by Duronda Schlue

Plan, Pack, and Dress Wisely

Take time to analyze what your agenda will be on your trip. Select clothes that can be mixed and matched. Take less than you think you will need. Wear comfortable shoes and only pack one additional pair.

Lay all items out on the bed and visualize what you have to mix and match. Add accessories in this procedure. Then pack accordingly.

Put all liquids (small 3 oz. bottles, small jars) in 1 quart size zipper locked bag. Push bottle in slightly before capping and spillage will be less. You are allowed only one for carry-on. Pack others in checked bag.

Put all medications in a see-through bag. You will not have to show this to the agent, but it makes scanning easier for the agent of Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Roll all items. You will waste less space and wrinkles are minimal.

Dress comfortably in layers. You will find some airports and planes are cooler. You will appreciate the sleeves.

Carry-on luggage should contain all medications. NEVER pack medications in bags to be checked! Other items in carry-on might include book or magazine, address book, and container for itinerary, boarding pass,  and ticket. When reservations on made on-line or on the phone, the passenger usually is not issued a hard copy of the ticket. The gate agent will give you what you need.

Name tag on outside of all pieces whether you are checking them or carrying them on the plane. Place index card inside each luggage piece with the same information.

Arrive  one and ½ hours prior to take off for domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights.

Check In – Have photo identification and give agent your name. You may also check in at the kiosk using a credit card. The machine will spit out your boarding passes, but the agent will tag your checked baggage and verify your identity.

Deliver checked bags to the screening machine. Bags should not be locked. After security your bag will be delivered to the your plane. Walk to passenger screening with boarding pass and photo id in hand.

Show documents. Agent will initial your boarding pass. Put id away and find trays for your to be scanned items.   (Hang on to boarding pass. You will still need it.)

a. Take laptop out of carry case and place in tray.

b. Take off shoes and jackets and put in tray including wallet, purses, personal items.

c. Take off metal items and place in dish or tray.

d. Put quart bag with liquids in tray.

7. With directions from the agent, walk through scanning device with boarding pass.

After items are scanned, the tray will appear at the far end. There you pick up your belonging. Make sure you have everything. Sometimes a passenger will be asked about his carry-on because the machine can’t identify items clearly. Every few passengers will be patted down. If you are a woman, a woman will do the patting. If you change departure aircrafts at the last minute or purchase a ticket at the last minute, you will be subject to more screening.

Find gate – The boarding pass holds important information: gate no. and boarding information. Boarding is usually arranged by plane zones. Look for words like “Group 2” or “Group B.” Boarding usually takes place 20-30 minutes prior to take-off.

Visit the bathroom, get a drink or snack and listen for your group to board.

Take off and landing – different noises or normal.

Once on board stow all hand luggage under the seat in front of you and/or in the overhead compartment. Seat should be upright. The lever is on the armrest and the seatbelt fastened. Seatbelt extensions are available upon request if needed. Bathrooms are usually found in the back, but if the fasten seat belt sign is on, no one is allowed to leave his seat. This is for safety.

Taking off is exciting as the plane rapidly progresses down the runway and gathers lifting speed. Once the speed is met the front of the aircraft will rise and “up, up, and away” begins. Remember the aircraft uses all its energy to get off the ground. In a few minutes if you listen carefully, you will hear the pitch of the aircraft change. It is a normal sound change. Don’t let it frighten you. All that take off power is not needed for cruising altitude.

Twenty plus minutes before landing, the wheels will come out of their storage area and will drop into place and lock. If you listen carefully, you will hear them. You will now begin your descent into the airport.  Usually a flight attendant will share gate information for connecting flights. This will save time and the diagram of the airport is usually found in the company magazine in the front pocket facing you. You may have to take an airport train to get to another part of the airport. Asking directions can save you valuable time and lessen the stress of traveling.

Remember that it is ok to ask questions. It is ok to be a little nervous; however, flying is safer than fighting the crazy drivers on our busy highways. When I began my flight attendant career with Pan Am in l966, I had only been on a few small prop planes. Through the years I have experienced many positive trips around the world. I, too, have asked someone in an airline uniform for help, who better to know an airport. If you have any flight questions, that I might help you with, please contact me at belleplainenow.com. I’m here to help because I think flying is exciting and fun, particularly take off!

by Jeanne Duffy

Belle Plaine Community Development Director

It’s so good to touch the green green grass of home. How I love Belle Plaine.  I love the drivers that greet you with the index finger wave above the steering wheel.  I love the greetings walking down the street.  I love tending to my tomatoes on the vine, one large and one small, my first ever.  And my flowers.  You can’t take the farmer out of an Iowa farm girl.

