Category Archives: Art

Renaissance Faire – Joust

A post on 11/11 that published at 11:11 AM (Central Time)? What does it mean? Absolutely nothing. Numerology is as much nonsense astrology and almost as much nonsense as trickle down economics. But nothing is as much nonsense as trickle down economics.

But happy Veterans Day. I don’t have a power rankings to coincide with Veterans Day. Maybe next year. I might be more about celebrating holidays in 2023. We will have to see what is in the stars.

This is the final collection of images from the Renaissance Faire I attended with Jen, Evie, Layla, and the twins. These are pictures of the joust, which was definitely the highlight of the day. The joust was definitely heavily scripted. Maybe not the joust part, but everything that surrounded it.

It was very professional wrestling. There was a bad knight. He wore Iowa Hawkeye colors, duh! There was a good knight. He wore Iowa State colors. Obviously.

After the jousting was done, the bad guys attacked the good guys and a fight broke out. Eventually the good knight prevailed and cut the throat of the bad knight. Fake blood sprayed everywhere. It is my deep regret that this took me completely by surprise and I did not get a picture of it.

However, if Evie dances at the Renaissance Faire again in 2023, I will definitely be ready for this fake blood explosion and will get a picture of it!

Here are the pictures of the joust (not on ostriches surprisingly):


Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022
People watching at a Renaissance Faire. It is fantastic!

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

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Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Now that I have been to one, I know where better to sit and I know to get to the joust ring, plenty early. The next festival type pictures I will share will come from my trips to the Iowa State Fair. Probably. Maybe the Boone County Fair, but I don’t think I took many pictures at the Boone County Fair. It is a mystery. Like numerology.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is STRONG:


WEEK 374 - STRONG
STRONG

STRONG! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a STRONG picture? It is simply a picture of something that is STRONG. This one might be a bit more of an abstract theme than many. But remember there are all types of strength. Something or somebody can be physically STRONG. Things can smell STRONG. Food can have a STRONG taste. Many people are STRONG in their faith. There are plenty of ways to be STRONG. And there are many STRONG things out there.

Happy photo harvesting!

Buchanan County Aux – Vol. 1

A few months back I cruised around Buchanan County and harvested their town signs. Buchanan County is a beautiful county and there was many things there to photograph. This is the first collection of auxiliary images from that trip. They were all taken in Independence.


Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

Buchanan County - Independence

I really liked Independence. I will definitely go back there again in the future. They have a mental health museum that I would like to visit at some time. There still are more images to share from this road trip.

Town Sign Project: Des Moines County

A couple months back I cruised around Des Moines County harvesting their town signs. It was definitely a good trip and a county I would visit again.

Here are some facts about Des Moines County:
+ Population is 38,491 making it the 16th most populous county in Iowa. Below Marshall County and above Jasper County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Burlington.
+ Formed in September 1834 as part of the Michigan Territory. Became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Named after the Des Moines River.
+ Home of letters written by Anne Frank to a pen pal she had in Danville.
+ Home of the Iowa Ammunition Plant.
+ Home of the “World’s Crookedest Street”. Snake Alley.
+ Major highways are: US-34 and US-61.
+ Adjacent counties are: Louisa, Lee, and Henry.
+ Population peaked in 1970 at 46,982.

Des Moines County has a pretty meh courthouse:


Des Moines County Courthouse
The Des Moines County Courthouse located in Burlington, Iowa.

The Des Moines County Freedom Rock is located in Mediapolis, Iowa.


Des Moines County Freedom Rock

Des Moines County Freedom Rock

Des Moines County Freedom Rock

Des Moines County Freedom Rock

Des Moines County Freedom Rock

With Des Moines County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 96 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

96 counties completed. 97% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Des Moines County:


Burlington, Iowa
Burlington, Iowa
Welcome To Historic Downtown BURLINGTON
Population: 23,982 (-1,671)

West Burlington, Iowa
West Burlington, Iowa
Welcome To BURLINGTON
WEST BURLINGTON
Population: 3,197 (+229)

Mediapolis, Iowa
Mediapolis, Iowa
Mediapolis
Population: 1,688 (+128)

Danville, Iowa
Danville, Iowa
HOME OF THE DANVILLE BEARS
STATE CHAMPIONS
Population: 927 (-7)

Middletown, Iowa
Middletown, Iowa
WELCOME TO MIDDLETOWN
POP. 386 EST. NOV. 1847
HOME OF THE IOWA ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
Population: 363 (+45)

Des Moines County is one of the weakest collection of town signs out there. None of them are exactly terrible, but none of them are great. If I have to give out a last place, I’ll give it to Danville cause that is more of a school sign than a town sign.

