Remember the Fallen

What Heroes Gave

by Roger Robicheau

Each donned their uniform to be

Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright

Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight

One final day each faced their call

Each gave their best enduring all

We’ll never know what they went through

But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel

What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of

The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain

What we can’t know, some now sustain

To God I pray their pain will cease

And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year

What heroes gave – shan’t disappear

We’ll never let their special day

Their time for honor slip away

These brave fought for a nation free

If not for them, where would we be?

Here's your invitation!

Steam and Antique Shows

Steam engines from the turn of the century puffed there way around the prairies. No one in charge of the 75th Anniversary history book knew who was in this picture or when it was taken, only that it was on a farm around Ricketts.

Ricketts was known for decades for their famous Steam & Antique shows every summer. Missing the old iron plow horses? Here are a couple of links to help you get back into an old hobby:

Hans Schlosser is an ornamental blacksmith or gatesmith working on all sizes of wrought iron ornamental gates and railings and other items. He's also a mechanic and for those of you who just have to ask, yes he's a trained farrier with a preference for heavy draft horses. Gates and decorative work are his main focus along with draft horse shoeing and manufacturing heavy duty hardware and repairing machinery used with draft horses. He has a video out called "Fire & Roses." He demonstrates his work at a number of Steam and Antique shows in Iowa, here's his website: http://www.beautifuliron.com/steam_power.htm


Steam-Era is the annual show produced by the "Ontario Steam & Antique Preservers Association" held at the Milton fairgrounds in Milton Ontario, Canada every "Labour" Day weekend. Our members are devoted to the preservation and restoration of heritage equipment and bring their painstakingly restored machinery to display and operate at Steam- Era. Here's their website: http://www.steam-era.com
(They had the coolest website when I Googled "Steam & Antique.")

Got any other steam tractor sites you'd reccomend? Let our webmeister know.

Steam & Antuque Show mugs for sale

Say, there's a seller from Kansas on E-Bay who is offering 5 Ricketts Steam and Antique Show mugs from 1974, 76, 79 and 1980.

Click HERE if you're interested

Rainy prairie highway

Prairie Waters by Night
by Carl Sandburg

CHATTER of birds two by two raises a night song
joining a litany of running water—
sheer waters showing the russet of old stones
remembering many rains.
And the long willows drowse on the shoulders of the running water, and sleep from much music; joined songs of day-end, feathery throats and stony waters, in a choir chanting new psalms.
It is too much for the long willows
when low laughter of a red moon comes down;
and the willows drowse and sleep
on the shoulders of the running water.

Strike up the band!

In the early days, a group of men in the Hanover Township congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran, organized a band. They gave many fine concerts and on special occasions they played during church services. They also played in the surrounding towns for special celebrations- sometimes for as long as three days at a time.

Not the same Ricketts; File #13

Ronnie Ricketts: The Philippines most efficient line-producer. Director. Top box-office action star. Scriptwriter. Martial artist. Past president of the Philippine Film Actors Guild. Recipient of numerous critical awards.

Yeah, I don't know what a Philipino Kung Fu master has to do with Ricketts, Iowa either - but, hey! The rest of this website does!

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Not the same Ricketts; File #12

Quattro 2003 by Julia Ricketts

Julia Ricketts body of work explores subject matter that combines elements of architecture, geography, and the emotional qualities of place. Although primarily abstract works, Ricketts uses a language of marks that evoke landscapes that seemingly reveal actual sites. Ricketts’ monochromatic palette lends itself to the shapes and lines she creates to reveal new perspectives. Ricketts states, “Within the edges of my paintings forms are realized or dissolved, tensions created, and conflicts resolved.”

Abstract Expressionist paintings don't have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa - but the rest of this website does!

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Not the same Ricketts; File #11

This common and popular hornpipe has been retained in the Appalachian tradition and it is not uncommon to hear it at bluegrass and old time festivals. American musicians often play hornpipes very fast. If you'd like to hear it played by some Celtic band that calls themselves "Wild Dismay," click here: http://www.blackflute.com/music/tunes/hornpipes/ricketts.html

This song really doesn't have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa (neither does most folk music, for that matter) - but the rest of this website does!

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

You Are Here

Here's a map, just in case you needed help finding your way here.

Not the same Ricketts; file #10

This is a sign for the "Ricketts All Parts" Company in Des Moines.

The state's largest city, which is also our capital is at least 90 miles away, so we're pretty sure that Rickett's wasn't started, owned or run by anybody who has anything to do with our pretty little village of Ricketts, Iowa.

