Recent feature stories below!


Manning, Iowa
"Home of Pioneer Spirit"
Where independent & rugged-thinking individuals (both past & present) work together to accomplish great things for the community!

Some songs from 1959

It's nice to hear from various individuals from around the country who sign my Guestbook.
I know it's antiquated, with all of the ways people can post messages online anymore, but I'm proud to have been one of the very early webmasters and also proud to continue to use what worked back then and still works now...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
In 2017, Jane (Nelson) MHS 1978 graciously mailed me a box of scrapbooks, pix, and family/Manning history to scan...around 100 pix and items and I have posted some of them over the years.

I actually had forgotten about this 1974 feature until, Jane's daughter posted the message.

1974 feature
I have amassed and archived so much Manning history that there is no way I can remember most of what I have anymore.

It's too bad I didn't remember this feature, since the class of 1974 held it reunion recently. They could have shown it at the Heritage Park Konferenz Centre...but as I wrote, I can't remember everything.

I received an update from Sylvia (Vollstedt) about their 65th reunion this year.
Plan early, Plan ahead!!!

Members of the Class of 1959...
Class of 1959
65th Class Reunion
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Cliff's Place 11am - 2pm
Questions?
Call Larry Rix 515-491-7528

Oh the FUN MEMORIES

Sandra Dammann & Larry Handlos - Comet Dance Queen & King 1959

1959 MHS graduates: Vivian Adamson, Glen Ahrendsen, Shirley Beckman, Hans "Junior" Bonnesen, Richard Bowers, Ronald Bromert, Wayne Brus, Beverly Dalgety, Sandra Dammann (salutatorian), Jeanette Fink, Allan Fonken, Mary Frahm, William Genzen, Dennis Grimm, Joel Grundmeier, Larry Handlos, Keith Hass, Paul Hass, Linda Heithoff (valedictorian), Betty Hoffman, Barbara Johnson, Julia Johnson, Bernard Jones, Karen King, Philip Knaack, Rollyn Koepke, Wanda Kolman, Nancy Loftus, Ronald Mahnke, Lorraine Martens, Gary Monson, Evans Samuel Musfeldt, Jay Musfeldt, Sharon Niederfrank, Allen Nissen, David Peters, Keith Pfannkuch, Roger Reinke, Larry Rix, Larry Rowedder, Susan Rowedder, Carlene Schrum, Sharon Schrum, Vernon Sonksen, Carol Spieker, Stanley Spies, Clifford Stammer, Mary Steffes, Larry Vehrs, Ronald Vogl, Sylvia Vollstedt, Linda Warner

1959 former students: Dennis Backhaus, Darlene Breidert, Gary Brockelsby, Lorraine Christensen, Helen Dethlefsen, Phyllis Fritz, Richard Hinners, Mary Jentsch, Jolene Koch, Larry Martens, James Middendorf, Ronald Mohr, Donna Mundt, Edward Neubaum, Linda Paulsen, Rose Porter, Michael Schoeppner, Lavina Seals, David Sextro, Kay Stangl, Larry Stangl, Gary Tigges, Carmen Weifenbach, Marilee White, Marilyn Wyatt

60th anniversary of MHS 1964

Click to find out about the reunion and see some random pix and information

I just received this e-mail message from Bob Hansen MHS 1952...
If you are a member of this class or were around this age-group and know of the whereabouts of some of the living members, please let me know.