The purple ribbon is pretty obvious. No need for suspense. Best of Show goes to Middletown.


Middletown, Iowa
Middletown – Best in Show – Des Moines County

There was only one alternate town sign in Des Moines County:


Middletown, Iowa
Middletown – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Best in Show – Allamakee County

Centerville, Iowa
Best in Show – Appanoose County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Gilbertville, Iowa
Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

Stanley, Iowa
Best in Show – Buchanan County

Storm Lake, Iowa
Best in Show – Buena Vista County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Washta, Iowa
Best in Show – Cherokee County

Fredericksburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay County

Strawberry Point, Iowa
Best in Show – Clayton County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Oneida, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Delaware County

Middletown, Iowa
Best in Show – Des Moines County

Terril, Iowa
Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet County

Clermont, Iowa
Best in Show – Fayette County

Marble Rock, Iowa
Best in Show – Floyd County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Modale, Iowa
Best in Sow – Harrison County

Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Henry County

Lime Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Howard County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

La Motte, Iowa
Best in Show – Jackson County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Fairfield, Iowa
Best in Show – Jefferson County

Lone Tree, Iowa
Best in Show – Johnson County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Webster, Iowa
Best in Show – Keokuk County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Saint Paul, Iowa
Best in Show – Lee County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Morning Sun, Iowa
Best in Show – Louisa County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

George, Iowa
Best in Show – Lyon County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Riceville, Iowa
Best in Show – Mitchell County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

Conesville, Iowa
Best in Show – Muscatine County

Paullina, Iowa
Best in Show – O’Brien County

Melvin, Iowa
Best in Show – Osceola County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Kingsley, Iowa
Best in Show – Plymouth County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Walnut, Iowa
Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Orange City, Iowa
Best in Show – Sioux County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Bonaparte, Iowa
Best in Show – Van Buren County

Agency, Iowa
Best in Show – Wapello County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Kalona, Iowa
Best in Show – Washington County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Castalia, Iowa
Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Sloan, Iowa
Best in Show – Woodbury County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will hit the open roads of Dubuque County.

WPC – WEEK 373 – DECORATION

REMINDER: This is the last week you can suggest themes for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. The one and only way to do that is to leave your suggestions in the COMMENTS section of this post. Do not email them to me or text them to me. The suggestions have to be left in the COMMENTS section of this post! So far only Andy has made any suggestions, but he also tried to question the definitive Candy Bar Power Rankings, so we’ll see what happen to his suggestions.

So was DECORATION a popular theme? Did Kio Dettman adhere to the Kio Dettman Rule? Did everybody adhere to the Kio Dettman Rule? Did Tamara Peterson make a comeback after having her 40 week streak snapped? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 31, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Mary Green – 2 weeks (3)
2-Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks
3-Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks
4-Jesse Howard – 4 weeks
5-Sara Lockner – 6 weeks
6-Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks
7-Brandon Kahler – 11 weeks
8-Linda Bennett – 14 weeks (2)
9-Sarah Toot – 15 weeks (3)
10-Monica Jennings – 16 weeks (2)
11-Angie DeWaard – 19 weeks
12-Dawn Krause – 23 weeks (2)
13-Kim Barker – 29 weeks
14-Joe Duff – 31 weeks
15-Logan Kahler – 32 weeks (2)
16-Teresa Kahler – 41 weeks (2)
17-Carla Stensland – 41 weeks (3)
18-Michelle Haupt – 42 weeks
19-Micky Augustin – 43 weeks
20-Andy Sharp – 44 weeks
21-Bill Wentworth – 45 weeks
22-Cathie Morton – 49 weeks (2)
23-Elizabeth Nordeen – 50 weeks
24-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 52 weeks
25-Kio Dettman – 54 weeks (4)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 373 - DECORATION - EVIE GORSHE
Evie Gorshe

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - WILLY MCALPINE
Will McAlpine – 1 week

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson – 1 week

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MIKE VEST
Mike Vest – 1 week

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 3 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 3 weeks

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 5 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 7 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 11 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler – 12 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 15 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot – 16 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings – 17 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 20 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 24 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 30 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 32 weeks

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 33 weeks

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 42 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 42 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 43 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 44 weeks

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 45 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 46 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 50 weeks

WEEK 363 - DECORATION - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 51 weeks

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 53 weeks

WEEL 373 - DECORATION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 55 weeks

WEEL 373 - DECORATION - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 373 - DECORATION - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – 477 weeks

30 participants! That is a great week! So close to getting that 30 participant average!

