A Publication of the Epworth Community Historical Society Volume 2, Issue 5

May 2015

The Voice Yesterday / Today / Tomorrow

of Progress Available on the web @ www.ci.epworth.ia.us

THE GUY LOMBARDO BAND VISIT TO EPWORTH

Inside this issue: Gateway Gardeners

3

Town & Country

4

New Roof in Town

5

Library

6

Summer Sports

8

Fire Dept.

9

City News

10

Business Highlights

13

Divine Word College

14

Epworth Business List

16

Police Dept.

17

Minister’s Musings

18

Highview Cemetery annual

Memorial Day Meal Monday, May 25th 11 AM until 1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall of the Methodist Church. Adults: $10.00 6-12: $3.00 5 & under: free Cyndi McDermott will be available if anyone wants to honor a veteran by purchasing a paver, which will be placed at the base of the Dubuque Co. Freedom Rock in Epworth.

Big Band music was the main form of music and dance entertainment before, during, and shortly after World War II in the United States. Big name bands, led by Lawrence Welk, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, and Guy Lombardo, among others, traveled and played all over the U.S. These bands played in big city ballrooms, like those in New York and Chicago, but also went on tour to smaller city dance halls, like the old Melody Mill Ballroom located on the northern outskirts of Dubuque, and smaller dance halls like the ones in Dyersville and Worthington. The normal mode of travel for the bands was in their own private buses; although, sometimes they traveled by train if that was more convenient and cheaper. One Friday afternoon last winter, I ran into my Aunt Rita Callahan at Silkers. We struck up a casual conversation, which somehow led into a discussion about our mutual love of Big Band music. She loved it because it was the main form of dancing entertainment when she was younger, and I loved it because I liked the melodies of the songs. We did disagree on one thing though: she thought The Guy Lombardo Band was the best; whereas, I thought The Glenn Miller Band was the best. We both offered our reasoning for our choices. Then, she surprised me with the information that The Guy Lombardo Band had stopped in Epworth in 1946 to eat at the Epworth Café, the former Country Inn building, which burned down a few years ago. My aunt, Betty McDermott, had operated the Epworth Café, which was located on the eastern half of the ground floor, and my Dad, Bill Sr., and Danny McDermott operated The Baby Beef Meat Market on the western side. Rita helped her sister Betty operate the café. At the end of the war in 1945, Dad and Danny began building the present day Epworth Locker Plant building, finishing it in 1946. Shortly after the men moved into the new building, Aunt Betty sold the Epworth Café business to John Schwendinger and Ange Kline, and she and Rita went to work at the new Epworth Locker. Sometime soon after the Epworth Locker had opened, the Guy Lombardo Band bus, most likely headed for a dance engagement in the local vicinity, rolled into town with all of the band members aboard and stopped to eat at the Epworth Café. Keep in mind that Main Street in Epworth was also Highway 20, the main fare-way across Iowa at the time, so there was always heavy traffic moving through Epworth at all times. It was not uncommon to have some of this traffic stop in town at one of three gas stations or at the café, but it surely was uncommon for a popular travelling Big Band to stop. (Cont’d on p. 12)

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Epworth Community Historical Society

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Friends of The Historical Society

PO Box 434, Epworth, IA 52045 The Voice of Progress is a quarterly publication. Issues will be published in August, November, February, and May. Stories, letters and articles of interest are always welcome. The Voice of Progress may edit for space and clarity and reserves the right not to print an article for any reason. All submitted articles and columns reflect the views and opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of the Voice of Progress. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. Neither the publisher nor the advertisers will be held liable for errors.

The Historical Society would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the paper. Your dollars help with the publishing of this paper. Thank you very much for your support. The Epworth Community Historical Society is a non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible, up to 50% of your income. Please support our sponsors.

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Friends: Lucille Donovan Patrons: Fred & Ardie Meeker Sponsor: Robert Kidder Supporter: ECHS Benefactor:

Contributions up to and including $10.00 - Friend $11.00 to $25.00 - Patron $26.00 to $50.00 - Sponsor $51.00 to $99.00 - Supporter $100.00 & up - ECHS Contributor/Benefactor

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E.C.H.S. Article Submissions and Advertising Rates Anyone wishing to donate items to E.C.H.S. call Bill Beyer @ 876-3213. Any donation of $100 or more to the ECHS is remembered with an engraved nameplate in the display case at the Gateway or on a nameplate at the Historical Society. Annual Advertising rates (4 editions): $60 for a business card size and $30 for a half business card size ad. Voice of Progress is published quarterly (Feb, May, Aug, Nov). To advertise your business call Deb Connolly @ 744-3158.

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Epworth Gateway Garden Club—Past, Present, and Future By Mindi McDermott