As we anxiously await the word from Des Moines on the two new grants so we can start the downtown renovation project, I am excited to see Belle Plaine return to its previous splendor.  I hear those who doubt it will happen but it will.  Bill Daily has worked beyond what I would think possible from one individual to make it happen.  Watching his dedication speaks volumes. He grew up here and he loves the town.

The Lincoln Café shall make it’s re-entrance in September.  Jimmy Lamoni and Kristy Tovar have worked hard to take this grand lady down to bare bones and make it a restaurant that will bring people from surrounding towns.   This means more shoppers for the downtown area.  No shortcuts are being taken on the Lincoln.   If you’ve been to King Towers in Toledo you know the type of food they serve and it’s just another statement of their “get ‘er done right.”

When I travel, people know Belle Plaine by the beautiful architecture downtown.  Look up as you walk through and imagine it restored to its original glory with windows replaced, bricks cleaned and current unuseable buildings restored.  Folks, it’s coming.

All the promises you heard will be kept after we jump through a few more hurdles, and hit the ground running.

By Duronda Schlue

Car Bingo can turn boredom into fun and games

Summer is always a good time of the year for a family outing. It helps if parents plan ahead with activities that can break a long car ride into a trip with conversation and observations of the sites outside the vehicle.

One of my favorites is Car Bingo.  Our family of four was about to embark on a two-day trip from New Mexico back to Iowa when my mother presented us with her version of car bingo as we departed on a two-day, 19-hour car ride from New Mexico to Iowa. Our children were 4 and 6.

We four all remember the game and the challenges presented when we could find many cows, but not a bull.  This bingo game can be easily modified and tailored to fit a family’s interests and location of the journey.

First create a grid with five squares across and five squares down. An adult tells the children what they are looking for outside the car. All objects should be shared verbally before starting.  Then the game begins. When the object is spotted, the person tells the rest of the family. The first to see the object gets his initials in the square. If there are older children, each could handle his own copy and let the referee in the front seat jot down each find. It works best if an adult can verify the find.

At the end of the game the person with the most answers wins. Prizes are optional. We found our children were truly engaged in the scenery and had a good time playing the car bingo game. The squares could be colored different colors when completed for a more creative step. An empty grid could be passed out and each child could illustrate each word from the bingo card. Here is our first bingo game from Meme.  I hope you will try it with your family. We loved it.

CAR BINGO

RED HAIR	GOAT	CATTLE TRUCK	SCHOOL CROSSING SIGN	CAR TAG WITH 777
OUT HOUSE	WOMAN WITH A  HAT	PHONE NO. WITH A “3”	A YELLOW VOLKSWAGEN	U-HAUL TRAILER
FORD TRUCK	HORSE TRAILER	RAILROAD CROSSING	MAN WITH A COWBOY HAT	BOY ON A BICYCLE
CHICKENS	METAL GATE	PIGS	REST AREA SIGN	BULL
45 MPH SIGN	WHITE FACE COW	DAIRY QUEEN	CAT	FOR SALE SIGN

The flag raising ceremony, complements of the local American Legion post and

scout troop, signaled the official start of the afternoon festivities.

By Jeff Orvis

My favorite ball park in the whole world is Wrigley Field. If there was ever a baseball cathedral, that would be it. I have been fortunate to see a few games there over the years and only once, when I drove into Chicago by myself from Davenport, was the game rained out.

As much as I love Wrigley, I’ve become a fan of the new parks that have retractable roofs. To my way of thinking, it presents the best of both worlds. On great weather days, they open the roof and the game is played as it was invented. When Arizona temperatures reach the triple digits or rain falls in Milwaukee, they close the roof, crank up the air conditioning and those who have traveled all day to get to the ball park will not go home disappointed.

But this piece is not about baseball parks. I was thinking about those modern stadiums on July 4^th as I attended some of the wonderful activities we had in our great city. The weather was questionable all day and I began wishing there was some way we could put a retractable dome over the entire town so the activities wouldn’t be canceled due to rain.