Had submissions from (assumptions here): Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa.

I took my picture about 15 miles from my front door.

There weren’t any milestones reached this week, but there also weren’t any streaks snapped. So it is all good.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 374 - STRONG
STRONG

STRONG! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is a STRONG picture? It is simply a picture of something that is STRONG. This one might be a bit more of an abstract theme than many. But remember there are all types of strength. Something or somebody can be physically STRONG. Things can smell STRONG. Food can have a STRONG taste. Many people are STRONG in their FAITH.

For example, the theme reveal image is a picture of the Zodiac in the north entry way of the Memorial Union at Iowa State University. This picture is of something STRONG in a few ways. It is a picture of a bull. Bulls are STRONG. The bull is the zodiac symbol for Taurus. If you know a Taurus, they are very STRONG headed*. This zodiac symbol at Iowa State is of STRONG construction. It also represents a STRONG superstition held by the Iowa State community.

You don’t know about this superstition? Read a little bit about the history of Iowa State’s zodiac:

Architect/designer William T. Proudfoot chose to incorporate the ancient symbols of the zodiac into the north entry floor — classic Greek/Roman mythology for a classic-Greek/Roman-style building. In the 20’s, the zodiac was not as well known as it is now. Proudfoot planned for intentional wearing away of the bronze forms by placing them above the surface of the floor – to be sculpted further by building users until, eventually, they would be the same level as the floor. We know that by 1929, students had decided that if you stepped on the zodiac, it was unlucky – that you’d flunk your next test. Rumor has it that the students created this “curse” because they liked the raised effect of the zodiac and they wanted to preserve the zodiac signs even though it went against what the architect originally intended. Now most students, hedging their bets, walk around. If you accidentally invoke the curse, you can throw a coin in the fountain to take it away!

Information is from Iowa State’s Memorial Union website.

If you are wondering, I’m not a superstitious person. But I am a littlestitious. I’ve been graduated from Iowa State University for 20 years. I don’t take tests these days, but I still walk around the zodiac when I’m at the Union.

While thinking about possible subjects for your STRONG photo, meditate on the following quote:

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.
-Maya Angelou

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of STRONG in this place that is filled with my every day strength next Monday.

*This is not to be seen as any kind of endorsement of astrology, which is complete and utter nonsense.

Fat Mum Slim – October 2022

I’m kicking the decision on Formal Portrait Sunday down the road for at least one more week.

I wasn’t necessarily pleased with the overall body of work I put in during September for the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge. I tried to make October a better month for the Fat Mum Slim Photo A Day Challenge. I believe at the aggregate level, I accomplished just that.

Here are the October images:


October 1
October 1 – White

October 2
October 2 – Black

October 3
October 3 – Green

October 4
October 4 – Red

October 5
October 5 – Orange

October 6
October 6 – Blue

October 7
October 7 – Yellow

October 8
October 8 – Purple

October 9
October 9 – Aqua

October 10
October 10 – Pink

October 11
October 11 – Grey

October 12
October 12 – Brown

October 13
October 13 – Pop of Colour

October 14
October 14 – Stripes

October 15
October 15 – Floral

October 16
October 16 – One Colour

October 17
October 17 – Two Colours

October 18
October 18 – Pattern

October 19
October 19 – Black and White

October 20
October 20 – Rainbow

October 21
October 21 – My Fave Colour

October 22
October 22 – Matching

October 23
October 23 – Natural

October 24
October 24 – Dark

October 25
October 25 – Light

October 26
October 26 – Pastel

October 27
October 27 – Bright

October 28
October 28 – Gold

October 29
October 29 – Fresh

October 30
October 30 – Mellow

October 31
October 31 – Dots

I should thank Elizabeth, Flat Earth Joe, Scottie D. and Logan for assists on at least one of these pictures for the month. My lack of doing much in October didn’t hurt this project. I will probably have a pretty lazy November as well, but I hope to do some good work this month as well.

Remember you can follow along with this project on the daily by following my Fat Mum Slim Insta:

@fmsbennett

Here are the November themes:

1. A Collection
2. A Book Cover
3. A Shop Front
4. A For Sale Sign
5. A Bridge
6. A Fence
7. I Didn’t Make This
8. Throw It
9. An Unmade Bed
10. Power Lines
11. An Arrow
12. In My Pocket
13. A Closed Sign
14. A Flock of Birds
15. Hand Shadows
16. Running Water
17. Wrinkles
18. An Empty Table
19. Rocks
20. Afternoon Light
21. Half Full
22. Graffiti
23. An Ugly Food
24. A Tall Building
25. A Spider Web
26. A Funny Shape
27. A Splash
28. Something Hidden
29. A List
30. A Family Member

I think there are some interesting themes in there.

