OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER FOR
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217 WEST COTA ST.
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Warren
Town and County
ws 50
Norwalk Warriors
Vol. 44 No. 41 Norwalk, Iowa 50211 USPS No. 395-120 Phone 981-0406 emaih news@norwalknewspaper.com Thursday, February 28, 2013
J -
Chinese New Year
Katherine Schmidt sent
her story about the visit to
one of her Chinese visitors.
(published in this newspa-
per February 21, 2013). She
wrote a story back about
her visit. Her story fol-
lows:
Return Feelings of the
United States of
America
By Angela Wang Congyi
Although I have re-
turned to China for some
time, everyday in Des
Moines is still fresh in my
memory. Let me talk about
the local conditions and
customs.
The local
people's ctflture
The Americans gave me
the impression that they
are: polite, open and
warm, direct and indepen-
dent.
Americans are so polite.
We can hear "Excuse me,"
"Sorry" "qlaank you"every-
where.
Americans are open
and warm. Remember
when we went to visit the
state government, the gov-
ernor and vice governor
are so warm. We shook
hands, smiled and chatted.
It made me feel very warm
and close.
Americans are direct.
For example, if you don't
like a dish, just say no.
Maybe it looks impolite in
China, but we still "When
in Rome, do as the Romans
do."
Americans pay atten-
tion to being independent,
having their own private
space. Katherine from the
host family did well in this
point. So that we can real-
ly put it as a home, a warm
harbor.
The local
people's feelings
Chinese Association of
Iowa: Thanks to the chair-
man Swallow of the Chi-
nese Association of Iowa
and all the people who
helped us; we had a good
time in America. We are
very grateful to them.
• Host family: In the five
days, the hostess
Katherine left me most
impression. We spoke En-
glish together, so my En-
glish has improved a lot.
We played with her cat
"Kitty". So I really feel
very warm, very happy.
We keep in touch when I
returned home. She told
me that I am in the local
newspaper and she
emailed me the photo. I
feel very happy.
Senior high school stu-
dent: When I visited the
Photos submitted.
senior high school, I me t a
black sister called Mesha.
She is very enthusiastic,
active and we shook
hands, took pictures. Be-
yond all expectations, on
the very next day to per-
form, we met again. We
chatted, took pictures and
left each other email. She
also gave me a present, I'm
so happy. Now we still
keep in touch. I feel great
for having such a pen pal
across the Pacific Ocean.
In a word, this trip to
the United States of Amer-
ica is a worthwhile trip. I
will never forget it.
Deadline for ads,
legals and stories
is Noon Friday!
Fundraiser
For Thunder
Baseball Team
Members of 8U
Norwalk Thunder Base-
ball team will hold a
Fundraiser Thursday,
March .7, at Chick-fil-A,
Paradise Pointe, 6555 Mills
Civic Parkway in West Des
Moines.
Enjoy dinner at the res-
taurant between 5 and 8
p.m. Following dinner, pu t
you r receipt in the collec-
tion box that evening and
a percentage of the busi-
ness the Norwalk team
generates wil! go directly
back to the team. For $1,
you may also take a turn
spinning the Prize Wheel
for free food and other fun
Chick-fil-A items. The
team receives each dona-
tion.
Participants can con-
tribute either in the dining
room or drive-thru. If us-
ing the drive-thru, tell the
staff person who takes
your order.
Martensdale FD
Chili Supper
March 2
Members of the
Martensdale Fire/Rescue
Department will host their
Annual Chili and Soup
Supper Saturda); March 2,
from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the
Martensdale St. Marys
School Cafeteria.
Cost for the All-You-
Can-Eat event is $7 for
adults and $4 for children
12 and under.
Proceeds are used to
purchase equipment for
the department.
Representative
Garrett to Host
Forum
State Representative
Julian Garrett will host a
legislative forum at the
Norwalk City Hall Satur-
day, March 2, at 10 a.m.
Representative Garrett
will discuss the current
legislative session and re-
spond to questions and
comments from the audi-
ence.
CASINO PROPOSED
FOR NORWALK
Wednesday, Feb. 20, Norwalk Mayor Doug Pierce led
the announcement of an economic development group
in Warren County which proposed a new casino, hotel
and state-of-the-art events center for Norwalk. The press
conference was held at The Wright Place in Norwalk.
The proposed site is in the northwest part of Norwalk
near the Iowa Highway 5 and Iowa Highway 28 inter-
change.
Jason White, Executive Director of the Warren County
Economic Development Corp, Warren County Super-
visor Doug Shull, Warren County Citizens for Good
Jobs, local leaders and county citizens pitched the pro-
posal noting that it would bring new jobs to the area
and bring much needed revenue t o Warren County.
Warren County residents must vote on whether to
allow gmbling in their county before such a project can
proceed. Leaders noted that the vote could come as early
as May 7. If Warren County residents vote to have gam-
bling in their county, the project must then be approved
and licensed by the state's Racing and Gaming Com-
mission.
Of the state-licensed gambling sites in Iowa, the clos-
est to Norwalk are Lakeside Casino in Osceola (Clarke
County) just south of Norwalk and Prairie Meadows
Racetrack and Casino near Altoona (Polk County) north-
east of Norwalk.
Proponents are now seeking the approximately 3,000
signatures necessary for the ballot measure to be put
before county residents.
Newspaper Office
Moving In March
-qll
The office of N/Warren Town and County News will
be moving in March to 1122 Main St., Ste. 1.
Staff will be at the new location Monda} March 18, "m
and plan to be operational before the end of that week.
The deadline for the March 28 issue will remain at noon
Frida36 March 22.
Customers may park on Main Street, behind the of-
rice building. There is a drop-box so patrons may drop
off news items, payment and ads. You may use either
the back or front door to the office.
The move is being precipitated due to the pending
sale of the Norwalk Hardware Store, where the news-
paper office is currently located.
Norwalk Hardware store owner Domonick Cimino
was a blessing when we had to move suddenly in April
of 2010 when there was much water damage in our of-
rice due to heavy rain that weekend. With little notice,
Cimino advised us we could move in for a day or two ql[y
or we could stay. He has been a fantastic landlord and
couldn't have been more helpful in a number of ways.
POLICE REPORT ]
Disclaimer: All defendants are innocent until
proven guilty in a court of law.
case has been referred to
Warren County juvenile -
court for prosecution.
Officer was dispatched
to the 800 block of Gordon;
information was taken for
a Criminal Mischief and
Theft from Motor Vehicle.
Concluded p. 9
February. 13
Officer was called to the
Norwalk High School for
a report of a student in
possession of a narcotic
substance. A 16-year-old
male juvenile was charged
with Possession of Mari-
juana and Possession of
Drug Paraphernalia. The
