Thursday, August 6, 2009

Dale Howard Family Activity Center Grand Opening August 12


The anticipation is building. The Dale Howard Family Activity Center is nearing completion thanks to the 2006 Iowa Valley Community College District Bond Issue, Dale and Marilyn Howard, the Ellsworth College Foundation, Ellsworth College Board of Trustees, contributions to the Vision 21 Committee, Ellsworth Community College faculty, staff, coaches and students. The final equipment and furnishings will be installed soon with a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening set for Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

We are excited to announce the new director of the facility is Eric Knoblock. Eric comes to us with great experience including running a hospital wellness facility and a wellness facility at Ohio State University. He is already working at Ellsworth preparing for our grand opening, says Mollie Teckenburg, ECC Provost. Eric will be responsible for the entire facility including the wellness facility and the pool, and will take care of all of the bookings, as well as setting schedules for open gym, tennis, volleyball, and more.

After ground breaking on Oct. 9, 2007, work began on the $6.5 million facility that includes 37,000 sq. ft. of new space and 6,500 sq. ft. renovated space for the community and ECC students to enjoy. In addition to the new facilities and equipment, new wellness programming will be available to maximize usage in the future. The Dale Howard Family Activity Center has a variety of new membership options plus day passes and corporate memberships.

The Dale Howard Family Activity Center includes a new lower-level multipurpose gymnasium with attached catering kitchen, and a ground level lobby/lounge area. The second floor features the running track, wellness center, aerobics room, and weight room. The project also includes a student lounge with snack bar/coffee shop, stand-up computer access, an athletic training and physical education classroom and a computer lab where the public and students can check email. A three-stop elevator will provide access to all levels. The design features lots of natural light to the wellness and classroom areas and spaces that can be used for a variety of community, college and family gatherings, accommodating groups up to 640 people. .

The new annual memberships bundle use of the cardio and strength training equipment, free weights, spinning bikes, the pool, walking track, and special programming. Yearly fees are available for families, adult couples, adult singles, senior couples, senior singles, and young adults. An annual pass for just the walking track is also available, as are day passes for
families, adults or youth. Ellsworth Community College students receive membership through their activity fees.

The new Activity Center is a great recruiting tool for all students. It will be nice for students to have a gathering place whether they live on campus or commute from home, says Barb Klein, IVCCD Dean of Enrollment Services.

Jack Denholm explains that in the past the Martin Ellsworth Dittmer Gymnasium was in use from early morning to late evening by ECC student athletes and their teams. That will still be the case, but now all students will have access to the new gymnasium and so much more.

³Our students had nowhere to go and hangout so they ended up going back to the dorms, says Denholm. This facility will enhance our student body with activities, intramurals or open gym until 11 p.m. There's going to be a lot to do over there with the snack bar/coffee shop, access to computers, wellness equipment, walking track, the pool, and especially the lounge where
students and the community can gather. The coffee shop will offer different menu items than our cafeteria, and provide a great coffee house atmosphere. The facility is user-friendly for students and the community.


The Dale Howard Family Activity Center will truly be a community-use facility. The new gymnasium is lined for tennis courts, double basketball and volleyball courts, and will be a great space for dodge ball, waffle ball or indoor baseball and softball. The space will also be versatile enough to host weddings, expos, large banquets or conferences.

Denholm adds that the facility will enable the athletics department to expand youth camps in the future as well. ³With both gyms we will be able to have multiple teams playing, utilize the pool for recreation, and we have the opportunity to use the dorms for overnight camps.

The public is encouraged to visit the new facility during the open house on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. For more information contact Eric Knoblock at 641-648-8711 or Jack Denholm at 641-648-8534.

Farmers Market Week


Farmers Market Week Begins August 2, 2009

Farmer’s Market Week will be celebrated on August 7 at the Franklin County Farmers Market.

Mayor Diane Weldin kicked off the local recognition of the national observance when she signed a public proclamation on July 28, 2009. At the signing, Mayor Weldin said the Franklin County Farmers Market is an important part of Hampton’s economic and social well being.

According to Weldin the Market and vendors make important contributions to the community. The variety of fresh Iowa-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers reflect the wonderful diversification of Iowa agriculture. In addition, the Market offers a wide range of home-baked goods.

Mayor Weldin urges all citizens to shop for Iowa-grown and Iowa-made products at the Franklin County Farmers Market. Every dollar spent at the Franklin County Farmers Market supports local agriculture and economy.

Barb Ristau, Market Master of the Franklin County Farmers Market, announced that in honor of Farmers Market Week special events are planned. On Tuesday, August 5, free lemon-aide will be served. On Friday, August 7, the Market will hold a Free Sample Night with garden pizza and cucumber dip available for sampling. There will be some free coupons distributed randomly to spend at the market and 100 Farmers Market reusable shopping bags will be given away to customers. Food preservation information will be available along with some recipes for using fresh fruits and vegetables. Come help us celebrate Farmers Market Week 2009.

The Franklin County Farmers Market is open every Tuesday and Friday at Main Street Square in downtown Hampton from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information call Barbara Ristau at 456-4811, Franklin County Extension Office.


Small-town people are popularly supposed to be narrow. And yet -- are the realities of life narrowing? Birth? Marriage? Death? Small-town life is not artificial. It need not be superficial. Calvin Coolidge, in his autobiography, has expressed it in his simple, effective way: "Country life does not always have breadth, but is has depth." ...Bess Aldrich

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
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Mosquito Bites—Who Knew?

