Click here to submit your
news ideas and stories to the
Manchester Press!
| | 
The
Official Newspaper of Manchester and Delaware County, Iowa
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
| |
Recreation center’s fifth anniversary
by Ken Boesenberg |
The Delaware County Recreation Center celebrated it’s 5th Anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 24 with an “Open House.”
Volunteers gave tours of the facility to the many visitors, showing them the progress that has been made over the past 60 months.
Recently there have been a number of new additions, equipment wise, to the Rec Center.
The weight room has really come a long way. The newest additions are the two commercial grade treadmills and the two commercial grade ellipticals.
“We were getting so much use on the machines that we had that we thought it was time to add two more walking machines. They have really been used a lot since we got them,” commented Dr. John Tyrrell.
|
At right is the new divider
curtain that was recently installed at the Rec Center. The curtain allows for more than one activity at a time to take place in the gym facility. There are now six baskets in gym area instead of four. |
The overall usage of the Rec Center continues to increase with this winter being one of the busiest times since opening.
“Although the winter causes problems for a lot of people, it really has been the Rec Centers best friend,” state Tyrrell.
Some other very noticeable additions at the center include a divider curtain on the basketball court that allows two different groups to use the court facility at the same time. This has been very handy when it comes to one group playing basketball and another practicing volleyball.
There are now six basketball goals in the gym area, all of which are adjustable. The addition of two scoreboards which came from the middle school now hang in the gym area.
The locker rooms and toilet facilities are now finished along with the installation of carpet on the second floor walking track area.
A large number of these new additions were made possible through the insurance policy gift left to the Rec Center by long time Manchester resident and businessman, Bill Johnson.
As we made the tour through the facility volunteer worker, Les Carlson offered this comment, “this facility looks nothing like it did back in February of 2003, it has come such a long way.”
What a true statement that is. There were many unfinished areas of the building five years ago. It was easy to wonder if it would ever be completed. But today the more than 600 card holders can enjoy a variety of activities from the walking track to the very nice weight room facility. |
KEN BOESENBERG/ Press
Above, left, are the two new commercial grade treadmills that were recently purchased and added to the equipment in the weight room. A pair of commercial grade elipticals were also purchased and are now available for use. The right photo is a picture of the new card reading entry system that is now in use with more than 600 current card holders. |
There are always people walking on the upstairs track, a trek that takes 13 laps to equal a mile. Even during the open house there were people that were walking.
The new card entry system has made the facility more accessible to the public.
When you become a member of the Rec Center you are issued a card that has a magnetic strip attached. With that card you can enter the facility from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The automatic locking system keeps the facility locked from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with the exception of local law enforcement and fire fighters.
The membership card contains information such as the type of membership and the date of expiration. In order to be read the card does not have to be inserted into anything, simply held up to the reader. The reader can detect the card through one billfold or even hidden amongst other cards.
There are rules to abide by when using the facility and they are clearly explained to new members as well as being posted for all to see.
For instance junior high and high school age students may use the gym during the hours which the center is open, but can only use the weight room or track area when supervised by an adult.
Youngsters under the junior high level must be accompanied by an adult or be in a supervised group at all times.
Another use that the center is beginning to see an increase in is in the area of social gatherings.
There have been Christmas gatherings, Thanksgiving celebrations, birthday parties and a number of “over nighters” at the center.
The over nighters have been sponsored by several Manchester churches. They will rent the gym and the social room for the night and have a large number of kids come for an over night stay. They play numerous games in the gym and have access to the social room for refreshments.
Recently the Rotary Club and the Lions Clubs have both held meetings at the facility.
“We are always looking for new ways to use the Rec Center for the benefit of the community,” commented Dr. Tyrrell.
The center is staffed by volunteer workers. They run the front desk during the centers regular hours, do the cleaning and most all of the maintenance work.
“The amount of time that our volunteers put in is just incredible,” states Dr. Tyrrell. “They just take care of everything it is unbelievable how many things just happen because of the dedication of our many volunteers.”
If you are interested in becoming a member or your group would be interested in using the Delaware County Recreation Center you can call Les Carlson at 563-927-2072 to make the necessary arrangements. |
“A Very Special Christmas with Grandma” to be released soon by local author
by Ken Boesenberg |
A book entitled A Very Special Christmas with Grandma is being released by Publish America of Frederick, Md.
What makes this book very special is not only it’s title but the fact that it was written by Leanne Bush of Manchester.
Leanne works part time in the mornings at Innovative Ag Services in Manchester and spends her afternoons either doing crafts or now exploring new book ideas.
Leanne was inspired to write her first book because of her love for Christmas, and her concern that traditions and values are becoming a lost art to today’s children.
“There are a lot of traditions that surround many holidays and it seems as if some of those traditions are starting to go by the wayside. I thought that a book would be a good way to keep some of those traditions alive,” says Leanne.
As her grandmother was a big inspiration to her, she would like to inspire other children in the same way.
In the book, Sarah is spending the week before Christmas at her Grandma’s house. While she is there, Sarah and her Grandma are doing lots of fun and special activities together to celebrate the Christmas season. Sarah learns about what makes Christmas so special, about old traditions, and about morals and values. Sarah also meets a new friend, someone who will be her special friend forever. It is a very special week for Sarah and her Grandma, one Sarah will never forget.
There are a number of illustrations in the book, also with a local touch.
“My aunt, Charlotte Briggs of Marion did the illustrations for the book. It will be interesting to see the illustrations as they will be in color,” stated Leanne.
Leanne hopes that this book, A Very Special Christmas with Grandma is just the first in a series. “I would like to do at least another six or so that have to do with other holidays and the traditions surrounding them. The next one will have to do with the fall season and Halloween,” concluded Bush.
PublishAmerica is the home of 25,000 talented authors. PublishAmerica is a traditional publishing company whose primary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscovered writers. Like more mainstream publishers, PublishAmerica makes its books available in both the United States and Europe through all bookstores, and never charges any fees for its services.
PublishAmerica offers a distinctly personal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers. |
| Flood relief deadline approaching this Friday |
In response to the flooding in October, 2007, Delaware County has established a disaster recovery committee to help area residents hampered by recovery expenses. Affected residents did not qualify for federal financial assistance and many shouldered costs themselves.
There were nearly 200 homes in the Manchester area which sustained water damage following those October 2007 rains.
Applications for Delaware County Disaster Recovery funding relief will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 29.
To receive an application, call Operation New View at 563-927-4629.
Donations to help meet the unmet needs in the area are being accepted by F&M Bank in Manchester.
To date there have been 15 applications received according to committee member Mike Ryan.
“With the application process closing this Friday we would like to see as many people make an application as possibly can,” stated Ryan. |
109
E. Delaware - P.O. Box 245 - Manchester, Iowa 52057
563-927-2020 / FAX 563-927-4945
Copyright
Manchester Press 2005 - 2006
Thede
Web Works - Web Questions
|