The Sheffield Press

22/11/2022

In memoriam

Eudeana (Deana) Rae Larson, 73, of Sheffield, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022, at the IOOF Home in Mason City. A private ceremony will be held at the family farm near Brandon at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton. Deana attended school in Brandon, Iowa and graduated from high school at Vinton, Iowa and
Marshalltown School of Nursing. Deana was in the nursing profession until retirement in 2015 as Director of Nursing at IOOF Home in Mason City Iowa. After retirement, Deana taught nursing courses at North Iowa Area Community College. Throughout her life Deana was active in the Salvation Army as a bell ringer for 17 years and was president of the White Shrine Lodge in Mason City for 3 years.

Deana was a believer of Christ and loved the Lord. She was actively involved in church and served on church boards. Deana enjoyed her time with her children and grandchildren, sporting events, reading, traveling, fishing and going to her winter home in Mission Texas where she was involved with golfing, bike riding, her local community center and Bible studies. Deana is survived by her husband Richard of Sheffield Iowa. Her 3 children, Tracey, Angie, Scott and eight grandchildren, Gabrielle, Gatlin, Elijah, Emery, Grant, Luke, Nathan and Emma. Siblings include Tim and Tom McKinley, Sheila McKinley and Mary (Jeff) Meyer. Deana was preceded in death by her parents Tracy and Dorothy McKinley, two brothers Gary and Tracy McKinley.

05/10/2022

Westfork 2022 Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally! Go Warhawks!

19/09/2022

The fun and good works continue in Hampton unabated! Today The Kiwanis Club of Hampton has teamed up with First Bank Hampton to hold their Annual Scholarship Cookout at Fareway, which is in its at least 24th year. President Bruce Harris and team are on hand to serve up $5 BBQ pork tenderloins with a side of chips and a water. Not quite enough? Get an extra sandwich for just $3 more! Those are incredible deals in our humble opinion!

The Kiwanis Club uses the proceeds from events such as the cookout, fair foodstand and flag days to award 3-4 college scholarships annually to local youth.

Hurry though! Kiwanis is only serving up the special from 11:30-1:30pm today only!

18/09/2022

Last year in 2021 The Foster and Evelyn Barkema Trust Charitable Trust funded 82 projects locally including dozens in the West Fork District awarding $942,000 in funding total. How much they will award this year depends on how many applications they receive before the rapidly approaching September 30th deadline. A list of last year's award winners appears below.

The Barkema Trust takes applications from 501-C3 organizations which are of a charitable, educational, literary, health or public service nature and are located within the Belmond-Klemme, Hampton-Dumont-CAL or West Fork school districts. Applications are due by September 30th each year and can be obtained by contacting Zoe Brown at PO Box 461, Hampton , IA 50441 or emailing [email protected].

Read more about the Trust and Foster and Evelyn in next week's Chronicle!

