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New Orleans families touched by Prairie du Chien generosity .

Many Prairie du Chien area residents and businesses donated numerous good used and new items to five families and others who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

As was written in an article in the Oct. 12 edition of The Courier Press, a trailerload of items took off for New Orleans Tuesday night, Oct. 12 at about 8 p.m. The truck and trailer, donated by Pony Express, a Prairie du Chien moving company, arrived in West Jefferson Parrish, New Orleans at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The truck and trailer, driven by Pony Express owner Gary Oswald and others, got back to Prairie du Chien on Friday, Oct. 14. Upon return, the trailer was empty but the hearts and souls of those who received the generous donations were filled with joy. Those who went on the trip also came back with many memories and impressions.

"We proved that a community can and did make a difference," said AmericInn general manager Wendy Vanderbilt, who helped organize the trip. "There were more than 100 boxes with the best new and used items."

Vanderbilt said that the five families were very grateful for all of the donations. "There were a lot of hugs and tears. They were all very nice people," she said.

Upon the trailer's arrival, about 30 people, including EMS personnel and firefighters, formed a "human chain" to hand off the goods, which filled the whole EMS Office at West Jefferson Memorial Hospital.

"There is still a huge need," said Vanderbilt, who is thinking of starting a fund-raiser. "It was so sad. The people were in a daze emotionally. They take it one day at a time."

Vanderbilt said that the Prairie du Chien group didn't go into the Ninth Ward, the most devastated part of New Orleans, but they did see a fair amount of destruction.

"It was pretty much how I thought it might be," said Vanderbilt. "It was sad to see a lot of homes with nobody around. There was a lot of emptiness. What we saw were homes that had been flooded out and abandoned. That was hard to see." Almost all of the homes had blue tarp on their roofs and Vanderbilt said that there was an unpleasant "fishy, stagnant water" kind of smell that still lingered. "There were mostly abandoned homes in a city without life," she said.

By the time the truck and trailer had reached Jackson, Mississippi, which is three hours from New Orleans, Vanderbilt said that there were many trees that were either uprooted or stripped. "Only the tree trunks were left, there were no branches or bark along a half-mile strip," she said. "It was a very weird scene."

Upon reaching New Orleans, Vanderbilt said that there was a lot of traffic leaving the city. "Cars were lined up for miles," she said. She also noted that there were numerous Red Cross helicopters in the air on any given day.

Legal battles about River Bluff not over yet

It has been nearly a year since River Bluff Resort LLC, developer of the golf course, hotel, waterpark and residential complex just west of McGregor, filed a civil suit against several members of the Concerned Citizens of Clayton County. The Concerned Citizens is a local group that has opposed the use of public funding for the development. The suit alleges that the defendants, Harlan Dettman, Gregory Koether, Ronald Kleinow and Timothy Mason, have caused delays, damages and costs to River Bluff. The suit alleges that these delays and damages are not due to actions taken against the company itself, but against Clayton County, whom the four men sued over their decision to offer the developer a $20  TIF (tax increment financing) bond.

That suit, filed in September of 2003, alleged that the Clayton County Board's decision to issue the TIF bond did not conform to urban renewal guidelines or the county comprehensive plan. The suit was dismissed in September of 2004. Dettman, Koether,Kleinow and Mason appealed the case to the Iowa Supreme Court, but the Court refused to hear the case and original District Court ruling was upheld last month on September 26.

River Bluff's suit against the members of the Concerned Citizens alleges that the defendants filed a "frivolous lawsuit" against the county, and particularly in their appeal to the Supreme Court. The suit allegedly "prevented the commencement" of the project, and that as a result, River Bluff Resort "has sufferedŠsignificant damages," according to the petition filed in Clayton County District Court last December 3. According to a letter sent by Tim White, attorney for River Bluff, the damages amounted to over $1 million at the end of 2004.

In response, the defendants filed a countersuit on December 14, claiming that River Bluff was simply trying to intimidate them from seeking an appeal. Koether, Dettman, Kleinow and Mason are also seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

"It's been so long that people forgot why we started this," said Tim Mason. "They're scoundrels feeding at the public trough," he said of the developer. "These get-rich schemes, this isn't anything that's going to salvage Clayton County," he said of the resort project. "All we did as residents was showŠwhat these guys are made of. All we've ever done is public participation, speak the truth," Mason added. He says that he is not intimidated by the River Bluffs. "We want to go back after them. We're just trying to protect our First Amendment rights," he said.