As it turned out, there were a few showers during the day, but most of the activities went ahead as planned. And many people decided they didn’t want to be sidelined by a little rain. The crowd that lined the parade route Sunday morning was awesome! Later in the day, even with low-hanging clouds, Franklin Park was a beehive of activity. One of the annual highlights of the day was the spectacular fireworks display. Again, rain threatened to wash out that show. But hundreds of people turned out to watch at the park and at various parking spots near the park and the show went off without delay.

Most of us who have attended the local celebration over the years have a few favorite activities we don’t want to miss each year. But if you ever want to fully experience what is offered, vow to try something new each year. The number of things to see and do is almost staggering, from a hole-in-one contest to a 5K and mile run, car show, street dance, parade, various food stands in the park, carnival rides and games for the youngsters, swimming, basketball, volleyball, bingo, music, craft show, tractor pull, fireworks…not bad for a town of under 3,000 population.

Maybe I noticed all the activities offered more this year because it may be the last time I experience a Belle Plaine Fourth of July celebration. A pending change in careers will likely take me away from this city. Over the years, working first in Independence and then here, I’ve realized that the Fourth of July is a work day. There’s a camera in my hand most of the day. But my working involvement with the holiday includes writing a story or two before the weekend, covering various events that day, then editing pictures the days following.

But for those who plan this celebration, there are hundreds of hours of work before, during and after the celebration. I wonder if anyone has taken the time to add up all of the man-hours it takes to put on our annual celebration, including the organizers, the volunteers who work at the various booths and other venues, the fireworks crew, performers and many others.

If this wonderful celebration is to continue, it is vital that others step up and volunteer to help. While the folks who have worked on this day for several years undoubtedly love it, I’m sure there comes a time when anyone would wish to be able to do something with their own families and friends that day. So if you liked all the choices of things to do here in town last weekend, the best way to show your appreciation is to volunteer to help next year.

Meanwhile, if you sell a software company for a few billion dollars and wonder what to do with your sudden wealth, contact our city leaders about that retractable dome over the city.

While Vernon Blomme grilled and Bruce Gapstur assisted, the Rev. Jim Campbell

implored the crowd to try a “blessed burger.” Christ United Methodist Church was

in charge of the main food booth this year.

By: Brad Cook

Once again the Lion’s Club showed they know how to throw a birthday party, as the citizens of Belle Plaine celebrated 234 years of independence. The weather cooperated, for the most part, and a good time was had by all, with the fireworks finale concluding the day’s festivities. Throughout the day there was good food, a parade, tractor pulls, crafts, carnival rides, entertainment, volleyball, and of course more good food.

I don’t know who came from the farthest distance to celebrate this Fourth of July in Belle Plaine, but I did meet and talk to Earl Park (class of 65) who came all the way from his home in Hawaii to attend his class reunion and celebrate the holiday in his hometown. Hopefully fond memories were instilled in the children of Belle Plaine today that will bring them back to their hometown no matter where life takes them in the future.

God bless the U.S.A.

Editor’s note: This week we begin a new feature by Duronda Schlue. A retired teacher in the Belle Plaine Community Schools, she has traveled extensively and will share what she has discovered in periodic contributions to this site.

By Duronda Schlue

Trains have always fascinated America. Our history is rich in stories of train robberies, hobos jumping on boxcars, and my favorite childhood story about the little train that was so brave it managed to get the toys to the children when all others failed. One of the best family vacations we ever had was taking our children on Amtrak from Ft. Madison to New Mexico. We had such fun that we repeated the trip three or four times during their childhood.

The westbound Southwest Chief leaves Ft. Madison at 6:57 p.m. It travels briefly through Missouri stopping in La Plata before heading on to Kansas City. KC is a refueling depot and the longest stop in route to New Mexico. As the train’s travelers relax in a “stress-less” mode over the clicking of the rails, the train travels through Kansas during the night and on to Colorado. It makes brief stops at many places on the rail line.

After a few stops in Colorado, the famous tunnel near Raton, New Mexico is first sign we are nearing our destination. In Raton many Boy Scouts disembark and head for the famous Fremont Ranch, the summer training ground for the Scout program. The Chief makes several stops in New Mexico after Raton including Las Vegas ( not the gambling place), Lamy (near Santa Fe) and Albuquerque. The travel time from Ft. Madison to Las Vegas is roughly 19 hours.

