News from the week of July 30, 2003
Gun show at high school idea shot down by board
4-3 vote nixes proposed show
The Tracy Board of Education said “no” this week to a request to hold a gun show at Tracy Area High School.
The measure was defeated on a narrow margin of four to three.
The board had been holding off on making a decision on the issue since last month. Board members wanted to wait until the new administration was in place before deciding.
At the board's July 14 meeting, questions were raised about how the school's policies addressed the issue. Supt. David Marlette told the board Monday that he had researched this, and did not find anything that would restrict holding a gun show at the school.
Marlette told the board that he had no reservations about the show, but added that he did not know the community well enough yet to determine if there would be a negative reaction.
Board member Garry Hippe told the board that the group organizing the show planned to contribute 75 percent of the net profit from the show to the school. He said that as the show continued to grow, that would likely increase. The group planned to hold the show in conjunction with the Tracy Area Sportsmen's Show in held in April.
Board members Steve Johnson and Ed Carter expressed that they felt the show would be sending a mixed message to students, and would be a double standard.
Hippe said he felt that there was only one standard—the school policy. He added that he believed this would accommodate both the goal of providing a safe place to learn, as well as exercising the right to hold other functions at the building when school is not in session.
Peggy Zwach, Dan Zimansky, and Hippe voted for a motion to allow the show. Mike Carlson, Eric Nelson, Johnson, and Carter were against.
The board voted to hire Bill Tauer as the district's community education director.
Tauer will continue to serve the district as athletic director, and will also be taking on the position of summer recreation director beginning next summer. Tauer will continue to work toward his community education licensure. He currently has six credits.
Vandalism still bedevils Central Park
Concern expressed about 'bullying' behavior at park
What can be done to curb an on-going vandalism problem in Tracy's Central Park?
The question has City of Tracy leaders perplexed and more than a little vexed. Monday night, city council members discussed the latest rash of bathroom vandalism at the Central Park
Public Works Director Rick Robinson reported that he has replaced exterior door handles and locks at the bathroom facility for the third times since this spring. Other bathroom vandalism has occurred repeatedly. Toilets have been deliberately plugged, floors have been flooded with water and trash, and human excrement has been deposited in restroom sinks.
The new men's and women's restrooms were built last fall at a cost of more than $15,000, replaciing the decades-old bathrooms located on the north side of the Central Park bandshell. Periodic vandalism had also been a problem at the Central Park restrooms. It had been hoped that the more visible location of the new concrete-block bathrooms—southwest of the tennis courts near Second Street—would be a deterrent to vandals.
Police Chief Bryan Hillger said that he is posting a police officer at the park eight hours a day, to send a message to the park trouble makers.
Grand opening set at Helping to Heal
A grand opening is planned at the "Helping to Heal" office in Downtown Tracy.
Dr. Charles Reinert opened the office earlier this summer in the storefront formerly occupied by Baskets of Yarn. The grand opening advertises free refreshments and demonstrations.
Reinert, a retired professor from Southwest State University, stresses that he is not a medical doctor. His doctorate degree is in physics, not medicine. He recommends that the people who see him continue to consult with a licensed medical practitioner.
His office offers alternate techniques, which he says "help people heal themselves." Those techniques include "energy therapy," "energy psychology," "meridian therapy," "emotional freedom technique (EFT),” hypnosis, and therapeutic massage. The office also offers support programs for weight loss and nutrition.
He explains:
"My interest is in working with clients with resistant physical and emotional conditions, to help them perform to their maximum health, job and learning potentials. The therapies which I use are believed to be free of negative side effects."
New exhibit dolls up Methodist flower show
Row upon row of dolls graced the Tracy United Methodist Church Sunday School room.
Some resembled faded roses, fragile but still precious. Others still glistened with the glow of magical gifts that had been opened just yesterday, or what seemed like only yesterday.
The delicate display was a new feature of the church's annual flower show Thursday. Not knowing quite what to expect, organizers invited people to bring in their favorite dolls. Grandmothers, mothers, and young ladies responded by sharing 90 dolls. Each had a story.
A 90-year-old doll bought by Marilyn Carlson had been her mother's (Fern Robinson) childhood toy. The white kidskin leather doll still sported its original china head and hands and velvet shoes. But alas, the graceful curls that originally adorned the doll's face are nowhere to be seen, mute testimony to a long-ago haircut given by little Fern.
There is nothing speechless about a Chatty Cathie doll that was given to Dawn (Donner) Myers in 1969. The doll still "talks" with the pull of a string.
Not all dolls at the Methodist flower show smacked of sugar and spice.
Shirley Knakmuhs brought a collection of baseball dolls. "I needed something for 'the boys' to see."
• • •
Cindy Bolte, who helped organized the show, was pleased with the turnout from the first-time event. "It's been wonderful. People have really enjoyed this."
4-H judging begins Saturday
Small projects' judging continues on Wednesday, August 6, at 1:30 p.m.
The livestock and small animal judging schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Aug. 7: Horse Show, 9 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Fleece Show, 4-H Show Arena, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Lamb Lead, 4-H Show Arena, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Market/Specialty Goats, 4-H Show Arena, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Sheep Show, 4-H Show Arena, 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: Beef Show, 4-H Show Arena, 8:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: Dairy/Dairy Goat, 4-H Show Arena, 11 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: Poultry Show, Tent,12:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: Rabbit Show, Tent, 4 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 8: Cats/Pets, 4-H Show Arena, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9: Swine Show, 4-H Show Arena, 8 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9: Discovery 4-H and Kids Fair Pet Show, Tent, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9: Dog Best Groomed, Best Costumed, Best Trick Contest, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9: Dog Agility (Near 4-H Show Arena), 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 10: Small Animal Premier Showmanship, 4-H Show Arena, 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 10: Large Animal Premier Showmanship, 4-H Show Arena, noon.
Sunday, Aug. 10: Livestock Ribbon Auction Hospitality, Tent Near Show Arena, noon.
Ribbon Auction, 4-H Show Arena, 1 p.m.
• • •
The Lyon County 4-H Arts-In Musical “A Trip Down Memory Lane” will be presented in the
4-H Exhibit Building Thursday, August 7, 7 p.m., Friday, 11L30 a.m.; Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m.
Extra events planned for 100th Lyon County Fair
Century-old tradition resumes next Wednesday
4-H projects and midway games, corn dogs and cotton candy—county fairs conjure up a host of memories.
This summer, Lyon County celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its fair.
The first fair in Lyon County was held in Marshall in October of 1874, according to A.P. Rose's “History of Lyon County.” Several hundred people attended, and it was declared to be a success. “There were many exhibits, although the premiums were not liberal,” Rose writes.
A county fair association was formed during 1903 and 1904, when land was purchased near Marshall to be used for the fairgrounds for $6,000. Buildings were constructed on the new fairgrounds, and the Lyon County Fair has been held there ever since.
Today, the 40-acre fairground has several buildings, for 4-H, commercial, and livestock exhibits, food stands, a grandstand, show arena, midway area, and hockey rink.
• • •
An extra day is being added to fair festivities this year.
Wednesday, Aug. 6 will be "Centennial Day." Displays of antiques, farm equipment, and other items representative of days gone by, are being planned.
Also on the slate for Wednesday is a “Ranch Round-Up” beginning at 1 p.m. in front of the grandstand. Well-known farm broadcaster Lynn Ketelsen will be the special guest.