Fort Dodge High Class of 1978

Coach Wins $10,000 WIth Halftime Kick

2010-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Willie McGowan, the girls' soccer coach at Fort Dodge Senior High and Iowa Central Community College, successfully converts a 40-yard field goal and wins $10,000 at halftime of the Ames-Fort Dodge game on Sept. 24, 2010.

McGowan was selected to participate in the "Kick for Cash" contest, sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company.

"I played rugby back home [in Scotland], but the ball is much bigger and wider and completely different," McGowan told the Fort Dodge Messenger.

"All I was really thinking about was kicking the skin off it, I didn't want it to be one of those that was on target and came up short."

McGowan, who is married with two kids, is also a Student Development Assistant in the Admissions Department at Iowa Central.

"I'm thinking about doing something with my kids — like a nice vacation," McGowan said of his plans for the money. "I'll probably donate some to charities as well."

Video best viewed full screen in order to see the ball.

Another Picturesque Sunset

2010-06-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sunset over Fort Dodge on June 16. Image taken on County Highway D18, just east of the city.

Iowa Sunset

2010-06-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sunset over Webster County on June 6. Shot was taken just north of Highway C56 between Badger and Highway 169. Click the image for an enlarged view.

Where Is Jeff Dancing in Iowa? The Outtakes

2010-04-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

Anamosa resident Jeff Hoskinson has put together a collection of leftover video from his two-year trek to all 99 counties in Iowa. To view his earlier videos, click here.

Jumping the Little Dam

2009-02-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

Two videos posted last month of snowmobilers jumping over the little dam on the Des River in Fort Dodge.

A Video Tribune to Iowa

2009-02-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

If you've ever driven Interstate 80 through Iowa, you'll find this true — and funny.

Where Is Jeff Dancing in Iowa?

2008-12-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Anamosa resident Jeff Hoskinson logged 9,850 miles and collected 300 dancing clips while visiting each of Iowa's 99 counties from February to November of this year. He did the same thing in 2007, and here is that video. Between 2007 and 2008, he drove somewhere between 15,000 and 18,000 miles. Here is a video from a WHO-TV newcast of March 3, 2008, explaining why Jeff took on such an adventure.

Turf Club

2008-08-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, an artificial playing surface has been installed at Dodger Stadium. Here's what it looks like from the air, thanks to this photo by the Messenger's Dana Recker that was taken from the plane of Dean Getting.

This is part of a nearly $1.9 million fundraising effort to update the facility, which basically hasn't been touched since it was built in 1939-40. You can click here to read Eric Pratt's story about the renovation project. And there is a spirited discussion going on about the field at the end of this link.

Pratt also wrote a piece in favor of a proposed aquatic center. This excerpt:

"I owe Fort Dodge. I've lived here for the better part of 20 years. I went to school here. I work here. I met my wife here. My son was born here.

"As I get older, my sense of civic responsibility grows. I don't feel like it's up to me, as a voter, to pick and choose projects based on my own personal interests. Instead, I try to make decisions that will help strengthen our collective future."

Anybody Taking Photos This Weekend?

2008-06-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, your loyal webmaster is stuck in California and won't be able to attend the festivities this weekend because of a conflict with something called work. None too happy about this. ...

We're hoping that somebody will be taking photos and after the carnage clears, will send us shots to display on the site. There are no plans to take down the site. We will continue to update it as time allows and post items of interest involving classmates and developments in Fort Dodge.

In the meantime, have a great, great time and enjoy a cold one on me!

Highway 30 Flooding Near Boone

2008-06-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is Highway 30 looking east toward Boone and over the Des Moines River Valley on Wednesday, June 11. Many of you are probably familiar with this road, as it leads toward Ames. Normally you can't even see the river until you cross the bridge.
And this is the view from the other side, looking west toward Ogden. You'll notice old Highway 30 in the upper right-hand corner of the image. As of Thursday, the old highway was still open. It's about 2.5 miles across this valley and it looks like the river is now about a mile wide.
Bruce Stottrup, who sent us these images, also got a ground-level view of the river looking east. Flooding is much, much worse in other parts of the state, with rivers rising to unprecedented levels.

