Paul L. Gugeler, 96, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St.,Mt. Pleasant. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Sports, April 20th
High School Track and Field
The boys and girls teams of WACO, New London, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Danville will compete in the Pankoke Relays today.
The girls team for Mt. Pleasant will travel to compete in the Washington Invitational tonight.
The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont to compete at the Ike Ryan Relays tonight.
The Central Lee girls and boys teams will travel to Louisa-Muscatine to compete in the Gardner-Wilson Relays today.
High School Soccer
The Mt. Pleasant boys team will host undefeated Fort Madison tonight.
The Mt. Pleasant girls team will travel to face off against Fort Madison today.
The WACO boys team will take on Sigourney at home tonight.
The Central Lee girls team will take on Canton today.
The Central Lee boys team will challenge Mt. Pleasant tomorrow, April 21st, at home.
High School Golf
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys team competed in the Wapello Invite yesterday and finished in 2nd place behind Wapello. Carter Loyd was the top golfer for the Wolves as he shot a 92 in 18 holes. The top golfer for the girls team was Alli Humphreys as she shot a 103 on the day. Both teams will take on Columbus in a duel today.
The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to Fort Madison on April 24th. The girls team will travel to compete in the Oskaloosa Invite tonight.
The Central Lee girls and boys teams will take on Danville on April 27th.
High School Tennis
The Mt. Pleasant girls team will face off against Keokuk tonight on the road.
The Mt. Pleasant boys team’s match against Keokuk has been canceled tonight.
Southeast Iowa Playbook
Will Davidson and Charice Auwerda joined us on the Southeast Iowa Playbook last night. Davidson talked about what he learned from competing at state last year,
“Taking an event for an event. There into my sophomore year and even last year. More so last year, I was kind of worried about an event while I was doing another one and it kind of, not set me back, but had my mind not so focused. Going into this year, taking it one event at a time and not worry about it until the next one.
Auwerda talked about how the Panthers are looking to keep scoring a lot of goals as the season progresses,
“Honestly, what we are really good at is attacking down the middle between me, Elly, and Kiera, that’s what we usually do. But, recently this year we’ve changed our formation to a 4-2-3-1. So, me in the middle and Elly and Tori on the sides. So, we are trying to attack more on the sides.”
College Signing
Cornell College has collected their second Panther to play football at the collegiate level as Garrett Cook officially signed to become a Ram.
In Cook’s receiving career he caught 31 passes for 299 yards with 3 touchdowns. Last year was his breakout season as he placed third on the team in receptions, yards, and tied for second in touchdowns. With his decision between Central and Cornell, Cook discussed what pushed him towards Mount Vernon,
“In the end, it came down to facilities and what’s closer and just environment. What towns I like more.”
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The Tiger softball team’s game against Harris-Stowe State University has been canceled today. The Tigers next game will be April 25th against Viterbo University.
The Tiger baseball team extended their win streak to three games after taking down Judson College in both games of their road doubleheader. In game one, the Tigers took down the Eagles 6-4. Sucre Guzman, Froymer Ortega, and Sage Bonner each collected an RBI with Riley Rankin singling home two runs. Luis Ayesa picked up the win as he struck out 12 in 7 innings of work. The Tigers won game two 5-3 with Pedro Ramirez collecting the win on the mound. Bonner collected two more RBIs and Holvin Catala tallied an RBI, as well. Rankin added on to the Tigers lead by slapping a solo home run. Iowa Wesleyan will take on Missouri Baptist University on April 25th.
The men’s golf team competed at the Verhille Tournament over the past two days and the Tigers finished in 13th place. The top Tiger was Brevin Wilson as he finished in 15th place with a score of 9 over. The men’s next competition will be at the Continental Athletic Conference championships on May 1st. The women’s team will be back in action on April 24th to compete at the Mount Mercy Invitational.
The outdoor track and field teams will be competing in the DeBacker Invitational on April 22nd.
For Tiger Nation, Kyla Moore will be joining us this morning at 9 am.
This Day in Sports History
1887 – Georges Bouton wins the world’s 1st motor race on a steam-powered quadricycle, a ‘test’ organized by French newspaper Le Velocipede.
1982 – Atlanta Braves become 1st team to win first 12 games of the season.
1988 – Baltimore Orioles set the worst record to start a season at 0-14 (will go 0-21).
