DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to announce the recipients of the Iowan of the Day award for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.
Each winner will receive a special day of perks at the Iowa State Fair. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, they will each receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, and one year subscriptions to the Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines. There will also be a recognition ceremony in the afternoon on their day on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation began the Iowan of the Day award in 1997 to honor those Iowans who have truly made a difference in their communities. This year, the judges reviewed hundreds of nominations and selected those that demonstrate integrity, Iowa pride, hard work and dedication.
"We are so pleased to recognize these tremendous individuals as Iowans of the Day," said Peter Cownie, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Their volunteerism, dedication and service to their community and to the state of Iowa make each one deserving of this honor."
The 2014 Iowan of the Day recipients are:
Wilbur Cordes of Allison
Governor Robert Ray of Des Moines
Merlyn Feddersen of Hartley
Bob Norris of Shenandoah
Karen Spurgeon of Bloomfield
Cecil Rueter of Grand Junction
Joan Allsup of Mitchellville
Don Hinners of Carroll
Devere Ganzer of Grand Mound (see below)
Mary Beth Jaggard of Oelwein
Devere Ganzer Named Iowan of the Day
DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Devere Ganzer of Grand Mound as an Iowan of the Day for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.
Ganzer depicts what it truly means to be an Iowan. He was an active farmer for much of his life, farming in three different counties. Now, at 85, he is still working part-time for Big Gain in Elwood, IA and also participates in 4-H. Since 1963, Ganzer has been involved in county fairs as the announcer of tractor pulls. He has announced at the Scott County Fair, Miles Thresher Days, the Grand Mound Tractor Pull, Clinton County Fair, Dubuque County Fair and Jackson County Fair. Another passion of his is square dancing, and he stays active by square dancing and also playing volleyball. A volunteer on top of everything else, Ganzer spends time visiting with seniors at some of the Nursing Homes in Cedar Falls. He also helps community members by getting groceries and running errands for those who are unable to drive themselves.
"Devere represents the heart of an Iowan in his spirit, generosity and citizenship," said State Representative Brian Moore.
Ganzer's day of recognition will be Friday, August 15, at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, he will receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart. Ganzer will also receive a special introduction on August 15, at 2:15 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.
Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $100 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
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