December 2016
Print Editions
December 14, 2016 Print Edition
December 21, 2016 Print Edition
December 28, 2016 Print Edition
Beyond the kettle, giving continues
The Salvation Army of Muscatine began the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign with a goal of raising $180,000. These funds collected at Christmas are used beyond the holiday season and benefit the organization and ultimately the community throughout the year. In addition to...
read moreA meal for Christmas
On Monday, December 19, residents from MCSA were treated to a special dinner, along with some special guests. The Monsanto Leadership Team visited the Center and brought along some friends. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to visit with the children who live at MCSA...
read moreStart-Up Grind continues in Muscatine
Start-Up Grind Muscatine held their December meeting at the newly opened Sunrise River Gallery on Second Street during the week of Christmas. The monthly event is a time for local area entrepreneurs and businesspeople to come together and hear stories of how other...
read moreFamily commits to outreach
A few weeks ago, Isaiah Phillips dropped off a box of non-perishable items to the Pearl City Outreach. “I told her they were just random things a friend had collected and I didn't know what was in there,” Phillips said. The woman who accepted the donation told him,...
read moreMuscatine Bald Eagle Watch 2017
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi River Project invites the public to enjoy a day of eagle viewing and activities. The annual Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch will take place Saturday, January 28, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Pearl City Station in Riverside...
read moreTemperatures plummet, pipes freeze
As the temperatures continue to drop, the risk of pipes freezing and causing property damage rises. It is really basic earth science: as water freezes, it expands. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic...
read moreVA disability and dependents
Are you a veteran with service-connected disabilities rated 30% or higher? Do you have a spouse, children under age 18, or children aged 18-23 who are pursuing post-secondary education? If you answered yes to these questions and you are not receiving monetary credit...
read moreLive with purpose
Being physically fit, eating nutritious foods, and getting enough rest are important, but not enough to make people truly satisfied with life. Purpose is the number one factor in living a fulfilled life, says Barbara Dunn Swanson, human sciences specialist with Iowa...
read more2016 “The Year The Music Died”
My New Year’s resolution is for 2017 to hurry up and get here! I understand that come Saturday night we'll say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. This past year, the entertainment world took a HUGE hit as we lost so many incredibly talented people. The music industry...
read moreTurning wind into watts
On December 15, the 13 Megawatt (MW) South Fork Wind Farm began commercial operation producing renewable energy for Muscatine Power and Water (MP&W). In all, six new wind turbine-generators have been constructed, tested, and released for full operation, and the energy...
read moreChristmastide 2016
Emmanuel: God with us. Have you ever wondered what the world was like two millennia ago when the Holy Child was born in Bethlehem? Imagine a people oppressed by an earthly power, humbly traveling to obey the census rule. Imagine a people living in fear of the hand...
read moreMiddle School Rock Orchestra spreads cheer
The Central and West Middle Schools' rock orchestra spent part of their day last week traveling around to area locales playing holiday music. The West group played at First National Bank’s main branch, the Pearl Plaza, and Premiere Estates. The students were treated...
read moreMuscatine middle school show choir in the making
Muscatine’s middle school show choir has been in existence for over seven years. The program has gone through many changes over the years. The program is a great way for students to interact with other students and is a fun activity for students interested in music...
read moreMuscatine High School Principal wraps up the first semester
Jared Smith accepted his position last spring as the new principal of Muscatine High School. It was a semester of change and new opportunity. Smith grew professionally and personally. “I am really getting to know our staff, and things are going really well,” Smith...
read moreChinese Orchestra set to return
The City of Muscatine is excited to once again welcome a world-renowned Chinese orchestra from the China Arts and Entertainment Group. The name of this orchestra is the Shaanxi Province Song and Dance Theater National Orchestra. They will be performing a free concert...
