John D. Gomke Charity
On December 3rd, 2009 John Donald Gomke was born. He passed away on January 6th, 2010 at 33 days.
His parents, Steve and Jessica Gomke, have set up the John D. Gomke Charity in his honor to educate parents and the community about Small Child and Infant death.
This month we spoke with Jessica about the accomplishments of the charity and upcoming events.
In December, the John D. Gomke Charity donated two AED machines to the ADM School District.
Dallas County EMT Mike Thompson trained the staff to properly use the portable defibrillator with pads for both children and adults.
In addition to the AEDs, John’s Charity will replace the pads as they expire or if they should be used in an emergency.
The latest news from the charity was the announcement of the 2nd Annual John D. Gomke Charity Golf Tournament June 18th at the River Valley Golf Course in Adel.
Last year’s event took place on a beautiful summer day with over 152 golfers ready to enjoy a fun day of golf for a good cause.
This year looks to be another well attended event, with golfers signing up now to ensure their spot. The tournament will be in a 4-Man Best Shot format broken into two morning and afternoon flights.
Sponsors are starting to line up, donating prizes and cash for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place of each flight, Hole-in-One, Eagle, Birdie, and Par winners, and Culligan Water will once again be donating water for the event.
One generous company will be showing their support in a big way. A new addition this year will be the All Day Free Driving Range, for which the charity is currently seeking sponsorship.
Non-golfers are also encouraged to participate! Come out to watch the tournament, enjoy lunch from the grill, or buy a tee shirt to show your support of this great cause.
Now is the time to sign up as all tee shirt orders must be placed by May 27th.
Started in May 2010 by John’s parents and godparents Josh & Shannon Benson and Mike Hiatt with a simple can drive, the John D. Gomke Charity raised over $11,000 in its first year.
“We have John’s best interests at heart. We do the Charity for John, it is what he would want us to do.
Our board is made up of people who love him as much as we do” said Jessica.
These funds are used solely for the charity which furthers awareness of proper Infant & Child CPR procedures by supplying free CPR Certification classes throughout Central Iowa.
“That’s where we sugarcoat it. We need to be more blunt that Infant and Child death does happen. Everyone thinks, ‘It will never happen to me,’ and then it does.”
Funds are also donated to the Mercy Foundation for materials to be used in creating keepsakes such as foot & hand ink prints, molds, and photographs.
The John D. Gomke Charity Board is busy at work planning an upcoming donation breakfast, and the 2nd Annual John’s Baby Steps 5K Run/Walk to take place in October. Stay tuned to DiscoverAdel.com for upcoming announcements or visit the John D. Gomke website at www.johndgomkecharity.org.
The charity continues to accept can and bottle donations which can be dropped off at Wells Fargo Bank in Adel. Please call Jessica at (515) 314-9171 in advance to schedule your drop off.
If you would like to support the John D. Gomke Charity or to find out more about the fine work accomplished by the organization, please visit www.johndgomkecharity.org.
John D. Gomke Charity
PO Box 613
De Soto, Iowa 50069
Phone: (515) 314-9171
Email: info@johnscharity.com
Website: www.JohnDGomkeCharity.org
Hy-Vac in Adel Now VALO BioMedia North America
Courtesy of VALO BioMedia North America
As of March 1st Adel’s well known agricultural company Hy-Vac has changed it’s name to VALO BioMedia North America, the SPF and Clean Egg Company.
The name change reflects new management within the Dallas County company.
President Tim Newberry states the name change is superficial, that VALO will continue to produce high quality SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) products for the animal research and health communities.
The Adel business is most excited about the expansion projects that started last year with improvements to the Adel facility. The company is looking forward to announcements regarding the company’s future which will be made in the coming months.
Stay tuned to DiscoverAdel to find out more about VALO BioMedia North America’s important role in the future of Dallas County!
VALO BioMedia North America
Formerly Hy-Vac
21459 Old Highway 6
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-3574
Fax: (515) 993-5192
Website: www.hy-vac.com
Adel Brick Streets Open Monday (Updated)
The intersection of Prairie and 9th Street will be open for traffic Monday the 21st.
