WednesdayJanuary 11, 2012

Your Award Winning Hometown Newspaper Vol. 126 No. 2

SportsPage 10

Briefly -

January 5, 2011 – All area gov-ernment agencies report that they arefinancially well set for 2011.

County Health Departmentwarns residents of flu strains that arebeing reported in the county and rec-ommends flu shots.

Iowa Veterans’ Home is now of-fering admissions to Gold Star par-ents.

Louisa County Winter Camp isheld despite very coldtemeperatures.

Ignacio Martinez’ obituary ispublished.

January 12, 2011 – CommunityDevelopment Center recognized forcompleting requirements of“Strengthening Rural Iowa” certifi-cation.

Dennis Fraise and SherryHumphreys are named new directorsof the Louisa Development Group.

Area Girl Scouts begin cookiesales in the community.

Senior Center sponsors lunch forall area residents.

Guys and Gals 4-H Club holdsfood drive.

Obituaries published were Rob-ert Lee Eichelberger, Kenneth Hilland Lois Ione Hills.

January 19, 2011 – SchoolBoard reports that a new school dayschedule is being considered.

A combination snow and sleetstorm hits city and closes schools.

Cases of Whooping Cough arereported in the County.

Representative Tom Sands takeshis oath of office.

LIFE MICROLENDING to be-gin small business academy.

Mary Meeker’s obituary is pub-lished.

January 26, 2011 – The frontpage is devoted to memories ofHelen Aringdale who passed awayon January 18, 2011.

School Superintedent RichBridenstine reported that the highschool has been removed from thestate’s low achieving list.

Columbus Junction State Bankreported to shareholders that thebank devoted the year to position-ing themselves for a strong upcom-

ing year. President Mark Huston re-marked that he was very optimisticfor 2011.

The Community Foundationawarded $86,600 in grants to areaagencies.

Dan Vogeler is elected presidentof Tri-Rivers Foundation.

Obituaries published were HelenAringdale and Everett Howell.

February 2, 2011 – The commu-nity celebrated the success of ObreeTribal’s cancer battle as doctors re-ported that his MRI was found to beclear.

Lucile Smylie celebrated her100th Birthday and was honored forher years of service to area youth.

The City Council unveiled theirCapital Improvement Plan.

Benita Grooms of Oakville re-ceives the Leland McCosh Awardfrom the SEIRPC.

Obituaries included Donna Bell,Kevin Hammons and Dorothy Pace.

February 9, 2011 – The areaexperiences 13 inches of snow and45 mph winds, causing schools to becancelled and traffic problems.

School Board discusses possibil-ity of joining with Muscatine Com-munity College in a project to bringa college campus to Columbus Junc-tion.

Kris Johnston’s 1944 tractor isfeatured in “Antique Power” maga-zine.

Wapello residents hold townmeeting on Emerald Ash Borer prob-lem.

Keck Players present “FebruaryFollies” at Briggs Center.

Raymond “Dutch” Coleman’sobituary is published.

February 16, 2011 – CCHS Jun-ior Class attends a Community Clubmeeting.

City Council announces that thenew budget will increase because ofgrants received.

Agriland FS announced that theywill partner with area farmers to pro-vide funds for area organizations.

Senator Grassley visits ColumbusJunction and speaks at Senior Cen-ter.

“Live Healthy Iowa” kicks off

local program.Fair Queen and Fair Princess visit

Colonial Manor and Colonial Estates.Kris Ann Griffith’s obituary is

published.February 23, 2011 – Area

watches snow melt in northern UnitedStates in hopes of escaping flooding.

Del Evans’ 1975 Ford 150 is fea-tured in “Vintage Truck” Magazine.

Bob Schlutz is honored as 2011“Friend of the Iowa Beef Expo.”

Marsha Gerot is honored by theIowa Association of School Boards.

Tri-Rivers Foundation plans fundraising auction.

Community Bank sponsorsWomen’s Luncheon.

Columbus FFA reviews their2010 year.

Sadie Coleman’s obituary is pub-lished.

March 2, 2011 – Columbus Par-ents’ Organization held a student/par-ent meeting with the Junior Classmembers to encourage Pride and Ef-fort in the upcoming ITBS tests.

Bob Buckman and Wanda Carsonwere named as Habitat Volunteers ofthe Year.

City Council approved a $5.8million dollar budget. Council alsocontinued with plans for the reloca-tion of the city’s water treatmentplant.

Hal Prior begins a science featurein the Gazette.

Adrian Ramirez earnsTaekwondo Orange Belt with BlackStripe.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa plana book celebrating 100 years of GirlScouting.

Obituaries published includedCatherine Virginia Ott and RobertJames Stirling.

March 9, 2011 – Plans are an-nounced for the town’s third annualSt. Patrick’s Day Parade.

LIFE Microlending representa-tives met with the Wapello FFA Class.

