Ames During COVID-19

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Mayor John Haila was the guest speaker at the June 11 meeting of Ames Golden K. The weekly meetings continue to be held virtually.  Forty-seven Golden K members were in attendance along with Al Wicks of Iowa City Capital Kiwanis and Don Bice of Ames Town and Country Kiwanis.
The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown has presented many challenges for the Ames community.  The Mayor said that the city’s primary goal has been to protect residents and city staff–especially Departments that are critical resources for Ames and Story County.  To date there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported for any Ames city staff members.  Many public facilities are now open, and some such as the Municipal Library and Animal Shelter will be fully open by early July.  Unfortunately, the Aquatic Center will not open this summer, and this decision was definitely not popular with some Ames residents and several City Council members.   Other Summer events that have been canceled include the July 4 community parade and breakfast, July 4 Fireworks and the majority of Iowa Games competitions.
Students will return to ISU this Fall. There is some concern that there could be some issues with obtaining a full 2020 Census tabulation for Ames, as the majority of students were not present when the Census was taken. An undercount could negatively affect the Federal funding Ames and Story County receives.  A special Census may be necessary.  Other items covered by Mayor Haila include:
–Ames Farmers Market will now feature food trucks {with restrictions on access}.
–Food pantries are very low on supplies–hopefully citizens will step up to help replenish.
–Mary Greeley Hospital continues with great capacity to handle Covid patients.
–Ames 2040 Long Term Development Plan will be ready by the end of 2020.
–Five Hybrid Ames Police Cruisers will contribute to lessening our Carbon footprint.
–The South Grand extension is on schedule.
–Miracle League Field/Park is nearing completion.
–A new clubhouse will be constructed for Homewood Golf Course.
–An indoor pool to replace the aging Municipal  Pool is needed.
–An alternative to the Healthy Life Center is necessary, especially for Ames/Story County Seniors.
–Jobs losses due to the Pandemic are 8.4%–a shock to the Ames economy where unemployment was 1.7% in February.
–Hotel and Restaurant shutdowns have been drastic to the overall economy, but most are recovering, with very few going out of business. Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau which is supported by Hotel/Restaurant Sales Tax has lost 80% of its revenue to date.
–Ames City Council and all Departments continue to meet via ZOOM.  Has worked well.
Mayor Haila’s very thorough presentation and his astute answers to Golden K members questions, was appreciated very much by all in attendance.

Ames in COVID-19 Crisis Times

Last Updated: June 25, 2020 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Ames Golden K recently hosted Ames Chamber of Commerce’s Dan Culhane at their weekly Thursday 9 AM virtual meeting.  Mr. Culhane {pictured} spoke about how the mandated closures due to the pandemic have been hurtful, with overall impact on Ames businesses to be determined as they now gradually reopen.  The loss in revenue over the past 13 weeks has been especially  devastating to Ames hotels who have lost $6 million.  Unemployment has increased from 1.7% to 8.4%.
Good things have also occurred.  Ames community leaders have “led”; United Way has furnished considerable aid to those in need; State and Federal aid, especially small business relief to 120 Story County businesses has been of great help. The Ames Chamber of Commerce has never worked so hard and has been successful in helping unveil several positive economic developments for Ames and Story County.
Going forward the Chamber of Commerce has led the organizing of the Gift Cards Program,for sale and redeemable at many Ames business locations. “Story County Strong” is a motto developed by the Chamber and used in all posters, videos, etc. distributed since the beginning of the pandemic restrictions.
Dan concluded his remarks by reviewing the status of the Ames Research Park {one new tenant moving in soon}, the status of the redevelopment at Clark St/Lincoln Way, North Grand Mall area development; and Campustown development initiatives.
And,
Golden K Member ISU Professsor Jim Cornette was recognized for completing the annual Bolder Boulder, Colorado 10K run virtually, by running the Ames Run For The Roses 10K course on Memorial Day, the date for Bolder Boulder which was postponed this year due to the pandemic.  Jim has competed in Bolder Boulder 17 consecutive years.  Congratulations again, Jim!

Iowa Ag Economy in COVID Times

Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Chad Hart, ISU Department of Agronomy Economist  recently spoke to Ames Golden K members who  continue to meet virtually every Thursday at 9 AM. Highlights include:
  • The COVID-19  pandemic has caused a significant slide in Corn and Soybean prices nationally and internationally.
  • Hog and cattle prices and supply have been greatly affected by COVID-19 with drops up to 50% due in part to beef/pork plant shutdowns due to COVID-19 outbreaks. There has been some recovery of late.
  • Ethanol manufacturers in Iowa have experienced losses of 50-95% due to the pandemic.
  • The Federal Government has allocated $16 billion to farmers and ag producers to make up for some of their losses.
  • Due to ideal weather conditions, Corn and Soybean planting has been completed considerably ahead of schedule.
  • Indicators show that 2020 Corn and Soybean crop yields could be the largest ever!

