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Villisca is a community people with diverse backgrounds and interests call home. It is a safe community with an outstanding school system and a quality of life envied by urban dwellers. Its geographic positioning makes it a perfect homebase for two-income earner households. It can well be said that it is a community of individualists and that is one of the endearing qualities that makes living in Villisca forever an adventure.
July 30, 7:00 p.m., VHS Gym, Admission $5.00 |
Employment
Opportunities in the Villisca Area |
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What does that mean? It means that Villisca is a part of a program that helps motivate and train community members to look at their community with a new perspective and to identify ways to help Villisca thrive. "
Horizons explores perceptions about and sources of poverty; it isn't
always just about lack of money. Villisca has gone through Phase I of Horizons - Action Study Groups. This is your invitation to be a part of Phase II. In January Villisca will be entering Phase II which involves leadership development through the LeadershipPlenty® program, a nationally recognized program from Pew Partnership for Civic Change. It is designed to equip citizens with skills like effective communication, group dynamics and effective group participation, conflict management, and partnership building. LeadershipPlenty® is about Change - Leadership at its core is about change-within individuals, within organizations, and within communities. The program was created with the idea that many talented and resourceful citizen leaders are needed to build and maintain a thriving community. It focuses on bringing those talents and resources to the table. LeadershipPlenty®
operates on two premises that directly apply to the Horizons program. LeadershipPlenty®
training is designed for a broad range of citizens: We know there is no lack of leadership in Villisca. - there are plenty of people with untapped talents that can make our community stronger. Participation
in Phase II asks a commitment of individuals to attend nine training
sessions of 3 to 4 hours over a three month period. Villisca needs
30 people to commit to this program. Will you be one of them? To register
contact Kerin Wright at City Hall. For more information contact Kerin
Wright at 826-2282, Bonnie Berggren at 785-3354 or Roxanna Sieber
at rtsieber@netins.net - 826-7812. Learn more about Horizons at www.extension.iastate.edu/horizons/.
Learn more about LeadershipPlenty® at www.pew-partnership.org/lpinstitute.
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Villisca Resource Guide This guide has been created partially as a result of Horizons Study Groups Action Groups in Villisca and then designed by the Villisca High School computer class. I is intended to provide information about services available within the Villisca community. It is not expected to be comprehensive in providing information on services available throughout Montgomery County and the State of Iowa. Horizons is a program aimed at building leadership to reduce poverty in small rural communities and is sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation and Iowa State University Extension. Scroll down for contact information on Villisca churches and charities |
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City Services/Utilities Electric
Services Water/Sewer
Services Gas
Services - Alliant Energy - 1-800-255-4268 Police
- 712-826-2282 or 1-800-432-1001 Villisca Volunteer Ambulance Service 911 Villisca Volunteer Fire Department 911 Telephone
Services (Telephone, Internet) - Recycling 826-2282 Public
Library Computer/Internet
Access Librarian - Pat Means Hours:
Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Community
Website Education Enarson Elementary School 826-5982 Villisca
Middle/High School 826-2552 Villisca Head Start 826-5982 Villisca Preschool Public Library - 826-2452 |
Other Services Cable
Services Satellite
Services Transportation Newspaper Housing/Real Estate Century
21, Bill Jacobs, Agent Crawford
& Co. (formerly Kline Real Estate) John
Hausen/Jim Hughes Real Estate Sun
Valley Apartments Villisca
Housing Authority Villisca
Child Care Providers Child
Care Veteran's
Organizations Veteran Affairs - 712-623-3180 American Legion - 826-2702 |
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Financial
Assistance
Crisis Fund - Interchurch - contact resident pastors Veterans Affairs - contact local veterans organizations Public
Utility financial assistance Food/Meals Meals-on-Wheels 826-5182 Food Pantry 826-3132 SHARE
Program - |
Faith Community Advent
Christian Church Mount
Calvary Lutheran Church Nodaway
Methodist Church Presbyterian
Church St. Joseph's
Catholic Church Strand
Evangelical Lutheran Church United
Methodist Church |
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Youth Programs East
