Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Spending Time With Dad on Honor Flight… Priceless
WWII Vet Eldon Akers and Son Allan, Vietnam Vet, Make September Honor Flight

by Rae Ann Holub, Editor

CENTRAL CITY – “It was on our ‘bucket list’,” says Allen Akers, about going on the Honor Flight with his Dad, Eldon Akers. “It’s sure hard to put into words what it was like.” Hard to put into words, but Allen and his father, Eldon Akers did a fine job conveying what it was like to make that Honor Flight together.
During the 2011 Linn County Fair, the board members allowed members of the Honor Flight organization to collect donations at the Friday night concert. Mary Clapp, Honor Flight representative notified the Fair Board members that, along with their generous donation, they had raised enough money to send a WWII veteran on an Honor Flight, and that veteran was Eldon Akers, of Central City.

Eldon Akers (left) and his son Allen

“Dad could have gone in April,” explained Allen. “But the Guardian spots were all filled, and we wanted to go together. I retired last year from Quaker Oats and that was the goal… to go with Dad on an Honor Flight. So we waited and went on the September 13 flight. Guardians have to pay their own way, but it was well worth it!”

Read the whole story:

Story on the front page of the Linn News-Letter on October 11, 2011  Story continues on Page 13 of Linn News-Letter

The Iwo Jima Memorial was Eldon's favorite, honoring the Marines during WWII.

CENTRAL CITY – The Linn County Fair presents Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in concert on Friday, June 29, 2012, 7 p.m. at The Linn County Fair grandstands. This is an all-ages show.  Local band Lonesome Road will open the show.

The iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in Country Rock and American Roots Music, continues to add to their legendary status.

With multi–‐platinum and gold records, strings of top ten hits such as “Fishin’ In The Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles”, multiple Grammy, IBMA, CMA Awards and nominations, the band’s accolades continue to accumulate.

Their groundbreaking “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” album has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Grammy Hall of Fame. NGDB’s recording of “Mr. Bojangles” was

also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.

NGDB (Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, John McEuen) are touring in support of their most recent release, the critically acclaimed album “Speed of Life” (2009, SugarHill Records) with recent tour stops at Bonnaroo and Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble.

Ticket information:

Tickets for the concert go on sale “Cyber Monday,” November 28, at 7am online only.  

***CYBER MONDAY TICKET SPECIAL***BUY TWO TICKETS FOR $18 – VISIT WWW.THELINNCOUNTYFAIR.COM TO PURCHASE- special runs from 7am to midnight on Monday, November 28th only.

Tickets prior to concert are $18, $20 day of show.

Concert location:

The Linn County Fairgrounds are located just south of Central City on the east side of Highway 13 at 201 Central City Road, Central City, Iowa.  For more information on the concert go to www.thelinncountyfair.com or contact Heidi Steffen at info@thelinncountyfair.com or call 319-350-5569.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Fact Sheet

-’Speed of Life’ is Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s latest studio album, featuring core members Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, and John McEuen. The band recorded ‘Speed’ live in Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, with George Massenburg and Jon Randall Stewart producing.

-With a career that spans five decades, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has gone from a hippie jug-band to pioneers of country rock, and their influence is still being felt today. Formed in Southern California, the band released their self-titled debut album in 1967, which included the hit “Buy For Me The Rain.” It was their 5th record, 1970′s ‘Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy,’ that would become the band’s breakthrough project, which included their version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles”, recently inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s ‘Will the Circle be Unbroken,’ a three-LP set recorded live in the studio in Nashville over six days in 1971, became a landmark event and a multi-platinum success. The album featured the band collaborating with their heroes, a veritable summit of talent including Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Roy Acuff and Mother Maybelle Carter. ‘Circle…’ remains such a significant album that nearly thirty years after its original release, it was one of 50 recordings to be honored and preserved by the Library of Congress.

-In the early 80s, the band returned to Nashville and continued to top the charts for another decade with songs such as “Dance Little Jean,” “Workin’ Man,” “Long Hard Road,” “Baby’s Got A Hold On Me” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.”