Last Updated: May 28, 2021 by Joe T Leave a Comment

John Johnson Obituary

John Johnson

W. John Johnson, 89, of Ames, Iowa passed away on Tuesday April 28, 2020 at Israel House Hospice in Ames, Iowa.

Worney John Johnson Jr. was born on April 13, 1931 in Marshall County, Iowa; he was the son of Worney and Mary (Hodson) Johnson Sr. He attended and graduated from Van Cleve High School and later earned degrees in Agriculture Education (BS) and Rural Sociology (MS) from Iowa State University. He served his country honorably in the United States Military as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne division.

On December 22, 1957 John was united in marriage to Elaine Eldridge in Ruthven, Iowa. John spent 33 years with Iowa State University Extension as County 4-H and Youth Leader at Oakland, Iowa; Member State 4-H staff, Ames; County Extension Director, Palo Alto County; Area Director for 10 county area, Spencer, Iowa; Assistant Dean and Director of University Extension, Ames, Iowa.

John enjoyed involvement in community activities including, President, Spencer Rotary Club, President Northwest Iowa Regional Red Cross, President of the United Way and President of the Ames Golden K Kiwanis. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Oakland, Emmetsburg, Spencer and Ames, Iowa, the Chairman of Administrative Council, Lay Leader, Finance Commission, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, also Chairman of several District Church Commissions and Chairman of United Methodist Conference Task Force on World Hunger.

John had been a beekeeper for over 30 years, served as President and Vice President of Iowa Honey Producers association and served 20 years on the Iowa Honey Producers State Board. He served as a volunteer advisor to beekeepers in the Ukraine as they developed a new bee law for their nation.

John was a longtime fisherman with over 40 trips into the Canadian wilderness.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 62 years, Elaine, sons, Greg (Rita Majewski) Johnson and Kent (Carrie Gustaveson) Johnson, grandchildren, Jessica and Jennifer, half brothers and sisters, Jim Johnson, Becky Birch, Wendy Leonard and Craig Kerr.  In death John rejoins his parents, grandson, Kevin Johnson and sister, JoAnn Barnes.

Memorials contributions may be made to Israel Family Hospice House, 400 South Dakota Ave, Ames, IA 50014 or to Collegiate United Methodist Church 2622 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014.W

 

Last Updated: May 2, 2020 by Joe T Leave a Comment

Bob Farr Obituary 2020

Robert George (Bob) Farr, age, 95 of Ames passed away at Northridge Village on April 25, 2020. Due to federal and state guidelines for COVID-19 the family is holding a private burial at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames. a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Robert (Bob) Farr was born June 22, 1924 in Grinnell, Iowa the son of Frank and Edyth Farr. He graduated from Fairfield Community Schools in 1942. He attended Simpson College from 1942 – 1943. The Navy inducted him on a V-12 while he was at University of Dubuque in 1943-1945. After the war, Bob went on to Garrett Seminary from 1945-1948. Bob served churches in Douds, Leando Selma, Mount Moriah – 1948-55; Waukee, Booneville, Maple Grove – 1955-59; Wilton, Moscow – 1959-65; Carson, Mount Hope – 1965-74; and Dexter, Redfield, Penn Center – 1974-89. Bob, with his beloved wife, Helen, served at two interim assignments after retirement. These were: Bayard, Wichita -1990-1991, and Menlo, Jefferson Center – 1994-98.

Bob always said, “I was a country pastor who loved my people and endeavored to show God’s love in Christ to them.”

Bob is survived by his wife Helen Farr; children, Suzanne Thompson (Brian), Marla Meier, Deanne Caudle, Lynanne Badger (William), and Heather Smirnoff (Paul); grandchildren Michele Elson (Jacob), Sara TeBockhorst (John), Joshua Thompson, John Meier, Malinda Buffon (Joshua), and Dana Golding (Martyn); great-grandchildren Jacob Morgan, Jamie Morgan, Hayden TeBockhorst, and Jennings TeBockhorst.

Preceded in death were his parents, Frank and Edythe; sister, Mildred Parsons; daughter, Audrey Farr; and son-in-law, Rick Caudle.

Memorials may be directed to: Collegiate United Methodist Church, Wesley Foundation, or Food at First Food Bank.

Online condolences may be directed to:  www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

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