Building Together - June 2023 - Summer Scoop: West Liberty Updates, School Progress, and Community Support

Welcome to our May 2023 episode of Building Together, a podcast about how community members, businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are working together to make West Liberty, Iowa, and surrounding areas a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow, and play. (www.weleadiowa.org) 

Get ready for an hour of exciting updates about West Liberty! 

Building together is produced as a service by WeLead,  West Liberty Economic Area Development, a 501c3 non for profit organization that is here to promote and sustain the quality of life in West Liberty, Atalissa, and Nichols, to enable growth, to promote business development, and to foster a healthy business climate. Special thanks to West Liberty Auto Parts and the West Liberty Good Fellas for making this podcast possible. My name is Ken Brooks, and I will have the pleasure of hosting each episode of building together. Each month, I lead a panel discussion on current events and community updates. 

This month's roundtable panel:
Eric Werling, Chief, West Liberty Police Department
Krista Lanier, MidwestOne Bank
Melody Henderson, All School Reunion Committee
Jake Burroughs, President, West Liberty Community Schools Board
Xiomara Levsen, West Liberty Index,
Charles Brooke, West Liberty Chamber of Commerce 
Ken Brooks, West Liberty Economic Area Development Corp. 

Get ready for an action-packed episode as we discuss the latest happenings in West Liberty this summer, from the RAGBRAI page in the West Liberty Index to Melody Henderson and the all-school reunion. We've got the inside scoop on the fair schedule for Muscatine County and Cedar County, and how you can pick up a copy of the Index for all the details.

In this episode, we also take a look at some important updates from the school district, including the progress on the ELC addition to the elementary school, the athletic complex, and the voucher program. We'll celebrate the success of the boy's soccer team and discuss the new iJag program that's been allocated a million dollars. Plus, we'll examine House File 206 and how it allows individuals under 21 to be licensed as teachers with the proper credentials.

Join us as we explore the work of Chief Werling and the West Liberty Police Department in supporting the community. Learn about their preparations for RAGBRAI, the Fair and the Fair Parade, as well as the training they're doing. We also discuss the Sequential Intercept Model, a group that focuses on better serving children in the juvenile justice system. And if that's not enough, Chief Werling shares his involvement with the Early Childhood of Iowa Board, how he provides security audits and training for the community, and his secret hobby of baking cookies. Don't miss this informative and entertaining episode!

Transcript

Ken Brooks: 0:00

Happy June and welcome to Building Together, a podcast about how people, businesses, organizations and local government are working together to make the West Liberty area a better place in which to live, work, learn, grow and play. I'm Ken Brooks and I have the privilege of serving as the Executive Director for Welead, the West Liberty Economic Area Development Corporation. I'm going to introduce this month's panel in just a moment, but first the Building Together podcast is a service of Welead and is brought to you in part by West Liberty Auto Parts, the Good Fellows Club and listeners like you. For more information, visit wwwweleadiowaorg. Alright, are you ready? Let's go?

Xiomara Levsen: 1:00

Music.

Ken Brooks: 1:18

Happy June, everybody, and welcome back to Building Together. Let's go around the table and meet our panelists for this month. Jamar, let's start with you.

Xiomara Levsen: 1:25

Xiomara Levsen. West Liberty Index Editor.

Krista Lanier: 1:29

Krista Lanier am , the Assistant Retail Manager at Midwest One Bank.

Jake Burroughs: 1:33

Jake Burroughs School Board President.

Eric Werling: 1:36

Hi everybody, Eric Werling, Chief of Police here in West Liberty.

Charles Brooke: 1:39

And I'm Charles Brooke, Chief Operating Officer for the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce.

Melody Henderson: 1:44

I'm Melody Henderson and I'm here today to talk about the all-school reunion which I have. This is my second time of organizing it.

Ken Brooks: 1:51

Great, and I'm Ken Brooks, executive Director of Welead, the West Liberty Economic Area Development Corporation. Well, welcome panelists. I think summer now is fully underway. June is here. We are in the midst of this heat wave that's been rolling through West Liberty, but with that comes a lot of exciting opportunities. So what's going on in the community, Xiomara?

Xiomara Levsen: 2:18

We have a special page coming up next month for RAGBRAI. It's going to have the official route on it And then at the bottom a bunch of ads for businesses are going to be open or people just saying support Raghbrite. And then of course we have the fair schedule that's going to be going in probably the first week of July, i would say for Muscatine County, and then we'll have the results from Cedar and Muscatine County. Cedar County will be at the end of July and Muscatine County will be the first week of August.

Ken Brooks: 2:49

Now, those maps are an important resource. If you don't regularly subscribe to every edition of the index, how can people pick up a copy?

Xiomara Levsen: 2:57

They can stop in the office. We'll have talk to our printer about making extra copies. I can always add to it and just hand them out stuff like that.

Ken Brooks: 3:08

Okay. Are there any local businesses that also sell the index?

Xiomara Levsen: 3:11

Yes, we have the the West liberty Pharmacy, fred's, jeff's and Gary's BP.

Ken Brooks: 3:18

Okay, so just about every place in town with a name for a name.

Xiomara Levsen: 3:22

Pretty much, and you can also get digital copies online as well, and you can also go to the library and read it.

Ken Brooks: 3:28

Yeah, very cool, i think, especially those with all of the fair information and then the RAGBRAI map coming through town. I think those will be important. People are going to want to pick up copies of those.

Xiomara Levsen: 3:39

And then the back to school information will also be in next month as well. So July is like my go to month excitement.

Ken Brooks: 3:46

Okay, a lot of stuff going on.

Xiomara Levsen: 3:48

Crazy, busy. This month is going to be quiet, thankfully Not going to go wood.

Melody Henderson: 3:51

So is there any additions that you will have, that you'll be to every household will be delivered to.

Xiomara Levsen: 3:57

We do the one for the back to school information. yes, I'm not sure on the date on that yet. We're kind of playing around to see what's best.

Ken Brooks: 4:04

How does that work? Who sponsors that The?

Xiomara Levsen: 4:07

school district? does They mail it to every person in Muscleery, alba Set and the Goals?

Ken Brooks: 4:13

Okay, that's really neat. What kind of information come out in that?