Dave---Got anything on living members of the HS class of 1952? My last communication with you on this issue Sept 2021
Thnx/Bob

1952 MHS graduates: Cheral Andresen, Norman Andresen, Barbara Bauer, Rosemary Bock, Ella Mae Boell, Richard Boell, Robert Boell, Myron Bogatzke, Mardel Bonnesen, Raymond Christensen, William Crane, LeRoy Dammann, Fredric Dethlefsen, Gene Ehrichs, Phyllis Genzen, Kenneth Graves, Adele Gray (salutatorian), Robert Grundmeier, Florence Hammer, Robert Hansen, Leon Hugeback, Don Jackson, Waldean Jackson, Allen Jensen, Patty Kasperbauer, Genelle Kruse, Darlene Loneman, Merle McKim, Louise Mohr, Gary Nady, Roger Nielsen, Lois Nissen, Marlene Nulle, Zita Ress, Deanes Rowedder, Ruth Schmidt (valedictorian), Wallace Schroeder, Russell Spies, Lois Struve, Joyce Stuhr, Ruth Wellendorf, Charlene Witt, Richard Zerwas

1952 former students: Craig Argo, Gene Armentrout, Sylvia Christie, Larry Christie, Gary Dales, Kenneth Danner, Marion Fox, Virginia Hansen, Roger Held, Gay Hockett, William Knaack, Don Knudsen, Howard Kuchel, Sharon Ochsner, Mary Jo Olbertz, Shannon Owen, Allen Penshen, Mary Lou Petersen, Jack Porter, Fredric Schiek, Billy Welker, James Wingrove

Carol Albertsen


Jefferson No. 2

Carol Albertsen

Carol Ann (Fischer) Albertsen of Gray, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic, Iowa, at the age of 84. Carol was born on June 9, 1940, to Max and Velma (Hagedorn) Fischer at St. Anthonys Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. She was baptized on May 26th, 1948, at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa, and confirmed on June 20, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Carol attended elementary school at Jefferson No. 2 near Botna, Iowa. She was 12 years old when the family moved to a farm east of Audubon near the Gardner Store. There, she attended Greeley No. 1 school and later graduated from Audubon High School in 1958.

Carol then married Donald Nielsen, and three children were born into that union: Randy, Lori, and Mark. She was later united in marriage to Jeff Albertsen on July 8, 1978, at St. Johns American Lutheran Church in Caroll, Iowa, and one child, Michael, was born. Jeff and Carol have been farming in Cameron Township and living on the family farm near Gray, Iowa. In their earlier years of marriage, they enjoyed golfing in a couple’s league and country western dancing. Carol and Jeff had a busy social life, including many Friday night suppers out with friends. They enjoyed attending basketball, soccer, and baseball games and state and county fairs to watch their grandchildren. Carol often volunteered her time at church, helping with funeral meals, weekly bulletins, and monthly newsletters. Attending church and going out for coffee with friends afterwards was something they looked forward to every week. They also enjoyed Thursday night music in the park during the summer. Carol and Jeff recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.

Carol really enjoyed living on the farm. She loved gardening, cooking, baking, and delivering meals to the fields. Giving her grandkids rides on the golf cart became one of her favorite things to do. She would often stash animals on the golf cart path to surprise them. Carol and her good friend Marcia Hacker owned an M&C lunch wagon, serving many meals at auctions for 18 years. She also enjoyed spending time at her home in Lake of the Ozarks with her family and especially her sister Sharon. She looked forward to socializing with her many friends at Tuesday night Bingo and was a member of the ODO (our day off) club that would meet monthly for over 50 years. Carol also loved watching her son Mike race the #3 car and was so relieved when the race was over. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents and father-in-law, Ernie Albertsen.

