Greetings Van Horne Area Residents!

Well it has finally dried out and the rest of the crop is being planted, but the lawns still need mowing. There are a few properties in town that are neglecting their duties and also the town ordinance on lawn height. We are aware of these properties and are taking the steps  for the city to mow them and apply the charges to their property taxes. This doesn’t happen overnight, so neighbors we understand your frustration and please try to be patient.

As you are reading this we have joined the tech world and you will now be able to pay your city utility bills by credit card. You will need to talk to Linda on how to set up your account. There will be a 2.65 % fee to you for each transaction.

I wasn’t able to attend the Relay for Life held in Van Horne, but heard things went well.

The Patrice Strellner Memorial Park Dance was a success. I was able to attend the dance and everyone there looked to be having a wonderful time. I apologize to the park neighbors that maybe had to stay up a little later than normal, but it is only once a year.

All the new playground equipment has  been installed in the park except for the Handicap Merry-go-round. The factory sent us the wrong parts to assemble the merry-go-round. They should be in soon. The ninja obstacle course looks to be a huge success with the kids in town. Whenever I go by there are always kids on it. With that being said I would like to thank the following individuals for their expertise in installing the equipment, they saved the city $16,000 that would have been charged to complete the installation.

Devin Pickering furnished all his equipment for the project free of charge, a big thank you to him he saved us a lot of work and expense.  Also Don and Jason Knaack for use of their equipment and also for leveling and seeding the areas we tore up.

Bill Frazier, Dave Frazier, Larry Kaiser, Ethan Kaiser, Gary Thompson, Kevin Nolan, Brad Nolan, Ron Donald, Ed Fry, Don Logan, Brian Strellner, Jeff Kelly, Jim Magdefrau. Jeff Franzenburg, Steve Allman, Theresa Thompson, Derrick Pickering, Josh Wilkens, Don Duncalf, John Menage and the Barr employees. I hope I didn’t forget anyone, if I did please accept my apologies. I also would like to thank the city for the use of their equipment as well  as the employees. Jared wasn’t able to be there since he was with the water main installers, but he helped organize as well as having things we needed ordered. Thanks Mike Less for helping as well as getting the water pumped out so we could complete the installation, and also to Linda for ordering and delivering lunch and pop and water for noon each day.

This was a Connie Donald and the Lions club idea. Thanks also to them. Thanks also to the Business Group for organizing the day and providing the adult beverages after the first day of installation.

We will do a dedication and recognition for all when the merry-go–round is complete.

As summer is finally here please drive carefully and watch for kids on bikes and walking. Also the 4th of July is approaching, remember it is still illegal to set off fireworks in town.

Your thought for the month! From Charles Swindell. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

Thanks and have a great rest of the month and the 4th of July. Your Mayor Marty

Mosquito Spraying

The City of Van Horne is planning to spray for mosquitoes again this summer. State certified pesticide applicators will spray an ultra low volume non thermal aerosol (cold fog) to control adult mosquitoes in residential and recreational areas and other non-cropland areas where these insects are a problem. The City will use BIOMIST 1.5 + 7.5 ULV. Best results are achieved when the temperatures are cooler and the wind speed is below 10 mph. The city plans to spray on Thursday evenings or early mornings. If unable to fog on designated day, Tuesdays will be alternate days. No special precautions are necessary for residents normally, but you may call City Hall at 319-228-8238 for more information.

PEDDLERS

Peddlers are out knocking on doors. If you happen to have someone stop at your door: FIRST and FOREMOST – You DO NOT have to talk to them if don’t wish to. Second, ask them if they have a peddler’s permit issued to them by the city and ask to see it. This will not necessarily prove they are legitimate, it is just a way to track them, as it will have driver’s licenses and auto plates recorded.

PUBLIC SWIM BUS

Will be running once again on Wednesdays in July (on the 10th, 17th and 24th). Children must be at least 7 years old and if you ride the bus to Belle Plaine you must ride the bus home. If the pool is experiencing bad weather the bus will not pick children up. Bus will pick children up 12:25 (no later so be a little early) at the Van Horne Elementary. The bus will leave Belle Plaine at 4:15 for the return ride. If you have any questions please contact Lance Hinschberger at 319-444-2200.