Dale Eugene Swartzendruber
Dale Eugene Swartzendruber, 90, died peacefully with assistance from hospice care on April 17, 2023, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. A memorial service is planned at Sugar Creek Mennonite Church on Saturday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Mennonite Central Committee or Hillcrest Academy (formerly Iowa Mennonite School).
Dale was born on September 2, 1932, to Roy Swartzendruber and Velma Hershberger on a farm near Kalona, Iowa. He treasured his high school years at Iowa Mennonite School, graduating in 1951. He married Beulah (Pud) Graber of Wayland, Iowa on September 17, 1955, and after several years of farming in the Wellman area, they settled in Wayland. Dale was employed at Blue Bird Midwest in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa for 33 years, and also serviced and sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners. He was an active member of Sugar Creek Church and enjoyed singing and serving in many capacities, also having a strong interest in peace and social justice issues. Dale and Pud lived in the Wayland area until 2014, at which time they moved to Cedar Falls to be near their oldest daughter. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, and friend, who loved meeting new people, volunteering, gardening, traveling, playing cards, entertaining friends, and following the Cubs and Hawkeyes.
Dale is survived by daughters Susie (John Hamiel) and Sara (Calvin Eigsti); four grandchildren Aaron Lehman, Kareem (Katherine) Lehman, Megan Eigsti (Nate O’Leary), and Allison Eigsti; and two great-grandchildren, Aspen, and Josephine Lehman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beulah; sister Lucille (Brenneman); and two brothers, Arliss and Ken Swartzendruber.
Garrett Cook Signs on to Play Football at Cornell College
Mt. Pleasant- Cornell College has collected their second Panther to play football at the collegiate level as Garrett Cook officially signed to become a Ram.
In Cook’s receiving career he caught 31 passes for 299 yards with 3 touchdowns. Last year was his breakout season as he placed third on the team in receptions, yards, and tied for second in touchdowns. With his decision between Central and Cornell, Cook discussed what pushed him towards Mount Vernon,
“In the end, it came down to facilities and what’s closer and just environment. What towns I like more.”
Cook stated that he will be looking to study Kinesiology as he has interest in sports medicine or becoming a trainer. Owen Vansickel signed with Cornell College earlier in the spring semester and Cook talked about the collaboration that went into making the decision,
“Me and Owen have always been talking about going there just because the new facility and they’re really building something great over there.”
Cook will be joining a Rams squad that finished 3-7 last season with a 3-6 conference record.
New ISU Extension Regional Director
Whitney Howell has accepted the position as ISU Extension and Outreach Regional Director. She was hired after long-time Region 27 Director Janet Smith became Director of Field Operations for Extension. Whitney currently serves as the Louisa County Director and was formerly a 4H County Youth Coordinator. Her first day in the regional position will be May 1.
The Ultimate Warrior Pageant
The Ultimate Warrior Pageant will be held Saturday, April 22nd, at 7 p.m. in the WACO High School gymnasium.
Come for an evening of entertainment as some of WACO’s finest young men represent school activities in categories of teamwear, talent, and style & wit. During intermission, there will also be a chance for the audience to vote with cash donations for the “people’s choice” pageant contestant. Admission is $5 per person. All funds raised support WACO activities.
Do you like dessert? Do you want to support students in WACO HS Extracurricular Activities?
Come to the Ultimate Warrior Pageant this Saturday. Bidding begins before the show and concludes at the end of intermission. Winners will be announced before the end of the show. Desserts can be taken home with winners that night!
Apple Pie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Lasagna
Coconut Creme Pie
Decorated Sugar Cookies
Fresh Strawberry Pie
German Chocolate Cake
Lemon Meringue Pie
Turtle Cheesecake
Motorcycle Crash On Lexington Ave.
On April 17th, 2023, at approximately 4:05PM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a single vehicle accident with injury. Having occurred in the 3100-grid of Lexington Avenue in the rural Mount Pleasant area.
Upon arrival and investigation, it was determined Jeremy Bitting of Mount Pleasant lost control of the motorcycle he was operating. Bitting was severely injured and transported from the scene.
Incident citations were later issued to the driver. Which included Failure to Maintain Control and Motorcycle License Violations. A state accident report was also completed for this motor vehicle accident.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted with this incident by the Iowa State Patrol, Henry County EMS, and Mount Pleasant first responders.
Kay Suzanne (Fish) Belt
Kay Suzanne (Fish) Belt, 80, of El Paso, Texas, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 2:30 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2022, at her home listening to Elvis Christmas music after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
A public graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 24, 2023, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison with Pastor Jim Luder officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting with local arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.