CJ Police Department announcesplan to participate in the STEP Pro-gram.

Louisa Development Grouphosted an open house for members.

Columbus art students are se-lected for State Youth Month art showin Des Moines.

Obituaries included LeAnn RaeEvans and Janet Skipton.

March 16, 2011 – GovernorBranstad brings “Jobs for Iowa Tour”to town.

Lewis and Romelle Dallmyercelebrate their 70th Wedding Anniver-sary.

Tammy Virzi receives IHSAANews Media Award.

L-M students hold Falcon Day ofAction/Giving.

.Columbus FFA students com-peted in Sub-District contests . Thestudents will advance to District Con-tests.

Obituaries included CatherineBlodgett, Ronald L Schnoebelen,Gail Dieckman and Forest Ross Hunt.

March 23, 2011 – The Gazettedetails a community family in needof help and the community over-whelmingly.

Governor Terry Branstad and Lt.Governor Kim Reynolds visit CivicCenter and details their “Jobs forIowa” program.

O’Toole Incorporated donates$2,590 to Letts Community Buildingfrom earnings they received fromB.A.S.F. for acres sprayed.

Jerry and Pam Podaril donated$2,500 to C.J. Fire Department thatthey won from Monsanto’s“America’s Farmers Grow Commu-nities” program.

Louisa County Izaak WaltonLeague received membership growthaward from the Izaak Walton Leagueof America.

Columbus FFA competes at Dis-trict Convention.

Wildcat First members servebreakfast to Columbus students priorto ITBS tests.

Columbus JEL joins NationalKick Butts Day.

March 30, 2011 – A deadly fireripped through businesses on NorthMain Street claiming two lives anddisplacing nineteen individuals fromtheir homes.

Aurelia Torres institutes a foodand clothing drive for families dis-placed by the fire.

A group of Americorps membersspend 8 weeks in Wapello assistingthe Conservation Board with naturalresource management.

By Mary Masonholder WilsonGazette Staff

Some people use a few couponsnow and then to save money. LaurieSalazar, local woman from Fredonia,practices extreme couponing, whichis using a LOT of coupons and sav-ing a LOT of money. In fact, shesometimes gets her purchases for freeor little or nothing! This doesn’t justhappen; it takes time and strategy.Recently Salazar put these skills towork to benefit the RonaldMcDonald House (where familiesstay while their children are treatedat the hospital) in Iowa City.

Laurie Salazar has lived in theColumbus Junction area all her lifeand was Laurie Snyder until she mar-ried Roger Salazar in 1972. Laurieand Roger both have given much totheir community. But it was Laurie,who now works at the Louisa CountyCourt House in Wapello, who de-cided she wanted “to put the Christback into Christmas.” Her way ofdoing this was sparked by hearingthat Community Action in LouisaCounty needed donated items. Then

someone else told her a scout troopwas collecting items for the RonaldMcDonald House. Also she knew ofa business in Wapello called “JustTwo Moms,” run by Joni Simmonsand Shelly Singleton. It is a resaleshop in Wapello where profits aregiven back to help families who arein some way battling cancer. Theeffects of cancer have hit Simmonswho lost her daughter, Nicole, to can-cer when Nicole was only 15 yearsold. Lastly, Laurie worked with awoman, Linda Schaffer, whosegranddaughter, four-year-old JordynGourley, right now is fighting cancer.

For all these reasons, Salazar setout to do a charity. It also was inhonor of Jordyn Gourley and inmemory of Nicole Simmons. Lauriegot on Facebook and started a newfundraiser called, “Coupons 4 aCause”, and she also spread the wordof her plan. Soon many people weresaving coupons and gave them to her.She then started a computer spread-sheet to keep track of the coupons shehad. She knew her coupons wouldnever cover all the expenses of the

purchased items, so she started an-other fundraiser for the project tocollect cash. Many donated money:Laurie herself (she doesn’t want thattold!); the women of Just Two Moms;Matt and Jeannene Clark; and theCoralville Walmart.

December 17th was designated asshopping day, and Salazar and herhelpers, such as Harlan and LindaSchaffer, Stephani and Kennedy Rife;Sean Salazar (Laurie’s son) and hisfamily, and Chris Kelly went to theCoralville Walmart with spreadsheetsin hand and a shopping list plannedby Laurie. Soon the shoppers had sixcartloads of items. At checkout, thegroup had $1,850 worth of goods, butdue to the coupons, their bill was only$750. What a savings! Then, too,they had the donated cash to coverthe rest of the bill.

The shoppers traveled straight tothe Ronald McDonald House in IowaCity to deliver their purchases. Therethey were met by Jordyn Gorley andher family to help unload. Accordingto Salazar, “The Ronald McDonaldhouse is not state or federally funded.

