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August 16, 2005

Summer Heat brings Trouble to Iowa Waters

With the summer 's hot weather drawing people to the water, Iowa has seen a dramatic increase in the number of drownings and boating accidents over the past few months. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in 2004, 11 drownings were reported in the state. This year, that number has nearly doubled and continues to climb at 21 as of Aug. 12. The number of boating accidents has also risen significantly, with 46 accidents reported in 2004 and 64 as of Aug. 12. Of those 64 boating accidents, 10 have resulted in a fatality. "People go out on the water with fun in mind, but they must remain conscious of unforeseen situations that can occur, " said Kevin Baskins, Communications Bureau Chief for the Iowa DNR. The DNR reports that activities people engaged in when the drownings occurred ranged from boating, swimming, fishing, wading and drinking alcohol. Reasons behind this years ' drownings consist of drinking alcohol, attempting to swim across the river, poor swimming abilities, falling out of a boat and not wearing a life vest. "Swimmers may also overestimate their swimming abilities, " Baskins said. "I can remember once when a tri-athlete got into trouble when she was training in the water. " Baskins stressed that one of the biggest problems is not having boaters wear life jackets. "Absolutely everyone should wear a life vest, even if they know how to swim, " Baskins said. With so many accidents taking place on Iowa 's waters this summer, one may question the fact that Iowa is one of six states that does not require boaters under the age of 12 to wear a life vest. According to the DNR, the rule states that boaters are required to have life vests in the boat for each passenger and "readily available. " However, nowhere does it state that the boaters are required to be wearing the life vests. Baskins said that he would like to see it become a law throughout Iowa that all children be required to wear life vests. "It bothers me to know that [the safety of our children] is even a legal question, " Baskins said. Baskins added that the majority of people that do not wear life vests don 't because "they are too hot and cumbersome. " "There is now a wide range and variety of life vests with different options available, " Baskins said. "Life vests are now cooler and lighter. " Pat Jorgenson, a recreational safety officer for the Iowa DNR said southcentral Iowa and the Des Moines areas have been hardest hit with boating and drowning incidents this summer. "There hasn 't been any incidents in northeast Iowa, and we are fortunate for that, " Jorgenson said. Wisconsin has also had their share of problems on their lakes and rivers. In 2004, the state had 124 reportable accidents, with a total of 111 injuries and 24 fatalities. Already in 2005, Wisconsin has seen 72 incidents with 52 injuries and 16 fatalities, and the year is only two-thirds over with. The DNR, in addition to its water patrol teams, are doing all they can to get the awareness out about the dangers of the area 's bodies of water. Baskins said that there has been a number of safety checks around the state to make sure vessels are well equipped. He also said that the DNR showed a boater safety display at the Iowa State Fair. "Before people go out on the water they need to think about being as prepared as possible for any unforeseen incidents that occur while on the water, " Baskins said. Jorgenson added, "Make sure you always wear a life jacket, be careful when drinking alcohol and always use caution. "

Craig Moser "excited about Main Street potential"

The city of Prairie du Chien will soon be accustomed to an important new face in it 's community. Craig Moser, hired early this month as the Program Manager for the Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. (PDRI) will be taking charge of the group 's committees during the second week of September. "I get more excited the more I see of Prairie du Chien and the more people I talk to, " said Moser about his new position. Moser and his wife, Mary Eck, along with their three boys will be moving to Prairie du Chien at the end of August from their current home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While there, Moser worked as a staff assistant to Senator Tim Johnson for the past eight years. "I 've done politics as a job for a long time now, " said Moser. "This job (with PDRI) is definitely the direction I wanted to go at this point. " Growing up as the son of a preacher, Moser is used to often re-locating his home. He was born in New Jersey, then lived in North Dakota before settling down in South Dakota. Moser also lived in Minnesota for a time while earning his degree in Political Science and emphasis in American Government and Politics from the University of Minnesota in Morris. Although Moser has never lived in Wisconsin, he feels that the PDRI and Prairie du Chien are a perfect fit for him and his family. "I've always had an affinity for main streets, " said Moser. "Some people see boarded-up windows when they look at old buildings, but I see potential. " He went on, "The environment is so appealing and attractive to me. After I saw Prairie du Chien, I got so excited about their Main Street potential. " Moser also knew that he was a good candidate for the position because of his past experiences with the Main Street Program. He said that he has done similar projects with Senator Johnson and has even taken part in a presentation with the National Main Street Program. Not only does Moser think this is a good career move for himself, but also a good physical move for his family. "My wife and I both came from small towns and we want to get back to that, " he said. Mary, a registered math teacher and K-12 principal, is currently seeking employment in the area. Her parents live in Fond du Lac, and Moser said that they both have siblings in the Twin Cities, so this is a great opportunity for them. "Our boys are just beside themselves - they are so excited, " Moser commented. "We are really looking forward to getting to know the community and be a part of it. " Moser said that his first goal to accomplish as Program Manager will be getting to know all the stake holders involved in Main Street. "There are so many anchors in Downtown Prairie du Chien...I really want to get to know all the business holders and also get to know their own long-term and short-term goals, " said Moser. "I want to work through consensus - not just my vision. " He went on to explain that it has taken a long period of time for Main Street to get to where it is now, and will consequently take time to get it back to how people want it. "It 'll take a lot of hard work and elbow grease to get done what needs to be done, " said Moser, "but it will be great for the community and the entire region when it 's done. "