The Southwest Chief is a double-decker modern train. When it pulls into the station, the doors open and the attendants step out to assist new travelers in finding the correct car. All seats are assigned. Upon entering the train, pieces of luggage are placed in large luggage storage racks on the lower level. Totes and small bags can be taken upstairs to waiting seats. Upstairs passengers find overhead racks as well as storage areas in front of each seat.

Each coach car has comfortable reclining chairs with footrests. Two seats are on each side of the aisle. There is a drinking water counter with paper cups at the end of the car. Bathrooms are on the lower level. There are at least 5 available in each car. An Amtrak attendant is on duty in each car. Attendants take tickets, assist the car’s passengers with luggage, getting on and off the train, and general needs.

The lower level also offers coach seats in a quiet car for elderly and handicapped or people needing a quieter spot. There are also sleeping compartments on both floors. Singles and pairs can enjoy a room for two. Although the space is tight, it is adequate and comfy for sleeping. There is also a deluxe room with its own shower and bathroom. It sleeps 3 comfortably or 2 adults and 2  young children.

The family car is the ultimate in train travel. Children and parents have the entire width of the train on the lower level. The sofa makes a double bed and there is an adult berth above.  Two chairs pop down to make a bed suitable for a child 10 or younger and overhead is another child’s bed. Meals are complimentary with the sleeping cars.

The dining car offers economical meals three times a day. There are set hours and reservations need to be made. Attendants can help with reservations. The train offers a chef and crew that prepare delicious meals. If a lighter fare is preferred, the lounge car on the lower level offers sandwiches, snacks and beverages. Most families bring snacks for their children.

The favorite spot for most people is the observation car with its floor to ceiling windows and chairs facing the windows. The scenic beauty of the Southwest can be enjoyed for hours. On the Southwest Chief passengers can see herds of deer and antelope. Occasionally a herd of elk might be seen. There is a herd of buffalo in the area and it would be a rare treat to see the mighty beasts.

Before Raton, New Mexico is the Santa Fe Railroad’s train tunnel. It is the highest peak on the rail line. It is difficult to imagine what planning it took and how much dynamite required to create the bed for the railroad as well as hollowing out the tunnel.

Amtrak.com has plenty of information to peruse for options in accommodations, dates and prices. Train fares are in the same ball park as air lare if coach seats are purchased. They also offer family discounts. Parking is never an issue. Since Ft. Madison is a working railroad yard, there is ample parking in a well-lighted area where workers come and go at all hours. Tickets can be picked up at the Ft. Madison station, but it is a good idea to check the hours the office is open.

For people who are tired of the headaches of airline travel, I suggest you try a trip on Amtrak. It is restful. Some people read books, others write while some just meet new people and observe the scenery. Whatever sounds appealing, it is a refreshing way to experience America. Your children will love it too.

As I sit here, spending another leisurely evening watching Cubs baseball on the tube, several questions about America’s grand old game seem to baffle me. Some of these questions are specific to the Cubs, while others pertain to the Major League game as a whole.

