Around Town November 26, 2013

Russell Sportsmen’s Club Yearly Report 

Russell Sportsmen’s Club held the Annual Member Meeting November 18, 2013 .

President Ted Williams opened the meeting. The 20 members present were Andy Brink, Duane Bedford, Curt Catron, Paul Goldsmith, Christopher Holtzinger, Dean Jones, Jon Lund, Steve Mikesell, Tim Miller, Dan Morrett, Dr. Randall, Mark Richardson, Ed Scheel, Bob Sims, Stan Steenhoek, Richard Stickley, Jeff Wesley, Ted Williams, Sue Williams, and Jim Wooley.

Jon Lund reported on the progress of starting a High School trap team. 

A DNR range development specialist will inspect the property this month to give advice on a longer rifle range. Jim Wooley thanked the Club for providing youth firearms programs and presented a check for $350 from Pheasants Forever to cover the cost of the 2014 youth events. 

Mark Richardson, Scoutmaster of Troop 149, noted that the Boy Scouts used the range this month and thanked the Club for the use of the range and lodge and for their tradition of supporting Scouting.

The election of Officers and Board; President: Ted Williams Vice-president: VernVogel Secretary/Treasurer: Dan Morrett.

At Large Board Members: Curt Catron, Paul Goldsmith, Jon Lund, Steve Mikesell, Rick Moore, Stan Steenhoek, and Sue Williams.

Submitted by Dan Morrett, secretary/treasurer. 

Community Club Summary

The campground has closed for the season, but we are still working on getting a dump station installed at the campground. 

We were so pleased with the participation for trunk or treat and are looking forward to coming up with more fun ideas to draw the community together.

We are very pleased that we have had new members join in the last couple of months and look forward to having more new members join. Just a little reminder how the club works. This is not a club that you have to be asked to join. Anyone with an interest in Russell is welcome to join. With more members we have more ideas and that works out to be more good things we can do for our community. If anyone is interested or has questions they can talk with any club member or call Deb at 641-203-0681.

Russell Volunteer Firemen

Chariton Leader, November 5, 2013

Sharon Knebel, Staff Writer

Russell Volunteer firemen have 542 years of Accumulated Service

The Russell Fire Department currently has 30 dedicated volunteers who have accumulated 542 years of fighting fires and saving lives as first responders.  The Department averages 70 to 80 calls a year.  About half are grass and other fires.  The other half are EMT/First Responder calls for health emergencies.  The most recent fire extinguished by the Department was the kitchen fire at the Russell Sale Barn.

In addition to answering 911 calls, the members are busy throughout the year raising money for their various needs.  Expanding the facility has been the focus of fundraising for the last few years.  Two years ago the work began with the pouring of the cement floor.  Last year the shell of the building was erected.  This year work has begun on the inside, including electric, heating, insulation and liner steel.

Three grant awards from South Central Iowa Community Foundation helped with funding the expansion.  The Department also held a cook-off at the Fall Festival, held their annual ham supper in April and conducted several raffles throughout the year.

Department Officers:  Craig Alexander, Fire Chief; Brian Beaty, Assistant Chief; Jeff Neer, Captain; Mark McCurdy, Lieutenant; Chris Feehan, EMS Captain; Corey Paige, Secretary and Shawn Werts, Treasurer.

Wilma Reynolds Obituary

Our dear friend Wilma Reynolds passed away on November 7. We will miss her very much.

Wilma Ruth Reynolds

Wednesday April 10, 1918 - Thursday November 7, 2013

Visitation: 4-6 p.m., Sunday, November 10, 2013

Fielding Funeral Home Chariton, IA

Service: 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 11, 2013

Fielding Funeral Home Chariton, IA

Interment: Russell Cemetery

Russell, IA

Go to the obituary page for a complete Obituary.    http://russellobituaries.blogspot.com/

Around Town - November 12

Around Town

Garbage pickup for November 28 (Thanksgiving) will be on Saturday, November 30. 

Congratulations to Council member winners; Susan Beecher, Dana Blue and Crystal Moore.

A familiar face is missing from the bank in Russell.  We thank her for her service to the community and the friendly place she provided.  Deb is still visible  in the community and her smiling face now appears at Last Chance. 

More pictures and write-up of the Truck or Treat event is available on the Russell blog

russelliowahistoricalsociety.blogspot.com

Abbreviated Council minutes

The 1^st reading of an ordinance establishing animal control for the city of Russell

was approved. 

Areas concerning property owners was discussed. A resident has a week to clean up area and if no improvement is made then charges will be filed. Jeff will  talk to other property owners of  concern.

Streets -  Research will be done on pricing a snow blade for the city pickup.

Water/wastewater - Several leaks have been identified and fixed.

When weather warms next spring it will be determined if any repairs need to be made on the Community building siding.

Jay will talk with transportation officials at the school about the issue of school buses unloading in an unsafe ares across the tracks.

The Community Club has decided to put an RV dump at the south end of the campground.

The Mayor is to proceed with obtaining information about the property donation at 803 S Prairie.

Council members in attendance were Duane Bedford, Jeremy Blue, Jay Pierschbacher, Don Sellers, Wayne Riggs along with Mayor Ed Scheel and City Clerk Wendy Nickell. Also attending were city employee Larry Mitchell, Fire Chief Craig Alexander. Visitors were Craig Gooder and Jim Neer.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Around Town Nov 5th

City Council Elections today- Be sure to vote today for three City Council members.  Hours are from  noon-8 p.m.  Russell residents in the running are Craig Gooder, Crystal Moore, Dana Blue and Susan Beecher.

We send best wishes to Lynne Wilson as she has moved to Arizona to be with family.  Also thanks for being instrumental in her many hours of work, developing the indexing system for the Russell Historical Society and other computer instruction. She will still be doing the Russell Blog.

If you have been by 803 S. Prairie, you may have noticed the former old Garland Pyle house has been torn down and the lot leveled. Another part of history gone. 

Trunk or Treat Event

           

On a October cold and windy afternoon, the Russell Community Club held its first Trunk or Treat Event at the Russell Trojan Campground . There were approximate 20 trunks opened up and full of candy, pop, and etc. to be given away to any child who wanted to come down and go Trick or Treating. At one count there were over 40 kids who did just that. They were then divided up into age groups and judged. Prizes were given to the first three winners in each age group. 

All of a sudden a red pick-up came pulling into the campground, driven by two strange looking gentlemen and a terrible sound coming from a beast that was caged in the back and wanting out. The kids gathered around this pick-up to see if they could get a closer look at what was in the cage and all of a sudden the back window of the pick-up flew up and the beast stuck his head out and the kids scattered. The beast was finally secured back in the cage and left the campground. There were hay rides going on, hot dogs, drinks, and cupcakes were enjoyed by all. Be sure and watch the Russell News in October 2014 for another Trunk or Treat Event and to see if they will be able to contain the Beast until then.