Wedding Shenanigans

I am by no means a wedding photographer. But moments like this make shooting a wedding absolutely fantastic.

View fullsize

Ottumwa Courier Week 10

Features

Corbin Grace pitches a ball Wednesday during little league tryouts. The boys, ages 10 through 12, practiced catching, throwing, running bases and pitching while being observed by coaches and parents. 

Kaidon Jones catches a ball Wednesday during little league tryouts. The tryouts have been going since Monday and all the players will know if they made the team or not by Friday.

Children preform during a dress rehearsal of Blather, Blarney and Balderdash Tuesday at the Bridge View Center. The play is put on by the Ottumwa Community Children's Playhouse which includes kids ages 5 to 15. “It will be a great show,” Becky Ingle said. “Some how it always works out by Friday night.”

Heartland Humane Society

Last Saturday afternoon I spent a couple hours at the Heartland Humane Society taking photos of the adoptable dogs. This no-kill shelter takes in dozens of dogs and cats and tries to find them forever homes. The stories of these dogs range from years of living as strays to being surrendered by their owners who can no longer care for them. These are just a few of the beautiful faces of the dogs there.

Ottumwa Courier Week 9

Wapello Rising 

     An Ottumwa figurehead was put back in its rightful place Thursday after being out of commission for almost two years. The 14-foot tall statue depicting the image of a Fox Tribe leader, Chief Wapello, was damaged in a wind storm in 2012 and broken in half after falling off the court house. 

    The statue has looked over Ottumwa from the top of the court house since the late 1800’s and can be seen from almost any point in town. A crowd of around 100 people gathered on the street across from the courthouse to see “The Chief” put back in place.

Features

Rece Budde, a fourth grader, experiments with bubbles Tuesday during the iExplore STEM event at IHCC. The booth, named “bubbleology”, explored the math and science ideas around bubbles and how to manipulate them.

Freddy Miranda celebrates a soccer goal with his son Logan Friday at the Indian Hills soccer field. Miranda, who works at the College, said it was a great day have classes off and to be outside. 

Distinguished Young Women of Iowa Pageant

Ten high school seniors competed in the Distinguished Young Women of Iowa Pageant Saturday at the Bridge View Center. Alexandra Grady, of Iowa City, accepted her award as the first place winner of the scholarship competition. The ten participants competed in various events including self expression, talent and fitness categories.

Ottumwa Courier Week 8

Preparing for the Worst 

Participants in the Indian Hills Fire School weekend use the jaws of life to cut off the top of a school bus Saturday at the Rural Emergency Services Training Center. Firefighters learned various rescue techniques throughout the weekend class.

A firefighter looks over the scene of a simulated bus accident Saturday during Fire School. The participants of the class did everything from securing the bus to taking out windows in order to help the victims of the accident. 

Firefighters attempt to rescue an injured firefighter Sunday during a simulated Rapid Intervention Team class. The participants had to maneuver around a building with very low visibility in an class aimed at teaching them how to rescue an injured or trapped firefighter. 

     A quick glance at the scene at Indian Hills North Campus this weekend may have looked like a horrible traffic accident. A bus was turned on its side and cars were crushed under semi trucks. But the sounds of laughter and instruction soon calmed the mind and brought forth the realization that this is just a training exercise. 

    Indian Hills Fire School kicked off Saturday with 25 participants from 18 different fire departments gathering at the Rural Emergency Services Training Center to participate in specialized rescue classes. 

    “The indian hills fire school has a long standing tradition of bringing good training to the local responders around here,” Mitch Nordmeyer, Butler County Emergency Management Director and Professional Rescue Innovations instructor, said. 

    The firefighters participated in school bus rescue, big rig stabilization and RIT, or rapid intervention team, classes. The classes are aimed at training the firefighters in situations that they may not have access to otherwise. As can be imagined it would not be cheap to get a school bus or a semi truck for training. But in this case the vehicles are donated specifically for the weekend training. The school bus was donated by the Eddyville Blacksburg School District and it was used to its fullest potential. 

    “A lot of the time we don’t have the opportunity to work with truck trailers and tractor trailers, this gives us an opportunity to work with some equipment that we have never got to work with before,” Chief Steve Gerard said.

    The school bas was tipped on its side and the fire fighters went to work doing everything they would do in a real life accident situation to rescue the victims of the crash. They stabilized the bus, took out the windows, cut a hole in the roof and took out sets in preparation for removing the people trapped in the bus. The big rig exercise was aimed at securing the scene and lifting the trailer off of the car in order to recuse anyone trapped within. These classes focused on helping victims at the scene of an accident, but in some situations the firefighters end up needing some rescue. This is were the RIT class came into play. 