Update: The image below was taken Wednesday, June 18. looking east against toward Ames. Still plenty of standing water.

Brushy Creek

2008-06-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

Brushy Creek was long in the planning stages and fraught with delays, but 15 years after the Class of 1978 graduated, the project was completed. Today a 6,000-acre state park — one of Iowa's largest — and a 690-acre man-made lake offer a variety of recreational activities.
Brushy Creek is located 15 miles southeast of Fort Dodge. Runoff from the spillway trickles into the Des Moines River several miles downstream.There are 53 miles of hiking and horse trails. The beautiful trail pictured here leads to an area below the spillway.
View of the spillway from the bottom of the hiking trail.
There are several boat ramps. This one has steps leading to an elevated area where anglers park vehicles and trailers after launching their vessels.
A view of one of the launching docks. Activities other than boating and fishing include picnicking — with areas and shelters for large gatherings — an equestrian camp ground, swimming, hunting and a shooting range.
Two anglers work the shoreline in late May. There is a 15-inch length minimum for bass and a 40-inch minimum for musky.

Back to School

2008-06-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

From Senior High on down, a look at what your former schools looks like today, with links where available. Unfortunately, some of the buildings are gone, leaving only a vacant lot. In the case of Pleasant Valley, a church occupies the property.

We begin with a look at Senior High, built in 1958 and still going strong:North Junior High, now Phillips Middle School. It was built in 1922 and was originally the high school:
South Junior High, now Fair Oaks Middle School. The building was constructed in 1931:Arey Elementary. It's now home of the Community School District offices:Badger. What's left is mostly a vacant lot that has become a city park. Some homes are built on fringe of the property:Butler. Actually, this is the new Butler, built on the same location. This sparkling building opened in 2002:
Cooper. Built in 1956, with additions in 1958, 1961 and 1966. One of the newer buildings in the district: Duncombe. Built in 1912, it's the oldest building in the district. An addition was added in 1950. The Senior High used to play its football games on the east field:Feelhaver. This was newest building in the district until Butler opened. Feelhaver opened in 1967:Highland Park. The building remains, but it's no longer a school. Not sure what it is being used for. Anybody know?
Hillcrest. It was built in 1956 with additions in 1961, 1966 and 1971:
Hawley. It's gone. Now it's a city park with a basketball court:
Otho. The school is closed and we're not sure what the building is being used for. Maybe somebody can let us know:Pleasant Valley. As stated, a church now occupies the property:Riverside. It was built in 1957.
St. Edmond. Fort Dodge's Catholic high school has added several buildings in the past few years and a snazzy sign out front:
St. Paul Lutheran. The old church, dedicated in 1886, was destroyed in 1999 in a fire started by an arsonist, but a new place of worship opened in 2003. The school building was dedicated in 1951, enlarged in 1959 and remodeled and dedicated in 1999.

The Parkersburg Tornado

2008-06-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

Your humble blogmaster was in Fort Dodge on May 25 when word came that Parkersburg, 80 miles to the east, was hit by a tornado. Hearing the news brought back memories of the tornado that struck Fort Dodge in 1977, our junior year.

But the twister that hit Parkersburg and continued on to New Hartford and Dunkerton was unlike any other. This was a monster storm, rated an F5 — the largest on the Fujita Scale — by the National Weather Service. The twister at times was more than a mile wide and packed winds of 205 miles per hour. It stayed on the ground for 43 miles. Sadly, seven people lost their lives in what was the second-deadliest tornado in Iowa history.

The devastation was unlike anything I've witnessed. Half of Parkersburg (population 2,000) was gone. This little jewel of a city on the Iowa prairie looked like a war zone. Words and pictures don't begin to capture the destruction.