Xiomara Levsen: 4:17

Everything from school supplies to a letter from the superintendent, to the school's calendar, to I don't know Jacob, who's at this club working, and it is put in the paper.

Melody Henderson: 4:27

Approved.

Xiomara Levsen: 4:28

It's usually a pages, so it's great information.

Melody Henderson: 4:31

I did it for many, many years. Care crews. The newsletter Yeah, it's mandatory that you have all the regulations in there every year.

Xiomara Levsen: 4:40

Oh yeah, those school board policies.

Melody Henderson: 4:41

That nobody reads, but you have to have them in there every year.

Jake Burroughs: 4:44

Everyone knows the policies.

Melody Henderson: 4:45

Yeah everybody, they tell me all about it. You know, that's like going to the doctor's office and you read the.

Xiomara Levsen: 4:51

You know yeah, sign it here. It's good nighttime reading. Yes yeah.

Jake Burroughs: 4:55

Put you to sleep pretty good Yeah.

Xiomara Levsen: 4:58

I think it's great that we have the partnership with the school district in the paper, because not everybody subscribes to our paper but they still get a copy of it.

Jake Burroughs: 5:04

Which is a shame.

Xiomara Levsen: 5:05

Yes, definitely, i mean I would hope that more. We have had more people subscribe in the last year though, which is nice, nice Yeah.

Ken Brooks: 5:14

Well, a testament to your hard work, I think Sure Very cool. Thanks. Well, thanks for being here, Krista. What's going on?

Krista Lanier: 5:23

This month is a crazy month for Midwest One Bank. Every loan product that we have is on special this month. So home equity, auto mortgage, personal loans, everything. So it's going to be a great month, Absolutely. While we're still trying to plan getting ready for the fair parade and run for the schools in October, Heather has already started getting all of that in line. So busy month.

Ken Brooks: 5:53

Do you guys already have a plan for what you're going to do for the fair parade?

Krista Lanier: 5:58

We have not finalized that idea. It's my understanding that we haven't done a float in a while, so I'm curious to see if Heather will. I want to picture an idea, so I'm curious to see if she will go for that. So we'll see.

Ken Brooks: 6:15

Now, Charles, remind me, do we have a theme already?

Charles Brooke: 6:18

Yes, would you go with me to the fair?

Krista Lanier: 6:21

Oh, I like it I believe it's the.

Xiomara Levsen: 6:24

It's a turner song. Yes, it's a great song, all right.

Ken Brooks: 6:29

So let's take a minute here and crowdsource this for Krista. Would you go with me to the fair? What should Midwest One bring to the table this year?

Krista Lanier: 6:36

Yeah, do it like the actual cash, lots of cash Handing out cash.

Jake Burroughs: 6:39

Handing out cash I like that.

Eric Werling: 6:41

That's how you ask somebody to do the fair Your hand in a lot of cash.

Jake Burroughs: 6:43

That's You go with me to the fair.

Krista Lanier: 6:45

I really thought that's what we were talking about.

Jake Burroughs: 6:47

It's a tradition really.

Krista Lanier: 6:47

Instead of candy, just bills right.

Jake Burroughs: 6:50

Well, it's a lot safer Throwing suckers or dangerous.

Krista Lanier: 6:53

Old coin Oh.

Xiomara Levsen: 6:57

And all the broken windows and the concussions.

Jake Burroughs: 7:00

But then they would need the home equity line of credit which are on sale.

Krista Lanier: 7:04

Hello, see, you get where I'm going. Business Jake gets it.

Ken Brooks: 7:10

You're really putting that MBA to work, sir. I like it.

Jake Burroughs: 7:12

Let's go. I couldn't make it in the NBA, so I had it in the NBA.

Charles Brooke: 7:15

So that worked out.

Jake Burroughs: 7:16

Good.

Charles Brooke: 7:18

I think they should advertise the run with the schools on a float. Yes, i think they should advertise the run, but go with me to run the schools.

Ken Brooks: 7:28

Oh, that's what you can do. You can put a treadmill up on the float.

Jake Burroughs: 7:32

And Christic and Heather.

Krista Lanier: 7:34

Heather is our treadmill, like she gets up early and works out. I'm not built like that, i'm not, but Heather would look so good. May he remember goodness, i love it She's the main monitor, so that's her job, I mean she would do it.

Jake Burroughs: 7:50

It's important to lead a team.

Krista Lanier: 7:52

Yeah, exactly, lead by example. That's a great idea. Love it.

Xiomara Levsen: 7:58

Or you could get a bike on a stationary. You don't tie it in to rag bride Yep.

Krista Lanier: 8:04

Oh, lord, somebody slams on the brakes, so maybe it's interactive. It's interactive Very fun 911.

Melody Henderson: 8:17

They're also in the parade Oh, I can just see it happening now. This would be great.

Ken Brooks: 8:23

All right. So we've got Heather on the treadmill, we've got Chris on the stationary bike, we've got somebody else storing out cash.

Krista Lanier: 8:29

Yeah, sounds great to me.

Jake Burroughs: 8:31

I think that's a winner. I'd give it a blue ribbon. Approved Okay, okay, jake Howdy. So, from the school's perspective, school just ended, so a lot of kids pretty excited about that, yay. Parents maybe less so, maybe more so, i don't know, maybe they're going on vacation. That'd be cool.

Jake Burroughs: 8:51

So the ELC addition to the elementary school is coming along well. The exterior is due to be done very, very soon next week I think And then the staff are now gearing up to do a bunch of professional development conferences, which they haven't been doing much of since COVID hit. So some great experiences for them to go to various states and learn about the educational sectors in those regions. The athletic complex, drainage has been installed, footings for the concession stands, so on and so forth, so it's really shaping up to be on track. Only one delay, finally. We ran into a delay. I thought we'd run into one sooner, but it was an electrical panel. Everybody's struggling with this in the construction industry, but we think we might be able to pull some strings and make some stuff happen so that we don't miss our deadlines. In terms of sports, the boy soccer team went to state for the fourth time in a row, which is a fantastic feat. No pun intended, or maybe pun intended, but they did get knocked out in the first round. But a really really good game against Regina there.