Town Sign Project: Louisa County

A couple months back I cruised around Louisa County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some facts about Louisa County:
+ Population is 10,749. Making it the 67th most populous county in Iowa. Below Cherokee County and above Hancock County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Wapello.
+ Formed on December 7, 1836 as part of the Wisconsin Territory. Became part of the Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838.
+ Either named after Louisa Massey or named after Louisa County, Virginia. I like to think it was named after Louisa Massey cause that would make it one of only a couple of counties named after a woman and because Louisa Massey’s fame came from avenging the murder of her brother by shooting the person that murdered him.
+ Boyhood home of Jorge Rios.
+ Home of the Columbus Junction Swinging Bridge.
+ Major highways are: US-61, UIA-70, IA-78, and IA-92.
+ Adjacent counties are: Johnson, Muscatine, Des Moines, Henry, and Washington.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 13,516.

Louisa County has a boring looking courthouse. Looks like an elementary school I went to:


Louisa County Courthouse
The Louisa County Courthouse located in Wapello, Iowa.

The Louisa County Freedom Rock is located in Grandview, Iowa:


Louisa County Freedom Rock

Louisa County Freedom Rock

Louisa County Freedom Rock

With Louisa County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:


Town Sign Project - 95 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

95 counties completed. 96% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Louisa County:


Wapello, Iowa
Wapello, Iowa
WAPELLO
Est. 1856
Population: 2,084 (+17)

Columbus Junction, Iowa
Columbus Junction, Iowa
Welcome to Columbus Junction
Population: 1,830 (-69)

Morning Sun, Iowa
Morning Sun, Iowa
MORNING SUN
Population: 752 (-84)

Grandview, Iowa
Grandview, Iowa
City Of Grandview
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 437 (-119)

Columbus City, Iowa
Columbus City, Iowa
Welcome TO COLUMBUS CITY
EST. 1841
Population: 392 (-1)

Letts, Iowa
Letts, Iowa
Welcome to LETTS
POP. 374
Population: 363 (-21)

Fredonia, Iowa
Welcome to FREDONIA
Est 1836
Home of the Convict Road
Population: 222 (-22)

Oakville, Iowa
Oakville, Iowa
A Peaceful Place BETWEEN TWO RIVERS
OAKVILLE
Population: 200 (+27)

Cotter, Iowa
Cotter, Iowa
COTTER TOWN HALL
Population: 39 (-9)

Cairo, Iowa - Unincorporated
Cario, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome Historic CAIRO
1835
THE SPIRIT OF CAIRO LIVES ON IN OUR HEARTS

Louisa County has a solid but not spectacular collection of signs. Last place is pretty obvious, it belongs to Columbus Junction that doesn’t even have a real town sign. Just some banners hanging from their light poles.

I’m a fan of the Fredonia sign. The Cairo sign. The Letts sign. The Grandview sign. But the purple ribbon has to go to Morning Sun!


Morning Sun, Iowa
Morning Sun – Best in Show – Louisa County

There was only one alternate town sign in Louisa County:


Morning Sun, Iowa
Morning Sun – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams County

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Best in Show – Allamakee County

Centerville, Iowa
Best in Show – Appanoose County

Audubon, Iowa
Best in Show – Audubon County

Norway, Iowa
Best in Show – Benton County

Gilbertville, Iowa
Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Moingona, Iowa
Best in Show – Boone County

Readlyn, Iowa
Best in Show – Bremer County

Stanley, Iowa
Best in Show – Buchanan County

Storm Lake, Iowa
Best in Show – Buena Vista County

New Hartford, Iowa
Best in Show – Butler County

Manson, Iowa
Best in Show – Calhoun County

Coon Rapids, Iowa
Best in Show – Carroll County

Anita, Iowa
Best in Show – Cass County

Lowden, Iowa
Best in Show – Cedar County

Dougherty, Iowa
Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Washta, Iowa
Best in Show – Cherokee County

Fredericksburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay County

Strawberry Point, Iowa
Best in Show – Clayton County

Low Moor, Iowa
Best in Show – Clinton County

Ricketts, Iowa
Best in Show – Crawford County

Dexter, Iowa
Best in Show – Dallas County

Weldon, Iowa
Best in Show – Decatur County

Oneida, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril, Iowa
Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet County