Mason asserts that the suit filed by River Bluff is a SLAPP suit ‹ SLAPP stands for Œstrategic lawsuit against public participation.' Such suits are sometimes filed by developers in response to citizens actions taken in opposition to a development that involve public speech or interactions with government officials. According to the non-profit First Amendment Project web site on SLAPP, every year thousands of people are sued for participating in local government or for speaking out on public issues. SLAPP targets have been sued for engaging in a wide variety of protected speech and protected expression activities some of which include writing a letter to the editor, circulating petitions or calling a public official. The suits generally allege defamation, interference with a contract or nuisance. According to the First Amendment Project, most SLAPP suits fail in court. But they are sometimes successful in silencing the public on controversial issues because people do not want to face the expense and effort needed to respond to a legal challenge. Washington, California, New York and Colorado have enacted anti-SLAPP legislation.

Tim White, attorney for River Bluffs, rejects the characterization of the litigation as a SLAPP suit. "This is not a SLAPP suit, this is a slander suit," White explained. "I've found a number of statements made by Mr. Mason that were wrong and extremely offensive," White added. According to Concerned Citizens attorney, Wallace Taylor, no dates for depositions of the parties involved have been settled upon yet. Tim White said he believed they would be scheduled within the next 45 days. The case will go to trial on March 28, 2006.

Area 'Women of Faith' travel to Des Moines to share experience others

Over the weekend, roughly 50 women from 17 area churches traveled together to Des Moines, IA to a Women of Faith conference. Women of Faith is an interdenominational women's conference organization committed to helping women of all faiths, backgrounds, age groups and nationalities grow emotionally, spiritually and in relationships.

According to organizer Erica Stubbs, women traveled from towns such as Fennimore, Eastman, Kenosha and even the Chicago area to meet up with Prairie du Chien women and catch their bus that departed from the Cornerstone Church at 10:30 a.m. last Friday morning.

Stubbs also said that their Women of Faith organization received grants from the Thrivant Lutheran Foundation and the George Family Foundation that were used to buy some of the women's tickets to the conference.

The Sunday edition of the Des Moines Register reported that more than 15,400 women came to the newly built Wells Fargo Arena for motivational speakers, songs, speeches and comedians over the course of the weekend. The theme of the conference was "Extraordinary Faith" which all of the artists centered their message around. Among the artists featured at the conference were country music star, Sandy Patty, commedian Chonda Pierce and speaker Lucy Swindoll.

Stubbs says that they will soon be planning a trip to another conference in 2006.

'Cajun on Corner' a success

On a sunny and breezy Saturday afternoon, Cajun music wafted through the air as did the delectible aroma of spicey Cajun food behind Lori Knapp Inc. on the corner of Blackhawk Avenue and Beaumont Road.

People filled the picnic tables from 1 to 4 p.m. as they enjoyed the great Cajun food and clapped along to the music of the five-member Sioux Bayou Band during the first ever 'Cajun on the Corner' event.

Cajun on the Corner was hosted by the Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. as a benefit to raise funds to support the rebuilding efforts of Columbia, Mississippi, which was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

"The event turned out fantastic," said Craig Moser, manager of the Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. "We raised a tad over $500 Saturday and are awaiting more contributions within the next week or so."

The food included jambalya, spicey catfish, dirty rice and other zesty treats that were donated by local restaurants. All proceeds from the event will be directed to Columbia, which is Prairie du Chien's adopted Main Street community. Columbia is a city of approximately 7,000 that is about 95 miles north of New Orleans. It sustained heavy structural damage during the hurricane and subsequent flooding.

Columbia was designated as a Main Street community in 1992 and was adopted by the Prairie du Chien Downtown Revitalization Inc. due to its similarity in size to Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien was named a Main Street community this past summer and is joining other Main Street communities across the country in order to raise funds for hurricane relief.