For instance,

• • When a pitcher is coming back from an injury, he often throws a “simulated game” before returning to the roster. What is a simulated game? Do they use simulated batters and simulated umpires and simulated fans and simulated beer vendors selling simulated beer?
  • I have all the respect in the world for the guys who wear Major League uniforms. Although I never played the game in an organized manner, I have seen hundreds of games and I still don’t understand why guys who hit a grounder and sprint down to first base sometimes slide head-first into the base. The little I know about physics or whatever would tell me that you lose momentum when you slide. Why not run through the base?
  • What’s up with the recent trend of longer pants worn by baseball players? Tradition would dictate wearing pants just below the knee, with long socks meeting the cuff of the pants. A lot of these guys wear pants that bunch up at the top of their cleats. You wonder what competitive benefit these too-long pants have.
  • Have you noticed the recent trend by umpires to throw a baseball out of the game every time a pitcher throws it into the dirt? Are these balls then relegated to the batting practice bag or are they wiped off by the bat boys and put back into play? I thought one of the pregame preparations was for the umpires or bat boys to rub up each of the game balls with a special mud from a certain river bottom. So they’re already a little dirty when they’re put into play.
  • On another baseball note, when did players begin to throw balls into the stands at the end of each inning? As long as the teams can afford it, this is probably a good thing. With what it costs to attend baseball games these days, it’s nice that more fans leave the game with souvenirs.
  • Speaking of the price of admission, with the rather limited success the Cubs have had over the last several years and the skyrocketing ticket prices, how are they able to routinely sell out Wrigley Field each day? According to the Cubs’ web site, ticket prices range from $22 to $315 per seat per game. And if you want to sit in certain seats in the front row at field level, you have to be the high bidder in an auction. When I was still in high school, we attended a game on a Tuesday afternoon. The place was nearly sold out, but we paid $2.50 for a lower level covered grandstand seat along the third baseline. Those seats now go for up to $42 per game. Had we decided to watch from the bleachers, we would have paid 75 cents. Bleacher seats today range in price from $54-$76 for the prime dates.
  • Those of you who know that with my liberal leanings I would generally side with the working man over management may find the following a bit puzzling. When Cubs’ pitcher Carlos Zambrano recently started yelling at his teammates after a tough first inning, he was sent home by the manager. In the old days, if the manager and general manager determined that a player should be suspended for bad judgment, they would call him into the office and give him the news. It took several days for the final word on Zambrano’s punishment to become known. The Cubs had to consult with Major League Baseball and the players’ union before making the announcement. Meanwhile, he is still under contract that pays him tens of millions of dollars and if the Cubs made the tough decision to drop him from the squad, they would still be liable for that salary for the remainder of the year. Two questions come from this: when did we begin allowing the inmates to run the prison? And, do you suppose if there was a salary cap of maybe $2 million per year per player it would cost less than $300 to purchase a seat in the best part of the ball park?
  • Here’s a general baseball question: I know it’s not politically correct to say anything about races, but a fan would have to be blind not to notice the number of Latin American players in pro baseball. I am certainly not in favor to limit the number of foreign-born players in Major League baseball. The best guys should play, regardless of their race or ethnic background. My question is, what is it going to take to get more players born in the United States on pro baseball rosters? I suspect that we are a victim of our own prosperity. The dedicated athletes are generally multi-sport stars in high school and may not eat, drink and breathe baseball like the kids do in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

That’s about all the questions that come to mind for now – unless somebody can tell me why the Cubs can’t get into the World Series when they have such a talented roster year after year. The first person that figures that out deserves a deep-dish pizza and an Old Style.

By Jeanne Duffy

Belle Plaine Community Development Director

The song, “I Love A Rainy Night”  keeps dancing through my thoughts these days as I love this weather.  I realize it is not a farmer’s dream.  However, I now realize why Midwesterners listen intently for the day’s forecast.  We didn’t care in Arizona.  There is no difference between 100 and 115 degrees.  Just hot and hotter.

With the Fourth of July approaching, I am reminded why we can celebrate, thanks to the many men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom.  Leaving family, home and entering a foreign land so we can enjoy the comforts of home.  While 4^th of July fliers do not mention this event around 8:30 p.m. at Franklin Park, after the raffle and before the fireworks, Belle Plaine’s  Military Support Group will be honoring ALL active military and veterans alike from Belle Plaine and surrounding areas. Please try to be there a little early.  You just need to show up to be recognized.  If you have served or are serving, please congregate around the ball diamond, so that the support group can recognize your service.  All gave some and some gave all.  Therefore, we also honor those who gave their lives so we can be free.

When June rolls around, hardcore pro football fans begin to get the itch. They may try to have their thirsts quelled with arena football. But with just under two months left until that first preseason game, the publishers of sports guides are trying to strike while the iron is hot with pro and college football guides.

It has been my tradition to latch onto one or two of these publications and check out those inflated preseason rosters. Each of the NFL teams publish a list of returning pros, their draft choices and perhaps some others who have been invited to try out for the team. There may be 75 or more players on these early lists. By early September, the squads will be pared by about 33 percent to the number allowed on the active roster.

Of the more than 2,000 men who harbor dreams of making that final NFL roster, it’s always interesting to me to see how many of them played their college ball in Iowa. This summer, there are 53 former collegians with Iowa ties on pro rosters from five colleges.

I’ve never been one to put much stock in the annual Iowa-Iowa State rivalry debate. I am first a Hawkeye fan, but also hope Iowa State and UNI do well. But it’s tough to argue who has the most successful program in the state when you consider that of those 53 players who played college ball in Iowa, 36 of them played for the Hawkeyes. Nine played at Iowa State, six were at UNI and Drake and Coe each have one veteran on a pro roster this summer.

There are 10 rookies from the state who are seeking full-time football employment, but there are also six players who have been in the league at least 10 years.

Seven NFL teams have no players with Iowa ties on these early rosters. Minnesota has the most with five and Baltimore, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville each have four.

