The 2023 Midwest Old Threshers Country Music Entertainment Line-up

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 5:30 pm CDT

The Midwest Old Threshers Association is excited to announce the country music entertainment line-up for the 2023 Reunion on the KILJ Stage.  This year’s reunion runs August 31 thru September 4.

That first night country music icon Crystal Gayle will grace the stage.   Gayle has won the AMA award for favorite country female artist three times, she was the AMA female vocalist of the year two years in a row and the AMC Female vocalist of the year three times.  And she received a Grammy for best country vocal performance female in 1978 for her hit Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue.

September 1 Easton Corbin brings his unique blend of traditional modern county music to the KILJ stage.  Corbin grew up listening to Merle Haggard and Hank Williams with his grandparents. But he also brings a young modern sound.

Joe Nichols also grew up listening to traditional country music like Merle Haggard, George Straight and Buck Owens.  He’s described as a 21st Century Traditionalist who is both timely and timeless.  Joe Nichols hits the KILJ Stage September 2.

And then Sunday, September 3  Old Threshers welcomes country pop singer and songwriter Dylan Scott. Scott is described as an old soul with a young spirit. He is a powerful vocalist and with an unmistakable drawl and smooth baritone.

There you have it!  The 2023 Country Music entertainment line up on the KILJ stage at 2023 Old Threshers reunion! The $15 one day and the $35 multi day admissions include the evening concerts. For more information visit Oldthreshers.com and stay tuned to KILJ!

SEISO PRESENTS HINDEMITH’S ICONIC WORK MATHIS DER MALER ON THEIR SECOND MASTERWORKS SERIES CONCERT MYSTICAL FOOTPRINTS

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 4:33 pm CDT

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra (SEISO) presents the second of their Masterworks
Series concerts this season, Mystical Footprints, on March 18th at 7:30 PM at Ottumwa’s Bridge
View Center and March 19th at 2:00 PM at Burlington’s Capitol Theater and 6:30 PM at Iowa
Wesleyan’s Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant. This concert combines Hindemith’s masterpiece
with several other lesser-known pieces making for a varied and exciting program.
Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler is the centerpiece of this concert and is not to be missed. The
SEISO Chorus will be featured on Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus”, Vaughan Williams’ Five
Mystical Songs with soloist Blair Buffington, and Williametta Spencer’s At the Round Earth’s
Imagined Corners. The program is rounded out by the 2022 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young
Artist Competition winner, Mattias Luitjens, a senior at WACO High School, performing
Henryk Gorecki’s Piano Concerto.
“I’m thrilled with the variety of this program and I think anyone that comes is really going to
enjoy it. We combine some well-known composers and works with some that will be unfamiliar,”
said Robert McConnell, Music Director of the SEISO. “The Hindemith is particularly enjoyable
and patrons will be reminded of our performances of his Symphonic Metamorphosis last season. I
think many people are surprised at how easy it is to enjoy our concerts and how different they are
from what they expected.”
Tickets to the Masterworks Series concerts in Burlington, Ottumwa and Mt. Pleasant may be
purchased at the door or on our website www.seiso.us. Adult tickets are $20. Children/student
tickets (aged 0-22) are free. There is no reserved seating.
Make the most of your concert experience by attending the ‘Prelude.’ Music Director Robert
McConnell will be on hand 45 minutes before each performance to talk about the programmed
music in depth. ‘Prelude’ is supported through a grant from the Charles W. Rand Memorial
Lecture Fund in Burlington and is offered free of charge to all audience members

Children’s Discovery Center Grand Opening

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 3:27 pm CDT

The Grand Opening of the Mount Pleasant Public Library’s Children’s Discovery Center will be held on Saturday, March 18, from 10 am to 1 pm.  There will be a visit from Mascot “2 Sense”. Join a scavenger hunt to guess how many magnify glasses are in the Center. There will also be  a free mini mascot giveaway to the first 48 children who would like one, and other surprises. The Discovery Center is a space for ages zero to fifth grade to explore, engage and experiment. During your visit donate coins so kids can experiment with the spiral and mini vortex wishing wells.  The collected coins will be used to purchase new additions to the Center. The Children’s Discovery Center is located on the East side of the Public Library/Civic Center.   Look for the sign and follow the sidewalk to a world of fun and discovery.