-In 1989, the group revisited the ‘Circle’ concept with great success, gathering another impressive roster of performers (including Johnny Cash, EmmyLou Harris, Levon Helm, Chet Atkins, Bruce Hornsby, John Hiatt and Roseanne Cash) for sessions that had a pronounced country-gospel feel. ‘Circle II’ would go on to win three GRAMMY Awards and the Country Music Association’s Album of the Year.

-In 2002 ‘Circle III’ (with many current artists added to the previous cast) received similar accolades and attention, garnering the International Bluegrass Music Association Recorded Event of the Year award as well as leading to a 2005 GRAMMY for Country Instrumental Performance (with Earl Scruggs, Randy Scruggs, Jerry Douglas and the late Vassar Clements).

-Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s influence continues to trickle down through generations of roots music, inspiring artists from Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas to the Avett Brothers.

The announcement that the fair dates have moved for the 2012 fair was received with open arms. The fair will run June 27 through July 2, 2012. With the move of the fair dates The Linn County Fair will be affiliated with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. We believe this will bring more community involvement to not only the Linn County Fair but also to the Freedom Festival.

The theme for the 2012 fair is “Ridin’ Rockin’ & Livestockin’” to tie in our many grandstand events planned for this year’s fair. We were excited to announce at the event that our Friday, June 29^th concert will be national act Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. They are well known for their hits “Fishin’ in the Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles.” Our concert series continues to grow from year to year. We are looking forward to announcing our plans for several other concerts as we get closer to the fair.

We also announced our other weekend grandstand events tentatively schedule for the 2012 fair. They are as follows:

• Saturday, June 30^th at noon- Antique Tractor Pull
• Saturday, June 30^th at 7pm – Truck & Tractor Pull
• Sunday, July 1^st at noon- Draft Horse Pull
• Sunday, July 1^st at 7pm- Rodeo
• Monday, July 2^nd at 6:30pm- Harness Racing

Stay tuned for more new and exciting events planned for the 2012 Linn County Fair.

Along with kicking off the 2012 fair the event’s purpose was to raise money for the Lynn Dunn Memorial Project. We are excited to announce that we raised about $8,500, which is $3,500 over our goal of $5,000 for the first annual event. We want to thank everyone that donated items and participated in the fun filled night!

The Lynn Dunn Memorial Project is in honor of a man whose passion was the Linn County Fair.  Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within the Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.

Lynn’s dream was to take the Linn County Fair to the next level, he helped bring this dream to life when bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events.  His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was an “all year” building.  It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and banquet hall.  Currently the fairground has to shut down during the months of October-April.  With this facility the fairgrounds would be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, corporate gatherings, etc. For information on the project and how you can contribute please go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/lynn-dunn.html.

Lynn Dunn

For more information on The Linn County Fair go to www.thelinncountyfair.com or contact Heidi Steffen, Marketing Manger at 319-350-5569 or info@thelinncountyfair.com.

####

]]> http://thelinncountyfair.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/a-successful-2012-linncounty-fair-kick-off-event/feed/ 0 Ms. Buzz 2012-kick-off_clip_image002 vectorized-2012-logo-look-todd lynn-dunn http://thelinncountyfair.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/2012-linn-county-fair-kick-off-event/ http://thelinncountyfair.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/2012-linn-county-fair-kick-off-event/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:06:51 +0000 msbuzz http://thelinncountyfair.wordpress.com/?p=1416 Continue reading →]]> After a successful 2011 fair with over 35,000 in attendance, planning for the 2012 Linn County Fair is already well under way. The 2012 fair will be another week filled with live entertainment, grandstand events, livestock shows, a midway carnival, as well as all many other favorites!

To help promote and highlight the fair the Linn County Fair Association will be hosting a fundraising event- The 2012 Linn County Fair Kick Off – on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Prairie Hill Pavilion in Marion. The event consists of a live and silent auction, dinner and drinks. Proceeds from this event will go towards the Lynn Dunn Memorial Project.

