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Handkerchief collection is April display at Akron Public Library

Posted April 18, 2013 at 5:00 am

By Julie Ann Madden

Not one of the 60 hankies displayed at the Akron Public Library this month is a use found on an Akron Historical Society’s artifact, a poster entitled “34 Ways to Use a Farmer’s Hanky.”

Dotty Zales of Westfield’s collection of handkerchiefs is mainly for display. She has used them for creating curtain valances and as a decorative accessory to an outfit or two.

“I don’t use them for blowing my nose,” laughed Dotty, who began collecting handkerchiefs with a “garage sale shopping” friend when she lived in Illinois in the 1980s.

“We didn’t have a lot of

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    Local farmer supports Plymouth County through America’s Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM

    Plymouth County Fairground’s Livestock Barn and Kingsley-Pierson FFA will now be able better serve the community, thanks to the support of Kingsley farmer, Jordan Plendl and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.

    Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, Grow CommunitiesSM provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice. To further support counties declared natural disaster

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    Pelicans enjoy Hawarden’s ponds

    On Easter Sunday, there were hundreds of pelicans on the island, swimming and flying at the pond north of the former Lamb Plant in Hawarden. “A beautiful sight,” said Judy Zoeller of rural Ireton who took this photograph.

    Councilors approve 2013 mayoral appointments

    The Akron councilors unanimously approved the 2013 Mayoral Appointments at their March 12 meeting. The appointments are as follows:

    Mayor Pro-Tem: Bob Frerichs

    Alternate Mayor Pro-Tem: Chad Ericson

    Director of Public Works: Gary Horton

    City Clerk: Nicolle DeRocher

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    Former Westerner elected to Morningside government

    Paul Johnson, a former exchange student at Akron-Westfield High School, was elected secretary of Morningside College’s student government for the 2013-2014 academic year.

    Johnson is from Jalingo, Nigeria. He attended Akron-Westfield High School during the 2009-2010 academic year, and then returned to Nigeria for his senior year of high school. His host parents in the United States are Warren and Verna Thompson of Akron.

    Morningside College is a small, private college

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    Hultgren receives Legion honor

    On April 4, Albert E. Hoschler American Legion Post No. 186 Post Commander Marvin Huebner (l) presented a certificate to Legionnaire Dennis Hultgren of Akron, S.D., for his 60 years of continuous membership in the organization. Hultgren served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He returned home from serving his country in 1953 and has been an active member of the local organization ever since, serving at the local, district and state levels as post commander, two years; Ninth District judge

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    Westfield Congregational Church hosts open house for new pastor

    By Julie Ann Madden

    Westfield Congregational United Church of Christ has a new pastor.

    Pastor Barry Miedema of Sioux Falls, S.D., began preaching to the congregation as an interim pastor last September. Last month, he accepted their call for a full-time pastor.

    In 1975, Miedema graduated from Unity Christian High School in Hull. Then he earned a Bachelor

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    Local youth to be honoree at Heart Association Heart Walk

    Skyler Briggs, an Akron-Westfield eighth grader and son of Derek Briggs and Nikki Knapp of Akron, will be one of the honorees at the Plymouth/Sioux County American Heart Association’s 19th annual Heart Walk Saturday, April 20 at the Le Mars Middle School.

    Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with walk festivities at 9:00 a.m.

    Skyler had heart surgery when he was two years old. He was born with a hole in his heart that did not heal on

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    Announce engagement

    Stanley and Debra Todd of Cushing, Iowa, are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Jane Todd of Cushing, to Austin Lee Willer of Akron, son of Grayling and Janet Willer of Akron.

    Emily is a 2009 graduate of River Valley High School and will graduate May 2013 from Iowa State University with a degree in Animal Science. She has accepted a position at Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center, Iowa.

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    Ridgewood Apartments renovations showcased

    On April 4, Akron Senior Center guests were invited to tour the newly renovated Ridgewood Apartments facility at 260 S. Fourth St. in Akron. All 36 one-bedroom apartments have been updated from top to bottom with too many improvements to list. An open house for the general public is being planned for Saturday, April 27. Residents enjoyed entertaining guests in the Community Room and giving tours. While The Akron Hometowner was there, these residents and guests enjoyed a visit. From left: Richard Knapp, Bonnie

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