Category Archives: Art

Town Sign Project: Keokuk County

A couple months back I went down to Keokuk County to harvest their town signs before heading to the Renaissance Faire in Des Moines to watch Evie and her Irish dance troupe. It was a good day.

Here are some facts about Keokuk County:
+ Population is 10,163. Making it the 72nd most populous county in Iowa. Below Winnebago County and above Franklin County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Sigourney.
+ Formed in 1837. Opened for settlement in 1843. Governing structure created in 1844.
+ Named for the Sauk chief Keokuk
+ Has two county fairs. The Keokuk County Fair in What Cheer and the Keokuk County Expo in Sigourney.
+ Major highways are: IA-2, IA-21, IA-22, IA-78, IA-92, and IA-149.
+ Adjacent counties are Poweshiek, Iowa, Washington, Jefferson, Wapello, and Mahaska.
+ Population peaked in 1900 at 24,979.

The Keokuk County Courthouse is fair looking:


Keokuk County Courthouse
The Keokuk County Courthouse in Sigourney, Iowa.

The Keokuk County Freedom Rock is located in What Cheer, Iowa:


Keokuk County Freedom Rock

Keokuk County Freedom Rock

Keokuk County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project -
PURPLE=COMPLETED

78 counties completed. 78.8% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Keokuk County:


Sigourney, Iowa
Sigourney, Iowa
Sigourney
Population: 2,004 (-55)

Keota, Iowa
Keota, Iowa
KEOTA
Population: 897 (-110)

Hedrick, Iowa
Hedrick, Iowa
Welcome to HEDRICK
“Where Friends Meet”
Population: 728 (-36)

What Cheer, Iowa
What Cheer, Iowa
WELCOME TO WHAT CHEER
EST 1865
Population: 607 (-39)

Richland, Iowa
Richland, Iowa
RICHLAND
Population: 542 (-32)

Delta, Iowa
Delta, Iowa
DELTA
HOME OF THE COVERED BRIDGE
Population: 264 (-64)

Keswick, Iowa
Keswick, Iowa
Home of the Keswick Agate
KESWICK
Established 1879
Population: 242 (-4)

South English, Iowa
South English, Iowa
Welcome To South English
Iowa
Est. 1855
Population: 202 (-10)

Ollie, Iowa
Ollie, Iowa
OLLIE
EST. 1882
Population: 201 (-14)

Harper, Iowa
Harper, Iowa
HARPER
EST. 1872
Population: 118 (+4)

Martinsburg, Iowa
Martinsburg, Iowa
MARTINSBURG
EST. 1854
Population: 110 (-2)

Webster, Iowa
Webster, Iowa
Welcome to WEBSTER
Est. 1854
Population: 94 (+6)

Kinross, Iowa
Kinross, Iowa
KINROSS
CITY HALL
Population: 80 (-7)
Gibson, Iowa
Gibson, IA
50104
Population: 63 (+2)

Gibson, Iowa

Thornburg, Iowa
Thornburg, Iowa
THORNBURG
BIRTHPLACE OF AUTHOR ROSS SANTEE
EST. 1879
Population: 45 (-22)

Hayesville, Iowa
Hayesville, Iowa
HAYESVILLE COMMUNITY
Population: 41 (-9)

For having so many towns, Keokuk County is kind of a dud for quality town signs. Worst would have to go to Gibson or Kinross cause they didn’t even have real town signs. Hayesville would be up there as well, but you know how I like the abandoned and distressed.

Who gets the purple ribbon? Who gets best in show? I like the town signs for Webster, Thornburg, South English, Delta, and Keswick. Of those, I’m going to give it to Webster. At least it is colorful.


Webster, Iowa
Webster – Best in Show – Keokuk County

There are a couple alternate town signs in Keokuk County:


Richland, Iowa
Richland – Alternate

Delta, Iowa
Delta – Alternate

Here are the current Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams 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

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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay 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

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

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet 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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Webster, Iowa
Best in Show – Keokuk County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago 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 visit the open roads of Howard County.

TOWN SIGN PROJECT: APPANOOSE COUNTY

A few weeks back after I went down to Pella to photograph some tulips, I went down to Appanoose County to harvest their town signs. It was a good day.

Here are some facts about Appanoose County:
+ Population is 12,462, making it the 60th most populous county in Iowa. Below Wright County and above Union County.
+ Largest town and county seat is Centerville.
+ Formed on February 17, 1843.
+ Named for the Meskwaki Chief.
+ Home of Lake Rathbun.
+ Major highways are: IA-2, IA-5, and IA-202.
+ Adjacent counties are: Monroe, Wapello, Lucas, Davis, and Wayne.
+ Population peaked in 1920 at 30,535.

The Appanoose County courthouse is beautiful:


Appanoose County Courthouse
The Appanoose County Courthouse in Centerville, Iowa.

