Visual Pollution

Arts Center hosts tattoo, body piercing artists (02/05/10)
About 20 square feet of skin covers the average human body. And nearly every inch is the perfect canvas for the artists now on display at Le Mars Arts Center. This is the first time the Arts Center has displayed any type of body art. The exhibit includes about 60 drawings, paintings and graphic art pieces from five Sioux City body artists: George Owings, Tim McKenny, Rob Hill, Richard Jenkins and Emily Evans...

From biomedical engineering to watercolors: Artist's journey winds its way to Le Mars (01/26/10)
A teacher told Jean Weiner she was born to paint. This affirmation came not during the Le Mars woman's high school career or even her college or graduate studies. It came after Weiner was in her early forties, had worked successfully in biomedical engineering, had two children and had battled a rare form of cancer...

EPA pushes back ethanol decision (12/02/09)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding off on deciding whether to raise allowable ethanol content in gasoline until mid-2010. The announcement came on Tuesday, Dec. 1 -- the original deadline set by the Clean Air Act for the EPA to decide whether to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline, a 5-percent increase on the current limit...

U.S. wildlife leaders worry about future during Akron summit (11/16/09)
Leaders from national wildlife groups shared concerns about the future of clean water and conservation in the United States during a summit near Akron this past weekend. "This is a place where agricultural producers, conservationists and water quality advocates come together for a common program," Jim Martin said of the gathering...

Courthouse annex building ready for architect's cost estimate (11/12/09)
The Plymouth County Supervisors are ready to send a floor plan for a proposed courthouse annex building to architects to receive cost estimates on the design. The supervisors' consensus Tuesday came after further review of the changes they have made to the layout of the proposed annex building the past few weeks...

Local electric providers: We're for cap, but not trade (10/23/09)
Under proposed energy legislation often called "cap and trade," the Midwest would get burned, according to representatives from local electricity providers. MidAmerican Energy representative Mark Reinders explained his company's take on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive energy bill proposed by U.S. Representatives...

Families' chalk drawings color downtown Le Mars (09/21/09)
Moms, dads, children, sisters, brothers, grandparents having fun together -- that's what the Le Mars Chalk Art Festival was all about. Families, like the Murphys, were already hard at work Saturday morning, the first day of the weekend festival. "Grandma had a fun idea for us to come down and draw," Mia Tardive said of her mom. "We do a lot of things together as a family."...

Le Mars ready for chalk artists this weekend (09/17/09)
Le Mars is gearing up for its first Chalk Art Festival this weekend and conditions seem just right for success. The weather forecast promises sunny weather with only slight chances for rain late Sunday night. Several vendors and restaurants will provide a variety of foods for people to enjoy during the festival...

Presbyterian UCC celebrates 125 years of sharing faith (09/11/09)

Art comes out of the woodwork in local show (09/11/09)
Joshua T. Adair fashioned a wooden desk in the 1830s. His great-great grandson John A. Adair restored the piece, which is currently featured in the "Around Town" exhibit at the Le Mars Arts Center. "I think he had that while he was a magistrate," John said. "He used the desk to do his work."...

Chalk festival invites all ages to color downtown Le Mars (09/10/09)
Remember sitting in the driveway and making chalk pictures? The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce's First Annual Chalk Art Festival next week is a chance to relive those childhood moments or create new ones. The chalk art festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 in downtown Le Mars...

Bond passes, new Hinton elementary looms on horizon (09/09/09)
Hinton residents made their feelings known Tuesday when more than 60 percent voted in favor of a $5.9 million bond to build a new elementary school. Hinton School District needed a 60 percent majority to pass the measure -- it got 65 percent. Unofficially, of the 836 people voting absentee and visiting the polls Tuesday, 545 were in favor of the bond while 291 were against. These numbers will be verified Friday...

Supervisors sign architect's contract (09/02/09)
It's official -- M Plus Architects will oversee construction of an annex building to help relieve space needs in the Plymouth County Courthouse. The Plymouth County Supervisors Tuesday voted 4-1 to sign the contract hiring the Sioux City firm to follow the project from start to finish...