She is survived by her husband, Jeff Albertsen of Gray, Iowa; Mother-in-law, Ardys Albertsen of Exira, Iowa; son, Randy Nielsen of Audubon, Iowa; daughter, Lori Ray (Jeff) of Lenexa, Kansas; son, Mark Nielsen (Sarah) of Grimes, Iowa; son; Michael Albertsen (Krystal) of Audubon, Iowa; sister, Sharon Drake (Ron) of Rogers, Arizona; sisters-in-law: JoEllen Loveless (Matt) of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Joni Baier (Mark) of Audubon, Iowa; Grandchildren include Amanda Kommes (Isaac) of Exira, Iowa; Amy Riehemann (Zack) of Honolulu, Hawaii; Jason Hupp (Courtney) of Lenexa, Kansas; Jared Hupp (Ashley) of Honolulu, Hawaii; Nolan Nielsen of Carson, Iowa; Monica Woofter (Michael) of Waukee, Iowa; Gracye Albertsen of Overland Park, Kansas; Jenna Nielsen of West Des Moines, Iowa; Sienna Albertsen of Ames, Iowa.; nieces: Dawn Renze, Tamera Beaman, Kelly Holck, Stephanie Baier, Jenni Young, Jill Tompkins, Katelyn Baier; nephew, Drew Baier; many great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon, Iowa, with Pastor Chris Townsend officiating. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the interment in the fellowship hall of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. The casket bearers for Carol are Jon Meislahn, Daryl Hacker, Bryan Olson, Eddie Steffes, Steve Mathisen, Russ Bruhn, Tom Chambers, and Karl Albertsen.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 08, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in memory of Carol. They may be mailed to Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.

I continue to work on the huge Frank/Meggers collection and now I'm working on an album well over 100 years old...one of those fancy cover with brass clasp albums that fortunately Linda Frank grabbed when a member of their family passed away and none of the immediate family members wanted to keep it.

Here is a fairly large image of 4 siblings.
In this album are some identified pictures and many of them were Lyden & Blocker Studio pix taken in Manning...this one happens to be from eastern Iowa (specifically Clinton), where pretty much all old-time families in this area first came to in Iowa before continuing to move west.
This album is probably connected more specifically to the Mundt side of Linda's family, but in there are 2 Rix boys which I haven't taken time yet to see how that family fits in.

Dana Genzen

Click to see the tribute


Company salesman photo of the LaFrance after it was built and before it was shipped to Manning.
I'm constantly begging people to not throw away their old Manning pix and history, which unfortunately goes on constantly, and then every now and then I'll find something that I had no idea existed any more and was saved from the trash bin for so many years.
I showed this to John Ohde, who told me some more information about the La France I had not heard before.

John was told by his dad that when the La France came in on the Milwaukee RR, in a box car, it was not properly anchored so when the train would start and stop the LaFrance would bang into the front of the car and back of the car.
It was sent back and the company repaired/fixed the damage to the front and back of the vehicle.
In 1980, when the fire department restored the LaFrance, the body workers found lead and other compounds used to fill in dents and fix the damage to the body of the truck.
It was restored for the 1981 Manning Centennial.

So I may have never heard this story if it had not been for finding this picture on E-bay and now documenting more things about this Manning LaFrance fire truck after visiting with John.

So if you've heard eventful stories about Manning's history and better yet have pix and documents about that event, please get that information to me to scan and add to the Manning Historical Database.

Thanks to my Manning historic preservation partner, Connie, here is some information she found online...
1928 Manning fire truck wins prize
The Manning Fire Department volunteers who worked to restore a 1928 fire truck were headed by a four-man work committee. Lyle Jahn and Lyle Bald helped organize the effort. Committee members John Ohde and Doug Schroeder were unavailable for the picture.

A lot of man hours and money went into restoring a 1928 American LaFrance fire truck owned by the Manning Fire Department, but it all paid off last Saturday in Cherokee.

The truck took first-place honors in antique division competition for trucks at the state Volunteer Firemen's Convention.

Manning firemen estimated that $3,000 was spent on materials for restoration, with the cost shared by the fire department and the city. Between 2,800 and 2,900 man-hours went into the task, all volunteer labor of a four-man work committee at the Manning fire station.

The truck was sandblasted and some minor body repairs were made. It was then primed and sanded several times before being painted and polished. No equipment had to be purchased because all the original gear was still at the station. Engine work put the truck in perfect operating condition, according to Fire Chief Merlyn Irlbeck.

"If we had a tire, we could use it," he boasted. Technically, it is very similar to the department's present trucks. Three pumper trucks, two tankers, and one emergency unit are maintained by the department.