Jake Burroughs: 9:54

Lots of legislation, as always, a lot of things passed Voucher programs, gender identity things. But iJag is actually a new program that we have at the schools. Over the last couple of years that's allowed a lot of students to have some vocational experience and get into the job world a lot easier to create that transition And there was a million dollars allocated to that. So that's really good stuff. And then also a really important one House File 206. Individuals under 21 can now be licensed as teachers, so opening the door a little bit more to opportunity for folks to become teachers. So it is risky, i feel, but at the same time it also knocks down a potential barrier for, i think, a little bit of a narrow niche of folks that are ready before 21.

Xiomara Levsen: 10:44

Is that because students are getting their associates degree almost immediately after high school?

Jake Burroughs: 10:50

Yeah, I think there's a lot to do with concurrent enrollment in high schools, giving you a lot of credits leading towards that, and this gives you the opportunity to start putting that into practice sooner.

Ken Brooks: 10:59

What kind of credentials or certification do you have to have to be under 21 and be qualified to teach?

Jake Burroughs: 11:05

You would still need to have your degree. You would still have to have your degree in teaching. You would still have to have all of your credentials that you would otherwise need. It was just an age segment that was unable to be technically licensed in the state of Iowa.

Ken Brooks: 11:20

To teach Interesting. Do you have any idea how many individuals would fall under that?

Jake Burroughs: 11:25

I don't know the direct impact no, but anything that we can do to open the door to creating a bigger pool of individuals that are ready, willing and able to be teachers is really, really important, and we have found that the sooner they get into the teaching industry, the longer that they'll stay, typically 100%.

Ken Brooks: 11:45

But that's just one side of the coin. Right. The other side of the coin is being proactive and making the choices to keep, to retain the educators, the wonderful educators that we already have in the community.

Jake Burroughs: 11:59

Yeah, really, one of the fantastic things about that is that over the last couple years we've done a lot of retention practices, one of them being the PD opportunities and sending people off to conferences. People love that right. Continuous education is really important and it's free to them, so you know the district covers that fully. And then also, on top of that, we've done a number of retention bonuses for teachers that we've had and staff members that we've had, as well as sizable raises to their base. So we've been, i would say, far outpacing our competitors in terms of percentage increase over the last three or four years. Not saying, but saying that's all in my tenure So, and taxes went down during that time, so you're welcome, i'm glad we've got our priorities straight here in the West Liberty Community School District.

Ken Brooks: 12:44

We continue to be one of the best districts and, you know, I think, the best district personally in the state. So I'm glad to see that continue And I think that starts on that. that stops with recognizing that it's the educators that are making it all possible. So I really appreciate the school board support in making that happen. Well, another new person to this podcast, Chief Warling, welcome.

Eric Werling: 13:07

Thank you. Lots of stuff going on at the PD And you'll notice if I've chatted with you or if you've listened or looked through any of the stuff at the council meetings. a lot of times what I report on from the PD is some of the stuff we do that's outside of normal law enforcement duties, because I think anybody can be a cop. But I think what we really add to the community is the stuff we do outside of that. So a lot of this is not a talk, not really normal police related stuff. but one of the most happy news that I have is that Officer Holmes and his wife had their baby. The baby's name is Oliver Michael and he has a shocking amount of black hair, which I showed you all the picture.

Eric Werling: 13:50

And since he's off with the baby, the community is going to see some new faces. We've got people filling in for him. I'm taking some shifts. We've got three part-time officers that have come in or will come in to kind of take some shifts. So you may see some new faces in the next couple of weeks, which is good Will. I don't want to take any of your gusto from rag ride, but we are trying to prepare for rag ride, being in town, prepare for the fair and the fair parades.

Eric Werling: 14:18

We're trying to figure out staffing for those kind of things And we've been doing a lot of training. One thing that I've thrown myself into that was kind of a happy accident was there is a group that has started looking into. It's called the sequential intercept model And what it's about is that there is these six we'll call them levels, but they call them intercepts but it's where juveniles come into contact with the juvenile justice system, mental health and the schools and how all of those interact to support and help children be successful. So this group was all of those different entities. So it was law enforcement, juvenile courts, mental health professionals and people from school districts that were coming in to say how can we better serve children? What are we doing? that should be a universal precaution that we can give all children And it goes all the way up through. This child has been arrested and incarcerated and we're releasing them back into the public. So how do we help them be successful?

Eric Werling: 15:20

I think we've gone through four days of all day in-person meetings and then we've had a bunch of virtual meetings, but we're trying to figure out how can we support them? What can we do? What can we do better? What supports do we already have that people just don't know about? And that's something that I've been really working hard on since I started in this community is what do we have in Muscatine County that we can offer, and not only to the kids in our community but for everybody, because we've got a lot of stuff that just doesn't make it out here. That's part of why I jumped on with the early childhood of Iowa for Muscatine County, because they get money from the state and they allocate it when people apply. So, being on that, i'm the only person, i think, outside of Muscatine that's on the board. So I'm trying to make sure that the money is not just sitting in the city of Muscatine but gets out to the rural parts of the county. And other than that, i'm working on trying to more or less advertise to the community that we have a lot of stuff that we can train or teach people. So something that I've done in the past is security audits like walk through your building. I can tell you where your security weaknesses are so we can work on fixing them.

Eric Werling: 16:31

I've taught a class about how to respond to active shooter events and violent incidents for going on 12 years now. I've done even at the nursing home too bad. Cliff's not here, but I've worked with him because they have to do training every month for their employees and I've done training for that specific group before. But doing stuff like that stop the bleed is another one. That's a pretty easy class, but it's just super valuable knowledge and firearms instruction if people want to learn how to handle weapons safely or go out to the range, that's something that I enjoy. So yeah, it's been fun and I've enjoyed getting that all out to the community. So if anybody has any questions about stuff, i'd love them to come down and say hi.

Ken Brooks: 17:15

Awesome. Now you mentioned Cliff. He was sorry he couldn't be a panelist this month, but he was excited to hear that you were coming on, chief, and he wanted to make sure that I pointed out that you have a secret. Oh, which one, which one.

Krista Lanier: 17:37

More specific information needed.

Ken Brooks: 17:39

It's West Liberty's worst kept secret, and that is that you apparently are a very good baker.

Eric Werling: 17:48

Yeah, i've made cookies a few times and brought them into city hall to share And I think every time I've made that somebody said these are good, where did you buy them? Wow, when they're still arriving people as a police chief, i'm not arriving, i'm just bringing cookies.