Before the present day Epworth Gateway Garden Club was organized, there was a vision held by the City Council of Epworth, the Epworth Historical Society members, and a group of volunteers. The vision was to build a Gateway that could be seen from Highway 20 and used as a welcoming to the Epworth community. Four years later, after many laborious donated hours, money budgeted by the City, and fundraising that included penny socials, Town and Country Days gatherings, and applications for numerous grants, a dedication of the Epworth Gateway took place during the Town and Country celebration on August 6,2000. The Epworth Gateway Garden Club sprouted that year from a little article placed in the town’s newsletter. At that time, the club created 26 flowerbeds around the Gateway and the city of Epworth. A year later, the club placed the large engraved stones on the north, east, and west ends of town, again welcoming visitors. That was then, this is now… The Gateway is still welcoming visitors to our town, but the flowerbeds have decreased due to lack of caretakers, and landscaping to fix a water drainage issue in that area. In 1980, Epworth’s Centennial Year, the Centennial Planter Project provided flower planters along Main Street and other local spots around town. They were originally donated by an excavating company from Dubuque and filled by a local construction company and planted by the late Jack Hill. These were later replaced by 12 concrete aggregated planters. The large engraved stones are still welcoming visitors on the north, east, and west ends of town. An arch joins them on the south end of town at the intersection of Bierman Road and Highway 20. It is constructed out of bricks and the engraved “Epworth” header from the demolished Epworth High School, once located on Main Street. Native flowers and plants were planted to enhance that area by Gateway club members. So what about the future??? In this case we have to look back, way back, into the past to figure out what we need to do for the future. An article from The Epworth News, dated Thursday, September 10, 1914, states “for a village improvement to be most successful the City government and the private citizens must cooperate. Try to develop a community spirit and make each citizen feel that his aid is essential in carrying out plans for the betterment of their community.” According to another article in a book titled History of Epworth, Iowa, written by past Epworth Historical Society members, a Garden Club was established by seven women in June, 1935. They, with the cooperation of the City Council and other citizens, set out to beautify the City by planting flowers, trees, and shrubs, keeping grass and weeds cut, and keeping sidewalks in good repair. Shrubs and flowers, especially petunias (the city flower) were planted under the Epworth sign at the intersection of Highway 20 and Center Street. Hey, doesn’t this sound familiar? Hasn’t history repeated itself? We, as citizens of Epworth, need to keep this history repeating itself. There are flowerbeds, planters, and areas around town that need a little bit of TLC throughout the growing seasons. TCL involves weeding, watering when necessary, fertilizing, and deadheading, all taking 30 minutes to 1 hour a week, if that. Gateways Garden beds could use some weekly TLC as needed. There are a couple of hosta beds at Tower Park in need of care, along with the area around the Caboose. Have you noticed the planters along Main Street? The Garden Club helps with the flowers and decorations throughout the year and could use more hands or ideas for them. The Club members also would like to improve the soil in the beds around the Gateway this year and could use extra hands on future work days. If you and your family would be interested in taking care of one of the beds that need care or would like to help with the planters, let City Hall know (876-3320). If you are in Tower Park, walking on the Jacoby Drive Trail or around town, or out at Centennial Park, and you see something that could use beautifying, be a part of this fine community and BEAUTIFY! Be a part of repeating history. Volunteer and take ownership. Show the younger generations how it’s done. Let's keep Epworth the beautiful city our ancestors envisioned.

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and Epworth Town & Country Days Committee Meeting March 24, 2015 Members Present: Judy Callahan, Rod Berger, Jack Ruden, Lloyd McDermott, Jodi Hallahan, Jill Herbst, Linda Boffeli, Joan Herbst, and Dawn Kress. We talked about what community betterment projects to donate to this year. It was mentioned that the Historical Society would be a candidate. We may give them a $600 donation to pay for one issue of the Voice of Progress. Dawn will contact the Western Dubuque band director to see if he is interested in a donation towards new band uniforms. Jill Herbst has asked Facebook contacts for other ideas or suggestions. Paul Kremer is to contact LT Amusements regarding their price. Can they bring less inflatables and charge less? What about having them do face painting? Jack Ruden will check other prices out and inflatable options and bring this information to the next meeting. Jodi Hallahan showed us the design for the shirts this year. We will be able to start selling shirts by the end of June. Music has been confirmed for the park. On Friday, Zero to Sixty will play from 6-10 pm, and on Saturday, Mark Zalaznik will be playing until 5:00 pm, following the auction. Grand Marshalls have been selected and contacted. The town grand marshall will be Millie Klosterman, and the country grand marshalls will be Bill and Marilyn Beyer. Linda Lampe will be contacting the WD and Beckman marching bands for the parade. Dawn has contacted Milt from the Cascade FFA to have the tractor pull again for the kids. Signup will start at 2:30. We will need a sponsor to cover this expense. They charge $150. Dawn will contact the balloon guy, Ron Fugle, to see if he can attend again this year, since he has been a big hit in the past. Dawn will also contact Almost Famous Dance Studio to perform following the parade. Larry Connolly and Snipes Hosch will take care of the bean bag contest. Rod Berger will sponsor a human fooseball game that will be set up at the small pavilion. A team will need a minimum of six people to play. Signup will be the day of the event. The Garden Club will not be having the lemonade stand this year. The fireman have been contacted and agreed to set up the parade route, and Dianne McDermott has agreed to announce the parade. Next meeting will be held at Weber’s Bar on April 21st at 6:15. Black Hills Energy will be attending the meeting to present their donation check.

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There’s a New Roof in Town by Dianne McDermott