A female mosquito of the Culicidae family (Cul...Image via Wikipedia


It appears that mosquitoes are predisposed to bite people with Type O Blood. Mosquitoes that have antennae's that latch onto certain markers in people. One of those markers is a scent released by some Type O blood people. Other markers are the amount of carbon dioxide in the breath, pregnancy, body temperature, and alcohol.

It appears that mothers to be exhale 21% more carbon dioxide and are 1.26 degrees Fahrenheit warmer around the belly.

Also, just 12 ounces of beer will increase your mosquito appeal! Now you know.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]



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
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Kids Safety Fair Planned at Summerfest

Lacoste Cork Bicycle Helmet ConceptImage by KyleF via Flickr


The Franklin County Family Focus Task Force will hold a kid’s safety fair during Summerfest on Saturday, August 15, from 12-2 pm. The location will be in the SW corner of Bandshell Park.

The fair will feature 6 learning centers for youth and their families to visit. They include: bike check and safety, tricycle safety, lawnmower safety, rollerblading and skateboarding safety, safe car seat use, and laws and ordinances regarding bicycles, roller blading and skateboarding.

Bicycle helmets will be fitted and given to participants. Youth who visit a majority of the learning centers and turn in their punch card will receive a pass to the Windsor Theater. There is a limited number of movie passes and helmets, and will be given until they are gone.

Parents can pick up helpful information on community resources for families, and the services agencies and organizations provide. Parents completing a short survey will be eligible for a drawing for 2 pizza parties at Godfathers.

The Franklin County Family Focus Task Force is a coalition of agencies and organizations that provide services and programs to youth and families in Franklin County.

For more information on the Safety Fair or Family Focus, contact any of the following: Sandy Pralle at 456-5820, Erin Phillips at 456-5835, Michelle Staudt at 423-1774, or Bev Peters at 456-4811.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]



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
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

GO5

Deb BrownImage by bjmccray via Flickr

Have you gotten your Go5 card? It’s only $10 and has some serious discounts you can use at local businesses in Franklin County.

Visit www.hamptoniowa.org and see the details.

Then call Center One at 456-5668 and get your very own card! Be sure to tell them Deb said you needed one!
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Monday, August 3, 2009

Let's Go For A Walk

Walking Man #1Image by pixelhut via Flickr

Start at the county jail. This building was built in 1880. before that, prisoners had to be taken to Butler County or to Waterloo with Franklin county paying the bill. In 1880 Franklin County built the existing building. D.W. Dow was the contractor and the cost was $6,000, not counting the $4,000 for the steel cells. The sheriff or his deputy occupied the living quarters while the jail was in use. The supervisors had to close the jail in 1988 when it could not be brought up to state standards.

The Methodist Church is across the street from the jail. The first congregation that me was 4 men in 1857-58. They had two services that were conducted a circuit rider preacher. After ten years with only a circuit preacher, they became a separate charge in the Conference. Their first church was a wooden one which they moved across the street South before building the present magnificent brick building in 1893 and 1894. They installed a large pipe organ in 1903. the old frame church was the first building used for entertainment and was known by different names through the years — Opera House, Olympic Theatre and Bailey’s Hall.

Cross to the Memorial Hall and look to the south side of Central Avenue. This church, the Baptist church, was organized during the Civil War. Twelve members banded together in the schoolhouse. In 1870 they erected the first church building in Franklin County. This was a frame building 36’ x 58’ with 20’ high walls. Its tall spire could be seen from the cemetery hill at the Reeve settlement. In 1909 the building was rebuilt and enlarged. The Baptist congregation dissolved in 185 due to dwindling membership.

This tour was prepared 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
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

YOU KNOW YOU LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WHEN..


Third Street is on the edge of town.


You don’t use your turn signals because everyone knows where you are going.


A baby born on June 14 receives gifts from the local merchants as the first baby of the year.

You speak to each dog you pass and he wags his tail at you.

You drive into the ditch five miles out of town and the word gets back before you do.


You dial a wrong number and talk for 15 minutes anyway.


You can’t walk for exercise because every car that passes you offers a ride.


You miss a Sunday at church and you receive get well cards.


Someone asks you how you feel—and listens to your answer.


Thank God for small towns and the people who live in them.



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

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Entries Sought In Non-traditional Quilt Block Competition

PITTSBURGH - JULY 12:  A young boy climbs unde...Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Quilt block designs are being sought to represent Franklin County in an outdoor mural at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The winning designs from each of Iowa’s 99 counties will be constructed in tile on the exterior of the new Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center, a multi-use facility scheduled to open in 2010.

The contest is being coordinated in each county by the County Extension office, which will submit the final design to the State Fair. All entries must follow the guidelines below.

Guidelines:
Designs must consist of a patchwork pattern using geometric shapes (no animals, words, symbols, or logos are allowed).
Designs must use 2-5 colors chosen out of the specific color palette (blue, red, orange, green, teal, yellow, purple, brown, black and white).
Submissions must be drawn to scale on white paper using appropriate colors. Final design will consist of 4- 8”x8” tiles to form a 16”x16” block, with a 1” border on the outside.

The quilt block project will incorporate Iowa’s heritage and tradition of barn quilts into the Fairground’s newest facility. The 110,000 square foot Jacobson Exhibition Center will feature an indoor arena, practice arena and seating for 3,500.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]



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
Patrick Palmer – The Computer Guy – 641-420-1234
Seven Stars Restaurant – 641-456-5378
Debra Brown – Melaleuca - 641-458-1114

Search This Blog