Two weeks ago Jo and I got away from the cold weather and the pressures of the last few months. We spent a week in Jamaica with our very good friends, Merlyn and Connie Appelgate. The temperature was 85 degrees. We spent a lot of time on the beach and had a lot of good food (which we all really needed). We zip lined, climbed a 600ft. waterfall, swam with dolphins and still managed to survive. We also got to see how the majority of the Jamaicans live – mostly in shacks and it makes you very glad we live here in Gladbrook, Iowa. First things first – I want to congratulate the Rebels speech team for their outstanding job they did at State Contest. They received a lot of 1’s and 2’s in their performances. Next, how about the Rebel boy’s basketball team – first time in the State Tournament. We all wish you a lot of luck and our best wishes for you to go all the way to State Champs. You are making your community very proud. Since my last letter the Gladbrook Community lost a very good neighbor, friend and a very dedicated Legion member in Carroll Wegner. He will be missed by all. Our thoughts are with Marlys and her family. All of us here in Gladbrook and surrounding community are extremely disappointed in the decision to close our school here in town. This is a very hard blow to take. In church this morning, Rev. Carol spoke to the fact that we need to control our anger and use that energy in a positive way. How very true! It was also said in one of the letters to the editor from up north that it is not the schools responsibly for the survival of our town. That is also true. We here in Gladbrook have what it takes to overcome this set back and we will. We have so much to be proud of with a safe and clean town to raise our children in. The kids may not have a school here in town to go to but do have easy access to very good schools no matter which direction they choose to go. A ride on the school bus is just another adventure for them. They will enjoy it. Most of us parents and grandparents rode a bus and we all survived and we all learned something ( maybe not always good) and we made long lasting friendships. So will your kids. I wish them all the best in their future. This is just another step. Our town is alive and strong. In the last four weeks there has been four homes sold in town. Welcome to those new home owners and thank you for choosing Gladbrook as a place to live. It is getting to be that time of year when the Corn Carnival Committee steps up their plans for this year’s celebration on June 25-28. We will have a great time. If anyone would like to help us, you are more than welcome. We can always use more help. We will start this year with our annual Corn Carnival dinner on Sunday, March 22. Also on that day, the Fire and Ambulance volunteers will be showing off the new EMT building from 12:00 to 3:00. This is just one of the many things in our town that we have to be proud of and we built it with the help of a very caring community. Hope to see all of you on March 22 both for the Corn Carnival dinner and the EMT building open house. We will, as a community, move forward.

GLADBROOK STRONG AND PROUD!

Mayor, Keith Sash