Update: The barricades have been moved and the Streets are drivable as of Friday evening the 18th.
Crews are concentrating on the final repairs in the following weeks.
For more information, read Chad’s full article in the Brick Street Update section.
Early Literacy Station Dedication Photos
Members of the Adel Library Board, Wells Fargo, city leaders and local children were on hand Monday morning for the dedication of the Early Literacy Station (ELS). The ELS was donated to the Adel Public Library by a grant form the Wells Fargo Foundation.
The station is loaded with 50 educational games and software for kids ages 2-10. It offers children a safe, standalone computer not connected to the Internet that is age-appropriate, engaging, and academically relevant for children.
The literacy station has an imaginative interface that encourages exploration. Many of the software programs contain disguised learning activities that expand the child’s experience through games and extension activities.
Top Row, L-R: Jim Sheriff, John McAvoy, Chad Bird, Pat Torpy, Laura Hanson, Paula James, Lori Brocka, Cheryl Semerad, Travis Etchison, Van VanBuren, and Mark Osborne. Bottom Row, L-R: Andre T, Gabriela T, Payton T, and Jessica Gomke.
Wells Fargo Foundation To Make Donation To Adel Library
Courtesy of Adel Public Library Published: March 2011
Presentation at the Adel Public Library, Monday morning at 11:00 am.
Wells Fargo Foundation has purchased an Early Literacy Station for our young patrons.
We are excited about this gift and wanted to share our good news with you. I have enclosed our press release so you can learn more about it.
I hope you can make it to the library Monday morning.
Thank you,
Paula James
Library Director
515-993-3512
The Adel Public Library and the Adel Public Library Foundation announces the acquisition of the Early Literacy Station (ELS), a complete educational solution loaded with 50 educational software titles for kids ages 2-10. This generous gift was purchased by Wells Fargo through a $2,600 grant from its foundation.
The Early Literacy Station offers children a safe, stand alone computer not connected to the Internet that is age-appropriate, engaging, and academically relevant for children. The ELS has a colorful keyboard and tiny mouse to promote easy learning and discovery.
The Early Literacy Station’s educational software covers seven curricular areas: reading, math, science, social studies, writing, arts & music, and reference. The system is designed to attract and educate toddlers through early elementary school ages.
“The Early literacy Station is an invaluable resource for our toddlers to 5th grade library patrons,” says Director Paula James. She adds, “The Adel Public Library is grateful for the generous support from Wells Fargo and for their commitment not only to the community but to the Adel Public Library as well.”
“At Wells Fargo, we see education as one of the most important investments we can make in the future of the communities we serve,” said Travis Etchison, Wells Fargo’s Business Banking manager for several Des Moines-area communities, including Adel. “We’re excited to be able to support a learning station that will engage children in Adel to learn and grow.”
Work Resumes on 9th St.
Work on Adel’s Historic Brick Streets is resuming this week.
The intersections at 9th and Prairie will be be closed to allow crews to lay brick on 9th street. Crews will remove the asphalt that was laid for winter.
DiscoverAdel will track the process through photos and updates in the Brick Street Updates section starting on Monday the 14th.
Wells Fargo Bank Donates Early Literacy Station to Adel Public Library
Courtesy of the Adel Public Library
Published: March 2011
The Adel Public Library is proud to announce that we have a new Early Literacy Station, provided by Wells Fargo Bank of Adel!
The literacy station has an imaginative interface that encourages exploration through 50 education games and software.
It is designed for children ages 2-10 and offers children a safe, standalone computer not connected to the Internet.
It is age appropriate, engaging, and academically relevant for children.
In a highly competitive and global world, it is very important for the children of our community to have strong literacy skills.
Teaching and helping children to be literate at a young age is the key to their success.
The literacy station focuses around 8 curricular areas including reading, math, science, social studies, and art.
The games themselves are fun to play and feature Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Encyclopedia Britannica, My Amazing Human Body and Arthur.
Check out the new system the next time you visit the Adel Library!
Adel Public Library
310 S 10th St.
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-3512
Website: www.adelpl.org
Brick Street Project Restarts!