Sunrisers 4-H Club - contacts: Northeast
Herdsmen 4-H Club - contacts: Valley
Boosters 4-H Club - contacts: FFA - contact VHS - 826-2552 Villisca Youth Sports - contact Shannon Figgins - 826-2783 Girl Scouts - contact Tammie Johannes - 826-2971 Boy
Scouts - contact Harold Auten - 826-3131 Kids and Kinship - contact Margaret Heard - 826-4061 Cindy's Dance - Cindy Scott - 826-8222 Villisca Swimming Pool - 826-3455 Villisca Before/After School Program - 826-5982 |
Health
and Wellness
Narcotics
Anonymous - Nodaway Valley Free Clinic - 542-3719 Physical
Therapy - Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Red
Oak Internal Medicine - Stoner's Honeyman Drug Store - 826-4112 Veterans Benefits - contact Veterans organizations Villisca Family Health Center - 826-3003 Villisca Good Samaritan - 826-9592 Villisca Medical Clinic - 826-4422
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Recreation/Entertainment/Cultural City Park Olson Lynn Museum - 826-2756 Playground at Enarson Elementary School Rialto Theatre - 826-2122 Summer
Youth Sports Program - Swimming
Pool - 826-3455 Villisca Community Building - 826-2282 Villisca Country Club & Golf Course - 826-5322 Villisca Walking Trail |
Community
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce - Contact Gayle Heard - 826-5222 Lions Club - contact Lee Haidsiak - 826-8472 Villisca
Alumni and Friends Assoc. (VAFA)
contact Jim Robinson - 826-4902 Interchurch
Council Villisca
Historical Society VFW/VFW Ladies Auxiliary- 826-8998 American Legion Ker-A-Vor #25 - 826-2702 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) 826-5982
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Seasonal Annual POW Supper - sponsored by American Legion Community
Thanksgiving Dinner Easter
Egg Hunt - sponsored by Chamber of Commerce Interchurch Vacation Bible School - 826-7472 Interchurch
We Care Memorial
Day Programs |
Seasonal Share-A-Toy - Vince and Judy Else - 785-3311 Veterans
Day Program VFW Auxillary gift shop for children - 826-3036 VFW
Christmas Program - contact Villisca
Heritage Days Villisca Scholarship Programs - 826-2552 Yard & Garden Committee - Summer Flower Baskets |
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City
Hall CITY CLERK - Kerin Wright Municipal
Power Plant |
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CHIEF Bryan Dickey Bob Brown - Ron Brown - Terry Currin - Dereck Freshour - Curtis Gaunt - Larry Gaunt - John Bruce - Gayle Heard - Joe Kernen - Dan Lindberg - Jule McCuen - Junior McCuen - Jason Poston - David Riggle - Don Sexton - Kyle Stein - Byron Sunderman - Larry Taylor - Ryan TenEyck - Tom Wright
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EMTs CHIEF Justin Rhamy TRAINING OFFICERS Jill Burgess & Tracy Spunaugle Harold Auten -Darcy
Dalton - Terry Dalton - Mike Jackson - Tom Shipley - Adam Wainwright
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Initially, I, like many outsiders, believed the only history that existed in Villisca revolved around the notorious 1912 ax murders. Complete a Google search of Villisca, and “ax murders” becomes synonymous with the town. The murder has amplified the status and recognition of what could easily be passed off as a dot on a map, another typical rural small town in Iowa, where a Casey’s General Store lines the highway, townspeople wave to friends and strangers alike and embedded into the towns memory is the 1980s economy which destroyed a once prospering town leaving an aftermath of vacant buildings and barren lots. Quaintly placed In the midst of the town square lies a memorial. Names are etched into brick, unveiling an ordinary community member as an extraordinary hero. The perception to some is that “it’s just a name”, but this one name is a piece of a puzzle that unveils a magnificent history of military service. |
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Insignia of rank and memories of war resurrect tales of courage and bravery that we have neglected teaching to younger generations. Tales of heroism have been buried with these brave soldiers and with the loss of the uniform is the loss of the soldier who transforms into a humbled veteran and continues about their daily routine as if their contribution were insignificant, as if they didn’t help materialize a vision of freedom into a reality for all of us to enjoy. |
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Military service in Villisca is one of the most valued and oldest traditions, stemming back to the Indian Wars. The contributions of our veterans service has not gone unrecognized. |
| From the Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Robert Moore’s return home to Villisca, books are published about witty escapes from the enemy and on the unfortunate capture of some of our veterans. Villisca had some of their very own being held captive by the German Army: Frederick Bryson, Glenn Fengel, Harold King, Robert King and Bill Day. Optimism and simplicity are the sentiments expressed by Bill in his journal he kept while he was a POW. | |