Walkers looking into the trees for new growth this spring may have spotted something else―men walking on the roof of the Methodist Church. The church, now in its 146th year of existence, is getting a new metal roof thanks to the Amish men from the Delhi and the Hopkinton areas. The history of the Epworth United Methodist Church began in 1851 with pioneers from New England and Pennsylvania. Otis Briggs offered his log cabin for the first services. “Early in 1853 a small frame church building was erected near the present church site, the congregation at that time having increased to 25 members” (75th Anniversary History of the Methodist Church pamphlet). Being the only church in the area, it became the center of the community. Today the church still stands in the center of Epworth and is blessed with over 200 members. (Side note: Epworth was named after the birthplace of John Wesley, who is credited with starting the evangelical movement know as Methodism.) The erection of the present building was begun in 1869. Zephaniah Kidder provided the bricks, which were laid by William Kidder and Eli Tuttle. David Edwards was the contractor. In 1910, upgrades to the interior of the church included a sloping floor, memorial windows, modern pews, outdoor entrance and steps, and a furnace. Other improvements happened in 1914, 1925, 1937, 1943, and 1953. The bell in the belfry is the first church bell brought to the Iowa territory. It was first hung in a Methodist church in Dubuque in 1840 and was brought to the Epworth church when the Dubuque church was torn down. The Fellowship Hall was added to the east side of the church building in 1999. (Another side note: Kim's Kreations is now in the former parsonage, after the building was moved to make room for the new addition.) Over the years, 66 ministers have led the Methodist faithful in their faith. Many of these were "circuit riders" or seminarians studying at the Epworth Seminary. The current pastor, Stephanie Schlimm, has served since 2012. Many programs have been directed by the various church organizations, such as the the Ladies Aid Society, the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, and the Women's Home Missionary Society. In 1939, these three ladies' organizations were united into the Woman's Society for Christian Service. The men also had their groups, such as the King's Heralds, the Standard Bearers, and the Men's Brotherhood. The young people were served through the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Currently, the church holds weekly services; Sunday School; and a summer Vacation Bible school, which will be held from June 15-19 this year. Over the years, church members began The Living Last Supper, performed every year now by an ecumenical group; Friday Meals for the Elderly; backpack weekend meals for approximately 30 local students; and the "Feed my Sheep" project. The church has also sponsored mission trips to Alaska and Guatemala. The members of the church "look forward to the future with hope; knowing that, with faith and devotion to God, this church shall continue to be a light in this community" (75th Anniversary History of the Methodist Church pamphlet).

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Dubuque County Library – Epworth Branch I’m not sure why I picked up On Bear Mountain by Deborah Smith and began to read, but once I was two or three pages in, I was hooked. Poignant, with laugh-out-loud bits of humor, this book will most certainly touch a place in your heart. At first, the writing seems simple and almost humble, similar to the story’s setting of a small rural area deep in the Georgia Mountains. But read far enough and you begin to see a deeper message between the lines. Ursula Powell holds herself and her father, chicken farmer and lover of art, responsible for the death of her mother. And concurrently, Quentin Riconni carries an immense weight of guilt, entwined with his loss of faith in his father, an artist. The object of art that brings them together, a sculpture called the Iron Bear, was built with love and welded with tears by Quentin’s father, and holds a kind of power over all those who know it. Regardless of how the bear is received (some revere it enough to be married beside it; others view the bear as an amalgamation of junk and an embarrassment to their town), people are changed in some way by its presence. The patterns in the sculpture are mimicked by the themes artistically woven throughout the novel’s storyline. The weight of the Iron Bear is a metaphor for the weight of all the woes the characters carry. The vulnerability of the real bears in the surrounding mountains is seen also in Ursula’s autistic brother and his relationships with everyone he loves. And the absolute denial of that vulnerability and fierce independence of both Ursula and Quentin, results in a unique bond and the ultimate destruction and rebuilding of themselves, not unlike the effort to create a second sculpture. Will they be able to let themselves be loved? Additional patterns of father and daughter relationships can be seen with Ursula’s cousin and uncle; both forced to reexamine their deep-set convictions and elitism biases. Here are a couple of my favorite passages from On Bear Mountain: “Who told you you’d go through life with no unanswered questions and no regrets? Half the answer is learning to live with the questions.” “Wonderful pieces can be salvaged from damaged hopes, and new foundations can be created from even the saddest memories.” Call or stop by your library to check out this book or discover a new one of your own!

-Kathy Lowenberg

You’re invited! Grand Opening of Dubuque County Library’s new Asbury Branch

5290 Grand Meadows Dr., Asbury Saturday, July 11, 2015 Visit our website for more details – www.dubcolib.lib.us.ia

Dubuque County Library 110 Bierman Rd. S.E. Epworth, IA 52045 563-876-3388 www.dubcolib.lib.us.ia

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Dubuque County Library's Upcoming Events Dan Wardell Helps Celebrate Children’s Book Week (all ages) Tuesday, May 5, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Asbury Eagles Club, 5900 Saratoga Plaza, Suite #10 Dan is an energetic Iowa Public Television personality who promotes books and reading in his lively presentations. Craft Night (6th grade and older) Thursday, May 14, 6:00 p.m. Epworth Work on your own projects, discover a new activity or learn a seasonal craft. We’re always creating something fun. Please call ahead to register – 563-876-3388. Movie Night (6th grade and older) Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. Epworth Call 563-876-3388 or check website for movie title. Kick-off of Dubuque County Library’s Summer Read @ Home Program (all ages) Wednesday, May 27 (ongoing) all Branches This year’s theme is “Heroes.” Register beginning today at any branch or online and win prizes by reaching your reading goals! You won’t want to miss this! Check our website for Family Storytime dates and times—we’ll be reading about heroes this summer! The Science of the Superhero! (school-age and older) Saturday, June 6, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Peosta/NICC; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Farley/Drexler Jerry DeCaire is the artist for Marvel Comics' Thor, Avenger's Hawkeye, X-Men, Iron Man, Wolverine, and many other enormously popular superheroes. He will demonstrate how math and science merge to create a superhero! Artwork created during the show will be signed and given away following the presentation. Superhero Science! (pre-K and older) Friday, June 19, 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Asbury Eagles Club, Suite 10; 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. Holy Cross; 1:30–2:15 p.m. Epworth Jason Dornbush, from the Grout Museum, will talk about superhero flight, x-ray vision, and let you get up close and personal with the animal that gave Peter Parker his superpowers! Heart of a Hero (school-age and older) Friday, June 26, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Farley/Drexler; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Peosta/NICC This program examines the roles of today’s real heroes—firefighters, police officers, disaster responders, EMTs, emergency managers, and search K9s. Learn about new science and technology that has been developed to help these heroes, such as mega flashlights and drones. Powers of a Superhero (all ages) Wednesday, July 15, 3:00 p.m. Epworth Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Well, almost. Animals can do some amazing superhero-like things. Meet some zoo animals with strength and senses comparable to superheroes. Presented by Blank Park Zoo. Bee a Hero (ages 4-6) Friday, July 17, 9:30 – 10:10 a.m. Holy Cross; 11:00 – 11:40 a.m. Farley/Drexler Bees provide us with so many foods and so many unknown benefits . . . we should give them a cape and salute them because they are true heroes! They may be small but they are MIGHTY, and we can learn to “Bee” heroes by learning how they help us every day. (Cont’d on p. 8)