Eric Werling: 18:04

If they happen to be nicer to me, exactly I mean, I think it's genius, But you know the last one that I can remember that was fun is I made green cookies on St Patty's because my my son with me. So we made green cookies and took them over and they were leprechaun cookies And my son was giving them out but they weren't going asking Hey, where did you buy these? I want to go get some. No, i made these like I can go back to the house and bring back more if I need to.

Krista Lanier: 18:27

So I heard people brag about your cheesecake.

Eric Werling: 18:31

Yes, I do have a set of springform pans. I do like dab-lick and cheesecake too.

Krista Lanier: 18:36

I think you and Chef D should have a big one Right Raise money.

Melody Henderson: 18:41

Thank you, charles?

Xiomara Levsen: 18:43

Yes, honestly that would not be, a bad idea.

Melody Henderson: 18:46

Thank you As popular as cooking is and baking is anymore, And it is. Yes.

Ken Brooks: 18:52

So to that point, cliff actually recommended that the Building Together podcast have a spin-off And we host a brand new podcast on a monthly basis, with you as the host, where you teach local residents how to bake things, and Cliff suggested the title be Getting Baked with a Chief.

Eric Werling: 19:20

I like it.

Melody Henderson: 19:22

He's in. Well, it might draw a little bit of a line, but does that

Krista Lanier: 19:31

narrow it too much.

Jake Burroughs: 19:32

You don't want to narrow him too much on just getting baked. It's a very niche one.

Eric Werling: 19:37

I do like grilling, I do like cooking. That's one of the things I love is getting a recipe, trying it once to see what it's supposed to be but then finding ways to get baked, get baked and grill the chief Oh, that could be the name of the podcast Yeah, second episode Getting Fried with Chief.

Ken Brooks: 19:54

Yeah, yeah, also quality entertainment, i think Do you carry around a 12-volt refrigerator in your patrol? car, not yet I'm just thinking if you had cheesecake right Accessory yes, if you're trying to de-escalate a situation just be like friend hey, i have some cheesecake.

Krista Lanier: 20:17

nobody gets mad at you Like the Snickers commercial don't get what is it.

Eric Werling: 20:20

Hey, yes, i suppose we are expecting that.

Krista Lanier: 20:26

You're acting like Betty White. You're probably just hungry, snickers.

Eric Werling: 20:30

With the, with some of the ARP on money that was awarded to my department. what we used it for is the SWAT car. We have now the new one and then our second one that's supposed to be delivered maybe sometime in August, but I haven't outfitted it yet, So I can look at putting a small refrigerator and I can fill it with cheesecake and other goodies.

Xiomara Levsen: 20:47

Have Cliff make a little sign, you know, with your little podcast title on there.

Melody Henderson: 20:52

Yeah, We have criminals just ready to get in there. You just tell them.

Jake Burroughs: 20:57

Look if I don't have to arrest you right now. I'll give you one piece of cheesecake.

Eric Werling: 21:02

And if I don't?

Jake Burroughs: 21:02

have to chase. You see, i'll have to reward it because I don't want to sound like bribery but I can say thank you for not doing what I

Eric Werling: 21:09

thought you were going to do. I don't have to arrest you. I appreciate you.

Krista Lanier: 21:12

This is my thanks.

Jake Burroughs: 21:13

Here's a cookie. That's why I'm not a police officer.

Ken Brooks: 21:16

You can be proactive about it. Thank you for not doing what you are about to do.

Krista Lanier: 21:22

What we thought you were about to do. Here's a piece of cheesecake.

Eric Werling: 21:25

That's good. Verbal judo.

Melody Henderson: 21:27

Try me and your spray can.

Krista Lanier: 21:31

For a piece of cheesecake. Cheesecake.

Ken Brooks: 21:33

Charles, how are you?

Charles Brooke: 21:34

Good, how are you Good? So beyond our next chamber, am, which is going to be baking kidding With the cheese.

Krista Lanier: 21:45

I was going to say, wow, definitely.

Xiomara Levsen: 21:48

Chef D's your incoming president, right.

Krista Lanier: 21:50

Yeah Well, there you go, Wow see.

Charles Brooke: 21:54

Just a few things in June. Truly we look, all of us look to July, but June 10th is a big day for West Liberty because it's the pre-ride inspection for the rag brie. They are, it's a small group. They started, or they will be starting the 4th of June, starting the entire route, and will travel the entire week, june 4th through June 10th, and will ride the entire route that's been brought to them and inspect it, make sure the roads are okay. The 22,000 riders will be riding July, but on June 10th we actually will be setting up in front of City Hall with a vendor or two to test out and see how the riders like the food.

Melody Henderson: 22:46

Your cheesecake.

Charles Brooke: 22:48

Exactly, it's only a group of 40, so maybe a couple.

Krista Lanier: 22:52

Get bait with the chief. I mean just.

Melody Henderson: 22:54

I know a guy who can? make you a friend.

Xiomara Levsen: 22:59

It's Charles' birthday.

Melody Henderson: 23:01

Charles' birthday, so you need to make him a cake then, too.

Jake Burroughs: 23:04

There you go Birthday cake.

Charles Brooke: 23:08

But um brownies. Beyond the ride inspection. July is our big just hooh-ha. It starts truly right after 4th of July with a few of our meetings, but we go straight into the all-class reunion July 14th, 15th and 16th, and then on the 16th, to end the All-School Reunion, we have the Muskegneen County Fair Parade that the Chamber puts on, as well as Picnic in the Park at Kimberly Park the whole day of the 16th. So Sunday, the 16th, don't leave. West Liberty are going to want to be here.

Xiomara Levsen: 23:45

Oh, a free swim, and there's a free swim at the pool.

Charles Brooke: 23:48

So we've already booked our entertainment. We're going to have an acoustic guitar player and we've got the library friends of the library that are going to have Lahtoria at the enclosed wolf shelter. But we hope to have more vendors. Right now I've sent out the vendor forms for Picnic in the Park and the parade registration. So get your organizations, businesses, back into me as soon as you can so I can start setting up the map. But truly, the next date is July 29th, after the fair week. July 29th is when Raghbri comes through and we're definitely looking at 22,000, 23,000 writers.

Krista Lanier: 24:28

So never heard of Raghbri. With that What.

