Stories from Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The normally calm neighborhoods of Aurelia were disrupted Saturday afternoon by a distant rumbling that turned into a deafening roar as it approached. As the collection of revving engines rolled past unsuspecting residences, doors opened and neighbors peered through their windows. A leather clad legion of motorcycle riders had invaded the rural Iowa community. ...

Jim Schooley volunteers his time promoting the arts for a variety of reasons. Winning an award at a banquet in Des Moines isn't one of them, but it happened nonetheless. He was one of 19 groups or individuals from around the state to receive a merit award for volunteer work at the inaugural Iowa Great Places Awards and Recognition Banquet...

Elsie Kischer, 98, of Spencer, and formerly of Albert City, died Oct. 23, 2009, at Longhouse Residence Nursing Home in Spencer. Funeral services were Monday, Oct. 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spencer. Burial will be in the Fairfield Township Cemetery in Albert City. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements...

Halloween is right around the corner, and every year there's a spate of trendy, in-the-spotlight ideas for those wanting to dress up for the occasion. This year it's almost too easy to think of ideas for the holiday. After all, there's Michael Jackson, sure to be on many lists of top Halloween ideas. Grab a red jacket, sparkly glove and some hiked-up pants and you're halfway there...

Last Halloween, Hope Reformed Church offered "Trunk or Treat" as a safe, fun alternative for trick or treaters. Held in the parking lot at the church, adjacent to Hy-Vee, church families decorated the trunks of their vehicles and created scenes for trick or treaters to take part in while collecting candy. ...