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George Daily Youth Theater Announces 2023 Elementary School Play

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — George Daily Youth Theater announced the title of their upcoming 2023 elementary school play. It will be “We Are Monsters,” by Denver Casado and Betina Hershey, a play that was previously performed by George Daily Youth Theater in 2018.

All students in Kindergarten-5th grade, from any school district, are welcome to participate! Participation is registration-based, not audition-based. Everyone who registers will receive a part that gives them performing experience, whether it is their first time on stage or their twentieth. Auditions will be held on January 20, 2023. Registration will open next week at www.georgedaily.org, and there are scholarships available.

Dolly Parton Gets $100M Courage & Civility Award From Jeff Bezos

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The 2022 recipient of the $100-million Bezos Courage and Civility Award is Dolly Parton. On Friday, Jeff Bezos and his longtime partner Lauren Sanchez announced that country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton is the latest recipient of the Bezos Courage and Civility Award. The award comes with a no-strings-attached check for $100-million that the recipient can use in any way they see fit.

During the ceremony where Parton was given the award, Bezos said she embodies everything the award stands for so thoroughly. She expressed gratitude for the award and says she’ll continue doing with the money what she’s always done, which is to “put her money where her heart is.”

Parton has a long history of philanthropy, having started the Dollywood Foundation, the Dolly Parton Scholarship, and The Imagination Library Program through which she helps spread literacy around the world. She also made headlines when news broke that she’d quietly donated $1-million to fund vaccine research at Vanderbilt University, which led to the development of Moderna’s Covid vaccine.

  • Last year’s recipients of the Bezos Courage and Civility Awards were news and political commentator Van Jones and World Central Kitchen founder chef José Andrés, who each received $100-million.

Source: CNN Edition

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1977, the single, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” by Crystal Gayle was certified gold.
  • Today in 1977, Crystal Gayle’s “We Must Believe In Magic” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1989, the “When I Call Your Name” album by Vince Gill was released.
  • Today in 1992, Whitney’s Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” debuted on the pop charts. It made its way to #1 — and stayed there for 14 weeks. Whitney’s chart-topping rendition of the Dolly Parton classic provided the song’s third trip to the top of the charts. Dolly Parton had previously hit #1 with the song in 1974 and 1982.
  • Today in 1994, the “Without A Song” album by Willie Nelson was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1995, John Berry’s debut album, “Standing On the Edge,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, Raul Malo of the Mavericks welcomed his first child, Raul Joaquin Martinez Malo III, who’s known as “Dino,” after Dean Martin.
  • Today in 1996, Raul Malo of the Mavericks welcomed his second son, Victor – on his first son Raul’s first birthday and he’s been expanding his family ever since. In March of 2000, Raul’s third son, Max was born.
  • Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s single, “Love Gets Me Every Time,” was #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
  • Today in 2000, Cledus T. Judd’s album, “Another Day In Parodies,” and “The Mercy Project” album, which featured Martina McBride and Amy Grant, arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2001, George Strait’s album, “The Road Less Traveled,” debuted at #1 on “Billboard’s” Top Country Albums chart.
  • Today in 2001, Garth Brooks hit the stage at the LA Forum for the first of three live concert specials that air on CBS over the coming month.
  • Today in 2004, Toby Keith claimed two trophies at the American Music Awards. Other country winners included Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire.
  • Today in 2005, the Grand Ole Opry held a show at Carnegie Hall, with Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Martina McBride and Brad Paisley.
  • Today in 2010, Grand Ole Opry performances by Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood were featured in ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
  • Today in 2012, Carrie Underwood’s single, “Two Black Cadillacs,” was released.
  • Today in 2015, Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” rose to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart – and was there for a total of 17 weeks.

Voting is Now Live for Main Street Young Ambassador Contest

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Now is the time to place your votes for the Main Street Young Ambassador of your choice. Twenty-seven local children ages three through kindergarten are seeking monetary votes to become this year’s Young Ambassadors.

