Silos In Northeast Iowa

This silo is 90 feet tall and is located on Eagle Avenue in Clayton, County near Luana, Iowa. It is located on one of my Sibling's farm.

This is a scene of a farmer near the Great River Road in Clayton County just North of Guttenberg, Iowa. The area is known as Clayton Ridge. The farmer is engaged in cutting forage for silage which will be stored in the silos in the following pictures.

The silage is used to feed out beef cattle or to provide forage for dairy cattle. Yes, it does ferment in the silos which also allows cattle to digest the forage more efficiently.

To learn more about silage please visit:

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/dairy/as1254w.htm

After reading the link above I am confident that you will have a new appreciation for the role our farmers perform so that we can enjoy fresh dairy products and wonderful beef. A farmer must know a lot and also use a large amount of equipment so that we can enjoy great food each and every day.

Fireworks - Garnavillo, Iowa

July 4, 2009

The fireworks shots contained in this post were done by my Bride. She did very well. This show is produced each year using the funds collected from donors during the Annual Parade the year before. Certainly an easy way to keep within budget. The show was impressive and lasted a good thirty minutes and there were no breaks in the flashes or booms.

The following picture is from an overlook near Balltown, Iowa. This vantage point allows one to over look the valley just West of the Mississippi River. The cloudly trees and hills in the background are on the far side of the River in Wisconsin.

Garnavillo, Iowa Grand Fourth

of

July Parade 2009

(Concluded)

Every parade in Farm County also includes the newest farm equipment. Where you can gather nearly 4000 or 5000 citizens of a farming community for a parade there is simply no better way to advertise.
We all know that every parade also features horses. Even the most watched Parade in the World, the Rose Bowl Parade on New Years Day includes horses. Garnavillo is no exception.

Always a real crowd pleaser. These horses were in step and were well groomed just as you would expect.

Old Iron always attracts a lot of interest. Even though most all current farm equipment is green, the fans of red equipment of a former era have lovingly restored a plethora of Farmall tractors and they always participate in every local parade.

Religions organizations also have entries in the parades. This float which is from the Church in Guttenberg, Iowa where I was raised participates in all the parades in the local area. A dynamic outreach.

As you can quickly ascertain the Garnavillo Business Boosters put on quite a show each year. Even the light rain did not dampen the crowd.

2009 World Wide Photo Walk

Alan's Images - 18 July 2009

Macon, Georgia U.S.A.

I participated in Scott Kelby's Second Worldwide Photo walk on Saturday, July 18, 2009. The local leader was Clay Teague. The Walk was limited to 50 people and I did not count them, but I would say that forty were in attendance. We met at Rose Hill Cemetery and took various shots there. We then walked the Area of College Street, Orange Street, Bond Street, Georgia Avenue and Spring Street. Although it was a bit on the warm side I feel that I captured some respectable images.

These attached houses are on Walnut Street just up from the former White Lighting Barbeque eating establishment.

Of course this is an image I took at Rose Hill. The fence and the monument caught my eye and I just had to take a picture.

This building is at the corner of Walnut Street and College Street. It is currently the site for several charity organizations in Macon, Georgia.

A major challenge was to capture the pictures without the infrastructure showing. This almost end view of a College Street Mansion which is now law offices caught my eye. I appreciated the side lighting from the setting sun.

The Walk commenced at 5:00 P.M. so there was a great amount of bright sun. The best time for photos of this type would have been early morning or a bit later in the evening. That stated, I did enjoy the walk and the ability to see how others framed up their images. The fellowship of likeminded photographers was also a lot of fun.

Garnavillo, Iowa's Grand Fourth of July

2009 Holiday

For over twenty years the town of Garnavillo, Iowa has been celebrating the Fourth of July in a Grand Fashion. Here you see the Color Guard at the start of the Parade. This is accomplished in a town of 700 citizens in Clayton County, Iowa. For those who may not know, Clayton is the only county of Iowa's 99 that does not have a traffic light.

Of course for a parade in Iowa you expect to see a lot of old iron. Here you can also see the wet pavement which was caused by a steady mist during the parade. The weather did not hamper the activities and by the end of the parade the sun came out. This is a Case Tractor.

In as much as the Annual Fourth of July Parade is the highlight of the year and almost everyone who ever graduated from the Garnavillo Community High School comes home for the Fourth most classes have their Reunions. The reunions are not held every year but on the five year anniversaries. Here you see the Class of 1959 in an appropriate Farm Wagon. This is Iowa

Of course the Beef producers have an appropriate entry in the parade. This Herford has been around for a few years.