The truck was purchased when it was new in 1928 for $4,500 and was retired in 1961. A new truck the department is considering buying costs approximately $35,000. The 1928 relic has been used for parades and shows, but was not fully restored until last winter.

Irlbeck explained that the department contacted the American LaFrance Company in Elmira, New York, for details on the truck's original equipment. Using pictures and the original bill of lading provided by the company. Manning volunteers restored the antique to exactly the way it was purchased.

Volunteers worked from January to June on the project. Since then, they have hauled it to parades and competitions on a goose-neck trailer. The truck took second-place in a parade at Kimballton earlier this summer.

At Cherokee. the truck was in competition with approximately 141 other vehicles. For topping the antique division the fire department received a $25 cash award.
Carroll Daily Times Herald, September 16, 1980

Another unique image...
I have seen all types of ventilation and windows in a hog house roof but this is another FIRST.
Not sure how water-proof these doors are, but it would definitely give good ventilation and allow sunshine in.
I also noticed this was in the winter - note the ice-cycles hanging from the roof.
I think this is Herman Frank in the yard - and could be his brother Carl in the hog house.

In between mowing the farm yard, working on a garage door, and now on our grain elevator leg, taking pix of the new gym construction and new homes in the new development area of the town, I still get in some scanning...
Here are the most recent scans from the Russ & Linda (Meggers) Frank huge collection. It is always interesting but sad how every family has to deal with tragedy from time to time.
We often forget that when we have something tragic occur in our own family that something similar is going on in so many other families.
Russ never got to know his biological father who was tragically kicked by his horse and died shortly thereafter...this was when Russ was a baby.

I always like to scan and show old farm pictures - it can give a different perspective to people living today, so they understand how easy they have it and how hard people physically worked years ago...


Russ Frank with his dog and bike, taking a break from hauling fire wood to the house or woodshed with the steel-wheel, wheelbarrow.


Marjorie Frank with an electric weeding machine for her garden.
I have never seen anything like this - especially electric from so long ago.
If anyone can tell me more about this garden tool - please let me know.


Philip Wallentine making syrup - Burlington, Iowa
Bertha (Wallentine) married Brick Moore in Botna.


Leona Gruhn and Marjorie Frank washing the Frank car.


I'm guessing this was tree and stump removal.
Robert Moore, Russ Frank, Clinton Moore, Tom McKeever


Herman Frank on his horse.

Herman holding Russ, shortly before he died.


Marjorie (Moore) Frank holding Russ


Russell


Halloween October 31, 1975 Kim, Rod & Vicki Frank


Nettie (Moore) Grau MHS 1920 - later Mrs. Walter Grau
Now we are getting into my family tree - Walter is my relative.
This is why I always like to go through Manning connected people's collections, as I'll generally also find my own relatives too.

Scroll down to find the 1974 Pat Boone Concert link.
Manning was the smallest town he had ever performed in.

There is an old expression "Don't get caught with your hand in the cookie jar."
I have a new expression "Don't get caught with your hand in the First Ammendment."

While I was fighting with my new PC, Sandra Flores posted a message on The Manning Exchange, which is an antiquated message board by today's standards, that I initially set up in 2001, before Facebook and those other social media sites began.
If you have never looked at The Manning Exchange, please click on the link on the left side.

During the early years, I had lots of people post messages but it is seldom used, except now with Sandra, and I'm so excited that she did...
She informed me her great-great-grandfather Thomas Goyen, served in the Civil War and moved to Manning.
She has some information and pictures so I'm working with her to get more of the information she has. I'm hoping she either has original photos to scan or can get someone who has them to rescan them at a higher resolution.
Here are a few she sent me.
She also has obits for Thomas and his wife so I added them to my obituary page.
This now increases the number of Civil War Veterans in my database who lived in Manning/area to 105.


Thomas & Martha (Pace) Goyen


1888 3rd Reunion, Iowa 3rd
Thomas Goyen front right holding his hat.