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(Library cont’d from p. 7)

Conservation Heroes (ages 7-12) Friday, July 17, 8:30 – 9:10 a.m. Holy Cross; 11:50 – 12:30 p.m. Farley/Drexler A Dubuque County Naturalist will introduce you to some super-hero conservationists. These people may not fly like speeding bullets, but they do help make our environment spectacular! Learn about River Hero Chad Pregracke or Monarch Hero Chip Taylor! The Magic of David Casas (all ages) Friday, July 24, 10:00 a.m. New Asbury Branch, 5290 Grand Meadows Dr. David's show features his award-winning dove act, audience participation, and clean family comedy. See why The Magic of David Casas is one of the most sought after entertainers around! For additional information visit our website: www.dubcolib.lib.us.ia

SUMMER SPORTS Baseball and soccer Summer sports are right around the corner with several team signups already completed. Volunteer Kyle Gansen from the Epworth Athletic Club says plans are underway to hire someone to run the concession stand during sporting events, thus enabling parents to watch their children’s games--instead of working! Thanks, Kyle, for all of your time and efforts! All profits from the concession stand go back into the park. In the past, generous donations received from Pepsi of Dubuque, the Besler family in memory of Dawson, and Town and Country Days profits have provided improvements such as an extended pavilion on the first base side, a 20 x 20 pavilion on the third base side, and recently a new and improved scoreboard. Future plans are to add more bleachers for better viewer seating. As you attend local sporting events, support our Epworth Athletic Club organization by grabbing a fresh hot pretzel, a snack, a Pepsi or Gatorade, and pull up a “bleacher seat,” a blanket, or a lawn chair, to cheer for your favorite team, and enjoy the game! Epworth Soccer: Signup for soccer will take place as follows. Forms and payment can be dropped off at City Hall. Co Ed K-8th grade runs 8 weeks – sign up by June 5; 1st game Aug 15 Senior Grades 9-12 sign up by May 6 - 1st game July 9 Any questions? Call City Hall at 876-3320 Soccer is organized by Jason Putz .

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Epworth Fire Department News By Fire Chief Thomas I. Berger

The Epworth Fire Department is preparing for a busy couple of months as we start our fundraising season. The members of the department conduct two fundraisers annually in order to support our volunteer fire department. We are going to hold the dance on Friday, May 22nd, 2015 at the fire station. The annual dance supports the operations of the volunteer paramedic ambulance service we offer to our community. This year we are trying a different venue for the dance. We are going to hold the event on Friday evening of Memorial Day Weekend and change the format a bit. We will start with a happy hour, food, and refreshments at 5:30 p.m. and the band will start at 7:00. The previous years have seen a decline in attendance at the dance; we are hoping that we can catch folks before they leave town to start the first holiday weekend of the year. The dance has been very successful over the recent years, mainly due to the overwhelming support of our mail campaign. We thank you for your support of the dance, and we hope you will welcome the change in venue. The 67th annual picnic will be held on Friday, July 10th at the fire station. This fundraiser supplements the fire department side of the house. Monies received through the donations are mainly used for equipment upgrades and to supplement our training budgets. A few years back we implemented a silent auction to help the profitability of the struggling picnic. We invite you to attend the picnic and would greatly appreciate any ideas or items donated for the silent auction. Funds raised from these events also allow us to purchase new and update older equipment. Your support of these fundraising events is critical to our operations and it is greatly appreciated. In March, the Epworth Fire Department was honored to be nominated for the 1st annual Resources Unite 2015 Dubuque Area Outstanding Volunteer Awards for the Emergency Responder category. It was very humbling to be at the event when it was announced that we were the winners. It was a very special evening and we are grateful to the individuals who thought enough of our service to nominate us. We accepted the award that evening, knowing that it could have been any fire or EMS agency in the Tri-state area on the stage. We truly have the most compassionate and dedicated public safety personnel in the United States, right here in the Midwest. We would also like to congratulate two individuals who were very deserving of the award. Mel Brodrecht of the Galena Fire Department and Catherine Basten of the American Red Cross were the other finalists in the Emergency category, and we thank them for their volunteer commitment to their respective organizations. We hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful spring and summer season. Please check out our website at www.epworthiowafire.org for updates and information about the department. Your donations to our upcoming silent auction are greatly needed, and I thank you in advance for considering a donation. We look forward to seeing everyone at our dance and picnic, and we thank you for your continued support.

HORSFIELD CONSTRUCTION, INC. 505 East Main St. PO Box 305 Epworth, IA 52045

Office (563) 876-3335 Fax (563) 876-3487 www.horsfieldinc.com

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CITY NEWSLETTER

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May 2015

Visit the City website at www.epworthiowa.org for updates and more information.

Upcoming Events Annual Firemen’s Dance ~ FRIDAY, May 22 ~ 7:00 p.m. Support your volunteer ambulance service by purchasing tickets or making a donation. Summer Fun Program to be held at Tower Park the week of July 6-8, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Trained staff will provide enjoyable and educational activities for boys and girls ages 5-10. Fee $30 ~ Contact Molly at 585-0599 ext. 11 ~ Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubuque. Epworth Fire Dept.~ Annual Picnic Fundraiser ~ July 10 ~ Fun begins at 6 p.m. at the Fire Station with entertainment, bingo, food, and beverages.

