area chose to experience by actually hiking up the mountain.
During the communal time I attempted to learn more by speaking with the park ranger about the strange lot, but he simply rolled his eyes and said “young ‘uns.”
Several hours later, and with the park ranger’s permission, the team gathered samples of wood, bark, flowers, grass, fungi, and moss. Back at the lab, as it was explained, the Grand Master would distill the collection down to their essence and create the annual line of Elbert cologne.
A good days work complete, the expedition team hiked back to their communal fan and drove off in search of macrobiotic Aduki Bean Soup with buckwheat crostini circles. One month later I was sent a bottle of Elbert- which was a heady fragrance of decaying moss mixed with overly sweet and saturated pine scent.
I understand that the full batch was sold quickly to other urbanities and hamsters whose parents immediately told them to take a shower and wipe that stuff off.
– Terry
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
Adel Quilting & Dry Goods Presents Check to Adel Library
Courtesy of Adel Quilting & Dry Goods Co.
Published: August 2015
This week, Adel Quilting & Dry Goods (AQ) presented a check to the Adel Public Library for $1250.
These funds were raised through an orphan block challenge.
Quilt Circle of Friends, a club hosted by AQ, donated leftover blocks and unfinished quilt projects (orphan blocks).
Presentation of Check by Adel Quilting & Friends to Adel Library Staff
Other members saw a way to make something new from the orphaned blocks. These items (table runners, bags, quilts both large and small, wall hangings and more) were then sold at the shop.
Adel Quilting and Dry Goods
909 Prairie St.
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4115
Email: Adel.Quilting@gmail.com
Website: www.adelquilting.com
Facebook: Adel-Quilting-Dry-Goods-Co/111565148883422?fref=ts
New Director of Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce:
Deb Bengtson is the new Director of the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce.
She has Chamber background with the Windsor Heights Chamber and the West Des Moines Chamber.
Deb is looking forward to meeting the Adel community and helping grow the City of Adel.
Deb’s email is Chamber@AdelPartners.Org or office phone 515-993-5472. Don’t hesitate to reach out and welcome Deb to Adel.
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 73, 301 S. 10th Street, 2nd Floor
Adel, IA 50003
Email: Chamber@AdelPartners.Org
Website: www.adelpartners.org
Facebook: AdelPartnersChamberOfCommerce
Dancing with the Stars Ahem, Staff
Courtesy of Watermark Communities/VillageLegacyPointe:
Many residents at The Village at Legacy Pointe retirement community are long-time fans of the television show Dancing with the Stars and this last season was no exception, especially with Iowa native, Chris Soules in the cast.
The community members gathered together every week to watch the show, but when the season ended the group stopped gathering.
A couple of months later an idea emerged to get the group back together: Dancing with the Staff, an event which everyone pulled together to create and enjoy.
There was an emcee (just like on Dancing with the Stars), six different acts, a panel of four judges and a mirror-ball trophy.
Four judges: Residents at The Village at Legacy Pointe – Mike, Bud, Phyllis and Patricia
Performers danced to a variety of songs and genres, from YMCA to African gospel music and even included a comedic belly dance routine.
“The belly dance was hilarious to the point that people were laughing so they were crying,” said Lisa Knapp, Community Life Director at The Village at Legacy Point. 
“Music, movement and laughter are good for the mind, body and soul,” said Tammy Olson, Executive Director at The Village at Legacy Pointe. “Anytime we can combine those items it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.”
Residents can’t wait to have the event again. “We do a lot of different, fun things here, but this one was my favorite. I have never laughed so hard,” said Anna Marie Wise, a resident at The Village at Legacy Pointe.
Scores were awarded to each performance and the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy performers took home the trophy.
For more information on The Village at Legacy Pointe, call 515-987-4100 or visit villagelegacypointe.watermarkcommunities.com.
