Author: Allison Jacobs

Bucket Bottle Senior Champion – Grace Skelton

Bucket-Bottle Senior Reserve – Tate Bombei

Bucket-Bottle Intermediate Champion – Clayton Bartholomew

Bucket-Bottle Intermediate Reserve – Tessa Bombei

Bucket-Bottle Junior Champion – Lucas Bender

Bucket-Bottle Junior Reserve – Brinnley Stout

Harry Walker Above and Beyond – Clayton Bartholomew

In the interest of public safety, the Fort Madison Bridge will temporarily close to automobiles for necessary repairs. Aug. 5 through Aug. 30, 2024, and again Sept. 16 through Nov. 22, 2024. Illinois State Route 9 between Niota, IL and Fort Madison, IA. BNSF will halt work during the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison from Aug. 31 to Sept. 8 to allow for traffic across the bridge.

Maintenance work will include replacing floor beams and associated stringers at six different locations on both the east and west approach. Since the bridge is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, toll revenue collected on the bridge is paying for part of the maintenance with BNSF making up the remainder of the cost. No public dollars are being used. The public’s patience during this time is appreciated.

Champion Pre – Novice A Handling – 1st Year – Lauren Capps

Champion Pre – Novice B Handling – Madison Hassman

Champion Novice Handling – Arabella McDowell

Champion Pre-Novice A Obedience – Oaklee Allgood

Champion Pre-Novice B Obedience – Ethan Capps

Champon Graduate Obedience – Madison Hassman

Champion Commercial Rabbit – Valerie Smith

Reserve Champion Commercial Rabbit – Baylor Ferreira

Champion Fancy Rabbit – Henry Walljasper

Reserve Champion Fancy Rabbit – Shanna Buford

Grand Champion Overall Rabbit – Henry Walljasper

Champion Best of Fur – Normal – Baylor Ferreira

Champion Best of Fur – Satin – Paisley Anderson

Champion Best of Fur – Rex – Henry Walljasper

Champion Advanced Rabbit Showmanship – Sidney Gruntmeir

Champion Senior Rabbit Showmanship – Audrey Strudivant

Champion Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship – Baylor Ferreira

Champion Junior Rabbit Showmanship – Oaklee Allgood

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission held its July meeting on Wednesday the 17th at the Henry County Courthouse.  Attending were commissioners Johanna Crawford, Joel Garretson, Caroline Lehman, Judy Rawson, Larry D. Roth, Mary Savage, and Pat White. The agenda and minutes from the June meeting were reviewed and approved, as well as a review of the last fiscal year’s spending.  New county-wide museum brochures are in the development phase which will include QR codes for each museum.  The Commission also reviewed and discussed a MOA (Memo of Understanding) between the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, BNSF Railroad, and the Henry Co Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed replacement of the Rome BNSF RR bridge over the Skunk RIver.  The bridge is eligible for placement on the National Register of Historic Places, however that is not viewed as practical.  As an offset for the loss of an historic artifact, BNSF is offering to supply photographs of the structure and prepare a report on the history of railroads in Henry County.  In other business the Commission discussed the possibility of a museum passport program as an incentive for area residents and students to visit our local museums. Also discussed is a program to identify all historic sites and features in the county into a magazine style publication complete with photos, descriptions, and maps.  In the open forum, Mary Savage spoke about the Lewelling Quaker Museum personnel’s recent trip to Clark County, MO visiting the former Ruel Daggs farm and the Clark Co Historical Society.  Nine Freedom Seekers from Daggs farm made their way to Salem in 1848 which resulted in a famous federal trial in Burlington in which Daggs sued citizens of Salem for loss of property.

There are several upcoming programs in the county’s museums this summer.  The Henry Co Heritage Center Museum features “Researching Your Civil War Roots” with Ray Wilson, on July 20 at 2:00 pm, “Garretson Family Heritage Farm” with Joel Garretson on August 17 at 2:00 pm, “Native American Artifacts” with Denny White on August 24 at 2:00 pm, and “Pioneer Cemetery Day” with the HC Pioneer Cemetery Commission on September 21 at 2:00 pm. At the Dover Museum in New London on July 21 at 1:30 pm, there will be a presentation on the story of D. Kenneth Shelledy, US Army Air Corp, WWII, “Letters to and From Home“.  At Crooked Creek Days in Winfield the Historical Society and Museum will be serving breakfast.  The Swedish American Museum in Swedesburg will be holding several pancake breakfasts in the next few weeks. Be sure to check the museum’s Meta (Facebook) pages for details.

Joel Garretson, Chairman HCHPC

Each year at this time, Brownfield Ag News, of which KILJ is a long-time affiliate, sponsors the Iowa Ag Youth Awards. We work with the Iowa State Extension Office in Henry County to find two young individuals for the Brownfield Iowa Ag Youth Awards. Our winners receive a specialized belt buckle as well as a $100 gift card to Walmart.

Makynna Carpenter is a junior at New London High School and an active member of the New London Lassies 4-H group. She also dual enrolls at Danville to participate in their FFA program. Her journey with livestock began with her beautiful Scottish Highlander cows and has since expanded to include rabbits, chickens, sheep, her dog Marley, and her horse Shorts. Makynna serves as a wonderful role model for younger club members and aspires to continue her studies in Agriculture and Livestock in the future.

Carter Loyd is a senior at Winfield High School, a member of the Scott Sodbusters, and part of the Crooked Creek FFA Chapter. Since 4th grade, he has raised and shown swine, sheep, and cattle at the Henry County Fair. In his senior quote, he states, “Being in 4-H has taught me responsibility and hard work. It also shows that all the hard work pays off if you put in the time.” This fall, Carter will attend Kirkwood Community College to study Agriculture.