Dennis Sailsbury

 

Dennis (Denny) Wayne Sailsbury, age 78, passed away at his Ames, IA home on March 6, 2021 surrounded by his family. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, with a 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 12, graveside service at Ames Municipal Cemetery. Masks and social distancing are required at both events.

Dennis was born in Ames, Iowa on September 24, 1942. He was the oldest of four children of Dale and Martha Sailsbury. He was a graduate of Ames High School and resided in Ames his entire life.

Dennis married Betty Borg, of Forest City, IA, on October 3, 1964. He had a passion for photography and worked at the Ames Laboratory as a photographer for over 40 years. He carried his passion of photography into his family vacations and holiday celebrations. He was heavily involved with his children’s (Hal, Eric, and Dan) activities. He rarely missed a practice or a game. He helped coached the sports teams they were involved in and was a cub scout leader for each of his three boys. He took many ski trips with his sons and grandchildren.

He was also devoted to his seven grandchildren (Chelsea, Alex, Jack, Roman, Calvin, Max, and Jonah). His grandkids had many overnights at grandpa and grandma’s house as they loved how he allowed them to stay up late to watch movies, eat chips and salsa, and make malts with grandpa. The morning always greeted the kids with his famous pancakes, as he was the only one that knew how to make them the “right way”.

He was a teacher at heart, as he loved teaching life skills to his kids and grandchildren on how to drive a boat, fish, camp, build wood working projects, and how to enjoy life.

Everyone knew Dennis as an avid RAGBRAI rider as he rode RAGBRAI for 27 years. After he decided not to ride anymore, he would provide support in transporting gear and setting up tents for his kids and grandkids when they would join the ride regularly.

Dennis was a staple in his involvement with Ames High School Football. During football season, for 40 years, you could find him on Friday nights volunteering his time at Ames High football games running the chains on the sidelines marking first downs. Because of his dedication and years of service, he received a distinguished service award from the Ames High School Athletic Department.
Dennis loved camping. He took his family on numerous camping trips over the years and spent many years with his sons and grandchildren on canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.

In retirement, he worked part time at Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University as a jack of all trades. He spent many hours building displays, performing maintenance on equipment, and mentored many of the student workers.

He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis.

Dennis never turned down an opportunity to try something new, because he was always a kid at heart.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Betty; son Hal (Dana) and their three children, Chelsea Bright (Isaac and great-grandchild due May 27, 2021), Alex (fiancé Kiki Kramer), and Jack; son Eric (Margene) and their son Roman (fiancé Morgan Warbalow); son Dan (Megan) and their three sons Calvin, Max, and Jonah; his siblings Marilyn Smith of Jackson, MO, Paul of Ames, IA, and Glen of Dysart, IA. His parents, Dale and Martha, preceded Dennis’s passing.

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

Ames Convention and Visitor Bureau

President/CEO Kevin Bourke of the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau {ACVB} was recently the featured speaker at the Ames Golden K Kiwanis 9AM weekly meeting, which continues to be held virtually. Bourke is well-known in Central Iowa as the former Cross Country/Track coach at Iowa State University and for his successful role with the Iowa Sports Foundation as Director of the Iowa Games.
Bourke noted the functional differences between the City of Ames, Chamber of Commerce and ACVB promotional activities. ACVB is funded from a portion of the Ames Hotel/Motel tax.  ACVB’s partnership with ISU for Conference planning and management is like no other in the USA–and is the envy of many similar communities throughout the United States.  ACVB’s mission is to increase economic development thru visitors to Ames, have a passion for Ames and ISU, excellence in service, innovation in all areas, always take the initiative, and teamwork in all aspects. The economic impact of tourism/visitors for ISU and Ames events/conventions totaled $341 Million in 2019.  COVID-19 has had a negative impact on Ames and ISU, as many events were cancelled, or attendance was severely limited. An example is the $18MM revenue loss experienced by Ames hotels/motels since March 2020.  It is estimated that the 2019 revenue levels will not be reached until 2024.  The ACVB’s Ames Community Grants program is continuing but has been somewhat scaled down for 2021.
Bourke concluded his remarks on an optimistic note, noting that ACVB has 136 events already booked for 2021/22 and 170 events that they are actively pursuing.  ACVB will also be focusing on new opportunities in booking youth conferences, ISU prospective student/families’ visits, increased interaction with ISU’s Admissions Department, possibly moving the ACVB office closer to the I-35/US 30 interchange and creating a Welcome Center to attract visitors from the 60,000 vehicles that pass through the area daily.

Iowa Turkey Federation

Gretta Irwin, Executive Director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, recently spoke to Golden K members at their weekly Thursday 9AM “virtual” meeting.   Ms. Irwin, who has been with the Turkey Federation for 26 years, shared a number of fascinating insights about the Iowa and U.S.A. Turkey Industry:  

  • Minnesota is the USA #1 producer; Iowa is #7, but is #2 in Jobs and Wages, contributing $685 Million yearly to the Iowa economy. Top cost to producers is grain for feed. 
  • Each turkey raised in Iowa adds $30 to the Iowa economy. One turkey produces over $1 of Iowa grown fertilizer.  
  • Iowa is #5 nationally in Turkey Processing, with Tyson Foods in Storm Lake and West Liberty Foods being the major processors, and producing packaged Turkey used for well-known brands like Jimmy Dean Foods, Jimmy Johns, and Subway.  
  • A Turkey Hatchery is located in Osceola, IA. 50 million turkeys are hatched per year and are supplied to Iowa producers and many producers in states surrounding Iowa.
  • Iowa turkeys are raised in large open area barns. A sanitary environment is paramount, and all turkeys are tested before being released for processing.
  • Iowa State University Poultry Farms is building a state-of-the-art Turkey Research facility, with ground- breaking scheduled for April 2021. 
  • The Thanksgiving 2020 “Presidential Pardon” Turkeys Corn and Cob are now housed at the ISU Poultry Farm facility. A You Tube video documenting their adventure at the White House is available.


Irwin concluded her presentation by noting that the Federation will be publishing a new cookbook in 2021 titled “Everyday Turkey”.

Ames Park & Recreation

Keith Abraham, Director of Ames Parks and Recreation, was the guest speaker at a recent Ames Golden K Kiwanis Thursday meeting, which continues to be held virtually.  Mr. Abraham, a 27-year Parks and Rec veteran, has served as its Director since 2013.  Abraham provided a comprehensive overview of the recently completed Ames Miracle League Park, including a visual “walk-thru” of the playground equipment, and details regarding the transfer of ownership from the Ames Foundation to the City of Ames. He stressed that those of all ages and abilities can use the Playground and the Park.  Abraham also updated members on projects that are currently planned, in process or completed:  

Inis Grove Park–Restrooms are being remodeled and motion sensors installed.–

Bandshell Park–New Lighting–

Brookside Park–New Restrooms–

River Valley Park Low Head Dam Improvements, including a Kayak Path, Fish Paths, Pedestrian Paths and Parking Lots.–

Homewood Park Clubhouse–Demolish and Rebuild–

Sunset Ridge Park {N. of Wilder}–Install Playground–

Establishment of Tahira & Labh Hira Park at the Old Edwards School Site–

Downtown Plaza–Awaiting City Council Approval/Guidance–

Pickleball Courts–Now available at McCarthy Lee Park–

Accessible Kayak/Canoe Launching Area–If fundraising successful, will be installed at Ada Hayden Park.–

Ames Foundation Tree Planting throughout Ames to replace Ash Trees and trees destroyed in the August Derecho–

New Pedestrian Bridge from McCarthy Lee Park to Oakland Street–Nearing completion