After the parade everyone gathers in the City Park which is adorned with 108 flags to represent the Heroes who have been memorialized by family members with the purchase of a flag. Each Flag represents a Garnavillo Area citizen who has served our Country. These Flags are put in place by the American Legion and are also put on display on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year.

Only in Small Town America will you see such a community event such as this. In fact for the fire works show for 2010 there were volunteers along the parade collecting money donations for the fire works. The grand fireworks show for 2009 was paid for by donations collected in 2008. Trust me, it was a grand and gala show.

Mederville, Iowa

A Town Waiting for Government Assistance

2009 Holiday

On 3 July 2009 my Sibling Brother and I traveled throughtout Clayton County. We visited Mederville with the idea that we would dine at this Cafe. Our parents had always enjoyed lunch at the Mederville Cafe. When we arrived we determined that this facility is no longer in operation.
After we passed the former Cafe we approached the "Bride to Nowhere." We speculated what the town might have developed into had their been proper planning and correct placement of the bridge. As you can see the bridge is closed.

After a quick turn around we traveled another street to view an industry that appeared to be shut down. After reading the faded sign we ascertained that this building once housed a creamery. What a shame it had to close due to the desire to have bigger milk processing plants throughout the Midwest. This small town industry appears to be closed forever.

On the next street over we viewed this sign which appears to be the mantra of Mederville, Iowa.

As we exited Mederville we saw this unoccupied building. We both agreed that with proper stimulus funds from the U. S. Government that this would make a fine "Medical Center and Care Facility" for the few residents of Mederville, Iowa.

I just hope that they get their request in on time before we run out of money. People should not have to live with out close by medical care as the few citizens of Mederville, Iowa now must do.

We also noted that Mederville does not even have a House of Worship!!!!!

Going Green - Iowa 2009

2009 Holiday

No journey to the Holy Land (Iowa) would be complete without visiting a Farm Implement Dealer. After such a visit and acquiring the prices for these Harvestors you can appreciate the fact that our Farmer in the U. S. A. do an excellent job of providing the food stuffs that we all enjoy on a daily basis.

A Corn Combine such as this starts at $250,000.00 and can cost much more depending on the options you need for a specific farm operation. In some parts of the Corn Belt Farmers much acquire the Hillside Model which has a header that adjust to the terrain as you operate.
A view of a row of Combines waiting to be purchased. Once you obtain the basic combine you must buy a corn header and a small grain header if you also grow oats or wheat.

Of course before you can harvest a crop you need to prepare the seed bed. This John Deere Tractor has a base price of $306,000.00. If you desire the widest tires available for the most traction in moist spring time fields you can quickly add $12,000.00 to this price. Of course you can cover a lot of soil with a Tractor such as this.

Travel Day - July 1, 2009

2009 Holiday

On 1 July we traveled from Saint Louis to Clayton County, Iowa. Of course we planned our route to take in some very interesting landmarks and eating establishments. This picture was taken in Macon, Missouri. In as much as we reside in Macon, Georgia this small town was a must visit for us during our 2009 Holiday.
Some time back we watched a "Food Channel" television show which focused on the best places to eat breakfast in the U. S. A. One of the sites was "The Machine Shed" near Des Moines, Iowa.
Here is my bride and some new friends of ours enjoying a lunch. We did not make it in time for breakfast.

Now, let me tell you about our new friends. Earlier in 2009 I was visiting the USS Ranger (CVA-61) Website and viewed the page of a former shipmate from my time in Ranger during the 1963 deployment. He was a Machinest Mate and I was a Yeoman. Our paths never crossed. He had joined the Navy the same year I did and we shared our Ranger experiences during our lunch at The Machine Shed. You can learn more about each of us by visiting this website:

http://www.uss-rangerguy.com/uss_ranger_cva_61.htm

Then click on the "Shipmates-Now and Then" listing. Once you get to this page you can visit the pages by Marvin Griffin and Alan F. E. Thiese as well as other Rangermen who served on this great ship "The USS Ranger (CVA-61)/CV-61) The Top Gun of the U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Of course no Iowa dining/eating establishment with a name like "The Machine Shed" would be proper without appropriate yard art. These two tractors also garnered a lot of interest.

As we traveled through Marshall County Iowa I could not help but stop to capture a picture of this beautiful Iowa Farm Scene. In the foreground you can see "Corn" and the plethora of grain storage facilities which adorn every Iowa Farm. Most Cash Corn Farmers store their own corn and sell on the futures market which is usually higher than selling directly from the field at harvest time.

