Russell, A Smokin' Place to Be, Sept 14

The Russell Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor its 3rd Annual BEST IN SMOKE BBQ competition on Saturday, September 14th at the Russell Bandstand City Park.  There is one entry fee for chicken, pork, ribs, pork or beef brisket and another entry fee for desserts.  KCBS rules will be used with certified judges.  
Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded.
Dessert Judging at 2:00 p.m.; with BBQ judging at 3:00 p.m.; parade (Grand Marshall TBA) at 4:00 p.m.; Garden Tractor Pulls at 4:30 p.m.; Free-will donation dinner at the Fire Station at 5:00 p.m.; Henry .22 Golden Boy Rifle Raffle Drawing at 6:00 p.m.; Announcement of the BBQ Winners at the Bandstand at 6:30 p.m.; Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party & Street Dance with Band "More Than This" performing at 9:00 p.m.  Fireworks at Last Chance at 10:00 p.m.  For more information  contact Shawn at 641-203-3164 or emai:
russellbestinsmoke@gmail.com

Russell Museum/Library

The Russell Museum/Library is looking for an individual to serve as a board member.  Meetings are once a month and occasionally will be asked to participate in other activities such as fund raising and decision making.  Contact Wanda at 535-4631.

Fire Dept Competition

Come and watch our firemen practice in front of the Fire Station for the upcoming Firemen's Competition at the State Volunteer Convention which will take place in Vinton/Garrison area on September 7th.  Each night through the week they set up their targets and begin aiming their hoses toward them.  Then the countdown begins.  There are lots of "ooo's", "aaah's", and "yeah's" from the spectators as the water shoots from the hoses.  Kids are taking advantage of the water streaming high in the air by running through the falling water.
Out thanks again as they quietly and faithfully keep our citizens protected.

Wayside Garden of the Month for August

Russell Wayside Garden Club has chosen the Gerald & Cindy Briggs home as the August Yard of the Month.  The front yard has many beautiful Hibiscus and Cana Lily flowers in bloom.  There are also several attractive flower beds around the yard.

First Baptist Church Evening Kids Club

The First Baptist Church is starting a Wednesday evening kids club called Kids4Truth.  Like VBS, it will have a lesson time, games, crafts and snacks as well as weekly opportunities for kids to earn awards.  It will run with the school year (August 28-May 28) and go from 6:30 - 8 p.m. with an option for younger children to leave at 7:20.  Parents may call Emily at 515-249-6651 to pre-register or arrive at 6:15 p.m. on any club night to register their children.  Kids are welcome to join the club at any point in the year.

Russell City Council Meeting Aug 5th

Council members present were: Wayne Riggs, Duane Bedford, Jay Pierschbacher, and Jeremy Blue, and Mayor Ed Scheel, City Clerk Wendy Nickell. Don Sellers was Absent. Others present were Fire Chief Craig Alexander, Police Chief Jeff Johnson, and city employee Larry Mitchell. Visitors were Justin and Amber Fitzgerald, Craig Gooder and Steve Pollard.

A Federal grant will allow an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to be placed in the Russell Community Building. The Education coordinator at the hospital will take care of checking it every month for 3 years. Then it can be placed at a different site if the city so desires. CPR classes will be offered to the public free of charge to any one that wants to become certified. A representative from the FD will attend an informational meeting concerning the AED on August 12 at LCHC.

Russell's current dog ordinance is drafted after Chariton's previous ordinance. Since the City of Chariton has recently made changes and implemented a new ordinance, Russell's Mayor brought this to the attention of the our council and passed around Chariton's new ordinance for the council to consider.

It will now cost $100 plus the cost of the water for the Fire Department to fill any pools. All payment must be made in advance before pools will be filled.

Repair work on the streets continues, with additional water repair to be done near Hundley Tire/Auto. Larry is now certified to do water and waste-water tests monthly along with the reports. Zach Bedford's contract for that will be dissolved on October 1.

The next Council meeting will be on Thursday September 12 at 7 p.m. (Note change of usual date).

2013 Lucas County 4-H Fair Queen

Congratulations, Madison Briggs, rural Russell girl who 

has become the 2013 Lucas County 4-H Fair Queen

Madison is the daughter of Kevin and Kerri Briggs.  She has two brothers, Chandler and Calvin Briggs.

She has had an active involvement in both FLBA and FFA.  She was the local treasurer for FFA for 2011-2012 and reporter/historian for 2012-2013.

Madison has also been involved in 4-H youth council for three years and currently serves on 4-H and Youth Committee.  Last year she attended the 4-H State Leadership Conference at Iowa State.

When Madison was asked why did she want to be the Lucas County Fair Queen she responded, "I think this would be a great way to be able to spread the message of the importance of 4-H in Lucas County.  As Lucas County Fair Queen I will fulfill all my responsibilities, be reliable and will show others the importance of 4-H and what it is about.