A lot can happen in the nearly three months before the start of the regular season. Players will be cut, others will join other teams. But here’s a look at where some of your favorites have landed so far this year, with the player’s name followed by his position, years in the league and school:

Arizona Cardinals

Kenny Iwebema DE 3 Iowa

Brandon Keith T 3 UNI

Atlanta Falcons

Jonathan Babineaux DT 6 Iowa

Rob Bruggeman C 1 Iowa

Baltimore Ravens

Billy Cundiff K 6 Drake

Bryan Matteson G 2 Iowa

Marcus Paschal DB 2 Iowa

Marshal Yanda T 4 Iowa

Buffalo Bills

Kyle Calloway G 0 Iowa

Fred Jackson RB 4 Coe

Carolina Panthers

Jason Baker P 10 Iowa

Charles Godfrey S 3 Iowa

Chicago Bears

Quentin Scott DB 0 UNI

Cincinnati Bengals

Abdul Hodge LB 5 Iowa

Reggie Stephens C 0 Iowa State

Cleveland Browns

Derreck Robinson DE 4 Iowa

Ahtyba Rubin NT 3 Iowa State

Eric Steinbach G 8 Iowa

Seneca Wallace QB 8 Iowa State

Dallas Cowboys

NONE

Denver Broncos

Seth Olsen G 2 Iowa

Detroit Lions

Jared DeVries DE 12 Iowa

Amari Spievey DB 0 Iowa

Green Bay Packers

Bryan Bulaga T 0 Iowa

Houston Texans

Trey Stross WR 0 Iowa

Indianapolis Colts

Pat Angerer LB 0 Iowa

Dallas Clark TE 8 Iowa

Mitch King DT 1 Iowa

Bob Sanders SS 7 Iowa

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sean Considine SS 6 Iowa

Reggie Hayward DE 10 Iowa State

Aaron Kampman DT 9 Iowa

Brad Meester C 11 UNI

Kansas City Chiefs

Tony Moeaki TE 0 Iowa

Casey Wiegman C 15 Iowa

Miami Dolphins

Tim Dobbins LB 5 Iowa State

Minnesota Vikings

Chad Greenway OLB 5 Iowa

Marcus Hamilton WR 0 Iowa State

Sage Rosenfels QB 10 Iowa State

Benny Sapp DB 7 UNI

Albert Young RB 2 Iowa

New England Patriots

NONE

New Orleans Saints

NONE

New York Giants

Scott Chandler TE 3 Iowa

New York Jets

Shonn Greene RB 2 Iowa

Matt Kroul DT 1 Iowa

Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery G 7 Iowa

Brandon Myers TE 2 Iowa

Philadelphia Eagles

Ellis Hobbs DB 6 Iowa State

Austin Howard T 0 UNI

Pittsburgh Steelers

NONE

San Diego Chargers

Nate Kaeding K 7 Iowa

San Francisco 49ers

NONE

Seattle Seahawks

Colin Cole DT 8 Iowa

St. Louis Rams

Bradley Fletcher CB 2 Iowa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NONE

Tennessee Titans

NONE

Washington Redskins

Alvin Bowen LB 1 Iowa State

Chad Rinehart G 3 UNI

When June rolls around, hardcore pro football fans begin to get the itch. They may try to have their thirsts quelled with arena football. But with just under two months left until that first preseason game, the publishers of sports guides are trying to strike while the iron is hot with pro and college football guides.

It has been my tradition to latch onto one or two of these publications and check out those inflated preseason rosters. Each of the NFL teams publish a list of returning pros, their draft choices and perhaps some others who have been invited to try out for the team. There may be 75 or more players on these early lists. By early September, the squads will be pared by about 33 percent to the number allowed on the active roster.

Of the more than 2,000 men who harbor dreams of making that final NFL roster, it’s always interesting to me to see how many of them played their college ball in Iowa. This summer, there are 53 former collegians with Iowa ties on pro rosters from five colleges.

I’ve never been one to put much stock in the annual Iowa-Iowa State rivalry debate. I am first a Hawkeye fan, but also hope Iowa State and UNI do well. But it’s tough to argue who has the most successful program in the state when you consider that of those 53 players who played college ball in Iowa, 36 of them played for the Hawkeyes. Nine played at Iowa State, six were at UNI and Drake and Coe each have one veteran on a pro roster this summer.