Dates On Deck

• June 18 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• June 20 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• June 25 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• June 25 Senior Citizen Luncheon @ CC at Noon
• June 27 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 2 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 4-5 City Hall closed for Holiday
• July 6 Saturday GARBAGE PICKUP
• July 8 Van Horne City Council Meeting 6”30 pm @ City Hall
• July 9 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 10 Swim Bus – no later than 12:25 @ VH Elementary
• July 11 Solar Space Ambassador @ Library from 9:45 to 11:00 a.m.
• July 16 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 17 Swim Bus – no later than 12:25 @ VH Elementary
• July 18 Universe of Stories @ Community Center from 9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• July 23 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 25 Miss Katie @ the Library from 9:45 – 11:00
• July 24 Swim Bus – no later than 12:25 @ VH Elementary.
• July 26 Magician Stolba @ VHPL from 10-10:45 a.m
• July 29 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• July 31 Senior Citizen Luncheon @CC at Noon
• August 1 Grout Museum @ the Library from 9:45 – 11:00
• August 6 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00
• August 8 Summer Reading Program at the Library From 9:00 – 10:00

Emerald Ash Borer

The City is once again treating our Park trees for the Emerald Ash Borer. If you have Ash trees you would like looked at or treated, please contact Linda at 319-228-8238.

LIBRARY NEWS

SUMMER READING PROGRAM DATES: July 11, 18 and 25, August 1. Sign up now at the Library. Schedule for reading and activities from June 18th through August 8th at the library, stop in and pick one up.

FROM THE DIRECTOR: The drop box is not for your trash, it is for library materials only, let’s be respectful of property!!

NEW MATERIALS

Adult Fiction: I AIN’T DOIN’ IT by Heather Land, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE by Melanie Benjamin, THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR by Susan Meissner, THE NIGHT WINDOW by Dean Koontz

Adult Fiction Large Print Books: A GIFT OF BONES by Carolyn Haines, LITTLE FAITH by Nickolas Butler, VERITY by Lisa T. Bergren, HALF FINISHED by Lauraine Snelling, CROWN JEWEL by Christopher Reich, DEATH COMES TO THE SCHOOL by Catherine Lloyd, DRIFTWOOD BAY by Irene Hannon, JUSTICE DELIVERD by Patricia Bradley, LOST ROSES by Martha Hall Kelly, DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid, WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens, BOWLAWAY by Elizabeth McCracken, THE CURIOSITIES by Susan Gloss, FORGET YOU KNOW ME by Jessica Strawser

Children’s: THERE ARE NO BEARS IN THIS BAKERY by Julia Sarcone-Roach, NOBODY HUGS A CACTUS by Carter Goodrich, FELIX EATS UP by Rosemary Wells, HAROLD AND HOG PRETEND FOR REAL! By Dan Santat, BIG FAMILY REUNION by Mike Berenstain, MY FOURTH OF JULY by Jerry Spinelli, Scholastic Books: LEGO REAL WORLD FARM, NEXO KNIGHTS STOP THE MONSTERS, and BAD GUY BLIZZARD, Curious George books: LEMONADE STAND, MAKES A VALENTINE AND GOES TO A MOVIE by H.A. Rey’s

YA: THE MIGHTY HEART OF SUNNY ST. JAMES by Ashley Herring Blake, THE PAST AND OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD STAY BURIED by Shaun David Hutchinson, ALEX RIDER SECRET WEAPON by Anthony Horowitz, THE REST OF THE STORY by Sarah Dessen

Juvenile Non-Fiction: STEM LAB by Jack Challoner, THE MOON BOOK, FARMING AND THE REASONS FOR SEASONS by Gail Gibbons

DVDS: A-X-L, DEAD POOL 2 (DVD), GREEN BOOK, MOMMA MIA: Here we go again, REPLICAS

Juvenile Fiction: MY WEIRD READING TIPS by Dan Gutman, ZACH AND ZOE mysteries: THE HOCKEY RINK HUNT by Mike Lupica