A Transition Checklist

Image by Washington State Dept of Transportation via Flickr

By Bev Peters, Franklin County Extension

Times of change can be painful, frustrating and confusing.

Transition occurs any time you are faced with a change in the familiar – a job, a relationship, or a way of life. Remember that it takes courage, time, and emotional support to explore new directions.

When you’re in the middle of a transition, keep in mind the following points:
· Take your time. You can’t make a transition overnight. Everyone changes at a different rate.
· Accept a given situation as temporary. For example, you may be uneasy at your new job now, but feelings change.
· Expect some discomfort. Most changes involve loss. People react differently to loss, but many feel angry, anxious, or sad at times.
· Don’t act for the sake of action. Sometimes people feel that anything they do will help. Stop and think about what you’re doing and know why you want to do it.
· Take care of yourself in little ways. Treat yourself to your favorite hobby, an hour of recreational reading, or something you enjoy and over which you have some control.
· Find someone to talk to. Share your feelings; it may influence how you react. Someone who’s been in the same situation can better understand how you feel.

Transitions are inevitable in life. With a healthy attitude, you can work through this process and find the stability you want.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Iowa Valley Continuing Education Classes

Image by cindy47452 via Flickr

Moped Safety:
This class will teach moped drivers the "rules of the road" by being a safe moped operator. It is taught by a certified instructor and required of anyone under 16 wanting a moped license. Student needs to be a minimum of 14 years old or within 6 months prior of 14th birth date.
Date: Friday, August 7 Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Location: Ellsworth Community College Cost: $54

Amish Adventure Trip:
Participants will travel to the Buchanan County Old Order Amish Community via an Iowa Valley van. While enroute, tour facilitator will lead a discussion about the history, culture, beliefs, & daily life style of the Amish. While in the community, stops will be made at a number of Amish businesses which are located on individual farmsteads. We may be able to have some Amish folks join us for lunch at a local eatery; lunch not included in cost of class. This tour is always geared to the interest of the participants. Couples, moms & daughters, & friends enjoy spending this unique day together discovering things they never knew about our non-electric neighbors. Pre-register & payment required two weeks in advance of class for additional information that will be mailed to you. No refund if you cancel one day prior to or after.
Date: Friday, August 7 Time: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Location: Leaving from Ellsworth Community College –Iowa Falls Cost: $36

“Broken for You” Prairie Book Discussion:
If you love to read good books and enjoy the company and scintillating conversation of interesting women, we have an opportunity just for you! The Prairie Women Literary Society is offering a book discussion based on the book “Broken for You” by Stephanie Kallos. This is "a tale of two women in self-imposed exile whose paths intersect, transforming both their worlds, Stephanie Kallos's debut novel explores the risks and rewards of human connection and pays glorious homage to the beauty of broken things." We all can resonant to the theme of human connection in our own lives. This glorious book tells a deep story of putting scattered pieces of disconnection and loss back together into a beautiful mosaic of life. Join us for a lively discussion on this impossible to put down book! Bring snacks to share, if you want and tea will be served.
This discussion group will meet in The Roost, the renovated chicken house at Soul of the Prairie near Hubbard. For directions to all of the events go to www.souloftheprairie.com/FindUs Dates: Sunday, August 30 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: Near Hubbard, Iowa Cost: $10


Taekwondo for Families:
Come join this total fitness activity for family and individuals. This instruction and continuation course is designed for families. No experience required, and all ages are welcome. This exciting form of life-long recreation and exercise has the added benefit of being useful for self-protection. Taekwondo promotes flexibility and balance while building self-confidence, mental discipline, self-control, coordination, quickness, strength and aerobic conditioning. Development of martial arts skills relies heavily on guided practice, attitude and effort. Regular class participation is essential; when classes are missed it is difficult to catch-up. Great cost incentive for additional immediate family members: first individual $60, second family member $40, third family member $20, fourth and subsequent family members only $10 each
Dates: Mondays, August 31 - October 19, 2009 Time: 5:30 – 6:30 pm Location: Ellsworth College campus in Iowa Falls

A Stroll Thru Time Continues

City Park
Let us begin on the west edge of the Park, which along with the Court House Square, were platted by Garner and Ryan. The streets were muddy or dusty depending on the weather. The Park Was a great place to meet for social events. A town band was a must , so special built wagons were pulled beginning in 1914 to use as a bandstand. A modern bandstand ousting $1,000 plus volunteer labor was built in 1922. It was located on the North side of the park in the middle of the block. The present Bandshell with restrooms was built in 1959 with a bequest of $4,400 from the Fred C. Shorty Holmes estate. He wanted convenience for his friends when they sat in the park.

