The series of daylong learning sessions, sponsored by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, will each focus on a different aspect of the community.

Jill Nelson, community development director for the Growth Alliance, said the program has several goals.

“We’re hoping that throughout the program they find an area that they’re really into that they can get involved and get engaged with,” Nelson said. “We hope they take on leadership roles or volunteer roles.”

One of their stops Thursday was the Ringland-Smeltzer House at 1019 Second Ave. S.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Nancy Griffel, center, talks about the history of the Ringland Smeltzer House Thursday afternoon as the Leadership Fort Dodge 2019-20 participants make their way into the third floor ballroom.

“Every year this is a participant’s favorite,” she said.

During the tour, the participants learned both about the home, and its last resident, Ann Smeltzer, from Nancy Griffel.

“She gave a lot of art for the Blanden,” Griffel said. “She helped put Fort Dodge on the map.”

Smeltzer liked to read, too.

“There’s over 5,000 books in the house,” Griffel said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Doreen Pliner, Webster County auditor, at left, and Jeremey Moore, with the Fort Dodge Police Department, look over some of the more than 5,000 books once owned by Ann Smeltzer as they tour the historic Ringland Smeltzer House during the first month’s session of the Leadership Fort Dodge 2019-20 Class.

Her legacy lives on today through the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust which continues to fund various organizations and projects in the community.

Shawn George, of Callender, an inspector for the city of Fort Dodge, was looking forward to the upcoming sessions and enjoying the tour of the home.

“I love the old architecture,” he said. “I’ve driven by here 200 million times, but never been inside it.”

Webster County Auditor Doreen Pliner is also a member of the 2019-2020 Class.

“I hope to learn more about Fort Dodge and gain an understanding of the different businesses and aspects of the community,” he said.

She’s been in the Ringland-Smeltzer House before.

“It’s just fascinating,” she said. “You see something new each time.”

Like most of the participants, Pliner is hoping to expand her network of contacts in the community. Helping make those connections is also one of the goals, Nelson said.

Anthony Meinke, with Woodruff Construction, was in awe of the fine woodwork in the home.

“This is a very neat place with a lot of historic value,” he said. “I love the trim work and crown moldings.”

Meinke has worked in Fort Dodge for eight years and hopes to learn.

“I just want to learn more about Fort Dodge,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to also get more involved in the community.”

Each session lasts a full day. Thursday’s started at the Growth Alliance in the morning and ended in the late afternoon with a stop at River Hops Brewing.

Nelson said it can’t happen without the support of each business or agency. Not only are those businesses and agencies without their participant for the day, the whole class might come for a visit.

“This program would not be successful without the employers and places of business that allow us to tour or present about what they do,” Nelson said.

Meinke is not only looking forward to the upcoming session, he’s ready to recommend it to others.

“I know it’s day one but I think this will be a good program,” he said.