Belmond Public Library, computers, $3,000
Belmond Hospital, bladder scanner, $8,000
Belmond Fire Dept., portable fan, stabilizing struts, $8,150
Belmond-Klemme CSD, metal roller and metal, $4,000
Build A Better Belmond, remodel Ramsay Elementary for daycare, $25,000
Belmond VFW, Post 4244, countertops, $1,475
Belmond Historical Society, electric system update, $4,000
Belmond Trees Forever, trees, $2,500
Build A Better Belmond, soccer field restrooms, $5,000
Belmond-Klemme CSD, scholarships, $40,000
Immanuel Reformed, Belmond, annual distribution, $20,000
Rowan Fire Department, radios, used firetruck, $18,253
Iowa River Players, stipends for college interns, $2,000
Alexander Fire Department, driveway, $9,639
City of Alexander, concrete floor, $12,000
First Reformed, Alexander, annual distribution, $20,000
City of Goodell, city hall remodel, $10,000
Meservey American Legion, clean emblems on monument, $1,700
City of Meservey, door maintenance, $6,248
First Reformed, Meservey, annual distribution, $20,000
City of Thornton, city hall shelving, dumpsters, $6,500
Mission Thornton, zipline for park, $10,000
CAL CSD, robotic technology, $5,000
CAL CSD, therapy dog training, $1,350
Iowa Specialty Hospital, Clarion, infant warmer, $18,979
Wright County Health Department, prenatal program, $1,424
Sheffield Library, metal rotor tower, $750
West Fork CSD, musical instruments, $15,000
Apple Daycare, Sheffield, remodel, $20,000
West Fork Food Pantry, remodel, $2,000
Sheffield Care Center, windows, $25,000
City of Sheffield, pool improvements, $20,000
West Fork Scholarship Fund, $40,000
Zion Reformed, Sheffield, annual distribution, $20,000
Hampton Public Library, carpet, $12,750
Franklin General Hospital, dining room chairs, $15,000
Hampton Fire Department, pumper truck pledge, $15,000
Hampton-Dumont-CAL, robotic items, $4,209
Hampton Christian Day Care, kitchen renovation, $10,000
Wee Ones Christian Preschool, Hampton, playground equipment, $9,647
Compassion Flights, airplane pledge, $10,000
Franklin County Food Pantry, hygiene products, $5,000
Franklin County Public Health, medical supplies, $3,500
Hampton Senior Center, matching grant, $8,000
Relay for Life, Franklin County, cancer research, $15,000
Harriman-Nielsen Historic Farm, repairs, $20,000
Hampton Police Department, speed signs, $7,500
City of Hampton Tree Board, trees, $1,500
City of Hampton (Kiwanis), playground equipment, $10,000
Windsor Theater, Hampton, water softner, $3,600
Hampton-Dumont Scholarship Fund, $100,000
Franklin County Conservation Board, music sensory play items, $3,500
Franklin Wellness Center, dectron repairs, $3,023
Dumont Library, movie license, camera, flooring, $11,600
Dumont Ambulance, jump bags, $1,710
Dumont Fire Department, radios, $7,687
Dumont American Legion, flooring, $5,790
City of Dumont, hopper broom, $5,700
City of Dumont, security camera, $1,885
Dumont Reformed Church, annual distribution, $20,000
Latimer Fire Department, pump/hose reel, $10,000
St. Paul Lutheran School, Latimer, copier, $6,851
Cub Cadet Childhood Center, Latimer, concrete, $10,500
Latimer Community Center, kitchen updates, $20,000
Rockwell-Swaledale EMT, power cot, power system installation, $20,000
Rockwell Fire Department, breathing equipment, $15,000
City of Swaledale, snow plow attachment, $9,500
Coulter Fire Department, hose, nozzles, air tanks, $5,700
City of Coulter, picnic tables, $2,500
City of Aredale, park updates, $1,500
Grant-Lee Fire Department, Bradford, breathing equipment, $20,000
Wings of Refuge, participant care, $20,000
NIACC, cattle facilities upgrade, $20,000
North Central Ag Education, $5,000
Bridge of Hope, furnace, A/C, water heater, $10,000
Caring Pregnancy Center, Mason City, prenatal, $3,500
Children & Families of Iowa, program support, $5,000
Children’s Cancer Connection, camp scholarships,$2,000
Iowa Ronald McDonald House, operational needs, $15,000
North Iowa Transition Center, vehicle, $7,000
One Vision, vocational services, $10,000
YSS Francis Lauer, Mason City, remodeling, $5,000

16/09/2022

The Sheffield Press September 18th 1941 edition excerpts

16/09/2022

Signs say you may be able to discover some barn finds Friday and Saturday from 9-5pm in Sheffield, but as of posting we have not confirmed the fact. You might have to just go do a little snooping yourself to find out!

15/09/2022

15/09/2022

West Fork Board Meeting Monday September 19th 4pm! Save the date!

West Fork CSD Regular Board Meeting
Sheffield, Iowa 50475 - Media Center Sheffield Campus
or contact the school to be sent a link to attend via Zoom

Agenda

Monday, September 19, 2022 at 4:00 P.M.

