It’s a pretty Saturday morning as I drive from the very south edge of town toward my destination of the grocery store.  As I look to my right, I see Dick Wells,  Bob Hermsen and a large stack of lumber in the field just north of the new “Welcome to Belle Plaine” sign that was put up this past spring.  Being my nosy self, I pulled in to see what was up. Bob and Dick were nice enough to humor me and explained what they were doing.

Partners for Beautification had purchased the field we were standing in from Greg Peck with grant money the organization had applied for and won.  These two men had come early, before the rest of the crew was to be there, to get the layout of the fence in place so things would  go smoothly in the afternoon.  Unfortunately, it never occurred to me to get some pictures.  (I’m afraid I had a grocery list on my mind).  Lucky for me, however, as I was driving by a second time,  Bob and Dick were still there, along with several other people, standing around this great looking snake rail fence.  The fence is a cedar split rail that will fade to a silver-gray color over time.  It is referred to as a snake rail  do to the layout.  It is a nice looking fence that zig-zags along the fence line.  Once the rest of the volunteers arrived at 1 pm, the fence was completed within 1/2 hour.

The piece of land that they fenced off today is planned to be a prairie park.  The Partners for Beautification plan on planting the wild flowers and grasses next year.  They were hoping to get the planting in this fall, but they did not receive the seeds in time.  Along with the native prairie plantings there will be a path through the field for people to walk and enjoy their surroundings.  The Partners also plan to plant patches of saturated species in the triangles along the fence.  These plantings will be signed with the name of the plant or grass that is planted there. This will make  the different species in the natural prairie setting easier to identify as you walk along the paths. They are also planning to install a large boulder etched with “Beautiful Plaines Prairie Park” .

Bob Hermsen took on the initial planning and information gathering for this fencing project, and Bob Ulch is working on the boulder project.  The people who are part of the Partners for Beautification come from different backgrounds and different stages in their lives.  (Some are retired, some are close to retirement, some work full time).  What they all have in common, is a love for Belle Plaine and a willingness to volunteer to make  it better.

Those who were able to help with Saturday, November 12th’s, project were Bob Hermsen, Dick Wells, Vicki Schwab, Scott Frank, Dan and Debbie Drahos, and Bob Ulch.  The park will make a great addition to our community.  I can’t wait to see it in all of its glory!

Senator Grassley Speaks Out for Veterans

A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces. The unemployment rate for veterans is higher than for non-veterans nationwide. These men and women are extremely capable. They have valuable skills to offer the workplace. They need job opportunities. This week, the United States Senate took action to help by passing legislation to encourage employers to hire veterans.

The legislative proposal that passed builds on previous legislation put forward by Senator Max Baucus and me, as part of our bipartisan work on the Senate’s tax policy committee. That law expired at the end of 2010. What’s now been renewed and passed by the Senate would increase the reward for employers for hiring qualified veterans who have recently completed their service in the military. The new version of the tax credit also would make it easier for veterans and small businesses to use.

Veterans – including those men and women who were activated by their states as members of the National Guard – will be helped by this tax incentive. It was passed by the Senate as our nation pauses for Veterans Day.

The eleventh day of the eleventh month is designated as Veterans Day to celebrate as a national community and honor America’s living veterans for their courage, patriotism and sacrifice. America’s veterans put their lives on the line to defend freedom, protect national security and secure the safety of loved ones here at home. Like all those uniformed men and women in whose footsteps they follow, members of the Armed Forces continue to make the words “land of the free and home of the brave” ring true. We owe our liberty and our way of life to them.

So — to all of those who have answered the call of duty and served — I thank you for defending my freedom and the freedom of all Americans. Those words cannot be said enough. It’s our duty and our privilege to honor all American veterans for their outstanding service and tremendous sacrifices on Veterans Day and every day.

