Dallas County News

Waukee girls earn fifth straight state bid

sam — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:51:24 +0000

The streak is intact. Waukee won its fifth straight regional title and is heading to the girls’ state basketball tournament in Wells Fargo Arena after a 35-32 victory over Dowling - Continue reading...

Monday basketball scoreboard

sam — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:58:31 +0000

Boys A-D-M 47, Saydel 29 Dallas Center-Grimes 73, Winterset 48 Girls Class 1A Regional Final North Tama 60, Woodward-Granger 57

County man’s photo picked to hang in renovated Vets

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:37:55 +0000

Photo of rural Iowa landscape one of just eight chosen By Bill Haglund Editor Rural Woodward photographer Aaron Spellman finds himself in some unique company this week. Spellman, owner of - Continue reading...

Focus on Education (Second in a Series)

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:49:48 +0000

[caption id="attachment_10079" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Scott Blum"][/caption]Former student makes lasting impact Promotes those to be all-around students By Allison McNeal Staff Writer At Waukee High School, educator Scott Blum teaches more than just government in his classroom; he gives out life lessons. Blum, who graduated from Waukee in 2000, said that although receiving good grades was an important aspect during his high school experience, being involved in extracurriculars was just as important. “I’m all about joining clubs and sports so I try to encourage my students to get their hand in as many places as possible because that’s how you find out what you’re passionate about,” Blum said. “You can also build lifelong friendships so who knows if that comes back to help you. I’m convinced part of the reason I got this job was because, hopefully, I was in enough things and set a positive example as a student.” While Blum was in high school he participated in a variety of activities including playing basketball, baseball, golf, speech and was senior class president. One of his favorite activities was being involved in pal PE where he was paired with kids with special needs. After Blum graduated from high school, he attended Iowa State University and graduated in 2004. That same year he landed his current job at Waukee. Currently, Blum teaches AP government, government and contemporary affairs, which is a class where students take a more hand-on approach to current events. “That class is a way of getting students involved to make them more knowledgeable and active citizens,” he said. “Students like the contemporary class since we’ll sit around and look at what’s in the newspaper and debate different issues.” In all of his classes, Blum starts off the day with a topic and a current event from each student. “It’s our easy way to get started,” he said. “Kids talk about what’s going on in Waukee or around the world.” Additionally, Blum said that throughout the day that he’s very hands-on and likes to incorporate group activities into his teaching. “We’ve done political cartoons, wrote songs, and acted out skits to try to bring government to life because it’s far from the most entertaining subject,” he said. At the end of the day, Blum brings his students to do a group close down session. “We get in the middle of the room and put our fists in like we’re a team, like a family,” he said. “Then myself or a different student each day tells them they have three things to do for homework: Have a great day, change the world and don’t get arrested.” Although Blum places emphasis on teaching government to his students, he said that teaching them about life after high school is just as important. “I’m hoping that I’m the type of educator where they’re learning about life and appreciating things more after being in my class,” he said. “I’m very blessed that there were several teachers that made an impact on me and that reinforced that you can be a great teacher by teaching something outside of these hallways. I’m a big believer in life’s short so you might as well make the most of it today.” Blum also emphasizes the importance of students continuing their education. “I make sure come May that my seniors understand that graduating from high school is a great accomplishment, but this isn’t the end,” he said. “It’s time for them to attack the world and it’s my job to get them going in the right direction.” One way he tries to get students to move to the right direction is through treating their peers as equals. “Many of my students would say that I’ve talked about Twitter and Facebook messages this past week and the type of harassment that has been happening lately to students,” Blum said. “They get very upset with high school drama, so I’m worried we’re on this problem fence and that will affect them more. I always say there’s someone here for you, you have a purpose in this world and you’re going to make a difference; you have to let people help you.” More recently, Blum said that after Ankeny High School lost two students within a six week span, his students came together to help out the school. “A student within my AP class said that we needed to do something to help out the Ankeny district so all the students came together and made a giant poster,” he said. “We put it up in the lunch room and had 1,000 students sign it. Then we wrote them a letter, got a couple of goodie baskets and then a couple students presented it to the Ankeny administrators. “It was entirely my kids’ idea and watching 32 kids just get it was great.” Seeing his student’s progress is Blum’s favorite aspect about teaching and is why he loves coming to school every day. “I am more excited about teaching today than I was eight years ago,” he said. “That sounds cliché but I absolutely love what I do everyday. I tease people that I get paid to hang out with high school student and get to be around the most impressionable people that we have to offer, so that’s an exciting feeling. “The idea that I hammer home to my students is that if you don’t learn anything about government in the nine weeks, but you’re a better person, you smile more, you’re selfless and you give back to others, then I’ve succeeded as a teacher.”

Building a Pool

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:47:19 +0000

Shopping locally is key to project By Bill Haglund Editor Tammy Howe and Terry Chapman of Adel TV & Appliance are sending a message to Adel residents. Shop locally. That’s - Continue reading...

Adel Council sets 2012-13 budget hearing

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:45:25 +0000

Public input on tax abatement program, two other issues also set for March meeting By Bill Haglund Editor In an otherwise routine February meeting of the Adel City Council, two - Continue reading...