As the weather improves, brick layers are expected this week to work on the sidewalk and let down areas as weather permits. The streets will follow once a timetable has been established.
City staff will be meeting the contractor and engineer to discuss the final details of signage, painting, benches and clean up.
DiscoverAdel will carry the latest updates and photos on our “Brick Street Updates” page.
If you have questions concerning the construction, please contact Chad Bird the City Administrator, at 515-993-4525.
Welcome to Adel: GraceJuliet Photography
Adel is proud to present a new photographer to our community, GraceJuliet Photography!
Photographer Meghan Nardini’s goal is to capture the unique and individual emotions of the day that will reproduce the moments in your mind each time you view the photos.
Meghan chooses to focus on outdoor photos, while her indoor photos span creative locations around the Adel area and Des Moines Metro.
GraceJuliet Photography is available for all the important photos in your life from engagement to wedding, child milestones to family photos and senior pictures.
Right now, GraceJuliet Photography is offering 20% off Senior Picture Packages booked before April 1st for any date this year.
Join us in welcoming GraceJuliet Photography and owner Meghan Nardini to Adel!
GraceJuliet Photography
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 447-1354
Email: Gracejulietphotography@hotmail.com
Website: www.facebook.com/gracejulietphotography
Adel Dog Wins Best of Breed Honor at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Courtesy of the Des Moines Register
A German shepherd from Adel, Iowa received Best of Breed honors at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.
Luvy, a black and red canine, whose full title is Grand Champion Winsome’s Love Remembears, “fits the breed standards to a ‘T’,” said Frank Fasano, who owns Luvy with his wife, Kris. “She’s got all the right stuff.”
The Westminster win will add to Luvy’s impressive resume, Fasano said. The Adel pooch was the Canadian National Champion for her breed last year, and also placed well at the 2010 German Shepherd Dog Club of America show.
Frank Fasano has been breeding German shepherds for 30 years and was in New York to watch Luvy’s victory.
“I came down to the ring after she won,” he said. “She saw me and started jumping on me and kissing me and hugging me. She’s a real ham.”
City of Adel Enacts Residential Property Tax Abatement Program
The City of Adel City Council has enacted an Urban Revitalization Plan, commonly referred to as a tax abatement program, for revitalization within the City’s boundaries.
Adel, Iowa is a quiet community nestled in the North Raccoon River valley boasting about 50 residential lots ready for construction and also several historic homes waiting to be restored to their former splendor.
The primary objectives of the Plan are to encourage new construction and remodeling of residential properties, improve economic conditions and housing opportunities in the area, and take steps to enhance the general attractiveness of the community.
Key benefits of the Plan include 100% abatement of taxes for:
• Seven years on improvements made during the 2011 calendar year
• Five years on improvements made during the 2012 calendar year
• Three years on improvements made during the 2013 calendar year.
Additional information about the program may be found on the City’s website or by contacting City Administrator Chad Bird.
Chad A. Bird
City Administrator
City of Adel
Phone: (515) 993-4525
Email: cbird@adeliowa.org
Website: www.adeliowa.org
Adel Auto Parts Earns Second Five Star Excellence Award
Adel Auto Parts (NAPA) earns highest honor, the exclusive NAPA Five Star Excellence Award for the second year in a row!
More than 3,000 independent NAPA store owners in the U.S. compete to earn this distinction each year.
Five Star excellence status is awarded based on achievement in sales growth, store presentation, wholesale marketing, and education and training.
“Five Star Excellence means a store is among NAPA’s elite- the very best of the best,” said NAPA President Bob Susor . “A considerable amount of hard work goes into achieving this level of recognition. Five Star Excellence stores are committed to exceeding their customers’ expectation every day. At the same time, they maintain a critical focus on meeting their Key objectives.”
“Earning Five Star Excellence is an incredible honor,” says John Standley, owner of Adel Auto Parts, Corp. “We couldn’t have done it without our customers and community. Their loyalty to the NAPA brand helped us reach this level of success.”
Congratulations to John Standley and his staff on receiving this award again in 2010!
