Adding shade without raking leaves

The children and staff at the Greene County Early Learning Center have a shady playground with the addition of a large canopy this past week. The canopy provides plenty of space for plenty of busy play outdoors in the fresh air, but not under the bright sun. Total cost of the canopy was $12,865. The Greene County Community Foundation funded…

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A VIP tour for one of the Bell Tower draftsmen

The top of the Mahanay Bell Tower was a popular destination last weekend during the Bell Tower Festival, with 2,500 (or so) riding up the elevator Saturday. A special visitor Friday, while the Festival was still in set-up mode, was Fred Brooks, 84, of Rockwell City. He and his wife Joan met relatives from Des Moines in Jefferson Friday. Greene…

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PPEL projects in the works

The first large project using funds from the physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) approved by Greene County school district voters last September is underway. Brockway Mechanical and Roofing of Des Moines is in Jefferson replacing the roof on the west portion of Greene County High School, including the auditorium. Brockway had the low bid of $181,388, about $20,000 lower…

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Cooper school reunion next Saturday

Alumni of the Franklin Township Consolidated School in Cooper will have a “Hats Off!” salute to the school at a reunion Saturday, June 28, at the St Joseph Parish Center in Jefferson. Graduates are reminded of saddle shoes, letter sweaters, class rings and hats.  Alumnae are asked to bring a hat from their era of attendance at the school.

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State title in long jump for Olivia Shannon

Olivia Shannon, daughter of Allen and Karen Shannon of Jefferson, skipped the Bell Tower Festival last weekend to compete in the Hershey State Track and Field Meet in Marshalltown. She earned the honor by placing first in the local competition hosted by the Jefferson park and recreation department in April. Olivia won the state title in the standing long jump…

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When did summer really start?

Summer “officially” started yesterday, June 21. That’s what we all learned in school. But as we get older, we realize there are often many “right” versions of the same thing, and the first day of summer is one of those things. For meteorologists and climatologists, we already three weeks into summer. For them, the first day of summer is June…

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In the neighborhood

  In the neighborhood… Persons who have items about their families or personal news they’d like to share are welcome to send them to news@greenecountynewsonline.com. GreeneCountyNewsOnline is all about the bonds we have with the people we live with, work with, go to church with and play with. It’s about building and nurturing our community. (Posted June 17) Until further…

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Bell Tower of Fame Award to Dr Jim Hanson

The 35th anniversary Bell Tower Festival was officially opened in a brief ceremony Friday evening on the Plaza Stage. Ben Yoder served as emcee, and Sheilah Pound sang the National Anthem and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by Rick Morain. After acknowledging Walter and Ruth Harrison, king and queen at Greene County Medical Center long term care, and Frank Drayer…

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Winners told in Yellow Brick Challenge

The Yellow Brick Challenge, a LEGO® brick building contest hosted by Greene Bean Coffee and co-sponsored by GreeneCountyNewsOnline , drew a total of 17 entries. Contestants used LEGO bricks to build creations that reflected the Bell Tower Festival theme, Iowa’s Emerald County: There’s no place like home. Entries were judged based on creativity, use of the theme, and innovative use…

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