 

Jody Isley

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10:59 am CDT

Jody J. Isley, 60, of Lockridge, died of cancer under hospice care on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at his residence

According to Jody’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Jody’s ashes will be interred at a later date at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa.

On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Jody Jay Isley was born December 4, 1962 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of James Franklin and Ruth Bertha (Mehmen) Isley. He graduated from Central High School in in Waterloo.

Jody began his working career with the Repair Crew of CECO Building Systems in Charles City, IA. He then took a position with the Erection Crew of CECO in Mt. Pleasant. In 1986, Jody accepted a position with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in 1986. He remained in that position until his death.

Jody was a very avid hunter and fisherman who loved to hunt and fish with his friends.

Survivors include a sister, Julie Isley of Cedar Falls, IA and Jody’s girlfriend, Melissa Swinderman of Mt. Pleasant.

His parents precede him in death.

Sports, March 8th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 6:01 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleansant and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ track and field teams competed at the Dickinson Relays yesterday and here are some of the results. Will Davidson placed in 42nd for the high jump with a leap of 5 feet 6 inches. Cam Buffinton claimed 7th place in the long jump, and Avin Truong took home 15th. Isaac Jerrel had a nice toss of 47 feet 11.25 inches in the shot put placing him in 11th for the Panthers. The 4×800 meter relay team of Jacob Richtman, Isaac Rynders, Ben Carthey, and Gabe Feldmann finished in 26th place with a time of 9 minutes and 1 second. Kohlby Newsom for the Wolves placed in 30th for the 1600 meter run with a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds and he claimed 23rd place in the 800 meter run. Keeping up with Winfield-Mt. Union, Gabriel Hemsworth raced his way to 15th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 53.83 seconds. Will Davidson finished in 2nd place for the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.39 seconds. Avin Truong had another top 25 finish this time in the 200 meter relay as he took home 24th. Lastly, the 4×400 meter relay team of Max Sloat, Will Davidson, Gabe Feldmann, and Jacob Richtman took home 17th place to end the meet.

Youth Basketball

March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team had their season ended by Dordt University last night in the opening round of the NAIA women’s national tournament in 76-63 final. Isabell West led the way in points and reobunds as she collected a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Kyla Moore scored 16 points, while Maci Kuchta added 14 points in the effort as they combined for 7 three-pointers. Head Coach Steve Williamson talked about his team’s effort after the game. The Tigers finish with a 23-7 record and as conference champions.

The men’s basketball team ended their season in the opening round against Evangel University 65-58 yesterday. The Tigers had control in the first half leading 33 to 28, but the Tigers would struggle shooting from beyond the arc and kept sending the Valor to the foul line as Evangel University ended the night 24 for 29 from the free throw line. Gacoby Jones led the way in scoring for Iowa Wesleyan with 12 points. The Tigers end the season with a 27-3 record, the program’s most amount of wins in a single season and their first time being ranked since the 2011-2012 season.

The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place on March 10th.

The Tiger baseball team faced off against the University of South Carolina Beaufort yesterday and fell 9-5. The Tigers had a 4 to 0 lead entering the bottom of the third inning but surrendered the 9 runs over the next four innings. Julian Figueroa had a phenomenal game as he went 4 for 4 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs. David Amaya added an RBI and also had a triple in the contest. The Tigers will have a rematch against the Sand Sharks today.

The Tiger softball team have now won back-to-back games as they defeated Rochester University in decisive fashion, 13-1. Kara Krieger and Aspyn Harrison did most of the damage offensively as they combined for 7 RBIs. Harrison had another terrific outing as she went all 5 innings allowing only 1 run and striking out 3. The Tigers will take on Suffolk University tomorrow morning at 11 am.

