On Monday, August 16 Beth DeMoss of Jefferson, Karli and Zelda DeMoss of Carroll and Velda DeMoss were accompanied by Zelda's friends, Hannah Stimson and Jorden Aubrey both of Jefferson to Des Moines where they went to Chuckie E. Cheese and later to the Blank Park Zoo.   Zelda was 5 years old on August 18 and was honored at a supper at the home of her grandmother, Beth DeMoss in Jefferson.  Supper was followed by "Pam Cake" (made by Pam Thomson) and ice cream.  Family and neighborhood friends attended.  Zelda started kindergarten in Carroll on Tuesday. 

Doris Brown, Connie Neese and Velda DeMoss went to Manson on Thursday, August 19 to visit Deb and Barb Parkison.   After having a tour of their home they went uptown in Manson to eat at "Beve's".  After supper and visiting Deb took them on a tour of the church that she serves.  The similarities between the Rippey and Manson church were obvious as they were built by the same architect.  Both Deb and Barb are settling nicely into their new community and were looking forward to a visit the next day from Deb's daughter, Jessica and her sister Pam.  That would be their first visit to Manson.  Church members had installed a ramp at the home to accommodate Pam's wheelchair. 

August 16th was Phil and Toni Roberts' 46th wedding anniversary and for the occasion Phil planned a surprise trip. They left early Sunday with Toni completely in the dark about the itinerary .  After a breakfast brunch at the Golden Corral in Boone, they drove to
Quasqueton, Iowa for a tour of a famous Frank Lloyd Wright home called Cedar Rock.  Then it was north and west to Fredericksburg, IA for a stay at the Englebrecht's Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast.  Their visit there included an overnight stay in the beautiful "room with a
view", as well as a tour of the family winery, shopping at their antique shop and tasting several wines as well as viewing the farm operation of 90 milk cows, llamas, Jacob sheep, peacocks and walking around the vineyard on the local bike trail.  Clients are encouraged
to help with the chicken chores, gather eggs for the next day's breakfast, help feed the new born calves or just hang out and view the operation.  Later in the fall you would also have a chance to help with the grape harvest and even do a little grape stomping! The next morning after a hearty farm fresh breakfast, they were off again for a scenic drive through eastern Iowa.  This time Toni guessed their next stop at the tiny town of Gunder, IA for a meal of the famous "Gunderburger", 16 oz of lean ground beef.  The restaurant is called the Irish Shanty and has been shown on IPTV.  During the time it took the two of them to finish off just one of the delicious burgers they were entertained with a visit with the proprietor, Kevin Walsh on the interesting sights and legends of his establishment. Leaving Gunder they headed east to the Mississippi and traveled the great river road to Guttenberg where they stopped for a picnic at the city park and enjoyed a view of Lock #10 as it opened for a boat on the passage upstream.  On their return home Monday night they drove by Lake Delhi for a view of the devastation caused by the bursting of the dam there.   Wednesday, Phil and Toni met their daughter, Wendy Burkett and her three girls, Josie, Addie and Lily at the State Fair. Beginning at the 4-H building, they helped Wendy corral the 6, 5 and 1 year old throughout the entire fairgrounds to really experience the fair like Wendy did as a youngster 30+ years ago when the Roberts family showed sheep.  Everyone had a good time, even Lily, who would rather push the stroller than ride in it.  As grandparents they were able to take their time and sit a spell with Lily while Wendy showed
Josie and Addie the many, many things to see and do at the State Fair. When they left the grand concourse to head back to the cars there was an ambulance with flashing lights on the concourse.  Wendy wondered what happened and Phil replied it was probably just another grandparent that bit the dust!  All were pooped and ready to go home but still able to say that our state fair is A GREAT STATE FAIR. Sunday, August 22, Phil and Toni finished the week of her vacation with a day of attending an auction at Bagley, picnicking at
Springbrook, and enjoying the folk music and wine tasting at Snus Winery of Madrid. .  With such a busy week it felt good to get home but Phil is already planning their next surprise get-a way!

Phyllis Gannon, Jean Borgeson and Velda DeMoss went to Jamaica Saturday morning and enjoyed breakfast in the home of Jane Windal.  The breakfast honored Ron and Jenny Clark of Atlanta, GA. who were visiting his sister, Karen Nicholas of Jamaica.  Earlier in the week Ron, Jenny and Karen had visited Rippey relatives, Donna Carlisle and Bill Heater.

Velda DeMoss accompanied Kathy and Bob VanGundy of Jamaica to Indianola on Saturday where they attended a scrimmage of the Simpson College football team.  They were joined by Lori and Shawn DeMoss and Emily Maach.  Following the scrimmage a picnic was held on the campus for players and families.  Kyle DeMoss is a senior member of the team and Tom Beger of Grand Junction is a Freshman player.  On such an extremely hot day, they couldn't help but hope that some of heat would "hold over" until the late October and November games.