Manning's McPherson Post 33

Some of you may wonder what has happened with me...
I haven't updated my web pages for nearly 2 weeks.

To make a long story short, my main PC started randomly rebooting, and after a week of trouble shooting and trying all kinds of solutions and discovery ideas from the Internet, I'm fairly sure the power supply is getting funky.
I had figured I'll need to build a new PC - the old one I built 12 years ago.
After looking up components, and I knew things would have changed a lot but not as much as I had anticipated, so I decided to purchase a high-end Dell...problem is that it had Windows 11 Pro on it.
Again, I figured there would be compatibility problems with some of my hardware and software but this is where the nightmare began.
So after a week of installing, uninstalling, reloading the Dell to original factory settings multiple times, I finally spent another couple of days to get it loaded with Windows 10 Home version which is what my old PC has.
Well I was able to get most of the older software loaded, but had to purchase some newer versions and finally after several more days, I finally was able to get my software to recognize the twain drivers of my scanners, so now I'm back up and running about 98% - at least the main/important parts are working.

So here are scans from my first project with my new system.

While visiting with a fellow in Manning about an idea he has to get a couple of famous people in Manning, I could see he was frustrated that SOME people tell him it is a stupid idea, will never work, someone else should be doing this, and then there are always some gossipers who have to put in their two cents and the jealous people who think it should be their idea.
I told him about an event in 1974 and the challenges they had...


Click to see the 1974 event

What does saving our Manning history mean to you?

Preserving Manning's generators

Connie just found this interesting historical article.
If anyone has researched old patents and knows websites to look on - I'd be very curious if Swaney was able to get a patent for his idea...

Manning Monitor
Wilson B. Swaney and Peter Ohrt, our telephone and electric light men, returned Saturday from their several days trip to New York. Mr. Swaney went to see Munn & Company, of the Scientific American, in regards to a new patent he has been at work on for some time called the "telephone relay" or in other words, a separate attachment which is fastened to the phone and will repeat the message. It certainly will be a great improvement to the telephone. They also visited Washington and the patent office at that place and they report an enjoyable as well as a profitable trip.
Audubon Republican, January 29, 1903

I like to help promote local causes - here are two more...

Main Street Minute

Help support the annual Firemen's Golf Tourney fundraiser by entering a four-person team, sponsoring a hole for $75 or donating a prize or making a monetary donation.
Contact Kirk Huehn if interested. All proceeds to benefit the Manning, Manilla, Irwin, and Templeton Fire Departments.
Mail, fax or email the attachment registration form to Kirk Huehn at Huehn State Farm Insurance.

Tournament form

While working on all of my various history projects and capturing the construction sites and other activities in Manning, and while scanning several Veterans' scrapbooks, I keep an eye out on e-bay for Manning items.
Every now and then I'll see a picture postcard I don't have or one I already have but the one on e-bay has some information written on back.
Below is a scene that is a little different from other picture postcards I already have and I could tell from the posted image on e-bay that it was a print that was of good quality, so I purchased it.
The left business is 409 & right business 407 Main Street. On the back were some first names mentioned but I haven't been able to figure out the last name of the business owner on the right side. It is pre 1915 since there are no bricks on Main Street.
I know the left business was owned/operated by Henry Ewoldt - grandfather of Ila (Claussen) Rix who many of you will remember.
On the right side the earliest business I know of was a harness shop owned/operated by Claus Nielsen, Sr., father of Claus, Jr. who was married to Bernice Paulsen.
But I haven't found a last name for Herman who had a business in this same building.
He comments about the new sidewalk along Main Street and that he put in an access to his basement, which I assume was used as a coal chute.
The young guy on the buggy is probably his son...not sure if maybe the man behind the buggy is Herman.
One thing I noticed is this is the fanciest fly netting on a horse that I have seen.
Farmers used fly netting but didn't have the frilly material on the bottom.