Our mission of The Linn County Fair Association is to provide opportunities for 4-Her’s, FFA members and the youth of Linn County to showcase their accomplishments and talents in a safe family atmosphere while providing activities, entertainment and learning opportunities to the diverse citizens of Linn County and guests from surrounding areas.

Our goal as the Linn County Fair is to provide cost effective entertainment & educational activities to the Linn County Residents, this includes free gate and parking for all attendees. We are able to continue to be a strong asset to the county and community with the help of our many partners and supporters of the fair. The 2012 Fair Kick Off event is another opportunity for our partners and supporters to help give back to our community.

The 2012 Kick Off Event will be a night filled full of fair fun, food and auctions. The night will kick off with social hour at 5pm, then followed by dinner and presentation. During the presentation we will reflect back on the success of the 2011 fair, touching on some of the highlights. Plus we will announce the new fair 2012 dates and fair theme, and some of the new events that will be held at the upcoming fair.

There will be two silent auctions through out the evening with the live auction kicking off at 8pm. For more information and list of some of the auction items please go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2012-kick-off.html.

Tickets for this exciting event are $20 person or $140 for a table of 8. To order your tickets ask a fellow Linn County Fair Association member or go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2012-kick-off.html to order your tickets TODAY! Deadline is October 24^th. Space is limited.

All proceeds of the event will go towards the Lynn Dunn Memorial Project in honor of a man whose passion was the Linn County Fair.

 Lynn served as a board member for many years even holding many leadership positions within the Linn County Fair Association with great pride and diligence. He also served as director of the Association of Iowa Fairs Northeast District before his passing.  Lynn’s dream was to take the Linn County Fair to the next level, he helped bring this dream to life when bringing back the carnival, providing concerts, and more grandstand events.  His next dream was to have a building on the Linn County Fairgrounds that was a “all year” building.  It would include meeting rooms, kitchen and banquet hall.  Currently the fairground has to shut down during the months of October-April.  With this facility the fairgrounds would be open all year long for 4-H meetings, board meetings, receptions, corporate gatherings, etc.

The money raised from this event will go towards the Lynn Dunn Memorial Project.  For information on the project and how you can contribute please go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/lynn-dunn.html. (Note: The Linn County Fair is a 501C-3 non-profit)

Come be part of something fun and exciting while giving back to your community with the 2012 Linn County Fair Kick Off Event on October 29th, 2011 at the Prairie Hill Pavilion in Marion at 5:00 pm (Note: Iowa and Iowa State football games are both away).

If you would like to purchase a ticket or donate an item for the auction please contact Angie Cole, Partnership Manager- Phone: 319-213-7129 or Email: angiecole@thelinncountyfair.com or go to http://thelinncountyfair.com/2012-kick-off.html

####

One of my fond childhood memories is my involvement in 4-H. I still use many of those skills I learned in 4-H today.  Now here is your opportunity to get your child or someone you know involved in 4-H that will provide them skills they will use for a life time…..

Linn County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week October 2-8

October 2-8 is National 4-H Week, and Linn County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Linn County boasts 4-H clubs throughout the county, including the state’s only 4-H Fish Club. There are many opportunities for youth in the 4-H program to explore their interests and gain new skills. In the past year, Linn County 4-H’ers could be found planting community gardens, raising money by serving ice cream, or learning how to zip line at junior camp. Hundreds of exhibits were showcased at the Linn County Fair and Iowa State Fair – featuring everything from chickens to cattle, clothing to photography, and even a moose leg lamp. Several 4-H members earned top honors.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities.

In true community spirit, when Linn County 4-H’ers heard about predicted flooding that would affect western Iowa counties, they sprang into action. 4-H youth and their leaders organized a drive asking for donations of cleaning supplies and activities for youth affected by the flooding. The community responded wholeheartedly and the donations have been distributed to those in need.

4-H youth are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. To learn more, contact Tricia Rew, County 4-H Youth Coordinator at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Linn County at (319) 377-9839 or trew@iastate.edu.