But this website is kind of our sign for anyone interested in the Ricketts Kids' Reunion the third weekend of each July.

If you have pictures or stories about the real town of Ricketts, or something silly for our "Not the same Ricketts" files- please email them to our webmeister; ted.mallory -at-gmail.com

Not the same Ricketts: #9

John Peter "Pete" Ricketts is the former Chief Operating Officer of Ameritrade . He was the Republican nominee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Nebraska which he lost to incumbent Ben Nelson. Ricketts was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and now lives in Omaha .

Even though Omaha is just about an hour and a half away, and the town of Ricketts is in Iowa's Fifth Congressional District, which is about as red as you get, even in a red state- this ultra right-wing wing-nut has nothing to do with Ricketts, Iowa.

But you'll have plenty to do if you come to the annual reunion of adults who were kids in Ricketts, the third weekend in July. If you're from Ricketts, or have family who is and you have pictures or stories to tell- please send it to our webmeister; ted.mallory-at-gmail.com

Hey, if you have more ideas for our "Not the same Ricketts" files, especially if they're campy, kitch or corny- send them too!

Making Hay

An Excerpt of
Making Hay
By Iowa poet Tom Montag

... put
one bale in place, underway &
my father
carries
back the second/ first
bale parallel
to the end
of the rack,
second
bale next to
it/ right side
of the rack & the third
placed into center/ right
angles to the end
& fourth
& fifth
parallel to
the end/ again. & we are
underway. movement sound & move-
ment jerking as we move
over sharp stubble &
clumps of dirt/ hay
dust fills
our eyes....

The Middlewesterner
http://middlewesterner.typepad.com/middlewesterner
Exploring the heart of the country; or as Nancy Besonen has said,
"Tom Montag is defining the character of the Midwest - one character at a time."

It isn't your town, it's YOU

View of the community center, Flag pole and water tower facing Southeast

Your Town
Author unknown

If you want to live in the kind of a town
Like the kind of town you like.
You needn't slip your clothes in a grip
And start on a long, long hike.
For you'd only find what you left behind
There's nothing that's really new
It's a knock at yourself when you knock your town,
It isn't the town—it's you.

Real towns are not made of men afraid
Lest somebody else gets ahead.
When everybody works and nobody shirks
You can raise a town from the dead.
And if while you make your personal stake
Your neighbor may make one too,
You can make a town what you want it to be,
It isn't the town—it's you.

Found in the 75th Anniversary book c.1974

Some historic photos

If you think that Ricketts is a small town NOW, just take a look at what Main Street ORIGINALLY looked like, facing South.

Here's Hugo Ricks and Nick Dryfus working for Dray Line freight. Bet they'd give UPS or FedEx a run for their money!

Presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney, John McCain?... yeah, they haven't bothered campaigning in Ricketts yet- but hey, back when the town was only 11 years old and had a population of 102 (not counting surrounding farms) the Governor of Iowa itself came and paid us a visit. Suppose the town of Carroll was named for him?

You named it WHAT?

Family portraits of some of the founding residents (and possibly name sakes). Left, the Henry Ricks family. Right, George Sciford's family.

The folks who put together the 75th Jubilee history book back in 1974 weren't sure how the town of Ricketts got it's name exactly. The Chicago Northwestern Rail Road said only that it was named for an early settler. So why isn't there anyone around here named Ricketts today? Some people think that it was just named for some guy who worked for the railroad.

Turns out it was supposed to be named "Sciford" after the family who sold the land on which the town was built, but Mr. Sciford didn't like that idea and told the town fathers to find something else.

Some say that a bachelor farmer who lived east of town is said to have been the first to have plowed up the prairie around these parts. His name was Ricketts and he died just about the time Sciford declined the honor, so they named the town for him. That would explain why there are not Ricketts families around today.

One last theory was that the Railroad had originally meant to build the depot near the farm of one Henry Ricks (later changed to Rix). They instead built it a mile West but somehow his name sort of became the towns name.

Whatever the reason, they're stuck with it now. One nice thing is that even though nobody named Ricketts lives here, back in 1999 as part of the town's centennial people with the last name of Ricketts from all over the United States held their first NATIONAL family reunion. All kinds of folks, presumably at least vaguely related came from all over and made friends here in "the middle of nowhere."

May 10, 1899

The Ricketts Depot of the NorthWestern Rail Road c. 1906?

