AREA — When Melanie Bruck recently walked into a first grade classroom at Irwin Elementary School, she invited the children to clap four times and chant “ag-ri-cul-ture.” It’s part of the Ag in the Classroom program.“We incorporate Iowa agriculture into the lesson plans. Not everyone has an agricultural background,” Bruck said.

HARLAN — Every year Harlan Fire Department conducts a driver training course.“When you get firefighters that join our department, we have a wide variety of occupations that come along with it, some of them are truck drivers by trade,” said Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen.

MANNING — Manning now has the uniqueness of possessing the first Charters of Freedom display in the State of Iowa; and only the second display west of the Mississippi. This permanent display is very special, and Manning is proud to make it available for public viewing.

Ardella Frances Rold, daughter of Vernon and Effie (Christensen) Rold was born February 20, 1934, in Shelby County (Monroe Township).She attended Rosehill No.

LaVale Jensen, daughter of Lake and Velma Green was born on December 21, 1928 in Harlan, Iowa.  She graduated from Harlan High School in 1946. On November 21, 1948 she married the love of her life, Floyd Jensen. They raised 2 daughters, Peggy and Patricia. In 1980 she and Floyd moved to Lake Panorama where they built a log home. She loved living at the lake and entertaining all their friends and family. She was an excellent cook.

Alice Ann Kwapiszeski was born January 21, 1921, to Henry and Mary Schmitz in Westphalia, Iowa.  She died September 16, 2022 at Josie Harper Hospice in Omaha, Nebraska having reached the age of 101 years, eight months, and 16 days.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Mary Schmitz; husband, Edward Kwapiszeski; granddaughter, Jennifer Kwapiszeski; and son-in-law, Gary Anderson, Sr.

Lamont James Christensen, son of LaVon and Nancy (Andersen) Christensen, was born on July 18, 1963, in Harlan, Iowa. Lamont was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, Iowa and confirmed at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irwin, Iowa. He attended school at Irwin-Kirkman where he graduated in 1982.

C. Clifford Tamm, 88, Hawkeye fan, favorite teacher, and beloved grandpa, dad and husband, passed away at his home September 24, 2022.Cliff was born December 20, 1933, in Denison, Iowa, and graduated in 1952. He was an all-conference basketball player. It was there he learned his love of sports and his love for the lakes of Minnesota.He attended the University of Colorado and University of Iowa.

Dane Markes Purcell was born to Helen (Ross) and Mark Purcell on November 11, 1978 in Omaha, Nebraska. While in high school, Dane followed his passion of music by joining a Christian based band, Faith Sound, sharing music throughout the Midwest.  From a young age, Dane was a hard worker.