With all the communication technology in the world today, one would wonder how important news like the death of a community icon could slip by someone. Unfortunately, in my case, it did.
Rick Hutcheson gave to his community of Grimes in ways that very few others have. He died Aug. 28. I knew him for several decades, and I looked forward to his smile and the friendly teasing he would give me. He seemingly made time for everyone… and everything. Let me explain.
Rick served our country in the Army in Vietnam. He started a grocery store on his own that later became the Casey’s General Store in town. An ice cream shop and a laundromat followed.
He helped form a local Jaycee’s chapter and promoted membership in many local groups including the American Legion, Grimes Lions Club and the Grimes Chamber of Commerce. He even assisted in starting the original community festival, which is now known as Governors Days.
Rick was a Scout Leader for the Boy Scouts of Grimes for a number of years and a member and the treasurer of the Vittoria Lodge, the Italian Heritage Cultural Society.
He helped to spearhead the launch of the local Rescue Unit and the purchase of the first ambulance for the City of Grimes. He served as an EMT for 18 years. He was on the Grimes Volunteer Fire Department for 32 years with 13 as fire chief. He then joined the Granger Fire Department and was fire chief there another nine years. He trained many firefighters through the years. The list goes on.
Several decades ago, when Gene Gabus was still alive and running auto dealerships, he learned that I was living in Grimes and said to me, “You know Rick Hutcheson? If you don’t, you should. He is my friend, and he should be yours, too.”
Rick was a master scroll saw artist, and he seemingly could create anything with great precision. His shop was a testament to his talent, and it was also the place of his death. Although there is no good place to die, he was certainly at home.
Rick left behind a wonderful tribute with his Veterans/Fire/Police Memorial on his private property, just north of Highway 44 in Grimes. I have driven by it many times through the years as it progressed, but I chose to walk through it a few days ago, and I was truly touched by this heartfelt salute with his artistic works. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to do so.
Thank you, Rick, for everything.
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!
Best local place to have a kid’s birthday party
1. Let’s Slumber It
2. Spare Time Entertainment
3. Pump It Up
SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE... | | | Read More |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
A warming trend begins today and carries us into a weekend that will feel more like August than almost October. We do have a slight rain chance on Saturday and another on a cooler Wednesday.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$615,000
2000 N.E. Park Drive,
Grimes, IA 50111
Welcome to this exceptional custom ranch walkout nestled within preferred Heritage at Grimes development. From the ground up, this home is a testament to thoughtful design and uncompromising attention to detail. From curb appeal to the long list of upgrades, you'll find every corner of this beautiful build has been carefully considered and meticulously executed.
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Ankeny Community Theatre. "The Addams Family." Opens Friday, Sept. 29 - Oct. 8.
Des Moines Performing Arts. “Beetlejuice." Listen to The Culture Buzz interview with Justin Collette, who plays the title role in this national tour production. Oct. 3-8 .
Anderson Galleries, Drake University: Composer Nathan Felix will present the premiere of "The Cadence of Life" (an immersive opera experience), inspired by the art of Judy Pfaff (whose works are on exhibit through Oct. 15), Thursday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. at the Anderson Galleries, 1310 25th St., Des Moines. Tickets are free but must be reserved.
— John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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Poland has been Ukraine's biggest supporter in Europe, contributing far more doctors, guns and money than much larger economies such as France, Italy and Germany. Now the Poles are miffed because the Russian grain embargo has forced Ukraine to ship grain through Poland. That has lowered prices of Polish grain and farmers are protesting. Because there is a general election in Poland this fall, and the rural vote usually decides elections, the government has retaliated by ending all arms aid to Ukraine. When countries face divorce, it's always about food and money.
Olive oil prices are rising fast. The world market price increased 130% in August, the biggest price rise in 27 years. Last year also saw a big increase because of wild fires in Spain, the world's largest producer and exporter by far. I bought a year's supply last weekend.
The marvelous new Either/Or (6222 Grand Ave., Des Moines), a $4.5 million makeover of an auto parts store, brilliantly uses grains that are not effected by Russian embargoes. They have dishes showing off farro, amaranth, brown rice, garbanzos, and rice paper wraps.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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| Iowa’s first fall color report for 2023 |
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Fall colors are starting to tinge the forest canopy. The DNR is excited to share the first fall color report of 2023.
Fall color started early in northeast Iowa, most likely due to the drought. Lots of vibrant colors from sugar maple, sumac, Virginia creeper, ash, walnut, basswood and cottonwood.
Some buckeyes are turning red in north central Iowa. Hard maples are turning yellow and orange in northwest Iowa. Walnut and cottonwood are turning yellow.
Roadside sumacs are bright red and crimson in central Iowa. Walnut, cottonwood, and hackberry are becoming yellow. Virginia creeper vines are bright red.
Poison ivy and Virginia creeper vines are turning bright red in south central Iowa. Walnut and cottonwood have turned yellow; some are already losing their leaves.
With all of Iowa's beautiful state parks and wooded areas, there are so many places to get your fall color fix. Plan your autumn excursions today! |
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FROM KCCI: Vehicular homicide charges filed in Iowa after man dies in fall from pickup tailgate
VOLGA, Iowa (KCRG) — A Missouri man is facing charges after a fatal incident in Volga, Iowa, in which two people fell off the tailgate of a truck he was allegedly driving earlier this year, according to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, KCRG reports.... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: UPDATE: Motorcyclist dies from injuries sustained in eastside Des Moines crash
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Police said a motorcyclist was killed after he collided with a vehicle on University Avenue Wednesday afternoon. According to the Des Moines Police Department, a 61-year-old male was riding a motorcycle eastbound on University Ave. near the I-235 exit ramp. Witnesses told police the motorcyclist made an abrupt lane change and hit the rear end of a vehicle that was stalled in the inside lane. ... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Caitlin Clark appears in new ad for Nike Basketball
The Iowa women's basketball team will begin their regular season on Nov. 6 against Fairleigh Dickinson.. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | Happy birthday JP Pearson!
These celebrities were born on this date: Naomi Watts, Hilary Duff, Janeane Garofalo, Young Jeezy, Mira Sorvino, Demi Moore, Julia Roberts, Jerrika Hinton, Rachel McAdams
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What does an orchestra need to play electrifying music? A CONDUCTOR! - Kris Laurson, William Snyder, Carolyn Rogers. Or, Music scores that feature power chords. - Lori Bluml. “Watts” of power! - S. Hill Watkins. Or, An extension chord. - Irving Stone. Someone to charge the band. - Rex Post
Today's riddle
What song does a winning NASCAR driver sing during a big race?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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