I pulled this from the Rickett's 75th Jubilee book, so it's originally from either the Charter Oak Times or Schleswig Leader, but I'm not sure which- May 10th, 1899--- Town of Ricketts--- May 11th Town of Schleswig. These towns will have a railroad soon and are good openings for all kinds of businessess and professions. These towns are in the midst of the best, richest and most prosperous farming districts in Western Iowa.

Men's underwear 19¢
Men's solid leather boots $1.48
Ladies' Oxfords 42¢
Baby shoes for 29¢

Jacob Dieber died of a nose bleed at the age of 33

Slow down and look around

That's 400 miles from Zap, North Dakota, 400 miles from Peek, Oklahoma, 400 miles from gay, Michigan, and 400 miles from Tab, Indiana- in case you're having a hard time reading it. I happen to know that it is also 1,517 miles from Surprise, Arizona. Surprise! (My brother and sister-in-law live there and that joke never gets old).

These are just three, out of more than fifty pictures that I took of Ricketts one misty day in May 2007. To see them all, just visit http://tmal.multiply.com/photos/album/51

As you can see, it's a lovely piece of Heaven ( uh, I mean Iowa- for all you "Field of Dreams" fans).

Now that we've got this website up and running, its time for you to contribute. If you grew up in Ricketts and have some memories or stories that you'd like to share, or if you have any pictures, or campy, kitschy, or corny ideas for the "Not the same Ricketts" file- please let me know.

I've been having so much fun with them, I made a whole column out of it. http://tedscolumn.blogspot.com/2007/05/postcard-from-middle-of-nowhere.html
If you're from Ricketts, please know that I wrote it with my tongue firmly in my cheek. It was meant to tickle and draw attention to your hometown, not to deride it. But, again- I think it's plenty time for you to start contributing to the Ricketts Kids' Reunion website. I'm looking forward to seeing what you send me.

Thanks,
Ted Mallory

Watching the grass grow...

I see you included one of my passion and handy work in your blog.
That is the small prairie near Ricketts and a link to many more of my work with prairie is Crawford County.

Below is a web site dealing with The Loess Hills Prairie Seminar. I think you and your children might enjoy the event. The Seminar not only deals with the physical environment of the Prairie but the human arts and literature.

Glenn Polock

http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/programs/loesshillsseminar

Not the same Ricketts; File #8

Ricketts House (or Ricketts Hovse) is one of the four original fraternity houses at Caltech. Its construction was funded by Louis Davidson Ricketts. Members of Ricketts House are called Skurves (or Scurves) due to a play on the similarity of the name Ricketts to the disease rickets and the fact that scurvy is another vitamin deficiency disease.^[1]

Ricketts traditions include fire related activities and the brakedrum. Prior to 2003, the Ricketts courtyard housed a large concrete firepot, in which massive fires were often enjoyed during cool Pasadena evenings. However, due to tightening of Pasadena fire codes and the Caltech administration's recent focus on liability concerns, the firepot was removed. The brakedrum is a contest between the freshman class and the sophomore class over ownership of the brakedrum.

Ricketts House was known for athletics and student government in the 1950s, but in the past decades Ricketts has been known less for these activities, and more for activities which push the motto "Take me as I am" to the limit. Scurves have in recent years assumed the role of agents provocateurs on campus, confronting a growing legalism on the part of campus administration with increasingly envelope-pushing displays of self-expression. A recent example has been the inverted pentagram which Ricketts had displayed for years on the front wall of its dining room. While Ricketts views this as a symbol of the primacy of individual expression over political correctness, administrators have long requested its removal, citing a potentially hostile work environment for custodial and food service employees. During the recently completed renovations, the mural was painted over, and a new mural policy has been put in place which effectively prohibits its return. In 2005, the administration pressured Ricketts to make their website private because many of the pictures and quotes on the website were considered to be potentially offensive.

These frat-boys REALLY don't have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! Ricketts is a quaint, quiet, picturesque little town in Wester Iowa. Sure, some of our folks have been known to raise a little Hell once in a while, but most of the time, we're pretty kind, well-behaved and God-fearing.

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Not the same Ricketts; File #7

From Oklahoma University Softball's website:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Samantha Ricketts and Norrelle Dickson were honored by USA Softball as one of 25 finalists around the country selected for the USA Softball National Player of the Year Award. Ricketts and Dickson were two of the seven Big 12 athletes selected by the committee. Dickson appeared on the preseason watch list for the third time in her career but is making her first appearance on the list of 25 while it marks Ricketts’ first honor by USA Softball.