Local merchants who are sponsoring the children have banks with the name and picture of the child on the bank. Money placed in the canister of your choice is considered votes. As a reminder, any amount of money may be deposited. A portion of the proceeds will go to Little Creations Preschool, with the balance used to defray costs of the Main Street Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade to be held Saturday, December 3 at 7 pm in Downtown Oskaloosa.

The winners of the Young Ambassador contest will be announced Monday, November 28, 2022, at 6:00 pm at the Penn Central Mall. Event includes music, book reading, and of course Santa and gifts. Participants are additionally invited to participate in the Parade on the Clow Train.

Show your support by voting for these youngsters. For candidate and sponsor locations, call the Main Street office of the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group at 641-672-2591, or find a list in the Oskaloosa Shopper/Herald or on the Oskaloosa Main Street Facebook page.

US judge in Texas strikes down Biden loan-forgiveness plan

Posted on by Sam Parsons

FORT WORTH (AP) — A U.S. judge in Texas has blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to provide millions of borrowers with up to $20,000 apiece in federal student-loan forgiveness. The program was already on hold while a federal appeals court in St. Louis considers a separate lawsuit by a half-dozen states challenging it. District Court Judge Mark Pittman said Thursday that the program usurped Congress’ power to make laws. Pittman is an appointee of former President Donald Trump based in Fort Worth. The debt forgiveness plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients would get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

State Auditor Sand leads Halbur by 2614 votes, Halbur to seek recount

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The final batch of votes from two counties are in and Rob Sand appears to have narrowly won re-election as state auditor.

About 2000 votes from Warren County and around 800 votes from Des Moines County were added to the statewide tally on Thursday afternoon. Those unofficial results show Sand ahead of Republican challenger Todd Halbur by 2614 votes. Halbur will ask for a recount.

“We have seen human error, technical errors and maybe even some blatant, egregious errors that have happened to our votes across the state, so therefore I will ask for a recount of the state auditor’s race,” Halbur said.

Under state law, Halbur could ask for recounts in all 99 counties or ask for recounts in specific counties. He has until the end of next week to make the call.

“We will follow the process of the recount according to the rule of law outlines and after the recount, I believe myself and the voters of Iowa will feel confident in these results,” Halbur said. “I don’t feel confident in the results I’m seeing now in the unofficial results.”

Because Halbur’s vote tally is currently less than one percent behind Sand’s, all recounts would be paid for by taxpayers. If Sand is confirmed as the winner, he would be the only Democrat to win a statewide race in this year’s General Election.

Sand is an attorney. He previously worked in the Iowa Attorney General’s office as the lead prosecutor in public corruption cases. He handled the prosecution of Tommy Tipton, the former Multistate Lottery IT specialist found guilty of rigging Hot Lotto jackpots.

Halbur, Sand’s opponent, recently won a $1 million jury verdict in his lawsuit against the State of Iowa. Halbur claims he was fired as comptroller of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division after telling his bosses the agency was overcharging restaurants and retailers for liquor. Agency managers have said Halbur was fired for other reasons and lawyers for the state are reviewing whether to appeal the $1 million verdict.

Halbur ran a low-budget campaign. He was not among the Republican candidates who appeared at the bus tour events Governor Kim Reynolds hosted during the final weeks of the campaign.

Penn Central Mall’s Winter Market Begins Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

Starting tomorrow, Penn Central Mall’s Winter Market will begin another run through the winter season.

On the second Saturday of each month from November 2022-March 2023, shoppers can walk, shop, and enjoy the mall and the Winter Market.

To register as a vendor, please contact the mall directly. You can reach Marta Iverson at (641)-673-9414 or by email at marta.iverson@musco.com.

Alabama’s Two Remaining Members Honor Jeff Cook

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The two remaining members of Alabama are paying tribute to Jeff Cook, who died this week. Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry were not only his bandmates, but cousins.