Clermont, Iowa
Best in Show – Fayette County

Marble Rock, Iowa
Best in Show – Floyd County

Popejoy, Iowa
Best in Show – Franklin County

Tabor, Iowa
Best in Show – Fremont County

Scranton, Iowa
Best in Show – Greene County

Beaman, Iowa
Best in Show – Grundy County

Menlo, Iowa
Best in Show – Guthrie County

Stanhope, Iowa
Best in Show – Hamilton County

Britt, Iowa
Best in Show – Hancock County

Ackley, Iowa
Best in Show – Hardin County

Modale, Iowa
Best in Sow – Harrison County

Swedesburg, Iowa - Unincorporated
Best in Show – Henry County

Lime Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Howard County

Bradgate, iowa
Best in Show – Humboldt County

Ida Grove, Iowa
Best in Show – Ida County

Millersburg, Iowa
Best in Show – Iowa County

La Motte, Iowa
Best in Show – Jackson County

Lynnville, Iowa
Best in Show – Jasper County

Fairfield, Iowa
Best in Show – Jefferson County

Lone Tree, Iowa
Best in Show – Johnson County

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Webster, Iowa
Best in Show – Keokuk County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Saint Paul, Iowa
Best in Show – Lee County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn County

Morning Sun, Iowa
Best in Show – Louisa County

Lucas, Iowa
Best in Show – Lucas County

George, Iowa
Best in Show – Lyon County

East Peru, Iowa
Best in Show – Madison County

Leighton, Iowa
Best in Show – Mahaska County

Pleasantville, Iowa
Best in Show – Marion County

Haverhill, Iowa
Best in Show – Marshall County

Malvern, Iowa
Best in Show – Mills County

Riceville, Iowa
Best in Show – Mitchell County

Onawa, Iowa
Best in Show – Monona County

Melrose, Iowa
Best in Show – Monroe County

Grant, Iowa
Best in Show – Montgomery County

Conesville, Iowa
Best in Show – Muscatine County

Paullina, Iowa
Best in Show – O’Brien County

Melvin, Iowa
Best in Show – Osceola County

College Springs, Iowa
Best in Show – Page County

Mallard, Iowa
Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Kingsley, Iowa
Best in Show – Plymouth County

Plover, Iowa
Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Bondurant, Iowa
Best in Show – Polk County

Walnut, Iowa
Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Malcom, Iowa
Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Maloy, Iowa
Best in Show – Ringgold County

Nemaha, Iowa
Best in Show – Sac County

Elk Horn, Iowa
Best in Show – Shelby County

Orange City, Iowa
Best in Show – Sioux County

Collins, Iowa
Best in Show – Story County

Tama, Iowa
Best in Show – Tama County

Gravity, Iowa
Best in Show – Taylor County

Creston, Iowa
Best in Show – Union County

Bonaparte, Iowa
Best in Show – Van Buren County

Agency, Iowa
Best in Show – Wapello County

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Kalona, Iowa
Best in Show – Washington County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Castalia, Iowa
Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Sloan, Iowa
Best in Show – Woodbury County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will hit the open roads of Des Moines County.

WPC – WEEK 372 – ART

It is Halloween! So happy Halloween everybody. On Halloween, I like to release my Candy Power Rankings. It is a definitive list of the 10 best candy bars on the market.

So without furth adieu…

CANDY BAR POWER RANKINGS
10. Caramel M&M’s
9. Baby Ruth
8. Payday
7. Heath
6. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
5. Twix Caramel
4. Snickers
3. Peanut M&M’s
2. Take 5
1. Whatchamacallit

Please respect my decision. There will be no interviews at this time.

+++++++

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

The short answer is, “no”. Some people think that there is a limit of one submission per person because I only present one submission a week, personally. I have the other 6 days to post my photography. So one is more than enough image from me.

However, the longer answer is, 3 would be a good guide to limit yourself to submit. Some people refer to this as The Kio Dettman Rule. Even though it isn’t a rule, but much over 3 begins to start to overwhelm the submissions of the others in the community. Also, if you are submitting multiple submissions, think about your submissions. Are they unique? Are they of wholly different subjects? Is each submission saying something unique? The goal is NOT to take as many picture for the theme as possible. The goal is to take the best picture for the theme you can, during the week.

The three photo suggestion would better be referred to as The Kio Dettman Suggestion or The Kio Dettman Best Practice.