The Appanoose County Freedom Rock is located in Centerville:


Appanoose County Freedom Rock

Appanoose County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 77 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

77 counties conquered. 77.8% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Here are the town signs of Appanoose County:


Centerville, Iowa
Centerville, Iowa
CENTERVILLE
Population: 5,412 (-116)

Moravia, Iowa
Moravia, Iowa
MORAVIA
SINCE 1851
Population: 636 (-29)

Moulton, Iowa
Moulton, Iowa
MOULTON
SINCE 1869
Population: 607 (+2)

Mystic, Iowa
Mystic, Iowa
MYSTIC
Population: 322 (-103)

Cincinnati, Iowa
Cincinnati, Iowa
Cincinnati
Iowa
Population: 290 (-67)

Exline, Iowa
Exline, Iowa
EXLINE
THE LITTLE TOWN WITH A BIG HEART
Population: 160 (No Change)

Unionville, Iowa
Unionville, Iowa
UNIONVILLE
IOWA
EST. 1843
Population: 75 (-27)

Numa, Iowa
Numa, Iowa
NUMA COMMUNITY CENTER
Population: 68 (-24)

Rathbun, Iowa
Plano, Iowa
PLANO
SINCE 1879
Population: 59 (-11)

Rathbun, Iowa
Rathbun, Iowa
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF RATHBUN
ESTABLISHED 1892
GATEWAY TO RATHBUN LAKE
Population: 43 (-46)

Udell, Iowa
Udell, Iowa
UDELL IOWA
Population: 28 (-19)

First, I’m pretty startled by the population drops over just 10 years in Appanoose County. I get it, nobody wants to live close to Missouri. It is an absolutely horrible place. But I thought Lake Rathbun would be enough of an economic generator to help the towns in the area and Centerville is a pretty nice town, from what I’ve seen. I guess last person left in Appanoose County, turn off the lights.

However, I have a theory why Appanoose County has lost over half its population in the last 100 years. It is the fact that so many of the towns have the terrible (what I call, because that is where I first saw their infestation) Highway 34 signs. They are a scourge of southern Iowa. Three towns have them and spoiler, Centerville also had one. All three of those towns tie for the worst town sign in Appanoose County.

Who gets the purple ribbon though? I like Cincinnati’s sign. I like Exline’s sign. I also like Unionville’s (suck it confederacy and confederacy fanboys*), but it really is a two horse race between Centerville and Rathbun. I’m giving the nod to Centerville.


Centerville, Iowa
Centerville – Best in Show – Appanoose County

Centerville had a few alternate signs:


Centerville, Iowa
Puke

Centerville, Iowa
Centerville – Alternate

Centerville, Iowa
Centerville – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams 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

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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay 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

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

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet 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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago 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 visit Keokuk County.

* Also known as racists.

Miami Beach – Day 5 – A7II – Uno

Trending back to Day 5 of my Computer Mine trip to Miami Beach. This was the only day I got to do much photography. We actually left the convention center at a decent time. We had an appetizer party hosted by the sales team that I attended, but then I snuck out early cause I wanted to go to the botanical garden. Unfortunately, when I got there it was closed for the day. However, I did go visit the Holocaust Memorial that was right next to the botanical garden. Here are some pictures from that walkabout:


Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 5 - May 2022

One more collection of photos from this trip still left to share.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is SELF-PORTRAIT:


WEEK 354 - SELF-PORTRAIT
SELF-PORTRAIT

But what is a SELF-PORTRAIT? Please don’t play coy. It is simply a portrait of one’s self. Now a SELF-PORTRAIT doesn’t necessarily have to be a picture of your face. It could be of your hands or feet or whatever body part. It doesn’t even have to include you at all. It can be a picture of something that is uniquely you. For example Wily keeps pretty much every pair of running shoes he has ever had. He has maybe an excess of 100. A picture of his running shoes with or without his feet in them would be a SELF-PORTRAIT. OR you could even take a picture of somebody taking a SELF-PORTRAIT.

Happy photo harvesting!

Town Sign Project: Floyd County

A few weeks back I cruised around Floyd County to harvest their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some facts about Floyd County:
+ Population is 15,713. Making it the 49th most populous county in Iowa. Behind Clay County and above Page County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Charles City.
+ Established in 1854.
+ Named for Charles Floyd who died on the Lewis and Clark Expedition near Sioux City, Iowa.
+ Site of the last lynching in Iowa. (Wasn’t racially motivated.)
+ Major highways are: US-18, US-218, IA-14, and IA-27.
+ Adjacent counties are: Mitchell, Chickasaw, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Howard, Bremer, and Franklin.
+ Population peaked in 1950 in 21,505.

