It's Free Fishing Weekend! Enjoy it in an Iowa State Park.
Iowa residents fish for free Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3! Many parks are hosting free family fishing events and clinics.
Check out the DNR events page for a complete list of events in state parks and other free fishing events across the state:
Grab your poles and spend the weekend in an Iowa State Park!
Friday, June 1, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Charles Varley Jr in History of Adair County, Iowa 1915
The following is from the History of Adair County [Iowa] (pp 255-256) published in 1915. It is not entirely accurate, but it has some facts I had not come across before:
CHARLES VARLEY, Jr.
Charles Varley, Jr., one of the well known, successful and representative agriculturists of Adair county, within the borders of which he has spent practically his entire life, now owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Jefferson township. His birth occurred in Leeds, England, on the 11th of October, 1868, his parents being Charles and Anna (Thorpe) Varley, natives of Yorkshire, England. In 1861 the father, leaving his family in England, took a trip to South America and toured that country. Thence he came north and spent about five years in mining ventures in California, Oregon and British Columbia. After returning to England he remained there for about three years and in 1869 emigrated with his family to the United States, making his way into the interior of the country and stopping at Des Moines, Iowa, which was then but a village. There he left his wife and children and came on west to Adair county, at that time purchasing eighty acres of the present home farm in Jefferson township. After building a home on his newly acquired property he brought his family from Des Moines and the remainder of his life was here spent. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and careful management of his agricultural interests, he augmented his landed holdings by additional purchase until they embraced about two hundred and ninety acres in Jefferson township. He passed away in April, 1914, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout the community which had been his home for a period covering forty-five years. His widow, who still lives on the old home farm, has attained the age of seventy-nine years and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
P 256 HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Charles Varley, Jr., was an infant of nine months when brought to this country, and in Adair county he was reared to manhood. In the acquirement of an education he attended the district schools and Indiana College and also pursued a musical course in the Dexter Normal School. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-eight years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, locating on his present place in Jefferson township. Here he had purchased eighty acres in association with his father and he has since extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase from time to time until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. He not only feeds all his grain but also buys more, raising and feeding Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. His undertakings in this connection have been attended with most gratifying success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
In 1897 Mr. Varley was united in marriage to Miss Belle Peters, her father being James Peters, one of the prominent early settlers of Jefferson township. To them have been born five children, four of whom survive, namely: Everett, Mary, Preston and Isabelle.
The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Varley is one of the trustees. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a member of the board of township trustees and also on the school board, proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. Many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time — a fact which indicates that his life has been well spent and that his strongest qualities are those which win respect and confidence.
You can see the entire text here.
CHARLES VARLEY, Jr.
Charles Varley, Jr., one of the well known, successful and representative agriculturists of Adair county, within the borders of which he has spent practically his entire life, now owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Jefferson township. His birth occurred in Leeds, England, on the 11th of October, 1868, his parents being Charles and Anna (Thorpe) Varley, natives of Yorkshire, England. In 1861 the father, leaving his family in England, took a trip to South America and toured that country. Thence he came north and spent about five years in mining ventures in California, Oregon and British Columbia. After returning to England he remained there for about three years and in 1869 emigrated with his family to the United States, making his way into the interior of the country and stopping at Des Moines, Iowa, which was then but a village. There he left his wife and children and came on west to Adair county, at that time purchasing eighty acres of the present home farm in Jefferson township. After building a home on his newly acquired property he brought his family from Des Moines and the remainder of his life was here spent. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and careful management of his agricultural interests, he augmented his landed holdings by additional purchase until they embraced about two hundred and ninety acres in Jefferson township. He passed away in April, 1914, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout the community which had been his home for a period covering forty-five years. His widow, who still lives on the old home farm, has attained the age of seventy-nine years and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance here.
P 256 HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
Charles Varley, Jr., was an infant of nine months when brought to this country, and in Adair county he was reared to manhood. In the acquirement of an education he attended the district schools and Indiana College and also pursued a musical course in the Dexter Normal School. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-eight years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, locating on his present place in Jefferson township. Here he had purchased eighty acres in association with his father and he has since extended the boundaries of the farm by additional purchase from time to time until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. He not only feeds all his grain but also buys more, raising and feeding Polled Angus cattle and Poland China hogs. His undertakings in this connection have been attended with most gratifying success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
In 1897 Mr. Varley was united in marriage to Miss Belle Peters, her father being James Peters, one of the prominent early settlers of Jefferson township. To them have been born five children, four of whom survive, namely: Everett, Mary, Preston and Isabelle.
