23 Jan 2015

THE QUEEN CONTEST RETURNS FOR THE 2015 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIR

By Phil Roberts
Davenport, Iowa (Jan. 22, 2015) -- The Mississippi Valley Fair Board of Directors is pleased to announce that a fair queen will reign over the 2015 Mississippi Valley Fair, scheduled for Tuesday through Sunday, Aug. 4-9, here at the fairgrounds.
The board is sponsoring a $500 scholarship that will go to the winner of an upcoming Mississippi Valley Fair queen contest.
In addition to being involved in fair activities, the queen will represent the Mississippi Valley Fair and Scott County at the Iowa State Fair's queen competition during the summer of 2015.
Candidates must be residents of Scott County and a member of a local service organization, such as a church group, Girl Scouts, 4-H or FFA. Contestants will be judged on leadership, community service, poise and personality.
Queen contest applications may be obtained in person at the Mississippi Valley Fair office, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport, Iowa, or by calling the office at (563) 326-5338.
For more information about the queen contest, call the fair office at (563) 326-5338. Information also will be posted on the Mississippi Valley Fair Queen Contest Facebook page. That can be found on the Internet at facebook.com/MississippiValleyFairQueenContest.
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26 Feb 2014

Community calendar announcement: Trip to Germany

By Phil Roberts

September 13, 2014 - September 29, 2014

We have blocked seats on Lufthansa flying from Chicago to Dusseldorf.  Return flight is from Hamburg to Dusseldorf to Chicago.  Price is $1250.

Our group will be taking a Mosel River grape harvest cruise for one week.  We then will be going by train to Schleswig Holstein, having some free time before we attend the Low German Friendship Conference in Eckernforde on the Baltic Sea.  We have found that cabins are still available on the TUI Sonata.  The entire cost (including cruise) is approximately $4000.

Call either Mary Burchett at 563 355-6274 or call Erika Hansen at 563 355-6274 for further information.  We are holding the seats until Monday, March 3.

24 Jul 2013

Nostalgic rail trips planned this fall to Kansas City and the Colorado Rockies

By Phil Roberts

St. Charles, Ill. (July 23, 2013) -- Zephyr Route, a rail tours company based here, is offering two nostalgic rail journeys this fall. One involves a trip to Kansas City for an enjoyable weekend. The other involves a fall foliage trip through the Colorado Rockies.

Kansas City Weekend Tour

The Kansas City Weekend Tour takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 13-15. Boarding points are Chicago, Naperville, Princeton and Galesburg, Ill., plus Ft. Madison, Iowa.

A restored, vintage railcar named the Cedar Rapids will provide first-class, individual parlor car seating. Meals will be served at passengers' seats.

A unique glass-enclosed lounge at the end of the car offers spectacular vistas of the passing scenery.

The tour package includes two nights lodging at the Hyatt Hotel across the street from Kansas City's historic Union Station. Breakfast is also included.

On Saturday, passengers are free to select their own activities for the day and evening.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to the Hallmark Visitors Center and Shopping Mall and the World War I Memorial. There is easy access by city bus to Country Club Plaza, another famed shopping district.

Zephyr Route is also organizing a short motor coach tour of Kansas City narrated by a local historian.

Passengers also are welcome to join a group dining at Jack Stack's Restaurant, which has been voted the best in Kansas City for barbeque cuisine. This meal is not included in the tour.

The package price for the Kansas City Weekend Tour is $625 per person for both single or double hotel room occupancy.

The reservation and payment must be made by Saturday, Aug. 31, so Zephyr Route can determine if there's adequate interest to proceed.

Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour

The majestic and scenic Colorado Rockies between Denver and Glenwood Springs will be the highlight of the Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour also being offered this fall by Zephyr Route.

The travel dates are Thursday through Monday, Oct. 3-7.

Boarding points include Chicago, Naperville, Princeton and Galesburg, Ill., and Burlington, Iowa.