Final bids Saturday on chair art (08/07/09)
Final bidding on "Sittin' Pretty" chairs at the Arts Center will be held Saturday. The 46 chairs, painted by local artists for the annual fundraiser for the Le Mars Arts Council, will be handed to the highest bidder at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. The chairs have been on exhibit at the Arts Center and then the Plymouth County Fair through July and early August...

Courthouse annex building in hands of architect (07/29/09)
The Plymouth County Supervisors Tuesday hired an engineering firm to oversee construction of an annex building near the courthouse to help with space needs. M Plus Architects Inc., of Sioux City, was hired at a cost of $36,400 to develop designs, prepare construction documents, oversee bidding and provide construction administration for the annex building...

Second generation 4-H'ers prepare for fair (07/23/09)
The smell of freshly baked sugar cookies fills the Sitzmann home northwest of Kingsley. All sorts of 4-H projects are scattered throughout the rooms of the house in preparation for the Plymouth County Fair. Adam and Abby Sitzmann, ages 13 and 11, have been members of the Kingsley Krowners 4-H Club since they were old enough to join at age 9...

Engineer cost estimates necessary for space needs (07/22/09)
The Plymouth County Supervisors need clarification before they can continue with plans to construct an annex building to help with courthouse space needs. The supervisors Tuesday decided to ask for specific engineering cost estimates from M Plus Architects Inc., of Sioux City, and Schlotfeldt Engineering Inc., of Le Mars...

4-H club's barn quilt project to benefit fair (07/21/09)
The popularity of barn quilts in Plymouth County and Iowa has prompted the Grant Clever Clovers 4-H Club to make one as a club project. The club is donating the barn quilt to be auctioned at the annual fair auction Sunday afternoon, Aug. 2, with proceeds going to the Plymouth County Fair Endowment Fund...

College student redesigns fair building for 4-H projects (07/17/09)
4-H is on the move at the Plymouth County Fair. That's right, 4-H exhibits such as food, home improvement, photography and much more, which for years have been displayed in the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds will move to the west, in what has been known as the Hall of '84...

Worn chairs are now works of art on display at Arts Center (07/06/09)
An idea to turn worn-out chairs into works of art has produced a colorful display of creativity at the Le Mars Arts Center. "Sittin' Pretty" is the July display which features more than 40 artfully decorated chairs. Project co-chairs Terri Schroeder and Becky Wiersma have been busy getting the chairs displayed and ready for a silent auction...

Woofstock has successful first year (06/29/09)
Woofstock, billed as a time for dogs and families to come together in peace and harmony, was the idea of Judy Bowman, Mary Reynolds and Cheryl Bolser to earn money for the Plymouth County Historical Museum on June 27. In its first year in Le Mars, no one knew how successful Woofstock was going to be...

Ice Cream Days begins with social and outdoor movie (06/16/09)
Two . . . One . . . The countdown to Ice Cream Days is melting away. Thursday the Le Mars event kicks off with the first melt-in-your-mouth activities, including the annual Primebank Ice Cream Social and ice cold rootbeer floats in the Plymouth County Historical Museum...

Food sculptures, noises and more at library fun nights (06/15/09)
Want some family fun without spending a lot of cash? Check out the free summer family nights at the Le Mars Public Library. Start out this Wednesday with family movie night. The popcorn will be ready at 6:30 p.m. for the showing of "Cats Can't Dance" at the library...

Ice Cream Days 2009 Schedule of Events (06/15/09)
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. "Cone Sculptures" crafted by area artists in various media for outdoor exhibit at The Arts Center, 200 Central Avenue SE. Sculptures will be auctioned to public bidders for private placement around Le Mars. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Ice-cold root beer floats in the 1940's Miller's Leech diner, "Milestone Memories" exhibit of historic wedding dresses, five floors of history at the Plymouth County Historical Museum, 335 1st Avenue SW. Free admission...

Ice Cream Days - what a flavor of home (06/12/09)
"It's all about Ice Cream!" is the theme for the 2009 Ice Cream Days celebration next week in Le Mars. The Ice Cream Capital of the World is ready to roll out the ice cream carts, cones, scoops and sandwiches. You name it. "Cone Sculptures" at the Arts Center and root beer floats at the Plymouth County Historical Museum start the day off Thursday, June 18, with both open from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday...