After a long, but exciting day on the road we arrived at the Clayton County Farm of our Host in the late evening of 1 July 2009. A great day, indeed.

Saint Louis Zoo and Saint Louis Art Museum

2009 Holiday

On Tuesday, June 30, 2009 we visited the Saint Louis Zoo and tne nearby Saint Louis Art Museum. All visitors are allowed to capture images in this Museum as long as the flash is not used. I appreciated this picture in as much as I also have two sons and this charming painting of two young men from many years ago caught my eye. Unfortunately I never had a painting commissioned of my two sons.

Now, just to prove that we actually were in Saint Louis, Missouri we had a fellow tourist take this image of us as we were about to enter the Saint Louis Art Museum.

The Saint Louis Zoo is a fascinating place to visit. These zebra enjoyed their area and quickly posed for any photographer.

The puffin at the Saint Louis Zoo. To learn more about these interesting birds please visit this website:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/atlantic-puffin.html

After viewing the March of the Penquins on television several years ago I have been fascinated by these birds. They are easy to photograph and in this picture you can see that they pose quite well.

A delightful visit to the Zoo and the Art Museum. After all this activity we had a delightful lunch at the "Boat House." To learn more about this fine dining establishment please visit:

http://www.boathouseforestpark.com/restaurant.php

This was our last full day in Saint Louis so we joined our youngest Son and his Bride at the Pasta House for a delightful dinner.

Saint Louis, Missouri a wonderful place to visit and from what I have learned over the past several years a delightful place to live and enjoy life.

The End of an Era

Macon, Georgia, U.S.A.

I understand that this Gasoline Station pumped it's last fuel today, July 17, 2009. If you desire you may enlarge this image and quickly ascertain that it has been "serving macon with Value since 1935."

The Flower Child is old enough to remember when you could obtain gasoline, an oil change and even tires at a normal full service gasoline station. You could even obtain minor automoble repairs and tire repair at a gas station. They might have even sold a soda pop but that was the limit on food and beverage items.

Now you even have to put change in the "air machine" to obtain air for your tires.

While some change is good, this is one facet of modern life that could revert to the level of service that all all drivers enjoyed in our country way back when.

Sunday Afternoon in the Park

Saint Louis, Missouri

2009 Holiday

No visit to Saint Louis would be complete without taking in a lovely park on a Sunday afternoon. All of our Son's Saint Louis Family and Friends gathered to help celebrate his Birthday. We played washers (a Saint Louis game much like horse shoes) as we waited for the Band Concert.

Here you see the Flower Child and his Son as they compete in the game of Washers. The device you see off of the left foot of my son is the target. The washer must land in the outer area for a score of one and if you put the washer in the inner cup your team scores three. Game is twenty-one points.
Saint Louis has neighborhood parks and this one also has several miles of walking/biking trails which anyone can enjoy. This lake was extremely refreshing on a hot Sunday afternoon. During the Band Concert we enjoyed fried chicken from a Hodak's which is a local favorite for great food.

Of course you can learn more about them here: http://www.hodaks.com/

A grand Sunday afternoon in the Park and the Band Concert was very enjoyable. I would estimate that about 500 showed up for the Concert.

Iowans of the Mighty Eighth

Air Force

During my recent visit to Iowa I also took the opportunity to read some interesting books. I was impressed by the book, the title as listed above, written by Charles D. Taylor which contains World War II wartime experiences from Iowa Heroes as they relayed them to the author.

The book contained a brief History of the Eighth Air Force and then had pictures of most of the Heroes who were killed in action during the War. There were 482 known Heroes who perished in World War II who served in the Eighth Air Force. Each of these had a picture in the book.

The main part of the book contained the stores of those who came home. Their stories as well as the pictures taken during their Service time as well as their current photographs were interesting to view. Over 2000 Iowa Heroes served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II.

The author concluded his book with this comment: "Memories may have faded, but Pride in their Unit has not faded."

Certainly a great book to read and to also realize the sacrifices these men made to protect our freedoms.

Grant's Farm

Saint Louis, Missouri

Flower Child's 2009 Holiday

On day three of our 2009 Holiday our Son and his Bride who live in Saint Louis took us to Grant's Farm. While it was hot and humid we did enjoy the visit to Grant's Farm. There was an abundance of wild life in a park like setting.

These two birds captured everyone's attention. As you can ascertain their bright colors and this shady location was a mecca for the tourist visiting Grant's Farm on Saturday, June 27th.