The long answer is, there isn’t a limit, but 3 is a good rule of thumb. If I start to average about 30 participants a week, I will consider putting a limit of 1 per participant, to help manage my workload, but we are a long ways from averaging 30 participants a week. Although we did hit 30 participants last week, so maybe a hard limit of 1 per person is on the horizon.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough to me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their largest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

I accept suggestions this Monday and next Monday, BUT only in the comments section of this post and next Monday’s post. Don’t email your suggestions to me. Don’t text them to me. Don’t Snapchat them to me. Don’t send them to me via United States Postal Service. Don’t call me with them. Don’t stop me in the grocery store with them. They can ONLY be submitted in the Comments section.

+++++++

REMINDER: This is repetitive since you just read the WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ, but this is one of two weeks you can suggest themes for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. The one and only way to do that is to leave your suggestions in the COMMENTS section of this post. Do not email them to me or text them to me. The suggestions have to be left in the COMMENTS section of this post!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, October 24, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Jen Ensley-Gorshe – 1 week
2-Mary Green – 1 week (6)
3-Becky Parmelee – 1 week
4-Sabas Hernandez – 2 weeks
5-Willy McAlpine – 2 weeks
6-Mike Vest – 2 weeks
7-Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
8-Sara Lockner – 5 weeks
9-Suzie Brannen – 9 weeks
10-Brandon Kahler – 10 weeks
11-Linda Bennett – 13 weeks (2)
12-Sarah Toot – 14 weeks
13-Monica Jennings – 15 weeks
14-Angie DeWaard – 18 weeks
15-Dawn Krause – 22 weeks (2)
16-Kim Barker – 28 weeks
17-Joe Duff – 30 weeks (2)
18-Logan Kahler – 31 weeks (4)
19-Teresa Kahler – 40 weeks (2)
20-Tamara Peterson – 40 weeks
21-Carla Stensland – 40 weeks (3)
22-Michelle Haupt – 41 weeks
23-Micky Augustin – 42 weeks
24-Andy Sharp – 43 weeks
25-Bill Wentworth – 44 weeks
26-Cathie Morton – 48 weeks (2)
27-Elizabeth Nordeen – 49 weeks
28-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 51 weeks
29-Kio Dettman – 54 weeks (3)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:


WEEK 372 - ART - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff – 31 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman – 55 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 372 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 372 - ART - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman

WEEK 372 - ART - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett – 14 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett

WEEK 372 - ART - MARY GREEN
Mary Green – 2 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 372 - ART - MARY GREEN
Mary Green

WEEK 372 - ART - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley – 52 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot – 15 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot

WEEK 372 - ART - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot

WEEK 372 - ART - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – 19 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART -BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – 45 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – 44 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin – 43 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – 50 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART -
Christopher D. Bennett

WEEK 372 - ART - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler – 32 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler

WEEK 372 - ART - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker – 29 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler – 41 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler

WEEK 372 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – 41 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 372 - ART - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland

WEEK 372 - ART - SABAS HERNANDEZ
Sabas Hernandez – 3 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen – 10 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause – 23 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause

WEEK 372 - ART - BECKY PARMELEE
Becky Parmelee – 2 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton – 49 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton

WEEK 372 - ART - BRANDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler – 11 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - MICHELLE HAUPT
Michelle Haupt – 42 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings – 16 weeks

WEEK 372 - ART - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings

WEEK 372 - ART - SARA LOCKNER
Sara Lockner – 6 weeks

26 participants! A good week, but a pretty big fall from last week. I guess not everybody has ART in their life and that makes me sad.

There were submissions this week from (mostly assumptions here) Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

I took my picture about 1 mile from my house.

There were a couple big accomplishments this week. Suzie joined the double digit streak club! Shannon reached a year straight of submissions. Only the second person to ever do that! WooHoo!

But it wasn’t all good news. Jen couldn’t extend her streak to 2 weeks. Willy and Vest’s 2 week streaks are gone. But most tragically… Tamara’s 40 week streak is over. By far the longest streak to be snapped. But I won’t be sad that it is over. I choose to be happy that it happened.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:


WEEK 373 - DECORATION
DECORATION

DECORATION! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what exactly is a DECORATION photo? A DECORATION image is simply a picture of a DECORATION or a picture where a DECORATION plays a heavy element in the composition. Seeing how today is Halloween, there are a ton of DECORATION(s) out there for you to photograph. Just for an example.