Adel Auto Parts Corp.
809 Main St.
Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: (515) 993-3212
Cell: (515) 979-5976
Operation Gratitude Says Thank You to Adel
The Adel Auto Parts Corporation received warm thanks for collecting Operation Gratitude donations last fall.
Adel Auto Parts Corp. collected items from around the community, including a special donation collected by students in the ADM School District.
In the Thank You letter from Operation Gratitude a Private First Class wrote:
“I cannot express to you how great it feels to come home after a long day of running missions to find a care package full of love sitting on your bunk. You are exhausted from wearing 50 plus pounds of armor for hours on end, then you open the package, see all that love, and are rejuvenated and ready to face the world again. It may sound small but it really does help enormously. Our location doesn’t have a real PX so we rely on the support of people at Operation Gratitude for the items we need–not to mention the morale boosting items such as cookies or candy. You all are the true heroes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Read the full letter from President Carolyn Blashek.
Adel Auto Parts Corporation
809 Main Street • Adel, Iowa 50003
Phone: 515-993-3212
Hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Website: www.AdelAutoParts.com
Adel Hero Nile Kinnick named Big Ten Icon
Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner and Adel hero Nile Kinnick has been named Big Ten Icon No. 7, Big Ten officials announced Tuesday, January 18th.
The native of Adel, Iowa stood just 5-foot-8 and weighed 170 pounds, but did it all for the Hawkeyes, serving as a halfback, defensive back and punter on the football team, and was the basketball team’s second-leading scorer as a sophomore.
As a senior, Kinnick was elected the University of Iowa’s class president. On the football field, the 1939 Hawkeyes were known as “The Ironmen,” still regarded as one of the best teams in school history and Kinnick earned much of the credit.
In all, Kinnick accounted for 107 of Iowa’s 130 points – and that was just on offense. Defensively, Kinnick set a new Iowa record with eight interceptions that still stands today.
Kinnick’s jersey number 24 is one of only two numbers retired by the Hawkeyes. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
Kinnick not only won the Heisman Trophy, but was a consensus first team All-American, the winner of the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football, as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player; the Walter Camp Award; the Maxwell Award; and the Associated Press’ Male Athlete of the Year, trumping New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio and boxing champion Joe Louis.
At the Heisman dinner in New York, two years before the United States entered World War II, Kinnick delivered a passionate, patriotic speech that reportedly caused the 700 people in attendance to give him a standing ovation. The Boston Post’s Bill Cunningham covered the event and wrote, “This country’s OK as long as it’s producing Nile Kinnicks. The football part is incidental.”
At his graduation the following spring, Kinnick delivered the commencement speech for the university’s class of 1940. He turned down several opportunities to play professional football and a contract offer from the Yankees, and elected to attend Iowa law school, where he was third in his class after one year. Kinnick joined the Naval Air Reserve in 1941 and was training to be a fighter pilot. He died in June 1943 during a routine training flight off the coast of Venezuela.
The Big Ten Icons series continues Sunday at 4:30 p.m. with a profile of the revered 1939 Heisman Trophy winner and namesake of the Hawkeyes’ football stadium.
Welcome to the Community: Handsome Hounds Board & Grooming
Adel, Iowa has a new business to celebrate!
Handsome Hounds Pet Grooming offers the newest techniques and products for grooming large and small dogs and cats.
Check out the new website at AdelGroomingBoarding.com to find out more about this home-based pet grooming business.
Join us in welcoming owner Laura Juffer and Handsome Hounds Board & Grooming to Adel, Iowa!
Handsome Hounds Board and Grooming
23266 268th Lane | Adel IA 50003
Phone: (515) 993-4466
Email: HoundsGroomer@gmail.com
Website: AdelGroomingBoarding.com
Facebook: Handsome-Hounds-Boarding-and-Grooming
ADM Graduate Develops Breast Cancer Vaccines
Courtesy of Marie Hansen, Adel Flowers and Gifts
Amanda Laust, ADM graduate- Class of 1999, has received her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine.
