"16 to Life" theatrical
debut highlight of
Labor Day festivities

By Trudy Balcom

Remember that damp, chilly fall of 2007? The bluffs didn¹t provide
much color that year, but the crew and cast from a movie with a
weird name provided their own color.

Remember "Duck Farm No. 13?"
Well, "Duck Farm No. 13" hatched into the movie called "16 to Life"
 that is opening this weekend at Star Cinema in Prairie du Chien,
and Elkader Cinema.

The story is about a small town teenage girl with dreams and th
 wacky people she encounters on the day of her sixteenth birthday. What do you do if you¹re 16 and have never been kissed while
romance--with all of its dangers and possibilities--is blooming all around you?

After a year of postproduction work, the film was put on the film festival circuit and is just now making its debut in movie theatres.
Director Becky Smith chose Prairie du Chien and Elkader to premiere the film for its theatrical release.
The film did very well with film festival audiences nationwide, and even worldwide over the past two years. "16 to Life" has garnered
several Best Feature and Audience Favorite awards, and has been screened in Germany, China, Canada and Tunisia.

The Iowa actors and executive producer Terry Trimpe will be on hand at opening events scheduled at both theatres this weekend.

 The "16 to Life" cast will meet again with local historical re-enactors at the
McGregor Labor Day Parade. Last year they posed outside the Elkader Opera
house before a sneak-preview showing. (Photo by Trudy Balcom)

The movie fun will begin at the McGregor Labor Day parade, which starts at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 4 on the west end of Main Street and runs east towards the river. This
year¹s parade Grand Marshalls will be members of the Iowa cast of ³16 to Life."
Directly after the parade the cast will join the Hole in the Sock Gang at Triangle Park
for an ad-lib Western comedy spoof.
Iowa cast members will be appearing later in the day and evening at area theatres.

Local actress Gabby McNally, an MFL MarMac grad, plays the tough older sister of the main character.
Local actress Gabby McNally, formerly of Luana, and currently of Lansing, will be joining the other Iowa cast
members Brendon Dunphy and Ryan Gourley at opening celebrations at Star Cinema in Prairie du Chien at
3 p.m., and at Elkader Cinema at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. There are unconfirmed rumors that director
Becky Smith may also make an appearance.

The movie is an unrated comedy, and deals with some mature themes, a PG 13 rating would be likely,
according to the Elkader Cinema Web site.

The filmmakers are hoping for great local turnout at the theatres. "16 to Life" the film will remain in area theatres
through Sept. 9--check  local listing for times.
For more information about the movie, visit the Web site www.16tolifethemovie.org.

Clayton County voters to
weigh in on new county office building

By Pat McTaggert

Residents of Clayton County will have the opportunity to vote whether or not the county offices will move to a new building on
November¹s general election ballot. At an August 23 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to put a measure on the
ballot calling for the county to enter into a loan agreement, not to exceed $1.4 million, for acquiring, remodeling, furnishing and
equipping a building for county offices.
"We had a feasibility study done by Gardner Architecture, and this option is the most reasonable for the county," Supervisor Larry Gibbs
said.
Currently, most county offices are in a former asylum that was built in 1898. The building is in need of a new roof, tuck pointing and
massive interior remodeling to meet Americans with Disability Act standards that would cost approximately $3 million.
Other options in the feasibility study involved construction of a new building on county-owned land near the Clayton County Law
Enforcement Center at a cost of $2,394,000 or on property yet to be determined at a cost of $2,394,000 plus site acquisition costs.
If the November measure passes, the offices would move to an empty building on the northeast edge of Elkader formerly owned by
Lands End and DeLong. The cost of the acquisition of the building and making it suitable for various county offices is estimated to be
$1.4 million. Supervisor Gibbs said the offices would be moved by late next year if voters approve the measure.

Volunteers collecting data in Marquette

The City of Marquette is excited to share some news about an upcoming community betterment initiative. The City will be conducting a
community survey during the month of September; which focuses on residential housing and water/sewer infrastructure within the
community.
Volunteers will be going door to door to speak personally with residents to collect information. Completion of the survey responses
should take just a few minutes. This data will be compiled and reviewed by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
(UERPC). The information will be used to determine potential eligibility for programs or assistance for residents of Marquette.
The success of this community initiative relies upon active participation. Please assist the volunteer by providing responses to survey
questions.
The local point of contact for further details is Dean Hilgerson at (563)873-3735.
With strong support and feedback, the Marquette community can be made better.