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Teamwork makes another successful golf event

Another successful Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota Webster County tournament is in the books, with more than 120 players competing this past weekend under ideal weather conditions at both the Fort Dodge Country Club and Lakeside Municipal golf courses. This event, now 44 years strong and sponsored by The Messenger, is a true testament to the strong community ties shared by local partnerships every summer. Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota has been a proud tourney host for nearly 20 years now. Casey and Matt Johnson from the dealership understand the importance of serving the community in ...

Be sure to attend the Webster County Fair

Times change. Even so there are a few constants in life. One is the pleasure provided by the county fairs that continue to be a highlight of summer in the Hawkeye State. For as far back as anyone who now lives in this part of Iowa can remember, these summer festivals have been much-anticipated and much-enjoyed features of summertime. The fairs, of course, have changed over the decades. One central theme, however, remains much the same — a celebration of farm life and the assorted positive educational and personal-growth pursuits that are treasured features of life in rural and ...

Developments in downtown Fort Dodge show good things are coming

Sometime during our childhoods, we all heard something from our parents or grandparents along the lines of “Patience is a virtue” or “Good things come to those who wait.” Recent developments in downtown Fort Dodge give some more credence to that wisdom, and suggest that all of us ought to show some patience as other big projects in the community unfold, even if they progress at a rate much slower than what we hoped for. The Laramar Ballroom and Second Avenue Rowhome projects downtown show what can be accomplished . The Laramar Ballroom at 710 First Ave. N. sat empty for so ...

It’s a day to celebrate America

Whether you spend this Fourth of July picnicking, swimming, boating, enjoying a parade, attending a community celebration, watching a fireworks display or just plain loafing, there should be at least a brief time to pause and reflect on this country’s enduring experiment in constitutional democracy. On this anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are troubled by uncertainty and anxiety over pressing problems at home and abroad. But in the long march of American history — through war and peace, prosperity and economic troubles — there always have been times ...

Decker family makes an impact for Iowa Central

Right now, there isn’t a seat in the house in Decker Auditorium at Iowa Central Community College. There is, however, a whole lot of scaffolding and other construction materials in there. The seats went out and the scaffolding came in as the 1978 vintage auditorium undergoes a major overhaul to become part of the college’s new Center for the Performing Arts. And once again, the Decker family of Fort Dodge is stepping forward to help make it happen. Earlier this month, Don and Dianne Decker donated $1 million to help pay for the renovation work. The auditorium was named for his ...

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 grilled by the Webster County Pork Producers, potato salad, chips and bottled water, all for $8. Trinity United Methodist Church will offer desserts. If all that food isn’t enough of an enticement to attend, consider this: a drawing will be held for ...