Museum to dedicate stained glass window (06/10/09)
Flag Day will take on a different twist at the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars this Sunday, June 14, when the museum hosts the dedication of a stained glass window. The window, which was in the former First United Methodist Church in Le Mars, will be dedicated in the museum's Religious Heritage Room following a brief program at 2 p.m. in the Music Room...

Oyens to celebrate centennial this weekend (06/03/09)
Oyens will kick off a weekend full of activities Friday to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Tri-State Car Cruisers Show. The Pork Producers will also be grilling pork burgers and brats that night, while Oyens Fire Department will be in charge of the beer garden...

Floyd Valley Apartments nominated for Historic Register (05/28/09)

Fabrication: Artist bends the rules of quilting (05/01/09)
You've never seen quilting like this before. Bright oranges, deep blues, burnt reds. Dreamlike images and stitching that defies straight lines. Jo Alberda's artwork, on display at the Le Mars Arts Center, combines simple designs with intricate and irregular stitched lines that run through and around the image like hundreds of rivers...

St. Joseph rectory needs new home (05/01/09)
It looks like any other home for sale, although maybe a bit larger. There's a kitchen, a dining room, a living room and more. But the two-story brick house is the St. Joseph rectory, a fixture near St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1970 and home to priests serving the parish and will need to be moved...

Arts Center plans 'Cone Sculptures' display for Ice Cream Days (04/22/09)
The Arts Center will be the place to see "Cone Sculptures" crafted in various media by area artists this year at Ice Cream Days June 18-20. Artists are encouraged to create a cone sculpture -- around 5 feet high, something resembling an ice cream cone, made out of whatever the artist chooses, but able to withstand the Iowa outdoor elements, according to Kathy Moore, executive director of the Arts Center...

Painting center of museum's Good Friday meditation (04/08/09)
Good Friday will be observed for the first time at the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 10, with a time of meditation in the Religious Heritage Room. The room is home to the 11-foot by 13-foot oil painting, "The Morning of the Crucifixion." A historic church pew, once housed at St. Catherine's Church in Oyens, is also available for people to sit on...

Kurth gives Ice Cream Days logo bold look (04/07/09)
With only two pages to turn on the calendar, Le Mars' annual Ice Cream Days celebration will be geared up and ready to go. The dates, June 18-20, are packed with activities and plenty of opportunities for ice cream and fun. Gehlen Catholic High School junior Angie Kurth kicked off her Ice Cream Days early as the 2009 Ice Cream Days logo design winner...

Local artists adds color to Pheasants Forever auction (03/31/09)
A commissioned watercolor painting by local artist Glenda Drennen will be one of many items on the auction block at the 24th annual Pheasants Forever annual banquet Saturday, April 4, at the Le Mars Convention Center. Dan and Lisa Wells, and their daughters Jacqui, Kenzie and Carley, commissioned the painting, which features a church decorated for Christmas in a snowy setting...

'Kitchen memories' leads museum lineup of activities (03/24/09)
Everything from a kitchen memories program to "Woofstock," a celebration of the dog, is on the calendar for visitors to the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars. First up this Sunday, March 29, will be the museum's third "Milestone Memories" monthly program. Joan Kroepel and friends of Le Mars will lead "Memories from the Kitchen Window" program in the museum's Music Room on the main floor...

Move over Michelangelo: Roy gains fame as snow sculptor (03/03/09)
Lara Roy is the kind of person who likes to leave beautiful things for other people to find. In the warmer seasons, the Le Mars Community graduate uses sidewalk chalk to decorate the walkways around Simpson College where she's a sophomore. Then winter hits...

Local students' art chosen for Youth Art Exhibition (03/03/09)
Artwork of four Le Mars Community Middle School students has been chosen for display in the Sioux City Art Center's 20th Annual Youth Art Exhibition. The four students and their artwork are: Taylor Clarey, sixth grade, metal Tribal Mask; Rejoice Peraza, seventh grade, metal Repousse' Fish; Emily Corbin and Lindsay Meylor, eighth grade, Cubism Cubes...

Artisans and craftsmen offered a spot at the Old Time Music Festival (02/23/09)
Artisans and craftsmen will have the chance to sell their wares to thousands of Le Mars visitors during the 2009 Old Time Music, Arts and Crafts Festival in Le Mars late this summer. The National Traditional Country Music Association, which sponsors the 34th Annual Old Time Music, Arts, and Crafts Festival, in Le Mars, Aug. ...