There are so many stories to tell, but the spirit of Iowans in times like this remains unmatched. Every town seemingly had sent help — from rescue and clean-up crews to fire personal. There was Cedar Falls and Charles City (site of Iowa's deadliest tornado in 1968). There was Waverly and Williamsburg. And yes, there was Fort Dodge.

If you're interested in helping in some way, click on this link maintained by radio station KLMJ/KQCR in Hampton. The station's general manager happens to be former Fort Dodger Craig Donnelly and the station has been doing a terrific job updating the recovery efforts in Parkersburg.

The Class of 1978 in 1998

2008-06-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Cool video of the 20-year reunion posted over at the Reunion Message Board.

Spring Has Finally Arrived

2008-05-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

Bruce Stottrup, the unofficial staff photographer for the Class of 1978, sent along two shots taken last weekend.

He writes: "The sounds of lawn mowers could be heard throughout Fort Dodge. ... A dove has set up house on the front of our garage. If you look closely you can see there are two doves in the picture [click the photo for an enlarged view]. The dove actually sitting on the nest has its tail to right of the dove in the picture. ... Farmers are starting to get in the fields."

Buddy Holly and the Laramar

2008-04-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Laramar Ballroom at 710 First Avenue North has a rich history. Check out this poster — believed to be a reproduction — promoting Buddy Holly's appearance at the Laramar on Jan. 30, 1959, only three days before his death in the crash of a Beechcraft Bonanza near Clear Lake.

Also on the fatal flight with Holly were J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson (of "Chantilly Lace" fame), Ritchie Valens and the 21-year-old pilot, Roger Peterson.

The book, "The Day the Music Died: The Last Tour of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens — and the Fatal Air Crash That Took Their Lives" details the musicians' appearance at the Laramar before 1,000. Here is part of the entry:

"Fort Dodge (pop. 28,000) had come under the intense scrutiny of health officials after a mysterious virus spread rapidly through the city in November. As many as two thousand Fort Dodge residents had been stricken with the virus, which caused nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A team of federal health officials descended on the city in January in an all-out effort to determine the source of the virus.

"When it was discovered that the pet dog in many families was stricken with similar symptoms, the Iowa state veterinarian was dispatched to the city to take case histories of the sick dogs.

"The Winter Dance Party bus with its balky heater slipped through the winter darkness in temperatures in the low teens and with two inches of freshly fallen snow on the ground, en route to a concert in a city full of sick people and dogs.

"The bus was late arriving in Fort Dodge. 'We were worried,' says Dick Derrig, an assistant manager at the Laramar Ballroom.

"Bob Geer, fifteen-year-old son of Laramar owner Larry Geer, remembers the group's arrival. 'They had a bus that smelled bad. I'm sure it was no fun traveling on.' "

Here is a link to photos of Holly's appearance in Fort Dodge.

The Change of Seasons at Brushy

2008-04-21T15:10:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago Bruce Stottrup traveled to Brushy Creek to give us a look at winter's last grip. He returned this past weekend along with his dog, Sophia, and as you can see, spring is starting to take hold.

Fort Dodge in Postcards

2008-04-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Not sure of the year, but check out the trolley tracks running down Central Avenue. This is looking west. Our best guess is the early 1900s.
This is Central Avenue looking east. Again, early 1900s. These postcards, along with many others, are available on eBay. We thank Bruce Stottrup for finding this resource.
Here is a bustling Central Avenue at night in 1923. You can click any of these images for an enlarged view.
This is a 1909 postcard of the C.G.W. RY. Viaduct running across the Des Moines River valley.
The Wahkonsa Hotel in the 1920s.
The Des Moines River, south of the viaduct, in 1907.
The Wagon Bridge, which has has since been torn down. No date given, but our guess is the 1920s.
This is the Y.M.C.A. from a card postmarked in 1923. This would appear to be the old library building on First Avenue North.
An aerial view of the city. This is dated somewhere between 1930 and 1950.