The Floyd County Courthouse is mostly meh, except for the fascinating “Floyd” part:


Floyd County Courthouse
The Floyd County Courthouse located in Charles City, Iowa.

The Floyd County Freedom Rock is located in Rockford, Iowa:


Floyd County Freedom Rock

Floyd County Freedom Rock

Floyd County Freedom Rock

Floyd County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 76 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

76 counties completed. 76.8% of the Cyclone State conquered.

Note, Nashua is partially in Floyd County, but is mostly in Chickasaw County. I will reveal that town sign when we get to Chickasaw County. Greene is also partially in Floyd County, but is mostly in Butler County. I already revealed this town sign when I revealed the town signs of Butler County.

Here are the town signs of Floyd County:


Charles City, Iowa
Charles City, Iowa
Charles City
welcomes you!
Est. 1854
Population: 7,396 (-256)

Nora Springs, Iowa
Nora Springs, Iowa (Partially in Cerro Gordo County)
WELCOME TO NORA SPRINGS
Population: 1,369 (-62)

Rockford, Iowa
Welcome to ROCKFORD
HOME OF THE DEVONIAN FOSSILS
Population: 758 (-102)

Rudd, Iowa
Rudd, Iowa
RUDD, IA
Population: 358 (-11)

Floyd, Iowa
Floyd, Iowa
Welcome To FLOYD
Population: 313 (-22)

Marble Rock, Iowa
Marble Rock, Iowa
WELCOME TO MARBLE ROCK
Population: 271 (-36)

Colwell, Iowa
Colwell, Iowa
Established 1915
Incorporated 1922
Welcome to COLWELL
“The biggest little city in Floyd County”
Population: 55 (-18)

Floyd might not have a superstar sign, but there are several solid signs in there. But Easily the worst belongs to Nora Springs. Boring. Boring. Boring.

For best in show, for me it is really a two sign race. It is Colwell or it is Marble Rock. I’m going to give it to Marble Rock by a nose.


Marble Rock, Iowa
Marble Rock – Best in Show – Floyd County

There is only one alternate town sign in Floyd County that I found:


Rockford, Iowa
Rockford – Alternate

There are lots of these old Amoco (I think) signs out there that have been reporuposed as town signs and I am here for it.

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams 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

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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay 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

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

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet 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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago County

Sloan, Iowa
Best in Show – Woodbury County

Joice, Iowa
Best in Show – Worth County

Woolstock, Iowa
Best in Show – Wright County

Next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Appanoose County.

Miami Beach – Day 3 and Day 6 – A7II

In this post I am going to share pictures I took with the A7II on Days 3 and 6 of my work trip to Miami Beach. I did not crack out the camera at all on Day 4. On Day 5, I actually got away for a bit and took several pictures, so I’m going to dedicate an entire post to those pictures. I didn’t take many pictures on Day 3 or Day 6, so I’m combining them here.

Day 3 was supposed to be kind of a half day of training, but those of us on Team Setup ended up spending quite a bit of hours tinkering with the computers at the Convention Center. I only took a handful of pictures walking back from the Convention Center with Tony after he went to 7/11 for some smokes.


Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022
Maybe I’m immature, but you can’t tell me if this sign was in Ames, it would be right up there for college freshman to steal with highway 69 signs.

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022
I would love to see this hotel when it is done being renovated.

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022
A tree growing outside of the Plymouth.

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 3 - May 2022

Day 6 was the last day of the convention. It was a long day for me because I left the hotel about 7:30 for the Convention Center. I got back to the hotel at about 8:30. From 4:30 until about 8:00 I sat around with Kim, Tony, and Lowell waiting for one crate to arrive. All the pictures I took that day are from that wait.


Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022
The Computer Mine Booth

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022
That reddish crate isn’t the one we were waiting for, but Kim packed up all our snacks and then wrapped it. So we starved for 2 hours. Please feel sorry for me.

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022

Miami Beach Work Trip - Day 6 - May 2022


A Computer Mine competitor’s booth.

It was a good trip, but the highlights, photographically speaking are from Day 5. Which I will share soon.

+++++++

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


WEEK 353 - SERVICE
SERVICE

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

This is a theme that was suggested by Andy. If you don’t like it, well remember that I crowdsource the themes once a year about November, so watch for that post and conduct your actions accordingly.

That isn’t to infer that I don’t love this theme. If I didn’t love the suggestion, I would have filed it in the trash next to Shannon’s suggestion of CATS. Maybe not next to that suggestion. Cause that one I threw in the trash and then stomped the trash down. Then took it to the incinerator. I didn’t even own an incinerator. I went to the store and bought one, just so I could incinerate that suggestion.

That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t make suggestions for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE when that time is nigh. Just don’t suggest CATS.