Herman mentions an Arthur attending the firemen races in Davenport the next year.
This would be Manning's fire department running team that traveled around Iowa and eventually won the permanent cup - billed as "World Champs."
This was in 1913 and they ran in races much of that decade.
The postcard was addressed to Gus, but again, I don't know any last names for these guys.
I have a lot of MFD running team picture postcards with information on back and other information and will have to find time to see if I can connect Arthur to one of the Manning runners.
This all takes a lot of time but needs to be done now as in the future no one will be able to connect these people.


409 & 407 Main Street

Message on back.

This is another shout-out to anyone/everyone who in the distant past or recently have agreed to work with me on old Manning connected pix and history they have so I can scan those things and get them preserved in the Manning Historical Database I'm constantly working on.
I know you are busy and it is a hassle to dig out and send to me, but the only way that history you have will get preserved long-term is if I get it to scan and archive.
I know many people scoff at this and say that their family won't throw those things away and/or they have scanned those things - but I have 50+ years of experience to back up this statement...as I've seen one old family/Manning collection after another thrown away - I usually find out around 5 - 10 more collections that were thrown away each year.
So either lose it, or preserve it in my database...you don't have to spend much time but I'm the one who spends hundreds and thousands of hours scanning Manning stuff.
I've seen scans by people and most of the time it is way below par...and the other problem is very few have that data properly backed up on multiple hard drives and at off-site locations such as in a bank safe deposit box.
Dave

Remember the days when you were a teen riding in a car down Main Street and all of a sudden the car stops and "Chinese Fire Drill" is yelled - the doors fly open and out come the kids running around the car and back in...then away they go!
Well, this drill shows how gracefully we've aged here in Manning, but still have fun.

Chinese Fire Drill during the "Parade of Cars" June 9, 2024

Yep, "Granny" still has some gumption and will use her cane when someone gets in the way of her Chinese Fire Drill.


Was this a girdle adjustment, OR an aching back???

All in good fun in Manning, Iowa


Melvin Renze - Parade Grand Marshal - 96 years young

If you live in Manning and wasn't there to join in - you missed a wonderful day of Family Fun and entertainment.
As always, it takes a LOT of volunteers to put on these events, for which Manning is well-known-for, to put on fun events like this.

I don't know when I'll have time to post pix and the corresponding audio information for this parade, but I'll try as soon as I can. If you are interested in cars and auto history then come to the parade.
I'm providing a VERY unique MANNING car story to be told during the parade.


Web page promotion, in conjunction with the Manning Monitor ad and information

Manning Rotary Club Presents: Parade of Cars June 9th

Dust off your classic car and join the Manning Rotary Club for a spectacular Parade of Cars on Sunday, June 9th. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the rich history and evolution of domestic automobiles.
Calling All Classic Cars! Do you own a special American-made car? We're inviting car enthusiasts to showcase your prized possession in our Parade of Cars!
We're planning to have examples from every decade, from the early days of motoring to the latest high-performance machines.
• Early Transportation 1910-1954
• Styling and Muscle Car Era 1955-1971
• Cars from 1972-1999
• Modern cars from 2000-present

Registration will be held from Noon - 1:30 pm in the old Casey's gas station on Hwy 141, one block west of Main Street, and staging will be communicated at that time.

The parade will start promptly at 2:00 pm as cars will travel from Hwy 141 to the VFW Hall along Manning's brick-lined Main Street. In the 200-300 block of Main Street a roving Master of Ceremonies will share a one-minute story about each car as it drives by. Prizes will be awarded for the best car in four categories:
• Early Transportation (1910-1954)
• Styling and Muscle Car Era (1955-1971)
• Cars from 1972-1999
• Modem Cars (2000-present)
• A crowd-voted "Best of Show" award will be presented at the end.