As an ADM student, Amanda participated in volleyball, basketball, track, marching band, concert band, jazz band, mock trial, group and individual speech, and drama.
After high school, Amanda graduated with Highest Distinction and with Honors in Biology from the University of Iowa.
During graduate school at the University of Califnornia, Irvine, she was a Teaching Assistant for several classes, gave lectures on Immunology to graduate classes, and mentored undergraduate and high school students.
With her new distinction, Amanda will be a Project Scientist continuing her work developing breast cancer vaccines.
When asked why she chose to focus on breast cancer Amanda stated,
“I think it was a combination of things. I have aunts who have passed away from breast cancer, but also, it’s such a devastating disease and although there are some therapies that have demonstrated success, we still have a long way to go to truly “cure” people.
Ultimately I came to graduate school with the hope to study something that I felt would be directly applicable to improving the human condition, and working in Dr. Nelson’s lab on breast cancer vaccines seemed the perfect fit.”
Amanda has published 5 scientific papers during graduate school, and was a recipient of a National Cancer Institute Cancer Biology Pre-doctoral Training Grant from 2008-2010.
Congratulations to Amanda Laust on her accomplishments. Please join us in celebrating a victorious ADM Tiger!
2011 Hall of Fame Announced
Courtesy of ADM Alumni Association
The ADM High School Athletic selection committee has announced the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees!
This year’s inductees will be honored at the ADM Alumni’s All Class Reunion August 12th, 2011, joining 40 members in the ADM Hall of Fame.
The 2011 inductees are:
- John M. Burket, Minburn Class of 1953
- Michelle Cutler, Class of 1988
- Tim Daugherty, Class of 1970
- Wayne Taylor, Central Dallas Class of 1960
Congratulations to the 2011 ADM Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees!
ADM Alumni Association
P.O. Box 122
Adel, Iowa 50003
Website: www.admalumni.com
John D. Gomke Charity Donates AED to ADM Schools
On December 13th and 14th Jessica Gomke of the John D. Gomke Charity donated two Zoll AED Defibrillators to the ADM Elementary and DeSoto Intermediate schools.
Faculty at the school were shown how to properly use the Zoll AED Defibrillators on children and adults in a presentation given by Dallas County EMT Mike Thomason.
The Zoll AED was created to be simple to use. With voice commands and lighted prompts, it walks responders through each step of CPR and only allows shock to be administered if needed.
Mike outlined that compression is the most important aspect of CPR. Studies show that compressions allow oxygenated blood to pump through the body without the need of mouth to mouth. It is more important to prop the individuals head up and complete 100, 2 inch deep compressions in one minute until the person wakes up.
As heart failure is uncommon in children, the AED will be most helpful should a child stop breathing. The automated commands will guide responders through the steps of CPR, track the efforts made, and create a report EMT providers will be able to use to assess the patience once they arrive on scene.
Mike went on to explain that “AEDs like this one will save more lives than I will in a lifetime because [paramedics] will always be at least 5 minutes away.”
The John D. Gomke Charity was started by Jessica and Steve Gomke after their infant son John passed away at 33 days old due to CPR complications. The charity raises funds to offer free child and infant CPR and First Aid certification classes.
Wells Fargo Bank Donates $5,000 to Adel Stage
On December 13th representatives from the Wells Fargo Bank in Adel, Iowa made a special donation to the community.
Jessica Gomke, AVP and Manager of the Adel branch of the Wells Fargo Bank, along with representatives Travis Etchison, Jim Sheriff, and Mark Osborne, presented a check for $5,000 to Rob Burditt of the Adel Chamber of Commerce for the Adel Community Stage Project.
The community stage, located at the corner of Main and 10th Street, is used year round as a gathering place for families, weddings, and events.
Jessica Gomke stated that the stage “worked so well [for the Holiday Open House.] It is a great community area for events like the Open House and a great project for Adel.“
Travis Etchison remarked, “We’ve got great customers and employees. Wells Fargo want to contribute and be involved in the community. Anyway we can be of help, just let us know!”
The $5,000 donation will help complete the final steps of the project, scheduled to finish in early 2011.