The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Varley is one of the trustees. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as a member of the board of township trustees and also on the school board, proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. Many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time — a fact which indicates that his life has been well spent and that his strongest qualities are those which win respect and confidence.
You can see the entire text here.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Fall Color
As we turn the corner into winter, here is a look back at some pictures Mom took of fall color at the farm: 
©2014
©2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
Have a Happy Independence Day!
Concert in front of the Iowa Capitol, just prior to the fireworks!
(night vision camera)
(night vision camera)
Monday, June 30, 2014
30 June 2014 Storm Damage
Some of the storm damage around Pine View
Flooding on North River; Flooding on north side of river bottom--river is thin ribbon of water to left of the CRP strip, rest of the water is on soy beans
Corn east of house laid down by wind
Water bubbling up through the ground like a spring; water gap damage
Walnut tree in grove broken off by wind; trunk was hollow in the center
Half of the maple tree broke off into the south garden
Middle River across the road west of Bernard & Betty's
Flooding on North River; Flooding on north side of river bottom--river is thin ribbon of water to left of the CRP strip, rest of the water is on soy beans
Corn east of house laid down by wind
Water bubbling up through the ground like a spring; water gap damage
Walnut tree in grove broken off by wind; trunk was hollow in the center
Half of the maple tree broke off into the south garden
Middle River across the road west of Bernard & Betty's
Friday, May 30, 2014
Millie in Ethiopia
The time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Here is the link to her blog Click here to check the weather
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Orientation Update
Dear Parents,
We are back from seven enjoyable days of “Quarientation” in
Enjoy the photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/
Regards,
Jeff
Monday, August 31, 2009
Yelena in Beijing
September, 2009, Yelena begins her senior year of high school as an exchange student on the campus of Beijing Normal University High School #2. Beijing Normal University is one of China's top teacher schools; the high school is across the street from the university campus.Yelena, along with 58 other American students, will be participating in School Year Abroad's (SYA) academically rigorous high school and second-language immersion program while living with a Chinese host family. Two of Yelena's courses will be taught in Chinese each day, but the remainder of her courses will be taught in English. Yelena will return to the U.S. just in time to graduate with her Johnston High School classmates.
Beijing, a city of over seventeen million people and capital of China, has a latitude and climate similar to Lincoln, NE. Because of concern over the H1N1 flu virus, Yelena and her fellow exchange students spent seven days in a self-imposed quarantine at Jinshanling, near the Great Wall of China and historic site of the emperor's summer resort.
SYA is a consortium of 37 U.S. independent schools led by Phillips Academy (MA); Phillips Exeter Academy (NH); and St. Paul’s School (NH) dedicated to offering students from any accredited U.S. independent or public high school the opportunity to spend the school year immersed in another culture. SYA’s schools are located in Beijing, China; Rennes, France; Viterbo, Italy; Zaragoza, Spain; and Hanoi, Vietnam. For more information about School Year Abroad, visit their website at www.sya.org.
Yelena's sister Gwendolyn will be spending fall semester 800 miles to the south as part of her junior year program at Grinnell College. See more at http://gweninhangzhou.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
More photos from Jinshanling, Hebei province
Section of the Great Wall
Amazing: Beautiful Maize growing in northern China
A summer escape in Northern China
Amazing: Beautiful Maize growing in northern China
A summer escape in Northern China
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
SYA Update #1
Dear SYA China Parents,
I’m writing today with a quick update about the SYA China group. I am delighted to report that I just spoke to one of our staff members at the orientation site and it sounds like the students are having a great first week in China! Our staff has assured me that there are no reported illnesses and students are feeling well. I was also told to report to parents that students are eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies! 
Regarding activities, the week started off with some orientation and team building exercises. Today the group took an excursion on top of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai (my personal favorite route), about a 3-4 hour journey. This is truly one of the most picturesque parts of the wall, and with the good weather today I’m sure many students have some great photos to share. This evening there was a Chinese movie viewing followed by discussion.
I’ve included some pictures for you from departure, arrival and orientation for your viewing pleasure.
Please remember that it is completely normal not to hear from your sons/daughters until the orientation week is complete and they move into Beijing to meet their host families on September 3rd. For now, please operate on the assumption that no news is good news.
As promised, we will continue to provide you with updates until the orientation is finished!
Warm Regards,
SARA A. BERNSTEIN
Associate Director of Admissions, China '02
439 South Union St., Lawrence, MA 01843
SCHOOL YEAR ABROADSaturday, January 24, 2009
Mt. Varley
Looking for a place to hike? Why not Mt. Varley (named after famous Canadian landscape artist Frederick Varley. I guess he painted people, too. Happy Travels!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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