So whether you have a car to enter or simply enjoy admiring classic vehicles, the Parade of Cars is a fun event for everyone. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show! Several local businesses will be open at noon, offering everything from coffee and sandwiches to ice cream, pizza, and beer.
A free-will offering will be collected at registration and during the event to support the construction of a $10,000 shade structure at Manning Hillside Splash.
For more information contact Master of Ceremonies, Tim Weible, at (515) 290-6965 or tim.weible54@gmail.com.

I know a few of you will be waiting for pictures and information on the recent Horse Show at that Heritage Park and also the Memorial Day service, but you'll have to be patient....
I need to finish scanning the Brady/Musfeldt collection so I can move on to other collections I have to scan before anymore other collections are brought to me.
I realize that lots of people post stuff on facebook and other media sites but I have audio to go along with the pix, plus I don't just upload everything without editing the pix and providing information and captions for them.
I know the world will keep spinning whether or not I post things on my web page but I'll get to the 2 recent events and then post them soon.
I have to listen to the digital audio and cut out the dead space and other comments that might be caught that isn't part of the program, so this takes me extra time too.
Here are 2 teaser pix for now.

May 25, 2024 Horse Show


Taps, May 27, 2024 Memorial Day Service

I just heard this quote and it is so true - especially today...

Those in power protect themselves from the rest of us.

Here are 3 pictures from the Easter Bunny visit March 30, 2024, down by the city ballpark.
I'll try to find some time to post the rest of the pix as I work on the endless aspects of Manning's history...


More than likely, next year this little tyke will run to the Easter Bunny.
1 year can make a difference between terror and huge smiles greeting the bunny.


Oh the peace and tranquility of a 3 month old...

There was a nice crowd at the Heritage Park event but I wish more area folks would attend events like this. It is a "social" event where people actually talk to each other in person and not constantly waste away their lives with those gadgets on so-called "social" media sites, that way too many people have their heads buried in today...
Especially the younger folks who are inheriting this community. If they want the quality of life we have now to continue, they are going to have to step it up a lot more.

St. Patrick's Day - Hausbarn Cookoff

Where distinguished folks go to have a good time!!!
German ancestry may be prominent in Manning but we can celebrate and have fun with the cultures of other people.


Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Jean Stadtlander, Tim Weible

Brenna spoke briefly and commented how Manning is a good example for other communities to follow, with all of the amazing infrastructure and community events we have here.
She took a tour of the hospital, and also commented at how amazed she was with the indoor pool and waterslide that a little town like Manning has.
Also during the evening on multiple occasions, all of the volunteers it takes for events like this were acknowledged by various speakers.
Jean & Tim, above, are just two of the wonderful volunteers Manning has and without all of them we wouldn't have the "quality of life" that exists in Manning today.

More pix and information coming - IF I can find some extra time.

We lost another Manningite on March 9th, so another tribute is coming in the next few days...

Does anyone know the location or contact information for Charles Scott who taught mathematics at Manning in 1972?
He was a Vietnam Veteran and I'd like to get some military information/pix for him to add to the Manning Veterans' book.
For that matter, any teacher at Manning who served that you know of their whereabouts - please let me know.
The list of Manning connected names who served keeps growing almost daily.

Please visit the Manning Exchange for local news, articles, and information...a work in progress.

Many upcoming events.

Korean War Veterans continues


There are lots of Manning Veterans of the Korean era with no pictures or information.
Will you be in the Manning Veterans' book???
Unless more post-WWII Veterans come forward there will be a lot of 1946 to present day Manning connected Veterans missing from the book.

For those of you who are occasional visitors to the Manning Exchange - please make sure to click on the "archived articles" section where previous featured stories are kept.

Click to visit the Manning Exchange

1 example from the Logeland Studio wedding packets.

There are still quite a few Logeland Studio wedding packets available.

Click to read about this important project.

It will help to financially support the Manning Veterans' history book project.

"Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen."
George Washington, August 7, 1782

Just as a reminder: the Manning History book committee continues to work on a Manning area Veterans' history book project.
For those of you who are Veterans or have/had Veterans in your family - will you come forward?
The history book committee will do their best to get as many pictures and information about the 1000+ Manning Veterans but we can't do it all by ourselves.