Look at block West of Park to SE corner—The Heritage Place
In 1875 Andrew Cannon put up a large wood frame structure here. It had 31 rooms and was known as the Cannon House. Later called the Hampton Hotel, it was the town’s second hotel. In 1914 the Lutheran Hospital Association sold stock for a hospital and let the contract to build a fireproof building. The corner stone was laid December 3 ,1914. A 4th story was added in 1917. It was remodeled to Heritage Place in 1985. The third school was located in this block, a grout and stone building, located just north of Hampton Hotel.

Nurses Home
The huge T.J.B. Robinson home was purchased for the Nurses Home. This was located South of the present Heritage House and is now a parking lot. Nurses training classes were held at the hospital beginning in 1920.

This stroll through time is provided by the Franklin County Historical Society.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Industrializing the Corn Belt

Industrializing the Corn Belt:
Agriculture, Technology, and Environment, 1945-1972

Monday, July 27, 7:00 p.m.
Eldora Public Library
1202 10th Street, Eldora

Join Silos & Smokestacks and the Hardin County Farm Museum in welcoming author Joe Anderson back to Iowa to talk about his new book. Industrializing the Corn Belt offers a fresh look at an important period of revolutionary change in agriculture through the eyes of those who grew the crops, raised the livestock, implemented new technology, and ultimately made the decisions that transformed the nature of the family farm and the Midwestern landscape.

This book talk is FREE and requires no registration.

For more information visit us online, call 319.234.4567 or email Candy Streed, Program & Partnership Director at cstreed@silosandsmokestacks.org.

Young Professionals Forum

Young Professionals Forum July 28th 7 am Continental Breakfast Provided

We need your ideas, energy and perspective to make North Iowa Grow!

North Iowa Corridor EDC 25 West State Street Mason City Iowa
www.northiowacorridor.com 641-423-0315

Things to think about before you come:
What keeps you here? What do you value most about living and working here? What are the local assets you value most? What is missing that our area needs?

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Amish Adventure Trip

Participants will travel to the Buchanan County Old Order Amish Community via an Iowa Valley van. While enroute, tour facilitator will lead a discussion about the history, culture, beliefs, & daily life style of the Amish. While in the community, stops will be made at a number of Amish businesses which are located on individual farmsteads.

We may be able to have some Amish folks join us for lunch at a local eatery; lunch not included in cost of class. This tour is always geared to the interest of the participants. Couples, moms & daughters, & friends enjoy spending this unique day together discovering things they never new about our non-electric neighbors.

Pre-register & payment required two weeks in advance of class.

No refund if you cancel one day prior to or after.

Date: August 7 Leaving Iowa Falls- Ellsworth College at 8:00 am and returning about 6:00 pm

Cost: $36 Call IVCE for more information or to register at 641-648-8621

SET YOUR TABLE

Summer may be a time for paper plates and a red and white checkered tablecloth, but there are times you want to make dining a special event at your house. Iowa Valley Continuing Education has a class on July 28 that will help you pull out all the stops for a beautifully set table.

Carol Zeien of the Special Tea Room in Dysart sets tables that are elegant and tasteful and has some special tips to help you dress up your dining experiences.

Join Zeien at the Special Tea Room, 325 Main St., Dysart on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m., to watch her transform a routine table into one you¹d be proud to welcome guests to. It will be a delightful evening. Cost of the class is $10, but bring along $5 and you can enjoy a dessert and as well.

Bring along a friend and make it a truly special summer evening out.

To register for Setting an Attractive Table at the Special Tea Room in Dysart on July 28, call IVCE at 800-284-4823 or 641-752-4645.


Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Picture is from the Special Tea Room

Summerfest 2009

August 14 and August 15 - Clear Your Calendars and join us at Summerfest!

Two full days packed with fun for the kids, events for the tweens and live music for mom and dad.

There will be an entire area set up for kids with Inflatables. Look for rock climbing walls, inflatable slides and obstacle courses - and activities that are safe and fun for your children. Center One will be selling wristbands for the Inflatables. It's $20 for one day and $30 for both days -- if you pay in advance.

Friday Activities:

Get your princess and your prince ready for the Little Miss and Little Mister contest! Prizes will be given (based upon drawings, not by vote).

The teens and tweens (and some of us adults) will be entertained by Sheltered Reality. Sheltered Reality is a nonprofit musical organization made up of people ages 6 to 18. The group is dedicated to helping those who are less fortunate, including the homeless, runaways, victims of domestic violence, or drug and alcohol abusers. They combine high-energy music with an educational message to inspire volunteerism. You can find them at http://www.sheltered-reality.org/

There will be a deejay to round out the day - Shel Shock. Put your dancin' shoes on and have a great time!

Saturday Activities:

The tractor ride starts at noon! The extension office is sponsoring a Safety Fair.

La Maquina Tropical is going to set the place on fire -- with their brand of hot, Latin music!