En route passengers will enjoy first-class rail service like that which was offered by the famed Burlington Route. Dining service will be in the traditional manner, with white linens, fresh flowers, chinaware and sparkling glassware and silverware. Savory dinners and breakfasts will be served both going to and returning from the Rockies.

Overnight rail accommodations are in first-class private rooms with private toilets and sinks. Shower service is available on an individual, scheduled basis.

A gorgeous, restored dome car from the infamous Santa Fe Super Chief will provide lounge and dome seating. Since seats are limited in the dome, guaranteed dome seating times will be scheduled so all passengers will have an opportunity to enjoy the dome views.

This trip has been scheduled to hopefully coincide with the spectacular aspen fall foliage time. While not guaranteed, this is generally the best chance to view the brilliant yellow and gold colors amidst the pine trees' green hues.

Glenwood Springs is the Colorado resort town destination. Lodging will be at the historic Hotel Colorado, once known as President Teddy Roosevelt's Western Whitehouse. The hotel has been restored to provide excellent accommodations and dining service. Breakfasts at the hotel are included.

Nearby is a huge sulfur springs pool for swimmers, which also has enjoyed longtime fame. Lovely shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Arrangements also can be made for golf at the nearby Glenwood Springs Golf Club.

The Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour package price is $1,995 per person, double occupancy. Please inquire regarding single occupancy rates. Reservations and payments must be made by Sept. 15 so Zephyr Route can determine if there's adequate interest to proceed.

Both the Kansas City Weekend Tour and the Colorful Colorado Rockies Tour can be reserved by contacting Zephyr Route. Call (630) 542-3607 or e-mail zephyr360@att.net.

The Zephyr Route website, www.zephyrroute.com, has a for a printable tour brochure. Click on the "Journeys" button.

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24 Jun 2013

New pastor leads two Davenport churches

By Phil Roberts

Davenport, Iowa (June 24, 2013) --A new pastor has recently been installed to lead not one, but two Davenport churches.

The Rev. Linda Hunsaker is serving both First Christian Church, 510 E. 15th St., and Cedar Memorial Christian Church, 306 Cedar St. Both churches are affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination.

In a unique sharing arrangement, Hunsaker spends most of her time ministering to First Christian, the larger of the two churches, and part of her time at Cedar Memorial. She conducts Sunday worship services at 10 a.m. at First Christian and at 11:30 a.m. at Cedar Memorial.

Hunsaker and her husband Ryan have two daughters and live in Bettendorf.

She earned her B.A. degree from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., in 1993 and a master of divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis in 2001. She was ordained June 24, 2001.

Hunsaker served as the associate pastor of First Christian Church in Quincy, Ill., from August 1997 to August 1999. From August 1999 until being called to Davenport by the two churches following their year-long search, Hunsaker had been the minister at Ursa Christian Church in Ursa, Ill.

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Protestant denomination born in America in the early 1800s. It continues to be influenced by its founding ideals of unity in Christ with openness and diversity in practice and belief.

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14 Mar 2013

Speedway Fire-Rescue will hold its annual Motorsports Conference (training) this coming weekend, March 16-17

By Phil Roberts
Davenport, Iowa (March 13, 2013) -- The crash that sent debris into the stands, injuring spectators at this year's Nationwide Series race in Daytona, is a reminder that injuries can occur in racing -- and not just to participants -- despite major advances in safety equipment and track barriers.
A group of Quad-Cities area volunteers who have been working hard to protect life and property around area speedways since 1966 are holding their annual training session this weekend so they'll be ready for the 2013 racing season.
Speedway Fire-Rescue (speedwayfirerescue.com) is a non-profit 501C3 organization based in Davenport. Roughly 40 volunteers, who are trained in firefighting, vehicle extrication and emergency medical service, serve at a drag strip and more than half a dozen dirt race tracks in the area every weekend from April through October. They also work at the Quad City Air Show each year in Davenport.
The SFR volunteers will undergo two days of classroom and hands-on training in all pertinent aspects of fire and rescue at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport.
Classes and roundtable presentations take place in the Keppy 4-H Building, located west of both the grandstand and Expo Building. Much of the outside training, including a large burn planned for around 2 p.m. Sunday, takes place on the south side of the fairgrounds along the backstretch of the half-mile race track.
For more information, contact: SFR's Secretary and Training Coordinator, Capt. Karri Coyne, at (563) 370-6446, karri.coyne@yahoo.com or speedwayfirerescue@yahoo.com.
19 Feb 2013

THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIR FINALIZES GRANDSTAND ATTRACTIONS

By Phil Roberts
Davenport, Iowa (Feb. 17, 2013) - The contracts are signed and the grandstand lineup is set for this year's 94th annual
Mississippi Valley Fair (mvfair.com), being held July 30 to Aug. 4 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St.

Here are the attractions:
Tuesday, July 30: Toby Keith
Wednesday, July 31: Uncle Kracker
Thursday, Aug. 1: Dwight Yoakam
Friday, Aug. 2: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, Aug. 3: Diamond Rio
Sunday, Aug. 4: Jake Owen

Many new and different grounds attractions also will be featured again this year, according to MVF general manager Bob Fox. They'll be announced in the next few months.

Fox noted there is no price increase this year for Fair Fun Cards, which are good for grounds admission and are the only way to be admitted into the grandstand. They're being sold now at the fair office for $40 each. The price goes to $45 after July 6.

Call (563) 326-5338 for more information.
23 Aug 2011

Woman who went from local radio to national TV to speak next month in the Quad Cities. Clinton, Iowa, native Krista Voda of TV's SPEED channel to keynote Quad Cities Sports Commission luncheon

By Phil Roberts

Quad Cities (Aug. 24, 2011) -- Clinton, Iowa, native Krista Voda has come a long way. From humble beginnings in local broadcasting, she became the first woman to host a NASCAR pre-race show on television and, earlier this year, was named one of the Top 10 most influential women in NASCAR.

Voda, who has covered racing extensively for cable TV's Speed channel and worked as a pit reporter for NASCAR races seen on FOX and FX, will be the keynote speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at a luncheon to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Quad Cities Sports Commission.

At the luncheon, Voda will discuss her career, tell behind-the-scenes stories from national motorsports broadcasts and answer audience questions.

The luncheon takes place at the Starlite Ballroom at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport, and the public is invited to attend. A buffet lunch is being served at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon.

Tickets are just $15 each and are available by mail. Checks payable to the Quad Cities Sports Commission may be mailed to: Quad Cities Sports Commission, Attention: Joe Taylor, 1601 River Drive, Suite 110, Moline, IL 61265.

Voda, who also has worked as a sideline reporter for NFL and BCS football games on FOX, attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a BA in broadcast journalism and business communications. She has an extensive radio background and also worked at KWWL-TV in Waterloo and WLEX-TV in Lexington, Ky. In addition, Voda has done public relations work for various sports teams.

Funding for the Quad Cities Sports Commission is used to bring youth and amateur sports tournaments to the Quad Cities area.

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31 May 2011

Mississippi Valley Fair Fun Cards now on sale

By Phil Roberts

Davenport, Iowa (May 25, 2011) -- Take a stellar lineup of grandstand acts and a variety of free grounds shows and attractions. Add the Evans United Shows Carnival, commercial and craft displays, some great fair food and lots of livestock shows. And you've got the recipe for the 92nd Great Mississippi Valley Fair, being held here Aug. 2-7, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St.

Fun Cards -- good for daily admission to the grounds and all grandstand shows -- are now for sale at Hy-Vee stores and the fair office. They are $40 each through July 6, then the price goes to $45.

For those without Fun Cards, grounds admission is $10 at the gate for adults and $3 for children 4-12. Children 3 and under are free.

Entertaining in the grandstand this year at the Great Fair are Joe Nichols on Tuesday, Blake Shelton on Wednesday, Darius Rucker on Thursday, the Steve Miller Band on Friday, the Charlie Daniels Band on Saturday and Miranda Lambert on Sunday. All shows begin at 8 p.m., and admission is by Fun Card only. Those 3 and under, however, are admitted free.

