With the 2010 legislative session in Des Moines well underway, State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm and State Representative Brian Quirk held an open legislative forum on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Cresco Public Library. During the forum, community members were invited to initiate discussion about the many dilemmas that are currently affecting Iowans. “We are always very pleased to hear your questions and concerns that we can take back to Des Moines with us,” said Senator Wilhelm at the start of the meeting.

    It was hard watching the Green Bay Packers take their playoff loss to Arizona, but I believe it was almost 10 times harder for a Viking fan to watch Minnesota fall to the Saints in their NFC playoff final.

    Was the hotel electrical outage at the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day a symbol of the bleak fiscal situation the state finds itself in? Or was the quick, cheerful response by the hotel staff a sign that, if we pull together, we’ll get through it? Probably a bit of both.

    There is always a lot of fuss about the groundhog this time of year. Did he see his shadow? How much more winter will there be? Some even worry about how the poor animal is treated, wondering if he is an unhappy media captive, harassed by paparazzi that invade the creature's privacy by watching him and closely monitoring his every move.

    The Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program is expanding the impact people can have in improving their local communities through charitable giving. Under modifications to the program, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, those who give to a qualified Iowa community foundation, including Howard County Community Foundation as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, will be eligible to receive 25 percent tax credits for their gifts, up from the 20 percent credits previously offered. Approximately $4 million in tax credits, an increase from the previous $3 million, will be available annually. With the increased tax credits, Iowa community foundations will have the potential to generate about $16 million annually in endowed gifts through Endow Iowa alone. The community foundations and their donors will be better able to support efforts in the arts, education, environment, health, human services and community development in communities across the state.

    The grant application deadline for the Howard County Community Foundation’s granting cycle is March 1st, 2010. Grants may be awarded in the following areas: Arts & Culture, Community Affairs & Development, Education, Environmental Education & Protection, Health, Historical Preservation, Human Services and Youth Programs.

    Thursday, Jan. 28 was celebrated as Mentoring Day on the Hill in Des Moines, Iowa. Three Helping Services Mentoring Coordinators, Kathy Schwartzhoff, Rosa Grant and Jill Hollowell met with State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm (top photo) and State Representative John Beard (bottom photo) to discuss the importance of mentoring. To become a mentor, contact Schwartzhoff at Helping Services for Northeast Iowa, Inc. at 563-382-1720 ext. 108 or visit www.helpingservices.org.

    On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Howard County Economic Development Board accepted the verbal resignation of HCED Executive Director Ken Paxton.  Paxton did not provide reasons for his resignation.

    Cresco Insurance Agency specializes in personal, business and farm insurance protection as well as life and health insurance. The independent insurance agency owned and operated by C US Bank in Cresco, recently welcomed Michigan native, Stephen Sopha as the new agency manager. Stephen, his wife Julie and four daughters, Addie, Josie, Ella and Gwen moved from Duluth, Minn. to the Cresco area this past month.

    Last week, C US Bank challenged the community to make donations to earthquake victims in Haiti. If the donation total reached over $1,063 by the end of the business day Thursday, Jan. 28, Bank President J. Scott Thomson and fellow  bank branch employees Dennis Hovden of Ridgeway, Duane Johnson of Lime Springs and Charley Perry of Charles City would wear high heels to work on Friday, Jan. 29.

    Five years ago, children aged 8 to 18 spent an average of six hours per day online. Now, the same age group spends an average of seven and a half hours per day with some form of electronic media—this according to Deb Henkes of the Keystone Area Education Agency, during the “Keeping Kids Safer Online” seminar, held at Notre Dame Catholic School on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

    On January 6, 2010, a long awaited day arrived at last. The students of Notre Dame School in Cresco walked into  their new school addition for the beginning of the second semester of the school year. There was incredible excitement, big smiles, clapping and even cheers. Rev. Richard J. Ament, Pastor of Notre Dame Parish, led the staff and students in a blessing  of the new facility.

    High school students from Howard-Winneshiek recently participated in a training coordinated by Iowa State University Extension at Luther College.  The training prepared students for their role as cross-age teachers in the Farm to School program which began in January.

Video>>> The 30th Annual Avoca Quack Off was held Saturday, Jan. 30, at Tefft Park. The event is sponsored by the Avoca Volunteer Fire Department.
 

Organization rallies its members by pledging to match $1 for every $2 of donations up to $1 million