Capital Campaign for Lighting along Jacoby Walkway. Donations of all sizes appreciated. A donation or memorial of $500 & above to be recognized with a plaque at the light pole. Home Page. Keep up with City news by using the City website as your home page www.epworthiowa.org

Get Creative ! ! ! Photo Contest ~ Slogan Contest Send your digital photos of Epworth landscapes or a catchy slogan depicting our town to [email protected]. Selected photos and slogan will be featured on the City website and used in promotional materials.

COMMUNITY SERVICES YARD WASTE DISPOSAL. Full Circle Organics, located at 10166 Hartbecke Rd (at Hwy 20) will accept Epworth yard waste. Yard waste accepted for free drop-off includes grass, leaves, brush, and compostable material only. Full Circle Organics accepts yard debris: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. & Saturday 8 am-noon. Curbside pickup is available with the purchase of $2.00 yellow tags sold at City Hall. Open Burning is allowed April 1 to May 15. Phone dispatch 583-1711 to report your controlled burning. Garbage and recycling service. Glass can be recycled at the present time. Electronics will be recycled, but laptops, small monitors, and TVs require a disposal tag purchased at City Hall. Appliance tags are required for appliance disposal and are sold only at City Hall ($10 each). Large items & extra bags can be disposed of with garbage tags – a $1.00 tag for each 50 pounds can be purchased at City Hall or the Quik ‘N Handi. Reminder to use a lid on your recycling container on those windy days!

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Water utility bills. Enroll in Automatic Bill Pay to simplify your payment process. Call City Hall, 876-3320. If you use your own online bill payment service, we do not receive your payment electronically. Your payment processor will issue and mail a check. It may take 7-10 days for us to receive your payment. Checks must reach our office by the due date to avoid late charges, so plan to initiate your payment early. Consumer Confidence Water Report 2014 is available at City Hall and on the City website www.epworthiowa.org. The City offers a property tax abatement incentive for new home construction and commercial improvements. Commercial projects require approval of the Architectural Review Committee to qualify. All qualifying property must apply for the incentive by the next February 1. Contact City Hall for details. Passport services are offered at City Hall. Phone 876-3320 for requirements. Tree Program – $50.00 rebate toward nursery purchases of shade and ornamental trees. For details and restrictions, phone City Hall at 876-3320. The Phil Silker Pavilion at Tower Park is available for your next gathering. Bookings are taken at City Hall.

TIPS FOR A SAFE AND FUN SUMMER… With outdoor activities in full swing, please keep the following items in mind in order for everyone to have an enjoyable, safe summer. ATVs and Golf Carts are subject to restrictions on City streets. ATV and golf cart drivers alike must have a valid driver’s license (a permit is not considered valid!). Golf carts are required to have a safety flag and slow moving vehicle sign and may not be operated after dark or at any time on the primary truck route: Main Street, Center Avenue, 1ST Avenue NE, 5th Avenue, Bierman Road, or Jacoby Drive. ATVs must be registered with the County Recorder and cannot be driven over 25 miles per hour while in the City. Proof of insurance is required for ATVs. Golf carts and ATVs are prohibited in City parks and on the Jacoby Walkway at all times. Trees are required to be kept trimmed at eight (8) foot or higher along sidewalks and at fifteen (15) feet or higher over streets. The property owner is responsible for the trees on his or her property. Recreational Fires can add to summer fun when done safely. City ordinance requires recreational fires to be surrounded by an above-ground non-combustible material and be smaller than 4x4’ in area with flames no higher than 4’. Fires must be attended at all times or completely extinguished if unattended. Firewood or clean, untreated lumber are the only permissible items for burning. Vehicles may be stored outdoors in the owner’s yard if they are currently licensed and operable. Inoperable vehicles, car parts, and machinery must be stored inside. Street Parking. Vehicles may be parked on city streets for a period of 48 hours. Commercial vehicles, while directly engaged in activities for which such vehicles are necessary, can be parked for the duration. Trailers, boats, campers and equipment may not be parked on streets. Grass blown in streets is a littering violation and subject to a $100 fine.

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THE VOICE OF PROGRESS (Guy Lombardo cont’d from p.1)

The band members went directly into the café and had lunch. After eating, they strolled over to check out the new locker plant building. As they entered, they announced who they were to Aunt Betty and Rita and asked to look around. They checked out the front of the business, and then asked what was in back. My aunts told them Dad and Danny were butchering on the kill floor, which wouldn’t be a pleasant place to visit. However, Guy and the rest of the band members headed back to check out the kill floor. Afterwards, they came back out front and thanked my aunts for letting them tour the business. Aunt Rita asked if she could get their autographs, which resulted in Kenny Gardner, the band’s lead singer, giving her his autograph. She still had it at her house at the time of our discussion. Most people in town were not aware the band was in the vicinity, or that they had eaten lunch in the town café, until later in the day, by which time the band had already left town. Aunt Rita remarked that it was a “big deal” for her to host and guide the band as they toured the Epworth Locker Plant. ~Bill Mausser Note: Aunt Rita passed away in October of this past year, but I will always be grateful to her for passing this historical story on to me.

Ongoing Fundraisers Lighting along Jacoby Walkway, contact Janet at City Hall, 876-3320 Honor a veteran with a paver at the Dbq County Freedom Rock, contact Cindy McDermott, 581-5446 Dog Park Fence, Rick Horsfield, 451-4609

Investments

Moonen Law Office Licensed in Iowa and Illinois 111 West Main St PO BOX 57 Epworth, IA 52045 563.876.3451

Carol Heying, LUTCF Certified Senior Advisor

2993 Deerwood Circle Dubuque, IA 52003

*Securities offered through Broker Dealer Financial Services.