There are 10 rookies from the state who are seeking full-time football employment, but there are also six players who have been in the league at least 10 years.

Seven NFL teams have no players with Iowa ties on these early rosters. Minnesota has the most with five and Baltimore, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville each have four.

A lot can happen in the nearly three months before the start of the regular season. Players will be cut, others will join other teams. But here’s a look at where some of your favorites have landed so far this year:

Arizona Cardinals

NAME POS EXP SCHOOL

Kenny Iwebema DE 3 Iowa

Brandon Keith T 3 UNI

Atlanta Falcons

Jonathan Babineaux DT 6 Iowa

Rob Bruggeman C 1 Iowa

Baltimore Ravens

Billy Cundiff K 6 Drake

Bryan Matteson G 2 Iowa

Marcus Paschal DB 2 Iowa

Marshal Yanda T 4 Iowa

Buffalo Bills

Kyle Calloway G 0 Iowa

Fred Jackson RB 4 Coe

Carolina Panthers

Jason Baker P 10 Iowa

Charles Godfrey S 3 Iowa

Chicago Bears

Quentin Scott DB 0 UNI

Cincinnati Bengals

Abdul Hodge LB 5 Iowa

Reggie Stephens C 0 Iowa State

Cleveland Browns

Derreck Robinson DE 4 Iowa

Ahtyba Rubin NT 3 Iowa State

Eric Steinbach G 8 Iowa

Seneca Wallace QB 8 Iowa State

Dallas Cowboys

NONE

Denver Broncos

Seth Olsen G 2 Iowa

Detroit Lions

Jared DeVries DE 12 Iowa

Amari Spievey DB 0 Iowa

Green Bay Packers

Bryan Bulaga T 0 Iowa

Houston Texans

Trey Stross WR 0 Iowa

Indianapolis Colts

Pat Angerer LB 0 Iowa

Dallas Clark TE 8 Iowa

Mitch King DT 1 Iowa

Bob Sanders SS 7 Iowa

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sean Considine SS 6 Iowa

Reggie Hayward DE 10 Iowa State

Aaron Kampman DT 9 Iowa

Brad Meester C 11 UNI

Kansas City Chiefs

Tony Moeaki TE 0 Iowa

Casey Wiegman C 15 Iowa

Miami Dolphins

Tim Dobbins LB 5 Iowa State

Minnesota Vikings

Chad Greenway OLB 5 Iowa

Marcus Hamilton WR 0 Iowa State

Sage Rosenfels QB 10 Iowa State

Benny Sapp DB 7 UNI

Albert Young RB 2 Iowa

New England Patriots

NONE

New Orleans Saints

NONE

New York Giants

Scott Chandler TE 3 Iowa

New York Jets

Shonn Greene RB 2 Iowa

Matt Kroul DT 1 Iowa

Oakland Raiders

Robert Gallery G 7 Iowa

Brandon Myers TE 2 Iowa

Philadelphia Eagles

Ellis Hobbs DB 6 Iowa State

Austin Howard T 0 UNI

Pittsburgh Steelers

NONE

San Diego Chargers

Nate Kaeding K 7 Iowa

San Francisco 49ers

NONE

Seattle Seahawks

Colin Cole DT 8 Iowa

St. Louis Rams

Bradley Fletcher CB 2 Iowa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NONE

Tennessee Titans

NONE

Washington Redskins

Alvin Bowen LB 1 Iowa State

Chad Rinehart G 3 UNI

By Jeanne Duffy

BP Community Development Executive Director

This week I decided there must be a secret society in Belle Plaine with a challenge to see who can create the most beautiful yard with gorgeous flowers, nicely mowed yards and patriotic additions.  Such a welcome  relief without 115 degree Phoenix weather and while your plants wilt, you sadly blow leaves off  your rock yard. Yes, I love rainstorms, thunder, and windy days.  We’ll address snow much later in the year.

Here is a great opportunity. We would like to get a day care started in Belle Plaine.  This is not meant to put any babysitters who work out of their home out of business but more like perhaps two or three home sitters who’d like to join in and work jointly with others to add a much needed business to our town.  Space is leasing only. It would be certified by the state and have many amenities which are sometime difficult to organize if one person is doing it all.  In fact, there is a potential of two buildings I can think of that could be used for this purpose. Just an idea that could easily become a reality.  If you are interested, please call me at 319-434-6481.

We can share ideas.