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Welcome Visitors and Media Representatives
IV. Constituent Communications
V. Approval of Consent Agenda
1. Approval of Agenda
2. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Approval of Financial Reports
4. Approval of Bills and Claims
5. Open Enrollment

VI. Reports

● Principal Report
● Superintendent Report
● Transportation Report
● Buildings & Grounds Report

VIII. Old Business

● FEMA Safe Room Project Update
● Purchase of Lot at 203 2nd Street South in Rockwell Update

IV. New Business

● Oath of Office Board Member
● Board Policy Review 800 & 900 Series 2nd Reading
● Special Education deficit for the 2021-2022 school year
● Resolution to request allowable growth to cover the special education deficit
● Wrestling Discussion and Update both Boys & Girls

IX. Personnel
● Contracts

● Resignations
X. Announcements
XI. Other Business
XII. Adjournment

The next Board meeting will be October 17 th at 5:15 PM in Rockwell.

15/09/2022

Jack Zimmerman Turns The Page Party September 16th 2022
By Matt Grohe

When Jack Zimmeran started working at The Sheffield Press in 1956 it cost .03 to mail a letter, gas was .23 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread was .18 cents, and it would be 7 more years until Eugene and Mary Sukup would debut their Stirway stirring machine and found Sukup Manufacturing. It’s been a 66 year ride for Jack and Sheffield. But like all good things it’s coming to an end as JZ turns the page and moves on to his next adventure September 16th 2022.

The festivities will kick off at 9am as Jack opens The Press office for the final time, not so much for printing but instead for greeting the public at an open house ito honor Jack and The Press from 9am-4pm. The public is invited to tour the shop at 305 W Gilman St, listen to Jack’s recollections and enjoy light refreshments and snacks.

After the open house the party will move to Godfather’s Pizza at 805 Central Avenue In Hampton where a dinner will be held in Jack’s honor from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. The public is invited to the gala where The Sheffield Press will be picking up the tab for a full buffet dinner of Godfather’s famous pizza and fried chicken, plus full salad bar with sides and drink bar. There will be a gift table and cards to sign so people can share their recollections and sentiments as well as decades of bound editions of The Sheffield Press for people to look through and enjoy.

The events will be free but those wishing to make a donation may do so by contributing to Jack’s Sheffield desingated non-profits, the Sheffield EMS Center and The West Fork Food Pantry. RSVP is not necessary, just show up if you can to help us let Jack know how much we appreciate his over six decades of service to the communities of Sheffield, Chapin, Hampton, Rockwell, and Franklin County. See you there!

15/09/2022

Sheffield Press delivery update!

We goofed! This week's Sheffield Press news was intended to go out in the Hampton Chronicle which will be acting more as a regional publication and including coverage of all towns in Franklin County, but there was a hiccup and the edition did not make it to Sheffield Press subscribers. Our apologies.

The new edition with expanded content will be in mailboxes and on newsstands next week as usual. A feature story will appear about the change and more details will be forthcoming. Thank you for your understanding as we work to make this happen.

In the meantime we hope you can join us for our open house tomorrow from 9am-4:30pm at the Sheffield Press office as we celebrate Jack Zimmerman and his 66 years of service at the Press!

15/09/2022

NEWS RELEASE: GRANT application deadline approaching

2022 GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

The deadline for applying for a 2022 grant from The Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust is quickly approaching. Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2022. Forms may be obtained by contacting Zoe Brown, PO Box 461, Hampton, Iowa 50441, or email: [email protected].

The Barkema Charitable Trust was organized for the purpose of making grants to qualified tax-exempt organizations. Special consideration is given to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations which are of a charitable, educational, literary, health or public service nature and are located within the Belmond-Klemme, Hampton-Dumont-CAL or West Fork School Districts.

15/09/2022

Harvest Season Yields Opportunity for Farmers to Give Back Through Gift of Grain

Sept. 14, 2022 – With harvest season upon us, the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation wants farmers to know about and to consider the opportunity to benefit their local community through a gift of grain. Donating a gift of grain is a simple way to make a charitable gift outside of the traditional cash contribution.