read more2016 for Muscatine has been amazing
The first thing that came to mind when I was asked to contribute to this look back at 2016 was RAGBRAI. It was a great day for our community, and I doubt I will ever forget the excitement and thrill of all of those cyclists rolling into Muscatine. An even more...
read moreCulture Fair
On Wednesday, December 14, seventh-grade students from Central Middle School participated in a culture fair. Students set up tables around the auditorium with displays representing countries from around the world. The students had been researching their countries...
read moreWrestling
The Muscatine Muskie wrestling team won two duals on Thursday at home. The Muskies trailed 33-36 to Pleasant Valley going into the final match of the dual at heavyweight. Muscatine’s Nolan Bell pinned his man in the second period to earn the necessary bonus points for...
read more“Old Friends” spend decades fostering good will with China
With the news that Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has been tapped to be the next United States Ambassador to China, Muscatine’s relationship with China and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been brought back to the forefront of international diplomacy. Sarah Lande has...
read moreMuscatine & Iowa relationship pave way for Branstad appointment
Iowa and Muscatine are held in high regard by China's government. Xi Jinping, now the president of China, first came to Muscatine in 1984 as a part of an agriculture delegation. The relationships forged on that trip have grown in to culture of communication and...
read moreCulture Fair
On Wednesday, December 14, seventh-grade students from Central Middle School participated in a culture fair. Students set up tables around the auditorium with displays representing countries from around the world. The students had been researching their countries...
read moreBuilding Bridges: Created for Relationship
In just a few days, Christmas will arrive. Churches will be full, carols will be sung, and prayers will be shared. The sentiment of “peace on earth and goodwill towards all” will swell in hearts and minds, and peace will be known by many. However, not all will know...
read more10 things to do over Christmas break
Christmas break is something everyone looks forward to. The kids are happy to be home and there's more family time for everyone. The first few days of break are always a blast, but eventually it becomes too easy to run out of things to do, and you end up wasting half...
read moreMovie review: Rogue One – It’s not a trap
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first in a series of supplementary movies that look to flesh out the Star Wars universe while making piles of cash. This story follows the Rebels' discovery and acquisition of the original Death Star plans. While I don’t have the...
read moreMerry Christmas, friends!
Santa! I know him! Merry Christmas to you and yours, and thank you for taking the time each week (hopefully) to read this column. I cannot put into words how much I value each and every one of you who grab the Voice of Muscatine out of your mailbox each week and...
read moreMCC receives financial gift from First National Bank
Muscatine Community College (MCC) has announced that First National Bank of Muscatine has committed $50,000 toward the college’s Loper Hall renovation. The college will be undertaking a nearly complete makeover of the building that houses the college library and...
read moreCarlson appointed Transportation Committee Chair
House Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) recently announced that Rep. Gary Carlson (R-Muscatine) will serve as the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. “Rep. Carlson knows how to put politics aside to develop commonsense solutions to move Iowa forward. He...
read moreRoberts inducted into the ISU Chemical & Biological Hall of Fame
Gayle Roberts, P.E., President and CEO of Stanley Consultants, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Iowa State University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE). Roberts is a 1981 ISU graduate with a degree in chemical engineering. The CBE...
read moreShop with a cop
For the 25th year, Muscatine police officers took area children on a shopping trip. Shop with a Cop works with the Muscatine Community School District to identify children who are in need of a special touch at Christmas time. The children are then invited to the store...
read moreChanging of the guard
In the winter of 1995, as the Muscatine High School basketball season came to a close, Josh Miller realized that he was within reach of Brian Westlake’s career scoring record. Miller reflected on all the shots in his driveway and at the Y. “I didn’t think I was going...
read moreAffordable Metals Manufacturing: In the business of giving
In 2009, Russ Miller and his wife, Jan, were led by their faith to start Affordable Metal Manufacturing. Affordable Metal Manufacturing of Muscatine is a small business of six employees. Affordable Metal manufactures cut-to-length, roll-formed steel for roofing, side...
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