    “Inside our fire building we have RIT classes that help the firefighters practice maneuvering in a smoke filled environment and through obstacles that they might encounter in an attic space or a crawl space,” Lori Reeves, Department Chair of the Health Occupations Division at Indian Hills, said.

    Rapid Intervention Team classes involve teaching the firefighters how to rescue a fellow firefighter in distress. The participants had wax paper lining their masks to simulate what a smoke filled room would look like. They then had to make their way through the house and various obstacles to rescue a fellow firefight that may have been injured or trapped. 

    “This is just a fantastic weekend to prepare these firefighters for what’s out there,” Nordmeyer said. “Every emergency call is different and we want to make sure they know what to do to save lives.”

Ash Wednesday 

Father Bernie rubs ashes on the forehead of a child Wednesday during the Ash Wednesday service at St. Mary’s. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of lent, a period of fasting or abstinence which usually involves giving up something that you need or want until Easter. The ashes used are made from burning the palms used in the previous years Palm Sunday service. 

Most Reverend Martin Amos Bishop of Davenport talks with a member of the congregation Wednesday after the Ash Wednesday service at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Bishop lead the service for the congregation members and the Seton Catholic School students.

A congregation member sits in silence after having ashes rubbed on her head to celebrate Ash Wednesday.

Features/Sports

Asa Hedgecock, left, and Rowdy Short watch a model train go by Saturday during the Great River Railroad Club collector train show and swap meet at the Quincy Place Mall. The event drew in crowds of all ages, including train enthusiasts and curious mall goers.

Freshman player Jordan Washington shoots the ball Thursday during the IHCC mens basketball game.

IHCC mens basketball payers celebrate Thursday after a 115-91 win against North Dakota State College of Science.

Robert Aszman washes his new car Tuesday at a self serve carwash. Aszman said he has been waiting for a nice day to get his car looking clean again. “It’s a pretty new car so I want to take good care of it,” Aszman said.

Ottumwa Courier Week 7

A Brighter Outlook 

    The outlook is looking a little brighter everyday for the animals rescued from a Drakesville home Friday. Over 300 living animals were taken from the property after a warrant was issued to search the home and a severe animal hoarding situation was uncovered. 

    The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Heartland Humane Society responded with authorities to the home to aid in the safe removal of the animals from the property. The ARL of Iowa brought around 300 animals, mostly livestock and exotics, to their shelter in Des Moines. 

    “We already have well over 100 animals out to foster homes,” William Wallace an ARL employee said. “We also have around 200 here at the shelter that are being given care and will be out to foster homes or adopted soon.”

    When the animals arrived at the shelter they were in various stages of health, with some needing more immediate care then others. The animals remaining at the shelter are receiving proper vaccinations and medical treatment and will be out to homes as soon as possible. 

    The animals not taken to the ARL were taken to the Heartland Humane Society. The live stock taken there has already been adopted out. An adult dog, adult cat and a kitten were also taken there. These animals have another week of observation and medical care and then will be available for adoption to a good home as well. 

Sydney Schermer, an Animal Rescue League of Iowa employee, comforts a young goat Tuesday at the ARL shelter in Des Moines. Shermer said many of the goat kids have made a great recover. “This little guy just needs some extra attention so he can get back to the health level of the other goats.”

Lacey Smith plays with a kitten Wednesday at the Heartland Humane Society. Smith said the cats and dog they have from the situation have great dispositions. The kitten along with an adult cat and dog will be available for adoption in about a week. 

Features/Sports

Sophomore guard Lester Medford shoots the ball Saturday during the IHCC mens basketball game. Indian Hills beat Southeastern 93-89 to win the Region 11 Championship Game. 

Somphomroe wing Roosevelt Scott,center, celebrates with teammates after a close IHCC mens basketball win Saturday night. 

An Indian Hills cheerleader looks on in anticipation in the closing seconds of a close game Saturday during the IHCC mens basketball game. 

Sophomore wing Marcus Posley shoots the ball Saturday during the IHCC mens basketball game. 

Autionaa Collins, center, plays jump rope with classmates Monday at Agassiz Elementary. The first-grade students enjoyed free time outside, but with the highs only reaching into the teens by the end of the week, recess will most likely be moved inside.

Evans chorus students perform Thursday during the local AARP meeting at the Country Kitchen restaurant. The students meet every other day to practice in small groups, so performances like this are a great opportunity for them to all sing together. 

Megan Ripperger, left, and Robert Townsend practice a medical procedure on a high tech electronic infant during class at IHCC. Ripperger and Townsend are both clinic 6 nursing students. 

Sophomore player Will Mertens shoots the ball Thursday during the Van Buren verse Pekin boys basketball game.