“Making a gift of grain is a unique way of giving that many don’t consider although it might make sense for an individual or family who farms and is also interested in being charitable,” said Terry Gaumer, affiliate development director with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. “The value of the grain can be used to start an endowed fund at the Community Foundation. We grow the initial gift and the interest on the fund can be granted out to causes important to the individual or family to better the community, forever.”

By giving grain to the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, farmers can avoid including the sale of the grain in their farm income. Although a charitable income tax deduction is generally not available, the significant benefit is the avoidance of declaring it as income. The cost of growing the crops is deducted, which typically results in saving self-employment tax, federal income tax and state income tax. Benefits can be had even if one does not itemize the deductions and takes the standard deduction. Farmers considering a gift of grain are encouraged to first discuss this option with a tax advisor.



The simplest way to give a gift of grain is to let the Community Foundation know of the intended gift. The gift should be from unsold crop inventory with no sale commitment made prior to the gift. The crop is then taken to the grain buyer and the seller tells the buyer how much grain he/she would like to put into an account set up by the Community Foundation. The grain buyer then notifies the Community Foundation which sells the grain and receives the sale proceeds.



Gifts of grain to endowment funds with a qualified community foundation, like the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation, are eligible for a 25% state tax credit on the total value of the gift through the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program. All qualified donors can carry forward the tax credit for up to five years after the year the donation was made. More information about Endow Iowa can be found at www.cfneia.org/endowiowa.

Questions about gift of grain or other types of gifts can be directed to Terry Gaumer at 319-243-1354 or [email protected].

For more information about the Cerro Gordo County Community Foundation, visit www.cerrogordoccf.org.

Qualify for the Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credits for donors that provide gifts to permanent endowment funds that benefit Iowa charitable causes. Learn more here!

14/09/2022

Brew to Brew Bike Ride is Back!

Main Street Mason City is excited to host the 2nd Annual Brew to Brew Bike Ride THIS SATURDAY - September 17th.

The fun begins at 12 Noon with check-in at Fat Hill Brewing. Riders will depart for Lake Time Brewery at 1:30 PM and ride back to Mason City Brewing at 3:30 PM.

Advance registration is required >> CLICK HERE.

Interested in promoting your business to riders? Donations for rider swag bag donations are being collected. Items may be dropped off at Main Street Mason City before Noon on Thursday, September 15th.

Join Us for an Ethnic Lunch by the Park

The 17th Annual Ethnic Lunch by the Park will be held Friday, September 16th in Downtown Mason City. Enjoy cuisine from around the world from 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM including:
Mexican cuisine by Mr. Taco including Street Tacos, Quesadillas, & Burrito Bowl.
Filipino egg rolls, noodles, fried rice, meat skewers, and pork dumplings by Filipino Foodie.

Trinity Lutheran Church will be serving Norwegian almond bars, Sangita Jalukar will provide Indian Bhel-Chat, and Ruth Anne's Home Baked will have a variety of breads and pastries.

Beverages served by the Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoy free samples courtesy of Healthy Harvest of North Iowa.

Food vendors will be located along North Federal Avenue, between State Street and 1st Street NW. Purchase your food tokens from the North Iowa Diversity Appreciation Team tents and vote for your favorite food vendor!

14/09/2022

Franklin REC will be hosting a National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept 20th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the headquarters, 1560 Highway 65, Hampton.

Franklin REC will be assisted by the Franklin County Auditor’s office in registering voters who are not yet registered, recently turned 18, moved or have recently changed their name, complete the their voter registration forms.

We will also be hosting representatives from Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley’s office during this time frame. As this is a nonpartisan event additional politicians have been invited to the event, with several having prior commitments or have not responded to our request yet.

Franklin REC will be the first Co-op in Iowa to earn the 5 star Co-ops Vote honor.

Please contact myself or Madison Alert with any additional questions.

Christy Mason, Administrative Assistant

Franklin REC

09/09/2022

06/09/2022

Sheffield is shrouded in fog this morning as The National Weather Service is reporting 100% humidity at the Mason City airport.