Globe Gazette reporter Robin McClelland’s favorite stories of 2024
By ROBIN McCLELLAND – Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa (TNS)
This past year was a great year for local stories that impact us where we live. I chose these as my favorites for 2024 because they are about everyday people who make North Iowa such a welcoming and fascinating place to live, work and play.
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North Iowa Area Community College President Joel Pederson, Esdaka Soukon of Mason City Community Schools and Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel.
North Iowa welcomes Micronesian immigrants
This piece is the first of a number of articles I wrote following Micronesian immigrants as they settle in to North Iowa.
Esdaka Soukon is an unofficial spokesperson for a group of islanders that has now swelled to nearly 1,000. He’s been astounded by the warm welcome Micronesians have received.
“There are three things Micronesians are looking for, three things that they want in their lives. One is education, another health care and last is living, or housing. All of this is here in Iowa,” he said.
Get to know what brought these hardworking, joyful people to North Iowa.
Micronesian culture embraced by residents of North Iowa
Micronesia is a vast ocean region dotted with hundreds of islands and atolls. Immigrants from the area are arriving in North Iowa to work, learn and live.
Carl Young with Certificate
Carl Young poses with his Atomic Veterans Service certificate at his office in Garner.
Garner man’s longtime military secret finally revealed
Carl Young is an Army veteran from Garner who kept a secret for decades. He was stationed in the Marshall Islands when the United States tested nuclear bombs there and was sworn to secrecy until 2023.
Young came to his island service in the way many young men do: He was looking for adventure. He worked in the post office in Garner, and upon arrival at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, was immediately assigned to the post office there. Young couldn’t see himself sorting mail in a windowless room for two years, so he put in for what he expected would be exciting overseas duty.
After years of secrecy, Garner veteran receives Atomic Service award
Carl Young of Garner received the Atomic Veterans Service Certificate and Medal in December for his service in the Marshall Islands in 1958. There the United States tested a variety of new nuclear weapons. Young was sworn to secrecy until 1996 when the restrictions were lifted.
“They gave me two choices. Fort Churchill, Canada, or the Marshall Islands. Do you know where Fort Churchill is?” Young asked slyly. “It’s straight north, next to the edge of the world. I picked the Marshall Islands.”
Living Last Supper
Parishioners of St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City reenact the Last Supper. The gathering was the last between Jesus and his Apostles before his crucifixion and resurrection. It was the centerpiece of the Maundy Thursday service.
Living Last Supper tells the Easter story
St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., puts on a living Last Supper that poignantly tells the story of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples.
At the supper, Jesus washed the feet of the apostles, commanding them to love one another as he has loved them. He then broke and shared the bread with them. He gave them wine and told them that the bread and wine represented his body and blood. The act is the initiation of the Eucharist in Christian tradition.
Easter week: Living Last Supper showcases love of Christ
St. James Lutheran Church held the Living Last Supper as the centerpiece of it’s Maundy Thursday service. There will be an egg hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday and services at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Easter Sunday.
According to the Rev. Jenni Bohls, the script has been around for decades and she isn’t sure who originally wrote it. “I’ve been using it since seminary. We haven’t put it on since the pandemic,” she said this year.
The Living Last Supper is one of the yearly events at St. James Lutheran that welcomes members of the public who may be seeking a church home.
River City Lounge to host grand opening Saturday, April 13
River City Lounge will hold its grand opening beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at 116 N Federal Avenue in Mason City. Jesse Calvert will play at 5 p.m. with snacks, pulled pork sandwiches and prizes.
River City Lounge celebrates grand opening
A new business always seems to grab people’s attention, and the opening of the River City Lounge downtown was no exception. Owner Alyssa Graven put plenty of effort into bringing the new business to downtown.
Graven, a former FedEx driver of more than 22 years in the Mitchell County area, has made enough friends to fill River City Lounge many times over.
River City Lounge to host grand opening Saturday, April 13
River City Lounge will hold its grand opening beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at 116 N Federal Avenue in Mason City. Jesse Calvert will play at 5 p.m. with snacks, pulled pork sandwiches and prizes.
“I miss all of my amazing customers from the route,” Graven said. “I think they’ll understand when I say I miss their dogs more,” she added with a grin.
Graven and her team have had celebrity bartenders, added bingo nights and much more at the downtown Mason City location.
Local Food Trail event to connect local communities and local farmers
The North Iowa Local Food Trail, which spans from Britt to Floyd August 31. The event is a self-guided, back roads tour through rural Northern Iowa. The trail includes six farm stores and two food markets.
North Iowa Food Trail introduces customers to local vendors
Another great story came about from a delightful road trip through our region to visit local farms and producers who bring the best of the best to farmers markets and farm stands.
Steve Strasheim is a local producer who put planning into the Food Trail. “This network of farm stores was merely a dream even five years ago. I don’t think any of us would have ever imagined so many new store fronts, but also the vibrant farmers’ markets we have. North Iowa has a lot to be proud of,” Strasheim said.
Local Food Trail event to connect local communities and local farmers
The North Iowa Local Food Trail, which spans from Britt to Floyd August 31. The event is a self-guided, back roads tour through rural Northern Iowa. The trail includes six farm stores and two food markets.
(c)2024 Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa
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