One evening when I just didn’t feel like doing anything, I turned on the TV and the movie Dolores Claiborne was just starting.  I honestly don’t know if I decided to watch it because it caught my attention or if I was just too lazy to find something else to watch.  You see, I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of Stephen King so Dolores Claiborne was an odd choice for me.  As it turns out, I’m glad I didn’t change the channel.  I thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

From the beginning of the movie a dark feeling emanates from the screen.  It’s subtle but it gives the feeling of helplessness and doom.  Kathy Bates was outstanding in the title role.  I had no trouble at all believing she was Dolores Claiborne.  Within seconds, she was no longer Kathy Bates but rather Dolores.  As the movie moves forward, I find myself hoping that Dolores had a happy childhood because her adult life was pretty terrible.

Dolores was a strong, non-complaining character.  She plodded through life working hard and never really getting ahead.  The one joy she seemed to have was her daughter Selena, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh.

We are taken through the story of Dolores’ adult life and her interactions with only four people:  her husband, Joe St. George, her daughter, Selena, her widowed employer, Vera Donovan, and lastly, a detective from the mainland.  The movie was set on an island off of the coast of Maine.  From the beginning we, as the audience, get the feeling that Dolores’ world is very small and isolated. This feeling proves to be true throughout the movie.

Due to an interrogation by the detective, we are taken through Dolores’ adult life in a random, somewhat convoluted, order. We seem to flip through Dolores’ life in segments.  There doesn’t seem to be rhyme or reason for the order in which we see several decades of her life.  The pace of the movie makes it easy enough to follow along though. This is not an action-packed movie; there is no horror story with blood and guts.  Although, I tend to think that Dolores’ life was a horror.  Nobody that is as hardworking and resilient as Dolores should have to live such a joyless life.

The movie intrigued me enough that I wanted to read the book.  Although, I’m a firm believer in reading the book before seeing the movie, this time I didn’t really have a choice.

The novel by Stephen King, Dolores Claiborne, was copyrighted in 1993.  I have never read a book written in this style before.  There are no chapters, it is written in first person with the only “voice” being that of Dolores’.  As is usually the case, the book was different from the movie in several ways, the most glaring one being that Dolores gave birth to three children, two boys and a girl, not just a girl as was in the movie.  I do feel the movie did cover the important areas of her life.

If for some reason you have never seen the movie or read the book, I recommend reading the book first just because there is more background throughout and you can use your imagination to put faces and characteristics to all that enter Dolores’ world.

Chuckwagon will be presenting Comedy Night, Friday, November 18 at 9:00 p.m. Headlining the event will be stand-up comedian and Laughing Hyena recording artist, Jeremy “Jer-Dog” Danley. Danley has been selected as one of Bud Light’s “Real Men of Comedy,” has been heard on The Bob & Tom Show, SiriusXM radio, and was recently featured in a documentary film about comedians travelling the Midwest comedy circuit as part of The Grassroots Comedy Tour. This will be the first time ever a stand-up comedian has performed in Keystone. For more information, call Chuckwagon at (319) 442-3715 and visit online www.JerDogComedy.com

I just returned from the Veterans Day Assembly at the High School.

Mrs. Brown started the event by reading some of last year’s English III student essays. Their subject was “What does it mean to be an American”.  The essays she chose to read showed an adult understanding of what it means to be an American.  I was very impressed with their work.

Master of Ceremonies was Student Body President, Katie Croft.  She gave a short speech welcoming everybody and thanking the Veterans for their service to our country.

Presentation of Colors was performed by the Belle Plaine American Legion and Auxiliary Post #39.

Jack Andrews gave the Invocation.  As I bowed my head to pray and listen to Jack, I felt a tear or two slide down my cheeks.  It was a very moving prayer that took me back to a time I don’t like to think too much about.  My son was in Afghanistan last year at this time, and I didn’t deal as well with it as a lot of mothers do.  It’s hard to explain all the emotions that go through you as you say goodbye, maybe for the last time, and send your child off to a war zone.  You are so very proud of them and so terrified for them at the same time.  You worry about both physical and mental damage to a human being you have loved unconditionally from before their birth, somebody you have done your best to protect for as long as he has been alive.  It was the hardest thing I’ve had to do.

As I looked out onto the basketball court at the Veterans present today, I felt so proud to be in the same room as they were, I thought of all they might have seen and done in their service to our country.  I feel such respect for them.  It takes courage to face the unknown, and until they have been through boot camp it is unknown.  I’ve talked to a lot of Veterans and they all mention that they had no idea what they were getting into until they got off the bus and started to be told what to do, how to do it, and that they did it wrong.  The men and women who chose this life grown up very fast!

