SIMPCO presents awards to Plymouth County community leaders
The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) held their annual meeting and awards ceremony last week at the Akron Golf Club in Akron, with three local Plymouth County community leaders honored with the Community Leader Award.
Le Mars community development director Mark Gaul, Akron city administrator Dan Rolfes, and Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief Dave Schipper all received the honor, which recognizes exceptional leadership, advocacy, and impact on the Siouxland region. SIMPCO executive director Michelle Bostinelos told KLEM that Gaul was honored thanks to his work with SIMPCO on several different projects.
Bostinelos says Rolfes was honored for his work with SIMPCO in different roles with the city of Akron.
Bostinelos says outgoing Fire Chief Schipper was honored due to his role with the Local Emergency Planning Commission.
Hinton mayor Kelly Kreber and Kingsley councilmember Keith Bohle both received the Outstanding Support Award during the meeting, while the city of Akron was honored as the Community of the Year. Congratulations to all recipients!
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ISU Extension, Le Mars YMCA team up for new Adaptive Pig Pals program
The Le Mars Area YMCA and Iowa State Extension in Plymouth County are teaming up for a new Adaptive Pig Pals program for those with special needs ahead of this year’s Plymouth County Fair.
The program is open to anyone with special needs who wants to learn how to work with show pigs. Participants will be paired with volunteers, who will guide them through pig handling, showmanship, and interacting with judges in front of a live audience. Participants will first work with smaller animals before being able to show pigs on one of the state’s biggest stages in the Plymouth County Fair.
Free registration for the program is still open online at lemarsymca.org; sessions will be held every Monday from 5:15-6pm starting this Monday, June 29th through July 27th, with show times at the fair still to be determined. For more information about the program, contact the YMCA by calling 712-546-6655.
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