While considering possible subjects for your DECORATION picture, mediate on the following quote:

Like a rhyme with no reason
In an unfinished song
There was no harmony, life meant nothin’ to me until you came along
And you brought out the colors
What a gentle surprise
Now I’m able to see all the things life can be, shinin’ soft in your eyes

And you decorated my life
Created a world
Where dreams are a part
And you decorated my life
By paintin’ your love
All over my heart
You decorated my life
-Kenny Rogers

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of DECORATION in this place that is filled with everything that has decorated my life next Monday.

Chickasaw and Howard County Aux – Vol. 5

This is the final collection of pictures I took on my trip around Chickasaw County and Howard County harvesting their town signs. These pictures are kind of taken all over the place. Winneshiek County. Howard County. Chickasaw County. Bremer County. Franklin County. It was a great trip!


Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church
Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Howard County - Protivin
Protivin

Howard County - Protivin

Howard County - Protivin

Howard County - Protivin

Howard County - Protivin

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - Lawler

Chickasaw County - New Hampton
New Hampton

Chickasaw County - New Hampton

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County - Fredericksburg

Chickasaw County

Bremer County
Bremer

Bremer County - Waverly
Waverly

Bremer County - Waverly

Franklin County - Hampton
Hampton

Franklin County - Hampton

If you are wondering about the memorial about the young woman who was murdered in 1992, here are some details:

Early on Monday, September 7, 1992, Rhonda Anette Knutson was murdered while working the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. shift at the Phillips 66 convenience store in Williamstown, Iowa, in Chickasaw County.

The store manager found Knutson’s body Monday morning around 4:45 a.m. in a room near the back of the store.

The Williamstown store was open 24 hours a day and located six miles south of New Hampton on U.S. Highway 63 and one-quarter mile north of highway junctions 63, 18, and 346.

An autopsy concluded Knutson died after being bludgeoned to death, and there were no signs of sexual assault.

According to the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office, Knutson suffered severe traumatic head injuries from a beating with a blunt object. Robbery was not considered a motive in the slaying.

Knutson seemed to thoroughly enjoy working the overnight shift at the store and had met her current boyfriend, Al Wolf, three years earlier while working there. The couple had moved in together two years before Knutson’s death, and lived in rural Tripoli, about 16 miles southeast of the Phillips 66 store.

Wolf drove a local creamery truck, and Rhonda enjoyed accompanying him to motocross racing events and local demolition derbies.

The investigation into her death included hundreds of interviews by deputies and agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), along with employing a private investigator and several psychics.

Reward and Hunt for Two Suspects Hits Dead End

A Cedar Rapids Gazette article published the day after Knutson’s murder identified a suspect — a trucker — sought for questioning in the case.

Three days later on Sept. 11, the Gazette published composite sketches of two suspects — both believed to be truckers — whom witnesses allegedly saw in the convenience store the morning Knutson was killed.

The Gazette described both men as heavy-set Caucasians with dark hair, and between the ages of 35 and 45. Witnesses described the first suspect as having a beard and mustache, and pulling a white and silver trailer behind a conventional tractor.

They described the second suspect as clean-shaven, though couldn’t link him to any specific vehicle.

Chickasaw County Sheriff Tom Bernatz printed and mailed out over 1,500 news bulletins about the case to truck stops throughout the US in efforts to generate more leads.

By December 21, the reward for information leading to an arrest in the case had reached $9,000; the Gazette reported that eight banks in northeast Iowa had pledged $7,500 toward the reward, with another $1,500 coming in from private citizens.

Special Prosecutor assigned to review case
Seven years after Knutson’s murder, Chickasaw County Attorney Rich TeKippe assigned Thomas H. Miller, assistant attorney general, as a special prosecutor to review information in Knutson’s murder investigation.

In a Mason City Globe-Gazette article published September 3, 1999, Robert Brammer, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said Miller — who’d successfully prosecuted many murder cases in the state — was one of the most experienced homicide specialists working in the AG’s office.

TeKippe said local law enforcement’s interest in solving Knutson’s murder has never waned, but that the lack of progress had frustrated them.

Still, TeKippe expressed hope that a “particularly damning piece of evidence might still be found that would allow the complexion of this investigation to change for the good.”

On the 20th anniversary of Knutson’s death, family members lovingly remembered the young victim known for her creative, free spirit.

“She was just a great person. She would do anything for anybody,” Knutson’s sister Renae Engel said in a New Hampton Tribune article dated September 7, 2012.

Engel said the anniversary of her sister’s death is always a difficult reminder.

“It’s one of those days when you have no ambition and you don’t want to do anything,” she told the Tribune.

The convenience store no longer exists, and the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information related to Knutson’s death.

