community meeting to discuss orange city’s ragbrai bid set for august 23
The Orange City community is invited to a meeting to discuss the potential of Orange City being the starting town for RAGBRAI 2017. Facilitators of the meeting will gauge interested and tell how to get involved should Orange City get the bid.
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the community room of City Hall.
PSA: Please clear snow away from your hydrants
Fire hydrants are a vital source of water for firefighting and if they are buried in snow, critical time is lost, as fires can double in size every minute. You can help the Orange City Fire Department by removing snow away from fire hydrants as it may save you or your neighbor’s family or property.
Thanks!
Denny Vander Wel
OCFD Fire Chief
2016 Tulip Festival Night Show Auditions Scheduled
Auditions for the 2016 Tulip Festival Night Show, “West Side Story,” are scheduled for three dates in January. Individuals age 16 and up are invited to audition.
Auditions for the Night Show will take place Jan. 12 and Jan. 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. All auditions will take place at the Orange City Town Hall. Those wishing to try out do not need to prepare any material prior to the auditions, but are asked to bring their schedules from February through May.
The cast of “West Side Story” will consist of 35 to 40 people, including Tony, Maria, Riff, Bernardo, Chino, Anita, Officer Krupke, Doc, members of the Sharks and Jets, and many more. Non-singing roles are also available for males in the production.
Tickets for the Night Show will go on sale for $20 each on Monday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. at the Orange City Tulip Festival/Chamber of Commerce office. The show will take place May 18-21 at the Unity Christian Knight Center. Questions can be directed to the Tulip Festival office at 712-707-4510, and more information can be found at www.octulipfestival.com.
“West Side Story” is based on a conception of Jerome Robbins. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens.
“West Side Story” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. Phone: 212-541-4684. Fax: 212-397-4684. www. MTIShows.com
Orange City Fifth Among Nation’s Top Christian College Towns
Orange City, home to Northwestern College, has been ranked fifth among the nation’s top 10 Christian college towns by CollegeandSeminary.com. The website’s rankings are based on how well a city that houses a Christian college offers students big-city amenities with a small-town feel.
“Northwestern College has played an integral role in the development of Orange City,” says Mayor Deb De Haan. “The residents enjoy a healthy ‘town and gown’ relationship that exists between the city and the college, and they recognize that many of the cultural and entertainment amenities available to them are a result of Northwestern being located here.”
The website’s ranking is based around both the on-campus atmosphere and the off-campus amenities located in the town surrounding a college or university. According to the website, “Most of the colleges that made the list are big cities with small-town charms. Let me be clear: Orange City is a small town with small- town charms.” It goes on to say, “It’s very Dutch, very clean and very safe. Students walk to the movies, to the coffee shop, and to Pizza Ranch. It’s a community rooted in family, which helps make it feel like home.”
In addition to amenities, community members and local churches also act as a benefit to Northwestern students. Local residents often welcome college students into their homes for meals, holiday celebrations and free laundry service.
“Among the many benefits Northwestern students and employees receive in Orange City are a safe environment and a vibrant local economy in the middle of America’s heartland,” says Mark Bloemendaal, Northwestern’s dean of enrollment and marketing. “Significant interaction between local residents and college students make it a home-away-from-home that results in lifelong relationships that cross generations, time zones and even continents.”
Orange City has been called one of the cleanest towns in America. With a population of around 6,000, it boasts a five-screen movie theatre, 18-hole golf course and restaurants ranging from coffee houses to fast-food chains and one-of-a-kind eateries. Orange City has also been ranked as the best town in Iowa to raise a family by Niche rankings (the 43rd best in the nation), and one of the 100 best small towns in the United States by livability.com.
The rankings, at http://tinyurl.com/pr8h6cz, list Nashville, Tenn., first; followed by Grand Rapids, Mich., at second. Other cities in the top 10 include Seattle and San Diego.
Justice For All Trailer to Temporarily Move
Justice for All would like to thank those who have donated items to us in the past and used our trailers in the appropriate manner, we are very thankful for your generosity. Unfortunately, we have received too many unwanted or unusable items. Because of this, all of our trailers are currently being used. We will be removing our trailer from Orange City until late summer/early fall. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at (712)476-2804.