On May 9, just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named. On May 23 the list will be cut to three and those final three players will travel to Oklahoma City for the announcement of the winner at the 2007 NCAA Women’s College World Series.

Samantha doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does!

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Come to think of it, I highly doubt Samantha has ever been to Ricketts, but who knows, maybe she's been to Iowa at least. If I were her, I'd take a roadtrip to Ricketts, just so she could take some pictures of herself next to Ricketts signs and stuff. That would look pretty cool in a scrapbook, if you ask me.

Not the same Ricketts; File #6

The April 6, 2007 Iowa City Press-Citizen reported,

"...Dave Ricketts, UI parking and transportation director, said the high point for motorcycle permits was in 1992, with more than 800, but then numbers dropped until 2001.

"In recent years, I'd say fuel prices were obviously a factor," Ricketts said, "but also where students are living and the cost of parking and operating a car.

"Then there are also trends that have nothing to do with that. This place has become more urban. It is easier to move around with those things."

The University of Iowa's Dave Ricketts doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa OR the Dave Ricketts who used to play for the Cardinals- but the rest of this website IS about Ricketts, Iowa (believe it or not).

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster:
ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

By the way, you'll find plenty of parking in beautiful downtown Ricketts for your moped, Vespa, Razer scooter, or whatever small two-wheeled vehicle you ride!

Not the same Ricketts; File #5

GENERAL JAMES B. RICKETTS was wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, is a native of New York, from which State he was appointed a cadet to West Point in 1835. He graduated in 1839, with the grade of Second Lieutenant of Artillery. In 1846 he was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, and in August, 1852, was appointed Captain, having since 1849 occupied the position of Regimental Quarter-master.

General RICKETTS was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and taken prisoner. For distinguished service in that battle he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General.

General James doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Not the same Ricketts; File #4

USS Ricketts (DE-254), a destroyer escort, was laid down 16 March 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Tex.; launched 10 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Milton E. Ricketts widow of Lieutenant Ricketts; and commissioned 5 October 1943 at Houston, Lt. Comdr. Glenn L. Rollins, USCG, in command.

Ricketts sailed from New York 22 February 1944 on the first of 12 escort voyages to Northern Europe and back. She saw a burst of flame in the convoy at 2035 on the stormy night of 25 February. Two merchant tankers, El Coston and Murfreesboro had collided, and both ships were badly damaged and burning. Ricketts snatched 33 survivors from the sea, which was covered with blazing gasoline. Her commanding officer was awarded the Bronze Star for his part in this daring rescue, and two other officers and six enlisted men received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

The USS Ricketts doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

PS- You can read more about the USS Ricketts at the US Coast Guard's military history website.

Not the same Ricketts; File #3

Disease Description: Rickets is a deficiency of Vitamin D which is also known by many other names like Osteomalacia, Renal Osteodystrophy, Paediatric Osteomalacia, Vitamin D deficiency and Renal Rickets. This disease involves softening and weakening of bones in children due to deficiency of Vitamin D. This softening occurs from a loss of the mineral calcium from the skeleton as a result of which bones become flexible and gradually are molded by forces, such as bearing weight, that are exerted on them. This condition could lead to deformities of the body structure.

Treatment Objectives The objective of this treatment is to improve all symptoms, prevent and treat later complications, correct imbalance, adjust the immune system and most importantly to boost energy and strong body for better health and quality of life. The purpose of this treatment is not to replace necessary orthodox medical treatment. A combination of both is recommended.

This ailment DEFINITELY doesn't have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! Ricketts is a nice, clean, picturesque little town in Western Iowa, but we do suggest you take your vitamins.

If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster: ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Not the same Ricketts; File #2

"Doc" Ed Ricketts was a marine biologist friend of legendary writer John Steinbeck from around Salinas and Monterey California. Doc is one of the heros in Steinbeck's books, Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday. The two men co-authored a book called The log from the Sea of Cortez, an account of a trip they took down along the coast of Baja Mexico.

Ed doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster:
ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

By the way, in Monterey, they don't call it "Monterey Jack Cheese." They just call it "Jack Cheese." Not that it matters. Here's a pretty picture of undersea life at the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary on the coast of California.

Not the same Ricketts; File #1

Dave Ricketts was 28 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 25, 1963, with the St. Louis Cardinals. His biographical data, year-by-year hitting stats, fielding stats, career totals, etc. etc. are available at the comprehensive Dave Ricketts baseball stats page.