Charles Brooke: 24:31

I'm not from Iowa, true, but you're not the only one. I actually had a couple board members that asked because they're newer to West Liberty. So Raghbri has been going on for 50 years in the state of Iowa. This is their 50th And they decided to kind of go through the center of Iowa mostly. But when they announced Corville as their last stay overnight we weren't really sure where they were going. Were they going to go north, towards Clinton? Were they going to go south, muscatine? We weren't really sure. But then they booked Muscatine and then they booked Davenport for their dip into the Mississippi River. So they also asked West Liberty. So we're here, we're going to be on the 50th route and really excited to welcome I think it's a cool thing to watch.

Ken Brooks: 25:23

I think maybe Tractor Kade is more my speed personally as far as participation goes.

Melody Henderson: 25:29

Well, that's good, because Bob Pines is going to be seeking you out there, there you go Now we know. Yeah, we'll let him know that. Wow, you let the bag, can't?

Krista Lanier: 25:37

all the bag there buddy Ken, we'll train for Red Bride next time.

Ken Brooks: 25:41

Okay, well, yeah, we'll start the process. There we go. That sounds good. Well, melody, welcome to the Building Together podcast. Thank you, glad to have you.

Melody Henderson: 25:51

Thanks for inviting me. You're welcome. I've found it quite enlightening being here today, excellent.

Ken Brooks: 25:57

You'll have to tell all your friends about it.

Melody Henderson: 25:59

I will, I will. I'll even tell them what a podcast is. Now. There you go.

Krista Lanier: 26:04

At least you got an official invitation.

Jake Burroughs: 26:10

We just couldn't get the door shut.

Krista Lanier: 26:13

When I saw her walk in I was like, okay, that's my shot, Here I am.

Ken Brooks: 26:18

We're going to need some new security. We'll work on that, Chief.

Krista Lanier: 26:22

Jake Ken, we're going to look under our little too late.

Ken Brooks: 26:25

Well, melody, what's going on in your world?

Melody Henderson: 26:27

Well, other than feeling the mother of this group, i mean, jake was in high school when I was at the. I think I was the office manager at the high school at the time and then he became on the board when I was secretary for the superintendent. So I've been. I was born and raised in West Liberty and so this is my heart strain here And so anytime I can pump up what goes on in the community and let it shine, you know I take great pride in it And so you know Charles has been a good friend of ours for his folks, who are real good friends, and I probably changed his diapers So That was this week Somebody hit him.

Krista Lanier: 27:07

Yeah, yeah, Yeah.

Melody Henderson: 27:08

Charles, i'm glad to do it. I'm wrong, but anyway. I mean I've seen a lot of changes in West Liberty. A lot of changes, some good, some not so good. I have seen a lot of groups And when you know, charles was and I were talking because you know, we, we volunteer for a lot of different community work and stuff And it's really hard to get volunteers. They enjoy what you put on but they don't sometimes see the need for to step up and and volunteer to do the work that needs to be done, to commit you know to for these events. I mean, like he's struggling to find vendors for the picnic in the park, by the way, which I started years ago when I was a president of the chamber.

Melody Henderson: 28:00

It was the first year we ever had picnic in the park And I saw it as a need because everybody's at my house after the parade, and not as feeding 20 million people. So that's where we kind of it was kind of a joke, but it ended up being a big thing And it's been very successful and people look forward to it.

Jake Burroughs: 28:17

They do.

Melody Henderson: 28:18

But I'm worried. I'm concerned about the lack of people participating and stepping up and seeing the need to to showcase what celebrity and to you know show, you know be welcoming to that. Our school district is known as one of the most opening what do I want to say?

Melody Henderson: 28:39

welcoming place you know, right, you know I was one of the first ones in the superintendent's office that people would meet and they thanked me for being, you know, for showing them and telling them. But I take pride in what celebrity. I take pride in our school And it shines that way, you know, when people volunteer and do that, really, i'm here for the all school reunion And take one. Okay, anyway, this is like the second time that we've done this as far as all school reunion. Last time we held it, we got it back into the school. I thought, you know, we always were doing it at the community center or we were doing it at the fairgrounds or, but it's all school reunion. You know people need to be back and feel comfortable that you know. Okay, i didn't go to this building, but this is still. This is still my school district that I graduated from. They need to feel comfortable to come home. I mean, just like you guys, you got to feel comfortable going back home, and so I felt it was really important the last time to get it back in the district And people just absolutely loved our last all school reunion. So more so that I don't know how many times are we going to have one this year. Are we going to have this one? I was like No, because of all the work and Charles can attest to it. It is a lot of background work that people don't realize it's going on, you know, behind just to have that weekend. But our community is so generous, our and, like you said, as far as donation wise on our I mean it's expensive to hold a class reunion and our, our alumni have been so generous, our businesses have been generous to us as far as donating, you know, first of all, i don't know where you go get a meal for 20 or a primary meal for $25 these days, but that's what all we're charging for a person to come to this. But we also have a line on here for donations for the class reunion And you would not believe that I bet there's hardly any of them that come in without a donation, because the alumni realize the importance of what's what's happening And we have a wonderful I have wonderful volunteers There's 14 of us all together that are on the committee and of all ages, and they all pick up and they say what can I do? You know, and that's helped me a lot. I'm the organizer and I kind of throw out the things to try to get it, but when it comes down to it, everybody's always, you know, there to to pick up the slack and to carry forward with everything that's going on.

Melody Henderson: 31:34

This, this Friday night of the 14th, we're going to have, like we did last time we had a gathering down the fairgrounds And it went over so well People greeting each other for the first time. You know, people that hadn't been to a class reunion that for years and they come and they just were so tickled pink to see each other. And you know they nonstop talk and and we have a pork sandwich and chips and ice cream and you know that type of thing. And we had registration there where they got their lanyards and they could say oh yeah, you're who you are, you know. And anyway, that that evening went over so well And so we're going to continue with that And it'll be a free will offering for the meal And I'm sure people will be generous and you know that we'll be able to pay for our expenses with that. But there's also going to be a car show.