Homebound Delivery Service offered by Public Library
Pictured: Amy Nonhof and Library Volunteer
Every month, library staff spend hours selecting and delivering books from the Orange City Public Library’s collection to residential retirement communities and care facilities. Based on the reading preferences of the residents, Amy Nonhof selects books and audiobooks for each center individually.
Most of the titles come from our collection of Large Print materials, although regular print fiction and non-fiction are also popular selections.
Hundreds of books are checked out, boxed, and delivered to community rooms at Landsmeer Ridge, Prairie Ridge, Heritage Estates, and the Pioneer Home. Residents are then able to browse and select materials they would like to read.
Books are checked out for one month, or until the next visit. At Prairie Ridge, Nonhof visits individual residents in their rooms with a cart full of books and books on CD. Selections are made specifically for each resident based on their interests and requests. Completed materials are returned and new books checked out from the comfort of their room. Library staff have been known to offer help on downloadable audiobooks and ebooks, as well as general tech support on mobile devices owned by residents. Special trips to residents who have exhausted their selections before the next visit are not unheard of either.
Homebound Delivery is one of the most important outreach services offered by the library. Many residents are not able to make a trip into the library, especially during the cold winter months or times of illness. These deliveries ensure that residents are able to spend their time enjoying a good book.
Please contact Amy Nonhof at anonhof@orangecitylibrary.org or library director Lisa Johnson at director@orangecitylibrary.org for more information.
Calling All Lifeguards!
Lifeguard Certification Class
City of Orange City is hoping to offer a lifeguard certification class prior to the start of the 2015 pool season. Please check back or watch the Advisor closer to April for details regarding this class. Participants must be at least 15 years old and attendance will be required for all scheduled class dates.
Lifeguard applications for Orange City and Alton pools
- Applications will be due April 18th (after April 18th will be by discretion only)
- Letters will be sent out May 1st. Contact 707-9494 w/questions or to sign up
- Download the application HERE.
- Email the completed application to wellnessdir@orangecityiowa.com or drop off at OC Area Fitness.
Job Details
Qualifications: Responsible young adult with a strong interest in public service. Must be reliable, emotionally stable, courteous, tactful and physically fit. Must accept directions easily and openly. Desire a person with an interest in children and in learning about pool management and maintenance. The following current, minimum certification requirements are desired: Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Red Cross First Aid and CPR, and Water Safety Instructor Certificate (Swimming Instructors only).
Responsible To: Community Wellness Director and/or Park and Rec Director
LIFEGUARDS
Primary:
- Identify potential accident hazards.
- Be alert. Prevent accidents.
- Enforce pool rules in a consistent manner.
- Handle discipline situations with courtesy and fairness.
- Respond quickly, intelligently, decisively and in accordance with established emergency procedures.
- Administer first aid and CPR as required.
Secondary:
- Communicate with lifeguards and supervisors.
- Facilitate public relations with a positive and professional attitude.
- Be available to substitute for other staff members.
- Follow established personal leave procedures.
- Fill out appropriate reports.
- Carry out additional duties as assigned by supervisors.
SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS
Primary:
- Provide competent, safe instruction using recognized lead up skills.
- Plan and effectively organize class time.
- Teach with encouragement and positive reinforcement.
- Position and supervise the on duty lifeguard as they relate to the safety of program participants.
Secondary:
- Facilitate the certification process by attending course records as soon as possible.
- Promote good public relations by talking with parents before and after class.
- Dress appropriately with a bathing suit and staff shirt for all classes.
Community Survey Results
The results from the Orange City Community Survey are posted below:
Please note: The Orange City Satisfaction survey was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Northwestern College. The surveys were sent out to a convenience sample of billed utility accounts and respondents were not chosen at random. The results of the survey are based on voluntary completion of the surveys both in paper form as well as via online survey. Comments and verbatim responses are considered confidential and will not be released other than in aggregate data sets. Completed surveys were entered into a drawing for a free month’s worth of utilities. The survey results were collected and compiled by Northwestern College students as a part of course work and were presented to the Orange City Council. Northwestern College, its students and staff should not be liable for any and all damages or costs with respect to the use of the data. The survey data in the Customer Satisfaction survey does not necessarily reflect or constitute the opinions or endorsement from Northwestern College of the results.
fulfill your business’ wish list
Your local electric utility might have what you need this year.