But what is a SERVICE picture? A SERVICE is simply the action of helping someone else. A SERVICE picture is simply a picture of one person helping another person. Or the results of one person helping another person. Now there are many different types of SERVICE. For example the theme reveal is a picture of a worship SERVICE. I get very questionable internet SERVICE from Mediacom. A couple days last week I ate at restaurant where I received SERVICE from many fine servers.

Happy photo harvesting!

Town Sign Project: Mitchell County

A few weeks back I headed up to Mitchell County to harvest their town signs. It was a good trip and I really enjoyed my brief time in Mitchell County.

Here are some facts about Mitchell County:
+ Population is 10,558 making it the 70th most populous county in Iowa. Below Guthrie County and above Winnebago County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Osage.
+ Founded in 1851.
+ Named after Irish patriot John Mitchel.
+ Major highways are: US-218 and IA-9.
+ Adjacent counties are Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Howard, and Worth.
+ Peak population was 14,121 in 1940.

Mitchell County has a pretty, but maybe not gorgeous courthouse:


Mitchell County Courthouse
The Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage, Iowa.

The Mitchell County Freedom Rock is located in Saint Ansgar, Iowa.


Mitchell County Freedom Rock

Mitchell County Freedom Rock

Mitchell County Freedom Rock

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


Town Sign Project - 75 Counties
PURPLE=COMPLETED

75 counties completed. 75.8% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Mitchell County:


Osage, Iowa
Osage, Iowa
OSAGE
Population: 3,627 (+8)

Saint Ansgar, Iowa
Saint Ansgar, Iowa
WELCOME TO SAINT ANSGAR
est 1853
Population: 1,160 (+53)

Riceville, Iowa
Riceville, Iowa – Partially in Howard County
RICEVILLE
Population: 806 (+21)

Stacyville, Iowa
Stacyville, Iowa
WELCOME TO Stacyville
Population: 458 (-36)

Mitchell, Iowa
Mitchell, Iowa
Established 1854
WELCOME TO MITCHELL
Population: 124 (-14)

McIntire, Iowa
McIntire, Iowa
Welcome to McIntire
Population: 113 (-9)

Carpenter, Iowa
Carpenter, Iowa
CARPENTER
COMMUNITY CENTER
Population: 87 (-22)

Orchard, Iowa
Orchard, Iowa
ORCHARD
1869
Population: 68 (-3)

New Haven, Iowa - Unincorporated
New Haven, Iowa – Unincorporated
Welcome to New Haven

Little Cedar, Iowa - Unincorporated
Little Cedar, Iowa – Unincorporated
Where Nature Smiles
For Almost 5 Miles
Little Cedar, Iowa

Toeterville, Iowa - Unincorporated
Toeterville, Iowa – Unincorporated
Toeterville
WHERE FRIENDSHIPS GROW
EST. 1898

Mona, Iowa - Unincorporated
Mona, Iowa – Unincorporated
WELCOME
MONA IOWA
ESTABLISHED 1869

Meyer, Iowa - Unincorporated
Meyer, Iowa – Unincorporated
MEYER
HOME OF
Sacred Heart Church

Mitchell County has a ton of unincorporated town that actually had signs. My policy is still to only hit an unincorporated town, if it is within a couple miles of my route. Usually there is not town sign and frequently there isn’t really a town. Mitchell County’s unincorporated towns were quite the revelation.

The worst town sign in Mitchell County is pretty obvious. It is Carpenter. Not really a town sign, but more a sign for their community center.

The race for first place isn’t really a race. It is obviously Riceville. However, the alternate town signs for Toeterville will definitely be making the book!


Riceville, Iowa
Riceville – Best in Show – Mitchell County

Here are the alternate town signs of Mitchell County:


Riceville, Iowa
Riceville – Alternate

Osage, Iowa
Osage – Alternate

Mitchell, Iowa
Mitchell – Alternate

Toeterville, Iowa - Unincorporated
Toeterville – Alternate

Toeterville, Iowa - Unincorporated
Toeterville – Alternate

Toeterville, Iowa - Unincorporated
Toeterville – Alternate

Toeterville, Iowa - Unincorporated
Toeterville – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:


Fontanelle, Iowa
Best in Show – Adair County

Nodaway, Iowa
Best in Show – Adams 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

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

Murray, Iowa
Best in Show – Clarke County

Rossie, Iowa
Best in Show – Clay 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

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

Ringsted, Iowa
Best in Show – Emmet 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

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

Anamosa, Iowa
Best in Show – Jones County

Titonka, Iowa
Best in Show – Kossuth County

Springville, Iowa
Best in Show – Linn 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

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

New Virginia, Iowa
Best in Show – Warren County

Humeston, Iowa
Best in Show – Wayne County

Badger, Iowa
Best in Show – Webster County

Buffalo Center, Iowa
Best in Show – Winnebago 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 roads of Floyd County!