How many small communities do you know have published 5 history books? The first one was the History of Manning 1898, then the 1981 Manning Centennial book, next the 2006 Manning Quasqui book, and most recently the 2009 Manning School history book. Probably the last book to be published will be the upcoming Manning Veterans' book - unless someone comes forward in the next generation to take over these projects after I'm gone. Will you help with the Veterans' history book project? If you are a Manning connected Veteran or are presently serving and do not submit your military connected pictures and infomation you probably won't be in this once-in-a-life-time Manning Veterans' history book. With a limited number of volunteers we can only do so much on our own but will try to get pictures of as many Veterans as we can. There are over 1000 Manning Veterans so we have a long ways to go before the book can be published.

Manning Veterans are slowly coming forward and below is another example. We hope to eventually get more pictures and information for Mike to put in the book but for now this is what I have to show to you.

Amos Rutz WWII

One thing that many Veterans and people who are submitting information have not fully understood is that this next Manning history book is specifically a Veterans' only book. It won't be like the Centennial or Quasqui history books were, where there is a Veterans' section along with other community aspects. We are aiming for a 2-volume book (around 1090 total pages) which will really be unique!!!
This book will be ALL Veterans' information (and the post auxiliaries) - hence it won't be a "Name, Rank, and Serial Number" only history but we want a complete history for each Veteran.
For instance - below is Louis Boell's picture and the information that was published in the Veteran section of the 1982 Aspinwall Centennial history book. It has the basic information but we are looking for more and I spoke to Louie by phone and he sent more pictures and information - also for his brothers.

To see what Louis submitted click on the link underneath "Are you a Manning Veteran" shown below.

Note: we also want some family background such as parents and grandparents. All too often you will only see just the Veteran's name with their basic military information but without the family connections it will be difficult for future historians and genealogists to know for sure who this person belongs to.

Are you a Manning connected Veteran?
I would like to hear from you!!!
We are starting a Manning Veteran history book project and if you don't come forward you may not be included in the book. NOT because we want to intentionally leave you out but because you didn't come forward.
Same goes for those of you who have Veterans in your family who have passed away. If you don't come forward and help by submitting Veteran connected pictures and information your Veteran may not be included in this once in a life-time Manning Veterans' history book.

Please e-mail me about your Veteran questions manningveterans@davidkusel.com


The United States flag
is proudly displayed here and NO other flag is as IMPORTANT!

1 Manning citizen served in the War of 1812
105 served in the Civil War
1 served in the Indian War
5 served in the Spanish American War
350+ served during WWI
650+ served during WWII
87+ served in the Korean war era
65+ (more names need to be found) served in the Vietnam era
55+ (many more names need to be found) served from 1975 to present

29 paid the ultimate price with their lives defending the U.S. Flag

Are you a Manning Veteran?
Are you currently serving and have a Manning connection?

We are starting the Manning Veterans' history book project
Don't wait until you see "Deadline" or it WILL be too late!!!

Click to read promos for the Veteran book


There are a lot of WWI and some WWII Veterans pictures with no IDs.

Before you spend time scanning pictures
please look at these instructions
I appreciate your efforts scanning pictures for me but if you only make low resolution scans you are really wasting your time. High resolution scans are the best and only way to really preserve those old pictures.

Click to see the tutorial

If you simply don't want those old family pictures you inherited please don't throw them - send them my way.
A lot of times I can recognize a face or location in those old pix.


One thing to keep in mind while you are looking for pictures - if they are glued in old scrap books please do NOT try to pull them out or cut them out. I can scan the whole page of the scrapbook and crop out the pictures you want to use in the book. If you attempt to forcibly remove the pictures you will probably damage them and when I scan them that damage will probably show up. This means I'll either have to use my graphics program to touch up the damage which can take a lot of time, or if they are badly damaged I just may not even take the time to scan them.


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