Ottumwa Courier Week 14

Easter Features

Brielle Williams, right,  holds onto a rabbit while shopping with her mom Kandi Tuesday at Orscheln Farm and Home. Kandi said at this time of year its important for people to know how to properly care for animals, like chicks and rabbits, that are frequently bought around Easter. “We have rabbits and other animals at home,” Kandi said. “We know how much love and care goes into keeping them happy and healthy.”

Robin Fine collects live chicks from a postal worker Tuesday at the Ottumwa Post Office. Any chicks used to stock a farm store must be purchased from a hatchery in that state and are shipped through the USPS. 

Robin Fine transfers chicks from their shipping box to the coops Tuesday at Orscheln Farm and Home. Fine said that all employees who care for the chicks during the season attended a chicken care seminar. This taught them how to care for the chicks while they are still in the store and how to teach new chicken owners what all they will need for the chicks in their new home. 

Orscheln Farm and Home have begun to stock their store with chicks and ducks as the spring season begins. The birds are brought in to fill various categories from meat birds to egg layers. Fine said that it is important that people buying chicks know how to properly care for them. “It is not just an easter present,” Fine said. “These are living animals and they need to be cared for throughout their lives.”

Kids participate in an egg roll competition Saturday on the American Gothic House lawn in Eldon. Families were invited to come and participate in easter themed events and make crafts. They also had the opportunity to dress up and pose in front of the house or take a photo with the easter bunny. 

The American Gothic House easter bunny waits for the next family to take a portrait with  Saturday during their Easter celebrations. Families visiting the American Gothic House had the opportunity to hunt for eggs, make crafts and compete in an egg roll race. 

Features/Sports

Cardinal High School and Elementary School students participate in a horse care demonstration Thursday during Agriculture Day. The event included various demonstrations from bee keeping to raising cattle. Students and community members volunteered to being in livestock and farm equipment for the day. 

Cardinal Elementary School second graders feed a goat Thursday during Agriculture Day. The students learned about farm life at various stations and were introduced to livestock including goats, cows, horses, farm birds and rabbits. Many of the older students who are involved in the Future Farmers of America program used the event to show off their year long projects. 

Lucas Lunsford, center, helps Wyatt Barwick, left, and Chase Spillmen dig a hole for a tree Thursday at Ottumwa Park. The planting was organized by Lunsford as his Eagle Scout project. “We are helping out the parks department,” Lunsford said. “They had lost a lot of trees from bugs and drought, so we are trying to restock the parks with trees.” The group of scouts planted 30 trees including oaks and crab apples.

Gaven Dostal returns the ball Thursday during the Ottumwa boys tennis match.

Ottumwa athlete attempts the high jump Tuesday during the Don Newell Invitational.