We were honored to have Colonel Eric Winkie join us today as the guest speaker.  He looked handsome standing at the podium in his uniform.  He wears it well.  Just by looking at him and watching his actions and interactions, you can tell he is a man who knows who he is and is proud of what he does.  His speech was excellent.  He had a lot of good analogies and gave us all some things to think about.  He is the son of Bev and Wallace Winkie.  Colonel Winkie came all the way from Fort Knox, Kentucky, to be with us today.  He was accompanied by one of his daughters and his son.  Bev and Wink were in attendance today as well. At one point during his speech, he asked the audience what they thought scared him the most about being in a tank in Saudi Arabia.  Some answered “dying”, as would be most peoples first assumption, but he said no, that wasn’t it.  He was most afraid of letting his men down; of not being the leader he needed to be.

I think that the Armed Services instill brotherhood into their people.  They instill pride and honor.  I can feel both pride and honor, but I know it is on a different level than those who have served or are serving this country.  I think that those who do choose to serve should have a special kind of pride and honor.  They are what make this country a free society with the rights and the privileges that go along with being free.

Mrs. Joanne Carl represented the Daughters of The American Revolution and presented the Good Citizen Award to Senior Emily Mast.

The high school concert choir entertained us with the musical selection From Sea to Shining Sea.  The concert band then played the Marches of the Armed Forces.  Mr. Long, the music director, asked that Veterans and family stand during the portion of the song that represented their branch of service.

All branches of the Armed Forces were represented today either by Veterans or by family of Veterans.  I stood proudly when the Marine Corps Anthem was played during the Marches of the Armed Forces.

The audience stood for the Retiring of the Colors.  There wasn’t a sound in the stands as we watched with respect to our nation’s flags and veterans as they left the building to Salute the Veterans and play Taps.

Thank you to all of the Veterans of our country and thank you to the Belle Plaine American Legion and Auxiliary Post #39 for participating in today event.

Do you have a special hobby?  Do you collect unusual things? Do you travel Iowa? Are you a amateur photographer? Are you a student who needs silver cord hours? Do you want to give to your community?  Do you write short stories or poems?  Would you like to interview elderly Belle Plaine residents?  Do you enjoy the movies or a good novel and would like to critique them?  Do you have an interest in local sports?  The list goes on and on.  If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then this is for you.

I’m looking for volunteer columnists to add to the “flavor” of this web site.  If you have an idea and are interested in contributing please e-mail me at BellePlaineNow@iowtelecom.net.  I would love to hear from you.  Likewise, if you happen to be somewhere in town and have taken pictures of an event, let me know, they just might make it on the site.

You don’t need to make a big commitment. If you would like to contribute once a month, once a week, once a day, or even just once,  please contact me.

I’m a volunteer for this website, and I love it.  I would like to give other people the opportunity to have a voice, to be creative, to be a big part of the community.  I’m very proud to volunteer to better Belle Plaine.

Senators Herb Kohl (D-Wisconsin) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are urging the panel of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to include a bipartisan bill that cuts costs by encouraging competition from generic drugs.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would save the federal government-which pays approximately 1/3 of all prescription cost (approx. $2.68 billion) over ten years.  The President included a provision to end pay-for-delay settlements in his FY 2012 budget and estimates it will save the federal government $8 billion over ten years. The FTC estimated that ending these settlements would save consumers, who pay for prescription drugs through private insurance or on their own, $3.5 billion per year.

When a brand name drug company and a generic manufacturer enter into a settlement in which the brand name company pays the generic drug manufacturer in exchange for the promise that its generic version of the drug will be kept off the market until the end, or shortly before, the expiration of the patent, this is called a “pay for delay” settlement.