Media Contacts:
Amy Barth, Executive Director
The Village at Legacy Pointe
515-987-4100
Katelin Schwarck
Hanser & Associates (for Watermark Retirement Communities)
Office 515-224-1086 / Direct 515-421-4136
About The Village at Legacy Pointe Retirement Community of Waukee
Located at 1650 SE Holiday Crest Circle, The Village at Legacy Pointe retirement community of Waukee serves up to 186 residents, with levels of care including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Rehabilitation/Skilled Nursing. Watermark Retirement Communities Inc., one of America’s leading operators of senior living communities, owns and manages The Village at Legacy Pointe. Amy Barth is the Executive Director of the community. For more information, visit www.watermarkcommunities.com/VillageLegacyPointe or call 515-987-4100.
About Watermark Retirement Communities Inc.
Watermark Retirement Communities Inc. is the nation’s 16th largest senior housing operator. Watermark’s commitment to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive dates back 30 years to when it opened its first retirement community in 1987. Watermark manages
Terry Traveller – They Had Me Tested
Our adventurer explores the wonders of psychological testing… those poor scientists.. – Editor
I suppose I should start at the beginning, though Eastern writers have spent centuries telling tales in circular patterns and they seem to make sense when it’s all said and done.
I was asked once to participate in a research study.
As is usually the case in this type of thing, I wasn’t told the hypothesis nor the goal of the study, only the variables which I was to provide.
The tests were simple: look at one hundred faces and decide if they represented a happy or angry person.
I answered the questions with ease, though the research students conducting the study seemed very aggravated that I asked several times to know my score.
Following this, I was asked to view dozens of scenes populated with people doing various activities in various environments. The images flew past me rather quickly, but I gathered what information I could, without knowing the objective. I was then asked general questions regarding my self esteem.
How that related to a scene of people dressed in 1846 costumes playing cribbage I will never know.
I was then asked to answer a series of mathematic equations, to rearrange blocks into specific designs, and define colors by what I image their flavors to be.
Eyebrows were raised when I chose mashed potatoes for green, but I had very good reason to do so. With each test I asked to know how I was doing, whether I was making the grade.
The students at first seemed frustrated with me, but following each subsequent test began to talk amongst themselves in hushed voices, marking vigorous notes, and pointing at me.
Finally I was taken to a plain room with beige walls and nothing but a table and two chairs. I sat patiently, humming and twiddling my thumbs as I am prone to do.
The songs included the Jeopardy theme, a favorite Italian aria, and the na-na-na’s from Batman. This lasted for several encores of na-na-na’s.
The door opened and a funny little man entered, dressed in a tweed suit with leather elbow patches. His face was weathered underneath a well groomed beard that sat below tense eyes and surrounded an equally tense mouth.
He said nothing, carried nothing with him, and seemed to be vacant of thought aside from whatever was making him tense- I assumed it was gas.
He sat for several minutes in silence without moving. I sat for several minutes with a broad smile on my face, head cocked to the left, awaiting instruction. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. I leaned forward and did the same. He leaned back in his chair. I followed suit. He twitched his nose and his mustache shook like a cartoon character drawn by Tex Avery.
I attempted to do the same but imagined the result to look more akin to the Cadbury bunny. He leaned forward again and this time I leaned to the right. “Ah”, he exclaimed, “that solves it!”
He then left the room and I was quickly ushered to the exit by a rather happy, or perhaps angry, research student who kept mumbling under his breath, “to the right.”
Years later I was sent a copy of the study by an anonymous source. I know it was the one I participated in due to the continual references made to the “orange variable” and the mashed potatoes.
The study was trying to determine what people interpret via a computer screen in comparison with face to face contact. The applications were endless the study boasted, as to marketing trends, facial recognition software, and nano technology.
As happy that I am to have helped the field of science, the conspiracy theorist in me has the sneaky feeling that I provided them with an insight to humanity that may be the necessary component for androids to secretly infiltrate our society and eventually take over.
That is, now that they know when to call it quits and lean to right.
– Terry
Terry Traveller
Email: terry@discoveradel.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DiscoverAdel.TerryTraveller?fref=ts