From free lighting audits to cash rebates, we are committed to helping your business be more energy-efficient, so you can save money. Remember, we are public power, owned and operated by the people who call our community home. What’s good for our local businesses, is good for our community.
Stop in or give us a call.
We would be happy to visit with you about potential energy savings and rebates for projects on your wish list.
City of Orange City
125 Central Ave. SE
712-707-4885
emerald ash borer is coming
Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Iowa. The most recent infestation was documented in August 2014 in Story County. Story County is the 13th confirmed infestation in the state. The Emerald Ash Borer is expected to keep spreading through-out the State of Iowa… are communities prepared for this disease or any other potential diseases of the future?
“The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is perhaps one of the most destructive tree pests we have seen in decades. Larvae of this insect feed under the bark of ash trees. They damage the ability of the tree to transport water and nutrients, and may kill the tree in as little as two to four years,” states Jesse Randall, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Forestry.
Join Randall on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Western Iowa Tech Community College, Cherokee campus auditorium, 200 Victory Dr., where he discusses all aspects of EAB and what that means for the future.
Iowa found emerald ash borer for the first time in 2010. The pest was found on an island in the main channel of the Mississippi River that was less than a mile from known infested areas in Wisconsin and Minnesota. To date, the emerald ash borer has been officially found in thirteen Iowa counties: Allamakee, Des Moines, Jefferson, Cedar, Union, Black Hawk, Bremer, Wapello, Jasper, Henry, Muscatine, Boone, and Story Counties.
The entire State of Iowa was placed under quarantine for EAB on Feb. 4, 2014, to slow the accidental movement of EAB by humans to areas outside of Iowa. A matching statewide Federal quarantine is also active.
Information at the Dec. 2 seminar will focus on EAB identification, current locations of EAB in Iowa, treatment options, and tree replacement options for homeowners. Randall will discuss the individual treatment options available to homeowners and when is the best time to apply the chemicals for maximum effectiveness. Participants will be shown what signs and symptoms to look for to help in the search for new EAB infestations and who to contact if you think your trees have EAB. Information will be given as to common ash tree decline symptoms that are not related to EAB as well.
Learn about the Iowa EAB Team who provide EAB diagnostic assistance to landowners. They include officials from Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the USDA Forest Service.
The Iowa EAB Team strongly cautions Iowans not to transport firewood across county or state lines, since the movement of firewood throughout Iowa or to other states increases the risk of spreading EAB infestations.
Seminar is free to the public.
Register by Nov. 26 by calling the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Cherokee 712-225-6196 or email Mary Dunn at mdunn@iastate.edu.
Keep up-to-date with all research-based programs through ISU Extension and Outreach Cherokee County at www.extension.iastat.edu/cherokee. Find us on Facebook, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Cherokee County.
town hall meeting
orange city communications discussion
This informational meeting will be the final opportunity for Orange City’s citizens to learn about and ask questions about the upcoming vote on Orange City Communications. Discussion of the issue is in the July 17th issue of the Sioux County Capitol Democrat and a full ballot with more information is available in the July 24th issue.
The meeting is set for Monday July 28, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. in the Orange City City Hall building.
Vote tuesday August 5th!
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs: Community Conversation
Northwest Iowans are invited to join a Community Conversation sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Discussion will focus on northwest Iowans’ visions for the future related to arts, culture and history — locally and statewide.
Local forums are being held in Sioux City Tuesday, July 29 at 4:00pm at the Sioux City Public Museum, and in Orange City Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00am at the Northwestern College Vermeer Dining Room. A forum was held July 9 in Spencer.
The Department of Cultural Affairs oversees the Iowa Arts Council, the State Historical Society and Produce Iowa – State Office of Media Production.
According to Janine Calsbeek of the Orange City Arts Council, the conversations will include discussions on what’s important in local communities related to arts, history and culture. Where is funding needed, both locally and statewide? The revitalization of the State Historical Building will be part of the conversation. Chris Kramer from the Department of Cultural Affairs will be part of the forums.
Twenty Department of Cultural Affairs Community Conversations are being held in Iowa in July.
RSVP or give input at www.culturalaffairs.org. For more information, call 712-707-4885 or check orangecityarts.net.