Preliminary PdC School District budget approved

The tax rate for school purposes will go down by one cent according to preliminary budget figures put forth at the regular Prairie du Chien School Board meeting Monday night. District Business Manager Mike Coughlin told board members that total expenditures for the Prairie du Chien School District are projected to be $14,164,449 for the 2005-2006 school year. This is an increase of nine percent over the total expenditures of the 2004-2005 school year. Coughlin also noted, however, that the tax rate for the 2005-2006 school year is projected to be $10.45 per $1,000 of equalized valuation. Last year 's tax rate was $10.46. A tax rate of $10.45 means that a school district resident who owns a home valued at $70,000 would pay $731.50. Coughlin also told board members that the balance at the end of the 2005-2006 school year is projected to be $652,000. The board voted unanimously to accept the preliminary budget and to set the annual budget hearing for Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The annual budget hearing will be followed by the regular school board meeting at 7 p.m. In other business, the board spent a good deal of time discussing the junior prom for the upcoming school year. Several Prairie du Chien High School girls who will be juniors and some parents were at the meeting to discuss their views about the possibility of having the prom on a large, paddlewheel boat in Dubuque. Prom on the boat would cost the students $40 apiece and a minimum of 200 tickets would have to be sold, including chaperones. There were 210 at last year 's prom, but the students this year are split on the concept of having the prom on a boat in Dubuque. A show of hands at the board meeting revealed about a half-and-half split between the junior girls present. In a vote taken by 73 juniors who were contacted recently about the idea, 41 were in favor of having prom on a boat and 32 were against. One girl at Monday night 's meeting said that those who were against the idea would probably not go to the prom if it were held on a boat. After much discussion between board members, a parent who was against the idea, prom advisors and several students, the board finally decided to have the advisors do more research to get a better understanding of how many students are in favor of the idea and how many think they would attend if the prom were held on a boat. The prom issue may arise again at a future school board meeting. In other business, the board: "Approved a graduation date of Sunday, June 4. "Discussed a possible referendum for facility improvements. "Approved the fuel bid for Krachey 's B.P. "Approved the milk bid for Swiss Valley. "Approved a request by High School Band Director Matt Lenz for a Toronto trip.

August 14, 2005

McGregor resident struts her stuff at KCRG

A young McGregor woman truly seems to have found her dream job.

"It is great, really great," said Cheri Strutt, who is gaining a strong foundation as an intern this summer at KCRG TV 9 in Cedar Rapids. "They really let us do everything to get a taste of every bit of the news business."

Strutt has worked hard at KCRG and has enjoyed every minute of it, from writing, to "shooting," to conducting interviews, to editing, to producing.

"It's very cool," said Strutt, who has done up to seven stories in one day and is responsible for at least one story each day. "By doing everything we know what we can do and what we like and dislike."

What Strutt really likes is that the vast majority of the stories she works on are "all hers," meaning that she controlled all aspects of the story from conception through production. The final product that is broadcast to KCRG TV viewers is truly a "Cheri Strutt story."