What would Summerfest be without a contest? ICE CREAM EATING CONTEST!

Hound Dog, Swanee, The Wizard, Tony the Hit Man and Gino his twin brother -- The White Sidewalls Rock 'n Roll Revue will charge up your Saturday night! Take a step back in time and rock out to 50's and 60's music. http://www.whitesidewalls.com/ (you can find them on facebook too - just search for white sidewalls) .

Keep your eyes peeled for schedules and more information -- we just wanted you to be ready for a good time in the ol' town in August!

image taken from Sheltered Realitys myspace page

Are You The Biggest Loser?

ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER AND COMPETE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER?

DO YOU EACH HAVE AT LEAST 100 LBS TO LOSE?

IF SO, THE BIGGEST LOSER IS NOW CASTING FAMILY TEAMS OF 2 INCLUDING:
. PARENT / CHILD
. SIBLINGS
. MARRIED COUPLES
. COUSINS
. IN-LAWS

Are you and your partner outgoing with personality? Do you have the WANT,
DESIRE and COMPETITIVE EDGE to vie for this once in a lifetime opportunity to
change your lives forever and compete for $250,000?

. Saturday , July 25, 2009
. From 10 am to 6 pm
. VALLEY WEST MALL 1551 VALLEY WEST DRIVE WEST DES MOINES, IA

Please do not line up more than 3 hours before the open call start time. We
will do our best to see the first 500 people in line. If you do not have a
partner, you may audition on your own. If you cannot attend an open call,
go to www.thebiggestlosercasting.com to apply.

Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Do You Have Federal Government Health Insurance?

By John Aravosis
posted on www.americablog.com

Earlier today, I posted a video of GOP Senator Chuck Grassley telling an audience that if they want health care coverage as good as he gets as a member of Congress, they should go work for John Deere or the federal government.

I asked a health insurance expert friend of mine to detail for me exactly what kind of health insurance plan Senators like Chuck Grassley actually get as members of Congress. Is it true that members of the US Congress have a sweet deal as compared to the US public at large? His answer: Yes. Here's his analysis.

Ok, so it's probably best to compare family plans, as that's the number quoted in the video, and Grassley has/had a family.

Here is the info on the FEHBP plan Grassley got until he was 65:

(we're using Blue Cross because it's standard and what most people end up buying)

On the last page, you can see the rates. $356.59 per month for the entire family. The benefits are great (see page before the prices, standard benefits, summery of benefits):

$20 co-pay, $200 for any hospital stay of any length, $0 for outpatient services, all subject to a $300 deductible, so you only pay max $300 per visit. Dental included. Annual limit is $5,000.

Compare that to a typical plan for a typical Iowan age 64 with a wife and a kid from http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/


I'm using the bestseller, benefits pasted below.

Monthly costs are $541.23. Deductible is $15,000 ($5,000 per person). You still pay 20% of costs even after the deductible is reached. Annual limit is $21,000.

So, let's take a scenario. Chuck Grassley, the Senator, gets indigestion but thinks it's a heart attack and goes to the emergency room. The most he pays for that is $300.

John Doe the Iowan has the same problem. He could be stuck paying $5,000, more if the full bill is higher (he pays 20% of all charges over that).

So you see, it's only socialism when you and I want the same sweet deal that members of Congress like Chuck Grassley, Max Baucus, and Mary Landrieu have.

(this was submitted by Julie Zieman)

Welcome To Hampton, Iowa

Welcome to Hampton. This tour is planned to give you a glimpse of history and people that over 150 years ago helped this town spring from the virgin prairie. In March of 1856 Garner and Ryan laid out a proposed town, they called Benjamin—the idea being that the name would read Benjamin, Franklin County in honor of the noted philosopher. In a March election, Benjamin was declared the county seat.

Judge R.F. Piatt strongly objected to the name, He had succeeded Judge Reeve, and ordered the town to be called Hampton, in honor of the famous Hampton Roads, Virginia.

People were streaming into Iowa’s prairies as soon as the surveyors stakes were driven. They could buy land for $1.25 an acre. The Indians, elk and buffalo were almost all driven West.

the Eastern states magnificent buildings of stone and marble were under construction and even in Iowa, which had been a state only 9 years, a capitol building had been built in Iowa City. Since the railroad was built only afar as the Mississippi River and the stage coaches only reached Cedar Falls, Franklin County, then 4 years old , had to be entered by horse, oxen or on foot.

Follow along over the next several weeks—we will give you a 1 mile tour of Hampton—provided by the Franklin County Historical Society!


Hampton Today made possible by sponsors like:
Michelle Hartman – Tupperware –641-373-8880
Denise Passehl – Watkins – 641-580-4052
Franklin County Farmers Market 641-456-4811
Make a Splash Foundation jhobson@leslieklinelucas.com
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114