For many years Lovilia hosted a fall festival but it stopped about twenty years ago when our volunteers got burned out, worn out, and get up and go, got up and went. Now with new young people in the town who want to revive this day of community fun and celebration we are set to give it a go.
The day will begin with a car show and gawkers and car buffs can look them all over and vote for their favorite. The most voted for car gets the people’s choice award plaque at the stage at 4:30p.m. If you want to enter your vehicle call car guy, John Bain 946-8160. Then buff and shine it and come on down.
Firemen will team up at 3 p.m. for water fights on main street. Come cheer on your team!
Lots of action takes off at 4 p.m. The food booth in the community building will be serving walking tacos, hot dogs, chips, bottles of water and pop so you can take it to go and see the entertainment. For dessert, the local 4-H club will have a bake sale in the community building and outside a kettle corn and a cotton candy vendor can satisfy your sweet tooth too.
Also in the building will be a fireman’s table of giveaways and info. And parents as teachers will have free crafts for kids to do. In the side room will be several vendors selling fashion accessories and other fun finds. So check them out. Also, we have a new Lovilia T-shirt designed by Christian Williams that you can order and pay for at the festival and then pick up later when they are ready by going to Lovilia city hall. It is charcoal gray and very cool !
Down on the ball diamond Shay and Tyler Ford have a bags tournament set up to begin at 4 p.m. If you want to enter your team call Shay 641-891-1208 or Tyler 641-799-7727. Cost is $10 per team, bring your own partner. 100% pay back. We will pay top 4 teams. Details are: first team to 21 points wins, boards distance will be 25 feet hole to hole, double elimination will draw for seeding, and no alcohol allowed. Enter your team and see if you have the right stuff to win!
On the paving behind city hall will be a dozen or more kid’s games for them to try and enjoy with prizes. Also photo ops by our local artist, Jessica Manser, where you can be a princess, ninja fireman, lion, etc. Photograph your child with your cell phone or your camera.
Meanwhile on the stage in front of the community building musical performances begin at 4 p.m. John Bain and his daughter, Sylvia, lead off the show. Second on stage will be Paul Hatfield followed by Hunter McAninch. Bring up the final music group is Scarlet Rose of Melcher with their country melodies.
At 7 p.m. the winner of the 50/50 raffle will be announced. Second and third prize is a $50 gift card from Caseys. Buy your raffle ticket in the community building hall from 4-6:30p.m. Must be present to win.
Everything will stop at 7:45 p.m. so everyone can walk on down to E Avenue for a good viewing spot for the lighted parade. The route will begin at the city park next to St. Peter’s Catholic Church and go north to the four way stop at 19th street where the parade will end. If you have an entry for the parade, call parade lineup manager, Marc Etcher, at 641-208-7413 so he can get you a spot in the lineup.
Whether you come home to see old friends or you just join us for the family fun, we welcome you to Lovilia September 12th for a good old time. Come on over!
New Community Building Frig
With money from the community betterment committee and from the Leisure Lounge of Albia who works with Lovilia to provide Senior Meals at the building on Mon., Wed. and Fri., a new frig. was purchased. The old one had a water leak and was over 30 years old and therefore not very energy efficient. The new one should cost less to operate and help us in the kitchen for many years. New manager of the meal site for seniors is Marty Major who replaces Gayle Hastings who has retired. Thank you Gayle for seven years of service to our community.
Three New IHCC Graduates from Lovilia
Katie Williams and Christian Williams whose parents are Bob and Loita (Barnes) Williams both graduated in August. Katie has a degree as an occupational therapy assistant. She will take her state board exams in September. Her goal is to work as a traveling therapist and take short term assignments all over the USA and would be especially be pleased if she could have a Hawaii assignment. Christian completed his degree as a machinist and is currently interning at VerMeers in Pella where he then hopes to have full time employment.
Jacque Gilbert, daughter of Pat and Teresa Gilbert, just completed her degree to be a surgical tech. She had clinical practice in Iowa City and Centerville hospitals as part of her training. She is hoping to work at Centerville hospital where she interviews next week.
Congratulations to all three for your finishing your studies and best wishes in your new careers.
Teresa Beary moves to Netherlands
Teresa, daughter of David and Susan Beary, and her husband Paul White have moved in August to live and work in the Netherlands. Paul will work in the chemistry dept. of the university there. Teresa will continue her work for Ag leader of Ames at their European office in the same town. There are many differences in culture there. Susan asked about meeting the neighbors. Teresa said they learned that you don’t just drop in on people there. The custom is to write or phone and make an appointment at least two weeks in advance. Everyone rides bikes. Bikes even have the right of way over pedestrians and cars. They have lots to learn in this new culture.
Sofrankos back in Lovilia
Gerald and Bev Sofranko, who spent the winter in Illinois near their children, have returned to their Lovilia home. They missed the home place and are back to stay Gerald said. Welcome back!! We missed you.
Interview with North End Tap Owner
Joan Ford, owner of the North End for 34 years this August 15th, bought the tavern from Peggy Fowler. She says the building has quite a history. It was originally a general store at Rex 5 coal mine and then was moved into town at the south part of Lovilia and was used as a clothing store. Later Adeline Haycock’s parents moved the building to the present location. Adeline’s parents ran the tavern and served home cooked Italian meals. Other owners were Marvin Franzen, Harry & Geri Smith, Bingamans, and then Peggy Fowler. Current employees are Pat Bregar and Gail Anderson. There is a pool table for games available. North End is well known for taco Tuesday and for home cooked meals on noon on Thursday. Sandwiches and salads and other treats are served daily seven days a week.
New Ownership of South End Tavern
Brenda Chilton has sold the tavern to Lisa Starcevic Shepherd and Larry “Huck” Shepherd. They started August 15th. They moved here because Lisa has family here in Hiteman. They plan to be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. -2 a.m. Employees besides themselves will be Larisa Shepherd, Carolyn Hainline, Randy Chilton, and Mike Hirchak. They will serve “taste of the southwest” Mexican food, Iowa food, pizza, and broasted chicken. The new name will be “Lisa and Huckelberry’s South End Tap”. There goal is to make this a family neighborhood eatery Huck says. They will remodel and the north end of the building will be separate from the bar area and have kids video games. They will serve breakfast, lunch, and supper and will do carry outs.
He would like to have rock music live on Fridays, karoke on Saturdays, and country music on Sundays. When bands are going to come he will place an ad in the Albia newspaper. He says they are biker friendly. He has put a new awning outside on the west side 43 foot by 10 foot for a beer garden. That will be the only smoking area. He is also setting up pool tournaments and horse shoe tournaments.
Lisa and Huck want to decorate the walls with photos of past stores and businesses of Lovilia. If you have one to give or would copy it for him, let him know.