Natural gas a cause for concern this winter

With gas prices on the rise, many families across the country are saving up for what could be a very costly winter. None, however, will be hit harder than families in the Midwest. National news reports indicate that families in Wisconsin and neighboring states may find their heating bills up as much as 61% from last winter.

Steven Kraus, representative from Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), says that families their company supplies to should see an increase of about 50% for the year, or about $350 to $400 over last year's annual total for the average residential gas customer.

While still an extremely large increase, Kraus says that MGE has kept their number from climbing to the national average of 60% increase because of their gas purchasing practices. He explains that MGE purchases nearly one-third of their natural gas in the late spring and early summer months when gas prices are traditionally lower and is then kept in storage. That lower-priced gas is later blended with supplies purchased during the winter months to keep costs down for customers. Kraus also explained that gas prices will be the highest in the Midwest because of the combination of being furthest away from the supply along with having some of the coldest winter temperatures.

MGE purchases their gas from Canada and the Gulf Coast regions but claims that although Hurricane Katrina has had some impact on the prices of natural gas, it hasn't been as much as it's been accused of. "A week before the hurricane occurred, prices were almost at a record high already," said Kraus. "The bigger part [of the rise in cost] is not the hurricane, but that the demand is rising faster." According to MGE's website, the average price for gas has increased roughly twofold since 2002.

On October 12, the U.S. Department of Energy released a report indicating that households in the Midwest could expect their natural gas bills to rise by 61%. Governor Jim Doyle responded the next day with the following statement. "I am very suspicious that the big, multinational energy companies are capitalizing on natural disasters to drive up their profit margins, and this report is just the latest evidence."

Kraus says that, when dealing with natural gas prices, there is no way for a company to profit from any changes in gas costs. "Whatever the price is, is exactly what customers pay...it is flowed through at exactly the same price," said Kraus. He explained that MGE's profit changes with the volume of natural gas that is sold, not the price. It is a state regulation that utilities cannot mark up to the gas price. He made a comparison with another company, "When you call Fed-Ex to have a package delivered, they give you a flat rate. Whether the package you are sending is worth $1 or one million dollars, the rate for them to deliver it is still the same. That's just how it works with us."

When asked about prices fluctuating in the near future, Kraus says that it appears that prices will stay high. "There is nothing significant that says prices will go up or down. If we have normal weather, prices should stay where they're at."

MGE's website offers some tips to reduce the amount of natural gas used:

* Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees. Lower it at night and when you're away from home (55 degrees lowest setting). You save 1% for every 1 degree decrease over eight hours. Warmer settings are recommended for homes with elderly and infants.

* Keep registers and cold-air returns clear of furniture and drapes.

* Close storm windows and latch them tight. Replace missing storm windows or install plastic film. Close drapes at night to keep heat in.

* Put an interior cover on wall air conditioner units in the winter. Remove or cover window air conditioners.

* Fix water leaks. Wash clothes in cold water.

Visit MGE.com or call (608) 252-7117 for more energy-saving ideas or natural gas information.

Riding through memories is no trick for Irene Mann

Author's note: This story is based on interviews with Irene Mann and information from Al Mann's 1993 memoir, "My Home Was the Open Range of Wyoming."

At 96, Irene Mann's eyes still sparkle with the wit and sense of adventure that are the hallmarks of her long and colorful life. Family and friends gathered with her on October 10 at the senior residence at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital where Irene lives. In her room, many pictures hang on the walls. There are the usual family snapshots, but there are also black and white photos of a costumed woman and man trick riding on galloping horses, spinning lariats, and riding horses over enormous jumps. Any visitor who looks closely at the young woman in the fantastic photos will see Irene's sparkling eyes looking back at them.

In 1928, Irene Trine left her home in Bagley and married a young Wyoming cowboy and rodeo performer named Al Mann. The couple had been introduced two years earlier by Irene's aunt, Edna Greer. Edna and her husband Joe Greer, of Bloomington, were local rodeo producers. Al had met them in New York in 1924 when some of Joe's horses were leased by the Ringling Brothers Circus. Al had performed a trick riding act for the circus. Later, the Greer's invited Al to come to Wisconsin to bronc and trick ride at their rodeos. According to Irene, Edna Greer told Al that she had just the right girl for him. Apparently, Al thought so too.