From Winter to Spring at Brushy Creek

2008-04-08T14:10:00.001-07:00

The calendar says spring, but winter still has a grip on Northwest Iowa. Bruce Stottrup sent us these photos taken on Sunday, April 6, at Brushy Creek Recreation Area southeast of Fort Dodge.

As you can see, the ice is off the lake and birds are plentiful, but the spring foliage has yet to return. That should change in the next couple of weeks.

Life Today on the Prairie

2008-04-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

We've poked our share of fun at Fort Dodge on this site. Perhaps we've gone too far at times. But as we look back, it's clear that Fort Dodge was a special place to grow up, to prepare us for life challenges.

But what about that city on the prairie? What is life like these days for those who have made Fort Dodge their home?

A resident who wishes to remain anonymous recently submitted this piece on Fort Dodge. This individual came to Fort Dodge in 1974 when members of the Class of 1978 were freshmen. Here is what they had to say:

A funny thing happen on the way to mall, there was very little traffic. About the only traffic jams we have is when the high school gets out and that lasts about 10 minutes. And we feel our streets and alleys are relatively safe.

Thirty four years ago the wife and I came down the hospital hill and saw our first real view of the Fort Dodge skyline. It was impressive and kind of exciting. Each time I come down that hill I have that same feeling and a greater appreciation for this prairie town.

At times life in Fort Dodge can be slow and relaxed. With a little effort and search there can be found plenty of things to do and excitement. The Fort Dodge area has excellent schools, libraries, a world class art museum, Fort Museum, symphony, Karl King Band and opportunities to participate in a variety of community activities. Our sports complex and local golf courses are excellent and easily accessible. Iowa Central Community College is growing and it is one of the best in the country. You name it and with a little search you will probably find it.

A lot of strange things happened during the last 34 years. We raised a family, recreated in places like Doliver Park, canoed the Des Moines River, fished Lizard Creek, waded in Soldiers Creek and camped, hunted, picnicked and boated at the Brushy Creek Recreation area.

The Brushy Lake area now is one of the premier fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and outdoors areas in Iowa. We have had picnics, hiked and taught our kids to fish at Badger Lake at Kennedy Park and have enjoyed relaxing in the many county and Fort Dodge parks.

There are many things to do in Fort Dodge area and the state of Iowa. Iowa is a rock hounders paradise and Webster County has Jurassic and Cretaceous outcrops. Our rivers offer great canoeing and our many lakes and streams offer different water opportunities. Bicyclists come from all over the country to enjoy our trials and roads. Antiquing and flea markets bring a bit of the past into our lives and offer a pleasant diversion from modern life.

The Fort Dodge area is a treasure and I am glad we have taken time to enjoy its many opportunities during our short 34 years we have lived here.

Join the FDSH Alumni Association

2008-03-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Class of 1978 is just part of a bigger network. Fort Dodge High has graduates worldwide.

Helping to bond us together is the Fort Dodge Senior High Alumni Association. The organization started several years ago, yet many graduates don't know about it.

It costs $10 a year to join and in return, you'll get a quarterly newsletter full of features about graduates and updates about activities surrounding FDSH. Your $10 goes toward a good cause, including to help fund scholarships for FDSH graduates.

Memberships can be obtained by sending your name, address, graduation year and a check for $10 to Fort Dodge High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 493, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 50501. If your married and your spouse is a FDSH grad, the $10 will cover you both.

Dennie Friederichs, a Fort Dodge High graduate and former wrestling coach at Iowa Central, tells us the alumni association hopes to have a website up soon.

Fort Dodge on March 27, 2008

2008-03-27T18:03:00.001-07:00

It has been a tough winter in Fort Dodge and the area was hit Thursday with yet another snowstorm. Accumulations of 3-4 inches were reported in the greater metropolis. This shot was submitted by former North Junior High (now Phillips Middle School) teacher Bruce Stottrup. Fortunately, warmer temperatures are expected by the weekend.