Melody Henderson: 32:29

We always think we're trying to figure out something, for, you know, the men that come along with their wife might be the alumni and he's just around along for the ride and they're uncomfortable and need something to do. So we decided to try to do some things to organize more interest. You know more people. So we decided to have an antique car show And that afternoon they'll be driving around the community. The show, the car will, cars will, and then they'll end up parking down at the fairground so that people can see it in the evening if they get there later and be able to do that. So you know I've got volunteer men that are helping do that And businesses that are helping sponsor the little magnets and stuff can write his welding company has donated for the magnets to advertise for that, and so that evening then we're also we're awesome.

Melody Henderson: 33:24

Not it's just not us, we're promoting, but we're also promoting the community. So we're even even on our registrations forms you'll see that we have check out our other food and drink establishments And we have everybody in Nichols and well, adelaide doesn't have anybody now, but everybody that serves, either you know, any beverages or food that they're welcome to go to. You know, during that time And we've asked, like Liberty, what's it called Public House? Public House, we've.

Melody Henderson: 33:55

You know Emily is going to be having music in that night and stuff, so that when they're done at the fairgrounds at 8.30, when it's starting to get dark, then those people are. We were advertising for them to go on and go further and socialize. Go to the Liberty House and go to Winx and go to JB's. They're go, you know, and those people will be welcoming you to come in and sit down and talk and, you know, have a few drinks if you want to and socialize, because that's what the idea of the reunion is, is to stay with your friends and you know, to be able to do that. So we're promoting those kind of things. And then on Saturday we have the Traktor Cade, which Ken will probably be writing in now He volunteered.

Jake Burroughs: 34:44

I saw the Traktor. I believe it's a pedal Traktor You might need to grease the pedals though.

Ken Brooks: 34:51

It is. It's a John Deere, so that's all that matters.

Melody Henderson: 34:56

That was a good plug in there.

Jake Burroughs: 34:58

I think there was a lagging to it that I could maybe.

Ken Brooks: 35:01

Oh, you're going to ride along in my little green light, why not?

Melody Henderson: 35:05

I don't have my own, so Okay, I'm going to take a picture of this one.

Melody Henderson: 35:08

Make sure it gets in the index, would you please? Okay? So anyway, we have registration at the high school all day long for people that weren't able to get into town. You know we've got people that are coming from distance to come to this, and and then we've, you know, charles has been kind of our go to person for the chamber, so he's asked all of the downtown businesses to be open that day later, to like 10 to three, so that, or 10 to four, what'd we say? 10 to four, whatever. Anyway, to be open later, to be open later. If you've got a customer in your store, don't run them out, that's right, yeah. Or you know, if they're buying customers, keep them in there, that's right. But anyway, i think it's important, you know.

Melody Henderson: 35:50

So we have the West Subrity um jazz and are not jazz band, we're not calling it that. The West Subrity Comet Band is going to be performing in Rendezvous Park from 11 to 12. And then we're having a break in there and we're not doing anything because we want the people to go and enjoy the restaurants in town. So we're giving them that hour break, an hour and a half almost, because then we have in the Strand Theater Pam Schnicker is going to do a historical program And we're going to have free popcorn and pop for everybody that's registered. They can, you know, go in and sit and listen, cool off, probably, yeah. And then we have, like, the Brick Street gallery where we, you know, i'm saying in my thing in the index that you know, go in and see what we have for local talent and everything's for sale. So I, you know, i'm promoting our you know, i must be the old chamber commerce president and me trying to promote business that way for the downtown area, Because I think it's important for them to see that, oh, i can get something, you know, at Sightly Ven age, or I can get something over here at you know, and I can go over there, and you know there's more to us Liberty than just, you know well, plug.

Melody Henderson: 37:06

So, anyway, those kind of things we're having the libraries offering in the morning from 9, 30 to 10, 30,. They're going to be open, fire department will be open, the depot will be open. So you know, we're having an interest of everybody, from men to women. So when the men are shop, our women are shopping. The men can you know, go look at Steve Alden, his presses machines, which is very interesting if anybody's never been in it. So you know we have. We have lots of different things going on And I think you know, then the banquet and then after the banquet we die Period.

Ken Brooks: 37:50

I don't know what to say to that.

Eric Werling: 37:53

That sounds so final, so I mean. so I guess that begets a few questions.

Jake Burroughs: 37:59

Is it the drinks or the food that kills us? It's the work.

Krista Lanier: 38:02

It could be.

Ken Brooks: 38:06

So, now that school is out, families are taking the opportunity to go on vacation, many of them. What, i guess. I kind of think about why? why do people take vacation? What's the point? What's the point of it? Right, and I think the answer is to get out and do something outside of one's ordinary schedule to, especially in the case of families, create memories, right. And so I try to think what opportunities do we have in West Liberty to do that same thing? How can we promote taking staycations for people here in town? What do we have going on? And it can be some of these special events that we've talked about, or it could be something that is offered, you know, on an every day or on an every weekend basis here in town. That would be a good opportunity for families in Iowa City or out in Kelowna or from the Quad Cities to come in. So that's my question for you this month What is your favorite staycation activity here in West Liberty? And we're going to go around, starting with Jamara, oh great, i just enjoy the food.

Xiomara Levsen: 39:19

There's lots of different food styles, or not just Mexican food, here in West Liberty, but there's also, i don't know, deep Oaks, plays, cury, bp, haskell Food KC's. We have Subway, we have some other restaurants that might be coming into the area fully Not going to go ahead Saffsat, And then there's also exactly there's also a lot of homes that make different food too. True, like Ecuadorian food, so you just break into their homes.

Jake Burroughs: 39:48

No, i mean, you're lightly not on the door and hold up a sign.

Xiomara Levsen: 39:53

I don't know, you never know, or I'll tell them you know, contrary to what you do, you give me food.

Ken Brooks: 39:58

Contrary to what you do, you're invited to people's homes in West Liberty, so Okay.

Xiomara Levsen: 40:04

So I'm going to go ahead and start with the food People's homes in West Liberty. So Also there's a lot of homemade recipes that people have when they're on family and culture, so they'll tell you about.

Ken Brooks: 40:16

All right, Krista.

Krista Lanier: 40:18

Um, man, that was a hard one because I had it until you're like people from Iowa City, because you know the Alberti Pool is open and it's like a resort back there. Yes it is So not open to the public.

Krista Lanier: 40:33

Teddy loves it. He paps on his full thing and he just sings out. And now every float is his float. I don't know if you've seen mom's pictures or dad's really, but like so, last year no, the year before he was deathly afraid of the pool right, and last year my parents bought him his own float, spoiled brat.

