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Editorial

Enjoy Fourth of July fireworks safely

When Americans enjoy fireworks on every Fourth of July, they have John Adams to thank for the colorful displays. Adams, one of the Founding Fathers who became the country’s second president, wrote to his wife, Abigail, when the Declaration of Independence was approved in July 1776 in Philadelphia. “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more,” Adams wrote. His reference to “illuminations” is traditionally interpreted as ...

Friendship Haven is a special place

Friendship Haven has been part of Fort Dodge for so long that people take it for granted. Last week, a series of special events showed just how long Friendship Haven has been an integral part of the community — 75 years. When the first residents moved into the former East Building in July 1950, Harry Truman was the president, the Korean War had just started and Elvis Presley had yet to record a hit song. And while the retirement community opened in1950, the planning for it began a few years earlier. The concept of Friendship Haven was the idea of one Methodist minister, the Rev. ...

Help celebrate Hometown Pride

In every town there are special people who contribute to the success of the community through the giving things they do. These folks — whose selfless contributions make life better for others in their hometowns — sometimes go unacknowledged. That’s unfortunate because many of the people who work without much fanfare to enhance the lives of others truly are accomplishing exceptional results. Similarly, there are organizations that have that same type of impact. That’s one of the reasons that each year The Messenger publishes a magazine supplement called Hometown Pride. The goal ...

Lunch on Central is coming

There will be some good eating during a picnic to be held in the 700 block of Central Avenue Friday. We are, of course, referring to Lunch on Central which will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the alley between The Messenger building and the Webster County Courthouse in the 700 block of Central Avenue. The menu will include pork burgers and tenderloins grilled by the Webster County Pork Producers, pasta salad, chips and bottled water, all for $8. Kosovo Exchange, a youth group that is part of Fort Dodge’s Sister City relationship with Gjakova in Kosovo, will be selling ...

It’s time to splash down at Rosedale Rapids

The past weekend was a scorcher, and it’s a sure bet that we have not seen the last of hot weather this summer. So when the days become smoldering hot, it is good to remember that there is a safe place to cool off right here in Fort Dodge. We are referring, of course, to the Rosedale Rapids aquatics center at 10th Avenue North and North 32nd Street. In 2007, voters approved a bond issue enabling the city government to borrow the millions necessary to build the aquatics center. The center opened in 2010, and it provides much more than just a rectangular pool to splash around ...

New Gowrie trail awaits walkers, runners, bicyclists

The residents of Gowrie and the surrounding area now have nearly two miles of new trail that they can use for walking, running, bicycling or skating. It’s called the Freedom Trail, an appropriate name for a path in a town known for its spectacular Independence Day celebrations. Like all trails, this one took years of planning. But its origin also has a moving story behind it. Some 20 years ago, Andrea Kuhn was helping to care for her sister, who was suffering through the ravages of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Kuhn was not alone in her efforts. She had support from friends and ...