More pictures from 2010 Rustic Days & the Rustic Run.
The Bill Rilley Talent Show pictures will be posted next week.

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Bench Dedication
A bench was dedicated in memory of Dwane (Benny) Bentrott July 17 in Rustic Park. In 1961, it was his dream to build a park for the citizens of Lost Nation. At the 12th annual Booster Club dinner, January 1962, Benny as Booster Club president, related the reasons for establishing a public park.
He said, "Sooner or later Lost Nation will have to join with some other school district. When that takes place it is very doubtful that the public will have access to the school grounds as they do now. We will have no place to hold 4-H day celebrations. No place for the men and ladies to play kitten ball in the evenings. We may no longer have a lighted tennis court and our skating rink may be a thing of the past. Lost Nation's citizens have always been forward looking and this is their chance to keep that reputation so that when we transfer our school, the rest of the life in the community will be disturbed as little as possible." He then presented his plans and specifications for a public park. By September of 1962, leases were secured from the railroad, Seng Brothers and John and Ella Fleming for the land comprising the 13 acre park. Booster Club members and volunteers spent hours clearing the land and then mowing each year until funds were adequate to hire someone. In 1964, it took ten hours for many willing and able volunteers to build the first shelter. The park was sold to the city of Lost Nation for $1 in 1987 so liability insurance coverage would be available. Dwane Bentrott had the dream, but the continued efforts of the Booster Club, local clubs, churches, organizations, individuals and the city of Lost Nation make his dream an ongoing reality.

The bench was presented to the Lost Nation Booster Club in memory of the man who envisioned Rustic Park. The Lost Nation Booster Club in turn presented the gift to the city of Lost Nation for Rustic Park.

The Lost Nation High School Class of 1960 celebrated their 50th Class Reunion on Friday evening, July 17, 2010 with a banquet held at the LN American Legion Hall.

Front row seated, l to r: Mary Jo Smith Schultz, Donna Thompson Lacey, Judy Mohr Luett, Betty Sykes, Juelet Weiss Gluck, Linda Koranda Thompson, & Leslie Hollingsworth Schultz.
Second row, l to r: Regena Pithan Busch, Myrna Gohlman Larkey, Michael Seng, Wayne Busch, Santha Betts Bickford, Leonard Elsner, Lana Gombert Heilig, and Konnie Feuss Edleman.
Back row, l to r: Rich Wolfe, Ken Baker, Jerry Smith, John Sievers, Robert Dona, Susan Hancock Noth, Cathie Propst Peppers, Myrna Schlemmer Putz, Duane Feuss, Lloyd Penningroth, and David Burrichter.
Saturday morning the group enjoyed a brunch at the home of Linn & Leslie Schultz before riding their float in the Rustic Days parade.

Photo by Lana Heilig. Thanks!

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Above are just some of the highlights from Lost Nation's 2010 Rustic Days.

Photos by Sandra Brady & Lana Heilig. Thanks, ladies!!!

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Pedaling for Affordable Housing
Thirty cyclists stopped in Lost Nation for a very short lunch break around 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 11. The group, ranging in age from high school graduates to college graduates and from all over the U.S., are riding from Providence, Rhode Island, where they left the second week in June, to Seattle, Washington, where they are scheduled to arrive on August 18.
A brief description of Pedaling for Affordable Housing: "Through fund-raising cycling trips, Bike & Build raises money for and awareness of affordable housing efforts. Our events act as a catalyst to build homes, foster the spirit of service, and empower young adults . . . mile by mile, house by house. Specifically, we fund projects planned and executed by young adults. Over the past 7 seasons we have donated $2,305,345; built for more than 63,500 hours; pedaled over 4MM miles; and engaged more than 1000 young adults in spreading the word about the affordable housing crisis in America."
Currently there are 8 different cross-country bicycle trips on 8 different U.S. routes. The young people in the group that stopped briefly in Lost Nation each raised $4,000.
For more information, please visit their web site at: http://bikeandbuild.org/cms/

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Brazil Experience
Fourteen adventurous Iowans (plus one Californian) left the Quad City Airport on June 16 for an 8-day trip of a lifetime to the grand city of Fortaleza, Brazil. The trip was organized by the Rev. Kitch Shatzer through the Presbytery of Eastern Iowa (PEI) Partnership with Ceara Presbytery of Brazil.

The first picture above is of those who participated in this experience: Back row L to R: Richard Stanley, David and Carolyn Horton, Kitch Shatzer, David Jiruska, Arnie Hart, Don Thomas, Lemi Thiahun; Front row L to R: Pat Dickman, Adrienne Walls, Donna Jiruska, Marta Pumroy, Kristy Richards and Marion Hart. (Kristen Dickman joined the group in Atlanta, GA for the last leg of the flight to Brazil.)

The purpose of this trip was to be “relationship building,” a learning experience about each others’ daily lives rather than being a “mission trip” to build/complete a specific project.

Some time during each day, either afternoon or evening, was spent visiting one or more churches complete with great offerings of delicious refreshments/meals prepared by the church members. One or two familiar hymns were sung, but most services shared lively Brazilian rhythms with many young people and children of all ages participating in the services and programs.

Each pastor was so enthusiastic to show projects that churches from PEI had helped to make financially possible. Whether the project was new flooring, roofing, wiring materials, or plumbing fixtures, the members of each Brazilian church were so grateful for the help from the Brazil Capital Campaign made possible through the Brazil Task Force of PEI.

Of course, there was plenty of time to visit the gorgeous beaches. The following pictures show the coastline right across the street from our hotel along with excursions to several other beaches where you could enjoy a massage, ride donkeys, drive dune buggies, or purchase items made by local craftsmen.

Additional time was spent visiting schools, a sugar cane plantation, shopping at the central market and enjoying at least one of the 50 flavors of the local ice cream shops.

On Saturday evening, June 17th, each Iowan was a guest in the home a Brazilian family in Fortaleza. Much joy was shared between the guests and family with exchange of pictures and gifts. During Sunday, the 18th, all the Iowans and their hosts spent the day at a home on a sugar plantation enjoying swimming, relaxing in hammocks, watching Brazil win a soccer game and eating delicious food!

Most importantly, the friendships made among the Iowans on the bus excursions between the Brazilian points of interest were extraordinary, never to be forgotten. Several Iowans hope to make a return visit next year.

Basic information on Brazil:

Brazil is made up of 26 states, with a Federal District for the capital, Brasília. Portugal claimed Brazil in 1500. Today, Portuguese continues as the main language of Brazil. Ethnicity of Brazilians consists of Native Indian, European, and African influx. More than 3 and one half million African slaves were brought into Brazil to work in sugar cane fields.

It is the 5th largest country in area in the world, and 6th in population with over 150 million citizens. Fortaleza, located only 3 degrees south of the equator has become one of the most tourist friendly cities in Brazil. It is located in the state of Ceara in the northeast part of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro, located in southern Brazil is known as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

Pictures & story by Pat Dickman. Thanks, Pat!