Check them out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linn-County-Iowa-4-H/133978313323322

Twenty-two teams competed in three levels for prize packages and scholarships

Iowa 4-H youth in grades 5-12 had a chance to put their culinary skills to the test, and win some prizes, with Cook This! during the Iowa State Fair. Cook This is a food and nutrition challenge for youth in its second year. The challenge drew 22 teams this year who competed in the event Aug.15-17 in the 4-H Exhibits Building.

In the Intermediate category, first place was awarded to Triple B Country Cooks: Maree Bean, Attylissa Bailey and Sylvia Bain, from Linn, Marion and Monroe counties.

Photo: from left to right- Triple B Country Cooks: Laura Kuennen, Cy Gushiken, Maree Bean, Attylissa Bailey, 2011 Iowa State Fair Queen Paris Schnepf, Sylvia Bain, Scott Hoffman and Lois Carlburg

Teams were divided by age into three levels: junior, intermediate and senior. Teams in each of the three age groups tested their knowledge of food safety, produce, food preparation and presentation, and proper use of kitchen equipment, as well as a new category this year of communicating a food-related topic. In the final part of the challenge, the teams demonstrated their cooking skills as they prepared a particular dish.

The Cook This! Judges included “That Guy Cy,” Cy Gushiken, the owner of Ohana Steakhouse and Cosi Cucina restaurants in Des Moines.

The first-place team in each level will receive a VIP tour of Meredith’s Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen and photo studio. First- and second-place teams received a prize package, and all participants received exclusive Cook This aprons and Dahl’s hats.

Those sponsors include: Dahl’s, Iowa Turkey Federation, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Successful Farming Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen, Iowa 4-H Foundation, ISU Extension, ISU College of Human Sciences and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Fareway, Iowa Egg Council, Cookies and Tone’s Spices.

About the Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America with programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. One in five Iowa school-age youth participates in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames. 4-H is supported by federal, state and county funding, private grants and donations, and fees. For more information about joining 4-H, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office at www.extension.iastate.edu/content/county-offices/ or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4H.

Linn County 4-H members in the clothing project participated in the Clothing Event competition on Wednesday, June 22.  For the clothing selection division, 4-H’ers competing, selected outfits that represented the member’s intended use of the outfit.   In the Fashion Revue division members constructed a garment of their choice.  The $15 challenge challenges youth to create an outfit for under $15 from alternative sources such as resale stores.  After judging, the participants had the opportunity to model their outfits at the Fashion Show on Sunday, July 10 at the Linn County Fair.

Those receiving honors and will represent Linn County at the Iowa State Fair are:

Senior Clothing Selection:  Melanie Jochimsen, Cedar Rapids

Senior $15 Challenge:  Anna Tichy, Ely and Donyelle Dorsey, Cedar Rapids

The following youth were chosen to represent Linn County at the Intermediate Coral Ridge Clothing Event:

Clothing Selection:  Mikayla Bowen, Center Point

Intermediate $15 Challenge:  Kelly Breja, Cedar Rapids

The following members received Outstanding Junior Awards:

Clothing Selection:  Mikayla Nachazel, Central City

Fashion Review:  Alexa Gormley, Marion

Junior $15 Challenge:  Stephanie Hansen, Marion

For more information about joining 4-H – as a volunteer or as a member, contact the Linn County Extension Office, 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, or phone 377-9839.  4-H Youth Development programs provide youth experiences in project learning, communication, citizenship, leadership and personal decision making skills.

The Linn County Fair 4-H Communications competition was held on July 7, and July 8 at the Linn County Fairgrounds.  Winners will represent Linn County at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Educational Presentation winners:

Two Junior entries will represent Linn County.

Junior —  Alexa Gormley, Marion, presenting:  “Something Seems Fishy”

Junior — Will Dragon, Mount Vernon, presenting:  “The Game of LaCrosse”

Four entries in the Senior level competition will represent Linn County.