Dave doesn't really have anything to do with Ricketts, Iowa- but the rest of this website does! If you grew up in Ricketts, be sure to plan on coming to our annual reunion, the third Saturday in July. If you have memories or pictures of Ricketts to share, email them to our webmaster:
ted.mallory -at- gmail.com

If you have other funny, kitsch, or corny "Not the same Ricketts" ideas, send them too. Help put Ricketts on the map!

Kiron Parade

Here is a replica of Rickett's Chicago and North Western Railroad Depot on a float in Kiron Iowa's Centennial Parade, Saturday August 21, 1999

the 'Kiron Kountry' webpage

St. Luke Lutheran, Ricketts, Iowa Celebrates 50th Anniversary

St. Luke celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 20, 1999, with the theme, "Partners in Prayer." Two special services were held and the public was invited to join in worship.

At 10:00 a.m. the Rev. Robert Hines, former pastor of St. Luke, was the guest speaker. A noon meal followed this service at 12:00. At 2:00
p.m. a Festival Service was held with Rev. Richard Kapfer, President of
Iowa District West, LCMS as guest preacher. Following the afternoon service
there was be a fellowship and coffee hour.

Although Ricketts was founded in 1899 with the coming of the railroad, it was
50 years later that the first and only church in town was established. The
beginning of St. Luke Lutheran Church dates back to the first quarter of the
century when service were first held in town.

On April 8, 1949, St. Luke was formally organized at the Aid Assossiation for Lutherans (AAL) Hall. During the summer of 1950 it was learned that Immanuel, Schleswig, Iowa was willing to sell their church building and furnishings to St. Luke. Due to delays in getting the mover and other reasons, a year and a half passed between the purchase of the building and the actual move. The church was moved from
Schleswig to Ricketts in March of 1952.

In March of 1972, a dual parish formed with St. Paul, rural Charter Oak,
Iowa. Then under the guidance of Pastor Gebhardt, St. John Charter Oak, a
vicarage program was begun in 1980. St. Luke was served by nine vicars.

On February 19, 1989, a meeting was held about forming a triple parish
between St. Luke, Ricketts, and St. Paul and Immanuel, rural Charter Oak.
Pastor Robert Hines was the first pastor of the Triple Parish followed by
current Pastor Eugene Ernst who was installed in March of 1994.

J Riessen's entry on Rootsweb

St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ricketts Iowa (LCMS)
PO Box 60
Ricketts, IA 51460-0060
Phone: 712.679.2701
E-Mail: geneviv@longlines.com
Pastor: The Rev. Eugene Ernst
Worship: Sunday- 8:30 a.m.

Native Prairie

Interested in nature or history? Visit Meyer Prairie, about a mile and a half miles North of Ricketts. Two acres of native grasses donated to Crawford County for preservation status. Learn more about other places like this in the area by visiting: http://www.crawfordcountyconservationboard.com

What' the heck's a Gumbotil?

This is a photo from July 1925 that I found on a University of Iowa website. It shows three men, George Kay, Frank Leverett, and Paul MacClintock about 4 miles Northeast of Ricketts, looking at the Nebraska gumbotil outcrop. Far as I can tell, that's scientific jargon for a geological formation caused by glaciers during the ice age.

Hmmm, sounds interesting. I may have to take my camera for a roadtrip and try to find this "Gumbotil." Wait a sec, 4 miles NE, isn't that just the town of Schleswig?

If you have antique pictures you'd like to contribute, just let me know and I can scan them in or you could email them to me: ted.mallory-at-gmail.com*

*(FYI: "-at-" means you'll have to put the "@" in there, by me not using it here, I prevent a lot of people from being able to send me spam)

First Post

Hi there,


My name's Ted. I live in a little town in Western Iowa called Charter Oak. By little, I mean in the neighborhood of 500. Quaint, huh? It is.

I write a weekly column in the Charter Oak-Ute NEWSpaper,
a publication that we obviously share with a neighboring town across the county line. Living in a small town is a wonderful way of life.

Recently someone who's a native of another town asked me about creating a website for a group of friends who try to get together every year and want to be able to keep up on their home town. The town is Ricketts, Iowa. I like to think of it a a suburb of Charter Oak. It's a burgeoning metropolis of say 150 people.

While I like to poke fun at it, I appreciate- no, I ADMIRE the affection that folks from Ricketts have for their town, and for each other. You gotta love a town that's this small and yet SO German Lutheran, that it has THREE churches!

If they like what they see, I hope they'll adopt this little website. No doubt it will grow and improve, especially as they themselves contribute to it. If they aren't crazy about, I'll just delete it- more roadkill on the information superhighway.