Honduras Bound To Build Homes
(Le Mars) — 32 people from the Le Mars area left on Ash Wednesday with the destination of Honduras. It’s all part of what is titled “Project Paul” in honor of Paul Langel, who passed away in September of 2015. Father Kevin Richter of the All Saints Parish, is one of those volunteers traveling to the Central
American nation. He says friends and family are traveling to Honduras to fulfill Paul Langel’s dream and legacy by building four homes.
Richter says the group will be in Honduras for a week. He says Paul Langel was one of the first people to participate on the Honduras Missionary trips, many
years ago.
Father Richter says there are several references in the Bible about carpenters and carpentry, including Jesus Christ started as a carpenter. Richter says the
jobs will provide spiritual fulfillment.
Each of the participants were fitted with a green t-shirt with the lettering “Nailed It” calling attention to the “Project Paul” housing construction program.
The participants were presented with a cross made with nails from the old St. Joseph Church along with a personalized hammer with their name inscribed. In a send-off ceremony that followed the noon Mass at St. James Church, Father Richter
blessed the hammers and the people who will be using them. The Catholic priest talks about the homes that will be built and will serve as shelter for four needed families.
Richter says the area of Honduras for “Project Paul” is familiar territory to many who have previously traveled to the poverty-stricken nation. It is the same region that receives the packaged meals “Then Just Feed One”, and the Gehlen-Honduras missionaries. Richter says the coordination of the trip is being handled by Richard Sievers and his brother, Francis, who also assist with the Gehlen-Honduras missions. Richter says he doesn’t foresee any problems with the construction and completion of the four designated homes that are to be built.
Richter says the organized trip is a fitting way and a nice tribute to Paul’s life.
Gehlen Catholic To Hold Town Hall Meeting
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic will be hosting a town hall meeting scheduled for tonight. The meeting is for community leaders, parishioners, alumni, staff, and past and present parents. Gehlen Catholic school’s Long Range Strategic Planning Committee will share its findings and ask stakeholders for their input as Gehlen
Catholic school enhances its strategies to advance the school’s mission in the next five years.
Fire and Rescue Department Issues February Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department is reporting they responded to a total of 34 calls during the month of February. The break-down, according to Chief Dave Schipper, is the fire and rescue department were called to four
fires, seven rescues, ten different investigations or accident clean-ups, 12 requests for services, and one mutual aid call to Merrill.
Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee Seeking Donations For Round Barn Agricultural Educational Display
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee is currently accepting monetary donations for the popular exhibit “aROUND the farm in the BARN”. For the past three years, the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee has been working with the Plymouth County Fair Board to feature an agricultural educational exhibit inside the famous round barn during the five days of the Plymouth County Fair.
During the course of the exhibit, thousands of attendees to the Plymouth County Fair have visited the famous round barn to witness the agricultural educational exhibit. The display has featured various photos, videos, information, and interactive exhibits showcasing Plymouth County agriculture, conservation, farm safety, and various agricultural processing industries within Plymouth County.
“More and more people are becoming generations removed from production agriculture. That is even true for a rural community like Le Mars and Plymouth County”, commented Cole Sitzmann, Vice President of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. “Our local economy, and many local jobs, depend heavily upon agriculture. For this reason, it is important to secure the continued success of the agricultural educational display inside the famous round barn”, said Sitzmann.
“The Chamber Ag Committee has had a number of individuals and companies in the past step forward and show their support for this important project”, said Sitzmann. “The Chamber Ag Committee has certainly appreciated the financial support of the past sponsors. We (the Chamber Agriculture Committee) also have had several people inquire as to how they may be able to help with future exhibitions,” said Sitzmann.
“The Chamber Agriculture Committee welcomes donations of any amount. Donations will be to assist with updating and improving of the exhibit”, said Sitzmann.
People and businesses interested in contributing to the continued success of the agricultural educational display should send their donation to the attention of the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce, 50 Central Avenue SE, Le Mars, Iowa 51031. Checks should be made out to Chamber Ag Committee.
Ihrke Appointed To Serve On State Optometry Board
(Des Moines) — Governor Terry Branstad has named a Le Mars eye doctor to the State Board of Optometry. Dr. Scott Ihrke has been asked to serve in that capacity.
Branstad Selects Former Legislators For Board of Regents
(Des Moines) — Governor Branstad is appointing a couple of EX-state legislators to serve on the panel that governs the three state-supported universities.
One spot on the Board of Regents opened up when Bruce Rastetter, the board president, announced in early February he would not seek another term. The governor on Tuesday selected three people to the nine-member board. They include
Nancy Boettger (BUT-gur), a former Republican state senator from Harlan, and Nancy Dunkel, a Democrat from Dyersville who served one term in the Iowa House.
Branstad is reappointing Sherry Bates of Scranton to the Board of Regents. Current Regent Katie Mulholland had also sought reappointment to the board, but she was left OFF the governor’s list. Branstad’s regent appointments must be confirmed by the Iowa Senate.
