Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

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Wapsiketa Chapter oflzaak Walton League — Front
row: president. Florence Williams; treasurer. Irma
Abbott: Velma Vernon. Elva Foster. Back row:
Josephine Russell. board member; Carolyn Moore.
reporter; Atha Jensen. board member: Grace
Zimmerman, secretary: Mary Lou Hergert. board
member. Alvina Miner. board member. (Photo
submitted by Florence Williams)
for the elk in the state of Wyoming and to preserve the
Indiana Dunes park: purchasing the shrubbery which
was planted around the band shell at Wapsiana City
Park and the hospital in Anamosa; maintaining the
flower beds at the Jones County Senior Center;
supporting the "Turn-in Poachers" state-wide
program.
Since I952. the chapter has maintained the Wayside
Park. which is located one mile north of Anamosa. This
is the only rest area on highway 151 between Cedar
Rapids and Dubuque.
The chapter sends from to two four youths to the
Luther. Iowa Conservation Camp each summer.
Wapsiketa chapter representatives attend all
workshops. district meetings. state conventions, and
some national conventions.
The present office holders are: Mrs. John Williams.
president; Mrs. Earl Pillard. first vice president: Mrs.
W.J. Bertling; second vice president; Grace
Zimmerman. secretary; Mrs. Lester Abbott. treasurer.
On the board of directors are Mrs. Harold Miner. Mrs.
Elmer Hergert. Mrs. Bruno Jensen and Mrs. Glen A.
Russell. Mrs. Joe Miller is historian. Other members
are: Mrs. Richard Alman: Mrs. Clarence Barker, Mrs.
Donald Eichelberger. Mrs. Ralph Foster. Ms. Arlene
Mayo. Mrs. J.A. Mcguaid. Mrs. Robert Miller. Mrs.
Merlin Moore. Mrs. Roy Rodman. Mrs. Cliff Rogers. Miss
Karen Rogers, Mrs. Alberta Strand. Mrs. Don
Twachtmann and Mrs. Louis Vernon.
Jones County Amateur Radio Club
submitted by Ron Borkgren
Ham radio started in Anamosa in 1927, with the first
radio operator Pauline Joslin Gray. now of Grand
Rapids. Mich. Her call was QPMJ until she received her
official license 9EIW. Hams from various states who
she talked to. or had heard of her. sent her the parts to
build a better radio. Her future husband. Herman Gray
of Mechanicsville. Cal Miller of Lisbon. and Louis Huber
of Tipton. came to her house and built the radio which
used I3 batteries.
Pauline helped the second Anamosa Ham operator
get started. He was Bud Clark Joslin now of Sabula.
Rex Campbell. of Delhi and Harold Wolmutt. were
also early hams of Anamosa.
The Jones County Amateur Radio Club was formed
in January 1979 and became a chartered member of
the Amateur Radio Relay League at the Oct. 3. I979
meeting. Everette ‘Butch’ Custis. president. received
the charter from Max Otto. the Section Communication
Manager of Iowa. At that time there were 20 members
and over 18 active friends in the club. The youngest
was I4-year old Kerry Ricklefs of Center Junction.
In 1981 the club started an annual event — The
Grant Wood Special Event Radio Station. set up at
Stone City. The members make contact with other
hams all over the United States. Now. the members
make contact on Grant Wood Days from their homes. A
special certificate is mailed to everyone they talk to on
that day.
The other annual event is called Field Day. Hams set
up emergency radio stations with generators. or
batteries. and make contact with other hams in the
United States and Canada. This is for practice and
preparedness if an emergency should occur.
In September I986. the Jones County Court House
opened up the new Emergency Operations Center. The
Radio Club has radios there for emergency use that will
talk around the world. One HF radio was donated by
Harold Wolmutt's widow.
There is also a two ‘2' meter Radio Station owned and
maintained by Ray Hall of Monticello. It is open to any
ham that wishes to talk within 30-40 miles of Anamosa.
where the repeater is located. The J.C.A.R.C. uses the
repeater each Sunday at 8 p.m. for its emergency service
net. The net controller is Ron Borkgren who takes
traffic of messages or emergencies that can be passed
on to other people.
In I987 there were I6 active members in the club.
Jones County Genealogy Society
Search For Our ‘Roots’
by JoAnn McRoberts Walters
The Jones County Genealogical Society was formed were: Jeanette Hale. Marian McQuaid. Dorothy Moyer.
in May I985. following an organizational meeting Garold Wells and Amita Westphal.
called by June Morrow and JoAnn Walters. The Purpose of the society is to create and foster an
following officers were appointed: JoAnn Walters. interest in genealogy and to gather and preserve the
president; Joyce Wells. vice-president; June Morrow. records of ancestors for future generations. whether
secretary; Velma Norris. treasurer. Board members they are courthouse records or cemetery records.
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