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"I was one of forty-three captured the morning of February 16. The Germans that captured us were dug in around a building, three machine guns and mortar fired on us at various times, running us down and wounding two of our own. We were in two camps in Tunisia. The first was an old French army camp. This camp was fairly comfortable, after sleeping on the ground a spell. We had a quarter of a loaf of bread and coffee for breakfast. A piece of candy and 2 cigarettes were issued. For dinner and supper it was soup." |
| "We arrived in Naples on Sunday and rejoined Fengel, Borden, Baker and about 40 more of the old gang. On Tuesday April 20th, the Vatican sent presents for all POW’s. Had hopes of getting to write home soon. We are in dire need of clothing and shoes." | |
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"Rumors of war have been going favorable to the Allies in heavy fighting in Tunisia. May 14, the news had it that the African campaign was over and 300,000 Germans and Italians as prisoners." |
| "June 6, 1944, In the afternoon, while the orchestra was practicing in the theatre, an officer of the German camp staff announced that France had been invaded at 12:05 that morning. Later German under-officers mentioned it in the barracks. The men were skeptical, but later events were to bear out the facts." | |
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"November 11, 1944. Bugler blew taps today in observance of Armistice Day. No other ceremonies. No Red Cross food parcels." |
| Liberation of our soldiers was met with relief, however, there were still areas occupied in enemy territory, which needed the attention of the United States and their allies. The 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division entered into Dachau, a German concentration camp outside the city of Munich. Upon the gate a phrase captured the attention of soldiers, “Arbeit Macht Frei”, work makes you free. One of the first soldiers to enter this death camp was Walter Hyink, a former Villisca businessman. | |
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After the entrance of the 42nd Rainbow Division a news report captured the vulgar scene troops encountered: |
| "When infantrymen of the 42nd Division fought their way into Dachau against fanatical SS troops who met deserved violent deaths along the moats, behind the high fences and in the rail yards littered with the bodies of fifty carloads of their starved victims, those hardened soldiers expected to see a horrible sight. But no human imagination fed with the most fantastic of the tales that have looked from the earliest and most notorious of all Nazi concentration camps, could have been prepared for what they did see there." | |
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The emancipation of Dachau and other death camps in the European and Pacific fronts left tormented chains on the memories of our soldiers. When they returned, they did not glorify nor dignify the atrocities of war. Rather, they are weighed down with the memories of war. What they saw, heard and the unknown. |
| Another unknown came to an end on October 4, 2002, which brought some solace to a community that mourned a veteran who was presumed missing in action until the unveiling of a plane and the remains of 2 US soldiers were discovered in Laos. One was Scott Dotson, the other was Lee Gourley from Villisca. | |
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Lee Gourley was the Villisca High School valedictorian for the class of 1962. By November of 1968, Lee Gourley was in Vietnam with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in the Republic of South Vietnam. August 9, 1969, Lee was serving as Misty Forward Air Controller over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos where contact was lost with his F-100F aircraft. |
| His status moved from MIA to KIA, a harsh reality for Lee’s loved ones to face. | |
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Questions plague family members: |
| What do we do with the information that he had been taken a prisoner of war? | |
| What do you do when you spent so many years chasing what is now only a dream? | |
| And practical considerations like, what dates do you put on the tombstone? | |
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He deserved to come home from that war and we all deserved to have him come home, but God’s plan was far different. |
| Vietnam not only tormented Villisca with the loss of a great man, but our soldiers were left with a hangover of nightmares of war and of course, some were condemned with the most toxic of all memories, Agent Orange. Vietnam has been dismissed as a “conflict”, but a conflict does not claim nearly 58,000 lives and conflict does not scar a nation with remnants of shameless protests towards our soldiers and conflict does not disintegrate nationalistic pride. | |