Maah’s Service

East Iowa Mechanical East Iowa Construction

Full Service Gasoline Light Auto Service & Repair Open M-Sat : 6:30AM - 6PM Sun : 8AM—Noon

119 W Main St Epworth, IA

(563) 876-3757

Ph. 563-583-4558

Plumbing • Heating & Cooling • Electrical Concrete Construction • Excavating

302 North Center Ave PO Box 59 Epworth, Iowa 52045

O 563.876.5573 F 563.876.9063

www.eastiowamech.com

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Business Highlights If you are looking to improve your front yard “curb appeal,” expand your existing landscaping, or make general landscaping improvements, there is no need to look any further than Epworth to find someone to do the design and/or installation. Happy planning!!!

TURF CARE: Owned and operated by Todd and Tammy Ford.

This is your opportunity to have full service landscaping design, installation and care of your masterpiece. Todd has a Bachelor of Science degree in landscaping from The University of Illinois and initially worked as the construction superintendent at several Chicago country clubs. For the past five years, he’s had his own landscaping business in Epworth doing design and installation using various plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, and grasses. He also offers seeding, sodding, drainage tiling, irrigation systems, as well as continued care of the landscaping and/or advice on the care of your chosen design. Todd can be contacted by phone at 876-3470 or 563-451-5394.

BONNIE MAUSSER LANDSCAPING DESIGN Bonnie recently started her own landscape designing business in Epworth after working many years at a local nursery. If you are looking for someone to help you plan a landscaping design/layout, then complete the project yourself, Bonnie can help you. She designs flower beds, patios, sidewalks, or fire pits in new or existing locations using trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, conifers, or grasses, then reviews and changes the layout as you desire. She can also arrange and contract for the work to be completed if you would rather not complete the project yourself. Call Bonnie to see all she has to offer, and she will measure, design, and create a weatherproof computer printout of the layout, labeling all plants included. Call Bonnie Mausser Landscaping Design- ph. 563-590-5527

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DIVINE WORD COLLEGE GRADUATION The timing couldn’t have been better. As Divine Word College wraps up the final events commemorating its 50th Anniversary, on May 15 it will graduate one of the largest classes in its 50 year history. In fact, it is the largest class in 45 years. “This certainly wasn’t planned, it just worked out that way,” said Fr. Tim Lenchak, SVD, president of Divine Word. “What a wonderful way to complement the events that have been featured all academic year celebrating our 50th anniversary.” The largest class in school history was the Class of 1969, with 41 graduates. The second highest was the Class of 1967, with 32. The Class of 2015 will have 27 graduates, including seminarian Luis Carmona, president of the DWC Student Senate. “Seeing so many people graduating, especially during the anniversary of the school, I feel happy to be part of this graduating class,” he said. The class is made up of students from six different countries, and includes fourteen religious sisters and two lay students. Seven of the young men have applied to the SVD novitiate at Techny, Ill. Carmona is one of those who will continue to discern their path to religious life as a Divine Word Missionary. “My last year is kind of sad, but I am also looking forward to seeing what’s next for me,” Carmona said. “I’ve grown and this place has shaped me in a good sense, in terms of being able to communicate better and being more open to people, being more pastoral overall.” Commencement ceremonies will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15, followed by a banquet. The Mass of Thanksgiving will be on Saturday, May 16, followed by a school picnic.

Inaugural DWC Golf Outing Tees Off on July 24 You are invited to put together a foursome and sign up for the first annual Divine Word College Benefit Golf Outing at Timberline Golf Course, on Friday, July 24. The four-person, best-shot tournament begins at 1 p.m. with a shotgun start, and features prizes, a silent auction, raffles and steak fry. The cost is $80 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, half cart, and dinner. “We want to bring our friends and benefactors together for a good time and the chance to walk away with some great prizes,” said Mark Singsank, assistant director of Development at DWC and organizer of the event. “We’re inviting them to bring along some of their friends to share in the fun and, in the process, find out a little more about Divine Word College.” After all expenses are paid, proceeds will go to support the DWC Student Scholarship Fund. With students coming from more than 20 countries around the world, every additional dollar helps them earn a college degree as they discern their path to religious life. “Most of our students can’t afford the cost of their education,” Singsank said. “Last year, we gave out $1.3 million in student scholarships, so we need to constantly raise funds to support them in this way.” Located in Epworth, Divine Word College is a Catholic seminary, in the tradition of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), which educates men and women for missionary service as priests, brothers, sisters, and laypersons. The SVD is one of the largest missionary orders in the world, whose missionaries work with the poor and disadvantaged in more than 70 countries. For more information please contact Mark Singsank at 563-876-0097 or [email protected].

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Epworth Calendar of Events Saturday, May 2 Flower bed clean-up day, Gateway, 9 AM Friday, May 15 Divine Word Graduation, 5 PM Sunday, May 17 Western Dubuque High School Graduation, Main Gym, 2:30 PM Friday, May 22 Fireman's Dance, Epworth fire station, 5:30 PM Happy Hour; 7 PM Dance Monday, May 25

THE AMERICAN LE GION Post 650 206 West Main Street Epworth, Iowa 52045

Memorial Day Schedule 8:00 AM High View Cemetery Salute to the dead 8:15 AM Program in Epworth Tower Park (Legion Hall) Raise the Flag, play the Star Spangled Banner-WD Band Welcome by Commander Marxen 8:35 AM Invocation Presentation of American Legion Service Awards: 60 Years Continuous Services Certificate for Dick Hamilton, Irwin McDermott and Jerome Urbain Roll Call of Deceased Veterans by Neal McDermott Prayer Selection by WD Band Speech by Epworth Mayor Salute to the Dead by Drill Team Taps Benediction 9:00 AM Parade through Epworth 9:20 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:25 AM 11:40 AM

Salute to the dead at the following cemeteries: St Patrick’s Cemetery Rickardsville Centralia Holy Family (New Melleray) Placid South Rural Cemetery (Epworth)

Monday, May 25 Highview Memorial Day Meal, 11AM to 1:30 PM Monday, July 6- 8 Summer Fun Program for boys and girls (ages 5-10), Tower Park, 8:30-11:30 AM Friday, July 10 Fireman's Picnic and Silent Auction, Epworth Fire Station, 6 PM Friday, July 24 Divine Word College Benefit Golf Outing, Timberline Golf Course, 1 PM July 31 and August 1 Epworth Town and Country Days

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Epworth Business Listing This is the current list of Epworth businesses on record at city hall. If you would like your name added, taken off, or information changed, please contact Janet at 876-3320.

