Home News Thursday News, June 18

Thursday News, June 18

Second Day Of Ice Cream Days

(Le Mars) — Today marks the second day of Ice Cream Days, and Brad Pick with the Chamber’s Ice Cream Day Organizing Committee says there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sweet treat that made Le Mars famous. Pick suggests people check out the Plymouth County Historical Museum during the afternoon and enjoy an old fashion root beer float.

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Speaking about the Primebank Ice Cream Social, the Thursday evening event is always popular.

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Pick says the Le Mars Art Center will host a program allowing attendees to do some creative painting.

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Fire Department Receives Equipment For Grain Rescues

(Le Mars) — A man is caught in a grain bin with the flowing grain pulling him down to the point he can’t move and continues to sink.  That’s the scenario the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department were performing during grain rescue procedures Wednesday evening as part of their weekly training program. The fire department was holding its training seminar at the Le Mars Agri-Center.  Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the department has had to deal with two similar rescues within the past five years, and thanks to a donation, the local fire department now has the proper equipment to rescue individuals from a grain flowing accident.

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Schipper says the fire and rescue department conducted five different grain rescue scenarios.

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The fire chief explains how the equipment is used to rescue individuals from suffocating grain.

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Schipper says “Flowing grain is like quick sand”.

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Public Television Personality Says Iowa Has Many “Hidden Treasures”

Le Mars) — Have you ever taken an out-of-the-way journey to explore and discover what can be referred to as “hidden treasures”?  Dan Kaercher (Car-archer) of Iowa Public Television fame spoke at the Le Mars Public Library Wednesday evening to a group of about 30 people. His presentation was part of the Ice Cream Days festivities.  Kaercher, the former editor of Midwest Living magazine, made his living visiting small towns, eating at little known diners and cafe’s, and sharing with his readers and television viewers about places that are typically off the beaten path, but offer a great experience.  He says he likes to collect travel brochures and guides, and visit those places that most people overlook.

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Kaercher says one of Iowa’s hidden treasures lies within Plymouth County’s backyard…the Loess Hills.  Kaercher shared with the group a video clip from his Iowa Public Television program focusing attention on the unique topography terrain.

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The Iowa traveler says the Loess Hills have an interesting history and story.

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Kaercher spoke about his love affair with different cultural and ethnic foods found in Iowa.  He highlighted Maytag Blue Cheese produced in Newton, and Dutch almond pastries found in both Pella and Orange City.

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Kaercher says its difficult for him to select his favorite place to visit, saying the answer would change from week to week.  However, besides the Loess Hills, and the cliffs that oversee the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa, he says he is particularly fond of Van Buren County located in the far southeast corner of Iowa.

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The former editor of Midwest Living says Le Mars has its share of “hidden treasures” including Archie’s Wayside, Bob’s Drive Inn, the round barn at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds, and of course the Blue Bunny ice cream parlor.