Ottumwa Courier Press

Ottumwa Courier Week 6

The Living Atop the Dead

     Dozens of dead animals rested in neat rows on the lawn of a Drakesville, IA. home friday as authorities and volunteers raced to rescue the surviving animals. 
    “As far as dead animals, this is the worst I have ever seen,” Officer Jeff Williams said.
     The warrant to search the property was issued after a man was charged with animal neglect a week earlier when he was found with dozens of animals in his van in Ottumwa, IA. It was found Friday that he is estimated to have over 200, possibly reaching 300, animals in his Drakesville home, many of whom did not survive. 
    Workers carried out cage after cage of animals from inside the residence. They described the inside of the house and shed as being filled to capacity with live animals laying atop the dead carcasses of the animals that didn't make it.

Features/Sports

Children play on the playground Wednesday at Liberty Elementary School. It was the first day that the weather was nice enough for the children to play outside.

Senior player Dalton Peterson rebounds the ball Friday during the Albia boys basketball game at the Albia Senior High School Gymnasium.

Joshua Barker shovels the stairs in front of his house Monday while snow continues to fall. A winter weather advisory was in effect until noon and all area schools where closed.

Westminster Pride

    Shawn Ward, of Fairfield, bought a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy with the intent to use her as a hunting dog. But on February 11th the pair found themselves in New York City to participate in what is arguably the most prestigious dog show in the world, The Westminster. 

    “It all really started when she was a puppy, I finished her show championship and then I went onto test training with her,” Ward said. “I got her for hunt tests and hunting, but she turned out to be a really nice show dog, so I started working her in the show ring.”

    The two-year-old retriever is officially named CH Rainwaters Valhallas Northern Lights JH, but is lovingly handled under the name Aurora. Ward said he just planed to use her for hunting and hunt test, but she proved to be an exceptional dog and he wanted to see what she was capable of. 

    “When I got out of the military I decided to go out to the American Chesapeake Nationals in Colorado in October. Aurora won the National Best in Specialty Show over about 90 other Chesapeake’s, with that win came the invitation to Westminster in New York in February,” Ward said.

    To prepare for the show Ward had traveled in Iowa and Missouri to show Aurora at various competitions. She won Best of Show at all of them. The success of this pair certainly foreshadowed what would come for them at Westminster, more success. 

    Aurora was awarded Best of Opposite in the Best of Breed competition. For each breed competition only one dog can win, so only a male or a female will be awarded. In this case a male, Hudson, won Best of Breed and moved on to compete in the sporting group competition. Aurora being awarded Best of Opposite showed that she was able to take the spotlight as the best female chesapeake at the show. 

    “That was a big experience, a big city, and a chance to see a lot of the top dogs in the nation,” Ward said. “I was fortunate to be award the Best of Opposite with her.”

    Ward believes that this kind of success is attainable to anyone if you do the research and dedicate your time. Understanding the breed that you are interested in is essential to having a successful time in dog showing. Breeders know the breed standards of the specific dog and understand genetic issues and health clearances associated with that breed. Ward says a great way to get your foot in the door is to check out your local dog clubs to meet people who show and handle dogs.

     “Just make sure you take your time and research when you are looking for a dog, don’t let your emotions pick one because it’s a pretty puppy,” Ward said. “This will get you out there showing your dog and having a good time.”

Ottumwa Courier Week 5

Griffin Osing celebrates a 4-2 win in the 152-pound Class 2A District championship match Saturday at Fairfield High School. Osing will move on to the state wrestling tournament next week. 

Connie Ferguson puts the finishing touches on a floral arrangement Friday at Tony’s Flowers. Ferguson said that no matter what arrangement a customer has in mind Tony does his best to create what they want. 

Sophomore wing Roosevelt Scott shoots the ball Tuesday at IHCC during the mens game against Three Rivers.

Jane Davis makes a bow for a floral arrangement Wednesday at Edd, The Florist. Davis has been working at the shop for many years and said Valentines season is always a very busy but fun time of year. 

Ava Djordjevich, right, reads a book to Finley Johnson Monday at Seton Catholic School. Students in Mrs. Carson’s kindergarden class read to each other daily.  

Ottumwa Courier Week 4

Meals on Wheels 

Patty Aalbers, left, and Debby Dwight prepare meals Tuesday at the Salvation Army.  Aalbers and Dwight have worked together as cooks for nine years and prepare about 180 meals a day for the senior meals program. 

Linda Mull fills food trays Tuesday at the Salvation Army for the Meals on Wheels program. The prepared meals usually consist of a meat dish along with a fruit, vegetable and dairy side.

Cindy Davis gathers meals to deliver Tuesday for the Meals on Wheels program. Davis has delivered food for the program for about six years. “They need a good nutritionally valued meal and they are getting it this way, through the salvation army,” Davis said.