Both released statements and Randy shared “He lived to play our music we created together. He could play any instrument he chose, but it’s his harmonies I’ll miss the most. I’m thankful we got to create music together for over 50 years.” He added “I’m hurt in a way I can’t describe. To Lisa, thanks for loving him and being there for him to the end. Play on, Jeff. Love you!”

Teddy’s statement said in part “We lived together more than with our immediate families. Don’t think I’ve known anyone who loved playing more. Jeff, along with me and Randy, experienced the highs of undreamed success, as well as some very tough early years. None of us were perfect, but together we had something so special it will never die. No other guitar player I’ve known had the range of styles Jeff had. No one can take your place. Ever. Rest in peace till we get to jam again.”

Cook stopped touring with the band in 2017 and at the time Owen said I don’t know if I have the fire. The only way I do is knowing that Jeff is totally, ‘Go get it.’

Source: CMT

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1993, Dolly Parton launched her new line of cosmetics at her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.
  • Today in 1995, Deana Carter married Chris DiCroce. The couple has since gone their separate ways.
  • Today in 1996, Deana Carter had a lot to celebrate. Her single, “Strawberry Wine” went to #1, the video also hit #1 on CMT. She also did her first cover shoot for a national magazine and a horse named Strawberry Wine placed first in a race at Churchill Downs.
  • Today in 1998, “The Hits” album by Garth Brooks was certified for multi-platinum sales of 10-million.
  • Today in 2002, Dixie Chick Emily Robison and her then-husband, Charlie Robison, welcomed their first child at 10:06pm in San Antonio. Charles Augustus Robison made his debut at a hearty 8-pounds, 13-ounces and measured 21-inches long. News of the happy arrival was leaked on the Chicks’ webboard that afternoon as a fan posted that she heard the sister of a local nurse spill the beans to a local radio station. Reps for the Chicks confirmed the arrival the following morning.
  • Today in 2004, Darryl Worley, Mark Willis, and Rebecca Lynn Howard delivered a Veterans Day performance for troops in Tampa, Florida.
  • Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood carved her name into the top of the Billboard country chart with “Before He Cheats.”
  • Today in 2008, Taylor Swift’s album “Fearless” was released.
  • Today in 2009, Taylor Swift took home four awards at the 43rd annual CMA awards.
  • Today in 2010, Jason Aldean’s duet with Kelly Clarkson “Don’t You Wanna Stay” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood album, “Christmas Together,” was released – so was Ronnie Dunn’s album, “Tattooed Heart.”
  • Today in 2016, it was a big day for Eric Church as eight tracks were certified by the RIAA. The single, “Springsteen.” scored earning a triple-platinum status, while “Creepin’,” “Talladega,” “Love Your Love The Most,” “Like Jesus Does” and “Like A Wrecking Ball” went platinum. Going gold – “Cold One” and “Guys Like Me.”
  • Today in 2017, Chris Young’s “Losing Sleep” hit #1.
  • Today in 2017, Brantley Gilbert and his wife, Amber Cochran, welcome their son, Barrett.
  • Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton took part in Joe Walsh’s Veterans Day concert, raising $795-thousand for military charities at the Tacoma Dome. Also on the bill were Don Henley, Ringo Starr and James Taylor. The set list included “Nobody To Blame,” “Desperado,” “Broken Halos,” and Walsh backing Taylor on “Steamroller Blues.”
  • Today in 2019, Craig Morgan played a Veterans Day concert at City Winery in Nashville, where he was joined by two surprise guests: Gavin DeGraw and 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold.
  • Today in 2019, Matt Stell’s single, “Everywhere But On,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2019, Thomas Rhett’s “Sixteen” became a platinum-certified single.
  • Today in 2020, Maren Morris wins three awards during the 54th annual Country Music Association Awards on ABC. She claims Female Vocalist of the Year, while “The Bones” takes Single and Song of the Year.

MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: VLAD

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Vlad”, an adorable 3 month old kitty. Vlad is fully vetted and vaccinated. He’s playful and full of affection, and would love to meet you!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Vlad or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about Vlad with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

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