Iowa Cold Cases website founder Jody Ewing said when she began researching Iowa’s unsolved murders for inclusion on the site, the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office was one of just a handful of law enforcement agencies that listed unsolved homicides on its website.

Rhonda’s case remains listed there yet today.

When the Iowa DCI established a Cold Case Unit in 2009, Knutson’s murder was also one of approximately 150 cases listed on the Cold Case Unit’s new website as those the DCI hoped to solve using latest advancements in DNA technology.

Although federal grant funding for the DCI Cold Case Unit was exhausted in December 2011, the DCI continues to assign agents to investigate cold cases as new leads develop or as technological advances allow for additional forensic testing of original evidence.

The DCI remains committed to resolving Iowa’s cold cases and will continue to work diligently with local law enforcement partners to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice for the victims and their families.

About Rhonda Knutson
Rhonda Anette Knutson was born October 19, 1969, in New Hampton, Iowa, the daughter of Mary Virginia (Marvin) and Nels Harvey Knutson. She died September 7, 1992.

Rhonda attended school in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1988.

She enjoyed working with people, loved art, and had many friends.

Rhonda was one of seven siblings, and her sister Renae described her as a “great aunt” who always seemed to have something going on.

Memorial services were held on September 11, 1992, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. More than 500 family members and friends attended the services to pay tribute to Rhonda.

Rhonda was survived by her parents Mary and Nels Knutson; four brothers, Robert Alan, Roger Arthur, Richard Alvie and Rodney Ahern Knutson; and two sisters, Renae Arlene and Rochelle Ann.

Nels Knutson passed away on Nov. 28, 2006, without ever seeing his daughter’s killer brought to justice.

This information was taken from iowacoldcases.org and was compiled by Jody Ewing.

The next time we hit the open road for auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will hit the open roads of Buchanan County.

Renaissance Faire – Knight Battle

Way back in May I met up with Jen, Layla, and the twins at the Renaissance Faire down in Des Moines to watch Evie dance. I’ve already shared the pictures of Evie dancing, but I took plenty more pictures on that day.

This collection is of the knight battle we watched. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting a sword duel that would put the sword fight between Inigo Montoya and the Dread Pirate Roberts to shame. This was mostly dudes in armor kind of grabbing each other and trying to throw the other to the ground.

While Inigo Montoya’s swordplay still stands as the greatest these eyes have ever seen, this battle was still fun to watch.

I’m not steeped in Renaissance Faire culture. I knew some people in college that were involved in the Society for Creative Anachronism, but I was too big of a jerk then to take anything they said seriously. Therefore, I didn’t learn much. But my understanding, is that one of the knights in the battle had to win so many fights to become fully knighted or something like that. I should have taken notes.

One thing I remember clearly is that it was incredibly hot that day, so wearing all that armor and fighting, must have been brutal. The guy trying to earn his title was wearing a helmet that didn’t have a way to access his face, so in between bouts they had to run a tube from a water bottle through the helmet to keep him hydrated.


Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

Renaissance Faire - 2022

I still have a couple more collections of pictures from the Renaissance Faire to share.

I wasn’t sure if I was a Renaissance Faire Person, but I had a great time. I hope Evie dances down there again next year and I get to go again.

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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is ART:


WEEK 372 - ART
ART

ART! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what is an ART image? It is simply a picture of something that is a piece of ART. I would urge you to not just take a standard straight on picture of a piece of ART. Try to see it from a different angle than it might be normally viewed. While your subject might be ART, your interpretation of your subject should be ARTistic. Now a truly arrogant photographer could just claim that every picture they take is ART.

Happy photo harvesting!

Chickasaw and Howard County Aux – Vol. 4

A few months back I cruised around Chickasaw County and Howard County harvesting their town signs. The majority of the pictures from today’s collection were taken in Howard County in Cresco. Which is a cool little town, despite being so into wrestling. The Old Stone Church pictures were taken in Winneshiek County. It is in the middle of the country just across the border from Howard County.

I will have to go back and photograph that Old Stone Church again some day. It is very photogenic. Stone ruins out in a beautiful Iowa countryside. What isn’t to love?


Howard County - Cresco
Cresco

Howard County - Cresco
I’m curious what highway they are portraying going through Des Moines. My guess is 6.

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco
Great name for an ice cream shop!

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco
I’ve seen lots of towns with tanks or planes or helicopters or big guns, but WWI Mine?

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Howard County - Cresco

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church
Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

Winneshiek County - Old Stone Church

I would definitely like to visit Cresco again and spend some more time there. It is on the list!