Senior — Lexi Helgens and Jennifer Zingula, Marion presenting “So Much Milk”

Senior — Christopher Caldwell, Cedar Rapids presenting:  “Hamming It up on Amateur Radio”

Senior–  Tymbrie Snobl, Central City presenting:  “Youth Hunter Education Challenge”

Senior — Paul Elliott, Anamosa presenting:  “Bear Necessities”

Working Exhibit winners are:

Junior — Alexa Gormley, Marion “Candy Cane Ornaments”

Intermediate — Mikayla Hartl and JD Waybill, Central City, “Chick in an Egg”

Intermediate – Mikayla Bowen, Center Point, “Krazy Kazoos”

For more information about joining 4-H – as a volunteer or as a member, contact the Linn County Extension Office, 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, or phone 377-9839.  4-H Youth Development programs provide youth experiences in project learning, communication, citizenship, leadership and personal decision making skills.

4-H and FFA Family and Consumer Science, Visual Arts, Personal Development and Science, Agriculture and Engineering exhibits were evaluated on July 6, 2011 at the Linn County Fair.  These exhibits cover a wide range of topics including food and nutrition, personal development, crops, welding, visual arts, electricity and citizenship.  The exhibits chosen will be displayed at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Those chosen in the Family and Consumer Science Division were:

Child Development:  Caitlyn Nuehring, Marion.

Food and Nutrition:    Paul Elliott, Anamosa; Mikayla Bowen, Center Point; Kenyon Dolan, Cedar Rapids; Casey Robertson, Marion; Jessica Etten, Prairieburg;  Maree  Bean, Center Point; Morgan Lefebure,  Fairfax.

Home Improvement:  Paul Elliott, Anamosa; Shelby Malone, Central City; AJ Crow Schrader, Marion.

Sewing and Needle Arts:  JD Waybill, Central City; Alexa Gormley, Marion; Casey Robertson, Marion; Katie Toms, Marion.

Those chosen to represent Linn County at the Iowa State Fair in the Creative Arts Division were:

Music:  Bryton Hayes, Cedar Rapids.

Photography:  Ashley Lahr, Coggon; Sarah Goettler, Central City;  Amanda Dragon, Mt. Vernon; Axel Zumwalt, Marion; Doneshia Moyer Anamosa; Cody Benesh, Marion; Nicole Larson, Marion; Tayler Etzel, Alburnett; Austin Himes, Central City; Morgan Schmidt, Springville; Casey Robertson, Marion; Karis Holley, Marion; Holly Rohrssen, Center Point; Maree  Bean, Center Point; Abbi Holcomb, Cedar Rapids; Sierra Dougherty, Coggon;  Brianna Murdock, Alburnett; Shelby Malone, Central City; Nicole Uhlenkamp, Central City. 

Visual Arts:  Seth Pisarik, Mt. Vernon; Brylie Hayes, Cedar Rapids; Maree Bean, Center Point; Eric Sindelar, Cedar Rapids; Nate Marti, Mt. Vernon. 

Those chosen in the Personal Development Division were:

Communication:  Sadie Flatland, Springville.

Self Determined:  Anna Tichy, Ely, Chase Grabau, Robins.

Representatives from Linn County for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Division were:

Ag and Natural Resources:  Kylie Mysak, Springville. 

Animal Science:  Austin Himes, Central City; Morgan Schmidt, Springville; Sadie Flatland, Springville; AJ Crow Schrader, Marion.

Horticulture:  Eric Sindelar, Cedar Rapids. 

Safety and Education in Shooting Sports:  Clayton Loyd, Mt. Vernon.

Linn County youth selected in Science, Engineering & Technology classes were:

Digital Storytelling:  Casey Robertson, Marion.

Mechanics:   Molly Hogan, Coggon; Joe Gregoricka, Springville.

Woodworking:   Emilee Bean, Center Point; Jennifer Zingula, Marion.

For more information about joining 4-H – as a volunteer or as a member, contact the Linn County Extension Office, 3279 7th Avenue, Marion, or phone 377-9839.  4-H Youth Development programs provide youth experiences in project learning, communication, citizenship, leadership and personal decision making skills.