Melody Henderson: 40:52

Anyway, i'm talking about a dog. Yeah, he's a Yorkie. Well, they have two.

Jake Burroughs: 40:56

Yorkies, but they're youngest.

Melody Henderson: 40:59

Yes.

Krista Lanier: 41:00

But now if you are on a float in the pool, he is getting on with you Like he's gonna join you. It's just. It's yeah, every float is his. But okay, so open to the public. We also have a public pool and I'm with Jamron Food. I'm gosh, i'm a foodie and any kind of food I'm willing to try anything. I mean I don't go nipping on doors but I do get a lot of invitations. The grill at Ken's house is amazing. Burnt dance Hand tent I mean I haven't had anything there I don't like. 10 out of 10. Recommend Definitely.

Ken Brooks: 41:39

Super hard to get a reservation, though.

Krista Lanier: 41:41

It really is. Like you have to pull up the calendar and it's like I can't so you can.

Xiomara Levsen: 41:45

So where's Ken's next job? He needs to bring the barbecue place here, oh yes.

Melody Henderson: 41:52

Definitely Yeah, especially if it makes smoke in. Yeah, burnt dance, be there, yeah.

Xiomara Levsen: 41:58

There's only three places in my life I want to do it Brisket, stop it.

Jake Burroughs: 42:05

So, without taking too many of the great adventures off of the off the list for the rest of my panelists here, definitely my favorite thing to do Go get Mexican food at literally any of the Mexican places here in town. They're all fantastic. And then going to the movies.

Eric Werling: 42:21

I'm seeing my people. We go there constantly and it's a good.

Jake Burroughs: 42:26

it's a great atmosphere, a lot of history in the building itself and you see that throughout your adventure there. but then also the prices are so ridiculously reasonable Five bucks. You can't, you can't argue with them. So, and they're not promo prices. That's literally just the price.

Krista Lanier: 42:41

So yeah, and concessions, i mean not just tickets, but yeah, yeah, you don't have to spend $25 for a bucket of popcorn.

Jake Burroughs: 42:49

Yeah, i'm sure they appreciate it.

Krista Lanier: 42:52

Oh, i'm sure they would too. Free will donation Here you go.

Xiomara Levsen: 42:56

Yeah, you also donate popcorn, absolutely.

Ken Brooks: 43:00

All right, chief Whirling.

Eric Werling: 43:03

I'll start off by echoing the food, since I'm newer to the community. So when I have friends and family that are checking how are things going and invite them in and the first thing I say is are you hungry? and they take them out to eat. And every time and it doesn't matter where we go but when I take them out to eat I don't think they understand. Like when someone says, hey, let's go get Mexican, you kind of have it in your brain what that's going to look like and what it's going to taste like. But when I physically bring them here and they eat it, then they're saying when can we go again?

Eric Werling: 43:32

Yeah So the food's phenomenal and I'm also. I like that. We have outdoor activities, so mini pitch just got added in. We've got disc golf over at Wopsie. There's ideas about what to do with the pool, like is that going to turn into something bigger? is it going to be an aquatic center? are we going to get a bigger pool? that kind of stuff. So what we have already to do outside, mixed with all of the opportunity that's coming to do stuff outside. And then our community is so walkable and bikeable that I take my son out and we grab the dog and we go for a walk and it doesn't matter where we walk.

Eric Werling: 44:09

There's not a bad spot you have to avoid and we've got the trail that's out here on the west side of town. That's super wide that even little ones that can't really drive straight on their bikes or their scooters they can still go out there and have a good time and it's a safe spot for them to do it. So there's, so you can get some energy and then you allow them to do something outside. Yeah, there are a lot of outdoor activities.

Ken Brooks: 44:30

It's a good point. I liked your question of your guess are you hungry? I had the opportunity of visiting China when I was a child and I was told that you know, in the states, when you greet somebody, you ask how are you? right in China, the the traditional question is have you eaten?

Xiomara Levsen: 44:48

Yes, and they feed you a lot.

Krista Lanier: 44:51

I'm in. Chris is coming to China. I am in. Sounds like a place for me.

Charles Brooke: 44:56

Hello, hi Charles. Uh, truly kind of going off what everyone is, but, like definitely on a weekend, you could make any Friday, saturday, sunday a date night in West Liberty whether you're coming from Iowa City, kelowna, cedar Rapids.

Charles Brooke: 45:12

Like you can have dinner. You can go out to Liberty Public House and have entertainment on a Friday night, um, our theater, like non-stop. I just went to a theater in Des Moines this weekend and I was shaking to give my card because of the price. Like you can't beat it, you can't nowhere. Um, but beyond that, like you can book anything. Like I'm. I'm in pickleball Monday through Saturday in the mornings. Like out in activities, like whether it's a bike ride, get in the pickleball league. Like, um, our depot, so you could spend a couple hours in there and asking questions. But on top of that, like when you go into a theater, you know Mac's there, you know Mac and Denver there. Like, if you go to a theater in Iowa City, do you know them?

Melody Henderson: 45:58

No.

Charles Brooke: 45:59

Do you know Emily at Liberty Public House, or do you know any of our? you know owners of our restaurants like yeah yes, yes, you walk in and you know them, you know and they know you, and they know you absolutely right they also have your menu down menu on, or is that as well, like they know?

Charles Brooke: 46:18

exactly what you want what you need yeah like I know we, when we place our order at Shanghai, we start the conversation with one order, and then she's like this and this and this, yep so okay, yeah yeah, charles is right.

Eric Werling: 46:34

It's that quality of food that you'll find in a bigger city. But you get that personal touch with the smaller city that people are baffled by it. Like I said, when I bring them into town they are literally baffled that it's that nice, that the food is that good and the service is that good, because it's that small town mentality, it's that closeness, it's hometown feeling absolutely melody well you know, i've I've got four grandchildren and every year they come the first week of July.

Melody Henderson: 47:06

We we try to do a stay vacation for them in our community. So we're constantly trying to find the different things. So I mean, we've had nature hunts down in Wopsie Park. We've had. They love to swim. They love our pool. I mean we could put them in the pool every single day and they would, you know, soak that up. We've gone to the movies. They think the Chinese restaurant here is the best Chinese they've had ever. Yes, our Mexican restaurants, they, they have their favorite things. They know what they want to order from those restaurants.