The Preserve Affordable Access to Generics Act is addressing this problem.  Under this legislation, these pay-for-delay agreements will be presumed illegal and the FTC will have to pursue legal action under the FTC Act to invalidate a settlement.  During the proceeding, the drug companies will have the opportunity to prove to a judge by clear and convincing evidence that these agreements are pro-competitive.  This bill would in no way prevent pharmaceutical patent settlements that do not contain pay for delay provisions and only targets those settlements that harm competition: pay-for-delay agreements in which cash or other valuable consideration is exchanged for delay in generic entry.

In fiscal 2010, there were a record 31 pay-for-delay settlement agreements that kept generics off the market, a 63 percent increase from 2009.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report that found drug companies entered into 28 potential pay-for-delay deals between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.

Senator Grassley stated “The FTC’s study shows a remarkable continuation of a practice that puts the interest of drug companies above the interest of consumers.  No one has to engage in such deal making at the expense of consumers, and it’s time to put an end to it”.

Here’s some history on Veteran’s Day.

Fighting ceased when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month ending WWI, “The Great War”.

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:  “To us in American, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade for that city on November 11, 1947, to honor all of American’s Veterans for their loyal service.  Later, US Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all who have served in America’s Armed Forces.

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace.

In 1968, Congress moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.  However, it became apparent that the November 11th date was historically significant to a great many Americans, as a result, Congress formally returned the observance of Veterans Day to its traditional date in 1978.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls.  The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:  A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Both Veterans Day and Memorial Day were established to recognize and honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces.  Memorial Day was set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.  Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military-in wartime or peacetime.  Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served-not only those who died-have sacrificed and done their duty.

It would be great if everyone who has not served in the Armed Forces made a point of calling a Veteran or go to visit a Veteran and thank them personally for their service. The kids at the High School have a perfect opportunity to go up to a Veteran after their assembly on Thursday, November 10th, and thank them.  It means a lot just to here the words “Thank You”.

The information above was taken from the Department of Veterans Affairs web site.

Alliant Energy has some great tips for being prepared for those winter storms we all dread.   Storms in the Midwest can cause wide-spread damage, delays and power disruptions.

Assemble a storm safety kit.  1) A charged cell phone or wired-home phone (remember cordless phones will not work in power outages) 2) Flashlight and a supply of fresh batteries  3) Self-powered AM/FM NOAA weather radio 4)  Fire extinguisher 5) First aid kit 6)  Clothing and blankets 7)  Food and water (most people need at least 1/2-gal of water to drink each day)      Essential medications, baby items, and food for pets.

If you lose power, call Alliant Energy at 1-800-255-4268.  Repair crews rely on phone calls from customers to pinpoint problems.  Smartphone users can report outages through the mobile version of  Alliant’s wesite at alliantenergy.com.  If you have a U.S. Cellular phone, you can also dial #255 to go directly to the Alliant Energy outage reporting hotline.

If you’re using a generator, fireplace, or wood stove, make sure you have enough outside ventilation.  Don’t use gas appliances to improperly heat your home and be sure to properly ventilate gas-fired space heaters to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.  Early warning signs of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or being sleepy, confused and nauseated.  If you suspect CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately, call 911 and then help others-that way you don’t pass out before making the call.

If you connect a generator to your home’s electrical system, be sure it’s properly installed by a trained electrician and have a switch installed that will separate our home from the electrical system.

If you see a downed power line after a storm, do not approach it.  Stay away and call Alliant Energy.  If the storm has knocked something into a power line, leave it alone and call Alliant Energy to have a line crew safely remove it.

The Alliant Energy News letter came today and had some good tips for saving money this winter on your electric bill.

1) Switch to LED holiday lights.  Every year the cost of LED lights seems to drop.  Consider purchasing LED light to replace your old ones and save!  If you have 10 strands of mini incandescent holiday lights on for 6 hours a day, you could save about $15 from November to January.

2) Save about $30 on your yearly heating bill (based on an annual heating bill of $843) by getting your furnace cleaned and tuned up every fall.

3) Use smart power strips.  They will automatically cut off power to electronics when not in use.  Smart strips can help the average homeowner save about $50 each year in electricity costs.

4) Get a clock-programmable thermostat (CPT) and save about $150 on your annual heating and cooling bills by using these thermostats to adjust the temperature while you are sleeping or at work by just 10 degrees for eight hours a day.