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After Vietnam, the United States was skeptical of war, maintaining an isolationist approach and utilizing the United Nations as a source of diplomacy. Once again, the United States was a sleeping giant until early one morning in September of 2001. On September 11th, 2001, the gap between generations narrowed as we empathized with the terror and horror our nation must have felt on December 7, 1941. War was something my generation wasn’t supposed to know. Although a shadow of the past covered our eyes and veiled us from the horrors of past conflicts, it was inevitable. |
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"When I arrived in Villisca in August of 2003, the trees wore yellow ribbons sending a message to our troops we were behind them and we would hope and pray for a safe return. I felt secure knowing I wasn’t alone and one of the first people I met was a woman whose son was overseas in Afghanistan. Chris Casey’s valor upon hearing the call to duty and service was passed off as if it were a simplistic task that any American would do." |
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"I recently spent a year in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Afghanistan is a country that has known nothing but fighting, bloodshed and fear for at least the past 20 years. Stories were told of being beaten by members of the Taliban because the length of their hair or for being clean-shaven. They were then loaded into a truck and taken downtown where the beatings continued and then their heads were shaved before they were allowed to leave. The people of Afghanistan have a new hope, that they will one day have the freedoms the American people have. This was all due to the efforts of the American Veterans and their will to fight terrorism and inspire freedom in a country that has never been free." |
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After the return of our soldiers from the Red Oak and Corning units trees were gradually stripped of the yellow ribbons causing me to feel relief for the return of their loved ones and disappointment because there are still many soldiers fighting overseas who need our support on a daily basis. |
| We must prevent these veterans from becoming nameless faces and faceless names on a brick. | |
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There is nothing dishonorable about the Villisca community. It has been tainted with myth and fallacy of ghosts, but the ghosts are the forgotten veterans whom we celebrate their service and commitment to freedom only once a year. It shouldn’t take a national holiday to thank a veteran. |
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 The
Villisca Swimming Pool continues to be a favorite gathering place in
the summer months. For those who have fond memories of time at the pool
and would like to help preserve this for future young Villiscans, tax-deductible
contributions may be made to the pool fund by sending them to Villisca
City Hall, 315 South 3rd Avenue, Villisca, IA. Approximately $28,000
has been raised to make necessary changes to the pool. $135,000 is needed
to put in stainless steel guttering and plumbing. Additional funds would
be needed to provide some of the items for the kids, such as a new slide,
diving board, lifeguard chairs, concrete work. |
Here kids from the 7th grade Ag class help unload the first shipment of equipment for the new play area in the park on the square in Villisca. The money for the equipment is being been raised by V-Town Park Boosters - Villiscans who look forward to continuing to enhance Villisca's quality of living for young families. Funds are still needed to complete the project. The total cost is $31,000 and about $18,500 has been raised. Tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to Villisca City Hall, 318 S. Third Avenue, Villisca, IA 50864 |
 Memories
continue to be made in Villisca - just simple memories - swimming at the
pool, spending time in the city park, participating in school activities,
Heritage Days. The quality of living in Villisca continues but at a cost.
Besides the pool and playground equipment projects, soon another fundraiser
will be in place to raise funds for a quad area at the High School; a
new track is needed; funds continue to be raised for the before-after
school program. Villisca has a wonderful history of raising funds to meet
the needs of the community - the community center, the Christmas decorations,
the wonderful hanging baskets and other garden enhancements around town,
the physician's center, Good Sam. The local churches continue to need
contributions so they can meet the spiritual needs of those in the community.