This Day in Sports History

1913 – MLB Federal League organizes with 6 teams, including the Chicago Whales, who built and played at Weeghman Park (now Wrigley Field); League folded after 3 seasons.

1936 – The first stock car race is held in Daytona Beach, Florida..

2019 – US national women’s soccer team sue for equal pay by filing a federal gender discrimination lawsuit against United States Soccer Federation.

School Bus and Horse Drawn Buggy Collide

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 3:50 pm CDT

According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning a Van Buren County Community School District bus collided with a horse drawn buggy. A woman in the buggy was injured and taken by ambulance to the Van Buren County Hospital. Sources say there were 21 students on the bus but none of them were hurt. Preliminary reports indicate the accident happened just before 8 a.m. near the intersection of Highway J40 and Heather Avenue, west of Keosauqua the horse pulling the buggy got spooked and crossed the centerline into the path of the oncoming Van Buren County School bus.

St. Patrick’s Day Safety

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 2:08 pm CDT

 
DON’T RELY ON THE LUCK O’ THE IRISH

DES MOINES, Iowa – Although Irish in its roots, St. Patrick’s Day is most widely celebrated in the United States. To help keep Iowa’s roads safe, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with local law enforcement March 11-19, to spread the message about the dangers of impaired driving.

Last year, during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, 48 people were either seriously injured or killed in car crashes on Iowa Roadways (March 11-March 19, 2022). Nationally, St. Patrick’s is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads.

Impaired driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death. As you travel to festivities, help spread the word; Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving!

This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday which means more parties throughout the weekend. If you’re going to drink, make the smart choice and plan for a sober ride. If you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.

GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes says, “It’s vital people plan ahead. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make a smart decision, you might not. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a rideshare service. Our law enforcement partners across Iowa will be looking for impaired drivers.”

GTSB Program Administrator, Sheri Krohn says St. Patrick’s Day can also be a dangerous time for pedestrians…video here .

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Access St. Patrick’s Day Assets here .

Source: Iowa Crash Analysis Tool, National Highway Traffic Safety Association

ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.

 

Verna Mae (Burgdorf-Dains) Colyer

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 2:01 pm CDT

Verna Mae (Burgdorf-Dains) Colyer, 90, passed away at 9:45 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant.

Verna was born near Vieli, Iowa, on September 21, 1932, to Paul and Sophia (Heiser) Burgdorf. She lived near Donnellson all her life. She graduated from the Donnellson High School in 1950. Murel and Verna were married in 1970. Verna was a thirty nine year retiree of the Central Lee Community School District. She was a member of Embury United Methodist Church and the Embury United Women in Faith.

Surviving are three children, Nina Lange (Bernard) of Donnellson, Iowa, Stephanie Reneau (Edward) of Warsaw, Illinois, and William P. Dains (Linda) of Donnellson, Iowa, grandchildren, Justin Reneau, Carlee Ann Jenkins (Chris), Christy Brisley (Aaron), Miranda Miller, Paulette Hayes, Merridith McMurray, Tonya Harvey (Leonard), Seth Dains, Clayton Dains (Mary Ann), one sister in-law Darlene Burgdorf of O’Fallon, Illinois, thirteen great grandchildren, Samuel (Kaitlyn) and Micheal Lange, Jennifer and Maia Jenkins, Dakota, Tyler and Izaac Miller, Hannah and Erica Brisley, Haley and Ethan Hayes, Emma and Everlee Harvey, one great-great grandchild Sydney Lange, four step children and several step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Murel, daughter Denise Marie, her parents, two sisters, three brothers and one grandson.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at Embury United Methodist Church near Donnellson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at Embury United Methodist Church with Rev. Kayla Lange-Carney officiating.

Burial will be in Embury Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for Embury Cemetery or Embury United Women in Faith.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.