Of course no visit to Grant's Farm would be complete without some time for family bonding and fellowship. Here you see the Flower Child and his Youngest Son engaged in appropriate Family Time. This photograph was taken after our visit to the Beer Garden.

Admission to Grant's Farm is payment of a $11.00 parking fee for a vehicle. Our Son and His Bride treated us to this fun opportunity.

The Global Achievement Gap

by

Tony Wagner

If you have not heard by now let me inform you that the Flower Child was raised in Iowa, U. S.A. During the recent 2009 Holiday to the Holy Land a.k.a. Iowa and other connected states the Flower Child had the opportunity to read an interesting book entitled "The Global Achievement Gap."

As we all fret about poor education I get the impression that the educators in Iowa maybe on the brink of dynamic change. Educators in Iowa are reading this book.

I will not attempt to quote the whole book here, but I will highlight some statements contained in the book which impressed me:

• We must teach students to use minds well.
• Students must learn and develop problem solving skills
• Educators must ask the correct questions to enable critical thinking

The author visited many schools throughtout America. He noted that when visiting High Schools that the Trophy Cases highlighted athletic achievements while academic achievements were often overlooked. In short there was no visual evidence of academic achievement.

The author introduced "Seven Survival Skills" which all students must achieve. Mr. Wagner also stated that education in China features "Thinking Schools - A Learning Nation!!!

He cited research which interviewed college students which focused on what they should have obtained in High School. Most former High School Students indicated that they did not learn how to think. Yes, they learned answers for a test, but they did not learn how to think a problem through. In an ideal educational system, students would be explaining a problem versus repeating canned answers.

The most informative comment Mr. Wagner made was" "In education the problem is the adults, not the students."

In the discussion regarding student motivation the author stated:

• "Kids today have everything they want or need - except some adult discipline."
• To motivate simply ask a student where they want to be in __ years? What goals have they set for themselves?
• Students must be self motivated

It was very interesting to me to read about the "High Tech High" in San Diego where the expenditure per student was $6,200.00. This school is obtaining superior results

While the book was an interesting read for me I must encourage our Georgia educators, especially our Bibb County System to obtain this book to glean refreshing insights into education. I will always remember the comment "In Education the problem is the adults, not the students."

As I pondered this statement I realized that it is I, myself, my peers, the members of Boards of Education, the school staffs and the administration of the schools systems who must be engaged in producing a better educated citizen for the future.

In conclusion a good education rest on educators asking "the right questions and engaging others in vital conversations." Critical Thinking - the new buzz words. After all, as employers seek willing workers in today's modern high tech world, they want problem solvers. Problem solving can be learned if our education allows it.

The mantra for today and tomorrow is an employee who can solve a problem in an effective, efficient and economical way. We can no longer measure academic achievement with multiple choice test. We need citizens who can think and employees who can solve problems in the work place.

From my point of view that was the important fact contained in this book ""The Global Achievement Gap." If we in the United States of America desire to remain a dynamic economy and in some situations regain our status; we simply must do a much better job in educating our future citizens/our future employees.

Metropolis, Illinois

Flower Child's 2009 Holiday

On 25 June 2009 the Flower Child and his Bride commenced the annual trip to "The Holy Land." After a long day of travel from Macon, Georgia we stopped for the evening at Metropolis, Illinois. We visited the "SuperMan" site and enjoyed appropriate ice cream treats at the Dairy Queen.
This wall mural was on a building just across the street from the SuperMan statue. This mural quickly reinforced the concept that "Small Town" America has it right. In fact many small towns also had signs on the street lamps displaying the names and branch of service that their citizens were currently serving in. What an appropriate tribute to our Nation's Heroes. Additionally it helps the local citizens realize that there are family members among them that would appreciate a "Thank You" and even assistance as their loved one is deployed.

As we returned to our Hotel we noted the entrance to a State Park. Once we arrive in the Park we learned that we were visiting the "Fort Massac State Park." This reconstructed Fort is indeed a State of Illinois treasure. To learn more about this place please visit:

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/LANDMGT/parks/r5/frmindex.htm

After our educational visit to this State Park we enjoyed a delightful night in Metropolis. The next day we continued our journey/holiday. During the nineteen day Holiday we never had to pay the high price for fuel that we did in South Illinois. Fuel was $2.719 at the Marion Truck Plaza on I-57.

It was also interesting to note in the local print media that some of the citizens of Southern Illinois were planning a meeting to organize an attempt to establish a new State.