For those who have enjoyed the benefits of growing up in Villisca, we
invite you to contribute to the projects of your choice. pictured to the
left is the city square at night with the new lights. |
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For those who
have enjoyed the benefits of growing up in Villisca, Listed below are some of the fundraising efforts going on in Villisca Contributions can be sent to those noted or can be sent to the Villisca Education Foundation, c/o Carol Greenfield, 120 North 5th Avenue, Villisca, IA 50864. The Foundation is a 501c3 so contributions are tax deductible. When sending money to the Foundation, please include what the money is for. |
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Bring
back the Victory Bell and move forward with a new Courtyard Villisca Swimming Pool Fund - This fundraiser is to raise funds for renovation of the Villisca Swimming Pool, a mainstay for summer recreation for Villisca residents. For those who have fond memories of time at the pool and would like to help preserve this for future young Villiscans, tax-deductible contributions may be made to the pool fund by sending them to Villisca City Hall, 315 South 3rd Avenue, Villisca, IA. $135,000 is needed to put in stainless steel guttering and plumbing. Additional funds would be needed to provide some of the items for the kids, such as a new slide, diving board, lifeguard chairs, concrete work. Villisca City
Park Playground Equipment - The money for the equipment is being
been raised by V-Town Park Boosters - Villiscans who look forward to
continuing to enhance Villisca's quality of living for young families.
Funds are still needed to complete the project. The total cost is $31,000.
Tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to Villisca City Hall, 318
S. Third Avenue, Villisca, IA 50864. Hanging Baskets
and Harris Harmony Trail 4th of July Fireworks
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Villisca Alumni
and Friends Association At this time, the legal work to incorporate the organization, to set out the by-laws and to apply for tax-exempt status is being done with the help of Bob Mullen, Class of '67. The board is being put together with the leadership of Jim Robinson, Class of '67. Each decade will have two representatives. Through the VAFA, there will be a number of ways to participate in preserving the past and building the future of Villisca. Once the board is formed, it will begin to develop initiatives to match the mission and vision of the organization which many of you will choose to participate in. As with any organization there will be organizational costs involved. Contributions may be sent to the Villisca Alumni and Friends Association, c/o Jim Robinson, 114 North 3rd Avenue, Villisca, IA 50864 For more information on the Villisca Alumni and Friends Association contact Jim Robinson, 114 North Third Ave., Villisca, 50864 or send inquiries to VAFA, P.O. Box 45, Villisca, IA 50864; or e-mail alumni@villisca.com Villisca Historical
Society Library Volunteer
Firefighters and EMTs Churches Interchurch Council Sunday Dinner
Fundraisers Some fundraisers
don't call for cash contributions. If you shop online, if you start your shopping at Boxtops4Education.com or iGive.com, the participating retailers will donate a percentage of your purchase to the charity of your choice. There are over 200 stores in the Boxtops Marketplace and over 600 at iGive.com including stores many people shop at everyday. The only thing you have to do to get the donations to your charity is to start your shopping trip at the Boxtops or iGive Websites. |
Villisca
has enjoyed beautiful lighted Christmas decorations in the downtown
area and at the north entrance to Villisca. These decorations were purchased
with donated funds. They have grown tired and in need of replacement.
Funds have been raised for replacements for the decorations on the square.
A second-round of fundraising is now ongoing to raise funds to replace
the remaining decorations. Contributions can be sent to Villisca City
Hall, designated for Christmas Decorations.
For
several summers Villisca's downtown area has been wonderfully decorated
with hanging baskets where the Christmas lights are hung at Christmas.
These take a great deal of loving care in the planting in the spring
and then watering all summer long. The costs of maintenance is raised
by the Villisca Garden Club. Harris Harmony Trail is developed and maintained
by volunteers and the costs of maintenance are covered by contributions
which can be sent to Villisca City Hall designated for Villisca Garden
Club. Pictured is one of the sculptures on the Harris Harmony Trail.