It is only funded by private dona-tions.” What she and her friendsbought were food; cleaning sup-plies; personal hygiene products,such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste,etc. for the families to use whilethey stayed there. The house willhold 31 families and has four kitch-ens. All of these items are to helpthem with their meals, keepingclean, or doing laundry. What a giftthese products must be to thesefamilies who are already strappedwith many medical expenses, plusloss of job income while tending totheir sick child!

Laurie Salazar did indeed putthe Christ back in Christmas formany people who don’t know heror have never even seen her. Hercoupon and fundraising skills madea gift of love to many anonymouspeople who are suffering with theirchildren. It could only have light-ened the many burdens they carry.Salazar is hoping to make this anannual event. Who knows whatnext year will bring? Salazar isalready planning her strategy!

Extreme Couponing + Extreme Charity = Laurie Salazar

Extreme Shoppers, left to right: Stephanie Rife, Kennedy Rife, Linda Shafer, Chris Kelley and Laurie Salazar

2011 - The Year in Review Part 1

Louisa County 4-H Clubs and the Fair Board will hold a Soup Sup-per and Dessert Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, January 21st at theAmerican Legion in Columbus Junction. Everyone is invited! Helpraise money for the planned Youth Center at the fair grounds and enjoygood food and fellowship. The Soup supper is from 5-7 pm; supper is$6 and includes all you can eat chili, vegetable or cheese soup and adrink. The dessert auction begins at 6 pm. All proceeds go towards theplanned Youth Center at the Louisa County Fair Grounds.

4-H and Fair Board Soup Supper

The American Legion will be holding a fish and chicken fry onSaturday, January 14th at the American Legion Building. serving willbe from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. A 50/50 drawing will be held along withother raffles. The cost is $8.00

Legion Fish and Chicken Fry

The American Legion Auxiliary (Post 100) is collecting long johns(underwear) for the VA Hospital in Iowa City. Donations can be droppedoff at the Columbus Junction Public Library. Long johns will be deliv-ered to the VA Hospital at the end of January.

Legion Auxiliary collecting Long-Johns

The City of Columbus Junction will hold a regular Council meetingtoday, Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the New CivicCenter/City Hall.

City Council to meet

Colonial Manor, represented by Tami Nichols will be hosting healthchecks (Blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol checks) at theColumbus Senior Center on Wednesday, January 18th from 9:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m. Hope to see you there!

Blood checks at Senior Center

FCCLA is looking for active servicemen’s addresses as a serviceproject. The FCCLA would like to make up packages to send to areasoldiers who are in active duty. If you know someone please contactLois Mincks, FCCLA Advisor, at Lois.Mincks@columbuscsd.org or319-728-2231 ext. 3332 with their name and address. We will try toget packages to send for Valentine’s Day.

FCCLA searches for addressesof active servicemen

The Louisa Regional Solid Waste Agency will hold its QuarterlyBoard Meeting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. at the TransferStation, 14048 70th Street, Wapello.

Solid Waste Agency to meet

The 2012 Post Prom Committee will have its first meeting onWednesday, January 18, 2012, at the high school student center at 6:30p.m. Any junior parent interested in helping with the 2012 Post PromParty is asked to please attend. Any questions, call Jacque Chaney at319-728-8580.

Post Prom Committee to meet

Postage rates will increase on Sunday, January 22, 2012. The costto mail a one-ounce letter increases to 45 cents. Post cards increase to32 cents. The additional ounce postage remains the same at 20 cents.The Columbus Junction Post Office has been selling the Forever Stampfor the past year. Customers that have the Forever Stamp can still use itat the new rate.

New postage rates announced

The Board of Education for the Columbus Community School Dis-trict will hold a public meeting on Monday, January 16, 2012, at 6:30p.m. at the Roundy Elementary School Library.

School Board to meet

The Shellbark Club will meet on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at11:30 a.m. at 92 Roadhouse. Our meeting will follow at Colonial ManorAssisted Living.

Shellbark Club to meet

The United Methodist Women of Columbus Junction will be serv-ing soup, relish and dessert after church on Sunday, January 15, 2012from 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. There will be a donation basket. Every-one is welcome, plan to attend.

UMW to hold soup Lunch

By Mary Masonholder WilsonIf Mexican food calls to your taste buds, there is a new restaurant located

in Toddtown, 219 Highway Dr. It is called Los Palmas for the palm tree andis run by Ana and Jose Tavarec. It is open every day except Wednesday.

Ana, who has long worked in the food business, says she had thoughtabout opening her own restaurant for ten years and the opportunity camewhen this building became available. Her husband, Jose, had experiencecooking, and it was a natural fit.

Los Palmos has a full menu of Mexican food and drinks, but some oftheir popular entrees are burritos, tacos, and fajitas. A favorite meat choicefor these entrees is skirt steak. The favorite drink is the margarita with fla-vors of strawberry, mango, peach, and lime. Tavarec says, “ Everyday I’mready to go to work. Business has been good.” In the future, there will becoupons in the newspaper for money off a meal.

New Business opens in community