After their marriage, Al briefly worked as a Grant County deputy for Joe Greer, who had been elected sheriff. While he did have his share of adventures as a lawman during Prohibition, it wasn't long before rodeo and circus life called Al back. He traveled south with Ringling Brothers during the couple's second winter together, while Irene remained in Bagley. He left a horse there for her to practice trick riding, and Irene also practiced "spinnin' rope," as she called it. "Mother never thought I'd be a performer," Irene recalls. "She didn't have faith in me."

When a circus producer saw a picture of Irene that Al took with him on the road, he told him to send for her, saying the show needed pretty girls like her. And so in the spring of 1930, Al and Irene began their performing career together with the John Robinson Circus and later that year, the Wild West Wonder Carnival.

While today people don't necessarily connect Western trick riding with circus acts, in the late 1920s and early 30s, circuses had begun to incorporate wild west show companies such as Buffalo Bill's. So a circus performance could include lion taming and high-wire acts as well as a mock Old West shootout, bronc and trick riding. In a time before television, the arrival of a circus in town was a big deal. Literally. The performers traveled with all of their equipment, circus tents and animals by train ‹ a colorful line of 32 railroad cars. Ringling Brothers also owned a number of smaller circus companies that Al and Irene worked for.

Irene's abilities as a performer grew. She was especially good at, and fond of, "spinnin' rope." She could skip in and out of her lariat loop and "crank the Ford" ‹ spin the loop in front of herself as if she were cranking a Model T car. She also did an "aerial number with a swing ladder," she noted. In her trick horse act, which she calls the "high school act" ‹ likely because the horses were very well trained ‹ the horse would kneel and bow, among other things. Irene noted that her favorite horse, Patsy, would also "cooch," or shake it's rear-end at the audience. Al had a different and dangerous act, riding galloping horses while swinging underneath their bellies, doing handstands on a galloping horse and riding horses over seven-foot fences. Irene said she tried the riding-under-the belly-trick once. "Too many feet!" she said, referring to the galloping horses hooves.

The Mann's traveled with the circus 11 months of the year, with only the month of December off. They were paid about $300 to $500 per season, but if the circus was losing money, they got paid less. Sometimes they earned more. They endured living in cramped train cars, sickness (Irene once caught typhoid in Michigan) and sometimes injury. Some years they worked less, and spent the winter at home at the farm they had bought in Bagley. (Al would then take up his deputy's badge again.) Over the years they visited all 48 states in the continental U.S. and went to Canada. They witnessed Atlantic hurricanes in North Carolina and snowplows that had to clear the dirt off the tracks so the train could travel through western Dust Bowl states. Irene remembered hearing of another circus troupe that had been in a terrible train wreck, but the performers who survived still did their next scheduled show. "I admired that they could work the next day," Irene recalled.

In 1937, Irene and Al returned to working for Uncle Joe Greer's rodeo company again, and they stayed with him until 1940, when Greer's rodeo business ran into financial trouble and was bought out by the famous western movie star, Gene Autry. They returned to the circus, and worked with it until the 1941 season ended, their last year with the big top. Famous prize fighter Jack Dempsey had an act with the circus that year, and Irene and Al befriended him. The couple continued their rodeo career, however. Irene did take a break for the birth of the couple's son, Dale, who was born in December of 1943. Al and Irene kept right on roping and riding until they finally 'retired' to farming in Bagley in 1950.

Al raised beef cattle and longed for Wyoming, and Irene kept lovely gardens while they raised Dale. Eventually they sold their farm in 1984 to Hans and Barbara Kostrau, and moved into Bagley to help care for Irene's elderly mother. Al became a great family storyteller detailing the adventures of his performing years. Even at age of 80, Irene could still spin rope well, as evidenced by a family video taken at that time.The couple remained in their home until Al died in 2001 at age 99.

At 96, Irene's life is a lot more quiet than it once was. Now she enjoys a game of solitaire, reading the paper, and joking with hospital staff and visitors. Whenever she wants, she can look at her pictures and photo albums and gallop off with the circus in her memory.