Bard Materials Barn House Retreat Beyer Auto Body Biermann Excavating Bonnie Mausser Landscaping B & K Advisors, LLC Caring Hands Massage Conrad Construction Cornerstone Concrete Cox Optical D&K Auto Dan Connolly Construction Dave Hall Construction Divine Word College Dubuque Bank and Trust East IA Mechanical Inc. East IA Construction Eastern IA Dairy Systems Epworth Cabinet Co. Epworth Family Dentistry Epworth Family Chiropractic Epworth TV & Satellite Fidelity Bank Funnagans-Rodman's Sports Bar Green Maids Hallahan Hall of a Shirt Hair Shoppe Heiberger Insurance Heying Insurance and Investments Highview Cemetery Horsfield Construction Hulk Recycling Kennedy Painting Kramer Car Wash Kim's Kreations Kremer Heating & Cooling Kress, David (Auctioneer) Laminate Works Maahs Service Magic Audio Mary Kay Cosmetics McDermott Home Improvements McDermott Wall and Floor Repair Moonen Law Offices Mueller Storage

314 2nd St. NW 13527 Gun Club Rd. 110 W. Main 24004 Old Hwy Rd 404 W. Main St. 210 Bierman Rd. 116 W. Main St. 609 Baja 811 W. Main St. 101 E. Main St. 306 N. Center Ave. 205 1st St. SE 11919 Gun Club Rd. 102 Jacoby Dr. POB 380 102 W. Main St. 302 Center Ave. 302 Center Ave. 105 3rd St. NW 308 N. Center Ave. 255 Bierman Rd. 116 W. Main St. 103 E. Main St. 102 Bierman Rd. 112 W. Main St. 411 E. Main St. 625 E. Main St. Suite B 105 W. Main St. 102 N. Center Ave. 2993 Dearwood Circle, DBQ

Gun Club Road 505 E. Main St. POB 305 625 E. Main St. Suite C 23888 Pilot Grove Rd. 520 Richards Dr. 110 N. Center Ave. 108 3rd Ave. SW 24317 Old Hwy. Rd. 105 1st St. SW 119 W. Main St. 514 2nd St. SW 11499 Gun Club Rd. 308 E. Main St. 615 E. Main St. 111 W. Main St. 21205 Old Hwy Rd.

876-3300 542-0735 876-3613 876-3260 599-5527 876-9800 920-1998 590-7828 542-3228 876-3083 845-8070 542-0056 213-0442 876-3353 876-3392 876-5573 876-5573 876-3087 876-3644 876-3396 876-3231 876-3147 876-9090 513-1483 213-2271 451-9114 876-3220 876-3181 583-4558 876-5525 876-3335 495-8325 876-3887 876-3425 876-3078 876-3051 876-3032 876-3652 876-3757 876-3077 876-3293 876-3113 599-4588 876-3451 876-3679

Steve Kluesner Gerarda Keppler Marty Beyer Paul Biermann Bonnie Mausser Jeff Burds, CPA Connie Gibbs Pete Conrad Mike Oberfoell Tim Cox David Landry Dan Connolly David Hall Sandy Wilgenbusch Connie Kluesner Jacob Reuter Jacob Reuter Jim Siegert Eric Main Kim Kissell Mary Jo Kelchen Dave Koerperich Brian Daly Rod Berger Scott Smith Corey Hallahan Joanne Rauen John Heiberger Carol Heying Margaret Stocks Maureen Welty Roger Brandenburg Jim Kennedy Ronnie Kramer Kim Simon Paul Kremer Dave Kress Dirk Deutmeyer Bruce Maahs Keith Hartman Betty Mausser Jigger McDermott Luke McDermott Don & Nate Moonen Bob Mueller

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Our Finishing Touch Pizza Factory Quik 'n Handi Rausch Construction Reiff Funeral Home Rusk Metal Company Schipper Chiropractic Silkers General Merchandise Spiegel Construction Spiegel Storage Stick-en Bait & Tackle Then & Kramer Construction Three Rivers FS Tri-Dub Motors Turf Care, LLC USDA Farm Service Agency Wapsie Valley Transfer Weber’s Bar Winchell Storage Units

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106 W. Main St. 876-3497 104 N. Center Ave. 876-3153 206 S. Center Ave. 876-3800 403 Edwards St. 876-3821 115 E. Main St. 876-3666 635 E. Main St. 876-3311 210 Bierman Rd. 876-3777 101 W. Main St. 876-5575 107 3rd St. NW 580-5202 107 3rd St. NW 580-5202 305 N. Center Ave. 319-784-7604 413 E. Main St. 543-8926 305 N. Center Ave. 876-3394 111 W. Main St. 542-4527 618 Baja Dr. 542-6621 210 Biermann Rd. 876-3328 POB 391, Independence 876-5595 107 W. Main St. 876-9625 Jacoby Dr. E. 690-8942

Darla Goerdt Karen Koss Jennifer Betts Greg Rausch Joe Reiff Don Rusk Kyle Schipper Larry Silker Bill Spiegel Bill Spiegel Bob Urbain Shannon Kramer office Ben Wolf Todd Ford office office Roger Weber Robert Winchell

April 2015

Epworth Police Department News As warmer weather approaches, there will be more pedestrians and bike riders on our city streets. Please pay extra attention when driving and obey all traffic laws. They are there for everyone's safety. The Police Department would like to remind everyone that parking on the wrong side of the street is not only illegal, but it is dangerous. Take the time to park on the side of the street with the flow of traffic. It will be much safer for you and others when you pull back into traffic. Let's have a fun and safe summer!

