Home News Wednesday News – July 20, 2022

Wednesday News – July 20, 2022

Wednesday’s News

The People’s Choice

The People’s Choice Tourism Award traveled to its new home at the Well’s Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor Tuesday. Mike Wells, CEO of Wells Enterprises, accepted the award and talked about the impact of the Visitor Center & Parlor and the four million dollar renovation back in 2019.

Wells also complimented Shannon Rodenburg, Senior Manager at the Wells Visitor Center for her marketing skills and for the nomination. The award was presented by Katie Kenne of the Iowa Tourism office, who along Jessica O’Riley, Tourism Communications manager attended the event. To celebrate the award and National Ice Cream Month, the trophy was filled with Blue Bunny® Bunny Tracks ice cream.

 

150 Year Celebration

Do you know how the city of Merrill Iowa got its name? Merrill was named in 1872 for the seventh Governor of Iowa, Samuel Merrill. Speaking of 1872, Merrill celebrates its 150th birthday this Friday and Saturday (July 22 and 23.) In honor of this historic anniversary, a commemorative wooden cross is available for purchase. Vicky Hemmelman, who serves on the celebration committee, tells about this souvenir………

Merrill Daze Schedule:

Friday, July 22

Car Show & Shine 5 p.m. start- Kissinger Center, lower level

Ice Cream Social 5-7 p.m. Kissinger Gym (Both Churches hosting)

Plymouth County Pork Producers 5-7 p.m. Ballfield Concession Stand (4-H Club serving)

Bouncy Houses 3-7 p.m Kissinger Center

 

Saturday, July 23

Kids Bicycle Parade/Large Parade 9 a.m./8:15 a.m. line-up (Start at the Fire Station)

Tractor Show following parade

BBQ Cook-off Competition 9 a.m. start (Town Square, Main Street)

Vendor Fair 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Kissinger Center/Lower Level (Concession by Girl Scouts)

Bouncy Houses 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kissinger Center

Carol’s Kitchen Upper Level Kissinger

Street Dance featuring Ben Grillet 7-10 p.m. Downtown, Main Street

 

 

RAGBRAI

Several thousand bicycle riders, their families, and support people are beginning to arrive in Sergeant Bluff for RAGBRAI, The Des Moines Register’s annual great bike ride across Iowa. Andrea Johnson of the Sergeant Bluff City Council is on the city’s RAGBRAI committee.

Johnson says the town has been preparing for the last several months, including putting up a new brick entryway welcome sign over the city’s main street.

Starting at noon Saturday, there will be a variety of musical entertainment for the riders, and Johnson hopes everyone will give them a big sendoff as they start pedaling across the state.

It’s the 49th anniversary of RAGBRAI and the first time Sergeant Bluff has been the starting point since 2006.

 

Doon Man Sentenced

A Doon man was sentenced earlier this week for the crime of Reckless Homicide by Vehicle, a Class C felony. 28 year old Seth Thomas DeJong was sentenced to an indeterminate term of incarceration, not to exceed ten years. He was immediately taken into custody. The Court also ordered DeJong to pay $150,000 to the victim’s estate. The case arose in September of 2021, after DeJong drank alcohol during and after a golf outing in Hull, striking and killing a bicyclist with his van.