THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 • VOLUME N0. 124 • ISSUE NO. 30 • 1 SECTION • 10 PAGES
Serving Colfax • Mingo • Baxter • Western Jasper County
‘For those about to rock, we salute you’
Broken Strings Inc. gifts two guitars to Colfax-Mingo students with help from Tigerhawk alum By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune A room full of Colfax-Mingo sixth-grade students, each with a ukulele in their hands, started their music class ready to make beautiful sound. One student left with an upgrade to his instrument after he was gifted a guitar thanks to Broken Strings Inc., a nonprofit organization who’s mission it is to inspire Iowa’s youth through the gift of music. “These students represent the heart of what we’re trying to do,” founder Scott Kirkhart said. “It’s about finding that spark in a young person and giving them the tools to keep it alive. Music is more than notes and chords — it’s a way to connect, to heal and to grow.”
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Sponsor Todd Bowman, a Colfax-Mingo alumni, and Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor present sixth grader Chris Lopez with a new guitar April 11 as a part of the nonprofit’s mission to get music in the hands of kids.
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Sponsor Todd Bowman, Colfax-Mingo student Chris Lopez and Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor show the guitar donated to the sixth-grader during a presentation April 11.
The sixth-grade student, Chris Lopez, along with eighth grader Zella Perry, were lucky enough to be selected by the
The guitars were presented by Broken Strings Inc. Ambassador Benton Taylor and sponsor Todd Bowman, a Colfax-Mingo
organization to each receive a guitar in recognition of their passion, dedication and potential as a young musician.
A celebration of dance
The Colfax-Mingo Dance Team and friends show off all of their hard work during the annual spring show April 12
alumni and owner of Quality Outdoor Solutions in Altoona. GUITARS | 3
Stay calm and camp on Quarry Springs Park RV camping preparing to start first season By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Every-BUNNY is excited about Easter Kids rush the lawn to grab as many eggs as they can at Bethany United Church of Christ for Baxter’s annual Easter egg hunt April 12
Come one, come all to the newest RV campground in Central Iowa. RV@QSP (Quarry Springs Park) Campground in Colfax is set to open May 15 with 40 stalls equipped with everything needed to have an amazing weekend in the great outdoors. “We are working on the finishing touches of the 40 RV stalls with leveling the sites and hydroseeding in preparation of our May 15 opening day,” Quarry Springs Park Board President Kim Seebeck said. “We are also conducting a tree planting event with 50 trees on May 3.” A project a long time in the making, the RV campground will add a much-anticipated amenity to the park and community. With primitive camp sites already available, Quarry Springs can now host any camper looking for a fun weekend in nature. The RV sites will be available for reservation beginning May 15. Reservations can be made at www. quarryspringspark.com. Each RV site has both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups, picnic tables and fire rings. Also available for use at the park is a dump station, water spigots and a new restroom and shower facility. Firewood can be purchased ahead of time for $7 and then delivered to the campsite prior to arrival as long as there is 24-hour notice. “All of the park’s amenities are available to campers which include fishing, kayaking and boating with trolling motors only,” Seebeck said. “We have several miles of walking and hiking trails and wide tire bike trails, picnicking, bag toss, tetherball, rope toss, disc golf putting area and our newly installed ADA boat dock.” The Camp Host will be available to campers for any needs that may arise during their stay. They will greet the guests when they arrive and can share information about the park and greater Colfax area. “This will also allow us to have someone on site RV PARK | 3
Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune
Repairing the 100-year-old courthouse master clock was only a matter of time Jasper County recruits help of local tinkerer to fix pneumatic clock now on display By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam
Sparks knows a thing or two about fixing odds and ends in the courthouse, but when it comes to repairing the inner CONTACT US
workings of an antique pneumatic clock that is over a hundred years old, he calls a local tinkerer with a proven track record of solving these kinds of problems. Even so, Dave Simons knew the task would be difficult. It is not every
day you come by a clock It took a little time and that uses air pressure to a little patience, Simons drive its internal compo- said, but it was worth it Media nents. With many Shaw now to see the pneumatic clock relying on electricity or still operate as it was origsome kind of gear mech- inally intended using air anism to operate — heck, pressure. It is on display in most people just use their the west wing of the Jasphone — a pneumatic per County Courthouse, clock is a relic of the past. where Sparks has created est. 1851
est. 1851
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a small museum of sorts to exhibit the building’s historic artifacts. “I just always wanted to get this to work the way it used to, and fortunately he was the guy to do that,” Sparks said. “There are CLOCK | 3
est. 1851