Supervisors put hold on Granger shed

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:43:59 +0000

By Allison McNeal Staff Writer The Board of Supervisors met Tuesday to discuss the Granger shed construction with County Engineer Jim George. According to George, the project was estimated to - Continue reading...

DC Hospital has big economic impact on county

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:42:19 +0000

Generates nearly $9 million annually, association study shows Special to DCN Dallas County Hospital generates 114 jobs that add $8,930,163 to Dallas County’s economy, according to the latest study by - Continue reading...

Daniel Gardiner

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:37:54 +0000

[caption id="attachment_10067" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Daniel Gardiner"][/caption]Waukee December 13, 1931- February 16, 2012 Daniel Gardiner, 80, died Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Methodist Hospital West. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., today (Thursday, February 16, 2012) at Waukee Christian Church. Burial will follow in Waukee Cemetery. Daniel was born December 13, 1931 in Williamson, Iowa to Daniel and Illa (Dachenbach) Gardiner. He grew up and attended school in Waukee. In 1955, after temporarily leaving college for a two-year period he served in the United States Army as a warehouse engineer, Dan returned to Drake University to finish his accounting degree and graduated in 1957. While in college, he held a number of part-time jobs; keeping the books at the local coop elevator, assisting with the assembly and delivery of the Sunday Register, worked as a bookkeeper for a shoe store and a gas station, and even dug graves, where he earned the nickname “Digger.” Dan received his certified public accounting designation in 1959; joined the accounting firm of Peat Marwick (KPMG) and later worked at Farmland Co-op Auditing Services. In 1964 he began his own accounting practice. He served as managing partner of his firm, Gardiner Thomsen, CPAs until recently. Daniel was a member of many professional organizations and was licensed as a CPA in many states. Outside of his work life, Daniel enjoyed traveling with his late wife. Survivors include his children: Steven (Carmen) Gardiner of Maple Plain, MN, Daniel M. Gardiner of Waukee, Dennis (Laura) Gardiner of Urbandale, Darcy (Scott) Voogd of Norwalk; grandchildren: Alexander, Megan, and Jakob Gardiner; Allison (Grant) Lodden, Emily and Matthew Gardiner; Evan, Aidan and Zoe Voogd; sister, Phyllis (Leo) Weil of Adel. Daniel was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2008. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Arbor Springs for the care Dad received; also, to Pat and Jack Carpe for always being there for Dad. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Waukee Christian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Daniel Gardiner Accounting Scholarship Fund c/o of Gardiner Thomsen CPAs.

Beulah Bailey Bettoney

allison — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:36:57 +0000

[caption id="attachment_10064" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Beulah Bailey Bettoney"][/caption]Dallas Center October 11, 1918- February 9, 2012 Beulah Bettoney, 93, died Thursday, February 9, 2012, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, February 17, at Iles Funeral Homes-Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Brethren Cemetery in Dallas Center. Beulah was born October 11, 1918 in Dallas Center, Iowa. She was the daughter of Clarence and Hazel Bailey and sister of Wendell. The family opened their hearts to a little girl who needed a home and Josephine became a family member. Beulah loved helping her brother and sister feed the animals and on the cold wintry nights making ice cream out of snow. Beulah attended Washington Township School and in 1937 graduated from high school. She was employed at Bishop’ Cafeteria, Meredith Publishing in Des Moines and Pioneer Hybrid in Johnston. In 1953 Beulah and Stan Bettoney were married and made their home in Johnston. They loved gardening and their many flower gardens. Stan built their home and also a home for her parents next door so they could care for them in aging years. They loved attending Pioneer Hybrid Functions where they made many friends. Following Stan’s death in 1983, Beulah moved to a town home in Johnston’s Green Meadows Complex. Beulah’s driveway was the gathering place for many neighbors bringing their lawn chairs in nice weather to visit. She loved attending the senior activities at Crown Point, playing cards with friends each week for many years. In later years, Beulah resided at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center where she enjoyed the weekly activities of bingo, musical entertainment, holiday parties and Wednesday church services with the many hymns all would sing. Music was a big part of her life, attending dances in younger days. She also enjoyed listening to her favorite songs of Elvis, Willie Nelson, Guy Lombardo, and many other entertainers. Beulah was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Wendell and his wife Myrtle, niece Cheryl Boston, and sister Josephine “Jose” Tarlton Beck. She is survived by relatives Dick (Beverly) Tarlton of Clive, step children, Carole (Clayton) Knight of Louisiana and Wayne Bettoney of Arkansas; step grandchildren, James (Jody) Knight, Marshall, Brook and Hanna Bettoney; brother-in-law Robert Bettoney of Massachusetts, nieces; Heather Shelton of Clive and Shawn (Travis) Snyder of Adel. Other relatives include Beverly (Ron) Hummel of Ankeny, Renae (Brian) Verduyn of Clive, Jody (Steve) Kier, JoAnn (Don) Overton and Joyce Bright, all of Des Moines. Also there are a host of friends and relatives that will greatly miss this caring lady. A special thank you to the staff at Spurgeon Manor who became friends and family to Beulah over the years and to Dr. Ronald McHose for his excellent care of Beulah. Memorial contributions may be made to Panther Creek Church of the Brethren or Spurgeon Manor. Online condolences may be made at IlesCares.com.