Chalk festival, dinner drama to light up Main Street Le Mars (02/17/09)
Chalk. A jewel thief. A rib fest. Le Mars is in for a bit of the unusual in the year ahead. The Main Street program and the Chamber of Commerce are trying some fresh events to reinvigorate downtown Le Mars. Mary Reynolds, the new Main Street Manager, is helping pioneer some of the ideas...

Art equals self discovery for artist, viewers (02/16/09)
Painting. That's all Kim Strohbeen, a part-time elementary art teacher at Le Mars Community's Kissinger and Franklin schools, thought about in high school. "I don't remember anything but painting," Strohbeen said. "I just painted all the time." Strohbeen, of Sioux City, will show her paintings starting March 1 at the Le Mars Arts Center...

Museum's 'Milestone Memories' to honor couples (02/10/09)
"Milestone Memories," a program to honor couples who have been married 50 years or longer, will mark Valentine's Day weekend at the Plymouth County Historical Museum in Le Mars. Several Plymouth County couples who have been married for at least 50 years will participate in the wedding program at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, in the museum's Music Room, on the main floor...

Courthouse goes wireless: System offers public access to Internet (02/10/09)
A dream is becoming a reality for Plymouth County Information Technology expert, Shawn Olson. Olson's department has received a Local Options Sales Tax grant of $25,000 to upgrade, improve, and expand the wireless network at the Plymouth County Courthouse...

Benefit for fair board member exceeds expectations (01/19/09)
Akron-Westfield FFA Alumni members hoped for a good turnout at their benefit for fellow member Jeff Klemme on Saturday night. The results far outweighed their expectations. "We raised more than six times what we hoped for," Randy Kroksh, one of the benefit organizers said...

Two Sioux City teens linked to Le Mars graffiti (12/30/08)
At least seven spray paint vandalism acts in Le Mars have been linked to two Sioux City teens thanks to a local business' surveillance video. Minh Nguyen, 17, and Timothy Nawanna, 18, both of Sioux City, were recently charged with criminal mischief in the second degree, a felony, in regards to Le Mars graffiti...

Impaired waters in county not on monitoring schedule (12/22/08)
Eight bodies of water in Plymouth County are among 445 listed as impaired throughout Iowa. That means those streams, lakes, creeks and rivers have some type of pollutant -- like too high levels of bacteria -- based on standards set by the Federal Clean Water Act...

Arts Center hosts 'Home Sweet Holidays' (11/06/08)
"Home Sweet Holidays" will kick off a full house of gallery items and lunch at the Arts Center this Saturday in Le Mars. Several craft vendors from the area have been invited to be a part of the Holiday Market, Saturday and Sunday, a yearly adventure of the Le Mars Arts Council...

Le Mars Area Dialysis focus is on fundraising, renovation (10/01/08)
Le Mars Area Dialysis Services is stepping up its fundraising efforts. Currently the not-for-profit group has two main focuses -- one is to continue raising money, and the other is to plan renovation of its newly acquired building in downtown Le Mars...

Pictorial history book of county in progress (09/29/08)
A pictorial history of Plymouth County may soon be a reality, thanks to the efforts of Seney area native Linda Zieman. Zieman made a commitment with Arcadia Publishing of Chicago earlier this year to put together a pictorial history of Plymouth County...

American Indian art exhibit travels to Plymouth County (08/20/08)
Artist Robert Morris captures the faces of American Indians from across the country, something he began 10 years ago. "I want to paint one Indian from every tribe," Morris said. "I travel all summer and paint all winter." An exhibit featuring 16 of Morris' chalk paintings from his collection "The First Americans" opens at 1 p.m. Wednesday and runs through Friday at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. The museum is open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or in the morning by appointment...

Le Mars Community welcomes new teachers (08/12/08)
Le Mars Community Schools will start the year with a few staff changes. A new elementary art teacher, assistant middle school principal and high school special education teacher are making preparations to begin the year at LCS. Kimberly Strohbeen Strohbeen will be bringing a splash of color to the LCS elementary as a part-time art teacher. ...

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