In addition to creating numerous news and feature stories of varying lengths, Strutt has also worked on several story packages, most notably the "Our Town" series featuring McGregor, Marquette and Prairie du Chien. The "Our Town" series, along with other story packages, really adds a feather to Strutt's cap as she continues to build an impressive portfolio at KCRG.

"They (KCRG TV) really give us a great opportunity," said Strutt, who noted that the "Our Town" package aired from Aug. 1 through Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day while featuring different stories about the communities with each broadcast.

"I really enjoyed Our Town a lot. They were happy, fun feature stories to write and edit," said Strutt, who noted that she also worked as the production assistant on the long package as well as helping out with interviews and camera work.

Because Strutt knows the McGregor, Marquette and Prairie du Chien area well, she was very helpful in planning and coming up with story ideas for the Our Town package. "I knew all of the people that we interviewed," she said.

Of course, not all of the stories Strutt has worked on this summer have been happy. In fact, some have been down right hard. "The drowning in Dubuque earlier this summer was a very tough one," said Strutt, who explained that she now knows what camerapersons and other personnel go through in trying to report such tragic events.

In addition to working on stories and packages, Strutt has been the producer for "The Headline News," a five-minute segment that airs five times a day and highlights the day's top stories.

As the producer, Strutt not only edits each story, she determines which story gets the most air time and the order in which each story is aired during the Headline News segment. She is also "in the anchor's ear," telling him how many seconds are left for him to finish a particular story.

"That's the part that really interests me," said Strutt about her enjoyment of producing. "I just love being in control." Strutt, who will graduate in May from Loras College in Dubuque with a major in media studies and minors in business and theater said that she is definitely looking at being a producer.

For now, Strutt, who is a 2002 graduate of MFL-Mar-Mac High School, will concentrate on finishing up her interesting and busy summer internship, which ends Aug. 19. She will then return to Loras for her senior year with a much stronger foundation for future career goals.

The dog days of summer

Canines and their owners strengthen relationships at the Natural Gait

Nick, a giant schnauzer owned by Ruth Rustad of Minnesota, enjoys the cool water of the Yellow River Tuesday afternoon.

In about as peaceful of a setting as one could think of, the Natural Gait resides. Located in the hills of rural Harpers Ferry, the Natural Gait surrounds itself with picture-perfect scenery and the ideal weekend getaway environment.

The Natural Gait was the original idea of Howard and Donna Bright.

"We wanted to do something together, something that we enjoy doing," Howard said of building the Natural Gait.

The Natural Gait facility was originally built "to host natural horsemanship workshops to further humane training and improve relationships between people and horses."

The Natural Gait has since added amenities such as hiking and riding trails, camp sites, horse stalls, indoor and outdoor arenas and cabins.

The Natural Gait hosts several horse camps each year, but has more recently hosted a dog camp, directed by Suzanne Clothier, a well-known dog-trainer and author. Suzanne has given dog seminars all over the world, including four different continents.

The week-long camp which was held Aug. 7-13, had 45 dogs, along with their owners, travel to the Natural Gait from all over the United States. From schnauzers to Labradors to German shepherds, all types of canines were represented at this years camp, which was held for the first time at the Natural Gait.

Some of the dogs attending the camp were already trained in specific areas, such as Ruger, a German shepherd from Alaska who works as a cadaver dog. Others were trained in search and rescue.

Suzanne's camp, entitled, "Dances with Dogs 2005," is meant to enhance the relationship with the dog and it's owner, Suzanne said.

Whether the dogs were easily frightened, shy, or just hard to handle, Suzanne had some token of advice for the owners.

"We work at things in small chunks so that the dogs can handle it, and then we pay them with something they enjoy, such as a treat or toy," Suzanne said.

While at camp, the dogs participated in clicker training, retrieving, tracking and confidence building.

They also received quality Œplay time' where they ventured down to the Yellow River to cool off during the hot, summer days.

Suzanne said she is already booked with events for 2006, but plans on returning to the Natural Gait in 2007.

"This is such a great place to come to find a better understanding of your dog," Suzanne said. "We can work out problems here while simply relaxing and enjoying our dogs."

Suzanne offers free training articles on her Web site, at www.flyingdogpress.com.

Her next book, "Bones Would Rain From the Sky, Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs," will be out later this month in paperback.