Newell

On the right hand side bar under pages you’ll notice a new option called TAKE A POLL! Here is where all past (yet still relevant) polls are in one handy to vote on and read page! If you haven’t checked out the results in a while, or forgot to vote - take a few minutes to look at this new added feature.

  There will be a blogging training class taught February 4th at 5:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. in the Newell City Library. Rides are available for those who need them. Please encourage everyone to come and see what all this blogging stuff is all about! Questions, call 456-2544 or 456-0200.

There are various committtees being formed in Newell to help research and develop plans to improve our city. Horizons needs your involvement to help better our town. Below is a list of committees; if you can be involved please call 456-2121 or simply leave a blog post under this blog.

City Signs/Street Signs
Centennial Planning
Beautification
Community Center
Assisted Living
Economic Development

In response to the questions posed to us on Leadership….

I would say that Leadership Plenty has improved our leadeship greatly. I think people who didn’t think of themselves as leaders are now stepping up to the plate and our seeing that they truly are leaders. When given a task and having the support of others behind them; people are doing things they never thought they could/would do.

I also think that people who knew that they had leadership skills were equipped with better leadership tools and strategies from Leadership Plenty.

I think it also bonded people together and they found out that more people then just themselves have the same goal. It’s easier to work towards something when you have support and camaraderie. I think there is a better spirit of unity among those that attended. Although there were different opinions brought up and we don’t always think alike; people have put some differences aside to get some things accomplished.

Due to lack of a quorum last night (apparently -20 wind chills made folks want to stay indoors - haha) the regular PTO meeting could not happen. President Parrow has rescheduled the meeting for February 4th at 7pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at Newell School. She says they’ve got lots on the agenda, so stop by and take part in Newell’s Parent Teacher Organization!

There are no dues to join, everyone is welcome to attend.

Part of the blog requirements are to answer a few questions from each catagory (under the blog in light grey are the catagories each post addresses) in posts. I’ll put my two cents in to get the ball rolling, I hope those who’ve been more involved will answer more of them either in the post or comments!

This month focuses on two catagories, one being #6 Building Skills and Mobilizing around leadership. One of the questions are;

What changes are you seeing in the way community leadership is exercised or carried out? How is it different?

I’ve been thrilled to see how successful clean up days have been, whether they were “go getters” to begin with or not, the Horizons group has seemed to bring together enough folks with a common focus to get projects accomplished. Part of that is partnering with exsisting groups whether it be the city or community club, or others. In addition it seems like those that need help have a place to call, Horizons has been great at becoming a community resource - just take a look at the pool post. When someone has an idea they think can better our town, they contact Horizons members.

Other questions in this catagory are:

How has your community changed after LeadershipPlenty® training? In what ways have leadership skills been improved/enhanced?  What is different? What changes are you seeing in the way leadership is carried out?  How decisions get made in your community?  What difference does the involvement of low income people make in community leadership? 

Four School Boards seats are up for election this year. Starting March 1st interested individuals may obtain a petition from the Newell Schools Business Office, petitions MUST be returned by March 25th at 4pm.

One of the many services that the Newell Public Library offers includes a Book Club! Free of charge and open to anyone, this club meets once a month in the Library at 7pm to discuss the book of the month.

February’s book is Old Deadwood Days by Estelline Bennett, the club will meet on February 18th.

To obtain a complete list of upcoming books, contact the NP Librarian Glynda Smith at 456-2179 during Library hours or email the library at NewellLibrary@yahoo.com

Library Hours

Monday 2-6pm

Tues - Friday 1:30-5pm

WRCTC is offering a $500 scholarship to NHS Seniors, applications are being accepted until March 31. To obtain an application contact Connie Humble (Guidance Counselor) or go to www.westrivertel.coop

Today at the NVN Center stop in and donate blood, pre-scheduled donations are down due to so many with with colds and flu. Walk ins are welcome, so be a hero - donate blood.

On Saturday, February 2nd at the NVN center from 5-7pm enjoy a pancake supper sponsored by the Senior Center and Newell Lions Club. This is part of an annual membership drive and bake sale I’ve been told!

The annual DADS (Dads are Doing Stories) Reading Night drew a good sized group of fathers and children spending quality time together reading books in the Newell High School Library. With insanely cold wind chills, it was neat to see so many make the night a priority!

Throughout this next phase of Horizons each committee is required to report to the strategic planning committee and community coach once a month. These dates have been set for the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at TJ’s cafe. Daycare and brunch will be provided. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

A great big thank you to the students, parents and teachers for the donations made to the food pantry over the holiday season. This donation drive setup by the teachers in exchange for staff-related gifts brought in $76.00. We appreciate your selfless leadership example.

 
There has been some interest expressed in putting a pool in Newell. Do you think that it’s a good idea? Would you like to be involved? Contact Horizons today by calling 456-2121 or simply posting your comments under this blog.

Special City Council Meeting tonight (Tues) at 7pm.

Due to lack of a quorum on Tuesday, the Special Meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday at 5pm.

Sunday the Newell City Hall was full of Scouts and handmade cars, the annual Derby netted a large group of spectators that cheered on their favorite cars.

Newell Cub Scouts is for children in first through fifth grade, if interested in joining or learning more contact Kurt Olson (Cub Master).

Saturday’s Benefit for Ramona Voeltz who lost her house in a fire earlier this week was well attended. A pancake feed, silent auction and bake sale were offered.

YOU can help! 

The Newell Lions Club has organized a benefit pancake feed for Ramona Voeltz who recently lost her home in a fire. On Saturday, Janauary 19th from 5-7pm at the NVN Center enjoy a meal, partake in the silent auction and buy some baked goodies to take home and enjoy all weekend.

Horizons had a nice break for the Holiday season. Now it’s time to get going again. We are having a meeting on Jan. 26th at 10:00 a.m. at TJ’s Cafe. We are asking the steering committee,strategic planning committee, and all committee members to attend. We will be getting an update of progress made, things that need done yet, resources needed and any other information that Carolyn has to share with us. Please plan to attend. Daycare is provided! Contact Amanda Keller or Julie VanDerBoom for more information.

Have you recently attended a meeting? An event?

Seen something neat happen in town? Witnessed a random act of kindness?

Do you have a brilliant idea that would benefit Newell in some way?

Have you seen leadership at work in our community recently?

Tell someone about it - POST A BLOG!

Have you recently commented & noticed something puzzling and new?

 When the blog site was updated recently a new security feature was added to the comments. Type up a comment like usual, then make sure that underneath it you type in the letters/numbers you see in the window before you submit them. This is just one more way to ensure the security and keep spammers off the site. Don’t let it discourage you from posting comments. We need all the participation we can get to be able to earn a laptop for our community, not to mention new comments and posts from new people make the blog much more fun to read!

Don’t forget to say thanks to your local volunteer firemen! This photo shows the Newell firemen hard at work in the wee hours of the morning (1/15) at a house fire on 7th St.

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

UPDATE: The 72 year old woman who resided in the house was unharmed, due to the financial burden of undergoing cancer treatments she had discontinued her home’s insurance coverage. The house was a total loss, and an account has been set up at Newell’s First National Bank for Ramona Voeltz if you care to monetarily donate.

Here’s a link to the story on the Rapid City Journal site

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/01/15/news/local/doc478d0261d7c91124973161.txt

Link to KOTA TV story

http://www.kotatv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7626149

Newell City Council will now meet on the second Monday of each month, the next scheduled regular meeting is for February 11th.