Grounds shows and attractions, as always, include some perennial favorites and some newcomers. Fair manager Bob Fox, who books the acts, keeps a close eye on them and doesn't let any one get stale with fair-goers.

In no particular order, the 2011 shows and attractions include the Caboodlestoppers, the Giant Ejector Seat, The Diamonds, Gym Bob's Jamboree with Mike Porter, a diving show, Robinson's Racing Pigs, Kachunga and the Alligator Show, professional break dancers, Frisco's Elephants and Petting Zoo, Todd the Stilt Walker, Michelle's Magic Poodles, a woodcarver, the National Belgian Horse Show, Great Cats, Granpa Cratchet and Dallas, the Fire Guy.

For more information, go to www.mvfair.com or phone (563) 326-5338.

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24 Mar 2011

Walcott First

By Phil Roberts

Walcott, Iowa (March 22, 2011) -- Walcott is open for business! That's the message from Walcott First, an organization formed last November by Walcott Mayor Jim Couper.

Couper said he proposed formation of the new group, a cross section of Walcott residents and business people, as a community development group, not as an economic development group. He said it will be independent and not tied to the city in any way.

Walcott has become a bedroom community, Couper said in explaining the need for Walcott First.

"We have a community where people live, and that's all they do. We've got to be better than that," he said.

He said his goal is bringing smaller businesses like restaurants and stores to Walcott as opposed to attracting large businesses and industry.

Couper will serve as chairman of Walcott First. He appointed Jason Holdorf administrator and director and Brent Arp assistant director.

Members of the organization have not yet determined how it will be organized from a legal standpoint. First they're anxious to set some small goals and accomplish them.

Couper said that will provide momentum and "show the community that we are aggressively in place."

Working with a city entity, the Walcott Vision Committee, to get an attractive Welcome to Walcott sign placed at Main Street and Old Highway 6 was one suggestion for an initial project. Building a skate park for youngsters was another.

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For more information about Walcott First, contact Jim Couper, (563) 284-5096, jcouper205@q.com, or Jason Holdorf, (563) 284-6722, dorito44@gmail.com.

20 Jul 2010

2010 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIR

By Phil Roberts
Davenport, Iowa (July 19, 2010) -- Grandstand acts are a major part of the Great Mississippi Valley Fair, set for Tuesday through Sunday, Aug. 3-8, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St., Davenport.

The acts are also a sizeable expense.

"Our budget for talent was $650,000 this year," said fair manager Bob Fox, who handles the booking through a talent agency. "I did it for $600,000, so we're under budget. But that doesn't include the sound and lights."

Here's the lineup:
Tuesday -- Montgomery Gentry.
Wednesday -- Kellie Pickler.
Thursday -- Dierks Bentley.
Friday -- ZZ Top.
Saturday -- Eric Church.
Sunday -- Blake Shelton.

"I think it's a good, varied lineup this year," Fox said.

But he also noted that booking the grandstand acts is not easy. "It's getting more and more difficult every year to reinvent the wheel," he said.

Fox said he has to locate appropriate acts whose routing -- their itinerary for shows before and after the fair -- brings them near Davenport and allows them time to stop and perform during the fair. The artists also need to be affordable.

Admission to the grandstand show at 8 each night at the 91st Mississippi Valley Fair is by Fun Card only, with the exception of children 3 and under, who are admitted free. The Fun Cards, which also cover daily admission to the grounds, are $40 each and are for sale at the fair office and select area businesses.

"We've held the price on the Fun Card this year, and look at the bargain," said Fox. "Look at the value -- six days of major entertainment for $40."

Those who don't buy a Fun Card can still enjoy the fair's many varied exhibits and grounds attractions. Daily admission tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children 4-12. Children 3 and under are admitted free.

For more information, click on www.mvfair.com or phone (563) 326-5338.

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