Weekly Kiwanis News 5/1

Posted by Tim Buenz

on May 01, 2013

There were 38 members in attendance today with Les Reinhart visiting from the Aktion Club. President Christensen called the meeting to order and reminded members of the board meeting on Friday. He also attend the Division Council meeting on Saturday in Ames and brought back Teen Maze Awards for Pat Miller, Hollie Roberts, Karen Pope, and Deb Geisler. Our club members that volunteered donated 67 hours of service to Teen Maze and obtained a double interclub! Vern F. reported a can deposit of $47.30. Linda S. shared that the Aktion Club took 6th place in fundraising for Relay for Life and that they will have a club meeting next Monday afternoon. No officer/board nominations were heard from the floor, so voting will take place next week on our 2013-14 officers and directors. Randy M. reminded members that we will grill for Little League opening night Friday at 4:30pm. The meal will be available from 5-7pm.

Mark Bauer had the program today. He introduced Don Orris who updated us on the Thomas Jefferson Gardens planning. The Thomas Jefferson Gardens is designed to connect and honor agriculture, education and the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson with Greene County, Iowa.

In 1854, three Greene County men were commissioned by a local judge to select a name for the county seat. They chose to honor Thomas Jefferson, a statesman, inventor, scholar and farmer who has been described as "the patron saint of rural America." The Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County honors Thomas Jefferson's belief and importance of agrarian life and the people who live it.

The gardens' focal point will be a life-sized bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson. Sculpted by artist Jon Hair. The statue depicts Jefferson seated on a bench reading The Declaration of Independence.

The gardens' design by Jack Leaman of Mason City will actually include four gardens: 1) A Monticello Garden with plantings of specimens from Thomas Jefferson's home. 2) A Greene County Farmers' Garden showing historic crops grown in the county at the time the Court House was constructed. 3) A Lewis and Clark Garden showing native plants founded by the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, of which Iowa was a part. 4) A Children's Garden.

A replica of a wooden mould-board plow designed by Thomas Jefferson will be featured in the Gardens. Funded by the Elks Club of Jefferson, this plow will be constructed by local artisan Robby Pedersen. Also, weather instruments used by Thomas Jefferson will be on display.

A colonnade pavilion Funded by the Rotary Club of Jefferson will be built to host weddings, anniversary receptions, and many other events.

The plans currently are to use the building that is on the site as a Greene County Welcome Center. Education displays, offices, a kitchenette, and public restrooms will be housed in the building. Thanks to Mark and Don for the very interesting program!