A busy, but fun weekend


Kim Brooks
Babbling Brooks Column
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     I got several sincere and kind remarks after my column last week. The furthest comment of praise stemmed from Alaska. Love to hear from our far-away loyal Express readers. My aunt also sent me a kind e-mail, encouraging me to be me. So thanks to those who read it and took the time to tell me so…

     So many times I write my columns off the cuff, so it’s nice to hear from those who take the time to read what I have to say.

     I had a busy weekend; well, a busy Saturday followed by a lazy Sunday.

     I spent Saturday morning volunteering at the indoor pool at Camp Courageous. I sit at the front desk and collect money or punch membership cards for those there for open swim. This was my last Saturday for the season, with Easter upon us. Open swim ends March 31, FYI.

     Each Saturday I spent at Camp differed. My first Saturday there, someone accidentally walked out with the wrong swim bag. Thank goodness for security cameras, because the bag was later returned with all of its contents to the rightful owner. Another Saturday there were two birthday parties there for open swim. Talk about a full pool!

     It’s been fun giving of my time for an hour and a half every Saturday. Volunteering really has its benefits.

     Later that afternoon I headed to Anamosa to take some pictures at the Starlighters Theatre bake-off. This event was held at the Lawrence Center, with the two main cast members in Starlighters’ upcoming production of “The Kitchen Witches” actually baked their favorite cookie recipes. The recipes were submitted from citizens of Jones County for a bake-off contest. For the winning cookie recipe, be sure to attend the play in April; the recipe will be printed in the program, and samples served during intermission.

     Then Saturday night was the Jones County Cattlemen’s Beef Banquet. I purposefully skipped lunch on Saturday in anticipation of the delicious steak and potato dinner!

     With the banquet held on St. Patrick’s Day, the holiday did not dampen the crowd at the dinner. Every table was full.

     Once again, the Cattlemen outdid themselves with the meal, local entertainment, and all-around great evening!

     The Express might be a little biased, but our very own Sports Editor Pete Temple wowed the crowd with his Bon Jovi song stylings. Despite the crowd’s vote, Pete is number one in our hearts!

     I loved the Jones County Idol concept the Cattlemen chose to incorporate into their banquet as the entertainment. This was the second year for the idol contest, and hopefully not the last.

     I thought the honor bestowed upon Ron Nowachek of Wyoming as this year’s Hall of Fame inductee was heart-felt, yet included enough humor from his daughter and family to make it personal.

     Bravo to the Jones County Cattlemen and we’ll no doubt see many of you in a few short months at the fair!

 

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