    Everyday seniors wait for a warm meal and a friendly smile to show up at their door. The Salvation Army Meals on Wheels senior program is dedicated to caring for seniors in the area and making sure they have nutritious meals. 

    The Salvation Army senior meals program provides hot meals to around 180 people everyday. Each well rounded meal contains a third of the daily nutrient requirements for a senior and is prepared fresh in house. 

    “The cooks are here very early in the morning, around 6 o’clock,” Karen Cooper said. “They get the food prepared and make sure everything is ready for the drivers by 10 o‘clock.”

    Karen Cooper, the site supervisor for the Meals on Wheels program at the Salvation Army, said she works with some of the best cooks in Ottumwa. The prepared meals usually consist of a meat dish along with a fruit, vegetable and dairy side. The program does not cater to special diets, but they try to keep the food low sodium and provide a variety of dishes on a 6-week cycle. 

    Once the food is prepared and packaged it is ready to be divided up and sent out with the drivers. The program delivers to homes in Ottumwa, Eddyville and Agency. Cindy Davis, a Meals on Wheels driver, delivers about 20 meals a day in Ottumwa. She has worked with the program for six years and has grown close to many of the people she brings food to. 

    “They need someone to talk to, to know that someone cares about them, even if its only for a couple minutes a day,” Davis said. “Sometimes all they have to look forward to is us bringing food to their door, it makes them really happy and it makes us happy.”

    This program strives to make the lives of seniors in the community better. Even in severe weather participants will get their meals. The dedicated cooks and drivers will prepare emergency or extra meals for people if they know it may be a couple days until they can bring them another meal. 

    The drivers also provide the comfort of knowing that someone will check up with them every day. Cooper said sometimes drivers will have to call an ambulance or emergency contacts if the participant is not doing well or needs help. 

    “They also deliver a little bit of friendship so that the people can have someone who's looking in on them,” Cooper said. “The drivers are part of their family, they consider them somebody that they get to see everyday, somebody thats going to care wether they're doing alright.”

    Having nutritious meals delivered helps seniors be independent and healthy, but along with the delivered meals, food is also proved in the Salvation Army dinning hall. Seniors can come in to have a warm meal and enjoy the compony of others. 

    “We always have room for more people, even on our delivery routes,” Cooper said. “If people need meals we definitely don't want them to go hungry.”

This video is about Meals on Wheels

Features/Sports

Katie Schippers works on making a melon basket Saturday during a basket weaving work shop at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area. Schippers graduated with an art degree and said she enjoys learning new art forms like this. The work shop, which was taught by Cari Nicely, lasted about four hours and showed the steps to make a melon basket by hand. 

Katie Schippers shapes a melon basket Saturday at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area. Schippers said this is first time she has weaved a basket and plans to continue to learn the craft and try using natural materials like grape vines. 

Junior Devin Leffler goes up for a shot as the Ottumwa girls' basketball team fell to fifth-ranked (Class 5A) CIML Metro Conference opponent Des Moines East 66-45 Thursday at Evans Middle School Gymnasium.

Nicole Weston shovels the sidewalk in front of the Iowa School of Beauty Tuesday as the snow starts to accumulate. Weston said that she is the first one to the school in the morning and that she wanted to get a head start. A severe winter storm forecast closed schools early and postponed activities. 

Ottumwa senior wrestler Jesse Hannam looks to make an escape during a 132-pound match against Des Moines East Monday at Evans Middle School Gymnasium.

Bull Riders of America Finals 

Ottumwa Courier Week 3

Julian Quintana, left, and Chayton Gates play with blocks Monday at Seton Catholic School. The school is celebrating National Catholic Schools Week and kicked off the activities with a pajama party movie day for the students and teachers. This annual celebration is used to highlight Catholic values in education and the community. 

Mrs. Carson’s kindergarden class, along with first and second graders, gather to watch a movie Monday at Seton Catholic School during the National Catholic Schools Week celebration. Carson said this week is a great way to strengthen the Catholic community and bring people together to share in knowledge and faith. 

Robert “Gene” Pilcher, center, listens to Judge Richard Meadows declare a mistrial in his murder case Thursday at the Wapello County Courthouse. Pilcher is being charged with the first-degree murder of Mary Jayne Jones in 1974. 

Tina Higdon, a family friend of Mary Jayne Jones, listens to the conclusion of the Robert “Gene” Pilcher murder trial Thursday at the Wapello County Courthouse. The 12-member jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared. 

Senior swimmer Grant Gullion swims for the Bulldogs boys swimming team during the 100-yard butterfly. 

The Ottumwa boys swim team huddle together before taking the pool for senior night.