Iowans Bash Fort Dodge Nightlife

2008-03-15T19:45:00.001-07:00

What do Iowans think about Fort Dodge's nightlife? Not much.

A message string titled "26 days of bars in Iowa — Fort Dodge" has appeared on the Iowa Hawkeyes' Rivals board. It opens harmlessly enough, with poster Derek02 asking, "Tell me about the Fort Dodge nightlife."

Although pizza at Community Tap and football games at Dodger Stadium get the seal of approval, nearly every other comment is unflattering. Here's a sample:

"I lived in Fort Dodge for a couple of years in the mid-'90s. ... you couldn't pay me enough money to move back to that town."
"Stadium Inn ... is a dump and so is the owner. I see the same people at the same bar every time. As far as the Top Hat [pictured with this post] goes, enter at your own risk. They have wall art ... from the '70s."
"I lived there for a year and I will never return. We used to go to a place called Reds, I believe. Absolutely no nightlife."

Reunion Date Is Set for June 28

2008-02-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Dan O'Brion for sending along word that the reunion is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Opera House in Fort Dodge. It's a casual event and festivities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Dan tells us that plans to hold the gathering around the annual summer concert in Fort Dodge fell through and the committee thought it best to secure a facility now. Unfortunately, Granger Cabin was not available.

The 5,500-square-foot Opera House is located behind the Fort Museum. The address listed is Business Highway 20 and Fort Museum Road, adjacent to Iowa Central Community College.

Viva Las Vegas!

2008-02-29T00:49:00.001-08:00

At least some of us have made it. Check out classmate and high roller Brian Girard, who was prominently featured on the giant marquee of the New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas last summer. (You can click the image for a closer look.)

Yes, that's comedian Rita Rudner and the Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity sharing space with Brian, who delivered on a promise that his name would one day be in lights, although we were thinking it would end up being Bud Lights.

Brian has been a dealer at New York New York for several years and was one of 12 nominees for 2007 employee of the year. As a finalist, he got his photo and name on the big board. Sweet!

The best thing about this is that Brian now owes your humble webmaster a beer.

Brian was also featured in a Feb. 1, 2007 article about Super Bowl proposition bets that appeared on the front page of the Los Angeles Times.

Now he owes us two beers. ...

Your Guess Is as Good as Mine

2008-02-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

Maybe someone from the organizing committee can help me out, but this is everything I know about the reunion:

It's going to be held in July.

Last I heard, the committee was trying to arrange the reunion around a concert that is held each summer in Fort Dodge. I think the Beach Boys were the featured group at this gig a few years back. Perhaps we can get the Rolling Stones, or better yet Meat Loaf (pictured above).

Rock on!

While all this is being sorted out, I'd like to start collecting email addresses from everybody. That way we can keep in contact and send out updates when available. In other words, be a general nuisance.

Unless somebody has a problem with this, I'd like to post the email addresses on a separate (linked) page and display them in a manner where Internet robot programs won't be able to extract the addresses, thus keeping everybody safe from dreaded spam. If you're not comfortable with this, please let me know and I won't post your address and the committee will use it only when sending out updates.

Send your email address to zumajay (at) aol.com.

Oh, and start spreading word about this site.

Welcome

2008-02-26T18:02:00.000-08:00

Has it been 30 years already? The answer is yes, yes it has....

We've ventured far and wide since leaving the halls of Senior High. Back in the day, there was a rather crude and prehistoric way of keeping in contact. People used something called the U.S. Postal Service.

Today — thankfully — we have the Internet.

In 1978, the Bee Gees were hot, the Dead Kennedys played their first gig and the Sex Pistols their last — until a 1996 reunion.

But the Sex Pistols have nothing on the Class of 1978! Our reunion promises to set new box office records. To make it happen, we need your input in the coming weeks as we build an Internet community.

Send your suggestions to Jay Christensen at zumajay (at) aol.com.