Melody Henderson: 47:40

And and those are the kind of things that my grandkids, i think love more than anything is that we spend time with grandpa, walking with them. You know me cooking with them, you know just all those kinds of things. But don't get me wrong, they love to come during the fair and of course we lose our pop, a book during that time. But they love, you know they love doing that too. I mean those are kind of things that they look forward to coming to West 74, because that they know that those are the fun things that they're going to do the parade, the picnic in the park, the swimming. You know the, the, everything you know, the concerts, the rest of the wrestlers at the fair. You know that's been an annual thing where my grandson gets his picture taken with, with the wrestlers, and you know, and thinks it's pretty cool and you know, just memories like that that they have, they, they look forward to every year. Well, you know, aren't we going to be able to go to grandma and grandpa's for you know.

Melody Henderson: 48:43

So here they are trying to adjust their all their schedule just to get here yeah, but staycations here have been, you know, like I said, making memories, and that's what's most important, i think, is doing that with everything we have to offer here. Yeah.

Krista Lanier: 48:58

I think if you're a member of the community, you don't. I don't. I've been here for two years and haven't felt the need for a vacation, because the community is just so welcoming and just you can't walk down the street without seeing someone you know and they know you and I. Just it feels so much like home. Being 17 hours away from home and all of my family, except for my parents. It's just such a great feeling.

Melody Henderson: 49:24

I don't want to go on vacation like, i just want to be here and it's fantastic and, i think, a lot of people that move here and do make that connection they this is home to them absolutely.

Krista Lanier: 49:36

I mean my parents have been here, for this year will be 16 years. My dad's been retired for almost two and they don't have any desire to move away. They don't, no, and their entire family is back home on the east coast, and I mean we only have the three of us here, but now I talk in this all the time because he treats me and my family just like family, like it's not acquaintances or the community. This community is such a huge family and I love that yeah, that's a small town.

Xiomara Levsen: 50:02

I would feel, yeah, yeah, small towns, yeah.

Ken Brooks: 50:05

I embrace the life philosophy of go big or go home, and so when it comes to vacationing, right, that philosophy applies. So if you're gonna go to Hawaii, are you gonna go, and you know, sleep in all day and watch movies on the couch in Hawaii?

Krista Lanier: 50:23

absolutely. What else is there? of course not. I can just sit by the ocean with a drink, right here, what else is?

Eric Werling: 50:29

there yeah they can go. They can go on vacation. Ken's gonna go out on the excursions and you're gonna stay back and sit on drinks exactly.

Ken Brooks: 50:37

I hate to break it to you, but they have drinks on the excursion. You go down, you wake up early, you hit the breakfast buffet and then you hit the ground running. You want to go see everything there is to see, there's a buffet.

Ken Brooks: 50:48

I'm in there's a buffet Christmas there. So that's my point. It's all about engagement, right, and so that is my advice to you when it comes to summer activities, when it comes to staycation and get engaged, go do it. We have live music every Friday night throughout the summer here. We've got it indoors there at Liberty Public House. Later this summer we're going to have Friday evenings at Rondeve.

Ken Brooks: 51:11

Park We've got live bands that are there. We've got the fair. I mean, we talked a little bit about the fair, but let me tell you that is not the week to leave town. No, that is the week to buy a fun pass.

Xiomara Levsen: 51:26

Or you can't bet the fair If you're cheap, Yeah Right, Come in.

Ken Brooks: 51:30

Bring your family out to the fair parade. If you're not going to walk in it, which you should find a float, take a ride treadmill bike. Exactly. Bring your kids, telling them to bring a bag They're going to collect. so much candy at that thing.

Krista Lanier: 51:46

And money, yes, coins.

Melody Henderson: 51:49

You're going to get big trouble when you get back Back in midwest.

Krista Lanier: 51:52

Excuse me. Well, hey, don't just write it off as a donation.

Eric Werling: 51:57

Do the community, chris? did you know? so when you do this with cash, it's called making it right.

Krista Lanier: 52:01

Make it right, but if you throw coins.

Eric Werling: 52:03

It's called making it.

Krista Lanier: 52:04

Hail? Yes, ok, and we don't want to talk about hail.

Ken Brooks: 52:11

After the parade, head over to Kimberly Park for picnic in the park. That is not something you want to miss. If you've got vendors out there, come for sweet treats, come for kind of lunch kind of things, dinner kind of things. If you want a picnic, come on out, bring the whole family, because that is one of the many times that the entire community is coming out to socialize And it is unlike any other place I have ever been to. It's really a magical event. And then come out to the fair. Kelsey and her team do an amazing job out there, with everything going on at the grandstand You've got the races, you've got the music performances, you've got the midway, you've got all of the four age stuff Right. So don't come one day, come all of the days.

Melody Henderson: 52:57

And they can get on my golf cart and I'll take them from one end to the other. Yeah, i mean, they have the golf carts for senior citizens that don't feel like they can walk and we transport them all over the place, so they want to do that.

Ken Brooks: 53:11

Yeah, And then at the end of the summer, we've got the Fiesta and the Children's Festival Yes, an amazing combined event that bring in thousands of people to this community because of the world-class, unique opportunities that it provides. So that's what West Liberty is It's a world-class, unique community that is providing opportunities for so many people, and it's up to you to choose to get engaged in it. So, just like I tell my kids, you have no excuse to be bored. There are things for you to do and there are awesome things for you to do. So I hope you can plan your staycation here in West Liberty this summer, because we've got exciting stuff going on.

Ken Brooks: 53:55

I want to give a special thanks to all of our panelists for this month here on the Building Together podcast, and a special thank you to you, our listeners. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Thanks, and we'll see you next month. The Building Together podcast is a service of We Lead, the West Liberty Economic Area Development Corporation, and is brought to you by West Liberty Auto Parts and the Goodfellas Club and from generous support from listeners like you. Thanks for spending time with us. We'll see you next month. Building Together Dream it, plan it, plan it.

Charles Brooke: 54:52

We've lost the focus.

Xiomara Levsen: 54:54

Sorry.

Melody Henderson: 54:59

So we have to prove that differently, by reaching out. I mean going to the coffee where they're having coffees. Give them cheesecake. We're in the back.