Kramers Car Wash 520 Richards Dr. Epworth, IA

Full Service Car Wash

James Kauffmann Epworth Police 563-876-3050

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Minister’s Musings

Pastor Stephanie Schlimm

Growing up in South Texas, I never paid much attention to seasons. The seasons could have been labeled like our salsa: mild, medium, and HOT. After nearly three years in Iowa, I have come to love the change of seasons. This change—from winter to spring—might be my favorite. The grass is green again, daffodils are blooming, and the days are warm enough to leave our coats at home. It gives me a new energy for all the life that is happening around us. As we walk through the Easter season, the work ahead of us is to look for signs of life (signs of GOD) around us. At Epworth UMC, we are entering a six-week sermon series called “Revealing Life.” After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus showed up for his disciples, and showed them signs of their living Lord. This pointed them to how they were to live in this new reality. I wonder how we might see signs of life in our daily routines, if we looked more intentionally. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the chores of life, but God longs for us to see the goodness and growth and LIFE all around us. Through this season of growth, may God give us eyes to see how God is Revealing Life around us every day.

In Peace

Epworth United Methodist Church Pastor Stephanie Schlimm--563-581-5512 (cell) Office: 563-876-3193

[email protected] New Website: www.eumc-ia.org AREA CLERGY Divine Word College Fr. James Bergin, SVD (563) 876-3353 New Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Nathan Frambach-interim pastor (563) 744-9160 St. Elizabeth Pastorate (Bankston, Epworth, Farley, Placid, Peosta) Pastor: Fr. Michael Schueller, sacramental priest: Fr. John Haugen (563) 876-5540 United Methodist Church Pastor Stephanie Schlimm (563) 876-3193

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/epworthumciowa

St. Elizabeth Pastorate Mass times are as follows: Sat. St. Joseph, Farley St. John’s, Peosta Sun. St. Patrick’s, Epworth St. Joseph, Farley St. John’s, Placid St. Clement’s, Bankston St. John’s, Peosta St. John’s, Peosta

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 5:30 PM

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Betty Mausser 11499 Gun Club Rd Epworth, IA 52045 563-876-3293 563-590-5699 [email protected] www.marykay.com/bettymausser

General Merchandise GENERAL

ELECTRIC

www.silkers.com

Independent Beauty Consultant

101 WEST MAIN (563) 876-5575 EPWORTH, IOWA 52045

Shop online with me 24/7

Epworth Family Chiropractic

Epworth TV & Satellite David Koerperich Owner

Satellite & Antenna Systems ٠ Sales & Service Work (563) 876-3147 Home (563) 876-3117 Fax (319) 876-3147 [email protected]

Mary Jo Kelchen, D.C. 116 W. Main St PO Box 282 Epworth, IA 52045

103 East Main Epworth, IA 52045

Office (563) 876-3231 1-877-277-9119

THE PIZZA FACTORY 104 N. Center Ave. Epworth

876-3153 Pizza, Chicken, Seafood Sandwiches, Salads & Mexican

Kim’s Kreations

Epworth Family Dentistry, P.C.

110 North Center Ave. PO Box 301 Epworth, Iowa 52045

255 BIERMAN RD. EPWORTH, IOWA 52045

(563) 876-3078 Kim Simon - Owner

TELEPHONE (563) 876-3396

Dr. Kim D. Kissell, D.D.S. Dr. Ryan Oetken, D.D.S.

Highview Cemetery A Non-Denominational Community Cemetery

More info, contact Bob Rolwes, President 876-3463

Margaret Stocks, Secretary 876-5525

EASTERN IOWA DAIRY SYSTEMS, INC. 105 3rd Ave NW

PO BOX 273

Epworth, IA 52045

Jim Siegert & Wayne Meyer Office: 563.876.3087

GEA Milking & Cooling WestfaliaSurge

Email: [email protected]

GEA Farm Technologies - The right choice.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US Postage Paid Epworth, IA Permit # 10

Epworth Community Historical Society PO Box 434 Epworth, IA 52045 110 Bierman Rd.- Suite C

Bill Beyer, President 876.3213 Deb Connolly, Vice President 744.3158 Tom Simpson, Secretary/Treasurer 876.3160

ECR WSS

Museum tours offered by appointment Bill Beyer

563-876-3213

Voice of Progress Dianne McDermott

876-3721

Sandy Kass

876-3103

Judy Berger

876-3689

Judy Then

876-3530

Postal Patron Epworth, IA 52045

“Bread of Life” Free bakery items Monday evenings 5:30-6:30 Tuesday mornings 8:30-9:30 Epworth United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

HAVE YOU BEEN TO MUSIC AND A MEAL YET? Come join in the fun! Cook, Serve, Deliver, and Dine .

Community Meal Delicious, Nutritious and Free Serving Fridays 11:30-1:00 Deliveries available 563-876-3193 Epworth United Methodist Church Fellowship

Epworth Community Food Pantry The Epworth Community Food Pantry is available seven days a week for confidential assistance to those who need it. It is located in the St. Elizabeth Pastorate office basement. Please call any of the following for assistance: June 876-5562

Lois 876-3712

Judy 876-3227