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Tue
03
Nov

Record increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations in Clayton County

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:37

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Clayton County saw 156 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past week, jumping from 421 on Oct. 26 to 577 by Nov. 2. That total has increased by 226 cases in the past two weeks, pushing the county’s 14-day positivity rate, which measures the percentage of positive tests in that span, to 22.9 percent—sixth worst in the state of Iowa.

The increase prompted the CEOs of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital & Clinics (GMHC) and MercyOne Elkader Medical Center, Tim Ahlers and Brooke Kensinger, to release a joint statement on Friday.

Tue
03
Nov

MFL MarMac students go ‘gaga’ over new physical education activity

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:36

MFL MarMac students of all ages have enjoyed playing gaga ball, a game similar to dodgeball, that’s played in an octagon called a gaga pit. The school purchased the gaga pit, which is portable and can be set up inside or outside, thanks to a $1,715 McElroy Excellence in Education Enrichment Grant. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

“If the ball hits you below the knees, you’re out. That’s the number one rule,” physical education teacher Chet Bachman said of gaga ball. “You have to hit it open-handed, and you can even hit it with two hands, anywhere you want. You just can’t grab it. You can’t stop the ball and guide it, and you can’t kick it either.” Here, third grader Mia Kautman shows how it’s done.

MFL MarMac P.E. teacher Chet Bachman likes gaga ball because it’s fun, gets students physically activity and allows entire classes of any size to participate.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

“Ga. Ga. Go!”

MFL MarMac third graders chant the words as physical education teacher Chet Bachman bounces a kickball three times, then lets it loose in a black-walled octagon set up on the stage in the high school gym. The students, spaced around the edge of the structure, jockey for position, hoping for a chance to smack the ball—or avoid being hit by it.

“If the ball hits you below the knees, you’re out. That’s the number one rule,” Bachman said. “You have to hit it open-handed, and you can even hit it with two hands, anywhere you want. You just can’t grab it. You can’t stop the ball and guide it, and you can’t kick it either.”

Tue
03
Nov

‘Get Your Jingle On’ event promotes holiday fun, shopping

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:30

Members of the Elkader Chamber of Commerce put lights up ahead of this weekend’s Get Your Jingle On parade and festivities. Pictured (left to right) are Roger Schmidt, Debbie Schmidt, Amanda Schneider, Sara Hertrampf and Ann Gibney.

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

Another shop and dine event is coming to Elkader. This time, it’s the newly-minted “Get Your Jingle On” that stretches over two-days—Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7—and includes a lighted walking parade that revolves around the Thomas Tree lighting ceremony. 

The event, according to Elkader Chamber Coordinator Ann Gibney, came about because the chamber board is “always looking at ideas to get people to come to our great town.” There are a slew of activities taking place Friday evening in an effort to encourage tourism and community involvement. 

Tue
03
Nov

Stiemke joins McGregor Public Library as new children’s librarian

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:29

Luana Stiemke has joined the McGregor Public Library as its new children’s librarian. She hopes to incorporate a variety of books, as well as music, into programming. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Luana Stiemke has joined the McGregor Public Library as its new children’s librarian. Stiemke takes over for Jane Lundquist, who retired last month after 15 years in the position.

The job is a perfect fit for Stiemke, who has a varied background that includes time as a teacher, daycare provider and parks and recreation employee.

“I was an assistant children’s librarian in Sparta, Wis., in the 1990s,” she said, “and it was one of my favorite jobs.”

Tue
03
Nov

Local Veterans Day observances planned

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:27

Despite the pandemic, area schools and organizations are still finding ways to honor local service members this Veterans Day. Listed below are events that were shared with the Times-Register.

MFL MarMac Community School

Join MFL MarMac for its annual Veterans Day Program, celebrated this year in a virtual setting. The event will premiere on the MFL MarMac YouTube and Facebook pages at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. After that, it will be available to watch any time.

The pre-recorded video will include the singing of the national anthem by the MFL MarMac senior choir ladies and a performance of “Song for the Mira” by the MFL MarMac choir. 

Tue
03
Nov

Elkader Council discusses downtown snow removal rate

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:21

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The highlight of Elkader’s recent city council meeting was the topic of snow removal and whether to raise the rate and by how much. 

Currently, it costs $1 per lineal foot to remove the snow off downtown sidewalks during times of heavy accumulation, typically two inches or more. One city council member declared this to be “a good deal,” but during the meeting, members discussed raising it. While $2 was suggested, they settled on $1.50. 

Tue
03
Nov

Stout defense, physical run game propel MFL MarMac past Ed-Co

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:20

MFL MarMac’s ground game was one reason for the team’s 22-14 win over Edgewood-Colesburg on Oct. 30. The Bulldogs combined for 357 rushing yards, including 154 yards and a touchdown from fullback Gabe McGeough (22)—an effort that put him over 1,000 yards on the season. Running back Cullen McShane had already hit that mark, meaning MFL MarMac has a pair of 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

“Our backs ran hard,” against Ed-Co, said MFL MarMac head coach Dan Anderson, “and the linemen were firing off and doing enough to hold their blocks against a fast, physical team.” Hunter Meyer, shown here blocking for running back Cullen McShane, was part of that effort.

The Bulldog defense, including freshman Wyatt Powell, limited the impact of Ed-Co’s all-state-caliber quarterback Parker Rochford.

Cullen McShane (left) and Gabe McGeough celebrated the victory with a handshake.

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

The MFL MarMac football team extended its playoff run Oct. 30, using the combination of a stellar defensive effort and physical run game to defeat Edgewood-Colesburg 22-14.

“These are the exciting ones you remember,” said head coach Dan Anderson. “We knew it would be a good game that, if everyone played well, it would be a one-score game. And it was.”

“Too bad one team had to be done,” he added. “These are two really good football teams. I have a little empathy—we’ve been here before. We know what it feels like and it hurts.”

Tue
03
Nov

Grau participates in state cross country meet

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:15

Clare Grau (Photo by Audrey Posten)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

MFL MarMac freshman Clare Grau competed in the state cross country meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge on Oct. 31, finishing 43rd in the Class 1A race.

She was MFL MarMac’s first cross country athlete to run at state in six years.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” said head coach Eric Koenig. “She ran a 21:34 and placed 43rd out of 152 of the top runners in Class 1A in the state. That’s nothing to hang your head about.”

Tue
03
Nov

Pensel, Wille earn all-conference honorable mention recognition

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:10

Ava Pensel

Maddy Wille

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

Two Central volleyball players—Ava Pensel and Maddy Wille—have received Upper Iowa Conference all-conference honorable mentions.

On the season, Pensel played in 23 matches and started 18 of them, and was the driving force on the offense, leading the team in assists, with 222, and kills, with 27. She also shined defensively, tying for second on the team with seven blocks and coming in third in digs, with 66. When it came to serving, no one did it better than Pensel, who led the Warriors in attempts (193), serve success (165) and serve aces (36). Her 85.5 percent serve efficiency was one of the highest marks on the team. 

Tue
03
Nov

Five Bulldogs are UIC all-conference volleyball selections

Submitted by admin on Tue, 11/03/2020 - 14:04

Riley Moreland

Lexy Johnson

Kayden Gillitzer

Lakota Morrissey

Grace Anderson (right)

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Five MFL MarMac volleyball players have earned Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) all-conference honors. Riley Moreland and Lexy Johnson were both named to the first team and Kayden Gillitzer to the second team, while Lakota Morrissey and Grace Anderson picked up honorable mention nods.

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